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REQUIEM

Below are the two final essays to be posted on Allegiance and Duty Betrayed. The first one is written by a friend -- screen name 'Euro-American Scum' -- who, over the past four years, has been the most faithful essayist here. He has written about everything from his pilgrimage to Normandy in 2004 to take part in the 60th–year commemoration of the invasion, to his memories of his tour in Vietnam. His dedication to America’s founding principles ... and those who have sacrificed to preserve them over the past 200+ years ... is unequaled. Thank you, E-A-S. It has been a privilege to include your writing here, and it is a privilege to call you my friend.

The second essay is my own farewell. And with it I thank all of the many regular visitors, and those who may have only dropped in occasionally, for coming here. I hope you learned something. I hope a seed or two was planted. But, even if not, I thank you for stopping by ... 25 March, 2010

8/29/2008

Sarah Palin:
Integrity, Goodwill, and Clear Conviction

Palin1.jpg

It’s always safer in politics to avoid risk – to just kind of go along with the status quo. But I didn’t get into government to do the safe and easy things. A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not why the ship is built.

Politics isn’t just a game of competing interests and clashing parties. The people of America expect us to seek public office and to serve for the right reasons. And the right reason is to challenge the status quo and to serve the common good ... We are expected to govern with integrity, and goodwill, and clear conviction, and a servant’s heart ... Governor Sarah Palin, 29 August, 2008.

_________________

Senator John McCain has just made the most brilliant decision of his political career by announcing that he has chosen Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, as his running mate.

The left will find, or manufacture, all manner of criticisms of Governor Palin over the next two months. Yet Governor Palin, despite the ‘shortcomings’ they will choose to invent or magnify, represents everything that has been sorely lacking in Washington for the past twenty years: integrity, ethics, a belief in limited government, a reverence for the United States Constitution, a belief in the sanctity of life and the citizen’s right to keep and bear arms, a call for domestic oil drilling in ANWR and elsewhere, fiscal responsibility, a disdain for the power of special interests, and a reverence for truth over political expediency, no matter the cost of expressing it.

The main objection to her candidacy that will be voiced from the left will be her lack of experience. Some on the right (NRO in particular) have voiced that opinion already as well.

I see her 'lack of experience' (only in foreign policy) as something of a plus.

She has had experience in an executive capacity, as a mayor and as a governor. Although her former position was ‘only as a mayor’, during that tenure she succeeded in reducing government salaries, and reducing property taxes by more than sixty percent. I don’t care where one serves as a mayor –- be it a large metropolis or a small rural township -- those accomplishments are extraordinarily difficult to achieve, and not only did she achieve them but she won re-election by an overwhelming margin as a result. She was also elected President of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. She was ‘only a mayor’, but she was respected sufficiently by her fellow mayors to be elected their leader and spokesperson.

That alone speaks well for executive ability on any level.

As governor, she successfully targeted corruption by passing a broad-ranging ethics bill, reduced the size of the state government -- in part by firing dozens of last-minute political appointees made by her predecessor and shelving state-funded construction projects that she deemed frivolous, defeated both democratic and republican pork-barrel proposals, promoted oil exploration, negotiated the go-ahead for a $40 billion natural gas pipeline (the largest private-sector infrastructure in American history), returned large portions of the state’s oil and gas profit-related surplus to the people of the state, and sold the governor’s 'frivolous' jet on ebay for $2+ million and deposited the money in the state treasury.

Palin also served as Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, but resigned because she was disgusted by the 'lack of ethics' of other Alaskan republican leaders. She had blown the whistle on ethics violations and conflicts of interest, and met with great resistance. After she resigned, she exposed the ethics violations of several republican leaders -- among them the state Attorney General and the chairman of the state's republican party--and all of those leaders were forced to resign. Sarah Palin is not a party-over-principle leader, a welcome anomaly in today's political climate in which almost all politicians' allegiances are tied to the power structure that places them in office. The antiquated phrase 'of the people, by the people and for the people' appears to ring true to Governor Palin. She has been a public servant, rather than a panderer to special interest groups, or a feather-my-own nest power seeker, all of her political life. Refreshing, to say the least.

Some will undoubtedly say that her less-than-full-term stint as Alaska’s governor renders her a greenhorn politician. I say that the success she has experienced in accomplishing many of the things at the state level that we desperately need accomplished at the federal level renders her a superb executive.

A governor must exhibit far more critical, everyday decision-making abilities than a senator. Successful executive decision-makers wear many simultaneous hats, do significant research, and make decisions, both small and far-reaching, almost on a daily basis. Their job is comparable to that of a CEO, and is similar to that of a president, yet on a smaller level. Senators/legislators deliberate, in a group atmosphere, sometimes for weeks, months, or years. Being a successful governor prepares one significantly better for the presidency/vice presidency than being a senator. And the fact that one's 'apprenticeship' took place in Alaska rather than Washington D.C. is simply a matter of logistics.

If Sarah Palin is well-versed in foreign affairs (which many Americans are, despite not having served in public office), eager to learn, and willing to surround herself with advisors of high caliber, I do not see her lack of experience in that area as a detriment. Far more important than being an encyclopedia of detailed knowledge are good judgment, trusted advisors, and proven decision-making abilities.

Most American conservatives have been calling for ‘new blood’ inside the walled-off-to-non-elites Beltway. So many of our principled, idealistic conservative leaders, of the caliber of J. C. Watts, have left the arena in disgust. Others, of the caliber of Rick Santorum, have been forced out by the dishonest nature of the system. Special interests, media bias, big money, and voter ignorance and apathy all have the loudest voices in today's perverted political climate. The large majority of those who remain in power are simply entrenched, well-oiled cogs in the corrupt, self-perpetuating monster we call Washington D.C.

While the Obama camp calls for change and new blood, it continues to promote the same (if not a ratcheted up) vision of big government that the democrat party has embraced since FDR. Obama’s choice of running mate – a 40-year veteran, and often author, of the corrupt, big-government status quo -- reveals just how genuine his calls for change are.

The Obama camp’s claims of Palin's 'inexperience' had better fall on the electorate’s deaf ears, since their presidential candidate has no executive experience, and no foreign policy experience. The top spot on their ticket belongs to a freshman senator who, in his short tenure on the hill, has sponsored no meaningful legislation, and has a record of absenteeism from senate sessions and committee meetings that would be the envy of any young truant. As far as claims of inexperience are concerned, if the appearance of blatant hypocrisy is to be avoided, the democrats had better not go there.

A related aside ... Let's look at the top of the democrat ticket:

Barack Obama's resumé:

    (1) Nonexistent legal career (as a matter of fact, he brags about not accomplishing anything in the legal arena, as if doing so would have served as a negative).

    (2) Temporary adjunct part-time lecturer in law at the University of Chicago -- not a 'professor', as he claims.

    (3) 'Community Organizer' in Chicago. No definitive accomplishments ever mentioned.

    (4) Illinois State Senator (1997-2004). No successful legislation authored or sponsored.

    (5) United States Senator (2004-present) No successful legislation authored or sponsored.
Such 'accomplishments' pale in comparison to Governor Palin's lengthy and impressive political resumé.

In contrast to the other three candidates running for the highest offices in the land, and almost all other serious candidates running for national office, Sarah Palin is not a product of the Washington bureaucracy. She is not tainted. She answers to no one. She panders to no special interests. She is indeed new blood. She is not afraid to speak her mind, to buck the system (even if it means dissention in her own party). She recognizes that leadership is stewardship, not ownership. She is the real thing.

In these days in which self-serving ideologies are the primary focus of the ruling elite, a reverence for honesty, allegiance to the Founders’ vision, and the desire to be a genuine public servant stand at the brink of extinction. When we come across a leader who possesses those rare qualities, in addition to a sterling record of accomplishments at the state and local level, we cannot allow claims of inexperience (a half-truth) to hold us back from providing our full support.

Until today, I did not believe I could cast a vote for John McCain, despite the frightening alternative. After today’s announcement, I intend to do all that is within my power to ensure a McCain/Palin victory in November.

May the Lord prepare and strengthen Governor Palin for the barrage of hostile political and media attacks that lie ahead of her. The hits will be appalling, precisely because this strong lady of high ambitions and goals, and equally high principles, is exactly what America needs at this historically unprecedented point in our history.
_________________

I ask all readers here to take four minutes out of your day and watch this video. It integrates photos, music and video and paints an accurate picture of perhaps the major foreign policy difference between the republican and democrat tickets this year. Pay close attention to the final twenty seconds. They accurately depict, in symbolic microcosm, not only Barack Obama's opinion of America's troops, but the extent of his foreign policy 'expertise'.

McCain and Palin: Supporters of Our Troops in Word and Deed

McCain-Palin.jpg

~ joanie

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know much about her yet but I like what I've heard so far.

She won't pull in any of Hillary's supporters becuase they aren't pro-woman, they're pro-liberal woman.

But she'll sure as hell pull in people concerned about their RKBA, Christians, and other pro-life groups.

It is a brilliant move.

Anonymous said...

I'm so tired of the same old politicians going to Washington and acting the same old way. Palin is a reformer that has taken on her own party. Let's hope she does the same in Washington.

Anonymous said...

AWESOME CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

She won't pull in any of Hillary's supporters becuase they aren't pro-woman, they're pro-liberal woman.

You got that right, Dan.

This is going to make Hillary supporters choose between "pro-women" and "pro-abortion," and we all know where they'll fall.

Anonymous said...

None of McCain’s possible choices was perfect, and attention is being paid to the way that Palin undercuts other McCain themes, such as the importance of experience in foreign policy. Palin will have to reassure voters of her steadiness when she speaks at the Republican convention and when she debates Joe Biden. McCain, meanwhile, will have to carry most of the foreign-policy load himself and showcase his good health.

The Palin Pick

Golem said...

I'm quite happy with the choice.

Of course, the Dems are going to hit her in the experience and foreign affairs areas. In fact, a couple NRO folks have already attacked her lack of experience here and here.

Of course, she has executive experience, something that neither Obama nor Biden do. McCain, as a Naval line officer, also has executive experience.

Dennis Prager, on his radio show today, is ecstatic about Palin. He says he hasn't been this excited about a candidate since Reagan. He just called Palin the American Margaret Thatcher.

Luis said...

I must admit I've never heard of her, this side of "the Pond".

However I am pleasantly surprised that you have a current political leader to cheer about Joanie ! So I will follow this with interest from now on.

It certainly sounds like she is made of something different from what most politicians are made of....

joanie said...

Golem --

All very good points!

It pains me to see conservatives pointing out her lack of experience, despite the fact that they are doing so honestly.

The left will do that enough for us all, and, as I said in an addendum above, in many respects I see that negative as a positive, because she obviously isn't a part of 'the (corrupt, entrenched) establishment', and doesn't seek to be.

I share Prager's excitement. We'll have to see whether the Reagan/Thatcher vision materializes. She at least has the potential.

Thanks for your excellent insights.

~ joanie

joanie said...

Luis,

Glad to hear you'll be keeping your eyes and ears open regarding Palin. I think you're going to like what you learn. :)

~ joanie

Anonymous said...

She could make all the difference in this election. McCain has finally done something right.

Anonymous said...

Palin a Former Beauty Queen Known For Ambition and Grit

I like "grit" in a woman. ;)

I agree with all of your comments, Joanie. She makes me WANT to vote for the first time this year.

Anonymous said...

I've been hearing rumors on various blogs that more than $3 million poured into the McCain campaign today by 6 PM. Can't verify that, but I wouldn't be surprised. I sent him a donation for the first time, and a week ago he couldn't have pried a dime out of my hands.

Anonymous said...

Full text of Governor Palin's speech

(It makes Obama's speech of last night look like a kindergarten recitation.)

Anonymous said...

Not only change, but hope I can believe in, and audacity I respect.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing video. If we had to narrow this election down to one issue, I'd narrow it down to the war on terror, and if we had to pick one argument to base the election on, I'd offer this video. It's simple, but it says it all.

Great writing as usual, Joanie.

Anonymous said...

This should appear in every major newspaper, but I won't be holding my breath. I'd like to ask Obama's supporters to comment on his "resume". I wager most of them don't know anything about what it lacks. As long as it contains the word "change" they're happy.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this.

James said...

I might vote Republician one more time.

Anonymous said...

I might vote Republician one more time.

Ditto. I thought I was finally finished with the stupid party, until yesterday.

Anonymous said...

Polls: Voters Doubt Palin’s Qualifications While Obama Expands Lead

You'll never go wrong underestimating the intelligence of the American voter.

Anonymous said...

Barack Obama's resumé:

(1) Nonexistent legal career (as a matter of fact, he brags about not accomplishing anything in the legal arena, as if doing so would have served as a negative).

(2) Temporary adjunct part-time lecturer in law at the University of Chicago -- not a 'professor', as he claims.

(3) 'Community Organizer' in Chicago. No definitive accomplishments ever mentioned.

(4) Illinois State Senator (1997-2004). No successful legislation authored or sponsored.

(5) United States Senator (2004-present) No successful legislation authored or sponsored.


Posted on another site:

What exactly is a community organizer?

When a community organizer goes to work where does he go?

What does he do when he gets to work?

How does he know when his job is finished?

Obama writes in his own book that when he was a community organizer that he didn’t get anything done. He complains again and again about running into brick walls.

Is that what a community organizer does? They run into walls for a living?

Where is the want ad for the position of community organizer?
What are the skills that one must have to organize at the community level?

Can a community organizer be fired?
Do community organizers even get paid?

Is there any annual/periodical evaluation for an organizer from a superior? Do community organizers even have superiors?

Is this a made up job to explain years of unemployement?

Now about the community:

What makes liberal communities so pathetic that they need professional organization?

Why do Chicago residents sit on their hands waiting for the day to come when a skilled organizer will come in and organize them?

What was the disorder in the community that was corrected by their self appointed organizer?

Many have recently mad a big deal over the population size of Alaska. Ok. To them I ask, how big is the community that Obama organized?

Do we have any letter of reference from a community member that will help us understand how Obama organized them? Something like “my community was disorderly until Obama organized it.”

Is there an after action evaluation that shows what went well with the organization efforts, what stayed the same, what needs to be improved?

Is there any basic principle of project management that can be applied to Obama’s great claim to have organized a community?

Anonymous said...

Another good read:

Integrity in Politics

Anonymous said...

From the Latest Rasmussen Poll:

There have been significant changes in perception of John McCain in the two days of polling since he named Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Since then, 49% of Republicans voice a Very Favorable opinion of McCain. That’s up six percentage points from 43% just before the announcement. Also, 64% of unaffiliated voters now give positive reviews to McCain, up ten points since naming his running mate.

link

Anonymous said...

You don’t need to have served decades in the District of Corruption to lead this country. You need to have come from somewhere else, and to wear a suit of armor when you go there so as not to be infected with the rot.

Anonymous said...

Obama's Experience:

A college education where his mentor was a devote communist. 20 plus years of worship by a pastor whose teaching centers around destroying whitie. A political career that was launched by an admitted terrorist.

joanie said...

Greta Hoffman:

Great questions! I have them saved for future reference. Your sarcasm is absolutely brilliant!

~ joanie

joanie said...

James and Gary Burgess:

I'm hoping many others will be persuaded to vote Republican, as you (and I) have been, as a result of this brilliant choice.

~ joanie

joanie said...

Live Free or Die:

I should have addressed the precious comment to you as well. :)

~ joanie

joanie said...

You don’t need to have served decades in the District of Corruption to lead this country. You need to have come from somewhere else, and to wear a suit of armor when you go there so as not to be infected with the rot.

AMEN!

joanie said...

Always Right:

I should add your entries to my recitation of Obama's resumé, but I suppose it's (un)powerful enough as it stands.

Great obversations.

~ joanie

joanie said...

Stonemason and Lori:

I've bookmarked your links and will read them after the holiday weekend.

Thanks for providing them.

~ joanie

Anonymous said...

The Late Late Show - Sarah Palin

"Naughty librarian vibe" ;)

Anonymous said...

Kinda paraphrasing Michelle Obama: For the first time in years, I am proud to be a Republican.

Anonymous said...

Joanie, you must watch this video:

America's Future

Anonymous said...

Let's see - not a Washington insider, not an attorney, not an Ivy Leaguer, not a career politician, not the darling of some political machine, actually had real jobs along the way and got to where she is on her own, not by riding someone else's coattails. She is a breath of fresh air.

I wish her luck, although why anyone would want to leave Alaska for Washington is beyond me...

Anonymous said...

Take a look at McCain's webstie this morning:

http://www.johnmccain.com/gustav.htm

Anonymous said...

The media are focusing on Sarah's daughter's pregnancy today. I don't think that will lose her one vote because it is additional proof of the family's belief in the right to life. Obama wouldn't have wanted his daughter "punished" by having this baby.

James said...

Joanie, did you know that Obama and Sarah Palin go way back. Check out my Sept. 1st entry.

joanie said...

ROTFLOL!!!

That's priceless, James. :)

~ joanie

Anonymous said...

I LOVE THIS PHOTOSHOP!:

http://images.quickblogcast.com/35238-32833/Maverick1.jpg

Anonymous said...

From "Eye of Unk" over on FreeRepublic:

....no matter the intensity or lowliness of the attacks against the Palin family facts are facts.

And having a front row view of all of this since I moved to Alaska in 19992 and into Wasilla in 1994 I have seen it all, heard all the backstabbing, slandering and back slapping from many years ago.

But as is the norm for the exception its the case of Alaska being forgotten by the rest of America, on a daily basis in all manner of news, forums and blogs I see facts of Alaska a skewed, but the Palins are not, they are real, I have sat down and toasted drinks to her up close, she will make a good leader because its what America needs, for the last 3 decades we have had leaders that were cultivated inside the Beltway, cultured and manipulated to express often bland and indecisive views to appease everyone, well I have news, in Alaska we say what we see, we act on what has to be done, we help each other.

Just this last winter I was on my way to work at my shop very early at 3am because I like that time of day plus in the winter its mostly dark all day anyhow and I came upon a van broken down on a stretch of hiway just north of Wasilla, no traffic and it was -47 degrees, 4 people were huddled together freezing, I pulled the van off the road and took them all to their home, in Alaska we help each other because at times it a matter of life and death.

Sarah Palin will do just the same thing as a leader, she will help America because its her nature and not a suggestion to manipulate voter groups.

There, so much for my soap box, time for dinner.

joanie said...

Rob,

Thanks so much for the link to the 'America's Future' video. It took my breath away!

~ joanie

joanie said...

I wish her luck, although why anyone would want to leave Alaska for Washington is beyond me...

I agree!

joanie said...

Kathy,

Hilarious pic!!!!!

joanie said...

Carly,

Eye of Unk can get up on his soapbox here anytime. :)

~ joanie

Anonymous said...

Joanie,

I had heard about this woman several months ago and did some reading about her and you are spot on with all of your observations and research. Unfortunately, her name was not mentioned again until the other day when Mac named her as his pick.

I agree with you that it was an absolutely brilliant choice.

I hope God does strengthen her for the coming storms because we certainly need someone of her character in D.C.

Another great piece.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe the media are jumping all over the fact that Palin's daughter is pregnant and her husband had a DUI TWENTY-TWO YEARS ago. Even Fox News is treating those stories as major news events.

If this is all that's in Palin's resume that's bad then she's lilly white compared to everyone else in Washington.

This media treatment of these NOTHING STORIES is DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

..., in Alaska we help each other because at times it a matter of life and death.

I can confirm that, having just experienced it. Last Thursday, my son and a friend went 4-wheeling in the wilderness by Palmer. They went up the Knik river toward the glacier. They attempted to ford a river that was too deep, and lost the jeep, all their belongings, and half their clothes. They had to swim for life in that icy glacier water.

They started walking out - barefoot, soaked, and shirtless in 50degree weather and gathering darkness. After about 5 or six miles, they stumbled across a couple with a bush plane who were there hunting or fishing, and the woman flew them out to civilization.

My son, being the lightest, was crammed in the baggage compartment, and the dumb-a** driver of the jeep got the seat behind the pilot.

Alaskans are the greatest!

Anonymous said...

Mark my word. The media is going to dictate the winner of this election.

They are bringing up all sorts of little crap on Sarah Palin, and the people are answering, "Yeah, she's not as pure as she seems." or "Yeah, a mother of 5 shouldn't be Vice President." Or "Yeah, her husband had a DUI 20 years ago. That's not a good family." Etc. Etc. Etc.

The media can program any result they want.

We're finished!

Anonymous said...

Rush brought tears to my eyes just now talking about these attacks on Palin. If we don't win this one, we're done as a free society.

Anonymous said...

You MUST watch Newt put the leeches in their place:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8zXi90EVeg

Anonymous said...

Newt was fantastic. That reporter looked like he peed his pants. Thanks for the link.