Amid controversy, Palin gets standing ovation from the sold out crowd who paid $500 a plate to hear her speak

 Amid tight security and protests, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made a highly anticipated fundraising appearance Friday at Cal State Stanislaus, where she was given a standing ovation by a sold-out audience that paid $500 a plate to hear her speak.

In her 40-minute speech, Palin joked about the controversy surrounding her visit, including demands in her speaking contract for plenty of water and bendable straws.

"Glad I got some of those contractual demands out of the way," she said as she surveyed the podium. (Continues here at LA Times)