Palin: Iraq war 'a task that is from God'

[SDR]

By GENE JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer
6 minutes ago

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin told ministry students at her former church that the United States sent troops to fight in the Iraq war on a "task that is from God."

In an address last June, the Republican vice presidential candidate also urged ministry students to pray for a plan to build a $30 billion natural gas pipeline in the state, calling it "God's will."

Palin asked the students to pray for the troops in Iraq, and noted that her eldest son, Track, was expected to be deployed there.

"Our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God," she said. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that plan is God's plan."

A video of the speech was posted at the Wasilla Assembly of God's Web site before finding its way on to other sites on the Internet.

Palin told graduating students of the church's School of Ministry, "What I need to do is strike a deal with you guys." As they preached the love of Jesus throughout Alaska, she said, she'd work to implement God's will from the governor's office, including creating jobs by building a pipeline to bring North Slope natural gas to North American markets.

"God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that," she said.

"I can do my job there in developing our natural resources and doing things like getting the roads paved and making sure our troopers have their cop cars and their uniforms and their guns, and making sure our public schools are funded," she added. "But really all of that stuff doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's heart isn't right with God."

Palin attended the evangelical church from the time she was a teenager until 2002, the church said in a statement posted on its Web site. She has continued to attend special conferences and meetings there. Religious conservatives have welcomed her selection as John McCain's running mate.

The Assemblies of God, which claims nearly 3 million members, is one of the biggest Pentecostal groups in the U.S. Unlike most other Christians — including most evangelicals — Pentecostals believe in "baptism in the Holy Spirit." That can manifest itself through speaking in tongues, modern-day prophesy and faith healing. The Assemblies of God teaches that spirit baptism must be accompanied by speaking in tongues. Still, some churchgoers never have the experience.

Rob Boston, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, lamented Palin's comments.

"I miss the days when pastors delivered sermons and politicians delivered political speeches," he said. "The United States is increasingly diverse religiously. The job of a president is to unify all those different people and bring them together around policy goals, not to act as a kind of national pastor and bring people to God."

The section of the church's Web site where videos of past sermons were posted was shut down Wednesday, and a message was posted saying that the site "was never intended to handle the traffic it has received in the last few days."

[SDR]

This is from a Bryn Mawr college grad to her fellow alums :


Dear classmates -

As an Alaskan, I am writing to give all of you some information on Sarah Palin, Senator McCain's choice for VP. As an Alaska voter, I know more than most of you about her and, frankly, I am horrified that he picked her. The most accurate description of her is red neck. Her husband works in the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay and races snow mobiles. She is a life time member of the NRA and has worked tirelessly to allow indiscriminate hunting of wildlife in Alaska , particularly wolves and bears. She has spent millions of Alaska state dollars on aerial hunting of these predators from helicopters and airplanes, dollars that should have been spent, for example, on Alaska 's failing school system.We have the lowest rate of high school graduation in the country. Not all of you may think aerial predator hunting is so bad, but how anyone (other than Alaska wolf-haters, of which there are many, most without teeth), could think this use of funds is appropriate is
beyond me. If you want to know more about the aerial hunting travesty, let me know and I will send some links to informative web sites.
She has been a strong supporter of increased use of fossil fuels, yet the McCain campaign has the nerve to say she has "green" policies. The only thing green about Sarah Palin is her lack of experience. She has consistently supported drilling in ANWR, use of coal-burning power plants (as I write this, a new coal plant is being built in her home town of Wasilla ), strip mining, and almost anything else that will unnecessarily exploit the diminishing resources of Alaska and destroy its environment.
Prior to her one year as governor of Alaska , she was mayor of Wasilla, a small red neck town outside Anchorage.The average maximum education level of parents of junior high school kids in Wasilla is 10th grade. Unfortunately, I have to go to Wasilla every week to get groceries and other supplies, so I have continual contact with the people who put Palin in office in the first place. I know what I'm talking about. These people don't have a concept of the world around them or of the serious issues facing the US . Furthermore, they don't care. So long as they can go out and hunt their moose every fall, kill wolves and bears and drive their snow mobiles and ATVs through every corner of the wilderness, they're happy. I wish I were exaggerating.
Sarah Palin is currently involved in a political corruption scandal. She fired an individual in law enforcement here because she didn't like how he treated one of her relatives during a divorce. The man's performance and ability weren't considered; it was a totally personal firing and is currently under investigation. While the issue isn't close to the scandal of Ted Steven's corruption, it shows that Palin isn't "squeaky clean" and causes me to think there may be more issues that could come to light. Clearly McCain doesn't care.
When you line Palin up with Biden, the comparison would be laughable if it weren't so serious. Sarah Palin knows nothing of economics (admittedly a weak area for McCain), or of international affairs, knows nothing of national government, Social Security, unemployment, health care systems - you name it. The idea of her meeting with heads of foreign governments around the world truly frightens me.
In an increasingly dangerous world, with the economy in shambles in the US , Sarah Palin is uniquely UNqualified to be vice president. John McCain is not a young man. Should something happen to him such that the vice president had to step in, it would destroy our country and possibly the world to have someone as inexperienced and inappropriate as Sarah Palin. The choice of Palin is a cheap shot by McCain to try to get Hillary supporters to vote for him. when McCain introduced her today, Palin had the nerve to compare herself with Hillary and Geraldine Ferraro. Sarah Palin, you are no Hillary Clinton.
To those of you who, like me, supported Hillary and were upset that she did not get the nomination, please don't think that Sarah Palin is a worthy substitute. If you supported Hillary, regardless of what you think the media and the democratic party may have done to undermine her campaign, the person to support now is Obama, not Sarah Palin. To those of you who are independent or undecided, don't let the choice of Palin sway you in favor of McCain. Choosing her shows how unqualified McCain is to be president. To those of you who are conservative, I guess you have no choice for president. But please try to see how the poor choice of Palin tells us a great deal about McCain's judgment.
While the political posturing inherent in the choice of Palin is obvious, the more serious issue is the fact that the VP is, literally, a heartbeat away from the presidency. Sarah Palin is totally and unequivocally unqualified to be vice president, let alone president. I know this is a lengthy and emotional email, but the stakes are high. I thought it might help for all of you, regardless of political affiliation, to know something about Palin from someone who has to live with her administration in Alaska on a daily basis.
Here's some basic background from MoveOn.org:

She was elected Alaska 's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage.1
Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2
She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3
Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4
She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5
She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6

[Ed Ziomek]

Let me compliment (did I spell that right?) you on your graduation from Bryn Mawr. I was not so lucky, and certainly a lot more lazy, never finished.

Calling someone a Red Neck is equated with "racist", in my understanding. Isn't that a little tough?

Can Sarah Palin do any worse than Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld? I suspect she will be 1000 times better, with the polls showing a 50/50 split, people here in Connecticut seem 55/45 in favor of McCain on the experience issues, taxes, and the economy issues alone, all the while praising Obama, as I do too, for his exemplary style, grace, dignity, and vision.

Which candidate-team can give me hope for an end to the wars, and future security, and jump start our economy positively?

I don't have easy answers, with one exception: name calling is not what they taught me in my limited schooling, unless I had the facts to back it up. Let's give Sarah Palin an honest chance to state her case.

[Antisthenes]

just another moralist who will lie, mislead, and abuse people for her own twisted personal illogic.


zero-choice (sic)

[SDR]

Mrs Palin made her case (in a speech written by others, of course) the other night at the convention. She was more than rude to her opponent; she lied about his positions and his accomplishments. I'd say the gloves are off -- and high time, with only eight weeks to the election that may well seal my country's fate. Eight long years of looking the other way on global warming and alternative energy development, a period that desperately needed rapid development in these areas. Palin appears to be to the right even of McCain on these issues.

SDR

[Ed Ziomek]

Steve and Antisthenes...

Could it be that whoever is elected, both will come to the same conclusions?

I think it is an amazing good time for Americans, at a bleak moment of our history, really America in the darkest 8 years I have ever seen probably since the VietNam war.

Two wonderful candidates, actually all four, with both candidates trying to eat from the other guy's plate, and dance to the other guy's song, claiming to be so different, yet so much the same.

But trust me, CHANGE WILL HAPPEN REGARDLESS, the American people will demand it! Let the games begin! (or continue)

I see this as a wonderful moment of America at its best!

Santana at Woodstock, and notice the late Bill Graham at the end, pointing out to the keyboard guy, somebody in the audience! Today is so much like 41 years ago, in my book.
Soul Sacrifice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnamP4-M9ko

[nanrehvasconez]

Be worried of the Bushes and the Palins that claim to talk to God.................

[Richard Haut]

The 18,400 ton, 621 feet long Flagship of the US 6th. Fleet - the most advanced US spy ship - the USS Mount Whitney sailed to Georgia to deliver "humaniatrian aid", following the USS MacFaul and a US Coast Guard Cutter.

US Vice-Presdent Cheney warns Georgians and Ukrainians against Russia and condemns Russia's actions in Georgia.

Condi Rice historically visits Colonel Ghaddafi of Libya.

Bush says that he regrets civilian loss of life resulting from US attacks on Pakistan and respects Pakistani sovereignty.

Europe is pushed increasingly over American missile-shields.

And John Wayne glints into the sunset at the head of a troop of the 7th. Cavalry looking for signs of people with non-white skin .....

let's cut the nonsense shall we ?

Pakistan has just cut the supply line to NATO troops in Afghanistan because it is getting angry about its civilians being murdered in acts of war by America within its territory - and because America's attacks are set to increase.

While Ghaddafi laughingly greets his "lovely Black African woman" whom he calls "lovely Leeza", he is doing a deal with Russia's Gazprom.

As Cheney arrived in Ukraine, the US-backed coalition in Ukraine collapsed completely (and the US Coast Guard Cutter Dallas had to withdraw from the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol when faced with heavy demonstrations shouting "Yankees Go Home !").

In Georgia - where the Russian reaction to the barbaric Georgian attack on South Ossetia has been described by the President of Finland Tarja Halonen as "well-proportioned and balanced" - Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili "could not believe President Bush, a personal friend, would leave him in the lurch" (quoted from Middle East Times).

Of course the Russian action has knocked any idea of Israel using southern Georgian airfields for an attack on Iran.

So what happens now ? The USS Mount Whitney slinks away - its presence in the Black Sea was itself in breach of the Montreux Convention (under which Turkey has control over the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles) and - even if one believes that an 18,000 ton spy ship is needed to deliver trivial amounts of "aid" - such a vessel, regardless of any purpose, must under international law leave the Black Sea within no more than 21 days.

Oh yes, those missile shields. The Israelis have been howling with laughter about them - describing them (to use the headline phrase from Haaretz) as "three Americans in a trailer".

But Iraq - a mission from God .... Unfortunately nobody told the Iraqis who have just signed a massive gas deal with the Chinese and are negotiating another with the Russians, with the sub-heading that US petrochem companies are not welcome partners.

Even Sarkozy of France has elbowed America aside in negotiating with Syria. How much humiliation can you stand ?

[Ed Ziomek]

Rich, we have agreed and disagreed for a wonderful few years now.

This week's New York Times Sunday magazine, some Taliban guy boasting of cross-border raids from the mountains of Pakistan into Afghanistan... hoping to kill Americans, hoping to kill Afghanis.

Last week's news: Honor killing of five young women in the tribal region of Pakistan who did not want to marry a selected husband, they were shot and buried in a grave, a few may have been still alive at the time.

Ossetia region of Georgia last four weeks... stories of ethnic cleansing, etc.

Last month, 10 French soldiers killed in Afghanistan... very little outrage?

Yesterday, four ships under attack off Yemen and Somalia, ocean pirates shooting rockets at a natural gas tanker! Great career path, that pirate stuff!

So, the world is a complicated place, but what outrage do we read about?

America as the only bad guy!

If the American election is one difference, and one difference alone, we have one team saying... "stay the course all over", and the other saying... "stay the course in Afghanistan, but dialogue our way into better relations everywhere else."

Let me give you some good news: People are outraged at the violence, all over. The good people of Pakistan were outraged at the Honor killings. The world organizations are fighting back against the pirates. Israel - Palestine - Lebanon have been quiet for the past two weeks, maybe month. China had a wonderful, beautiful Olympics games.

Maybe a Cinderella viewpoint, but the good people of the world are fighting back, and the communications weapon is the internet, for one.

I want to be part of that world non-violence, prosperity, green-harmonious community! And I know you do too.

Will it ever be perfect? No. Will it ever be violence free, No!

How can we make it better, more than we are doing here?

[Richard Haut]

It has been confirmed today (8th. September) that Cholera has broken out in southern Baghdad and also threatens the central Iraqi province of Babel.

Makes us really proud in the West, doesn't it ?

As for America and Honour Killing, Pakistani Officers have today confirmed the bombing of a school by America (20 dead, 25 wounded) and that none were militants.

(You bet the French response to the dead troops was muted - you really don't want to know what France's leading newspaper had to say; you really don't).

it is too late, Ed - simply too late.

this is what Ron Paul has to say:

http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=12697

a nuclear attack on a non-nuclear nation based on known lies ?

have the Crazies got a 9.11 surprise ? what excuse will they use to start this barbarity ?

[Antisthenes]

good on you guys for paying attention

[Ed Ziomek]

Heard another one, could be true or not.

Sarah Palin to resign today, under pressure from conservatives?

Possibly MSNBC may have been just speculating two days ago with those thoughts. Could have been just verbal guesswork.

I personally think it would be a loss for all of us, I sincerely thought she brought an entirely new dimension to the office. Maybe an Aide de Camp position could be setup for a third person in the executive...President, VP, Aide de Camp, sort of a third person liaison to eleviate the side jobs of the sitting President.

She has carried herself well, I truly believe.