Updated June 8, 2009 at 3:30 EDT.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin received the Independent Group Home Living, Inc. 30th Anniversary award on June 7, 2009 presented at the Flowerfield catering hall in St. James New York for her advocacy and defense of people with special needs. Just prior to receiving the award, Governor Palin joined thousands of walkers in a Autism Speaks' "Walk Now For Autism" in Purchase, NY and saw part of a Yankee game.

A fleeting moment....from left, Walter W. Stockton, CEO, Independent Group Home Living, Inc., Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, and husband Todd. June 7, 2009, 6:17 PM EDT.

Governor Palin said she was humbled to receive this award, because IGHL had been advocating for the disabled for 30 years; she had only started when she gave birth to Trig. Her sister Heather was present, along with her nephew Karcher who has autism. Governor Palin spoke about the sanctity of life and the importance of respecting all human beings regardless of their abilities. Regarding her son Trig, Governor Palin said, "God has blessed us, and we don't ask why me? why us?....Without Trig, I don't think we would ever have had our hearts, and our minds, our souls, and ourselves opened up to the passion that you all have and had for many years for the special needs community. Without Trig, I think that that would be absent from us."

"Every single person has purpose, no matter what their developmental abilities....Independence and freedom: they're cherished rights for every citizen regardless of their ability," she said. The Governor renewed her campaign pledge to be a friend and advocate of anyone with special needs. Of the IGHL, Governor Palin said, "you were pioneers....you offered dignity, and you offered independence, instead of basically, candidly, just warehousing people."

Complete video transcript of Governor Palin's speech follows:

Find more videos like this on Team Sarah

Also present were talk show host, Sean Hannity and Congressman Peter King, both staunch supporters of Governor Palin's. Mr. Hannity noted that Governor Palin did her speech without a teleprompter. "Obviously, this was from your heart," he said."I know her passion and her commitment to this cause, which many of you have been involved in for over 30 years," he said. "Whenever we serve other people in need, in our lives, we are serving a higher calling. I have been and continue to be as pro-life as anybody that I know...because...I believe as our founding document says, 'we are all endowed by our Creator.'" The video transcript of Sean Hannity's speech follows:

Find more videos like this on Team Sarah

The Governor's time at IGHL was fleeting. Following a photo session on a footbridge in the main dining area, Governor Palin went into another dining room where the podium was located, received the award, gave her speech then left the building. As this blog goes to press, Governor Palin is in Washington, DC to meet with Alaska's Washington office (John Katz) regarding the AGIA natural gas pipeline.

New York Newsday was the only major newspaper in the New York metropolitan area that provided comprehensive, objective, and respectful coverage of this event, as well as a beautiful photo spread of Governor Palin at Yankee Stadium and at the Autism Speaks walk (not a mention on Autism Speaks site, of Governor Palin's participation in their event). The New York Newsday coverage and photo spread is now part of a reference list.

Most media were not allowed to access the room in which the speech was given, but this author was able to get this shot through the window outside, as his video camera was running inside a room away....so near yet so far away....June 7, 2009, 6:49 PM EDT.

References

Lam, C. (2009, June 7). Sarah Palin speaks at fundraiser in St. James. New York Newsday. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-sarahpalin0608,0,1640711.story

Sarah Palin at Yankees game, on LI. (2009, June 8), New York Newsday. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-palin-pg,0,794332.photogallery

Janison, D. (2009, June 7). Is Sarah Palin running for prez? On Long Island, nobody's saying no. New York Newsday. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-pojanipalin0608-col,0,4798031.column

Adrienne, author of the Motivation for Truth blog met Governor Palin, who was in Auburn NY to celebrate Alaska's 50th year of statehood. On that blog, it was reported that though Governor Palin's trip was hardly advertised and received little news coverage, over 20,000 people attended the event. Below are videos of a speech the Governor delivered later in the day:

Gov. Sarah Palin Leads Auburn's Founders Day Parade

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin helped celebrate Alaskan history with Auburn on June 6th 2009 by taking part in the first annual Founders Day Parade. The event designed this year to connect Auburn with Alaska. Auburn favorite son William Seward, former U.S. secretary of state, arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. In this video, Gov. Palin took part in the parade and gave a speech to thousands of spectators in front of Auburn’s City Hall (Stcanner, 2009, ¶1).

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Governor Palin speaks in Auburn, NY celebrating 50th Anniversary of Alaska's statehood. Photo courtesy of Sharon Caliendo.
Todd Palin, husband of Governor Palin facing the camera. Photo courtesy of Sharon Caliendo.

References

Photos Courtesy of Sharon Caliendo.

YouTube videos shot by Chet Susslin/The Citizen and retrieved from: http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2009/06/governor-palins-seward-house-address.html

Stcanner. (2009, June 6). "Gov. Sarah Palin leads Auburn's Founders Day parade." The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY). Retrieved June 6, 2009 from: http://videos.syracuse.com/post-standard/2009/06/gov_sarah_palin_leads_auburns.html

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin on June 5, 2009 released US Energy Department revelations that the $28.6 million in stimulus funds she vetoed indeed come with strings attached.

DOE has repeatedly stated some energy funds are directly tied to the statewide adoption of new federal energy-efficiency codes. [Section 410(a)(2); March 12, 2009, DOE Guidance Manual, p.8, p.10, 25-26, p.33-34, Attachment 3; April 24, 2009, DOE Guidance Manual, p.8, p.10, p.25-26, p.33-34.] The codes in question are the 2009 International Conservation Code for residences and the 2007 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ code for commercial buildings throughout the state (DOE Strings, 2009, ¶2). As there is no statewide energy code, compliance by all local jurisdictions would include even Alaska’s 114 second-class and mostly rural communities. Full compliance with the strict new codes, which regulate even the type of lighting that can be installed, would cost Alaskans thousands of dollars per new home or renovation (DOE Strings, 2009, ¶3).

Governor Palin's release listed in the references outlines some of the building code material in greater detail.

Commentary

As an executive, Governor Palin analyzed the facts that were presented to her vis-à-vis the US Department of Energy codes and the stimulus package. She applying these criteria: is her decision, safe, legal or authorized, and does the benefit outweigh the costs? (Hilley, 2008, p. 48). Any decision she made would have safe, legal, or authorized, but only one would pass the cost-benefit analysis, and that decision was the one she made.

Accepting the $28.6 million would have been a pyrrhic victory, for the money is poisoned. It comes with strings attached that will likely cost more than the $28.6 million received. This is akin to one person gifting a house to another, only the recipient cannot afford the mortgage or property taxes on it. The gift is self-negating and Governor Palin's considered analysis found this to be precisely the case.

Governor Palin made the decision as an executive to veto this money. If the Alaska State Legislature desires to, they can override her veto, should they have sufficient votes to do so -- which they appear to (Cockerham, 2009, ¶1). The Governor through this release, once again provided the facts, which formed the basis of her decision. The legislature may well override her, but Governor Palin can rest easy knowing that her mind performed the proper analysis and her hand executed the correct decision.

This poisoned money is not merely self-negating. It involves greater federal interference into state affairs -- a breach of the Tenth Amendment, and that is where this analysis shifts to the political. Governor Palin is a strong advocate of small, limited federal government, and keeping power at the local level to the greatest degree possible. She interprets the federal and her state's Constitution strictly and as they were originally written. These is are two of the core principles of Reagan conservatism. The decision Governor Palin executed in vetoing this poisoned money was 100% in accordance with and guided by these core principles and beliefs.

Governor Palin will not compromise her core principles for the sake of short-term popularity.

References

Cockerham, S. (2009, June 5). "Lawmakers muster votes to override governor." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved June 6, 2009 from: http://www.adn.com/palin/story/820095.html

Energy Department reveals strings attached, asks states to comment. (2009, June 5). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 6, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1887

Hilley, J. (2008). Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).

Following is the complete audio transcript of Governor Palin's speech to introduce Michael Reagan. This will spawn a new window. The audio is quite muted and distant, so you will have to crank the volume up high. There is a video on Real Clear Politics, however, it consists of this soundtrack with a single still shot of Governor Palin.

palin.mp3

Following is Governor Palin's Tweet on Twitter regarding the intro:

"On my way to intro Michael Reagan & hear him speak re: what his wise, innovative father, Pres. Reagan, would do in these challenging times" (Palin, 2009).

Salient points from Governor Palin's introduction:

[The government is planning to] "bail out debt ridden states" so it can "get in there and control the people." "Since when can you get out of huge national debt by creating trillions of dollars of new debt?" Palin asked. "It all really is so backwards and skewed as to sound like absolute nonsense when some of this economic policy is explained" (RCP, 2009, ¶1).

"Screw political correctness" (Palin, 2009).

Commentary

Michael Reagan had this to say about Governor Palin when she delivered her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on September 3, 2008:

I’ve been trying to convince my fellow conservatives that they have been wasting their time in a fruitless quest for a new Ronald Reagan to emerge and lead our party and our nation. I insisted that we’d never see his like again because he was one of a kind (Reagan, 2008, ¶1).

I was wrong! (Reagan, 2008, ¶2)

"Wednesday night I watched the Republican National Convention on television and there, before my very eyes, I saw my Dad reborn; only this time he's a she (Reagan, 2008, ¶3).

And what a she! (Reagan, 2008, ¶4)

In one blockbuster of a speech, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin resurrected my Dad’s indomitable spirit and sent it soaring above the convention center, shooting shock waves through the cynical media’s assigned spaces and electrifying the huge audience with the kind of inspiring rhetoric we haven’t heard since my Dad left the scene (Reagan, 2008, ¶5).

Commentary -- Memoir Material

The connection of Governor Palin to Ronald Reagan is significant and accounted for this author's transition from interested observer to active blogger campaigner.

Michael Reagan's words formed the basis for this author's "SuperSonic Sarah" concept. Those words were inscribed on a rally sign, which she autographed on October 8, 2008 at 1352 EDT, followed by autographing the author's polo shirt over his heart one minute later. The foregoing became the basis of the author's video tribute:

Find more videos like this on Team Sarah

Commentary -- Analysis

Governor Palin embodies the core principles of conservatism, to wit: small, limited federal government; culture of life and human dignity; low taxes; constitutional originalist; domestic energy production; support for the Second Amendment; support of our national interests and security. She is a transformational leader who has the ability to draw a crowd and motivate her constituents. She has a star power that no other conservative has displayed since Ronald Reagan. Her love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and shooting -- puts her in a league with Teddy Roosevelt. Her connection to Ronald Reagan is being documented here. Some have cited similarities to Margaret Thatcher. And the Governor has a Princess Diana aspect to her, with the loving way she interacts with her supporters.

Is it any wonder that in an unscientific US News and World Report poll 91.41% regarded Governor Palin as Obama's greatest political threat (Obama Threat, 2009)?

Governor Palin's Tweet on June 3, 2009 at the 19th hour and the 57th minute (EDT) followed by her speech that night completed the circle and confirmed Michael Reagan's sentiments. She is carrying Ronald Wilson Reagan's torch. She is being called, and hopefully soon, she will summon and beckon us to follow her to that shining city on a hill.....

To be continued....

References

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, June 3). Introduction of Michael Reagan (Audio Transcript). Anchorage, AK.

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, June 3). Twitter Page Entry 19:57 EDT. Retrieved June 5, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2024876545

RCP Staff. (2009, June). "Palin: Government wants to control the people." Real Clear Politics. Retrieved June 5, 2009 from: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/06/04/palin_government_wants_to_control_the_people.html

Reagan, M. (2008, September 4). "Welcome back, dad!" Human Events. Retrieved June 5, 2009 from: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28389&s=rcmp

Who poses the biggest political threat to Obama? (n.d.). US News and World Report. Retrieved June 5, 2009 from: http://www.usnews.com/polls/obamas-biggest-opponent/results.html

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin defended the Juneau Access Project to build a road across the Lynn Canal on June 4, 2009. The project was halted February 19, 2009 by U.S. District Court Judge John Sedwick who granted the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) an injunction to stop all work on the project. Alaska's Department of Law filed an appeal with the 9th Circuit Court in San Francisco (Appeal, 2009, p. 1).

“The incredible amount of litigation this project faces shows how difficult it is to build infrastructure in a cost-efficient, responsible, and timely way,” Governor Palin said. “While we are frustrated by the delay, the project is in a position where the technical, legal challenges must be resolved before it can move forward for a full assessment” (Appeal, 2009, p. 1).

“With all due respect, the court is simply wrong,” said Deputy Attorney General Craig Tillery. “The record contains data and analysis regarding existing ferry assets and traffic in Lynn Canal. It shows existing vessels cannot meet the purpose and need of the project, particularly reducing travel time and costs” (Appeal, 2009, p. 1).

Commentary

The SEACC is the same cast of characters who tried to stop the Kensington gold mine from moving forward. That project employs 400 Alaskans, half of whom are Natives, and with average salaries over $80,000 per year.

This is a typical environmental group that wants to stop all human progress. The Department of Law release does not give the complete background on the Juneau Access Project, but it does give enough to tell us the gist of what the project is about -- to build a road across a river to supplant inefficient car ferries, reducing travel times and costs.

Environmental groups have been trafficking in alarmist nonsense for years, and the solutions they propose to meet energy demands or help humans move about are patently absurd....things like painting roofs white, or monitoring tire pressure to save gas. Their proposed "cap and trade program" is a scam that will increase energy bills by 50%. The whole "carbon credits" framework is similarly a scam. These environmental groups are in many ways no different than the Luddites of old -- they stand opposed to human progress. They use "protecting the environment" as means by which to regulate our activities and interfere with our lives. These groups deign to tell us what kind of vehicles we should drive -- of course they prefer that we not drive at all; and they want to dictate how we light and heat our houses, among many other things. They make it impossible to build power plants and refineries, despite increased demand for both electricity and petroleum, because our population has grown.

The environmental harm that results from sinking some pilings into the earth beneath the Lynn Canal is miniscule at best and the prevention of said harm is no justification for not improving access to the state's capital.

Kudos to Governor Palin and her administration standing up, doing the right thing, and having the spine to stand up to these environmental extremists and support a worthy project.

References

State files appeal of federal court ruling halting Juneau Access Project. (2009, June 4). State of Alaska, Department of Law. Retrieved June 4, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/pdf/PR-DoL_AppealonJuneauAccessProject_060409.pdf

By Gary P. Jackson Reproduced with Permission I’m not a fan of Levi Johnston. But as Father’s Day will soon be upon us, I feel this is a fitting award! Why am I bringing this up, and what does this have to with my usual theme of choices in politics and life? Well, it should be obvious. Life is all about choices. Some good, some bad, and some just plain disgusting Levi is rapidly falling into the disgusting category We’ve all had failed relationships in our life. Some of us, especially when we were young, had a few. Most of us didn’t leave a child behind in those relationships. But out of those that did, most stepped up to the plate and did the right thing by the kid. Which brings me to an e-mail from a friend. “Levi seen cashing two $500 checks from National Enquirer at Wasilla Wal-Mart!” Not exactly news, I mean we all understand Levi is prostituting himself out for “fame and fortune”. But it brings up some questions. While Levi is out playing “rock star for the day”, who is taking care of his son full time, working to pay for his son’s diapers, while continuing her education? While Levi is out schmoozing, or hunting and fishing, who is changing dirty diapers and taking care of his son? And what about Levi’s new found celebrity? Here’s an uneducated, unemployed, kid. A kid that ain’t even looking for a job. And yet, since he has become such a well known man-about-town, he has traded in his fairly new Chevrolet pick up, for a more upscale Ford. He also has new Jeep. It now seems Levi has supposedly put a deposit down on a Mercedes-Benz in Anchorage! Now being a reformed car guy, I can tell you that folks don’t just put down a deposit on hope! (or change) So you tell me, where does all of Levi’s money come from? I mean this is an unemployed high school drop out! Cars cost money, flashy clothes cost money, and jet setting across the nation costs a lot of money, especially with an accused drug dealing mother and a sister who seems a little to “attentive” for my taste, in tow. One answer may very well be Rex Butler Butler is a high powered Alaska attorney and Barack Obama supporter. He is representing Levi’s mother, Sherry Johnston on her 6 felony counts of drug trafficking. He also appears to be Levi’s manager of sorts. Eddie Burke, from the Eddie Burke Show, discusses this situation at length. Evidently, long time Butler muscle for hire Sherman “Tank” Jones is now Levi’s bodyguard! Our friends over at Conservatives 4 Palin describe this pair as money grubbing smear merchants." Which seems to describe the entire left wing up in the land of the midnight sun. I’ve written extensively about some of the insane bloggers who have co-ordinated many attacks on Governor Palin, and C4P calls them some of them out, as well, in their story on Butler and Jones. It is said that Butler is representing Sherry Johnson and Levi “pro-bono.” But that doesn’t sound right. I mean what is in it for Butler? Now I can see an attorney, helping out a local out with a small, or even large problem for free, so long as they didn’t have to break a sweat. But.... Now, it has been well established that Barack Obama and his chief of staff Pete Rouse were a driving force behind the phony troopergate witch hunt, and as a reward for a job well done, Pete Rouse’s good friend, Alaska Senator Kim Elton, who ram-rodded the smear campaign was given a make work job over in the Department of the Interior in Barack Obama’s administration. Could Butler be expecting some sort of payoff down the line? That certainly seems to be the Chicago way! I honestly don’t know. But I know this. New Ford trucks, Jeeps, and Mercedes-Benz automobiles cost a lot of money. Money that an uneducated, unemployed kid generally wouldn’t have. Levi decided to forgo being a stand up guy when it came to taking care of his child. Instead he has decided to spend his youth stripping for GQ magazine, and trashing the mother of his child on national television, by appearing on the Tyra Banks Show, as well as Larry King Live. (I’m sure his son will be so proud to know this when he grows up) Now, when asked, Tyra banks said in no uncertain terms that the show did not pay for Levi, and family, to appear on the show, nor provide for expenses. Plane tickets cost money. Hotels in New York City cost money. Eating in New York City costs money. Just moving around the city costs money, even if you assume the shows sent a car to bring the Johnston family to the studios. So, where is all of this money coming from? While two $500 checks from National Enquirer is certainly income, it’s not much. And if Levi was a man, instead of a boy, he would have given one of those checks to Bristol, to help care for his son. Which brings me to this. Why doesn’t Levi stop playing “teen idol” and man-up? Well, if this boy actually went out and got a job, he’d have to give up half of it in child support, that’s why! This loser knows the second he becomes a productive member of society, he will be forced to take responsibility for his son. Levi seems to think that if he has no job, no visible means of support, that he has no responsibilities. Maybe he figures 50% of nothing, is nothing. Of course, as far as being a real man, 100% of Levi is still nothing! Do the right thing Levi, get a job, and provide for your child. You are only a useful idiot to the left. As soon as they use you up, they'll forget you. Your son, on the other hand is precious, and needs his father to be a stand up guy! Levi, It is a time for you to choose!

References

Jackson, G.P. (2009, June 4). Levi Johnston Dead Beat Dad Of The Year. A Time for Choosing. Retrieved June 4, 2009 from: http://thespeechatimeforchoosing.blogspot.com/2009/06/levi-johnston-dead-beat-dad-of-year.html

[Alaska] Governor Sarah Palin [on June 3, 2009] lauded the substantial progress that has been made toward building a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope into Alberta, Canada. Since the passage of the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA), two competing projects have made significant progress in building a natural gas pipeline (AGIA Progress, 2009, ¶1).

“I am so very proud of our gasline team which works hard every day to make progress on this vital project for our state, without any need to seek publicity or achieve political advantage,” Governor Palin said. “With no need for grandstanding, they have moved this project along with stakeholders and federal regulators, and that is going to pay enormous dividends in the future” (AGIA Progress, 2009, ¶2)

Two commissioners however, are disappointed that Alaska’s junior senator has failed to recognize the progress that has been made on one of the largest construction projects in North America. In a speech to the World Trade Center Alaska, Senator Mark Begich expressed frustration that Alaska has not moved forward on the gasline. In a joint letter to the senator, Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin and Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin provided a progress update and urged the senator to keep abreast of the latest developments (AGIA Progress, 2009, ¶3).

Salient points from the letter:

"We must believe that you are uninformed about the current situation in Alaska regarding this project. The Alaska gas pipeline will be the largest and most complex private sector project in the history of North America. The lead time required to execute the project successfully is measured in years, not days or months" (Galvin & Irwin, 2009, p. 1).

"Through the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA), including the contribution of $500 million, the state of Alaska has put its “skin in the game” to advance this project. As a result of AGIA, we have two competing projects expending significant resources to design and engineer the pipeline, and to develop the commercial framework to conduct an open season in 2010. Both projects have pre-filed at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and [TransCanada Alaska] TC Alaska has committed to hold an open season by July 2010" (Galvin & Irwin, 2009, p. 1).

The authors noted that the Obama administration supports this pipeline, and "...[W]e have heard nothing from him or members of his administration that reflects frustration with the significant progress that is now occurring. Finally, an overwhelming majority of Democrats and Republicans in Congress have supported the pipeline as an essential element of a comprehensive energy policy (Galvin & Irwin, 2009, p. 2).

Commentary

This sentence: "We must believe that you are uninformed about the current situation in Alaska regarding this project" -- really says it all regarding Senator Begich's commentary at Alaska's World Trade Center. The Senator is not particularly friendly to the Governor's interests. His comment about AGIA was obviously a thinly veiled attempt to take a potshot at her.

The AGIA project is making a 30-year-old dream a reality. It was born out of Governor Palin's subject matter expertise on energy generation, production, transmission, and distribution.

References

Galvin, P.S. and Irwin, T.E. (2009, June 3). Alaska Gasline Inducement Act. State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Revenue. Retrieved June 4, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/pdf/BegichLetter-GaslineProgress_May2-2009.pdf

Governor Palin lauds AGIA progress. Commissioners urge Senator Begich to adopt a Bipartisan Approach. (2009, June 3). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 4, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1882

The "14th ethics complaint filed against the Governor or her staff that has been resolved [on June 3, 2009] with no finding of a violation of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Those complaints contain 22 separate allegations, all of which have been found to be without merit" (Ethics, 2009, ¶1).

The complaint, filed by Linda Kellen Biegel, a blogger designated by the 2008 Democratic National Convention to represent Alaska bloggers, alleged that the governor violated the ethics act when she acted as the official starter of the Iron Dog snow machine race in February while wearing a jacket with the name Team Arctic, a logo of the Arctic Cat Company. The complaint accused the governor of using her position and state resources to serve her personal financial interests. The complaint also alleged that the governor used state resources to promote a personal interest (Ethics, 2009, ¶2).

Thomas Daniel, the independent investigator for the State Personnel Board, concluded there is no evidence establishing probable cause to believe that Governor Palin used her position for personal gain by wearing a Team Arctic jacket at the start and finish of the 2009 Iron Dog race (Ethics, 2009, ¶3).

“My investigation has uncovered no evidence that the governor or her husband received anything of value in exchange for the governor wearing the Team Arctic jacket when she acted as the official starter of the 2009 Iron Dog,” Daniel wrote in the report dismissing Kellen Biegel’s complaint (Ethics, 2009, ¶4).

Daniel went on to write, “I also note that most jackets worn by Alaskans have a company name or logo on them. It is common to see jackets with logos of North Face, Patagonia, Eddie Bauer, Marmot, Cabella’s, L.L. Bean and others. Indeed, it is more likely than not that any jacket that an Alaskan wears will have a company logo on it. So the fact that a person wears a jacket with a company logo on it is not evidence that the person is receiving a financial benefit as a result. To the contrary, it is the company that is receiving the benefit in the form of free advertising" (Ethics, 2009, ¶5).

"This complaint cost the governor personally, and the State of Alaska, thousands of dollars to address,” said Thomas Van Flein, the governor’s attorney. “It is regrettable that the ethics process has been diverted for partisan purposes by some, but it is also commendable that the board remains focused on the law" (Ethics, 2009, ¶6).

Commentary

Not only is Linda Kellen Biegel a Democrat designated blogger, she operates a well-known hate site against Governor Palin in which refers to herself as "Celtic Diva" and the site as her "blue oasis." Her high-level connection with the Democratic Party establishes clear motivation for having filed the complaint. Every last one of these complaints has one of the following in common:

1. The complainants had a grudge against the Governor directly -- or the State of Alaska and chose to take their beef out on her personally;
2. The complainant had significant connections with either Obama, or the Democratic Party -- as was the case here -- or connections with political rivals within the Governor's own party;
3. The complainant had a vested financial or other interest in tarnishing the Governor;
4. Some combination of the foregoing

Thus far, 15 complaints have been filed with Alaska's Department of Law. This dismissal leaves one outstanding. As reported by colleague Gary Jackson, one complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), by a George Soros-owned organization. That complaint was also dismissed.

These ethics complaints have their basis in at least one of Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals, which calls upon the radical to negate the target's positive's and cast the target as a hypocrite.

Governor Palin is 100% clean in that not a single one of these complaints lodged against her has stood on any kind of merit. Most have been dismissed based on simple review of the law and did not even require an adjudication hearing.

As a reminder, please donate to the Alaska Fund Trust -- Governor Palin's Legal Defense Fund -- if you have not already done so, or if you are still within the $150 per donor limit for a calendar year. Governor Palin still has significant legal debts to pay off. Click the logo image above to get started. Thank you. ;-)

References

Ethics complaint on apparel dismissed. 14th ethics complaints filed with no violations. (2009, June 3). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 4, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1884

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin expressed " her appreciation to the individuals, businesses, and organizations that helped start the Point Thomson oil and gas development project" on June 2, 2009, at a luncheon sponsored by ExxonMobil. Pt. Thomson is located on Alaska's North Slope, 60 miles east of Prudhoe Bay (Pt. Thomson, 2009, ¶1). The site "contains tremendous oil and gas reserves at estimates of hundreds of millions of barrels of oil and more than 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas – considered the largest untapped onshore reserves of oil and gas in North America" (Pt. Thomson, 2009, ¶4).

Point Thomson Appreciation Luncheon Speech (As Prepared)

Thank you, Craig. I’m happy to be here today, to join you all in acknowledging the individuals, businesses, and organizations that have made 2009 truly a year to remember in the history of Point Thomson. May we have many, many more (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶1).

It goes without saying that I’m glad Point Thomson is finally feeling the drill bit. It’s been a collaborative effort, and now we see opportunities for the private sector and our state to benefit from the necessary preparation and ongoing activity essential to developing oil and gas resources on Alaska’s lands. That’s what our constitution requires of public servants – and that’s a charge that I take with the utmost honor and commitment. And I believe that things really can work they way they are supposed to, according to our constitution, when we abide by the letter and the spirit of this founding document – and you see the results of that, here today (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶2).

The State of Alaska is unique among the 50 states, in that we own our subsurface mineral resources. We have an awesome oil and gas land ownership responsibility. And we recognize the oil and gas industry as an engine of economic security and growth. That makes our relationship with the industry unique as well (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶3).

In those areas where our interests are aligned, the State has a responsibility to put into place prudent policies and take actions that advance our common interests. We are doing that. It is incumbent upon us to provide appropriate incentives, to make sure Alaskans are protected, to ensure our environmental policies protect our state while allowing responsible development. To provide access to our lands with the best prospects for resource recovery, and to open up more land, like the federal lands that are both on and offshore (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶4).

Sometimes, our interests seem “not-so” aligned, and public officials are obligated to take tough positions or assert our sovereign rights to protect the public interest – that can lead to aggressive negotiations (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶5).

Resolving differences and harmonizing our interests is the challenge. In the case of areas within Point Thomson, some of our differences are seeing resolution (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶6).

Development here is proof that our interests can be aligned, and that we can work together – there are many more examples, but you just don’t see very many of those stories in the media. One area in which we are particularly well-aligned is the employment of Alaskans and Alaska businesses – which is why we’re all here today, to thank you for all of the private sector’s hard work and effort that has gone into this project to date (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶7).

To me, there’s nothing better than when our efforts lead to jobs created by responsible development and collaborative partnership – there’s no better result than Alaskans and Alaska businesses going to work! I know Alaskans join me in that appreciation (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶8).

I am pleased to see so many good, industrious Alaskans at work. In order to support the two-well drilling program on the east end of the Slope, Exxon has contracted primarily with Alaska companies to get the job done. That illustrates solid business sense – entrusting the work to those who know the land and climate so well – but it also gives the Alaskan public confidence in the work being done (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶9).

Earlier this spring, you moved a rig to one of the two leases in the unit area. One well was spudded, with its completion planned for later this year. There’s a commitment to begin drilling a second well this summer. This is a great start (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶10).

The road to get to this point hasn’t been easy. It’s taken years, and just looking at the time of day that the first well was spudded – 2:30 am – it sounds more like childbirth than drilling a well! (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶11)

And there have been more than a few labor pains in the process to get to where we are today. Following a grueling administrative and legal hearing process, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin authorized the drilling operation on January 27, allowing mobilization of the drilling rig. He provided guidance to regulatory officers on permitting to allow drilling to begin as quickly as possible when issues were resolved. Here again, working together to find solutions that mutually serve our interests, results in great things happening for Alaska (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶12).

I’m happy to say that the good news continues here. Industry has committed to produce oil from these two leases by 2014, and we’re all in the beginning phases of designing and permitting the infrastructure required to bring oil from these leases to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and on to hungry, needy markets. This continuing effort will put many more Alaskans to work for years to come! (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶13)

Our state has many highly-skilled companies and workers who can support the development of our valuable oil and gas resources, and we applaud the efforts of industry players who put them to work (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶14).

So, this is good. It’s REALLY good. It’s been tough, but look where we are today – we’re drilling! And, we’re protecting the environment through effective permitting and monitoring; ensuring safe operations for those at the drill site. And, bottom line – we’re making sure that our oil and gas resources are consistently developed with the mandate of our constitution – “for the maximum benefit of the people of Alaska” (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶15)

Once again, thanks to all of you who have made this public/private partnership possible, and I thank you for your good work on the Point Thomson project. God bless (Pt. Thomson Speech, 2009, ¶16).

Photos from Luncheon

Governor Sarah Palin addresses a crowd of more than 300 at an appreciation luncheon for the individuals, businesses and organizations that brought the 30-year Point Thomson project to fruition.

Governor Sarah Palin addresses a crowd of more than 300 at an appreciation luncheon for the individuals, businesses and organizations that brought the 30-year Point Thomson project to fruition.

Governor Sarah Palin and Craig Haymes, outgoing Alaska Production Manager for ExxonMobil, discuss the Point Thomson project.

Governor Sarah Palin met with Craig Haymes, outgoing Alaska Production Manager for ExxonMobil, and his replacement, Dale Pittman, just prior to speaking at a Point Thomson appreciation luncheon in early June.

References

Governor attends Pt. Thomson luncheon to express her appreciation for project. (2009, June 2). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 3, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1880

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, June 2). "Point Thomson appreciation luncheon. State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 3, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1873

The editorial board of Investors Business Daily (IBD) supported Governor Palin's position on North Korea on June 1, 2009. As the IBD noted, North Korea is preparing to test-launch an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a 4,000-mile range, which puts Alaska's mainland squarely within striking range (Missiles, 2009, ¶3).

"Robert Gates' visit to our missile defense facility at Fort Greely on Monday was a pointed reminder to the North Koreans that while we have been talking softly, we still have a few big sticks in the ground ready to turn the North Korean missile program into so much scrap metal" (Missiles, 2009, ¶1).

"Gates believes the 30 interceptors developed, tested and deployed by his former boss, President George W. Bush, at Fort Greely and at Vandenberg AFB in California are adequate for the threat. While Gates' words are tough and the visual aids stunning, Gov. Palin, who hosted Gates' visit and whose state is on the wrong end of a Taepodong trajectory, thinks more is needed — such as the other 14 ground-based interceptors that were planned for budget cuts (Missiles, 2009, ¶8).

"A statement from her office last Friday, after North Korea launched its sixth missile in less than a week, said: 'Missile Defense Agency funding must be fully restored in the federal budget to guarantee our protective measures remain the best in the world.' We think so too" (Missiles, 2009, ¶9).

"'The United Nations sanctions have failed to stop North Korea's development of nuclear weapons,' the statement quotes Palin as saying, 'and the Obama administration cannot afford to be playing catch-up to an irrational dictator like Kim Jong Il'" (Missiles, 2009, ¶10).

"One response that might get North Korea's attention would be to enforce the Proliferation Security Initiative created by President Bush in 2003 after the So Sang incident. The PSI allows its 95 signatory states to inspect ships and planes for illicit weapons and materials and to seize their cargos" (Missiles, 2009, ¶11).

According to IBD, South Korea is joining the PSI (Missiles, 2009, ¶12).

"Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, who was instrumental in creating the PSI, says the Obama administration as of recently doesn't think much of the option: 'I don't think they even knew what it was'" (Missiles, 2009, ¶13).

"As in the war on terror, most of our successes remain secret. But according to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the PSI was used in October 2003 to intercept nuclear-fuel centrifuge components being shipped to Libya on a German-owned vessel" (Missiles, 2009, ¶14).

"That's how you stop proliferation" (Missiles, 2009, ¶15).

Commentary

Kudos to the IBD not only for supporting Governor Palin, but their choice of words for the headline: SDI -- Strategic Defense Initiative -- born under President Ronald Wilson Reagan -- whose torch is being carried by none other than Governor Palin. This is a small but significant detail. Alaska's missile defense system is premised on the same principle as SDI, except that Alaska's system consists of ground-based missile interceptors; it's not merely a concept. It exists now, and these missile interceptors are known to work -- very well. SDI was premised on a different technology, being a space-based system.

That the missile defense budget should be left alone -- if anything -- INCREASED -- should be painfully obvious and not even be the subject of debate. North Korea is clearly engaging in a dangerous game, brought on because they rightfully perceive Obama as being weak on national defense. Seriously, what else would an enemy state perceive about a sitting president who bows before Muslim dictators, goes on apology tours and states that Iran has the right to nuclear technology, even though that country is using it to build a nuclear weapon? With all the pork barrel silly projects that the federal government finances, they can't be cut instead? Why does this administration now cry poverty on a critical national defense item?

What is it in Obama's thought process that leads him to believe that the "strong words" uttered by Secretary Gates will be sufficient to stop the North Korean threat -- while his administration prepares to cut funds for the very tool that makes those words mean something? A teleprompter loaded with an eloquent speech will not stop an ICBM. But, one of Governor Palin's interceptor missiles most definitely will stop one.

How can this man who is supposed to be President "think little of the PSI" and barely know of its very existence? Is he not the Commander in Chief? Is his job not to protect our country from all enemies foreign and domestic? Yes, there are plenty of strong arguments to suggest that his policies render him a domestic enemy, but that's a little beyond the scope of this subject -- come to think of it -- maybe it is not.....maybe, it is at the root of this issue. Maybe this is why he thinks Iran has the right to nukes and Israel should accept as a partner an enemy who seeks her destruction.

Interestingly, we hear the same tired moose manure about how Governor Palin is somehow "unqualified" coming out of Obama's mouthpieces in the mainstream media -- like Katie Couric -- who until Governor Palin graced her with three interviews -- had abysmal ratings. Couric researched ways to try to trip up Governor Palin, and edited the tape to remove over two minutes of good quotes. For that hit job, she got a Pulitzer Prize, when she in fact violated the most basic principles of journalistic ethics.

Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time knows that Governor Palin is admirably qualified. She's had 17 years to hone her executive skills. She has spent those years making the hard decisions, administering budgets, hiring and firing. She never had the option to vote present or abstain from a vote. As Governor, as and as a mayor, she's had to pass or veto bills and if anything went wrong with her decisions, including the actions of her reports, she was the one held accountable.

The Governor's critics lambaste her every day on minutia, and made-up nonsense. Governor Palin has her priorities in the right place. Her state is at the front line of defending against ICBMs originating from North Korea and eastern Russia. Obama is the one who really needs to figure out what country he is President and Commander in Chief of -- and supposed to be advocating for, not against. Hopefully by now, he realizes we have 50 states, not 57 (the number of Muslim countries in the world).

In this author's opinion right now, the best man for the job of POTUS is a woman, specifically the one whose accomplishments are the subject of this blog.....

References

Target Alaska: Gov. Palin pushes SDI. (2009, June 1). Investor's Business Daily. Retrieved June 2, 2009 from: http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=328747091886487

"The stories of two very different lives with similar fates crossed through the media's hands yesterday - both equally important but one lacked the proper attention. The death of 67-year old George Tiller was unacceptable, but equally disgusting was another death that police believe was politically and religiously motivated as well (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

William Long died [June 1, 2009]. The 23-year old Army Recruiter was gunned down by a fanatic; another fellow soldier was wounded in the ambush. The soldiers had just completed their basic training and were talking to potential recruits, just as my son, Track, once did (Palin, 2009, ¶2).

Whatever titles we give these murderers, both deserve our attention. Violence like that is no way to solve a political dispute nor a religious one. And the fanatics on all sides do great disservice when they confuse dissention with rage and death" (Palin, 2009, ¶3).

Commentary

William Long was killed by a Muslim convert and news accounts of his death appear to be few and far between. Why the mainstream media has prioritized one politically motivated murder over the other is interesting to say the least -- but not surprising, given who is occupying the Oval Office and his proclivities vis-a-vis Islamic terrorism. In his deranged world -- that's right -- deranged -- Iran has the right to nukes, Israel should help nation build a group whose charter consists of its annihilation, and North Korea's missile tests are nothing to worry about.

Governor Palin -- again in three succinct paragraphs -- said what needed to be said on this subject. With fanatics -- regardless of their stripe -- dissent, rage, and death are all the same thing. These are people who are either unable to draw the distinction -- or who are perfectly able to, but willfully choose not to. They are evil incarnate, for they are at the root of murder/suicide, genocides and holocausts. The murders of both Tiller and Long were equally heinous and both spawned from the same evil.

References

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, June 2). SarahPAC. Retrieved June 2, 2009 from: http://sarahpac.com/news/news33.aspx

"I feel sorrow for the Tiller family. I respect the sanctity of life and the tragedy that took place today in Kansas clearly violates respect for life. This murder also damages the positive message of life, for the unborn, and for those living. Ask yourself, 'What will those who have not yet decided personally where they stand on this issue take away from today's [May 31, 2009] event in Kansas?' (Palin, 2009, ¶1)

Regardless of my strong objection to Dr. Tiller's abortion practices, violence is never an answer in advancing the pro-life message" (Palin, 2009, ¶2).

Commentary

Governor Palin addressed this issue on so many levels in just two paragraphs. First, on a logical level it defeats the purpose of pro-life to kill a gynecologist who provides abortions, or in this case late-term abortions. Second, we live under a socialist administration, whose Department of Homeland Security just two months ago issued a report which classified those who have a single-issue focus on abortion as being a potential threat. All Tiller's murderer accomplished was giving this administration a "see I told you so!" moment. It certainly did not help advance the pro-life cause. Third, it gives the anti-gun crowd yet another reason to go after our guns, though not referenced in Governor Palin's statement. Fourth, using violence to achieve a political end is the textbook definition of terrorism. The way to advance pro-life causes is through the ballot box -- and through legitimate means.

While we're on the subject of advancing the pro-life cause, this might be a good time to take stock and consider if what we do truly advances this cause. It's very easy to say "I'm pro-life." How many of us who claim to be pro-life donate to organizations that help pregnant women either care for their children once born or put their children up for adoption? The incentive to have an abortion is often financial, or just knowledge of being completely unready to be a parent. We should consider our tactics too. Running through the streets with photos of aborted fetuses does not exactly endear people to our cause.

The Constitution neither permits nor prohibits abortion. Regardless of one's personal views on it, it's an issue the government should stay out of -- at least at the federal level.

The pro-life cause has no better advocates than Governor Palin and her daughter Bristol. Both did not merely preach it -- they practiced it. Fully 90% of mothers abort Down Syndrome pregnancies. Governor Palin is one of the 10% who did not. Bristol, likewise kept her baby when abortion certainly was a rather convenient alternative. When Governor Palin became the VP candidate, without saying a word about abortion, she advanced the pro-life cause more than anyone has in years. Those of us who are pro-life and want to learn how to advance this cause -- you have your teacher. Just follow her lessons.

References

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, June 1). SarahPAC. Retrieved June 2, 2009 from: http://www.sarahpac.com/news/news32.aspx

"[Alaska] Governor Sarah Palin announced on May 31, 2009 that the State of Alaska has chosen to monitor but not yet actively participate in the upcoming initiative to create nationwide common core state standards in reading and math" (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶1).

"The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers have announced they intend to work with states to formulate standards in English and math for kindergarten through grade 12 by December 2009" (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶2).

“Alaska’s decision not to participate until after we monitor this is based on our desire to spend our time and public resources to improve instruction in the classroom and to form productive relationships between schools and the communities they serve,” Governor Palin said. “If this initiative produces useful results, Alaska will remain free to incorporate them in our own standards” (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶3).

"Commissioner Larry LeDoux of the Department of Education and Early Development noted that Alaskans already have spent considerable time and money to develop detailed standards for the performance of students in grades 3 to 10 in reading, writing and math, including assessments to measure students in those core subjects. There also are numerous other standards for the content of curricula and the performance of younger students and of teachers" (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶4).

"Commissioner LeDoux noted that the Alaska Education Plan includes a commitment to review our standards" (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶5).

“Alaska’s assessments tell us useful information about our students,” LeDoux said. “Used correctly, the data helps guide instruction and leads to improved student achievement. If standards and assessments are changed, schools and parents will not be able to compare their students’ progress to recent years and once again we will be back to square one” (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶6).

“The standards are not the education problem we face,” the governor said. “The major challenges are persistently low achievement among some students and a low graduation rate. Now is the time for the state and school districts to work together to improve instruction and student achievement” (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶7).

"To that end, in this past legislative session the administration proposed and the legislature funded a pilot program to improve young children’s readiness for school and an initiative to help struggling school districts build a sustainable capacity to serve their students" (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶8).

"In addition to offering districts technical assistance in best practices that substantially influence school and student performance, the state will employ a director of rural education, who will build bridges between schools and communities, and draw on local resources" (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶9).

“The State of Alaska fully believes that schools must have high expectations of students,” Governor Palin said. “But high expectations are not always created by new, mandated federal standards written on paper. They are created in the home, the community and the classroom." (Education Initiative, 2009, ¶10).

Commentary

We see a number of aspects of Governor Palin's conservatism on display here. Politically speaking, this is pure Reagan conservatism -- preference for small and limited federal government -- and keeping local control. Her final two paragraphs synthesize that point more than adequately.

From the standpoint of executive leadership, we see a step-by-step "look before you leap" approach founded upon discipline. Governor Palin is not jumping headlong into a program that sounds good, but the details of which may prove troublesome later. She is monitoring and observing. The Governor will then proceed based on her observations.

We also see fiscal prudence here. AK already has high standards and has spent considerable sums of money to institute and maintain them. Spending money on a duplicate program at the federal level quite likely makes little sense.

Finally, as Governor Palin noted, achievement, not standards is the core issue in the AK educational system. A proper educational initiative; therefore, focuses on achievement as the root cause problem, not creating or adhering to yet another set of standards.

References

Alaska to monitor education initiative; reading and math nationwide standards. (2009, May 31). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 1, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1872

Following are images of a hand-written thank you note I received from Governor Palin for my support of her. She wrote this on May 21, 2009 -- the same day she signed six appropriations bills and had preliminary damage estimates done on Alaska's flooded interior to prepare for a federal disaster declaration request. I received the card on May 26, 2009 and sent a letter to the editor to the Mat Su Frontiersman shortly thereafter. It was published Saturday, May 30, 2009. I waited to blog this pending publication of the letter.

"Palin Reaches Out" as published by the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Today, most elected leaders are far removed from their constituents, leading to apathy toward the whole political process. But one notable and distinct exception is changing that trend: Sarah Palin — Governor of Alaska. On May 26, I received a hand-written thank you note for my support of her (Devito, 2009, ¶1).

Though I live 4,400 miles away, I follow Gov. Palin’s accomplishments closely and document them. I know, based on research and on information from several contacts, that she works 18 to 20 hours a day seven days a week. She also has familial obligations, volunteer work; has to eat, exercise (yes, she makes the time and she runs marathons), among other things (Devito, 2009, ¶2).

My thank you note was written by the governor’s hand and postmarked the day that same hand signed six appropriations bills into law, and executed the line item veto. Gov. Palin requested preliminary damage assessments from FEMA teams that same day as well (Devito, 2009, ¶3).

That Gov. Palin made the time and had it in her heart to thank me — an ordinary person — from thousands of miles apart — on such a busy day — is an honor I’ll never forget. My whoop of joy was probably heard around the world when I opened the mailbox and saw that note (Devito, 2009, ¶4).

Twice in as many weeks Gov. Palin brought the political process to the classroom, where she signed bills in the presence of students at four schools. This is a rarity; a treasure. Leaders such as her — born from among us — appear perhaps once in 150 years (Devito, 2009, ¶5).

Following are screen shots of the letter online -- notice the SarahPAC ad, which is why I captured them. ;-)

References

Devito, R. (2009, May 30). "Palin Reaches Out." Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. Retrieved May 31, 2009 from: http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2009/05/31/opinion/letters/doc4a21ff5b89cb9614630306.txt