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.

Shailey Tripp's latest post

From her bloghttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

posted by Shailey on Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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.

I took the following off of radar online’s website as the link to the national Enquirer no longer seems valid.

Radar Online “LATEST UPDATE: 9:15 PM EST

The Anchorage Police Department have issued the

following press release:

Shailey Tripp Investigation APD #10-1823

The Anchorage Police Department investigation and arrest of Shailey Tripp has

recently been mischaracterized in internet blogs and in a National Enquirer

article. Several errors regarding the investigation and arrest were reported in

the Enquirer article (printed and internet versions):

*None of the physical evidence examined by police showed any connection to

Wasilla resident Todd Palin and his name did not appear in any of the records

seized by APD.

*The investigation of the prostitution operation was initiated by Anchorage

Police Department’s Vice Unit responding to internet advertisements, not through

information developed from any tips or other persons.

*No rolodex was seized and taken into evidence.

*The National Enquirer has not contacted Anchorage Police Department Public

Affairs Unit to fact check its story so their reported call to Anchorage Police

Department could not have been returned.

*Bloggers have had no access to the evidence seized so their linking of

evidence in police custody to any other person is incorrect. “

First let me address this very simple detail: Shailey Tripp Investigation APD #10-1823

As you can see for yourself my name along with an assigned number for reference appears. The number 10-1823. Now all my paperwork from the courts, the attorneys, and the police have a different number. The number on all my paperwork with a APD prefix is #10-3948.

The next statement is:

None of the physical evidence examined by police showed any connection to

Wasilla resident Todd Palin and his name did not appear in any of the records

seized by APD.

From my understanding, according to the interview Malia Litman gave with Dave Parker, who issued this report, the police never actually examined the actual evidence it took into custody. So my take on this is they either knew who the big players were and decided not to look at it so they can with all honesty say that Todd Palin’s name does not appear on anything taken from the Tripp arrest or they just never got around to actually looking at what they took. Which in my own opinion is sloppy either way. We do know for a fact that the police did know what they took into custody. And in all the paperwork I have at least 7 of the officers police reports indeed indicate that items seized were a client list with phone numbers. Each officer worded this in their own individual way but never the less they seized client info with phone numbers period!

The third point: The investigation of the prostitution operation was initiated by Anchorage

Police Department’s Vice Unit responding to internet advertisements, not through

information developed from any tips or other persons.

Yes, it is true they did investigate Craig list ads and backpage ads, but they did not start the investigation due to those ads. The investigation was clearly started based off of two different phone calls from two different people a Laurie Jorgenson and a William Fortier. In both the original police report and the Affidavit of David Burns for Search Warrant Authorization both state that on 1-24-10 William Fortier contacted APD Officer Billiet to report possible prostitution. It also states that Laurie Jorgenson also placed a call to the APD to make a similar complaint based off of finding douche bottles in the trash can. The police report and affidavit have their contact info, description, and social security numbers on them so I am not mistaken on this point. So clearly the investigation was directly prompted by 2 phone calls and not initiated by Internet ads.

Next, the statement: No rolodex was seized and taken into evidence.

Well I carefully read all the paperwork, every page several times. I count at least 6 times the evidence was clearly recounted by 6 different officers on their own paper work regarding the arrest. Also the paperwork I was given about the property they seized clearly, with out a doubt indicate the items and property they took into custody.

In Officer David Burns report he clearly states that items seized were “office documents, calendars, books with client phone numbers….”

In Officer Josua Nolder’s report specifically mentions items seized “SONY laptop, credit card machine, various paperwork such as client lists and expense report…”

And of course the actual evidence reciepts clearly show that a “notebook with client phone numbers” was taken.

The next point: The National Enquirer has not contacted Anchorage Police Department Public

Affairs Unit to fact check its story so their reported call to Anchorage Police

Department could not have been returned.

I do not work for the national Enquirer nor do I have access to any of their information. But when I was in contact with the National Enquirer they indicated to me in a clear way that they did indeed contact the Anchorage Police Department for a comment. But the National Enquirer can only account for themselves I am not in anyway speaking for them.

The last point: Bloggers have had no access to the evidence seized so their linking of

evidence in police custody to any other person is incorrect.

Correct none of the bloggers could possibly have known what evidence was seized at the time this statement was made not would they - the bloggers- have access to look through the property seized. But we now have my police report and we also have copies of the paperwork in which they list the items seized. Bloggers can make any inference they wish to based off their own investigation and opinions. To my knowledge a blogger can post anything they like: opinion, rumor, likes, dislikes, profanity, anything… but why would the police even make this comment?!

In closing I would like to say that Officer Dave Parker himself admitted that there were mistakes made and that the whole APD statement was purely issed due to a phone call from Sarah Palin’s lawyer to the APD!

(http://malialitman.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/the-anchorage-police-admit-misstatements/)

There are other things I would like to highlight about that police report, so that will be my next blog…

LINKS on APD & Shailey Tripp:

Malia Litman:
http://malialitman.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/letter-to-anchorage-police-department-sent-today/

http://malialitman.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/second-letter-to-anchorage-police-re-authority-of-dave-parker/

http://malialitman.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/the-anchorage-police-admit-misstatements/

Immoral Minority:

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2011/02/did-anchorage-police-department.html

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2011/01/anchorage-police-department-denies-todd.html

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2011/02/anchorage-police-department-admits.html

Shailey keep fighting the good fight girl! And stay safe

A sneak peek at Nick Broomfield's documentary, "Sarah Palin--You Betcha!"

I heard about this scene.

The guy following behind Nick, as he is escorted out, is Marc Hoeferlin one of his assistants.

Nick also filmed the incident in Anchorage, where I was escorted out of the book signing after Todd recognized me and Sarah said: "Oh you are the one who is trying to destroy my children!"

I have no idea if it made it into the final cut, but both it, and my interview afterward, were filmed by Nick and his crew.

I think it looks pretty good, what do all you think, is it worth the price of a ticket?

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.

I am off camping right now, but I thought I would share some pictures and memories with you this Monday morning.

I am away from my computer and can only hope that this posted correctly in my absence.

I do have my I-Phone with me so, if I am still getting service, I can moderate messages and retrieve a stubborn post that might get stuck in the weeds over at Blogger.

The other day my daughter brought me some pictures that I had not seen in years which she had squirreled away in various picture albums. While looking through them I was amazed at how quickly the memories came flowing back.

Not yet three months old but already occupying the center of an entire family's universe.

She knew she was not supposed to go up those stairs, hence that mischievous look.

I blame my daughter for interrupting my early writing career. It is kind of hard to write the next great American novel when SOMEBODY keeps fooling with the typewriter.

It did not make any difference where we were going, she was always excited about riding in the car. "Let's go to outer space Daddy!' "Your wish is my command" I would reply, and off we would go to whatever magical place our imaginations could take us.

We had nothing in those days.  I worked a low paying job, and was constantly struggling to make ends meet, but in my memory they were the very BEST of times.

Sometimes it was just she and I together, playing in the park, watching "Mary Poppins" for the hundredth time, playing dress up while drinking imaginary tea, or simply bike riding around Anchorage together looking for trouble. 

After her mother and I split up, I had a couple of short lived romantic flings. But the only relationship that I ever really put all of my energy into was the one with this gorgeous little girl.

I guess I always knew the others were going to be temporary, but that being Daddy was going to last forever.  And so it has.

Time for a July 4th hike up my favorite mountain.

One of my all time favorite places in Alaska is a local hiking trail which leads to the top of Flattop Peak.

Last year I made this hike about fourteen times during the summer.

Due to some unforeseen complications concerning my job, I have not been able to make it up even ONCE this summer. So since today was a holiday, and there were no phone calls to worry about, or projects that required my immediate attention, I decided to set aside about an hour and half and commune with nature. (Fortunately for me, this nature is only about a ten minute drive away from my house.)

The first part of the hike is called Blueberry Loop and even it can be a little taxing for those unaccustomed to steep hikes over rough terrain.

As you see in Alaska you can ALWAYS find someplace that does not yet realize that it's summer time. ("Hey snow, its' freaking July! Melt already!")

This sign lets you know that you are leaving the easy trail and that it is time to put on your big boy (or girl) pants.  I have climbed this peak hundreds of times so I am filled with confidence that I wll fly up the mountain. (And by "fly" I mean stumble over rocky outcroppings like an Alzheimer's patient, while sweating profusely, and using wildly inappropriate language.)

This is where it starts (That's right "starts") to get more difficult.  I often see families with small children heading up this trail. They are usually still smiling and getting along well at this point but another hundred yards or so up the trail that happy family dynamic starts to fall apart. (If you want to hike up without hearing the sounds of crying or complaining children and impatient parents, you have to go on a weekday.)

I call this the halfway mark, though in fact it is actually a little more than halfway.  However this is where the hike gets serious as you can see from the sign. People have fallen and had to be rescued or, in some cases, even suffered a fatality. (One of my great fears in life is that I will fall and have to be helicoptered down the mountain. I would NEVER live down the humiliation.)

Seriously is somebody adding more rock to make this damn thing higher?

The view from the top.

Breathtaking don't you agree? Though considering that I was still sucking wind and trying to slow my heart rate when I took this picture I did not exactly need the view to take my breath away.

Still, in my opinion it is one of the most beautiful views in Alaska!  And the fact that you have to risk life and limb to see it only makes it more so.

Well time to head back down.

Oh did I tell you that the descent is the most treacherous part of this particular hike?  Wish me luck!

Celebration turns to sorrow during Anchorage Pridefest parade.

From ADN:

A convertible carrying the grand marshal in today's Anchorage gay Pridefest parade struck and killed a pedestrian just as the downtown parade was to begin, police say.

Police late Saturday identified the victim as 50-year-old James L. Crump of Anchorage. Crump worked as a nurse for the city's Health and Human Services department, police said.

The 1971 Triumph Stag convertible was traveling at a low speed when it hit and dragged the man, police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker said.

Police said the driver was Edith Bailey, 70, of Eagle River.

Grand Marshal Doug Frank said he was riding in the black convertible when the driver had trouble with the car's accelerator. It lurched forward, Frank said.

"It ran over a person, totally over," he said, sobbing. "This went from one of the best days of my life to the worst."

I just heard about this a few minutes ago.

This is a terribly sad end to a day that is usual full of wonderful music, imaginative floats, and amazing performers.

My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Crump and to ALL of the witnesses to this horrific event.

I have recently attended several plays at Mad Myrna's, our local gay club and theatre company, and I have come to know several members of the LGBT community.  I know this will have a devastating effect on them and I wish to extend my sincerest condolences.

About those Palin books...

I just returned from visiting my local Barnes & Noble store where I was picking up a hard copy of Frank Bailey's book (There are a couple of intriguing pictures which did not show up on my Nook).

I became a little discouraged when it took me a long time to locate one, and when I did it was tucked almost completely out of sight in the political book section.

When I went to make my purchase I complained about how hard it was to find and asked why there was only the one. 

The nice lady behind the counter said, 'Oh we can't keep that one on the shelves."  She further told me that just as soon as they put them out on the display, they are bought up and they have to order more.

"To be honest," she said. "I am surprised you found that one."

I then decided to ask about Geoffrey's book and was told virtually the same information, however she did point to a display table that had about seven of his books still available for purchase.

I came away feeling very gratified that Alaskans were so interested in finally learning the unvarnished truth about the woman who had redefined our state in a fairly horrific manner to millions of people across the country.

Currently Bailey's book, Blind Allegiance to Sarah Palin is ranked number one in Amazon's  Bestsellers in State & Local Government, number five in the category of  Politics, and number twenty five in Memoirs.

Geoffrey Dunn's book, The Lies of Sarah Palin,  has suffered from a much less energetic publicity campaign than Frank Bailey's.  However it is, as of this post, number thirteen on Amazon's  Bestsellers in Political Leader Biographies category, and in the category of Bestsellers in Womens' Biographies it is currently ranked thirty one.

So as you can see despite the desperate attempts by the Palin media trolls to discredit them, these books are really doing pretty well.  Not only that, as Geoffrey Dunn recently pointed out in a phone conversation, these books are really ALL describing "the same person."  Whether it be Baily's book, Dunn's book, or even the book being written by Joe McGinniss, the main character will be easily recognizable from one book to another. (And the same can be said for the upcoming babygate book as well.)

That is the simple truth when revealing the actual facts about somebody.  No matter where those facts are laid out, whether in a book, a movie, a documentary, or even on a blog, that person will always be the same no matter from which angle they are being viewed.  Fake tan, fake glasses, herpes sores, and all.

It is only in the mythological realm where Palin WANTS people to learn about her, such as her book "Going Rogue," her ill fated reality television show, or this ridiculous movie, "The Undefeated," that facts become constantly mutating bits of protozoa, which tend to expand, stretch, or evolve depending through which medium they are observed.

And my friends that is exactly why Sarah Palin does not want to you to read these books, visit this blog, or see her interviewed by a real reporter.  The magic trick only works if you cannot see up the magicians sleeve or what is really happening behind the curtain, because once the smoke and mirrors are removed the magic is all but gone.

In other words Palin-bots, once you finally see Sister Sarah for who she really is, "Poof!" She will be no more.

Anchorage PD admits they misspoke about Todd Palin being involved in hooker ring

Malia Litman has it right here.  Special thanks to Malia Litman for contacting the Anchorage PD and getting them to fess up.