tdc and governor sarah palin go running
Ok. Not really.
BUT, as a bit of lighthearted fare in the midst of the health care hootenanny and the upcoming cap ‘n tax crap, I thought I would share some amusement from my morning jog. And by “amusement” I mean “wow, it’s so sad how my life is totally wrapped up in politics that I should really keep this story to myself.” Anyway…
This morning I did a short 30-minute jaunt through the sunny (blinding) warm (40s) streets of my neighborhood so that I could feel less like a sloth as I settled in work on the laptop all day. I haven’t been running as much the last few weeks, so even on this short trip, I could feel my legs getting heavier as I made my way down the winding sidewalk back towards my house - about 200 yards away. I started doing “that thing” where you mentally tell yourself that you’ll just run to that next crack in the sidewalk, or that tree, or that pile of dog poop that the owner really should have picked up...
Apparently, though, I should have set my sights on something a bit closer. Like, whatever was under my feet. Unbeknownst to me, a renegade patch of dirt (filled with lovely foliage later in the season) was about to interrupt the concrete on which I traveled and, sure enough, as soon as the terrain changed…yep - I bit it!
And, I even heard myself grunt…
Luckily, there were no dog-walkers on the path at that moment to point and laugh. And luckily, it was still cool enough that I had on tights and light gloves so when I hit the dirt, there was no danger of permanent scarring. Ego aside.
Anyway, the reason I am telling you this on my politics-related blog and not sharing it with my friends on my non-political Facebook wall is because as soon as I got up, I started laughing thinking about this quote from the good Governor:
…My favorite thing in the world is to run on hot, dusty roads. I don’t get enough of that in Alaska, so I was in heaven. And there were plenty of hills, so I knew my thighs were going to just throb and my lungs were going to burn, and that’s what I crave.
I like running alone, and having the Secret Service with me added a little bit of pressure. I’m thinking I gotta have good form and can’t be hyperventilating and can’t be showing too much pain, and that adds a little more pressure on you as you’re trying to be out there enjoying your run. Then I fell coming down a hill and was so stinkin’ embarrassed that a golf cart full of Secret Service guys had to pull up beside me. My hands just got torn up and I was dripping blood. In the debate you could see a big fat ugly Band-Aid on my right hand. I have a nice war wound now as a reminder of that fall in the palm of my right hand. For much of the campaign, shaking hands was a little bit painful…I made those guys swear to secrecy. And I probably should have gotten a couple stitches…
So, you see? Cool people fall when they run. And the REALLY cool people get up all bloody and then refuse medical attention!
the design conservative has not yet reached such esteem, but sincerely hopes that today was the first step to achieving this lofty goal of “really cool-ness”. In the meantime, I can only hope that the dog days of summer and the subsequent shedding of tights and gloves will lead to my own running wounds that, someday, will be compared to those of our first Madame President.
But until that day comes: seriously, people - watch where you’re going…
- tdc
*Read Governor Palin’s Runner’s World interview - via Runnersworld.com
governor sarah palin: faith, hope and love of country
Yesterday, the United States House of Representatives voted to approve the Senate health care bill that has been winding its way through the legislature for months. As a result, our country has been cast down an uncertain path that leaves many of us apprehensive about the future stability of our nation.
The health care debate has been personal for all of us, albeit in different ways, because health care is personal. Every citizen is at the mercy of the system in which he finds himself. It can takes months or years to find a health care provider with whom one is comfortable, and the idea that the government might somehow impede this relationship is daunting to say the least. Thus, the intricacies of the health care bill(s) have been the subject of passionate debate on both sides.
The difference between those two sides, of course, is that the opposition of (primarily) Republican and Independent representatives was based upon sound economic and practical reasoning, while those in favor of the health care overhaul almost uniformly resorted to tales of “a woman in my district” or “a man who wrote me a letter” to make their arguments. All of these individuals were said to be at death’s door with an ill-intentioned, scalpel-wielding doctor on one side of the hospital bed, and an Armani-suit clad insurance agent on the other.
Needless to say, many of us found ourselves frustrated with the superficial nature of the debate and, now that the bill has passed, we have awakened the morning after, wondering where to go from here.
A New Day and Renewed Faith
Thankfully, Governor Sarah Palin has, once again, stepped in to offer guidance, inspiration, and optimism - characteristic traits that have endeared her to millions of people across the country. Today, on her Facebook page, Governor Palin described the current state of things, writing:
We’ve been reminded many times that elections have consequences. Yesterday we saw the consequence of voting for those who believe in “fundamentally transforming” America whether we want it or not. Yesterday they voted. In November, we get to vote. We won’t forget what we saw yesterday. Congress passed a bill while Americans said “no,” and thousands of everyday citizens even surrounded the Capitol Building to beg them not to do it. Has there ever been a more obvious exhibition of a detached and imperious government?
As usual, she succinctly spoke for millions of like-minded citizens who continually feel as if they have no voice in the halls of Congress or the White House. Having eloquently underlined the issue at hand, though, Governor Palin also demonstrated the grit and perseverance that have served her so well in her life and career [emphasis mine]:
Though they’d like us to forget, we will remember the corrupt deals, the corrupt process, the lack of transparency, the deceptive gimmicks to game the CBO score, and the utter disregard for the will of the American people. Elections have consequences, and we won’t forget those who promised to hold firm against government funding of abortion, but caved at the last minute in exchange for a non-binding executive order promised by the most pro-abortion president to ever occupy the White House.
All along we’ve said that we want real health care reform, but this isn’t it. We mustn’t be discouraged now. We must look to November when our goal will be to rebuke big government’s power grab, reject this unwanted “transformation” of America, and repeal dangerous portions of Obamacare that will bury us under more Big Government control.
This is just the beginning of our efforts to take back our country. Consider yesterday’s vote a clarion call and a spur to action. We will not let America sink into further debt without a fight. We will not abandon the American dream to government dependency, fewer freedoms and less opportunity. Change is made at the ballot box. If we work together, we can renew our optimistic pioneering spirit, revive our economy, and restore constitutional limits.
Stand tall, America. November is coming!
It is difficult to say whether Governor Palin is truly aware of the comfort and encouragement her voice - and pen - offer to disenchanted citizens across this country. Perhaps she does know. Or, as many of us believe, perhaps she simply says what is on her heart and happens to speak for all of us…because she is one of us.
On a day like today, when despair, exasperation, and anger could prevail, Governor Palin’s words are a welcome call to remember from wherest we came. The United States was built upon the fortitude and love of country that is so simply expressed by this woman whom many would like to call “Madame President” one day.
Let us heed her challenge and utilize the power of our collective voices and the privilege of our vote to restore the promise of our country. November is, indeed, coming…let’s be sure to be ready.
- tdc
*Photo courtesy www.floppingaces.com
welcome to the social vortex where crass is funny
I wasn’t going to write about this issue anymore this week.
I was going to let it go after I said my piece about the Family Guy “incident”. After all, if I wanted to, it would be possible to spend all day every day tracking down tasteless comments in the media that belittle one Palin or another; and frankly, I am not inclined to risk my blood pressure or sanity in that effort. Unfortunately, though, the following quote brought me back into the fray:
“…while we were off, Sarah Palin agreed to do commentary at Fox News. Which is actually very similar to her day job - talking to a baby with Down Syndrome.”
- Bill Maher, in an “Exclusive Rant” for The Huffington Post
When I heard this comment on the radio yesterday, I felt compelled to address it as a matter of humor, taste, and simple decency. You see, for Bill Maher and countless others with oversized soap boxes, there is neither humor, nor taste, nor decency in what they do.
As illustrated by the events that have taken place over the last few days, it seems all sense of decorum goes out the window where the Palins are concerned. Not only is there a constant barrage of vitriol aimed at Sarah Palin, but her husband and children seem to be acceptable targets as well.
Even the youngest - her toddler, Trig.
If The Family Guy writers or Bill Maher provide any clues, it seems Trig’s only crime is that he was born into a well-known family that happens to adore him just as he is. Rather than celebrating the Palins, and others like them, as examples of the unconditional love and strength required of families with a special needs child, Maher and his ilk have chosen to poke fun at something that really isn’t funny.
Trig has Down Syndrome. Why is it necessary to draw attention to him as the butt of your sadistic “comedy” - whether implied or overt? What’s humorous about that?
Apparently, those in Hollywood are still mired in the social graces of a grade school. If I remember correctly, it was about that time when my parents taught me that it was rude and unbecoming to make light of a person’s physical or mental challenges. I was brought up to know that, if you wouldn’t say something to a person’s face, you probably shouldn’t be saying it.
To Bill Maher, Seth MacFarlane, and all those who will most certainly be making their own crass comments, today and in the future, I say: Grow up already.
The jokes have got to stop. Period.
- tdc
*MORE:
- VIDEO (in all its tasteless glory) is here: the “joke” comes at the 1:28 mark
- Family Guy actress defends the joke - via The Daily Caller
Palin lives American exceptionalism. One son defends it, and the other will depend on it.
If Americans feel as cynical as the president suggests, perhaps it’s because the audacity of his recycled rhetoric no longer inspires hope. Real leadership requires results. Real hope lies in the ingenuity, generosity, and boundless courage of the American people whose voices are still not being heard in Washington.
Sarah Palin reflects upon the President’s State of the Union address (via Facebook)
I do believe we have the equivalent of a nightstick in prose. Read the whole thing - it’s about as straightforward a response you’ll see from any political figure. Good stuff.
- tdc
NOW is looking at the pro-life issue backwards. Women should be reminded that they are strong enough and smart enough to make decisions that allow for career and educational opportunities while still giving their babies a chance at life. In my own home, my daughter Bristol has also been challenged by pro-abortion “women’s rights” groups who don’t agree with her decision to have her baby, nor do they like the abstinence message which she articulated as her personal commitment. NOW could gain ground and credibility with everyday Americans, thus allowing their pro-women message to be heard by more than just their ardent supporters, if they made wiser decisions regarding which battles to pick. They should call attention to and embrace the Tebow’s message, instead of covertly and overtly disrespecting what Mrs. Tebow, Bristol, and millions of other women have chosen to do (in less than ideal circumstances).
Sarah Palin on the double standards of “feminist” group, NOW - (via Facebook)
As usual, Governor Palin says what needs to be said. The audacity of organizations like NOW to profess that they speak for all women when, in reality, they speak only for proponents of abortion…well, it’s presumptuous and fraudulent to say the least. Thank you to Governor Palin, and the Tebow family for standing up for LIFE in a very public and loving way.
I might also add heartfelt kudos to musician, Nick Cannon, for a beautiful video I saw for the first time today: Can I Live.
Choose LIFE.
- tdc
