Oyster Round Up – This and That
Treading on Thin Ice
There’s not much to add to this one, but I’m putting it first to get the bad news out of the way.
WASHINGTON – The Arctic is treading on thinner ice than ever before. Researchers say that as spring begins, more than 90 percent of the sea ice in the Arctic is only 1 or 2 years old. That makes it thinner and more vulnerable than at anytime in the past three decades, according to researchers with NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado.
“We’re not set up well for summertime,” ice data center scientist Walt Meier said Monday. “We’re in a very precarious situation.”
Young sea ice in the Arctic often melts in the spring and summer. If it survives for two years, then it becomes the type of thick sea ice that is key. But the past two years were warm, and there’s more young, thin ice at the top of the world.
In normal winters, thick sea ice — often about 10 feet thick or more — extends from the northern boundaries of Greenland and Canada almost to Russia. This year, the thick ice cap barely penetrates the bull’s-eye of the Arctic Circle.
“That thick ice really traps ocean heat; it keeps the planet in its current state of balance,” said Waleed Abdalati, director of the Center for the Study of Earth from Space at the University of Colorado and NASA’s former chief ice scientist. “When we start to diminish that, the state of balance is likely to change, tip one way or another.”
Sea ice is important because it reflects sunlight away from Earth. The more it melts, the more heat is absorbed by the ocean, heating up the planet even more, said NASA polar regions program manager Tom Wagner. That warming also can change weather patterns worldwide and it alters the ecosystems for animals such as polar bears.
The Politics of Gossip
The appearance of the Johnston clan on the Tyra Banks Show raises some interesting questions, the primary one being, “What does this have to do with anything?” The answer ought to be “Nothing.” And after reflection on this, there’s only one thing here that tiptoes into the political realm, and it actually has nothing to do with Levi or Bristol or Merecede or their friends or family. It has everything to do with Sarah Palin’s press people, and their weapon of choice, the pre-emptive press release. This dastardly weapon has but one fatal flaw. It always seems to backfire. If you’ll recall the press release she sent out ripping Democrats for cancelling a meeting “to host their own press conference.” This is because she assumed they were doing so to criticize her. They weren’t. Their press conference had nothing to do with Palin. And then the Republican Senate President said she was lying about not only the press conference, but the meeting too? Oops.
And now, yesterday, after seeing only the teasers for the interview between Levi, the Johnstons and Tyra Banks, yet another pre-emptive press release was launched in which Meg Stapleton on behalf of the governor, said that the Johnstons were appearing in no small part because of the money. I believe the exact quote said that “in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune [they are] engaging in flat-out lies.” Them’s fightin’ words. You can imagine this press release as a big missile, you know the ones like you see in the bloopers videos where they take off in a streak of yellow flame, go up a couple hundred feet and then fall gently right back on to the launch pad and go Ka-Boom in a big fireball. It was purposefully announced before the interview with Banks that the Johstons in fact received no money at all for their appearance. Doh! Remember, it’s best to fact check beFORE you talk to the press and accuse people of doing things for money that they’re not.
[Remember, if you comment on the "kids", keep it classy. I know you can!]
Speaking of Unsuccessful Missile Launches
In one of those Alaskany things where Alaskanism supercedes party affiliation, Mark Begich (D) and Lisa Murkowski (R) both added their names to a letter urging the president not to cut funding for missile defense. The “Dear Leader” across the water has everyone a little nervous over here in the upper left corner, with his launching of a long-range ballistic missile the other day.
Pyongyang, which for weeks insisted on its right to the peaceful use of space, said it put a communications satellite into orbit that was broadcasting “immortal revolutionary songs” and anthems praising leader Kim Jong-Il.
Japan said the booster rockets fell harmlessly into the water, while the United States and Seoul said the launch had failed to get its payload into orbit.
Now, if I moved to North Korea, I’d really have something to blog about. North Korea is a good touchstone for when I think that Alaska politicians are crazy. At least none of them are launching The Alaska Flag Song into space.
Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), along with Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Mark Begich (D-AK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today sent the following letter to President Obama calling for full funding of U.S. missile defense programs:
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500Dear President Obama:
We write to urge you not to allow deep cuts in U.S. missile defense programs that are critically important to protecting our homeland and our allies against the growing threat of ballistic missiles.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates today announced plans to cancel or reduce such major programs as the Airborne Laser, Multiple Kill Vehicle, and the installation of additional Ground-Based Interceptor missiles in Alaska, and cut the MDA’s budget for Fiscal Year 2010 by $1.4 billion. Although we applaud Secretary Gates’ commitment to such capabilities THAAD and SM-3, these proposals would amount to almost a fifteen percent cut in the MDA budget and a major reduction in our missile defense portfolio—actions that we fear could undermine our emerging missile defense capabilities to protect the United States against a growing threat.
It goes on, and on, and on HERE. (Danger Danger! Link is to National Review!)
Employee Free Choice Act Debate
This should be interesting for anyone who wants to take a long lunch.
On Wednesday, April 8, from 11am to 1pm, the Alaska AFL-CIO and Alaska Chamber of Commerce will hold a forum to debate the Employee Free Choice Act. Carl Shepro, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Alaska at Anchorage, will moderate the event. Vince Beltrami, President of the Alaska AFL-CIO, and John Schmitt, an economist with the Washington, DC-based Center for Economic and Policy Research, will argue in favor of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Marc Freedman, a representative of the US Chamber of Commerce, and Rebecca Logan, President of the Alaska Association of Builders and Contractors, will speak against the Employee Free Choice Act.
Captain Cook Hotel, 939 West 5th Ave., Anchorage, AK.
Throw Mark Begich Some Mud Love
Apparently the Juneau Empire poll has been targeted again, the poor little thing. The question asks if you think Mark Begich should resign his senate seat because of the whole prosecutorial misconduct thing in the Stevens trial. My first question is WHY does the Empire even think this is a question, and my second question is, do you want to vote? Of course, public opinion will have no effect on this, and it’s probably the most ridiculous and embarrassing request in a long time from our governor and the head of the Alaska Republican Party. But if you just want to give a hand so we’re not on record for being embarrassing and ridiculous for years on end in the poll archives, lend a hand, would you? I’m still hoping that some day we’ll be looked upon as not entirely crazy. To help Alaskans save face, click HERE and scroll down.
Just read on ADN that Palin has dropped Grussendorf and put forward Joe Nelson. He wasn’t on the new list of names from the Senate Democrats. Go figure.
The Empire should either fix their polling procedure to one vote per isp or stop polling.
Seems like she’s just being contrary. Somebody on ADN said it was so Juneau would be without representation. How would this help her?
I sent some mud love to Begich. Your link goes to the results page, BTW. I had to go to the home page and scroll down.
Sorry, these weapons have not shown to work in the real conditions of an enemy launch, so I think the defense budget needs serious trimming, and this tilting at windmills.
I feel bad for Levi and his family. Unfortunately they got caught up in SPs power play. Type A1 personalities dictate, mandate and run over anyone who disagrees with them or steps out of line. I’m glad they spoke up however I suspect there’s a lot more they could have said but didn’t (KUDOS!) and I hope Levi gets a good attorney so that he can see his own son.
Usually at the end of the talk shows when they roll the credits , they indicate that the “Guests of todays show were lodged at blah-blah” , “town car service by blah-blah” , etc. Tyra most probabbly did not cut a check , but I’m sure all expenses including airfare were covered.
Here’s the news about her nomination of Joe Nelson (from KINY Radio):
Palin picks Alaska Native to fill Senate seat
By ANNE SUTTON -Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Gov. Sarah Palin has chosen Joe Nelson, an Alaska Native, to fill a vacant state Senate seat, bucking a request by Senate Democrats that she choose from a list submitted by local party officials.
Nelson’s selection was announced today (Monday) to replace Juneau Democrat Kim Elton who left for a job in the Obama administration.
Senate Democrats last week rejected Palin’s first choice of legislative aide Tim Grussendorf.
On Monday, they sent a letter urging Palin to send them a new name and to pick it from the list forwarded from the local party officials. The letter was signed by seven of the nine democrats, excluding Sens. Lyman Hoffman and Donny Olson.
Nelson is the director of admissions at the University of Alaska Southeast and the husband of former state Rep. Mary Nelson, a Democrat who represented Bethel.
lilybart Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Sorry, these weapons have not shown to work in the real conditions of an enemy launch, so I think the defense budget needs serious trimming, and this tilting at windmills.
******************************
That is correct and logical. But when you have Defense contractors , lobbyists , Congressmen who like cocaine , hookers , and $$$ for their campaigns……..well by golly we need all of it !!!
I think that it is beneath the dignity of her office for Sarah Palin to constantly respond to these petty events. She never should have thrust those kids into the strong spotlight, aired their soap-opera lives in public, and now that she has, she has responded to every negative comment with all of the sophistication of someone still in high school. It’s a very sad scene.
It is ok for Sarah Palin and her daugther to make 7 million on a book, but Levi and his family cannot except any money? What the ****! Sarah has drug Levi and his family into her psychoness fame run for the white house and they have no rights like bloggers have no rights. Sarah Palin seems to think she and her whacked family are the only people in the world that have righs and are above the law. The first dud sad to esquire “He is not afraid of you, the cops or his wife”. Wow what a man of the year!!!!
The democrat lawyer from DC that helped Obama with his book is going to help Sarah and Bristol with theirs. A man making money of a joke of a human being. What a bunch on B.S.! I have full faith that Sarah’s charade will end just like it started. Because sooner or later your EFFECTS catch up from the CAUSE.
Levi, if your reading, Call Cathleen Barron! You want a shark when taking on a saracuda!
Joe Nelson’s resume:
http://media.adn.com/smedia/2009/04/06/16/nelson_resume.source.prod_affiliate.7.pdf
empish Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Levi, if your reading, Call Cathleen Barron! You want a shark when taking on a saracuda!
**********************************
We have one of those down here named Becky Beaver. Ferocious beyond belief.
O T
But someone on the other thread said she picked Nelson… who was not on the List. plus I got an ADN email notice. My response was @% &%G$@*HD !!.. or something like that. The ADN comments were coming FAST and Furious. It started with 2 pages when I started writing and was up to 5 by the time I finished my opinion and was able to put it to words.
(GINO will not be voted Prom “Queen”..the tarnish is showing through her tiara)
My suggestion… which was better than what GINO is doing.
Put the 3 Dem names in a Hat… just pull one out. DONE.
Faster and makes more sense than whatever this game she is playing.
And WHO is advising Her…. this is INSANE!
I need to past the ADN link story to every HuffPO story thread every time one of those SarahPac fans start to defend her.
AKM…?
You or Shannyn Moore HAVE TO be in the process of writing a story to get it posted on Huffpo. The MSM has to pick it up and report on this insanity.
And Alaska blog sites are writing their new story already.
” Toddler think”..? You gave her too much credit. Toddlers are smarter than this.
Why would you request anyone to send Mark Begich Some “Mud Love” when the man just called for full funding of U.S. missile defense programs?
Begich and the likes of Les Gara are DINO’s, they couldn’t be further from a Progressive had Palin selected them herself. What is Alaska’s dysfunction when comes to selecting Democratic candidates–do you actually look for obstructionist and Conservative sympathizers.
AKM should have an email campaign demanding Begich start acting like a Democrat, get behind Obama’s message or “Progressive” Alaskan’s will support a special election. Alaska, stop coddling the Blue Dogs–they are just as toxic as Palin.
How dumb is that to have that poll? Anyone from anywhere could vote. It has no credibility whatsoever.
The Missile Defense System has never worked. Keeping it going would just be pouring money down a rat hole.
It would be a lot cheaper to just let GINO go up in her helicopter and shoot the thing down. I’m sure she’d love the press.
I posted on ADN as well…GiNO is still in the ‘Me, me, me” stage, still crawling, not yet walking…and getting into all kinds of ‘crap, [destroying everything]
Palin is pandering to the native community because they were not happy with the WAR pick. She’s trying to eliminate criticism. I wonder how they feel about being “used” right now.
By my calculations Nelson is about 38 years old, with one advanced degree and a law degree. Has some nice professional achievements (NONE in government and nice-sounding scholarly achievements. Does this make him senate material? Not really. Unless, of course, you would like to see ME be your senator, Juneau. Too bad I don’t live there.
Closed bracket after government, please. (Cringing — now you’ll never want me for your senator.)
Hi AKM _Mudpuppies.Sooooooooo how’s grannie grizzly today?? Hated the weay she exploited those kids.Shame on you Sarah…
Punctuating like a Palin.
Does the gov want a public vote on J. Nelso also?
jo Says: Palin is pandering to the native community…
So it stands to reason the she might get both of these [Joe & WAR]- her way?
Oysters remind me of wet boogers. It’s bad enough watching the wee one eat his own… haven’t touched oysters in forever. And won’t.
Let me see if I have this straight.
According to Sarah, families should be off limits if they are in the public spotlight dragged there by their candidate family … EXCEPT if they say something on their own, UNLESS their mother casually stopping by to manage it?
Is that it? Is someone going to link to this blog comment from a paper that’s linked to from another paper in a blog about … ohh I’m getting a headache…
I was wondering yesterday when Meg first aired the “he lied” response, “how did she know he lied, before she even knew what he said?” Do you suppose we should believe then that Levi lied about saying he would still vote for the Gino?
It sure doesn’t look like they are being set up to be the darling couple that will be getting married soon, that we were given to believe during the campaign, not to surpriseing with so little support from Mommy Dearest. Ok, out with the family values and in with the “let’s go to court and cut the pour child apart so each gets their just visitation/custody rights. Ugly, ugly, ugly.
I sure hope Family Court up there appoints an ad liem attorney to act on behalf of the child, and that both Levi and Bristel get some counseling and support so as to learn how to put the need of the child before the needs of the Gino. It appears Gino and McCann got thier way during the pre nup/pre birth months. Then dropped those kids into a messy valley scene, while she keeps shooting for 2012 stardom.
I’m not keen on shot gun weddings or forcing kids that are not suited for each other into weddlock, but it sure would have looked a whole lot better if both families was really working together for the good of the kids and the babies.
And lastly to accuse Levi of not wanting to support his child, or to only be doing interviews to get money is double speak on Gino’s part, Levi is not allowed to do what she is doing with SacraPac, giving interviews to make money for her campaign as she is more important than ….oh, you get the idea….it’s just more “do as I say, not do as I do”…dumb down talk…coming from the Gino and her team.
“Missile flim-flam”.
That neo-con-artist Lieberman is probably a greater threat to world peace than any foreign country.
And why are our northern exposure stalwarts associated with this motley crew? Is it Iran? Not enough wars in the Middle east? Are the North Koreans threatening Fairbanks? Or are they after our money? Again.
Thanks for the info on the sea ice. It prompted me to google and learn. Wow! Who knew. Did you see the story on the Iceland ice break? They said it was a “mass of ice” the size of Connecticut that is probably going to break off. Major complications if that happens. I can’t remember the source so am off to find it and will post when I do.
Thanks again for the info.
Debating the Employee Free Choice Act during a three hour lunch break in the middle of the week…CLASSIC! I wonder which side of the debate will be most in attendance? The worker and union labor, or management and the higher ups?
Found one! Here it is.
http://icue.nbcunifiles.com/icue/files/icue/site/pdf/41202.pdf
I am SICK TO DEATH of the lies out of GINO and MEG’S mouth! Meg says Levi never lived in the Palin house?? They are Liars! It has been common knowledge. Levi has nothing to gain my saying that BUT Palin does! Also…Tyro herself said Levi and family were NOT piad to be on her show…they just want the TRUTH out. When can we recall her….this is beyond belief. Palin always gets her way. What—she just can’t face telling people knowing she allowed Levi to move it? What a narcisstic phony and LIAR. Enough is enough!
Why is Joe an expert on anything to do with Alaska? Jesus. Things get more frightening by the minite.
KO/Countdown covered the Levi/Tyra/Sarah’s dumb news release story. It was under the banner…..Wassiliness…..hehehe. He even giggled a bit while reading the news release. Worth watching if you’re in a market that will repeat the show. Keith also noted that the news release, submitted by Meg S, was on official governor stationery. His program closed on a sad note with a beautiful tribute to his mother who died on Saturday.
Rachel just previewed that she will be covering the Levi/Tyra story.
The NOs have it by only 6 votes! Vote people!
Do you think this might catch on?
HINT HINT
Imagine that, a blogger running for office! time to buy a new pair of jammies:)
MONDAY, APRIL 06, 2009
Blogger Judd Legum, founder of ThinkProgress, is running for office in Maryland
by John Aravosis (DC)
http://www.americablog.com/2009/04/blogger-judd-legum-founder-of.html
Oh, goodie I’m getting ready to watch Palintology on Racheal;
Is there something in the water at newspapers, or what? What’s with the piling on from the AP? As long as they pull stuff like this, act like ADN (news? what’s that?), and have hypocritical dinosaurs like Toomey & doogan espousing their cause, well, they deserve to fold…
http://gawker.com/5200611/associated-press-shut-up-internet
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-daou/moral-outrage-and-the-har_b_183490.html
The Juneau Empire has sunk to a new low. I refuse to vote.
Even Don Young knows Begich isn’t going to resign.
Juneau Democrats came up with three names in addition to Kerttula’s.
Palin didn’t pick any of them. Is anyone surprised?
Will be seriously disappointed if the Democrats both in the Senate and in Juneau and statewide don’t hold firm with Juneau’s first choice of Kerttula. Let Palin look like the fully partisan (in the pocket of big oil) governor that she is.
Drag this out for nine more days and have a special election, Juneau. Take that to the courts.
Missiles in Alaska only increase Alaska’s potential as a target. Not in our best interest, no matter who’s pockets are being lined with a fat contract.
Now I’m returning to the skunk cabbage patch.
BACK TO THE FUTURE [again]
Some one is so busy putting out fake-urgent press releases, tha all the time they have for the real ones is to recycle the old one from prior years…
Made me laff @ realizing how much time & money is wasted…MEANWHILE on the Gov’s web site – I noticed this….[look under the ‘proclamations’ section, and click on this title: 4/01/09, AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
THE END: NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim April 2008 as:
Autism Awareness Month
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to work together to ensure that individuals with autism spectrum disorder are accurately diagnosed and appropriately treated throughout their lives.
Dated: February 27, 2008
SHE NEEDS TO HIRE NEW PPL, someone else is not doing their job…May not a BIG DEAL, just another small detail in the big pile created/sponsored by GiNO…
Oh wait. Just remembered. Don Young wants to invest in some big ice-breakers. I guess this is to help the polar ice-cap melting along a little faster.
Looking forward to getting out of the mud for awhile and digging in some real dirt and planting some seeds of hope and change and tomatoes and broccoli.
Watched Rachel M’s guest, Connie Schultz give her take on the whole “using your kids” and Palin. I don’t know that I had ever heard her before, but I encourage all of you to try to find that clip from Rachel’s msnbc site. It should be available soon. She spoke as a mother first, career woman and politician’s wife. Great comments and observations on what has happened and the struggles public families can have. Schultz is a columnist for the Cleveland Miner.
@Tealwoman I guess that’s why she didn’t accept the education stimulus money for special needs programs. All we need is an Autism Awareness month.
Regarding “Should Begich resign?”
– my problem with the word “should” is “should” shouldn’t exist. It is one of the dumbest words. What does it mean?
Regarding ice: I was talking with one of my favorite scientists up at Ellesmere Island in arctic Canada who has been involved in the ice core project in Greenland, and he is concerned that once you get too much fresh water (melted ice) on top of seawater, with a higher fresh water freezing point than salt water, you can suddenly find yourself in the next ice age with a massive freeze up (it freezes easier). Apparently the ice core history over thousands of years indicates ice ages can happen this way in a heck of a hurry like, say, 5 years for the climate of London to become like Fairbanks– too much global warming could be a bad thing and we could find ourselves freezing fast.
When Levi and his mom are talking about when Bristol and Levi first started dating during an ice Hockey game in Fairbanks, they kind of let the kitty out of the bag. SJ then goes on to tell about how they broke the news that Bristol was pregnant, this was soon after they first started dating. I am thinking that they are talking about baby Trig, not Tripp. Meow! Listen closely to the clips, a few hints and the pictures of Mercedes, Trig and Sarah is a shout out to Queen Taliban Gino.
Well said Dr Chill!
@ deist
Regarding ice:
………
And then there’s this http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081101093713.htm
And this http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/solar_minimum09.html
And this http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/6/21/123227.shtml
There’s a lot in the mix especially when you’re talking about cycling in thousands of years.
I just read that now it is being suggested that Ted Stevens become governor the next go-round (to cap off his career!) The more I read about this circus called Alaska politics, the more sympathy I have for the people of Alaska!! You sure don’t need to watch TV for your soap operas.
I give up.
That GINO is a malevolent genius. probably it was WAR advice to pick Nelson for the senate seat…..Dem. legs. against the wall.
She is truly dangerous and not crazy at all. Just evil.
Rachel and her guest, columnist Connie Schultz, pulverized Sarah….abuse of power (though, don’t think they used those exact words)….using the power of her position to attack the 18-year old father of her grandson. Ms. Schultz lamented Palin is a poor candidate and Schultz wouldn’t want her running her city or state, let alone the nation. At least in my time zone, the show ran during the end of the NCAA finals so may not get many viewers which is tragic. The whole show was brilliant, IMHO. Think transcripts and podcasts are available.
In the grand scheme of things, seems the sea ice is far more important; but, it’s too frightening for me to ponder right this moment. I am glad to get the information. Thanks, AKM!
Kerttula has earned the support of Juneau and the support of the statewide Democrats.
Senate Democrats should just stick to their guns. Otherwise, they let down Kerttula, they let down Juneau, they let down Democrats statewide, and they set a poor precendent for any future community having their own say about their own representation in such a situation.
Senate Democrats should hold firm and Juneau should hold a special election for this seat prior to the next legislative session. No lap dogs for Palin.
seattlefan Says:
It was Sabrina’s post @33
and my post @ 49
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
@#59 Moose Pucky:
Kerttula has earned the support of Juneau and the support of the statewide Democrats.
Senate Democrats should just stick to their guns. Otherwise, they let down Kerttula, they let down Juneau, they let down Democrats statewide, and they set a poor precendent for any future community having their own say about their own representation in such a situation.
————————–
Yep, Pucky, agreed. If they were so unified in the beginning that they only submitted one name – Kerttula’s – then obviously that was their overwhelming choice. It should stand!
OT but on topic:
N.C.!
that’s it
Here’s a link to Rachel Maddow’s piece about the palin/johnston feud that is being played out in public:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#30079589
It’s a good piece. Not merely because it talks about what I (on the other thread) and AKM (here on this thread) mention about the idiocy of a statement from Meg S. about this. There is some talk w/the guest about the horror of a mother who will allow her child to be subjected to all of this. To fuel her own grandiose ideas, of course.
And here’s a call to action for mudflatters, emails to Begich, Young & Murkowski in order!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Write your reps & senators and anyone else that you can think of to get support for funding to be restored. It’s critical for Alaska Natives (Hey, where’s Meg’s statement from the gov about this?).
http://akindependent.blogspot.com/2009/04/emergency-in-villages.html
Hey all! I think the intent of this thread was to enlighten us all to what is going on. The Sea Ice story got me! Why are we having a back-fight on this Joe the Jew remark? Yes, it was probably made off the cuff, but it was certainly not meant the way it has been taken by the offended poster. I would like to know how long he/she has been posting here. Could this just be someone making trouble? No offense to the poster, but I have never seen your name before, I have lurked for months and posted for only about 1 month. Just curious…..
oh come on Teal- what’s N.C.?
ChAMPS!
bASKETBALL
OBAMAN picked them to win, but I knew hey would win anyways!
seattlefan Says:
~~~~~~~~
Yes you might be right…
Teal…what is NC?
…so no basketball/sports fans here?
I’ve been paying so much attention to GiNO, but couldn’t miss the game…
North Carolina?
OK, back to my regular scheduled GiNO Watch….but she better be out by the time of the Superbowl…lol
And I did mean to add that Bible Spice is a perfect example of reaching ever downwards.
Did you just have a massive earthquake? I just saw a tsunami warning was canceled, but not sure where it origi nated. I’m near the ocean and after the one in Indonesia, I’ve started paying more attention.
Oh no! The Gov Reading to Juneau Elementary!
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/large_photo.php?id=257
Luckily for the kids, all she had to do was point at the pictures and say “orca”. I don’t see any words on the page – I’m sure that she picked this book for that very reason! At least it wasn’t upside down. I hope all the kids left the assembly with their verbs intact.
Peaceful Granny Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I was wondering yesterday when Meg first aired the “he lied” response, “how did she know he lied, before she even knew what he said?” Do you suppose we should believe then that Levi lied about saying he would still vote for the Gino?
”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’
As I mentioned on the morning thread, it could very well be that Levi was apprehensive about “openly” speaking his true feelings regarding Gino for fear of retribution or add’l hardship as it relates to seeing his son…and that’s if he’s even registered to vote at all.
crystalwolf aka caligrl Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 9:52 PM
nsfmCA
could this be it?
6.9
Date-Time
* Tuesday, April 07, 2009 at 04:23:33 UTC
* Tuesday, April 07, 2009 at 04:23:33 PM at epicenter
* Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location 46.088°N, 151.498°E
Depth 34 km (21.1 miles) set by location program
Region KURIL ISLANDS
Distances 300 km (185 miles) ENE of Kuril’sk, Kuril Islands
615 km (380 miles) SW of Severo-Kuril’sk, Kuril Islands, Russia
1515 km (940 miles) NE of TOKYO, Japan
7155 km (4440 miles) NE of MOSCOW, Russia
Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 6.1 km (3.8 miles); depth fixed by location program
Parameters NST=186, Nph=186, Dmin=678.6 km, Rmss=0.99 sec, Gp= 50°,
M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=7
Source
* USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID us2009fdak
Did you just have a massive earthquake? I thought I saw that on msnbc but haven’t seen any other info. Hope it’s in a remote area and you are all safe.
@curiouser
“His program closed on a sad note with a beautiful tribute to his mother who died on Saturday.”
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
That was indeed a lovely tribute to his dear “Mom”…which made be a bit misty-eyed. God rest her soul ~ and the memories of her in his heart.
3.8
Date-Time
* Monday, April 06, 2009 at 20:31:20 UTC
* Monday, April 06, 2009 at 12:31:20 PM at epicenter
* Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location 60.326°N, 152.613°W
Depth 111.2 km (69.1 miles) set by location program
Region SOUTHERN ALASKA
Distances
* 65 km (40 miles) NW (311°) from Happy Valley, AK
* 68 km (42 miles) W (280°) from Clam Gulch, AK
* 70 km (43 miles) WNW (302°) from Ninilchik, AK
nswfm CA Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Did you just have a massive earthquake? I thought I saw that on msnbc but haven’t seen any other info. Hope it’s in a remote area and you are all safe.
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Here is another one, but it doesn’t seem big enough for a tsumini?
******
Its probably the volcano, full moon almost here, weird energy!
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* 182 km (113 miles) WSW (239°) from Anchorage, AK
Location Uncertainty Error estimate not available
Parameters NST= 49, Nph= 55, Dmin=21.9 km, Rmss=0 sec, Gp=104°,
M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=2
Source
* Alaska Earthquake Information Center
Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Event ID ak00099012
Speaking of earthquakes, I’m just about to write a sad post for my blog, about my weekend in L’Aquila.
Aussie – I hope the writing about does you good. Hug & good night.
No worries crystalwolf. 3.8 earthquakes usually won’t even be felt here, as they are deep in contrast to the shallow ones in CA. 5.0 yes, 6.0 definitely. 1964 earthquake here registered 9.2 which for all of us who experienced it was unforgettable.
Remember on the magnitude scale, an earthquake one number higher is approximately thirty times more powerful (e.g. a 7.0 vs. a 6.0).
There was a post in this thread which a poster found offensive. To keep the comments on topic I have edited that post to remove the offensive words, and I have also unapproved the comments that complained about the offensive post, and people responding to that.
I have made all these comments pending, and when AKM has a chance AKM will look at them and make a judgment on whether any of those posts should return.
In future, if someone finds something in the comments section offensive, you should contact AKMuckraker or perhaps myself rather than post about it in the comments and have everyone weigh in with their opinions on it.
Apologies to those whose posts disappeared, it was really off topic – in fact it almost seemed like a trolling. However the poster who posted the complaint has been a long time poster here on the blog, so I am fairly sure it could not be that..
Geez, I just took a nap, ya’all!
Sorry I wasn’t here to catch it as it happened.
If you want to reach me I have a contact page on my blog here – http://www.snoskred.org/contact – also you can reach me via private message on the forums.
Just wanted to mention there’s a pithy post by Andrew Halcro:
“‘There needs to be an adult in the house.’ Arguably, never has nine words uttered by a politician turned out so very hollow.
Those words spoken by Governor Sarah Palin back in June of 2007 when she vetoed money from the capital budget, should be equally applicable to her own actions.
……
“The response from Palin spokesperson Meg Stapleton concerning Levi Johnston’s tell all interview with Tyra Banks was shockingly amateurish and raises significant questions about a 45 year old governor attacking an 18 year old through her media mouthpiece.”
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/there_needs_to_be_an_adult_in_the_house
AKM, Dr. Chill and others have already commented on it, but it is so amusing that Stapleton accuses Levi of “engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion.” It’s hard work cranking up all that indignation, and with a couple more turns of the crank we would have heard that the Governor is enraged, angry, and maybe even ticked off. “Amateurish” is polite.
Goodnight, all
when you have to try that hard to work yourself up, you can get
Thanks, Snoskred
Indeed, thank you for all you do, Snoskred! G’Night!
AKMuckraker wrote –
I believe the exact quote said that “in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune [they are] engaging in flat-out lies.”
Let me attempt to bend your mind(s) into a pretzel. The story we were given today seems like the story we’ve got from the Palins all along.. so..
Does this quote mean Meg Stapleton is admitting that lies have been told all along? And that the reason those lies were told was actually for Sarah Palin’s quest for fame, attention, fortune, and the Vice Presidency?
It could certainly be interpreted that way, if one was willing..
Rachel Maddow offered a good take on the way Governor Palin’s spokeperson attacked a kid, the father of the governor’s grandson. Thanks for alerting me to the Maddow piece.
Governor Palin does not seem to have grasped that it is wrong to use her positional power as an elected official to conduct personal smear campaigns against private citizens who have dated the governor’s blood kin. She just doesn’t get that being governor has not given her the power of royalty. What she is doing to Levi is not really any different than how she abused her power in Troopergate.
Palin wields power with dangerous recklessness.
I expect some worthy citizen of Alaska to file a complaint alleging that the governor has, once again, abused her power. Surely it is an abuse of power to use her tax-funded spokesperson to attack her grandson’s teenage father?
Beyond the Palin
April 6: Levi Johnston breaks his silence about fathering a child with Gov. Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol. How did the governor respond? Rachel Maddow is joined by Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Connie Schultz.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/30079589#30079589
I am sure readers of this blog are aware of the psychological concept of projection. Meg Stapleton’s ugly attack on Levi Johnston was classic projection: Meg was telling the world things about the Governor, not the Johnstons.
I am reminded of the old kid sing-song: I am rubber and you are glue. Whatever you say about me, bounced off me and goes back onto you.
This is the actual governor of a state. We aren’t making this up, as hard as it is to believe.
It is hard for me to grok that a governor has asked a duly elected U.S. Senator to resign, asking for an election do-over, like a child in the playground asking for another chance to hit the ball. She really is the governor, right? It is so hard to really believe it.
There was a new thread on Huffpo about a poll from ABC saying that her ‘favorable ratings’ were still high… about 60%. (insert BIG laugh here )
I can’t wait for the next week of polling after the 3/25 last date. The Levi/Tyra thing, the burglay charges and all the infighting about just picking ONE name to replace Kim Elton…? I think the lines on that graph have already crossed.
Maybe the day Meg Stapleton made her Press Statement about Levi.
Sorrrry… hit the button too quickly. here was the HuffPo story link.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/06/earlyshow/main4922513.shtml?source=RSSattr=Politics_4922513
I found the Banks/Johnston interview rather unsettling. Bristol must be one of the lonliest single mothers in the world. Alienated from her boyfriend & peers & trapped by her mother’s control & self absorption & having her personal life spread all over the place. Ugh, just ugh.
Women Who Run With The Wolves Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 8:03 PM
When Levi and his mom are talking about when Bristol and Levi first started dating during an ice Hockey game in Fairbanks, they kind of let the kitty out of the bag. SJ then goes on to tell about how they broke the news that Bristol was pregnant, this was soon after they first started dating. I am thinking that they are talking about baby Trig, not Tripp. Meow! Listen closely to the clips, a few hints and the pictures of Mercedes, Trig and Sarah is a shout out to Queen Taliban Gino.
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Why don’t the Johnston’s just come out and say it already – Trig is Bristol’s child !
You make a really good point, Phoebe. I would say this also increases the risk of her suffering from Post Partum Depression.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpartum_depression
Governor Palin, if you are reading this, I sincerely hope your daughter has access to good medical support, and also a therapist or counselor.
I don’t care what you think about us, you might think we’re awful people and we should leave you alone, you might hate us. But regardless of that, we do care about these kids and I ask you to make sure they get all the support they *both* need – and keep the heck out of their custody and parenting arrangements.
As Judge Judy wrote in her book “Keep it simple, stupid” – Love the kids more than you hate each other. I would normally say that to the people breaking up, but in this case I think everyone in the situation needs to remember it.
As several have pointed out , Rachel and Connie Schultz crushed Sarah. It is well worth your time to watch.
Was I the offending commenter? Didn’t mean to offend anyone but couldnt help but notice the comment count was down and that a previous comment is gone. Let me know if I’ve been tabbed as a troll and I’ll be gone.
HistoryGoddess Says: April 6th, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Watched Rachel M’s guest, Connie Schultz… don’t know that I had ever heard her before… Great comments and observations on what has happened and the struggles public families can have. Schultz is a columnist for the Cleveland Miner.
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I believe she’s a syndicated columnist from the Cleveland Plains Dealer – yet another of those old-line newspapers that is undergoing massive reporter shrinkage. I read her opinions whenever the regional paper has her column but they seem to have cut back on the syndicated columnists they carry. I don’t miss Sowell but Schultz is a light in the forest around these parts.
Just a further note on this story… one of the still photos used on the Banks show (shown in the background as the interview progressed) was of Levi holding a tiny baby. Problem is, the baby is not Tripp, but Trig, taken the same day as the now-notorious “Mommy in Law” pictures of Mercede, Bristol, and Sarah with Trig.
These photos were published on Mercede Johnston’s blog at some point before May 5, 2008 and have been widely circulated (and speculated about) since the beginning of babygate last September. This shot – with Levi – had NOT been put on Mercede’s MySpace page last spring, and had never (as far as I know) been seen in public before. The photo’s selection for use on the show could not have been an accident.
http://www.palindeception.com/blog/2009/04/message-in-bottle.html
Enjoy.
sauerkraut, I don’t know what post is gone, but I haven’t seen any disappear.
This time in the morning the comments often don’t come at as heavy a pace as in about an hour and throughout the rest of the day.
re: the Tyra Banks show…..
I suspect there are mothers all over the place that are googling SP for the first time in their lives. This is their MSM, some of them. WTG Johnston family, to shed light on their situation, and by proxy, that pathetic loser of a governor.
Did I say “Pathetic Loser?” out loud? Oops!
The poll said 48% said yes, so it looks like the Republican bunch has been busy.
92 Audrey Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 3:56 AM
The photo’s selection for use on the show could not have been an accident.
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Yup – looked at the link also.too. Good work. I have always believed Trig is Bristol’s.
Why should we need to protect the “kids”. They have Queen Sarah – Pit Bull/Great Mother Grizzly Protector!
Oops. Sorry! Wrong Fairy tail.
Its US who need to protect these two mishandled young adults FROM for Queen Sarah – Pit Bull/Great Mother Grizzly Protector and her RepoTaliban supporters.
Ok. Ok! I’ve got it straight now.
How could I have gotten the priorities so confuse?
austintx Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 4:49 AM
92 Audrey Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 3:56 AM
The photo’s selection for use on the show could not have been an accident.
********************************
Yup – looked at the link also.too. Good work. I have always believed Trig is Bristol’s.
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I saw that pic too, and was wait a minute! They just said they couldn’t take pics of Tripp? I bet GINO will come out that Tyra’s show made a mistake!
Also the Bristol working as a basrista came up, doncha think someone in Wasilla or Anchorage would be crowing “Bristol Palin” made me a “skinny White mocha”? Just sayin’!
Ok I got to get some coffee in me, lol!
Tyra was ill-prepared. When she saw the photos of Trig she should have pointed out that the families were very close at that time. And even how tenderly Levi kissed Trig at the convention. Levi is probably a sweet, simple boy.
Bristol should never have been interviewed by Greta (with the surprise! appearance of the Governor).
Meg should never have tacked on that absurd statement that Bristol will advocate for abstinence (my lying ears that Bristol said it is unrealistic). When? Where? On the campaign trail?
Once again, the Governor put her child out there to get indirect attention for herself and once again, it has backfired.
Isn’t there someone in Levi’s life, and someone in Bristol’s, that could explain to each of them now to rise above this situation?
As we all know from experience, breaking up is difficult at any age, but in this situation it is enormously complicated and these two just don’t have the life experience to deal with it. A little wise advice on how to keep the welfare of their child as top priority, and how NOT to fight in public, would go a long way.
Imagine if Levi, on Tyra, had discussed his responsibility not only to parent Tripp, but also to provide child support? Imagine if he had told Mercede to keep her high-school level discourse on girlfriends and who likes who, to herself? Imagine if Sarah had responded personally (not through a mouthpiece), and just said ‘hey, this is tough for these kids and we all just want the best for Tripp’.
Everyone would look like a grownup, they could still take legal steps over custody if they cannot solve it, but that can be done quietly.
Everyone can win here. Bristol, Levi – find a grownup to talk to. Obviously, that means NOT Sarah and NOT Sherry. Find a Wise grownup.
OT
Breaking News!
Meg Stapletongue responds to “The Video”
What will Meg Stapletongue have to say about this!
“Sarah did not even know Eminem was going to do this show. We’re disappointed that Eminem his family, in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune, are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion of their relationship,” says the statement from the Palin family rep.
“Palins focus will remain on raising hell, completing her education, and advocating abstinence,” the statement continues. “It is unfortunate that Eminem finds it more appealing to exploit his previous relationship with Sarah than to contribute to the well being of Sarah, for the child she is.”
The statement ends, saying, “Bristol realizes now that she made a mistake in their relationship and now is stuck again as usual, being the only grownup also, and again looking out for her mother, also now Eminem, the one taking responsibility for their actions.”
Interesting that Levi said he proposed to Bristol the end of June yet in all those myspace pics that Mercede had posted back before early MAY all of her photo captions referred to the Palins as in-laws (mommy in law, sis in law). And why throw the pic of Levi cuddling with **Trig** in the middle of all the Tripp pictures shown on the Banks’ show.
Levi and his mom said that taking the Palins to court looks like a real possibility at this point….guess we better start buying the popcorn at one of those “in bulk” stores.