By Mark Heim | mheim@al.com al.com on October 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM, updated October 26, 2012 at 12:33 AM Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has come under fire for her use of "shuck and jive." (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Sarah Palin defended her Facebook post Wednesday when she used what many thought was a racially charged term to criticize the White House's response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the American consulate in Benghazi. Palins Facebook statement reads in part: "Why the lies? Why the cover up? Why the dissembling about the cause of the murder of our ambassador on the anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil? We deserve answers to this. President Obama's shuck and jive shtick with these Benghazi lies must end." Many commentators including The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg said it was a " racist dog whistle "and Keith Olbermann referred to it as a " racially demeaning phrase ." Palin, however, didn't

Washington, Oct. 26 (ANI) Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has stirred up controversy after she attacked President Barack Obama over his response to the US consulate attack in Libya. Palin tweeted racially loaded term, "shuck and jive," accusing Obama of ignoring early e-mail warnings that a terror group had taken responsibility for the deadly protest last month at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. "Why the lies? Why the cover up?" Palin wrote on Facebook, adding, "We deserve answers to this. President Obama's shuck and jive shtick with these Benghazi lies must end." According to the New York daily News, while her online post was meant to draw attention to the early e-mail warnings sent to the White House just after the attack, some social media users instead expressed outrage over the racial connotation that was dredged up, the report said. "How very racist and stereotyped you are!" blasted Twitter user @pat1944, adding: "Thank

By Mark Heim | mheim@al.com al.com on October 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM, updated October 26, 2012 at 12:33 AM Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has come under fire for her use of "shuck and jive." (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Sarah Palin defended her Facebook post Wednesday when she used what many thought was a racially charged term to criticize the White House's response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the American consulate in Benghazi. Palins Facebook statement reads in part: "Why the lies? Why the cover up? Why the dissembling about the cause of the murder of our ambassador on the anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil? We deserve answers to this. President Obama's shuck and jive shtick with these Benghazi lies must end." Many commentators including The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg said it was a " racist dog whistle "and Keith Olbermann referred to it as a " racially demeaning phrase ." Palin, however, didn't

Cable news has had a feast worthy of kings this week, with not just the final debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to rave over, but bold statements from a series of conservative pundits and politicians, as well. There was Ann Coulter 's double "retard" tweet , Richard Mourdock 's rape "gift from God" statement, and Donald Trump 's "bombshell" announcement ; now, Sarah Palin has dropped another gift in the TV talkers' laps. The former GOP vice presidential nominee posted a statement on Facebook earlier this week, accusing Obama of performing a "shuck and jive shtick" to avoid answering questions on the attacks on the US embassy in Benghazi. Immediately, she was accused of making a racial slur; MSNBC host Chris Matthews hosted a roundtable discussion about the comment on his show Wednesday night. PHOTOS: THR's 35 Most Powerful People in Media "I think this is rank racism, commentator and Bloomberg journalist J

by Tommy Christopher | 12:44 pm, October 25th, 2012 Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has responded to critics who objected to the racial connotations of her use of the phrase Obamas shuck and jive by assuring them that, despite the phrases clearly racial origins , there was nothing remotely racist about her use of it on our first black president. Rather than chalk it up to an innocent ignorance of those connotations, Palin claims they simply dont exist because Andrew Cuomo deployed the phrase (in equally loaded fashion) against then-Sen. Ba! rack Obama during the 2008 campaign, and because she uses the phrase on her own part-Eskimo daughter, Piper Palin , and Eskimos are just like black people, right? From Palins Facebook page : For the record, there was nothing remotely racist in my use of the phrase shuck and jive a phrase which many people have used, including Chris Matthews, Andrew Cuomo, and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney to name a few off the top of my head.

Sarah Palin (Photo: Getty) Former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin sparked a controversy yesterday when she posted a note on her Facebook page accusing President Barack Obama of engaging in a shuck and jive shtick with lies about the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya last month. The term shuck and jive originated in the Deep South and has been used as a derogatory description of African-Americans. After Ms. Palin faced accusations her use of the phrase was racist, she fired back with another Facebook note that pointed to past uses of the term by Governor Andrew Cuomo, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, and MSNBCs Chris Matthews. For the record, there was nothing remotely racist in my use of the phrase shuck and jivea phrase which many people have used, including Chris Matthews, Andrew Cuomo, and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney to name a few off the top of my head, Ms. Palin wrote. In fact, Andrew Cuomo also used the phrase i

Sarah Palin got in some trouble on Wednesday for calling President Barack Obama's response to the Benghazi attack a " shuck and jive schtick ." People criticized it as racist , and dug into the term's origins in black slang to show why. On Wednesday night, Palin responded to the criticism on her favorite forum, Facebook, pointing out that she's in company with Gov. Andrew Cuomo , among others, in using the phrase. " The fact that Mr. Cuomo and I used the phrase in relation to President Obama signifies nothing out of the ordinary ," she wrote, insisting she'd have said it regardless of the president's race. The real crime here: Media racism against Palin's extended family. Palin says "shuck and jive" most often to daughter Piper, " part Yupik Eskimo ," when Piper procrastinates on her homework. " Just to be careful, from now on Ill avoid using it with Piper, and I would appreciate it if the media refrained from us!

Sarah Palin condemned President Obama 's response to the attacks in Benghazi as a " shuck and jive shtick" in a note on her Facebook page Wednesday. This seemed so obviously overtly racist that The Atlantic 's Jeffrey Goldberg tweeted, "Palin's use of 'shuck and jive' isn't an example of a racist dog-whistle because it's too obviously racist to be considered code." But when it came time for everyone to explain why it was racist, many struggled. ( Mediabistro , for example, block quoted a section of the 2010 book What Can You Say?: Americas National Conversation on Ra ce ,which discussed the time Andrew Cuomo used the phrase. But that just listed two bloggers linking to two dictionary definitions, and one blogger linking to Yahoo Answers . So we at The Atlantic Wire thought we've give a brief primer on what shucking and jiving means and whether it's racist for white people to use the phrase to describe black people. RELATED:

Early Addition: Sarah Palin Sick Of Obama's "Shuck And Jive" Lies: Gothamist greeelent's flickr Follow Gothamist on Twitter and like us on Facebook . You can also get the top stories mailed to you sign up here . Sarah Palin is sick and tired of President Obama's "shuck and jive shtick with these Benghazi lies." Will Arnett very unsubtly implied that Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter will be showing up for the new Arrested Development episodes. If you saw a little boy in a princess costume for Halloween, would you tell him he shouldn't be wearing it ? Jason Segal and Michelle Williams have moved into a new Brooklyn pad together. A thrash metal band drummer (who wears "evil clown" makeup) has been accused of making child pornography. That earnest white lady who wears afros for "enlightenment" still doesn't get itbut she did provide the material for this amazing sentence: " She held an informal Afro summit at Pinkberr

(Getty Images | Bauer Griffin) Last week, Halle Berry revealed the startling news that she and Sarah Palin were somehow related. This week, she went on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to explain how terrible that makes her feel. Bizarre as it sounds, Berry and Palin are related. At least they are according to the actress, who shed light on the odd connection during a video interview with Extra last week. "In some twisted way...somebody sent me this information that she was my distant [relative]" Berry explained, without getting into specifics. Leno, however, wanted to know more. So when he got the chance to interview the Cloud Atlas star on Monday's show, he didn't hesitate to bring up the former Governor of Alaska. "I read something this week, that you're related to Sarah Palin. Tell me this story," he said. Berry slapped her forehead, closed her eyes, and shook her head before responding: "I mean, isnt that the worst thing you can imagine?&qu

By The Associated Press The Oregonian on October 15, 2012 at 10:54 AM, updated October 15, 2012 at 10:56 AM The Associated Press Former Alaska Gov. and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin serves lunch to guests after speaking at a campaign rally in August for Kirk Adams, a Republican candidate for U.S. Representative from Arizona's 5th Congressional District, in Gilbet, Ariz. Sarah Palin's political action committee spent nearly three-quarters of a million dollars during the latest fundraising period, with about $55,000 donated to candidates. SarahPAC raised about $833,900 from July 1 through Sept. 30. The $774,000 it spent went mostly to the business of running the PAC, including consulting, travel expenses and postage and mailings. It donated $54,500 to candidates, including U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona, and Allen West and Sandy Adams of Florida; and U.S. House candidates Martha Zoller of Georgia, Mia Love of Utah, Ted Yoho of Florida and Kirk Adams of

(ABC News) Here's hoping Halle Berry's next family reunion takes place in Wasilla. The Oscar-winning actress revealed in an interview with "Extra" that she's distantly related to former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. "You want to know who I'm related to? Sarah Palin!" Berry told "Extra." "Extra's" Jerry Penacoli shouted "No!" in disbelief. Berry laughed and said, "That's what I said, 'Nooo!'" mimicking a horror movie scream. How? "Some twisted way," Berry said. "Somebody sent me this information that she was my distant [relative]." Berry's "Cloud Atlas" co-star Tom Hanks, who was also interviewed by "Extra," said the connection fits in with the theme of their new sci-fi film, which opens Oct. 26. "This is the 'Cloud Atlas' continuum without a doubt," he joked. "I'm telling you, the connections that go through. It doesn't m

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Four years ago last week, Sarah Palin held a rally in Bangor where she professed fondness for steel-toed boots, Carhartt work clothes and the National Rifle Association in a Republican effort to snatch at least one of Maines four electoral votes in the 2008 presidential election. Its unlikely that Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, following Palin as the current GOP vice-presidential candidate, will be visiting Maine anytime soon. But Republicans say they still think they might be able to win an electoral vote in Maines rural 2nd Congressional District in the Nov. 6 election. Maine and Nebraska are the only two states split their electoral votes by allocating them in part by congressional district. Maine gives two electoral votes to the overall winner of the state, and one electoral vote to the winner of each congressional district. The notion of divided electoral votes is intriguing in Maine, but its never happened here. Most polling shows Democratic President Barack Obam

By The Associated Press The Oregonian on October 15, 2012 at 10:54 AM, updated October 15, 2012 at 10:56 AM The Associated Press Former Alaska Gov. and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin serves lunch to guests after speaking at a campaign rally in August for Kirk Adams, a Republican candidate for U.S. Representative from Arizona's 5th Congressional District, in Gilbet, Ariz. Sarah Palin's political action committee spent nearly three-quarters of a million dollars during the latest fundraising period, with about $55,000 donated to candidates. SarahPAC raised about $833,900 from July 1 through Sept. 30. The $774,000 it spent went mostly to the business of running the PAC, including consulting, travel expenses and postage and mailings. It donated $54,500 to candidates, including U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona, and Allen West and Sandy Adams of Florida; and U.S. House candidates Martha Zoller of Georgia, Mia Love of Utah, Ted Yoho of Florida and Kirk Adams of

(ABC News) Here's hoping Halle Berry's next family reunion takes place in Wasilla. The Oscar-winning actress revealed in an interview with "Extra" that she's distantly related to former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. "You want to know who I'm related to? Sarah Palin!" Berry told "Extra." "Extra's" Jerry Penacoli shouted "No!" in disbelief. Berry laughed and said, "That's what I said, 'Nooo!'" mimicking a horror movie scream. How? "Some twisted way," Berry said. "Somebody sent me this information that she was my distant [relative]." Berry's "Cloud Atlas" co-star Tom Hanks, who was also interviewed by "Extra," said the connection fits in with the theme of their new sci-fi film, which opens Oct. 26. "This is the 'Cloud Atlas' continuum without a doubt," he joked. "I'm telling you, the connections that go through. It doesn't m

Halle Berry was left stunned after a fan pointed out the actress is a distant relative of former US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The Oscar winner was being interviewed on US news show Extra with Tom Hanks, her co-star in new film Cloud Atlas , when she revealed her genealogy secret. Berry asked the interviewer if he wanted to know who she was related to, before pulling a face and saying, "Sarah Palin!" She adds, "In some twisted way (we are related)... somebody sent me this information that she was my distant (relative)." A shocked Hanks then pointed out the odd connection is linked to their new movie, which is about how people's lives impact on each other in the present and future. He added, "This is the Cloud Atlas continuum, without a doubt. I'm telling you the connections that go through! It doesn't matter who, what race, where, what time." WENN.com

(ABC News) Here's hoping Halle Berry's next family reunion takes place in Wasilla. The Oscar-winning actress revealed in an interview with "Extra" that she's distantly related to former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. "You want to know who I'm related to? Sarah Palin!" Berry told "Extra." "Extra's" Jerry Penacoli shouted "No!" in disbelief. Berry laughed and said, "That's what I said, 'Nooo!'" mimicking a horror movie scream. How? "Some twisted way," Berry said. "Somebody sent me this information that she was my distant [relative]." Berry's "Cloud Atlas" co-star Tom Hanks, who was also interviewed by "Extra," said the connection fits in with the theme of their new sci-fi film, which opens Oct. 26. "This is the 'Cloud Atlas' continuum without a doubt," he joked. "I'm telling you, the connections that go through. It doesn't m

Bristol Palin and her Dancing With the Stars partner Mark Ballas visited Jimmy Kimmel Live last night after being voted off the reality competition. Kimmel thanked her for being such a good sport and making the obligatory appearance, considering hes made one or two jokes about Sarah Palin over the years. Im here for my apology, Bristol responded. When she didnt accept Kimmels halfhearted Im sorry, he gave her permission to insult his own mother. The highlight of the interview, however, was Kimmels poetic introduction of Bristol (Like a majestic wild moose suddenly felled by a rifles blast, tonight our next guests dream of dance domination fell to earth with a tragic thud), which was likely a jab at her mothers use of wildlife metaphors to describe last weeks vice presidential debate. So much for that apology. Watch the video below: Read more: Dancing With the Stars recap: Hallelujah! Dancing With the Stars: Hidden Gems of Week 4 Honey Boo Boo endorses Obama on Jimmy Kimmel Live VID

Sarah Palin: Celebrated by some, laughed at by many, feared by others. Related News Related Analysis and Comment Wednesday, 17 October 2012 8:23 AM In his newest documentary Sarah Palin: You Betcha!, award-winning British director Nick Broomfield heads to snowy Alaska to meet Sarah Palin and interview her friends and family for a new perspective on this much talked about political figure. To celebrate the release of the film on October 15th, we decided to countdown Palin's 10 most memorable moments. Go to the Sarah Palin's top ten moments Tags: us politics , us presidential election 2012

Bristol Palin and her Dancing With the Stars partner Mark Ballas visited Jimmy Kimmel Live last night after being voted off the reality competition. Kimmel thanked her for being such a good sport and making the obligatory appearance, considering hes made one or two jokes about Sarah Palin over the years. Im here for my apology, Bristol responded. When she didnt accept Kimmels halfhearted Im sorry, he gave her permission to insult his own mother. The highlight of the interview, however, was Kimmels poetic introduction of Bristol (Like a majestic wild moose suddenly felled by a rifles blast, tonight our next guests dream of dance domination fell to earth with a tragic thud), which was likely a jab at her mothers use of wildlife metaphors to describe last weeks vice presidential debate. So much for that apology. Watch the video below: Read more: Dancing With the Stars recap: Hallelujah! Dancing With the Stars: Hidden Gems of Week 4 Honey Boo Boo endorses Obama on Jimmy Kimmel Live VID

Sarah Palin: Celebrated by some, laughed at by many, feared by others. Related News Related Analysis and Comment Wednesday, 17 October 2012 8:23 AM In his newest documentary Sarah Palin: You Betcha!, award-winning British director Nick Broomfield heads to snowy Alaska to meet Sarah Palin and interview her friends and family for a new perspective on this much talked about political figure. To celebrate the release of the film on October 15th, we decided to countdown Palin's 10 most memorable moments. Go to the Sarah Palin's top ten moments Tags: us politics , us presidential election 2012

Halle Berry was left stunned after a fan pointed out the actress is a distant relative of former US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The Oscar winner was being interviewed on US news show Extra with Tom Hanks, her co-star in new film Cloud Atlas , when she revealed her genealogy secret. Berry asked the interviewer if he wanted to know who she was related to, before pulling a face and saying, "Sarah Palin!" She adds, "In some twisted way (we are related)... somebody sent me this information that she was my distant (relative)." A shocked Hanks then pointed out the odd connection is linked to their new movie, which is about how people's lives impact on each other in the present and future. He added, "This is the Cloud Atlas continuum, without a doubt. I'm telling you the connections that go through! It doesn't matter who, what race, where, what time." WENN.com

Halle Berry has revealed she is related to US politician Sarah Palin. The actress stars alongside Tom Hanks in the new sci-fi mystery Cloud Atlas. It recently emerged Hanks is a distant relative of former US President Abraham Lincoln - and now it turns out his co-star also has political connections. "You wanna know who I'm related to? Sarah Palin!" Berry told chat show host Jerry Penacoli. "In some twisted way... somebody sent me this information that she was my distant [relative]." Hanks revealed his link to the famous American leader when it was announced he would be narrating the TV movie Killing Lincoln. The Oscar winner explained he had known about his connection to the former president since he was a child. "I'm related to Abraham Lincoln. His mother was called Nancy Hanks, and the members of my branch of the family are either cousins or in-laws or poor relations. So when I was at school, guess which president I was always doing essays on," H

Washington, Oct 16 ( ANI ): Halle Berry recently revealed a shocking genealogical connection to former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin . "You wanna know who I'm related to? Sarah Palin!" Us magazine quoted her as saying US TV series 'Extra.' The 'Monster's Ball' star, who is mum to daughter Nahla, 4, and engaged to actor Olivier Martinez , didn't specify how she was related to the politician. Instead, she said, "in some twisted way...somebody sent me this information that she was my distant [relative]." (ANI)

The Associated Press Former Alaska Gov. and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin serves lunch to guests after speaking at a campaign rally in August for Kirk Adams, a Republican candidate for U.S. Representative from Arizona's 5th Congressional District, in Gilbet, Ariz. Sarah Palin's political action committee spent nearly three-quarters of a million dollars during the latest fundraising period, with about $55,000 donated to candidates. SarahPAC raised about $833,900 from July 1 through Sept. 30. The $774,000 it spent went mostly to the business of running the PAC, including consulting, travel expenses and postage and mailings. It donated $54,500 to candidates, including U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona, and Allen West and Sandy Adams of Florida; and U.S. House candidates Martha Zoller of Georgia, Mia Love of Utah, Ted Yoho of Florida and Kirk Adams of Arizona. It also contributed to U.S. Senate candidates Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Dan Bongino of Maryland, Ted C

Sarah Palin Is Not a Vindictive Bitch ... Says Judge EXCLUSIVE Sarah Palin did NOT run a campaign of revenge against some dude from Juneau who complained about traffic ... this according to judge in Alaska. As TMZ first reported, Theodore Thoma -- who clearly has too much time on his hands -- filed a $100,000 lawsuit against Palin last year, claiming she set out to punish and humiliate him after he complained about an ongoing traffic problem in front of the Governor's mansion. A judge reviewed the case ... determined Thoma had, "at most, a mere scintilla of evidence" to back his story ... and ultimately threw the lawsuit out of court. In related news -- they have traffic in Alaska?

2 hrs. Yereth Rosen ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Alaska state employees can use private email accounts for public business but the messages must be preserved under public-records laws, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled on Friday in a case stemming from ex-Governor Sarah Palin's communications practices. Palin is out of office but the ruling could affect her successor, Governor Sean Parnell, who is involved in his own controversy over public records. Critics have accused Parnell and his aides of using text messages rather than official emails to keep communications out of public view. Electronic messages about state business are no different from paper communications under the Alaska Public Records Act, the Alaska Supreme Court said in its unanimous 16-page written decision that largely upheld a lower court ruling. All paper or electronic messages regarding state business must be preserved and made available for public review, in accordance with state law, "and that duty cannot

Picture: Sarah Palinvisits the FOX News studio in Manhattan during her... Speaking to Fox News yesterday (11th Oct 2012) Sarah Palin criticized the Associated Press for publishing a story that was deemed unflattering of the current Republican candidate, Mitt Romney. Quoted on Politico.com Palin said, having been asked by Megyn Kelly about whether she considers it to be forgiveable or simply media bias, Hell yeah, it's media bias. And it's also some sexism when you consider what the response to Mitt Romney's photo is which is degrading and Associated Press, theyre jerks for having run that, even with the caption. I mean, absolute jerks and biased to try and taint some peoples view of Mitt Romney by running this photo. Its embarrassing. Kathleen Carroll, the executive editor of the Associated Press, responded with an apology. It said: The original caption on the photo of Gov. Romney taken Monday at a Virginia school was literally correct -- it said the governor was posing fo

Current TV host Jennifer Granholm tells fellow Current hosts Eliot Spitzer, Cenk Uygur and John Fugelsang about her role in helping Joe Biden prepare for the 2008 vice presidential debate: "I brought the best Sarah Palin I could."

Sarah Palin hasnt taken part in a vice presidential debate in four years, but the fiery former GOP running mate remained a presence in Thursdays face-off between Vice President Joe Biden and GOP running mate Paul Ryan . During a discussion about Republican plans to reform Medicare , Ryan said they were not trying to create a voucher system but rather offering choice to younger Americans. Choice and competition we would rather have 50 million future seniors determine how their Medicare is delivered to them instead of 15 bureaucrats deciding what, if, where, when they get it, Ryan said. Biden immediately invoked Palin, the 2008 vice presidential nominee and former Alaska governor, his debating partner four years ago. PHOTOS: Memorable presidential debate moments You know, I heard that death panel argument from Sarah Palin. It seems that every vice presidential debate, I hear this kind of stuff about panels. But let's talk about Medicare, he said. Ryan wa! s referring to the Ind