Open Thread
Here’s a quick open thread to unclog the tubes. A oost is coming soon. It’s been a crazy crazy day at Mudflats Central.
Shannyn Moore just called from Juneau. She’s hosting a Town Hall meeting tonight at the Silver Bow at 6:00! Go say hello!
(update)
To eliminate speculation as to what exactly an “oost” is… it is indeed a typo and should have read “post”. This is what happens when a certain blogger tries to put up an open thread utilizing a Blackberry, and the time afforded during a series of two red lights. As I was about to correct it, it seemed like a shame to waste such a lovely typo. It almost seemed fitting to add this to the lexicon:
oost (n) – a blog post written in haste without the use of spellcheck, usually from a portable device.
I wrote an oost on my iPhone in the elevator between meetings.
v. oosted, oosting - the act of writing an oost.
I really oosted that one! That’ll teach me to blog on horse back!
what’s an oost…..oh, a post
anxiously awaiting the oost! LOL anxiously awaitin to see if the Legislators have any balls, also, too.
Wow What’s up?
And it’s April Fool’s Day in less than 4 hours here.
It is already April 1st here. Anxiously awaiting the oost!!
????????
Just read on msnbc that since Palin wouldn’t commit to being the keynote speaker at the June 8th GOP dinner they invited Gingrich instead! Says she never committed in the first place and can’t commit until the legislative session is over. I hope this means she also won’t be near me on June 6th in Auburn, NY, too.
Whats a oost?
oost = post or boost!
Fox News: Republicans disinvite Palin to major fundraiser.
Ouch!
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/31/republicans-disinvite-palin-major-fundraiser/comments/
Holy Canoli! I wasn’t sure if “oost” was a typo or a real word. Urban Dictionary has quite the definition http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=oost
Is this part 2 of the political parable? Or an update on the legislature/governor showdown. If the Legislators have any balls – that would make the oost more ‘oosty’ (if that’s a word). Our limericky mudpuppies can have fun wondering what the oost will be, also, too. Sorry – this maybe got to be a little too 8th grade.
Speaking of junior high – any signs-in-poo sightings?
OOSTDAH
Maybe GINO has been oosted! Maybe it was all a big joke (the GINO as VP/Guv), and Alaskans are all going to stand up and shout ‘April Fool’ to the rest of the world.
“Sources familiar with the Palin snub fumed openly about how the governor handled this.
“She was a disaster,” one Republican source told FOX News. “We had confirmation.”
As for inviting Gingrich, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ken Spain said the GOP “decided to go in another direction.”
“Speaker Gingrich is a leader,” Spain added.”
Double Ouch!!
lovely oosts here, can’t wait for the next one.
Dang, it’s sooo good to have AKM back. I just hope that a “crazy crazy day” is a Good Thing as opposed to not-so-much.
Being patient (sorta)
Nan
Wondered for a second if oost was an Alaskan word.
I posted this at the very end of the last thread. Reposting here.
I wrote to Sheila Toomey at “The Alaskan Ear” regarding her publishing AKM’s name in her column. Her reply:
“Many years ago my newspaper published news stories based on anonymous souces.For a number of reasons we began to question this practice. We engaged in a lengthly and lively in-house debate on the question in the late 1980s and eventually concluded it was not a good practice. We no longer cite anonymous sources except in extraordinary circumstances, which we explain in detail to readers.
I believe people who publish anything — face or opinion — should have the courage to stand up for what they believe.”
———————————————————
As you can see, her argument defending her action is based on previous “lively in-house debate” at ADN and the subsequent conclusion that anonymity is “not a good practice.” Underlying her argument is the assumption that ADN can determine what is good practice not only for them but for everyone else, whether associated with the paper or not.
Secondly, she argues that anonymity is protected by the paper only under “extraordinary circumstances.” Again, the argument that ADN is the arbiter in defining “extraordinary circumstances” not only for their newspaper but for everyone else, even if not associated with the paper in any form.
Finally….Ms. Toomey “believes” people who publish anything…..” What Ms. Toomey “believes” sounds an awfully lot like Mr. Doogan’s “theory.” Beliefs and theories don’t trump the First Amendment right to anonymous free speech.
All of these arguments by ADN’s Toomey appear superficial and self-serving. AKMuckraker was not a “source” for the newspaper nor was she writing a “Letter to the Editor.” In fact, AKM was a private citizen exercising the right to anonymous free speech on a her own blog on the interent.
Are there any lawyers on Mudflats who would like to weigh in with your opinions on this reply by ADN’s Toomey? Doogan outed AKM but ADN in turn jumped on the bandwagon to widen the publicity and promote an unethical act.
The Anchorage Daily News quoted me anonymously in September of this year. They apparently thought it was “extraordinary” enough to warrant not revealing my identity at that time. AKM
BearWoman Says:
March 31st, 2009 at 4:09 PM
I see said the swede.
just stopped by to check up on my fav alaskan blog, and i am so glad you are still posting, ak! keep up the good work!
and be sure to stop by skippy and say hello!
ps. and screw doogan!
oosteregg, like in moosteregg? Time I was in bed. Nite all!
If dry-humping gives you a thrill
A post that has “oost” in it will.
The bloggers in pjs
Are hoping for details,
Brian’s “oost” to a doogan could kill!
SmallSteps Says:
March 31st, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Holy Canoli! I wasn’t sure if “oost” was a typo or a real word. Urban Dictionary has quite the definition
—————————————————— The urban dictionary is fun !! Did you know……..never mind..
AKM,
I do believe you have penned a new phrase. Long live the oost!!!
beachee Says:
March 31st, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Wondered for a second if oost was an Alaskan word.
No, but oosik is…
While we are all anxiously awaiting the latest “oost” soon to arise from the ash-covered mudflats, how about a quick donation?? My apologies if I’m becoming a one-trick pony, but remember, coming here is cheaper than a therapist. I know.
This time I’m challenging any and all “StudPups.”
Men who like to shovel snow.
Men who like to shovel dirt.
Men who’d like dirt and snow to shovel itself.
Men who like fast cars.
Men who like to drive cars fast.
Men who like to shop. (really?)
Men who loathe shopping.
Men who love to shop with their women.
Men who pretend to love shopping with the women they love.
Men who go fishing.
Men who play “go fish” with their kids.
Men who act like kids when they go fishing.
Ok, I promise to stop now. I think you got the hint.
T- shirt idea!!
lol, thought you were going to be irishgirl, lol
MizzRNo Gravatar Says: March 31st, 2009 at 4:13 PM “Sources familiar with the Palin snub fumed openly about how the governor handled this.
“She was a disaster,” one Republican source told FOX News. “We had confirmation.”
Golly, gee; is he saying she…she…lied to them??!
Lee323 Says:
March 31st, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Toomey failed to elaborate that “the lengthy debate” went on for 10 years. Toomey belongs at the NE or TMZ. She lost her credibility as a journalist a long time ago. I suspect she rather enjoyed being anonymous and is bitter about having to ID herself.
Newt Gingrich just coverted to Catholicism, the Toad is” Man of the Year”, Doog has flipped his flaps…..what a strange world we live in.
“The decision to book Gingrich instead of Palin seems to be indicative of growing discontent in the party with the Alaska governor and her potential ability to lead the GOP. And it’s the latest in a series of gaffes that have plagued her since the November.
Palin withdrew at the last moment from speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference meeting in Washington earlier this year. Palin also insisted on doing a TV interview while turkeys were slaughtered behind her while on the air.”
Okay, so now “she insisted” — from Fox?
LMAO
The article on Palin being ‘disinvited’ to the June fundraiser is, I think, important. Like, really important.
We already knew, of course, that she had clearly signaled that she would not attend. And we knew that there had been a kerfuffle of sorts, a communication problem, a stapleoops if you will, that had occurred between SarahPac and SarahAk.
I think it is more than that. A lot more than that.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/31/gingrich-replacing-palin_n_181469.html
Sarah has lost her compass. Her inner direction that used to tell her how to navigate these difficult icy waters.
When we first got to know her, Sarah was a savvy politician with immense charm, that sexy Sunday school teacher appeal, and that strong-jawed hockey mom certitude. We doubted her knowledge, but not her spunk.
Now she knows that WE know! It’s all coming apart. She doesn’t know who to trust. Bill and Meg are all she has left! She is surrounded by reminders of her failure to lead, and failure to select competent capable people and advisors. John Ziegler used her. Greta and John used her. McCain used her. Even Arctic Cat used her. She is frozen now, afraid to make a decision because she has always decided based on her ambition, not her fundamental belief system. Without a compass, she is adrift, rudderless, bitter. It’s sad, really. But I don’t think she really comes back from this as a politician. As a commentator, sure. As a party theorist…never could be and never will be. Andrew Halcro said it best: ‘Alaska’s ship of state captain has gone below deck…and the state is on auto pilot.’
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/alaska_on_auto_pilot_wheres_the_captain
I sure hope the repubs are not going to try & recycle that old fart. (Newt)
@Lee323
Obviously Toomey thinks that Miikey should not be relying on an unnamed source, right? Oh, yeah. That it applies to everyone, not just the ADN thingy just couldn’t apply to a former ADN employee.
/snark off
———–
Recycling is good, right?
For one brief moment, I saw a new post called “Get your anonymoose on!” It’s gone now, but might be back soon!
Re the ADN – I am sure this means the “ear” will now be published with a real name of a real person on it. I could not find a real name anywhere, when I read it. I thought, how ironic!
That was my fault – I thought AKM was away from the tubes, and people were asking for a new open thread..
Sorry guys!
With respect to Sheila Toomey’s justification for publishing Mudflats’ name in the Anchorage Daily News, several times – First, she justifies her actions on a “lively discussion” that an anonymous someone at the Anchorage Daily News had nearly 30 years ago. Strong stuff. Second, the justification makes no sense anyway. Toomey’s article was not citing Mudflats as a source, it was reporting Doogan’s action with respect to Mudflats. Any discussion of anonymous sources is irrelevant. Third, Toomey simply says she personally doesn’t believe people should publish things anonymously, so she just took care of that. It must be nice to have a major newspaper to use to enforce your personal view of the world. Just admit you are on a personal crusade and don’t pretend that you are using any scheme of journalistic ethics while doing it. If Toomey thought Mudflats’ anonymity made her published opinions illegitimate, Toomey was free to argue that. However, she didn’t do that. She simply published, repeatedly, Mudflats’ name, which was unnecessary to the content of her article. To be honest, I don’t think Toomey thought about her actions at all and now she is inventing a rationale. If Mudpuppies are unhappy with Toomey’s actions, they are certainly free to let the Anchorage Daily News know about it – anonymously or otherwise. I have.s
Actually, Toomey did use an anonymous source – whoever leaked the name to Doogan.
@Lee323- “Courage to stand up”.
“Many years ago my newspaper published news stories based on anonymous sources…….-ADN.
There was no “story”-at least not any news story that the local rag was covering. Doogan didn’t send out the e-mail to his constituents because they had been clamoring for a resolution to “L’affaire Mudflats”.
Oost updated!
Didn’t Shannyn meet with dingleberry today?
Snoskred Says:
March 31st, 2009 at 4:40 PM
_______________________________________
Toomey’s name is always listed at the end of the column, along with other contributors, if any. It’s common knowledge here in Anchorage that Toomey is the Ear, or the “Divine Appendage” or as we know her the “Divine Orifice.” Your pick which orifice.
“Compiled by Sheila Toomey. Find Ear online at adn.com/ear. Contact Sheila at stoomey@adn.com“
I don’t know if we have to worry all that much about ADN – the McClatchy Newspapers are in financial troubles, and ADN is the bottom feeder of the list of keepers. Think McClatchey will hang onto ADN over The Miami Herald? I suspect that the Raleigh News & Observer has a wider readership than ADN. . . and with this latest journalistic dust up, the only readership left for ADN are the folks who believe that the Bill of Rights is a typo and should read “Bill FOR WHITES”
Secret Shopper – I did not see it there, and I looked for it, too. I am wondering if maybe that is a recent addition to the page, because believe me I searched for it, given what the “ear” had written.
My thought would be it needs to be at the top of the page, if she wants to claim she is not anonymous. Especially for those who are not in Alaska and don’t know about the ear, or those who can’t be bothered scrolling down because the content is so lame.. :/
Snoskred Says:
March 31st, 2009 at 5:03 PM
I checked the most recent Ear columns online and it’s there, at the bottom. I agree, it should be at the top but the ADN typically puts the reporter’s contact info at the bottom, unless it’s listed as “ADN staff.”
Sheila prefers to refer to herself as the “Divine Appendage,” and if you’ve ever had a conversation with her as I have, you’d see that title is befitting. She thinks very highly of herself.
The Ear is nothing but a local gossip rag. I rarely read it, if ever. I’m not a gossip monger. An ear is actually more of an orifice than an appendage anyway, hence the “Divine Orifice” is more suitable.
27NMJ Says:
March 31st, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Golly, gee; is he saying she…she…lied to them??!
——————————————————-
Sarah told a Palin. #6 . Look it up.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Palin
Rob in CA,
You are spot on. She’s in trouble, is surrounded by incompetent staff and hostile Alaskans. Winking doesn’t seem to help anymore.
We need more rallies in her face to discombobulate her even more.
Ha ha about Gingrich. That must make her really mad even though she couldn’t make up her little pea brain about whether to go. She figured she’d leave them on the hook for a while and see how the wind was blowing. Well a big gust just blew her off her feet and sent her fake Burberry scarf into Cook Inlet (or the Channel if she is for some strange reason actually back in Juneau).
Funny thing is the “Divine Appendage” is incorrect. Appendage, according to Wiki, is defined as: “an additional or subsidiary part existing on, or added to, something which can generally still function if the appendage has never existed or is later provided or grown, or will still perform a primary function if the appendage is removed.”
The auricles of the ear DO have a function: to collect sound waves and direct them to the tympanic membrane. Therefore, the use of appendage is incorrect. I suspect if you remove the auricles you may have some hearing issues.
I’m going to email Toomey and tell her she’s really not the “Divine Appendage” but rather is the “Divine Orifice.” Orifices include “any opening, mouth, hole or vent, as of a pipe, plate, or a body.”
eg. Anus.
just looked up “oost” in the urban dictionary, and I swear that is what the Rep party is doing to Palin right now. lol
So Todd is a stay at home Dad………
http://imablogger.net/2009/03/31/stay-at-home-dads-will-burn-in-hell/
Rob in CA: you got it – are you sure you are not an Alaskan?
Your observations are not only accurate, they are succinct and quite funny.
love the ‘stapleoops’… and perhaps this indicates a disagreement amongst our two former KTUU personnel…
Billo is going to donate $1000.00 towards GINO legal fees..WTH are they drinking??? If you guys want to see a filthy blog go check out gretawire…still shaking my head…These peeps. are seriously disturbed…Boy Gino has a lg. following there…They creep me out…Nite all…:)
LOL- OK, so now we all need to start talking about oosting to see how long it takes for a new word to catch on. That’s too funny. (I did actually figure out that it was a typo and you meant post.)
Ahem, after reading the urban dictionary definition of oost, please disregard my suggestion that we all start using the word.
*sneaks out of the room, blushing*
Palin needs to show up…she doesn’t show up and I’m sure they felt uncomfortable about chancing her simply not showing up.
just sayin’…
Gingrich = Bottom of the barrel
Governor Sanford (South Carolina) isn’t going to accept the education money.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gaIoIBhAVWKNcjxB9AYbJRYOiLlgD9799E680
“But on Tuesday, the political theatrics appeared to crystalize. State Attorney General Henry McMaster said the Legislature can put the money in a budget, but the governor still is in control of spending the $700 million targeted for the state over two years.
“The Legislature cannot compel the governor to act against his will. Only a court could do that,” McMaster told The Associated Press.”
Governor Sanford (South Carolina) isn’t going to accept the education money.
[I tried to link an AP article, but the url was refused by the fire wall.]
“But on Tuesday, the political theatrics appeared to crystalize. State Attorney General Henry McMaster said the Legislature can put the money in a budget, but the governor still is in control of spending the $700 million targeted for the state over two years.
“The Legislature cannot compel the governor to act against his will. Only a court could do that,” McMaster told The Associated Press.”
This is very very pertinent to current Alaska events. Please read this. It all comes clear. **The Attorney General of South Carolina has issued a formal opinion that the legislature cannot bypass the governor for the stimulus funds.** Selected citations below.
• Only a court can resolve this dispute. If Sanford refuses the money and the Legislature includes it in the budget, only a court can decide who is right, McMaster said. He did not address whether state or federal courts should handle the matter.
http://www.thestate.com/politics/story/734314.html
April 1 McMaster sides with Sanford – Legislators lack power to bypass governor and tap funds, attorney general rules, foreseeing a court battle
State lawmakers have no ability to circumvent Gov. Mark Sanford’s refusal of $700 million in federal stimulus money, according to an opinion issued Tuesday by Attorney General Henry McMaster.
Sanford said the opinion does not change his position: Unless lawmakers pay down debt, he will not accept the money by Friday’s deadline.
“This is a classic constitutional standoff,” McMaster said. “The governor cannot be completely bypassed.”
[snip]
Under the federal bill and state law, McMaster wrote, only the governor can certify the funding and the Legislature has no power to compel him to spend the money.
Past legal analysis raised the issue of whether the federal bill violated the U.S. Constitution, but Crocker [University of South Carolina law profession] called the Tenth Amendment questions a “red herring.” McMaster’s opinion, he said, resolved the venue issue.
“It’s entirely a state court issue,” Crocker said. “We were chasing the wrong thing.”
Charleston School of Law professor John Simpkins largely agreed, and said the standoff over the federal money goes to the heart of who wields power under S.C.’s government structure. Simpkins thinks Sanford was attempting an end run around lawmakers’ ability to decide how money is spent.
To reach a court challenge, though, Sanford first would have to refuse to accept the money by Friday’s deadline. Lawmakers would have to include that money in a spending bill and someone then would have to sue.
[snip]
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he respected Sanford’s principles, but urged the governor to accept the money for the good of the state.
“This is a rainy day,” Graham said. “We’ve got the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation with no end in sight. If somebody lost their job, to tell them to make extra mortgage payments is probably not good advice.”
U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. criticized state Republicans for going “out of their way to make sure South Carolina continues its long tradition of providing a minimally adequate education.”
Clyburn said there was no difference between federal highway and energy efficiency money — which Sanford has accepted — and the state budget aid he has so far refused.
RE: typos
The problem with the majority of my typos is that the word in question is usually spelled correctly so my checker is happy, it is just not the word I had intended to post or publish. They seem to “out smart” the grammar checker as well.
Case in point: I designed and printed hundreds of tickets for an event our organization was hosting. Our name was on the bottom in small print. Our name has the word PUBLIC in it, only I forgot to include the L.
Well, in Alaska the Lege can override the Governess’s veto with a 2/3 majority, which they have. If she tries to then avoid spending the money anyway, I’m sure that 1) the Lege will take her to court and 2) She can forget about getting any bills that she really wants passing during the next session.
For an interesting picture of Doo-Doo art, see http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/03/doogan-beginning-to-inspire-alaska-art.html