Journey… the archetypal rock bank of the 1980s.  I recently downloaded some Journey tunes to my iPod and climbed aboard an elliptical for some sweat equity.  Listening to Steve Perry belt out, “Don’t Stop Believin’”, with his madcap catchy lyrics about small town girls, city boys, midnight trains, streetlights, and people who lived just to find emotion, I was reminded of what it takes to keep our heads up, our eyes forward, and our feet moving in the face of great disappointment. When your heart is broken… Don’t Stop Believin’ When you get the wind knocked out of you… Don’t Stop Believin’ When you are in a situation that seems hopeless…  Don’t Stop Believin’ When your world is falling apart and you find yourself lost and alone… Don’t Stop Believin’ and When Governor Sarah Palin, the most qualified conservative public servant to come along in three decades, decides not to run for president in 2012… Don’t Stop Believin’ Remember when we were kids and we sang that song about God having the whole world in His hands? When we grew up, instead of leaving “our world” in His hands, we thought that now we could handle anything life threw at us on our own, thank you very much. But in our own strength, we can’t do anything. Neither can Gov. Palin. She has prayerfully placed “her world” squarely in her Creator’s hands letting Him guide her compass. Gov. Palin wants us to keep moving forward with her and “don’t stop believin’” that America’s best days are ahead. We are an exceptional nation. Everything will be all right. Just you wait and see! Our country is in a dark time.  We’ve been in darker.  We need to see the bigger picture. In the beginning, independence from the most powerful Western nation (Britain) on earth was a long shot at best.  But those patriots didn’t give up.  Even in the bloody snows of Valley Forge they found strength to keep fighting.  And they won. What darker time could be imagined than the Civil War when brother fought against brother and the very fabric of the republic was being ripped apart?  Then the great leader who had struggled to keep the nation together was murdered.  But we’re still here. The Great Depression, two world wars, we could go on.  But America has an indefinable quality that is found nowhere else.  We will make it.  Those common folks that have cheered Sarah Palin on are still around and they still have the same fighting spirit that is in her and attracted them to her potential candidacy in the first place. Don’t stop believing.  Believe in that ideal called “America.”  Believe in something bigger than yourself. It’s for sure that Sarah Palin does.  

  “Great to be in the hometown of Elvis Presley-- Tupelo, Mississippi!  I went out jogging this morning… as I’m running down the street seeing all those guitars [street art] and signs of Elvis Presley, I thought well it’s a good thing in honor of Elvis I got to borrow my daughter Bristol’s blue suede shoes!” Elvis Presley may be Tupelo’s favorite son, but after Governor Sarah Palin took the stage sporting blue suede shoes before a crowd of more than 8,000 cheering supporters, there’s no doubt she’s Tupelo’s favorite daughter. Governor Palin was in Tupelo as the keynote speaker for the Extraordinary Women’s Conference on Saturday, October 22, 2011. The former vice-presidential candidate spoke of Mississippi’s native land and waters being a crossroads in America, making the point that America is now at a crossroads: “I believe that God has shed His grace on thee, America, and I don’t want us to sit back and squander what it is that He has blessed us with… our forefathers and our foremothers fought and died to protect our freedoms today. I do not believe that we shall fulfill our destiny as a nation that puts its trust in God if we sit back and watch some fundamental transformation of our country, turning it in to something that we don’t recognize.  We don’t need a fundamental transformation of America, we need a fundamental restoration of America!” Governor Palin then spoke of her own personal challenges and crossroads, specifically about callus criticism of her son, Trig, who was born with Down Syndrome almost four years ago: “Look, when society wants to eliminate their weakest links, as some would refer to the disabled or the very old… when society destroys them, it also destroy any ability or need for compassion, for tenderness, for empathy, even for goodwill, and those are the very best parts of humanity and the characteristics of a country that can embrace and know and share true hope comes from people like Trig… Trig is the best thing that has ever happened to our family.” “America is indeed the last best hope of man on earth”, she told the audience, explaining that  “some people are waiting on a superman or a superwoman to come in and fix the problems that we face, but we know that it’s going to be His [God’s] light, and His truth, and His love that makes all the difference. There’s not going to be a politician or a celebrity or a government program that meets the needs of our families and our nation. It’s all about Him and His everlasting hope that He gives us.” Governor Palin closed by encouraging everyone to “get up, get out there, and do good” because America is a shining city on a hill and God has shed His grace on America. Governor Palin receives the Key to the City of Tupelo Before leaving the stage, Governor Palin was presented the Key to the City of Tupelo by Fred Pitts, Tupelo City Council President. Thank you, Governor Palin and Todd, for visiting my home state of Mississippi. Words cannot express my gratitude for your graciousness and words of encouragement to me and my state. Like you said, Governor, there are no coincidences, just Divine appointments. God bless you both as you continue on His path to fulfill your destinies.... Missy

  Maybe it was the endorphins pulsating through my body as I sped to nowhere Friday afternoon on a stationary bike in the fitness center, or perhaps it was the forbidden pieces of chocolate I savored earlier in the day. Whatever the culprit, a single photograph featured in the Washingtonian caught my eye as together the periodical and I raced toward the weekend. Follow: American author Mark Twain once said, “Hawaii is the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean”. No one would argue with Twain that the Hawaiian Islands’ tropical weather, low humidity and infrequent severe storms make it a traveler’s dream destination. Hawaii not only boasts of its great beauty but also claims to be the birthplace of Barack Obama.    By contrast, Alaska’s majestic mountain peaks and rugged topography covered with glaciers, countless rivers and lakes, huge tracks of forested land, and over 34,000 miles of tidal shoreline is beauty personified. Alaska is a constant adventure for those that live there, and for those fortunate enough (or smart enough) to travel there, it often proves to be their most exhilarating and worthwhile adventure. The Last Frontier is the beloved home of Sarah Palin, the youngest and the first female governor of that state, and is like no other place on our planet. No doubt these two states are uniquely and breathtakingly beautiful, but under a microscope the resolution of their great beauty becomes a study in contrasts. Their magnification and resolution prove to be an eerily accurate characterization of their most famous residents. Take a look at this photo from National Geographic. Believe it or not, this is the magnification of a dipperful of Hawaiian seawater. Describing the photo, journalist Jennifer S. Holland, writes, “Gelatinous shape-shifters lazily ride the currents (dead fish going with the flow). Familiar [and unfamiliar] forms — wide-eyed fish larvae, baby squid and octopuses—dart liberally (left wing radicals). Their lives are precarious (reckless decisions). Some wear shells (disguises) or exude toxins (media malpractice) against enemies (Main Street America); others are active only after dark (opaque government).” Even the name of the photograph is telling- The Secret Life [of Marine Microfauna].   No two alike? According to Discover, physicist Kenneth Libbrecht says it’s essentially impossible for any two ice crystals to have the exact same molecular structure (unique and one of a kind). He claims that, “Out of all the complex (smart, intelligent, quick study) snow crystals ever made over the history of the planet, it’s unlikely that any two ever looked completely alike (unprecedented). The elaborate branching structure indicates that the crystal was formed under high pressure (hard work, dedication, boldly speaking the truth, fearless), even where molecules encounter more resistance (‘drill, baby, drill’; ‘we eat, therefore we hunt’; ‘quit making things up’). The more easily the clear branches (government transparency) accumulate molecules, the more fabulous the shapes take form”. We the People are like magnifying glasses making it possible for all to see self-serving political agendas purposely hidden to the naked eye. We must magnify our lawmakers’ policies to a point of resolution where lines are not blurred but clearly defined and transparent. Who knew such musings could come from looking at a single photo published by a liberal medium while riding a stationary bike? Maybe next Friday I will join the line dancing class where Britney tunes are blared at a thousand decibels. Who knows I may oops, do it again.    

  Written by Dr. Edward T. Holliday Photos courtesy of O.P. Ditch, USAF Veteran On August 28, I was in Washington D.C. participating along with thousands of Americans summoned by Glenn Beck of Fox News Channel to the Restoring Honor Rally held at the Lincoln Memorial.  My personal estimation is that there were likely 900,000 to 1,000,000 patriotic people present, especially when you count the hundreds who came but left because of the large crowd.                  Restoring Honor Rally at the Lincoln Memorial Thousands gather to honor the U.S. Military It was indeed an honor and a privilege to be on stage when Dr. Alveda King spoke as she honored her uncle on the 47th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s world-changing “I Have a Dream” speech. Alveda had asked me to travel to Washington, D.C. and stand with her as she spoke. Because I was a part of Alveda’s group I was allowed access to the “green room” where the participants (except Governor Sarah Palin who was at a different location) waited in an air-conditioned tent. I was disappointed that Sarah was not in our tent, but my eyes were fixated on the monitors as she addressed the crowd, not as a politician, but as the mother of a soldier. Sarah’s speech had the multitudes gathered at the Reflection Pool cheering and clapping with thunderous applause, and there was also excited applause coming from those of us waiting inside the tent. She was exceptionally marvelous as she brought honor to our men and women in uniform.  Gov. Sarah Palin takes the stage I was not nervous about being in front of more than half a million people or thinking about the millions watching by television and internet. I was not even nervous when Alveda told me backstage, “Now Ed, when we are singing out there today, I want you to 'release your spirit'."  I guess she knew I was Southern Baptist and might be a little stiff.  Admittedly, I have been known to clap off-beat on occasion. Dr. Ed Holliday (third from right) stands with Dr. Alveda King and guests As Alveda and I with her other friends and singers descended the steps to join her on stage, the thought hit me: I am going to be the only white person with ten black Americans on stage before the nation. I was thinking that the entire audience was going to be saying inside their heads: Does this white man have any rhythm? With those thoughts running through my mind as we assembled on stage, I did get nervous. Then when I noticed that Alveda’s two special singers were not behind the podium as I thought that they would be, but directly beside me I thought: Oh, no, when I am clapping my hands I cannot be offbeat.  As the music started I noticed in my right eye’s peripheral vision Pastor Hoye’s (I stood beside his wife) outstretched hands keeping a steady and firm beat. It was then that I noticed a steady and perfect beat from my left eye’s peripheral vision by an audience member on the front row. That person was Sarah Palin. Sarah has rhythm and soul. I watched her inconspicuously lift her hand (not her arm) in praise. She inspired me to lift my arm and hand in praise and even give my arm a little back-and-forth wave. Suddenly the crowd began waving their arms back and forth in the air causing a ripple effect throughout the masses. Gov. Sarah Palin, proud mom of U.S Army combat vet, Track Palin Following the lead of "Sister Sarah" and "Brother Walter", I think I did pretty good keeping time with the music. So thank you Sarah Palin for helping me fulfill Alveda's request to “release my spirit” during worship. At the end of the event the 240 Black Robe Brigade and others came up for the final song. Tears rolled down as I thought of Dr. King’s dream of one day when, “Black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics,” would stand together and sing. I followed my leader (Dr. Robert Smith, an African American pastor from Little Rock, Arkansas) up on to the stage to our final position. I turned to discover that I was on the second row right smack in the middle and just behind Glenn Beck. As the bagpipes were playing “Amazing Grace”, Alveda King and Sarah Palin were brought into place right in front of me. I could not have planned this moment better myself in a million years.  God surely had His hand of blessing on me this day.   Gov. Sarah Palin, Dr. Alveda King and friends bowing their heads in reverence to God During Vietnam Veteran Dave Roever’s ending prayer as he called for a welcoming home of all Vietnam Veterans, applause broke out in the crowd. I opened my eyes as I was looking down and the first thing I saw was Sarah Palin’s French-manicured toe nails which perfectly complimented her high heeled shoes. She is as beautiful in person as she is on television. After Dave's prayer I was thinking that if ZZ Top were to write a song called Sharp Dressed Woman, the star of that song would be Sarah Palin. I did get to meet Sarah immediately after the rally for a brief moment. She was as gracious as she was beautiful, and I believe the reason she glows with steadfast confidence is because she has a heart of gold and a desire to serve God Almighty. As Glenn Beck was dismissing the crowd asking them to share the day’s message of honor and restoration, everyone on stage seemed to move toward Sarah.  I witnessed first-hand her grace as she signed autographs and smiled for photos. I even took a few pictures for people as they stood beside her. She never faltered in being polite, gracious, and always she was beautiful, in control, and looked very (dare I say it?) presidential.  Okay. I said it.  Maybe I am getting carried away here, but she does have “that certain something” lacking from other leaders. Gov. Sarah Palin warmly greets guests Sarah even listened with interest as my friend, Mississippi Republican Congressional candidate, Bill Marcy, invited her to Mississippi and requested her help with his commonsense conservative election campaign. Sarah kindly and graciously gave him her contact information. But God popped my pride of finally meeting Sarah because when I put my arm around her shoulder for a photo, I told the person taking the picture the wrong button to push on my video camera. I wanted to kick myself when I got back to the hotel and discovered I did not have the picture of me with Sarah, but after a day like this, how could I be disappointed? I decided to celebrate the victories and not concentrate on the bungled photo op with Sarah. Now people will just have to take my word for it. But I do have the memory. Gov. Sarah Palin speaking the truth with boldness Thank you Sarah for the hope, love, and charity you have brought to America. Thank you for inspiring so many men and women and children across our great nation. God bless you and your family.  Indeed America, God has shed his grace on thee. ____________________________________________________________________ The People for Palin graciously thanks Dr. Ed Holliday, author of Walk With Me, A Patriot's Guide from the Boston Tea Party to Sharing Today's TEA Party Revolution,  for sharing his thoughts on meeting Gov. Sarah Palin at the Restoring Honor Rally as a guest of Dr. Alveda King.  Dr. Holliday extends a personal invitation for you to join him each Monday for Doc Holliday's Tea Party. Doc Holliday’s Tea Party with Dr. Ed Holliday Dr. Holliday is the author of Walk with Me: A Patriot’s Guide from the Boston Tea Party to Sharing Today’s Tea Party Revolution and The 21st Century Great Awakening. He is a leader in “Mission Mississippi”, a statewide Christian organization that seeks unity across racial and denominational lines. He has worked with the Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP) and has supported key conservative values on the local, state, and national levels. He actively works for racial reconciliation and pursues community excellence. Dr. Holliday is in many professional and Christian organizations and enjoys speaking, writing and working to promote conservative values. He is very active in his community where he is the volunteer director of dental services for the Good Samaritan Free Clinic and is co-chair of the local chapter of Mission Mississippi. He attends Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo and serves in several ministries and on several boards that contribute to make his community a better place for all people. Dr. Holliday graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1983 and its School of Dentistry in 1987. He currently practices general dentistry in Tupelo, Mississippi. His wife, Leslie, and he have four children, ages 12, 9, 7, and 5. Although he has not been able to document direct kinship to the original dentist called Doc Holliday, this Doc Holliday does like shooting from the hip—with words. Special thanks to O.P. Ditch of Vets4Sarah for sharing his personal photos of the Restoring Honor Rally to highlight this article.  Our country will forever be grateful to you, O.P., as well as to all the brave men and women in uniform whose selfless service to our country keep it possible for us to assemble in peace.  God bless you, Sir.

  I believe America is at a pivotal moment. Like the Israelites, we can choose to either go into the Promised Land -- the "shining city on a hill" -- or be satisfied with wilderness living. ___________________________________________________________________ "In the hour of my favour I gave heed to you; On the day of deliverance I came to your aid. The hour of favour has now come; now, I say, has the day of deliverance dawned.” (II Cor. 6:2) Some years ago the Mills family, long time friends of mine, ministered the Word of God at the Fairbanks Inn in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks was experiencing an ice storm; the temperature was between 15-20 degrees below zero. They had never experienced such cold weather. About 11:15 a.m. an Eskimo couple came into the room fully dressed for the cold weather. They had come 26 miles from a small village populated with only 10 - 12 families. They were the only Christians in the village, and the husband functioned as the Constable. Both were very concerned about the spiritual condition of their community and were discouraged by the lack of response to God and His Word. Pastor Mills ministered to the couple saying, "The Lord will create over your dwelling place a light! A pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. This covering shall be a canopy and a defense." (Isaiah 4:5). The message was given at 11:45 a.m.. At that same moment in the couple’s village, a light appeared over their home. Light phenomena in the North Country is not unusual. Such terms as "Northern Lights", "Prismatic Refractions" and "Aurora Bourealis" go with the territory. However this light over their home stayed and stayed. The next day, the couple returned home and were greeted by the ladies in the village saying that the light over their home appeared shortly before noon Saturday (the men of the village were away hunting caribou). The Constable’s wife showed the women Isaiah 4:5 and told them the message they had received from the Lord. All of the villagers became Christians. The village became a missinary outpost, and two years later when the Mills returned to Fairbanks, the whole village came and gave their testimony. The thrilling conclusion happened when one of the women said, "When we left yesterday the light was still there!" America, the light it still here. And like the light seen over the village near Fairbanks, it comes from the North Star in the voice of Governor Sarah Palin. She is like a bright light illuminating the darkness of the current White House Administration. Don't despise the light, and don't confuse it with darkness. That is what America's enemies do.    Like President Ronald Reagan, Gov. Palin sees a strong, prosperous America as an example to the rest of the world. She unapologetically and unconditionally loves our country and believes that the best days are ahead. Gov. Palin connects with people. She "gets it". Remember the Israelites? After the death of Moses, the children of Israel once again stood at the edge of what God had promised them. They had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and were about to enter the Promised Land. The last time they’d stood at this place, they had refused to cross the Jordan River. But 40 years later, they were finally going to step into the blessings of God. During the Israelites’ time in the wilderness, they had to rely constantly on God to provide food and water. They had only just enough to get by and never came into the fullness of what God intended for them. Unfortunately, many of us today feel as though we are living in a wilderness. We need to realize, however, that God wants us to have everything He promised in His Word. He wants to do some wonderful things in our lives. Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, Joshua told them, “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Josh. 3:5) Joshua was telling the people to get ready, because they were going to a new level of living. They were going to experience a new level of provision and blessing. This was the hour they had been waiting for. This was a new day—a pivotal moment for them.     I believe America is also at a pivotal moment. Like the Israelites, we can choose to either go into the Promised Land -- the "shining city on a hill" -- or be satisfied with wilderness living.  It's time to cast off the darkness of the past and realize that the dawn -- the light -- of a new day is here. "This is our time for choosing... how we answer will be our glory or our shame." - Gov. Sarah Palin speaking at Reagan Ranch Center on February 4, 2011.   

  by Sarah Palin as published in USA Today, January 24, 2011 "We were told that we must accept that the era of American greatness was over; but with his optimism and common sense, President Reagan held up a mirror to the American soul to remind us of our exceptionalism." I had the privilege of coming of age during the era of Ronald Reagan. I like to think of him as America's lifeguard. As a teenager, Ronald Reagan saved 77 lives as a lifeguard on the Rock River, which ran through his hometown of Dixon, Ill. The day he was inaugurated in 1981, a local radio announcer famously declared, "The Rock River flows for you tonight, Mr. President."   The image of the lifeguard seems to represent what Reagan was to America and to the freedom-loving people of the world. He lifted our country up at a time when we were in the depths of economic, cultural and spiritual malaise. We were told that we must accept that the era of American greatness was over; but with his optimism and common sense, President Reagan held up a mirror to the American soul to remind us of our exceptionalism. Reagan as lifeguard on Rock River in 1926 Reagan showed us that despite a deep recession, there could still be morning in America. He could speak to the economic troubles facing ordinary Americans because he understood what it was like to live through a Great Depression where families scraped to get by. And yet, he saw us recover from our Great Depression, and under his leadership we experienced the greatest peacetime economic boom in our history. He could speak to our fears that our years as a superpower were over, because he understood what it was like to see America at war and really fear that we might lose. And yet, he saw us win two world wars, and under his leadership we won the Cold War without firing a single shot. Reagan's belief in American greatness was rooted in historic fact, not blind optimism. He was a sunny optimist because he knew that our best days are yet to come.  Reagan at Brandenburg Gate, West Germany, 1987 Today, when we hear the worry in the voices of Americans wondering where the jobs will be for our children and grandchildren and wondering if the world will be safe and prosperous in the years to come, we should remember Reagan's faith in our inherent heroism and greatness. When we see people around the globe looking to the White House for leadership, we should remember Reagan's steel spine. He understood America's purpose in this world and what we need to do to secure liberty. As Margaret Thatcher said of him, "He sought to mend America's wounded spirit, to restore the strength of the free world, and to free the slaves of communism." He sought those things and he succeeded. This year, as we celebrate the centennial of Reagan's birth, let's remember the lifeguard from the Rock River who rescued us with his optimism and common sense. We need more lifeguards like him.  -Sarah Palin __________________________________________________________________ Author's Note: Prayer is our spiritual oxygen, and just as oxygen is vital to natural life, so is prayer vital to  spiritual life. We need to pray regularly and continually for Governor Sarah Palin and her family as she "lifeguards" to protect our country's future. Her message of American exceptionalism breathes new life --- oxygen --- into our belief that we are the greatest nation on earth. God bless you, Governor Palin. Governor Palin is "America's Oxygen" "Pray at all times --- on every occasion, in every season-- in the Spirit with all manner of prayer and entreaty." - Ephesians 6:18