Feeling patriotic today...

I stumbled across two performances this week I have to share with you. The first is a performance of the National Anthem by Ayla Brown, daughter of newly elected Senator Scott Brown from Massachusetts. Now, I've been told I must be living under a rock or something, but I had no idea this girl had once been on American Idol. I don't know who beat her, but she certainly has a set of pipes on her and I would have voted for her for sure. Here is Ayla Brown, performing with the Boston Pops (another favorite of mine):



I saw this next performance when it originally aired and I cried most of the way through it. How moving and inspiring. God put Trace Adkins on this earth to sing songs like these and I am so inspired by his talent and dedication to the military. There were wounded servicemen and women who were there, being supported by the Wounded Warrior Project. Please check my sidebar to the right and consider supporting this very worthy cause. Here is Trace performing a very moving tribute to our military, accompanied by the West Point Glee Club:



To see a short behind the scenes look at Trace's performance, click here to check out this video.

Attacks on Conservative Blogger Unwarranted

In the last few days, friend and author Adrienne Ross has been under attack for an article she posted on several blogs, discussing the custody issue between Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston. The flap revolves around one particular paragraph:

“I believe there’s hope for Levi; I really do. And I hope he grabs a hold of it soon because he’s treading on very thin Alaska ice. Like I said at the start, there’s something to be said for letting sleeping dogs lie. But when a lying dog refuses to put his rabid mouth to sleep, sometimes you just have to put that dog down.” (Read Adrienne's entire original article here)

As has been pointed out, Ms. Ross is an English teacher and accomplished writer. In their attempt to discredit her writings, they have used this very point against her, saying she should have known how her words would be interpreted. I use that same point, her writing skills, to make this point: she IS an excellent writer. This article was heavily laced with metaphor and idioms, something that seems to be difficult for her attackers to understand.

Others have used similar phrasings to make a point. For example, when President-elect Obama used the term "lipstick on a pig" during a speech, did anyone actually think he was going around with a red lipstick, chasing pigs? The left strongly argued that their idol was merely using an idiom he was familiar with, but others may not be. Another example is the recent flap over Harry Reid's racially-charged comments, which were made some time ago, and recently came to light after the publication of a political book. Again, the left argued that Mr. Reid was misunderstood and the terms he used were taken out of context. Why should this same understanding not be afforded Ms. Ross?

I have tried to make sense of the far-left's thinking, but there is no reasoning with it:

Insanity + Internet access = Liberal Blogger

This seems to be the order of the day. Adrienne has been fair and accurate in her writings on this subject. The attacks on her by the far-left are unwarranted and much more aggressive than anything they are accusing Ms. Ross of. The threats of legal action against Ms. Ross are baseless. Law is based on what a reasonable person would do in a situation. Any reasonable person who reads Ms. Ross' article will understand that she was not directly calling for harm to befall Mr. Johnston; only that Mr. Johnston needs to grow up and own up to his responsibilities - nothing more. Ms. Ross will continue to write, and should. Each of us brings a unique insight into various situations with our writings. Her contributions are valuable and this vitriol must end.

Pray for our nation - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Watch this, and make sure to turn on your speakers...


Pray for our nation

Are you smart enough to be in Obama's America?

Since when did the democratic party become the party of arrogance? I missed a step here somewhere because I always thought growing up as a child with a left-leaning upbringing that the republican party was the elitist party, the party with the money and the snobby folks. Well, growth has a way of changing your perspective, and time factors in there somewhere as well I suppose. Our two parties are not the same as they were, say 50 years ago. Things have changed, we have changed. Whether that's good or bad I don't know. All I know is I wish the republicans would get back to their conservative platform, and I wish the democrats would stop thinking they know what's best for me, and everyone else. According to our president, we're not smart anough to figure it out. Check out Obama's latest slip of the tongue in this article by Mark Steyn.

TOO MUCH OF A BAD THING
Who’s panting for Obama speech number 412? Exactly no one.

By Mark Steyn

So what went wrong? According to Barack Obama, the problem is he overestimated you dumb rubes’ ability to appreciate what he’s been doing for you. “That I do think is a mistake of mine,” the president told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “I think the assumption was if I just focus on policy, if I just focus on this provision or that law or if we’re making a good rational decision here, then people will get it.”

But you schlubs aren’t that smart. You didn’t get it. And Barack Obama is determined to see that you do. So the president has decided that he needs to start “speaking directly to the American people.”

Wait, wait! Come back! Don’t all stampede for the hills! He only gave (according to CBS News’s Mark Knoller) 158 interviews and 411 speeches in his first year. That’s more than any previous president — and maybe more than all of them put together. But there may still be some show out there that didn’t get its exclusive Obama interview — I believe the top-rated Grain & Livestock Prices Report — 4 a.m. Update with Herb Torpormeister on WZZZ-AM Dead Buzzard Gulch Junction’s Newstalk Leader is still waiting to hear back from the White House...

Read the entire article here

It fills my heart with Glee

I love our national anthem. It's so inspiring. Over the Christmas holiday, I was introduced to the TV series "Glee" by my daughter, a former college music major. I remember seeing previews for this show and thinking I'd check it out, but that never happened. She asked for the first season on DVD and I was hooked.

Recently, the cast of "Glee" performed the national anthem at the world series. This is a very nice rendition. Check it out!

Can you hear us now???

(AP Photo)
"Can you hear me now? How about now? Or now?" This is the question Republican voters around the nation are asking the Democrats who represent them. Tonight in an historic event, Republican Scott Brown is the new senator-elect in the State of Massachusetts, a Democratic stronghold since 1953. Many in the Democratic Party assumed Martha Coakley would easily slide into this seat, including Coakley herself. It wasn't until this week that reality started to seep into the liberal collective conscience and in rushed the cavalry - Obama, Clinton, and others - rallying for the ship USS Coakley that was sinking fast in the polls. Even this morning, Coakley was predicting victory, but it was more wishful thinking than reality awareness on her part.

So, where does this leave us? For the State of Massachusetts, the message sent is personal. This is their representative elect. But Republicans across the country sent money, made phone calls, tweeted, texted, and did whatever they could to get this guy elected. This is almost as personal to the rest of us as it is to those in Massachusetts. It's about sending a message and the message is "Listen to us! Hear our voices! Hear our concerns! WE elected YOU to represent US!"

Ever since President Obama was elected, and the democratic majority became someting of a stronghold, the average pickup-driving, tea party-spirited American has been screaming at the top of his lungs, trying to get those elected to listen to us - "Can you hear us now?" we cry. If they're smart, they will start to listen. Every day that these Democrats continue on this track, they are moving one step closer to the unemployment line, the same line many of their constituents are already standing in. We're asking the Democrats, "Are you ready to walk the plank?" Well get ready, because election day is coming and so is your pink slip.

Susan Estrich, a liberal feminist, was interviewed on Fox News this evening. She was speechless at points in her interview with Greta Van Susteran and if you know Susan Estrich, that's a feat in and of itself. She tried to disagree with Greta about the fact that the people are sending a message. Does national healthcare reform and Obamacare ride on this Massachusetts vote? Estrich argued that the healthcare debate wasn't a factor in Massachusetts because they already have something of a government run healthcare system. They saw no benefit in supporting a national healthcare bill that they might have to pay for when they already have something similar at the state level, something that they're not entirely happy with. She is right in a couple of respects - the people of Massachusetts don't want to be saddled with this because it does not benefit them, but the nation as a whole does not want this bill for the same reason. It will only benefit the special interests and cost taxpayers for decades to come. The people of Alaska voiced their concerns in a recent survery. Here is a synopsis of the findings:

Alaska Statewide Healthcare Survey

n=393 Alaska Registered voters -- December 15-22, 2009
Most Alaskans:
- Are satisfied with their current healthcare coverage (88%);
- Oppose Congressional healthcare legislation (57%);
- Expect costs to increase (64%), and quality of care to decline (60%)
if the healthcare reform plan becomes law
- Want Congressional representatives to vote against healthcare
reform (59%)

(Follow these links for the entire report on the Public At Large and Medical Professional Dittman Research and Communications survey results)

What happens at this point in the house and senate is anyone's guess. There are several negative directions the Democrats can take this thing in, trying to ram through their agenda, continuing to ignore the people. The Democrats are desperately trying to paint themselves into a rose-colored-glasses corner, telling themselves the Massachusetts voter upset isn't about the healthcare reform bill, or the other issues Americans care about.

How about this novel idea - what if the Democrats in the house and senate start listening to their constituents? I want to see if some of the Democrats have the moxie to rise up and represent the people and their wishes. How about our own Sen. Mark Begich? Mr. Begich, have you seen these poll results? Are you willing to stand up and listen to your constituents? Alaska is a largely Republican state, and there is no doubt what Alaskans want, based on these surveys. Mr. Begich, are you willing to listen to Alaskans, or are you and other senate and house members around the nation ready to fall on your swords and go the way of Martha Coakley? We will vote you out! Can you hear us now?

Stay on the horn until November folks!

Stuart Shepard is encouraging everyone to stay active and not let up on the government - this is our time everyone! Let your voices be heard! Use the democratic process our forefathers fought so hard to give us!

ProSarah Radio Hour

Here are links to the ProSarah Radio shows on Jan 13 and Jan 14, 2010. I was a guest both days.



January 13, 2010 show

January 14, 2010 show

Thank Your Military

I received this video from a friend on Facebook. Please watch this, and encourage others to watch it as well. If you want to thank a military member, send them this message. Here is the story behind it:

"An average group of Americans gathered to publicly thank their United Stated Military for the freedom they provide. If you want to thank your military, pass this video on to every person you know so it will eventually reach every present and former military person across the globe. We want the military to know we appreciate their service and sacrifice!"

I'll make the call!

If it were only this easy, I would make the call!

Ray Stevens "We The People"

Ray Stevens has come a long way since "The Streak" - I kind of like this!

Homeland security joke for the day

Every time my daughter flies to Alaska to visit, something makes it difficult for her to get back to school. She doesn't seem to have any problems getting here (should be a sign, I keep telling her), but her return flights are always nightmares: Planes being redirected, flights being delayed or canceled, being bumped to other airlines, etc. As we're all aware, there was an attempted bombing last week so now everyone has their panties in a bunch. Please don't think I'm not for homeland security, but I am aghast at the way the current administration is going about it (or NOT going about it).

A friend of mine made the following observation on Facebook recently:

"Um, if the TSA scanner blurs out your face and your naughty bits, that STILL wouldn't have stopped the Detroit flight dude, right? He was COUNTING on nobody checking his junk, right? Does nobody in power have any brain cells to rub together anymore?????"

Even better is Michelle Malkin's most recent post. Here is a snippet:

We’re at Code Red Elmo on the Homeland Insecurity Scale:

Make sure and check out the entire post here.

US Marines and a very big flag

Earlier this week, a friend of mine sent a message out on Facebook that her daughter, a US Marine, was going to be taking part in something very special. The Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Big Flag was to be unfurled at a football game, and she was going to be a part of it. You might remember this family - they were profiled in an earlier post on my blog. Unfortunately, a previous game ran over so we were not able to see the flag ceremony live on TV, but I did find video taken by a fan in the stands. Please follow this link to learn more about this special flag, and make sure to watch the video below. How inspiring!



Ruth Ann is out there on that field somewhere! God Bless our military!

A new game - wanna play?

The object of the game is to destroy American capitalism by having the government take over everything.

-Wanna play?
-No?
-Too bad, you're already playing.

And in this game, nobody wins.

This should keep you thinking

Make sure you watch it all the way through - will you pass it on?

Alaskan Digest: Slice of Alaskan life

We have a lot of cut wood, but had no stove to burn it in until recently. Now that we have a great wood stove, we spend our weekends digging through an old pile of logs from when my husband cleared our property before he built our log home. He was in "gotta clear these trees to build the house" mode instead of "gotta cut wood for the wood stove" mode, so some of the logs (actually MOST of the logs) need to be cut down and split. It keeps us busy on the weekends, gathering, cutting, and splitting enough wood to get us through another week. Here are some scenes from today, when the temperature outside was about -5. I actually worked up a sweat!


Me in my wood gathering clothes. My mukluks (Alaskan boots) keep my feet toasty warm - they're rated to -40!


We have a long black sled that I tow with a rope to the pile and load it up




Hauling the wood to our porch





Once on the porch, my husband takes over, and I go back to the pile to get more


My husband doing his thing


No, my hair is not white - it freezes and that is frost on my hair!

Check out the video clip below