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Flowers for Willow Palin
vanity ^ | 6/12/2009 | self

Posted on 06/12/2009 2:16:53 PM PDT by Tucson_AZ

I'm posting this as a suggestion for everyone.

After writing to CBS, Major League Baseball and the sponsors listed elsewhere (without much satisfaction), I decided to not just type, but to take action - I sent flowers to Governor Palin at the Alaska State Capitol with the following note:

Please give these flowers to Willow. My family all thinks David Letterman's comments are despicable and my wife and daughters all want to give Willow a big hug.

My sons want to give Mr. Letterman something else, but I reasoned with them that that would be counter-productive as you and Todd are handling this situation extremely well.

Governor Sarah Palin
Alaska State Capitol
120 4th St.
Juneau, Alaska 99801


TOPICS: Government; Music/Entertainment; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS: alaska; letterman; palin; palinfamily; sarah; willow
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There are two florist shops in Juneau, as well as all the on-line floral services:

http://www.missscarletts.net/

http://www.marthasflowers.net/
1 posted on 06/12/2009 2:16:53 PM PDT by Tucson_AZ
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To: Tucson_AZ

Operation FReep Palin was a big hit right after the election and a lot of us got nice thank you notes from the Gov herself. This will work if we get it rolling.. HOWEVER.. not sure about sending them to Willow versus the Governor herself. Kind of weird sending to a kid.. maybe some parents can give some input on the matter.


2 posted on 06/12/2009 2:18:57 PM PDT by mnehring
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To: Tucson_AZ
What do David Letterman and K-Mart have in common?

They both have boys' underwear half off.

HEY! CAN'T TAKE A JOKE??? I WAS JUST BEING HIP AND EDGY!

3 posted on 06/12/2009 2:19:53 PM PDT by MuttTheHoople
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To: Tucson_AZ
GO SARAH GO!

The more the MSM, the DNC, the leftists, liberals,and the RINOs go after her, the more respected and better positioned she will be to help us take back our country in 2010 and 2012.

HOW SARAH PALIN TRUMPS LIBERALISM



MANY MORE STICKER DESIGNS HERE

4 posted on 06/12/2009 2:22:12 PM PDT by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: mnehring; Tucson_AZ

I know you mean well. But please don’t do this.

After the child has had her name being thrown about on national TV as the subject of the perversions of a dirty old man, I don’t think dozens or hundreds of bouquets of flowers from complete and total strangers is the best response.


5 posted on 06/12/2009 2:22:24 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands ("Failed Obama Administration" (TM))
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To: MuttTheHoople

I liked it. Says a lot about me, I know. ;-)


6 posted on 06/12/2009 2:22:39 PM PDT by definitelynotaliberal
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To: Tucson_AZ

A lot of great ideas on this thread.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2127066/posts


7 posted on 06/12/2009 2:22:49 PM PDT by mnehring
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To: mnehring; Tucson_AZ

I think sending flowers to the young lady is in perfectly good taste, as long as it’s clearly stated as a gesture of friendly support.

Another thoughful gesture would be a donation to a pro-life charity, especially one in Alaska, “in honor of ...”, since the Palins’ pro-life convictions seem to be the trigger for the filthy personal attacks on their family.


8 posted on 06/12/2009 2:23:28 PM PDT by Tax-chick (I just had a baby, so I may not respond to your post. Nothing personal.)
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To: Tucson_AZ
I've been surfing digg.com, digging up any pro-Palin, anti-Letterman discussions, and down voting the pro-Letterman comments, which are usually either nasty, condescending or both.

OTOH, I can't downvote the reddit folks fast enough.
Everybody, please check out this page. You don't have to leave a comment if you don't want to, but down-vote the bad comments:

http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/8s0g2/palins_continuing_vendetta_against_letterman/

9 posted on 06/12/2009 2:23:29 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (The sun glinted off chiseled pectorals sculpted during four weight-lifting sessions each week and...)
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To: Corin Stormhands

That’s exactly what I was concerned about. It may be nice to send to the office of the Governor but not to the kid.


10 posted on 06/12/2009 2:23:55 PM PDT by mnehring
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To: mnehring; Tucson_AZ

I think it’s a great idea. The address are the parents. As Tucson suggests, we’d ask them to give them to Willow.


11 posted on 06/12/2009 2:24:41 PM PDT by SolidWood (www.firedavidletterman.com)
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To: mnehring

I, for one, as a parent would absolutely cherish the sight of my daughters eyes seeing hundreds of flowers delivered to her because of this. It is touching, it is real, and as long as the cards are polite and uplifting, I think it would do the same thing that happened in willy wonka, when the Charlie did the right thing by returning the candy. “So shines a good deed in a weary world”.

It would also eventually make the news as Sarah publically thanked the good people of the US for their show of support for her daughter. When that happened, Dave and CBS would see, the folks were putting their money where their mouths were about the threats to boycott, and there might just be a little more discipline forthcoming.


12 posted on 06/12/2009 2:25:48 PM PDT by wombtotomb
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To: Corin Stormhands

I do mean well. If Governor Palin doesn’t want to give them to Willow she can leave them at her office, but I want their whole family to know what I said. Perhaps you can explain why this is a bad thing?


13 posted on 06/12/2009 2:26:15 PM PDT by Tucson_AZ
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To: mnehring

I’d like to lock Letterman in the same room with Todd Palin for five minutes alone.

Be messy to clean up the room afterwards though.


14 posted on 06/12/2009 2:27:03 PM PDT by Ronin (It will be helpful if Geithner can show us some arithmetic.)
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To: wombtotomb

All cards can be addressed to the Palin Family from Your Family if it freaks anyone out.


15 posted on 06/12/2009 2:27:06 PM PDT by wombtotomb
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To: SolidWood

Bookmark.


16 posted on 06/12/2009 2:27:27 PM PDT by FlashBack ('0'bama: "Katrina on a Global Level")
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To: mnehring

I think coming from a family it’s very appropriate.
I think a donation to pro-life or Autism speaks in their name is also a great idea.


17 posted on 06/12/2009 2:28:35 PM PDT by porter_knorr
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To: mnehring; Tucson_AZ

It would be important to make sure that not another anklebiting “ethics complaint” could be filed over this.

From reading the Alaskan law, small token gifts (flowers) ought to be ok. I ask you to read this as well... not that I misinterpret it.

...

http://njlegallib.rutgers.edu/govcond/report.html#C

C. Acceptance of Gifts and Favors

As the Chief Executive of the State, the Governor is regularly offered gifts and other mementos from the numerous individuals and organizations he meets with every day. As the symbolic head of state, the Governor cannot under most circumstances refuse to accept these tokens of gratitude. Indeed, to do so, in many instances, would be viewed as a breach of etiquette. On the other hand, depending on the nature and [end of page 6] circumstances of the gift, an appearance of impropriety may arise when the item exceeds nominal value under the Conflicts Law. Historically, the decision to accept gifts from individuals and groups has been left entirely to the Governor’s discretion.

We have evaluated a number of standards that could be adopted to avoid the potential of a conflict of interest arising from an unsolicited gift to the Governor. These options range from an outright prohibition on the acceptance of all gifts of more than nominal value, to the voluntary imposition of a disclosure requirement under which the Governor would remain free to accept gifts, but would publicly disclose any gifts having a value over a certain amount.

An example of outright prohibition is California. California prohibits all elected state officials — including the Governor — from accepting any gifts valued at over $250. Cal. Gov’t Code Section 89504. The advantage of this approach is obvious - it creates a bright line that, if followed, unquestionably eliminates any potential for a conflict of interest. By contrast, the Governor of New York is free to accept gifts but must annually submit a detailed financial disclosure statement, which includes a disclosure of all gifts received with a value exceed $1,000. N.Y. Pub. Off. Section 73-a(3). In addition, the Governor of New York is prohibited from accepting a gift of greater than $75 in value “under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended as a reward for any official action on his part.” N.Y. Pub. Off. Section 73(5). Pennsylvania and Connecticut have adopted mechanisms similar to New York. They allow for the receipt of gifts within limits, but. require reporting.

On the federal level, the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act (”FGDA”), 5 U.S.C.A. Section 7342, governs the disposition of gifts made by foreign governments to federal employees. Recognizing that gifts of nominal value raise no legitimate ethical [end of page 7] concerns, the FGDA permits federal employees to accept and keep any gift of minimal value (presently deemed to be $285, 42 C.F.R. Section 102-42.10). When the gift is of greater than minimal value, however, that gift “is deemed to have been accepted on behalf of the United States and, upon acceptance, shall become the property of the United States.” 5 U.S.C.A. Section 7342(c)(1)(B). Thus, a federal employee who is the beneficiary of such a gift must deposit the item with his or her agency within 60 days of receiving it. 5 U.S.C.A. Section 7342(c)(2). Under the regulations promulgated to effectuate the FGDA, however, the recipient is permitted to purchase the item if the agency elects to dispose of it through sale. 41 C.F.R. Section 102-42.20.

In this regard, we have also examined the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2C:27-6. That statute makes it a criminal offense to accept any benefit “not allowed by law.” We understand this to mean that the benefit may not be accepted if it is prohibited by law. This would include gifts given to improperly influence a public official in the discharge of his public duties and gifts that the public official receives with corrupt intent. N.J.S.A. 52:13D-14; -13D-23(e)(6). Our recommendations are consistent with these statutory provisions. We also believe that the type of gifts we recommend the Governor may accept—those less than $285 in value, as opposed to those he would accept only on the part of the State—are of a level that fall within the safe harbor provisions of N.J.S.A. 2C:27-6(d)(3), in any event.

After reviewing these issues, we propose the adoption of a guideline modeled on the FGDA. We have rejected the notion that the Governor should evaluate every gift in an effort to define the intention of the giver. At some level it can be said that every gift is intended to “influence” to some extent. No one could reasonably believe, however, that a Governor could be so easily corrupted by gifts of relatively small value. We are only [end of page 8] concerned by gifts, which by their intrinsic nature, have the capacity to unduly influence government decisionmaking.

Our proposal would permit the Governor to accept and to keep all gifts valued under a certain amount (we believe that $285, the current federal standard, would be a reasonable threshold; we further recommend this standard be indexed to the federal law). Where the value of the gift exceeds this threshold, the Governor would treat the item as a donation to the State. Although the Governor could possess and/or display any such gift during the duration of his incumbency on behalf of the citizens, he would be required, before leaving office, to deliver the item to the State Museum or other State entity for appropriate disposition, or purchase the item with his personal funds.

In most circumstances, of course, these issues present no significant problems for the Governor. The vast majority of the gifts offered to the Governor - tee shirts, baseball caps, plaques, and the like - are of relatively minor value, and may be kept without any concern for appearances. Indeed, if there is any danger associated with accepting these sorts of gifts, it is the opposite concern: ensuring that they are handled with proper care and respect. There is no surer way to hurt the feelings of or embarrass an individual or group, than to treat a remembrance from them carelessly.

A more sensitive problem arises when the value of the gift is more substantial. In certain circumstances, an individual or organization may present the Governor with a gift of potentially significant value - a Boehm statue, a gold pen, and so on. The Governor must exercise care and discretion in determining when and under what ckcumstances to keep them. The Governor should, therefore, continue to decline any gift where he believes the gift is offered with intent to unduly influence him, regardless of whether the gift is above or below the $285 threshold. [end of page 9]

Under this proposal then, when a gift of over $285 is made to the Governor, the Governor would treat it as a gift to the citizens of New Jersey and dispose of it accordingly - by either turning it over to the State Museum at the end of his term, or by purchasing it with his personal funds. The Governor should be under no compulsion to immediately dispose of the item. Rather, as Chief Executive of New Jersey, the Governor should be permitted to retain (and preferably display in a suitable manner) such gifts during the period of incumbency, on behalf of the citizens of the State. At the conclusion of his final term as Governor, he would then have the choice of either delivering the gift to the State Museum for appropriate disposition, or purchasing the gift at fair market value.
...


18 posted on 06/12/2009 2:28:48 PM PDT by SolidWood (www.firedavidletterman.com)
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To: porter_knorr

I believe on the Governor’s personal website, she has a plug or link to an autism charity she supports..


19 posted on 06/12/2009 2:29:19 PM PDT by mnehring
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To: SolidWood

This came up in the Operation Freep Palin after the election (see link above), we had several attorneys look it over and confirm that small ‘token’ gifts where OK. I sent a card and a build a bear (patriotic moose) and received back a nice hand written card from the governor, so I don’t think it was a problem.


20 posted on 06/12/2009 2:30:47 PM PDT by mnehring
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