Juneau-It

Poor Bruce

2007-05-07T08:41:00.000-07:00

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:

Corrupt Bastards On the Run In Alaska

2007-04-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

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

2006-12-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

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):

(Joes’story):

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.

MSNBC

SPLC.ORG

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?

2006-10-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-09-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

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 - Nome

Ray 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

2006-08-31T16:12:00.000-07:00

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

2006-08-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

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

Semper Fidelis

2006-08-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

Semper Fidelis

Our Emperor Has No Clothes

2006-08-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

We had a primary election in Alaska the other day. Our Republican governor, Frank Murkowski lost big time. I am happily encouraged by the pragmatism and wisdom of Alaska’s voters in throwing him out of office. From his start as governor, Murkowski went out of his way to prove he did not have the interests of the people of Alaska in mind - and that truth took hold with the public with a vengeance. One local wag suggested that Murkowski wasn’t just rejected, he got the “get-out-of-town-right-now card” which isn’t far from the mark.

Murkowski has been Alaska’s governor since 2002 when he returned from a 22 year career as Alaska’s senator to run for governor of the state. He was accurately called the 800# gorilla back then and easily blew into office with almost 60% of the popular vote - though a large number of those votes are now suspect because of Diebold voting machine problems and irregularities. But, last Tuesday this man polled less than 20% of the vote in the Republican primary and was easily and badly beaten by both of his Republican opponents.

From the start Murkowski treated the governorship as his imperial birthright and exercised dictatorial powers on matters state in Alaska. He threw his 800# gorilla weight around belligerently and alienated people everywhere in the state, including obviously most of his own Republican Party. He appointed his own daughter over far better qualified candidates to fill his vacant senate seat. That was his right as the new governor and he took the fullest personal advantage of it. During his tenure Murkowski was considered the “second worst governor” in the country behind Republican Bob Taft of Ohio who somehow ranked even worse.

He was implacably bound and determined to have his own state purchased jet airplane to flit around in and did so over the objections of almost everyone including the US Homeland Security Department, the Alaska State Legislature and Alaskan public opinion. That one contrary in-you-face-act out of the many while in office became the most iconic and defining feature of his tenure. Of course it also turns out that he has used the jet for personal and campaign reasons too, and that has now become a separate new matter of issue.

Lisa w/father Frank Murkowski on her appointment as Alaska's senator

Almost anything Murkowski did while in office was for some special interest or other - including his own regarding the jet. Now, instead of retiring in grace and warmed by public respect & adulation, Murkowski will go out sulking and quarrelsome and resoundingly rejected by Alaskans. His political career will inevitably slide into the ignominy it so richly deserves. His memory will be just a disagreeably dirty spot on the book of the State of Alaska’s history in the future.

I wish I could be more sympathetic, but it is just not in me. He probably won’t go to jail for his sins but he sure ought to, for truly, this ‘Emperor Now Has No Clothes”. Now at last Alaska’s people may look forward to a choice between two worthy moderates, either of whom might actually work for the interests of all Alaskans. Frank Murkowski - Dead Freaking Last! How sweet it is!

Open Letter to Juneau District School Board

2006-08-16T15:27:00.001-07:00

To the City & Borough of Juneau District School Board:

Earlier Juneau District School Board President Phyllis Carlson told the public that the board’s “Bong Hits For Jesus” lawsuit appeal won’t cost any additional money. If that is so then why is the board now making a fresh appeal for funds?

Thus far the school board’s actions have only succeeded in making a folk hero and poster child out of Joseph Frederick. At the same time Juneau is being made out to be rigidly intransigent and inanely regressive across our country. The School Board has now made “Bong Hits for Jesus” a rallying cry in the nation for marijuana for heavens sakes! It has also become a "cause célèbe" for Free Speech around the world. There are thousands of references to it on the internet. And, you must have seen all the bumper stickers now plastered around town with the parody: “Bong Hits for Murkowski”.

Really, I’d consider all that pretty darned counterproductive to your stated purpose for continuing this lawsuit!

This issue has ALREADY cost Juneau a lot of money. What are the attorney costs so far? Staff costs? Board member costs? Meeting space costs? Administrative costs? The fact that the board is now seeking additional funding is a pretty good indicator that costs so far haven’t been inconsequential. No doubt this school board might prefer to keep this information confidential. However, I intend to make a request for the numbers in a letter to the superintendent under the public’s right to know “all the facts about our schools . . . .”

The sad irony is that you are virtually certain to LOSE THIS RIDICULOUS FIGHT . . . and what shall you say to our community then?

Thank you (Board Member) Margo Waring for maintaining a reasonable approach to this matter.

/S/

“The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is besides the point. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech.”

- US Associate Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy