HuffingtonPost's running a huge headline reading, "Palin Exclusive: Iraq a 'Task from God' ":
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."
I agree with Crunchy Con that in this quote she does not appear to be saying that the Iraq war was part of God's plan but rather that people should be praying that it is part of God's plan. That's almost Lincolnesque: rather than trying to claim divine justification, hope and pray that what you're doing matches God's desires.
However, there were a few other things in the HuffingtonPost's item that should cause concern:
Speaking in favor of a natural gas pipeline she wanted build in Alaska, Palin said: "I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that."Also, she may have a small Jeremiah Wright Problem. Ed Kalnins, the senior pastor of Wasilla Assembly of God, where Palin worshipped, may stir some controversy. HuffPo summarizes a few quotes:
During the 2004 election season, he praised President Bush's performance during a debate with Sen. John Kerry, then offered a not-so-subtle message about his personal candidate preferences. "I'm not going tell you who to vote for, but if you vote for this particular person, I question your salvation. I'm sorry." Kalnins added: "If every Christian will vote righteously, it would be a landslide every time."Months after hinting at possible damnation for Kerry supporters, Kalnins bristled at the treatment President Bush was receiving over the federal government's handling of Hurricane Katrina. "I hate criticisms towards the President," he said, "because it's like criticisms towards the pastor -- it's almost like, it's not going to get you anywhere, you know, except for hell. That's what it'll get you."
It's hard to tell from the transcript whether he was being sarcastic. If he wasn't, and Palin's pastor really believes that voting Democratic pretty much consigns one to hell, then that might strike some as, er, a bit partisan. Then again, if Obama is the anti-Christ, it all fits together nicely.
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In 2004, Transcanada lobbyist Marty Rutherford participated in negotiations on a plan to build a natural gas pipeline. Alaska's bargaining team included Sean Parnell, deputy director of the oil and gas division. Alaska's governor, Frank Murkowski, decided against the plan that Rutherford and Parnell preferred: a deal with Transcanada.
Instead, Murkowski picked a consortium of Big Oil, but never consummated the deal. Palin unseated Murkowski in 2006. Sean Parnell became her Lieutenant Governor. Marty Rutherford became her principal adviser on gas issues as Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. Palin passed the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA), which set the terms of a competitive bidding process which set very narrow bid specs. Five bidders submitted proposals, including Transcanada. Palin decided that Transcanada was the only qualified bidder. Palin's conduct may not be illegal, but it breaches several ethical principles. First, she appointed a former representative of a company with an enormous financial interest in state gas pipeline policy to develop and administer that policy. Second, she pushed through legislation that creates the appearance of favoring one company's interest. Third, she did not try to rebid the project or find a way to create a more competitive market for the bids.
Everyone needs to get off the attacks. People believe in God. People don't believe in God. Personally, I rarely run into people who don't anymore and the few who supposedly don't have their questions in their own souls. People are free to believe what they want, even those in politics. Our country was founded on a belief in God and our constitution is based on that belief too. Get over it!
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