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March 28, 2024

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Friday, January 28, 2022

Open Thread – Eagle and Salmon

Here’s another amazing image from the book Salmon in the Trees. You can read the details about the event at The Anchorage Museum HERE.

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147 Responses to “Open Thread – Eagle and Salmon”
  1. GreatGrey says:

    Someone needs to point out to Miller that the East German’s wall was meant to keep people in.

  2. ACL says:

    Does anyone know who is paying the security bill? That should be some interesting info!

  3. A fan from CA says:

    Turns out the guy they cuffed has a nice resume as a real journalist. http://www.newsweek.com/authors/tony-hopfinger.html

  4. beth says:

    Some HuffPosters are having quite a bit of fun with AKs latest ‘gift’ to the national dialogue. I guess you have to laugh to keep from crying…. beth.

    “““““““““““““`
    [Caution, entering double entendre zone]

    Once upon a time, in a magical land called Alaska, Joe Miller stimulated his own base vigorously, in eager anticipation of a pleasurable climax come November. Mama Palin knew that Joe wouldn’t take anything lying down. and Joe’s fans positively vibrated in ecstasy. They loved getting polled every night, and they really believed that bearded Joe had the ability to come from behind.

    But he peaked way too early in the election cycle.

    This is the painful heartbreak that doctors call “premature teabagulation.”
    from “Patrick M” — http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Patrick_M?action=comments

  5. beth says:

    Quick question: Do Candidate McAdams and Lisa have (private) security details — or any security details, at all? beth.

  6. A fan from CA says:

    IM was at the town hall. Gyphen has more including how Joe wants to build a wall just like East Germany to keep out “illegals”. Wow!

    • North of the Range says:

      Yeah, the money quote apparently was, “If East Germany can do it, we can do it!”

      And because the campaign was so eager to implement East German practices, like handcuffing reporters, they’re now getting national attention on this remark, too, which otherwise would have gotten little notice.

      They screwed up in every possible way on this one. This should be Humpty Dumpty time, with any luck.

  7. Lee323 says:

    I’m so angry about this outrageous act of aggression against our press by the Miller campaign! Sarah Palin started all this sh*t by refusing to talk to the press, and then constantly denigrating the press in all of her speeches!

    The Alaska Dispatch editor is the public’s representative to get our questions answered from candidates! When these thugs handcuffed and hauled off the press, they handcuffed and hauled off the public!!

    Time for the reasonable folks to stage their own rebellion at the polls! Shut these fascists down!!

  8. slipstream says:

    Drop Zone Security, 3701 Spenard Road Anchorage, AK (907) 677-9780
    Drop Zone Security is a private company categorized under Detective Guard and Armored Car Services and located in Anchorage, AK. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of $500,000 to $1 million and employs a staff of approximately 1 to 4. Owner is listed as William Fulton.

    Wow! Just down the street from the former Fly By Night Club!

  9. seattlefan says:

    Talking Points Memo has the Joe Miller detaining the AK Dispatch editor now. I have a feeling this is going to be a very big story.

    http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/didnt_know_you_could_do_that.php?ref=fpblg

    • Alaska Pi says:

      It better be a big story- far and wide!
      Mr what-buck-stops-where?-I-already-spent-it Miller and his campaign just burned the toast at their own tea party… the stench will drift well out of Alaska…

      • benlomond2 says:

        Welcome to the “Reclaimed America” of the Tea Party…..Be afraid, folks, be very afraid..

        • Alaska Pi says:

          I might get scared later but right now I’m madder than any words I am allowed to say in AKM’s parlor.
          Mr I-got-liberty-you-don’t-get-none Miller must not be allowed to wiggle out of this one.

      • Alaska Pi says:

        Good!
        See the phony police lingo by the security guy?
        Saying Mr Hopfinger ‘stalked ” and “trespassed”?
        he’s a wannabe goon!

        • Baker's Dozen says:

          Well, these security guys weren’t trained by Mickey Mouse! The ones at Disneyland actually know how to do their jobs.

          Sound more like they were trained by Dan Sullivan’s ex party planner. Was she there?

          • Alaska Pi says:

            Whatever her faults are, she wouldn’t have allowed those hairdos they are sporting …

        • slipstream says:

          The person who sneaked into my fence back yard and peered through my windows (true story!) was stalking and tresspassing. A reporter at a public event in a public place has as much right to be there as Miller does. I hope that after witnesses are interviewed and video reviewed, the district attorney charges the security goons with assault. Oh, and adds a misdemeanor count of bad haircuts.

    • Lee323 says:

      Joe Miller is going to regret this cowardly act against the free press!

      The HuffPo story is on fire! I posted a comment there, and within 4 minutes, my comment was already on page five because so many folks are commenting.

      • Alaska Pi says:

        Good on ya! And glad to hear it was so busy there your comment disappeared to the back of a LONG line!

        • Lee323 says:

          People are amazed and angry. Maybe this will wake up some of the folks languishing in denial about the danger these extreme right-wing candidates pose to our country.

          I don’t want to hear one more cynical doofus say there’s no difference between the candidates and parties.

          These extreme right-wingers are pushing for a theocracy in our country, and they’ll use any means to achieve their ends. They consider “God’s laws” above the laws of the land, and won’t hesitate to overthrow our laws to install a theocracy. Be afraid.

          Vote these cretins out on election day!

  10. justafarmer says:

    GREAT tweet from McAdams!

    @JoeWMiller in case u r unaware, the Constitution also applies 2 reporters no matter how much we might not like the coverage we get. #AKsen

    • Martha Unalaska Yard Sign says:

      I love it!

    • Alaska Pi says:

      great! thanks!!!

      GO SCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      (go to jail Joe Miller, do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to jail! and take your brownshirted thugs with you !)

    • justafarmer says:

      looks like Scott tweleeted that tweet, new one up now:

      @JoeWMiller – in case you were unaware, the Constitution also applies to reporters #Ak #AkSen

  11. Martha Unalaska Yard Sign says:

    This just happened – I am furious! I do think Tony is going to become a local hero over this. Down with Miller!

    http://alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/news/7186-breaking-alaska-dispatch-editor-detained-at-miller-event

    “Alaska Dispatch founder and editor Tony Hopfinger was grabbed and handcuffed by a private security detail working for U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller on Sunday while trying to ask the Fairbanks Republican questions following a town hall meeting at Central Middle School in Anchorage on Sunday.”

    Various accounts of what happened next generally agree on this course of events:

    * Two or three bodyguards told Hopfinger to stop asking questions and to leave the building.
    * Hopfinger continued to ask questions while apparently videotaping the candidate.
    * Bodyguards told him that if he persisted they would arrest him for trespassing, but refused to identify themselves to Hopfinger.
    * Hopfinger asked why he was trespassing, as the event was at a public school. Seconds later, he was then put in arm-bar and later handcuffed and sequestered at one end of a hallway for at least 30 minutes. He was told, “You’re under arrest.”
    * Anchorage Police arrived on the scene shortly after.

    Police were still trying to sort things out as this was written.

    • Alaska Pi says:

      WHAT???!!!!

      • Alaska Pi says:

        “The reporter was on public property where a public event was being held at the time of the incident.”
        same article updated…

        • Alaska Pi says:

          Mr Miller is out of control and he’s not even a frickin senator… he’s a candidate … a sorry piece of horsepunky candidate!!!!

      • justafarmer says:

        http://tinyurl.com/25z5wz9 is the link to Alaska Dispatch about the story

        • Martha Unalaska Yard Sign says:

          I put the link in my post, too.

          • Alaska Pi says:

            Need lots of links…
            lots of eyes and lots of lights on this…
            I’m gonna go breathe for a few mins…
            keep your eyes on that bozo and his brown shirts!!!!

        • zyxomma says:

          Hopfinger should sue! I hope he got the names of the hired goons.

          • Martha Unalaska Yard Sign says:

            http://www.adn.com/2010/10/17/1506223/miller-security-guards-handcuff.html

            “Hopfinger has not been charged but the owner of the Drop Zone, private security firm that’s been providing Miller’s security, accused Hopfinger of trespassing at the public event, a “town hall” meeting sponsored by the Miller campaign. The owner, William Fulton, also said Hopfinger assaulted a man by shoving him….

            …Hopfinger, who was holding a small video camera, said he was attempting to get Miller to answer questions about why he was disciplined when he worked as a part-time attorney at the Fairbanks North Star Borough. He said he pushed the man away after he was surrounded by Miller supporters and security guards and felt threatened.”

    • North of the Range says:

      Wow. Not only did they do something this outrageous, they must have been absolutely oblivious about the ramifications of it. Like this is not going to get noticed, or something. Like it would help them stay on message, as they claimed to want.

      You’d think if they could afford private security, that they could also buy a clue.

      • Alaska Pi says:

        It’s gonna be one of those poorly trained aide thingys again , can you hear it already?

        • Susan says:

          Comments in the ADN are a bit scary, mostly siding with the Miller guys at the moment.

          • Alaska Pi says:

            If you go back- sentiment is mostly the other way… very anti-Miller.
            couple of the pro-Miller ones are thread sitters and go after everything.
            The fruitcake does have a base though and they are solid…
            We just need to vote him right out !!!

          • Martha Unalaska Yard Sign says:

            The Miller flying monkeys are indistinguishable from the Palin ones. No, he didn’t grow his own set.

    • Lee323 says:

      Whoa! This is how fascism starts: shutting down the free press at a public event by brown-shirt thugs!

      Take those jackbooted thugs and their boss, Joe Miller, and haul their asses off the public stage!

  12. Madeline says:

    Joe the Smoe has an Ad on Google! Like people ALL over the country want to support this bozoo.

  13. CityKid says:

    My hat is off to ADN for asking this question!

    Joe Miller says:

    24. Do you believe abortions should be allowed in the case of rape or incest? What about when the life of the mother is at risk?

    They should be allowed when the life of the mother is at risk.

    http://www.adn.com/2010/10/15/1503851/2010-senate-candidate-joe-miller.html#ixzz12ed1TPtk

  14. jojobo1 says:

    I guess that’s what gets me is why people think their should be no compromising.There are many republican Ideas in the health care bill even though all voted against it just like they did during the Clinton administration.They won’t admit their own ideas are in that bill.

  15. benlomond2 says:

    At SOME point, we all have to start compromising to get things done around this country…This tactic of the Republicans of “just say No” to everything has got to wear down even their own base… In the past, , after the rhetoric of the elections had past, both sides of the aisle would get down to the business of governing.. after the 2008 election, we didn’t see this .. Personally, I think it’s been a big blow to the Repubs and their followers that a Black Man was elected as President…The fact that he’s educated, analytical, pragmatic and articulate has given them fits – he’s a better qualified person than they are. If the Democrats retain majorites in both Houses, I expect more of the same from the Repubs; If they gain control of one House, then the other House will be manipulated to show the Dem’s in a bad light.. There will be no governing in the best interest of the American People. The Repubs will continue to use their Ultra Right talk shows to highlight racial and religous propaganda, playing on the fears of those less adept at change.
    We’re in for a very long haul to drag this country socially into the 21st Century….

    • jojobo1 says:

      Right you are I have thought the same thing all dem and independents who really want this country to go ahead need to get out and vote and we need the younger generation to get out and vote also. Do they realise they can stay on their parents till they are 26 under the health care bill or that the mandate will not take affect for a few years and can be changed if enough dems fight for it.

    • GoI3ig says:

      The sad thing is that I don’t see it changing much. Faux News is a 24 hour spin machine that manages to brainwash the masses. The old adage that a fool is born every minute in no longer applicable. The rate has increased exponentially.l

  16. OMG says:

    Please read this article about how the Tea Parties have tried to seize the Constitution as their own while misquoting as well as misinterpreting its contents. Then pass it along to everyone you know!

    http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/17/how-tea-partiers-get-the-constitution-wrong.html

    • Buffalogal says:

      Great article but it sure does make me want to call my extreme right wing Auntie and just scream , “AAARRRRRGGGH” in to the phone. She’s all sorts of old and brainwashed so I can’t really blame here but she’s the one that keeps sending me those gawd awful ” The Constitution is the love letter of Patrito Jesus to give to America ” type emails. I think after years of listening to her schpiel , I’m owed at least one good phone “argh” for therapeutic reasons.

      • Buffalogal says:

        ha!! “Patrito Jesus ” ?? That will now be one of my favorite typos.

        That should be PATRIOT Jesus, of course.

    • austintx says:

      Pf-f-f-ft…..

      McCain said that O’Donnell’s lack of experience sends the wrong message to her generation that â��one day you can just wake and run for Senate, no matter how [much of] a lack of experience you have.â��

      “I just know, in my group of friends, it turns people off because she’s seen as a nut job,” McCain said.

      Two words Meghan: Sarah Palin. S.E.R.I.O.U.S.L.Y.

    • Buffalogal says:

      I have to say, I thought Megan was quite reasonable on this morning’s news show. I don’t agree with pretty much any of her policy points but at least she’s down to earth and seems to be learning as she goes along. It’s pretty bad when the GOPers are given a thumbs up for simply not being a raving, extremist lunatic.

      • NOLA says:

        I firmly believe that at some point, in the not-so-distant future, Meghan McCain will come out as a Democrat. Would be soooo funny if her mother did too.

    • jojobo1 says:

      And ya can just see the bots trying to rip her apart when palin has done the exact same thing.,gone on the circuit promoting her book and being paid for speeches. Have people forgotten how much palin has made since some people believe she cost McCain the General election. I would not say Megan is a liberal but I would say she is a moderate and looks at both sides of an issue since her dad lost.I don’t think any of us would not go with our fathers or mothers like she did.So she has held no job with her mother being so rich why would she.Her father lives off his wife IMO at least. palin is not like any hocky she tries to say she is!!!!!!!

    • Saint Roscoe says:

      What does she say about her father being a raving bigot against both LGBT and Latino’s?

      • bubbles says:

        the very same things she says about her father’s bigotry against other Americans whose race is not the same as his own. although he is partial to native Americans who own or would like to own a casino. it’s the money he gets and the opportunity to gamble a fortune and not have to pay a bill when he leaves.

      • A fan from CA says:

        She and her Mom both had their pictures taken as part of the No H8te campaign. Haven’t heard her on immigration or 1070.

  17. Terpsichore says:

    Another Palin Mama Grizzly runs away from debating – watching the local SoFla politics show with Michael Putney right now and it was supposed to be a debate between the AG candidates, and Pam Bondi (R, Palin endorsee) not only declined to come (stating she couldn’t fit it in) but also refused to answer questions from him when he met with her and allowed her to videotape a statement.

    Her opponent, Dan Gelbar (D) is talking about all kinds of cool things, intelligently, and answering questions. He’ll clearly make a great AG.

    Gelbar says she has not shown up for these scheduled informal debates about “5 or 6 times”.

    Putney says he’s invited her to be on the program “numerous times”.

    They just played part of the taped ‘statement’ and it’s a political ad. Blah blah, I have the experience …. blah blah …. and I’ll support the case to overturn the nasty evil Obamacare thingy …..

    OK, she did not say nasty … or evil …. or Obamacare ….. or thingy, but that’s what she really meant – her inner dialogue was showing on her face.

    • thatcrowwoman says:

      Dan Gelber will make a great Attorney General for us here in Florida.

      Those mama grizzlies are looking more and more like ‘fraidy-cats with their refusals to debate/engage.
      Methinks their naughty monkeys and lipsticks are no match for true states(wo)manship and courage of convictions.

      The new faces of women’s liberation? pfffft!!!! NOT a credit to our gender.

  18. austintx says:

    Colorado Senate Candidate Says Being Gay Is A Choice, Compares It To Alcoholism
    http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/17/buck-alcoholism/

    • ks sunflower says:

      That guy is an idiot. (I know that’s obvious, but it helps me to say it out loud or through the keyboard.)

    • CO almost native says:

      Yes, he stated this opinion on “Meet the Press” this morning. He also told a rape victim he declined to prosecute her case, even though her ex-boyfriend/attacker admitted to police that she was drunk, said no, and he did the deed anyway. Buck said jury would see “buyer’s remorse” in the case- scum. total scum.

      The Denver Post endorsed Senator Bennett today- hope it helps.

  19. leenie17 says:

    Okay folks, it’s finally here. The day I turn the big Five-Oh.

    I’m having a very hard time with this one, but my kiddies and colleagues at school had a little celebration for me on Friday, complete with sparkly hat and the little thing that unfurls when you blow into it…just a little bit embarassing since we were at a sports competition at the time! I’m heading out for a day of zen at Letchworth State Park, one of the most beautiful spots in western NY, and then to a movie and dinner with friends.

    I know in my head that 50 is not old, but it’s a reminder that, due to circumstances beyond my control and, now, my age, I am almost certainly NOT going to achieve one of my most cherished dreams. Somehow, 50 seems soooo much older than 49!

    Oh well, enough with the pity party and off to peep at some beautiful leaves and waterfalls. That should readjust my mood!

    Catch ya later, pups!

    • OMG says:

      Welcome to our side of the aisle! I made the jump a few years ago and am still here to tell the tale. What’s fun is to astound people with your energy and enthusiasm for life; some just can not fathom that people in their 50’s don’t act or look old!

      Happy Birthday!

    • austintx says:

      It’s just a number. You are obviously “young at heart” and have a way cool job. Enjoy the day !!

    • Irishgirl says:

      Happy Birthday Leenie.

    • Buffalogal says:

      Happy Birthday !!! I defy you to still be bummed after an afternoon at Letchworth with all of those beautiful colors. Hope you got to see some eagles playing in the wind currents. One of my very favorite sights.

    • Shadow's Heart says:

      A very wise person once said “Age is just mind over matter, if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter”.

      Happy Birthday leenie. May you age with grace, dignity and an open heart.

    • ks sunflower says:

      Happy Birthday! May you have many, many more – all in health and comfort.

      Welcome to the start of new phase of your life — only because you are conscious of a transition! It is amazing how everything and every one becomes more vivid and precious and how much energy you get because you seem to get a second wind. By being aware of the time that has passed, you become aware of how much time may be left and want to make the most of it. So much to do and learn and become!

      I think people over 50 are increasingly taking more risks to do things they’ve not been willing or able to do before. We’re freed of some inhibitions and some social restraints to see ourselves as we want to be – not as others want or expect us to be. For example, I really enjoy taking off my motorcycle helmet and shaking out my silver locks to the amazement of people around us! Such fun!

      • jojobo1 says:

        Righ in my late forties early fifties I wanted so bad to try sky diving and worked on my landing and when to pull the chute but alas the friends i was supposed to go with did not follow thru and i could not afford it by myself,the plane and all

    • thatcrowwoman says:

      It’s OK, leenie. Really! There is Life after 50!!! (and 55, there, also, too) 🙂

      all together now, get up and sing and dance for the birthday girl:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjF1bG5LUcs

      {{{{{leenie}}}}}

      • leenie17 says:

        Wow! When I was in Red Square 20 years ago, it was definitely NOT that much fun! 😀

    • scout says:

      Happy Birthday, Leenie.

      A friend of mine received a tee-shirt for his 50th ~ “I’m 18 with 32 years of experience!”

    • jimzmum says:

      I had a bit of a downtime when I turned 50, too. I was thinking about everything I had hoped to accomplish, blah, blah, blah. Then, I realized I was acting like the lead in some frowsy Lifetime special, and got myself over it. I will tell you that sometimes, I still wish, but I have done some wonderful things, too!

      Happy Birthday! Welcome to a wonderful time!

    • jojobo1 says:

      50 is not old no where near old.Take a look at some of our congress people and their ages and the supreme court of course now some of them are old and Helen the news person Happy birthday have a grand day

    • Lacy Lady says:

      Just want you to know that being 50 is just a “spring chicken” !!!!! Now when you are 8l like me, then you can consider youself OLD!!!!! WHEW!!!!
      I think the main thing about age, is to keep your brain alive and alert. Never stop doing the things you love or say you can’t do something because you are too old.
      I am still working in my pottery studio, and in the winter, I am back working in fiber arts–knitting, spinning, weaving & etc. I worked in our County Treasurers office for many years—-Democrat of course, with Republicans in most of the other offices. I enjoy my kids and grandkids and take part in our Democratic friends getting elected in our State and National elections.
      I am proud to say that my homemade bread I baked for the Soup supper at the Democratic Hdgs a few weeks ago, was auctioned off and brought $31.00. !!!!!
      HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!
      Nana—-from Iowa

    • benlomond2 says:

      you’re just starting !! Wife says I still act like I’m 25 🙂 , just a little more refined than at that age – I drink Bud and Corona’s instead of Old Milwakee Beer !! hehehe!

    • BeeJay says:

      Happy B-Day and best wishes, Leenie17!

      I’m on the other side of that particular number, and I see a good number of other Mudpups are too. I look at it this way: I’m only about half way through this party, so there is a lot more fun to be had yet.

      Enjoy the woods and water, it must be beautiful up there right now. I was up in some of the local mountains -the Chiricahua’s of southeast Arizona – on Thursday and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Nature can do so much to heal man’s wounds…

    • OtterQueen says:

      You’re not 50, you’re forty-ten!

    • fishingmamma says:

      I want to tell you about a letter my sweet auntie sent me years ago. She said “I only have one thing to say about being 91…….I recommend it!” At 91, she was still gardening. At 95, she took up Tai Chi. At 100, she could still speak the latin she learned is school. She lived to be 104! You could easily have 54 more birthdays. Celebrate all of them!

    • Baker's Dozen says:

      Do Not give up on your dream! There are very few that actually aren’t easier to achieve when older–more experience, perhaps a little more cash, a little more free time.

      While this past year has been a little harder on my achieving my dreams, after 50 has actually been helpful. My kids are out of the house and now out of college and on their own. I purposely cut back on doing stuff that wasn’t satisfying or helpful to the world to have time for my dreams. I now work 2 part time jobs with low pay, but I feel I’m contributing to my community and, ultimately, the world (I’m a great fan of string theory). And I’ve learned to do many things that I’d never had time for before that I find stretch me personally and add greatly to my enjoyment of life. Now is the time, on those solitary walks to say, What do I want? What am I tired of and it’s time to drop? What steps do I need to take to get that dream?
      Unless your dream is to be a billionaire by the time you’re 20 or do a pageant walk, or be the first half term female governor in the United States, your dreams are still achievable. Go for them! I have, and I feel younger now than I did at 40.
      This is indeed a birthday–being born into a new outlook on life and how your can contribute! Noisemakers all around!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • CO almost native says:

      Happy B-day! You are like a fine wine, they grow much better with age. Enjoy! (I’ll toast you with a chilled Fat Tire *clink*)

    • leenie17 says:

      THANKS everyone…you’ve all made this birthday a much more joyous one and I truly cherish the wonderful people I’ve ‘met’ here at the flats. After a ride through the glowing autumn leaves at the park, I had a nice dinner with a piece of chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake for dessert from the Cheesecake Factory (dark chocolate IS my drug of choice!) and I’m feeling a little mellower than I was this afternoon.

      Buffalogal – not sure if what I saw swooping around were eagles or the ever-present turkey vultures…couldn’t get close enough to see their heads and I’m not good enough to identify them by flight. Eagles are much more refined than the kinda-creepy vultures, but they both look pretty impressive when they fly!

      Thanks everybody for all your kind words and good wishes…mudpups are the B E S T ! ! ! ! 😀

      • zyxomma says:

        I love vultures. They were on top of every 500 year old church and state building in Paraty (home of the summer palace when Brasil had royals), and I got some great photos. Love watching raptors fly. And dark chocolate is a terrific drug of choice, loaded with antioxidants, a real superfood.

    • zyxomma says:

      leenie, 50 isn’t fatal — far from it. And Letchworth is one of the prettiest places in our state! Happy birthday, many happy returns, and enjoy your trip.

    • Alaska Pi says:

      50 is wonderful!!!
      I loved 50…!!!
      ( I love all my birthdays !)
      I’m short. 50 made me feel so tall!

      And there’s nothing old about it all- heck, it’s a mere half a hundered… pfft!
      Happy Birthday!!!!

  20. Irishgirl says:

    This is another very good article from Wickersham’s Conscience about Palin’s disgusting use of Pat Tillman’s memory in one of her recent speeches.

    http://wickershamsconscience.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/dear-sarah-about-pat-tilman/

    • austintx says:

      Also , too.

      Coward Sarah Palin Uses Pat Tillman to Glorify War

      “Sarah Palin spoke in San Jose yesterday, where she engaged in her usual faux-military cheerleading speechiness. Never mind that in Alaska Palin was known for being disdainful and disrespectful of many vets who served her, this is a narrative about the great Divider who waves the flag and loves blood, so naturally she has to mix God and war together. In the course of this, she felt compelled to bring up Pat Tillman since he was from San Jose.

      “One of those heroes was from right here in San Jose, who gave up the money and the glamor and think what he sacrificed and his family sacrificed, giving up pro-football career to serve his country and he ultimately giving up his life for our freedom. Remember to thank god every day for Pat and for the thousands like him….”

      The problem is, Pat Tillman did not believe in God and nor does his family. His brother, Richard, expressed his disgust for people talking about God at Pat’s funeral on Bill Maher’s show just weeks ago. And Pat Tillman did not want to be used as a political weapon and most certainly not as war propaganda. His death was covered up by our military and made to look like Tillman had died “fighting for our country,” when in fact he had been killed by friendly fire.

      Bill Maher’s 25 September 2010 interview with Richard Tillman, Pat’s younger brother was covered by the Guardian UK:

      “….Richard’s courageous response (captured on video) to religious comments made by Maria Shriver, wife of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Arizona senator John McCain as part of the eulogy delivered at his brother’s funeral.

      “He’s not with God, he’s f^*king dead,” asserted Mr Tillman. “Thanks for your thoughts but he’s f^*king dead.” Mr Tillman, who has a low tolerance for lies was clearly offended by the sentiments, stating that his deceased brother “was not religious.””

      He was clearly OFFENDED by the sentiment. Get the idea, there, Sarah? Not everyone agrees with you, Sarah. There are people who believe different things than you do. It’s a big world out there. Richard continued:

      “I found it offensive. It’s like, I don’t go to a church and say, ‘This is bulls^*t,’ so don’t come to my brother’s service and tell me he’s with God. He’s simply not with f^*king God.”

      And Palin shouldn’t go to San Jose and think that just because she’s in the city where Pat lived, she can or should co-opt his death for her pro-war propaganda. Is there nothing sacred in Palin’s mind or heart? Palin thinks her religion trumps everything and everyone else, so much so that she would rather use Pat Tillman’s memory for her own purpose than to be respectful of him and his family.”

      http://www.politicususa.com/en/sarah-palin-uses-pat-tillman

      • ks sunflower says:

        Thanks for pointing this out.

        Even people who do believe in God and who attend church, synagogue or temple do not necessarily go around thumping others with their personal beliefs. Those are the people I respect.

        Anyone who has to blabber on about God is probably someone who doesn’t understand their faith and doesn’t really believe – they are just trying to convince us and themselves that they do.

      • NOLA says:

        SP’s speechwriters should learn to do a bit more research. But why should Pat Tillman’ death be any different from any of the other issues that SP co-opts and misconstrues to the point of incredulity. This will, like EVERYTHING else she’s mucked up, bounce right off and she’ll still make millions from her idiot followers.

    • OMG says:

      Excellent–needs to go viral!

    • OMG says:

      Just had a thought–it would be wonderful for the Tillman’s to speak out against Mrs. Palin.

      • austintx says:

        I’ll be REAL surprised if Richard doesn’t……..can’t wait. He’ll let her have it with both barrels , and then some.

      • Irishgirl says:

        I wonder do they even know about it? I have only read about it on HP and the blogs. I’m sure if they knew Palin was using their son as a propaganda tool in her speeches they would not be happy.

  21. OMG says:

    And for your reading enjoyment: Mean Girls of Politics

    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/opinion/17dowd.html?_r=1&hp

  22. OMG says:

    This is a cheerful Obama song/video to start your day:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y54FRMedT_s&feature=player_embedded

  23. austintx says:

    Here is a hawk that just visited a koi pond.
    http://i.imgur.com/1ELzY.jpg

    • thatcrowwoman says:

      Yikes! Sushi on the fly, eh?
      Just added 5 tiny goldfish (carp, really, but all less than 2 inches long) to our pond yesterday.
      We’ve got lots of raccoons around here, and 3 pairs of hawks that nest nearby, and flyovers by gulls and herons, also, too, so we’ll see if the fishies live long and prosper or become tasty links on the food chain.

      • benlomond2 says:

        I have the same issue with raccons and my fish pond… They’ve knocked over the rock water fountain… but now the fish have a place to get away from their groping little paws !!! I may just leave it in there like that for a while longer…! I just re-stock with those breeder goldfish… cheap, and they DO breed ! surprised the heck outta me !

    • AuntieRuth says:

      It is an Osprey. Notice how it carries the fish parallel to its body? Eagles carry them sideways. Their feet work differently even though they are both raptors.

    • slipstream says:

      Flying fish!

  24. GreatGranny2C says:

    Happy Sunday to all from chilly Kentucky. I do believe autumn has finally arrived here, with temps perfect for the woodstove to take the chill off – love that smell! I’ve been putting a few apples on the flames and anyone who comes into the house thinks I’ve got apple pies baking!

    This story may have been covered on a previous thread, but I’ve not had time this week to keep up with all of the ‘flats comments pages. Most were aware that Palin’s book sales were rather high and that her SarahPAC had purchased quite a few in bulk, along with NewsMax, which offered them free with a subscription. This article shows how Mitt Romney manipulated the numbers, and I’m 99.9% sure that Palin did the same. There is probably a method used by publishers that break down what are legitimate individual book sales versus those bulk sales that go to groups who use them for promotional purposes. I won’t hold my breath in the hopes that they would ever reveal those statistics.
    http://www.themidnightreview.com/

    A number of articles indicate that the Sanity Rally on 10/30 will draw huge crowds. Reportedly, over 200,000 have signed up on the website to say they are attending, and supposedly there are around 10,000 who signed up for the HuffPost bus out of NYC. The Palinbot trolls are all over the various websites with their criticism and many sound desparately afraid that there will be a larger turnout thatn the Beck/Palin 9/11 rally. NPR has forbidden their employees to be involved at all and other MSM are following suit. I think there are some laws being broken. How can they forbid people from attending something of this nature when no one raised an eyebrow for the 9/11 to-do. There are a couple dozen Mudpuppies heading there (including moi) and a like number from IM have said they are going. Plans are moving right along for a meet-up, sings, etc. Be sure to keep checking the forum for updates: https://themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,10670.0.html

    Beaver’s television mother Barbara Billingsley passed at the great age of 94. That is the era that the teabaggers would take us back to if they could….almost never seen outside of the household, which was kept immaculate with meals on the table at designated times, always immaculately dressed and coiffed, always deferring to the husband, etc., etc. But gee whiz, that was television, not reality, but the ‘wingers seem to have forgotten that fact. I don’t remember anyone’s mother who closely emulated June Cleaver, mine certainly didn’t!

    Hope all have a great day!

    • OtterQueen says:

      Good morning!

      Do you have any links regarding NPR forbidding its employees from attending the rally? I haven’t seen anything about it.

      Thanks!

    • OtterQueen says:

      Scratch that request. I adjusted my google search and found a story on it in Rolling Stone.

    • A fan from CA says:

      I find it very disturbing that the press is telling employees that they must stay away from the Rally for Sanity. They should all have working reporters there since this should be news to be reported. As for the other employees, they have First Amendment Rights when they are off the clock. Will they be telling employees how to vote next?

      • ks sunflower says:

        I worked for a privately-held corporation employing over a thousand employees. The owners did tell us how to vote on local issues, and they systematically fired almost all Democrats in management positions over the years. The management would create and email “letters to the editors” that each employee was to print and send. There were usually several versions of the letters – ranging in tone from barely literate to sophisticated. They send them to us at random and expect to see them in the paper. Thankfully, most of us just deleted them, but sure enough, some people were just too scared to lose their jobs and would send them in so management kept the pressure on. They also told us which charities we were expected to support and expected us to do it through payroll deductions so they could get credit for the drives.

        Oh – need I add that the owners were staunch Republicans who entertained George Herbert Bush and George W. Bush whenever they came to town (before GW was President). They poured money into the Bushes in exchange for favorable treatment of their industry.

        Needless to say, but I will anyway because it makes me feel better: I no longer work there and left as soon as I could. But I will say this, I know from personal experience (I was in middle management and interfaced with senior management almost daily), it is not unusual for corporations and politically active management of other forms of business to get hold of party registration lists and make hiring and firing decisions on the basis of your party or voting information. It’s not hard to get and always easier to find reasons to cover their tracks when firing folks.

        Not all corporations and businesses do this, of course, but I’ve found that most of those who do are owned or controlled by Republicans, sorry to say.

        • Moose Pucky says:

          It’s the “equal rights for all” part of constitution that is regularly disregarded. Political cronyism when it comes to employment.

        • Baker's Dozen says:

          My husband and I weren’t fired for our politics, but for our religion. No, nothing was ever said, and there was nothing actionable, but once our boss, who loved us and our worked and praised us to the skies, heard where we went to church, her tone instantly changed. We were gone within 2 weeks through “evidence” fabricated by a young man who wanted my husband’s job. We couldn’t afford to stay in the area without the job, so I had to resign and we relocated.
          It may be illegal, but it’s possible to get rid of people with opinions you don’t like. We were fortunate enough to land on our feet and we didn’t suffer for the incident, other than the immediate time involved. And we found the parallels between Jesus being given a “trial” and the manufactured evidence and ours interesting. While we would never compare our jobs or the outcome to that of Christ Jesus, we found it interesting that the tactics used against him were remarkably like those used against us.

          • 1smartcanerican says:

            Any boss at any job can fire anyone at anytime for no reason whatsoever – just something manufactured. This happened to me. I was fired at 62 – I’d never been fired before and had a wonderful review the year before. New boss, old story.

            I believe that karma will afflict her at some later date and I hope she suffers horribly. But of course, she won’t, at least not in this life. She will pay when she returns! I do not wish her well. I think you earn your karma, both good and bad. She deserves nothing but bad.

            Not that I am bitter or anything 🙂 Thankfully I have a great family and wonderful friends, so life remains good.

        • leenie17 says:

          In my first job out of college I worked for a county agency. I wanted to make a lateral transfer to another site. Despite the fact that I was qualified for the position (came in on the top of the test list) AND the director at the new site wanted me, I was told that no voluntary transfers were permitted unless the local committeeman approved it.

          And this was a Civil Service position!!!

  25. jimzmum says:

    That eagle and I have the same expression when we look at a salmon. Don’t know if I should be happy or not. Lunch

    Somebody come to Illinois and help us with this danged messy election season. I don’t watch television in real time anymore because the commercials are non-stop and just thiiiiiis close to actionable on BOTH sides. Enough. Everybody grow up and tell me what you are going to do for my town/county/state/country. If you have a middle schooler or had one, you will understand the level of sniping. Ick!

    Well. I certainly feel better. Off to get finished with umpity things so I can spend the afternoon writing letters and phone calling. I will be glad when this election is over. I am tired of everybody.

    • merrycricket says:

      I’m right there with you. We’re dealing with the same crap here in Ohio. The republican that is running against MaryJo Kilroy is behaving like a tea bagger and not saying a word about what he will do. I’m just about ready to write him a letter.

    • leenie17 says:

      I’m here in NY with racist/porn-email-sending, homophobic, angry billionaire Carl Paladino dirtying up the airwaves with his nasty ads and mean interviews.

      I feel your pain!

      • Buffalogal says:

        leenie – did you notice that the new ad has him offering this tiny glimmer of a forces smile and that they put some serious makeup on those dark circles ? I caught it this morning and said, “nope – ya still look like a mean, nasty somnabeech ” Sadly, even if he gets the trompin’ he well deserves, we here in Buffalo don’t get to get rid of him.

        • leenie17 says:

          Every time I hear his name coming from my television, I change the channel so I haven’t seen the new ads. There’s not enough makeup in the world to make him look anything but mean and nasty. THAT comes from within and you just can’t cover it up!

          My sympathies on getting stuck with him after the election. 🙁

    • NOLA says:

      This has been such an ugly election season. It is like everything we hoped when Obama was elected was turned on its head. I don’t mean accomplishments, he has plenty of those so far, I mean the feeling that Together, as a nation, we can accomplish great things. Now it seems to be all vitriol. Quite frankly, idiots are running for offices that they are in no way qualified for, so that the sane among us are stuck watching and waiting. I mean really! David Vitter will likely win reelection. The man was caught with his name in a call-girl address book, he likes to wear diapers, and the RWNJ’s in Louisiana will re-elect him. I can’t wait to cast my vote for Charlie Melancon, but wow. I’m stunned at the amount of ugly we are seeing now.
      I’m also quite annoyed that every time there is a story about how the dems are making gains, the press, including the ‘left-leaning” orginazitions throw up stories (pun intended) about how the republicans are winning and the left leadership is running scared.
      I am really starting to believe the press is trying to control the outcome instead of REPORTING stories as they should. How else would Vitter get away with his diapers, Miller get away with his shenanigans, not to mention the glossing over of O’Donnell, Angle and all those other horrible people that should never get near our hallowed halls of Congress!

      • jojobo1 says:

        You know I just read an article about the dems losing big and I thought the same myself the media is not reporting and I think they are doing it for their bottom line and don’t really care about the outcome.I think after palin and her nastiness people are just ignoring anything said

        • zyxomma says:

          The corporations that own the media like it when government is obstructed, and love it when unfit Republicans who will do their will are elected to office. They are trying to tell the Dems it’s hopeless, so we’ll give up and stay home on election day. Well, it’s never going to happen. We are fired up and ready to vote.

    • jojobo1 says:

      Right you are and sometimes it seems there are no reasonable people left then I come here

    • Moose Pucky says:

      Scott McAdams being quite precise here: Northwest News: Tacoma WA Q&A with Scott McAdams.
      Comments on the article are allowed and encouraged!
      http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/10/15/1384044/2010-senate-candidate-scott-mcadams.html?dsq=87639195&dsq_cbp=null#comment-87639195

  26. OtterQueen says:

    Pretty birdie!