Sarah Palin: A Personal Thanksgiving Reflection

As posted by CBN's David Brody:

On Thanksgiving, my family's traditions will reflect the loyal, active, robust, big family life that shaped me. We're so fortunate to be together to share the making of another year's memory. In these late autumn days with temperatures dipping to 20-degrees below zero, we'll brave Alaska's biting cold to run and skate and ride - just because we can, and for that I am so thankful. Life in America's Last Frontier is not an easy living, but it's a good living. Here in Alaska, where I'm never without inspiration, an optimistic pioneering spirit still permeates, and harsh conditions force us out of self-centeredness and towards community - often in order to survive.

This need for selflessness - and the blessings that come with it - sharpened for me almost four years ago when I was given the gift of broader horizons, clarified priorities, and more commitment to justice and compassion for my fellow man who faces challenges and fears. I was granted this through a gift that arrived in a tiny, six-pound, awe-inspiring bundle. We named him Trig.

I know America's potential for goodness, thus greatness, because I see it every day through my son. Nothing makes me happier or prouder than to see America's good heart when someone smiles at my Trig. I notice it happens often in airports. Often a traveler passing by does a double-take when they see him, perhaps curious about the curious look on his face; perhaps my son momentarily exercises an uncontrollable motion that takes the passerby by surprise. Perhaps, as an innocent and candid child announced when she first met Trig, they think "he's awkward." But when that traveler pauses to look again and smile, and maybe tells me what a handsome boy I have, I swell with American pride. I am so thankful for their good heart. They represent the best in our country and their kindness shows the real hope we need today.

I am thankful that, as in so many areas of life, the bitter people who say bitter things about someone facing challenges are so outnumbered. There have been stinging criticisms, even from people still screaming that Trig should never have been born, but we know those critics may be the loudest and most malicious, but they're not the majority.

To me, when individuals reflect the greater societal acceptance of someone facing challenges, they show the best of humanity - even by offering a simple pat on Trig's head or a knowing smile shot our way. Conversely, when a society works to eliminate the "weakest links" (as some would callously consider the disabled) or "the unproductive" (as some would callously consider the very young and the very old), it eliminates the very best of itself. When a society seeks to destroy them, it also destroys any ability or need for sincere compassion, empathy, improvement, and even goodwill. And those are the very best qualities of humanity! Those are the characteristics of a country that understands and embraces true hope! America can be compassionate and strong enough as a nation to be entrusted with those who some see as an "inconvenience," but who are really our greatest blessings. Through Trig, I see firsthand that there is man's standard of perfection, and then there is God's. Man's standard is flawed, temporary, and shallow. God's standard lasts an eternity. At the end of the day, His is what matters.

So, this Thanksgiving my family will bundle Trig up and grin while we watch him through ice-frosted eyelashes as he curiously takes in all that is around him in the crisp open air. I hope your Thanksgiving gives you the opportunity to find that reminder of what really matters, too. For me, my perfect picture of thankfulness is my perfectly awesome son. With him, all is well with my soul and I know I am blessed.

- JP

David Brody: Palin Attends Film Premiere, But Will She Run?

The crowd in Pella supported Sarah, no matter what the media has to say about her.
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CBN News Chief Political Correspondent David Brody filed this report from Pella, IA:


- JP

Gov. Palin on This Week's Brody File Show

Reagan was one of a kind, but there's an "Army of Davids" who believe in his ideas
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CBN's David Brody goes "in search of the next Ronald Reagan" this week on The Brody File. Broadcasting from the Reagan ranch near Santa Barbara, Brody has interviews with the Wall Street Journal's John Fund and Kate Obenshain of The Young America’s Foundation, goes on a tour of Ronald Reagan's ranch home, and presents a never-seen clip from his exclusive interview with Sarah Palin.

- JP

The Brody File: Videos from the Sarah Palin Interview

Recorded Friday evening in Santa Barbara after her keynote speech
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Courtesy of The Brody File, here are the videos from Gov. Palin's CBN interview:

On the situation in Egypt:

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On President Obama’s handling of the crisis in Egypt:

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On the mainstream media's relevance:

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On what she might do differently if she runs for President:

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On being attacked by the media:

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On her devotional life:

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On CPAC:


h/t: Clifton B

- JP

Excerpts from the transcript of CBN's Sarah Palin interview

"It seems that 3am White House phone call went right to the answering machine"
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Here are some excerpts from the transcript of the exclusive interview with Gov. Palin for The Brody File on CBN News:

“Who’s going to fill the void... in the government [of Egypt after Mubarek]. Is it going to be the Muslim Brotherhood? We should not stand for that, or with that or by that. Any radical Islamists, no that is not who we should be supporting and standing by, so we need to find out who was behind all of the turmoil and the revolt and the protests so that good decisions can be made in terms of who we will stand by and support.”

“It’s a difficult situation, this is that 3am White House phone call and... it seems that that call went right to um the answering machine. And... we know that now more than ever, we need strength and sound mind there in the White House. We need to know what it is that America stands for so we know who it is that America will stand with.

“I think much of the mainstream media is already becoming irrelevant. Because there is not balance in many cases, David, there is not truth coming out of the mainstream media and I know that first hand, I live it everyday... We’re so far from being able to trust what so many of the mainstream media personalities, characters, feed the American public that it scares me for our country.”

“You know, I’m reminded so often of 2 Timothy 1:7 knowing that God does not give us a spirit of timidity or of fear, but he gives us a spirit of power and love and a sound mind... just calling on that verse, reminding myself over and over again what God promises, that gets me through the tough times.”

“Well, I’ve never attended a CPAC conference ever so I was a little taken aback this go around when I couldn’t make it to this one either and then there was a speculation well I either agree or disagree with some of the groups or issues that CPAC is discussing. It really is a matter of time for me... I look at participation in an event like CPAC... as the more information that people have the better.”

[More]

- JP

Video clips from the interview will be posted on The Brody File Blog on CBN's website sunday night, and the full television interview will air on The 700 Club Monday.

Interview with Gov. Palin by CBN's Brody will Air Monday

Video clips to be posted on The Brody File Saturday
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CBN's David Brody, in Santa Barbara for the Reagan 100 Birthday Celebration, interviewed Sarah Palin at the Reagan Ranch Center:

Video clips will be on The Brody File in the next 24 hours. A full report on the interview with Sarah Palin will air Monday morning on The 700 Club.

We talked about her take on the situation in Egypt and President Obama's response, President Reagan's legacy, her faith, how she's trying to help the mainstream media and the CPAC Conference controversy.

- JP

CBN's David Brody Interviews Sarah Palin (Part 2)

Read the second of Brody's two CBN News stories here. Part 1 of Brody's interview and the related story are here.

- JP

CBN's David Brody Interviews Sarah Palin (Part 1)

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Read Brody's CBN News Story here.

- JP