Palin's future fundraiser at California university causes uproar

[babylonsister]

Sarah Palin visit to CSU Stanislaus causing an uproar on campus
By Patty Guerra - [e-mail]


TURLOCK — They wanted a speaker who would generate attention, and they got it.

Complaints and questions have descended on the California State University, Stanislaus, Foundation since it announced last week that former vice presidential candidate and ex-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin would headline a black-tie fund-raiser in June for the university's 50th anniversary celebration.

A state senator from San Francisco wants to know how much the foundation is paying Palin, pointing out that very few students could afford the $500 ticket price.

A student group is organizing a protest and its own event in response.

A professor started a Facebook group "Sarah Palin, Terrible Choice for 50th Anniversary of CSU Stanislaus."

snip//

Turlock businessman John Gavin is among those asking the foundation to rescind its invitation.

"While I'm sure that Mrs. Palin has her good qualities, she also has many characteristics about her that make her a poor choice for this honored event," he said in a letter to the 50th anniversary committee. "Mrs. Palin is a polarizing and divisive celebrity with no connection to our school or community."

Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, sent letters to the foundation and Stanislaus State President Shirvani. He asked the university to disclose how much it's paying Palin, who has commanded $100,000 speaking fees.

"At a time when students are struggling to afford an education at CSU, I would hope that spending potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars on a guest speaker for a black-tie gala would be low on the priority list," he said in the letter. "Money that is spent on bringing an out-of-touch former politician to campus could be spent on scholarships and other financial assistance during these challenging budget times."

more...

http://www.modbee.com/2010/03/29/1107171/turlock-uproar-on-csu-stanislaus.html#ixzz0jbz0vR6O

[47of74]

1. Someone must've been looking at her in that leather get up

And thought, gee it would be swell to have Palin speak here.

[Turborama]

2. "out-of-touch former politician"

Is exactly what she is!

[DCKit]

3. I keep visualizing "Palin at School = Dracula in Church" n/t

[ellenfl]

4. i bet they could get a famous alum for free! eom

[Nikki Stone1]

7. 100K is ridiculous to spend when areas of study are being cut back for a lack of 200K

Waste of money. And someone should have volunteered.

[Xithras]

10. Newt graduated from CSU Stan!

No, not that Newt. Remember the little girl Newt from the Aliens movie with Sigourney Weaver? Yeah, well, she grew up and graduated from CSUS.

Other than that, the pickings are slim. They could recruit Gary Condit, but it would be just as controversial. Dennis Cardoza, the current sitting Blue Dog Rep for that area, is also a CSUS alum.

Other than that, the pickings are rather slim. Turkey Tech is a small university in the middle of the Central Valley ag belt. There aren't many famous alum to pick from.

[alp227]

5. Something is terribly wrong with this country when a quitter gets so much attention

even enough to warrant a speaking spot at a public university's anniversary celebration. Palin has enough attention-grabbing outlets, like her occasional empty-worded commentary spots on Fox News or her upcoming reality TV show on the Discovery Channel (yes, really).

[Quantess]

6. What a waste of money.

[patrice]

8. Nothing short of a rich elitist "Fuck You" to the students.

[aikoaiko]

9. "...she also has many characteristics about her that make her a poor choice for this honored event"

That's an understatement.

[progressoid]

11. Aww, give Sarah a break. She got her degree just like everyone else...

who went to six different colleges in six years.