Pebble Mine, Dirty Gold, and the Corporate War on Alaska’s Salmon.
[This article is cross-posted at The Huffington Post] A lawsuit was filed today claiming that all Pebble Mine’s state permits violate the Alaska constitution. Skulduggery surrounding Pebble Mine? Imagine that. On the receiving end of these legal accusations is the State Department of Natural Resources. The suit was filed today on behalf of eight communities in the Bristol Bay area by plaintiffs including Vic Fischer, one of the drafters of the Alaska Constitution, and Bella Hammond widow of the revered Governor Jay Hammond who had previously said “I think Jay would first and foremost think of protecting that area, mainly the fish and…
White Knight v. Carpet Baggin’ Dragon! Call to Action!
It seems sometimes like politics attracts all the wrong people. The very job that needs selfless people with high moral principle, honesty, and a desire to serve the community, with no particular burning need for power and prestige, too often attracts the wrong kind. Don’t get me wrong, I think there are plenty of people who are good people looking for ways to make a difference, but not too many of them want to jump into the shark tank. But every once in a while somebody who ought to run for office, does. And every once in a while that…
A Final Bon Voyage from Cordova…
It’s been a day of farewells. Kiss-offs and parties, reflections and celebrations… Palin fatigue yet? Don’t worry. This is our final send-off to the governor… er… ex-governor. Where will she land? We’re not sure. There’s a rumor circulating that she and Todd have been looking at real estate in the Hamptons. I heard about this several weeks ago and laughed it off. But, apparently the rumor persists. I am somewhat familiar with that area of Long Island, and may I say that if the rumor is true, and the Palin’s join the Hamptons crowd in a multi-million dollar beachfront home,…
“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! *************************************** It was a somewhat pleasant crowd all happy people….
The Big Kodiak Kiss Off.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 48 hours since Alaska became Palin-free. The parties, the polls, the articles, the late night talk shows… We’re all still getting it out of our systems. There are a lot of other things going on in the state and the wider world, but we still need to have our own ways of releasing… of letting her go… of detoxifying our systems. Mudflatter MM in Kodiak threw a “Just Desserts” party to bid a sweet farewell to Sarah Palin, whose gubernatorial performance assessment was immortalized in frosting. Wackiness ensues. Signage outside marked the event location. A lipsticked pitbull,…
The Palin Rally Mentality – Thoughts from Fairbanks
Today I continue today to bring you reports from Mudflatters across the state – those who were at the Abdication Ceremony, and those that celebrated Palin’s stepping down in other ways. I look forward to writing about other things, but today we continue to purge our systems. Here are some thoughts on the Palin “rally mentality” from Mudflatter K in Fairbanks. ********************************* I’ve been at Fairbanks political events before, and patriotic galas at this same park on the 4th of July, etc., and I’ve even encountered Ms. Palin at the Tanana Valley Fair back when she was running for…
Open Thread – Quitter
Sarah Palin’s Quit Day concided with the annual Red Green River Regatta in Fairbanks. Contestants created contraptions that floated down the Chena River, and are must follow these criteria: * Every vessel must contain at least ONE roll of duct tape in its construction. * Each person on board all vessels must wear a USCG approved flotation device at all times. * All vessels with children under the age of 18 must have at least one adult on board. * No power allowed! Only floating. Vessels can have a motor; just don’t use it. * All entrants assume responsibility for…
Palin is Poetry.
Whoever came up with this needs to retire now, because they will never ever surpass the magnum opus that is William Shatner reading Palin’s crazy quit speech… as poetry. This is not comedy gold. This is comedy platinum. We now know what will assure Palin’s sucess in the future. It’s not a translator. It’s not a copy editor. It’s not even an actual speech writer. It’s a traveling bass/bongo drum duet. Enjoy…
Boots on the Ground in Fairbanks – Sarah Palin’s Quitspeech
I was very pleased to have some great “boots on the ground” in Fairbanks for Sarah Palin’s big Quitspeech at Quitfest on Quittyday. Thank you to Mudflatter Alaska Don who did a fabulous job reporting! There are also more pictures coming to entertain you later from other Mudflats “photobloggers.” Truly this was a day and a speech that will live in infamy. ********************* July 26th, 2009. Abdication Day. The sun rose north by northeast of Fairbanks today at 4:30 AM, having set in the north by northwest last night shortly after 11:30 PM. It was mostly clear, with billowing dark…
Open Thread – The Juneau Maverick Officially Dry Docked?
As reports and pictures continue to pour in from Mudflatters in Fairbanks, I’m compiling them all. While you wait, here’s an open thread. You may be wondering why with the Wasilla Governor’s picnic, and the Anchorage Governor’s picnic, and the Fairbanks governor’s picnic….there’s no Juneau Governor’s picnic? It is the state capital after all. Maybe they don’t want to answer the question, “What if you threw a picnic and nobody came?” Or maybe the governor is supposed to actually be in Juneau enough so that people actually feel like they have some face time. Since that’s obviously not the case…