But If Not
Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska recently tendered her resignation for reasons that, as yet, remain murkily unclear.
She told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that she knows that she may not have political staying power after her surprise resignation Friday, which came just as she had been expected to elevate her national profile ahead of a possible 2012 GOP presidential run.
One of her key points was:
You know, politically speaking, if I die, I die. So be it
Liberal Pundits and talking heads have made many disparaging remarks, mostly crude and vituperative, about Gov. Palin’s “If I die” comment. Perhaps it’s because their fear and hatred of Gov. Palin clouds what little reason they have. Perhaps it’s because they’re ignorant of context unless it is spoon-fed to them. Perhaps, and rather likely, they’re clueless about history and about the Bible.
Gov. Palin’s statement carries with it the additional, though unsaid, context of, “But if not…”
But If Not
“But if not.” Those three small words were the entirety of the message sent from the remains of British Expeditionary Forces, 345,000 English and French soldiers, trapped on the beach at Dunkirk during May, 1940 by General Rommel’s Blitzkrieg.
The gentle slope of the shore made it impossible for many of the British Navy’s ships to get in close enough to bring the stranded soldiers to safety. And during the first day of attempting to evacuate they only managed to get 7000 men to safety. It was very clear that it would take a miracle to get the remaining 338,000 soldiers off that beach in time given the ships at the disposal of the Royal Navy. Without that miracle these soldiers would either have to surrender or be killed.
They let England and world know what their choice was with those three words, “but if not.” Those words are from the King James Bible, specifically Daniel 3:13-18.
Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Governor Palin may well not know the history of Dunkirk and the brave soldiers there who pledged to die rather than surrender – but she does know the Bible.
I do not for one minute think Sarah Palin will surrender and go gently into that long night. I think she will instead counterattack in some manner.
In 1940 the British civilian population came to the aid of those brave soldiers at Dunkirk and saved most of them from the Nazis. Now the question is whether or not Americans will come to Palin’s aid against the Liberals, or if she will be left to – politically speaking – die in all honor on this more figurative beach.
Tags: GOP | History | Liberals | Media Bias | Palin | Politics
July 7th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Personally, I think that the attacks on Palin’s remark has more to do with trying to attack ‘anything’ that she said. This is simple media spin, and judging by your tag of Media Bias you seem to have noted that as well. Trying to dig too deep into the reason for attacking this phrase is meaningless, they could just as easily have attacked any other phrase in her speech with the same effect. This one was, of course, simply easy.
As for Palin, I don’t share your high regards of her. Actually, my view of her is quite the opposite. But, with that said, this story is well written and well thought through, so consider it stolen 😉
July 8th, 2009 at 11:21 am
zhann,
I admit to being confused about Palin. What she has accomplished against mind boggling odds and opposition does not in any way “jive” with how she has presented herself to the national stage.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Well written post. You cannot fault Sarah for leaving the governorship. Really, she hasn’t been governing much anyway in recent months. She has been fighting baseless ethics complaints, so I see it as a win for Alaskans. As you said, she will not go away quietly, if at all. This resignation is a counterattack against the lunatics who attack her and her family out of pure hatred. She will write a book and do a speaking tour defending conservatism and will make a ton of money doing it, which will further infuriate her foes. Does she go far in national politics? No one really knows at this point, but as a sold out Palin supporter I certainly hope so.
December 12th, 2016 at 2:43 pm
[…] Stand firm. Hold the line. Much as the men on the beaches of Dunkirk, we must not surrender no matter the cost. We may be defeated and destroyed, but if not… […]