Hypocrisy, Thy Name is Sarah

Since it falls under the heading of cruel and unusual punishment, I won't subject anyone to the video of Sean Hannity interviewing Sarah Palin yesterday. For the masochistic, News Hounds has it. But here's some of what Palin said in response to President Obama telling NBC's Brian Williams that there is a "network of misinformation" which keeps alive non-news like his birth certificate and his religion.

"I was pretty appalled at that notion that Brian Williams was just letting him get away with that kind of false accusation that there is some kind of suggested right-wing conspiracy again. Especially knowing that the media still, the mainstream, lame-stream media, they're in his back pocket still."

"They won't even ask those basic questions. Nobody's gonna ask those basic questions unless the president were to join you on your show... The state of journalism today is very, very sad, with that mainstream media allowing the president to make these kind of false accusations..."

All of which seems a little strange coming from the person whose last question from an actual news person was "What newspapers do you read?" A question which brought on the moose in the headlights look followed by the insightful answer, "All of 'em."

Think Progress has the details of Palin's speaker's contract with California State University-Stanislaus, which a judge ordered released on Friday. Here are Palin's requirements for dealing with questions and with the media:

Questions: All audience questions must be pre-approved, and can only be asked by a moderator or "designated representative," who must be approved by Palin's party.

Media: "All requests for press or media coverage" of the event must be submitted far in advance for approval. "If media coverage is approved," Palin's Representatives need a complete list of "media outlets expected to attend" 10 days in advance.

Recording: The media are only permitted to record the first three minutes of Palin's speech, and then just for B-roll (no audio, video only). Recording of any other kind is strictly prohibited, unless authorized by Palin, and all personal recording devices, including cell phones, have to be turned off "at all events in which Speaker is present." Only a campus photographer is permitted document to entire speech, and then only approved photos can be published.

In addition to her $75,000 fee, here are a few more of the demands of Salt of the Earth Sarah, the woman of the people, just your average hockey puck Mom:

Jet: "The private aircraft MUST BE a Lear 60 or larger (as defined by interior cabin space) for West Coast Events; or, a Hawker 800 or Larger," for East Coast events. But even if organizers arrange for a private jet, if Palin "changes her mind and opts to fly via commercial flights for US events, the Customer must be prepared to cover the cost of first class round trip airfare for two, and full, unrestricted round trip coach for two."

Hotels: All hotels have to be "deluxe" and pre-approved by her representatives, with the room booked under an "alias." Even non-overnight stays require hotel rooms, including a "holding suite" and "one or two single rooms."

And so Palin can get out and meet those REAL 'Murricans who come to hear her babble on speak:

Autographs and photo ops: "Unless agreed to" early on, organizers "shall not permit or assist in the request for autographs while the speaker is on site." Photo opportunities have to be pre-approved, and photos are for personal use only and can't be re-printed.

Receptions: A full list of all those attending ("including name, title, and affiliation") must be provided in advance."

Say it with me boys and girls--Hyp-o-crite.