[env-trinity] Palin in Westlands sobbing for their water cutbacks!

[Joshua Allen]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110502/ap_on_re_us/us_calif_palin_college_speech

Palin decries water restrictions at Calif. college
 By GOSIA WOZNIACKA, Associated Press Gosia Wozniacka, Associated
Press – Sun May 1,
10:20 pm ET

LEMOORE, Calif. – Sarah Palin returned to Central California's agricultural
region Sunday and lambasted the federal government for limiting the amount
of water the state's farmers can get for their crops.

The former Alaska governor told more than 1,400 people at West Hills College
in Lemoore that endangered species regulations protecting the Delta smelt
and limiting pumping are "destroying" the lives of those in the Central
Valley.

"A faceless government is taking away their lifeline, water, all because of
a 3-inch fish," Palin said. "Where I come from, a 3-inch fish, we call that
bait. There is no need to destroy people's lives over bait."

Palin also spoke about high gas prices, dependence on foreign oil, the need
for domestic drilling and limiting currency inflation.

"The government should get out of our way and let us get this economy moving
again," she said. "Instead of drilling ourselves and circulating the money
here, we're relying on foreign regimes."

The audience in what is generally a conservative region was supportive,
cheering and applauding loudly. Someone even broke out with, "We love you
Sarah!"

"It was awesome, she was right on," said Doug Freitas, a Lemoore farmer,
after the speech. "About water, there are farmers who can't grow their
crops, these hardworking people can't pay their bills. And the deficit, it's
so scary and it seems like the general public doesn't realize it."

Palin's visit last year to California State University, Stanislaus — about
120 miles away — generated controversy after the university's nonprofit
foundation refused to divulge the terms of her contract and speaking fee.

The public university eventually revealed its foundation paid Palin $75,000
to give a 40-minute speech, and the event raised more than $207,000 for
scholarships.

This time, West Hills College's president, Don Warkentin, said its
foundation paid the Washington Speakers Bureau $115,000 to land Palin for
the inauguration of the college's newly built Golden Eagle Arena.

Warkentin said he didn't know the exact amount Palin will receive. But he
said the foundation has recouped the fee by selling tickets to a private,
post-speech dinner with the 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate.

Money from ticket sales will go toward scholarships and maintenance of the
sports complex, Warkentin said.

"California is in deep trouble," he said. "So we're doing things like this
to try to maintain our programs and raise money for our students."

The school, which has an enrollment of 3,000 this semester, did not provide
an estimate of other costs associated with Palin's visit, including
security, decorations and janitorial services.

Palin is the first of several high profile figures the university will host
as part of its new distinguished speaker series. Former first lady Laura
Bush is scheduled to speak at the sports arena in September. Next February,
Princeton scholar Cornell West will visit.

State Sen. Leland Yee, who criticized UC Stanislaus for not releasing how
much it paid Palin, praised the college in Lemoore for being more
transparent.

"I'm very pleased the foundation disclosed how much they will be paying
Palin," Yee said. "I'm a little disappointed by the fact that Palin is a
millionaire and our students are struggling, some of them cannot afford to
go to college. I was hoping Sarah Palin would defer the fee and do the
speech for the goodness of the college and for our students."
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