Open Thread – Wet Moose
Driving down the Parks Highway is mostly just driving by lots and lots of trees – birch, cottonwood, black spruce, blue spruce, mile after mile. Now and then you’ll pass a lake, or a creek, or a river, and your head naturally turns to look upstream or downstream to enjoy the view. Returning home from points north this past weekend, I looked up one of those dozens of little creeks and saw something brown in the water. I realized it was a moose. “Moose!” I exclaimed. It’s kind of an obligatory thing that Alaskans do. They don’t always stop, and everyone in the car doesn’t always see the moose, but if someone sees one, it’s like an automatic reflex. “Moose!”
“Do you want me to turn around?” Spouse asked. “Yes!” I frantically tried to find my camera gear, all the way in the back, not having learned my lesson of always having my camera ready to go and sitting in my lap whenever I go driving in Alaska. So he pulled the car out on to the gravel shoulder, turned the wheel hard, and pulled up right next to the guard rail so I could roll down the window and snap a few pictures. It turned out to be two moose, not one. A youngish looking mother, who was busily dunking her whole head and neck below the water, and coming up with mouthfuls of slimy, dripping grass.
I had never actually seen a moose in a body of water before. I’ve seen pictures on postcards of noble bull moose standing up to their knees in a lake, with a mountain range behind, and this wasn’t quite the same, but I was very excited to see the whole drippy grass banquet happening right before my eyes.
There was grass growing all around, but she acted like the stuff at the bottom of the creek was a delicacy. Her little mooselet watched from the shore, and munched a little bit here and there, but in general he seemed far more concerned about what Mom was doing up to her belly in water, farther out than he coudl safely go. Every so often he’d skittishly get as close to her as he felt comfortable, just to touch base.
I was hoping for crystal clear focused shots, but having a car full of living beings, one of which was a very indignant ‘Buf the dog’ made it difficult. Buf obviously started buf!-ing the moment the car stopped and she spotted the moose out the window. Trying to get her to stop was almost impossible, and with every “buf!” the car shook and bounced. Her nose was quite out of joint at all the shushing.
They stayed for quite a while, and when I thought I had enough pictures, we headed on home.
Enjoy the open thread. [I'll put up more than one tomorrow if comments stat to build up].
“Wade in the water!” Everybody sing! “Wade in the water, children!”
There is an interesting article in today’s New York Times “In Defense of Palin and Sanford.”
http://fish.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/06/in-defense-of-palin-and-sanford/?ref=opinion
What I found most interesting are the comments to the article. Many are extremely well written. Almost all of them are anti-Palin.
It seems AKM is putting up the open thread and heading to bed most days just as I’m getting up and starting the day here in Buffalo at 4am-ish. I get this image of passing in the hall during shift change.
Here in Western NY the shout-out on our scenic drives is “Cow!” or “Sheep!” A few years ago we had some entrepreneurial types move in to the Allegheny hill country so we’ve now added, “Llamas!”
The moose are just beautiful. I just love your photos.
Off to read the threads to see what I missed while sleeping.
Happy Tuesday everyone!
ha ha…Moose! I can picture it. I’ve done nearly the same with other things, especially here in Germany. My husband now calls the camera an ornament (like a Christmas tree ornament) because it’s hanging from my neck, or shoved in my pocket, never to see any action. Until! Until that is, when I forget it and sure enough, something happens and I frown, where’s my camera now that I need it?
Buffalo Gal…yes, passing in the hall like a shift change. That’s how it feels to be in Europe while America sleeps…I want to scream…wake up America but then realize, I’m the one in the wrong time zone, not y’all.
Thanks AKm: You never cease to amaze a concrete girl like me who is learning to appreciate all life and the beauty of nature . Thank you for turning my nature light bulb on!!! I am so much more aware of all life around me. Thanks again!!!
I posted this earlier but I am willing to bet all the New yorkers were sleeping. So I re-post it here:
I want to personally apologize to all New Yorkers for Van Flein’s tasteless comment about people in NY not helping each other.
I have lived in many places (53rd and 3rd in Manhattan was one of them).
Alaska and NYC are probably the two that stand out the most in terms of actually feeling like one belongs to a neighborhood (no offense to other states and towns).
One of the great things about NYC was how you got to know everyone in your own little pieces of it (where you worked and where you slept, shopped, etc).
The people might not help you build your house but they walked me to the subway late at night and we had great block parties on our stoop, etc.
In Alaska, we have fundraisers every other week for people who are sick and without insurance (or underinsured) or people who have had misfortunes (houses burning down, floods in Eagle, people hungry and cold in the West).
Unfortunately, our soon to be ex-gov does not seem to fall into the norm in terms of helping the neighbor part. She just babbles stuff like “it isn’t constitutional” and refuses to help (or shows up later with cookies and prayers). I guess they are still waiting for gravel in Eagle???
Anyway. He might spout that crap but I don’t. And I sincerely hope that Parnell doesn’t see the need to try to “speak for all Alaskans” either with his lips or through his attorney. There are far too many “rugged individuals” up here for anyone to speak for all of us.
So….sorry.
Muppet2 – My daughter spent the past year in S. Korea and the 13 hr. time difference nearly fried my brain, especially going in to the weekends. Add to that my odd insomnia sleep pattern (sleep from 8pm – midnight. Listen to NPR or Coast to Coast. Sleep again from 3-4am. Back to the desk to start the day) and then the time differences between EST and Alaska and I’ve given up looking at a clock at all. I’ve decided to adopt a “time is an illusion” mentality. Makes my head hurt less.
ha! Just read AKM’s twitter : ** When Sean Parnell takes over from Sarah Palin, will he just use the same monogrammed towels in the governor’s mansion? **
(still no twitter from Palin, eh ? perhaps all that salmon slaying has wiped her out. outside of dragons, them salmon are the peskiest to slay)
NYHawk
Loved the letters in response to that blog from the NYTimes. A favorite response:
“Nice try, Prof. Fish, but your naive sentiments are belied by Sarah Barracuda’s partisan past. This is a woman who has thrived her whole career on sharp-elbowed wedge politics. She’s either a liar or a hypocrite about her reasons for quitting, which is why she should be taunted and booed until our throats are hoarse. ”
and this one:
” I can’t spare them too much sympathy, considering the way they treated others in similar situations. When Palin and Sanford were on top, they seemed more than happy to bare their fangs, along with disgusting amounts of moralizing and self-righteousness. Reminds me of that saying, “be nice to people you meet on the way up; you meet the same ones on the way down.” May they both find peace and happiness in public life. And I hope no one buys their books.”
and then there was the one about McCain trying to sell us “a mad cow”
Too funny.
AKM: Love the moose pictures. It’s so easy to fall in love with Alaska through your pictures and others’. more, more!
NYHawk: Many are extremely well written. Almost all of them are anti-Palin. That should be “many are extremely well written, so of course most of them are anti-Palin.”
perhaps Sarah’s twitter was rudely silenced in Bristol Bay as the result of being slapped by many fish.
lovemydogs said: In Alaska, we have fundraisers every other week for people who are sick and without insurance (or underinsured) or people who have had misfortunes (houses burning down, floods in Eagle, people hungry and cold in the West).
——————
I read your previous post earlier this morning and that part caught my attention. I live in an area called “South Buffalo”. The rest of Buffalo pays little attention to us and we’re sort of a separate breed. We’re a community of mom n pop businesses and a lot of the folks live in the same neighborhoods they grew up in. Familes have been in place for generations. We also do the weekly fundraisers, church BBQs , block parties, playground building, etc. We all know each other and you can always count on neighbors to pitch in to help after a blizzard or when a garage needs rebuilding or a garden needs to be tilled. When I moved back to my childhood home after my Mom died I decided to commit myself to the area and I started an online newspaper. http://www.southbuffaloonline.com I do a lot of barter work with the local businesses so they can get advertising and I do all work for the churches, schools and non-profits at no cost.
So, as for Van Flein ( every time I read his name I hear AKMs “snidely whiplash” sinister version ) He’s an arrogant idiot who knows not of what he speaks. I think that’s a prerequisite to be part of the Palin crew. Every time I hear Palin spouting off about “average hard working Americans” vs “the liberal bloggers”, I wanna smack her and yell, ” I happen to be both, ya twit. Being an average, small town American citizen does NOT automatically mean I’m going to buy in to your wild eyed, seven mountain, save-the-world-for-Jesus” agenda that is cleverly disguised as “conservative family values” Hooey!
So thanks lovemydogs! And if you’re ever in South Buffalo, stop on by and I’ll take you to one of our community shindigs.
Here is Palin’s latest reasoning why she quit:
DILLINGHAM — Gov. Sarah Palin, three days after abruptly announcing she would resign as governor, said Monday that she did it because ethics complaints and politically ambitious state legislators would have been paralyzing.”Especially when all these lawmakers are lining up for office. Their desire would be to clobber the administration left and right so that they can position themselves for office. I’m not going to put Alaskans through that,” the governor said, wearing a Cabela’s fishing bib as she stood on a Bristol Bay beach outside Dillingham.
Palin, who will hand power over to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell on July 26, said she was particularly frustrated by the ethics complaints filed against her and costs and time involved for the state in dealing with them.
“It’s a combination of things that has brought me to this place of knowing. I love Alaskans too much to put them through a lame duck session heading into my final year in office; I was going to be honest and tell them I’m not going to run for re-election. I’m not going to let Alaskans go through a year of stymied, paralyzed administration and not getting anything done. I’m going to let Sean Parnell take this and we will see that things will let up,” she said.
http://www.adn.com/palin/story/855907.html
Later she says that she did not take the complaints personally it was more about the cost to Alaskans.
Buffalo gal…thumbs up!
I’ve got news for the world outside of Alaska. We in Alaska have NO IDEA why she quit. We couldn’t figure it out from her word salad. I went to work yesterday and asked people “why do you think she quit?” Other than the right-wing crazy people who are touting her for POTUS, everyone else said “I don’t know and I don’t think we will ever know” and walked away shaking their heads. How pathetic is that?
Re article that Eye On You found:
What a bunch of crap. She’s still spouting poor me, poor me, lame duck, blah, blah, blah.
If you hadn’t taken the attack dog stance during the national election and gone for your own “blood sport politics”…If you didn’t act unethically and DID YOUR JOB and quit whining people would have respected you. If Parnell doesn’t do his job he won’t be let up on either.
She needs to just shut up and fish if that is what she wants to do. Guess what Scarah, you quit.
And what commercial fisherman wears Cabela’s? We were out there in sweat pants with holes, old T-shirts or sweatshirts and a good pair of slickers. No one can afford to get their Cabela’s wear covered with fish slime.
Buffalogal:
Thanks for the invite. If I am ever in the neighborhood I will most definitely take you up on it.
Kate Snow on ABC’s Good Morning America just had a short interview with Sarah . Sarah is interviewed standing in waders helping Todd pull in the fish . No naughty monkey shoes this time. Sarah repeats the reasons for quitting as saving Alaska money by stopping the lawsuits and again seems to misstate the actual amounts of money involved. (Interesting just to see how the fishing is actually done.)
Why is she out fishing when she supposedly has a state to run and shredding of documents to do? Never mind getting that tanning bed home (who paid for that? does she get to keep it?)
I’m loving the AK pics, too! MI is a beautiful state, but we don’t have mountains and moose. The moose seem very calm, not startled easily by humans. Slow moving.
Here, it’s the deer we watch out for. They’re very dangerous, especially out where BF lives, south of Jackson. They will just dart into the road (usually at dusk, when vision is a little impaired). It’s scary.
When we first started dating 12 years ago, I had a Fiero (small, plastic 2-seater). I would be absolutely TERRIFIED driving to his house after work on those dark country roads in the winter. When one crosses the road, you have no idea how many friends/family they brought along that are just off the road waiting to cross.
Alot of folks have yellow reflectors on their mailboxes that, from a distance, can trick the eyes into believing they are deer eyes reflecting from headlights. I kept demanding that an ordinance be put in place demanding only BLUE reflectors near the road. BF thought I was crazy. He’s much more brave than I. But when the deer is bigger than your plastic toy car, it’s frightening. Getting home was almost paralyzing sometimes.
I loved that car and had it forever. Dad was on the Chasis Design Team for it and our family knew it before it was even named… It was just a 2SME (2-seat, mid-engine). He even framed the CAD drawings of early development. Supposedly, my name is on them for when he dies.
GREAT NEWS: My green peppers are finally developing! The biggest might be the size of a quarter. I’m SUCH a “farmer in the big city”!!!! I check them every day and suddenly, this one (and a few smaller ones) just appeared like magic. Oh, my “farming” is limited to romaine lettuce and the peppers in pots. LOL!
Andrea Mitchell’s report is next on Morning Joe. More boo hooing from Buttercup, I’m sure.
Everyone tuning in to the meeting tonite? I hope they go back to potty talk… that was HILARIOUS entertainment!!! I wonder, though, if all the glamour of bussing in from Wasilla might have faded by now? Maybe they won’t show up in the numbers they did previously.
We should make it into a drinking game. Every time someone talks about men in dresses, everyone drinks. Note to self: Check Rum Supply!
Lacking moose in Australia, we don’t call “Roo!” unless there’s one hopping across the road right in front of the car – because the car always loses the contest.
The most interesting thing that we here in southern Australia could ever see (and most people in my state live their whole lives without ever seeing one) is the lyre bird. I saw one when I was twelve. I was on a weekend hike with my teacher (in those days teachers were able to combine their love of hiking with their love of teaching) and I was dawdling because I was always the kid who was endlessly fascinated by the natural world; so, when everybody else was long gone, the lyre bird felt it was safe to come out – and I saw it!
The lyre bird was named for its tail, which – when it’s upright – resembles a lyre. But because of its incredible ability for mimicry, it should be called the ‘liar bird”.
This video from the amazing David Attenborough shows the reclusive lyre bird imitating the calls around him: a camera shutter; a camera with automatic drive; a car alarm; and a chainsaw. I’m happy to add that the lyre bird I saw was in a national park and far away from David Attenborough.
Thank you, AKM – so often when I read your posts I’m reminded of wonderful things.
And Stupid forgot the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjE0Kdfos4Y&feature=fvw
I have fancied David Attenborough since I was practically a little girl …. is that a bad thing?
Breaking News: MJ is STILL dead. Thank GOD the funeral is today. I don’t think I can stand another day of 12 hour “updates” on how if you don’t have a ticket, stay away from the Staples Center.
Who’s paying for all the security and such? I would hope LA bills the estate for this. They are certainly in no position to pick up the tab themselves.
I saw a quick headline that tix are available on ebay. Wonder how much folks are willing to pay for such a thing? Thousands, I’m sure. I’m also positive that much of the 1.5M people requesting tix were in it for the cash potential rather than fandom.
Greetings mudflatters.. its 11:32pm wednesday here in new zealand. I have been a LONG LONG time follower of this blog ever since the primaries at the start of last years election, obviously when GINO Sarah Palin was introduced as the VP pick. I don’t know why I have been so lazy about joining wordpress (which is not letting me login right now) so that I could be a regular commenter here. I wake up in the morning and read the latest posts here and on several other Alaskan blogs I have had the pleasure of following for so long. The firrst thing I do when I get home from work is also to check and read through every single comment. I guess GINO’s retirement announcement shocked me enough to introduce myself. I feel like I already know you all well. So I will look forward to contributing in future and keeping the other late night / or foreigners company when the blog is at its quietest. The last few days have just been craziness and I have gone from despising what GINO has said and pretended to stand for, to simply looking on her and mainly her poor children with great pity. The woman is severely unhinged. Coming from a background in Abnormal Psych my change of opinion has come about because the narcissicistic Palin appears to be crashing badly, I hope I am wrong. I may never have liked the woman but I would not wish her harm.
So anyway, its finally nice to meet you all and be a proper mudflatter. So hello from New Zealand
samper: Oh they’ll be there. Pervo was firing them up on Sunday. Still moaning about how we want his church to lose their 501(c) status because he is mixing politics and religion and how that would mean that every other 501(c) in town should then lose their non-profit status just because he does. Jerk.
A while back I posted about a Jewish temple that welcomed the LGBT community and how they were picketed by some Baptists. The temple suggested to their members that they should donate a dollar for every minute that the picketers stood out there. They made $10,000 in 50 minutes. Ha! I love that story.
Wow!
What an absolutely COOL bird, Aussie! Pretty AND talented!!!
Everyone! Go take a look at Aussie’s link!!!
samper: I heard that they were advertising the tickets on E-bay for 12 to 20 thousand dollars. Just buy a CD. It is way cheaper. I have to say I really like the Jackson 5 when I was a kid.
Still having trouble understanding why an Anchorage ordinance is so important to the Wasilla Wackos. Do they have any actual stake in this ordinance?
samper: Because “god” is telling them to do this. It is this month’s holy crusade/fatwah.
Samper – Drive up to Baraga and head south. That’s were MI’s moose are. Also, the Huron Mountains are near there. Not as impressive as AK’s mountains, but mountains none the less.
sorry, probably mis-spelled fatwha.
Motown was crazy for the J5 back in the day. They recorded their first hits in what is now a Motown Museum, called “Hitsville USA”. It’s a small house on Woodward Ave (main drag), but still has the original studio they recorded in. Its’ where Barry Gordy changed the world of music.
$20K. Crazy! You can Tivo it off any major network today, I’m sure. And the views will be better, there will be commentary on what you’re seeing, etc. To go and sit in the audience? I can think of few things more disagreeable than fighting the crowds to do so while simultaneously being $20K lighter in the pocketbook.
Better to donate that $20K to a good charity!!!!!
lovemydogs:
As a New Yorker, let me respond to your apology by saying — there is no need for you to apologize. It is abundantly obvious that Van Fluff is a light weight lawyer and a schmuck. His “threatening” letter was lame, unprofessional and a very stupid tactical strategy. Of course, we all now know that it backfired and accomplished nothing positive. Nobody was intimidated and shut up about any Palin rumors. Instead, the rumors became internationally known and are being repeated and repeated. And Palin’s outrageous bullying shenanigans probably pissed off free speech mavens everywhere.
But, an unintended positive consequence of Van Fluff’s “threatening” letter was to embolden and further unify the Alaskan and world-wide blogging community.
Additionally, by unnecessarily disclosing all sorts of heretofore unknown “facts” in his “threatening” letter, Van Fluff gratuitously gave the professional investigators and amateur sleuths all sorts of interesting leads — to investigate, fact-check and verify or debunk. Or, maybe, ultimately prove that the “facts” are lies. Basic common sense says that it is never a smart idea to freely give the other side all sorts of potentially damaging ammunition. It’s called “shooting yourself in the foot.” To be charitable, that was not a very brilliant idea. More like amateurish and unsophisticated.
So, if Housegate eventually gets legs and Palin is found to have done something shady, I wouldn’t be surprised if the “facts” disclosed by Van Fluff in his letter turn out to be (or lead to) the smoking gun that ultimately brings down Palin. She can thank her dumb lawyer for exposing her to that possibility.
So, like I said, he’s a schmuck.
I rest my case.
I have to go to bed now. Gotta get up and defrost my old, glaciated freezer to make room for freezer burned fish donations for the dogs. The things we do for our “babies”. Good morning all- good night for me.
Oh, I know we have moose way up north… I guess I misspoke and was referring to mostly the southern half of the lower peninsula.
In fact, there was a big deal several years ago about how we were air lifting Canadian moose into MI to repopulate. It was a big deal back then (15 years ago, maybe??).
And the “mountains”… I think of the likes of CO, AK and such. No comparison. The only mountain I’ve ever really been interested in locating was Boyne, for the skiing!
NYHawk: I just felt the need to let you know that not all Alaskans think that way.
Hugs to NY.
I really have to go to bed now.
Good morning! Those of you involved with the live blog during KO and Shanynn’s interview did a great job. When I got home last night, I read those before watching the actual show. So fun to read your comments.
Regarding the $2 million dollar cost for ethics complaints, please read Henkimaa’s post http://www.henkimaa.com. It is well researched and pretty much one-stop shopping for facts and sources . I wish all reporters would be required to read up on the pesky facts before repeating that two million number.
You know… for every “scandal of victimization” SP suffers, she makes it monumentally worse by opening her big mouth.
Look at the Letterman thing. Had she just left it alone, the only folks who would have been aware are his audience, who probably just groaned at the joke and forgot it as quickly as the next one came around the bend. She found out about it via Ziegler. Big Surprise.
She made it into a world wide issue, gave it legs, and gave him tons of fodder for jokes. Was that in anyone’s best interest besides Dave’s?
NOPE!
God just told me to cut the lawn today. He didn’t say anything about being exclusionary, hating, or being fanatical, though. He didn’t tell me that the LBGT community was evil, either, or that they shouldn’t have basic rights.
What God are they talking to?
Love the pictures. I bet there’s some terrific odor attached to that wet moose.
Prevo’s a ‘fame’ hound and like the Pharisees, is not a sincere practitioner of his professed faith. I hope his church does lose their tax exempt status, they’re not practicing religion, they’re ‘playing politics’.
Goodnight lovemydogs!
Aussie – I laughed, I applauded and I played it thrice. Fabulous! I’m a big Attenborough fan. Thanks for the link. I’m hoping it leads me to one of my
favorite segments of the series. It’s a bird that creates funky assemblage
art nests out of found beads, bits of sparkly stuff, seeds, etc. in order to
attract a wife. For the life of me I can’t remember the name of the bird but
it was so flippin cool !
And I’m still trying to figure out the 2 million cost to the state that Palin’s talking about in the article EyeOnYou posted earlier . http://www.adn.com/palin/story/855907.html If it’s 2 million not including the $300,000 for the personnel board, where’s that money going ? She mentions the technicians who have to pull the emails but I thought that’s what Celtic Diva’s $5K is going for. I’m even rather stymied at the $300K for the personnel board. They make $100K a piece? Do they even work full time? And, how can she complain about that cost when it was entirely her call to go through that board?
Question – When were the most recent complaints filed? Were there any coming down the pike ?
Morning Joe just announced that Andrea Mitchell’s Palin interview is up next. I am in WA and I get MJ from 3-6am pst. Doesn’t seem to matter what time zone, though, Mika is a twit and Joe has still written that book.
As for Van Flein (the Whiffer), I think he’s just gettin’ while the gettin’s good. I’m sure he knows the former Governor’s an idiot, and his defense will be that he’s just doing what she told him to do. That was a really stupid press release he made, but maybe he figures if his pockets are full he won’t have to practice law in the future.
Thanks AKM for the moose pics. I appreciate also your explanations and observations regarding these majestic animals. It occurred to me in the one photo how the female moose head resembles a horse. I feel kinda stupid at my ignorance but heck down here on the TX Gulf Coast I’m smiling today!
BuffalGal, about the 2 million cost to the state topic, check this out. It’s probably all you’ll ever need to know and then some:
http://www.henkimaa.com/2009/07/07/the-2-million-dollar-meme/
@ BuffaloGal
She mentions the technicians who have to pull the emails but I thought that’s what Celtic Diva’s $5K is going for.
——–
Me, too. Perhaps there are some government types who aren’t just asking and have no intention of paying. (I can dream!)
NYHawk
Thanks for the link. Being a visual type, I’m loving all the ‘visuals’.
.
Get ready for another media feeding frenzy, Alaskans: Michael Jackson’s not dead. He’s alive & well and building a new Neverland in the Wasilla Dome, and backing Palin for Prez.
.
@GA Peach
Like visuals? Then visualize this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/henkimaa/3695634201/sizes/o/
Morning Joe- Andrea Mitchell interviews Buttercup. At msnbc.com you can follow the links to online clips. (Morning Joe is also available through podcasts on iTunes.) After AM’s interview, Joe says what he thinks Buttercup should have said in her quitter speech. Eugene Robinson follows up that she might initially do well running in 2012 with some people, but she is a quitter and that would come through. No rigor or determination to get things done. Mika agrees with them all, but she defends her as a woman. To Andrea Mitchell, Sarah says “You’re not listening to me, this is costing the state money and that’s not what I am about.” Mika is thinking that she is getting brutalized because she is a woman, but Mika is projecting. (Mika lost a broadcasting job for being an older woman or something like that, and Mika more blithering than normal due to her father being on the previous segment.) Mika finds her admirable for balancing children and a job. (Take snark break) Eugene doesn’t buy it- lots of groundbreakers throughout history have a toughness and focus to get things done. He doesn’t see that in Palin. Actually this isn’t a bad clip as far as having something to yell at the TV about.
did everyone see the story about the shoe swiping fox?
http://tinyurl.com/m6a83p
Wonder if there were any red naughty monkeys in the den!
Palin Complains About Her Unfair Ethics Complaints — While Committing Another One.
No, Palin is no quitter — she just won’t quit committing ethics violations.
Fox News’ s Robert Shaffer and Dan Springer report from the scene of the crime:
“Standing astride a fishing boat she would later climb aboard to haul in fishing nets and salmon, Palin expressed bitterness at bloggers who peppered her with ethics accusations, whom she said brought government in Alaska to a grinding halt.”
Any ethical ethics board would likely find that working for the family business to generate salmon income while still holding the title of governor of a state which forbids its top official from accepting outside income would be a glaring ethics violations.
Only Sarah would be dumb enough to violate the statute under the glare of a national news team camera lights.
See: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/07/palin-blasts-critics-resignation-an
@NYHawk
Wow! I wish ADN, Faux and CNN were in the business of journalism and would report this.
Just watched Palin being interviewed by Andrea Mitchell. Crazy. Crazy. Crazy. She as at some fishing village on a lake with poor Piper and Trig drug along on the windy shore as props.
My favorite line was when Andrea Mitchell asked her if quitting as governor meant she couldn’t handle the nitty-gritty of politics.
Palin (incredulous): “Nitty gritty? You mean like this fish slime?”
So apparently if you’re tough enough to touch a dead fish you’re tough enough to be governor. Not for all four years, but you’re tough enough to be governor.
BuffaloGal Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 3:54 AM
I’m even rather stymied at the $300K for the personnel board. They make $100K a piece? Do they even work full time? And, how can she complain about that cost when it was entirely her call to go through that board?
————
The Board doesn’t get paid. BUT they do hire lawyers to do the investigations on all the complaints.
===========
Question – When were the most recent complaints filed? Were there any coming down the pike ?
————
The latest was filed yesterday. AKM posted it last night. There are apparently 2 (?) more in the works.
Winners never quit. Quitters never win.
and for the techno age: Twitters might be twits.
Sad day for a local moose here in Maine:
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/6570840.html
Note the name of the store it broke in to visit!
Kind of disgusting how MSM is all in SP’s corner all of a sudden…
Here’s a thought (just randomly deveoped in this crazy brain of mine!):
WHAT IF: SP didn’t abort her term and decided, instead, to just do her job? And when I say JUST do her job, that means, NOT showing up at snowmobile races in full regalia advertising, NOT claiming per diem, NOT attacking comedians and media, NOT whining, NOT complaining, NOT leaving the state on controversial speaking engagements when Leg is in session, NOT demanding stage time at events, NOT doing the Beauty Queen Parade wave in NY when she should be home in AK running the State, NOT trotting her kids out into the public (much less in atrocious outfits (Willow, NY), NOT thinking a plate of cookies is going to help Eagle residents, NOT expecting the State to pay for family travel, NOT expecting per diem for graduations, etc.
Why not just do her job? Surprisingly, I bet all her woes would magically disappear.
And if the ethics complaints were “frivolous”, then why would they “cost MILLIONS” when frivolity demands they are dismissed out of hand?
That woman has absolutely no clue. She could have finished her term quietly doing good things for AK instead of creating situations where she is the butt of jokes, under scrutiny (housegate, taxes), and closely observed in her behavior (catgate).
It’d be FINE if she were recalled. But to QUIT? When she could have just kept her head down and WORKED instead of making every single thing she did into a national photo op?
aero: Very sad story, indeed.
14 EyeOnYou Says: July 7th, 2009 at 2:45 AM
Here is Palin’s latest reasoning why she quit:
“…
a) ‘Especially when all these lawmakers are lining up for office. Their desire would be to clobber the administration left and right so that they can position themselves for office. I’m not going to put Alaskans through that…’
b) she was particularly frustrated by the ethics complaints filed against her and costs and time involved for the state in dealing with them. …”
_____________
a) what a wuss. politicians take shots at each other all the time, Sarah Palin included. Her whole phony reform schpeil was based on attacking other politicians. As for “put[ting} Alaskan thru that,” lemme tell you that quitting midstream puts them thru significantly more. Some, I am sure, are quite entertained by political cheapshots. And a few see some of these “cheapshots” as truth; so, it’s not really about putting Alaskans thru anything except the whinings of a drama queen.
b) how much of state government worked on the ethics complaints? What a bold faced lie that is. The agency hires an outside investigator to “investigate” the complaints, not “state government.” Is John Moller investigating ethics complaints? Meg Stapleton? Bill McAllister? The state’s AG? No. This statement of hers is just like too many of her other statements: a lie.
Since I’m on about lies… she lies and misleads when she complains about the cost to her wallet. As the chief exec of the state, ethics complaints filed against her could be handled by the Dept of Law or state AG. She decided to hire her own personal attorney. That’s not on that filers; that is on HER.
So shut up already, Sarah Palin. Go back to harvesting the salmon the villagers are not allowed access to while you continue to collect your $125k salary. And get your freaking face off my television.
NYHawk – thanks for the link. At first it helped but then I got confused again. (but i’m thinking the confusion has less to do with me and more to do with Palin spin)
I have a feeling Palin saw it too, or someone pointed those numbers out to her because in this morning’s ADN article she mentions the $300K as separate from the $2 million.
*** Palin said Monday she didn’t view the cost as just the $300,000 for the personnel board — but rather $2 million for the state. It is a figure her administration now uses — not meant to be actual checks written by the state but to also reflect time of state employees.
It is a per-hour calculation that the Palin administration put together, involving time spent by state lawyers deciding which public information to release as a result of all public records requests, time spent by governor’s office staffers responding to media inquiries about ethics complaints, and time technicians spend on retrieving requested e-mail, among other things.
“That huge waste that we have seen with the countless, countless hours that state staff is spending on these frivolous ethics violations and the millions of dollars that Alaskans are spending, that money not going to things that are very important, like troopers and roads and teachers and fish research,” Palin said. ****
So my confusion is with a few things like, just how many people are answering media inquiries about ethics complaints? And, isn’t there a particular person designated for that job ? And, the money that is going to pay staff isn’t the same money that would go for troopers and roads and fish research, right? All separate parts of the government would be my guess. AND- $2 million divided by the 9 months since she’s been back is $230 per month. Just how much does a state employee make for goodness sake? AND – what exactly is involved in an ethics complaint? For example, Arctic Cat – other than the 3 personnel board people, what had to be done ?
And lastly, in the great link of the breakdown that NYHawk gave us, why in the livin’ flip are there totals for certain cases but the case is listed as , “unknown” ? I’m sorry – but the source of the data is the Alaska Personnel Board, right ? For $100K each, you’d think they’d be able to keep track of little things like, I dunno – the name of the case maybe ??
Like Morgan @50 reported, Andrea Mitchell interviews Buttercup on Morning Joe. (At msnbc site you can follow the links to online clips. Morning Joe is also available through podcasts on iTunes.) After AM’s interview, Joe, in his pompous drawl, says what he thinks Buttercup should have said in her quitter speech. Eugene Robinson follows up that she might initially do well running in 2012 with some people, but she is a quitter and that would come through. No rigor or determination to get things done. Mika agrees with them all, but she defends her as a woman. To Andrea Mitchell, Sarah says “You’re not listening to me, this is costing the state money and that’s not what I am about.” Mika is thinking that she is getting brutalized because she is a woman, but Mika is projecting. (Mika lost a broadcasting job for being an older woman or something like that, and Mika is more blithering than normal due to her father being on the previous segment.) Mika finds her admirable for balancing children and a job. (Take snark break) Eugene doesn’t buy it- lots of groundbreakers throughout history have a toughness and focus to get things done. He doesn’t see that in Palin. Actually this isn’t a bad clip as far as having something to yell at the TV about.
Morning everyone.
So I read the Palin interview/rant in the ADN a little while ago: “The governor repeatedly returned to the subject of ethics complaints filed against her during her 10-minute interview…saying she spent “most of my day, and my staff, most of their day and the department of law, a lot of their day on the frivolity [“repeatedly” in 10 minutes??]….Palin said Monday she didn’t view the cost as just the $300,000 for the personnel board — but rather $2 million for the state. It is a figure her administration now uses — not meant to be actual checks written by the state but to also reflect time of state employees.” [so they pulled this number out of their @ss? Sweet].
Annoyed that she is still harping on the complaints (as opposed to saving her political career), I did some research. There is a lot here on the ethics board/the law/Palin and I don’t want to obnoxiously flood the comments, so I am going to send it in sections, if that’s okay. I’m sorry if you don’t care about any of this, but I find it really interesting. And I would love to know what you all think. So this is what I found out (and understand, the analysis is just my own speculation):
BuffaloGal Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 4:35 AM
And lastly, in the great link of the breakdown that NYHawk gave us, why in the livin’ flip are there totals for certain cases but the case is listed as , “unknown” ? I’m sorry – but the source of the data is the Alaska Personnel Board, right ? For $100K each, you’d think they’d be able to keep track of little things like, I dunno – the name of the case maybe ??
—————-
The cases are only labeled with numbers because they are all about openness and transparency! The ones that have been identified were not id’ed by the Board, but by others, extrapolating from the dates.
1. The Executive Branch Ethics Act (EBEA) does not apply to FORMER public officials. Meaning, any pending ethic complaints against Palin will automatically be dismissed once she leaves office, because there is no longer jurisdiction to hear such a complaint.
Sec. 39.52.910. Applicability.
(a) Except as specifically provided, this chapter applies to all public officers within
executive-branch agencies, including members of boards or commissions. This chapter does not
apply to:
(1) a former public officer of an executive-branch agency
Rep. Walker Resigns, No Ethics Investigation: http://kcpw.org/article/6278
“In a letter yesterday, Rep. Mark Walker resigned his position…The House Ethics Committee was set to decide this morning whether to investigate a complaint…But since Walker has resigned, the complaint is moot, explained legislative counsel John Fellows. Fellows: “Because Rep. Walker is no longer a member of the legislature, this committee lacks jurisdiction over the complaint. There is nothing this committee can do in terms of adjudicating that complaint.”
I find it…curious/weird/coincidental….that she has been relentless, in terms of bitching about these complaints. It is almost as if she is really angry. Like really really angry that she had to resign. And like she blames the “democratic bloggers,” as she once affectionately called us in a press release, for having to resign. Now, why is she so pissed off? I think that the only consistent reason she has given for resigning is the multitude of ethics complaints. If her resignation was planned for weeks, only in the best interests of Alaska and her family, shouldn’t she be happier? Or if not happy, just relieved that she no longer has to deal with our “frivolous” complaints anymore? But she isn’t. She is really, really angry – but why? Could it be that (at least) one of the 18 complaints was found to be meritorious? After all, to borrow her love of sports’ analogies, “it just takes one pitch to hit the ball.” And under the EBEA, even if she was found in violation of the law, she does not have to disclose the results. Ever. Only the Governor can waive confidentiality…and now, shockingly, she is no longer the Governor.
1. The Executive Branch Ethics Act (EBEA) does not apply to FORMER public officials. Meaning, any pending ethic complaints against Palin will automatically be dismissed once she leaves office, because there is no longer jurisdiction to hear such a complaint.
Sec. 39.52.910. Applicability.
(a) Except as specifically provided, this chapter applies to all public officers within
executive-branch agencies, including members of boards or commissions. This chapter does not
apply to:
(1) a former public officer of an executive-branch agency
Rep. Walker Resigns, No Ethics Investigation: http://kcpw.org/article/6278
“In a letter yesterday, Rep. Mark Walker resigned his position…The House Ethics Committee was set to decide this morning whether to investigate a complaint…But since Walker has resigned, the complaint is moot, explained legislative counsel John Fellows. Fellows: “Because Rep. Walker is no longer a member of the legislature, this committee lacks jurisdiction over the complaint. There is nothing this committee can do in terms of adjudicating that complaint.”
JHop, just remember, only one link per post, or you might end up in spam!
I find it…curious/weird/coincidental….that she has been relentless, in terms of bitching about these complaints. It is almost as if she is really angry. Like really really angry that she had to resign. And like she blames the “democratic bloggers,” as she once affectionately called us in a press release, for having to resign. Why is she so pissed off? I think that the only consistent reason she has given for resigning is the multitude of ethics complaints. If her resignation was planned for weeks, only in the best interests of Alaska and her family, shouldn’t she be happier? Or if not happy, just relieved that she no longer has to deal with our “frivolous” complaints anymore? But she isn’t. She is really, really angry – but why? Could it be that (at least) one of the 18 complaints was found to be meritorious? After all, to borrow her love of sports’ analogies, “it just takes one pitch to hit the ball.” And under the EBEA, even if she was found in violation of the law, she does not have to disclose the results. Ever. Only the Governor can waive confidentiality…and now, shockingly, she is no longer the Governor.
I find it…curious/weird/coincidental….that she has been relentless, in terms of whining about these complaints. It is almost as if she is really angry. Like really really angry that she had to resign. And like she blames the “democratic bloggers,” as she once affectionately called us in a press release, for having to resign. Why is she so pissed off? I think that the only consistent reason she has given for resigning is the multitude of ethics complaints. If her resignation was planned for weeks, only in the best interests of Alaska and her family, shouldn’t she be happier? Or if not happy, just relieved that she no longer has to deal with our “frivolous” complaints anymore? But she isn’t. She is really, really angry – but why? Could it be that (at least) one of the 18 complaints was found to be meritorious? After all, to borrow her love of sports’ analogies, “it just takes one pitch to hit the ball.” And under the EBEA, even if she was found in violation of the law, she does not have to disclose the results. Ever. Only the Governor can waive confidentiality…and now, shockingly, she is no longer the Governor.
JHop:
when do you sleep?
take a look at my post #32 and tell me what you think. thanks
theproblemchild say: The Board doesn’t get paid. BUT they do hire lawyers to do the investigations on all the complaints.
—————————
ah! ok – that sheds some light. Thanks! (by the by – I meant to say that $2 million divided by 9 months is $230K per month, not $230)
Thanks also for the info about the recent ethics complaints. Hadn’t seen that yet. It makes me wonder if perhaps she really did just flat out Snap.
We’ve noticed the weight loss and the round the clock twittering. We know she’s on a mission from God to get into a national office of some sort in order to fulfill her anointed mandate, we know she thinks she should be able to do any dang things feels necessary in order to get there (until a court tells her she can’t) so …. If her nerves were entirely fried from caffeine, no sleep, whatever number of children she really has, running about the lower 48, fighting with photoshoppers and comics, etc and then 3 more complaints get slapped in her face – maybe she really did just go bonkers and scream, “THAT’S FREAKIN IT! I’m outta here! Kids? Are ya with me?? ” Alaska is not her main focus. The Republican party isn’t her focus. It’s all about doing God’s work within this Joel’s Army Takin Over the Seven Mountains thing. Time’s a-tickin’ according to them and there is much work to be done. She’s been groomed by them to get into a seat of power somewhere and if it can’t be directly to a 2012 run then another route will have to do. I’ll be you anything that’s what she meant by “advancing in a different direction”.
I entirely agree she’s got a closet chock full of skeletons but I’ve been saying for awhile now that I think being a general in the army for Jesus is her main agenda and nothing can get in the way of it. Not her kids, not the skeletons, and not a silly little thing like serving out her term. Just ain’t important in the big end days scheme of things. When she uses the word team, it’s all about team Jesus. Same with the phrase “values that are important to me”. I think that’s why she said “i’ll work with anyone who’s values I believe in and it doesn’t matter if they’re Republican or Democrat.”
That’s my theory and I’m runnin’ that basketball straight to the hoop while calling audibles and slappin dead non-swimming fish about while being pressed in court fully by the team. You betcha.
Thanks problem child – i didn’t know that!
2. Palin’s refusal to include the value of the Arctic Cat sponsorship on her financial disclosure forms is arguably a violation, on its face. I still believe that the complaint, as it was written, lacked documentary support to succeed – at least in terms of the ethics board decision. Basically, Palin was required to disclose any source of income, including that of her family, over $1,000.
http://www.law.state.ak.us/pdf/opinions/opinions_2000/00-024_661010087.pdf
Memorandum, State of Alaska, Dept of Law: 9/21/2000: “Public officials…must report their income sources and business interests (and those of close family members) to the Alaska Public Offices Commission, AS 24.60.200 and AS 39.50.020, which then makes the reports available to the public. AS 24.60.230, AS 39.50.020(b)….The public official financial disclosure law requires the reporting of all sources of income over $1,000 in a calendar year. AS 39.50.030(b)(1)…. AS 39.52.960(22) states: “[S]ource of income” means an entity for which service is performed for compensation or which is the origin of payment… An earlier memorandum…concluded that any interest, however small…triggered the requirement to disclose…. Alaska Statute 39.50.010(b)(3) provides that requiring…office holders to disclose their personal and business financial interests is a compelling state interest. This larger purpose of the law – opening the financial interests of public officials…to public scrutiny – supports reading any exceptions narrowly.”
And don’t forget, if there was a settlement of the complaint (the only outstanding one, until last night, was re: the legal fund trust), my understanding is that the complainant had to agree to the settlement as well. It would be very, very hard, to never ever speak of it, BUT, to know, even secretly, that you had been the one to bring her down would be, well, very satisfying. “Well, I withdrew the complaint, but in exchange, she had to quit.” Mmmhmm.
Sarah just thought she wanted to be governor. What she really wanted was to be famous and universally loved (and now she’s infamous – probably not what she was going for).
And yes, JHop, as a former legal secretary, I find sarah’s machinations, and your take on them, fascinating. Please keep posting.
I have a couple of theories why Palin abruptly quit. Yes, she could not handle being exposed for what she really is. I think Scary Sarah wants to be crowned the Queen of the Alaskan Independence Party. She thinks that she is so politically savvy, has enough support, so that she can have Alaska secede from the union and be it’s Queen for life. Of course, she gets to appoint her own successor.
She’s just crazy, stupid and narcissistic enough to try any way!
Maybe the point of showcasing the $2 million figure is a cover-up for the embezzlement in the Alaska fund. Fund is suddenly dry due to those pesky ethics complaints.
I would love love LOVE to see full disclosure on the ethics complaints.
Let’s say Joe Blow was in charge of pulling emails. What is his salary? Where is his timesheet accounting for time spent on ethics charges? And, if that’s part of his JOB, how does it equal additional dollars spent? It’s just part of his daily duties. Period.
If those duties pull him away from other things, well, then, he should do what the rest of us do… work UNPAID overtime to catch up (I’ve always been salaried without OT pay (is that exempt or non-exempt? I always get the two confused). I would assume the administration is of equal status. You work until the job is done. And when bonus time rolls around or you want to sneak away for a long weekend when you’re caught up, it is gladly given to you for your dedication at other times.
My last job was awesome that way… I worked ALOT of unpaid OT. But bonuses were generous, time off was freely given (within reason and without ANY red tape or excessive questions), and vacation time was over the top generous (3 weeks after 6 months and an additional week at year 3, PLUS the week between Xmas & New Years!).
My POINT (and I do have one!) is that these folks are ALREADY being paid a salary. It isn’t ADDITIONAL money being spent. And their OT can/should be compensated otherwise (comp time is VERY common).
Bleccchhh!
i will read it right now, NYHawk (lol, i explained this in a post last night, but i am working from home this week and writing briefs, other than a few appearances. a mini vacay of sorts. my sleep schedule is so off right now.)
Falcon v. Alaska Public Offices Comm’n, 570 P.2d 469, 471 (Alaska 1977) (holding that professional ethical rules are not a legal privilege for public officials under AS 39.50.035 and they do not create an exception to the disclosure rule).
During the whole Arctic Cat debacle, she (ironically) requested a disclosure exemption for the benefits that Todd received. She wrote in her exemption request (old ADN article): “Todd Palin is entitled to discounts on purchases (as he has received the last 16 years as an Iron Dog race.) However, according to the terms of his sponsorship agreement, the exact amount of the discount and value received is confidential as a proprietary trade secret.”
Let’s forget for a moment that it is ludicrous to imply that this compensation is a “trade secret” (I must assume that Van Flein was her attorney because there is just no basis for such a claim). It is funny then that Palin had no problem disclosing the amount in 2007 – which she listed as $7,500. I don’t know about previous years. But then, after the Arctic Cat uproar started to heat up, she filed for an exemption. No one has challenged the impropriety of this exemption, which is clearly – based on the sources above – unlawful. This is a much stronger claim (and much easier to document) than saying she abused her office by wearing the jacket for personal gain. And if they received $7,500 in 2007, we would be morons to think that they didn’t receive a similar amount, if not more, in 2008.
@samper — public records request for all “spreadsheets and memoranda generated in the course of establishing the cost to the Executive branch and state of ethics complaints, public records requests and other legal matters referenced in ADN article of July 7, 2009″ might be revealing, I agree.
problem child – i dont think it could have gotten to a settlement stage. it didn’t even get to the personnel board report or formal hearing stage.
NYHawk – lol, your post was great. did you see wayne barrett’s response (the writer of the 2008 village voice piece) to van flein’s threat?
Re: Andrea Mitchell’s interview shown on Morning Joe
Gryphen just posted the video of the interview on his blog, along with his commentary.
3. The ethics complaint process is seriously flawed, putting any complainant at a disadvantage to challenge the governor (we discussed this at length last night in the van flein thread). It is masked in secrecy and red tape, and compared to other states, offers much weaker remedies. And your ability to submit a complaint will end in 3 weeks. But I think that there could be another way to go. I am unfamiliar with Alaska practice, so this requires more research (my fear is that they have set it up so that you cant circumvent the ethics complaint process; maybe NYHawk understands this better than I do.). But the other potential option is to criminally challenge her in state court.
Penalties for Public Corruption/Violations of State Ethics Laws: http://www.ncsl.org/Default.aspx?TabId=15319
Alaska, applicable statutes:
Ethics Code: No criminal sanctions found
Criminal Code: 11.56.120 Receiving unlawful gratuities; Class A misdemeanor; Max 1 year; $10,000
Criminal Code: 11.56.850 Official misconduct; Same as above
JHop- I am very much enjoying your posts regarding your take on the ethics complaints. Thanks and a big tip o’ the coffee mug to you from Washington, the state.
JHop,
The process for the children’s travel complaint (settled) was that the personnel board appointed a investigator (lawyer Petmenos again). He started the investigation, and at some point, before writing a report to the Board (or at least before finalizing it) with his recommendations, he must have met with Palin and the complainant, because instead of a report, he released a settlement agreement. The Board seemed to have no say in approving or disapproving the settlement, which would be odd, if we weren’t already dealing with the Queen of Odd herself.
None of the complaints have ever reached a formal board hearing stage. All have been either settled, or the board accepts the recommendation of the investigator to dismiss. They have not written a single report of their own; they just accept the report of the investigator.
@JHop: about Wayne Barrett: I read it. I also read a comment that Van Fluff made a very big mistake by dissing NY and pissing of Barrett. I also read that Barrett has a very well-known reputation (but apparently unknown in Van Fluff’s circles) as a relentless, first-class investigative reporter. Hopefully, Van Fluff may learn that he should have let sleeping dogs lie.
Saw Andrea Mitchell’s interview w/ sp out fishin’ this morning.
Wish I had a better memory, but what stood out was when Sarah said to Andrea, in that condescending tone. “You’re not listening to me: I gave you my reasons …” Andrea was just doing her job, trying to give SP the chance to clarify herself. Can Sarah ever be gracious? Does she not understand that, to us people in what I call Nornalland, we don’t find her stated reasons convincing? That they are either non-reasons, or that there MUST be one or more other reasons for this decision.
Does she not see that her behavior itself INVITES rumor?
Don’t like people spreading rumors about Trig’s birth? Trot out a birth certificate (and yes, a copy certified by the state would do just fine)
Don’t like people suggesting your home was built on favors? trot out cancelled checks made out to Spenard Building suppies that show you paid $15,000, $25,000 (whatever would be reasonable for that size house)
Don’t like ethics violations filed against you? Stop doing stuff that any thinking person should realize is questionable at best if not illegal, such as wearing sponsor gear at an event with MORE THAN ONE SPONSOR and perorma function as governor – at the IronDog race, you should be the representative of ALL the racers and ALL their sponsors, not just your husband.
Don’t bring your kids to events at which they are clearly not there for any benefit to the people of Alaska, but to you alone, charge the state for it, then turn around and say you’re quitting because the ethics complaints are what’s wasting Alaska’s money. That’s really frosting my wheaties.
I could go on. But I’ll just say it again, in the hopes that there are Palin fan lurkers here – her behaviour INVITES rumors. I don’t see that changing. So fans, just hunkers down and get ready – Sarah Palin WILL disappoint you again and again, as long as ou let her.
Please stop donating money to her, save your money for a candidate who won’t quit on you.
@BuffaloGal Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 1:07 AM
It seems AKM is putting up the open thread and heading to bed most days just as I’m getting up and starting the day here in Buffalo at 4am-ish. I get this image of passing in the hall during shift change.
Here in Western NY the shout-out on our scenic drives is “Cow!” or “Sheep!” A few years ago we had some entrepreneurial types move in to the Allegheny hill country so we’ve now added, “Llamas!”
————————————————————————
Add to that list: “Emus!
Sometimes you’re just in the right place at the right time and Voila! – Moose Magic. Yesterday I went to the Duane Reade in my local strip mall. I looked up and saw a red-tailed hawk circling the parking lot. I think he was looking for pigeons. This is not a run-of-the-mill event here. Wow.
THANK you for the pictures. The picture of the little one nuzzling its Mom for reassurance is a treasure. AKM you are a gift to us in so many ways.
Namaste
Anybody know the answer to this:
when the board dismisses an ethics complaint can the complainant appeal such an unfavorable determination (presumably in court), or is the decision of the board final and not reviewable?
Next up on Fox News- Exclusive Fox interview with Sarah Palin. It will be interesting to see how it differs from the other exclusive 10 minute interviews she is plowin’ through today.
@lovemydogs Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 1:58 AM
I posted this earlier but I am willing to bet all the New yorkers were sleeping. So I re-post it here:
I want to personally apologize to all New Yorkers for Van Flein’s tasteless comment about people in NY not helping each other.
———————————————————————-
I ♥ (((lovemydogs)))
In state court, you have an impartial judge and jury. You can submit motions to compel; you can demand evidence; you go through a discovery process; you can call witnesses and experts; you are entitled to a public trial; you can appeal the trial judge’s decision to the Alaska Supreme Court, and if you fail there, you can appeal again to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; but most importantly, you can present your own argument and be part of the process from start to finish. The negatives are the fact that you would need an attorney (I have always wanted an excuse to go to Alaska…); it takes more time and effort; you would have to overcome their initial motion to dismiss (which they will submit); and to win, you have a higher burden of proof. But considering that the ethics panel is comprised of 3 pals of Palin, I’m not entirely convinced that the burden of proof would be much higher.
there, i am done with what i found! i hope i didnt overwhelm anyone. and im sorry if i dominated the comments section with this stuff.
problemchild: “None of the complaints have ever reached a formal board hearing stage. All have been either settled, or the board accepts the recommendation of the investigator to dismiss. They have not written a single report of their own; they just accept the report of the investigator.”
I am pretty sure that celtic diva had a hearing. i remember reading a long write-up on her blog. And normally, with settlement agreements, it is really up to both sides to negotiate and come to a consensus, if you are trying to avoid a formal hearing. so i dont think it is that surprising that the board didn’t have a say. i am sure that they made a recommendation at some point. but palin controls if the reports/decisions are ever disclosed.
GA Peach: “Sarah just thought she wanted to be governor. What she really wanted was to be famous and universally loved (and now she’s infamous – probably not what she was going for).”
i agree. every time that any job (and 5 colleges) actually demanded something of her, she quit. she likes pomp and circumstance and attention and adoration. but she certainly knows when “to pass the ball,” as all good point guards do.
Re: Fox interview- Blonde lady tried to show it, but it wasn’t cued up right. It was just a clip on her future plans, I think. They are going to try again after they bring us up to date on breaking news of Michael Jackson’s death due to drugs.
@Aussie Blue Sky Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 3:23 AM
I have fancied David Attenborough since I was practically a little girl …. is that a bad thing?
———————————————————————-
I thought I was the only one! LOL
lovemydogs Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 3:06 AM
“And what commercial fisherman wears Cabela’s? We were out there in sweat pants with holes, old T-shirts or sweatshirts and a good pair of slickers. No one can afford to get their Cabela’s wear covered with fish slime.”
.
Darn tootin’ lovemydogs..
Me on the Taku river Alaska/B.C. border 2002.:)
http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i206/demover/Fishing/?action=view¤t=Thecatch.jpg
.
NYHawk Says: I also read that Barrett has a very well-known reputation (but apparently unknown in Van Fluff’s circles) as a relentless, first-class investigative reporter. Hopefully, Van Fluff may learn that he should have let sleeping dogs lie.
that is really, really interesting. out of all of “the rumors,” the village voice piece was what really stuck with me. it was well-documented, with named sources.
http://www.law.state.ak.us/pdf/ethics/Statutes-AlaskaExecutiveBranchEthicsAct_AS39.52_.pdf
this is the full EBEA. i think that an appeal is possible; but i’m not sure. looking now…
AKM…I am also blessed to live in a place where wildlife is abundant, although our scenery is not nearly as lovely. I did live in Northern Ontario and in BC where I have to say, the views are spectacular.
I want to tell you about the time my husband was fishing on an obscure lake in Ontario. He happened across a set of twin of baby moose that had just been born, as they were a tad wobbly. Mommy of course had hidden, and didnt charge which was strange in itself.
Anyhow….hubby cried in the retelling of this story to me, because he said those 2 babes tried very hard to get in the boat with them. He had a difficult time convincing them that they had to go and find mom.
Later, he went back to check to ensure they had found her…they had.
Wildlife is so lovely…what would this world be without it, which makes me even more furious at Palin and her wolf killing.
According to Sec. 39.52.370[f] only the subject of the accusation has the right to appeal.
That law needs to be changed!
JHop, I’m pretty sure CD didn’t have a hearing, public or otherwise. It was all a paper process for her. She does attend the periodic APOC hearings, and is pursuing more information related to her complaint through their processes. And she is taking steps to appeal the decision, as she mentioned recently that she was preparing a response to the lawyers recommendation to dismiss.
morning peeps, jhop write whatever you want it is open thread and most everyone of us is delighted to have you here. i have never seen a pic of sarah palins’ house. has anyone else?..b
We do the same thing in Wisconsin…. “DEER!” Usually they are heading out of the woods to trash your car, though.
Technically, that might not really be an “appeal”, though.
Sec. 39.52.370. Personnel board action. (APPEALS)
(a) Within 10 days after receipt of the hearing officer’s report, either party may protest the officer’s findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation, and, if a protest is filed, shall serve a copy on the other party..
(f) The subject of the accusation may appeal the personnel board’s decision by filing an appeal in the superior court as provided in the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure..
i also found this:
Sec. 39.52.410. Violations; penalties for misconduct
(c) If the personnel board determines that a former public officer has violated this chapter, it shall:
(1) issue a public statement of its findings, conclusions, and recommendation; and
(2) request the attorney general to exercise all legal and equitable remedies available to the state to seek whatever relief is appropriate.
huh. maybe a former public official CAN be held liable…
Oh boy! Watching an old rerun of Match Game, and the celebrity match question was “Sarah ________”.
I shouted out Palin!!!!! Then remembered that this was happening in mid/late 1970′s.
Sigh…
PS: AKM – how are Brian/Brenda/babies doing?? Any new pix of them??
problemchild: read this
http://www.divasblueoasis.com/diary/637/the-personnel-board-reflects-administrations-missing-ingredientshonesty-and-professionalism
bubbles: good morning! google “palin house” and click the tab for “images”
Regarding OkLads’s comment @89
lovemydogs Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 3:06 AM
“And what commercial fisherman wears Cabela’s? We were out there in sweat pants with holes, old T-shirts or sweatshirts and a good pair of slickers. No one can afford to get their Cabela’s wear covered with fish slime.”
In KO’s Palin Highlights clip, one of the clips was of her saying she was right at home with people wearing Carharts and steel-toe boots. Is this her idea of posing? Your attire is a lot more realistic, but she might not look quite as good that way since the shine on the green might reflect the camera light.
I have some wedding photographs that show my friends getting married at sunset on a beach in Hawaii. Beautiful. The wide-angle shot is better, though. It shows a beach lined up with couples getting married on an “isolated” beach.
I’d love to see the wide-shot of Palin’s interviews. She is giving a string of them, so most likely all stations are lined up on that “isolated beach.”
Fox is really delaying their exclusive interview. Wonder what happened. Too heavy on the editing, perhaps?
@ bubbles
A few interiors here
http://threebrain.blogspot.com/2009/02/house-that-sarah-built.html
and exterior here
http://palingates.blogspot.com/search/label/housegate
We had a bunny on our lawn last night. And some ducks come and visit us. And we have Chuck the woodchuck…. Naaaa
Not the same thing.
The only moose I ever saw close up was in a drive through zoo. You can feed them and I had my son and friends from a class trip in my van.
This one moose was so insistent to be fed that he stuck his whole head in the can. I had to park and use 2 hands to push his head out. I had moose dribble/snot down both arms and on my clothes all day. I stunk all day with green brown dribble all over me.
I still love them though, they are beautiful creatures!
This is a good explanation of the real reality, not Sarah’s reality. Perhaps some people could bombard Andrea Mitchell’s email with this link.
http://www.henkimaa.com/2009/07/07/the-2-million-dollar-meme/
Okay, so CD was recently preparing her “protest” of the officer’s findings per (a). Only after completing that process (secret, shhh), can the subject of the complaint appeal (f).
————–
Sec. 39.52.370. Personnel board action.
(a) Within 10 days after receipt of the hearing officer’s report, either party may protest the officer’s findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation, and, if a protest is filed, shall serve a copy on the other party. Oral argument before the personnel board must be provided only if requested by either party. The board chair shall set the deadline for submission of requests for oral argument, and set the dates for submission of briefs and oral argument before the board, if requested. 7/10/07
(b) The board may issue subpoenas under AS 39.52.380, and may, for good cause shown, augment the hearing record, in whole or in part, or hold a hearing de novo.
(c) The personnel board shall review each report submitted by a hearing officer and shall either adopt or amend the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation of the officer. Deliberations of the personnel board must be conducted in sessions not open to the public.
(d) If the personnel board determines that a violation occurred, it may impose the penalties in AS 39.52.410, 39.52.440, and 39.52.450, as appropriate. If the board determines that no violation occurred, the board shall issue a written order of dismissal.
(e) The personnel board secretary shall promptly notify the parties and the public officer’s designated supervisor of the board’s action.
(f) The subject of the accusation may appeal the personnel board’s decision by filing an appeal in the superior court as provided in the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure.
How do you add friends on My Space? Is it as simple as ADDING FRIENDS, lol? Does it take awhile for people you want to follow to show up on your profile?
Fox interview Dan Springer and “former VP candidate” Palin. That is how they referred to her. Not as governor.
Only showed the Springer guy on a street in Anchorage. He said interview was amazing- Sarah in waders (Carhart waders?) Knee deep in sockeye salmon? Springer saying bloggers and critics were horrible and said at times Sarah came across bitter (translate- whiney.) The blonde lady (Meghan) said there were daily ethics complaints and another one filed today. Something must have happened to their video. Pity. Jon Stewart will need it for next week.
I loved this post. I’m so tired to death of you know who (but can’t stop reading about her). A long time ago I was watching Family Feud and one answer tickled me. It was in the speed round and the question was, Name a beautiful animal, and the woman promply replied “Moose”. Love em or hate em I don’t know that I’d call them beautiful! Thanks for all your work.
isabella, with all due respect, and not that it matters, but why are you using myspace (as opposed to, say, facebook)? myspace is like using a walkman, when you could be using an ipod.
JHop, Yes, I did read that particular CD blog entry. And what I took away from it was that she was not there specifically about her complaint, but about confidentiality generally. This was a meeting of the Board that they hold about three times a year, apparently. From the entry:
“During the meeting, English:
–Didn’t bother to ask any of us who’d come to give public testimony what we were testifying about. She assumed we were going to testify about a specific complaint during the Executive Session (i.e. behind closed doors) I explained that I would be testifying publicly on-the-record about confidentiality. When Ms. McLeod stated that she would be testifying about public issues as well, English tried to disuade and intimidate her. “
BuffaloGal @ 3:54 – I’m enchanted also by the Bower bird. I think that’s what you are describing. He’s partial to the color blue and finds or swipes all the things you mentioned and anything blue he can clamp his beak on ; )
So according to this law if CD loses her “protest” and her complaint is dismissed, she cannot appeal.
That law was obviously written to protect only the accused.
So if the board dismisses an appeal for no valid reason or even if its determination is clearly not based on the facts or the law, the complainant is screwed.
Strange system of “justice” in AK!!
New horror flick coming,soon, to a theater near you!
“The Fall of the House of Palin”
Script by some guy named Poe!
JHop “isabella, with all due respect, and not that it matters, but why are you using myspace (as opposed to, say, facebook)?”
FaceBook banned me, lol. Palin freaks got upset when I posted about their idol falling from grace taking their donations with her.
London Bridges
Palin and Poe–both crazy.
this is an interesting section:
(h) If the disposition of a complaint is not made public and the personnel board report under (f) of this section includes a recommendation that the matter be made public, an interested party may file an action against the state in superior court requesting that the court make public the complaint, the attorney general’s disposition of the complaint, and the personnel board report. The court may order the matter or portions of the matter made public if the court determines that:
(1) the dismissal or resolution of the complaint was clearly contrary to the requirements of this chapter;
(2) one or more of the allegations in the information to be released is supported by substantial evidence;
(3) the matter concerns the public interest; and
(4) release of the information will not infringe on any protected rights or liberties of the subject
i dont think they will ever recommend that any of her complaints are made public though…
http://tinyurl.com/9qoev8
tongue in cheek – It was Bob Poe!
Aussie Blue Sky, thank you so much for the link to the lyre bird. I sat here with my mouth slack and agape…the imitation of the camera shutter with motor drive, the chain saw…Wow. Just wow.
Re: Fox interview with SP.
Forgot to mention that they did show a small clip of Sarah whining that she never got to say back off my kids, but others did. I will say, though, that maybe the two older girls put THEIR feet down and said “No more.” They weren’t at the Quitter Speech, nor in the clips I have seen of her during her “exclusive” interview marathon. Good for them!!!!!! Maybe that was the “hell no!” that Sarah had heard and twisted for her own benefit. More power to the girls if that’s the case.
Letterman show posted at HP:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/07/letterman-takes-on-palin_n_226854.html
@Isabella Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 5:56 AM
How do you add friends on My Space? Is it as simple as ADDING FRIENDS, lol? Does it take awhile for people you want to follow to show up on your profile?
———————————————————————–
MySpace is cute-sy and appeals to “kids” . Facebook is better for the “grown-ups”. You need to request permission to add a friend.
Aussie Blue Sky, thank you so much for the link to the lyre bird. I sat here with my mouth slack and agape…the imitation of the camera shutter with motor drive, the chain saw…Wow. Just wow.
***
Thank the lord the lyre bird has never heard screetching Sarah!!!
tpgigi – The bower bird! that’s it – Thank you! It was such a great segment with Attenborough. I was cracking up watching him mess with the poor bird’s head by sneaking in and altering the nest artwork. The bird would come back and see that it had been changed and he looked so agitated. I found it fascinating.
This isn’t that particular clip but it’s fun to watch these guys go about decorating their nests with such focus.
Sauerkraut @ #57 said:
“So shut up already, Sarah Palin. Go back to harvesting the salmon the villagers are not allowed access to while you continue to collect your $125k salary.”
I agree with you that these “Sarah-I’d rather be fishing than governing” interviews make her look like she and her family are taking fish out of the villager’s mouths. Another PR mess-up.
Palin’s gall is just astounding and incomprehensible.
JHOP I was able to log on to the Facebook account but they won’t let me post saying I have to verify account again with a mobile number. Before this the message was to many reports of complaints by those Palin freaks.
SoOo if I create a new account, do you have to verify again with a mobile number or cause I am running out of cell phones…I am more then happy these jerks who cannot handle comments are getting taken for the ultimate ride by Palin!!!
problemchild – youre right. i didn’t read that closely enough. how interesting.
isabella – that is awesome. you are a rock star in my book
nyhawk: “So if the board dismisses an appeal for no valid reason or even if its determination is clearly not based on the facts or the law, the complainant is screwed.”
yes. it is a completely one-sided process. the governor controls everything.
the ethics procedure is so shrouded in secrecy that the public is denied the right to have their legitimate claims investigated and heard by an impartial adjudicating body; it seems inherently unlawful if claims are being dismissed out of loyalty to the governor (who appointed them) or state; the governor is afforded automatic confidentiality that only she can waive (and which is only in the governor’s interests because in the event that she loses, she can just withhold her wrongdoing); the fact that a complaint is normally forwarded to the ethics panel by the AG, but a complaint filed specifically against the governor is forwarded to the personnel board, who she appoints; on its face, the whole process offers an unfair and unfounded advantage to the governor.
I’m suspicious of the 2 million dollar amount the Administration is referring to for legal expenses – they’re just using smoke and mirrors. Sarah built her legal fund because she had millions in unfounded ethics complaints filed against her. I’d sure like to see a Legislative Budget and Audit report on that amount.
Did Meg Stapletongue really say that Gino’s legal fund was for her personal usage…they just keep digging themselves deeper in broad daylight, once again!
LiladyNY “MySpace is cute-sy and appeals to “kids” . Facebook is better for the “grown-ups”. You need to request permission to add a friend.”
Aha that is why all I am finding over there are 14 year olds wanting to meet up with celebrities and run away from home. I was searching for John Cusack actually and his page was updates recently so i joined to follow him. He has some rather terrific points made on war profiteering. Shannyn is over there though. Her MOOD is DETERMINED
JHop, It is my understanding that you have to have a special licence to do any legal work in Alaska. You may want to apply for one, just in case
Just sayin!
Sheesh, I am never gonna catch up, lol
AKM, you have a nice hubby! Thanks for the non you know who thread.
Just a Farmer……….run a radio at night in the pen, preferably talk radio, it did wonders for our raccoon problem, they are brutal aren’t they. We only have one Guinea left out of 21, poor lonely Guinea.
Martha UnAlsaka…….I am enjoying how deliriously happy you are! They’re coming to take her away hee hee.
So, I suppose since she did a friggin interview “mentioning her work for AK” means the state pays for the round flight to this fishing trip, per deim too? for her gift of gab, blech. She must have made the interview conditional. Where are Bristol and Willow. How many fish did they have. Why was the gov fishing on a Monday. The fact she says we’ve been doing this forever makes it okay to take off her gov hat and fish for hubby’s income? income that they really don’t need.
London Bridges Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 6:08 AM
http://tinyurl.com/9qoev8
tongue in cheek – It was Bob Poe!
____________
Oh, foot in mouth here. I was thinking of the crazy Poe: Edgar Allan Poe
Warning for WIndows XP/2003 server users: Microsoft issues urgent warning on security threat.
Microsoft warns of serious computer security hole
* By JORDAN ROBERTSON, AP Technology Writer – Tue Jul 7, 2009 7:07AM EDT
SAN JOSE, Calif. -
Microsoft Corp. has taken the rare step of warning about a serious computer security vulnerability it hasn’t fixed yet.
The vulnerability disclosed Monday affects Internet Explorer users whose computers run the Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 operating software.
It can allow hackers to remotely take control of victims’ machines. The victims don’t need to do anything to get infected except visit a Web site that’s been hacked.
Security experts say criminals have been attacking the vulnerability for nearly a week. Thousands of sites have been hacked to serve up malicious software that exploits the vulnerability. People are drawn to these sites by clicking a link in spam e-mail.
*snip*
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090707/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_microsoft_security
IOW, don’t click on links in e-mails if you don’t know (well) the person(s) sending it to you….
Fox and the AK Standard- Is Either Fair and Balanced?
From the blog list at Immoral Minority #
The Alaska Standard | Raising the banner of journalism in Alaska
Fox News shows balance on Sarah Palin
17 minutes ago
But, when you click on the link, it says “page not found.” (Remember I said that something had happened to the clip.) The main page of their website shows all the stations’ clips from Sarah’s “Exclusive, Isolated Beach Interview Marathon.” It was nice of the AKStandard to pre-write the headline before it is even aired!
http://www.thealaskastandard.com/
Does anyone think that that photo-opp of Palin in her “I’m just a regular gal” fishing get-up WASN’T planned? Of course it was.
@Isabella Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 6:16 AM
LiladyNY “MySpace is cute-sy and appeals to “kids” . Facebook is better for the “grown-ups”. You need to request permission to add a friend.”
Aha that is why all I am finding over there are 14 year olds wanting to meet up with celebrities and run away from home. I was searching for John Cusack actually and his page was updates recently so i joined to follow him. He has some rather terrific points made on war profiteering. Shannyn is over there though. Her MOOD is DETERMINED
———————————————————————–
As my kids would say: “Shannyn is the Mott’s!” I think that means she is awesome beyond description. And I would definitely agree with that. I so admire strong, courageous, non-ethically-challenged, articulate women (and men).
Re John Cusack: BRB. I have to go stalk him now! LOL I adore John Cusack.
Re: SP’s “fishing” expedition.
Given that Sanford just blew it with the chain of command/hand over the control when in Argentina, is SP either
a) officially in vacation (since she’s on a private venture unrelated to her job) and has turned over control to the LG
or
b) has she forgotten to turn the controls over to the LG and gone AWOL, meaning is working on private venture while officially on duty?
Anything in the press about this???
womanwithsardinecan Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 5:51 AM
This is a good explanation of the real reality, not Sarah’s reality. Perhaps some people could bombard Andrea Mitchell’s email with this link.
http://www.henkimaa.com/2009/07/07/the-2-million-dollar-meme/
__________________
Thanks for the link. I do agree. This information needs to go mainstream. I am really sick of the MSM only using the numbers that Palin gave as if they are undisputed fact.
Apologies in advance if this has already been posted, but it is a great smack down of SP by Fox…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/06/fox-news-contributor-rips_n_226370.html
JHOP – The Governor’s public erratic behavior has essentially shut up all of the other politicians in the State, so why wouldn’t it shut up the Personnel Board too? Her bully type behavior has geographically targeted different areas of the State and gives a glaring reflection of her lack of any type of sportsmanship in her leadership of our State. But then, you have to consider the many lies she has told in broad daylight….wouldn’t you want to just give her a pass instead of being thrown under the bus in a “Letterman” type of maneuver. Who’s next? I’m hoping she picks me next!
Sullivan’s on a roll this morning…
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/
LiladyNY “Re John Cusack: BRB. I have to go stalk him now! LOL I adore John Cusack”
I didn’t even know I was watching him in most movies I have seen until I caught a Youtube of him on Keith looking for Shannyn. He certainly has some very FANatic followers. One woman is bat sht crazy as they come accusing him of being a womanizer/making his g/f’s have abortions/employing a “Dog Catcher” to fetch him females…she is flat out loony and another had been throwing long love letters over his fence in Malibu tied to rocks & screw drivers. Wow! LOVE his sister Joan, she is a terrific actress.
You thought that bower birds were into blue beads? That’s so … seventies. The Bower Bird of the noughties commits
Crimes of Passion!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ32_ijdmLo&feature=related
Sorry if someone beat me to this. Don’t have time right now to review all the comments.
On MSNBC:
Palin’s e-mails still elusive – State claims it has spent more than $450,000 searching for records.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31727233/ns/politics/
trisha
For once, we saw SP without makeup! Not even the lipliner. I just can’t see her “planning” a photo-op without checking the makeup kit first, y’know?
Just a thought
Have you already seen these cuties?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM
where is Palins other daughter? we see Trig and younger one but never the younger teenage one before bristol.
any thoughts?
JHOP: You’ll find this interesting: the BBC had a 13 yr old review the walkman (via sullivan this morning. It was sullivan, btw, that linked to Mudflats way back at the beginning)
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/07/trading-an-ipod-for-a-walkman.html
This is something that is really bothering me. I’m not sure if this has been discussed, but I think this needs attention.
Regarding the cost of ethics complaints, Palin said,
“That huge waste that we have seen with the countless, countless hours that state staff is spending on these frivolous ethics violations and the millions of dollars that Alaskans are spending, that money not going to things that are very important, like troopers and roads and teachers and fish research,” Palin said.
——
Now, compare that to what Palin said a few weeks ago on Hannity. Palin said that if the state has a HUGE reduction in oil revenue and needed to make HUGE cuts to the budget—-if would be a good thing. She said that it would be good for the families of Alaska because if the state has more money….they just spend it. HUH?
So, I guess she isn’t too concerned about money being taken away from troopers, teachers, roads, and fish research— if it’s a good thing that the State has to chop the budget by massive amounts.
Wouldn’t those budget cuts take away from “important things like troopers, teachers, roads and fish research”???????????????????
She is such a liar and a hypocrite. I wish this would get some attention.
@pepperzmom
yes, Sullivan is on a roll just checked in on his blog…wonder were he is going with that?
Nan, I still think it’s her plan to appear like a regular gal—who doesn’t have a multi-million dollar book deal. I’m sure she thinks it’s worth the sacrifice of being seen without makeup.
Also, it makes her look vulnerable….since she is playing the victim card. That humble photo of Palin is makin’ it’s way around the globe.
Maybe I’m wrong, but seems like a Palin plan to me.
Pepperzmom
Thanks for the alert. You’ll notice the problem exists for users of Internet Explorer. Mozilla firefox is safer, and besides that when you google on firefox there’s a little icon that tells you whether a web site is safe.
You can also open several “tabs” in firefox, as opposed to opening several IE windows. This uses less memory. Firefox will transfer your “favorites” and call them “bookmarks” – listed alphabetically.
Download the free software at http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/upgrade.html Google if you need to, to confirm the safety and superiority of mozilla, or others here will confirm that for you.
trisha – good point!
JHop
This will give you some food for thought:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31727233/ns/politics/
about 2/3 of the way down is a link to “email requests” – has the state’s original response, too. If it’s the one I think it is, it’s a couple hundred pages or so (seriously).
see y’all later, work awaits (dangit)
Nan
yep, I think it’s part of the plan to just seem like regular ole folks. I don’t think Palin does anything without some type of plan attached to it. even if the plan is wobbly she is just too calculating
i want to know why we never see that teenage daughter Willow I finally figured out her name.
May MJ finally rest in peace. This is the guy that invented the Moonwalk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-wtO7pjJKk
Again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySnp4YXU6JQ
@Isabella Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 6:37 AM
LiladyNY “Re John Cusack: BRB. I have to go stalk him now! LOL I adore John Cusack”
————————————————————————
ROFLMAO! I fanned him on Facebook. I promise not to throw love letters over his fence (no matter how much I want to). Did you see him with Kevin Spacey in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”? Fabulous. And “High Fidelity”? Another fabulous film I fell in love with him years and years ago when I saw him in a funny little film called “Better Off Dead”. I think by now it’s a John Cusack cult classic. I love that he nearly always plays the quirky, slightly off-beat underdog.
Gosh, I sound like a gushing groupie! (Giggle)
#
88
LiladyNY Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 5:27 AM
@Aussie Blue Sky Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 3:23 AM
I have fancied David Attenborough since I was practically a little girl …. is that a bad thing?
———————————————————————-
I thought I was the only one! LOL
_______
No you sillies, you’re not. I think I fell in love with that voice!
Nan
Is MJ STILL dead? I thought by now he would have arisen as the third coming of Christ.
150 lemonfair:
I only use Firefox, but the problem isn’t the IE browser alone. It’s the fact that the SITES themselves have been hacked.
Who knows what Firefox vulnerabilities might arise, nor the “remainders” left behind from the hacked site…spyware, virus, etc…regardless of the browser used.
from Gryphen’s blog”
“If I die, I die. So be it.” You have GOT to see this ABC News video where Palin makes the accusation that her problems stem from “opposition researchers” that “bombarded Alaska”trying to dig up dirt on her since the campaign. Is she talking about the Alaska bloggers? And does she not understand the difference between “concerned citizen” and “political operatives”?
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=8016906&page=1
(ASB opinion is she is trying to blame President Obama – her first step in her new career of blaming President Obama for every little thing that goes wrong in her poor sad life)
LiladyNY “Gosh, I sound like a gushing groupie! (Giggle)”
I just bought Natty Gann cause he is so adorable in the film. He portrays all those vulnerable emotions and loyalty, protection, I feel your gushing
He does seem to check his MySpace account more often. He was there on the 6th. LOL, the comments from fans there are rather, ummmmm, forward?
I was searching interviews last week for his 1408 press junket, came across the below…lmao, the female interview had him out of his chair about in her lap. I see after searching her up she got herself to Hollywood, seemingly not on his favors though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFAaiHN390Y
Nan Says “see y’all later, work awaits (dangit”
You should quit your job and stay here with us
Or work from home.
@Pepperzmom
Thanks for the alert. You’ll notice the problem exists for users of Internet Explorer. Mozilla firefox is safer, and besides that when you google on firefox there’s a little icon that tells you whether a web site is safe.
———————————————————————-
Use Mozilla Firefox as your browser. It is light years better than Internet Explorer.
This is a Firefox add-on that rates websites for safety before you open them. I’ve been using it for at least a year and it is excellent.
http://www.mywot.com/en/download/ff
Palin says the two million dollars spent on dealing with ethics complaints includes estimated administrative payroll hours.
http://www.adn.com/palin/story/855907.html
Isn’t Attenborough a “Sir”?
@samper
What’s the latest update on Michael Jackson? Is he still dead? LOL
Should I really abandon IE for Firefox? Is there a charge? Is there noticeable navigation differences? Do I still get my yahoo toolbar with one click favorites?
What’s all this John Cusack junk? I’M still in love with David Cassidy!!!!!!! Even as an “old guy”, he’s hot, smart, and talented.
YUMMY!
When Palin was made to pay income tax on her per deims, was that due to an ethics complaint? If so there are 4 of them that prdoduced results.
so Palin should Obama quit since he has all those righties out there filing lawsuits to prove he is citizen of this country? I guess Mr. President you need to just step down because people don’t like all of your policies!!! Pleaze people this woman is a liar!
Misspelled produced.
@samper Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:09 AM
Isn’t Attenborough a “Sir”?
————————————————-
That’s his brother, Lord Richard Attenborough.
Polly Says: July 7th, 2009 at 7:09 AM
Palin says the two million dollars spent on dealing with ethics complaints includes estimated administrative payroll hours.
http://www.adn.com/palin/story/855907.html
The only problem is those folks would have been PAID regardless of this series of complaints being worked up.
Sad to think what these folks would have been paid to do if NOT for the work (so they say) done on the complaints…methinks, they’d have likely been twiddling there thumbs for a significant part of the time.
According to MSNBC, Lilady, MJ is still dead.
We all await his resurrection. Could be today, but they are neither confirming nor denying this rumour.
Pepperzmom
Thanks for the alert. You’ll notice the problem exists for users of Internet Explorer. Mozilla firefox is safer, and besides that when you google on firefox there’s a little icon that tells you whether a web site is safe.
**************************************************************************************
I much prefer Firefox. My son the Tech person told me about it years back. I notice that a lot of governmental computers locally use it as well. Just be very careful not to try to remove Explorer from your computer! It will crash your Windows OS. Just download Firefox and make it your default browser.
“That is who we are as Alaskans and it’s certainly who I am,” she told CNN. “I’m not going to take that comfortable path. I’m going to take the right path for the state.”
To ABC: “I’m extremely happy. Politically speaking, if I die, I die. So be it.”
But in all the interviews, which included plenty of footage of Palin looking like the fisherwoman next door, she refused to close the door on a presidential run.
“I can’t predict what the next fish run is going to look like, much less the next few years,” she told NBC. To CNN: “All options are going to keep on being on the table.”
From Reuters:
http://blogs.reuters.com/frontrow/2009/07/07/the-first-draft-palin-goes-fishing-for-cameras-obama-talks-too/
great pictures akm……….love stories about buf the wonder dog. do all of you californians out there realize that tax payers in calif. are paying for security during the mj service. the state is handing out iou’s to workers, but money for this…strange priorities.
samper Says: July 7th, 2009 at 7:12 AM
Should I really abandon IE for Firefox? Is there a charge? Is there noticeable navigation differences? Do I still get my yahoo toolbar with one click favorites?
Yes! No, make that a HELL YEAH! You betcha!
You can go here for answers on switching….includes info on favorites/settings
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/For+Internet+Explorer+Users?style_mode=inproduct
I found this at a Palin fan site. Oddly enough I can’t find it elsewhere.
Thomas Van Flein Statement on Palin Legal Fees
I probably have some additional insight for your readers.
Governor Palin championed ethics reform in Alaska and the current law was enacted at her initiative. Our state has had, unfortunately, some problems with legislative ethics, with several legislators convicted under federal law (notwithstanding subsequent events that may require re-trials–the subject of another story). Thus, Alaska needs strong ethics laws, and ethical people to serve in government.
During and after Governor Palin’s national campaign last fall, the Executive Branch Ethics Act was essentially hijacked by motivated partisans who saw fit to file one complaint after another for such monumental “ethics violations” as: wearing a jacket; giving interviews to reporters, traveling out of state to give a speech, having her official portrait used for a state sponsored seafood marketing program, and on and on. The abuse of the Act has in all likelihood caused a loss in public confidence of a very important law that was intended to address real ethics issues. All complaints ruled on so far (15) have concluded that Governor Palin has not violated any law, in letter or spirit. There is still one complaint pending regarding her legal trust fund to help pay her legal fees. The complainant has asserted that such a legal defense fund is itself unethical.
Because an ethics complaint by definition involves an allegation that a public official abused state office by promoting a personal gain over state interests, when such a complaint is filed, the subject of the complaint cannot use state attorneys for their personal defense. Indeed, doing so would likely result in a meritorious ethics complaint. That does not mean the state could not indemnify a state employee after the investigation and results are completed if it is determined that there was no merit to the complaint and the costs were incurred as a result state service. But initially the subject of the complaint, if he or she desires representation, must retain personal counsel. This is all the more imperative for the Governor, where the Attorney General is barred as a matter of law from any involvement in a complaint against the Governor and the matter is handled by an independent Personnel Board and special counsel.
Because of the abuse of the Ethics Act and the seemingly endless assembly line of questionable complaints, in addition to the fees incurred during the Troopergate investigation, the Governor has incurred substantial attorney’s fees in the range of $500,000. I recognize that by New York standards this is a modest legal bill, but it is substantial up here. The Personnel Board released information that it has spent about $300,000 in legal fees on its side of the aisle. As the lawyers reading this know, while it is easy to file a complaint, it takes research and fact investigation to address the allegations and rebut them with analytical precision.
As for those reading this who want to know if there were legal problems pending that served as a catalyst for the resignation, the answer is “no.” Indeed, speculation about alleged embezzlement, kickbacks, and imminent federal indictments were so wide spread, and were crossing over into the mainstream media, that we took the calculated risk of actually addressing the issue, and the FBI took the unprecedented step of confirming that there never was any such investigation, there is no such investigation, and that there were no plans for any investigation. I continue to maintain hope that political discourse will return to issues that are the subject of fair and vigorous debate, as opposed to false implications of serious criminality, jokes about raping a teenage girl, or abusive legal machinations intended to create headlines and impose personal financial costs. I say that relative to all public servants, Democrat or Republican, that they be judged on their actions in office, not on the clothes they supposedly purchased, the shoes they wore, the actions of their family, the statements of their preacher, or other essentially irrelevant matters.
Governor Palin determined that she had accomplished her major goals in the first two and half years of her administration (which is true, she enacted ethics reform, ear mark reform, pushed through a revised petroleum tax structure highly beneficial to the state, reached consensus with oil producers that resulted in new oil well drilling at Point Thomson, and was the only governor in the last 30 years to take concrete action on getting a major gas pipeline built as opposed to the prior administrations who did much to talk about it, but otherwise took no real action. The Governor has created a new political reality and is changing the battlefield to pursue her goals of energy independence for America, rational tax policies, improved national security and more efficient and smaller government. I suspect you may see her in the future.
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this with your readers.
Thanks, Lilady… I was sure I’ve hear the term “Sir… Attenborough” through my lifetime.
I don’t care who you are or what you look like… The Aussie, New Zealand, English accents makes one sound brilliant and refined. They could say “I eat poop” and it would sound dignified and proper!
LOVE the accents!!!!
Would love to hear our own Aussie Blue Sky call into Shannyn’s show just to hear the accent!
How goofy am I?
Just back from a visit to IHeart where I enjoyed brilliant photoshop! Go see it….
Typo alert: hearD…
pepperzmom- thanks for the further clarification. I already make it a habit not to click on links unless I know they are articles someone is sending me, or a specific site. I think the real problem is probably those hideous, relentless, forwarded emails that some of our friends and relations send us
)
.
And Gramiam – thanks for alerting those who didn’t know, that they mustn’t try to uninstall IE. yikes. disaster.
Nan Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:00 AM
#
88
LiladyNY Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 5:27 AM
@Aussie Blue Sky Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 3:23 AM
I have fancied David Attenborough since I was practically a little girl …. is that a bad thing?
———————————————————————-
I thought I was the only one! LOL
_______
No you sillies, you’re not. I think I fell in love with that voice!
Nan
————-
It’s definitely the VOICE. With John Cusak, it’s the eyes and seeming vulnerability, I think.
Oh, and firefox rocks. And yes, you can get a yahoo toolbar for it, I’m pretty sure. May even be one of the default options.
jhop and georgia peach thank you for info. had to step away for a bit and just came back. i don’t know what to say. first. that is one ugly house. second. it’s just ugly and the palins should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for building that ugly house…love b
For anyone contemplating switching to Firefox: after installation is done, you will be asked whether you want to carry over certain things. Just click each box and off you go!
Tabbing is much easier. And there are tons of add on’s, some of which have been added. I added others, including colorful tabbing, to help figure out which tab I’m on, as well as the PDF creator to save webpages as they are shown for posterity.
So…whatcha waiting for???
Thanks, Pepperzmom. I’ll switch over ON YOUR RECOMMENDATION tonite before Assembly. I only have until noon to screw around and then I MUST mow the lawn.
God told me to, so I guess I must.
@samper Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:12 AM
Should I really abandon IE for Firefox? Is there a charge? Is there noticeable navigation differences? Do I still get my yahoo toolbar with one click favorites?
What’s all this John Cusack junk? I’M still in love with David Cassidy!!!!!!! Even as an “old guy”, he’s hot, smart, and talented.
YUMMY!
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Definitely switch to Firefox. No charge. No muss, no fuss. Navigating is a dream. I use Google for mail (no spam gets through) and searches. Firefox has a bazillion options for bookmarking and tabbed browsing and lots of add-ons to make life easier and fun. Also, I highly recommend their add-on called Web of Trust which rates websites before you open them. I mentioned upthread that I’ve been using it for about a year. Make sure, also too, that you have a very good anti-virus program running in the background. I use avast! (updated daily). I user Ad-Aware for malware and spyware. I feel as secure as one can in this cyber-space environment. My son, the 20+year computer network engineering genius (modestly speaking) recommends Firefox.
samper Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:09 AM
Isn’t Attenborough a “Sir”?
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Sir David Attenborough was knighted in 1985. I would be his Lady if he would but ask (and LiLady and Nan didn’t beat me to him!).
My only problem with being Lady Attenborough would be the primates running about the house …. and doing what primates do ….. especially in front of the dinner guests …
I’m working on that.
What?
No one at ALL shares my love for David Cassidy?
You all are NUTS!
bubbles – that house is fugly.
samper Says:
How goofy am I?
Considering where you hang out – here – and with whom you hang out – here – nope, you’re not goofy.
It is the “main” subject matter, so to speak, that’s goofy…
bubbles – ck. e-mail please.
#183 bubbles
it really is an ugly house….so cold & austere just like the dwellers.
Wow, you guys! I would never have even KNOWN about firefox if I wasn’t goofing off today! I’m excited to do God’s work FIRST (mow the lawn) and then download FF.
Good advice, Gramiam! I doubt I’d have deleted IE, though, just in case FF wasn’t my “bag”.
@ things from this interview stand out–
“”"”"”"”"But as for whether another pursuit of national office, as she did less than a year ago when she joined Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the race for the White House, would result in the same political blood sport, Palin said there is a difference between the White House and what she has experienced in Alaska. If she were in the White House, she said, the “department of law” would protect her from baseless ethical allegations.
“I think on a national level, your department of law there in the White House would look at some of the things that we’ve been charged with and automatically throw them out,” she said.
There is no “Department of Law” at the White House”"”"”"”"”"
“”"”"”"”"I’m extremely happy,” she said. “I know that I know that I know that this is the right thing for Alaska”"”"”"”"”
From the ABC interview
I’m with Pepperzmom. Mozilla Firefox is the best. I switched years ago also and have tried to get all my ‘people’ to switch. It is much safer. And I love their ‘encrypted keystrokes’ add on.
Switch, samper, switch.
samper “No one at ALL shares my love for David Cassidy?”
Did you see him on Malcolm In The Middle the Vegas episode?
If I was going to design a house and build it myself it wouldn’t be that ridiculously “Sports Arena Appearin’” atrocity.
Do they REALLY think it’s attractive????
Even my 1940′s bungalow has more curb appeal!
JHop Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 5:22 AM
I am pretty sure that celtic diva had a hearing. i remember reading a long write-up on her blog.
_______
Celtic Diva did not have a hearing on the ethics complaint. I believe what you are thinking of is the either the APOC meeting she attended or the Personnel Board meeting that she attended where people were given a chance to speak (limit of 3 minutes each) and which turned out to be a joke.
@LiladyNY
Make sure, also too, that you have a very good anti-virus program running in the background. I use avast! (updated daily). I user Ad-Aware for malware and spyware.
——-
Exactly how I’m set up. My computer guy must know your (genius) son!
@bubbles Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:23 AM
jhop and georgia peach thank you for info. had to step away for a bit and just came back. i don’t know what to say. first. that is one ugly house. second. it’s just ugly and the palins should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for building that ugly house…love b
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That house is FUGLY! It is the coldest looking place and I can’t imagine being a child there. Also too, do you think it odd that the kids don’t even have a hamster or a canary or a goldfish or somethin’ in the nature of a pet? There are FIVE kids there. I can’t figure that at least ONE of them would want a pet. Good grief, I have three children and a we had a menagerie of pets while they were growing up.
Palin, the clueless quitter:
Palin: “Department Of Law” Protects The President
Rachel Weiner
Palin said there is a difference between the White House and what she has experienced in Alaska. If she were in the White House the “department of law” would protect her from baseless ethical allegations.
“I think on a national level your department of law there in the White House would look at some of the things that we’ve been charged with and automatically throw them out,” she said.
There is no Department of Law.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/07/palin-department-of-law-p_n_226881.html
Isabella: NO! I didn’t! I’ll have to youtube it when I’m done with God’s work and after I have my awesome new MOZILLA FIREFOX installed.
Betcha I’m up all night playing with it!!!
One thing for Firefox converters…
When asked if you want Forefox as your default browser – say “yes”. This way, unless a place like Microsoft (d’oh) requires you use IE, Firefox will open up first.
There’s a neat thing in the newer versions – a “history” menu item. This is where you can go back to find that site you visited, and reload the page.
Under the “tools” menu, there is an options tab. Read thru the items carefully, and trust some of the settings as they default to certain choices. One area I did change was how long to keep certain information; default was too short and I lengthened it. Another was what was deleted when you clear private data (also under tools, as well as an icon towards the right side, right under the menu verbiage).
samper “Isabella: NO! I didn’t!”
You got to find it absolutely hilarious.
The hiring freeze didn’t include her personal staff. She could have paid for the email costs by not keeping a cadre of PR people around her day and night. It’s not like she takes their advice or anything.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8137265.stm
It is the 7th of July again. Just a minute of your time to remember and honor the innocent victims of terrorism in London. Thankyou
Firefox- Absolutely the only way to go! Some of you may already use social bookmarking sites, but if not, I would recommend http://www.delicious.com. Firefox easily puts it on the toobar. Find a website you like and click on your “tag” button. It puts it on your free delicious site. You can annotate the bookmark and tag it with key terms for easy finding later.
What is very cool is that it is a social bookmarking site. Off to the side of your delicious link on your site will be the number of other links people have made to the same article/page. Click on that and you can see their sites as well. (You do have the option of not sharing.) You can bundle your bookmarks into files, too.
If you use different computers, you can access all your bookmarks at once, or share all your bookmarks with others by telling them your delicious site name.
Way cool.
BTW- a few weeks ago some wonderful mudpuppy shared the tip for making web page fonts larger or smaller. (Foxfire- Control + or Control -) That tip has saved me when I try to type on the laptop.
. . . and, even now, our families have a combined total of five dogs and six cats!
@Martha
I really hope that sarah learns up close and personal what the real name of the ‘department of law’ is before too long.
samper Says:
I’m excited to do God’s work FIRST (mow the lawn) and then download FF.
Here’s something better:
Set up the download of FF BEFORE you mow the lawn. It won’t auto-install.
This way the download, which is quite sizable, will be waiting for you. You’ll just have to double-click the *.exe file downloaded to do the actual installation. Just make sure you remember where it is that IE dumps anything you download.
Remember to keep your online connection when you do the installation, but close IE.
You guys are just FOUNTAINS OF KNOWLEDGE!
I’m blessed to know all ya’all!
EVERY kid should have a puppy or kitten. Period. I say that because all we had were goldfish (Goldie and Blackie – such original names!) and Gerbils (Speedy, Lightening and Flash – equally descriptive). Dad built the Gerbils a REALLY cool cage.
But no kitties and no puppies… got my love for pets from BF and his doggies. When my first kitty adopted me, I named him after the doggies (sammy and tipper – samper – my moniker here). When 2nd kitty moved in, she was already named, stupidly, Mariah (girlfriend’s cat that couldn’t move into their new digs with them). I call her “LittleOne”, though, and she seems to like it just fine.
Piper needs a kitten!!!!!!!!!
Leah at the Theopalinism blog has a new post explaining why she thinks Palin’s resignation speech did state her reason. Not, as I would have expected, primarily religious, but primarily GOP promotion. Leah reminds us of the vital short term goal- cranking up GOP effort to win back even a few seats in 2010. Palin’s help there would not be wasted.
http://www.theopalinism.com/blog/
Just curious, why is Sarah out fishing? Isn’t she supposed to be working until the 26th? I would think that she would be working towards transitioning the new governor since it is such short notice. Does she have vacation due?
warning, good satire, LOL
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-lanham/palin-holds-press-confere_b_226638.html
69 London Bridges Says: July 7th, 2009 at 4:56 AM
Maybe the point of showcasing the $2 million figure is a cover-up for the embezzlement in the Alaska fund.
___________
I’ve not seen a thing to support the claim of embezzlement from anything and, frankly, people need to move away from that type of claim unless they have a real substantive basis for making any type of allegation along those lines.
As for the Palin line that there’s a 2 million cost for the ethics complaints, it is my firm believe that that number is created out of thin air without any basis in fact or reality.
In addition, since the ethics complaint she filed against herself was shown by the Juneau newspaper to be the most costly, you can bet your bippee that it is SARAH PALIN who is responsible for the largest chunk of whatever actual number is derived from a bona-fide audit of state costs.
Pepperzmom: How do I download firefox while mowing if IE is closed? I have to get to their site via IE, right?
Samper -it took me a few days to get used to firefox. I missed the order my favorites were in. But firefox is way better.
But you don’t have to “abandon” internet explorer. It’s still going to be there, and you can use it whenever you want to, so you can ease into firefox.
To knock down all the RUMORS , why don’t the Palins have a press conference and display all the pertinent paperwork and documents to make each and every “RUMOR” go away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg
NEWSFLASH: Helicopters make it difficult to conduct newsy stories about the funeral!!!
Good GRIEF, the commentary is lame!
Wow! OT…Lance Armstrong is “tied” for the Tour de France lead! Less than 1/10 of a second difference….
Nice comeback…somehow I don’t think/believe that SP has a comparable comeback in her. Then again, her thoughts on comebacks probably run along the lines of “kids, come back here. don’t go near those nasty media folks, also too.”
Dang, I’m feeling rebellious today!
PS: Samper, sorry you can’t get a “hell yeah” on your David Cassidy crush. I was more into the 2 older Brady guys….
@ samper
Use IE to get to
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
201 Martha Says: July 7th, 2009 at 7:32 AM
Palin said there is a difference between the White House and what she has experienced in Alaska. If she were in the White House the “department of law” would protect her from baseless ethical allegations.
“I think on a national level your department of law there in the White House would look at some of the things that we’ve been charged with and automatically throw them out,” she said.
There is no Department of Law.
____________
Actually, there is. We know it as the Office of White House Counsel. Frankly, if she made those statements then she is more than just clueless and/or uninformed. Or maybe she’s never heard of Monica Goodling. How did it end for Monica Goodling? The same as it ended for Sarah Palin.
samper Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:25 AM
What?
No one at ALL shares my love for David Cassidy?
You all are NUTS!
___________________
I do….I do!!!!
213 weRpennst8 Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:41 AM
Just curious, why is Sarah out fishing? Isn’t she supposed to be working until the 26th? I would think that she would be working towards transitioning the new governor since it is such short notice. Does she have vacation due?
*********************************************************
I’ve asked several times how much vacation time she is due. Bet she even claims per diem on those days also.too.
Samper – just go to their site, and click the download button, and then close internet explorer and open firefox. http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
This would be just like downloading a free firewall or anti-virus software. It won’t affect internet explorer.
You can actually have both IE and firefox open at the same time, but it would just use lots of memory, and you can open lots of tabs in firefox, so it’s not necessary. (I do use my banking account on IE because firefox doesn’t think it’s safe enough to let me get to where I want to go – which just proves the point!)
@samper
What’s all this John Cusack junk? I’M still in love with David Cassidy!!!!!!! Even as an “old guy”, he’s hot, smart, and talented.
YUMMY!
————————————————————————
YUMMY OLD GUY = Sean Connery!
samper – that should be “then after firefox is downloaded, close IE and open firefox”
BuffaloGal Says:
Here in Western NY the shout-out on our scenic drives is “Cow!” or “Sheep!” A few years ago we had some entrepreneurial types move in to the Allegheny hill country so we’ve now added, “Llamas!”
—————————
We’ve actually had quite a few young black bears in the suburbs of Rochester over the past few years. One of them was up a tree about 3 miles from me a couple of weeks ago, just inside the city limits. They’re coming up from the southern tier as the growing population fills up the territory and needs to spread out. As a dedicated moose lover (any of my primary grade students can tell you what my favorite animal is!) I am not quite as excited about bears, but they’re definitely a step up from woodchucks and skunks!
I need a 12-step program. I am a Mudflats and Alaskan blog addict. This has to stop. Step away from the computer….step away…step away…..
samper Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:42 AM
Pepperzmom: How do I download firefox while mowing if IE is closed? I have to get to their site via IE, right?
****
Okay – clarification needed after I read what I posted above…
You need to
1) download FF thru IE,
2) close IE after the download is finished, UNLESS that is your only web connection (not using AOL software for example)
3) then go find the *.exe file and double-click it. FF should auto open itself once install is done.
4) close IE once FF opens up and finish up with whatever FF sends you way. Likely there will be options to review info on yuor new browser….
ok. this is funny/weird:
i used to hang around with shaun cassidy…and this morning my rehab trainer mentioned that she had a “thing” with sean connery.
we are all aligning here in mudflats universe.
@lettersfromeurope Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:36 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8137265.stm
It is the 7th of July again. Just a minute of your time to remember and honor the innocent victims of terrorism in London. Thankyou
—————————————————————
Thank you for reminding us.
Namaste,
Alaska Standard changed banner and tries to redeem itself. Article critical of Sarah by Niva Reese. Here’s the conclusion:
“If she keeps this up and her behavior gets so ridiculous that no one takes her seriously, she will be regretting the day mainstream media and serious political bloggers decided she wasn’t worth the time. She is almost there.”
http://www.thealaskastandard.com/content/writers-believe-sarah-palin-she-stirs-hornets-next
Echoing what others have said: FF should self-guide you to what you have to do once the download is done…
Gotta run…lunchtime here in GA….
trisha “No one at ALL shares my love for David Cassidy? You all are NUTS!___________________I do….I do!!!!”
HARDY BOYS!!!!
Okay, this is priceless. Andrew Sullivan quotes ABC, I think, thusly, with some SP quotes in there too
But as for whether another pursuit of national office, as she did less than a year ago when she joined Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the race for the White House, would result in the same political blood sport, Palin said there is a difference between the White House and what she has experienced in Alaska. If she were in the White House, she said, the “department of law” would protect her from baseless ethical allegations.”I think on a national level, your department of law there in the White House would look at some of the things that we’ve been charged with and automatically throw them out,” she said. There is no “Department of Law” at the White House.
Then Andrew adds: “Maybe she was thinking of the Office of Legal Counsel: you know the lawyers hired by Cheney to let him do whatever he wanted, including the torture of human beings. Maybe she was thinking about her own view of the First Amendment – that it protects politicians from journalists. Or maybe she’s as massively ignorant and completely ga-ga as she seems.”
Isn’t it amazing she doesn’t have as much basic understanding of the functioning of the federal government as we all have? I’ll vote for “massively ignorant and completely ga-ga.”
Isabella! It’s NOT ON YOU TUBE!
However, YouTube is touting a Google browser, called CHROME.
Anyone have thoughts on that?
2 moose = meese???
2 moose = moosi???
How that work?
Wow thank you all for the bird video’s. Man they are some serious behaviors of these birds, I love it. Wildlife Avenger, wow, just wow, now that was a beautiful bird and so exquisite. I loved his mating dance.
#
228
who me? Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:49 AM
I need a 12-step program. I am a Mudflats and Alaskan blog addict. This has to stop. Step away from the computer….step away…step away…..
First you must turn OFF computer, then step away….step away….there ya go!
Husband just informed me that I need to shut the damn computer and get ready to leave. RV is running in the driveway. Must calculate number of miles two Shih Tzus can go without potty break which should be near a Starbucks with wireless.
#
228
who me? Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:49 AM
I need a 12-step program. I am a Mudflats and Alaskan blog addict. This has to stop. Step away from the computer….step away…step away…..
———-
Good luck with that.
fawnskin mudpuppy “i used to hang around with shaun cassidy…and this morning my rehab trainer mentioned that she had a “thing” with Sean Connery”
Seriously, Cassidy…really? He has aged very nicely. Connery is old enough to be my great grandpa
but he is HOT.
GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble Says “I need a 12-step program. I am a Mudflats and Alaskan blog addict. This has to stop. Step away from the computer….step away…step away…..
———-
Good luck with that.”
LOL!!!!
I think it sad that SP uses her commitment to family as one (of many) reasons for leaving office, yet she chooses to spend her time out “fishing” instead of with the family member who needs her most, Trig. For many parents of special needs children, having the means to quit work to stay home and care for their child is something they can only dream about.
Didn’t Shaun die? Or was it just Andy Gibb?
@Isabella
Seriously, Cassidy…really? He has aged very nicely. Connery is old enough to be my great grandpa
but he is HOT.
——–
Mark Harmon, another one.
Scottsdalian Says:
2 moose = meese???
2 moose = moosi???
How that work?
*************************************************
n., pl. moose.
A hoofed mammal (Alces alces) found in forests of northern North America and in Eurasia and having a broad, pendulous muzzle and large, palmate antlers in the male.
answersdotcom
Ok…did one last quick check over at HP, particularly the POLITICS page…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/politics/
Two headlines definitely had me going, yup, you betcha, also too! Right at the top section…
Sotomayor Gets ABA’s Highest Rating, Unanimously
Boehner Stimulus Claim Proven False, GOP Leader Backpedals
Gasp, GOP’ers going thru some more pain today…loving it!
Now I really am going…I’m hungry! So chow, er, nope, ciao, y’all!
@fawnskin mudpuppy Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:51 AM
ok. this is funny/weird:
i used to hang around with shaun cassidy…and this morning my rehab trainer mentioned that she had a “thing” with sean connery.
we are all aligning here in mudflats universe.
————————————————————————
I like OUR universe way better than Sarah Palin’s!
Just read Alaska Dispatch article on “Palin Inspires Americans to Quit their Jobs”. It’s funny, and so true. If everyone just quit their jobs halfway through because of a number of pressing problems, the whole nation would be in gridlock. Can anyone imagine operating nurses, surgeons, ambulance paramedics, military?, all quitting because someone didn’t like them? Or they were in the middle of a personal court dispute?
I thank God for reasonable people, like all the ones mentioned above who have the fortitude to carry on like good soldiers under duress and continue to serve in a humanitarian capacity.
I’m sorry, but I don’t have much sympathy right now for the Governor of the North. If Meg Stapleton thinks that the world is literally SP’s oyster, then at the very least they should be mindful of all the Alaskans who don’t have the world as their oyster. They (the real people) have to pay their bills, despite their tedious jobs. Quitting is not a good example to bring to the young men and women that SP claims to love to protect, as in encourage their self-esteem. She behaves like an impetuous child, trying this toy, throwing it away, then another, and never seeming to know what she wants.
This whole “code” resignation speech leaves many wondering WT heck?
#
228
who me? Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:49 AM
I need a 12-step program. I am a Mudflats and Alaskan blog addict. This has to stop. Step away from the computer….step away…step away…..
===
Same problem here. I’ve now put off God’s work until the mailman comes by.
Also, too, I can’t miss a SINGLE MINUTE of the Event of the Century because MJ might resurrect today.
I am SOOOOO lame with excuses!
Wow! Great stuff as always. I swear the best place to stay informed is right here on Mudflats and not just about the abdicating Queen of Mean, but also loved the Attenborough video and while not a Cassidy fan myself, my husband was a huge, huge one and even had a David Cassidy lunch box when he was kid. And yes I stilled married him.
Ethics complaints do seem like a recurring theme with Palin. She just can’t quit talking about them. And when Sarah can’t quit talking about something that is a huge clue that it really, really bugs her and she lies even more than usual.
A couple of questions:
Does anyone really have any clue what is going on with the Legal fund? How much money is in it?
If Palin pulled money out of the fund and used it in a way that clearly in violation of the law regarding what a sitting Governor can or can’t do with money given to them, what could be the ramifications and what could be her recourse?
I think Andrew sullivan is hitting on all cylinders this morning. He is saying what I am thinking:
Quote from Andrew sullivan…
Look: I don’t buy it. She loves criticism. She loves getting into it with her enemies. She’s fought umpteen investigations. She’s done it her entire career. She threatens to sue all the time. And money is not a problem since her devoted fans would raise the personal defense costs for her in a couple of seconds. And her addiction to scandale has been obvious since she became Wasilla mayor. If the limelight ever starts to dim, she rushes in to start another public spat – as with the Letterman fracas. And this is what she said before she was picked for veep:
No: it’s something else. At least that’s what it looks like to me. I guess we’ll have to wait to find out. Mercifully, it doesn’t much matter any more. I sure hope her family recovers from what she has done to them.
Yup, that is exactly how I see it too. Something smells and it isn’t just dead fish.
247 austintx Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Scottsdalian Says:
2 moose = meese???
2 moose = moosi???
How that work?
*************************************************
n., pl. moose.
A hoofed mammal (Alces alces) found in forests of northern North America and in Eurasia and having a broad, pendulous muzzle and large, palmate antlers in the male.
answersdotcom
Austin – you are just no fun!!!
samper “Didn’t Shaun die? Or was it just Andy Gibb?”
Gibb killed himself didn’t he over taxes? LOVE the BEE GEE’s.
GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble “Mark Harmon, another one.”
Is he still married to the Mork & Mindy woman?
Any close encounters with John Cusack?
Re GA Peach #101, 102 on Palin’s house
Recapping a post on a dead thread-
Following Spenard Co. and the building materials seems hard since they were the only source in the area. I live in small old towns with limited supplies, so our same-age houses have the same doors, etc. On the house pix, once I printed out some at the same scale as the sports building and the railings are similar in concept but not identical in shape or framing.
But I do think the house looks as though it was designed by the architects that did the sports complex, one of whom sat on the sports complex building committee. Building designers sometimes use distinctive detailing that could be matched, even if sets of plans are never put side by side. An internet search for architect’s fees suggests that they might be 8 to 10% of total to design and consult on a home, and 6% of the cost of a recreation complex. (Estimates from lower 48) Maybe $700,000 at Wasilla?
Doodling a house design as a favor for a friend who admires your work so much can be imagined.
They are having a lot of fun with the ‘Department of Law’ word salad over on Kos
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/7/750835/-Department-of-Law
Sales of sharpened No#2 pencils have gone up 1000% ; as has emergency room visits of those with said pencils jammed into one’s own ears………
212 KateinCanada Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Leah at the Theopalinism blog has a new post explaining why she thinks Palin’s resignation speech did state her reason. Not, as I would have expected, primarily religious, but primarily GOP promotion. Leah reminds us of the vital short term goal- cranking up GOP effort to win back even a few seats in 2010. Palin’s help there would not be wasted.
***************************************
agreed, would not be wasted, but also would not be cheap. if the RNC forks out $1000 per appearance for a candidadte in her airfare, hotel, and meals, i suppose that’s their business. but if they want to pay additional expenses for Todd or kids’ airfares, additional hotel (if any), and additional meals, gonna kinda be hard to claim to be the party of fiscal conservatism, isn’t it? kinda hard to convince people you’re the party who is going to spot all that wasteful spending in government and put a stop to it, when you allow or yea, even be seen to encourage, that kind of waste.
Nailed it!!! [like it was hard to do] I told everyone she would say she didn’t quit. Now she’s gonna turn around and say she didn’t retire then she didn’t abandon us she didn’t commit political hari-kari. (Lived there, staying there, whatever, my stuff was there.)
The SS Palin roller-coaster has a very regular sine wave, don’t you think?
She has a peak deviation from center and a spatial dimension with frequency.
We could set the pattern in music form or perhaps modulate it a bit so I don’t get the fingernails on chalkboard effect.
2 moose = meese???
2 moose = moosi???
2 moose = mooserazi???
2 moose = moosapalooza???
Did everyone catch Letterman last night.
“Sarah Palin has resigned”.
Long pause. Making faces.
“Was it something I said?”
And he wasn’t done yet. I’ll bet he’ll be putting in a few digs all week.
Didn’t I say it? If Sarah Palin thinks she won against Letterman she better think again. Remember what he did to John McCain? Well, he did it to Sarah Palin too. (Well, at least he helped.)
Of course, Sarah’s biggest media enemy is…..Sarah Palin. The gift that keeps on giving.
new piece on Palin’s resignation
http://www.thealaskastandard.com/content/writers-believe-sarah-palin-she-stirs-hornets-next
#50, Morgan at 4:22 AM – “My favorite line was when Andrea Mitchell asked her if quitting as governor meant she couldn’t handle the nitty-gritty of politics. Palin (incredulous): “Nitty gritty? You mean like this fish slime?””
Mitchell abrubtly responds, almost harsh: No, Juneau, the legislature…
@Isabella
“GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble “Mark Harmon, another one.”
Is he still married to the Mork & Mindy woman? ”
——–
Pam Dawber? I think so.
marsha marsha marsha…
Andy Gibb did not die over taxes. Sheesh.
I think Gibb killed himself via drugs over despair that Victoria Principle broke up with him. They have a few bucks in the bank…couldn’t have been something as mundane as taxes.
Trisha: YEAH! Another David fan!
Sean Connery: Still hot, according to my 70YO mom!
I kind of liked Parker Stevenson better than Shaun Cassidy in Hardy Boys.
Mailman is late… God will just have to wait for me to tend to his creation (my “estate” ha ha). I hope he forgives me.
Mark & Mindy have been married for decades. She’s a DETROITER! He was much hotter when he was just the Coors Beer guy.
Whatever happened to the Diet Coke guy, Lucky? Remember him? All the women in an office building are watching the clock waiting for his break on the construction site below. He takes off his shirt and enjoys a refreshing Diet Coke and they all swoon.
Who remembers Bobby Sherman? What ever happened to him?
SP – Family Values: I value my family for what THEY can do for ME!
hobospacejunkie says at 11:19 am, July 7th, 2009
- ReplyGov. Palin unethicked the lovely and delicious Shannyn Moore in the aftermath of wordsalading the resignation. This did not progress Alaska or US America. It merely showed that Palin is an opportunistic skank and Moore the real queen of Seward’s Folly.
*******************************************************
Comment at wonkette.
http://wonkette.com/409698/palin-was-driven-out-of-office-by-paperwork
Y’all might want to take a gander at helen’s new post on Palin
http://www.margaretandhelen.wordpress.com or click the link on the right side of this page. . .
@rebekkah Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 8:03 AM
She behaves like an impetuous child, trying this toy, throwing it away, then another, and never seeming to know what she wants.
———————————————————————
This is exactly what I was thinking a short time ago when I was reading about how she has quit EVERYTHING she has started – 5 schools in six years, quitting Lt. Gov, Alaska Oil Board, Wasilla Mayor now Gov.
I think these FACTS need to be stated repeatedly far and wide. Could she have ADD?
I read yesterday that she has an attention span of about 15 minutes before she drifts off to something else.
Just thinking out loud here.
I, too, really need to step away from the computer, but first. . . .
264 sauerkraut Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 8:14 AM
marsha marsha marsha…
Andy Gibb did not die over taxes. Sheesh.
*************************************************
He died brokenhearted over Victoria Principal. Little bit ‘o cocaine also.too.
isabella
ive never seen anybody but me say they love the bee gees.
they were the best.
sister of my heart
Thanks, Greytdog. I try to check her site regularly but missed this. She’s a hoot. And so right
“Her problems come because every time you stick a microphone in front of her mouth a whole lot of stupid falls out. “
@UK Lady Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 8:07 AM
They are having a lot of fun with the ‘Department of Law’ word salad over on Kos
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/7/750835/-Department-of-Law
Sales of sharpened No#2 pencils have gone up 1000% ; as has emergency room visits of those with said pencils jammed into one’s own ears………
———————————————————————–
ROFLMAO!!!!! OMG i just fell off my chair! Not to worry, I have three Pugs at my feet to cushion the fall.
Methinks that the Department of Law that Sarah believes exists in the White House…needs another dept down the hall..how about the Department of Entertainment – Comedic Relief… She can run it for awhile..until she “quits.”
The Office of Legal Counsel is legal adviser to the President and executive branch. My understanding is that it serves the President in his official duties. When Bill Clinton was undergoing impeachment and trial, he had to hire a private attorney to defend him. Sarah chose to hire Van Flein to defend her, therefore she has to assume the burden of paying him. Maybe if Sarah had an Office of Legal Counsel, they might advise her ahead of time that certain actions she would take might not pass the sniff test. But, I don’t think that she asks anyone before she pushes though doors. Her quote when she was mayor seemed to be that anything was fair game until the courts told her otherwise. I guess the fat lady is singing now.
KateinCanada “Recapping a post on a dead thread-
Following Spenard Co. and the building materials seems hard since they were the only source in the area.”
I am from Alaska and I call B*S* on this explanation that has been circulated for months. Spenard Builders Supply has a Home Interior division where they special order materials. They do not just carry two doors and one window design & that is all you get. Spenard’s is not the only building supply company.
They are one of the biggest and usually least expensive for projects but they do not cater only one product.
samper – I’m using chrome now since my firefox started taking too long and had crashes off and on. I still use firefox sometimes and I have explorer too, so 3 browsers, but the main one I am now using is Chrome.
Cassidy, loved the Hardy Boys! Andy Gibb too. So sad about him, but I’ll be honest, I just adored Barry Gibb with than mane of hair and beard. *sigh* It was an 80′s thing okay! LOL
aaaaaaaacccckkkkkkkk! I am overwhelmed! Too many posts on here. House in chaos because we are having all of our windows replaced this week. Trying to keep kitties and dog locked in the back of the house, kitties meowing constantly, moving furniture, hammers banging, saws sawing…me ripping out chunks of hair.
Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother, we’re staying alive, staying alive.
Best all time BeeGee’s song: Jive Talking! LOVE that riff.
Also: Best all time Paul Simon song: Kodachrome. Live in Japan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcR_LvorN_0
Neither gets enough air play.
samper, isabella, lexky
bee gees #1
Samper,
I’m surprised the casket is in a hearse as they did have a carriage shipped in.
I’m in the same thought pattern as you. I’m sorry, but it has become a circus courtesy of the media and the family. They keep growing this leaps and bounds and in fact should be paying the city for the cost.
The man’s music and videos were great. When younger I went to 2 concerts. Yes, he broke “some” barriers for the “music world” — not as has been said by some in the family, Sharpten and others – that his actions have allowed for Tiger Woods to play golf and for Pres Obama to be able to get into the White House. I’m sorry – I don’t think so.
MJ was human — not GOD. Next I expect to hear they’ve made application for Sainthood.
They have overplayed this. To say it’s a celebration of his life — no — it’s been a public spectacle of speculation and media feeding frenzy and a money maker for many who will no doubt have books on the presses as the funeral is proceeding in that so many more have stepped in for their 15 minutes of fame to add to the frenzied speculation.
It’s another day that proves the media has long ago lost the investigative side of the reporting/journalistic art. Those appearing ad nauseam on MJ are the same as those reporting the Palin stories. They have talking points only and do no work to investigate the truth or to challenge what is said.
lexky “isabella
ive never seen anybody but me say they love the bee gees.
they were the best.
sister of my heart”
Their voices are penetrating. The music just makes you feel good. One of the few artiest when their song comes on the radio you turn them up and smack anyone who tries to change the station.
OMG—they are going nuts over at HuffPo regarding the Dept of Law statement. Here is a funny one. Palin wonders why she is called out so much—Dept of law?
I think she’s thinking of the Department of Nastiness which protects a sitting president from nasty and abusive remarks; unless, of course, she means the Department of Pettiness which looks into slights and slurs, but has no jurisdiction over smears and slander.
isabella
amen
SAMPER noooooooooooo. michael DEAD??? say it ain’t so so samper. no y’all is wrong. i just saw michael and elvis this very morning. they was getting on the m22 bus on their way to work. tsk tsk. honestly….b
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZpaNJqF4po&feature=related
Kodachrome – The version we all know and love (studio version). I like the live versions better.
Not only is the Dept of Law statement stupid.
But, if you know Palinese, she seems to be saying that it’s easier to be President of the United States than Gov of Alaksa because, you can do whatever you want and the “Dept of Law” just gets rid of it for you.
Hence, she will be running in 2012.
MJ’s untimely passing was an incredible upward career move for Jermaine………just sayin’……..he is on every show……
austintx Says “Andy Gibb did not die over taxes. Sheesh.
*************************************************
He died brokenhearted over Victoria Principal. Little bit ‘o cocaine also.too”
Says her Victoria showed up to his funeral and her limo was turned away.
http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/g/Andy%20Gibb/andy_gibb.htm
He did file bankruptcy which is what had me remembering the tax suicide headline from way back.
sauerkraut, I apologized yesterday for being a jerk, are we friends again yet? You cannot hold a grudge against me, I am too cute
Canadian Neighbour
All this MJ mania is reminding me of how the Brits behaved when Princess Di died. It was everywhere you looked. I live about 3 miles away from Di’s Northampton Estate and it was nuts.
Florists running out of flowers, roads blocked, people crying in the street.
Very UnBritish. I felt as if the whole bloody country had gone mad in one fell swoop. Mass hysteria I call it.
So now she wants the ‘Feds’ DOJ to protect her?
Good gawd, y’all.
Palin’s did have a dog (s), they gave them either away or back, lol……being a dog lover, I was not impressed and I think it says something, explains something, lol. Sounds like a trainer rescued one and the other got it’s independence somehow.
http://www.adn.com/ear/story/353552.html
“Ear wasn’t surprised. It’s the name most suggested by snarky gossips but The Omniscient Orifice remembered Palin named a new puppy Agia last year. It seemed unlikely she’d give a baby the same name.
However, there are new developments. Agia the dog, a gift from Curt Menard, is gone. It was badly behaved and got sent to doggie reform school. The trainer, a family friend, offered to keep Agia, and apparently everyone liked the idea.
Now the family has a new puppy, a Pomeranian-poodle mix. “A tiny puppy, it can fit in your hand,” cooed press aide Sharon Leighow. Its name is Indie. Ear immediately flashed on the Indy 500 — Todd and all that. But no. We’re told it’s short for “Independence.”
CN: LOL! You are ABSOLUTELY right! I thought I was the only sick to death of this over the top and gawdy display.
I fully expect LA to bill the estate for all expenses. Geeze, they’re closing roads, have riot control, porta potties, etc.
I thought he was going to arrive on a magic carpet flying through the air.
Oh, haven’t you heard? I think the rumour is that he is soon to resurrect. No sainthood necessary!
Alaska has a Dept of Law and the White House has the office of legal counsel. Guess the outboard motor fumes are getting to her.
The “Department of Law” story cracked me up especially since there is none. Maybe this is why the McCain campaign kept her away from interviews. They knew how ridiculous and ignorant she really is. My question is still how in the world was she elected. Maybe prospective governors should be seriously vetted.
“”…she said, the “department of law” would protect her from baseless ethical allegations.
“I think on a national level, your department of law there in the White House would look at some of the things that we’ve been charged with and automatically throw them out,” she said.”"”
********************************
Oh, could we please have the Federal DOJ come look at the ethical allegations, baseless et al? Pretty please? I promise I won’t ask for anything more. Please!?!
Crap. The mailman (a very late sub for the usual guy) just showed.
God’s work beckons… at the top of the hour, of course!
uk lady
im from kentucky and when di passed away i cried for 2 days. dont know why it was just sad
Say No to PIP
They named a puppy after ‘Independance’? – and they reckon they didn’t belong to the AIP? Yeah right OK, I’ll buy that bridge now then.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?????
It’s a beautiful, not too hot, breezy day here in Detroit.
Fresh air, exercise and the gratification and pride in a well kept home is fruit for the soul.
There is NOTHING I enjoy more than lounging out back after doing a great cut/trim/weeding and reading a good book.
And then there is today…
Having fun here (inside staring at a 14″ monitor) and listening to drivel about the pending resurrection.
I am one SICK mudpup.
My niece was given two tickets to the MJ thing today but gave them away to a student that she is tutoring this summer. Still another person I know is going to attend, my niece can let me know what he thought of the whole thing. (they are all in LA) However, there were give aways to tickets here in Toronto from the radio station.
@LiladyNY, Sarah’s attention span of about 15 minutes reminds me of a former president who left our country in a real mess. GWB was reported to have a limited attention span. At meetings, it had to be said in the first 15 minutes because after that he got bored and lost attention. We know that he was incurious. He never seemed to read anything or do anything to broaden his knowledge. And, he ruled by his gut and the messages he got from his “higher father.” (Should I have capitalized “father”?) The parallels with Sarah are amazing! Except, GWB didn’t quit. There he was after his party had a stunning defeat last November, the real definition of a lame duck. Even though GWB might have been “out to lunch,” he didn’t quit. Around the country, other governors do not quit. Otherwise, there would be all of this political maneuvering to let the Lt.Governor solidify his/her position for the next election.
By the way, Alaskans, do you think that Sarah is entitled to the usual benefits that fall to the governor after leaving office? What kind of payments and perks would follow her if she would have completed office? If she quits, doesn’t she forfeit those benefits? Now that really would save Alaska some money.
Princess Di was REAL royalty, though.
MJ is SELF DESCRIBED royalty.
But really, Di died when BF & I were only 5 months into the relationship. We were peeing in our pants laughing about how you JUST COULDN’T ESCAPE the never ending coverage/speculation/paparazzi issues. It was All Di, All the Time, on Every Channel, In Every Newspaper.
But I think even THAT took less time than this!
lexky “im from kentucky and when di passed away i cried for 2 days. dont know why it was just sad”
My dad said he and my mother were traveling through Tennessee when Elvis died and the world stopped. He couldn’t get service at the diner they were in & my mom was trying to convince him to go to Graceland but he refused telling her they’d get trapped for weeks.
Just thought I’d throw this out there for all of you to read and go over. It’s a new Time article about her. I can already tell you her point words are immoral and uneconomic. She gets the figure wrong on the health care issue, repeating 1 trillion, 2 trillion, etc. When in fact the figure that came back from committee with the bill they put through was a cost of $611 million.
Well, you know, gift that keeps on giving..is..giving again.
enjoy
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908983-1,00.html
isabella
my mom had tickets to see elvis in ky but he passed away
Samper,
I’m in my extreme brutally honest frame of mind today. As the word crosshairs has been used recently — I don’t care who’s in mine!!! The homecare person left in tears — I care why — NOT!! I just cost her her job!!! Do I feel bad — not in my lifetime.
ok Samper, did you know that Mark Harmon is Kim Harmon’s brother? Kim Harmon was Ricky Nelson’s wife. Ricky & Kim had those twin boys, can’t remember their names, they had long blonde hair & were some kind of band…also Mark & Pam (Mindy) had to take the kids for awhile after Ricky died because Kim was a hopeless addict.
Pacosgal: This is a funeral, not a concert. It’s ridiculous how this is being handled.
Your niece is better for not going. I can’t even imagine the chaos and crowds when I have wall-to-wall coverage in my living room and on DVR.
I bet I can do my usual 2 hour yard routine, come back and the casket will STILL be en route!
CN: I’m not following you at all… did I miss a post?
Canadian Neighbour Says “I’m in my extreme brutally honest frame of mind today. As the word crosshairs has been used recently — I don’t care who’s in mine!!! The homecare person left in tears — I care why — NOT!! I just cost her her job!!! Do I feel bad — not in my lifetime.”
You have to defend your mother, no questions, no excuses.
You need a HUG….GROUP HUG everyone!!!!
Are you watching the Michael Jackson memorial?
Yes 31.14% 1135
votes
No 68.86% 2510
votes
Us Mag
238 tewise Says:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:54 AM
Wow thank you all for the bird video’s. Man they are some serious behaviors of these birds, I love it. Wildlife Avenger, wow, just wow, now that was a beautiful bird and so exquisite. I loved his mating dance.
***************************
Can someone tell me where this link is. I can not find it. Thanks
Palin is not the tough pitbull she pretended to be. Her fans liked her looks and her perseverance in rough circumstances. Now that she’s wimped out, a lot of them are disappointed. They still love her, but not like before because she can’t be relied upon to stand up for them in a pinch. Palin senses this and keeps trying to display her toughness with the fish slime and what not. It ain’t gonna work. The damage is already done.
jc: Did not know that (in my best Carson voice).
The Nelson Twins are Gunther and ????
OH! CN: On further reflection of your post, are you saying SP had a homecare person that was let go?
Isabella’s Post:
Are you watching the Michael Jackson memorial?
Yes 31.14% 1135
votes
No 68.86% 2510
votes
Us Mag
====
Ummm… do we have a choice?
lexky “isabella
my mom had tickets to see elvis in ky but he passed away”
my mom had this Blue Hawaiian record that was actually blue and played it forever & ever & ever. I do not think she ever forgave my dad for not letting her go to Graceland.
C Rock: Check page 2 or so of this thread. The Lyre Bird (or something similar).
Elvis, also, too, isn’t dead.
Following his supposed death, he was widely documented as hanging out in Kalamazoo, MI at a Burger King.
I went to college there, at WMU. Never saw him ONCE, and we were at BK all the time!
In Palinese language, a few notes: 1) when saying one thing it means another (white is black and black is white).
2) never admit a fault, like saying, “quitting”, “I’m sorry”, “I could have done better”. Never, never admit a failure.
3) throwing words around like in a blender and expecting one to understand it’s meaning.
4) refusing to reveal what’s going on inside head, trickling out code words, expecting people to understand the underlying meaning. When we don’t understand, we all feel stupid and thrown off course, scratching our heads.
5) Alaska always comes first. Children and family should come first too. Quitting helps Alaskans because they come first. Quitting helps the State by running it without a title, or quitting helps the nation by serving the nation, but with absolutely no job title.
Higher calling comes but it can’t be revealed at this time.
Anyone had enough yet?
ds55 Says “Palin is not the tough pitbull she pretended to be.”
If she were a happy or smart person she would take the money, go home, count herself as having had the ride of a lifetime & develop loving relationships with her kids so when she is old & incontinent they do not lock her in a closet.
@ Samper writes: “Princess Di was REAL royalty, though. MJ is SELF DESCRIBED royalty.”
Princess Di wasn’t real royalty. She married into royalty.
MJ earned his title with talent and sweat.
Yesterday I heard Pat Buchanan (of all people!) read a quote on the air in response to a senator who was bashing the coverage of MJ’s death. Pat said when God puts his hand on a man, I take my hand away.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/printArticle.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=167322&version=1&template_id=57&parent_id=56
Elvis in Kalamazoo, MI
Canadian, I have to go just now hope all is alright & you are safe. Be well.
Elvis, Bee Gee’s, Cassidy’s, today is retro chic!!!
Morning Mudpups.
Been reading for an hour and finally cought up, might have to make more coffee…
I don’t get it….
Why are the MSM giving her a pass?
Why are they not verifying the facts?
How is that bloggers seem to be able to find the info and MSM can’t….
The Andrea Mitchel pity party is pretty sad…
Yes 12 step program, I am afraid my spouse is considering an intervention…
Celtic Diva has a great post this am link to the right======>
Samper,
My post referring to my brutal honest mood today was referring to how I posted that my feeling of MJ being human etc.
The reference to the homecare person that I just cost her her job — that’s the person that comes in to care for my mother allowing me to go out to shop or whatever I require. She no longer is employed with her agency.
samper Thanks , I will go and see if I can find it.
WOW! Smokey just read Diana Ross’ statement about not being in attendance.
I guess he’ll read a few of them.
ds55: The King Of Pop was a moniker he gave himself. Princess Di’s was bestowed upon her by the Queen, and by birthing the next two in line for the throne after Chuck.
Can you guys BELIEVE the funeral is FINALLY underway????? Waahoo!
Wait, that came out wrong.
By virtue of being the mother of the next two in line for the throne, Diana was real royalty.
“Are you going to run for president?” “I don’t need a title to get things done.”
I guess beauty pagent title is pretty much how she sees political office. Now there she is out of sync with the citizens who vote, who think those salaries and support staff and office space and equipment come with a job description that includes the concept of chief executive, chief administrator, a job which requires some real skill and effort.
Did she really think an election was just a beauty pageant?
Good Grief, Charlie Brown
One last bit.
Gee everyone but Fox was there huh? Attention whre much?
Palin says she’s not a quitter, she’s a fighter, but adds that, politically speaking, “if I die, I die. So be it.”
The Alaska governor spoke in taped interviews on ABC, NBC and CNN broadcast Tuesday morning.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/07/palin-all-options-are-on-_n_226787.html
CN: Did you file complaints? I’m sorry, but I’m not completely up to date on your home situation, just knowing you are a SAINT for caring for your mom.
Godspeed, my friend!
Thanks, ds55.
Pat Buchanan (of all people!) read a quote on the air in response to a senator who was bashing the coverage of MJ’s death. Pat said when God puts his hand on a man, I take my hand away.
——
Well said, by Pat. I didn’t know he had it in him.
They have a puppy? Cute puppy pictures? Piper cuddling puppy? Trig/Tripp licked by puppy? Puppy licked by Tractor/Trailer? Huh? Didn’t someone tell these people that the 60s are so over and no one names their children Moon Sparkles or Paper Chain anymore?
Isabella,
Thanks but I’m totally fine!! The homecare person was the one in the puddle for what I will call paid stupidity!!! She should have found out about 1/2 an hour ago — she’s been fired!!
C Rock: Here you go! Page One, by Aussie Blue Sky:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjE0Kdfos4Y&feature=fvw
@ Samper: Sorry, I guess I don’t measure Brit royals granting titles to one another via genetics as being more ‘real’ than a talented man who works his whole life and honestly earns his claim to fame.
Has this been posted? Probably you guys are quick but here it is again.
Letterman Takes On Palin Resignation: Something I Said? (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/07/letterman-takes-on-palin_n_226854.html
(((Canadian Neighbour)))
C Rock:::::::::
@ 22 Aussie Blue Sky Says: ( this is the first one)
160 Wildlife Avenger Says: (second one, different bird)
both of these are jaw dropping.
OK… God has spoken.
I must do His work and stop having fun indoors on such a beautiful day.
See you all in a couple of hours or tonite for Assembly.
XO!
Canadian Neighbou “Isabella,
Thanks but I’m totally fine!! The homecare person was the one in the puddle for what I will call paid stupidity!!! She should have found out about 1/2 an hour ago — she’s been fired!!”
Lol, glad you are okay & in humor now.