Read about the ridiculous fees the State of Alaska (under former half-Gov. Sarah Palin and now) requires citizens to pay for public information!
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Thank you!
Though many of us suffer from Palin Factor Fatigue, it is irrefutable that there is a nagging curiosity to have the question answered, ?How in the world did Sarah Palin become so popular and why do we still need to hear about her?? My book answers these questions in detail and urges us all to be vigilant. She is one of a small pool of ?rising stars in the republican party? as John McCain stated as recently as January 25, 2009 on Fox News Sunday.
As unbelievable as her meteoric rise was we cannot delude ourselves, turning our backs once again, into thinking that she and those like her are going away. This woman is joined by millions of loyalists whose perception is that she was persecuted in the media, stifled by McCain, and mocked by liberals - and now the theocratic conservatives are regrouping with a vengeance!
"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.
"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."
"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...
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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Cross-posted at The Alaska Standard. (Note: Between Palin's neglect of the budget, the people of Emmonak AND infrustructure projects important to Alaskan Communities, she's not having a very good media week!)
US Senators Begich and Murkowski--photo by Julie Hasquet
In my previous article "Face Off," I discussed that the Governor and her staff refused to reveal to Alaska Legislators what Alaska infrastructure projects the Governor's office was submitting for inclusion in President-elect Obama's Stimulus Package. I explained that rumors had persisted for a few weeks that the only projects she was submitting were road improvements and other infrastructure projects that benefited the gas line. (translation: benefited the Governor)
I also included an interview KTVA did with Senator Begich where he revealed this "confidential" letter between the Governor's office and his administration and explained that Governor Palin was not asking for enough money.
Since then, the Governor sent out a press release in response that demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of this process, how it works and what her role is in it.
She actually shows that she is completely befuddled regarding the entire stimulus process. She talks about her pet gas line projects as if they are earmarks...and wants them to be included in the package. However, later on in the letter and the press release, she keeps quoting various political figures on how "earmarks won't be allowed." Of course, she's referring to those pesky other non-gas line related infrastructure projects, which are too...well...local to be considered (I left the typos in):
"It is my understanding that you have received funding requests from local goverrunents, non-profits, and other entities throughout Alaska. In large part, these requests reflect local concerns. It is not appropriate for the state to comment on each project that has come to our attention. Instead, we would prefer to focus on the rationale for our own recommendations to you."
Then she commented further in the press release...to say she won't be commenting:
"While others have compiled wish-lists of Alaska-specific projects, many of them meritorious, the governor says the administration will not be commenting on or ranking them, given that they might not be considered for the stimulus package. "We don't want to get hopes up among community leaders that their local projects are likely to be included, when that probably won't be the case," she said.
Why is it not appropriate for the State of Alaska to comment on each State of Alaska project? Who has told Governor Palin these projects won't be included? It certainly hasn't been Senator Begich, whose office responded via Julie Hasquet, the Senator's Press Secretary, when I sent them a copy of the press release (emphasis mine):
"The governor certainly has the right to not submit further projects for a possible stimulus package. But Sen. Begich will continue his process of gathering project lists and priorities from Alaska communities. With the great likelihood of a stimulus package being passed in the neighborhood of $800 billion, we certainly want Alaska poised and ready with its priorities.
Recognizing the climate on earmarks in Washington has changed, President-elect Obama has made it clear he wants to invest in infrastructure, projects and programs that will create jobs.
Whether the final bill contains earmarks or is formula-driven, Senator Begich wants to know what projects are ready to go in Alaska, so as money is available we can make sure Alaska projects are at the front of the line."
Along these same lines, I received an email from a respected source:
"I heard today from a DC contact that you were right-on about the Obama stimulus money and Palin's refusal to request our fair share. I was told that the state had about $325 million coming through the package but Palin only asked for $150 million."
We have learned two, very important things from this information:
1: Congress hasn't decided for sure how they are going to dole out the stimulus money. All they are doing is gathering information. They have a target dollar amount in mind for each state and all the Governors and State Delegations have to worry about is meeting/not exceeding that target. It's going to take them awhile to figure it all out...they are dealing with multiple and normally separate pots of money. (Example-Corps of Engineers gets most of their money doled out one fiscal year at a time. FAA-most of their money is multi-year. And they come from completely different pots.) They still have to figure out how it's all going to work.
2: It is NOT GOVERNOR PALIN'S JOB to figure out how the funding is going to work. What IS her job in this process is to gather all the information that she can, try to get the most, best infrastructure projects for her constituents by continuous dialogue with the Congressional Delegation, who will help deal with the rest of Congress, the President and all those tricky, Federal numbers.
As we can see from the dialogue that's actually going on, Governor Palin is doing everything BUT her job and the Congressional Delegation is making sure that Alaska is not left (pardon the pun) out in the cold.
Yes, I remember from the last article...there are those who believe Governor Palin's interpretation of President-elect Obama's intent. So let's look at some of the general suggestions for these "other projects."
Among the project requests that mayors across the State have sent for inclusion to Gov. Palin and/or our Congressional Delegation are: harbor/port projects, road repair, hydro development, bridge repair, upgrades/replacement of city structures, upgrades/replacement of schools, internet upgrades/connection in Bush Alaska, etc...
According to a January 8th speech by President-elect Obama, here are just a few of the projects he considers appropriate for his stimulus package (emphasis mine):
"To build an economy that can lead this future, we will begin to rebuild America. Yes, we'll put people to work repairing crumbling roads, bridges, and schools by eliminating the backlog of well-planned, worthy and needed infrastructure projects. But we'll also do more to retrofit America for a global economy. That means updating the way we get our electricity by starting to build a new smart grid that will save us money, protect our power sources from blackout or attack, and deliver clean, alternative forms of energy to every corner of our nation. It means expanding broadband lines across America, so that a small business in a rural town can connect and compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world. And it means investing in the science, research, and technology that will lead to new medical breakthroughs, new discoveries, and entire new industries.
All of those projects are well within the boundaries of President-elect Obama's intent for "rebuilding America"...most fit the definition perfectly.
So, I don't understand why the Governor...someone who is supposed to be looking out for the well-being of Alaska and her citizens...has decided that she cannot comment on critical infrastructure projects vital to the economic heath and future growth of the state! Yet, she has no problem overstepping her bounds and resurrecting the "ghosts of Vice-Presidential campaigns past":
"Although it is beyond my purview as Governor, I also urge you to consider how the economic stimulus package will affect the national debt and the future economic health of the country. The need for economic stimulus should not become an excuse for the continuation of the unsound policies of the past."
Governor...how about you figure out how to deal with the "unsound policies" of Alaska's present. Please provide what Rep. Mike Hawker has respectfully requested and turn in a budget to our Legislators based on realistic oil revenue, not pretty flowers flying out of a unicorn's butt!
And how about you start to act like the Governor of Alaska by taking care of the needs of your present constituents, not catering to your "future voters" in the lower-48?
