tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139984483223200112011-11-17T13:40:10.534-09:00Just one Alaskan's comments on things in the Great Land... and perhaps Elsewhere.Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.comBlogger2381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-31684501900420070222011-10-23T07:27:00.004-08:002011-10-24T09:34:50.470-08:00

The Runoff  Election is Tuesday, October 25th. As we're coming down to the wire, if you are a rational individual, please ask yourself this - What IS "change" in this election? Over the last few weeks, I have heard people who are considering (or plan on) voting for Fred Sturman for Borough Mayor proclaiming they want "CHANGE." I have some news for those people. Fred Sturman isn't "change." He's

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-82981061697571170142011-10-08T12:46:00.001-08:002011-10-10T10:25:40.208-08:00

It’s been a long time since I last posted anything. There are a variety of reasons for that, and most of them not worthy of discussion. Suffice it to say that I’ve decided that finally, something has come along that has compelled me to once again spout off:  The October 25th Runoff Election for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor. Background: Kenai Peninsula Borough code requires any candidate for

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-84737512983050047832010-11-02T06:02:00.000-08:002010-11-02T06:02:20.753-08:00

My posts have been rather sporadic of late, but in the last few weeks, if anyone has been reading, one thing should've been made be clear to you: This is a very important election for Alaska, and the nation. Every pundit out there has been echoing the same thing, over and over:  A GOP sweep of the House and possibly the Senate as well.   It's just a matter of how big a sweep. We are facing the

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-23504121870280677382010-10-27T12:36:00.000-08:002010-10-27T12:36:03.985-08:00

By now, unless you've been living in a cave (or "Dancing With the Stars" is your only television fare) you are no doubt aware of the numerous incidents recently where GOP/Tea Party candidates have had engaged in the use of unwarranted physical force and violence against those they perceive to be "the enemy." On October 17, Alaska Dispatch editor and reporter Tony Hopfinger was "arrested" and

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-41868214942462477522010-10-24T11:41:00.001-08:002010-10-24T12:39:53.869-08:00

Today, the Anchorage Daily News editorial board endorsed Lisa Murkowski, write-in candidate for the US Senate seat she now holds.The editors listed their reasons, which seem to consist mostly of loving them some "good old days Lisa," when she behaved like a political moderate.  She isn't anymore. In what cave have these ADN "political pundits" been living?  It's apparent they've performed no

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-73686694962022142532010-10-23T09:20:00.004-08:002010-10-23T11:27:14.273-08:00

In the general election Tuesday, November 2, there will be two major party candidates for United States Senate on the ballot: Joe W. Miller, Rebublican, and Scott McAdams, Democrat. As we grow closer and closer to the election, Joe Miller's candidacy is in the throes of a self-induced melt-down. He has demonstrated that he is a fraudulent, lying, hypocritical grifter with an ethics problem.  See

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-4642501058135274512010-10-19T12:11:00.003-08:002010-10-19T12:45:36.275-08:00

Over the last few weeks I've watched (admittedly, with some glee) the US Senate candidacy of Joe Miller unravel. Mr. Miller shocked the powers that be in the national GOP, and all the election-watching pundits, when in the August primary election, he wrested the Republican party's nomination from Lisa Murkowski. Miller's victory also stunned many Alaskans, myself included. With a huge "gulp," the

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-27892630598271289152010-10-04T07:56:00.001-08:002010-10-04T11:02:42.082-08:00

We all know that Joe W. Miller believes that Unemployment Insurance is "unconstitutional," because the power to collect for it and pay it is not specifically "delegated to the United States." Back in the primary election, Carpetbagger Joe also noted in the Project Vote Smart Survey that he opposed "increasing the federal minimum wage." Pretty standard Republican - keep rich folks rich and poor

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-44969548297488456892010-10-02T10:49:00.002-08:002010-10-02T10:52:02.801-08:00

Voting is a responsibility not enough people take seriously.There's an old saying - "ALL politics are local.."  And they are. Well, there's a local election on October 5th, and your participation will help to determine what future course our local governments will take. In the 2009 municipal elections, the voter turnout was 19.16%. Less than 1 in 5 registered voters bothered. Now, even if you

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-52265022554070608242010-09-29T13:24:00.009-08:002010-09-29T13:46:14.452-08:00

Just in from Think Progress: (all emphasis mine): Miller’s campaign endorsement page features Alaskans praising him for having higher ethics and a greater commitment to transparency. However, ThinkProgress contacted the Senate Ethics Committee and the Senate Office of Public Records yesterday and discovered that Miller has not filed a personal finance disclosure as a candidate for the U.S.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-70931447256864468502010-09-27T10:17:00.000-08:002010-09-27T10:17:41.792-08:00

In the primary race, US Senate candidate Joe Miller said lots of things.  Things straight out of the corporate giant Koch brothers-funded Tea Party Express playbook. They were fraudulent, jingoistic positions he espoused, quite simply, to solidify his ultra-right wing base, and wrest the Republican US Senate nomination from Senator Princess Lisa Murkowski. It worked. The problem is that now,

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-63927244122892459892010-09-26T12:13:00.001-08:002010-09-26T12:30:30.937-08:00

There was a lot of hoopla the last couple days concerning the fact that Stephen Colbert, the comic genius who anchors "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central testified Friday before the House Judiciary committee's subcommittee on immigration. Over the years, Colbert has brilliantly created a character that is a scathingly sarcastic, over the top portrayal of tone-deaf, extreme-right  news/talk

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-90536612582624754542010-09-25T08:24:00.005-08:002010-09-25T08:36:11.516-08:00

In today's Anchorage Daily News, write-in candidate Senator Princess Lisa Murkowski seeks a clarification as to whether or not a misspelled version of her name on the November ballot will be counted as a vote for her.It's a valid concern for the princess, because according to Ben Smith at Politico, even her own campaign staff can't get it right.  Check out the web address at the bottom of the

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-79191641691976236952010-09-23T06:02:00.000-08:002010-09-23T06:02:08.736-08:00

Why the DSCC Loves Sarah PalinIt’s mind-boggling how the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee hasn’t shown up for Scott McAdams, Alaska’s Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.They’ve had weeks to help secure a now open seat they didn’t think they had a prayer to take. Why aren’t they fighting for Alaska? Lisa Murkowski asked McAdams where his DSCC support was. When it didn’t show, she

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-28437907896338799262010-09-20T11:25:00.002-08:002010-09-20T12:21:42.158-08:00

NEA-Alaska proudly proclaims they are "More than 13,000 teachers and education support professionals are working to create a bright future for Alaska’s children… and all Alaskans." NEA-Alaska cheered when Congress passed H.R.1586 - the "Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act," a measure that will send some $23.5 million to Alaska to help support education jobs. Then, on Friday, NEA-Alaska,

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-3339985368539398492010-09-19T11:40:00.002-08:002010-09-19T12:55:27.953-08:00

After a lengthy, self-imposed hiatus, I’m back. Recent political events have spurred me to once again wade in and offer my comments, on the outside chance that in some small measure, it may sway rational individuals out there to give the upcoming Alaska US Senatorial election some serious thought (yeah, I know I’m kidding myself, but I have to give it a shot) THE PLAYERS: THE PRINCESS:  Not

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-85880894273790323572010-05-29T09:05:00.002-08:002010-05-29T10:18:02.210-08:00

Joe McGinness is a well-respected author.  A writer of both fiction and non-fiction, McGinnis is known for his thorough research and documentation.  His body of work includes: * The Selling of the President (1969), about the marketing of Richard M. Nixon* The Dream Team (1972)* Heroes (1976)* Going to Extremes (1980)* Fatal Vision (1983)* Blind Faith (1989)* Cruel Doubt (1991)* The Last Brother:

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-48088767347826138302010-05-28T11:25:00.004-08:002010-05-28T11:46:41.952-08:00

Last week, I posted a piece critical of Senator Mark Begich. The original thrust of my post was Begich’s comment about his fellow Democratic Senators (and by inference, anyone else) angry over Senator Lisa Murkowski’s single-handed blockage of a bill which would have raised the oil spill liability cap from its current pittance of $75 million to $10 billion.Begich's cavalier aside was the source

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-8717687104585306362010-05-23T06:37:00.004-08:002010-05-23T07:08:21.690-08:00

From this morning's Anchorage Daily News: Lawyers for BP and federal regulators appear to be working hard to settle a civil lawsuit the government brought against the oil company in connection with the 2006 pipeline spills in the Prudhoe Bay oil field. You see, the continuing oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico (something of this magnitude can't reasonably be called a "spill" anymore)

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-4229488140847805522010-05-20T17:01:00.002-08:002010-05-20T17:02:49.252-08:00

Dear Senator Begich: It's not the oil and gas we don't like. It's the fact that the industry, and in particular BP, places profit ahead of everything else. It's the fact that those who are regulating the industry are either incompetent, or they are in industry's hip pocket.... where it appears that you and "Lease A Murkowski" are both comfortable residing. It's the fact that the current

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-62169065941842002622010-05-20T07:33:00.005-08:002010-05-20T11:32:10.492-08:00

How's that "Rainbows and Chocolate Milk" thingy working for ya, Representative Gene Taylor? You can assign your stalwart assistant, Brian Martin to let us know. Maybe the people of Louisiana, including Governor Bobby Jindal, will be comforted. Now that the oil from the still-gushing BP Spill has entered the loop current, pushing oil up the eastern US seaboard, are you still going to continue

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-88512192144244562162010-05-16T10:44:00.002-08:002010-05-16T12:40:59.666-08:00

According to NPR, BP today announced success! Kinda sorta (all emphasis is mine). BP officials say they were on the verge of a breakthrough stemming the gushing oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, but another accident has set them back. Officials say they successfully inserted a new pipe into the broken pipe spewing oil into the Gulf. That new pipe started sending oil to a ship on the surface,

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-78609181123409150842010-05-15T20:13:00.001-08:002010-05-15T21:18:13.743-08:00

From today's New York Times:Scientists are finding enormous oil plumes in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, including one as large as 10 miles long, 3 miles wide and 300 feet thick in spots. The discovery is fresh evidence that the leak from the broken undersea well could be substantially worse than estimates that the government and BP have given (emphasis mine).The article goes on to

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-8271870367626218702010-05-15T09:56:00.003-08:002010-05-15T09:59:52.311-08:00

Back to the drawing board.  Again. US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told the Associated Press that BP's efforts to staunch the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico "had a problem Saturday with the latest effort to stop the leak," but didn't elaborate further. But there's nothing to fret about, is there?  It's all chocolate milk and rainbows, according to Congressman Gene Taylor (D-Mississippi).

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-32449251783318960642010-05-14T09:39:00.004-08:002010-05-14T13:09:24.964-08:00

A bill that would increase the liability cap for oil spills from the current $75 million to $10 billion was defeated Thursday by our own Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Lisa maintains that anyone with a damages claim against an oil company for a spill can "go to court" to collect it. That worked out real well in the Exxon Valdez case, didn't it, Lisa? A couple of facts: BP's profits are $93 million

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-67392165803595607002010-05-13T16:44:00.003-08:002010-05-13T16:46:54.957-08:00

On May 1, Mississippi Congressman Gene Taylor flew over the BP Gulf Spill, and pronounced to his constituency and to the world at large the oil spill is large but it's "not Armageddon." (emphasis mine).  Taylor described the spill as a light, rainbow sheen with patches that look like chocolate milk. When I pointed out on May 2 that Taylor sounded like an ignorant asshat, I was sternly rebuked

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-64464273207112448702010-05-09T10:26:00.003-08:002010-05-09T10:33:10.191-08:00

Well, back to the drawing board.Officials for BP on Saturday encountered a significant setback in their efforts to attach a containment dome over a leaking well on the seabed of the Gulf of Mexico, forcing them to move the dome aside while they find another method to cap the crude oil flowing into the Gulf since April 20. Officials discovered that gas hydrates, ice-like crystals lighter

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-5183028317720548882010-05-08T08:28:00.003-08:002010-05-08T08:59:24.508-08:00

Former Alaska Governor Wally Hickel passed away late Friday of natural causes. He was 90. I worked in Juneau during Wally's second governorship. There were many things, politically and policy-wise, that I have disagreed with Mr. Hickel about over the years. But whether you were his political friend or foe, some things about him no one can disagree with: He loved Alaska, and spent most of his

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-72219433546194065202010-05-06T21:04:00.001-08:002010-05-06T21:06:07.062-08:00

As I've noted before, British Petroleum is not in the petrochemical industry for altruistic reasons, no matter what their ads say... and BP rebranding itself as green ("Beyond Petroleum") doesn't make it green. They're all about profit, and will pretty much go to any measure to secure it. In Alaska, BP has a track record of foregoing needed maintenance - with near disastrous results - because

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-57974915200515424072010-05-05T08:21:00.000-08:002010-05-05T08:21:18.669-08:00

A blogger of some reknown, and a Huffington Post contributor, my friend Matt's trying to win a Netroots Nation scholarship (and yes, it’s a popularity contest). Please take a minute to lobby Democracy For America on Matt's behalf! You can learn more, and more about Matt, at Matt's Blog, Osborne Ink.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-21496645914195824202010-05-04T10:48:00.000-08:002010-05-04T10:48:25.268-08:00

Well, as predicted, the "Beyond Petroleum" company is now attempting to lay the blame for the ongoing Gulf Coast "spill" at someone else's feet (although they are magnanimously cleaning it up). They are now claiming this catastrophe "was not our accident," and saying it was the fault of Transocean, from whom they leased the Deepwater Horizon. This is exactly like blaming the Avis car rental

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-8069587613432911212010-05-03T09:37:00.002-08:002010-05-03T09:40:18.252-08:00

Remember my post on May 1 about unvarnished greed? To underscore my point, consider this: According to an article in the Huffington Post (and verified here) British Petroleum was attempting to convince Gulf Coast residents to sign away their right to sue BP in exchange for a one-time, lump-sum payment of up to $5,000. You read that right. In an attempt to limit their own economic liability,

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-86274903896513223862010-05-02T15:01:00.002-08:002010-05-03T16:40:20.917-08:00

Saturday, Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Mississippi. (a clown who also happens to represent coastal Mississippi districts) flew over the spill (shades of Bush's Airforce One tour of Katrina) in a Coast Guard flight. After landing in Gulfport, Taylor said... ... the oil spill is large but it's "not Armageddon." He said he saw no oil slicks within about 20 miles of Mississippi marshes.(emphasis mine)He

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-73159521716585853152010-05-01T10:07:00.005-08:002010-05-01T14:53:22.489-08:00

When the explosion occurred on April 20, 2010 that destroyed the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and killed eleven people, that alone was a tremendous tragedy. Now, that tragedy has transmogrified into a catastrophe of unimaginable proportion: An oil spill, still flowing at a daily rate of 5,000 or more barrels (that's 210,000 gallons) per day or more, with no easily

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-55302550003181353042010-04-30T07:11:00.002-08:002010-04-30T07:11:43.033-08:00

Yep.  About sums it up.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-43196644820170098652010-04-18T20:37:00.007-08:002010-04-18T21:38:16.957-08:00

From Those Who Would Have Led America™: Item Number One: On Saturday, in Washington, Illinois, Sarah Palin (without a hint of irony) said that President Obama's statements about the United States' role as a military superpower "didn't  make sense." This from Our Lady of the Tossed Word Salad™. The facts? Earlier in the week, to explain why the United States has a responsibility to help resolve

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-38889504295847719292010-04-14T09:43:00.002-08:002010-04-14T10:12:31.313-08:00

Today, the Tea Party held a demonstration in Boston.  One of the guest speakers (the Big Draw™) was 1/2 term former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. She trotted out the same jingoistic, bumper-sticker catchphrases ("Drill Baby, Drill!") and ("we'll keep clinging to our Constitution and our guns and religion – and you can keep the change.") strung together by her usual, otherwise incoherent, 

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-20625078981260767652010-04-12T07:09:00.003-08:002010-04-12T07:15:27.847-08:00

This really isn't anything new, it's something many people have been saying for a while now. What makes it newsworthy is that Larry Wilkerson, former top aide to Colin Powell, Secretary of State when all this went down, has made a signed declaration making this accusation, as part of a lawsuit brought by a Sudanese man, Adel Hassan Hamad. Hamad was a prisoner at Guantánamo Bay from March 2003

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-90410210507396747072010-04-10T08:32:00.000-08:002010-04-10T08:32:02.165-08:00

Why is it that it takes a TV comic to call bullshit on the blatant lies that Fox News spews?  Why doesn't CNN or MSNBC ever call them out for simply making shit up?Why does creepy Newt Gingrich get to lie with impunity about the New START Treaty?Maybe the other cable news outfits just don't have the cojones that Stewart does.  He is, after all, America's Most Trusted News Source. The Daily Show

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-3430123829075501472010-04-06T13:08:00.003-08:002010-04-06T13:09:55.903-08:00

Apologies for the dirty lens on the camera; it was impossible to see under strong afternoon sunlight.The Tea Party Express is either a brilliant piece of surrealist theatre or a massive exercise in cognitive dissonance.

Matt Osbornenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-35581154766419226082010-04-04T12:24:00.004-08:002010-04-07T06:03:23.823-08:00

Yes, I realize that the 2010 General Election is some 7 months away, and there will be a lot of candidates clamoring for your vote. But there will be an initiative on the ballot that is potentially far more onerous than any of the candidates (including Don Young and Eddie Burke). The "Alaska Anti-Corruption Act." ALL Alaskans who favor a participatory government should crush this ballot measure.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-22391745967247483022010-03-26T09:39:00.003-08:002010-03-26T09:42:06.883-08:00

On Friday, a Alabaman Tea Bag nutter and blogger by the name of Mike Vanderboegh issued a "call to arms" on his blog, asking all those who share his view that the Health Care Reform bill was bad to commit vandalism at Democratic offices across the nation in the name of....  freedom? I quote: "To all modern Sons of Liberty: THIS is your time. Break their windows.And if we do a proper job, if we

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-69957400633597765602010-03-19T22:55:00.008-08:002010-03-19T23:25:30.073-08:00

On St. Patrick's Day, the Redoubt Reporter covered the "Second Amendment/Constitutional Task Force" rally held at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium at Kenai Central High School in Kenai (I've already voiced my thoughts on allowing people "palling around" with domestic terrorists to rally on Borough property). These are the group of nutbags that drape themselves in the American flag while

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-37620309056685244282010-03-11T20:00:00.003-09:002010-03-11T20:03:48.207-09:00

Matt here. Thought I'd share my latest creation: idiocracy is a video about the current return of paranoid politics. The music is idiocracy by the defunct metal band idiot and was pressed on CD before the movie Idiocracy was ever made.It stars a certain Alaskan as well as Gen. Jack D. Ripper. Enjoy.

Matt Osbornenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-28760459353343078952010-03-08T08:30:00.007-09:002010-03-08T18:08:07.469-09:00

Though I can never improve on the case he makes, I must bring attention to Nobel Award-winning economist Paul Krugman's excellent commentary in the March 4 edition of the New York Times, entitled "Senator Bunning’s Universe." You remember Senator Jim Bunning. He's the asshat who, using Senate rules, single-handedly held up the extension of unemployment benefits for 1.2 million Americans, and

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-81502570671282821122010-03-07T06:47:00.000-09:002010-03-07T06:47:19.069-09:00

Cracked.com has created the perfect trailer for every Academy Award winning movie.  Ever.At least, since I can remember ever watching movies: On a side note: In New York, 3.1 million television viewers may miss tonight's Academy Awards, due to a pissing match between Cablevision and ABC.For some odd reason, "counting one's blessings" comes to my mind. h/t to Cracked.com.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-85709883031839185612010-02-27T05:58:00.001-09:002010-02-27T06:01:43.426-09:00

This is just too friggin' bizarre. I'm rarely at a loss for words, but this is one of those times. You can all insert your own "Deliverance" inspired joke here. h/t to my friend Laffy at TPC.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-35448475165699451362010-02-26T21:05:00.001-09:002010-02-26T21:06:28.134-09:00

While thumbing through the current issue of my National Geographic Magazine, I ran across this interesting blurb:The United States spends more on medical care per person than any country, yet life expectancy is shorter than in most other developed nations and many developing ones. Lack of health insurance is a factor in life span and contributes to an estimated 45,000 deaths a year. Why the high

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-54285672606448894592010-02-26T08:52:00.006-09:002010-03-07T16:57:26.033-09:00

How about this guy? Republican Jim Bunning, US Senator from Kentucky, is preventing an estimated 1.2 million American workers from prematurely losing their unemployment benefits next month. See, Bunning wants the unemployment benefit extension to come out of Stimulus funds (which I'm pretty sure he voted against in the first place), otherwise it will be "deficit spending."  So he opposes it.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-11074261436032677682010-02-25T14:38:00.006-09:002010-02-25T14:43:26.013-09:00

Shephard Smith is the closest thing to a journalist working at Fox, so I can't figure out why he hasn't been fired. He's done this before...and I'm guessing Shep will be saying "Oops - sorry about that!" inside 24 hrs.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-48967310716045689302010-02-24T22:33:00.008-09:002010-02-25T14:25:14.793-09:00

Tomorrow, Congressional leaders will enter Blair House, and in meeting with President Obama, will try to achieve a consensus on health care reform. During the debate in the last few months, a particularly offensive term has been bandied about by those who want to kill reform:  Death Panels! Keith Olbermann is unabashedly liberal, and in my opinion, sometimes is his own worst enemy, because when

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-19869746546578222292010-02-22T18:36:00.010-09:002010-02-24T11:24:13.687-09:00

Who in the hell in Congress wouldn't want to pass a bill that creates more jobs for Americans?  A bill to help create jobs for a hurting America seems like it should be a no-brainer, right?   Even a paltry $15 billion measure to create jobs should get no opposition. Question:  Who in their right mind would think that making Democrats (and this President in particular) fail is more important than

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-87624250750378592222010-02-19T13:23:00.017-09:002010-02-19T15:01:09.040-09:00

After reading the article in today's Peninsula Clarion, I was left wondering exactly what the hell Mr. Bannock (and perhaps, the reporter) was trying to say. From the article:Bannock's ideal political model would essentially extend the assembly's U-shaped table into a circle around the audience. That circle would put Bannock's usual seat in the back of the assembly and his future seat at the

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-79261627602608780592010-02-17T09:20:00.004-09:002010-02-17T16:23:17.494-09:00

According to every major economic research firm, the Economic Stimulus Bill worked, producing somewhere between 1.6 and 2.5 million jobs for Americans. Now, according to Think Progress, 111 Congressional legislators voted against the stimulus package... and are now taking credit for its success. "Lockstep Lisa" Murkowski is one of them.  In an article published in the February 9 edition of the

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-15529607489248947492010-02-15T08:34:00.002-09:002010-02-15T11:45:55.136-09:00

All in all, this has been a pretty mild winter for Alaska.  Southcentral Alaska, for sure.   We've had a few cold snaps, we've had some chinooks, but overall, not too bad... and now, in mid-February, we seem to be headed for an early spring.  My fingers are crossed on that one. When I was a kid, I'm pretty sure we had more severe and longer winters than we do now, but that could just be me. 

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-62653630199746724142010-02-12T21:28:00.006-09:002010-02-13T12:46:57.184-09:00

I've previously mentioned what I feel is the Inherent Weaselity™ of the current Borough Administration headed up by the inherently weasely Dave Carey. Today, Borough Mayor Dave Carey's office issued a press release, saying that "Due to the recent resignation of the Chief of Staff, whose last day will be February 19, 2010, Mayor David Carey is announcing that Duane Bannock, currently the Manager

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-71771179825970729882010-02-11T21:07:00.003-09:002010-02-12T02:59:35.468-09:00

President Obama held a bipartisan meeting at the White House with congressional leaders on Tuesday, and it apparently was a humdinger. The major topic of discussion was the unprecedented number of Obama appointments that until today, had been held hostage by the GOP through the use of arcane Senate rules.  One major offender who made the news lately is Sen. Richard Shelby, R-AL, who is in some

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-80559417272928277102010-02-11T19:18:00.003-09:002010-02-11T19:20:52.582-09:00

Now, everyone knows about the recent silliness stupidity of Sarah Palin writing notes on her palm so she could remember those pesky, really tough GOP talking points like "tax cuts" and "energy" at the 1st Annual Teabag Party Convention... while at the same time snarkily referring to the POTUS as just "a guy with a teleprompter." Well, Sarah, since we know you're all "preachy" and "Christian" and

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-35986925842555784812010-02-07T18:00:00.004-09:002010-02-07T19:02:52.105-09:00

Since my friend in Alaska is so kind as to allow me cross-posting privileges, I'd like to update Alaskans on what happened in Nashville, Tennessee yesterday at a publicly-funded and privately-profitable Versailles Palace where I went stalking Sarah. I kid, I kid. I don't give two shits about Sarah. Her speech was a bizarre exercise in stage management that still revealed her incredible

Matt Osbornenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-71237216471154004962010-02-07T07:41:00.000-09:002010-02-07T07:41:05.951-09:00

Frankly, I'm not a huge SNL fan these days.  I find most of the humor just not... funny. But this is too good not to share. If only the REAL Rahm Emanuel were more like Andy Samberg's caricature. Health care reform would be a fait accompli.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-342697807933747822010-02-07T06:56:00.005-09:002010-02-07T08:25:08.855-09:00

This is not going to be a diatribe against Sarah Palin.   Not much needs to be said. I simply want to point out: This is the woman who is the spokesperson for the Tea Party movement. This is the woman who, in this speech, snarkily referred to the POTUS "a guy with a teleprompter." This is the woman who needs to scribble on her palm to remember "energy," "budget tax cuts" and lifting American

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-26009154018037941852010-02-01T17:03:00.000-09:002010-02-01T17:03:16.075-09:00

Today, I listened to a segment on National Public Radio's (NPR) “Talk Of The Nation,” hosted by Neal Conan. The topic: Tea Party To Hold Its First National Convention. Conan's guests were Mark Skoda, the founder of the Memphis Tea Party, and Ron Elving, NPR's senior Washington editor. Mr. Skoda was the first guest, and after giving a brief rundown of his own “conservative Republican”

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-59221471297193905412010-01-31T09:02:00.009-09:002010-01-31T18:10:08.877-09:00

Well, State Senator Al Kookesh's heavy-handed threats against the community of Craig are not an isolated incident, despite Sealaska CEO Chris McNeil's efforts to smooth them over by saying Kookesh's remarks were "incongruous" and made in an "unguarded moment." Kookesh seems to have a history of making Mafia-like threats to Southeast Alaska communities that might step out of line and oppose

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-69269501374661699702010-01-24T11:03:00.007-09:002010-01-25T08:42:38.649-09:00

The verbatim quote from State Senator Albert Kookesh (D-Angoon) in this morning's Anchorage Daily News  is sort of jaw-dropping. Kookesh was speaking before the January 7 Craig City Council meeting.  Craig is a community of about 1,100 souls, located on Craig Island, on the western edge Prince of Wales Island.  Prince of Wales Island is historically the site of a lot of logging activity, and

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-7162244399104583952010-01-17T13:07:00.008-09:002010-01-17T13:34:13.585-09:00

Forgive me in advance, but some history is required. After having been passed by the Kenai City Council on December 16, 2009, Resolution 2009-68, which would add Kenai as a signatory to The Alaska Coastal Communities Global Climate Change Compact was up for a reconsideration vote during the January 6, 2010.  You can learn more about it here. During reconsideration of a previous vote, public

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-70956469561518328422010-01-10T11:08:00.004-09:002010-01-10T12:15:56.472-09:00

Art Clokey, the man who invented and breathed life into the odd-looking clay character Gumby, who became an American cultural icon, passed away Friday, January 8, at the age of 88. I still enjoy the adventures of Gumby and his orange horse friend Pokey, especially the original Gumby episodes from the 1950's, when it was just Gumby and Pokey.  I never got into Prickle, Gumby's yellow dinosaur

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-67755986878177230362010-01-09T14:38:00.007-09:002010-01-09T21:50:22.119-09:00

At least in several school districts in Utah County, UT. Remember back in September, when President Obama gave an address directly to kids in schools across the nation, sort of a "kick-off" to the school year? Ever predictably irrational, GOP heads exploded. The well-known media outlet of the Republican Party, Fox News, even issued a "talking points memo" outlining the "terrible danger" of

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-83632737917751613772009-12-27T12:14:00.001-09:002009-12-27T18:21:39.863-09:00

In his Op Ed piece in today's New York Times, Nobel Prize winning economist and Princeton  professor of Economics and International Affairs  Paul Krugman notes that many people who've "made careers by righteously demanding entitlement reform" are "running away now that the real thing has made an appearance."  Krugman states: Health care reform does nothing, they cry — except for covering 30

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-21970139479556256602009-12-27T10:27:00.019-09:002009-12-27T13:03:46.031-09:00

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) is already on a number of people's shit lists, mine included. By stamping his feet and holding his breath, Lieberman (along with a few Blue Dog Dems) managed to strip a lot of the good out of the health care reform bill passed by the Senate last week.  Hopefully, some of the good can be restored in the conference committee. Now, Lieberman has declared that we need a

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-16538673604082811472009-12-26T08:00:00.008-09:002009-12-26T08:53:59.019-09:00

While most of us were enjoying the holiday with our families and friends yesterday, some Christmas day travelers were having the living bejeesus scared out of them. A Nigerian man apparently attempted to bring down a Northwest Airlines flight on its way from Amsterdam to Detroit, and triggered his bomb as the plane was on final approach into Detroit Metro Airport. The explosive device he

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-37617204133474180802009-12-24T07:18:00.002-09:002009-12-24T08:43:44.367-09:00

I only wish there were a decent video available. I wish you all a joyous holiday. h/t to aixelsydyslexia.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-8859278828347896032009-12-23T09:13:00.008-09:002009-12-31T05:23:36.583-09:00

At this time of year I try very hard to not get all maudlin, but I've always thoroughly enjoyed the following piece. So sue me. I've found that it's a great precursor to sitting down and watching Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," which tends to make real men like me mist up a little. I hope you enjoy it, too. Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus By Francis P. Church, first published in

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-60226760087190355962009-12-22T10:57:00.006-09:002009-12-22T11:08:47.629-09:00

This is Sarah Palin's latest Tweet.Not being content to win Politifact's Lie Of The Year Award, Sarah Palin decides to resurrect her lie so that she can generate even more headlines.I'm sorry, America, that Alaska and John McCain ever granted her celebrity status.h/t to Broadway Carl.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-90165954631019760982009-12-21T12:52:00.003-09:002009-12-21T12:57:19.298-09:00

Congratulations, Glenn. Unfortunately, no hankies will be provided.h/t to Media Matters.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-89428687097856536902009-12-21T10:24:00.007-09:002009-12-21T10:51:40.964-09:00

Yesterday, prior to today's 1:00 am crucial procedural vote on the health care reform bill, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) made a statement that should make any person of conscience cringe.In essence, Coburn asked the American people to pray for the death (or at least the medical incapacitation) of 92 year-old Senator Robert Byrd. What a sweetheart of a guy Coburn is.From today's Washington Post: At

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-76095855792226600112009-12-20T15:13:00.006-09:002009-12-20T15:38:09.975-09:00

This is the kind of Senator EVERY state needs.Thanks, Rhode Island, for electing a senator with a genuine pair of cojones.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-61560633555090559252009-12-16T18:43:00.005-09:002009-12-16T18:57:39.998-09:00

Every holiday season, we gather together with family and friends to share food, companionship, and laughter and joy, and to perhaps reflect on the past year.It gives us a chance to appreciate the good things we have, and, if not-so-good things have befallen us, to realize that even in the face of adversity, there is almost always something positive to be found.While giving thanks for our own

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-82879894813811604562009-12-09T10:33:00.005-09:002009-12-09T10:47:15.795-09:00

Jon Stewart points out that even when it comes to citing a poll about "cooking the data," Faux News cooks the data (bonus - Gretchen Carlson "dumbs down," everyone).The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cGretchen Carlson Dumbs Downwww.thedailyshow.comDaily ShowFull EpisodesPolitical HumorHealth Care CrisisWhy does Jon Stewart keep doing the job of, you know, actual journalists?

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-22539108063622697842009-12-07T14:16:00.004-09:002009-12-07T14:56:26.299-09:00

Back in May of this year, I commented on the fact that National Public Radio (NPR) is pretty much my main source of radio news. I like to listen to, and am a member of, my local station, KDLL Radio.Yes, like most of the radio/tv media, there are times when NPR annoys hell out of me... like when they spend many hours of air time on what I consider to be complete non-stories (like Tiger Woods'

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-23427238273449620642009-12-07T07:52:00.010-09:002009-12-07T10:01:41.811-09:00

Back to (very) local politics. I apologize in advance, but it's hard to present a clear picture and be succinct at the same time.You may have noted my earlier posts concerning Borough Mayor David Carey's less-than-truthful answers to the Borough Assembly (and to the public) concerning his unprecedented pay raises for his personal staff and a select few other administration employees.If you've

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-90648849765575013402009-11-29T08:35:00.005-09:002009-11-29T08:41:05.950-09:00

Mr. Wolfe Tone has graciously given me cross-posting privileges. Sarah Palin was in my neck of the woods one week ago and I made this little video. I hope you enjoy this preview of the Palin-Huckabee 2012 GOP nomination race.

Matt Osbornenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-52525828323393503992009-11-24T07:45:00.007-09:002009-11-24T09:51:42.509-09:00

John Bitney has worked for the Alaska State Legislature for more than a couple decades. I knew him when I worked there, and though we didn't always agree on everything, I recognized back then that John had a solid grasp of what formulated good public policy, understood his role as a legislative aide in helping to achieve that goal, and (most importantly) was always a straight shooter. As a

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-67631612148567466572009-11-20T15:51:00.002-09:002009-11-20T15:57:25.371-09:00

In which Sarah refrains from tossing her cookies... at those no-goodnick "big three" oil guys, that is.The never-ending stupid saga of Sarah.h/t to Andrew Halcro.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-77740003064769529072009-11-19T10:48:00.005-09:002009-11-19T12:42:24.215-09:00

Once again, Andrew skewers Palin in a "Masterpiece Theatre" sort of way... and goes "off-script" to help Sarah make her point about the "Condescending Couric."Keep 'em coming, Mr. Halcro!h/t to Alaska Dispatch and Own The Sidewalk.Oh. And Andrew Halcro himself.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-35358365829896841342009-11-18T10:57:00.004-09:002009-11-18T11:19:26.245-09:00

It's almost like "A Night Before Christmas" or something, and it's far too funny not to share.Not bad for an "effete limo driver," Mr. Halcro!I hope there are more installments to come!h/t to Alaska Dispatch and We're Not That Stupid!

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-33901544536425854532009-11-16T09:18:00.012-09:002009-11-16T11:56:00.115-09:00

I know, I know, I've said (repeatedly now) that I'd shut up about Sarah Palin.But she just won't go away.She's like genital warts or something.Sarah's on a promotional tour for her book, "Going Rogue," and as such is the darling of the talk show circuit right now. After all, she's outrageous, so therefore makes good copy.In addition (also through her book), she has gained a lot of maybe not so

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-79792743765641112442009-11-12T05:25:00.013-09:002009-11-12T20:55:32.462-09:00

"Inherent Weaselity" has been vulgarly defined as "STFU, I can do whatever I want...." which fits the Carey Administration to a "T." You've already heard the interesting story about Borough Mayor Dave Carey ensuring that his political pals are well paid. You may be asking yourself, "Why didn't the Borough Assembly (the legislative body in charge of the Borough's purse strings) catch this

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-85952575705372188002009-11-06T11:30:00.018-09:002009-11-09T18:16:34.540-09:00

A little over a year ago, current Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Dave Carey rode the "fiscal conservative" wave into office, handily beating incumbent one-term Mayor John Williams.It's no secret that Carey was a favorite of the "Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers" (ACT) an organization of rag-tag malcontents whose primary goal seems to be hamstringing the Borough government - financially and

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-65529559398844846792009-11-06T10:17:00.002-09:002009-11-06T10:19:41.238-09:00

I KNEW it was a conspiracy.

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-59249276595775451282009-10-28T09:29:00.003-08:002009-10-28T10:42:35.406-08:00

As you (the few of you who follow this blog, anyway) have probably noticed, I haven't written anything lately.This is due to a variety of reasons. It isn't because I haven't had anything to say, but mostly because I've been sort of busy... and because other people were saying the same things I wanted say... and mostly saying it better.In fact, since very often all I'm doing is echoing what

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-69115338724228146032009-10-08T07:25:00.018-08:002009-10-08T17:06:33.633-08:00

The case of Jamie Leigh Jones is horrific.Employed in Iraq by KBR (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Halliburton), in July of 2005 the then 19-year old Ms. Jones was was drugged and gang-raped by fellow KBR employees.Her account was backed up by her physical injuries, which were documented the morning following the rape by U.S. Army physician Jodi Schultz.When Jones reported the incident, KBR

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-27637346579961858692009-10-05T10:51:00.003-08:002009-10-05T11:06:19.347-08:00

This morning, I received an email pleading for emergency financial help from someone calling themselves Phil Munger.Except it wasn't Phil.Of course, despite the Phalse Phil's claim that he was in "England for a Seminar," the English used was hardly Real Phil's style... and it was poor English to boot, also not characteristic of Mr. Munger.Here is the text:From: Philip MungerTo:

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-36411909599057237292009-10-05T09:18:00.004-08:002009-10-05T09:54:54.997-08:00

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (a subsidiary of WellPoint) wanted the State of Maine to approve an average rate hike of 18.5 percent on its policyholders.The State of Maine said "No, we don't think so."So the insurance companies are now suing the state.Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield say they need the rate increase to ensure a 3 percent profit margin.As you might suspect, there are some who

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-5199199577958716612009-10-01T18:53:00.013-08:002009-10-01T21:39:24.520-08:00

As I was driving home from work this evening, I was listening to my local Public Radio Station, KDLL (91.9 FM), and a story on National Public Radio's “All Things Considered” caught my attention.Host Robert Siegel spoke about the February 2004 execution in Texas of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was found guilty of intentionally setting the 1991 house fire that killed his three children.Siegel's

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-14567471042719081702009-10-01T09:06:00.005-08:002009-10-01T09:22:25.616-08:00

I'm still mystified why it is that a late night comic is one of the few media voices calling bullshit on the spineless Democrats in the US Senate: The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cDemocratic Super Majoritywww.thedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorRon Paul Interview Why would the Democratics want to appease the GOP, who will never give anything in return?

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-42755338317859763572009-09-27T11:22:00.009-08:002009-09-27T15:04:29.947-08:00

Former Governor Walter J. Hickel penned an OpEd piece which appears in today's Anchorage Daily News, entitled "Alaskans can rise above petty politics, hateful acts."Bravo, Mr. Hickel.During his long career, no matter what his stance on issues, and no matter what less-than-complimentary things one might say about him, even his detractors (and as a life-long Democrat, I fall into that category)

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-28750978587502320442009-09-17T08:19:00.009-08:002009-09-18T07:52:57.413-08:00

Well, on September 16, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) officially released the "Health care Reform" bill that has been months in the making.After much hemming and hawing, the "great compromise" that was released by The Gang of Six contains very little that will help the American people... unless you are an insurance or health care company executive or major shareholder.Naturally, the measure contains

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-87753825062827980272009-09-14T15:13:00.005-08:002009-09-14T16:04:31.603-08:00

In an article in today's Huffington Post, an article by Ryan Grim (no pun intended) points out a little-known and outrageous fact - from the article: It turns out that in eight states, plus the District of Columbia, getting beaten up by your spouse is a pre-existing condition. Under the cold logic of the insurance industry, it makes perfect sense: If you are in a marriage with someone who has

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-43931438540588536442009-09-14T09:08:00.002-08:002009-09-14T09:25:00.746-08:00

As a followup to the Brave New Films piece, let me introduce a bit of levity into the mix... a bit of "performance art" by Billionaires for Wealthcare.Note that the Tea Party protesters around them seem to be completely oblivious to the joke.Keep in mind, however, that most tea partiers are pretty challenged in the "irony" department. For instance, many of them think Stephen Colbert is serious,

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113998448322320011.post-6314046596805376712009-09-14T08:12:00.006-08:002009-09-14T08:26:40.370-08:00

The message in this short piece from Brave New Films really needs no further elaboration.We all know someone (or we may be that someone) who has had to do battle with their health insurance carrier just to get them to provide the coverage they are supposed to provide.Reform is needed.h/t to Watergate Summer and Brave New Films

Wolfe Tonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00582205751385964204noreply@blogger.com1