Category Archives: patriotism
Sarah Palin Interviewed By CNN And The NYT
Via C4P, written by Doug Brady:
Prior to Governor Palin’s much anticipated speech at CPAC today, she sat down for a brief interview with CNN and the New York Times. She reiterated her preference for an extended nominating process so that the candidates can be vetted. She also called on Mitt Romney to explain his record to conservatives or face an enthusiasm gap if he’s the nominee.
Note by TPE: On this topic, I totally agree with the Governor:
“People who start screaming that a brokered convention is the worst thing that could happen to the G.O.P., they have an agenda,” Ms. Palin said in an interview. “They have their own personal or political reasons, their own candidate who they would like to see protected away from a brokered convention.”
Now, on the CNN end, on Romney’s “severely conservative” statement:
In an interview with CNN and The New York Times before her speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, Palin said she was confused by Romney’s declaration here on Friday that he was a “severely conservative Republican.”
“I wasn’t quite sure what the word ‘severely’ meant,” Palin said.
She said Romney and his two main rivals – Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich – should be given time to explain the flaws in their record until the Republican National Convention in August, when she said the nomination fight could ultimately be decided.
But Romney may have the hardest sale to make, she said, asking him to explain his “shifts in ideology” since he left the Massachusetts governorship.
Mitt Romney must be vetted on this issue. Vetted? Continue to be vetted? Yes, and by that I mean that I disagree with Rush Limbaugh and others on comments that Romney needs to be “pushed” to the right. If he feels it, he should not overstate it or emphasize to prove a point.
Governor Palin doesn’t have to prove it; just like Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, they live it. I do believe that if Newt is elected as the candidate to beat Obama (now it’s a bit of a stretch) he will fix up the mess we’re in. Now it’s up to all four candidates to make their point on how they plan to reduce the deficit the United State has (Newt laid it out on his CPAC speech, Paul is quite vocal about it) but with Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney, people need to do more digging because it’s quite elaborate.
To read the New York Times interview, click here.
To read the CNN interview, click here.
Related articles
- Sarah Palin’s Live Stream List For Today At 4:30 ET (thepalinexpress.wordpress.com)
- TRENDING: Palin calls on Romney to work harder for the conservative vote (politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com)
- Breaking: As Overflow Crowd Grows – Palin to Press on Brokered Convention(Updated) (markamerica.com)
Mark Levin Interviews Michael Reagan
Pure Levin, straight up; fixing all the misinformation on Newt Gingrich that has emerged for a few days in a row.
Related articles
- Mark Levin defends Newt (bokertov.typepad.com)
- Sarah Palin: The Fix Is In For Mitt Romney (thehollywoodgossip.com)
- Mark Levin: Lay off Matt Drudge! The MSM hates his guts, remember? (hotair.com)
- Palin: Cannibals in GOP Establishment Employ Tactics of the Left (garnetspy.com)
No More Leading from Behind for America-By Rick Santorum
January 30, 2012
My passion for protecting and preserving freedom is a gift that comes to me from my grandfather, an immigrant who brought my father to this country and whose well-weathered hands mined coal in Southwestern Pennsylvania until he was 72. He left the totalitarian regime of Mussolini’s Italy to bring his family to freedom.
He worked hard and committed himself to creating a better life for his children and grandchildren. He taught me how to treasure the gift of freedom, to have faith in God’s grace, to achieve what American liberty offers to those who work hard and to love and support a family. The Pennsylvania town my grandfather called home is just a few miles down the road from the field where Flight 93 crashed on that beautiful, blue-sky September day; a day when radical jihadists declared war on America, in America, on our own soil. The passengers and crew bravely stood up for freedom.
Some wonder why conservatives like me have such a problem with the oppressive Castro regime of the relatively tiny Island nation of Cuba. We do because we believe in freedom and don’t like the stink of oppression next door. We believe in the God-given dignity of all human beings, and we believe, like the American founders, that religious freedom and freedom of conscience is the foundational freedom for civil and political freedom and rights. Dictatorships like the former Soviet Union and Cuba believed and continue to believe this as well. This is why they seek and sought to oppress the Church and others who believe in the inalienable rights of life and liberty.
It is no surprise that the same Cuban regime that locked hands with the Soviet Union is aligned today with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Though Iran is not secular, the Iranian Mullahcracy opposes freedom, including religious freedom. They are not radical secularists but radical Islamists and the result is the same: They oppose liberty. Tehran has already demonstrated its desire to thwart freedom with whatever tools at its disposal. The U.S. must halt them in their march toward a nuclear weapon before it’s too late.
Some wonder if I can get along with the Muslim world. I understand that there are 1.3 billion Muslims in the world and that many of our allies are majority-Muslim countries. I want to work with those nations and challenge them where and when they are wrong. I also understand, unlike President Barack Obama, that radical Islamists are not going away in 2012, and that we still need to be capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time in our foreign policy. We need to defend America and her interests and values while also engaging with “Three Cups of Tea” (or as many as are necessary) around the world. Conservatives, along with most Americans, desire peace, but we know that freedom is worth defending. Standing with strength and core principles separates the pursuit of peace from appeasement.
President Obama went to Cairo early in his presidency not to stand for our values and interests, but, as his subsequent actions have shown, to just drink tea. In his speech, he sought a “new beginning” for the United States and the world’s Muslims. But he also gave his first interview as president to Al Arabiya television, apologized for America’s past behavior, bowed before Saudi royalty, sided with the Palestinians against our ally Israel, did next to nothing in his first two years to forestall Iran’s development of nuclear arms and released a National Defense Strategy which ignores the connection between radical Islam and terrorism.
I want to work with those in the Muslim world. But unlike President Obama, I will not bow before dictators, fanatics and thugs. I will not ignore the relationship between radical Islam and terrorism. I will not give in to those who oppose freedom. To do so would threaten the safety and security of the American people and turn a blind eye on those who are oppressed and struggling for freedom in other parts of the world.
And what has changed in Egypt since the president’s speech? Yes, an initial new birth of freedom, but the result has thus far been an Islamist parliament in Egypt, turning an Arab Spring into winter. Coptic Christians and other minorities are dealing with the consequences, and there is growing uncertainty and risk for neighboring Israel. This is democracy rushed and reduced to voting alone – rather than one built into the DNA of democracy with properly understood and meaningful protections for political and religious minorities. We abandoned an imperfect but longtime American ally without a better plan B.
This confusion and these outcomes impact our own security, our other allies and the nations now struggling to define the meaning of freedom in the Arab Winter and around the world. This is not what the President of the United States says or does to those who oppose fundamental freedoms like radical Islamists in Egypt or elsewhere.
Much like Ronald Reagan called out for freedom in the symbolic heart of communism, I will call upon the Muslim world to tear down the walls of oppression that oppose freedom of conscience and religion, equality of women, the security of Israel and support violence and Jihadism, which inverts the concept of martyrdom from one who dies for his or her faith to one who kills for his or her faith. I will not coddle those who want to kill and destroy. I will seek peace with those who treasure freedom for all.
Christianity struggled with these issues of freedom of conscience and violence largely hundreds of years ago; Islam is struggling with them now. We will stand with the true advocates of freedom who define freedom not just by a ballot box, but also by meaningful protections for minorities. This is the message of freedom that should be proclaimed and practiced from Cairo to Tehran. This is consistent with universal human dignity, our values and our national security interests.
Informed Americans are opposed to those who want to kill and destroy, not to those who want to make peace and treasure freedom for all. I supported America’s security and freeing Muslims and others from oppression in Iraq and Afghanistan. I stood for the Green Movement in Iran when President Obama sat down. I support freedom of religion – for Muslims and other religious minorities – but believe they should provide the same.
I also understand that at this time in history many of the most influential voices in the Muslim world come from intolerant and destructive strains of Sunni and Shia leadership and theology in places such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. Days before the election in 2006, I was still challenging America to stand against radical Islam and Iran at the height of unpopularity of the Iraq war not because of polling but because I felt it was the primary threat facing America. It’s no accident that the vast majority of the 9/11 hijackers came from Saudi Arabia, and that the Iranian regime exports anti-American and anti-Israeli terrorism around the world while pursuing nuclear weapons capacity. Radical Islamists oppose us not because of our policies, but because of our freedom.
As President of the United States, I will stand for America’s interests around the world as well as universal and American values rooted in the God-given dignity of every human being. I understand with the clarity that we saw from Ronald Reagan that these are walls that need to be torn down, not remodeled or repainted. America should unabashedly stand for freedom – this includes freedom of religion and conscience, here in the United States and around the world.
We need to stand with the real freedom fighters. We need to stand with those human rights defenders wrongfully in prison in Cuba, Iran, China and around the world. Just as we did for those who stood up to communism, including Polish activist Lech Walesa and the late Pope John Paul II, who warned of the “death of true freedom” and observed that “freedom itself needs to be set free.” Both have inspired me through my time with them and through their examples.
When Lech Walesa visited our nation a couple of years ago he offered this observation:
The United States is the only superpower. Today they lead the world. Nobody has doubts about it. Militarily. They also lead economically but they’re getting weak. But they don’t lead morally and politically anymore. The world has no leadership. The United States was always the last resort and hope for all other nations. There was the hope, whenever something was going wrong, one could count on the United States. Today, we have lost that hope…
It is time that America stop leading from behind and stand for freedom once again. Pretending that this battle isn’t raging will not protect our families and our interests, nor will it strengthen our allies; it will only diminish our nation, increase our risk and grow our security challenge.
In his farewell address to the nation, President Reagan reminded us of this when he told the story of the USS Midway that was patrolling the South China Sea in the early 1980s. A sailor on the Midway saw a tiny boat, filled with refugees from Indochina, and a rescue launch was sent to them. As the Americans came into view, one of the refugees smiled, stood up and shouted out: “Hello American Sailor. Hello Freedom Man!”
That is who we are: Freedom Men. And Women. And Children. Let us not forget that privilege nor neglect that legacy. Stand for freedom.
Related articles
- Candidate Rick Santorum: An American Who Gets It and Declares Radical Islam A Threat! (americandefenseleague.wordpress.com)
- Rick Santorum makes hard-line pitch, wins backing of Miami’s Latin Builders (miamiherald.typepad.com)
Sarah Palin’s Highlights At St. Louis Speech
I joined the live blog of St. Charle‘s Patch of Governor Palin and Glenn Beck‘s speech. I am waiting for the official transcript or the video (in fact, I expected that the talk radio station in St. Louis would carry it, or that Glenn Beck would’ve been generous enough to stream it live on his website.) Yes, that was a snark.
Money Quote: “You know why there’s a self-esteem problem? Because we don’t tell anyone they suck.” — Glenn Beck.
Kalen Ponche, the local Editor for the St. Charles Patch kept us informed along with Joe Scott, Associate Editor of Patch.com. People started filling the arena since 6:00 PM CST, which was almost two hours before the event took place.
Sarah Palin started her speech at about 8:00 pm. Dana Loesch, talk radio show host introduced Gov. Sarah Palin, who came out wearing a navy blue knee-length dress. Palin started by saying that she was glad to be in Family Arena – home of basketball and hockey.
Palin started by asking, “Defend the Republic from what?” Mentioned that the empowerment of the individual is key; that limited government does not infringe on individual rights, and that ordinary men and women would be empowered. By ordinary, she meant the same as Notre Dame coach Lou Holst, who said “God didn’t put us on earth to be ordinary.”
She spoke about the Founding Fathers, and paraphrased it this way: The Founders didn’t want us to be under the aristocratic system of power. There’s man’s standard of perfection, and God’s standard of perfection. Our founders intended for men and women to prosper on their own merits, not so those well-connected could get ahead. This promise inspired our ancestors to leave the “Old Country” behind, where money and power would be in the hands of a few.
She told the audience: “Your own ancestors left their countries behind for opportunity in America-to St. Louis, and St. Charles.” Palin mentioned her own ancestors who moved to United States, the original pioneers. Palin brought back one of her usual talking points by stating, “We are the most exceptional nation on Earth. Always proud of America, in good times and in bad. We are a nation of little guys who built the most impressive nation on earth.”
She said that President Abraham Lincoln recognized that Alaska could be a resource for our union. ”Alaska is a strategic location: And yes, you can see Russia from Alaska!”
The audience was happy and cheerful, quiet listening to her speech but not chanting for Palin to reconsider her run for office. Governor Palin kept highlighting on her independent streak more than once, and those that follow her career very closely know about this. Palin said that she wished that America shared the same independent spirit.
She brought up a very important part of her personality: Optimism. She said that it’s unfortunate how many Americans are not optimistic about this country. That people are realizing that today’s federal government is a threat to each’s freedoms.
Governor Palin said that the government is passing on to the next generation the bill for what they are spending. Continued on by mentioning that politicians use taxpayers’ money to reward their friends. This is what she calls “corporate crony capitalism.” That this is what Americans must defend the republic against. There was loud applause on this comment.
Another topic that she talks about a lot are the small businesses; she said that there’s around 70 percent of them, but they don’t grease the political wheels. Palin seemed very at ease and very relaxed. The lack of accountability of the press, according to Palin, is on their absence in questioning President Obama’s economic plans. That hand outs do nothing to help people bust out, and be free of shackles.
According to Governor Palin, the White House pays “lip service” to the working middle class, but that what they are really doing is burdening the middle class.
The crowd was very responsive, clapping and cheering her on. She challenged Obama to speak about his track record on fighting corruption.
She did not mention by name the “Solyndra” scandal nor the “Fast and Furious” operation-where guns were sold to Mexican druglords-but commended that several people are working hard to show corruption inside the Obama administration.
Palin became critical of Obama’s tour promoting his jobs bill. She said that Obama is actually on his re-election campaign instead. Governor Palin criticized President Obama’s solutions where she sees that these revolve around taking taxpayers’ moneys. When she mentioned this, the crowd responded very well.
On the issue of GE and their pass on rendering taxes, she said that they receive more of our hard-earned money than they give. Palin went after union bosses (not the union members) that are using them for their power. She said that “greedy union bosses” are taking our economy and working against the middle class.
About the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, she said that it is “nebulous talk show fodder.”
On the subject of the current GOP crop of presidential candidates she asked for the public to expect transparency from them, and know who is contributing to whom.
Palin attacked the media again by stating that the mainstream media needs to ask tougher questions and not be afraid of the political machine. Palin studied journalism, and sees that the mainstream media is abusing their jobs by not reporting the facts. Governor Palin was firm when she stated that men and women are willing to die for freedom of the press, so that’s why she’s always on a “high horse” about the main stream media.
Palin said again that Americans need to demand reform. True reform is difficult, and many people back away because it’s a tough road. Palin brought back the Tea Party movement to get her point across. She believes that Americans must reclaim that optimistic pioneering spirit of the frontier; that these pioneers didn’t expect anything from anyone.
She ended with, “We will not squander what we have been given. We will demand our republic. United we must stand. God bless America!”
Related articles
- Sarah Palin: Not Retreating, Just Reloading (gunnyg.wordpress.com)
- LIVE: Sarah Palin & Glenn Beck at Family Arena “Defending the Republic” (thepalinexpress.wordpress.com)
Sarah Palin’s Complete Video Of Indianola, IA Speech
Friends,
Here is the HD version of Gov. Sarah Palin‘s speech in Indianola, IA. Complement that with the transcript that I posted here.
Enjoy.
Andrew Breitbart’s Book Is A Conversation Piece
Andrew Breitbart
Andrew Breitbart‘s book, “Righteous Indignation” is quite an interesting read. I love books that deliver solid one-on-one conversations with the reader, especially those that give you great visuals (!!) Mr. Breitbart may agree with sheer embarrassment.
If there’s no TV at the doctor’s office or wherever you are, it is a strong message, right in its cover. Most of us remember very clearly where we were at the same time Mr. Breitbart was in different stages of his life. It is a unique book because it is rare that a liberal writes a book of his or her metamorphosis into becoming a conservative.
This book raises awareness of the truth, especially nowadays where this country is heading to a downfall of scandals, tax increases and the media lapdog desperate to cover up President Obama’s agenda against America. Mr. Breitbart may have ADD, but his ADD is right where he is open-minded to change his mind, his ways and discern truth versus agendas and lies.
Pick up a copy; you won’t regret it! And the looks from people who see you read it will mostly agree-even if they do so with a whisper.
