Palin power

Sarah Palin is coming to Hamilton.

The Republican who shook up the 2008 U.S. election when she was picked to be John McCain's vice-presidential candidate will be in Hamilton on April 15 for a fundraiser for two hospitals. Tickets are expected to be $200 a plate.

 Recognizing that many people can't afford anything like that admission, would you go see Palin speak if you could afford it? Why, or why not?

Comments

[john]

I can't wait for Sarah to show up and I hope that the good people of Hamilton listen. She is correct on so many of her beliefs.If nothing else be proud that Hamilton is getting recognized on the North American stage.

[MissMintheknow]

I'm hoping that Canadians are too smart to go see an idiot like Palin. The woman is thick as a post and if you want proof all you have to do is google the myriad of documented gaffes and embarrassments from her mouth. Canadian Universal Health Care is our version of mom and apple pie - or guns to Sarah. You can pry our health care out of our cold dead hands Sarah. Please go away now.

[Owl700]

I am willing to donate money to a "Don't Bring Palin" fundraiser.

[Owl700]

Were they shooting for a comedy night ? Wouldn't Tina Fey have been more fun and much cheaper?

[Michelle Hruschka]

During the US election, I watched a video on Sarah Palin, and I thought, my God, what is the world coming to. She is an airhead, completely.

She is what Chris Hedges refers to as the right wing christian fascists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-fbcy1tRoA

One of our local stars has put together this public service annoucement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRuV_aeUI-c

So will our border guard give her a hard time coming across the border, like they did to Amy Goodman?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCx0nWnr-jE

[CG]

You'll probably want to beef up security for the medical staff at the hospital and the docs that attend the event.
Mrs. Palin's supporters are known to have violent tendencies against abortion providers.
Remember Dr. George Tiller last year.

[Steve Bartlett]

Once again our bureaucracy is completely out of control. Anyone who supported this decision needs to be fired for cause, with no severence, and blacklisted from any future civil service appointments. This decision is completely disgusting.

[Diane]

For those of you praising Mrs. Palin, highlights that fact that you've never actually done research as to her record in Alaska. You accept her at her word. Her word is not truthful. Do your own research to educate yourself instead of believing the ad nauseam talking points. The references to liberal media yet people speak the points of the Faux Right media.

As St. Peters specializes in enhancing the lives of seniors and those with chronic illness, you should know that Mrs. Palin ignored the Health Department while Governor which in turn 227 seniors died waiting for assessment for services inclusive of homecare - On her Governor Watch. It was so bad that the Federal Government stepped in. No other state in the US was under such a moratorium, but Alaska was. Polar opposites

As to her caring for her state citizens - in 2008 she ignored for months all the calls, letters, emails, etc. from Native Alaskans who were starving and freezing. She ignored the issue of extreme low sustenance fishing by Native Alaskans. She flew to two villages with plates of cookies she baked. Franklin Graham's foundation provided some food with his religious literature attached. This is a reflection total opposite as to St. Peters caring for seniors. Shameful for an elected official in the USA. Private citizens can be charged for starving people. To bad she couldn't have been.

TO PJ MERCANTI: You honestly think as a person she does not know, you will enlighten her to universal healthcare? Other than the bogus info from the Speakers Bureau where she is registered for hire, have you ever looked outside from under your rock to research her. I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T as you too speak the "talking points talk". Let me enlighten YOU about Mrs. Palin.

You underestimate Americans knowing about Canadian Healthcare. You state as 'FACT' - Let me burst that bubble as you sound more like a Republican Talking Point - your ignorance is showing. Specially, a large portion of Republicans don't know but have no desire to listen or learn. THAT'S A FACT. Add to it, it is not a function for which is conducive to have a conversation to teach someone of our healthcare system. You now underestimate Canadians as your writing speaks "down" -- Stupid we aren't. As you can see, I've running circles around you in info on Palin and it's not even the tip of the iceberg.

Her statements on science. The Cancer Centre and Hospital are associated with McMaster and Mohawk - Teaching Facilities. Medical = Science = Research. She has no belief in the research of the fruit fly. That is basic but is another FACT.

How basic can I get to explain why she should not be associated with anything within Canada. You might want to watch a recent youtube video of Mary Walsh from This Hour Has 22 Minutes wherein she actually punked Palin at one of her book signings, but more importantly, listen to the statement made by Palin about Canadian Healthcare. You think you will 'enlighten her' as to our system.

Firstly, she is a private citizen. Explain up the ying yang about our healthcare and for why?? Does she propose Bills in the U.S. - NO. Does she sign laws - NO. Of interest to our Canadian Government -- Hell no.

Secondly, she is no longer the Governor. Being she 'quit', should not be afforded the respect to continue calling her 'Governor'. She signed a contract with the Alaskan citizens and QUIT halfway. This is a habit of hers. Quit could be her middle name.

Thirdly, if you actually think the Foundation is going to get coverage and attention, you are sadly mistaken. That issue is two-fold.

No attention will be paid to it for the reasons you want, for fundraising, exposure of being a credible facility. Mrs. Palin will suck all the air out of it and the Foundation will be the collateral damage along with the Centre, Hospitals, University. Loss of respect, credibility to line her pockets as that's what's happening.

Any attention you do get for having her appear will do harm for years to come for fundraising, credibility and the facilities too.

The fact that McMaster and Mohawk have associations with the Centre and the hospital is one of my reasons I will do everything in my power along with many to bring this to a dead halt. I do not want someone who incites hate and she does. Canada is a very diverse country, leaps and bounds ahead of the U.S. and her reflection of human rights is shameful. Our laws do not tolerate that and I will not have a hypocrite stand before us, on our soil, being paid to pretend she's something that she is not. Some people speak truthfully, something Palin should try to learn.

You and all organizing this should be totally ashamed of yourselves. You seem to have fallen for a "GET", but paying no attention to the collateral damage after. Mark my words, this will haunt you in your future endeavors.

Having Bush and others here speaking, yes we have differing views, but Palin has an agenda -- Her Own. A Fee, Pictures Sales, Book Signings as long as you buy there I'm sure, all the travel expenses for her and god knows how many of her family and friends. We are Canada -- not a campaign stop or contributors to SarahPAC. Somewhere as I type this last paragraph, there appears to be massive outlays of money to Palin - The Fee plus plus plus plus yet somewhere the whole topic of what this function is supposed to highlight is the fundraising for facilities.That seems to have got lost - just like it would if she was the Speaker. Yea, that same SarahPAC that was soliciting funds on a military base and pretending not to be campaigning and oh by the way, against the rules set by the Military Base. Palin plays by her rules -- not yours. She doesn't follow people's rules -- her belief is she'll do what she wants.

You want more info, just post to ask. I could write a book on her as what I've said above, is not even the tip of the iceberg. Let me add that all the fundraisers I've been to, pictures taken with the speaker, were allowed - on your own camera - you didn't have to buy them. Remember - she's a private American citizen, not the Queen, not President nor the Prime Minister. If you haven't paid attention, her book tour allowed not pics by citizens. They were taken by Sarah's tour photographer for which they are being sold under the copyright of SarahPAC - proceeds payable to that 'secret' campaign. Disgusting. Higher intelligent, more respected people with titles doing book tours allowed it. They spoke to media to, answering questions.

Time for reconsideration before a number of us take action. That old saying that Canadians are doormats -- Don't believe it. This woman you will learn is a scammer. In fact, she could be considered the Bernie Madoff of the Literary World.

[Bobby]

We don't want this ding-bat in Canada.

Um, yes we do. BTW, the principal ding-bat in the entire US had a State Visit to Canada back in February. That we didn't need.

Bobby, I respect your ardent defense of Mrs. Palin. But I ask respectfully that you fact-check, rather than assuming that what you heard at church or read on a pro-Palin website is true. It's not.

How's this for a fact-check, the website of the State of Alaska, Budget details:

http://gov.state.ak.us/omb/08_OMB/budget/Enacted/FY2008_ConfComm_Less_Vetoes_Fiscal_Summary.pdf

FY 2007 Appropriation requests:

http://gov.state.ak.us/omb/10_omb/budget/10%20PDFs/FFY07_Approp_Requests.pdf

FY 2010 Appropriation requests:

http://gov.state.ak.us/omb/10_omb/budget/10%20PDFs/FFY10_Approp_Requests.pdf

[Mary Louise]

Jack, the proceeds from Palin's speech are going to the Juravinski Cancer Centre, not the Canadian Cancer Society. Please do not cancel your donations to the CCS. Now your donations to HHS on the other hand...

[Dave]

Wouldn't Rex Murphy be a better choice?

He's not as sexually stimulating to the septuagenarian crowd but his is marginally more intelligent.

[Jack Streniuk]

D Russell, if you think that you will enlighten sara palin you are deluded. She insulted Canadian Health Care, she insults us by calling us Socialists and she is too stupid to be enlighted.

You however, have enlightened me as to how my monthly donations (paid for from my deceased Mother's legacy) is wasted paying fools to speak gibberish and nonsense.

I will be cancelling my monthly donation (auto debit since 2003) on Monday morning, first thing.

If you have that much money to throw away lining the pockets of half witted nimcompoops like sarah palin, you don't need my money, I can use it to better ends.

How dare you justify this insult to Canadians? How DARE YOU!

[Alaskan]

Bobby@9:01 - "Palin took on corruption in her party. Name a prominent Canadian politician who cleaned house in their party and sent people to jail."
Bobby, I respect your ardent defense of Mrs. Palin. But I ask respectfully that you fact-check, rather than assuming that what you heard at church or read on a pro-Palin website is true. It's not. Mrs. Palin has never at any time acted on anyhing that resulted in an indictment of any politician.
You may be confusing Alaska cirumstances that have been in the news.

These things - Mrs. Palin's administrative record, her activities, her statements, circumstances in Alaska - are not subjects of opinion, but matters of fact and public record. Easily checked from a number of neutral reliable sources.

You owe it to yourself and everyone else to check.

[Peter Bradley]

Here's the thing Bobby, I agree with you that this country is too socialist, but Palin is apart of the effort to make U.S more socialist as well. That's a great $2 Billion dollar reduction but the Republicans supported the banker bail out scheme. They support the wasteful middle eastern war spending. They support sinking the U.S. into debt and devaluing the U.S. dollar. Both parties have done this and will continue to. George W. Bush, Obama, John McCain, and PALIN agreed the corporate welfare was due. Palin's cost to look great is outlandish and she is nothing more than a Barack Obama prototype.
They create this persona and cult movement on both the left and right. She's the answer to Democrat Hilary Clinton. All these people are trying to grab the CEO job for Slavery Inc. They have no money, we have no money, we are the 51rst state and we're all in debt with international bankers. The free western civilization could be in a lot of trouble in a couple of years and I think Washington knows that. It would be why they've built FEMA detainment camps all around the U.S. which are currently empty but also all contain mass grave sites for "pandemics". The time to pay attention is now. They all say they'll do something else but then fall right back into the corporate agenda and Palin would be no different.

[Jack Streniuk]

Monday morning, I am going to my bank to cancel my auto-debit donation to the Canadian Cancer Society. If this is how you waste my money, paying IDIOTS who call Canadian Health Care socialism, told a reporter that our system needs to be privatized, then you have TOO MUCH MONEY.

HOW DARE YOU INSULT CANADIANS THIS WAY??

[Alaskan]

In Alaska, it's a long-time convention that local celebrity personalities volunteer their time to support worthy fundraisers. Iditarod dog mushers, Olympic athletes, Denali/Everest mountain climbers. There's no 6-figure speaker fees.

PJ Mercanti of Carmen's Banquet and Convention Cenre said "...this event would be a tremendous opportunity to enlighten her on the beauty of universal health care." Really? You think Mrs. Palin is going to be enlightened in a few minutes with you and convention centre staff and you will effect influence on her America federal policy positions? That's quite charming and cute; I admire your self-confidence.

Mercanti also said: "It is a known fact that the Americans do not have much information about the progressive health care that Canada offers."
Quite Untrue.
Right now, a great number of Americans, probably the majority, have NO or inadequate health insurance. MOST Americans are familiar with Canada's medical system and a whole segment of the US has been advocating for many years the adoption of a national universal coverage medical plan, modeled after Canada, Switzerland, other European countries.
Then there's the Conservative Christian Republican agenda that views national health care provision as a welfare program that encourages poverty and lack of responsibility. And an unecessary frivolous expansion of federal government. There are wars to pay for, you know.

Never mind that her uneducated opinions on medical issues are diametrically-opposed to those in the Canadian medical community. Considering the ongoing and unresolved ethics issues in Alaska, with new developments, I fail to see how such a polarizing figure would be a good choice for a Canadian fundraiser.

Tonight in Alaska living rooms, there's a lot of speculative conversation about Gabe Macaluso and Mrs. Palin.

[J. Hughes]

I am appalled. I don't even live in the same province and yet I felt motivated to seek out a place where I could voice my dismay. I see the comments already reflect most of my objections. I pity the women that will be attending out of
obligation, trying gamely not to grimace and squirm even as their husbands gaze in slack-jawed awe and feel the thrill go up their legs. The organizers might as well have invited Carrie Préjean or one of Tiger Woods' more comely mistresses. What distressingly poor taste on their part.

[Donald J. Lester]

What is interesting is that." Carmen's who one of the benefactors claiming some grandiose of raising funds for charity..At $200. a plate, Palin collecting her share, Charities collecting the balance. Which means all three parties have been in co-louts...but what does this say about these charities, they are willing to associate and guilt trip anyone and everyone to get your dollars. The facts are these tact's are nothing more deceptive as they will support anyone as long as they can line their pockets...What is more debasing is that these charity don't provide any accountability as to where the spend these funds, all they provide are generalities.

They will site the poor and children in need but in the short and long it's deception at it's best, At this time I will not name any agency, but I if they want to challenge my position I will be waiting...

[Mandy]

I guess we can paraphrase what the organizers of the event are saying:

"Any publicity is good publicity, no matter how stupid we look."

They claim that this is no different than when Michael Douglas came to City Kidz and helped the organization raise a lot of money. Was Michael Douglas outwardly against publically funded organizations that help kids? No. Is Palin against publically funded health care that helps everyone? Yes she is!

How mind boggling. There is nothing the organizers of this event can say to save themselves. Somebody messed up big time on this one. I can't wait to read the newspapers from other cities after this event, "Idiot Hamiltonians invite private health care worshiper to raise money for public health care hospital".

[Irene]

This is THE biggest FIASCO in Carmen's Banquet Centre long and illustrious history.

Carmen's, with its long history of refined taste, elegance and class, clearly made the wrong executive decision.

Hopefully it's not too late to substitute Ms. Palin with a suitable replacement.

Please Carmen's, please value and nurture your reputation; please.

[Marie]

Hey it just occurs, maybe the Hamilton Health Sciences is easing us bluntly into private medicine? Yikes! I'm skeert.

[SaWah]

$200 a plate? Maybe if I get to keep the plate and it's made of solid 14k gold.

[Ian]

Palin, a strong independent Christian woman who is not afraid to voice her views to the world. So, why would ANY hamiltonian want to see her? This city is a socialist sesspool of God hating welfare recipients where their only source of news is from TMZ, CBC and the Toronto Star. This city doesn't deserve ANY republican let alone Palin. Now if she was an adulterist, lesbian war protestor it would be a different story.

[Ricko]

Peter,

You, and your Family have done great, immeasurable, and unselfish things for this community.

Thank You.

You'll notice that the ones who understand the intent, aren't the ones blathering.

[Miriam James]

Lord, look what the organizers are saying about this so called event now in the lastest story at the spec's site. This is getting sick

[Marie]

Who cares? It's what the muckety mucks do, humiliate our City as only the very privileged can. Think of the hilarious scenes we will be treated to from Rick Mercer and This Hour Has 22 Minutes!

It really must piss off these muckety mucks that Hamilton is NDP on both levels of government. Someone should tell Sarah she may not get out of here as the same person she is, (didn't notice my daughter was having sex). She'll probably pimp her book while she is here as well, you betcha! LMAO!

[K. Michaels]

We don't want this ding-bat in Canada. She is nothing more than a carnival-barking grifter and now she is bringing her filth here to make a buck. This needs to be protested in a major way and I hope that Canadians will voice our discontent loudly and in large numbers. As for the "organizer's" comment, you should move to the U.S. and join the Teabaggers. After all, Palin is their leader and you fall right in step with them. Disgusting at best!

[alaskan]

How stunningly ironic and shockingly inappropriate! She hates Canada - it's a socialist country with Big Government programs, legalized abortion and national healthcare. Your government pays for things for people, and that's just unAmerican. She feels very sorry for all you Canadians.

What could she possibly have to say to Canadians at a medical fundraising event?

Why would you listen? Why would anyone attend?

You did hear her response to comedienne Mary Walsh (CBC's “22 Minutes”)
that she thinks Canada needs to reform its health care system?

Unbelievable. What a disaster.

~a disappointed Alaskan

[Bobby]

As a Canadian I'm embarrassed to see so many ignorant Canadians spouting ignorant talking points about Sarah Palin.

Palin took on corruption in her party. Name a prominent Canadian politician who cleaned house in their party and sent people to jail. As Governor she reduced spending in her budgets, not simply reduced the level of spending increases but actually spent less than her predecessor - her FY 2008 budget was $8 billion compared to $10 billion in the predecessor's last budget. At the conclusion of her first year in office she only needed a $30 million supplemental to balance the budget compared to a $1.4 billion supplemental for her predecessor. Every year in office has seen the number and dollar total for Federal appropriations drop - her predecessor requested $350 million for 63 projects; her last budget requested $69 million for only 8 projects. As we see too often here, when the times are good our governments increase their size, but what Governor Palin did during good times was top up government pension contributions, which were neglected and unfunded by her predecessor and she forward funded education spending so that it wouldn't face as severe budget constraints when government tax revenues were under pressure in future fiscal years.\

She governs as a conservative and we Canadians have much to learn from her experience and viewpoint, but we have to put our romantic socialist fantasies and anti-Americanism in a deep dark dungeon and see her with fresh eyes, eyes not swayed by the propaganda foisted on us by a liberal media that is on their knees in front of Obama.

[angelina]

I would NOT go across the street to hear her speak.
I am pro-life, and I thought Sarah was too.
I had some doubts when she appointed a former Planned Parenthood supporter to the AK Supreme Court - but I dismissed that as something possibly unavoidable.
Today I found out she is speaking in Canada at a hospital that performs abortions.
I am done with her. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.
SP gets $200,000 for the speech (at the hospital) - I believe she sold her soul for that amount.
I will pray for her, but I would not vote for her (or attend any of her speeches).

[Palin's Fake Baby Bump]

Please tell me this is a joke. A HOSPITAL fundraiser? You mean part of the socialized, Canadian, government-run health care system that she said 2 weeks ago should be "handed over to the private sector so they can make a profit". She is an utterly despicable person that has no values, no morals, an no real opinions to offer. I'm embarassed. Absolutely embarassed that A HOSPITAL would be so clueless to bring this demagogue into to our community.

[Ian Macgregor]

To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, "I think that God in creating Sarah Palin (and the brainiacs that booked her) somewhat overestimated his ability".

[lsmith]

As a Canadian who lives in the States, you perhaps will not think I have any right to comment. (By the way, I went to McMaster University many years ago.) Sara Palin is ignorant to the point of being dangerous. I cannot imagine giving her good money rather than putting that same money directly into cancer research. She should not be indulged by humans who purport to be serious about solving problems.

[Katherine]

I simply do not get it!!! Why on earth would we pay Sarah Palin to speak in Canada? She is anti-socialised medicine, anti-abortion, anti-death couselling, etc. What could she possibly have to say to Canadians about healthcare? Who would want to listen? What is the HHS thinking!!!

[Margaret]

This is Travesty. Why should this woman been given a forum in Ontario for her ideas. This is supposed to assist Hospitals. Give me a break. I hope someone gets fired for this.

[Janice]

Let's not forget her history of accepting engagements and then backing out... claiming, of course, that she didn't really commit in the first place. We should be so lucky.

[Joan]

For any charity to pay $200,000 for a speaker at a fund rasier is criminal, especially one that is of questionable moral character, in my opinion. Alaska learned the hard way about Palin. I would hope Canadians would fare better. If she cared about your cause, she would donate her time for the event, but, everything is money to her, that's all that counts.

[D Russell]

Oh, great.

$200,000 for an appearance? You have to be kidding. This to see a woman who stated in her book: If God did not want us to eat animals, how come He made them out of meat? Maybe she is promoting cannabalism...just a thought.

Obviously I will not be standing in line for a ticket.

[PJ Mercanti]

As one of the organizers of the event, I would like to clarify some of enlightened statements that some of you have made about the appearance of Sarah Palin at our 2010 celebrity event.

Over the years Carmen's has hosted many celebrities including US Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, and other political figures. Each of these events came with their share of scrutiny and criticism from folks like yourself. Your ability to share your viewpoint is one of the great things about our society. Canada is a country that proudly embraces and encourages discussion from those with differing perspectives. We welcome that dialogue and appreciate those opinions.

Like every single political or entertainment personality in the history of the world, Sarah Palin will come to Hamilton with her share of detractors. However her attendance at this event will also bring some positive elements to the city. And it will no doubt be a sold out affair. We do not expect that everybody in Hamilton will want to attend, but we do know that enough will attend to sell the event out.

Despite the falsely and inappropriately reported assumptions regarding her appearance fee, the event WILL be very profitable and will generate much money for the charities. And despite the reports, we do expect that ticket sales alone will generate enough money to cover her appearance fee and a total profit for the event. In addition to that, sponsorship, live auctions and silent auctions are incredible tools to generate greater funds. Our 2007 event featuring Michael Douglas, another reasonably priced speaker on the circuit, allowed the beneficiary charity to receive a cheque for $150,000. After all of the event related expenses and after all of the speaker fees, the charity (City Kidz), walked away with $150,000.00. And yes, Mr. Douglas came with his share of scrutiny and criticism as a result of his past transgressions and movie role decisions.

In the end despite all of the negative hoopla, City Kidz received local exposure like never before and even made national headlines, and they were able to help another couple of hundred of children with the extra funds. If the event would have been cancelled because of fears of the detractors comments, Hamilton would be worse off.

The Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation is NOT taking on the risk of this event. Carmen's is putting up the money for Mrs. Palin's appearance fee. Because of our commitment to health care in Hamilton, WE have decided to donate the funds of this event to St. Peter's Hospital and the Juravinski Cancere Centre because our family members have used these facilities in the past.

Bringing Mrs. Palin to Carmen's is designed to bring Hamilton some more exposure and make some money for these tremendous community organizations. It is unfair for some of the commentors on this message board to assume that the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation is putting foundation money at risk. They are simply the recipient of the funds of an event that WE are hosting and taking the risk on. It would be foolish for any charity to refuse funds from an event.

As a republican, Mrs. Palin is supposed to represent the stance on health care that she does. However her attendance at this event would be a tremendous opportunity to enlighten her on the beauty of universal health care. It is a known fact that the Americans do not have much information about the progressive health care that Canada offers. Her attendance at this event could be a great opportunity for us to showcase the many positives of our health care system.

We expect that reasonable readers of this post will understand that the HHS Foundation is simply acting as a gracious beneficiary of the event's proceeds, and what is wrong with that?

[Sharon Best]

If she wants to visit, fine. If she's coming here to make money off of cancer patients, she can just stay home.

[Jean Engelhard]

Surely you jest! This has to be some kind of bad joke? Pray tell, what could Sarah Palin say, never mind contribute, to any fundraiser, for any Canadian hospital? The woman can't even put a sentence together, and be understood. She is totally intellectually challenged, not to mention the fact that she is totally against the Canadian Health System. Haven't the people of Hamilton seen her interviews, with the American mainstream media, during her campaigning, with Senator John McCain, during the US Presidential Election, of 2008. As a Canadian, born in Hamilton, and living in the US, I am insulted that any Canadian entity would give Ms. Palin a platform to spew her less than intelligent, and divisive rhetoric. Whoever is sponsoring this fundraiser must be pretty darn hard up for a guest speaker, is all I have to say.

[Steve Bartlett]

Please make your views known to your local council member and to the following at HHSC:
President: president@hhsc.ca
Public Relations Dept: publicrelations@hhsc.ca

This is truly the best example of bureaucratic madness ever seen in this city, and that's saying a lot.

[JimAK]

Let's see.....

If you don't want to hear, Sarah Palin - don't go.

The dinner will sell out, just like her other appearances. With you or without you.

[LeDaro]

She will have to pay me $200 to see her make fool of herself

[mattie]

OMG Canadians are smarter than palinbots. I am so proud of Canada, and I'm from Iowa, USA.

[Mary Louise]

The kind of healthcare system that Palin advocates costs nearly double what ours costs as a percentage of GDP, decreases life expectancy, increases infant and maternal mortality, and still leaves tens of millions without access to healthcare coverage. In the past, she has refused to support abortion in the case of rape or incest, and we've all seen the results for girls and young women of her advocacy for abstinence-only sex ed.

If Ms. Palin's policies were enacted in this country, it would be disastrous for Canadians' health, particularly the health of women and girls.

The Cancer Centre and St. Peter's owe it to their donors to explain why they are associating themselves with someone who would limit our access to quality healthcare. Is this really the message they would like to send? I for one, will not be giving any of my charitable dollars to these institutions.

[Hugues]

Well, the antigay, anti abortion, pro gun populace sure will be pleased to see Palin come to Hamilton.

Here are some facts about Palin, and her appreciation of canadian health care.

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/12/11/palin-canada-hospital/

[Mandy]

She's only famous for being stupid. Would you pay $200 a plate (or $200,000 on behalf of your organization) to hear Paris Hilton speak? Of course not. Then again, Paris Hilton has probably done more for society and charities than Sarah Palin has anyway.

I'm so embarassed that she's coming to Hamilton. What kind of people would pay to hear this woman speak?

It boggles my mind that a hospital funded by PUBLIC health care would choose to invite a speaker who told interviewers that Canada should get rid of it's health care system and go private.

Who is the idiot that thought this would be a good idea?

[Donald J. Lester]

Would not waste my time...

[Hirsch]

Sarah Palin proves a flop on the lecture circuit
Business leaders and the Washington elite have not been inspired by the prospect of listening to the wit and wisdom of the ‘pitbull in lipstick’

After delivering her memoirs in just three months - a stunningly short period of time for a political biography - it has now been revealed that Palin, beloved of ordinary, common sense Republicans, is a flop on the lecture circuit.

The Washington Speakers Bureau, an elite lecture agency which counts Tony Blair, George W Bush, Condoleezza Rice - and now the former governor of Alaska - among its star after-dinner speakers, is believed to be touting her services for $100,000 per speech.

An 'insider' told the New York Post: "The big lecture buyers in the US are paralysed with fear about booking her, basically because they think she is a blithering idiot."

Because many venues sell their lectures as a series, they are worried that if Sarah Palin is on the line-up, subscribers could cancel en masse. The harsh reality for Palin is that even if she can live up to the WSB's billing as "a groundbreaker who speaks on her vision for energy independence, national security, fiscal responsibility, health care and small government", she is a turn-off for the agency's best customers, because universities are generally left-leaning and corporations do not like controversy.

The news comes as a surprise after the generally positive comments she received following her debut foreign speech to an audience of businessmen in Hong Kong. Now it turns out they were in all likelihood just being polite to their American guest – who they apparently got for a bargain "low six figures".

Perhaps the WSB should consider downgrading Palin from their "Call WSB for fee" section to their "$15,000 and under" section - with the likes of Durwood Fincher, "America's Funniest Surprise Speaker" and Jim Larranaga, head men's basketball coach, George Mason University.

[Linda]

When I first read the poll, I was hoping for an "absolutely not" option rather than just a 'no'. I can't believe that someone thinks this is a good idea. You couldn't pay me to go see her. She's brainless and as someone else said, is an afront to thinking women everywhere.

[Peter]

You are kidding right? Sarah Palin will once again try to string a bunch of words together to make yet another incoherent sentence? Yep, that's worth ...let's see a nickel maybe?
You betcha!

[Joe the Plumber]

Huh..?? That other'CLOWN' aka Sarah Palin is coming to Carmen's and nobody told me, Joe the Plumber that other 'CLOWN'?

Hey folks why not make it a double billing, you get two of us, two 'CLOWNS' for the price of one. Now aint that a deal? You betcha!

[KK]

Surely the simple math speaks for itself - it is not a fundraiser if you are only breaking even on speaker fees. Sarah Palin is not the profile we should be seeking to advance important causes in our city, especially with our calibre of research projects and facilities.

[Maryanne]

Brilliant. So I'm supposed to pay hundreds of dollars benefit local health care, to go see a politician who has said private health care is better than our system?
Brilliant.

[Mark]

Are you kidding? I'd only go if they were handing out rotten tomatoes to throw with each ticket purchased. This woman is an idiot, plain and simple, and legitimizing her 15 minutes of fame in any way would be a travesty. If Gabe Macaluso thinks this bimbo is a "real catch", it must mean if she shows up in a thong and red garters, because if anyone expects ANYTHING intelligent to come out of her mouth, I wanna buy what they're smoking!

[ellen collington]

I have just read the SPEC and my blood is boiling!

I have sent the following message to the cancer center and will pass it on to anyone I think may be foolish enough to attend or support this unfortunate event.


"I am stunned that your foundation would invite Palin to speak. She is an embarrassment to her party and to thinking women everywhere. This shallow opportunist does not need our attention or our dollars. For shame."


I hope that our community leaders will boycott all "opportunities" to be photographed fawning over this silly and vain woman.

It appears that fund raising is everything and that the integrity of the speaker is less important than her celebrity.

I will not support such events, the people who attend, or the charities that organize them.

[Ed]

I've seen enough of that tabloid dingbat to last a lifetime. The rich however can't tell the difference, these are people who eat fish eggs because there expensive not because they like it. Pretty well says it all.

[Jay]

I wouldn't go to see Sarah Palin speak if it were free, and across the street from my house.

She is about as bogus/fake as they come.

[Bill Stewart]

Hopefully we won't be paying any of her costs secretly through taxation. When I say costs I mean, added security or luxuries that the average Canadian would not have access to.

[Nick]

I find this fundraiser disgusting. 1000 attendees at $200 a ticket is $200,000, equal to the appearance fee. How much does it cost to set up the event - the answer is probably 6 figures for marketing, advertising, rentals, food, etc. etc. And the organizers "hope" to make money through autograph sales. All this for an individual of very little intelligence but lots of hatred who could wind up at President of the U.S.A - what a disaster that would be. Surely the hospitals can't afford to be tarnished with this type of sleazy need to raise funds?

[Peter Michael]

While $200 a plate sounds fair for a fundraiser, I have no interest in seeing her speak in Hamilton.

Her only claim to fame is being picked as the vice-presidential candidate, does she have anything else to offer??