In the “Jobs” diary here, NightTwister posted a comment about Newt Gingrich’s website which offers “solutions” rather than “issues” as is done at the sites for other candidates.

A while back in one of Erick’s Horserace diaries, I described each candidate in terms of a courtship. My take on Newt was,

Gingrich is the old boyfriend you’re still fond of, but there’s just no chemistry left.

There’s no denying Mr. Gingrich has some baggage (don’t they all?), namely his personal life and that little matter of his endorsing Dede Scozzafava. But never say never like I did when I asked his PAC to stop calling me and removed myself from his mailing list shortly after he asked Dede out. Can you say walk back?

After taking a look at Newt’s website, I have to admit that I felt something akin to the Chrissy Matthews tingle. Strictly in political terms, mind you. I’m a happily married woman.

Take a look for yourself at what President Gingrich would do on his first day. From here

The first four Executive Orders President Newt Gingrich will sign are…

1. Eliminate the thirty-nine White House “Czar” positions created during the current administration. The president does not have the authority to appoint bureaucrats to power who are not accountable to the Congress.

2. “Mexico City Policy” of Respect for Life. Reauthorize President Ronald Reagan’s policy – also known as the “Mexico City Policy”— to stop tax payer dollars from being used to fund or promote abortions in foreign countries.

3. Restore conscience clause protections for Healthcare Workers. No American working in a medical environment should be forced to perform any procedure that he or she finds morally or ethically objectionable based on religious teaching. This protection should include, but not be limited to abortion. Existing conscience clause protections need to be strengthened.

4. Respect Each Sovereign Nation’s Choice of its Capital. Each sovereign nation, under international law and custom, may designate its own Capital. Accordingly, the U.S. State Department should be instructed to respect the choice of each sovereign nation and place the American embassy in their Capital. (Israel is the only country the United States discriminates against in this regard. The people of Israel have designated Jerusalem as their capital. Yet the United States retains its embassy in Tel Aviv.)

He promises that more solutions, based on user submissions, are “coming soon.”

And this is just on his first day. Gingrich proposes common sense, conservative solutions for Jobs and the Economy, National Security, Energy, Healthcare, and Protecting Life and Religious Liberty.

Throughout this nominating process, my support has waivered among Perry, Cain, Bachmann, and Gingrich, with a little Santorum thrown in for good measure. Romney has slightly more support than do Huntsman, Johnson and Paul. Call me fickle if you want, but those sweet whisperings of conservative policies in my ear combined with the no nonsense debate performances are forcing me to reconsider my on again, off again relationship with Gingrich. Cain/Gingrich? Gingrich/Cain? At this point, I could get on board either train.

And for the record, I’m still interested in Perry, but I feel a little taken for granted with the attitude of where else will I go if the Cain Train derails but to Perry. I certainly didn’t expect to ever answer that with Gingrich, but I’m surely enjoying having them vie for my attention.

Back in April, schools in the small town of Hackleburg, Alabama (population about 1,400), as well as those in neighboring counties, were destroyed by massive, deadly tornadoes. While the schools are being rebuilt, students are in portable classrooms, leaving county officials and parents worried about their safety if, and most likely when, another tornado hits. Not to worry, FEMA to the rescue.

As John Roberts at Fox News reported, FEMA has offered to help these small counties in Alabama with small budgets by ponying up 75% of the cost to build storm shelters (@ $500K a pop each). Here’s the kicker:

Under FEMA regulations, the tornado shelters are considered “temporary” — only necessary while the schools are being repaired and the students are in the trailers. When the schools are rebuilt or repaired, FEMA rules state that the federal government has to get rid of the shelters.

That can happen three ways:

1) The schools can buy the shelter from FEMA (about $375,000);

2) The schools can find a buyer;

3) If neither 1) nor 2) is feasible, FEMA will give the schools more taxpayer money to demolish the shelter and haul away the debris.

(emphasis mine)

Did you get that? They will build storm shelters, and then tear them down. In a town that lost almost everything, including 18 of their loved ones.

This so throughly boggles my mind, that I’m left speechless (which doesn’t happen often), so here’s the rest of the story without further comment, as well as the video of Robert’s report*.

Neither school district figures it could find an outside buyer either, and even if they could, they don’t know how they could dismantle and move shelters that have been built as permanent structures tough enough to handle 250 mph winds.

For them, that means there’s no option left but to take the money from FEMA to tear down the shelter and haul away the rubble. The superintendents figure that cost would be more than $100,000.

“I don’t like to use words like insane or crazy, but that’s what it is,” Warren said of the FEMA rule. “The FEMA regulations make about as much sense to me as the Navy building a new ship — taking it out in the middle of the Atlantic and sinking it.”

New Alabama building codes require new schools to have a safe room inside. Because DeKalb county’s Plainview High School is simply being repaired, it will be left with no tornado shelter when the FEMA structure is gone.

Schools in Hackleburg, where 18 people died in the April storms, are being rebuilt from the ground up so they will have integrated safe rooms. Still, Hollingsworth says there is plenty of need for the tornado shelter in the community.

“I think it’s insane — it’s new territory,” he said. “We are going to have a facility here that I think the entire community — not just our school — can use and we all paid for that. So it makes no sense to tear it down. None at all.”

Alabama Reps. Robert Aderholt and Spencer Bachus have stepped in to try to change the policy. Bachus went all the way to the top, writing a letter to President Obama declaring the regulation “short-sighted and indefensible.”

“We have limited resources,” Bachus said. “But it’s totally absurd to take a perfectly good shelter and destroy it. Use taxpayer money to build it, then use taxpayer money to destroy it.”

FEMA is not backing away from its regulations, saying in a statement to Fox News: “We continue to evaluate all the options available to FEMA and the school district to ensure that each community is provided every federal resource that they are eligible for under the law while remaining proper stewards of the taxpayers’ dollar.”

The counties are very appreciative that FEMA stepped in to fill a void in safety for so many hundreds of children. But the policy that will leave them no choice but to tear down the shelter is nothing less than absurd to school officials.

“It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense from a taxpayer standpoint to see your tax dollars wasted,” Hollingsworth said.

“We think this is just a terrible waste of taxpayer dollars,” Warren said. “No wonder people are skeptical of government when they see waste like this.”

FEMA

*I can’t get the video or link to the video to post. Maybe a mod can help?

UPDATED October 5, 2011
The good citizens of Alabama can rest a little easier knowing that our congressman have worked diligently to get FEMA to back down from its guidelines that required the new storm shelters to be torn down. Although there is no final agreement yet, FEMA officials have apparently been convinced that tearing down the shelters would not have been in the best interest of Alabama’s citizens, or taxpayers in general.

WASHINGTON (October 5) – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-4) and Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) said today they have been informed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that it will not force the demolition of emergency storm shelters at schools in Alabama.

FEMA officials told Congressmen Aderholt and Bachus that they have developed a plan for school administrators that will enable them to acquire the structures and keep them open to protect students and citizens in the community. FEMA is contacting the schools to discuss details of the proposal, but the congressmen said they have been assured by representatives of FEMA Director Craig Fugate that there is no threat of storm shelters being torn down or moved.

Full report here

Where to start as I wrap up my account of my “first” redstate gathering? Right where I left off in Day Two am. As I stood in line with the new friends, all of us fanning ourselves in the heat (Charleston in August! Really?), I could feel the excitement in the air, and it was easy to get caught up in it all. Press and scary looking security detail were everywhere. George Will breezed by. Not to say we actually felt a breeze. Did I mention it was hot? Just to say that Will looked in a hurry and wasn’t stopping to chat with anyone. Certainly not us Hobbit looking conservatives. By the way, I was representin’ the Hobbits the entire weekend by wearing a jute ribbon held together with a U.S. Flag pin (see picture in previous diary). Homemade and cost around $.35. I’m thinking about selling them at our next tea party. But back to the redstate party.

We scored some seats on the front row near the door through which Perry and family would enter and made another new friend, this one from Texas. She said she had been urging Perry to run for months. Having already heard some of the attacks on Perry, I asked her about the comparisons to the last President from the Lone Star State. She was pretty emphatic in her assertion that Perry is no George Bush. Before you could say Perry for President, the man himself entered the room to the refrain of Brooks & Dunn’s Hard Workin’ Man. Great campaign song. Easy to understand the lyrics, at least for 50% of the country.

<a href=”“>Oh, snap!

Governor Rick Perry’s announcement speech was everything a conservative could have asked for, starting with the “Howdy” and the moment of silence to remember our Navy Seals. His personal story is not unlike that of many conservatives I know around the same age. Hard-working parents who sacrificed for their children, often a dad or mom or both who served the country. Perry spoke of his love of family, God and freedom. This was not a speech of details, although it included a pretty good outline of do’s and don’ts (do create jobs; don’t go socialist), but there was no doubt about the conservative direction in which Perry wants to lead the country. Now, to be honest, I haven’t made up my mind who I will vote for in the Alabama primary, but I can tell you that based on Perry’s speech and everything I’ve read in the last few days (thank you izoneguy), coupled with what I’ve learned from folks I know in Texas, he’s at the top of my list. I encourage you to watch his speech. As Hard Workin’ Man blasted the room again, Perry exited stage left, shaking hands down the line. (One of my all-time pet peeves is a weak handshake. Thankfully, the Governor’s was firm and steady.) And it was time for my moment. As we shook hands, like any good Alabama fan would do (especially considering the 2009 BSC AL vs. TX game because even though Perry is an Aggie, he is from Texas), I had to give a shout out to my home state and to my fellow redstate friends from Alabama (RepairManJack) in the best way possible, so in my best southern drawl with a smile on my face, I said, “Roll Tide, Governor!” (He laughed.)

<a href=”“>Roll Tide!

Now, at any other run of the mill political conference, you might think it was time to pack it in and head home, but not at redstate. There was more. Much more. Like the conversation with Colin Hanna of Let Freedom Ring and Max Pappas on the Balanced Budget Amendment. They hammered home the point that it’s imperative to pay attention to any and every BBA that’s introduced. Sure, the Dems may get on board with a BBA, but we must be vigilant in making sure that if we pass any BBA, it must be one with teeth.

I spent the next couple of hours listening to the candidates. Do yourselves a favor and take the time to listen to Don Stenberg, Ted Cruz, Adam Hasner, Michael Williams, and Richard Mourdock. Talk about diversity. Stenberg is a mid-westerner, Cruz is a Cuban who says y’all, Hasner was born to liberal, Jewish school teachers in Brooklyn but found his conservative roots through Reagan, Williams is a larger than life black conservative who worked the crowd like a preacher at a revival, and Mourdock who has a wicked sense of humor. But more important than their diversity is their commonality. They are all conservatives at heart, with conservative records, and they are proud of who they are. When they are elected in November, 2012, I’m going to be proud to say that I helped. Did I mention there wasn’t a teleprompter in sight?

Next up was the conversation with Ben Domenech, Josh Trevino and Erick Erickson. Isn’t is amazing what a couple of guys with a dream can accomplish? It’s always fun to put a face with the names, and this was no exception. Egos must have been checked at the door because each of them was quick to give the others credit. And then they called in the cavalry – the front pagers who volunteer their time and talents. That pesky group of non-unionized workers who demand little but the opportunity to have their voices heard, who inform us, who entertain us, who encourage us, who represent us, who make us think, who debate us, and yes, who ban trolls and Luap Nor supporters. I think what surprised me most of all was how young they all seemed. I’ve commented elsewhere that redstate is my political family. It was fun to actually meet some of my political relatives like Tabitha Hale, a warm, engaging young woman whose prayers I felt when she wrote about the tornadoes in my home state a few weeks ago. Moe Lane, who is surely one of a kind. Aaron Gardner who, as I said before, had a smile on his face every time I saw him. And Erick, who holds the line and who took a couple of minutes out of his non-stop schedule to sign my copy of Red State Uprising. “To rightwingmom52. Keep fighting the good fight. Erick Erickson” Yes, I was a little star struck, but what’s not to love about a group of fun-loving conservatives? Beats Hollywood any day of the week.

What better way to end the day than dinner and a movie? My new friends and I ended up sharing a table with a couple from Perry, Georgia. Having lived in Atlanta and then Macon for a while, I traded a few stories about my time there, but mostly we all talked about the various events of redstate and how we all plan to come back next year. We heard a few comments from Stephen Bannon, the director of The Undefeated. Then a few comments from Jamie Radtke, a tea party candidate running against George Allen, for Senator in Virginia. I can add little to Ben Howe’s review “Palin” other than to say I agree with him 100%. Throughout the movie, I was alternately moved to anger, tears, and pride. Anger at the vicious, vile attacks on Sarah and her family. Tears by her passionate speeches about America’s greatness. Pride because Sarah takes the punches for me and gives it right back to those who would destroy us. The crowd embraced Sarah all over again as evidenced by the applause throughout and the standing ovation at the end. I mentioned earlier that I had found another reason to be grateful to Andrew Breitbart. It’s because he, in his own unique way, put to words what I had thought time and time again about those who stood by and watched the media and the liberals and the ignorant villify Sarah and did nothing. Policies and record aside, what I had have in common with Sarah Palin is a love of my family, my freedom and my country. Every attack on her is an attack on me and every other conservative woman out there, and I agree with Breitbart that those who stood by and refused to defend Palin, the woman, are eunuchs, to use his words. Thank you Mr. Breitbart for taking on the bullies and chauvinists, and thank you, Mr. Bannon, for reminding us what the truth is about Sarah Palin.

And with that, RSG03 was over. I said goodbye to my new friends with promises to stay in touch (which we’ve already done through emails and Facebook). The last 36 hours had been a whirlwind of activity, and despite the late hour, I was wide awake, so I started reading my new copy of Senator DeMint’s book, The Great American Awakening. Eye-opening but I finally got some sleep!

My last day in Charleston, Sunday morning, started the same as my first day. Alone with my thoughts. Normally, I would be at worship, but the timing of services and my flight home and the distance of church from the airport wouldn’t permit, so I grabbed my vanilla latte and walked across to the park to read my Bible for a while. The days leading up to RSG03 were nothing if not depressing. The deaths of the Navy Seals (watch the moving interview with the family of TN native, Aaron Vaughn here), the downgrade, the stock market fall, etc., but I was done being Debbie Downer. I turned to Psalm 25 and read, “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul, O my God, I trust in thee; let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.” Then to Psalm 95, “In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.” Finally to Psalm 100, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.” My generation had gone to sleep, thinking that the greatest country on earth could withstand anything, but I’ve learned that she cannot withstand her citizens lack of awareness of those who would destroy her or lack of participation in the process through which we maintain our liberties. I sit idly no longer. I am engaged in the process, and I expect to be in the fight for a good bit longer. I am joyful in knowing that I am we are not alone. I entitled this series “A Weekend of Firsts” because for the first time in a long time, I have a renewed sense of hope for my country and her future. We have a lot of bright, young stars out there who are armed and ready for the fight, figuratively speaking, of course. Plus we have the truth on our side. And we have redstate to help us get it out there. Now, when can I register for RSG04? I’m ready for seconds.

Promoted by Jeff.

Okay, I have to admit I’ve been a little full of myself today what with the promotion of my first redstate diary, A Weekend of Firsts, Day One, to the front page. A very unexpected first, but very much appreciated (thank you, Jeff and to everyone else for all the kind comments). But I’ve come back down to earth, and we’re off to Day Two which started with a vanilla latte and the most important meal of the day – breakfast with Erick Erickson, Moe Lane, Brian Simpson, and Meredith from Big TV.

My newfound friends from yesterday weren’t heading over until later, so once again, I was on my own. And once again, I summoned up the nerve to sit down at a table where I didn’t recognize a soul. My entry into the conversation came when Meredith introduced herself as working with Big TV. I had finished Breitbart’s book, Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World, during my flight to Charleston.  I will forever be grateful to Breitbart for his work in exposing the liberal media and liberal Hollywood, and I asked Meredith to pass that message along to him. Later, at this very gathering, I would find another reason to be grateful, but we’ll save that one for now.  Anxious to get to the first training session, I focused on eating and almost didn’t even notice that the guy who had just sat down in the empty chair to my right was Erick. Stay and schmooze or training sessions? I opted for training.

And we were off with Drew Ryun of American Majority, who was all about the Social Networking. He implored us to Twitter, Re-Tweet, blog, Facebook, Tag, link, sign up for Google Alerts, and kept talking about something called Google Juice (first time I’d ever heard of it). Was this the new term for drinking the Kool-Aid? No. A quick google of “Google Juice” reveals that it is,  in essence, “The value that Google gives to your site, for having a priceless link from a good site. The value adds up for each link, and you get better search rankings!” My understanding of this was kinda like trying to explain to my 80 year old mom this morning what a blog is and why I was so excited about it. But like my mom, I got that it’s a good thing. Hey, I got over my fear of HTML. I’ll figure it out or find someone who can. We learned about the “wikis” and the “pedias” – Ballotpedia here, Judgepedia here and Sunshine Review here. Useful resources in the war against big government!

Read More →

Promoted from the diaries by Jeff. It’s people and experiences like this that make RedState what it is.

First, I’m not a writer by nature, and if I inherited any creative genes, I can’t find them (I even have trouble drawing a stick man). Also, this is my first time using word press and writing a diary off the top of my head, so it could turn out badly for both writer and reader. I have a couple of other diaries started that I keep tweaking and trying to improve and actually finish. But I’m going to give it go and just share my thoughts in a sort of stream of consciousness way.

I’ve been home just a few hours from attending Redstate Gathering #3, and my head is still spinning from the excitement and copious amounts of coffee and sweet tea. The RSG03 agenda was non-stop, and I loved every minute of it. There were training sessions, speeches from candidates for U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, photos with Governor Nikki Haley, Erick and new friends, new contacts for my address book. Oh, and there was that little thing Erick wrote about where Governor Rick Perry announced he is running for POTUS. That was surely a first for me, and I’m guessing a few others as well. Exciting stuff happens at redstate. There’s a mountain of material to review, organize and share with others which I sincerely hope will motivate them to get involved (this is my shout out to CW), but let me back up a little and start with my first first.

The first RS person I met live, up close and in person was Aaron Gardner, who graciously let me hitch a ride to the airport with him and a couple of other guys (Brian and was it Mike? will have to forgive me that my knack for remembering names has severely waned with age). I’m not exactly shy by nature, but this was another first – going to an event all by my lonesome, knowing absolutely nobody other than those whom I’d come to think of as friends but didn’t have a clue what they looked like. I’m just not used to walking up to strangers and asking if I can share their shuttle, but I had to get out of my comfort zone, so I did just that. I introduced myself as rightwingmom52, but added that my close friends call me “Mel” (short for Melody). I saw Aaron several times during the weekend, always with a smile on his face and ready with a “Hi, Mel. Having a good time?” Made me feel right at home, among friends if you will.

Read More →