Thank You, from AKMuckraker.
28 03 2009As I sit here writing, there is a strange mixture of wind, snow and volcanic ash swirling around outside my windows. It’s tempting to yell, “The sky is falling!” and at times it has felt that way. If you had told me last week that a State Legislator would send me a threatening email telling me he was going to out me, and reveal my real identity on his official legislative newsletter, I’d have thought to myself, “Never in a million years would someone be so foolhardy.” But once again I have overestimated the common sense of Rep. Mike Doogan. And here we are.
I have to admit this has taken a bit of getting used to. I’m not one to crave the spotlight, and I generally enjoy my boring little life. So, I’m needing a little time to regroup. Thank you all for the understanding, and indulging this naturally private and introverted blogger who normally posts pretty frequently. Public figures choose a public life. Private citizens don’t necessarily choose that. The possibility is always there for a pseudonymous blogger to become public, but we’d like to think that this would be at the time and in the manner of that person’s choosing….without the unwanted help of a State Representative, who is, after all, supposed to be working for us.
In this stressful time, I have been absolutely overwhelmedby your messages of love and support. I have read every single comment on the blog, and at times I laughed, at times I was brought to tears of joy and grief, and at times I was stunned by the insight and clarity of your thinking and assessment of the situation. And I loved it all. Truly, you all gave me a soft cushion on which to ride this rocky road after being dragged out of my cave. For those of you who have sent emails, or messages on Facebook, I have not yet had the opportunity to read all of them, but I will.
I have not only appreciated the personal support for me and my family (and Brian the moose), but I appreciate that you all getthe big picture, and the most important issue, which is not me. The big picture, the thing that should outrage all of us, despite political party or affiliation, is this: an elected official in a position of power and authority utilized state resources to deliberately and with malice, knowing there would be negative consequences, impinged on the free speech and privacy rights of a private citizen.
Heartening as well, have been the emails and comments of support I have received from conservatives who love and respect the right to free speech as much as those further left on the political spectrum, and who also recognize the big picture. There have been messages of support from the conservative community that have made me hopeful for finding common ground, even with those with whom we thought it would be impossible. This is a good thing for all of us.
I am working on a new post. It was difficult to know quite where to begin. As a friend said, it’s a bit like losing your favorite instrument, and having to learn how to play a new one. But I’ve enjoyed some down time with family, and the challenge of learning to play this new and strange instrument and seeing what I can do with it. Because there’s no doubt, things are different. The next post will be one of my favorite kinds – a good story. We haven’t had one of those in a while. The ending is uncertain, but it’s one that should resonate with all of us.
Thank you, thank you again for your love and support. Even though I’m a “word person” I know I will never fully be able to express to you my deep and abiding gratitude for this community.
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*I’ll be putting up open threads as they are needed when the comments get clogged.
*The site will be down for a couple hours tonight, while ServerGuy outfits us with a brand new server! Thanks ServerGuy!
And yes, I’ll always be AKMuckraker.
March 29th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Thank you AKM for just being a spirited individual who likes to look at all the sides of a story. Your site has opened my eyes to the wonderful state you live in and love dearly. Keep it coming and do not let anyone tell you that your voice cannot be heard. Love it, cannot get enough of it so please, please never stop.
A Canadian who wishes only the best to you and yours.
March 29th, 2009 at 4:59 PM
It is good to hear your voice again AKM.
I have been rather busy the last couple of days, but have checked daily to see if you would post in the mudflats site again.
I hope that you will continue to speak, you have a nack for creating word images that are more elquent than words alone would create. That and a nutty sense of humor combine into a potent weapon and make reading your blog an adventure and a pleasure.
Shit happens. And it landed on you. Take a hot soapy emotional shower and see what you feel like when the yuckyness has been washed away and your are renewed again in your heart.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Well, hell, AKM, I hadn’t read in a while (although I did link to it a few days ago) and had no idea this was going on.
I am stunned beyond belief. I am gobsmacked. I cannot believe a state legislator did this, and quite publicly and unabashedly.
Like any good attorney, I can play Devil’s Advocate and make his argument better, except that he is a goddamn public servant, bullying a blogger who offers critical analysis on a variety of topics, not just him. Moreover, you weren’t a salacious blogger – you held back on most of the more salacious Palin stuff (rumors, truths and falsities) and primarily just posted your opinion (with cites).
I am sure you have heard this a million times in the last few days, but I won’t be surprised if this turns out to be a career changing decision for both of you. Alaska is weird when it comes to politics (your new AG is ridiculous, and this from a state governed by Palin), so perhaps he won’t have the fallout he would get in any other state.
But you have a talent for writing editorials and I think this may eventually open doors you never contemplated. But I don’t discount the interim stress you are surely experiencing.
So, if I may speak for many of your long-term readers (who found you on that glorious day Palin was announced), I am truly sorry for the stress, fear, and intimidation that you are currently experiencing and am disgusted (once again) at your state politicos and politics. I do, however, believe that talent of your type, and your ability to frame contentious topics in reasonable, interesting terms, will prevail over Doogan.
One person emerges from this with class, dignity and respect, and it sure isn’t him. He comes across as a very small, petty man who has no business representing anyone in the state of Alaska, or anywhere else. He should start his own blog and see how many people are interested in hearing what he has to say, under his own name or any other.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:31 PM
[...] Doogan. Mike Doogan stalked and outed the anonymous author of the popular Alaska politics blog, Mudflats. Not only did Doogan publish her name, he did so at taxpayer expense in the House Democratic [...]
March 29th, 2009 at 7:13 PM
karionNo Gravatar says:
March 29, 2009 at 6:29 PM
“Alaska is weird when it comes to politics (your new AG is ridiculous, and this from a state governed by Palin), so perhaps [Doogan] won’t have the fallout [Doogan] would get in any other state.”
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Agreed. That is why if AKM decides to sue Doogan (and I really hope that is the decision), the case should be brought in federal court, so that Palin’s AG will not able to get involved and sabotage the case.
Also, because of the obvious US constitutional First Amendment free speech implications, federal court would be the correct forum. The numerous torts that can also be sued for (even under state law) can all be brought together in one big lawsuit in federal court.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:10 AM
AKMuckraker:
I’ve read your work off and on since November. Regarding the outing by Doogan, I’m really quite stunned by his actions and justifications. It’s clear that you get it and he’s really lost. As a public policy analyst, I understand the vital role that you play in the democratic process–please keep blogging!
March 30th, 2009 at 9:18 AM
I found your blog about the time Palin was nominated and have been reading it since that time. I like both your writing style and thought process and enjoy the intelligent comments. I am very surprised that Mr. Doogan took the step he did and wonder if he thought about what the possible reprecussions might be….if he did, he obviously did not care. I was certainly glad to see you up and blogging again and look forward to reading your blog far into the future.
March 30th, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Just heard Shannyn on CBC.
Sounds like you really have plenty of support but permit me to voice mine:
You. Go. Girl!
NH politics never seems to attain the level of non-sensibility that other state’s politics do, at least not on a regular basis.
There is a terrible conspiracy that has been afoot for years to chip away at the constitution (state and federal) but so far, despite some damage, it still remains strong. I pray it may continue.
BTW, we have mooses (moose swarms?) here too and they are biggern’ yours
March 31st, 2009 at 9:17 AM
I attempted to leave a reply to the original outing, but was rebuffed as part of the server move.
I read this blog more than daily during the election, but let it lapse as Palin returned to her little existence and proceded to self-destruct. Local information from Alaska no longer seemed important to me, a Canadian. I thank you for the information and insight you provided when time was tight and Wasilla seemed a long ways away from the infosphere.
There is little that we can do other than just stand WITH you out in that exposed field. My regular id was only marginally obfuscated, but today I’m out in my full googleable identity.
Signed,
Greg Goss of Calgary
(for googlers: Gregory James Goss, the accounting student, not the marine biologist from Edmonton)