Yes, I know, you did not think Sarah Palin had a good side, but even she has accomplished good things. Okay, it was very indirect and she did not mean to, but let me explain.
I do not care for Sarah Palin. The day she was announced as a Vice Presidential nominee, I started doing research about her. The more I found out, the less I cared for her. And that was before the media exploded with news about her. I like her even less now.
But, she really seems to be planning to run for the Presidency in 2012. She truly believes she is presidential material. I’m scared, because I do not trust the voters in the country to not elect her. Seriously, we elected George W – TWICE! The first time I could forgive as ignorance, but the second was just unforgivable.
Anyway, I am trying to keep current about Sarah Palin, so that I am ready for the fight if she runs in 2012. One of the best sources of information I have found is the Mudflats blog – an Alaska political blog. I’ve checked out many of the things I read there and my credibility rating for Mudflats is pretty high.
So here is where Sarah Palin has done good. While I am checking out the Mudflats regularly to keep current about Sarah Palin, I am learning quite a bit about Alaska in general – not just about Sarah Palin. It never occurred to me before, but we get very little news about Alaska down here in the lower 48. There is a lot about Alaska that I do not know.
Sadly, though, the news right now is dismal. There are families in rural Alaska that have lost their Fisheries and, thus, their jobs, and are having to choose between purchasing heating oil to avoid freezing to death (I did know it’s cold up there) and food for their kids.
I’ve had to give up things to feed my daughter on occasion, but never heat in a freezing winter. I’ve only had to give up three dollar Starbucks mochas and nine dollar glasses of wine. Somehow, that does not hurt much. And, I can walk to the grocery store for my daughter’s food and my heat just sort of arrives at my house without my thinking about it much.
Those people in rural Alaska have to fly in their food and their heating oil. Sounds expensive and difficult. It sounds like a good idea to stock up at the beginning of the long, cold winter, doesn’t it? But, how do you stock up when you have lost your job? They can’t. And, they are hurting. If you want the details, read about it at www.themudflats.net or other sources.
So, I’m feeling blessed in my own life right now. And, I’m feeling compelled to share the abundance I have with those people in Alaska. So, Sarah Palin did good. Sort of. I’m sure she did not mean to. I think, though, just maybe, that I feel extra sorry for those rural Alaskans because they are stuck with her as their governor (doing nothing to help them) and they, too, are scared about 2012 (in the few moments they are not scared about freezing or starving to death).
Here’s the info for helping one particularly hardhit area:
To help, please call:
City of Emmonak, (907) 949-1227/1249 (They will take donations by credit card. Please specify the donation is for heating oil!)
Emmonak Tribal Council, (907) 949-1720
or send a check to:
Emmonak Tribal Council
P.O. Box 126
Emmonak, AK 99581
Attn: Christine Alexie
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