Facing hundreds of people in a packed Discovery Theater and sharing the stage with four decades of predecessors, Dan Sullivan took the oath of office at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and became Anchorage's seventh elected mayor since the municipal government was formed in 1975.Sullivan told his audience that he's a fourth-generation Alaskan who has grown up among Native people.
"I want to pledge to our first people" that "a culture of mutual respect and dignity will be our standard and will be expected throughout this community," he said.
"I look to our Native leaders for your wisdom, for your advice, and as more people from rural Alaska move to Anchorage, we will need to work cooperatively to make sure these new residents don't just find a place to live, we're gonna make sure they truly find a home."
He also talked about two issues that have occupied the Anchorage Assembly for weeks this summer -- a proposed ordinance that would ban discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals, and a move to delete or delay the Knik Arm bridge project from the city's transportation plan.
Sullivan said he had mentioned those discussions in a conversation last weekend with an ambassador from the Czech Republic.
"I told him how some people contend that this public disagreement tears our community apart," Sullivan said. "He ... reminded me ... that the essential element of democratic freedom is the freedom to disagree ...
Sullivan needed a guy from the Czech Republic to explain democracy to him?
Oh this does not bode well for my city.
I usually try to give new office holders some benefit of the doubt (Believe it or not I did the same for Sarah Palin when she first became our Governor), but I am particularly concerned with Dan Sullivan. There is something about him that just screams "snake oil salesman".
My questions:
ReplyDeleteWas he on the Palin Kosovo adventure? If so, funded by whom? This is the only thing I can think of that would connect to a Czech Ambassador meeting. If so, why the Gov's office kept it secret as no pictures were released. I'm sure they will now that the bat is out of the hat.
What the hell was he doing having a conversation with a Czech Ambassador? And who orchestrated this meeting?
What was the conversation?
The more these kinds of meetings are set up, the more embarrassing for the U.S. when you think of Palin meeting with the Defence minister in a word salad conversation and if Sullivan was along for the ride, meeting the ambassador. A mayor not yet sworn into office.
These junkets display the waste of funds and the arrogance how they think themselves so important.
Sounds like Sarah is "grooming" Danny Boy as the next guv'nor. I wonder if she licked his cowlick to keep it from springing up and out of place!
ReplyDeleteYou know that if she ain't running, she wants someone in office to keep the "family" secrets secret!
Word has it that there were several people including entertainers with our Guv. How can we find out? I wonder if we could put in a FOIA request for who traveled with her.
ReplyDeleteWow, Gryphen. I'm sorry. So, your new mayor didn't know what freedom really meant?! Wonder what else he doesn't know????
ReplyDeleteOr was he just name dropping to puff himself?
I agree with Anonymous @7:35,"What the hell was he doing having a conversation with a Czech Ambassador?" Secret meetings??
Gryphen, you're right to be concerned. This guy is fairly good looking and therefore could easily become a governor or the president. Remember Gryphen, brains are the least important thing that matters to American voters and I would suspect that brains matters even less to Alaskans.
ReplyDeleteBest to get some nitwit to challenge him who is better looking than him and can be easily led by those of your political convictions.
We Canadians are soooo un-American aren't we!
Sarah Q ( I do believe you post using other names if I am not mistaken. You told us so awhile back )
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow Canadian, I like some of your posts. Some leaving me feeling a tad ashamed. You make good points, but why make them with snide sarcasm attached. American voters are not really different than Canadian voters. Look who we voted for..(not me and perhaps not you) but enough that he is there in all his neocon glory nevertheless.
The thing I notice, and I really don't think its lost on you, is that many americans..like our Alaskan friends, take their politics much more seriously than we do.
More of these people on these blogs would perhaps take you more seriously, if you could try to be a bit more civil
Like I said, I agree with you on many things, but I dont care for it, when you put these folks down in a snide manner. There is no need for that.
Laurie
Sarah Q,
ReplyDeleteWith all that socialized medicine, surely you'd be eligible for a free operation to remove that stick from your butt? Could prove helpful and induce a complete personality change.
Sullivan pledges to the first people that they will come to experience a culture of mutual respect and dignity? Is that why he fired the Rural Affairs liaison before he was sworn in? Why bother bring up the first people at all? The wall of diversity behind him says enough.
ReplyDeleteHi Gryphen,
ReplyDeleteOT: Did you see this about another Sarah book in the works?
http://blowpoppalin.blogspot.com/
"...as more people from rural Alaska move to Anchorage, we will need to work cooperatively to make sure these new residents don't just find a place to live, we're gonna make sure they truly find a home."
ReplyDelete******
Ready for a big influx?
Sorry for the OT but I don't think you will mind too much:
ReplyDeleteUNITED STATES CODE
TITLE 36
CHAPTER 10
§176. Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor...
...(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform,
From the following url: accompanied by Runner's World picture of Palin leaning on flag drapped over a stool.
And you shall know them by their deafening silence
by: Michael Bersin
Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 22:25:50 PM CDT
http://blog.showmeprogress.com/diary/3119/and-you-shall-know-them-by-their-deafening-silenceand for decoration in general....
THIS IS A PROGRESSIVE BLOG FROM MISSOURI
Did you see the Pee Zoo has a HUGE new attack piece up on Ramras? I didn't bother to read it because I know nothing about the affair, but I know 2 things: RAM always folds, bends, and mutilates the truth, and she didn't do the research for this article. It was fed to her from Alaska. Why is Sarah after this guy's gonads?
ReplyDeleteCasey, Yes I have posted using other names but on this blog I have only used Sarah Q for at least a month I think. Not to worry though, if you think somebody is me then just ask and I will tell you truthfully.
ReplyDeleteI can understand how you sometimes feel ashamed Casey, it's a natural thing for a person who cares what kind of an impression he makes. But it's also IMO a gutless position to take because rather than be ashamed and holding back, the best thing for these Americans is to be told what's wrong with them and their politics. Really Casey, those Americans who go along with the political status quo, I would equate their mentality as suitable for living in the Fourth Reich. For a further explanation on what I mean you can ask but I won't go any further right now because I don't know how thinskinned Gryphen is going to be about this.
Yes, Harper is pretty bad and by voting for him that makes Canadians pretty bad too. If Harper had his way we would have taken part in the dirty immoral and illegal war which destroyed Iraq. And we're not guilt free because we took part in the first one which was an oil war. Some Canadian politicians need to be hung for that one, even though they were taken in by the U.S. propaganda. There's no excuse. I'm no Canadian apologist and I hate Americans and Canadians who are.) (Stupidity is no excuse either)
You think Americans take their politics more seriously than we Canadians do? By what yardstick do judge that? Are those who elected W or Palin more serious than us? Would we make such unwise choices? Is electing a pretty face more serious than electing somebody like Chretien who didn't have that going for him? In short, I think you're wrong. I think they are more wrapped up in politics and their flagwaving than Canadians but certainly not more serious. And as for Alaskans, I think they even less serious but I won't stake much on that assumption because most of what we hear on this blog are people with too much time on their hands.
As for me being more civil, it's not going to happen. I feel that I serve a better purpose being abusive and insulting when that's what's called for. I'll leave it up to Gryphen to decide whether he wants to have it that way or not. I don't offer any compromises.
And finally Casey, IMHO you would make a lot better use of your time if you would be more outspoken as I am. These Americans need help and direction because it's quite clear that they have allowed their country to become a rough nation which is on the verge of economic failure. And much, much more important, they have a huge influence over what is going to be happening in Canada in the near future. If, and when uncle Osama nukes us because we were complicit in their crimes then it will be too late.
Have I been a little too outspoken Casey? You know how un-American I tend to be.
@Sarah Q...lol..I do respect your bluntness. I have told you that before. I am no apologist either...and I am no flag waver. I have on many occasions attempted to explain some of the better part our our system...but Americans will eventually get the system they want.
ReplyDeleteI like you...and I see the excellence in a great deal of what you post. Perhaps I want others to see that too. You know the old saying. You catch more flies with honey.
I know that you are intelligent, so I also know you can get your point across without being insulting.
As far as me being outspoken. I am very outspoken. I suppose its the training and the experience I have had as a counsellor and social worker that has honed the way that I "speak". I want to be taken seriously...and not have folks tune me out.
Thanks for the input Sarah Q...although I do believe you are male...no?
TEAM CANADA!
ReplyDeleteYes Casey, I am indeed a male. And as far as what you have said I only have just a few comments for now. When I wrote rough I meant to write rogue. Americans can't be allowed to 'eventually' get the system they want IMO. It's too dangerous for the world and especially too dangerous for Canada IMO. Thanks for the complement and in return I will say that I'm sure you are intelligent enough to understand what I'm talking about. It's also got a lot to do with the luxury the internet affords us all and that luxury shouldn't be passed up in order to save feelings. And finally, I'll leave the fly catching to you while I spread some more vinegar.
ReplyDeleteTeam Canada? No, it's not a matter of Canada against them. It's a matter of what's right or wrong. If Americans are right then I will support them and throw my fellow Canadians to the wolves when they are wrong. This is the key issue Casey, which I think more Canadians are capable of understanding. Americans need to understand how to start doing that too. One of the main reasons I take part here is in order to understand them better. And btw, why are you here?
So, male Sarah Q., your mission is to understand Americans better? And you do that by insulting us? How's that working for you? How has insulting continually progressive Americans on this blog (and I assume elsewhere) enhanced your comprehension of 21st century Americans? Do you go to the conservative blogs and insult them, too?
ReplyDelete(Sorry, Sarah Q. I don't believe you're here to "promote cultural understanding" in yourself. You and Casey can love Canada. But no need to insult us in the process.)
SarahQ...I am here for a variety of reasons. Firstly, I arrived here due to Sarah Palin being chosen as VP pick for McCain. You see, I do understand that what happens in the US of A affects me. Not only as a Canadian, but as a world citizen.
ReplyDeleteI have said as much over and over, when challenged by an American poster when Ihave been told to "mind my own business". It is my business, cause I live on the same continent, and we would be in the line of fire as much as them should something truly horrific happen.
I also have come to respect the Alaskan bloggers. I have on other blogs, written by Americans from the other states, that have not been as welcoming nor forthcoming about their issues. I find these folks refreshing.
I recognize however, that I am in their "house" so to speak, and modify my voice due to that.
You must have noticed that many Canadians take part on these blogs, and I don't think that takes place on ones from out of this state. They welcome the difference, but if I were them, I would be insulted reading posts about their "intelligence".
You keep on the way you are. I will be here to support you. I really do...as I have said before...respect you and find you very knowledgeable....intelligent and interesting. Our styles are different, but I will leave you with yours, if you will leave me with mine.
Why are you here? Do you care? I hope so. I hope you are not looking for someplace to vent anger at the expense of people who have been working hard. Sorry...thats not what I really think, but perhaps folks here might understand you more.
@anon who keeps referencing Team Canada. I know you are just a fool from the "echo chamber". You are just the kind of individual I referenced earlier. One who would tell us to mind our own business, except these bloggers have welcomed us to thier home.