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Though many of us suffer from Palin Factor Fatigue, it is irrefutable that there is a nagging curiosity to have the question answered, ?How in the world did Sarah Palin become so popular and why do we still need to hear about her?? My book answers these questions in detail and urges us all to be vigilant. She is one of a small pool of ?rising stars in the republican party? as John McCain stated as recently as January 25, 2009 on Fox News Sunday.
As unbelievable as her meteoric rise was we cannot delude ourselves, turning our backs once again, into thinking that she and those like her are going away. This woman is joined by millions of loyalists whose perception is that she was persecuted in the media, stifled by McCain, and mocked by liberals - and now the theocratic conservatives are regrouping with a vengeance!
"Blue Oasis" began in 2005 in its Blogger format (now an archive) and became possibly the first Alaska Blog on Progressive Politics. At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis was honored to represent Alaska as the state blog.
Transition--Community Blog
In September 2008, Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis moved to a Soapblox Community Blog format. Readers can become full participants by registering on the blog to comment and write "diaries." Diary titles appear on the right sidebar for folks to read and provide comments. Blog editors may choose to move some of these diaries to the front page.
While this Community was formed specifically with Alaska in mind, all "friends of Alaska" are welcome as members!
**Note about registering** Scroll down the right side until you find the link to register. Then, just follow the instructions!
**Note about comments** To comment on a story, click on the heading and then look for the "comment bar" at the bottom (it's light grey, I can't seem to change it). I believe the font color NOW permits you to see the "post comment" text.
YOUR BLOGMISTRESS
My name is Linda Kellen Biegel and I am a former 15-year Federal employee. Thirteen of those years were spent working for the US Army Corps of Engineers. I am also semi-retired from the Alaska music scene (singer, sound tech, stage manager, logistics).
When the blog was chosen to represent Alaska in the DNCC State Blogger Pool at the Denver Convention, I attended with the help of Alaska Real blogmistress, Writing Raven and my daughter Morrigan. On August 29th, one day after Barack Obama's inspiring speech at Invesco Field , my life took another turn as it did for all Alaska bloggers when Gov. Sarah Palin was chosen to be John McCain's VP running mate. Since then, I've either assisted or have been interviewed by media from the UK, Italy, Australia and Germany as well as national media outlets such as Wall Street Journal, NY Times, ABC Good Morning America's Kate Snow, National Journal, Dallas Morning News, LA Times, and NPR.
Presently, I work as a freelance writer, PR, event coordinator, community organizer, wife to computer programmer Josh and mother to 11-year-old Morrigan. Our family especially enjoys our summers in Alaska where we get to subsistence set-net fish Sockeye salmon as well as halibut fish/whalewatch in the family's homemade aluminum boat, "The Neverdone" (when it's working). We reside in Anchorage, Alaska.
Origin of "Celtic Diva"
I've used "Celtic Diva" as a screen name since the early 1990's on Web TV.
"Folks have asked about my Celtic heritage, especially in light of my name. What they don't realize is that I'm adopted. I was born Valerie Morehead of the Clan Muirhead. I was adopted at three-months-old by the Kellens. I always "knew" I was Celt even before really knew. I was drawn to all things Scottish, especially music. That's why my parents eventually told me at age 16."
"Linda is well-known in Alaska & beyond as the prominent progressive political blogger Celtic Diva of Celtic Diva?s Blue Oasis. But back in the day, the early 1990s, I knew her as Linda Kellen, a member of the local folk/rock band Sky is Blu, which amongst other things performed in at least a couple or so of the annual women?s show Celebration of Change, in which I also performed. And if you don?t already know, let me tell you: Linda is one fine damn singer."
I went on after the break-up of "Sky is Blu" to perform with various Alaska musicians and work with national folks like Bo Diddly, Coco Montoya, Debbie Davies, Taj Mahal, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bad Company, Creedence Clearwater, Carny Wilson, etc...
USA Women's Olympic Hockey Team Star Kerry Weiland with our friend Isabella and my daughter Morrigan at St. Baldrick's Day
(Scroll down to find posts.)
(Please register to participate in diaries and comments! We'd love for you to join our Community!)
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It seems that outrage across the country over the behavior of Palin and her entourage at Ft. Bragg has shown itself in stories on military-themed websites.
For example, the AP story on Palin's Ft. Bragg visit appears on a website widely-read by our nation's military, Military.com, and they titled the piece "Some Anti-Obama Tones to Palin Bragg Visit." The comments are dominated by folks who are incensed by the behavior at the event.
For example:
I wonder what would have happened if someone wore an impeach Bush/Cheney shirt when he was our CINC?
Perhaps an even bigger indicator of the ripple effect after Palin's visit can be seen in a comment on this blog. The story below includes contact numbers to Public Affairs on Fort Hood, including the Col. who is the Public Affairs Officer. I requested that folks contact them and express (respectfully) their feelings. Reader Pearlygirl took me up on that:
response from Ft Hood
I just called Col. Danner. He was very polite and also expressed that he has received many concerns about this book signing. It was set up before the recent shootings but it is being rethought. It was worth calling.
by: pearlygirl @ Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 05:04:18 AM AKST
I thank pearlygirl and all who have called. I'm following up with a phone call to Col. Danner to try and get more of an explanation.
My understanding is that blogs across the country have been making similar posts and are encouraging phone calls as well. It looks like it may be working.
(To see details of Palin Ft. Bragg visit, read below)
Here is the portion of the Greta Van Sustern interview last night where she accused Obama of not acknowledging/not respecting the troops as reported on Politico today:
I was angry when I read about it, but not NEARLY as angry as I was after I watched her attitude while saying the words:
"There's been a lack of acknowledgement by our president in understanding what it is that the American military provides in terms of, obviously, the safety, the security of our country," Palin said during an interview with Fox News's Greta Van Susteren. "I want him to acknowledge the sacrifices that these individual men and women - our sons, our daughters, our moms, our dads, our brothers and sisters - are providing this country to keep us safe."
Sarah Palin arrived in North Carolina Sunday by way of Asheville. She was slated to have a much-touted dinner with Franklin Graham and his father Billy. While this is a video made by a fan (so pardon the drippiness) it does provide a good view of the plane she arrived on...and the call number. You may also see some "interesting" dynamics at play:
I received this message this morning regarding the plane from a trusted reader:
"Linda, Thought I would let you know. The plane Sarah flew in to Asheville had the N number 262SP. The SP does not stand for Sarah Palin but the plane is owned by Samaritans Purse. I checked it out at the FAA registry. Wonder if that plane is being used at Rochester and other book signing destinations? Samaritan donations being put to good use to haul Palin's carcass around."
As if that was not interesting enough, he wrote back later:
Tried to check the flight activity for this airplane (N262SP) at Flightwise.com. The flight activity for this plane is blocked by the owner. Guess he doesn't want anyone to know where he is flying. This is a good site to track an airplane's activity. Might come in handy for checking the use of AK state airplanes.
Yup, especially those Alaska planes now leased by Samaritan's Purse up here.
It seems that one must apply to have their plane's schedule made "private" and in doing so, a reason must be provided. I'd love to see the reason Franklin Graham gave for blocking access.
Did I mention that my readers are awesome?
Monday, Palin took the "roadshow" to Ft Bragg, North Carolina for her book signing...a move which has angered many military and civilians alike. According to Fort Bragg Public Affairs, she is "clearly not a political figure."
Huh? I would agree that she is "clearly" not a "candidate" but considering her interference in NY-23 and Facebook tretises, she is MOST DEFINITELY a political figure.
And by the way, she chose the title "politician" on her Facebook page.
As if to try and "mitigate" the obvious danger of having an out-of-control Palin on record at Ft. Bragg potentially slamming the Commander-In-Chief, the military originally tried to keep the press away so as not to "encourage" anti-President Obama rhetoric. However, they relented when the media strongly objected.
But the bus parked nearby encouraged donations to her political action committee and supporters made clear that she should run for president.
It's illegal for this event on base/post to reflect any partisan politics. It's also putting active military careers in jeopardy if they are seen as participating in these activities.
Sarah Palin appeared at Fort Bragg today, promoting her book, "Going Rogue" to the military. Palin had promised to limit herself to signing books, no politicizing her visit, amidst general concerns that her signing would violate Federal Law (Titles 10, 2, and 18, United States Code), Department of Defense (DOD) Directives, and specific military regulations strictly limit a military active duty person's participation in partisan political activities.
I don't think it gets more partisan than SarahPAC.
Palin's father, who greeted supporters as his daughter signed copies of the book, said in an interview that Obama's handling of the military was "scary."
"I see a decline in our might," Chuck Heath said. "People used to be afraid of us and respect us, (but) they're not afraid of us and don't respect us anymore."
Errr...did I mention it was illegal for folks to spew partisanship at this event on base/post around active military personnel?
The Department of Defense defines "partisan political activity" as "activity supporting or relating to candidates representing, or issues specifically identified with, national or State political parties and associated or ancillary organizations."
G.R. Quinn, 58, a veteran who spent 20 years in the military, wore an "Impeach Obama" shirt. He blasted the president for closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, for the plan to hold a key Sept. 11 terrorism trial in New York and for Obama's handling of the military overseas.
Should I NOW mention that partisan thing again...and add that a veteran with benefits may not want to break federal law?
I'm going to have nightmares tonight because while she was restricted from speaking at Fort Bragg, she is not at Fort Hood. However, we might be able to change that.
Col. Stephen Sicinski is the Garrison Commander and his number and email are restricted.
However, here are the phone numbers of the PAO (Public Affairs Office) on Fort Hood. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL when you speak to them. Also, please no profanity or insults, no matter how much Palin might irritate you:
PA On Call Representative Phone: 254-291-2591
PAO - Col. Benton Danner
Email: benton.danner@us.army.mil
Phone: 254-287-0103
Deputy PAO (Civilian) - Mr. Bruce Zielsdorf
E-mail: bruce.zielsdorf@us.army.mil
Phone: 254-287-8506
Deputy PAO (Military) Phone: 254-287-6694
Remember...RESPECT...and let me know in the comments if you called and what happened. I believe they are 3 hours ahead.
