Senator Makes Controversial Appearance at Anchorage Hilton
There are two large hotels in Anchorage that are currently under boycott for mistreatment of workers – the Anchorage Sheraton and the Anchorage Hilton. On Tuesday, August 9, The Mudflats reported that three community leaders were expelled from the office of the General Manager of the Sheraton when they came to express the concerns of the community regarding the hotel’s labor practices. And Friday, The Hilton was the site for the latest event in a long history of protesting and picketing. That day, Senator Mark Begich was slated to address the Building Owners and Management Association (BOMA), and would have…
Open Thread – Wisconsin Heroes!
We couldn’t be prouder of Mudflats contributor and big scary Alaskan “union thug” Ryan Marquis of Kenai. Here he is with newly elected Senator Jennifer Schilling (D) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Ryan was one of many Alaskans who have helped out on the ground in Wisconsin this year, proving that there’s nothing like boots on the ground to make a real difference. Ryan spent his birthday, flying home from his second deployment to the Badger State. Welcome home, happy birthday, and congrats on the victory in District 32!”
Open Thread – Wisconsin Speaks for the Nation
~The Right’s Vision of America The much anticipated recall election is happening today in Wisconsin. Six Republicans in the state senate may be recalled. There are two camps in this fight, each with a radically different vision for America, the role of government, and the rights of workers to organize. When Gov. Scott Walker introduced anti-union legislation early this year, hundreds of thousands of protesters poured into Madison, the state capital. As the story unfolded, legislators hid in neighboring states, demonstrators moved into the capitol building, and the national media broadcast the story to the world. Voters petitioned to recall…
Public Schools – The Path Out of Poverty
By Shannyn Moore I should have a disclaimer on this column. I am the daughter of two retired educators. Their story is simple, but serendipitous. Two college graduates from depressed communities in the South had an opportunity to come to Alaska as teachers — for one year. It has now been well over 40. As a child, I wondered why they picked teaching. I couldn’t stand to be in a classroom, and they chose to spend their lives there. Poverty is damn near impossible for people to escape. My parents did through education. My mother and I shared our first…
WI GOP Sex, Lies and Ethics Violations: recall senators attempt to avoid elections.
Madison, WI. By Patrick DePula. Showing signs of sheer desperation, three GOP senators up for recall elections on July 12 have now resorted to asking the courts to stop the election citing dubious alleged “irregularities” in the filing of recall petitions.Never mind the wholesale recall petition fraud perpetrated by the Wisconsin Republican Party; substantiated with scores of affidavits and reports of dead people signing their names, felons stealing items while circulating papers, and the involvement of a shady out of state group that helped organize the republican efforts against democrats. From the Wisconsin State Journal: State Sens. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse;…
The Fight Is Not Over: 20 Thousand Rally At Wisconsin State Capitol.
By Patrick DePula Madison, WI. The sky was gray, the temperature below 50, and the wind brisk. Perfect Wisconsin protesting weather. Nearly 20,000 people came out to the capitol last Saturday to protest the Walker Administrations’ war on the middle class. You’d never know that the Wisconsin Uprising continues if you get your news from the mainstream media. The rally opened with music by PurgAtory Hill, an intense and otherworldly Sturgeon Bay duo consisting of grammy-nominated Pat mAcdonald, and his partner MelanieJane. Pat dedicated the song “Reset” to resetting Wisconsin government. Essentially, PurgAtory Hill has taken delta blues, amped it up…
Palin Overwhelmed by Counter-protesters in Madison
Mama Grizzlies are an Invasive Species: Sarah Palin Mobilizes Just 500 Tea Party Dullards in Madison Amidst Overwhelming Counter Protest. By Patrick DePula (Madison, WI) When the Americans for Prosperity–sponsored Tea Party Rally was announced several weeks ago, most left-leaning Madisonians yawned. AFP rubes have been gathering on the Capitol Square annually for the last couple of years around tax day in small numbers to revel in their selfishness and celebrate their ignorance. Initially, it was assumed that this years event would be no different and drew little attention. Enter the derailing train that is Sarah Palin. This over–compensated and…
Oyster Roundup! Guns, Money and Cheese…
~Thick and fast they came at last, and more, and more, and more! Pass the Bree Hey, remember when Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan “favorited” a porn star on Twitter last year? It was quite an entertaining tale, and you can refresh your memory HERE. Little did we know that the story would have a Chapter 2, and become more entertaining still. You see, it turns out that Mayor Sullivan’s favoritest porn star has now shed her porn name, and become (are you sitting down?) one of Charlie Sheen’s two “goddesses.” That’s right boys and girls… Sully’s Bree Olson is now…
Wisconsin Capitol Stormed – Occupied by Protesters (Updates)
“In 30 minutes, 18 state senators undid 50 years of civil rights in Wisconsin,” Democratic Sen. Mark Miller said in a statement. “Their disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights is an outrage that will never be forgotten.” MADISON, WI. Thousands of angry citizens stormed the Wisconsin State Capitol this evening when the Republican Senate, after removing fiscal items from the original bill, passed legislation that will strip public unions of most of their collective bargaining rights and require employees to pay 8% more toward their health insurance and and a greater share of their pensions. Earlier today…