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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...
USA Women's Olympic Hockey Team Star Kerry Weiland with our friend Isabella and my daughter Morrigan at St. Baldrick's Day
(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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Two days ago I received a phone from one of the companies contracted to do energy audits for the state of Alaska. They informed me that stimulus money had arrived and reimbursement funding was available. They would be able to schedule me for an inspection.
Yeah, sort of... Why am I not performing a series of backstrokes along the length of my keyboard? Probably because I already spent the money on the much needed upgrades, and the energy rebate is not retroactive. I do have some work still to be done, but the bulk of the money has already been spent. I couldn't put off replacing my windows any longer. When the installers were able to work me into their schedule, I had to jump on the opportunity. Had I not, my windows might well have fallen out of their casements before winter's end (no exaggeration intended for dramatic effect).
I, like many others in the state, signed up in the spring for an energy audit by a state approved inspector. The inspections are required before a person can apply for an energy rebate. Realizing that I had several thousand dollars worth of work to be completed, I signed up for the inspection as soon as I could. Unfortunately, a backlog of applicants and lack of funding for the audit reimbursements all but assured that I would not receive my inspection until the end of summer.
So, when the hope of stimulus money loomed on the horizon, I grew enthusiastic. Then, when our oh, so clever Governor vetoed the energy stimulus money, my hoped dimmed, but did not perish altogether as I waited for the possibility of a veto override. When that happened, my spirits rallied once more. Then my windows arrived, and the contractor told me that if I didn't get them installed now, I wouldn't see them installed in time for winter. Sigh.
Had Sarah Palin just signed the stimulus package, the energy audit company would have had the funding to schedule my audit sooner. Here is how the audit and energy rebate works: I pay the inspector $450 up front. They do the inspection telling me what improvements need to be made, and I make them. The state reimburses me $325, and I apply the cost of the work that was done towards a tax credit. The only thing holding up the auditors was the funding for the reimbursements.
The good news is that if you are waiting for your audit and were say, 1000 or so on the list, you may receive a phone call soon from an energy auditor. The bad news for me is that I cannot claim tax credit for any of the work that was done before my inspection. I will most likely fore go the audit and free up my portion of the rebate for someone else. It won't do me much good, and someone else might still be able to benefit from the rebate.
So here I sit, unemployed since June, my hopes dashed for some sort of reimbursement for upgrading the energy efficiency of my home. I am thankful that I was able to take measures to decrease the cost of heating bills. I am luckier than many here in Anchorage and out in the bush communities.
To Mrs. Palin: whether through inexcusable ignorance or simply a callous disregard for the struggles of the citizens in your state, you have done us all a great disservice by vetoing the stimulus money for the energy package. I am tired of you and those like you, who profess to understand the free market, who espouse its glory and constantly berate us for not bowing down to worship at its patent pended alter.
I will not extol its virtues, or lift on high its gladiators, mediators, grifters and shapeshifters, but will continue to see it for what it is: a medium for making money, neither inherently good or evil, but capable of both qualities. I will chose to do business with governments and financial entities worthy of my money and time, and do my utmost to shun those that seek to bilk me of my hard earned paycheck.
I am expected to pay all my bills on the net amount I take home, whilst I watch corporations extend their profits through rebates, refunds, tax shelters and stimulus packages.
I refuse to elevate CEOs, CFOs, COOs and all other blank, blank, Os to the stature of the new Feudal Lords of state excepting their policies and procedures as word of law. I will not extend to them the divine right of rulers. A founding father once warned me of doing so, and will heed that warning.
So Mrs. Palin, and those who seek to curry the favor of these would be feudal Lords of the modern age, I hurl this shot across your bow. Be wary the masters you choose. I will seek the company of my neighbors, and strive to be worthy of their trust long before I rest my carcass on some plot of land paid for by the likes of the beltway marauders who seek to pillage and destroy the government I gave up eleven years of my life to protect and defend.
In the words of the talented members of Monty Python,
"Just because some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at you from some lake, doesn't make you the Lord and ruler of ALL England."
Fade out to the sound of coconuts, er, hoofbeats pounding in the distance...
AKGovSarahPalin: See infrastructure @ work today: free Port of Anch tour (transport stop for nearly 85% of all AK goods); show your kids how we import/export
This was spotted early this morning by the intrepid writer/reporter David Corn:
DavidCornDC: Palin twt: See infrastructure @ work: free Port of Anch tour/show ur kids how we imp/export. Me: Port sought stimulus $
http://bit.ly/157Vtr
...and then later, an explanation to several who must have asked about it:
DavidCornDC: RT @stuart_oneill @kimbrlykrautter Ysday GovBeautyQueen sd stimulus didn't work. 2day bragging on new harbor. Hypocrit101 via @davidcorndc
For those who don't speak "Twitter", Governor Palin was encouraging people in her "tweet" to visit the Port today for a free tour. The excellent point that Mr. Corn was making has to do with the fact that the Port of Anchorage was one of the important and contentious recipients of the first stimulus funds...causing tension between Palin and Alaska's Congressional Team.
"Since when can you get out of huge national debt by creating trillions of dollars of new debt?" Palin asked. "It all really is so backwards and skewed as to sound like absolute nonsense when some of this economic policy is explained."
"We need to be aware of the creation of a fearful population, and fearful lawmakers, being led to believe that big government is the answer, to bail out the private sector, because then government gets to get in there and control it," she said. "And mark my words, this is going to be next, I fear, bail out next debt-ridden states. Then government gets to get in there and control the people."
Of course, Palin "forgot" that Michael Reagan's father, President Ron, did the same thing back in the 1980s.
And now Palin, in essence, is taking credit for the "stimulated" Anchorage Port.
Remember when Ted Stevens was against the 21st Century GI Bill then slapped a small amendment on it so he could vote on it and take credit in the end? Remember how he suffered exactly "zero" consequences for that from a media that doesn't have time for the fine print?
Yeah, so does Sarah Palin. She's learned from the masters.
-- Yesterday, I went to the Alaska Public Offices Commission office and was able to get a CD of the portions of last week's meeting I wanted to post about. I hope to have the "Part 2" story regarding the Governor's Gifts out today.
-- The REAL Stimulus story in the works -- Senator Begich is helping Alaska's businesses access those federal dollars for the good of Alaska's economy.
-- IMPORTANT story on Mudflats today -- While the pollock trawlers can merrily toss as much king salmon bycatch over the side as they want this year, the Yukon's rural subsistence fisherfolk now have severe limits as to the number of kings they can keep. AKM has the story and comments from Yukon residents as to the impact on their already struggling economy.
This is all over the web, the blogs, etc...Alaskans are outraged and our Legislators need to do their jobs and override Palin's obvious political ploy.
Kind of reminds me of a rally a few women organized around their kitchen table in September!
Per Facebook:
"Greet Anchorage legislators as they convene at Loussac Library for the Anchorage Caucus.
ASD Superintendent Comeau will respond to the rejection of simulus funds inside the building (presumably other community leaders as well).
We'll be outside to greet our elected officials and send a strong message that we want them to overturn Palin's unconscionable choice to reject stimulus money.
Gather at 9:30am, 1 hour prior to the caucus meeting. Bring signs and wear warm clothes - you know the drill."
...or are raising children without child support...
...or are pretty much just an Alaskan...
The amazing thing is how this decision by Palin not only shows the complete ignorance of our Governor when it comes to economics and how these funds are supposed to work:
"We are not requesting funds intended to just grow government," Palin said. "In essence we say no to operating funds for more positions in government."
It also displayed which of our Legislators are completely clueless:
"This offer from the Congress and the Obama administration is a little bit like having way too much to drink," said Sen. Con Bunde, a Republican from Anchorage. "A good time may be had by all, but the hangover the next day, and the consequences of what you did while you were drunk, may be with you for a long, long time."
Stimulating the economy, the entire motivation behind this money, is NOT JUST ABOUT CAPITAL PROJECTS. It's about investment in HUMAN CAPITAL. All of the funds Palin is rejecting are programs which have a PROVEN return on investment that in some ways, is incalculable.
School Lunches: The brains of hungry children do not absorb nearly as much information as those of children who are fed.
Home Weatherization: People who weatherize their home and are reimbursed save money in the short term AND in the long term. This is money they will invariably pump back into the economy.
Immunizations: Not only does this save by preventing future medical bills for the immunized children, it saves those who would come in contact with these children, and who would then pass it on to others, etc...
An ounce of prevention...
Education: Please, do I really need to spell this one out?
Vocational Rehabilitation: 25 years ago, I suddenly got clean and sober and proceeded to go completely crazy...I didn't know how to live without alcohol and drugs and I certainly could no longer do a job where I took care of others...at least until I could take care of myself (I worked as a youth counselor). After spending a little while on unemployment, I went to Vocational Rehabilitation where I learned that my alcohol and drug use wasn't my primary disability...it was masking various types of mental illness like depression. I went to therapy plus I went to a training program where I learned office skills. I also got into a special program with the Federal Government where the tested me out for six months before they hired me.
Thanks to Voc Rehab, I had a 20-plus-year career as a productive, tax-paying citizen. This was unlike my sister, who couldn't continue nursing for awhile after getting sober, didn't get help from anyone and ended up in a homeless shelter and on welfare. Which of us do you think was a "burden" on society?
Governor Palin's cluelessness doesn't allow her to see that even if we don't continue these programs past the two years this money is supposed to last, the benefits to Alaska and Alaskans cannot be measured. It certainly beats the setback many Alaskans will experience without this funding, possibly requiring two years of more expensive government programs.
Maybe Governor Palin SHOULD run for another term...as Governor of Iowa!
My daughter's school library during a parent day--education improvements make up a large chunk of the stimulus package
Yesterday, President Obama signed the largest piece of legislation in U.S. history--The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as The Stimulus Bill.
Alaskan economic consultant Gregg Erickson effectively explained the stimulus plan in understandable language through his op-ed piece on the ADN this past weekend:
The idea is pure Keynesian economics, developed in the 1930s, during the last worldwide depression, by John Maynard Keynes, a brilliant British economist. Up to then just about all economists thought a downturn was the time to retrench, building a cushion to see us through the hard times. The prescription for governments, businesses and households was the same: reduce spending, cut investments, conserve cash.
Keynes realized that however much this makes sense on an individual basis, it is disastrous for the economy as a whole. Reduced spending begets fears that the economy will get worse, which causes people and institutions to cut further, which engenders more fear. Keynes called this the paradox of thrift.
Economic experts today are just as confused by this unfolding depression as were their predecessors in the 1930s, but there is one thing on which today's experts agree: If the stimulus is to disrupt this economic death spiral, the plan must inject lots of money into the economy quickly in a way that defeats the paradox of thrift, or at least limits the ability of recipients to siphon the money into savings.
***Note: Mr. Erickson's writings are frequently quoted by prominent fiscally conservative Republicans across the state, especially his observations regarding the Alaska Budget, Oil and Gas, etc... It's interested that some of these same Republicans are not quoting his views on the stimulus.***
One of the primary arguments against the stimulus is one I completely understand; no one actually wants to put this debt at the feet of our children. However, the question I must ask everyone who uses that as an argument: where the hell were you the last eight years when the first trillions in debt were being racked-up? Where were you when the financial industry was completely deregulated?...when more and more jobs were outsourced?...when our country went from an industrial to a service economy?
It's amazing to me how in 27 days of the Obama presidency, the Repubs have feverishly been attempting a country-wide memory-wipe, hoping to put the blame for the economy on our current President.
Another argument against the plan is the alleged "pork" in the bill. There are several right-wing radio talk show hosts who insist on calling the Stimulus Bill the "Porkulus Bill" and I was thrilled when a reader sent me a copy of the "Alaska Fact Sheet" showing many of the items that are targeted at our state. I was looking for the "pork" and couldn't seem to find it.
Perhaps the "pork" they were talking about is the $870,000.00 for prevention of violence against women and children?
A third argument I've heard against the package is that supposedly hundreds of economists think this is a bad idea. This centers around the neo-con organization The Cato Institute, which asked economists to sign a petition against the Stimulus Bill. Of course, much like the list of "scientists" that came out against a belief in "global climate change," the credibility of many of these economists is dubious at best. Rrom what I've seen, many of them are partisan political hacks.
In fact, no current or former member of the President's Council of Economic Advisers--Democrat or Republican, living or dead, sane or insane--has signed up for the Republican House caucus's list of economists opposed to the stimulus package. None. Zero. Nada.
The most ridiculous argument I've heard is a claim that the package actually creates "zero" new jobs...that the government cannot create new jobs, only small businesses can do that.
Quick, someone better warn Lockheed Martin, Haliburton, Boeing, Northrup Grumman...or local contractors like Cornerstone Construction, Kiewit, Wilder, etc...that the government contracts keeping them in business don't create jobs! I'd love to see how many private contractors in this state would go bankrupt if the government money stopped coming.
I'm still sorting through thoughts on the stimulus package and I'll write more about it soon. I'd love to hear what you have to say about it!
I also got an email last night with a couple more "rumors" circulating in Juneau regarding the "resignation" of Talis Colberg.
I found them most interesting because they are addressed by the Governor...and not very convincingly...at the very beginning of "Part 2" of the "press availability" video below:
First, Palin (or a subordinate) asked him to wrote a letter to French after passage of the contempt resolution. He refused.
A question about this was asked at the press conference, and it was interesting to see Palin turn to her staff and essentially ask if a letter
had been sent, if a letter existed, etc. Very odd.
Second, Chuck Heath called Colberg, asking him to do the same thing. He resigned shortly thereafter.
It was interesting to me that she never said today that she tried to get him to stay
Whether or not she'll accept the Stimulus money; Rural Alaska
At the beginning of this video, an interesting question is asked--whether the Governor required Talis Colberg to write a letter to Hollis French. She asked her staff as if her memory failed her. This would have been just a couple of days ago.
Oil revenues and issues, economy and national issues, Ken Salazar, gas line, reaction to donations towards Planned Parenthood and conservation groups in her name, birthday chocolate
Earmarks = bugetary device originally established to make sure money gets where it's supposed to go instead of getting diverted elsewhere.
Earmarks = not bad, just badly abused
I've been repeating this mantra for months. As a former 15-year federal employee, I watched while earmarks built and maintained our harbors, constructed new military housing, cleaned up hazardous waste sites and built new runways at our airports. It wasn't until clever lobbyists found ways to abuse the system...and discovered corruptible Congressfolk to help them do it.
Now, "earmark" has become a dirty word...to the point that even though some people really don't understand exactly what it means, they still run from "speaking it's name" as if from a burst of hot flame.
Well, it looks like that's what is happening...as discussed by AP over the weekend and moments ago by Chuck Todd on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." The states will be getting their money in a lump sum which means whomever is designated to budget and disburse the money in each state has the control.
(a) The Department of Administration shall maintain centralized accounting records that include the general and controlling accounts of the state. The state agencies shall prepare and transmit the documents prescribed by the department and shall submit the reports and statements required in order to carry out this chapter...
AS 37.05.142. Accounting For Program Receipts.
The Department of Administration shall establish and maintain separate accounts by program source for all program receipts that state agencies deposit under AS 37.10.050 or under another statute if the program receipts are exempted by law from the deposit requirements of AS 37.10.050.
AS 37.05.050. Federal Funds.
Federal funds received by an agency shall be deposited in the state treasury and disbursed in the same manner as other state money. Federal funds are subject to the fiscal controls imposed by this chapter, except where federal laws or regulations prevent the funds from being deposited, appropriated, allocated, accounted for, or expended as provided by this chapter and other laws not inconsistent with this chapter.
AS 44.25.020. Duties of Department
The Department of Revenue shall
(1) enforce the tax laws of the state;
(2) collect, account for, have custody of, invest, and manage all state funds and all revenues of the state except revenues incidental to a program of licensing and regulation carried on by another state department, funds managed and invested by the Alaska Retirement Management Board, and as otherwise provided by law;
So, the people charged with depositing, disbursing and tracking funds are all in the Executive Branch...working for the Governor. And we all know how much influence the Governor has over the budget process...more so than any other Governor in any other state in the US.
Over the weekend, this article came out in the Anchorage Daily News:
The article goes on to describe that, as the Stimulus Package bottom line has increased greatly in the last several weeks, so has Alaska's take.
And according to the AP article, the changing methods of disbursement in a flight-of-fear away from earmarks has opened a new window of opportunity for lobbyists (emphasis mine):
Think Progress did a story during the campaign discussing Governor Palin's infamous long absences from the State Capital. Legislators became so frustrated with her that they retaliated with humor, wearing "Where's Sarah" buttons.
Today, I'm not laughing.
Alaska bloggers and media are all talking about the story of Nick Tucker and plight of the people of Emmonak. An effort by Alaska Newspapers Inc is underway to put together pallets of food and other necessities to be airlifted to Emmonak this Wednesday. Dennis Zaki, videographer, has raised to date over $6,000.00 which he will use to fly to Emmonak and distribute where it's needed. He's hoping that CNN will decide to use the footage of our Alaska villages in trouble so he can then donate his reimbursment for travel. Other non-profit organizations are finalizing plans to do online fundraising for those who need the help.
So what have we heard from Governor Palin about this terrible crisis? What words of comfort did she share with the suffering people of Emmonak? Heck, what acknowledgement have we heard by this time, 12:10 AM on January 16th that she even knows or cares what is going on?
Nothing...we've heard absolutely nothing.
Governor Sarah Palin has said nothing about the crisis in the village of Emmonak as well as potentially within their neighboring villages. The Governor has not commented on the failures to act which led to this sad state of affairs.
Paul LaBolle, spokesman for State Rep. Richard Foster, who represents the area, said that immediate government assistance would have to come by way of an emergency declaration, which comes from the governor's office. He also said that Foster is aware of the problem and is working with the native corporation of Emmonak and with the executive branch to come up with a solution.
Former Emmonak city manager Martin Moore said that he's been asking for help since October, when a fuel barge couldn't reach the village due to an early freeze. But he's had no luck.
"When we have a disaster, coupled with high cost of energy, government has an obligation to do what it can to help people who are hurting," he said.
So, state aid would be released to the villages along the river if the Governor acts and declares a disaster.
This week, the people of Emmonak are crying out to the world for help. Heating fuel costs $7.83 a gallon. The people of Emmonak now find themselves in another crisis. They've paid the high cost of fuel and now they have no money to purchase food. Food or heat. That is the choice they've been facing.
Representative Young sent a letter trying to get a waiver on the production cap for Petrostar. It will reach the cap in mid-March due to the state-wide cold snap.
And Senator Begich continues to gather information on infrastructure projects from Alaska community leaders. (See previous story)
However, it may be that Sarah Palin's "do nothing" mantra is not only hurting Emmonak in the present, she may be threatening the very future of their village. And strangely enough, this story seems to be overlapping with another.
AKGovSarahPalin: See infrastructure @ work today: free Port of Anch tour (transport stop for nearly 85% of all AK goods); show your kids how we import/export
DavidCornDC: Palin twt: See infrastructure @ work: free Port of Anch tour/show ur kids how we imp/export. Me: Port sought stimulus $
