Nothing Wrong With Palins' Sense of Humor; It Just Isn't Funny

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com


Hotair's Allahpundit took up the "Family Guy" subject today, citing those who have asserted the Palins cannot take a joke. As you'll recall, the episode involved a girl with Down Syndrome who identified herself by saying, "My mother is the former governor of Alaska."

Along with everyone else who understands that enough is enough of this seemingly never-ending Palin harassment, I have denounced the show's tasteless use of Trig in their "comedy" act.

Days ago, Governor Palin issued a statement via Facebook, which included Bristol's sentiments.

Since then, she has simply continued doing what she does: be a voice of common sense conservatism at a time when sound judgment is seriously lacking in the current administration. Following the "Family Guy" episode, this week alone the governor has issued a detailed analysis of the failure of President Obama's stimulus bill one year later, highlighted Sean Duffy's "campaign to unseat the author of the stimulus," and brought more attention to the global warming hoax and the president's unsound economic commitments. The governor has not initiated any further comment about the "Family Guy" episode.

I, however, want to make the point that it's not the Palins' sense of humor that is to be called into question here, so let's not flip the script. It's the tasteless decisions of "Family Guy" that need examination.

Concerning a commitment to laughter, one look at Trig reveals he is full of joy. The Palins are obviously raising him to hold dear the qualities of humor and happiness. All children deserve as much.

What Trig doesn't deserve, however, is to be the butt of jokes on a show that admittedly specializes in being offensive, and neither Trig, nor anyone else, deserves to be the topic of a song designed to insult people with special needs, which was the case in that same "Family Guy" episode.

Here are the words to the song sung on Sunday's show:

You’ve got to look your best tonight, you tubby little parasite
‘Cause there’s a lovely lady and she’s waiting for you.
And though her pretty face may seem
A special person’s wettest dream
Before you get to see it there are things you must do.
We’ll try a tie, and boutonniere of yellow.
A rose that shows that you’re a classy fellow.
With a posh panache of Jefferson at Monticello,
Busting out a mile with style.
I know you just can’t wait to stare
At all that luscious orange hair
But boy before you touch a single curl
You must impress that ultra boomin’,
All-consumin’, poorly groomin’
Down syndrome girl.
On any normal day you reek
As if you’re on a farting streak,
Your fingers up your nose and you are dripping with drool.
But if you want a lady’s love,
You’re better off by smelling of
A gentleman’s cologne instead of sneakers and stool.
A squirt, a spurt of something just for Ellen
And you’ll see that she will find you so compellin’.
And she does because the only smell that she’ll be smellin’
Won’t be comin’ from your bum.
You want to take that little whore
And spin her on the dancing floor
But boy, before you do a single twirl –
You must impress that effervescing,
Self-possessing, no-BS-ing
Down syndrome girl.
Her eyes are emerald portals to a secret land of love
And her smile is like the sweetest summer flower.
Her kiss is so inviting, and her hugs are so delighting.
And what makes them really nice is that they’ve got a little spice
Because they’re tighter than a vice and they go on for an hour.
My boy, between the two of us we’ll get you on that shorty bus.
And then you’re going to take it for a whirl.
Now go impress that super-thrilling,
Wish-fulfilling, Yoo-Hoo-spilling,
Ultra-swinging, boner-bringing,
Daily singing, ding-a-linging
Stupefying, fortifying,
As-of-Monday-shoelace-tying,
Stimulating, titillating,
Kitty-cat impersonating,
Mega-rocking, pillow talking,
Just a little crooked walking,
Poorly pouting, boobies sprouting,
For some reason always shouting,
Fascinating, captivating,
Happiness and joy creating
Down syndrome girl

(H/T C4P)

No, the Palins don't have a problem with humor; they are indeed raising Trig to laugh and be happy. And I like a good joke as much as the next person myself. I just don't find the "Family Guy" episode particularly funny or complimentary.

No Guts? No Glory!

I am a lifelong conservative Republican who believes in Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment that thou shalt not speak ill of other Republicans. There are some right now who need to abide by the same commandment amongst their own unless they want to hand the liberals a victory when the movement fractures because some bozos are running off at the mouth. Take Grover North and David Keene for example. Or look to George Will and Dorothy Rabinowitz for the smell you want to be able to identify when recognizing old school elitists. Leave the Palin bashing to the left and let's get on with taking back our country.

I don't want to have my belief in the Tea Party or conservative movements ruined because some cry babies are pissed that Sarah Palin didn't show up at their event, endorse their candidate or mention their guy's name on her Facebook page. I'm a strong believer that the TEA Party and conservative movements need to infiltrate and take over the Republican party. I'm far from an insider. But there are some folks who may be among us who are making me nervous about that right about now.

Quite frankly, I don't want to go into battle with a bunch of mealy mouthed flip floppers who throw a tantrum everytime Palin does something they don't like. I'm far from a RINO lover, but I do know one thing about winning elections and that is if the tent is big, you win. I also know that winning requires building coalitions. Sometimes that means accepting people you normally may not always agree with. For me, the only enemies are true liberals, progressives and statists. I'll work with anyone to stop them as long as they work with me.

I keep my mouth zipped about the other candidates for the 2012 GOP presidential race. I'm capable of liking and respecting them even if Sarah's my first pick. When we (and I mean the movement) win in 2012, everyone should get into the new administration as far as I'm concerned whether it's top dog, cabinet level or an advisory position. But I'm beginning to re-think that now as I see folks identifying themselves as some who may just have to ride it out the next administration in the cheap seats if Palin gets the nod. I'll respect and support whoever the nominee is, but I'm not going to fight a war with traitors amongst the ranks or get behind anyone who wouldn't afford Sarah Palin the same respect.

The primaries will determine who the Republican candidate will be, not an op ed writer, a pundit or some jerk shooting off his mouth at the CPAC convention. The real convention is in 2012. I know Palin is not the only candidate that has a shot at winning. But those who want to undermine her for the sake of getting their own way at the expense of the greater movement need to understand that I and many other Palin supporters are not going to rally behind anyone who sticks a knife in our back. Let's be prepared to be united either way instead of being pissed off at each other. Otherwise, be prepared for four more years of Obama and file all the hard work everyone has been doing in the "wasted our time" file.

The Tea Party and conservative movements have a great future. But some in the movement show its rougher edges along with their own rigidity. Being judgmental and and too demanding of those who want to help the cause won't get us into the White House. Lest we turn into an angry mob for real and give the liberals what they want, we need to be more careful of what we say and what we do. I'm not saying don't express an opinion or resolve differences by consensus, but when full blown Palin Derangement Syndrome starts rearing its ugly head in a movement I'm working hard for, it makes me question whether or not I should be chasing girls instead of writing blog posts. Why waste my time with "faux" allies?

I know we already have a Reagan. Many others either don't want to accept that or they really genuinely feel that she's not it. That's fine. I'm not asking everyone to come here today and pledge a blood oath to Sarah Palin. If I had to eyeball it, there is a solid 30% of the base who agrees with me on her merits. It may not yet  be enough to win a general election alone, but the potential is there and we have two years to build it. Detractors be wary if they think the movement can win it with just the other 70% either. Just give Sarah a chance instead of chasing her and her supporters away. Look at how far she's come since she was the VP nominee (and she was huge then!).

At some point, I would hope the uncertains see the light and join forces in creating the greatest monster the Democrats have ever fought since Reagan. If not, than they still need to figure out what to do with all that lightning in a bottle she has. No offense to those who bad mouth Sarah or support any of the other candidates, but if you got anybody that can motivate people more than she can, show them to me. But if you want Palin out of the movement, fess up now so I don't waste any more of my time or yours.

I don't care who you want to be nominated in 2012. I'm only going to have your back until I find out you don't have mine.

And if some of you wimps can't stomach the Palin bashing because you believe everything you read in the mainstream media or you go to pieces thinking she can't win an election everytime you read a hit piece on her, this fight to take back the shining city on a hill is not for you. How can we fight the liberals who will smear anyone who gets the nomination in 2012 if we're not willing to stand up for Sarah Palin now?!

Read my page Fight for the Right and understand not only the tactics, but realize how high the stakes are. You have to stomach John McCain and I have to stomach Rand Paul. Now stop whining and criticizing. We have a shining city on a hill to take.

Sarah Palin Takes On The Global Warming Hoax And Obama’s Losing Economic Strategy

Not mincing words, Sarah Palin came out both barrels blazing this morning when she took on the global warming hoaxers and Obama with full force:

"Global Warming" – More Like a Snow Job

Today at 12:31am

Over the last few months, and even again today, very unsettling revelations have come to light about the "settled science" of man-made global warming. With all of these shoes dropping you’d think every member of the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) would be barefoot by now.

One thing after another keeps popping up to further discredit the theory of man-made global warming. The IPCC’s supposedly definitive report proving the theory is riddled with serious errors. The organization has been publicly chastised by everyone from its former chair to the heads of the UK’s biggest funder of climate research and Greenpeace UK. One of the world’s top climate change scientists, Prof. Phil Jones, has conceded that there’s been no significant warming since 1995; that the medieval period may have been warmer than today; and that he’s had trouble even keeping track of raw data crucial to the global warming theory. Yet President Obama still seeks to create a federal office for global warming, and they’re still talking about mandating their cap-and-tax plan that's based on discredited data.

The Obama administration’s environmental extremism also shows up in its aversion to oil and gas development. A true all-of-the-above approach to energy would mean allowing oil and gas explorers to drill here and drill now because America has the proven reserves needed to meet our energy challenges. A new industry study reveals that the federal government's current restrictions on oil and gas drilling in Alaska and off the U.S. coastline will cost us $2.36 trillion through 2029. Think of the millions of U.S. jobs we could create, and how much more secure America would be, if we had a true free market approach to energy independence that allowed us to finally drill!

And though I applaud the President’s newly declared interest in nuclear power, it should be noted that he’s merely following through on loan guarantees authorized during the prior administration. What’s more, while the White House now touts the building of new nuclear power plants, its budget inexplicably calls for cutting funding to the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. A real nuclear energy plan requires a strategy for dealing with nuclear waste storage and recycling.

The man-made global warming hysteria isn’t based on sound science, and the Obama administration’s energy policy isn’t based on sound economics. If the climategate revelations teach us anything, it’s that we need to cool down the rhetoric and fire up our common sense.

- Sarah Palin

This folks, is why I support Sarah Palin. The woman has cojones! Big brass ones!

Most of the pretenders to the 2012 GOP presidential contest would never take on the global warming hoaxers, the flat earthers. Many of them actually believe global warming is real, which should disqualify them from ever holding any office. The rest are just political cowards because they know to question the global warming hoaxers is to face ridicule.

Sarah Palin isn’t afraid of a little mud slinging and lies by the left. Hell, I think she thrives on it. Makes her mad, keeps her focused and determined!

Energy independence and national security run hand and hand. Energy is the lifeblood of our economy. It is criminal that we don’t use our own natural resources.

Obama and his radical government is dead set on using his office to destroy America through some modified Cloward-Piven strategy and then remake it into his idea of a communist utopia.




The man must be stopped and common sense must prevail.

Sarah Palin has the right plan for national security, energy independence, and economic prosperity. It’s time we stop screwing around and start putting her plans into action!

VRWC Lincoln Day Dinner

Every year, Women's Repulican Clubs around the United States organize Lincoln Day Dinners. These dinners are the primary annual celebration and fundraising event of many state and county organizations of the Republican Party in the United States. Because our club, the Valley Republican Women's Club, was chartered less than a year ago, we weren't in a position to organize a dinner last year, but this year we decided to jump in the fray and put one on. And what an event it was! From the venue, to the attendees, to our keynote speaker Alaska Governor Sean Parnell, everything just seemed to fall into place. We had many dignitaries and prominent individuals in the room, as well as some great patriots. Now, I was a nervous wreck because I wanted so much for this event to be perfect. I've spoken to groups of 2,000 or 3,000 but was more nervous about this event than any other I've been a part of. I have to say, we did a great job!

We held the event at Settler's Bay Lodge. I cannot say enough good things about the venue and the people who run it. I was a caterer when I was younger, and also managed a restaurant, and I know professional when I see it. These guys are top notch. If you ever have a chance to come to Wasilla, I highly recommend their restaurant - beautiful views and excellent food. Here is the room, all decked out.





The view from the room was gorgeous





Julie is our Vice President this year and she did a wonderful job organizing our silent auction items before the event and collecting funds afterward. Julie and other board members were on hand to keep everything running smoothly.



Our 2009 President Gayle Ann and her husband Daniel looked great



As the sun set, everyone filed into the room and the evening would begin soon - look at that view!



Sarah Palin's mom, Sally Heath, and club secretary Ivy arrived and took their seats



Governor Sean Parnell took his seat and Sarah Palin's father, Chuck Heath, came over to chat and catch up



The show is on and it's my turn to welcome everyone and get things started



Julie read a message from US Senator Lisa Murkowski who was not able to attend (she is busy in Washington DC dealing with the greenies)



Alaska State Representative for District 14 Wes Keller gave the invocation



Next, the Mayor for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, our own Talis Colberg, gave a whitty introduction of the governor



Finally, we heard a wonderful message from Governor Sean Parnell. Check out the videos below to see clips of his message





We were honored to have the governor as our keynote speaker and the club gave him a gift



Our board with the Governor - myself, Julie, the Governor, Ivy, and Carol.



I was honored to have my photo with the governor





The governor had to leave for another event and after a short break, Alaska Senator Linda Menard gave a legislative update



We then had a little fun. We announced the winners of the silent auction items, then had a live auction with Don Benson as the auctioneer and I helped him point out bidders. We auctioned a glacier landing and flight seeing tour through

Here are some of the videos of the governor's speech

On Opportunity


On Republican Principles


On Healthcare Reform


For more videos from Governor Parnell, please click here.

I hope you all have had a feel for what the evening was like. It was a wonderful event and I'm glad I've had the opportunity to share it with you!

- To see this post and others by Tracey Porreca, please check out Finding Myself In Alaska

Targeting the Kindest Among Us: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

When looking at how the Obama children and Palin children are treated by the media and Hollywood, it is clear there is a huge double standard. I don't have to tell you about the countless numbers of attacks that have been aimed at the Palin kids, while the Obama kids are continually praised and left alone. The treatment the Obama kids receive is the same treatment that the Palin kids should be privy to. Remember, you don't have to think that far back to the time when President Obama declared a candidate's children should be "off limits" to attacks. I agree with President Obama for once, but I will take his point one step further. I believe ALL children should be off limits when it comes to personal attacks. Supposedly we live in a time in which tolerance is preached, but isn't it funny that those who preach it, do not seem to practice it themselves?

I don't have to go into detail listing the countless number of attacks the Palin kids have had to endure; you are well aware of many of them, but it is the latest attack that has me sickened with disgust at Hollywood in general. Many of you have probably already heard about the hurtful lengths the FOX Hollywood sitcom Family Guy went to this past Sunday, Valentine's Day. For those of you who are unaware of the controversy at hand, here is what happen: This episode depicted a young woman with Down Syndrome. Not only did they make this woman have a snarky attitude, which is terrible in itself, but it is what was said and whom was referred to that was the most tasteless. When asked by another character to talk a little bit about her family, the young woman replied that her dad was "an accountant" and her mom was "the former governor of Alaska." There it is again- another cut at Sarah and her family. Trig Palin is a child who is not even old enough to tie his shoes, let alone defend himself- He's a small child for goodness sake. Where is the justice? Where is the respect? Where are the special needs advocacy groups to speak out on this injustice? Where is the head of the Special Olympics to speak out about this? After all they recently spoke out against Rahm Emanuel's "retarded" comments. Where are the groups to defend innocent, little Trig Palin?

This is the kind of story that effects all of us personally. Like many of you, I know many individuals who have Down Syndrome. How dare this show make fun of Trig and people like him? I am so disgusted at the tasteless actions of Hollywood, and I sometimes find myself ashamed to even admit that I live in such close proximity to it. Don't get me wrong. I love my state and the great people who live here, but when liberal Hollywood continues to belittle individuals and push a liberal agenda, it does a HUGE disservice not only to others, but to image of California in general. It is wrong to make fun of those with special needs, let alone unfairly portray them as snarky. I have NEVER run across any person with Down Syndrome who has such an attitude. On the contrary, if the Family Guy folks had any common decency, they would have at least portrayed the character in a fair manner, but then again, this is Hollywood, a place where decency seems to have flatlined.

The individuals whom I personally know with Down Syndrome are not snarky or mean in any way; instead, they happen to be the kindest, gentlest, most generous people who walk amongst us. It is no secret that they know they are different than everyone else, yet they have a can-do attitude and are so resilient to those who make it a point to let them know they are different. Why make it harder on them? Why continue to belittle them and treat them as outcast members of our society? I strongly believe that individuals with special needs are what make our country so great. They are so strong and loving that these Family Guy Hollywood types and those like them could learn a thing or two about acceptance and unconditional love. When individuals with special needs are treated differently, they they know it. Trig is a child who will grow up with enough challenges, so why do individuals continue to make it harder for him? It is time for Hollywood to realize that no two individuals are alike. It is time they quite making fun of people and start treat EVERYONE with the respect they deserve.

The attacks the Palin family continues to endure illustrate just how divided our country remains. Remember when Mr. Obama said he was going to bring the country together? I do too. His words sounded great at the time, but the inaction on his part when it comes to this issue speaks volumes especially after he and members of his administration have made hurtful comments about those with special needs in the past. Our country seems more divided than ever. The partisan politics that exist today leave me to wonder if our country will ever heal from its divisive wounds. While many are attacked, it seems as though the attacks aimed at the Palins far outweigh the attacks others receive. When are people going to realize that attacking a child is the most evil attack of all.

My good friend, Camille Friend, who runs the blog The Design Conservative
has written about this issue too. She was nice enough to list the show's sponsors on her site. I encourage you all to read her post here. I also encourage to visit and read this post by Adrienne Ross, another good friend of mine who runs the blog Motivation: Truth.


LIST OF SHOW SPONSORS for February 14, 2010 episode:

Camille is right when she writes: Contact the sponsors below to let them know how you feel about the decision of Family Guy producers to make light of the challenges facing Trig Palin and his loving family. Encourage these companies to stand up for the Palins and the thousands of families like them. Tell them that enough is enough! - tdc

* Fox Broadcasting Company - 310-369-1000http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
* YUM! Brands (Pizza Hut) - 502-874-8300
* Red Bull North America Inc. - 310-393-4647
* Mars, Inc. - 703-821-4900
* Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. - 800-331-4331
* Bally Total Fitness Holdings Corp. - 773-399-1300
* Pfizer, Inc. - 212-573-2323
* Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company - 312-644-2121
* Universal Pictures - 818-777-1000

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

Sarah Palin: Stimulus Bill Anniversary Proves Not-So-Stimulating

Pretty hard to add much to this one. Sarah pretty much nails it:

Stimulus Bill Anniversary Proves Not-So-Stimulating

Today at 9:04am

One year ago today, President Obama signed a nearly trillion dollar stimulus package and handed our children the bill. What did we get for that massive price tag? Many promises, but the promises have proven false. On this stimulus anniversary, Washington needs to hear our message that Americans expect, and deserve, better.

Americans were promised the stimulus would keep unemployment under 8%. It’s now well over that. We were promised it would be targeted and pork-free. It’s been loaded with pork, corporate giveaways, union bosses’ goodies, and other manners of waste. We were promised there would be no fraud, but our government now tells us it can’t even verify the eligibility of people applying for the $325 billion worth of stimulus tax provisions. We were promised there would be strict oversight, but billions of dollars apparently were allotted to congressional districts that don’t even exist. We were promised it would provide "green jobs" for Americans, but 80% of the $2 billion they spent on alternative energy went to purchase wind turbines built in China! We were promised it would help state governments weather the recession, but states receiving the stimulus bait will be in worse fiscal shape now because local governments will be on the hook for new unfunded mandates and continuation of government programs they couldn’t afford in the first place – as many of us governors warned state legislatures.

One year later, we see plainly that the stimulus was not a well-thought out plan. It hasn’t revived our economy; instead the debt-ridden package will prove to be a drag on our economy. It hasn’t put us on the path to a better future; instead it’s unfairly mortgaged our children’s future and stolen opportunities from them. It hasn’t strengthened us; instead it endangers our freedom and security by making us even more beholden to foreign lenders. The legacy of the stimulus isn’t jobs or economic growth – it’s more dangerous debt.

But there is hope! And this hope lies in draining the swamp in D.C. and sending Commonsense Conservatives to Washington who understand the need for fiscal restraint. Those who are willing to rein in spending, respect Constitutional limits, and repeal the stimulus should get our support, and those who have been part of the problem should be replaced.

In this election year, we’ll see many daring Davids take on entrenched Goliaths. Just one of these many brave souls is a northern Wisconsin patriot named Sean Duffy. He’s running in Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district against a liberal Goliath who’s been in Congress over 40 years now and has the dubious distinction of being the author of the stimulus bill. To commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the stimulus, Sean Duffy is holding a fundraising "money bomb" for his campaign so he can replace the career politician who drafted this government-bloating behemoth.

If you’re frustrated about the waste in the stimulus bill, please support a solid fiscal conservative who will work to repeal it. Please visit Sean Duffy’s website and help him help us correct the mistakes of this past year.

On this first anniversary of the stimulus, let’s send a message to the big-spenders in Washington by helping Sean Duffy unseat the author of the stimulus. Let’s put government back on our side and get to work revitalizing America!

- Sarah Palin

One thing I like about Sarah’s blogging, she provides plenty of links to back up what she says. Please make sure you take the time to visit each link and learn even more.

Make no mistake about it, Obama’s pork laden "stimulus package" is a disaster for all Americans. Good money thrown after bad in an orgy of government spending that looked to build the perfect communist utopian state. Epic Fail on every account!

Although it’s hard to add to what Sarah has written, I did want to include more on all of the money that went to foreign energy firms. West Coast editor Stacy Drake brought this one to my attention from the San Diego Union-Tribune:

Foreign energy firms getting windfall of U.S. stimulus funds

Money is used to buy turbines made abroad

Of the more than $2 billion the federal government has given out to boost the economy and create green-energy jobs, more than three-quarters has gone to foreign-owned companies that dominate the global wind-power industry. This latest finding by the Investigative Reporting Workshop, a nonprofit at American University in Washington, D.C., is illustrated clearly in San Diego County, where about a dozen commercial wind developers have offices.

La Jolla is the headquarters for Eurus Energy America, the subsidiary of a Japanese firm that received $91 million in federal stimulus money for a wind farm in western Texas. It plans to apply for more money to fund a wind project in Oregon.

EnXco, a French-owned firm with American headquarters in Escondido, has received $69.5 million in stimulus money for its wind farm in Indiana. It installed 53 German-made turbines at the site. EnXco also is operating the Texas wind farm for Eurus.

A-Power Energy Generation Systems, a Chinese-owned company that might get federal grants through a consortium building a wind farm in western Texas, lists a vacant office in downtown San Diego as its U.S. address on recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cannon Power Group of San Diego has received $19 million to expand a wind farm east of Portland in Washington. The company spent about half of that money overseas to pay for wind turbines it said it couldn’t get stateside.

The Reporting Workshop’s initial analysis of wind-energy grants was released in October and outraged some lawmakers. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., cited the group’s report — and news that $450 million in stimulus money might go to a group installing Chinese-made wind turbines in Texas — when he asked the secretary of energy to deny federal financing to firms that use foreign-made turbines.

American wind companies are receiving stimulus grants, but some such as Cannon Power spend much of that money abroad because few U.S. companies manufacture turbines.

Mark Anderson, chief executive officer of Eurus Energy America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eurus Energy Holdings Corp., said his company would not have been able to move forward with other projects without the guarantee of stimulus money.

Eurus received $91 million in grants for the Bull Creek Wind Farm in Texas. It has the capacity to power about 48,000 homes a year.

Eurus is building a wind farm in Oregon. The company plans to seek green grants for that project, Anderson said.

"We plan to put more and more money into the United States," he said.

Eurus employs 20 people in San Diego, Anderson said, and has assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Its Texas project created between 300 and 400 jobs for construction, including 10 for operation, and is benefiting the local economy through property taxes and land leases, Anderson said. For the project, Eurus bought Mitsubishi turbines, which are manufactured abroad.

EnXco, the French-owned firm based in Escondido, also went abroad to buy turbines, from German manufacturer REpower. A spokesman for EnXco said the project created more than 200 construction jobs as well as a dozen permanent jobs. It has the capacity to power about 29,000 homes per year.

A-Power, based in northeast China, is part of a group building a wind farm in western Texas using turbines it is manufacturing in China. This is the project that affronted Schumer after the group announced plans to collect $450 million in stimulus grants.

In a letter, Schumer asked Energy Secretary Steven Chu to reject requests for stimulus grants from companies that buy key components abroad.

"In all due respect, I remind the secretary there is a four-letter word associated with the stimulus — J-O-B-S," Schumer told ABC News. "Very few jobs here, lots of jobs in China. That is not what I intended or any other legislator who voted for the stimulus intended."

Chu responded on Facebook: "But manufacturers will not build plants here and grow their production capacity here unless there is domestic demand; and, until recently, that was not the case."

In SEC filings this year, A-Power Energy Generation Systems lists a suite in a high-rise in downtown San Diego as its business and mailing address. However, the suite door is locked, and a building manager said A-Power is not a tenant.

When reached on his cell phone, Chief Operating Officer John Lin said he did not have time to answer questions.

Gary Hardke, president of Cannon Power Group, a renewable-energy company near Torrey Pines, said his company had no choice but to go abroad to buy parts for its wind farm in Klickitat, Wash. Two main U.S. manufacturers, GE Energy and Clipper Windpower, either did not make a turbine the size that Cannon wanted or were sold out.

Cannon bought the turbines — made up mostly of blades, towers and nacelles (the part in the middle that houses components such as the rotor and generator) — from Siemens, a German company that also was the main contractor.

In all, Hardke estimated, more than 50 percent of the stimulus grant went to Siemens.

"I appreciate that cosmetically it doesn’t look good, but the reality is … the grants (must) go into the project costs," he said.

Cannon is expecting $151 million more in stimulus grants to expand the wind farm and hopes all the parts will come from the United States.

Hardke pointed to ways the stimulus cash will do what lawmakers intended — boost the local economy. Cannon pays about $3 million a year to lease land from about 40 individual owners as well as $2 million in property taxes.

The project is in a county where nearly 20 percent of residents earn less than the poverty level, according to a 2009 U.S. Census release. It created more than 300 construction jobs, Hardke said, and 20 to 30 to operate the farm.

"There isn’t a family in Klickitat that doesn’t know someone employed by the project," he said.

"The ongoing economic development benefit in rural America is really significant."

The icing on the cake, he said, is "clean energy — really significantly helping the environment."

There are an incredible amount of links to more information at the Union-Tribune’s website so please be sure to visit them here. Wind energy is a huge boondoggle. a real waste, and as we are finding out, these turbines will not opperate in the subzero weather in the areas they are being placed! (Read more here)

What a mess.

This is more failure by our president and his corrupt government. It is past time for talking and time action. We must stop this insanity, and stop it now.

You can start by helping Sean Duffy!

"Family Guy" Not Kind To One Family - The Palins

One of the nice things about blogging is being able to join together with like-minded folks with a common mission. Today the bloggers came out in force in support of Sarah Palin and her son Trig, and against the show "Family Guy" and it's intolerance. Below are links to various writer's articles on the subject:

Leave Governor Palin’s Children Alone! (UPDATED with Gov. Palin’s Facebook Note)

Family Guy mocks Palin and special needs community

Family Guy: Equal Opportunity Jerks (Update of previous “Leave Gov. Palin’s Children Alone!”)

Gov Palin & O’Reilly Discuss Tea Party & Special Needs

These posts articulate, much better than I could, many of the facts and feelings surrounding this. I can't speak for others but I can speak about my own experiences.

When my youngest son was born with special needs, it was found that he could benefit from an early intervention program. I met so many wonderful families with beautiful children, many with Down syndrome, and have kept some of those friendships nearly 20 years. These children are gifts from God, a reminder of what beauty is. They have the purest of hearts and don't get caught up in all the drama and pettiness that consumes the rest of us. My other son, who is autistic, is much like this. He is trusting, sometimes to a fault. He feels no ill will toward people and thankfully, was oblivious to much of the ridicule when he was smaller.

I remember one incident in particular when he was about 12. He was always a big kid for his age, and was once described as being "perpetual motion in the flesh." He never sat down, was always on the move, had volume control issues and a great deal of difficulty with body language and personal space. He still, at the age of 22, gravitates toward things that people much younger than 22 are interested in. One thing he loved was going to the park. So, one day when he was 12, we went to the park.

Here we were during the day (because I homeschooled) and the park was filled with young mothers with their very young children. He would get so excited and bolt for the wooden fort with ladders and tunnels he barely fit in, but I would let him play there because he loved it so much. On this particular day, he bolted toward a group of small children as they played on this fort. I saw the mother of one girl who had to be about 2. She stared at my son and as he came closer, she pulled her child from the piece of equipment she was playing on and whisked her away, sheltering her from my son. All she could see was this big kid, who appeared to be a young adult, bolting toward her child. They just didn't understand. I'm grateful my son was not aware of what had happened. I, however, was painfully aware.

I wrote a poem about another experience with my youngest son, in which an after school director forced him to sit on a mat and not interact with other children for fear he would be "hurt" (at least that's what she said). It is titled "A Friend Like Me" and has been adopted my by many Down Syndrome organizations:

Please don't be afraid of me
I want to be your friend.
And if you get to know me
Your rigid thoughts might bend.

Thoughts that I am different
From others that you know,
I really am no different
And this I'd like to show.

I live and breathe and laugh and cry
I love to play and learn,
I sometimes do things differently
Which can cause some concern.

You see, some say I'm special
I guess this much is true,
But if you were to ask me
I'd say you're special too.

We're all a little different
No two are just the same,
It's really something wonderful
that way there is no blame.

When things don't go just perfectly
And others get confused,
And say things like "poor child"
and other terms they use.

It's okay if you look at me
And might not understand,
It's okay if you touch me
And even hold my hand.

My life has many obstacles
Much more than you could know,
But that's not what I dwell on
I'm me, that's all, and so...

Please don't be afraid of me
I want you just to see,
How truly great and wonderful
A friend like me can be.

I have also faced the stares, the pointing, the whispers under the breath about how the kids looked or behaved, and of course the ever-present criticism from people who just don't understand.

I never, however, had to face the depth and breadth of ridicule that Sarah Palin has had to face. Today I told one of my friends, a mother of a child with Down syndrome and disability advocate I've known 15 years, about what happened with the "Family Guy" episode. Her response was very direct, and telling:

"You flatter me if you think I can influence anyone to stop attacking people w/disabilities in the name of 'humor.' It is disturbing to see how 'acceptable' this has become. No other group of people are told to just accept the disrespect heaped on them."

She articulated the situation very well. When will this stop being acceptable for anyone with special needs? When will the attacks stop for Sarah, her kids, and her family?

My friend did rally the troops in her state to make calls to the sponsors of this show. WE ALL should be making those calls. These attacks need to stop and those who produce "Family Guy" need to understand that in no way is this acceptable.

- To see this post and others by Tracey Porreca, please check out Finding Myself In Alaska