The Mudflats

The Alaska GOP’s favorite pollster Dave Dittman has come out with some new numbers about our ex-almost-one-term governor. How many of them would like to see her run for President of the United States? What percentage of Alaskans think that the woman who couldn’t even survive one term as the governor of half a million people should run the country?

It would appear that it’s 17%. That would leave 83% of Alaskans who think that’s a bad bad idea. BUT, I would submit to you that I know many progressive Alaskans who would love Palin to run for president.  Their little eyes get all twinkly, and they look like someone has just asked them if they want a piece of cake.  A Palin candidacy, they tell me,  assures another four years of a Democratic White House.

So, take that 17% with a grain of salt.

I was interested in this quote from USA Today:

A new poll of voters in Alaska, where Sarah Palin served as governor, shows them deeply divided about whether they think their ex-chief executive should run for the White House.

Deeply divided? 83% v. 17%?

If the election were held today, and Palin ran against someone else for the presidency and the other candidate won in an 83/17 split, I don’t think anyone would be describing it as a “deeply divided” nation. That’s as close to unanimous as a national contest would ever get.  “Landslide” doesn’t even do it justice.   I believe, if memory serves me correctly, 17% is the same percentage as those who thought favorably about Dick Cheney when he stepped down from the presidency in 2008.  No that is not a typo.

And it looks doubtful that Palin would even come close to winning her home state, where it all started. Deeply divided? Not so much.

Another 36% of respondents say that Palin should not run for president, but simply “help other candidates.” Well, she did help Doug Hoffman in New York’s 23rd District. They hadn’t had a Democrat in that seat in decades until she came out in support of the conservative candidate.

She does seem to bring in a lot of money for the candidates she supports, but she also polarizes the debate so much that she brings in just as much for the opponent. Palin is the Republican party’s gift to Democratic fundraisers across the nation.

No Alaskan pollster has asked the question that I would ask – “If Sarah Palin were to run for governor of Alaska in 2010, would you vote for her?”   That’s the one I want.

Since I can’t ask only Alaskans that question, I’ll put up another poll here. I’ll assume that most of the regular readers of this blog are not Sarah Palin fans. Call it a hunch. So, what do you think? Would you like to see her run for President against Barack Obama in 2012?

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It’s been a great weekend, and it’s not over yet.  I’ve been a little skimpy with the posting this weekend, mainly because the crew from Anonymous Bloggers is in town, and I’ve been having a blast getting to know them all as more than just a little tiny square 1-inch avatar!  Turns out that they’re all living, breathing, talking, thinking people.  Who knew?

They’ve been doing lots of things all on their own, leaving their mark on our fair city.  But we have managed to connect for several fun events.  On Thursday, the whole crew met up at Bernie’s Bungalow to attend the taping of Moore Up North, where Ann Strongheart was interviewed at the beginning of the show!

~Shannyn Moore and Ann Strongheart on Moore Up North

Lots of local bloggers and Mudflatters showed up for the event, and had a great time conversing after the taping was over.

On Friday, the other four Anonymous Bloggers (Fawnskin Mudpuppy, Alaska Pi, Elsie, and Vic) met Shannyn for a radio interview on The Shannyn Moore Show on KUDO 1080am. Then after a tremendously successful fundraiser for the aforementioned Shannyn Moore Show…

~Shannyn Moore takes a call of support from Thom Hartmann at her fundraiser

…we went to an incredibly fabulous dinner at The Crow’s Nest atop the Captain Cook Hotel. We were all the way up on the 20th floor, which, in Alaska is about as tall as it gets! Nevertheless, even at a modest 20 stories, the view was beautiful.  Right where that black part is, above the horizon of lights, you can imagine in the daylight the beautiful snowy Chugach Mountain range.

~Downtown Anchorage at night

We wined and dined, and I laughed so hard and in such a sustained way, my stonach actually hurt. I had the fresh white salmon with some kind of delicious potato puree, sweet corn and blueberry vinaigrette. Wow.

Then came decadent desserts – a plate full of chocolate delights, including a stowaway ‘chocolate moose!’   Actually it was just our blog “moosecot” Brian joining the fun.

And of course, if you’re ever in a restaurant the offers any kind of dessert that involves fire, there is simply no choice but to order it. And yes, the bananas foster was as good as it looks.

And then tonight, a ringside seat for the Fur Rondezvous fireworks! “Fur Rondy” as it is called, is basically a big winter festival full of fun and unusual activities, designed and sustained to have something fun to do in the middle of the winter so we don’t all go crazy.  It is loosely based on the time when trappers used to come to town to trade furs.  Also, in Alaska where Fourth of July celebrations happen during the daylight (because it’s daylight all the time), we cherish our winter fireworks on New Year’s Eve and at Fur Rondy. It’s always a great display.

And let’s not forget the two littlest “Anonymous Bloggers!” Actually, I prefer to think of them as “Governors in training,” or maybe future Senators. The Senators Strongheart. I like that.

~The beautiful and energetic Cecilia Strongheart

~And the littlest one of all – 3-month old Miss Glenna Strongheart

If those two don’t put a smile on your face, then I’m afraid you have little hope.

There is more on the schedule tomorrow, so now you understand why I’ve been spending less time at the keyboard.  Life returns to normal on Monday.

Any of you Anchorage Mudflatters out enjoying Fur Rondy? 

Widespread tsunmai warnings were issued after an earthquake in Chile whose magnitude was a staggering 8.8 on the Richter Scale struck in the early hours of the morning.  Details of the devastation are still coming in, and the area has seen more than 50 aftershocks, many at 5.0 or higher.  The magnitude of the quake has caused immediate concern about the potential of a tsunami.

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami advisory for Alaska’s southern coast and the Aleutian Islands following the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile.

The Tsunami Warning Center says an advisory means “a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is imminent or expected. Significant widespread inundation is NOT expected for areas under an advisory.”

The Tsunami Warning Center only expects a 2.3 foot surge for Seward, but they are warning people to stay out of the water and take extreme caution while boating in areas affected by the advisory.

The Coast Guard says it has issued an urgent marine information broadcast alerting anyone out on the ocean of the possible tsunami.

Coast Guard officials say they expect the wave to reach Kodiak by 4:30 p.m. AKST and only have a wave height of 2.3 feet.

In Hawaii, preparations are being made for a tsunami heading for the islands, and coastal evacuations are ongoing. According to a report from MSNBC, the Navy is sending 8 ships out to sea from Pearl Harbor to avoid potential damage from a breaking wave. It is expected to reach the state by noon.  Live coverage from Hawaii can be seen HERE.

According to infortion from the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake is one of the strongest in the last century. The most severe earthquake recorded occured in 1960 and measured 9.5 with the epicenter also located in Chile. The second strongest earthquake was Alaska’s “Good Friday” earthquake in March of 1964.

Only about one eartquake a year worldwide is recorded with a magnitude of 8.0 or higher. The recent devastating quake in Haiti measured 7.0 on the Richter scale. Each 1.0 increase in magnitude represents about 10 times the degree of ground displacement, and about 32 times more total energy release. There are no reports yet about the number of total fatalaties that can be expected, but there have already been more than 222,000 deaths due to earthquakes this calendar year.

All the major news media is covering this story. But don’t forget that for up to the minute news and reports from the ground, you can also check out the hashtag Chile (#chile) on Twitter.

Stay alert and be safe.

Here’s the latest in a long and unfortunate line of items I like to refer to as “Sarah-phernalia.” Behold the bobble head. I’ve seen others before, but never one all decked out in camouflage, and never one that’s quite so proud of its packaging.
 

Product Description

If you thought the Left was terrified of Sarah Palin, wait till they see her like this. Decked out in camo and strapped with a rifle, this sculpted, hand-painted, 7-inch doll represents the former governor’s refreshing refusal to care about pleasing the political and press establishments.

While the Sarah Palin Bobblehead Doll is moving her head, will it be liberals shaking at the sight of this one-of-a-kind collectors’ item?

The answer is pretty obvious: “You betcha!”

Shipped securely in custom box to prevent breakage.

Product Details

In stock and ready to ship

7″ tall

Base reads- Sarah “You Betcha” Palin

Comes in custom printed box and clamshell

Hand painted and sculpted

Wearing camouflage with hunting rifle

Shipped securely in custom box to prevent breakage.

Well, the best news of all is that it used to sell for a mere $39.95 but now, YOU can get it for the low low price of only $22.95.   Operators are standing by!  Now you can terrify a liberal with this clamshell packaged, custom printed, gen-yoo-wine Palin bobblehead in its own box!  Yes, the lefties will be shrieking in terror and sobbing into their little pink hankies when they get a load of seven-inch Sarah in her glossy three color custom box with real printing, designed perfectly to fit the actual bobblehead that comes inside!  Don’t delay.  Act now!