I wanted to bring this to the attention of the community, because I had not seen it diaried, and I think it is important that we show support for Sarah Palin right now, as we would to anybody in similar circumstances.
The Washington Post reports:
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's home church was badly damaged by arson, leading the governor to apologize Saturday if the fire was connected to "undeserved negative attention" from her campaign as the Republican vice presidential nominee.
Damage to the Wasilla Bible Church was estimated at $1 million, authorities said. No one was injured in the fire, which was set Friday night while a handful of people, including two children, were inside, according to James Steele, the Central Mat-Su fire chief.
Governor Palin, you do not need to apologize for anything. The life of a public figure, especially one as polarizing as yourself, can be fraught with peril. However, I am not so much a partisan that I can't not only sympathize, but be incensed over the morally repugnant actions of extremists, whatever their political affiliation, and should they be found responsible.
I hope your church recovers quickly, so that I might be able to place the full weight of my scrutiny on them once again. Until then, please accept mine, and this community's most heartfelt condolences. You and your congregation are in our prayers, both in the secular and religious sense.
And to my friends here, this thread is no place to bring up Gov. Palin's actions on the campaign trail. It may be true that she ginned up dangerous, violent invective amongst some of her more radical supporters, but that is neither justification, nor does it excuse the actions of extremists on our side. We in the Daily Kos community pride ourselves on taking the high road, even if it is takes us into the trenches. This action is sub-trenches, and I expect us to condemn it accordingly.
Update: Many commenters point out that I am leaping to conclusions when I say that extremists are at fault, and they are right. I apologize. Regardless, that does not change the fact that somebody set fire to this church, and arson sucks. Whether or not Wasilla Bible church was targeted because of Sarah Palin is irrelevant. This is still a national public figure facing something less than desirable, and she is deserving of our understanding, if not our empathy. She has nothing to apologize for, as far as this fire is concerned.