Ranking GOP governors’ White House chances

By Jennifer J. Foster

Now here’s something interesting.

NPR’s Ken Rudin has compiled this list ranking GOP governors by the odds he gives them of reaching the White House.

Note that this list was compiled BEFORE Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she would resign from her post in three weeks.

So, my question for you is, how does that decision shake up this list?

In other words, are we really convinced that Palin still stands a better chance of becoming president than, say, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley?

How would you feel about your chances if you were a Republican governor ranked below a colleague who is actually constitutionally ineligible to be president?

But perhaps most interesting: How would the list look if we were also including former governors—such as Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney?

As for Palin, more on her bizarre announcement on Friday later.

More on the 4th

By Jennifer J. Foster

Here are a couple of other things that I enjoyed over the July 4 weekend:

The Wikipedia link to the information about the Gettysburg Address. This three-minute address has become one of the most oft-quoted speeches in American history. And rightfully so: Profound in its soberness, yet brilliant in its simplicity, it sums up all America was, is and will ever be in 10 sentences. Take the time to read about the background for the speech, how it came to be and its impact on our culture in the 140-plus years since it was delivered.

I heard for the first time yesterday a song called “An American Anthem.“ Apparently, it was a theme of Ken Burns’s 1999 film, The War. I don’t know how I missed it, but it is absolutely wonderful. The lyrics are below, and you can listen to the original, sung by Norah Jones—and watch the moving video that accompanies it—here.

All we’ve been given by those who came before
The dream of a nation where freedom would endure
The work and prayers of centuries
Have brought us to this day

What shall be our legacy? What will our children say?
Let them say of me I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings I received
Let me know in my heart, when my days are through
America, America
I gave my best to you

Each generation from the plains to distant shore
With the gifts, what they were given,
Were determined to leave more
Valiant battles fought together
Acts of conscience fought alone
These are the seeds from which America has grown

Let them say of me I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings I received
Let me know in my heart, when my days are through
America, America
I gave my best to you

For those who think they have nothing to share
Who fear in their hearts there is no hero there
Know each quiet act of dignity
Is that which fortifies
The soul of a nation that never dies

Let them say of me I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings I received
Let me know in my heart, when my days are through
America, America
I gave my best to you

Saturday column: What does freedom mean to you?

By Jennifer J. Foster

I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day weekend.

I spent it with family and friends and participated in a patriotic program that celebrated America’s heritage in song. I was reminded many times of the incomprehensible sacrifices that have been made, over and over again, throughout the generations—not only to win our freedom as Americans, but also to secure it.

I was particularly struck by this quote folded into the program, from President John F. Kennedy: “The price of freedom has always been high. But Americans have always paid it.“

And that, my fellow citizens, is why we Americans are Americans.

My most recent column for the Opelika-Auburn News appeared in the newspaper on Saturday. It is not yet available on the News web site, but I wanted to share it with you while the celebrations of our country’s independence are still fresh on our minds.

Here it is.

Freedom.

What does it mean to you?

I don’t mean in scholarly terms. I mean in terms of your life.

I will admit that I am guilty, as I suspect most Americans are, of taking the word and its concept for granted. Freedom is and has always been part and parcel of my life to the extent that I don’t often think about those who face and fight tyranny every day.

But all that has changed over the past two weeks, since Iranians have been protesting their country’s highly suspect presidential election. As I’ve watched the shaky video clips from protests and listened to the fright of terrorized citizens turn to anger and outrage, I’ve thought a lot about freedom and what it really means – probably more, I’m sad to say, than I ever have.

So what is freedom? Is it the ability to do something, or is it a protection against doing something?

Is it both? Or is it something different – or more?

It’s hard to imagine that Americans could learn much about freedom from Iranians. But I have.

For example, yes, freedom is about self-determination. But it’s also about courage. It’s about responsibility, and it’s about resolve.

You likely heard about a young Iranian woman named Neda. You probably saw pictures of her, lying in the street in a pool of blood. She was shot to death at a protest.

The Iranian militia is running amok against the people, protestors are disappearing by the dozens and reporters are being arrested and thrown out of the country left and right.

Neda was one of the hundreds of thousands who knew full well the dangers beyond their walls, but protested anyway.

Here in America, where speech and peaceful assembly are protected by the Constitution, it’s all but impossible for us – thank God – to grasp what’s going on in Iran.

Then it hit me: If I knew that similar dangers existed if I spoke out against my government, would I still raise my voice?

Would you?

President Lincoln talked in the Gettysburg Address about “a new birth of freedom.” Lincoln had seen the nation torn in two and men and women enslaved by their fellow citizens. Lincoln was faced with piecing back together a country when there weren’t many folks on either side too thrilled about the idea of making up and going on with those who were imprisoning, maiming and killing their friends.

But the reality is that in America, freedom is always a work in progress. We set about every day perfecting it, redefining it in terms of our priorities and those things for which we are willing to stand up and fight.

If you ever feel that your life has fallen into a rut, stop and think about that for a minute. You are redefining freedom every day.

As you celebrate Independence Day today, take some time to think about what independence – what freedom – means to you. If you had a wish for your country on her 233rd birthday, what would it be? E-mail me your comments at . I’ll post some on the blog.

And above all, as you celebrate your country and your freedom today, remember that the best gift you can give your country is the best of yourself, her son or daughter.

Happy birthday, America.