Operation Santa Claus delivers... (Gov. Sarah Palin made a surprise visit)

KIVALINA, Alaska -- It's Alaska so of course we sometimes do things a little differently -- including Santa Claus, who this weekend used a special sleigh to reach children in the farthest reaches of our state.

Of course, at 80 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Kivalina is closer to Santa's neighborhood than a lot of communities.

Still, anytime the big guy makes an appearance it's news -- especially among the children.

On Saturday Santa arrived here with a little help from the Alaska National Guard's "Operation Santa Claus," and everyone wanted to see the Christmas magic for themselves.

"Ever since they heard Santa was coming they ask, ‘Is he the real one from North Pole?'" Kivalina resident Becky Norton said. "I say, ‘We'll have to go there and check.'"

Santa's elves -- otherwise known as Guardsmen -- served up ice cream to go along with a full meal.

And once the tummies are full -- just like Santa likes them -- the village celebrated a night full of surprises as Gov. Sarah Palin made a surprise visit before the real guest of honor arrived.

This is something never before seen in Kivalina. Many are intrigued, others don't seem interested, but everyone is grateful -- because this is a village that could use a little hope.

"It's got some issues with the sea wall erosion and water and sewer problems and we've been focused on working with Kivalina on a lot of the community issues," Lt. Gen. Craig Campbell with the Alaska National Guard said.

Operation Santa Claus has a dual benefit as the Guard says uses it as a training event for taking off and landing C-130s on short airstrips.

With the help of donors, Operation Santa Claus visited eight other villages this year.

No, the POTUS trip was planned.

The Operation Santa was planned, she showed to get some PR. Just like other former Governors.

Dude - she is not the Second Coming, she is a politician, first and always. All the cuts under Frank have been wiped out and she is spendng (more) like Tony Knowles, a liberal Dem. NOT what she says, what she DOES is the matter. Otherwise, a nice person and a dandy neighbor, no doubt.

She is the Commander of my State National Guard.

As such, it’s good she gets out.

It’s good to visit Kivalina.

It would have been BETTER if she went to Kivalina, spent the day - with the State Disaster Response folks, a couple of Engineers and some FEMA folks to actually DO something for the folks who are about to lose thier homes....the whole village actually.

Rather than ‘visit’, smile and wave for the cameras- and then leave.

For more on their plight
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kivalina,_Alaska
and why its never a good idea to build your town on a sand bar...

“Not a fan or not - but I live in Alaska and what she does and doesn’t do directly affects me, my wife, children and grandkids - so as they say Down South
I got a dog in this fight homer.... I don’t rag on your gov, so let me have my piece - OK?”

I could really care less if you take a shot at my governor. I am from Georgia. His name is Perdue. Lord knows he deserves it on so many issues. Traffic being one of them. In fact, take a shot at my senators Isakson and Chambliss for their gang of 10 deal. Maybe if they would not have taken a campaign issue off the table, Saxby would not have needed Mrs. Palin come down and save his political backside.

Thank you for lending her to us, for one day, hopefully keeping the filibuster intact.

Y’all need to get used to the fact that Sarah is now a national leader and her clarion voice is going to be called upon to defend this, our great Republic. Without a Republic, there is no Alaska.

You can see Russia from your front door, don’tcha’ know?

Fyi, Palin has been workin’ for your family by signing the TransCanada pipeline deal. That will benefit you and yours quite handsomely as well as me and mine.

All governors participate in so-called “strap-hangin” in order to highlight different causes. That is part of the terratory.

It is beyond me why she ‘always’ deserves special derision for “strap-hangin” on a good cause.

I would challenge you to call some of the good folk ‘up’ in Kivalina and find out they have would preferred not to show up. They are part of her constituency, just as you are. Being 80 miles north of the Arctic Circle, in Alaska, I would imagine they don’t get many high-profile visitors there.

I got a dog in this fight, too, homer. . .

tahDeetz

Hummm

My priginal post was to highlight the good work of the Air NAtion Guard beginning in the 50s to suport rural Alaskans.

Many had posted comments that smaked of sara being on board was akin to the Second Coming.

My single line was a comment on her being a strap hanger. A small fraction of the post.

You can have your opinion, and you are welcome to it.

I just want to see some of this “Leadership” so many talk about displayed on Alaskan issues.

At any rate, Merry CHristmas, at least you will be a little warmer and most certainly have more sunshire.

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