She's back!--and her Facebook page is being subjected to close textual analysis by those hoping to find a clue to her unsteady behavior. Let's have a look ourselves at what she has to say.
On this Independence Day, I am so very proud of all those who have chosen to serve our great nation and I honor their selflessness and the sacrifices of their families, too.
If I may, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the last 24 hours and share my thoughts with you.
Not as intersting as a cliche or a platitude, but on to her "thoughts."
First, I want to thank you for your support and hard work on the values we share. Those values led me to the decision my family and I made. Yesterday, my family and I announced a decision that is in Alaska’s best interest and it always feels good to do what is right. We have accomplished more during this one term than most governors do in two – and I am proud of the great team that helped to build these wonderful successes. Energy independence and national security, fiscal restraint, smaller government, and local control have been my priorities and will remain my priorities.
You shouldn't say "first" unless there is a "second." Is it her goal to say "family" as many times as possible? She made the decision, not her family. She made the announcement, not her family. The logical connection between sentences is weak: was it her "values," or her "family," or doing right by Alaska that caused her to quit with more than a year left in her term? The fatuous claim that "national security" has been a high priority of the governor of Alaska reminds us of one of her "greatest hits" from the campaign--namely, that from where she sits, you can see Russia. I like how she says she's accomplished more in one term than most governors do in two. It would be more accurate, but not more truthful, to claim that she had accomplished more in two-thirds of one term than most governors do in one. She continues:
For months now, I have consulted with friends and family, and with the Lieutenant Governor, about what is best for our wonderful state. I even made a few administrative changes over that course in time in preparation for yesterday. We have accomplished so much and there’s much more to do, but my family and I determined after prayerful consideration that sacrificing my title helps Alaska most. And once I decided not to run for re-election, my decision was that much easier – I’ve never been one to waste time or resources. Those who know me know this is the right decision and obvious decision at that, including Senator John McCain. I thank him for his kind, insightful comments.
Her family is now joined by friends and the lieutenant governor in her elevated ruminations. We don't know which family members or friends she has been consulting with for lo these many months. The lieutenant governor, however, is Sean Parnell, and in news reports he is said to be "among the people stunned by her move," which he learned about 48 hours before the official announcement. Maybe the amount of "prayerful consideration" she gave to the decision is exaggerated, too. Are we to be impressed by unspecified "administrative changes"? And doesn't she mean to say these changes were to prepare not for "yesterday" but for the transition period ahead? Notice the phrase "sacrificing my title," quite a lofty way to pronounce "quit." Some might even suggest that the word, "sacrifice," should not be applied both to the burdens borne by military families and to this heavy one she has imposed upon herself by quitting her job. The penultimate sentence seems to be missing at least one word but who really cares? When she says exactly what she means, it doesn't make sense anyway. McCain has made no statement asserting that her resignation is a good or obvious move. She hurdles ahead:
The response in the main stream media has been most predictable, ironic, and as always, detached from the lives of ordinary Americans who are sick of the “politics of personal destruction”. How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it’s about country. And though it's honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make. But every American understands what it takes to make a decision because it’s right for all, including your family.
"Mainstream" is one word but, alack, this is not a mistake spell check can catch. The puffed-up "it's about country" recalls the theme of the McCain campaign, which his choice of her for running mate proved a lie. I think these "others" she refers to are "countless" not because there are so many of them but because there is not a single one. It's a Republican trope that all the whining claimers of victim status should shut up and get to work, so why not her? Whose complaints have ever had less merit? Katie Couric does her homework but the dog always eats Palin's. Regarding the last sentence: it occurred to her that she hadn't mentioned her family for awhile. The ringing conclusion:
I shared with you yesterday my heartfelt and candid reasons for this change; I’ve never thought I needed a title before one’s name to forge progress in America. I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint. I hope you will join me. Now is the time to rebuild and help our nation achieve greatness!
No, if it had been "candid" everyone would have an idea what it meant, what motivated her, and what her intentions might be. If she's going to say I needed, then she should say my name, not one's name. And what is this business about a "title" again? It's almost as prevalent as "family." Did you notice how she said applies for instead of applies to? Now she says and when (I think) she means to: the smallest words confuse her.
I know, I know, these criticisms are "elitist." You can't judge Republicans by standards that apply in Freshman Composition. But does anyone seriously believe that the person behind this Facebook communication is a candidate for leading a nation to greatness? She can't lead herself to mediocrity.
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