WAR what is it good for? Absolutely NOT the Attorney General postion in Alaska! Is that how that song goes?

(I "borrowed" this picture from my pal Celtic Diva.)


Alaska Native leaders are giving Gov. Sarah Palin’s pick for attorney general – Anchorage lawyer Wayne Anthony Ross -- a thumbs down this week.

“It almost looked like she was rubbing our face in (Ross’s) appointment. Like rubbing our face on the ground, saying 'Here, take this,” said Tim Towarak, vice chairman of the Alaska Federation of Natives and president of the Bering Straits Native Corp.

Ross has been an outspoken opponent of giving rural communities first dibs on subsistence hunting and fishing, which would require amending the state constitution. AFN board members had been talking about resurrecting that idea, Towarak said, but Ross’s appointment could put it on hold.

“To me the governor is sending a message that she’s shutting the door on any question on subsistence as long as Wayne Anthony Ross is her attorney general, I don’t even think we’ll have the chance to talk to him about it,” Towarak said.

But Ross – who spent his first day on the job today in Juneau -- says he does wants to talk to his critics. He sees the criticism as divisive and premature, and said he thought talk of urban-versus-rural hunting rights had died down in recent years.

"Died down"? Does that mean that WAR has not been reading the papers and is not aware of the recent kerfuffle with the Board of Fish and Game concerning the fact that the board favors out of state big game hunters over subsistence hunters?

Remember this quote? John W. Andrew is from the Kuskokwim village of Kwethluk, a Yup'ik community of 700 about 12 miles from Bethel. Moose hunting has been on hold in the region for the past five years.

But I guess if Wayne Anthony Ross has not been thinking about it in recent years then it must be a dead issue. So sayeth WAR!

So how does the Governor defend choosing a man that is so disliked by the Alaska native community?

Gov. Sarah Palin
-- “Obviously I am not anti-Native and would never appoint anyone who is. (Unless of course I do and then I don't want to be confronted with it by the "Gotcha" media.)It's unfortunate that a few vocal critics view anyone who may have a different opinion as they do as being unfit for public service for all Alaskans," via an email sent out today by her spokeswoman. (Just because my pick for Attorney General has a history of treating the native people of Alaska like second class citizens does not mean that all of the white folks should dislike him as well. I am totally doing my sexy wink at the white people.)

And what does WAR have to say for himself?

Wayne Anthony Ross:
-- Ross doesn’t like it when people say he’s against rural preference. “Quit saying I was ‘opposed to’ … “I was in favor of the constitution. There’s a difference. The constitution says the assets belong to all the people of the state of Alaska.” (See? I am not the one that is racist. It is the Constitution that is racist.)

This guy is a complete asswipe and the fact that Governor Palin picked him is a fair indication that she has no further political aspirations here in Alaska. She is shamelessly pandering to her national Republican base at the expense of the Alaska people.

She is on the defensive and feels that this big tub of guts is somehow going to run interference between her and her detractors.

You know, like me. Oooh I am shaking in my PJ's!

Republicans kick Palin to the curb in favor of Newt Gingrich. Ow! That's gotta smart!

Sarah Palin is out and Newt Gingrich is in.

Congressional Republicans Tuesday decided to ditch the former GOP vice presidential nominee in favor of the former Speaker for the critical House-Senate fundraising dinner in Washington June 8. It's the marquee Republican event to raise money for GOP House and Senate candidates.

Just weeks ago, the House and Senate Republican campaign committees were giddy at securing the telegenic Palin for the dinner. But then things grew murky. At the time, the Alaska governor's office told FOX News that Palin was still considering the invitation and had not yet made a decision. Meantime, spokespersons for the committees insisted that Palin was scheduled and it was just a misunderstanding between the Alaska governor's office and Palin's political action committee, SarahPAC, that accepted the invite.

Sources familiar with the Palin snub fumed openly about how the governor handled this.

"She was a disaster," one Republican source told FOX News. "We had confirmation."

As for inviting Gingrich, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ken Spain said the GOP "decided to go in another direction."

"Speaker Gingrich is a leader," Spain added.

The Governor is just like those manipulative girls in high school. You know the ones. They say they are going to come to your fundraiser and give a speech, but then they slap your hand away and say they are not that kind of politician.

So instead you have to call your dad, and he ends up boring the audience with stories of the good old days when politicians were judged on their anti-tax policies and not by how much they resemble Posh Spice.

And now these poor conservatives will not be able to get their little little creepy rocks off by recording Palin's speech for use later in the privacy of their hotel rooms. They will have to simply purchase the pay-per-view like every other conventioneer at the Marriott.

And poor Sarah.

Here she thought she could lead the Republican party on forever, simply showing some leg and winking until the cows came home. But they are finally fed up with her teasing ways and have moved on.

Sure Newt Gingrich is old and fat, but hey at least you know he puts out.

Shannyn Moore goes on Canadian radio to talk about Mike Doogan and the outing of Mudflats.

Click here: http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/asithappens/20090330-aih-1.wmv

You must forward to the 20 minute mark to hear how well Shannyn explains the reason that some bloggers remain anonymous and how indefensible Mike Doogan's actions are.

Once again Shannyn does a fantastic job for the citizens of Alaska.

Love ya Shannyn!

Last nights Daily Show had both Asif Mandvi (who I love) and Jack Cafferty (who I worship).

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Borderline Cops
comedycentral.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Alligators eating Indians and Mexicans. Oh what a racist hoot that guy is.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Jack Cafferty
comedycentral.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

I stopped watching CNN awhile ago, and the only reason that I miss it at all is because of Cafferty.

KTUU reports on the battle between Sarah Palin and the Alaska Democrats, over a devious shapeshifter named "Dorfy".

I actually have one compliment for Tim Grussendorf (who will from now on be known on IM as simply "Dorfy"), at least he has the guts to accept his baldness. His father, Ben Grussendorf, had one of the all time worst hairpieces in the whole history of hairpieces. This thing was so ugly that it almost looked like something had crawled onto his head and simply died there.

So good on you Dorfy! It looks like the only thing you are trying to hide is your true party affiliations and your secret pact with Governor Sarah.

Hmmm. You know upon further reflection I think I would prefer an honest guy with a dead mammal on his head.

Well I am watching these Juneau Democrats and they better not let Palin out maneuver them again. Now is the time to show some backbone and stop this woman in her tracks. If she wants to play games with this process then let the world know how little she respects the constituents of Juneau, and the will of their legislators.

Come on Juneau! The whole world is watching. Don't let us down!

Anchorage Mayoral advertisements. Can't you just feel the excitement? Yeah me either.

So here is Eric Croft's advertisement suggesting that most, if not all, of the Anchorage's financial problems could be solved if only City Hall and the School District did not insist upon being selfish and buying their own toilet plungers instead of just sharing one. Croft does know that there are a lot of toilets in Anchorage doesn't he?

Sheila Selkregg found Croft's commercial so ready for parody that she could not resist poking fun at it, completely forgetting that she and Eric are not the only candidates in the running.

Next up is acting mayor Matt Claman's newest ad.

Claman seems to think that being the mayor is just like white water rafting. No seriously.

It kind of reminds me of those Klondike bar commercials where somebody bites into one and suddenly thinks they are flying off of a ski jump instead of simply standing in the frozen food section of a grocery store and having a psychotic episode.

The next time I see him I am going to come up behind him and ask "Where do you think you are now Matt?" That should be fun.

Okay this last one is Walt Monegan's. Just like his website Walt's advertisement has a lot of information.

Now the funny thing about this is that I have spent some time talking to Walt, one on one. And this is EXACTLY how he is in real life. You ask him a question and he launches into some anecdote about something he saw or dealt with while working as a patrolman, or when he ran the department as Chief of Police. Sometimes it answered your question, and sometimes it didn't.

In other words Walt has yet to master the sound bite. Not that I am sure that is necessarily a bad thing.

Now I want to clarify that I did look for commercials from ALL of the mayoral candidates. I could not locate any others. The only other candidate that I know has a commercial is Dan Sullivan, because I have seen it. But apparently Dan did not bother to put it up on YouTube.

But if one of Dan's staff want to send me a link in the comments section I promise to post it and make snarky comments about it. How can you pass up on that?

Sarah Palin's teflon is peeling as Lisa Murkowski moves ahead of her in popularity.

It looks like Sarah Palin's easy victory over Murkowski for her Senate seat is just another Palin pipe dream. And with Bob Poe in the running for Governor, and Barack Obama appearing virtually unstoppable in 2012, it looks like Palin's political aspirations may have just hit a brick wall.

Hey maybe she can still get her old position as Mayor of Wasilla back!

After all that is where she should have stayed in the first place, dont'cha think?

The more you know about Palin's pick for Attorney General, Wayne Anthony Ross, the more often you have to fight the urge to vomit.

I am giving full credit for this post to Pam's House Blend and would like you to click the title to give her love for gathering all of these facts for us.

Gov. Sarah Palin named Anchorage lawyer Wayne Anthony Ross as her new attorney general on Thursday. We did not expect her to pick a gay-friendly AG, however his blatant prejudice expressed in a public letter to the state Bar shows that he is a poor choice for our top attorney:

"During a fight several years ago over gay rights, [Allison] Mendel helped organize Anchorage lawyers in support of an anti-discrimination ordinance. Ross wrote a nasty letter to the Bar Association newsletter, using words like "immoral", "perversion" and "degenerates." The language went way beyond reasonable disagreement, Mendel and others said."-- from Wayne Anthony Ross never a quiet force, Anchorage Daily News.

Quick show of hands, how many of you are surprised that Palin's pick to be the "people's attorney" discriminates against a whole class of people? I can't actually see you, but I would guess that every hand is down.

Other interesting facts about Wayne Anthony Ross, known as WAR, the initials on his vanity plate:

• He was a founder of Alaska Right to Life and represented, without fee, anti-abortion protesters charged with trespassing. "I feel I have a good relationship with the good Lord (but) if I could overturn Roe vs. Wade, I figure I got my ticket," he told a reporter.
• He was the defense lawyer for former Rep. Vic Kohring, who is serving a 3 1/2 year sentence on corruption charges.
• He opposes Native subsistence rights and was the lead lawyer in the case that got Alaska's subsistence law declared unconstitutional. When running for governor in 2002, he said he would hire a band of "junkyard dog" assistant AG's to challenge the federal law that requires subsistence preference, or seek changes through Congress.
• He wrote for the Anchorage Times and the conservative Voice of the Times, and titles like "KKK ' Art' Project Gets' A' For Courage" are listed on the publications page of his Ross & Miner law office.
• He represented Palin in her ethics case against state GOP chair Randy Ruedrich when both were on the Oil and Gas Commission, and co-chaired Palin's 2006 gubernatorial campaign. He was hoping for an appointment to head the Department of Health and Social Services so he could "stop the department from interfering with families when they should not be interfering and get them interfering with families when they should be interfering" but he was passed over.
• He defended a man who twice poured buckets of water from a passing pickup onto anti-war demonstrators in the rain and snow. His client was convicted of harassment and violating constitutional rights.
• He was the co-chair of Alaskans for Phil Gramm. (Gramm is one of the people responsible for the current economic crisis, and as co-chair of John McCain's presidential campaign he called us "a nation of whiners.")
• He is a former vice president of the National Rifle Association and was in line to become president but was voted out of office. He is still a director of the NRA.
• He ran for governor in 1998 and 2002. (Think he'll use the AG post as a stepping stone to the governor's mansion?)

Okay Pam is like my new internet hero right now.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for digging up all of this dirt on this creep.

Okay seriously I have to go shower now. Eeeww!

Beware the wolf at the door in ill fitting sheep's clothing.

Gov. Sarah Palin has appointed legislative aide Tim Grussendorf to the state Senate seat that opened when Juneau Democrat Kim Elton resigned. It's a controversial pick that Grussendorf's own party says it will try to block.

Palin had to pick a Democrat from Juneau for the seat under state law. But Grussendorf was a registered Republican until just weeks ago, then switched to being a Democrat to qualify for the appointment. Grussendorf now needs a majority vote of the nine Democrats in the state Senate to approve his appointment.

Juneau Democratic Party officials want state House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula to get the Senate seat instead and are rallying party leaders statewide.

"We're asking them to call their senators and encourage their senator to stand behind Beth Kerttula and vote this nomination down," Rich Listowski, a state Democratic Party central committee member from Juneau, said after Palin made the pick Sunday.

We knew that there must be something fishy about this Grussendorf guy, but it turns out that it was not fish we smelled but the rotten aroma of his ill-fitting disguise.

I am very happy that the Democrats seem perfectly aware that the Governor is sending them a double agent. The guy may as well be wearing his hair up and expensive designer glasses, because he is there to represent Sarah Palin not the people of Kim Elton's district.

And don't you just love his pathetic excuse for being registered as a Republican?

Tim Grussendorf said he never meant to be a registered Republican. He said that he changed his party registration from Democrat to undeclared in 2006, so he could vote in the closed Republican primary, which had contested races he wanted to participate in. Grussendorf said he then requested an absentee ballot to vote while out of town in the Republican primary, and somehow that resulted in his party registration being mistakenly changed to Republican.

Don't you just hate it when you wake up and oops your a Republican? But that is total bullshit and Grussendorf all but admits that it is.

"I'm a pretty conservative Democrat ... her thought process I believe was trying to find someone who can represent both districts. And I believe that I fit that bill.

"Both districts"? What does that mean? There is only one district. And that is the one that elected Kim Elton. They did not elect a Republican "playing a Democrat", they elected a true Democrat. And giving them anything less is a slap in the face to those voters.

The guys a fraud and the Democrats need to kick him to the curb and demand that the Governor sign off on Kerttula. She is the right choice, and the one that clearly scares the Governor stupid. I am sorry, stupider.

Which in my mind makes this a no brainer for the Dems.

Palin is playing divide and conquer with the Alaskan Democrats. Let us hope they can see through her blatant manipulations.

Governor Names Grussendorf to Senate Seat

March 29, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today named Tim Grussendorf as her designee to replace Kim Elton as the state senator from District B, representing the City and Borough of Juneau.

Grussendorf has worked as a commercial fisherman and serves as chief of staff to Alaska State Senator Lyman Hoffman. He is currently president of the Southeast Alaska Fishermen’s Alliance and a board member of the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association. Grussendorf is active in the Juneau community, volunteering his time to coach soccer and basketball teams. He is the assistant basketball coach at Floyd Dryden Middle School.

Grussendorf’s father, Ben Grussendorf, was a representative from Sitka and served as Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives.

“Tim’s solid credentials and thorough understanding of the issues facing our state will serve his constituents well,” Governor Palin said. “I am confident he will be able to hit the ground running.”

First Palin somehow manipulates Mike Doogan into doing her dirty work for her to try and quiet a powerful progressive voice and now she is trying to pit Democrat against Democrat in a battle to replace Kim Elton.

I do not know a thing about Tim Grussendorf at this point. But if Governor Palin wants him that should raise everybody's suspicions. When was the last time she did anything that was not totally self serving?

Democrats need to stop simply reacting to the Governor and start taking charge of their own destiny. Tim Grussendorf should simply say "thanks but no thanks", and allow Rep. Kerttula to remain the only candidate available for the position.

And if he does not do that the Democrats should refuse to confirm him and suggest that he attempt to get into the House or Senate the old fashioned way, by running for it. May I suggest perhaps running for Doogan's seat in the next election? Trust me he will not prove difficult to beat.

Alaska and Washington political professionals call Governor Palin's team "the gang that couldn't shoot straight". Gee I wonder if she will respond?

A seemingly unending series of public relations gaffes has Sarah Palin loyalists frustrated and worried she is diminishing her stature. And they blame an inner circle they say is composed of not-ready-for-primetime players.

Interviews with Alaska and Washington-based GOP political professionals who are familiar with the Palin operation describe the governor’s team as a gang that couldn’t shoot straight, a staff whose failure to execute basic political maneuvers too often entangles the governor in awkward and embarrassing situations that could have easily been avoided.

The state of confusion is compounded by two separate Palin spheres that don’t communicate with each other, one based in the governor’s office and another based in the D.C.-area, where Palin’s political action committee is located—and the incongruous presence of a high-profile Democratic trial lawyer among her political advisers.

The lawyer, John Coale, is a former supporter of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign who became a Palin confidante as his wife, Fox News host Greta Van Susteren, interviewed the former GOP vice presidential nominee and her family numerous times during and after the election.

Their presence around Palin has become Topic A among many of her allies as well as other Republican insiders who are mystified as to why an anti-abortion rights conservative who ran against Washington elites is now turning to a pair of capital insiders for counsel.

So exactly how many special interest groups is the Governor pandering to now?

• Supporting the killing of wolves from helicopters and gassing their pups in the den. That covers the hunters, Neo-Nazis, and helicopter pilots.
• Appointing pro-choice advocate Morgan Christen to the Alaska Supreme Court. That covers the pro-choice groups.
• But then she supports passing a bill that requires parental consent before allowing an underage girl to receive an abortion. That covers the religious right, the anti-abortionists, and the pedophiles.
• Appointing Wayne Anthony Ross the new Attorney General. That covers the gun nuts and those that are just plain......well nuts.
• Agreeing to be interviewed by Greta Van Susteren and FOX News repeatedly. That covers scientologists, fake news junkies, and the low hanging intellectual fruit.
• Fighting to keep Polar Bears off of the endangered species list. That covers oil companies and of course Stephen Colbert.
• Supporting her daughter, who is an unwed teenage mother! Well you know that kind of panders to me. Damn she is tricky!

I think what is very apparent is that Caribou Barbie is doing her level best to garner support from as many places as possible but cannot seem to figure out that when she turns one group on, she is invariably turning another off. So she keeps running around like a chicken with her head cut off making new friends, and then running back to make sure the old friends still like her, before running off to prostitute herself to a brand new group.

God it must be exhausting! And the really sad part is that it is not even working.

Governor Palin responds to criticism of her rejection of Federal stimulus dollars.

“Shovel ready or digging a hole?”
By Gov. Sarah Palin

Some question my decision to accept job-ready stimulus funds, while leaving on the table for discussion other funds that grow government. Washington dollars are tempting, but we must consider whether they create sustainability, help develop our resources, reduce dependency on Washington, and all without mortgaging our kids’ futures.

Under federal law, I must certify that every stimulus dollar will create new jobs and stimulate the economy. I take that charge seriously. Accordingly, I’ve requested $514.4 million for capital projects that legitimately create new private sector jobs. Shovel-ready projects are certifiable because they put people to work and grow Alaska’s private-sector economy.

Unfortunately, a disproportionate percentage of the federal package available to Alaska would increase government operations. It’s a stretch to certify that more spending on more bureaucracy actually grows an economy.

When stimulus money runs out in two years, who will pay for the expanded government programs, when Alaska currently has a budget shortfall of over a billion dollars? My administration will not willingly and knowingly dig a hole for Alaskans to fill under this enormous, debt-ridden, Washington spending plan. That's why public discussion on budget increases must happen through open, transparent legislative hearings so everyone is aware of the cost.

I am deeply committed to quality public education, so I appreciate questions concerning my $20 million dollar request for certifiable funds. Regarding other available funds, I have sought public discussion on school district spending plans. Alaska’s children are my priority, as proven by my unprecedented increases to K-12 funding, including intensive needs programs, which we currently fund at historic levels.

I moved the education discussion to the legislative arena because the public, lawmakers, and our schools must consider what will happen in 24 months. The districts should present spending plans that don’t dig huge fiscal holes when temporary federal funds disappear. Will they wisely and prudently fund training for existing positions, or just create new positions, leaving Alaskans to foot the increased bills? When one-time funding ends, will they lay-off all those new teachers? Are Alaskans willing to shoulder the expanding programs in the education bucket, including questionable priorities, like proposed increases to the National Endowment for the Arts? Alaskans must have confidence the additional funds will produce actual results for our children and not simply increase bureaucracy. Remember, these dollars aren’t “replacement dollars,” they are “additional dollars,” and obviously increase budgets.

I’m approaching federal funds and mandates with caution, but won’t stand in the way of organizations or communities applying to the feds for funding their own expansions.

Some, enticed with as much Washington money as possible, assume this is free money. It is not. America is $11 trillion in debt. They also may fail to consider the level of federal intrusion. For example, Alaska’s communities would have to adopt building energy codes that compliment the most recent International Codes. These standards should be locally determined, not federally mandated. And, if we take additional unemployment compensation funds, Alaska would have to extend eligibility guidelines. This federal involvement locks us into government dependency for longer periods. Alaskans must read the fine print on these federal mandates, because certain allocations also require state-matching funds.

When Alaska was granted statehood, it was with the expectation that our independent, innovative spirit and rich resources would largely sustain us, rather than depending on federal government. Creating more dependence on Washington steers us away from Alaska’s magnificent potential and destiny, and that, to me, is a problem.

My job is to help Alaskans count the cost for the long term, not sell our birthright for short-term gain. Alaskans must acknowledge that if we dig a fiscal hole, it will be filled by our families and businesses. Reliance on Washington is not our only option. We could exercise fiscal responsibility and prudent planning, develop our resources, energize Alaskans, and revitalize our spirit. We are up to the challenge. This is the best lesson we can teach our children.

I got this off of the ADN but I have decided not to link to them since they have made the choice to support Mike Doogan in his cowardly act of revealing the identity of AKM. And since Sarah Palin, for better or worse, is still MY Governor I don't feel guilty bringing her words to a wider audience since that was clearly her intent by writing this and asking that it be published.

And I will not even pick it apart as I usually do. Though there are a number of portions of this article that I take umbrage with I will simply allow you, my gentle readers, to form your own opinions as to its honesty and effectiveness.

The only thing I will ask is why does this Republican Governor suddenly decide that THIS federal money is somehow more tainted then the money Alaska has received by the truckload form the efforts of Ted Stevens, Frank Murkowski, and Don Young over the years? Is it because Obama is a Democrat?

We greedily took federal money when both Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were the President, why is this any different? And as for those government jobs that will be created but that may have to be trimmed later when the money runs out? How is THAT any different then the way government has conducted itself up here for the last fifty years?

Everybody knows that different administrations either increase or decrease the number of government jobs as determined by the funds available. Or is she simply insinuating that Alaska may have to start taxing its citizens to pay for the jobs once the stimulus money dries up? Well anyway I will let you all decide for yourselves.

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.

Mt. Redoubt ash falls on Anchorage. Cough cough cough!

The sky over Anchorage started to darken around 5:30 p.m. as an ash cloud from an eruption of Redoubt volcano two hours earlier drifted in from the south. Ash was soon falling in south Anchorage, and the ashfall spread north as the cloud thickened, bringing with it a whiff of sulphur.

We knew it was coming, we just did not know when. Well when is now.

There is a really good article about the outing of Mudflats on the Huffington Post. It is a must read!

The poster is a woman named Dawn Teo, a writer of Arizona who doe an excellent job of explaining why waht Mike Doogan did was a horrible thing indeed.

As AKM pointed out, no one knows her personal situation or the reasons that she wished to remain anonymous. Some have speculated that her anonymity protected the financial well-being of her family. Whatever the reason, it is evident that this is a serious matter for AKM who now says that will take some time away from Mudflats while she reassesses how her life will change.

Doogan would do well to remember that, although he is a mystery novel writer, he is not a detective in real life, and this was one mystery that should have gone unsolved. New media is replacing traditional media regardless of whether Mudflats continues to exist or not. Taking down one blogger -- or even thousands of bloggers -- will not bring back your dying newspaper industry.

P.S. By the way for all of you out there who are worried about AKM let me assure you that she is doing fine. I saw her yesterday and spoke to her again this morning and she is still processing the impact that this situation may have, and deciding how to move forward. But trust me, she WILL move forward.

Keeping sending your support to her via Mudflats, or through e-mail, or even on Facebook, because I know that she really appreciates it.

I just don't think the Vatican is ready to fully embrace the idea of birth control yet.

How does breaking the rules as a candidate convince voters that you will respect the rules as an elected official? Am I missing something?

As you may or may not know by now, Anchorage is only about ten days away from electing a brand new mayor and some new school board members.

As we get closer to liftoff the rush to get publicity for the candidates has been ratcheted up quite a bit.

We have seen more billboards cropping up around town and their commercials have started to clog the airwaves. So far I have to say that most of the advertisements have been pretty positive and there have been no real attacks or political dirty tricks. (Though there was some gentle ribbing from Mayoral candidate Sheila Selkregg directed at Mayoral candidate Eric Croft in this television ad.)

All in all I have to say that the field of candidates for both the School Board seats and the position of Mayor have behaved like grown ups.

Until now.

Outlaw candidate billboards planted along Anchorage's busiest streets are causing a ruckus in the final days leading up to city elections, and at least one state legislator is pushing for a more lenient law.

State law bars political signs within 660 feet of state-owned roads, which include most major streets in Anchorage. But enforcement of the law, state officials say, is unlikely.

Anchorage School Board Seat B candidate Jeannie Mackie and mayoral candidates Eric Croft, Dan Sullivan and Sheila Selkregg are some who seem to have illegally placed signs along major roadways. Mackie is drawing intense criticism from her opponents.

I guess it could be argued that in the sometimes dirty business of politics this action is fairly tame. And I would agree. But....

These are individuals asking to be given a position of authority in this city. They are saying to the voters "Hey trust me to do the right thing." But how can you trust somebody to follow and enforce the rules as an elected official if they disregard them as a candidate? Especially a candidate who wants to run this city and will be called upon to reinforce the very laws that they are now breaking?

And what excuse do they offer for this infraction?

She (Jeannie Mackie) defended the signs, though. "I have not been notified by the state or the municipality that any of my signs are in violation," she said. "If people decide to enforce it, then I will be more than happy to do whatever they tell me to do."

She's waiting for that notification before taking action, she said.

Sullivan, whose signs are prominent on several major city arteries, said he contracted the work out and relies on the contractor to know the rules. "It's not something I'm focused on," he said.

Okay let me get this straight. These candidates are not going to follow the rules unless somebody MAKES them follow the rules? So if there is no punishment, then it is not wrong? How long has that been the ethical guidelines in this state? After all that is how Ted Stevens conducted himself. And John Cowdery. And Vic Koehring. And Pete Kott. And that is how Sarah Palin continues to conduct her self.

Is it not time that we elected people who know how to follow the rules BEFORE they get slapped on the wrist?

I am just asking.

P.S. I am totally not making this up, but I saw the husband of School Board candidate Jody Smith outside of his house this morning. When I asked him what he was doing up so early in the morning he told me that he and a buddy were going to put up signs for his wife, and then he emphasized "in only LEGAL places". Isn't it nice to know that some people can follow the rules without having to be reprimanded by the authorities first?

Sarah Palin sacrifices the rights of young women in Alaska to pander to her conservative base in anticipation of 2012.

State legislators are talking about compromising on a major abortion battle over parental consent, but Gov. Sarah Palin isn't interested in the deal.

The compromise under discussion would be legislation that requires parental notification but not consent. That means parents would have to be told about their teenager's plan to have an abortion but wouldn't have to give their permission for it to happen.

North Pole Republican Rep. John Coghill, with Palin's backing, is still pushing for the full version generally requiring parental consent before girls under age 17 could get an abortion. But the state Senate blocked a similar bill last year and, without the compromise, it's hard to see how that wouldn't happen again.

Everything that Governor Palin has done in the months since she returned from being McCain's running mate has been about positioning herself to run against Barack Obama in 2012.

Many of us hoped that when she returned she might return as the Sarah Palin who was ready to work with Democrats, the Sarah Palin who knew how to compromise, the Sarah Palin who at least pretended to care about Alaskans. But every single move she has made is a clear nod to the most conservative Republicans in the GOP. In other words the base that she needs to support her when she tries to win the Presidency.

She refuses to life a finger to help the indigenous people of Alaska as they struggle to survive horrendous circumstances. She defensively pounds her fists on the ground and name calls when she is called on her unethical behaviors. She essentially insinuates that her running mate John McCain was not a Christian by claiming that nobody would pray with her. And she nominates an anti-native rights, gun toting, big red hummer driving jackass to be her new Attorney General. And NONE of this does a single thing to help the people who elected her as Governor.

You would have to have your head buried pretty deep into the tundra not to realize that Sarah Palin is "just not that into us anymore". We were her little junior high school crush, but now she is hoping to go steady with a cool college guy and she does not even want to acknowledge that she once had feelings for us.

Simply put, regardless of our moral, religious, or political points of view we do not have the right to tell a young woman what to do with her body. Nor do we have the right to stack the deck to keep her from making a decision that she feels is in her best interests.

Remember that most teen mothers do not get to spend their pregnancies traveling across the country being pampered by campaign workers, or are invited to go on Greta Van Susteren to talk about how much support they have before dumping their boyfriend, or are comfortably sequestered out of sight so as not to interfere with their mother's political aspirations now that they have served their purpose.

Many teen mothers find themselves ostracized by their family members, forced to seek employment when they have not even finished their education, and struggling to raise a child when they are still children themselves.

And as the parent of a teen mother one would think that Sarah Palin would be far more sensitive to the pain that these young women have to go through once they discover that their lives have changed forever. And would afford them the respect to allow them make the decision that they feel is best for them.

But hey what do I know? I am just the product of teen pregnancy and the father of a twenty one year old woman.

Shannyn Moore was Keith's guest on Countdown tonight.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Thank God that more of Sarah Palin's lies are getting national exposure.

Thank you Shannyn! As always you rock!

You know the difference between Rep Mike Doogan and Mt. Redoubt? One is a sulphur spewing ash-hole and the other is just a volcano. UPDATED!

Today a so called "Democrat" outed the progressive Alaskan blogger known as AKM, the creator of the fabulous blog "Mudflats".

Mike Doogan has been stalking AKM for over four months, ever since he found his inbox crammed with e-mails sent by supporters of Alaskans for Truth. In response Doogan sent out an angry dismissive response which was posted on Mudflats in December.

He seriously put his foot in his mouth and received a lot of blowback over it, as well he should have. But instead of admitting that he had been insensitive and sending out a mea culpa, Doogan got pissed.

Since then he has been on a mission. A mission to reveal the identity of my very good friend, and fellow anonymous blogger AK Muckraker.

Well today Doogan finally managed to get his revenge. He has revealed that the mysterious AKM is in fact......wait for it........just a regular concerned citizen of Anchorage, Alaska. Her name is (redacted) and if you stood next to her in the line at the grocery store you would probably see nothing strange or exotic about her. Simply put she is just a person like any other except that she has taken her disgust with politics in Alaska, put those thoughts into words, and published them on a blog.

And what incredible words they turned out to be. So incredible that Mudflats has many tens of thousands of visits a day. So incredible that AKM was able to help inspire thousands of people to come out for several different rallies in Anchorage, and Juneau, and in many other places around the country. So incredible that Mudflats won the "Best Political Blog of 2008".

And that is the person that Mike Doogan decided to attack today. That is the powerful progressive voice that an Alaskan Democrat decided to attempt to injure.

Oh Mr. Doogan how can you be so incredibly stupid?

If Mr. Doogan thinks his actions have done anything except anger the very people whose vote he is hoping to attract when next he runs for election, than he must have been living under a rock for these last six months. If Mike Doogan fails to realize that he has essentially struck out at an individual who many progressives see as a hero, than he is definitely too stupid to continue representing Alaska in any capacity.

You see Mr. Doogan after many, many years of standing in the shadows and watching this state get raped and pillaged by one corrupt politician after another, we have decided to band together to put a stop to it. You could have been part of that effort. You could have been part of the team. But instead you decided to put your ego ahead of your conscience and have sided with those who want to shut us up.

But we will not be shut up. We will not be marginalized any longer. You cannot attack one of us without attacking ALL of us. To paraphrase 70's icon Helen Reddy, "We are Alaskan Progressive Bloggers, hear us roar!"

Go here to read AKM's response on Mudflats.

Go here to read Shannyn Moore's response.

Go here to read Think Alaska's response.

Go here for a response from We're Not That Stupid.

Go here for a response from Phil Munger at Progressive Alaska.

And now even Alaska Gubernatorial hopeful Bob Poe is weighing in on this issue over at Mudflats. Please take a moment to read what he has to say because he REALLY understands the importance of blogs in the world today. Well I am proud to say that, I Know Bob Poe!

Go here for a response by Palingates.

Go here for a response from Mamadance.

I will update this post as more Alaskan bloggers and others weigh in.

If you want to contact Mike Doogan to express your feelings about today's events here is his contact information:

Mike Doogan: CONTACT ME
Ph: (907) 465-4998
Or (800) 689-4998
Fax: (907) 465-4419
doogan@akdemocrats.org
Representative_Mike_Doogan@legis.state.ak.us

Anne Kilkenny, the author of the infamous Wasilla e-mail, is being honored Saturday by the Alaska Press Club.

Anne Kilkenny, 60, will be recognized at the Alaska PressClub’s annual conference on March 26-28 at the Anchorage Senior Center. She will be featured at a noon luncheon on Friday, March 27, at the conference.

Kilkenny’s “Special Recognition” honor is part of the club’s 2009 Howard Rock/Tom Snapp First Amendment Award, which annually recognizes Alaskans who demonstrate exemplary advancement of First Amendment values. (This year’s main First Amendment Award recipients, Gregg and Judy Erickson, have advocated for years in Juneau for open and transparent government. They own and operate Erickson & Associates, an economics consulting firm.)

Kilkenny is a graduate of UC Berkeley and a former delegate to former Gov. Frank Murkowski’s Conference of Alaskans. She feels “truly honored” but remained deferent about the acknowledgement of her work.

“So many in the media have paid a much higher price for defending the First Amendment than I have had to pay, so I feel very humble,” she said.

“Anne Kilkenny might not think she was courageous,” said John Creed, president of the Alaska Press Club. “But she willingly shared information that helped Americans make one of our most important political decisions—election of our president and vice president—without fear of personal consequences to her or her family. That’s the First Amendment in action.”

Anne Kilkenny's contribution to those who were struggling to discover the "real" Sarah Palin cannot be emphasized enough.

Before she wrote her amazing e-mail many of us had little idea of what kind of person Sarah Palin truly was, and everything that we have learned since has only reinforced Ms. Kilkenny's brave words.

If you can show up and offer support then I hope you will take the time to do so.

Changes at the Immoral Minority.

As most of you already realize I have activated the comment moderation option on this site.

I do so reluctantly as it interferes with the natural give and take of the conversations that take place in the comments section.

In the four years that IM has existed I have maintained possibly one of the most permissive policy concerning comments on the internet. I have no problem with people coming here to disagree with me, and even welcome the differing points of view. Some of my most interesting conversations have happened after somebody came over to this "liberal haven" to pick a fight.

However recently people have begun to start arguments with other posters, or to come here to complain about other blogs or websites that will not allow them to argue over there. This does not serve any purpose except to hijack a comment thread and move the topic away from the subject of the post. This is unacceptable.

Therefore my comment policy is this:

"Everybody is welcome to visit the Immoral Minority, whether they agree with my point of view or not. I also welcome ALL comments, even if they are critical of my posts or disagree with my take on the information.

However those who come here to start a conflict, or complain about another progressive blog, or say hateful things directed at another commenter, will not see their comments published.

Remember that this is my little home on the internet. It exists because I imagined that it should. I open it to all of you because I truly appreciate your ideas and points of view. I want you to come here knowing that you may share your ideas without suffering insult, that you can disagree with me without being banned, and that you can share information with me that may show up in a post. You are a very important part of the process and I respect that you take time out of your day to share your thoughts.

Hopefully together we can keep making The Immoral Minority one of the most popular Alaskan progressive blogs on the internet. Thank you very much."

Sarah Palin tells another lie, only this time the Alaska Legislators call her out over it. Well good for them!

Legislative leaders blasted Gov. Sarah Palin this afternoon for issuing an "absolutely false" press release and denying lawmakers direct access to discuss the federal stimulus and the state's budget.

Palin and legislative leaders were to meet today. But, her legislative liaison, Gerry Gallagher, asked Senate Pres. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, if lawmakers would be willing to meet with staff instead.

"The decision was, there is really limited value in our meeting with the staff, when in fact we need to meet with the governor," Stevens said.

Palin planned a 1:30 p.m. press conference in Anchorage to announce Wayne Anthony Ross’ appointment as Alaska’s new attorney general.

She sent out a press release during a leadership press conference charging that lawmakers had called off a meeting with her to hold a press conference.

"Gov. Sarah Palin was scheduled to participate telephonically in a meeting with legislative leadership today when legislative leaders canceled the meeting to host their own press conference," the release stated.

"That is absolutely false, absolutely false," Stevens said emphatically. "I am sorry that the governor has put this out ... To say that we cancelled the meeting to have a press conference is absolutely not true. Someone should be brought to task on that."

Where the hell are Palin's handlers?

Are they just letting her bury herself with one ridiculous or false statement after another while they update their resumes? The woman is in political free fall right now!

Does she really believe she can just say whatever lie pops into her empty head without any blowback whatsoever? I have seen three car pileups that caused less damage then she does every time she opens her mouth.

Sarah Palin's new pick for Attorney General shows that she is beefing up her conservative credentials.

Governor Sarah Palin today announced the appointment of Wayne Anthony Ross as Attorney General.

“Wayne Anthony Ross will be a great defender of Alaska and the people he serves (Does this mean he is not intending to serve ALL of the people? What an odd statement to make.)," Governor Palin said. "With his vast legal knowledge, experience and integrity, he will make an exceptional Attorney General. I recognize the sacrifices our public servants make for Alaska and her people, and I am honored that Wayne is willing to make those sacrifices for the greater good.” (Which beggars the question, Whose "greater good"?)

“Theodore Roosevelt once said ‘Aggressive fighting for the right is the noblest sport the world affords’ – I subscribe to that philosophy,” Ross said. (Fighting for "the right"? Not "our rights"? I am not sure what that means unless it is code for fighting for the "right wing" agenda which is odd since the only other place Google could find that the quote was used was this Iranian site.)“I sincerely appreciate the confidence placed in me by Governor Sarah Palin in choosing me to be our new Attorney General. I welcome the chance to now represent the best interests of our beloved state and its citizens. I look forward to working with Governor Palin and the Legislature in the good fight to help our state achieve its full potential.” (Well it certainly looks like AG Ross is hankering for a battle with the Legislature. Which I guess means Governor Sarah is tired of playing defense. Well this should be entertaining.)

He is a former vice president of the National Rifle Association and currently is a Director of the NRA. He has also volunteered his time on behalf of numerous organizations, including the Alaska Land Use Council Advisors’ Committee, Armed Services YMCA of Alaska, and the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. Ross is also a member of the Alaska Peace Officers Association and an active member of the Alaska Bar Association. Ross has been knighted by Poland and the Vatican. (Let's see. Uber religious? Check. Gun Nut? Check. Pimp for the oil companies? Check. Let the games begin!)

By the way this is a picture of Wayne Anthony Ross's big red penis.

Big red hummer?

A houseful of guns?

Compensating much?

(Picture courtesy of Phil Munger of Progressive Alaska)

Sarah's new career?

I think we would all feel a lot better if Sarah was simply hawking Arctic cat merchandise without bringing our state into it.

Having said that, did you see the size of her head in that second picture? It must be all of the hot air.

P.S. Just in case you believe that Governor Sarah has only just started to blur the lines between politics and product placement this last year I urge you to read this from a spokesperson for Arctic Cat back in 2008.

Chapter Two: The Fortress is Breached

Please read yesterday's post "My liberal oasis is visited by one of Sarah Palin's minions (Well "ex-minion")".

We had agreed on a meeting around "sixish" and they arrived sometime around 6:15 or so. Punctuality is one of my bugaboos.

When I opened my door I saw Jody, her husband Curtis, and their two children. They looked like they could have all stepped right out of a political advertisement. Attractive and well dressed the whole family was camera ready. (Darn I knew I forgot something!)

Jody introduced me to her husband and children before we went upstairs to the kitchen to begin our conversation.

After bringing out some toys for the children to play with I addressed my first questions to Mr. Curtis Smith.

My first question was to ask if he is still has contact with Sarah Palin. The answer was a simple yes. (Uh oh.) Though Curtis now works for Shell oil, here in Alaska, he has kept in contact with the Governor and still remains on friendly terms.

I then had to ask if that meant a phone from him to the governor concerning a certain pain in the ass local blogger, but Curtis assured me that as an ex-journalist (Curtis worked in broadcasting before signing on to the Governor's staff) he knew how to respect confidentiality and he was here on his wife's behalf, not the Governor's.

I then told Curtis that I had some questions for him for my own peace of mind, but anything that he wanted off the record would remain so. As it turned out the entire conversation was to be off the record.

So what I can share is that Curtis and Jody met in high school, that he started off on a career in broadcasting working for both KIMO and KTUU before going to work for the Governor, and that now he works for Shell oil. He was well spoken, candid, and clearly his wife's biggest supporter.

At one point during the conversation I asked Curtis if he was sure that he wanted his wife to provide an interview to such an ardent liberal blogger and he looked at her and said that it was what she wanted and he supported her decision. Good answer.

With that I turned my full attention to the candidate.

I started off asking Jody if she viewed this run for the school board as a stepping stone toward higher office in the future, aka Sarah Palin. She immediately shook her head no, and talked extensively about her commitment to education and her years of experience in the classroom, which she is by no means ready to abandon.

Had she always harbored desires to enter politics? No, she said, her only previous experience in politics was running for President of the student body when she was attending school in Soldotna. (By the way, her opponent in that race? None other then her husband, Curtis Smith.)

I asked Jody if she believed that there were things about being on the school board that she may find her self unprepared for, and how would she deal with what could be a steep learning curve. She quickly answered, that she had little doubt there were things she would have to learn, but that she would approach that like she does everything else. She would quickly access the available information and then make an informed decision.

I felt it incumbent on me to ask her how she felt about "No Child Left Behind". Before she even had a chance to answer the look on her face betrayed her opinion. She was totally against it and felt that it lacked vision and a fundamental understanding of how children learn. (On that she is definitely in lockstep with Senator Mark Begich who wants to rid Alaska of NCLB as soon as possible)

I then asked Jody about her desire, as stated on her website, to teach our children 21st century skills. She informed me that today, with technology moving so swiftly, we could not adequately conceive of the challengers that lay ahead for the students of tomorrow. She believes that a solid foundation in technical reading and writing and the ability to read non-linear text and recognize visual images will serve these future students well. And those are the skills she would like to see implemented more effectively in our Anchorage classrooms.

As the hour grew late and her two adorable children began to become bored with the "grown up talk" I asked one more question. I glanced over at her husband and smiled before asking her how she felt about Governor Palin rejecting the stimulus money that could have been used to help special needs children in the classroom. Jody did not hesitate before saying that she was very, very disappointed in the Governor. (Her husband to his credit stayed mum on the subject.)

As we wrapped things up I shook Curtis's hand, wished Jody luck, and waved at them as they departed my liberal oasis.

My take on the meeting?

Well as far as Curtis goes, I think in some ways watching him play with his children, glance adoringly at his wife, and demonstrate such support for her political aspirations, goes a long way toward answering my question about why a liberal woman would love a man with such a differing point of view. The fact is that there are many traits which make up an individuals personality. Curtis had a good sense of humor, a gentle demeanor, and an impressive intellect. I have to imagine that those positive traits do much to minimize any political differences the two may have.

Now as for candidate Jody Smith. Well I think impressive is probably not a strong enough word. She is the consummate professional, a woman of real vision, and somebody who is definitely ready for the challenges facing our school system in the coming years.

My advice, to all who want it, is to vote Jody Smith for seat E on the Anchorage School Board this April 7th.

If you want to donate to her campaign, or simply learn more about her, then click this link and you will be taken to her website for more information.

P.S. As I read back over this post a few things occurred to me that I felt needed addressing.

Many of us have long wondered what hold Sarah Palin has over the people who work with her, especially the men. With my tongue somewhat in my cheek I have suggested that she essentially flirts with them and seduces them into supporting her.

In the case of Mr. Smith, that ploy would have failed miserably.

I have seen Sarah Palin up close (someday soon I hope to be able to blog about that encounter), and of course I have spoken to Jody numerous times face to face, and I have to say that the Governor does not hold a candle to Jody. It is outside of the realm of possibilities that Sarah's flirtatious mannerisms had any affect whatsoever on Mr. Smith's desire to work for her.

Which then leads me to my next observation.

While researching just who Curtis Smith was before speaking to him face to face I stumbled across two YouTube videos of a speech he gave in 2007, which can be seen here and here. During the speech he comes across as a very likable, humble man who feels very honored to be asked to speak before the assembled audience.

In many ways he seems in sharp contrast to the bullying dismissive attitude displayed by Meg Stapleton and Bill McAllister. I could not help but wonder how different things may have been if Palin had retained the service of Curtis Smith during the "Troopergate" scandal, or the Vice Presidential run, or even the multiple ethics charges she is facing now.

I just have a hard time believing that the guy in my kitchen a few days ago would have handled these things as clumsily as they were handled by the people currently advising our governor.

And believe me I am not giving the guy a free pass or anything. If he had been a jerk I would have no problem calling him on it, despite my support for his wife. But in fact the guy was very reasonable and even suggested that I "beat him up a little' if necessary to help keep my liberal cred. But of course I can't do that because for me it is ethical behavior first, and political positions second.

If you are in Alaska, remember to vote on Tuesday April 7, regardless of WHO you support. (But please DO check out Jody's website okay?)

The Alaskans for Truth website (Remember them?) has some interesting questions for Walt Monegan

Alaska's own ethical militia has taken it upon themselves to pose a few questions to the candidates that are campaigning to be mayor of Anchorage.

The first candidate to respond thus far is Walt Monegan (doesn't that seem somehow approprate?) and he does an admirable job of stepping up to the plate.

Click the title to be taken to Alaskans for Truth and take a moment to get to know Mr. Monegan just a little bit better.

Mt. Redoubt and the potential for a more damaging oil spill than the Exxon Valdez.

My blogger buddy AKM has a very important post up at Huffington today.

It concerns the very real possibility that the erupting Mt. Redoubt may rupture one or more of the numerous tanks filled with oil RIGHT NEXT THE VOLCANO!

Please click the title to read AKM's frightening warning about the devasting pollution the next eruption may spill into our precious Cook Inlet.

My liberal oasis is visited by one of Sarah Palin's minions. (Well "ex-minion".)

Chapter One: Why do silver linings have to have dark clouds around them?

To be a liberal blogger in the middle of one of the reddest states in America can be a little isolating at times, though things have definitely been easier since the 2008 election cycle.

We have a Democrat in the White House and Alaska even has one in the Senate for the first time in forty years. Yep I have been feeling much more secure expressing my liberal viewpoints lately and have even found many like minded people around my place of employment and in my neighborhood.

Except it seems that there are a TON of liberal women married to conservative men. I have often been stopped by female neighbors who say "I love your Obama sign. Psst don't tell my husband." What's that about?

I have actually been pondering writing a book called "The Conservative Alaskan Male, and the Much More Intelligent Progressive Women who Put Up with Them."

Do you think there is a market for that?

Now the reason I bring this topic up is that I had a visit from a co-worker, and neighbor who is now running for the Anchorage School Board. I met Jody Smith last year at one of my jobs and found her to be an intelligent and dedicated teacher. I have seen her probably a handful of times in the neighborhood and we always give each other a neighborly wave.

So when she brought a political sign with her and asked if I would be willing to place it in my yard, I said "sure". I mean why not?

However after talking for a few more minutes the fact that I was Gryphen from the Immoral Minority came up. She was not only familiar with my site she was also a fan.

See how smart progressive women are?

So of course I felt very relaxed and we started talking about local politics and I offered to write a little post to promote her candidacy. I mean why not?

Now remember how I started this post referring to progressive women who are married to conservative men? Yeah well this time I had run into the Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger of Alaskan politics.

Jody is not just married to a conservative male, she is married to Sarah Palin's old campaign spokesman. Seriously, are you kidding me?

No she was not.

Her husband's name is Curtis Smith and he was Palin's public relations person before Meg Stapleton and Bill McAllister were seduced away from KTUU by Governor Sarah's hypnotic winking.

Say it with me boys and girls, OH SHIT!

Well that kind of changes everything now doesn't it? Do I really want to help a person who can be married a Palin-bot? But then again am I being fair? And what was the fair thing to do here?

I had to meet this guy. I mean why not?

Yeah I can hear your gasp from here. "What? You are actually going to talk face to face with the enemy?" Well yes it seemed like the right thing to do.

I suggested to Mrs Smith (I can't really call her Jody now that I know she consorts with the devil now can I ?) that she, and I, and her husband, meet and give me the chance to ask him some questions that I have about his current connection to Sarah Palin and his feelings about her now that he is no longer working for her.

To be honest I figured he would simply refuse.

He didn't. As a matter of fact he seemed to really want his wife to be interviewed by me WTF?

So we arranged for them to both come over to my house. You heard me right, my house. My little liberal oasis in the vast sea of red. The gathering place for liberal bloggers and progressive thinkers. My sanctum santorum. Perhaps I should arrange for a Shaman to come by afterward and drive out the demons. What do you think?

Oh well anyhow this should be interesting.

To be continued.....

(In the meantime, for those who simply hate to wait, visit Jody Smith's website and learn about her positions and what she will bring to the Anchorage School Board. And oh that guy in the pictures with her? Yep that's him.)

And watch for Chapter two: The fortress is breached.

President Obama's Second news conference.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I have only recently recovered from my conditioning by the Bush administration to cringe at the very thought of a Presidential news conference. After so many years of seeing one of the most inarticulate men in history fumbling around like a fifth grader trying to talk a bout a topic that he does not understand it is incredibly refreshing to listen to a man with such obvious command of his subject matter.

The President is the very epitome of cool. He clearly and carefully answers the questions posed to him, and does so without resorting to adolescent teasing or sophomoric joke telling. You know like a President is supposed to.

And the one time that somebody tried to stick a pin in the President's cushion of confidence resulted in this exchange.

The only time he seemed irritated came when he was asked why the attorney general of New York, Andrew M. Cuomo, seemed to have more success getting A.I.G. executives to return some bonuses than his own administration. Pressed on why he did not express outrage immediately upon learning of the bonuses, Mr. Obama said sharply, “Well, it took us a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak.”

Now that is the kind of response I have been looking forward to for over eight long years.

Lisa Demer of the ADN must not have received the memo about not linking or writing about Alaska progressive bloggers.

The second ethics complaint in a week against Gov. Sarah Palin alleges a conflict of interest when she wore Arctic Cat logo gear during this year’s Tesoro Iron Dog snow machine race.
Arctic Cat sponsors Palin’s husband, Todd, in the world’s longest snow machine race, Big Lake to Nome to Fairbanks.


But Palin, in a statement sent out to news media this afternoon under the headline "Latest Bogus Ethics Complaint," said the criticism is unjustified.

Linda Kellen Biegel, a Democrat who blogs under the name“Celtic Diva,” said in her complaint that Palin “improperly used her position and state resources to serve her personal financial interests by being a walking billboard for Arctic Cat, a private for-profit company and family business sponsor.”

A photo on the state Web site shows Palin in a bright white, green and black Team Arctic jacket kicking off the start of this year’s Iron Dog. A photo of her in the Team Arctic jacket and matching pants accompanied an article on Todd Palin and the Iron Dog in Sports Illustrated online.

Biegel said it’s her first ethics complaint against Palin. (But not necessarily her last!)

The governor hit the roof over the latest accusation. (Oh I would have loved to have seen that !)

“Are Alaskans outraged, or at least tired of this yet — another frivolous ethics charge by a political blogger? This would be hilarious if it weren’t so expensive for the state to process these accusations and for me to defend against these bogus harassments,” Palin said in Tuesday’s written release.

Palin had no agreement with Arctic Cat to wear the gear, her spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow, said in an e-mail. Leighow said she didn’t know whether Arctic Cat donated the clothing. (She has no idea whether the Arctic Cat gear was donated or not? Can't she just ask the Governor? I would have done that very thing before talking to the press about it. Oops, maybe she did!)

All in all this was a very good day for progressive Alaska bloggers and not such a good day for the Governor. Don't you just love it when the good guys win one for a change?

Governor Palin responds to Celtic Diva's ethics complaint. Oh you are going to love this!

March 24, 2009, Juneau, Alaska –

Governor Sarah Palin issued the following statement in response to another ethics complaint filed today. Filed by an Anchorage political blogger, the complaint alleges the governor “… improperly used her position and state resources to serve her personal financial interests by being a walking billboard for Arctic Cat ...”

"Are Alaskans outraged, or at least tired of this yet - another frivolous ethics charge by a political blogger? This would be hilarious if it weren’t so expensive for the state to process these accusations and for me to defend against these bogus harassments. Yes, I wore Arctic Cat snow gear at an outdoor event, because it was cold outside, and by the way, today, I am wearing clothes bearing the names of Alaska artists, and a Glennallen Panthers basketball hoodie. I am a walking billboard for the team’s fundraiser! Should I expect to see an ethics charge for wearing these, or the Carhartts I wear to many public events? How much will this blogger's asinine political grandstanding cost all of us in time and money?"

Wow! Methinks the Palinator is a wee bit pissy about this turn of events.

Here let me explain to the Governor the difference between wearing her Carahrtts and wearing the Arctic Cat gear in front of the reporters cameras.

"You see Governor Arctic Cat is the sponsor of your husband's snowmachine team. Therefore when you wear their gear on television, you promote their company, and potentially make them more money. A favor that they return by paying your husband's bills so that he can continue to pursue his hobby. If you were not employed by the state of Alaska that would not be a problem. But you do. Like it or not, you work for us!

Now if Carharrts saw you walking around in their clothing and walked up and gave you or Todd a check because of it, then we may feel honor bound to file and ethics charge about that as well. Please keep us informed if that scenario ever takes place, wontcha?"

Bloggers fight back! Ethics complaint number 11 comes from the pajama clad crowd as Celtic Diva fires a legal cannonball at the SMS GINO.

My blogger buddy Linda, Celtic Diva, has filed a potentially very damaging ethics complaint against Governor Palin. In it she makes the clear and inarguable point that Sarah Plain is using her job as a representative of Alaska, and its people, for personal gain.

This is a CLEAR violation of AS39.52.120 of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

Here is the argument made by Linda in her own words.

a) Governor Palin was representing the State of Alaska at the Iron Dog Race,

b) Governor Palin knew that this race would glean not only a great deal of Alaskan media attention, but national and international as well. The Palins had to be aware that Sports Illustrated was coming to Alaska to do a story on Todd, as the reporter clearly followed him across Alaska throughout the race.

c) The Palins have received a significant amount of income/financial support from Arctic Cat, Inc…enough that it is necessary to claim it on disclosure forms year after year

d) The Governor wearing the Team Arctic Cat outerwear at this event was the equivalent of a kid getting paid to walk around with a sandwich board in New York. Sports Illustrated even made a comment:
Governor Palin is there, though, in her own monogrammed Arctic Cat jacket,

e) Any boost to the fortunes of Arctic Cat, Inc. can only be fortuitous to the Palin family as benefactors of their sponsorship. This is about as clear a conflict of interest as it gets.

You can read the entire ethics complaint here:

http://divasblueoasis.com/upload/Documents/Ethics%20Complaint%20Arctic%20Cat%20(blog).doc

Why is this important?

I know that many of you were hoping for some giant scandal that would finally take the Governor down in one great fireball. But as somebody who spent many years in a boxing ring I can tell you that it is rarely the case that one punch drops your opponent. It is the numerous body blows and wearing down that eventually determines the winner.

This latest ethics complaint has the capacity to injure her reputation, and future in politics, in a very fundamental way. By illustrating that Governor Sarah is really JUST all about Governor Sarah, we help define her as somebody who does not care abut the people whose votes she hopes to attract both here in Alaska, and in the rest of the country. THAT is how we stop her from spreading her unethical selfish agenda, and keep her from injecting her poison into America as a whole.

One of my commenter's made the point that they found the post that featured Bristol's picture very unsatisfying. I would encourage you to keep paying attention, because the reverberations from that picture are still being felt and it has altered the thinking of a number of people who discounted the "babygate" theory out of hand.

I also believe the action taken by Linda today will have an effect that may not be felt immediately but that will definitely have a critical impact over time.

Remember as Alaskans we are in this for the long haul. After all, what choice do we have?

The 20th Anniversary of the Exxon Valdez disaster and the words of Shannyn Moore.

I sat down probably a half dozen times yesterday to write something about this painful anniversary, but found myself unable to put into the words all that it meant to the oil companies, the Alaskan fishermen, and the citizens of our state.

In some ways I felt like a fraud trying to write about something that I had not experienced directly in my life.

Sure I had watched the coverage and been angered by the devastation that I saw on my television screen, but essentially my life remained untouched by the oil that coated the rocky coast of Prince William Sound. Over the years I have met a handful of fishermen who talked bout how the court case was a joke and the oil companies were doing everything they could not to pay the people affected for their stupid mistake, and I recognized their anger and pain over that fact.

Still I did not know how to put that into words with any real depth of feeling.

Then I visited Shannyn's site today. And realized I did not have to.

Please click the header and read Shannyn's powerful words. I am sure that when you finish you will really understand how badly hurt Alaskan fishermen were by the negligence and indifference of the Exxon oil company, and why today their very name is used as a curse word by many of those who make their living on the seas.

Barack Obama on 60 Minutes.

Part One.


Watch CBS Videos Online

I did not get a chance to see this when it originally aired because I am much too young to watch 60 minutes.

However I DID keep seeing that clip of Obama laughing over the question of how little support he is receiving to bail out the auto industry. But of course when you see it in context, and realize that he has been fairly jovial throughout the interview, it is quite understandable. As a matter of fact I found it comforting that he seemed so calm and cool about such a serious problem.

And I LOVED his response to Dick Cheney's criticism of his administration. His point about how many terrorists have actually been brought to justice is dead on!

Part Two.

Watch CBS Videos Online

This contains more of the personal side of President Obama and how he is adjusting to his job.

His compassion and honesty are apparent throughout.