happy birthday, governor sarah palin!
The governor once mentioned in an interview (via Runner’s World Magazine) that for special days, one of her preferred activities was simply to be left alone to go for a run through town. So, in her honor, I’ve posted the photo above. Though the current weather in Wasilla (according to my iTouch) is a balmy 18-degrees, let’s hope she is able to get out for that birthday run.
For your part, if you’ve been looking for the perfect present for Governor Palin, head over to SarahPAC to offer a donation for her tireless efforts; or go sign up to be a part of the team at Organize 4 Palin. O4P is not officially affiliated with the governor, but they are about as dedicated a group as you’ll find.
Finally, the aforementioned Runner’s World article included a quote that seems apropos for our current political climate - in the midst of all the pre-2012 talk.
A little food for thought…
What about in a race? Could you beat the president?
I betcha I’d have more endurance. My one claim to fame in my own little internal running circle is a sub-four marathon. It wasn’t necessarily a good running time, but it proves I have the endurance within me to at least gut it out and that is something. If you ever talk to my old coaches, they’d tell you, too. What I lacked in physical strength or skill I made up for in determination and endurance. So if it were a long race that required a lot of endurance, I’d win.
- tdc
*TUNE IN TONIGHT!* Sarah Palin Speaks at Reagan 100 Celebration
As part of the Reagan 100 Celebration, hosted by Young America’s Foundation (YAF), Governor Sarah Palin will be delivering the keynote speech for tonight’s events.
Earlier today, YAF issued an email announcement describing the Reagan 100 Celebration, as well as additional details about Governor Palin’s remarks:
As you know, February 6, 2011, marks the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth—a celebration Young America’s Foundation is calling Reagan 100.
During Reagan 100 Young America’s Foundation will recognize President Reagan, his values, his vision, and his lasting contributions to Freedom and its future. Through the Reagan Ranch, the Reagan Ranch Center, and expanded programming all across the country, we will bring President Reagan and his ideals back to life for the next generation.
This evening, Governor Sarah Palin will give the keynote address at the Foundation’s Reagan 100 Opening Banquet at the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California. Governor Palin was Alaska’s youngest and first woman governor and the first female Vice Presidential candidate in the history of the GOP.
“I am very excited to have been selected to address Young America’s Foundation’s Reagan 100 dinner,” Governor Palin said. “Young America’s Foundation has been sharing the values of President Reagan with young people for more than 40 years, and there is no organization more committed to preserving freedom’s future.”
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth, Governor Palin will reflect on the seminal speech by President Reagan, “Time for Choosing,” that discussed the risks and rewards before an America at a crossroads in the early 1960’s. Governor Palin will draw parallels to today while calling for young people to continue the Reagan revolution into the future.
Though I was too young to pay much attention to what was happening during President Reagan’s terms in office, what I have come to understand today is that he was a unique politician, and, by most accounts, a man of great character.
The United States is a young republic that has seen its share of difficult times. Yet, the history of our country is one that has allowed remarkable individuals to come to the fore as strong leaders amidst these challenges. Sometimes, these leaders emerge as strong matriarchs in their families. Sometimes, these leaders are Presidents.
Regardless of their station, great leaders can inspire great achievements in others. President Reagan, it seems, was such a man.
It is important that we understand our history, and I plan to tune in to as many of the Reagan 100 events as I can over the next two days. I hope you will too. See below for links and air times.
- tdc
*See the LIVE BROADCAST of Sarah Palin’s speech on CSPAN at 11pm Eastern time
*The full schedule of broadcasts (via YAF) - YAF Ustream.tv link
governor palin: calling it ‘crony capitalism’ like she sees it
As you well know, President Obama gave is 2011 State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. While some paid the obligatory homage to his ability to give a good speech, most pundits - and regular folk - saw this latest show as heavy on platitudes and lacking in substance. In times like these, those of us who pay attention to politics have come to expect a tough, straightforward response from Governor Sarah Palin. And, once again, she delivered.
I highly suggest you read her entire post on her Facebook page - it’s well worth your time. Below, however, I extracted what I think is a key passage in which Governor Palin completely redefines the essence of the Obama administration and its policies: “big government liberalism” turned “crony capitalism on steroids.”
Consider what his “big government greatness” really amounts to. It’s basically a corporatist agenda – it’s the collaboration between big government and the big businesses that have powerful friends in D.C. and can afford to hire big lobbyists. This collaboration works in a manner that distorts and corrupts true free market capitalism. This isn’t just old-fashioned big government liberalism; this is crony capitalism on steroids. In the interests of big business, we’re “investing” in technologies and industries that venture capitalists tell us are non-starters, but which will provide lucrative returns for some corporate interests who have major investments in these areas. In the interests of big government, we’re not reducing the size of our bloated government or cutting spending, we’re told the President will freeze it – at unsustainable, historic levels! In practice, this means that public sector employees (big government’s staunchest defenders) may not lose jobs, but millions of Americans in the private sector face lay offs because the ever-expanding government has squeezed out and crippled our economy under the weight of unsustainable debt.
Ronald Reagan said, “You can’t be for big government, big taxes, and big bureaucracy and still be for the little guy.” President Obama’s proposals last night stick the little guy with the bill, while big government and its big corporate partners prosper. The plain truth is our country simply cannot afford Barack Obama’s dream of an “exceptionally big government” that may help the big guys, but sticks it to the rest of us.
Again, it’s worth your time to read this excellent post in its entirety. It’s succinct. It’s cogent. And there really isn’t much more to say…
- tdc
*Image via LA Times Blogs
on arizona: sarah palin responds
Over the past few days following the mass shooting in Arizona, many in the mainstream media have seen fit to declare open season on Governor Sarah Palin.
Some blamed Palin and her “rhetoric” for the actions of the lone killer. Others insisted that her statement of condolences in the hours after the shooting were insufficient and illustrated a lack of leadership on her part.
Well, today, Governor Palin once again proved to be a woman of grace and grounding. She released a video with her thoughts on the violence in Arizona and the despicable (my word) statements of blame that have flooded the airwaves and newspapers in the days since.
Certainly, those in the media who are accustomed to political figures of old - the kind who don’t fight back against the clique of those who buy ink by the barrel full - were assuming the Sarah Palin would be similarly meek. They were wrong.
Governor Palin has now weighed in - in her own words and in her own time. And she did so with the unapologetic language that we have come to expect and, apparently, shocks many in the media:
Vigorous and spirited public debates during elections are among our most cherished traditions. And after the election, we shake hands and get back to work, and often both sides find common ground back in D.C. and elsewhere. If you don’t like a person’s vision for the country, you’re free to debate that vision. If you don’t like their ideas, you’re free to propose better ideas. But, especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.
Contrary to most of the drivel that has passed for journalistic thought in recent days, we need more of what Sarah Palin offers. Not less. Her unwavering strength in the face of incivility, and her willingness to stand up for her beliefs are, unfortunately, becoming less and less common among leadership in Washington and our local communities.
Open, spirited, honest debate are at the root of our democracy. Any attempt to silence opposing views - through legislation or innuendo - strikes at the core of who we are as a nation.
- tdc
choices: honoring life or blaming sarah
The start of a new year is supposed to be a time of joy and optimism for the future that lay before us. Sadly, for 19 American families, one violent young man abruptly put a halt to the celebration.
HONORING LIFE
First, let me say that my heart and my prayers have been with the victims of today’s shooting in Arizona since I first learned of these despicable events.
As those who were killed are mourned and the wounded recover, our foremost concern should be for the well-being of each of the families touched by this tragedy. Though most Americans share this sentiment and are equally saddened by what has transpired, I am amazed and disheartened by the other - blatantly political - responses that have paralleled the genuine concern widely expressed.
Needless to say, I felt compelled to share a few (albeit rough) thoughts here.
BLAMING SARAH
As if the loss of life were not enough, today has also been remarkable for the way that some individuals (many of whom should know better) have chosen to condemn Governor Palin for what happened this morning.
Blaming Sarah Palin for various events and random occurences has become so commonplace that most of us respond to the accusations with more amusement than concern.
Today, however, the “blame Sarah” meme was more difficult to dismiss.
The fact that the loss of multiple lives - including a 30-year-old engaged to be married, and a young girl born on 9-11 - would lead some to condemn Governor Palin before the murderer himself…well, that was truly appalling.
All day long, as I intermittently watched commentary scroll by on Twitter or Facebook, I was at first dismayed by what I saw, then saddened by it.
Individuals, whose conduct and achievements I generally respect, revealed another side to themselves today. They illustrated, not only a lack of critical thought (based upon fact and fairness), but also the sort of irrationality that I have come to expect only from the “far Left”.
Without adequate information or background, these individuals took what the major media outlets were saying - namely that Governor Palin’s “Take Back the 20” illustration had incited the day’s violence - and repeated the charge. I found this astounding, to say the least.
Regardless of one’s opinion of Sarah Palin, wouldn’t it be prudent to at least question the accusation that she, or any other political figure, is responsible for the taking of multiple lives? What happened to the days of placing blame on the person who actually pulled the trigger?
The knee-jerk reaction to “blame Sarah Palin” is shameful. Those who perpetrated this storyline have done themselves and our tradition of open political discourse a disservice.
CHOICES
We all have choices to make.
In Arizona, a disturbed man made the devastating decision to open fire on innocent men, women and children. Subsequently, many in the media made the telling decision to ignore fact for the sake of insinuation.
Meanwhile, Govenor Palin made the same choice she always does - to focus on what really matters.
I’m with her.
- tdc
