Joe the Captain Apologizes.
` photo from noaa.gov
Back in March of 1990, Captain Joseph Hazelwood was sentenced to 1000 hours of wiping off oiled rocks in Alaska’s Prince William Sound, and paying a $50,000 fine. Hazelwood captained the Exxon Valdez oil tanker which ran around on Bligh Reef in then pristine Prince William Sound, spilling between 11 million and 30 million gallons of oil, depending who you believe.
At the sentencing, Superior Court Judge Karl Johnstone asked Hazelwood if he had anything to say. Hazelwood thanked the jury.
Johnstone then chastised him for not apologizing to the people of Alaska for his actions.
“I was hoping I was going to hear something that would sound like an apology,” the judge said. “I’ve been waiting to hear that. I watched television. I saw where the captain’s going to try to get his job back. I was waiting to hear something that sounded like “I’m sorry.’ ”
He added that he realized Hazelwood’s attorneys had probably advised him not to say anything that would sound like an acceptance of responsibility because of ongoing litigation.
Well, 19 years and , and 346 days after the spill, Captain Joseph Hazelwood issued a “heartfelt apology” to the people of Alaska. It comes at the end of a new 288-page book released to coincide with the 20th Anniversary of the spill.
In “The Spill: Personal Stories from the Exxon Valdez Disaster,” Hazelwood says he now works as an investigator and technical consultant with a maritime law firm in New York.
He doesn’t say much about the actual grounding, which occurred just after midnight on March 24, 1989.
The day before, he begins, he and the chief engineer left the docked ship and went into the town of Valdez on some business. On Hazelwood’s list was ordering some Easter flowers for his daughter.
“After lunch, we had a couple of drinks,” Hazelwood says.
And how, after a long court fight, he beat all but one criminal charge — negligent discharge of oil. He would be sentenced to community service in Anchorage.
Hazelwood seems to suggest he was wrongly blamed: “The true story is out there for anybody who wants to look at the facts, but that’s not the sexy story and that’s not the easy story,” he says.
In the end, Hazelwood, now in his 60s, says he felt Alaskans always “gave me a fair shake.”
“I was the captain of a ship that ran aground and caused a horrendous amount of damage. I’ve got to be responsible for that,” he says.
“I would like to offer an apology, a very heartfelt apology, to the people of Alaska for the damage caused by the grounding of a ship that I was in command of.”
So, if we follow Joe the Captain’s lead, we should decide whether to accept his apology (flipping through calendar) some time at the end of February in (tapping on calculator)…..2028. Check back then.
*Updated Note: There appears to have been some confusion about the authorship of the book. Apologies if I was vague.
The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council, a congressionally mandated industry watchdog group formed after the spill, commissioned the book. It will sell for $17.95 through publisher Epicenter Press, and includes interviews with many people whose lives were affected by the spill, including Hazelwood.
zuerst wieder
hmmm. pvazwindy.
and the story of the valdez always makes me sad.
zuerst wieder = “first again” (babelfish, altavista)
Yes, you sure are.
I guess the Cap’n has quit listening to his lawyers, eh?
Thats a long time to wait … I’m not waiting up for that.
The story of Valdez reminds me of what can happen when greed/profit is more important than safety and following the rules. Alaska is still paying the price, and the oil company, with deep pockets, pays little.
I remember this tragedy . The pictures of winged fowl just saturated with oil not to mention the fishing in pristine Prince William Sound–devastating. And big oil got away with it. Blackened shoreline, volunteers working tirelessly to try and clean up the mess. This was truly a sad day for Alaska and especially the folks who depended on the area for their livelihood. Old Joe the drunken sailor.
Did he ever perform the community service in his sentence?
“he now works as an investigator and technical consultant with a maritime law firm in New York.”
oh, yeah – I can imagine exactly what he’s doing for a bunch of laywers!
So he’s an amateur corrupt b*stard, unlike certain judges.
19 years for an apology, wow, kinda a long time, eh? Very BIG sigh, you Alaskans can address this first, it did happen on your shores, but dang, it affects so much more.
I am going to bed. luv you guys
The oil spill was very traumatic – I was in Seward which was the #2 response site after Valdez. This apology in a BOOK – I can’t say that I’m impressed one bit. I want to be angry because Prince William Sound was trashed and this affected the lives and livelihoods (not to mention ecosystems) in a huge way up here. The clean up itself brought more corruption (VECO and company) so it was adding insult to injury. The oil companies were putting out HUGE ads in the paper which were misleading or outright lying about the condition of the Sound.
I remember watching a TV add for one of the oil tanker companies and having my jaw drop when I heard the company ITSELF take credit for the IDEA for sending in ONLY double hull tankers into AK, being concerned about the environment and all – when they thought at the time they were being forced to (amendment was tabled AFTER these commercials aired)!
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/2/28/102826/086
“Just four months after the Valdez spill, Sen. George Mitchell introduced S.686, a measure relating to oil spills and liability. Sen. Brock Adams then introduced an amendment (S.Amdt.669) requiring double hulls on all new tankers over 20,000 tons operating in U.S. waters. (Valdez was a single-hull tanker.)”
If you read on, you will see that the amendment was tabled.
“Guess who voted with Breaux and Big Oil? That’s right: Straight Talkin’, Special Interest Hatin’, Enviro-Maverick John McCain!…Again: four months after the biggest environmental disaster in U.S. history, McCain voted against requiring double hulled tankers.”
The next year, there was legislation passed: the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 which included phasing out single hulled ships. Another story.
That was the atmosphere. Sadness, lots of clean up work, lots of people from out of state masquerading as Alaskans to get the work, tons of money changing hands, lots of shady deals, some clean up and animals saved, many died, and enough lies flyin’ to put even Sarah Palin to shame. Livelihoods as fisherman / oyster farmers and many others lost.
Joseph Hazelwood was not / is not a man of integrity or he would have apologized much sooner. This wasn’t a little deal up here, it was a huge deal and he knew it. Coward.
The oil spill was very traumatic – I was in Seward which was the #2 response site after Valdez. This apology in a BOOK – I can’t say that I’m impressed one bit. I want to be angry because Prince William Sound was trashed and this affected the lives and livelihoods (not to mention ecosystems) in a huge way up here. The clean up itself brought more corruption (VECO and company) so it was adding insult to injury. The oil companies were putting out HUGE ads in the paper which were misleading or outright lying about the condition of the Sound.
I remember watching a TV add for one of the oil tanker companies and having my jaw drop when I heard the company ITSELF take credit for the IDEA for sending in ONLY double hull tankers into AK, being concerned about the environment and all – when they thought at the time they were being forced to (amendment was tabled AFTER these commercials aired)!
http://gristmillDOTgristDOTorg/story/2008/2/28/102826/086
“Just four months after the Valdez spill, Sen. George Mitchell introduced S.686, a measure relating to oil spills and liability. Sen. Brock Adams then introduced an amendment (S.Amdt.669) requiring double hulls on all new tankers over 20,000 tons operating in U.S. waters. (Valdez was a single-hull tanker.)”
If you read on, you will see that the amendment was tabled.
“Guess who voted with Breaux and Big Oil? That’s right: Straight Talkin’, Special Interest Hatin’, Enviro-Maverick John McCain!…Again: four months after the biggest environmental disaster in U.S. history, McCain voted against requiring double hulled tankers.”
The next year, there was legislation passed: the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 which included phasing out single hulled ships. Another story.
That was the atmosphere. Sadness, lots of clean up work, lots of people from out of state masquerading as Alaskans to get the work, tons of money changing hands, lots of shady deals, some clean up and animals saved, many died, and enough lies flyin’ to put even Sarah Palin to shame. Livelihoods as fisherman / oyster farmers and many others lost.
Joseph Hazelwood was not / is not a man of integrity or he would have apologized much sooner. This wasn’t a little deal up here, it was a huge deal and he knew it. Coward.
spam filter – you make my life hard I tell you!
@pvazwindy (21:36:42) :
This was truly a sad day for Alaska
———
and still to this day
I don’t think drunken Joe the Captain would have bothered to apologize, except for the hope that it would help sell his book. I wouldn’t buy it if it came in the “Free” box at a yardsale.
I hate to complain but this is so Palin like. Destroy the Prince William Sound with poisonous oil and leave the gigantic mess for somebody else to clean up. At the same time you make a profit. Then to add insult to injury the Captain does not make an apology when he goes to trial. Acccording to him, he has done nothing wrong (except for to destroy a viable eco-system). And now 20 years later he wants to give a half a$$ apology for the destruction he caused because he is trying to sell a book??! Same old strategy, ruin the land and profit but dont take responsibilty for it until it can possibly be profitable again. Sounds like Gino has been taking lessons and has learned that it is all about being greedy and making a profit at the expense of the people, the land and all the species of the land. Sheesh!!
http://www.adn.com/front/story/711385.html
Thank you AKM for revisiting this horrific story. I’m one of the “whiners” as we were often called, whose lives were turned inside out by this regrettable and avoidable tragedy.
Joe will not profit from this book. It is published by the RCAC, the regional citizens advisory council. It is a good organization. We got the council, the double hulls, the tractor tugs, and public attention AFTER the spill. When the pipeline terminus was first proposed in the early seventies, those of us who lived in Prince William Sound asked for these things. We were ignored. So, yes, we live with knowing this was avoidable. Our state, our neighbors, national environmental groups were not there when a small group of fisherman tried to bring this to the world.
And then, of course, it happened. The worst case scenario, in the worst time of the year. Followed by an inept (albeit expensive) attempt at “clean up” and mostly PR. Salt on the wound was the 20 years of legal wrangling. As if the spill wasn’t bad enough, try being a victim for 20 years within the “system”. Soon that will be over. First, we won, then we lost, then we won again, then we went to the Supreme Court. What we wound up with was 1/10 of the original punitive damages awarded by the first court. And it isn’t over yet. Exxon is appealing the interest on the award. So we wait some more.
Like a friend of mine mentioned when he heard of Joe’s “apology”:
“Fine! I presume his “heartfelt apology” was reduced by 90% by the recent Supreme Court ruling, so it now reads: “Tough Sh*t”
I think he worked off part of his sentence serving food at Bean’s Cafe in Anchorage.
OT OT OT
Since the spam filter ate my long post about Hazelwood & the Exxon Valdez, I’ll post a quick reminder to keep your eye on the start of the Iditarod this weekend!
Race Start Sat, Mar 7, 10:00 a.m. Downtown Anchorage (ceremonial)
Race Re-Start Sun, Mar 8, 2:00 p.m. Willow Lake, Willow Community Center
http://www.iditarod.com/race/
I can’t believe it – Rick Swenson is signed up for the one millionth time! My heros: Jeff King, DeeDee Jonrowe, and Martin Buser. I love the rookies, too. Go iditarod!
OT OT OT
I’m sure what’s her face will be there, but just ignore her and enjoy the gorgeous dogs and the hard workin’ mushers! Forget SP completely for this weekend – she doesn’t deserve to take one minute of attention away from this incredible race, the mushers and my favorite of all, the DOGS!
Exxon allowed a person with a known drinking problem to take ships in and out of one of the most beautiful places on the planet. That negligence and disregard for safety was pervasive and seems to still be the company mantra.
When two women report being raped on Exxon tankers in those years, and one filed charges against the assailant, there were eight other complaints against that seafarer in company personnel files. Exxon had kept him on, even though he was a danger to other employees.
The loss of abundant and healthy wildlife and sealife in the region may be irreversible. The harm that Exxon has caused the culture and economy of villages and communities throughout the Alaska coastline is criminal. The company management – the real criminals – have dragged on the legal settlement until more than 20% of the claimants are dead. The rest will receive 10% of what the courts originally ruled was appropriate.
We need to work to undo the fraudulent rights that corporations claim. To learn more, see the work of Riki Ott, fisherm’am of Prince William Sound and marine toxicologist: http://www.rikiott.com/
and learn about human rights versus corporate rights: http://www.ultimatecivics.com/
Sad huh? Exxon is still in litigation. I wont ever buy their oil, we are thinking about downgrading and getting mopeds so we wont have to use oil, or better yet, maybe back to using bikes.
@ CRFlats (23:14:25)
Thanks for clarifying!! What an unnecessary waste, and it didn’t take a Rocket Scientist to figure out what might happen.
@ mt, I’m like you. Haven’t bought a DROP of Exxon oil since the spill.
Evening All,
Just stopping in really quick to say hi. I need to go work on my diary on anonymousbloggers.
WOW … ONLY 19 years!! Hmmm wonder if it will take SP that long to apologize to NT??? and the rest of rural AK??
Ok enough of that….
Well sorry I haven’t been on here much today. I was catching up on some house work and then had to take CC for her FIRST RIDE in her new sled her daddy made her. As soon as I get done here I am going to go post pictures on my diary.
Then I had to go deliver some food. Will give all the details on the next update.
But I will tell you delivering was hmm is EXCITING the right word… NO I think SCARY is the right word…
I had just left my aunties house with the sledful of bags of food to go pass out. And I STUPIDLY hadn’t gone out in the LIGHT OF DAY to check the trails since we have had blizzards for what 3 days?? So I take off on the snow machine, thinking oooh I’ll cut by what used to be our store and jump on to our ONE AND ONLY road and go from there.
THANK GOD!!! I was going pretty slow because it didn’t occur to me that they had plowed the road and that there might be a little hmm TRANSITION on to the road???? Hmm how’d I not think of that. Well this what was it I called it OOOH YEAH a TRANSITION happened to be a 3 foot drop from where the trail had been before to the road. Not a gentle slop or even a lil bump ooooh NOOO it was like a miniature CLIFF.
I slammed on the brakes and thought ok I can just back up turn around and go the other way. ROFL ummm you DO NOT BACK up with a SLED!! Ok that didn’t work all I managed to do was jam the sled under the bar on the back of the snowmachine.
So now I am saying some very UNLADYLIKE words, and OF COURSE there isn’t anyone around to help (because since we have been receiving so many reusable totes I can deliver them by myself with ease).
So I have to PRY the sled out from under the bar on the back of the snowmachine. Then unhook the sled and push it back thankfully it was a downward slope so that wasn’t too hard. Then back the snow machine up turn around and retrieve the sled.
YOU would THINK that BY NOW I would know better and go scope out the trails. BUT OOOH NOOO then I wouldn’t be able to tell y’all about my adventures navigating SNOW MOUNTAINS in Nunam now would I?
But atleast I did have my boots on, and I DID remember my head lamp so that was my only LESSON for today. Live and Learn… when we are out of this crisis if anyone needs information on the do’s and don’ts of food delivery in the Bush, I think I will be a Qualified EXPERT!! Hee Hee!!
OK well I am off to update my diary you can read it at http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/ Like I said there will be pictures of CC’s new sled up there some time this evening. Don’t know how long they will take to upload on dial up.
Good Night All, Quyana again from Nunam Iqua!!
Ann “Qasqanayak” Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com
P.S. I have four families that I adopted out to individuals that have still never received anything is there anyone who will to adopt them please??? Meaning you will send boxes directly to them instead of them having to wait on the food drive. I have adopted most of the families here in Nunam to families from all over the US and Canada for the winter. If you can adopt one please email me. Quyana
Findlay Abbott from Yukon Island in Kachemak Bay has done yeoman’s work to hold Exxon accountable for the true volume of the spill – and from what I have seen in the limited documents Exxon lawyers have let slip, the true volume was AT LEAST double the oft-quoted urban myth of roughly 11 million gallons, and most likely more. How ironic the oil persists in the Sound to this day. But Exxon only cared about the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) – and the damages its formula results in – when it sought to suppress the true spill volume. And the largest equity investment by the Alaska Permanent Fund? Exxon. The Legislature can have hearings on divesting from Dafur, but Exxon remains off limits. And Tom Irwin just caved on the Point Thompson leases, and Trans-Canada famously said the day after AGIA passed – (to wit) “we won’t say boo unless Exxon and the other “producers” agree.” So, Alaska will remain a corporate colony unless and until we recognize our owner state status and truly demand accountability from the Exxon lawyers and managers who drag our decisionmakers around by the nose.
Martha Unalaska – thanks for the Iditerod reminder! I’m pulling for Aliy Zirkle, a friend of my kids, whom I met while inf FBKS. She wone the Yukon Quest one year.
Also makes me think of Hobo Jim, who wrote “The Iditerod Trail Song”, whom we knew in Homer. He used to greet the mushers as they crossed the finish line in Nome. Does he still do this. Exciting times!!
Does he still drink and drive ??
@ inletkeeper (01:19:41) :
Wanna bet that it’s Exxon’s ‘maritime’ laywers that Joe the Captain is working for?
OT Iditarod. I love how many women do the race. So much cooler than the Testosterone Dog Race.
I lived in coastal Alaska at the time of this tragedy. I find most times I don’t have the energy to dig up all the emotions that went along with it. I left Alaska the summer after the incident, to go to grad school in upstate NY. Somewhere along the way it came time to change the oil in my dear little diesel rabbit – a task I could probably still do in my sleep, in much less time than it takes to find a jiffy lube.
I think I was in California, and when I went to find a service station that would take the used oil to recycle, several refused, since they hadn’t done the service themselves. I finally went to an Exxon station and said, “see the plates on my car? Can you see where it says ALASKA? If you don’t take this oil and recycle it, I’m going to dump it it YOUR backyard…” That worked.
And thanks, Joe – way to make us all feel better.
I forget which “step” in the AA program it is that you need to apologize , but at this pace……..To this day I won’t even stop to pee at an Exxon station. And BTW Joe – Denial is not a river in Egypt………..
EVOS was the biggest life changing event in my life. I’m still in denial and need therapy.
I was enchanted by the abundant Prince William Sound long before the EVOS. I worked on tug boats out of Seward Alaska in the early 80′s. Often, we would haul a small barge into the PWS to a small logging camp. I was the cook deck hand back then. I felt like a very lucky man getting paid to enter the calm beautiful waters of PWS. Haaaaa, the wildness of life in PWS before the spill!
PWS is a place of dreams, is a place of spirits, and is now a legacy of heart ship and corporate greed. Ok I’ll reframe, we are in a more prepared state dealing with industry and corporate capitalism. Are environmental, scientific, and response community are connected and organized locally to deal with spills in the future.
I ran into the,” national security wall” testifying for,” solutions for coastal pollution’s” after the PWSOS. Are USCG and all the other branches of the USA Military, are in bed with the oil industry.
So Joe, its like you’re coming out of the closet……. your sorry……. Please, kind of late don’t you think? Your guilt finally got to you? I hope you stay dry and work on your apology skills for the rest of your life. A restful night sleep, would be much to kind to offer you.
aeroentropy (05:17:31) :
I’m going to dump it it YOUR backyard…”
Thank you!!
OT but important re: Send Victoria to Gardening Conference page on AB
Trying to get info and not getting a response from Vic nor Jane. Ann S. if you’re still around can you give Vic a heads up?
Sorry to be so short but am overwhelmed today
I saw this on Phil’s blog the other day and wanted to post, but I didn’t.
There is a art show that opened yesterday in Homer re: EVS
from Phil’s blog:
“The show is really about choosing not to forget about accountability. [The spill] was an environmental holocaust that all kinds of people in the science, fisheries, eco-tourism and art worlds continue to feel and mourn.
If you want to find out more…
http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/03/20th-anniversary-of-exxon-valdez-spill.html
Yesterday my BF was @ the VA getting some pre-op testing for minor sx, and I’m reading this book called “Plant Spirit Shamanism” and they are having a interview with a Andean curandera(Medicine man/Elder)…and this paragraph stood out, re: yesterday’s blog about GINO’s disrespect of Nick Tucker & Villager’s and today’s blog EVS. Nature vs. Big oil.
“As we know all gods come through nature. But what has become of Western religion? Materialism, loss of identity,loss of customs. There is so much struggle today. People are no longer thinking about nature, but about money and the help they need. They have become completely insecure. Imagine if we went to live in nature again, surrounded by mountains, or in the rain forest, how much more healing it would be. Yet the tendency today is for everybody to want to move into cities, to live like American’s, build motorways. Its sad.”
The interview goes on, but I think its relevant to what GINO is trying to do to the Villages have them leave, for “jobs on the slope/big oil” Mining (Pebblemine) and is applicable to all the people and animals who suffered through EVS. And even though it happened in Alaska we all suffer, its like a ripple effect that affects us all one way or another……I am sorry for you all that have gone through this horrible wound to our Mother Earth…
I have a lifetime boycott of Exxon going.
Yes, I believe that Mr. Hazelwood did all of his community service. And, I’m fairly certain this was not his first apology, though I cannot find anything on the internet about it at this late date. Isn’t there someone out there who worked with him during his community service???? He had some positive press during that time, unlike Exxon.
@ Martha Unalaska Yard Sign
Off topic, response to last night and the “Super Power” Capes…..I too had vino with dinner last night, and woke up this morning with my cape still on. Obviously, after two glasses of wine, I hit the Hay by nine. What a party gal, or seriously, a lite weight.
But seriously, between what Bush and Cheney have left the world to deal with….because his last four years in office has almost brought the world down to it’s knees. And now between Queen Taliban Gino and Rush….how much can a woman stand! It’s enough to make my esophagus work backwords.
I feel like, seriously….it’s NOT only about Alaska, it’s about our country and our world. These are very dangerous people and here in Alaska, we have to stop her first and then move on to making sure we never elect anyone remotely similar to Bush/Cheney….and that means Queen Taliban Gino and her new boyfirend…Rush. I am using “Seriously, just like also, also and also.
@Womanwithsardinecan
I have two names for you….Libby Riddles and Susan Butcher, now those women are the type of women that represent Alaska. Rest in Peace Susan. You were amazing and will always be in Alaska’s history books. The thought of Queen Taliban Gino remotely trying to represent Women in Alaska…is just Gross!
I loved the Susan Butcher era of the Iditarod. She is missed. Libby was great too. Is she retired from racing?
I’d put women like those up against the gas-spewing Dud any day. I’m sure he’s completely helpless without his precious snowMOBILE.
Anna,
What do they need?
If you could be specific I would help.
For this of you who don’t know, you can get a large box from the post office and mail it anywhere for $13.95. It’s not a gigantic box, but it does not matter what it weighs.
We did that this summer when my son was working in Alaska far away from any store and practically could not afford to eat!
The times they are a-changing
Presidential Memo Restores the Endangered Species Act.
One of the worst of the Bush midnight regulations is history today. In December, the Bush administration announced a rule that freed federal agencies from having to consult with independent wildlife biologists before building or permitting major projects like dams, highways, transmission towers, housing developments, etc. Agencies could rely on their own personnel to determine the potential impact of the project on species covered by the Endangered Species As of today, that rule is suspended.(From DailyKos)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5pnYdFOD3s
Hey Bodie……..as per the last thread and sending fruit……I’ve thought the same thing ever since Jan. when I was in AZ and the tangerines on my parents tree’s were just ripening, heck I brought some home in my suitcase, lol, yum……..I’d think oranges or tangerines would do just fine in the largest flat rate box……..can’t think of what you could use to fill the spaces between to make the most of the space, but yes I bet you could get quite a few in there, depending on size, maybe 20-25? for 10.35 shipping, think it sounds worth it.
Perhaps someone in Anchorage could say what the price of oranges is up there, it would be 4 x that in the villages if even available. I’d say oranges could also handle the shipping better than apples.
BigPete (07:22:48) :
The times they are a-changing
Unfortunately they are not changing enough, the Obama administration is letting stand the Bush decision removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list in the Upper Midwest, Idaho and Montana. Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has been quoted as saying he wants the first wolf tag. They will once again be hunted and killed.
@Say No To Palin In Politics
I think the fresh fruit, especially Tangerines or Oranges would be wonderful. Our prices are higher down here in Southeast Alaska then Anchorage prices. It’s called being remote and not having a highway system that connects us to the lower 48.
A gallon of milk in my community is over five dollars, not including city sales tax. I could only imagine how expensive it is up in the villages, most likely double that price.
Pick them slightly green and ship them. It would be like getting a gift from the gods, since most of their fruit is canned fruit from the store.
kraftytessNo Gravatar (07:39:31) :
BigPete (07:22:48) :
The times they are a-changing
Unfortunately they are not changing enough, the Obama administration is letting stand the Bush decision removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list in the Upper Midwest, Idaho and Montana. Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has been quoted as saying he wants the first wolf tag. They will once again be hunted and killed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I saw that
I hope DoW can get that changed fast! This Gov butch sounds like another GINO….vile!
So Alaskans have to pay to read his apology?
@Diane (07:18:42) :
Anna,
What do they need?
If you could be specific I would help.
For this of you who don’t know, you can get a large box from the post office and mail it anywhere for $13.95. It’s not a gigantic box, but it does not matter what it weighs.
We did that this summer when my son was working in Alaska far away from any store and practically could not afford to eat!
___ ____ ___ ____ ____ ____ ___ ___
Diane,
Quyana Cakneq for wanting to help.
If you could email me I will give you the specifics. My email is listed below. And I know about the flat rate boxes that is pretty much all we are receiving. GOTTA LOVE flat rate boxes!!!
Also you can visit http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/ for more information on how to help.
Quyana again!!
Ann Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com
Crystalwolf – You are right about Otter. Might be time to send another donation to DoW and NRDC, they will surely be among the first responders.
Back to the topic of Exxon Valdez, 1989 was the last year I lived in Kodiak and that summer there was no salmon fishing. The town was filled with fisherman and cannery workers who couldn’t work. Some of them got jobs with the clean up but others were left with no work. I’ll never forget how I took my boys to a beach where I had played as a child and when I came home I found Exxon oil on my jeans. It was a sad, sad summer.
I haven’t posted much this week, but I have been reading, and time and again, with due respect to the courageous, caring and determined men on this planet, I see women organizing, planning, acting, leading. Ann and Victoria are in our spotlight right now, and there are many like them across the world– doing what they can to fight poverty, injustice, unequal access to health care and education.
The other night I went to the screening of a film that was shown in theaters around the country called A Powerful Noise. http://www.apowerfulnoise.org/
It chronicles three women– one from Vietnam, one from Mali and one from Bosnia, and the efforts they have made as COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS to bring positive change to people’s lives.
As the era of materialism, greed, waste and living in disharmony with our environment comes crashing to an end, women (and men) like these step forward to lead us into the future.
(Public Service Announcement)
Bill Maher is back on Daily Kos
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/3/7/84836/10620/104/705704
Hey EVERYONE….
WHOA!!! Fresh FRUIT is a BAD idea!! Well I mean it’s a great idea BUT it’ll freeze before it reaches us!!! Some of the boxes I have gotten have been partially frozen. So I don’t think fruit will make it in.
Better stick to canned or dried fruit. While I am mentioning it, can I request that if anyone here is sending or planning to send a box please NO MORE beans!! They are an exotic/scary food is what I am discovering. #1 people don’t know how to cook them and # I think most are scared of them! The people that do know how to cook them are getting over loaded on beans.
So as much as I would LOVE to get in fresh fruit I know it won’t arrive without being frozen and ruined.
Ann Strongheart
Ann,
Could you educate us a little bit about cooking methods up there? I wondered about beans and other things that generally take a long time to cook given the price of fuel. I’ve looked at your supplies lists, but give us some idea what is done with, say, flour. I bake bread, but I’m not thinking you do a lot of baking, more stovetop stuff. Anyway, I’d like to go to the grocery store with some idea rather than my own sense of what I do with these ingredients.
Call me a heretic but I think after 20 years, some forgiveness can be found. But I’m with the rest of yas on not buying Exxon products. Don’t think I’ve ever avoided a product for as long as Exxon. I’m the same way with Chevron. No way will I support that Venezuelan nutcase. But that old captain? Him I can forgive. Might forget him, too.
@ wired differently
Some people bake here but you are right about the cost of fuel. Most make fried bread. Mainly traditional families make LOTS of soup and put rice and spaghetti and macaroni noodles in with the meat. I am working on a Yup’ik Cuisine story, parts of it have already appeared on http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com listed under fish, meat and seal.
Ann
@Ann Strongheart
Good point about the temp, I forgot that the packages may sit outside waiting to be loaded onto a plane. Here in Southeast today, it’s like the tropics. Another beautiful day and the temp. outside my door in the shade is 30 degrees. Once the sun hits the patio, it will go up to around 33 degrees.
A few years ago we brought our Souteast Alaska swim teams up to Fairbanks for a State swim meet. You could tell what part of Alaska we were from. We had the look of “I can’t believe people live in these temps” We came from 25 degrees above zero and within a few hours, we went to fifty below zero. Talk about Freak out! The kids went and bought Sillystring and would go outside (fully clothed) and spay the silly string up in the air….watch it freeze and crash to the ground, which it would break into a thousand pieces. The fire alarms went off at the hotel we were staying in because pipes were freezing and breaking. No one left the building. I was figuring if it really was a fire, I would have to see flames first before I would step outside.
To reach Victoria use this email-victoria@anonymousbloggers.com,
If you get no answer you can try
info@anonymousbloggers.com and ask the message to be reayed to her
waqaa, ann
i just emailed you
As long as Joe does not drink and drive , I forgive him. Forget him too. also.
Ann or other Alaskans,
I was wondering about trying to send cabbage or brocoli that don’t mind being
frozen. From Vic’s listing of when she gets stuff, it as been three days from WI
with flat rate. At least they would be green and crunchy, or if arriving frozen, could
just stay frozen till you have time to cook them?
I haven’t done this, would wait till you hve time to answer.
Also, too, what about dried seaweeds? Would people eat the kind available here,
Japanese produced, and very expensive, but very nutritious and ‘kinda’ vegetable-ish’?
Waqaa, Fawnskin
and I just replied
One of the main reasons I stop in here at Mudflats is to absorb the wisdom and wit and amazing personal stories of times past and of today.
It’s pretty refreshing to read the comments of folks who aren’t so consumed by their political beliefs that they forget to have real lives (like the impression I get from some other blog places I visit).
lol, kajo…
i know what you mean, but i wonder if that statement holds true for those of us who were on mudflats 24/7 during the elections.
@Interested Person
I don’t know about the cabbage/broccoli idea. I brought some down from Emmonak my last shopping trip and it didn’t freeze when i was coming down but it was just nasty when we tried to eat it. It (red cabbage) looked beautiful but had fermented.
I fear if you do try to send it that it will freeze part of the time and then thaw other times and be a big mooshy mess by the time it arrives in the village.
Seaweed is a BIG hit here. (Altho personally I don’t know why ick! LOL) One of the favorite native dishes is eating herring eggs that are on kelp.
Ann
Ann– soup! Can do, I come from a long line of ‘whatever’s on hand’ soup makers. Fry bread, not a part of my heritage, but most of the recipes I see use baking powder. Should I include that?
marthaunalaska…
i need you to email asap.
two of us on anon.blog have a solution for airplane ticket for victoria.
quyana
@ wired differently
I don’t know of anyone here that uses baking powder to make fry bread everyone uses yeast. But I have refrained from putting that on my list because there are those here who would use it to make homebrew.
Ann
i meant that last post to go to ann, also too.
Hazelwood bio link. Explains community service sentence, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hazelwood
@Ann. got it. maybe a pre-mix like Bisquick, ya? …getting confused talking to you in 2 places
Exxon???? Who are they? I have completely stopped giving them any of my time or money, except to make sure I never buy any of their products. Has it been 20 years? No wonder I’ve forgotten who they are, but not what they did and then how they totally failed to take responsibility. The money they spend to cover-up, corrupt officials and buy off lawyers just upsets me and my blood pressure, so I’ve put my attention on things I can do something about.
The last few days I’ve been reading up on AK history and looking for more than just the Euro-view of taking over the west and last frontier, a favorite subject of mine. I’ve also followed many of the leads and links given here on Mudflats and have virtually wandered all over AK never leaving my driveway, via my computer. There is so much to do and so much to see I could get lost for hours….that could be why I don’t have any clean underware….I’ve spent so much time online….but I can’t find my washer or the clothes line.
OT:
Calling all yarn stashers! Ann says there’s a need for yarn in the villages b/c there are a lot of knitters and crocheters who want to make items for the upcoming potlatch. You know what to do!!
Oh, the captain apologized? After almost 20 years? Well, I guess that’s ok then.
Seriously, if he is really sorry, he should DO something. He may have fulfilled the requirements of his community service, but really, has he DONE anything really useful for the ecosystem he helped trash, the livelihoods taken? Does his work in maritime law focus on holding captains, corporations, etc responsible for their actions on the sea and coasts? Somehow, I doubt it, but I’d be happy to be proven wrong.
Unfortunately, my understanding is that the oil companies are as cooperative as they are competitive. You may not fill up at an Exxon Station, but the gas from the station down the street is as likely as not been refined at Exxon. Their obscene, record-breaking profits come from more than just sales at the pump. Not that I’m advocating buying their gas, I’m just lamenting that we boycotters are taking a moral/political stand, not a real economic one.
I have been up on Prince William Sound many times since 2000. It looks lovely now, but I remember the “accident.” When I’m there, as beautiful as it is, I know that under the surface the damage is still there. It always makes me sad.
I’m all with waiting until 2028 to accept the apology. I think the damage will still be there then.
…I sent items packed in one box, had I sent items in seperate boxes @ the flat rate, it would have cost just as much…maybe next time, I’ll send less
i need the list of grocery items for the villages.
does anyone know where it is kept here on mudflats?
It does? The closest he got was this:
It’s nice to know that he would like to (just as soon as his lawyers tell him it’s ok) but I see nothing that says that he has or does. Given the involvement of lawyers, I see the omission as significant.
Thats it, im going to get me a mountainbike again. So what if my son says im too old to ride a bike.
Joe Hazelwood was a PATSY! The myth of the Exxon Valdez disaster continues to be cemented by the ADN, by bloggers and even and especially by the “legal team” that erroneously argued on behalf of fisherman and Alaskans before the Supreme Court. They never mentioned the broken radar, the iced-in spill response barges, the fact that the spill was NOT 11 million gallons-Exxon’s lowball estimate-it was 30+million gallons. The truth is out there on the web, just like Joe claimed.
A great place to start is on Greg Palast’s website here:
tried to put an HTML link in above, not sure if it will work…if not, here is the site for cutting and pasting into the browser:
http://www.gregpalast.com/court-rewards-exxon-for-valdez-oil-spill/
There is a great audio interview available there from Shannyn Moore’s interview with Palast on the day the verdict came in last year-back when KUDO actually had a progressive on the air.
An excerpt from Palast: “Today, twenty years after the oil washed over the Chugach beaches, you can kick over a rock and it will smell like an old gas station.
The cover story of the Drunken Captain serves the oil industry well. It falsely presents America’s greatest environmental disaster as a tale of human frailty, a one-time accident. But broken radar, missing equipment, phantom spill teams, faked tests — the profit-driven disregard of the law — made the spill an inevitability, not an accident.”
Truer words about the spill-outside of Dr. Riki Ott-have never been written…
fawnskin, click on the “village aid” link way at the top.
@FAWN
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/how-to-help/
there’s a list there
Ann
Must not be easy to address this one, Joe. Thank you for the apology.
Exxon/Mobile: You are not to be trusted to take care, prepare, or compensate for damage done. Never again.
Peaceful Granny (10:31:10) : There is a link in the Forum under Alaska Lodge for suggesting reading on Alaska. Some good suggestions there.
The Spill: My maternal ancestors lived on the coast of Alaska and in Prince William Sound, and I was raised on a family boat there. My dad was born on an island in the Sound, my mom in a village down the coast. Growing up in the Sound meant exploring every nook and cranny we could. My mother could make a meal from just about anything our hooks or nets would bring in, or gathered on the beach. Little did I know, the chain would break with me. We no longer make our living in the Sound. I did not raise my own family in the manner I was raised.
1964 The Great Alaska Earthquake epicenter was in Prince William Sound. I grew up referencing events “before the earthquake” and “after the earthquake”. It was a natural disaster that brought people together in a common battle to regain our lives. Most of the deaths of the earthquake were in PWS. Almost the entire village of Chenega disappeared. Valdez went up in flames, and 31 people were swept to sea with the dock.
The Spill did not bring people together. No one died, but we watched the Sound & the animals die. We heard the deathly silence. And the anger, money, & greed, split people apart. It has taken us nearly 20 years, but we are a community once again, rebuilding our lives. We are not afraid of the recession or depression forecast, we have been living it since the spill.
After the spill, only one person was fired at Exxon: Joe Hazelwood. The persons in charge of hiring him, keeping him in command, and ignoring the drunken culture aboard their vessels, all GOT PROMOTED.
The lesson from the Spill: Don’t let it happen. Prevention is the only answer. There is no such thing as a “clean up” in your lifetime. The oil companies will not do this. They factor in the cost of doing business is the cost of a spill, and it is cheaper than the cost of prevention. Bottom line.
Excellent, CRFlats.
@ fawnskin hussein mudpuppy
Now let me give you ANOTHER list from Vic’s page:
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/another-village-in-need-of-help/
The site is growing so quickly that we need to do some reorganizing. Even those of us who are involved in AB get lost over there – sorry! But I’d rather be TOO BUSY than not busy at all!
Thank you for your help – you are now being voted ONTO the island as an Honorary Alaskan!
The Copper River Flats (CRFlats) is the delta that spreads out into the Gulf of Alaska at the mouth of the Copper River. Prince William Sound is to the West of the Copper River Delta. Thankfully, the currents are such that the EVOS in the Sound did not reach this area. However, the aging pipeline, which has a history of leaks, crosses the Copper River and tributaries in several places. There are limited contingency plans in the eventuality of a pipeline failure in these critical spots. The river sustains the Native and non-Native culture and economies of the entire Copper River watershed, and home of the famous Copper River Salmon. The RCAC continues to press for greater protections on the pipeline.
@ CRFlats
I should have known that about the pipeline crossing the Copper River. Your area is a treasure – there is NO WAY we can have a leak there!
quyana, crflats, for sharing your story.
my heart cries for you loses.
Thanks for bearing with me. We have made a concerted effort to not be a poster child, and toss off the victimhood of the spill. It is so important to move on, but not forget, less we will allow the mistakes to be repeated.
Still waiting for Exxon to apologize (“a regrettable incident”) and proactively pursue preventative measures. Waiting for Godot, too.
OT OT OT -
Although I can remember the EVOS and felt it hurt to the bone as I lived in a state with fishing and a beautiful coast I can’t speak first hadn to the pain. Still is sad to hear the stories from people up here.
Onto cheerier topics-
We got over 250 pounds of food out the other day. (We made a quick last minute trip to PIP to get caught up. We have been having warm, then freezing rain, then regular rain, then snow – all so quick we can’t keep up, thus is makes travel over the river,lakes and marshed “interesting”:-))
From;
1 box G S, from Faribanks
1 box from G J, from Milwaukee, WI
1 box from G Briggs (gotta laugh on the last name:-)), from Ithica, NY
1 box from L R, from Corning, NY
2 boxes from RG – Dimondale, MI
5 total – think 2 recent LB, from Anchorage
2 boxes from LP from, Willoughly OH
2 boxs from D& L S from, Galesburg, IL
1 box from JP from Seattle
1 box from NS from Seattle
1 from CG from Blanchard, WI
1 from SA from Atkinson, NH
We love the notes and comments – we usually get someone to read those to us as we are unpacking, making for good times.
I have to say the variety of pasta, fruit, dried goods, instant mixes for rice, noodles, etc is GREAT. Mac and cheese is STILL #1 with the kids despite parents trying.
Also all the canned fish, turkey, chicken is helping to give variety. We also got some more reusable totes for handing out thngs which as Ann said has made it so much easier. Also all the baggies for splitting things up helps greatly.
The special soaps could not have been here at a better time as we has a lady come down with an allergy and it help with the “itches”:-)))
Think that is it for now,
Victoria B (food drive)
General Delivery
Pilot Point, AK 99649
victoria@anonymousbloggers.com
Whoops -
I have a request- I need to have two people (not even families) adopted due to special health issues that have arisen lately.
I have two people with special needs and if someone would just like to email me we can get you set up.
Here are basics-
A little one (18 month I think) has been found to have some pretty severe allergies. no beef, pork and some seafood. They are not sure what else and are working on it.
He is in need of formula still to keep him healthy and it would be great if someone can take on getting him Simlac Advanced.
Another lady (a grandma) who is trying to return to the village, after unexpectedly getting sick last fall. She is not absorbing calcium correctly.
She needs to get at least one small container eaten each day of yogurt and this can get somewhat spendy with no grocery store in PIP.
(She is normally working but with the illness has not been able to return to work)
If anyone would like to adopt these two please email me.
THANK YOU everyone for ALL that you have done. It is sooo appreciated,
Victoria B (Food Drive)
General Delivery
Pilot Point, AK 99649
victoria@ anonymousbloggers.com
Would a good solution for the calcium lady be to make her own yogurt? It can be done using powdered milk… http://www.ehow.com/how_2112247_yogurt-using-powdered-milk.html
This seems like it might be a more practical solution than trying to ship liquid yogurt.
The Museum of Science in Boston had a Valdez display many years ago when I was there. I got so choked up I had to walk away from it. When I read that some of the resident humpbacks and killer whales had disappeared and were presumed drown along with all those sea otters it just broke my heart. Not to mention the pictures of the volunteers trying to get all that sludge off the water fowl to try and save them. I don’t think an apology everyday for the rest of his life would ever suffice for the damage his recklessness caused to the state of Alaska and its loss of wildlife.
fawnskin mudpuppy (09:14:43)
i know what you mean, but i wonder if that statement holds true “for those of us who were on mudflats 24/7 during the elections.”
*Raises hand!* LOL.. Ahhhh the good old days.
insofar as Exxon, I haven’t bought an Exxon product since that disaster. I’ll push my car if I have to in order to avoid an Exxon station. I’ll never forget the pictures of the animals. Ever. No apology will ever be accepted by me. Never.
Go F yourself, Joe the Captain. Sorry everyone.
I was a teenager during EV. It was devastating to me in the same way that Tiannamen Square was devastating. It made me think long and hard about the direction our world was headed if we didn’t STOP and think before acting. If it had that effect on others my age at the time, I think that may be the only silver lining. Joe’s apology is too little, too late. I don’t give a flying F what his lawyers told him.
@the problem child (an aunt, also) (14:55:46) : Excellent idea on the dried milk yogurt. I have never tried that, but I do make yogurt out of canned evaporated milk (another staple here in rural Alaska, along with Pilot Bread and Spam). It’s excellent, and I rarely buy store-bought. We all have berries in the freezer, and with a little honey, it’s far superior.
Hey.
The guy’s trying to sell a book that probably no body wants to buy. So he’ got to come up with something to say that well get him some PR.
Riiiiiight?
Poor guy. He’s just trying to earn a living.
Riiiiight?
Poor AKM may have to read another gag a maggot book for us. It was probably the Palin book that put her in bed this week. We may need to pitch in of the health insurance at this rate.
Marnie,
The book is not about Joe. He is just one of the people interviewed. The book was commissioned by the Regional Citizens Advisory Council for the 20th anniversary. Joe will not profit from it. The RCAC is the “watchdog” group that keeps an eye on the Alyeska pipeline and tankers.
Speaking of “book” — was waiting for next installment of Palin read ….. Am sure thats what made you sick AKM –
I am wondering ….. the mind always goes off somewhere ….. we get meat shipped to us (promotional stuff from company) in a syrofoam box /cooler inside a cardboard box … of course they add packets of “dry ice” which melt over delivery time…. am wondering if “fruit & veggies” can be sent north – packed with other foods or yarn or material… protecting the fruit from bruising while the cooler insulates the fruit FROM the cold. ??
Any thoughts???
Wondering if anyone got the anonymousbloggers and mudflats story regarding the food drive/donations from all over the world to the rural villages(Ann Strongheart, Tucker, etc.) to Brian Williams on MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29556042/?GT1=43001
Here is a link regarding the efforts to protect the Copper River from trans-Alaska oil pipeline breaches (TAPS):
http://copperriver.org/programs/TAPS%20citizens%20oversight
OT OT OT OT
@ Polly
Say NO to Palin in Politics did submit to “Tell Us Your Good News” and it was suggested that any mudpups so inclined should follow suit! Here’s the direct link to make a submission:
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/04/1820270.aspx
Thank you! I need to do this, too!
OT OT OT
Reposting from previous thread (almost at the end so want to make sure mudpups see this)!
Anxiously waiting an update from Victoria… she is GOING to the gardening conference and this is OUTSTANDING news!
UgaVic (15:30:36) :
Victoria is going to the conference!!
Just a quick update. We have the ticket purchased and are working on hotel and other arrangements for me to make it to the conference in Fairbanks this coming week.
It is all due to the Mudflat ‘puppies’. As soon as all is confirmed I will get the details out for all to see.
Thank you so much – man that just isn’t enough of a phrase but I sure mean it.
Victoria
Just caught this from HuffPo from 2 days ago…
Michelle Obama Spends Lunchtime Serving Homeless (PHOTOS)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/05/michelle-obama-spends-lun_n_172257.html
“Mrs. Obama urged people to donate food and, if they can’t afford that, then to just give a hand.”
YES WE CAN
If you need ANOTHER reason to shake your head, and finger, at John McCain other than for the reason that he threw up Sarah Palin all over us, I discovered today while posting earlier on the Exxon (spam filter fodder lost forever) that:
“four months after the biggest environmental disaster in U.S. history, McCain voted against requiring double hulled tankers.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-roberts/john-mccain-and-exxon-val_b_88944.html
So MAVERICKY of him to vote on the side of Big Oil, don’t ya think? Yeah right.
He is a disgusting and lying politician, and no longer the war hero in my eyes that he tried to make himself out to be. He has wiped out any good he has ever done as far as I’m concerned.
Over at Phil Munger’s blog, an article about the Copper River and TAPS oversight:
http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/
If you need ANOTHER reason to shake your head, and finger, at John McCain other than for the reason that he threw up Sarah Palin all over us, I discovered today while posting earlier on the Exxon (spam filter fodder lost forever) that:
“four months after the biggest environmental disaster in U.S. history, McCain voted against requiring double hulled tankers.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-roberts/john-mccain-and-exxon-val_b_88944.html
So MAVERICKY of him to vote on the side of Big Oil, don’t ya think? Yeah right.
He is a disgusting and lying politician, and no longer the war hero in my eyes that he tried to make himself out to be. He has wiped out any good he has ever done as far as I’m concerned with the Palin debacle.
An apology my A**!!! This sewage is nothing more than a typically-worded load of horse sh!t. I’d bet money (that I don’t have) that one of the maritime lawyers he is a “technical consultant” for wrote or vetted this for him.
Disgusting doesn’t begin to say it.
I haven’t bought an exxon product (lowercase deliberate) since the spill, and I encourage everyone to boycott this irresponsible, lying, profiteering, ecology-raping, sickening, repulsive, detestable, shameless bunch of corporate pigs.
Note: Apology NOT accepted.
re: Michelle Obama serving lunch I am SO PROUD of my First Family! They don’t just talk the talk; they walk the walk! May God bless them abundantly and keep them safe.
OT, but a reminder, all…..Daylight Savings first thing in the morning 2 AM “Spring ahead” an hour.
ooops… sorry for TWO double posts. Spam filter spit me out – ouch, that hurt! Thanks AKM!
As CRFLATS has repeatedly stated – THE BOOK IS NOT BY JOE, it is by the watchdog group which is working on preventing this from ever happening again. Maybe a note to AKM to make a note at the end of the article, so this does not keep popping up?
And OT
HAPPY 8th of MARCH THE WORLD OVER (AND TO THE GUYS TOO)! International Women`s Day, We Want Bread And Roses
http://www.blight.com/~scarlett/traditions/songbook/breadandroses.html
Martha: “He is a disgusting and lying politician, and no longer the war hero in my eyes that he tried to make himself out to be.”
I guess that means you won’t be twittering John McCain any time soon, huh? I rather like the fact that those messages are referred to as “tweets” since it’s rather obvious that the folks in Congress are definitely birdbrains (no disrespect meant to birds) . . . I used to like Claire McCaskill too but after her stupid twittering gig during Obama’s speech I had to wonder just what gravitas she brought to her work. . . sigh. tweets on the left of me, twits on the right. . .
Each week our newspaper asks readers a question then post their pics and responce on the Sunday cover.
Todays Q: March is National Women’s History Month. Who is your favorite history-making woman?
Four answers: Hillary Clinton, Rosa Parks, Eleanore Roosevelt and tada!
Sarah Palin because “She’s an outstanding speaker and is very together. She’s great for our country.”
Before my first cup of coffee?
Gag.
Get involved people of AK, attend this meeting, we need the public in on overseeing this frickin pipeline. Don’t stand by and allow another Valdez disaster. This is important. Don’t trust the corporations or Gov. depts. we know how that goes.
………………………………………………………………
http://copperriver.org/programs/TAPS%20citizens%20oversight
Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) Citizens’ Oversight
The CRWP is advocating for citizens’ oversight of the TAPS to protect the Copper River’s salmon spawning tributaries.
One of the most prominent features in the Copper River watershed landscape is the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). TAPS crosses four major tributaries to the Copper, all of which are salmon spawning rivers. Residents of this region fear a spill from a pipeline breach could quickly end up in the main stem of the Copper River and damage spawning and migratory habitat of the world-famous Copper River salmon. “We eat fish, we don’t eat money” said Ray Neely, Alaska Native, Council Member, Gulkana Village Council (April 21, 2006 stakeholder meeting).
Based on our experience attempting to reduce the risks posed by TAPS for the Copper River watershed, the CRWP and several partners are working to create a prototype model of citizens’ oversight for the entire Trans-Alaska Pipeline System by focusing initially on the lower fifth of the pipeline that traverses the Copper River drainage.
“The CRWP prepared a GIS illustration of a hypothetical spill scenario on the Tazlina River to make a critical point: even under perfect weather conditions allowing for timely spill response, oil will by then have passed designated containment sites and entered the main stem of the Copper River, traveling 18 river miles downstream. “
I should have added the dates for the Copper River watershed meeting. sorry
…………………………………………………………..
Trans-Alaska Pipeline Citizen Oversight Workshop, March 10- 11, at the Valdez Civic Center.
good article by Michael Moore……
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/why-im-not-now-and-have-n_b_172410.html
That’s the difference — The American people agree with me, not Rush.
The American public believes that health care is a right and not a commodity.
They want tougher environmental laws and believe that global warming is real, not a myth.
They believe that the rich should be taxed more.
They want to go after the crooks on Wall Street who got us into this mess and the politicians who enabled them.
They want more money invested in education, science, technology and infrastructure — not in more tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
They believe that, whether Democrats or Republicans have been in power, wealthy corporations have been calling the shots for the past few decades and the American people’s voices have not been heard as their country has slowly been driven into the ground. Our politicians and our media have been bought and paid for by the highest bidders and we don’t trust them anymore.
Finally — they want us to get the hell out of Iraq and to investigate the criminals who sent us there for fictitious reasons.
Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, which proclaims that among voters focusing on Sarah Palin’s appearance there were corresponding “reduced perceptions of competence…”
IN THE END…”But more importantly, Palin played a role in her own objectification:
her decision to appear in Vogue magazine (and participate in an accompanying photo shoot), contributed to her being dubbed “the hottest governor”;
her own focus on clothing and hairstyling;
and her winking to the cameras.
The Republican National Committee also spent upwards of a quarter-million dollars on Palin’s clothing, hair and makeup.
In short, Palin and the RNC also played the game.
She was as much a perpetrator of this response as she was a victim.”
read it at huffingtonpost.com
Say no to Palin
This you tube clip shows what happens to Rush Limbaugh when he actually has to face real people, it is ten mins long, but worth watching all the way through, it is priceless watching the bully bullied.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNK4byQkn7w
It was when she opened her mouth that the whole thing went to heII. She proved she is not only a bumbling idiot, but a mean nasty crybaby lier, too. I wouldn’t hire her to manage a car wash… hehe, didn’t their car wash go under???
THE ARTICLE pretty much agrees, says the study did not factor in the other side – so it’s another useless [so-called] study…
car wash was a cover….
did ya know most tv weather guys, ahem, meteorologists, don’t believe in global warming, dimwits and fools, let’s not count on them to warn the world, no, don’t cut down the last rain forests in existence and no, wouldn’t be a good idea to dam that river, or no, copper mine close to a water source isn’t a good idea, fools ………………………………………………………
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laurie-david/veteran-meteorologist-bra_b_172374.html
Veteran Meteorologist Bravely Calls It Like He Sees It
“Don’t underestimate how brave this is. There are hundreds of meteorologists on TV and very few ever mention the words global warming. Even the founder of the Weather Channel denies climate change. When the Weather Channel’s former climate expert Heidi Cullen expressed views similar to Ryan’s, Rush Limbaugh accused her of Stalinism. The Weather Channel has since eliminated that position. CNN’s Rob Marciano says that tornadoes will not necessarily get worse because of global warming, a contradiction of highly respected weather models which scientists say prove severe weather fluctuations from climate change will produce wild weather the likes of which will make Dorothy and Toto’s plight look like a walk in the park.”
Sorta OT
http://alaskareport.com/news19/x61953_gara_halcro.htm
Alaskans, what think ye? Just curious.
Along with Say No to Palin Politics…(above) Phil’s blog has a very good
blog article about climate change…Elders knowledge vs.
paidscientists.http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/03/saturday-progressive-alaska-blog.html
@Lance the Boil – Thanks for the link. I’m still trying to digest it. It will be interesting to see what the Alaskan Mudpuppies have to say.
UA professor in danger of losing federal funding
http://www.adn.com/news/education/story/714850.html
“But Steiner also has been criticized for advocating too stridently and straying from his academic duties. He has criticized state and federal agencies, the governor and his own supervisors.
Here’s one incident that irritated Sea Grant officials: Steiner last year joined environmentalists and Native organizations in signing a protest letter alleging pro-industry bias in a UAF and Sea Grant-hosted meeting designed to seek common ground between offshore oil developers and Bering Sea fishing fleets. The biggest financial sponsor of the workshop was Shell Oil, which hopes to develop offshore leases in the region.
The meeting was “highly biased toward the interests most supportive of offshore oil and gas development” and excluded Bristol Bay residents who remained opposed to it…”
Well that pretty much says it all! He criticized GINO and is not saying what Big oil wants him to say! This must be stopped!
GINO and big oil/mining will destroy Alaska!
I don’t think Palin’s clean coal plant is going to fly, so Alaskans
might want to make sure she stops throwing good money after bad projects.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/07/AR2009030700930_2.html
Politically-connected coal companies are scrambling after federal subsidies for cleaner-coal technologies _ an exit strategy they hope will end the continual beating the industry is taking over climate change.
NASA global warming scientist Jim Hansen, one of the coal industry’s most ardent critics, has said existing plants need to be phased out by 2030 to curb the effects of climate change.
Hansen wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the industry’s only hope of avoiding such a fate is to come up with a way to capture and store underground the carbon dioxide they produce. Only a few such projects have been built to date, all of them hugely expensive.
“It is the only hope for coal, and it is a pretty slender thread to
be hanging by,” Hansen wrote. “Coal is exceedingly dirty stuff. The best place for it is in the ground.”
My father has been telling me how nice it used to be (twenties/thirties) to go on the Great Lakes for recreation and when he returned to the States in the sixties the water stank horribly. So I did a bit of research and the news is grim for our biggest fresh water reserve (in this case Shell is playing hard and not to forget the nuclear plants – oh what a pretty sight).
In the meantime a delegation of North American Indians has come to look at the latest airport expansion in Frankfurt, Germany and the devastation it is wreaking on our local woods.
IT IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE. It is as if big corporations were not run by men, but by machines.
the video on this page is a good listen………I figure it’s not off topic because it’s about the environment
Al Gore Refuses To Dignify Debate: “It’s Not A Matter Of Theory”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/05/al-gore-turns-down-debate_n_172371.html
How’s that Palin appointed Energy Expert doing? does he have a real plan yet, or has Palin had him distracted by big oil and mining projects. You can sign Al Gore’s petition asking for Alaska to have 100% Clean Electricity within 10 yrs. Go for it my friends. Join 3, 500+ Alaskans
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http://www.repoweramerica.org/state/alaska/
* Alaska has one of the greatest sources of wave power in the world. If the state uses just 1% of its south coast wave energy potential, Alaska’s waves could power over 1.5 million homes (more than 5 times the number of homes in the state)!
* Hydroelectric carbon-free power provided 24% of the state’s energy in 2007. While the state is abundant with other renewable energy resources, it ranks 48th in renewable electricity production because it lacks a transmission grid to transport power to population centers.
* The recently passed Renewable Energy Fund will appropriate $50 million annually for five years to renewable energy projects using wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, tidal, or hydroelectric power.
Find out how your state is using clean energy and what new things are happening.
http://www.repoweramerica.org/state/
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here’s a cool story from MO, I wonder what municipal rain gardens are all about, 10,000 ?
David C. of Kansas City is a retired steelworker who has found a second career in promoting what he sees as the wave of the future: green jobs. Crawford is the founder of a group called GreenKC, an organization dedicated to helping low-income residents of Kansas City find employment in the city’s growing green industry sector. David is currently working to convince the city to utilize his green-collar workforce in the city’s upcoming green building projects, which include a retrofit of the city sewer system and the construction of ten thousand municipal rain gardens.
David’s vision is to eventually retrofit the buildings and homes in metro KC with a “pay as you save program” using the disadvantaged, marginalized, disenfranchised people who in the past have been unemployed. “We need to reclaim traditional values of communities collectively raising their consciousness to make necessary eco-social justice changes and having the faith to accomplish the job,” David said.
wow you guys, watch these videos………this sh*t is scary. anyone from Tenn. care to comment on this?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-biggers/al-gore-your-heroic-tva-w_b_172480.html
new thread