Public Testimony on the Appointment of Wayne Anthony Ross – Let the Divisiveness Continue.
10 04 2009Public testimony was heard Wednesday evening by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Governor Palin’s appointment of local attorney Wayne Anthony Ross to the position of Attorney General. The appointment of Mr. Ross has been an all-consuming topic of conversation in Alaska political circles and the blogosphere. Regardless of whether you like or dislike Mr. Ross, nobody in Alaska will dispute that his selection was controversial at best, and divisive at worst. Mr. Ross’ top-down agressive nature has alienated several large and influential groups of Alaskan citizens – the Alaska Native Community, the LGBT community, and now, women.
Mr. Ross’ past outspoken opinions on these groups are coming back to haunt him as next Thursday’s confirmation hearing approaches. Testimony will be taken by the House Judiciary Committee tonight, Friday, April 10 at 5:00pm. The phone number to call is 1-800-295-4546. Listen live on Gavel to Gavel. The full Legislature is scheduled to hold a confirmation vote on Thursday, April 16. Written statements may be entered into the record after oral public testimony is closed.
Here are some of the highlights from the hour of public testimony heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee. In total, there were 17 who opposed the nomination, and 14 in support.
[Some of those who testified did so via telephone, and the audio was indistinct at times. Apologies if I missed a word here and there. I will be updating this post as I have time to transcribe more comments.]
Bradley Flitch representing the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood
It is our contention that Mr. Ross has a proven track record of not honoring federal Indian law or recognition of Native Alaskan’s special relationship with the United States Government, nor does he have an understanding of the importance of subsistence to our society. I would like to point to his testimony and his candidacy as a 2002 gubernatorial candidate. In an interview with Fish Alaska, a sport fishing magazine, this is a quote from Wayne Anthony Ross. “As governor, I intend to challenge provisions of ANILCA that mandate federal management of our resources through the pressure of our congressional delegation and through court action as well.” That is a direct quote. That is not him representing any of his parties or any of his clients. That is Mr. Ross representing himself. And then in this morning’s Juneau Empire he clearly states he does not believe in tribal sovereignty. This man just wants to wage war on Alaska Natives, and it’s not moving the state forward. It’s costing us a fortune. Our children are falling through the cracks. We need to stop figuring out ways to divide ourselves, and we need to start working together. And that means the state of Alaska working with tribes, working with the Native Corporations. We do not need a litigious attorney general fighting 150 years of settled federal Indian law. Thank you.
Marcia Buck representing Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc.
I would like to testify very briefly in opposition to the appointment of Wayne Anthony Ross as attorney general. Mr. Ross’ record of negative comments about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Alaskans would appear to make him biased against the citizens I represent, and therefore make it difficult for me to imagine how he could uphold their constitutional rights fairly, and without discrimination. We need an attorney general who represents all Alaskans equally, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Alaskans. I would therefore ask you to oppose Mr. Ross’ nomination. Thank you.
Nelson Angapak from the Alaska Federation of Natives
Let me begin by saying the Alaska Federation of Natives is opposed to the confirmation of Mr. Ross as attorney general. He has been quite vocal in his opposition to our rural preference priority in either state or federal law. Subsistence hunting, fishing and gathering are the very core of Alaska Native life and it has been for thousands of years. If subsistence cannot be protected against overwhelming competition from all other uses, most residents of rural Alaska will not be able to survive and will be gradually forced to abandon their home villages and move into urban areas. In his most recent gubernatorial run Mr. Ross stated that if selected he would hire a band of “junk yard” assistant attorneys general to challenge the law of ANILCA. The challenges of ANILCA have failed because a number of times it has been proven constitutionally correct. Mr. Ross has opposed the very existence of tribal governments. As you know, as you have observed in the senate, millions of dollars have come into the state to serve the Alaska Natives across the state, and has provided employment opportunities, not only to the Native people but to the non-Native community. I think it’s important to keep that in mind. Mr. Ross has stated from time to time that he opposes the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. When Congress settled the claims of the Alaska Natives, that cleared the right of way for the construction of the oil pipeline and the enactment of ANGSA. It’s done more for the people of Alaska in many ways than people realize, like creating employment opportunities for the people of Alaska. I do believe, Mr. Chairman, the number of comments have been made byMr. Ross, openly or otherwise, have made us realize where he might stand on our own rights. Mr. Chairman, in closing let me reiterate AFN’s position on the confirmation of Mr. Ross as Attorney General for Alaska. The Attorney General’s responsibility includes representation of all citizens of Alaska, including those who are Alaska Native. Mr. Ross holds strident beliefs in opposition to issues that affect the very survival of our Native communities and people, subsistence and tribal sovereignty. This raises a major concern about his ability to represent Alaska Natives on an equal footing as any other citizen in the state of Alaska.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:11 PM
GINO is on the Eddie Burke show now!
April 10th, 2009 at 3:12 PM
@ BigSlick…this is the site I am checking, I looked at 98 will do 97 now, but you might want to check too I could miss it.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Here’s a mug shot (puke)
http://rossandminer.com/ross.html
April 10th, 2009 at 3:14 PM
lol, I forgot to include the link, sorry…http://www.akrepublicans.org/pastlegs/index.shtml
April 10th, 2009 at 3:15 PM
From the KTUU interview:
*Palin gave the senators a sharp elbow Thursday, in a statement calling on them not to “drag their heels” because filling the seat is important to Southeast Alaskans.
That irked Democrats, who say if the governor cared that much, she wouldn’t have taken 28 days to nominate her first choice, Tim Grussendorf, whom the Senate Democrats rejected.
Democrats and many Republicans are also unhappy about the governor’s insistence that the confirmation vote take place in public.
Lawmakers have traditionally filled vacant seats behind closed doors. There’s a good reason for that, according to Sen. Bill Wielechowski.
“It’s the smallest legislative body in the united states with 20 members,” said Sen. Wielechowski, D-Anchorage. “There are a lot of people say that one of the most important aspects of this job is personal relationships that you have with other legislators.”
But Palin seeks to break tradition.
_____________________________________________________________________
I’d like to remind Governor Cupcake of her own words..
“Are Alaskans outraged, or at least tired of this yet – another frivolous….. asinine political grandstanding?”
Of course, I did some creative editing, but her words, nonetheless!
April 10th, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Yes, I also combed through the archives at alaska.gov from 94 thru 2000, can’t find it.
WAR helped write it but it was sponsored by a leg who’s name I do not know….
April 10th, 2009 at 3:21 PM
To Tewise and Big Slick…look for the representative or senator who represented Seat 31 (the Hillside).
Or try your search engine to include Mitch Abood. Not sure Mitch was still serving at that time, but they were friends.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:21 PM
@BigSlick Says: April 10th, 2009 at 3:15 PM
– maybe try Don Tanner and beginning of Wally Hickel’s 1991-95 administration
April 10th, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I hope the Native community, organizations like the Ak. Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, and the GLBT community organize like never before to let the Gov. know that Ross does not represent what Ak needs or wants from an AG. Palin is once again putting her own political ambitions ahead of the best interests of the Ak. people. Speak up Ak. you have the right to be heard.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:30 PM
JerryH Says:
April 10th, 2009 at 1:29 PM
crystalwolf aka caligrl Says:
April 10th, 2009 at 12:17 PM
WAR – - ” Falling back on “I’ve only had this job for 8 days” !!!
I don’t thin he actually has the job until he’s approved by the Legislature … which I hope never happens …. and I pray
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately…I emailed Les G. about this and he had this to say:
“He gets an interim appointment under the constitution”
So WARGINO can say he’s been “on the job” for 8-9days now…
Hopefully That’s ALL it will be, a very short lived job! Cripes the economy sucks ya know? Only people who are absolutely qualified may be picked!
He is differently not qualified.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:31 PM
definitely not qualified- sorry
April 10th, 2009 at 3:36 PM
If Chuck Kopper was paid $10,000 for two weeks worth of work, how much will WAR get for his severence pay?
Boy, she sure can pick em, can’t she?
Perhaps she’s a closet misogynist herself.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:36 PM
not OT, exactly – here’s a link to a pdf file that tells where to find what online concerning Alaska Legislature doings
http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/docs/pdf/leghistory/Legh.pdf
It’s really impressive! Now to see how much it’ll help this time.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:41 PM
What a ridiculous letter this is:
http://rossandminer.com/articles/92-03-08.htm
He calls Governor Hickel—Governor Fickel.
He makes a lot of derogatory comments towards Republicans and Natives.
This was PUBLISHED in the Anchorage Times.
Holy Cow.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:49 PM
BigSlick Says:
April 10th, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Here’s a mug shot (puke)
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
WOW….WAR looks like an uncloaked Imperial Wizard. Evil personified…and one can never underestimate the “creepiness” factor.
Yeeeek!
April 10th, 2009 at 3:51 PM
CA dreamin of AK Says:
April 10th, 2009 at 2:24 PM
As a Christian–someone who actually reads the Bible and uses Jesus’ example as a touchstone for my own behavior–I’m tired of seeing fundamantalists referred to as Christians. How about christian, “Christian,” neo-con, or just fundamentalist?
—————————————————
I make a point of calling them Christian fundamendalists, not even fundamentalist Christians. And I do that to distinguish them from real Christians, who are not professional haters.
The problem with these rabid fundamentalists getting away with calling themselves simply Christians is that they have a long history of co-opting misleading descriptions of themselves and their interests, eg Moral Majority – their first exercise in hypocrisy. Another thing they do when they have a hate on for something, is claim a PRO-something good stance. So, while they are happy to bomb clinics, they claim (and the public accepts) they’re PRO life, not ANTI-abortion. Same as the gay-hating thing: PRO-marriage, not ANTI-gay.
And the media and general public accept and perpetuate these self-coined descriptors!
It’s time for progressive people to start buying organizational names and domain names and PAC names! I’ve thought of a few beauties but I wouldn’t post them here because Sarah Palin’s paid operatives are keeping Mudflats under surveillance.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:53 PM
I noticed that WAR sent his letter to the State Lesislature from the office of the AG. He and Palin are both acting like he is already the AG.
I keep reading and reading and keep shaking my head….
April 10th, 2009 at 3:57 PM
BigSlick, I will continue to look but I have to log off we are under tornado warnings
April 10th, 2009 at 4:00 PM
I need more details from my pal in the bush….sorry.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:00 PM
The State Archives website is: http://www.archives.state.ak.us/ It’s not actually possible to look at their documents on-line. You have to go there in person and ask to see records. However, it appears that they have a Research Request option (check the middle column on that page above), so someone may be able to look for the document for you. The State Archive is the legal repository for all State records, so it ought to be there.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:01 PM
I came across this when I googled Ross. A stroy written by him on the OGCA site.
http://www.ogca.com/WAR_Maybe.htm
One part in particular stands out…”Nowadays there are many people who say kids shouldn’t have toy guns at all; they claim that toy guns foster aggressive tendencies in kids. I never thought that aggressive tendencies were bad. I’d rather have aggressive kids than passive kids.”
…hmmmmm????…aggressive tendencies are good? Does that mean they are also good while holding a gun???? I have a lot of questions about this.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Tewise, be safe!
April 10th, 2009 at 4:07 PM
BTW, New Thread Alert
April 10th, 2009 at 4:14 PM
@BigSlick: This might have something:
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/folhome.htm
97-98 is the20th Legislative session, right?
the daily Journals are also in there.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Oh yeah, I’d forgotten that the LAA has all that stuff on-line too.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:23 PM
April 10th, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Here’s a book by the woman named Leah, who overheard WARGINO’s comments:
http://theopalinism.com/
April 10th, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Watching gavel to gavel and GINO is on, she looks like Hell warmed over. I think she has a cold.
Yikes.
She’s pissed though…
April 10th, 2009 at 4:35 PM
WARthog’s 4 page letter is HILARIOUS (and his video store story has a definite stink to it!)
From ‘92 – ‘94, I managed a very small video store here in my city. Customers were issued a membership card that only showed a membership#, no other information. The only way to access a customer’s account would be to enter the membership# into the computer. If a customer didn’t have his membership card and wanted to rent a video, we could access his account only if the customer could prove his identity with a driver’s license or state ID.
Yet Ross said that he had never even been in that store, so how did the store manager know who to call?
But ok: Say the clerk just described the boor, and it somehow sounded enough like WARthog that the manager suspected it was Ross. WARthog wants us to believe that the manager looked up Ross’ phone number in the phone book, called up WAR, and started complaining about Wayne’s boorish treatment of his employee?! Like somehow THAT makes sense?!
What kind of store manager would have risked offending a prominent local citizen that way, based on just a suspicion?
April 10th, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Just a quick note to correct the spelling of my friend, Brad’s, name: Although it IS pronounced “Flitch”, it is spelled “Fluetsch”. Thanks for your great coverage of the issues facing our beloved state here – been lurking for a few weeks and enjoying it very much!
April 10th, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Alaska’s statutes give Ross full power as AG between the time he’s appointed by the gov and his confirmation vote by the legislature. Sorry, that’s the law.
April 10th, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Martha…landover baptist church is satire. They seriously ridicule religious fundamentalists…and got the idea from the rabid Westboro Baptist Church. I remember the first time I looked at landovers site…I was horrified, and then after a while I realized they are being sarcastic. They have no love for sarah palin, nor the neo con religious folk.
April 10th, 2009 at 6:04 PM
I’m listening to the nauseating support for Mr. Ross at the House Judiciary hearing with little opposition– perhaps we shouldn’t have Mudflats because we’re all B.S.ing here about Ross instead of at the hearings where it matters– Mudflats is no substitution for government. Where it matters, we’re getting steamrolled. Mudflats doesn’t matter to the guys who are now confirming Ross. I’m so depressed.
April 10th, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Stunning read: From I Eat Gravel
A Taste Of WAR
In a 1993 article that Wayne Anthony Ross wrote for the Alaska Bar Rag, he criticized LAD (Lawyers Against Discrimination) who were supporting an Anchorage ordinance seeking to bar discrimination based on sexual preference.
“This bill seems to give extra rights to those whose lifestyle was a crime only a few years ago, and whose beliefs are certainly immoral,” Ross wrote. “You support degenerates. … You collectively contribute $5000 to the cause of sexual perversion.”
When asked if he had changed his stance in the past 15 years he replied:
“I wrote it, and I haven’t changed my mind.”
“I think there is something unnatural about that [act],” Ross adds, “That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t invite somebody like that to dinner. But I might try to convert ‘em.
And this is only a small taste of some of WAR’s wildly divisive statements. Then there’s the fact that in a poll in 2007 containing 13 candidates, and in 2008 with 14 candidates, for a seat for the Alaska Supreme Court, Ross scored the lowest overall and in each of the 6 categories (Professional Competence, Integrity, Fairness, Judicial Temperament, Suitability of Experience, Overall).
April 10th, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Help! Who is chairing the hearing tonight (I’m listening on KTOO)? He’s a jerk. He’s clearly for Ross’ confirmation and has already stated he’s pretty sure that will happen. He’s been condescending to callers who are in opposition, has expounded on his views when he should be simply listening unless he’s asking callers clarifying questions, has stopped just short of calling some callers liars, and what’s with his response to Ms. Burton and indication that he thinks that even if Ross said what she says he did (though he doesn’t sound like he believes her) that surely Ross has grown and changed by now.
He sure has lost my respect.
D.
April 10th, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Was trying to find past info on WAR and came across Fish Alaska mag. Q&A w/2002 gov. candidate Ross. Copied this little blurb – made me laugh given the current situation:
Other outside interests find they have greater influence in Alaska by playing to some of the politicians we have elected here who have desires for national office. We need to elect representatives who strongly believe that Alaska comes first, ahead of their own political future and agendas.
April 10th, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Thanks michigander for sharing that classically ironic tidbit.
April 10th, 2009 at 7:23 PM
I read over WAR’s resume and 4 page rebuttal letter to Burton’s letter…..both are odd and very unprofessional in content and structure. Totally inappropriate to bring up his and his wife’s love-making history…..early signs of dementia?
My overall impression is even if this fellow had a “prime” once…….. he’s way past it now. Horrible choice for Alaska’s AG!
BTW….does he not know the proceedings he’s now engaged in are written as “confirmation” hearings?? Terribly embarrassing for him that a possible future state AG wrote “conformation” hearings.
April 10th, 2009 at 7:33 PM
The chair of the House Jud. committee is Jay Ramras. He said multiple times that that he believed WAR would be confirmed. So much for an unbiased hearing, huh?
If this confirmation flies it will be a huge embarrassment to the state. Our state goverment will look like a joke with a Diva for a Gov & cartoon character for an AG. Heavy sigh… must have a glass of vino & breathe…
April 10th, 2009 at 8:18 PM
IF w
April 10th, 2009 at 8:42 PM
82 SMR
On December 6, 1989, Marc Lepine massacred 14 Women, Engineering students at Montreal’s École Polytechnique. His words and misanthropy are eerily verbatim what Wally Ross stated. I say a Psychiatric evaluation, one not in Alaska though, seems there are many short d**k ‘men’ like Ross around there.
That greasy caveman doesn’t know what year it is and all those pals of his, that haven’t dropped him… words fail me. Simply stunning.
Afghan President Hami Karzai, would permit husbands to force themselves on their wives every fourth night, and to decide if their wives and daughters may go to school, seek medical treatment, work outside the home or even go to public places. That’s an editorial. The article HERE. I was bloody outraged, because it seems our boys over there are getting wasted for naught.
What does one do? Execute every man over 40? 35?
Brainwashing starts at an early age.
Get rid if that s**t apple Ross and that gd enabler GINO along with him. Toutes suite.
April 10th, 2009 at 9:57 PM
I participated in the hearings today. i also was dismayed that Mr. Ramras repeatedly stated that he thought WAR was going to be confirmed–why the heck is anyone going thru the motion of testifying when the legislators have made up their minds. I watched the hearing on the gavel to gavel channel. A couple of the legislators were involved with their blackberries. nancy dahlstrom seated next to ramras was playing with hers, distracting ramras who played fingers with her-very goofy.
WHAT was REALLy disturbing however towards the end of the hearing in response to Leah Burton’s testimony, Ramras commented that IF WAR did make the comments alleged by burton, it was 17 years ago and a lot of water has gone under the bridge.
He hoped that WAR had moved on and had grown and did not feel that way now–this my interpretation of Ramras’ comments. Mr ramras also commented that he too “colored out of the lines” in the past and has learned from his mistakes–whatever the heck that means. But if Mr. Ramras believes and made statements that WAR is alleged to have made, then Mr RAmras is NOT fit for office. Any way you cut Ramras’ comments are unacceptable as they condone and dismiss some very concerning belief systems that our soon to be confirmed AG holds. Frightening thought.
April 10th, 2009 at 11:56 PM
RE: 141 Carol Says:
April 10th, 2009 at 9:57 PM
*****
AGREED!! I thought the behavior of those members busy texting on their blackberries showed disrespect to the people testifying. It felt like they were just going through the motions of a hearing so they can say they did it. More disturbing was the little finger games going on between Dalstrom & Ramras…that was weird. What the heck was that about? Did they forget they were on TV?
Why do we have to accept that this nominee will be confirmed unless he’s found out to be an axe murderer or the like. If he is an boob he’s a boob. Why waste our time with this guy? Is there some other motive here? Are they going to just confirm him so that Plain looks like a bigger idiot when he really screws something up? Likely just a matter of time. God help the poor employees of the Dept of Law. Hold on to your hats people!!
April 11th, 2009 at 6:18 AM
This one is easy to call, with WAR you will have;
1. Endless WARS with the feds, while taking their money, thank you.
2. Endless frivolous litigation costing AK hundreds of millions
3 WAR against women and all social programs.
4. Efforts to establish a right wing religious theocracy in AK
5. The AIM taking root in state government.
6. Terrible morale in the AG’s office, and anyone competent leaving and being replaced by a Palin/WAR robot.
Good luck AK, you will need it. This may be the most destructive Palin move yet.
April 11th, 2009 at 7:50 AM
I just read WAR’s comment at the hearing that Sarah looked “provocative” in her Arctic Cat outfit.
This guy is permanently stuck in 1962. I can’t imagine any public official making such a statement in the last oh, 40 years or so.
I once thought it impossible for AK to have a public official more ridiculous and embarrasing than the Queen. I was wrong. Good luck AK.
April 11th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Sorry- from 143 #5 above I meant AIP- Alaska Independent Party (not the AIM- American Indian Movement).
Bottom line – Palin would ONLY appoint WAR in order to have legal support for her mischief, and immunity from any further ethics charges.
The question is whether WAR will be her flunky, like Codpiece, or go rogue on her. Could go either way. Generally, men like WAR who despise uppity women don’t become their doormats.
April 11th, 2009 at 10:42 AM
RE: 141 Carol Says:
April 10th, 2009 at 9:57 PM AND
142 Alaskawoman Says
April 10th, 2009 at 11:56 PM
I totally agree. I was in the room and watched as the representatives busied themselves with other things while people testified. I couldn’t really see what they were doing while I did my testimony but I watched while others in the room and on the phone testified. Coghill repeated wandered out of the room. Others fiddled with papers and Blackberries. Gatto was wandering around with some book. It was ridiculous.
I took time out of my day to prepare my remarks and then to go give them. There are many other things I could have been doing on a Friday evening but I thought it was important. Too bad the representatives didn’t think it was very important. I have testified three times this session and the last time (before a different committee) someone read a newspaper while we were testifying! I get the impression that they have already made up their minds and this is a pain in the a#$ formality that they have to sit through. I am trying hard to not be disillusioned by the process but it is getting hard.
April 11th, 2009 at 11:28 AM
@ Bystanders:
“The question is whether WAR will be her flunky, like Codpiece, or go rogue on her.”
———-
I think it’s pretty clear he’ll be her flunky when it’s to his advantage and he gets the adulation.
As for going rogue — he’s already there. He IS rogue.