Photos from Wall Street
On September 17, hundreds of protestors descended on lower Manhattan to publicly denounce the nation’s current financial system. The demonstration’s organizers plan to continue occupying the area around Wall Street for weeks or even months—however long it takes to change a system they say benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of middle-class and poor Americans. We’ll be following the protests and will continue to update the following stream with the latest images from the center of the financial world. The Mudflats’ New York Bureau Chief and photojournalist Zach Roberts is in New York City, and has been covering…
Open Thread – Basic Training
This weekend, anyone who’s anyone in progressive politics is going to have noses to the grindstone, shoulders to the wheel, boots on the ground, hands in the air, and brains focused on the Democracy for America Campaign Academy. We’ll be learning all kinds of fun things you need to know to win campaigns, and make the progressive community in Alaska more effective. Detailed information is HERE. Hope to see you there!
Fill the Boot, and Boot the Mayor
Driving down Northern Lights Boulevard yesterday, through the heart of our municipality on a lovely Friday afternoon, I saw something that made me do a double-take. I saw… the enemy. Not MY enemy, mind you, but the declared enemy of our city’s mayor, Dan Sullivan. Second only to homeless people, the mayor has it in for this sinister duo of panhandling grifters. I speak, of course of… (scary organ chord)… firefighters, and sick children. (blood curdling scream) Mayor Sullivan, and several members of the Anchorage Assembly did their darndest last year to quash the most profitable fundraiser for the Muscular…
Captain Zero Greets CPAC in Alaska
‘Tis the season! No, not the moose rut. No, not the last run of silvers. ‘Tis the season that conservatives emerge from the sea and make their landfall on the arctic shores of Alaska. We’ve talked before about the “Tea Party at Sea” ship on The Mudflats. And now, there seems to have been yet another starboard leaning vessel that has docked in Juneau. Rather than heading for the misty hills of that fair city screaming when the invaders arrived, Governor Sean “Captain Zero” Parnell did the political equivalent of throwing flowers and candy. Yes, he greeted CPAC as liberators….
To Pray or Not to Pray…
In a political homage to Texas Governor Rick Perry, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell has joined with him today, Saturday, August 6, in a day of prayer for the nation. He won’t be taking Governor Perry up on his invitation to go pray with him in Houston, but he did issue a proclamation here at home stating that Alaskans should “seek God’s face” and pray because we are at war, facing economic hardship and natural disaster. He also asks us to pray for the strength and wisdom of leaders – presumably like those who give hat tips in proclamations blurring the…
Freedom of Speech (that doesn’t offend Dan Sullivan)
By Shannyn Moore My sister and I were doing homework and talking about a boy in our junior high school. We were laughing about the dirty high-water pants he seemed to wear every single day. I looked up to see a tight-faced Pop. I was confused until he said, “There was a time I only had one pair of pants. Do you think he wears them every day because he has a choice? You don’t have to remind him he’s poor; he knows.” I managed a “Sorry, Pop,” and went to my room. I closed the door, sat on…
Are You Ready for Campaign Boot Camp?
Raise your hand if you are frustrated at the current political climate in Alaska. Raise your hand if you are ready to stop wringing your hands and are ready to do something about it. OK, everybody better have raised their hands that last time. And this is a very good thing, because your opportunity to do just that has arrived! The fine folks at Democracy for America (DFA) have heard our cries for help, mounted their noble steeds, and are galloping north to hold a Campaign Academy! (I wait politely while the squealing, clapping and bouncing dies down) This is…
Open Thread – ACLU Director Comes to Anchorage
Alaska is about to have a very special guest! And it’s a first – a visit by the National Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, Anthony Romero! Thursday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. University of Alaska – Anchorage Wendy Williamson Auditorium Romero will address the ongoing struggle for equal rights, and the continuing challenges faced by minority and underprivileged communities, along with the work of the ACLU in expanding civil liberties and equal opportunity for all. A reception with Anthony and a chance to speak with him in person will follow at 8:30 p.m. Don’t miss this exciting…