FBI Not Investigating Governor Palin

"Despite rumors of a looming controversy after the Republican governor's surprise announcement Friday that she would leave office this month, some of them published in the blogosphere, the FBI's Alaska spokesman said the bureau had no investigation into Palin for her activities as governor, as mayor or in any other capacity"(Meyer, 2009, ¶2).

"There is absolutely no truth to those rumors that we're investigating her or getting ready to indict her," Special Agent Eric Gonzalez said in a phone interview Saturday. "It's just not true." He added that there was "no wiggle room" in his comments for any kind of inquiry (Meyer, 2009, ¶3).

Commentary

The foregoing is pursuant to libelous statements being made by Shannyn Moore and other leftist bloggers. Governor Palin is not under investigation for anything.

Readers should also be aware that a number of Twitter sites have sprung up impersonating Governor Palin. There is only one Sarah Palin branded, authorized, and operated Twitter site and it is: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin

References

Meyer, J. (2009, July 5). Sarah Palin not under FBI investigation, agency spokesman says" Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 5, 2009 from: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-palin5-2009jul05,0,7018263.story

Sarah Palin Declares Her Independence

Once the hunted, Sarah Palin becomes the hunter.

Sarah stunned the world Friday by doing something that isn’t done. She is willfully giving up one of the most powerful positions a politician can aspire to. She is stepping down as Governor of one of the most important states in America.

The media elites were stunned. It was almost hilarious watching their reactions of disbelief. Their commentary was downright entertaining, and further proof that they don’t have a clue. Even those on Fox!

And the symbolism of doing this on the 4^th of July holiday, the time we celebrate our nation’s birth, and our independence, was completely lost on the whole lot!

Almost universally, no one in the elite media got it. This is a huge comment on why our nation is in deep, deep trouble. One reporter on Fox, who has covered Sarah since she became Governor, went so far to say that her speech was "rambling", and "incoherent." Again, this just proves that even the media we most trust for news doesn’t a clue about real Americans.

Sarah Palin sounded just like us! We, the people, understood every single word she said. This is the reason she is wildly popular in the first place. She IS one of us!

Of course, just as universally silly as the commenters are, the pundits are even more clueless. And, evidently, devoid of any and all abilities of comprehension, be it for the written word, or spoken. We’ll get to the speech itself in due time, but suffice it to say, that for normal Americans, those who this speech was aimed at, this was a call to action.

Now the talking heads all agree that Sarah is done.

No chance of ever being anything again.

Certainly no chance of ever being President. Some say this was political suicide. Well, it won’t be the first time Sarah has committed "political suicide."

After Mayor Sarah Palin was term limited out (why don’t we have term limits for ALL elected officials?) she decided her next move would be Lt Governor. She lost. But Governor Frank Murkowski saw a talented woman with a lot of grit. He appointed her as Chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. An important job. One that regulates Alaska’s most important activities, oil and natural gas production.

Chairman Palin was charged with maintaining ethics as part of her job. Something that her history has shown she takes very seriously. And her talent in this area was soon to be put to good use. There were a lot of less than ethical things going on, some big, some really big.

Now one thing, Alaska is a "good old boy network" kinda state. And her agency was filled with a lot of movers and shakers in the Republican party. Including the party chair, and even a former attorney general. So as one would imagine, there was some push back when Chairman Palin sought to end some of their practices.

Now mind you, this is a high paying gig. Six figures. Something a mother of four had to be thinking about.

So, what did Sarah do? Well, she committed "political suicide" and resigned from the post. She then took her fight to the people. She also filed formal complaints.

We all know the result of this effort. Commissioner Randy Ruedrich who is also the chair of the Republican party, was forced to resign, and paid the largest fine in state history for this sort of thing, $12,000. Gregg Renkes the former attorney general was also forced to resign.

Both of these men had conflicts of interest in dealing with companies they were supposed to be regulating. And Ruedrich was also guilty of doing party business on state time. The effort to go after Renkes was bi-partisan, as Sarah joined in with democrat Eric Croft.

Oh, and one more thing, Sarah took on her former boss, Governor Frank Murkowski, and defeated him in a landslide primary election, and defeated popular former democrat Governor Tony Knowels in the general election.

So much for "political suicide."

People who have followed Sarah Palin for a long time absolutely get what she is doing.

One of the big things behind this move is to change the rules. When Sarah became Governor, she and her administration passed sweeping ethics reform. That’s a good thing. But since she returned to Alaska after the presidential election, the democrat party has turned around and used these very laws she championed against her and the state of Alaska. Chicago politics at it’s "finest."

I have written about Barack Obama’s direct involvement in the failed "troopergate" smear, and even his payoff to former Alaska Senator Kim Elton for his efforts. I have also written extensively about Linda Kellen Biegel, the Democrat National Committee’s "official blogger for Alaska."

This Biegel woman has turned her insane hate into a cottage industry, openly raising money online to fund her efforts, the legality of which is in question.

She’s not alone in this, as other paid operatives, as well as screw loose crazies, have filed 15 so-called "ethics complaints" since Sarah has come home from the presidential trail!

These deals range from the silly, to the down right idiotic!

One complaint had to do with the fact Sarah was photographed holding a fish!

Some background. Sarah has worked as a commercial fisherman. She and her husband still own a commercial fishing business, and yes, when time permits, she has been known to go out and work the nets!

One complaint had to do with the fact she did an interview in her office!

She got tagged because, as Governor, she was at this year’s Iron Dog race, at nearly 2000 miles, the longest most difficult snow machine race in the world.

She showed up in sub-zero weather wearing a jacket.

Oh, the humanity!

Yes, the jacket had the logo of the company that sponsors her husband, Todd, who is a multi-championship winning racer. And?

The bottom line, is these loons, and democrat operatives have managed to cripple the Governor, her staff, and grind governing to a halt. This nonsense has cost Governor Palin and her family $500,000 personally, but more importantly, to her, the state of Alaska has spent $2 million dollars, and 1000's of hours in time messing around with these complaints.

Needless to say, ALL of these complaints have been thrown out. But as I reported earlier, that means nothing to these bloggers. There were many more bogus ethics complaints planned.

This is Saul Alinsky’s Rules being used relentlessly, and being sanctioned by Chicago’s most famous citizen.

And with a group of dishonest democrats who will just keep filing these bogus ethics complaints, with absolutely no repercussions, she just saved the citizens of Alaska at minimum a couple of million dollars the state would have had to shell out had she completed her term.

This is pretty typical Sarah Palin. When she took office she went on a cost cutting spree. She famously put the executive jet for sale on eBay. And while it was not sold there, it was sold. It was a jet the previous Governor had purchased to travel the state. On the surface, not a bad idea. Alaska is roughly the size of the entire western United States, and many cities are only easily accessible by either air or water.

The only problem, is that jet was unable to land on most of the unimproved airfields in Alaska, and kind of useless.

Palin reassigned the "executive chef" at the Governor’s mansion saying she didn’t want her kids to get used to being waited on by staff. That saved the state money. She also, along with Lt Governor Sean Parnell, turned down a substantial pay increase this year. Something that just isn’t done.

So by stepping down, Sarah Palin just changed the rules on these people. As a private citizen, she is not subject to the constraints of office. She doesn’t have to maintain a certain decorum.

Make no mistake about it, Sarah Palin is a street fighter. What she has done is declare herself the left’s worst nightmare! The paid DNC operatives, and loons, are going to look back and wish they had let sleeping dogs lie.

Case in point, one of the DNC operatives, Huffington Post blogger Shannyn Moore has already been out there spreading lies about Sarah. Moore, who earlier in the year was obsessed with what was under Sarah’s skirt, is peddling a story that Palin is about to be indicted on some sort of federal charges.

Palin’s attorney Thomas V Van Flein has already put Shannyn Moore, the Huffington Post, MSNBC, The New York Times, as well as the Washington Post on notice that they will be seeking actions against them for printing such lies.

Van Flein’s open letter to the parties explains the facts of the story in question, which involves the Wasilla Sports Complex that came to be during Sarah’s tenure as Mayor of Wasilla. Needless to say, another attempt to smear Sarah Palin knocked to the ground.

"Screw Political correctness!"

"Politically Speaking, I don’t care if I live or die, I’m not going to sit down, I’m not going to shut up!" ___Sarah Palin in a June speech introducing Michael Reagan.

It seems we saw signs of Sarah’s big move a while back. We just didn’t know what we were looking at. Sarah made the above remarks during a speech where she introduced Michael Reagan to a crowd in Anchorage.

In her speech she also took Obama and his economic policies head on, as well as his foreign policy. She spoke at length about states rights, and how the federal government had become too big, and too controlling.

It seems that the trip to Kosovo and Germany to visit the troops may have also held clues to what was about to happen. While there, and in Sarah’s tweets, she continually talked about the sacrifices of our brave soldiers, and about the greatness of America. It’s obvious that while her move to change directions has been in the works for some time, her second trip to visit troops in the past two years really had a profound effect on Palin.

Of course, there are all of her detractors who are now saying she is "abandoning her job." Funny thing, she is transferring power to Lt Governor Sean Parnell. This is the same Sean Parnell who she would have transferred power to had she become Vice President.

Some say they don’t buy the "lame duck" excuse. But having followed Sarah since she became Governor, having read her writings, watched her speeches, and read other’s thoughts about her, people who know her, I think I understand, at least in a tiny way, how she thinks about her duty to the folks who put her in office.

Again, it’s a given, the loons and DNC operatives were never ever going to stop costing the state of Alaska millions of dollars in their perverted attacks on Sarah Palin. So that obviously weighed very heavily on her mind. As soon as Sarah started speaking out. As soon as Sarah started really challenging those who would destroy America from within, the attacks would come.

Sarah recognizes what most of America now does. We are in real trouble. We have incredibly incompetent leadership in Washington. Both parties are filled with people who are more interested in power than doing their jobs. We have a Congress that spends trillions of dollars and passes insane legislation that will destroy our personal liberty, without reading a single word in these bills!

Congress passed the trillion dollar stimulus package and absolutely no one read this bill. It was rushed through by Barack Obama and his crew. Obama shouting that if the bill wasn’t passed immediately the sky would fall! Then, once passed, Obama took a long weekend, while staff set up the photo op!

The stimulus package has been a disaster, so far.

The House of Representatives just passed the largest tax increase in human history, the cap and tax bill on "climate change." Here’s a bill that will double or triple the cost of energy, and by default, effect the cost of every single product consumers purchase. And this bill will actually do nothing to help the climate! It would also cost millions of jobs, and send most manufacturing overseas to nations that haven't bought into the "climate change" nonsense.

Even better, most Americans understand that "global warming" is a hoax. That the planet is actually cooling. More and more scientists have come out and disputed the whole scheme.

In fact, the latest scandal surrounding this involves an internal EPA memo that disproves "global warming", that was suppressed ahead of the House vote.

Not only had no one read this incredibly huge tax bill, an additional 300 pages were slipped into the bill in the dead of night just before the vote!

This isn’t just insanity, this is criminal!

This sort of thing is why Sarah felt she could no longer sit still and keep her mouth shut. This is why she has decided to travel and speak out.

Of course, as Governor, she does have the bully pulpit, but since the DNC has their operatives filing bogus ethics complaints at the drop of the hat, it would be very detrimental to Alaskans for Sarah to use her power as Governor to challenge these crooks in DC.

Better to take them on as Sarah Palin, America, than as Governor Sarah Palin.

And she did have a point about lame ducks spending the people’s money while doing little of their work.

Now with the dishonest press, and the talking heads, there is a huge double standard. They think its just horrible that Sarah is "abandoning" Alaska.

On the other hand, no one in America seemed to have a problem when Barack Obama, the very inexperienced Junior Senator from Illinois, after promising the people of Illinois that he wouldn’t run for President in his first term, worked a mere 143 days out of his six year Senate term, only to abandon his job completely to spend a year and a half running for President!

All the while collecting his paycheck from all of us taxpayers.

Double standard?

You bet’cha!

I prefer Sarah’s way of doing things.

Now for her speech!

What a red meat patriotic speech it was. This was Sarah Palin speaking out to all of America and letting them know she’s heard the call, and is ready to answer it.

The Video is here and the transcript’s here for all to enjoy.

In her speech Sarah talks about the need to end politics as usual. Yeah, I know, all politicians say that. But with Sarah Palin, you instinctively know that she actually means it. And frankly, has put her money where her mouth is by resigning to take those who are harming America straight on!

Sarah talks about how we need to build America up, not tear it down. She called the extreme spending spree being championed by Barack Obama "obscene" and "immoral."

Sarah, in her speech, repeatedly called on all to get involved and make a difference.

Of course, the elite media who evidently feel it’s their job to tell us what to think (or spread propaganda, I can never decide which) are so sure that Sarah has had enough of all of this and is going home.

So as if to make sure there will be no doubt to her intentions, Sarah put out an Independence Day message.

The end of the message goes as follows:

"I shared with you yesterday my heartfelt and candid reasons for this change; I’ve never thought I needed a title before one’s name to forge progress in America. I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint. I hope you will join me. Now is the time to rebuild and help our nation achieve greatness!

God bless you! And I look forward to making a difference – with you!

Sarah"

Now to many, this is Sarah’s way of announcing her intentions to be the next President of the United States, and it may very well be. But I am absolutely under the impression that this doesn’t really matter to her. I firmly believe she is more interesting in changing America for the better. I firmly believe she is more interested in stopping the destruction that Barack Obama and Congress is causing our great nation.

Of course, this is WHY Sarah Palin will be President. Her millions of followers will demand it. Absolutely no one currently in politics has the vision for America that sees us returning to the principles that our founding fathers set forth.

Absolutely no one out there has the ability and desire to take on Barack Obama and Congress with no holds barred. Straight up, no quarter.

Absolutely no other political figure represents the conservative movement as defined by one of our greatest Americans, Ronald Reagan. An America where personal freedom and liberty rein. A strong America. An America that made us the envy of the world.

Both Ronald Reagan and Sarah Palin see America as a shining city on a hill. God’s greatest gift to mankind. The world’s best hope.

Our President and Congress are doing their level best to destroy that vision of America. They are spending our grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s future on their socialist schemes. They are ignoring the growing threats around the world, while passing unread legislation that threatens our personal liberties and freedom.

Sarah Palin recognizes this, and has answered the call.

The real question here is for you, the gentle reader.

Will you also answer the call? Or will you continue to just sit and complain, hoping someone else will do the heavy lifting for you?

Sarah Palin looked at her kids and asked: "Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from outside the Governor's office?" She got four "yeahs" and a HELL YEAH" in response!

So again, what will your answer be? Sarah has put her entire career on the line for America.

What are you willing to do?

It’s time to choose!

"In the words of General MacArthur: We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction."_____Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin's Family Tree

On GretaWire today, Greta van Susteren asked for reactions to an article about the low profile Sarah Palin has kept since she announced her resignation as governor and the mystery surrounding her future plans. One of the Palin detractors replied by saying that you can tell a Republican by the lack of branches in their family tree. So I responded to that person by posting an excerpt from the following article by Rosemary E. Bachelor:

Sarah Palin's Ancestry: Solid New England: Vice Presidential Candidate Has Multiple Mayflower Lineages

Ms. Bachelor prefaces her article with this statement:

Sarah Palin is upper echelon when it comes to descent from the nation's
colonial era founding families in New England.

According to Ms. Bachelor, who obviously did some thorough genealogy research on the subject, Sarah Palin's family tree includes several ancestors who came over on the Mayflower, one of whom she shares with Senator John McCain:

Palin’s Mayflower ancestors include William Brewster, John Howland, Stephen
Hopkins, Joan (Hurst) Rogers, John and Elizabeth Tilley, and Richard Warren. She
also descends from Thomas Prence, an early governor of Plymouth Colony, and her
pedigree is laden with numerous pre-1650 immigrants from England.

President Bush, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin all descend from Samuel and
Sarah (Soule) Hinckley. Their son, Thomas Hinckley (1618-1706), held several
governmental posts in the Plymouth Colony and served as its last governor from
1681 to 1692. Palin is also a 12th cousin of John McCain and descends from Simon
Newcomb of Edgarton, MA and Lebanon, CT, as do both Bush presidents.

Two of Governor Palin's ancestors were kings, and the emperor Charlemagne was possibly one of her ancestors as well:

Palin, Obama and McCain all claim William 1, King of Scots, as an ancestor. Her
descent in this Carolingian line is via ancestor Edmond Hawes (1612-1693) of
Yarmouth, MA, who held many local offices. She also descends from Henry III of
England by way of ancestor Edward Raynsford, who died in 1680 in Boston. He is
alleged to be a Plantagenet descendant of Charlemagne.

Governor Palin shares one of her Plymouth Colony ancestors with four former United States presidents, a famous poet, one infamous figure, and several other well-known figures, including - believe it or not - Mitt Romney:

Sarah Palin shares ancestor John Lathrop with presidents Ulysses S. Grant,
Franklin D. Roosevelt and both Bush presidents. Lathrop descendants have earned
fame in many ways. In addition to Revolutionary War traitor Benedict Arnold, the
list includes Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion, poet Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow, Dr. Benjamin Spock, financier John Pierpoint Morgan and the original
fuller brush man, Alfred Fuller.

Tumbling out of the list of politicians
who descend from Lathrop are Adlai Stevenson, John Foster Dulles, Thomas Dewey
and presidential hopeful Mitt Romney.

This article is well worth the read and may surprise some of Governor Palin's detractors who equate her down-to-earthness and affability to being not up to the job of President. (I won't repeat some of the terms I have seen them use to describe her.) It seems that ever since the election, it has been open season on this remarkable woman because of her adherence to conservative ideals and values.

What a pedigree for someone so unpretentious and gracious but strong and tough as nails when it comes to getting the job done and doing what is right for her state and her country! Governor Palin, we salute you for a job well done and for a decision made in what you deemed to be the best interest of the state that you have governed with a servant's heart. Whatever path you take next will bring outstanding results. Naturally, we hope it will lead you to the White House eventually. Like Ronald Reagan, you are truly a gift from God to our country at such a time as this. In the meantime, God bless you and your family, Governor Palin, and God bless America!

Hat Tip:

On his The Book of Sarah blog, Josh Painter has two additional articles about Sarah Palin's ancestry. In fact, I followed a link from one of them to this fascinating article.

Libelous and Defamatory Statements Against Governor Palin are Actionable

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 4, 2009

On July 3rd, 2009, Governor Sarah Palin announced her intent to resign her gubernatorial duties and transfer the powers of Governor to Lt. Governor Sean Parnell.

Almost immediately afterward, several unscrupulous people have asserted false and defamatory allegations that the “real” reasons for Governor Palin’s resignation stem from an alleged criminal investigation pertaining to the construction of the Wasilla Sports Complex. This canard was first floated by Democrat operatives in September 2008 during the national campaign and followed up by sympathetic Democratic writers. It was easily rebutted then as one of many fabrications about Sarah Palin.

Just as power abhors a vacuum, modern journalism apparently abhors any type of due diligence and fact checking before scurrilous allegations are repeated as fact.

The history of the Wasilla Sports Complex is publicly known. Contrary to the insinuation that as Mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin “personally” oversaw bidding, construction, funding and accounting for the project (and thus, the allegation goes, “embezzled” from the project), the truth is far more mundane, and publicly available:

Curtis D. Menard was instrumental in spearheading the effort from conception to realization of the Wasilla Sports Complex. He directed the steering committee that was responsible for placing the issue before the voters of Wasilla and subsequently passed. He remained chairman of that committee through the design and construction of the facility. He was an ardent supporter and leader of civic, educational and athletic endeavors within the community as well as an advocate of the continued success of the Sports Center.

http://www.cityofwasilla.com/index.aspx?page=114. Thus, as any basic fact checker would learn, the Mayor of Wasilla is not listed as “chair” of the Steering Committee. As Mayor, Governor Palin did appoint the committee, another fact readily verifiable, and she was publicly on record supporting the need for such a facility—as was most of Wasilla.

“Wasilla weighs sports facility” published December 6, 2001 and available at http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/background/story/517370.html.

While her public support of this project was deemed pivotal by many, the actual construction, bidding, financing and other day-to-day management of the project was not in her scope of authority as Mayor.

In addition, Sarah Palin was then criticized by some of not showing enough interest in the project. The Frontiersman reported that at a public meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, an opponent of the project “accused Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin of staying quiet about the arena because of her campaign for Lieutenant Governor.” “Sports Arena Campaign gets Rolling” http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2002/02/21/news6.txt (February 22, 2002).

Further, this was a highly public project, approved by the voters, and subject to public bid requirements. As described by the City of Wasilla itself:

The city uses competitive means for the purchase of all goods and services as required by Wasilla Municipal Code 5.08. The city also utilizes contracts and price agreements established by the State of Alaska, the Western States Contracting Alliance and other cooperatives or agencies when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City. The city believes in open, fair competition and strives to ensure that all vendors have equal opportunity to compete for city business.

The City of Wasilla operates under a decentralized purchasing system. This means purchasing decision up to $5,000 is made independently by the departments in the city (with the exception of Management Information System purchases). When the estimated amount for goods or services is between $5,000 and $9,999, departments are required to obtain three quotes prior to purchase. The departments may utilize the services of the Purchasing/Contracting Officer (PCO) for this process or may do it themselves; however, when this processed is selected, the PCO must sign off on the final product prior to purchasing or contracting.

For purchases beyond $10,000, the city requires all departments to contact the PCO who will utilize the city's bid process according to Wasilla Municipal Code 5.08. The bid process is initiated through either an Invitation to Bid (ITB), utilized when the city knows the specifications for the purchase; or a Request for Proposal (RFP), utilized when the exact specifications or process is unknown.

http://www.cityofwasilla.com/index.aspx?page=360#82.

Accordingly, the Sports Complex was publicly bid, in accordance with City and state law, and was accounted for in the time and manner all public projects are handled. The Mayor of Wasilla, be it Sarah Palin, or her successor, did not handle the funds, or the materials, for this project. To thus suggest she “embezzled” is as false as it is impossible.

The additional claim of “proof” of wrongdoing is the allegation that the Palins purchased building materials from Spenard Builders Supply—and that this company may have provided supplies for the Sports Complex. Prior to the construction of Lowe’s and Home Depot within the last few years in Wasilla, Spenard Builders Supply was the primary building supply company in Wasilla. It can hardly come as a surprise that it would sell materials to small homeowners or that it would also bid to supply commercial contracts.

One would be hard pressed to find a home, cabin or outbuilding in the Mat-Su Valley in which Spenard Builders Supply did not sell at least some of the materials.

The Palins built their Lake Lucille house using Todd as the general contractor. Todd’s family owns a hardware and building supply business in Dillingham. He is no stranger to construction, or to rolling up his sleeves and doing work. The Palins used a combination of personal savings, equity from the sale of their prior home, and conventional bank financing to build the house—like millions of American families. The deeds of trust are recordable public records. Basic journalism and fact checking would confirm this.

The Sports Complex was built in 2002. It is now 2009. While the Federal Government has a process to follow, and that process sometimes takes time, we can categorically state that we are not aware of any “federal investigation” that has been “pending” for the last seven years. We are aware of no subpoenas on SBS regarding the Palins. We are aware that the Federal Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation have been helpful, responsive and diligent in prosecuting the email hacker and in cleaning up Alaska’s corrupt legislators. To be blunt—this “story” was alleged during the campaign, evaluated then by national media and deemed meritless. Nothing has changed.

To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as “fact” that Governor Palin resigned because she is “under federal investigation” for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation. This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law.

The Alaska Constitution protects the right of free speech, while simultaneously holding those “responsible for the abuse of that right.”

Alaska Constitution Art. I, Sec. 5.
http://ltgov.state.ak.us/constitution.php?section=1. These falsehoods abuse the right to free speech; continuing to publish these falsehoods of criminal activity is reckless, done without any regard for the truth, and is actionable.

Thomas Van Flein, for
Governor Sarah Palin

References

Van Flein, T. (2009, July 4). Libelous and defamatory statements pertaining to Governor Palin's resignation. Clapp, Peterson, Van Flein, Tiemessen, Thorsness, LLC. Retrieved June 9, 2009 from: http://conservatives4palin.googlegroups.com/web/Press%20Release%20July%204%2C%202009.pdf?gda=8nhBWWQAAACPgrsFYYeNCJc2VCWrdAoAPjwoOTKeu6rC_TutLoZcAuaGK7jOueLbx0WqwyEcuCyKH9HyOblH0ode8uf5149nvUuk5dtM-pra9GqaEPCiOFXq71KIRN2DRDZ98DIdT53NzgFmQudIVZfn2evkHEao&hl=en

Governor Palin Announces No Second Term: No Lame Duck Session Either

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly TO you, the people I serve, as your Governor (New Road, 2009, ¶1).

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine (New Road, 2009, ¶2).

I want Alaskans to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln's cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He boldly looked "North to the Future". But he endured such ridicule and mocking for his vision for Alaska, remember the adversaries scoffed, calling this "Seward's Folly". Seward withstood such disdain as he chose the uncomfortable, unconventional, but RIGHT path to secure Alaska, so Alaska could help secure the United States (New Road, 2009, ¶3).

Alaska’s mission – to contribute to America. We’re strategic IN the world as the air crossroads OF the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold visionaries knew this - Alaska would be part of America's great destiny (New Road, 2009, ¶4).

Our destiny to be reached by responsibly developing our natural resources. This land, blessed with clean air, water, wildlife, minerals, AND oil and gas. It's energy! God gave us energy (New Road, 2009, ¶5).

So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my soul that Alaska is of such import, for America’s security, in our very volatile world. And you know me by now, I promised even four years ago to show MY independence… no more conventional “politics as usual” (New Road, 2009, ¶6).

And we are doing well! My administration's accomplishments speak for themselves. We work tirelessly for Alaskans (New Road, 2009, ¶7).

We aggressively and responsibly develop our resources because they were created to be used to better our world... to HELP people... and we protect the environment and Alaskans (the resource owners) foremost with our policies (New Road, 2009, ¶8).

Here’s some of the things we’ve done: (New Road, 2009, ¶9)

We created a petroleum integrity office to oversee safe development. We held the line FOR Alaskans on Point Thomson – and finally for the first time in decades – they’re drilling for oil and gas (New Road, 2009, ¶10).

We have AGIA, the gasline project – a massive bi-partisan victory (the vote was 58 to 1!) – also succeeding as intended - protecting Alaskans as our clean natural gas will flow to energize us, and America, through a competitive, pro-private sector project. This is the largest private sector energy project, ever. THIS is energy independence (New Road, 2009, ¶11).

And ACES – another bipartisan effort – is working as intended and industry is publicly acknowledging its success. Our new oil and gas “clear and equitable formula” is so Alaskans will no longer be taken advantage of. ACES incentivizes NEW exploration and development and JOBS that were previously not going to happen with a monopolized North Slope oil basin (New Road, 2009, ¶12).

We cleaned up previously accepted unethical actions; we ushered in bi-partisan Ethics Reform (New Road, 2009, ¶13).

We also slowed the rate of government growth, we worked with the Legislature to save billions of dollars for the future, and I made no lobbyist friends with my hundreds of millions of dollars in budget vetoes... but living beyond our means today is irresponsible for tomorrow (New Road, 2009, ¶14).

We took government out of the dairy business and put it back into private-sector hands – where it should be (New Road, 2009, ¶15).

We provided unprecedented support for education initiatives, and with the right leadership, finally filled long-vacant public safety positions. We built a sub-Cabinet on Climate Change and took heat from Outside special interests for our biologically-sound wildlife management for abundance (New Road, 2009, ¶16).

We broke ground on the new prison (New Road, 2009, ¶17).

And we made common sense conservative choices to eliminate personal luxuries like the jet, the chef, the junkets... the entourage (New Road, 2009, ¶18).

And the Lt. Governor and I said "no" to our pay raises. So much success in this first term – and with this success I am proud to take credit... for hiring the right people! Our goal was to achieve a gasline project, more fair oil and gas valuation, and ethics reform in four years. We did it in two. It’s because of the people… good public servants surrounding the Governor's office, with servants' hearts and astounding work ethic... THEY are Alaska's success! (New Road, 2009, ¶19)

We are doing well! I wish you'd hear MORE from the media of your state's progress and how we tackle Outside interests - daily - SPECIAL interests that would stymie our state. Even those debt-ridden stimulus dollars that would force the heavy hand of federal government into our communities with an “all-knowing attitude” – I have taken the slings and arrows with that unpopular move to veto because I know being right is better than being popular. Some of those dollars would harm Alaska and harm America – I resisted those dollars because of the obscene national debt we’re forcing our children to pay, because of today’s Big Government spending; it’s immoral and doesn’t even make economic sense (New Road, 2009, ¶20)!

Another accomplishment – our Law Department protected states’ rights – TWO huge U.S. Supreme Court reversals came down against that liberal Ninth Circuit, deciding in OUR state’s favor over the last two weeks. We’re protectors of our Constitution – federalists protect states’ rights as mandated in 10th amendment (New Road, 2009, ¶21).

But you don’t hear much of the good stuff in the press anymore, do you? (New Road, 2009, ¶22)

Some say things changed for me on August 29th last year – the day John McCain tapped me to be his running-mate – I say others changed (New Road, 2009, ¶23).

Let me speak to that for a minute (New Road, 2009, ¶23).

Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. Over the past nine months I've been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations – such as holding a fish in a photograph, wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and answering reporters’ questions (New Road, 2009, ¶24).

Every one – all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We’ve won! But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted THOUSANDS of hours of YOUR time and shelled out some two million of YOUR dollars to respond to “opposition research” – that’s money NOT going to fund teachers or troopers – or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the “politics of personal destruction” … Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills in order to set the record straight. And what about the people who offer up these silly accusations? It doesn’t cost them a dime so they’re not going to stop draining public resources – spending other peoples’ money in their game (New Road, 2009, ¶25).

It’s pretty insane – my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with THIS instead of progressing our state now. I know I promised no more “politics as usual,” but THIS isn’t what anyone had in mind for ALASKA (New Road, 2009, ¶26).

If I have learned one thing: LIFE is about choices (New Road, 2009, ¶27)!

And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose NOT to tear down and waste precious time; but to build UP this state and our country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people (New Road, 2009, ¶28)!

Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and “go with the flow” (New Road, 2009, ¶29).

Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow" (New Road, 2009, ¶30).

No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to BUILD UP (New Road, 2009, ¶31).

And there is such a need to BUILD up and FIGHT for our state and our country. I choose to FIGHT for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and LIFE... I'll work for and campaign for those PROUD to be American, and those who are INSPIRED by our ideals and won't deride them (New Road, 2009, ¶32).

I WILL support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the RIGHT reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska – or Outside Alaska (New Road, 2009, ¶33).

But I won’t do it from the Governor’s desk (New Road, 2009, ¶34).

I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to make a difference... to HELP people. So I choose, for my State and my family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around... so that Alaska may progress... I will not seek re-election as Governor (New Road, 2009, ¶35).

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! ? That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it (New Road, 2009, ¶36).

It’s not what is best for Alaska (New Road, 2009, ¶37).

I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable (New Road, 2009, ¶38).

With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election… I’ve determined it’s best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell; and I am willing to do so, so that this administration – with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future – can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success (New Road, 2009, ¶39).

My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans (New Road, 2009, ¶40).

Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me – sports… basketball. I use it because you’re naïve if you don’t see the national full-court press picking away right now: A good point guard drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping her eye on the basket… and she knows exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can WIN. And I’m doing that – keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities – smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it’s time to pass the ball – for victory (New Road, 2009, ¶41).

I have given my reasons candidly and truthfully… and my last day won’t be for another few weeks so the transition will be very smooth. In fact, we will look to swear Sean in – in Fairbanks at the conclusion of our Governor’s picnics (New Road, 2009, ¶42).

I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that you TRUST me with this decision – but it’s no more “politics as usual” (New Road, 2009, ¶43).

Some Alaskans don’t mind wasting public dollars and state time. I do. I cannot stand here as your Governor and allow millions upon millions of our dollars go to waste just so I can hold the title of Governor. And my children won’t allow it either. ? Some will question the timing. ? Let’s just say, this decision has been in the works for awhile… (New Road, 2009, ¶44)

In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: "Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from OUTSIDE the Governor's office?" It was four "yes's" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah" sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we ALL could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities RIGHT – that time is precious... the world needs more "Trigs", not fewer (New Road, 2009, ¶45).

My decision was also fortified during this most recent trip to Kosovo and Landstuhl, to visit our wounded soldiers overseas, those who sacrifice themselves in war for OUR freedom and security… we can ALL learn from our selfless Troops… they’re bold, they don’t give up, they take a stand and know that LIFE is short so they choose to NOT waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than SELF... and to build up their families, their states, our country. These Troops and their important missions – those are truly the worthy causes in this world and should be the public priority with time and resources and NOT this local / superficial wasteful political bloodsport (New Road, 2009, ¶46).

May we ALL learn from them (New Road, 2009, ¶47)!

*((Gotta put First Things First))* (New Road, 2009, ¶48)

First things first: as Governor, I love my job and I love Alaska. It hurts to make this choice but I am doing what’s best for Alaska. I’ve explained why… though I think of the saying on my parents’ refrigerator that says “Don’t explain: your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe you anyway” (New Road, 2009, ¶49)

But I have given my reasons… no more “politics as usual” and I am taking my fight for what’s right – for Alaska – in a new direction (New Road, 2009, ¶50).

Now, despite this, I don’t want any Alaskan dissuaded from entering politics after seeing this REAL “climate change” that began in August… no, we NEED hardworking, average Americans fighting for what’s right! And I will support you because we need YOU and YOU can effect change, and I can too on the outside (New Road, 2009, ¶51).

We need those who will respect our Constitution where government’s supposed to serve from the BOTTOM UP, not move toward this TOP DOWN big government take-over… but rather, will be protectors of individual rights - who also have enough common sense to acknowledge when conditions have drastically changed and are willing to call an audible and pass the ball when it’s time so the team can win! And that is what I’m doing (New Road, 2009, ¶52)!

Remember Alaska… America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. It'll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family - to ALL Alaska - you have my heart (New Road, 2009, ¶53).

And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean Parnell. And Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume the role of Lieutenant Governor. And it is my promise to you that I will always be standing by, ready to assist. We have a good, positive agenda for Alaska (New Road, 2009, ¶54).

In the words of General MacArthur said, “We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction" (New Road, 2009, ¶55).

Commentary

Following is extract from a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis that this author along with 30 other people performed on Governor Palin and delivered to her. The extract has been modified slightly for publication here:

A second term as Governor poses some significant disadvantages to Sarah Palin for a 2012 run and they relate mainly to timing. Governor Palin’s 2012 POTUS run would start in earnest around the same time as her second gubernatorial term. The first half of her second term would be devoted to balancing her duties with her campaign. Should Governor Palin win, Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell would likely have to take over her duties for much of her term, or a special election might have to be held. This could turn Governor Palin’s local supporters against her, and reverberate through the campaign. The extreme distances between Anchorage/Wasilla and even Juneau and the political centers of the conterminous 48 states exacerbate this problem and could rapidly take a physical toll on the Governor.

From the Conclusion section of the SWOT:

We are not certain as to whether she should run for a second gubernatorial term, at which point her POTUS campaign would begin, or if she should serve only her existing term and devote her future efforts to private sector work and full-time to a POTUS campaign should she choose to undertake it.

This is a decision not to be taken lightly and we do not purport to have all the facts available to us with which to guide such a decision. This is a decision Governor Palin will need to make in consultation with her best advisers, her family, and ultimately with herself.

From the foregoing, we see that Governor Palin has made her decision. She gave it careful consideration over the past several months. She recognized that like her forebear -- Ronald Wilson Reagan -- she could not continue to serve the people of her state if she was going to serve her country. Everything written in the SWOT document that this author and his colleagues composed is coming to pass.

This was a brilliant move for Governor Palin on so many levels.

Governor Palin resigned from a position of strength with a long list of accomplishments. Her administration already accomplished the goals it set forth. She recognized that now the Governor's job is more a liability to her than an asset. The ethics complaints and other nonsense will stop. She elevated Sean Parnell, who will continue advancing the change she brought forth, ensuring that it sticks. She made the announcement on a slow news day and captivated the nation's attention. She chose Independence Day to declare her independence.

Governor Palin can now marshal her resources and build her organization, travel, make speeches. She knows she has been summoned; she is answering the call, and she is beckoning us to follow her home to that Shining City on a Hill......




On June 22, 2009 this F-22 broke Mach 1 during a fly-by of the USS Stennis as part of Operation Northern Edge Exercises. Governor Palin visited that ship on the day this happened. This author does not know if Governor Palin bore witness to this event or if a woman was piloting the plane....or both. Here's hoping this event was a sign of things to come for Governor Palin....

"SuperSonic Sarah -- Smashing glass ceilings from above...."

References

Palin Announces No Second Term. No Lame Duck Session Either. (2009, July 3). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved July 3, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/exec-column.php

Britt, R.R. (2009, July 2). What breaking the sound barrier looks like. Fox News. Retrieved July 3, 2009 from: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529667,00.html?test=latestnews

Sarah Palin's Selfless Act

Governor Palin dropped a bombshell at her news conference at 11 AM Alaska time today from her Wasilla home in Alaska. She has not only decided not to run for re-election, but she has decided to resign her position as Governor at the end of this month. She will be transferring power to Alaska Lieutenant Sean Parnell on July 26. According to KTUU.com, Lt. Gov. Parnell said that Governor Palin first discussed this with him on Wednesday. Sean Parnell is quoted as describing Gov. Palin's decision as a "selfless act on her part" done in the "best interest of Alaska."

Governor Palin's decision apparently came partly as a result of the expense to the state and the encumbrance on her duties as Governor of the politically-motivated complaints launched against her by anklebiter Alaskans. She obviously felt that the state of Alaska would be better served if her administration, which had accomplished so much so far, moved forward under the leadership of her second-in-command. Parnell also announced that he would be running for re-election as governor in 2010.

Later, Governor Palin sent this tweet on Twitter: "We'll soon attach info on decision to not seek re-election... this is in Alaska's best interest, my family's happy... it is good, stay tuned" She obviously has plans for the future and will be sharing some of them with us. Given the numerous opportunities for interviews and speeches that she has already turned down, there is no doubt that she will stay plenty busy. There was a news flash a little earlier 9hat tip @SarahPalin_News) that she will be campaigning for Republicans in 2010. What more effective fundraiser and speaker could the Republican Party ask for?

One thing that we can be certain about Sarah Palin is that she is no quitter. Her decision, like everything else she does was most likely made after considerable thought and prayer. From her tweet, we know that her family is supportive of her decision. When I was listening to a short video of her resignation speech, it reminded me of her resignation from the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Her next step was Governor.

Of course, all of us hope that her plans go beyond 2010 and that we will see her campaigning for President in 2012. But whatever her choices, we are confident they are good ones. And that America will be the benefactor of whatever those choices are. Just like Ronald Reagan, Sarah Palin is God's gift to America - a natural leader with strong ethics, an indomitable will, and a great determination to do what is right for America and in the sight of her God.

Palin's High School Yearbook "signed" on eBay for Charity

The eBay auction reads:

1982 Wasilla High School Yearbook

Autographed by Sarah Palin June of 2009

This yearbook book is in good condition. It originally belonged to a member of our church. She donated the yearbook along with many other things to raise funds for a mission trip our youth group is taking to Mexico July 19th - August 1st. Someone pointed out the yearbooks in the pile, discovered Governor Palin and her husband Todd. Governor Palin was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to autograph these year books, knowing we would be offering them on ebay to raise money for our trip. We are thankful for her support.

The yearbook contains 10 different photos of Gov. Sarah Palin (Sarah Heath) and 5 of her husband Todd Palin. Some of the photos include a baby photo of Sarah, Sr. High photo, Basketball photos, Student council, and Cross Country photos.

The only signature in this yearbook is that of Sarah Palin.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290328107204