FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Sarah Palin brought her book-signing tour here Monday as thousands greeted the former Republican vice presidential candidate in a campaign-like gathering that tested military rules involving politicians.
The Department of Defense typically prohibits politicians from using installations as a platform, so Palin didn’t give a speech and simply thanked soldiers individually.
She was allowed to hold the event as a private citizen who was not campaigning, a Fort Bragg spokesman said.
Army officials initially feared the book signing might turn political and negative comments would be directed at President Barack Obama, so they barred media from attending.
The Army later relented and allowed coverage, and many people who attended voiced their opposition to the commander in chief.
Palin’s tour bus, parked nearby and splashed with her photo, encouraged donations to her political action committee, while supporters made clear that she should run for president.
Palin’s father, who greeted visitors as his daughter signed copies of the book, said in an interview that Obama’s handling of the military was “scary.”
Col. Billy Buckner, a spokesman for Fort Bragg, said the Army agreed to let Palin on post because she was no longer a politician.
“She fell into a little bit of a gray area,” he said. “She’s not a political figure per se, but she certainly carries a tremendous amount of interest and influence across the country.”
The former Alaska governor began a nationwide tour last week to promote her memoir, “Going Rogue.” She also has a planned visit to Fort Hood, Texas, on Dec. 4 — a month after 13 people were killed there in a shooting rampage.
Hundreds of Palin supporters arrived early at Fort Bragg, and one woman spent nearly 24 hours in line.
Officials estimated that about 4,000 turned out for the signing. More than 500 had to be turned away as the three-hour event ended.
Do the Math
Hoser212, 300,000 tons??? 300,000 tons is 600,000,000 lbs. Typical SpG for rock is about 2.65 making that 3,600,000 cubic feet. That would be a pile 24′ wide (two lanes) x 200′ long (approx length of southern span) x 750′ high!! If it were 48′ wide (all 4 closed lanes) by 800′ long (almost half the bridge) it would still be 95′ high. The most common number thrown around is 500,000 pounds of construction material on the bridge. A legally loaded semi is 80,000 pounds. That makes the weight of the construction materials the equivalent of 6.25 legally loaded semi’s. I highly doubt the construction materials are the root cause.
Donny Osmond wins ‘Dancing with the Stars’
NEW YORK—Donny Osmond was declared the new champion of “Dancing with Stars” on Tuesday night, taking home the show’s mirror ball trophy in the season finale of the ABC contest reality program.
Osmond, the former teen pop star of the singing Osmond family, said the show has been a highlight in a career of ups and downs.
“I did it!” Osmond exclaimed. He promptly rushed to the audience and plucked out his wife, Debbie, whom he carried across the stage.
Helping push Osmond over the top was his performance Tuesday: an Argentine tango, performed with his professional dancing partner, Kym Johnson. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba hailed it as “artistry in motion.” It earned the top score of the final performances Tuesday.