A History Lesson for Joe Miller – The Tenth Amendment
In Which Joe Miller Gets a History Lesson (Again) Over the past few weeks, I have written with some incredulity on the subject of Joe Miller’s supposed legal expertise. Today, I feel compelled to address another area in which Mr. Miller’s competence is woefully inadequate: United States history. As you may have surmised, your Legal Eagle is an attorney, not a historian. I do, however, take an interest in history, and generally consider it to be an obligation of all Americans to at least familiarize themselves with the basics of their country’s history. This is even more true when you…
Joe Miller: Alaska’s Craziest Catch — Help Get This On the Air!
Republican candidate for US Senate, Joe Miller, burned-up the airwaves before the primary saying that cutting-off federal funds to Alaska is his highest priority as Senator. Now, he’s trying to backtrack just a few short weeks later. We’re not going to let that happen. We at Mudflats are excited to see the first video spot come out of the Netroots for the 2010 election cycle. Blue America PAC and AmericansforAmericaPAC.com, two cutting edge Netroots political action committees, are launching a daily video campaign targeting GOP/Tea Party candidates every day from today through Election Day, November 2. We’re especially pleased that the first…
Murkowski Decision Coming Friday
It’s starting to feel like the longest primary ever. Friday, according to her campaign, Lisa Murkowski will make a decision about whether to launch a write-in campaign for the Senate seat, or whether she will bow out of the race to lick her wounds and contemplate her next move. “Everyday Alaskans from all walks of life have approached me urging that I stay in the race. First and foremost I want to thank them for their outpouring of support. Advisors and friends had urged me to find a way to get my name printed on the ballot at all costs….
Next Stop 2012? Where Will Palin Make the Announcement?
When we last left AKM and Legal Eagle, they were deep into a glass of wine, sitting at the Glenn Beck/Sarah Palin Exploit-a-Palooza to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Lights down, and first up is Sarah Palin. “Let me ask you first Alaska, do you loooove your freedom?” Hey… didn’t I just hear that a couple hours ago at the 9/11 rally at the Wasilla Sports Complex? Yes, I did. These Alaskans also apparently love their freedom too. You’d think after how much she asked she’d figure out that everyone pretty much loves their freedom. But, whatever….
Joe Miller Thinks You’re Not Very Smart.
By Legal Eagle Apparently, Joe Miller doesn’t read The Mudflats. Or if he does, he skips over my posts because he has already “mastered the law” (insert sarcastic chuckle). So what is our favorite divorce lawyer saying today? To paraphrase – screw the Alaska Constitution and Statehood Act, we want our land back! Yes, Mr. Miller still hasn’t learned his lesson (or stopped talking in the third person, but that’s a separate, non-legal issue). He recently told his hometown paper that despite the inflammatory Teabagger rhetoric that he used during the primary, he’ll request money from the federal government until…
Politics v. Policy – The Wrong Side Wins With Berkowitz’s “Visionary Plan”
Until last week, we believed that both Democratic candidates for governor were good choices. We believed that both put the interests of Alaskans first, supported Democratic achievements, and could be effective leaders working across the aisle to pass legislation and to support policy and existing legislation that benefited the people of Alaska. Many of our readers support Hollis French. Many of our readers support Ethan Berkowitz. But very few had substantial angst about the other. But last week something happened that rocked the boat, and by ‘rocked the boat’ we mean pitched the boat to the point where a lot…
Senate Hopeful Ron Slepecki – Keeping Alaska Safe from the Buddhists?
With the number of uncontested races in Anchorage this election cycle, it surprised me to see someone actually running against Bill Wielechowski, also known as “The Best Bill in Juneau.” There’s nobody who works harder or more effectively for the benefit of all Alaskans than our favorite Bill. So who is this daring upstart that thinks he can topple Wielechowski? His name is Ron Slepecki, making this race: “Slepecki vs. Wielechowski” Say that ten times fast. So let’s check out Mr. Slepecki and see what he tells us on his website, and then we’ll look at what he doesn’t tell…
Gov. Sean Parnell Inherits Flaming Pants from Palin & Denies Children Health Care
Governor Sean Parnell, who has framed himself as an advocate for women and children, last week vetoed a bipartisan bill passed by the Alaska Legislature that would have provided health care for 1300 Alaskan children and prenatal care to more than 200 pregnant Alaskan women. These, most vulnerable Alaskans are those that fall between 175% and 200% of the federally recognized poverty level. Those that fall below that level are already covered by the state program, called Denali KidCare. What made the governor decide to veto the bill? He just discovered, he said, that some of the money allocated would…
Bob Poe Steps Out of Alaska Governor’s Race
Today gubernatorial candidate Bob Poe announced he is stepping out of the race for Governor of Alaska. “Although running for Governor of this great state the last 17 months has been one of the most gratifying and enriching experiences of my life, I believe it is time for me to step out of the race.” Poe added, “In today’s economy I am unable to raise the funds necessary to gain the broad statewide name recognition required to win the race for Governor. Since I came into this race as a new name for many Alaskans the hurtle is simply higher…
Voices from the Flats – Donald Craig Mitchell
The following is an op-ed by Donald Craig Mitchell, an attorney and historian who lives in Anchorage. He is the author of Sold American: The Story of Alaska Natives and Their Land and Take My Land Take My Life: The Story of Congress’s Historic Settlement of Alaska Native Land Claims, which in 2006 the Alaska Historical Society named as two of the most important books that have been written about Alaska. *********************************** CAPTAIN ZERO VERSUS COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION Donald Craig Mitchell With the world watching, two months ago in Fairbanks in front of a crowd of cheering fans and jeering…