“The Mudflats People” in Fairbanks!
Our last report from Fairbanks comes from Mudflatter Rubber Room Hotel, a regular commenter. She passed on some great pictures and impressions from the event. It’s interesting that each person brings some new insight and perspective. Much gratitude to all the boots on the ground in Fairbanks for sharing the day with us. Now that ex-governor Palin is on the loose in the Lower 48, I’m hoping that all you Mudflatters out there who get the chance for a close encounter will send me your photos and or write-ups!
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It was a somewhat pleasant crowd all happy people. Also we did not have any smoke so that was nice.
The press was all over the place and you could tell that they were not prepared to be so hot. There were many Pro-Palin people and several that were holding signs. Also, there were a lot of Palin books and calendars for sale in Pioneer Park. I observed many groups of people wearing t-shirts representing various churches and religious groups.
I was pleased to get a minute to talk to Nora O’Donnell (not on camera)and an NBC camera man.
The front area near the stage in front of the Nenana was several rows of seating at least 30 rows or so. It was all taped off and you had to have a pass to sit there.
I read some of the comments on a recent post and they were surprised that there was not more booing. Well, most of the people making noises were father back away from any microphones. I also think that there were so many tourists that most were just behaving.
There were some great “See ya later” signs. A few were pretty good. I ended up wearing a small one that said “Palin 2012 to 2013 ½” that got a few laughs.
A few people came up and started maligning the group of anti-Palin sign holders, though there arguments were shot down pretty quick. I did overhear a few people walk by and say with a not-too-pleasant tone of voice as they pointed at the signs, “Oh those are the friends of that Shannyn Moore!”
Where I proudly busted out “YUP, and proud of it too!” I also heard one call the sign holders “Oh that’s the Mudflats people.”
When Sarah came up she rambled on about Sarah and Sarah and some more me me me. And not a word about Parnell.
Submitted by: The Rubber Room Hotel, July 26, 2009
In that fourth picture, the man talking to the sign-holder sure looks like Jim Whitaker, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor…. you know, the Republican one who spoke at the DNC endorsing Obama only a matter of days before SarahChaos broke loose. He term-limits out pretty soon. And the sign-holder is a local character of some note, as well.
Great pix, RRH, and thanks for the writeup!
Nice story RRH…
So glad you were able to get right up there with the other protesters as well. They had some great signs and the pictures are great. Of course none of the MSM thought it was relevant to show the signs as part of THEIR stories.
Your pics will be a constant reminder though and will be here as a reference on the internet for history for anyone that looks.
They will NOT disappear… unlike scrubbing those State emails.
Good job!
crystalwolf aka caligrl Says:
Don’t really see any other govs go around with security?
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I used to run a children’s event that former Gov Mario Cuomo initiated and he would visit each year. His security was provided by NY State Troopers. He also had an ‘advance team’ made up of 1 or 2 very serious looking men in suits and dark glasses who usually arrived shortly before he did and scoped out the area. I used to laugh every year because they would try to rush him on to his next event but he would always ignore them so he could chat with the kids a little longer. They always looked very stressed!
Oh, on another note about security, when she and the fam. were here on the 4th, the security guys with her were IDed as likely private ones by someone who would likely know.
Diane–there are 2+ Governor’s Picnics every year, at least in Anch. and Fbx. and often other towns. It’s a chance to “get the gov out of Juneau” and let him/her meet and greet constitutents in other towns, on the assumption that the gov. actually lives in the Capital and would be interacting with us on a regular basis. Given the just past administration, however, those should have been held in Juneau, since she had been everywhere but here. However, we’re not too fond of her, overall, here, so it’s just as well it wasn’t.
The Gov. usually has a security detail made up of a State Trooper or two, depending on the circumstances. The blond is NOT part of that detail. It’s prob. either Britta or Ivey or maybe Kris, I’m not sure.
Just a side note: As for security, I believe state paid security ends when she is no longer governor..at the picnic she was still”officially Governor” Any security after she left office she would have to pay for.
Thanks for the great pix and story. My daughter is also a runner. When I told a friend she had run 20 miles that morning, he said, “On purpose?”. 🙂
prisonernumbersix ~ Good one! 🙂
It’s a shame you didn’t get the chance to clarify with Nora O’donnell that Palin was NOT Alaska “bred” as I heard her spew forth with glee in talking about her toughness on at least two occasions.. She was more like a teenage girl at a Beatles concert than a reporter for a national news organization
@crystalwolf aka caligrl #30:
I don’t know about all states, but your own governator’s security detail, made up of CHP officers, costs you around $38 million a year. Just a cost of running government, I suppose…
Correction: Eight?
I note that they are selling Sarah calendars. How many months are in those calendars? Six? Seven? eight?
Diane@35:
The governor’s picnic is a yearly event (has had nothing to do with anyone quitting before). Not sure if they have always had 2-3 of them before. I, personally, think it should be in Juneau (the state capitol). I also think this was a way for SP to get publicity and crowds for her quitting extravaganza because people come for the free food. So she can say “5,000 people showed up for my leaving party”. Sort of like the people showing up for the parade on Seward Day in NY. They would have been there anyway… You would think that having to listen to her talk would ruin your appetite.
Great job RRH! Thanks for the reporting by the librul media, also, too. 🙂
RRH, thank you for the pictures and your words. Hope your dog is doing better, and that you are all enjoying the time while Mr RRH is home.
Mudpups, I salute you. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I can take a deep breath without having to hold it until we see the next goofy stunt from the “Sarahnormal” one (loved that! loved ’em all!).
Enjoying the blessed *silence* for now,
Nan
has anyone identified the blonde chick behind her all the time? She never DOES anything. If she’s a “body guard”, heck, I can take HER!!
I LOVE the boots on the ground events. What a phenomenon.
We’ll be celebrating in NYC on Saturday, and will also take plenty of pics. After all, New York may never be the same!!! The Hamptons?!? Sheesh… what a maroon.
Martha,
You should be Proud of your state. Look what you guys have done! You kicked her sorry butt out of office, not too many states with idiots of their own can say that.
Does anyone know the cost of these farewell picnics?
Whose idea was this? Does every Gov. who is leaving have one?
Would be interesting to know how much the picnics plus the extra session of the legislature will cost the state.
Just because Sarah is a quitter.
Rubber Room Hotel, aka Cub Reporter
Great going! Thanks for your efforts in spite of all the turmoil with your dog (hope he is better?) and your husband flying in(I am sure he is better now!)
Great report and pictures! It’s a pleasure to read the reports from the Sarah Heartburn Quitty Tour. I would always call my daughters Sarah Heartburn when they were being excessively “dramatic” in the way that only prepubescent tweeny girls can be. I rather think that terms fits the FGINO extremely well.
(((RRH)))
rubber room…wow. you have a talent for photography and are very brave. hope your pup is feeling better. enjoy your time with hubby. your deserve lots of hugs and kisses…b
@ RRH
You did a great job – thank you so much! The whole thing just makes me feel embarrassed for my state, something I’m not used to. The selling of calendars, pictures, etc of the Quitter as she quits just grosses me out. But never mind – I guess we’ve already proved that Alaskans can be just as dumb as anyone else!
I am very proud of you, guest blogger!
RubberRoomHotel, Thanks for your report and pics 🙂
Hope your Dog is feeling better too…
NYDem-I would also like to know about “security”…! I know that dour man with the shade is security for her, but I’m assuming its private? Don’t really see any other govs go around with security?
If they are secret security!??! Who’s paying for the FEDS to “protect” the queen and why???
I think its something that bears investigation.
If she is paying for her own security b/c “she so important” that’s one thing but if we are paying that imbeciles security FEDERALLY That is another!!!
RRH –
Bravo !!
“I was pleased to get a minute to talk to Nora O’Donnell (not on camera)and an NBC camera man.”
Lucky You !! I love her !!
Now , did you ask her when the MSM is gonna call “bulls^*t” ??
I could not be more serious.
Great report RRH !!…I needed a Sarah Fix before going off to work this
AM…!! How am I going to wean myself off of her antics ??? It’s just going to be so DULL now !!!!
Brava RRH & AKM. I really appreciate the feedback and pictures from all the mudpuppies. It’s great to have all the different views of the various Quitstocks. Love the signs. Thanks everyone – great job!
Great job, RRH! Enjoy the DH.
mhrt Says:
July 28th, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Who is the blond in the back ground . she is in every picture.
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Yes – who is that ? Looks and acts like a Secret Service agent. She is always right there behind SP, and seems to always be looking at people’s hands, checking for weapons.
What does SP need security for anyway ? She flatters herself if she thinks someone would actually try to harm her. Does she think she is still all “high and mighty” ?
Also. Too. If this is a security person, WHO is paying for the services ?
Secret Service protection for Presidential/VP candidates begins when a person becomes a viable candidate, and ends when the election is over and they have lost.
How does it work for Governors ? Once they leave office, are they still entitled to state-paid security protection ? If not, who’s footing the bill ?
Someone who usually knows everything told me that she is Track’s girlfriend. AKM
Thanks RRH! Great narrative and pics of signs that I don’t think we saw before. Actually, your first pic gives a better sense of the real crowd of people. I can see how you thought there were more people than some other Mudpups have estimated. Interesting re: your friend. I’ve always thought that all of $P’s ‘running’ has been inside on a treadmill.
Hope your puppy is feeling better & happy to hear you get to spend a little time with your DH! Thx again.
Thanks RRH.
It just never ceases to amaze me how WHITE the crowds are up here (and I do not mean just without tan lines). I’ve been in Alaska for about 15 years and it still freaks me out when I see pictures of crowds that are so homogenous.
I think that this explains (partly) how SP could come to be at all. That and the fact that she has a pretty face and our society is very wrapped up in visual appearances. I still think that no one would listen to her if she wore a bourka (sp?).
I can’t tell you how often I have heard “you don’t like her because she is so pretty and you are jealous” BS. To which I respond, can you understand anything that she says??? And there is no response other than some crap about her saving money by firing the chef at the Govs mansion. You don’t need a chef if you aren’t living there.
It warmed my heart that people showed up with signs though. In my neck of the woods people dump water on 80 year old ladies protesting the war. It takes a lot of courage to go into the belly of the beast.
I solemnly vow to hound her to the gates of he*l if she looses herself on the lower 48. We have suffered through her here and I cannot tell you how many people who voted for her have told me “I’m sorry” and admitted that they would not vote for her for anything ever again. And these are fundamentalist Christian types.
RR ~ Thanks for the report & the great pics! Love that “Sarahnormal Experience” sign. Sounds like you had an interesting chat w/Norah. How cool is it that she knew about Mudpuppies?!!
Wonderful perspective RRH – I loved the signs!
I too wish the attention could have been on our future with the new Gov Parnell bu that just emphasizes the lack of grace and class of or recently aborted leader, $P.
Thanks for the report, Rubber Room!
Evening Mudpups!
the AKM I feel very honored to have had my pictures and musings on the blog.
Thank you for including me.
I feel that my report was rather short, though i was having communication difficulties.
I think that I had to have 24 hours or so to process things.
I had left home to take a sick dog to town to see the vet. I was prepared to be gone for 2 nights and ended up staying over a week.
I stayed in town to help a friend with moral support who was going to run one of the Flint Hills Mile races on Sunday it was a 16.5 mile race and it was the first time she had ever run over ten miles. She did very well and then met me at Pioneer Park, she arrived about half an hour before Palin’s I Quit I’m special speech. She had run 16.5 miles a 2 hours ago and was still walking around. At that point she felt she needed to keep moving. Side note my friend was also from out side of Fairbanks she lives in Wasilla a bout a mile as a matter of fact from the Palins. he reason I mention this is that my friend is an avid runner and runs every single day no matter what the weather. She also walks a great deal she says she has never seen Palin out running or at any local events granted she has lived in Wasilla less than 2 years.
I was just getting ready to travel home when my husband found out he was going to get a break before the next phase of his construction project continues. We had 24 hours notice he flew in this afternoon, and of course his luggage came on the next flight. We traveled home and it is dry and hot and very smokey here. The drive is 170 miles and 65 of it is dirt highway so between the heavy smoke and dry dusty road I feel rather clogged up.
I want to thank AKM and all the Mudpups for there kind words. I must admit i don’t think i would make much of a reporter.
BTW I had a pleasant conversation with Nora and I purposely did not talk politics I just welcomed her to Alaska and told her i was a fan and glad she was here. I did tell her I was a mudpuppy and she new what I was talking about. We talked about the heat and the midnight sun. I teased that she should fill in the guys on the east cost that it is really annoying on Saturday and Sunday Morning turn on the tube and see that MSNBC is already showing docu programing and the live news is over for the day. I asked her to explain to them that we are four hours different and would like not to get up at 4am to see the news. The camera man told me that they were down there up at 3:00 am so that she could do live reports and Morning Joe and NBC news.
Anyway thanks again haven’t seen husband in a while so have other things to do talk to you all later.
You had the very best sign !
Thanks Rubber Room for a great post.
BTY – How about Ivy always hanging out on She-Devil’s left hand side; what’s up?
Rubber Room Hotel – Awesome event coverage. Especially loved how you gleefully stood up for Shannyn. Did Palin see your 2012-2013 1/2 sign? Looks like you got within her sight. It seems amazing that no one has reported seeing Parnell signs, t-shirts, etc. It was his inauguration. Seems Palin could or should have ensured he’d get a bit more recognition.
Thanks, AKM, for bringing us the boots on the ground coverage. I’m counting on continuing Palin news that will vaporize her plans for future lower 48 visits.
(((RRH)))!!!!!!!!!
Way to roll, RRH! Loved the photos and report!
Seldom seen sarah ..You guys come up with the most creative signs I have ever seen..But I have always said that.
RubberRoom: Amazing pictures and narratives. Thanks for taking us along with you and it was so refreshing to see Mudflats in Fairbanks. Thanks to you too, also AKM for all that you do.
Flaking out is Sarahnormal Experience..! That’s a fun sign. Letterman should use that one on his show. I’m proud to have such ingenious Alaskan neighbors.
rrh
great job
Rubber Room Hotel-
Really appreciate your clear narrative for those of us not able to be there. Loved seeing the signs. And great camera, I’d love to know what it is. You brought me to Fairbanks. Thanks!
Thanks for the perspective RRH.
Isn’t the blond Britta Hanson? Something like her son Track’s girlfriend?
Rubber Room Hotel: Fantastic pics and a wonderfully grounded narrative. Love all the signs. There is hope in seeing those people with the signs that call Palin out. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing doncha think??? Wink….wink!
Did Norah O’Donnell have anything special to say? How about the cameraman? Thanks for getting your boots out there to share with the rest of us.
Who is the blond in the back ground . she is in every picture.
thank you rubber room. hope your little one ones had a safe trip.
good job! great pictures! thanks
Enjoyed your pictures Mudflatter rubber room hotel. Thanks! AND I enjoy your comments. This is a very good way to celebrate and to stay vigilant about the doings of your ex-governor because it affects us of the other 49.
AKM, I truly appreciate your hard work and dedication to exposing the politics of Ms. Palin.
YAY RRH!
I think all Alaskans need a “Rubber Room Hotel” after the last 2 1/2 years with Sarah at the helm.
Great job, RRH!