You are hereThe Anchorage Daily News demands leaders stop criticizing Mark Begich
The Anchorage Daily News demands leaders stop criticizing Mark Begich
By Dan Fagan
Publisher
The Alaska Standard
Just when you thought the Anchorage Daily News could not possibly lean any more to the left, the paper once again exceeds expectations.
Did you see the editorial in Monday’s paper calling for the mean, nasty, impolite mayor of Anchorage, Dan Sullivan, to leave the Daily News’s golden boy, Mark Begich alone?
The paper headlines the editorial,
“Enough”
The writers sound like a frustrated mother who wants the mean kids to stop picking on her child.
The editorial astonishingly goes onto to say,
“Mayor and Assembly need to work with Begich, not fight with him”
You can hear the editorial team as they meet.
Why is everybody being so mean to Mark? He’s doing everything Harry Reed and Barack Obama are asking him to do. If it weren’t for Mark we wouldn’t have a government takeover of health care. So what if he snuck through an extra $200 million in raises for unions as mayor by lying about the budget? What’s the big deal? The rich under burdened taxpayers can afford it. Why are so many picking on Mark Begich? Why won’t they just let it go and move on?
The editorial writers at the Daily News make it clear they want people to start being nice to their favorite senator. They even put their wish in the form of a new year’s resolution.
They write,
“Here's something we would like to see in the New Year. How about if the Assembly and Mayor Dan Sullivan stop arguing with Sen. Mark Begich about his performance as mayor and criticizing his performance as a U.S. senator?”
I am not making this stuff up. The Daily News love fest with Mark Begich has reached such a crescendo, the paper is now calling on some to stop criticizing him. You can’t make this stuff up.
The paper’s editorial board criticized Anchorage Mayor Sullivan for suggesting Sen. Begich should have brokered something for his vote on Obama Care like many of his fellow liberal senators did. Mr. Sullivan said Mr. Begich should have tried to get ANWR opened for development in exchange for his vote.
The paper didn’t like that suggestion and I suspect it’s because the Daily News editorial board doesn’t want ANWR open. Remember the paper has consistently endorsed Democrat candidates for president, a move that guarantees the refuge’s continued closure.
The paper’s plea for others to leave Mr. Begich alone is the typical package of partisanship we have come to expect from one of the most liberal newspapers in the land. Ironically the latest pro Begich editorial ends up criticizing the very thing it promotes.
The editorial concludes,
“The nation has become angrily partisan, with members of both parties charging the other with policies that portend the end of American civilization. Now Alaska is getting a taste of this partisanship. Maybe it's inevitable. But it's not beneficial.
BOTTOM LINE: Feud fuels partisan politics, does nothing for city.”
The most partisan of partisan newspapers criticizing partisanship. Only from the skewed mind of the left.
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O'Donnell - You're showing your "special interests" in the politics of Buddy Begich vs. Mad Dan. Your true color is blue; as in a blue-collar union wanna-be-boss for AFD. You need to tell your higher-up-the-ladder union bosses that all of you really shouldn't be bad-mouthing the elected official that now makes the fiscally responsible decisions that the assembly and previous mayor were not capable of making. The more you bad mouth him, the more you distance yourself from the voting public (and I dare say many of your union members and co-workers) who chose NOT to elect another Dem who is in the unions' pockets. Mayor Sullivan has been a union member and is not seeking to destroy unions or to villanize unions in Anchorage. You seem to be doing a great job of that yourself.
AFD and the muni unions (not the employees, personally) are starting to really irritate the taxpayers of this city with the constant whining and complaining. This economy is affecting all of us; we are all cutting back; all making fiscally responsible calls; making our expenses fit our budgets (a practice not well-endorsed by unions or the majority of public employees). Buck up!
Begich truly is a fabulous politician - if that's what you want (and apparently, a lifetime politician is just exactly what you like). At least the current mayor is able to run the muni like a business (like the businesses that he owns). Efficiency is not too much to ask of all public employees - make do, be efficient and operate your department within or (YIKES!) under budget! To save the taxpayer $$$ is a job well done and would be rewarded.
You are a public servant - SERVE with dignity and honor the taxpayer's hard-earned tax $$$ with efficient service. Of all people, the unions and the muni employees should be the people who come up with innovative ways to cut costs, create efficiencies, re-organize and be FLEXIBLE with manpower. Can't you do that? If not, why? If you were able to understand that you aren't just working for the union and that, instead, you are working at the pleasure of the public, you would make those innovative suggestions knowing that you would gain a HUGE amount of respect from all and look like the hero's you are supposed to be! Too bad you can't think better of how you can make innovative, thoughtful, positive suggestions for your city and save some of my $$$. Until you can, get out of my way! You have got to be a blue-collar EMT.
If you care to point out any where I have defended Begich in any post go a ahead and try.
Do not presume to speak for me or my fellow union member though either you are on the inside of the Sullivan admin and are pretending or you don't know what you are talking about period!
Give me an example of all the whining and complaining you are referring too, just one. Its a red herring, just like the high tax burden you and I are carrying. Just how is this economy effecting YOU just how are you cuting back what you skipped your latte once a week. Im sorry did you get laid off like many of the city employees you seem to have a problem with or do you evn know any one who got a pink slip?
For you information I happen to belong to the most efficeint department in the Muni year after year so says the city. But to say the sole focus of a Mayor or any politician is to cut the budget well that is stone age thinking.
Did you ever think for one monent that many of the lost postions were needed just maybe? Yes I am a public servant I SERVE the citizens of this city every day at work, and for your information we in my department have a whole VOLUNTEER committee on cost saving. Our union has been consistiently flexible to help the situation in matters that we could easily have greived and won to help the city. So Yes I can do that but let me be clear I do not work at the pleasre of the public, my department has an extensive screening process, very high standards I met them I was hired and I continiue to meet or exceed those standards, get my drift.
Get out of your way, please save the me the indignatio,n as a person who lives in a state subisdized by others stop kidding yourself.
Those are the expected responses on all accounts. You are who you are. Public servant and honoring our taxpayer dollars? NOT!
Thanks for showing your true colors...
In your case I am glad I didn't dissapoint. But you got one thing wrong i'm not Blue I'm purple.
Once again you prove your lack of education inferring that Mayor Sullivan has never held a job in his life. Your lack of education, or the absolute inability to tell the truth is so obvious. Dan Sullivan currently owns a small business and over the years he has been employed helping non-profits raise money and generally serving his community in areas such as on the Anchorage Assembly. His background, education, and work experience has prepared him well to be our Mayor, and he is doing a great job. What's wrong with that?!! Are you really that dumb, or just pretending?
Okay great so you aren't one of the same people who have disparaged the Presidents or Sen Begich work back back ground since they sound strikingy similar, right?
No I am not dumb, Mayor Sullivan shows every day disdain and contempt of those who work under him, he and Mr Vakalis are contsantly trying to find ways to embaress or punish workers. He blames unions and thie contracts for all the cities woes. Together they contsantly try to make it impossible for emlpoyees to do charity work on or off duty.
He has shown a shell game mentality by counting the same money twice when calcualting the cities so called deficit. He doen't want to negtoiate in good faith he only want the city workers to give up wages and benefits they have earned and bargained for in good faith. For example the city employees union stated they would agree to the reduced work week and a pay cut for no more layoffs, he said no.
This whole ambulance peice he wrote in the paper is out and out distortions and lies. For the record in case you or any one else here reading this read it. He claims we have plenty of ambulance here in the city its just the union wont let the city use them. Thats not true it is in the city rules, and it is in the FD contract. But more importantly the ambualnces he is counting like the private companies are doing medevacs and transporting non-emergent patients, AFD used to do that but they gave it up to focus on 911 calls. The miitary does not even have perdonnel to satff their ambualnces, AFD gets called to transport people on base from time to time , not the other way around. The volunteer ambualnce he refers to are just that, volunteer that means when you dial 911 you may not get anyone or at least for a long time. They the nearst one is some 15 mile away.
That does a person in sandlake alot of good when there child is choking.
I am not stupid sir I know full well what is going on behind the scences and I have read his resume. Compared to most of the city workers he dislikes I'd say agin he hasn't held a job.
The ADN still censors my posts so that no one but I can see them (except for themselves, of course). The mighty ADN knows I am 100% credible, which terrifies them the most about little ol' me. Makes me feel kind of special, actually. Could use an alias, but I do not post anonymously, and it would not be as sporting.
Don't have much to say at the moment, unfortunately, but it is certain that I will.
So you are saying on the ADN you use your real name? Why not here? Or is "akparamedic" your legal name?
"akparamedic" began in the early 90's, when I first signed up for a Yahoo e-mail account. It became my monikor wherever I go on the internet, including the blogs I am known to frequent. I have no alias, I have never posted under anything else, and my identy has never been anonymous.
I frequently, but not always, sign my posts. In the case here, my full name is for all to see if you look at my bio (simply click on "akparamedic"), but I'll save you the trouble.
Kurt Sorensen
akparamedic@yahoo,com
I am familiar with your situation and I have nothing but respect for the energy you have put into doing the right thing.
Mark Begich is a complete scoundrel and the ADN will do anything to protect him. Matt Zencey is trying like heck to prove his loyalty to Mark with hopes of landing a fat government job when the ADN finally goes under. Zencey is likely the one behind much of you problems with ADN he is an nasty and Angry liberal who will do ANYTHING to protect his future kickback from Begich.
Hang in there and know there are folks who appreciate what you are doing, it takes guts. Be careful out there you know there are a lot of union thugs who still owe Begich and hope for more sweet deals in the future at our expense.
Godspeed
Thanks so much, AKT, it is always heartening to receive words of support. Anonymously or directly, it doesn't matter, they all mean a LOT to me!
Interesting to note, I still enjoy tremendous support from the AFD IAFF members, and even much of administration. But, for several reasons, I distanced myself from them all years ago, but only because it was a necessary evil to accompish my agenda.
As a paramedic in Colorado Springs and Denver, and then a paramedic, paramedic//firefighter, paramedic supervisor, and battallion chief in Anchorage, I sat in practically every chair at the table, on all sides. I've been in a position of conflict with the Union multiple times, but my conflicts with administration were far more frequent,, far more severe, and always involving issues of absolute right and wrong. My unique insiders view enabled me to witness exactly how both sides conduct themselves,.
FWIW, I can empatically say that I NEVER knew the Union to conduct themselves anythihg less than with complete honesty and honor, and administration ALWAYS conducted themselves at the opposite extreme. Interestingly, in 2008 an Outside attorney advised me to "immediately" move my family Outside, to "somewhere safe." HIs concerns were legitimate, considering the unbelievable harms we've already been caused by my powerful enemies. Incidentally, local attorneys tell me I'm right, but I can't possibly fight the forces against me; and they certainly didn't want to be even remotely infolved in any of it.
Thanks again for the encouragement, and for already making my day!! Keep the faith, IT IS coming!
As much as I disagree with the power that the Police and FireFighter Unions hold over this city I don't believe they are your greatest threat. It just saddens me when I see Police and Fire Fighters with such fierce loyalties to their union at the expense of the public they are supposed to serve. Most policeman and firefighters I know are really decent folks. Coolectively however members of these unions do abuse the workmans comp system and have negotiated (bullied) retirement programs that will bankrupt our city. But I digress.
Again while their are fierce union loyalists in the Police and Fire Departments who worship Mark Begich for his fierce fierce fierce loyalty to the unions and his history of lining their pocket they are not likely to do you harm. Oh maybe a phony speeding ticket if they know you are the one trying to expose their Boss Hog but where I would worry is general population of muni employees and the IBEW. These folks have been so enriched by Begich they are lots of true zealots not above a little violence to punish a threat to their Mark.
Good Luck and continued courage and energy in the uphill battle. You truly are fighting City Hall in the form a US Senator. Thank heavans we finally have an honest and decent mayor although I can not imagine how Mayor Sullivan keeps such a positive approach being surounded by Begich loyalist while taking cheap shots from the ADN every day.
My only perspective as a union member is the 15 years I belonged to IAFF Local 1264 (Anchorage firefighters, dispatchers, mechanics, office personnel, etc.). My perspective of the AFD's administration and municipal officials operations is that of a paramedic battalion chief; I reported directly to and worked with them constantly. In short, I have a highly unique insiders view of how the Union and municipal administrators operate and what makes them tick. My personality is typically very highly reserved (I'm an introvert, conflict is not my bag) but my pesky values, especially as a paramedic, demand superior performance and honorable public service. That all said, here are a handful of my humble observations.
My biggest problem with a union is the fact that all members are treated equally. It sounds un-American, but what I mean is that the least productive union member receives the exact same pay, benefits, and protections as the superstars. There is no merit system, nor a means to reward those most dedicated and accomplished employees.
Unions are frequently blamed for the high costs of labor (robbing the taxpayers blind) and wrongfully covering for/protecting its members. Of the latter, this is simply not true; far from it. I initiated more harsh disciplinary actions (including a few terminations) than all other chief officers, combined (absolutely HATED that part of my job, but remember what I said about my pesky values?), and the union members never hesitated to report a problematic employee (a rarity, but I was involved in them all, usually because the personnel learned to report them directly to me). I spent many, many hours at union meetings, working with the union over a gamut of issues, and sitting in on labor negotiations. In all sincerity, I never witnessed a single incidence of a union official conducting himself anything less than with complete integrity. One time only, I had an extremely contentious conflict with the union's board members, but within days of the action I took, they professionally addressed the issue and it was resolved, to the great satisfaction of everyone concerned. Of course, my position cometimes placed me at odds with the union, but our relationship was always OUTSTANDING, simply because we were completely honest and forthright with the other, and we all wanted to do the right thing. Simple as this is, I found that administration was never, ever, ever able to grasp this concept, no matter if it was with the union, media, or general public.
Conversely, on the occasions I went after a (non-union) public official, the municipality went to extraordinary lengths to cover for and protect the person, no matter how egregious and/or illegal his conduct had been (and/or still was); and they were very successful at it because they owned all of the cards (mayor appointed attorney, personnel director, city manager, financial manager, records manager, etc.).. Theycollectively refused to allow themselves to be embarrassed by their actions, and the mayor didn't want to receive a political hit. Protecting themselves at all costs, they reminded me of dim musk ox.
The thing I probably like most about unions is that their agenda is universally understood and known: To seek the best working conditions, benefits, etc. for their members; anything less would constitute misconduct and be illegal. Our elected officials are SUPPOSED to represent all the rest of us and, again, they have far more resources to dominate negotiations. But in Begich's case, obviously, he betrayed us all, including the firefighters. They were lied to the same as the taxpayers, I guarantee they didn't like bargaining in good faith, only to give up their raises (which I computed will cost them $12,000 apiece, over the life of the contract) and be attacked for being such greedy, thankless employees.. BTW, that's another thing administration will always do, blame their financial woes on they greedy unions, sucking the lifeblood from the public. They never mention that they have all the power in the world to negotiate those contracts for whatever is fair (or not fair), Police and firefighters cannot strike, so if an impasse is reached, an arbitrator decides what is right (though politicians still blame the blood-sucking employees). Begich lied to all of us about our financial status, and his actions while representing us DID constitute official misconduct, and was illegal, I've even seen the MOA lie about not having any money while rolling in the dough. Why didn't they simply say "yes, we can afford it, but we intend to save it for the future, give the taxpayers some relief, use it for something else, etc."? Instead they lied about it because as far as I can tell, they're so accustomed to it that's all they know to do.
At contract time, I remember Mr. Coffey expressing appreciation of the firefighters who assisted him with reading through their entire contract. He voted against them, but I respect that, because he made an informed decision and voted what he believed. But I have a HUGE problem with the bobble-headed Begich toadies who voted for the contracts without bothering to know what they said..
If an administration is so dishonest with things as public as the labor contracts, can you imagine how they conduct business with all the other things we don't see? Mystrom and Begich betrayed the public beyond your wildest imagination (whether its politics or labor vs. management, partisanship means nothing to me). My issues with Wuerch were almost trivial, and I thought very highly of his Municipal Manager, Harry Kieling. As for Sullivan, I respect the fact that (for the most part) he seems to be walking the talk of what he represented while campaigning. I don't have to agree with or even like a politician (not to say I don't like Sullivan, I don't know him at all) to respect the ones who stick to their word and adhere to their principles.
In short (yeah, right, I don't write anything short), I do support Local 1264 because I know the tremendous quality of its membership, the integrity of their leadership and, most of all, they demonstrably earned my trust. Yes, there are abuses at times, and yes, they are expensive. But please remember that the high profile, tremendous expenses (i.e. retirement issues) are all things that were legally promised to them by our "trusted" elected officials, representing us on all our behalves. I can't tell you how many treaties have been broken and lies have been told, but most of the time they get away with it (again because of the municipal empire owning all of the cards, including the Municipal Attorney. BTW, the Municipal Attorney does not represent the publics interests, they do exactly what they're told by the mayor, regardless how wrong it is or how certain they will lose (forcing all of us to pay for their wrongdoings). While still with the AFD, we voluntarily returned $40 Million to the general fund from our retirement systems, only to be thoroughly betrayed by Mystrom. Along with everyone else, I was promised a lifetime of paid health insurance, but the city reneged, knowing it was wrong and illegal, but having the financial might (your tax dollars) to tie it up in courts and outspend all comers (it is good to be king), Now, instead of the promised insurance, I pay $1,400 a month.
I believe most firefighters and police officers are highly respectful and cognitive of the burdens these things are on the people who have to pay for them. That is why (in their former contracts) they not only to a much lesser health care plan, they also agreed to pay for more it themselves. Another example: When the firefighters forfeited their raises two months after the Assembly signed their contracts into law, their understanding was that their sacrifices would ensure fire apparatus would not be closed (it doesn't benefit the firefighters to keep them open, their concerns were of the public). But instead, Claman turned around and closed fire stations and asked for more concessions, threatening lay-offs if they were not received,. Now why, why, why couldn't Claman have been up front with this stuff ifrom the beginning, ESPECIALLY since he was one who signed the legal contract, but demanded do-overs a month later? Complicated stuff, which is why it is so easy for the MOA to never tell you about these kinds of things.
I didn't begin this "note" with the intent of defending unions, but it seems that is pretty much what I've done. Speaking for the IAFF, the single union I can vouch for, they do have inherent problems (like anyone else ) but all in all, I know they are an honorable bunch who I've never known to intend the slightest deceit.
Out of curiosity, I spent time looking through all donations made to Begich's last campaign, and found that the sum total of donations made by the firefighters was about $850 (geez, I donated about half that much alone to Begich in 2000, when I was dead wrong about him being the person he said he was). Incidentally, a unions endorsement of a candidate does not automatically equate to him/her receiving all of their votes (though granted, it certainly helps them a lot),. There are a number of independent thinkers who are not single-issue voters and vote however they want, even when it is not to their personal benefit.
I've gotten a little wordy here (which I am often prone to do), but I appreciate the forum. A long time ago, the ADN censored me from writing about any of these things. I get a lot out of reading the thoughtful opinions of others, regardless of how diverse they might be from my own., and I ESPECIALLY appreciate the words of support and encouragement! I already know many of the folks here won't hesitate to challenge something I might say, but that's the way it's supposed to be, and it can be helpful for me. In fact, the time is soon coming that I want to be intensely scrutinized for every word that I say (and I have a LOT of outrageous things to say). Just be honest with me and I promise I will always do the same. Thanks again, to all,
Kurt Sorensen
You provide food for thought.
I have absolutely no doubt about your sincerity and honesty.
Our experience with unions has been very different but that does not diminish at all what you relate so well about your life and horrible experience with the Begich Machine. That we have in common.
Mark Begich is a very bad and dishonest person who has been coddled and protected his whole life. He has the snottiest tone I have ever heard from a public official other than perhaps Sara Palin and Hillary Clinton. Mark's greatest defenders were John Tracy when he was at KTUU and the ADN editors. If you challenged Mark you could expect a vicous straffing run by both KTUU and ADN - nothing had to be true they just wanted people to know they were going to destroy you and your family if you crossed their boy.
As I have said before I would not want Begich as a neighbor, would not leave him alone with my children and I sure don't want him representing my State. No matter how he is lining pockets and being loyal to the unions I just don't see how people on conscience can support him.
Good Luck but rest assured for every damaging fact you raise relative to Mark Begich corruption Julie Hasquet, the ADN and KTUU will attack you insinuation and rumor. It is going to be a bumpy ride.
I've learned my lessons well and know all of their own games.
As for KTUU, there's not a thing they can do to me any worse than what they've already done. For instance:
KTUU 1-25-05, 6 o'clock.wmv
I immediately called Ms. Downey and told her she was dead wrong, but she stuck with the story given her by Tom Kempton, the AFD's public information officer, who lied to them like a good little toadie.
The assistant DA also saw the false report and called Ms. Downey, but she horribly botched her "correction."
KTUU 1-25-05, 6 o'clock BOTCHED correction.wmv
There was never even an allegation of stealing morphine because it never happened. My "crime" was having three drug journal errors (out of the hundreds that I entered) in 2004, involving an amount of drugs worth about five dollars, if even that. The fire chief and municipal attorney (Begich's, of course) gave their word I would return to my position after entering a plea, and that they would not speak of it to the media,. I was assured of the "de minimus nature" of my journal error, and my record would be wiped clean in two years. I plead "no contest" to my "felony crime", paying a $250 fine and 85 hours of community work service (actually, I got so wrapped up in it that I volunteered for well over 500 hours). But the moment I entered the plea, Begich betrayed everything represented. All that mattered to them was to trick me into pleading to a felony, any felony, so they could fire me and then lie about it to the media,. The phony, very painful reports continued for two days. BTW, the MOA's own records indicate there may have been over 2000 similar errors (and worse) in 2004 (I can easily prove there were hundreds), but in the history of the AFD, no one else has received so much as a scolding. There's more to my story, FAR more, but you get my gist.
And there were many, many other things, like having my house broken into, records stolen, and all four of my computer's hard drives destroyed (3 internal, 1 external), and I was similarly attacked countless other times. Thanks for your concerns, but I' will do just fine. I have nothing to hide andI am very much looking forward to see the best they can do, now that I hold all of the truths. Stay tuned....
AKT all these prosecution of our city employees are very interesting but very broad. Perhaps you would like to make some specific examples or facts about all these negative thing you print about city employees. Like how they abuse workmans comp, or bullied the retirement system.
Iam sure that theses public servants would rather you just said thanks. These are the people who watch over you and your family at night. If you ever neede there help you would see the dedication and professionalism regardless of who you are, I am sure you won't care if they are union members then.
Same old threats from the left but void of logic. Loyalty to any union any where any time.
We should all agree to pay rookie fire fighters $1,000,000 per year for 3 day work weeks or "O" will live in fear that they will refuse to fight a fire. No limits no common sense.
Police officers should make at least $2,000,000 a year and be able to retire after 2 years of service or their union will threaten to not show if you are bleeding after a car wreck.
For the most part these are brave men who do an important job but there has to be some limits and common sense - of which the left is void.
Even my cop and firefighter friends know the system has gotten out of hand due to the "O"s of the world. They of course can not openly talk about this or face the rath of the union leadership and handfull of zealots who are driving this over the brink.
You know what AKT you are begining to sound like your buddy Mario. No where in you post do you offer any FACTS, to back up your ridulous claims. Instead you add to them with insane claims. What threats do you feel threatened by the truth? I embody the left ?
Starting fire fighter. make no where near $100, 000 a year much less the million you claim more like 40 thousand. Their 3 day work week is three 24 hour shifts making the work week 56 hours instead of 40 with NO time and half pay. My next door neighbor has been on APD for about five years now he lves in a modest house and I am prettty sure he does not make $2 mil a year or near it. Nobody I repeat nobody can retire in any plan after two years its twenty or thirty or age 65.
If you have cop and firefighter freind they are not very ggod freind because they are feeding you a line of bull. My facts can be found on the muni website what say you?Besides if your freinds are such anti union people why dont they resign from the union, they can freely do that. And why would they continue to work in an enviroment that is out of hand. Near as I can tell every two weeks they reconcile with the citizens of the city after that are free to quit. That is so hypocritcal and in line with excuse making its like Fagan saying the dividensd is bad and then taking it.
Unions can not prohibit any one from responding to an accident that is plain silly, in fact the two public safety unions have no strike cluases. What are you smoking? Are these your imaginary friend?
And the the left is void?
Weird, the ADN never sees cause to write about something in The Alaska Standard. I wonder why....
Yeah but you have.
Dan, are you trying to suggest that I work for the ADN? Nope, never worked for any media outlet, ever, nothing close even.
No wonder the free market didn't value your skills as a reporter.
ToyTruck
You have to admitt you and Matt Zencey are soul brothers and with most liberals we could not slip a piece of paper between you folks on any issue. That is the strength of the Left - you are in PERFECT lockstep, no deviation - whatever the masters say is a go. No thinking required just stay in line and repeat the same stuff over and over and over and over.
So forgive Dan I think even if you didn't actually work for ADN - we could not tell.
Agian you make a assertion that is not supported by the facts on the ground. Democrats vote in lockstep? Have you not heard of the Blue dogs or Joe Lieberman? Did they fall lock step. Even Howard Dean ha been critical of the Senate Bill and the President.
the dems had control of the house and senate. 4 2 you dont know what you are talking about. 4 3 now was the perfect storm for someone with Alaskas best intrest to get ANWR. 4 4 you have been brainwashed. Do you feel good that you have been brainwashed, or do you even know?
I just wonder out of all the people who think Our Senator did a good thing voting for health care, how many actually read the bill for themselves instead of relying on either parties spin? Most people just drink the Koolaid with out personal research. And the ADN just provides the Koolaid they want. Who cares about the truth of facts they just get in the way.
By now, we've all figured out that if the left feels threatened, they villify their threat. The only reason our Mayor is being villified is because (say it with me!) Mr. Begich feels threatened. Mayor Sullivan is doing the job that Begich should have done, but couldn't because he was so busy playing politics with labor and trying to get his Dad's senate seat. Mayor Sullivan is being put on the defensive by Sheila Selkregg and the Socialist Six because she doesn't "think that he knows what he's doing yet. He really doesn't need to sacrifice things that enhance life in Anchorage like our libraries, parks and recreation", blah-blah-blah.
If it were up to them, we'd be living high off'n the public $$$ hog, like California! ("Budget? What budget?") The SS don't believe that fiscal responsibility is theirs - it's someone elses! I'm not in favor of their Social Justice - I'm in favor of Taxpayer Justice! Amazing that they had to reorganize the Assembly so they could get their social agenda passed. I wonder how long it will be before Patrick Flynn resurrects his gay rights ordinance and shoves it through with the new Assembly. Maybe they haven't realized it yet, but Anchorage voted for their own "Change we could believe in" - Mayor Sullivan.
Begich is one of the best politicians in Alaska history - he's a dirty little slime ball and we will find out what he sold his vote on health care for in the next couple of years. He has political aspirations that go beyond just a little junior "yes man" senator and needs some support for his re-election efforts. He's paying it forward with his health care vote. So, no worries...we'll just have to wait and see what Begich negotiated on his own behalf.
Of course, we all know that he's not thinking of Alaska or benefitting the Alaska native population who helped get him in office. Whatever he sold his vote for will benefit only Mr. Begich. It will either be something he can 'spin' into a publicity web or an under-the-covers deal that will help with his personal political agenda.
Not all of the Dem senators negotiated something on behalf of their states - the majority of them (including Begich) sold their vote for something to save their own skins. Amazingly, most of those who sold their vote for things that publicly appear to 'benefit their state' are up for reelection within the near future. Public Pork is a favorite of those in a reelection year! Eat up, Louisiana, Nebraska, et al! Mr. Begich will show the price for his vote within the next couple of years...no worries!
Representative Don Young is a nineteen-term member of Congress, representing Alaska at-large. Rep. Young served as Chairman of the House Resources Committee from 1994 to 2000, and as the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 2000 to 2006. In the 111th Congress, Rep. Young lost his position as ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee when House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner did not support Rep. Young’s efforts to maintain his leadership role on the committee.
Rep. Young’s ethics violations stem from the misuse of his position to benefit family and friends and to steer millions of dollars in earmarks to corporations in exchange for contributions to his campaign committee and political action committee, Midnight Sun PAC (MSPAC). Rep. Young is currently under federal investigation for (1) his role in securing a $10 million earmark for a road in Florida; (2) assistance he offered to convicted VECO Corporation CEO Bill Allen; and (3) his ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. At one time Rep. Young was being investigated for his financial relationship with convicted businessman Dennis Troha. Rep. Young was included in CREW’s 2007 and 2008 congressional corruption reports.
Oh but that is all okay because he CALLS himself a conservative so his sins are overooked.
but wasn't nick begich in the US house, not the senate?
My mistake! Getting a comparable job to that of your father takes a lot of politicing. Thanks for reading my post, Batty!
politicking. ;
St. Mark of Begich is not innocent of the outrages that his supporters commit. The name calling, the violence, and the fiduciary irresponsibility are things of which he is part and parcel. Conservatives are tired of seeing incompetence, corruption, and greed explained away with a giggling, "mistakes were made!" Democrats have long promised great things for the citizenry if only they pay more taxes and give up a few more freedoms. What they get is a War on Poverty, massive federal debt, unemployment, and more viciousness from Democrats like Mark Begich.
If the term "tea-bagger" is a respectful term, then we can all assume that it is something St. Begich, his wife, his staff and supporters do. Apparently it is not a respectful term, but St. Begich has said nothing to his rabid supporters about stopping the hateful speech. That is most telling. He is as guilty as his attack dogs. He isn't as nasty as the fraudulent comedian from Minnesota, Al Franken, but his silence tells all. Conservatives do not wish to be ruled by people who hate them. The Anchorage Daily Newsboys need to take that to heart.
Again you are probably one of the many who kept votig for the Pork meisters who called them selves conservatives. Why? Because they broght in allm that big fed money. If you don like giving up freedom did you complain whn they passed the Patriot act, you know illegal detainment of anyone, wiretapping etc.
Correct me if i am wrong but did we or did we not have years of job losses prior to the Dems coming in and huge deficits to boot. Explain please no prpblem before January of 09 I guess.
If you are against losing your freedom then vote aginast it no matter which party is in power if you are really against goverment debt the vote against it on both sides of the ailse.
I rad the editorial just now, man it so funny how you can spin things so well and get people riled up. Demand? felt they made alot of good points they even went on to criticize the senator. If I recall they endorsed Sullivan for Mayor. He's beginnig to look alot like Sara he doesn' to do the work of leading so he criticizes and finds distractions. Like this whole Beluga whale thing, he want to find money for that but not to run our city? He plays this whole budget cuttig guy to the hilt, its all smoke and mirrors, he is the first mayor ever to accept a pay check during transition. He hasn't even taxed up to the cap, but he will close fire stations and lay off city workers adding to the umemployed.
I could go on but it is clear that he is throwing stones in a glass house, and the city needs to work with our DC delegation,. Begi.ch did with Young. Let the voters decide in five years not Fagan, Sullivan or the News. But in the mean time work togther in a time of need in our city.
This whole article is just what Mr Gimarc decsribed you are trying to spin this whole editrorial to be somthing it in not.
Wow you could not express better the problem.
"Let the voters decide in five years not Fagan, Sullivan or the News" what are you suggesting here ? Clearly you don't want Dan and Dan speaking out in public. That the ADN stop reporting on Begich ? You are comparing our Mayor and a radio host to the local paper ?
I actually think you are suggesting that the ADN stop giving their opinion ? I actually think that is where you are going. Please Please Please tell me that is not what you are suggesting. The ADNs opinion is in every story they print. They failed to print a single article even in the most soft way criticized anything that the Begich administration did the entire time he was mayor. While he was starting his campaign of lies and buy offs the ADN actually should have been writing some opinion. But no they were good loyal little toadys as they knew Mark and his Mommy had this dream of becoming Boss Hog Begich. Well "O" ya got it - now maybe you are one of the chosen who get to lap a little slop from the trough but the vast majority of Alaskans will suffer.
So Mayor Sullivan, you seem like an honest and intelligent person, please speak out whenever you want. We don't need "O", FW, KTUU, or the ADN stifling your right to speak out.
I am not comparing anyone nor would I ever suggest any one not speak out. But again your veiw point is slanted if you believe any medi outlet does not add there opinon when covering a story your deluding yourself. Do you honestly believe FOX does not? And correct me if I am wrong but that was an editorial or an opinion peice virtually all paers have them.
Dont talk to me about a trough, you like everyone else has fed from one for 40 plus years of pork barrel spending brought here by Ted and Don, and the benefirary of a hugely subsidized life here in Alaska. Don't like the trough, dont take the dividend, matter of fact move becaue this whole state is fed by someone else. The feds the oil companies, the tax payers of the lower 48 and Chinese bankers.
Mayor Sullivan is a inteligent, honest guy, please he has never held a job a day in his life. For someone who is so against goverement he sure has worked in it a long time? Seems a little double standard is in effect from both of you.
I ammerely suggesting again that our so called leaders work together silly me.
You want your leaders to wrok together even when their counterparts are wrong ????? This fits with the Democrat Montra of "doing something is better than doing nothing Even If It is Wrong". That is what the Dems said about health care. It soesn't matter that their change is a disaster - They Got Their Change. Oh they happened to line their pockets along the way but - hey they got what they wanted so party on dudes.
The Republicans should be proud that they did all they could to disrupt this horrible crippling debacle. They had to fight the media as well as the soul less democratic leadership.
When dealing with the corupt (and wrong) Democrats I want my leaders to everything within the law to obstruct these scoundrels.
You see, I read your post which had alot of good point but then you make this comment about the corrupt Democrats. Are you not aware of all the coruption in the Republican party as well? Is that not a big reason why people left them in droves in 06? I'd give examples but I am sure you are aware you just choose to ignore the obvious.
I believe I might be one of those liberals you so enjoy denigrating here, but it sounds reasonable to me. Shut up and run the city instead of running for another office. Do the job you are in. Sullivan is not the Senator from Alaska. But we are pretty sure he is already running.
Regarding opening ANWR in exchange for a vote for healthcare reform. Would you? Why didn't Murkowski? If you wouldn't, why should he. Maybe like most Americans, he sees a need for reforming healthcare. And wouldn't that be the secret back room deal making we find offensive? I find it ironic that people on this site lambast pork and riders that are unrelated to legislation being placed in legislation on one hand and now you want your pork placed in healthcare reform bill. It What kind of standards, you can have faux conservative cred and pork too. Delicious.
I just don't understand this new breed of "conservatives." I do understand that this is Dan's job, to constantly create turmoil and dissent, to play to a low common denomenator, to create a bunch of noise to fill his airtime, but it is just a bunch of constant noise. It is truely a strange world when I find myself missing W.F. Buckley and Barry Goldwater upon reflection appears reasonable.
4 1 Murkowski is a big R and the r's were shut out. 4 2 ANWR as in the 10th amendment under states rights has the right to develope, that was also promised by the D's when it became ANWR. LAIRS. 4 3 pork it is not! 4 4 the fact is the royalty to the feds could help pay for the health care bill. 4 5 It could also create jobs across America. I would say you have fallen for the pied pipper, or you are talken hate. Hate because we R's do not want to give money earned for your agenda, what ever it maybe. I see you and your clan of D's to weak to make your agenda your own. All your own. 4 6 you D's WANT poverty its in your blood, when you control poverty you have power, we get cake.
Once again FW is in lockstep with his masters and rattles the echo chambers with the message. If you disagree with the Left you are just supposed to shut up. They don't want to hear it and they sure don't want to see it in print anywhere as they had pretty much stomped that form of free speach into the ground until the evil internet cropped up. They have laready tipped their hand here by this constant string of bleeding heart articles like our friend Alex claiming that mean speach is not protected - only the type of left leaning speach that Alex, Matt Zencey and FW like to puke on everyone is protected
The left is all about stifling speach and thought while forcing people to listen to their boring talking points. If the brave right thinking people don't step in and put a stop to the Begich and Obamas of the world then you too FW will loose your rights. We know you will enjoy the spectacle of others loosing their first since you consider yourself part of this elite ruling class but at some point you will deviate a fraction from the democratic goosestepping and they will crack you to get you back in line.
No I encourage Mayor Sullivan and all others to speak out about and against to collective sheep on left. FW will not like it and whine endlessly too much of a weany too scared of his masters on the left to say spit if he had a mouth full. Remember FW - Stay in line - Stay in line. No thinking - no looking to the right - just stay in LINE !
Your comment; "I just don't understand this new breed of "conservatives" ,is typical and understood by those who haven't drank the Obama koolaid liberally dispensed by the left these days. We know you "don't understand".
did they play nice with Senator Ted Stevens? The quality of mark begich's integrity is zero. Why should we play nice when we as Alaskans knows that begich is reeds shill bought and paid for. Did Alaska as a whole benefit? No...we got health care we didnt want and got nothing we needed like ANWR ,state land, or even fish and game on federal lands back. begich couldnt even get the salmon back from the feds Berring Sea fishery for the natives on the kusko and yukon rivers. No just let them eat cake! We should not play nice, he should be recalled! The reason none needed only only 60% of us can say "We don't want you anymore, we made a mistake." Your outta there!!!
mean they're dumping your column, too?
what a problem child you are.
Just like the dEMOCRATS change the name of something that needs a chaser to swallow , ADN should change the name to ADP. They should also have to declare their puny receipts as campaign contributions, since the only reason they remain in business is to be a shill for the dEMOCRAT party. Meanwhile, get use to it! FIVE MORE YEARS of this weasel Begich.
... but no worse than Al Franken is to Minnesota, my home state. And, the Senate will have him in D.C. for another 5 years, too.
Check out story #1 here:
http://news.newsmax.com/?ZKCvYsSmFOIfjc444tvYnuXKkQbkxfRAZ
He makes me sick.
Good article but what you miss is that Matt Zencey and the other thug journalists at the ADN are lined up like pigs at a trough trying to lap up the spilled slop from the fattest hog in the yard our very own - Porker Begich.
For a number of years now the morally bankrupt weasels like Matt Zencey have seen the handwriting on the wall that their newspaper is failing. Their best hope for a fat pay day is to get so far up Mark Begichs' butt that he throws them a plum government job.
There was a time when Matt Zencey was a reasonable, rational guy. He had a couple kids, a wife and coached baseball. Somewhere along the line Matt decided like most liberals that life was not being fair to him and he launched off on this wacky left wing and completely dishonest approach to life and journalism. Now he is reduced to lapping up spilled slop from Boss Hog Begich.
It is no surprise to see that editorial this morning as follow up to Alex (let's all just get along) recent piece of whining. I would expect nothing but more "Begich as saint" articles as this tribe of ADN left wing sycophants sucks up to Boss Hog Begich. At the same time they will have no problem continueing to savage anyone who dares to be one inch right of their elitist positions.