Pththtththtthhhthhth!
“Blowing a raspberry is to make a noise signifying derision (and/or silliness), made by sticking out the tongue between the lips and blowing to make a sound reminiscent of flatulance. In the terminology of phonetics, this sound can be described as an unvoiced linguolabial trill.”
With that, I would like to bestow upon an unknown Republican legislator, a linguolabial trill. And I do so with mostly silliness, but a dash of derision, just for flavor.
Which legislator? The one who, last year, accused Rep. Les Gara, a champion of ethics reform, of conducting illegal fundraising activity.
(From a press release issued by Rep. Gara’s office)
Today the Legislative Ethics Committee released a January 7 ruling confirming the legality of a fundraising letter [Gara} signed to help the Democratic Party last March. The Committee ruled the letter was legal, and dismissed a complaint challenging the legality of the letter stating:
“The House Subcommittee finds the actions of Rep. Les Gara . . . did not give rise to a violation of the Legislative Ethics Act and therefore dismissed the complaint.”
The Committee ruled in Gara’s favor in part because he sought committee advice prior to sending the letter out. The Committee’s advisor had advised him he was permitted to sign a party fundraising letter during the legislative session.
“Rep. Gara’s been a leader in the fight for ethics reform, and did what we’d expect of an honest legislator. Rep. Gara was right for seeking the Committee’s advice, and for following it,” said Senator Hollis French. The Committee dismissed a complaint, spurred by an inquiry from an unnamed legislator, questioning the legality of this letter (“The House Subcommittee hereby dismissed the complaint filed against Rep. Les Gara,” p.1). The Committee noted that Gara had properly sought advice from the Ethics Committee before sending out the letter, to make sure it was legal.
Gara has helped write significant ethics reforms, and in 2007 co-authored the law in Alaska making it a felony for legislators to violate the public’s trust by trading their votes on a matter in exchange for campaign contributions. Gara also helped write the provision making it illegal for legislators to earn “consulting fees” from private companies who hire the legislator to pursue or stall legislation.
So, there you have it. Details for the curious can be found HERE which will lead you through a worm tunnel of links.
There’s a quote I love by Ogden Nash that says “You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely.” So in that spirit, everybody: Thumbs on nose! Wiggle fingers! Say it with me, “Ptththhthththhtht!”
No ignored subpoenas? No claims of ‘glad to be exonerated’? Oh, wait, he WAS exonerated. Never mind.
Should I stay up and wait for a review of the SOS speech?
SoS tomorrow… Need aspirin… AKM
It’s hard to stay focused on the good guys when all these gum shoes, keep mixing up the news….
I’m with you Wired diff, do I need to stay and get the real scoop, I don’t trust the other reports…but know I’ll get some ethical pictures here
i watched the Dennis Zaki clip over at Gyphen’s. it looks like Rep Gara is Alaska’s Rahm Emmanuel. he’s got hutspah. and a pair.
Funny how Republicans are always SO concerned about “ethics” when they think they have even a teeny chance of tripping up a Democrat, but never bat an eye when their own Republican colleagues stray from the straight and narrow.
In recent times, the GOP has:
1) run a serial adulter for President (McCain)
2) looked the other way while the VP got rich off a war he started (Cheney & his Halliburton stock)
3) allowed a Senator who paid prostitutes for “diaper play” and one who got arrested for his “wide stance” in a public bathroom to be the lead sponsors of a bill to “Protect Marriage” (Vitter and Craig)
and that’s just off the top of my head.
Here’s s fun little pop-up GOP scandal site. Of course, it’s only a smattering of the total (and from 2007 only) because to fit them all in you would need one heck of a ginormous screen. Enjoy:
http://slate.com/features/2007/scandal_guide/scandalmap.html
Neener Neener!
OT – But thought you might enjoy a suggestion from a friend for the Palin Family theme song – sung to Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”
We don’t need no education
We don’t need no birth control
No damned diplomas in our bedrooms
Bloggers leave them kids alone
Hey! Bloggers! Leave my Kids Alone!
All in all, they’re just another prop when I call
Hey wire differently, you can read the text of the speech, if you can’t get video. www dot adn dot com (that’s to foil the spam filter that will hold a post with a link until a moderator clears it) It was a really, incredibly lousy speech. You didn’t miss much.
I have to go wiggle through the worm tunnels and see who was talking crap about Les.
SoS tomorrow… Need aspirin… AKM
I hope you have plenty.
The big hooha about Les’s letter is symptomatic of the state of politics at every level in Alaska. Meanwhile, everyone is “moving on” from anything not personal and petty.
I read this on adn, and I thought- wait a minute: the Ethics Committee spent time on THIS, but “it’s time to move on” from all the big stuff Palin did?!
I think they need more than a raspberry- they need a 2×4 upside the head; when I have their attention, I’ll sweetly yell: “WTF were you thinking?!”
(shaking heading and muttering, wandering off toward the kitchen…)
@Bea-
Great pop-up:-) Obama and crew are going to need big brooms to sweep out all of that crap…
@ waxman
I LOVE the song – very funny!! I still sing “Hey Sarah Palin” when I’m yukked out by her and it just cracks me up. Now I have another, thank you.
Dummy me, I read the text of her speech. From what I could understand, Alaskans are:
climbing Denali, forging the river, going outdoors (cheap PE), slaying giants, rowing together in a boat, being grizzlies, and acting like musk ox.
Did I miss anything? AKM, where is that aspirin…
@ CO almost native (22:28:48) :
I cringed when she said “forge the river” instead of “ford the river” – did she never even watch “The Sound of Music”? And who the heck was writing that stupid speech all this time?
I wathced as the men gawked, and it looked like she almost winked at everyone and caught herself.
Not one word about Emmonak, I really question whether or not she even knew what she spoke about. It came as a joke to me and I was laughing hard when she said she had worked hard for Alaskans since she got into office. (not her exact words)
Why are they questioning Les, when we know there are plenty of things SP did? Alaska politics is so bizarre.
I can feel the emptiness in her words when she spoke of Pres. Obama. Did you guys notice they were going to show Beth Kertulla, then cut it off?
@ Aussie Blue Sky
I cringed when she said “forge the river” instead of “ford the river”
I KNEW that I couldn’t listen to that skitchy voice butcher the English language in a speech – OMG. It’s like when, in the debate, she said Kaladi (as in the Anchorage’s Kaladi Coffee Company) instead of Khalidi. She was really thinking of her daily mocha as a memory anchor for that foreign sounding dude she was supposed to sound smart about, but OOPS – she used the anchor word because she’s just an idiot.
If I didn´t know better I`d think we were talking italian politics. Lost count of the italians on the Obama Facebook page that were begging Obama to move to Italy!
No, No, you can´t have him… well until he´s done here, then would he please think about it. I am part italian, so I have to plead for them too.
At least Berlusca tries to sound, can, well, sort of can be listened to.
SoS tomorrow… Need aspirin… AKM
No kidding! Did she look nervous and uncomfortable to everyone/anyone else? Sounded like she was reading someone else’s words and wasn’t sure where to go with them. She certainly wasn’t very sincere sounding either.
InJuneau (00:24:19) :
Did she look nervous and uncomfortable to everyone/anyone else? Sounded like she was reading someone else’s words and wasn’t sure where to go with them. She certainly wasn’t very sincere sounding either.
———————————————————-
My fave moments were when she paused to let her brain catch up to her mouth, and the mouth continued to open and close but no sound was coming out – like a goldfish!
For having all month to rehearse and a dozen people to write it – it was a crap speech about nothing. The ‘folksy’ stuff with the family props was cheesy and inappropriate – and you betcha that was all her own work.
I can’t wait to hear AKM’s review.
Someone in the leg was worried about ETHICS ?!? hahahahaha RIGHT
waxman: such great lyrics, so gee thanks I will have that song in my head all day.
I read this morning about the speech and I don’t know if ya’ll caught it but she lumped hope in with other things that you can’t count on from the government. (For goals of hope, opportunity, and self-sufficiency, government is not the answer, but government can help with energy challenges)…..http://www.andrewhalcro.com/the_state_of_the_state….Sad day when you can’t count on the government for hope or goals.
I love raspberries! I have used them many times to get my point across…it’s quick, easy and the meaning is universal…
Long live the raspberry….would you like a tissue with that?
Goalie in NM (07:26:51) :
I love raspberries! I have used them many times to get my point across…it’s quick, easy and the meaning is universal…
Long live the raspberry….would you like a tissue with that?
_____________________________________________
heh heh…very funny.
I find my English teacher self compelled to take red pen in hand, and circle all the garbled metaphors, to see how much of a speech is actually left…two sentences? Maybe another cup of coffee will make the urge go away.
I clicked through most of the links and still can’t see who to “do the raspberry”too? I like Les, and I think if he had the support would go after Barbie (sorry SW) for troopergate. They (do the raspberry) were after him for something petty and Barbies does something HUGE, 100K huge, that it took to investigate and their going to let it slide?
Her BS about Dud and ironman and mother grizzly/sensationalized distractions, make we want to puke especially since 2 days this week she was out calling attention to her self and her kids….
I’ll say it with ya AKM….Say it with me, “Ptththhthththhtht!”
Yes Les Gara, did try to warn Barbie last year: Here is from his newsletter for those of you who might not of gotten it. (If you did sorry to repeat)
Emmonak’s Fuel Cost Problems:
They Should Have Been Addressed Last Year.
Recent press reports fail to note that Alaska’s rural fuel cost crisis was a loud topic of debate during the August Special session, when the Governor and other policymakers were told fuel costs were going to reach and exceed $9/gallon in some villages. The following summary is being provided to give some context on this issue, and the efforts many made to prevent the problems faced by residents in Alaska’s small communities like Emmonak. A good Channel 2 Story on this issue can be found on their website: State Officials See Village’s Struggles First Hand.
During last August’s Energy Special Session, the press focused its attention on Governor Palin’s plan to send Alaskans a $1,200 check. What went unreported was the call from rural Alaska for something better, and their warning of this winter’s impending crisis. Many legislators worked to replace Governor Palin’s plan with one that would have gone a long way to relieving the pain being felt across Rural Alaska today, and even in communities like Fairbanks, where high heating costs are a growing concern.
I reported on the impending rural fuel crisis in my newsletter following last August’s Energy Special Session: Pushing Compassion: Walking A Mile In A Bethel Resident’s Shoes. “Giving everyone the same help, and ignoring that some people in this state are struggling while some are not, seemed like policy that could be improved upon a lot,” (Aug. 11, 2008 Office Newsletter).
The following is a short summary of the efforts of many to address this problem during last summer’s Special Session on energy relief. Those who tried to avert the current crisis facing residents in communities like Emmonak fell short on votes. It is expected a similar debate will arise this session as leaders try to find a way to avoid a repeat of this winter’s rural Alaska energy crisis.
In 2008 the Bi-Partisan Senate coalition offered a plan by Senate Finance Chairmen Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) and Bert Stedman (R-Sitka) to provide significant emergency heating assistance to Alaskans in Fairbanks and in Rural Alaska, to offset the cost of heating fuel. And they offered a plan to offset the high cost of electricity for the highest cost communities, like Emmonak and Lime Village. Their effort passed the Senate in SB 4002, but was rejected by the Republican-led House. These efforts were also opposed by the Palin Administration, which focused its lobbying efforts on a $1,200 Energy Rebate check to all Alaskans.
A like plan was offered in the House, and supported by House Democrats (Senate Bill 4002, House Floor Amendments 3, 4 & 6, Aug. 8, 2008), but also didn’t pass the Legislature. The plan that passed, while a significant improvement on prior energy relief laws, focused largely on the Governor’s $1,200 Energy Rebate payment, and contained lesser improvements in heating and electrical cost assistance.
Here are provisions that would have greatly reduced the problems rural residents are facing, and that were contained in the Bi-Partisan Senate and House Democratic proposals.
1. Heating Fuel Assistance. An emergency grant would have offered assistance to residents paying over $3/gallon for heating fuel (or $3/mcf for gas) up to 850 gallons of fuel (or the equivalent measure of natural gas). The cost in excess of $3/gallon for this allotment would have been paid for by the emergency grant, and would have benefitted residents in rural areas, as well as residents in Fairbanks, who are increasingly facing high heating fuel costs.
2. Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP). For many years recently retired Rep. Mary Nelson (D-Bethel) took the lead to try to get Alaska to join the many states that add funds to this federal heating assistance program. LIHEAP offers heating fuel assistance to low income families, and working families that earn up to 225% of the poverty level. Last regular session Nelson succeeded, gained nearly unanimous bi-partisan support, and the state provided an important but modest supplement to this federal funding.
However during testimony the Palin Administration and legislators heard in August, it became clear that with fuel costs approaching and exceeding $9/gallon in some areas, additional LIHEA funding was needed. If the state had the money to spend $700 million on a $1,200 check to all Alaskans, regardless of need, it had $20 million to supplement this important heating assistance plan. That attempt, unfortunately, failed along party lines.
3. Electrical Assistance. The state has a longstanding difference in the electric rates paid by rural and urban residents. The Legislature, in a bi-partisan fashion, took some important steps and added to the Governor’s $1,200 rebate plan by improving Alaska’s Power Cost Equalization law. That law provides assistants to residents in communities that pay high electric costs, and it was favorably amended in August.
The current situation faced by rural residents is worse than ever, given that off-road communities had to pay pre-winter fuel prices that approached and exceeded $9/gallon in some communities. No one in the Legislature ahs a magic plan to fully solve the problems faced by rural residents. But some strong efforts were made last year, and as this current crisis is reported on, that is worth noting. And, to the extent some believe the current fuel crisis is unanticipated, the facts show differently. The Governor and the Legislature were warned of this winter’s problems. Policymakers just chose different courses to address the problem – some better and some worse, depending on your perspective.
*******
I think 1 or 2 would of gone a long way to avert the situation going on at the Native Villages. Barbie is complete ignoring it. She did not bring it up in the speech, instead choosing to bring up irondog?
She is so self serving and contemptible….makes me sick.
As for #2 I meant additional LIHEA funding was needed. If the state had the money to spend $700 million on a $1,200 check to all Alaskans, regardless of need, it had $20 million to supplement this important heating assistance plan. That attempt, unfortunately, failed along party lines.
I think number one would of worked better b/c it would of automatically kicked in as soon as prices hit $3/gal.
crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrl (08:13:14) :
I read his letter, and I agree: any or all of these measures would have helped not only the Yukon Delta villages, but all Alaskans who are now suffering this winter. Unfortunately, SP is still spouting the “no taxes” mantra as a way of solving problems. Talk about putting her head in the sand-
Her budget proposal is a reflection of her word salad. urg.
Off subject–just heard on MSMBC Sarah wants $11 mill to write her book????
mt (22:54:25) said: “I can feel the emptiness in her words when she spoke of Pres. Obama. Did you guys notice they were going to show Beth Kertulla, then cut it off?”
Yeah, I gave her a raspberry when she thanked Bush for his service to America. Conservatives4Palin are ecstatic over her speech; it was pretty funny to read their live chat last night — it was like listening in on your 12 year old kid’s co-ed sleepover (with a couple of more “mature” — horny — kids in the group).
mt, you must have been watching the KTUU feed — I was on the Gavel-to-Gavel (APB) feed, which showed Kertulla’s message in its entirety.
http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/
former alaskan – want’s and get’s is 2 different things.saw that on MSNBC this am.but hey-aim high…hit high………..
from her speech trasncript on ADN:
“As public servants, will we draw from a servant’s heart the resolve to put pettiness and power struggles aside and work together for the good of the people?”
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I don’t know, will you? On Larry King, McCain wouldn’t say if he would support her if she ran. He was pressed, but his non answer said it all.
I think others said that “Servant’s Heart” thing was code to the people who hear that dog whistle. When I hear her, it’s fingers on the chalkboard.
nswfm CA:I think others said that “Servant’s Heart” thing was code to the people who hear that dog whistle. When I hear her, it’s fingers on the chalkboard.
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Yes I totally agree on both issues!
nswfm CA
The McCain family must have had a family meeting. The stance from the whole family is to make no comment on Sarah Palin.
I would love to hear what they say in private about her. If we just sit back and wait it will all come out. Sarah is headed for VA next. A meeting at a swank resort with lobbiests.
I LOVE the Nash quote! That pretty much sums up my husband’s and my son’s personalities. Okay…and mine too. I admit it. I never want to act my age. If I do, trust me, I’m dead.
Now, what’s this I read on Huff Post about a trash bag full of Palin clothes? What a fitting receptacle for all things Palin.