Early this year, an op-ed in the Anchorage Daily News ripped into Gov. Sarah Palin’s appearance on a morning “shock jock” radio show as “plain and simple one of the most unprofessional, childish and inexcusable performances I’ve ever seen from a politician.”

So what happened? Palin has repeatedly feuded with the state’s Senate president, Lyda Green, over a wide range of legislation. Last January, Palin appeared on “The Bob and Mark Show,” whose host Bob Lester despises Green. That’s when the trouble started:

Early on in the conversation before Palin started to crack up, Lester referred to Sen. Green as a jealous woman and a cancer. Palin, who knows full well Lyda Green is a cancer survivor, didn’t do what any decent person would do, say, “Bob, that’s going too far.”

But as the conversation moved on, Lester intensified his attack on Green.

Lester questioned Green’s motherhood, asking Palin if the senator cares about her own kids. Palin laughs.

Then Lester clearly sets the stage for what he is about to say by warning his large audience and Palin. He says, “Governor you can’t say this but I will, Lyda Green is a cancer and a b—-.” Palin laughs for the second time.

What were teenage boys thinking when they heard the governor laugh at someone being called a b—-? How about the teenage girls who look up to Palin. What did they think when they heard her laugh?

But there is more. Lester then describes Green’s chair as big and cushy. A clear reference to the senator’s weight. Palin laughs a third time. She’s just having a grand old time.

Palin was clearly enjoying every second of Lester’s vicious attack on her political rival.

And who will join this standing up
and the ones who stood without sweet company
will sing and sing
back into the mountains and
if necessary
even under the sea.

We are the ones we have been waiting for.

Poem for South African Women
June Jordan (1)

WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR

We are the ones, young men and women of America,
Longing to believe again in the goodness of America
And eager to contribute to a renewed America.

We are the ones, Republicans, Democrats, Independents,
Americans all, outraged at the assaults on our liberties,
Our values, our Constitution by the Bush-Cheney administration.

We are the ones, Americans of every race, color, creed,
Who no longer will be pitted against each other
For the politician’s gain, our country’s loss, and our own detriment.

We are the ones, Americans, fortunate in our wealth and comfort,
Wanting to give for the welfare of those Americans less fortunate,
Believing in the worth and righteousness of the Common Good.

We are the ones, Americans of all political parties and persuasions,
Who can see past our legitimate and strongly-held policy differences,
To a way of honorable compromise for solutions to our country’s problems.

We are the ones, Americans who will redeem the promise of America
For all of our citizens, the young, the old, the disenfranchised, the poor,
And for those who yearn to become part of us, our immigrants.

We are the ones,

Americans who wish to be a force for peace and goodwill among nations,
Rather than a nihilistic agent of death, destruction, and chaos.

Americans who wish to promote understanding and respect between peoples
Rather than distrust, hate, fear, and conflict.

Americans who wish to help alleviate the suffering of the peoples of the world,
Who see all children as our children, all women as sisters, all men as brothers.

Americans who understand that we are all one people of our planet Earth.

We are the ones we have been waiting for.

Mary Oleary-McGlinn

(1) From Passion:New Poems, 1977-80 by June Jordan

Let Us Finish The Task