Sarah Palin: Finally, A Decision for Afghanistan: We're In It to Win It

Following is the complete transcript of Governor Palin's Facebook Note on Obama's decision on Afghanistan:

Three months ago, I joined a number of Americans in urging President
Obama to provide the resources necessary to achieve our goals in
Afghanistan. Tonight, I am glad he mostly heeded that advice (Palin, 2009, ¶1).



At long last, President Obama decided to give his military commanders
much of what they need to accomplish their mission in Afghanistan. In
the end, he decided to endorse a “surge” for Afghanistan, applying the
counterinsurgency principles of “clear, hold and build” that worked so
well in Iraq. Given that he opposed the surge in Iraq, it is even more
welcome that he now supports a surge in Afghanistan (Palin, 2009, ¶2).



This approach means, as Senator John McCain has noted, that “We now
have an opportunity to build a bipartisan consensus in support of a
vital national security priority: defeating Al-Qaeda and its violent
extremist allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and ensuring that these
countries never again serve as bases for terrorist attacks against
America and our allies” (Palin, 2009, ¶3)



We should be clear, however, that fewer troops mean assuming more risk.
Talk of an exit date also risks sending the wrong message. We should be
in Afghanistan to win, not to set a timetable for withdrawal that
signals a lack of resolve to our friends, and lets our enemies believe
they can wait us out. As long as we’re in to win, and as long as troop
level decisions are based on conditions on the ground and the advice of
our military commanders, I support President Obama’s decision (Palin, 2009, ¶4).



- Sarah Palin

References:

Palin, S. L. H. (2009, December 1). "Finally, A Decision for Afghanistan: We're In It to Win It." Facebook, Sarah Palin. Retrieved December 1, 2009 from: http://www.facebook.com/sarahpalin?v=wall#/notes/sarah-palin/finally-a-decision-for-afghanistan-were-in-it-to-win-it/187151958434

When Sarah Roars, the Left Goes Wild: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

Sarah Palin is more popular than ever, but you didn't need me to tell you that. With her book tour in full swing and people lining up for hours and hours just to get the chance to shake her hand and get their copies of Going Rogue signed by the author herself, there is no denying that Sarah is a rock star. Her book skyrocketed to the top of the New York Times Best-Seller List and remains at number one in the hard-cover, non-fiction category. According to Newsmax:

"Palin's book replaces the previous week's top seller, tennis champion Andre Agassi's autobiography Open. Going Rogue reportedly sold 700,000 copies in the first week after its release. The book came out on Nov. 17 with a first printing of 1.5 million copies, and three days later publisher Harper Collins announced that the printing would be increased to 2.5 million. Few nonfiction books have debuted so well. In 2004, Bill Clinton's My Life sold more than 900,000 copies in its first week."


I find it kind of ironic that Sarah's memoir is at the top of this newspaper's list, a newspaper that spread and continues to spread false information and libelous news about Sarah and her family. In a way, Sarah seems to have the last laugh, if not the last word in the matter. Her book proves how hot a commodity she is to the world of politics. While the New York Times continues to see their readership numbers rapidly decline, Sarah's poll numbers continue to increase. My good friend Lisa Graas, editor and chief of the Palin Twibe, recently wrote about Sarah's ever-growing popularity. You can read it here. The Washington Post poll, taken from November 21-23, projected Sarah the clear winner among possible 2012 presidential candidates. Sarah is also the individual who those polled felt best reflected the core values of the Republican Party. Go, Sarah, go!!!


The media fear her, the liberal left fear her, heck even Martha Stewart fears her, although she likened her to "dangerous," as I wrote about recently. With these poll results as well as the adorning fans lining up across the country, there is great cause for why the individuals above should fear. Sarah has become the queen of social media as she has managed to get the word out on serious issues in a way that can only be described as pure genius. It is clear that she is here to stay, and no leftist hack, media loon or dishonest Levi Johnston are going to be able to stop the "Cuda." Sarah is a definite force to be reckoned with, but you already know this. You already know Sarah is an honest woman of extreme integrity. While she values the Republican Party, she is a conservative who continues to break the mold and choose values over party. I have repeatedly written about this very issue. As you all are well aware, the fact that Sarah is not afraid to stand up and speak out are two traits that endear her to people. Sarah speaks to you, not over you. While I have never personally met her, I have heard from many who have, about just how kind and personable she is in real life. Sarah makes the point of recognizing and enjoying the little things, which is clearly evident in her book. I was talking to a friend the other day, and we were talking about how when we read Sarah's book, it is as if she is reading her memoir to us. Those who say that it isn't possible for Sarah to have actually written her book clearly haven't read it. I'm only 150 pages in, but it is clear Sarah DID write her book. I'm not going to ruin it for you and give the plot of the book away, but I will mention that Going Rogue is a tear jerker. You can tell how much Sarah loves and cares for Alaska and America. This is clear as you read each and every page. The way in which she is able to relate to average-day "Mainstreet U.S.A." folks is so amazing. There is no one in the modern-day political spectrum who could do this. Sarah captivates America with every step she takes, and she will continue to do so. This is WHY the liberal left fear hear, the liberal media fear her, and Hollywood types fear her. In the end, what could be better than that? When you're feared across the country by those on the opposition for speaking the truth, you know your message is resonating across the country. So, Sarah, on behalf of "Mainstreet U.S.A." folks everywhere, continue to stand up, speak out and rock on!!!


(Click here to visit Conservative Girl with a Voice. Click here to follow me on Twitter.)

Huckabee, Palin and the Tough Job of Governing

By Shane Vander Hart, Caffeinated Thoughts

Being a governor is a tough job.  Mike Huckabee is taking all sorts of heat for his decision to commute the sentence of Maurice Clemmons who shot and killed four police officers in Washington, and was killed today by a Seattle Police officer.

He made a tough decision ten years ago, and it’s going to hurt him politically.  I also think it’s easy to point to decisions like these with our 20/20 hindsight and say, “See! See!”  We weren’t in his shoes, and we don’t always know the background behind the decisions that were made and the process by which they are made (and they differ state by state).

Governor Huckabee in a statement yesterday, said the following:

I take full responsibility for my actions of nine years ago. I acted on the facts presented to me in 2000. If I could have possibly known what Clemmons would do nine years later, I obviously would have made a different decision. But if the same file was presented to me today, I would have likely made the same decision.

Each state is different, but in Arkansas, a governor doesn’t initiate a parole—the Post Prison Transfer Board does after it conducts a thorough review of an inmate’s file and request. The board then makes a recommendation to the governor, who decides to grant or deny.

If the decision is made to grant any form of clemency (the broad term for a commutation or a full pardon), the governor gives notice of intent and the file is sent to the prosecutor, judge, law enforcement officials, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State as well as to the news media. A period of 30 days is then started for there to be public input as well as response from the above named officials. At the end of the public response period, the final decision is rendered.

Between 1,000 and 1,200 requests for some form of clemency came to my desk each and every one of the 10 ½ years I was governor. Ninety-two percent of the time, I denied the requests. When I did grant them, it was usually based on the recommendation of at least five of the members of the PPTB, with consideration given to the input from public officials.

Maurice Clemmons was 16 years old when he was charged with burglary and robbery. He was sentenced to a total of 108 years based on the way in which the sentences were stacked. For the crimes he committed and the age at which he committed the crimes, it was dramatically outside the norm for sentencing. The PPTB recommended in 2000 by a 5-0 vote for his sentence to be commuted.

He had served 11 years of his sentence. A pardon would have set him free and cleared his record. A commutation to “time served” would have set him free and released him from any parole reporting. As per the recommendation, I commuted his sentence to the term of 47 years, still a long sentence for the type of crime he had committed, but it would make him parole eligible. It would not parole him, as governors do not have that power in Arkansas. He would have to separately apply for parole and meet the criteria for that.

Despite news reports to the contrary, the only record of public response to the notice to commute was from the trial judge, who recommended the commendation in concert with the board. There were letters of support, but no record of letters of opposition.

Following the commutation, he met the criteria for parole and was paroled to supervision in late 2000. When he violated terms of his parole by participating in additional crimes, he was returned to prison and should have stayed there. For reasons only the prosecutor can explain, charges were not brought forth in a timely way and the prosecutor ended up dropping the charges, allowing him to leave prison and return to supervised parole.

Hindsight is always 20/20, and I believe that Governor Huckabee at the time, with the information that he had available, made a good decision.  There are times when governors can and should commute sentences and even offer pardons.  They shouldn’t do so without input, feedback and facts and Governor Huckabee didn’t in this case.  I fear that by the reaction that cropped up on the right we may be seeing the death of compassion for political gain.  That is wrong.  Sometimes sentences are not just.  Sometimes people do change.  What happened in Washington was incredibly tragic, but Governor Huckabee is not to blame.  Maurice Clemmons is, and perhaps the Washington judges that allowed him bail with eight felony charges against him.

He may suffer politically, but let’s not paint him as culpable.  In defending Governor Huckabee today, Steve Deace of WHO Radio, took a shot at a former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for a judicial pick that she made earlier this year, as well as, a swipe at former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s record.  In his op/ed at The Iowa Republican today he said:

Predictably, the Republican establishment and its various media cronies who hate Christians more than the Democrats do have pounced on this story.

The exact same people who said nothing while Palin put a Planned Parenthood official on the state supreme court where she could kill babies from the bench with little difficulty, or still haven’t come clean about Romney’s far left record in Massachusetts, now suddenly can’t wait to expose Huckabee’s poor judgment and the tragedy that at least partially resulted from it.

First, I agree with him regarding Mitt Romney.  His record in Massachusetts was horrible, and I did not support him 2008 for that very reason.  He wanted to run as a conservative, but he governed like a liberal.  Then there’s RomneyCare in Massachusetts.

With Governor Palin, however, like Governor Huckabee, you need to understand the situation in Alaska and Alaskan constitutional law.  I covered it pretty extensively at the time it happened, because when I first heard about it… I was disappointed as well.  Knowing that she is pro-life I wanted to learn more.  You can read the fruit of my homework here.  I’ll summarize below:

• Governor Palin did not have the authority to appoint any judge she wanted to, but only those who are recommended to her by the Alaska Judicial Council, which is the constitutional process.
• She took the unprecedented step of asking for everything the Council had on the two finalists that they presented to her.
• Neither candidate was ideal.  She couldn’t ask for more candidates, her predecessor, Governor Frank Murkowski tried to do that and failed.
• Governor Palin’s choices were choosing a liberal (the one she didn’t choose) or the independent (which she chose).  Also, the person she picked was no longer on the Planned Parenthood board and was off of it long before Planned Parenthood offered abortions in Alaska.  She also didn’t list it on the application given to Governor Palin or on a 2001 application with then Governor Tony Knowles (who is a liberal Democrat).  Maybe she didn’t want to appear to be taking sides on the issue?
• Tom Minnery of the Alaska Family Council admitted the problem is the process, not Palin.  Bob Flint, an Anchorage attorney (who is pro-life) said that nothing short of a Constitutional amendment will fix it.

I left a comment on Deace’s post, and he responded via Facebook (and my reply).  He said she should have fought it, and that she violated God’s law.  I think she didn’t want to abdicate her role as Governor and also had other issues to consider.  Instead of smearing Palin and Governors in positions like these (Matt Blunt faced a similar circumstance in Missouri) we should work to change laws that box Governors in.

Oh and Steve, when has the establishment ever protected Governor Palin?

Shane Vander Hart is the editor of Caffeinated Thoughts.  He loves to connect with fellow Palin supporters so feel free to follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.

Leave it to the "lame" stream media

Sarah Palin's latest Facebook note say it all:

"It’s really comical at this point! Despite all of the important events happening in the world today – the president’s speech tonight on the strategy in Afghanistan, the Senate debate over health care reform, the disturbing details of the “Climategate” scandal, the continuing challenges facing the world economy – the media is concerned about my travel and lodging arrangements on my book tour?! Does this sound familiar? It should. The media showed the same out-of-proportion obsession with my personal arrangements, clothes, and hairstyles last year instead of focusing on the crucial issues involving the election.

So what is this news “story”? That I fly on an airplane to complete some of the stops on my book tour when it’s impractical or physically impossible to reach the next event on time by bus. Some news outlets are behaving as if my travel was a secret that they didn’t know about – despite the fact that I’ve tweeted about my flights and at least one local newspaper reported on the arrival of my flight into Rochester, NY. What’s even funnier is that these same media outlets think it’s shocking that we stay in hotels. I guess they expected us to pitch a tent alongside the road. We love the great outdoors, but such an arrangement is hardly practical for a book tour. Using common sense, it was determined that traveling by plane between some stops would save time and energy and allow me to go to more events. Economically speaking for HarperCollins, it’s more efficient to travel by charter, and I am very grateful to the publisher for providing my family and me with this incredible opportunity to shake hands with as many Americans as possible on this book tour.

If you’re scratching your head wondering why my flight and hotel logistics warrant news coverage, join the club. They can, of course, report on whatever they like, but in my opinion CBS loses whatever professional integrity it still has when it links in its report to a website devoted to the bizarre conspiracy theory that I’m not the real mother of my son Trig.

I’m truly humbled by the response to my book tour by everyday Americans, and if traveling by plane means that I can meet more of these wonderful people, I’ll travel by plane (or bus or train or canoe or dog sled or whatever it takes). Please enjoy the photos below!

- Sarah Palin"

Why in the world is this news??? It still amazes me that the "lame" stream media refuses to report the details of the health care debate and calls critics "tea baggers" but they will not report news worthy information about Sarah Palin. Her book has gone platinum in just two weeks and another printing has been ordered by Harper Collins. But all they want to focus on is their view of her travel. That it was publicized as a book tour when she is flying! Get real!

The next chapter...

After reading Sarah Palin’s memoir, Going Rogue, I can’t help but to think what the future holds for her. With a strong will and a true grounding of personal beliefs, I believe that she will continue to play an active role in American politics. Never before have we seen a public figure effect change by merely speaking her mind unfiltered by others. Pres. Obama may have been the first national candidate to use twitter, Facebook and MySpace as campaign tools; however, it is Sarah Palin who has been able to draw attention to the health care crisis and military support among others. If Sarah Palin, a private citizen, can create this environment of fear among the liberal left then I think she has accomplished greatness. Her outspoken, unfiltered, not politically correct approach has encouraged many other women and step up and become politically active.

I have been thinking a lot lately about our Founding Fathers. I am currently preparing to take a state-wide teaching exam on U.S. History to add a certification to my teaching license. As I prepare for this test, I have been reviewing the principles that our country was founded upon. The six basic principles of the Constitution are: popular sovereignty; limited government; separation of powers; checks and balances; judicial review; and federalism.

Popular sovereignty means that all power is held by the people and that the power to govern is given through the Constitution. It seems to me that the majority of Congress has forgotten this. That WE the people have hired them and that WE the people can and will fired them if they are not and will not represent us. We must continue to stand up and participate in Tea Parties and Town Halls, if we do not use our voices we will never be heard. I have read many articles recently that describe Sarah Palin as “Sarah 2.0″. Sarah is using the social networking technology to her advantage. This is causing a lot of media on her and what she has to say. An average citizen who refuses to “sit down and shut up”.

Sarah Palin, along with Ronald Reagan, knows the true value of limited government. George Washington even warned of expanding government and becoming politically partisan in his farewell address. Government can only do what the people give it the power to do! By speaking up about government-run banks, businesses and health care. As a people, Americans must stand up and stand together to protect our right to limited government. This is the message that Sarah is working so hard to help us get through to Congress and the President.

The separation of powers and anther biggie that our Founding Fathers were very concerned about. They created 3 branches of government that are to check and balances each other out so that no one branche has more power than the others. However, as we have seen since January, more “czars” have been appointed by the current administration then any other in history. This seems to be the administration’s way of getting around the confirmation process in Congress. I have to wonder why we need so many special positions to advise our President and if this positions are truly needed why can’t they be appointed and confirmed? I also have to wonder about the judgement of those people who are choosing these close advisors – Van Jones, Anita Dunn, etc.

Judicial review is provided for in the Constitution to determine the constitutionality of government. This is a good thing; however, we must be cautious and understand the values and morals of those whom are appointed. As more supreme court justices decide to retire or become ill, who will replace them? We must be vocal in lett ing our Congress know who supports true American values and principles. This is too important a job to allow anyone to be appointed and confirmed.

The last principle our Founding Fathers viewed extremely important is federalism. They were fearful of big government and of government take over of the individual states. They were right to be fearful of this. Look at where we are today. With the stimulus funds, states are being told what building codes should be, what roads to build or repair, and what to do with unemployment benefits.

Our country was founded on sound principles and right now it looks as though the career politicians in Washington D.C. have lost touch with those principles all in search of obtaining more and more power. This is why Sarah Palin is a force in politics and will continue to be a force. Whether she ever decides to run for public office again remains to be seen. However, she will not fade quietly into the night because concerned Americans need her and she knows that. She is humble enough to know that she doesn’t need a title nor does she need the “elite” political machine. She has the support of average, everyday citizens because she is one of us. She is the real deal and that is why the left is so afraid of her. She isn’t afraid to say “bull crap” to Barbara Walters, she isn’t afraid of the party politics because she has taken them on before and has risen above.

Sarah Palin: Media's Priorities Shine Bright, Again! :)

Transcript of Governor Palin's Facebook Note:

Media's Priorities Shine Bright, Again! :)
Today at 1:40pm EST

It’s really comical at this point! Despite all of the important events happening in the world today – the president’s speech tonight on the strategy in Afghanistan, the Senate debate over health care reform, the disturbing details of the “Climategate” scandal, the continuing challenges facing the world economy – the media is concerned about my travel and lodging arrangements on my book tour?! Does this sound familiar? It should. The media showed the same out-of-proportion obsession with my personal arrangements, clothes, and hairstyles last year instead of focusing on the crucial issues involving the election.

So what is this news “story”? That I fly on an airplane to complete some of the stops on my book tour when it’s impractical or physically impossible to reach the next event on time by bus. Some news outlets are behaving as if my travel was a secret that they didn’t know about – despite the fact that I’ve tweeted about my flights and at least one local newspaper reported on the arrival of my flight into Rochester, NY. What’s even funnier is that these same media outlets think it’s shocking that we stay in hotels. I guess they expected us to pitch a tent alongside the road. We love the great outdoors, but such an arrangement is hardly practical for a book tour. Using common sense, it was determined that traveling by plane between some stops would save time and energy and allow me to go to more events. Economically speaking for HarperCollins, it’s more efficient to travel by charter, and I am very grateful to the publisher for providing my family and me with this incredible opportunity to shake hands with as many Americans as possible on this book tour.

If you’re scratching your head wondering why my flight and hotel logistics warrant news coverage, join the club. They can, of course, report on whatever they like, but in my opinion CBS loses whatever professional integrity it still has when it links in its report to a website devoted to the bizarre conspiracy theory that I’m not the real mother of my son Trig.

I’m truly humbled by the response to my book tour by everyday Americans, and if traveling by plane means that I can meet more of these wonderful people, I’ll travel by plane (or bus or train or canoe or dog sled or whatever it takes). Please enjoy the photos below!

- Sarah Palin




Gov. Sarah Palin and Gretchen Carlson of Fox & Friends look at a crowd cheering at The Villages in Florida, on Tuesday, November, 24, 2009, during an interview prior to a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Barnes Noble. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Gov. Sarah Palin and her daughter, Piper, holding Palin’s son, Trig, look through a coloring book brought by friends on Tuesday, November, 24, 2009, at the Villages in Florida at the beginning of a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Barnes & Noble. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Palin Piper helps younger brother, Trig, take a walk on Tuesday, November, 24, 2009, at the Villages in Florida, while their mother, Gov. Sarah Palin, participates in an interview with Gretchen Carlson, of Fox & Friends, prior to a “Going Rogue, An American Life”, book signing event at Barnes and Noble bookstore. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Gov. Sarah Palin gives two thumbs up to a crowd waiting outside of the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Tuesday, November, 24, 2009, at the Villages in Florida, as she begins an interview with Gretchen Carlson of Fox & Friends prior to a “Going Rogue” book signing event. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Gov. Sarah Palin holding son, Trig, and Palin’s father, Chuck Heath, greet people waiting in line prior to the start of a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Hastings in Richland, WA, on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Gov. Sarah Palin holding son, Trig, and Palin’s father, Chuck Heath, greet people waiting in line prior to the start of a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Hastings in Richland, WA, on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Gov. Sarah Palin holding son, Trig, and Palin’s father, Chuck Heath, greet people waiting in line prior to the start of a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Hastings in Richland, WA, on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Gov. Sarah Palin greets people during a “Going Rogue” book
signing event at Hastings in Richland, WA, on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Gov. Sarah Palin greets people during a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Hastings in Richland, WA, on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Gov. Sarah Palin greets people during a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Hastings in Richland, WA, on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Gov. Sarah Palin shakes hands and greets a crowd of people that gathered outside of Hastings in Richland, WA, on Sunday, November 29, 2009, after a four hour, “Going Rogue” book signing event. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

Sarah Palin Is The Heroine In Brand New Children’s Book

Here’s one the corrupt Obamacentric media will never report. This reporting by the Polish News comes to us via our intrepid internet scout Cheri V:

While the former Governor and Vice Presidential candidate has achieved success with record book sales and support for a 2012 presidential election bid, she has also achieved something else few public figures ever have: heroine status in a children’s book.

In a cameo appearance, "Governor Sarah," a Palin lookalike character, attempts to help two boys with a struggling swingset business hang onto the American Dream despite high taxes, burdensome regulations and 246 czars in the recently released children’s book Help! Mom! Radicals Are Ruining My Country!, by bestselling- author Katharine DeBrecht.

"I am trying to let all Americans know that these radicals are killing the American Dream and I want to stop them from hurting people that produce products and provide jobs," the Palin character consoles the frustrated boys. The book then describes an all-out media assault on the Palin figure based on false rumors which discourages the boys:


Unfortunately later that night, while the boys were still ruffling through their bills, they saw a special report on TV. The TV anchorwoman beamed "We have breaking news just in from a 37 year old man who lives in his parents’ basement that Governor Sarah’s mother is actually an alien."


The anchorwoman excitedly went on, "And from this exclusive source, we can confirm that Governor Sarah feeds her children dog food for breakfast, lunch and dinner."


Disheartened, the boys contemplate the ramifications of the assault on Governor Sarah, wondering if children have been given a green light to spread untrue gossip and whether such actions would discourage other children from public service.

"I was always taught not to spread mean rumors about people," Lou looked at Tommy.


"I know," Tommy frowned at this brother. "She seems like a nice lady. I wonder if any of the kids at school are now going to think it is okay to spread untrue gossip about people."


"Yeah," Lou agreed. "I feel bad for Susie Sattely who is running for student council. She is a really nice girl. I wonder who is going to make up something about her."

DeBrecht said it was imperative to include the Palin-like character in the book in order to teach a valuable lesson to kids. "In this internet age, we need to let our kids know that it is wrong to spread rumors and lies. Unfortunately, many so-called journalists have basically told children that this is permissible as long as you disagree with someone’s opinions."

In regards to future political servants, DeBrecht goes on, "Our kids deserve better than the shameful example that has been set before them. What message does this send to little girls who may want to enter the political arena? Don’t you dare lest you be Palinized?"


The special edition book is available for pre-order exclusively at www.radicalsruiningmycountry.com and published by iTouch Publishers.

This sounds like an interesting book, and certainly seems to deliver a good message. The far left radicals have been churning out propaganda books aimed at children by the hundreds for years. The radicals push everything from the global warming hoax, to the gay lifestyle, to disdain for capitalism on the kids. It’s refreshing to see an author who wants to give the kids a popular message.

This is from DeBrecht’s website:

Sometimes You Want to Scream...Why Not Laugh a Little Instead?

From the author of the bestselling Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed!, Katharine DeBrecht, comes Help! Mom! Radicals Are Ruining My Country! - a hilarious and entertaining way for parents to sit down with their children and teach them the origins of the new Tea Party movement and the importance of standing up for liberty and the American Dream.

Follow Tommy and Lou as they struggle to keep their swing set business afloat despite 246 czars, onerous regulations and sky-high taxes in these troubling times. Will Tommy and Lou finally decide to join the other kids on the corner in standing up for freedom or will they continue to fear being vilified by the press and demeaned by Marxus Obundus ("the One")?

If you order for Christmas, you can get a signed copy of the book! This sounds like a good way to teach your kids what is right about America, and how the radical communists are destroying it. It’s never to early to teach children that we are blessed to live in the greatest nation on earth, and what made it so.

Sarah Palin: "Going Rogue In Florida"

Sarah Palin posted this video on her Facebook page:

Palin Goes Platinum

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com


Hillel Italie of the Associated Press reports that Governor Palin's Going Rogue has gone platinum.

HarperCollins spokeswoman Tina Andreadis said Tuesday that just two weeks after publication, Sarah Palin's memoir has sold 1 million copies. The print run for "Going Rogue" has been increased again, to 2.8 million copies. The original printing was 1.5 million, then moved up to 2.5 million.

"Going Rogue" joins a select club of million-selling political memoirs that includes Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope," Hillary Rodham Clinton's "Living History" and Bill Clinton's "My Life."

If you have not bought and read the Governor's memoir, I urge you to do so--today. You will be glad you did.

I purchased the book a little after midnight on November 17th, the day it was released. I was the first person to purchase the book--right out of the box--in my city, and I finished it Saturday.

Going Rogue is captivating, insightful, and utterly inspiring. It illustrates Governor Palin's accomplishments, her commitment to her family, her strong foundation of faith--and, of course, the behind-the-scenes of the 2008 campaign. Upon completing the book, I wrote my initial reaction. It wasn't a full book review, just my first response. Read it here.

Going Rogue: More than a Memoir

Obviously Going Rogue: An American Life is Governor Palin's memoir, but it is so much more than that.

Writing Style

Governor Palin kept journals all her life and has a journalism degree. Her book is 413 pages of pleasant, easy reading. You will not find any political double-speak, euphemism, or gobbledygook here. Governor Palin writes in plain, easy-to-understand, clear language. She engages you, the reader and maintains your interest throughout. You will not find a single boring passage. Governor Palin's excellent sense of humor and razor-sharp wit reflect in her writing. She has also mastered the art of the drawing the reader in, then closing a thought with cutting, hard-hitting sarcasm.

Governor Palin knows very well how to write a good "belly whopper." Al Chioda (deceased) who edited the Airport Press during my tenure there as a reporter and production manager coined the term. A "belly whopper" is a story that leaves you feeling like you were punched in the stomach and left doubled over. Going Rogue has several belly whoppers in it.

Memoir: Bonding with our Sarah

For purposes of this segment, she is simply Sarah -- transcending any titles she has held. You cannot help but bond with her from the first words on the first page. Now, before I read Going Rogue, I knew quite a bit about Governor Palin -- Sarah. I never realized what I did not know about her. I found myself having to stop roughly every two paragraphs to either laugh with her, or found myself blubbering. Other colleagues have had a similar experience.

Of course being deeply in involved in matters pertaining to Sarah; knowing and working regularly with some of the people she references in the book, reading Going Rogue for me was a very emotional experience. It all started the day I heard a woman's voice on the radio. Two months after that, the Sharpie in her hand would sign my shirt and laser engrave my heart. I would be 30 feet away from her eight months after that at an IGHL award gala -- so near yet so far away. And five months later, she would sign two copies of her own book in my presence. I would meet her mother and father there that night and see two of her children: three generations of Heaths and Palins all in the same space, interacting with us ordinary folk.

Sarah is not some distant celebrity in an ivory tower. For most of my colleagues and friends -- for myself -- the bond we have with our Sarah is very tight. That bond extends to her family, friends, staff, and even her contractors.

Her populism and love of the ordinary person shows and is extensively documented. And ordinary people's love of her is also documented. Reading her words leaves you feeling like you're reading the work of a close friend or a sister....all the more so for my colleagues and myself.

Policy Manual

Rush Limbaugh described Going Rogue as one of the most "substantive policy manuals of our time," and that is an accurate description, as delineated in Gary P. Jackson's entry on the subject. Governor Palin delineates at great length throughout the book the core values that underpin her approach to governance. But, the overarching value to her is strict adherence to the Constitution -- no matter what other values that may conflict with.

Further, Governor Palin delineates her policy positions in plain, clear, engaging language that the average person will understand and maintain interest. Policy is usually dry, boring subject matter, but not in Going Rogue.

Campaign Operations Manual

Governor Palin explains in great detail exactly what went wrong in the McCain campaign, how it went wrong and why. Going Rogue is very instructive on how to and how not to manage a campaign. Governor Palin devotes nearly a fourth of the book to this subject. Going Rogue should be mandatory reading for candidates and their campaign managers, as the real world lessons contained within can avert a possible repeat of what went wrong in the McCain campaign.

Post-Graduate MBA Review -- From the Real World

Need a refresher on Transformational Leadership, Human Resources Management, Micro- and Macro-Economics, Marketing, Accounting? You betcha...pick up a copy of Going Rogue. For less than $20, you will have an MBA review from an executive who has nearly two decades of experience, including -- yes some admitted poor decisions. Governor Palin outlines in intimate detail why they were poor and why she would never repeat them. To learn this material in a post-graduate course would cost several thousand dollars and it would be all theory without the real world experience to back it up.

Naturalist's Field Study Guide

Governor Palin has significant knowledge of botany, biology, and geography, and she shares it with us in Going Rogue. She delineates in detail her view on evolution, and her view is not what people on both sides of the issue stereotype it to be. If you want to know Governor Palin's real position on evolution, it will not be disclosed here on Accomplishments. Buy a copy of Going Rogue.

Travelogue

Yes, Going Rogue is a travelogue, in that Governor Palin describes in loving detail the places she has been, as well as what she has seen, felt, smelt, and tasted. When you read her words describing where she is at any given point, you feel like you're right there with her. Her words transport you. You will walk, run, drive and fly with her to all the places she has been.

Poetry

Governor Palin is not a poet in the strict and traditional definition of the word, but there is a poetic sub-current when she describes natural phenomena. She has poetry in her soul, and it does reflect in her writing.

Simple Christian Faith

Governor Palin delineates the role her simple Christian faith plays in her life in Going Rogue in a pleasant, easy-going, matter-of-fact way. She does not proselytize for any denomination; preach; sermonize; delve into theology, dogma, and rituals; or appear "holier than thou." In fact, she cannot stand the latter types and specifically says so. She expresses belief in Providence and disbelief in coincidence. Adrienne Ross' review is centered on this concept. Indeed as her life story builds, the reader cannot help but conclude that Governor Palin's life's events happened for a reason. It is up to the reader to decide what that reason is.

Conclusion

That Going Rogue should be mandatory reading for anyone who works for and supports Governor Palin in an official or unofficial capacity should be obvious.

For those of you "sitting on the fence" about her, Going Rogue is strongly recommended reading. Perhaps, you've been reading and listening to the myriad rumors, innuendos, lies, and half-truths that have been spread around about Governor Palin. This is an opportunity to read her story in her words. Then you can make up your own mind. Chances are, she will win you over.

For those of you who consider yourselves center-left, you will be pleasantly surprised: Governor Palin is not a "right wing ideologue" and she is not a stereotypical neo-con. What you will find is a common-sense political view that ranges center left to full right. You will find she is one of the last living pioneers; you will read about a populist who loves her country and the people she serves; you will discover why many of us find her inspirational and are hard to the core in our support of her.

Just like many of us -- you may fall and fall hard -- like I did the day I heard an unknown woman's voice on the radio and pulled over to the side of the road....