Sarah Palin's visit to Hamilton, CFL, NFL

DR. Suzuki would be a Fine Choise :thup:

IMO, many 10s of thousands of dollars would have been donated
to the hospitals out of the $200,000 of ticket money raised.

From the Hamilton Spectator article…

As of mid-week, HHS [ Hamilton Health Sciences ] had received about 60 angry calls and e-mails from residents, about 10 of which

involved donors who said they would not give again.

Rather than donating enough to compensate for the loss of donations they caused

It looks to me like many of those complainers were turned off from donating at all.

Ron, although you and I disagree on some other issues, you are “bang on” with this in my opinion. Yes, I’m a “left” leaning individual, but this is a “pay to attend” event which means Mrs. Palin is not standing on a soap box in Gore Park preaching her views to everybody who have no choice but to hear her words. It (Carmens) is a closed building/venue and you need a ticket to attend. Also, this event has not limited it’s keynote speakers to certain political stripes in the past eg President George Bush Sr., President Clinton, British PM Margaret Thatcher.

Like it or not, Mrs. Sarah Palin is a current celebrity and has drawing power. Do I agree with her stance on some issues?..hell no!..but would I get a little star-struck if I met her in person?..yes, yes and yes…just like a lot of Conservatives flocked to meet President Clinton and listened politely to him as he spoke at Carmens…and got his autograph and photo with him.

I think Mr. Mercanti should have stuck to his guns because even a Liberal leaning person like myself am a little bit embarrassed and ashamed at the intolerance of Governor Palin by some Hamiltonions…hell, debate her stance like a Tasmanian Devil, but don’t censor her…she has committed no crime…

She can say whatever she wants but the public can react in whatever way it sees fit to her. You say you object to free speach yet you rage against those engaging in speech that you disagree with. Protesters have as much right to voice their opinions as Sarah Palin does. Besides, only a fool would think that any celebrity speaker at those outrageous speakers fees can raise more money than not holding the event at all. There is a good reason the celebrity galas faded away. They weren't making money because the appearance fees sucked up too much of the proceeds

What we don't know is how much influence Hamilton Health Sciences and the Juravinski Cancer Centre had in bringing her here. Look folks, HHS gets money, JCC gets money, by the more patients the merrier, the more patients on clinical trials, it's not a mystery. And no problem, clinical trials do bring in money and do give hope to patients who most likely otherwise are doomed for a certain death especially with some cancers. Right now hospitals are hurting for money, big time and the gates are open, whatever brings in the money will do. Otherwise nurses get laid off, less services, it's a spiral downwards, those that have little hope are left with even more little hope, so to speak, etc. The government doesn't pay for everything I'm afraid, especially if you have a serious disease. Cutting edge treatments that aren't yet covered by OHIP because they aren't "proven" in enough clinical trials, the province doesn't want any part of, for potentially good reasons of course, we are all paying for each other in Canada. And actually very good reasons in many cases because there is not enough good evidence. Go to the States and get a "great" new treatment, mind you it's only been tested on 100 people but oh yea, it just might "cure" you.

but would I get a little star-struck if I met her in person?.......yes, yes and yes.....

Hey deer, I suppose you might also get struck by meeting what's his name from the Bills, Mr. Terrell Owens. I try and not get star-struck with anyone if I can help it, I've seen too many instances where the "perfect person" out there, hey Tiger, just ain't so perfect after all. :wink:

Look, some may say I’m contradicting myself because of my thoughts on The Globe and Mail. National Post, Christie Blatchford etc. the past few days…but I’m not really…those three examples I just listed are only commentators on the “do-ers” in society…I may not agree with Sarah Palin, but she’s not a sideline commentator…she’s in the game and puts herself out there as a do’er…I think she has earned the right to speak to anyone who is willing to pay to hear her speak…she may be mis-guided in my opinion, but I will never try to upset the opportunity for others to hear her speak…and would I be kind and gracious to her if I met her?..yes!.. I’d not hesitate to tell her I disagree with her, but I’d still respect her because she gets in the game with no fear. Hamilton is a huge multi-cultural work of art and with that comes different opinions and viewpoints…let Sarah Palin open the debate about social issues like health care etc…good debate is always a good thing…

And good debate is even better when you have a panel whereby each expert can look the other one in the eyes and discuss. T

She IS a sideline commentator. She quit her job as governor. She’s not in the game. She quits when it gets tough because she IS afraid to get involved. She’s just another dog and pony show

I can tell you I will be donating the cost of a ticket to this "event" to Hamilton Health Sciences for the Juravinski Cancer Program but have no intentions, whatsoever, of attending the "event" for this celebrity who probably doesn't know the difference between a Phase I clinical trial and a Phase III clinical trial in medicine. And, of course, what a Phase II trial is.

What exactly is questionable about her character? And please, don’t quote something from Saturday Night Live, the Corbert Report or Michael Moore.

As for ability, the woman ran a State . If we are to compare, what has Obama done - ever?

And if we are to throw around questions to character are you aware of Obama’s ties to Chicago corruption, radicals, George Soros, and attendance record as a junior senator? It seems the only time he showed up to vote was for abortion. You’d think given American history that a Black man would be more empathetic towards State sanctioned violence. Slavery was legal once too.

As for abilities, have you seen Obama try and speak without a teleprompter? Why doesn’t Al Gore debate anyone regarding his new found fortune - climate change? Didn’t he claim to invent the internet? The most Bill Clinton accomplished in office was a stain on a blue dress.

In another thread someone stated that liberals don’t make things personal, throw mud, lower the standards, blah blah. In this thread alone lies the proof that statement is as erroneous as most liberal policies. It’s sad how many attacks on the intelligence of right wing politicians get made. Reagan was just a “B” movie actor, “Bedtime for Bonzo”, Bush Jr was constantly insulted as with Palin. If any of you self proclaimed geniuses are Senators, Govenors, Premiers, Presidents of corporations or anything else then please present your credentials.

I don't believe Sarah Palin said Canada should dismantle it's Health Care in any serious forum, she was approached by a spoof reporter I believe from this Hour has Twenty Two Minutes and I don't take that to serious. In the last U.S. election this woman was critized unfairly compared to president Obama could you imagine if she called Ottawa ,Iowa like the president did they would have ripped her to shreds

No one says it but it is a very good analogy of the cfl/nfl and Canadian health care/American medicare__ In Canada we have a doctor shortage because of the open ended free market (old) system in the U.S._ many of our best Canadian doctors were lost because they could make more(IMHO immoral) money down south. Goes to show that bigger may not be better :wink:

If I was an American I would likely be a libertarian (you know, one of those that thinks both parties are nuts) but would have leaned to voting McCain until he chose a running mate. Thank goodness he lost. I cannot imagine her as President if he died

I too would be shaking in my boots if she was to be President… Actor Matt Damon summarized my feelings perfectly when he spoke out right after she was picked by the McCain camp…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anxkrm9uEJk

But, having said that, I do not agree with the general public censoring her as what is being attempted in Hamilton, especially since it’s a “pay as you go” event…and yes, if I could afford it, I’d attend and listen with respect and interest…but, also, I’d try to have a debate with her privately (out in the parking lot if necessary) and tell her my viewpoints…that’s fair debate and I’m the first to give her a hearing even if I disagree…

Do everyone a favour. Donate the $200 or whatever you can afford to charity. You are throwing your money away if you think one nickel of the admission will go to charity

Sheesh, I can’t believe I’m defending a hard-nosed Republican but I must point out, in the interest of fairness, that President Clinton (a Democrat of the highest order) didn’t come cheap when he appeared at Carmens…Secret Service protection, bodyguards, limosines, Morgan Firestone private jet, RCMP and OPP Intelligence work, Hamilton Police escort and protection, appearance fees, accomodations, food, etc, etc…

And he was useless as a fundraiser as well. Its not about the politics as far as how much money will be raised or not raised, although Clinton at least has a political record of note and a record of commitment to the job he was elected to as opposed to Palin's very thin resume and record of quitting

President Clinton was useless?..seems to me, by my memory/recollection that the demand was so great that they were thinking about moving the event from Carmens to Copps Coliseum…

Yes useless. He cost too much money to be worthwhile. A lot of money left the city that night. If these clowns want to do the appearance free they would have my support providing they support the cause they are speaking on behalf of

Well if this annual charity event has been such a bust, why do they do it year after year?..cause it makes money for the cause is why!