Now, there are caveats, obviously. Since the thing “isn’t actually a plan for action”, doubts remain on the efficacy of Sarah seeing the light. People have been quick to point out the failures of the plan — and rightfully so. “Drill Baby Drill!” still rings in my years, and we have yet to see Palin embrace a logical route to some of the saving and greening that she sees in Alaska’s future.
But, you have to admit that “a list of resources on which local communities may use to develop their own solutions” is a good thing to have, and some of the plans on the list are big enough (like a hydro electric dam – feasibility study coming June 1, 2009) that some State money would have to be involved. State money means Federal money at this point, which might even mean the project actually gets built. Further, response from Alaskan Environmental groups, folks who have not always been so hip to Sarah’s game, are giving the plan rave reviews.
The cynical side of me says that she found some good ‘ol timey environmentalism because she has seen greenwashing go over real well in other polls. I also register some minor concern that the Heartland Institute thinks it is a good plan. But, in the end… who am I to question motivation? I’ve made it through the beginning of the plan (here, in PDF form, if you are interested) and any call for 50% green energy is so much further down the right path then the “Drill, Baby, Drill!” portion of Palin’s career that I wonder how the switch happened.
Palin has some other problems up there in Alaska. She’s in the news for a lot of the wrong reasons, and has decided that she should capitalize on her moment in the sun to write a book — sure to help her popularity ratings that are already dipping on the perception she doesn’t give Alaska enough time.
But this is a Green blog, not a general politics blog! So, with the caveat that the invitation might not be permanent, and that I still need to see more actual action before the accolades start rolling off my typing fingers… Sarah, welcome aboard the (I can’t believe I am writing this!) Clean Energy Bandwagon!
I’m excited by nothing so much as the vibe that the soft war – the war of common perceptions – is shifting ground. Even if it’s just an endorsement of the principle, and even if it’s a calculated political move, Palin gets credit for making theLet’s see if she can bite the Libertarian bullet and accept a handout from the Feds to help get her plans off the ground.
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Palen is preping – smart gal and on to renewables with Federal dough. tho releived at her returning to Alaska where she can use a sort of differn't way to be repaid for her efforts – ALASKA will be the better for it – hopefully progress made in Alaska on River – ocean and turbine technology will benifit not only North America but the rest of the world too. Technology that could be exported – Wake up North America here she comes.
Be thankful for Palin! If McCain had a decent running mate he might just have won.
While I like McCain as a man and even as a senator I could not bring myself to vote for him and Palin was a real stumbling block – her as vice president – no way!
She is light weight in every way except for being able to understand the religious right's and far right's dreams.