Sarah's Turn: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

by Conservative Girl with a Voice --

It's over- my summer vacation, that is, but wow, what a summer! It is always fun to spend the summer at a place I have come to every summer since I was one. As my regular readers know, I'm talking about my family's cabin near Lake Tahoe in the Sierras, which has been in my family for nearly three decades. As an outdoor's girl, I love to hike, fish, sail, swim, and spend some time soaking up the sun and the clean, fresh mountain pine air. One of the best things about being up in the mountains is the feeling of being away from it all and just reflecting on life and everything I have learned and discovered. This summer, one of my favorite things that I really loved doing was packing my beach bag full of all the necessities like sparkling water, a towel, my ipod, and my trusty blackberry and heading down to the sandy shore of the lake. I'd walk down to the water's edge and just sit down and write-yes write. One of the things I'm going to miss the most about the cabin is the beautiful surroundings I was able to enjoy while writing each entry. How many other bloggers can say they blogged while soaking their feet in crystal clear lake water with a bald eagle circling the bright, blue sky above? The glorious beauty surrounding me inspired me to write, what I believe, to be my most honest, personal pieces yet. In a way, it was comforting to know that the peaceful lake was at my feet. The peace and serenity can be so enjoyable at times. God is so good!!! While I am a very social person and love my family and friends, I prefer to just have quiet around me as I write. I know I am not alone. Not only do many of you probably prefer to write in a peaceful surrounding, but Sarah does too. Just recently, Sarah's dad, Chuck, said Sarah is in a secluded place (he doesn't even know the location) working on her book. Like many of you, I am eager to read it, and no doubt it will be absolutely amazing. In her 45 years, Sarah has already lived quite a life full of wonderful and unique experiences. As we all know, her life dramatically changed within this past year. At this time last year, she had just gone from being a little-known governor to VP nominee, while balancing work, raising a family, preparing to become grandmother and sending her eldest child off to war- what a year. I'd say Sarah Palin had an unforgettable year.


At this time last year, many of us, including myself, were just getting to know this amazing woman. Now that we have gotten to know her, we await her book. Guess what, folks? It's HER TURN!!! Like you, I'm sick and tired of the media's distorted slime journalism. For far too many months, we have had to hear one false story after another. At one point, I was this close to throwing a high-heel at the TV, but decided my shoes, not to mention my TV were far too expensive, to waste on the biased media, so I just resorted to telling off my television. Sarah is finally going to be able to set the record straight about what her life has really been like! No more so-called Trig-truthers, campaign staffers and press to delude and use anonymous sources. Sarah is the source, the TRUE source. In typical Sarah fashion, I KNOW we'll get the straight talk, and I'm predicting her book will quickly become a New York Times Best Seller!!!


It is Sarah's turn to fight all the lies and smears that have been thrown her way. She will finally be able to set the record straight. It is sad what our media have become, and I say this as someone who studied jouralism in college and worked in a newsroom. (See my post entitled "Slime Journalism" for more on this topic.) I have a feeling Sarah, a former journalist, will devote part of her book to the sad state of today's media. This past presidential election changed the objective media we once knew. Instead of reporting the facts, they resorted to yellow journalism, the kind of stuff that you used to only read in tabloids like "The National Enquirer." This is why Sarah's story will be a breath of fresh air that is so needed to cleanse this polluted, political air.


So, while you may be missing your daily "Sarah fix," remember that Sarah is working hard on her own masterpiece. If it's quiet and seclusion that she needs and desires in order to write, let's give it to her. This is a woman who has so much to offer our great country. Not only has she restored my faith that America WILL one day be that shining beacon of light once again, but that her voice is the voice of reason, her message is the true message of change. So write on, Sarah, write on!!!

(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://conservativegirlwithavoice.blogspot.com/.


I'm on Twitter too @rachellefriberg.)

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AP: Palin to Speak in Hong Kong (Update: Confirmed)

By Shane Vander Hart, Caffeinated Thoughts

AP via Anchorage Daily News reports this morning:

The former Alaska governor will visit Hong Kong to address the CLSA Investors Forum, a well-known annual conference of global investment managers, the host announced Monday.

Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Alan Greenspan have spoken at the event, hosted by brokerage and investment group CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets.

"Our keynote speakers are notable luminaries who often address topics that go beyond traditional finance such as geopolitics," company spokeswoman Simone Wheeler said in a statement.

"We just felt it would be a fabulous opportunity for CLSA clients to hear from Mrs. Palin," Wheeler said, adding that CLSA approached Palin with the offer.

Personally, I'm not counting on her going anywhere until I hear it come from Meghan Stapleton's lips (or pen). If she does go it will be a great resume builder.

Update: Politico reports she's just starting to go through all of the invitations... all 1,070+.

2nd Update: Confirmed by Meg Stapleton - she is going to Hong Kong.

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Why Conservatives Outnumber Libs in All 50 States

by Josh Painter, Texas For Sarah Palin --

A recent (August 17) Gallup poll found that in every one of the 50 states, there are more conservatives than liberals. Gallup's astoundingly significant findings were virtually ignored by the liberal media, which has been reduced to nothing more than a giant public relations network for the leftist Democrat Party.

Even Gallup itself couldn't admit the truth of its own survey results, headlining its report "Political Ideology: 'Conservative' Label Prevails in the South." The South? When did all 50 states become part of the South? South of what -- the moon? You have to read the sub-head to see that there are actually more conservatives than liberals in every state of the Union -- yes, even in the Democrat bastions of Massachusetts and Vermont. To try to save a little face for the libs, Gallup incorrectly labels Washington, D.C. a "state" in order to have some place on its charts where it can say that there are more liberals than conservatives.

Even more intriguing to us than the "what" of Gallup's results is the "why" -- why are Americans increasingly preferring to self-identify as conservatives? The overreaching by president Obama and the Democrats is one possible answer. Americans in greater numbers are recoiling from the Left's attempt to change the Republic of the founders into a socialist nightmare. Liberals themselves have become the most effective recruiters for the conservative cause.

Consider the following from nutroots website Washington Politics and Affairs:

"Why doesn't Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and the rest of them come and say the real reason they are opposed to health care reform is because they cannot stand the idea that the President of the United States does not look like them or fit the stereotype of the American Aryan they envision as the normal American. Barack Obama is Black and they cannot stand it. They are racist morons who want to return this country to the days before the Civil War when this country was divided into classes. Their opposition to health care reform is about class, money and power. They need to stop reading Mein Kamf and try reading the Federalist Papers or the Constitution."

It is amazing how much stupidity, ignorance and hate can be packed into one paragraph. Notice how the race card is played right off the bat by the moonbat author, whose thesis is that Sarah Palin opposes Obama care because she allegedly is a racist. Adrienne Ross debunks that foul liberal lie here. Adrienne, who just happens to be a young conservative woman of color, looks a lot like Sarah Palin to us. When we look at the photo on Adrienne's blog of the two women together, we see two beautiful children of God who practice what Dr. Martin Luther King preached -- that it is by the content of a person's character that he or she should be judged, not by the color of their skin. As Adrienne explained in another post:

"And while the Left continues to race bait, while they call white conservatives like Sarah Palin 'racist' and Black conservatives like me 'sell-out,' I know Dr. King got it, even forty six years ago, and what's more important, I get it.

Americans have grown weary of liberals -- especially white liberals -- playing the race card and calling conservatives "racist" for their stands on issues that have nothing whatsoever to do with race. It is a major turn-off, and it is increasingly making conservatives out of thoughtful moderates... and independents out of Democrats. Who's are the real "racist morons" now, Washington Politics and Affairs?

Having played the race card, the author plays another all-too-familiar card the Left keeps up its collective sleeve -- the Nazi card -- saying "they" need to "stop reading Mein Kampf and try reading the Federalist Papers or the Constitution." We submit that if this author has indeed read the Constitution, then he or she has a severe reading comprehension deficit. I challenge the author to cite the section of the constitution which declares that not only is health care a "right" but that it is the duty of the federal government to provide it. Playing the Nazi card is another stupid liberal trick which may play well with those way out there on the leftist fringe, but, like playing the race card, it pushes the thoughtful moderate independents and even Democrats away from the Left.

The more liberals try to paint Sarah Palin and other conservatives as the racists and Nazis that they clearly are not, the more Sarah's message will resonate with ordinary Americans of all colors and creeds, and the conservative majority will continue to grow. Playing the race card, the class card and the Nazi card are poor substitutes for presenting an argument on the merits of an issue. The Left has gone to their dried-up well too many times, and the majority of Americans are no longer deceived by tired liberal tactics.

- JP

Josh Painter is the editor and lead contributor at Texas For Sarah Palin

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Sarah Palin... One Year Later

by Shane Vander Hart, Caffeinated Thoughts --

John Zeigler at Big Hollywood shares lessons that we hopefully have learned in the year since Governor Palin first graced the national political landscape:

That surprise announcements can often create more long-term perception problems than they are worth (at least when they come from Republicans).

That to the media if you are a young, good looking, charismatic, non-white male without a long resume and are a conservative running for Vice-President, you are an embarrassment to the country. But if you are a young, good-looking, charismatic, non-white male without a long resume and are a socialist running for President, you are the Second Coming.

That the candidate who told the truth the most during the 2008 campaign was Sarah Palin.

That the media is perfectly willing and able to destroy someone’s character simply because it suits their political and economic agenda and will stop at nothing to do so.

That there are far too many high-profile “conservatives” willing to sell out their “cause” to gain favor with the news media and that there is almost no accountability for their treason.

That the left understands that this is a war where “assassinating” leaders of the other side is perfectly acceptable, while the right seems to still think that this is a picnic and that the Sarah Palins of the world grow on trees.

That the only people more threatened by a highly successful and good looking mom than liberal women, are Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, David Letterman and Bill Maher.

That the power of being a celebrity is far greater than the power of being Governor of Alaska.

That the ex-boyfriend of the daughter of the ex-Governor of Alaska can get treated as a media star if it is perceived to hurt a prominent conservative.

That more character was revealed in Sarah Palin over the past twelve months than America probably deserves in a politician.

That August 29th, 2008 was a seminal moment in our politics and media which has changed, perhaps forever, the rules of engagement in a way that may make it impossible for conservatives to ever fully recover and should truly frighten all fair-minded Americans.

I think that Zeigler has it spot on, and I agree with him when he says that "if we don't heed these lessons we'll deserve what we will inevitably get."

Shane Vander Hart blogs at Caffeinated Thoughts. You can follow him at @shanevanderhart on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.

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Robert Schindler, Father of Terri Schiavo, Has Passed Away

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

St. Petersburg, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Robert Schindler, the father of Terri Schiavo, whose former husband subjected her to a painful 13-day starvation and dehydration death, died overnight. Schindler, 72, had been battling health issues and he died of apparent heart failure.
In the aftermath of Terri's euthanasia death, Robert Schindler started a foundation with the rest of his family to help other disabled patients.

The Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation would connect patients or their families to legal help, physicians and pro-life groups who would speak out on their behalf to obtain basic medical care or lifesaving medical treatment denied to them by the government, hospitals or family members.

Read the full story at LifeNews.com.

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Human Life International's Statement on the Passing of Senator Edward Kennedy

Editor's Note: While I appreciate the gracious and brief statement delivered by Sarah Palin on her Facebook page regarding the passing of Senator Kennedy, a statement that I do believe was appropriate both in its brevity and in the truth it expressed, as a faithful Catholic it is my responsibility to say more. The statement issued below by Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer speaks for many Catholics who did not hold Senator Kennedy in esteem for the actions he took in life.

Senator Edward Kennedy is not representative of the Catholic Faith and should not have had a public funeral mass. I am reprinting Fr. Euteneuer's statement here in its entirety as it accurately reflects my own belief about the proper response to the passing of Senator Kennedy, particularly among faithful Catholics who not only know the tenets of our Faith, but strive to boldly present them accurately to those who inquire and who do our very best to live them. To honor Kennedy with a public mass, particularly using children to promote president Obama (the second child in the video directly promotes Barack Obama politically by quoting the speech Kennedy had given in endorsing Obama), is a slap in the face to faithful Catholics who know what it means to be a Catholic and who faithfully try to preserve it as our fathers have done for two millenia.

Human Life International's Statement on the Passing of Senator Edward Kennedy, by Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer --

We must, as a matter of precept, pray for the salvation of heretical
Catholics like Senator Edward Kennedy, but we do not have to praise him let
alone extol him with the full honors of a public Catholic funeral and all the
adulation that attends such an event. There was very little about Ted Kennedy's
life that deserves admiration from a spiritual or moral point of view. He was
probably the worst example of a Catholic statesman that one can think of. When
all is said and done, he has distorted the concept of what it means to be a
Catholic in public life more than anyone else in leadership today.

Obviously we don't know the state of Senator Edward Kennedy's soul upon
death. We don't pretend to. We are told by the family that he had the
opportunity to confess his sins before a priest, and his priest has said
publicly he was "at peace" when he died. For that we are grateful. But it is one
thing to confess one's sins and for these matters to be kept, rightfully,
private. It is another thing entirely for one who so consistently and publicly
advocated for the destruction of unborn human beings to depart the stage without
a public repudiation of these views, a public confession, as it were.

It is up to God to judge Senator Kennedy's soul. We, as rational persons,
must judge his actions, and his actions were not at all in line with one who
values and carefully applies Church teaching on weighty matters. Ted Kennedy's
positions on a variety of issues have been a grave scandal for decades, and to
honor this "catholic" champion of the culture of death with a Catholic funeral
is unjust to those who have actually paid the price of fidelity. We now find out
that President Obama will eulogize the Senator at his funeral, an indignity
which, following on the heels of the Notre Dame fiasco, leaves faithful
Catholics feeling sullied, desecrated and dehumanized by men who seem to look
for opportunities to slap the Church in the face and do so with impunity simply
because they have positions of power.

It is not enough for Kennedy to have been a "great guy behind the scenes" as
we have seen him referred to even by his political opponents. It is also not
praiseworthy to put a Catholic rhetorical veneer on his leftist politics that
did nothing to advance true justice as the Church sees it or to advance the
peace of Christ in this world. Every indication of Senator Kennedy's career,
every public appearance, every sound bite showed an acerbic, divisive and
partisan political hack for whom party politics were much more infallible than
Church doctrines. Whatever one's political affiliation, if one is only
"Catholic" to the extent that his faith rhymes with his party line, then his
Catholicism is a fraud.

As the Scriptures remind us, there is a time for everything under the sun.
This, now, is the time for honesty about our Faith and about those who are
called to express it in the public forum. If we do not remind ourselves of the
necessity of public confession for public sins such as Senator Kennedy was
guilty of, then we are negligent in our embrace of the Faith and we are part of
the problem. As Pope Benedict has reminded us recently, charity without truth
can easily become mere sentimentality, and we must not fall into that error. A
Catholic show of charity for the family must not eclipse the truth that is
required of all with eyes to see and ears to hear.

Senator Kennedy needs to be sent to the afterlife with a private, family-only
funeral and the prayers of the Church for the salvation of his immortal soul. He
will not be missed by the unborn who he betrayed time and time again, nor by the
rest of us who are laboring to undo the scandalous example of Catholicism that
he gave to three generations of Americans.

Sincerely,

Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer

President, Human Life International

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Sarah Palin 4 VP 29 August 2008 REMIX

by Karen Allen, The Palination --

I put together some of my favorite clips of that first speech.

Be encouraged PALINATION!

Politics changed forever that day!

@Karen_Allen on Twitter

(Cross-posted from THE PALINATION)

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Unscripted Moment: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

It is an unscripted moment that I will remember most, which was captured in a photograph: With her arms outstretched, she ran toward her youngest daughter like a true, loving mother who had just returned home from a business trip. This is perhaps my favorite moment that I will forever have of Sarah Palin. While many will cite the phenomenal speech she gave at the Republican National Convention or the way in which she re-energized a party, I will always remember her for the way she was when she was with her children. Many of you may remember the event I am describing above. I remember it well. It was about 48-hours before election day, and Sarah was returning home to Alaska from a whirlwind tour of the lower 48 in which she captured the hearts and minds on Americans everywhere. I will never forget when her plane touched down in Alaska- she was home, and her hometown crowd gave her a hero's welcome. As she came down the steps of the plane, I will never forget the excited expression on her face; she couldn't get off that plane fast enough. While many candidates would immediately rush to the podium to speak, the ever unconventional (thank God) Sarah immediately RAN over to greet her children in, I might add, a suit (classy as usual) and her signature red-colored heels, which is an accomplishment in itself. There, on the busy tarmac, stood little Piper eagerly waiting, arms outstretched waiting for her mommy. Sarah saw her and ran to her, and the two embraced. This unscripted moment defines a mother's love for her child and a child's love for her mother. For a moment, time stood still, and there was no denying how much love Sarah has for her children and the love they have for her in return. It is moments like these that illustrate what life is all about: family, faith and country. This is what Sarah is all about. Sarah was not there for a photo-op, or to pose in front of the camera, but to reunite with her family. Yet, sometimes the most unscripted events make for the best photographs. Low and behold, when I opened my edition of "People" Magazine shortly after Sarah's return to AK, I saw the unscripted photo of the event described above. With her back to the camera, Sarah is seen bending slightly, so that she is on Piper's level. The smile on little Piper's face speaks volumes. This is a little girl who not only loves her mom very much, but looks up to her with intense pride.


Many may wonder why I would choose this moment as my favorite memory of how to remember Sarah from the 2008 election. The reason is simple: This moment defines Sarah Palin-the incredible person, Sarah Palin- the loving mother. Remember, Sarah was a mother before she was a candidate. Sarah is the epitome of a woman who knows how to balance career and family. It is her family whom she cherishes and holds most dear. The close relationship she has with her children is apparent. Just as a mama grizzly guards her cubs, Sarah protects her children. We all know this to be true. Whenever her children are attacked, Sarah does what any good parent would do and protects her kids. Not only does she protect her kids, but she includes them in every major decision she makes, which is a trait I greatly admire about her. Instead of looking out for her own political gain, Sarah knows what is important and that's family. In her announcement that she would not seek re-election and resign as AK's governor, she was surrounded by those most close to her, which illustrates her commitment to not only her children and husband, but her entire family as well. Throughout the campain, Sarah's constant was her family. While travelling from city to city, town to town, it was apparent how much she values each and every one of them. How wonderful that her family got to experience the campaign trail with her. What better schooling for little Piper than to see how others live? Talk about a cool field trip! The memories her children will take with them from experiencing life on the campaign trail are those they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. This is another thing that makes Sarah stand out. While many candidates only allow their children to experience certain parts of a campaign, Sarah let her children truly experience campaign life. Willow, Piper and Trig were fixtures at the events and rallys. They met new people, saw this great country- the heart and soul of America and got to see how amazing a mother they have. In doing this, Sarah seemed to be saying, "This is who I am. I'm a proud mother and candidate. My children are my world; they are part of the package too."


Thank you, Sarah, for showing us what it means to be a loving parent, a loving mother. It is so apparent how much pride little Piper has for you. Little Trig is so lucky to have a mom who is not afraid to speak out on issues that are important to his future. Track is so blessed to have a mom who cares so deeply about our troops and their safety. Willow and Bristol are so fortunate to have a role model like you. Of all the precious, memorable moments during the campaign, it is the moments of Sarah, as mother, that I will never forget. For it is in this role that we got to see a woman who knows what is important and cherishes the little things and every memory that comes her way, and that, fellow readers, is the stuff that matters most, the stuff dreams are made of!!!


(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://conservativegirlwithavoice.blogspot.com

I'm on Twitter too @rachellefriberg. Let me know that you enjoy my blog entries, and I'll follow you too.)

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August 29: The America I Know

by Lisa Graas, Editor --

Today, Palin supporters celebrate the first anniversary of Senator John McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to run as the first female candidate for Vice President in the Republican party. Today is also the first day that I've become a contributor at Texas For Palin. This post appeared as my first post on Texas For Palin honoring this historic day.

I am honored to have been invited to be a contributor at Texas For Palin although I am a native Kentuckian. As I pondered whether or not it is appropriate for a Kentuckian to write for a Texas-based blog, I recalled the goosebumps I still get every year on Derby Day when folks from around the nation join in singing My Old Kentucky Home. On Derby Day, everyone is a Kentuckian. As Texas stands tall with a deep history of being home to heroes who are true defenders of freedom, in these trying times I believe there is a little bit of Texas in each of us. I hope, for our country's sake, that I am right about that.

As we celebrate the first anniversary of the announcement that Sarah Palin was chosen by Senator John McCain to be his running mate, my compatriots in the blogosphere have made various suggestions about what might be an appropriate tribute, but as I consider for my first entry here those deep and abiding truths which unite Texans and Kentuckians, being determined to also honor in my own insubstantial way the very substantial impact Sarah Palin has had on the country, my thoughts have brought me to a different place.

On the left and on the right, the question continues to be asked repeatedly, "What is it about Sarah Palin that makes her appeal to so many?" As a Kentuckian writing on a Texan blog, I must consider my own identity as well as yours, so today I ask instead what it is about us that caused us to be so inspired by Sarah Palin beginning from the moment she was introduced on that stage in Dayton one year ago. You see, it is not merely because of who Sarah Palin is that I was inspired by her. It is also because of who I am. In order to know who I am, you have to understand the things that have shaped me into the American I have always been and the American I remain today.

Kentucky is known for taking a "neutral" role in the Civil War. I confess that this served as a source of shame for me when I was first taught this as a child because even as a little girl I believed that taking a stand against injustice, though it may require opposing domestic enemies, should inspire one's sense of duty to serve. Whether the North or the South represented the side of justice, it seemed to me that Kentucky should not have stood by in neutrality. My confusion and shame came about primarily because I wasn't given enough information. History teachers really only hit the high points and the bottom line was always that the South was wrong and the North was right. Perhaps my teachers and the writers of my textbooks thought Kentucky could save face in the eyes of posterity by having the label "neutral" but for me it was shameful. In time, I've come to understand that even this singular point -- Kentucky's "neutrality" -- is far more complex than can be completely understood in a lifetime, but there are several facts that shed light.

Kentucky is the birthplace of both President Abraham Lincoln of the Union and President Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy. This, coupled with the fact that Kentucky was a border state where many bloody battles were waged, epitomized in the harshest way that familiar term "brother against brother". Kentucky was not "neutral" during the Civil War. She lived up to her name "Dark and Bloody Ground".

While history's teachers have branded Kentucky as the "neutral" state, her heart and soul were in the fray more than any other. To characterize Kentucky as "neutral" is even more obscene than it would be to characterize America today as complacent about the issues of the day.

That same sense of justice that I've always known, a gift that God gives to each one of us -- albeit in varying portions -- also demands a sense of shame in me that in my beloved Kentucky, not only are there great monuments to her favorite son, Abraham Lincoln, but also to Jefferson Davis. Several generations of Kentuckians as well as other Americans have been taught, whether overtly or covertly, to be ashamed of Davis. He will only ever really be remembered for his sins while Lincoln will forever be remembered for his greatness. Given the choice between taking his children to the obelisk honoring Jefferson Davis or to Lincoln's Birthplace, no parent in his right mind would neglect Lincoln for Davis, and rightly so.

I have been blessed, perhaps, with more opportunities than most parents. I have taken my two sons and two daughters to Lincoln's Birthplace and to the Jefferson Davis Memorial. We have gone as a family to Lincoln's boyhood home. My children have stood at the grave of Lincoln's mother. At the Presidential Library of Jefferson Davis on his estate, Beauvoir, they've seen the caisson that carried his remains for burial. We've been to the Lincoln Memorial, a Confederate graveyard and a cotton field where I made them pick cotton to see what it's like. On our trip to the site of the Battleground at Gettysburg, we could not complete the tour because I was so overwhelmed with grief that I wept for the loss of Americans who fought for what they deemed to be true and just, no matter which flag they had pledged allegiance to.

Countless students are required to memorize Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, so it is indeed ironic that Lincoln said:

"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here..."

It took a trip to Gettysburg for me to understand more clearly the depth of Lincoln's subsequent words:

"....but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Lincoln's famous words were not to honor the Union dead. His words were to honor all the dead, both Union and Confederate. We had reached the bloodiest point of American domestic strife. Never before or since had it been so. The nation had broken apart, but it was still one nation "under God".

It was not purely under the leadership of the first Republican president that America was able to achieve her "new birth of freedom". It was also not merely through the blood of her patriots under separate flags that this new birth would come. These things would be nothing apart from the continued devotion of all Americans to the ever "unfinished work" of freedom.

The America I know is one that is not and shall not ever be destroyed through division no matter how urgently or violently we may disagree with one another. The America I know is under the hand of One Almighty Father and it is only with His help and our commitment that freedom can reign.

The America I know is not characterized by a government that struggles in class and race warfare dictated by the state no matter how many laws our leaders may pass saying otherwise. The America I know is one in which families seek justice together, in truth and freedom, at all times, with the aid of or in spite of the institutions we make for ourselves.

This is the America I know. This is who I am and it is because of who I am that I was inspired that day in Dayton one year ago.

- LG

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August 29th... The glass ceiling fell the day Sarah walked on the Stage

by upinak, The Palination --

The day when Sarah Palin was introduced to the World, was for me a very interesting day.

I had been talking about her around the blogosphere for months. I and another commenter on HotAir.com were the first to point Allahpundit in her direction. In which Allahpundit asked, “Who is Sarah Palin”?

Who is Sarah Palin?

She is a Mom, an American and a Christian with God in her heart and Alaska in her soul. She loves her state and her country. She is one who doesn’t back down but also listens. She is an average citizen who "Served with a Servant’s Heart” to all those who elected her into office. Any office, be it School Board, Mayor, or Governor, Sarah always made sure to keep the interest of those who had elected her into these positions ahead of any other needs. She didn’t stop looking into those who were corrupt and straight against the many who tried to throw her under the bus. Sarah also stuck to her Christian morals even though she never pushed Christianity. Sarah was very much a model for what other States around the Union should expect.

Stepping out on stage, giving the speech that could be heard across the Nation then holding a disabled child obviously loved, was and has been in many case the pinnacle of a leader for not just the United States, but the World.

Those who say that Sarah is not worthy are the same people that can not find the light in themselves or their life. Jealousy, self importance and animosity are some such feelings that hold all of us back from what can make us as a person, better and greater people. When the people who can step back from those emotions and feeling, are the type of people who can move ahead and for the good of all, including themselves, be better in general to others. Sarah has shown this.

When you think of this day, think about how you felt. The touching emotion, the excitement in the air, the crackling aspiration of someone who understood, and the appreciation from an “Average Citizen” to all of us in the Nation who are also normal and average, but can show their lights to others.

Thank you Sarah Palin for waking up the Nation and a Happy Anniversary to you and Todd and may you have many more happy anniversary’s to come. And a Happy Birthday and special Thanks goes out to Senator McCain, who brought Sarah Palin to the forefront of a movement that needed to happen, even though I don’t think it was intentional on McCain's part. The glass ceiling fell the day Sarah walked on the Stage.

And a Thank You to all who support Sarah. Without you who help Sarah and support her against those that try to keep her down and show what is right. You are the “Average Citizens” Sarah is fighting for.

upinak
www.ThePalination.com

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Palin Detractors -- Are They Fighting Palin or a Mythical Creature?

by Lisa Graas, Editor --

There are some conservative pundits out there who don't particularly care for Sarah Palin. They know who they are and so do Sarah Palin's supporters. It's time for straight talk on why these pundits, some of whom are popular bloggers, have the aversion to Sarah Palin that they do.

The slams against Sarah Palin remind me greatly of the kinds of slams against the Catholic Faith which I am also all too familiar with as a faithful Catholic convert. There's a quote from the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen that Catholics are familiar with that exposes the same kind of animosity that people have for the Catholic Church that Palin's detractors have toward her. Sheen said:

"There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church, which is of course, quite a different thing."

Although statistically speaking the numbers may vary somewhat, substitute "Sarah Palin" for where it says "Catholic Church" and you'll have the same reality.

Those who demean and attempt to derail Sarah Palin really have no idea who Sarah Palin is. None whatsoever. If they did know who she is, they could make an informed choice about whether or not she is the person we need to get behind to pull this country out of the mess it's in. As it is, there are four points that I firmly believe the vast majority of people are missing either in whole or in part, even sometimes among her own supporters.............and they are huge points. Further, it is my belief that if you don’t get all four, you have no business doing political analysis regarding Sarah Palin. I ask your consideration as I offer a brief summary of these four points and then some rather blunt elaboration on each of them.

I don’t share Sarah Palin’s theology on many levels because I’m a diehard and unapologetic Catholic……..but I am a Christian and I know a Christian when I see one. Now, before you go off thinking I’m hailing Sarah as a saint, let me assure you, as a Catholic, I know good and well what a saint is and Sarah isn’t one (not under the Catholic definition anyway), as far as I can tell. But a FAITHFUL Christian she is. She believes strongly in the tenets of her faith and they generally rule her life, although we all fall a little short now and then. You have to know how Christians think in order to understand what Sarah’s plan is just as you have to know how Catholics think if you want to understand who Saint Joan of Arc was. You also have to understand what her character is beyond the Christian aspect in order to understand what her plan is. Third, you have to actually listen to what the woman says in order to understand what her plan is. Finally, you have to understand what her views about political power are in order to understand what her plan is.

As far as I can see, the reason there is a huge disconnect between those doubting Sarah Palin’s political aptitude and/or viability as a candidate for President and those of us pulling for her is that the former know NOTHING of these four things and may know only slightly more than nothing about the current political climate of the country, namely the degree of viability of the Republican and Democratic parties today.

1) The Christian factor — Like it or not, Sarah Palin is a Christian. It’s not what Sarah Palin wants but what she believes God is calling her to do that Sarah Palin will end up doing in life. Agree or disagree with whether or not there actually is a God or whether or not He’ll reveal that to her in some way (before you go off the deep end, I'm merely referring to what we call an "epiphany"), that’s who Sarah Palin is. Deal with it. Don’t like Christians in government? Don’t get behind her. But at least do us all the favor of reporting accurately who the woman is.

2) The character factor — Palin says some things repeatedly. "Ramping up oil production", "hungry American markets" and "culture of life", to name a few. Perhaps the thing she says most often is “politically, if I die, I die”. News flash, folks. It’s really no skin off her nose if she doesn’t end up in the White House. Remember the Christian thing? It's consistent with that. Various belief systems, be they Christian, Muslim, Jewish or even atheism, have some sort of thread of consistency that holds one's beliefs on individual topics all together whether tightly or loosely. Palin's thread of consistency is so tightly ingrained and woven together in her individual tapestry of character, criticisms about her not having a Beltway staff are rightly described as being utterly devoid of thoughtful political analysis.

3) The communication factor — Forget about analyzing her beyond the things she actually says. Guess what. She really did step down from the governor’s office because she’s fundamentally opposed to the waste of taxpayer money on frivolous charges that will now go away with her gone. It’s your own idiotic fantasies that she did it to run for the White House that is the garbage upon which you build your theories such as what kind of staff she needs to get there. I openly laugh about these arguments because they are based in the same kind of uninformed "reasoning" I hear out of my kids when they try to second-guess the things I do. It’s that immature. Really.

4) Her philosophy on power — Again, detractors totally ignore what she herself said about how she can, at least in this moment in time, bring about change more readily without a title. Government, in Palin's mind, is about SERVICE, not power. It’s about getting results, not about getting titles and accolades, because the intent is to serve the interest of the people (something else she's said over and over and over again). She is the Anti-Obama when it comes to what is necessary to bring change to America. The power is with the people, not Washington, hence she stepped down and became a private citizen to (gasp) become MORE powerful. Chew on that one for a while, folks. Imagine that concept of becoming a private citizen to gain power. You don’t get much more conservative and freedom-loving than that.

That’s who Sarah Palin is as an individual and it is why she has such adoring fans. I personally don’t care one way or the other if Sarah Palin personally is ever president or not. If someone else comes along with these qualities and the policy positions I also share with her, that person could very well have my support.............but the country is in a sorry condition right now and neither party is helping matters any. It’s up to citizens to work together and fight to end corruption whether it is in Washington, the workplace, or in some leftist group trying to infiltrate your parish.

I don't see anyone else who comes remotely close to providing the kind of leadership through personal service and sacrifice that Sarah Palin has shown since she began running for office. While I do not think Palin is a saint, I have no doubt whatsoever in my mind about her being a Godsend. She's not only got what it takes to be president. She's got what it takes to put the country back on track as a solid Democratic Republic.

Disagree? Fine. But at least know who you’re talking about before you start analyzing. Disagree with who the woman really is. Lay out all of your disagreements with her policy positions and her public record in the open.

Just make sure that what you are disagreeing with is something that actually exists in reality. Otherwise, you aren't fighting Sarah Palin at all. You are fighting the myth you have created for yourselves.

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Dear Sarah...

by Conservative Girl with a Voice

This blog entry is going to be a little bit different than the others I have written. August 29th marks the day that Sarah Palin was introduced to the lower 48. Not only did this day make history, but this day signified the first time in political history that conservative women like me had a voice speaking out on issues that we truly care about. In honor of all that Sarah means to me as well as other conservative women (and men too), the following is a thank you letter to Sarah. Now, I don't know if she will ever read it, as I know she is very busy, but I just wanted her to know how much she inspires me to work tirelessly in the name of freedom and liberty.

Dear Sarah, I don't know if you remember me, but my family is the family from San Diego that has sent you and your amazing family some embroidered clothing items that my mom, Cyndi embroidered. As the owner of an embroidery business, she truly appreciates all you have done in your tireless support for small business. I remember last August 28th very well. That night, I was watching Hannity and Colmes. I remember that day had been a day of specialtion in the news business, as all of the networks were wondering who John McCain would pick to be his running mate the next day. I'm sure you remember that day well. You were probably excited, yet nervous- I know I'd be. As Hannity and Colmes were discussing the possible picks, I have to admit that I wasn't too excited with any of the names being thrown around. Early in the election, I had thrown my support behind the great former mayor of New York, Rudy Guilliani. I had always admired him greatly on how he single-handidly lifted the spirits of the city of New York and in turn inspired a nation. I respect John McCain for his great service to our country, but my enthusiasm was not at a "jump-up-and-down-on-the-couch" kind of level. This all changed when you became the VP nominee. On the eve of the announcement, I remember saying to my mom how I hoped that, just somehow, John McCain would pick a great conservative woman to be his runningmate; little did I know that my hope would become a reality. Sarah, by far, the best decision John McCain ever made was selecting you to be his runningmate. Not only have you inspired a nation, but you re-energized a party.



I first heard about you from my dad. He is a big fan of yours- particularly for the no-nonsense way in which you cleaned up the corruption in AK and remained fiscally conservative throughout your time as governor. When you were announced as the VP choice, I immediately saw what my dad had already known: You were, indeed, a true reformer and inspirational woman at that. As I watched the event in which you were announced on that beautiful summer day of August 29th, I was immediately energized and inspired like I had been at no other time in terms of wanting to do and be more involved politically. You are a role model to me and countless other women who one day wish to run for political office. For the first time, I found a female candidate whom I not only agreed with wholeheartedly, but respected. I finally realized how it must have felt for my female friends who look up to democratic politicians like Hillary Clinton. I know I speak for many when I tell you how much that truly means to FINALLY be represented by someone who truly does understand. I can identify with you in so many ways. Like you, I studied journalism in college, was active in sports growing up, learned the value of hard work and love for the outdoors. And like you, I hope to one day run for political office. I did not always feel this way. While I am only 28, I always felt that to run as a conservative candidate, meant you had to be rich, old and male-a member of elite society, no offense to those in this category. Sarah, when you stepped onto the stage that August day, wearing I have to say the coolest red pumps I had ever seen (I actually have a pair and love them!), I saw a woman who not only loved her country and family tremendously, but God as well. You inspire me to want to make this country a better place for myself and those around me. You inspire me to WANT to fight the good fight in the name of freedom, liberty and integrity. I know I am not alone in writing this. I have seen and become friends with many people just like myself who have been inspired by you.



It is easy for a politician to say something of meaning, and another for the individual to actually practice what he/she preaches. Sarah, you not only talk the talk, but you walk the walk, and this is SO refreshing in a time in which hypocrisy is so rampant. Thank you, Sarah, for illustrating what talking the talk and walking the walk truly means. Your little precious angel, Trig, is a testament of the love you have for life. Not only have you showed the world how much of a blessing having a special needs child can be, but you widened the awareness of how important it is to choose life. Both you and Todd have illustrated what it means to love a child, and this is so prevalent in the love and pride you have for not only little angel Trig, but your other awesome children and grandchild as well. You are a great advocate for children everywhere.



You have also taught me the importance of standing up for what it right and always believing in myself. I used to just sit back, quiet and not say anything if someone said something political that I did not agree with or spoke out in hate against our previous President, George W. Bush, but not anymore. Now, I am not afraid to calmly tell someone my opinions and stick up for those I feel are being unfairly attacked. It is not only my first amendment right, but my duty as a concerned citizen. Thank you so much for speaking out on issues that effect us, Sarah. Issues such as health care, the death panels, the funding of our dollars given to other countries so they can drill while we don't (absolutely crazy), energy independence as well as many other important issues. People know they can count on you to give them the straight talk and commonsense message. You are my main motivation for starting a blog, which I began shortly after the election. My blog is called "Conservative Girl with a Voice," and my website is http://conservativegirlwithavoice.blogspot.com. Writing has given me chance to not only use my journalism and English degrees, but speak out on various national issues as well as issues you are either involved with or speaking out on. I really enjoy it and have met many amazing people in the process. I don't know the direction God is leading me (I originally wanted to be a college professor), but I am excited at the what is ahead, perhaps a career in politics, and this is all because of you and what you stand for. The great people of the great state of AK are so nice and geniune, and they are truly "real people." Through blogging and Twitter, I have gotten to know great people like Eddie Burke (who has been kind enough to have me as a guest on his great radio show), Jessica Steele, Ivy Frye, and Kristan Cole. You Alaskans are truly the real deal, the heart and sole of America! I have also gotten involved with the 2012 Draft Sarah Committee as the San Diego Regional Organizer. It is my hope that you run for president in 2012 because America needs your voice of reason. I have gotten to know so many great, hardworking individuals (like the awesome Kristina Lazarro who's the Buffalo Regional Organizer and runs a great blog, "Inspiration Sarah," and the inspiring Adrienne Ross, who has had the great opportunity of meeting you and you family on a couple of occasions and is not only head of media and in charge of the state of New York for Draft Sarah, but has a fabulous blog, "Motivation Truth." She is a great sister in Christ) who have the same vision in hoping you choose to run for president. I have been reading all about the great Ronald Reagan this summer, and I must say, you are like him in so many ways. Not only are you a great communicator and inspire individuals to want to be better human beings, but you give us hope that our best days are in front on us, not behind us. It is with that hope that I look forward knowing that God is in control and that I must put my faith in him. Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude for all you have done for America, and I KNOW your not finished yet-God has big plans for you. Thank you for being a great role model and someone with a true servant's heart.

God bless you and your family,

Rachelle


(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://conservativegirlwithavoice.blogspot.com

I'm on Twitter too!!! Follow me @rachellefriberg. Mention you're a fan of my blog entries, and I'll follow you too!!!)

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Sarah Palin Extends an Invitation

Sarah Palin posted the following message today on her Facebook page:

An Invitation --

FOX News' Glenn Beck is doing an extraordinary job this week walking
America behind the scenes of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and outlining who is
actually running the White House. Monday night he asked us to invite one friend
to watch; tonight I invite all my friends to watch.

-Sarah Palin

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Oil and Our Future

by Lisa Graas, Editor --

Will an unscientific report from a respected expert bring harm to the economy?

My conservative American compatriots and I rejoiced when our heroine Sarah Palin managed to influence the health care reform debate in a profound way by saying two words in an August 7 Facebook post -- "death panel". Palin supporters were quite delighted by what we saw as incontrovertible proof that she has gained the ability to slip under the radar of the mainstream media and speak directly to everyday American people via alternative media.........with results.

Four days earlier, one man spoke through the mainstream media -- thereby slipping under the radar of the everyday American -- using quite a few more words that, arguably, roughly translate into "we're toast". That man is Dr. Fatih Birol, chief economist of the International Energy Authority (IEA) in Paris. The IEA's finding that global oil production is declining at twice the rate reported by the IEA last year has substantially impacted viewpoints on Wall Street, K Street and beyond.

These words on the IEA's website for the report entitled World Energy Outlook accurately reflect its reputation:

The annual WEO series is the flagship publication of the International Energy
Agency (IEA) and has gained a reputation as the most authoritative source for
energy analysis and projections. Each year it provides a quantitative outlook
for energy supply and demand in the medium term (2010-2015) and longer-term
(2015-2030) and draws lessons for energy security, investment and the
environment.Governments and industry from all across the globe have come to rely
on the WEO to provide a consistent basis on which they can formulate policies
and design business plans. As it attracts significant press coverage, the report
also plays a key role in raising public awareness of the key energy challenges
the world is facing, such as worsening oil supply prospects, volatile energy
prices and rising energy-related emissions of greenhouse gases.

In other words, it's a lot more powerful than Sarah Palin's Facebook page, unfortunately, as it influences energy policy overall and on a global scale.

The full report is not to be released until November -- (I wonder why) -- but according to Birol, "peak oil" -- defined as the point at which global oil production will "peak", will occur ten years faster than the IEA previously thought.

(For more on "peak oil", visit the Peak Oil Primer at Energy Bulletin)

The first interview he gave on the report was with Steve Connor, Science editor for The Independent: Warning: Oil supplies are running out fast.

Excerpts:

"The world is heading for a catastrophic energy crunch that could cripple a
global economic recovery because most of the major oil fields in the world have
passed their peak production..."

and

"Higher oil prices brought on by a rapid increase in demand and a stagnation, or
even decline, in supply could blow any recovery off course..."

Is this report purely science-based? Not quite.

"All numbers tend to be informed estimates. Different experts make different
assumptions so it is understandable that they can come to different conclusions.
Some countries see the size of their oilfields as a national security issue and
do not want to provide accurate information."

It's entirely possible that the IEA report is bunk. On Monday, energy consultant Michael Lynch wrote an op-ed for the NYTimes that offers a convincing argument against the type of reasoning used. (Hat-tip, Greg Pollowitz, NRO)

View the 2008 World Energy Outlook here (.pdf).

There's plenty of gloom in doom in last year's report for you. I, for one, cannot wait until November for the 2009 report and would appreciate it very much if the IEA would go ahead and release it for public scrutiny instead of preaching the "catastrophe" it is purported to contain three months beforehand.

In the meantime, investors are betting on oil one way or the other. Not all investors are paying attention to Birol, but there are plenty who agree with him and these opinions affect the market. Many investors are making their decisions on oil not so much on the issue of supply and production, but on the price per barrel and the strength of the dollar.

It remains to be seen who will end up being right in the end. We likely won't know the answer clearly for many years when we'll have the luxury of hindsight. In the meantime, Birol is one man making a big impact on the investors, producers and policy-makers around the world.

Related News and Varying Viewpoints:
Video: George Monbiat Meets......Fatih Birol -- Monbiat challenges Birol on why this year's numbers are so drastically different from last year's.
Tayyar, Lebanon News: Oil supplies are running out fast
Gold Seek: Peak Oil - Supply Data Doesn't Lie
WSJ MarketWatch: Energy Shares Retreat on Weak Oil Futures: Investors Ponder Real Demand for Crude
NYTimes: Peak Oil is a Waste of Energy
Fast Company: Head in the Tar Sands?
Reason: Peak Oil - The Threat of Resource Nationalism
NYTimes Freakanomics: Read this if You Believe in Peak Oil
Xinhua Business: Oil tumbled on record deficits number, profit-making.

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Palin Family Statement on the Passing of Senator Kennedy

Sarah Palin posted the following message on her Facebook page in regard to the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy.

I would like to extend our sympathies to the Kennedy family as we hear word
about the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy. He believed in our country and fought
passionately for his convictions.

-Sarah Palin and family

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Senator Kennedy Succumbs to Brain Cancer; Dead at 77

Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy of Massachusetts, brother of former president John F. Kennedy, has died tonight. May he rest in peace. The Kennedy family has released the following statement:

"Edward M. Kennedy - the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we
loved so deeply - died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We've lost
the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the
inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts
forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year,
and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for
progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country
and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were
still ahead, but it's hard to imagine any of them without him."

Related: Boston Globe / Washington Post / NYTimes / Wall Street Journal / LATimes / Baltimore Sun / BBC / Aljazeera / Daily Mail / Belfast Telegraph / China Daily /

UPDATE: Irish Central had reported this afternoon that Senator Kennedy received the Catholic sacrament known as "Last Rites" today. This sacrament is more commonly called "Anointing of the Sick" among Catholics, however both terms are appropriate. For a Catholic explanation of "Anointing of the Sick" see this article at Catholic Answers.

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Sarah Palin to speak at Change Point Church in Anchorage, Thursday August 27th

UPDATE: It seems that either a scheduling issue has come up or someone is spreading FALSE information concerning Sarah accepting an invitation for this fundraiser. Either way SarahPac is in dire need of someone to step up and admit the problems. Or possible do a schedule for upcoming anything?

by upinak, The Palination --

For those who would like to see Sarah Palin speak:

Greetings from FRC!

We wanted to share with you, our supporters, the following alert from your state Family Policy Council. If you have already received this message from them, please simply disregard this. We did, however, want to help make certain that you, your friends, and your neighbors would be aware of this very critical legislative information.

We encourage you to join your Family Policy Council in making your voice heard today! Please join GovernorS ARAH PALIN & nationally known conservativeSTAR PARKER Thursday, August 27th 7:30pmat Change Point Church Anchorage

The Alaskans for Parental Rights campaign was developed to return to parents the right to oversee abortion decisions their underage teenage daughters might be unfortunately considering. Because of an out of touch Alaska Supreme Court and a legislature that has been unable to vote on the issue, Alaska is currently one of only 10 states without a parental notification law on the books. In November of 2007, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that a state law the legislature overwhelmingly passed back in 1997 allowing parents the right to agree or deny abortions their minor teenager daughters might be considering was unconstitutional. Despite parents having to provide consent for ear piercings, tattoos, field trips and even obtaining a simple aspirin in school, children in Alaska can now have abortions without the consent, guidance or even knowledge of their parents.

The goal of the Alaskans for Parental Rights campaign is to obtain at least 32,734 signatures statewide to bring this issue back to the people on the 2010 August Primary Election.

Please join other pro-family, parental rights supporters for a public signing event where Governor Palin will officially become the first petition signer. Star Parker will provide a national perspective on the parental notification issue. Come and join the celebration and to sign the petition yourself!

The Alaskans for Parental Rights Campaign is a project of Alaska Family Action, the 501(c)4 lobbying arm of Alaska Family Council. For more info, go to http://www.alaskansforparentalrights.org/

Thank you for joining this collaborative effort to protect and defend Faith, Family, and Freedom in your state! Sincerely, Tony PerkinsPresident

h/t Karen Allen

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Sarah Palin Rides Again

by Karen Allen, The Palination --

Well, we know the drill. We (yeah, not all, but a lot of us) lay down our hard earned cash at the feet of the Hollywood box office to be entertained for about two and a half hours, and they in turn, take the money, and give it to our political enemies to cream us.

But, I digress...kind of. Did you hear about the Morgans?

Image by MyCine on Flickr

Well, they're coming to a theater near you on December 18th, just in time for holiday viewing. The trailer makes it look pretty predictable...couple has probs, gets thrown together in tough circumstances, and learns to love again. A good date movie...chick flick...however you classify those types of films.

What makes this one so unique is that a line in the movie offers a little shout out to Gov. Palin, positive or negative, depending on how you look at. Spoken by a character played by Sarah Jessica Parker to one played by Hugh Grant, the little remark has caused some Sarah Palin supporters to scream, "Yet another jab by liberals!"

But, I don't know. Watch it for yourself and decide. Leave a comment on your take!

If you don't want to see the whole trailer, go to around the 1:30 mark.

Personally, I felt like the commenter on What Would Toto Watch who disagreed with the sentiment that the author of the article Hollywood Keeps Piling on Palin presented...although I was thrilled that the author seemed to be sticking up for the Gov.

AndyZ 08.18.09 at 1:51 pm I’m a huge supporter of Gov. Palin’s even though I live in NYC and work in the film industry and I disagree with the author’s assessment of the Palin joke - it’s more about who the SJP character is supposed to be, and, clearly both she and Hugh Grant are supposed to be kind of jerks at that stage of the film. I guarantee that the Sheriff and his wife teach them some “down-home goodness” (or something like that), so in fact, the film is kind of making fun of that Eastern Liberal sentiment.

Sooo, with no further adieu, enjoy the show!




@Karen_Allen
(Cross Posted from THE PALINATION)

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"Death Book:" Total Non-Fiction

by Conservative Girl With a Voice --

Have you all heard of the "death book"? Believe it or not, before all this talk of "death panels" was brought to the forefront, the "death book," although in order to be politically correct was entitled "Your Life, Your Choices" already existed. The 52-page document, originally published in 1997 by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), was developed as a way to cut costs in terms of the health care our brave veterans would receive once they returned back home. Once the Bush Administration learned of this document, they ordered the VA to stop using it for not only health reasons, but moral issues as well. In the August 18th edition of the "Wall Street Journal," is an op-ed written by Jim Towey regarding the "death book."
Towey is an amazing individual who fights on the side of life. He created the document entitled "Five Wishes," which is the most widely used living will in America (over 13 million in national circulation). According to Towey, his document contains "no standard bias and does not withdraw or withhold medical care" unlike the controversial "death book." It also meets all the legal requirements in 43 states, and unlike the lengthy 52-pages of the VA's so-called "end-of-life" planning document, Towey's document is only 12 pages. In his op-ed, Towey writes the following:

"After a decade of observing end-of-life discussions, I can attest to the great fear that many patients have, particularly those with few family members and financial resources. I lived and worked in an AIDS home in the mid-1980s and saw first-hand how the dying wanted more than health care—they wanted someone to care."
Thank God for people like Jim Towey. Like the late Princess Diana, Towey knows the simple gestures like holding a sick person's hand mean so much. Personally, This couldn't be more true. The hardest decision my family ever had to make was the decision to put my grandmother into a convalescent hospital because we could longer care for her ourselves. She had a feeding tube and needed around the clock care. Although my grandmother was in pain and had many hardships, she did not quit the fight to live, and my family was with her every step of the way. It was the little things that meant the most to her. The visits, the talks, the time spent with her. When my grandma passed away, my mom and grandpa were there holding each of her hands. While my grandma may have been in pain, she did NOT want to go until God called her home. I will never forget the time I spent with her. The joy on her face spoke volumes to me. Whenever any of her family entered the room, it just made her day. Grandma loved life and fought hard to the very end. As a born-again Christian, she went when it was God's time for her to go, not the government's.

While the discussion of cutting health care costs is at the forefront of the Obama Administration's health care debate, it is important to note that in cutting the costs will come the reduction in care received. Perhaps the "death book" is best at foreshadowing this. According to Towey, Obama "will quickly discover how government bureaucrats are greasing the slippery slope that can start with cost containment but quickly become a systematic denial of care." It is important to note that this document had been used prior to the Bush Administration's suspension of its use. During the Clinton Administration, this document was used as the "preferred living will" in VA nursing rooms and hospitals. Just last year, the VA's National Center for Ethics in Health Care wanted the document's practices to be once again put into use. How dare the government come in between veterans, their families and their doctors? Decisions concerning one's life should be up to the individual and his/her family, not the government.



Our veterans should be treated with the upmost respect and honored for all they have done to serve our great country. When they come home, they should be given the best care and treated honorably, for it is the least we can do for all they have done for us. Yet, instead of treating them this way, the "death book" seems to help our good veterans determine if their lives are worth living anymore. The main author of the document is none other than Dr. Robert Pearlman who is the chief of ethics evaluation for the VA National Center for Ethics in Health Care. Perhaps the most disturbing thing about Pearlman is his support for physician-assisted suicide as well as his calls for the rationing of healthcare. So let me get this straight: The same man who supports physician-assisted suicide and rationed health care is author of a book that is being used to help veterans make end-of-life decisions? Not only is this deeply disturbing, but it is morally offensive to think that our good men and women are being guided in their decision making with a book that was written by a man who seems to condemn life, not value it. As I was researching for more on this document, I could not believe what I found. Although this book is entitled "Your Life, Your Choices," the information in this document is anything but the patient's choice. Towey describes some of the most frightening, disturbing aspects of the book. He describes the book as a "push poll"of sorts, which "presents end-of-life choices in a way aimed at steering users toward predetermined conclusions...." The book gives 21 different scenarios, asking "users to then decide whether their own life would be 'not worth living.'" Here we have the world's most brave men and women, who fought in and survived circumstances that I cannot even begin to imagine, and they are going to be quizzed about how to die? I don't know about you, but I guarantee these brave men and women who fought for our country want to live and die with dignity, not be told how they should die. They are fighters, not quitters. You are not going to believe some of the scenarios that are laid out in this book. Towey lists some of the most disheartening: "The circumstances listed include ones common among the elderly and disabled: living in a nursing home, being in a wheelchair and not being able to 'shake the blues.'" Towey mentions another section of the book, which asks: "Have you ever heard anyone say, 'If I'm a vegetable, pull the plug'?" What this very question implies is hard to stomach. The sick scenarios do not end with this question. Towey also reports others scenarios: "There also are guilt-inducing scenarios such as 'I can no longer contribute to my family's well being,' 'I am a severe financial burden on my family' and that the vet's situation 'causes severe emotional burden for my family.'" These very scenarios are not only morally troublesome, but downright evil. How dare the VA treat our vets this way? Furthermore, how dare the Obama Administration allow this book back into practice. This very book is a death sentence to our good men and women. This book seems to imply that our vets should feel guilty if they want to remain alive, enjoy life and die a natural death. They have made enough sacrifices in serving our country, leave them alone- enough is enough. President Obama and his administration have NO right playing God.


Our good men and women come home with enough to deal with, and now the government wants to dictate who among them lives and dies? All our vets should have to worry about is spending their later years surrounded by their friends and family, enjoying life. After all they have done for us in sacrificing and defending or liberty and freedom, the least we could do is allow them the dignity and respect they deserve, but instead the government is treating them like second-class citizens, making them feel guilty for taking a breath. Towey is definitely right when he writes: "When the government can steer vulnerable individuals to conclude for themselves that life is not worth living, who needs a death panel?" Towey is exactly right. Once the goverment has control of the lives of vulnerable individuals, when is the line drawn? What is the definition of a life worth living? I can tell you that those soldiers who come home after fighting tooth and nail with sheer grit and determination know what it is to fight and WANT to live- They don't want to be thought of as being burdens to society because they are NOT burdens! One of my favorite sentences from Towey's article comes when he writes: "One can only imagine a soldier surviving the war in Iraq and returning without all of his limbs only to encounter a veteran's health-care system that seems intent on his surrender." So true. Our soldiers are taught to fight and be strong, yet this book is going against everything they have fought so hard for, everything they train for before they go into battle. The information in this book is basically a contract of death for our veterans. The men and women at Walter Reed who are going through intense physical therapy just so they can take another step, lift their arms to give their loved ones a hug, or learn how to adapt to life in a wheelchair need hope and optimism, not fear and guilt. They need to feel that the VA and their president respect them and care for them, but with a book like this in place, it is hard for me to believe that they really do care.


In Towey's op-ed, he discusses the period between 2007-2008 in which the "death book" was updated, and an interesting point Towey found is that in an effort to update the information, no faith groups or disability rights advocates were consulted. I wonder why? Perhaps this is because this book goes against everything they have worked so hard to advance: An individuals right to life and dignity. Yet, how ironic that the only source listed in the new version as a resource on "advanced directives" is the Hemlock Society, which so conveniently has since been renamed to the sugar-coated "Compassion and Choices." I don't know how this group defines "compassion," but everything they have done to contribute to this book is far from compassionate. Now, the men and women who risk their lives are the TRUE beacons of compassion. I'd like to know if Dr. Pearlman and the members of this so-called "Compassion and Choices" group would volunteer to join the armed forces and risk their lives for a cause greater than self? I wonder how they would feel if they were in a nursing home or hospital, having someone guide them through the scenarios listed in the "death book"?


Many assume the "death book" will not be presented to a patient until they are elderly or disabled, which is bad enough, but did you know that just last month (July 2009), the VA directive according to Towey has instructed its primary care physicians to "raise advance care planning with all VA patients and to refer them to 'Your Life, Your Choices.' Not just those of advanced age and debilitated condition—all patients. America's 24 million veterans deserve better." You betcha they do! These men and women are heroes and should be treated as such; instead, they are referred to a book on planning death. Shame on the VA! Shame on you, President Obama!


Just as Sarah Palin brought the discussion of the "death panels" to the forefront, I know it is just a matter of time before she discusses the "death book," and I encourage her to do so expediently, so that we can put an end to this horror. Sarah was so accurate when she said the following regarding the "death panel":

"The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care.... Such a system is downright evil."

The same classification can be used to described the "death book," for it too is evil! We have a president who says he wants veterans to have the best care possible, but how is this possible when he wants to cut the costs of care. When you cut the costs of care, you are reducing the value of the care itself. Towey concludes his heart-wrenching piece by writing the following:

"If President Obama is sincere in stating that he is not trying to cut costs by pressuring the disabled to forgo critical care, one good way to show that commitment is to walk two blocks from the Oval Office and pull the plug on 'Your Life, Your Choices.' He should make sure in the future that VA decisions are guided by values that treat the lives of our veterans as gifts, not burdens."

A thoughtful statement from a thoughtful man who values life. Our vets deserve the best care money can buy! Why would we want to put a price tag on the value of care they receive? Giving them the best care is the least we could do for these men and women, these TRUE American heroes who have fought so hard so that we may live a free and prosperous life full of endless possibilities. President Obama, if you respect our brave men and women as much as you claim to as their commander and chief, put an end to the use of "Your Life, Your Choices" by the VA NOW because this book does nothing but go against everything our brave men and women have fought so hard for.


(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice! Visit my blog to read more entries and become a follower: http://conservativegirlwithavoice.blogspot.com

I'm also on Twitter @rachellefriberg. Let me know you're a fan of my blog entries, and I'll follow you too :)

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