About the blog: The race to become Alaska's next governor is on and it's about to get muddy. Grab your boots and follow the Daily News along the winding campaign trail.
Contact: thetrail@adn.com
Blog : Alaska Politics
Happy trails - 11/8/2006 8:05 pm
Forty-two - 11/8/2006 8:01 pm
Election hangover - 11/8/2006 10:25 am
Tonight (updated) - 11/7/2006 12:18 pm
Full Moon - 11/6/2006 7:11 pm
Fishy photos? - 11/6/2006 12:08 pm
Smelly deal? - 11/5/2006 3:31 pm
Sunday best (part two) - 11/5/2006 3:18 pm
'It's going to be madness' - 11/4/2006 8:33 pm
Final push - 11/4/2006 8:26 pm
Ivan Moore - 11/4/2006 1:45 pm
Furrowed brow - 11/3/2006 2:20 pm
New poll (updated) - 11/3/2006 2:00 pm
Berkowitz - 11/3/2006 10:29 am
Predict the future - 11/2/2006 10:53 pm
Live debate (updated 9:37 p.m.) - 11/2/2006 8:19 pm
More on the e-mails - 11/2/2006 7:14 pm
Channel 7 debate (updated) - 11/2/2006 7:12 pm
Round two - 11/2/2006 4:20 pm
Read the e-mails - 11/1/2006 9:45 pm
TV debate tonight (updated) - 11/1/2006 11:02 am
Anchorage Rotary debate - 10/31/2006 4:58 pm
Posted by thetrail
Posted: November 3, 2006 - 2:20 pm
Be sure to check out Anchorage Press reporter Amanda Coyne's Halcro profile. Click here.
My favorite line: "Onstage, he (Halcro) often looks pained, his brow furrowed, his dark eyes intense, as though Alaskans' failure to plan for a rainy day is hurting him right now."
By the way: The Knowles campaign just held a women's rally at Cafe Del Mundo, headlined by the wives of Knowles, Berkowitz and Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich -- Susan Knowles, Mara Kimmel and Deborah Bonito. In a couple hours, the Palin campaign has a "United Women for Sarah" signwaving get-together in the Sears parking lot, according to their Web site.
Will women voters decide the election? Which way are they leaning? (In a tight race, you can argue every group is a swing vote.)
More later ...
14 November 4, 2006 - 12:05pm | franan
I saw some references to an Ivan Moore radio show yesterday - does anyone know if there was some other poll numbers he is talking about this weekend?
13 November 4, 2006 - 10:37am | mike_l
and uninteresting - kind of like the Palin campaign. No ideas, no vision, anti-oil, anti-privacy, and not very smart. And all of the accusations are really a smokescreen for the dullness of the Palin message.
As a Vet, I am proud to be voting for Knowles on Tuesday -a candidate who can lead our state forward NOW.
12 November 4, 2006 - 10:15am | alaskastraightalker
Leading Military Newspapers to Call for Resignation
An editorial set to appear on Monday -- election eve -- in the four leading newspapers for the military calls for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
The papers are the Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times.
Regardless of one's position on Iraq, if you support our troops- as I think we all do- you should pay attention to the following excerpt:
"It is one thing for the majority of Americans to think Rumsfeld has failed. But when the nation's current military leaders start to break publicly with their defense secretary, then it is clear that he is losing control of the institution he ostensibly leads.
These officers have been loyal public promoters of a war policy many privately feared would fail. They have kept their counsel private, adhering to more than two centuries of American tradition of subordination of the military to civilian authority.
And although that tradition, and the officers' deep sense of honor, prevent them from saying this publicly, more and more of them believe it.
Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt."
This is not about the midterm elections. Regardless of which party wins Nov. 7, the time has come, Mr. President, to face the hard bruising truth:
Donald Rumsfeld must go."
November 4, 2006 - 10:23am | rfn
The Alaska Gubernatorial election? Was there some comment on it that you might have overlooked?
Or is Donald Rumsfeld intending a write-in campaign for Alaska Governor?
November 4, 2006 - 10:37am | alaskastraightalker
I forgot: They said to vote for Knowles
"He is the only veteran in the race- he volunteered to serve his country in Viet Nam. He's walked the walk, not just talked the talk.
Knowles understands veterans issues. He supports men and women who serve their country both when they are overseas defending our freedoms, and when they return and need help from their state and feredal governments.
That's why we urge a vote for Tony Knowles."
November 4, 2006 - 12:07pm | qtwkids
walk the walk only when people are looking you mean
Please not Knowles again. How many families have to be destroyed before we figure out that we owe it to ourselves to believe in our Constitutional Right to have more than two parties who are bought and paid to vote for. Independent, Green and other parties do count it is us not believing in people and following big money that continues the cycle of corruption. Even if we vote for Sarah then at least we could blame it on ignorance instead of Tony who just outright fails to represent or respect the well being of all people. Our native families deserve better that what he did with subsistence. At least Sarah might educate herself even if she makes no progress in four years she wont intentionally ignore our villages. And Halcro he is very much a viable educated choice. I know if he did not see the governor in his office for six years as suggested by the Berkowitz comment he would at least go look for him. Berkowitz it too lazy to have done that "if Tony" did not go to his office. Got to make you wonder.
November 4, 2006 - 12:35pm | alaskastraightalker
1. Governors don't often go to legislators' offices- if ever. Ask the current bunch how often Frank visited them. They go to the 3rd floor.
2. Knowles volunteered and served. He knows veteran issues first hand. Palin didn't and doesn't.
November 5, 2006 - 12:55pm | qtwkids
Veteran who forgets others he is
I am a 60% disabled Veteran and I can tell you when I personally asked him for help three times he snubbed me and ignored AS 47.14.100e and he has cost several families the lives of loved ones. Tony is not an option he is a liability to all families. And I hope Halcro never goes to work for him because that will be disappointing. If Halcro loses he should start working in the community and prepare to ensure an independent victory in the next election.
November 4, 2006 - 12:48pm | rfn
as Governor for eight years. Many have not forgotten. Especially those who had to leave Alaska to find work when their jobs just faded away.
It is probably is a good thing for Tony since they won't be voting here.
Fortunately, many of those exiles have friends and family in Alaska who will vote.
November 4, 2006 - 7:25pm | celtic_diva_ak
I seem to remember a problem Tony had no control over...
...something about CRASHING OIL PRICES!!
It's amazing to me how that "little issue" gets ignored when we discuss the Alaska economy under Knowles.
November 4, 2006 - 9:54pm | Black3
relatively stable despite the declining prices due to reliance on the CBR. In those eight years, the timber industry completely disappeared from SE Alaska, and made the only hope for employment in KTN, PSG, WRN, and SIT a job in a tee shirt shop. Granted, that was the result of another Democrat's policies, Slick Willie Clinton, but there wasn't even a whimper out of State government to stop it. When the Capitol is no longer in Juneau, it will be in large measure because of the silence of Juneau's chattering class on this issue and the loss of support from the other SE communities as a result.
The Democrat meme is that services were reduced in that period, but there was little or no reduction in State workforce or operating budget. Programs got more or less money, but State contribution to the economy remained stable. Two things did happen: several hundred jobs moved from Juneau to ANC and hordes were added to the entourages of various appointees at the expense of delivery of service employees, notably in DHSS.
November 5, 2006 - 12:55am | alaskastraightalker
There goes the blankin' Republican BLAME GAME again
Black3 distorts the truth once again
He ignores the fact that the Sitka mill was all but closed under Bush 41; it technically suspended operations and then didn't reopen in Clinton's first year. Who was Governor? Wally Hickel. So that mill, and its related jobs, basically disappeared under Bush 41 and Hickel.
The Ketchikan mill closed when Clinton was President, but- as Black3 ignores, we had an all-Republican delegation and- guess what- the Republicans had taken over both Houses of Congress and the legislature. Why didn't the Republicans save the mill? Why didn't Robin Taylor and the R legislature do something about it if it was that easy?
The problem was that a lot of Republicans- nationally- did not support an exclusive contract for one mill in the Tongass for logging, the world economy was changing, etc.
If it was as simple as Black3 would like you to believe, after 6 years of a Bush43 adminitration and a Republican majority Congress, and 4 years of a Murkowski regime and Republican legislature in Juneau- when the "stars were aligned"- why didn't the timber industry get revived, why didn't the administration make more federal timber available, why did Murkowski make less state timber available than did Knowles, etc etc.?
Black3- don't bother answering- because you are full of it on this issue, and you'll be blaming everyone and anyone except for the R''s who totally share the responsibility.
November 5, 2006 - 2:15am | Black3
I'll answer if I damned well please.
Your party and your candidate are not fit to govern anything. Your greenies, your racist poverty pimps, your corrupt union bossess, your third sector parasite clients have declared war on American culture and productive capacity for the last half century. It's a damned shame that the Soviet Union came apart on you, but you're not going to reinvent it here. I'm looking forward to it raining tinfoil for days as all the moonbat heads explode Tuesday night and Wednesday.
November 5, 2006 - 11:02pm | mike_l
that a respectable Republican like yourself can't come up with something even a little bit witty or humorous. You sound mad -as in insane -like a number of the Palin inner circle people. And that's what scares the hell out of me about her -the people like you. Thank you for putting on a free demonstration to illustrate my point.
But you are conservative. LMAO.
November 5, 2006 - 9:34am | alaskastraightalker
Your O'Reilly-spouting chickenhawks are supposed to say that we've declared war on Christmas.
Anything to hide the Republican Culture of Corruption, hypocrisy- especially on gay rights, and basic ineptness in running government.
That's all for now. It's time for you to snort some meth and watch the Ted Haggard show to get your orders on whom to hate today.
November 5, 2006 - 10:14pm | truthseeker
that VECO endorsed tony knowles? Now tell me about corruption. Lets' hear some straight talk for once.
11 November 4, 2006 - 9:44am | alaskastraightalker
Republican Hypocrisy/Ted Haggard's Magic Meth Diet
Quoting from the Wonkette:
"Snort, snort, snort! - Reverend Ted isn’t just a Bush Administration insider who had a personal gay male hooker and meth dealer. He’s an author!
Haggard’s name is on many books, including one called “The Jerusalem Diet: The One Day Approach to Reach Your Ideal Weight — and Stay There.” While we don’t have Reverend Ted’s three years of experience as a meth addict, we’ve enjoyed the occasional snort and can verify that it really does obliterate your appetite.
His wife even helped out:
Haggard’s wife Gayle wrote Chapter 12, “Women and the Jerusalem Diet,” urging women to accept their bodies and be gentle with themselves — get a massage, spend time outside, walk.
Massage, eh?"
Ted Haggard. Mark Foley. Ralph Reed. Jack Abramoff. Tom Delay. Don Sherwood. Bob Ney.
November 4, 2006 - 9:56am | Black3
is not "Republican hypocrisy." Hypocrisy is canonizing a Democrat congressman who was running a gay brothel out of his apartment. Or giving a standing ovation to a gay congressman who had an affair with a page. Or defending a Democrat congressman caught with $90K in cash in his freezer.
November 4, 2006 - 10:31am | alaskastraightalker
More Republican hypocrisy and deception
The gay Democrat congressman to whom you may be referring was censured by the House by a near unanimous vote in 1983 for an sexual act with a male minor page which had occurred in 1973. He turned his back as the censure was read. If that's a standing ovation, you must have been consorting with Ted Haggard. While the penalty may not be appropriate by 2006 standards (you and I- and I'm not sure about you-might have voted for expulsion), it was the first time anyone had been censured for sexual misconduct.
What you conveniently omitted is the fact that on the same day a Republican member of Congress from Illinois was censured for having sex with a female minor page in 1980.
You also ignore the fact that, when the 90K was found in Jefferson's freezer, he was stripped of his committee posts by Democrat House leadership. Unlike Hastert and gang covering up Mark Foley's sexual predation for two or more years.
November 4, 2006 - 11:34am | Black3
they gave him a standing ovation. Inconvenient fact, but a fact nonetheless.
Until the "outing" of the IMs, Hastert et al. had only seen some emails that were at most overly friendly. He got a "woodshed" trip and was told to knock it off. If Hastert had done more, the whole Left would have been howling homophobe.
When the IMs came out, Foley got the German Choice. Would an employer in today's world done it differently? Of course. Over the last couple of decades, they've paid millions in jury verdicts to learn how to treat anyone accused of sexual misconduct as guilty until proven innocent. But Congress is a rarified atmosphere, and the Leadership is not the employer of a Congressman.
November 4, 2006 - 12:14pm | alaskastraightalker
No they didn't. It was actually the Republicans
giving Dan Crane a standing ovation during his censure for his having sexual relations with a female minor page. Once again, you have it wrong.
The leadership may not employ the member of Congress, but they certainly can take away commitee assignments, perks, and do more than a cover-up trip to the woodshed.
As appears from the outing of an ever increasing number of gay-bashing gay Republicans- elected officials and otherwise- one might surmise that Hastert et al knew Foley was gay when he was making his hypocritical gay bashing statements both before and after the trip to the woodshed.
10 November 4, 2006 - 7:14am | coldstrings
Palin's Extreme Stands Not for Alaska Families
The Channel 7 debates provided a family view of Sarah Palin - and it is not good. Palin is extremely conservative, to the detriment of Alaska families. Palin's stands on family issues add up to government intrusion into family decisions, with more legal and court fights ahead.
On abortion, Palin's stance is extreme - not even in the case of rape of a family member. Palins views are contrary the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v Wade. Tony Knowles and the majority of Alaskans are pro-choice, and do not favor government intrusion in this area.
On stem cell research, Palin's stance is more conservative than most of the Republican party. Like the American Medical Association, Tony Knowles supports stem cell research, and understands its potential in treating significant diseases.
On subsistence, Sarah Palin stands with Ron Sommerville, and the other members of the Alaska Outdoor Council, many of whom are on her campaign staff. No wonder the Alaska Native community is upset. Along with the majority of Alaskans, Tony Knowles supports the rural subsistence priority amendment.
On creationism, Palin's views are contrary to a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision banning the teaching of creationism in public school science classrooms. Tony Knowles supports keeping the teaching of religion out of public school science classes.
On health care rights, Palin tries to obscure the issue of fair medical coverage underneath the definition of marriage. Tony Knowles supports equitable health care coverage for all State employees.
Tony Knowles has set out an extensive plan for improved health care services for all Alaskans, beginning with the restoral of Denali Kid Care. The details are on his website. Sarah has no comparable plan for health care.
On education, Tony Knowles has mature, extensive, and well-developed plans for Early Childhood Education, K12 education, and stable education funding. The plans are available in detail on his website. Sarah Palin has no comparable plan for education.
Like your family budget, Tony Knowles supports a balanced State budget accompanied by a fiscal plan. Unfortunately, the debates have revealed Sarah Palin's lack of understanding of the State budget.
All through the campaign, Tony Knowles has spoken about three primary issues: the Alaska Gas Pipeline, Education, and Health Care. Tony has the experience, the ability, and the focus we need to get Alaska rolling forward again.
November 4, 2006 - 8:27am | franan
.....is what you have brought here this morning. Your characterization of the 'far right' appears to include everyone you don't agree with - but the irony of your statement is that you appear to have gotten all your information from what the media says. It's far more helpful to talk to people individually - you get a far more accurate and complex picture. That may not work for folks like you who find it easier to categorize folks than consider the complexity of human thought.
As for your views on native support in this election - your idea that they are together as a racial group is an extremely ignorant and racist opinion. As a person who spent much time in villages the idea that natives are homogenous in their thinking is absurd. And furthering the myth that natives care mostly about political stands on subsistence reduces their stature to that of a group who thinks little more of government than a place to get fuel and health subsidies.
And BTW - Knowles doesn't know squat about schools - the standardization of educational approach across Alaska for the last 12 years and money being poured into the system has done nothing to elevate people's opinion of how schools are doing.
November 4, 2006 - 8:58am | coldstrings
The definition of 'extreme right' is commonly accepted usage. Many notable Republican commentators concur.
The full collection of Sarah Palin's stands are extreme right views. She favors forcing her religious views on Alaska families, including abortion and creationism.
The Alaska Federation of Natives speaks for itself. AFN overwhemingly supports a rural subsistence priority. Direct your comments to the AFN.
Tony Knowles knows a great deal about schools. He knows enough to propose a plan that directly addresses current problems faced by our educational system. Sarah Palin has no plan.
November 4, 2006 - 10:18pm | akisok2
... her opposition to stem cell research. Palin wants your vote but doesn't want to support stem cell researchers who are trying to find a treatment and/or a cure for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, spinal trauma and other diseases that destroy lives.
November 4, 2006 - 11:24pm | lwilson
What she said is that she is against research that destroys human life.
November 4, 2006 - 9:32am | Black3
the mainstream media and the people who see most of America as flyover country and most Americans as mindless rubes.
There wouldn't be enough evidence to convict me of being a Christian, but I do understand the establishment clause and its guarantee that the US would not establish a national church. Jefferson's famous, and grossly misinterpreted, wall letter was to a group of Connecticut Baptists who wanted assurance that the US would countenance their continued freedom to practice their religion rather than be forced to give up their practice of the Baptist faith in a state where the Congregationalist Church was established as the official religion of that state, one of many states at the Founding that had a state established and supported official religion.
"Rural subsistence priority" is code for Native subsistence priority and is a hook to give governmental or quasi-governmental control over a resource to Native entities, a power reserved by the Constitution to the State. AFN's position is simply pandering to the soverneignty advocates whose position was rejected by the USSC in Venetie. Knowles has proven himself willing to ignore the State Constitution in his pandering to that reliable Democrat vote ATM, rural Alaska. His first term was owed to Jack Coghill's stupidity and free gas in rural Alaska - where they still know how to count them until they get them right and put the votes of a whole village up for bid.
Knowles knows all he or any other Democrat needs to know about education; he knows how to do what the National Extortion, excuse me, Education Association tells him, and "more" for education simply means more for teachers and an educational system that produces a product no one would willingly accept if they had a meaningful choice.
November 6, 2006 - 10:46am | jacekone
You would sound alot smarter if you just kept your mouth shut. The very few valid points you have made are all drowned out by your mindless republican-robo talk. As a conservative, I utterly detest others that claim to be of my political persuasion and exhibit no regard for the facts. You behave like your own mindless leader, Sarah: so, go do your homework and come back and debate when you have control of the subject matter (i.e. rural priority for subsistence). Better yet, go start your own blog and leave us alone. Then you can freely kick off card-carrying members of the Federalist Society (me) when we don't talk your own robotic party line.
November 6, 2006 - 2:45pm | Black3
There was not a scintilla of substantive argument
in that diatribe. Refute me point by point; with those impeccable credentials, it should be easy enough. Or is argumentum ad hominem the limit of your rhetorical ability?
November 7, 2006 - 12:55am | alasscan
Black3 you are voting for.....?
Yourself?
Apparently you are far more impressed with yourself than anyone else is impressed with you.
Perhaps if you listened more you might be able to actually hear something other than the sounds of your own words. Oh, but then you would be distracted from collecting your thoughts in order to be intentionally impressive to yourself.
Your vitriolic criticism is absurd, just like your zeal to impress everyone here with your meanderings through the vocabulary.
If you wanted to run for office you should have done so because apparently you believe you are the most intelligent person you have ever listened to.
Sorry, still voted Tony, Benson and Hurley.
November 7, 2006 - 6:06am | Black3
a substantive argument. "I don't like you" and "I feel strongly," though the most common Democrat meme, are not arguments, merely feelings.
November 4, 2006 - 12:27pm | lewisandclark
It's a shame that a graduate degree sometimes makes people see others as "mindless rubes." Two words- NOT TRUE.
That last thread we got into was kind of narrowing down to that .
Since you seem to have all this inside information why don't you connect and find out who IS saying the Division Director of Labor Relations was "appointed to retire." Why would you be in denial of that statement?
Last post I saw was "not true." That indicated that you are probably in the Attorney General's office where denial is, well there's obviously not much truth there if the state or state actor is doing wrong.
I don't care one way or the other but I wonder your reason to deny this "appointed to retire" statement, it's just what I was told by his replacements. What sort of motivation would I have other than communicate that he took his retirement unexpectedly and early? "Appointed to Retire" is the phrase they used. Is SOA trying to avoid the appearance of corruption? There are better ways to do that.
The guy retired well before his 60th birthday. There's plenty about him to be gathered, and I figure he wasn't the type to take an early retirement. Not that he was extremely qualified other than from his years on the job, but he was surrounded by loyal people of questionable qualification who went up the ladder with him.
He's not the only one to bail out, but it makes me wonder who did "appoint" him to, and why you would deny this statement was made.
Instead of denial maybe you should find out who IS actually saying "assigned to retire" at Labor Relations and then we can compare notes. I'd Like to see some heat for anyone or either party. Maybe you can find the last few Democrats in Labor Relations and grill them. Maybe you can sacrifice a Republican if they're the one making the statement.
Lay it out there- there are some Republicans and at least one Democrat in the state legislature wondering if they'll even see much of the next governor's term.
Do you deny that too?
Hopefully the DOJ has prosecutor sharper than you and the others at AG or GOP are at defense who can blow a hole through these denials and get some convictions they're looking for. It's obvoiusly what's needed to make our public servants of both parties straighten up.
November 4, 2006 - 3:39pm | Black3
has returned for an encore. If you're not salmon shark redux, you're just as clueless.
November 4, 2006 - 9:57pm | lewisandclark
Dodger-denier- state- employed- liar
You're just pretending to be confused, right?
Yeah my dad always said when you spell Lawyer make sure to dot the "I."
I like this post of yours-It shows some of YOUR true colors.
[I'd never vote for university funding. What a bunch of mindless drivel! Only people who'd spent their whole lives in the front or the back of a classroom would listen to crap like that. Get a real job!]
Do YOU realize how clueless YOU sound when you post stuff like that? Do YOU see YOURSELF in that "drivel" you post? Opponents of Sarah Palin and Undecided Voters do.
Maybe YOU should go back to your ULTRA conservative blogs YOU describe, where YOU can discuss of a world of two classes- Party Members and "mindless rubes" without any opportunity for education at all.
Sarah still claims to run on honesty, transparency and the little guy. It will be the metric of her receiving a second term.
Do YOU plan to just go to your cubicle for the whole Administration?
Maybe YOU need to take your inside knowledge and move on out of the state service and on your own like the others who have been "assigned to retire."
I would wager your posts during work hours comming from a state computer. Aren't they? Maybe you'll be that one (or next) Republican that will be made an example of. The worst of your fears- the LR machine YOU know so well grinding YOU to dust.
Oh yeah you're one of those smart ones and will get out and be looking for other employment on Monday.
November 4, 2006 - 9:36am | coldstrings
The tone, content, and quality of your comments are exactly the purpose of this blog. Shine a light on it, and let the reader judge for themselves.
Thank you.
November 4, 2006 - 9:07am | franan
common usage doesn't make things correct or intelligent. It's just easier for simple folks to call others 'far right' than actually take the time to understand the complexity of their views.
When Sarah Palin finally tells you that she wants to force her 'views' on us - I will believe you - until that time - your partisan ship is stronger than your position on things.
The AFN is no more representative of natives than Kay Brown is of the Democratic party. Julie Kitka and her ilk have done more to polarizize race relations at the helm of AFN than Al Adams did in 40 years.
Knowing a great about schools doesn't mean knowing much about education. You can't fix education from the top down - and the "I know best' attitude coming out of the Knowles campaign is more of the same crappy attitude that Murkowske gave us. Education will be fixed when we give schools classrooms back to the mainstream teachers.not when the governor tells us what to do.
November 4, 2006 - 9:24am | alaskastraightalker
I agree with the thrust of your last sentence.
However, it was basically the Bush administration (and maybe the previous one) and Congress that pushed all the standardization (No Child Left Behind, etc.) into the classrooms, not any governor. Everytime there is a national trend or fad, it hits Alaska's classrooms.
Test...test...test...test. More and more time is spent giving standardized tests now, to the detriment of the amount of time left for teaching. The millions requested by the ill-conceived Murkowski plan to pay teachers for test results does nothing but encourage "teaching to the test," and should be one of the first things jettisoned by the new governor; the money can either be saved or diverted to a meaningful school improvement effort.
Knowles had a great record on education, and did not take a top down approach at all. He has some good ideas to help improve schools and learning throughout the state. An example is his suggestion to expand pre-school opportunities. Combined with improvements to Denali KidCare, I can't think of two more important initiatives (not including the gasline if we're going to include economic initiatives) that will have long term benefit for Alaska's children and families.
November 4, 2006 - 10:37am | franan
The problems caused by NCLB in some places oddly enough resulted in improvements elsewhere. The biggest problem with Fed education plans is this stupid insistence on 'one shoe fits all' - and that is where R's are failing miserably. They are supposed to be the party of decentralized government. Unfortunately D's have decided that fed programs for education will work because of the mind set that 'fair' and equal opportunity are achievable goals - without regard to on the ground realities of cultural, racial, social, and economic differences across the country.
Knowles doesn't have a plan for education any more than Palin or anyone else does - unless it calls for returning autonomy to the class room teacher and being realistic about the achievability of academic goals for students situated so differently in life. But until the public realizes we are asking schools to help solve our huge social problems and agrees to stop doing so - we will fight over education funding forever.
November 4, 2006 - 9:19am | coldstrings
Common usage is, in fact, the basis of most definitions.
In the Channel 7 debates, and in many other forums, Sarah Palin did indeed tell Alaska families that she would force her religious beliefs - a ban on abortion - on Alaska families.
The Alaska Federation of Natives does not represent Native Alaskans? You are on your own on that one.
Apparently you now agree that Tony Knowles does indeed know a great deal about schools. That is progress. Tony Knowles' plan for education directly addresses issues which educators have brought to him, and which he also understands as a parent. Sarah Palin has no plan.
November 4, 2006 - 10:29am | coldstrings
Looks like you gave up, 'franan'.
The purpose of this blog is to ‘shine a light on it’. Your political views have been revealed as extreme right. Like Palin, you aim to force your views on Alaskan families.
If you are uncomfortable with all of that – and you should be – then consider the fine American traditions of moderation and respect for others, and change your views. And like Palin, you are not very good at debate. You bring generalities to an issues discussion, and then claim foul when you cannot defend yourself - just like Sarah Palin.
For those of you reading, do consider supporting Tony Knowles. On Election Day, consider making your vote count, and support Knowles for Governor.
November 4, 2006 - 10:48am | franan
didn't give up - just cleaning house
Sounds like you might be the uncomfortable one - I am perfectly at ease sharing this democracy with those who don't share my views. I'm actually quite good in public or private debate - have a long track record of doing so - and have never been considered 'extreme right wing' by my liberal friends. I wouldn't say that defending myself against your myopic viewpoint is necessarily worth getting bloody for.
But - I do like the way you write - and I'll quote from your last post. {"For those of you reading, do consider supporting Sarah Palin. On Election Day, consider making your vote count, and support Palin for Governor. Good news for both of us - it really doesn't matter who is governor. No Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Carter, Johnson, Nixon - has substantially changed the course of history - and certainly have not impacted our lives nearly as much as Bill Gates.
November 4, 2006 - 7:50am | coldstrings
“Extreme right” means a position so strident as to not be accepted in the mainstream of national political thought. For example, an “extreme right” view is advocacy of government intervention to force adherence to particular religious beliefs, a position contrary to mainstream conservatism. Increasingly associated with Christian religious fundamentalism, “extreme right” includes an acceptance of significant religious intervention in government, a position contrary to mainstream conservatism, and contrary to the principle of separation of church and state contained in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
9 November 3, 2006 - 10:52pm | alaskastraightalker
More Republican Corruption: RNC Accepts Money
From Porn Movie Distributor
ABC News is reporting today that the Republican National Committee - sister organization of the Republican Governors Association which gave financial support to Palin- accepted money from a porn movie distributor.
Despite having running an attack ad accusing a Democratic senatorial candidate of accepting money from "porn movie producers," the Republican National Committee itself has accepted several donations over the past few years from the president of a large pornographic movie distribution company.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/11/rnc_accepts_mon.html
That's what furrows my brow: Republican hypocrisy. Mark Foley, Ted Haggard. Palin and the RGA. Now pornography.
November 4, 2006 - 9:25am | rfn
Truly dismayed if you check out, online, the names of the top recipients of political contributions dished out by "Hustler Magazine" publisher Larry Flynt.
Yes, a few Republicans -- but add up the donations and it quickly becomes clear with which party Mr. Flynt (whose contributions are perfectly legal and exceed no rules or laws) most clearly identifies.
Shocking.
Simply shocking!
November 4, 2006 - 8:18am | fishspotter
Speaking of the October surprise,, the NYT tried their version a few days ago.. and again we see a big a flop..
For a fantastic wrap on that one goto the WT oped on it today http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20061103-090305-3742r.htm
No fluff.. Straight shooting stuff.. Hopefully appreciated by all of those voters riding on the 'StraightTalk express' bus, wagon train or whatever you call it.
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15 November 4, 2006 - 1:08pm | one_t_wheat
This is a great article; Halcro is much more interesting to hear
see or read about than the two other main candidates. Being in Alaska since June 1957 I miss the long range fiscal plan that could have been in place right after the oil line begin producing in the early seventies.
We need a minority voice.
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