Track Palin to Divorce
Huh. That was quick. And apparently it is news. So sayeth the Washington Post. After 23-year old Track Palin and his wife Britta, 22, watched a 48-minute movie on the impact of divorce on children, …they filed jointly for divorce. This means they’ve agreed to a settlement, including property, finances, and child support. The couple, who had been dating since high school, married in April of last year. The wedding of the jean-clad couple, at Hatcher Pass, Alaska, was reported after the fact in a gushy People Magazine article by Lorenzo Benet. Benet authored the equally gushy Sarah Palin biography Trailblazer,…
Breaking: UAW files ethics charge on Romney auto bail-out profiteering
The United Auto Workers and the SEIU picked up Greg Palast’s Nation story on Mitt making bank from the US Auto bailout that he claimed to hate. Since my editor here at the Mudflats allowed me some time off from my job as Mudflats NY Bureau Chief to research this story with Palast – I figured that all the mudpuppies would like to hear to that there’s going to be a press conference in Ohio that should make a big hit in that swing state – and the nation. When video is available – I’ll post… until then – watch the…
Spouse for Senate!
Spouse is running for Senate. I know, right? It’s been pretty exciting around here I can tell you. He’s running for State Senate in “District N” a giant and beautiful swath of Alaska that stretches from South Anchorage, down Turnagain Arm to include Girdwood, and Hope, and then over to Seward, and on to Sterling and Nikiski, with all points in between. Every race is important but, I’m going to tell you why this one is the most important to me. When Ron was a little kid, living in Anderson in the Territory of Alaska – back in the days…
Farewell to the Major General (1924-2012)
“When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground.” ~African proverb When I was very small, I’d get he and his brother confused – my two uncles. The way I finally distinguished them was: The One That Will Stand on His Head, and The One That Will Not Stand on His Head. My Uncle Bill was the one that would not stand on his head. And I didn’t look at this as a bad thing. He had a certain dignity, and poise, and way of doing things that just didn’t lend itself to head standing. It lent itself…
Open Thread – It’s Our Oil!
“It’s Our Oil” Rally – Saturday 11:00am Community leaders and volunteers come together to stand up for Alaska On Saturday, September 22, at 11am., the Alaska Democratic Party will host an “It’s Our Oil” rally to give Alaskans the chance to show their support for Alaska getting its fair return on its oil resource. Senator Bill Wielechowski and community leader David Gottstein will speak to local volunteers and other Alaskans gathered to stand up for Alaska’s fair share. “As Alaskans, it’s our oil, and our future depends on Alaskans standing up for our fair return on that resource,” said Senator…
In My Alaska Garden: Eating the Harvest
Being sick for almost 5 weeks sucks. Thank goodness my family helped me with the hoop house. This week, I finally gave up and went to the doc for my antibiotic treatment. I’ve been on 3 days and while the cough hasn’t stopped and I still feel drained from that, I’m feeling a little better overall. Of course, it’s just in time to take care of Morrigan, who seems to have gotten a much lighter version…probably because she had her booster for Whooping Cough last year. Dang…I’m sounding like my grandma… The good news about this is I didn’t feel…
Un-American – The More Things Change…
McCarthyism: demagogic, reckless, hysterical, deliberate, and typically unsubstantiated public accusations and/or personal attacks on the character, loyalty, patriotism, and beliefs of an individual opponent or group. Usually for political gain in the guise of patriotism and/or “national security.” Normally based on widespread racial, political, religious, ethnic, and/or sexual prejudices. Can often lead to persecution, disenfranchisement, mass hysteria, and violent mob behavior. Particularly common during periods of conflict, political unrest, migration, and economic uncertainty. In 1950 a minor freshman Senator gave a speech in West Virginia. A conservative from Wisconsin, he spoke before a chapter of the Republican Women’s Club. Despite…
Parnell Again Attempts to Restrict Women’s Choice
Governor Sean Parnell has once again attempted to chip away at the ease of accessibility to women’s health care in his state. Parnell’s religious agenda, which has flown all but completely under the radar since he ran for Lt. Governor, has informed many of his policies as the man on the throne in Juneau. Remember back in 2010, Parnell vetoed money that would have gone to Denali Kid Care (Alaska’s SCHIP program), providing medical services for poor children and pregnant women, because it also would have provided, by law, abortion services. He has already gone on record saying he’d rather…
Open Thread – Transitions
It was overcast in Providence today, but fortunately for you in Alaska, the day was clear and an event that will never again be visible in our lifetimes was on display. Venus passed before the Sun, and thanks to Spouse, a great camera, an even greater telescope, and a solar filter, the image was captured. Breathtaking. And on a different note, those of us who are here getting ready for Netroots Nation in Providence, Rhode Island, would also like to send out a message of solidarity to those in Wisconsin who have worked so hard for so long on the…
In My Alaska Garden — Progress & Solutions
This week is a bit of a grumpy week for me. The temperature here keeps dipping below 45 degrees at night and we’ve seen it below 50 in the hoop house. Some of the plants are not happy, specifically the tomatoes and the basil. Here’s hoping the warmer forcast for this week is accurate, although today is not a great start. Since we talked a great deal about the hoop house last week, I figured we’d take a look at what is going on outside this week. (OK, I’ll admit it…it’s because we actually got some weeding done.) In the…