WASHINGTON POST: Whether her ultimate goal now is to seek the presidency in 2012 or later is not known. Those who have some insight into her frame of mind believe she departs elected office without a real plan to make that happen — or even a plan for what to do with the next six months of her life. Palin left office about 18 months before the end of her term. In her farewell speech, she lashed out at the media, which she accused of “making things up,” and warned about encroachments from big government in Washington. “Be wary of accepting 
government largess,” she said. “It doesn’t come free, and often accepting it takes away everything that is free.” But she said nothing about her plans. MORE
VANITY FAIR: In the aftermath of the November election, the conventional wisdom among Palin’s supporters in the Republican establishment was that she should go home, keep her head down, show that she could govern effectively, and quietly educate herself about foreign and domestic policy with the help of a cadre of experienced advisers. She has done none of this. MORE
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Palin — who famously described herself as a “pit bull with lipstick” last year, when she accepted the Republican vice presidential nomination — took the opportunity Sunday to fire a last official grenade at the media, which she has blamed for distorting her statements and fueling controversies that have surrounded her. “You represent what could and should be a respected and honest profession, that could and should be a cornerstone of our democracy,” she said. “Democracy depends on you, and that is why our troops are willing to die for you. So how about in honor of the American soldier you quit making things up?” Those sentiments drew the loudest applause of her speech. MORE
RELATED: “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” — SAMUEL JOHNSON, 1775
RELATED: “When fascism comes to America, it’ll be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross” — Sinclair Lewis
RELATED: In 2003, Free Inquiry, magazine of The Council for Secular Humanism, published an article entitled “Fascism Anyone?” by Laurence W. Britt, author of June 2004, a novel which depicts a future America dominated by right-wing extremists. In the article, Britt identifies these 14 characteristics of a fascist state:
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism.
5. Rampant sexism.
6. A controlled mass media.
7. Obsession with national security.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together.
9. Power of corporations protected.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption.
14. Fraudulent elections. MORE