"Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt.
The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice.
Over the past nine months I've been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations -
such as holding a fish in a photograph, or wearing a jacket with a logo on it,
and answering reporters' questions."
SARAH DIDN'T JUMP SHE WAS PUSHED
"Every one - all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We have won!
But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted THOUSANDS of hours of YOUR time
and shelled out some two million of YOUR dollars to respond to "opposition research" -
and that's money that's NOT going to fund teachers or troopers - or safer roads.
And for this political absurdity, the "politics of personal destruction",
Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills
just in order to set the record straight...
They won't stop."
SARAH PALIN'S SPEECH RESIGNING AS GOVERNOR OF ALASKA
WITH 18 MONTHS LEFT IN HER TERM
full transcript from Anchorage Daily News, July 3, 2009
Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly to you, the people I serve, as your Governor.
People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing is more important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.
I want Alaskans to really be able to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abrahae Lincoln's cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, and beauty, and strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He boldly looked "North to the Future". But he endured ridicule and mocking for his vision for Alaska -- remember the adversaries scoffed, calling this "Seward's Folly". Seward withstood such disdain as he chose the uncomfortable, unconventional, but RIGHT path to secure Alaska, so that Alaska could help secure the United States.
Alaska's mission - to contribute to America. We're strategic IN the world as the air crossroads OF the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold visionaries knew this - and they knew that Alaska would be part of America's great destiny. Our destiny to be reached by responsibly developing our natural resources. This land, blessed with clean air, water, wildlife, minerals, AND oil and gas. It's energy! God gave us energy.
So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my soul that Alaska is of such import, for America's security, in such a volatile world today. And you know me by now, I promised even four years ago to show MY independence...there would be no more conventional "politics as usual".
And we are doing well! My administration's accomplishments speak for themselves. We work tirelessly for Alaskans.
We aggressively and responsibly develop our resources because they were created to be used to better our world...to HELP people...and we protect the environment and Alaskans (the resource owners) foremost with our policies.
Here's some of the things that we've done:
We created a petroleum integrity office to oversee safe development. We held the line FOR Alaskans on Point Thomson – and finally for the first time in decades - you're seeing drilling up there for oil and gas.
We have AGIA, the gasline project - a massive bi-partisan victory (the vote was 58 to 1!) - also succeeding as intended - protecting Alaskans as our clean natural gas will flow to energize Alaska, and America, through a competitive, pro-private sector project. This is the largest private sector energy project, ever. THIS is energy independence.
And ACES – another bipartisan effort - is working as intended and industry is publicly acknowledging its success. Our new oil and gas "clear and equitable formula" is so Alaskans will no longer ever be taken advantage of. ACES incentivizes NEW exploration and development and JOBS that were previously not going to happen not with a monopolized North Slope oil basin.
We cleaned up previously accepted unethical actions; we ushered in bi-partisan Ethics Reform.
We also slowed the rate of government growth, we worked with the Legislature to save billions of dollars for our future, and I made no lobbyist friends with my hundreds of millions of dollars in budget vetoes...but living beyond our means today is irresponsible for tomorrow.
We took government out of the dairy business and put it back into private-sector hands - where it should be.
We provided unprecedented support for education initiatives, and with the right leadership, we finally filled long-vacant public safety positions. We built a sub-Cabinet on Climate Change and we took heat from Outside special interests for our biologically-sound wildlife management for abundance practices - predator control.
We broke ground on the new prison.
And we made common sense conservative choices to eliminate personal luxuries - things like like the jet, the chef, the junkets...the entourage.
And the Lt. Governor and I said "no" to our pay raises. So much success in this first term - and for this success I am proud to take credit...for hiring the right people! Our goal was to achieve a gasline project, more fair oil and gas valuation, and ethics reform in four years. We did it in two. And it's because of the people...good public servants surrounding the Governor's office, with servants' hearts and astounding work ethic...THEY are Alaska's success!
And we are doing well! And I really I wish you'd hear MORE from the media of your state's progress and how we tackle outside interests daily - SPECIAL interests that we're tackling, those interests that would stymie our state. Even those debt-ridden stimulus dollars that would force the heavy hand of federal government into our communities with an "all-knowing attitude" - I have taken the slings and arrows with that unpopular move to veto because I know being right is better than being popular and it wasn't a popular stand to take. Some of those dollars would harm Alaska and harm America - I resisted those dollars because of the obscene national debt that we're forcing our children to pay, because of today's Big Government spending; it is immoral and doesn't even make economic sense!
Another accomplishment - our Law Department protected states' rights - TWO huge U.S. Supreme Court reversals came down against that liberal Ninth Circuit, deciding in OUR state's favor just over the last two weeks. We're protectors of our Constitution - federalists protect states' rights as mandated in the 10th amendment.
You don't hear much of the good stuff in the press anymore though, do you?
Some say things changed for me on August 29th last year - the day John McCain tapped me to be his running-mate - and it was an honour to stand beside a true American hero. I say others changed.
Let me speak to that for a minute.
Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. Over the past nine months I've been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations - such as holding a fish in a photograph, or wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and answering reporters' questions.
Every one of these though - all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We have won! But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted THOUSANDS of hours of YOUR time and shelled out some two million of YOUR dollars to respond to "opposition research" - and that's money that's NOT going to fund teachers or troopers - or safer roads. And for this political absurdity, the "politics of personal destruction"...Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills just in order to set the record straight. And what about the people who offer up these silly accusations? It doesn't cost them a dime so they're not gonna be draining public resources - spending other peoples' money in their game. They won't stop.
It's pretty insane - my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with THIS instead of progressing our state now. And I know that I promised no more "politics as usual", but THIS isn't what anyone had in mind for ALASKA.
If I have learned one thing: LIFE is about choices!
And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or that build up. And I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose NOT to tear down and waste precious time; but to build UP this state and our great country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people!
Life is too short to compromise time and resources...and though it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, and plod along, and appease those who are demanding: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And I think a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and "go with the flow".
We're fishermen and we know, "only dead fish "go with the flow".
No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time...to BUILD UP.
And there is such a need to BUILD up and FIGHT for our state and our country. And I choose to FIGHT for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; and strong national security for our country and support for our troops; and energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and LIFE...I'll work hard for and campaign for those who are PROUD to be American, and those who are INSPIRED by our ideals and won't deride them.
I WILL support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the RIGHT reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska - or outside Alaska.
But I won't do it from the Governor's desk.
I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to make a difference...to HELP people. So I choose, for my State and for my family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around...so that Alaska may progress...I will not seek re-election as Governor.
And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn't run for re-election and what that means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks...they maybe travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade - as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what's wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, they kinda "milk it". I'm not putting Alaska through that - I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! That's not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old "politics as usual". I promised that four years ago - and I meant it.
That is not what what is best for Alaska. I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable.
With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election...I've determined it's best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell; and I am willing to do so, so that this administration - with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future - can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success.
My choice is to take a stand and effect change - not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new political environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities - and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.
Let me go back quickly to a comfortable analogy for me -- and that's sports...basketball. I use it because you're naive if you don't see the national full-court press picking away right now: A good point guard - here's what she does; she drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping her eye on the basket...and she knows exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can WIN. And that is what I'm doing - keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities - smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it's time to pass the ball - for victory.
And I have given my reasons now, very candidly and truthfully...and my last day won't be for another few weeks so the transition will be very smooth. In fact, we look forward to swearing Sean in - in Fairbanks at the conclusion of our Governor's picnics at the endo of the month.
I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that you TRUST me with this decision - but it's no more "politics as usual".
Some Alaskans don't mind wasting public dollars and state time. But I do. I cannot stand here as your Governor and allow millions upon millions of our dollars go to waste just so I can hold the title of Governor. And I don't know if my my children won't allow it anyway, either. Some will question the timing. Let's just say, this decision has been in the works for awhile.
In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous...well, in response to asking: "Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from OUTSIDE the Governor's office?" It was four "yes's" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah" sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that...I think, though, that much of it for the kids had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently. And, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand ALL that we could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more...what a child can offer to set priorities RIGHT - that time is precious...the world needs more "Trigs", not fewer.
My decision was also fortified during this most recent trip to Kosovo and Landstuhl, to visit our wounded soldiers overseas, those who truly sacrifice themselves in war for OUR freedom and our security...we can ALL learn from our selfless selfless Troops...they're bold, they don't give up, they take a stand and they know that LIFE is short so they choose to NOT waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than SELF...and to build up their families, amd their states, and our country. These Troops and their important missions - there is where truly the worthy causes is in this world and should be the public priority with time and resources and NOT this local superficial wasteful political bloodsport May we ALL learn from them!
Really we just gotta put - gotta put First Things First.
First things first: as Governor, I love my job and I love Alaska. And it hurts to make this choice but I am doing what's best for Alaska. And I've explained why...though I think of the saying on my parents' refrigerator that says "Don't explain: your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyway".
But I have given my reasons...it's no more "politics as usual" and I am taking my fight for what's right - for Alaska - in a new direction.
Now, despite this, I sure don't want any Alaskan dissuaded from entering politics after seeing this REAL "climate change" that began in August...no, we NEED hardworking, average Americans fighting for what's right! And I will support you because we need YOU and YOU can effect change, and I can too on the outside.
We need those who will respect our Constitution where government's supposed to serve from the BOTTOM UP, not move toward this TOP DOWN big government take-over...but rather, will be protectors of individual rights - who also have enough common sense to acknowledge when conditions have drastically changed and are willing to call an audible and pass the ball when it's time so the team can win! And that's what I'm doing!
Remember Alaska...America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. And it'll be good. So God bless you, and from me and from my family - to ALL Alaska - you have my heart.
And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean Parnell. And Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume the role of Lieutenant Governor. And it is my promise to you that I will always be standing by, ready to assist. We have a good, positive agenda for Alaska.
To take the words of General MacArthur who said, "We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction".
So with that I'm going to hand this over to our good liutenant governor, and with that I say God bless you Alaska.
~ end of Palin's Resignation Speech, July 3, 2009 ~
watch Sarah Palin full resignation speech, Daily Motion, Jul 3, 2009
Transcript: Sarah Palin Announces Resignation
watch Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, Full Movie, YouTube
watch Gov. Sarah Palin: 'I'm not a quitter', CNN Interview, July 6, 2009
watch Palin Cites Ethics Complaints for Resignation, ABC News
watch One-on-one with Sarah Palin, Andrea Mitchell, NBC, Jul 8, 2009
Palin's hometown crowd expresses its support for her, by Kimberly Kindy, Washington Post, Jul 5, 2009
WASILLA, Alaska, July 4 -- Hundreds of Alaskans gathered in Gov Sarah Palin's home town Saturday morning -- including her mother, father and daughter Piper -- to decorate flatbed trucks, horses and bicycles for the town's Fourth of July festival. But the chatter was about the Republican governor's abrupt decision the day before to resign from office. The crowd was largely filled with loyal supporters, neighbors and friends who said they were reeling over the news. They were angry, they said, because they think intense media scrutiny and attacks by political rivals in both parties became too difficult for Palin and her family to bear. "We are just sick about it. They have smeared her so. It got to be too much," said Sue Ann Roesing, wearing a stars-and-stripes scarf. Her husband, Hank Roesing, nodded in agreement, saying: "The attacks were mind-boggling. For people who live in Wasilla, it feels personal"...
RABID FEMALES HATE SARAH PALIN
SARAH DIDN'T JUMP SHE WAS PUSHED
BBC RELIGION HOST SHAT ON SARAH PALIN
ORWELLIAN MEDIA MASSACRED SARAH
OBAMA-PALIN BLACKWHITE DOUBLETHINK
OREWELLIAN EMANUEL IN WHITE HOUSE
OBAMA SIGNED-STEALED-DELIVERED
USA FORFEITS ICELAND TO RUSSIA
PALIN'S EXPERIENCE IS PRESIDENTIAL
THE SUPPRESSION OF SARAH PALIN
HANK WILLIAMS SARAH PALIN TRADITION
Jackie Jura
~ an independent researcher monitoring local, national and international events ~
email: orwelltoday@gmail.com
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