The Anchorage Daily News endorsed Dan Sullivan for mayor.  So have the righty blowhards across the radio dial…not a shocker.  As of Friday morning, Matt Zency, editor of the ADN, claimed he had not heard the latest Dan Sullivan scuttlebutt.  It doesn’t matter, as there were plenty of reasons for the ADN not to endorse him.  The word on the street is some McClatchy muckety muck WHO DOESN’T LIVE HERE, hasn’t fallen into a pot hole, doesn’t have kids in our schools, or play at our parks, made the call.  Thanks, buddy.

Thursday, court documents were obtained concerning a DUI case from a couple years ago.  The young woman involved, Jacqueline LaFrance, was an employee at Dan Sullivan’s bar, McGinley’s.  On October 5, 2006, LaFrance stayed late at work, drank a few adult beverages, tried to drive home, caused a head on collision, fled the scene and got busted by the cops.

The documents from her testimony referenced a “Dan” several times.

One morning talk show host was doing Russian gymnastics saying there was NO WAY the “Dan” mentioned in the court documents was the fabulous “Dan Sullivan.” He could have done a polyp check as far up the back side of Dan he was crawling. The host claimed he’d talked to all the owners of the bar and knew there was another DAN present, and any one who thought differently was basically a liberal scum bag. Between the defense attorney, James Gould, and Ms. LaFrance, they say “Dan Sullivan” twice and “Dan” eight times in less than six minutes. There were no other males at the bar. To use the Brooklyn talker’s favorite phrase…SUCK IT! Here is the audio from her testimony.

So what? It’s her DUI and Dan didn’t force it down her throat-just poured it for her out of his pitcher. OK. Dan Sullivan has only responded to this story with “I don’t recall.” and “No comment.” I’m having an Ollie North/Alberto Gonzalez moment here…When Ms. LaFrance stayed up until almost 4am with Mr. Sullivan and exchanged hugs when they left the bar together, was that the last time they communicated? What about her next work shift? She considered him her boss. She wrecks a car and gets a DUI and DOESN’T EVER TELL HIM? Did she quit? Why? Shopping? Did she get fired? She was working off the clock! Sounds to me like she’d be missed. He doesn’t recall?   

Really? Didn’t she need him to be a witness for her “just one beer defense?” Why did it take the prosecution 14 months to try her? She was convicted a month after Mr. Sullivan declared his candidacy for mayor.

I’m not sure where the culpability lies with the DUI. I know when people get drunk at a bar, THE BAR IS LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO STOP SERVING THEM. I don’t let people leave my parties cocktailed.

Dan Sullivan stood up Eric Croft on a popular radio show Friday. What was he avoiding?  Even after the tape surfaced, Sullivan stands by his denial.  Dan Sullivan is either lying about his memory or he has dementia.

Either way, he is not mayoral material for Anchorage.

….and certainly not for Attorney General of Alaska.

Much ado has been written and said about the recent Leah Burton letter regarding Sarah Palin’s Attorney General Appointee, Wayne Anthony Ross.

There is a back story at the meeting where Burton heard the inflammatory statement, ““If a guy can’t rape his wife…who’s he gonna rape?” and “There wouldn’t be an issue with domestic violence if women would learn to keep their mouths shut.” His statement was made in reference to a “Marital Consent” law that had been introduced by then Representative Rick Halford. Yes. They were contesting a law that would criminalize raping your wife.

Burton wrote, “… The meeting was well attended, Steve Strube was the head of the group at that time and another known member, John Grames (who Strube referred to as his Lt.), was also in attendance along with enough other members to fill the room. They were delighted to have Wayne Anthony Ross in attendance as a guest speaker…”

Ross, better known as W.A.R., said in response during his confirmation hearing, “I do not believe I know a Steve Strube or a John Grames. I don’t recall ever hearing such names before the Burton letter.” John Grames ran for Congress, under the Green party in 1998 and received about 2.5% of the vote. W.A.R. was on the same ballot that year running for governor under the Alaska Independence Party.

Steve Strube, the head of the “DADS” group is now known as “Stephanie Chanelle Strube.” Her name was changed in 2003. With W.A.R.’s disdain for “Lima Beans” and the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender) community, it’s no wonder he denies an association.

It’s time for a nice big dose of Vitamin Democracy.  Today is the day to let legislators know how you feel. There are a plethora of reasons to vote NO on W.A.R. The Alaska Federation of Natives have given a resounding NO to his nomination. What ever your reasons, please call or email your representatives.

Attached are Leah Burton’s notes from the meeting she attended:

General summary of notes from DADS meeting:

The group DADS met in March of 1991. In attendance were: Wayne Anthony Ross, John G. Grames and Steve Strube.

Steve Strube made a statement that if 20 people raise concerns with a legislator, that is enough for the legislator to take up the issue.

Wayne Ross stated that restraining orders are given out “like candy” without the burden of proof; that 97% of domestic violence cases are filed by women. He stated that if women didn’t have marks of physical abuse the restraining orders were given without proof of domestic violence.

John G. Grames complained that there is no state or municipal money for men’s support groups. Steve Strube commented that 15 years ago women were recognized as a group fighting oppression and that this has led to “radical interests taking over and hurting men.”

Wayne Ross said that the Equal Rights Ammendment has emasculated men and domestic violence wouldn’t be an issue if women knew their place.

Steve Strube complained that now “they” want to control whether and when men can have sex with their own wives. Wayne Ross claimed that the government is not a friend. He then indicated that Don Tanner and Jack Coghill could help them and together they could stop the “corrupt establishment.”

Wayne Ross stated “If a guy can’t rape his wife, who’s he gonna rape?” Steve Strube encouraged for support of Sue Williams for judiciary or any other state government position she might run for. He told the group that Sue was an attorney who helped DADS and spoke out against DFYS pro bono. Wayne Ross then told the group that he could also help with pro bono legal assistance.

Steve Strube said the Governor’s transition team for DSSH unanimously supports Mike Price for the Grievance Panel for the Family Law Task Force Commission. He also mentioned the Grievance Panel for Family Law Task Force Commission and problems with DFYS. He stated that the Hickel agenda was very cooperative and “pro family” unlike the “uncooperative CSED. He said they should monitor Jim Carter and Tracy Driskill; He met with Terry Mahavey and Ardith Lynch to discuss 30 different burning issues. He said there was a violation of due process and that the state was illegally using two different child support guidelines; he also complained about the computer-phone system. He said that he shocked them with the document he brought in.

John G. Grames stated that they need to protest against DFYS and not give up.

- Susan M. Williams unsuccessfully ran for a judicial appointment 6/9-10/1991 - Ardith Lynch was Deputy Dir. Of CSED

- Tracy Driskill from Second Wives & Children testified in support of SB 519 – relating to child custody determinations and visitation rights

- Mike Price wound up being Director of DFYS (now OCS)

- John Grames ran for Congress in 1998 - Wayne Ross ran for Governor in 1998

- Steve Strube was President of Alaska Family Support Group (also known as DADS) and was the only individual to testify against HB 44 – An Act relating to domestic violence. He also filed written comments.

THIS IS A MUST READ!

Grab a Red Bull and a seat belt.  Prepare yourselves for another episode of ERRATIC PALIN BEHAVIOR. (EPB)

Governor Gump has some sort of party dyslexia when it comes to appointing a replacement to the seat vacated by Democrat Kim Elton.  I saw the former Senator in Anchorage this morning.  He’s traveling with his new boss, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. I damn near begged him to come back to Juneau, but knew it was no use.  Kim Elton hates drama.

The procedure is this:

1. The party officials in the district of the vacated seat GIVE THE GOVERNOR SEVERAL NAMES.

2. The governor selects one of the names.

3. The Senators of the party with the open seat vote on confirming the new Senator.

4. TA DA! A NEW SENATOR! Fabulous!

WHAT has happened to Sarah? Seriously. Update? New to this?

1.  The Juneau Dems gave the governor one name.  Beth Kerttula.  Beth is not on Sarah’s Christmas card list…really…so, Sarah said no.

2.  The governor solicited names from the community…and picked Tim Grussendorf (a Democrat for only three weeks).

3.  Senate Dems REJECTED him.

4.  The governor then decided she wanted the entire Senate-Republicans and Democrats-to vote on his appointment…they all said, “Thanks, but no thanks!”

5.  The governor then picked Joe Nelson….

6.  Again….REJECTED.

7.  The Mayor of Juneau,  Bruce Botelho, brokered a deal to nominate Dennis Egan…son of our first Governor.  John Harris-R, former Speaker of the House and Beth Kerttula-D, Minority Leader, supported the nomination.

8.  Today, the governor has ignored THE COMPROMISE of Egan, and BURNED THE OLIVE BRANCH RIGHT ON THE TREE.

9.  She has given THREE NAMES to the Senate Dems and demanded they confirm one.  They include Tim Grussendorf and Joe Nelson…two fish already thrown back.

One new name is Alan Wilson.  He is not a registered Democrat – so he isn’t even qualified to serve as an officer for the Juneau Democrats, much less a senator.   He is a former president of the Alaska State Home Building Association, an anti-union organization.

According to APOC (Alaska Public Offices Commission), Wilson has contributed exactly twice to political campaigns. In 2006, he gave $50 to Republican Candidate Sarah Palin. In 2008, Wilson donated $50 to Republican Cathy Munoz in a contentious race against incumbent Democrat Andrea Doll. Munoz won. So score that:

Republican Contributions: 2

Democratic Contributions: 0

And Alan Wilson wants to be Sarah Palin’s pick for Kim Elton’s seat.  This is EPB in classic form.

But ooooh, lookie, he is married to Sydney Mitchell,  the owner of Shoefly.  Yes, the one who sold the Governor a pair of red Double Dare Naughty Monkey pumps that had “Joe the Plumbers” panting and sweating from Florida to Fairbanks.

SOOOOOoooooo, Juneau….are you ready to revolt yet? Why don’t you line up like NAUGHTY MONKEYS and let the governor know what you think of her latest pick.

Dictatorships are easier than Democracies, but we’ve fought a few wars over that.

As the song goes, “Shoe fly, don’t bother me.”

Stop me if you’ve heard this before.  I just don’t think it’s funny.

I’m always curious why people come to Alaska. Born in Homer, I won the ovarian lottery, but my parent’s adventure to this great state is one that can entertain the crustiest of old timers.

“So, what brought you to Alaska?” is a question few dare ask a stranger in a bar, but it always manages to conjure interesting stories while sitting around a fire with friends. Strangers in Alaska bars, more often than not, have checkered pasts and damn near sneer at what they perceive as an intrusive question.

After receiving a curious email last week from a friend in New York, I am searching for the answer to that question for one such visitor. Granted, in a year, Alaska has four times as many visitors as we have citizens. Old bumper stickers asked, “If we call it ‘tourist season’ can we shoot ‘em?” The ‘visitor’ who captured my interest is Tim Griffin. In an interview last month published in a small Arkansas weekly, Mr. Griffin claimed to have come to Alaska “more than 20 times last year.”

Who is Tim Griffin? Why was he here? Prepare for less than savory answers.

From September 1995 to January 1997, Griffin worked with Special Prosecutor David Barrett in his investigation of Henry Cisneros, former Secretary of HUD. For two years after that, he was Senior Investigative Counsel for the House Committee on Government Reform. During his time there, the committee was very active. They issued 1,052 dead-end subpoenas to probe alleged misconduct by the Clinton Administration and the Democratic Party.  The cost to taxpayers?  More than $35 million.

In September 1999, he became Deputy Research Director for the RNC – special ops for George W. Bush’s campaign. Griffin was a legal advisor working closely with Attorney Ben Ginsberg of Patton Boggs, LLP for the Bush-Cheney 2000 Florida Recount Team. In a BBC documentary, “Digging the Dirt”, Griffin stood next to a sign reading “ON MY COMMAND—UNLEASH HELL (ON AL),” and stated, “We think of ourselves as the creators of the ammunition in a war,” he said. “We make the bullets.”

From March 2001 through June 2002, he was Special Assistant to Assistant Attorney General Michael Chertoff. In 2004, Griffin was a key player and reunited with Attorney Ben Ginsberg in the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against John Kerry. Ginsberg resigned from his position with George W Bush’s re-election campaign after his Swift Boat involvement became public. Griffin began serving as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director, Office of Political Affairs at the White House in April 2005. His duty was “organizing and coordinating political support for the confirmation of Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.”

For a year, beginning in September 2005, Tim Griffin was on military leave from the White House. He served as a prosecutor for Judge Advocate General (better known as JAG) and then went to Iraq. He claimed to have prosecuted 40 cases. Among those was a case allegedly against a soldier gone berserk on his commander. Griffin claimed he put the soldier in the clink for 25 years. The truth is, Griffin served only as assistant trial counsel to three cases that never went to trial. Apparently, Tim Griffin’s tall tales were training for those he might later tell in Alaska over a beer in some local bar.

In 2006, due to a little known provision in the USA PATRIOT Act, George W. Bush & Company fired a handful of US Attorneys and replaced them without Senate confirmation. In December 2006, US Attorney Bud Cummings was fired from his district in Northeast Arkansas and replaced with Tim Griffin. In February 2007, Paul McNaulty, Deputy Attorney General, testified Cummings was fired to make a place for Griffin at the urging of Karl Rove and Harriet Miers, further cementing Griffin’s cozy relationship with the Bush Administration.

On May 30, 2007, investigative journalist, BBC Correspondent and best selling author, Greg Palast, turned over 500 emails to House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers. The emails were inadvertently sent to the wrong email address during the 2004 campaign. Those wrongly addressed emails revealed the caging of over 70,000 voters in Florida. The targets of registration scrubbing were Black soldiers and poor Black and Hispanic citizens. Disenfranchising voters based on race has been a felony since the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Palast’s information had been published for nearly 2 years, but on the day it went to Washington, Tim Griffin resigned from his Rovian created job as US Attorney in Arkansas.

Except for short stints working for the presidential campaigns of Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson, Tim Griffin was off the radar. Until, of course, he showed up in Alaska, which brings me back to my question: Why would Tim Griffin come to Alaska over 20 times last year?

Attached to my email was a news article from the Northwest Arkansas News Source dated February 22, 2009.

NWANews: What are you up to now?
Griffin: I have two businesses. Depending on the time of the year, I am about 50-50 law and public affairs. I have the Griffin Law Firm. I primarily represent businesses in federal litigation in Texas. My public affairs company, I provide communications advice, how to develop a message that makes sense whether for corporate clients or political ones.
NWANews: Can you name a client or two?
Griffin: I went to Alaska last year over 20 times. Worked on a ballot initiative, which we defeated soundly.
NWANews: What was that?
Griffin: It was related to mining industry.

Wow! So Karl Rove’s right hand man and special assistant to George W. Bush, under Congressional investigation for felony vote caging, got on a plane “over 20 times last year” to work against Ballot Proposition 4, the Clean Water Initiative? That’s a pretty big gun to get on that many flights–even if they were first class seats. Tim Griffin basically spent 40 days from May to August on planes going back and forth between Anchorage and Little Rock!

Ballot Initiative 4 was an attempt to regulate water quality standards in Alaska. The Target: the proposed Pebble Mine-an open pit, sulfuric acid mine. The Mission: to protect the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run, the largest remaining wild salmon run in the world.

Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown was the Political Action Committee created by the mining industry. According to their reports, they paid Mercury Public Affairs of New York, $106,507.80. That payment included a website and all of Tim Griffin’s services and travel reimbursement. The average price for a ticket from Little Rock to Anchorage was about $1000 and takes at least 12 hours. Summer hotel rates are easily $200 a night. After expenses, Tim Griffin wasn’t taking a golden salary.

If I were sitting next to Tim Griffin at a bar, I’d have a lot of follow up questions to my initial inquiry of “So, what brought you to Alaska?” Like for instance:

1.) Who called you? With all of your White House and Karl Rove connections – WHO do you know in Alaska?
2.) Did you develop any relationships with Alaskans while working on the Bush-Cheney Florida Recount Team in 2000? Or the Swift Boat Smear Campaign for Truth against John Kerry? Or in any of your illegal electioneering activity? WHO do you know in Alaska?
3.) Why would you waste your vote-caging and election-fixing talent on a ballot initiative in Alaska? WHO do you know in Alaska?
4.) What else did you do up here? WHO do you know in Alaska?
5.) Did you get to meet Sarah Palin? She came out against the initiative in a massive multimedia campaign after an anonymous “journalist” asked her how she would vote on Ballot Prop 4! Were you that “journalist”? WHO do you know in Alaska?
6.) How many frequent flyer miles do you have? WHO do you know in Alaska?
7.) Why didn’t the opposition detect your presence? You’re kind of a big deal. WHO do you know in Alaska?
8.) With all of your credentials, you seem underpaid. Did you work for free or was some other kind of payment involved? WHO do you know in Alaska?
9.) When you were working as an “informal advisor” to Mike Huckabee, did you talk to Alaska Congressman Don Young, who chaired Huckabee’s exploratory campaign? WHO do you know in Alaska?
10.) After learning of your other “bed-mates,” I can see how you would ignore Anglo American’s environmental track record. Proven environmental terrorists who rape, pillage and plunder resources then leave the toxic clean-up to locals. But you’re not local. Again… WHO DO YOU KNOW IN ALASKA?

Oh, so many questions. Like I said…you get at least an hour’s worth of conversation when you ask, “So, what brought you to Alaska?” Unless the person in the bar is that stranger with a nefarious background…like Karl Rove Protégé, future felon vote-cager and election-fixer Tim Griffin. I wonder who he knows in Alaska. I wonder who picked up the bar tab.

Like you, I have been watching the last few months of bailouts. The single most important minute of any testimony given was today. UAW president, Ron Gettelfinger, nailed it. Watch this clip…more to follow.

Oh, Governor Grifter….again.

Today Sarah Palin has disclosed previously omitted free trips, adding them to her financial disclosure forms. Hey, what’s the big deal…she took those trips almost two years ago.

According to the Associated Press, “One of the trips, the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute of North Carolina – a nonprofit education policy group – paid the $2,827 cost of Palin’s April 2007 flight and hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, to attend a four-day conference.”

So, who the ham and cheese is James B Hunt Jr.? Why was he sending our Governor on a trip in April 2007? Well, he’s a former North Carolina Governor who was concerned enough about education that he set up a policy group. Here’s their mission statement:

In order to provide all students with an equitable chance to succeed and to foster a high quality of life for all citizens, the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy cultivates state leadership that focuses on public education’s value and actively promotes the fundamental role of governors to instill and protect the ideals of democracy.

So, even after 4 days of resorting in Scottsdale, Palin didn’t do jack crap for education in Alaska. Was there a test? A quiz? Apparently not. New reports show Alaskan students are less likely to graduate from high school than other states. In fact, Alaska’s drop out rate is double the US average. I’m glad she reported-albeit nearly 2 years late-her “gift trip,” but Mr. Hunt Jr. really should get his money back. In the 2008 budget, Governor Palin vetoed $479,000.00 for “Drop-out Prevention Programs.”

A month later Palin, her daughters and her former deputy campaign treasurer were put up for free at the Mt. Chilkoot Lodge in Skagway, Alaska. The rules state you must report any gifts within 30 days. Well, Sarah has been late reporting multiple “gifts.” A June 30, 2007 trip for Piper and herself valued at $1,187. An April Republican event in Texas…oh, yes, the same one she went in to labor at the next year, valued at $4,620 with a cowboy boot bonus worth $1,000.

My goodness, what will she do? Nothing. Poor Bill McAllister, her spokesman, under a deep and drippy spell, has once again defended his boss. Because the reports have been corrected, it is irrelevant on how the errors were detected. IT’S NOT HER FAULT! It was the mistake of her staff.

We’ll just put this on the list of mistakes that aren’t Sarah Palin’s fault.

The list: Troopergate was about a dangerous renegade brother-in-law; Walt Monegan was “insubordinate;” Charlie Gibson’s interview was full of “gotcha” questions; Katie Couric was just mean and condescending; the shouts of “kill him” and “terrorist” at her rallies were the fault of Bill Ayers; Wardrobegate was the fault of the McCain Campaign; losing the election wasn’t her fault, it was George W. Bush and the economy; Gobblegate was the fault of a cameraman ; another late “gift” disclosure, the fault of her staff.

]]> http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/governor-grifteragain/feed/ 10 shannon moore http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2008/11/30/palin-neglecting-alaskas-needs/ http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2008/11/30/palin-neglecting-alaskas-needs/#comments Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:34:49 +0000 shannynmoore http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/?p=910 ]]>

This just in:

Governor Palin Neglects Alaska Duties for Partisan Stumping on Campaign Trail in Georgia

Alaska faces challenges that need attention now

Anchorage – While Gov. Sarah Palin is out of state again, this time in Georgia campaigning for incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss on the eve of the runoff election, Alaska faces challenges including a lack of leadership from the Governor.

Palin will stump for Chambliss, the draft-evading incumbent Republican who waged a notoriously misleading campaign against a decorated war hero, at rallies Monday in Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah and Perry, Georgia.  Palin has been back in Alaska at work for only a few days since running for vice president.

“Alaskans need our Governor here earning her salary and working on key problems facing Alaska families,” said Alaska Democratic Party Chair Patti Higgins.

Alaska is facing significant challenges, Higgins said, including:

• Oil prices have dropped dramatically to about $45/bbl from the peak of $144/bbl in July, which threatens the state budget.
• Alaskans are paying some of the highest prices for gas in the nation, averaging $2.87 per gallon, while the national average is $1.91.
• The state’s oil production continues to decline, due to falling prices and mature fields.
• The global credit crunch and falling natural gas prices threaten the Alaska gas line.
• The State is failing to meet its constitutional obligation to take care of public education as shown by the high drop out rates and the low graduation rates.
• Many Medicare patients cannot find doctors.
• There is continued flight from rural villages.
• Alaska faces the prospect of reduced federal dollars from Washington, D.C.
  

“Alaska’s challenges are significant, and there is much that needs to be done right now.  Our Governor should remember that her primary job is to work on behalf of the citizens of Alaska, not engage in partisan politics in other states,” Higgins said. “Governing is more than creating photo ops.  We’d like a commitment that the Governor is working, not just scheduling media appearances.”

Enough is enough.  Palin is derelict in her duties as governor.  Time to get out the buttons that say “Where’s Sarah?”  There were plenty made last spring during the session.  I think someone needs to challenge her permanent fund check…she hasn’t been in the State enough.

Alaskans for Truth are now an official Political Action Committee. Yep, we’re a grown up group. We need you. Alaskans for Truth has demanded truth from our administration and we need your help. Go to our website. Support the cause. This is not an anti-Palin group, this is pro-truth. Truth about abuses in our government. Truth in how our elections are counted. Truth that fuels power to the people. If you want to know who we are, read Gryph’s take.  If you want to see us in action, brace yourself.

Sign up for action alerts.

Donate if you can.

Pay attention…really.

Like it’s not bad enough. I’ve been hearing loons talk about secession up here my whole life. In Alaska, the three top ballot seats: President, Senate and House of Representatives, have candidates on the ballot from the secessionist Alaska Independent Party. In two of the three, the AIP holds at least 4% of the vote. The felonious Ted Stevens looks like he has convinced over a hundred thousand Alaskans what he couldn’t convince 12 jurors of a few weeks ago.

Now, Keith Olbermann has the temerity to ask if it’s too late to sell Alaska back to the Russians. Repeatedly. America’s liberal boy-wonder is breaking up with me. He’s not the only one suggesting putting Alaska up on eBay, but I can only handle one break up at a time. Consider this partner counseling; the circle of truth; the trust tree.*

I’m like many Alaskans, just not the one you’ve been forced to get to know lately. I know what newspapers I read. I know Africa is NOT a country. I know Stephen Harper is the Prime Minister of Canada, and I know he has T.V. perfect hair. I know who makes up NAFTA – which I thought was a crock when it passed. My favorite birthday present this year was the return of Habeas Corpus in a 5-4 US Supreme Court decision on June 12^th.

I’ve never been to New York City, but I wanted to puke in my mouth watching the Republican National Convention’s “9/11 Tribute to Fear.” I wasn’t born in the 60’s, but I know what race baiting is. I know the public executions of JFK, Malcolm X, MLK, and RFK-all in a five year span-drove the American progressive movement into a coma for nearly 40 years. A once empowered, liberal generation sat like Terry Schiavo watching balloons float by; Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush I, Bush II. Wars, the corporate job-exporting economy, the perilous environment, expanded human rights violations, erosion of civil rights, The US Constitution compromised; none of it registered due to blunt force trauma on the American psyche.

Barack Obama’s voice blends many of those faint martyred messages cut short; human rights, hope, justice, peace, change. His inspirational urgency moved a generation politically paralyzed to stand up again. New generations learned to walk, on their own power, to change their futures. This promise is precarious. People my mother’s age hold their breath, pray he is safe, and bravely look forward from a painful past. I know, it takes one lone crazy, living in the apartment over his grandma’s garage; walls covered with “Pin-up Palin” shots who doesn’t need much more than a wink, a “pallin’ around with terrorists”, and her silence while “supporters” answered “terrorist!” and “kill him!” to her question of “Who is Barack Obama?” Even now, she’s still talking about “associations.”

I was born here, Sarah Palin was not. I don’t have a fabricated “Fargo” accent that sounds like I make casseroles with tater tots and mushroom soup. Many brilliant, artistic, articulate and cultured citizens call Alaska home. On November 4^th, you got to shake your shoes of our Governor. You sleep easier now. Gone are the train wreck fantasies that kept you up at night; a 3am phone call and she, a heart beat away from the “nukular” codes. You now invest casual interest as you would a People magazine while waiting for dental work. BUT, SHE’S BACK HERE AND READY TO RULE!

Progressive Alaskans have a target on their backs for speaking out about her archaic philosophies and faith-based policies. January’s 2009 Legislative Session may see a bill allowing the aerial hunting of the exotic, but endangered species; “Alaskan Liberal.” I have a public creed of “painting a red state blue, one stroke at a time,” and you’re dumping me, Keith? Really?

Many suffer from PTSD-Post Traumatic Sarah Disorder. It comes with a long list of political collateral damage and shrapnel wounds. The McCain-Palin campaign sent Belmont level horsepower to Alaska to throw the Governor’s “enemies” under the Straight Talk Express Bus. NYC would have spit; Alaska gagged and swallowed.

This afternoon, the AP just called Alaska’s Senate race for Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. But for two weeks, it looked like we elected a felon. Ted Stevens has been a senator since before I was born. People here are torn between nostalgia and history. No matter where you travel in-state, you bump into establishments named after him; The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport; Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute; Ted and Catherine Stevens Center for Science and Technology Education and the Stevens Family Chalet at the Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage. Many can’t imagine Alaska without him, but I can!

I can imagine Ted making license plates wearing an orange jumpsuit! My friend, Phil, says Stevens’ punishment should be overseeing the re-naming of all his institutional namesakes. I’m a recovering commercial fisherman, and I know he sold us out. His confirmation of “conservative” judges paved the way for the recent Baker vs. Exxon case that robbed many Alaskan fishermen of damages incurred by the 1989 Valdez Oil Spill. The R.A.T.S. (Roberts, Alito, Thomas, and Scalia) saw fit to cap the award at ten cents on the dollar after 19 years. Translation to Exxon: four days profit for environmental terrorism-the cost of doing business. Translation to Alaskans: F*@# YOU! Bend over, we’re driving.

The only thing Uncle Ted liked better than the Patriot Act was the Military Commissions Act. His “Incredible Hulk” tie trumped the Constitution more than once. I broke up with him a long time ago. Do I seem bitter?

Mark Begich is Senate seat-worthy. I begged him to run for higher office when he was a weekly guest on my local radio show. I called him the “Fairy-God Mayor” for making many of my municipal dreams come true. During one of our weekly chats, I asked the Mayor what he liked on his pizza. (I have a secret theory people order up their life like they do pizza.) He said, “Oh, just put it all on there. If I don’t like something, I’ll pick it off.” I loved that answer; low maintenance and not afraid to try it all. (BTW, according to my theory, if you don’t like pizza you may need some hotline help.)

Part of wanting Mark to run for higher office was nostalgia for his father’s brilliant political career tragically cut short. Congressman Nick Begich was lost in a plane crash with Louisiana Congressman Hale Boggs in October of 1972. A few weeks later, though presumed dead, Congressman Begich beat his challenger Don Young by 12.4%. A special election was then called which Don Young won. He still holds the seat today.

Truth be told, I wanted a Begich to take the seat back from Don Young, who squandered it. Seeing Mark Begich take the Senate seat has more historic healing for many old time Alaskans than seeing Stevens retain it.

Not to get too “professor” on you, Keith (think hair up, glasses, short skirt, high heels. Oh wait, never mind!) I want you to know what you’re ready to cut loose.

First Alaskans thrived in a frozen land for thousands of years and left no foot print. In 1867, Russia gave you a hell of a deal at 1.9 cents an acre. The Klondike Gold Rush was a quick pay back, and gave Charlie Chaplin some great material.

The last shot of the Civil War was fired by the CSS Shenandoah on June 23, 1865, 10 weeks after Lee’s surrender. Go figure, it was in Alaskan waters and CSN Captain, James Waddell hadn’t heard the War was over. That was awkward.

Homesteading pioneers farmed, fished and flourished. In 1922, a Tlingit Chief, Charlie Jones was jailed for voting. His protest gave way to Native Alaskans getting the right to vote two years before Native Americans. In 1944, years before the civil rights movement in the States, Roberta Schenck, a Native woman refused to budge from her seat in the “White’s Only” section of a movie theatre in Nome. She was dragged out and jailed. Schenck was Alaska’s Rosa Parks. Because of her bravery and the moving testimony of Elizabeth Peratrovich, on Feb. 16, 1945, Territorial Governor Ernest Gruening signed an anti-discrimination law. Against the argument that the law would not eliminate discrimination, Peratrovich said, “Do your laws against larceny and even murder eliminate those crimes?”

We decriminalized abortion before Roe vs. Wade. Our privacy laws are the strongest in the country. A man told me he moved here after studying the Alaska Constitution at law school; it could have been Section 22 that allowed Alaskans the right to possess marijuana.

During WWII the Japanese occupied the Alaska islands of Kiska and Attu for almost two years. Because of the harsh conditions endured, frost bite became worthy of a Purple Heart. 1958, the Inupiat Village of Point Hope protested the nuclear detonation of Project Chariot to create a port on the North Slope. As a “thank you,” the Federal Government transported and buried the contamination from the 1962 Nevada Test Site to the Chariot location. Cancer rates among villagers are staggering. Where’s Erin Brockovich when we need her? In 1988, Homer, Alaska voted to officially become a “Nuclear Free Zone” in response to proposed nuclear subs. That same town — my home town — 20 years later, had the only known “spontaneous” Obama headquarters in the country. You’re welcome, Keith.

Alaska is one of the best things about America. We are the last frontier. What once was wild in America still is here. I still catch my breath; the northern lights over Denali can trump a full moon; a phosphorescent glow in the wake of my row boat; bears fishing salmon out of Brooks Falls; glaciers bigger than cruise ships.

It’s wrong to be hard on you for not knowing Alaskans aren’t all Palinbots. After the last week or so, it would be fair to wonder if we suffer from Reality Deficit Disorder when it comes to Ted Stevens and the Rule of Law. It’s easy to want to knock sense into my neighbors who have ignored our history; so rich with strength, true with characters, and patriotism that deserves to be called American.

The progressive history of Alaska is buried under the “new” wave of oil workers and rapture watchers. McChurches promise to Super Size your Jesus. They haven’t noticed the miracle of “curing a gay guy” wasn’t mentioned in the works of Christ. Sarah Palin cut the red ribbon and the prayer asked God’s blessing on “all those who enter” the Wasilla Wal-Mart. I hope God does bless those who work there; they’ll need it since they have no health benefits.

Women with “the bigger the hair the closer to God” up-do, line up to live the American dream of buying flag lapel pins and sequined “I Heart America” t-shirts made by un-aborted children in China. They punctuate their purchase with a personalized credit card owned by a company in Abu Dhabi. Men drive by in the newest “Ford Compensator 350”, towing a trailer loaded with ATVs. Rush Limbaugh blaring when the Lee Greenwood CD gets too teary; something about “Where at least I know I’m free.” Yellow ribbon magnets claim to support the troops; the same troops who are fighting to make sure the gallon of gas moving him all of 9.4 miles, stays cheaper than a latte.

I too, through my elitist patriotic lens, mock them. I realize how easy it has been to see a regressive, fundamentalist, socially-crippled Alaska. I get it, the jokes have written themselves; in Braille, smoke signals, etch-a-sketch. Alaska has issues galore; who doesn’t? Are you going to break up with Kentucky as well?

So, Mr. Olbermann and others (you know who you are, Bill Maher), before you break up with Alaska, let’s have a reality check. The known examples of Alaskan Spirit have vaporized in the wake of the “Great White Shopper from the North.” I hate to think “That Woman” would come between us. But the truth is, we are what America used to be. We are the Oregon Train with iPods. We are Lewis and Clark with hybrid snowmachines. We are Sacagawea with a Garmin. We are Yellowstone on steroids. We are Davy Crockett with a helicopter. (OK, I’ve gone too far.)

Not to play the blame game, but in the spirit of transparency you only get in therapy*, the colonization of your 49^th State by Global Enterprise has gone largely unnoticed. Again, not your fault, Northern Exposure was filmed in Washington State. We could use some help fighting to insure the wild Salmon runs of Bristol Bay stay pristine against the Pebble Mine. Your aid would be appreciated in keeping our wolves and bears safe from aerial “hunting.” And were your voices lifted with ours in a message to Exxon, maybe our fishermen would have been able to maintain their industry despite an environmental disaster.

Keith. I can call you Keith, right? It would be easier to hear your rejection if you hadn’t kept many Alaskans sane with your “You, Sir” rants. Bill Maher’s New Rules encourage me to write my own. Chris Matthews exhausts me with explanation, but I get it. Rachel Maddow is still talking to us…she’s strangely fascinated. But you — Sir — are singled out as chief dumper. It’s only fair. I was getting ready to go to Anchorage’s Election Central, when I heard your voice break slightly; Barack Obama was the projected 44^th President of the United States. I realized I’d held my breath for 8 years. I cried; in relief, in triumph, for hope, for healing, for history. I felt American.

“You, Sir” took many politically battered, Alaskans; your American brothers and sisters through a keyhole in time. Since then, “You, Sir” keep on the queries of how to dump Alaska every time Sarah Palin stumbles. “You, Sir” should kick Russia’s ass if they even look cross at us. (Well, talk to them first…then get our back.) “You, Sir” are joking, and to an extent, so am I.

We should make up. I’d like that.

We need your help, your respect and maybe some flowers.

*think: Will Farrell’s therapy scene in Old School.

]]> http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2008/11/19/keith-olbermann-broke-up-with-me/feed/ 51 shannon moore keithshanny3-copy http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/ted-stevens-birthday-present-looks-like-a-new-senator/ http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/ted-stevens-birthday-present-looks-like-a-new-senator/#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:18:21 +0000 shannynmoore http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/?p=869 ]]>

The end of the 40 year Stevens reign is over.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Stevens.

Happy Independence Day, Alaska!

Mark Begich released the following statement following the count:
“I am humbled and honored to serve Alaska in the United States Senate,” Begich said. “It’s been an incredible journey getting to this point, and I appreciate the support and commitment of the thousands of Alaskans who have brought us to this day. I can’t wait to get to work fighting for Alaskan families.”

This just in from Bethany Lesser:

With the final ballots counted for the day, just wanted to clarify what happens next.

At this point, the majority of the total ballots have been counted. Mark Begich is up by 3,724 (Begich – 150,728, Stevens – 147,004), according to the Division of Elections. Approximately 2,500 overseas ballots remain outstanding, but Stevens would need more votes than that to change the outcome of the Alaska Senate Race.

As part of the standard process for the Division of Election’s certification process, the State Review Board is also meeting today to conduct a hand count of 40 randomly selected precincts to confirm totals from the machine counts. These precincts represent at least 5 percent of each district’s voters from the general election on Election Day. They will also hand count absentee and question ballots from 2 districts each for verification as well.

Target certification will be the week of December 1, as soon as the State Review Board has completed their review the director certifies the election.
With the margin of 3,724 votes, the likelihood of a recount has been reduced, since it would have to be paid for by the Stevens campaign. The only time there is an automatic recount is when there is a tie. If the final vote is within 0.5 percent, a recount can be requested, and the state will cover the bill. If the final vote is more than 0.5 percent (+/- 1,600), a campaign can request a recount, but would have to pay for it. A recount may be applied for within 5 days of certification, by either the defeated candidate or 10 members of the defeated candidate’s party. If a recount application is filed immediately, the Division of Elections must commence within five days of receipt of an application. A recount is done by machine in Juneau for the entire state, and would take approximately 3 – 5 days.

If democracy were a religion, voting would be the sacrament.

I grew up in what I call “The First Free-Range Organic Christian Church of Homer.” Sundays brought a message, fellowship, and a line of repentant souls taking communion-a remembrance of sacrifice.

The first time I cast my vote, it struck me as similar. The blood shed for my right to stand at a flag draped table and make my choice part of the collective wasn’t lost on me. I had one of those “Come to Jesus” moments and in 20 years I haven’t missed an opportunity to vote. Unlike Christ, the idea of democracy has never shed a drop of blood; patriots did. The same can be said of the suffragettes. Unlike the sacrament celebrated in religious ritual, elections should not be faith-based. The framers never intended our government to be run on trust; hence the myriad of checks and balances. “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

Election integrity is not about restoring faith in the system. Checks and balances are. When we vote, the agreement we all make is we cast our ballots for candidates who may not be the victor. We know that. Taking the risk of voting for a loser only works if you have confidence the process is beyond reproach. It is equally vital the winning candidate have an agreement the citizenry will follow their lead. Leadership can only be ordained if the people know their votes counted.

The past eight years have shown us the result of questioned elections. After election disasters in Florida and Ohio, a good portion of the country didn’t agree George W. Bush was legitimate. I know people who refused to call him President Bush because of the suspected election fraud.

Alaska has a rich history of questionable elections. 2008 has been no different. Anomalies prompt people to scratch their heads and watch just a little closer. From some reactions, you would have thought asking a question was “unpatriotic.” After reporting on the 2004 Election tampering, and knowing full well it was questionable, I wondered what this year’s ballots would tell us. Apparently, Alaskans have completely changed their “voting habits” to include: a mail-in preference, cross-ballot voting, and finally, registering to vote and then not showing up. Alaska headlines are screaming “record turnout!” But in truth, our percentage of voter turnout is still lower than our average historical Presidential election records show. So what? Does that mean we shouldn’t ask questions and get answers about reconciliation? As Americans we pledge to hold our leaders accountable; why wouldn’t we start by holding the process of elections to the highest levels of integrity.

The day after the election I was in contact with both the Begich and Berkowitz campaigns. I’ve been in very close contact with the Alaska Democratic Party which has filed Public Records Requests. Experts from around the country are more than happy to answer questions or to mull over possible explanations to the election anomalies. People much smarter than I are paying attention, and are asking their own questions. A reporter I’ve bumped into for several years called today. He wanted to know if I thought the current vote count in Alaska was still “stinky.” Another local asked if I thought the process was now legitimized since Begich was now leading Stevens. ARE YOU SERIOUS??? That my questions would hinge on partisanship is insulting and indicates a complete lack of understanding. Anyone who thinks we don’t need a more transparent election process because their candidate is in the lead is a pathetic partisan hack. Anyone who believes election integrity is a “fringe” issue mocks those who have died to either earn the right to vote or protect it.  I became a voter registrar in February of this year. To want to count only votes cast for my party of choice is vulgar. Not watching the referee calls when your team is winning is to invalidate the game.

So do I still smell the mudflats? Yes. Do I know what the source of stench is? No. Could it be the late wafts coming off the 2004 election? Possibly. What I know most certainly is this: voting is a sacred right; a remembrance of those who fought hard and shed blood for a bulletproof idea. Guarding the integrity of elections is essential to our democracy and anything less is blasphemy.

Show up. Ask questions.

Every vote counts.

I wore an orange revolution shirt. Ha. I look like I’m strait off the Oz set. Funny. Rachel has been great about getting Alaskans on to talk about the issues here. Rachel is fabulous.

News just in from Leslie Ridle…If you want to watch the returns on the official website, Click Here.

UPDATE 7:53PM AST — BEGICH NOW AHEAD BY 814 VOTES

At the DOE tonight, the end count for the day showed Begich 814votes ahead.

“I’ve always said that this would be a close race. After watching the votes today, I remain cautiously optimistic. As I have said before, we ran an aggressive campaign, especially when it came to early voting and absentee. From what we’re seeing, thousands of Alaskans, like me, did come out and vote early. I’m confident that Alaskans, like the rest of the country, want a new direction in Washington , and ultimately that will be reflected in the results.”

– Mark Begich

While Georgia has moved to a run off, Minnesota is knee deep in a recount. Alaska is still trying to get the votes counted. Save the jokes. No, they don’t come in on dog sled.

Today a third of the remaining 30% of the votes are now being counted. The race has narrowed to a 814 vote margin, with Mayor Begich ahead. This has the Ted Steven’s camp missing the 3533 vote margin they enjoyed this morning. Begich: 132,196 at 47.41% and Stevens:131,382 at 47.24%. There are still about 40,000 votes to count. The Alaska Independence Party Candidate Bob Bird is sitting with 4.12%.

Ethan Berkowitz has gained 2% in his race with Don Young. Should this trend continue, the race could tighten up more than has been reported. Berkowitz was polling consistently between 6 and 12 points ahead of Young. Current standing has Young at 50.66%, Berkowitz at 44.71, and the Alaskan Independence Candidate Don Wright at 4.39%.

Updating here as the numbers come in. I think both sides can say the Alaska Independence Party wins as “the spoiler.”

Alaska is still reporting less votes than the 2004 election. The McCain/Palin ticket still holding at about 61% and Obama/Biden at 37%. No real change from election night 2008 or 2004.

It doesn’t bother me to have fundamental differences with people. If it did, I’d never get out of bed. The person I most respected growing up, my Pop, was and is a conservative ideologue. I’m crazy about him. Disagreeing with facts is fair and healthy. Arguing from a place lacking intellectual curiosity is quite another as nothing is learned nor gained.

Since my first post questioning the voter turnout and other anomalies in Alaska’s election, I’ve been accused of all sorts of things. I have been misquoted in the Anchorage Daily News. They claimed I wrote the election was “stolen.” I wrote “Stolen Election in Alaska?” It wasn’t the word, it was the punctuation.

But there is good reason to be concerned. A lawsuit filed in 2006 in State Superior Court to release the Diebold GEMS Software from 2004 revealed the database had been tampered with. Unfortunately, the user log-in and password were set to the default settings so it was impossible to tell who had edited the software numerous times post election, since all entries were made by “administrator” with password: “password”. So it’s not too outrageous for anybody to believe it’s important, this time, to pay very close attention to the results of last Tuesday’s election…

Since Election Day, the votes have been rolling in to the Division of Elections. They are now reporting 90,635 ballots remaining to be counted; nearly 29 percent(28.8%) of the total vote has not been counted yet.

Though closer to the total votes cast in 2004, the turnout percentage is still down from that election in which neither our own Governor nor Barack Obama were running. The total ballot count is at 314,268, with turnout at 63.3% (registered voters = 495,731). Turnout in the 2004 General was 66.6%, with 314,502 voting and 472,160 registered voters statewide. If 100% of the
requested mail-out ballots are returned in time to be counted, we can expect about 3600 more.

I’m proud of the Alaskan mail in voters. They really have shown up this year. All the evelope licking and stamping, well, it’s impressive. So far, 92% of those who requested absentee ballots have returned them! Fantastic! You betcha. I wonder what GOTV worked so well since the 2004 was dismal. A total of 58,559 absentee ballots were mailed to voters and 32,075 were returned by the Election Day deadline in 2004. That was a pitiful 54%. I’m hard pressed to figure out why there is a 38 point difference in voter participation in the absentee ballots while the poll voter turnout was down.

Monday’s newly posted ballots [PDF] include about 4,000 additional “Questioned” [elsewhere known as "provisional"] ballots and about 5,600 additional Absentee ballots. Wednesday, the Division of Elections (DOE) plans to count the majority of early vote and absentee ballots that were verified by Election Day. The DOE plans to count the remaining ballots on Friday. However, there could be enough ballots left after Wednesday’s count for any of the races to still go either way. A public records request
has been submitted to the Division of Elections, as per many of the recommendations laid out by Brad Friedman, for a number of important pieces of information that are required so that citizens of all parties may try to ensure an accurate reconciliation of all votes cast.

All camps; Ted Stevens and Mark Begich in the Senate race, and Don Young and Ethan Berkowitz in one of the House races with the strangest results, are still at work. Crunching numbers and refreshing the Alaska Elections website as often as possible. It feels like 2000 Bush-Gore around here.

On the state-side races, leadership positions are being divvied up and plans going forward for the session in January. But polling showed huge differences in at least 5 of the state House races, and with 29% of the votes still UNCOUNTED, it seems prudent to give it some time.

Between the hanging chads in Florida, long lines and lost voters in Ohio, the tampered software in Alaska, and the increasingly long list of all-too-regular election “irregularities,” it’s time for a change. It’s time for a new cabinet level position. Why shouldn’t we consider a Secretary of Election Integrity? We must find a way to insure the basic right of Americans to vote, to have that vote counted and to have it counted accurately and transparently, so that everyone – all political parties and citizens alike — can know that it actually meant something.

You don’t have to be a coroner to smell a corpse. Alaska needs an election autopsy STAT. The stench persists. When Democracy’s infected, there is nothing benign about it. I know Alaska. I know we keep voting for self-professed corrupt bastards. I know it took the FBI to start scrubbing the corruption out of our state legislature. I sat through the trials of men who had sold their votes cheap to big oil. My candidate rarely wins, but I always vote. That said, Alaska’s average presidential election voter turnout is 66.7%. With the exception of Bush-Gore and Bush-Kerry we have known who the President Elect was BEFORE OUR POLLS CLOSE. You betcha, and we still vote in healthy numbers.

Nationally, I get it. You have Palin Fatigue Syndrome. You’re starting to think, “You know that 49th State? Let’s put it on ebay.” Wait. Remember the dream of a filibuster proof majority? It’s not an Ambian haze; we’re three contested seats away! Take a deep breath, hold your nose, and help Alaska, Georgia, and Minnesota find their votes. This is not a tin foil hat activity; just math and uncommon sense. This is not a matter to litigate post mortem; Democracy requires vigilance.  Alaskans have been bitching about election fraud for years and there are law suits to prove it. The Republicans whining about ACORN seemed like Jeffery Dahmer complaining about a burnt hamburger.

In Alaska, the last two presidential elections were decided by the exact same margin of victory; 61-36. The only difference was the number of votes; more Alaskans voted for George W Bush-Dick Cheney in 2004 than Sarah Palin-John McCain in 2008. Initially there were only 49,000 votes left to count. Now there are 74,527 outstanding ballots. Curious. Even still-this year’s turnout is still smaller than the election of 2004 by 6.1%. Hhhhhhmmmm. I would have to smoke more than Salmon to believe that Alaska, with Palin on the ballot, decided to sit this one out.

Relevant Facts:

1) The 1,700% increase in the Democratic Caucus in

2) 20,991 newly registered voters

3) The three largest political rallies in Alaska’s history were held in September and October.

4) Early voters set an historic record. 25,000 Alaskans showed up to vote early in 2008 vs 11,000 in 2004; an increase of 127%!

5) 12.4% more Alaskans showed up for the August primary as compared to four years ago, before the Palin nomination.

6) The average Presidential Election turnout since we started keeping records is 66.7%. The 2008 Alaska voter turnout (including the uncounted 74,527 ballots) is 60.1%. THE LOWEST GENERAL TURN OUT save Clinton/Dole 96’.

7) The Lower 49 had a record voter turnout this year.

8.) 80% of Alaskans approved of Sarah Palin just two months ago.

9) Anchorage Daily News front page on Election Day: Personnel Board Exonerates Palin She flew home to vote with Alaskans.

10) An unprecedented 16 point come-from-behind lead for Congressman Don Young over challenger Ethan Berkowitz.

11) Ted Stevens trial coverage and 7 felony convictions.

12) Don Young under investigation; spending over $1Million on legal fees this year.

So, with that…sorry, I forgot to give you a clothespin. I have more faith in my friends and neighbors. I know they don’t always agree with me, but they do vote. America, before you break up with Alaska, crown us with El Presidente Palin. Let the “Drill, Baby, Drill” chant become our new anthem. Know this: We need you. You need us. Progressive Alaskans are an endangered species, and should be treated as such. I am fighting for what seem to be Alaskan votes; but they are American votes. You need them.

Something stinks. Not just an ordinary low tide smell. Not like something you’d blame on the dog. It smells like an infection. For me to plug my nose, I’d have to overlook some curious facts.

In Alaska, more people voted for George W. Bush in 2004 than for Sarah Palin on Tuesday despite an identical 61-36 margin of victory. Yes. Only four years ago 54,304 Alaskans got off their sofas and voted for Bush, but decided to sit home and not vote for Palin in 2008. In turn, I have to ignore the 30,520 Alaskans who felt progressive enough in 2004 to vote for John Kerry, but weren’t inspired to vote for Barack Obama. I would have to glance past the 1,700% increase in the Democratic caucus in February, the 20,991 newly registered voters, and the three largest political rallies in Alaska’s history. I would also have to forget the people I stood in a long line with to early vote. It would be helpful not to know every other presidential election since Alaska began keeping records has had a larger turn out than the one we just had with our own Governor on the ticket. Try not to remember 12.4% more Alaskans showed up for the August primary as compared to four years ago, before the Palin nomination. Don’t think about the Lower 49’s record voter turn out this year either. Try to delete the memory file, though difficult, that 80% of us approved of Sarah Palin just two months ago.

Something stinks. You don’t care? Obama won. Yes. He. Did! Free at Last! Wait. Democracy demands all of the votes be counted…if you can find them.

In the balance hangs the fate of Alaska’s Senate and House seats. We still don’t know if we have elected the now convicted felon Ted Stevens, or Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. We still don’t know if Don Young and his million dollar legal problems will defeat former State Representative Ethan Berkowitz and his dreams of Washington DC. Alaska hasn’t had Democrat representation in Congress since Mike Gravel lost his senate seat in 1980.

Four years ago, 313,592 out of 474,740 registered voters in Alaska participated in the election-a 66% turnout. Taking into account 49,000 outstanding ballots, on Tuesday 272,633 out of 495,731 registered Alaskans showed up at the polls; a turnout of 54.9%. That’s a decrease of more than 11% in voter turnout even though passions ran high for and against Barack Obama, as well as for and against Sarah Palin! This year, early voters set a new record. As of last Thursday, with 4 days left to vote early, 15,000 Alaskans showed up-shattering the old record set in 2004 by 28%! Consider the most popular governor in history-and now the most polarizing-was on the Republican ticket. Consider the historic nature of this race; the first African American presidential candidate EVER! The second woman to ever make a presidential ticket; and she’s one of our own. Despite that, we’re supposed to believe that overall participation DECREASED by 11%. Not only that, but this historic election both nationally and for Alaska HAD THE LOWEST ALASKA TURNOUT FOR A PRESIDENTIAL RACE EVER!!! That makes sense. REALLY??? Something stinks.

But wait, there’s more…

Pre election polls had both Mark Begich-D and Ethan Berkowitz-D solidly beating incumbents Senator Ted Stevens and Congressman Don Young by at least 6-10 points. Stevens is currently ahead by 3,353 votes with 49,000 ballots left to count. Berkowitz, however, is behind by 16,887 votes; a 51-43 margin.

Are we to believe Don Young came from an 8 point average polling deficit to win by 8 points-a whopping 16 point turnaround??? Remember how historic the pundits thought Hillary Clinton’s come from behind New Hampshire Primary victory was? She trailed Barack Obama by 9% in the pre primary polls and ended up winning by 2 points. It was called the most “stunning comeback in political history.” On Election Night, Don Young topped Hillary Clinton’s startling and unprecedented comeback.

Furthermore, there were nearly three thousand Alaskans, (2,783) that voted yet left the hotly contested congressional race blank. In the highly publicized senate race, complete with a nationally covered trial that ended with seven felony convictions for the incumbent, 1,392 Alaskans submitted a ballot and failed to register a vote in the senate race. I’m not sure statistically what that means, but it strikes me as odd that well over a thousand Alaskans would wait in long lines and not cast a vote in either the senate race or the congressional race-especially since there was only one ballot measure. In addition, this particular election had an extra high degree of local interest with Governor Palin on the national stage.

McCain-Palin was ahead in Alaska pre election polling by as much as 55-40. The Haysresearch Poll that came out Sunday indicated that gap had closed to 2.7 points! That poll was certainly consistent with Palin’s reverse meteoric fall in popularity within the state of Alaska. In that same Haysresearch Poll released on November 2, Question 2 addressed Governor Palin’s positive-negative rating. 11% of Alaskans surveyed said their opinion of Palin had become more positive while 37% indicated they were more negative towards Palin. Yesterday’s vote contradicts those polls. McCain-Palin won Alaska 61-36! A 25 POINT SPREAD!!! An identical point spread as the 2004 Election.

Alaska has certainly had our share of election hanky panky. Check out this link to our 2004 election results. There are 40 districts in Alaska. The Anchorage area districts run from District 17-District 32. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and pick any district from 17-32. Pay particular attention to the 3rd column labeled % turnout. Hit the back arrow and select another district. There are more precincts with voter turnout over 100% than under 100%. In other words, many more people voted in Anchorage area precincts than there were registered voters. Clearly, this is not possible.

In 2006, the Democrats filed a lawsuit against the Alaska Division of Elections to release public records needed to verify the 2004 election results. The Democrats also sought to have the Alaska Division of Elections release the raw data for the 2006 election. The State requested several deadline extensions and eventually refused to release the “central tabulator data file” taken from the Diebold-supplied computer used to run the “GEMS” (Global Election Management Software) application. A lawsuit was filed in Superior Court seeking release of the records. The Court eventually forced the State to release the 2004 database. The software was found to contain hundreds of edits after the 2004 election, including as late as July of 2006, prior to the release of the data.

With all that history, and the bizarre anomalies in polling and voting and reports from the field of ballots not being scanned on-site due to broken machines, could this election have been stolen?

The world is watching Alaska’s US Senate race. When President-Elect Barack Obama is sworn in on January 20, he will be greeted by a Senate with at least 57 Democrats-three shy of a filibuster-proof majority. And, there are still three hotly contested US Senate races that are too close to call; Georgia, Minnesota and Alaska. Just when we thought we were out of the national spotlight…

I’ve always said if Democracy was a religion, voting would be the sacrament. I’m wondering if someone stole the body and blood of this election. I’m wondering if the wine isn’t poisoned. Take a few whiffs. Breathe deeply. See if you don’t come to the same conclusion. Where are the votes? Something stinks at the Alaska Division of Elections.

SEE UPDATED ELECTION INFORMATION STORY

Here are two other great sources:

Brad Friedman writes about this here

Nate Silver at fivethirtyeight.com writes about this here

Another brilliant video by my friend Frisbee.

This is crazy. The same people who cheerleaded the war want a tax break. What a bunch of free loaders. I was on a radio program earlier today, talking about election fraud. I keep reading posts threatening torches and pitchforks if the vote is stolen. Here’s an idea…a calm one. If the vote is stolen, we go on strike. No work, no school, no spending money. If they won’t let us play in our democracy, we won’t play in their economy. How long do you think that would last?
Is anyone relaxing yet?
My friend Max Blumenthal called me from Grant Park an hour ago. He said they expect a million people to attend. He said hope is in the air. I can almost smell it in Alaska.
Will we call the crop of celebratory babies born about 40 weeks from tonight “The Obama Boomers.”

A two page letter from Sarah Palin’s doctor…yep, that’s it. Read it for yourself. Does she think this is releasing your medical records? That’s like saying a book report is the same as the book.
The letter was written by friend and doctor of Governor Palin. The 48-year-old doctor, Cathy Baldwin-Johnson was nominated by the Alaska Chapter of AAFP, which had presented her with the Alaska Family Physician of the Year award for 2001.” Letters of recommendation came from a variety of people, including the mayor of Wasilla and a commissioner for the state of Alaska.”

A few babies later…Dr. Cathy Baldwin-Johnson of Wasilla is a private practice family physician and the 2002 National Family Physician of the Year from the American Academy of Family Physicians. In 1999, Baldwin-Johnson co-founded and is the volunteer medical director of The Children’s Place, and since 2005 has served as a consultant and trainer on child abuse issues. Baldwin-Johnson graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine where she participated in the WWAMI Medical School program. Governor Palin appointed Baldwin-Johnson in May of 2007 to Alaska Health Care Strategies Planning Council.

This story just keeps getting weirder.

Last spring there was the big announcement of Sarah Palin’s 5th pregnancy. I’m pro choice, happy she was able to make whatever choice was best for her family. With her oldest child in the military, three more at home, and one on the way, she was getting quite a bit done. I would have wanted a nap and a spa, but that’s just me. In the last few weeks of her pregnancy she was flying all over the country. She flew to Washington D.C. then off to a conference of Republican Governors in Dallas. Her water broke in Texas. She decided to fly back to Alaska to have her 5th child that she knew had Downs Syndrome. She passed up some of the finest children’s hospitals in Dallas, Seattle and Anchorage. She flew several hours and then drove 50 miles to her home town and had her baby. I admire her ability to hold a child in during all those hours and miles above the Earth while she was in labor. I’m impressed with her staunch Alaskan loyalty to deliver her baby on Native Soil. Her explanation of coming home while in labor was a joke. No, a real one. “You can’t have a fish picker from Texas,” said Todd Palin. But had I been traveling on the way to take a loved one off life support, or attend a wedding, or job interview, or any of the other major life events that we commute on planes for, and was diverted by a woman who knowingly got on board after her water broke, I may not admire her uterine control so much. Her lack of judgment for fellow passengers seems obvious, but for someone who is so “pro-life” it seems reckless.

The two page report from Palin’s doctor is an example of how she keeps a promise to “release her medical records.” Just think what she would do to uphold her oath to the Constitution.