Open Thread – Mudflats Turns 1!
11 05 2009
Morning, Mudflatters! It was nice to pretty much have a weekend off from political matters. I wish all a belated happy Mother’s Day. It struck me just now that my first post ever was on Mother’s Day! One year ago today Mudflats entered the big wide world of the internet. I never imagined I or Mudflats would have ended up here. Thanks to so many of you who have given your time, talent and energy to make this all happen. And a special thanks to Snoskred, Sephy, Danny, and the incredible team of Admins and Moderators who have devoted so many hours to building a place for this community. Much of what The Mudflats is would not be possible without them. There’s always much more going on than meets the eye.
And thanks to all the commenters who get the conversation going and share ideas, links and cameraderie. And a shout out to lurkers (waves at you!) who walk among us unseen. The good thing about that virtual pink cupcake up there is that not only is it completely trans-fat free, but we can split that into enough for everyone. Thanks again to all.
I always go to bed Sunday night, wondering what’s coming this week, and knowing that it’s always SOMEthing. So pound some coffee and buckle up for another week on the wild ride of Alaskan politics.
Remember that this open thread will be active all day for your off-topic posts.
May 11th, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Yes indeed… I remember how I found this blog as it was starting up just a week or two after I began blogging myself. Of course this website has far far more readers nowadays, but I think I’m ok with that. I can’t deal with so much Sarah Palin.
May 11th, 2009 at 3:52 PM
146 tamara Says:
May 11th, 2009 at 3:12 PM
austintx
I’m sure Cervantes is screaming, but here we go :
“La realidad es una illusion causada por la falta de alcohol”
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Thank you very much !!
May 11th, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Greta is so full of s^*t. And Todd is a sissy for letting this happen : http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/11/van-susteren-surprise/
May 11th, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Had to share this. Watched Chris Matthews AGAIN b/c a comment was made by chief political columnist of politico.com, Roger Simon. I wanted to quote it right since it made so much sense and it’s how I feel, too.
(ie: palin and other fundies preaching, judging, criticizing, etc.)
They were showing a John Edwards statement from 2007. John said: “God and my faith are enormously important to me personally and the Lord has gotten me through some very difficult times in my life.” Chris questions Roger: “What’s this God stuff?” Roger’s answer: “Every time a candidate invokes the name of the Lord to defend his actions, you find out later he’s not acting within ANY religious prescriptions or dogma…it undercuts him.”
No kidding?!?
May 11th, 2009 at 4:30 PM
RE: (ie: palin and other fundies preaching, judging, criticizing, etc.)
I should’ve added breaking the law!!!
May 11th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
did you read this?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-borowitz/cheney-to-travel-around-c_b_201457.html
is cheney losing it? can’t this crazy fool be arrested? i bet george w is starting to realize a few things…not that i don’t blame him too!
May 11th, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Lainey – Remember this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqskh-J8w7o
May 11th, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Happy first birth to mudflats and all the moderators ect. AKM keep up the good work just gave a friend a shout out to take a look as IMO your site is great.They are from Tx and I felt they would really like your site and learn from it.
May 11th, 2009 at 4:57 PM
@austintx
YES…I remember it well! There should be a Hypocrisy Religion. It’s shameful that this behavior is prevalent.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Wouldn’t it be funny if someone followed behind him blasting about him approving torture and shooting a friend,Accidents happen but still. IMO we are less safe with our rights taken away by the patriot act.The feds could come and say you did anything and keep you in jai with no attorney just like they did at Gitmo.I think when someone is tortured they will say what you want to hear just to have it stop so amybe that could be art of the rant also Jus a funny thought LOL
May 11th, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Lainey Says:
May 11th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
did you read this?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-borowitz/cheney-to-travel-around-c_b_201457.html
is cheney losing it? can’t this crazy fool be arrested? i bet george w is starting to realize a few things…not that i don’t blame him too!
=================================================
Andy Borowitz
Andy Borowitz is a comedian and writer whose work appears in The New Yorker and The New York Times, and at his award-winning humor site, BorowitzReport.com. He is performing at the 92nd St. Y on April 30 at 8 PM with special guests Judy Gold, Hendrik Hertzberg, and Jonathan Alter. For tickets, go to 92y.org
May 11th, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Happy Anniversary from a loyal fan from Seattle!!!!! I appreciate this blog so much. AKM, your writing, humor, humanity and insight is awesome! I made brownies today so will celebrate with one of them and tip it up to the north and your way.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Happy B-day AKM! I LOVE this site. I don’t comment often but I sure read your posts everyday and browse through all the great comments too! When ever my husband sees me at the computer he laughs when I tell him I’m getting my fix…he knows that means reading Mudflats. btw: he’s always eager to find out the latest scoop too.
Great stories! They are so informational and entertaining all at the same time…and the updates about rural AK has been so educational. Thank you!!!
May 11th, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Lainey Says:
May 11th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
did you read this?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-borowitz/cheney-to-travel-around-c_b_201457.html
is cheney losing it? can’t this crazy fool be arrested? i bet george w is starting to realize a few things…not that i don’t blame him too!
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Anything Andy Borowitz writes is pure satire. Seriously.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Like tongue fiirmly in both cheeks, kind of satire.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Random question…I thought Palin couldn’t go to the correspondent’s dinner because she was out “surveying flood damage”. According to her tweet, she didn’t do that until today. So what was up that she blew off the dinner??
May 11th, 2009 at 6:00 PM
165 the problem child IS MY NAME! Says:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Like tongue fiirmly in both cheeks, kind of satire.
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A humorist.
Do you still want a cupcake from heycupcake ??
May 11th, 2009 at 6:02 PM
166 wes_ben Says:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Random question…I thought Palin couldn’t go to the correspondent’s dinner because she was out “surveying flood damage”. According to her tweet, she didn’t do that until today. So what was up that she blew off the dinner??
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Yeah – and she tweeted last week that she went. I called B.S. then.
May 11th, 2009 at 6:07 PM
And, happy anniversary from Spokane, AKM! I am delighted to be numbered among your fans. Like so many others, I stumbled on Mudflats in late August because of wanting to find out more about SP, and in doing so, I have discovered so much more. Fabulous posts, fabulous people both U. S. and across the world. To IrishGirl, UK Lady, our Canadian neighbors, and all the rest outside the U.S, we are all in this together, and it really heartens me to think that we are a worldwide community of friends who have each other’s best interests at heart.
TBNT, for those who haven’t guessed (Snoskred?!?
) is Thanks, but no thanks. I have a little place in Idaho, and when I was last there in the fall, some yahoo had put up a McPalin sign in our community right of way. I yanked the thing out of the ground, repainted it with a circle and slash, put thanks, but no thanks on either side, and then was afraid to put it up in my yard. Too many right-wing wackos over there who might shoot my house instead of the sign (there is that gun issue, IrishG and Uk Lady). So, TBNT Judy was born, and I am glad to be here.
On another note, here is a call to action on SP’s rejection of stimulus funds for energy efficiency:
Tell Governor Palin: Our planet should not be a pawn in your political game! Accept the $29 million to get a better energy efficiency program going in Alaska >>
May 11th, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Oops. I didn’t put the link:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFmpU/zj8U/LJdP
May 11th, 2009 at 6:27 PM
TBNTJudy – Been waiting for you…….this is impressive and funny.
http://www.legacy.com/statesman/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=127179550
May 11th, 2009 at 6:40 PM
TBNTJudy – Actually – Go to wcfish dot com. and look at the whole thing. The one I linked cuts it short.
May 11th, 2009 at 6:45 PM
oh…
well, it sure sounded like something he would do…taking into account all the crap he’s spewing on cable tv lately.
May 11th, 2009 at 6:53 PM
@austintx: Wow, wow. I am sitting here with a broad smile on my face. You have no idea how much I enjoy reading local-color articles about people in the South. You will understand when I say that this kind of local flavor is hard to find outside of the South, and other folks just don’t understand. I only had a chance to skim through the article, but rest assured, I have added it to my Evernote account to peruse when I have more time.
Did you get to the Bonnie Raitt concert? If so, how was it?
I’m pretty sure I didn’t tell you that I have lived in Houston and Midland. It’s where I picked up my twang. I had no twang when I left MS. I guess I was impressionable, eh? I have many relatives in San Antonio, but none that I know in Austin. I only went to your fair city once, and it was not enough. I love your town. I also love San Antonio.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:17 PM
TBNTJudy
Yup – I cried.
http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/music/index.html
May 11th, 2009 at 7:20 PM
TBNTJudy – try this.
http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/music/entries/2009/05/10/raitt_pays_emotional_tribute_t.html
May 11th, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Geez, austintx, I don’t doubt it. Still, I bet it was a fabulous concert, and I wish I had been there to cry with you..
May 11th, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Hey, austin, both links work…Thanks! I’m readin’..
May 11th, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Oh yeah it was fabulous………there was some serious love in that hall……….powerful…….Bonnie was on fire.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Happy Birthday!
Since August I have enjoyed you and some other Alaskan bloggers (Immoral, Celtic, Shannyn and Progressive) and plan to travel to Alaska shortly with my family.
You and Andrew Sullivan are my favorite bloggers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf3xCqeVJfU
May 11th, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Hey, austin, glad it was fabulous. I had no doubt. Now, my dear, I have to drag my lame a** off to bed. Got an early morning, so I’m leaving you the night shift. I’ll be baaaaacccckkkk…tomorrow afternoon. Thank you again for the wonderful links. I’m still crying…and cogitating..
May 11th, 2009 at 8:45 PM
A brainchild of great strength and beauty turns 1 today.
Happy Birthday MF.
Thank you AKM.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Congratulations on your first birthday and thank you most sincerely for being here. I too stumbled upon this little piece of heaven last year after SP received her VP nomination and have been lurking and learning ever since. I hope readers will not resent visitors from other corners of the world joining in, because the impact of someone like SP being elected (God forbid) has ramifications for everyone, as it did with Bush.
When the patients are running the asylum then we are all in trouble.
Thank you for your fabulous writing, your political insight and for taking me into your Alaskan home.
May 12th, 2009 at 3:13 AM
Happy happy Mudflats joy joy – you and the Mudpuppies are heroes! You have created one of the most impressive and organic online communities out there. Bravo!
Have any blog surfers noticed the troll infestation wherever politics are enjoyed by the leftish or lefties? We know – but can’t yet prove – that it is a paid effort by Repubco. They use the tactics you are familiar with at those 2 GINO sites we won’t name, and the poison the air.
Community members at wowOwow are being buried in such trash. This is a site for women that started with a great deal of promise. Posters could go deeply into topics and really learn from each other. Now it is mostly a wasteland.
If you have time, drop into one of the news stories on wow – you will see what I’m talking about. You can click on a poster’s avatar to see their comment history. If you like feeding the trolls to relieve your tension and sharpen your skills, join wow and help the liberals bash back.
The moderator seems to be a bit selective in who she moderates.
Need I add these paid shills love GINO?
The exhausted libs at wow would appreciate any support.
Rock on Mudpuppies! You are changing the world, one thread at a time (h/t Shannyn).
May 12th, 2009 at 3:21 AM
ps – I know feeding the trolls isn’t standard operating procedure, but we want to out them and out the practice. The community manager seems unenthusiastic about her work.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Happy b-day, Mudflats!!!
May 12th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Happy Birthday and keep up the good work!