Jerry Ward - Alaska's sleasiest politician?

Ahhh, remember Jerry? - we were really SOL when he represented us in the state senate. Let's see - he claimed he lived in a trailer in Nikiski instead of his $500,000 house in Anchorage. Then there was some hush-hush business involving Jerry and private prisons that cost Delta Junction a cool million bucks. Jerry was all about private prisons, well, until he was against them. (wonder where he got a lot of his 'funding' from?) He also managed to piss off fellow republicans when he claimed the Republican Party of Alaska endorsed him in the primary of 2000 - they didn't of course. Oh, let's not forget the pull-tab money and the Kenai Native Association that he threw his wife under the bus about. And just what was the deal with that sexual harassment issue back in Juneau?

Well, Jerry is back in the news - and in good company - with Uncle Ted. Seems Jerry convinced Dave Anderson, a witness in Steven's corruption trial to claim that Anderson's testemony was a lie. Seems that Jerry was out to save his own skin - as Ward is being investigated by the FBI for being on the receiving end of funds from Bill Weimar. Remember the private prisons? Anyway, you can't make this shit up. Anderson is living with Ward's daughter who used to date Bill Allen who bribed Stevens. Read it here for yourself (if you haven't already).

Those Darn Letters to the Editor

OMG...who left the door to the inane [sic] asylum open?

Have you been reading the online version of the Peninsula Clarion lately?

Paul Morrison wrote a letter to the editor complaining that he spent over $2800 on media subscriptions trying to find dirt on Obama (how did BO afford to go to ivy league schools? where did he work while in college? what did his church stand for?). Poor Paul couldn't find a thing and because of this inability, he concluded that common sense and logic were absent in the good ol' US of A.

Couldn't agree with you more - and it starts with you dude!

Hmmm...Paul, just what are you looking for? I think BO had scholarships and loans (which he recently paid off), worked part-time in a Baskin-Robbins and went to a Christian church (they believe in Christ I think). You should read his speech on race to put J Wright's often whacked sermons in context.

Do scroll down a bit and read the comments. We've got a lot of strange folks out and about in the central peninsula. Postings by robertwhite, freezerburt, Torp44, and especially kenai123 dive into the empty end of the gene pool. These guys have seen (very discredited) blog postings about BO's birth certificate, his Muslim background, and various other conspiracies and are going apeshit with accusation and innuendos.

I don't intend to get rid of my guns anytime soon - guys like that on the lose are wicked scary. I certainly hope that the laws are strong enough to keep weapons out of the hands of these guys.

Slammin' The Door (You Betcha, winky-wink)

Hey there Sarah Palin...

Yahweh the God here.

I've hoped that you've noticed. That sign you've been seeking - the open door you've been wondering about. It's not open. No, not even a crack.

Your Uncle Ted had it coming, but Mark won fair and square and if you think you can take on Lisa when her term is up in two years, that's a cat fight that will be the political equivalent of pro wrasslin'. A divine comedy!

So please - try a little humility right now. No more interviews with the national press. No book deals. No out-of-state meetings. No spotlight.

Let's see you get back to work in AK. Oil prices are down - you may have to balance a budget this time around. Your Canadian pipeline won't be built for at least 20 years. And speaking of pipelines, the one from Washington DC is all dried up. No more redistribution of the wealth by the way of energy bonuses (but a fine socialist idea nonetheless). And remember my parables. Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for life. Wouldn't it had been better to invest that $1.2 billion you spent on those energy checks on a long-term solution?

Do think about learning a thing or two about any issue that you may want to speak about (before you speak about it). And remember this - subject followed by predicate. The idea that one sentence connects to the idea of the next sentence is also a good one.

Wagoner too sick to work? If so, he should resign

The PC reports that Tom Wagoner, the central peninsula's representative to the state house is sick and has left the state to receive treatments (see story).

I wish Tom a speedy recovery and a quick return to Alaska - but when he gets back, I hope that he fully intends to actually represent our communities during this coming legislative session. He has already decided NOT to be part of the bi-partisan majority that was formed last week. This will make the third session in the row that he has sat in the sidelines rather than participate in making government work for all of us. That's like a paid vacation on the government tab for doing no work.

Tom, if you wanted to sit out the current session, why did you run for office?

If you are unwilling to serve, please consider resigning your seat and let someone go to Juneau that will actually work for us?

Election Results: The Kenai Peninsula

Last month Dave Carey defeated John Williams for the Borough Mayor. I don't know how this will play out - while not a particular fan of Williams, I am not confident that Dave understands complexities. Time will tell. Dave's first act was to order department heads to trim 5% from their budgets. The request is more symbolic than necessary, as the KPB does operate in the black. But Dave did get elected by a movement to cut the cost of government, so cut he should do.

Once again, I am not surprised by Chenault's victory over Evans, Wagoner's over Anderson's, or Olson's over Waisanan. We get what we deserve though.

Remember that Chenault, a member of the Corrupt Bastard's Club and recipient of thousands of dollars of VECO money, held up the tax reform legislation in his committee that then forced Gov Palin to call a special session to deal with. How much did that tactic cost the state? Chenault was also instrumental in doing away with the defined benefits retirement plan for state employees that has created a huge problem attracting folks to fill state trooper and other state positions. He was also part of the team that mistakenly reduced the states obligated payments to TRS and PRS. Luckily $100+ barrels of oil coupled with an overhaul of the oil tax laws (which he opposed) helped us find a way out of that mess - but at a greater cost than if we had just continued with our obligations.

For two terms, Wagoner has refused to join the coalition that brought a much needed across-the-aisle cooperation in Juneau. He would prefer the old system that ignores the diversity that exists in this state. Anyway, for two terms, Wagoner has done absolutely noting but sit on the sidelines and moan and groan.

And Olson? He’s another VECO fund recipient that does little more than occupy space.

OK - you guys are in. Let's get a sound fiscal policy in place. Let's create support for alternate energy development. Let's figure out how to get a sound educational policy in place.

Election Results: Alaska

I am not at all surprised with the outcomes here in Alaska. We're not only SOL here in Soldotna, but we're SOL throughout this state.

As of now, a felon convicted on 7 counts leads in the race for the US Senate. Yes, Uncle Ted is guilty and it has nothing to do with any improper court proceedings. His own testimony did him in.

Don Young who is also leading in his race is under investigation for corruption (don't forget that an overwhelming bipartisan vote from his colleagues in congress recommended the investigation) and he has already spent more than a million bucks in legal fees. No one would be shocked if he gets indicted.

Neither of these men will be effective in DC. It is likely that Ted will be turned out of the Senate and there can be no doubt that Young will be relegated to insignificant positions in the House of Reps.

Get ready Alaska, the anus of America is about to squeeze us off. We'll have to begin to pay our own way. But that just might be a good thing.

Election thoughts: Barack Obama

It is a moment right now – a declaration that, yes, we can change. Americans from all regions and from all persuasions have spoken with audacity.

It’s the recognition that, yes, we should change. That to be that shining beacon to the world, we can no longer condone torture and that we can no longer abandon justice. If our way is the right way, the progressive powers of tolerance, knowledge and dialogue - the essential components of freedom and democracy - need to trump fear, secrecy and partisanship.

It’s the responsibility that, yes, we must change – the problems are too many and too severe to continue to forget America’s middle class and to continue to alienate the rest of the planet. America increased productivity by 20% during the Bush years – our workers produced more and produced more efficiently, but the rewards of this productivity did not go to those who punched a clock – whose wages during this time declined when adjusted for inflation. The top earning 1% of our population now controls 22% of the all the wealth that we have all created. This scope of this disparity is unprecedented in our history. Yes, there has been a redistribution of the wealth – away from those who created it to those have used undo powers of high-priced lobbyists and special interests to reward the already powerful beyond any sense of fairness.

It’s the hope that, yes, we will change. Barack Obama’s message has always been inclusive. These are the United States and we all need to be willing to share the burden required to solve the difficulties ahead. But it is what America does best. We work hard and we believe that hard work can improve our own lives. And we believe that when it necessary, that sacrifice is what it will take to improve the future – so that our children will inherit the reality of our best dreams of prosperity, peace and freedom.

It our moment – a time for all of us in these United States to ensure that the American Dream continues to motivate everyone of us to be our best.

And it’s also a moment for all on our planet - especially for those who live where oppression, fear and corruption rule - to expect that the international policies of our nation and the rest of the free world will insist that prosperity in developing countries is shared by all – not just the powerful military, political and business elite.

Let’s celebrate this victory – it is sweet. But then let’s start cooperating and get some meaningful things done.

How the Dems can win in '08: Step Two

It's time for the Dems to figure out how to deal with abortion.

The question to ask is a simple one: What do those in favor of keeping abortions legal and those who are against the practice have in common?

Seriously. They have more in common with each other than not.

The answer?

Both sides would like to see the abortion rate get as close to zero as possible. Rather than avoid the issue, Dems should be pledging to reduce the number of abortions while keeping in place the much-needed protections for women.

Dems should speak more about keeping abortion legal when the mother's life is endangered. Dems should emphasize that it is between a woman and God to decide if it morally wrong to terminate a pregnancy that is the result of rape or incest - not the government. And then there should be an immediate follow up question: What sort of prison term does the abortion opponent want to give a woman who chooses to have an abortion after being raped?

I would like someone to ask Palin that question.

And then maybe ask her why the State of Alaska had to pass a special law because Wasilla, when Sarah was mayor and had consented to policy, charged rape victims for the medical kit that is used to collect evidence. Wasilla was the ONLY place in Alaska that had such a practice and despite calls from the state to change this policy that made victims of victims refused to do so. Read the ADN article.

Maybe the Dems should talk about R v W being about privacy. The government has no business asking a woman why she is having an abortion.

The Dems should actively dissuade women from using abortion as birth control. They should appeal to parents and church groups to counsel young folks to abstain, but if people choose to have sex, as they have done since Adam and Eve, to do so responsibly.

What the Heck!??!

If there ever was year for the Democrats to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, 2008 is ripe fruit to leave rotting on the vine.

Look at the set up:

Republiscams have controlled congress for all but about 2 years since 1994 and have controlled the White House for 20 of the last 28 years. They have run up huge deficits, led us into a disgraceful war of choice in Iraq, have tarnished the good name of America by allowing for torture, have had far more corruption and sex-related scandals than the Dems, the economy is in the bowl thanks to their deregulation policies, health care is out of reach for millions of hard-working Americans, the top 2% of the country has become incredibly wealthy while the rest of us have not experienced any real financial growth since the Clinton years. They have mismanaged FEMA and have industry flunkies running agencies that are suppose to look out for the public, squelched science, relaxed rules protecting air and water quality, illegally hired civil servants based on political affiliation...I will stop now but you know the list can take up pages. I think you get the idea - they have been the party in power and the problems we are now facing are mostly of their doing.

And for some reason, the presidential race is dead even? What the heck!??!

Big Bad John vs Desperate Dave: Borough Mayor

Hope that some of you caught the KDLL segment featuring the two candidates for bourough mayor. Agree or not with Williams and his policies and methods, he did come across at least with more than a basic understanding of the complexities of running government services.

Carey, as you might expect if you've ever had a 5 minute conversation with him, is completely clueless and relies on wrapping the flag around the issues and defaulting to honoring our veterans. And to think he taught government and civics for years. For some reason, painting fire hydrants red, white and blue is high on his agenda. Dave, dogs here in SOLdotna like to pee on those things - so do some of my friends. That's a time-honored function of fire hydrants!

I sort of like that Williams stands up to A.C.T. Personally, I don't like some North Road idiots setting borough and SOLdotna policy. We can get ourselves in deep shit here without your help!

10 things that don't Suck in Soldotna (revised)

1)Tsalteshi Trails - world class x-country skiing.
2)Kaladi Bros - the fix is on...and now remodeled!
3)Triumvirate Theater
4)River City Books
5)M. Scott Moon - the photographer for the Clarion. Damn, his picts are good - and it's about the only reason to buy the rag. How come you're still in THIS town?!?
6)KDLL (well it's not broadcast from SOLdotna. but the reception here isn't bad if you wear some tinfoil on your head)
7)The Kenai River Brewery (behind Frosos) Get a Growler or two and say hello to Inebriata
8)St. Elias Brewpub - good eats and food, but how about some noise absorbing tiles?
9)You can get there (ski, bike, climb, hike, kayak) from here.
10) Sarah Palin is not the mayor!

How the Dems can win in '08: Step One

Sarah Palin as Veep?

Part of the reason we're SOL in Soldotna is that Palin is a PAIN in Alaska!

This should be the best news for the Democrats - but the party that loves to lose can't seem to figure out how to respond to the shot in the rear her selection as #2 has given to McCain and the Republicans.

Well, you don't go after her directly, you go after her by questioning the wisdom, judgment (and sanity) of McCain. These are the themes Obama used so eloquently at the Democratic convention last month. Don't even mention her name when you go after McCain's decision to select her as his veep.

For example, the selection of the Alaskan quarter, global warming, and the polar bear being listed as threatened species is ripe for slamming the Republiscams.

Simply have Barack, Joe or some responsible Dem spokesperson hold up 2 quarters - the brown bear that was selected and the polar bear that wasn't and say something like this:

"Alaska recently selected the brown bear as the its state's quarter - a nice design, but the brown bear is hardly unique to Alaska. The governor did not choose the polar bear despite the fact that Alaska is the only state where this magnificent animal lives. Well, there's republican politics at play with this decision.

"We've just endured eight years of the Bush administration ignoring and circumventing sound science. Now John McCain has selected someone as his vice presidential candidate who operates in the same fashion. Despite overwhelming scientific research supporting listing the polar bear as a threatened species, the State of Alaska, under the administration of the Republican vice-presidential candidate has sued the federal government citing that there was no evidence to support the claim. (You can read her OpEd piece in the NYTimes here) She wrote "My decision is based on a comprehensive review by state wildlife officials of scientific information from a broad range of climate, ice and polar bear experts."

"Yet, the governor has in fact chosen to ignore the findings of her own scientists - she want as far as to suppress their findings and kept this information from seeing the light of day (Read the ADN article). Alaskan scientists just happen to agree with the Department of the Interior's scientists - the polar bear is indeed threatened.

"Republicans like to argue that any finding that doesn't fit with their agenda is 'junk', but the truth is that they toss any valid research that contradicts their extreme positions into the junk pile.

"Do we really want four more years of Republicans hiding the truth from the American people?

"John McCain's straight talk express is just straight away from the truth."

Want to RIP in SOLdotna? - Well, You're SOL!

When my time is up, I want to be sent off viking-style. Load my carcass on a raft made up of beetle-kill, torch it up, and launch it out in the inlet. I want my friends to have a drink or two as the flames do their thing.

Those who live in SOLdotna who may want a more traditional burial are really SOL as this town does not have a cemetery. The city has had the opportunity to locate one in a 10 acre parcel off of West Redoubt near Redoubt Elementary, but a local subdivision organization, led by Gary Turner, the director of Kenai Peninsula College, has put the kabosh on that for now. Gary's arguments are really lame and self-serving. You would think a college director would be able to offer more than the transparent reasons he has given. Check it out his opinion piece in the PC.

Clark Fair, a teacher at Skyview HS and a long-time SOLdotna resident, offered this reply to Turner.

I'll have an update soon as the SOLdotna City council met yesterday to re-visit this grave issue.