Poor Bruce
Our town's very own Bruce Weyhrauch has had a very bad week or so.
First of course he fell overboard into the icy waters of Auke Bay and barely survived hypothermia and a very uncomfortable night on Coughlan Island. Our town rejoiced when we learned he had been rescued, cold, wet, hypothermic but essentially OK.
Then, barely a week later we saw his picture plastered beneath a huge headline, being led into the Federal courthouse downtown in handcuffs. He sure did not look like a happy camper in those pictures, and I don't imagine he was. I don't know if Bruce's stars had gotten seriously out of alignment or what, but all in all, it was a pretty bad week for him.
Such is, I suppose, life in the political fast lane. Perhaps Bruce was not fully prepared for that. In the same paper as appeared his latest picture also appeared a cartoon of 'Hagar The Horrible' having a bad day. The connection intersected in my mind. My apologies to cartoonist Dik Browne , but I could not resist making a few changes in his comic strip to fit Bruce's situation:
Labels: Bruce Weyhrauch, Corrupt Bastards, Juneau
Corrupt Bastards On the Run In Alaska
Juneau, AK, 4/27/06 (Juneau-It Too): The Corrupt Bastards Club of Alaska is on the defensive following FBI raids and ongoing investigations. The club is composed of members of the Alaska state legislature who take pride in and advertise their blatant corruption. . Nationally, the Corrupt Bastards are highly secretive and hide their acivites until caught. They are said to be comprised solely of high-ranked elective and appointed officials of the Bush Administration, all Neocon Republicans. Members seldom become publicly known unless and until they are investigated or indicted for malfeasance & crimes.
One notable Alaskan under investigation is state Senate President Ben Stevens, son of US Senator Ted Stevens. Stevens refused to speak to reporters except to say, 'Lookit. All's I'm gonna say is everything I know I learned at my daddy's knee, and if he was wrong I'm sorry. I'm doing the best I can. For Christ's sakes, I took in less than $250,000 in bribes last year, and Alaska is a 'Red State' by God!"
The Alaska Corrupt Bastard Club has at least one Democratic member, state Senator Donnie Olson of Nome. Olson is widely suspected of being a 'DINO', or 'Democrat In Name Only'. Olson claimed, "I was only following the crowd. I could see those Republicans getting rich on the pork and bribes and all I want is my piece of the pie. That's what you get elected for, right?"
The offices of international oil services company VECO were also raided. VECO is known as a lavish contributor to Neocon politicians. The FBI believes VECO's 'contributions' and 'consulting fees' are only poorly camouflaged bribes and payoffs for legislative favors. VECO corporate officer Bill Allen is quoted as saying, 'So, what else is new? With this group it has always been 'pay to play'. That's how business is done in the oil industry, and always has been. Just look at Dick Cheney for example."
The FBI seized computers, files and baseball caps from the raided offices. Hats were emblazoned with the words 'Corrupt Bastard'. "That's what this world is coming to, at least in this country." commented FBI special agent I. M. Eyerate. "When you have elected people going around bragging about being 'corrupt' and 'bastards', it's past time to clean house."
"We're gonna put the squeeze on these boys real good."
The story above is a satire or parody. It is entirely fictitious.
Bong Hits for Idiots
UNBELIEVABLE!
Or, what can happen when a group of religious conservatives gain control of the levers of local power. Constitution rights, civil rights, or legalities no longer matter if in conflict with their doctrine.
There is an ongoing story in my hometown of Juneau, Alaska. Viewed from my perspective it certainly seems like an egregious violation of civil rights and malodorous misuse of authority.
THE BASIC FACTS ARE THESE:
1. A local high school Student decides to get some public recognition with a public prank;
2. Student with help of friends, made up a banner with the words “Bong Hits 4 Jesus”
3. High school students were allowed out of class to watch the passing of the Olympic Torch relay in Juneau
4. Banner was displayed across the street from the school;
5. HS Principal Deb Morse ripped banner down;
6. HS principal Deb Morse suspended student ‘for promoting drug use’;
7. Although there was no evidence of drug use, student was 'referred' to drug interdiction program;
8. Student was arrested for ‘trespass’ while off school property, then harassed by police, car towed, searched, student had to walk 3 miles home in 10 degree weather wearing only a T-shirt, etc., etc.;
(The story from the student's perspective can be found here):
9. Student sued school system & principal with help of ACLU;
10. Suit went against student but was appealed to the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals where the student’s appeal was upheld;
11. The district school board, dominated by religious conservatives, appealed the Ninth US Circuit ruling to supreme court of the US;
12. Suit was joined by at least two education associations as 'interested parties' - whose admitted interest is solely in protecting the personal liability of educators in enforcing 'school policies'. (The suit also named the principal involved.)
13. Kenneth Starr (Yes, THAT Kenneth Starr) volunteered to take the school’s side on a pro bono basis;
14. Supreme court has agreed to hear the case. The case is Morse and the Juneau School Board et al. v. Frederick (06-278).
15. Case scheduled to be heard in late February, 2007.
An internet search for 'bong hits 4 jesus' will produce a good deal of information on this case. Here are sites for a couple news "articles" on the case.
Maybe the most absurd aspect of this story besides all the money spent, effort wasted and purported desire to 'prevent the promotion of drug use', is this story has had exactly the opposite effect, and in a huge way. Several 'cannabis use' supporters have already picked up on the story. And, of course the notoriety of having this go all the way to the Supreme Court will shine a great big, fresh spotlight on this sorry spectacle.
UNBELIEVABLE!
Progressive or Vituperative Liberal?
I like to consider myself as 'progressive' though I wouldn't be surprised to be described as a 'vituperative liberal' by some. Such are the labels used by word gamers these days. I consider myself simply as an 'environmentalist' for example, but invariably find people like me now painted as 'extreme' or 'radical environmentalists' by the likes of Senator Ted Stevens and Congressman Don Young even though I've not changed nor done nothing more extreme or radical than publicly express my opinion. Such are the words games that politicians play to marginalize those who don't agree with them. It is just a fact of life today in America.
I do try not to be foulmouthed. A friend once told me that swearing and being foulmouthed was just a manifestation of a lack of imagination and intellect, not to mention vocabulary. I've always considered myself to be 'center of the bird' in the words of
comedian Pat Paulsen who humorously ran for President back in Nixon's time. He claimed that having too left wing or right wing just caused you to around in circles. I agree. But, being a 'progressive centrist' lately has meant being shoved (without moving!) way over to the left by the Neo-cons who have pried the country so far to the right. I did an inventory once not too long ago and realized that I have actually voted for more Republicans than Democrats in my life.
But, my views are changing over the past few years. I now perceive we live in neither a democracy, nor the 'capitalist' society that I've always believed in. Instead, I've belatedly recognized the US is actually under 'corporatism' or 'corporate statism' no matter which party holds the White House. Though admittedly this is far more true under Republicans. In fact, under the present administration our country can quite accurately be called Fascist as I understand the term. My countrymen may not like to hear that, but in my humble opinion that is very close to the truth.
Will the Chickens Roost?
Don't you just love it? This is fun:For some time now it seems like there's been a decided fishy smell emanating from localities fequented by Alaska state Senator Ben Stevens. Like his father, US Senator Ted Stevens young Ben is prickly and dismissively arrogant.
But yesterday, the FBI raided several legislative offices in Alaska - including those of Ben Stevens in connection with VECO the oil
services company.
5 Republicans: Ben Stevens - Anrhorage Vic Kohring - Wasilla Pete Kott - Eagle River John Crowdery - Anchorage Bruce Weyrauch - Juneau 1 Democrat: Donald Wilson - NomeRay Metcalf - former Republican legislator & founder of the independent "Republican Moderate Party" of Alaska - says he turned over files and information to the FBI and the US attorney about a year and half ago. He claims to have documented bribery and corruption between Veco and legislators - and especially Ben Stevens. He also earlier tried to get a recall going against Ben Stevens on legal grounds but Republican Lt. Gov. Loren Leman rejected it.Stevens was paid over $243,000 over five years by VECO as a consultant. He had planned to run for re-election but after the recall business he changed his mind and decided to "retire". Wonder if there's any connection? Naah. That couldn't be!
Isn't it great when some disgruntled person turns against the other jerks and spills the beans? Would be that it were more so!Today, I'd bet there's some long faces and some serious meetings going on around in Alaska! It sure is tantalizing to imagine what might come out!
As they say, "Where there's smoke . . . ." ?
Senator Ted Stevens Internet Tubes
Alaska Senator Ted Stevens - Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation - was roasted in July for his (mis) conception of the internet. Part of that committee’s duties are regulation of the internet.
Like any high ranking recent Republican politico he defended himself by saying, “The internet is what I say it is!”
And, what he said it was that the internet was a ‘series of tubes’ and sometimes the tubes get all packed and filled up with movies & Porn and it delays things. He gave as an example that some of his emails took five days to get to him.
Sadly - at least for Ted Stevens’ - some of his internet tube have now ruptured and are profusely leaking. Blogs are pouring out of them all over:
For some reason Senator Stevens was dead set against politicians being accountable for anything and tried to block legislation seeking to shine a light on who does what and to whom on public spending by political leaders.
Alaskans Protecting 'Our" Economy
An cruise ship industry group formed to defeat a ballot issue imposing a $50 per passenger “head tax” appearing on Alaska’s primary ballot on August 22, 2006.
APOE induced many tourism oriented businesses and individuals to sign on as
‘supporters’ against the measure. However,
NWCSA provided well over 99% of the nearly $2 million funds for the campaign while less than $10,000 came from actual contributors in Alaska.
Many
state and local
Chambers of Commerce joined voices in the effort however. Some people found they had
'joined' when they didn't realize it.
Presenting themselves as
“Alaskans” to the public, APOE hired a
PR firm headquartered in Oregon who used slick mail outs, daily TV spots, newspaper ads and a
scare tactics to try to defeat the measure.
Nonetheless, in spite of the industry efforts to defeat it, the measure passed with approximately 52% of the vote.
All large cruise ships entering Alaskan waters are foreign (non-US) flagged vessel owned by foreign corporations and crewed by foreign nationals. As a result they are immune to most US or Alaska taxation and operate under international rules and the relaxed regulations of their countries of registry, usually Liberia or other country of convenience.
Since the passing of the ballot issue, APOE's web site has disappeared from public view
