Observations: “The Undefeated” Sarah Palin
- July 1, 2011 -
Last night, I was fortunate enough to see the “rough cut” version of the film The Undefeated. The movie officially opens on July 15th in select cities across the country (click here to see scheduled showings).
The Undefeated chronicles Sarah Palin’s journey of leadership from her days on the Wasilla City Council, through her abridged - yet extremely productive - gubernatorial term, and into her most recent role as a national Conservative leader.
THE FILM
As someone who did her homework when Governor Palin was selected to run with Senator McCain in 2008, I considered myself quite familiar with her record of achievement in Alaska. She tackled big issues that her predecessors avoided, and she was unabashedly prone to challenging the “status quo” in the name of bettering the lives of her constituents.
These unique (for a politician, anyway) traits are what led me to evolve my opinion of the governor, considering her more than a gifted communicator - she also gets things done.
Despite this background information, however, The Undefeated enabled me to see Governor Palin with new eyes. Though I was well-versed in many of the details of her political career, it was considerably more powerful to hear multiple, detailed interviews with other members of the Palin administration.
The litany of observations offered from those on the inside of Palin’s team revealed her to be a strong leader, devoted to Alaska’s citizens and the state’s future. In story after story, the picture of Governor Palin became clear: she has a servant’s heart and a lion’s will. Whatever the personal or political costs, she won’t back down and she won’t retreat from a course she feels is right.
JULY 15TH
The Undefeated officially opens in theaters across the United States on July 15th, 2011. If the reaction of tonight’s audience is any indication, this independently financed documentary is poised to make a strong impact with viewers.
I do not exaggerate when I say that people who walk into the theater with skepticism about Sarah Palin’s capacity to achieve higher office may very well walk out asking, “When is she going to announce?” and “How can I help?”.
Between now and the 15th, I hope that each of you will extend an invitation to your circle of friends and acquaintances to join you in seeing this film.
Sarah Palin has been mocked and vilified like no other politician in modern history. The unique circumstances in which she has found herself since 2008 have necessitated a unique approach to the telling of her story. Most political figures don’t have a feature-length film in their arsenal of story-telling tools.
But, Sarah Palin isn’t “most political figures.”
Whether you love her, or hate her; or, dismiss her as inconsequential, The Undefeated will give you unprecedented insight into the events and issues that shaped Sarah Palin into the Conservative firebrand she is today.
After July 15th, there will be no excuse for anyone to plead ignorance about Sarah Palin’s record. The only question that will matter is: Now that I have this knowledge, what am I going to do with it?
- tdc
MORE RECENT NEWS. JUST BECAUSE…
- Sarah Palin challenges President Obama to “toughen up” on Iran - via thehill.com
FILM TRAILER
Thomas Sowell: Ivy League Baton Twirling
One of the sad and dangerous signs of our times is how many people are enthralled by words, without bothering to look at the realities behind those words.
One of those words that many people seldom look behind is “education.” But education can cover anything from courses on nuclear physics to courses on baton twirling….
- Thomas Sowell, Real Clear Politics (May 10, 2011)
The average American voter today is regularly treated to shallow news reporting and unquestioning “puff pieces” that neither require nor inspire critical thinking.
Words are spoken. Stories are read. And here we sit, taking it all in.
In a new article titled The ‘Education’ Mantra, posted in Real Clear Politics, Thomas Sowell traces this passivity to what has become the norm in many of our country’s colleges and universities: an emphasis on “soft” education, rather than more serious subjects that groom students to become more - not less - productive in society.
In reading this article, you’ll see that, once again, Sowell has written a salient and thoughtful editorial that is worth sharing far and wide - readily addressing the impact of these curricular changes in higher education in the United States and across the world.
An excerpt from The ‘Education’ Mantra:
Many Third World countries have turned out so many people with diplomas, but without meaningful skills, that “the educated unemployed” became a cliche among people who study such countries. This has not only become a personal problem for those individuals who have been educated, or half-educated, without acquiring any ability to fulfill their rising expectations, it has become a major economic and political problem for these countries.
Such people have proven to be ideal targets for demagogues promoting polarization and strife. We in the United States are still in the early stages of that process. But you need only visit campuses where whole departments feature soft courses preaching a sense of victimhood and resentment, and see the consequences in racial and ethnic polarization on campus.
There are too many other soft courses that allow students to spend years in college without becoming educated in any real sense.
We don’t need more government “investment” to produce more of such “education.” Lofty words like “investment” should not blind us to the ugly reality of political porkbarrel spending.
Thomas Sowell is one this country’s most brilliant - and logical - economic minds. His ability to link political policy with “kitchen table” issues like commodity pricing, social relations, and, yes, education, is simply unparalleled.
Indeed, it might go a long way toward re-instituting “hard” education if Sowell’s body of work were among required reading in the core curriculum of every university. As it is, anyone who’s serious about understanding the holistic impact of economic policy in our society would do well to follow Mr. Sowell’s writings.
- tdc
MORE THOMAS SOWELL:
- Purchase the classic book Basic Economics
- Watch an interview with Mr. Sowell on the program Uncommon Knowledge
- Read his Townhall editorials at townhall.com
*Photo via wn.com
The Fed, QE2 and Sarah Palin’s Common Sense
There are several articles out this weekend discussing the policies of Ben Bernacke and the The Federal Reserve. All of this is in anticipation of Bernacke’s press conference this coming week - on Wednesday.
One the most comprehensive articles is posted at Business Insider, authored by Dian L. Chu.
An excerpt from Why The Fed Must End QE2 On April 27th:
When Transitory Turns Self-Fulfilling
The problem for the Fed is that this goes beyond current inflationary effects in the economy, but future expectations of inflation in the economy. And none of these are transitory in nature once they get embedded in the psyche of investors and consumers. The only way they were doused in 2008 when they were at these exact levels was a near historic crash in the financial and housing markets.
Absent of some similarly extreme deflationary event, inflation and expectations of inflation are only going to feed on themselves and become even more firmly entrenched in the economy, negatively reinforcing investors and consumer’s asset allocation and spending habits.
This all becomes self fulfilling in nature, and the real nasty part about inflation is if you don`t head it off early, once it gets even a little momentum, it becomes much more difficult to control and manage. This is where the fed is right now; they are at the cusp of losing control of their handle on inflation with their incredibly dovish stance towards inflation.
Read the entire article at Business Insider…
In addition to this, the NY Sun has posted an editorial piece asking how it is that Sarah Palin was able to predict the ineffectiveness of the Fed’s policies - particularly QE2. That article is titled Sarah Palin for the Fed? and is well-worth a read.
All of these articles point to less-than-ideal economic conditions for the United States in the future - unless someone at the Fed begins to accept the reality of our current situation.
We can only hope…
- tdc
*Note: Thanks to Conservatives 4 Palin - they have a good round-up of these articles and more at the link
*Photo credit: uk.ibtimes.com
When you do your investment portfolio, you don’t put all your money in one pot. I think that’s what the black community needs to start doing. We have to invest all across the political spectrum.
March 15, 2011 - Rep. Allen West (FL) in an interview with Roland Martin
Once again, Representative Allen West brings his calm, logical demeanor to a conversation that includes issues other politicians won’t touch…Like reaching out - in a real, not-for-polling-purposes sense - to communities and demographics that are often dismissed as a “lost cause” for the GOP and conservatives.
Keep it up, Mr. West…
*See the entire 9 minute interview at The Right Scoop
- tdc
Wasilla’s Other Warrior
LOVE
As many of you may know, I traveled waaaay up north to Alaska last summer, to visit this intriguing state and work on a political campaign for a couple of weeks.
Without a doubt, the most precious blessing of my stay in Alaska was meeting, for the first time, wonderful people I had previously only known via text messages, stories, and the occasional Facebook post. From that time on, I have come to consider these warm families - and “colorful” personalities - the dearest of friends.
Now, due to an unfortunate accident, one of those families is in need of our help.
HOPE
Shelby, 13 years old (who is pictured above on the right), was out sledding this past weekend on a popular hill, not far from her Wasilla home. Unfortunately, one of her runs down the slope went awry and she collided with a tree in her path. The angle and force of the collision resulted in a severe spinal injury and internal bruising.
After three painful days in the hospital, doctors were finally able to perform the necessary surgery to repair Shelby’s spine. Miraculously, her spinal cord was intact and there is hope for her full recovery.
However, Shelby remains in the hospital and her rehabilitation will be a long and expensive road. So, this family - who are beloved, cherished members of the Wasilla community - cannot do all of this alone.
FAITH
They need our prayers and they need our donations. If you are able to offer just one or both of these necessities, know that your generosity is very much appreciated.
Alaska is a place where neighbors take care of neighbors, and communities stick together. I hope that you will take this opportunity to join the community of support across the country for one of Wasilla’s youngest warriors as she makes her way back to health.
How you can help:
- Donations can be made directly here
- Leave your prayers and comments at the Friends of Shelby Facebook page
- Share this story with your friends on Twitter and Facebook - the more prayers the better!
- tdc
Palin has a strong executive record of nonpartisan governance and doing what she believed to be right, from which Alaska benefitted, thereby making her a threat to those who make their living and receive gratification by controlling others.
She has endured some of the most heinous media attacks in history, and I ask: Why? What has she done to warrant any of it? Who in all of recorded history has received such unwarranted or warranted venomous attacks? Eliot Spitzer gets a television program. Jim McGreevey is forgotten. Ted Kennedy is idolized. Sarah Palin? Demonized. What is the media’s true objective?
…
She is a strong woman with convictions and a belief in the U.S. Constitution, and the American will and spirit of the Founders that cannot, and will not, be broken — regardless of what the bitter media sends her way.
Click the link above to read the entire well-written editorial.
(h/t The Right Scoop via Twitter)
- tdc
