Alaskan Progressives's topics - tribe.net

15NOV Rally in Fairbanks & Anchorage for Equal Rights!

2008-11-14T18:55:32Z

Spread the word - and please do join us on Saturday! My family and I will be there!

Yes, this is an Alaskan issue. It definitely affects families here. Plus, some chunk of the estimated $25 million the Mormon church spent on hateful propaganda came from donors in Alaska; they deserve to hear directly from we their neighbors about our opinion on all this. Please be sure to give honest and heartfelt feedback about this to Mormon missionaries going door to door visiting our homes, too, when they ring the doorbell.

Anchorage and Fairbanks Fight the H8: Protest Prop 8!

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FAIRBANKS

WHAT: Prop. 8 Protest - Advocate for Equal Rights

WHO: LGBT and straight citizens who support Equal Rights

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008; at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: 800 Cushman Street, CITY HALL

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ANCHORAGE

WHAT: Prop. 8 Protest - Advocate for Equal Rights

WHO: LGBT and straight citizens who support Equal Rights

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008; at 12 p.m. Noon

WHERE: 550 W 7th AVE, ATWOOD Building

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and straight citizens will take to the streets of ANCHORAGE and FAIRBANKS on Saturday Nov. 15, 2008 to protest the passage of Proposition 8, California's anti-gay marriage amendment, and the lack of LGBT equal rights in Alaska.

Tens of thousands of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people and our allies have taken to the streets to show outrage with the outcome of California's Proposition 8. Prop 8 is a Constitutional Amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage, taking away a right that was granted before the vote. Same-sex marriage bans also passed in Arizona and Florida. The outcome of these propositions has angered the national gay community and our supporters. Many feel as if they are second-class citizens, but the fight is not over.

On Saturday, November 15, the LGBT community and their supporters will take to the streets in what could be the largest organized Protest since the Civil Rights Movement. To date, more than 250,000 individuals have pledged to take part in the nationwide event and descend upon the City Halls, State Capitols and the Nation's Capitol to make their voices heard. Signs, posters and numerous websites have already been created and the word is spreading quickly throughout the nation. JoinTheImpact.webpaint.com lists protest locations in all 50 States and the District of Columbia.

The message is simple, yet loud: Equal Rights for All.

The organizers of this nationwide event stress that these will be peaceful demonstrations. "Let's move as one full unit, on the same day, at the same hour, and let's show the United States of America that we too are United States citizens equal in mind, body and spirit and deserving of full equality under the law."

The Protest / Movement is scheduled to take place across the nation, Those interested in attending this historic event may find their local protest location by visiting: http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Nominate a LGBTIQ science teacher, engineer, & scientist

2008-11-07T22:33:08Z

It is time to submit your nominations for GLBT Engineer, Scientist, and Educator of the year in addition to the Walt Westman and Institution/Corporate awards. Please go to www.NOGLSTP.org, click on the Recognition Awards link on the left side, then download the form for nominations. Contrary to what is on the form, nominations are due by Nov 15, 2008 (not 2007 - sorry, our fault). We look forward to seeing another slate of worthy GLBT innovators, researchers, and teachers as well as supportive companies and universities in 2008.

Thanks for your support of NOGLSTP and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender technical communities!

http://www.noglstp.org

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 1 reply

GLSEN Students of Color Organizing Conference

2008-11-07T19:15:03Z

GLSEN is now seeking applications from high school students of color from all diverse communities, to attend the 2009 Students of Color Organizing Conference to be held in Atlanta, January 16-19, 2009.

More info at www.glsen.org/ "Take Action" -please share the word of this opportunity with any and all who may be interested.

Students must complete an application form, write an essay and have a reference from a teacher/mentor.

Scholarship funds are available for covering travel expenses. We've never sent a student from Alaska to this conference, so let's make it a first this year!

Advocating Multicultural Education for the 21st Century

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Obama defines the Moment

2008-10-31T22:24:03Z

You need to see this: http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/10/25/closing_time/index.html?source=refresh

Clear, concise, real, direct. Amazing.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Tax plans

2008-10-31T22:13:41Z

Here they are, just from what they say they will try to do I know who has my vote and who SHOULD have the vote of Alaska,

John McCain http://www.johnmccain.com/Images/Issues/JobsforAmerica/briefing.pdf

Barack Obama http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/taxes/Factsheet_Tax_Plan_FINAL.pdf

Oh and that Green guy has some good ideas too, http://www.votenader.org/issues/fiscal/fair-tax/

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 3 replies

Red State vs. Blue State Chart

2008-10-31T03:01:03Z

http://alaskanprogressives.tribe.net/photos/5d91ba43-50f2-4e21-ab0e-f09cc88c0bc7

Since I can't post tabular data.

Interesting thing to note: of the top 25 states that receive more federal dollars than they give, only three are blue states.

To oversimplify: federal money flows from blue states to red states. This is the opposite of what I would expect if I took Republicans at their word.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 2 replies

Notice to All Employees

2008-10-30T06:35:18Z

Notice to All Employees

As of November 5, 2008, when President Obama is officially elected into office, our company will instill a few new policies which are in keeping with his new, inspiring issues of change and fairness:

1. All salespeople will be pooling their sales commissions into a common pool that will be divided equally between all of you. This will serve to give those of you who are underachieving a "fair shake."

2. All hourly employees will be pooling their wages, including overtime, into a common pool, dividing it equally amongst yourselves. This will help those who are "too busy for overtime" to reap the rewards from those who have more spare time and can work extra hours.

3. All top management will now be referred to as "the government." We will not participate in this "pooling" experience because the law doesn't apply to us.

4. The "government" will give eloquent speeches to all employees every week, encouraging its workers to continue to work hard "for the good of all."

5. The employees will be thrilled with these new policies because it's "good to spread the wealth." Those of you who have underachieved will finally get an opportunity; those of you who have worked hard and had success will feel more "patriotic."

6. The last few people who were hired should clean out their desks. Don't feel bad though, because President Obama will give you free healthcare, free handouts, free oil for heating your home, free food stamps, and he'll let you stay in your home for as long as you want even if you can't pay your mortgage. If you appeal directly to our democratic congress, you might even get a free flat screen TV and a coupon for free haircuts (shouldn't all Americans be entitled to nice looking hair?) !!!

If for any reason you are not happy with the new policies, you may want to rethink your vote on November 4th.
__________________

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 1 reply

Why I'm voting for Nader / Gonzalez in 2008

2008-10-30T04:55:04Z

I'm going to vote for Nader for U.S. President, again, this year. This will be the third or fourth time I've voted for Nader. Even though I know he won't win, I refuse to actively support the move toward two-party fascism in the U.S. by voting for either of the right-wing corporationist parties.

For an overview of some differences between Nader and the Republicrat candidates, see this essay by V.P candidate, Mike Gonzalez:
http://www.votenader.org/blog/2008/10/29/what-do-they-have-to-do/

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 3 replies

Stevens Convicted on all Counts!

2008-10-28T04:00:31Z

I just heard the word on the radio news.
Here's a link to a web-based story: news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081...evens_trial

I wanna party likes it's twenty-oh-nine!

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 2 replies

Ignore that pesky U.S. Constitution...

2008-10-26T01:46:31Z

...after all, it just gets in the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvVAKx8E_r4&feature=related

Double-plus good, this!

Hmmmm.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 1 reply

Quality Science Education ...and the lack thereof

2008-10-25T22:59:09Z

I wonder... could there be a religiously-influenced (or, more accurately, Fundamentalist-inhibited) difference between quality science education in America and Germany?

Well, American science education in general and Alaska science education in particular is perhaps --how shall we say-- still evolving?

The link below connects to an example of a high-interest science education and pregnancy prevention school-based project of --imho-- exactly the sort most likely to make a lasting difference with kids because they are kinesthetically involved, learning practical job skills (such as measurement, working together as members of a team, and so on), and it focuses on a topic they perceive as emotionally meaningful as well as socially significant.

> Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008
>
> Kids in Germany learn in science class how condoms are manufactured.
>
> http://www.badische-zeitung.de/popup/aktionen/2008/soundgalerie/pop_science_house.html
>

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 2 replies

Woot!

2008-10-04T16:00:42Z

No buyout for shitty corporations, no government getting into investment real-estate... yet.
Thank goodness that unlike my other elitist friends I don't have money "in the market"

http://www.adn.com/news/story/540594.html

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 3 replies

Vote on who won the Biden-Palin debate

2008-10-03T05:52:22Z

http://pol.moveon.org/lte?campaign_id=98&id=14154-3291954-KjIAanx&t=2

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Watch this

2008-09-26T04:14:54Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 10 replies

undraiser for Lynda Zaugg is this Friday, Sept. 26 from 5:30-8 p.m. In Turnagain

2008-09-24T00:27:56Z

Hi, this is an invite for a fundraiser on Friday that I am co-hosting. If you would like to attend please come. This is a no pressure meet the candidate situation. If you have any friends that have an interest in furthering the democratic presence in the Alaska a State Legislature please invite them also.

Hope to see you Friday evening for soup.

Summer

If you have any questions PM me for the directions and an address.

It's a great time to support a Democratic Candidate!

Lynda Zaugg is running to
represent House District 30
in the Alaska Legislature

Please join Lynda and the co-hosts
for a variety of soups!

Friday, September 26th
5:30pm to 8:00pm

This opportunity to support a great candidate
for House District 30 is co-hosted by

Harry Crawford • Ray & Dyanne Brown • Summer LeFebvre
Paulette Hostetler • Lisa Rosano • Phillip Weidner • Jamie Kenworthy
Chuck Eddy • Berta Gardner • Eric Croft • Jim & Beth Nordlund
Les Gara • Melinda Taylor • Robin Smith • Suzanne Lombardi

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 1 reply

Palin

2008-09-16T23:16:35Z

When Palin get elected VP, how will that affect the economy in Alaska?

For give my optimism.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Rally at 7 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Lake Otis & Abbott

2008-09-12T17:54:11Z

PFLAG is rallying progressive fair-minded supporters tomorrow morning for a streetcorner demonstration of support.

I think showing up for this one is important not so much for the political aspect of it (after all, how many people who are not actually themselves attending the nearby voodoo therapy session will even see our message so early on a Saturday morning?) but rather because we know for a fact it is exactly these kids being targeted who are most highly at risk for suicide or becoming homeless runaways. It is important that these kids see there are decent, rational, good folks in the community who accept them just as they are -and we believe God does as well.

'Reparative therapy' to convert the same-sex orientation of a person to an opposite-sex orientation has been demonstrated over and over --sometimes quite tragically-- to simply not work. Whether orientation is biological and instilled via chromosomes, hormonal influences in utero, via environmental factors during infancy, or some combination the fact is orientation is a done deal by age five or six, if not much earlier. This conference telling gay and lesbian people they are flawed and defective as human beings, despicable 'abominations' in the sight of God, and can be fixed or repaired like damaged widgets is wrong on so many levels. Some percentage of these poor lads and lasses will end up committing suicide, or repressing their true nature and then later acting out in unfortunate ways, or end up homeless and victimized when they are rejected and cast out or run away to avoid beatings and cruel psychological abuse at home.

At 7 a.m. tomorrow morning my family and I will be standing out on the corner of Lake Otis and Abbott not to make a political statement but to show the frightened kids being hustled by us and into this crazy-making reparative therapy conference that there are sane local people who say 'bullshit!' to all of that nonsense and support them just as they are, just as God made them.

We invite you to join us. There is plenty of parking in the Fred Meyer lot on Lake Otis and Abbott. Some of you may be unavailable or out of town, but if you have friends in Anchorage who may want to come and join us tomorrow morning then please feel welcome to pass this invitation along to them.

Best,
Steven & Family

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Dear members, friends, allies of PFLAG;

On Saturday morning Sept. 13 at 7 am PFLAG and others will be gathering on the sidewalk at the corner of Lake Otis and Abbot in front of the Abbott Loop church. This is where a “reparative therapy” conference, sponsored by Focus on the Family, is taking place that day. This “therapy” has been proven to be ineffective and can be harmful and dangerous.

We will be passing out fliers to conference goers and carrying signs. Attached is the flier. Supportive parents are especially important in this effort to counter the anti- gay message this conference will be promoting to parents of gay kids and the kids themselves attending the conference.

If you can attend and bring a sign, the sign should contain a message of love and support for gay people. Examples: ”God loves us all, gays included,” “We love our gay son (or lesbian daughter)' and so on.

The conference starts at 8 am, so we should be finished by then.

If you have questions or comments, please send me an e-mail at: schlittler@ak.net or call the PFLAG voice mail at 566-1813 and leave a message.

Thank you!

Jane Schlittler

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

The Bush Lie???? or was it???

2008-08-28T13:28:52Z

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=107_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ243.107.pdf

I find no mention of current WMD listed in this law. I find reference to past collections but not current ones.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 2 replies

Aug 8: Lunchtime session on ballot initiative #4.

2008-08-27T16:47:53Z

Ballot Initiative #4, also called the Clean Water Initiative, will be voted on in the August 26th Primary. Be an informed voter. Please join us for a presentation from Alaskans for Clean Water, the group formed to pass the initiative, and hear their side of the story before you make up your mind.

When: Friday, August 8th, 12 noon

Where: Prudential Jack White Vista Real Estate’s 1st floor Training Room,
3201 Centerpoint Drive, Anchorage

Who: Dr. Bruce Switzer, a former environmental mining executive and Senior Technical Adviser for Alaskans for Clean Water, will be the presenter. He has firsthand knowledge of the proposed Pebble project —the inspiration for this initiative— and has thoroughly researched the issues.

What: Ballot Measure #4, “An Act Protecting Alaska’s Clean Water,” compels the Alaska Department of Natural Resources to protect
Alaska salmon and salmon habitat when considering and approving permits for any new, large-scale metal mines. Current State and Federal regulations do not provide protection for Alaskan salmon. These protections were in place, but were voided under Governor Murkowski’s administration.

Find out more and have a chance to get your questions answered!

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 10 replies

On the "No Fly" list? Know someone in Alaska who is?

2008-08-22T06:00:05Z

Some friends filing suit against the so-called Dept of Homeland Security are " looking for some more folks who have been fingered by the no fly list --particularly if probably because of their appearance or religion." If you or someone you know fits this description and would be willing to potentially be a co-plaintiff in the suit then please contact me and I'll put you in touch with the legal team.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Meeting Tonight - Wednesday, 30JUL: Discussion of fatal UU attack.

2008-07-31T00:23:28Z

There will be a meeting tonight at the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3201 Turnagain Blvd. 7:30 pm, to discuss the shooting at a Unitarian church in Knoxville, Tenn. It is reported the gunman was opposed to the church’s progressive policies toward glbt people.

----------------

Hate for Liberals and Gay People Drove Gunman, Police Say

By SHAILA DEWANc

Published: July 29, 2008

New York Times

www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29...29knox.html

A man who the police say entered a Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sunday and shot eight people, killing two, was motivated by a hatred for liberals and gay people, Chief Sterling P. Owen IV of the Knoxville Police Department said Monday.

“It appears that what brought him to this horrible event was his lack of being able to obtain a job, his frustration over that, and his stated hatred for the liberal movement,” Chief Owen said of the suspect, Jim D. Adkisson, 58. “We have recovered a four-page letter in which he describes his feelings and the reason that he claims he committed these offenses.”

According to a search warrant for Mr. Adkisson’s house filed by the police, during interrogation Mr. Adkisson admitted to the shooting and said “he had targeted the church because of its liberal leanings and his belief that all liberals should be killed because they were ruining the country.”

Mr. Adkisson was not a member of the church and congregants said they did not recognize him, but two people said his former wife had once attended the church, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist.

Mr. Adkisson was arrested at the scene and has been charged with one count of first-degree murder. More charges are expected, and Chief Owen said the police were treating the shooting as a hate crime.

The authorities and witnesses said the gunman, carrying a guitar case that concealed a 12-gauge shotgun, entered the church just as a children’s performance of “Annie Jr.” started.

Standing near the door of the sanctuary, he opened fire. Chief Owen said the man had fired only three blasts, but had 73 more rounds of ammunition with him. Mr. Adkisson’s letter indicated that he expected to be shot and killed by the police when they arrived, Chief Owen said, but church members tackled and subdued him.

“He certainly intended to take a lot of casualties,” Chief Owen said at a news conference Monday morning.

The Unitarian Universalist church has Protestant roots but embraces diverse opinions and creeds. “The theology is now considered beyond Christian,” said Janet Hayes, a spokeswoman for the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Knoxville church’s Web site says, “All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only intrinsic merit, but also potential value for those who have learned the art of listening.”

The church has been public in its embrace of liberal causes, advertising events like a summer sex education event for teenagers organized by Planned Parenthood and meetings of groups like Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays. Since the 1950s, its Web site says, the church has worked for “desegregation, racial harmony, fair wages, women’s rights and gay rights,” and has taken on environmental causes.

Several church members, still shaken from the shooting, declined to comment extensively on the church’s liberal views. “It does clarify just what type of hate crime this was,” said Mark Harmon, a Knox County commissioner and member of the church. “Regardless of motivations, when someone comes into your house of worship and shoots a shotgun indiscriminately it’s an earth-shattering act of hatred.”

Karen Massey, a neighbor of Mr. Adkisson’s in Powell, Tenn., said he had been a considerate friend. “We hate what he’s done,” she said. “He just snapped. He didn’t give us any indication.”

Ms. Massey said Mr. Adkisson had been raised in a strict Christian home, was openly antigay and had complained to her about his childhood religion. “He said if you read the whole Bible, everything in it contradicts itself.”

Chief Owen said Mr. Adkisson had recently been notified that his monthly food stamp allotment would be reduced or discontinued.

Chief Owen said investigators had found only two records of criminal activity for Mr. Adkisson, both charges of driving while intoxicated. But in 2000, his former wife, Liza Alexander, asked for an order of protection against him, saying he had threatened to “blow my brains out and then blow his own brains out.”

The dead were identified as Linda Kraeger, 61, a visitor from another church, and Gregory McKendry Jr., 60, an usher who some witnesses said had used his body to shield others from the gunman.

Robbie Brown contributed reporting.

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posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

changeing?

2008-07-27T16:31:01Z

Beware Charismatic Men Who Preach 'Change'

Editor, RichmondTimes-Dispatch:

Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day and on July 4 I celebrate America's. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.

On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba and a few months later I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.

I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.

When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said "Praise the Lord." And when the young leader said, "I will be for change and I'll bring you change," everyone yelled, "Viva Fidel!"

But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.

Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America?
Would we?
Manuel Alvarez Jr. Sandy Hook.

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search...7-07-0033.html

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

giddy

2008-07-17T03:41:00Z

It is surreal and very cool that the "presumptive" democratic nominee is a black man.

A pretty cool, intelligent black man.

If he wins the presidency. I want to plan now-- a big old party.

A huge party. At my place, unless a better venue is found.

That would be a day in history i would be so proud and thankful to be a part of.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 69 replies

OIL PRICES WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

2008-07-10T01:44:45Z

http://www.stopoilspeculationnow.com/

Please go to this link and help lower the price we pay for oil.

NOT SPAM!

TJ CLARK www.fat-fab.com

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

High court backs constitution

2008-07-03T17:52:05Z

2nd amendment reaffirmed.
Citizens have the right to keep arms. Now we just need to get the good citizens carrying concealed. Makes a crook think twice about robbing someone when they don't know who might pull out a weapon and protect them selves.

We must remember that the police are here to investigate crime and enforce traffic laws, they are not here to protect us from the crooks.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 13 replies

D Day

2008-06-27T04:37:04Z

I'm sure the Normandie invasion will get little or no notice in the "MSN"
I read this article by one of Americas hero's "Ollie North"this morning. I thought I'd share it.

D-Day in Context
By Oliver North

WASHINGTON -- Sixty-four years ago this week, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt came on the radio and implored Americans to "devote themselves in a continuance of prayer invoking thy help to our efforts." The "effort" of which he spoke was Operation Overlord, the D-Day landing of 150,000 American and Allied troops at Normandy. The risks were so great that Winston Churchill told the people of Britain: "The invasion has been launched. The result is with God." FDR described it as "a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity."
Since then, those who fought their way ashore June 6, 1944, and successfully breached Hitler's Atlantic Wall have been honored justifiably for their participation in the momentous event. On the 40th anniversary of the operation, Ronald Reagan stood on that "lonely, windswept point on the northern shore of France" and spoke of that "giant undertaking unparalleled in human history" and praised "the boys of Pointe du Hoc the heroes who helped end a war."
But that was then; and this is now. This year, the anniversary of their achievement received little notice in the so-called mainstream media. Perhaps that's because it would draw uncomfortable parallels between those who stormed the coast of France in 1944 and those who are fighting now -- and winning -- a war against radical Islam. Unlike those who braved their way into Hitler's Fortress Europe, the young Americans fighting today's battles reap few accolades from the potentates of the press or the liberal "leadership" in Washington.
Last month, Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., described those now serving in our armed forces as "mercenaries" and claimed "we're buying them now." Apparently taking a page from Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign playbook, McDermott believes the young Americans winning this generation's war are those who could not get jobs or get into school. McDermott, you may recall, once was willing to negotiate -- without preconditions -- with Saddam Hussein. Now he is co-sponsoring legislation to require compulsory military conscription.
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who has asserted false claims of flying combat missions in Vietnam, routinely denigrates many of those serving in today's all-volunteer military. Two weeks ago, in attacking Sen. John McCain, Harkin observed, "It's one thing to have been drafted and served but another thing when you come from generations of military people and that's just how you're steeped, how you've learned, how you've grown up."
All of this amplifies a steady -- and unfortunately unanswered -- chorus from the far left that the U.S. military has been sent on "Mission: Impossible" by the Bush administration. It's a refrain that began when House Majority Whip James Clyburn confessed last year that if the surge turned out to be a success, it would be "a real big problem for us." By December, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., had entered the echo chamber and began asserting -- despite all evidence to the contrary -- "the surge hasn't accomplished its goals."
Reid's unwillingness to acknowledge the success of our troops is amplified by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In a recent interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Pelosi declared that while some progress is being made, it is because of "the good will of the Iranians. They decided in Basra when the fighting would end. They negotiated that cessation of hostilities -- the Iranians." Let's hope she had someone on her staff send the theocrats in Tehran a box of chocolates and a thank you note.
Those who persist in spreading a diatribe of disaster -- and who insist on denigrating the brightest, best-trained, best-led and best-equipped military force in the world -- have succeeded in building a significant following. The facts on the ground, however, simply don't support their thesis. In Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and the Philippines, the war against radical Islamic terror is being won by the finest military force the world ever has seen.
Even the editors of the liberal Washington Post finally have conceded this reality. A recent editorial baldly warned about Iraq: "Don't look now, but the U.S.-backed government and army may be winning the war." And it took to task those who comprise "the 'this-war-is-lost' caucus." Also, this week the foreign minister of the oil-rich United Arab Emirates visited the Iraqi capital for discussions on reopening their embassy in Baghdad.
The victories over al-Qaida and the Shiite militias in Iraq, against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden's remnant in Afghanistan, and over Muslim terrorists in Somalia and the Philippines have been won by U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardsmen and Marines -- and the new allies they have advised and trained in these countries. Those who landed on the beaches of Normandy 64 years ago were American heroes. So are those who serve today.
__________________

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 6 replies

Supreme Court backs Guantanamo detainees

2008-06-17T13:26:54Z

AP WASHINGTON - "The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25117953/

President Bush: that weird taste in the back of your throat is probably bile and fear. When you finally serve your time in prison for war crimes, at least you will have received the benefit of due process. All you have done via your illegal, unconstitutional captivity of various bad guys (and I'll bet some of them are terrorists for real) is create martyrs and hate and viscousness in search of revenge.

You idiot.

Had you played by the rules, the real bad guys could have been tried and convicted by now. Instead, they will probably go back home and become the death of more innocents. Enjoy your golf games; hope the blood on your hands doesn't impair your swing.

Thanks, George. You cannot be out of office soon enough for me, and I generally voted Republican in the past. Feh.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 16 replies

Progressive thought

2008-06-14T19:31:29Z

Ann coulter is sometimes over the top. But she nailed it this morning!!!

Al-Qaida Free Since 2001
by Ann Coulter
Posted: 06/12/2008
In a conversation recently, I mentioned as an aside what a great president George Bush has been and my friend was surprised. I was surprised that he was surprised.
I generally don't write columns about the manifestly obvious, but, yes, the man responsible for keeping Americans safe from another terrorist attack on American soil for nearly seven years now will go down in history as one of America's greatest presidents.
Produce one person who believed, on Sept. 12, 2001, that there would not be another attack for seven years, and I'll consider downgrading Bush from "Great" to "Really Good."
Merely taking out Saddam Hussein and his winsome sons Uday and Qusay (Hussein family slogan: "We're the Rape Room People!") constitutes a greater humanitarian accomplishment than anything Bill Clinton ever did -- and I'm including remembering Monica's name on the sixth sexual encounter.
But unlike liberals, who are so anxious to send American troops to Rwanda or Darfur, Republicans oppose deploying U.S. troops for purely humanitarian purposes. We invaded Iraq to protect America.
It is unquestionable that Bush has made this country safe by keeping Islamic lunatics pinned down fighting our troops in Iraq. In the past few years, our brave troops have killed more than 20,000 al-Qaida and other Islamic militants in Iraq alone. That's 20,000 terrorists who will never board a plane headed for JFK -- or a landmark building, for that matter.
We are, in fact, fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them at, say, the corner of 72nd and Columbus in Manhattan -- the mere mention of which never fails to enrage liberals, which is why you should say it as often as possible.
The Iraq war has been a stunning success. The Iraqi army is "standing up" (as they say), fat Muqtada al-Sadr --the Dr. Phil of Islamofascist radicalism -- has waddled off in retreat to Iran, and Sadr City and Basra are no longer war zones. Our servicemen must be baffled by the constant nay-saying coming from their own country.
The Iraqis have a democracy -- a miracle on the order of flush toilets in that godforsaken region of the world. Despite its newness, Iraq's democracy appears to be no more dysfunctional than one that would condemn a man who has kept the nation safe for seven years while deifying a man who has accomplished absolutely nothing in his entire life except to give speeches about "change."
(Guess what Bill Clinton's campaign theme was in 1992? You are wrong if you guessed: "bringing dignity back to the White House." It was "change." In January 1992, James Carville told Steve Daley of The Chicago Tribune that it had gotten to the point that the press was complaining about Clinton's "constant talk of change.")
Monthly casualties in Iraq now come in slightly lower than a weekend with Anna Nicole Smith. According to a CNN report last week, for the entire month of May, there were only 19 troop deaths in Iraq. (Last year, five people on average were shot every day in Chicago.) With Iraqi deaths at an all-time low, Iraq is safer than Detroit -- although the Middle Eastern food is still better in Detroit.
Al-Qaida is virtually destroyed, surprising even the CIA. Two weeks ago, The Washington Post reported: "Less than a year after his agency warned of new threats from a resurgent al-Qaida, CIA Director Michael V. Hayden now portrays the terrorist movement as essentially defeated in Iraq and Saudi Arabia and on the defensive throughout much of the rest of the world, including in its presumed haven along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border."
It's almost as if there's been some sort of "surge" going on, as strange as that sounds.
Just this week, The New York Times reported that al-Qaida and other terrorist groups in Southeast Asia have all but disappeared, starved of money and support. The U.S. and Australia have been working closely with the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, sending them counterterrorism equipment and personnel.
But no one notices when 9/11 doesn't happen. Indeed, if we had somehow stopped the 9/11 attack, we'd all be watching Mohammed Atta being interviewed on MSNBC, explaining his lawsuit against the Bush administration. Maureen Dowd would be writing columns describing Khalid Sheik Mohammed as a "wannabe" terrorist being treated like Genghis Khan by an excitable Bush administration.
We begin to forget what it was like to turn on the TV, see a tornado, a car chase or another Pamela Anderson marriage and think: Good -- another day without a terrorist attack.
But liberals have only blind hatred for Bush -- and for those brute American interrogators who do not supply extra helpings of béarnaise sauce to the little darlings at Guantanamo with sufficient alacrity.
The sheer repetition of lies about Bush is wearing people down. There is not a liberal in this country worthy of kissing Bush's rear end, but the weakest members of the herd run from Bush. Compared to the lickspittles denying and attacking him, Bush is a moral giant -- if that's not damning with faint praise. John McCain should be so lucky as to be running for Bush's third term. Then he might have a chance
__________________

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 3 replies

Ann Friday

2008-06-14T16:37:12Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgSBhlw-o9E

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 4 replies

Kucinich is delivering Impeachment Articles against G.W. Bush

2008-06-11T18:45:31Z

A few moments ago, (approximately 7:30 p.m. EDT, 09JUN2008), Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich took to the floor of the House of Representatives to present 35 Articles of Impeachment against George W. Bush. The House session is being televised live on C-SPAN.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 4 replies

price of oil

2008-06-11T16:17:16Z

Energy: The average price for regular gas hit $4 a gallon over the weekend. Gas prices have risen 75% since Nancy Pelosi took over. Where's the energy independence Democrats promised two years ago?

In November of 2006, House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi issued a press release touting the Democrats' "common-sense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices."

She accused the oil companies of "price gouging." The price of gasoline when the Democrats took control of Congress was around $2.25 per gallon.

The average price of regular gas crept over the $4-per-gallon barrier over the weekend, as measured by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

That represents a more than 75% increase in the retail price of a gallon of gasoline on Pelosi's watch. Call it the "Pelosi premium" we're all now paying.

It's a problem driven by domestic supply restrictions imposed by the Democratic Congress in the face of growing worldwide demand. The Democrats preach energy independence while they do everything in their power to prevent it. If the American people truly want change, this would be it.

A Gallup poll released in May showed that 57% of the American people wanted the U.S. to drill in coastal and wilderness areas. The percentage of Americans who bought Pelosi's line about price gouging fell from 34% in May 2007 to 20% in May 2008. It could be a winning issue for the Republicans and John McCain.

More than 15 billion barrels of oil have been sent down the Alaskan pipeline from Prudhoe Bay, some 60 miles to the west of ANWR, over the past three decades, much more than the six months' supply expected in the beginning by those who predicted a similar environmental disaster there.

The local caribou and other critters have thrived. Yet, Pelosi and the Democrats want to to keep ANWR's estimated 10.6 billion barrels of oil off the market and out of our gas tanks.

Buried in a Department of Interior Appropriations bill passed in December 2007 was an amendment proposed by Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., passed by a 219-215 vote in June, that prevented the establishment of regulations for leasing lands to drill for oil shale.

The Western U.S. is estimated to have reserves of a trillion barrels (yes, that's the real number) trapped in porous shale rock, an amount three times the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. On May 15, 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee in a 15-14 party line vote rejected an amendment by Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., to allow oil shale drilling and overturn the Udall moratorium.

The U.S. Congress has voted consistently to keep 85% of America's offshore oil and gas off-limits, while China and Cuba drill 60 miles from Key West, Fla. The U.S. Minerals Management Service says that the restricted areas contain 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

There are 3,200 oil rigs off the coast of Louisiana. During Katrina, not a single drop was spilled. More than 7 billion barrels have been pumped from these wells over the past quarter-century, yet only one thousandth of one percent has been spilled.

A study by Louisiana's Sea Grant college shows that there's 50 times more marine life around oil platforms that act as artificial reefs than in the surrounding mud bottoms. Some 85% of Louisiana fishing trips involve fishing around these offshore rigs.

The Flower Garden coral reefs lie off the Louisiana-Texas border. They are surrounded by oil platforms that have been pumping for 50 years.

According to federal biologist G.P. Schmahl, "The Flower Gardens are much healthier, more pristine than anything in the Florida Keys. It was a surprise to me. And I think it's a surprise to most people."

We would suggest that John McCain revisit his reservations about ANWR and run against the drill-nothing Congress. Energy development and the environment are not mutually exclusive.

In fact, we would suggest that the first joint town hall meeting with Barack Obama proposed by McCain be held on one of those offshore Louisiana rigs.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 5 replies

Progressively Silent

2008-05-24T18:44:07Z

I am sad at this void. There is so much we could say, yet we remain silent. The magazines, tvs, and all the radios are all in tune. The chime the voices of 'reason' and we dispell a few facts from the message. The dust gathers on this page. Words unsaid and thought. The silence has become uneasy. Someone shout, yell, bring us some message.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 10 replies

Blue FLower Expression Censored, there is no film later

2008-04-29T14:42:59Z

I hereby do vow and attest to agree hitherto and henseforth obligate my persons and proxies or representatives to henseforth refrain and ignore any such verbal or written communications defined in the Articles of the Blue Flower Act I & II. Furthermore, any country, state, nation, or individual willingly replying to prior mentioned actions will be subject to ridicule and rude comments for no more nor less than a period equal to the sum of two trains that are headead toward each other on a route that is 250 miles long. One train goes 67 mph and the other goes 55 mph. The sum being equal to the square of the hypotenuse but minus the sum of the squares on the other two sides. Was that clear?

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 6 replies

Just what are Blue Flowers?

2008-04-29T01:53:10Z

And what do they do?

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 4 replies

Message Force Multipliers

2008-04-28T16:46:29Z

Old guys, semi-retired-ex-military, government representatives, what the Fu*k?

http://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/rummys_message_force_multiplie.php

Internal Pentagon documents [8,000 pages, to which the Times sued the Defense Department to gain access] repeatedly refer to the military analysts as “message force multipliers” or “surrogates” who could be counted on to deliver administration “themes and messages” to millions of Americans “in the form of their own opinions.”

Oh, I thought this was funny, and I know funny.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 17 replies

Food Inflation, Riots Spark

2008-04-28T05:19:34Z

"And everything seems to have gone terribly wrong that can
But one breath at a time is an acceptable plan
She tells herself
And the air is still there
And this morning it�s even breathable
And for a second the relief is unbelievable
And she�s a heavy sack of flour sifted
Her burden lifted
She�s full of clean wind for one lean moment
And then she�s trapped again
Reverted
Caged and contorted
With no way to get free
And she�s getting plenty of little kisses
But nobody�s slippin� her the key"
--Ani DiFranco, Tamburitza Lingua

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120813134819111573.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

"Last week, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged the G7 nations -- the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan -- to develop a comprehensive strategy for the food problem, encompassing trade, agricultural productivity, technology, biofuels and short-term aid for poor countries. In the past, Britain has taken the lead in pushing the G7 to write off the debts of the world's poorest nations."

The world will riot for food. Rich nations will ignore it until it comes knocking on its own door. By then how many will die hungry? How long will greed rule the world?

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 5 replies

GOP Eats its Own: Film @ 11

2008-04-25T08:35:57Z

McCain Faults Bush Response to Gulf Storm

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/25/us/politics/25mccain.html?ref=us

For democrates it completely normal to find a way to self destruct. But this strikes me as odd. McCain is eating the hands of the Ol' W Bush Handlers. I mean how are the military industrial complex to handle a rouge voice from with-in the gloden gates of the GOP? Do they support someone else this late in the game, like Obama? Hillary? Nader?

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 1 reply

Action item: video and petition demanding Rice resign

2008-04-17T18:13:54Z

You are invited to watch the video, feel sickened and furious, and then sign the petition.

http://condimustgo.com/

Were they here today, America's Founding Fathers (and Abigail Adams among the Founding Mothers) would be whacking "the principals" heads together. Actually, more likely they would press forward with trying and executing these traitors.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 1 reply

Action item: Nurse Practitioners

2008-04-11T18:42:28Z

Please sign the petition and share with others you feel may support this constructive effort. Alaska, in particular, strongly benefits from supporting Nurse Practitioners. Thanks!

Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 10:26:14 -0500
Subject: Direct-to-Consumer Advertising Petition
From: membership@aanp.org

Dear Colleagues and Supporters-

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) continues to work with the pharmaceutical and medical device industry to encourage provider-neutral language in all direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads. To that end, we have created a petition to further demonstrate the importance of this issue to the NP discipline. Please take a few minutes and click here http://66.219.50.185/petition to read and sign the petition.

Please forward this message to your NP colleagues as well as others you believe will support this initiative. We will post details on the progress of the petition on our Web site (www.aanp.org) over the next few weeks.

If you have any difficulties with the link, then please copy and paste the following URL into your browser: http://66.219.50.185/petition

Thank you for taking the time to support this important issue.

Sincerely,

Mona Counts, PhD, CRNP, FNAP, FAANP Judith Dempster, DNSc, FNP, FAANP
AANP President AANP Executive Director

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Mark Tomasik: Don’t discount Gore-led ticket

2008-04-11T16:03:49Z

Interesting-

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/mar/24/mark-tomasik-dont-discount-gore-led-ticket/

Comments?

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 62 replies

Mike Gravel of Alaska

2008-04-11T15:56:18Z

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid53184.asp

Gravel Seeks Libertarian Nomination, Promises LGBT Focus

Former senator Mike Gravel of Alaska, the erstwhile Democratic presidential candidate, announced last week that he is leaving his party and will run for president as a Libertarian. Skyler McKinley, a spokesman for Gravel, told The New York Times that Gravel would seek the Libertarian nomination at the party’s convention in Denver, which begins May 22.

In an e-mail message sent to supporters on Wednesday, Gravel expressed disenchantment with the Democratic Party. “The fact is, the Democratic Party today is no longer the party of FDR,” he wrote. “It is a party that continues to sustain war, the military-industrial complex and imperialism -- all of which I find anathema to my views.”

A vocal supporter of marriage equality, Gravel also criticized his Democratic opponents’ opposition to same-sex marriage at a Human Rights Campaign debate in August 2007. Gravel has urged the LGBT community to stand behind his candidacy and plans to refocus national attention on marriage equality.

“On gay marriage, there’s no difference between the presumptive Republican and Democratic nominees,” Gravel said in a press release. “Neither of them believes you are worthy of equal rights. This disgusts me, and it should disgust you.”

About 15 hopefuls are vying for the Libertarian nomination. Andrew Davis, a spokesman for the Libertarian National Committee, told The New York Times that it won't be easy for Gravel: Party members might disapprove of Gravel’s support of universal health care, funded by a national retail tax.

“Whether or not some of our delegates will accept Mike Gravel with some of his positions, that has yet to be seen,” Davis said. (The Advocate)

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 8 replies

Informative regardless of what your answers reveal...

2008-04-08T17:58:35Z

http://www.votechooser.com

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Oh so Quiet...

2008-04-07T18:14:40Z

The news seems silient on politics of late. Are they done repeating themselves? The War too, WTF?!?! I feel like we are taken to the sands, our head placed there for our protection.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 4 replies

Hillary's new campaign theme song!

2008-04-05T02:50:46Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE11Zrrp24I

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 3 replies

Action item: Mental Health Trust bill HB 312 - action needed today!

2008-04-02T20:27:04Z

Hello-

I just took action on this issue and thought you might be interested to do so as well.

Click on this URL for more info and to take action now:
http://capwiz.com/mhtrust/utr/2/?a=11225221&i=75510676&c=

Scroll down, enter your address, and click "send" to take action -the easy way!

If your email program does not recognize the URL above as a link,
then please copy the entire URL and paste it into your web browser.

Thanks for taking a moment to send a message to your legislators on this one; your message really do make a big difference!

Steven

PS: Please forward to other folks you know who may recognize how they benefit from taking action.

PPS: If for some reason that system above is not working for you as it should, then the Alaska State Public Opinion Message System link is
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/poms/

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Listen for the bells

2008-04-02T15:45:58Z

John the farmer was in the fertilized egg business. He had several hundred young layers (hens), called "pullets," and ten roosters, whose job it was to fertilize the eggs.

The farmer kept records and any rooster that didn't perform went into the Soup pot and was replaced. That took an awful lot of his time, so he bought a set of tiny bells and attached them to his roosters. Each bell had a different tone so John could tell from a distance, which rooster was performing. Now he could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report simply by listening to the bells.

The farmer's favorite rooster was old Butch, a very fine specimen he was,too. But on this particular morning John noticed old Butch's bell hadn't rung at all! John went to investigate.

The other roosters were chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing. The pullets, hearing the Roosters coming, would run for cover.

But to Farmer John's amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the next one. John was so proud of old Butch, he entered him in the Renfrew County Fair and he became an overnight sensation among the judges who awarded old Butch the No Bell Piece Prize as well as the Pulletsurprise!

Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making: who else but a politician could figure out how to win two highly coveted awards by being the best at sneaking up on the populace and screwing them when they weren't paying attention.

Vote carefully . . . The bells are not always audible.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 1 reply

So, what do we think about the Taxi Deregulation ballot issue?

2008-04-01T06:01:44Z

Today the Daily Worker came out against taxi deregulation in Anchorage, saying the measure makes more of a mess than it cleans up.

I've been leaning toward a "Yes" vote mainly for two reasons, one specific and one broadly philosophical:
-deregulated industries tend to favor free markets and eventually benefit customers through lower prices and higher quality, and
-drivers are without health insurance now and would be able to purchase it under deregulation (according to some drivers who spoke to this issue) and that seems like a weighty point for in fairness to them and in the interest of keeping them off the public tab if/when something happens.

Any thoughts? I (and three others who are asking me for advice on that issue) really have not decided yet and would be interested to hear your inclinations.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 5 replies

On a more positive note

2008-03-30T08:22:49Z

With gasoline averaging $3.25 a gallon couldn't it be argued(emphasis on argue) that the Bush administration has taken giant leaps to promoting alternative energy sources and to increase fuel efficiency (without the need for additional government regulations and incentives mind you)?

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 2 replies

If Hillary can get away with it, so can I....

2008-03-27T08:22:26Z

"I remember my last trip to San Diego. The stench of ash and death in the air from the aftermath of the terrorist nuclear weapon smuggled into the country in a shipping container. We had to run for cover under a hail of gunfire from marauding teams of flesh-eating mutants and crazed rape gangs."

Oh, sorry, I misspoke.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 3 replies

Action opportunity: please send POMs on HJR 19 & SB 202

2008-03-20T19:26:11Z

HJR 19 (Oppose Federal ID Requirements) and SB 202 (Prohibit State Spending For Real Id Act) are currently on the Alaska state legislative calendar and pending.

Public Opinion Messages (POMs) do influence legislators on pending bills. The message I sent was "Please support HJR 19 and SB 202."

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/poms/

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

High School Research Project: 5 very quick questions at SurveyMonkey

2008-03-10T23:33:30Z

Hi-

My friend Charles' daughter, Sarah, is conducting a survey as part of her research for a high school class project. This is entirely legitimate in every regard; I did the survey myself. If you can take a minute (Sarah estimates 3 minutes, but I think this one really takes about 30 seconds) then please click the link below to her SurveyMonkey site and anonymously answer her five questions; it would allow the kid to get a good solid response sample for her project.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=OZfCQ5EIRoMQ1OaKoJGMCw_3d_3d

Thanks!

Best,
Steven

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

The Decider had Decided

2008-03-09T02:49:00Z

Bush Uses Veto on C.I.A. Tactics to Affirm Legacy

By STEVEN LEE MYERS
Published: March 9, 2008
WASHINGTON — President Bush on Saturday further cemented his legacy of fighting for strong executive powers, using his veto to shut down a Congressional effort to limit the Central Intelligence Agency’s latitude to subject terrorism suspects to harsh interrogation techniques.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/washington/09policy.html?em&ex=1205125200&en=3fd8c6d735da5b02&ei=5087%0A

The elections cannot come soon enough,

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 1 reply

Now that Nader has declared his intention to run again...

2008-03-06T17:06:12Z

Two questions:

...do you think a Nader/(fill in the blank) ticket could have a chance of winning, and

...would you vote for an Obama/Kucinich ticket?

An Obama/Kucinich ticket would probably be the only way I, myself, would actually genuinely believe Obama is sincere about making significant change instead of being just another corporately co-opted candidate. This pairing would also be great life insurance for Obama, as the military industrial complex would go to extraordinary lengths in insuring his safety if Kucinich would be the one to replace him. Kucinich running together with Obama as his VP would also recover most of the votes which will now be siphoned off to Nader; otherwise, that 3% to 5% or so is gone.

So, what do you think?

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 15 replies

Vermont towns vote to arrest Bush and Cheney

2008-03-06T02:52:16Z

(what a gem)

powered by Sphere
Featured Broker sponsored link
Learn to Trade with a FREE Guide.WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Voters in two Vermont towns on Tuesday approved a measure that would instruct police to arrest President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for "crimes against our Constitution," local media reported.

The nonbinding, symbolic measure, passed in Brattleboro and Marlboro in a state known for taking liberal positions on national issues, instructs town police to "extradite them to other authorities that may reasonably contend to prosecute them."

Vermont, home to maple syrup and picture-postcard views, is known for its liberal politics.

State lawmakers have passed nonbinding resolutions to end the war in Iraq and impeach Bush and Cheney, and several towns have also passed resolutions of impeachment. None of them have caught on in Washington.

Bush has never visited the state as president, though he has spent vacations at his family compound in nearby Maine.

Roughly 12,000 people live in Brattleboro, located on the Connecticut River in the state's southeastern corner. Nearby Marlboro has a population of roughly 1,000.

(Writing by Andy Sullivan, editing by David Wiessler)

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 7 replies

Action item: Head Start funding under attack.

2008-03-01T21:57:16Z

Please contact Rep. Meyer and urge him to reinstate the $600K he has blocked from the Head Start budget.

Thanks!

Here below follows a copy of the letter I just sent to both his legislative and Conoco-Phillips e-mail addresses, with background info.

-----------------------------------------------

Hi Kevin-

Courtesy copy for you following below of this note I just sent out to everyone. Kudos on the shrewd maneuvering!

Regards,
Steven

---

Hello Neighbors-

"Now why," I asked myself upon reading the paper "is our very own Rep. Kevin Meyer is going up against a wildly popular governor of his own party as well against all common sense as regards the fiscal value of spending $600K in Head Start funding now --think of it as "prevention"-- versus the tens of millions of tax dollars sure to be ongoingly wasted later in remedial education, increased health care costs, higher law enforcement/judicial/prison costs, and lower worker productivity if Head Start services are underfunded? This point is rather starkly obvious, so it was a puzzlement. While getting Kevin Meyer to actually meet my family face to face has been about as easy to accomplish as tacking Jell-O to a wall --which is arguably not too smart on his part given that we are super-voter constituents who actively campaign, contribute, and vote when we are stirred up-- my impression is that he is not actually a stupid man.

So, if Kevin Meyer is not actually stupid, then why is he doing something which seems stupid?

Well, let's ponder a bit further. The abject disgrace to our district and legislature named John Cowdery will not be running again for this district's senate seat (thankfully enough, as we have gone without representation for entirely too long given Cowdery's shameless refusal to resign) and Kevin Meyer is putting himself forward as being just the right Republican to fill Cowdery's shoes.

Now, if Kevin Meyer approved the $600K for Head Start without so much as a demur then he might be vulnerable to looking somehow like a (horrors!) Democrat in funding the proven-effective public education program. By objecting, however, he not only has the free advertising of his name in the papers and on TV over and over again while this issue hashes out, but also has cover for "giving in" to the wildly popular Sarah Palin and doing what he surely realizes is the fiscally prudent thing by reinstating the threatened $600K back into Head Start. This way he comes out smelling like a rose all across the spectrum to:
A) Palin-lovers in all their mighty legions,
B) hardcore conservatives and the Ron Paul cadre ("he did his best, but the governor was twisting his arm you know"),
C) fiscally rational and fair-minded voters who care about equity and progress in this state, -and even the
D) bleeding-heart commie-pinko fags (all two of them in this district!)
This is good when one is a Republican --employed by Conoco-Phillips in this year of especially oily politics-- seeking to follow in John Cowdery's illustrious footsteps to the senate.

So, more carefully considered, we see that our clever Representative with his lean and hungry profile has indeed been reading Machiavelli late into the night and could be considered to rival perhaps even Mark Begich for skill at landing on his feet.

Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe Kevin Meyer is just shooting his own foot off. We will know for sure when we see whether or not that $600K goes back into effective prevention via Head Start.

Best,
Steven

-------

Daily News editorial follows here:

Gov. Sarah Palin recently heeded some Democratic legislators and agreed to seek a boost in the state's contribution to Head Start. (Good call there, governor). Unfortunately, their efforts hit a wall inside the House Finance Committee. The education subcommittee denied the governor's request and essentially flat-funded the state contribution for the sixth straight year.

Anchorage Republican Kevin Meyer was one of the Head Start skeptics. He said the Palin administration hadn't shown that the program, which is usually run by a non profit organization in a community, could ramp up and actually serve more kids.

That objection will be easy to address. The demand is there, on the 1,000-child wait list. Gov. Palin has proposed a modest increase -- less than 10 percent of the state's usual share. We're not talking about a tidal wave of new preschoolers. When spending the money, the state can give priority to programs that can add students right away, without big startup costs.

Rep. Meyer also noted that Head Start is a federal, not a state, program -- as if that's a problem. By adding modest sums to a program run by the feds, the state gets more bang for the buck, compared to launching a duplicative program of its own.

Why don't local governments fund Head Start, the same way they contribute to their K-12 schools, Rep. Meyer asked. One answer: Head Start is most needed in poor communities, and many of them are places where the state already funds 100 percent of education because there is no tax base.

Rep. Meyer also asserted that we don't know Head Start works. Actually we do. After four decades and many studies, the success of Head Start is accepted. The only debate is over how many years the benefits last after the children graduate from the program.

Research shows that the quality of K-12 schools the Head Start children attend later makes a significant difference in their academic performance. So the lesson is -- we can't just dump Head Start kids into bad schools and expect academic miracles. That's a surprise?

The federal government oversees the quality of each Head Start school, with exhaustive reporting requirements and an on-site visit every three years. Surely Rep. Meyer is not suggesting we should waste money on a big contract with outside education experts to prove Alaska's Head Start is just as successful as others in the nation.

Rejecting Gov. Palin's funding boost was not a final decision, Rep. Meyer told the Daily News. The money could be added as the budget moves further along toward final passage.

Rep. Meyer and his colleagues should add the $600,000 for Head Start next week when the full committee takes up the budget. If Alaska is going to meet the zero-failure rate demanded by the No Child Left Behind Act, children in poverty need a head start. More of them will get it, if legislators like Kevin Meyer do the right thing on this funding request.

BOTTOM LINE: Quit the quibbling: Head Start works.

The more impoverished Alaska children who can attend, the better.

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posted in Alaskan Progressives - 20 replies

On the occasion of the passing of an icon...

2008-02-27T19:39:13Z

Decriminalization of marijuana is something even an icon of conservatism can get behind:

http://www.nationalreview.com/buckley/buckley200406291207.asp

...so why can't the left and the right get together in unity to right this wrong, this injustice?

Is Buckley right in that politicians don't want to seem "soft" on drugs or crime?

I am hard pressed to think of a single change in domestic policy that would have such immediately positive benefits as decriminalizing marijuana and releasing from prison non-violent drug offenders.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

The Onion strikes again!

2008-02-27T18:26:50Z

Funny, but perhaps close to the truth?

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/diebold_accidentally_leaks?utm_source=EMTF_Onion

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 2 replies

Plague of Fear

2008-02-22T08:35:36Z

Beyond the politic, industrial, misshappend tool
is a voice that spits, mouth drenched drool
often misspoken lies amass, phrases turned
echoed and echoed till truth be told, earned
they eat their young, they steal and beg
bury babies alive and then make their bed
carry on, like it was, and should be
one voice above, alone, free
I am your plague of fear
I am your friend, my dear

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Poking a little fun

2008-02-21T03:51:39Z

Hillary Clinton went to a primary school in Virginia to talk about the
world. After her talk she offers question time. One little boy puts up
his hand.

The Senator asks him what his name is; 'Kenneth' he answers.

'And what is your question, Kenneth?'

'I have three questions:
First - whatever happened to your medical health care plan?
Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the
office?
And, Third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you
left the White House?'

Just then the bell rings for recess. Hillary Clinton informs the kiddies
that they will continue after recess. When they resume Hillary says,
'Okay where were we? Oh, that's right, question time. Who has a
question?'

A different little boy puts his hand up; Hillary points him out and asks
him what his name is. 'Larry' he answers.

'And what is your question, Larry?'

'I have five questions:
First - whatever happened to your medical health care plan?
Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the
office?
Third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you left the
White House?
Fourth - why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early?
And, Fifth - what happened to Kenneth?

Found this on a welding forum and had a good chuckle

TJ

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 20 replies

Alaska Action: Wildlife Management

2008-02-20T20:27:55Z

Hi Friends-

Governor Palin just appointed her middle school basketball coach, Lew Bradley, to Alaska's 7-member Board of Game.

Alaska needs a balanced and competent Board of Game. Unfortunately, Lew Bradley fails to add either balance or experience to this highly influential regulatory board.

It’s time for the Governor to correct her mistake by withdrawing Bradley’s name from consideration.

I just called Governor Palin to urge her to select a qualified candidate like George Matz to this important post and hope you will, too.

Please do call Governor Palin’s office at (907) 465-3500 and leave a public opinion message urging her to make the right choice for Alaska by nominating a qualified candidate like George Matz to the Board of Game.

George Matz has asked to be appointed to the Board of Game because he believes that a balanced Board of Game should protect the right of Alaskans to both hunt and view wildlife -- two vital components of Alaska’s culture and economy.

As a former Board of Game member, leader in several conservation organizations and someone who has professional experience in state policy and fiscal matters, George Matz will bring a sorely lacking diversity of perspective to the Board of Game. Click on the link below to learn more about George Matz and the Board of Game.

http://action.defenders.org/georgematz

I hope you’ll join me in calling on the Governor to start listening to the people of Alaska and nominate George Matz to the Board of Game.

Please make this call for wildlife today -you can leave a message for Governor Palin by calling her office today at (907) 465-3500 and asking to leave a comment. Please urge her to make the right decision for Alaska by nominating a qualified candidate like George Matz to the Board of Game.

Calls from Alaskans do have an impact in such matters.

Thanks for taking the time to help!

Best,
Steven

PS: Please share this request with friends concerned about promoting scientifically based wildlife management in Alaska versus more "management" by the Good 'Ol Boy system.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 0 replies

Did anyone else caucus tonight?

2008-02-10T19:09:14Z

Donovan, Rynning and I were there and I'm proud to report there were literally 10x as many people there as there were at the 2004 caucus.

It was as crazy, if not more crazy, as the news portrayed it this evening...but it always feels good to stand with so many politically like minded people, and lets face it, those opportunities are few and far between around here.

.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 21 replies

Bush Ok'd confirming waterboarding

2008-02-08T16:50:24Z

By Jon Ward The White House today said President Bush authorized his CIA director to confirm the use of waterboarding by US officials on three suspected terrorists to gather intelligence and that the interrogation technique is not torture.

What the hell? This is wrong, by my own standards. What standards are we allowing and how does this look to the international community? It cannot be good.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 14 replies

A trend I hope alaska never starts...

2008-02-05T05:53:15Z

I pray that our legislators create this type of bill:

http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2008/pdf/history/HB/HB0282.xml

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 16 replies

Ron Paul on local radio tomorrow...

2008-02-02T07:54:20Z

It'll only be for about 15 minutes, but Ron Paul is slated to be on our talk show just after 10am. he has to run and catch a plane at about 20 after, which is why we'll have him for such a short time.

Oh, you probably want to know that it'll be on AM 750 KFQD. Right around 6 minutes after 10.

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 2 replies

Ron Paul invites Dennis Kucinich to a cabinet level post in his administration

2008-01-26T04:20:46Z

Here in Alaska earlier today Ron Paul was interviewed on news radio AM 750 KFQD, this morning between 10:05 and 10:25am. I called in and --as the very first question put to Ron Paul during the broadcast-- asked him:

"Dr. Paul, Congressman Dennis Kucinich just announced he is dropping out of the presidential contest, so you will be the lone candidate remaining in the race who is not corporately funded. On Feb. 5th here in Alaska all those people who were intending to caucus for Kucinich would like to still be able to caucus for a candidate who is not corporately funded, upholds the constitution, and opposes oil wars. You and congressmen Kucinich agree on many significant issues. So, my question is, in a Ron Paul presidential administration would an invitation be extended to Dennis Kucinich for him to fill a cabinet level position?"

To briefly paraphrase congressman Paul's answer, he said that yes, he has high regard for Dennis Kucinich, considers him a personal friend as well as a respected colleague, and would look for Dennis Kucinich to take just such a leadership role particularly in the areas of foreign policy and (domestically) with regard to the preservation of American civil liberties -areas on which he considers Dennis Kucinich to be highly knowledgeable and on which they agree regarding policy. Ron Paul was very respectful, complimentary, warm, and enthusiastic regarding Dennis Kucinich.

Ron Paul's full comments on a cabinet post for Dennis Kucinich in a Ron Paul presidential administration may be heard in their entirety direct from his own lips to your ears sometime around 6:00pm tonight when the podcast update for today's Mark Colavecchio show is posted at the KFQD website. Here is the link to the podcast-
http://www.kfqd.com/podcast_info
[Alaska time is one hour earlier than Pacific coast time, so 6pm in Alaska is 7pm in California]

Huge thanks to Ambird for the heads-up alerting us to a unique opportunity to put this question to congressman Ron Paul!

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 1 reply

Second Amendment poll

2008-01-24T16:50:29Z

http://www.usatoday.com/news/quickquestion/2007/november/popup5895.htm

posted in Alaskan Progressives - 56 replies