Title: First Impressions of Palin [live from Ohio... it's Friday Afternoon!!!] Source:
TV URL Source:[None] Published:Aug 29, 2008 Author:TV Post Date:2008-08-29 12:18:42 by a vast rightwing conspirator Keywords:None Views:1996 Comments:247
The introduction is about to begin.
Let's hear first impressions from everyone as this is happening.
There is bombshell in the commissioner controversy: after weeks of denying she, or anyone from her office, pressured former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire state trooper Michael Wooten, Wednesday, Governor Sarah Palin had to backtrack
Palin's son leaves for Army boot camp TRACK: Governor supports enlistment "for the right reasons."
By STEVE QUINN The Associated Press
Published: September 19th, 2007 06:57 AM Last Modified: September 19th, 2007 05:47 PM
JUNEAU -- Gov. Sarah Palin's son, Track, left on Tuesday for infantry boot camp in Fort Benning, Ga.
The 18-year-old enlisted last week on the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Track is the oldest of Palin's four children and her only son.
"I support my son's independence, and I am proud of his decision because he made it for the right reasons -- to serve his country," Palin said.
In July, Palin went to Kuwait where she visited the Alaska Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry, a unit that is made up of about 575 Alaska men and women.
She said she wanted an up-close look at the sacrifices made by Alaska-based troops in the Middle East so she accepted the offer of a two-day tour sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Ultimately, it may have been a closer look at what awaits Track.
Palin said she has come to terms with the idea that Track could be deployed next year to Iraq, Kuwait or Afghanistan, where thousands of U.S. troops are based.
Last week President Bush approved a gradual reduction of U.S. forces, which stand at the highest level of the war, about 168,000 troops.
"With this quasi draw down, there may be shorter deployments, which is encouraging for Track; in fact, that's encouraging for all of our troops," Palin said. "But more likely than not, Track will end up in the Middle East."
Since her son enlisted, Palin said, she has received several e-mails from women whose sons or daughters have either enlisted or are serving overseas.
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While proud of their children's decision to enlist, they have not lost sight of the prospects of losing a loved one in the war.
"I certainly have thought about it; the mixed emotions we all feel will be something that binds us together," Palin said. "But we don't regret that our son or daughter has made this decision."
Track Palin joins Wasilla High classmate John Bates at Fort Benning. The Palin family threw the teens a party on Sunday evening.
Palin said the party was not a farewell, but a thank you for the young men's commitment to serve.
"We want the boys to know that we support them and we've got their backs," Palin said.