President Obama has reminded us that our security depends in part on reaching out to other nations. I certainly agree, and I respect his leadership on this. But it is not in our best interests or the interests of the peace-loving nations of the world for America to project weakness to terrorists or tyrants.
That's why I believe that the best way to avoid a fight is to be ready to fight. That sentiment is expressed in the simple yet profound motto on the seal of the USS Ronald Reagan: "Peace through Strength."
The world will not be more peaceful if we retreat behind our borders; it will in fact be more dangerous and violent. We don't go looking for fights, but we're ready to face them if necessary. If we ever lose faith in our ideals, the world will be a darker place for those who love peace.
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Regan once recalled with amusement that economists in the 1970s never saw the tech boom coming when they made their gloomy forecasts. The personal computer revolutionized our economy, yet the "experts" didn't see it coming. Energy independence is a bit like that. I don't think people quite see how important it is and how much it can offer us..........
We will achieve economic growth and energy independence if we also responsibly tap conventional resources. God created them right underfoot, beneath American soil and under our waters. We must abandon the false dichotomy that says you can't be pro-environment and pro-development. We can responsibly develop our resources in a way that protects the environment. I speak as an Alaskan. We love our state. We live here. We raise our children here. Why would we want to foul that up? Alaskans are pro-development because we know from experience it can be done without harming the environment.
No one can deny that we need crude oil. It's not just for cars. We use petroleum for everything from jet fuel to petrochemicals, plastics, fertilizers, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. We need petroleum, and if we don't drill for it here, we must import it from developing countries that have little to no environmental protections, that often ravage the earth to extract oil and that exploit workers with little to no regard for human rights........
The bulk of America's trade deficit is fueled not just with plastic toys we buy from China, but also by the oil we import. Imagine how much stronger our economy would be if all of those billions of dollars we spend overseas were circulating here in the United States. Instead, our foreign energy purchases now help subsidize regimes that don't necessarily like us and can always use energy as a weapon against us.
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The national GOP gambled away the progress of the Regan years. Perhaps they meant well, but it looked to me as if they thought they could achieve a permanent majority by compromising their principles. In the end, they lost both.
Last edited by Pressing-On; 11-22-2009 at 11:34 AM.
It was a bit surreal to go from a big state office and all the trappings of power to just a kitchen table. But being out of power can be very liberating.
Take an example: from this tiny apartment, I watched debates unfold in Washington, and I used my Facebook page to call things like I saw them.
These posts had an impact, and it made me think, Isn't Facebook a terrific illustration of the power of American ingenuity?
When she spoke about having premature labor pains five weeks early with Trig. She knew that he was going to be a Downs baby and she said (I'd have to search for the quote, so I'll get near it) "God, don't let me lose this baby. I already love it."
AND
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I can't help but think of Michigan - the state where I "went rogue" trying to reach out to during the campaign. Some of the people of Michigan are hurting the most right now in our economic downturn.
Michigan is a good example of why we must stand up and not give up! We must fight for reform and fight to reclaim these places suffering under the weight of decades of failed big-government policies - the very polities that now threaten to overtake us all. We can't abandon Michigan and places like it. We're Americans. We don't give up on each other......
I've been asked a lot lately, "Where are you going next?" Good question! I'll be heading home to Alaska, of course. Back to that kitchen table......I'm thinking when I get back I'll bake the kids a cake. And I'll pull out a road map - I want to show Piper the way to Michigan.
Beautiful!!!!!
I found two typos and a Vince Lombardi misquote. (lol) What he said was, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." The reason I remember that is that my mother bought my father a "coffee table" type sports book and I sat and read it one day while I was in High School. I ran across that quote by Lombardi and I adopted that as my motto in life from that day forward. I can identify with Sarah Palin on so many levels.
I didn't find the book to be a "whining" book. Just a personal account. Not a score to settle, just a truth of accounts. Again, Rush was right when he said that it was a "policy" book - it is. Excellent I might add!
There are many things I wanted to quote about the campaign run for VP and the ethic charges, but I thought I would leave that for others to read for themselves. If I bought the book - you have to buy it too - if you want to know!
She does line out in more detail why she left the office of Governor. I respect her for it!!!
I will leave you with this quote - it's fitting for an end.
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"It's still best for the state that you're there," Todd encouraged me. "The people who are ticked off just cannot stand that with all the darts and arrows they throw, your team is still making progress. Do you kind of get a kick out of that aspect of all this?" he grinned.
"Well, hmm....what a perspective," I said, not grinning. "Hey, just keep reminding me of Grandpa Sheeran's favorite Latin tag: Illegitimi non carborundum!" which, loosely translated, means, "Don't let the ******** get you down."
Is there anything in the book that you are critical about? Is there anything at all that you did not like?
Stew,
I don't recall anything in the book that I didn't like. I've already loaned it out, so I can't check. I usually mark up my books for a point of quick reference.
My only thoughts are that she will still have to recover from her resignation as Governor - if that is possible. That's a big shadow hanging out there. It's not going to be easy.
And I still think that aside from being annoyed she could have handled herself a little better with Couric and Gibson. I just can't find a good excuse - annoyed isn't good enough. Therefore, she will have to present herself as both personal and intelligent ALL the time now.
She will still have to prove she isn't the ditzy Tina Fey. I know that she isn't, but the two interviews, along with Tina, worked against her - mightily.
The book didn't make me think that she was going to make a run for the Presidency. What it did for me was see the "core" of what she believes and what the GOP, basically, stands for - even though they've lost their way a bit.
She refers to those "core" issues/values as "planks" in the GOP. I do agree with that. Hopefully, she can be of some help and be involved in centering us again. I think her standing on the side of Hoffman in NY23 was a big step to show what she has in mind and what she wants and only will represent.
I also believe this country is ready for a takeover of a Populist movement - she is ripe on the scene for that.
I think that with the work schedule that Todd had, the political scene could work for them, but some things she said and I don't have the book, left me with the impression that she worked a great deal of the time. If that works for the family and her husband supports her, then I'm okay with that.
I just know that it would not work for my family. When I'm involved in something, I pour all of my heart into it. Looking back on all of my career choices, today, I know that working for the Kingdom of God is the only thing that would make me feel satisfied. No job I ever held satisfied me totally - it was just work.
I read an article, nay a whole book, about green eggs and ham. Didn't believe it either.
__________________
"Resolved: That all men should live to the glory of God. Resolved, secondly: That whether or not anyone else does, I will." ~Jonathan Edwards
"The only man who has the right to say he is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ." ~Dietrich Bonheoffer, The Cost of Discipleship
"Preachers who should be fishing for men are now too often fishing for compliments from men." ~Leonard Ravenhill
My theory is that liberal America fears Sarah Palin. Even though a CBS News poll has her approval rating at just 23%, a whopping 37% say they are still undecided about the governor. That means that millions of Americans are potential converts to her populist cause—bad news for the left if the country turns against the Obama administration.
Thus, the liberal media is hunting Mrs. Palin, trying to drive a stake through her heart once and for all. But the woman is tough, wily, and unafraid. She's driving them crazy.
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