YES!  This email went all across the country today.  How much “killing” can they mention to stop health care reform? Good Lord, what are they really calling for?

As in VOTE YES ON CLOTURE!  VOTE YES to do that all-American activity known as DEBATE!  Vote YES to DEBATE the health care bill.  The radical right across the country and IN THIS TOWN, have been inciting their rabid right-wing base!

Please call Senator Begich AND Senator Murkowski as soon as you can and urge them BOTH to vote YES!  Murkowski is voting NO!  She wants to stifle DEBATE!!!  The vote will be tonite at 8pm EST/ 4pm AST!

Senator Begich 202-224-3004

Senator Murkowski 202-224-6665

Please drop me a comment or an email and let me know you made that call!

Vitamin Democracy starts with YOU!

Sure, it’s a guess…but a damn good one.  This Friday, Mayor Dan Sullivan will cross the picket line at the ONLY boycotted hotel in Alaska for his “unity” dinner.  In May, the Hilton workers overwhelmingly voted to place their hotel under boycott because their employer degrades their quality of life.  Make no mistake, the media war being waged against the unions is partisan politics as usual. With all the vitriol against former Mayor, now Senator Mark Begich, I wonder if we aren’t seeing the opening salvo of a future “Sully” run for Senate.

Yesterday, Assemblyman Bill Starr released some serious allegations against Senator Begich.  Bill Starr alleges Begich was part of a cover-up conspiracy to put the city in the hole in order to get the union contracts signed.  An attorney just released an opinion stating the contracts are invalid.  The attorney was hired by Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander for $5,000; an amount not needing approval by the assembly. He has admitted to not having any expertise in employment or labor union law.  Sources say the city has been billed for an additional $12,000. The unions rejected Mayor Sullivan’s proposal to cut their hours

Their conversation was laced with vulgarity and Mr. Starr had some nasty things to say about the police union.

In the first part of the recording, Coffey and Starr discussed raising money for their favorite “conservative” candidates. They were doling it out $250 at a time to “show they cared.” In the case of Dick Traini, who was running for re-election, it would be used as leverage to ensure Traini voted the way they wanted him to.  After the tape went public, Coffey claimed it was just a joke.  They referred to Dan Sullivan as “Sully” and were giving him money to hold.  Funny joke.

In another section of the recording, Starr was mad the Anchorage Police Department’s union (APDEA) wasn’t endorsing him. Starr had supported a shooting range, but had been against them driving their police cars home to the Valley at night.

Mr. Starr:  “…You go my way or the freeway, you know. Here’s–I got a call from Del Smith today and I’m going to tell those sons-of-bitches to fuck themselves…”

Mr. Coffey: “...down on the mudflats…and up your ass…”

Wow, Mr. Starr…Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?  When the “butt dial” recording went viral, you told us your own voice and words caught on tape weren’t true…so why would anything you say now be gospel? You have been a muppet for Dan Coffey and Dan Sullivan for years.  Your contempt for the unions is articulated in your own words.  Your willingness to compromise the truth for “Team Dan” is evident. Your family values seem a little fetish.

“Sully’s” aspirations for higher office are obvious.  You would think a man with such dreams would be more cautious.  No recent mayor had ever taken a paycheck for the period of time between the election certification and the swearing in…until now.  It’s wasteful spending to pay TWO mayors at one time.  Dan Sullivan took a paycheck (check #710638) for $12,115.20 for a period of time HE WASN’T WORKING.  We were already paying Matt Claman to be acting mayor.  It’s not illegal to take a paycheck for not doing any work…because no one in recent history had ever pulled that stunt…until Mayor Sullivan.  My advice to the Assembly? Tighten that little loop hole. Now there’s a conspiracy you can believe in.

As mayor, Sullivan is “cracking down on wasteful spending.”  He’s pulled the city employee credit cards and made a lot of press doing it.  That’s fabulous…now how about you, Mayor Sullivan?   Leading by example is always a good start.  Though Sullivan is a minor owner (10%) of a local pub, he has, on at least three occasions, been reimbursed for dining there on city business.

PRO0685047 9/2/2009    MCGINLEYS PUB   Working lunch with staff member,  DAN SULLIVAN   $61.50
PRO0685047 9/2/2009    MCGINLEYS PUB   Working lunch with John Rodda,  DAN SULLIVAN   $31.50
PRO0682746 8/3/2009    MCGINLEYS PUB   Working Lunch with Assemblymember  DAN SULLIVAN   $30.50

Granted, not a huge amount of ownership or grand amount of money involved in the scheme of the city budget…it’s the HYPOCRISY!  Had Mayor Begich taken anyone to lunch at his wife’s establishment for a bowl of soup and been reimbursed by the city…well, it would have been a Depends moment for Sully, Coffey and Starr.

I find it ironic that the same people who say we are in “Obama’s recession” are the same ones blaming Anchorage’s financial condition on the previous mayor.  Funny thing; you never hear the dominant right wing radio jocks nor Mayor Sullivan mention the fact that the previous mayor, Mark Begich, inherited a deficit of $33 million from former Mayor George Wuerch. Unlike the current mayor, Mayor Begich didn’t complain about it-he just went to work.

Hey, fellas, when you’re done playing “Broke Bank Anchorage” and, “It’s all Mark Begich’s fault”, could you answer why “Sully” paid himself for doing nothing for six weeks?  Or why he demands pay cuts from the union employees but  not the city executives?  Or why is it OK for the mayor to dine at and receive reimbursement for an establishment he has an interest in?  Let us know when your next butt dial tape is coming out, OK? Thanks.

When you’ve got all that cleared up, maybe you could dig a little bit further and find out why the same speaker, Lynn Swann, hired for the “Mayor’s Unity Dinner” is also the headliner for a Republican fundraiser on the same day.  Hmmm…unity? What is unifying about a former Pittsburgh Steeler and Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate, with a $40,000 speaker fee? Oh, you meant partisan…easy mistake. It makes more sense that you’re holding it at a union-busting hotel now.  Something about all those “diverse” looking hotel workers not being paid a living wage must really “unify” your party.

Watch Those Hands, Mayor Family Values!

Here’s the newest facebook installment…posted Sunday evening. Keep in mind, as governor, Palin accepted 96% of the stimulus money.

Tomorrow begins an important week for Alaskans.

On Monday, state lawmakers will meet to override my veto of stimulus funds. As Governor, I did my utmost to warn our legislators that accepting stimulus funds will further tie Alaska to the federal government and chip away at Alaska’s right to chart its own course. Enforcing the federal building code requirements, which Governor Parnell and future governors will be forced to adopt in order to accept these energy funds, will eventually cost the state more than it receives. There are clear ropes attached, and Alaskans will soon find themselves tied down by codes which will dictate how we build and renovate homes and businesses. The state has hundreds of millions of dollars already budgeted for conservation, weatherization and renewable energy development. Legislators don’t need to play politics as usual and accept these funds and the ropes that come with them.

Also this week, Alaskans will join Senators Murkowski and Begich in town hall meetings to discuss the current health care legislation. There are many disturbing details in the current bill that Washington is trying to rush through Congress, but we must stick to a discussion of the issues and not get sidetracked by tactics that can be accused of leading to intimidation or harassment. Such tactics diminish our nation’s civil discourse which we need now more than ever because the fine print in this outrageous health care proposal must be understood clearly and not get lost in conscientious voters’ passion to want to make elected officials hear what we are saying. Let’s not give the proponents of nationalized health care any reason to criticize us.

- Sarah Palin

It must be weird to go from press conferences to facebook.

This following post was published May 21, 2009 after Palin’s veto. “Dude, Where’s My Governor’s Head”

Gov. Sarah Palin dropped the hammer today on $80 million from the state budget. Her cuts include the $28.6 million in federal stimulus money designated for energy relief. Even though Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage municipalities are already complying with the federal building codes, Palin turned money down for weatherization and energy assistance to avoid the building requirements statewide. The governor of Missouri, Jay Nixon, negotiated taking the money without a statewide code.

Alaska has the highest energy costs in the nation. Alaska has two seasons; winter and construction. Now would be the best time for window replacement, weatherization, etc.

In a “bring it on” move, Palin dared the legislature to over-ride her veto. I just spoke to a state legislature about the chances of a special session being called. It is possible, if not, the next session is January 2010.

Last fall, Governor Palin allocated $740 million in one time “energy bail-out” checks to every citizen in Alaska.

This year, $28.6 million is turned down.

Alaska loses.

Democratic Alaska Senator Mark Begich responded quickly, pointing out the hypocrisy of the Governor’s position, asking for earmarks and rejecting the stimulus.

“With Alaskans facing the highest energy prices in the nation, it’s disappointing that our governor is turning thumbs down on federal funding that could help our families and communities reduce their energy bills.

“The Republican-led Alaska Legislature determined that our state already meets the standards necessary to accept this funding. This notion about some onerous federal mandate seems to be little more than a political red herring targeted at an agenda other than Alaska’s.

“Of the more than nearly $5 billion in requests from Alaska communities and non-profits for federal funding my office has received so far this year, I’d estimate a third of them relate to reducing energy costs. My agenda will continue to be securing federal assistance to help Alaska families reduce their high cost of living.”

UPDATE FROM LES GARA:

“A few folks have been asking about whether the Governor’s Energy Fund Veto can be overridden. Here’s a quick tentative answer – I think it’s correct. It requires more research – but for folks who disagree with the Governor’s decision, calling for a veto override doesn’t, at this point, seem like an effective tool.

1. The Appropriations bill appropriated funds subject, I believe, to receipt from the Federal Government. We haven’t received those funds because the Governor hasn’t applied for them. So, she’s vetoed funds we don’t have. Overriding the veto won’t bring those funds to the state. The operative action needed from the Governor would be an application for the funds, which she has refused to submit. I think she is the only Governor in the nation to refuse to request these funds to date. Anyway, the Legislature can’t force her to do that, unless Congress amends the rules.

2. Bill Wielechowski’s Office did the most interesting research so far – last week. It seems that until the Governor formally notifies the President she will reject the federal funds, they can be applied for at a future point. The door’s not necessarily closed at this point. So, assuming this is correct, those who believe we should accept these funds should work to either keep the Governor from the fatal decision – an outright rejection letter to the President – or encourage her to be thoughtful in reconsidering her decision so she’ll make the application.

I personally think the following makes sense – and should have been done in the first place. The Governor’s agencies – presumably with her input since she’s head of the state’ agencies (AHFC and AEA) – proposed to spend the funds on a number of efforts. All $29 million could have instead been spent on building renewable energy projects around the state, to achieve this state’s renewable and diversified energy goals. It’s odd to have renewable energy goals, like the Governor announced in her Winter press conference, and to reject funds needed to build those projects. I would encourage folks to run this proposal by the Governor – one she of course could have proposed in the first place – and see if we can encourage her to accept the funds for these purposes, if she didn’t like the purposes her agencies proposed in the operating budget.”

Yes, President Obama’s birthday is today, and instead of clearing brush in Crawford, he WAS WORKING ON HEALTH CARE.

This just in from Ms. Hasquet:

“After meeting with President Obama today for nearly two hours, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich said health insurance reform is vital for America’s future and pledged to push for a Senate floor vote on the issue in September when Congress returns from its August recess.

Begich joined members of the Senate Democratic Caucus who met with the President for lunch at the White House today. The discussion, led by the President, focused on the need to reform the nation’s health insurance and health care systems.

“I hear horror stories nearly every day from Alaskans who can’t afford decent health care, are being rejected by insurance companies for pre-existing conditions or are fighting with insurance companies over their medical bills,” Begich said. “It’s simply unacceptable that nearly one-fifth of Alaskans lack adequate health insurance in one of the wealthiest states in one of the richest countries in the world. There’s no excuse for not doing better.”

Begich stressed that reform is essential for individuals and the business community. In 2009, health care expenditures are approximately 18 percent of GDP, and without major reform, health care’s share of GDP will rise to 34 percent within 30 years. “That’s one-third of our economy going just to health care,” Begich said. “It’s totally unsustainable.”

In the past decade family insurance premiums have doubled in Alaska, from about $6,000 in 1997 to $12,200 in 2006 – the most recent year state-level data is available. Without reform, these premiums are expected to double again by 2016.

Begich also said Alaskans with insurance pay a hidden tax because hospitals pass on the cost of covering the uninsured – uncompensated care – to those with coverage. Nationally, the average family pays a hidden tax of $1,100 to help cover the uninsured.  In Alaska, the average is $1,900 per family.”

How is that hitting you?

A question:
How would your life change if you had health care? Would you quit your job? Would you get that invasive test that you really don’t want but have some nagging feelings you probably should? Would you stop saving up to cover your deductible and actually take a vacation? Your stories are part of the conversation of where we are going in this country…please share.

In case you missed your Vitamin Democracy, here it is. Remember, you will sleep better, you’ll breathe easier, your heart will feel better and you might be so excited by knowledge, you may not need the twin tub pills to keep you up at night.

Vitamin Democracy LINKS

Top 10 reasons to tell your president & his party aren’t fighting for healthcare for everybody

The Single-Payer Job Recovery

The Nation: Single Payer Would Stimulate the Economy

The Alaska State House has passed a resolution asking the federal government to apologize to Ted Stevens. They also want him to be able to sue the Department of Justice.

The resolution is nonbinding – which is just political posturing. An apology? Wow, can I get one too? And in this time of record deficits should we really be giving Ted Stevens a bailout? REALLY?

Here’s the resolution and, for what it’s worth, my commentary following the bold Shannyn:

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 10 (HR10):

Expressing support for Senator Ted Stevens and severe displeasure and indignation with the federal government’s deplorable investigation and prosecution of the Senator.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
WHEREAS United States Senator Ted Stevens’ public service began with his military service during World War II; and

SHANNYN: the same veteran who has stated PTSD was invented by this generation.

HR10: WHEREAS Senator Stevens served the State of Alaska for over 50 years as a United States Attorney, member of the Alaska House of Representatives and United States Senator; and

SHANNYN: the same Senator who said to Bill Allen, “They’re not going to shoot us; it’s not Iraq, so what the hell. The worst that can happen to us is we wind up with a bunch of legal fees and might lose, and we might have to pay a little fine, might have to serve a little time in jail. I hope to Christ it never gets to that, and I don’t think it will.“

HR10: WHEREAS Senator Stevens was the longest serving Republican and seventh longest serving senator in the history of the United States; and

SHANNYN: Since when does NOT DYING deserve a federal apology?

HR1O: WHEREAS Alaska and its communities owe a debt of gratitude to Senator Stevens for his tireless efforts on behalf of the state; and

SHANNYN: How about Alaskan fishing communities? How about Kodiak? Talk about debt…

HR10: WHEREAS the United States Department of Justice has moved “to set aside the verdict and dismiss the indictment [against Senator Stevens] with prejudice”; and

SHANNYN: Because Attorney General Eric Holder believes in the Rule of Law from Guantanamo Bay to Girdwood, AK.

HR10: WHEREAS the prosecutors in the case withheld information that should have been provided to the defense during the trial; and

SHANNYN: Agreed that this is a reason to dismiss the trail, re-try the case, and prosecute those who committed crimes against Justice. NOT a reason for an apology or right to sue.

HR10: WHEREAS the Department of Justice’s prosecution team was found in contempt of court for willfully failing to abide by the laws and procedures of the federal court; and

SHANNYN: AGAIN, any federal or state official in ANY case who cheats to win should be prosecuted. This isn’t baseball…but if steroids can keep you out of the Hall of Fame, cheating justice should put you in the Hall of Shame…otherwise known as jail.

HR10: WHEREAS, under 5 U.S.C. 1502(a)(1) (Hatch Act), a federal “employee may not use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election”; and

SHANNYN: OH, REALLY? I think under this pretense, the federal government should apologize for the Florida Fiasco in the 2000 election, and the Ohio Shenanigans in the 2004 election! The LIST GOES ON…

HR10: WHEREAS questions have arisen as to whether provisions of the Hatch Act have been violated; and

SHANNYN: We should investigate ALL cases of alleged Hatch Act violations. The sacrament of democracy is our right to vote and have it count (just once).

HR10: WHEREAS the dismissal of these charges does not restore Senator Stevens’ reputation and legacy or compensate Senator Stevens for his legal expenses and loss of future income; and

SHANNYN: Ted Stevens should be grateful Attorney General Holder is not re-trying him and go away quietly…maybe pray the airport keeps his name. Count your lucky stars Uncle Ted.

HR10: WHEREAS the federal government cannot be sued without its permission, except as
15 provided under 28 U.S.C. 1348 (Federal Tort Claims Act);

SHANNYN: Too bad you can’t sue for expensive lies measured in human lives about Yellow Cake Uranium and the outing of a CIA agent or the illegal wiretapping of American citizens…since those don’t count…well, suck it up Uncle Ted. Can you say, “Welcome to Walmart?”

HR10: BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska House of Representatives demands that the federal government grant Senator Stevens permission to sue the United States Department of Justice for redress; and be it

SHANNYN: THIS IS THE SAME LEGISLATIVE BODY THAT IS TRYING TO BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY!!! IT’S AS IF MISTAKES ARE NEVER MADE BY PROSECUTORS WHETHER NEFARIOUS OR THROUGH NEGLECT! How can they possibly talk out of both sides of their asses?

HR10: FURTHER RESOLVED that federal employees involved with Senator Stevens’ prosecution be investigated for violations of the Hatch Act and, if found guilty, be subject to penalty under the Act; and be it

SHANNYN: Obama’s Attorney General, Eric Holder, is already investigating the prosecution….oooh, snap!

HR10: FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Government should issue a formal apology to Senator Stevens and the People of Alaska for this heinous miscarriage of justice.

SHANNYN: I think Mr. Stevens should wait as least as long as the interned Japanese during WWII did for their apology. Their crimes were being immigrants…his crimes? Well, we’ll never know…at least not until Ben Stevens’ looming indictment and trial.

HR10: COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States; the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Vice-President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States; and the Honorable Lisa Murkowski and the Honorable Mark Begich, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.

SHANNYN: I think the Alaska Republicans that sponsored this resolution forgot a couple WHEREAS’s and FURTHER RESOLVED’s…

Here’s what I would add…THE SHANNYN AMENDMENT:

WHEREAS Senator Stevens voted to suspend that which he enjoyed and ultimately set him free-habeas corpus; and

WHEREAS The US Supreme Court reinstated in 2008 that which Ted Stevens thought not important and voted to suspend-habeas corpus; and

WHEREAS Ted Stevens is on record receiving gifts he did not report; and

WHEREAS Ted Stevens was recorded stating, “They’re not going to shoot us; it’s not Iraq, so what the hell. The worst that can happen to us is we wind up with a bunch of legal fees and might lose, and we might have to pay a little fine, might have to serve a little time in jail. I hope to Christ it never gets to that, and I don’t think it will.”; and

WHEREAS The above statement is at a minimum unbecoming and unethical of a United States Senator and at most outright illegal; and

WHEREAS Republican Representative Mike Chenault is sponsoring a bill to bring back the Death Penalty in Alaska; and

WHEREAS The government is capable of making mistakes and of egregious outright prosecutorial misconduct; and

WHEREAS Ted Stevens’ case was thrown out due to prosecutorial misconduct and he is FREE; and

WHEREAS The Death Penalty would make moot the point of throwing a wrongful conviction out due to defendant’s DEATH; be it

FURTHER RESOLVED Senator Stevens apologize to All Americans for suspending that which he was granted-habeas corpus; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED Republican Representative Mike Chenault apologize for potentially putting Alaskans at risk to wrongful deaths from potential death penalty prosecutions due to the possibility of misconduct on behalf of the prosecution; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED Republican Representative Mike Chenault immediately withdraw his death penalty bill from consideration; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED Ted Stevens apologize to Alaskans for his incriminating statements and unethical behavior; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED Ted Stevens NOT sue the Federal Government lest they retry him!

I have stated before that this case was botched and should have been thrown out. The complicit lionization of Stevens by the Alaska State House, however, is a farce.

This bipartisan resolution passed with only one NO vote. The only NO vote? Spenard Democrat Mike Doogan-the man I chased into the bathroom of the state capitol last week after he outed my friend Mudflats. Apparently, he’s trying to make up and get in my good graces again.

JUSTICE has not been served to either Stevens or to the people of Alaska.

Sarah Palin and Randy Ruedrich are calling for a new US Senate election?

Fine…Bring it on…Right after a new trial.

Just when I think Sarah Palin must have gone off her meds…she demonstrates she has…

Months ago, she asked Ted Stevens “to step aside…to play a very statesmanlike role in this now.” RESIGN! This week, she asked Senator Begich to resign. Does she think if they all resign she can move to Washington? I wonder. Write your own rules, play your own game and you get a free wardrobe? Did we vote for best looking? Or best Levi’s? Or best smile? NO! Sarah Palin ousted incumbent Frank Murkowski in the primary and popular governor Tony Knowles in the general! She won because the People wanted change. The people wanted leadership. The people wanted Ethical Honest Government. The people did not want Mean Girl Snark!

Tonight she released a letter to Senate President Gary Stevens. Background: I’ll be brief. Juneau Senator Kim Elton-D received an appointment from President Obama to work in the Department of Interior on March 6, 2009. Alaska rules state that the district party submit preferred candidates to the Governor for an appointment. The Juneau Democrats gave Sarah Palin one name: Beth Kerrtula. Beth is currently a House Representative. She has been a member of the House since 1999. She has been the House leader since 2006. Kerrtula is clearly the most qualified candidate in Juneau.

During the campaign, Beth said that Sarah Palin was not qualified to be VICE-President…I know, shocking assessment. Sarah had a cow and named local Republican turned Democrat Tim Grussendorf to the seat.

Tim was a Republican 3 weeks ago…tadah! Now he’s a Dem. The rules state the Senate Democrats have to approve the appointment. They said, “Thanks but no thanks.”

More background…even briefer: Star Date 2007, Republican Representative (from Wasilla) Vic Kohring was convicted of bribery and corruption. Empty seat. Sarah appoints an elder from her Super Size Your Jesus church, Wes Keller. The Repubs approve…DONE, Keller is a House Representative.

My gosh, you’re all caught up! OH, Wait! The process is now UNCONSTITUTIONAL to Madam Palin. She has just released a letter saying she wants her pick; Republican Tim Grussendorf (sounds like a wizard from Harry Potter) to go before the full house for approval! And, Palin believes the historical process is wrong.

I only hope she has medicine for the drama she brings to the state of Alaska. Here is her letter:

April 2, 2009

The Honorable Gary Stevens

President

Alaska State Senate

State Capitol, Room 111

Juneau, AK 99801

Dear Senator Stevens:

On March 31, I nominated, under AS 15.40.320, Mr. Tim Grussendorf to fill the vacant senate seat for senate district B. On the following day, April 1, I received an unsigned memo from “Alaska Senate Democrats” to Senator Gary Stevens that the nomination of Tim Grussendorf, “did not achieve the needed support to be seated.” The memo also stated that “Today the nine Senate Democrats met to discuss Governor Palin’s nomination.” Based on various news reports, it is our understanding that the meeting of Senate Democrats took place behind closed doors.

The Alaska Constitution provides that “Each [house of the legislature] is the judge of the . . . qualifications of its members. . . .” Alaska Const. art. II, sec. 12. The Department of Law has opined that “confirmation by a political caucus is probably a legally deficient procedure. The confirmation procedure set out in existing law appears to conflict with the Alaska Constitution.” 1987 Inf. Op. Att’y Gen. 2 (Sept. 21; 663-88-0107).

Accordingly, the closed-door action taken by a minority of the Alaska Senate is without legal effect. Until the Alaska Senate takes action consistent with the Alaska Constitution, my appointment of Mr. Grussendorf remains in effect.

I respectfully request that the entire Alaska Senate consider my nomination of Mr. Grussendorf in open session, in the same fashion as the legislature would consider any other appointment subject to confirmation. The people of Alaska and Juneau are entitled to a public confirmation process that is consistent with the Alaska Constitution.

Sincerely,

Sarah Palin

Governor

cc: The Honorable Johnny Ellis, Senate Majority Leader

Enclosures:

Memorandum to Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State Senate President.

File No. 663-88-0107, Subject: Procedure for appointment to fill legislative vacancy.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THAT IS HOLY….ISN’T “BEHIND CLOSED DOORS” where you discuss such matters? It’s Alaska…all the doors are closed right now! It’s called heat retention. The political posturing is pathetic. Has anyone reminded the governor that her only friends for the last 2 years have been the Democrats? That is how she passed ACES and AGIA, the two sparkliest jewels in her “Miss Governor” tiara. Too bad those Dems are under the bus now.

With the GOP dumping Sarah Palin for Newt Gingrich, Wayne Anthony Ross a less than savory Attorney General candidate and Senator Begich NOT resigning, we may be witnessing the desperate gasps, rattling coughs, and grasping at ghosts of a lost political career.

]]> http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/sarah-palin-is-burning-her-bridges-to-nowhere/feed/ 44 shannon moore http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/breaking-news-western-alaska-relief/ http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/breaking-news-western-alaska-relief/#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:25:16 +0000 shannynmoore http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/?p=1006 ]]>

I have just learned Senator Mark Begich spent today in Bethel teleconferencing several villages in the area, including Emmonak .

Before Governor Sarah Palin even stepped on a plane with the Reverend Franklin Graham in tow, a solution is at hand.

Both Senator Begich and Senator Murkowski, working with The Bureau of Indian Affairs, have secured money for the people in need, and it is immediate. A press release is scheduled in the next several hours from Senator Begich on the details. I’ll let you know more when it is released.

This just in from Julie:

BIA Announces Emergency Funding for Emmonak

News comes during trip to Bethel with Sen. Begich

Traveling to Bethel with U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today, Bureau of Indian Affair’s (BIA) regional director for Alaska, Niles Cesar, announced the BIA will provide emergency financial assistance to help residents in Emmonak struggling with the price of fuel.

At a video conference arranged with several villages through the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Cesar told participants that the BIA has agreed to waive eligibility rules so more people in Emmonak can receive assistance of up to $1,000.

“I am extremely pleased that the BIA has answered Senator Lisa Murkowski and my request for assistance to help these residents get through the winter,” Sen. Begich said. “This is not a long-term solution, but it’s a step in the right direction. I am hopeful the State of Alaska will step in and help solve this for the future.”

Sen. Begich arranged the meeting in Bethel today and asked BIA officials to go with him. Cesar said the assistance may range from $400 to $1,000 depending on a person’s income. He didn’t know how many people would eventually receive the extra help, but said the average person will receive around $500.

Cesar also said his office is requesting the wavier be made available to 56 villages in Western Alaska and to 11 villages in the Northwest Arctic. Sen. Begich endorsed the request to expand the waiver to help more villages.

The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such concern. Proverbs 29:7

Hungry and cold has become the narrative of many in Western Alaska. Outrageous fuel prices, inflated food costs, low subsistence harvests and low or no incomes aligned to create the perfect storm of a devastating reality.

Dennis Zaki, an Alaskan journalist, raised money for food and traveled to several western Alaskan towns several weeks ago and documented their dire straits. CNN picked it up and Sarah Palin had some ‘splaining to do. With her cabinet, Sarah’s press conference last week was like watching a brain storming session—not exactly gale force winds. When asked what she personally had done for her citizens in need, she stumbled and had no answer.

Reverend Franklin Graham is in Alaska with Samaritan’s Purse, his not for profit charity. Governor Light Sean Parnell and Governor Sarah Palin are escorting him to the villages of Russian Mission and Marshall. Mr. Graham, son of the legendary evangelist Billy Graham, has done some fantastic missions. Wow, actually doing God’s work. What a concept. Working to treat AIDS, but not providing condoms because it condones “sin” is one of the controversies surrounding his work. The Samaritan’s Purse, unlike the parable of the Good Samaritan has some pretty mighty strings.

So was Reverend Graham watching the CNN coverage of Emonnak and inspired to help? Well, that’s unclear…but what is clear is his connection to Greta Van Susteren of Faux News.

Greta’s “You gotta see the baby” interview with Bristol Palin was filmed at our local Anchorage library last weekend. The BFF relationship between Van Susteren and Palin is like none other in media. Greta doesn’t ask “gotcha questions.” Snowmachine rides with Todd, dinners at the Wasilla home, trick-or-treating with Piper on the “Straight Talk Express” are just a few of their play dates. Greta has several BFFs other than Sister Sarah including Franklin Graham. Her coverage of Billy Graham’s 90^th birthday pales in comparison to her trip to North Korea with the Samaritan’s Purse Tour. Susteren is featured on Graham’s website. Did she pick up her Crackberry and send Franklin an S.O.S. on Palin’s behalf?

I shouldn’t be so picky about where the food to help the hungry comes from. In truth, I don’t care if Osama Bin Laden pulls it out of his pantry. The people of Western Alaska need help. The last church that tried to “help” the First People of Alaska is now bankrupt after paying restitutions to the victims of their sexual predators.

God doesn’t need the P.R., but the church does…and so does Sarah Palin.

So why does this matter?

It’s the photo op, stupid.

Senator Mark Begich is assessing the situation in Bethel on Friday. His attention to the region has been sincere and unwavering. Begich doesn’t come holding a cross or with a self-indulgent film crew documenting how much he loves Jesus. The separation of church and state requires no explanation. People shouldn’t have to check a box defining what, if any, god they worship to get food or energy assistance.

With Senator Begich and Governor Palin scheduled to be in western Alaska the same week, Sarah has pulled the political trump card with the celebrity preacher…a postcard to her national base. Unfortunately, Alaskans are paying the postage.

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.

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

Newsflash…

During the KAKM televised debate this evening between Senator Ted Stevens and Mark Begich, one of the moderators, Michael Carey from the Anchorage Daily News asked, “…Do you think the country of Iraq and Saddam Hussein played a role in the 9/11 attacks on the United States?”

Senator Stevens, “I know more than you think I know and I think they did.”

Mayor Mark Begich, “I don’t believe they did.”

Even George W Bush says Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11! (1:19)

TWICE!

7 count convict Ted Stevens needs to go for that remark alone. 

Paul Hipp sings it best…