Leaving Comments

It has come to my attention that some of you have had trouble leaving comments on this blog. I think the problem was that the default settings required you to be a registered user or have an OpenID.  So, I have reformatted the privacy settings, and all should be able to leave comments with ease now.  I apologize for the inconvenience, and hopefully the problem is now resolved!

In honor of my techy (yes, that's totally a word Actually it's not, but I'm going to go with it anyways.) mistake, enjoy some tech humor below!



So, time did not allow for me to speak at the GOP meeting yesterday as planned. And I won't be able to share about Patriot Academy at their next monthly forum, for I will be out of town.   I apologize that it didn't work out.

Bartow GOP Meeting is THIS SATURDAY!!!

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to let you all know that I will be speaking at the Bartow County GOP meeting this Saturday for about ten minutes to share about my Patriot Academy experience!  Info on the event is below. 

August Forum

August 24th
9:00-10:00am
162 West Main Street
Suite 106
Cartersville, GA 30120

Their special guest speaker will be John Padgett, Georgia Republican Party Chairman. You won't want to miss it!  

More pics! From day 3 of P.A.

I am so sorry it has taken so long to get these up!  Here are some pictures taken from day three of Patriot Academy in Texas 2013.

So, this is the beautiful capitol of the Texas.  And of course, being all cliche for Texas, it is the tallest state capitol building in the United States.  It even beats our national capitol building by seven feet!

Typically, the Texas state legislature is out of session during Patriot Academy, but this year they were entering into their third special session while we were at PA!  They were kind enough to recess until the following Monday, but they had a little bit of official emergency business to take care of on Wednesday, and they did it while all of us were on the house floor in the state representative's seats!  I don't know how they allowed this, but it was awesome!

Then, after finishing their official business, the actual state reps. simulated some debate for us, to show us how it was done!

That evening we heard from the infamous, David Barton!  Talk about being inspired!  I learned so much from his talk!

 

And this is Rick Green, founder of the Torch of Freedom Foundation and Patriot Academy!

I'm home!

I am home now, safe and sound!  In some ways I wish I were still in Texas soaking up all there is to learn from some of the best speakers and teachers from all over the United States.  But in other ways I am so excited be back and to get started applying all the knowledge I gained while I was there to lead the change that needs to happen in our culture. 

When they said 14-16 hour days, they weren't kidding.  I learned to function on much less sleep than I ever thought was possible, and by that I mean sometimes only getting 4 hours of sleep.  So, I came home exhausted but ever so inspired, more educated, radically equipped, and prepared to make a difference in my generation.  I've since gotten caught up on sleep and I'm ready to hit it hard for freedom.

As time allows, I am going to add descriptions on the pictures I posted while I was at Patriot Academy as well as post more pics I never got around to uploading.  I also plan to keep this blog going throughout the next year, so keep checking back if you want to read more on my Patriot Academy experience.

-- Destiny     

My bill passed!

My bill made it out of committee, but I co-authored with a fellow representative and it passed!!!

It was the golf ball!

Congratulations!  You all made the observance that the golf ball was the similarity in the pictures in my last post.  This is my golf ball, and I keep it with me at all times, not in my pocket or bag, but carefully held in my hand or laid in my lap.  I guess all are curious as to why I am carrying a golf ball with me.  I loved hearing all of your guesses!  Read the following to find out!

(copied from the Patriot Academy student app)

Your Golf Ball & Your Character

             The time at Patriot Academy (PA) is intended to offer the tools and techniques necessary to prepare young leaders to accept the torch of freedom and to keep it burning brightly until handed down to the next generation. No knowledge, talent or earthly wisdom will be successful in improving our nation until the new generation of leaders understands and embraces the principles of righteousness, integrity and humility.

            For that purpose, each participant in PA is given a golf ball as a visual reminder that their character is on display at all time. Like a golf ball, character is easily mishandled – left laying on a desk on the House floor, rolling under a table at dinner, forgotten in a hotel room, or just dropped in a hallway and lost in the shuffle.

Like your personal character, the expectation at Patriot Academy is that your golf ball will always be with you and in plain sight and under your personal control. It is not intended to be put in a coat pocket or carried in a briefcase or purse.

The phrase, “Where is your golf ball?” should be one you are prepared to answer for the remainder of your life. It will give you accountability with fellow Patriot students who will know that you have been carefully instructed in the vital importance of protecting your character.

Be prepared to give a ready answer.

Should you lose your golf ball during Patriot Academy, you will have the opportunity to retrieve it during mealtime or between sessions by quoting from memory one of the “Character Quotes” below. You are strongly encouraged to memorize one of these quotes BEFORE Patriot Academy starts,otherwise you will find yourself working to memorize one in front of the whole Academy in order to get your golf ball back. It is not possible for a student to proceed in Patriot Academy without retrieving their golf ball because one’s character must be in tact for principled leadership.

“God made me for a purpose…and when I run I feel His pleasure.”  - Olympian Eric Liddell

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” -  John Wesley

“Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing!”  -  John Wesley

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."  - Colossians 3:23

"A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

“You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.” - Zig Ziglar

  “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  - Prov 29:2

  “Until you have a purpose greater than yourself, don’t expect to get beyond yourself.” – Dr. John Demartini

  “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” - Zig Ziglar

“The true purpose of goals is to compel you to become the person it takes to achieve them.” - Jim Rohn

“The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.” - John Ruski

"Delight thyself also in the LORD,and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. - Psalm 37:4-5 (21st Cent KJV)

“I don't care how much power, brilliance or energy you have, if you don't harness it and focus it on a specific target, and hold it there you're never going to accomplish as much as your ability warrants." - Zig Ziglar

"You cannot consistently perform in a manner which is inconsistent with the way you see yourself." – Zig Ziglar 

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." - Aristotle

 

"Greatness is frightening. With it comes responsibility." - Seth Godin.

 

"So, you want to storm down the doors and change the world. Good. First live the change that you want to see in the world, then you’ll be ready to lead it." -David Hanson

 

"Oh, it is excellent to have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant."  - Shakespeare

 

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker." - Helen Keller

 

"An acre of performance is worth a whole world of promise." - William Dean Howells

 

"We first make our habits, and then our habits make us." - John Dryden

 

"The world loves talent but pays off on character."  - John W. Gardner

 

"Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds a man down or polishes him up depends on what he is made of." - Josh Billings

 

"Anything that we have to learn to do we learn by the actual doing of it…We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate ones, brave by doing brave ones."  - Aristotle

 

"The price of neglect is much worse than the price of the discipline."  - Jeff Olson

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."  -Unknown

“Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.”  - Senator Henry Clay

“I’m convinced that 90% of failures in life are character failures, and not ability failures.”  - Stephen Covey

"To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."  - Theodore Roosevelt

"A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user." - Theodore Roosevelt

"Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike."  - Theodore Roosevelt

End of Day 2 at PA

Here are some pictures I took today.  I will edit this post to add explanations later.  Who can tell me a common object in the majority of the photos below?  Please leave a comment stating what the object is and why you think it's there. 

NOTE:  I have added some more descriptions the photos in my last post. 

Day 2: Morning session

This is the  beautiful TX Capitol building.  And since it holds the title "Texas", it is huge!  And super easy to get lost in.  

We are required to walk to session in committee groups.  They match you up into different committees by similar passions, purposes, and plans that they perceived you had from the extensive application process.  I was assigned to the William Wilberforce Committee!  I've got to say, our committee chair is incredible along with all of my fellow committee members!  They keep things running so professionally and keep the great debates going!

Here is a picture from the house floor, where we have our mock sessions.  What an incredibly realistic learning oppurtunity it has been!  My appreciation for my elected official does nothing but grow!

Well, I am in session at the moment. Listening to a debate on fireworks taxes. 

End of Day 1 of PA

Only in Texas!

You see that?  It's a cowboy hat! 

Sorry the picture is so blurry. 

P.S.  -- Here's a better one I just took

Zero Days to Patriot Academy!!!!!!

I am now in Texas. I can tell because it is HOT outside and everything is huge!  Yeah. Everything. They just gave me a snack bag at check-in and it was the size of a tote bag!  

I've met a couple of my roommates . . . One of them being cousin, Olivia!  And, yeah, the rooms are huge too.

Currently, I am experiencing the pleasure of observing the Texas House of Representatives in session. 

Oh! Yeah!  And I got this really cool name tag!

Patriot Academy starts tomorrow!!!

Wow!  I am so excited!  At 5:30 tomorrow morning I will be on my way to the air port!  What I've been working towards for the last three months is finally here. Every book I've read, every radio program I've listened to, every essay I've written, has all been in preparation for this one week.  What an amazing learning experience it all has been so far!

Today, I am just relaxing outside on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, reading over the rules and procedures for PA.

Thank you all so much for all your prayers and support!  It means so much to me!

Blessings be upon you all!

-- Destiny

2 Days to Go!

Hey Everyone!

I'm sorry I didn't get anything posted the last two days and in doing so completely messing up the countdown I had going.  You wouldn't believe how crazy the last couple of days have been!

The video below is off the PA required viewing list.  I watched while I was packing and was very inspired by all of the stories of heroes that were around my age or younger!  Check it out if you have a few minutes!  It's definitely worth watching!



Here is the update from Thursday:

 
So, today, I embarked on a mission. . . . maybe more like a quest . . . . one nigh impossible and prone to failure. . . .Today I went business clothes shopping to wear at Patriot Academy.  You probably think I'm being dramatic, but if you were 5'9 1/2" with a 27" waist, you'd understand just how difficult this task would be.  Usually they think if you're that tall, you are big boned or fat or something.  

I don't particularly care for the current professional fads.  Let's face it!  Large triangular holes in the back of a dress shirt, dresses the length of a shirt, and pants that are so tight that they could qualify for leggings shouldn't be fashionable. . . but they are in today's society.  Moving on.  So, I went to Goodwill, where, IF you search hard enough, you can find the classic professional wear for amazing prices!

In just that one store, I found all that I needed, and I couldn't have been happier!  It might have taken me FIVE hours, but it was worth it to find stuff like size 4 Long black dress slacks for $5!  

So, that was my day!  Happy Thursday, Everyone!

-- Destiny 

Here is the update from Friday:

I love Homeschool conventions, and today I got to go to one for campaigning purposes!  So, I pretty much got to combine two lovable activities into one!  I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people and sharing with them about  a candidate that I whole-heartedly support! 

 Today I finished reading "How to Be a Statesman" off of the Patriot Academy's required reading list.  It was a quick read, but packed full of great information on what it's all about to be a dedicated servant to your constituents.  Simply put, it summed up the importance of making protecting the people's rights the top priority and to never let the power of being in political office go to your head.

I can't believe that PA is just around the corner!  I better get packing!

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!

-- Destiny

I will TRY to post on this blog as often as possible while I am at Patriot Academy.  So, keep a look-out for pictures and updates all throughout next week!  If you want, you can subscribe by email.  There should be a section on the right to sign up to follow by email.

-- Destiny

 

"I Have a Destiny" Trailer

Rick Green sent out this video from last year's Patriot Academy yesterday, and I just thought I'd share it.  Not only is it an inspiring video, but . . . I kind of love the title!  ;)  Here's the link:  I Have a Destiny



Five days to Patriot Academy!  I can't believe it!

-- Destiny

My Bill for Patriot Academy

So, Patriot Academy is only six days away, and I just finished a live webinar with Rick Green!  Which was  was pretty awesome!   Not only was it very informative, but it just built up excitement even more for next week!

Here is a copy of my bill as promised along with some thoughts: 

I love how I haven't even gotten to Texas yet, and I'm already experiencing the hard core training they promised!

Remember when I said on my "Donate" page,

"The Patriot Academy is essentially a simulated legislative session along with other training classes, and when you get there you serve in the role of a representative.  You're not just learning about the legislative process, you are literally immersed in it!" 

 Well, that includes going through the process of writing your own piece of legislation from start to finish.  Call me weird, but I enjoy this kind of stuff!  I got to see a need, research the idea, formulate a solution, learn a bit on legal lingo, and then submit my bill to the legal council.  What a great learning experience!

So here's what I came up with ( I apologize if the format comes out funny) :

By:  Palmer, D.                                                                                                                      H.B. No.71 

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to state traffic regulations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 
SECTION 1. Sec. 707 of the Transportation Code is to be repealed.
SECTION 2. All photographic traffic signal enforcement systems are hereby prohibited. All photographic traffic signal enforcement systems shall be removed by January 1, 2014.
SECTION 3. To compensate for the reduction of motor vehicle accidents at intersections provided by photographic traffic signal enforcement systems, the duration of all yellow light signals are to be extended by one second.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected by each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect October 25, 2013.




I will add more on why I chose this topic for my bill later this week!



Thank you all so much for your support! 

-- Destiny
P.S. -- I just found this official copy of my bill.  https://www.dropbox.com/s/olh5y8wyqjrfnjy/HB71%20Palmer%2C%20Destiny.pdf

This week is going to go by quickly! 7 days til PA!!!

So, I'm on my third . . . maybe fourth cup of coffee today . . . yeah, probably not good for me, but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do! Actually . . . more like unfortunately caffeine doesn't even give me a boost, I just love coffee, unadulterated black coffee. I leave for Patriot Academy in exactly a week!  Correction: a week from today I leave, but it's 6:29pm, so technically speaking I'll be half way through my first day at Patriot Academy this time next week . . . possibly eating supper . . . but that's beside the point.

The most pressing thing on my mind right now is how much there is to do to get ready for Patriot Academy and how fast the time to do it in is dwindling!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while!  I've either been juggling four jobs the last few weeks which didn't leave me with much time for posting updates . . . or out of town . . . both were a blessing!  I got to spend a week with my cousin, who is also going to Patriot Academy, this last week at my grandmother's house in Tennessee.  So, we got to help each other prepare a little bit.

By the way, I never let you all know what my bill topic was.  Red light cameras are a hot issue right now in the state of Texas, so my bill will be repealing them.  I'll post the actual bill later on this week in case you're interested.  I heard from my P.A. mentor that I may be in for some good debate!  Either way I'm going to be prepared, but I'll post more on that later.

I've been working my way through the required reading and listening, and I haven't stumbled across a dull thing yet!  I listened to a lecture by Pastor Michael Youssef today on "Who Takes Care of the Poor?"  It really tackles the issue of the welfare system.  It's definitely worth checking out.  Here's the link Click Here

Sorry this post is such a hodge podge!  I guess I just wanted to give you all a quick update!  

I'm on the home stretch now, so I'll be posting as often as possible for the next two weeks!

Happy Monday!

Destiny 

An Essay on: The Defense of Marriage Act

Here is the final of three essays I wrote for Patriot Academy, and for me, it was the hardest to write.  For, this is was only one that had to be a secular argument.  No Bible, no religion, no God allowed.  You see, I had the blessing of being born into a Christian family, and when I was two or three, accepting Jesus for myself.  Plus, I had the privilege of being homeschooled from pre-school through high school, so all of my studies were covered from a Christian worldview and not from the watered-down, politically correct, altered historically version taught in the public schools. I've always believed that God holds the answer to every question, knows the solution to every problem, and has advice for every circumstance.  So to leave him out of this one was quite the challenge, but like everything else I've had to do for Patriot Academy, it was a wonderful training opportunity.  It gave me a reason to formulate an argument that hopefully even an atheist would find feasible.

On the day I was going to hand in my registration, I found a loop hole in my argument.  One small loop hole that made my whole essay blow apart!  So, at the last minute I completely reformulated my argument and rewrote the entire essay.  It's far from my best writing, but at least I tried.

Destiny Palmer

5/11/13

Give a secular argument in favor of the “Defense of Marriage Act” – the bill that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. You may not quote or reference the Bible in this particular essay.

For thousands of years . . . in every culture . . . it has always taken a man and a woman to produce a child. This is simply a biological fact that can be recognized by law . . . called marriage. Marriage is a union, defined by both nature's law and positive law, of a man and a woman. From that union they create a larger unit called a family. The “Defense of Marriage Act” preserves the model of the American family.

Not only does it take a man and a woman to produce a child, but according to social science research, it is also the best possible environment for rearing a child. Children, girls and boys alike, need both male and female influences in their lives, as both genders of parents help them in different ways. It is important for boys to have a father to show him how to be masculine, but they also need their mother to teach them gentleness, manners, and to call out their masculinity. In the same fashion, girls need a mother to demonstrate the role she is to fill one day, and they need fathers to give them security, love, and to call out their femininity. This family model has been proven from the beginning of time to be the best.

The definition of marriage has been the same for thousand of years, just as the family model has always involved both a mother and a father from the beginning of time. You see, the “Defense of Marriage Act” is needed to preserve both. It doesn't just preserve the definition of marriage but it preserves the definition of family as well. The “Defense of Marriage Act”. . . . . Do it for the children!

This may seem silly, but I struggled with this one . . . a LOT!  I had to give a secular argument on an issue I'd always felt was, above all, a moral issue.  To me, marriage should be between a man and a woman because that is how God created it to be from the beginning of time and anything other than that was seen as an obomination to the Lord.  I mean, think about it, He distroyed a whole city for this complete and total sin and perversion.

An Essay on: Is the U.S. Constitution a Living Document?

Yesterday, I posted the first of the three essays I wrote for my Patriot Academy entrance.  By popular demand, I've decided to post the second one today.

By Destiny Palmer

5/3/13

In your opinion, should the U.S. Constitution be considered to be a living document, the interpretation of which changes with circumstances? Why?

Words matter! When writing the U.S. Constitution the founding fathers carefully selected their words because they have a specific meaning. With this careful selection they composed a document for the purpose of protecting the rights of the American people. They knew that the governing officials would need an unchanging, set guideline to refer to throughout the ages to accomplish this task. Thus, purposefully they used certain words with specific definitions, so that our liberty would be preserved for generations to come rather than misinterpretations restricting it.

However, with the English language constantly evolving, many word definitions are no longer the same as when the forefathers wrote our founding documents. They knew that was bound to happen. Let's face it, languages are always changing! And they also knew just how injurious those changes were bound to be. If the Constitution were to be redefined by today's language, not only would the constitution fail in it's duty in protecting the people's rights but could be used against the people instead. James Madison once said, “What a metamorphosis would be produced in the code of law if all its ancient phraseology were to be taken in its modern sense."

The evolution of the English language does not change the job of the Constitution, it just makes it harder for us to understand and interpret. Noah Webster, one of America's founders, wrote the 1828 dictionary, in order to preserve the language that our founding fathers used when writing our founding documents so that future generations would be able to understand what they meant. Because words matter, and he knew that the evolution of the English language was inevitable. The only way we can properly comprehend the Constitution is to return to the original language that the founding fathers used. Like Thomas Jefferson said, “On every question of construction carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed.”

Therefore, in my opinion the U.S. Constitution is not a living document that changes through the ages. As its purpose stays the same and the original intent of the founding fathers is unchanging, the U.S. Constitution should always be applied in the sense in which it was passed.

An Essay on: Term Limits

I was listening to the Good Morning Bartow show this morning on the radio with David Paul and Melissa Huneke from Bartow Politics at www.bartowpolitics.com and the all new Georgia Politics at www.georgiapolitics.org  During the show, someone called in on the issue of term limits, and it reminded me of an essay I had written when I applied for the Patriot Academy. 

Patriot Academy required each applicant to write:

"3 Short (450 words or less) Essays, answering these questions:

• - Do you think that elected officials should be term limited?
• - In your opinion, should the U.S. Constitution be considered to be a living document, the interpretation of which changes with circumstances? Why?
• - Give a secular argument in favor of the “Defense of Marriage Act”– the bill that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. You may not quote or reference the Bible in this particular essay. "

So, I thought you all might like to read one of the three essays, and since term limits was fresh on my mind, I selected that one.

Destiny Palmer

4/30/13

Do you think that elected officials should be term limited? . . . .

To answer this question, I want to give you a hypothetical situation. Let's say you own a large business. You can't handle all the work yourself, so you hire salesmen to do business on your behalf. You tell them what products you want them to present and how you want them to be presented, and then their job is to carry out your business for you. How would you feel if one of your managers told your salesman that they had worked for you for the max amount of time allowed and fired them? You thought they were doing a great job at representing you and they were very productive in their work. Wouldn't you be upset with the fact that your employee was fired by someone who worked with them rather than by you who hired them? It simply doesn't make sense.

Now take that same scenario and apply it to the government. You co-own this country, and you elect officials to represent you and run it on your behalf. You tell them what kind of bills you want them to create, support, or vote against. Then they do their best to serve you and their other constituents according to the loudest voice they are hearing. We have the right to replace them if they are no longer keeping a common interest with the people.

There is already a process in place for limiting elected officials' terms. It's called elections! And it's important to have them often! The whole purpose of elections is for the people to have a chance to evaluate who would best represent them and then vote accordingly. It's like having an interview. The one who wins the approval of the majority of the people gets the job. Although they work in and with the government, they ultimately work for us, the people. We are essentially their boss, and it is up to us, not the government, to choose when our elected officials should be replaced. It is our decision to make when they have become ineffective or are no longer holding our interests before their own. Their term ends when the people decide they aren't doing business on their behalf anymore, and they lose the election.

L.I.F.T. Principles

I was reading the freshman packet for Patriot Academy, and I stumbled across the concept of the L.I.F.T. principles.  So, I thought I'd share with all of you that excerpt:

"The Biblically based LIFT principles summarize the core values of constitutional conservatism and will be explained in detail at Patriot Academy.

They are:
Limited Government
Individual Liberty
Free Market
Traditional Values"

I'm definitely going to keep this one in mind for common reference! 

The Law

This week, along with research for my mock bill, I am reading The Law by Frederic Bastiat from the required reading list.  So far it is a very fascinating book.  How could it not be with the first sentence being,"The law perverted."  I don't have much time to write some of my comments right now, but I will try to soon.

Taking it Seriously

Patriot Academy 2013 in Texas is just five short weeks away!  And there is so much to do to get ready for it!  This is no summer camp!  Patriot Academy has a required reading list, a required listening list, and other study materials on the legislative process that I've got to tackle and understand before I even get to Texas!

So, do you remember when I said this?

"The Patriot Academy is essentially a simulated legislative session along with other training classes, and when you get there you .  You're not just learning about the legislative process, you are literally immersed in it!  Which is what makes this one of the best leadership training schools around!"

Well, just to add to the learning process, each student goes through the process of drafting their very own bill. 

In my opinion, an elected official is hired by the people to do business on their behalf, so I'm going to take this whole "serve in the role of a representative" thing seriously.  So, I want to know what you would like to see in a piece of legislation.  What issues would you like tackled?  What would you like my bill be?  I'd love to hear your ideas.  I will be accepting suggestions until the end of this week.  Just post a comment or contact me using the form to your right. 

Thank you

Dear Supporters,

I just wanted to let you know that I have reached my financial goal, and I am now finished with my fund raising. Thank you so much to all of you that graciously donated to my “campaign”. Your speedy and generous support humbles me!

Patriot Academy is going to be amazing, and I can't wait to learn all that they have to offer! If you would like to read updates from me as I go through the learning process, you can check my blog. 

Thank you so much for all of your support!

Sincerely,

Destiny Palmer

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." -- Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

Destiny For Patriot Academy

Dear friend,

There is a huge need for leaders to arise from my generation and to step forward and take the torch carried by the ones before us. And I want to be one of them. That is why I have applied to the Patriot Academy. Which is a six day training school in leadership and government for students ages 16-25 and held in Austin, TX. They give in-depth training on the political process, media skills, public speaking, leadership, current issues, and America's heritage – all from a Biblical worldview. To find out more you can click on the following links: What is Patriot Academy?  What training does Patriot Academy provide? Patriot Academy's Website  

The day I turned 18, I was registered to vote, and I showed up at the next election as an educated voter, ready for my voice to be heard. But I didn't wait until then to have a voice in the political realm. When I was thirteen, I joined the Bartow TeenAge RepublicanS (TARS), and in 2009 was elected secretary. Then, when it came time for elections to be held once more in 2010, I stepped up, ran for TARS chairman, and won. I also started working on multiple campaigns, and attending the Bartow GOP meetings regularly. I've been involved in the grassroots effort since I was twelve, and loved every minute!

Not only have I been involved politically from a young age, but I also joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official United States Air Force Auxiliary, when I was twelve. During the five years that I've been a member of CAP, I've worked my way up the ranks and achieved the grade of Cadet Second Lieutenant, which is equivalent to earning the Eagle Scout Award. Through CAP I've received training in Aerospace Education, Emergency Services, Physical Training, Character Development, and Leadership. I have served in roles on both command staff and support staff. My experience in CAP has strengthened within me a deep respect for the military, a profound love for my heritage, and a desire to give back to my country.

I am young, energetic, and ready to step up and work to help restore this country to the original intent of the founding fathers. The Patriot Academy offers just the right training and preparation. However, in order to attend this academy, I need your financial support.

Please prayerfully consider helping me attend the Patriot Academy, so that I may bring back the experience and valuable information I will have gained from it , and be equipped to carry the torch of freedom for my generation.  To donate: Click Here Also, see Why am I running this like a campaign?

Thank you for your consideration!

Destiny Palmer

To Donate to My Campaign

To Donate Online:

Click on the link below and fill out the "Sponsor a Student Form".  When they ask, "What is this payment/donation for?", select "Contribution to a Student's Tuition", and put my name in the "Student's Name" slot.

Click Here to Donate Online!

To Donate Via Check:

Please, make checks payable to 'Torch of Freedom Foundation' or 'Patriot Academy.'

Then you can send your donation to me at:

1850 Cassville Rd., N.W.
Cartersville, GA 30121

Or, if you live locally, you can arrange to meet me in person by contacting me through call or text at (770) 380-5379  or by emailing me at destiny.anne@gmail.com

All donations are tax deductible.

Thank you so much for supporting me!

-- Destiny Palmer

Why am I running this like a Campaign?

Because it's all part of the learning process!

The Patriot Academy is essentially a simulated legislative session along with other training classes, and when you get there you serve in the role of a representative.  You're not just learning about the legislative process, you are literally immersed in it!  Which is what makes this one of the best leadership training schools around!  For this reason, all students are required, as part of the learning process, to raise their own tuition just like candidates for office.

What is Partiot Academy?

Patriot Academy is a six-day “bootcamp” in leadership and government open to students ages 16 to 25 and held every summer in Austin, TX. Students delve into the political process from the inside out as they file legislation, debate bills, campaign for office and pass laws. In between legislative activities, they receive training in media skills, public speaking, leadership, current issues and America’s heritage–all from a Biblical worldview. Conservative leaders from all areas of the political field mentor students through the process, sharing their experience and wisdom. Patriot Academy offers students the most realistic, week-long, condensed, conservative, political training that I know of.

What Training does Patriot Academy provide?

Patriot Academy provides a hands-on, student-led political immersion. Students will experience the political process by:

• Presenting a bill
• Running a committee meeting
• Hearing bills
• Debating conservatives and liberals on current issues
• Voting on legislation
• Building coalitions
• Campaigning for office
• Give speeches as a candidate
  

Students will learn practical skills, such as:

• Public Speaking
• Media relations
• Giving a great interview
• Building rapport
• Connecting with any audience
• Professional interactions
• Discerning the truth
• Identifying good legislation
• Defending your beliefs
  

Students will learn foundational principles for governance, including:

• The founding father’s vision for America
• Proper role/God’s purpose for government
• The foundation for our system of government
• The role of the Constitution in the past and future
• Principles of limited government
• Statesmanship and values
• Character and personal integrity
  

Students will hear about today’s most relevant issues from a Christian worldview, including:

• Sanctity of Life
• Traditional Marriage
• Second Amendment Rights
• Church and State Relations
• Freedom of Speech
• Parental Rights
• Stem Cell Research
• Education
• Taxes/Economy
• Immigration
• Individual Liberties
  

Students will receive practical advice and training from:

• State Representatives
• Policy Advisors
• Lobbyists
• Activists
• School board members
• City councilmen
• Candidates
• Campaign Staff
• Concerned citizens who are making a difference