It came, I read it, I enjoyed it.  I won’t say that I couldn’t put it down, because I did a couple of times.  The early part of the book was, in some ways, the hardest to get past and the part I enjoyed the most.  Having lived in the vicinity of where Sarah Heath Palin lived, I stopped reading periodically to think about how life might have been different had we stayed in Alaska.  (But then, I was the one who left, so it was my own fault!)

The book was, nevertheless, good reading.  I liked Sarah Palin from the beginning – what little I knew of her, anyway – and what I saw and heard after that first announcement reinforced my original good opinion.  The book does a good job of filling in the missing parts – the things you didn’t see or hear during the campaign – as well as explaining why you didn’t see or hear them.  In some spots, the book made me more than a little angry at the national GOP for its “politics as usual” attitude, but that’s partly why we got spanked so badly in 2008 (the rest of the reason being our lack of adherence to principles).

Whether you love her or hate her (and there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground), you should read this book.  It’s a very inspiring account of exactly what it says on the cover:  an American life.  Plus, the level of knowledge Ms. Palin demonstrates about how things actually work, like the interplay between energy and politics, what reviewing a government budget actually entails, and how to make tough decisions based on principle, rather than on how it’s been done in the past, will surprise you (if you aren’t a fan) and please you (if you are). 

Most importantly, for me anyway, was that the book presents a picture of a genuine person – someone that, if times had been a little different either way, I would have liked to have been friends with.  Given how close Wasilla and Palmer are, had my family stayed in Alasak, we might have met.  Although, she did mention that the two schools were rivals, so maybe not! 

This is totally off the subject entirely, but … I found this while looking for something to do with the mission project I am working on. 

You will have to copy and paste this – Amerikai lelkipásztorok Pócsmegyeren – into a search to find it, but the Hungarian Baptist Union posted pictures of our trip last year to see what they are doing in the Roma communities in Hungary.    I’m on the Internet!  (The international Internet, no less!) 

It was just cool.

I was going to post this here, but I decided to take the post a step further by posting it here.  Let me know what you think.

In case you’re wondering, I DO have one of these on my car. 

I experienced a reappearance of the Condo Nazi* this morning. 

I went outside this morning to take my trash out (today being trash day), and I had Tanner with me so that he could be “good puppy” outside.  When I walked up to the garage, there was a man standing next to a blue SUV – apparently putting something from the trash pile into his vehicle.  He closed the door when I walked up, and then he got in the vehicle and pulled away…. so, I followed him. 

Instead of leaving the subdivision – which, by the way, is posted “no trespassing” and is private property – he turned and went to a different part of the sub!!  So, I followed him!

That rascal had pulled into a guest space – not even pulling all the way into the space – and was heading over to another pile of trash.  He saw me coming, got into his vehicle, and pulled further into the space – like that was going to be enough!!

I shouted at him.  I asked him if he lived there, and he said “no,” so I told him to get out.  We have private property – the police will come when/if called, but they won’t write tickets for parking violations or speeders because it’s private property – so, trespassing is hard to deal with.  Anyway, he finally left, and I got his license number.  I now know who he is, where he lives, and the VIN of his car. 

I understand that trash-picking is … a way of life for some people.  I also understand that in this country, we throw out things that people would love to have.  However, in this era of identity theft, outright theft, etc., I don’t want to ignore someone or something that doesn’t belong.  Also, the time of day that this guy was poking around is when kids are waiting for the school bus – granted, from what I could see, he seemed more interested in the trash, but I don’t know that for sure. 

Anyway, the Condo Nazi disappeared, to the great relief of my dear dog, who gets very quiet and submissive when Mama uses her “growly” voice.  His little tail tucks under, his ears get very low and flat, and he looks very anxious when I raise my voice.  I will tell you what, that little guy has been the best trainer of life for my temper!  When he is not on the leash and we’re in the house, he will go hide under the dining room table if Mama uses the “growly” voice.  Then, I have to coax him out and reassure him, so that he knows I’m not angry with him.  Poor little guy!! 

[* For the uninitiated, the "Condo Nazi" is an incarnation of the writer in which she goes a little nuts about things that happen in and around the condominium complex in which she lives.  The character name came from an experience she had while searching for a place to live, in which she encountered an older woman who challenged her parking in a condo owner's (empty) space while looking at a condo that was for sale. 

Although the designation was originally intended to be derogatory, it has become an apparition, not unlike the Incredible Hulk, who appears when needed to maintain discipline and order.  The last appearance was two to three years ago regarding the antics of some very foul-mouthed and disrespectful children/pre-teens in the complex who could.not. seem to understand that they were not supposed to throw footballs and kick soccer balls at or in the vicinity of people's cars, particularly since they had already broken the side mirror off someone's car.]

Today’s column from Christopher Adamo over at GOPUSA was pretty on-target.  He starts out thus:

“For nearly two decades now, and particularly in the wake of the 2000 presidential election debacle, Democrats have been pursuing a diabolically simple political strategy. In short, they moved hard-left, knowing how reflexively the “mainstream” Republican response would be to follow them. But of course the GOP would pathetically claim that, by doing so to a lesser degree than the Democrats, it would somehow retain the mantle of “conservatism.”

Thus the GOP could continue in its delusions of relevancy, while clearly abdicating any real qualities of leadership. Simultaneously, it would be helping implement the liberal agenda that in reality was orchestrated to empower the Democrats. Meanwhile, the disillusionment among the base of Republican voters would eventually cause a political collapse of the party.”  [End quote]

It’s worth reading the rest of it, particularly because of his analysis of how we got where we are right now.  He notes:

“Failing to discern the message sent by the electorate in the starkest of terms, the unrepentant GOP continued on its disastrous course. In 2008, with the prospect of archliberal “Republican” President John McCain further sabotaging the conservative movement from within, frustrated and disgusted voters bolted, allowing Barack Obama to assume the nation’s helm by default.”  [End quote].

Yep.  That about sums it up.  Lest anyone labor under any delusion, a vote for John McCain was actually a vote against Obama, rather than a vote for whatever it was that McCain stood for.  Although, I have to say that in some ways, McCain’s war experience and position on our military was what got him to the final race – had the economy tanked before the nominee was announced, there could have been an entirely new game. 

This was also an interesting article – also from GOPUSA.  Bobby Eberle nailed it from the beginning when he said, “Running on conservative issues and against the anti-American socialist policies of Barack Obama, Republicans picked up the governorships in New Jersey and Virginia. Try as they might to dismiss the events, the Obama team was clearly sent a message: America is a conservative country, and it rejects your left-wing takeover.”

To help make the transition into an attitude of thanksgiving, however, I wanted to close with this: 

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.   There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Ps.19:1-3).

And, because it’s me, this:   ”The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”  Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NASB).

In case you haven’t heard of him, Norman Geisler has been a solid theologian for a number of years.  He taught at Dallas Theological Seminary while my dad attended there, and I can recall using one of his books as a text in a class or two during my own bible college days. 

He has mostly stayed out of the political realm, possibly because Jerry Falwell was so good at it, but he has written an article that I just ran across which explains, in my opinion anyway, very well the “conservative” position, as well as outlines the “planks,” if you will, of what should be a “true” conservative platform based on logic and extrapolation from our country’s origins to the present.  It’s an interesting read. 

I’ll let you read it for yourself – it’s too long to copy in its entirety here, and it strikes me as something that should be well-chewed, instead of inhaled.  His focus is on moral issues, rather than on small government and free-market capitalism, but I believe those topics have been adequately handled by others.  I would highly recommend The Heritage Foundation on general subjects, as well as Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams on economics.  I’ll keep my eyes open for others as I go simply because I want to be in a position to articulate the basic principles of what it means to be conservative as opposed to liberal, and how to distinguish between the two. 

One of the things that bothered me during the last election cycle – in part because it hit too close to home – was the allegation that the Republican Party was the party of “no.”  That isn’t to say that we (Republicans/conservatives) aren’t right to say “no” when we’ve done so; it’s just that I think we also need to be able to articulate a position based on what we are for – on providing solutions to the problems that are plaguing our society.   If the problem is an individual or ideology, then by all means we need to articulate that problem – call it what it is – and then explain why our solution will actually resolve the problem.

BTW – as of this morning, there were 1500-2000 people in Grand Rapids waiting in line to get arm-bands to come back to the Barnes & Noble bookstore at the Woodland Mall between 6:00-9:00 p.m to stand in line to meet Sarah Palin.  Man! I wish I could have been one of them!! 

I thought about it on my way to court:  I used to live in Alaska, and while I was there, I got a t-shirt that said, “Alaska:  where men are men and women win the Iditarod.”  It was a novelty t-shirt that was done after Libby Riddles and Susan Butcher won it, like, four years in a row.  Libby Riddles won in 1985, and then Susan Butcher took the next three races.  If I can find the t-shirt, I will take a picture and post it, but the reason it came to my mind then was, wouldn’t that make a great t-shirt?  “Alaska:  where men are men, and women win the White House?” 

I actually kind of liked this characterization – kind of how I liked the company I’m apparently in:  “[Women cut] from the same bold cloth as Margaret Thatcher. They love liberty, and that puts them at the top of the hit list for every leftist in America.” 

If you are interested, I have found the Eagle Forum website to be very encouraging and informative.  Not only do you get a true conservative perspective on issues relating to women and families, but you also can read for yourself the amicus briefs* filed to support conservative positions on various issues. 

Concerned Women for America is also a good website – in fact, they have scheduled a National Day of Fasting, Repentance and Prayer for this Thursday, November 19, 2009.  Details here, if you would like to read more about it.  The verse that forms the basis for their program is ”If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. — II Chronicles 7:14.”  The intent is that, as individuals, we want to prepare our hearts for a time of Thanksgiving, but we also want to repent and seek God on behalf of our nation.  I’m not much on missing meals as a rule [:)], but it sounds like a good idea.  Let me know if you want to participate. 

I don’t know if Sarah Palin will be the best candidate for President in 2012 – I really like her, I respect her positions, and I am so very glad for her enthusiasm and ability to cut through the liberal double-speak.  I love the life she has injected into conservatives everywhere in this country, and I think that, with more experience, she might very well be an excellent President or Vice-President.  Given the current field, I think she is one of the stronger candidates out there, and she certainly has the ability to draw people into the political arena. 

I’m just not sure if she will be ready by 2012 – I’ve seen too many young politicians fall when the stakes were really high, and it would be a shame to sacrifice a bright and worthy candidate by putting her under too much pressure too soon.  It’s not that I don’t think she is qualified; it’s that I think she needs a little more seasoning – and, I could be wrong.  She could be ready by 2012. 

Regardless, she is absolutely a strong conservative woman, and so far seems to be a great role model for conservative women.  In light of the negative things that are said about her, many similar negative things (if not more) were said about Phyllis Schlafly, and she had more education, experience and “seasoning” than Sarah Palin.  I ordered her new book through Amazon.com ($9.00, plus shipping & handling), and when I get it, I will let you know what I think. 

That is, once I’ve finished the other books I bought and haven’t read yet…..

BTW – our ladies’  book club at church is reading “Animal Farm” for our next meeting.  [What?  Me?  A pot-stirrer?  Naaaawww!  ]  I’ll let you know how that goes as well!  Our next meeting is in January, so I have the time.

[*For those of you in non-legal fields, "amicus" is short for "amicus curiae" (Latin for, "friend of the court"), and an "amicus" brief is filed by an individual, organization or entity that is not an actual party in the case but who believes that the court's decision may affect their interest.  A properly filed amicus brief brings to the attention of the Court relevant matter, not already brought to its attention by the parties, that may be of considerable help to the Court.]

Interesting news this morning from the Morning Bell.  According to analysts at The Heritage Foundation, not only will Obamacare not do what its proponents say it will, it will actually do things that its proponents say it won’t.  Read the whole blog post – follow the links, if you think they’re making this up or trying to use scare tactics to prevent the government from “helping” people.  Here’s a bullet-point list of the items identified:

• Costs go up, rather than down.
• Millions of Americans will lose their existing private coverage.
• 18 million Americans will either face jail time or be forced to pay a new tax they will receive no benefit from.
• 8.5 million seniors who currently get such services as coor¬dinated care for chronic conditions, routine eye and hearing examinations, and preventive-care services would lose their existing private coverage.
• More than half the people who gain health insurance will receive it through the welfare program Medicaid.
• Medicare cuts in the House bill are so out of touch with reality that hospitals currently serving Medicare patients might be forced to stop doing so, thus making it much more difficult for seniors to get health care.
• The 21 million people who are gaining health insurance through Medicaid are going to have a very tough time finding a doctor who will treat them.

This is all straight from the bill itself; it isn’t some made-up ploy to prevent people from getting access to health care. 

What is even more troubling is the response from those who supported the House version of the bill – in my area, it’s Representative Bart Stupak from Michigan – who come right out and say that they don’t care if people don’t want this; they know better than we do about what is best for everyone in this country, and they’re going to do what they want to do, regardless of what we say. 

I am appalled at that type of response from people who hold a public trust, but maybe that’s just me.

[Maybe it's time to return to this - it couldn't hurt and it might actually help.  What do you think?]

OK, maybe I’m just slow, but when I read this the first time, I thought, “Well, at least the ‘hate crimes’ law should apply…”  But will it?  Let’s follow the analysis:

According to the CNN article, “Holder has said that any federal hate-crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias, not to prosecute speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs.”  OK – so, “fiery discussion about ‘white privilege’” and “what [she] was doing about it,”  sounds like bias.  Bias – check. 

And, he “allegedly” punched the woman in the face.  Violent act -  check. 

Here’s the kicker, though:  this assault was committed by a black man against a white woman.  What do you think?  Is this what the drafters intended to target when they pushed this “hate crime” legislation through?  Keep an eye on it.  Just for the fun of it.