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| About |
THE BLOG--HISTORY
"Blue Oasis" began in 2005 in its Blogger format (now an archive) and became possibly the first Alaska Blog on Progressive Politics. At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis was honored to represent Alaska as the state blog.
Transition--Community Blog
In September 2008, Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis moved to a Soapblox Community Blog format. Readers can become full participants by registering on the blog to comment and write "diaries." Diary titles appear on the right sidebar for folks to read and provide comments. Blog editors may choose to move some of these diaries to the front page.
While this Community was formed specifically with Alaska in mind, all "friends of Alaska" are welcome as members!
**Note about registering** Scroll down the right side until you find the link to register. Then, just follow the instructions!
**Note about comments** To comment on a story, click on the heading and then look for the "comment bar" at the bottom (it's light grey, I can't seem to change it). I believe the font color NOW permits you to see the "post comment" text.
YOUR BLOGMISTRESS
My name is Linda Kellen Biegel and I am a former 15-year Federal employee. Thirteen of those years were spent working for the US Army Corps of Engineers. I am also semi-retired from the Alaska music scene (singer, sound tech, stage manager, logistics).
When the blog was chosen to represent Alaska in the DNCC State Blogger Pool at the Denver Convention, I attended with the help of Alaska Real blogmistress, Writing Raven and my daughter Morrigan. On August 29th, one day after Barack Obama's inspiring speech at Invesco Field , my life took another turn as it did for all Alaska bloggers when Gov. Sarah Palin was chosen to be John McCain's VP running mate. Since then, I've either assisted or have been interviewed by media from the UK, Italy, Australia and Germany as well as national media outlets such as Wall Street Journal, NY Times, ABC Good Morning America's Kate Snow, National Journal, Dallas Morning News, LA Times, and NPR.
Presently, I work as a freelance writer, PR, event coordinator, community organizer, wife to computer programmer Josh and mother to 11-year-old Morrigan. Our family especially enjoys our summers in Alaska where we get to subsistence set-net fish Sockeye salmon as well as halibut fish/whalewatch in the family's homemade aluminum boat, "The Neverdone" (when it's working). We reside in Anchorage, Alaska.
Origin of "Celtic Diva"
I've used "Celtic Diva" as a screen name since the early 1990's on Web TV.
"Celtic"
"Folks have asked about my Celtic heritage, especially in light of my name. What they don't realize is that I'm adopted. I was born Valerie Morehead of the Clan Muirhead. I was adopted at three-months-old by the Kellens. I always "knew" I was Celt even before really knew. I was drawn to all things Scottish, especially music. That's why my parents eventually told me at age 16."
"Diva"
"Linda is well-known in Alaska & beyond as the prominent progressive political blogger Celtic Diva of Celtic Diva?s Blue Oasis. But back in the day, the early 1990s, I knew her as Linda Kellen, a member of the local folk/rock band Sky is Blu, which amongst other things performed in at least a couple or so of the annual women?s show Celebration of Change, in which I also performed. And if you don?t already know, let me tell you: Linda is one fine damn singer."
I went on after the break-up of "Sky is Blu" to perform with various Alaska musicians and work with national folks like Bo Diddly, Coco Montoya, Debbie Davies, Taj Mahal, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bad Company, Creedence Clearwater, Carny Wilson, etc...
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For the Alaska Community and beyond...
A bee on Dragon Tongue Stonecrop in my rock garden
August 2010
(Scroll down to find posts.)
(Please register to participate in diaries and comments! We'd love for you to join our Community!)
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Sun Apr 12, 2009 at 10:21:35 AM AKDT
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A Wayne Anthony Ross license plate
(I wrote my testimony against Governor Palin's choice of Wayne Anthony Ross on the issues specific to ethics. However there are any number of major concerns with this man becoming AG.
Refer to the online archive for Gavel to Gavel. There is a calendar on the left where you can choose the date. Then find the April 8th Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and public testimony. After that, listen to the April 10th House Judiciary Committee hearing and testimony. If all of that doesn't alarm you, I don't know what will.
It's important for Alaskans to email their legislators and make sure they know you are an Alaskan early in the email!!! I included my House and Senate Districts in the letter.
Part of the problem is that the Palin-blogs (all of whom are outside) are encouraging their people to email, which is annoying the Legislature no end. We want legislators to be annoyed at those folks, not at ours.)
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April 12, 2009
Dear Legislators:
Friday, April 10, 2009, I watched the House Judiciary Committee's interview with Wayne Anthony Ross, Governor Palin's appointee for the Alaska Attorney General position. I was surprised when, towards the end, Representative Ramras referenced the ethics complaint I submitted in March. I was then disgusted by Mr. Ross's response:
Representative Ramras: "We have a Governor who is provocative in a lot of her actions. Recently it comes to mind when she was in Fairbanks for the finish line for the Iron Dog she was wearing Arctic Cat gear...Arctic Cat letters..."
Wayne Anthony Ross: "It was provocative; she looked very good in them, didn't she?"
The fact that Mr. Ross thought it appropriate to sexualize the issue on the floor of the House during his confirmation hearing is probably alarming enough by itself. It seemed to add credibility to the Senate and House public testimony from multiple individuals alleging disturbing past negative comments and attitudes from Mr. Ross towards women.
However, the focus of this letter is the cavalier way in which Mr. Ross seems to view charges that the Governor of Alaska has behaved unethically.
While this attitude is clearly obvious in the previous comment, it is also reflected farther into the exchange between Rep. Ramras and Mr. Ross:
Representative Ramras: Presently, General, there are some concerns in this building about the focus of our chief executive because she's taken a speaking engagement in Indiana for a 36 hour period with only 72 hours to go in the Legislative Session. Although she's available by phone, there's a reason we have you here in front of us because we're not interested in doing the confirmation hearing telephonically. Nor are we interested in having a Governor available telephonically with only three days to go in the session.
So my question for you...as the Governor's attorney as well as the chief attorney for the State of Alaska...how are you going to advise the Governor, with these lucrative offers she has on the table to write a biography and the requirement for anyone who writes a book to take a book tour across the country? Are you going to advise the Governor that this is something that is within her rights and purview or is that something that infringes upon the rights of all Alaskans?
W.A. Ross: I don't know how I'm going to advise her because the question hasn't been made and I don't know all the facts.
Later on, Mr. Ross gives this response:
W.A. Ross:...Whether that's part of her job or not, I'm not making any decisions on that. Whether she should wear Arctic Cat or I should get in trouble for wearing a Steton, I'm not making any decisions on that. If the questions come to us maybe we'll have to make a decision at that time. I'm sure she feels appreciative that you guys are going to miss her for two days while she's outside giving a speech. She's never talked to me about it and I'm sure you'll be in her heart and mind the whole time.
Again, he is clearly not taking any of this seriously. He also states that he is not making any decisions on advising the Governor whether or not the above behavior is ethical.
Here is the rest of the exchange:
Ramras: I would look forward to an opinion from the Department of Law on that point...whether the Dept. of Law will endorse a chief executive writing a book and making a multi-city book tour while she's serving in the capacity of the chief executive. On that point we would like to get an opinion from the Department of Law going forward as we have a new Attorney General.
Ross: I think I have a lot more important issues as Attorney General then deciding whether or not the Governor should write a book.
Ramras: I didn't ask you if she should write a book. I asked you if she may take prolonged absences from the State of Alaska on a book tour.
Ross: I don't have all of the knowledge of the issues facing the Department of Law, but when it comes time that I have plenty of extra time for such things I will certainly devote the time appropriate to such an issue
I believe that Mr. Ross needs to read the job description for the State Attorney General a little closer. In a 2007 letter and attachments (starting at page 6) from the former Attorney General, Talis Colberg explains his role as AG to Governor Sarah Palin as the person who is supposed to assist her in understanding her responsibilities regarding her own ethical behavior:
Since I serve as your designated ethics supervisor, I want to remind you that the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act requires that all state employees report to their designated ethics supervisors any outside employment or services benefiting their personal or financial interests by July 1 of each year.
(Much more below the fold) |
| Celtic Diva :: Ross seemingly unaware of the AG duties or AK's Executive Ethics Law--my testimony |
| So, one of the functions of the Attorney General is to serve as the Governor's designated ethics supervisor, which not only has time-sensitive reporting requirements but would require him to properly advise her if there is a possibility she may be violating the Alaska Executive Ethics Act. I believe that requires Mr. Ross to take action on the issue of ethics whether he has "plenty of extra time for such things" or not. It's an important part of his job.
Further, the letter from the former AG lays out more specific guidelines for chief executives:
However, the Ethics Act also precludes "the head of a principal executive department of the state" from engaging in "outside employment."l The Office of the Governor is a principal department of the state.2 Therefore, as head of that office, you may not be engaged in outside employment. We construe "employment" to have its ordinary meaning.
These definitions are explained in an attachment to the memo for the Governor (page 8), a list of Frequently Asked Questions that looks like it may be given to all new state employees. What's disturbing is that it very clearly raises questions as to the legality of the chief executive officer (Governor Palin) accepting "a book deal." Mr. Ross seems to be completely unaware of this:
3. What does "outside employment" include?
• Any employment for which you are paid, but not your state employment.
• Examples: a job with another employer, work as an independent contractor, and work in your own business.
Also, Mr. Ross seems to be unaware that established DOL criteria may already address the issue of leaving the state for extended travel on a book tour:
The statute (AS 39.52. 170(a» restricts public employees from providing services that benefit a personal interest if those services are incompatible or in conflict with the proper performance of official duties.
Mr. Ross discussed none of this when asked pointed questions by Representative Ramras. Instead, Mr. Ross gave flippant answers, seemed to dismiss the importance of Executive Ethics Act enforcement and didn't seem to understand the requirements of the Act himself. While I don't expect Mr. Ross to be up to speed on all the requirements of his potential job, I believe he should have at least a passing understanding of some of the more important duties. Keeping the Governor out of trouble is a VERY important duty and not something to be taken lightly.
Wayne Anthony Ross's disrespectful attitude during the ethics questioning concerns me for another reason. The Alaska Executive Ethics Act does require that the Personnel Board hire an independent investigator in place of the Attorney General when ethics complaints involve the Governor, the Lt. Governor or the AG him/herself. However, the AG is the head of the Department of Law which still the "gatekeeper"-Dept. of Law employees make the decision whether or not the ethics complaint meets the criteria and is sent to the Personnel Board at all. I am concerned that Mr. Ross may not take the process seriously enough to become well-informed and base the fate of ethics complaints upon unbiased legal criteria.
I believe we should all be deeply concerned about the appointment of Wayne Anthony Ross for many reasons already presented to both Judiciary Committees. However, no behavior in front of either Judiciary Committee causes more concern and reflects more directly upon how Mr. Ross may perform at his job than the ethics exchange with Representative Ramras. Ethical government should be a high priority for everyone but especially for the person whose job it is to lead the Department of Law. I urge you to reject the appointment of Wayne Anthony Ross for Attorney General.
Sincerely,
Linda Kellen Biegel
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( I would encourage other Alaskans to do the same thing.)
Cut and past the email addresses below into the "To" window of your email. These are the email addresses of all of the legislators.
Good luck!!!!
Senator_Johnny_Ellis@legis.state.ak.us; Senator_Gene_Therriault@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Con_Bunde@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Bettye_Davis@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Fred_Dyson@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Hollis_French@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Lyman_Hoffman@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Charlie_Huggins@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Albert_Kookesh@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Lesil_McGuire@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Donny_Olson@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Bert_Stedman@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Gary_Stevens@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Joe_Thomas@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Thomas_Wagoner@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Bill_Wielechowski@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Bob_Buch@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Mike_Chenault@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Sharon_Cissna@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_John_Coghill@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Harry_Crawford@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Nancy_Dahlstrom@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Mike_Doogan@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Bryce_Edgmon@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Anna_Fairclough@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Richard_Foster@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Les_Gara@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Berta_Gardner@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Carl_Gatto@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Max_Gruenberg@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_David_Guttenberg@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_John_Harris@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Mike_Hawker@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Lindsey_Holmes@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Kyle_Johansen@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Craig_Johnson@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Reggie_Joule@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Scott_Kawasaki@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Wes_Keller@legis.state.ak.us;
Representative_Mike_Kelly@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Beth_Kerttula@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Bob_Lynn@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Kevin_Meyer@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Mark_Neuman@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Kurt_Olson@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Jay_Ramras@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Woodie_Salmon@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Bill_Stoltze@legis.state.ak.us;
Rep_Bill_Thomas@legis.state.ak.us; Rep_Peggy_Wilson@legis.state.ak.us;
Representative_Chris_Tuck@legis.state.ak.us;
Representative_Pete_Petersen@legis.state.ak.us;
Representative_Alan_Austerman@legis.state.ak.us;
Senator_Joe_Paskvan@legis.state.ak.us |
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