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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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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When I heard the name of Sarah Palin's book, it was obvious to every Alaskan who lived through Troopergate that this is her way of giving us all the finger.
Politico reports that the phrase has its roots in an Oct. 20 story by Slate's John Dickerson, with the lead: "Has Sarah Palin "gone rogue"?"
But those of us who live in Alaska, and who have been following this story from the beginning know the real root of that phrase, and will understand the ugly irony of Palin's title.
During the ethics investigation of Sarah Palin now known as "Troopergate," that phrase became seared into the collective consciousness of Alaskans. Palin's spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton used that word referring not to Palin, but to the former Commissioner of Public Safety Walt Monegan.
I did a piece on this back on October 13, 2008, where I quoted an interview KTUU did with Palin and here's what she said about using the word "rogue" in reference to Walt Monegan:
KTUU-Channel 2: Walt Monegan was called "rogue." How do you feel about that?
Palin: Rogue isn't a negative term when you consider that in a cabinet you need a team effort going forward with a governor's agenda. And our agenda has been to find efficiencies in every department and make sure that we are serving the people of Alaska to the best of our ability given the resources that we have. And remember I fought very hard to increase funding for state troopers so that we could fill positions there and goals not being met that included not being able to recruit and retain all the state troopers that I wanted to best serve Alaska. That could be characterized I think as a cabinet member who - it's not a negative term I think -- being rogue in terms of not meeting those goals.
The governor's lawyer has accused the troopers of turning a blind eye to an alleged rogue officer, Mike Wooten, who also is the governor's ex-brother-in-law.
While I was writing the article a year ago, I was watching MSNBC and Meghan Stapleton called Trooper Wooten a "rogue" on national television (1:00 into the interview):
As I stated in my October 13th post:
Definition of rogue
1 : vagrant , tramp
2 : a dishonest or worthless person : scoundrel
3 : a mischievous person : scamp
4 : a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave
5 : an individual exhibiting a chance and usually inferior biological variation
So where, exactly, is that positive definition here?
The term "rogue" in describing a public safety officer is "code" within the law-enforcement community. While it was an "insider" term from much earlier, it was brought to public prominence through a book-turned-Oscar-winning movie "Rogue Cop" in 1954, which depicted the title role as a bribe-taking dirty cop who murders members of the mob when they kill his brother.
I'm feeling the warm-fuzzies now.
The word "rogue" used in association with a police officer sends a specific signal of on-the-job instability, lawlessness and dangerous behavior...none of which are reflected in the career of Mike Wooten. As unfair as it may be using "rogue" to describe Mike Wooten, using the same word in conjunction with Walt Monegan is downright evil. If you talk to Betty Monegan, Walt's mom, about what the McCain Campaign has done to her son, that's the word she brings up first.
I'm outraged at Palin's high-school snarkiness towards people who have suffered enough at her hand. However, I look at the definition of "rogue" with a renewed interest:
1 : vagrant , tramp
2 : a dishonest or worthless person : scoundrel
3 : a mischievous person : scamp
4 : a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave
5 : an individual exhibiting a chance and usually inferior biological variation
Perhaps this book title is the first honest description of herself that Sarah Palin has ever made.
Either I'm friggin' psychic or I just...*ahem*...understand divas.
I posted THIS DIARY earlier this morning and included this line (yes...I'm quoting myself...how diva-ish of me):
...the thing that strikes me the most about this clip is the little window we get on her temper...her obvious exasperation with the question. In my years working with musicians and celebrities, I've seen this before...she is acting like a diva who's been told that she must do something because it's part of the contract, but she doesn't feel she should have to and how DARE we ask her!
It allows us to see first hand that attitude of entitlement that's been clearly reflected in her actions...the State paying for her kid's travel...the wardrobe. Some people have been loathe to believe that "our Sarah" could do those things because she's been so good about hiding that part of her personality from the public. However, the rigors of the campaign, the frustration with their lack of success and the exhaustion they must all feel is causing some of the "real" personality to leak through the cracks.
A second McCain source says she appears to be looking out for herself more than the McCain campaign.
"She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone," said this McCain adviser. "She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else.
"Also, she is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."
The fact that Campbell and Palin would react in this way is unbelievable and outrageous! It causes me great concern for her return to Alaska. Will the plight of veterans in this state go from a tragic issue we must all work on together to a blot on her resume for higher office that she must explain away or sweep under the rug?
So the question is: who or what is coming home from the campaign?
Well, I'm very very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing ... any hint of any kind of unethical activity there. Very pleased to be cleared of any of that.
Huh?
As amazing as that response may be, the question I found most interesting was one asked by KTUU:
KTUU-Channel 2: Governor, so good to hear from you. Do you approve of the way that your campaign has handled themselves here in Alaska? We've had a lot of people voice concerns about what they call attacks of good people in our state while you are away.
Palin: Well I haven't heard of any attacks on good people in Alaska from our campaign. If you have specifics there, maybe I could answer specifically. But no, in John McCain's mission here, in taking the high road, as you're going to see too with a lot of unfair shots he has taken in this campaign with some of his opponents' supporters, McCain and I taking the high road, being positive. I wouldn't support nor would I condone taking shots at any good Alaskans.
KTUU-Channel 2: Let me answer your question since you asked for specifics.
Palin: Sure.
KTUU-Channel 2: Walt Monegan was called "rogue." How do you feel about that?
Palin: Rogue isn't a negative term when you consider that in a cabinet you need a team effort going forward with a governor's agenda. And our agenda has been to find efficiencies in every department and make sure that we are serving the people of Alaska to the best of our ability given the resources that we have. And remember I fought very hard to increase funding for state troopers so that we could fill positions there and goals not being met that included not being able to recruit and retain all the state troopers that I wanted to best serve Alaska. That could be characterized I think as a cabinet member who - it's not a negative term I think -- being rogue in terms of not meeting those goals.
The governor's lawyer has accused the troopers of turning a blind eye to an alleged rogue officer, Mike Wooten, who also is the governor's ex-brother-in-law.
Amazingly, while I've been sitting here writing this article, (9:30 AM, 10/13/08) Meghan Stapleton just called Mike Wooten a "rogue trooper" again in her interview with Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC.
***UPDATED***Video of Meg Stapleton trying to take on Andrea Mitchell (she can't)
Are we expected to believe there's some kind of "positive" aspect to this word?
