Jesse Ventura versus FEMA, et al

Yup, Jesse the Body aka Governor Ventura takes on the Federal Emergency Management Agency on his show Conspiracy Theory tonight.
Now, I wasn't down with the HAARP hatchet job he did last year, and in general his show bats .500 on overall accuracy. Tonight, however, on "Police State" he brings out a few things that I either hadn;t noticed or just ignored.
Outside a huge Corrections Corporation of America's T. Don Hutto "residential facility" in Taylor, Texas the Governor had a chance to call CCA the scumbag outfit they are but instead just glosses over the fact that he is standing outside a Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility (complete with swingsets for those dangerous undocumented children.)
Heres the best thing you can see on the CCA website.
Now, I have always know FEMA was the secret arm of government. The first time I heard about "secret detention camps" was from an itinerant US Postal Service maintenance man who came to Hooper Bay to work on the old post office. He said he helped build some big facility in the woods behind Fort Rich. Remember, this was nearly 20 years ago.
Ventura took a good shot at "Fusion Centers" which he then went on to describe as "control centers for concentration camps."
Makes some sense.
Hopefully sometime in the future he'll take off after Continuity of Government, one of the most secret activities the Federal Government engages in.
During his show he had one of his "investigators" looking aorund the LA area for reported "FEMA Camps" and there was soem lovely footage of him being rousted by eithe cops or security dogs at LA's Terminal Island shipping facility, but as usual Ventura doesn;t give his viewers much to go on as to what it was that was found or seen.
One thing Ventura DID bring up was a US House bill, HR645 National Emergency Centers Establishment Act which might seem inocuous until you mix in President Obama's bizarre idea, the Council of Governors.
This executive order proposes to give 10 State Governors more power than they ever imagined.
Hey Teabaggers- Why aren;t you getting excited about this instead of health care? Make all your Governor buddies sign a pledge, in public that they will not accept appointment to Obama's "Council of Governors" and keep the National Guard in state control where it belongs.
Here are a couple of blogs to look at:
George Washington's Blog

Investigation into Whether or not America is still a Constitutional Government

 
Jesse (he deserves to be called "Governor") Ventura's show tonight:

"Police State" – NEW!

Premieres Fri, November 12 at 10P

It's been said the government has a plan to declare martial law and round up millions of United State citizens into concentration camps. Jesse may have found a conspiracy in plain sight as he investigates the proliferation of law enforcement Fusion Centers around the country. And they may be connected to hundreds of detention centers ready to accept prisoners at the stroke of a Presidential pen. TV-PG-L

Where the hell was THIS last month, numbnuts?

This mysteriously appears now on his website. Guess his retarded tea bag weblackey is back in Jim DeMint's powder room.

Rural Alaska

Joe Miller, will be a U.S. Senator for all Alaskans. Alaska’s rural needs are critical to the long-term success of the state. As your U.S. Senator, he will ensure that you have a true advocate in Washington, D.C. committed to work toward a resolution of subsistence issues, ensure that the Indian Health Service’s needs are met, and to promoting economic policies that will grow and sustain entrepreneurial opportunities in rural Alaska.
He will work to improve the quality of educational opportunities for all Alaskans by supporting policies that put parents and local educators in the driver’s seat.
Violent crime and suicide rates in rural Alaska lead the nation and are unacceptable. Physical assault, sexual assault, crimes against our children, and domestic violence must change now because they are destroying our families.
Law enforcement capabilities and the rural judicial system infrastructure fall short, and there is plenty of room for improvements to be made.
As a former judge, I understand the inadequacies of Alaska’s rural justice system and the need for a stronger rural judicial system that better serves all residents.
High energy costs throughout rural Alaska have crippled the economy in our rural communities. It is appalling that in 2010, Alaskans still face significant transportation and communication inadequacies that inhibit sustainable growth and prosperity. The Denali Commission has created opportunities for many rural communities and is a critical piece of the puzzle, but other solutions need to be considered as well. In order to propel Alaska to success in the future, we must understand the proper role of the federal government. We need to protect local control and not relinquish our rights and responsibilities to bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. Joe will fight for your rights and priorities, and together we will shape the future of Alaska and increase opportunity for all.
ENERGY & TRANSPORTATION
The future of Alaska’s economic engine resides in rural Alaska. We are a state rich with resources and capable of responsibly developing those resources. As federal monies begin to decline, we must have a sustainable economic infrastructure in place. And we must continue to build economic opportunity for Alaskans so families in rural Alaska can thrive.
SUBSISTENCE
The complexity of the subsistence conflict in Alaska deserves serious attention. We must offer real solutions that address the pressing issues faced by rural Alaskans. We must look at the subsistence option that has the greatest benefit for all Alaskans. I recognize that Alaska Natives have aboriginal ties to the land, but we also have Alaskan citizens who are non-natives who have similar needs and who must be included in any discussion regarding solutions. Frustration with the lack of finding a solution to our subsistence problem does not justify inviting the federal government to take control over management of Alaska’s fish and game resources. Alaska must maintain control of its own resources.
8(a)
Three Alaska Native Regional Corporations are already leading the way towards reform of the 8(a) program by proposing changes of their own rather than waiting for Congress to act. Section 8(a) under the Small Business Act (SBA) is broken and needs to be repaired. It was intended to foster business ownership for “individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged.” The program is also designed to “promote the competitive viability” of these firms by “providing contract, technical, and management assistance.” But awarding “no bid” contracts is simply wrong, whether the recipient is Native or non-Native. Instead, 8(a) contracts should be about promoting quality work, competitiveness and opportunities. Rather than awarding no bid contracts that fail to provide incentives to increase competitiveness, reform of 8(a) should be refocused on its stated mission to provide training, education and infrastructure support. Reform of 8(a) does not mean eliminating a program that has provided many deserving opportunities for Alaska Natives. It does mean empowering Alaska Natives to compete for federal contracts in their own right.
EDUCATION
The future of rural Alaska depends on improved educational opportunities. Together we must focus on learning and preparing our youth to lead this great state towards a better tomorrow. We must work for the repeal of “No Child Left Behind” so that Alaskans can determine how to address the needs of Alaska’s diverse cultural, linguistic and geographic uniqueness. Alaskans should decide when and how to allocate educational resources, not some D.C. bureaucrat looking through the lens of a one-size-fits-all mandate.
HEALTHCARE
The Indian Health Service is a federal obligation that has been forced to provide services to Alaska Natives with an inadequate funding model that does not account for population growth, medical inflation, required pay raises and other built-in costs. Adequate Funding of the Indian Health Service is paramount to improving services and meeting the basic needs of Alaska Natives. The IHS has maintained a flat funding level for years while inflation, cost of service, and population growth have been on the rise. ObamaCare is bad for the Indian Health Service. It will add millions to an already strained medical system and will divert focus and funding away from the IHS. ObamaCare must be repealed.

Joe Miller's election consultant - Meet Floyd Brown

Contrail...or Coup de'at?

I'd like to think we are more "fair 'n balanced" than the New Yorker

I also wish I could afford - or work for - Koch Industries media machine. Fair is fair, we pisstak them here and we post their link, too.

Killers Indicted

A Bethel Grand Jury yesterday handed down True Bill Indictments against the accused killers of 19-year old Benjamin Kaiser of Hooper Bay.
Two Bethel men now stand accused of First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Kidnapping and Evidence Tampering.
In addition, an individual employed by the Alaska Court System as a law clerk now is indicted on two felonies, Fisrt Degree Hindering of Prosecution and Evidence Tampering.

My view: Benji Kaiser was the victim of an Organized Crime execution.

OK, I was wrong

What a shock, eh?
Yes, Senator (still) Lisa Murkowski will actually pick up about 10 places in seniority, putting her in the high 40's after the new Congress begins.
And Alaska's junior senator will pick up a few places, too running him into the 80's.

Finally, it's Wednesday

If you want punditry listen to NPR. Michael Carey hit the nail pretty hard on the head.

Today is Grand Jury for two men who brutally, tortorously murdered a 19 year old boy from Hooper Bay, Benji Kaiser, the Uncle of three of my grandchildren last week.
RIP.

Yes, I Did

MARKing MY ballot

I am not afraid to vote, and I'm not afraid to tell you HOW I am going to voteVOTED.

I know I have a couple of readers who won't be happy with some of what I have to say, but as I told a close friend and political confidante today, I am being philosophical this year.
Obviously my feelings on at least one race have been all over my sleeve in the past couple of months. I have no use for the Republican "nominee". My vitrol towards him knows no particular bounds as the astute reader has noted. Tonight, election eve, some bimbo named Michelle Bachman called my house on his behalf and accomplished little more than exacerbating my chronic bilous nature.

We are voting for Governor of Alaska this year. the choice is clear: a milquetoast and a millionaire or a Hahvaad man and a wonderful Tlingit woman.
Harvey Caspar Milquetoast, self-styled man of action (wore a cape as kid, did you?) and few words demonstrated his strict adherence to a one-issue line when he payed a mysterious visit to the Family Research Council earlier this year. Interestingly, my read, espoused to a few in my circle was that the upshot of that visit would be the readiness of a last minute infusion of campaign cash whenever he needed it. Well, it turns out that the last minute campaigning in this election clycle was against Chief Justice Dana Fabe. Harvey Caspar, you gonna sit there with a straight face and tell us you knew nothing about this? I doubt that.
The millionaire I have met in a past life, when Wally sent him up to North Pole to provide a little adult supervision for Jack's Senate campaign against Pappy Moss. The Treadwell/Ausman tag team kept me and Elizabeth Ziegler (still with the Department of Law, I wonder?) relatively in line along with the two rich kids who were helping out.
I got no gripe with Treadwell and I hope he beats Begich in four years.
My vote for Governor: The guy who is running with Diane Benson.

We vote to retain Judges in this State, and since I personally believe (always have, always will) that Judges are the most powerful officials in Alaska, I have always voted NO on most of them, just to keep them honest. This year however there a rea couple of game changers. The first is Judge Posthma. I don't know him, but since everyone from "Handcuffs" Millers' wife to court administrators want us to vote No, I am voting YES.
Second off, of course, is Chief Justice Fabe. What a cheap shot you assholes are taking against her, last minute, big money, trying to intimidate one of the last independent judiciaries in the Untied States. Screw You right wing " 'pro life' unless they are over the age of 5 mintes then they can fend for themselves" jerks.
I am voting YES to retain Chief Justice Fabe.

Don Young. Congressman for All Alaska. Always has been, always will be. Nuff said.
I had coffee with him in Jack's kitchen, him in a a t-shirt telling us how he whacked Emil the first time around. Good times, man, good times.

Ballot Measures: Yes to the Mt. Edgecumbe swimming pool. I have one more kid to send there and plenty of grandchildren. Yes to Vets. And, I guess, Yes to the dress... I mean the extra legislative seats. Maybe the Lower Yukon will finally get out from under the thumb of Front Street, Nome Alaska.

Lets see, is there anything else?
Oh yeah.....
I see the commercials. All the Corporation executives saying 'write in" but I don't really see any Villagers. I don't see any elected community leaders. I don't see any young people. I suppose it is a function of who is spending the money but even so.
I like her, I really do. I've met her, shook her hand, had my picture taken with her and introduced my Son, a Marine Corps veteran to her. I even sold her a pair of earrings at CAMAI.
I talk regular to members of her staff and have never felt like I didn't have access, useful access at a certain level that has allowed me to at least feel that my concerns, as farcical as they might be (domestic servant visa's while she was on Foreign Relations, for instance) might actually get pushed upstairs.
On the other hand, I was shocked, dismayed and totally pissed off at her characterization of Hooper Bay in a Senate Hearing. Arne Duncan has been to Hooper Bay. She never has.
Be afraid she doesn't win, they say. Look at all we will lose.
You know what, I am not afraid. I've been around a while and I know whats what and whos who.
Seniority is nice, but you know, it seems to me that if she wins she will be ostracized by the GOP leadership despite what she says about "them" hoping she beats "him." She says if she gets elected (by write in) that she will have a new portfolio from Alaskans. I can't see it. I really can't. She is gonna be put on notice by the GOP Leadership that if she wants to retain her rank (not her seniority) she will have to continue to play ball with their obstructionist games.
I am yet to hear ANY Republican candidate explain how we are going to bring jobs back to the United States. Not one. It's all repeal this, impound that and subpeona him. This election cycle has been utterly devoid of policy discussion and she has been just as guilty.
Am I scared what might happen if she doesn't get returned to office? Only if the Republican ON the ballot wins, and right now I think thats a far-fetched idea.
I have looked him in the eye, asked him tough questions and been sickened at the thought that he is the best Randy Ruderich and his pals (and anti-pals) could come up with. I am frightened that he is the embodiment of a political philosophy driven by the dreams of even more profit of a small circle of self-styled Capitalists (with a Capital C) who by their thoughts and deeds do more to bring discredit on the nobler aspitations of mankind than any patent evildoer.
Am I afraid what might befall the republic without her there, in the halls of the greatest debating society on Earth? Well, if it could still maintain that claim I might answer my own question. But it is no longer a debating society. It is no longer a deliberative body. "Loyal Opposition" was replaced with "How in hell did that Nigger get elected?" Yes, Jim DeMint, Yes Mitch McConnell. How in hell, indeed. Where was the Supreme Court when you needed it? If you can't lynch him from a tree, then lynch his agenda. Same difference, isn't it?
Am I afraid that without her "moderate" voice things might be worse in Washington? Quite frankly, the answer is no. I know she does not share the hateful attitudes of what Senators are forced to call their "Leadership" but by the same token the ascent of the Tea Party movement (not a bad thing, actually in some ways) will put absolutely undue pressure on Republican Congressmen (except Don Young) and Republican Senators in what used to be the Grand Old Party, the Party of Individual (even in the Bedroom AND the Doctors Office) Liberty to stay in lockstep with the wizard Karl Rove, witout question, without debate, without regard to what might actually be GOOD for the American People and the world.
Am I afraid that losing a Senator with a seniority number of 58 (and no real upward movement in sight for at least a few years) with one in the low 90's might have a negative impact on Alaska? Well, personally, No. What, Mark? Are you f-ing serious? Dude, you really need to sign a narcotics agreement...
No, I am not on drugs. I am being painfully pragmatic. For the reasons I have stated above, I am terribly afraid that she will be treated like a low-number Senator by the Leadership. After all, if she wins they will consider that she double-crossed the party. And besides there are a lot of Uncle Ted scores to be settled and it doesnt matter WHO is in the Senate, Alaska has a price to pay. If you don't think twwwstlij* hasn't been spilling her guts to McConnell, et al about all those evil government programs in Alaska and all the places that should be investigated by everyone from IG's to the FBI, then YOU are the ones who need to sober up.
No, I am not scared. I think if anyone needs to "man up" its the entire State. The gravy train is over. The 5 or 6 or 7 pro-skater lobbyists who make their quite adequate livings representing "Alaskan Interests" by dint of their connections to her are the ones panicking. Should we as voters GIVE A RATS ASS about them? Hell no.
If you don't uderstand the legislative process, go out and buy a Schoolhouse Rock dvd and watch it with your kids.
States don't get shortchanged because of the make up of their delegations. Change in Washington is a natural process. It happens. it's happened to Alaska.
Yes, we are a young State. Yes, we need more infrastructure (but does it all have to be on-base?) Those fine folks at the Association of General Contractors are worried, but as long as they remain friendly with the AFL-CIO they are OK. More concrete will be poured (on base) and the work will keep on coming. Congress doesn't bankroll box stores (please, don't tell me I am wrong on that) and if the oil industry REALLY wanted ANWR open, it would have happened already.
I really feel bad wriitng this and if it comes back to haunt me, so be it. We'll know tommorrow night or Wednesday morning. And Lisa, it isn't personal, ITS ABOUT ALASKA.
I'll vote for the man I ate lunch with in the hospital cafeteria, and I won't be afraid to do it.
Scott McAdams is on the ballot and I'll just fill in the oval.
I'm not afraid.

*the woman who was supposed to live in juneau

I'm proud of my Atikluk, want to see it?

One of these days I need to put up a few pictures of not only the lovely Atikluk, or summer Kuspuk I have, but my Oomingmak collection and my cool sealskin parka by Elena Evan.
Tommorrow I will wear my Atikluk, which everyone here will call a kuspuk or even a jacket, and I am quite sure that, true to form, its understated quality and gorgeous design will attract the occasional compleiment.
Well in tribute to its maker, Janie Snyder of Barrow, I point you to this great article in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
I do have to tell the story of how I got my kuspuk from her...and Janie, come back to Bethel this spring! I want another one!

R.I.P. Tom Busch

We received a text this afternoon telling us that Tom Busch, former General Manager and currently Financial Officer for KNOM in Nome was called to the Lord in his sleep today.
For everyone in Western Alaska who enjoyed listening to KNOM, 780 on your AM Dial, "Yours for Western Alaska" this comes as very sad news.
I met Tom once, for just a few minutes, at the Station during one of my two ever trips to Nome. He was in the middle of getting ready for Iditarod coverage (KNOM wrote THAT book) and didn't have time to talk.
Tom was an incredible fundraiser for the station, responsible for a copmplete rebuild of everything except the tower.
He also kept the station on an even keel through some very rough times which those from the region know about.
Tom was on the air regularly, as was his lovely wife Florence, originally from Saint Mary's on the Yukon River.
They raised two children, whom Tom never missed an opportunity to brag about on the air. He and Florence had retired to Anchroaeg, but Tom reamined very active with the Station from providing engineering support to maintaining the active fundraising needed to keep it ont he air.
KNOM remains a beacon of "Music, News and Inspiration" for all its listeners up and down the Bering Sea Coast.
I haven't been much of a listener since I moved to Bethel, but when I do tune it in is is still the same, highly professional yet right next door operation I first heard when I went to Hooper Bay in the summer of 1979.
So, Tom, here's a "Dear D.J., Hi and Hello" and a "Waqqa, Camai, Cangaciit" to you.
God Bless You and your Family, and everyone who ever worked for you or knew you. We'll all miss you!
Pirrua!

Don't play loud!

The GOOD old days

Congratulations are in order!

Elizabeth Hensley named Indian Affairs adviser

Yeah, Binky

Did you watch Quyana Alaska Thursday night? Well that was my daughter Binky (aka Theresa) MC'ing with Andy Angaiak. She did a great job.
I also had another daughter and granddaughter dancing with the UAF group.
Proud night watching RATNET

Its getting ridiculous

So now we have "official" lists of "write-in candidates" being posted in polling stations and voting booths and no one seems to think its electioneering. Except the Alaska Democratic Party. Everyone else thinks it a nice way to help confused votes note get "disenfranchised."
Well let me say this about that. I was disenfranchised. I got (still have, somewhere) a letter from the Division of Elections telling me my question ballot was not counted. Not in this election but fairly recently.

Lets see...
Oh yeah...I told a Division of Elections Director she was fired, once. True story. Ask me and I might tell.

Enough of this tit for tat on the ADN, too. Kill that damn thread off.

Remember Jim Sykes?

He ran for Governor as the Green Party of Alaska candidate in 1990.
AFN held a Governor Candidate Forum.
Jim Sykes basically explained to the AFN Convention that the GPoAK Platform and his own beliefs were about 100% aligned with Alaska Native and Tribal interests.
I was in Hooper Bay watching it on RATNET and was spellbound by the thought that AFN Delegates FINALLY had a candidate who was entirely in their court.
Then Tony Knowles came up.
Bla bla bla.
Well, before you could say "eh-yah-ah" there was a motion for the Convention to endorse Tony.
A little debate and there you had it, Jum Sykes tossed under the sled runners after making the best pitch AFN had ever heard and Knowles endorsed.
Now, it was a long time until AFN endorsed another candidate...until last month.

Her AFN Board Endorsement in hand, no need for others to appear with Lisa at Convention

or so conventional wisdom would hold.
The news speedily made the rounds this afternoon that the Alaska Federation of Natives Board of Directors, composed of Corporation and Village representatives voted to cancel Friday's scheduled 3 pm US Senate Candidates Forum.
Senator Lisa Murkowski will address the annual Statewide Gathering of Alaska Natives in Fairbanks' Carlson Center at 2:05 pm on Friday.
The AFN Convention is televised statewide and carried in radio broadcast as well, so Alaska Natives and anyone else interested will be watching and listening.
The Agenda is set by the Board, but changes can and have been made from the floor.
It should be an interesting weekend.