Happy Birthday, Bristol Palin!

What a coincidence! Sarah Palin's eldest daughter Bristol and the state of Alaska share a birthday!

It's been just a little over a year since America met Bristol Palin. And like her mother, she has made us proud. Not only did she choose life for her beautiful baby boy, Tripp, but she graduated from high school last year and is working two jobs to support her son.

Like Sarah, Bristol showed profound grace and fortitude in the face of the leftist onslaught of the media against this beautiful family. Having learned from her own experiences, she also became a spokesperson for teen abstinence.

So today, on behalf of Sarah's Web Brigade and all of our authors, I want to wish Bristol a very happy Birthday and a future filled with many successes. May all your dreams come true and all your plans succeed as you follow the special path God has for you.


More About Bristol:

Bristol Palin Begins Campaign Against Teen Pregnancy http://www.wowowow.com/politics/bristol-palin-begins-campaign-against-teen-pregnancy-286754

Bristol Palin Exposes Her Sometimes Isolated Life (People Magazine) http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20280071,00.html

Bristol Palin Graduates from High School http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20279197,00.html

Bristol Palin: I Have Bigger Worries Than a Graduation Party http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520878,00.html

Bristol Palin Puts Her Baby First http://www.thecelebritycafe.com/features/27815.html

Bristol Palin: Town hall in New York http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/05/bristol_palin_town_hall_in_new.html

Sarah Palin Says Daughter Bristol ‘Doing Just Great’ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20265779,00.htm

Happy Alaska Day and Happy Birthday Bristol Palin!

Governor Palin just posted on Facebook:

In March 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for two cents an acre. On October 18 of that year, authority over the territory of Alaska officially transferred to the United States when the American flag flew over Fort Sitka for the first time. Alaskans have celebrated “Alaska Day” on October 18 ever since. Though the purchase was derided at the time as “Seward’s Folly,” Seward was a visionary, and history has proven that his purchase of Alaska from Russia was never folly. Alaska has contributed greatly to the United States through our export of natural resources – from wild Alaska seafood, timber, and ore to our oil pipeline and future natural gas pipeline. Today we remember the wisdom of Secretary Seward and look forward to the hopeful future of the Last Frontier. Happy Alaska Day!

Today also marks a special occasion for my family as my eldest daughter celebrates her birthday. Happy Birthday, Bristol!

- Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin Easily Wins 3rd Politico Poll Over Obama & Biden

Once again Sarah Palin easily wins Politico’s Poll:  Which politician would you like to follow around for a day?   With 28,540 votes cast Governor Palin took 57% of the votes compared to 23% for the disaster Obama and 2% for the buffoon Biden. 

Back in early August and September Governor Palin also easily handled her GOP counterparts on 2 separate Politico polls and also a huge Newsmax poll with over 600,000 votes cast.  In the August Politico Poll Governor Palin received 46% to Governor Romney’s 25% and Speaker Gingrich’s 6%.  Politico’s September poll Governor Palin also dominated with 55%, Governor Romney 15% & Governor Huckabee 10%.  This poll had  a total of 24,046 votes were cast.

The largest and most comprehensive poll, by Newsmax, Governor Palin did even better.  She received an overall 83% approval rating and 78% said they would support her if she runs in 2012.  By all accounts, Governor Palin is the most popular GOP politician in the country and the front runner for 2012.  Not a single other candidate could fill a stadium nor out sell every author in the country.  Within 8 hours of  announcing her upcoming book and 8 weeks before it is released the book will most likely call for a 2nd printing printing.   The disaster Obama could not even fill a stadium unless it was a coordinated effort with union help or a paid-to-be-there audience.   As we all saw with his the fake town hall meetings for Obamacare.

As Obama creates more poverty and makes the poor poorer Governor Palin seems to be doing everything correct.  She is in control of the health care debate and beating Obama at every turn.   The reality is Obama has no business being in The White House and she does.  Embarrassingly, Obama is being pushed around by the UN, Iran, Chavez, nearly every European leader and, of course, Governor Palin.   God help us all.

Sarah Palin: Good Intentions Aren't Enough with Health Care Reform

Following is the complete transcript of Governor Palin's Facebook October 17, 2009 statement on health care:

Now that the Senate Finance Committee has approved its health care bill, it’s a good time to step back and take a look at the long term consequences should its provisions be enacted into law (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

The bill prohibits insurance companies from refusing coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and from charging sick people higher premiums. [1] It attempts to offset the costs this will impose on insurance companies by requiring everyone to purchase coverage, which in theory would expand the pool of paying policy holders (Palin, 2009, ¶2).

However, the maximum fine for those who refuse to purchase health insurance is $750. [2] Even factoring in government subsidies, the cost of purchasing a plan is much more than $750. The result: many people, especially the young and healthy, will simply not buy coverage, choosing to pay the fine instead. They’ll wait until they’re sick to buy health insurance, confident in the knowledge that insurance companies can’t deny them coverage. Such a scenario is a perfect storm for increasing the cost of health care and creating an unsustainable mandate program (Palin, 2009, ¶3).

Those driving this plan no doubt have good intentions, but good intentions aren’t enough. There were good intentions behind the drive to increase home ownership for lower-income Americans, but forcing financial institutions to give loans to people who couldn’t afford them had terrible unintended consequences. We all felt those consequences during the financial collapse last year. Unintended consequences always result from top-down big government plans like the current health care proposals, and we can’t afford to ignore that fact again (Palin, 2009, ¶4).

Supposedly the Senate Finance bill will be paid for by cutting Medicare by nearly half a trillion dollars and by taxing the so-called “Cadillac” health care plans enjoyed by many union members. The plan will also impose heavy taxes on insurers, pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, and clinical labs. [3] The result of all of these taxes is clear. As Douglas Holtz-Eakin noted in the Wall Street Journal, these new taxes “will be passed on to consumers by either directly raising insurance premiums, or by fueling higher health-care costs that inevitably lead to higher premiums.” [4] Unfortunately, it will lead to lower wages too, as employees will have to sacrifice a greater percentage of their paychecks to cover these higher premiums. [5] In other words, if the Democrats succeed in overhauling health care, we’ll all bear the costs. The Senate Finance bill is effectively a middle class tax increase, and as Holtz-Eakin points out, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation those making less than $200,000 will be hit hardest. [6] (Palin, 2009, ¶5)

With our country’s debt and deficits growing at an alarming rate, many of us can’t help but wonder how we can afford a new trillion dollar entitlement program. The president has promised that he won’t sign a health care bill if it “adds even one dime to our deficit over the next decade.” [7] But his administration also promised that his nearly trillion dollar stimulus plan would keep the unemployment rate below 8%. [8] Last month, our employment rate was 9.8%, the highest it’s been in 26 years. [9] At first the current administration promised that the stimulus would save or create 3 to 4 million jobs. [10] Then they declared that it created 1 million jobs, but the stimulus reports released this week showed that a mere 30,083 jobs have been created, while nearly 3.4 million jobs have been lost since the stimulus was passed. [11] Should we believe the administration’s claims about health care when their promises have proven so unreliable about the stimulus (Palin, 2009, ¶6)?

In January 2008, presidential candidate Obama promised not to negotiate behind closed doors with health care lobbyists. In fact, he committed to “broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are. Because part of what we have to do is enlist the American people in this process. And overcoming the special interests and the lobbyists...” [12] However, last February, after serving only a few weeks in office, President Obama met privately at the White House with health care industry executives and lobbyists. [13] Yesterday, POLITICO reported that aides to President Obama and Democrat Senator Max Baucus met with corporate lobbyists in April to help “set in motion a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign, primarily financed by industry groups, that has played a key role in bolstering public support for health care reform.” [14] Needless to say, their negotiations were not broadcast on C-SPAN for the American people to see (Palin, 2009, ¶7).

Presidential candidate Obama also promised that he would not “sign any nonemergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House Web site for five days.” [15] PolitiFact reports that this promise has already been broken three times by the current administration. [16] We can only hope that it won’t be broken again with health care reform (Palin, 2009, ¶8).

All of this certainly gives the appearance of politics-as-usual in Washington with no change in sight (Palin, 2009, ¶9).

Americans want health care reform because we want affordable health care. We don’t need subsidies or a public option. We don’t need a nationalized health care industry. We need to reduce health care costs. But the Senate Finance plan will dramatically increase those costs, all the while ignoring common sense cost-saving measures like tort reform. Though a Congressional Budget Office report confirmed that reforming medical malpractice and liability laws could save as much as $54 billion over the next ten years, tort reform is nowhere to be found in the Senate Finance bill. [17] (Palin, 2009, ¶10)

Here’s a novel idea. Instead of working contrary to the free market, let’s embrace the free market. Instead of going to war with certain private sector companies, let’s embrace real private-sector competition and allow consumers to purchase plans across state lines. Instead of taxing the so-called “Cadillac” plans that people get through their employers, let’s give individuals who purchase their own health care the same tax benefits we currently give employer-provided health care recipients. Instead of crippling Medicare, let’s reform it by providing recipients with vouchers so that they can purchase their own coverage (Palin, 2009, ¶11).

Now is the time to make your voices heard before it’s too late. If we don’t fight for the market-oriented, patient-centered, and result-driven reform plan that we deserve, we’ll be left with the disastrous unintended consequences of the plans currently being cooked up in Washington (Palin, 2009, ¶12).

- Sarah Palin


[1] See http://tinyurl.com/yjs3mgf
[2] See http://tinyurl.com/yfuw3k3
[3] See http://tinyurl.com/yfxq8ca
[4] See http://tinyurl.com/ykefsk6
[5] See http://tinyurl.com/ygf42fj
[6] See http://tinyurl.com/ykefsk6
[7] See http://tinyurl.com/lkvgsp
[8] See http://tinyurl.com/nx4nh6
[9] See ibid.
[10] See http://tinyurl.com/yhhr56v
[11] See ibid.
[12] See http://tinyurl.com/yhzhkvg and http://tinyurl.com/lhyr9o
[13] See http://tinyurl.com/yksd6h3
[14] See http://tinyurl.com/yl9gg27
[15] See http://tinyurl.com/yknpxd6
[16] See http://tinyurl.com/d2k5hb
[17] See http://tinyurl.com/yf8qmfh

Commentary:

Governor Palin astutely described the Law of Unintended Consequences as it applies to health care. "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions" may be hackneyed, but it is apropos in this instance. She delineates precisely how in paragraphs three and four, in discussing all the negative consequences of "Obama-care," in particular and top-down, big-government, micro-managed programs in general.

In paragraph 11, Governor Palin advances two free market solutions intended to work in concert with one another: permit consumers to buy health insurance across state lines, and provide tax vouchers for those who buy their own health insurance. Though not mentioned in this posting, Governor Palin has in the prior postings advocated for medical malpractice liability reforms.

Ronald Reagan would be very proud of his successor if he were alive today....

References:

Palin, S. L. H. (2009, October 17). "Good intentions aren't enough with health care reform." Facebook, Sarah Palin. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from: http://www.facebook.com/sarahpalin?v=app_2347471856#/note.php?note_id=155230603434

Like Ronald Before Her, Sarah is Leading the Way: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

YAY! Sarah's done it again. Not only is she going to continue Sarah PAC, but she has developed a new political organization, appropriately named "Stand up for our Nation." When I heard Sarah was developing a new political organization, I became so excited because it seems that whatever Sarah does, she does it well. Like many of you, I receive regular emails from "Newsmax." Just yesterday, when I opened up my "Newsmax" email, I was glad they had an article on this. What an amazing thing to set up an organization that according to the site "Texas for Palin," "will work to her advantage because it expands her political options." In true Sarah fashion, she is going to continue to stand up for Americans and for the nation. I couldn't think of a more appropriate title for her new political organization.



"Newsmax" speculates that Sarah's new political organization could be her way of taking another step closer to a 2012 presidential run. I know God has big plans for her, and as she has stated in the past, when God opens a door, she will plow through it. What an amazing philosophy on how to live your life. Sarah is a true blessing and strong woman of faith.



I truly hope Sarah will run in 2012 because she gives me hope like Ronald Reagan gave to so many in the 1980s. I was born in 1981, so I am proud to call myself a "Reagan Baby." While I was only a child throughout Reagan's presidency, I have been brought up with a great love and appreciation for all things Ronald Reagan.



After spending the entire summer reading as many books about Reagan as I could get my hands on, I see in Sarah Palin what so many saw in Ronald Reagan. Sarah is truly a Reagan incarnate. Like Ronald Reagan, Sarah Palin gives me hope that America can once again be that "Shining City on a Hill." And like Ronald Reagan, Sarah Palin knows that all too often, government is the problem, not the solution. Sarah IS the Ronald Reagan of my generation. Her no-nonsense common sense and sensible ideas make me want to stand up and help her make a difference. Never before have I felt this way, and I know that many of you can relate. My mom and dad feel the same way, and both tell me that not since Reagan have they felt so inspired as when Sarah came on to the national scene.



Like Ronald Reagan, Sarah is a western soul. Although Ronald and Sarah came from different states and grew up under different circumstances, they both share what is important to so many: A deep, abiding faith in God and an intense love for country. Sarah is as hard working as Ronald was, and like Ronald, she is not afraid to get her hands dirty. One of the books I read this summer, that I highly recommend, is Peggy Noonan's "When Character was King." I will never forget Noonan's description of how much Ronald Reagan loved his California ranch, and how much he loved to put on a simple pair of jeans and just put his hands in the soil and work. He felt at home on his ranch. This is how Sarah feels about Alaska. While Alaska and California are very different places, the western appeal and love for the outdoors many in each state feel is inescapable. Like Ronald Reagan, Sarah's love for the outdoors has helped shape who she is as an individual.



One of the most fascinating things I loved about Ronald Reagan was his amazing independent streak. I see this same trait abundantly clear and alive in Sarah too, which is so refreshing, not to mention endearing and much-needed in this ever-changing world. Sarah doesn't walk with the Washington herd, which is so appealing especially considering the current state of Washington D.C. When so many are bickering, Sarah, like Ronald before her, is finding the real solutions and actually giving ideas. The folks in D.C. could definitely learn a thing or two from her.
Let me tell you something that really excites me: The folks on "Mainstreet U.S.A." are listening, and more and more people are listening to her everyday. Come election time, they are the individuals who matter.



Ronald Reagan was a true diamond in the ruff, and Sarah Palin is a diamond of the same kind. She is a true gem who, I have no doubt, IS the future of America. Not only is she taking a cue from a great man, but she is leading the way in her effort to restore America, and her PAC as well as her new political organization are two great examples of this. In true Ronald Reagan fashion, Sarah is leading the way to a better, stronger and safer America- You betcha she is!




(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://www.conservativegirlwithavoice.com. I'm on Twitter too @rachellefriberg.)

Update to "Public School Library Propagates Falsehood that Governor Palin Banned Books"

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

On September 29th, I posted an article called "Public School Library Propagates Falsehood that Governor Palin Banned Books." (See video at the end.)

To recap:

I was walking on my way to the weight room this evening when I stopped dead in my tracks after taking a few steps past the library. I backed up and took in the display in the window, which includes various books, quotes, and poetry about reading and book banning. Only one person's picture is a part of the display--and that person is Governor Palin. It was included in an old article called "Sarah Palin, aspiring book banner?" which was published in the LA Times a year ago. That article makes up a homemade poster that says, "Sarah Palin + Banned Books = Censorship."

Listen, I'm not talking about a local area library. I'm talking about a public school library, where they use this week to demonize Palin as the enemy of free thought, reading, and exploration. Nevermind the plethora of information out there that she never sought to ban books but had asked a general question of a librarian to discover how she would deal with censorship. Nevermind the numerous times Governor Palin has herself stated she never sought to ban books. And nevermind the fact that some of the books on the list, like Harry Potter, hadn't even been published yet! No, facts aren't important.

[...]

On the left and right of the display in the library window is the poem "Manifesto" by author, Ellen Hopkins. In the poem, Hopkins blasts "zealots, biggots, and false patriots," for their desire to censor. This poem is the official poem of this year's Banned Books Week--and Governor Palin's picture is the centerpiece!

What gives them the right to place this attack in the library window? Who approved the display--or who overlooked it? Am I the only person who walked by and saw it? What impression does it give our children? What impact will this have on their vote in a few years? I am livid, as I should be. This is absolutely unacceptable behavior.

[...]

My approach tomorrow? I will go into the library with the facts and present them respectfully. I will ask that Governor Palin's picture and the article be removed. If that is denied, I will request they hang another article next to it--which I will graciously provide--that refutes the falsehoods. If I do not get anywhere with the librarian, well, I'll go to the next level. It is my hope that my talk with the librarian will suffice, but we'll see what happens.

So what has happened? Many of you have contacted me to find out what became of the situation. Time has transpired, but please know that I haven't been sitting around for the last couple weeks. I have actually been very much in the thick of things, battling this situation and standing up for the truth--the truth about Governor Palin, yes, but more importantly, truth for our kids who deserve as much in an educational setting.

So let me take you step by step through this situation.

Tuesday evening, September 29th:
I notice the display.

Wednesday morning, September 30th:
First thing in the morning, I enter the school library with articles that state the truth about the book banning accusation that surfaced during the 2008 campaign. I respectfully address the falsehood. The librarian acknowledges that Governor Palin never banned books, but states that she believes Palin wanted to ban books. Therefore, she feels justified in hanging a poster, which she admits she personally made, that links Governor Palin to banning books. She, too, is respectful, but she refuses to remove Governor Palin from the display. Even after over 20 minutes of conversation, she will not budge--only says she'll do more research. During the conversation I suggest putting up, alongside her display, the articles that I have that state the facts.

Wednesday afternoon:
A co-worker comes to see me because the librarian emailed her a link to the blog I wrote about the display. (Apparently the librarian came upon it in her research.) We engage in conversation regarding the issue.

Wednesday, later in the afternoon:
I haven't heard more from the librarian, and I seek out the principal. I ask him if we can have a meeting about the issue, and I fill him in briefly. I explain that Governor Palin's picture was in the midst of a display with a poem calling out "bigots, zealots, and false patriots." I also tell him the banned books lie was dealt with a year ago. He cuts me off, says a meeting isn't necessary, and that he will take the display down "right now." He tells me he has not seen the display. At this point, I think the falsehood is dealt with and all will be well--responsible action taken.

Wednesday, before the end of the day:
I receive an email from the principal stating he has seen the display, has talked to the librarian, and if I need to talk to him further, give him a call. At this point I realize he has not directed the librarian to remove Governor Palin from the display. I call his office, but he is in a meeting. I stop in to see him before I leave work, but he has left. I go by the library--and there the dishonest display remains. (How many students have been lied to by now?)

Thursday morning:
I drop by the principal's office to talk to him. I spend about a half hour discussing the issue with him. I explain that I didn't want to have to come to him, that I was hoping the librarian and I could have resolved it. He has a copy of the article that she posted and says she told him that because Governor Palin is "provocative," she wanted to use her to draw the kids in. I explain that as an educational institution, it is absolutely necessary that we draw kids in with the truth, not lies that amount to defamation. I also say that the librarian has admitted that Governor Palin never banned books, yet is insisting on keeping the display up. I use the example that President Obama is also provocative and that there are many opinions of him, for example the birth certificate issue, but that to put up a display that said, "President Obama + No Birth Certificate = Illegal Alien" or something like that would not only be unfair to him, but it would be unfair to our students. I point out that this is clearly an attempt to demonize Governor Palin and to indoctrinate our students--and neither has a place in a school. He doesn't say much throughout our conversation, just looks at me and allows me to speak. I reiterate that Governor Palin never, ever asked for books to be banned, and that it is on record that no books were ever banned from the Wasilla Library. I have the evidence with me. I mention also that at this point the display has been up too long, hundreds of students have seen it, and the responsible thing would now be to take down the display and post the truth. If we are going to be in the business of educating, it's important to use facts--and when we mess up, just correct it. It's that simple. As the meeting is winding down, he eventually says, "I will speak to her." When I ask if he will ask her to remove the misinformation about Governor Palin from the display, he simply repeats, "I will speak to her." When I ask, "Will you let me know the decision about the display?" he answers, "I will speak to her." I then say, "Well then, I'll follow up," and I leave his office.

Thursday, after school ended and most staff had left:
I walk by the library to see if the display is as it has been. It is unchanged.

Friday morning:
I email the principal to state that the display was still up as of Thursday evening, and that since this is the last day of Banned Books Week, the responsible thing to do in our quest for teaching young adults the truth is to put up a display that states the fact that Governor Palin never banned books. I write that our children deserve as much and that it is our responsibility not to cause even one of them to be misled. I receive no response.

Friday, well after school had ended:
I walk by the library and see that the display is down. I pretty much expected this since Banned Books Week is over. Another display for Day of the Dead is up. I then decide to go to the Administrative Suite to see if the superintendent is still there. He is. I explain the situation to him--and he appears very supportive. He had not been aware of the situation and seems concerned that something of this nature would be displayed in our school. I express that it is not only flat out dishonest, but it is unfair to the students we are committed to educating. He is especially interested in the fact that the librarian has acknowledged that she knows Governor Palin never banned books. I state that the responsible thing to do now is to put the truth up, as we have displayed a lie to hundreds of students in the past week in an attempt to demonize one person and advance a political agenda. My point to him is this: if that wasn't the motivation, why wouldn't she put up someone's picture who actually had banned books? I tell him that I want the truth to be displayed where the lie was for all our students to see, that this is the only responsible action. I state that the only thing that would keep someone from doing so is pride. He suggests that what I'm asking is reasonable but that he wants himself, the principal, librarian, and me to meet. I leave his office feeling good about the meeting and believing we will do the educationally responsible--and moral--thing.

Monday, October 5th:
At the end of the day, I email the superintendent about where things stand in terms of setting up a meeting about displaying the facts. I state that I would really like to get this out of the way.

Tuesday:
I pass the superintendent in the hall in the morning. He states that we will have a meeting and thanks me for the reminder email.

Wednesday and Thursday:
I receive emails from the principal and his secretary about meeting with him. These emails amount to: I state that we have already met privately and that I would like to have the meeting the superintendent and I discussed--with everyone present. I send emails to all involved stating again that I'd like to do the responsible thing and correct the wrong by displaying the truth for our students. I email my times of availability to meet during the day or after school. I receive an email from the principal's secretary stating he can meet eight days later. I respond by stating that date is too far away and perhaps something will open up sooner. The principal emails that it is very difficult to arrange a meeting that fits everyone's schedule and would let me know when something opens up. I send him a "thank you" email.

Friday:
At the end of the day, as I am co-teaching a class, I receive a phone call from the principal's secretary stating the superintendent, principal, and librarian are waiting for me to attend the meeting. Apparently there was some miscommunication because I had never been notified that the meeting was arranged. I leave the class in the hands of the co-teacher and go to the meeting.

Meeting:
I am asked to share my concern again. The superintendent expresses his viewpoint, which is that this should have been taken care of when I first went to the librarian. In other words, the display should have simply been taken down, as I came respectfully and directly to the librarian. The librarian states that she wanted to draw the kids' attention to Banned Books Week and Governor Palin could do that. When asked if it worked, she says that it did work, that many students came in to ask questions and to borrow books. There is a lot of discussion, which boils down to my stating that it is dangerous to use people and lies to shape the thinking of children. The superintendent voices his concern about the display and states that it should have come down, but says that he isn't sure he wants to become like a newspaper and retract what was up. I maintain that as educators this is the right thing to do. After all, the librarian herself said that many students took note of the display and discussed it. I express again that using only one person's picture--and someone who never banned even one book--to be the poster child of a display about "bigots, zealots, and false patriots" is unacceptable. I say that the librarian is entitled to think Governor Palin wanted to ban books, but she is not entitled to take that thought to the next level and present it as fact, which is exactly what a poster that says "Sarah Palin + Banned Books = Censorship" and an article about it does. I also state that if she thinks the governor wanted to ban books, then maybe she should wait until "People I Think Wanted to Ban Books Week" to put her in the midst of a display! When the superintendent asks the principal what he feels about the retraction display I am requesting, the principal doesn't commit one way or the other, just states that he understands both sides. The superintendent hears from the librarian, who asks if I am requesting displaying the truth in my classroom. I say, "No, in the same place the misinformation was." (Why would I put it in my classroom? I have nothing to retract, and the affected students aren't in my classes, as I teach in the connected junior high school, not the high school.) She goes on to say that my addressing it to "the whole world" on my blog and Twitter page should suffice, and the library is her classroom. The superintendent states that what I write or do outside of school is not his concern but the school is. She says in no uncertain terms she doesn't want the display I am proposing and that something else is already displayed in that space. I tell her that I understand that teachers like things in their rooms that represent them to a certain extent; however, this cannot come at the expense of providing our students with the truth. The meeting winds down and I am told that after I leave, the three of them will discuss the issue further and a decision will be made.

Monday, October 12th:
Columbus Day--no school.

Tuesday:
I email the superintendent and ask what decision he reached. I thank him for his attention to the matter. I don't get a response.

Wednesday:
No response

Thursday, end of the day:
I email the superintendent again and state that, having not heard back from him, I will assume he has decided not to approve a display that will provide our students with the truth to correct the falsehood they have been given.

Friday, today:
No response

Surely it is clear that I went above and beyond to do things properly in this situation. I never wanted to go to anyone in the district but the librarian. I never wanted to go over her head. That is simply not my heart. However, I do believe that it is becoming more and more important for people to stand up for what's right. In too many situations, like in New Jersey, students are being indoctrinated to almost reverence the president. The reverse of that seems to have taken place here, with a door being opened for students to despise Governor Palin. Neither is appropriate.

Even more upsetting than the demonization during Banned Books Week of one person who never banned books is the failure to act to correct it. It's easy to take the back door approach, to say, "What can we learn from this?" and never re-educate those who were miseducated. It's much more difficult--albeit responsible--to correct the misinformation. I have been teaching for fourteen years. I cannot say that I have done everything right all the time. No way. But I have at times had to humble myself before my students and apologize when I have done them wrong--and our students were done wrong here, as was Governor Palin.

To be clear, I wasn't asking for a display that stated, "I lied! Sarah Palin never banned books. I made that up, purposely misinformed kids, and demonized someone to promote a political agenda." I could have asked that because I believe the facts show that this is exactly what took place. However, all I was going to display was a poster that stated the fact that Sarah Palin never banned a book and an article with a few quotes. I told them I have the official word from the Town of Wasilla written on their own letterhead.

If we had simply done the right thing, the display would have been up and down by now. I believe that a person without an agenda would not have objected to correcting the display--for the sake of the students, if nothing else. But we're not stupid. This was no honest mistake. And who pays the price for something like this? Our children do, of course. They get lied to, and their impression of a public figure gets tainted. Wasn't that the point, though?

I have personally done all I can on my end to hold people accountable in this situation and to ask for assistance from those who have the power to provide it. As I told you when this first happened, I will let you--the concerned public--know how it turned out. I asked you to be patient and not to react before the wrong had a chance to be righted. You obliged, and I thank you. I wish I could tell you now that your patience amounted to the defamation and misinformation being corrected. All this time later, it has not.

I place no further demands on your patience.

Below is an interview I did on the Eddie Burke Radio Show. At 2:19 in, you will see pictures that show the display.


Thanks to Sheya for the Eddie Burke audio/video footage.

Representative Michele Bachmann Welcomes Governor Palin Comparison

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

The New York Times reports the growing popularity of Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann and basically coins her "the other G.O.P. Lightning Rod." We all know who the perceived lightning rod is.

Not bad for someone less than three years on the job.

Here in Ms. Bachmann’s district, and in much of the country, that outsized celebrity has boiled down to this: They adore her or they loathe her.

As the health care overhaul moves closer to a full debate in Congress, Ms. Bachmann is under attack from the Democratic National Committee for spreading “reckless lies” about the overhaul, one of a handful of Republicans singled out as part of the committee’s “Call ’Em Out” campaign.

Sound familiar? Seems that not too long ago Governor Palin was called a liar by those who took offense at her fearless comments about "death panels," which caused even President Obama to cast off all self-restraint as he referred to her time and time again. Talk about being all wee-weed up.

Some of Ms. Bachmann’s fellow Republicans, meanwhile, are drawing glowing comparisons between her and Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and Republican candidate for vice president. Sean Hannity, the conservative talk show host, has introduced Ms. Bachmann as “the second-most-hated Republican woman in the country, second to Governor Palin, which is a good position.”

Being compared to the governor, who is as admired for her common sense conservatism as she is hated by the those who fear the same, is a badge of honor. And what reaction does Representative Bachmann have to such comparisons?

Ms. Bachmann, a lawyer, former state senator and mother of five who with her husband, Marcus, a clinical therapist, has opened their home to 23 foster children, has not so far objected to the speculation, particularly the comparisons to Ms. Palin.

“Sarah Palin is a dedicated mother, committed public servant and strong political figure who has fought hard to protect life, the family budget, and freedom,” Ms. Bachmann said, noting that Ms. Palin’s book — not yet out — was already selling in enormous numbers, while “Nancy Pelosi’s book sold a paltry 2,737 copies in its first week of sales” in 2008.

Read the entire article here.