Alaska's Sarah Paper...

Known also as the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman did on October 28, endorse the ticket of John McCain and our hometown, self-described hockey mom, pit-bull-in-lipstick and "real American," Sarah Palin.

A couple of things: In the course of this endorsement, The Frontiersman editor writes that the the "war on terror" is in Iraq, calls McCain a "warrior" and Obama a "wimp." If we really wanted a "warrior" for the top civilian job in these United States, wouldn't Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, be a better choice? Or how about General Wesley Clark? Or about 12 other retired generals? These warriors endorse Barack (yes, you can say it) Hussein Obama for Commander-in-Chief. Sorry John.

Funny, I used to write for the Frontiersman before it had succumbed, by increments, to a conservative orthodoxy that is shameful to the Alaskan tradition of free and forward thinking.

In Alaska we used to have a lot of pick-ups with mud flaps proclaiming "NORTH TO THE FUTURE." You don't see them anymore.

"Uncle Ted" caught in the dragnet

Alaska's "Senator for Life" was found guilty on seven counts in federal court today. Little stuff, petty really. What a tawdry way to end such a career. I've lived in Alaska since 1980 and I can't remember ever voting for the guy. I have met him, I think on two occasions, Alaska being the biggest yet smallest state in the Union. His conviction has generated all manner of permutative scenarios as to what will happen if:
a. Ted wins his 6th term and then goes to prison or
b. Ted wins, then resigns, and then what, and
c. Should Sarah lose and come back to Alaska (which seems likely at the moment) what role might she play in this, and
d. If Anchorage Mayor and "Boy Wonder" wins the election AND Ted Stevens goes to the slammer, what becomes of the "Ted Stevens International Airport" in Anchorage? The taxpayers of America (mostly NOT Alaskans) paid for the improvements and signage proclaiming Ted's immortality.
Can they ask for it back?

Colin Powell gives it up for...

Barack Obama. On Meet the Press today, Vietnam veteran, former general, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama for President of these United States. His reasons were manifold, but he came to the conclusion over the last few months that Obama was the best candidate, but suffice it to say that the general came out vigorously for the junior senator from Illinois.

From my perch here in Wasilla, I did note that the general said that he based his decision to endorse Obama over McCain, in no small part over McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate, which Powell thought reflected upon the poor judgement of McCain. Add to that the recent shrill and McCarthyesque tenor of Palin and the pitchfork populi she panders to, versus the cool-headed, slightly left-of-center demeanor of Obama, and Powell's all in for Barack.

Does this endorsement have "legs?" I dunno, but this close in to the November 4th, who knows?

Off topic: If anyone of you have ever owned a dog, now own a dog, or especially if you've owned, loved and lost a dog, Find out why it may be true that Old dogs are the best dogs. If this piece by Gene Weingarten doesn't move you, then there's surely no hope for mankind.

Sunday, October 5, 2008 Sarah and the Flag

Reading my Sept. 15 issue of Newsweek (the one with Governor Palin on the cover, shotgun over shoulder), and on page 29, I was treated to a picture of Sarah, literally wrapped in the flag for the photo op. You know, Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, the “Grand Old Flag.” Yes, that flag.
As I recall, the blatant and crass use of a show of extreme patriotism to deflect legitimate criticism has long been referred to by the metaphor, “Wrapping oneself in the flag.” Never mind that Governor Palin would appear to be in violation of U.S. Public Law 94-34, Section 4, e and i, which deals with the approved uses of the flag, including advertising (was this photo not a political advertisement?). This use of the U.S. flag is surely offensive to many Americans.
As one of the governor’s constituents, a member of the VFW, a Vietnam Veteran and a high school history teacher, I am profoundly disappointed that our governor allowed herself to be photographed in this manner, with this flag. What can this say about her political judgement as the potential leader of the country whose symbol is this very flag?