Vote for the Most Influential Conservative Voice

I was forwarded this and wanted to pass it on. While Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck are influential voices, and while I have been pleased lately that Dick Cheney is more vocal than he was as our former VP, it's Sarah Palin that definitely carries the title of Most Influential Conservative Voice. Who else can issue a note on Facebook and get the attention of the media, the public, and be quoted by the president and his staff? Who has media outlets, whether they love her or not, clamoring to interview her and get her opinion on many matters because they know the people want to hear her opinion? Who commands crowds in the thousands for book signings, having people wait in line hours just to meet her? Sarah Palin is the most influential conservative voice of our time without a doubt. Please show your support by participating in this CBS/60 Minutes poll and letting them know what Sarah is capable of!

The Manhattan Declaration

I received an email from Team Sarah, of which I am a member, about The Manhattan Declaration. I encourage all of you to read this, follow the link and sign this important document. Here is information from the site:

Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.

We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:

1. the sanctity of human life
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

To learn more about this document and to sign it, click here.

Sarah Palin: Detractors have it all wrong

I have been cruising the web, reading the stories, and shaking my head. It doesn't surprise me anymore, the vicious attacks against Sarah Palin and her family, although it does sadden me. With all the media coverage surrounding Sarah's book tour, a new sling of accusations against our former governor have emerged, once again focusing on her as a wife and mother.

I tend not to read the comments posted by readers of online articles, particularly those commenting on articles involving Sarah. There will be comments by supporters, but more often than not there will be comments by those who have nothing good to say, and pick apart those who do. Reading articles I have seen a common thread in recent days, attacking Sarah once again. These comments accuse her of using the kids as props, traveling with the kids, and even a comment about Trig not having shoes on in one video clip, asking "what kind of mother are you?" of Sarah.

Remember Princess Diana? I thought today of an article written years ago after Prince William, her oldest, was born. It said that Princess Diana would spend time playing music in Prince William's nursery, even standing over him with a camera, clicking away so that he could get used to the sound of the cameras that would flash his image and follow him everywhere he went. This is their reality, the reality of someone in the spotlight. Trig, who has Down Syndrome, seems to have adjusted very well to all the attention which might not have been the case had his family not gotten him used to the attention. Supporters are interested in seeing the children, because it is part of who Sarah is - she is a working mother - and many of us admire her for that. Her children are part of who she is, and it would be foolish and impossible to hide them away. I am certain that if she did hide them away, we would again be hearing from detractors, this time accusing her of not spending time with her children and keeping them shuttered.

I live in Wasilla (Sarah's home town) and have spent time with the family and I have to say this - this is one of the most well adjusted families I have seen. The kids are involved in sports, after school activities, and are very social. I've seen them running after school to go sledding, walking pets, and playing with family and friends. When asked how a trip went, often you get a quick "OK" and then a change of topic. They move on. Many, many children of those in politics and celebrity have traveled with their parents. Imagine the opportunities these kids have already had. They have met people and seen parts of the country most of us will never get a chance to see. These children are not hidden away. They are out there for us to see, but are supported, loved, and reminded of how blessed they are to have the opportunities they have. I have never seen any of them take it for granted.

And as far as Trig and his shoes - obviously this comment was not written by the mother of a young child. To that commentor I say this: When you invent a way to keep socks on little feet, let the rest of us know, ok?

Sarah Palin visits the Rev. Billy Graham

I have been watching with interest, as I'm sure many of you have as well, the travels of Sarah Palin these past few days. Her journey started in Michigan, then moved to Indiana, then finally Ohio. I'm from Ohio, so these states are my old stomping grounds. I had emailed my aunt who lives just north of Cincinnati when the tour dates came out, but I haven't heard whether she was there or not.

From Ohio, the book party moved on to Pennsylvania in an area just a few miles from where my husband is from and his family still resides. Kind of ironic, huh? Her next stop yesterday was Rochester, NY. I have been watching various video clips to see Sarah of course, but also to see other members of the family that I knew were traveling with her. I was excited for Adrienne Ross who was able to actually work the Rochester event, even though a hater caused a scene after Sarah had left. All in all though, it seems to be a good trip.

I was especially excited today to see a story on Conservatives4Palin about Sarah landing in Asheville, North Carolina (not far from where I lived in Virginia) and getting the chance to meet the Rev. Billy Graham. What a blessing! Through the video, I was able to see Sally and Chuck and the rest of the family, landing there in Asheville and after a short interview, being whisked away to meet with the Grahams. How wonderful would that be?! I can remember watching Rev. Graham as a young child, looking up to him and knowing this man was sent by God himself to witness to all of us. I could see that there was something special about him, as there is something special about Sarah. Sarah said she was looking forward to speaking with him about how best to deliver her message, and I can think of no one else on this earth that would be a more wise counsel. Here is a clip from Space Mountain Productions as found on Buncombe County Republican Party website. Enjoy!

Sarah Palin arrives in Asheville NC to have Dinner with Billy Graham & Family from richard bernier on Vimeo.

Sarah Palin's Hometown: A Christmas Dinner Request

I love living in Wasilla, Alaska. It reminds me of the small farming community where I grew up in Ohio. I recently was approached by Sarah Palin’s mother, Sallly Heath, and her friend Carol Ryan, and asked to become involved with a group they have been involved with in recent years, the Christmas Friendship Dinner. Sarah Palin and her family have given their time in past years as volunteers and I know Sarah’s mom will be there with myself and many others on Christmas Day to provide a meal and fellowship to people of the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Valley who have nowhere else to go, or just want to be with others on Christmas Day. Last year because of her run for Vice President and Secret Service concerns, Sarah was not able to serve but did come to show her support. Please check out this article from The Frontiersman, our local paper, and the 2007 Christmas Dinner after Sarah was elected Governor of Alaska for information about her serving:

SEASON'S EATINGS
By Greg Johnson
Frontiersman
Published on Thursday, December 27, 2007 9:57 PM AKST

WASILLA — Gov. Sarah Palin really does serve the people, and has the apron and spoon to prove it.

The governor made a surprise visit at Tuesday’s annual Christmas Day Dinner at Wasilla High School, and it wasn’t long before she was behind the steam tables serving up helpings of mashed potatoes and dressing.

“Isn’t this cool?” the governor said about the community feed, which drew more than 1,000 people to WHS this year. “What’s neat about this is those folks who’ve been here doing this for 16 years.”

Daniel Brown, Palin’s serving buddy on the line, was nearly giddy over the unexpected gift he received from the governor.

“She said I was her new best friend,” Brown said.

Palin and Brown were part of the estimated 200 volunteers who helped make the 2007 Christmas Day Dinner another success, said Bob Bowers, who has been and organizer of the event since its inception. About 1,200 attended last year’s event and more than 1,000 were fed Tuesday. An actual count wasn’t immediately available.

For Bowers, the community gathering in a central location to eat, sing, visit Santa Claus and be neighborly embodies the spirit of the holiday.

“This is just fantastic, just like it is every year,” he said. “We’ve got doctors, lawyers, businessmen, community folk all together. Even Sarah [Palin] showed up this year. Wow.”

Enjoying the food and playing with other kids was Clarissa Coon, 7, who was excited to talk about her Christmas experience.

“We opened up our presents,” she said. “My daddy’s friend [came over] and I showed them what I got, and that I made a leaf thing for my daddy.”

Hannah Clark, 11, spent much of the time with her family and taking turns singing Christmas carols. She also complimented whoever donated the brownies on the dessert line.

“I love their brownies,” she said. “They are the best. I think this is all really, really great. I like to sing and they let kids sing.”

Santa Claus himself was one of those enjoying listening to Coon and others sharing the microphone singing holiday tunes. Fresh off making his around-the-world trip, Santa was still lively and spry, visiting with children, who each left with a free photograph with the Jolly Old Elf.

Many of the kids asked Santa if he were tired after being up all night delivering toys, he said.

“I love it,” said Santa, aka Leroy Hawn, about the Christmas Day Dinner. “I look forward to it every year.”

All the food, decorations and help is donated, Bowers said, adding that there was no reason for anyone to leave the feast hungry and many took home leftovers. Overall, volunteers donated and cooked up:

• 43 turkeys,

• 23 hams,

• 400 pounds of potatoes,

• 120 large cans of yams,

• 300 pounds of bread, which was dried and made into dressing,

• 140 large cans of cranberries,

• about 150 gallons of gravy,

• more than 1,000 rolls,

• and hundreds of donated pies and desserts.

The dinner has grown since its first year, when it drew 64 people to the Wasilla Senior Center, Bowers said. For several years, he also made all the rolls himself, but the dinner has grown so much he can’t make them all from scratch anymore.

In addition to the hundreds who file into the Wasilla High School gymnasium, volunteer drivers also take meals to the homebound, Bowers said.

Area seniors really appreciate having a place to go on Christmas or seeing a smiling face bringing dinner to them, said Jeanne Gardner, a resident at the Wasilla Senior Center.

“This is the first time I’ve been here and it was great,” she said. “I got to see people I haven’t seen in months. I see a lot of seniors out today, and it’s good for them.”

Roger Hughes said the food was “wonderful,” and enjoyed the social atmosphere.

“I see people I haven’t seen for years,” he said, adding the effort reflects positively on Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley. “It says we’re together and this is a loving, caring, giving community. It’s uplifting.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2268

The story behind this dinner tradition is really touching. Some 18 years ago, a group of friends in a Wasilla Lions Club had received some donated turkeys and decided to put together a dinner for the community. Their modest start of serving about 25 people has developed into an annual event that is estimated to serve over 1800 this year, including delivery of meals to homebound folks over a broad area of the core of the Mat-Su Valley.

The meal is open to all regardless of age, beliefs or type of need (some people have physical or financial needs and other have spiritual or emotional needs) to gather in a welcoming atmosphere to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This is NOT a holiday dinner – it is a CHRISTmas dinner.

There is absolutely no charge for the dinner. We serve on Christmas Day from 11:00-3:00. In early years the event was held at the Wasilla Senior Center, and then at Wasilla High School. Because of the resounding success of the event, the 2009 dinner has been moved to the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

As you might imagine, staging an event of this magnitude takes a lot of people, and a lot of resources (or money). I write to you because we need your help. Everything has a cost associated with it from the building we are in, to the food, to the plates and cups, down to security and housekeeping services. Over the years many different people have helped in many different ways and we have been blessed to have had financial, time and/or in-kind contributions from individuals, corporations, governmental entities, churches, non-profits and small businesses. Currently we are working hard to meet the increased costs of this year’s dinner. The need is great, especially this year, and gifts of money for the purchase of food and other supplies is greatly appreciated. Donations can be sent to the following address:

Christmas Friendship Dinner
PO Box 870845
Wasilla, AK 99687

PLEASE NOTE: If you need a tax donation receipt, please contact me directly via my email at va2ak2005@yahoo.com and I will give you instructions on how and where to send those donations. Only email me if you need a receipt. Otherwise, use the address above.

Any amount would be appreciated. We thank you so, so much and I will make sure to include a copy of any article that may be published again this year about the event. God Bless!

People, Let Your Voices Be Heard!

We are standing at a precipice. It's Saturday morning in Alaska, and as I sit here drinking my coffee, I'm watching history unfold on Fox News. If you don't watch Fox News, you may not see this. Here is the chart they are showing Americans and the question being asked is, "If this is not bureaucracy, what is?"



Please, somebody, wake me up! This is a nightmare from which we will never, ever return. Talk to teachers. I bet any teacher can give you more negatives about "No Child Left Behind" than positives. But will we ever rescend this horrible program? I seriously doubt it. How many unfunded mandates has the federal government saddled our states with in history? Plenty. Look at the fraud in Medicare and Medicaid, or the running of the US Post Office as examples. Remember those $1000 hammers in the military? How about the VA Medical System - better than nothing but could it be run more efficiently and could care be better? You betcha, by a long shot.

No republican is willing to say that healthcare reform is not needed. But a loaded down, minefield-laden nightmare is not the answer. A majority of people DO NOT WANT THIS BILL. Now, the libs will call us spoilers. Tell me this - what gets an elderly woman, a young man, or a middle-aged mom to get on a bus, in a car, on a train, to visit capitol hill in the middle of the week, at last minute notice, so that their voice can be heard? What gets a doctor to completely rearrange her patient schedule so that she can participate? What gets citizens who can't be there to get on the phones and call every representative they can? This bill, and their passion for democracy. That's what.

Conservative leaders tell us many members on both sides are listening to voters. I sure as heck hope so. This is a democracy, which means we have a voice. But even more than that, it is the will of the people that guides our process. All we can do is vote someone into office that we hope will listen to the majority of the people he or she represents.

I'd like you to read Sarah Palin's latest Facebook post. If you don't have a Facebook account, and you are concerned about conservative values, I encourage you to create a page. At the very least, it will keep you informed. Sarah Palin has used this as a platform to speak to us, and I believe although unconventional, it allows her an unfiltered opportunity to speak to everyone. Please read her comments and follow the link provided.

By SARAH PALIN - Speaker Pelosi: Your Blue Dogs are Howling
Today at 3:47am AST

Like many Americans, I’m very concerned about the efforts underway to rush through the 2,000 page Pelosi health care bill this weekend. Why the rush? That’s a lot of pages to read. Why not give everyone the chance to read it and debate it?

How much will this bill cost us? It’s unclear because the figures coming out of Washington keep changing – and always in the direction of costing more, not less. The latest numbers show it will cost more than a trillion dollars over the decade, but when has a government program ever come in on or under budget?

How will we pay for it? Taxes, of course – and not just on the “rich” (you know, the people who spur the economy by buying goods and running companies that employ people), but also on just about everyone, especially small businesses – the job-creating engine of our economy. One of the points of health care reform was to help small businesses with the cost, but this bill hurts them – and right at a time when so many Americans are out of work and need the jobs that small businesses produce.

What’s in this bill? The “death panel” provision is in it. Medicare cuts are in it. Coverage of illegal immigrants is in it. And federal funding for abortion is in it. I commend the many Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats who are taking a principled stance to fight this.

I had a message for Speaker Pelosi in a speech I gave last night for the Wisconsin Right to Life – “please, please don’t break the ‘transparency promise’ by prohibiting at least a vote of your colleagues on funding abortion-on-demand.”

Speaker Pelosi has already broken many promises thus far in this “reform” exercise. She promised that this would be a bi-partisan effort, but the bill she’s pushing isn’t bi-partisan. She promised that the final version of the bill would be posted online 72 hours before it comes to a vote so that the American people could clearly see what’s in it and how we will pay for it. But she broke that promise too when she decided to rush the bill to a vote this weekend.

The speaker must be held accountable for her broken promises. Now is the time for Americans who believe in the free market and who believe that we need policies that promote job growth instead of job loss to say once and for all, “Enough!” Stand up and make your voices heard before it’s too late. Call and email your representatives and tell them to vote “no” on Pelosi’s train wreck of a health care bill, or else we will vote “no” to sending them back to Washington when we go to the polls in less than 12 months.

- Sarah Palin

PS: For an idea of the bureaucratic maze that the Pelosi bill would create, take a look at this new chart put out by the Joint Economic Committee.

Today is a very important day - be informed!

Innocence Is Priceless

Sent by a friend -

INNOCENCE IS PRICELESS

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque. It was covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it. The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, 'Good morning Alex.'

'Good morning Pastor,' he replied, still focused on the plaque. 'Pastor, what is this?' The pastor said, 'Well son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.' Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque. Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear asked,


'Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:30?'

God Bless!

A Mother's Love For her Marines

Patriotism runs deep in the US Marine Corps. It runs deep with it's members, and it runs deep with the families, and particularly the mothers, of those men and women serving as Marines protecting our country. One of those marine moms is Wasilla's own Gayle Ann Swanson. Gayle Ann is the president of the Valley Republican Women's Club, of which I am a member, and also a friend.

I first met Gayle Ann on the side of the road, of all places. It was shortly after Sarah Palin had announced her run for Vice President as John McCain's running mate. I was leaving work and approaching a busy intersection when I saw a woman in a bright red jacket, standing on the side of the road with many others, waving signs. I love photography and wanted a picture of her with her sign which was dedicated to the Marines, so I pulled over and parked my car.

I approached her with my camera in my hand and told her I loved her sign and asked if I could take her picture. She was really excited and said, "Sure!" She grabbed a couple of buddies and I took the picture. Then she proceeded to introduce me to many of the people who were out there waving signs for Sarah Palin. One of them was none other than Chuck Heath. We had a wonderful conversation, and then he introduced me to Sally. From that day, I was out there whenever I could get the chance, waving signs right up to the morning of the election.

Gayle Ann with many supporters, including Chuck Heath (with the hockey stick!)

One thing I can say about Gayle Ann is that she loves her kids and two of her kids happen to be US Marines. Ted and Ruthann were recently profiled in an article in our local newspaper, the Frontiersman. Both were home on leave at the same time, and mom was very excited to have them home. Ted has been in Afghanistan and I have been with Gayleann when she has gotten calls from her son overseas. Everything stops for those calls, and rightly so. This is a woman who has her priorities straight, and children who respect their mom enough to keep in touch. You can tell the love in this family.

I met Ted when he was home on leave in March 2009. This was when Sarah Palin came the the Valley Republican Women's Club meeting to speak, and she had the opportunity to meet Ted. At the Wasilla picnic in August 2009, two days before Sarah Palin turned over the reigns to current governor Sean Parnell, Gayle Ann was again in the crowd and had the opportunity to receive a Blue Star Banner from Sarah Palin at a ceremony, held every year during the picnic, to honor such families.

Ted and mom Gayle Ann with Former Governor Sarah Palin and members of the Valley Republican Women's Club Board of Directors in March 2009

Gayle Ann receiving two blue star banners from Former Governor Sarah Palin, who herself has a son in the US Army and is a blue star mom

Gayle Ann was so excited just a few short days ago. Ruthann had just come home, and the family and many friends gathered at the airport to await Ted's arrival from Afghanistan. Tonight, as I write this, the family is again at the airport, sending Ted back to the Middle East. I know Gayle Ann's heart is very heavy and full. She has spoken of it, and I ask all of you who read this to pray for her, for her family, and for all the sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, whose braves soldiers and sailors do so much to defend our freedoms. Please enjoy these photos and read the original story from the Frontiersman, which is also linked here and copied below.

Mom and daughter

Mom anxiously awaiting her son's arrival at the airport with family and friends

Mom said she couldn't squeeze him tight enough

OUR NEIGHBORS: They're patriotic "to the Corps"
BY TODD L. DISHER
Frontiersman

WASILLA — With a son deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and a daughter stationed in San Diego, the Swanson’s are not afraid to show their sympathies.

It starts with the rock painted as an American flag marking the entrance of their driveway. Farther back, the real Stars and Stripes fly next to the scarlet and gold of the Marine Corps’ flag. The entry way is covered in USMC bumper stickers and plaques. With a red door and blue shutters, the theme is carried throughout.

“I am extremely proud. I am very patriotic anyway, so it just intensified that,” mother Gayle Ann said of her two Marine children. “I believe in what they are doing.”

Theodore joined first. He graduated from Wasilla High School in the winter of 2007, a semester before his peers. He immediately headed to boot camp in San Diego and returned to Wasilla for the spring graduation ceremony dressed in full military blues.

“I joined the military so I could get college money and wouldn’t start off my life broke,” Theodore said, adding he chose the Marines because “they are the best of the best.”

The 20-year-old is now a radio operator on leave after the first five months of his 12-month deployment.

RuthAnn saw her brother graduate boot camp and felt that feeling common to all younger children.

“Sibling rivalry,” she said when asked her reason for enlisting. “I had nothing else planned ... and said ‘Yeah, I think I’ll join. That will be fun.’”

After graduating from Wasilla High in 2008 — leading the student processional next to her uniformed brother — RuthAnn went to boot camp in South Carolina.

“The female drill instructors are harder on you,” RuthAnn said. “They want to prove the females are just as good if not better than everyone else.”

Other than that, she said, boot camp for women is identical to the program men go through. There is the gas chamber, the weapons training and the physical fitness drills.

“It’s an adventure. ... I got pepper sprayed. I shot a grenade launcher. Most of the other girls I graduated with from Wasilla are —,” RuthAnn paused, thinking how to gently phrase her statement, “— still in Wasilla.”

She is now 19 and works as a supply clerk in San Diego. RuthAnn described barracks living in terms familiar to any first-year undergraduate. The shared rooms have mini fridges and microwaves, and the rumors fly fast and vicious. It’s a world away from Afghanistan.

The first month after arriving, Theodore lived in a tent on base with his unit. It was hot, he said, saying temperatures reached upwards of 140 degrees. But they found ways to cope.

His unit built a swimming pool out of stacked water bottle cases and some tarps. The second version incorporated an old mortar pit and sat 20 to 25 people, he said.

Things are starting to cool down now, and Theodore said he has moved out of base. For a while, the stars were his only roof.

“That kind of sucked,” he said.

Things are looking up now, he said, because he was outfitted with a tent before the snows came.

Members of his radio battalion accompany the infantry on foot patrols. They serve as the link between command and the boots on the ground, in as much of harm’s way as any regular grunt.

“It’s been really, really hard as a mom to know that he’s over there,” Gayle Ann said. “There’s never a time when it’s not just hovering.”

Gayle Ann said she stayed up with the news when Theodore was first deployed. After awhile, it got too hard to hear about it every day. As previously mentioned, she believes in her son’s mission, but she’s grateful he can call once a week to check in.

RuthAnn views her brother’s deployment with a Marine’s perspective.

“The Marines are trained so much it’s basic instinct for us to do what we do,” she said. “I know if he every got in a hard spot, he would know what to do because they prep us for everything.”

When asked what is the best part of having two children in the Marines, Gayle Ann started to tear up. The pride so visibly displayed for all her neighbors to see is very real.

“Their dad and I support every single thing about it,” she said. “The Marine Corps has taught them a lot of respect. They have both grown up a ton very quickly.”

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com

From Wind To Fire

We had a wind storm that lasted the past 3 days with winds from 30-50 mph sustained. We live on 5 acres which is completely wooded and thus, there was some damage. Thankfully, nothing landed on the house, but we did have tree in our backyard take out part of a fence. So, my husband Tony and I decided to go out and do some clearing and add to our firewood pile for our new wood stove. Here are some pics.



The tree that fell on our fence



Tony made the first cuts



Then it was my turn





Finally, the firewood burning in our new wood stove. It's warm and toasty!

Why Babies Have Mothers

It kind of speaks for itself :-)