Randy's Views

The 2008 United States Olympic Team has made America proud. It could not have come at a better time. Just as the “down with America” drumbeat seemed to have reached its peak, up stepped a group of athletes that reflect the best that the country has to give.

Of course, the biggest story of the Beijing Olympics was Michael Phelps. The United States earned twelve Gold Medals in swimming. Michael Phelps got eight of them. While his feat was truly historic, it was his character and personality that made him so special. Everyone wanted him to win, and win he did. He won big, won close, won as a part of a team, won individually, and won with class.

But it was not just gold in swimming that was so energizing. At age forty-one, Dana Torres became the oldest swimmer to ever win a medal. Her smile was infectious and her effervescent personality was fun. Everyone watching wanted to see her win. Everyone watching was glad she won a medal. For all the forty-plus Americans, it was proof positive that good things can still happen after forty.

Vincent Hancock, the nineteen year old member of the United States Army Marksmanship team from Eatonton, Georgia won the Gold Medal in Skeet Shooting. He won the Gold Medal in a shoot-off with Norway’s Tore Brovold. Politically correct mainstream media outlets prefer not to spend much time on shooting of any kind, much less shooting shown in a positive light. When asked about what his Army Marksmanship team does, Vincent Hancock answered “We’re helping save American lives by teaching soldiers what to do.” Georgians are proud of him.

He was not the only one to win a Gold Medal in a shooting event. Eller Walton from Houston, Texas won the Gold Medal in Men’s Double Trap shooting. There is not a lot written about these gentlemen or their success in Olympic shooting events. But, gold it is.

Equally impressive, American women swept the sabre fencing competition in Beijing. Mariel Zagunis won the Gold Medal in sabre fencing for the Americans with President George Bush watching. Sada Jacobson from Dunwoody, Georgia won the Silver and Becca Ward captured the Bronze. When describing being on the platform, Sada Jacobson said, “I don’t think I anticipated the emotion I would feel up there - it was such a feeling of pride.”

Nastia Liukin won the Olympic Gold Medal in the women’s individual all-around gymnastics competition and won a total of five gymnastics Olympic medals which ties her with Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Miller When she arrived at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport on her way home to Parker, Texas, she received a hero’s welcome. It was deserved.

Shawn Johnson from Des Moines, Iowa won a Gold Medal in the balance beam. Both Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson exemplified the style, grace, and demeanor of true Olympic champions. Their infectious smiles charmed the world.

Henry Cejudo wowed the wrestling world by winning gold in the Men’s Freestyle - 55 kilogram division. There were no flying drop-kicks or sleeper holds. Candidly, no one expected Henry Cejudo to win except Henry Cejudo. Last year, he was 31st in the 2007 world championships in wrestling. At twenty-one, he is now the youngest American to win an Olympic Gold Medal in wrestling. It was impressive.

There were many more. (Stephanie Brown Tafton won the Gold Medal in the women’s discus throw. At six foot four inches, and 220 pounds, she stood tall in the event. And, she won.)

Medal after medal, the Americans won.

Winning is always fun. Yet, it is the way that Americans have won that has left such an impact. American athletes performed with class and character and with the determination and drive for excellence that exemplifies the very best in this country.

Of course, there were many more champions than the Americans at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. World records were set. Gold medals were awarded. Athletes from around the world accomplished incredible feats. It was all good.

But honestly, it was the opportunity to cheer for the Red, White and Blue that was so good. It was hearing the Star Spangled Banner as the flag of the United States of America was hoisted. It was seeing those smiling faces, and hearing those humble words that was so sweet.

Bleary eyed Americans are exhausted from late nights watching to see if, just if, another miracle could happen. And miracles happened. It was great.

"She is a nice enough person, but she is not ready to run a company."

"She just does not have enough experience yet to lead a team."

"She needs just a little more time."

"She has a family to raise, and a husband to take care of."

"She is not the most qualified candidate - so it would not be fair to
let her have the job now."

These are the excuses that women have faced for years. There always seems to be a good excuse for why women have been denied the right to lead lines, teams, departments, companies, and the country. For the next several weeks, Americans will get to hear those excuses and more as Governor Sarah Palin attempts to become the first woman to shatter the last and hardest glass ceiling in the United States.

She has not been alone in this quest. In 1984, Democrat Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro blazed a new trail when Vice President Walter Mondale chose her as his running mate. She honored her country and her party.

In 2006, San Francisco Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi moved women one step closer as she led Democrats to capture control of the United States House of Representatives and became the first female Speaker of the United States Congress. The Speaker is second in line for the Presidency, behind only the Vice President of the United States.

In 2008, Democratic New York Senator Hillary Clinton advanced the fight for women one more step. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton hammered millions of cracks in the glass ceiling as she challenged Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for the President of the United States.

When Senator Barack Obama passed over Senator Hillary Clinton as his running mate, it appeared that the political climb for women in America had temporarily stalled just short of the two highest offices in the land. But then came maverick Arizona Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain.

Just when it appeared that the 2008 Presidential Election could not get any more historical, the Republican Presidential nominee selected the first woman as the GOP Vice Presidential nominee - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. His selection guaranteed that the 2008 Presidential Election would be a first in American history regardless of whether the Democrats or the Republicans won on election day.

If the Democrats win, then Americans will elect the first African American as President of the United States. If the Republicans win, then Americans will elect the first woman as Vice President of the United States.

Shortly after Senator McCain's selection, the excuses began. "She is a nice enough person, but she is not ready to run the country." "She just does not have enough experience yet to lead." "She needs just a little more time." "She has a family to raise, and a husband to take care of." "It is just not her time yet." "She is not the most qualified candidate - so it would not be fair to let her have the job now."

Sound familiar?

Of course, Governor Palin served as the Governor of the largest geographical state in the United States. Alaska sits as an isolated state without a border with any other American state. So, Alaska, and its leaders face unique challenges.

For one, as Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin serves as the Commander in Chief of the Alaska National Guard. Among other challenges, she leads the one state in the country that actually borders with Russia. Unlike any other governor or politician, she looks across a two mile strait and faces Russian troops.

On the other side of her state, Governor Sarah Palin deals with Canada - a country that could easily overwhelm most countries, much less states. Yet, Governor Palin has navigated the international trade waters to protect Alaskan industry and citizens.

Meanwhile, Governor Palin has balanced a multi-billion dollar budget and shattered the corrupt "good ole boy" network that has dominated Alaskan politics for decades. But for many, none of that is good enough.

Instead, Democratic opponents insist that if she only had more foreign policy experience, longer service in public office, and greater exposure on the national level, then she would be ready to serve at the highest level. But if that were true, then why did they themselves not pick someone with greater foreign policy experience, longer service in public office, and greater exposure on the national level - namely Senator Hillary Clinton?

Barriers are built over time and they do not fall easily. Sometimes, it takes a political earthquake. Hurricane Hillary meet Earthquake Palin - it is a new day in American politics.