CNN Coverage of Emmonak in Crisis
CNN has aired the following piece, including great video from Dennis Zaki. They interviewed Zaki and used footage of his interviews with residents of Emmonak to shed more light on the situation in Western Alaska. He speaks about the “why don’t they move?” argument, and brings the focus back where it ought to be -on fish, and fishing practices that prevent these people who have been living off the land for thousands of years, to continue to do so.
Kudos to Dennis, and the residents of Emmonak who have helped to educate the rest of us, and shed light upon the root of the problems on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
And then they had to put in that last part….about Governor Palin “making good on a pledge” and bringing a plane load of food. Sigh. One would think CNN would have the resources available to get that one right. But I guess they missed the part about how Native Alaskans saw this coming last summer, and how it wasn’t really Palin who brought the food, and how she stonewalled the food drive organized by a Republican legislator, and how in order to deal with the issue, the best she could come up with was escorting two evangelical preachers to deliver their “proselytizing in a box”, and how if she doesn’t get her act together, we’ll be facing the same problems next winter. They also missed the part about how help is still needed, and how one plane load of food and a little preachin’ does not a crisis solve. But I quibble… Maybe next time.
Have we heard anything yet from her new “Rural Advisor”? He seems to be laying low.
I’m so glad this made MSM. At least SP was a minor endnote and they didn’t mention Franklin Graham and the Purse.
That “footnote” is ridiculous. They made it sounds like she swooped in and saved the day. She didn’t even go to Emmonak, where they story was shot. I wish they hadn’t added that last bit.
I thought it was great as well, until the end.
She swooped in on her broom, more likely.
can we hope to see more of the Natives and less of the Gino? Yes, we Can!
I, too, hated the footnote. NO mention that she was over 6 weeks late and went after the public eye was on her – and with ministers in tow. would Oh how I wish they would have mentioned that.
Oh, my I still have tears in my eyes, I watched cnn until 2 this morning hoping to see this….thanks, AKM. Can we send this to MO and every other person we know?
Well, she did bring cookies………..
AKM has been on this from the get go, and has a link to aid villages.
So, on what blog did Dennis find the link he speaks of in the clip?
If it was Mudflats AKM deserves yet another shout out.
AKM ! You go … … … anonymous blogger person !
It very well could have been The Immoral Minority, or any of the other progressive blogs in Alaska. A couple of us have covered this more extensively than others, but it was definitely a group effort. He may not remember which blog it was exactly, and if he does, he’s being a wonderful diplomat!
AKM
oh no, I got spammed my send key got stuck….but was just asking can we send this clip to everyone we know???
Saw it last nite…….I didn’t like the ending either…….at least it’s out there.
Dennis Zaki was wonderful and it’s so cool to see him in person! The feeling I got after that weird little “aside” at the end is that it was tacked on quickly and did not fit in with the “feel” of the article. My guess – someone at CNN forced that botched and misinformed little quip to be added for some reason or another, JUST BEFORE airing time.
wonderful that it made news…my heart goes out to all living there..
what about mention of the boxes of food and supplies that came from this blog making it known to the rest of us?
still I am grateful that it got on the news and hopefully more people will know of this crisis
Yay! To you group of progressive and sometimes anonymous blogger people!
This is where the rubber hits the road, where the pajamas hit the blogosphere where the analogies go horribly wrong… What I mean to say is good job, your work is obviously having a real effect in MSM and in food deliveries.
Kudos to you guys / gals who are obviously doing it for real, not just to appear to be doing it.
Speaking of Ms.PhotoOp, There’s an interesting article by Deepak Chopra on Limbaugh. He refers to Palin as his “Spiritual Bride” lol… This after I referred to Johnathan Krohn as their love child. Great minds eh?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/rush-limbaugh-icon-of-ant_b_172900.html
Iam so happy this got out on CNN . Its breaks my heart to see these humble peaceful people who just want to earn a living and take care of there family & culture. Shame On GINO to take any credit. How can she sleep at night. Cold hearted ****. Karma . What goes around comes around WITCH
“waq’aa” (hi), I have been wanting to put in a comment on how some people are getting a whole lot of help and some not. First of all I just wanted to say you know I know some people here in Alakanuk that too are going through hard times having little to eat and do what they can to get heat to warm there homes and, what made me mad and not know what I can do to help this one household was that an elderly person had gotten there foodstamp benefits cutoff because of another persons unemployment benefits it was saddening to hear that because for some households that is probably all they really rely on is foodstamps and other assistance to help them make it through the month.. FYI Dennis Zaki for a dozen of eggs in Emmonak AC Store it is only $3.15, 18 ct eggs $5.15 and the 5 dozen egg packages are $16.90 just had to give you the exact prices saw the video and we sure don’t pay $20.00 in Emmonak for a dozen of eggs.
Good points, alaskanative.
You are so welcome.
If you go to the following link, you can send a thank you note to President Obama for lifting the ban on government funding for stem cell research.
I know it is off topic, but so important.
http://www.dccc.org/page/content/stemcell
Erin “Have we heard anything yet from her new “Rural Advisor”? He seems to be laying low.”
just following orders…does what he’s told…it seems
GINO gets to QUOTE from now on that she did the right thing & helped
[cause CNN said so - that's why]
NEVER MIND THE DETAILS….
eeewwweeewww
Let’s not lose sight of the MAIN purpose: The people of rural Alaska got the help they needed! AND they are getting help working out permanent ways to solve the problems of heat and food. Praise the Lord!
Alaska native: We could help other people. Let us know how. Maybe you should go to anonymous bloggers for some ideas.
alaskanative – I didn’t give CNN the info about the $20 eggs. CNN’s homebase is in Atlanta and that is where they gather their information. That was just a glowing example of prices in the area. I’m sure they are referring to a blog report here on Mudflats a month ago about the prices just outside of Emo.
Regarding the footnote at the end about Palin “making good on her promise” – we all know the truth about that. I’m working on a piece, along with another network, on that very subject/scam. Stay tuned.
I SEE IT THIS WAY NOT ALL THE PEOPOLE OF RURAL ALASKA. I LIVE IN A VILLAGE BETWEEN EMMONAK & NUNAM IQUA AND SURE DON’T SEE MUCH FROM THIS END… ANYWAY MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT DO WHAT YOU CAN TO HELP.
AK Native…
I told CNN’s Mallory Simon she had the $20 a dozen for eggs wrong. I don’t know why they keep saying it. I was teasing Mallory after she interviewed me but I guess it makes it more dramatic?? I don’t know.
Also I am still waiting to hear from you Tribal Council on whether I can include AUK on our food/fuel drive on Anonymous Bloggers. Waiting for a return, call, I just left a message at the tribal.
Drop me an email if you would like to help or discuss ways we can bring help to AUK.
Ann Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/
AK Native,
I forgot to mention, that I did send the info to AUK TC and they were supposed to discuss it at the last TC meeting I am still waiting to hear back.
Ann
@ alaskanative
We hear you! We will help in any way that we can! Thank you for speaking up.
Alaskanative, provide the information so that we may help! Go to Anonymous bloggers and put it up!
Dennis, congrats on all you have done. I sent a little money from Ireland so that you could travel to Emmonak. I wish it could have been more. And I love it that you are getting so much coverage on the MSM. Oh will definately stay tuned for the next installment.
@Erin & Kmart and anyone else wondering…
Jon Moller called me a couple days ago, he is working on coming out here, but the weather has been really bad. Today again! We are having near blizzard conditions and white out starting up. When I do hear anything, or he makes it out I’ll let all you mudpups know.
Ann
@ Sue
You are dead on, spot on, correct! It’s not about who takes credit, but we do expect better journalism (fact checking, context) from CNN. It’s always a bit weird to see a situation that you have personal knowledge of go out on the MSM. Even local news – I’ve been interviewed myself and when I read the articles, I wasn’t sure that it was ME who was being quoted (loose term!) because it’s so out of context or not what I intended to say.
It’s a good thing to keep in mind – we can’t take necessarily believe all the news coming from just one source, and critical thinking is part of the process in educating ourselves. Ann’s comment about the price of eggs – a piece of misinformation that keeps cropping up – is a perfect example of this. This can be a lesson to us all – we NEED the media but possibly our desire for instant gratification is hampering the publishing of more in-depth and fact checked articles. Also, I’d like a lot more follow up articles, and that so doesn’t happen as much as we need it to.
OK Everyone,
I just talked to alaskanative, who happens to be my first cousin. We are working on getting help to her village also. She tried to respond on here but I guess her comments went to the spam?? I don’t know. She was at work at the school and had to head home to her family.
She’ll try to check back in tomorrow when she’s on a break at work.
Made me giggle because I suspected it was her, then she called me and confirmed that she was alaskanative.
We are working on some local tribal issues and logistical stuff. Will keep y’all updated when we get something going for them.
Ann
The quote from Deepak Chopra –
“By any sane account, Rush Limbaugh is dead weight when it comes to finding a solution to anything. Like Sarah Palin, his spiritual bride, he lurks in the shadow of the human psyche, expressing the dark anger, resentment, jealousy, and vindictiveness that society can never escape.”
I LOVE IT.
Dennis Zaki: (14:35:00) “Regarding the footnote at the end about Palin “making good on her promise” – we all know the truth about that. I’m working on a piece, along with another network, on that very subject/scam. Stay tuned.”
Thanks for your great work!
I sincerely hope that you are able to help set the record straight on Palin’s true handling of this situation. This is EXACTLY how Palin revises history to benefit her record! She is the classic example of someone with marginal talents and experience who pads her resume to look better than she really is. Any of us in the professional communities are familiar with this type of blowhard’s padded resume and rhetoric and can spot them a mile away. Of course, it didn’t take too much acuity to spot her padding of her Foreign Policy experience….(“see Russia from Alaska” crap)…but what she is doing with Emmonak etc. is exactly the same but more subtle.
Count on the next glowing fictional epistle written about Palin to include a whole chapter dedicated to her “heartfelt and tireless work” in the rural villages.
I learned to despise CNN for just this kind of reporting during the election. Superficial tripe.
Glad CNN picked up the story, errors and all. I hope Dennis, Emmonak, food/fuel prolems and help gets on NBC Brian William’s “Making a Difference” stories, evening news all this week.
BTW: I just watched Monday’s: it was the SAME Cafe (So All May Eat) in Denver! I’ve eaten/donated there several times, and the food is great- as well as the purpose.
“You are dead on, spot on, correct! It’s not about who takes credit, but …”
Not so fast.
People who do good work without the intent of getting credit have my respect and thanks.
People who do good work but want my thanks, have my thanks.
Parasites who do little or nothing to get the glory for something they have no interest in, have my contempt.
“Its not about who takes credit” unless the person taking credit doesn’t deserve it. Then its a kind of theft.
Ms Photo op did more than nothing, but every time she misrepresents the situation, and exaggerates her involvement and her compassion and contribution, she steals the truth.
The truth is in short supply when she’s near.
Not everyone found the CNN/Zaki report to be “pro” Palin. I found this very interesting link while trying find the “in-depth report” on CNN’s site (I didn’t find it).
http://conservablogs.com/publiusforum/2009/02/11/after-generations-cnn-suddenly-discovers-that-alaska-families-struggle-to-survive/
Anyone care to enlighten Mr. Huston?
Congrats Dennis and thank you for all of your hard work!!!
Ann and AlaskaNative, what a coincidence or NOT…. I am sure that help will continue to pour in from all of us in pj’s and that it will go where it is needed most, with Ann and Victoria running this show!
Ann, I need to tell you something, so check your email later.
MUDPUPS ROCK!
@Martha—So true re: MSM reports. I finally gave up giving interviews to our local newspaper years ago after being misquoted too many times. At this blog, as well as several others in AK, we can learn the facts and then do our thing: spread the truth to the MSM. And, on the way, we get to help a lot of people, too! : )
@ DrChill
I agree – almost! We have to be realistic and not assume SP had anything to do with actually writing the last part of this article. The issue for me is CNN sloppy reporting, not SP taking credit. We don’t know who “finished” that article – I doubt it was the same person who put together the first part as it didn’t “flow or mesh” with the initial content and tone.
I’ll bash SP any day of the week, believe me, but my focus here is to realize that we have to be critical of MSM, and most news media outlets. By following up on this w/ CNN, we are asking the MEDIA to be accountable for errors or omissions in reporting. Look how often blog readers do this to AKM – who is happily NOT a journalist (but a trusted news source nonetheless). How often do we ask the MSM to be accountable and thorough?
I was teary eyed after watching that, and just writing this is getting me teary eyed again.
Thank you Dennis.
Completely OT (can we have an Iditarod post?) but I’m jazzed that there is still a woman in the top 10, somebody’s favorite Ally is just behind the top ten, and Dee Dee is roaring up from the rear!!!! She leapfrogged about 40 places today. GO ladies of the Iditarod!! So many great racers, but I’m rooting for the wimmens this time. Go go go!!
Sorry to be OT but I’m trying to blot out the Testosterone Dog in favor of the last Great Alaska Race. Carry on with the important stuff.
I have also searched for the “full report” on the CNN website. Nada, If someone found the link, please post it.
Just a thought on Palin 2012 : Can you imagine our pitbull with lipstick walking herself around on the White House lawn ?
All of you people are so cool! Blessings all around,
No wonder why I am addicted to the flats.
@ Martha and Dr. Chill
Good points.
Who’s “stealing the truth?”…….GINO
Who’s not reporting the truth (which is the SAME as stealing the truth)?…… CNN
People who have been following this story objectively are aware of the truth of the matter…. but the vast majority of people in the country have not been attuned to the situation ( or are Palinbots, drinking the Kool-Aid)….which is why it’s even more important for MSM to get at the real story instead of just scratching the surface.
GINO and CNN………truth stealers. The former’s motives are clear. But I’m not sure why CNN repeatedly takes the “safe,” superficial route on so many of it’s stories. Maybe they subscribe to the same Journalistic School of Thought that Palin learned….”It’s better to look good on camera than say anything of substance.”
@ Tamara
“Can you imagine our pitbull with lipstick walking herself around on the White House lawn ?”
Doubtful; I don’t think they’d let her “call it in” from Wasilla…
I looked for the “special report” thing on CNN… no luck so far
Nan
I couldn’t stand the ending giving props to palin….so, I couldn’t help myself. I shot an email off to ‘News to Me’ to try and set the record straight.
KTUU is polling approval of the embryonic stem cell research tonight, for those who wish to vote.
Look! It’s Brian leading the Iditarod!
http://www.adn.com/iditarod/2009/story/716492.html
Look !I’s GINO doing her best to f@ck the Democrats! http://community.adn.com/adn/node/13896
Martha UnAlaska Yard Sign,
I e-mail CNN almost daily, with fairly scathing comments on their shallow reporting.
Their story on the collapse of that building in Cologne Germany, was careless at best! ” It was just an old 20th century building, not an antiquity!”
However the report in Der Spiegel German newspaper, told the whole story. It housed 2,000. centuries of valuable documents which were mostly pulverized beyond reclaiming,…….. sort of like PWS!
@ rifle panzer palin
@ lainey
Thanks to you two for emailing CNN to make corrections – do you ever hear back from them? Is news too fluid to ever go back and correct a mistake in reporting? Do we just blindly trust that all news media adhere to the tenets and principals of journalism? I never thought of it that way until now – look how Sarah Palin ended up after journalism school – EGADS!
Go dogs! Go mushers! I heart the Iditarod!
OK now I feel better.
Afternoon all. I just caught this on KTUU – the military to supply medical help to rural Alaskans. Sarah Palin’s name isn’t on it so I guess it wasn’t her decision.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=9969773
Also, too, off topic. Someone just sent me a link to an amazing song – very moving (and I’m not an American) so have some hankies handy.
http://www.bornagainamerican.org:80/
I like the comment on ADN lol
dchacon2
wrote on 03/09/2009 11:21:48 PM:
Attention: All Wasilla High School (WHS) graduates, and selected non-graduates who know the Palin family, please submit your request for nepotism and/or consideration no later than Friday at 5 pm.
Note: If you’ve already been hired by the Administration please allow other WHS applicants to go to the head of the line).
David A. Chacon
ADN comment section made me laff real hard, so far not too many Gino Supporters…
GINO has the nerve to say; “We know there are many qualified Alaskans who would fill this post enthusiastically,” Palin said…
Yeap, just like AK knows that there are many qualified Alaskans who could fill the positions you filled with your HIGH SCHOOL Buddies!
Enjay in Eastern MT::: yeap! that was one of the funny ones, not to worry, she’s already told them about the opening…it’s gonna be really interesting to watch GINO work her way thru this….
I personally think it’s a set-up for more of her famous ‘behind closed doors’ dealings
Dr. PatoisNo Gravatar (18:08:54) :
Look! It’s Brian leading the Iditarod!
http://www.adn.com/iditarod/2009/story/716492.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Too cute! We just need him to turn and show his cute snow mug for sure!
@Martha Unalaska Yard Sign
look how Sarah Palin ended up after journalism school – EGADS!
———————-
First, thank you for thanking me…I just couldn’t keep silent with that report. If I hear anything back from them (I doubt it), I will share it.
Second, to your observation re: palin and journalism…EGADS is right! Unfortunately, I bet there are a ton of ‘reporters’ giving us our news that are EXACTLY as uninformed and not so educated…just like her. BUT we know better…we are quite capable to weed out the ridiculous and untrue.
And what the heck happened to this geothermal project???
http://www.nreca.org/AboutUs/CooperativeDifference/20070709BristolBay.htm
Maybe if rural Alaskans keep on repeating, “there is no place like home” then GINO will finally get a clue that they’re right and she’s wrong, then disappear in a puff of smoke. Wishful thinking but you get my point.
OT, sorry if I offended anyone with previous comments. I have a nasty habit of speaking my mind in a vulgar manner. I regret that I pissed y’all off, I hope you will accept my apology, and I’ll try not to be a jerk in future posts.
What time is it? It’s PARTY TIME! Time to raise a glass in cheers to GINO appointing a former board member of Planned Parenthood to the Alaska Supreme Court.
Back on topic, about Dennis Zaki, what do you expect from CNN?
I shall conclude this post with a pithy, spot on quote from AKM:
no plane load of food and a little preachin’ does not a crisis solve.
I do have these little bursts don’t I? GINO has said if the leg doesn’t get their work done, despite the gas pipeline stuff and the stimulus package needing extra time for consideration, that she doesn’t think there is any reason to extend with a special session.
There’s an energy crisis, an economic crisis (esp for many rural Alaskans), an employment crisis, a housing crisis and any other number of other crises but no, swanning back to her mooseburgers (sorry Brian, cover your eyes) little Miss Selfish can’t see any reason to allow the leg to actually get stuff done?
There’s selfish, there’s very selfish, and there’s PSYCHOPATHIC. GINO there is a special place in hell reserved for criminally negligent numpties like YOU!
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=9975834
Oh my huh? Will see what happens, that is likely the type of reporting that is prevelant in the state of Alaska. This is all so sad, I dont know, I feel so helpless right now.
Crappy journalism. There is really a need for some decent investigative journalists in this country to get at the truth of things. I guess its up to the bloggers to take things in their own hands.
checked in to see what was up:-))
Ann- glad you are the lady on the spot for Alaskanative. Let me know if I can support in any way.
For those that aren’t living with it the tribal politics can be MUCH to sort through, so know Ann, myself and ALL our support people will not give up helping Alaskanative’s village, it just might taking some ‘encouragement’:-))
Bardetta-
The geothermal project is moving ahead. It is years away and will probably require an act of Congress, literally, to be able to drill the wells where the best thermal energy is, but it is progressing.
There are also many other projects moving forward to help the ‘bush’ with its energy issues.
One of the most recent is work being done to identify swamps that natually give off methane gas – like old dump sites in the lower 48.
There have been a number of sites located in the far north. Now more are being looked for to assist villages throughout the western part of AK.
The technology to tap this is low key and lower cost and could well be a life saver for villages.
For those that are interested in the subject see -anonymousbloggers-dot-com. Look for the side bar on ‘energy’.
Mr Zaki-
Thank you for keeping the subject fresh and informative. It is soooo appreciated by those of us in the bush dealing day to day with the issues.
Again – thanks all for your support and caring,
Victoria
victoria@anonymousbloggers.com
Pilot Point Food Drive
So CNN totally lies about Gov Palin. Watching CNN just makes the viewers stupid. They are not news rather a propaganda machine for corporatists.
Hey !! Just wanted to say that I’m amazed at all the replies to my comment. Thank you all for your replies. I could not comment after some replies yesterday, I had to go home to my children and unfortunately I do not have internet at home at this time. I’m the only one working so can’t afford to pay for internet with 3 children and one, two many bills.. Hey gotta go I’m on my lunch break so, I’ll check this out if I have time later..
Again thank you for your replies..