Sunday, March 29, 2009

Please look for a new book by Alaska writer Mike Doogan: "Indecent Exposure."


(Hat tip to flyinureye for this great artwork. Thanks!)

As most of you can imagine the conversations have been angry, disappointed, and puzzled. Both online and off.

The main question of course is why? Why did Rep. Doogan feel that it was worth being forever identified as the Democrat who destroyed his career to injure one of his own? Why did a Democrat do Sarah Palin's dirty work for her? Why did a man who had once appreciated, and helped protect, the anonymity of Sheila Toomey as the "Alaska Ear" suddenly decide that being anonymous and popular was unacceptable? Why would he expose himself to the very real possibility of criminal prosecution for violating AKM's civil rights? And why with so many important things happening in Alaska today would Mike Doogan focus so much time and energy on exposing one outspoken citizen?

Personally I think it was mostly jealousy.

Mike Doogan was probably first impressed, then frightened, by the shear volume of e-mails he received from the readers of Mudlfats. Then when it dawned on him that even when he was at the top of his game as a columnist he could never have inspired so many people to take action to correct a wrong, jealousy reared its ugly visage. Even with the support of Anchorage's ONLY newspaper he could not have fired up even one tenth of the people that AKM inspired to write to the Alaskan lawmakers. That must have been a humbling experience indeed.

And it angered him. Essentially it PISSED HIM OFF!

So much so that he has spent all of these months from that time to this desperately trying to determine who among the "little people" dared to wield such power? Because in his mind they were a threat to his ego, to his agenda, and to his belief that mere "bloggers" would never have as much influence as respected columnist.

So on Friday Mike Doogan, ex-Anchorage Daily News columnist and respected member of the House, strapped on his allegorical suicide jacket, stepped over to his computer, and with one push of the send button, detonated himself in the desperate hope that he would take his nemesis, AKMuckraker, with him.

But he missed. He only managed to destroy himself when he pushed that button. He did nothing to AKM except to make her feel betrayed by a member of her own party, and to finally face the fact that she has become an icon to the progressive movement here in Alaska and an inspiration to a large number of people around the world.

(One of the truly humorous moments during this whole experience was when I, and AKM's spouse, were trying to explain to her why she had so much influence, and why she was so important to so many people. I kid you not she did not understand why everybody was making such a fuss.)

Well today we awaken in Alaska to determine the extent of damage caused by two different explosions in the last 48 hours. One of course being the the voluminous, putrid discharge, of a long dormant blowhard, and the other a sprinkling of ash from Mt. Redoubt.

But fortunately it looks like neither one will have much of a long term impact. This will do nothing to stop the progressive movement, nor the outspoken blogging community here in Alaska. We will not only prevail, we will grow much, much stronger.

And how could we not, when we are constantly surrounded by the most awe inspiring landscapes and natural phenomena that this planet has to offer? Remember every day living in Alaska is a gift to mind, body, and spirit.

Namaste.

23 comments:

  1. Duncan6:33 AM

    Jealousy and fear are powerful motivators, doogan must have finally realized his days were numbered, but he's not going down in a blaze of glory.

    He's just going down.

    duncan

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  2. I can't find the book but you can watch for it to appear on Amazon at this link.
    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mike+doogan
    He has written quite a few. If you read them you can post reviews and ratings.

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  3. I can't find the book but you can watch for it to appear on Amazon at this link.
    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mike+doogan
    I would be interested to see reviews and ratings.

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  4. Anonymous7:13 AM

    perfect for doogan

    Big Hat, No Cattle
    by Randy Newman

    Big Hat, no cattle
    Big head, no brain
    Big snake, no rattle
    I forever remain
    Big hat, no cattle
    I knew from the start
    Big boat, no paddle
    Big belly, no heart

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  5. Anonymous7:22 AM

    It is pathetic and ironic that a 59-year-old man would be motivated by "writer's jealousy" to out Alaska's most important voice of the 21st century, AKM.

    Having observed irrational envious people "up close and personal," it is rare for them to admit that jealousy is their primary motivating factor--because that would be a step towards maturity.

    Like others, I have wondered about the "conspiracy" aspect of the story. Who did Doogan speak with to get the information? He'd been planning it for four months? Sounds like he talked to a lot of people over a long period of time...

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  6. Anonymous7:46 AM

    We keep forgetting the other part of the story, namely, that Doogan used his public office, government time, emails, mailing list, newletter to do it. It should remind us of any administration in any government which kept an enemies' list. Think about J.Edgar Hoover who could "investigate" anyone he wanted (and did), keeping files on everybody. Think about Richard Nixon using the power of the Presidency to investigate people, audit their taxes, lock up protesters just to hold onto power. Think about the abuses of the Bush administration. In the run up to the war in Iraq, dissent was being a traitor, and they could stifle any free speech. They locked up (and you-know-what) innocent people. So, whenever a government official, in any capacity, abuses power, people must hold him accountable-- how wonderful to see the outpouring of support for The Mudflats, and for a welcome change, maybe the bully won't get away with it. (Now, if you would also hold Sarah and Todd Palin accountable for their abuse of power, we'll all be much happier).

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  7. Anonymous7:56 AM

    I think you are right MD's motivation was pure & simple jealousy. AKM could get people to act (and is a far better writer). From there anyone could played MD by . . .

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  8. Perhaps this information has already been posted elsewhere, but JJEagle Hawk at Daily Kos has the most well-researched response (from a historical / legal viewpoint) I have read.

    I am grateful to all who give voice to the outrage and sadness I feel at mr. doogan's betrayal of our dear Mudflats.

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  9. shilo4428:23 AM

    Palin was behind this, with greta van sustern and her husband coale, Coale has been giving palin advice hhmmm and greta with her oh so mighty love for palin, right there is a conflict of interest.Coale supporting palin for 2012 run, greta's defence of palin on her fox news show.Greta's usiing her to to promote her husbands and palin's agenda, I'm writing the sponsors, I'd love nothing more then to see her get boycotted like o'reilly. No Greta no Palin

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  10. SoCalWolfGal8:34 AM

    That is so like AKM isn't it to be so modest as to not understand the important and influential writer she has become. And yes, it was jealousy indeed which found Mr. Doogan pressing that send button, which I cannot help but believe he now regrets.

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  11. I hope doogan is given a sentence that is the maximum and I hope AKM will sue him - he needs to be held accountable in every way possible in order to send the message strong and loud we will not tolerate unethical politicians or any one doing this sort of thing

    I'm sure suing is not AKM way of doing things - but I think it's important - she could donate the money to the villages in Alaska who so desparately need it - a wonderful good could out of a tragic event

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  12. Gryphen,
    The Alaska Ear commented on the Mudflats outing. As a former co-worker of Doogan, Toomey agrees with him (not surprising).
    I commented at the ADN, so won't repeat it here. Whether or not Doogan ever "gets" the message remains to be seen, but I'm guessing the answer to that will be "no." Narcissists like Mike never do.

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  13. I doubt that a person remaining anonymous could ever be Alaska's most important voice of the 21st. century.

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  14. I emailed him when I read of this- and he'd already closed down his private email addresses, but I sent them to all his email sites so somebody got them- and pointed out that he hadn't upset anyone about Mudflats' identity: all he'd done is make a fool of himself. I truly wonder if he realizes what he's done. He's stepped to the front of the stage, announced his intention, taken careful aim, and shot himself in the foot. It was an amazingly stupid act.

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  15. Bones AK9:51 AM

    Right on Gryphen.
    I, like so may others, sent a letter to the Democratic leaders and ethics committee.

    Dingleberry does not sign the ethics folks checks.

    Perhaps they would like to clean of some of the whitewash they splashed on themselves in the BAD SARAH debacle and redeem themselves, in fact they might eat him alive!

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  16. Anonymous10:35 AM

    It seems to me that based on what we know, doogan did much of the 'legwork' for the outing using his govt email/computer/resources.

    As such, those emails would be available to the public under a FOIA request, I believe.

    No telling what else he's up to using state resources.....

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  17. On a completely different note, I had to look up the word Namaste. Here's what Wikipedia had to say:

    Namaste, Namaskar or Namaskaram (Sanskrit: नमस्ते [nʌmʌsˈteː] from external sandhi between namaḥ and te) is a common spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. Taken literally, it means "I bow to you". The word is derived from Sanskrit (namas): to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and (te): "to you".[1] Namaskar is considered a slightly more formal version than namaste but both express deep respect. It is commonly used in India and Nepal by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, and many continue to use this outside the Indian subcontinent.

    When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. The gesture can also be performed wordlessly and carry the same meaning.

    In Indian and Nepali culture, the word is spoken at the beginning of written or verbal communication. However, upon departure only the wordless hands-folded gesture is made.

    In yoga, namaste is said to mean "The light within me honors the light within you," as spoken by both the yoga instructor and yoga students.

    Nice touch, Gryphen. It's always fun to learn something new.

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  18. mlaiuppa11:40 AM

    I can't help but compare Mike's quest with the movie The Hunt For Red October. Remember the sub captain that was so obsessed with blowing up the Red October that he removed the safeties on the torpedos and ended up blowing himself up. "You arrogant a$$, you've killed us all." was the quote from the movie.

    Or you can use Moby Dick. Apparently Doogan never read Melville and doesn't get that Ahab didn't kill the whale and live happily every after. Too bad no one clued him in.

    Yep. Mike Doogan's ego has detonated his political career, such as it was. I hope he thinks it was worth it. But I doubt it. He will never understand what he did wrong or why he is being persecuted for it. No one will care who AKM is....but plenty will care about the comportment (or lack thereof) of their elected public official.

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  19. Gryphen, you expressed my own theories as to why Doogan did what he did. I hope you don't mind that I am linking you in my post today (writing it now). Keep on speaking the truth, and keep on supporting AKM. Thank you for all you've done to help shed light on the political landscape (as well as the actual landscape) of Alaska.

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  20. Anonymous5:14 PM

    @ noname
    re: I doubt that a person remaining anonymous could ever be Alaska's most important voice of the 21st. century.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    There is a flipping difference between anonymous and a pseudonym!!!

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  21. Anonymous7:20 PM

    Can I add that there are a couple of comments at Progressive Alaska's blog, the 'photo of muckraker' thread that have me fuming? Comments re conversations w/effing Brendan Kelley (sp?) and Zencey that are infuriating?????? I'm sure you come into contact with them occasionally, Gryphen, so you might find the comments enlightening...

    It makes me sick that Democrats (hello Mom & Dad!!) who feel sorry for that sucky little Anchorage paper keep subsidizing the sad little rag by renewing their subscription. I'm going to call my mother today and tell her to cancel the subscription and tell my dad that it was either that or it gets thrown in the trash every morning before reading!!!!!!!!! ADN sucks, McClatchy is a money-making business, cancel your subscription! Perhaps a REAL newspaper will emerge from the ashes one day...

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  22. I tried twice to email rep. doogan and got my emails back.
    I guess he can dish it out but can't take the heat!!!!
    He needs to get out of the kitchen.
    I finally got an email to Alaska Dispatch after 3 tries.
    I pointed out to any of rep. doogan's constituents that he felt it was his "right" to out any of them if they did something to annoy him. I bet that makes them feel great!!!
    I also signed my name to save him the time of looking me up!!!!
    Diane Patyjewicz

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