New Palin scandal: She owns her own tanning bed
posted at 12:40 pm on September 16, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Admittedly, if this was Silky Pony, we’d be rubbing his face in a mountainous pile of shinola.
And relishing every minute of it.
Sarah Palin brought one unusual accessory to the Alaska Governor’s mansion after moving in last year: A tanning bed.
Al Giordano’s NarcoNews first reported that Palin had the apparatus installed in the mansion in Juneau, and a spokesman for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Roger Wetherell, confirmed the account to Politico.
“She paid for it with her own money,” Wetherell said in an email.
What’s the difference between Palin and our Silken hypothetical? Health reasons, maybe: Per Media Blog, it isn’t unheard of for Alaskans to try to stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder with a few minutes under the lights during the 24-hour darkness of the winter. See, e.g., this bulletin board thread on coping with SAD up north. Various medical sites advise against using tanning beds since they rely on UV rays, not the sort of full spectrum biologically active light found in light boxes typically used to treat SAD, but looking good is a therapy all its own, I guess. Second look at Edwards’s primping!
Seriously, though, do any readers have experience with this? And why are we focused on this today when there’s an even more shocking Palin revelation in the news?
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But, but . . . isn’t she exposing her children to harmful radiation?
Dan Collins on September 16, 2008 at 12:43 PM
This Palin scandal stuff has officially jumped the shark
titus_pullo on September 16, 2008 at 12:43 PM
So freaking what?
I use to have one too.
And I pay over 50 a month on unlimited tanning. NOT to get TAN! But due to … something a LIBERAL came up with… which Alaskans call CABIN FEVER!
Seasonal Disorders due to…. lack of SUN!
Whoa, Who da THUNK! Idiots.
upinak on September 16, 2008 at 12:44 PM
This OT but
Sarah Palin bests Joseph Biden 47% to 44% in a hypothetical head-to-head match-up for the presidency, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey (see
Rasmussen, 1 hour ago.
Topsecretk9 on September 16, 2008 at 12:45 PM
So now the MSM is trying to make a scandal out of a politician buying a consumer good with her own money? This just in: Obama once bought a toaster…. an evvviilll toaster.
Pasalubong on September 16, 2008 at 12:45 PM
News Flash: Women are vain and like to be tanned.
Maybe she’ll let Skeletor…i mean Colmes… use it.
lorien1973 on September 16, 2008 at 12:45 PM
I would like to get in that tanning bed myself. If Sarah wants to join me, that would be extra special.
Metro on September 16, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Seasonal Affective Disorder:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder
For the damn idiots who can’t think beyond Wiki!
upinak on September 16, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Well, it’s either that or Vitamin D tablets. I don’t think the Vitamin D tablets will gain VPILF status, though.
/sarc
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 16, 2008 at 12:45 PM
This is awesome, byt the time Troopergate actually gets released, the Public will just simply tune it out. :D
YellowDawg on September 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM
A DNC hit team sent to Alaska, with all associated costs, for this?
coyoterex on September 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Good. When Ayers and his wife come out from under their rock, they’ll need a tan.
marklmail on September 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I have SLPSFS (Stupid Liberal Palin Smear Fatigue Syndrome)…
Mr_Magoo on September 16, 2008 at 12:47 PM
As a guy, I’m totally for naked chicks being sweaty. If ya know what I mean!
lorien1973 on September 16, 2008 at 12:47 PM
This was popping up on DU a few days ago. The “cost up to 35k” line that was attached to its mentions and the fervent hope that she had billed the state for its purchase were driving their Election Seasonal Affective Disorder outbreak.
rw on September 16, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Hey, at least she’s not overdoing it like orange John Kerry.
Or was he using tan in a can?
I guess there’s nothing wrong with a tanning bed if used in moderation. I know some girls from college that used to overdo it and started looking deep orange.
JammieWearingFool on September 16, 2008 at 12:47 PM
But she still doesn’t spend $400 to get her hair done. I’ll let this one slide.
Does anyone think that Plug’s tan is real?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 16, 2008 at 12:47 PM
A battalion of crack muck-rakers airdropped into Alaska, and this is the best they can do? No wonder Sarah is driving them berzerk.
Scott Free on September 16, 2008 at 12:47 PM
If Edwards did it? He at least purports to be a male, so that would likely bother me while is simultaneously amuses me.
Does is bother me that a good looking woman wants to take a few minutes to add some color?
Not so much.
Good Lt on September 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Now we know why all that polar ice keeps melting.
Limerick on September 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I hear Barry uses a tanning bed for his half-white side.
/sarc
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM
My fiancee suffers from SAD, as does her mother. Trust me, it’s no picnic for them or for people around them. Her mother has a light box that she basically sets on a desk and faces while she watches TV, reads, or does whatever. It’s not a typical light bulb, but rather like fluorescent tubes that put off white light that is supposed to be similar to sunlight.
Before she had this light (which cost her around $350), she used to go to tanning salons. She said it helped, but not as much as the light that the doctor prescribed.
MadisonConservative on September 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM
The real scandal there, from the photo, isn’t that Gov. Palin shot Bigfoot, but that Trig shot Bigfoot.
rbj on September 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM
After 21 years in L.A., I find that I get a little blue in the midwest if we have too many gloomy days in a row. So, I hit the tanning booth for ten minutes and voila! Happiness. I have passed this tip onto many friends and it works every time.
MagicalPat on September 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM
“Palin Bags a Bigfoot” hahahahahahahahahah “from a helicopter” oh hoooo hooooo (wiping eyes). That’s great!
HawaiiLwyr on September 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Umm… she’s a woman?
frankj on September 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
if they use lotions, you can turn orange.
But most up here usually don’t use the lotions. I didn’t and I was a nice pretty brown. I miss that bed, but they stopped making blubs for it.
upinak on September 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Palin bags a
bigfootgorilla costume.BadgerHawk on September 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
I thought it was God hugging us closer.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Please, I would get bummed out in the very short gray winters in Virginia Beach, I would be over the edge in Alaska.
Cindy Munford on September 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
How long before we hear about the tanning bed’s “radiation” being linked to Down Syndrome?
Nethicus on September 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Heh…I was ahead of Allah on this one: I mentioned her using the tanning bed for just this purpose in another thread.
ManlyRash on September 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
I saw a clip of her last night on Greta when she was about 31, being interviewed when The First Dude was in a snow machine race. Whoochie Mama! The face that launched a thousand snow machines!
Mr_Magoo on September 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Dude, guys do not use tanning beds. I’ve got no problem with women doing so and it’s not like Sarah sports a Kerry-esque (albeit professional looking) tan 365 days a year, much less that she does it for public image purposes.
Dusty on September 16, 2008 at 12:50 PM
*Breathing in a deep breath, for my Sam Kinneson impression*
Oh!! Ohhhh!!! She lives in Alaska!! They have less than 6 months of sunlight!!! – Ohhh! Ohhhhhhhh!!!!
If she was the governor of freakin’ Florida then you’d have a story there, Oh!! Ohhh!!!!!!
wise_man on September 16, 2008 at 12:50 PM
As was once heard in the time of King Henry VIII :
Art thou fucking with me, my liege?
LimeyGeek on September 16, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I tried the SAD light out, rented one. I thought I was going to go blind so I am sticking with tanning beds.
My thought are with your Fiancee and family!
upinak on September 16, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Well obviously she’s trying for the double threat of a woman and african american.
Dash on September 16, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I saw this last night and I was praying it wasn’t true. This is the last straw. I’m voting Messiah/Plugs.
carbon_footprint on September 16, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Didn’t one of the players in this game buy a house with ,um, questionable monies? Let alone how and with what he decorated it with.
bbz123 on September 16, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I volunteer to help her move it in at the Naval Observatory.
CP on September 16, 2008 at 12:51 PM
That’s what I’m wondering.
Does anyone in Plain’s family look artificially tan?
Why don’t you do a story about Biden’s eye job while you’re at it.
Sheesh.
BigD on September 16, 2008 at 12:51 PM
If the moonbats who are promulgating this latest smear against Palin are dead-set serious about there objections to tanning beds and the dangers of use thereof, then they should embark on a holy nationwide mission in the name of their Beloved B.O. to go into every major city, town, and hamlet, from one of the country to the other, from Los Angeles to New York and every point in-between, and shut down every single tanning salon they comes across.
If anything, this will keep these basket-weaving loons so busy that we won’t hear a word from them until way after the election is over and done with.
pilamaye on September 16, 2008 at 12:51 PM
LORIEN…don’t shoot, but, are you the first person to call Colmes Skeletor? Have pundits been doing it? Wondering because my brother and I have been calling him that for a long time and, unless I missed the bloggers referring to him that way, it’s pretty funny you called him that too! Anyway…
About tanning: sure, it’s most likely vanity. But, um…she paid for it and she’s a woman…we like to wear makeup and look nice. So, the problem is?
Mommypundit on September 16, 2008 at 12:52 PM
After 15 years in Arizona (second time around), I find I’m getting a little lizard-like…
Mr_Magoo on September 16, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Not only that but tanning beds can cost up to $35,000…that is really what the story says.
Well as someone said, she got my vote at “hi”.
right2bright on September 16, 2008 at 12:53 PM
LOL
abinitioadinfinitum on September 16, 2008 at 12:53 PM
I actually tried it myself. I did kind of like it, because it made the room light up more. I do wonder how well that could simply be accomplished with some fluorescent lamps, though. I’m one of those who always believes that if there is an expensive answer to some sort of psychological problem, then there must be a cheap answer that works just as well.
MadisonConservative on September 16, 2008 at 12:53 PM
BTW, how’s Charlie Crist lookin’ these days?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 16, 2008 at 12:53 PM
And Silky isn’t?
Nah. I read it someplace and just stole it :P
lorien1973 on September 16, 2008 at 12:54 PM
In Florida, we like our governors orange!
lorien1973 on September 16, 2008 at 12:54 PM
#1 – She used her personal money – NON STORY
#2 – Who cares?
Parting question: Weren’t Silky Pony’s $400 haircuts an issue because he was using campaign funds for them?
jrlingreenbay on September 16, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Dusty, guys do use tanning beds, sadly. I worked at a salon and my ex used to come in and jokingly block the entrance so he could talk men out of tanning. Pretty funny, though.
Mommypundit on September 16, 2008 at 12:54 PM
She paid for it. They are relatively cheap and I read that she got it second hand.
Alaskans have to know the issues related to low sun exposure. And Vitamin D deficiency issues. She’s a female in her forties – remember Vitamin D and osteoporosis issues?
My brother-in-law uses one to treat a skin condition.
Do we know why she uses one and whether the rest of the family uses it?
How many Alaskans have one or have access to one? If it’s the only one in Alaska, then tell us about it so we can complain about her monopolizing a resource.
Otherwise – puhleeeeze….
rsb1 on September 16, 2008 at 12:55 PM
This is it. The scandal that takes down Governor Palin.
I guess America just wasn’t ready to be served a dish of golden-fried barracuda.
powerpro on September 16, 2008 at 12:55 PM
What’s the difference between Palin and our Silken hypothetical?
Palin used her own funds to purchase and install the tanning bed and Silky used campaign funds to groom his mane?
Tongueboy on September 16, 2008 at 12:56 PM
She uses it to melt her political opponents!
lorien1973 on September 16, 2008 at 12:56 PM
How ’bout his hair?
How ’bout that mouthful of fake teeth?
Typhoon on September 16, 2008 at 12:56 PM
How does this help Michelle’s children?
darwin on September 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I lived in Seattle and when it rains NINE MONTHS a year –
a tanning bed is a nice respite plus it gets rid of that lovely “just been paroled” pasty white look.
That someone actually made a mountain out of this mole hill is beyond belief.
tru2tx on September 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Ahh read the rest of the thread.
<—- Alaskan, had one, miss it!
upinak on September 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Sometimes those full spectrum lights don’t work and you need a bigger dose of UV…serious. I lived and worked in AK north of the arctic circle, that’s some dark and gloomy sh*t up there. A little UV blast does wonders sometimes…
It is kinda wierd seeing a fully tanned Eskimo in the dead of winter…
Wyznowski on September 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I *always* feel better just knowing that the days are getting longer. The day after winter solstice my spirits start lifting.
The type of rays are irrelevant in that if it works for her it works for her.
Blake on September 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Sweet I had to go get a tan before a wedding, maybe I can just see if I can use her’s. I mean she’s not in Alaska now, she don’t need it.
Rbastid on September 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Lorien, the rest of my post wasn’t directed at you, fyi. But, point taken about Silky. He does remind me of my very favorite vintage My Little Pony, Cotton Candy.
Mommypundit on September 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I think Colmes looks and acts like Jim Carrey’s Fire Marshall Bill character in Living Color:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybX-Nup6wvo
Mr_Magoo on September 16, 2008 at 12:58 PM
There is a large body of medical evidence to support sunlight exposure to produce needed Vitamin D in the body. I don’t know for sure whether tanning beds stimulate the same vitamin production, but if so there would be a legitimate health reason to use a tanning bed. The advantage of sunlight-produced Vitamin D is that the body automatically regulates the proper amount.
VG
Voiceguy on September 16, 2008 at 12:58 PM
About $1,500 a month in hair care products…
Wyznowski on September 16, 2008 at 12:58 PM
And the fact that she’s a woman.
Yeah, it’s a double standard, but women are expected to look pretty. Edwards isn’t.
We would also rip on Edwards if he started wearing blush and lipstick.
Esthier on September 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
BTW Allah, Bigfoot up here is known as a Yeti!
upinak on September 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
It doesn’t. They don’t need it.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Is this the best the left can come up with for “scandal”? Pathetic. Depending on what model you get, you can get a used tanning bed for a little over $1000. Big whoop.
vcferlita on September 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Thanks for the really important link, AP!
Now that I know Ed Anger endorses McCain, I can sleep comfortably.
It’s all over for Obama except the Bat Boy sightings and alien visits!
MrScribbler on September 16, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Many people of “color” use tanning beds up here too. SAD isn’t just a white person thing.
upinak on September 16, 2008 at 1:00 PM
One is hot the other is not.
Kini on September 16, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Women have the right to tan up and look good. Men that do worry me. Also, living in Alaska, this is a way to at least keep some color in your skin. She’s a celeb and is in front of the camera.
I’m sure she colors her hair and wears make-up too, and so does Silky, buts he’s a man, baby, yeah.
Hening on September 16, 2008 at 1:00 PM
AP, you scare the shinola out of me with that last link. Very funny.
lionheart on September 16, 2008 at 1:02 PM
AND
KBird on September 16, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Forgot. Vitamin D thingy. Mea culpa.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 16, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Newest offshoot rumor from tanning bed scandal …
Palin’s tanorexic
darwin on September 16, 2008 at 1:03 PM
It’s a hunting accessory. The tanning bed, some well placed duct tape, and you have natural camouflage.
Limerick on September 16, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Seriously now, this is a story? I can guarantee she spent less on that tanning bed then most tanners over time on their monthly tanning memberships.
The 35k thing is a total crock. When we got stationed here in England, I looked into a tanning bed. The ones I considered ranged from about $100 for a facial tanner to $5000 for a stand-up. And if she paid for it out of her own pocket, who cares?
The US military gives out “Sun Lights” to those of us stationed here to combat SAD. Oh my. Guess I shouldn’t say that- front page news tomorrow.
covel on September 16, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Of course Palin’s purchase of a tanning bed is irrelevant; nevertheless, the first thing I thought was that it would be natural for someone living in Alaska to use a tanning bed for health reasons.
This is not my scientific specialty, but the following study from a reputable journal seems to support the notion that use of some tanning beds do provide health benefits. I should add, other articles I found in the scientific literature suggest there is some debate in the medical community about the benefits of tanning beds.
Tanning is associated with optimal vitamin D status (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration) and higher bone mineral density.
Tangpricha V, Turner A, Spina C, Decastro S, Chen TC, Holick MF.
Vitamin D, Skin and Bone Research Laboratory and the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Dec;80(6):1645-9.
CONCLUSION: The regular use of a tanning bed that emits vitamin D-producing ultraviolet radiation is associated with higher 25(OH)D concentrations and thus may have a benefit for the skeleton.
Or could it be she bought the bed for the “First Dude”? Let’s not be sexist here, people! :-)
Y-not on September 16, 2008 at 1:04 PM
The color of lipstick…
right2bright on September 16, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Prediction:
Tan-Trum. Heh. Indeed.
Dan Collins on September 16, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Sarah Palin’s a female politician who hunts her own food while Silky is a male politician who spends $400 on haircuts.
amerpundit on September 16, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Duct Tape:http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/ducttapeball/page14.html
upinak on September 16, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Sasqautch was caught on Palin’s tanning bed?
saved on September 16, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Meh, non scandal to me. Maybe someone would like to analyze why I have four pairs of dance shoes and only two feet? It’s my moolah, I can do what I want with it. So can Palin.
mjk on September 16, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Me too. I think I should go to the tanning saloon.
evenfarer on September 16, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Hey this is bad….i mean getting a $3.5 million home (OBAMA), no problem…..but this..clear sign of elitism…on top of first dudes DUI a thousand years ago….she should be up on treason charges…waiting for KOS…..in 3…2…1….just in from KOS…Impeachment charges against Gov Palin…….LOL
GOPGryphon on September 16, 2008 at 1:08 PM
That’s it! I’ve had this image floating around in my head for years and could never put a name on it.
I can be at peace now.
BobMbx on September 16, 2008 at 1:08 PM
LOL…the roses on page three were the best!
Limerick on September 16, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Palin visits her children in public.
BigD on September 16, 2008 at 1:08 PM
“And why are we focused on this today”
Who the hell is WE?
You?
Who the hell cares if she has a tanning bed?
You?
Let’s talk about McCain claiming to invent the Blackberry.
Dave Rywall on September 16, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Oh my God, I agree with Dave Rywall.
BigD on September 16, 2008 at 1:10 PM
I have a friend in PA who uses a sunlamp during the winter months, one of the most upbeat people I know.
Then consider the circumstances. Day length on the 15th of the month (weather.com) and average % of time the sun is out (NOAA) in Anchorage, AK (about 30 miles from Wasilla):
October: 10h02 36%
November: 7h13 32%
December: 5h31 27%
January: 6h24 34%
February: 9h03 42%
So, on average, Governor Palin might see the sun about two hours a day between November and January, low on the horizon, if it wasn’t hidden behind a mountain. If she was in the Governor’s mansion in Juneau, that is a little further south, but the sun is out only 19% of the time in October, 23% in November, and 20% in December. In such depressing luminosity, maybe we should cut her some slack.
Or we could concede the point that Obama has a better suntan, being born in Hawaii.
Steve Z on September 16, 2008 at 1:11 PM
I bet I blew higher than the first dude.
Dan Collins on September 16, 2008 at 1:11 PM
…and in a related story,
Barak Obama has admitted to using Michelle’s hair straightener products in the past…
pherrman on September 16, 2008 at 1:11 PM
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