I’ll Take Palin Fibs and Fables for $200, Alex.
“The feds.” It’s a slang term that most of us are used to seeing after the words “seized by” or before the words “raided the house.” It’s never said with respect or fondness. Rarely do you hear someone say “the feds are trying to give me money,” or “the feds want to weatherize my house.” And never have I heard a governor of one of the 50 states, that is actually part of the country, call the federal government “the feds.” I would no more expect that than I would expect to hear them talk about “the fuzz” or “the coppers.” But…
Hope Truck Leaves for Eagle!
After driving back and forth through the parking lot at Lowe’s and marveling at exactly how many black pickup trucks there were, I spotted it. A black truck with a canopy, full to the brim, and balloons tied to the rack. The Hope Truck! It was great fun meeting up with Hope, and…..Mr. Hope. And it was wonderful delivering the good news….that Mudflatters contributed $770 to the pressure washer and cleaning fluid for Eagle! Needless to say, that was plenty! (And that’s not including direct contributions to the Rebuild Eagle Fund, or boxes of supplies sent direct, or dog food!) So,…
Rural Update – Flooding on the Y/K – Hope Truck Leaves FRIDAY!
By the time the National Weather Service called off its flood warning for Emmonak and other Lower Yukon River villages Tuesday, breakup flooding had soaked a total of roughly 40 communities along more than 3,000 miles of rivers, according to the state. Gov. Sarah Palin sent a letter to President Obama Monday asking the him to declare a “major disaster” in Alaska — a move that could send cash to local governments and households. Ann Strongheart, a resident of the village of Nunam Iqua on the lower Yukon says that breakup started there last night, and that the village is fortunately experiencing…
Federal Dollars v. Federal Dollars. And the Winner is…
Governor Palin has requested assistance from (dum da dum dum) the federal government. (Imagine that “federal government” part done in some kind of creepy, drippy Halloween font). Shortly after the Federal Emergency Management Agency had arrived in Alaska last week, the Governor announced that she had decided to ask for a damage assessment. That was very convenient, of course, because they were already here doing one. And now the governor is requesting a federal disaster declaration so that Alaska may be eligible for federal money to help in relief efforts. She’s so eager for the federal money, apparently, that she’s not even waiting…
Rural Update – Rebuilding Eagle and How You Can Help!
Just got the following message from yukonbushgrma out in flood-ravaged Eagle. The City of Eagle is now collecting relief donations via a Paypal account, so those of you who wish to help in that way, here are the directions ************************************************************* [By Yukonbushgrma] We finally have the specifics on how folks can donate to “Rebuild Eagle” via Paypal. Thanks to everyone for patiently waiting while we got the account set up! And PLEASE — if you wish, please spread the word to everyone in your address book! This Paypal fund, “Rebuild Eagle,” is set up to benefit those who have lost…
Palin Rejects Stimulus Money. Throws Alaska Under the Bus to “Save Face.”
I can’t help noticing the irony of the front page of the Anchorage Daily News. It pretty much says it all, quite poetically. A) Over there on the left in the headlines section it says: Palin Cuts $80 Million from Budget – Gov. Palin announced today that she is vetoeing $80 million from the state budget, including federal stimulus dollars meant to go for energy relief. B) And then right next to it under an aerial photo of the remote village of Selawik, it says: In the winter, Village Police Officer Clarence Snyder doesn’t use jail cells. They don’t have…
Rural Update – Hope Truck Heads for Eagle!
Here is a great way for Alaskans on the road system to give a hand in a time of need. The folks out in Eagle are trying to assess the horrendous flood damage, save what they can, and rebuild the rest by fall. Anyone who lives here knows that the construction season is short, and that every hour of summer daylight is precious. It will take all they’ve got to have winter ready places to live by the time the snow flies. We know from Mudflatter yukonbushgrma who lives in Eagle that tools, clothing, dogfood and other supplies are needed by…
Alaska’s Deadliest Match – Fish and Pebble Mine
Captain Sig Hansen, well known for his featured status on the cable show Deadliest Catch has used his political capital, as it were, to speak out against the proposed Pebble Mine Project. It’s unusual for a “Deadliest Catch” crew member to take a hard stance in a big Alaska resource battle like Pebble. Hansen, who lives in Seattle, said he usually shies away from requests to get involved in anything political. Because Hansen exploits crab stocks and other Alaska fisheries, he said, he can’t be opposed to all resource development. “I’m not your typical greenie,” Hansen said. [snip] He’s persuaded…
Rural Update – Report on Flooding in Eagle
As many of you know, Mudflatter yukonbushgrma has an unfortunate ringside seat to this year’s unprecedented flooding of the Yukon, which devastated the community of Eagle. Here is her report from the scene and some unbelievable photos of how everything looks today. Fortunately all the people managed to get out of their homes and there was no loss of life, but there is a huge cleanup and rebuilding effort that lies ahead. For those who have asked “What can I do to help?” there is information after the report. **************************************************** From yukonbushgrma This week we will be moving for the…
Rural Update – How You Can Help Victims of Flooding.
The Red Cross in Fairbanks is helping flood victims in the Interior. Anyone who is interested and wants to do something for those in Eagle, and the Tanana area is encouraged by the Red Cross to send “comfort kits” composed of toiletry items such as: shampoo, soap, wash cloths, etc. Remember, those flat-rate boxes from the post office can hold a lot! We learned that from the Western Alaska food drive. The flooding this year was the worst in recorded history. You can send your Mudflats care package of toiletries to: Spring Flood 09 c/o Red Cross 725 26th Ave Suite…