Be thankful for Palin


Published on Thursday, October 16, 2008 8:21 PM AKDT

Yesterday I saw Gov. Sarah Palin for the first time in real life. The Clearwater, Fla., campaign rally was packed with thousands of cheering people. Being handicapped, I was placed right at the podium and could see her up close. She is genuine, the real thing. You folks in Alaska are blessed to have her representing Alaska.

I had never wanted to visit Alaska, but now I do. The media has always shown pretty pictures of Alaska , but the stories are always sort-of negative and focus on crime and isolation of the people. The media has always made Alaska seem like a forbidding, dangerous place full of lawless people.

But now the focus has been on this beautiful, articulate, intelligent lady and the real people of Alaska. I am anxious to make a trip to Alaska.

Yesterday in Clearwater Governor Palin paused in her speech and asked all the military veterans to raise their hands. Hundreds of hands went up, mostly older men like my husband. Then the crowd cheered for them. No one ever thanked my husband for his 22 years of service to his country. I saw tears in his eyes. He had on his “Navy Retiree” ball cap, and after the rally was over and we were leaving, many people came up and shook my husband’s hand and thanked him and said “God bless you.”

That meant a lot. Thank you for recognizing those who received no thanks during the 1970s. Alaskans, no matter what your politics, you should be thankful for this courageous, patriotic woman and let the world know you’re proud. I sure am.

Linda Lawson

Tarpon Springs, Fla.

Comments

19 comment(s)

    MAXKATT from NY wrote on Oct 29, 2008 7:36 AM:

    " Among the most controversial YouTube clips is one of David Brickner, executive director of Jews for Jesus, preaching at the Wasilla Bible Church on the same day Palin was there for her new baby Trig's dedication ceremony. Brickner preached that terrorism in Israel was God's judgment on the Jews for their not believing in Jesus—comments that were roundly denounced by Jewish groups. "

    another REALAmerican wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:42 AM:

    " Wonderful that so many Alaskans love Palin! You can have her back now. "

    suspicious citizen wrote on Oct 24, 2008 7:34 PM:

    " Does anyone at the "Frontiersman" research the validity of this type of "glowing" endorsement? It doesn't smell right. "

    Terri Holland wrote on Oct 20, 2008 7:39 PM:

    " Once again, never judge a book by its cover. Palin is a sight -- lovely, charming, and charismatic on the outside. On the inside, she is power-hungry, manipulative, deceitful, arrogant, inarticulate, ingnorant and racist, a poor mother too -- not someone I want to see anywhere near the white house. Citizens in the "lower 48" can't wait to send her back to the good people of Alaska to deal with. I hear she has a wedding to plan for her pregnant daughter anyway - who knows, maybe she'll play the flute! "

    Southernman wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:36 PM:

    " Unfortunately, we have had the Palins twice in Virginia . Both events were staged at NASCAR(stock car racing) venues. Once in Richmond, Once in Martinsville. Intrestingly, NASCAR, owned and operated by gazillionaires and gazillionaires corporations got a tax break in the Bailout Bill along with the Wooden arrow company. Maybe, your dog races will qualify for special corporate tax breaks like NASCAR. We have plenty of right wing lunatics in the South so sarah and Todd more than likely feel at home. plus the winters are warmer. But ya'll can have her back. "

    foggymtn wrote on Oct 19, 2008 3:24 AM:

    " Nice try Linda. Do you mean that in your entire life you have never seen the beautiful pictures of Alaska, or the documentary's portraying the beauty of the landscape or wildlife, and that's all due to the negativity of the media all these years. Are you blaming the media for your never having opened a book or read about Alaska, until now, suddenly Sarah Palin has opened your eyes. What a small sheltered life you have lived, and are still living. Keep sending out those robocalls, and Palin will be back here soon. "

    Jon Bud wrote on Oct 19, 2008 2:16 AM:

    " If you come to Alaska, you might have a hatd time finding a handycapped parking space. I am Handicapped, and almost all the people using the reserved parking spots are jumping out of thier car and jogging in. No shame. Some People really need to park closer. "

    I am an Alaskan wrote on Oct 18, 2008 9:22 PM:

    " and I think Sarah Palin is not only a great gov. but she will make a great VP. All the negative remarks from you folks in the lower 48 are so tiresome. Give it a break. We KNOW her and appreciate her. McCain/Palin 08!!!! "

    Oops wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:54 PM:

    " Hey HUNNI - we don't need no stinkin handout just ask Dear Sarah. The bridge to no where HUH! we don't need the money WE'LL pay for it ourselves!
    Don't worry Obama will be a fair president Palin isn't even in the same class she's a vindictive, liar not qualified to be our governor. Alaska has it's hands full of ethic's problems. "

    NC_VOTER wrote on Oct 18, 2008 4:44 AM:

    " I just want to thank the great State of Alaska for providing Sarah Palin. You guys have taken over the top spot the nation for corrupt politicians. Finally the West Virginians catch a break. If things go well for her (Palin) on 11/5/08 she could visit Charleston, WV (state capitol) to receive and deliver the trophy home to Alaska. West Virginia will be very pleased to pass this on. Thumbs UP to the State of Alaska for clearing Sarah and Todd of any wrong doing related to this case. Again, Thank You Alaska "

    mom of disabled wrote on Oct 18, 2008 4:07 AM:

    " Well, in the same vein: I am the mother of a handicapped little girl who has Down's syndrome. We have lived with this for 15 years now, and it really burns me to see people claim "Palin for Special Needs" What???? Because she had a child born with Down's? Where is the evidence of any work she has done on issues related to special needs kids? Where is her plan to help my kid get better health care? I want action, not "oh, look, I have one too" moments. "

    connietwigg wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:30 PM:

    " Sarah Palin is all what Linda Lawson said, don't be fooled by others as they have no reason to say these things. Shes great. "

    Hunni wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:19 PM:

    " sounds as if you people have a really terminal case of early cabin fever!!! The only change we will have if Obama wins is what will be left over after the mortgage , utilities and gas has been paid for. Lighten up...Do you think Obama cares about anything in Alaska? Think again!!! "

    Curious wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:35 AM:

    " Oh and Linda, don't tell me with your husband so proudly wearing his Navy hat that people don't say thanks to him. I for one don't believe that for a minute. America has a lot of wonderful groups and parades, holidays for our VETS you just need to appreciate the effort. Our home has 1 Viet Nam War Vet and 2 Iraqi War(s) Vets and still serving. I'm not trying to be mean but Florida is full of retired VETS and plenty of meetings and support. Maybe you need to joins some groups. "

    Curious wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:27 AM:

    " Phewie! Something smells here. Linda don't be overcome with emotion. Palin is a good, no make that a great actress.

    Alaskans would love to see the same passion up here for our VETS! don't be fooled it's all politics.

    Palins ethics have us scratching our heads how we could be so stupid to elect her as our govenor. She romanced us also and we were cheated on. Fair warning. "

    MAXKATT from NY wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:39 AM:

    " Thanks for your husband's service. Yes, yes, we know she's a "beautiful, articulate, intelligent lady." Nothing to add with regards to how fit she is for national office? Policy's you agree with? Nothing? Just looks nice? "

    Jim from Boston wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:06 AM:

    " I saw the byline and I thought Tina Fey wrote the letter. "

    oh really wrote on Oct 16, 2008 11:05 PM:

    " She's yours, you can have her. Many in Wasilla know her a little better than you do. She fooled us once, shame on her. She fooled us twice, shame on us. Not willing to be fooled anymore. "

    Mom wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:33 PM:

    " I find her words are so genuine that I am proud not only to be an Alaskan but an American! "

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