Open Thread
We’ve finally gotten a little rain in Anchorage. Here are a few droplets on some new horse tail grass. As the grass matures, those little leaflets will get long and turn deep emerald green until the whole thing looks like (you get one guess) a horse tail!
It wa a busy day all around. Lots of catching up to do tomorrow!
[Remember - this open thread stays active throughout the day for o/t coments]
And this to ponder as you kick off your day………..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKC0sEjPQrU&eurl=
AKM, I hope you have news of this tomorrow …..
“This Democrat Is Itching To Run Against Sarah Palin for Governor”
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2009/05/palin-may-face-10-governor-cha.html
Just a reminder that moose can hurt… even the “small” bulls:
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/6394483.html
No pictures or links from me; just a big smile at your photo, AKM. We got almost 3″ of rain here last weekend- a huge amount for the High Plains Desert of Colorado. Lots of lovely green…
How’s the skeeter population out your way, CO?
btw… anyone tell me the significance of the plant in AKM’s photo?
Great links, austintx, Aussie Blue Sky and sauerkraut
@sauerkraut: very few skeeters in Colorado. You’ll find some near streams or lakes (fish love to snack on those babies), but we dry out very fast- and it’s cold at night. One of the reasons we moved here 30+ years ago: few bugs.
Honest to God, I cannot believe how STUPID the numbskulls4nitwits are. Their latest whirling-dervish Tasmanian-devil craziness is entitled, “Newest Lame Brain Method to Fight “Man-Made” Global Warming: Paint the Roof of Your House White”.
On the surface, what they’re complaining about seems straightforward — they’re saying Sect. of Energy Steven Chu is interested in regulating building codes regarding roof color, suggesting roofs be painted white.
Naturally, Palin, in her usual “attack barracuda” mindset, jumped right on this somewhat misstated notion with a Tweet: “Look for op/ed I just wrote re: stim funds & energy codes. We need to defend state freedoms! Will provide link as soon as it’s posted. In the meantime, read this: Energy Secretary Chu wants to REGULATE roof, road color to slow global warming… “http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6366639.ece “
——–
But if you go to the link, and actually READ the story — it’s nothing like what the numbnitwits, including Palin, are implying.
Secretary Chu is saying that PALER colors for highways and roofs is better for the environment, because they reflect sunlight/heat, thus reducing the need for as much A/C and lessening carbon emissions.
Perhaps it’s a bit much to actually REGULATE, but all he’s suggested is to regulate the color of flat roofs — which as any intelligent person (which leaves out all 30 of the commenters over at nitwits4Pln) knows are constructed mainly in hot DRY climates, like AZ, NV, CA, TX, and the like (really dumb architects sometimes put them on bldgs in the PacNW). CA’s Energy Commission actually DOES regulate flat-roof color, and is expanding regulation to include pitched roofs, too.
So, why, I wonder, is Palin weighing in on this? Are there a LOT of flat roofs in Alaska? I didn’t think so.
Why would she object to what Chu would suggest for a pitched roof, merely a LIGHTER color? Objecting just because he’s part of the Administration she ISN’T?
For her toasty warm not-very-energy-efficient home on Lake Lucille, a nice tan roof would be environmentally friendly, and not clash with her decor (as if she has taste in decorating like she has taste in clothes).
Speaking of clothes, I wonder when any of the twits4nitwits are going to realize that they usually wear lighter-colored clothing in summer, not dark colors — and there’s a good reason why “fashion” trends usually follow that basic principle.
Here’s to wishing that Andree, etc., will finally file a Writ of Mandamus in an effort to force the personnel board to actually investigate an ethics complaint. Seems to me that the investigators are taking political instead of substantive considerations/actions in dismissing each and every one of these complaints. Put the matter before a judge in the appropriate jurisdiction and get an evidentiary hearing on the appropriateness and legality of dismissing all those complaints en masse.
From my view, some portions of all of the complaints could be dismissed due to interpretation. But there is substance in nearly every single ethics complaint which requires an investigation of the facts. To dismiss all of these complaints in their entirety without further consideration or competent explanation represents an abuse of quasi-judicial power and is legally dangerous.
And unlawful.
Someone with standing needs to file a writ with the appropriate court and force the issue into an evidentiary hearing. The board needs to be kicked in the arse and there is no better way of compelling it to fulfill its statutory obligations than to present it with a Writ of Mandamus.
Just a quickie to make you laugh in less than a minute.
http://www.twine.com/item/11mz958p1-6/youtube-crazy-cat-attacking-spuds-dog
The end is a hoot!
Today I was motoring along a favourite dirt track – slowly, so as to keep the dust down – when suddenly two h-u-g-e birds flew across the track a few feet in front of me. One flew directly upwards and the other one landed on the fence running alongside the track. They were a pair of wedge-tailed eagles! I’ve never seen them up close before. I stopped the car and just watched the one on the fence while it scanned the paddock for a likely snack, and then it flew away. Further down the track I saw a fresh bunny carcass – I had probably interrupted their lunch.
I just looked it up and their average wingspan is eight feet!
http://www.australianfauna.com/images/wedgetailedeagle.jpg
UK Lady – HAhaha……..cat’s usually rule the roost. Here’s Wanda on Leno last night :
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/28/wanda-sykes-mocks-medias_n_208489.html
Good morning Mudpups & AKM…Thanks for the laughs …Great way to start the day…:))
Great photo. I do not have the ability or know the technique to use a camera that way.
@ sauerkraut – Spoken like a true legal eagle.
Everyone has to check this out! Bennington, Vermont has a Moosefest. Artists decorate or paint life size Moose and the Moose are displayed in front of local businesses. You can view the Moose here:
http://www.benningtonmoosefest.com/artist.html
Creativity abounds!
sauerkraut Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:33 AM
How’s the skeeter population out your way, CO?
btw… anyone tell me the significance of the plant in AKM’s photo?
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Love the picture AKM, that macro lens is way cool!
Horsetail contains silica, a mineral needed for healthy hair, skin and nails.
I was just thinking about something from one of the last threads. Poor little Tripp Johnston’s not even six months & he has shown his willie to the world. How awful for him.
sauerkraut
I’m curious what your take on this has been: From the statements I’ve seen regarding the ethics investigator’s actions, it has at times sounded like Palin’s attorney, Van Flein, has been involved at the stage in the process where the investigator is evaluating the validity of the complaints. If that is true, and a defense counsel is “helping” the investigator do his evaluation, that sounds to me like a total perversion of the legal process. I can’t refer to specific statements right now, but some of Van Flein’s statements have left me with that impression.
UK lady – that is way too funny. I must show that to everyone in the morning. Hilarious. (Trying to keep awake to see if Roger Federer can win his match at the French Open)
Aussie Blue Sky – I come from the far west originally where there were many wedge tail eagles. They really are a majestic bird aren’t they?
Closet Mudpup Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 6:07 AM
sauerkraut
I’m curious what your take on this has been: From the statements I’ve seen regarding the ethics investigator’s actions, it has at times sounded like Palin’s attorney, Van Flein, has been involved at the stage in the process where the investigator is evaluating the validity of the complaints. If that is true, and a defense counsel is “helping” the investigator do his evaluation, that sounds to me like a total perversion of the legal process. I can’t refer to specific statements right now, but some of Van Flein’s statements have left me with that impression.
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Van Flea, is going on the RADIO and blabbing about the Ethics complaints being dismissed! Why? He is not a STATE lawyer, he is GINO’s personal lawyer!
This whole thing REEKS, and I hope they do what Saurkraut says, “Writ of Mandamus” or just all of them troop down to the anchorage FBI!
AKM, can I send you some of our rain? We have been having biblical downpours in the last few days. I think my veggie garden might be offically hydroponic by now!
crystalwolf aka caligrl
I agree – this process needs some serious exposure to sunlight. Van F should have no role at all until an ethics complaint has been ruled on by the state’s investigator. His bravado may have given me the wrong impression, but either way he’s been making statements that no smart attorney would make. If the investigator is giving him a voice in the evaluation process, that’s analogous to a prosecutor allowing a defense attorney to participate in deciding whether or not to file charges against his client. How convenient for the defendant!!
Today’s Anchorage Daily News (see sidebar) has a short video of another momma moose and her day-old twins.
Crystalwolf – It is time for a “Power to the People” movement to mobilise.
Closet Mudpup Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 6:34 AM
crystalwolf aka caligrl
I agree – this process needs some serious exposure to sunlight. Van F should have no role at all until an ethics complaint has been ruled on by the state’s investigator. His bravado may have given me the wrong impression, but either way he’s been making statements that no smart attorney would make. If the investigator is giving him a voice in the evaluation process, that’s analogous to a prosecutor allowing a defense attorney to participate in deciding whether or not to file charges against his client. How convenient for the defendant!!
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Exactly!
And he is going on the radio almost simultaneously as these are being dismissed? He just “happens” to go on the Eddie Smurke show, and all of a sudden he gets a text message the complaints are dismissed?
I don’t think so..he has prior knowledge they are going to be dismissed, Why? He is not the investigator?
Diva, Andree and all the other people need to go en-masse to the Anchorage FBI with all their papers.
GlobalVillage Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 6:37 AM
Crystalwolf – It is time for a “Power to the People” movement to mobilise.
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Didn’t dud call them a “kangaroo court”? Yes all the Alaskan’s need to get out the signs and demand “sunshine” and real transparency, not black hole that is Alaska government at this time!
re: Anchorage FBI – I hope that works for you folks. Unfortunately, state and federal law enforcement ‘individuals’ often become entrenched in a community and do nothing to uphold the law (kinda like the Personnel Board) when it is on the opposite side of their buttered bread – to really mangle metaphors this morning.
From my outside, far away place, until the Leg grows a pair, or the public revolt results in some kind of legal action that moves it out of AK, I’m afraid you are going to continue to have SP doing whatever she damn well pleases. Years ago I had to deal with a stalker. After repeated court appearances he smirked, “Every appearance just makes me stronger.” And he was right. It took one gutsy DA who had to fight his boss tooth and nail to finally bring this guy to justice and jail. I fear that unless AK folks find such a legal angel, the only thing you can hope for is that all her slavering followers pay for their actions after she’s out of office. Of course, by then, AK will have been damaged and SP will live high on the money she’s ‘acquired’ from the constituents.
I’m sad. But, I’ve seen it before in several of the states I’ve lived and reported in. It’s a kind of ‘bad boyfriend’ scenario and later you hit yourself upside the head and shout, “What was I thinking?”.
redwoodmuse
Um, no, you all are the clear seeing bff. The rest of AK is/will live the ‘bad boyfriend’ scenario. You are the ones who bite your tongue so you don’t say ‘I told you so’ when everyone else has the V-8 slap the head moment.
redwoodmuse
Redwoodmuse: re: FBI, Phil has a blog up where a guy is getting signature’s for a petition for them to continue their investigations into corruption!
I would think that would be a “given” but we are talking Alaska here…?
http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/05/at-alaska-house-democratic-campaign.html
What is up with the Personnel Board? Do they not GET that they can be prosecuted if they lie, violate ethics, and prove to be in the back pocket of the GINO? I hope the whole lot of them fall right along with her.
I feel sorry for Alaskans. Really. How can one place be so friggin’ corrupt in broad daylight? They’ve been doing it for so long now, that they don’t understand the public is watching now that McLame shone the light on them.
I want to see major scramblage. I want the “Feds” to get involved and start investigating. Where’s the IRS? I know the wheels on the bus turn slowly, especially with all those body parts stuck in the axle, but Come On!
okay, one more observation. Feeling riled this morning….If the attorney Van Flein has the appearance of impropriety as is documented above, someone might do a little investigation to confirm, but it might be well to file a complaint with the BAR. They do investigate and they report (albeit in the back of the legal journals) Might also be good for the loyal opposition to see what his background is…I’ve often found if an attorney is acting unethically, there are usually reports about previous instances of questionable behavior, but they rarely make the newspaper. Check with the state ABA.
redwoodmuse
who admits, man, I wish I was up there. I could freelance for years on what I’m seeing reported (by bloggers and astute individuals) not by the media unfortunately. Makes my fingers itch to write about it.
redwoodmuse
who admits, man, I wish I was up there. I could freelance for years on what I’m seeing reported (by bloggers and astute individuals) not by the media unfortunately. Makes my fingers itch to write about it.
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redwoodmuse, “write on!” Regina from palingates writes(blogs)
from France! I just finished reading “bloggers on the bus” and they say bloggers are reporting more “news” than newspapers, and as you can see the ADN isn’t really reporting news, they are a mouthpiece for GINO!
You might want to contact Dennis Zaki of Alaska Report, and ask if you could write for him? I don’t know how these things are usually arranged, but I know he is up against corruption and is a very nice person.
I like your suggestion of the BAR association to.
I heard that the personnel board wants to publicize the cost of the ethics complaints (big chunk) in an effort to keep folks from filing complaints. Or have fellow Alaskans frown on those doing their civic duty.
Send the bill to Palin.
GINO needs a taste of what Jindal is getting in his state.
http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10430595
You know, if Palin really cared about Alaska and Alaskans, she would step down, quit, retire. If she really cared, she should.
Madcity Chick Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 7:41 AM
GINO needs a taste of what Jindal is getting in his state.
http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10430595
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Yeah, that would be nice, and he even took all the stim $?
anon blogger Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 7:39 AM
I heard that the personnel board wants to publicize the cost of the ethics complaints (big chunk) in an effort to keep folks from filing complaints. Or have fellow Alaskans frown on those doing their civic duty.
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The whole kicker is…The personnel board should be censuring GINO and telling her to act ethically not trying to discourage people from making complaints! What’s wrong with this picture???????
AKM, I absolutely love looking at your nature photography whether Brian and family or plant life. Would you consider compiling your photos on a separate page within The Mudflats or I (heart) Mudflats?
If you have and I missed it, sorry.
How is there a cost to the ethics complaints? Isnt this what the Personnel Board is paid to do? and if they are not actually investigating any complaints, where is the cost??
anon blogger Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 7:43 AM
You know, if Palin really cared about Alaska and Alaskans, she would step down, quit, retire. If she really cared, she should.
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The problem is she doesn’t care!
Everytime she gets a complaint dismissed she is thumbing her nose, “Another Frivolous Ethics complaint dismissed!” from the SOA webpage!
Not I’m sorry I will try to work harder for the citizens, to correct these “misunderstanding”, nothing like that!
Alaska is in serious trouble…I think our progressive bloggers know this, but most Alaskan’s don’t care as long as they get the check every year.
Lilybart Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 7:56 AM
How is there a cost to the ethics complaints? Isnt this what the Personnel Board is paid to do? and if they are not actually investigating any complaints, where is the cost??
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Exactly! That is their job…what are they doing & getting paid for when they are not investigating?
Why do they hire a attorney? Why does van flea go blabbing on Smurkes show?
ADN should be asking these questions…but their not.
Maybe someone with tech savvy could design one of those counters like the Body Count from the War ones, with an ever increasing total – Palin’s Ethics (Lack Thereof) is costing me $xxx,xxx,xxx.00.
Turn the spin – figure out what it has cost every resident…ethics complaints, travel, perdiem, attorneys fees, troopergate, energy funds etc. Don’t let her and ADN get away with making the citizen the goat…put the blame where it belongs…..
and to Les Gara, et al, where the heck is the Leg? I saw early signs of resistance, but how about taking her out before she bankrupts the state?
redwoodmuse
who really has to get back to putting out her own newspaper…finishing layout today.
Respect, AKM! It takes a very generous-natured person to speak nicely about horsetail. Where I live it’s a pernicious weed and gradually taking over my village. It’s far enough away from me, still, to think that I’ll be pushing up daisies before it crosses my boundary.
The only defence against its spread that we’ve found, is to grow potatoes next to it and smother it. The potatoes are shared out and there’s always enough to donate some to a charity feeding the homeless.
anon blogger Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 7:39 AM
I heard that the personnel board wants to publicize the cost of the ethics complaints (big chunk) in an effort to keep folks from filing complaints. Or have fellow Alaskans frown on those doing their civic duty.
Send the bill to Palin.
————-
The Personnel Board seems to be taking backlash mode themselves.
They already asked for a legal opinion on whether they could charge costs for “frivolous” ethics complaints. If there was some way to connect their now-apparent disdain for the citizenry’s rights to file complaints to the “hold me accountable” Gov’s office, that would be a huge scandal in itself.
Now, I am not sure whether the board members get a regular salary or a per diem, but either way, if they didn’t want to work, they shouldn’t have taken the positions.
This is a question for redwoodmuse or crystalwolf aka caligirl because I see you do a lot of investigative stuff. I have posted this idea on Gryphens comments as well a few days ago… but am not logged into Diva’s site to email her directly.
Both Diva and Gryphen were posting the stories about the FOIA requests and had comments. I was sort of the opinion that with all this corruption going on within GINO’s administration that they will focus on the ‘big stuff’ and may slip up something seen as insignificant. (like these emails ) GINO is trying to hide the info from Diva with the costs issue… and yesterday it was the redacted email story here. The Woman from England, Heather Brooke who broke the Parliament scandal by using FOIA documents (just like here) might give her opinion and give tips and ask her to weigh in. At least ask her if she is aware of our situation. Corruption was her ‘thing’ as far as an Investigative Reporter. Regina (Palingates) should email her too. She works for The Guardian and at the end of the story, I am posting the link to, it has her email or ‘Contact’ link.
Would someone be willing to email her…. and do some followup?
(Andree McLeod should email her ALSO… if someone can contact her)
She has had the experience of working with FOIA docs and is not afraid of some corrupt Politicians. She took on all of Parliament.
What does UK Lady have to say about her as well..? If 5 or 6 of the regulars were to send an email, it would show how serious all of us are at getting to the Truth.
Sometimes it is the small things that puts the crack in the foundation and causes the building to fall. If GINO is so desperate to hide all these emails… there must be something there.
I will paste my original post from the Open Thread on 5-24 below. it has the link to Heather Burke. The story is a good read as well.
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#
75
honestyinGov Says:
May 24th, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I saw they guy with the Briitish accent on CNN with ‘Reliable Sources’ talking about the Brittish Parliament scandal. He filled me in on some things and how this all came about by the American journalist Heather Brooke.
(from Publisher & Editor-online)
Brooke wrote a book, “Your Right to Know,” suspecting that the British public needed a lesson in how to use freedom of information laws — legislation being newly introduced to the U.K.
She worked for the Herald-Journal from 1994 to 1996, then went to the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash., where as an intern she was dispatched to the state legislature to rifle through lawmakers’ expenses. A trawl through box after box of airline tickets and room service bills brought no story, but left Brooke certain about the importance of accountability.
(now HER quotes… from guardian.co.uk home
” So I began filing my first freedom of information requests. These are simply letters or emails written to the FOI officer of the Commons laying out what you want to know. You can make these requests to all public bodies and they have 20 working days to respond – though many exceed the deadline and are not punished for it. If they refuse, you can appeal internally and then to the outside regulator, the information commissioner.”
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Essentially this is very similar to what Celtic Diva is trying to do. Just like Burke… she is simply requesting FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) documents…. and just like in Britain there is an attempt to find ways to ‘block’ ways of not letting this info out. Brooke tells more in the story.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/15/mps-expenses-heather-brooke-foi
Maybe Celtic Diva , Gryphen and AKM could get some pointers from her as far as how to get it done… because there is a ‘contact’ link on the story. I’ll bet she would share some tips…..? Who wants to email her………
8.I have 2 words for Gov Dipship. NOBEL PRIZE. That and a hand gesture of your choice.
When we filed a complaint with the state Real Estate Commission (no, not the same, but the process is similar I believe), it took them 3 or 4 months to get back to us, and nearly two years all told to get it done.
Between the complaint going to the “bad guy” for review and response, then back to us… and an investigator who interviewed everybody, it felt like it took forever. And! The seller filed a complaint on the very same transaction (we were great buddies… go figure). The commission office told me that one of our complaints got there… ok. Then five days later, the other one arrived, and *that* was a red flag to them – when both parties in a sale were fired up.
The thing is, the offense has to be so hugely egregious that there’d be no way they could brush it off. Most “ethics” laws on the books related to the ethics of stealing another realtor’s customers.
The customers however, had to be very dedicated, very persistent, and have one whale of a complaint in order to see substantial results. In our case, we learned that the Disclosure Statement had been physically altered to hide “drainage issues,” as well as the sellers’ signatures forged on a couple of documents.
Even then, the broker was only put on “probation” for two years, had to do more schooling, and the realtor only got 6 months suspension of license plus 2 yrs probation. And we still had to fight it out with the broker’s insurance company (errors & omissions) for reimbursement of *some* of our loss.
In SP’s case, a governor is and isn’t on duty 24/7. In public, yes, the gov represents the state of Alaska, except for the obviously personal (parent teacher conference for example). Or at the kids school activities (have you seen the pics of Obama at the girls’ school for Field Day? He was “just a dad” – with bodyguards, but still).
If *any* case can be made for any other possibility, they’re (the investigating body) most likely going to go with that, not the complainant (complainer?) statement.
Now, with the Dude’s Iron Dog race (whatever), HE got the big bucks, even though she and kids got jackets. Of course it relates to her governorship (why else the words referring to “the Gov” on the machine? – which was not part of the complaint, if I remember correctly). They will “investigate” ONLY that which is IN the complaint. They’ve stated that the identity of the complainer is something they will also take into consideration (wrong, wrong, wrong!). But who do you file a complaint with when the investigators are the subject? (who cracks the whip on them holding the whip, eh?)
Apologies for the length of this thing; I really did try to cut it down.
KaJo–You’d be amazed at how many flat roofed buildings there actually are in Alaska (and yes, it’s a very stupid architectural choice!).
Madcity Chick–WOW, one of the comments on that news story sounded just like ones made about GINO (I wonder if they’re long lost siblings…)
Pauline in UK–Potatoes can smother horsetails? Who knew? That would be a great way to deal with them, except that I don’t think I could manage to plant them in every inch of our beds and yard… Interesting gardening article about them in the ADN today though: http://www.adn.com/life/gardening/lowenfels/story/810352.html
honestyinGov Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 8:29 AM
This is a question for redwoodmuse or crystalwolf aka caligirl because I see you do a lot of investigative stuff. I have posted this idea on Gryphens comments as well a few days ago… but am not logged into Diva’s site to email her directly.
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HonestyinGov-I will try to email Diva directly with your post
The problem being as the laws (I think on FIOA) vary from state to state and country to country. I believe they call these “Sunshine laws” Alaska seems very Lax about anything re: ethics, “Sunshine” etc.
It would seem to me that the Personnel board should be acting as an impartial jury who should only consider the evidence put before them. Instead (as many others here have pointed out) I too believe they are stepping outside of their roles and politicizing the situation.
As someone else here so rightly pointed out, if they are going to go off the record and lecture anyone about excessive ethics complaints, it should be Sarah and not Jack and Jill public.
*Does Mrs. Piggy Hmph!*
Dang. The point of all that was “Pick Your Battles.” And it’s why I commented (on another thread) that silence might be the way to go for now. Just lay low and wait. There *will be* a “hugely egregious” offense that can be brought out sooner or later. C’mon, it’s SP! It *will* happen!
Re those emails. I read somewhere, that someone wanted a bunch of emails, asked for them through FOIA (I think). And wound up receiving *some of them* – together with a listing by date (I think) and by from etc… of those emails that were not included (because they had “nothing to do with” anything, supposedly). I cannot remember who that was – does anyone else?
Thing is, why couldn’t someone take that list of “not included” emails and request them … One. At. A.Time. By date, by to and from and even by subject (if there was one given). It would cost more in postage, but it sure as heck would be less than the 95K the state is claiming it would cost to have to “search” for them. And, they might get the idea. Yeah, right.
Anyway, I promised myself this one would be shorter…
Nan
Another bit of outrageous news from Wasilla:
http://www.bentalaska.com/2009/05/antichrist-is-coming-and-hes-gay.html
Nan Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Re those emails. I read somewhere, that someone wanted a bunch of emails, asked for them through FOIA (I think). And wound up receiving *some of them* – together with a listing by date (I think) and by from etc… of those emails that were not included (because they had “nothing to do with” anything, supposedly). I cannot remember who that was – does anyone else?
_________
That was Andree McLoed.
Bent Alaska–Wow, how sad or funny in a sad way or something… I’m glad we don’t seem to have such preachers down here, at least not that I can tell…
Alaskans REALLY need to have Fitzgerald come up there and do some housecleaning.
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/05/us-indictment-of-elected-official-expected.html
austintx Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Alaskans REALLY need to have Fitzgerald come up there and do some housecleaning.
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/05/us-indictment-of-elected-official-expected.html
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Wow! Next stop…Alaska!!!!
Caligirl, is the iceberg gonna be EPIC? Is there a countdown started? How hard will Palin, fall? Can we do a 20 questions
game while we pass the time?
Is O’Reilly a dumb-ass , or what ??
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/28/oreilly-targets-commenters/
eye on you – thanks!
Nan
I don’t think it ought to be required, but it make sense that in hot climates you would want to paint roofs light colors to reflect heat and save energy, and in cool climates you might want to paint roofs darker colors to absorb heat and save energy. It simply gets back to doing what makes sense where you are, like taking energy stimulus money to invest in weatherization improvements and renewable energy in places where temperatures are extreme and fuel is expensive.
Palin is just grasping at straws and fear-mongering to justify her illogical decision after the fact. Starting with the comments under the linked article, the idea of painting all roofs light colors and lightening all pavement color will be vigorously debated for some time, and does not appear to be the subject of any imminent federal mandate we should be unduly concerned about.
Whose on the Personnel Board? I wouldn’t mind sending a letter to remind them to actually do their job.
Village Reader–Here you go: http://dop.state.ak.us/personnelBoard/main
Village Reader Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 9:17 AM
Whose on the Personnel Board? I wouldn’t mind sending a letter to remind them to actually do their job.
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You could start here:
Contact:
Judy Bockmon
State Ethics Attorney, Department of Law
1031 West 4th Avenue, Suite 200
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-1994
907-269-5100
All materials available on this page have been updated to reflect the 2007 amendments to the Executive Branch Ethics Act, except the Ethics Video. The dramatized scenes in the video still provide useful guidance for resolving similar ethics issues. However, please also review the language of the Act when addressing particular situations.
http://www.law.state.ak.us/doclibrary/ethics.html
Injuneau: thanks for the link.
Did you guys see this?
Compensation: Standard Travel and Per Diem.
Meetings: As necessary, approximately 2-3 times per year; approximately 2-3 days total.
So how exactly are they costing so much taxpayer money? I mean these complaints are not even making it to THE BOARD!
This Michael Geraghty guy is stopping them, saying “in his opinion” they have no merit or whatever he says, Its “his opinion”
Sounds pretty Bogus to me.
#61- ValleyIndependent Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 9:13 AM
I don’t think it ought to be required, but it make sense that in hot climates you would want to paint roofs light colors to reflect heat and save energy, and in cool climates you might want to paint roofs darker colors to absorb heat and save energy.
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Like you said… it is just ‘ common sense’.
I grew up in South Florida back in the 60′s when all those houses were being built (and even before that) The typical roof was asphalt with gravel spread all over the hot tar. Shingles were not the common building method. EVERY house then had the roof painted WHITE. Even the people in the 60′s knew this was common sense. Most houses never had central air back then either and nobody was worried about energy bills. But they were smart enough to know the white roof reflected the heat. An aerial Google map of So. Florida will show white roofs for as far as the eye can see. Someone should send that ‘picture map’ to GINO…. ” The Energy Expert”. She needs some remedial reading classes.
Nobody is going to get any better at this until Linda Perez is FIRED. She is the “Designated Ethics Supervisor” for Boards and Commissions, and the terd was smack in the middle of Troopergate and one of those who was pressuring Monegan for the Palin.
SHE is the one that keeps dragging her feet on supplying documentation (Director of Admin Services) and writing BS responses as to why it takes so long. She’s as much of a loser as the Palin. I don’t know her personally, but after reading the Troopergate report in full, and reading her ridiculous excuses of why record retrieval is taking so long I have ZERO respect for her or the job she is doing. Someone here who works for the state in Juneau may disagree, and I’d love to hear more on the subject (well not LOVE to, but wouldn’t mind being corrected).
More on what Bent Alaska posted about……..comments are interesting.
http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2009/05/27/faith/doc4a1b794bd0fd9907394285.txt
Gino is one sick individual.. when will the justice system stop the horrible stuff she gets away with??? we need Mr. Fitzgerald!! OR SOMEONE?? I find my State pretty nauseating anymore..
crystalwolf aka caligrl–The expenses for the investigations come from having to hire an investigator(s) to look into the complaint(s). The Board in and of itself has no investigative power/experience/authority per se, and so they have to have someone look into them for them. That’s why we’re seeing a number of different names of people making statements about this complaint or that not having any merit (in their opinion, mind you). I think there have been too many to have contracted them all to the same person.
InJuneau Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 9:51 AM
crystalwolf aka caligrl–The expenses for the investigations come from having to hire an investigator(s) to look into the complaint(s). The Board in and of itself has no investigative power/experience/authority per se, and so they have to have someone look into them for them. That’s why we’re seeing a number of different names of people making statements about this complaint or that not having any merit (in their opinion, mind you). I think there have been too many to have contracted them all to the same person.
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Michael Geraghty he has dismissed quite a few, I think? And how do they/or who chooses this attorney to investigate?
This guy has defended Haliburton for christ sakes!
I think there was someone else listed at some point, but I can’t remember. Not sure how they hire them. Maybe they send out an RFP and see who responds then choose? I’d think they’d need to be admitted to the AK Bar if they’re working on things here as lawyers, but I don’t know.
About the horsetail ferns. Somewhere in the dark ages I learned in a taxonomy class that these plants are ancestral to modern plants. They are a sort of living fossil. Interesting that they have survived in Alaska. I’ve only seen them in Oregon along creeks.
Oh do they ever survive in Alaska… They’re all over in the woods and in our yards and on the sides of the roads and everywhere else they can sink their little spores…
Has this happened to anyone else? During the campaign I got so mad @ GINO and what she was saying I complained to McCain and also RNC. Now today, I got a letter from Newt “don’t let them take god from the square” Gingrich, and Hannity!!! Both wanting $$$?
On Hannity’s I answered their survey and politely told them to remove my name, but Newt (since he’s just weird, and this is like the 3rd I’ve gotten from him) I wrote on there “I’m a socialist lefty take me off your list!”
Has anyone else gotten these mailings from complaining about GINO?
75 crystalwolf aka caligrl Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Has anyone else gotten these mailings from complaining about GINO?
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Nope. Somehow along the way , your name got on “the list”.
austintx Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 10:49 AM
75 crystalwolf aka caligrl Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Has anyone else gotten these mailings from complaining about GINO?
****************************************
Nope. Somehow along the way , your name got on “the list”.
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damn!
Ooo, what a drag, crystalwolf! Hopefully such responses will get you OFF “the list”!
caligrl – Your Gov. is pretty funny !!
http://wonkette.com/tag/pt-gorillas-in-the-mist/
austintx Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 11:07 AM
caligrl – Your Gov. is pretty funny !!
Maybe KO will use it tonight? I like Arnold 
just sayin’…
http://wonkette.com/tag/pt-gorillas-in-the-mist/
~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks Austin for that
He made the Leg go stay in session until they came up with a budget. He was handed a pile of moosepuckey like PO when he b/c gov. IMO. I think he trys and he’s always on top of any kind of Emergency going on unlike some repub govs!
And he’s married to a dem! So there is some balance there.
Maybe this is the most obvious question… But.
Is the local Alaskan TV stations showing any pictures on the news and have video footage showing what is going on in places like Eagle..?
That is usually what the TV stations cover. I havn’t heard anybody comment on it.
(Is the ADN covering it with ‘regular’ stories)
And if TV is not covering it…. somebody with a video camera could post some YouTube clips showing the damage. Especially if GINO is not involved. YouTube clips can be rather embarrassing….. just saying….
caught in tubes!
Maybe KO will use it tonight? I like Arnold 
just sayin’…
Thanks Austin for that
He made the Leg go stay in session until they came up with a budget. He was handed a pile of moosepuckey like PO when he b/c gov. IMO. I think he trys and he’s always on top of any kind of Emergency going on unlike some repub govs!
And he’s married to a dem! So there is some balance there.
Hey it’s sure a great thing that everyone collaborated on the daily Open Thread idea so that AKM can actually have a life when it’s summertime and lovely out. We had so many nice days in Juneau that it was nigh impossible to get anything done inside! Hurray for the Open Thread!
On U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s proposal for a global initiative to promote white roofs and lighter-colored asphalt to reduce urban heat islands and energy consumption to help combat global warming:
My results from coating my metal roof with a white elastomeric reflective roof coating (90% reflectivity) have been dramatic. As a result, I have been able to replace my old 6500 cfm (cu. ft./min) evaporative cooler with a 5200 cfm unit. The smaller unit runs a @frac12; h.p. motor instead of the ¾ h.p. motor in the old unit. Despite the newer unit’s smaller size, it can also run on Low until the outside temp gets to around 105° – that’s at least 10° warmer before it has to switch to High than before I coated the roof. Both units were/are controlled by a thermostat, and the new unit also spends noticeably more time in Off mode than before the roof coating. Because the roof coating was the only anti-solar-gain improvement I made last year, it’s been easy to identify it’s effects. If I were running refrigerated A/C (as most people do), the energy savings would be substantially more than I’m realizing.
This link is to the testing page of one of our local roof coating manufacturers (the biggest one), and shows a temperature comparison of various roof types. (Click to enlarge.) http://elastek.com/benefits/product-testing/
Note the 92° test temp – that’s something like 10 a.m. on a summer day here in the Tucson area, and probably around 7 a.m. in Phoenix!
I was just reading shanny’s blog about the Wasilla Bible Church’s homophobe Pastor. He wrote a letter and made this statement…
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But will the Antichrist be a homosexual? Having seen what the Bible says of sodomy, we have no further to look than the book of Daniel, chapter 11 to find our answer. It says, “Neither shall he [Antichrist] regard… the desire of women….” As I said at the onset, I am not the first to draw attention to this, but the verbiage is clear.
—————————————-
“Neither shall he [Antichrist] regard… the desire of women….”
Based on the Pastors opinion and description…. I don’t remember an instance where Jesus is shown ‘regarding the desire of women’ either. Hmmmm?
With this kind of thinking and rational… was Jesus the ‘antichrist’ as well…?
He seems to fit the Pastors description.
And I guess the sheeple in his congregation buy this nonsense.
honestyinGov–KTUU had a crew on the ground in Eagle for at least a week as soon as it was safe to get in there (they were there before, during, and after GINO’s first stop there). I don’t know if anyone’s been up there in the past few weeks though. Best way to find out would be the check the webpages of the Anchorage TV stations.
59 austintx Says: May 28th, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Is O’Reilly a dumb-ass , or what ??
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My vote says he’s a )^*%*^ dumb-ass.
Michael Geraghty he has dismissed quite a few, I think?
________________
If he’s the investigator, what’s his statutory or regulatory authority to dismiss any complaint? I was under the impression that an investigator could make a recommendation to the board but that the board had the ultimate authority/responsibility to dismiss or proceed. Is my understanding incorrect?
No, honestyinguv… he liked Mary Magdalene. A woman.
Be forewarned, this is another rant… I’m appreciative your eyes along with the patience to let me rage and AKM’s no limit on word count.
Its been a rough week. My cousin and his wife are going back to the village. I will miss my cousin and his wife. They came to stay in the travel trailer, basically to stay warm. I don’t want them to go. They leave tomorrow and we have a big dinner planned tonight.
Basically, when the PFD checks came out last fall, they were able to leave the village and head to my little plot land. They knew fuel prices would drive them out sooner or later, so they jumped at the chance with the PFD checks.
After the initial phone call from my cousin last November, my sweetie and I talked about offering up that old travel trailer, long since abandon, out on the back lot. My cousin, his wife and two children, showed up the day after Thanksgiving.
The trailer hads long since lost their windows. My cousin and my sweetie found a used boat wood stove, punched a hole in the roof to set it up and repaired the windows. My neibor dumped THREE truck loads of seasoned birch next to the trailer. Between my cousin’s wife and myself, it only took a week of scrubbing and cleaning to make it livable, warm and safe, for a family of four.
Over the winter, we actively ignored much of the press and lived life to the fullest. After all, my cousin and I hadn’t really been close since grade school. Sure we kept in touch through letters, a few phone calls and hospital visits to Anchorage. But now we were neibors!
Life this past winter, was really, really nice.
Now they are going back to the village. I don’t blame them. My place is NOT urban Alaska, but it is near by and well, the village is where they feel at home.
I’m so conflicted inside. One part of me, so wants them to stay and live here, because this winter has been very good. Lots of good times and positive living. Yet, it wouldn’t of happened if fuel prices weren’t so high. If they would of stayed back in the village, it would of ment diaster to their lifestyle.
I get totally confused inside. Anger wells up, when I think our governor decided baking cookies in 2009 and inserting scripture quotes, was the answer to choosing fuel over food. It is weird, because the high priced fuel diaster started in Sept 2008.
My head hurts at the thought of Palin flying out to a few villages, with Pastor Prevo. A guy who probably thinks my son is living wrong. It never occurs to me to tell people my son is gay. He is approaching 30 and I figured out he was gay about the time he turned 8 or 9. So what is there to really talk about? As a mom, I do like to brag about his really cool, loving partner who likes me and my little family. But Prevo? My god, I have spent a lifetime running from guys like him. Even before my son was born.
But I’m so conflicted inside. I’m confused and angry and happy and pleased. I don’t want my cousin to leave, but I totally understand. We have been blessed with their presence all winter long. The early freeze up of winter made the high fuel prices happen. The ignorance of our Governor made it happen. I love my cousin. I can’t stand the politics of our Governor.
THEN, I decided to visit Prevo’s SOS site this morning. And, the vomit I spit in the tolit afterwards, made me confused. How could something so disgusting like vomit, feel so good? Like my cousin’s wife said, “It is good your first reaction is to up-chuck.”
My god, I’m so going to miss my cousin and his family.
18 Closet Mudpup Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 6:07 AM
sauerkraut
I’m curious what your take on this has been: From the statements I’ve seen regarding the ethics investigator’s actions, it has at times sounded like Palin’s attorney, Van Flein, has been involved at the stage in the process where the investigator is evaluating the validity of the complaints. If that is true, and a defense counsel is “helping” the investigator do his evaluation, that sounds to me like a total perversion of the legal process. I can’t refer to specific statements right now, but some of Van Flein’s statements have left me with that impression.
________________
I suspect that’s a question which can only be answered thru the Mandamus process. Otherwise, it’s probably a matter of attorney-client privilege. Then again… if the so-called investigation of the so-called investigator is done and the filing of his report officially closes the matter… wonder if it’s subject to a public records act request… hmmmm… question is, do documents exist under the concern you raise?
A different shirtless Levi photo w/baby is up on the CNN ticker. They’re a little late on the story, but they have a different pic than the one we’ve seen.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/28/report-todd-palin-offered-bristol-a-car-to-dump-levi-johnston/
28 redwoodmuse Says: May 28th, 2009 at 7:00 AM
re: Anchorage FBI – I hope that works for you folks. Unfortunately, state and federal law enforcement ‘individuals’ often become entrenched in a community and do nothing to uphold the law (kinda like the Personnel Board) when it is on the opposite side of their buttered bread – to really mangle metaphors this morning.
_______________
What really needs to happen is for the FBI to be convinced that all of this sh*& is a matter of federal interest and within their jurisdiction. There needs to be more than just a great dislike for a person. There needs to be clear evidence of political corruption. It need not be as clear cut as Rostenkowski or Blago, but it needs to be clear and pernicious.
Some persuasion is also helpful. Too. Also. Amen.
horsetail, btw, is one of the very oldest multi-cell plants on the planet. millions of years ago, varieties grew to be over 100 feet tall with a base often in excess of 20 feet! many plant biologists consider it the oldest conifer on the planet.
Madcity Chick Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 12:39 PM
A different shirtless Levi photo w/baby is up on the CNN ticker. They’re a little late on the story, but they have a different pic than the one we’ve seen.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/28/report-todd-palin
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But, in breaking news, they have the information that Todd is Sarah Palin’s wife!
Thanks, sauerkraut, for confirming that some of my grey cells are still functioning. Today is a glorious one in Portland. It is possible from some places to see both Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood. Of course they are still covered in snow. I was thinking about the white roofs and realized that if snow wasn’t white the world would certainly be different. Imagine black snow that would absorb heat so fast and cause flooding and lack of water in the summer.
sauerkraut Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Michael Geraghty he has dismissed quite a few, I think?
________________
If he’s the investigator, what’s his statutory or regulatory authority to dismiss any complaint? I was under the impression that an investigator could make a recommendation to the board but that the board had the ultimate authority/responsibility to dismiss or proceed. Is my understanding incorrect?
———–
Your understanding is correct. The investigator can only recommend. The Board decides, but so far, they have basically been a rubberstamp for the investigators, not putting out any reasons or rationale of their own.
That 2nd link to an article about Levi – the comments are something else. Most are not too supportive, but one of them – well, doesn’t make sense, really. Is disgusted that Levi “prefer to go for interviews” than do “apprenticesip as electrician”… and as a “native Alaskan” found it quite offensive that “the media in lower 48 is bias towards palin” and printing anything no matter how dumb.
Seems to think that Levi is wanting a car for Bristol while Sarah is driving her “old car” etc . Just bizarre.
And then, finishes up with this:
“Y’all may hate Sarah Palin, but we, people of Alaska especially us native Alaskan, love Sarah Palin. She has done a LOT for us, she IS ONE OF US!”
Ouch!
sauerkraut @ 91
Good thought on the records request. As for the existence of documents that would shed light on the process, I think it’s very doubtful. We are, after all, talking about basically a lawyer’s case journal. Just from the many chats and Guinness I’ve had with lawyers in the family, even my little engineer brain knows what sort of things do NOT belong in my journals!
so hey, look……..the wingnut bloggers are blasting their own beloved media for lack of respect, lol…….
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/28/oreilly-targets-commenters/
@ irishgirl
i thought of you when I penned this song about the near extinction of the Republican Party…
THE REPUBLICAN SONG
(sung to the Irish Rovers song “The Unicorn Song”)
A long time ago when the States were new
There were lots of political parties so let’s name a few
They bickered and they fought in this land that was free
But always the sore loser was the G.O.P.
There were Whigs and Tories, Greenbacks, also too
The Progressive Party of 1 – 9 – 1 – 2
Democrats and don’t forget the Labor Party
Yet the sorriest of all was the G.O.P.
The Lord seen some sinnin’ from some of his men
So he grouped ‘em all together in a single pen
He said, “I need a name for you barbarians”
“You’ll be Republicans”
And behave like those…
Whigs and Tories, Greenbacks also too
The Progressive Party of 1 – 9 – 1 – 2
Democrats and don’t forget the Labor Party
The sorriest bunch was still the G.O.P.
Wise Abe Lincoln was there to answer the call
He set free all those slaves so there’d be freedom for all
Teddy Roosevelt did his duty too
These were good deeds well overdue
Just like…
Whigs and Tories, Greenbacks also too
The Progressive Party of 1 – 9 – 1 – 2
Democrats and don’t forget the Labor Party
It looked like there was hope for the G.O.P.
Then came the late 20th century
Them Republicans were up to their old tricks again
Dick Nixon and Watergate led to defeat
Oh, that crooked G.O.P.
There were Whigs and Tories, Greenbacks, also too
The Progressive Party of 1 – 9 – 1 – 2
Then came Ford and Reagan and George Bushes one and two
And reduced the G.O.P. to an old worn shoe
The voters started movin’ to the other side
And with them the hopes of all Republicans died
The Democrats came down and wooed Arlen Specter away
That’s how the Republican Party died and floated away
You’ll see Independents and Democrats too
Green Party members from states both Red and Blue
Libertarians and members of the A.I.P.
We’ll never hear no more from the G.O.P.
CNN article funny. Reporting that Todd was Sarah’s wife, but we already knew that. Look out Todd, Sarahs gonna snap your knickers. HAHAHA
I thought one of the funniest comments on the CNN sotry was one that may have given us my new favorite name for GINO–Sugarskirt!
And, one of the biggest problems with the melting of the polar ice caps and snow cover on land is exactly tied to the light vs. dark surface issue–when the ice/snow melts, the dark water or land underneath retains more heat, further increasing the melting rate, and so on and so on and…
lynnrockets–I love it! And, knowing the tune, I could actually sing it in my head!
I’d never read this article before, and found it thought-provoking.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18568.htm
republicans feeding on republicans… why am I not surprised that a group which has thought and speech control as a party platform would spend so much time trying to control what each other are saying. demagoguery hidden under the cloak of self-serving political theology. let them feast upon the pudding!
A Roman Catholic priestess ??
http://wonkette.com/408816/insane-press-lady-dragged-from-air-force-one-press-area
@ #85 honestyinGov
Please allow me to make a correction: Hamann is the Pastor of the Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla, not the Wasilla Bible Church.
I am impressed by the number of comments the Frontiersman has received about his piece on the Anti-Christ being gay. It was 391 a bit ago. I think that might be a record for them.
@ #75 caligrl – Please stay on the RNC’s bff list. How else will we know what kind of mailers they’re putting out? Seriously, as a non-partisan, I do get some mailers from both parties, but discovered when a neighbor passed along some tidbits last election season that they were saving the most inflammatory stuff for members of the party.
A little hometown pride here…..White House Press Secretary Gibbs made an announcement today saying President Obama had selected Pittsburgh for the G20 summit in September. This is an incredible honor as most of the time the meeting is in a capital city. Obama wanted to show off an American city that can turn itself around. We’ve been working hard over the last 20 years to recover from the collapse of the steel industry. Now we are a center for innovative computer engineering and medical research. This is a really exciting opportunity for all of us in the ‘Burgh.
I’ve recently heard Palin speaking out against the Obama admin’s cuts to the Pentagon’s missile defense system. (And I should expect Palin to know how much about our mythical missile defense system??)
What’s Defense Sec’y Robert Gates’ take on the program?
Yeah, nothing like 14 years behind schedule and still showing no progress to excite fiscal conservatives …
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1901342,00.html?xid=rss-politics
ValleyIndependent Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 2:59 PM
@ #75 caligrl – Please stay on the RNC’s bff list. How else will we know what kind of mailers they’re putting out? Seriously, as a non-partisan, I do get some mailers from both parties, but discovered when a neighbor passed along some tidbits last election season that they were saving the most inflammatory stuff for members of the party.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Its just that Newt, starts EVERY Damn mail with “there trying to take the church out of the square” and I don’t know WTH he is talking about! Then he goes on a 3-4 page rant that I cannot bear to read! Between GINO’s shenanigans, and lurking @ peeland and seeing their asinine postings (we are paid by Obama, Obama is paying Andree and Diva to files complaints, etc. Oh Obama is closing Repub car dealerships(GINO even said this in a Tweet/ADN)I cannot stand anymore BS from them!
They are too….stupid! Words fail me to describe them!
Hey, folks. Since this is open thread, and I can’t get off topic, I need to change topices and ask a question. So for those of you who read the op-ed piece by Grace Jang, who is the radio host she is talking about? Trying to figure out which racist, sexist local host made those comments is like trying to find out who in the Bush Administration was the biggest liar. My guess is Eddie Burke because he was in the Navy and a lot of active and retired military personnel have spouses from countries where they were stationed. Can anyone tell me who it was?
@ crystalwolf aka caligrl: My sentiments exactly!!
the problem child Says
The investigator can only recommend. The Board decides, but so far, they have basically been a rubberstamp for the investigators, not putting out any reasons or rationale of their own.
______________
Well it seems that the Personnel Board likes to hire the same “investigator/lawyer” over and over again.
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/archive.php?id=1834&type=1
The complaints, one by Zane Henning of Wasilla, filed on November 13, and one by Anthony Martin of Talkeetna, filed on December 2, were dismissed by Michael Geraghty, an investigator for the State Personnel Board. Geraghty concluded “that the conduct asserted, if true, would not constitute violation of the ethics act.”
And this latest dismissal?
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1869
Michael Geraghty, investigator for the State Personnel Board, concluded that there is no need for a hearing on the complaint filed in March by Andree McLeod, who has been a vocal critic of the governor since being denied employment with the state last year.
This is the 13th ethics complaint against the governor or her staff that has been resolved with no finding of a violation of the executive ethics act. A few more are pending.
From the “so angry I could spit” department, just back from our not-so-favorite place with their latest crowing about the dismissal of ethics complaints.
For starters, as with too many of their posts, they are way too LOOONNNNGGGG!!!!! Egads! Either they are getting paid by somebody or they have little to no fiscal responsibilities of their own – or possibly they’ve found a way to work on side projects on their employers’ computers while also on the clock for their time. Nice work if you can get it. But so so wrong. But I digress.
Instead of reading the whole darn thing, I went backwards (us Geminis do that alot). And what did I find very near the end? This disgusting comment.
The author (RA Mansour I think it was) quoted Andree MacLeod ““The whole way to mitigate all this is for Palin to behave ethically,” said McLeod, who filed the complaint that was dismissed by the board on Wednesday.”
Then wrote:
“It’s like a wife-beater saying, ‘She wouldn’t have any bruises if she’d just stop making me angry.’”
I wanted to respond immediately but am glad I didn’t.
Analogy is wrong for starters because first of all, the wife-beater is the one engaging in illegal behavior, not the wife (In her analogy, MacLeod is the wife-beater and Sarah Palin the wife). Furthermore, in her analogy, the wife-beater uses his power over his wife to make her do things she doen’t want to, or not do things she would like to. This also does not track. MacLeod or anyone clearly does not have that kind of power over the Governor, or any state emplotee, even when filing a complaint or lawsuit.
This last go-round with the Personnel Board has made it perfectly clear to all Alaskans that if you file an ethics complaint, you will probably get nowhere, be charged for it, and probably be publically ridiculed about it to boot.
Yeah, way to encourage citizen participation in government.
Pardon me while I go spit somewhere … politely.
Terpsichore Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 6:04 PM
From the “so angry I could spit” department, just back from our not-so-favorite place with their latest crowing about the dismissal of ethics complaints.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I will pardon you while you spit!
They are simply “illogical”
I read a book recently by Adriana Huffington (HuffPo) and she said right wing/freepers React in stead of Thinking. They are using the prehistoric “limbic” brain, which reacts to fear, mostly. The Left…she said of those people use the logical “thinking part of the brain”.
Adrianna’s explanation would explain why they are always in a lather about something??? Eh?
Faux news…total lies and Bs to rile up the “base” of idiots.
Does anyone know if Cassy or Cindy Gowins at the Eagle Center are there at just certain times of the day…? I wanted to call them tomorrow…. and I will hopefully have some more boxes packed tonight. Picked up more boxes today.
thanks.
A sterling example of this (right wing BS) is this article and what GINO said:
“But did you know that Sarah Palin is trying to make hay of this? She’s issued a statement singling out a dealership that’s being closed in Soldotna, Alaska; she writes, “Obama closes another dealership — this time in Soldotna as more of Alaskans’ hard-earned money and jobs are lost to big government.” (And in the absence of government intervention, the Soldotna dealership would be thriving, right?) ”
http://nomoremister.blogspot.com/2009/05/republican-crack-up-watch-latest-gop.html
This just shows the lies and deceptions the right is willing to follow!
I posted a comment that is awaiting moderation (I forgot and put two links into the comment), but it should be pointed out that Michael Geraghty who is the one who “investigated” this latest complain by Andree is also the same person hired by the personnel board to investigate 2 other complaints.
Am I the only one who finds that a bit odd, and it makes me wonder about a few things.
The wingnuts idiotic chatter about Obama targeting for closure car dealerships that contributed to Republicans was Olbermann’s WTF topic tonight. GINO and the rest of the wingnuts ended up looking the same way she and the wingnuts usually end up looking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQr2IVH6xLI
EyeOnYou Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I posted a comment that is awaiting moderation (I forgot and put two links into the comment), but it should be pointed out that Michael Geraghty who is the one who “investigated” this latest complain by Andree is also the same person hired by the personnel board to investigate 2 other complaints.
Am I the only one who finds that a bit odd, and it makes me wonder about a few things.
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No, I thought it odd to! Turns out this guy defended Halliburton against the SOA!!!!
Halliburon=Cheney??? Bears checking for sure. Just who the hell is this guy and why “in his opinion” so many ethics complaints have no merit, or whatever “in his opinion”!!! So the personnel board did nothing, but take “his opinion”!!!!!
caligrl – Janeane talks “limbic” for ya………starts at :54.
http://www.forumeter.com/video/167436/Janeane-Garofalo-tea-baggers-are-racists-Countdown-Keith-Olbermann-April-16-2009
Nate Silver at fivethirtyeight.com has a post about the right wing Chrysler dealership nonsense…..totally blows the meme out of the water.
I’m copying my forum posting here in case any posters are here who asked for this information regarding the HOPE CARAVAN trip:
http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,7285.new.html#new
I’m posting this info for anyone who has expressed an interest in helping the Hope Caravan with fuel and trip expenses. Hope has NOT asked for this help, and is being pretty humble about it, but several people have asked (including me) because that’s all just part of the big effort!
So, if you want to donate money for the trip itself, you can use AKM’s PayPal donation system on MF and make a notation: “HOPE CARAVAN EXPENSES” (or ODYSSEY since AKM liked that one).
Or you can send a check to the Eagle Distribtution Center below, and make the same designation on the check. Yukonbushgrma is helping out at the center, so she’ll make sure Hope gets it that way.
Cindy Gowins
HOPE CARAVAN EXPENSES
c/o Eagle Distribution Center, Eagle Alaska, 99738
HOPE leaves tomorrow!!
austintx Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 6:33 PM
caligrl – Janeane talks “limbic” for ya………starts at :54.
http://www.forumeter.com/video/167436/Janeane-Garofalo-tea-baggers-are-racists-Countdown-Keith-Olbermann-April-16-2009
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She is totally right on! And hear how they’ve been attacking the new appointee today??? Making Hispanic jokes/slams etc.
This is great Limbic brain…Jeanne rocks
Closet Mudpup – I saw it………….I love the “bouncy guy” that KO has in the bottom right ……….The wingnuts are desperately flailing away……..
austintx
Yeah, I laughed at that, too also. Keith has made that his icon for RL ever since RL gave that speech and looked as ridiculous as he sounded.
This will be no shock to anyone, but Media Matters has a story about CNN’s Dana Bash who repeatedly over the last 2 two days has been taking Sonia Sotomayors comments out-of-context. (to spin a story)
“In a report that aired repeatedly on CNN on May 27, senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash repeated conservatives’ criticism of remarks Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor made in 2001 and 2005, but did not provide the context for those remarks.”
http://mediamatters.org/research/200905280004
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I USED TO watch CNN just to catch Rick Sanchez (because he seemed to be fairly non-biased) and would catch AC 360 on occasion. I don’t think I have seen ANY CNN news program for about 3 weeks now…. and it hasn’t affected me a bit. They are so ‘ in-the-tank’ with the Right now it is not even funny. Their slogans have become a joke and the height of hypocrisy now.
For those that didn’t know… Dana Bash is married to John King. The Cheney softball interview KING ..who loved having him as his guest and his ideology is similar to Cheney. Greta & Sarah… King & Cheney. Same relationship.
CNN will forever be in last place… even trailing HLN now.
Phil’s blog has a good one up and my Very fave Palin Pic!
(I used to use it on Halcro)
http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/05/as-palin-administration-continues-to.html
Has anyone read the latest GQ article on Levi?
The previous year he’d been in a homeschool scenario. Alaska boasts the most lax homeschooling rules of any state in the union, in the sense that they have literally almost no rules. Levi was doing his learning online, through a Brigham Young University program. Unsupervised, at the Palins’ house, where Bristol Palin was homeschooling, too.
“May I ask if that’s how Tripp came into the world?”
He did not kiss and tell. He did however shrug and smile.
The Onion.
http://www.theonion.com/content/opinion/oh_no_its_making_well_reasoned?utm_source=b-section
EyeOnYou Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Has anyone read the latest GQ article on Levi?
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do you have a link for that?
SOA has “correspondence courses” listed on the website. I can imagine what a Brigham young would be like.
I read a article once that repubs love homeschool. They are the ones that got the law passed. Some states have absolutely no testing or require any proof kids are actually learning.
I guess we saw/see sterling examples of homeschool at GINO’s rallies and peeland.
That is why they call PO a elitist. B/c he went to school/college.
Their motto, “keep ‘em dumb”!
caligrl – That’s a good pic. I like this one too.also.
http://image50.webshots.com/750/6/36/58/2356636580103555690GkjiFU_ph.jpg
Here is the link for the CQ article, is a long read.
http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_9497
austintx Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 8:06 PM
caligrl – That’s a good pic. I like this one too.also.
http://image50.webshots.com/750/6/36/58/2356636580103555690GkjiFU_ph.jpg
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Hey I can’t see it! It says FORBIDDEN! must be pretty good
here_in_PA Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Here is the link for the CQ article, is a long read.
http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_9497
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Thanks
Ok…who does this sound like? Of course she is a Valley BFF!
http://frontiersman.com/articles/2009/05/28/opinion/editorials/doc4a1f4bc02b620118054537.txt
cont.
She comes under scrutiny because former misunderstandings regarding chamber credit card purchases indicates she did not understand the card was not for personal use — which seems unlikely — or she deliberately hoped those purchases wouldn’t come up under examination of the books.
hmmm, maybe she should get one of them thar AFT “Slush fund accounts”???
She is a “mini” gino! I guess those ‘Silla gals stick togetha’
“In response, via a press release, Metiva said those issues have been cleared up. Which, reading between the lines, probably means she reimbursed the chamber for the purchases and her wrist was slapped. She should have been fired.
In the press release, she intimates, those charges are all that have occurred.
Perhaps that is true. However, if there are questionable purchases, such as travel to events, then those expense accounts should be carefully checked. She has now put herself in a position of not being trusted.
At the Tuesday meeting, she read her brief press release and then abruptly left.
For a lot of people, her fall from grace has been disturbing because she has been a friend, or acquaintance, to many in the Valley and those folks feel like they’ve been used to some degree or another by a gland-hander.
All this should also be a lesson for the chamber when it hires someone to run the show in the future. Perhaps hiring someone locally who has a track record of honesty and integrity would be better than to hire an unknown who, “blew us away,” as was reported during the hiring of Metiva.”
Change a few words, and it could easily be the gov of alaska! How very interesting….!
Lol…most of my neighbors hate the Horsetail Fern, but I kind of like them. They are prolific behind our backyard and are quite beautiful. We do eliminate them from our “yard” and garden, but I let them thrive way out back.
Great photo AKM! I need to get a camera like yours. I try to take pics of all the beauty I have here but my camera just doesn’t capture the beauty.
They’re back!! What are? Beavers!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8072443.stm
At the other end of the country from me, but maybe I’ll get to see them sometime. I saw beavers in the wild when I lived in the USA many years ago; I’m so, so glad we’ve reintroduced these amazing creatures to Britain. I hope and pray all goes well for them.
142 Pauline in UK Says:
May 29th, 2009 at 12:49 AM
They’re back!! What are? Beavers!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8072443.stm
At the other end of the country from me, but maybe I’ll get to see them sometime. I saw beavers in the wild when I lived in the USA many years ago; I’m so, so glad we’ve reintroduced these amazing creatures to Britain. I hope and pray all goes well for them.
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Hey – those guys are cute !! For a second there I thought it was gonna be another mini-skirt picture……………