Bedtime in Alaska – The Daily Wrap Up.
Quote of the Day -
After listening to the House Finance Committee, and Rep. Anna Fairclough wonder how she could justify giving the university more money if they were just going to churn out a bunch of anti-development liberals, and then listening to the chancellor tell her that they were young and hopefully would “mature” and grow out of it, and don’t worry the staff and students are as conservative as they come, I really just wanted to smash my head on the desk. Then a voice of sanity.
“I can’t tell you how much I disagree with Representative Fairclough’s views on whether or not a child’s views – a student’s views or opinions have any bearing as to whether or not we should fund the university. And I suspect that many of those students could put a pretty vigorous defense to their views if they were here in this committee today.”
Thank you Rep. Les Gara for preventing my almost certain concussion.
And by the way, Happy Birthday Rep. Gara! Mudflats would like to present you with this festive virtual cupcake. No trans-fat, no calories.
Ashley Judd on Larry King Live
The war of words and wolves continues. Ashley Judd, who appeared in a video message from Defenders of Wildlife slamming Sarah Palin for her position on aerial wolf hunting in Alaska will appear on Larry King Live Friday. You can email questions HERE.
Palin Says No to Stimulus Package
Why is Sarah Palin weighing in on the stimulus bill? She wants to make absolutely sure that you understand that she is “against increased federal programs that will become a state’s unfunded mandate to continue funding for generations.” Yeah, we don’t want to do something stupid that will leave us funding it for generations.
And also this week, she wants you to know that she’s all in support of a road to Nome at an initial cost of $3-4 MILLION A MILE for more than 500 miles! So, who’s paying to plow that sucker? What about road maintenance? Surely it can’t be the state, which we’ve just discovered has a $1 billion shortfall. And wouldn’t that leave something for us to “fund for future generations?” But heck, let’s spend a million dollars anyway, just to compile all the information from previous studies we’ve done.
Eric Croft vs. Dan ‘the worm’ Sullivan?
I mentioned the other day that I’d been on the receiving end of a big long convoluted telephon poll about the Anchorage mayoral race. The results are in!
“The poll of 500 likely Anchorage voters conducted by Lake Research shows Sullivan favored by 21% of those polled, Croft favored by 18% while 28% of the respondents were undecided. The data released failed to give totals on any of the other candidates in the race but did say that no other candidate polled more than 13%. The poll has a margin of error of 4.4%.
According to the accompanying press release, the poll taken showed Croft had the best positive/negative ratings of any candidate in the race, with a 44 positive and a 17 negative with a 92% name recognition by those polled.”
This bodes well for Eric Croft. If he came this close despite the large field of progressive candidates, things will only get better in a run-off. I could be very happy with Mayor Croft. And I think going toe to toe with Dan Sullivan, Croft could womp him. I have said it before. I will work my heart out for whoever opposes Sullivan, and if it’s Croft, I’ll be quite happy….especially since it would leave two outstanding Assembly members (Claman and Selkregg) right where they are. And if Monegan goes for Lt. Governor in 2010, this could work out very nicely. No harm in dreaming.
Palin Hires New Rural Advisor
And golly, it’s only been 109 days! Last October, Governor Palin’s Rural Advisor quit her job amidst rumors that the governor had little interest in meeting with her. Rhonda McBride went back to her previous job at the Palinista Training Camp KTUU – Channel 2. This is the same breeding ground that brought us Meg Stapleton and Bill McAllister. And now, four months, and one humanitarian crisis later, we have a winner.
Meet John Moller, a 47-year old former crab fisherman who reports he will actually be planning a trip to the Y-K Delta next week. So, why did Moller want this job?
I am in a position in my life now that I’m able to you know, give back to a state that’s been very good to me. That’s why I wanted the job, and I specifically wanted to work with this governor, and I threw my name in the hat. …
He specifically wanted to work with THIS governor? I can’t wait to find out why.
Brian is Coming to the Mudflats Shop!
I’ve been inundated with requests to get Brain the Moose’s snowy mug onto some Mudflats merchandise! I’m glad everyone enjoyed the latest pics of our favorite ungulate. His smiling face will be coming soon on a variety of products. I’ll keep you posted!
I would venture a guess the number one requirement, above competency or actual interest in the urgent work ahead, would be the ability to suck up to the airhead gov. People with real interest in solving problems need not apply.
Yay for Les Gara and the voice of sanity!
And of course Brian!
Besides being a “former” crabber…….what has John Moller done to qualify him for this job ?? ……..Can not EVEN wait to watch Ashley Judd whup Sarah’s ass tonite !! I hope she challenges her to a debate big-time. Let’s see…..Fri. nite…….I think along with the popcorn , I’ll have some vino !!
Although your Palin moose attire is nice, Brian is 100% better looking and appears to have a much better temperment. Something cute about him that’s missing in blunderbrain the gun totin’ animal killer. Go Brian!
Happy Birthday to Les.
A rural adviser that is clearly far too rich. The state has been good to him? I wonder how deep his pockets are. And I wonder how many favors he’s received or given to get this job. Follow the money.
and as far as anything “Brian-related”, you have got yourself a winner there, AKM. That mug is priceless!
Ripley – You are spot on about “follow the money”…….
AKM – thanks for letting us know (or reminding us) about the Larry King show tonight – I’ll be there!
austintx – I’ll join you in a glass of vino. Let’s see, what will go best with red-blooded women? Maybe I’ll sip on our hearty Tannat. What’ll you have?
When you get Brian’s face on a coffee cup, I’ll buy one!
tigerwine – I believe I’ll go with a Yellow Tail Cabernet. Great bang for the buck……….
austintx – I mis-spoke. I’ll drink to Ashley Judd, a real red-blooded American woman. Since I think SP is not really worth a good wine I’ll not waste it. So, here’s to you, me, Ashley and all the other Mud puppies that want to join us!
A good read on ADN:
She chose instead to be a folksy, lipstick-wearing pit bull, with no hesitation about attacking the other side. Palin became exactly the sort of politician that George Bush had been to John McCain in North Carolina in 2000, when whisper campaigns alleged that McCain had fathered a black child. Indeed, Palin’s mud was not even delivered quietly behind closed doors: Her deceitful attacks against Obama were shouted in the light of day to adoring crowds of partisan racists.
The adoring crowds aside, this was exactly the type of politics that the country was sick of. The public turned on Gov. Palin quickly, not because of her inept interviews but because they saw no evidence of why McCain had picked her in the first place. Instead of a courageous, bipartisan maverick, as McCain himself was perceived to be, the public saw a mean-spirited politician, willing to sink to any depth to get elected.
While Gov. Palin remains admired by some, and she will no doubt be able to retain some of her celebrity, the admiration comes basically from the Republican lunatic fringe. Most of the country now despises her as a willing-to-do-anything politician, or as an intellectual lightweight, or both.
Read the full opinion at:
http://www.adn.com/opinion/compass/story/681075.html
A good read.
“Palin squandered chance to become a national leader”
http://www.adn.com/opinion/compass/story/681075.html
I’ll join you w/ a Budweiser in a frosted mug. Cheers!
Good morning all!
In keeping up with the DWAF/Judd-vs-Palin plight, Geoffrey Dunn has posted a damn good (albeit TOO short!) article over at HuffPost.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/geoffrey-dunn/white-fangs-judd-vs-palin_b_164453.html
If that didn’t load right, just go there and find it! It’s worth the effort!
It’s like that CBS thing… ‘The more you know’… the LESS Saracuda needs to be in ANY position of authority! I don’t think the woman has ever given a straight answer to any question… except, maybe, her own name! And even THAT isn’t a convincing reply!
Palin, venom and hyperbole. About sums her up doesn’t it?
Paula CochranNo Gravatar (06:37:31) :
I’ll join you w/ a Budweiser in a frosted mug. Cheers!
———–
My kind of woman! I’ll join y’all with my beer in hand. Cheers!
Representative Fairclough (R) is a frightening spectacle. It appears she is threatening the University of Alaska by withholding the public’s money unless they crank out students that chant drill, baby, drill and mine, baby, mine. For her the student body isn’t conservative enough.
If anyone needs an education it is Fairclough. She obviously doesn’t understand the US Constitution, the fundamental principles of democracy in a free society, of freedom that includes academic freedom as expressed by the Nation’s founding fathers and the justices of the US Supreme Court. She seems to have missed the historical failures of tyrants such as Hitler, Mussolini, and, Stalin.
a “Brian the Moose” Frosted Mug. Good for beer, cold summer drinks, or just to show off your proud Mudpuppiness.
and also a “Brian the Moose” cofy mug. Since he doesn’t like it, I’ll have his! Make mine a double!
not about Marie Palinette but relevant to our Native discussions.
http://www.adn.com/opinion/compass/story/679340.html
Happy Birthday Rep. Les Gara and thank you for helping the villages in this troublesome time. I am most impressed by your guts for standing up for what is right, and not backing down. I was proud of that other man too (forgot name) who spoke out until his back bone became jelly and apologized and went sniffling to the Gov. for forgiveness (glad i forgot his name now). I was wondering about the transportation issue, what about the Red Cross, would they deliver the food?
I bet the Gov. will have her little greedy hand out when those stimulus packages arrive and you know good and well she has probably already spent the money that she don’t have yet….
DoW has now devoted a whole page to Barbies anti-wolf, anti-wildlife, anti-environment actions!!! Yeah!
http://www.defendersactionfund.org/newsroom/sarah_palin.html
I’ll have a Fat Tire in hand while watching Ashley Judd tonight, straight out of the bottle- since I don’t have a “Brian” mug yet. And Happy Birthday, Les Gara: may you enjoy many more.
womanwithsardinecan (08:20:48) :
not about Marie Palinette but relevant to our Native discussions.
http://www.adn.com/opinion/compass/story/679340.html
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Relevant indeed. The words “Alaska” and other northern references can be removed, replaced with Navaho, Hopi, and “Southwest” and the same conclusions would be true. We can’t undo the past, but we/governments/agencies can promote policies that allow Native peoples to reclaim what’s important in their culture, and create a sustainable, flourishing life.
Think I’ll start the vino now……..on Huffpo , they are quoting from the Esquire article…….SP says that Bristol also got her name from the town of Bristol,Conn where ESPN is based……..Mayor Art Ward said it is just as well SP did not move there to be “one of the first woman sportscasters” , because “You can’t see Russia from here”…..funny guy,that Mayor !!
Note to self…
1) Send non-snarky but stern email to Anna Fairclough
2) Send roses to Les Gara – I LOVE HIM!
BahstinBoyo aka Wrangler Tractor Palin (06:46:43) :
Thanks for the link; it is a good commentary. My favorite of the comments:
“If only the media would quit bothering Palin..she would have time to sit on her back porch and wave at her Russian friends.”
LOL.
@ CO almost nativeNo Gravatar
“sit on her back porch and wave at her Russian friends.”
Sarah has friends????????????????
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (09:30:11) :
@ CO almost nativeNo Gravatar
“sit on her back porch and wave at her Russian friends.”
Sarah has friends????????????????
_________________________________
Heh heh…perhaps the poster on Huffington Post was mistaken…heh heh.
From newser
http://www.newser.com/story/50026/palin-without-makeup-im-not-so-hot.html
“If I were giving advice to myself back on the day my candidacy was announced, I’d say, Tell the campaign that you’ll be callin’ some of the shots. Don’t just assume that they know you well enough to make all your decisions for ya.” – Sarah Palin
Too bad that didn’t happen as it’s obvious she SO good at callin’ the shots.
Also, dislikes “anonymous, pathetic bloggers who lie…”. Well, AKM, for a minute there I thought she was talking about you, but realized when I got to the pathetic lying part, that she’s obviously talking about somebody else.
I’ve said it before, bless her heart, the sooner she shuts up, the brighter her political future will look.
Gov Jet Set has yet to make the time to meet or speak with her new rural advisor, Mr Moller. He was hired by one of her in state underlings.
Moller will get an earful from remote First Alaskans about ‘Where’s Sarah?’
Will he be truthful about it – or kowtow to Winky?
…and while Palin enjoys steak and lobster in DC, Alaskans go hungry and wait for fuel – from Venezuela. Hold that thought.
Futhermore — Bristol was named after ESPN in Connecticutt??? … Funny, Palin long told Alaskans that her daughter was named after Bristol Bay. …
Looks like Gov WInky is eyeing votes from elsewhere, yup yup.
Guess Bristol Bay folks aren’t part of the ‘real America’ that Snowflake is courtin’.
Bristol was named for Bristol, CN???? I’ve always heard she was named for Bristol Bay, where Todd is from. Was ESPN even on the air when Bristol was born? Or known in AK?
Yep, in her official biography, SP says Bristol was named after Bristol Bay, where she and Todd “fished.” She makes it all up as she goes along – does she think the CT and ESPN thing will make her appear more worldly?
Also, we may hae a new “gate” re Palin’s appointment of Track’s girlfriend (Britta Hanson of Wasilla High) to a govt. post:
Then I came across Britta Hanson again as a governor-appointed commissioner for Serve Alaska. Now, this seems a little shady, no? An 18-year-old college student is appointed to a statewide government commission? Is this a paying job? In the brief bio it mentions Britta spent the spring in Spain? How did she get any work done for the Alaska commission if she was in Spain?
Wondering if “Hanson” is related to Brad Hanson – wasn’t he Toad’s former biz partner? A real Peyton Place is Wasilla.
She lies and spins.
Just did googled Britta and somehow came up with this pdf.
http://www.governmentattic.org/2docs/Palin-workforce.pdf
Some interesting reading and e-mails from the Gov.
Wow, first time I’ve been to the government attic website. Interesting place.
Re Brian the Beautiful…
Could you make reprints of his full face with snowy nose?
I would like to put it up near the Defenders of Wildlife photo of a mostly
grey and white wolf in the snow…the wall of my totem beings facing the door…
New thread alert!
Thanks AKM on the heads up about Judd on Larry King tonight. Breaking out the red wine early. I hope against hope, we are turning the page on Ms. P and her hunting buddies and their “management” program. Finally, I think the rest of the world is going to see the real Sarah Palin.
And, Brian on a coffee mug – yipee!!
Well if the Divine Ms. Sarah is against the Stimulus bill, then I say, no stimulus money for Alaska. But, wait… that will be punishing the good people in the State of Alaska for their idiot Governor.
Maybe they can find a way to give stimulus money only to people who see Sarah Palin for who she really is.
On another note. WHERE IS THE BABY? This is amazing. She uses Bristol as her “proof” that Trig is her child even though a birth certificate would suffice. And now the supposed birth of Bristol’s child is shrouded in mystery which is sure to keep the rumors going. Why no pictures of Bristol pregnant? Why no pictures of Bristol with her new born baby? Are they waiting 3 months so that they can try to pass off a one month old as a three month old? What’s going on here?
One last question is “How do they get away with all this”. Someone has to know where Trig was born since he was probably born in a hospital. And someone has to know where Bristol is and what she’s been up to. Is the entire town of Wasilla so terrified of Palin that no one can step forth and let us know what’s up with all this?
I hope things are better up North when we make the trek in summer 2010.
But in the meanwhile, I’ll be contributing to ANY election campaign that Walt wants to mount. I hope it’s not just a mayorial position. Let’s think big “G”:
Here is the quote from Esquire:
“Two meanings in Bristol’s name: I worked at the Bristol Inn, and Todd grew up in Bristol Bay. But also, Bristol, Connecticut, is the home of ESPN. And when I was in high school, my desire was to be a sportscaster. ESPN was just kicking off, just getting off the ground, and I thought that’s what I was going to do in life, is be one of the first woman sportscasters. Until I learned that you’d have to move to Bristol, Connecticut. It was far away. So instead, I had a daughter and named her Bristol.”
It’s funny that before, Bristol had only the AK connection. Now that she wants national rapport, it’s Bristol CT. My neck hurts and my head is dizzy from shaking my head!
John Moller was part of Adak Fisheries. Adak Fisheries, who did not pay their utility bill to the City of Adak, causing the entire City to go dark this fall.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/092808/hom_20080928007.shtml
Because Adak Fisheries didn’t pay their electric bill, the City couldn’t pay their fuel bill to Aleutan Enterprise LLC. I guess John Moller knows all about utility and fuel bills. I wonder if his sister Sandra is still in charge of Aleut Enterprises.
But it gets even better. Adak Fisheries is caught up with the Ben Stevens scandal.
The Anchorage Daily News Story on Ben Stevens and Adak Fisheries: http://dwb.adn.com/front/story/6984518p-6885437c.html
I’m not sure if Larry King shows at different times in different time zones but thought I would give you a heads up — Sarah and /or Governor’s office did not respond to request to appear — NO Palin. King read the statement issued. Also to let you know, you won’t be able to ask questions of Palin in response to Judd’s appearance. Palin will require time to have it translated so that she may understand it. Judd used $1.00 words — those kinds of words that don’t appear in the Palinese dictionary.
Thanks for your reporting on Little Sarah’s response to Hamilton–but he’s the UA President–not chancellor. Each campus has its own chancellor at least two of whom (Rogers at UAF and Ulmer at UAA) are former elected Democrats.
More on the Interior and Fairbanks, please! We’re cold and dark, but active.
Thanks for Mudflats. I read it every day for sanity.