The Bard of Conservatism

I ran across a reference to "Bard" a few days ago. We all know how it it relates to Shakespeare, but I find that it applies equally to Sarah Palin on many different levels.

Per Wikipedia: ...the term "bard"...acquired generic meanings of an epic author/singer/narrator, ...or any poets, especially famous ones. For example, William Shakespeare is known as The Bard.

William Shakespeare composed multiple narratives (plays) that helped describe and define the culture of his time. His plays are considered classics by anyone that studies them. They still entertain us today in countless theaters and give us insight into the culture to which they relate.

Sarah Palin has traversed a similar path. She defines the rugged individualism of Alaskan life and uses its metaphors to describe the American experience. We relate to her because of our own experiences, which allows us to embrace she and her experience as our own.

She speaks the language of the "commoner", which Shakespeare perfected in his works, to the chagrin of his fellow playwrights. Sarah is no different, coming under assault by the bastions of elitism, which I can't begin to link.

Sarah spoke a simple truth in her remarks at CSU-Stanislaus. She spoke of conviction and patriotism, as defined by our history, but mandated by education. Her remarks spoke of a simple refrain: teach them what happened, not what the scholars say it means.

We are bound by tradition, in our families, our communities and our sense of country. We ask only to be heard and respected by what we have lived by and what we believe our future should be. We are born into a conservative lifestyle, and we hear the call of the Bard of Conservatism, and we like what she says.

Cross-posted on Generational Dysfunction

Unethical, Unprofessional Reporters Should Be Fired

Following Gov. Palin's speech at Stanilaus last night, several reporters made disparaging remarks about her not knowing or caring the mic was open.

Full of snark, they quipped about how it was "not possible to capture dumbness in two soundbites." Apparently, it is possible, because these reporters just did, capturing their own rank stupidity on an open mic.

We can only guess what kind of dispatches these "objective" reporters filed. This behavior is precisely why they are called "lamestream". If these reporters so could not stand Gov. Palin, they had an obligation to recuse themselves. A reporter's job is to cover the news, not broadcast snarky opinions on an open mic.

This video captured an egregiously unethical, and unprofessional act. These reporters should be fired.


- Posted using BlogPress from my Palin-Powered iPhone

Oops, my mistake. I thought it was students who were making silly remarks on the audio during Sarah's Speech.

The sophomoric remarks coming out of a more freshman mentality from what I originally believed to be student technicians on the Fox 40 live video feed of Sarah Palin's speech at Stanislaus University has to play on the nerves of any institution that would have made $200,000 and couldn't have figured out a way to run a direct video stream with audio through the board and not an open mic. At first, I thought the idiots were students at the school who worked in the AV department. The unprofessional comments made during and after the speech sounded to me like nothing more than a bunch of kids making stupid jokes about Sarah Palin while they screwed around instead of getting the volume level right, or having the camera properly positioned.

At first I questioned if this is why Stansilaus University needed the money. I thought possibly their AV department was a little short on funds or a little short on brains. But in retrospect, I owe an apology to the students for mistaking them to be the voices on the audio. I should have realized that students are better behaved than reporters.

Maybe Sarah shouldn't have gone. Normally, I would say yeah. But she gave one hell of a speech as she delved intellectually into the thoughts that should be going through most college kids' minds at the time. What does Alex de Tocqueville think? What's the difference between liberalism and conservatism? Why is it funny that she doesn't have the right straw? Who was Ronald Reagan and why was he so great?

After reading this statement from Fox 40, I am even more appauled at the conduct heard on the feed because it wasn't coming from students, but rather from reporters! While it does not excuse my initial reaction, it is understandable that anyone could have easily attributed the behavior of those whose voices were captured on the feed to immature people more likely to be of student age than to professional reporters who are supposedly trained in gathering news and disseminating information. My bad.

Apparently, reporters in today's "media" tend to act more like frat boys than professionals. And that showed. The only thing missing on the video was a keg and scantily clad women.

This clearly proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the media already has a pre-conceived anti-Palin bias. The glaring evidence of this makes one wonder if Palin should ever let media into another event again. It's obvious from the buffoonery that these reporters didn't hear a single word she said. Instead of paying attention to her, they paid attention to themselves and their childish remarks.

Stanislaus University should have provided the media with a clean feed. It would only be fitting of an institution that was cashing in big time on Palin's appearance. However, criticism of the university should end there and not be extended to any department or any group of students.

Sarah Palin "Polarizing". To Whom?

"Polarizing" is rapidly becoming the favorite term for detractors of all things Palin, especially in news coverage prior to her speech last night at California State University at Stanislaus in Turlock. "Whether you love her or loath her, this polarizing Sarah Palin is pushing forward here at CSU Stanislaus, helping celebrate 50 years of education here, preps are being made for the event, but tonight a Senator is calling her out," said Jonas Tichenor.

The "calling out" Senator is none other than California State Senator Leland Yee, whose anti-Palin tirades were covered by Stacy Drake, in Brown Plays Dirty Politics with Palin Speech, Says… HuffPo?, The California Persecution of Sarah Palin, and CA Lawmaker Targets Palin, Proves Why State is Such a Mess.

CA State Senator Yee's Anti-Palin Jihad - Who's the Polarizing Figure?

If we refer back to the Tichenor paragraph, CSU was happy to have Gov. Palin speaking on June 25. Her presence raised over $200,000 for the school - the point of her being there in the first instance. CSU arranged for her services through the Washington Speakers Bureau. Yes, Gov. Palin is getting paid for her work, as she should be. CSU raised money; Gov. Palin earned her pay. It's all good. It is State Senator Yee and Gov. Palin's enemies - who are many in liberal San Francisco - who polarized the whole situation with their antics.

Gov. Palin's Stanislaus Speech

Video retrieved from PalinTV



Video retrieved from PalinTwibe

The Modesto Bee account of Gov. Palin's speech reports that it was a smashing success. Gov. Palin netted the university over $200,000, the most ever raised in a single event. People paid $500 to see her and her speech on education and freedom was punctuated by standing ovations. How "polarizing" is that?

Why Leftists Call Gov. Palin "Polarizing"

Of course, we expect that leftists will find Gov. Palin "polarizing." In this instance, the more "polarizing" she is the better! Gov. Palin is "polarizing" because she honestly, openly, and transparently cuts through the bull, and clarifies precisely what is wrong with their ill-conceived policies.

But the leftist party machine is not the only party machine Gov. Palin has a long and proud history of bucking. Thus, we frequently see anti-Palin "conservatives" using "polarizing" in reference to her. They do so usually because their dream candidates did not secure an endorsement, or perhaps because Gov. Palin might actually run in 2012, thus denying the nomination to many other "great leaders" the GOP has to offer. Her "conservative" detractors also know that Gov. Palin would put an end to much of the chicanery within the party machine, thus upsetting their little apple carts.

A Common Theme Among Those who Find Gov. Palin "Polarizing"

To a one, those who find Gov. Palin "polarizing" either have a clear, present and vested financial or political interest to which Gov. Palin is a real or perceived threat or they have had their little political racket busted up by her and carry a grudge.

Common-sense Reagan Conservatives rally around Gov. Palin, which is probably most "polarizing" of all.

Sarah Palin’s Goal Of 50% Renewable Energy Use In Alaska Signed Into Law

By Gary P Jackson

One of the first things Barack Obama did, once he took office, was to announce a pretty ambitious goal of having the United States get 25 percent of it’s energy from renewable sources by the year 2025. To date, little if anything, has been done by the Obama regime to reach this goal.

On January 21, 2009 (Obama’s first full day at work) Sarah Palin, writing in the Wall Street Journal, praised this initiative strongly, while reminding Obama that conventional sources of energy will always be needed. She also announced that she was working on the goal of having Alaska get a full 50 percent of it’s energy from renewables in that same 2025 time frame.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Tax Cuts and Fiscal Discipline

By Sarah Palin

Especially evident in these trying economic times is America's need for affordable, abundant and secure energy. This means American energy resources developed through American ingenuity and produced by American workers. I applaud President Obama's focus on alternative and renewable energy, and here in Alaska we've joined the effort: I have asked Alaskans to focus on obtaining 50% of our electric generation from renewables by 2025. In the meantime, we must not abandon oil and gas exploration and development. In fact, Americans should demand the cooperation of the major oil producers so that Alaska's vast supply of clean natural gas can be brought to market. Alaska stands ready to positively contribute to the nation's markets and energy needs.

Another step on the path to economic recovery is to let Americans keep more of their income. Mr. Obama and Congress could make this happen with permanent tax cuts and by adhering to a path of fiscal discipline. When congressional appropriation trains run too hastily, they accumulate excess baggage, spending more taxpayer money. Leaving more money in American pockets through tax cuts and fiscal discipline stimulates the business-investment and job-creation climate -- the climate for economic recovery.

Finally, we are extremely proud of our men and women in uniform. Mr. Obama and Congress must continue to guarantee a strong national defense by modernizing and equipping our armed forces; by treating active-duty military and veterans fairly; and by supporting the families of our service members. America will face difficult challenges in the years ahead. As Mr. Obama takes the helm, our prayers are with him as he seeks direction for our great nation.

Now one must understand the rest of the story here. While Obama wanted to have the entire nation at 25 percent on renewables, Alaska was already there, and had been for some time. Many people don’t understand that while Sarah Palin’s Alaska was a leader in conventional energy production, environmentally responsible energy production, and the leader in weeding out corruption in the business and in the governmental agencies that regulate it, the state is also a leader in renewables. In other words, Alaska already gets 25 percent of it’s energy from renewable sources.With that said, shooting for the next 25 percent is big, bold, and ambitious.

Sarah understood this was a long term goal, just like AGIA, her natural gasline project, and something that would be ongoing well after she left office. Sarah left Alaska in the very capable hands of Sean Parnell, who has performed admirably as Governor, and continued on with Sarah’s policies. He has especially worked hard on energy related issues.

That brings us to this announcement, as reported by Wind Power Monthly:

US: Alaska has passed legislation calling for the state to derive 50% its electricity from renewable and alternative energy sources by 2025.

House Bill 306 reinforces a 50% renewables goal announced by former governor Sarah Palin. Notably however, the goal is not binding on utilities.

The bill calls for Alaska to encourage economic development by promoting the development of alternative energy sources, including geothermal, wind, solar, hydroelectric, hydrokinetic, tidal and biomass.

Paradoxically, the bill also calls for the development of non-renewable resources including coal, oil and natural gas. It says the state should "remain a leader in petroleum and natural gas production".

The bill says the state should review and streamline energy regulation, but does not offer details on how this would be accomplished.

Governor Sean Parnell said: "The policy encourages coordination of government functions and streamlines regulatory processes across all levels of government."

Parnell has also signed into law SB 220, which calls on the governor to submit a report to legislature recommending how best to increase coordination and efficiency between energy-related agencies.

The report is due by January 31, 2011. Alaska has 7.8MW of wind installed, placing it 32nd among the 37 US states with wind capacity.

Its largest and most recent wind farm is the 4.5 MW Kodiak Island wind project, which came online last year.

I love how this report says " paradoxically" talking about conventional energy sources. This reporter doesn’t realize that while Sarah Palin may have set this incredibly ambitious goal, and Governor Parnell and the Alaska legislature is doing it’s absolute best to achieve this for her, and the state, the rest of the country, sorely lacking leadership, is nowhere near meeting a far less ambitious plan.

We aren’t going to be getting away from a petroleum based economy anytime soon. As we reported here, quoting a study from 2008:

...... untapped reserves are estimated at about 2.3 trillion barrels, nearly three times more than the reserves held by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Counties (OPEC) and sufficient to meet 300 years of demand-at today’s levels-for auto, aircraft, heating and industrial fuel, without importing a single barrel of oil.

That’s three centuries worth of oil. Longer than The United States has been a nation!

This also doesn’t take into account the estimated billions of trillions of cubic feet of clean burning natural gas that also sits in the ground waiting to be used. We’ve long said if the environmentalists were serious, instead of chasing electric cars, hydrogen, or other money pits, they’d be working on converting the fleet to clean burning compressed natural gas for fuel.With the technology that currently exists, it’s a no brainer.

The Big Three automakers: Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors already offer CNG powered vehicles. Better yet, they offer dual fuel vehicles that can run on either gasoline, or CNG, so availability of either fuel is never an issue.

So, as shocked as the above reporter may be, tapping these incredibly abundant resources is not only smart, but essential. Can you imagine how the world, and America, would look if we weren’t sending somewhere between $700 billion and $1 trillion a year out of the country to buy crude oil?

Job creation alone would be staggering. The national security implications incredible. Much of those nearly $1 trillion spent annually go to nations that actively work against our interests. Many openly hate the United States, but take our money, and then use it to fight against us.

With that said, Sarah Palin’s goal of making Alaska energy independent just moved forward in a big way. If she can do this in Alaska, just think what her leadership, and inspiration, from the Oval Office could produce.

Palin: The Cost of Legal Warfare

Today, Meghan Stapleton posted about the status of the Alaska Fund Trust and the creation of a successor legal defense fund via Facebook Note on Gov. Palin's page.

First off, let’s keep in mind that this is about a legal defense fund. According to the Summary of Findings in the decision released today by the Alaska Personnel Board, nothing illegal and nothing unethical occurred because not a penny has been distributed. Governor Palin did nothing wrong. And in fact, everyone is in agreement that Governor Palin acted in good faith. Now, let me explain how we got here.

It is no secret that Governor Palin has been subject to political and legal attacks on an unprecedented scale. Since these attacks originate from her opposition, sometimes it can be a badge of honor to be the focus of such irrational hatred. But there is a cost to all of this.

Last year, those who willfully and excitedly violated or abused Alaska law showed they would do it again and again to either bankrupt Governor Palin or paralyze her success for Alaska. Governor Palin had a choice: plead guilty to things she didn’t do so that she could focus on the state and save money for the family – or defend her good name and reputation. She chose to fight back. In the end, Governor Palin and her attorney, Thomas Van Flein, successfully defended against well over two dozen complaints, lawsuits, and allegations. Time and time again during and after the 2008 Presidential election cycle, independent investigators proved that Governor Palin’s actions were sound, her judgment was proper, and her intentions were honest. In fact, the Personnel Board, the ethics board for the Governor of the state, never even had to take up a case as each was dismissed before making it to the next level.

But it did cost the Palins financially.

Seeing this nonsense, it was suggested to me from both sides of the aisle that one way to deal with the substantial financial cost these tactics were inflicting, was to create a trust fund for legal fees – just like all the other legal defense funds for prominent politicians who are targets.

As reported in the Wall Street Journal, “Such funds have become increasingly common as scrutiny of politicians has intensified.” (“Palin Backers Set Up Legal-Defense Fund”, Wall Street Journal, p. A-3, April 24, 2009)

When I approached Governor Palin with the idea, she had one primary directive – if it can be done lawfully, then I will support it. She also asked that, if possible, we keep it Alaskan.

One might think that creating a trust fund to collect money to pay legal fees should not be that complicated, but it turns out, it is exceptionally complicated. You should know that as many as seven lawyers were involved in the process; some of whom were and are nationally prominent experts in creating legal defense funds, in evaluating federal and state election laws, state trust law, federal and state tax laws, state reporting requirements and state ethics requirements. It is a sad commentary on public life today when the legal system can be used as a political weapon against an elected official, and it takes a battalion of lawyers to figure out how to fund a defense and counter-attack.

In any event, the legal team concluded that the fund they had created was lawful in all respects. I relied in good faith on that advice and advised Governor Palin of that advice.

Ultimately, the Alaska Fund Trust was borne, and within a day or two, a complaint was filed against it challenging its legality. (And like everything else, the public knew because someone – likely the complainant – violated the law and publicly released the accusation.) And so started another prolonged legal battle – this time to determine if the legal fund created to defend Governor Palin against frivolous ethics complaints was itself ethical. Quite a circle really. We made it clear that no money would be paid out on until the matter had been resolved.

Thus, to this very moment, the money received was frozen and no one, not the Palins, not the Palins’ attorney, no one ever received a penny from the Trust on the Palins’ behalf.

The Personnel Board initially appointed an “independent” investigator. That investigator, we later learned, had connections with, and was associated with President Obama. The Personnel Board had hired President Obama’s personal law firm as an “independent” investigator to review whether a fund created to raise money to eliminate a debt incurred as a result of Governor Palin’s opposition to President Obama was appropriate. We objected to both the illegal leak and the blatant political influence, and a new investigator was appointed.

The new investigator spent considerable time reviewing the old information and collecting new, but I think it proved to be too difficult to reverse an already-public decision. He concluded that the Trust fund violated Alaska law in two respects. His biggest heartburn was that we used the word “official” on the website. And he was distressed that we turned down an offer from a former White House Special Counsel to serve as trustee and instead chose an Alaskan whom Alaskans would recognize – Kristan Cole.

Kristan sat on several state boards as a volunteer public servant. The investigator concluded that because she sat on such boards, Governor Palin as governor was technically her boss, and therefore she should not be the trustee of the fund. That is his conclusion and we respect that. The law is not clear on this aspect, and not one member of the legal team saw this as an issue, but again, we respect the conclusion here and it is not worth the time or money to dispute that. But we do want to thank Kristan for taking on that otherwise thankless task. What is it they say about no good deed?

The other conclusion needs context. There was a point where it appeared that people around the country wanted to start legal defense funds for Governor Palin. The support and good will the people of this country have shown to the Palins is inspiring. But a concern was raised whether all these other potential funds would comply with various laws, including donation limits, limits against contributions from lobbyists or contributions from foreign nationals. So we used the word “official” in the website to distinguish the Alaska Fund Trust from ones we were not sure would be compliant. In our view, that was a solid and common sense reason to use the word “official,” but the investigator believes that it made it appear that the website was sponsored by the State of Alaska, and thus would be a use of Governor Palin’s ”official” office to raise money. We are not terribly persuaded that really would be the case or that any member of the public could be confused, but we respect the investigator’s evaluation of this point and it is not worth fighting about. Again, Governor Palin’s prime directive was simple – if this fund could be set up lawfully, she would support it. If not, it would not have her support.

So Governor Palin has reached a point where she decided to agree to resolve this matter with the investigator rather than spend time and money fighting an ethics complaint about a fund that was created to reimburse her for the money she has spent fighting bogus ethics complaints drawn up by insiders and outsiders violating and abusing Alaska law. Really, this is simple pragmatism and common sense.

As you know, we love a good fight, but we must pick our battles carefully. As a chief executive, Governor Palin makes the calls, and she knows that this battle, though important to her personally, does nothing for the country. She has bigger battles to fight, battles to restore our strength internationally and stand by our allies, battles to stop the downward slide of our economy, and battles to take back control of Congress.

However, I know and you know that no public official should ever have to bear the financial brunt of these attacks. And Governor Palin can lawfully raise money now through a brand new – not official but let’s call it “real” – legal defense fund without any risk of offending an investigator or state law. And such a fund now exists at http://www.sarahpalinlegaldefensefund.org/donate.php.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Alaska Fund Trust. Your heart was in the right place. And Governor Palin and her family have been overwhelmed by your generosity. If you want to, you can contribute to the new fund. In the meantime, we will try to contact you to get your donation returned from the old trust.

Now – back to motherhood for me! And common sense.

P.S. One last thought as we approach the anniversary of Governor Palin’s “reloading,” thank God she had the fortitude and wisdom to look down the road and see what she did – the state’s bills would have amounted to millions upon millions more and her personal legal bills would be personally insurmountable. I don’t know who would want to hold office under these circumstances and with loopholes our Alaska legislators refuse to close.

- Meghan Stapleton, Mom, Wife, and Now More Knowledgeable Than Ever About Legal Defense Funds

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Sarah Palin: Thank Todd Tiahrt for True Public Service

Governor Palin today endorsed Todd Tiahrt for Senator of Kansas, via Facebook Note.

I’m happy to endorse Todd Tiahrt’s campaign to be the next U.S Senator from Kansas. Todd is a protector of our Constitution, a pro-family, pro-Second Amendment Commonsense Conservative who has never voted for a tax increase and has fought to end the wasteful spending coming out of Washington. He didn’t just stand on the sidelines complacently, but instead actually battled against the bailouts, the debt-ridden stimulus spending, the cap-and-tax energy schemes, and Obamacare. In fact, remember on the day Obamacare was being debated, Todd Tiahrt was on the House floor all day working to defeat it, and he’s helped lead the charge to repeal and replace Obamacare the moment it was signed into law. We can count on Todd to take on the liberal spending agenda of the Obama administration and fight for lower taxes, more individual freedom, and less government intrusion.

Please join me in supporting Todd Tiahrt’s campaign by visiting his website at www.ToddTiahrt.com and following him on Facebook and Twitter.

- Sarah Palin

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