I watched the CNN special last night, Palin Revealed, and they included the explanation that the reason why she took an eight hour flight back to Alaska was because it was essential that her new baby be born on Alaskan soil. I keep thinking that this is a very strange way for an American citizen to think.
I have never heard of a response like this before. For example, let's say someone is from Connecticut, is pregnant and visiting people in Illinois, then goes into labor. Does it make sense to say, "This baby must be born on Connecticut soil." Don't most people these days consider themselves Americans first?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't imagine anyone placing a very strong, life threatening priority on having their baby born in a particular State. Being born in the United States is good enough for all Americans that I know of.
Unless you really are a secessionist. That's the only way it makes sense to emphasize that your baby be born on a certain State's soil, rather than on good old American soil.
It came out a few weeks ago that Tod Palin indeed was a member of the AIP. I never heard that disputed and keep waiting for a follow up. He is a very strong part of Palin's campaign and administration. She consults him on almost all issues (as internal emails have shown.) So his/their connections and sympathies with the AIP is a newsworthy item.
This is still a big issue because Alaska First is a startling contradiction of McCain's campaign of Country first. And the strong distinction between Alaskan Soil and American Soil does indicate an mentality that Alaska is not really a part of the United States, or American.
If I missed something and it turns out that it has been proven that Todd Palin has never been a member of the AIP, and that was just one of the false rumors swirling around, then inform me and I will delete this diary. I don't want to just feed the rumor mill here.
But if it's true, then, having a secessionist as your chief adviser and closest confidant is a Palin story that shouldn't just be dropped. It would make a real dent in Palin's "she's one of us" memes. I think it's a point that's worth repeating and deserves follow up.