Open Letter to the Alaska Tea Party…and You
Dear Alaska Tea Party, A few years ago, Sarah Palin was asked which Founding Father was her favorite. She answered, “You know, well, all of them.” My favorite Founding Father was William Woodford. He fought alongside his friend George Washington in the French-Indian War. Afterwards, Woodford brokered a peace treaty between the Virginians and the Cherokee that was honored for over a decade. Woodford was a General, and before the Revolution started, he and Washington corresponded about the coming struggle. A letter lining out how to conduct troops was signed, “My compliments to Mrs. Woodford; and that every success may…
Happy Walter J. Hickel Day of the Arctic!
“All of us own the seas in common. We own the air and space. If we can learn to use these resources productively for the benefit of all, not just for a few powerful groups or a handful of corporations, the world would stand today on the threshold of wealth and social advancement we cannot yet imagine.” —Former Alaska Gov. Wally Hickel On the day I was born, Wally Hickel was the Republican Governor of Alaska. On the day I moved to Alaska, Wally Hickel was the governor of Alaska for the second time, having run successfully as an Alaskan…
Open Thread – Help!
“The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” Oscar Wilde I don’t know exactly who the 666 are that are talking about us, but in this case, I think we definitely need to be talked about more! Have you “liked” the Mudflats’ Facebook page? There are all kinds of links to articles, tidbits about crazy “only in Alaska” news, photos, and graphics to share. And all you have to do is click the like button right over there at the top of the sidebar, and all this will be delivered right to your feed! ———>
Repeated Gaffes from Wasilla Republican
(This piece is cross-posted at The Huffington Post – HERE) Wasilla City Councilman, Republican State House candidate (and former candidate for Alaska Lt. Governor in 2010), Mark Ewing just keeps talking. And then trying to untalk. And then talking again. And it’s just not good. In a recent debate at the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce candidates forum, Ewing squared off with his Republican primary opponent. All started predictably with both candidates in favor of a controversial coal mine, a controversial copper mine, and another boondoggle bridge to almost nowhere. But soon Mr. Ewing distinguished himself in the Rock ‘em…
Here Come the Attack Ads
Corporations will use new unlimited election spending rules to try to sway your vote this November. The smart move is to take attack ads and flyers from corporate groups you’ve never heard of with a grain of salt. Roughly 80 percent of these ads will be negative and deceptive. They were last election. The corporate spending goal is a one-party state, that will give away $2 billion/year in poorly crafted oil tax breaks under a governor’s bill that lets companies take that money and spend it outside Alaska. A Legislature that has balance on both sides of the aisle, and…
The Mudflats Calls Senate District I
There’s an alphabet soup of newly drawn Senate districts out there, but with 84 days until the polls close, and 0% of precincts reporting in, The Mudflats is prepared to call the election in Senate District I, for the beloved and awesome Democratic candidate Johnny Ellis. His opponent, Republican Paul Kendall (also known by his talk radio call-in alias “Will Free”) believes in Hydrogen energy, and women not working outside the home. It’s a devastating political duo of philosophies, which puts Mr. Kendall simultaneously in both the 22nd and 17th centuries. But for some reason, it doesn’t seem to be…
Ryan Steps into Palin’s Red Pumps
Oh, dear. She’s been waiting by the window and watching the mailman every day – pressing her little nose against the glass, and looking for that special envelope inviting her to the dance. And every day, he passes her by. And we’ve been watching her watch the mailman pass her by, and stand in front of the mirror, practicing her speech. And finally, we’ve all come to the same realization. Sarah didn’t get invited to speak at the Republican convention. After some private pillow-screaming, and plate smashing, and hair-pulling, she’s put on a brave face. You see, she really didn’t…
I’m a Liberal. There’s a Reason.
Well, the tenor and tempo of fear and loathing on the campaign trail is ramping up. I know it’s going to get worse before it gets better because no one likes Mitt Romney. There’s only so much fertilizer available but plenty of money to spread it around. Romney has asked for a pledge to leave not only his family but his business and taxes out of the campaign discussion. OK, I get it with family, but if you secure your party’s nomination by bragging about your business expertise, then your business is public business. Taxes? Every cabinet position filled by…
Ryan: Wisconsin Death Grip
Disasters befell one small town in Wisconsin during the final decade of the 19th century. The town of Black River Falls seems gripped by some peculiar malaise and the weekly news is dominated by bizarre tales of madness, eccentricity and violence amongst the local population. Suicide and murder are commonplace. People in the town are haunted by ghosts, possessed by devils… —“Wisconsin Death Trip” Having one candidate wreck your state’s brand—a matter of which we Alaskans can speak with authority—can be chalked up as an aberration. But four, in the space of two years? That’s a pattern. That’s critical mass….
Utah Sheriff Saves Moose from Swing Set
Old time Mudflatters may remember that we had a little incident here at Mudflats Central a couple years ago that involved a mysterious clanging in the night, and a swing set found the next morning a couple hundred feet away in the driveway. The culprit was Brian the Moose, whose impressive antlers had gotten caught in the chains of the swings. Luckily for our Alaskan moose, he was able to free himself by his own efforts. A moose in Utah was not so lucky and got stuck. Here’s an amazing video of a kind and brave Utah Sheriff’s Sergeant who,…