SP watch from Alaska...

[Blue_In_AK]

I know most of you are (understandably) very tired of Ms. Palin, but I promised some of you that I would keep you advised. Since it's up to Alaskans now to keep the heat on and preclude her from any future national aspirations, these updates will be reality-based and not just salacious gossip, as much fun as that is.

First order of business - ALASKA'S EDUCATION PROBLEMS.

From the ADN - Alaska's Dropout Rate Double U.S. Average (and related stories) http://www.adn.com/education/story/590870.html

Today's editorial: http://www.adn.com/opinion/view/story/591567.html "The governor was absent when the state sponsored a big, statewide conference to chart the future of Alaska's educational system last week. Instead of lending her weight to the effort to improve education, the governor was in Miami giving a speech on the future of the Republican Party."

Progressive bloggers' stories on this issue:

Governor Palin: Poster Family for Alaska Education? http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/11/governor-palin-poster-family-for-alaska.html

When It Comes to Education, Governor Palin Puts "Politics First"
http://divasblueoasis.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=237


Second, SARAH FORGOT ABOUT VETERANS' DAY, a definite no-no in this very military state

See "Failure to Mention Veterans' Day Shows Disrespect by Governor" http://www.adn.com/opinion/letters/story/591570.html

"Governor Palin Too Busy Courting the Media to Commemorate Veterans' Day"
http://divasblueoasis.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=309

"Governor Palin's Attacks on AK Guard Study Are a Disgrace"
http://www.divasblueoasis.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=186


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And of course we have the continuing extremely high fuel prices in Alaska. The $1200 Sarah passed out in the fall hasn't done anything to get to the root of the problem. And why is the proposed natural gas pipeline piping the gas to Alberta's tar sands rather than to the residents of the state of Alaska who are facing shortages???


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Here's a link to Alaska's Blognet news http://www.blognetnews.com/Alaska/feed.php?channel=29&y=2008&m=10


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I know this is probably too much information ... I just want you all to know that we're doing our part to shine a light on the governor's failures -- ethics and morality issues aside.


Here's a new post from The Mudflats on Sarah's future in the GOP.
http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/palins-future-in-the-gop/

[WritersBlock]

1. Thank you, Blue.

I know folks are tired of hearing about her, but the old saying "Know thine enemy" comes to mind. I don't want her blind-siding us in 3 years - I want to know what she's up to.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

2. Thanks Blue.

At this rate, she's going to replace my former "Putin Watch" hobby.

[Javaman]

3. question: how much power does the gov of Alaska have?

Here in texas, the gov has more of a cerimonial roll where as the Lt Governor has the real power.

[Blue_In_AK]

9. Our governor has a lot of power,

and our lieutenant governor is a wuss. He's a milquetoast, fundie Palinbot who did nothing while Sarah was on the campaign trail for almost three months charging the state $1,000 a day to conduct business from "Outside." I always love reposting this Daily News article that just makes my blood boil every time I read it.

Alaska Pays for Palin to Govern From Afar http://www.adn.com/front/story/572634.html

JUNEAU — Gov. Sarah Palin is still calling the shots in Alaska government even as she campaigns as Sen. John McCain’s presidential running mate, aides say. Her Anchorage office director and hometown friend, Kris Perry, has been with Palin for almost a month to help facilitate communication between the governor and her staff back home. Perry travels at the expense of Alaska residents — probably at a cost of more than $1,000 every day.

“She was dispatched from the governor’s office to be right with the governor, staffing her as it relates to state business,” said Linda Perez, state director of administrative services. “The governor is at rallies and things, and if we need to get information to her and get responses back, Kris is the one used to do that.”

Perez said she does not know how much Perry’s travel is costing Alaska. News organizations traveling with Palin’s campaign routinely are charged more than $1,000 per day per person for air travel, depending on the length of trips and how many people aboard flights share the cost.

Said to be Palin’s closest confidante on staff, Perry was manager of Palin’s gubernatorial campaign and has since run the Anchorage office, Palin’s main base of operations as governor.

Perry continues to draw her regular salary of $105,060 annually, and the state will pick up the tab for her travel and expenses, Perez said. She said some items, such as rides on the McCain-Palin campaign bus, will be difficult to estimate for reimbursement purposes. Perry also may use the state credit card for travel, said Perez.

<snip>

:mad:

Statutes on the governor's office are here: http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title44/Chapter19.htm

According to this all the lieutenant governor does is

(1) administer state election laws;

(2) appoint notaries public; (TOUGH ONE :sarcasm:)

(3) adopt regulations under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act) that establish for the broadcasting of notices under AS 44.62.190 and 44.62.310(e) the frequency of the broadcasts, appropriate broadcast times, and the locations for the broadcasts; the regulations must be reasonably calculated to provide the widest possible exposure of the notices.

[Javaman]

17. man, that's rough.

so while she was out on her shopping spree, pardon me, campaigning, did any governing actually get done?

[Blue_In_AK]

18. Not that I could see.

[spanone]

4. i think sarah palin's moments on the 'big stage' will only shine light into places in alaska

where no one wanted the light to shine

[Blue_In_AK]

11. We have so many problems here.

We are a very unique state with problems that no other state faces due to our size, lack of roads, and cultural issues.

The education thing has always been a huge issue, especially with regard to schools in the Bush. In the old days Native children had to leave their villages and go to boarding schools for their high school educations, hundreds and hundreds of miles away from their homes. The Molly Hootch decision in 1976 mandated that local high schools be built -- which has been done -- but it's been extremely difficult to staff these schools because of the extreme conditions out there, and NCLB just made matters worse. Highly skilled teachers and adequate yearly progress are hard to come by.

[spanone]

15. i hope, by no fault of her own, that ms palin will help alaska in those respects

[City Lights]

5. Thanks, Blue.

I know Sarah is self-absorbed, but I'm still :wow: that she forgot Veteran's Day considering that little pin she wears on her lapel, and the number of times she made an issue of Track Enfield being in "Eyerack" during her stump speeches.

[Kali]

6. her "leadership"

not only does she bring out the worst in her fans (ugly racist and violent comments), but she brings out the worst in those of us who dislike her. What I am saying is...bring on the nasty gossip!:evilgrin:

[firedupdem]

7. Thanks....glad you are keeping us posted. She needs to be

watched!

[KamaAina]

8. She forgot about Veterans' Day?!

But, like, aren't there all kinds of cool Veterans' Day sales 'n' stuff? :shrug:

:dunce:

[MelissaB]

10. Thank you!

I always look forward to your posts. :hi:

[malaise]

12. Alaska is now too small for Sarah Palin

She's in love with the bright lights at Saks and Neiman Marcus.
Did you expect her to give up that Florida trip with all those banquets for Veterans?
I'm offering bets that she won't remain governor for much longer - she craves the limelight and is guaranteed to end up with very little. One or both of the grifters will end up in prison - mark my word.

[Gold Metal Flake]

13. Please start a DU journal to compile these posts.

[intheflow]

14. I second that request!

I'll help you set it up, Blue. Just pm me to discuss! :hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

20. It looks like I already have a journal...

Who knew? I'll be sure to add these updates in the future, and I'll go back and pull out some old ones, too.

[blueraven95]

30. great! adding your journal to my daily viewing

Thanks for the update.

:hi:

[NEOhiodemocrat]

16. Thanks

Sorry for you thought, I will take Ted Strickland any day as governor. Please keep us updated as it is scary that she actually may be thinking she will run in 2012.

[CrispyQ]

19. Keeping apprised of Palin is like watching a train wreck in slow motion -

awful, but fascinating at the same time!

Thanks for the update!

[SpiralHawk]

21. Palin goes AWOL - how very Republicon

eom

[WritersBlock]

22. Did *Palin* charge the state for doing business "outside" during the campaign?

Just wondering, since we know she has a track record of doing this sort of thing. Ya'll better check the state credit card bills reeeeal close-like.

[Bravo Zulu]

23. Thanks for the update!

[progressoid]

24. She forgot Veterans' Day?!?

FAIL

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

28. Oh man! I'm in NY and in the town next to where Pataki, my ex Repuke Gov came from,

and every Veterans and Memorial day, he laid wreaths by a small memorial we have here.

Shame on her.

[acmavm]

25. No no no no. Not too much info. Thank you. It looks like the

honeymoon is over with Scarabou Barbie and the citizens of Alaska. At least they're being real about what a self-serving schmuckette she is.

No, keep this coming. I for one am very grateful.

[Blaze Diem]

26. Look forward to your Journal , Blue..

Palin must be in total misery as the spotlight moves away.
She's not going to be sticking around Ak for any length of time.

She's like an addict, craving her next fix.

Look forward to reading every detail you can provide. It all may be useful next time she tries to portray herself to the public, as someone with motives for anything but her own promotion.
A compilation of her misteps will be a handy reference.

Thanks Much
Blaze

[Az_lefty]

27. Thanks for the info....keep us updated.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

29. It's important to keep a score card on her. Thank you!