If You Don't Want Palin Wearing An Ear piece Thursday Night Let Them Know

[ThomWV]

http://debate.wustl.edu/contact.htm

Here is a link to the contact page for the folks at Washington University who will be putting on the Debate thursday night. Contact them if you suspect that Ms. Palin will be coaxed through the debate via electronic means. The page has E-Mail contacts who can make sure it doesn't happen and they should know we care.

http://debate.wustl.edu/contact.htm


I could not care less if no one recommends this post but please keep it kicked so as many people as might be interested can make the call themselves.

Once again: http://debate.wustl.edu/contact.htm

[eleny]

1. k&r

:kick:

[DaLittle Kitty]

104. KICK THIS MF'er HARD!!!!!!!!!!

No fucking shenanigans... although she is succchhhh a moron she likely as not would F it up even worse w/ da hearing aid!:)

[Sebastian Doyle]

106. I can picture it now.....

"Technical difficulties" come up right when Gwen Ifill asks a foreign policy question...

"What? You gotta speak up Karl! I'm only hearin' static out here!!! :rofl:

[evilkumquat]

108. She Already Has Her Hair Style Picked Out

[Lena inRI]

112. BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. . .

. . . oh so painfully funny!

Thanks for that guffaw, evilkumquat!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[dmr]

117. Oh dear, don't give her, and them any ideas

Too bad there isn't something Biden can put in his pocket to wreck havoc on any device she may wear. Do they make anything like that? Or can a hacker intercept?

I believe whole-heartedly she will be wired, just as I believe Dubya was wired during his debates. He would look off into the distance, sometimes wincing during his pauses, or between words as if he was interpreting and absorbing the words spoken to him. And of course that 'jet-pack' bulge beneath the back of his jacket.

I'm happy the week is going by fast. Never before have I looked forward to a debate. I'll be mixed with guilty-pleasure on her screw-ups and laugh; but pangs of sorrow for the danger the GOP is thrusting upon us all will be a difficult emotion to handle.

Laughter and sorrow.

Sad.

[illuminaughty]

124. Jet pack indeed

There were a lot of us here at DU that recorded that debate and a couple hours later we had it down to the minutes and seconds into the video where you could see the "jet pack" so plainly. And let's not forget him talking back to the voices in his ear.

[riona]

149. Thanks for a good laugh.

Who knows how many electronic devices she could fit under there?

[rebel with a cause]

185. Actually the new hairstyle does cover her ears.

unlike her old up swept style. That was the first thing that I thought of when I saw her new do.

[HopeHoops]

191. Hmm, "Wait, Karl, let me finish" - remind you of anything?

[slypknot]

192. ah ha!!!

Spoken like Nelson from the Simpsons.

[geraldatwork]

197. Debate Commisson Contact Info

I got the same response that I should contact the Debate Commission. Anyway after some digging here is the contact:

Janet Brown
Executive Director
[e-mail]

Please everyone email Janet Brown and let her know as Leonard Cohen says "Everybody Knows"

*** I tried to email the OP and because I don't have enough posts I am not allowed. Could someone someone please contact ThomVW and have him edit the post and include the new contract info. This post gets lost down here. Please

[dkf]

2. I don't think an ear piece will work for her.

Notecards didn't.

She sounds unnatural when she tries to repeat what she's told to say.

[formercia]

10. She's not a good listener

Mooselini doesn't have the temperament for it.

[noonwitch]

17. It would be very funny if she started talking back to it

"Are you sure that's what I'm supposed to say?" would be really awesome.

[BlueJazz]

64. LOL! .The....Answer ....to ....your....question.....is ..............i ....Think....

:)

[yellowcanine]

66. Or like Bush saying "Let me finish!" when no one in the room was saying anything.

[Free Speech Zone]

163. Actually she has a long history is sports broadcast

Using an earpiece was part of her job.

[napi21]

3. I don't think it would help her! To me, her thought process, or

lack of one, is way too transparent for that, and she doesn't know how to cover her mistakes.

[Hepburn]

4. K&R

IMO, I would not put ANY dirty trick past the McCain campaign. However, I am having the funny imagine in my mind wherein Palin crooks her head, cups her hand over the ear with the earpiece and says aloud without thinking, "Speak louder, I cannot hear what you told me to say!"

:evilgrin:

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

5. kick

[wtmusic]

6. k&r

[Windy]

7. kick

[wtmusic]

12. ouch!

:D

[AzDar]

8. Kick...

:kick:

[Kitty Herder]

9. K&R

[CoffeeCat]

11. Being able to use an ear piece is an art form...

We all think that because Junior did it, that anyone can.

Talking, thinking and formulating thoughts while you are listening to information in your ear--is
extremely difficult and it is practically an art form.

It requires years of practice to pull it off.

Junior had been doing this at least since his days of running for governor.

No way in hell could she pull it off.

I'd like to see her try though!! Can you imagine...the long drifting stares into oblivion and
the awkward moments of silence, with the sudden burst of soundbytes...

"YES! The Fed determines the discount rate. Yes, it sure does........and....John...John McCain......supports....the........wait for it...wait for it....bailout.......and....shoot...what?...hello?...karl are you there?...Houston...Houston...come in...Houston...Yes, Gwen! What? Oh hi Joe!....Yes, Karl, I'm here! What? Stop talking to you?..."

:rofl:

[justiceischeap]

13. Um, wasn't she a sports anchor for a while? I'm guessing she has experience

using an earpiece.

Just saying.

[renate]

37. OMG you're right!

I think DU is one of the few places we can say that her experience with an earpiece is relevant and not be accused of being a :tinfoilhat:.

Your point is actually kind of worrisome. The debate organizers presumably make sure the candidates don't get to see the questions ahead of time, but are they checked for earpieces? Bush's little black box in 2004 would suggest not.

I don't worry that she'll beat Joe, but I don't want her to look even marginally competent if it's only due to somebody smart whispering in her ear.

[Duval]

164. Yes, she was a sports anchor.

She knows how to give short answers and it's when she is asked details that she flubs.I am concerned that Biden will be "soft" on her. Also wondering if the questions will be known before hand.I have doubts that this is going to be a wash-out for Palin, although "hope springs...".

[nc4bo]

47. They have a nice, cozy, secluded Sedona home to get it just right. nt

[Eugenian]

49. " It requires years of practice to pull it off."

It's the kind of thing you learn to do when you work in TV NEWS.

[juno jones]

57. That's why her on again off again style scares me

She will stuble thru things horribly, but once she gets to the big debate she's all hunky-dory.

IMO, all debators in every debate should be checked out for electronic assistance devices. It's only fair in our day and age.

PS: Think of this as the olympics and steroids....

[bertman]

82. Years of practice? Bush managed to fumble through just fine in '04.

[Dumak]

94. I don't buy the "It's too Difficult" argument - at all

I am a horrible public speaker. As a test I turned on my radio, and was able to exactly repeat the advertisements without any practice whatsoever.

[Foxman]

84. Earpiece

TwoSparkles: You forget Palin used to be a sportscaster. If she's going to ware an earpiece, she'll be used to having it again by Thursday night.

[CoffeeCat]

96. Point taken...

However, she was a sportscaster 20 years ago. She sat at a desk and read the scores of
Alaska hockey games. Her stint looked pretty low-tech to me.

Even if she did wear an ear piece, her career in sportscasting was very brief--and it was
a long time ago.

[beyurslf]

93. I would have to agree. There is no way I could do it. I would either tune out the voice in my ear

or tune out the debate.

[Dumak]

95. Did you watch McCain?

He was doing exactly that. Staring straight forward during his answers, eyes looking like they were about to explode from his sockets. A few times Obama tried to interject something, but McCain kept on as though he couldn't hear him.

[beyurslf]

107. Yeah I wondered about it. I know I can get into a good movie on tv and completely ignore someone in

the room with me--and I don't have a thing in my ear for the sound with that.

[Spritz57]

155. In a previous post, I asked if anyone noticed

whether they saw an ear piece in McCain's left ear. His eye movements to the left twice called my attention to it. There is no way I'm sure so for those with better eye sight, better reception, or superior electronics who review the tape, I'll stand corrected. To my eyes, it appeared he had a hearing aid just inside the opening of his left ear.

[mamameow]

173. search

joe biden needs to make a big deal of being searched with a detector and ask sarah moose to do the same.

[PopeRatzo]

180. It's about the hairdo

She has always worn her hair off of her ears until now. If her hairdo changes tomorrow to cover her ears, then she's wearing an earphone. Is there really an earpiece that can be made invisible?

I just want to hear her try to use the word "fungible" in a sentence again like she did with Katie.

[vincenzoesq]

14. A silk purse from a .....

I just sent an email to all the directors mentioned. Thanks for the heads up.

[CADEMOCRAT7]

15. Thank you.

My sister was just telling me this weekend that she was concerned that they may wire Pallin. The thought did not even cross my mind. I had suggested she contact the Obama campaign. I am glad you are on this. I guess she is not alone in her thinking. She is older and wiser than me :)

[WhiteTara]

16. here's my email to all of them

Hi ,
What a great place you occupy in history, working on this historic debate. Because it is so important, I am asking (without even knowing your stance - you may already agree with me) that you and the rest of the organizers make sure this is truly a debate between the candidates. Do not allow Sarah Palin to have an earpiece! If she wears her hair down, we'll know it is to hide the cord; if she wears loose clothing we will know it is to hide the transmitter. This request does not come out of a vacuum, we remember George Bush being wired for his debate; we can all see how well that turned out.

So, congratulations on your place in history. Please make sure you will be on the side of truth. Let the candidates speak for themselves..
Best regards,

[wowimthere]

171. Great letter

[Obamanaut]

189. Wish I had read yours before I sent mine (pasted in msg)

I would imagine that my concern has already been addressed, but it is a concern for me.

I would like to see a debate between two people based on what they, themselves, know rather than comments or responses they may receive via electronic means from prompters behind the scenes.

Hopefully neither candidate will be allowed to use any sort of electronic assistance.

Regards,

[Homer Wells]

18. Kicked and Recommended!! n/t

[babydollhead]

19. here's what I wrote...

Please do not let sarah Palin use an ear piece. We're grown-up, and we do not need another puppet show. if she cannot think for herself, she is not fit to debate as a candidate for vice president.

[bdamomma]

20. she will be parroting her talking points over and over again.

[niceypoo]

169. Most likely, yes...

This is what Bush did when, 'debating,' Kerry, basically giving the same answer to every question.

[LiberalHeart]

21. "I can hear the answers from my front porch."

[kaygore]

22. kick

[matt819]

23. Washington University has nothing to do with that

That said, take a look at http://www.debates.org/index.html, the commission on presidential debates, which is responsible for these debates. There is no contact information on the website, and there is nothing in the website or on the site guidelines prohibiting the use of communication devices by participants. Repeat. There is nothing in the rules to prevent a candidate from receiving instructions via an earpiece or any other form of communication. In another universe in an earlier time, the humiliation of being found using such a "lifeline" would have been enough. The RWers, however, have no shame, and they, and the campaign, would regard it as perfectly acceptable.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

92. Make it a public issue and shame them however possible.

[dmr]

120. There should be an obligation then, to disclose the use of these devices

There is a reason why we have debates. It is to give the voters an opportunity to hear how and what a candidate thinks or feels about the issues. If a candidate receives information, and then gives them as their own, then that is cheating. It is a lie. It is bad sportsmanship.

I agree with the person up thread who equated it as using steroids at the Olympics. It is dishonest, and we, the voters, are being cheated by not receiving a true and honest view of the candidate.

If the rules don't address the use of wired devices, then perhaps the rules need updating to keep with the pace of technology.

Cheat sheets or 3x5 cards are okay with me, so long as it is disclosed.

We are hanging by bare threads in this country. We need intellect. We need common sense. We need a calm mind. We need good judgment. We need an elected and accountable president. Not another incurious, ignorant, unaccountable front-person for another group of silent, unaccountable and very dangerous neo-cons.

[Rainngirl]

190. Yes!

"We are hanging by bare threads in this country. We need intellect. We need common sense. We need a calm mind. We need good judgment. We need an elected and accountable president. Not another incurious, ignorant, unaccountable front-person for another group of silent, unaccountable and very dangerous neo-cons."

Beautifully said!! If she does wear an earpiece, I just want her busted on it. What a chickenshit bunch they are.

[wowimthere]

172. What kind of message does it send to people watching? It's like a parent condoning cheating.

So if I take a college exam, I can wear an earpiece or transmitter and listen to those who took the test before me and there will be no consequnences? I'm just wondering why people conducting the debate don't just shut this kind of stuff down.

[truedelphi]

199. Just like everyone in the voting reform movement has been saying since early '04:

The debates are brought to you by the Commission which is bought and paid for by the same Big Money Entities that provide the machinery that count the votes.

Whenever I think of all this, it is really hard to decide if I should wake up on election day or not. <Sigh> But I suppose the "little people" running locally deserve my support.

[tom_paine]

24. Talk about rocketing to the top of Greatest! K & well-deserved R!

Yes! Yes! Wonderful idea! Sending my e-mail!

Someone should also e-mail the Obama campaign and tell them to install short-range RF jammers, if possible.

Beat those fuckers at their own dirty tricks! Ideally, it would cause the earpiec to start emitting piercing bursts of noise in her ear that would cause her to freakout on stage and reveal she was cheating....

Holy shit! I think I have stumbled upon something here!

[jberryhill]

48. Umm.... great idea in an auditorium filled with communication electronics....

Not.

And decent prompting system would use spread spectrum or frequency hopping anyway, and suggesting that someone violate FCC regs on a lark is not a good idea.

[illuminaughty]

129. Her voice alone is "piercing bursts of noise"

[CADEMOCRAT7]

25. Please make a note and redirect your emails.

This is the response I received from the email I sent:

Washington University in St. Louis serves as the host venue for the vice
presidential debate. All programming content and all conditions governing
the debate are the responsibility of the Commission on Presidential
Debates, and the University has no involvement in the event itself.

Kind regards,
Colleen Lyerla
University Web Editor
[phone]
[e-mail]
http://www.wustl.edu

[DeeDeeNY]

26. The worst part about the Bush 2004 earpiece story is that the media covered it up

New York Times Killed "Bush Bulge" Story: http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2000

[onlyadream]

58. I alwayse wondered about

the Bush bulge and wondered why no one in the so called "liberal" media were talking about it...

[mikeymeitbual]

119. In-ear monitor?

I do a lot of professional sound mixing and engineering - it's possible that the bulge in Bush's back is the receiver for a wireless personal monitor system. For those who don't know what a monitor is, it's a speaker used by performers so they can hear themselves in large and noisy arenas. Typically they are wedge speakers located at the front of the stage, but increasingly they are earphone systems.

I'm not saying I support the Chimp, I'm just offering that as a highly likely possibility. I would be interested to talk to the sound guys at these debates to see if they use such a system.

[Bluenorthwest]

154. Used to hear themselves...that is ONE use

such ear devices are also used as prompting tools for those with weak memories. It is not always taking the place of a personal monitor, although as you say it does at times, usually when music is involved. Not so much for a solo speaker.
Highly likely that such a device was used so Bush could hear himself? Wrong. The debates happen in a silent hall. No need for a personal monitor at all. None.
So your assesment is incorrect. Those devices, in the context of a silent hall and no musical performance, would be used almost exclusively as prompting tools. The only exception would be someone who was very hard of hearing, which Bush is not, as one can see in his daily exhanges.
If a prompter was used for Bush or will be for Palin, the 'sound guys' at the debates would not know it. They would not be in the loop at all.

[blisteringcold]

27. Done!

Just sent my email!

[Enthusiast]

42. Me too. nt

[kaygore]

28. My email

Dear Washington University Personnel:

It is a great honor to host the vice-presidential debates this Thursday and the nation is anticipating the opportunity to view each candidate and hear their messages.

However, I implore you to not permit Gov. Palin or Sen. Biden to have access to electronic means that would provide either of them with answers to questions being posed.

This election is critical and the American voters have the right to see the true capabilities of each candidate.

Washington University in St. Louis has a long and proud history of academic excellence. Suspicions that one or both candidates had access to electronic means for prompting and framing answers would call the integrity of the University into question. Please do not permit such intellectual dishonesty.

Thank you for your kind consideration of my request.

Sincerely,

[classof56]

179. Well said! Thanks for sharing! n/t

[yurbud]

29. If she had it, I could see her saying, ''Hey, hush up der, Mr. Bigshot Moderator. I can't hear...

Karl.''

[VeggieTart]

65. The moderator is Gwen Ifill. So that's Ms. Bigshot Moderator to you

And I think it would be hilarious if she had an earpiece or assistance because she would almost certainly be caught out.


.....


Nah, she'd just sound like her usual stumblefuck self who can't put together a coherent sentence on the issues.

[lynnertic]

30. Huh? They say they don't make the rules, they're just hosts.

and I quote:

All programming content and all conditions governing the debate are the responsibility of the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the University has no involvement in the event itself.

So how can the people at the other end of that web page stop her from wearing an earpiece?

[Nightjock]

31. kick...I will never forget

or forgive the Times for sitting on the bush earpiece story.
Some people (Republican friends) still don't believe me.

BTW-4 of those 5 friends (former bushbots)are voting for Obama!

[Arugula Latte]

69. Have you ever e-mailed them these photos?

[DeeDeeNY]

153. Here's the original story

http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2004/11/10_407.html
"A NASA photo expert's analysis makes it clear: Bush is lying -- he wore some kind of device in each of the three debates."

[Alpharetta]

32. Inept campaign, inept voice in her ear

Bring it on, I say. Bring it on.

[jmondine]

33. We should crack into the frequency with Rage Against the Machine

[Towlie]

40. Bulls On Parade: "They don't have to burn the books they just remove 'em"

But seriously, with coaching through a hidden earphone Sarah Palin would look like a typical air-headed driver talking on a cell phone. It would be obvious.

[awnobles]

181. Bulls on Parade

[Froward69]

34. I am for certain palin has Herpes

ohhh EAR piece... sorry... :silly:

[SoCalDem]

35. If she wears her hair "down", we'll know..n/t

[cascadiance]

38. She'll wear a blue turban, and then we'll know we have the antichrist!

[David Zephyr]

89. Now I'll be watching for that.

Hair down, earpiece in.

[Dumak]

101. They're wireless and fit deep in the ear canal.

The first debate question should be "mind if I take a look in your ear?"

[King Coal]

36. Ultimately, its about job creation and lower taxes and everything like that.

[bvar22]

39. No, silly. Its about the maps.

"Too many US Americans don't have maps!"

[liberalla]

41. Phone# - [phone].

The phone number for the Commission on Presidential Debates is [phone].

If anyone gets the email contact for CPD, please add to this thread.

The contact through http://debate.wustl.edu/contact.htm will only get you a reply saying they don't have anything to do with the debates.

[Catamount]

43. Another k&r, n/t

[Dangerously Amused]

44. Ha ha, remember this?

The Applicable Rules: The bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates ended up with 32 pages of bilaterally agreed-upon rules, among which was its long-standing rule that forbids third-parties from intervening during the debates to provide assistance to a participant, with but one exception for the moderator, who can give procedural clarifications and issue warnings. Moreover, that long-standing rule applies to every participant in the 2004 presidential and vice-presidential debates. *Furthermore, Mr. Bush's chief debate negotiator, James A. Baker III, sought and got a strange stipulation that cameras must not be positioned behind the candidates. Despite which, Fox News positioned its cameras behind them anyway during the Miami debate. Finally, the CPD must enforce the rules and punish serious violations thereof. <4> ( emphasis mine)


Source (and excellent article!) http://www.opednews.com/peterson_101104_bush_cheat.htm

[Kablooie]

45. You're going to see a similar thing on Palin's back.

There's no way they would do this without secretly prompting her.
I just wish there was a way to stop it.

[pnwmom]

86. I think it's more likely they'll put it somewhere in the front,

where she has a better hiding place than Bush.

[louis-t]

175. Cover the device with itching powder

and let the fun begin.

[Dumak]

97. There are many models of these devices available

All with different places to put the receiving antenna. Even the one that Bush used, the back was one of any number of places that the antenna could go. So they won't put it on the back again. It's even possible, with the Republicans being the party in charge, that they would have access to the more sophisticated spy equipment that only the CIA/NSA/military would have access to.

[UpInArms]

46. thanks (with a k&r)!

:kick:

[snappyturtle]

50. K&R Done!

:kick:

[tclambert]

51. But Palin can see Russia

"Can Senator Biden see Russia from his back porch? Golly, I don't tink so. But I can, ya know. The only foreign country ya can see from Delaware is Mexico. Oh! And I was Mayor of Wasilla. That's executive experience. Senator Biden never executed a city. Not once. The City Manager only managed the city, but I mayored it. That's the city of Wasilla. We don't like it when big city folk call it the 'village of Wasilla.' And it's not true that I ran up a debt of $3,000 per person in Wasilla. It was more. So I know about the budgeting of the things, and the deficit spending. And it's all about job creation. Is that the Moon? It's so big and shiny. I could be an astronaut and Vice President, too, ya know. There's nothin' in the Decoration of Independence that says ya can't be both. But Senator Biden? He's prolly too old to be a . . . an astronaut. And John McCain's older, I know that, but he's got a good health, and the cancer he beat four times, that just shows he's a survivor. And that's what we need right now is a President who isn't . . . hasn't died."

"Senator Biden, would you care to respond?"

"No."

(Future transcript from VP debate.)

[geckosfeet]

52. McLameAssMoFo started writing as soon as he stopped talking - I am

sure that he was writing down coaching notes that he was getting through an ear piece.

IMO - debates should be one on one. A venue to not only get to know the candidate but to see what they are made of, to see how much they know and how they respond to a little good natured pressure.

I am sure that McLameAssMoFo would have sunk like a stone on his own. Just as I am sure that the flute playing five college beehive wearing dodo will.

Come on - let her have the ear piece. To hear her fuck up anyway will be very sweet.

[lonestarnot]

53. Who said she was going to?

[ThomWV]

205. The republicans have history with this

Bush

[Lorien]

54. But the page you linked to says that the debates are being run by the

Commission on Presidential Debates, not the University.

[juno jones]

55. K&R!

[Alexander]

56. K&R

[aggiesal]

59. Done. Here is what I sent to Colleen Lyerla ...

To Ms. Colleen Lyerla,
I writing to ask that you please make sure that neither VP candidate
has any ear piece that might receive answers to questions via
a wireless source.
I recommend a jamming device just in case either candidate
feels that they are entitled to an ear piece.
Thank You.

[mod mom]

145. Reply back from Colleen Lyerla:

Washington University in St. Louis serves as the host venue for the vice presidential debate. All programming content and all conditions governing the debate are the responsibility of the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the University has no involvement in the event itself.

Kind regards,
Colleen Lyerla
University Web Editor
[e-mail]

[martymar64]

60. Someone needs to go in with a scanner and broadcast her handler

feeding her notes.

[COLGATE4]

61. Here's mine

Please take all reasonable measures to ensure that neither of the candidates in Thursday's Vice Presidential debate are assisted in their answers by any type of electronic device, including but not limited to an earpiece, transmitter or similar. You will recall that there were serious questions as to whether President Bush used such a device during the 2004 Presidential debates with Senator Kerry. The importance of total transparency to the public for this forum cannot be overstated, and your being proactive to ensure that no allegations of this type of aid irreparably damage the credfibility of this debate will redound to the benefit of the entire American electorate. Thank you.

[RoccoR5955]

62. The hump should be easy to see in HD.

If the debate is recorded in HD. With a resolution 2 to 4 times that of a normal television, those of you with an HD signal, and provided the debate is brought to you in HD, will be able to see nose hairs, and count them, let alone a hump.

[Faygo Kid]

70. The hump doesn't have to be at her back. Nor will it. But no doubt, like Bush here, in 2004:

There is no doubt whatsoever that they will feed her answers via mike. None. She doesn't need a brick in her back, in 2008.

[foo_bar]

125. they wouldn't need a Quasimodo lump in 2004 either, this isn't the 1950s

It's down to "nanotube" radio now, but merely invisible ones are $650, which means our forward thinking intelligence services have probably possessed similar devices of varying effectiveness since Miss Moneypenny*. So yeah, they might be incompetent but wearing wires and a Bert the Turtle shell in the age of omnipresent wireless seems stupid even for them.

*edit: 1 millimeter in 2002,

[pnwmom]

87. They could hide it on her more easily in the front.

Plus I'm sure they make something smaller by now.

[tavalon]

131. Between her boobs?

Because I promise you that's where they'll put it.

[Joey Liberal]

63. Here's Mine!

Hi Colleen,
Thank you for hosting the Vice Presidential debate this week. Please do not let Gov. Palin wear an ear piece during the debate. She is obviously not able to answer questions properly due to her lack of experience and mental weakness. I would not be surprised if the McCain campaign would try to assist her electronically during this debate. The republicans seem prepared to do anything to win this election. Frankly, they frighten me.
Thanks,
JL

[SoCalDemGrrl]

67. K&R

[iandhr]

68. Damn right...

K%R

[santamargarita]

71. Someone will have to show her where it goes...

...she's so damn stupid!

[HopeHoops]

193. NO! NO! NOT the nose, NOT the nose - the EAR - in the EAR! Geeze

[happygoluckytoyou]

72. the pause and shit will only make her look stoopider. all that money wasted on SMART LOOKING GLASSES

[FailureToCommunicate]

73. Just ask Palin "Who is Shutrok-Nahunte?" Even with

an ear piece she will not know.

Love that movie! (Emperor's Club)

[HopeHoops]

194. I would love to jam the feed and replace it with Zappa - "Watch out where the huskies go..."

[volstork]

74. Here's my response: (K&R, BTW)

A "debate" should be just that: two individuals standing before an audience (in this case, the American people), sharing their OWN ideas, speaking extemporaneously. It is anathema to the spirit of debate for one or both debaters to be coached, especially with the aid of technology. I am speaking specifically about the use of earpieces during the debate. Please do all in your considerable power to assure that neither of the Vice Presidential candidates uses coaching via electronics. It is the right thing to do.

[moodforaday]

75. Kick, thank you, nt

:kick:

[GhostofRichardRorty]

76. Can't stop it, only draw attention to it if she does

The rules are carefully negotiated between the parties and the
Commission on Presidential Debates (created by the two major
parties).  They made their agreement in August of 2007.  Then
once the candidates were selected, they issued a joint
agreement in August of 2008 to abide by CPD rules.  As far as
I recall, there is absolutely nothing mentioned about ear
piece or any other form of offstage assistance.  Calls are
irrelevant.  

If she DID do such an outrageous thing (and I think, like
other posters, it would be awesome if she did), it would be a
national joke and the last straw any reasonable person would
need to justify not voting for her.  So don't try to stop it,
because you can't, but if she DOES do it, get on every blog
and talk show you can to draw attention to how outrageous it
is.  Then wait for the next SNL to finish her off!

[Norrin Radd]

77. I've been predicting for weeks that she'll have her hair down

to hide a bluetooth receiver.

[AlabamaBrightBlueDot]

78. K&R and action taken :) n/t

[trickyguy]

79. K&R. And I just contacted the University. Hope it helps.

[grassfed]

80. Gwen Ifill Contact info

http://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/feedback.html

[mod mom]

90. Thanks. Also done.

[NoSheep]

105. Thanks and done

[NoFederales]

146. Washington University in St. Louis

"Washington University in St. Louis serves as the host venue for the vice presidential debate. All programming content and all conditions governing the debate are the responsibility of the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the University has no involvement in the event itself."

I received this message yesterday.

NoFederales

[MissDeeds]

81. K&R

:kick:

[MrsCorleone]

83. Technology-wise, can a very small earpiece be built into an eyeglass frame? nt

[Dumak]

102. Now there's an idea - teleprompter eyeglasses - entirely possible!

[Imagevision]

85. Rachel Maddow's we should all drop an email to her and ask her what she thinks? how would she

approach this sort of thing? - for the people - by the people - yadeeyadeeyada...

[torbird]

88. BUT...!

I agree with all the anti-earpiece sentiments, and I also think that if the McCain people could train her to use one, they would. (I don't think she's that coordinated, though, and as a former broadcaster I can say that listening while speaking takes more than a few days' practice).

BUT, the damage to the Obama campaign if it got out that they were jamming for an earpiece that Palin's people would vehemently (really, nuclear-level, vehemently) deny she ever had or even considered, would be immense.

Don't let this become a story. If Palin survives the debate, even if she does fine, even if she likely cheated in some way, Obama and Biden are going to have to win the election on their OWN merits, not her stupidity.

Palin's selection was a gift to us. And, it turns out she's a little dumber than most people. WE never could have anticipated that, and we shouldn't bank on it now.

[AlbertCat]

156. Oh MY GOD!!!!!

BUT, the damage to the Obama campaign if it got out that they were jamming for an earpiece

The damage!

To begin with, Obama's people wouldn't actually do it, even if they got someone else to do it. There are plenty of people not with the Obama campaign who would do it.

And if it was discovered she was prevented from being fed answers, do you really think the GOP would cry from the roof tops "They stopped her from cheating!" That would go over great for them, right?

I know...maybe just have Biden back out....and Obama give up his candidacy just in case the Right might possibly maybe say something bad about Dems. It's the only safe thing to do! Drop out!

Oh yeah.....:sarcasm:

[beltanefauve]

200. "Concern" noted.

:eyes:

[Kukesa]

91. Kick! n/t

[FourScore]

98. Thanks, ThomWV! n/t

[Gap Spanner]

99. What is this...

...the Special Olympics for VP Debates?

I can see it now. Biden stands there, solitary, confident, competent.

Here comes Sarah, led to the podium by a crowd of warm-wishers amid shouts of encouragement (those lobbyists got a lot of heart) - she attains the podium, adjusts her earpiece, 3-D video glasses, check the internet link to Google and Wikipedia, waves to her lifeline buddies in the audience, drops a few prozac and nods her 'readiness' to begin.

At the end of the debate all the lobbyists rush forward to hug little Sarah and tell her how good a job she did and everyone's a winner!

==========

Don't take this as an attack on Special Olympics, it's a fantastic organization and I've worked with them numerous times over the years - but there's a difference between a Special Olympian and Sarah Palin - Lipstick and the Office of VP.

[Bluebear]

100. I suppose the antler antenna is out too? nt

[hay rick]

103. With matching mooseskin lingerie.

And accessorized with a shotgun.

[Miss_Underestimated]

109. might be too hard to detect without a search warrant!

Maybe she'll wear lots of jewelry to obscure her ears

[Po_d Mainiac]

110. Kickin

it up hard......sent a comment to the link also

[rhett o rick]

111. I personally think information feed to her via her ear will only confuse her more. nm

[WarbirdForObama]

113. Thanks for the heads up!!

I wrote an email to the Lady listed as the contact.

I asked what sort of efforts they were employing to prevent cheating like electronic ear pieces.

Yes, I was very nice, but I let it be known why I was asking, and that I do want to know what efforts are being taken.

Sadly, I wish someone would just setup an RF Jammer in the room.

[gilbertb11]

114. Why complain...Let her hang herself in humiliation

Why raise a red flag about it. Let the stupidity flow from not only her but her entire party. That gives great ammunition to the Dems. We should not make a big deal, make note of it during the debate then give her hell for it.

[gravity]

115. An ear piece will just confuse her more

Bring it on

[HopeHoops]

195. They'll just tell her that God is speaking directly to her and to just repeat what he says

[InvisibleTouch]

116. K & R. n/t

[KT2000]

118. K & R

and done!

[LiberalLovinLug]

121. kick it good!

Yes miraculously all the doom and gloom liberals will be proven wrong as Sarah opens her mouth into a stiff mechanical yabber to sneer out the latest Repiglitan talking points all in lock step precision and timed to the minute. And in conflated awe the MSM will declare her the come from behind winner.
"She held her own" will be the headlines.

I wonder if this is the lowest point in Palin's life. What a backwards step for woman's equality she stubbles toward. That the closest possibility in a point of time that a woman could be President since Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin is your candidate? Someone who will verify every bigoted sexist suspicions about females being leaders. Now she also needs a little e-help.

Maybe that is Rove's plan, to remind and dig it in a little towards the ex-Hillary supporters, who now will feel the double pain at the maddeningly frustration of Ms. Palin, an embarassment, who is slated to take up the torch for the cause of a woman presidency. The injustice of it not being Hillary, or her at least named a VP candidate for Obama, the Entitled One slayer. So they stay home and don't bother to vote for McCain OR Obama. Keep it close any way they can. I'm paranoid right? I keep thinking that Rove can't have lost his step THIS badly, there must be something else going on.

[lisainmilo]

122. Done! and Recommended!

Thank you for posting!

[WoodyD]

123. I hope they do wire her

I worked in TV production for years, including working at local stations during the late 80s when Caribou Barbie was a sports anchor. It would have been highly unlikely for her to have worn an earpiece. It just wasn't the norm in those days. Plus they take a lot of getting used to. You have to be able to have two different things going on in your head and be able to separate them, process them and prioritize them, all while speaking fluidly and coherently. So I say, bring on the wire.

[angryvoter]

126. Hear , Hear,Kicked

[illuminaughty]

127. My two cents e-mail

For fuck sakes, I need to wear a wire just to write an e-mail anymore if I want to seem coherent.
Anyway,

" In keeping with the spirit of fairness in mind, not to mention the voters ability to make a truly informed choice in this election, we are requesting an assurance that Governor Palin (nor Senator Biden for that matter) not be equipped with any electronical aid for the debate. There are rumors that she will be wearing a wire for the debate and we hope this is not the case."


Given that she probably has worn a wire in her sportscasting days, I'm looking forward to responses like "And...I...believe...the....citizens...of..huh, uh, Pookistan...deserve, uh ...and the Giants win it in overtime. SCOOOORRRREEEE!"

[billyoc]

128. I DO want her to wear one. Remeber Bush arguing with the voice in his ear?

It all started when Bush looked up halfway though an answer during Thursday's debate and snapped petulantly, "Let me finish." This is a trademark Bush line and normally wouldn't draw any comment except for one thing: no one had interrupted him. He had plenty of time left, Kerry hadn't said anything, and Jim Lehrer hadn't said anything either. So who was he talking to?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2004_10/004835.php

[man4allcats]

130. Kicking

:kick:

[Youphemism]

132. An RF jammer is a simple thing to put in your pocket...

Biden should carry one with him and wait until ten minutes into the debate to flip it on.

[Kolesar]

136. Turn on some scanners in the parking lot and listen for wireless communications

That would be a good piece of evidence.

[Fedja]

140. That would likely be the best way to handle it.

Immagine someone who puts all his/her faith into the earpiece, and then said earpiece goes dead. Complete collapse.

She'd probably fake an epileptic seisure to get out of it. :D

[McCamy Taylor]

143. Not Biden but someone close to the stage.

[OakCliffDem]

133. Kicked and Recommended

[AlabamaBrightBlueDot]

134. Here is the response I recieved.........

Washington University in St. Louis serves as the host venue for the vice presidential debate. All programming content and all conditions governing the debate are the responsibility of the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the University has no involvement in the event itself.

Kind regards,
Colleen Lyerla
University Web Editor
[e-mail]
http://www.wustl.edu
Please consider the environment before printing this email

[liberal N proud]

135. Every dirty trick they can think of

[D-Lee]

137. My email to Gwen Ifill

The best option seemed to me to be asking Gwein Ifill, as moderator of the upcoming VP debate, to ask about this issue at the very beginning of the debate. Below is the text of an email to be sent to Gwen Ifill:


http://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/feedback.html

* * *

Please ask, as a first question, whether either candidate has an earpiece or other electronic equipment on his or her body.

The debate continues about the "box" one could see under Bush's back during the last debate, and the purpose it served.

It would be nice to have the air cleared on this issue -- and to know the candidates are not being coached during the debate by off-screen advisers -- BEFORE the candidate comments start.

And, my sympathies on your broken ankle.

Thanks!

[Kolesar]

138. bush* wears a defibrillator that is stuck between his shoulder blades

I saw a picture of bush-boy with that box stuck on his back while he was driving his pickup truck around his ranch (a farm, actually). Why would he need wireless communications to drive his pickup truck?

http://www.slate.com/id/2108354/

Could it have been an insulin pump? Perhaps Bush was using one to treat diabetes brought on by days of heavy drinking, this letter to Salon suggests (scroll down to read the letter). Could it have been some other medical device, like a portable defibrillator that could prevent cardiac arrest? Some sites, including this one (Theory No. 2), point out that Bush has a family history of irregular heartbeats.

[McCamy Taylor]

139. 2 words--implantable microphone. Could be why McCain would not turn his head.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7204799.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochlear_implants

Same technology could be modified to ignore sound in the room, pick up signal from elsewhere. Since it isn't picking up sound from the room, the whole thing would be much smaller and you might be able to minimize the external portion so that it could be implanted under the skin, hidden in the ear canal, under hair or a collar.

McCain might have kept the right side of his head turned away from the audience and Leher so that no other sound would interfere with the signal from one of these babies. They may have been feeding him info all through the debate.

They could do the same for Palin.

Some one needs to use a radio frequency signal jammer. That is the only way to be sure that the debate is fair.

[B Calm]

141. Radio frequency signal jammer. . . Do they make such a thing?

[McCamy Taylor]

142. Yep. They keep bombs from exploding and stop corporate espionage.

http://www.forensicswiki.org/wiki/Radio_Frequency_(RF)_Jammers

I will bet that they would keep someone from getting a signal through an implanted cochlear earphone.

[Monk06]

144. She can't even handle a microphone without drifting off to Sarah land. Do

you really think Gramp's handlers would trust
her with an ear piece?

She'd be looking at the ceiling wondering where
the sound was coming from.

[jeff30997]

151. LOL!

That's hilarious ! :rofl:

[yy4me]

147. Sent my message off this AM. Not only check for wires but

check those eyeglasses for a receiver. One never knows.

She needs to be on her own, no coaching from the sidelines.

[D23MIURG23]

148. K&R

[jeff30997]

150. "I could not care less if no one recommends this post "

Maybe so but it doesn't feel bad to have 184 recs isn't it. :)

Great post and recommended.

[Best_man23]

152. Ready....

KICK IT: :kick:

[mimitabby]

157. i received a response

Washington University in St. Louis serves as the host venue for the vice presidential debate. All programming content and all conditions governing the debate are the responsibility of the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the University has no involvement in the event itself.

Kind regards,
Colleen Lyerla
University Web Editor
colleen_lyerla at wustl.edu
http://www.wustl.edu

[yy4me]

158. E-mailed and received the following response:

I sent my message and received this polite reply. In the text of my message was a note to check not only her hair but also the eyeglasses.
The poor woman at WU, she must be having a fit right about now. Maybe she can at least spread the word to the correct parties.


Washington University in St. Louis serves as the host venue for the vice
presidential debate. All programming content and all conditions governing
the debate are the responsibility of the Commission on Presidential
Debates, and the University has no involvement in the event itself.

Kind regards,
Colleen Lyerla
University Web Editor
[e-mail]
http://www.wustl.edu

[kmac3]

159. K & R

Sent e-mails to 4 of the listed contacts at Washington U. asking for their assurance that electronic aid for Palin would not be available.

Requesting all that read this article do the same. Let's attempt to get the REAL Sara Palin in debate, not the hipped up Republican coached puppet!

[EnviroBat]

160. k&r

[mirrera]

161. Done...

[ailsagirl]

162. kick

[Plucketeer]

165. Kay & Arrrgggghhh!

I E-mailed every contact!

[McCamy Taylor]

166. They need a special scanner. The signal can be sent on multiple frequencies for stealth purposes

making it difficult to pick up. If the networks really want to score a coup, they should get security people who know about such things in there who can monitor for state of the art transmitters which broadcast on multiple varying frequencies and see if they can catch anyone coaching Palin during the debate. If she is using one, it will come from the NSA .

I would just assume that she is going to be wired and call anything less than an informed debate proof that she is too dumb to listen to a wire and talk at the same time.

[renate]

178. you're right--what a HUGE score that would be!

I assume there's nothing illegal about scanning for that kind of thing. Risky for the Obama campaign to try it, not at all for the networks.

[Birthday]

167. Done n/t

[wowimthere]

168. K&R Done!

[Spritz57]

170. Has anyone contacted the DNC with this concern?

I wonder if they might respond to our concern.

[ThomWV]

187. I will certainly try. This is important to me because this debate may decide the election

If she really shows her ass then McCain is toast, but if she's wired and Iffil goes along with softball questions she may score points she certainly does not deserve.

[shagsak]

174. I am expecting a wardrobe malfunction

That would distract alot of Americans from her lack of knowledge. Not to mention it would make for an intersting (to say the least) October Surprise.

[leftcoastie]

176. The Biden team

should JUST take her down by jamming the radio frequency - all of them....then send her subliminable messages that John McCain is the anti-Christ and lived in the time of the dinosaurs.

[sandyj999]

177. I hope that she does try to cheat and wear an earpiece because

she is so damn stupid it won't come through clearly and she'll say "huh". I just love the way she is acting or actin' so folksy lately. She is a real piece of work.

[Butch350]

182. High tech rules...

There are very, very high tech. listening devices in use today by police and PI's. I'm talking miniature
two way wireless setups visually undetectable.

[eboltz]

183. Can't stop her from being wired...

Unfortunately, there is some really good technology to assist Palin out there. We're talking digital, encrypted signals and sub-dermal "ear" pieces. Even if you pick it up with a receiver it's encrypted. The only way to block such a transmission is with a broad-band jammer. That would never work since you'd jam every Secret Service agent there, compromising security.

Now the debate handlers *could* insist on short-range (30' radius) wide-band jammers on the stage. As much as I'd love to see it, I seriously doubt they would overtly imply that one of the candidates was "cheating."

[Emillereid]

184. I wrote to the University and the reply I received said they do not have anything

to do with the debate per se. They said I should contact the debate commission. Anyone have the contact information?

[geraldatwork]

196. Debate Commission Contact *** IMPORTANT

I got the same response that I should contact the Debate Commission. Anyway after some digging here is the contact:

Janet Brown
Executive Director
[e-mail]


Please everyone email Janet Brown and let her know as Leonard Cohen says "Everybody Knows"

[Zookeeper]

186. K&R. n/t

[drm604]

188. Kick

:kick:

[awnobles]

198. [e-mail]

I bet they get e-mails addressed thusly.

[MNDemNY]

201. keepin'it kicked

[Imagevision]

202. Check this link out ->Bush wore a device during debate according to NASA

(November 25, 2007)

This is old news isn't it? I'm surprised it's not circulating. I don't hate Bush, it's just I found this pretty interesting.

Original Article By Kevin Berger

Oct 29, 2004 | George W. Bush tried to laugh off the bulge. "I don't know what that is," he said on "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, referring to the infamous protrusion beneath his jacket during the presidential debates. "I'm embarrassed to say it's a poorly tailored shirt."

Dr. Robert M. Nelson, however, was not laughing. He knew the president was not telling the truth. And Nelson is neither conspiracy theorist nor midnight blogger. He's a senior research scientist for NASA and for Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and an international authority on image analysis. Currently he's engrossed in analyzing digital photos of Saturn's moon Titan, determining its shape, whether it contains craters or canyons. (includes images)
http://thetimevault.blogspot.com/2007/11/bush-wore-device-during-debate.html

Bush's mystery bulge - Was the president wired during the first debate?
http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2004/10/08/bulge/index.html

So let's see how educated Sarah becomes on Thursday debate?

[NAO]

203. Get James Randi (he debunked a faith healer wearing an ear-piece)

The Magician James Randi debunked a "faith healer" who was using an ear-piece in his "ministry".

People would fill out cards when they entered the service. Then, during the service, the faith healer would say, "God is talking to me...he's saying there's a person here...someone from Toledo, OH...someone with gallbladder problems...has been to four doctors". And, hallelujah, there WAS somebody there from Toledo with gallbladder problems, etc.

Randi brought in some kind of receiver, and listened until he found the frequency at which the message was being broadcast from backstage - from "god's lips" to the healer's ear piece.

All it would take at the VP debate is for someone (say, an engineer in some journalist's film crew) to get the proper equipment to the debate, then just scan, tune-in and record the broadcast for later replay...Palin, McCain, and the whole Rethug crew would NEVER recover from the blatent dishonesty.

[dudewheresmycountry]

204. Thank you for bringing this question

to the people at DU, I sent an e-mail to colleen right away asking if they are allowed and if it was going to be the honor system or were they going to check. Again thanks for the heads up. If I get a reply I will let you know. Blessings to you and all of you at DU