By Carl Johnson While preparing to head off alone into the bowels of the Death Star to disable the tractor beam holding theMillenium Falcon captive, Obi Wan Kenobi rhetorically asked of Han Solo, “Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?”  I think of such questions sometimes when my legislators act foolishly. [...]

Well, it seems like the only thing that got raptured yesterday was the internet service at Mudflats Central. It gave me a day off the grid, but it also meant that the Pre-Apocalyptic newsletter that I was going to post from our friend Rep. Les Gara is now a little past its apocalyptic prime… But [...]

It was a little before Mudflats’ time as a blog, but Anchorage residents may remember the best piece of political theater since… OK, it was the best ever.  It all had to do with a conversation between Assembly members Dan Coffey, and Bill Starr when we all got to eavesdrop on – how shall I [...]

By Bill Sherwonit I happened to be up at Denali National Park the week of this year’s primary elections (for those who might be wondering, yes, I voted early), so I didn’t learn the results until later than most. Upon finally hearing the news, I – like most Alaskans, I suspect – was shocked to [...]

Joe Miller – Constitutional Scholar. That’s the meme. And even though Sarah Palin didn’t think much of constitutional scholars when she was referring to the one in the White House, she apparently likes this one. Well, inquiring minds want to know what the deal is with Miller’s supposed mastery of all things Constitution. So, in [...]

Post and Photos By Carl Johnson I have lived in two rather large metropolitan areas: the Twin Cities, with its two million people, and Los Angeles, with, well, way too many people.  I chose to move to Anchorage eleven years ago not because I was looking for urban, but because I was looking for wild [...]

Coffee spit warning! Put down your drinks. This was a great Twitter exchange between Sarah Palin and Linda Kellen Biegel. Sarah and family are going to do a little mountain climbing on the highest pieak in North America, it seems. Not sure where Palin actually meant because “Sweettooth” does not come up on any searches [...]

Bill Sherwonit has been a freelance nature writer since 1992. His most recent book, “Changing Paths: Travels and Meditations in Alaska’s Arctic Wilderness” is now available HERE. For nearly a quarter-century, Bill has written extensively about wild lands and wildlife. Though he continues to journey into the wilderness each year, he has also paid increasing [...]

Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan is an idiot. I know this is not news to you, but sometimes it feels good to say something even though it doesn’t need to be said. He’s done lots of idiotic things, but here’s the latest. There’s been a bear mauling on the Rover’s Run trail in Far North Bicentennial [...]

By Sarah Red-Laird As I was growing up in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the timber industry was booming. Around where we lived, on Prince of Wales Island, it seemed like there was an endless supply of trees and money, and people were happy. I remember loggers from the community coming to Hollis School’s bake sales [...]

Alaskans are watching the news, like the rest of the nation watched us after the Exxon Valdez slammed into Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound more than 20 years ago.  Helpless.  Far away.  Filled with grief.  We look at our screens and monitor a growing black sheen of oil spread and we can’t do anything [...]

Today is the day that confirmation hearings have been scheduled for Al Barrette to the Alaska Board of Game.  This post is designed to help you speak up and make your voice heard regarding how you feel about that decision.  The Board of Game is one of the most powerful boards in the state, and [...]

Contrary to the opinion of my ex-governor, all progressive bloggers do not live with their parents, and eat cheetos while wearing pajamas in the basement. This blogger, for fifteen years, owned two businesses in bustling downtown Anchorage.  After a decade and a half in retail, you learn the cycles.  There’s early fall and back-to-school shoppers, [...]

Shannyn Moore has come up with some more information on Al Barette, Alaska’s newest appointee to the Board of Game.  It is not to late to strongly oppose this appointment, as he has not yet been confirmed by the Legislature. You’ll find a call to action at the end of the post.  Tell your legislators [...]

Mayor Dan Sullivan promised to end the unpopular ‘rolling closures’ that shuttered fire stations in Anchorage on alternating days last year. Now that cost-saving measure has been replaced with another one that will trim $150,000 from the Fire Department’s budget. These are tough times, you know. Or so the Mayor says. Even though the city [...]