I was quite disappointed the other day to see Senator Ron Wyden's name listed alongside the blue dog Democrats opposing the current health care plan being hammered out in the House and Senate. Why? Because I grew up in Oregon and I have personal experience with some of Oregon's progressive health care policies, some of which Wyden supported in spite of his personal feelings precisely because he realizes he is a representative of his constituents and as a public servant is duty bound to listen to their will. More on that later. Ron Wyden has always been one of the better progressive politicians representing Oregon. Wyden started his political career as a member of the House in 1980 and took his Senate seat in 1996. After reading his plan entitled "The Healthy Americans Act" I have an idea that it would be better for America to drop the present doomed plan being argued over in D. C. like a hot potato and embrace Wyden's plan like a long lost and deeply loved brother.
Here's why -- structurally the present plan has been set up for failure by the forces of anti-progression, let's just call them 'regressionists' or better yet 'obstructionists', with the addition of 160 untenable and unworkable amendments attached to the bill by Republicans looking to either delay or torpedo the whole shebang long enough so they can go back home to their respective districts and attempt to whip up their constituency over the August recess into a populist froth against ANY bill being passed. Then, they reason, they can come back to D. C. in September when congress reconvenes and continue to tell even more lies and half-truths to an enabling main stream media in order to sway public opinion and help apply pressure to kill the bill off entirely. No matter the will of the people, as long as the obstructionists can pay lip service to actually listening to their constituents, they can pretend to be caring, feeling, responsive representatives of the people as they continue to push their own agenda forward, completely ignoring the 72% of Americans IN FAVOR of a public plan health care option or universal health care. Instead, these naysayers wish to portray themselves in the role of an earnest Van Helsing, eager to slay the dreaded Dracul Obama and his evil 'socialist' public option plan or ANY form of affordable universal health care by pounding their obstructionist stake into the heart of the present bill, killing it once and for all. Well you may be shocked but I say good. Let them. It was dead before they even started thanks in part to their idiotic amendments. Good riddance. Now please support the Wyden plan, thank you. It's logical, workable and has been extensively vetted by the CBO. Oh and please pull your head out of your ass, obstructionist assholes.
We, as their constituents need to insist that all of our elected public servants quit dicking around, some of whom offer no plan of their own other than to continue to obstruct. It is time to get on with it already! People's lives literally hang in the balance as these idiots continue to stand there, as empty headed as they are empty handed. To fail to act NOW is to offer more death and suffering to all uninsured Americans and yet even more outrageous cost and denials of service for 'pre-existing conditions' to those who are actually insured. I am one of those uninsured Americans and yes, because of complications after my dual cancer surgeries, I too am in desperate need of medical treatment that I cannot afford. I need a real plan, a public option plan, right NOW. If these obstructionist idiots, so long held in the back pockets of the health care lobbyists who have donated massive amounts of "campaign money" (see also: "bribes") to them (yes, even to Wyden, but at least the man has a reasonable plan) think they hold the moral high ground on this issue then I and many others suggest they resign from the free and excellent health care plan offered to all legislators in D.C. and walk a mile in my and millions of other American's uninsured shoes. Feel MY pain, motherfuckers. Feel the pain of millions of Americans. Even the very threat of voting these idiots out of office is an empty one at that as they get to keep their benefits FOR LIFE, thus making the rest of us health care 'serfs' to their politically favored 'landed gentry'!
Every single day I fight against the re-infection and bleeding of scar tissues, conditions caused by debris ("disintegrating" subcutaneous stitches that never disintegrated) that remain floating around in my system, exacerbated by poor post-operative medical treatment that was ultimately denied insurance coverage or any payments whatsoever because of my pre-existing condition, namely, cancer. It has just become a reality of my existence, so I have learned to deal with it for many years, but I can tell by the signals my body is now sending me, my time is running out. I've got a horse in this race. My own body. I'd like that horse to cross the finish line of good health and wellness with me, it's jockey, still in the saddle. (Cue the patriotic music...) Their continued opposition to a public option or universal health care plan is in absolute contradiction of ALL of our rights as Americans to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..." itself and I don't care whatever they say, whatever their excuse --that's just un-fucking-American. Don't even get me started about the ex-legislators now working FOR the health care lobby. You want "traitors to America and Americans"? That's what I call them. Hired mercernaries with absolutely NO moral compass whatsoever other than a duty to fill their bank accounts with vast sums of blood money.
For the most part, very few of my friends or co-workers know about my problems because I am usually never one to discuss such things. I never asked the old band I was in years ago to have a fund raising concert to help me out when things were at their worst. I never gave specifics as to the type of cancers (bone and testicular, by the way, both thankfully in remission) or complained about the complications afterwords because I truly, up until now, didn't want to burden anyone with such personal details. Instead I manned up, gritted my teeth, grinned and bore it and pushed on, moment to moment. Every moment a joy to experience because every moment is yet another breath, another moment spent on this planet as a human being, suffering or not. It's what I do. I persevere in the face of insurmountable difficulties. As I'm sure is the case for thousand upon thousands of Americans each and every day as they bear the brunt of their health problems without help or support. We don't want to be a burden, really. But we seriously can't afford effective medical treatment any longer, let alone piss-poor treatment and now we're ALL as mad as hell and we ARE NOT going to take this bullshit any longer.
Republicans and "Blue Dog" Democrats have already confessed their obstructionism to a public option or universal health care plan. Jim DeMint wants to "cause pain" to his fellow senators on the present bill and in fact perhaps all public options and/or universal health care plans, characterizing his "reasoning" in this manner: "If we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." Senator, is it not time for politicians to quit gambling with the lives of their constituents who lack health insurance and begin to show actual human compassion through direct action rather than more of the same petty partisan squabbles as you, in your role as an obstructionist, are doing right now? Senator DeMint and friends, you are NOT "breaking Obama" or causing "pain" to your fellow legislators. You are literally KILLING me and thousands of other people like me. Period. All in order to be able to high-five your ideological buddies scoring political points with them that you're going to "take down" President Obama, a man trying to do the right thing for America and all Americans, not just the uninsured. I believe it is well past time for action and after reading the details of Ron Wyden's plan I have an idea that his plan is the way. Let the idiots like DeMint, Nelson and Kristol (who even though is not a politician remains influential in right wing political circles -- and lord let's hope he remains consistently wrong about this issue as he has with every other opinion he's offered his winger pals in the last decade) argue about the present bill that they've purposefully worked to poison. Use it as bait while President Obama 'headfakes' and passes the ball like a health care point guard, switching at the last moment to Ron Wyden's more reasonable and realistic bill. For the sake of me and thousands like me it is our elected representatives utmost duty to "preserve, protect and defend" the constitution (and, by extension the bill of rights) of the United States of America as they swore when they became PUBLIC SERVANTS. It remains their sacred duty to DELIVER on the promise of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...", not just pay it lip service.
I suggest we all read Ron Wyden's bill carefully and insist that ALL of our elected representatives read it and fully understand it as well as soon as possible. I know I will. I'm sending Begich, Murkowski and Young a link to this very blog posting tonight. I'm sorry for the crude language (at times, though I'm sure Young will get a giggle, Don being Don and all) but this issue IS of the utmost importance to everyone. Sometimes it just takes a nice hard whack against the skull of a zombie to get their attention. Allow ME to be that bat. Wyden's plan is compact, succinct, workable and burdened with NONE of the ass-hattery of the 'obstructionist' blue dog Democrats nor their conniving Republican cohorts, both of whom, according to the reports of donations made to them by health care lobbies and big pharma, are totally beholden to their lobbiest masters. Their obstructionist course is crafted only to score partisan political points when in reality their plan, or lack thereof, is set up to continue to cause America and uninsured Americans even more future pain and suffering, fiscally and otherwise. It is our duty as citizens to give them ALL this jarring wake up call today. Swear if you have to, but dammit give them the facts and INSIST that they act now. Right now. This very second. Before it is too late, not just for me because of my own selfish reasons, but for all Americans who suffer and continue to suffer because of inaction and obstruction.
Oh and about that personal experience with Oregon's progressive health care policies? Less than five years ago, my mother after being diagnosed with breast cancer went through surgery and two courses of chemotherapy. After a long battle wherein she fought like a crazed banshee for her life, she was told by her doctor that the cancer had metastasized spreading to her liver and lymphatic system. She called me, told me the bad news and I hopped on a plane to Oregon the very next day. I had not seen her in a couple of years owing to being poor after my cancer treatment. By the time I arrived at her bedside later, gasping at seeing the frail whisp of a woman formerly hale, hearty and robust -- a woman who thoroughly cherished life itself, as we all do, I did my best to suppress my tears and held her hand. She knew her death was rapidly approaching and I knew she did her best to grit her teeth, grin and bear it and press forward towards the inevitable. As she spoke to me quietly, softly squeezing my hand with whatever strength she had left, she shocked me by telling me what I needed to hear as the oldest son of my family. She said that she had decided to be cremated (in a million years I would have never thought she'd do that) and that she had decided that if the pain got to be unbearable she was going to be administered a potent enough dose of morphine to ease her out gently. Both things floored me absolutely because I always though they weren't permitted by her religion. By this time I was weeping as quietly as possible which only made her want to comfort me more -- an absurd proposition considering the sorry state she was in... but that's what mothers do. I quietly asked her one question: "Do you feel as though you've lived a full life, leaving nothing undone so as to have no regrets?" She focused on me intently, opening her eyes ever so slightly and smiled saying, "Of course, dear. I've loved every minute of it, both tne good and the bad times, even through this final pain and suffering. Everything is in order, nothing left undone, no regrets." I kneeled at the edge of her bed absolutely still and silent for several minutes, just holding her hand. Being with her. Lost in my own thoughts as she continued to rub and squeeze my hand gently. Soon she said she was very tired, naturally, so I told her I'd be nearby if she needed anything. She replied, "only a little rest..." so I excused myself and returned to my Grandmother's house next door, leaving my sisters to watch over her. For the next three days Mom would rest awhile, then talk briefly with her sisters, my sisters, Grandma and other friends one by one much the same I'm sure as she had talked with me, intermittently resting, visiting with those she loved and those who loved her, then resting again. On the final day, early in the morning, my oldest sister came over to get me, warning me her condition had worsened. It had. Her breathing was labored, she no longer could talk or even acknowledge anyone's presence in the room. This was it. She had gritted her teeth long enough, fought the good fight, making peace with all her friends and family and most especially with her cancer and her impending journey towards what ever unknowable situation would greet her after life. When a registered nurse friend of ours showed up with the morphine, she seemed to sense it, breathing even harder and ultimately lapsing into what can only be truly described as a "death rattle" in her breathing pattern. It was, to say the least, quite disconserting as I had heard of the term before but never actually witnessed it in person. As it got more loud and more intense, me, my sister, and my aunt who is a hospice care giver, nodded at the nurse and he administered her the morphine as she had requested be done for her in her living will. In less than a minute her labored breathing had quieted. She looked peaceful, happy even. She gently slipped away from life within the hour, me still holding her hand, surrounded by some of the people she loved, some of the people that loved her.
And what does Ron Wyden have to do with this last and very personal revelation? Because he and other progressive politicians like him supported or in some cases sponsored Oregon's "Death with Dignity" law, EVEN THOUGH IT WENT AGAINST HIS OWN PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH. Because he listened to the will of the people of Oregon who voted to pass this law and for allowing my mother to die with as little pain and suffering as possible in this, her final moment, I will be forever thankful to all of them.
-Laz
***
Update 07/21/09 8PM
A reader by the name of Patrick (aka Budo7 in the comments section) pointed out some discrepancies or at least a failure of memory on my part for which I am more than happy to correct and provide the citation links. This issue is THAT important.
Allow me to correct some numbers: 79% of Democrats "Strongly Favor" or "Favor" health care reform. Only 23% of Republicans do. It averages out overall to 56% of all Americans. So my number WAS off and I freely admit it and apologize. I underestimated the Dems and overestimated the Repubs, but that not withstanding THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS favor health care reform. Just like the majority of Americans favored Obama in the last election, Patrick. Including even me, a person who identifies as a progressive Republican.
I did not provide the citation because I assumed most thinking individuals actually read the news at WaPo and other sites, but perhaps I'm more of a political junkie than Patrick, taking my sources from a WIDE variety of sites rather than just purely partisan political sites with an agenda to push. Silly me. I admit I was going from memory which wasn't too far off, but I promise that if Patrick were to ACTUALLY read the news with an open mind rather than one clouded with partisan ideology perhaps he too could see reality for what it is.
It was an ABC News/Gallup poll from which my faulty memory derived the numbers, though I believe Nate Silver at 538.com had much the same results. As did the WaPo/ABC poll which actually pegs the approval rating at 62% overall as shown here.
Regardless of the numbers, (remember please "lies, damn lies and statistics...") -- I have an Idea that most Americans are sick and tired of being sick and tired. We are sick of being gamed by the unaccountable executives of large private insurance corporations who deny, deny and further deny us, claiming "pre-existing conditions" in order to enhance the profitability and bottom line of their corporations. They are nameless and faceless bureaucrats in their own right who have NO ACCOUNTABILITY WHATSOEVER to those individuals who dutifully pay their premiums month after month. A public option plan would change that.
I've got to say in all honesty that the momentum, (whether you either believe it, like it or not Patrick) is for change. NOW. No amount of neocon talking points/lies continually repeated on Fox News is going to change that simple fact and any obstruction he and others of his ilk present with contrary numbers is just more obstruction upon the path that leads to the goal... health care reform. Patrick's position is pure insult added to the injury of ALL thinking Americans nationwide. I predict this stubborn wrongheadedness is ultimately going to come back and bite neocons in the ass come 2010 and 2012. It is nothing less than the further implosion of what is left of the hollow shell of a once proud and thoughtful Republican party who could get things done while holding to the real tenents of fiscal conservatism and smaller, more effective government.
I agree it is a very complex and challenging task to reform health care. But the numbers Patrick cited in his comment have no bearing on the plan as presented from Ron Wyden. It is readily apparent to me from his response that he didn't even bother to read the Wyden plan otherwise he wouldn't even be citing numbers about taxes. The neocon wet dream talking point about tort refom is absolutely laughable. Sure, malpractice insurance costs are out of control but what you and all of us are witnessing is a gaming of the system from BOTH sides of the insurance lobby. They rip off Doctors, they rip off patients, they screw America to enhance their own profit margins. Prove me wrong, Patrick, prove me wrong.
Had Patrick read the Wyden plan he might have realized that it pays for itself and even is predicted by the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) to approach nearly a HALF TRILLION dollars in health care savings overall. Lower costs for Medicare and Medicaid because of competition and lower costs for Americans who choose to stay and are happy with their present insurance plans. If he actually READ my blog post he may have discovered that I OPPOSE it because of the 160 obstructive Republican "amendments" (though admittedly something is better than nothing at all). Those amendments were placed there specifically to torpedo the bill and need to be reconciled out in order to make it workable. As to Patrick's claim about unfair taxes to pay for the present proposed bill those taxes would be placed upon the TOP 1% of the American taxpayer income bracket. SO is Patrick actually telling us that a meager 47% of the top 1% of the most richest Americans oppose reform? That is HARDLY a majority of Americans.
My post was mostly about the uninsured like me, but again I doubt he had the attention span to have READ my post entirely (and I apologize for demanding so much of all of my readers attentions spans but I have an idea you can handle it). So -- I'm sorry Patrick but you fail. If you want to have a REAL debate about health care reform I absolutely INSIST you first learn to think for yourself.
Again, since he seemed to have missed the multiple posts on my blog where I admit to being a PROGRESSIVE REPUBLICAN (now including this one), he thinks my motives partisan and frankly that couldn't be further from the truth. In this instance it's about human life and human dignity, it's about holding our elected representatives accountable and FORCING THEM, if necessary, to deliver on the promise of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..." not just pay it lip service while accepting millions and millions of dollars in "campaign money" from the health care insurance lobby or what I call blood money extracted from the suffering and death of our fellow Americans. It's all about saying "GAME OVER" to health care insurance and big pharma corporations as well as their conniving lobbyists who profit from suffering and death. Pack up and go home, boys -- there's a new sheriff in town.
The only way for reformers to plow through the lies, damn lies and statistics of neocon partisans who wish to further obstruct health care reform is to step on the gas even harder, injecting FACTS into the debate so as to cause them to look like clowns parroting their corporate masters. My pedal isn't even half way to the metal Patrick, so if you want to debate this further (even though I suspect he has NO PERSONAL EXPERIENCE to bring to the discussion table) then I am left with only option he may understand and that is to quote someone who I assume is one of his personal heroes, G. W. Bush: "Bring It!"
Though next time please try and bring intellect and reasoning to this battle of wits. Unless you LIKE takin' a beating every time, Patrick. I've been brick flaming chumps like you, overwhelming them with FACTS since before you were born.
Though I must extend my sincere thanks to Patrick because he has allowed me to refocus on the important part which is getting a health care plan passed NOW. It's not about my personal woes, it's about making sure the uninsured have an option, one we do not have now. Personal experience is important but one must keep in mind that there are millions of Americans with experiences similar to mine. It is both our and our legislator's duty to make a positive change for the better now.
-Laz
7.19.2009
NOW who's "palling around with terrorists", Sarah?
The list of grievances many Alaskan's have with Exxon over the legacy of the the Prince William Sound oil spill is long and deep. Not only did they despoil a huge swath of pristine coastline, they added insult to injury by repeatedly appealing the 9th Circuit Court ruling against them to pay for their damages. Through countless years, spanning decades in fact, they were able to throw money and lawyers at the problem. Blood money from exorbitant and greedy profits earned, in many ways, by extracting it directly from the wallets of hard working Americans through artificially inflated and market manipulated high oil prices.
So when recent news reached Alaskan's that Sarah Palin had figuratively "climbed in bed" with a corporation many of us see as the enemy by holding closed door meetings with Exxon to push her AGIA agenda forward, we were shocked. Appalled, even. Not only were they responsible for permanently damaging beaches, killing fish and wildlife as well as destroying the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen who depended upon the resource of that particular ecosystem, they successfully whittled down the original settlement to one tenth of it's original size! It went from being one of the largest settlements ever awarded to a state against a corporation for it's wrongdoing down to something that wouldn't even compensate the fishermen for the loss of that single season, let alone a generation or more of fishing seasons. In many areas to this very day, one only need dig down a few inches to reach the oil sludge that remains on beaches from that episode.
Following the Federal Supreme Court ruling that reduced the damages down to less than one tenth of the original award, which had already been pared down twice through appeals to reach a figure of $2.5 billion, Exxon had the audacity to whine about paying less than $500 million claiming that it would hurt the company. To my knowledge they still haven't yet paid out a plug nickel. They grudgingly agreed to release $383 million with no indication when the remaining amount would be paid and that was BEFORE interest charges (see below) were added! A company pulling down profits of double digit billions PER QUARTER. Not gross, not income but profits, people. A half billion barely makes a dent in the mega profits they have made as a corporation since the spill. At the very least they should have had the grace to acknowledge and pay up as an "ooops, we fucked up" tax, then move along AFTER making and implementing policies to insure the possibility of such a thing occurring in the future wouldn't even be an issue. But they didn't. And they haven't.
They whined and cried again in the press that the reduced damages ruling was still unfair. As mentioned above and perhaps as a lesson to Exxon for showing their lack alacrity and grace in meeting their severely reduced adjudicated obligations as badly ruled upon by the supreme court, the 9th Circuit slapped them with close to another $500 million in interest charges as punishment for all their legal foot dragging along the way. The whine turned into a howl. The status of payouts remains in limbo while the court addresses new claims against Exxon and as Exxon continues to resist and push back against the ruling on interest payments.
Which leads us all to the incongruity of this interview by Palin coupled with her decision to tap Exxon as a partner in AGIA which should be enough to make most Alaskan's feel sick to their stomachs. I have an idea that this unitary, closed door decision by her may perhaps one day become her worst legacy as Governor of Alaska. Especially in light of this report of seemingly terroristic behavior on the part of Exxon with some of their Texas prospects. If these reports prove true, their behavior and policies as a corporation show them to be exactly what they may appear to be -- terrorists and thugs, not interested in successfully developing and producing resources for the benefit of all, including themselves, but as yet another greedy resource development corporation, fucking us and the entire planet over in the name of their own bottom line.
Oh and in case you thought things would be better with Sean Parnell (S.P. v. 2.0), you are sadly deluded.
-Laz
So when recent news reached Alaskan's that Sarah Palin had figuratively "climbed in bed" with a corporation many of us see as the enemy by holding closed door meetings with Exxon to push her AGIA agenda forward, we were shocked. Appalled, even. Not only were they responsible for permanently damaging beaches, killing fish and wildlife as well as destroying the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen who depended upon the resource of that particular ecosystem, they successfully whittled down the original settlement to one tenth of it's original size! It went from being one of the largest settlements ever awarded to a state against a corporation for it's wrongdoing down to something that wouldn't even compensate the fishermen for the loss of that single season, let alone a generation or more of fishing seasons. In many areas to this very day, one only need dig down a few inches to reach the oil sludge that remains on beaches from that episode.
Following the Federal Supreme Court ruling that reduced the damages down to less than one tenth of the original award, which had already been pared down twice through appeals to reach a figure of $2.5 billion, Exxon had the audacity to whine about paying less than $500 million claiming that it would hurt the company. To my knowledge they still haven't yet paid out a plug nickel. They grudgingly agreed to release $383 million with no indication when the remaining amount would be paid and that was BEFORE interest charges (see below) were added! A company pulling down profits of double digit billions PER QUARTER. Not gross, not income but profits, people. A half billion barely makes a dent in the mega profits they have made as a corporation since the spill. At the very least they should have had the grace to acknowledge and pay up as an "ooops, we fucked up" tax, then move along AFTER making and implementing policies to insure the possibility of such a thing occurring in the future wouldn't even be an issue. But they didn't. And they haven't.
They whined and cried again in the press that the reduced damages ruling was still unfair. As mentioned above and perhaps as a lesson to Exxon for showing their lack alacrity and grace in meeting their severely reduced adjudicated obligations as badly ruled upon by the supreme court, the 9th Circuit slapped them with close to another $500 million in interest charges as punishment for all their legal foot dragging along the way. The whine turned into a howl. The status of payouts remains in limbo while the court addresses new claims against Exxon and as Exxon continues to resist and push back against the ruling on interest payments.
Which leads us all to the incongruity of this interview by Palin coupled with her decision to tap Exxon as a partner in AGIA which should be enough to make most Alaskan's feel sick to their stomachs. I have an idea that this unitary, closed door decision by her may perhaps one day become her worst legacy as Governor of Alaska. Especially in light of this report of seemingly terroristic behavior on the part of Exxon with some of their Texas prospects. If these reports prove true, their behavior and policies as a corporation show them to be exactly what they may appear to be -- terrorists and thugs, not interested in successfully developing and producing resources for the benefit of all, including themselves, but as yet another greedy resource development corporation, fucking us and the entire planet over in the name of their own bottom line.
Oh and in case you thought things would be better with Sean Parnell (S.P. v. 2.0), you are sadly deluded.
-Laz
This explains *everything*...
Now it all makes sense... it's not "word salad" when she speaks -- Sarah Palin is a poet and she doesn't even know it. Not convinced? Another unintentional ghostwriter gives some of her statements the poetic treatment.
Thus proving that the majority of the "mainstream gotcha media" are a bunch of knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers with little or no appreciation or understanding of fine poetry. Think about it. Her style and approach to public speaking always has seemed, at least to this listener, as though one was attending a poetry slam.
I add a recent tweet of hers, a little bloaty to be true haiku:
Elected is replaceable;
Ak will progress!
+ side benefit=10 dys til
less politically correct twitters
fly frm my fingertips
outside state site
So there you have it. She sort of lost me with the mathematical symbols but that's just Sarah being "edgy". She's so good that way, progressing poetry for us all, for the benefit of humankind. Personally I would have spelled them out to go for the cheap rhyme scheme. As an unofficial and temporary editor, might I suggest "tweets" rather than "twitters" because of it being easier to find a rhyme for that word AND most especially because she should probably avoid using any words containing the word "twit"?
Is it time for a "twitter-vention"? Must we scream in unison, using our best Ivy Frye voices, that Sarah needs to "Stop Tweeting! Stop Tweeting NOW!"?
-Laz
Thus proving that the majority of the "mainstream gotcha media" are a bunch of knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers with little or no appreciation or understanding of fine poetry. Think about it. Her style and approach to public speaking always has seemed, at least to this listener, as though one was attending a poetry slam.
I add a recent tweet of hers, a little bloaty to be true haiku:
Elected is replaceable;
Ak will progress!
+ side benefit=10 dys til
less politically correct twitters
fly frm my fingertips
outside state site
So there you have it. She sort of lost me with the mathematical symbols but that's just Sarah being "edgy". She's so good that way, progressing poetry for us all, for the benefit of humankind. Personally I would have spelled them out to go for the cheap rhyme scheme. As an unofficial and temporary editor, might I suggest "tweets" rather than "twitters" because of it being easier to find a rhyme for that word AND most especially because she should probably avoid using any words containing the word "twit"?
Is it time for a "twitter-vention"? Must we scream in unison, using our best Ivy Frye voices, that Sarah needs to "Stop Tweeting! Stop Tweeting NOW!"?
-Laz
7.16.2009
Holy Sh*t!
Does ANY of this sound familiar?
Frankly I've always harbored a certain suspicion of anyone who feels as though they are "God's chosen people". I mean, nothing personal but if you go around believing you can commit any sin, any possible atrocious act against your fellow human or the planet and automatically receive a "get out of jail free card" morally and ethically, you are sadly mistaken grasshopper. Actions always have consequences. Oh and congrats to C-Street hypocrite loser number three.
You see I have an idea that when we separate things as "God is up there" and "we are over or down here" one mentally separates the very creator from creation! What is it that isn't a part of "God" or that we are not part of? It is all interconnected. A living, breathing organism to some, a mutually inclusive shared delusion to others. Or both. Or neither. It's your journey, right?
But to commit crimes, to sin amorally and with avarice with no remorse for one's actions or personal responsibility is to throw the whole creation out of whack, out of balance. One works against one's own best interests this way when in actuality we should all naturally prefer to enjoy happiness, prosperity, comfort and longevity and work together to share and wish the same for ALL of our fellow humans during our mutual short existences upon this planet. Otherwise we only repeat the cycle of suffering if one doesn't realize that each and every one of us, indeed each and every single interconnected molecule has an equal and important role to fill in this crazy clockwork of a world.
Or maybe that's just the the "godless" Buddhist in me talking.
-Laz
(note: I edited this a day later to remove gender from the "remove the creator from his creation..." line. Why? Because attaching a gender to something as ineffable (a most excellent word, by the way) as the concept of 'creator' is about as silly as arguments over what people choose to call this 'creator', this animus, this unknown and perhaps unknowable 'thing'. Personal sensibilities usually allow me to avoid attaching any 'thing-ness' to the ineffable as most occidental religions insist. Frankly it offends those sensibilities that much of the world seems to be too busy staking out, dividing, claiming ownership and fighting long standing bitter wars over what essentially boils down to a mental construct, this ineffable. Cast as something that requires both faith and belief to accept. In their eyes, if you don't have exactly the same faith and belief as them then you are the enemy, which is oh so very wrong headed and counterintuitive to the survival of the human race itself. Whereas discernment might inform one that fluidity of the potentiality of ideas and our ability as humans to manifest compassion directly as ACTION rather than just words is where the balance of our mutual co-existence on this planet should reside. - 7/18/09 12AM***
Updated 7/20/09 6:30PM
More horrifying details of "The Family" came out today in an article by Jeff Sharlet of Salon. The list of politicians associated with the C Street house is practically a laundry list of all the bigots who oppose Obama not because of reasoned argument against any particular policy of the administration but because these people see themselves as Christian warriors on a mission, directly communicated to them by God. I kid you not. The more light that gets shone upon their delusions of grandeur the better. Again, Jesus himself said "the kingdom of heaven is not of this Earth..." -- isn't it about time people like these started listening to the actual words their savior instead of their own pompous egos?
-Laz
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Frankly I've always harbored a certain suspicion of anyone who feels as though they are "God's chosen people". I mean, nothing personal but if you go around believing you can commit any sin, any possible atrocious act against your fellow human or the planet and automatically receive a "get out of jail free card" morally and ethically, you are sadly mistaken grasshopper. Actions always have consequences. Oh and congrats to C-Street hypocrite loser number three.
You see I have an idea that when we separate things as "God is up there" and "we are over or down here" one mentally separates the very creator from creation! What is it that isn't a part of "God" or that we are not part of? It is all interconnected. A living, breathing organism to some, a mutually inclusive shared delusion to others. Or both. Or neither. It's your journey, right?
But to commit crimes, to sin amorally and with avarice with no remorse for one's actions or personal responsibility is to throw the whole creation out of whack, out of balance. One works against one's own best interests this way when in actuality we should all naturally prefer to enjoy happiness, prosperity, comfort and longevity and work together to share and wish the same for ALL of our fellow humans during our mutual short existences upon this planet. Otherwise we only repeat the cycle of suffering if one doesn't realize that each and every one of us, indeed each and every single interconnected molecule has an equal and important role to fill in this crazy clockwork of a world.
Or maybe that's just the the "godless" Buddhist in me talking.
-Laz
(note: I edited this a day later to remove gender from the "remove the creator from his creation..." line. Why? Because attaching a gender to something as ineffable (a most excellent word, by the way) as the concept of 'creator' is about as silly as arguments over what people choose to call this 'creator', this animus, this unknown and perhaps unknowable 'thing'. Personal sensibilities usually allow me to avoid attaching any 'thing-ness' to the ineffable as most occidental religions insist. Frankly it offends those sensibilities that much of the world seems to be too busy staking out, dividing, claiming ownership and fighting long standing bitter wars over what essentially boils down to a mental construct, this ineffable. Cast as something that requires both faith and belief to accept. In their eyes, if you don't have exactly the same faith and belief as them then you are the enemy, which is oh so very wrong headed and counterintuitive to the survival of the human race itself. Whereas discernment might inform one that fluidity of the potentiality of ideas and our ability as humans to manifest compassion directly as ACTION rather than just words is where the balance of our mutual co-existence on this planet should reside. - 7/18/09 12AM***
Updated 7/20/09 6:30PM
More horrifying details of "The Family" came out today in an article by Jeff Sharlet of Salon. The list of politicians associated with the C Street house is practically a laundry list of all the bigots who oppose Obama not because of reasoned argument against any particular policy of the administration but because these people see themselves as Christian warriors on a mission, directly communicated to them by God. I kid you not. The more light that gets shone upon their delusions of grandeur the better. Again, Jesus himself said "the kingdom of heaven is not of this Earth..." -- isn't it about time people like these started listening to the actual words their savior instead of their own pompous egos?
-Laz
Your political contributions at work, Alaskans...
When you donate hard earned money to your favorite cause or political campaign, the last thing on your mind is that it will somehow be misused. Yet it happens all the time. Sometimes it approaches a high level of absurdity, such as with Palin on the campaign trail last year and her now legendary and whopping $150,000 shopping sprees in New York for expensive clothing intended to remake her image and the image of her entire family. But silk boxers, Todd? Really? Tighty-whities (in his case perhaps appropriately named) not GOOD enough?
I get BVD boxer briefs, $15 for a pack of three. A pack of three, Todd! When I'm feeling rich and powerful I even buy two packs of three! It's like total cheap thrill underwear nirvana, Todd. I can take the money I saved and turn it into some pocket T-shirts or the always desperately needed odd pair of socks AND if I have anything left I can slip off to Cinnabons while the "old ball and chain" is busy shopping for second hand Manolo Blahniks. Bonus! C'mon Todd, you've been to Eagle River, right? You know what I'm saying, buddy. Even though you're a north slope BP employee, it's not like you're made of money. Hell the secret Arctic Cat money barely pays for the expenses and clothing graft for you, your sweetie and your brood at the Irondog! Good thing those sleds are "at cost", eh?
Since I am powerdiving dangerously close to Maia Nolan territory here (on a return flight from Celtic Diva-land) I had better get back on track... I mean it's not like most people other than Madonna are parading around in underwear attempting to project some sort of image. Most people don't care. Underwear is a minor issue precisely because normally nobody sees your delicates. It's why they're called UNDERwear.
But why is it that we get our figurative panties in a knot over money given by the RNC to Palin and yet hardly anyone questions why and exactly how much campaign money Congressman Don Young is spending on legal fees? And for WHAT, exactly? Those little shopping spree gaffes by the Palin horde unleashed upon the Big Apple, now generally accepted by most level-headed and reasonable people as a misuse of campaign contributions, pale in comparison to expenditures of campaign contributions towards legal fees and legal services by Don Young. Like $266,835 spent on legal fees and $1,036,808 on legal services. That's over $1.3 MILLION! Why? Who knows?
The reasons for these fees are as hidden and unknowable to us as is the style, design and manufacturer of Todd's cushy boxers. Personally, the Palin episode is almost laughable as a misuse of campaign contributions compared to what Don Young is spending to pay off his lawyers. Sure, $150,000 is a lot to spend in a few weeks on clothes. I doubt I've spent that much on clothing in my entire life, but $1.3 MILLION of possibly misused campaign funds by our only congressman? WTF? That's ridiculous. More ridiculous is that the people who have contributed to Young's campaign aren't getting out the pitchforks for his wasting their hard earned money.
And yet Don remains mute, no doubt when pressed for details, claiming attorney/client privilege. The second to last refuge of scoundrels. (Quitting is the NEW "last refuge of scoundrels", by the way). Do the folks that give Mr. Young money to campaign care so little about how their contributions are being spent that they are willing to mindlessly bypass any accountability whatsoever? Man I wish I had that kind of "chump change" lying around. I might even buy myself an EXTRA three pack of BVDs!
-Laz
I get BVD boxer briefs, $15 for a pack of three. A pack of three, Todd! When I'm feeling rich and powerful I even buy two packs of three! It's like total cheap thrill underwear nirvana, Todd. I can take the money I saved and turn it into some pocket T-shirts or the always desperately needed odd pair of socks AND if I have anything left I can slip off to Cinnabons while the "old ball and chain" is busy shopping for second hand Manolo Blahniks. Bonus! C'mon Todd, you've been to Eagle River, right? You know what I'm saying, buddy. Even though you're a north slope BP employee, it's not like you're made of money. Hell the secret Arctic Cat money barely pays for the expenses and clothing graft for you, your sweetie and your brood at the Irondog! Good thing those sleds are "at cost", eh?
Since I am powerdiving dangerously close to Maia Nolan territory here (on a return flight from Celtic Diva-land) I had better get back on track... I mean it's not like most people other than Madonna are parading around in underwear attempting to project some sort of image. Most people don't care. Underwear is a minor issue precisely because normally nobody sees your delicates. It's why they're called UNDERwear.
But why is it that we get our figurative panties in a knot over money given by the RNC to Palin and yet hardly anyone questions why and exactly how much campaign money Congressman Don Young is spending on legal fees? And for WHAT, exactly? Those little shopping spree gaffes by the Palin horde unleashed upon the Big Apple, now generally accepted by most level-headed and reasonable people as a misuse of campaign contributions, pale in comparison to expenditures of campaign contributions towards legal fees and legal services by Don Young. Like $266,835 spent on legal fees and $1,036,808 on legal services. That's over $1.3 MILLION! Why? Who knows?
The reasons for these fees are as hidden and unknowable to us as is the style, design and manufacturer of Todd's cushy boxers. Personally, the Palin episode is almost laughable as a misuse of campaign contributions compared to what Don Young is spending to pay off his lawyers. Sure, $150,000 is a lot to spend in a few weeks on clothes. I doubt I've spent that much on clothing in my entire life, but $1.3 MILLION of possibly misused campaign funds by our only congressman? WTF? That's ridiculous. More ridiculous is that the people who have contributed to Young's campaign aren't getting out the pitchforks for his wasting their hard earned money.
And yet Don remains mute, no doubt when pressed for details, claiming attorney/client privilege. The second to last refuge of scoundrels. (Quitting is the NEW "last refuge of scoundrels", by the way). Do the folks that give Mr. Young money to campaign care so little about how their contributions are being spent that they are willing to mindlessly bypass any accountability whatsoever? Man I wish I had that kind of "chump change" lying around. I might even buy myself an EXTRA three pack of BVDs!
-Laz
7.15.2009
And a word about THIS blog...
Often times I am busy at my glamorous job as a LitSupport person (see previous posts) and don't have time to work up the righteous indignation necessary to spew another rant on OMFGAK. Mostly it's mindlessly mindful work, feeding huge collections of legal documents into digital scanners but I also do very complex computer work that absolutely demands 100% of my attention. Thus sometimes why I am quiet. That being said there are also times that I can sneak a quick peek at facebook or do a quick mini-spew with afterburners on to the blog... or check email.
One thing however I know for certain is that I have personal ethics. I have worked on Alaskan cases that would turn your hair gray (see my facebook profile picture) or curdle milk. But always -- always, always, always I will never leak or disclose anything about those cases. I fully understand attorney/client priveledge. I understand the risks of breaking that confidentiality. So I refrain. If it is Palin related I have officially recused myself from working on it with both the owner of the company and my direct supervisor. I just say no, sorry. Because I do NOT want to open myself up to accusations of unethical behavior or unlawful disclosue. Thus far it has worked. Vaguely speaking at this moment, "I heard some things", but those things were never within my sight nor control. Thus why I can stand up against your average "freeper" or Neotheocon and look them square in the eye with an absolutely straight face and proclaim that I truly do not hate Sarah Palin, I do not have a vendetta against her personally nor have I ever (or will I ever) use inside information to discredit either her or her legion of minions. I don't have to. Their saga of ineptitude practically writes itself. I'm just the conduit. As are many of my fellow progressive Alaskan bloggers (see the blog roll to the right).
Personal responsibility and ethics prevent me from even looking at any Palin related cases after the fact. Besides, when half a million pages of OTHER legal documents are staring at you, begging to surrender themselves to a scanner, you do NOT have time to read anything. Seriously. I've got deadlines, obligations and responsibilities. And even though I sometimes come off as a smart ass, I take my job quite seriously. So those confidential things you will never see here, not even alluded to in a sideways manner. That's just the way I'm wired as a Buddhist.
Although I do have some knowledge of the players in this enormous traveling dog and pony show, ney 'circus', we call Alaskan politics, I am sworn to confidentiality. Sure I've met Tim Ptumenos. Ate breakfast at Humpy's a couple of times while seated across the bar and his daughter (who is studying to be a social worker I believe) was taking my order. We didn't talk and I'm not sure he even knows who I am or even of my existence. Nor do I care much, really. He's got his job to do, I've got mine. His daughter is a sweetheart and quite beautiful and I am glad to know her even if it is only at a customer to bartender level. Though if she could not be quite so perky at 11AM when I may or may not be in the thrall of a wicked hangover on a Sunday morning BEFORE I've had had any coffee, that would be great. "Thanks, Krista. More coffee? Yes, please!"
You see, all it really amounts to is that I don't want to be "that guy". I do not want to be "an anonymous source" or "Deep Throat". No way. My role, at least as I see it, is to use the power of search engines, the internet and direct conversations to my elected representatives and other government officials to basically get to the root of what pisses me off personally. I've already stated here and elsewhere it is essentially "writing therapy" from a writer perhaps desperately in search of a good editor. And then to blow THAT up, all technicolor and 3D into the bombast that sometimes is OMFGAK in the form of a string of prose similar to what you now hopefully consume with eyeballs and higher brain functions hungry for exactly this.
And yes, that's a self-referential link back to this very article. Why? Because I'm whacking this medium like an overloaded two-bit mule. Because I can.
No actual mules were harmed during the creation of this post.
-Laz
One thing however I know for certain is that I have personal ethics. I have worked on Alaskan cases that would turn your hair gray (see my facebook profile picture) or curdle milk. But always -- always, always, always I will never leak or disclose anything about those cases. I fully understand attorney/client priveledge. I understand the risks of breaking that confidentiality. So I refrain. If it is Palin related I have officially recused myself from working on it with both the owner of the company and my direct supervisor. I just say no, sorry. Because I do NOT want to open myself up to accusations of unethical behavior or unlawful disclosue. Thus far it has worked. Vaguely speaking at this moment, "I heard some things", but those things were never within my sight nor control. Thus why I can stand up against your average "freeper" or Neotheocon and look them square in the eye with an absolutely straight face and proclaim that I truly do not hate Sarah Palin, I do not have a vendetta against her personally nor have I ever (or will I ever) use inside information to discredit either her or her legion of minions. I don't have to. Their saga of ineptitude practically writes itself. I'm just the conduit. As are many of my fellow progressive Alaskan bloggers (see the blog roll to the right).
Personal responsibility and ethics prevent me from even looking at any Palin related cases after the fact. Besides, when half a million pages of OTHER legal documents are staring at you, begging to surrender themselves to a scanner, you do NOT have time to read anything. Seriously. I've got deadlines, obligations and responsibilities. And even though I sometimes come off as a smart ass, I take my job quite seriously. So those confidential things you will never see here, not even alluded to in a sideways manner. That's just the way I'm wired as a Buddhist.
Although I do have some knowledge of the players in this enormous traveling dog and pony show, ney 'circus', we call Alaskan politics, I am sworn to confidentiality. Sure I've met Tim Ptumenos. Ate breakfast at Humpy's a couple of times while seated across the bar and his daughter (who is studying to be a social worker I believe) was taking my order. We didn't talk and I'm not sure he even knows who I am or even of my existence. Nor do I care much, really. He's got his job to do, I've got mine. His daughter is a sweetheart and quite beautiful and I am glad to know her even if it is only at a customer to bartender level. Though if she could not be quite so perky at 11AM when I may or may not be in the thrall of a wicked hangover on a Sunday morning BEFORE I've had had any coffee, that would be great. "Thanks, Krista. More coffee? Yes, please!"
You see, all it really amounts to is that I don't want to be "that guy". I do not want to be "an anonymous source" or "Deep Throat". No way. My role, at least as I see it, is to use the power of search engines, the internet and direct conversations to my elected representatives and other government officials to basically get to the root of what pisses me off personally. I've already stated here and elsewhere it is essentially "writing therapy" from a writer perhaps desperately in search of a good editor. And then to blow THAT up, all technicolor and 3D into the bombast that sometimes is OMFGAK in the form of a string of prose similar to what you now hopefully consume with eyeballs and higher brain functions hungry for exactly this.
And yes, that's a self-referential link back to this very article. Why? Because I'm whacking this medium like an overloaded two-bit mule. Because I can.
No actual mules were harmed during the creation of this post.
-Laz
A quick note...
I got a comment that mentioned my text size might be too tiny so I bumped them up a bit in size. In my eyes and using Firefox at 'normal' text size settings they almost look too big. So give me feedback, please. I finally enabled an email address as well, available by clicking on the 'Profile' link.
I'll close by pointing out that with Firefox at least, you hold down the Ctrl (Control) key and spin your mousewheel up or down to decrease/increase the size of of text on webpages and once you do that it remembers your settings for that page. So I agree. Small text sucks, but Firefox rocks. I have no idea how the page looks in Explorer, Chrome, Opera or Safari as I don't personally use any of them and most especially avoid using Explorer like the plague because of known security issues. Whether that remains the case or not with Explorer 8, I don't know. I've always been more of a Netscape/Mozilla man and until I find something I like better, I'm sticking with it.
Again, feel free to email or post comments on this thread with your feedback. And as always, thanks for taking the time to stop by and participate.
-Laz
I'll close by pointing out that with Firefox at least, you hold down the Ctrl (Control) key and spin your mousewheel up or down to decrease/increase the size of of text on webpages and once you do that it remembers your settings for that page. So I agree. Small text sucks, but Firefox rocks. I have no idea how the page looks in Explorer, Chrome, Opera or Safari as I don't personally use any of them and most especially avoid using Explorer like the plague because of known security issues. Whether that remains the case or not with Explorer 8, I don't know. I've always been more of a Netscape/Mozilla man and until I find something I like better, I'm sticking with it.
Again, feel free to email or post comments on this thread with your feedback. And as always, thanks for taking the time to stop by and participate.
-Laz
7.14.2009
Open Mouth, Insert Foot (AGAIN)...
Another day, another horrible gaffe for Sarah. Another case of "I was *FOR* it before I was against it". See also "Bridge to Nowhere", "Alternative Energy Stimulus Money", &tc.
Along with many of my progressive friends, I have a high degree of doubt that she even wrote the WaPo op-ed piece. With the exception of the continued misuse of the word "progressing", none of it seems or reads as though it came from her brain.
-Laz
(with apologies for posting without self-editing ;) stinkin' day job requiring my attention...)
Along with many of my progressive friends, I have a high degree of doubt that she even wrote the WaPo op-ed piece. With the exception of the continued misuse of the word "progressing", none of it seems or reads as though it came from her brain.
-Laz
(with apologies for posting without self-editing ;) stinkin' day job requiring my attention...)
Rest In Peace, sir...
Sad news at the passing of former Anchorage Assemblyman Allan Tesche. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
-Laz
-Laz
7.13.2009
The best explanation is usually the simplest...
All it takes is 6 panels to explain EXACTLY how our present health care system works in America.
Because it doesn't. As a dual cancer survivor, I know. The only reason I'm still alive is because of the kind charity and compassion of a couple of doctors and the Sisters of Providence medical center.
-Laz
Because it doesn't. As a dual cancer survivor, I know. The only reason I'm still alive is because of the kind charity and compassion of a couple of doctors and the Sisters of Providence medical center.
-Laz
This is all making my brain hurt!
(and thanks to Chris in AK for the tip on this)...
Lt. Governor Sean Parnell has now weighed in officially as the the conundrum (or "constitutional crisis") concerning the appointment of Campbell as Lt. Governor continues to spiral into even more legal complexity before Governor Palin leaves office.
This again leaves a couple of unanswered questions. First, can Parnell even legally do this since he has not yet been sworn in as the Governor especially considering that the law concerning interim appointments specifically says the "Governor" can make these appointments and says nothing about the "Lt. Governor"? I understand it is being framed as an official letter of intent, but is it yet another quasi-legal issue that cannot be sufficiently resolved until either Parnell is sworn in or the Alaskan legislature gives it's vote of approval or denial?
Second, and this is something Alaskan bloggers are already debating amongst themselves, shouldn't Campbell have to resign his active duty military commission before the appointment or at least before taking the official oath of office? What happens if he does so and the legislature decides NOT to confirm?
Yes indeed, we are "blessed to live in interesting times", just like the old Chinese proverb says...
-Laz
Lt. Governor Sean Parnell has now weighed in officially as the the conundrum (or "constitutional crisis") concerning the appointment of Campbell as Lt. Governor continues to spiral into even more legal complexity before Governor Palin leaves office.
This again leaves a couple of unanswered questions. First, can Parnell even legally do this since he has not yet been sworn in as the Governor especially considering that the law concerning interim appointments specifically says the "Governor" can make these appointments and says nothing about the "Lt. Governor"? I understand it is being framed as an official letter of intent, but is it yet another quasi-legal issue that cannot be sufficiently resolved until either Parnell is sworn in or the Alaskan legislature gives it's vote of approval or denial?
Second, and this is something Alaskan bloggers are already debating amongst themselves, shouldn't Campbell have to resign his active duty military commission before the appointment or at least before taking the official oath of office? What happens if he does so and the legislature decides NOT to confirm?
Yes indeed, we are "blessed to live in interesting times", just like the old Chinese proverb says...
-Laz
Max weighs in...
My favorite excerpt:
“Honestly, Sarah’s resignation was complete bullshit and I’m saying that as a Republican,” a Republican political veteran working in the legislature told me. “In all my years in politics, nobody has left Alaska in such a mess. Everyone here is just shocked.” The Republican added, “There’s no choice but to hold a special session. The conflict has to be handled in an orderly way.”
Read the entire article here.
-Laz
“Honestly, Sarah’s resignation was complete bullshit and I’m saying that as a Republican,” a Republican political veteran working in the legislature told me. “In all my years in politics, nobody has left Alaska in such a mess. Everyone here is just shocked.” The Republican added, “There’s no choice but to hold a special session. The conflict has to be handled in an orderly way.”
Read the entire article here.
-Laz
Drumroll please... (UPDATED)
The SarahPAC numbers have been reported to the Federal Election Commission as reported by Cillizza at the Washington Post today, pegging it at around $700,000 for the first half of 2009. Also revealed are the amounts paid to several mouthpieces and minions (wow Meg, only $4,000 a month to put up with Governor Crazypant's antics? Really?), thus providing bloggers and the MSM still more potential fodder for interesting articles unraveling the web of her spending and political practices.
Does this get reported as income for her because it seems ultimately she is the one who decides how and where it get's spent? The PAC is not registered as a 501 (c)(3) is it? Or is it a 527 group? And what the hell does this disclaimer mean on SarahPAC?
*** Update ***
Here's a link to the actual FEC filing.
*** Update 2 ***
An anonymous tipster caused me to want to dig deeper, because you know it just didn't seem fair Meg Stapleton was being paid "starvation wages" (roughly around twice what I make at my day job) to run the Governor Crazypants Dog and Pony media show, so I offer an excerpt and link to this from McClatchy:
"Stapleton herself was paid $12,000 by SarahPAC and another $32,450 through IzzyLene, a consulting firm registered in her name in Alaska."
Whew! I'd hate to think the poor girl was having to decide between the Shrimp or Beef flavored TopRamen every night. You know -- like me.
Also from the AP comes this link and additional info:
"Stapleton received a monthly salary of $8,000 through her Anchorage-based public relations business, IzzyLene Consulting.
Does this get reported as income for her because it seems ultimately she is the one who decides how and where it get's spent? The PAC is not registered as a 501 (c)(3) is it? Or is it a 527 group? And what the hell does this disclaimer mean on SarahPAC?
The Official Sarah Palin PAC
Paid for by SarahPAC Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee www.SarahPAC.com |
Contributions to Sarah PAC are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes.
Umm, huh? Their offical FAQ is, as could be expected, extremely light on details but heavy on the rah-rah sis-boom-bah cheer leading of her muddled political agenda. Is it at 501(c)(3) or a 527? Or does it exist as yet another thing that Sarah has done (or helped to be done in her name) that is somehow outside the bounds of normality and existing law? One thing for certain is that it appears to NOT be a non-profit entity because you cannot write it off on your taxes. Aren't normal political contributions tax deductible? (answering my own question, nope and nope again) As is the case with many activities by S.P., it only prompts more questions than it reveals any real answers. Stay tuned for more on this as it unfolds...*** Update ***
Here's a link to the actual FEC filing.
*** Update 2 ***
An anonymous tipster caused me to want to dig deeper, because you know it just didn't seem fair Meg Stapleton was being paid "starvation wages" (roughly around twice what I make at my day job) to run the Governor Crazypants Dog and Pony media show, so I offer an excerpt and link to this from McClatchy:
"Stapleton herself was paid $12,000 by SarahPAC and another $32,450 through IzzyLene, a consulting firm registered in her name in Alaska."
Whew! I'd hate to think the poor girl was having to decide between the Shrimp or Beef flavored TopRamen every night. You know -- like me.
Also from the AP comes this link and additional info:
"Stapleton received a monthly salary of $8,000 through her Anchorage-based public relations business, IzzyLene Consulting.
Also listed was a $4,683 payment to Stapleton's husband, Eric Steenburgh. Stapleton said she had borrowed his credit card for travel expenses for her and Palin when the governor traveled to Washington, D.C., for a high-profile political dinner at the elite Alfalfa Club."
It is interesting that it says "for her AND Palin". What? Sarah, alleged to be a known coffee grifter (another story where Palin couldn't pay for her own coffee one time on the campaign trail because she said she never carries money or credit cards -- again, what?) couldn't afford her own plane ticket and expenses? WTF? (emphasis my own)
It is entirely possible that the differing amounts shown from both sources are getting confused with monies IzzyLean Consulting eventually paid out to GOTV as listed here. Also it must be pointed out as is obvious from the above link that this is NOT money from SarahPac but rather money paid directly from the McCain campaign as listed.
For the sake of metaphor allow me to compare the quest to dig up public documents on Palin, her paid operatives and her political activities using search engines on the internet in two ways: "wheels within wheels within wheels" which is the longhand way of using the term "Ouroboros" -- the snake that eats it's own tail (with posthumous thanks to Robert Anton Wilson for introducing me to those phrases). No matter where online information is stored, the "snake" that is the internet will always be able to find, gobble it up and digest itself incessantly occasionally pooping out a fresh stinky nugget for those of us willing to sift through the detritus to discover it.
Hey! There you go, Uncle Ted! Snakes are tube-like, so NOW I understand your past confusion, sir.
-Laz
You stay classy, Pat Buchanan...
Wow. Just wow. How do the Palins deal with Levi Johnston's big yap? According to wingnut Pat Buchanan, murder by drowning.
And everyone has a big laugh on Morning Joe. Har har har!
Yes I realize it's a joke and meant to be tongue in cheek but I also realize that, as is 99% of what Buchanan has to say, it is uncouth and in bad taste.
-Laz
And everyone has a big laugh on Morning Joe. Har har har!
Yes I realize it's a joke and meant to be tongue in cheek but I also realize that, as is 99% of what Buchanan has to say, it is uncouth and in bad taste.
-Laz
7.11.2009
You CAN'T make this shit up...
Many Alaskans seem to be unaware that our soon to be ex-Governor appointed three new judges this week. Judges she picked from a list submitted by the Alaska Judicial Council. Judges in her words from her own twitter account who will be "interpretting (sic) law, not making law".
So far so good. Typical and relatively scandal free. Now let the S.P. gaffe machine crank up to full speed before I reveal some things discovered digging through documents... one judge (from Palmer and I'm sure he's a perfectly nice man even though I don't know him personally) piqued my curiosity in particular because of his name -- Gregory L. Heath.
I know! Instantly I thought "is he related to her somehow?" and started spanking Google like a atubborn two-bit mule. And you will not believe what I found. OMFG! Now turn to page 8... I'll wait for you. Question 16. Read it slowly. Now go read this page. A brief quote from that article:
"In the resurfaced footage from the May 2005 blessing or "anointing" of Sarah Palin, at the Wasilla Assembly of God, three pastors surround Sarah Palin and bless her with the laying-on of hands. One of the pastors was Thomas Muthee. Another was Phil Markwardt of the Wasilla area Crossroads Community Church. The third was Wasilla Assembly of God head pastor Ed Kalnins. Kalnins and Markwardt traveled with Muthee, in 2005, to Africa to visit Muthee's Kenya-based. Kalnins has stated he has made two other trips to Africa, presumably to Muthee's church. Kalnins' and Markwardt's churches are among a Wasilla area church consortium helping to finance Muthee's Kenyan church expansion program." (emphasis added)
Now I'm NOT implying anything nefarious here but do you think it is totally out of the realm of possibilities that the judge is not somehow within her circle of friends and familiar with the Rev. Muthee? He states in his application (page 8 question 16, again) they have been a host family for an exchange student from Kenya. He was probably at the 2005 anointing of S.P., even.
So what is my point? Well only that there are a lots of coincidences surrounding this judicial appointment and that it is an example of exactly how, long after S.P. is just a memory, she will continue to have influence over Alaskan's lives. Just like her political mentor G. W. Bush, I have an idea she's going to spend a lot of time "embedding" like-minded individuals in positions of power within Alaska before she sashays off into the sunset. So be afraid Alaska. Be very afraid.
From the article:
So far so good. Typical and relatively scandal free. Now let the S.P. gaffe machine crank up to full speed before I reveal some things discovered digging through documents... one judge (from Palmer and I'm sure he's a perfectly nice man even though I don't know him personally) piqued my curiosity in particular because of his name -- Gregory L. Heath.
I know! Instantly I thought "is he related to her somehow?" and started spanking Google like a atubborn two-bit mule. And you will not believe what I found. OMFG! Now turn to page 8... I'll wait for you. Question 16. Read it slowly. Now go read this page. A brief quote from that article:
"In the resurfaced footage from the May 2005 blessing or "anointing" of Sarah Palin, at the Wasilla Assembly of God, three pastors surround Sarah Palin and bless her with the laying-on of hands. One of the pastors was Thomas Muthee. Another was Phil Markwardt of the Wasilla area Crossroads Community Church. The third was Wasilla Assembly of God head pastor Ed Kalnins. Kalnins and Markwardt traveled with Muthee, in 2005, to Africa to visit Muthee's Kenya-based. Kalnins has stated he has made two other trips to Africa, presumably to Muthee's church. Kalnins' and Markwardt's churches are among a Wasilla area church consortium helping to finance Muthee's Kenyan church expansion program." (emphasis added)
Now I'm NOT implying anything nefarious here but do you think it is totally out of the realm of possibilities that the judge is not somehow within her circle of friends and familiar with the Rev. Muthee? He states in his application (page 8 question 16, again) they have been a host family for an exchange student from Kenya. He was probably at the 2005 anointing of S.P., even.
So what is my point? Well only that there are a lots of coincidences surrounding this judicial appointment and that it is an example of exactly how, long after S.P. is just a memory, she will continue to have influence over Alaskan's lives. Just like her political mentor G. W. Bush, I have an idea she's going to spend a lot of time "embedding" like-minded individuals in positions of power within Alaska before she sashays off into the sunset. So be afraid Alaska. Be very afraid.
From the article:
"The Bible says that since the days of John The Baptist the Kingdom suffers violence. The violent take it by force. People that have spiritual backbone are the ones that will move forward. I thank God for what I see happening in this place. I thank God for the vision, the passion that I can see here.
And my word is this: The more violent you become, the more committed you become, the quicker you will see things happen in this region."
Muthee's rhetoric has, if anything, grown more extreme since that 2004 sermon, as attested to in a recent post from journalist Max Blumenthal who traveled to Alaska to attend Bishop Thomas Muthee's September 20-21 appearance at the Wasilla Assembly of God. As Blumenthal describes:
On the first night of services, Muthee implored his audience to wage "spiritual warfare" against "the enemy." As I filmed, a nervous church staffer approached from behind and told me to put my camera away. I acceded to his demand, but as Muthee urged the church to crush "the python spirit" of the unbeliever enemies by stomping on their necks, I pulled out a smaller camera and filmed from a more discreet position. Now, church members were in deep prayer, speaking in tongues and raising their hands. Muthee exclaimed, "We come against the spirit of witchcraft! We come against the python spirits!" Then, a local pastor took the mic from Muthee and added, "We stomp on the heads of the enemy!""-Laz
The ACTING AG speaks up...
That's right, the acting Attorney General is expressing his opinion over the constitutionality of S.P.'s Lt. Governor appointment and slaps a big rubber stamp on it. Have I pointed out the Daniel Sullivan is STILL THE ACTING AG?
Acting. As in "has not been confirmed by the legislature yet, either" acting Attorney General. His opinion, until officially confirmed by the legislature frankly should carry about as much legal weight as yours and mine and in my opinion, by weighing in on this before he has been confirmed he has committed a gross error in judgment. The phrase "quasi-legal opinion without the benefit of a constitutionally mandated legislative confirmation hearing" comes immediately to mind.
Until he's officially confirmed, he doesn't and shouldn't have a horse in this race. Or have we forgotten so soon how Wayne Anthony Ross was recently shown the door? Remember how S.P. was already calling W.A.R. the Attorney General and how he actually had began to use official AG stationary BEFORE he was confirmed? S.P. is the queen of "cart before horse" behavior.
My red flags have gone up on this one and her appointment of Campbell to Lt. Governor. Schmidt refusing to serve is also fishy. Methinks something smells rotten in the state of Alaska! Methinks it smells of months old neocon fish wrapped in a week old neotheocon newspaper.
I'm posting this again because I don't think people of Alaska have awakened to the political ramifications of this succession problem... I hear people (on Shannyn and Method's radio shows today) poo-pooing and soft-pedaling this as something that doesn't rise to the level of a constitutional crisis, but if this isn't one I don't know what hell is. Meaning of course, it IS.
-Laz
Acting. As in "has not been confirmed by the legislature yet, either" acting Attorney General. His opinion, until officially confirmed by the legislature frankly should carry about as much legal weight as yours and mine and in my opinion, by weighing in on this before he has been confirmed he has committed a gross error in judgment. The phrase "quasi-legal opinion without the benefit of a constitutionally mandated legislative confirmation hearing" comes immediately to mind.
Until he's officially confirmed, he doesn't and shouldn't have a horse in this race. Or have we forgotten so soon how Wayne Anthony Ross was recently shown the door? Remember how S.P. was already calling W.A.R. the Attorney General and how he actually had began to use official AG stationary BEFORE he was confirmed? S.P. is the queen of "cart before horse" behavior.
My red flags have gone up on this one and her appointment of Campbell to Lt. Governor. Schmidt refusing to serve is also fishy. Methinks something smells rotten in the state of Alaska! Methinks it smells of months old neocon fish wrapped in a week old neotheocon newspaper.
I'm posting this again because I don't think people of Alaska have awakened to the political ramifications of this succession problem... I hear people (on Shannyn and Method's radio shows today) poo-pooing and soft-pedaling this as something that doesn't rise to the level of a constitutional crisis, but if this isn't one I don't know what hell is. Meaning of course, it IS.
-Laz
Ruh Roh!
Yeah. Maverick-y. In the same way a sock puppet is maverick-y.
Is there absolutely NOTHING that S.P. says that is grounded in truth?
-Laz
Is there absolutely NOTHING that S.P. says that is grounded in truth?
-Laz
A lie a day...
because you don't want to keep the media at bay, do you, S.P.?
Everyday someplace new to repeat the lies. She seems to have finally learned the Bush doctrine about preemptive strikes, only she's using it to carpet bomb the media with lies.
-Laz
Everyday someplace new to repeat the lies. She seems to have finally learned the Bush doctrine about preemptive strikes, only she's using it to carpet bomb the media with lies.
-Laz
Here there be icebergs, yaaaaarrrgh!
I admit it. I wanted to spew out all sorts of crap about my feelings "as an Alaskan" about S.P. and her quitting... some grandiose and overblown opus of a blog rant so as to fully end any desire to even feel the need to have that essentially self-serving discussion with myself (and a few readers) on a public blog.
Now I don't have to thanks to Donald Craig Mitchell.
Though I must say, it is long. Folks with short attention spans will be challenged to read every word of it. Yet it is also a compelling and worthwhile read, serving as rebuttal to an entire, albeit brief era under the sway of the large personality that IS S.P.
And one final note to Mr. Mitchell: It is not acceptable for you to refer to her child as "damaged Baby" Trig. You will undoubtedly be taking some verbal shots from your peers and the blogosphere at large for that comment because it isn't nor has it ever been about her kids. It's about HER manifest shortcomings. In my opinion you owe her, him and everyone an apology for crossing the boundary of decorum and good taste with those two tiny words.
Oh and the iceberg part? It doesn't happen until the last page and starts with the words:
"In other words, either Walt Monegan, Alaska's former chief law enforcement officer, committed perjury. Or Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska, committed perjury."
Yaaarrrrgh!
-Laz
Now I don't have to thanks to Donald Craig Mitchell.
Though I must say, it is long. Folks with short attention spans will be challenged to read every word of it. Yet it is also a compelling and worthwhile read, serving as rebuttal to an entire, albeit brief era under the sway of the large personality that IS S.P.
And one final note to Mr. Mitchell: It is not acceptable for you to refer to her child as "damaged Baby" Trig. You will undoubtedly be taking some verbal shots from your peers and the blogosphere at large for that comment because it isn't nor has it ever been about her kids. It's about HER manifest shortcomings. In my opinion you owe her, him and everyone an apology for crossing the boundary of decorum and good taste with those two tiny words.
Oh and the iceberg part? It doesn't happen until the last page and starts with the words:
"In other words, either Walt Monegan, Alaska's former chief law enforcement officer, committed perjury. Or Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska, committed perjury."
Yaaarrrrgh!
-Laz
7.10.2009
Rubber-stamp much, dickweed?
The other OTHER Dan Sullivan (the new Attorney General one) says the legislature doesn't need to approve our new Lt. Governor and thus proves he has little or no grasp of Alaskan constitutional politics. He issues his first opinion wherein he, perhaps unknowingly, preforms as a political poodle to Sarah Palin as yet another rubber-stamping asshole seemingly beholden to her. Really, Dan? REALLY? What you suggest is a controversion to both LAW and reality. Won't you be glad when Sarah leaves and you can have your nuts back?
-Laz
-Laz
Go local!
I used to hate the taste of beer. Until some local brewers, passionate about their jobs changed that... so I toast their dedication to the craft... I rate Sockeye Red IPA as the best damn local brew ever, but that MAY be the beer talking. ;)
-Laz
-Laz
Fudging the Numbers...
Of course the disclosure of costs as released by the Palin administration for Alaska to handle ethics complaints against her is a big fat stinking lie. What did you expect? If you don't provide the original digital file in petrified form (showing the date of the original digital file creation as well as authorship, &tc.), then you are lying. Non date-stamped documents are worth squat and Van Flein knows this but he's too busy collecting money to actually offer REAL help to the quitter-in-chief.
Game over, Sarah. Please return to the stewardship of your own family (which seriously needs some attention, IMO) and get the hell out of our lives... also, too, get the hell off of OUR media with your incompetent word salad explanations of your reasoning for being a quitter. We are all long past the point of caring about your self centered existence. Go fish!
-Laz
Game over, Sarah. Please return to the stewardship of your own family (which seriously needs some attention, IMO) and get the hell out of our lives... also, too, get the hell off of OUR media with your incompetent word salad explanations of your reasoning for being a quitter. We are all long past the point of caring about your self centered existence. Go fish!
-Laz
7.09.2009
A shout-out to all my Alaskan progressive bloggers!
You need strength to fight the good fight and finally put down the bad dream once and for all?
This is it. Crank it. Bonus points for having an awesome enough sub-woofer to piss off the neighbors (as you KNOW I do). In case you cannot figure it out, we are not "The Pretender". Independent Alaskan's involved in participatory democracy are THE REAL DEAL. We are all 'Dave Grohl', now.
-Laz
This is it. Crank it. Bonus points for having an awesome enough sub-woofer to piss off the neighbors (as you KNOW I do). In case you cannot figure it out, we are not "The Pretender". Independent Alaskan's involved in participatory democracy are THE REAL DEAL. We are all 'Dave Grohl', now.
-Laz
For the record...
Since day one of this blog until now nobody from anywhere has paid me one thin dime for anything I have ever written. Not the DNC, not Rahm Emanuel, not Obama, not Gibbs, not Axelrod. Nobody. Not a single solitary cent. I can swear that upon the religious book of your choice in front on billions of humans and NOT feel guilty about it because it is the absolute truth. That's just how I'M wired.
-Laz
-Laz
For maximum effect...
I'd suggest listening to Three Dog Night "Liar" while reading the following from Andrew Sullivan.
Pretty much every lie ever told by Sarah Palin is in there. I am heartened by the idea that Sullivan has apparently put down the kool-aid as it pertains to S.P. Enjoy!
-Laz
Pretty much every lie ever told by Sarah Palin is in there. I am heartened by the idea that Sullivan has apparently put down the kool-aid as it pertains to S.P. Enjoy!
-Laz
Every time she tweets, a baby bird dies...
Ah, self help books. They are a boon to society. A boon to the writers cashing in on them that is... reference this bastardized quotation apparently from some unknown self-help book as run through the grifter filter.
We Alaskan bloggers can't make this stuff up. Seriously. I'm slightly comforted by the fact that it is possible that our soon to be ex-Governor can read, however. You couldn't tell after her answer to Couric about what she liked to read...
-Laz
We Alaskan bloggers can't make this stuff up. Seriously. I'm slightly comforted by the fact that it is possible that our soon to be ex-Governor can read, however. You couldn't tell after her answer to Couric about what she liked to read...
-Laz
7.08.2009
I'm putting the kettle to boil...
...so while I'm sipping and thinking I share this -- True/Slant is a rather new sight I think, but shows promise... it would show even MORE promise if they actually allowed contributions from ALL bloggers, even Alaskan ones..
7.07.2009
I dream of Maureen day dreaming of Sarah day dreaming...
As I often do. Don't we all?
"To dream the impossible dream..."
Normally Maureen is a hard pill for me to swallow but here she releases her "inner Sarah" so I'll gulp hard and swallow, for now.
-Laz
"To dream the impossible dream..."
Normally Maureen is a hard pill for me to swallow but here she releases her "inner Sarah" so I'll gulp hard and swallow, for now.
-Laz
Memes are made to be flogged...
And believe it or not Governor Sarah Palin is one of the best (perhaps accidental) meme floggers in the entire universe, you betcha! ;) She's practically a meme dominatrix, by golly!
But I must say, in a Wayne Campbell/Garth Algar sort of way, Mel -- "we are not worthy!" -- excellent work!
No matter how many times reality proves otherwise and as pointed out by both the MSM and many local Alaskan bloggers including Mel, Governor Palin at every opportunity continues to proclaim to every media outlet that has a mic and a camera -- (breathlessly of course, because Sarah has to sex it up to SELL it to the Palin-bots) "This is costing the taxpayers of Alaska millions and millions of dollars for all these frivolous complaints!" 99% of the time this claim goes unquestioned and unchallenged undoubtedly lest Sarah go into fits of apoplexy on camera, delicate flower that she is.
Speaking strictly for myself and as a PROGRESSIVE Alaskan Republican I can say with certainty that her repeated claim, her flogged dead horse of a meme is absolutely 100% undiluted horseshit.
Palin supporter or not, conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat -- come one, come all -- take a deep breath, clear your mind for a moment, inhale, click the link that leads to Henkimaa above ("we are not worthy"), exhale, calmly read. Repeat as needed.
Thank You,
-Laz
But I must say, in a Wayne Campbell/Garth Algar sort of way, Mel -- "we are not worthy!" -- excellent work!
No matter how many times reality proves otherwise and as pointed out by both the MSM and many local Alaskan bloggers including Mel, Governor Palin at every opportunity continues to proclaim to every media outlet that has a mic and a camera -- (breathlessly of course, because Sarah has to sex it up to SELL it to the Palin-bots) "This is costing the taxpayers of Alaska millions and millions of dollars for all these frivolous complaints!" 99% of the time this claim goes unquestioned and unchallenged undoubtedly lest Sarah go into fits of apoplexy on camera, delicate flower that she is.
Speaking strictly for myself and as a PROGRESSIVE Alaskan Republican I can say with certainty that her repeated claim, her flogged dead horse of a meme is absolutely 100% undiluted horseshit.
Palin supporter or not, conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat -- come one, come all -- take a deep breath, clear your mind for a moment, inhale, click the link that leads to Henkimaa above ("we are not worthy"), exhale, calmly read. Repeat as needed.
Thank You,
-Laz
Predictions and Prognostications!
(by Ima L. Stinker and I. P. Frehly)
[in a wicked moment I put this up in the comments section at AKM but I think it deserves it's own venue at OMFGAK]
Prediction: If there actually is a special session called by the legislature they will come together as a bipartisan body solely to overwhelmingly overturn her rejection of the $26 million in federal alternative energy stimulus money, gavel out and go home, leaving the question of her Lt. Governor appointment unanswered.
"Oh I'm sorry, what Sarah? What about your Lt. Governor appointment? Well since you resigned and are now (or will be by then) a private citizen, we are awaiting the decision of the Governor, Sean Parnell as to who HE chooses to nominate to the position..."
If that happened (and frankly karmic justice practically demands that it does) I'd have to wear an adult diaper for fear of wetting myself while laughing so hard.
-Laz
[in a wicked moment I put this up in the comments section at AKM but I think it deserves it's own venue at OMFGAK]
Prediction: If there actually is a special session called by the legislature they will come together as a bipartisan body solely to overwhelmingly overturn her rejection of the $26 million in federal alternative energy stimulus money, gavel out and go home, leaving the question of her Lt. Governor appointment unanswered.
"Oh I'm sorry, what Sarah? What about your Lt. Governor appointment? Well since you resigned and are now (or will be by then) a private citizen, we are awaiting the decision of the Governor, Sean Parnell as to who HE chooses to nominate to the position..."
If that happened (and frankly karmic justice practically demands that it does) I'd have to wear an adult diaper for fear of wetting myself while laughing so hard.
-Laz
Compare and Contrast, Sarah...
From Wonkette:
She brought up the fact Murkowski left the Legislature when her father, then-governor Frank Murkowski, appointed her to the U.S. Senate seat he gave up to become governor.
“The double standard that’s applied here is a bit perplexing. … Didn’t Lisa Murkowski leave office to go take her dad’s seat? (Govs.) Huntsman left, Napolitano just left … ,” Palin said, referring to governors who took positions in President Obama’s administration.
***
See the difference between you and these people is that they were all awarded appointments to other government jobs by other higher elected officials based upon (one assumes) the good work they did during the course of their previous jobs, Sarah. They didn't just quit for murky or badly explained reasons as you did.
-Laz
7.06.2009
Delusional much?
WTF, Sarah? You aren't EVEN in the same league intellectually with Dick Cheney and Rudolph Gulianni. I don't mean that in a BAD way. Seriously. I'm saying this and not even in a sexist sort of way, honestly -- you need to get your sorry thin-skinned ass OUT of politics. I don't hate you. I don't even necessarily think you're particularly a whack job, but from one human being alowing honesty to another human being, please persue a position at the special olympics or something around the issue of special needs children. America, whether YOU believe it or not, does NOT need you "progressing America's security" or something that is absolutely and TOTALLY out of your skill set. Stick with issues and causes you can feel passionate about that don't put you in the position of being Joseph Goebbels (Chief Propaganda Minister) to Rush Limbaugh's currnet portrayal of Hitler. Believe it or not I think you're smarter than that. Seriously, Sarah.
-Laz
(and having violated an internet rule by mentioning Nazis, this thread is over...)
-Laz
(and having violated an internet rule by mentioning Nazis, this thread is over...)
The OTHER Naughty Monkey pump DROPS...
I knew that eventually Alaska's "Grifter-in-Chief" would have to face the music for getting a per diem for living in her own damn house in Wasilla when she should have been ensconsed in the Governor's Mansion in Juneau...
From now until July 25th it's going to be a never-ending litany of "we told you so" from her constituents (including me), culminating in a huge blowout party by progressives on July the 26th when she officially leaves. Yes she was right. Alaska WILL be a better place without her (and her deeply flawed political instincts) around. Thanks, Sarah!
-Laz
From now until July 25th it's going to be a never-ending litany of "we told you so" from her constituents (including me), culminating in a huge blowout party by progressives on July the 26th when she officially leaves. Yes she was right. Alaska WILL be a better place without her (and her deeply flawed political instincts) around. Thanks, Sarah!
-Laz
7.05.2009
This is journalism?
From the ADN feature story giving their take on the resignation of Governor Palin:
"...Gov. Palin pushed through ethics reforms, major changes in the way the state taxed oil companies, and a natural gas pipeline deal that injected momentum into a project that had sat dormant for decades."
She did? This is essentially a rephrasing of her PDF press release, almost word for word.
"...Running as the outsider breath of fresh air, she charmed many voters and trounced former two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles in the general election."
It was a multi-horse race. They forget Halcro and write-ins for Benson and others.
"...Palin used her popularity, her own squeaky-clean image and bipartisan support in the Legislature to leverage some major achievements in her first six months as governor. She pushed through a rewrite of state ethics laws."
She did? How about a link to that one? I didn't hear nor do I recall ANY major ethics reform legislation emanating from this administration ever. Not even a groundswell effort from the legislature to reform anything. Though I think the marmot is now our official state rodent! Woot! Go Alaska! If anything, this fiasco of the reign of Governor Palin should teach all Alaskans that our ethics laws are severly messed up. Seriously, people.
"...Later that year, ethics again was at the center of Palin's push to raise oil taxes when prices are high. The federal corruption probe was centered largely on bribery during legislative debate of an oil-tax rewrite in 2006, while Palin was running for governor. She called a special legislative session that resulted in a major tax increase on Alaska's oil companies when oil prices are high."
Yeah, ummm... REALLY? Didn't they (meaning the legislature) pretty much just rubber stamp the 22.5% rate as hammered out at the very end of the Murkowski administration? What did she have to do with that? It was a done deal and the ink was dry before she had even started to decide how to redecorate the Governor's office (the one in Anchorage, silly). What has changed other than Governor Palin passing along big oil windfall profits to her constituents in the form of $1200 Energy Rebates financed out of the pocket of The Alaska Permanent Fund? Is that her "new energy independence" accomplishment? Robbing Peter to pay Paul?
"She also crafted legislation that changed the state's approach to jump-starting a multibillion-dollar (sic) (it's "multi-billion dollar", ADN) North Slope natural gas pipeline project -- a project that had eluded previous governors and could bring a fresh new source of petroleum wealth to Alaska."
But as most Alaskan agree, won't. No pipeline gets built unless it is profitable for everyone and none gets built without the cooperation of ALL of the producers, which as we should all know they're all still wrangling over because of issues with leases at Pt. Tomson, pipeline maintenance and a raft of other discords amongst all the parties. Pipeline still not built yet. Film at 11. This is an accomplishment? And in recent news we learned she may have been in somewhat less than public negotiations with the somewhat less than popular (in Alaska at least, by a large chunk of the population who still have a very hard time "forgiving and forgetting" about oil spills and settlements) Exxon Corporation, giving them the "hookup" as it were with Trans-Canada? Really? Exxon who owns vast amounts of gas lease contracts right across the border from ANWR that they intend to pump into the same pipeline system as Alaska gas would be headed? If, as many of the producers have already said, it's not profitable or barely profitable for them to do this from their holdings already in Canada, what makes you think they'll or any other producers have ANY motivation whatsoever to push Alaska gas to market? Thus our number one priority as Alaskans MUST be Alaskan natural gas FOR Alaskans first. Apparently Governor Palin won't be around to take credit for that.
"...The costs of investigating and defending against them were high both for the state and for Palin. Friends and supporters created a legal defense fund for the governor, whose expenses were recently estimated in excess of $600,000."
Two thirds of which is accountable to the partisan and opaque 'Troopergate' disclosure she launched against herself with the personnel board when a bi-partisan, independent investigation was already underway. A Personnel Board investigation, by the way, whose opening salvo commenced with them pre-depositioning and possibly witness tampering (by resigned ex-Attorney General Talis Colberg himself) many of those subpoenaed by the independent counsel BEFORE the independent counsel got his chance to depose. In spite of her continued claims of the "MILLIONS and MILLIONS of DOLLARS it is costing the state and it's taxpayers" (actual breathless quote, not once but twice during her resignation speech), the personnel board disclosed it has spent $297,000 for independent counsel investigators. Even adding the two and getting the phrase "millions and millions of dollars", is a stretch. Besides -- why so expensive for 15 dismissed ethics complaints? Dismissed by an executive branch controlled Personnel Board, hiring local attorneys to serve as independent counsel (the only smart move in this equation), paid for by the executive branch, investigating a greviance against a member, no -- the head -- of the very same executive branch? Open and transparent? Not so much as the bipartisan alternative as originally embarked upon by the checks and balances action of the legislative branch.
So I take issue with the sycophantic, non-investigative and lazy nature of the first part of this ADN article. It is pretty much a reiteration of her own talking points -- but we've come to expect that from ADN, haven't we?
From Sarah herself:
"Every one -- all 15 of the ethics complaints -- have been dismissed. We've won! But it hasn't been cheap. The state has wasted thousands of hours of your time and shelled out some two million of your dollars to respond to 'opposition research.' That's money not going to fund teachers or troopers (or) safer roads."
See above, Governor. $297,000. Two thirds of it for the investigation you launched against yourself. Thanks. We'll give your regards to the unemployed teachers and troopers. What you have to pay to defend yourself against your own possible unethical behavior is your own business. Simple answer: stop giving the perception that you're acting unethically and people stop filing ethics grievances.
Lastly and perhaps the most heinous and craven act:
"...Palin also is unpopular with some Alaska Natives, who have criticized her for failing to appoint a Native to a rural affairs position, and for being slow to respond to fuel and flooding crises in the Bush and along the Yukon River, among other shortcomings they cite."
And then she did appoint one as rural advisor who I have an idea they abused badly when they possibly put words in his mouth and twittered away about something (during her visit to ANG troops stationed in Kosovo) that may have been less than truthful about the state of natives living in Emmonak and their situation with subsistence fishing -- something that appeared to be far south of the truth. Something that differed greatly with statements from actual residents and a boots on the ground freelance videographer working for CNN who just happened to be there at the time of the "good news" tweeting.
So there's my take on the circus up to this point. Including that which lately passes for actual journalism at ADN. During this 4th of July holiday season, much popcorn has been sold, fireworks were blown, champagne corks popped, BBQ eaten, kool-aid drank and careers ruined (or re-branded, or re-launched). Who knows? But it ain't over yet because the fat lady... well you know the rest.
-Laz
"...Gov. Palin pushed through ethics reforms, major changes in the way the state taxed oil companies, and a natural gas pipeline deal that injected momentum into a project that had sat dormant for decades."
She did? This is essentially a rephrasing of her PDF press release, almost word for word.
"...Running as the outsider breath of fresh air, she charmed many voters and trounced former two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles in the general election."
It was a multi-horse race. They forget Halcro and write-ins for Benson and others.
"...Palin used her popularity, her own squeaky-clean image and bipartisan support in the Legislature to leverage some major achievements in her first six months as governor. She pushed through a rewrite of state ethics laws."
She did? How about a link to that one? I didn't hear nor do I recall ANY major ethics reform legislation emanating from this administration ever. Not even a groundswell effort from the legislature to reform anything. Though I think the marmot is now our official state rodent! Woot! Go Alaska! If anything, this fiasco of the reign of Governor Palin should teach all Alaskans that our ethics laws are severly messed up. Seriously, people.
"...Later that year, ethics again was at the center of Palin's push to raise oil taxes when prices are high. The federal corruption probe was centered largely on bribery during legislative debate of an oil-tax rewrite in 2006, while Palin was running for governor. She called a special legislative session that resulted in a major tax increase on Alaska's oil companies when oil prices are high."
Yeah, ummm... REALLY? Didn't they (meaning the legislature) pretty much just rubber stamp the 22.5% rate as hammered out at the very end of the Murkowski administration? What did she have to do with that? It was a done deal and the ink was dry before she had even started to decide how to redecorate the Governor's office (the one in Anchorage, silly). What has changed other than Governor Palin passing along big oil windfall profits to her constituents in the form of $1200 Energy Rebates financed out of the pocket of The Alaska Permanent Fund? Is that her "new energy independence" accomplishment? Robbing Peter to pay Paul?
"She also crafted legislation that changed the state's approach to jump-starting a multibillion-dollar (sic) (it's "multi-billion dollar", ADN) North Slope natural gas pipeline project -- a project that had eluded previous governors and could bring a fresh new source of petroleum wealth to Alaska."
But as most Alaskan agree, won't. No pipeline gets built unless it is profitable for everyone and none gets built without the cooperation of ALL of the producers, which as we should all know they're all still wrangling over because of issues with leases at Pt. Tomson, pipeline maintenance and a raft of other discords amongst all the parties. Pipeline still not built yet. Film at 11. This is an accomplishment? And in recent news we learned she may have been in somewhat less than public negotiations with the somewhat less than popular (in Alaska at least, by a large chunk of the population who still have a very hard time "forgiving and forgetting" about oil spills and settlements) Exxon Corporation, giving them the "hookup" as it were with Trans-Canada? Really? Exxon who owns vast amounts of gas lease contracts right across the border from ANWR that they intend to pump into the same pipeline system as Alaska gas would be headed? If, as many of the producers have already said, it's not profitable or barely profitable for them to do this from their holdings already in Canada, what makes you think they'll or any other producers have ANY motivation whatsoever to push Alaska gas to market? Thus our number one priority as Alaskans MUST be Alaskan natural gas FOR Alaskans first. Apparently Governor Palin won't be around to take credit for that.
"...The costs of investigating and defending against them were high both for the state and for Palin. Friends and supporters created a legal defense fund for the governor, whose expenses were recently estimated in excess of $600,000."
Two thirds of which is accountable to the partisan and opaque 'Troopergate' disclosure she launched against herself with the personnel board when a bi-partisan, independent investigation was already underway. A Personnel Board investigation, by the way, whose opening salvo commenced with them pre-depositioning and possibly witness tampering (by resigned ex-Attorney General Talis Colberg himself) many of those subpoenaed by the independent counsel BEFORE the independent counsel got his chance to depose. In spite of her continued claims of the "MILLIONS and MILLIONS of DOLLARS it is costing the state and it's taxpayers" (actual breathless quote, not once but twice during her resignation speech), the personnel board disclosed it has spent $297,000 for independent counsel investigators. Even adding the two and getting the phrase "millions and millions of dollars", is a stretch. Besides -- why so expensive for 15 dismissed ethics complaints? Dismissed by an executive branch controlled Personnel Board, hiring local attorneys to serve as independent counsel (the only smart move in this equation), paid for by the executive branch, investigating a greviance against a member, no -- the head -- of the very same executive branch? Open and transparent? Not so much as the bipartisan alternative as originally embarked upon by the checks and balances action of the legislative branch.
So I take issue with the sycophantic, non-investigative and lazy nature of the first part of this ADN article. It is pretty much a reiteration of her own talking points -- but we've come to expect that from ADN, haven't we?
From Sarah herself:
"Every one -- all 15 of the ethics complaints -- have been dismissed. We've won! But it hasn't been cheap. The state has wasted thousands of hours of your time and shelled out some two million of your dollars to respond to 'opposition research.' That's money not going to fund teachers or troopers (or) safer roads."
See above, Governor. $297,000. Two thirds of it for the investigation you launched against yourself. Thanks. We'll give your regards to the unemployed teachers and troopers. What you have to pay to defend yourself against your own possible unethical behavior is your own business. Simple answer: stop giving the perception that you're acting unethically and people stop filing ethics grievances.
Lastly and perhaps the most heinous and craven act:
"...Palin also is unpopular with some Alaska Natives, who have criticized her for failing to appoint a Native to a rural affairs position, and for being slow to respond to fuel and flooding crises in the Bush and along the Yukon River, among other shortcomings they cite."
And then she did appoint one as rural advisor who I have an idea they abused badly when they possibly put words in his mouth and twittered away about something (during her visit to ANG troops stationed in Kosovo) that may have been less than truthful about the state of natives living in Emmonak and their situation with subsistence fishing -- something that appeared to be far south of the truth. Something that differed greatly with statements from actual residents and a boots on the ground freelance videographer working for CNN who just happened to be there at the time of the "good news" tweeting.
So there's my take on the circus up to this point. Including that which lately passes for actual journalism at ADN. During this 4th of July holiday season, much popcorn has been sold, fireworks were blown, champagne corks popped, BBQ eaten, kool-aid drank and careers ruined (or re-branded, or re-launched). Who knows? But it ain't over yet because the fat lady... well you know the rest.
-Laz
7.04.2009
Letters, we get letters, we get stacks and stacks of...
Well you get the idea. I just got a post from a bloke in the comments section I denied because I don't seek publicity and do not wish to be interviewed for his radio show in Australia. Thanks. But no thanks. Why did I need to say this? Because I choose to not be FULLY wired into everything. You email me and sometimes I don't get it for a couple of days. I didn't even own a cell phone until October 2008 and I mostly still use it as a phone even though it's a PDA. You see I'm an old fart. A luddite at heart really. Oh all these technology doohickeys are fine and dandy but one must never let them become your master. One must learn to unplug (mostly) as I did (mostly) over my staycation weekend.
Besides -- a guy from down under says he wants to interview you at lunch Sunday, you start thinking, wait -- his lunch or my lunch? And then the flurry of emails and texting and twittering and blogging and more emails and... again you get the idea. This is America's birthday, dammit and I shall not be moved from my enjoyment of adult beverages and BBQ!
-Laz
Besides -- a guy from down under says he wants to interview you at lunch Sunday, you start thinking, wait -- his lunch or my lunch? And then the flurry of emails and texting and twittering and blogging and more emails and... again you get the idea. This is America's birthday, dammit and I shall not be moved from my enjoyment of adult beverages and BBQ!
-Laz
OMFGAK EXCLUSIVE!
(awakening from a trance state a whole harmonic convergence is revealed...)
Sarah is a governor in Naughty Monkey pumps. Mark is a (naughty) governor. They were both in Philly. Extrapolate from there.
I'm not implying, I'm jus' sayin'...
***
Updated 10PM:
And what was all this about? And THIS? Hmmm? IS Sarah one of the other women Mark Sanford may have "crossed the line with" while flirting? Hmmmm? Did Mrs. Sanford find out about any canoodling and laid the smack down on Sarah to resign or be outed? And WHY OH WHY July 26th, Sarah?
***
Updated 11PM
Okay. Am I the only one who finds it interesting that Governor Mark Sanford "was a congressman for six years, where he served on the International Relations Commit[t]ee... (sic)"? Is it nerdy that if find a spelling error in a Cato Institute web page almost just as interesting? Probably.
-Laz
Sarah is a governor in Naughty Monkey pumps. Mark is a (naughty) governor. They were both in Philly. Extrapolate from there.
I'm not implying, I'm jus' sayin'...
***
Updated 10PM:
And what was all this about? And THIS? Hmmm? IS Sarah one of the other women Mark Sanford may have "crossed the line with" while flirting? Hmmmm? Did Mrs. Sanford find out about any canoodling and laid the smack down on Sarah to resign or be outed? And WHY OH WHY July 26th, Sarah?
***
Updated 11PM
Okay. Am I the only one who finds it interesting that Governor Mark Sanford "was a congressman for six years, where he served on the International Relations Commit[t]ee... (sic)"? Is it nerdy that if find a spelling error in a Cato Institute web page almost just as interesting? Probably.
-Laz
Because SHE'S good enough, she's SMART enough...
and doggonnit, people like her. During the hours Shannyn Moore is there after a thorough bleaching of the facility. But caution, KBYR also does Hannity and other stooges at other times... so yer on yer own, bubba. They also have podcasts. Including those of the vile troll Eddie Burke. Hey Eddie -- you and the Neotheocons keep up the good work! Wear that hilarious shirt again, you big mook!
Mike Method is also good too, you betcha. Right now CC and Linda from Blue Oasis are on...
-Laz
Mike Method is also good too, you betcha. Right now CC and Linda from Blue Oasis are on...
-Laz
The inevitable post party hangover...
So. Well. Gee, Sarah. Umm.. what now?
(she scans her 'to do' list)
1. Aerial Wolf Hunting.
2. Makin' Alaska safe for our families, with the liberty and freedoms also, too.
3. Shoe Shopping!
4. Crush my enemies and drive their women and children before me as I laugh at hearing the sounds of the wailing and gnashing of their teeth. Burn their villages and leave no stone unturned. Slaughter all their livestock and plunder their granaries.
5. Go for a jog, you betcha! (BEFORE No. 4, DUH!)
6. Pick up the new Arctic Cat Jet Ski! (AFTER JULY 26th! DUH!)
7. Solve world hunger.
8. Lunch with Carrie Prejean.
9. Decorate new office at FOX.
10. Be fabulous. (Although this SHOULD BE No. 1! There's ALWAYS time for Aerial Wolf Hunting now that Todd has that sweet little plane of his...)
-Laz
(she scans her 'to do' list)
1. Aerial Wolf Hunting.
2. Makin' Alaska safe for our families, with the liberty and freedoms also, too.
3. Shoe Shopping!
4. Crush my enemies and drive their women and children before me as I laugh at hearing the sounds of the wailing and gnashing of their teeth. Burn their villages and leave no stone unturned. Slaughter all their livestock and plunder their granaries.
5. Go for a jog, you betcha! (BEFORE No. 4, DUH!)
6. Pick up the new Arctic Cat Jet Ski! (AFTER JULY 26th! DUH!)
7. Solve world hunger.
8. Lunch with Carrie Prejean.
9. Decorate new office at FOX.
10. Be fabulous. (Although this SHOULD BE No. 1! There's ALWAYS time for Aerial Wolf Hunting now that Todd has that sweet little plane of his...)
-Laz
Stick a fork in her...
She's done.
Joltin' Joe Scarborough has the rundown:
And the some Democratic pundits on "Hardball" (Matthews wasn't there because he probably had to be rushed off to Johns Hopkins to treat a severe "leg tingle"):
I have an idea she will do fund raising stuff for people (in Alaska and nationally) who share her ideology and probably focus on special olympics/special needs kids. But she will never return to politics. At least not "Republic(an)('t)" politics. Talk shows, book tours or the director of something public relations related, yes. "Politics as usual"or as a "public servant"? Never.
Unless... maybe something at the RNC if she has any friends left there but that's a slim chance. My money is on her forming a third party. Because she's all maverick-ey that way, you betcha.
-Laz
Joltin' Joe Scarborough has the rundown:
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
And the some Democratic pundits on "Hardball" (Matthews wasn't there because he probably had to be rushed off to Johns Hopkins to treat a severe "leg tingle"):
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
I have an idea she will do fund raising stuff for people (in Alaska and nationally) who share her ideology and probably focus on special olympics/special needs kids. But she will never return to politics. At least not "Republic(an)('t)" politics. Talk shows, book tours or the director of something public relations related, yes. "Politics as usual"or as a "public servant"? Never.
Unless... maybe something at the RNC if she has any friends left there but that's a slim chance. My money is on her forming a third party. Because she's all maverick-ey that way, you betcha.
-Laz
7.03.2009
HOLY SH*T! WTF? Developing...
Where was I? I want to see some footage of the press conference! What a rambling, breathless trainwreck of a speech. She repeats the "costing the state MILLIONS!" (caps hers, not mine) lie not once but twice! And kneecaps bloggers clumsily calling our demand for transparency and accountability "political bloodsport". OMFG, Sarah? Really? Lil' ol' us? D.C. Beltway insiders are going to eat her for lunch if she ever decides to go national.Celtic Diva and the Alaska bloggers go "ALL-IN" and Sarah FOLDS! Folds and leaves the building prior to the end of her term. WTF?
Hmmm. This explanation seems written by one of her rabid C4Per minions considering the grammar. More worrisome is her appointment of Lt. Gen. ( Alaska ) Craig E. Campbell, the adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs to the position of Lt. Governor. Umm, what? Can she just appoint someone under Alaskan Law? And why this guy?
From the "paper of record" for most of Alaska that DOESN'T have a full time staff journalist posted to the state capitol comes this story, though it could be second hand considering their "boots on the ground status" or lack thereof as pertains to news out of Juneau. Here is the official press release from Juneau. The second page will be up for debate amongst historians.
***
Update -- the other inevitable shoe drops...
MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell reports:
***
The press conference:
-Laz
Hmmm. This explanation seems written by one of her rabid C4Per minions considering the grammar. More worrisome is her appointment of Lt. Gen. ( Alaska ) Craig E. Campbell, the adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs to the position of Lt. Governor. Umm, what? Can she just appoint someone under Alaskan Law? And why this guy?
From the "paper of record" for most of Alaska that DOESN'T have a full time staff journalist posted to the state capitol comes this story, though it could be second hand considering their "boots on the ground status" or lack thereof as pertains to news out of Juneau. Here is the official press release from Juneau. The second page will be up for debate amongst historians.
***
Update -- the other inevitable shoe drops...
MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell reports:
"Talking to people who are very close to Sarah Palin, I have been told that she has told her supporters that she is out of politics, period. She is fed up with politics. She doesn’t like her life. She feels like she has to raise her family. She’s sick of the commute from Wasilla to the capital and she really does not want to run for higher office. This is not the case where she is stepping down in order to figure the way for a presidential run. In fact, she has told some of her biggest backers in the national Republican Party that they are free to choose other candidates for 2012."Normally I'm not a big fan of Politico but this is a good discussion from a wide variety of movers & shakers, thinkers & opinion makers.
***
The press conference:
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
-Laz
Metaphors by me on AKM comments section...
(responding to questioning about the new Sarah-meme to brand all who oppose her as envious or haters, and most especially women...)
Well I’m neither envious nor personally hateful, so that’s just more dissembling and attempted re-branding on their part… then again I’m male. So perhaps I’m not the ‘target audience’.
On the other side of this double headed coin is the sexualization of Sarah. The Naughty Monkey pumps. The jogging togs cheesecake shots. The skimpy bikini comic book character (and granted on this latter issue Sarah has little or no control over what third parties do with her ‘image’, or ‘iconography’ as we have all recently learned with the help of Meg “The Mouth”, the internet and graphics editing software). Or consider the excessively sexualized nature of comments made by numerous male supporters, including John Cole and Wayne Anthony Ross, both of whose public comments about Sarah’s looks were excessively creepy… yeah that doesn’t work for me either. I have never thought Sarah particularly beautiful or attractive nor have I/would I entertain inappropriate fantasies, sexual or otherwise about her. She’s a married woman with five kids, people. There is nothing in that looks/circumstance/lifestyle/[power] combo that would close the deal for me. Sorry Sarah, I’m just not that into you.
So I am further protected from their “populist sex-ray gun marketing campaign” as conducted by Republic(an)(’t)(s) Meg, the C4Pers and AFT (her legal slush fund) by personal ethics and morals. And maybe a necklace of garlic, some holy water and a large wooden cross. Or a big ‘whacking’ shovel in case they’re actually ZOMBIES that come after my BRAAAAIIIIIINNNNNSSSS! Or a big bucket of wet beach sand from Homer to pour on the Palinbots… so yay — go me! [And actually go US -- all Alaskan bloggers]. As an[ ] Alaskan[s], I[we] am[are] prepared to be Austin Powers to her Dr. Evil. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Look it up, neotheocons (supporters of Palin).
Alaskan bloggers have gotten past the sharks with frikken’ lasers, past the fembots with machine guns for nipples, past the missile launch (see recent youtube video produced by a Sarahcophant). We’re ready for the justice and just deserts part. Yeah baby, YEAH!
Now show me the public documents providing full disclosure or actually run an open and transparent government and I get all flush with excitement! 
-Laz
[ ] = omitted from original, added here
7.01.2009
Circle of Sharks...
...with frikken' lazers! OMG! Control freak much? The Spinmistress. The Spinanatrix.
Here's an example of some fine Palin emailerin, you betcha and it's ZOMG totally PT!
-Laz
PT = pre-twitteratin, y'all.
Here's an example of some fine Palin emailerin, you betcha and it's ZOMG totally PT!
-Laz
PT = pre-twitteratin, y'all.
6.30.2009
LMAO -- Franken wins after an 8 month delay...
And frankly as a 'white guy', I have precious little ass left with which to laugh off...
This onion-esque blurb did the trick for me.
It would have been ten times more hilarious had Rush himself delivered the punchline. Especially since he would have issued it with due seriousness and gravitas such a 'tip of the spear" attack position against Franken would require.
-Laz
This onion-esque blurb did the trick for me.
It would have been ten times more hilarious had Rush himself delivered the punchline. Especially since he would have issued it with due seriousness and gravitas such a 'tip of the spear" attack position against Franken would require.
-Laz
6.27.2009
Damning with not so faint praise...
So yeah. This is my little corner of blogosphere hell. There is no cheetoes dust on the keyboard as I'm more of a multigrain sunchips kind of guy. And no I am not posting from my parent's basement. It's mostly quiet around here (OMFGAlaska) with not many people poking about because I've never really promoted anything. I just came here in the past to spout and weep, to wail and gnash my teeth -- to spew across the page in the grand reeking tradition of Hunter S. Thompson, but with less prescription drugs and gunplay, of course.
But I had an idea about staying away from the fray and working alone. They're my rants -- who would want to read them? I write as a form of therapy. Comedy. Hyperbole. Grand pseudo-grecian political tragedies. Sarcasm. Whatever. Get the writing itch bugging you out of your head and onto the screen all stealthy, spontaneous and stream of consciousness-like. Boom! Move along.
Besides who else in Anchorage has the audacity to claim they're a "progressive Republic" (my new tribute to Meg -- lopping off the 'can' in Republican because clearly most of the hard line neocons CAN'T) and mingle amongst the intellectuals and glitterati of BOTH parties? Maybe even pal around with Libertarians? Have friends who have run as AIP candidates or Green candidates? Scandalous, no?
"Having taken no position, one has no position to defend..." - me, years ago
So in my case, the 'R' behind my name signifies I'm getting old and the older I get the crankier I become. Fiscally conservative. Straight but not narrow. Big fan of open and transparent government of, by and FOR the people. Wish we had one. On just about every other point I am fluid.
"In the battle between water and rock, rock is strong, water soft. Given enough time water flows over rock, gently chipping away. Eventually for both it is fully realised as an exercise in pounding sand." - me
Anyhow, I'm sort of glad Shannyn 'outed' what used to be my mostly private little blogger hell. But I begin anew comments-wise. There were half a dozen or so, all positive and for that I say a collective thanks. I didn't publish them because this blog is NOT about ego stroking. It's about having a voice and the action of using it.
-Laz
But I had an idea about staying away from the fray and working alone. They're my rants -- who would want to read them? I write as a form of therapy. Comedy. Hyperbole. Grand pseudo-grecian political tragedies. Sarcasm. Whatever. Get the writing itch bugging you out of your head and onto the screen all stealthy, spontaneous and stream of consciousness-like. Boom! Move along.
Besides who else in Anchorage has the audacity to claim they're a "progressive Republic" (my new tribute to Meg -- lopping off the 'can' in Republican because clearly most of the hard line neocons CAN'T) and mingle amongst the intellectuals and glitterati of BOTH parties? Maybe even pal around with Libertarians? Have friends who have run as AIP candidates or Green candidates? Scandalous, no?
"Having taken no position, one has no position to defend..." - me, years ago
So in my case, the 'R' behind my name signifies I'm getting old and the older I get the crankier I become. Fiscally conservative. Straight but not narrow. Big fan of open and transparent government of, by and FOR the people. Wish we had one. On just about every other point I am fluid.
"In the battle between water and rock, rock is strong, water soft. Given enough time water flows over rock, gently chipping away. Eventually for both it is fully realised as an exercise in pounding sand." - me
Anyhow, I'm sort of glad Shannyn 'outed' what used to be my mostly private little blogger hell. But I begin anew comments-wise. There were half a dozen or so, all positive and for that I say a collective thanks. I didn't publish them because this blog is NOT about ego stroking. It's about having a voice and the action of using it.
-Laz
6.26.2009
No actual humans were harmed in the creation of this PARODY...
Funny that whenever the Governor is away, Meghan just can't help but put her foot in her mouth while acting as Sarah's paid national press spokes-robot. Perhaps Meghan just needs a sincere and meaningful hug? And maybe a nap.(this image is intended as PARODY and as such is covered under US copyright fair use laws -- since it is PARODY, nothing PERSONAL is intended or implied. The opinion above is socio-political commentary and as such is covered by the US First Amendment right to free speech. And besides, I just think it's a cute image. Meg wooks sweepy)
2.23.2009
dejavu
See the post before the last post for an explanation of "why so serious" (silent) since election day.
Ahem.
-Laz
Ahem.
-Laz
11.04.2008
Yay!
I voted. So far everyone I picked is winning. More later...
Oh let me add to that. No line, no waiting at poll. Went during lunch.
MSNBC Live calls it for Obama at 7PM AST.
Obama is half-white and half-black. He can be claimed equally by the mutts of America like me and he can be claimed by both the whites and the blacks. This is our nation's shot at working some shit out. The only race problem we all have is we all don't realize there is only one race -- the human race. So "carpe diem!" or however it is spelled. It's hammer and tongs time for all of us, shoulder to the grindstone and we will ALL get through this together. Thus, hope.
Wewt! Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania! I felt a landslide coming on because boy are we Americans generally pissed at Bush, the Republicans and most especially the neocons, but so far so OMEffingGawd! Hang on...
Wow. McCain concedes. Class act actually. Pity his campaign was hijacked by Rovians. Remember kids, neocons SUCK!. Seriously. Bad. Baaaaad! Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, good... Bush, baaaaad! Ouch.
Karl Rove? The mutha-effin anti-christ, people. Seriously. Seer - ee -- us -- ly. Go back to Texas or wherever. Seriously, son of kink piercing king daddy boy -- retire to your ranch. Get off the soon to be marginalized FAUX News Channel.
Waiting... Obama speaks... shhhh.
Joe the Senator appears. It's done. Stick a fork in it. I am happy. We need change. But we really all need to do something positive. Volunteer. Something. Serve to earn your citizenship, which was always the message of Heinlein in stuff like "Starship Troopers". To be a full participant in the mythological "American Dream" one must fully invest oneself in the process by investing in actual, physical service to one's country. There lay the path to one being a full citizen of one's country. Military, Peace Corps, whatever. Just do something to contribute to something positive socially. Period.
Funny thing is, Robert Heinlein was so far right as to be downright progressive. But that's another story.
-Laz
Oh let me add to that. No line, no waiting at poll. Went during lunch.
MSNBC Live calls it for Obama at 7PM AST.
Obama is half-white and half-black. He can be claimed equally by the mutts of America like me and he can be claimed by both the whites and the blacks. This is our nation's shot at working some shit out. The only race problem we all have is we all don't realize there is only one race -- the human race. So "carpe diem!" or however it is spelled. It's hammer and tongs time for all of us, shoulder to the grindstone and we will ALL get through this together. Thus, hope.
Wewt! Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania! I felt a landslide coming on because boy are we Americans generally pissed at Bush, the Republicans and most especially the neocons, but so far so OMEffingGawd! Hang on...
Wow. McCain concedes. Class act actually. Pity his campaign was hijacked by Rovians. Remember kids, neocons SUCK!. Seriously. Bad. Baaaaad!
Karl Rove? The mutha-effin anti-christ, people. Seriously. Seer - ee -- us -- ly. Go back to Texas or wherever. Seriously, son of kink piercing king daddy boy -- retire to your ranch. Get off the soon to be marginalized FAUX News Channel.
Waiting... Obama speaks... shhhh.
Joe the Senator appears. It's done. Stick a fork in it. I am happy. We need change. But we really all need to do something positive. Volunteer. Something. Serve to earn your citizenship, which was always the message of Heinlein in stuff like "Starship Troopers". To be a full participant in the mythological "American Dream" one must fully invest oneself in the process by investing in actual, physical service to one's country. There lay the path to one being a full citizen of one's country. Military, Peace Corps, whatever. Just do something to contribute to something positive socially. Period.
Funny thing is, Robert Heinlein was so far right as to be downright progressive. But that's another story.
-Laz
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