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Saturday
October 04, 2014
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Fall Colors
At the 1,000 foot elevation, huge and very colorful mushrooms thrive. The mushroom in the foreground is 9" in diameter,
Front Page Photograph By KEN ARRIOLA ©2014
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Fish Talk: U.S. Senate & House Candidates Talk Fish By LAINE WELCH - I must admit that US Senate candidate Dan Sullivan achieved something I have been trying to accomplish as a fisheries writer for more than a quarter of a century: he gave long legs to media stories about Alaska’s fisheries and, more importantly, it attracted unparalleled recognition of the seafood industry nationwide.
How did that come about for a fractious industry that bemoans a la comedian Rodney Dangerfield—“I don’t get no respect?”
When Sullivan’s campaign announced that he would not attend a traditional Kodiak fisheries debate scheduled with all US Senate candidates in late May, he said it was due to a military obligation. Then, after winning the August primary, and despite months of advance notice, Sullivan’s campaign abruptly brushed off a fisheries face off against incumbent Sen. Mark Begich set for October 1. Dan had no other commitment, his manager said, his travel schedule was just “too busy.”
The fish gurry immediately hit the fan. Press releases from opposing factions started flying, newspaper, radio, TV and blog headlines screamed that Sullivan dissed Alaska’s largest work force and simply didn’t give a crappie. The story even outran the 24-hour news cycle and for weeks it stayed in the news and on people’s minds. (Still is.)
Enter Senator Lisa Murkowski. Word quickly spread on the fish vine that she advised Dan that a no show was a really bad move and to reconsider. He did, and Murkowski, who can talk fish with the best of them, schooled him for two weeks in a total immersion kind of way. Senator Lisa even accompanied Sullivan to Kodiak a day before the fisheries debate to make an even bigger splash.
It paid off fairly well. Dan held his own against Begich, who is a passionate fisheries whiz, as well as chairman of the US Senate subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and US Coast Guard.
It was a first opportunity for Alaskans to hear Dan Sullivan’s ideas and opinions on fishery-related issues. As a result, he fielded the most questions from the media panelists, along with hard balls from Senator Begich.
No one could pin Dan down on his position on the Pebble Mine. Claiming that he “has never come out in support of the mine,” he resorted to the tiresome talking points of ‘not trading one resource for another’ and ‘supporting the process.’ Begich has come out strongly against the proposed mine, and echoed the words of the late Ted Stevens that Pebble is ‘the wrong mine in the wrong place.’
Begich pressed Sullivan to answer yes or no on his support of oil and gas exploration leases set to become available in federal waters off Bristol Bay in 2017, an area dubbed ‘the nation’s fish basket.’
“I’d look at the science and see what the federal agencies are doing to balance resource opportunities in the state. When I see the science and the recommendations I would make the decisions,” Sullivan responded.
“These leases have happened before and we bought them out based on the science,” retorted Begich, who opposes the idea.
When asked by Begich if he acknowledges climate change, Sullivan said, “Yes, but as for the causes, the science is still out. I would not be for a one size fits all solution. We’ve got to get the science right before we take some big action that will further limit or hurt our fisheries.”
The Kodiak fisheries debate, which is always broadcast statewide, was also covered by Japan Broadcasting Corp., C-Span, National Public Radio, Associated Press, KTUU, KTVA, and Alaska Dispatch News. |
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House raucous
Following US Senate Candidates Begich and Sullivan to the fish debate stage were Alaska Congressman Don Young and Democratic challenger Forrest Dunbar. It was the first time the two candidates had met face to face, and Dunbar was clearly prepared to take on the 42-year House of Representatives veteran.
Young set an argumentative tone by quibbling over debate protocols, referring to 30 year old Dunbar as ‘naïve’ and ‘immature,’ and often glaring at and interrupting moderator John Whiddon, a decorated retired USCG helicopter pilot who has pulled off some of the hairiest rescues on record in the Bering Sea. (He didn’t bat an eye.)
The audience gasped when Young glibly announced that he had not bothered to prepare any questions for Dunbar as part of the debate format. But it did not take him long to get serious once he realized how well prepared, knowledgeable and articulate his opponent is on Alaska’s fisheries.
Young and Dunbar agreed on many issues, such as the need to make sure fishing futures exist for young Alaskans, and the need to reduce Chinook and halibut bycatch by trawlers.
“The Gulf is where most of the problem lies, not the Bering Sea,” Young pointed out. “It can be done with excluder panels and modern technology. If they don’t clean up and do it better, someone else will do it for them.”
Likewise, they saw mostly eye to eye on: the need for better seafood labeling, stopping fishing pirates on the high seas, opposing genetically modified fish and offshore fish farming, home porting more vessels in Alaska and increasing resident and corporate involvement, and that ocean “assification” (Young’s term) is a threat to Alaska’s fisheries.
Dunbar is strongly opposed to the Pebble Mine, whereas Young said: “It is the state’s land and it has control over the resources. Let the state do its job.”
No one can discount Don Young’s knowledge and caring for Alaska’s seafood industry. He helped write and pass laws in the 1970s that “Americanized” our nation’s fisheries, by booting foreign fleets to beyond 200 miles from US shores. He also is credited with pushing through an international ban on the use of miles of driftnets on the high seas.
But his condescension of Dunbar did not reflect well on Alaska’s lone Congressman.
“Why do you think in your young years that you can better represent Alaska,” Young asked his competitor. Dunbar, who is from Eagle and Cordova and has a Yale law degree, responded that he was an intern in DC for Frank Murkowski and another legislator.
“I have more experience than you did when you went to DC. And I grew up in this state and represent Alaska values,” Dunbar said.
“Sounds good, looks good, but it doesn’t quite pass the smell test,” Young retorted. “You are a very ambitious young man, but you don’t know the ropes. What I have done is represent and fight for all Alaskans every day.”
When Dunbar questioned Young about past ethics violations and referred to his “lack of clout” in Congress, Young upraided him saying: “Right now you are a young man all fired up and wanting to make an impression. Attacking a Congressman for 42 years is wrong and demeans the office. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” - More...
Saturday PM - October 04, 2014 |
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Metlakatla: Metlakatla Indian Community & Coast Guard Sign Agreement - Coast Guard Sector Juneau and the Metlakatla Indian Community met in Metlakatla, Tuesday, to sign a memorandum of agreement between the two parties.
Judith Eaton, Metlakatla Indian Community council secretary, Capt. Shannan Greene, commander, Coast Guard Sector Anchorage, and Mayor Audrey Hudson, of Metlakatla, sign a memorandum of agreement between the Coast Guard and MIC in Metlakatla, Alaska, Sept. 30, 2014. The MOA clarifies and solidifies the working relationship between the two parties.
Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard
"We are pleased to host Capt. Greene and the Coast Guard delegation today in Metlakatla," said Mayor Audrey Hudson. "We look forward to productive discussions, which we believe will increase mutual understanding and facilitate communication between the Community and the Coast Guard. We are anxious to discuss, among other things, a variety of maritime and preparedness topics, as well as the federal government's trust responsibility."
The agreement, which has been in development for more than a year, clarifies and solidifies the working relationship between Sector Juneau and Metlakatla Indian Community, allowing more coordination in vessel safety, law enforcement, and incident preparedness efforts.
“Today marks a memorable day for the U.S. Coast Guard and the community of Metlakatla,” said Capt. Shannan Greene, commander, Sector Juneau. “Through this MOA our two entities will continue to foster and grow our working relationship and understanding of each other’s culture and laws. This agreement will assist in guiding us to fulfill our mutual trust responsibilities today, tomorrow, and well into the future.” - More...
Saturday PM - October 04, 2014
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Columns - Commentary
PHIL KERPEN: Democrats Will Never Fix Obamacare - "If you like your health plan, you can keep it" was last year's Lie of the Year. When millions of cancellations stacked up, the game of make-believe was over. So the Democrats, hoping to survive another election cycle, shifted to a new mantra: they claim they want to fix the law. The facts show this is just another Obamacare lie.
The Democrat-controlled Senate has adjourned for the year without voting on any fixes.
The Senate only took up two Obamacare-related measures all year. One was a show-vote on the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision. The other was a House-passed bill called the Hire More Heroes Act that removed employer mandate penalties on companies for hiring veterans on Tricare or VA health care. That bill passed the House 406 to 1 with only Jerry Nadler of New York opposed — but Senate Democrats decided to use it as a vehicle for an unrelated package of tax changes that they later pulled from the floor.
And that's it.
No other Obamacare votes allowed in the Senate all year, because Harry Reid has the reliable support of every Senate Democrat to ruthlessly block all amendments on the Senate floor.
It's true most Republicans want to repeal the law. Good. It's a terrible law and we'd be better off if it were repealed. But House Republicans have also recognized the need to provide immediate relief to millions of people suffering lost plans, higher premiums, higher taxes, shorter hours, and lost jobs. They have acted responsibly in the House by passing more than a dozen bills that fix the worst aspects of Obamacare.
Just recently the House passed a bill authored by Rep. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana to allow people who work for small businesses to keep their health plans. Last year the House passed a similar bill for people who buy their own plans on the individual market by a robust 261-157 margin. Democrats like Mary Landrieu and Kay Hagan claim to support a version of this bill in almost every stump speech, but vote with Reid to guarantee it will never actually come to the Senate floor. - More...
Saturday PM - October 04, 2014
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Political Cartoon: Immigration Policy
By Rick McKee ©2014, The Augusta Chronicle
Distributed to subscribers for publication by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.
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 Open Letter to Ketchikan School Board & Kayhi Administration By Ken Arriola - So, basically, in following the development and building progress of the Kayhi football program through the years, I've come to appreciate the success of the program despite the seemingly insurmountable hurdles that an athletic program has to endure in order to succeed and become firmly established. The achievements of Kayhi's football program, in my view stands alone, in the realm of student activities, as the example of what hard work, commitment, and sacrifice can and will produce. - More...
Sunday PM - October 05, 2014
Feds treat Ebola like a hangnail By Charlie Freeman - I do not understand how the U.S. leaders can poo poo the potential threat of a pandemic. If they're trying to prevent panic, they're doing a poor job of it. My self, I'd feel more secure if I saw some effort at containment. Aparently none of the "highly trained" people ever read a history book. The Black Plague was too far back for these people to think about, but the world wide influenza epidimic of the early 1900's should be close enough for a look. This was a time of coal fired steam ships. Most travelers would have died weeks before they got here. And yet the virus arrived and killed an untold number of Americans. You only need to go to Villiage Island or old Klinkwan to see the results. Two or three children buried in the same grave, parents beside them. That's just local. Nation wide, it was worse. World wide, it was horrible. - More...
Sunday PM - October 05, 2014
Tax dollars wasted By Ed Plute - As a candidate for Ketchikan city council ,I will vote to reverse the approved rate increases for the Ketchikan Ports and Harbors budgets 2013 and 2014 totaling 14%, with another 7% that is to be collected in 2015 for a total of 21% the already collected money should be return to the people who paid it. These rate increases should NEVER have been approved by the city council, the highest rate increases in the USA KPU borrowed millions dollars from Ports and Harbors funds, my question is WHY??? I have attached the original city documents that were sent to me under the US Federal Government, Freedom of Information Act. - More...
Sunday PM - October 05, 2014
Increases in Obamacare Costs Explained By Susan K. Bell - In the next few weeks, many Alaskans will be informed of significant increases in the cost of their health insurance. While the degree of increase may surprise some, others will remember that many analysts predicted that the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as Obamacare, would be anything but affordable. - More...
Sunday PM - October 05, 2014
Mark Begich and fisheries By Bonnie Demerjian - Political campaigns (and when is there not a political campaign these days?) tend to generate more heat than light. Therefore, it's important to look for facts before voting. Senator Mark Begich has a significant record of support for Alaska's fisheries and deserves the vote of all who recognize the importance to our state of maintaining this critical resource. - More...
Sunday PM - October 05, 2014
Vote Independent - Walker and Ortiz By Peter Stanton - If there’s anything present American politics teaches, it’s that the party system has failed us. Neither Democrats nor Republicans have been able to set the country on the right track. It’s no wonder George Washington, James Madison, and other Founding Fathers were opposed to political factions. When it comes to balancing budgets, protecting good jobs, making smart healthcare decisions, providing for children’s future, and so many other issues, we need leaders who can move beyond partisanship and rigid ideologies. - More...
Sunday PM - October 05, 2014
Pro Begich By Marge Hays - I have a great idea. Let's vote for the candidate who clearly states what fits your hopes for a democratic society. For instance, do you want a super efficient decision- making process such as indicated by SB77? This bill was withdrawn after public outcry. It had advocated for the Natural Resources Commission to quickly and privately decide what Alaskan resources could be used and under what conditions. If having decisions made this way is your picture of democracy, Dan Sullivan is your man. - More...
Sunday PM - October 5, 2014
Alaskans Deserve a Fix for Obamacare By U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski - It has now been more than four years since then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi explained to Americans why she had to push the health care reform bill through in such a rush: “We have to pass the bill to find out what’s in the bill … and get away from the fog.” - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
Cook Inlet gas: a remarkable comeback By Governor Sean Parnell - For those who love comeback stories, it is difficult to find a better example than Cook Inlet. - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
Veterans' Needs Must Come First By U.S. Senator Mark Begich - Oct. 1 marks an anniversary many of us prefer to forget — the start of the 16 day partial government shutdown of 2013. Among the disruptions caused by the shutdown, work stopped on more than 250,000 veterans’ disability claims awaiting appeals, burials at national cemeteries were scaled back and vital medical and prosthetic research projects were threatened. Had it continued a couple weeks longer, even veterans’ disability compensation checks might have stopped. - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
No to the legalization of marijuana By Brad Johnson - On behalf of our membership, the Alaska Peace Officers Association (APOA) State Board writes this letter in opposition to the legalization of marijuana. We offer our take on the legalization of marijuana’s impacts to Alaska financially, medically, and from a societal impact. Then we will provide an overview of issues that have arisen in Colorado. - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
CHOICE AND LACK OF CHOICE; DO NOT VOTE IF THERE IS NO COMPETITION By David G Hanger - The local elections this year present something of a contrast. No choice at all at the Borough; a bunch of re-treads and a small bunch of newbies at the City. Ed Plute assures me the newbies are ready to fire Karl Amylon and his clique of sycophants. Vote for the newbies and hold them to that pledge. The alternative is no senior citizen tax exemptions and a sales tax rate of 10%. - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
Open letter to Ketchikan City Council and Candidates By Rob Holston - In July of 2013 the Ketchikan Daily News carried a story re: Cleveland’s Ariel Castro pleading guilty to imprisoning three women in his home, subjecting them to rapes and beatings for a decade. Castro told the judge, “My addiction to pornography and my sexual problem has really taken a toll on my mind.” - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
City Props 1 & 2 By Chris Elliott - Perhaps someone out there can explain to me why, with failing water mains and sewer mains for Schoenbar, Chatham & Front, Mill, Stedman Streets, we built that beautiful new library. Surely the condition of the water/sewer mains was known to the City long before the library was built. I'm sure I'll get some song & dance about different funding sources, etc. etc. - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
Alaska needs Mark Begich By Ann Stephenson - Where's the truth? Not in the outsider ads paid for by Americans for Prosperity, Club for Growth, et al. Facts: as Mayor of Anchorage, Mark Begich and the Assembly closed a $33 Million inherited budget deficit while improving city roads and “spurring construction of the Dena’ina Civic Center” (ADN, Sept 11, 2014.) He balanced the city’s budget enabling S&P to upgrade Anchorage’s bond rating to AA. - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
Open Letter to Sen. Begich By Rob Holston - U.S. Senator Mark Begich, yesterday I was in Island to Island Vet Clinic and read on the wall something about how a man’s character is reflected by his treatment of animals. Senator, I suppose you’re kind to puppies but what about human babies? - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
How sweet would it be? By Teresa Alvelo - How sweet would it be if the nation passed Constitutional Amendments similar to those that follow? - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
We the people..." By Susan Valliant - Our symbol, the Bald Eagle, stands for courage and freedom to look ahead. Dr. Carson once said “the eagle has a left wing and a right wing but it takes both wings working together for the Bald Eagle to fly.” Americans uniting together have the ability to reign in the overreaching federal government so our freedoms may be preserved. - More...
Thursday PM - October 02, 2014
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