Friday night Governor Palin spoke at an event for Wisconsin Right to Life. Cameras (except for the one that took the picture above), and any recording “gadget” were not allowed in by the organizers. Media were allowed in (they just didn’t get in free), and Bill Glauber of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was in attendance. He wrote:
Less than two weeks before the release of her memoir "Going Rogue," former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was on message during a Friday night speech to anti-abortion activists at State Fair Park.
"Let’s simplify, we’re pro children," Palin told thousands of people who attended a $30-a-ticket fund-raiser for the Wisconsin Right to Life Education Fund.
In a personal and passionate speech, Palin lauded the state’s anti-abortion movement for legislative advances achieved over time.
"We were told to sit down and shut up," Palin said. "Wisconsin, you went rogue."
Palin spoke movingly of her youngest son, Trig, who has Down syndrome. She recalled that when she was pregnant, she underwent an ultrasound and the technician told her, "I see boy parts."
Later, the technician told her that the baby’s neck "is a little bit thicker," an indication that there might be an extra chromosome. A few days later, Down syndrome was confirmed.
"I was scared," Palin said, adding that she asked her husband, Todd, "Why us?" He responded, "Why not?"
"My family life is much richer thanks to this beautiful baby boy Trig," Palin said. "He is awesome."
The speech marked Palin’s re-emergence on the national scene. The event was emceed by WTMJ-AM radio personality Charlie Sykes. The Journal Sentinel purchased a ticket to cover Palin’s speech.
K. Carpenter of Conservatives 4 Palin was in attendance and she wrote:
Governor Palin then began to tell a story of a conversation she and one of her friends in Alaska had a few weeks ago. Her friend had picked up a couple of the relatively new $1 dollar gold colored coins. They were discussing what was missing off of the front of the coins. Those four little words that have gotten America through her most troubling moments, “In God we trust”. As she observed; those four little words have been pushed off to the side of the coin. No longer prominently displayed on the face of the coin but those words have now been hidden on the outer edge of the coin. As she observed, this is kind of where we, as a Nation, have shoved God in our own lives. She even stated that she had kind of done that with her own pro life movement. Yes, she was always pro-life but it was not really something she prominently displayed until she became pregnant with Trig….
….There were plenty of religious references that would send the lefties into spasms. It was rather refreshing to see someone speak of their religious beliefs at a political event. She even read John 16:13 to the crowd: "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative…"
…Governor Palin left us with these words: "Don’t ever let anyone tell you to sit down and shut up!” (read her whole post)
There is another first-hand recount of the night at God, Guts & Sarah Palin that I’d encourage you to check out. Also, it’s being reported by CNN and others that it was her decision not to allow the recording devices & cameras. Governor Palin took time tonight to say on Facebook – not true.
Update: Kathy Banaszak wrote an op/ed at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – “The appeal of Palin’s pro-life message”
Palin cuts through convoluted feminist orthodoxy to articulate a pro-life position that is "compassionate, philosophically consistent and intellectually honest." The pro-woman, pro-life worldview that Palin champions (and lives) not only energizes the pro-life movement; it takes back the heart and soul of classic feminism.
Palin sums it up perfectly: "Sometimes the best things in life aren’t planned."