Open Thread – Watson the Wonder Dog
OK, you all know that I love Buf the dog. In my eye, she’s the greatest dog on Earth. However, tonight, I’ve got to give the Dog of the Week Award to my second favorite dog in the world – Watson. Watson had had enough of those red signs tonight, and finally had to let his feelings be known. Will try to catch up on the news tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy the open thread. I’ve been pretty preoccupied for the last couple of days. Anything I should know about?
Anchorage Public Testimony on Non-Discrimination Ordinance – Chapter III.
Today, Anchorage’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance is being discussed for the third time in the Assembly Chambers. If you’re not up to speed, I’ve recently written several posts on the subject. If you are in Anchorage, please come to show support for the ordinance. Even if you don’t testify, your presence can be felt, and it’s an eye-opening experience to witness the goings on first hand. You can stream the Assembly meeting live HERE. Use this thread to live blog the event. This is the one where Jerry Prevo of the Anchorage Baptist Temple has canceled the Wednesday night service so members…
Tank & Levi’s Hollywood Caper
The unlikely Alaskan Dynamic Duo of Levi Johnston and his P.I./handler/life coach Tank Jones are on the loose in Hollywood, and they’re bonding by going shopping. Shopping for clothes, and opportunities for Levi’s career. Tank and Levi seem to be an unlikely duo—why would a self-proclaimed “redneck” like Levi Johnston be taking style cues from Tank Jones, a size-58 suit-wearing black man who works in the law offices of Rex Butler in Anchorage? I invited them to go shopping with me in downtown L.A.’s wholesale fashion district to find out, and to see Tank work his magic on Levi for…
Anchorage Non-Discrimination Ordinance. (Photos)
The mood was different outside last night’s Assembly meeting. Once again, public testimony was being taken on ordinance 64, which would add the words “sexual orientation” to the city’s non-discrimination policy that addresses housing, employment, education and public accommodations. As I pulled up to the library which houses the Assembly chambers, the “red shirts”, members of the Anchorage Baptist Temple were out on the corner. But this time, there were also lots of “blue shirts,” those who support the ordinance. They carried hand made signs, had music playing, and seemed to be having a great time. There were rainbow flags,…
Open Thread
I’m back from the Assembly meeting, and I tried to type something up. These events really sap energy. I was literally falling asledp at the keys, which I noticed when I began a sentence: “The ofdoncde32…” and then jerked awake. So, with that, I bid you good night. I’ll check in with photos of the event tomorrow. The live blogging was fantastic for anyone who missed it. You can read over the comments on the last thread. It was like you all had a ring side seat. My Blackberry kept getting passed around so our little group could enjoy the…
Anchorage Assembly Meeting – Non-Discrimination Ordinance Testimony
You can stream the Assembly meeting live HERE. More public testimony will be taken on the non-discrimination ordinance. Chair Debbie Ossiander has stated that there are 250 people left to testify who signed up last week. 88 people were heard then. Each person has approximately 3 minutes to speak, but people were reminded that all must be heard before discussion among Assembly members can begin. My understanding is that testimony on the non-discrimination ordinance will begin at 7pm Alaska time (8pm Pacific/11pm Eastern) Feel free to live blog the event in the comments. I know many who enjoyed rereading your…
Palin Snubs Pride-Fest as Anchorage Prepares for Round II.
By E. Ross at Bent Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has ignored a Gay Pride Month proclamation submitted by Anchorage PrideFest, but a proposal to add “sexual orientation” to the city’s non-discrimination policies caught the attention of Wasilla fundamentalists, who arrived in busloads to testify at an Anchorage hearing on Tuesday while their children protested outside. Children opposed to the equal rights ordinance lined the entrances to the parking lot and building during the meeting, wearing red shirts and carrying mass produced signs from the Alaska Family Council. Palin’s hometown of Wasilla is not part of the Anchorage Municipality, but perhaps…
Open Thread – Bear!
Look who came to call this morning! I’ve seen this guy around a couple of times but never got a picture. Actually, I didn’t get this one either. I credit Spouse, the morning person, who was up and able to grab the camera while I was still sawing a log. He’s a very shiny and handsome black bear. Not particularly big, but his ears seem tall to me. I’m glad we have a black bear this year. Usually there’s only one bear that hangs around and it’s either black or brown. A couple years ago we had a big mangy…
Sexism and Free Market Comedy.
The following press release was issued today. Read it first, and we’ll all join up afterward for a big helping of irony. Sen. Menard and Rep. Fairclough angered by Letterman joke, encourage apology to all women. Wasilla, AK, June 15, 2009 – Alaska Senator Linda Menard and Alaska Representative Anna Fairclough today expressed their concerns regarding CBS comedian David Letterman’s sexually exploitative comments regarding Governor Sarah Palin’s young daughter, and his refusal to apologize not only to the Palin family, but to a nation of women he offended. “I have been watching this progress for nearly a week and still…
Palin’s “Hungry Markets” Not So Hungry. (Updated – Andrew Halcro Weighs In)
In several recent interviews, Governor Sarah Palin has told the country about the importance of getting “Alaska’s rich natural resources to hungry markets” in the Lower 48. And she’s been celebrating a new alliance between Trans-Canada Corp., and Exxon to build Alaska’s huge $26 billion dollar gas pipe line project. In light of all this buzz, it was interesting that an article just came out in The Financial Post, with the ominous title “Demand for Arctic Gas Dries Up.” The North American natural gas industry is “overbuilt,” pointing to weak prices for a long time, said [Steve] Letwin, Houston-based executive…