Posted on 06/25/2010 8:19:03 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Throngs of protesting students and hundreds of well-heeled donors are preparing to greet Sarah Palin, whose speech at a struggling public university in California's farm country Friday evening will cap off a prolonged legal dispute over her visit.
The former Alaska governor is set to headline at the 50th anniversary celebration at California State University, Stanislaus, which in recent days has transformed its humble cafeteria into a glitzy Gala Hall, now surrounded by chain-link fences and extra security officers.
Palin's speech has generated intense intrigue and scrutiny since the nonprofit foundation holding the event first announced her visit in March. Officials have refused to divulge the terms of her contract, her speaking fee, or any additional details about her trip to California.
News of Palin's requirements only came to light after students fished several pages of the contract from a trash bin, which prompted California Attorney General Jerry Brown to launch an investigation into the finances of the university's foundation arm and allegations that the nonprofit violated public disclosure laws.
"We cannot believe the stuff that has gone on with our campus over Sarah Palin's visit," said Alicia Lewis, 26, who was one of the students who retrieved piles of paperwork, including the contract document, from a trash container in April. "And now they're fencing the campus off? It's outrageous."
University spokeswoman Eve Hightower said the fencing was standard procedure and said the campus would remain open to students going to class. She said the university foundation was on target to meet its fundraising goals, and that Friday's gala would be one of the most successful fundraisers in the university's history.
"We're not here to make a political statement, we're here to make money," said university foundation board president Matt Swanson, who announced that the sold out dinner had raised more than $200,000 by Friday afternoon.
The university has had to cut some classes and cancel some scholarships as a result of California's ongoing budget woes.
From the live video I saw it looks more like a handful. (I could not tell if t hey were wearing thongs.”
Those protesters are a rather pathetic looking bunch. I would ask if they have jobs, but it is Cali.
26?
Typical Obama voter right there..eating up as much Government funding as possible
I wonder if Bob J is one of the protestors?
“Typical Obama voter right there..eating up as much Government funding as possible”
Hahahaha. Yep, a “career” student for as long as she can hold out. Then on to some other government scam job after “graduating”.
Is the video as jerky for others as it is for me?
Oh my, she forgot her teleprompter! Whatever will she do!
The university has had to cut some classes and cancel some scholarships as a result of California's ongoing budget woes.
The University Foundation is NOT TAXPAYER SUPPORTED unlike the California State University itself. Sheesh.
I don’t see a video-—what am I missing?
I'd take the "now" with a grain of salt.
Things were so bad in Calif when I decided to take my kids and LEAVE - there were 6' chain link fences around the high schools and 2 sheriff deputies on duty at all times.
And that was 30 years ago...
They had to fence off part of the campus to keep the 26 year old dumpster divers out...
The people protesting Palin are pathetic. I wish they would read her book. It just boggles the mind. How can you be angry at a woman who made it on her own and did nothing to nobody and who just wants a better life for everyone else in America is beyond me. I mean you got a corrupt POS like Obama destroying the country and yet these people are just consumed with hatred over Palin. The anger is just irrational you should read some of the comments after a Palin article. Clorox can’t get rid of the stench.
Why are they Protesting? Sarahs a private Citizen? Idiots!
You have to understand that the enemy is collectivist. That means it exists solely to destroy - to utterly eliminate - personal independence. That's why it pushes guilt, and weakness, and stupidity, and violent hate, and the endless requirement for endless group approval and punishment. THAT is what a Democrat is, and what a RINO is.
To such frightened, vicious cowards, Sarah Palin is - literally - the end of the world.
He existence offends them.
sarah sends a life boat to sinking titanic. Protesters line up on the deck booing her, telling her to leave
26?
Must be a freshman in womyn's studies.
Cheers!
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