Open Thread: Palin, Alaskans Have Something to Say
Palin, during her semi-annual book selling tour has been hitting the airwaves saying stupid things. Alaskans understand at this point that this is part of the deal. She comes out with a book, or she needs money for her PAC she hits the TV and says ‘controversial things’ – raises Tea Party cash and then heads back to her desert villa. I’ve been thinking of a response to her ridiculous comments on the ‘liberal‘ Pope when I happened across the Alaskan band Portugal. The Man. While their song is non-political… I couldn’t happen to add my own meaning to their…
Open Thread: Palin For President
Just found this in my Alaska photo archives, I don’t remember what the story – but I want a sticker for my car. Just think, she’d be just about wrapping up her term in a couple of months. Palin’s book comes out today… so who’s picking it up?
Open Thread: Hollis Runs for Lt. Governor
State Senator Hollis French has thrown his hat in the ring for Lt. Governor – running with Byron Mallott. Earlier this week Bill Walker announced that his running mate would be Craig Fleener. So I guess that ends any chance of the Bill Squared ticket. So, Alaska – what are your thoughts? Waiting to see? Or are you preparing your check books to get this thing started?
Time to End Columbus Day
Kid’s love Columbus Day. It’s a day off for no reason – there’s no holiday to really celebrate – no uncomfortable suits to wear at church or awkward family gatherings. Just a day off. The parent may go shopping, but that’s really about it… worst case scenario you end the day with a new TV, or a couch. We were taught that Columbus Day celebrates a great explorer, someone that fought against the group think that the earth was flat. And that he actually discovered something new. When in actuality his discovery of ‘the America’s’ is like me ‘discovering’ that…
Tell Them FRACK NO! – From the Cook Inletkeeper
This is from the Cook Inletkeeper – please click the link below and send a note to your legislators. Deadline is this MONDAY! Fracking fluids are used to enhance oil and gas recovery; they are injected under pressure in oil and gas reservoirs, and they blast apart spaces in the source rock to allow oil and gas to flow more easily. Fracking fluids can contain diesel fuel and other toxic chemicals, yet the precise constituents of fracking fluids are often concealed as “trade secrets.” In the Lower 48, the use of fracking fluids has been linked to drinking water and…
Aurora Lite
After the early tease of the aurora in late August, I’ve been itching for the chance to get my next northern light fix. Even though the forecast emphasized overcast skies the aurora was supposed to be stormy so Carl Johnson and I ventured out to find a clearing in the sky. We did. It only lasted briefly and it was faint – but the stars were bright so it made for from some interesting shots. This one was on our way back along the highway – the street lights made the trees glow yellow.
Half-Term Governor Palin Speaks on ‘Barrycades’
Half-Term, The Quitter – there are many things that Alaskans call former Governor Sarah Palin. She quit our state for warmer climates but – the one thing that she just can’t quit is opinion-ating on everything. As a person that quit government completely, and ‘shutdown’ her own term of office I find it interesting that she has an opinion to share on the government shutdown. But, of course she does. Here’s an excerpt of stupid: My Call For Civil Disobedience Around The “Barrycades” It’s beyond shameful to see Barack Obama disrespect and mistreat our World War II veterans so blatantly. Obama’s…
Death Threats, Swear Words and Hostage Negotiations… Alaska’s Republicans on Social Media
Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young are both in an odd position during the government shutdown – both oppose ‘ObamaCare,’ but not enough for the crazies in their party. Nothing outside of strapping c4 to your body with a dead mans trigger is enough for them. But at the same time, they’re staying the Republican course and not speaking out against the extremists with whom they share their representative bodies, and trying to figure out how to shift the blame to the other party. It’s not working well for them, and their social media pages are showing it. I’ve had…
The Frozen Ground – Interview with Director Scott Walker
The Frozen Ground is now available on DVD, on-demand, and on iTunes. We here at The Mudflats can’t recommend it enough – it’s dark, well-acted and written, and features John Cusack in one of his best and most terrifying roles ever. Shannyn Moore interviewed the director a while back in a must-listen-to interview. The director, Scott Walker (no, not that Scott Walker), explains how he extensively researched this Alaskan true-crime story, and fought to film it in Alaska. Trailer for The Frozen Ground
UPDATED: Breaking the Law for Lisa Murkowski
[Updated 4:13pm AK Time] So it seems that Lisa is not breaking the law… just being really slimy about it. She has claimed her staff as ‘excepted’ aka essential. Thus they need to show up to work – but don’t get paid until the shut down is over. Mean while 800,000 Federal Employees are deemed non-essential – and don’t get paid at all. Here are some people that are considered “non-essential” – while the person that get’s Lisa’s coffee is considered essential. The Doctors at the Center for Disease Control that run the flu program Employees that run the Department…