Wildlife group urges Discovery to drop Sarah Palin's docu-series

Despite the fact that Sarah Palin didn't become vice president in 2008 and isn't even Alaska's governor anymore, she's still irking conservationists. This time around, advocacy group Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is taking aim at Palin's forthcoming documentary series from the TLC network.

The group -- technically a separate entity from the related group called simply Defenders of Wildlife -- staunchly opposed Palin's policies regarding wild animals during her tenure as Alaska governor. In response to Palin's support of a program in which wolves are hunted from airplanes, the group launched a website, EyeOnPalin.org, in 2009.

The most visible moment in its anti-Palin campaign came in early February 2009, when the group released a graphic video about the wolf hunt narrated by actress Ashley Judd. In a statement, Judd decried the hunt as a "cruel, unscientific and senseless practice which has no place in modern America."

Palin responded with outrage, posting a statement on her website that referred to the Defenders as an "extreme fringe group" and accusing the group of "twisting the truth in an effort to raise funds from innocent and hard-pressed Americans struggling with these rough economic times."

The Defenders shot back, with President Rodger Schlickeisen releasing a statement that read in part, "what you often get in response from Governor Palin when she is challenged is not a rational defense of what she's doing, but rather name calling and a very transparent attempt at spin control. But then again, since there is no defense for her aerial wolf slaughter program, it may be that she feels there really isn't much else she can do."

The group's objection to Palin's views on wildlife and environmental issues didn't stop when she left office. "Her efforts were, and still are, a threat to the natural integrity of America's last frontier, a state that boasts many national wildlife refuges, forests, parks and other federal lands... And if this isn't enough, Palin's persistent denial of global warming is sure to fast make her a political relic," Schlickeisen said in response to her resignation.

Now, as Palin prepares to begin work on the docu-series, tentatively titled "Sarah Palin's Alaska," the Defenders have swung into action again.

Through its EyeOnPalin website, the group is urging its supporters to take action against Palin's series, which the chief executive of TLC's parent company, Discovery Communications, says will "reveal Alaska's powerful beauty as it has never been filmed, and as told by one of the state's proudest daughters."

The Defenders is urging those who oppose Palin's stances on wildlife to sign a petition urging Discovery to drop "Sarah Palin's Alaska."

It says it's received more than 170,000 signatures on the petition, which reads in part: "As parent company of Animal Planet, The Discovery Channel and TLC, and known for your wildlife-focused productions, I hope that you will reconsider your decision to partner with such a terribly anti-wildlife and politically divisive persona as Sarah Palin."

Palin hasn't publicly responded to the group's latest tactic, but the pro-hunting organization U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance has, rather unsurprisingly, rushed to defend her from the Defenders.

"The Defender's [sic] campaign largely rests on a gross mischaracterization of then Alaska Gov. Palin's wolf management plan" and "recycled outrage" over Palin's contention in 2008 that there was not enough evidence to list polar bears as a threatened species requiring federal protection, according to a press release from the hunters' rights group.

In an effort to counter the Defenders' petition, the Sportsmen's Alliance is asking its supporters to write to Discovery to explain "that Gov. Palin is regarded as a conservationist by those inside and outside the wildlife management community and the rhetoric coming from Defender's [sic] reflects an unscientific, emotional appeal. It fails to take into account the science supporting the wolf management program in Alaska as well as the lack of science used to place the polar bear on the endangered species list."

RELATED:
San Francisco bookseller will donate profits from 'Going Rogue' to Alaska Wildlife Alliance
Food fight: Sarah Palin ticks off vegetarians and vegans in her new book, 'Going Rogue'

-- Lindsay Barnett

Top photo: Palin winks as she speaks during the vice presidential debate against Joe Biden on Oct. 2, 2008. Photo credit: J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press

Bottom photo: Palin interacts with the audience at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans on April 9. Photo credit: Cheryl Gerber / Getty Images

Comments

[Susan]

This woman has her finger in so many pies she may explode. Too bad her first priority is slamming anything the President does, even if it's a policy the Republicans support. I thought she quit her job to spend time with her disabled child. Nope, Levi was right, she's all about the money and the spotlight. I sure hope that Democrats are out in force in November, and totally take over Congress. Maybe then the right will begin to see this narcissist for what she is: useless.

[Art Greenwalt]

I have lived in Fairbanks, Ak., over 40 years, which is longer than Ms. Palin has been in the state. I've hunted and hiked in many places throughout the state. And I, like many other Alaskans, had to endure her mercifully-truncated governorship.
Sarah Palin is a conservationist the same way Rush Limbaugh is a gentlemanly, thoughtful scholar. She has proved herself vapid and hypocritical, money-hungry and even hungrier for fame. When she left the governorship she said it was to "spare her family" the problems associated with her career. Within months she had signed a book deal and was appearing on talk shows, garnering her quite a bit of money she would have been unable to take had she still held office.
The best way to think of Sarah Palin is as the runner-up beauty queen she once was. She may be easy on the eyes but she is atrocious for the mind and soul.

[alan]

this woman is nuts as far as i am concerned .
a real danger to society.

[elisabetta rossi]

I'm italian and I'm wondering if Discovery is sure that Mrs Pallin is the most suitable person for this job. I think no.

[Ronin]

While I enjoy hunting and the ability to be in the "wild" to do so, I'm disgusted with any idea of people hunting wolves or any other animals from planes. These people are cowardly trash who just wish for the "thrill" of killing something. As for scientific evidence?. It's been scientifically proven that wolves keep the herds and moose populations healthy by preying on the sick and injured. One more minor issue. How many hunters go to an area to hunt that only hunters shooting from planes can supposedly get to?

[Reverend Trey Noran]

Sarah Palin,

OK, Sarah enough is enough! You seem to have a comment and opinion on everything President Obama does. It is a bit frightening to imagine you as a President. I did not believe your son-in-law and the accusations he made about you. However, after hearing and seeing your actions as you keep targeting the President of the United States, I do believe he was right on the money about you.I personally did not vote for President Obama as well, but I respect him and the authority given to him by the good people of the USA and God. If you are a God fearing woman, then respect his decisions and the word of God. The word states obey the laws of the land. If McCain would have won and became President and made the same decisions as Obama, would you have attacked him? My opinion of you is that your are a frustrated woman who needs to learn love and let your deep anger be focused on those who think you are a whack job, and not focused on a man doing his job. (Let your hurts and anger go) life is too short to be in disagreement and debate with every law that does not fit your lifestyle. My advice to you would be to buy a Joyce Meyer CD and let God, take your hurts away.

[Becky Kirgan]

Liberal bias now wants to prevent freedom of anything that's conservative....But seeking to silence the opposition will oneday come back around.

Thomas Paine: He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.

[reallyrogue]

Discovery Communications, what imagery do you wish to convey by casting Sarah Palin in your Alaska special? Because what I recall, whenever I see Sarah Palin, is her callously giving a news conference in front of a bloody turkey-slaughtering operation; I imagine her killing a magnificent moose, slicing open its gut, and dragging its steaming entrails across the white snow; I remember her support of killing wolves from aircraft. Sarah Palin is the most distasteful and negative celebrity imaginable to tout the natural splendors of Alaska!

[Eric]

I'm looking forward to the documentary. It'd be nice to see Alaska through the eyes of someone who was actually raised there, as opposed to the LA liberals in Hollywood claiming to be 'one w/ the wild'.

Liberals absolutely cannot stand independent thought.

[Dr. T]

I didn't know about this series until Defenders of Wildlife made it an issue. Now I have to watch it just to see what this is all about.

[M. Kay Taylor]

Discovery Channel: What in the world are you thinking and what kind of message are you sending by having Sarah Palin, an avowed WOLF SLAUGHTERER (who "shoots wolves from planes"), do this docu-series? I USED to respect and enjoy your programming; now I'm wondering if you drank the "tea flavored" cool-aid? You're going to lose viewers - I'm one of them.

[jeannie]

This is the most disgusting concept. Every time Palin is mentioned, I lose a brain cell and feel like puking. Discovery, I've admired you for so long and love your programming; the new series Life has been especially spectacular, why are you blowing your reputation with something like this? It is shocking and unacceptable.

[bob]

God bless Sarah Palin

[Deborah]

Just so you know, Sarah, this "extreme fringe" group, Defenders of Wildlife, has been around since 1947. And this "fringe" group doesn't just lobby to keep hunters from hunting the California Condor's range, they provide steel shot to hunters in that area so the condors don't get lead poisoning. They're known for their ability to compromise and work with others rather than name-call and polarize...like you.

[Alexandra]

Sickening.

[Hi Stockwell]

For several years, I have purchased wildlife magazines for my grandchildren. They have grown up with "Aninal Babies" through "Ranger Rick" and beyond. I want them and other young people to learn more about their surrounding world, including the world of wildlife in Alaska. However, it would be unfortunate for them to think that Mrs. Palin is a protector of wildlife, when the opposite appears to be true. There must be a better spokesperson available for the Alaska series. There is no need to politicise the importance of wildlife protection.

[Jesse]

a monster, how does America tolerate a person with this amount of ignorance?

[Maggie Palmer]

Why on earth would you even think of having this woman do a documentary. She cares very little about animal life and particularly the wolf. How could she possibly condone the shooting of wolves from planes. As a Canadian I find her very two faced and a woman that I am sick of seeing every time I turn on the TV. Please, Please, remove her from this series. Surely there is someone else who can give us a far better and impartial view of Alaska.

[Grciela Pena]

It's a travesty that one of my favorite programs (Discovery) is having Palin do a documentary. She has no knowledge of the wildlife of Alaska unless seeing them shot dead can be called knowledge. It is one thing to hunt and kill an animal for food and to feed your family, another to shoot just because you don't understand wolves, polar bears, etc. get her off the air! Please enough is enough of this horrible, ignorant bigot!

[nopalin]

can we please stop giving this self centered nut coverage.. She profiting enourmously from it.

[Daniel]

Palin is useless and if you back this women you are a total moron.

[SLS]

Instead of concentrating on how she can improve her party, all I ever see her doing is slamming the president and any "liberal policy". She's a dirty politician who musters support through soiling the images of others. Shame!

[bimplebean]

So many times, I see conservatives throw the accusation that liberals must not be in favor of free speech whenever we challenge a conservative. It's bull.

We're very much in favor of free speech. We plan to continue to exercise that right *vigorously* when we encounter lies, distortions and spin.

[Anita White]

If discovery wants to retain their viewers they need to drop this "moose cow" immmediately, otherwise I will no longer watch discovery.

[Marcia "Humane" Twane]

Sarah Palin is disgusting. If the discovery channels goes forward with her hosting the Alaskan docu-series, they will loose many, many viewers (myself and practically every one else I mention this to).

[anonymous]

Sarah Palin is a joke - but what I don't get is the outrage over someone who does not have any power. The person that anger should be directed at is Ken Salazar, the Secretary of the Interior who de-listed the wolf from the endangered species list...they were actively hunted this last season. Idaho, Montana, etc. sold licenses to hunt and kill wolves that only existed because they were reintroduced. This is one area where President Obama has been a tremendous disappointment to me. If you do a search on wolf hunts the Times did an excellent article about it at the onset of the hunt. It is so sad. Don't worry about Sarah Palin - I don't think that she can carry a show anymore than either of the Gosselins can carry a show - she does not have any real power to create policy, etc. But Ken Salazar - appointed by President Obama - has power...focus on the person who can affect a change...

[Laura]

This woman is only fodder for sat night live! what a joke.."Sarah Palin's Alaska" !! having librarians lose their jobs and shooting animals from helicopters. Thats' her Alaska.

a horrid evil person, not sure what favor she was owed to get the Repub. nomination, however thanks that lost the election! and great the Repubs are now the tea party..LOL, good she will cost you years of elections!

[robin]

Cette femme qui dit aimer Dieu, comment peut elle dire ça ???, alors que Dieu aime sa création et elle, tout ce qu'elle fait c'est de la détruire lâchement. Qu'elle retourne à ses fourneaux et qu'elle laisse les animaux tranquilles!!!!!

[Nancy Danneberg]

Nature is the landlord,and through its evolution we have become one of the tenants of this beautiful earth.Sarah Palin does not have the right to indulge her authority in any nature show,for her record shows her contempt and disrespect for our most treasured gift, the animal kingdom. Nature's voice must be heard through our actions, to protect any life indigenous to our earth.

[Virginia]

Sarah Palin is a great leader and has every right to do this documentary!!!

[william huard]

Sara Palin is a destructive train wreck. I am not surprised that US Sportsmen Alliance, with their support of predator derbies and other anti-predator policies supports her. What Al Barrette wasn't available to do the series so they picked the ex-halftime governor?

[Christine Burton]

An Alaska wildlife program would be nice if it were almost anyone else doing it. Sarah Palin is not the right person , she stands for everything most Alaskans don't agree with. I can't imagine what you would have her do, wolves, bears, whales, dens are all out that leaves very little of interest left.
I know I will not be watching, she might eat whatever she shows, that would be hard to see. Will she have wildlife cookinlessons also, she is not someone I wish to follow at all.

An Alaskan wildlife lover,
Christine Burton

[gfd5]

Another chance for the Palin hating morons to come from under the rock to spew their venom.

Commie news media, like the LA Times, seek that. That's why they're going bankrupt.

[John B.]

Palin is the Hitler of America's wildlife.

[MArk]

Drill Baby Drill!

Rock on Sarah, we're behind you!

[Emmy]

I'd just like to say that my reason for being disgusted with this show has very little to do with politics. Sarah Palin is a hunter. She doesn't deny that, she sees nothing wrong with it. And Discovery would never usually give a hunter a show. The fact that they are doing so just because she is a household name is what is so enraging. I would feel the same way if it was a famous actor who was known to hunt that was getting a show. A nature channel is just not what they belong, simple as that. Discovery and TLC, you are officially boycotted.

[Lidia]

Sarah Palin is a joke, or even worse a nightmare. Like Don King says " Only in America". Discovery is too important an outfit to let someone like Ms palin ruin its reputation.

[KDP]

This is laughable. Don'td o this Discovery Channel. It's an insult to your integrity and it's an insult to those of us who care about our nations wildlife.

[stela]

I think sarah palin is stupid and crazy woman. what goes around comes around and this nut job will one day meet her maker. She is surely a mental case, and looks like she fakes every part of her life. I hope she goes broke and homeless and maybe she'll feel the pain of those poor animals she killes for sport ,TlC needs to re-think that rotten show.