A Time For Choosing......An Open Letter To The Republican Party

In October of 1964 Ronald Reagan addressed the Republican National Convention and a television audience. At the time America was headed into liberalism in a big way. Democrats were looking to grow the government in ways our founders never dreamed of. The "Great Society" was upon us.

Reagan, a newly minted Republican, remarked that he didn’t leave the democrat party, the party left him.

Reagan spoke of American exceptionalism and determination. He spoke of conservatism. He also spoke of the evils of liberalism, and communism.

Reagan’s speech, entitled "A Time For Choosing" is one of his best works. It is considered as the real awakening of the conservative movement. It is so iconic, it has come to be know as simply, "The Speech". And if you have never seen it, you cannot call yourself a conservative.

Ronald Reagan gave this most inspiring of speeches, in support of Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. While conservatives were moved with Reagan’s common sense, wisdom, and patriotism, it fell on the deaf ears of the party elite: The blue blood, country club Republicans. Those today we conservatives call RINOs (Republicans In Name Only)

It would be 16 years more of moving towards socialism, and really poor government. This culminated in the total disaster known as the Jimmy Carter presidency, a complete and total mess that we are still feeling the ramifications of to this day! Think Community Reinvestment Act, and Radical Islam.

So, how did Ronald Reagan finally become President? Well, he basically followed the principles he set forth in his 1964 speech! President Reagan won two record landslide elections, including a 49 state win in 1984, by stressing solid conservatism to every single American, no mater the sex, race, or religious creed.

What Reagan knew then, just as we know now, is that conservatism is universal. It doesn’t belong to any party. Conservatism is a concept of freedom, and accomplishment. That all men should be free of tyranny, from oppression. All men should have an equal chance in life. Reagan knew that conservatism stresses the fact that we get all of our rights from our God, not from the government of man. Reagan knew that the Constitution was a covenant between the government and it’s citizens, that limited the power of government, not it’s citizens.

Reagan knew that government wasn’t the answer, but indeed was the problem. In that regard, things have only gotten worse since Reagan’s days in office.

But you know what else about Reagan and his historic wins?

Reagan never pandered. He didn’t sit around and think up ways to appeal to this group or that group. He didn’t worry about having one message for one crowd or another. He had but one message: The message of conservatism, true conservatism.

Again, conservatism is universal. The concept of conservatism works for every single group of people. White, black, Hispanic, etc. Straight, gay, male, female, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, it doesn’t matter. Conservatism works for every single human being.

Now, let’s fast forward a bit. Even though Ronald Reagan was the most successful President in our lifetimes, the Republicans didn’t learn their real lesson. We ended up with a moderate Republican President. Not a bad man. In fact a very good man. But a moderate none the less.

That of course led us to Bill Clinton. Clinton was a disaster from the get go, including his weak answer to bombing of the World Trade Center. In fact, his poor performance led to the second conservative revolution in 1994, spearheaded by Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay, and others.

Using solid conservative principles, the Republicans were able to balance the budget, pass welfare reform, and other common sense legislation. In fact, they did so well, that the common man on the street credited Clinton, and gave him a second term!

But why did that happen? Well, easy. You see, the Republican party still hadn’t learned it’s lesson. (This is, a recurring theme, huh?) The party put up one of our greatest Americans, for sure. A bonafide World War II hero, a man of great integrity, a true statesman: Bob Dole. The only problem, is Senator Dole is a true moderate. (You know how the word liberal has become a pejorative? Well, as far as I am concerned, so has moderate!) We never had a chance.

Senator Dole never forcefully took credit for all of the great things Clinton was said to have done, that were actually accomplished by conservative Republicans.

Now, thankfully, we then saw George Bush, another fine man. A decent man. But not really a conservative. But, we knew that going in. George Bush was tested under the fire of war, and performed brilliantly, keeping America safe. Something no one thought was possible right after 9/11.

The Republicans had control of Congress, as well. But, it wasn’t the same Republicans. Maybe they had been in Washington too long. Or maybe real conservatives left. Whatever the reason, the RINOs came to power, and conservatism, real conservatism was in exile again.

Now for sure, President Bush did a whole lot more right than wrong. But being a moderate, he let a lot of things happen on his watch. Most notable, even though there are at least 34 documented calls to put Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both arms of the democrat party, in check, being a moderate, the President didn’t go to real battle with these people. And in the end, never named the names of the real culprits of the current financial crisis, instead accepting blame for the entire Republican party instead of naming all the democrats who actually caused this mess!

Which leads us to the 2008 election. Through silly Republican primary rules, and just plain insanity, the GOP showed that 44 years after Reagan’s blueprint for sure victory was written, they still didn’t have a clue. As such, we got the RINO’s RINO, John McCain! Now, John McCain is a war hero, a true American. But he is not a conservative, or even a moderate. He’s "democrat lite". A Liberal. A complete disaster.

But, just like in 1964....in September of 2008, another strong conservative walked to the podium to sing the praises of the Presidential candidate. This time in the guise of the Vice Presidential candidate. That strong conservative was Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. Her speech, like Reagan’s before her, was inspirational. Like Reagan, Governor Palin spoke from her heart. She spoke of the greatness of America. As she spoke, you could see the shining city on a hill that Reagan often spoke of.

Governor Palin spoke of American exceptionalism. The greatness of the common man. She spoke of the solid conservative principles of freedom, and self determination. She spoke of security and self reliance, not only for Americans but for America itself.

Governor Palin was a hit, as we know. Her message resonated with Americans. A once dead campaign came back to life. Donations and volunteers poured in at a record pace. Between Palin’s common sense conservatism, and the fact that of the four people on both tickets, she was the only one with chief executive experience, and lots of it, for the first time, Republicans saw a win happening.

We saw Ronald Reagan when we saw Sarah Palin. In fact, even Michael Reagan himself said so. No stronger endorsement than that.

But sadly, the RINOs were in control of the campaign, and totally misused her talents. It was incredibly disheartening for those of us who had followed the Governor before she became a nationally know figure.

Worse yet, the democrats along with their media cohorts launched an unrelenting campaign of hate, lies, and dirty tricks against the Governor, which is in high gear to this day.

In the end, the moderates had it their way. The entire "democrat lite" wing of the Republican party prevailed, as did Barack Obama, the democrat candidate.

Now, this should have never happened. Barack Obama is to the left of Joseph Stalin. This is a man who was raised by communist parents, and grand parents. Mentored by communists like Frank Marshal Davis, terrorist Bill Ayers, and racist America hating Jeremiah Wright, among others.

No way in the world should this guy gotten past McCain/Palin. But, instead of listening to the cry of conservatives everywhere, our man John McCain actually defended Obama at every turn. Apologizing when Governor Palin turned on the heat, and even worse, refusing to defend her while she, herself, was being attacked with lies, hate, and dirty tricks. Another reoccurring theme for today’s Republican party of moderates.

So, again getting whipped badly taught the Republican elite nothing. If anything, the RINOs, the country club blue blooders are trying to move even closer to the democrats and further to the left! The true definition of insanity.

Sarah Palin touched Americans like no one has since Ronald Reagan. But, the Republican party is no longer the party of Reagan. It’s the democrat party watered down. So, the elites in our party not only didn’t listen to Governor Palin, they joined in the attacks, unable to face up to their own inadequacies! Including John McCain, who to this day, never misses a chance to disrespect the Governor, all the while sucking up to his buddies in the media.

So, the die was cast.

That takes us to 2009, and CPAC. This time it was Rush Limbaugh who gave the patriotic speech. This too was iconic. No one was surprised that Fox News carried his keynote speech live, but so did CNN. This was a big deal, and rivaled both Reagan, and Palin in it’s enormity of purpose.

Like Reagan, and Palin, Limbaugh spoke of American exceptionalism. Of America and her people’s greatness. Limbaugh spoke of solid conservative values, and how those values are what made America great. He spoke of how conservatism lifts people up, and how communism oppresses people. How, as conservatives, we want to build people up to their highest potential, and how communism punishes great achievement in the name of "economic justice".

Something else Limbaugh did. Just like Ronald Reagan forcefully attacked President Lyndon Johnson, and the democrats and Sarah Palin forcefully attacked candidate Barack Obama and the democrat/communist party, he attacked President Barack Obama and the party of radicals.

And just like Reagan, and Palin, Limbaugh did it with skill, humor, and good cheer. He was angry, as we all are, but when you are on the right path, you can speak with great ease.

Something else. Just like with Ronald Reagan, and Sarah Palin, conservatives cried tears of joy as they heard Limbaugh speak! These are the words we want to hear. The crowd at CPAC was screaming and people who were watching this live in their homes were as well. These are the kind of Republicans we want! We are tired of the country club RINO. The milquetoast moderates who are stumbling all over themselves to out democrat the democrats!

It's this moderate democrat lite type of Republican that has kept the party in the minority position for most of its existence. Only when true Ronald Reagan conservatism is practiced does the Republican party prevail. And as such, the American people!

Of course, true to form, all of the RINOs chose not to get behind Limbaugh. Oh no! Just like the blue bloods did back in 1964, and really until 1980 when they attacked Reagan unmercifully, and like today’s RINOs attacked, and still attack Sarah Palin, these people attacked Rush Limbaugh with as much vigor as the democrats!

If only the RINO wing would attack democrats with such vigor!

So once again, we are at a time for choosing. As a party, do the Republican leaders want to continue to be a minority party forever, or do you want to weed out the democrat lite RINOs, and become the powerful, unstoppable party of Reagan once more?

In the coming days I will be addressing individual ideas that are on every American’s mind. Ideas that are universal in their nature, and profound in their effect. And again, it will be a time for choosing!

Time to chose to listen to what Americans, all Americans, want, or again turn a blind eye, and a deaf ear to it all, and remain an insignificant party.

There is much urgency to this decision too. This isn’t just about winning elections anymore. We are in a fight to save this nation. Barack Obama, and the democrat/communist party plan to take this nation places it was never intended to go. They are destroying everything Americans hold dear to their hearts

So, as you see, your decision is urgently needed, and you had better make the right one.

Sarah Palin Has Book Deal

The Internet is aflutter since yesterday with news about Governor Sarah Palin's book deal, which has been long anticipated. Here is one of the more complete news stories out there:

Sarah Palin Has Book Deal

Updated: Tuesday, 12 May 2009, 6:48 PM CDT

Published : Tuesday, 12 May 2009, 6:30 PM CDT

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

Photo credit: sskennel Creative Commons License

NEW YORK - You knew it was coming: Sarah Palin is ready to tell her side, agreeing to publish a memoir with HarperCollins. The book comes out in Spring 2010 -- the year she is up for re-election.

"There's been so much written about and spoken about in the mainstream media and in the anonymous blogosphere world, that this will be a wonderful, refreshing chance for me to get to tell my story, that a lot of people have asked about, unfiltered," the Alaska governor and 2008
vice presidential candidate said during a brief telephone interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.

Palin's memoir, currently untitled, will cover her personal and political life, from her childhood in Alaska and last year's campaign to her political beliefs and her family life, including the pregnancy of her teenage daughter, Bristol Palin, who gave birth in December to a baby boy, Tripp. (She and the baby's father, Levi Johnston, have since ended their relationship.)

"In fairness to my family, this is going be a good opportunity for them, too, because there have been so many misperceptions out there about who we are and what we believe in, and I'm excited to get to put my journalism degree to work and tell my story as it relates to my family," said Palin, 45, who in 1987 graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in journalism.
Palin declined to name any specific misunderstandings and avoided detailed comments about her family, her political aspirations or about the divide in the Republican Party between moderates and conservatives, a divide her vice presidential run helped widen.

A Palin book has been rumored virtually from the time the election ended. Although Republicans Sen. John McCain and Palin were easily beaten by Democrats Barack Obama and Joseph Biden, Palin emerged a favorite among conservatives, an object of tabloid gossip and -- as the only candidate in the race who had never written a memoir -- a natural for a publishing deal.

The book will be co-released by the HarperCollins imprint Harper and, for the Christian market, by the HarperCollins-owned Zondervan, which publishes "The Purpose Driven Life" author
Rick Warren, among others.

A memoir (or two) have become a virtual requirement for White House seekers, especially after Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" and "Dreams From My Father" established him as a stylist and storyteller with a vast following.

Although Palin denied any presidential ambition during Tuesday's interview, she did pick the most presidential of literary representatives, Washington attorney Robert Barnett, to handle
negotiations. Barnett's clients include Obama and former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

As he did when arranging a publisher for memoirs by Bush and Clinton, Barnett did not solicit competing bids, but chose to negotiate only with one publisher, HarperCollins, which Barnett praised for being "first and fervent in pursuing this project." Financial terms were not disclosed, but Palin was widely expected to get a multimillion-dollar contract. Barnett and Harper publisher Jonathan Burnham both declined to offer details.

Palin's book will address, and complicate, the push-pull between home and public life. With the release date just one year away, the governor will have to work quickly. Barnett said that the governor has formed an outline in her mind, but has yet to start writing. Burnham said Palin did not submit any writing samples when she met with HarperCollins executives in Washington, earlier this year. She will work with a collaborator, to be determined.

"She's obviously going to be engaged in the whole process of the book," said Burnham, adding that the role of the collaborator would depend on who was chosen.

"Every word of the book will be her words," Barnett said.

Palin and Burnham said the memoir will emphasize Palin's Alaskan upbringing, and the governor will talk about her "unpretentious" lifestyle. Burnham described the book as the story of an Alaskan encountering a national audience, "the soccer mom and the political operative, and how one became the other."

Palin has never written a book and her critics, noting her disjointed CBS interviews with Katie Couric, have questioned whether she could. Two years ago, Palin told PBS' Charlie Rose that her favorite writers were C.S. Lewis ("very, very deep") and a Runner's World columnist, Dr. George Sheehan. Asked Tuesday about her reading, Palin mentioned that she "really enjoyed" Katharine Graham's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Personal History" and cited works by Obama, McCain and Bill Clinton, whose "My Life" she read "just recently."

"Being a voracious reader, I read a lot today and have read a lot growing up. And having that journalism degree, all of that, will be a great assistance for me in writing this book, talking about the challenges and the joys, balancing the work and parenting, and, in my case, work means running the state," Palin said.

"I've read a variety of books, and that helps shape my opinions and my views."

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/entertainment/dpg_sarah_palin_book_lwf_051209_2481000

A Sneak Preview

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Alaska's gorgeous governor a vice president?

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Posted: August 15, 2007
1:00 am Eastern

By Les Kinsolving
© 2009



Washington's "Weekly Standard" magazine's two-page feature article on Gov. Sarah Palin has a photograph of her – that would stop traffic.

With a smile that could melt all the tundra of the Arctic Circle – as well as absolutely astounding political success and integrity – Gov. Palin ought really to be seriously considered by whomever wins the Republican Presidential nomination, as an absolutely glorious running mate.

Even though Alaska has very few electoral votes, Sarah Palin would be an absolutely devastating addition to the GOP ticket – particularly if the Democrats nominate Hillary.

There is infinitely more to Mrs. Palin than the radiant beauty which won her the Miss Wasilla beauty contest, from which she went on to compete in the Miss Alaska pageant.

Editor Fred Barnes of "The Weekly Standard" reported from Juneau that she is known to inevitable critics by the wonderfully stimulating nickname: "Sarah Barracuda" (!) (Politics in the Great North State are never dull.)

Barnes described her as "a politician of eye-popping integrity ... now the most popular governor in America with an approval rating in the 90s, and probably the most popular public official in any state."

(And, let me add, just wonderfully equipped to counter if the Democrats presidentially nominate another – if older – pretty lady.)

Barnes also reports:

"Her rise is a great (and rare) story of how adherence to principle – especially to transparency and accountability in government can produce political success."

"Palin is a conservative who, only last month, vetoed 13 percent of the state's proposed budget for capital projects which the 'Anchorage Daily News' said: 'may be the biggest single-year line-item veto total in state history.'"

In the cause of justice, she has been unafraid to take on what she believed were unethical practices by Republicans – like Randy Ruedrich, Alaska Oil and Gas Commissioner, who was also GOP state chairman. He eventually paid a $12,000 fine for breaking state ethics laws. "She became a hero in the eyes of the public and the press – and the bane of Republican leaders."

In 2005, she joined Democrat Eric Croft in lodging an ethics complaint against state Attorney General Gregg Renkes – a long-time adviser and campaign manager for Gov. Frank Murkowski – who reprimanded Renkes – who resigned. "Palin was again hailed as a hero."

In 2006, she ran against Murkowski, who was seeking re-election – and won, decisively in an overwhelmingly Democrat year …. "Political analysts in Alaska refer to the bodycount of Palin's rivals."

One of her first acts as governor was to fire the Alaska Board of Agriculture – whose replacements stopped the state Creamery Board – which marketed the products of Alaska dairy farmers for 71 years and wanted to close down. "You don't just close down and walk away," commented Gov. Barracuda.
I suggest this gorgeous and thoroughly gutsy governor would be a great Veep nominee. She has a husband named Todd. He was her high school sweetheart, who works for BP on the North Slope. He is rugged enough to be a 3-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race from Wasilla to Nome, to Fairbanks.

She grew up attending nondenominational Bible churches and told editor Barnes:

"I believe everything happens for a purpose. In my own personal life, if I dedicated back to my Creator what I'm trying to create for the good, everything will turn out fine."

In my having covered eight of the last nine Republican National Conventions, I can remember how usually last-minute – and so-far-from-the-top – has been the selection of a nominee for Vice President ( a number of whom, like Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt, went on to very distinguished presidencies).

2008, in Minneapolis, could be vice-presidentially electrifying – if they choose Alaska's gorgeous and gutsy governor.

Sadly, however, I am obliged to report – and it is on the record – that at the White House daily news briefing July 16th, Presidential Press Secretary Tony Snow gave Gov. Palin what I recall – in both tone of voice as well as brevity – was distinctly short shrift.

I asked Tony Snow:

Q: Washington's 'Weekly Standard' reports from Juneau, Alaska, that the new Republican Governor, Sarah Palin, has an approval rating of 90 percent in the polls; that's 9-0. What is the president's reaction to this and her future?

MR. SNOW (very quickly) "He's happy for her."

That's it. Nothing more.

Which seems to me to be very sad.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=43047

Asset or liability?

Last week, the Candie's Foundation announced at a media event that Bristol Palin is their new "ambassador." The organization was founded to raise awareness and discuss ways to combat teen pregnancy after the fashion company, as the New York Times put it, came "under fire from critics who accused [Candie's] of dressing high schoolers like tarts." Meanwhile, Candie's product spokesmodel Britney Spears is promoting, well, you probably already know what Britney Spears is promoting.

All well and good — unless maybe your mom may want to run for President of the United States someday.

As any politico as experienced as Sarah Palin surely knows, either your children are off limits to the press and public, like the youngster Obama girls, or they step into the spotlight and takes their chances, like the adult Meghan McCain.

Politically, the pertinent question about the 18-year-old Bristol's new spokesperson status is: would it be an asset or a liability to a future Palin for President campaign? Would Bristol perhaps had as much or greater effect on teens had she mounted a lower-profile statewide campaign to her fellow Alaskans, under the national media radar? What were the identified political risks of Bristol's signing on with Candie's? Strictly from a brand management standpoint, what would George W. Bush or Barack Obama have done under similar circumstances?

Like it or not, every move by every Palin family member, from her guy Todd to little Trig and into the outer branches of the family tree, is being and will be examined by the opposition (outside and inside the Republican Party) for possible political advantage. If she hasn't already, Gov. Palin may face a Carrie Prejean moment, in which she must decide which is more important: making a statement or winning the crown (and then making the statement).

As the New York Times demonstrates, all the media has to do is cast doubt: "But when a teenager goes out on this kind of mission, you have to wonder where her parents’ heads were. What does this say about Sarah Palin’s judgment? Although we’ve sort of answered that question before."

Palin Travels Beyond Alaska Border; Liberals Freak Out

Note: This article was originally posted on April 22, 2009, at Why Mommy is a Republican. Complaints about Palin's travel and other frivolous complaints have since been dismissed.


Yet another outrageously frivolous "ethics complaint" has been filed against Governor Sarah Palin -- baseless, as usual. Conservatives4Palin has the full story. Please do read it because knowledge of truth is power.

You know, when I get a lot of liberal hate mail, I know I'm doing my job. Governor Palin, congratulations on generating the most outrageous outflux of hatred from liberals since the Reagan era. You are far more of a threat to them than I could ever be and I salute you for it.

I saw a poll (I think it was today, but maybe yesterday) at MIXX regarding Governor Palin. It asked, simply, "Would you consider voting for Sarah Palin for President in 2012?" Over 1,300 people had voted and more than 70% voted YES. Polls like this are the reason for liberal venom. Most of it should be ignored but the frivolous ethics complaints waste the time of government workers who have to handle them, thereby wasting taxpayer dollars, and are financially detrimental to Governor Palin who must pay out of her own pocket to defend against them. I think (talking only from my gut) that there should be a penalty for filing what a judge deems after-the-fact to have been a frivolous complaint, but I'm not familiar with the law on things like that. When the people of a state are filing complaints about their governor speaking in another state, you know they're desperately pursuing an unhealthy agenda of some kind.

I must say, I have had to file official complaints with my state government (albeit not against the government itself) for denial of access to my service dog. When I am out driving and have to go to the bathroom urgently, if I stop at some public place and find that my wheelchair won't fit in the bathroom stall, I just leave. I don't sue for millions of dollars under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If anything, I write a letter to the place of business and let them know they really should get that fixed, but usually I just ignore it and go about my business. Life is hard and I have no desire to become a professional whiner. If a denial of access is egregious, I file a formal complaint. I've done it about five times, I think. The state enforcement officer contacts the business, we all discuss it and resolve it like adults. Recently, a person with a service dog was denied access in an identical manner to me, but that person sued through the ADA and got $100,000. Some people are whiners, and trust me when I say that in my sixteen years of political activity, I have found out that liberals are the chief whiners of the nation. There is even a website dedicated to liberal whining.

Sooner or later these people are going to realize the constant whining and attacking is not working. The fact that many ostensibly "popular" mainstream news shows are suffering big ratings drops is an indicator that the tide is turning.

There are a few (precious few) liberals in media who still have certain standards they are willing to fight for. Eileen O'Conner has acted in a professional manner regarding Susan Roesgen's behavior at CNN. Tommy Christopher understands that Sarah Palin is not being allowed to play on a level playing field. He first spoke out on this when he called out liberal bloggers for viciously attacking her family and more recently by criticizing Newt Gingrich for not mentioning her in a list of viable candidates for 2012. Sophia Nelson has called for less whining from liberals and mentioned the trashing of Palin in subsequent comments to her readers. There are a few liberals out there, in other words, who have earned our respect. Many more are so far out there in Whineyville that intellectual and respectful discourse is, by every indication, impossible.

Allow me to elaborate on the seemingly hopeless ones. Do you know there are multiple blogs and Twitter users dedicated specifically to destroying the reputation of Governor Sarah Palin? In "Kentucky-eeze" we say "folks like that are just ate up".

"Ate up": crazy, obsessed and/or completely outperformed in a contest.

The first time I stumbled accidentally upon an anti-Palin blog was after reviewing my stats to see which sites were linking to me. I noticed I was getting a lot of visitors from one site in particular that I had never heard of (and it will continue to remain nameless since I am not in the business of reputation destruction). I clicked the link and got my first look at a genuine, full-fledged, Palin-bashing blog.

The blog in question had linked to a poll we had published regarding Sarah Palin. I was surprised to find that there were many visitors to this anti-Palin blog. Palin-bashers are almost always women and this place was full of them. Women were commenting with glee about the crucifixion of Sarah Palin, the frivolous ethics complaints (which they don't recognize as frivolous, of course), the trashing of her reputation by her former future son-in-law, etc. Lots of women were posting daily and frequently there about how awful they think Sarah Palin is. Simply put, Sarah Palin can do NOTHING right in their eyes.

At first I was shocked, then disgusted, then angry........and then I just burst out laughing as I recalled how I've heard some men talk about women sitting around talking and how the men sometimes compare them to hens cackling with each other in the barnyard. What that analogy means (I know because I have five brothers and no sisters, so I know "man things") is that female banter, at least to the male brain, almost always seems as utterly pointless and fruitless as the cackling of chickens. Men just totally "zone out" and don't "get it". When I saw this pointless, fruitless banter, I immediately envisioned a barnyard full of chickens and I couldn't keep myself from laughing.

I posted a comment. I couldn't help myself. I told them that when I am finished with my work online every day, I am able to discuss my work with my children. I asked, "Can you do that?" I never saw my comment posted. Maybe it was. I didn't stick around long enough to find out. These poor women don't get that a person they despise is, without lifting a single finger and without the tiniest intention to do so, controlling them. Simply by being who she is, the person they love to hate, Sarah Palin controls their lives without even intending to. How ironic that they spend so much time thinking about Sarah Palin. They have devoted their daily lives to her. What irony. Imagine this exchange between a mother and child:

"Sweetie, what would you like to be when you grow up?"

"I would like to devote the majority of my time destroying someone's reputation, Mommy."

Actually, kids don't say things like that because no one wants to grow up to be something like that.

The funniest part, which I found out later, is that the main blogger is respected in the high-traffic liberal blogs. She is RESPECTED there! Laughable.

Sooner or later these people are going to realize they are spinning their wheels. They have already convinced everyone they are ever going to hope to convince (Kool-Aid drinkers all) and have earned the disgust of people on both ends of the American political spectrum who still have principles.

These kinds of bloggers are a joke to reasonable people. Unfortunately, there is another kind of Palin-bashing that is truly sad. Many of the haters are not just bloggers who spend their time trashing people but are actually masquerading as public servants. When you defy your own party's establishment for being corrupt and then, later, campaign against the "messiah" of the other party, those folks can get pretty ticked off.

Example: Last year, the Alaska Legislature adopted a resolution praising Wayne Anthony Ross for his service to Alaska. It passed unanimously. Here is the text. Sarah Palin nominated him this year to serve as Attorney General. They balked. Palin rightly called it what it is -- hypocrisy. It's also politics as usual.

I fear not. Do you know that old saying, "I've been insulted by better people than you?" I think of that when I recall the era of Bill Clinton. Here's a flashback for ya.

Whitewater / Travelgate / Gennifer Flowersgate / Filegate / Vince Fostergate / Whitewater / Billing Recordsgate / Paula Jonesgate / Lincoln Bedroomgate / Donations from Convicted Drug and Weapons Dealersgate / Lippogate / Chinagate / The Lewinsky Affair / Perjury and Jobs for Lewinskygate / Kathleen Willeygate / Web Hubbell Prison Phone Callgate / Selling Military Technology to the Chinesegate / Jaunita Broaddrick Gate / Lootergate / Pardongate

The idea of LeviJohnstongate, Leaving the State for 36 HoursGate and Wearing an Arctic Cat JacketGate doesn't seem to be much of a problem for most people outside of the clueless liberal blogosphere which still maintains the tea parties are partisan despite the booing of GOP Congressmen and placards slamming Republican support for bailouts.

Don't worry, folks. Sooner or later, Obama is going to tax Kool-Aid and then they'll wake up.

Thanks for your time, dear readers. Keep the Faith! May God bless you and keep you.

UPDATE: Thanks to Free Republic reader Eurum for tipping us off to a scene from The Music Man which Eurum calls "Sarah and the Cackling Hens" (Video below.)

Sarah Palin's Choice

Ruth Marcus, writing in the Washington Post, opines that Sarah Palin made "an eloquent case for choice" during her speech at the annual banquet of Vanderburgh County Right to Life. Below is the comment I left in response to her claim.

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If you were writing in the 17th century, I would certainly understand why you might be uncertain about when human life begins. There is no excuse anymore for anyone to say we don't know. Technology and science show us the answer. It's obvious when human life begins. Dear lady, this is the 21st century and we have known the answer to this question for many many years.

Women experiencing unintended pregnancies necessarly experience a struggle, but the main reason for this struggle is not because she wants to kill. It is for other reasons that she feels trapped -- money, lack of family support, stigma, or perhaps a cancerous uterus can require intervention. Many things can enter into the equation that will make a woman do the unthinkable, but the desire to kill another human being isn't one of those reasons.

Abortion is proof that society has failed women. What reasons did Palin give for considering abortion? Certainly the desire to kill another person wasn't among them. No, it was what so many other women feel -- a lack of support -- a feeling of being forced to do something she really didn't want to do. That is a failure not on Palin's part or any other woman's part who considers abortion. It's a failure of society to support women who are faced with unintended pregnancy.

So what happens to these women? They decide, based on how much suffering they are willing to endure, whether or not to let this child live. (FYI: In the case of the cancerous uterus, it is morally permissible to remove the uterus to save the woman, even if the child dies, provided that there is no intent to kill involved. That is indirect killing, not direct murder.) How many women intentionally get pregnant for the reason that they want to have an abortion and kill the child? None. There is always another motive besides killing involved in the decision. No woman desires to kill........but in the 21st century, we all know, because science now proves it, that it really is killing.

So, the woman who can't bear the pressure goes to have her child killed. Society has failed her. She does the unthinkable because she feels trapped into doing so.

I have counseled many women considering abortion via a lay ministry of the Catholic Church. They all wanted life for their children but were nagged by what our culture tells them about abortion and adoption. Adoption, they would tell me, is "cruel". Society has told them this. In the end, when they understood that now there is open adoption available and when they understood that the Church stood ready to assist them whether they chose to make an adoption plan or to parent the child themselves, every woman I counseled decided against abortion........and were utterly renewed in rejoicing for doing so.

We all know it's killing. We've known for years. We tell women all sorts of things to make them want to choose killing. We fail them when we do this.

The answer? Love them both. Don't choose to love only the mother and kill the child. Don't choose to love only the child and not the mother. Love them both.

If we can reverse Dred Scott, which classified slaves as non-persons, and evolve in a relatively short amount of time, given the entire history of mankind, to elect an African-American as President of the United States, we can end abortion and empower women.

Sarah Palin is hated because she proves that women can be mothers of disabled children and governors at the same time. So, she considered abortion for, as she said, "a fleeting moment". People of character are often tempted to do wrong things when their backs are against the wall. The point is, she decided to love not only the child enough to go ahead with the pregnancy, but also to have enough faith in herself to be a hero and do the thing she knew to be right......and women can be heroes no matter what our culture tells them they can't do.

The "moral" of this story, then, is not that temptation proves we must legalize wrong things. The moral is that women can be heroes and do the right thing even if the law allows them to do the unthinkable.

Many blessings to you.

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Book Recommendation:
Why Can't We Love Them Both : Questions and Answers About Abortion

A Look Back to the Beginning

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP's Newest Star

Wednesday, July 11, 2007
By Fred Barnes
the weekly Standard

JUNEAU, Alaska — The wipeout in the 2006 election left Republicans in such a state of dejection that they've overlooked the one shining victory in which a Republican star was born.

The triumph came in Alaska where Sarah Palin, a politician of eye-popping integrity, was elected governor. She is now the most popular governor in America, with an approval rating in the 90s, and probably the most popular public official in any state.

Her rise is a great (and rare) story of how adherence to principle--especially to transparency and accountability in government--can produce political success. And by the way, Palin is a conservative who only last month vetoed 13 percent of the state's proposed budget for capital projects. The cuts, the Anchorage Daily News said, "may be the biggest single-year line-item veto total in state history."

As recently as last year, Palin (pronounced pale-in) was a political outcast. She resigned in January 2004 as head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after complaining to the office of Governor Frank Murkowski and to state Attorney General Gregg Renkes about ethical violations by another commissioner, Randy Ruedrich, who was also Republican state chairman State law barred Palin from speaking out publicly about ethical violations and corruption. But she was vindicated later in 2004 when Ruedrich, who'd been reconfirmed as state chairman, agreed to pay a $12,000 fine for breaking state ethics laws. She became a hero in the eyes of the public and the press, and the bane of Republican leaders.

In 2005, she continued to take on the Republican establishment by joining Eric Croft, a Democrat, in lodging an ethics complaint against Renkes, who was not only attorney general but also a long-time adviser and campaign manager for Murkowski. The governor reprimanded Renkes and said the case was closed. It wasn't. Renkes resigned a few weeks later, and Palin was again hailed as a hero.

Palin, 43, the mother of four, passed up a chance to challenge Republican senator Lisa Murkowski, the then-governor's daughter, in 2004. She endorsed another candidate in the primary, but Murkowski won and was reelected. Palin said then that her 14-year-old son talked her out of running, though it's doubtful that was the sole reason.

In 2006, she didn't hesitate. She ran against Gov. Murkowski, who was seeking a second term despite sagging poll ratings, in the Republican primary. In a three-way race, Palin captured 51 percent and won in a landslide. She defeated former Democratic governor Tony Knowles in the general election, 49 percent to 41 percent. She was one of the few Republicans anywhere in the country to perform above expectations in 2006, an overwhelmingly Democratic year. Palin is unabashedly pro life.

With her emphasis on ethics and openness in government, "it turned out Palin caught the temper of the times perfectly," wrote Tom Kizzia of the Anchorage Daily News. She was also lucky. News broke of an FBI investigation of corruption by legislators between the primary and general elections. So far, three legislators have been indicted.

In the roughly three years since she quit as the state's chief regulator of the oil industry, Palin has crushed the Republican hierarchy (virtually all male) and nearly every other foe or critic. Political analysts in Alaska refer to the "body count" of Palin's rivals.

"The landscape is littered with the bodies of those who crossed Sarah," says pollster Dave Dittman, who worked for her gubernatorial campaign. It includes Ruedrich, Renkes, Murkowski, gubernatorial contenders John Binkley and Andrew Halcro, the three big oil companies in Alaska, and a section of the Daily News called "Voice of the Times," which was highly critical of Palin and is now defunct.

One of her first acts as governor was to fire the Alaska Board of Agriculture. Her ultimate target was the state Creamery Board, which has been marketing the products of Alaska dairy farmers for 71 years and wanted to close down after receiving $600,000 from the state. "You don't just close your doors and walk away," Palin told me. She discovered she lacked the power to fire the Creamery Board. Only the board of agriculture had that authority. So Palin replaced the agriculture board, which appointed a new creamery board, which has rescinded the plan to shut down.

In preserving support for dairy farmers, Palin exhibited a kind of Alaskan chauvinism. She came to the state as an infant, making her practically a native. And she is eager to keep Alaska free from domination by oil companies or from reliance on cruise lines whose ships bring thousands of tourists to the state.

"She's as Alaskan as you can get," says Dan Fagan, an Anchorage radio talk show host. "She's a hockey mom, she lives on a lake, she ice fishes, she snowmobiles, she hunts, she's an NRA member, she has a float plane, and her husband works for BP on the North Slope," Fagan says. Todd Palin, her high school sweetheart, is a three-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race from Wasilla to Nome to Fairbanks. It's the world's longest snowmobile race.

Gov. Palin grew up in Wasilla, where as star of her high school basketball team she got the nickname "Sarah Barracuda"for her fierce competitiveness. She led her underdog team to the state basketball championship. Palin also won the Miss Wasilla beauty contest, in which she was named Miss Congeniality, and went on to compete in the Miss Alaska pageant.

At 32, she was elected mayor of Wasilla, a burgeoning bedroom community outside Anchorage. Though Alaskans tend to be ferociously anti-tax, she persuaded Wasilla voters to increase the local sales tax to pay for an indoor arena and convention center. The tax referendum won by 20 votes.

In 2002, Palin entered statewide politics, running for lieutenant governor. She finished a strong second in the Republican primary. That fall, she dutifully campaigned for Murkowski, who'd given up his Senate seat to run for governor. Afterwards, she turned down several job offers from Murkowski, finally accepting the oil and gas post. When she quit 11 months later, "that was her defining moment" in politics, says Fagan.

Her campaign for governor was bumpy. She missed enough campaign appearances to be tagged "No Show Sarah" by her opponents. She was criticized for being vague on issues. But she sold voters on the one product that mattered: herself.

Her Christian faith--Palin grew up attending nondenominational Bible churches--was a minor issue in the race. She told me her faith affects her politics this way: "I believe everything happens for a purpose. In my own personal life, if I dedicated back to my Creator what I'm trying to create for the good . . . everything will turn out fine." That same concept applies to her political career, she suggested.

The biggest issue in the campaign was the proposed natural gas pipeline from the North Slope that's crucial to the state's economy. Murkowski had made a deal with the three big oil companies--Exxon, BP, ConocoPhillips--which own the gas reserves to build the pipeline. But the legislature turned it down and Palin promised to create competition for the pipeline contract.

She made three other promises: to end corruption in state government, cut spending, and provide accountability. She's now redeeming those promises.

Palin describes herself as "pro-business and pro-development." She doesn't want the oil companies to sit on their energy reserves or environmental groups to block development of the state's resources. "I get frustrated with folks from outside Alaska who come up and say you shouldn't develop your resources," she says. Alaska needs to be self-sufficient, she says, instead of relying heavily on "federal dollars," as the state does today.

Her first major achievement as governor was lopsided passage by the legislature of the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, which is designed to attract pipeline proposals this summer. The state is offering $500 million in incentives, but the developer must meet strict requirements. The oil companies have said they won't join the competition.

Palin's tough spending cuts drew criticism from Republican legislators whose pet projects were vetoed. But her popularity doesn't appear threatened. "It's not just that she's pretty and young," says Dittman. "She's really smart. And there's no guile. She says her favorite meal is moose stew or mooseburgers. It wouldn't shock people if that were true."


Fred Barnes is executive editor of THE WEEKLY STANDARD.

http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/851orcjq.asp?pg=1