Palin's church is affiliated with Joel's Army, a fundamentalist sect that believes Armageddon is nigh and that Alaska will be the final refuge for the "saved" before the destruction of the wicked on earth. Joel's Army dearly wants a war of great magnitude (us vs. Russia would be best, but China or the entire Middle East will do in a pinch) to "usher in the End Times" and bring Jesus back. Alaska needs to be prepared to serve the needs of the displaced "Christian warriors".

Religion has no place in politics, but while the GOP was exciting the populace with stories suggesting that Obama was possibly of Muslim faith, no-one was looking carefully into the weird war-for-Jesus church Palin belongs to. Maybe God has "told" her that she is to be the true spokesperson/prophet for the End. It would all fit in with the references during her news conference to prayer, serving Alaska in other ways, the vital importance of Alaska to the rest of the country, etc, etc.

Watched the press conference once. Read through all 300+ comments. Got up, washed the dishes. Thought about it. Sat down and watched it again. Played it once more, but this time only listened to the audio.

It's interesting, in a sad way. It would seem that the bulk of her message is intended to be conveyed visually, i.e. the winking and mugging she diplayed during the VP debate, the endless trotting out of offspring for the cameras, etc. When reduced to audio only, the 'glammer' (what little there is) wears off.

She says she wants to spend more time with her family, and is willing to leave public office to do it? Good. I mean that sincerely. Taking such sentiments at face value, who wouldn't agree that parenthood can have a way of re-aligning one's priorities?

Unfortunately, it's impossible to take her words at face value. Because by that 3rd listen, it had become clear that her children really didn't have anything to do with her decision to step down. By her own account, she presented the question to her family thus:

(do you)"Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from OUTSIDE the Governor's office?"

It's telling that she didn't say to them: "How would you feel if I stopped being Governor, so that we could all spend more time together as a family?"

Following her astonishing declaration that "the world needs more Trigs, not fewer", she finally gets to the heart of the matter. She names "the ball" upon which she's got her eye:

"These Troops and their important missions - those are truly the worthy causes in this world and should be the public priority with time and resources and NOT this local / superficial wasteful political bloodsport."

Clearly, this is a woman who wants to get her Armageddon on.

I don't know which is more ironic: the "bloodsport" she pretends not to be calling for... or the statement she leads off with:

"...I really don't want to disappoint anyone with this announcement."

Those who love her are surely not disappointed, as (in their view) this is merely the opening move of the return to power and glory for which they've been praying, since that awful dark-skinned Marxist/Fascist/Muslim/Socialist/Satanist cheated his way into office. Sarah Palin could devour live kittens on TV and her fans would only stop cheering long enough to bring her another basket of kittens.

Those who see this power-grabbing grifter for what she truly is will only be disappointed if this doesn't prove to be a precursor to the 2012 presidential bid that could put her in the dustbin for good.

Teh irony... it burns!

I hope you realize you are preaching to the choir.

Never have I ever heard a conservative pundit or politician utter the words Clitoris, Orgasm, or Sexual Self Discovery, let alone the words masturbation, oral sex, anal sex, 69ing, mutual masturbation, or anything about sex other than "abstinence" (which is no sex).

Conservatives are adamantly anti-sex, especially when it comes to enjoying safe sex.

However, the liberal politicians don't give sex much props either (some do, but not many), but liberals commentators sure do.

What is the alternative to an economy dedicated to preemptive warfare and self defense.

One dedicated to raising people to their highest potential, which of course means respecting everyone.

@ maggilee

"...she's coming after bear, and she's not going to stop until she gets some. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Watch what I say...you ain't seen nothing yet."

Governor Palin! It's so good of you to join us! I didn't know you were among the commenters here. Quick question: how old is the Earth?

@ KateTex

"It's not much of a stretch to imagine the pack of you burning her at the stake."

Which, to extend your clever metaphor, would make Sarah Palin... a witch. That's not gonna go over too well with her exorcist pals from Africa.

@ terkoy

"Ongoing seething Bush-like hate from the left"

I don't understand: if it's "Bush-like", then it can't be bad, right terky?

"Dems are scared to death that this points to the end of Marxism."

According to our information, you've continually failed -for the 3rd month in a row- to report to your local re-education camp. That's another volume of Das Kapital: Kritik der politischen Ökonomie you're gonna have to memorize...

"They'll just go back into their caves gnashing their teeth cuz there's no Sarah to kick around anymore."

Dude, you must be psychic! I'm in my cave right now! And right after I watched Sarah's abdication speech, what was I doing? That's right: I was gnashing my teeth! Oh yeah... Osama says 'hi'.

"We shall overcome."

There's a loud humming sound coming from the ground beneath Ebenezer Baptist Church; that would be Martin Luther King, Jr., rotating at high speed in his grave.

@ OnTheBeat

"Not a single one of you here trashing Palin could do her job half as well"

Factoring in her half-assed job performance, I'd only have to do a quarter-assed job to prove you wrong.

"though I suspect she could step into yours and do it better in no time."

I'd pay money out of my own pocket to watch her flail around in the attempt, before giving up. Then I'd invite her back and sell tickets.

"Don't like that she believes in God? Grow up."

So glad you brought that up! Quick question: how old is the Earth?