for what it's worth.

[Hazcat]

This came from an old-timer veteran of Air America...  Kind of a "no BS" ex-military type.  It was cc'd to me and I send it along for what it's worth.
 
 
And from an Alaska man who is a very serious cynic about all things political here is my take on Sara.
 
I met and spoke with Sara Palin about two years ago at our downtown Park Strip. It is a place for walking, carnivals, political outdoor things and such. She was cooking hotdogs at a fund raiser and introducing herself to the public as a Governor hopeful.
 
She came by and said the usual "Hi, I'm Sara Palin and I am running for Governor"...and I expected her to keep on to the next person but she asked me who I was and what I did in Alaska and we ended up talking for 15 minutes about me, Air America (she was all agog!) and my career in the Army and AAM. She is a pilot (Super Cub) I'm told although all she told me about that was that she loved flying.
 
As I watched her over the next six months as she successfully ran for Governor I was really impressed. I was impressed greatly even before that after she resigned a good position (Alaska Gas and Oil Regulatory Commission) because a fellow Commission member (Chair of the Alaska Republican Party) misused their office and position. He was using the FAX, computers, printing room and all to promote the Republican endeavors while in a State job. That is a huge no-no in any government employment position.
 
She resigned and made her point and within weeks Randy Ruderich (the above bad guy) found his ass out on the street and a subsequent investigation found him guilty and he was fined $12,000. Small change actually but a giant point was made.
 
Next she went after our most horrible Governor ever, Governor Murkowski, and damned if she didn't beat him! All of us here in Alaska, except the Democrats, are sick of our State's corruption. That fact was shouted to the heavens after she was elected with an overwhelming point spread.
 
After she got into office she started after corrupt legislators and with the FBI's help we've put four of them in prison, indicted six more and the "Corrupt Bastard's Club" as they arrogantly called themselves (even had hats made with CBC on the front!) suddenly found it no fun anymore. Club membership is now in the toilet!!
 
The current flap which has cost her a ten point loss of popularity (she's still 82%!) was over firing a popular Commissioner of Public Safety who is responsible for our Alaska State Troopers. She fired him for no STATED reason which was her prerogative as the Gov. He served entirely at her option. She and her whole family had a bad, bad experience with a rogue Trooper who was married to Sara's sister. His name is Trooper Wooten. This dimwit Trooper had threatened Sara's father (death threat!), threatened Sara ("I'll get you too"), tasered his 12 year old stepson, drove drunk in his AST cruiser, got a pass by a fellow Trooper who stopped him for erratic driving a second time while in civvies and just a host of other things not yet released to the public. He got away with it and got another pass by the Commissioner's appointed AST Trooper Internal Affairs investigator with a tiny slap on the wrist. Five days off without pay to be exact!!
 
This maverick Trooper is still on the payroll but only just. The Union intervening saved his malcontent ass. He'll yet get his I'm sure. Incredible heat is being heaped on the Troopers. Public heat, not the Governors office.
 
The Democrats had the audacity to appoint a obviously biased investigator, Rep. "Gunny" French (so called because he lied about being in the USMC while running for the Legislature) is a staunch liberal and under the orders of Senate President Lyda Green who hates Sara. She hates Sara because after being elected Governor Sara told the whole Legislature in one of her first meetings with them that, quote; "All of you here need some Adult Supervision!!!".  Sara was seriously pissed and not afraid of anyone there.That played wonderfully well with Alaskan's after all of our corruption and after all of her successful battles against a seriously entrenched corrupt government here in Alaska. It pissed off the whole Legislature though! They have stayed pissed but also afraid of her because of her popularity.
 
She reminds me personally of our Alaska wolverine which will fight anything in it's path if it see's fit to do so. No respect at all for size or position. Wife Cindy is in this category too. Unfortunately.
 
In closing I must tell you that she is the best, most moral and most focused leader I've seen since President Reagan. I feel, really strongly, that like Alaska the rest of our country will love her within a few weeks. Put simply, she represents middle America like NO leader we've ever had. I think McCain made a totally brilliant move in choosing her. She's a maverick who is probably tougher and more focused than McCain himself....and she won't be a total "Yes Man" or more appropriately, woman. McCain will love her.
 
In 2012 she will be President.
 
My best to all of you in the hurricane belt. I hope you are all OK. We just had another mini  Air America reunion here in beautiful Soldotna, Alaska along the Kenai river. Milt Olson, Mike Seal and Ernie Brace (McCains POW buddy) were all here. Ernie's wife, Nancy, is a class act and a wonderful gal. I wish you'd come up and see us. We'll be doing this every year now I guess. Like our Flying Tiger pal's before us there are not that many Air America guys left. I'm 71 myself this September 16. Where the hell did the years go so fast?
 
My best to you old buddy.
 
Semper Fi
 

[PegLeg45]

That was a good read, Haz.
It's good to get a first or even a second hand point of view from people who have met or know someone who has met the person in the spotlight.
Sounds to me like she hates a lying, low-down scumbag about as much as the rest of us do.
Thanks.
 

[gunman1911]

This is more than worth it as it tell something about their morals and how she loves a good fight( a woman after my heart) no pun intended,as usual your post are more than worth the read and I have enjoyed them all.

[Big Frank]

Sara Palin for President!

[shooter32]

Thanks Haz!
Enjoyed it. Sara is the real deal, we need to get stuff like this out.
She talks the talk and walks the walk

My kinda girl

[Sponsor]

[jaybet]

thanks for sharing the Hazmail. I keep looking at Palin thinking it's too good to be true, but it just might be that good. I think she will win people over who might not have voted our way.

[ericire12]

I keep looking at Palin thinking it's too good to be true, but it just might be that good.

See what happens when you take things out of context! 

[tman]

Thanks Haz, there is hope for this great nation of ours with folks like Sara Palin

[Hazcat]

Well there are also pictures of her daughter partying and drinking so it's not all rosy.

[MikeBjerum]

Well there are also pictures of her daughter partying and drinking so it's not all rosy.

So she's from a real family and deals with real issues.  I know others will make hay on it, but she is a true leader (weren't most of our mothers).  She can balance everything that comes with a career and a family.

I think the most telling thing is the way her family acts.  Sure one daughter is pregnant, but she has a son in the service and getting ready to leave for war, she has a baby with long term issues that she not only kept but cares for all she can, and she has children that help each other.  Have you watched how these children interact with each other and their mother in public.  Candid pictures and videos of cuddling and fixing hair.  You can't fake this stuff long term.  The Palin family is a cross section of the American family with all its warts exposed.  I admire how it works, and say that is a picture worth as much as anything else she could say.