the only thing I want to know is, does she drive like a soccer mom or a hockey mom? As we all know, soccer moms are a menace on the roads...

Dear Dan Rodricks

Thanks for your explanation of 'hockey mom'. As an interested UK citizen, I have been baffled by this epithet. I didn't even realise it referred to ICE hockey.

Perhaps you could next turn your attention to why Sarah Palin thinks that the US won the war in Vietnam (as seems to be implied by her description of McCain as a man who knows how to win a war).

And if you could explain why Mitt Romney finds Barack Obama's 'European' ideas about government so terrifying, that would be interesting, too.

To be honest, I don't think the Republicans are doing themselves very proud by the kind of insular, nationalist rhetoric that we are hearing this week.

Dear Kathy,
Good questions. I have two rival explanations: Supply Side: If facts are inconvenient, it is easier to play with fiction. Demand side: If fiction sells who is bothered about facts?

I, for one, was totally impressed by her. And, I, as an AMERICAN know what she was referring to when she said John McCain won his war - he survived prison and didn't desert his fellow American prisoners. But mostly, I am very impressed by her record, she is for the "people", which, believe it or not, includes middle America! What has Obama done in the Senate or in any political arena that one can compare to Sarah Palin's accomplishments??

I just wanted to let you know that here in New England a soccer mom hardly gets to bask in the sun. We are like the postal workers of the US. Nor rain , nor sleet do we sit in our vehicles sheltered by the heat of the vent. We sit (or stand) on the sidelines while the wind breaks our umbrellas to pieces. Sleet? Try sleet and snow and still no cancellation. The children wear shorts with their knee high socks and dare not cover up with sweatshirts so to avoid looking "un-uniform". This weekend we will be playing our opening games in the tropical storm winds and rains of Hanna. So when Palin discusses "hockey moms", she needs to include any sporting mom in her phrasing. I hear football moms have it pretty rough as well.

Until last night I never knew pit bulls wore lipstick.

Ms. Dent, Mrs. Palin refers to JM's insistance on finishing the WOT and not withdrawing before the job is done. If you truly are from the UK and have no idea why almost all conservatives oppose the European ideas of government then I feel you are a lost cause anyway. As us real Americans are extremely proud of our independence (from colonial England) and nationalism is part of what makes this country and it's citizens great.

You forget the Menacing Hockey Mom who likes to pick fights in the stands. I think shes more like that.

You might want to ask Sarah Palin why she would make a commett about hockey moms and pit bulls. I find it very offensive that all people think pit bulls are a mean dog. As an owner of a pit bull I can confirm the statement is false and I think she should get her facts straight before she opens her mouth. I do realize it is a little late but it might help in the future.

Some would say that the difference between a hockey mom and pit bull is lipstick; but the first thing that comes to my mind is that most insurance companies won't insure your home if you own a pit bull due to their violent and uncontrolable behavior. Does this mean we can expect the same out of Mrs. Palin when she takes office? I don't think the U.S. can afford to take out another insurance policy on a "pit bull". I believe that Mrs. Palin gave a good speech, but can she handle it without a telepromter?

Yes, once you've fulfilled Kathy's request maybe you can address how Obama's two private initiatives were a slum and a failed education scheme, both putting millions in the hands of Tony Rezko and Bill Ayers.

Then you can answer what we can expect from a man whose mentors have been the leader of the US Communist Party, a political fixer who helped him buy his mansion, race-baiting preachers and rich white domestic terrorists.

Please do!

I am baffled and dumbfounded at the level of mediocrity we find acceptable in someone who will lead our country. Sarah Palin is surely an excellent mom, wife, and public speaker. She also has a bachelors degree in journalism. A bachelor's degree? in journalism? This is insulting and quite frankly, embarrassing to the many much more qualified women who have made the hard decisions of sacrificing family for career and have gone onto obtain law degrees, master's degrees, and doctorates; all of whom would be likely more qualified than she. She is not a voice for women; she is an embarrassment and a step backwards for women. The PTA? Are you serious? Not to mention that McCain was at the bottom of his class; bottom 3, I believe. At a bare minimum, shouldn't we be choosing individuals who put education first to represent us to the world? McCain and Palin are mediocre at best and inadequate at worst.

If I were for Palin and McCain I wouldn't throw stones. Palin apparently has her own troubles with unsavory people and actions including wanting to separate from the great country she now wants to help lead. The very one McCain went to war for. And pardon me but as a veteran there are two choices of a P.O.W. one of which is punishable by UCMJ (court-martial). McCain did what any respectable military man would do. Does that mean he is upstanding? Does an upstanding man leave his wife for another woman after she did the upstanding thing and waited for him to return from Vietnam? When will these two get on to the issues of health care and what they propose for the country...oh that's right, they haven't come up with any yet.

Dan,

As a hockey mom that falls somewhere between the Power-Play and Xtreme Hockey moms you have described, I am glad to see one of our own finally in the spot light. It is fun to have recognition after all the hours in the freezing rinks, hours volunteering and the hours driving around the beltway and east coast.

I am not so sure it would really be the single basis for many votes, but she sure has made a terribly boring "same old stuff" election year more fun.

I found her speech sincere, well delivered and right on target with the views of many women I know. I hope the "Sarah factor" does prove you wrong. Not because she is JUST a woman or JUST a hockey mom but because these are all part of what comprises her total package.

As for Kathy in the UK, guess you missed all the rhetoric last week at the Democrat's convention. It is politics in America (and assuming the UK as well). Rhetoric is certainly not restricted to the Republicans, ask the Palin children.

I find it necessary to also correct Kathy's interpretation of Gov. Palin's statement "in places where winning means survival and defeat means death." She said winning means survival, PERHAPS you should read the speech again. John McCain did WIN in Vietnam. He and many others survived the horrors of POW camps. Do you understand the significance of such a victory? You are wrong in that Republicans should be proud by nominating such a strong, well spoken and PROUD American woman.

Hockey moms are feeling kind of good today that she is one of our own. We do love our lipstick.

To Tammy,

Gov Palin didn't say pit bulls and hockey mom's were mean. She said the difference between us is that the mom's wear lipstick.

Were you assuming that hockey mom are mean? As a hockey mom, I can tell you your assumption is false. We are actually quite nice. Mostly hyped up on coffee in the early hours of the day, but definitely nice. You should get your facts straight before you type your comments.

As a HOCKEY mother of two boys who have played for the last 8 years, I can assure you Sarah Palin's statement comparing a Pitt Bull & Hockey Mom meant nothing more than she is an extremely committed, passionate mother who is willing to drive to all ends of the earth at whatever cost and whatever time to ensure her child meets his responsibilities as a team member and learns from them. Hockey is a huge family sport and I commend her for having that kind of commitment while holding down a full time job both in an office and in her home. For those true "Hockey Mom's" who know and love the sport I am sure they chuckled at her comments and will support her both as a "Hockey Mom", "Mother", "Grandmother", "Vice President" and foremost an "Intelligent Women" who is about to lead our country. Cheers to the Pit Bull Mothers of the World, may you finally break through that glass ceiling while still managing to change diapers, raise a family and deal with all that life has to throw your way! Men don't have the innate ability to multi-task. Sarah Palin will prove once and for all that yes, you can have it all!

As a HOCKEY mother of two boys who have played for the last 8 years, I can assure you Sarah Palin's statement comparing a Pitt Bull & Hockey Mom meant nothing more than she is an extremely committed, passionate mother who is willing to drive to all ends of the earth at whatever cost and whatever time to ensure her child meets his responsibilities as a team member and learns from them. Hockey is a huge family sport and I commend her for having that kind of commitment while holding down a full time job both in an office and in her home. For those true "Hockey Mom's" who know and love the sport I am sure they chuckled at her comments and will support her both as a "Hockey Mom", "Mother", "Grandmother", "Vice President" and foremost an "Intelligent Women" who is about to lead our country. Cheers to the Pit Bull Mothers of the World, may you finally break through that glass ceiling while still managing to change diapers, raise a family and deal with all that life has to throw your way! Men don't have the innate ability to multi-task. Sarah Palin will prove once and for all that yes, you can have it all!

In regards to Tim's comment about Governor Palin "handle a good speech without a telepromtor" they had major telepromtor issues last night during her speech, most of the time, the top several lines unreadable, and missing parts of the final speech. And STILL Gov. Palin managed to deliver a GREAT speech that captivated 37 million people. That fact added another notch of respect for this woman in my mind.

The 'Sage of Baltimore', the Sun's own HL Mencken famously quipped that "Democracy is the worship of jackals by jackasses."

WOW! Some of you guys are UNREAL!
I am a hockey mom (of a 4 yr old & 16 yr old).
I will give it to Soccer, baseball, football mom's who have to brave the rain/wind/sleet/snow until lightening play rule, my mom was one (I’m in Michigan).
Hockey is a sport you love or hate (due to the driving, the constant cold, the battle & yet, the sportsmanship after is always there). We do what we gotta do for Hockey—vacation everyother year in stead of yearly, not in March due to Regional & States, etc)--even when there are snow days or cities closed due to snow, WE DRIVE IT & GET THERE, an hour early.
I also want to say I have 2 pit-bulls & I took NO offense to her comment--3 co-workers have posted the saying in & around my office. Its funny! A stereotype, maybe, but if Leno said it, you would of laughed.
I think she ROCKS! And maybe not as experienced as one would hope, but again, I like what she has to say & has done in Alaska.
Seriously, I can't believe Pit-bull owners or soccer mom's are offended. GET OVER IT! She was MAKING a JOKE!!! Try to smille; your life will be easier & BETTER!

I think what the real issue here is that we as American's should not be basing our presidential election on what kind of hockey mom Sarah Palin is. Although its fun to play with, I don't think the people of the real world care much of the sorts. Our issues in this country have nothing to do with her choice of sport. There is so much more at stake here then whether a woman can backlash at her opponent over and over again. So, you can fight a mean game can ya.....well can you stand up to world leaders with your PTA knowledge? I don't think so.

The pit bull was a JOKE! Lighten up!!

And anyway, why have so many chosen to ignore Obama's mentor, Rev. Wright and the Rev. Audacity of Hope-Are many so hooked on change that they don't see past the smoke mirrors.

Everyone has to understand she bidding for no# 2. So why is everyone getting so upset when no#2 is coming out.
She should be talking the issues.

I can't wait to see Sarah sporting her "My Hockey Mom Can Beat Up Your Soccer Mom" t-shirt.

http://shop.cafepress.com/design/17743978

I bet she has that decal on her truck (snow mobile) back home.

As the hockey mom of a 13 yr old girl who plays with the boys, I enjoyed your column about hockey moms. I do not think Mrs. Palin is an accurate representation, and am, in fact, annoyed that she is going to give the rest of us a bad name.

Sign me -- Hockey Mom for Obama

Well said, Emerson!

all these non-sense discussions started because a simple comment that an author gave on a simple comment that how a person like mom can be tough in times of challenge. Take it easy and take it simpe as she meant. She just wanted to say that she's not scared of challenges. As a mom and as a vice president she knows how to fight for her children. That's it. Be a little bit positive and don't mix things.

to tammy, I agree about the misconception about pit bulls BUT they ARE known for their tenacity - whether in a fight or begging for a treat- a characteristic I personally desire.

As far as including other sports and various degrees of "hockey mom", we're all momma bears of when it comes to our kids - DO NOT GET IN OUR WAY!

to ms Dent - Fix the problems on your side of the pond before expressing negativism on ours.

I am NOT in agreement with all of Sarah Palin's positions but I have to admit that she impresses me as a woman who can get things done (and has the CV to show it) with a degree of reasonableness. For example,
--- she as well as John McCain have children serving in the armed forces... a reason to think twice about any decision putting USA at war.
-- she's lead a government, not just been a member of the governing body. I'll draw the similarity to a CEO vs a board member
-- she got family problems... I am sure she was not thrilled with her daughter's pregnancy but anyone who has a teenager will tell you that you should never say "but not my kid!" She knows our struggles even aside from energy, money and security.

I definately want her on my team!

Aw comeon Tim, Get real. Anyone making a major speech on live TV uses a teleprompter...including the 3 senators in the race. Lay off the woman. We've all heard Mr. Obama halt and stutter during the Hilary debates. He obviously does better with a teleprompter. Hilary completely "out-poised" him. I'm waiting for the Joe/Sarah exchanges. Now, that will be an interesting, hot ticket item.

Kathy, that's why we are electing the US president, not the europian president.

You've barely touched the vast diversity of hockey moms. Don't forget those with noses, who are obsessed by the never-ending search for the right way to eliminate odors from the equipment. And those who adamantly enforce the rule, "If you are big enough and strong enough to play hockey, you are big enough and strong enough to carry your own gear." And those who cringe as loud-mouth dads cheer on unnecessary violence. And all those who pray each night that their son will lose interest before he loses his teeth. Hockey moms and dads who want to draw a distinction between themselves and Palin are invited to join the "Hockey Mommas for Obama" group on myspace.

With all the other lies and innuendos flying around on her teleprompter, I want to know for sure that she is a hockey mom and a moose hunter. Are there any photos of her at an organized hockey game where one of her kids is playing? And has she ever hunted moose, or even carried a rifle during moose season? I'll believe it when I see evidence.

Addressing Tim - you obviously do not know that Sarah Palin gave the most well executed stump speech in Ohio without a teleprompter. She speaks from what she knows because in the workplace most of us women have to know the answers before we walk in the room in order to level the playing field...she can and will do that. I would like to see Obama or Biden not use one. Heck, Biden not only needs a teleprompter, he needs someone else to quote it first.
Kathy, the interested UK citizen, I'm sorry, you do not warrant an explanation of anything since you do not live here. Interested is OK, participating in ANY way is not.

I'm so glad to know what I've been doing these past few years. I've been so busy driving all over the mid-Atlantic, searching for armpit, industrial park ice rinks by the dawn's early light, debating the merits of waxed laces vs. skate key, I forgot to update my resume. But, wait, there's hope for me yet! Just a couple of years to build by political base, and -- presto chango -- I could be next in line for the Oval Office. I'm so glad to be able to put all of this experience towards the greater good.

John..you want proof, eh? Guess u not gonna vote for hussin obama...the biggest joke to hit American politics...ever. It is even questionable if he is american.......He certainly is not a Black - American...ie. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton...Who is Obama? What has he done? Where has he been? What has he studied?
Why doesn't he help his brother who lives on $1 per month.Why does he deny his muslin training. Why 20 yrs to disown Rev Wright? Guess we'll
never know, unless people are foolish enough to vote for him....then, we'll find out when he sells down the river!!!!

"Soccer moms get to attend their children’s games in the great outdoors, often in warm sunshine. Hockey moms rise early, in the dark morning hours of a winter Saturday or Sunday, and drive their hockey-playing children to an ice rink in time for an 8:00 am game, which occurs indoors, under the dim lights of cold hockey rinks."
Here in Baltimore, soccer moms get up early to drive kids to 8am OUTDOOR games, frost on the ground. Rain and wind etc also can make it nasty. Indoor hockey sounds very attractive!! Wish my kid would switch to hockey!

Where in the world is there a hockey mom (or dad) with the luxury of an "8am game..." that Mr. Rodricks writes of.

Try 4am. Or midnight. Or 6am. I'll bet 90 percent of the soccer moms have never even seen a soccer field at dawn, much less a hockey rink. Ice time is a precious commodity, and your kids play when the ice is available, and often, that happens at unspeakable hours.

Give me a hockey Mom any day. I had one, and I married one. And I'll be voting for one.

Ya'll are so caught up on Sarah Palin's hocky mom status and her pit bull comment, that your failing to look at the rest of her speech. Irregardless of whether she gave a good speech or not with or without a teleprompter, she was mean, nasty, and sarcastic. She lied about things Obama had said (the whole raising taxes bit, when Obama SAID he would be cutting taxes for 95% of Americans.) One thing that people have failed to mention, is how while Obama wrote his OWN speech, Palin had the same speech writer as McCain and Bush. McCain has voted along with Bush for his entire presidency - and we all know how well Bush's policies have gone. Obama stands for change and fresh ideas. Anyone who said Obama was unqualified, is now willing to look the other way for Sarah. What is up with that?

Personally, I don't want a pit bull in the whitehouse or anywhere near me...

One thing I am afraid of is that people will vote for Sarah just because she's "hot." Indeed, I've heard many comments implying as such. That's ridiculous. I want a Vice President to look UP to, not look AT.

Growing up in a fairly small town in WI watching my entire family be involved in the "rink" I completely understand Mrs. Palin using the hockey mom reference. I was with both of my parents as they supported the hockey efforts of all three of their children; one daughter’s career lasting 17 years and still going as a MN coach. We played soccer, football, dance, cross country....but yet the devotion required to be a hockey family holds above the rest.

Palin's mocking attack on Senator Obama will do herself or McCain no favor. People are tired of bigotry and could careless how prestigious she is starting her career as a Mayor. This is what the Republican John McCain and Palin don't get. I was hoping Palin would be different. Only prestigious people can start their careers in high post, poor and under previleged people had to work to even earn a job as a janitor let alone Sen. Obama's community organizer job.
Their mocking of Obama's low status is another way of saying that poor and underprevileged people should not have the chance. Obama to me is an ordinary man who has done extra-ordinary things - who was raised by a single mother (broken family) - who could have used that as an excuse to be a burden to society by doing nothing. Yet Obama, this poor orphan, has towered himself above all obstacles and worked his way up to become a Senator and now running for the highest post.

My sweat shirt read "Hockey Mom and Proud of It" and i am. I live in sunny So CA so i don't have to go through sleet and snow to get to the rink but yes, i've to get up early for 2 seasons, swallow hard when pay for those expensive equipments and learn everything there is to know about the sport plus attending all 40 some games of one of the So CA NHL teams. We are also like the pitbulls- strong, tenacious and don't back down from fights and oh, no lipstick.
As for Gov. Palin, i thought she did a pretty good job last night considering. Most of all, i am glad she put hockey moms on the map AND I AM NOT EVEN A REPUBLICAN.

All being well and said, the debates are where elections are won. That is where we will see how well the candidates do without a prompter. It is truly about the issues, and not about showmanship.(err, or womanship) I look forward to the debates.

After hearin Sara Palin last night my
car window reads HOCKEYMOM FOR
OBAMA.

I was wondering. Since republicans are putting such a great emphasis on the fact McCain was in the army and a P.O.W makes him so qualified to lead. Then on the other hand criticize Obama for not joining the military, which gives him a great disadvantage foreign policy and military defense. In that case are they also saying that Bush should not have been chosen president for two terms because of his non-existent military background? Doesn't it also say that Palin isn't even remotely qualified, due to the fact she has never even stepped out of United States.One more thing. Even though Mrs. Palin is the governor of Alaska how diverse is Alaska, could she really relate to the diversity in America. I know that Alaska is a large state, but it is also one of the fewest populated states.

It's amazing how one comment can cause such a ruckus. I'm not only a hockey mom but a goalie mom and that is a catagory all in itself. I enjoyed reading Dan's article and the comments that followed. As a goalie mom I guess you learn very quickly to have a thick skin. The goalie is often blamed for the loss of a game, especially if it is a very close game. So I took the comment in stride and found it to be rather commical. I suppose if her children/child played football she would have said she was a football mom. Or a soccor mom if they played soccer. I wonder if that would have caused such an outpouring of criticism. She could have also compared us (hockey moms) to boxers, or bulldogs because that's what we are. Mothers of children who play sports are often feisty and tenacious. Like someone said we are mamma bears protecting our young. I took her comments to mean that she was a working mom, like me, trying to raise her family dealing with all the ups and downs that go along with raising children. Do we really have to be so mean spirited. Let's give the lady a chance and listen to what she has to say between now and election day. Then we can each make our own decision at the polls.

Lets not forget that women helped to form our nation in immense and extravagant ways. Woman did not get written into history textbooks during the birth of our nation because the history was written by men themselves. Could we not forget that women are STILL running much this show and that without women the world would not go round much at all? Palin represents every woman I know, every woman I am proud to know. Perhaps Americans need to realize that the country kept its freedom with farmers and the degreed "educated" folks fighting side by side. When did politics only belong to those with money and time to obtain degrees? What happened to representation FOR the people and BY the people?

Two comments
The lady from the UK
Go back to milk in your tea,,, this is our politics.
comment 2 masters and PHD's
Anglea
If you have a master/phd then why haven't you stepped up to the plate and run for office.....

I am for all the moms who are in their KIDs LIVES....
Here is to all of the sports mom's and here is to the next Vice President Of the United States Madame Palin
her secert sevice code name will Hocky mom.
better than Broom Hilda

bigdan

go Sarah

You can be a McCain or Obama supporter with your own conviction as to each men's merits and philosophy... and they both have their own very different merits....but one woman will decide the outcome of this election. Both men's fate is dependent on her performance as she will win or loose us undecided voters. No need to argue about this...your mind and vote is already cast in stone.

John, I agree with you. I would love to see some photos, etc of her doing those things that she said she did. Yes, she did put the Jet on Ebay, but to lead people to think that she sold it on Ebay, shows her deceptions already, so early in the game. For those who need the truth, here it is. Her price was so high that no one wanted to buy the Jet on Ebay, so she had to sell it at a steep loss...and not on Ebay...as she said. Good way to start Mrs Palin...way to go...twisting the truth..seems harmless, but what does that say about character? One should not just say things but stating the real fact is better in the end. I am glad that the American people...I hope will not vote on anything other than the real issues. We are not fools...we Americans...we do look deeper into what people are saying..because at the end of the day...people say things not because it is the truth, but what can help them get elected.

As an Englishman I think I must defend Ms Dent in as much as she does know the implications of conservative opposition to European ideas of government. Conservatives are really afraid that their citizens will get a better deal. They oppose progress, would abolish minimum wage legislation , repeal human rights legislation and to be quite frank let the weakest go to the wall. We do understand what Conservatives are about. We lived with them as a government for years. Pity is that when they were finally removed we exchanged them for a socialist party that was conservative in all but name. I do feel that enterpise and self help are admirable qualities but at the expense becoming inward looking ,selfish and insular as the conservatives would have us be then no thanks.

to rileysmom,
how could he desert his fellow americans from a Prison camp, im pretty sure attendance to those is mandatory.
and honestly, you admit it yourself, no offence, but thousands of hockey moms? im not sure but how many ppl voted last election, ove a few million probably so many votes is a few thousand in a few million, not much i bet, and being a hockey mom would not affect virginia's vote, i know, because i live here.

I was a soccer mom...for your information, I had to get up at 5am to get my daughter and myself out the door by 6:00am, to be at the soccer field at 6:30. Soccer moms do not get to sleep in as you may want people to believe!

It's funny how excited people are about Palin's bulldog comment. Not many of you seem concerned about her actual merit as a VP... Most of this is about bulldogs and hockey moms. In all fairness, the article IS about hockey moms, but bulldogs? If that was the emphasis of her speech, I really fail to see any merit to selecting her as an important political figure... Uninspired euphimisms are hardly a basis for gauging leadership potential.

"My Hockey mama can beat up Obama mama."

Mrs Pailin is probably a great hockey mom,But would she make a good president of the United States?Is the fact that she is a Hockey mom a good enough reason to vote for her? I think that Mcain has slapped the women in this country in the face with this pick, as if just because shes a woman they will vote for her.I dont think hes going to fool that many women in this country because i beleave the women here are smarter then that.They wont be that easily fooled.Some will vote for her just because she is a woman or a hockey mom.I have talked to several Republicans and they say Mcain shot himself in the foot with this pick for VP.

Er... is nobody in America bothered that this woman is apparently a creationist who doesn't believe in climate change? In other words, ignorant beyond help? You might as well vote for an Islamic fundamentalist.

I am also a hockey mom...a hockey mom who might have to move to England to get away from all of you ignorant, misinformed idiotic people who would actually use your precious right to vote for someone simply because their child plays hockey! Let's not talk about ALL of the scary views this woman holds, not to mention her unpreparedness to lead this country - she doesn't even know what a VP DOES.
What an embarrassment you are to all hockey moms with BRAINS!

I wish some of these commenters could hear themselves. To Hannah in England, please don't ridicule the faith of others. It's just not polite.

To MD Hockey Mom - your use of capital letters shows that you are quite angry here. My grandfather told me a long time ago to never take this stuff personally. It's good advice. Please don't ridicule those who choose to vote for their candidates for their own reasons. The right to vote for all citizens was hard won and ultimately we each have the same amount of power. Scary? Perhaps. Fair? Most definitely. I wish everyone would take a step back, calm down and make a mental note that yelling and name calling does nothing positive.

Did Bristol and Willow play hockey? Anyone know?

Just to clarify, I was not offended by Palin's reference to hockey moms. I rather enjoyed her and only wished that she would include all moms, and yes anyone that is involved in their child's life. I'm sure that her reference did refer to all moms as to expell any disbelief that she can lead and be a great mom. I didn't like the reference that we soccer moms have it easy in this article. Everyone have an amazing weekend and enjoy whatever events you have to get to!

I've been watching the RNC all week and couldn't help but notice how dumb they believe the majority of American ppl are. Do they really think they don't have to take time to properly "vet" a canidate and slip them "thru the cracks" simply because she's a women?!? I don't even know where to start with this choice. There are many women far more accomplished and qualified for the V.P. position. She stated (in her words!) that it was her daughter's decision (choice) how she wanted to handle her pregnancy, but you want to take that same "decision" away from American women? She stands with someone that is against "affirmative action" which ppl seem to believe this only applies to minorities, but IT APPLIES TO WOMEN AS WELL!!! (that's equivalent to a black person voting 4 another black person that is for slavery! *Harsh example but u get the point) "Country first"?!? She was a member of the *A.I.P. (Alaskian Independence Party) a seperatist party that wanted to seperate themselves from the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! To her credit, she is an eloquent speaker (*education- Univ. of Idaho, Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Communications) but that's it, folks. I don't wish any ill-will on any person, but let's face facts. John McCain is 72 yrs. old and survivor of 4 cancer surgeries. Do the math ppl. Nice woman and I'm happy for her in what she has accomplished in such a short time, but she does not fill in gaps to compliment McCain except for looking nice besides him...

This is not a comment about hockey moms, although I was a football mom and the rule about everything except lightening is almost true. We just waited out the lightening and went back to play in the driving rain,sitting on uncovered bleachers under umbrellas. This is both for practice and for the games.
I would like to comment about what I know about Alaska and to 1-put a slighter wider context on the conversation, and to 2-put Palin's accomplishment into context.
I've had the privilege of working in Alaska, with the Alaskan people, over several year's time. I've been in their homes and they in ours.I've been there from early spring when the iceflows are still blocking the coastline and to fall, almost winter when the snow is falling.
Please understand I do NOT claim to be an expert on Alaska. I'm just relating what I've learned in the years I've gone into Alaska.
First-Alaska has only one major highway, along the eastern side going from Juneau at the far southern end up to about halfway up the state to Fairbanks. On the map, it's called Alaskan Hwy. But in state, it's known as The Alcan, because it passes through Canada after Juneau, and on the way to Fairbanks. The majority of the main roads are in the area around the Anchorage area. About 2/3 of the state is basically unacessable except by expensive puddle jumpers during, mainly, the late spring through fall, and by snowmobile or dogsled during the late fall through the early spring. Because there are not through roads and many of them aren't paved. The terrain and temperature is way too rugged to attempt major road building in many areas. Roughly 1/2 of the year, the sun hovers above the horizon, never setting, daylight 27/7. The kids play outside until around 11 pm in broad daylight. You can see the trees against the dusky sky all night. The other 1/2 of the year, the sun doesn't come above the horizon. As a result, the houses have Christmas lights in their windows yearround and have them on 24/7 during the dark months. During the spring we were wearing our down jackets while the Eskimos were wearing sleeveless dresses.
I know people who live in the western side of the state where they have absolutely no plumbing-no outhouse, just honeypots and they have to haul their water from the river.
Now that is the physical, now for the demographics. There are 3 different tribes of Eskimos, enough of them that they have their own hospital in Anchorage with their own medical coverage. They are quite particular that you know the difference between the tribes-or maybe that's because I'm from a Native American heritage-and don't consider themselves to be Native American, but Inuit or Upik Eskimo. A lot of them live in their family villages where the unemployment/alcoholism/violence is high. The Native Americans are mainly Athabaskan and stay out of the way of the feud between the Eskimos and the whites. Which I have both heard and seen. It's anything but friendly. Now the rest of the demographics are the native born whites, whose ancestors are either from the lower 48 or from Canada or from Russia-a lot of Russian heritage-influence, then there are the transplants(some go up just for the $1000-Palin raised it to $1200-stipend that is paid to EVERY person-not just family/EVERY year from the oil field income, and find that it isn't adequate compensation for what they encounter(multiply that number by the population of Alaska and see just some of the excess that the oil companies are making off of Alaskan oil and just how big and powerful the companies are up there)) and the seasonals, who are either-there from March to Oct to work in the oil fields or other seasonal work,fishing/tourist, the major fishermen/hunters-so much that the hotels have special freezer lockers for the catch and the airlines have special arrangements for the returning game trophies, and those who go up on business for the oil fields and other industries.
There is a lot of flow between Alaska and Canada, to the point that when you shop in the stores,(not near the Canadian border) your change can be equally US and Canadian. There's also quite a bit of flow between Alaska and Russia, a lot of the imports, the cultural influences and the family connections of the people.
Alaska is not an easy place to live. It is beyond rugged. It can be very dangerous. We know someone whose son died in Alaska when his snowmobile tipped over, and that is not an uncommon occurance. I've had others tell me that it is especially difficult for women to live there, particularly those who are single. However, I've noticed that that appears to be so only for those who have not been born there or lived their whole lives there. Most of those who have lived there most or all of their lives, whom I've encountered are tough and don't think anything of dealing with difficult situations that would kill others in some of our other states and just go on behaving as if what they are dealing with isn't any more different than what we deal with, and don't view their everyday lives any different than ours. In fact, until we did do some toughening up, we got critisim for not being very grownup. We heard that same attitude in Sarah Palin's speech. That's not a put on. That's a common Alaskan attitude. This is a state where the wildlife isn't safely behind bars. They roam the city streets and think nothing of invading yards and private homes, such as moose-bear-Canadian geese. I've lived in many of the most diverse states in this country-Calif,Hawaii,Florida. However I would say that Alaska is further diverse than they.
Some have called Alaska a small state, population wise. But numbers don't even start to tell the reality of the situation, because of the extremely wide diversity, you could have 5 demographically representative Alaskans in the same room and not be able to get a consensus.
So, second-my other point is that the fact that Sarah Palin has a whopping 70% approval rating in the SECOND year of her term as governor-that's absolutely incredible, the increase in the yearly stipend alone wouldn't do that. The Alaskan's have seen a veritable parade of outsiders and insiders coming up with the SOLUTION to their problems and have seen it do nothing. They have become quite cynical and jaded when it comes to presentations said to be for their benefit. They're a very tough crowd, and the fact that she has done as well as she has, says something.

PALIN IS BETTER THAN THREE SENATORS THAT CAN,T ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING,SHE HAS MADE DECISIONS WITHOUT 99 OTHERS.SHE CAN CATCH A FISH CLEAN IT AND COOK IT TOO.

HOCKEY MOMS ARE SPECIAL,TO COMPARE THEM TO ANYONE ELSE IS AN INSULT,ANY BODY CAN BUY A PAIR OF SNEAKERS AND PLAY SOCCER,RATHER STAY POOR AND WATCH REAL ATHLETES.

BAFCK TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION,HOCKEY MOMS DRIVE SLOW UNTIL THEY REALIZE THAT THEY COULD BE LATE.

it took sarah palin 6 years to get a bachelor's degree people. is this the level of intelligence that is acceptable to in someone who will be making decisions that affect your children's lives? Hellloooo, out there. Angelina Jolie has more foreign policy experience than Sarah Palin. Palin is against sex education and now has a daughter whose life will be beyond challenging and stressful most likely because she was forbidden to be on birth control. Palin's ideas are backwards for women and backwards for America. Get a clue people. Pro-life, Anti-sex education, Anti-gay, and traditional marriages only are NOT change; they are the same unhelpful ideas the republicans have been spinning for decades. Get over it! Why do Republicans believe that only people who look and talk and think the same way they do are the only ones who count? They've finally realized they can't continue their misogynistic ways, but now they are using their misogyny as a way to advance their party, but the American people are too stupid to even realize it.

After I posted my last comment. I found that the yearly $1000 stipend has been nearly tripled. But then, thinking about when I got the original information, it has been over 10 years, when we first started going up to Alaska. Also, the $1200 was a onetime addition this year, due to Gov Palin. That's nearly $5000 per individual who has lived in Alaska a minimum of one year. Multiply that by the population and you are looking at a small percentage of the financial power that she was able to move in a direction that they were not willing to go in.
(But before anyone may think of living there, for the money. Moving and living there is not easy to do, when most supplies would probably have to be shipped in by either plane or barge, depending on the time of year, since Alaska is wholly connected to the Canadian mainland, and not the US. The wages aren't that different from the lower 48, except in the oilfields and the expense accounts of the travelling business people. Also, I understand that the going price for a dinner chicken, right now, is $23 and the gas prices are still somewhere around $4 per gallon. They do have a Walmart, Costco, and Sam's Club in Anchorage. But the amount of supplies depend upon the weather and can be more expensive than here. Although Walmart is similar to Florida, in prices,I don't remember if they have a Supercenter. The grocery stores are hugely expensive. A lot of people live in Govt subsidised housing or with family in communal family situations, due to the high cost of living.The military is also a big employer.)

I don't believe that women of America appreciate this "hockey mom" label. It is not something that is resonating with the working women of America, and even the women who are taking their kids to hockey practice don't proclaim themselves "hockey moms". The term is Canadian at best, and was only around in about 2007. This demographic doesn't really hold up much because the fathers play such a huge role in the hockey leagues. Don't get me wrong, the mothers are involved, but the fathers are the coaches and the spectators. For once, the fathers of America need to get some credit for actually being present for this one. The republicans use this argument because it tries to make democrats attack mothers of America, but we are too smart for that one. They are trying to divide us and conquer by employing these deceptive lies. Read this blog post about this subject for insight from other Americans.

http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2008/9/6/13102/92021/Diary/Why-American-Hockey-Moms-Don-t-Exist

Your article was very accurate. I'm a "hockey mom" from Ohio. I never referred to myself as such. And I don't wear lipstick--ever! I work all week yet still get up in the "wee hours" of the morning on the weekend to drive my daughter to practice or a game. I'm broke most of the year because ice time cost is outrageous, plus, she's a goalie. Ever price the pads for a goalie let alone goalie skates, sticks, helmet, etc? I sit in the stands, bundled up with gloves, earmuffs, a fleece blanket and hot chocolate. Sometimes I bring my laptop and do work...I put on fingerless gloves so I can type.
I think Sara Palin's comment is best left on a bumper sticker rather than in a speech. Let's get down to business...let's talk about the issues rather than "bumper sticker" talk. I want substance, not jingles!

A former "Hockey Dad", Todd Wilkinson, wrote an interesting column in this week’s (9/10/08) "Jackson Hole News and Guide"; he points out that Sarah Palin's one liner re: Hockey Moms/ Pit bulls is a common expression to both US and Canadian hockey circles and claims this isn't a noble breed and far from a compliment. On the contrary, he points out that these are aggressive, mouthy Moms known to scream the F bomb at the ref when their kid gets a penalty, or even encourage injuring and intimidating opponants in the name of winning. Team sports should teach a different lesson; sportsmanship, teamwork, winning and losing with dignity.

"There's nothing cute or quaint about a human pit bull" he writes. These hockey pit bull Moms have resulted in a "zero tolerance policy" for teams, coaches, parents and refs. Implemented by USA Hockey, the governing body of the sport. This basically means no swearing, taunting or throwing any objects .

“Referring to oneself as a pit-bull parent is juvenile... . The mentality of pit bulls, which parts every crowd into sharply cut rows of either friends or mortal enemies, has never been good for youth athletics. Neither is it good for a divided country where a lack of civility in discourse is degrading our society. The metaphors we invoke to describe ourselves to the world speak a lot about how we see ourselves" . I wonder if John McCain approved her message.

I think there is a category that has been forgotten. What about the hockey moms that actually coach? In an all girls hockey organization we are starting to have a number of coaches who grew up playing hockey and are not helping their daughters to enjoy the game. A hockey mom is no longer about being on the sidelines and cheering on your child, but being a mentor and coach in the lives of many young girls and boys. Hockey moms in this sense bring a whole new development to the game that moms from the sidelines do not provide.

Sarah Palin is doing nothing to assist and to grow the game of hockey. As the director of a learn-to-skate program I have parents concerned the game is too rough for their child and too competitive between the parents. Although this may give her the bulldog portrayal in the media, this is not appealing to numerous individuals in and outside hockey. As youth hockey continues to struggle to exist, we would hope that someone so largely in the media and using her experiences with hockey to portray hockey as a positive and encouraging sport rather than rough, tough and without regard for others. Do we really want a leader of our nation to be this way, or do we want a leader to understand and be compassionate for the lives of others. We would also hope the next leader would capitalize on the strengths of something rather than the weaknesses Sarah Palin has accented.

great discussion! i think it's clear that sarah is the best. she's a TRUE hockey mom. I LOVE that she stole millions of dollars from us suckers down in the lower 48 and spent it on a road to no where! that's shrewd! She's also shrewd enough to lie about it 16 times in a row in public. No soccer mom would have the guts to lie over and over like that. I also like that she made girls pay for their rape kits. If you get raped it's your own fault! Plus, she KNOWS that evolution isn't true. She's like Colbert she has her gut to govern with. I also like that she supports the rich adn wants to screw the poor. George Bush did A LOT for the rich people but oil companies don't quite own everything yet. Sarah will take the poor people and make them PAY. Finally I like that she has totally taken over Alaska government and will throw out anyone she doesn't agree with. She's like Dick Cheney and George Bush rolled into one, with lipstick!

Oh, also we TOTALLY won Vietnam! Are they commies now? No! The only thing I don't like is that McCain used to WHINE about being tortured. No hockey mom would whine about that I hope they TORTURE my son Track because that's what tough people like Americans do. Oh i guess Track isn't my son, my son is field but you get what i mean.

Pit bulls are incredibly stupid animals. I don't know that I'd want one in office (especially one that wears lipstick).

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