On an interesting note from their article…my ex is from Texas and so one year we drove from Anniston, Alabama to visit her family in Texas (we were both stationed at Ft. McClellan at the time) and I remember that it took two days to cross Texas to get to Amarillo. I recall telling so may people later about driving two days and still being in the same state (as in talking about the hugeness of Texas).
For the 2008 IT Security World Conference. The conference itself was incredible. So much good information on security, governance, HIPPA, PCI DSS, and PKI.
Of course being a visitor from “Alaska” I kept getting asked about Sarah Palin. The elevator, restaurants, pool, clubs, bathroom, etc. I have to kick myself square in the ass for bringing only my Alaska Harley-Davidson t-shirts.
It got to the point that I started lying and saying I have never met her or her family because I would get trapped into lengthy conversations with the curious.
Now I do appreciate that people want to know more about her, her ability to lead, etc. but when I’m trying to get to the free drinks before the bar closes then it becomes a party foul.
There were some fantastic people I met there from all over the world – Australia, Canada, Barbados, Chile, as well a great people from D.C., Michigan, etc.
At one point we had our own U.N. dinner when ten of us sat down to eat together talking about politics, economy, national treasures and so on.
I do have some pictures – not many though, since the conference as pretty jam packed with information.
Another “couldn’t have said it better myself” post! Mark…you’re the man!
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I think that everyone (and I’m talking about the mass of bloggers hiding behind their keyboards) needs to remember that Palin, for whatever warts she has, is one of only 50 Governors in the United States. That’s a very elite club no matter what state you’re in. If you don’t think so, just try and join. And being Governor is a JOB, not like the talking heads making sweetheart deals and speeches to CSPAN while on permenant vacation in the House and Senate.
Alaska has challenges that no other state can claim, and she’s done a tremendous job managing the State and its resources. Her performance has earned her probably the highest approval rating of any Governor, even though she’s only been in office for two years and is a woman in a fairly macho state. The masses should stop, take a breath, and give the woman the respect she deserves.
Do the numbers add up? No way. And some of her views are downright frightening. But regardless of the logic behind the pick, I find her presence in the race refreshing. She is a real person on the ticket for a very top spot in the country. I doubt that many elected officials on the national stage have a clue what it’s like to come from truly humble beginnings themselves (and not ride on their parents humble beginnings, mind you).
Public school, making ends meet, filling a gas tank, balancing work and a family, having a special needs child, having a pregnant teenage daughter. These are all things that the masses of American citizens live and sometimes struggle with every day. Yet these same masses who cry that most members of government are completely out of touch with the daily needs of Americans ridicule her and her family for living a life that puts her in touch with 95% of us. Who exactly is being hypocritical here?
Palin may not have years of national level political activity, but she does the experience that we should want in the top spots of government. The experience of living a normal, middle class life in the United States.
There’s nothing more to say! Thanks again Mark for letting me post your e-mail.
And, yes, Bill Maher….Sarah has seen us black folk!
There’s a lot more than “a dozen” Blacks in Alaska, there are enough that we hold a very WONDERFUL Juneteenth celebration. We are lawyers, doctors, business owners, and entertainers.
And while many are here because of the military, most are not.
Come out & see the planes fly tomorrow at Arctic Thunder. Do this in honor of the lost crew. We will be honoring them...you should too. http://twitter.com/hogbiker5 mins ago
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