VOTE TODAY! (and My Pet Peeve)
Great minds think alike, but one of them is usually quicker. In this case, one of them was a LOT quicker. As I was driving around town yesterday, I grumbled to myself about all the illegally posted campaign signs. There were signs in snowbanks on the side of the highway, posted on public areas, on street corners, with smiling faces telling us who to trust to do the right thing for the city (mayor) and for our children (school board). This is a pet peeve of mine. Call me picky, but I like it when people who want to hold public office obey the law.
And I thought to myself that posting illegal signs says a lot about a candidate. And I thought, maybe I should write about that. And then I read Andrew Halcro’s blog.
Candidates who are generating the most complaints this municipal election about their illegal signs have responded by blaming their contractor, Nenana Creative Arts, owned by Joe Law.
Well, there are countless problems with candidates attempting to shift the blame to their contractor, but two in particular strike me as the most concerning.
First, these candidates should know the law if they are running for office. How do you run as someone who will effectively educate our kids or campaign as a law and order candidate, when you’re not even educated on the law or in this case, blatantly ignore the law?
Second, if you know your contractor is breaking the law on your behalf, does that absolve you from correcting their behavior? No it most certainly does not.
In addition, it’s unfair to those candidates who play by the rules and obey the signage restrictions.
THANK you. I love it when someone not only shares my pet peeves, but does all the work of explaining it for me. You can click HERE to see the worst offenders and enjoy the rest of Halcro’s article.
Now, on to save the world from the misuse of apostrophes…
Off topic but worth mentioning – Mudflats has International support as evidenced by this article in Guyana’a Stabroek News.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/editorial/04/04/influential-nobodies/
Keep up the great work AKM – the world recognizes the importance of your blog.
Now, on to save the world from the misuse of apostrophes…
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You will have to put on patience with your boots AKM….for that mission will take some time!
Save the world from apocalypstrophe! Godspeed, AKM!
Joe Law is an ironic name for this issue, don’t you think?
Anchorage, I hope you all vote yourselves in a really good Mayor who listens to each of you and cares about you and about Alaska.
And who can be the leader the governor isn’t.
I didn’t vote in the national election, but I made a point to vote in this local one. Somehow, it seems more important to me. I guess it’s because it is “closer to home.”
I don’t get what makes a campaign sign “illegal posted.”
Can you provide more info re that? Local ordinances?
Click that link to Andrew Halcro’s post. He’s got it all spelled out. AKM
oops.
illegally posted.
Misuse of apostrophes? Them’s fighting words…
Now, on to save the world from the misuse of apostrophes…
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Oh please do – it is so needed, especially for those who regularly confuse the possessive with the plural. I would love to send clarity to my BIL.
ot dear akm or snoskred i recently sent a donation to mudflats. i received a receipt number but no confirmation from mudflats that you actually received the money. please check and let me know one way or the other. thanks b
The “apostrophe catastrophe.”
Can’t wait to read it.
(Finally a post of real power and importance.)
this is really unfair. one of mackie’s competitors, mia costello, has refrained from posting her signs illegally and get this — i heard mackie has illegally posted signs in costello’s neighborhood, which has a covenant against them. costello can’t even post her signs in her own neighborhood, where mackie has illegally done so!
I’m rooting for you on the apostrophes, AKM. That bee can get buzzing in my bonnet again.
Loud cheers from a retired typographer, copy editor and proof reader
Now, on to save the world from the misuse of apostrophes…
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Your (just joking) you’re doing a great job of saving the world so far!!
I’ve never seen such huge campaign signs, anywhere, ever. Come on, in a state the size of Alaska -population wise, they need billboards? That’s just silly.
Grafitti is as grafitti does.
Look at Sarah and her grafitti mouth, and grafitti family.
If poo flags started “magically appearing” in Anchorage of the candidates who posted billboards illegally then the poo flags will have spoken! And they WILL be heard!
Lot’s of luck with your crusade’s, muck!! Your effort’s are appreciated!
Campaign Signs of a different Kind? Perhaps ~ for though this is indeed OT, it is a very probing query…..
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
“…ProChoiceGrandma said…
… it intrigued me about the comment about the Secret Service removing things from her computer. I do believe that would be McCain campaign goons doing the removing. Did Sherry even ask to see Secret Service badges? That does not seem to fall within the duties of the Secret Service.
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’
That bit of info does indeed seem out of the purview of Secret Service…unless it were somehow a delay in the vetting process….OR could those goons have been on a distinct mission from the GINO to perhaps remove and destroy any damning evidence from the Johnston’s residence? (striking the cords of sinister organ music: dum dum dum dummmmmmm…)
LibertyLover Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Joe Law is an ironic name for this issue, don’t you think?
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That’s what catches people off guard.
If the company were owned by
Dewey, Cheatham & Howe …………….things would be a lot different!
OT: Essence May issue released today has Michelle & her Mom on cover. There are a number of pictures of these two very pretty ladies!!
http://photos.essence.com/galleries/may_essence_issue_first_lady_michelle_obama__mom
big pete—dewey, cheatham and howe. heehee. that is a goody…b
Now, on to save the world from the misuse of apostrophes…
Can you come to CT and explain proper usage to the guy who owns the company named (tweaked here for privacy) Plumbing Pros’? Every time I see his truck I want to paint over the poor misused apostrophe.
Seriously AKM, pallin’ around with punctuation?! You are so on the naughty list, and, also, too.
Vote!
Eminem includes nailin Pailin in his new songs (there’s video, too):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/07/eminem-raps-about-sex-wit_n_183958.html
And in a new political ad in Virginia & by Democrats, also, though, wink
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/republican-party/virginia-dems-to-slam-gop-candidate-with-divisive-mccain-palin-footage/
Judge Sullivan has officially dismissed the conviction charges against Stevens because of the inept job of Bushe’s justice department misconduct. It’s too bad he couldn’t uphold the charges that still applied. But I guess he’s paid more than what those gifts are worth in legal fees.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/07/judge-opens-case-against_n_184090.html
“The government misconduct and the unraveling of the case overshadowed the facts of a trial in which Stevens _ regardless of Allen’s discredited testimony _ was shown to have accepted a massage chair, a stained-glass window and an expensive sculpture but never disclosed them on Senate documents.”
And speaking of campaigns……….pluleeze let Frankin take his senate seat! He has now pulled ahead by 312.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/07/franken-picks-up-87-votes_n_184101.html
Oy! That Jeannie Mackie sign is HUGE. Look how small the SUVs are compared to it! If someone can’t obey the law (and is blatant about it no less), they certainly don’t deserve to be an elected official. Period.
@ Teri – thanks for the link to article in Guyana’a Stabroek News. How in heaven’s name did the ad for Sarahpac get in there? Does she really take ads out in a paper in Guyana?
Poor Sarah……now the repubs are getting blasted for using her campaign tactics.
Another heck of a week and it’s only Tuesday, lol.
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/republican-party/virginia-dems-to-slam-gop-candidate-with-divisive-mccain-palin-footage/
looks sound like Don Young may get some bad publicity for AK? the article is speaking of earmarks found by Taxpayers For Common Sense. You can check your own state senators.
“That is, unless you’re represented by one of the 71 that didn’t follow the law at all, which includes a few notables: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), earmark king Don Young (R-Alaska) and Roy Blunt (R-Ohio), the former minority whip now running for Senate.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/07/71-lawmakers-fail-to-disc_n_184150.html
I understand how they’re outgunned as to taking the signs down.
But how about adding to them? Would it be possible to just make some large banners that read “illegal” and past them on top of the signs until they can be taken down? That way it is blatantly obvious to all who can view them exactly who is NOT obeying the law.
If AKM succeeds in her apostrophe battle, then we will truly know that she has magical powers!
All that has to happen is that each candidate is charged the fines for each illegal sign. Then it ends. In my area the signs placement-movement could get down right violent. Localities legislated limits for where and when to place and then levied fines. Now we have few signs, no fights.
AKM – your sign “issue” reminded me of this way to deal with those pesky signs.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=647_1225394067
mlaiuppa Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I understand how they’re outgunned as to taking the signs down.
But how about adding to them? Would it be possible to just make some large banners that read “illegal” and past them on top of the signs until they can be taken down? That way it is blatantly obvious to all who can view them exactly who is NOT obeying the law.
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I thought about drawing mustaches and specs on them, but I figured that would make them a worse safety hazard.
Excellent post. I am with you 110% on the apostrophe thing (but, apparently, not on the overused cliche thing). I am President Obama’s Word Czarina-ista (serving up vocabulary and coffee with a smile), and I approve this message.
P.S. Say NO to Palin in Politics, sing it loud! Franken NEEDS to be seated. We Minnesotans are not enjoying our constitutional representation, thanks to Normie. Even the conservatives are starting to murmur that maybe Normie “Fangs” Coleman should just concede, already!
I was thinking along those lines, myself. Maybe use a few cans of high-contrasting paint to write “This sign is illegal” on a few rolls of discount pre-pasted wallpaper….
Make sure you don’t obscure their names so people know who the perps are…
Paula, did you ever watch Steve Goodie’s “I’m thinkin’ about nailin Sayyraah Payylin” ? (Spelling is my tweak)
There are 2 versions on YouTube- the second is just a folk club no special effects version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g_d9vkPEKQ
……..or this goofy Sarah video is fun!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKIAlTOaBAc
Grafitti is as grafitti does. Look at Sarah and her grafitti mouth, and grafitti family.
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LOL – Don’t forget the Graffiti Bridge to Nowhere!!! (Tribute to Prince;)
austintx- the moose video:
Good heavens!
Eeww!
Gigglelelelelelelele …
@264: I’m listening to Prince right now! (She’s Got the Look)
AKM-
Best wishes for best outcome in the mayoral race! Hope, hope, hope.
Get ‘em , all o ‘ems, on the illegal signs…!
If I come in and pay my fine for negligent use of apostrophes right up front, can I get my record sealed?
I wrote to Jeannie Mackie and complained about her transferring the blame to the sign company. Her response was that “it is unfortunate that this sign business is detracting from the real issue” Hello?!! The real issue is that she knows she has broken the law.
Give them an inch and they will take a mile…………
I am afraid that people will vote for school board members via name recognition. Jeannie Mackie made sure that everyone in town saw her name. Her husband Jerry Mackie is a well known and long term lobbyist, who helped her raise money. Check out the APOC records site, and you’ll see who donated to her campaign. Lots of Jerry’s clients!
I’m furious that she may win due name reconition made possible by really expensive and illegally placed signs.
http://www.adn.com/front/story/739216.html
http://www.adn.com/education/story/748749.html
Too late now……..
This was Jeannie Mackie’s response when asked about her illegally placed signs:
“I have not been notified by the state or the municipality that any of my signs are in violation,” she said. “If people decide to enforce it, then I will be more than happy to do whatever they tell me to do.”
She’s waiting for that notification before taking action, she said.
Meantime, as the wife of a well connected political lobbyist and former state representative, she understands the mentality of the average voter. Name Recognition trumps qualifications!
It’s me again…hehehe
Mia Costello is leading the illegal sign candidate, but only by a few votes.
Keep your fingers crossed that the illegal sign candidate doesn’t gather any more votes.
This is like the BB game last night!!!!
Around here no one obey’s the sign laws. And they leave them up to rot after the election. Yeah a pet peeve of mine too.
The apostrophe thing is horribly annoying, isn’t it? What’s so difficult to understand, anyway? It’s either a possessive or a contraction. Sheesh.