Sarah Palin’s Personal Efforts on Behalf of Rural Alaska.
12 02 2009I suppose I could save myself some effort and make this post completely blank, but Alaskans were treated yesterday to a press conference from Governor Sarah Palin, so I suppose I should mention it.
And I was pleased to see that a reporter asked exactly the question I would have asked the governor regarding the energy/food crisis in Western Alaska.
Q – “What have you done on a personal level, NOT a governmental level to help people in the Lower Yukon…”
I would like to know the answer to this. Politically we hear all kinds of reasons that things can’t be done. But each of us has the ability to direct personal efforts at whatever matters to us. What does the governor have to say to this question?
“We have certainly sent the message to those in Emmonak and those that are hurting that I will do everything I can personally and in my position as governor to help, including offering to travel to those specific villages.”
The governor WILL do everything she can, personally? We might ask “What, exactly, is she waiting for?” The letter from Emmonak resident Nicholas Tucker which put a glaring spotlight on this situation, appeared in the Bristol Bay Times on January 12. One month ago today. And by answering the above question in the future tense, the governor states loud and clear that she HAS done NOTHING.
A lot has happened in the past month. Food drives have been organized, grassroots efforts have resulted in needed packages of food and supplies, online donations have been made to help with fuel costs, a private citizen has traveled to Emmonak to document the situation with the help of online donations from private citizens, this coverage has been picked up by CNN and other mainstream media. And the governor WILL do everything she can, personally. When?
During the State of the State address, our governor compared herself to a mother grizzly protecting Alaska.
When I took my oath of office to serve as your Governor, remember, I swore to steadfastly and doggedly guard the interests of this great state like a grizzly with cubs, as a mother naturally guards her own. Alaska, as a statewide family, we’ve got to fight for each other, not against and not let external, sensationalized distractions draw us off course.
I’m no wildlife biologist, but isn’t a mother grizzly supposed to actually feed her cubs when they’re hungry? I don’t think she looks at their hungry faces day after day for a month and says “I’ll do everything I can.”
I hate to be cynical, but watching all the opportunities that the governor has had to help, like lending her image and support to a food drive, or making a statement at the Iron Dog start, or utilizing her national celebrity to ask donors to her PAC or members of Team Sarah, or Human Events to make donations, or recording a public service announcement, or donating her energy rebate check, or one of a hundred other things she could have done but didn’t, has led me to this conclusion. She just doesn’t want to help. And if she suddenly decides to do something now, a month later, I’m going to have to assume it’s only because her lack of compassion and unwillingness to help so far has made her look bad.
Because this, I know. If people want to help, they generally do.
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February 12th, 2009 at 4:48 PM
wes-ben
What if you are a lefty like me, would that make it the RIGHT hand?
February 12th, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Add up the couple’s 2007 income and the estimated value of their property and investments, and they appear to be worth at least $1.2 million.
One measure of financial health: While there is a home loan, Palin reported no personal credit card debt on her most recent financial report as Alaska governor. That compares to average household credit card debt among Americans of $9,840 last year.
Palin this week characterized herself as “an everyday, working-class American” who knows how it feels when the stock market takes a hit.
The Palins’ total income last year was split almost evenly between Sarah Palin’s white-collar job and her husband’s blue-collar work. Sarah Palin’s salary as governor was $125,000; Todd Palin took in $46,790 as a part-time oil production operator for BP Alaska in Prudhoe Bay, plus $46,265 in commercial fishing income and $10,500 in Iron Dog snowmachine race winnings.
These figures do not include nearly $17,000 in per diem payments Palin received for 312 nights spent in her own home since she was elected governor; she also has received $43,490 to cover travel costs for her husband and children.
In addition, each member of the Palin family received $1,654 in state oil royalties paid to all Alaskans.
The Palins’ assets seem enviable: a half-million-dollar home on a lake with a float-plane at the dock, two vacation retreats, commercial-fishing rights worth an estimated $50,000 or more and an income last year of at least $230,000. That compares to a median household income of $64,333 for Alaskans and $50,740 for Americans in 2007, according to the Census Bureau.
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Geez, with all this, she can’t do something to help the people in Emmonak ? Like maybe donate the use of their float plane to ferry supplies where needed ?
February 12th, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Sarah Palin’s 2006 Inaugural Speech excerpt:
“I am humbled to be here with so many good Alaskans and here in a land of great native heritage. Alaska is a family and Alaska natives, you’re the first family. Your grace that welcomed newcomers to this frontier yesterday; it let us forward in unity today. Wiith respect, with good stewardship of the land of your birth, with——–let us be united with one heart.”
Ready to barf at her LIES????????????
February 12th, 2009 at 4:58 PM
UK Lady…good question. I think i still have the book the lady wrote, so i’ll see if I can find out about lefty’s. I can tell you that ever since that seminar, I now watch people for those mannerisms to see if they’re pulling my leg or not
It’s especially concerning when I see execs or politicians do it.
February 12th, 2009 at 5:08 PM
ROFLMFAO
I just now realized that I am a day ahead!! I was certain today was Friday and yesterday was Thursday, thus why my posts are dated a day ahead LMAO
Thanks to OPRAH on TV I just realized today is Thursday and NOT Friday. Hee hee, over anxious for the weekend??? NO probably more caught up in all the events and stuff going on that I just lost track of the days LOL
Ann
February 12th, 2009 at 5:12 PM
@AnnA(14:07:34) :
I can’t help you on visiting MD’s, but we got a new law passed last year that will allow licensed veterinarians from other states to come up here and work on a very short-term basis. (The State Vet asked us to lobby for that bill, so a few of us worked hard on it and got it.)
February 12th, 2009 at 5:16 PM
She doesn’t care about Alaska…probably never did…she just wanted the prestige (oh yeah, like she’s not a laughing stock) and a way to climb a political ladder (over the lower 49’s dead body!)…she’s a disgusting piece—
February 12th, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (16:55:54) :
Sarah Palin’s 2006 Inaugural Speech excerpt:
“I am humbled to be here with so many good Alaskans and here in a land of great native heritage. Alaska is a family and Alaska natives, you’re the first family. Your grace that welcomed newcomers to this frontier yesterday; it let us forward in unity today. Wiith respect, with good stewardship of the land of your birth, with——–let us be united with one heart.”
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blechhhhh!
The way she’s been acting, it seems like she’s doing everything in her power to make things difficult for Alaska Natives. This might be stretching things … but maybe she’s mad at the First Nations folks in Canada for not wanting her gas pipeline …
February 12th, 2009 at 6:25 PM
AKM on HuffPo, with another excellent blog:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckraker/chevrons-oil—between-th_b_166577.html
February 12th, 2009 at 7:26 PM
I have not read all of the posts. This may have been addressed earlier.
Sarah P. said what she meant–she compared herself to ‘like a grizzly with cubs, as a mother naturally guards her own.’ Grizzlies do not (correct me if I’m wrong here) guard the cubs (babies) of other animals.
IMHO Ms. Palin does not recognize other humans who do not look, think, smell, or act like those that she feels reliant on or even cares about (survival of the fittest). She would not naturally ‘guard’ other human beings because she does not recognize ‘others’ as human. On some strange level, this is probably the most honest statement that she’s ever made that I’ve heard/read.
These feelings whether innate or by culture have damaged her irrevocably. Those around her know that she is damaged and use it to their own advantage.
She sincerely believes the misused Bible scripture used to sanction ‘the peculiar institution of slavery. Misapplication of ‘political religion’ declared enslaved Africans three fifths human and discounted Native Americans altogether.
Thank you asiangirl for your early (before the election) links to religious Dominionism that many right-wing denominations (knowing or not) citizens ‘cling to’ along with guns (NRA), violence, and especially rhetorical violence that divides to conquer.
South Side Chicago
February 12th, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Sarah Palin NEEDs to resign..this interview is the MOST sickening thing I have seen!!!!! She can’t answer a single question straight. Squirming in her chair, messing with her ears, fidgeting….looked just like Blagojevich being ineterviewed..classic signs of a LIAR!!!!!! Her Commisssioners must just cringe listening to her. People….can you imagine her as our VP? NO!!!!!! We all know Sarah reads this blog—-Sarah—give it up….we can see you…”The Empress is wearing no clothes!” You do NOT have what it takes to govern this State. You filled your cabinet with your little high school clique and they and you are failing miserably. Go have your book published, retire on some nice island and save us from your stupidity!
February 12th, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Before midnight EST, i’m compelled to post this in honor of Charles Darwin:
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
February 12th, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Thanks for that Tina!
February 12th, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Agreed Tina!
Did anyone else happen to catch Obama’s speech in IL tonight? Wow.
February 12th, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Boo-Boo Bear (19:37:15) said :”..Squirming in her chair, messing with her ears, fidgeting….looked just like Blagojevich being ineterviewed..classic signs of a LIAR!!!!!! ”
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I couldn’t have said it any better. She is a complete and total fraud! Watch her eyes jet around as she struggles to get the word salad out. Oh my goodness, psychology 101: She is a phony baloney to boot.
February 12th, 2009 at 8:33 PM
To Pandora’s Box—I have been following this Dairy Debacle being carried off by Sarah Palin and Gang. Won’t be long before the FBI is sniffing around on how that original $650,000 grant is being squandered. There is money being laundered left and right it appears. Those dairy farmers have it made…Federal Money, State money, and a Governor who keeps the money flowing. Andrew Halcro has done his research and thank God for that. ADN is pathetic in not exposing this scandal!!!!!!!
February 12th, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Just curious here, but while you wait for Sarah to actually do something that is NOT self-aggrandizing… anyone contact your new federal senator and ask him to do a fact finding trip to the Lower Yukon to investigate the situation? Make a suggestion that either he ask for some of the stimulus money to be directed straight their in terms of relief or that directly he ask for emergency aid as the governor is too bleeping incompetent to fulfill that requirement of her job.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble:
“Just read your reply to Jim Behlke over on AnonymousBloggers. Way to go. So, what, is he, Sarah’s beard? Sounds suspiciously like they’re wanting to fill the State’s Food Bank at the expense of a working, ongoing, successful private enterprise that is truly making a difference.”
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1. The Food Bank of Alaska is not the “State Food Bank.” The Food Bank of Alaska is a nonprofit and was recommended to me by several folks, and Ramras’s office is coordinating with them. They’re trying to send at least a couple thousand pounds to each village. I donated today hoping to get some supplies onto a plane heading to Mountain Village and a couple other places early next week. I don’t know if Palin has anything to do with Foodbank but yes, I looked up Mr. Moller, emailed him, and asked if he knows any good ways to help. A person I talked with at Alaska Federation of Natives earlier this week thought Foodbank was a good way to go too. Senator Olson did too. They are one of several options (including our personal direct donations– I’ve done that too). Foodbank, from what I understand, might have better bulk purchasing abilities and better shipping arrangements than I would have as an individual.
2. Perhaps unlike Palin, as an individual I’ve given in various ways for Yukon Relief. I’ve mailed directly and I’ve contributed to Foodbank. You should contribute in any way that makes you comfortable; just contribute. Mail is great if you want to use mail.
3. I shudder thinking about places that may have not yet received any aid. I don’t know where these places are. I especially don’t like the idea of crying hungry babies and that is why I send powdered baby formula, and I’m contributing to Food Bank because food from there will go on flights to perhaps a dozen villages.
4. I hope everyone here will contribute as they can and in whatever way they choose. JUST CONTRIBUTE. People need to work together, especially in a situation like this. It looks like private contributions are going to have to carry the ball.
5. If you are not busy tomorrow (Friday) and you are in Anchorage, you can drop stuff off at Hanshew Middle School– Fedex is providing a plane to carry the donations to Yukon villages. Anything helps. Go to Costco and get some toilet paper, sugar, whatever. (Perhaps you could call me “Carol Comeau’s Beard” for this suggestion).
-Jim
February 12th, 2009 at 9:38 PM
@ Jim
I started out thinking you were a little on the sanctimonious side, but you are beginning to grow on me big time. You have a big heart and busy hands, so THANK YOU for everything you are doing to help rural Alaskans!
February 12th, 2009 at 9:54 PM
can we start a petition demanding her impeachment? The good Christian lady strutting about in her f–k me boots and bad eye lift, is so “pro-life” that she stands by while her Alaskan “cubs” freeze! The ones she is guarding- when she’s not campaigning for president. Or running with the DC insiders… Anyone??
February 12th, 2009 at 10:01 PM
GINO’s steeped in narcissism
In her mind resides a schism
Never was a more truism
Than her dismissive bad decision
Treats her people with derision
Molerat in her errant vision
Cruel refusal is her mission
Never will she be forgiven
Rot in hell Palin!
February 12th, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Thanks, Jim, for the heads up about the collection at Hanshew Middle School. We will load up and head over there in the morning. Kudos to FedEX!!
February 12th, 2009 at 11:08 PM
yes .. thank you FEDEX
February 12th, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Tell Sarah the village has a new and free pair of naughty monkey shoes for her and she’ll show up doggonit.
February 13th, 2009 at 12:06 AM
@Jim: I just checked out The Food Bank of AK, website: https://ssl.foodbankofalaska.org/Donate/index.php
I noticed they have a great webpage, with an online donation system, but not one word on their site about the current crisis in the Villages. I sent them an email asking them to put up a page of what is currently being done to help the villages, which villages need help and when air lifts are going to go out, ect. I also suggested they revise their donation box options to include the various villages so folks can have a choice which villages to support. It would be nice if we had some way of knowing how many families, children, babies, elders ect need help in each village. I’m sure in small villages that information can be tablulated pretty quickly.
Also, I said folks want to know how long this assistance will be needed. And that I’m prepared to begin posting a link to their site on every post I send out to as many places I can think of, as long as they keep this information flowing, via their Webpage, so folks can check back and see what needs to be done and what has been accomplished. Also if villagers are coming back into larger towns and cities the food banks in those towns will need support. So posting those needs are also informative.
When I was director of our local food bank, I didn’t have the web to post our needs, but I sent out a weekly one page newsletter to every church in town letting them know how many people were coming in and what they needed. The web makes this so much easier. I have always believed we have so many great people that really want to do the “right thing” they just need to know how to do. Now we have amazing tools to help get this information to those that can do something.
Bless each and every Mudpuppie.
I also have a very sad story that I will post shortly, I’m just now recovering from some sad news, which kind of threw me for a loop. More to come, shortly.
February 13th, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Peaceful Granny – you’re lovely you are. I’m sorry you are sad.
February 13th, 2009 at 1:41 AM
Ok, I’m to tired now to post my sad story. If you want to read it, I’ve posted it
on the new blog Anonymous Bloggers, get the link at the top of this thread.
February 13th, 2009 at 6:19 AM
Good Grief! everybody go plug AKM’s article on Huff. This could be a very bad. And we certainly don’t need more trouble at this time!
I sent it to the White House since we know how “involved and competent” Palins administration is. I asked that it be brought to the attention of Prez, Ken Salazar and all who deal with natural disasters.
I’m also going to take the liberty to send them information on the native freezing and starving issue.
Also, those in AK should contact your legislature, especially Ramras, he seems supportive. Palin is so inept!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckraker/chevrons-oil—between-th_b_166577.html
February 13th, 2009 at 7:24 AM
wow, she looks like her batteries have run down in this video.
hopefully they won’t be replaced . . .
February 13th, 2009 at 7:57 AM
Peaceful Granny, I read your tale of woe. How awful! I hope you are at least able to get free postage out this. (((((Hugs))))))
February 13th, 2009 at 8:40 AM
I saw most of this press conference on TV. It was fairly “unscripted” so her responses were unfiltered. That said, I would so much like to read a psychological description of her mannerisms, facial expressions etc. To me she just looked like she was ready to come apart – which probably isn’t too far off in the future.
February 13th, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Hi Peaceful Granny:
I talked with Foodbank yesterday and they are set up to receive village aid contributions. Their phone number is (907) 272-3663. I gave them my credit card info on the phone. They said we should make donations on the phone so we can specify that we want the money to go to village aid. I will also encourage them to put some links on their site.
For me it would suffice if I could go to their online donation page and have an option there of specifying village relief. That hasn’t been done yet. I don’t know when their webmaster will get around to it. I think until very recently they didn’t know they’d be involved in village aid but they have agreed to do it. In talking with those people I’m confident my contribution will go out to the Delta.
For today I’ll take stuff over to Hanshew Middle School here in Anchorage and see If we can get that Fedex plane filled. Last Week Emmonak indicated they need stuff like rice, oatmeal, Sailor Boy Pilot Bread, Powdered Milk, Spam, canned corn, coffee, sugar, Tang or Kool-Aid, canned fruit, cold and hot cereals, ketchup, worchestor sauce, ketchup, and table condiments. They also requested Similac Advance. I’m sure they can always use toilet paper too.
I have come to realize that villages need just basic stuff that we take for granted, which is very humbling. It is hard to switch gears and throw something like a bag of sugar in the mail and realize I’m helping someone by doing that.
I’m sad about your box. Sorry that happened.
Jim
February 13th, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Do you think we have a chance to rid of this wacko in the next election.
February 13th, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Sara doesn’t want to shine any attention on the plight of rural Alaskans because addressing the root causes is at odds with her political goals. A large part of the problem is that the Salmon industry in Bristol Bay collapsed. The reasons for the collapse are complex but Global Warming and pollution are at the heart of it. Sara favors digging for coal in the Bristol Bay area and the last thing she wants to do is shine a bright light on the problems mining and global warming are causing in her state. The public face of Alaska is that energy is the only viable industry in the state and that there are no competeing industrys that are being harmed. And yes, I think Sara is evil enough to let people suffer and even die to further her political ends. In fact, I think the energy industry is so evil, I won’t put it past them to intentially destroy the Bristol Bay Salmon industry if they thought it would clear the way for them to move in their mining industry. By the way it is not just Bristol Bay, the Salmon are gone all along the West Coast of NA as well. Here is an intersting article in Salon regarding the missing Salmon and the hope that they might return this year.
http://www.salon.com/env/feature/2009/01/07/return_of_salmon/index.html
February 13th, 2009 at 3:19 PM
@Jim – thanks VERY much for the heads up on being able to drop stuff off at Hanshew. I had purchased a huge garbage bag of things at Sam’s but was worried about what it was going to cost to ship (I got a little carried away), but now that I was able to pass along that without paying any shipping, I can go out and buy some more lightweight items like toilet paper and ship them myself.
February 13th, 2009 at 4:56 PM
What could is her going to those villages going to do? Is she the 2nd coming of Christ, who thinks just your presence in these villages will be enough to save them?!?!?! Seriously, unless she plans on playing Santa and pulling food and supplies out of a big red sack, she is pretty much useless. She has had more then a month to do something.
But yet she has managed to go to D.C. for a private dinner, and other trips, as well as seeing her husband off on some snow race. All that fuel used in the race, could have been sent to the villages in need. That would have been an amazing act of kindness, as well as the prize money.
I realize that Alaskans don’t have much in forms of entertainment, and local things to support. That this Iron Dog or whatever is important, but in a time of crisis it would not have been too awful for them to cancel the race and send the fuel and other supplies to the Yukon. The Country is in a recession, and other States, towns, and cities have got back on ‘entertainment’ and useless spending.
Her kissing her husband goodbye as he hops on some gas guzzler to go race 2000miles in a big circle, while people are starving and freezing elsewhere is a horrible image, and not good for her PR.
This will be remembered in 2012 if she decides to run for a National office….
February 13th, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Correction…I should have proof read better. Sorry, I guess I was so angry I didn’t see some typos.
Should be “what good” and “cut back” not “got back” sorry about that!!
February 13th, 2009 at 11:22 PM
@alaskantiger: That’s great you could make it over to Hanshew. I was there around noon and they’re getting a good pile. It is my understanding they’ll keep taking stuff next week. Thanks!
February 13th, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Thank you for isolating that clip.
Her Response sounded snippy, curt cold, and uncaring. She does not care about anything that she does not want to see.
The sad part is Pro Palin supporters call some of the questions asked by the press rude and unprofessional
The only person in that press conference that is rude, unproffesional and mean spirited is Sarah Palin.