From former Alaska Gov. Sarah "You won't have me to kick around anymore" Palin's swan song on July 26:

Starts at 3:15 min. in this MSNBC clip:

... First, some straight talk for some, just some in the media, because another right protected for all of us is freedom of the press.

And you have such important jobs. Reporting facts. And informing the electorate. And exerting power to in-flu-ence.

You represent what could and should be a respected, honest profession that could and should be a cornerstone of our democracy. Democracy depends on you. Our troops are willing to die for you.

So how about in honour of the American soldier, ya quit makin' things up?

And don't underestimate the wisdom of the people and one other thing, our new governor (Sean Parnell) has a very nice family so leave his kids alone.

Good to see she doesn't harbour any bitterness after her time in the national spotlight. It's always nice to hear from someone who practices what they preach.

Addendum

Washington Post columnist Howard Kurtz had this to say in a Media Backtalk chat at washingtonpost.com:

Washington, D.C.: Do you have any idea what Palin was referring to when she asked the media to stop making things up?

And does she still not get that the reason the media zoomed in on her was because she was running for VP, and for no other reason? She warned the media not to hassle the new gov's family -- as though the national media always guns for the governor of Alaska.

Howard Kurtz: NO idea. I mean, Palin in the past has complained about the media scrutiny of her family and rumors (most of which circulated online but were never published) that Trig wasn't her baby, etc. But in her resignation speech yesterday, she said the big bad media should honor soldiers who are fighting for this country by no longer making stuff up. Was there a connection? She didn't elaborate.

The ex-governor can certainly excite her base by continuing to chastise the press, but I think at some point she has to move on and talk about larger ideas for the country.