Rural Alaska in Crisis – The Real Tragedy of Troopergate. (Updated)
We’ve all been listening to Sarah Palin for the last couple days saying things like “Both the lieutenant governor and I have offered to fly out there and see what we can do personally.” And then we hear Nick Turner, the local resident whose letter and cry for help, resulted in the current media firestorm about the lack of preparation that led rural villages across the state to their current state of desperation.
“I wish I could take Gov. (Sarah) Palin and walk her around in the houses here,” he said.
Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said the governor is monitoring the scene in Emmonak but, for now, has no plans to travel to the area.
So despite her offers to fly out there and help personally, as long as it means she doesn’t actually have to do it, her staff is all bent out of shape at the accusations that she doesn’t care. Because she does care. Really.
The head of the Division of Community and Regional Affairs said she is
troubled by media coverage that Gov. Sarah Palin is sitting idle despite the cry for help in the Lower Yukon River village of 800. Palin has been very engaged in mobilizing staff and has orchestrated the response, Jollie said. “It’s a priority for her,” she said. “She’s been asking for updates and information, all week as matter of fact.”
Caring doesn’t fuel the fire, and caring doesn’t feed the belly. What this state needed was a leader who was thinking ahead, able to comprehend the impending crisis, rallying the troops and the state government to use creative solutions to keep this from happening. This was not a last minute problem. This didn’t just happen out of the blue. The Palin administration cannot claim, with any sense of veracity, that they didn’t know this was coming.
Now, let’s play a little game. I call it: Name That State Employee.
Let’s just suppose for the sake of our game, that we can turn the clock back, and the date is….oh….July 12, 2008, six weeks before Palin’s VP nomination. On that day, one of the state’s commissioners wrote a letter to the governor’s office, fellow commissioners, and state leaders including Attorney General Talis Colberg who now heads up the Governor’s new Rural Subcabinet. Here’s an excerpt:
Given the gathering storm of a questionable fishing season, and the escalating price of fuel in our state, there will be serious stress placed upon communities and residents who will struggle with the coming winter’s challenges. Last week I had asked our Troopers and Fire Marshalls to outreach both to these communities, and to your departments in a cooperative effort to mitigate issues that will arise like: theft, domestic violence, substance abuse, suicide; and, accidental death that all can come from sinking reserves of fuel, money and hope. Teamwork will never be so important.
Just let that sink in for a moment. Here’s someone who, in the first week of July, had already called for community outreach to prevent the situation that is happening now from happening in the first place. JULY. Whoever this commissioner is, he obviously knows what he’s doing. He obviously has vision and is able to look past his own nose, and see the storm coming. Here’s someone who cares deeply about the people who are in the path of the oncoming train, and has the desire and ability to help ahead of time. And what, if you were governor, might you want to do with someone like this? If you were Sarah Palin, you’d fire him.
That’s right, the commissioner in question was Walt Monegan, and the excerpt you read was from a letter he sent announcing that he had been replaced, and urging those with the power to do so to keep the crisis in rural Alaska from happening. He no longer had a job, but as he wrote this letter, he was still able to have a broader perspective, and leave with a parting request that these issues be handled properly, for the sake of these people, his fellow Alaskans on whom the storm was about to descend.
And that, my friends, is the real tragedy of Troopergate. Sarah Palin’s personal agenda, and the consuming need to get rid of a commissioner who wouldn’t and couldn’t legally fire someone she didn’t like, has brought down suffering on thousands of innocent people in this state. The fact that legislators may refuse to even issue a statement saying that the governor was wrong in firing Walt Monegan, means that this can happen again. It means that our elected representatives are turning a blind eye to the mechanism that removed this person from his office; a competent and effective leader who would have helped to curb the effects of this crisis. They are allowing middle school politics to affect matters of (literally) life and death.
So, whether or not Governor Palin flies out to Emmonak, and whether or not she ever decides to actually issue a statement on this tragedy, which she has yet to do, the fact remains that if she really cared, she would have been thinking about these people last July, like Walt Monegan was.
I asked Walt Monegan if he wanted to comment on the situation in Emmonak, and other rural communities. Here’s what he told me.
‘Standing amidst disaster is not the time for blame, it is a time for action. Mr. Tucker’s letter was a call to arms, and everyone who can should help our fellow Alaskans. Let’s get our neighbors out of danger now and work collectively to ensure that no Alaskan ever has to face such dire choices again.’
Why am I not surprised?
I wonder sometimes, if I’m too passionate against SP….and then I hear these stories.
Any chance you could change the time in Alaska…..hard going here to wait up and catch the news.
I understand that the Governor in a very personal gesture has made arrangements to air-drop her surplus summer outfits from Nieman-Marcus to keep people warm.
So well said… AKM.
Check this out… sound familiar? She did not know “sh#t from shinola” before…OR would not comment.
http://fieryblazinghandbasket.blogspot.com/2006/10/candidate-non-answers-ought-to.html
She is so challenged mentally in every respect.
Alaska is in peril much akin to Flight 1549.
I am heartened by snippets of Obama’s inaugural coverage and the hope that her ilk will not be tolerated in the future. Am I on Wasilla drugs?!
CRFlats, Unalaska, InJuneau, Proud Community Organizer, Greytdog-
only a bit OT-
I am totally dense about starting forum thread thingy but have a bunch of ideas and starts of things to try to get dry goods and household supplies to Yukon Delta . Can we make a thread and hash out some info?
Sarah Palin is a shitty,juvenile,petty,and vindictive little bitch. And what they say is “karma is a bitch”……..
Alaska Pi,
Jump over to the forum and post. people will listen to your ideas!
There’s your Forum thread Alaska Pi. Click and post!
http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,5683.new.html#new
Oh believe me the Queen of Noncompassion will be issuing a statement concerning this tragic situation, but she and her disillusioned entourage have to have time to fabricate something that will paint the Queen in a caring and compassionate light. She will come out blazing with fingers pointing at everyone except herself.
Monegan for Governor! He seems informed and compassionate. He has foresight. I believe he also went to DC regarding the Wasilla rape kit fiasco (I may be wrong, but I believe it was one of the supposed reasons he was fired by Palin, because he did not have permission to go). The more I hear about Trooper Monegan, the more impressed I am. Seems to be informed, educated and in touch with AK issues and AK people. So OPPOSITE of one Sarah Palin.
Since she WAS found guilty of abusing her power in firing him, I wonder why he doesn’t sue her. Perhaps he has more constructive things to accomplish, things that will benefit his community. Things SP cannot begin to grasp in her little alternate world.
Another great write-up AKM, I await the MSM getting this story up, hopefully before Tues….I know, I know almost all eyes are on Washington DC, but hours can make a difference in sub zero weather and the time to do something is now….or as soon as the air planes can get in the air….
Though once again I have to ask if they can take aircraft (not known the name of them) into area’s at the North Pole in all kinds of weather, why can’t they get one into these villages? I don’t want to see anymore lives in danger, but come on….this story has been on here for days now….
Is “Emmonak” an Alaskan word meaning “Katrina” ???
Thank you for eloquently connecting the dots, AKM.
OK, I apologize for my language ahead of time, but I’m tired of mincing words:
Impeach the bitch.
Why hasn’t someone up there in the north country started a recall petition? Alaskans For Truth, have started there advertising campaign Just wondering if an individual(s) have even talked about it. Why hasn’t someone come forward? You’d think there would be volunteers on every corner trying to garner enough signatures to bring it to a vote. Leaves me in a confused state of mind.
To say that a recall petition is a monumental project is understating the situation. In order to even apply to get it on the ballot, signatures totalling 10% of the number of all voters in the last gubernatorial election need to be gathered. In addition, relatively new legislation requires that signatures in various proportions be gathered from every zip code in the state. This all must be done in a particular time frame and huge numbers of signatures would be needed and the expense would be very high. I’m not saying it couldn’t be done, but the preferable method would be investigation by the legislature, and if anything is found that constitutes an impeachable offense…then it should go to the senate. But that’s my ideal world where people are held accountable. AKM
Compare Walt Monegan’s statement with this statement of Palin’s in ADN today:
“We want to make sure, of course, that no individual is hungry out there. And that nobody is cold out there,” she said. “And we want to know if the community itself — if anything fell between the cracks, between (the power-cost equalization subsidy program), energy rebate checks that were sent to each individual.”
Aside from the fact that it’s gibberish…..”Blamey” seems to be outlining a defense for own abysmal lack of foresight/planning by blaming either dispersal of rebate checks OR the villagers’ handling of the checks.
Governor Blamey is already casting about to place the blame in any quarter she can! She “abused her power” and violated “ethics” so that she could vindictively fire the guy who actually had seen the potential crisis ahead of time.
She’s utterly stupid and selfish…. the only well-developed traits that she possesses.
While the governor dithers, we Alaskans can actually help the folks in the Y-K Delta. The company that owns the Tundra Drums newspaper, which serves Emmonak, is organizing an airlift of food. For a shopping list of needed items, check out.
http://www.alaskanewspapers.com/
I’m headed to the supermarket and plan to fill up a bag to help our friends in rural Alaska. I hope others do the same.
Oh cool AKM- Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear beloved Alaskans, contact your legislators and light a fire under their indolent butts about this incompetent piece of work. That may be the only way to do something about ‘she who should go away’.
missle blunt palin,
I’m going to copy that to the forums…just to get wider exposure.
It all reminds me of the Robert Redford movie “The Candidate”. A pretty face is pushed into public office, without credentials, real opinions or real intelligence.
Manipulated and fed agendas and “talking points” by controlling, single agenda operatives ends up getting elected. Very similar to the last eight years with Bush, but he brought the name and not the face.
I find it a fascinating study in human behavior that so many (see: Team Sarah and Republican Party) can be duped by such a ruse. I’ll excuse the Alaskan electorate just this once…”Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me”.
I’ve found the babygate string of stories an intriguing soap opera style mystery, but now it looks like her incompetence and snowballing SP (Self Promotion) is getting really serious and people could be hurt.
Well…. yes, the offer to ‘fly out there’ was purely rhetorical, and was at best a PR photo-op for Palin to show that she cares (especially now that the story has travelled from the blogosphere to the pages of the ADN). But dammit, it’s so doggone cold! Couldn’t she go out to the boonies in the summer? Besides, the PR dept. has already scheduled a trip to New York, with national TV exposure and great shopping.
She can always monitor the situation on her blackberry. That is, the situation with the media coverage.
Nice find AMK! I love how Walt Monegan continues to make Palin look like a dumb ass.
@MikefromMaine,
Yes, I think she is so out of her league….this is really serious.
Palin will have to come up with one hell of a blame story to try and cover up her refusal to do her job, again. No doubt she will, again. She’s already started working on it, as we can see. While she plays her game, we can do what needs doing and help the people.
Thank you, AKM and Alaska Pi and missle blunt palin!!
“Who could have predicted that”?
Where have we heard that before?
AKM, your blog should be in HuffPo as a follow-up to your “Cry From Alaska…” blog.
The irony of Palin FIRING the guy in Troopergate who warned of this possible rural crisis is stunning.
The false leaders always try to silence the prophets!
Where is a WalMart when you need them? Where is the Red Cross when you need them? where is the National Guard when you need them? Where are the Faith based groups when you need them? Is it the proximity of the villagers/weather or is there something else going on ie prejudice?
I wonder if Glenn Beck will have the nads to follow this line of questioning.
Blind eyes are dwindling by the second, thanks to your reports. Help is on the way. Bless Her Heart, Shakespeare said it best-she’s gonna be hoist by her own petard.
Should’ve added
because she is the engineer.
AKM, can you please email me? I have something that I think you might enjoy with your morning coffee. It’s a hit in this region. Thanks!
Irritable in Southeast Alaska
Mudpuppies, if I may be so forward in calling you that as a tourist…
I just wanted to say that this group, this conversation, this energy, this heart, is truly amazing. I’ve been reading since a horrified pre-election obsession with The White Queen brought me to your shores.
AKM, you write like an angel in the house. And I think this post has topped them all! Beautiful.
Power to the bloggers in their PJ’s! This is what democracy is about.
Thank you for all you do.
Both the lieutenant governor and I have offered to fly out there and see what we can do personally.”
This is a fascinating quote. When someone is drowning, do you “offer” to save them, or do you get your rear in gear and jump in to save the person?
Also ..why is a governor offering “personal” help? Bloggers can do that, citizens can do that. A governor should be offering state help, official help.
Why is this governor so willing to help the governor of Georgia, but so unwilling to help the people she is charged to help?
I hope you don’t mind, AKM. I sent Kyle Hopkins an e-mail quoting the excerpt from Walt Monegan’s July letter, with emphasis that the letter pre-dates the information* (below) in the paragraph Hopkins wrote in yesterday’s ADN article:
In October, a Bethel-based nonprofit asked the state to declare an economic disaster in the Lower Yukon because of a dive in king salmon fishing — a key source of money for local families. Mountain Village, Kotlik and other communities have made a similar request.
I have to wonder if Palin’s lack of response to this crisis isn’t related to the basic racism she so proudly displayed during her recent abortive VP campaign. Maybe they just don’t live in the “American” part of America.
I heard that Walt Monegan was going to run for mayor of Anchorage. I think he is aiming too low. He would be the best person in the state to go up against “Caribou Barbie” in the next gov’s election and would likely win. ” Walt For Governor”
MadelineNo Gravatar (18:03:08) :
I have to wonder if Palin’s lack of response to this crisis isn’t related to the basic racism she so proudly displayed during her recent abortive VP campaign. Maybe they just don’t live in the “American” part of America.
———–
Well, if Emmonak ain’t ‘Rural’ America, WTF is? ‘Scuse my French.
I have been reading about the horror going on for rural Alaskans. It is shocking to me that nothing is being done. I’ve read in the past that Hugo Chavez in Venezuala has given fuel to poor people. Maybe this could be done now. When people are starving and freezing does it really matter if the fuel comes from a socialist or a capitalist? This is as bad as what happened to people in Katrina.
I hope with this kind of exposure, she will be dead as a politician.
She’s earned nothing less.
oh for christ’s sake…are you SERIOUS?!? can there EVER be a more clear and susinct lesson in why effing “good ‘ol boy” politics will always bite you in the ass than for a governor to do away with a reasonable – if not utterly OVER qualified commissioner – because he wouldn’t fire her brother-in-law than the petri dish that is Gov. Sarah Palin & her shameful administration?!? honestly.
for the love of ALL that is holy….IMPEACH HER!!!
It’s not like AK couldn’t handle it, it’s just the complete lack of foresight, Katrina-style. Hell, AK has been had people living there long before Hugo Chavez. It’s just that they have a total incompetent as a governor.
JAYSUS, look at Arnold when there is a disaster. He may be Mr Publicity, but at least when there is a brushfire, there is an appropriate response–well mapped out before he ever got here, but it’s like SP goes out of her way to thwart anything like a normal response.
I think a letter to Vogue’s editor should go out from all of us–she might look pretty in the clothes, but no one is home…which could be taken many ways, I know.
What a hateful, useless fill-in-the-blank.
It is beyond incredible that Palin has not even made a single statement, let alone provide any sense of hope or reassurance to these remote Alaska residents — every comment comes from another spokesperson. … Palin will wait till she is sure some bigwig media are heading to Emmo and then she’ll put in an appearance for the photo opps. Hmmmm….or maybe not, because then she would have to answer some tough questions about this being her Katrina. Palin is out of touch and only out for herself. Pathetic…
I’m torn. I love to see SP continue to open her flaps because every time she does it propels her that farther away from her being a viable candidate against Barack in 2012. Give her enough rope and all that. Anchorage would do well to have Walt Monegan as her next mayor. What I’ve wanted all along however is Monegan to run against her in 2010. But Bob Poe is a good viable candidate for the Dems as well which splits the ticket. Poe seems more beholden to Northern Inupiats whereas Walt Monegan was raised in the YK Delta. He knows that country. That is why his parting shots were out of concern for that region rather than grinding axes which he had a right to do if he was petty.
Both Bob Poe and Walt Monegan need to get some National support for as SP helps us greatly by opening her mouth, it will take $$$$$ to throw her out in 2012.
What I came away with from ADN’s report was the State didn’t want to help unless they knew the Fed’s were somehow going to foot some of the bill. Nevermind that children are going hungry now. The Republicans as usual want to Socialize the bill, and not have to help unless they
get reimbursed.
Heckuva job, Palin! YOU SUCK, BIG TIME.
Another thing that came to me was……what exactly was she going to look at when she arrives in Emmonak? Empty fridges? Kids pulling up pants that don’t fit because they are losing weight? Empty freezers and empty fuel tanks? The cost to the State budget for her to fly out there would be better spent with emergency food stores, food stamps and extended unemployment benefits. Not
some embarrassing media event where her clothes are worth more than some people’s monthly food budget after heating fuel is purchased.
I Bow To You (17:50:05) :
AKM, you write like an angel in the house. And I think this post has topped them all! Beautiful.
———————————————————–
My thoughts exactly.
OK as far as Katrina Moments, this letter dated in JULY makes it sound more like an August 6th moment of the Bush Administration prior to 9/11.
In addition to Walt’s letter in the summer, Gov. Palin also received a request in September for an emergency task force to mitigate a rural crisis from Mark Begich as mayor of Anchorage, and the Anch. School Superintendent. I heard on the news that she had been busy with the energy plan this week and that was one reason she hadn’t addressed Emmonak – as though the whole situation just came up in the last few days…..
I thought I read on http://www.progressivealaska site that SP is going to be on Glenn Beck’s show on Monday via satellite. How much do you want to bet that she is going to drop some kind of bombshell in order to get people to talk about her on Inauguration day. McCain did the same thing after Obama’s wonderful convention speech when he announced her as his VP pick.
The best Leaders always surround themselves with the very best people. They have the self confidence it takes to lead – even when they know they have people on their team more talented and capable than themselves. The worst leaders are careful to fill their team with people who will never “show them up”. Down deep they know who they are, and they are afraid that someone too talented on the “inside” may be able to expose them for who they really are. They even believe that surrounding themselves with mediocrity somehow makes them stand out.
The best leaders look for people who they believe have abilities that exceed their own – and then they set about doing all they can to help those people grow into those abilities. My best teams have always been ones where I’ve had subordinates with talents and potential well beyond my own. What a great feeling when those people succeeded – and what fun and fulfilling work when you have those kind of people on your team because you get results!
Who does Sarah have on her team that has the wherewithal to become US Attorney General, the next governor, a senator, or even President? She has none. She has surrounded herself with people who don’t even have the ability to do the job they currently hold. These people have a loyalty to Sarah – not a loyalty borne out of respect – but a loyalty born out of favoritism – the knowledge that they have been handed something they don’t deserve and that they now owe her a debt. Sounds like she accidently put one person on her team with the ability to step up, one who did deserve it – one who was doing her a favor to take the job – and when she realized what she had done, she did what the worst leaders always do – she dropped him and discredited him as quick as she could. Since she has surrounded herself with mediocrity, she must focus her energy on spin rather than results, because her team does not have the capacity to achieve results. The focus on rhetoric, misdirection, and scapegoats is classic of someone in a leadership position who is in way over their head.
Walt’s response to the situation in Emmonak says everything about why Sarah was so quick to get rid of him – he did not meet the profile of mediocrity that she needed in her team. He posed a potential challenge to her and, and as it became more obvious to her, she panicked. Walt Monegan would have been right at home on team Obama, but Palin could never risk that kind of talent on her team.
Alaska, I hate to say it, but you guys are in trouble. Sarah will never appoint someone to her team who is any better than she is, and she is not capable of accomplishing anything on her own. As a result, her team will never have what it takes to attack a tough problem and solve it. There are probably some talented career people in the Alaskan government, but it is risky to their career if they do too much. Their only real move is to keep a low profile and if they do something good, they need to give Sarah all the credit or they risk their career….. I can’t imagine how stressful it must be to work for the state if you are truly good at what you do. What a great time to be a friend, relative, or just an unmotivated and mediocre worker.
Everytime there is an unfortunate but predictable event in AK, the babbling fool opens her simplistic mind/mouth and easily shows the world she is incompetent.
Here’s a dream….
Whatever office she decides to run for in 2010, may the most eloquent and demonstrably accomplished person run for that office too. Of course, the dream sees the person as a Liberal, Progressive, Democratic.
It’s truly pathetic she is still in office….
BTW, does she ever work out of the State Capital?
Walt Monegan for Governor of Alaska, rah, rah, rah…. Hope he reads Mudflats….
waxman (19:16:34) :
What a great piece! That is the exact reason she got rid of Monagan, and I’m sure Monagan knows it also.
Any word on Dennis Zaki? I hope he got out or will get out (Sunday) so video can be broadcast-
Not that the Prom Queen would do anything; she has to get ready for her next prime time on Faux News…
Here is a article from a blog “conservitives4palin”
http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2009/01/will-emmonak-cause-political-problems.html
I am stunned by these “christian” people,consider help a govt. bailout, but ya know it was ok for bush to “bailout” his friends at the banks etc.
They are really pieces of work. They are worried this might harm her political career….You BETCHA!!!!
Also if you want to read some stomach turning posts check out Gretawire! These people are AssHats!
What are you going to don on inauguration day….colonscopy, proctology, root canal, etc….heh,heh, yeah they need to get their head out of their A$$es! It used to be if you saw comments like this you would say, Wow! What a piece of work! But to see them in a collective site….OMG!!!!
Thank god they are the minority.
And speaking of Gov. Grifter…there is nothing on the Sof A website about the emergency in the villages, nothing on Wasilla church. These people freaking kill me!
Karma is a BITCH! To ya’all, minions of the white whitch. Where’s Aslan?
He’s coming….
might be the FBI, Might be impeachment, Might be someone else…..
I wonder if faux will send out a makup artist, and hair stylist for her before she faces the camera? After that maybe she will make a public statement that she knows will go national?
Sarah’s not going to go anywhere unless it has a tanning bed or she can shoot something.
Sorry for the typos….I have a bad eye inf….I am grateful I have a hosp. close to my home, unlike the people of the Bush…
Any word on Dennis Zaki? I hope he can file his report on the villages before
White witch gets on tv with glen beck.
And I hope the tribes will look into a class action suit against her/the state or start impeachment actions against her. Any lawyers up there?
To answer a couple of you:
Dennis’ flight was cancelled again. The airport in Bethel is still closed. He’s attempting to get a flight out tomorrow. I’ll keep everyone posted.
AKM
crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrl (19:48:10) :
I lurked there, too- I would have commented, but it looked like- if I opened an account- they could track me here. Don’t want to encourage trolls…
I was disheartened by the responses: all about not encouraging “hand outs”, and how it might hurt Palin politically. Nothing about starving people, or the perfect storm of no fish, high fuel prices, and an early freeze. I guess Those people only help if it’s one of Them.
Thanks, AKM-
I’m hoping for good weather, too.
South Side Chicago
califpatNo Gravatar (16:41:15) :
OT–I thought you referred to SP as the ‘Queen of Nincompoopism’ anyway. It made me laugh, thanks.
that site almost made me puke. If people cannot afford heating fuel, then it would be a handout to give them some? hello????? Let’s track these insane evil people down and turn off their power and take all their food, steal their cars and clothes, and shove them in a ditch.
Sarah may be interviewed by Beck, but you should demand that these people also know about what’s going on in Rural Alaska.
Write to these people and ask them why they aren’t reporting on the crisis in Alaska…
cnnnewsroom@cnn.com, countdown@msnbc.com, hardball@msnbc.com, nightly@nbc.com, phil.griffin@nbc.com, steve.capus@nbc.com, Jeff.zucker@nbcuni.com, rfournier@ap.org, a.latour@wsj.com, a.murray@wsj.com, darren.mcdermott@wsj.com, j.fry@wsj.com, kudlow@cnbc.com, wsj.ltrs@wsj.com, abrams@msnbc.com, advocate@thebulletin.us, byork@nationalreview.com, byork@thehill.com, ccrawford@cq.com, comments@mclaughlin.com, ElRushbo@eibnet.com, evening@cbsnews.com, Foxreport@foxnews.com, ftn@cbsnews.com, gretawire@fox.com, Hannity@foxnews.com, hemmer@foxnews.com, hume@foxnews.com, igcolonel@hotmail.com, irena.briganti@foxnews.com, jocelyn.austin@foxbusiness.com, Joe@msnbc.com, joetalkshow@aol.com, letters@charleskrauthammer.com, lou@loudobbsradio.com, me@glennbeck.com, mitch.davis@foxnews.com, netaudr@abc.com, Ontherecord@foxnews.com, oreilly@foxnews.com, race08@msnbc.com, richard.white@foxnews.com, robert.finnerty@foxnews.com, Special@foxnews.com, stu@glennbeck.com, suzanne.scott@foxnews.com, ureport@foxnews.com, weekendlive@foxnews.com, AndyMart20@aol.com, bsmith@politico.com, lindamuller@buchanan.org, LouDobbs@cnn.com, jake.tapper@abc.com, rachel@msnbc.com, info@ap.org, nightline@abcnews.com, 2020@abc.com, earlyshow@cbs.com, 60minutes@cbsnews.com, ftn@cbsnews.com, info@cnbc.com, comments@foxnews.com, Colmes@foxnews.com, dateline@nbc.com, today@nbc.com, newshour@pbs.org, ombudsman@npr.org, phil.boyce@citcomm.com, letters@latimes.com, readers.rep@latimes.com, news-tips@nytimes.com, senioreditor@nytimes.com, editor@usatoday.com, wsj.ltrs@wsj.com, wsjcontact@dowjones.com, letters@washpost.com, ombudsman@washpost.com, letters@newsweek.com, letters@time.com, letters@usnews.com, info@ap.org, tips@upi.com, fair@fair.org
Whaaaaa?
“that site almost made me puke. If people cannot afford heating fuel, then it would be a handout to give them some? hello????? Let’s track these insane evil people down and turn off their power and take all their food, steal their cars and clothes, and shove them in a ditch.”
If a place cannot sustain itself economically, it should be allowed to become extinct. Economic Darwinism has left ghost towns across the globe over the centuries and many of Alaska’s villages should be next.
The whining on here for government assistance and more money for government projects is a microcosm of what is wrong with our country.
Alaskans better learn to be more efficient with our money and get on the way to real economic growth, instead of bigger government, or the whole state could become a ghost town by the end of this century. WORD.
Palin’s spokesperson: “Palin has been very engaged in mobilizing staff and has orchestrated the response, Jollie said. “It’s a priority for her,” she said. “She’s been asking for updates and information, all week as matter of fact.”
All week? As a matter of fact?
Why did the news reports say that the administration was not even aware of the problem?
Why did Nick Tucker have to go to the news media (AKM and other blogs) to get attention?
The true FACT OF THE MATTER is that the Governor’s office would NOT respond to the rural villagers’ requests for help!! Apparently for months….and most acutely, in the last weeks!
Palin is in a bind because the pandora secret of the rural villages’ plight is out of the box. She can’t control it anymore by ignoring it. My, my, my….how’s she gonna sidestep this one and still keep the “compassionate conservatives” slavering at her pedestal?
@Dowl: I like your word better. “Nincompoopism” epitomizes the Prom Queen perfectly. LoL!!
AKM, Would you please do a post on this story http://www.adn.com/news/politics/story/657518.html
and explain what the heck a “full minority” is?
In a departure from what I normally see, the comments for this story were coherent and thoughtful.
Thank you.
Bill M (20:49:47) “Economic Darwinism has left ghost towns across the globe over the centuries and many of Alaska’s villages should be next.”
First, I take issue with your phrase “Alaska’s villages SHOULD be next.” WTF? WHo appointed you God or Darwin, for that matter?
Second, it’s pure sohistry to try to apply the biologic concepts of Darwinism to social institutions. Other factors besides “survial of the fittest” are important in a moral society.
Third, I remember a similar viewpoint of Darwinism held by Hitler and his Pure Aryan Nation.
Fourth…..get off this blog.
Oh….I see Bill M. has been dispatched to the flats, AKM. You can remove my response forthwith.
Lori in Los Angeles(16:42:57) :
RE: He has foresight. I believe he also went to DC regarding the Wasilla rape kit fiasco (I may be wrong, but I believe it was one of the supposed reasons he was fired by Palin, because he did not have permission to go).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ding ding ding!!!!!
Correct! and the .pdf from her office authorizing the trip was posted here at the flats someplace!!!!
I have this insistent, niggling fear pushing at me.
As in, any efforts put forward by others will either be called “negligible” or claimed as hers or as done at her instigation. Possibly pointing to her own “wisdom” in having the so-called private sector deal with that little dust up out there in the bush, y’know.
Compassionate conservatism, my foot.
womanwithsardinecan (20:19:57) :
RE:that site almost made me puke. If people cannot afford heating fuel, then it would be a handout to give them some? hello????? Let’s track these insane evil people down and turn off their power and take all their food, steal their cars and clothes, and shove them in a ditch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now THAT was hot and sexy!
I guess Bill M must be one of those who wants to discontinue the PFD program and institute a personal income tax in AK, as well.
CO almost nativeNo Gravatar (20:05:39) :
crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrl (19:48:10) :
I lurked there, too- I would have commented, but it looked like- if I opened an account- they could track me here. Don’t want to encourage trolls…
I was disheartened by the responses: all about not encouraging “hand outs”, and how it might hurt Palin politically. Nothing about starving people, or the perfect storm of no fish, high fuel prices, and an early freeze. I guess Those people only help if it’s one of Them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
those stepford “things” are sickening, I will not even call them people or Barbie. And as to “Bill M” posting here, Yeah BM is all Alaskan’s get from Gov. grifter….The whole pack needs to be thrown out, with a exeption of a few. Call FBI, All Federal agencies. Grifter /BM need to removed from their jobs imediately and help incoming for the Villages. People have taken pot shots at “Govenernator” but at least when people needed him he WAS THERE, which is more than I can say for BARBIE!!!
Bill M(20:49:47) :
If a place cannot sustain itself economically, it should be allowed to become extinct. Economic Darwinism has left ghost towns across the globe over the centuries and many of Alaska’s villages should be next.
The whining on here for government assistance and more money for government projects is a microcosm of what is wrong with our country.
Alaskans better learn to be more efficient with our money and get on the way to real economic growth, instead of bigger government, or the whole state could become a ghost town by the end of this century. WORD.
___________________________________________________________
I’m not sure where you have been, but this crisis in the YD is due to a perfect storm of poor fishing season, skyrocketing fuel prices when the villages needed to buy, and an early freeze. This is a case of people possibly dying- not whining for a hand out.
And, if I understand your point, it’s ok if some YD villagers die because they shouldn’t be there? And it was ok that people died in hurricane Katerina? Or the governor of Texas should not have sent assistance to storm victims? Or the governor of California should not have sent assistance to victims of the fires in California?
Questions of sustainibility need to be discussed- actually, there was a Native conference in the fall that talked about these issues, but Palin did not attend. She also has left the position Rural Advisor, one who would work on these very issues, vacant for months.
This is not about economic growth; it’s about helping our fellow man. One purpose of government, as our Founding Fathers wrote, is to help citizens when they can’t help themselves. This has nothing to do with size-
Great reporting. BUT……. how many “regular” people in AK know this is going on, ie, those that don’t read yours or a couple of other blogs? Have the papers been really hitting this hard, or is just buried somewhere? What about the TV/radio news folks, are they hitting this hard?
Or have the Palinbots contained this?
Come on, Bill M: we have replied to your comments; where are you? Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you Alaskan, so you know about the villages first hand?
RE:The whining on here for government assistance and more money for government projects is a microcosm of what is wrong with our country.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who else was it I heard talking about Alaska’s microcosm?
That’s right!
Sarah “The Gash” Palin
Function:
noun
1 : a deep long cut in flesh 2 : a deep narrow depression or cut
Bill M. = Bill McAllister?
@SMR(21:29:32) :
I guess Bill M must be one of those who wants to discontinue the PFD program and institute a personal income tax in AK, as well.
—
I like the idea of a personal income tax myself. It would tax the Ballard comm fishermen and the oil patch people who live Outside and commute to the slope to work. Very few states don’t have a personal income tax.
On another topic: if that’s McAllister, you should be ashamed of yourself, bud. You used to be a good journalist. You were a big reason why we always watched Channel 2 news. Since you went to work for Sarah, we turn the channel when you come on TV now. You’ve lost all credibility in our eyes. It’s disheartening to see someone from the Fourth Estate go bad.
Oh dear, just look at this…
http://www.adn.com/news/politics/story/648753.html
Yeah. There is, however, a VERY active, well-organized and well-funded group that’s been around for a long time called “Alaskans Against the Death Penalty.” It won’t be easy to change things. AKM
@ waxman
“The best Leaders always surround themselves with the very best people. They have the self confidence it takes to lead – even when they know they have people on their team more talented and capable than themselves.”
You are SPOT on here – Palin is not capable of delegating any responsibility. She’s a narcissist in the worst possible way, and a micro-manager unless she knows she has you “under her spell”. I’ve been able to spot a great boss or business owner for many years since I learned to look for the admirable quality of being humble, and the knowledge that staff who do wonderful things on their own also make their bosses look outstanding.
She’ll never get it – she’s locked in with her personality disorder – but the beauty of this flaw that she owns is that she can’t really manage anything bigger than the small govt of AK. She can’t extend her zealot circle far enough to do anything bigger without imploding. You go, Sarah! We LOVE your personality disorder since it will play a huge role in your flaming demise.
Her only real power is her intention, ambition and previous ability to “slip in under the radar”. We have your number now Gov, and so do many others, so that will never happen again! We have all done the right thing by keeping her at the front of our minds and conversations, as sickening as it has been for me to do so. I have so many other things in my life which, and whom, are beautiful, wondrous, and deserve my attention and love (like my hubby and dogs) – but to ignore you was to empower you so it just won’t happen. Sorry – NOT!
Lee323 (21:03:52)
I typed faster than I should have previously…. my text should have read “sophistry” and “survival.”
These two words are interesting counterpoints in this discussion of the rural villages’ plight:
On one side are the detached viewpoints with a “sophist” basis, such as Bill M’s. On the other side are the rural villagers who are just concerned with “survival” this winter.
The difference between the two sides doesn’t get any more stark than that….fallacy VS reality.
Of most importance….we bloggers have reached out to help these villages and spread the word to the wider world !!
@Secret Shopper(22:22:59) :
Bill M. = Bill McAllister?
—
I’d be willing to bet it is. The progressive blogs that launched the relief effort to the Y-K have been mentioned in the ADN in recent days. Sure took him long enough to find us!
Hey Bill — pathetic anonymous bloggers in our PJ’s launched the relief effort to hungry, cold Alaskans in villages out where god lost her shoes while Boss Alaska did media interviews during working hours to whine about how the media won’t give her any respect. How can you speak for her with a straight face?
@grewink –
Yup! Bring on the personal income tax & get rid of the PFDs!!!!! I am so fed up with party rhetoric in this state! I am sooooo sick of people who get PFDs and federal money for their roads/schools/etc and do not pay a state income tax (or even a sales tax in Anchorage & its environs) talking smack about ANYONE asking for a handout!
Today was lunching w/mother & aunt and talking about all of this Alaska political b.s. — Doogan the loser was a big topic of conversation, and not instigated by me, they were outraged by his response to my email, which of course I forwarded to family & friends w/a plea to those in his area NOT to vote for him next time around — anyway, I said to my mother & aunt “I do not want to have to talk to another person living here who is talking sh!t about Dems or handouts or socialism or any of that unless they have lived in this state since before oil & PFDs entered the picture. My family has been in AK around 50 years. Except for the loonie born agains in the family, every single one of us, republican or democrat, would be perfectly happy to go back to the days of no PFD, and even pay an income tax, if it meant we could get rid of the whackos in this state driven by their own sense of entitlement (their share of oil money) while simultaneously looking down their noses at others who are struggling or who choose to have a lifestyle or belief set different from theirs.
When I flew back to AK on Thursday I was so discouraged — sitting at the AK Airlines gate, having to listen to people talking sh!t about Obama, and he’s not even our president yet. There’s a massive sea change once you get back in w/Alaska folk, at least those in southcentral area. So many people, so much stupidity & prejudice & so many closed minds.
So- Mr Economic Darwinism did not return?
I wonder if Mr Darwinism knows that Mr Darwin had very mixed feelings about his biological theory being used carelessly in sociological theory?
The losses across America which folks just shrug over have cost America a great deal.
Family farms, small logging operations, NON- fleet fisheries all provided solid decent work and adequate income for lots of folks til the paradigm shifted to corporate everything and bigger is better. RURAL Alaska and RURAL America are important pieces of the whole.
We now spend how many bazillion dollars shipping food and basics to ourselves because we don’t grow and harvest it near ourselves?
@SMR-”…even pay an income tax, if it meant we could get rid of the whackos in this state driven by their own sense of entitlement (their share of oil money) while simultaneously looking down their noses at others who are struggling or who choose to have a lifestyle or belief set different from theirs.”
—————
Amen ,neighbor.
So, because IMPEACHMENT or RECALL is too hard….you’re going to continue to appease this beeaachh??? continue to leave things as is??? continue to let her get paid for a ‘job well done’??? That’s more despicable that she is! How many more people have to suffer in your state before you DO something besides just talk about it? How can you sit back and watch her appointees and employees protect her from prosecution of all and any of her crimes? I have never seen so much allowed corruption.
sorry for the rant…it really is like you are a foreign country…she or someone has isolated you that much.
@ SMR & Alaska Pi
I have to agree – I’m tired of the Alaskans who feel entitled, but mostly I think it causes Alaskans to look the other way in politics. We haven’t been moved or forced to get involved – hence Blamey Whinehouse. We brought her on ourselves… I hate to say it but there it is!
People get a lot less complacent when they are required to pay taxes (esp Republicans OMG) – do you think incorporating a state income tax might cause an exodus of all the “right people”? Could we be so lucky? Sorry I’m dreaming!
Hey Alaska PI – you are up late! I will check the forum tomorrow to see what might be done by this not-so-anonymous socialist Juneauite who likes to pal around with tourists.
@ Lainey
Me thinks you need some chamomile tea. We aren’t a docile lot up here, don’t worry!
Lainey-
Get hold of yourself aand breathe.
We are doing something about it.
May not move as fast as you would like
and not near fast enough for us but there’s a good chance
we’ll make it.
If it took almost eight years for a bunch of folks to wake up to the Bush snake oil- give Alaska a bit more time. She didn’t really show her true colors til 18 months in or so and we are only a few months past that and 20 percent more folks smell her spolied perfume… We are working on it. Are you brathing ok?
@Co almost native, you know I posted and, the weird thing about my post, was I closed it, after I had edited and put a picture of obama/biden on my profile. Later, it was removed. I wont post there, and in there I use a different name. That was just strange though. But…
IT is still hard for me to believe that there is very little done, in this case of troopergate. Where are the people who can change it.
I´m writing this in my nighty, does that count?
Last night I saw a beautiful clip from last year on ABC about Troopergate, showing Palin thanking and applauding Walt Monegan for his good work (context – working against the violence against women) three months before she fired him. The gentleman reporting said “How can that be”.
Can´t get a link to the ABC clip, but maybe somebody remembers. It came out at the time Monegan testified on Troopergate.
(Oh and how can 8$ for cheerios be the fault of the locals. Those prices are a scandal. SAVE RURAL AMERICA!)
Well- I must be breathing that spolied perfume cuz I can’t read my own spellos!
Martha Unalaska lil sister- do check forum.
Is there no other way to get pictures and films out? Cell phones, Computers, anything?? Just to get a start on this until Dennis can get out there for the Documentary or they start on their own until he can make it there?
Something
@lettersfromeurope
Was this the one you were referring to?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOBWZ7Jocc8
Alaska Pi (23:17:30) “I wonder if Mr Darwinism knows that Mr Darwin had very mixed feelings about his biological theory being used carelessly in sociological theory.”
I doubt it. My impression is that he thought “Economic Darwinism” sounded academic and would therefore provide substance to his cracked reasoning.
Certainly external forces have shaped human societies and their development through the ages (See the great Pulitzer Prize winning “Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond) but in more modern times where the struggle is to preserve ethnic cultures within the greater framework of the general society, trying to justify social extinction based on Darwinistic principles is just sophomoric nonsense, not to mention immoral and tyrannical.
Some people in my camp would gladly go back to a homesteader subsistence lifestyle (living on spuds, moose and Krusteaz pancakes; heating with wood; using coal oil lamps for light; hauling water from the creek) if the redneck fundie crowd would leave the state. IMO, living like that loses it’s charm as you approach your middle years.
We always hope for yucky winters, so the weenies will leave. It’ll be interesting to see how many bail out this spring, after the long cold, then the Pineapple Express, then whatever we get between now and breakup. Someone in Homer recorded wind gusts of 113 mph last Thursday. I didn’t think it was blowing much over 50 knots. It tore a bunch of roofs off over in Halibut Cove.
“We always hope for yucky winters, so the weenies will leave.”
LMAO!!
AKM
Maybe Sister Sarah will use a portion of her per diem to help out with some food for the starving?
Or perhaps her strategy is to reduce the Native Alaskan suicide rate by letting them starve and freeze to death?
http://media.adn.com/smedia/2009/01/07/13/PalinAug.27emails.source.prod_affiliate.7.pdf
Look at the bottom of the list of the Governor’s e-mails and you’ll find one from Rhonda McBride, who submitted a report to SP on the Native Alaskan suicide epidemic back in mid 2008.
I wonder where Rhonda is now?
Big Slick (00:23:29) “Or perhaps her strategy is to reduce the Native Alaskan suicide rate by letting them starve and freeze to death?”
Actually, “compassionate conservatives” are many times so detached from the reality and understanding of other cultures that the resultant policy effect looks an awful lot like a “strategy.” Their cynicism or ignorance or both….lead to the same ends.
I found this one tonight.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=9690698
I believe Rhonda McBride works at KTUU. There was a story she did on DHATS, I emailed her… and told her I was disappointed in how she only told part of the story. The media isnt very good about giving full details of many stories. But, compared to ADN I think they are trying.
The people who support Palin have too much influence, and they wont come out to tell the full story of say, Emmonak, Troopergate, it is like a whole other country.
Isn’t there a Bill M. that works for the Governor?
Wow, check it out folks. http://www.adn.com/news/government/legislature/story/658642.html
Off to read about Brian Boru….the greatest Ard Ri of Ireland in the 10th century who fought against social extermination of the Irish by the Vikings and other usurpers.
Mr. Economic Darwinism should be happy his arse wasn’t perched in Ireland in the Dark Ages. The Norsemen had some battle axes that would have cleaved him in half from head to toe before a whine even issued from his mouth…..all because they were after his economics in his little house, including the booty of his dear wife.
Rhonda works for Sarah.
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=692
McBride, Rhonda
Rural Advisor (907)269-7450
Office of the Governor rhonda.mcbride AT alaska.gov
EXE-EXECUTIVE OFFICE ANCH Atwood Bldg, 550 W 7th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
Rhonda resigned form the Palin Administration effective October 23rd.
AlaskaReal has a very interesting analysis of Rhonda’s comments concerning her the reasons for her resignation and when take in the context of this crisis, it’s just one more indicator that this “Governor” is truly derelict in the way she shirks her duties to the people of Alaska.
http://alaskareal.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-palin-personnel-problem.html
In my humble opinion, of course.
Worked – past tense.
I wonder if Sarah Palin can say “Mike Hawker” 5 times really fast?
Of course she can!
Yo, Bill M. you are definitely a prime example of Social Darwinism.
http://www.darwinawards.com/
Word.
One last thing before I say goodnight.
If you are sending food, I’ll suggest some that I know are good for emergency survival rations and cheaper on shipping due to lightweight packaging:
Oatmeal
Freeze-dried fruit
Beef jerkey
Powdered drink mixes with Vitamin C and/or D
Sunflower seeds (no shells)
What this state needed was a leader who was thinking ahead, able to comprehend the impending crisis, rallying the troops and the state government to use creative solutions to keep this from happening. This was not a last minute problem. This didn’t just happen out of the blue. The Palin administration cannot claim, with any sense of veracity, that they didn’t know this was coming.
———-
Take a look at this site from Alaska Legislative Health Caucus, “Health and Alaskan Energy Needs.”
http://www.akhealthcaucus.org/AlaskanEnergyNeeds.php
And there’s an item which is linked there–
State of Alaska Energy Policy and Strategy Recommendations Final Report provided to Governor Sarah Palin pursuant to Administrative Order #230, February 15, 2007
This was written by the outgoing Alaska Energy Policy Advisor, Nels Anderson Jr. The cover letter on pgs 4 to 8 is the crux of it, and is easy to read. He laid out the problem, made it clear there was a crisis, politely but strenuously pleaded with the governor to make this a priority, and even offered suggestions for systemic near-term fixes.
February. 2007. Nuf said?
I read this blog at least twice a day but have not posted since I found it in August or September.
I would like to know if the sentiments generally expressed here (all of which I share even though, as a Virginian, I can only use body English) represent a majority of Alaska voters’ views.
Sure hope so.
“Both the lieutenant governor and I have offered to fly out there and see what we can do personally.”
What’s she waiting for – and engraved invitation? Any other guv would have hopped a plane or at least sent a rep out there a week and a half ago. She’s actually missing a great photo op – think of the impression this would make: Sarah actually helping her people, surrounded by native folks needing help – much better than the background of dying turkeys!
I think SP is planning a stunt of some kind to go along with the Beck “interview”. Not that the MSM will break from the history making inauguration to show someone actually doing their job. She just needs some film in the can so she can later show how “compassionate” she is. GAG . Michael Moore – get up there and chase this dip-shit around with a camera !! This is right down your alley !! Has any one contacted him ?? He would stomp SP in the ground!! If Sarah thought for a second that he was coming after her, she would go over the edge!! Mr.Moore – This would be the most fun you have had in a long time- take her down!!!
austintx: that’s a great idea! Calling Michael Moore!! Yoohoo!!
Please pardon a question from the mesmerized (and normally silent) reading gallery, but if the current Alaskan governor is impeached, who would then be in charge of the state?
BTW: i read that her national approval rating is up to an alarming 49%.
http://www.redstate.com/josh_painter/2009/01/16/palin-approval-rating-rebounding/
Hey, AK/ANC Mudpups–
Anyone donating “stuff” to the flights, I’d be happy to pitch in some $$ if I had a way to get it to you. PLMK. You can used this email
cygnedesigns@yahoo.com since that one is public anyway
Oh Bible Spice, your IQ is showing!
Michael Moore’s email address:
mike@michaelmoore.com
This is per his website, michaelmoore.com.
Re: Michael Moore
I just sent him an email with the link to mudflats and that Sarah Palin has her Katrina…Emmonak.
Hopefully, that will give the issue a push.
To Martha Unalaska Yard Sign
& Alaska Pi
I’m breathing…hear me…sipping my tea.
I’m just glad you’re awake up there…I don’t want you to suffer 8 years!!!
I worry about her hurting you…and us!
Thanks for trying to “talk me down” as Rachel says.
To austintx…Michael Moore is a great idea!
P.S. I donated towards that plane flight…did he ever get off the ground and reach his destination? What a guy!
to gdwyer…thanks, I just emailed Michael Moore as well.
Have been reading this site, just an observer, and can’t not say something after reading a post by Bill M. Unbelievable that some refuse to accept the crisis in these villages and waste time discoursing on “Economic Darwinism”. Forget the WHY, and concentrate on being a good Samaritan. These children who are hungry and cold never deserved this. Can’t lump all villagers together as being complacent, or druggies either, as I’ve read earlier by some posters.
I find the commentary so un-christian, biased, and disgusting. What would Jesus do? Would he tell the family, “Well, it looks like you squandered your money, sorry, no mercy for you”.
In the NT, three passed the robber in the ditch, only the last one had mercy. He didn’t ask how it came about. He took him to an Inn and paid for it, asking that he be taken care of until he was well. But, the pharisee passed him by. Guess some in the Gov.’s administration should read that passage again. Thanks to you posters for helping in this crisis. You are
the real champs!
gdwyer – Thanks for the address !!! You think Sarah is hiding now…….if he and a camera crew come up there to ask her some tough questions…….they will be relentless !! Remember”Roger & Me” or “Fahrenheit 9/11″ ??? Shit – Todd might snap and start swingin’ !!! They need to come during the Leg. session and collar any Reps. that think all is fine in the Palin Parallel Universe. Micheal – duty calls !!!!
if what is happening is not considered a federal emergency(disaster) and Palin is aware of this, and she should be, then she really is a monster. She should have been reaching out to every AK dept, every citizen of AK and asking for help and donations a week ago.
As a governor she is required to multitask, and looks like she can’t. She needs to realize her shortcomings and ask others to step in, if nothing else for the well being of those that are suffering. Her ego needed to be put aside, but now she’ll never know that is what is needed to help her fellow Alaskans since that ego is her is too big, okay, huge, no, ginormous.
I hope Alaskans see finally through her and blast her calls, emails and visits demanding she act responsibily like so many of you are already doing.
If you’d actually like to ask Sarah a question, Glenn Beck is asking for help in coming up with some questions for the Gov tomorrow night…
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/20256/?ck=1
hmmm….I wonder if you have any suggestions????
If it is time for action then why is Blame-me Whinehouse still sitting on her butt? As I asked the other day, in a time of crisis, sending people on a fact-finding mission is not the appropriate thing to do. She’s like gw with that fly-over after Katrina. It’s not about you personally putting your Guicci shoes on the ground but in getting the appropriate aid to the people in need.
What Sarah Palin needs to do is declare an emergency at the level which allows her to activate the AK Nat’l Guard. Then, load up their cargo planes and send them off directly to the people most in need.
It’s not that difficult.
Hey, Mike from Maine… what county are you from up there? Can you post the counties that Baldacci put on emergency status for additional and speedy aid?
From “THE EAR” Maryline…(the beauty Queen that beat Barbie)
“Be sure to send a big shout-out to Sarah,” she said Friday. “Say, ‘Maryline says “Hey!” from Washington, D.C.’ ”
And then this:
” AND … Speaking of the inauguration, isn’t it great that the Colony High School band was chosen to march in the parade? But what’s up with all the media saying the band is from Wasilla? The last time Ear checked, the school was in Palmer.
Earwigs say the band director is from Wasilla and maybe listed his home address on the application. Really darlings, with Wasilla now a household word and offering the Obama people a delightful gotcha, who can blame him.”
Love it! TS, Gretawire,HotAir, Gov. Grifter::READ MY FINGER::
I can’t wait until Tues
Hey Kraut,
I’m originally from Washington, now in Waldo.
You must be speaking of the ice storm we had before Christmas. All the southern and coastal counties were affected, and declared disaster areas that weekend. Southern York county was hit the hardest and some were without power for a week.
Small potatoes compared to Emmonak’s situation, but as you suggest the governor’s response was swift.
Is the FOX interview happening in Anchorage or have the Palin’s already caught the plane out of town?
My sister pointed out something to tell the conservatives4palin and the social darwin ass. All of these people live in communities with police, fire departments, road maintenance, libraries, blah blah blah, all the many services that government supplies to them all of the time and that they simply take for granted. Most of these villages have none of those services. That means in my book that the villages have a service “credit” coming to them, and this is a good chance for government to pay that credit.
Why have no national or international media outlets run this story?
The Anchorage Daily News must have AP connections…and I’ve read where CNN will run the story when they get video.
But c’mon now.
Do we really need Sarah Palin, (in a stunning white beluga whale-skin coat, with Arctic Fox trim), driving a snowmobile out of the back of C-147 hauling a sled of food stuffs and oil and toys for the good girls and boys to make it news worthy?
Or, seriously, is there a benchmark of credibility that needs to be established first?
If you are going to send something, also send shortning (crisco, what ever).
they need that too.
The Beck interview is on FOX at 5 PM Eastern tomorrow. They asked for questions (not to bother with questions about her wardrobe!!), so I sent one in re: Emmonak. It will be interesting to see if they even mention this emergency.
Is Nick’s name “Turner” or “Tucker”- or, are they two different people? I’m confused because he’s referred to by both last names.
I’m appalled by both governor’s lack of response to this issue. Does Palin seriously think we are believing the statements her “office” is issuing? This woman becomes more delusional by the day. I feel as stressed out now as I did since the day she was nominated for VP. I had a good month- I calmed down in December- but now I’m anxious again, needing her out of office NOW before she can inflict any more damage, damage that may not be able to be fixed.
Why Blamey Whinehouse cannot admit that there is an emergency:
Because then Blamey Whinehouse would have to own up to the fact that she does not want to be aware, does not prepare and does not care.
Hey that´s a slogan: Aware, prepare and care
YES WE CAN
PS Any of you do not have a blog yet, why not get one? WordPress.com is free and really easy to use. Save rural America (from Blamey Whinehouse)!
Please Alaskans…let Beck know what your concerns are.
I don’t think we 48ers should muddy the waters too much.
You know the state issues …ask em.
Submit a question:
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/20256/?ck=1
I will be very interested after the show whether your statewide concerns were respected and questioned by FOX & Beck or whether they too, along with SP (Self Promotion) have their sights set on the national stage.
The interview should be very telling in that respect.
Mike from Maine – I agree – and thanks for putting the link to the Beck questionnaire.
MikefromMaine – Love your visual on Sarah coming to the rescue !! I don’t really think you are far off the mark. This is gonna be a remote/satellite interview.I wrote earlier that I think she is gonna pull a stunt. I still think she is up to something. It’s TOO quiet for such a serious matter.While she is playing Santa Claus/Easter Bunny she’ll be saying the bloggers have it all wrong…….”I am doing my job!!”
It will be interesting to hear about what SWWNBN has to say tomorrow. (Don’t plan to watch it; may watch clips when they become available). Anxious to hear more from the roving documentarian, assuming he gets out of Anchorage. Does SP plan to go to Juneau by Tuesday, or is she going to handle the Leg session by remote satellite too? Keep up the good work AKM.
@BigSlick (00:23:29) :
I believe Rhonda has gone (back?) to work for KTUU and word is she may be the reporter sent to Juneau to cover Session. Should be interesting if so…
When Palin first came on the scene at the convention, she gave me pause for concern. Here was a dynamic speaker who, at first glance, posed a threat to the type of change America needed. But as time goes by I see she is a threat only to those Must suffer her. Those who empowered her to lead and watch over them. But all of this comes as no surprise given that this is the Republican party at its best. Look at the parallels leading to 911. Rice was warned about bin Laden as soon as she took office. Bush was briefed as part of the National Threat Assessment. Richard Clarke, who warned of the impending predicament, like Walt Monegan, is no longer with the government. Then the towers fell.
See what’s next?
Is there anyway you can put the letter from monegon in the dennis/emmonak documentary??? That would be just grand.