The Frozen Chosen – Alaska’s Three Electors
I keep hearing people say, “It’s probably going to get worse before it gets better.” Is that supposed to make us feel better? Hey! I know you really feel uncertain and worried for the future of our democracy with the Russian hacking and whatnot, but don’t worry, it will get worse before it gets better. Who says that in your everyday life? Your oncologist? If your family, like ours, just had the 12 days of Christmas turned into 20 days of radiation, you know this is not a phrase your doctor uses. This week the Electoral College meets to cast…
Thanksgiving Goes into Overtime
I’m hoping your Thanksgiving was peaceful. I know there was a lot of anxiety about it and how the holiday season is going to go. If there was a “Thanksgiving Bingo” game I would have won after hearing the term “vaginal overreach” in a conversation. We had a lot on our plates to talk about, as well as plenty of food. I’ve been trying to figure out where the Venn diagram overlaps are between our divided camps, and concentrate on them. Our similarities aren’t always obvious. Truth be told, the idea of the president-elect succeeding in his agenda could really…
The Still Before the Electoral Storm
If you’re paying attention, right before a storm comes, it gets really, really still. The blue herons and kingfishers seem to be the only birds still fishing. I wonder if it’s easier for them to see their tiny silver meals through the surface of the water when it is so quiet. From the porch you can hear whales surfacing and their tails whacking near to the channel. If you wait, you’ll see the wake ripple to the beach from their antics. The air smells like summer died. I have more devil’s club in my flesh than the devil does and…
Martin Luther King’s Church: At the Historic Ebenezer Baptist
In October I had the honor of photographing a service that the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. It was just before the 2014 election so people were registering and calling for a turnout at the polls. Reverend Warnock, the current head of the church called for people to sign up on the Souls to the Polls forms that were distributed. The service was one of the more moving that I’ve ever been to Rev. Warnock preached of the importance of participation in your community. The original Ebenezer Baptist Church is now part of the National Park system and…
On the Campaign Trail: East Coast Edition
In October and November of 2014 I was on assignment for Al Jazeera America, working with Greg Palast. We were on the trail of the 2016 vote theft. If you haven’t read it by now please check out our Sidney Award winning article on Kris Kobach’s voter registration purge program, Crosscheck and the followup on activists responses. Along the way I discovered that Alaska was in on the scheme and reported the story for TheMudflats – read it here. Along the way we happened across another story, the 2014 election. Here’s some photos and video from the Monday and Tuesday of the…
Best Election Day Posts on Social Media… So Far
Have you voted yet? I voted!!! Have you…??? pic.twitter.com/kYA4gQHAlY — LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 4, 2014 Your country needs YOU (to vote) pic.twitter.com/HnglnO1dNB — Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) November 4, 2014 If you haven’t voted yet, Gov. Jay Nixon wants you to get crackin’ http://t.co/DiW4HyZIwH pic.twitter.com/BdJBQiKPiz — Wonkette (@Wonkette) November 4, 2014 Not so subtle “Carpetbagger” message in the NH senate race. cc @NowWithAlex pic.twitter.com/FyanJzDp4g — Alex Wagner (@alexwagner) November 4, 2014 Amazing RT @rebleber: PHOTOBOMB pic.twitter.com/I4Ehcgfo8y — Patrick Caldwell (@patcaldwell) November 4, 2014 i gotta dedicate my life to wendy davis now RT @bomani_jones: #welcometo2014 pic.twitter.com/3Y2yI0Kw6Q — Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano)…
Democratic Frontier: Q&A with the State Party Chair
With the governorship, a US senate seat, our lone Congressional seat, and SB 21 repeal all on the statewide ballot, 2014 is a critical election year in Alaska. Given recent gerrymandering and the influx of outside political money, the state represents significant challenges for Democrats. The Mudflats spoke with Democratic Party Chair Mike Wenstrup about the state of the state, his party, and its future. Alaska doesn’t seem to be a very hospitable place for Democrats these days, so what compelled you to want to run the state party? Alaska values are Democratic values: Respect for personal privacy, government restraint, maximizing public benefits…
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?
Mead’s In. Lt Gov. Treadwell announces for Senate Run
To nearly no ones surprise Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell has announced that he has filed the necessary paperwork to run for the US Senate in the 2014 Republican Primary. So now we’ve got Joe Miller and Mead Treadwell running to unseat incumbent Mark Begich. Should be an interesting election season. Question is, if Mead loses, will he bow out with grace or run an ugly independent run like a certain other Senator. Below the photo is Treadwell’s announcement from his site – which is now www.TreadwellAlaska2014.com STATEMENT BY ALASKA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MEAD TREADWELL Lt. Gov. announces he will not seek…
Bringing in the Vote – Boxes of Democracy
Last night while everyone was grabbing drinks at Election Central – Anchorage’s hard-working poll workers were finishing their 16-hour long day. Carts piled with boxes, voting machines and ballots were dragged into City Hall to be processed. The City Hall parking lot was packed, so much so that some of the workers had to pay for parking in neighboring lots (one charging $15). Water bottles and chocolates were handed out by volunteers and election officials who were waiting in a line that spiraled throughout the bottom floor of City Hall.