Sarah Palin: Your Tax Dollars Hard at Work...

Today's Wall Street Journal contains some puzzling news for all Americans who are impacted by high energy prices and who share the goal of moving us toward energy independence (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

For years, states rich with an abundance of oil and natural gas have been begging Washington, DC politicians for the right to develop their own natural resources on federal lands and off shore. Such development would mean good paying jobs here in the United States (with health benefits) and the resulting royalties and taxes would provide money for federal coffers that would potentially off-set the need for higher income taxes, reduce the federal debt and deficits, or even help fund a trillion dollar health care plan if one were so inclined to support such a plan (Palin, 2009, ¶2).

So why is it that during these tough times, when we have great needs at home, the Obama White House is prepared to send more than two billion of your hard-earned tax dollars to Brazil so that the nation's state-owned oil company, Petrobras, can drill off shore and create jobs developing its own resources? That's all Americans want; but such rational energy development has been continually thwarted by rabid environmentalists, faceless bureaucrats and a seemingly endless parade of lawsuits aimed at shutting down new energy projects (Palin, 2009, ¶3).

I'll speak for the talent I have personally witnessed on the oil fields in Alaska when I say no other country in the world has a stronger workforce than America, no other country in the world has better safety standards than America, and no other country in the world has stricter environmental standards than America. Come to Alaska to witness how oil and gas can be developed simultaneously with the preservation of our eco-system. America has the resources. We deserve the opportunity to develop our resources no less than the Brazilians. Millions of Americans know it is true: "Drill, baby, drill." Alaska is proof you can drill and develop, and preserve nature, with its magnificent caribou herds passing by the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), completely unaffected. One has to wonder if Obama is playing politics and perhaps refusing a "win" for some states just to play to the left with our money (Palin, 2009, ¶4).

The new Gulf of Mexico lease sales tomorrow sound promising and perhaps will move some states in the right direction, but we all know that the extreme environmentalists who serve to block progress elsewhere, including in Alaska, continue to block opportunities. These environmentalists are putting our nation in peril and forcing us to rely on unstable and hostile foreign countries. Mr. Obama can stop the extreme tactics and exert proper government authority to encourage resource development and create jobs and health benefits in the U.S.; instead, he chooses to use American dollars in Brazil that will help to pay the salaries and benefits for Brazilians to drill for resources when the need and desire is great in America (Palin, 2009, ¶5).

Buy American is a wonderful slogan, but you can't say in one breath that you want to strengthen our economy and stimulate it, and then in another ship our much-needed dollars to a nation desperate to drill while depriving us of the same opportunity (Palin, 2009, ¶6).

- Sarah Palin

Commentary

Unlike most politicians today, Governor Palin practices the politics of progress. Her statement really should be painfully obvious. It is simple common sense and does not require a rocket scientist to analyze.

Very simply put, the Obama administration should be investing taxpayer dollars in domestic energy production, which means drilling in our waters and on our lands. We have the technology to do this in an environmentally responsible manner. We need to dispel the myth that oil drilling in the United States is synonymous with environmental destruction. It is not.

We import over 60% of our oil. A significant amount of that originates from nations which do not have our best interests at heart. This is not just an economic issue; it is a national security issue. Domestic energy production will bring greater peace, because it will extricate us from being involved with enemy nations.

The Obama administration very clearly has its priorities in the wrong place. The United States' priority for energy production should be the United States, not Brazil -- or anywhere else.

In addition to the uses Governor Palin suggested, $2 billion is money that can be spent on building refineries on land which held closed military bases. We have not built a refinery in 30 years.

Governor Palin is spot dead on with this. Just as she was with health care -- despite protestations to the contrary from some. She is thinking about what is in this country's best interests and delineated her thought process very succinctly and cogently.

Obama and his entire administration are bent on leading us down the road to being a dependent, mediocre socialist state. His "thought processes" -- for lack of a better term -- are the problem and mirror nearly 40 years of the same miserably failed ideologies pertaining to energy that got us into this predicament in the first instance. He promised "hope and change," but what he is giving instead is really more of the same.

Governor Palin absolutely is the one who offers true hope and change.

References

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, August 19). "Your tax dollars hard at work: First cars, now foreign oil." FaceBook, Sarah Palin. Retrieved August 19, 2009 from: http://www.facebook.com/sarahpalin#/sarahpalin?v=app_2347471856&viewas=1574531555

Shameless Libs Use Palin's Name... Again!

MoveOn.org is using Sarah Palin for one of their new ads because of Palin's stand against Cap and Trade or 'Cap and Tax' as Palin refers to it.

MoveOn.org is telling people to tell congress to not side with Palin.

The following was posted at www.gretawire.com

New Ad: Meet The Face Of The Republican Party - Sarah Palin

As Palin Steps Down, Ad Asks Congress: Do You Stand With Palin Or With New Clean Energy Jobs?

A new 30-second television ad, released today, reintroduces Americans to the new face of the Republican Party’s opposition to clean energy jobs – formerGovernor Sarah Palin. The ad, “New Face”, comes on the heels of Palin’s last day as Governor of Alaska and two weeks after Sarah Palin’s recent attack on the energy bill, which ran in The Washington Post on July 14th. As the energy bill moves to the Senate, MoveOn.org Political Action’s ad asks Congress if they stand with Sarah Palin or for new clean energy jobs.

The ad will run on national cable for one week.

“Sarah Palin has a lot more free time on her hands now, and it appears she’s decided to lead the Republican Party in attacking a strong clean energy jobs plan that could jump start our economy and create millions of jobs,” said Justin Ruben, Executive Director of MoveOn.org. “Congress needs to think long and hard about whose side they’re on: Sarah Palin’s or the millions of Americans who would benefit from the creation of green jobs.”

This ad is part of MoveOn’s larger campaign to ensure a strong energy bill that fosters green job growth and does not repeal a key provision of the Clean Air Act. The campaign has included both national and local advertising, field actions and lobbying activities.

MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by five million progressive Americans. We believe in the power of small donors and grassroots action to elect progressive leaders to office and to advance a progressive agenda. We do not accept any donations over $5,000, and the average donation to MoveOn.org Political Action is under $100.

Moveon.org and their ilk stand to make money if Cap and Tax were to pass. The average person though has lots to lose, up to hundreds of dollars every month in increased home energy costs, increased gas prices, and overall higher costs of groceries and other goods as the companies that pay more for energy will pass their costs onto the consumer.

All of us who follow Palin know that she is pro clean energy and pro job creation especially by the private sector. She has championed the AGIA gas pipeline which will supply much needed energy and jobs to Americans while making sure it was the private sector that put up the money for it.

So who do you side with?

Contact your congressman and senator today and say NO to Cap and Trade.

Then show Moveon.org what you think of them using Palin in their campaign by throwing a couple of bucks in the jar over at Sarahpac.com

Below is Moveon.org's commercial featuring Palin.

Another Response to Peg Noonan

I remember once reading a comparison between George W Bush and Bill Clinton that made the point that someone who speaks in fits and starts is often attempting to be more accurate than someone who speaks more eloquently. The idea was that the guy who stammers is actually grappling with reality, while the smooth talker is simply "downloading" his thoughts.

Anyway, I thought of that when I read today's Letters to the Editor Column in the WSJ. The column begins with the following reader's thoughts on last week's Peggy Noonan Column:

Peggy Noonan's "A Farewell to Harms" (Declarations, July 11) contends that Sarah Palin is not smart enough to be a serious national leader. She concludes this from the poor interviews that Ms. Palin did while running for vice president. I don't believe Ms. Noonan really understands what "smart" is. Sounding good is what gets people elected, but unfortunately it is not really a sign of true intelligence. The ability to analyze available data or information and then develop effective solutions to problems by logic and reasoning is far more of an indicator of being truly smart. Along these lines, Sarah Palin did some amazing things. As governor of Alaska she took on the oil companies, got abundant energy production, and increased the share of the resulting revenues to the residents of Alaska.

Another attribute of smart people is the ability to learn from their mistakes and avoid repeating them. It will be interesting to watch Ms. Palin over the next year or so to see if she tries to develop a more impressive presence in interviews and speeches. Understanding that that is what really moves the needle with the population at large is essential for successful political aspirations. She's smart enough to figure that out and I think capable enough to accomplish it if she really wants to become a major figure on the national stage.

Robert S. Weiner
Atlanta

Go Atlanta! There are two more letters which also comment on the same [loony] column.

Sarah Palin's Op-ed in The Washington Post

Washington Post Op-ed: The 'Cap And Tax' Dead End

By Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK)

There is no shortage of threats to our economy. America's unemployment rate recently hit its highest mark in more than 25 years and is expected to continue climbing. Worries are widespread that even when the economy finally rebounds, the recovery won't bring jobs. Our nation's debt is unsustainable, and the federal government's reach into the private sector is unprecedented.

Unfortunately, many in the national media would rather focus on the personality-driven political gossip of the day than on the gravity of these challenges. So, at risk of disappointing the chattering class, let me make clear what is foremost on my mind and where my focus will be:

I am deeply concerned about President Obama's cap-and-trade energy plan, and I believe it is an enormous threat to our economy. It would undermine our recovery over the short term and would inflict permanent damage.

American prosperity has always been driven by the steady supply of abundant, affordable energy. Particularly in Alaska, we understand the inherent link between energy and prosperity, energy and opportunity, and energy and security. Consequently, many of us in this huge, energy-rich state recognize that the president's cap-and-trade energy tax would adversely affect every aspect of the U.S. economy.

There is no denying that as the world becomes more industrialized, we need to reform our energy policy and become less dependent on foreign energy sources. But the answer doesn't lie in making energy scarcer and more expensive! Those who understand the issue know we can meet our energy needs and environmental challenges without destroying America's economy.

Job losses are so certain under this new cap-and-tax plan that it includes a provision accommodating newly unemployed workers from the resulting dried-up energy sector, to the tune of $4.2 billion over eight years. So much for creating jobs.

In addition to immediately increasing unemployment in the energy sector, even more American jobs will be threatened by the rising cost of doing business under the cap-and-tax plan. For example, the cost of farming will certainly increase, driving down farm incomes while driving up grocery prices. The costs of manufacturing, warehousing and transportation will also increase.

The ironic beauty in this plan? Soon, even the most ardent liberal will understand supply-side economics.

The Americans hit hardest will be those already struggling to make ends meet. As the president eloquently puts it, their electricity bills will "necessarily skyrocket." So much for not raising taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 a year.

Even Warren Buffett, an ardent Obama supporter, admitted that under the cap-and-tax scheme, "poor people are going to pay a lot more for electricity."

We must move in a new direction. We are ripe for economic growth and energy independence if we responsibly tap the resources that God created right underfoot on American soil. Just as important, we have more desire and ability to protect the environment than any foreign nation from which we purchase energy today.

In Alaska, we are progressing on the largest private-sector energy project in history. Our 3,000-mile natural gas pipeline will transport hundreds of trillions of cubic feet of our clean natural gas to hungry markets across America. We can safely drill for U.S. oil offshore and in a tiny, 2,000-acre corner of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge if ever given the go-ahead by Washington bureaucrats.

Of course, Alaska is not the sole source of American energy. Many states have abundant coal, whose technology is continuously making it into a cleaner energy source. Westerners literally sit on mountains of oil and gas, and every state can consider the possibility of nuclear energy.

We have an important choice to make. Do we want to control our energy supply and its environmental impact? Or, do we want to outsource it to China, Russia and Saudi Arabia? Make no mistake: President Obama's plan will result in the latter.

For so many reasons, we can't afford to kill responsible domestic energy production or clobber every American consumer with higher prices.

Can America produce more of its own energy through strategic investments that protect the environment, revive our economy and secure our nation?

Yes, we can. Just not with Barack Obama's energy cap-and-tax plan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071302852.html

One more time on federal energy funds -- by Sarah Palin

By Gov. Sarah Palin
Spectrum
Published in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman on Saturday, June 27, 2009 10:12 PM AKDT


It is important for Alaskans to know that while state legislators resolved to accept all federal stimulus funds, I vetoed $28.6 million for state energy programs because it came with conditions. Many have looked at this money and did not see any strings. I can assure you, if we accept these funds there is great potential for Alaska to find itself on the hook (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

Let me set the record straight: Alaska has made significant investments to reduce energy costs. In fiscal years 2009 and 2010, we committed more than $600 million for renewable energy, weatherization, home energy rebates, power cost equalization and heating assistance (Palin, 2009, ¶2).

In addition, Alaska will receive $18.5 million for weatherization and $9.6 million for energy efficiency from the federal stimulus package. But the other $28.6 million comes with strings attached (Palin, 2009, ¶3).

Statements made by Congress and the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) on conditions for receiving the stimulus funds are available in statutory language and guidance. These statements highlight that: (Palin, 2009, ¶4)

1. Before the stimulus bill passed, it was clear Congress intended to tie the funds to adoption of new energy building codes (Palin, 2009, ¶5).



2. When Congress passed the bill, section 410’s language was clear: governors had to certify in writing that their state or all local jurisdictions with authority to adopt building codes would “implement” the new energy building codes or their equivalent (Palin, 2009, ¶6).



3. After the stimulus passed, the USDOE confirmed in their March 12 and April 24 guidance manuals that funding was only available if governors would confirm in writing that the state or all local jurisdictions with authority to adopt building codes “will implement” the target codes or their equivalents (Palin, 2009, ¶7).



4. After Alaska pointed out that its requirements were unreasonable, USDOE admitted the requirements were “not appropriate” for every state and offered to accept instead, a promise by the governor to promote the target codes on Alaska communities (Palin, 2009, ¶8).



5. On June 6, 2009, USDOE’s contractor developing measurement and reporting requirements related to energy building codes repeated in writing the position that all local communities without the target codes or an equivalent had to adopt the target codes (Palin, 2009, ¶9).

The bottom lines are: (Palin, 2009, ¶10)

• My administration was well-justified in its interpretations of what section 410 and USDOE statements were requiring as conditions to qualify for the funds. In some cases, the conditions were greater in scope than what the Legislature found (Palin, 2009, ¶11).
  
  
• While USDOE admitted that their requirements were not appropriate for every state, the department was still requiring the governor to push the target codes on Alaska communities (Palin, 2009, ¶11).
  
  
• In the June 6, 2009, draft compliance document, USDOE again put a position in writing that codes must be adopted. USDOE appears to be giving inconsistent verbal statements on its position. The fact that USDOE cannot settle on a position is cause for concern particularly regarding what USDOE will ultimately require from states who accept the funds (Palin, 2009, ¶12).
  
  
• Section 410 requires adoption of the 2009 International Energy Code for residential buildings and the Standard 90.1-2007 for commercial buildings or their equivalents. So, it is a single standard for energy savings that must be met by all communities. In that sense it is a one-size-fits-all type requirement. Communities may have some leeway to shape their specific codes, but they still have to adopt a code that does not drop below the federally mandated “floor” for energy savings (Palin, 2009, ¶13).

It is unclear what changes could be made and still reach the minimum savings level set by the feds. This intrudes on the authority of local governments (Palin, 2009, ¶14).

While the draft guidelines are voluntary for now, Alaskans should not be complacent. These guidelines could very well become mandatory over the next few years and be used by the USDOE to conclude that a particular state is not in compliance (Palin, 2009, ¶15).

Alaska is already a leader among states in pursuing conservation, weatherization, and renewable energy. We’ve done so largely with state funds and without infringing on the local authority of Alaska communities (Palin, 2009, ¶16).

Sarah Palin is governor of Alaska.

Commentary

It's too bad, Sarah Palin is not President of the United States, though in many respects she is doing his job for him and doing it very well, as we have seen with her overseas trip.

Governor Palin built a strong, cogent case as why she vetoed this poisoned money -- it comes complete with breaches of the Tenth Amendment. Local Alaskan communities manage their energy matters just fine without federal interference and its concomitant costs.

References

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, June 27). "One more time on federal energy funds." Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. Retrieved June 28, 2009 from: http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2009/06/28/opinion/columnists/doc4a4707cbc96ed839059305.txt

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TransCanada-ExxonMobil Agreement Moves Alaska Gas Pipeline Project Forward

"TransCanada Corporation and ExxonMobil announced in Dallas, TX [on June 11, 2009] that they...have agreed to work together to progress the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) Gas Pipeline Project" (AGIA, 2009, ¶1).

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin celebrates a landmark agreement between TransCanada and ExxonMobil to partner together in building Alaska’s natural gas pipeline – the largest and most complex construction project in North America. Governor Palin, center, is joined by (left to right) Marty Massey, Joint interest Manager for Exxon Mobil; Alaska Department of Natural Resources Deputy Commissioner Marty Rutherford; Rich Krueger, President of Exxon Mobil Production Company; Hal Kvisle, President and CEO of TransCanada Corporation; and Dennis McConaghy, Executive Vice-President of Pipeline Strategy and Development.

Following is the remainder of Governor Palin's release in its entirety, followed by commentary.

AGIA was created as a commercial vehicle for advancing the Alaska gas pipeline project through the first stages of development of what will be the largest private energy project in the world. "In a volatile world with growing energy needs, the time is now to develop Alaska's valuable resource for the environment, economy and national security,” Governor Palin said. She further described this historic announcement as “very encouraging and exciting, but certainly no surprise, because AGIA was crafted to allow just this type of commercial alignment to take place” (AGIA, 2009, ¶2).

For the State of Alaska and Alaskans, the owners of the North Slope’s world-class hydrocarbon resources, this event represents progress on this long lead-time project. Once construction begins, Alaska will experience economic growth not seen in over a generation, including potentially thousands of jobs created through construction of an open-access pipeline, as well as significant revenues generated from the production and sale of the gas (AGIA, 2009, ¶3).

Governor Palin said, “The Legislature voted in support of AGIA and subsequently supported issuing TransCanada the AGIA License because the legislators recognized the importance of this investment to our state’s economic future. AGIA and its ‘must haves’ protect the value of the resources that belong to all Alaskans. Of course, we recognize that this step is not the end of the AGIA process, but it is the natural evolution for a project of this magnitude.” Wednesday in Dallas, Governor Palin met with Hal Kvisle, TransCanada president, and Rich Kruger, president of ExxonMobil Production Company, to discuss the proposed alignment. Governor Palin said, “The meeting not only confirmed TransCanada’s commitment to the AGIA License, but also ExxonMobil’s commitment to continue to advance the Alaska Gasline project with TransCanada, including as additional alignments are reached with other stakeholders.” For TransCanada and ExxonMobil, the alignment provides a mutual benefit by bringing together the key skills of two world-class companies to effectively advance a project of maximum value and mutual benefit. For other producer and explorer companies, this project ensures their discovered resources can be transported to market, and at the lowest reasonable transportation cost. For America, this announcement means an affordable and clean source of energy is on its way and that, as a nation, we are much closer to domestic energy independence. “ExxonMobil recognizes that the State of Alaska has set a course for commercializing the North Slope’s trillions of cubic feet of known natural gas reserves,” the governor said. “By recognizing the value of Alaska’s relationship with TransCanada, ExxonMobil has made a strategic decision that I believe makes good sense. Alaskans will also be pleased to know that TransCanada’s obligations to the state as the AGIA licensee are 100 percent intact and unaltered by this alignment with ExxonMobil,” a fact that was echoed by Kvisle. AGIA involved an open and competitive bidding process and resulted in granting a license to TransCanada to move the project forward through one or more Open Seasons and eventual FERC certification. By providing matching funds during the risky development phase of this project, the state has secured commitments from TransCanada to conduct an Open Season by 2010 (AGIA, 2009, ¶4).

The mandated commercial provisions of the AGIA License also protect the long-term interests of the state by ensuring that pipeline transportation tariffs will remain low. This will protect the “net back” value of the state’s natural gas, which will provide Alaska’s economic base for future generations. These same provisions guarantee that new gas discoveries will be provided access to the pipeline and that any expansions of the pipeline will not result in tariffs that unduly burden new explorers for gas. The next major milestone in the AGIA process is the 2010 Open Season, slated to begin sometime in the second quarter of 2010. The regulatory, design, engineering and cost work leading up to this, and the feedback received in the form of commitments made, will play an important role in continuing the progress made to date (AGIA, 2009, ¶5).

AGIA Facts:

• Governor Palin introduced Alaskans to AGIA in January 2007, promising swift movement to get Alaska's gas to market.


• Alaska legislators passed AGIA 58 to 1 in May 2007.


• Five entities expressed interest in applying for the AGIA license to proceed with specific commitments from the State of Alaska.


• Private-sector competition created by AGIA encouraged another pipeline project, Denali, to begin down another path to bring Alaska's gas to market.


• Alaska legislators awarded the AGIA license to TC Alaska in August 2008.


• TransCanada pre-filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in May 2009.


• When built, the natural gas pipeline is expected to carry roughly 4 bcf/day, supplying up to 8 percent of the United States' annual consumption.


• TransCanada is a leader in developing and operating energy infrastructure in North America.


• ExxonMobil is the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company.
  

Commentary

Governor Palin through her AGIA is turning a 30-year-old pipe dream into not one but two gas pipelines. The AGIA project as documented above will bring natural gas from Alaska's North Slope to the continental United States via a connection in Alberta, Canada. The Denali project will be a smaller intra-state pipeline.

Governor Palin is doing what should be done -- exploring, developing, and using domestic energy sources. By so doing she is reducing our dependence on foreign sources -- many of which come from nations hostile to our interests. Domestic energy is also cheaper. We need more pipelines, more refineries, more power plants. Governor Palin is the right person to get the job done. She does not just talk about domestic energy development. She develops it.

Few elected officials have Governor Palin's subject matter expertise on energy exploration, production, generation, transmission, and distribution.

She chaired "the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), a multi-state government agency that promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment. She was recently named chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Natural Resources Committee, which is charged with pursuing legislation to ensure state needs are considered as federal policy is formulated in the areas of agriculture, energy, environmental protection and natural resource management. Prior to being named to this position, she served as co-chair of this committee" (Governor's Biography, ¶7).

This pipeline will be North America's largest infrastructure project. A project of this size and scope requires a proven track record in project management and executive skill. Governor Palin built and honed this skill over 17 years from her early days on the Wasilla City Council, and Mayor of her hometown, as chair of the IOGCC, and as Governor. Even her time spent on a commercial fishing boat as her husband's employee, sportscasting and waiting tables -- all these experiences involving running a successful business, handling and administering money, and performing hard physical labor -- adds up to the Sarah Palin we know today.

She has every reason to hold her head high and proud; she has every reason to strut in her Franco Sarto red high heels with a little more swagger. Governor Palin through AGIA provided us with a real stimulus package!

References

Dobson, C. (2009, June 11). TransCanada and ExxonMobil work together on Alaska pipeline project. TransCanada Corporation. Retrieved June 11, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/pdf/AK-TC-EM_ProgressPipelineProject_June11-2009.pdf

Governor Palin's Biography. (n.d). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 11, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/bio.php

Historic agreement moves AGIA forward. Governor applauds private-sector alignment. (2009, June 11). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 11, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1901

The Alaska Gasline Inducement Act. (n.d.). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 11, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/agia/

TransCanada and ExxonMobil Partnership Materials. (n.d.). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 11, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/agia/agia_tc-em.php

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May 24, 2009 Synopsis of Governor Palin's Accomplishments

Governor Palin requested preliminary damage assessments from FEMA to prepare for a federal disaster declaration for Alaska's flooded interior.

Governor Palin announced seven winners of the North Star Award for International Excellence -- an award she created in 2008 to honor excellence in these nine categories: trade (export of goods), trade (export of services), foreign investment, education, tourism, transportation, cultural exchange, humanitarian exchange or scientific exchange.

The Governor vetoed $28.6 million in stimulus money that would have involved federal interference with the state of Alaska.

Governor Palin signed bills removing experience caps on teacher's salaries and extending boat safety programs.

Governor Palin supported congressional provision permitting the carrying of guns in National Parks.

The Governor issued a statement on the Obama presidency and his interference with free markets.

A federal ethics complaint against Governor Palin pertaining to the borrowed clothes she wore during the McCain campaign was dismissed.

Governor Palin visited flood-damaged Tanana.

Governor Palin met with the U.S. Pacific Air Force Commander for a briefing on USAF Assets in Alaska.

An indirect accomplishment: Alaska State employees mediated a long-running dispute about allowing continued export of Cook Inlet gas while also ensuring gas supplies are made available for local utilities.

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Palin and Obama: Different Approaches on Energy

Governor Sarah Palin has an Op-Ed today at Newsminer which gives a very basic overview of the process by which her administration and the Legislature are searching for a way to bring affordable energy to as many Alaskans as possible. The op-ed mainly addresses the issue of an in-state gasline to help Alaskans see lower energy costs and offers information on the current step in the process, the review stage, which was funded by the Legislature per her request. The governor is also working toward an interstate gasline as well as development of the infrastructure necessary for gas liquefaction for purposes of export via shipping ports.

The issue of energy is both critical and complex. It's refreshing to see that Governor Palin and the Alaska Legislature seem committed to making determinations about energy that are based on energy itself, actual data and the overall impact for Alaskan businesses and consumers, not politics, ideology and entangling interests as we see in Washington with Obama's "cap and trade".

While Obama promises skyrocketing electricity rates and creates a government slush fund that will result in government actually becoming dependent on pollution for the tax relief he promises to voters (I often wonder why so many voters bought that promise on tax cuts but ignored the promise on skyrocketing electricity), Sarah Palin and the Alaska Legislature are keeping it practical. The gasline agenda in Alaska will be implemented only after thorough review and in consideration of the long-term impact for Alaska's citizens and businesses. These projects will stand or fall on their own merits, even independently of each other in terms of policy.

Thanks for keeping it real, Alaska.