New Assemblyman Trombley Guilty of Lying and Being a Whippersnapper
The thing that consoles me when I write about local issues, is that our characters here in Alaska (even though many of you are from elsewhere) are so incredibly over-the-top and ridiculous that they can be appreciated in their own right, just for the entertainment value. It’s like writing a book full of short stories about some mythical crazy dysfunctional municipal government, only it’s not mythical. Today, we’ll revisit one of the larger yet lesser characters in our serial drama, and one of Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan’s henchpeople. Remember Adam Trombley, former local basketball star and up-and-coming conservative mayoral toady?…
The New and Unimproved Debbie Ossiander Scoffs at Democratic Process
So how completely impressed are we with our new Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander? Just as impressed as we were with her the last time she was Chair. And that would be… not at all. Her ignominious rise to the top spot hinged, apparently, on her loyalty to Mayor Dan Sullivan, and she’s been eager to prove her empty-headed devotion since her return to the throne. First on the list of things to do it seems, was to circumvent that thing we like to call “democracy.” Anchorage is in the middle of redistricting. This is as important as it gets. The…
Governor Scott Walker Snubbed: Request for Rail Funds Denied, WI on Hook for $150 Million
By Patrick DePula During his gubernatorial campaign, Governor Scott Walker consistently labeled the $800 million Wisconsin received in federal high speed rail funds as a waste of tax payer dollars, an Obama Administration boondoggle, and completely unnecessary. Shortly after winning his election, he got his wish; US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood happily took back the money allotted to Wisconsin and redistributed it to other states who actually desired to enter the 21st century, provide transportation alternatives and create jobs. Governor Walker then touted the loss of the money as a huge win for his administration, and the taxpayer. Fast forward a couple…
Tina Fey Returns!
For those of you who missed the mock 2012 GOP Candidates Who Haven’t Declared Yet skit on Saturday Night Live last night, enjoy! Tina Fey is back, resplendent in red blazer, life-sized flag pin, and the admiration of… Donald Trump. Sometimes I think it would be worth it to have Palin in the race, just for the entertainment value from Ms. Fey alone.
Local Taxidermist Reports 550 Pounds of Unstable Dynamite in Old Station Wagon
~Bucolic Trapper Creek, Alaska – in the shadow of Denali Residents of Trapper Creek Alaska (pop. 513) had a bit of a scare after 50 homes in the tiny hamlet an hour north of Wasilla were evacuated last night. The evacuations resulted because of the report of 550 pounds of unstable explosives in an old abandoned station wagon sitting on the owner’s property, near a local air strip. The vehicle had been parked there since the mid 1990s. The owner and respected local taxidermist is now being called “Gator the Detonator” by residents. “He does good work,” said a former…
Oyster Roundup!
~Thick and fast they came at last, and more, and more, and more! Derby Day! That’s right. Today with your plate of tasty oyster news nuggets, you can also enjoy a mint julep. (pause while that sinks in) OK, maybe not the best combination, but you understand my metaphorical drift. It should be an interesting race today. There are 19 horses in this year’s race, and there’s a great summary in the Wall Street Journal (linked above) for those of you looking for a quick primer. It’s been a long, strange trail to the 137th Kentucky Derby, which gets underway…
Open Thread: Baking a cake is not just a good metaphor…
…it’s a tasty way to make money! I made one today for the Service High Football Team cake auction. It’s in the center in the top picture…gingerbread cake with lemon buttercream filling and cream cheese frosting topped with two Danish gingersnaps and candied ginger. Mine was FAR from the fanciest but it did taste yummy! (The buyer shared!) There were some really beautiful ones as you can see. Of course, my secret weapon was to “encourage” (strong-arm) people into bidding on mine. Thanks to Anchorage School Board member Pat Higgins, mine sold for $35.00! Some others even went as high…
Wisconsin Republican Party Election Fraud Exposed: Breaking.
By Patrick DePula As if the Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice “recount” isn’t a big enough mess, It appears that the Wisconsin GOP has been engaged in widespread fraud surrounding their attempts to recall democratic senators. Inexplicably, the Republican Party of Wisconsin had relied heavily on people they hired from out of state to collect signatures against democrats, even paying to house these folks in hotel rooms. In all cases, they paid by the signature. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? The decision to pay out of state people when there are plenty of unemployed folks that reside in…
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell Endangers Children’s Health for Political Posturing
Alaska is a land of extremes, both good and bad. We have the most coastline, the most islands, the best fishing, the most park land, and I can confidently say the most natural wild beauty of any state in the nation. On the flip side, we have the most earthquakes, the most infant botulism, the most alcoholism, the most mosquitoes, and the worst rate of chlamydia of any state. We’re second in the nation for gonorrhea. ~Chlamydia The state has been first or second in reported rates of chlamydia every year since 2000, state public health officials said. Alaska’s rate…
May Day in Madison -Sí, se puede! From the Perspective of a Second Generation Italian American.
by Patrick DePula It’s been a cold spring here in Madison. Just about every rally I’ve been a part of, it seems to have been freezing, snowing and/or raining. Surprisingly, the weather looked promising for the May Day, or International Workers Day, rally that would begin with speakers in Brittingham Park, involve a March to the State Capitol, and end with additional speakers on the Capitol steps. Seemed like a great day to load my son Sal into the bike trailer and set out on a bit of an adventure. Before leaving the house, I decided to wear my Italian National…