Obama in Iowa with child – holding a very content child

Palin in Iowa with child – trying to force her autograph on a screaming child

Obama in diner at Iowa

Palin in diner in Iowa

Typical – Michelle & Barack Obama photo

Typical –  $arah and Todd Paylin photo

The American people have spoken – "We want change." 

Not only Americans, but people around the world are celebrating our President Elect Barack Obama!    I have never seen an election that brought so many people together, all colors, all races, all religions.  There were many cheers and there were many happy tears.  There were people hugging loved-ones and people hugging strangers – they didn’t care who they hugged, they were happy!   There were hundreds of thousands of people in the streets celebrating, not only across our nation, but across the world.

At 5:30 this evening (Alaska time) I thought McCain was winning.  I was sick to my stomach.  I called my sister.  She was cussing up a storm.  Then, as we were talking, things started changing, and they changed fast.  The Electoral Votes were overwhelming.  And by 7:00 p.m.  Barack Obama was our 44th president.  I could not believe it.  Alaskans were still voting.  We had another hour to go before the polls closed, and we already had a new president in this historic election.  I sat down and had a six-tissue cry – happy tears, of course.  "My guy" won!

What does Obama inherit on January 20th, 2009 when he moves into the White House – two wars,  the worst financial crisis in a century, a divided nation, global warming, a broken government with congressional game playing, and whatever else George Bush happens to leave in his wake.  Will Obama live up to what he has promised us?  I do believe he will, however, we do have to understand, it will not happen overnight.

Right now Obama has a lot of work ahead of him.  First, he has to pick a competent team to work with him.  Then, he said he will tackle the economy that is spiraling out of control.   He has a country he needs to mend and repair.  He has people he needs to bring together.   And, he has  to mend our international relations around the world that Bush so ineptly destroyed in the past 8 years.  He has to find Bin Laden.  He has to figure out what to do with two wars – maybe more wars.  And, he said he will withdraw most of the U.S. troops out of Iraq in 16 months -  all of this before he even gets to the new stuff he promised.

However, with all of the turmoil going on around us, Obama has given Americans hope – "Yes We Can" come together and work together, no matter what color, race, sexual preference or religion we are.  "Yes We Can" survive all the struggles America is going through right now. "Yes We Can" dig ourselves out of the mess Bush has gotten us into.    "Yes We Can" see the light at the end of the tunnel, and know that we will have a brighter future.
 
Barack Obama opened his speech with the assertion that "if there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy …  tonight is your answer."  [WATCH VICTORY SPEECH]

Obama also said in his speech,  "There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face."

He further went on to say, "The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there." 

Obama definitely deserves this win.  He worked long and hard for it.  He had run a very postitive straight-up campaign, while McCain and Palin’s campaign was negative.  They hawked all their crude remarks, racial slurs and their fear tactics.  Obama didn’t stoop to the McCain/Palin level – he knew he didn’t need to.  Afterall, he was a "community organizer" at one time.  He knew how to manage and run a campaign smoothly and without being negative and radical.  The American people have sent a message loud and clear.  We are not interested in dirty campaigning; we are not interested in lies; we are not interested in negative grand-standing.  And, American women are intelligent.  We would not vote for "any woman" McCain flashes in front of us.  If McCain had the "right woman" campaigning with him, the election might have turned out differently.  Where did he ever get the lame-brained idea that he was going to get the "Hillary" votes by picking Palin as his running mate.

I will always remember this election as the most memorable election in my lifetime.  The second most memorable election for me was John Kennedy.  And, in some sense, I liken Obama to both John and Robert Kennedy.  Robert Kennedy once said that one day America would have a black president.  How many people of color ever dreamed they would ever see this day in history come true?   Their dream finally came true.  

I would like to thank everyone that helped "Alaska Hockey Moms For Obama."  Those of you who sent articles.  Those who gave feedback.  Those of you who were loyal readers, and those who forwarded our blog information onto others and got the Alaska Hockey Moms message out to friends and relatives in other parts of the world, especially the Lower 48.  We met many fine people – other bloggers, both Alaskans and others from around the world who have accessed AHMFO.   In less than 2 months our blog was a little shy of one million hits – we might reach that mark by tomorrow. 

I truly would like to thank Sarah Palin for "not blinking" and accepting John McCain’s invitation to be his running mate.  Palin is the best thing that happened to the Democratic party in this election.  Frankly, Obama still would have won the election whether Palin was on the Republican ticket or not, however, we might have had to wait a couple hours longer to find out. 

So, I guess Palin will be coming home to a "new Alaska."  She has been vetted now, and Alaska will definitely keep a closer eye on her.  Who knows, we might get a bunch of new Alaskan blogs going up here to keep the Lower 48 apprised of what Sarah is up to after she gets back, in case she threatens to run for the U.S. senate or president – you never know with that girl.  She has a lot more investigations and "gates" and lawsuits to tend to upon her return, so that should keep her occupied for the next couple years.

Alaska Hockey Moms for Obama" was created to keep the American people informed about what’s going on in the campaign, especially up here in Alaska.  Many Americans are misinformed by John McCain, Sarah Palin,  and the Republican campaign, in general.

Check the current polls.

Hello from Alaska:

Well, it’s finally time to get out and vote tomorrow.  This has been a long time coming, and it is finally here.  We see the long lines on television and we shake our heads.  What’s their problem? Why can’t the ballot systems in all states be the same?  It would sure make life easier on everybody.  Why can’t the long-line problem states have more polling places accessible to their voters?  Are those states discouraging voters from going to cast their votes?  I voted on Wednesday – I was in and out of the polling place on Fairbanks Street in Anchorage in 10 minutes, at 11:00 a.m. 

If you are voting in Alaska, you might want to visit the State of Alaska Division of Elections Website. 
Alaskans seem to take election information pretty seriously with a remarkably user-friendly State Division of Elections website. Replete with schedules, how-to’s, and candidate/party overviews, the site even furnishes visitors with three different choices for unofficial election results. Playing the "comparison game" between these three will make for some good clean fun on Tuesday night.

The Anchorage Daily News has a story, "Tuesday is your chance to help shape the future of the US."
 
Also, an interesting article I found about, "What equipment will Americans use to cast ballots in 2008?"  It is interesting to see the systems other states use to cast their ballots.  Alaskans are lucky to be one of the top 18 states to have a secure ballot system in place.  Some seem pretty archaic – i.e., New York.  You can see the Verifier Map for detailed information on voting systems used in each state and county in 2008 and recent elections. See also information sheets and demonstration videos about individual voting systems.
        
Then there are several scary articles and videos for you to read and/or watch.   Information about what has happened in past elections, what can happen tomorrow. 

Mudflats has an excellent article and video on "Take Back Your Vote," and a link to "Video The Vote."

And, Dan Rather has a short segment for you to watch on voting machine problems.  And there are many scary problems out there.

Robert Kennedy, Jr. appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show two weeks ago and he talked about how voting machine security is easily compromised; the problems with break-downs and the integrity of voting machines.  After listening to Kennedy I wanted to learn more, so I found this article. Kennedy is also mentioned in "The Vote Grab: Voting Machines Are Unreliable and Inaccurate."

Let’s see, what do we have about Palin? 

Oh, yeah – surprise, surprise – Palin is costing us more money.  She sure is an expensive lady – "IF" elected, how is McCain going to keep her in the White House without raising taxes?   

Looks like Palin has her Alaskan "executive secretary" or "executive aide" or "executive babysitter," (Kris Perry seems to wear many hats) traveling around with Palin, babysitting, making a few calls, keeping Todd company.  And who is footing that bill to the tune of about $1000 a day?  Oh, yeah, Alaska is!  Looks like another "gate" opening up for Palin. 

And then Alaska’s very own Celtic Diva has a list of all Alaska’s corrupt politicians (9 have plead guilty or have been convicted; 2 are indicted and awaiting trial; 4 are under investigation.)  There seem to be 15 politicians so far – 14 Republicans and 1 Democrat.  And there will be more coming down the pike soon. Oh my goodness, and guess who made the list?  None other than that "cute little governor" of ours, Sarah Palin, "bless her heart." 

Shannyn Moore has a repeat article on: "LIFE BEGINS AT RAPE: Ask Sarah Palin."  It’s an article that is a must read, especially for women who are thinking about voting for Palin. 

We just received the fourth and final video from the "Wasilla Project".  "Sarah Palin: The Email Scandal."  A message from The Wasilla Team:  "We hope that this series of videos have helped people to understand a bit more of who Sarah Palin is and some idea of what she might be like as a Vice President or even President. Today, as we launch the description of our 4th and final video, we’ve hit 100,000 views on YouTube."  Go to the archive portion of Alaska Hockey Moms For Obama to see all four videos.

And, of course, we need to end this election season with some entertainment.  A hockey mom sings, "Don’t Speak for Me Sarah Palin."  The "highlights" of Palin’s campaign – "Sarah Palin’s Greatest Hits."  And a cheer for McCain/Palin.

And, last, but not least, an ADN article: "OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT."  Palin’s rise captivates us but our nation needs a steady hand.  (Palin’s rise captivated a few Alaskans – well, maybe some – oh, okay, I’ll admit it, she did captivate one or two Alaskans.)

There are many websites in Alaska trying to get the truth to the Lower 48 and Hawaii about Sarah Palin.  I encourage all of you who have computers to log onto the Anchorage Daily News and many other Alaska websites to learn about the true Sarah Palin.  Everything I have stated above can be researched on line, through legitimate governmental and Alaska news websites.  Read about all the damage Palin has done to our government, to our state and to our people.  Other Alaskan sites to visit are:  Mudflats; Andrew Halcro; Celtic Diva, Shannyn Moore, AlaskaReal, Progressive Alaska, and many more.

Obama’s grandmother, family ‘rock’, dies on election eve

In a tragic twist to his White House campaign, Barack Obama announced on the eve of election day, that the grandmother who brought him up had died, aged 86…. [read the story here]

I dedicate this post to my friend, June.  Before June and I ruined our friendship, we made a pact to "agree that we disagree" on who to vote for.  However, June doesn’t live in Alaska, and she doesn’t know anything about Palin.  So, June, as they say, "This one’s for you!" But, "doggone it," you’re gonna have to share with other Americans who are interested in Sarah.  June, be sure to click on the highlighted portions in the post, those portions include articles and some great videos I researched for you.  Oh, June, one more thing – you will be tested before November 4, so pay attention.  "Bless your heart."

SARAH PALIN IN A NUTSHELL – A RECAP OF PALIN

It terrifies me to think that I might wake up on November 5th to find John McCain and Sarah Palin to be the leaders of our country.  It terrifies me (1) when I hear McCain and Palin lying to the people in the Lower 48 and Hawaii about Palin’s popularity in Alaska;  (2) when I continue to hear Palin lie about her accomplishments in Alaska; (3) when I continue to hear all the hate and anger that McCain and Palin speak about Obama, almost on the verge of inciting riots. 

Palin puts on her folksy "Aunt Bea of Mayberry" routine to tug at the hearts of people in small town America.  She said, "I can relate to sitting around the table trying to figure out how to pay for out-of-pocket health care for our family."  Not true.   Palin did not tell you her husband, as Yupik Eskimo, is eligible to receive free government health care (medical, dental and eye care) federally funded through the Alaska Native Health Service, for himself and their five children.  Palin cannot relate to Main Street Americans.

Palin, also did not tell you that she really can not relate to the average American family making $50,000 a year or less, worrying if they can make their house payments and scrimping to buy gas for their car so they could go to work.   Her lifestyle in Alaska is quite different than the lower and middle class people of America.   And how many middle class Americans can relate to spending $150,000 on clothes, $4,000 for hair for a month, and $23,000 in two weeks on make-up [$177,000].  Why, that could purchase a house for two down and out American families in Mayberry; or job salaries of $44,000 a year for four out-of-work Americans.  All of this would mean absolutely nothing to the average "Main Street" voter, if McCain wasn’t trying to market Palin as your average Alaska hockey mom with Main Street American values.   Instead McCain dresses her to the nines and he markets her to "Joe Six-Pack" and "Joe the Plumber." 

Palin did not tell you about her "Rape Kit Controversy." While she was mayor of Wasilla she charged rape victims up to $1200 for rape kits used in their exams.  Nor did she tell you that while she was Mayor of Wasilla she touted herself to be the "first christian mayor of Wasilla," even though other mayors before her were also christians.  Palin also did not tell you that she used her religious affiliations to advance her career.  Palin’s Pentacostal/Fundamentalist friends helped her get elected as mayor.  Soon after she was elected mayor, her church became involved with taking over the board of the Wasilla hospital and they soon passed a resolution ending all abortions at the hospital.  Palin definitely opposes abortion of any kind, even in the case of rape or incest. 
 
Further, Palin did not tell you why she supports drilling in ANWR and the Pebble Mine project.  It’s because her husband and each of their five children are shareholders in the Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC).   Last year they distributed 5.8 million dollars in dividends among their shareholders.  Six of her family members received dividend checks.  The Native corporation has built BBNC into a diversified corporation with more than $1 billion in annual revenues.  Some of their companies deal with oil exploration.  The revenues are shared with their shareholders and the shareholders have received more than $70 million in dividends.

There are more things that aren’t true. 

Palin stated she is a fiscal conservative; she took a cut in pay while she was Mayor of Wasilla.  That is true.  She did take a cut in pay of $4,000, however, she hired an assistant to do the adminstration function of her job to the tune of $50,000 a year.    

Palin stated to the American people about the gas pipeline:, "And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence. That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart."  Not true.  The pipeline exists only on paper. The first section has yet to be laid, federal approvals are years away and the pipeline will not be completed for at least a decade.   The pipeline might never be built, and under a worst-case scenario, the state could lose up to $500 million it committed to defray regulatory and other costs.   Further,  Palin’s signature accomplishment – a contract to build a 1,715-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 – emerged from a flawed bidding process that narrowed the field to a company with ties to her administration.  A probe into the details is getting underway at this time.    

                       
Palin said she fought the "Good Ol’ Boys" in Alaska and won.  Not true.  But the reality is that Palin is herself completely entrenched in the "old boys network" she claims she fought.  She has courted the Good Ol’ Boys in Alaska and she is now courting the Good Ol’ Boys in the Lower 48.  And when she runs again in 2012, she will need the "Oil Boys" to back her, so we will see how she treats them over the next couple years if she remains our governor.

Palin fought corruption in Alaska.  Not true.  The investigations by the FBI against corrupt politics began a couple years before Palin became governor. However, Palin continues to take credit for the investigations.   As you can see from this article, undercover recordings were made in November ’04, and possibly sooner.  Palin took office as governor December ’06. 

Palin is against earmarks.  Not true.   When Palin was Mayor of Wasilla she hired a Washington lobbyist to secure earmarks for her town of 6,000 people – Palin received nearly $27 million in federal dollars from 2000 to 2003.  After becoming governor, Palin sought $256 million in 2008 and 197 million for 2009. 

The Bridge To Nowhere.   Palin said, "I told Congress, thanks, but no thanks on that Bridge to Nowhere."  Not true.  However, Palin had supported the bridge and the earmark for it secured by Alaska’s Congressional delegation during her run for governor.  The Anchorage Daily News quoted her in October 2006 as saying she would continue state funding for the bridge.  The bridge was intended to provide access to Ketchikan’s airport on lightly populated Gravina Island, opening up new territory for expansion.  Further, she held onto the $223 million in federally earmarked funds for other uses. 

Sold the jet on Ebay.   Not true.  Palin listed the jet on Ebay, but it wasn’t effective.  In 2007 she sold the jet through an aircraft broker and the jet was purchased that year by businessperson Larry Reynolds, the owner of a sporting goods store and marine supply store in Valdez. Reynolds paid $2.1-million.  The state lost $600,000 on the sale.

Palin brags that she passed the new state ethics laws.   However, she didn’t tell you that after the new ethics law was passed in Alaska, Palin was the first to break the ethics law she passed, not once, but several times.  Although she continues to announce to people in the Lower 48 that she was vindicated in the Troopergate Investigation, she was not.   The vote was unanimous against Palin.  The unanimous vote was 12-0 vote (8 Republicans; 4 Democrats).   Republican Investigator Stephen Branchflower said in his  report: "I find that Governor Sarah Palin Abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act…"  The report further states that "Governor Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda.."  (You can read the full report on-line at adn.com – it is 263 pages).  McCain sent 30 of his people to Alaska to try to stall the Troopergate Investigation.  When McCain was not successful at stalling the investigation, then he tried to keep the report from being made public before the election.  McCain’s people fought it all the way to the Alaska Supreme Court, but they lost all the way.  The Alaska Personnel Board is now investigating Palin for other ethics violations, and complaints keep mounting.

Palin continues to bark about Obama palling around with terrorists.  However, Palin’s husband, Todd, had been a member of the Alaska Independence Party for seven years. Division of Elections in Alaska confirmed that Todd Palin registered in October 1995 to the Alaska Independence Party, a radical group that advocates for Alaskan secession from the United States.  He was a member until 2002.  He then registered as an "undeclared" voter.  Palin herself is still involved with present and past members.  A quote on the AIP website  from their founder, Joe Vogler "I’m an Alaskan, not an American."   

There are many websites in Alaska trying to get the truth to the Lower 48 and Hawaii about Sarah Palin.  I encourage all of you who have computers to log onto the Anchorage Daily News and many other Alaska websites to learn about the true Sarah Palin.  Everything I have stated above can be researched on line, through legitimate governmental and Alaska news websites.  Read about all the damage Palin has done to our government, to our state and to our people.  Other Alaskan sites to visit are:  Mudflats; Andrew Halcro; Celtic Diva, Shannyn Moore, AlaskaReal, Progressive Alaska, and many more. 

I urge you to please check out the Alaska resources about Sarah Palin before you go to the polls.  I do not want the American people to make the same mistake we Alaskans did when we voted Sarah Palin in as our governor.  Palin was voted in as governor because Alaska is basically a Republican state.  Palin ran against a very unpopular past governor, Frank Murkowski.  We admit, we made a very big mistake, now we are paying dearly for it, and we will be paying for a long time.   If McCain/Palin do not win the election, Palin will come back to Alaska.  She will come back to a very different Alaska.  Many changes have taken place since she has been gone.  A movement is currently underway to either recall her or have her impeached as our governor.

Currently there is in-fighting within the McCain campaign re: Palin.  McCain’s staff says she acts like a "diva."  Hm.  A "diva?"  I wonder why that doesn’t surprise us Alaskans?  Oh, yeah.  I know.  We already saw that part of Palin after she was elected governor.  If McCain had vetted Palin, he would have found that out before now.  And, trust me.  All of the staff members who are complaining.  She has your name, she won’t forget your name, and then you will be introduced to "Sarah Baracuda."

In September Alaskans warned Lower 48 Americans that this will happen.  Alaskans have seen her in action.  Palin is for Palin.  She will step on anyone to get to the top – mentors, associates, friends and/or family.  She is known for biting the hand that feeds her – hence the "pitbull" in her.  She carries with her a lot of labels for a reason.  McCain might think that these labels are cute right now, and he might think that "You Tube" and the media are his worst enemies in this election.  Just wait until McCain deals with the damnation, hell, spit and fire of Palin on December 5.  I can see it coming already on today’s news.  McCain better watch out, ’cause Sarah is gonna get him – big time.  She definitely is preparing a nice little "yellow brick road" for herself in 2012.  She’s made her connections in the Lower 48, and she’s gonna use ‘em any way she can. 

If Sarah Palin has proven that she cannot run the government for Alaskans, then how do you expect her to run the government for all Americans, God forbid should something happen to John McCain?  I am tired of hearing people say:  "I am voting for Palin because she is a ‘babe’."  Or, "I’m voting for Palin because she relates to ‘Main Street’."  And, my very favorite, "I don’t know anything about that ‘little lady from Alaska,’ but I’m voting for McCain anyway."  Now, do those remarks sound like "responsible voters"? 

The possibility of Palin being president one day is extremely scary.  So, wake up America and be responsible voters.  Please do your research before November 4th.  If you are not concerned for yourselves, at least think of your childrens’ future, with McCain and Palin, your children may not have a future, they will be off fighting a McCain/Palin war somewhere. 

And, today, we received some news about Alaska Senator Ted Stevens ("Uncle Ted").  A federal jury on Monday convicted U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens on all seven counts of lying on his financial disclosures, a crippling blow not just to his election chances next week but to his legacy as Alaska’s longest serving and most accomplished living politician.  Palin’s message to Stevens was that she hopes he "does the right thing."  And we hope she practices what she preaches. 

Palin made a statement yesterday regarding the verdict handed down.  "The verdict shines a light though on the corrupting influence of the big oil service company up there in Alaska that was allowed to control too much of our state, and that control was part of the culture of corruption that I was elected to fight." 

Uh!  Uh!  Sarah.  Not another lie!  Damn that girl!  What is this religion she belongs to?  That "big oil service company" has a name.  And it’s VECO.  And, Palin knows what VECO’s name is, and she knows Bill Allen.  Why?  Because she also received about $5,000 from VECO when she was running for Lt. Governor.   It was 10% of the amount of money she raised in her campaign.  Must have slipped her mind.  She probably forgot the name of the company, also, because I’m sure it shows up on her APOC statements, and she didn’t want "Small Town America" to find out that she also had her hand out to VECO for corrupt money.

And Palin also received money when she was running for governor from other corrupt politicians who are currently under indictment, but haven’t come to trial yet.  She acted like she just found out they were corrupt.  Not so.  However, she said last month that when she gets back to Alaska she will return the money to them or give it to charity.  Hello!  She knew those politicians were corrupt.  Everyone in Alaska knows they are corrupt.  It’s been on TV; it’s been in the news.  But, of course, Palin doesn’t seem to read or know what’s going on around her.  Is she going to play the "idiot card" again and say, "Gee, I didn’t realize."  And remember, these investigations started way before she became governor.

Okay.  So what are we going to do with the airport?  Now we have to change the name on that new building.  Damn!  That will probably cost us more than the $250,000 renovations on Ted’s house.  God, please don’t let Palin put her name on the building.   There’s 10 letters in Ted Stevens’ name and 10 letters in Sarah Palin’s name. 

Hey, "doggone it" wait a darn minute!  I think that "cute little Maverick" did something else "Uncle Ted" did.  How about  the gifts.  It sure was nice of those people to give her those wonderful gifts.  "Bless their hearts!  They will have a place reserved in heaven." Especially if she gets indicted for it. 
 

"Palin, who has made a crackdown on gift-giving to state officials, a centerpiece of her ethics reform agenda, has accepted gifts valued at $25,367 from industry executives, municipalities and a cultural center whose board includes officials from some of the largest mining interests in the state, a review of state records shows…"

Oh, wait a darn minute!  This can’t be true.  Not another one. What about the Palins’ house?  Didn’t Todd say in his FOX interview that he and his buddies built the house?  And wasn’t that fancy-smancy Wasilla Sport Complex being built at the same time by some buddies?  And didn’t Spenard Builders get a big material contract out of the Sport complex?  And didn’t they supply the materials for Palins’ house, also?  OMG, don’t tell me we’re going to go through this again.  

There are a lot of  issues building against Palin.  She is still in the midst of Troopergate.  She and Todd are being sued by Wooten and Monagan.  By the time she gets back to Alaska she is going to have so doggone many "gates" to deal with, she won’t know which one to open first.  Maybe a recall or an indictment in her future would be more fitting? 

Well, I think I said in the beginning of this post that Alaska is a Republican state.  For some reason I think this just might be the last Republican year for Alaska. It looks like most of our Republicans are going to jail.  Alaska is finally going Blue!!  Boy, what a way to turn your state blue; send the reds to jail.  I love it!  (Wink!  Wink!)

Watch the video below as the two young Alaska women describe "Sarah Palin in a nutshell" . . .Alaskans know the real Sarah Palin:

GET OUT AND VOTE!  FOR OBAMA, OF COURSE!   

The Anchorage Daily News is the largest newspaper in Alaska with over 70,000 subscribers and many who read it online.  It’s a newspaper that has won two Pulitzer Prizes.   The significance of the Obama  endorsement by  the Anchorage Daily News is that it’s the largest newspaper in the State of Alaska where Palin is governor.   This is a powerful endorsement and one that signals how unqualified Palin is to be Vice President of the nation and how unqualified John McCain is to be President.

Quoted from the Anchrorage Daily News, October 25, 2008:

"Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand. The same cannot be said of Sen. McCain."

"Since his early acknowledgement that economic policy is not his strong suit, Sen. McCain has stumbled and fumbled badly in dealing with the accelerating crisis as it emerged. He declared that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong" at 9 a.m. one day and by 11 a.m. was describing an economy in crisis. He is both a longtime advocate of less market regulation and a supporter of the huge taxpayer-funded Wall Street bailout. His behavior in this crisis — erratic is a kind description — shows him to be ill-equipped to lead the essential effort of reining in a runaway financial system and setting an anxious nation on course to economic recovery."

"Sen. Obama warned regulators and the nation 19 months ago that the subprime lending crisis was a disaster in the making. Sen. McCain backed tighter rules for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but didn’t do much to advance that legislation. Of the two candidates, Sen. Obama better understands the mortgage meltdown’s root causes and has the judgment and intelligence to shape a solution, as well as the leadership to rally the country behind it. It is easy to look at Sen. Obama and see a return to the smart, bipartisan economic policies of the last Democratic administration in Washington, which left the country with the momentum of growth and a budget surplus that President George Bush has squandered."

"On the most important issue of the day, Sen. Obama is a clear choice."

These quotes say it all for Obama! 

I find it difficult to see Alaska as a "red state" when I view the Electoral Map of the US.  I’m hope there are many registered Republicans who have re-registered to either Democrat, Undeclared, or Independent since Palin was named to the McCain ticket and seeing how inept the McCain/Palin campaign has been.  I’m hope that on November 4th when all is said and done at the polls that for the first time in 50 years of Alaska statehood that Alaska will be a BLUE STATE. 

Rallies in Alaska for Obama have had more than 1,400 people in attendance and the ones for Palin have only had about 400, and even a lot less at some.  Becoming a BLUE STATE isn’t about our 3 electoral votes, it’s the statement that we, the voters, will make from Alaska!  It’s the message that we want everyone in the lower ’48 states to receive:  Being President and Vice President is about knowing the issues, being analytical, being thoughtful in your analysis, getting wise counsel when needed, and being steady during crisis, and responding to one nation of diverse people; and, last but not least, not delivering a dirty campaign that splits the nation, which is exactly what Palin/McCain continue to do.  Let’s go BLUE, Alaska, at the polls on November 4, 2008, when we vote!

Hey, Sarah, if you become VP. . .Oh, It’s Canada for Me!

It starts in her toes. . .

M.C. Howie Rap!  "Now, this here’s a song for Barack Obama. . ."

Kitty, "find a ring and put it round, round, round. . ." Just cleaning house.

If Opy could vote, he’d vote for Obama just like his dad, Andy. Richie Cunningham and Fonz think a lot of Obama too.

"Alaska Hockey Moms for Obama" was created to keep the American people informed about what’s going on in the campaign, especially up here in Alaska.  Many Americans are misinformed by John McCain, Sarah Palin,  and the Republican campaign, in general.

Check the current polls.

Hello from Alaska:

Well, I thought I would do a section on John McCain.  I’ll give him center stage today.  It’s not because there’s nothing going on with Sarah Palin the past couple days – there’s just too much of Sarah Palin.  

A great informative article written in "The Rolling Stone" magazine about John McCain pretty much hits it on the head.  "Make-Believe Maverick" – a closer look at the life and career of John McCain reveals a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty.  This is a long article, however, it is a very informative article.  Even if you have to read it in sections, it’s a must-read.

We all hear John McCain continuously reminding us that he is an honored POW.  I guess he sometimes forgets about the other 600 Vietnam POWs.  A video statement and written statement  from a fellow POW,  Dr. Phillip Butler, telling us why he will not vote for John McCain.  Then visit the Vietnam Vets Against John McCain website and learn even more about the "war hero" John McCain.   I don’t think the Vets at the RNC were all that crazy about him either.  Everytime they were shown on the TV listening to McCain’s speech, they were yawning or phasing out.  Then we go into the next video about how John McCain will make Cheney look like Ghandi.  Is this what we want in a president?  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want another George Bush and a prom queen. 

Well, that’s it for John McCain.  Enjoy the articles and video entertainment.  And I think I’ll go vote today – for Obama, of course.

And be sure to watch "Understanding Real America in Wasilla According to the Daily Show" in the post below this one.  It’s a hoot – but, hey, that’s the real Wasilla – ya’ gotta love it. 

Well, lets see what John Stewart came up with about Palin’s comment about "the real Americans in small town America."

So what do you think? Do you think the real Americans are only in the small towns? What about us city folks? Aren’t we real too? We welcome your comments!

It started in San Francisco with a group of friends who are filmmakers.  After McCain named Palin to the Republican ticket as vice president, they heard so many stories about Sara Palin from the left and the right that they became intrigued.  They decided to come to Alaska and launch the Wasilla Project.  They wanted to talk with people in Wasilla to find out for themselves.  They sent the word out to family and friends and before long they had enough money for air fare and hotels.

The third of four videos is now complete on the Wasilla Project.  They have one more video to go and, hopefully, that will be this weekend.  We’ll keep checking, but in the meantime, click this link to go to the Wasilla Project to see what they learned.  You’ll be surprised.  This is well worth it. 

Please let us know what you think by writing your comments below after you view the videos.

Votermoms  spread the message of "Moms Against Governor Sarah Palin For VP" and would like to invite you to view a powerful video that has been created that could have a positive impact on the upcoming presidential election. The video features REAL Mothers from all over the country expressing their concerns about the possibility of Sarah Palin being a "heartbeat away from the Presidency" of The United States of America. Votermoms has the highest respect for Governor Palin.

They are just very passionate in their beliefs that Palin should not become the next Vice President and possibly President of the United States.

Visit their website where you can view more real Mom videos, submitted by the moms themselves!

The site is http://www.votermoms.com

State Legislator Follows Up On Trooper Letter To Call for

Independent Investigator

ANCHORAGE — Today an Alaska legislator called on the State’s Attorney General to appoint an independent investigator to look into possible criminal witness tampering by McCain-Palin campaign staff in Alaska.  Rep. Gara’s call came at the suggestion of the Director of the Alaska State Troopers, who called the potential of witness tampering matter "serious." 

Director of the State Troopers, Colonel Audie Holloway, suggested in his letter that the state call on the State Troopers to hire an independent investigator.   The letters from Rep. Gara, and from the State Troopers are attached.  

Over the past two months McCain-Palin campaign staff tried to stop the Alaska legislature’s bi-partisan Troopergate investigation, which recently concluded with a  report that that state’s ethics law was broken. See Michael Isakoff, Newsweek, "Can He Stop Troopergate?" (Sept. 16, 2008).  "Until Senator McCain sent campaign staff up here on August 29, everyone, including the Governor, agreed the Legislature’s investigation was proper.  After the McCain staffers arrived, people who were willing to testify starting violating their subpoenas.  It’s not rocket science that someone worked to change their minds, and that’s a crime under Alaska law," said Rep. Gara.  

The legislative investigation was initiated by a bi-partisan committee of 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats in July, before Governor Palin was named to the McCain ticket.  On October 10 that committee voted unanimously to release the independent investigator’s report finding one ethics violation, and finding that the Attorney General had improperly withheld documents.

Alaska’s witness tampering law makes it a crime to "attempt" to "induce" a person not to show up for a legislative subpoena. See statutes below.  Approximately 10 witnesses failed to show for subpoenas during the Legislature’s investigation into whether Governor Palin or her staff acted improperly in seeking the firing of her former brother-in-law, a State Trooper.  After failing to cooperate with subpoenas, these witnesses have since provided written statements.

Starting on August 29 the McCain campaign tried to create public pressure to stop the investigation with near-daily press conferences, and participated in unsuccessful legal efforts to try to stop the investigation.

The independent investigation concluded on October 10, 2008, when the investigator’s report was released by a unanimous vote of the Alaska Legislature’s Legislative Council.  A separate investigation  by the State’s Personnel Board is ongoing.

For further information, contact Rep. Les Gara with questions at (907) 250-0106.

__________________________________________

Alaska’s witness tampering statutes follow:

Alaska Statute 11.56.545 -

"(a)Tampering with a witness in the second degree: A person commits the crime of tampering with a witness in the second degree if the person knowingly induces or attempts to induce a witness to be absent from an official proceeding, other than a judicial proceeding, to which the witness has been summoned. (b) Tampering with a witness in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor. (Emphasis added).

Download

Letter from Les Gara: Independent Investigation On Potential Criminal Witness Tampering

Letter from Alaska State Troopers: Consideration to Investigate Potential Criminal Witness Tampering

Received from a blogger:

Watching you,  Sarah, on the campaign trail reminds me when I was a child  of the times the carnival came to town in the summer.  As a child, I liked to listen to the "carny barker" or "carny hustler" at the side show.  It’s like you’re playing the role of "carnival hustler" for the McCain sideshow.  You’re no different than the “1st-of-May” short-term carny hustler who is hired by the carnival for the summer to bark with a megaphone inviting the crowd to the sideshow.  Keep up the role of carny hustler that McCain assigned to you, Sarah, because in the end you’ll be nothing more than the “1st-of-May short-term carny hustler of the McCain campaign trail.” 

Sarah, as an adult, I haven’t enjoyed listening to you bark the McCain Campaign’s “politics of smear and fear and hate.”   Now, it’s coming back to bite you.  Ms. Palin, your Christian epitaph at the end of a failed campaign will read, “What you sowed is what you reaped.”  In your folksy way appealing to the Republican base and as McCain’s carny hustler, you falsely accused Barack Obama as "seeing America as imperfect enough that he’s pallin’ around with terrorists who would target their country." You said you’re “afraid” that “he doesn’t see America the way” that you do "as the greatest force of good in the world."  What did you do when someone in the crowd yelled, "Kill him!" when you made these statements?

You did nothing.  You were unresponsive to the individual.  You didn’t take any action to squelch it.  Your lack of action spoke loudly to the crowd saying, "You, as the Republican vice presidential candidate, condone this type of crowd outburst."  I don’t trust you when you say you "see America as the greatest force for good in world."  The campaign you and McCain have been running demonstrates that neither of you are a force for good in America or the world. Too many lies and false accusations have come out of your mouths.  The issues haven’t even come up.  It was difficult to see and hear what was happening at your rallies and television campaign spots.  It’s a flashback to the 1960s with all the assinations that happened.  I hope that the majority of Americans who vote on November 4th don’t see America the way you really do at your rallies and on the McCain campaign spots on TV.   

You told a graduating class at your Wasilla Assembly of God church that Pastor Moothie prayed to “God to make a way” for you to be Governor of Alaska.  If He did, why did God do this for you, Ms. Palin?  Did He do it so that you would break His 9th commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor?”  As governor of Alaska, you did this to Walt Monegan and, now, as the Republican vice presidential candidate you’re doing it to Democratic Presidential Candidate Obama. 

I have a question for you, Sarah, if God ordained you to be Governor of Alaska, why did you go your own way and stray from the role of governor?  Is it because the “flesh is strong and the spirit is weak?”   Or is it because you chose “your will” over “God’s will?”  After all, you said that God made a way for you to be governor.  Did it mean you could abandon your job as governor and head off to McCain to run on the Republican ticket for vice president of the United States? The good book says that you can’t serve two masters.  Which master are you serving, Sarah–is it McCain or God?

You and McCain have been sowing the seeds of hatred.  Don’t you know that your public lies and false witness against Presidential Candidate Obama have the potential to incite a riot or worse, cause violence against innocent people including Barack Obama?  I saw you and McCain on television preaching “hate” at your rallies, heating up your crowds to mob mentality.  I heard McCain ask “Who is the real Obama?"  In response, I also heard individuals in the crowd yell out, “Terrorist!”  and "Traitor!" I heard them yell, “Kill him,” and even “Treason.” You see, Sarah, as the “carny hustler” of the McCain campaign, you prepared the crowd mentally to yell the poison that you planted in their thinking to respond to McCain’s question.

This upset me because in the crowd are people who are hurting–they lost their retirements or homes or jobs or businesses.  They are already in a highly emotional state and mentally exhausted by their losses from the financial crisis and economic downturn in the US.  Sarah, you took away their hope and made them fearful about their futures.  You took advantage of them in their time of great loss.  Your statements were deliberate.  You cleverly hooked them emotionally through fear and hate.  Innocent people in the crowd that you made fearful by your campaign were getting a “mob mentality” by what you and McCain were saying to them. This makes me afraid of the kind of America that you and John McCain will build if you win the White House.  It won’t be a source of good for America or the world. There are many reasons why I won’t vote for you and McCain.  But your "campaign of smear and fear and hate" is the over-arching reason of all, Sarah, why I won’t vote for you on November 4th.

An Alaska Hockey Mom Not Voting for Sarah Palin

Exactly where did the term "Maverick" originate?  When we think of a "Maverick" we think of cattle unbranded roaming the range.  We need to get a historical perspective on this so we understand just what a Maverick is, especially when McCain and Palin call themselves Mavericks.  We’re going back in time to 1847 to the beginning of the story.

In 1847 a herd of cattle were allowed to run loose by their owner.  The owner, who was named Samuel,  was more interested in buying land than he was in branding his cattle.  Everyone in Texas knew who owned the unbranded cattle so it didn’t matter.  Between 1851 and 1864, the cattle owner held title to 300,000 acres of land in Texas. 

He served as a Democrat in the Fourth and Ninth Texas State legislatures (1851-63).  He worked for equal opportunity for his Mexican and German constituents; he worked for fair and liberal laws for land acquisition and ownership; he developed transportation and other internal state improvements; he worked to provide protection for the frontier; and he tried to ensure a fair and efficient judicial system. He also served as Mayor of San Antonio.  Until the Civil War broke out, he worked to curb secession.  When the war broke out, he threw his support to the Confederacy.  He was appointed by the Texas Secession Convention as one of three secession commissioners and successfully removed the federal troops and the transfer of federal stores in Texas to state government.  After the war, he received a presidential pardon.  He was active in attempts to battle the Republican regime in Reconstruction Texas.  He died in 1870 and left his wife and five of his ten children.  He was the man whose unbranded cattle became known as mavericks.

One of his sons and his wife gave birth to a grandson, Maury, Sr., in 1895 in San Antonio who grew up to be a congressman and mayor of San Antonio.  He was educated in the public school system, Virginia Military Institute, the University of Texas in Austin, and the University of Texas School of Law.  He served in World War I as a first lieutenant in the Twenty-eighth Infantry, First Division.  He was seriously wounded in the battle at Argonne and received the Silver Star. 

He was a new-deal congressman, but he lined up a group of "maverick" congressmen to try to "out-New Deal" the New Deal.  He was influential in passing the Patman Bonus Bill, strengthening the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Public Utilities Holding Company Act, and in defeat of bills that threatened civil liberties.  He had many credits under his belt as mayor of San Antonio.  As a lawyer, he gained fame as a defender of civil liberties.  He authored A Maverick American (1937), In Blood and Ink: The Life of Documents of American Democracy (1939), and many other articles on public affairs.  He died in San Antonio on June 7, 1954.

Now, he had a son, Maury, Jr., who was an attorney who worked hard for the civil rights of many people who were disadvantaged such as draft resisters, athiests, and anyone that society looked down upon.  The issues that mattered to him were free speech, due process of law, separation of church and state, world peace and preservation of human dignity.  He was out-spoken and a well-known liberal democrat in his day.  He served in the Texas legislature and wrote a column in the San Antonio newspaper.  He wrote his last column that was published in 2003 against Bush’s upcoming war in Iraq.  He died at 82 that year.   He was no different than earlier family members, such as his grandfather, Samuel, and his father, Maury, Sr.  In fact, the family has a long history of liberalism and progressive ideals.

Here is the rest of the story. . .so who is Samuel, Maury, Sr., and Maury, Jr.?  They are the "Maverick" family, Samuel Maverick; Maury Maverick, Sr.; and Maury Maverick, Jr.  They are a family whose last name is Maverick.  Because the family stands throughout history as exhibiting great liberal independence in thought and action, creating unconventional and controversial ideas and practices, the name "Maverick" is defined by this.  By the way, remember when Samuel let his cattle roam the range unbranded, well, the name "Maverick" has taken on this meaning too–unbranded range cattle.

So what do you think?  Do you think that Palin and McCain are "mavericks?"  Do they stand up for the civil rights of people who are looked down upon by society?  Are they liberal in thought and action?  Do they even know that the real Mavericks were all Democrats!  McCain has voted with Bush 90% of the time so he’s branded himself as "Bush" and a true Maverick is "unbranded."  How about Palin?  Did she change the ethics law in Alaska and then was she the first one to be found unethical under the new law?  You be the judge.  Are they truly Mavericks by the liberal standard set by the real Mavericks throughout history?  Or are they just another couple of conservative right-wing Republicans, just like Bush?  Please comment and let us know what you think.  We want to know.

"Alaska Hockey Moms for Obama" was created to keep the American people informed about what’s going on in the campaign, especially up here in Alaska.  Many Americans are misinformed by John McCain, Sarah Palin,  and the Republican campaign, in general.

Check the current polls.

Hello from Alaska:

Well, the Debates are finally over.  Now, we have to sit and wait for about 19 days for this all to be over.  And who was the winner of the Debate.  Well, Obama, of course.    However, some say that “Joe the Plumber” was the winner.  I’m sure that by now, “Joe the Plumber” is pretty pissed at McCain for even mentioning his name.  Seems he has been inundated with all kinds of media, and everyone looking into his background and finding out a lot of stuff he wished wasn’t spread all over the news, like a tax lien, not being a licensed plumber, and possibly supply false information in his divorce case.

The latest rumor is that "Joe the Plumber" may be the son of Robert Wurzelbacher of the Keating 5 Corruption case.  Robert M. Wurzelbacher went to prison at age 39 in 1993 due to his involvement in the Keating 5 Corruption case.  I doubt that he is the "Keating" Robert Wurzelbacher’s son, however, he may somehow be related.  Although, I do believe that he was a McCain plant.   If "Joe the Plumber’s" mom’s name is Elizabeth, well, then, that’s just too much of a coincidence, and I’ll take back what I just said.  

Then there is another scenario.  There is a Doug Wurzelbacher who used to live in the Wasilla-Houston area of Alaska.  Doug competes in dog mushing races.  Wasilla-Houston area is very small, and it’s possible that Doug is/was a friend or acquaintance of the Palins’.  Doug could be a relative of "Joe the Plumber."  "Joe the Plumber" lived in North Pole and Eielson AFB, Alaska back in the ’90s. 

Then McCain saying that Palin is "every woman’s role model" was way out of line.  She is not my role model.  My role model is Eleanor Roosevelt – a far cry from Sarah Palin.  Women who supported Hillary Clinton are not going to vote for McCain  because Sara Palin is his running mate.  Any woman who is at least halfway intelligent, and who thinks for herself, would have the common sense not to vote for John McCain.  John McCain must perceive the “American woman” as having a "Stepford Wife" mentality.  He is wrong. Palin has lowered herself to McCain’s standards.  She has been under his powerful spell, the bright lights, the fame, the glitz – this has blinded her from seeing what she has truly allowed McCain to do to her future, to her reputation, to her family, to her state and to her little town of Wasilla.  McCain is using Palin as a prop.  Palin is like a dummy sitting in ventriloquist (McCain’s) lap.  McCain pulls the string and the dummy (Palin) talks.  Palin is the one out there sending all the hate messages about Obama.  Palin is the one on the verge of inciting riots.  Why?  Well, why should McCain tarnish his reputation, when Palin is too eager and willing to tarnish her own reputation for him. 

Sometimes body language tells it all.  Did you notice how stiff McCain seemed during the debate.  The forced smiles almost put cracks in his face.  The constant wide eyes blinking.  The constant scribbling on a notepad, so he didn’t have to look at Obama.  Put them all together and they come out with, agitation and anger.  And then the jaw drop when Obama said that “Joe the Plumber” wouldn’t pay a fine for not having employee insurance.  See “McCain’s Deer in the Headlights Moment.”  A friend suggested watching last night’s debate with no sound, it’s even better.

Well, if everything keeps going like it has been, when this is all over in 19 days, it looks like Palin will probably be coming home to a new Alaska.  Yep!  We sure learned a lot about that "cutsie" little governor of ours.   Things she probably wishes we never knew about her.   And, if she was reading any news articles, she learned a lot of new things about us up here in Alaska, and all the changes we have made since she’s been gone.  The way the polls are going, it looks like we will have more democrats that she has to deal with. Also, Wooten is considering filing a lawsuit against her and Todd, and, unfortunately, the State of Alaska.  Wooten might be living in that nice house on the lake that Todd and his (Wink! Wink!) “buddies” built.  And, of course, Monegan might be filing a lawsuit, also – rightfullly so.  

To put it in her "cutsie folksy" way: There ain’t too many of us folks livin’ way up here in Alaska that’s likin’ her right now.  I think she’s gonna have a lot of explainin’ to do, and she ain’t gonna be gettin’ her way no more.  She’ll be playin’ on the Alaskans hockey rink now.   

Some of our fellow Americans out there asked to have more information on Todd Palin’s ties to the Alaska Independence Party.  We have included several articles below on this subject.  A few of the websites had two videos of Dexter Clark of the Alaska Independence Party talking about Palin.  For unknown reasons the videos were not accessible at this time, however, we kept on searching and we found other videos pertaining to the same thing.  Maybe if McCain vetted Palin and/or watched the videos, (that his operatives probably had removed) he’d give up on the Ayers BS.

And this article is for my daughter – she loves Bon Jovi – and she will be happy to find out that Bon Jovi is an Obama fan, and,  Bon Jovi is mad about McCain/Palin using his song! 

So, enjoy the articles. 

DEBATE:

Again, not everything said in debate was true

McCain, Obama get tough and personal

Poll Says McCain Is Hurting His Bid by Using Attacks

The last word

Game. Set. Match. OBAMA!

Captain Underpants’s Campaign Goes Down the Drain

Joe The Plumber: Keating Five Family Operative?

SARAH PALIN:

Palin Returns to a Democratic Legislature in Alaska?! You Can Help Make it Happen!   A message from Les Gara

Exposure changes Palin image for better and worse

Sarah Palin in NH: All lipstick, no pitbull

Sarah Palin stirs up controversy in the wink of an eye

Another Palin Personnel Problem

Gov. Palin’s attacks on AK Guard study are a disgrace! Is this a sample of "our new Governor?"

Palin Picks Up on ‘Joe the Plumber’
 

TROOPERGATE:

Colberg disputes Branchflower finding

Let the Troopergate Fallout Begin.

Board’s Troopergate probe casts wider net

The irrelevant truth according to Meg

Walt Monegan returns the fire

Monegan wants hearing

Editorial: Palin’s Troopergate actions disturbing

Get Wooten: The First Dude’s Bullwinkle assault
            

TODD PALIN:

Todd Palin’s Past Political Associations A Likely Security Clearance Disqualifier

Part 1 of History of Alaska Independence Party by Dexter Clark. (Reference to Todd Palin being a member is 6:03 minutes into the video)

Part 2 of History of Alaska Independence party by Dexter Clark.

Alaska Independence Party Website

Sarah Palin addressing the Alaska Independence Party

It ain’t over ’til it’s over, Sarah…**UPDATE** Videos of Alaska Independence Party

MISCELLANEOUS:

Which Political Party is Better for  Making Money

Sarah Palin: The view from Alaska
 
Losing Civility

FUN AND GAMES:

Laugh you will at Palin in the White House, a site thinking ahead to Palin’s 2012 run. Palin’s at the presidential desk, oil derricks are pumping through the windows, baby names are tacked on the wall (try Carport, Cashew, Rake, Purple). Through a door, books burn or Katie Couric gets tortured. Click on Palin and hear Tina Fey proudly announce, "I’m a maverick!"

"Alaska Hockey Moms for Obama" was created to keep the American people informed about what’s going on up here in Alaska regarding the campaign and related articles. Many Americans are misinformed by John McCain, Sarah Palin, and the Republican campaign, in general.

Check the National Election Polls here.

Hello from Alaska!

Well, the Troopergate Report is in. It looks like Sarah Palin abused her power by firing Walt Monegan. The report by investigator Steve Branchflower was made public late Friday afternoon by a bipartisan 12-0 vote of the Legislative Council, which authorized the investigation. 2 council members were absent.

You can read the full Branchflower report right here.

McCain reacted to the news of the report findings by saying the investigation was a partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters. What he failed to say: Stephen Branchflower is a Republican, and the bipartisan Legislative Council voting on the investigation is made up of 14 legislators; 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats.

Oh, well, maybe McCain’s underdogs will finally leave our beautiful state, since they just found out that they can’t mess with Alaskans. We don’t need McCain and/or "his people" telling "our people" how to run our state. We don’t need McCain’s   "Un-Truth Squad." All of McCain’s operatives can go to some other state and lick their wounds. Bye guys! Don’t let the plane door hit you on your way out of town.

All I can say to Sarah is: "Sarah, what have you done to your reputation? Your integrity? Your promise to us of an open, honest and transparent government? Your ethics?  And, most of all, your family?  And just think, after McCain loses the election you have to come back up here and face all of us! Yikes!! I think you will be surprised at the changes we’ve made since you have been gone. You should have been reading the Anchorage Daily News and keeping abreast of what’s been happening up here.  Lots of changes.  Oh, we got a new microscope, you’re gonna love it." (Wink! Wink!)

 You can also enjoy the photos below showing the neighbors around the Juneau governor mansion supporting Obama.

Alaska Hockey Moms For Obama would like to thank everyone who signed the Troopergate Petition, and those who helped spread the Troopergate "Alaskans For Truth" messages to other American voters.  All the legislators working towards honest government.  And a big thank you to "Alaskans For Truth" for allowing us to participate in their endeavor.  WE WON!  12-0! 

Congratulations Walt!  And a hug for your mom.

Sit back and enjoy reading the following Troopergate articles as much as we did.

Troopergate report: Palin abused power (ADN)

The Release of the Branchflower Report. (Mud Flats)

Troopergate Report: Palin abused her power  (Andrew Halcro)

Lawmaker and campaigner give emotional reaction -Representative Les Gara and Un-Truth Squad sidekick Meg Stapleton have a conversation about McCain operatives lying to Americans  (KTUU)

Shadow Governor? - Interesting – re: why does Todd Palin hold so much power in the governor’s office?  (Andrew Halcro)

State scrambles to gather private emails – Looks like another lawsuit looming.  (ADN)

Flirting her way to victory (U.K. Guardian newspaper)

Sarah Palin and HerJuneau Neighbors Support Obama!  (Mudflats)

As GOP lawmakers sue to impede the Troopergate investigation, I call on all Alaskans, and every US citizen to stand up and sign this petition  to require lawmakers to continue the Troopergate investigation, without delays or conditions of any kind.

Sorry McCain and Palin, we’re not waiting until after the election to find out if you are guilty of abusing your power.  We have a right to know the facts before you ask Americans to cast our trust in you at the ballots.  We have suffered enough the last 8 years and we are drawing the line here.  You can’t "reform" Washington by killing by killing a bipartisan investigation – claiming the Democrats have tainted it – because it inconveniences you and your campaign.

The Anchorage Daily News article September 21, 2008, explains Troopergate.  Read it so you know what’s going on in Alaska and how the McSame machine has bullied it’s way into Alaska to stall an Alaskan investigation!  Palin has turned her back on Alaskans and she’ll do it to the rest of nation too! Same old Bush tactics!  This is a hint of what to expect if McSame and Palin get voted into office.

What are you hiding? 

If you are the true "reformers" you claim to be, stand up and face this investigation with honor and dignity. It’s what a reformer would do.  That is, unless, you are admitting to abuse of power and misleading millions of Americans into believing you are the anti-establishment change agent you convinced your base that you were at the Convention.  

Athletes practice their entire lives for a single opportunity at the Olympics.  If they get caught using a drug or an unapproved performance enhancer, they don’t get to finish the Olympics.  And their use of performance enhancers has no influence on National Security, public policy, the economy or human rights. 

So if you really are innocent of theses charges and you want to convince Americans you have what it takes to turn Washington politics around…  Here’s your first real chance to lead reform by example and face this investigation honestly and transparently.

Sign the petition

"Alaska Hockey Moms For Obama" was created to keep the American people informed about what’s going on up here in Alaska regarding the campaign and related articles.  Many Americans are misinformed by John McCain, Sarah Palin, and the Republican campaign, in general.

Check the latest National Election Polls here.

Hello from Alaska. 

The big thing happening up here today is that the Troopergate findings are due today.  We will find out if Walt Monegan is lying, or Todd Palin is lying.

Palin’s e-mail lawsuit is getting underway.  

Also, below is an interesting article, "Palins’ Imperfect Union," about the Palins’ ties to the "Alaska Independence Party."  Maybe explaining all Palin’s recent radical rantings against Obama.

And, of course, we have recent Alaska poll numbers.

Ethics investigation finds Palin abused power

Lawmakers emerge from session on Palin ethics

Legislators meet secretly on Troopergate

Troopergate findings are due today

Lawsuit over Palin’s e-mails gets under way today

Either Walt Monegan is Lying or Todd Palin Is — Will We Find Out Today Which One?

The blogger on the grassy knoll

The Palins’ Imperfect Union.

Todd Palin Subpoena Dump & the Latest from the "Truth Squad."

Todd’s Deposition: A Dud from the Dude

New Poll Numbers for Alaska

Bartlett Democratic Club Presents

It has been an eventful week with an abundance of news. I hope you all had an opportunity to catch a part of the ongoing Presidential debates.  I am optimistic our team is winning. We should endeavor to be compassionate toward our Governor when she returns in defeat.  Such a response would be infinitely more helpful than any other.   It was Churchhill who famously stated  “…in victory magnanimity”. 

This week we host Alaska State House Representative Les Gara. Les, asked I add the following as his topic introduction.

"Alaska Hockey Moms for Obama" was created to keep the American people informed about what’s going on up here in Alaska regarding the campaign and related articles.  Many Americans are misinformed by John McCain, Sarah Palin,  and the Republican campaign, in general.

Check the National Election Polls here.

What do Obama, Biden, McCain and Palin have in common with trains?  Look and see for yourself.  (Daily Kos). 

Hello from Alaska!

McCain Palin Rally vs. Obama Biden Rally in Anchorage! The Blow by Blow.  (Mudflats)

A Tale of Two Rallies.  Notice the Wasilla Loves Obama signs  (Great photos)  (Motley Moose)

Duelling Anchorage rallies: 1000+ Obama supporters to 250+ McCain sad sacks (Daily Kos)

And Blue Oasis also took a couple photos of Palin-McCain rally.

Anchorage For Obama Rally…Red State Going Blue?  (Shannyn Moore)

Seven state employees to honor Troopergate subpoenas (ADN)

Alaska Supreme Court accepts appeal to block Palin investigation (Alaska Dispatch)

And Andrew Halcro’s take on the supreme court and troopergate (Andrew Halcro)

Todd Palin agrees to board interview (ADN)
 

ALASKA REACTS TO DEBATE

The VP Debate: The Reviews Are In

The Debate: From surreal to so real

Fey as Palin continues to boost ‘SNL’ ratings

Taking Reagan out of context..

Game plans could end it for McCain

McCain’s brother calls Virgina counties ‘communist’

Palin hits Obama for ‘terrorist’ connection

Get The F*%# Out Of My State!

High fuel prices have suffocated rural Alaskans. What can be done?

Obama Rally in Anchorage, Alaska on October 4, 2008

Obama Rally in Newport News, Virginia on October 4, 2008

Bruce Springsteen at Obama Rally in Philadelphia October 4, 2008–Wow! All the People!

Obama Rally in Anchorage, Alaska October 4, 2008

Women Reject Palin Rally in Anchorage, Alaska September 27, 2008

Obama Rally in Portland, Oregon May 18, 2008 — 75,000 people!

 Now, let’s tie it all together in this last video. . .

"Alaska Hockey Moms for Obama" was created to keep the American people informed about what’s going on up here in Alaska regarding the campaign and related articles.  Many Americans are misinformed by John McCain, Sarah Palin,  and the Republican campaign, in general. 

Check the National Election Polls here.

Well, the Biden-Palin debate is finally over.  Biden did very well, and Palin did much better than everyone expected.    She did answer some questions, however, most of her answers had no substance.  If Palin didn’t know the answer to a question, she then pulled out her usual folksy cracker-barrel one-liners (facial expressions included) or she chose the "energy" card.  There were also questions Palin didn’t answer at all.  Since McCain asked to have the bar lowered for her participation in the debate, maybe Palin felt she didn’t have to answer all the questions – she got to pick and choose.

Palin learned her lines very well, but she still sounded rehearsed and she had to look at her index cards when Biden was talking.  "Oh, yeah, now I could use the one on this card about the ‘white flag’.  That will fit in here."

Biden showed his human side when talking about his sons, and being a single parent.   (Those who lost a child, or those single parents out there could relate to him choking up.)   Then Biden saved the best for his closing remarks.  Biden showed that a McCain administration is a repeat of the Bush administration, and he showed that McCain and Palin are not Mavericks.   Biden definitely is the winner of the debate.

Now we have to sit back and watch the polls over the next week to see if Palin helped McCain.   My perception is that Palin helped herself more than she helped McCain.   Palin will be grooming herself to come back in 2012 to run for president.   Yikes!!!!

Some articles that  might be of interest to you:
 

1) Lawsuit to Stall Troopergate Investigation Fails!  (Mudflats)

2) Biden wins the debate, but Palin regains lost ground (ADN)

3) Palin co-opted into a Voldemort world
In a recent column, conservative Pat Buchanan describes a battle for Sarah Palin’s soul in terms of a struggle between "true conservatives" and "Bush neo-conservatives."  (ADN)

4) Palin losing friends on the home front (ADN)

5) Alaska National Guard Members Aren’t Getting What They Need, and Governor Palin Is Complicit (Huffington Post)   

6) Saradise Lost – Chapter Ninety-Nine — A Rape Survivor on Sarah Palin (Progressive Alaska)

7) Did Palin or Biden win the debate? Depends on who you ask (Fairbanks News Miner)

Poll: Biden wins debate, Palin exceeds expectations (Political Ticker)

9) Reality Check On The VP Debate (CBS News)
The CBS News Reality Check Team fact checks the debate…

Also visit these Blogs and read more about Alaska politics….Mudflats always has good articles, as do the Immoral Minority by Gryphen and Celtic Diva Blue Oasis.  Then move on over to  Progressive Alaska  with tons of information, including videos. And another great blog is Shannyn Moore.  Andrew Halcro is always very informative.  There are more websites in our "Links" section.
 
 

Battleground Polls Show Stunning Shift to Obama

Poll Finds Obama Gaining Support and McCain Weakened in Bailout Crisis

Miscellaneous articles about what is going on in Alaska today – 10/2/08

1)  ‘Truth for Lunch’ Delivered to Sarah Palin’s Anchorage Office.  (Mudflats)
Today at lunch time, about 30 Alaskans gathered downtown outside the Atwood building to “Deliver Truth for Lunch” to Governor Sarah Palin’s Anchorage office.

 3)  Palin foreign experience limited to Canada  (ADN)
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who touts her state’s proximity to Russia as part of her foreign policy experience

4)  Company on the campaign trail  (ADN)
One of Palin’s state staffers had joined the governor on the campaign trail Sunday.

5)  Palin talk (ADN)
As Palin continues prepping for Thursday’s debate, CBS News continues running new clips of Palin being interviewed by Couric.

6)  More on Palin the debater  (ADN)
Past Debates Show a Confident Palin, at Times Fluent but Often Vague

7)  How Sarah Palin, Joe Biden Would Guard Your Wallet  (NY Times)
Here’s where they stand on issues that matter most to consumers:

8)  What it’s like to debate Sarah Palin  (US News)
I know firsthand: She’s a master of the nonanswer.

1)  Approval rating for Palin tumbles among Alaskans  (ADN)

2)  Palin Rewrites Alaska History With a Little Help from Her Friends.  (Mudflats)

3)  Troopergate Witness Flips Like a Pancake (Mudflats)

4)  Troopergate suit heads to court

5)  A world of difference (Alaska Politics)

Be sure to watch these two videos before the Biden/Palin debate. Try to imagine Sarah Palin
speaking like this without a teleprompter.

6) One-track mind: How Palin ignored the real issues that matter to Alaskans (Alaska Dispatch)

7)  Sarah Palin, by the Numbers (Women Against Sarah Palin)

Sarah Palin may lie, but numbers don’t. Her record speaks for itself
                              
8)  Stuck With Palin  (Andrew Sullivan – The Daily Dish)

Dropping Palin doesn’t make electoral sense.

9)  Palin can learn, and grow, in office  (Politico)
           
10)  Palin got zoning aid, gifts in Wasilla (Anchorage Daily News – 9/29/08)

Although Sarah Palin depicts herself as a pit bull fighting good-old-boy politics, in her years as mayor she and her friends received special benefits more typical of small-town politics as usual, an Associated Press investigation shows.

11) Alaskan Bush costs prompt exodus to cities  (Anchorage Daily News)

With growing evidence of an Alaska Native exodus from villages to the city

NATIONAL:

1)  Dad Tries to Get Mrs. Couric to Change Sarah’s Grade.  (Mudflats)

It happened again. This time Katie Couric managed not only to make Sarah Palin look bad, but John McCain look worse!
    
2)  Saradise Lost – Chapter Ninety-Seven — Palin’s Philadelphia Experiment (Progressive Alaska)

The McCain campaign placed Gov. Sarah Palin in Pennsylvania late last week. She was supposed to prop up the campaign, by, uh, by, uh – energizing Pennsylvania voters

The house always wins, gamblers are warned, and the U.S. House made John McCain pay Monday for his politically risky, high-profile involvement in a financial rescue plan that came crashing down, mainly at the hands of his fellow Republicans.

5)  Choice is clear: Obama for president  – The Record Newspaper (9/28/08)

Barack Obama is our choice for president of the United States.

Comparing what George W. Bush started with, and what he’s leaving us with

2) National Debt Graph

Check out the National Debt Graph.  See how the debt skyrockets when Republicans are in
office, and diminishes when Democrats are in office.

What we learned last week is that the man who always puts his "country first" will take the country down with him if that’s what it takes to get to the White House.

4) It’s late.  Do you know where your Republican officials and brethren are?

Check to see if the Republicans from your state have made an appearance on the "RepublicanOffenders List".  Several Alaskan Republicans have made the "list"; more are scrambling to be added.    
 

1-a)  Anti-Palin rally draws about 1,000 protesters (Anchorage – 9/27/08)

A protest rally blasting Gov. Sarah Palin’s handling of the state’s so-called Troopergate investigation

1-b) Hold Palin Accountable Rally – great turnout by Alaskans against the cancer in the administration (Alaska Politics – 9/27/08)

1-c)  Once Upon a Time in Anchorage…the Story of a Rally  (Mudflats – (9/27/08)

1-d)  Alaskans Demand Accountability from Palin!  HUGE Rally  (Mudflats – 9/27/08)

2)  Legislative subpoenas go unanswered (Anchorage Daily News – 9/27/08)
With state officials again defying legislative subpoenas in the investigation of whether Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power

3)  We have absolutely nothing to hide’ (Anchorage Daily News – 9/27/08)
A look at what Gov. Sarah Palin had to say about the Legislature’s investigation into the Monegan firing
                    
4)  Troopergate papers (Updated) (Anchorage Daily News – 9/27/08)
Troopergate-related documents are piling up. Here are a few that we haven’t posted:

5)  Another day, another round of meetings with world leaders (ADN – 9/27/08)  
Gov. Palin’s meet-and-greets with various world leaders continued in New York today.  But, CNN described what she’s doing as "like speed-dating with world leaders,"

6)  Palin interview gets panned (9/27/08)
Sarah Palin finally fielded some off-the-cuff questions from the media this week.

7)  Monegan says his e-mails show he was no ‘rogue’ (ADN – 9/27/08)
Gov. Sarah Palin’s ex-public safety commissioner says he’ll provide e-mails to a state investigator to refute his former boss’s claim he had a "rogue mentality"

                         
8)  Well, yes, actually, it can get worse for Sarah (Alaska Politics – 9/27/08)
Capitol Hill sources are telling me that senior McCain people are more than concerned about Palin.

9)  Will Palin leave the ticket…before the debate?  (Alaska Politics – 9/26/08)
You have to wonder whether, in their hearts, the Republican party insiders have admitted that the Palin interview with Katie Couric removed all doubts about the sheer insanity that prompted Palin’s choice by McCain.

OTHER PALIN ARTICLES:

1)  On Palin’s "experience" (History of Vice Presidents and Palin) (Lawrence Lessig Blog)
I was intrigued by Governor Palin’s hint in her ABC interview that her experience was comparable to other VPs across history. I was surprised by how incorrect she was.

2)  Palin Facts

NATIONAL:

1)  RCP National Head to Head Poll has Obama rising

Poll as of 9/27/08

2)  Congressional Leaders Announce Breakthrough in Bailout Bill Negotiations

Congressional leaders and the Bush administration last night struck a historic accord

3)  Why Obama won

The campaign the day after the debate

4) Video – Zero times McCain mentioned “middle class.”
 

5)  Sarah Palin, MIA
"We’ve been getting some emails from viewers out there wondering why we spent some time interviewing Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential nominee and not Sarah Palin,

6) Count The Lies

John McCain may be trying to sell himself as a "maverick" and a "straight talker" who will tell the truth no matter the consequences, but independent, non-partisan watchdog groups aren’t buying it
 

7) John McCain is no friend to veterans

Miscellaneous articles and videos re: John McCain and many Vietnam Veterans

Also check out the following Veteran websites , videos and articles:

Votevets – Votevets – who they are?

Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain –

Olbermann – McCain does not support Troops

Olbermann-Maddow – Re:  McCain and GI Bill

Olbermann – McCain Overplays POW Card

Veterans For Obama Website 
check it out

Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEGISLATOR ASKS TROOPERS TO LOOK AT POSSIBLE WITNESS TAMPERING

Palin cooperation ended with VP nomination

ANCHORAGE — Today a State Representative called on the Alaska State Troopers to look into possible criminal witness tampering in the state’s bi-partisan legislative Troopergate investigation. Since Gov. Sarah Palin was named to the McCain ticket on Aug. 29, the McCain campaign has sent campaign workers to Alaska to obstruct this investigation.

"Until McCain campaign staffers flew to Alaska to stop this investigation, the Governor and her staff agreed to comply with what we all know is a bi-partisan investigation. After Aug. 29 the campaign started working to block this investigation, and witnesses began joining that effort by ignoring their subpoenas and risking jail time. Something obviously changed the minds of these witnesses after Aug. 29th," said Rep., Les Gara (D-Anchorage), a State Representative and Former Alaska Assistant Attorney General. 

Alaska’s witness tampering statutes prohibit any person from "inducing" a witness to fail to comply with a subpoena. Almost daily, McCain staffers have called press conferences and made efforts to stonewall the legislative investigation. Prior to Aug. 29 no witness had stated they’d refuse to comply with the investigation, and the Governor in fact promised she and her staff would comply.

Last week three witnesses, Palin Administration Officials Ivy Frye and Randy Ruaro, and Palin’s husband Todd, refused to show up for legislative subpoenas. Also, Attorney General Talis Colberg, whose office had agreed that another seven state employees would comply with the investigation, changed position and said they wouldn’t. Those seven witnesses have been subpoenaed and are scheduled to appear Friday before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees. 

McCain operatives have spun this as a partisan investigation. The facts show otherwise. Both Committees voted for the subpoenas last week. Six Republicans and four Democrats voted in favor, and only two Senate members voted no. The investigation was started this summer before Palin was named to the McCain ticket, by a unanimous vote of eight Republicans and four Democrats. 

Please contact Rep. Les Gara with questions at (907) 250-0106.

The witness tampering statutes follow:

Alaska Statute 11.56.545 – "(a) Tampering with a witness in the second degree:  Tampering with a witness in the second degree:  A person commits the crime of tampering with a witness in the second degree if the person knowingly induces or attempts to induce a witness to be absent from an official proceeding, other than a judicial proceeding, to which the witness has been summoned.  (b)  Tampering with a witness in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.  (Emphasis added).

 AS 11.56.540 has similar elements, and is a felony.

The current "Real Clear Politics" National Head to Head Polls show Obama ahead at an average of 3.3; FOX News – Obama ahead +6

1)  Palin Wins Delay For Financial Disclosure  (Anchorage Daily News – 9/25/08)

Sarah Palin requested and received an extension of the deadline for revealing her personal finances, until the day after her debate with Democrat Joe Biden.

2)  McCain Has Fled the Interview! (Mudflats – 9/24/08)
                                   
Hmmm. What’s a candidate to do when poll numbers are dropping

John McCain’s campaign has floated the possibility that Sarah Palin may also suspend her campaign…

4)  Who’s running Alaska with Palin on stump?  (Anchorage Daily News – 9/25/08)

The McCain campaign is speaking for the Alaska state government these days, especially when it wants to ensure that nothing embarrassing about Gov. Sarah Palin emerges before Election Day.

Howard Bess, an Alaska clergyman, describes her as "Jerry Falwell with a pretty face."   

6)  Palin blessed three years ago to be free from ‘witchcraft’  (Anchorage Daily News – 9/24/08)

A grainy YouTube video surfaced Wednesday showing Sarah Palin being blessed in her hometown church three years ago by a Kenyan pastor who prayed for her protection from "witchcraft" as she prepared to seek higher office.

New poll from the  Wall Street Journal and NBC News shows the race for president remains essentially tied. Voters are angry about the direction of the country, the Journal writes, and McCain’s populist message is appealing to many. But the initial excitement over Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate may be fading.
   
8)  Sarah Palin holds up a pro-Gravina Island Bridge t-shirt featuring Ketchikan’s zip code while running for Governor in 2006.

The Gravina Island Bridge (also known as The Bridge to Nowhere) was a proposed bridge to replace the ferry that currently connects Ketchikan, Alaska, to the Ketchikan International Airport on Gravina Island.

Anchorage’s urban moose often find themselves in trouble with their surroundings, especially in the fall.

Katie Couric/Sarah Palin Interview

Katie Couric speaks with GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin about the nation’s economic concerns and the McCain campaign’s ties to lobbyists.

 Sarah’s interview with Katie Couric on September 25, 2008, is a clear indication that Palin is inexperienced and not at all seasoned nationally or internationally to step on the large stage of the United States as Vice President–maybe even President if something happens to McCain.  Katie asked her to explain why Alaska’s proximity to Russia enhances her foreign policy credentials.  She answered, "It certainly does."  She was grasping for words and had a difficult time putting her words together.  Trying to explain national security to Katie, she said, ". . .from Alaska we send those out that an eye is being kept. . ."  Can you even understand what she was trying to say?   Ultimately, her response seems very juvenile.  Does Sarah Palin have the maturity, the seasoning, and the experience to represent the United States on foreign policy and crisis around the globe?  No.  Does she have the national experience to represent the United States as Vice President?  Again, the answer must be "No."  This is why the McCain machine is keeping Sarah away from reporters. 

Here is a small thing you can do in two simple clicks!  Check this out fast.

PBS has a poll that asks: Is Sarah Palin qualified to be VP?  The Right is having people vote that Palin is qualified…
 
Let’s turn this around!!!  Click HERE to vote anonymously.   You don’t have to give your name or email address in order to vote. It’s very simple.

Here’s the link:   http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

Just click & vote… NOW.

1) Palin Says She’ll Work With Personnel Board Probe (9/23/08 – Anchorage Daily News)

Less than a week after balking at the Legislature’s investigation into her alleged abuse of power, Gov. Sarah Palin on Monday indicated she will cooperate with a separate probe run by people she can fire.

2)  Palin’s preferred inquiry requires utmost secrecy   (9/23/08 – Anchorage Daily News)

Of the two Alaska investigations into abuse-of-power allegations against Sarah Palin, the governor has chosen to cooperate with just one: the one that guarantees secrecy.

3)  Ivan Moore: Palin remains popular but not like before (9/23/08 – Anchorage Daily News) Anchorage pollster/consultant Ivan Moore has a new poll out from 500 likely Alaska voters.  While Gov. Palin’s popularity remains very high – 68 percent overall give her a positive rating - Moore sees serious slippage among democrats/progressives.

4)  Raw Feed: ‘Truth Squad’ Tuesday (9/23/08 – Anchorage Daily news)

Gov. Sarah Palin’s truth Squad held court again today in Midtown. Check it out.

5)  Legal Council fights lawsuits (UPDATE: ‘We’re just waiting to pull the trigger‘) (9/23/08 - Anchorage Daily News)

6)  Lawmakers: Politics ‘hijacked’ Alaska (9/21/08 – Juneau Empire)

The presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin has taken effective charge of the Alaska state government’s response to the legislative investigation into abuse of power allegations against Palin.                                                 

7)  Palin Investigation vs. Palin Investigation. The Basics.  (9/23/08 – Mudflats)

You may be hearing about how Sarah Palin has decided to cooperate with the Troopergate investigation. Most people who haven’t been following the ins and outs of this whole sordid affair, may think that this is a good thing. They may think she’s had a change of heart.

8)  Palin’s hypocrisy with the personnel board (9/23/08 – Andrew Halcro)

There is the old saying that goes like this; where you stand, depends on where you are standing.

In the case of Governor Sarah Palin, nothing could be more truthful.                                    

WHAT’S HAPPENING NATIONWIDE:

1)   (POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Wednesday Sept. 24th, 2008  CNN Political Ticker debates aim to restart presidential campaigns

Debates are a campaign’s restart button. Voters try to erase their preconceptions and examine thecandidates face-to-face, equal and unscripted  which is why a challenger, particularly one who’s running behind, is eager to have as many debates as possible.

2)  Self-aggrandizing lie just keeps getting told (9/23/08)

What kind of person tells a self-aggrandizing lie, gets called on it, admits publicly that the truth is not at all what she originally claimed   and then goes out and starts telling the original lie again without changing a word?

3)  Women voters must send a message: Palin isn’t qualified (9/22/08)

Women will decide this presidential election, so say the political experts. We vote in greater numbers than men and when we even marginally abandon our Democratic-leanings, Republicans win.

4) McCain honed debating style in, out of politics

Senator has a track record as a scrappy combatant willing to take risks Senator John McCain , the Republican presidential nominee, heads into the first debate on Friday with a track record as a scrappy combatant and the instincts of a fighter pilot, prepared to take out his opponent and willing to take risks to do so.

5)  Obama carries uneven record to first contest

Democratic candidate’s style could hurt him in Friday debate       

6) Public Humiliation

Public Humiliation before the government stepped in last week, the bodies of financial institutions Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and A.I.G., with Washington Mutual and even Morgan Stanley threatening to be next were piling up so fast it seemed possible that Wall Street might simply cease to exist.

7) Bailing Out

If Barack Obama is victorious on November 4th, someone on his transition team should send inauguration tickets to Richard Fuld, the chairman and chief executive of Lehman Brothers. For months, Obama had struggled to promote the sense which was not altogether confirmed by the official statistics that the economy was in real trouble.

8)  What about my mortgage?

The government faces many complications in helping struggling homeowners get affordable loans.   The Bush administration wants to help beleaguered financial institutions – and prevent the  financial crisis from getting worse – by spending $700 billion to buy up troubled mortgage  securities.  But many struggling homeowners are asking: "Where’s my bailout?"

9)  Palin quiet on earmark-funded Mat-Su ferry project Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee who has made earmark reform a centerpiece of her and running mate John McCain’s political platform, has been silent on whether she supports an experimental ferry project in Cook Inlet that depends on millions of dollars in federal earmarks.

10)  Palin vs. Press

 Sarah Palin finally got to meet with a foreign head of state! Her crash course in international diplomacy has moved from the memorization of talking points, to actual face-to-face meetings  with several world leaders at the U.N. Palin and McCain plan to meet with Georgian President  Mikhail Saakashvili and Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko. 

 From Alaska Posted 9-23-08

1) Did Obama profit from Fannie and Freddie?

The Statement by McCain – Green Bay, WI – 9/19/08:
Amid "corruption at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," Sen. Barack Obama "profited from this system of abuse and scandal. While Fannie and Freddie were working to keep Congress away from their house of cards, Senator Obama was taking their money. He got more, in fact, than any other member of Congress, except for the Democratic chairman of the committee that oversees them."  Sen. John McCain, at a campaign stop Friday, September 19, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Check the Facts.

2) Did Obama vote 94 times for higher taxes?

The Statement by McCain – Green Bay, WI – 9/19/08
Check the Facts.

3) Dems Seize on McCain’s 13 Cars.

McCain claims that he only buys American made cars.
Check the Facts.

4) White House Pressures Dems on Bailout

The White House is pressuring congressional Democrats "to send a clear signal" before the markets open Monday that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s bailout plan will be approved quickly and essentially as written, a senior Democratic aide tells Politico.

5) "Dems Say They Won’t Get Fooled Again"

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) says he’s seen this movie before: The Bush administration, citing an unprecedented national threat, puts the hammer on Congress to ram through gargantuan legislation with a minimum of review   and the murkiest of repercussions.

6) "Obama Calls Bailout a ‘Blank Check’"

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) heaped criticism Sunday on President Bush’s mortgage-bailout blueprint, calling it a "blank check" for the administration and Wall Street with insufficient safeguards for taxpayers and homeowners.

7) McCain, Obama in tight race as debates loom

Senator Barack Obama and John McCain are virtually tied in some of the key battleground states that could decide the presidential election.

Even Fox News Admits to McCain’s Missteps

There are some things that even Fox News has to admit, and apparently among those things is the fact that Barack Obama had a better week than John McCain.

9) Supboena list in Troopergate Investigation

Here’s the status of subpoenas the Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee authorized on Sept. 12 in the Troopergate investigation.

10) Troopergate Seems To Be Trapped In Limbo (Is this a stall tactic?)

Until three weeks ago, only Alaskans and a few hard-core political junkies in the rest of the country cared about the obscure scandal known here as Troopergate.

11) Always a good read is

Andrew Halcro’s website

Andrew has three new articles:

"Palin and the Good Old Boys. Say What?
"Palin’s Pipeline to Nowhere"
"Politics First – Country Second"

That’s all folks for today.  Be sure to check back soon!  Be sure to sign the Troopergate Petition!

What Happend in Alaska on 9-20-08

"Alaska Hockey Moms for Obama" was created to keep the American people informed about what’s going on in the campaign, especially up here in Alaska.  Many Americans are misinformed by Ms. Information (a/k/a Sara Palin). So, here is an update.
 
As the weekend rolls in some articles that might be of interest to you.  First, off the Gallup Poll shows Obama in the lead as of 9/19/09.  Obama – 50; McCain – 44.
 
Then, in Alaska we seem to start our mornings with "Troopergate," and the problems the McCain campaign is bringing on.  What do they have to hide?  And why is McCain’s campaign up here taking over for Governor Palin?  Do they think she can’t speak for herself?
 
1)  See the article we woke up to this morning, "Witnesses Snub State Troopergate Inquiry."   

 
More delays and hurdles.  Evidently McCain is not too familiar with Alaskans.  We’re good at jumping hurdles.

2)  See the article from 09/20/08 re:  "Stalled Troopergate probe leaves many questions."  (And that it does)

 
3) Then go to the Alaska Politics Blogs re: "French’s letter on subpoenas."   Bookmark this blog, if you want to keep up on Alaskan politics

 
4)  "Abdication by Palin"  - Gov. Sarah Palin has surrendered important gubernatorial duties to the Republican presidential campaign. McCain staff are handling public and press questions about actions she has taken as governor. The governor who said, "Hold me accountable," is hiding behind the hired guns of the McCain campaign to avoid accountability.  (Does this mean she can’t perform her job duties in Alaska?)

 
5) This video is from 9/18/08.  Sarah Palin was supposed to help John McCain win over female voters, right? According to the latest polls, she might be doing the opposite. Also, Rachel Maddow talks to Slate.com’s Melinda Henneberger about what women want.

 
A few more articles that may be of interest.
 
6) Palin Lies:  One Man’s Protest on the Juneau Cruise Ship Docks.  (Governor doesn’t live in Juneau mansion; properties around Juneau mansion display "Vote For Obama" signs)

 
7-A) Sarah Palin’s powerful ‘First Dude"  He spends too much time in Juneau State building   9/16/08

 
7-B) Video re: Todd Palin - Shadow governor?

 
  "ABC catches Palin and Truth Squad in lie" 9/18/08

 
Well, that’s it for now.  Let me know what kind of information you want, and I’ll definitely try to find it for you.

Nationally syndicated host of the Ed Schultz Show heard locally on Progressive Radio 1080 KUDO, held a Town Hall Meeting at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.  If you missed the show on September 15, click below to hear what Alaskans had to say about Sarah Palin. 

Let us know what you think.  Post your comments after you listen to the show.  Alaskans want to hear from you!

Palin is pro-life — even in the case of rape or incest.  On the surface, a woman in the White House is a step forward for Women’s rights.  In reality, her views on abortion, sex education, and teen pregnancy are a major step backward for women’s rights. 

Roe vs. Wade insures access to legal and safe abortions.  If we lose our right to choose, it would encourage brutal, savage and illegal abortions that put women’s health at risk.

Pro-lifers contradict themselves with the savage killings of wolves, bears and other animals from low flying airplanes and their views on Life.   Alaskans voted down the practice of hunting from low flying planes twice -  but after the BIG GUNS of wealthy trophy hunters from Sierra Club International lobbied Palin – the legislation passed.  Watch the video below.  Don’t let Palin put a bounty on women’s lives like she did with Alaska’s wildlife.  Abortions won’t stop because Roe vs Wade gets overturned.  Women will die because they have no other choice except the savagery of illegal abortions .  Think, Americans!  Think!  Use your heads!  Your comments are welcome. 

Let’s stick to the issues!  Let’s judge the candidates on the issues, not on the color of their skin.  All you have to do is look at the article about the Trooper Gate probe into Mrs. Palin.  What was it she said at the onset of this investigation before she decided to run with McSame, "Keep me accountable."  What’s the McSame Machine doing in Alaska politics anyway?  Has the McSame Machine hijacked Alaska!  We want them out of Alaska!  ALASKA IT’S TIME TO GO BLUE!!  Let’s get out of the red!!

_________________________

We have help from our Republican friends for Obama!  Take a look at what they say on their website.  Thanks for helping us go BLUE and stay out of the red!

_________________________

See what MSNBC First Read below has to say. . .lot’s more on their site.

Obama is ahead overall by five points (48%-43%)!  YES, WE CAN!  Yea, Obama!  Let’s keep driving those points up!   Keep to the Issues! There’s a lot of interesting information on this site so read on. . .

_________________________

How truthful are the candidates statements?  Take a look at the truth-o-meter at this site.  They’re looking at all the candidates.

_________________________

Alaska Hockey Mom’s for Obama support Alaska Natives and Native American Tribes’  Voices on our website.

America’s First People:  Obama’s Priniciples for Stronger Tribal Communities

A Special Message to Alaska from Obama

Learn more about Alaska Native and Native American and all Alaskan issues through this website.  This is an excellent website and  we would  invite everyone to find out more about the issues that affect the lives of all of us.

_________________________

This is a must see video on Keth Olbermann’s Countdown on September 19, 2008!

Palin church witch hunt? Palin, you’re governor and now VP candidate because Pastor Muthee prayed over you saying, "Lord, make a way!  Lord, make a way!"  God is directing our troops in Iraq?   Sarah is guided by God?

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Okay, I’ve had enough of Sarah Palin!  Let’s take a look at Keith Olberman’s interview with Barack Obama Part 1 and

Part 2.  Obama on economics, "Some regulation and transparency."  Obama’s interview on Countdown clearly demonstrates that he knows the issues. 

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Double talk?  Is Palin clear on the Bush Doctrine?  She fought the "good old boys" in Alaska, but brought them to Alaska in the form of the McSame Machine to stop the Trooper Gate Investigation."

Palin Interview with Charles Gibson on ABC.  Palin on Bush Doctrine in interview with Charles Gibson.    Part 2 of the interview on 20/20 and continuation.  Part 3 of the interview.  Part 4 of Palin interview.

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I found this on the bravenewfilms.org website last night.  This is more of the McSame as the Bush administration.  The chairman of the board, Bush, can’t run again so they want McSame to be the new chairman!  They run the US like its their own private corporation and they’re the CEOs!  Please read the article and watch the video!

Watch this video at bravenewfilms.org:

McCain’s Green Economy: Drill, Baby, Drill

Watch the video

→

Please forward this on to other people who might like it.

The news is full of reasons for the financial crisis we experienced this week.   Repealing the Glass-Steagell Act of 1933 (GSA) is believed to have set the stage for the disaster as well as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (GLBA).  Besides establishing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and regulating interest rates, provisions of the the GSA prevented bank holding companies from owning other financial companies, but these were repealed by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. 

How did this happen?  The banking wanted Congress to repeal the GSA.  Bills were introduced in the Senate by Phil Gramm (R-TX) and in the House of Representatives by James Leach (R-IA).  The final bill passed in the Senate 90-8-1 and in the House 362-57-15  with the required 2/3 votes to veto proof the legislation, President Clinton signed it into law on November 12, 1999.   Remember, Republicans had control of congress during the Clinton administration.

Roots of this crisis also includes housing mortgage loans.  How did this play out?  One of the most controversial banking regulations in recent history, is the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) of 1977.  The intention of the CRA is to encourage depository institutions (banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, and federal savings banks) to help meet the credit needs in communities to include low- and moderate-income home buyers.

After deregulation, large companies and firms began buying up smaller ones:  In 2002, Lehman Brothers acquired Lincoln Capital Management’s fixed income business.  In 2003, Lehman Brothers acquired Neuberger Berman, positioning the Firm as an industry leader in the wealth and asset management business.  In 2005, Lehman Brothers acquired The Crossroads Group, expanding the Firm’s private equity fund investment management business.  The firm became global by acquisitions and opening new business divisions worldwide.  But their problem was more of an insolvency risk: real-estate-related loans and assets during the property bubble that were worth less than their face value. As Lehman wrote them down, they needed to raise fresh equity.

We’ve been hearing for several years of the coming housing market crash.  Finally, the bubble burst for Lehman Brothers.  Remember the CRA?  Well, it was designed to include low- and moderate-income borrowers, many who had no credit or bad credit.  The biggest problems came as a result of the homeloans that were made under the CRA.  Banks loaned money on inflated appraisals with zero down, and variable interest rates.  Many people didn’t have the income to cover the payments when the rates increased after 5 to10 years and homes went into forclosure.

Now let’s go back before the crash came, Lehman Brothers was an investment bank that bought securities backed up by residential and commercial loans.  This inflated Lehman’s balance sheet by almost $300 billion, but the firm only had $6 billion in equity.  Earnings on Wall Street no longer come from business, but from a combination of large leverage and risk.  As a result shareholder investments disappeared when the housing slump came and  Lehman couldn’t sell securities they owned except at a big loss. 

Lehman is a global firm with a large amount of capital when it failed having world-wide implications.  Consolidations of firms over the past 15 to 20 years must be blamed too.  When smaller firms fail, their impact is miniscule in comparison to a firm the size of Lehman Brothers.  Their shareholders wealth is wiped out as Lehman shares are being sold at 20-cents a share.  This is how we got into this mess:  seduction of human nature by greed!  And it’s not over yet!  The taxpayers will pay for their greed.

Adding insult to the injury of millions of American’s who are losing their homes, the Michigan GOP has plans to use foreclosure lists to challenge 11,000 McComb County voters at the polls.   And it’s naive to think they will stop with Michigan.  As seen in Ohio in 2004 and Florida in 2000, State election rules allow parties to challenge the eligibility of any voter provided they “have a good reason to believe” that the person is not eligible to vote.  

Can I have a show of hands, please?  How many of you think that losing your home qualifies as "good reason to believe" that the voters registered to those homes should lose their right to vote?  What, no hands?  Oh, sorry, I missed a few Republicans.  Not only is this tactic Un-American, it’s Fascist!

Speaking from a very personal experience, Deomcrats stood by helplessly in 2000 and 2004 while our votes were challenged and thrown out by the GOP.  Fortunately in 2008, we are armed with history, experience and hope for Real Change as the Obama Campaign and the DNC file suit over GOP "voter-foreclosure plans."

During the 2004 election, I was living in Ohio wrapping up a 4 year contract.  I planned to vote absentee for the State of California where I was a resident and registered voter.  Since Ohio is a swing state, my friend Frank suggested that I register to vote in Ohio while I was still there.  Without hesitation, I agreed it was a good idea, and registered to vote in Ohio within days of our conversation.  As the election got closer, I had a trip to New York City planned that was going to conflict with election day.  So I prepared my Ohio absentee ballot and mailed it off in time for the election.  As the election results for Ohio were coming in – news that Ohio’s "provisional" votes including absentee ballots – had been successfully challenged by the GOP – were not going to be counted.   As a legally registered Democrat exercising my right to vote, I was outraged!  This breeds the kind of voter apathy that Republicans dream of. 

This year, we can not afford to stand by as passive observers of the broken system while our voices are silenced and our votes are hijacked.  We must all become activists.  We can’t let past disappointment, influence our decisions to vote, or not vote.  I am surprised how many people say they aren’t going to vote this year… Of ALL years!  Call your senators, write letters, volunteer to register new voters. Each one of us can do something. 

Don’t let the headline become a reality!

Dear Mr. Palin:

Congratulations on the selection of your wife as the Republican candidate for Vice President of the United States.

We understand you are a member of the United Steelworkers of America (USW) Union.  While I’m sure you’re exited by your wife’s candidacy for this high office, you may be discouraged to learn that the union dues you pay are already being used to defeat her…

Click HERE to read the whole letter

The following  was sent in by an Alaska Hockey Mom For Obama Reader:

- An Alaska Constituent for the  Regular, Reliable, Affordable Ferry Service

An Alaska Native’s take on his Governor

Hello. My name is Matt Gilbert. I am originally from Arctic Village , Alaska . I am Alaska Native: Gwich’in Athabascan. I visited Sarah’s campaign office and spoke with her before she became Governor. We talked about the hunting & fishing rights of Alaska Natives.

Click here to read the whole essay

I’m sick and tired of Bush/Rove politicians refusing to meet with House Judiciary Committees and investigators. This kind of arrogance is alarming. Today, the Huffington Post reports that Sarah Palin — taking a page right out of the Rove playbook — is refusing to meet with Troopergate investigators. It’s time to hold this administration and it’s executives accountable for their actions just like any other Corporate Executive. No get-out-of-jail-free "executive priviledges." If Palin doesn’t have anything to hide and claims to be a "reformer" — It’s only honest and transparent if she cooperates fully before the election. It’s blatant Bush/Rove politics as usual if the investigation happens after the election (if it happens at all).

Protesters lined the overcast streets of downtown Anchorage – Alaska’s largest city – to protest Palin within hours of her speech on Saturday. The record crowd estimated at 1500 – most of them women – carried signs that read, "Pro Woman, Anti-Palin," and "Voted For Her Once: NEVER AGAIN" sending a strong message that Palin doesn’t speak for them on fundamental issues like the economy, abortion, the war in Iraq, and the direction our country is headed. Watch the video below.  We’d love to hear from you if you were one of the many Alaska Hockey Moms For Obama to show up at the rally. Please share your comments.

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 (not even 100 years ago) that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote. The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.

(Lucy Burns)

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden’s blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of "obstructing sidewalk traffic." They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

(Dora Lewis)

They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women. Thus unfolded the’Night of Terror’, on Nov. 15, 1917 when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson’s White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women’s only water came from an open pail.. Their food–all of it colorless slop–was infested with worms.

(Alice Paul)

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

So, refresh my memory. Some women won’t vote this year because-
-why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work?
Our vote doesn’t matter? It’s raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO’s new
movie ‘Iron Jawed Angels.’ It is a graphic depiction of the battle
these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling
booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the
actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote.
Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege.
Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women’s history,
saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk
about it, she looked angry. She was–with herself. ‘One thought
kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,’ she said.
‘What would those women think of the way I use, or don’t use,
my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just
younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.’ The
right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her ‘all over again.’

HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history,
social studies and government teachers would include the movie in
their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere
else women gather. I realize this isn’t our usual idea of socializing,
but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think
a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade
a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently
institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse.

Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn’t make her crazy.
The doctor admonished the men: ‘Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.’

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know.
We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so
hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic,
republican or independent party – remember to vote.

History is being made…

‘We must be the change we want to see in the world.’
– Mahatma Gandhi

For Immediate Release:

A few of us in DC started a petition against suspending the debates.
We have about 7,000 signatures (via email) collected on this site -
please do check it out: http://demandthedebate2008.com.

May we ask for your assistance in getting more signatures?  We’re
delivering these signatures in person to the Commission on
Presidential Debates tomorrow at 12:30pm EDT – to their offices in
hard copy.

It takes just a moment, and we don’t want Sen. McCain or Gov. Palin to
squirm out of this democratic obligation. so please sign the petition and pass the word on.

Please help us – and thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all
that you do.

Demand the Debate: Sign the Petition