NationStates Jolt Archive

Gotta love politics these days.
Don "Kiss My Ear" Young rep's our state (in funny ways), and got REALLY mad about McCain's issue with the "Bridge to nowhere" debacle, and has since opted to making more curious public statements:

http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=BRIDGE-02-24-06

Young hopes Alaska directs funds to bridges

By KYLE HOPKINS
Anchorage Daily News
24-FEB-06

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- At a rare Anchorage news conference Thursday, Rep. Don Young urged state lawmakers to help pay for the big bridges in Anchorage and Ketchikan and blamed Sen. John McCain for spoiling public opinion of the embattled projects.

Speaking to reporters and, later, the Palmer Rotary Club, Young riffed on the highs and lows of the previous year in Washington _ from the war in Iraq to Dick Cheney's shooting accident to his ever-changing beard.

And yes, "I am running for re-election," said Young, who will be seeking his 18th term as Alaska's sole congressman. "Surprise, surprise."

Young said he'll take a wait-and-see approach on the flap over a United Arab Emirates company that is poised to take over operations at six U.S. ports. He said he plans to hold a hearing on the issue but that Congress may not have the authority to stop the sale.

As for the war in Iraq, Young compared Saddam Hussein to Adolf Hitler and said shutting Hussein down prevented a third world war. As sad as it's been to lose more than 2,000 troops in Iraq, he said, those numbers pale in comparison to the death toll of World War II.

After Hurricane Katrina leveled New Orleans in the fall, Young became a fixture in national media as critics asked why Congress was spending hundreds of millions of dollars for bridges in Alaska instead of to rebuild Louisiana.

Young and Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, fought to keep federal earmarks for $223 million for a Ketchikan-Gravina Island bridge and $229 million for the Knik bridge proposal. Alaska got the $452 million, but the earmarks are gone, meaning state lawmakers can use the money for other projects.

In retrospect, Young said he wouldn't have pursued the projects any differently. He said he was a victim of circumstance. And U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona..

A potential contender in the next presidential race, McCain's criticism of the bridges helped the project become a national joke for comedians and personalities like Jay Leno, David Letterman and Rush Limbaugh, Young said.

"I will never work for John McCain. Ever. I may support Hillary Clinton if he gets the nomination," Young told an audience at the Palmer Rotary.
---
As far as personal integrity goes, Mr. Young has publicly stated:
"My opinion is as valid as any scientist's.", about the global warming issue, which is incorrect, since Mr. Young has approximately ZERO schooling or research history in that field.

Cool. Perhaps we can dump all of the Republican party's Trojan Horses on to the Democrats and totally sink any chance they have at winning...

How regional.

Actually, I can sympathize.

McCain is a totally loose cannon - a Manchurian Candidate if I ever saw one.

He is certainly no Republican. He Barely makes RINO.

Hillary is at least a known quantity that can be opposed on key issues.

(Not that I like Don Young... Even as an Alaskan I believe he has Potomic Fever. Peh. Alaska has plenty of PetroDollars to spend on bridges without sucking off the Fed tit.)

How regional.
From da heart.
Representin'.

Actually, I can sympathize.

McCain is a totally loose cannon - a Manchurian Candidate if I ever saw one.

He is certainly no Republican. He Barely makes RINO.

Hillary is at least a known quantity that can be opposed on key issues.

(Not that I like Don Young... Even as an Alaskan I believe he has Potomic Fever. Peh. Alaska has plenty of PetroDollars to spend on bridges without sucking off the Fed tit.)
Are you from AK? What borough, if i may ask?

Cool. Perhaps we can dump all of the Republican party's Trojan Horses on to the Democrats and totally sink any chance they have at winning...
Then you would lose any further elections simply on the grounds that your numbers could only qualify a minority, and the dem's would happily run roughshod over you AND change the rules to support them just like the republicans do.
"One big happy fleet", as Khan put it.

Holy shit, there are people in Alaska?

Holy shit, there are people in Alaska?

Yeah, but not many. It's mostly just half-orcs, gnomes, dwarves, and the occasional gnoll or troll that wanders in from the Barrier Peaks.

From da heart.
Representin'.

There's something out of place with an Alaskan saying those things. *googles to see where Anchorage is*

How regional.
Zing.

Holy shit, there are people in Alaska?
Yes, bundled in parkas and holed up in igloos, with their electrical wires stretched up to the mountaintops so they can harness the energy of the aurora borealis (and thus power my laptop), and with lots of natural gas and other petroleum sources that we basically burn away for heat. And when we want food we go club seals and skin moose and all that jazz. We're the leftovers from the great exodus that seeded Clovis, oh yes. Rugged, MANLY men.

There's something out of place with an Alaskan saying those things. *googles to see where Anchorage is*
Yeah, we ain't contigua so we ain't hip.
Seriously, it takes f*cking YEARS for things to get here in the social sense.
We're just moving out of our "bell-bottoms"/"boot-cut" phase.

Rugged, MANLY men.
Even the women are manly in Alaska.

Are you from AK? What borough, if i may ask?
No Burrough. I lived in a variety of places in Anchorage before being forced to become a Chechako. If you are old enough, I used to be in charge of Security at the Space Station on Spenard about... oh... 1992 - when pot was legal, Hatter ran "business" and Golden Boy Tony was new.

Yeah, we ain't contigua so we ain't hip.
Seriously, it takes f*cking YEARS for things to get here in the social sense.
We're just moving out of our "bell-bottoms"/"boot-cut" phase.

Oh, then you won't mind them when they make a return. I had boot cut jeans three years or so ago. Looked bitchin'.

Rugged, MANLY men.

*pays more attention, expects pictorial proof*

Even the women are manly in Alaska.
Well, you gotta have SOMETHING to insulate you from the -40 degree winters we get.
Either get togethers of heaping, slithery bodies to share warmth and whatever else (see 5th Avenue, Anchorage),
drugs & brandy,
hypertrichosis,
or blubber.
Or all of the above. *nods*

Even the women are manly in Alaska.
Damn straight. Might even turn Fass... except for the girls at the Great Alaskan Bush Company... um... never mind. :p

Damn straight. Might even turn Fass... except for the girls at the Great Alaskan Bush Company... um... never mind. :p
Word. *bows*

Oh, then you won't mind them when they make a return. I had boot cut jeans three years or so ago. Looked bitchin'.



*pays more attention, expects pictorial proof*
No problemo.

http://www.alaskamen.com/

http://www.jeaniegreene.com/akmen.htm

http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/magazine/

---
Someone's not gonna knock me for "spam" now, are they?

No problemo.
--snip--

You really weren't kidding about the fashion, were you. :\

You really weren't kidding about the fashion, were you. :\
No, why?
You should've seen what happened after Back To The Future II came out. Travesty.

No, why?

Misunderstand me correctly, they do look gay. As gay porn stars looked 40 years ago.

You really weren't kidding about the fashion, were you. :\ ;isunderstand me correctly, they do look gay. As gay porn stars looked 40 years ago.
No. And a good night at the Bush Company laying face might just bring you back to Bi.... :D

Snip.

The guy wants to get re-elected, and Alaska is his state. lol.

Ahhhh, politicians.

No Burrough. I lived in a variety of places in Anchorage before being forced to become a Chechako. If you are old enough, I used to be in charge of Security at the Space Station on Spenard about... oh... 1992 - when pot was legal, Hatter ran "business" and Golden Boy Tony was new.
Space Station? Heh. I was around there a bit, 'specially since it's next to Bosco's *nods*
I don't go up that way much any more unless my car needs to be worked on or my wife needs to visit one of those salon supply places.

Misunderstand me correctly, they do look gay. As gay porn stars looked 40 years ago.
<sarcasm>
I know they do. Thing is, it's actually from a mindset JUST BEFORE then.
THAT'S how long it takes for something to come into VOGUE.


EDIT:Yet again, i've managed to cooperate in successfully 'jacking my own thread.

The guy wants to get re-elected, and Alaska is his state. lol.

Ahhhh, politicians.
I suppose i should've bolded the "surprise" part on the post ...

You really weren't kidding about the fashion, were you. :\ ;isunderstand me correctly, they do look gay. As gay porn stars looked 40 years ago.

Weird. In my current incarnation of non-existedness I can't even edit my own posts.... even when the database adds superfulous bits... (see bold)

As for Gay Pornstars of bygone eras, I'll hav e to take your word for it....

Space Station? Heh. I was around there a bit, 'specially since it's next to Bosco's *nods*
I don't go up that way much any more unless my car needs to be worked on or my wife needs to visit one of those salon supply places.
Question: Chilcoot Charlie's still rockin'? Is "Pillow" still active in local politics? How about Frigid North Electronics? Best capacitor store in the world IMO.... (I am SO missing home...... :( )

(Outside Space StationGuard Office 1992... (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/SynikGuard.jpg) )

Question: Chilcoot Charlie's still rockin'? Is "Pillow" still active in local politics? How about Frigid North Electronics? Best capacitor store in the world IMO.... (I am SO missing home...... :( )

(Outside Space StationGuard Office 1992... (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/SynikGuard.jpg) )
The pic makes me think i would've recognized you there. :eek: ;)
'koot's still rocks. It's huge and labyrithine now. And, one of the bouncers "accidentally" snuffed a dude there a year ago or so, change the rules of address and all that in the works.
Pillow? Maybe. ADN has an issue on Sundays called "Alaska Ear", and their source material occasionally pops up ... like this ...

*ahem*
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=6305

If recent poll numbers performed by SurveyUSA is a roadmap to the political future, Louisiana’s Governor Kathleen Blanco could be paying the toll.

According to the results, Blanco has a 32 percent approval rate and a 65% percent disapproval. The polls were published on February 14, 2006. By contrast, prior to Hurricane Katrina, Governor Blanco had a 50% approval rating to a 43% disapproval.

In responding to the question, “Do you approve or disapprove of the job Kathleen Blanco is doing as Governor--73% of the Louisiana white vote disapprove while 24% approve.

The poll does not reflect the completed legislative session which ended Friday February 17.

Nor does Governor Blanco own the distinction of being the state Governor with the lowest approval ratings. Those honors go to two Republican Governors, Bob Taft with a 14% approval rating and Frank Murkowski with a 26% approval rating.

Also, Blanco is in solid company with Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger of California who sports an identical 32-65 approval-to-disapproval rating.

However, interestingly, Taft, Murkowski and Schwarzennger have not suffered a calamity as horrible as Katrina during their administration period.

Also, President Bush is suffering from low Survey USA numbers with a 40% to 57% weighted average. Weighted average reflects the population weight of the respective states.

Governor Blanco has indicated that she will seek re-election but the path might not be an easy one given the results. Also, last week Commissioner of Agriculture Bob Odom said he was concerned about Governor Blanco’s low poll numbers and wanted to make sure that a democrat would win the Louisiana governor’s mansion.

Much might depend upon the upcoming regular session and the entire Louisiana recovery.

Yet, according to one local Louisiana pollster and political analyst, Governor Blanco will have a tough time recovering--given the SurveyUSA numbers.

“These results confirm what you hear through out the state; Louisiana voters have a negative opinion of Governor Blanco’s job performance, said Bernie Pinsonat of SMOR . “Her outlook for re-election in ´07 are at best on life support”.

Based upon the past, the Governor’s election competition will likely begin in late 2006 with some candidates throwing their name into the ring some time earlier this year.

-------

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/10954

The average approval rating for U.S. governors is 53 per cent. The lowest-ranked politicians are Republicans Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky with 35 per cent, Missouri Republican Matt Blunt with 33 per cent, California Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger and Louisiana Democrat Kathleen Blanco with 32 per cent each, Republican Frank Murkowski of Alaska with 26 per cent, and Republican Bob Taft of Ohio with 14 per cent.
(the thing is, Taft has been found guilty of four misdemeanors and refuses to quit about them).

Also ... if you click on that second link it'll give you stats.
---

And in marijuana news, i think that's related to Murkowski's approval, btw (OTHER THAN THE APPOINTMENT OF HIS DAUGHTER "DEBACLE")- he's trying to make the four-oz. rule a misdemeanor (under) and felony (above) as possession ALONE goes. House passed, can't remember what the Senate said.

There's a problem with what the guy said. It's illegal for a resident of Alaska to vote in a New York election. Of course, legality might not be a factor in how he makes decisions.

There's a problem with what the guy said. It's illegal for a resident of Alaska to vote in a New York election. Of course, legality might not be a factor in how he makes decisions.
You are SOOOOOOOO right on that one.

*ahem*

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7463032p-7373236c.html

Blog hints at Abramoff, Young link
SOUTH PACIFIC: Denies lobbyist involved in Marshall Islands trip.

By LIZ RUSKIN
Anchorage Daily News

Published: February 19, 2006
Last Modified: February 19, 2006 at 03:12 AM


WASHINGTON -- Back in 1999, Alaska Congressman Don Young led a congressional delegation to the Marshall Islands, a group of atolls in the South Pacific. At the time, a lobbyist named Jack Abramoff represented the local government of the Marshalls.


Now a political Web site has run an article suggesting the trip Young led was all Abramoff's doing.

"And Abramoff delivered," the Web article, by Brooklyn-based writer Paul Kiel concludes on talkingpointsmemo.com.

Young's office says the article is wrong and that the trip was a normal part of his work then as chairman of the House Resources Committee, which has oversight over matters involving the Marshalls and other U.S.-affiliated islands.

These days, with Abramoff awaiting sentencing for bribery, reporters and political snoops are retracing his steps on Capitol Hill, looking for connections to this or that Congress member. Lawmakers on the spot insist they don't know Jack. Or don't know him well. Some rushed to dump his past campaign contributions. The White House is keeping a lid on its photos of Abramoff and the President.

Meanwhile, Kay Brown, Alaska communications director for the Democratic National Party, saw Kiel's blog on Young and alerted the media.

"Overall it appears there's a pattern of Don Young doing favors for Abramoff and his clients," she said.

Young's spokesman, Grant Thompson, said Abramoff didn't help plan the congressional delegation tour, or CODEL, as they're called.

"CODELs are planned and executed as official government travel. They are planned and executed in strict compliance with the law," Thompson wrote in an e-mail in response to the Daily News' questions.

He reiterated Young's previous assertion that he has had no personal or professional relationship with Abramoff. Further, he said, Young doesn't recall ever meeting the lobbyist.

Kiel's article is based in part on documents that emerged in a lawsuit. The Republic of the Marshall Islands balked at paying nearly $500,000 in lobbying fees. Abramoff's old firm, Preston Gates and Ellis, sued in 2001. To support its demands, the firm wrote that among the lobbying services it provided was "organizing a visit by a congressional delegation led by Representative Don Young (R-AK) to the RMI ... and coordinating the delegation's activities with the RMI military."

Thompson suggested Abramoff might have misrepresented his work to his clients.

The Marshall Islands is a fourth strand drawn between Young and Abramoff, all of which Young says amount to nothing.

• In 1997, Young sponsored a bill to hold a vote in Puerto Rico on statehood for the U.S. territory. Abramoff was a lobbyist for a group called Future of Puerto Rico that wanted the same thing. Young said it was the local representatives he worked with, not Abramoff.

• In 2000, after visiting the Northern Mariana Islands, Young blocked a bill that would have made the garment industry there comply with federal labor laws. Abramoff represented garment manufacturers and the local government of the islands, which did not want the federal laws applied. Again, Young said he worked with the governor of the islands, not Abramoff.

• In 2002, Young and another congressman signed a letter requesting that the administration favor minority and disadvantaged bidders for the redevelopment of a historic Washington, D.C. post office. Abramoff wanted the same rules applied to the project, and was seeking congressional signatures on a letter to that effect. Young says it was House aides who submitted the letter to him.

Abramoff never gave political contributions to Young, but his clients gave the congressman about $20,000, mostly through his Midnight Sun political action committee. Young, in response to a newspaper editorial, called it "reprehensible" to accuse him of accepting contributions in return for his official work.

Kiel slipped this disturbing note into in his blog: Young, according to an unnamed former government official in the Marshalls, addressed the parliament wearing Bermuda shorts.

Don Young in Bermuda shorts? The congressman's office had no comment.


CLOSE TO THE ACTION

No longer in charge of the piggy bank: Jack Ferguson, a big-time lobbyist with close ties to Rep. Young, used to be treasurer of Young's leadership fund, the Midnight Sun Political Action Committee. But in these post-Abramoff days, it's frowned upon to have lobbyists so openly rounding up the checks for the people they lobby. On Feb. 10, the Midnight Sun PAC removed Ferguson as treasurer, and in his place named former Alaska first lady and beloved octogenarian Ermalee Hickel.

But Ferguson won't be too far from the action on Midnight Sun, a fund that took in $400,000 in the 2004 election cycle. Linda Harrigan will be the PAC's official records custodian, according to the form she filed with the Federal Election Commission. She listed as her address the address of the Jack Ferguson Associates office on Capitol Hill.

Harrigan is Ferguson's longtime office administrator, and according to the firm's Web site "assists with fund raising and event planning for members of Congress."