From Kickstarter:
Nick Broomfield's quest for the real Sarah Palin involves battling the icy snows of Alaska in mid-winter to speak to the school friends, family, and Republican colleagues that in previous days gave their heart, soul and belief to the charismatic, charming, intoxicating ex-hockey mom. But it's not all plain sailing. People are frightened to talk; Wasilla makes Twin Peaks look like a walk in the park. It's a devout evangelical community – 76 churches with a population of only 6 thousand, and the Crystal meth capital of Alaska. Broomfield brings his celebrated wit and determination to cracking her story.
The provocative and entertaining documentary is directed by Nick Broomfield (Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer, Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam,Kurt & Courtney) and Joan Churchill. The film is produced Marc Hoeferlin (Battle for Haditha).
But producing the documentary was only half of the process. We need YOUR help to raise enough money that he can distribute the film. The release of Nick’s film before the potential candidates of 2012 announce their candidacy is a pivotal moment. Getting this film into theaters, and educating the public on Palin needs to happen as soon as possible to truly allow Nick’s vision to be achieved. This Kickstarter will help raise the capital to fund the nuts and bolts of the distribution (print and advertising fees) and help get SARAH PALIN: YOU BETCHA! into theaters.
As of last night when I wrote this post, Nick had about $1,893.00 ($100 of it was from me), however he needs about $30,000 to start the wheels moving toward distributing the documentary and making it available to movie audiences.
I can attest to the struggle that Nick went through to find people to go on record, and allow their images to be filmed, for this important documentary (Hell even I balked at first!) I would really hate to see all of that hard work go to waste.
And remember, unlike Palin's propaganda film "The Undefeated," THIS movie did not have anybody with one million dollars to help finance it or a panting flock of sycophants ready and willing to pimp this movie to friends and family on behalf of their idol.
That movie failed miserably because it was telling an obvious lie, however this movie is trying to get the truth about Snowdrift Snooki, to a wider audience of Americans who may not be interested in sitting down with a good book.
Anyhow I know that Nick and his team would appreciate anything you could do to help. And so would I.
Thank you ahead of time, for your support.
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Showing posts with label Alaska. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alaska. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Travesty of justice.
Courtesy of ADN:
Ben Stevens has been told he's off the hook in the rapidly fading Alaska political corruption investigation, according to people with knowledge of the case.
Family friends of Stevens, the former Alaska Senate president and son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, say he's recently received a letter from federal prosecutors that he won't face charges. A government source who spoke only on background confirmed that the letter was sent and that the long-running investigation has concluded without an indictment.
At the door of their family home in South Anchorage on Wednesday, Stevens' wife, Elizabeth, reviewed a draft of this story and said Stevens would have no comment.
Stevens, 52, was one of six state legislators whose offices were raided by the FBI on Aug. 31, 2006. Four were eventually charged and convicted.
In 2007, Stevens was identified as the recipient of bribes in the charges to which two officials of Veco Corp., Bill Allen and Rick Smith, pleaded guilty.
While Stevens served in the Legislature, he disclosed that Veco, an oil field services company long active in Alaska politics, paid him $243,250 between 2002 and 2006 for "consulting." But he never would say what work he did for the money, even after a citizen complained to the Alaska Public Offices Commission that the fees were thinly disguised bribes.
On the witness stand in the 2007 trial of former House Speaker Pete Kott, Smith, a Veco vice president, was asked which state senators he had bribed.
"That would be Ben Stevens and John Cowdery," Smith testified. (Cowdery pleaded guilty to conspiracy in 2008.)
Federal authorities also investigated Stevens over the hundreds of thousands of dollars in consulting fees paid to him by fishing interests that benefited from legislation promoted by his father in Congress.
This is devastating news for Alaskans, like myself, who have been working to see the corruption in this state cleaned up.
Ben Stevens was considered by most of us to be a slam dunk for the FBI. He had his fingers in everything, and was considered one of the most egregious of the "Corrupt Bastards Club."
With the dropping of Stevens investigation, and Pete Kott and Vic Kohring starting to wriggle out of the grasping fingers of justice, it appears that there will be NO real deterrent to prevent the Republican party from continuing in the future to take kickbacks from oil companies, ensure sweetheart deals for their donors, and keep right on screwing over the people of Alaska.
As some of you may remember the investigation against Rep. Don Young was dropped last year, but as surprising as that was, having Ben Stevens walk away from this whole thing smelling like a rose is almost unthinkable.
Of all of the corrupt bastards the FBI was after, Stevens seemed like the easiest case to make. Hell, essentially EVERYBODY had sold him out!
Personally I find this very unsettling. And for those of you who were still holding out hope that the long rumored federal investigation against Sarah Palin might bubble to the surface in the near future, I would suggest that you not hold your breath on that one either.
This state is filled with awe inspiring beauty, but there is a great ugliness running through our politic system, and apparently for the time being it is here to stay.
Ben Stevens has been told he's off the hook in the rapidly fading Alaska political corruption investigation, according to people with knowledge of the case.
Family friends of Stevens, the former Alaska Senate president and son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, say he's recently received a letter from federal prosecutors that he won't face charges. A government source who spoke only on background confirmed that the letter was sent and that the long-running investigation has concluded without an indictment.
At the door of their family home in South Anchorage on Wednesday, Stevens' wife, Elizabeth, reviewed a draft of this story and said Stevens would have no comment.
Stevens, 52, was one of six state legislators whose offices were raided by the FBI on Aug. 31, 2006. Four were eventually charged and convicted.
In 2007, Stevens was identified as the recipient of bribes in the charges to which two officials of Veco Corp., Bill Allen and Rick Smith, pleaded guilty.
While Stevens served in the Legislature, he disclosed that Veco, an oil field services company long active in Alaska politics, paid him $243,250 between 2002 and 2006 for "consulting." But he never would say what work he did for the money, even after a citizen complained to the Alaska Public Offices Commission that the fees were thinly disguised bribes.
On the witness stand in the 2007 trial of former House Speaker Pete Kott, Smith, a Veco vice president, was asked which state senators he had bribed.
"That would be Ben Stevens and John Cowdery," Smith testified. (Cowdery pleaded guilty to conspiracy in 2008.)
Federal authorities also investigated Stevens over the hundreds of thousands of dollars in consulting fees paid to him by fishing interests that benefited from legislation promoted by his father in Congress.
This is devastating news for Alaskans, like myself, who have been working to see the corruption in this state cleaned up.
Ben Stevens was considered by most of us to be a slam dunk for the FBI. He had his fingers in everything, and was considered one of the most egregious of the "Corrupt Bastards Club."
With the dropping of Stevens investigation, and Pete Kott and Vic Kohring starting to wriggle out of the grasping fingers of justice, it appears that there will be NO real deterrent to prevent the Republican party from continuing in the future to take kickbacks from oil companies, ensure sweetheart deals for their donors, and keep right on screwing over the people of Alaska.
As some of you may remember the investigation against Rep. Don Young was dropped last year, but as surprising as that was, having Ben Stevens walk away from this whole thing smelling like a rose is almost unthinkable.
Of all of the corrupt bastards the FBI was after, Stevens seemed like the easiest case to make. Hell, essentially EVERYBODY had sold him out!
Personally I find this very unsettling. And for those of you who were still holding out hope that the long rumored federal investigation against Sarah Palin might bubble to the surface in the near future, I would suggest that you not hold your breath on that one either.
This state is filled with awe inspiring beauty, but there is a great ugliness running through our politic system, and apparently for the time being it is here to stay.
Labels:
Alaska,
Ben Stevens,
Corrupt Bastards Club,
Don Young,
FBI,
Pete Kott,
politics,
Republicans,
Vic Kohring
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Sarah Palin, the woman who claimed she quit her job as Governor to save the state money, is asking the state to pay for her defense against a lawsuit.
![]() |
"Help me, help me, Alaska! I am just a defenseless millionaire who once used my job to bully those who dared to question me! Can't you see I'm the victim here? |
Assistant Attorney General Dale House said Palin asked the state to help defend her against the lawsuit by activist Chip Thoma.
The claims made against Palin date to when she was governor, and House said Wednesday that it's typical for the state to get involved if the person is being sued largely because of the title they held or because of something they did in the course of their official duties. He said there are exceptions, including for criminal cases.
House said the state will pay for his participation but not for Palin's personal lawyer, John Tiemessen, who will be co-counsel.
Thoma is suing Palin for at least $100,000, claiming that she undertook a campaign to "punish, embarrass, discredit and silence" him while governor after he complained about tour bus traffic on the windy, narrow streets around the governor's mansion.
Fuck this! I certainly do not want to pay for this quitters legal bills!
Especially since I believe that Thoma has a pretty damn good case against her.
And according to the comments beneath this article at ADN, I am not the only Alaskan that feels this way.
Sounds to me like Palin's very intimidated that this is going to turn out to be something over which she will not be able to wriggle off the hook.Magnificent timing!
Well, if anyone read Frank Bailey's book they would know $Palin did it on purpose. He has the emails that back it up. I wonder if they will be able to use her own emails against her.
Why? Why is the state STILL paying this worthless woman? WHY?
The state should not incur any part of this lawsuit. Wouldn't that also make the state liable in some manner? Palin used her office to embarrass a private citizen and she should not ask for state help to defend herself.
Everybody up here knows that Palin used her position as Governor to go after her enemies, bully other Alaskans, and give her family and friends state jobs and perks to keep them loyal.
And now that somebody is finally going after her in court for her illegal behaviors she is playing the victim again and asking the state that she abandoned to protect her.
She will NEVER change.
Labels:
ADN,
Alaska,
Alaskans,
Juneau,
lawsuit,
Sarah Palin,
victimhood
Jonathon Capehart talks to the man who interviewed Mercede Johnston for Playboy.
Okay this guy is an imbecile, though I guess I should be pleased he liked my state so much. However he did not answer any of the Jonathon Capeheart's important questions.
However it is interesting to note that, despite what people are constantly trying to imply on this blog, he said that the residents of Wasilla did not consider Sadie a liar.
Too bad he did not ask them if they consider Sarah and Bristol liars.
I've asked that question in Wasilla and guess what? Yeah I think you know the answer to that question.I also think it is awesome that Sadie's Playboy pictorial and interview are getting much MORE media attention than the Grizzled Mama's most recent Facebook rant.Oooh that's gotta sting!
Labels:
Alaska,
Bristol Palin,
liars,
Mercede Johnston,
MSNBC,
Playboy,
Sarah Palin,
Wasilla
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Sarah Palin's week just got a whole lot worse as Shailey Tripp reveals what she knew, and when she knew it.
From Shailey's blog:
The next few days I will be writing about How The Lies of Sarah Palin turn into TRUTH as it pertains to me.
I know for a fact (and yes with proof), that Sarah Palin knew that at the very least a prostitute who claimed to have sex with Todd, her husband, was going to go public with the information. I know for a fact, Sarah Palin, was told about all the emails that showed there was a relationship between her husband, Todd, and this person. Furthermore, I know Sarah Palin was told that there were even emails showing that Todd could be involved in running or involved in a ................prositution ring.
This was 1 week before Christmas 2010- Fri. Dec 17, 2010.
To read the rest, and yes you DO want to read the rest, just click the link and head on over to Shailey's blog.
You know there are two names that attract the most aggressive and negative remarks from the trolls when they appear on this blog. And those names are Mercede Johnston and Shailey Tripp.
I am constantly cautioned by these helpful little imps not to believe anything that they say, and told (using a plethora of exclamation points) that they are LIARS!!!!!!! HATEFUL, HATEFUL, LIARS!!!!!!
Here's the funny thing. I have never caught them lying to me.
I have had dozens, and I mean dozens, of people attempt to deceive, manipulate, or outright lie to me. But never them.
In fact Sadie's version of events (Often either preceded by, or backed up by, Sherry's version of events.) has never changed.
People have attacked her character, screamed obscenities at her in the grocery store, stolen her mail, and vandalized both her car and her house, and still she has refused to allow herself to be intimidated into keeping her mouth shut. The only time she stayed quiet was when she was hoping that by doing so she would get to see Tripp. But after numerous promises made, and then broken, Sadie realized that the Palins were simply using the last hold they had over her family to control them.
Now that control is no more.
As for Shailey, well Shailey is the only source I have ever known that passed five, count them five, polygraph tests with flying colors.
I have talked to many bloggers, journalists, and authors who have spoken to her, and they all said that she was very credible. The only thing that keeps her story from getting the kind of coverage it deserves is lack of physical proof, which we are still struggling to have released from APD. I have seen some of the evidence, and so far it all backs up Shailey's story, and refutes much of what official APD spokesman Lt. David Parker said publicly.
Once she is able to get her hands on that evidence I think her story will blow up again in a major way.
Especially if all of the people claiming that Palin is DEFINITELY launching her bid for the GOP nomination on September 3rd, are accurate. If, or when, that happens this whole thing is going to get much, much more interesting.
The next few days I will be writing about How The Lies of Sarah Palin turn into TRUTH as it pertains to me.
I know for a fact (and yes with proof), that Sarah Palin knew that at the very least a prostitute who claimed to have sex with Todd, her husband, was going to go public with the information. I know for a fact, Sarah Palin, was told about all the emails that showed there was a relationship between her husband, Todd, and this person. Furthermore, I know Sarah Palin was told that there were even emails showing that Todd could be involved in running or involved in a ................prositution ring.
This was 1 week before Christmas 2010- Fri. Dec 17, 2010.
To read the rest, and yes you DO want to read the rest, just click the link and head on over to Shailey's blog.
You know there are two names that attract the most aggressive and negative remarks from the trolls when they appear on this blog. And those names are Mercede Johnston and Shailey Tripp.
I am constantly cautioned by these helpful little imps not to believe anything that they say, and told (using a plethora of exclamation points) that they are LIARS!!!!!!! HATEFUL, HATEFUL, LIARS!!!!!!
Here's the funny thing. I have never caught them lying to me.
I have had dozens, and I mean dozens, of people attempt to deceive, manipulate, or outright lie to me. But never them.
In fact Sadie's version of events (Often either preceded by, or backed up by, Sherry's version of events.) has never changed.
People have attacked her character, screamed obscenities at her in the grocery store, stolen her mail, and vandalized both her car and her house, and still she has refused to allow herself to be intimidated into keeping her mouth shut. The only time she stayed quiet was when she was hoping that by doing so she would get to see Tripp. But after numerous promises made, and then broken, Sadie realized that the Palins were simply using the last hold they had over her family to control them.
Now that control is no more.
As for Shailey, well Shailey is the only source I have ever known that passed five, count them five, polygraph tests with flying colors.
I have talked to many bloggers, journalists, and authors who have spoken to her, and they all said that she was very credible. The only thing that keeps her story from getting the kind of coverage it deserves is lack of physical proof, which we are still struggling to have released from APD. I have seen some of the evidence, and so far it all backs up Shailey's story, and refutes much of what official APD spokesman Lt. David Parker said publicly.
Once she is able to get her hands on that evidence I think her story will blow up again in a major way.
Especially if all of the people claiming that Palin is DEFINITELY launching her bid for the GOP nomination on September 3rd, are accurate. If, or when, that happens this whole thing is going to get much, much more interesting.
Labels:
Alaska,
journalism,
Mercede Johnston,
National Enquirer,
prostitution,
Sarah Palin,
Shailey Tripp,
Todd Palin
Monday, August 8, 2011
At least ONE of Kyla Grace Palin's grandmothers loves her.
The good grandmother, Elizabeth Hanson, is the one on the left. |
In an exclusive interview with RadarOnline.com, Britta Hanson’s mother Elizabeth expressed her delight over her first grandchild.
“Kyla Grace is great. She’s beautiful,” the proud first-time grandmother said.“I’m very happy,” she gushed about the new baby.
Her daughter Britta, 21, gave birth to Kyla Grace on Saturday, August 6 just three months after marrying Track Palin, 22, Sarah and Todd Palin’s oldest child.
“I love my daughter and my son-in-law very much,” Hanson told RadarOnline.com about the overjoyed new parents.
Elizabeth Hanson spoke briefly about her family’s relationship with the Palins. “They’re their own people; we’ve known each other for a long time.”
Well I am glad that at least SOMEBODY in this screwed up family knows how to honestly share their feelings about this precious child. Good for you Mrs. Hanson!
It looks like Kyra will have access to at least some sane family members. You know Tripp could have had that too if Bristol and Sarah weren't such...well you know.
(H/T to Joe McGinniss.)
Labels:
Alaska,
baby,
Britta Hanson,
Sarah Palin,
Track Palin,
Wasilla
New tidbits leak out from Mercede Johnston's Playboy interview. Oh, the Grizzled Mama is NOT going to like this very much! Update!
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Mercede and her mother Sherry. Palin victims no more. |
19-year-old Mercede Johnston (above left) just WENT OFF about the entire Palin crew -- calling Sarah Palin a bad mom who's "never there for [her kids]" ... adding, "She doesn't make her kids go to school.
She'd rather parade them around and put on a show, at book signings or conventions."
As for Bristol -- "Everything is about her, her, her. She has to have her own way. She'll be supersweet and then she turns into the most evil person I've ever known ... Honestly, she is the meanest person."Mercede adds, "I didn't know someone could be so vindictive and evil ...[She's] a sociopath. She doesn't think anything she could do or does is wrong."
Mercede also claims Bristol and Levi PLANNED their pregnancy -- saying, "They were trying to conceive for months."
And for good measure ... Mercede explains why Sarah would have been a TERRIBLE president saying, "I think she'd have had a mental breakdown if she was elected [president] ... She can't even answer Katie Couric's questions."
Just when you think Sarah's day could NOT get any worse.
You know I waited with bated breath for this summer (and the fall) to finally arrive, but even I did not realize just how many things were coming down the pike to help put an end to Sister Sarah's career as a political hatemonger.
Numerous tell-all books, a damning documentary, Michele Bachmann stealing her thunder, a painfully poor propaganda piece that failed to ignite her political career, unexpected grandbabies, a Playboy interview that reveals unflattering truths about the Palin family, newly discovered pictures proving she was not pregnant with Trig, the list just goes on, and on, and on.
Don't the Germans have a word for this? Schadenfreude if I am not mistaken.
(I looked it up for you Palin-bots so that you would not hurt your tiny little brains. Just click this link.)
Update: It looks like Hollywood Life has a few more tidbits:
Mercede tells Playboy of Sarah’s eldest son Track, “He would do a lot drugs. He did OxyContin but mostly cocaine. He didn’t choose to go into the army; he went there because his mom made him, to get him out of the way…” Track did ship out during his mother’s campaign, though it is uncertain when exactly he enlisted.
He may not be the only fan of the drug either as, the interviewer writes; “Someone trying to get my attention makes the incredible claim to have snorted coke with [Sarah] at the Mug Shot (a local bar) and points to the very spot on the bar where said lines were cut up.” This is, of course, to be taken with a grain of salt.
Mercede also labels Bristol as a thief, among other things. When asked what Bristol is into, Mercede says; “stealing her parents credit cards to order clothes. Literally. And chasing after men and partying.”
Mercede goes on to say that she could bring any number of men to meet the interviewer and have them show some of the nude pics Bristol has sent them.
Okay I knew about the stolen credit cards, the boy chasing, and partying, but the nude pics of Bristol are a new one on me.
Not that I would have been interested if I had known about their existence.
Update2: More from Hollywood Life:
She is furious about Sarah’s treatment of her brother Levi, who is the father of Sarah’s grandson, Tripp. “Not once did Sarah contact us and say, ‘Is this okay?’”, about her decision to take Levi into the spotlight, when she became John McCain‘s running mate in 2008.
After all — Levi was only 18 at the time and hardly able to stand up to the powerful Governor of Alaska. “She literally took Levi from a hunting trip and flew him to the Republican Convention. He didn’t have a choice. I don’t blame John McCain — this is all Sarah Palin. She didn’t have to announce on stage that Bristol was pregnant. She doesn’t care, as long as she’s going to the top. But it’s screwed my whole family up. Levi was a prop, and once they didn’t need him, he was out the door.”
No matter what your political persuasion you have to admit that Mercede’s accusations have a ring of truth when it comes to the Palin treatment of her brother.
For good measure, Mercede also calls Bristol — “the most evil person I’ve ever known” and a “sociopath” and claims that she , Mercede, has been virtually excluded from baby Tripp’s life.
Now, we all know that Sarah Palin can dish it out against her political opponents … and Katie Couric. She’s even been accused of inciting violence against Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords by placing her district in crosshairs on an “attack map” that she featured on her facebook.
Do we really need a “Pitbull in lipstick” or a Mamma Grizzly ( Mercede calls that Sarah nickname “retarded” ) leading our country now? A woman who’s instinct is to attack even the father and aunt of her “beloved” grandchild, rather than reach out and make them a part of her family?
Damn! Sarah and Bristol really screwed the pooch when they pissed Sadie off!
I actually don't know everything that Sadie talked about in the Playboy interview because she signed a non-disclosure agreement and was not supposed to talk about it. Technically I was not even supposed to know about the pictorial, but she did not want me to find out from anybody else.
P.S. I almost forgot to say that I also heard that story about the cocaine use by Sarah at the Mug-Shot. And no it was NOT from Sadie.
Welcome to the world Kyla Grace Palin! Update!
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Mommy-to-be, Britta Palin, surrounded by Kayla's gifts from the baby shower. |
Sarah Palin’s son Track and his new wife Britta became the proud parents of a baby girl, Kyla Grace Palin, last night.
I learned last summer that Joe has EXCELLENT sources, so if he says that this baby was born last night, you can bet that his information is correct.
Okay let's see, Track and Britta got married in May, and this wonderful bundle of joy is born in August, which is approximately three months later. WTF?
How is it that these Palin women have the fastest human gestation on the planet? Do ALL women in Wasilla get pregnant and give birth in only two or three months, or is that only the people in this family?
By the way here is the official announcement from Sarah Palin.
Update: Well it looks like Radar Online found somebody close to the family to confirm Joe's tip:
A source close to the family confirmed the arrival of the little girl to the young parents who were married just three months ago in May.
Just for the record let me say that I never had any doubt that McGinniss had the straight poop. He made a lot of good friends in Wasilla during his stay and he hears all kinds of things. As you will all learn for yourselves when his book comes out in September.
Labels:
Alaska,
baby,
Britta Hanson,
Joe McGinniss,
Sarah Palin,
Track Palin,
Wasilla
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Mercede Johnston bares all concerning the Palin family in soon to be released Playboy interview. Update!
Courtesy of the New York Post:
Mercede posed nude for the September issue of Playboy and gave an equally revealing interview to George Gurley. Asked what kind of president Sarah Palin would be, she responded: "I think she'd have had a mental breakdown . . . As governor she quit on us. What does that say about her?" When Gurley asked what percentage of Wasilla residents "can't stand Palin," Mercede responded, "I would say 70 percent."
Mercede also claims the Palins are so polarizing in the small Alaskan town that she can't work. "It's hard to get a job in this town because of the Palins," she tells Playboy, adding, "People say, 'Oh, Mercede Johnston, I don't know if people are going to come in if she works here.' "
Regarding Bristol's relationship with Levi, she claims Bristol sent a text message to Levi after she found out she was expecting son Tripp that read, "Ever since the moment I found out I was pregnant, I prayed to God you weren't the father."
Mercede -- who had claimed on her blog that "Levi never liked [Bristol] to drink since it just made her more promiscuous" -- also told Gurley that Bristol, who's since become an advocate for teen abstinence, wanted to get pregnant: "Bristol's pregnancy wasn't . . . an accident. She and Levi planned it. They were trying to conceive for months."
Mercede also tells Playboy that Track Palin, Sarah's 22-year-old son who is an Army reservist, used drugs. She claims, "He did OxyContin and mostly cocaine. He didn't choose to go into the Army; he went there because his mom made him, to get him out of the way so when she was at the convention they wouldn't know he does drugs and would think he was a patriot." A Palin family rep declined to comment.
Let me remind all of you that Playboy has an average circulation of over 3 million, which is substantially more sets of eyeballs than have ever perused either mine, or Sadie's blog.
That means that many, many more people are now aware of just how duplicitous, and polarizing, the Palin family is considered even in their own home town.
And for those of you who are so quick to pass judgement on Mercede for taking off her clothes, and using her body to get the information out, just ask yourself how she could have done it any more effectively?
And then ask yourself what sacrifice YOU have made to let the world know about the potential harm that Sarah Palin poses to this country, and the harm she has done to those around her?
Personally I am proud of her, but of course she already knows that.
Update: I just received a clarification concerning the text from Bristol from Sherry.
It came after Lanesia dropped by to give Sadie and Sherry flowers for Valentine's Day (Something she does every year.). Apparently Bristol heard about it and a few minutes later, called and yelled at Sherry for letting her come over, and then sent that text to Levi about wishing that Tripp was not his son.
Classy right?
Remember this was all while refusing to let the Johnston family see Tripp, and a few months before Levi, Mercede, and Sherry went public on the Tyra Banks Show to tell their side of the story.
Update 2: Oops, I forgot about this clip! Dennis Zaki just reminded me.
Mercede posed nude for the September issue of Playboy and gave an equally revealing interview to George Gurley. Asked what kind of president Sarah Palin would be, she responded: "I think she'd have had a mental breakdown . . . As governor she quit on us. What does that say about her?" When Gurley asked what percentage of Wasilla residents "can't stand Palin," Mercede responded, "I would say 70 percent."
Mercede also claims the Palins are so polarizing in the small Alaskan town that she can't work. "It's hard to get a job in this town because of the Palins," she tells Playboy, adding, "People say, 'Oh, Mercede Johnston, I don't know if people are going to come in if she works here.' "
Regarding Bristol's relationship with Levi, she claims Bristol sent a text message to Levi after she found out she was expecting son Tripp that read, "Ever since the moment I found out I was pregnant, I prayed to God you weren't the father."
Mercede -- who had claimed on her blog that "Levi never liked [Bristol] to drink since it just made her more promiscuous" -- also told Gurley that Bristol, who's since become an advocate for teen abstinence, wanted to get pregnant: "Bristol's pregnancy wasn't . . . an accident. She and Levi planned it. They were trying to conceive for months."
Mercede also tells Playboy that Track Palin, Sarah's 22-year-old son who is an Army reservist, used drugs. She claims, "He did OxyContin and mostly cocaine. He didn't choose to go into the Army; he went there because his mom made him, to get him out of the way so when she was at the convention they wouldn't know he does drugs and would think he was a patriot." A Palin family rep declined to comment.
Let me remind all of you that Playboy has an average circulation of over 3 million, which is substantially more sets of eyeballs than have ever perused either mine, or Sadie's blog.
That means that many, many more people are now aware of just how duplicitous, and polarizing, the Palin family is considered even in their own home town.
And for those of you who are so quick to pass judgement on Mercede for taking off her clothes, and using her body to get the information out, just ask yourself how she could have done it any more effectively?
And then ask yourself what sacrifice YOU have made to let the world know about the potential harm that Sarah Palin poses to this country, and the harm she has done to those around her?
Personally I am proud of her, but of course she already knows that.
Update: I just received a clarification concerning the text from Bristol from Sherry.
It came after Lanesia dropped by to give Sadie and Sherry flowers for Valentine's Day (Something she does every year.). Apparently Bristol heard about it and a few minutes later, called and yelled at Sherry for letting her come over, and then sent that text to Levi about wishing that Tripp was not his son.
Classy right?
Remember this was all while refusing to let the Johnston family see Tripp, and a few months before Levi, Mercede, and Sherry went public on the Tyra Banks Show to tell their side of the story.
Update 2: Oops, I forgot about this clip! Dennis Zaki just reminded me.
Labels:
Alaska,
Bristol Palin,
Levi Johnston,
liars,
Mercede Johnston,
Playboy,
Sarah Palin,
Wasilla
Anchorage, Alaska in the 1970's.
This is the Anchorage I remember. Before the oil money started to pour through the city streets, and we learned that cash was the key to happiness, while trading away our soul in exchange for strip malls and cookie cutter housing developments.
4th Avenue, at that time the heart of the city.
Seedy bars, adult book stores, and houses of worship were often seen only blocks apart on the same street.
Pre-fab housing Alaska style.
Did you know Anchorage had a Drive-in theater?
Two actually, and in the summer it was too light out to see a damn thing on the screen, and in the winter we froze our asses off while trying to make out the actor's faces through the haze of drifting exhaust emanating from our idling automobiles.
Spenard Road, where massage parlors lined the street all in a row, and the prostitutes too nasty to get jobs in them waved at you as you drove home from school.
I delivered the Anchorage Daily News, every morning at 6:00 a.m. to this one.
This is essentially what every neighborhood I lived in looked like back then.
I have to say that the city is a whole hell of a lot tidier these days, but there certainly was something raw and untamed about the Anchorage of the 1970's. Come to think of it, most of US were raw and untamed back then as well.
To see many more great photos, just click here.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
"Sarah Palin--You Betcha!" Nick Broomfield's Palin documentary will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Here is the press release courtesy of Tiff.net:
Sarah Palin – You Betcha! Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill, United Kingdom
World Premiere
Nick Broomfield's quest for the real Sarah Palin involves battling the icy snows of Alaska in mid-winter to speak to the school friends, family, and Republican colleagues that in previous days gave their heart, soul and belief to the charismatic, charming, intoxicating ex-hockey mom. But it's not all plain sailing. People are frightened to talk; Wasilla makes Twin Peaks look like a walk in the park. It's a devout evangelical community – 76 churches with a population of only 6 thousand, and the Crystal meth capital of Alaska. Broomfield brings his celebrated wit and determination to cracking her story.
Well I have to say I'm intrigued, even though I already I know most of this stuff.
I really enjoyed getting to meet, and hang out with Nick and Joan, and I KNOW they were able to get access to some very knowledgeable people when it came to Sarah Palin, so the film will be far more revealing, and informative, than that ridiculous piece of propaganda by Stephen Bannon. That I can promise.
I don't know if any of my IM visitors are living near Toronto but the 36th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 8 to 18, 2011, so if you get the chance to see the documentary I would LOVE to get a short review.
You know if you would not mind.
P.S. Nick's documentary is not the ONLY Palin related thing that now has a title. I spoke to the authors of the "babygate" book yesterday and they have narrowed their choice down to a handful of possibilities. I will let you know what is decided just as soon as they are ready to release that information.
Sarah Palin – You Betcha! Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill, United Kingdom
World Premiere
Nick Broomfield's quest for the real Sarah Palin involves battling the icy snows of Alaska in mid-winter to speak to the school friends, family, and Republican colleagues that in previous days gave their heart, soul and belief to the charismatic, charming, intoxicating ex-hockey mom. But it's not all plain sailing. People are frightened to talk; Wasilla makes Twin Peaks look like a walk in the park. It's a devout evangelical community – 76 churches with a population of only 6 thousand, and the Crystal meth capital of Alaska. Broomfield brings his celebrated wit and determination to cracking her story.
Well I have to say I'm intrigued, even though I already I know most of this stuff.
I really enjoyed getting to meet, and hang out with Nick and Joan, and I KNOW they were able to get access to some very knowledgeable people when it came to Sarah Palin, so the film will be far more revealing, and informative, than that ridiculous piece of propaganda by Stephen Bannon. That I can promise.
I don't know if any of my IM visitors are living near Toronto but the 36th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 8 to 18, 2011, so if you get the chance to see the documentary I would LOVE to get a short review.
You know if you would not mind.
P.S. Nick's documentary is not the ONLY Palin related thing that now has a title. I spoke to the authors of the "babygate" book yesterday and they have narrowed their choice down to a handful of possibilities. I will let you know what is decided just as soon as they are ready to release that information.
Labels:
Alaska,
Canada,
documentary,
Gryphen,
Joan Churchill,
Nick Broomfield,
Sarah Palin,
Sarah Palin--You Betcha
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Just in case you were still wondering why people in Wasilla do not reveal what they know about Sarah Palin to reporters.
Because some times if they just keep their mouths shut, they can score a reality show simply for having touched Sarah Palin's mighty mane of hair.
The TV network TLC, home to such popular shows as Little People, Big World, Say Yes To The Dress and Cake Boss, announced today that it’s adding the show Big Hair Alaska to its fall lineup.
The show offers a look behind the scenes at the Beehive Beauty Shop, the bright pink beauty salon that gained national fame for crafting former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s signature coiffure.
The show's time slot has not yet been announced.
You see the Palins don't always have to resort to threats or intimidation to keep people quiet about them, because in fact they have helped Wasilla economically and some really do appreciate that they put their little town on the map. And yes, there are those who can even get a little fame of their own so long as they don't rock the boat.
I guess Jessica Steele learned to keep her mouth shut after she accidentally spilled the beans about Palin's thinning hair to the New York Times:
Her hair had thinned to the point where she needed emergency help from her hairdresser and close friend, Jessica Steele.
“Honestly, I think all of it just broke her heart,” Ms. Steele said in an interview at her beauty parlor in Wasilla, the Beehive.
Which inspired Ms. Steele to quickly launch into damage control:
“It wasn’t like I did an intervention,’’ Jessica Steele said in a phone interview from her Wasilla, Alaska, beauty parlor, the Beehive.
In fact, despite the juicy hair-loss tidbit that Palin-aholics gobbled up in a New York Times story (“The Long March to a Short-Notice Resignation,’’ July 12), Steele insisted that Palin’s hair hadn’t thinned so much as it had gone blah.
“I think the combination of traveling and just being down there in the lower 48’’ took its toll, Steele said in what was either a brilliant bit of spin, the simple truth, or an attempt to save the good stuff for a cut-and-tell memoir. “We needed to get her back to shiny.’’
She gave Palin a much-needed trim, she said, and “kicked up’’ Palin’s shampoo and conditioner a notch, to the high-end Pureology NanoWorks line. She also gave Palin a chichi leave-in treatment, Altieri Brothers Tuscan Oil.
Does anybody think that Jessica would be getting this great reality show gig, if she had NOT quickly walked back her statement? Nope me either!
And it is too bad she did not stick to her guns, because it appears to me that Palin's hair is WAY past the "kicked up Palin's shampoo" stage these days. Which leads me to believe that Ms. Steele was right on the money back in 2009!
Labels:
Alaska,
Jessica Steele,
Palin's hair,
reality show,
Television,
The Beehive,
Wasilla
Sarah Palin and the fastest growing baby bump in the west!
For all of you who are still clinging to the idea that somehow Palin WAS pregnant, and that the photographic evidence suggesting that she wasn't is not compelling enough, I would like you to explain this.
It does not take a doctor, a nurse, or even just a person who has been pregnant, to recognize that a fetus simply does not develop THAT quickly in such short amount of time.
As evident from my post yesterday, Palin appeared to be no more than a few months pregnant (With, apparently, Sponge Bob Squarebaby) on March 26, 2008, and then suddenly on April 13, 2008, ballooned up to the image you see on the right.
I think what is obvious is that Palin was simply winging the fake pregnancy thing at first, and then realized that she needed a more convincing disguise to fool the lazy reporters, and constituents she might bump into further down the line, so she purchased something a little more convincing to wear toward the end of her incredibly short "pregnancy."
Does anybody disagree, or think they have a better theory?
If so, I would love to hear it.
![]() | |
Image courtesy of my friend Emrysa. |
As evident from my post yesterday, Palin appeared to be no more than a few months pregnant (With, apparently, Sponge Bob Squarebaby) on March 26, 2008, and then suddenly on April 13, 2008, ballooned up to the image you see on the right.
I think what is obvious is that Palin was simply winging the fake pregnancy thing at first, and then realized that she needed a more convincing disguise to fool the lazy reporters, and constituents she might bump into further down the line, so she purchased something a little more convincing to wear toward the end of her incredibly short "pregnancy."
Does anybody disagree, or think they have a better theory?
If so, I would love to hear it.
Labels:
2008,
Alaska,
baby bump,
Babygate,
journalists,
liar,
politics,
pregnancy,
Sarah Palin
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The epic defeat of "The Undefeated."
You know sometimes an image is almost all that you need to make your point.
This film was doomed from the start, which anybody who was really in Alaska, and knew about Sarah Palin's time as governor, could have easily predicted. In fact I do believe that I did.
However besides simply indicating how bad this movie was, it is also an indication of how truly inconsequential the Palin-bots have become. After all they both begged and threatened people to get them to go see this film, and virtually NOBODY responded.
It is very hard NOT to see this as a dry run for Palin's Presidential campaign.
If she does declare in September I have little doubt that the result will look very much like the box office results pictured above. In other words, in the immortal words of my daughter, it will be another EPIC FAIL!
(H/T to Box Office Mojo.)
Update: It looks like Malia wrote something about this as well.
Labels:
Alaska,
box office,
Epic Fail,
losers,
movie,
Palin-bots,
politics,
Sarah Palin,
The Undefeated
Alaska militia member, Coleman Barney, denied bail. Whew!
Courtesy of Alaska Dispatch:
One of the things that fumbled Barney's chances for bail was something for which he isn't even charged, dating back to events that took place late one night last November outside a Fairbanks television studio. Cox had a scheduled appearance at the building and felt he needed security, with Barney in charge. The detail involved about a half dozen, armed militia members patrolling the block, blocking access and turning citizens away. Some of the guards, including Barney, who also had with him an anti-personnel riot control device – a burst of rubber bullets that could be deployed via a grenade launcher, stood watch along the perimeter in the shadows. The judge found the operation, which Barney spoke about on the stand, troubling.
"The defandant's activities in regard to a 'security detail' for co-defendant Francis Schaeffer Cox indicated a very substantial danger to the safety of other persons and the community and, in particular, a willingness to use assaultive behavior illegally to prevent the lawful arrest of another," Judge Bryan wrote.
Well THAT is certainly good news. I know that there were some people who were pretty worried about Barney getting out.
By the way it certainly did not help to have Coleman Barney take the stand in his own defense.
Barney admitted that -- like many Americans involved in the tea party movement -- he's worried about the direction of the country. But Barney said he advocated change through nonviolence. He said he believed that change could be achieved through education, through holding law enforcement accountable to the Alaska and U.S. constitutions, and through the legislative process.
"Everything I have been pushing for has been of peaceful means," he said.
He helped set up the Second Amendment Task Force, aimed at protecting gun rights, and the Liberty Bell Network, designed to provide citizens a witness network to unlawful search and seizure. And the efforts, he said, have already paid off, citing a new state law (A.S. 44.99.500) that legalizes silencers and other weapons.
If such items are made in Alaska, they are none of the federal government's business, Barney said.
When it came to alleged murder plots and anti-government loyalties, the Feds, Barney would have the court believe, simply got it wrong.
But on cross examination, prosecutor Steven Skrocki was able to get Barney to admit that he was, in fact, a command major in Cox's Alaska Peacemakers Militia. And Barney also said that, if necessary, he was also prepared to kill, though he said only as last resort.
Just to bring you up to speed the individuals that Coleman was admitting he was prepared to kill were Federal agents which the incredibly paranoid Schaeffer Cox had convinced himself, and his friends, were out to kill him.
I think this should serve as a wake up call for those who are still laboring under the assumption that the Teabaggers are not potentially dangerous, or not associated with any violent extremists.
By the way I have been hearing some rather interesting tidbits of information from my sources that there are far more connections between Sarah Palin, Joe Miller, and Schaeffer Cox than have previously been brought to light. I am attempting to make headway on that story right now, and will keep you all updated once I get something really good.
One of the things that fumbled Barney's chances for bail was something for which he isn't even charged, dating back to events that took place late one night last November outside a Fairbanks television studio. Cox had a scheduled appearance at the building and felt he needed security, with Barney in charge. The detail involved about a half dozen, armed militia members patrolling the block, blocking access and turning citizens away. Some of the guards, including Barney, who also had with him an anti-personnel riot control device – a burst of rubber bullets that could be deployed via a grenade launcher, stood watch along the perimeter in the shadows. The judge found the operation, which Barney spoke about on the stand, troubling.
"The defandant's activities in regard to a 'security detail' for co-defendant Francis Schaeffer Cox indicated a very substantial danger to the safety of other persons and the community and, in particular, a willingness to use assaultive behavior illegally to prevent the lawful arrest of another," Judge Bryan wrote.
Well THAT is certainly good news. I know that there were some people who were pretty worried about Barney getting out.
By the way it certainly did not help to have Coleman Barney take the stand in his own defense.
Barney admitted that -- like many Americans involved in the tea party movement -- he's worried about the direction of the country. But Barney said he advocated change through nonviolence. He said he believed that change could be achieved through education, through holding law enforcement accountable to the Alaska and U.S. constitutions, and through the legislative process.
"Everything I have been pushing for has been of peaceful means," he said.
He helped set up the Second Amendment Task Force, aimed at protecting gun rights, and the Liberty Bell Network, designed to provide citizens a witness network to unlawful search and seizure. And the efforts, he said, have already paid off, citing a new state law (A.S. 44.99.500) that legalizes silencers and other weapons.
If such items are made in Alaska, they are none of the federal government's business, Barney said.
When it came to alleged murder plots and anti-government loyalties, the Feds, Barney would have the court believe, simply got it wrong.
But on cross examination, prosecutor Steven Skrocki was able to get Barney to admit that he was, in fact, a command major in Cox's Alaska Peacemakers Militia. And Barney also said that, if necessary, he was also prepared to kill, though he said only as last resort.
Just to bring you up to speed the individuals that Coleman was admitting he was prepared to kill were Federal agents which the incredibly paranoid Schaeffer Cox had convinced himself, and his friends, were out to kill him.
I think this should serve as a wake up call for those who are still laboring under the assumption that the Teabaggers are not potentially dangerous, or not associated with any violent extremists.
By the way I have been hearing some rather interesting tidbits of information from my sources that there are far more connections between Sarah Palin, Joe Miller, and Schaeffer Cox than have previously been brought to light. I am attempting to make headway on that story right now, and will keep you all updated once I get something really good.
Labels:
Alaska,
Coleman Barney,
Federal Government,
militias,
murder,
Schaeffer Cox,
terrorism
Friday, July 29, 2011
The return of Shailey Tripp.
This was posted on Shailey's blog Wednesday:
For over a month now I have wanted to address the issue of my arrest paperwork and the Anchorage Police Department’s official statement to the National Enquirer regarding the article from the NE on the subject matter that I was Todd Palin’s mistress/prostitute. Specifically I want to go into detail about each point they made in their statement.
The Shailey proceeds to do exactly that.
There is much more happening behind the scenes which must stay behind the scenes for now. But trust me, just as soon as all of the loose ends are tied up we will be hearing MUCH more from Shailey.
Should be very explosive indeed.
For over a month now I have wanted to address the issue of my arrest paperwork and the Anchorage Police Department’s official statement to the National Enquirer regarding the article from the NE on the subject matter that I was Todd Palin’s mistress/prostitute. Specifically I want to go into detail about each point they made in their statement.
The Shailey proceeds to do exactly that.
There is much more happening behind the scenes which must stay behind the scenes for now. But trust me, just as soon as all of the loose ends are tied up we will be hearing MUCH more from Shailey.
Should be very explosive indeed.
Labels:
Alaska,
APD,
Sarah Palin,
scandal,
Shailey Tripp,
Todd Palin
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Just what kind of reality show is Bristol Palin filming in Wasilla? Update!
A little (very well connected) bird told me that Bristol is currently filming some sort of reality show around Wasilla, as well as in Anchorage and up toward Denali, from July 26th to August 3rd.
Apparently she also purchased a home on Lake Lucille (Doesn't she already have a place to stay on Lake Lucille?), to use for the show.
The film company involved is called Helping Hand Productions, and I am told they are from Los Angeles.
Currently that is all that I know. I will keep you posted if I learn anything new, including whether or not this is connected to her reality show in LA with the Massey brothers. Or if this is INSTEAD of her reality show with the Massey brothers.
It kind of seems odd that she would buy a house on the same lake as her mother, if she was going to be living in LA in the near future don't you think?
Update: My source contacted me again and confirmed that Helping Hands is definitely working with Associated Television International, the same company producing the reality show with the Massey brothers.So that clears up that mystery.
Apparently she also purchased a home on Lake Lucille (Doesn't she already have a place to stay on Lake Lucille?), to use for the show.
The film company involved is called Helping Hand Productions, and I am told they are from Los Angeles.
Currently that is all that I know. I will keep you posted if I learn anything new, including whether or not this is connected to her reality show in LA with the Massey brothers. Or if this is INSTEAD of her reality show with the Massey brothers.
It kind of seems odd that she would buy a house on the same lake as her mother, if she was going to be living in LA in the near future don't you think?
Update: My source contacted me again and confirmed that Helping Hands is definitely working with Associated Television International, the same company producing the reality show with the Massey brothers.So that clears up that mystery.
Labels:
Alaska,
Anchorage,
Bristol Palin,
Denali,
reality show,
Television,
Wasilla
Monday, July 25, 2011
Occasionally Alaska reminds you of why it is called the "Last Frontier." And it uses bears to do so.
Courtesy of the Newsminer:
The teenage outdoor education students, having progressed to the point of being on their own in the vast Alaska wilderness, were lined up single file for a river crossing when the grizzly burst with fury into the front of the line, badly mauling two in the group and injuring two more.
Those in the front screamed of the bear's presence. The bear was with her cub when she attacked, according to Alaska State Troopers.
The teens were in a group of seven participating in a 30-day backcountry course conducted by the National Outdoor Leadership School when the attack occurred Saturday night in the Talkeetna Mountains north of Anchorage. They were rescued early Sunday after activating their emergency locator beacon and tending to their most seriously wounded.
Those in the back of the line heard the warning, with the two at the front of the line taking the brunt of the attack, trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said.
Another group of seven students and three instructors was waiting about six miles away for a helicopter hired by the Lander, Wyo.-based NOLS, said Bruce Palmer, a spokesman for the organization, which leads many such excursions in Alaska and elsewhere.
Palmer said the worst injured with bear bite wounds are 17-year-old Joshua Berg of New City, N.Y., and 17-year-old Samuel Gottsegen of Denver. They were being treated at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Hospital spokeswoman Crystal Bailey said both are listed in serious condition after troopers earlier said the injuries were life-threatening.
When the bear broke off the attack, the teens activated a personal locator beacon they carried to be used only for an emergency, Peters said.
The Rescue Coordination Center operated by the Alaska Air National Guard called troopers around 9:30 p.m. to report the activated signal. A trooper and pilot in a helicopter located the students in a tent shortly before 3 a.m., but decided the two most seriously injured would need a medical transport aircraft with a medically trained crew.
There are basic rules that Alaskans learn to follow when going into areas that have bears:
From the description of the incident one would assume the bear had plenty of time to take her cub and flee the scene, but for some reason chose to attack instead. Even though it sounds like the teens were doing everything right.
Calling out to alert bears of human presence and give nearby animals a chance to flee is among the skills learned in the course.
"The students say they were" doing that, Palmer said.
I sometimes get a little attitude from the friends and family that I take out on hikes in the wooded areas round the city, for being overly cautious about wearing layers, bringing liquids, making lots of noise, and keeping to the paths while hiking in areas with limited visibility. But I always remind them that even only minutes away from our homes we are STILL deep in Alaska, and that Alaska is not aware that it has been civilized.
We have had quite a number of attacks in and around Anchorage, but you always tell yourself that if you follow the bear safety rules you should be okay. I think this incident with these young men is a reminder that even doing everything right, ultimately offers only minimal protection in a place as wild and unpredictable as Alaska.
The teenage outdoor education students, having progressed to the point of being on their own in the vast Alaska wilderness, were lined up single file for a river crossing when the grizzly burst with fury into the front of the line, badly mauling two in the group and injuring two more.
Those in the front screamed of the bear's presence. The bear was with her cub when she attacked, according to Alaska State Troopers.
The teens were in a group of seven participating in a 30-day backcountry course conducted by the National Outdoor Leadership School when the attack occurred Saturday night in the Talkeetna Mountains north of Anchorage. They were rescued early Sunday after activating their emergency locator beacon and tending to their most seriously wounded.
Those in the back of the line heard the warning, with the two at the front of the line taking the brunt of the attack, trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said.
Another group of seven students and three instructors was waiting about six miles away for a helicopter hired by the Lander, Wyo.-based NOLS, said Bruce Palmer, a spokesman for the organization, which leads many such excursions in Alaska and elsewhere.
Palmer said the worst injured with bear bite wounds are 17-year-old Joshua Berg of New City, N.Y., and 17-year-old Samuel Gottsegen of Denver. They were being treated at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Hospital spokeswoman Crystal Bailey said both are listed in serious condition after troopers earlier said the injuries were life-threatening.
When the bear broke off the attack, the teens activated a personal locator beacon they carried to be used only for an emergency, Peters said.
The Rescue Coordination Center operated by the Alaska Air National Guard called troopers around 9:30 p.m. to report the activated signal. A trooper and pilot in a helicopter located the students in a tent shortly before 3 a.m., but decided the two most seriously injured would need a medical transport aircraft with a medically trained crew.
There are basic rules that Alaskans learn to follow when going into areas that have bears:
- Make lots of noise to give plenty of warning of your approach. I don't see how seven teenagers stomping through the woods could NOT have made a tremendous amount of noise,
- Avoid deep brush so as not to surprise or crowd the bear. These young men were crossing a river, which you would imagine would provide a plenty of visibility to allow both the bear and the teens to see each other and take evasive measures.
- There is safety in numbers. Seven is a fairly substantial group, but in this case not substantial enough.
- Bears are unpredictable, especially mothers with their cubs. I believe that THIS last guideline made the others superfluous.
From the description of the incident one would assume the bear had plenty of time to take her cub and flee the scene, but for some reason chose to attack instead. Even though it sounds like the teens were doing everything right.
Calling out to alert bears of human presence and give nearby animals a chance to flee is among the skills learned in the course.
"The students say they were" doing that, Palmer said.
I sometimes get a little attitude from the friends and family that I take out on hikes in the wooded areas round the city, for being overly cautious about wearing layers, bringing liquids, making lots of noise, and keeping to the paths while hiking in areas with limited visibility. But I always remind them that even only minutes away from our homes we are STILL deep in Alaska, and that Alaska is not aware that it has been civilized.
We have had quite a number of attacks in and around Anchorage, but you always tell yourself that if you follow the bear safety rules you should be okay. I think this incident with these young men is a reminder that even doing everything right, ultimately offers only minimal protection in a place as wild and unpredictable as Alaska.
Labels:
Alaska,
bears,
danger,
Grizzly,
instruction,
survival,
teenagers,
wilderness
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The latest Palin family pregnancy makes it to Real Time.
Courtesy of Medaite:
“Sarah Palin in the news this week– became a grandmother again, or for the first time, who knows?” he joked, likely a reference to the conspiracy theories surrounding the birth of her fifth son Trig, though if alluding to that, this would be Palin’s “third” grandchild, so the joke didn’t exactly make sense. He clarified that the child was not Bristol’s, and then added exasperatedly, “do they not have condoms up there? When they say ‘don’t retreat, reload,’ they are not fucking around.” And, as no Palin bashing is complete without an intellect joke, he concluded, “If Bristol Palin really wanted to teach her family about abstinence, maybe the place to put that information wasn’t a book.”
By the way it is has been a week since I first reported that Britta was pregnant, and so far NOTHING from the Palin camp. It kind of makes you wonder if they really thought NOBODY was ever going to figure this out or not?
Labels:
Alaska,
Bill Maher,
Britta Hanson,
comedy,
HBO,
MILF,
pregnancy,
Sarah Palin,
Track Palin
Monday, July 18, 2011
Perhaps this is why the makers of "The Undefeated" will not be showing their Sarah Palin propaganda film in Alaska.
One of the members of our IM community took a recent trip to Alaska.
While visiting Skagway, she happened to see this rather decorative automobile.
You see the Palin-bots can peddle their Sarah Palin revisionist history all they want down in the Lower 48, but Alaskans know EXACTLY who Sarah Palin is.
And we also know that she eats poop.
While visiting Skagway, she happened to see this rather decorative automobile.
You see the Palin-bots can peddle their Sarah Palin revisionist history all they want down in the Lower 48, but Alaskans know EXACTLY who Sarah Palin is.
And we also know that she eats poop.
Labels:
Alaska,
Alaskans,
poop,
Sarah Palin,
The Undefeated,
tourist
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