Why Stand?

 
 

Contributed by Kevin McCabe

Why do we stand for the flag?

Kneeling, or “taking a knee” during the national anthem is thought, by the kneeler, to be a sign of disrespect for, and a protest against, the USA. 

But is it really? What does it really mean? 

Taking a knee is otherwise known as genuflecting. The practice of genuflecting was started by Alexander the Great when he introduced, to his court, this form of demonstrating humility and subservience. As the practice developed in some empires, even senators and high officials were required to take a knee or genuflect when in the presence of the Monarch, or a lesser noble or official. One demonstrated subservience or supplication to the king or noble by going down on the knee, often remaining there until told they could rise. 

Getting down on bended knee, or “taking a knee”, is also often performed in western cultures by a man who is proposing marriage to a woman. In this manner, a man could show his devotion to a woman or demonstrate his surrender to her. So kneeling represents not only admiration, but surrender. Is that what the Kaepernick clones are saying? They surrender? Or maybe that they just admire the country so much they had to kneel before the flag?

Historically, in fact, kneeling has been a sign of loyalty, supplication, humility, and servitude or subservience. Knights receiving honors kneeled before their lords; if you surrendered your army to the opposing king, you kneeled before him in supplication.

When our nation was founded, and our flag and customs codified, it was decided that as sovereign and free human beings we would NOT be taking a subservient knee for officials in our government. Our country was founded on a government “of the people, by the people”. Hence no one is subservient to our heads of government. In fact those elected officials and bureaucrats are supposed to work for us. 

This all begs the question of what comes next. Shall we bow our head and not make eye contact with the flag or our government officials? Bowing your head, and exposing your neck is a sign that we believe our government officials have greater status than us; that our lives belong to them. Are we headed down that path? Our sports figures are setting a dangerous precedent and teaching our children to surrender - to be supplicants to the government. This is why I no longer watch most sports. It is, in fact, why I will no longer be watching hockey. 

Kneeling is the ultimate sign of surrender to the government, something our founders would abhor. The act of genuflecting during the national anthem actually moves us further towards the tyranny our founding fathers were trying to avoid.

We are meant to be free men. Standing for the national anthem demonstrates that to all. I stand with pride and look on the flag of my country with admiration. Not because I am subservient to it; not because I worship it; but because it represents a country in which I can be a free human being and do not have to kneel in supplication in front of a government that works for me.

 
 

Reduce State Spending To Solve Alaska's Budget Crisis 

 
 

Contributed by Ben Wilterdink 

As Alaska’s economy continues to slowly reopen over the summer, the next major challenge facing Alaskans is a fiscal one.

In addition to pandemic-related business closures and a greatly diminished tourism season, strikingly low oil prices mean that lawmakers will have a sizable budget deficit to deal with. Taxes on the oil industry account for more than 80 percent of Alaska’s government revenue and low oil prices mean that revenues are likely to be far lower than was estimated even as recently as last fall. In fact, a recent report from Moody’s Analytics estimates that general fund revenues could be reduced by as much as 80 percent - nearly double the reduction faced by any other state. Significantly reducing state spending is the only realistic option for responsibly dealing with this crisis. 

On the surface, there do appear to be alternatives that could address the dire budget situation, but each one falls considerably short of being a true solution. After years of spending beyond our means, the state’s Constitutional and Statutory Budget Reserve Funds have already been nearly depleted. Increasing taxes on the state’s already struggling oil industry risks further damaging our primary economic engine. Using funds from the state’s Earnings Reserve Account to close the gap and pay for state expenditures is an unsustainable solution that allows policymakers to avoid making the same tough decisions about spending that Alaskan families have had to make. 

Raising revenue by introducing new broad-based taxes on Alaskans has also been floated as a way to solve the budget deficit without making further spending reductions. While new taxes might seem like a viable solution at first glance, at best they’re an ineffective way to close the budget deficit and at worst they could cripple Alaska’s economy for generations to come.  

No matter how new taxes are implemented, any revenues collected would fall dramatically short of the $1.6 billion needed to close the budget deficit. A 2019 report from The Buckeye Institute’s Economic Research Center and Alaska Policy Forum estimated how much revenue various taxes would be likely to generate. The numbers are sobering. The three percent sales tax considered by the legislature in 2016 would only generate $185 million in revenue and a one and a half percent flat income tax would only yield $276 million. Finally, even combining a sales tax and a full-fledged progressive income tax would only generate $521 million in revenue - less than a third of what’s necessary to close the deficit. 

But even if new taxes were to be levied at high enough levels to make a difference in closing the budget deficit, extracting that much money from Alaskans would be a disaster for the state’s economy. The same study estimates that the introduction of a sales tax would reduce the number of jobs by 1,700 in the first year. Similarly, introducing a progressive income tax would cost 2,700 jobs in the first year - and 3,300 jobs by the eighth year of implementation. Alaskans are only beginning to recover from the economic effects of the coronavirus and introducing new taxes that would decrease economic growth and reduce employment opportunities sets those efforts up for failure.  

Reducing state spending can be tough, but in response to the pandemic, other states have already recognized the necessity - Georgia state agencies were recently instructed to reduce their budgets by 14 percent. Ohio is under a state hiring freeze and is reducing agency budgets. The governors of Oregon and Colorado have also taken steps to reduce state spending to deal with budget shortfalls. As budget realities become clearer, more states are certain to follow these examples and reduce their spending. 

Fortunately, most Alaskans understand that reducing spending is necessary to secure our financial future. A recent opinion survey found that a large majority of Alaskans (67 percent) supported making cuts to state spending and a plurality thought cuts to spending and services should be the main solution to the state’s budget situation. Meaningfully reducing state spending is the best option available to lawmakers seeking to close the budget deficit without jeopardizing long-term growth at a time when our economy needs all the help it can get. 

Ben Wilterdink is a Visiting Fellow at the Alaska Policy Forum and a resident of Anchorage. 

 
 

President Trump & Majority Leader McConnell

 
 

Contributed by Bill Hibler

Assuming I were to win the Democrat/Independent Primary on August 18th and make it to Congress, the first thing I would do (apart from calling up President Trump and asking him to pardon North Pole’s Schaefer Cox) is to make an appointment with Mitch McConnell and get some advice. While vilified by my progressive Democratic colleagues, if you view Washington DC from afar, McConnell is almost single-handedly holding the US Government from falling into an abyss. 

On the one hand, he has the perpetually out-of-control President Donald Trump and on the other hand, hubristic Speaker Pelosi and smarmy Chuck Schumer with ‘Dog in the Manger’ attitudes that would starve even a dog. Despite all that, he manages to keep Congress going with sniping backbenchers in his own party and outright hostility from the Democrats. As for Trump, McConnell’s quote is still the gold standard on why impeaching Trump was the dumbest thing ever done by Congress, “You don’t remove a bull in the china shop by running a bulldozer through it.” As for Trump’s election, he nailed that too in 2016, “Donald Trump won the election the old fashioned way: by getting more votes than his opponent.” Enough said!

As for Trump, there is a certain utility in his out of control ways. In our cozy Birch Hill Nordic ski hut in Fairbanks, there is a Mario Andretti quote on the wall, “If you are always driving under control, then you’re just not driving fast enough.” Driving is crossed out and replaced by skiing with a picture of a skier caught in a tree. If you don’t take yourself too seriously, as liberal Democrats seem to these days, you can make the case that Trump as perhaps the ‘World’s most obnoxious Oracle’, is well worth listening to. 

A case in point is voting by mail. As an Alaska Democrat, I oppose this because it will likely kill the Democratic Party in Alaska, and for that manner any minority party in all states. Getting your party’s registered voters out to vote with all the proper IDs is an age-old critical campaigning tool. If all you have to do is go around, knock on doors or wherever, collect mail-in votes from your voters and ignore those not leaning your way, then good luck to our great country. What we do need, however, is same-day voter registration for any US citizen that can walk, crawl or roll up to the voting location. Getting it verified is the State’s problem, but it counts! The right of any US citizen to vote should not be abrogated in any way, period.

William D. Hibler III, Emeritus Professor UAF

Democratic Candidate for US Congress (www.billhiblerforcongress.org)

 
 

Palmer Councilwoman Seeks Another Term

 
 

Contributed by Linda Combs

Hi neighbors. I am Linda Combs and I have worked alongside you, the Palmer city residents and the Palmer business community, for the past 34 years to ensure that our community serves everyone to the best of its abilities.

Palmer's success to date has been built upon previous generations' careful attention to basic services such as roads, water and sewer service, as well as police and fire protection. This has provided the strong foundation that has made our town “Alaska at its Best”. I am asking for your vote on October 6th for Palmer City Council to allow me to continue to serve you and our delightful community.

My involvement in Palmer over the past three decades has included all areas and interests in this beautiful community. These days we face many uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on our daily lives. Palmer, just like our beautiful state, will in the long-term continue to provide us with a solid, individual and business friendly town that is the envy of many other communities in Alaska. Those towns are particularly envious because so many of the residents are dedicated to adhering to the strong foundation that has been built here out of a firm community commitment to quality of life.

In the past, I have been told that one of the reasons for not going to vote was a lack of knowledge about the candidates and or the issues. Please feel free to contact me anytime with your questions or concerns. I am easily found through the City of Palmer’s website. Open and frequent communication is a big part of what I have promoted these past 8 1/2 years, and I believe it has paid off. I would ask that you not base an opinion on a headline or a quick soundbite because in today’s world that is all too often done and does not serve anyone well. Again, please feel free to talk to me at any time.

If you ask around the community, you will be told that I have consistently represented our citizens’ concerns and have unfailingly served to the very best of my abilities. I do sincerely believe that Palmer is poised to weather the current crisis in a reasonably comfortable manner as long as the visions and plans the Council of the past five to seven years are continued to be implemented. Government processes can certainly be lengthy; however, it provides the means to be organized in a manner in which with deliberate care may be taken in order to best serve the interests of the majority of the community. Obviously, the City Council will need to be vigilant in regards to adhering to a reasonable budget when the whole state is facing long-term reductions in revenue. My record on budget issues will show that I have supported the areas of public safety, and necessary services in a careful and conservative manner.

Once again, I am asking that you will vote on October 6th in the City of Palmer Election, and a vote for me will allow me to continue to serve and represent you.

 
 

How To Teach Your Puppy Not To Bite (Too Hard)

 
 

Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates

Puppies, just like human babies, like to put everything into their mouths. The difference is that puppies’ mouths are filled with very sharp razor-like teeth and it HURTS when they chomp down on you. This behavior is completely normal and can be something you can train away fairly easily.

Your puppy needs to learn bite inhibition, so that he comes to understand that if he bites too hard, the game is over. This occurs naturally when the puppy is interacting with Mom or littermates, the other dog will make a loud yelping sound and walk away. So, if you make a high-pitched sound when puppy bites too hard, it warns the puppy that his bite hurts. Remove your hand immediately and move away. Some puppies find this high pitch howl inviting for more wild play. If that is the case, simply walk away. Remember that if your puppy bites too hard, play time is over. Do not punish your pup or yell at him. Turn away and tuck your hands under your armpits.

Give your puppy an alternative, appropriate item to chew on. When playing with your puppy, always have a chew toy handy. Offer this instead of your hand. If this strategy is not successful, discontinue play immediately.

If your puppy pounces on your legs or feet while you are walking, hold a favored treat next to your leg as your walk. This will encourage your puppy to walk nicely alongside you. This is also a great way to teach walking your dog on a leash.

Sometimes puppies need to be placed in a time-out, either in a crate or a small room. This should not be a punishment, but rather a removal from a too exciting stimulus. Do not punish or yell at the puppy. Once the puppy has calmed down, he can be released from the time-out.

Occasionally, your puppy will not calm down, no matter what you do. He may just need to let off some steam, so take him outside and let him run around and play. He might also be thirsty or hungry.

Remember to reinforce behaviors that you desire. Catch him being good and offer a treat, a pet, or kind words when he is behaving appropriately. Do not ever hit or cause physical stress to your puppy.

If you feel that your dog is demonstrating aggressive behavior, talk with your veterinarian or a dog behaviorist. Enroll you pup in a puppy class where you will learn how to address various puppy behaviors.. Remember that play biting is not a sign of viciousness. It is our jobs as puppy moms and dads to show puppies how to behave appropriately.

 
 

Visit Tundra Comics At The 2020 Harvest Fest!

 
 

Contributed by Chad Carpenter

The state fair may be cancelled, but you can still get your Tundra books and calendars signed by Chad the Cartoonist.

The 2020 Harvest Fest will be held at the Alaska State Fairgrounds on September 4-6, 2020. The event will emphasize agriculture,  Alaskan products, and include vendors, refreshments and entertainment from local Alaskan performers.

Chad will have his newest book there as well as the new 2021 wall calendar and 2021 daily calendars. The calendars will be 50% off! Since we don't have tourists to sell calendars to this year, Chad is putting them on sale so he doesn't have to heat his house with them this winter. Buy some for all your friends and family! They also make great mudflaps and doorstops!

The 2020 Harvest Fest will be your best chance to get your fair fix!

For more information, go to www.tundracomics.com.

 
 

Poetry In Perpetuity, Not Just In A Pandemic

 
 

Contributed by Caitlin M.S. Buxbaum, founder of Red Sweater Press

As we look for ways to connect with each other and attempt to understand what our world is going through, more poetry is being read than usual, perhaps more than ever. But if we truly find value in the power of a poem, we need to support the creators.

If independent publishers aren’t funded now, they might not be around when we need them most. Sure, you can share many poems on your social media channels and at virtual open mics, but what about the experience of poetry, in person? Zoom is a game-changer, but how often have you found yourself, or someone else, nodding off or trying to multitask during a meeting?

I refuse to believe readings and in-person events are a thing of the past, and I can’t be the only one who appreciates the feeling of being surrounded by fellow poets and poetry-enthusiasts as I watch a person perform their poems (or someone else’s). I don’t think I’m the only one that likes to hold a paper book, rather than a tablet or an e-reader, with its myriad distractions, in my hands, either. The convenience of Amazon is great, but does it preserve and promote beauty and communication the way independent publishers, bookstores, creative writing programs and writers themselves do? I hope you know the answer, and recognize it’s significance.

You say you want a revolution - read (and buy!) and write more poetry.

Join me for the month of August as I and seven other poets across the country write a poem a day as part of a fundraiser for Tupelo Press, an independent, non-profit publisher based in Massachusetts. Although this press is far away, it has published the work of Alaska’s own Chaun Ballard, who recently departed his Anchorage home, along with partner and poet Tara Ballard, to obtain their PhDs in creative writing in Nebraska. This fundraiser also has the potential to be a great encouragement to me, as a writer and indie publisher, by promoting my work and the work of my fellow Alaskans. (I’d like to thank Make A Scene also, for contributing to this cause in a similar way by sharing the Valley’s creativity over the years.)

If you want to support independent publishers and poets, please get online and visit bit.ly/CMSB4TUPELO to donate today. Then, enjoy fresh poems daily at bit.ly/8tupelopo.

To learn more about Red Sweater Press, visit redsweaterpress.com.

 
 

Cooperative Extension Service Has Many Things Occurring!

 
 

Contributed by Julie M. Cascio

Cooperative Extension Service has many things occurring! Here are a few!

Food Preservation Classes:

Whether harvesting your garden, buying a bulk of produce, have many chickens, or plan to hunt for moose there may be food to keep for eating in the future. Freezing is one option to save these; drying and canning are other choices. If canning use research-based recipes. For online sources, use Cooperative Extension information.

Alaska’s series of distance-delivered food preservation classes continue.

Julie Cascio, of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, will demonstrate how to can, pickle, dehydrate, and make sauerkraut.

Classes will be via Zoom on Thursdays.

Registration and class details are available at https://bit.ly/2CECoOs. The classes are:

·       Can Fruits in Jars, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Aug. 20

·       Can Tomatoes in Jars, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Aug. 27

·       Pickling, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Sept. 10

·       Making Sauerkraut, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Sept. 10

·       Dehydrating Fruits and Vegetables, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Sept. 17

·       Can Vegetables, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17

·       Canning Meats and Poultry, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Oct. 1

·       Making Fresh Sausage, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8

For more information about the workshops, contact Cascio at jmcascio@alaska.edu or 907-745-3677. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Cascio.

Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Program:

Lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by over 50%! For people with pre-diabetes, the Prevent T2 Diabetes prevention program helps with this goal. Skills and goals to lose 5% - 10% or more of your starting weight are in this program. Making simple diet and exercise improvements as well as learning to manage stress are involved.

It is a one-year program, delivered over the phone. Weekly phone calls with a trained mentor occur during the first six months, then monthly calls for the second six months. It is a free, voluntary program.

Call or text Leslie Shallcross at 907-242-6138 to learn more and enroll in that program.

 
 

Alaska’s Project Hope

 
 

Contributed by Michael Carson

This past July, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Jim Carroll, stated the importance of properly storing and disposing of prescription medications, especially during these challenging and unique times of the COVID-19 pandemic. These two directives are key strategies in reducing that medications are not misused or fall into the wrong hands.

He added, “As we battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot lose sight of the ongoing crisis of substance misuse and addiction.”

“As we stay at home more to ‘flatten the curve,’ some are feeling isolated and depressed. This could lead some potentially, to turn to unused, unneeded, unmonitored or expired prescription drugs to self-medicate without even leaving their home.”

In addition, the data shows children under 6 are threatened with the availability of excess medications in the home. We know in 2017, 52,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for medicine-related poisonings. (ONDCP)

And now there are also many school age children at home. We know that 1 in 7 high school students have used medications NOT prescribed to them. (’17 Youth Risk Behavior Survey)

Along with young children and school age students, we know 80% of all new heroin users started with prescription opioids.

Again, the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges surrounding prescription medications. The most recent National ‘Take-Back Day’ for unused prescription pills was postponed.

However, Alaska has the program, ‘Project Hope’. You can visit any Alaska Public Health Office and ask for a ‘Medication Disposal Bag’. These bags come in different sizes that hold 15, 45, 90 unused prescription opioid pills, also liquids and patches. These disposal bags are safe, convenient and effective with a simple 3 step process to deactivate the prescription medications.

Next, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a major announcement recommending that all health care professionals routinely discuss the life-saving Naloxone with guidance for those at increased risk for an opioid overdose. Besides health care professionals, family, friends or a bystander can administer Naloxone for a possible opioid overdose. It will save lives!

Unfortunately, from 2018 to 2019 Alaska had an increase of 27% of drug overdoses. (CDC)

And, over half was due to Fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. There is counterfeit Percocet, Xanax and Oxycodone containing Fentanyl. It only takes 2 milligrams of Fentanyl to be fatal.

If you are interested in having life-saving Naloxone, you can obtain an ‘Overdose Prevention Rescue Kit’, from an Alaska Public Health Office. This is another component of Project Hope.

Over 250 Alaskans have been revived by Naloxone from 2017 to 2018.

Finally, I want to thank all Alaska Public Health staff across our state for being on the front lines to save lives with all the services they provide, which are many, that truly keep all Alaskans safe, healthy and thriving.

Please remember, Medication Disposal Bags (drug deactivation system) are safe, convenient and effective. This drug deactivation system ensures that medications are not misused or fall into the wrong hands.

And, Naloxone (overdose prevention) will save lives and those lives are Alaskans.

#No Dope More Hope

Michael P. Carson

V.P. & Recovery Specialist at MyHouse of Mat-Su and Chair of Mat-Su Opioid Task Force

 
 

Boom Town Roller Derby Season 10: Derby in the Time of COVID

 
 

Contributed by Jennifer Cruz

Due to current COVID-19 new and continuing case rates, Boom Town Roller Derby is unable to continue practices as scheduled in September. The Board of Directors have decided to push back the start date of the season to the first week of October. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we are glad our members, volunteers, fans and members of the community are all staying safe.

According to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, the State of Alaska does not have restrictions for large groups, but offers guiding principles to keep in mind while planning events with a larger number of people in attendance. The size (attendance) of an event or gathering should be determined based on state, local, territorial or tribal safety laws and regulations. The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the individual’s potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and then spreading COVID-19 to others. The higher the level of community transmission in the area where the gathering is held, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spreading at the gathering.

Currently, Boom Town Roller Derby has over 40 members, and practices normally are 2 hours at a time. On Sundays, members have an option to stay for two practice intervals, extending time to almost 4 hours of interaction.

Boom Town is a ranked member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), which has set Return to Roller Derby guidelines and standards based upon the geographic area in which their members participate. Although our WFTDA guidelines may be more restrictive than many national, state, or city recommendations, they are not meant to take the place of any local or federal government guidelines that may ask you to prohibit game play altogether. In these instances, the WFTDA recommends strict compliance with regional restrictions and orders you may be subject to, as safety is our primary concern.

The WFTDA has set guidelines in order to slowly return to roller derby activity in a tiered format based on:

•   Non-contact to full-contact

•   League activity only to local to regional to global competition;

•   Small group participation to multi-team events;

•   No audiences to small audiences to large events.

Each tier should be completed for at least 14 days before a promotion is assessed.

Currently, the WFTDA requirement for return to play is no more than 50 new cases per 100k people in the last 14 days to set Baseline practice (no contact and maintain 6-foot distance). Neither Anchorage nor the Mat-Su Valley qualify (752 and 111 new cases respectively).

While we agree that some leagues in the world may be ready to attempt a return, exposing participants and fans to potential risk of infection for the benefit of our sport is not acceptable. However, many members have stayed engaged through other means, watching prior games online, taking trail skates together, and taking full advantage of the Alaskan summer with hiking excursions and maintaining their fitness outdoors.

As we continue watching numbers and assessing ability to return to practice, please keep an eye on our social media for updates and information regarding future events such as recruiting, games, and fundraising activities. Season 10 isn’t cancelled. It’s just on pause as we eagerly await safely returning to play.

 
 

Alaska Farmland Trust EqualiTEA

 
 

Contributed by Ami Pettit

Alaska Farmland Trust EqualiTEA
8/18/2020 - 5PM

Alaska Farmland Trust
Peak Peonies Farm
5200 N Palmer Fishhook Rd. Palmer
Tickets: $125

On Tuesday, August 18th, Alaska Farmland Trust will host an EqualiTEA in Palmer to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote across the United States. Alaska also boasts the highest percentage of female farmers in the nation, at 47%. We will honor some of Palmers’ female farmers as well.

Alaska Farmland Trust is a 501c3 non-profit based in Palmer that works to permanently protect Alaska’s’ valuable agricultural soils. Since its founding in 2005, the organization has protected just under 400 acres of Alaska’s finest and most productive properties.

Alaska Farmland Trust is reliant on individual donations and fundraising through our signature events to raise the funds necessary to complete our mission. 

EqualiTEA will take place at Carol Kenley’s legendary garden on Palmer Fishhook Road from 5:00pm - 7:30pm on Tuesday, August 18th. The event will take place outside, under the cover of tents, regardless of weather. Ticket sales are limited to allow for social distancing and safe practices.

Attendees will enjoy hot and cold teas, delicious sandwiches and finger foods featuring Alaska Grown products, Sweetie Pie Fried Pies and a prize for the best hat. Wear your symbolic suffragette white dress or your favorite tea party attire: xtratufs or heels – anything goes!

For more information, visit our website at www.akfarmland.com/equalitea2020/. To purchase tickets please call our executive director, Amy, at (907) 355-2706.

 
 

Meeting People (Ae Freislighe)

 
 

Contributed by Caitlin M.S. Buxbaum

Meeting people in public —

pandemic notwithstanding —

should come with a disclaimer:

forget disaster planning,

there’s no manual for this

exodus of social norms.

Tardiness is now forgiven,

occupation’s many forms

reason enough to ignore,

anymore, kismet’s fleeting

interactions, born of time

and idleness — the blind meeting.

 
 

Raspberries & Life

 
 

Contributed by Wendy Brooker

It takes a searching set of eyes

an awareness of peripheral dangers

and a willingness to crouch down

or get on your knees for perspective

ultimately a gentle touch

to get some of what you want here

a taste of fleeting sweetness.

It takes a knowing mindfulness

that thorns will afflict your flesh

and sweat will blur your vision

trying to distract your attention

from the miracle of it all.

Remember to be here now

in sun or shade or sudden storm.

 
 

Weak

 
 

Contributed by Robert Lyons

The bulb ignites, I shape the plan, a boundary between me and future land

Then the project reaches difficulties, on neo ground I stir biology

In a whir, a dynamic flirt with water and earth, the birth of the seas

I achieve!

I whirl stars around me, illuminating spheres so grand!

My plan, so beautiful, but lonely I see, with nothing to glory in its beauty

So I fill the skies and waters and cover the lands, but still, I am not satisfied

They live, they die, but still I sit, wondering if they get the gift?

So I accomplish a final task, from the dust I grasp and form a man

My vision was to relate, so made in my image I did create

a creature that functions much like me, and this I found disappointing

A break I need this is true, my toils grow as man spreads his fruit

It seems I've made myself much more work, a friend was all I seeked

Now my labors have left me weak.

 
 

A Post-Election Fantasy

 
 

Contributed by Huhnkie Lee

Greetings, this is Lee in the Valley. Not sure whether this essay would be published at all, published before the Alaska Republican Primary Election (8/18/2020), or thereafter. But hey, let’s dance ’til music lasts, shall we?

Since we don’t have crystal ball or local election poll, there’s no way of telling who’s gonna win in Senate D race in Greater Wasilla area. There are six of us running and I’d vote for any one of them, as they’re all great //!-)

Now that the election result is unknown, we can fantasize about what would happen after the election. If I lose and this gets published after the election, we’re gonna have a good laugh, lol. But me losing the election, I’d still call that a success. It’s because during the campaign, I met wonderful people, learned from them, and stayed out of trouble as I’ve been busy, as idle hands become a fallen angel’s playground.

So what if I lose? Oh, no problem. Before the election season, I spent time studying mathematics independently. The problem I’d worked on is “Goldbach’s Conjecture”, which says any even number can be expressed as a summation of two prime numbers. E.g., 8=5+3, 14=7+7, etc. So yes, if I lose the primary election, I’ll get right back to the world of prime numbers. I kinda miss it, you see lol.

What if I win? Well, I’ll continue to campaign, of course, ’til the general election on 11/3/2020. But I’d do it differently from what I’ve been doing. Then how have I been campaigning? I’ll tell ya. //:-)

It’s a one-man-campaign with a few pennies in his pocket on a shoestring budget. I’d go to karaoke bars and dance clubs and sing and dance. Then I hand out my campaign cards that I made with photo paper and home printer and paper cutter. I’d go to local political or governmental meetings and use 3-minute speech time as a citizen. I’d write commentaries to local newspapers, and call to political radio talk shows.

If I win the Republican Primary, then I’ll get financial support from Alaska Republican Party and local political associations affiliated with Republican Party. Then, I can start putting up road signs. So, what would I say on road signs? Let’s design this together.

How about customization to each town in the district? I wanna make it poetic. The signs would read as follows. “Big Lake, where the lake is grand, as ample as Floater’s generosity.” “Meadow Lakes, where the green meadow oversees the blue water.” “Point MacKenzie, where the Alaskan pristine forest meets the wide Pacific Ocean.” “Knik-Fairview, where the millennia-old Alaskan history resides and where the view is so fair.” “North Lakes, where the water birds calls home and rest their wings.” “Wasilla, where the sky is beautiful and people are bountiful.”

Of course, at the end and bottom of each road sign board, it’d say, “Please Consider Huhnkie Lee for Alaska State Senate, Thank You!” The idea is, democracy, rule by the people. People come first, a humble public servant places himself at the end, at the bottom. That’s how it’s supposed be, right? I wanna do it right, so.

In democracy, people are the kings and queens. Back in the days, they used to say, “The King can’t be wrong. The Queen is always right. The King is the Law. The Queen is absolute.” Today, we can safely say, “The People can’t be wrong. The People are always right. The People is the Law. The People is absolute.”

So no matter how the election turns out, say, people vote for someone other than me and that person get elected, I’d say, “People are absolute. People can’t be wrong.” I’d support that new senator, 100%. It’s because I believe in democracy, where people are the kings and queens, the absolute monarchs, who can’t be wrong.

Let’s continue with the fantasy. Whether I win or lose in Alaska State Senate Election this year, in year 2022, I will run for U.S. Senate Election. Why so soon? It’s because if I win this year, I think we can eliminate crimes, homelessness, and yes, the spruce tree beetles, in less than two years. How? Because we are smart, efficient, effective people.

If I win, I’ll make appointments with governmental officials and local business owners to have one-on-one meetings. It’d be information gathering phase. We’ll kill three birds with one stone. We’ll hire homeless people so they work with logging professionals to fell spruce trees killed by beetles. They’re called bark beetles because they and their larvae live only in the barks.

Next, we will transport the felled trees to the prison. Inmates will de-bark the trees and turn logs into lumbers. We will also transport human waste to the prison. Inmates will burn the barks and branches to heat up the human waste to sterilize it, and turn it into manure and compost. With the lumber, we will let prisoners and homeless people build cabins and fences so they can live there, right next to the prison building.

We’ll make a documentary thereof and become internationally famous!

 
 

Remember Tarawa

 
 

Contributed by Robert Lyons

Tarawa!

A thousand souls over the atoll,

100 miles square, Hell measured cell

Delving into the blue bombardment

Bloody shelf, beach escarpment

Always faithful the sentiment

Floating along the battlement

Enemy extravagant, blade or shell

Fearing the battle yells

Captured ground for freedom specific

Remember Tarawa!

Our American lives littered the Pacific.

 
 

Dividends Don’t Grow on Trees

 
 

Contributed by Ray Metcalf

When I was seven, I read a book titled “The Little Red Hen”. The Little Red Hen found four stalks of wheat her farmer had dropped. The Little Red Hen thought to herself, “If I plant the grain from these stalks of wheat, the seeds will grow enough grain to make a loaf of bread.”

One at a time, the Little Red Hen asked the pig, the cat, and the duck, if they would help her plant the wheat so she could make some bread. One by one the pig, the cat, and the duck, all refused to help plant the grain. When ask to help harvest the grain, they all said no, no, no! They refused to grind the wheat into flour and they refused to help make the bread.

The Little Red Hen did everything herself. But when the smell of fresh baked bread came wafting through the barnyard, they all came running to help eat the bread. The Little Red Hen said, “No, no, no, I'm going to eat it myself.”

I'm reminded of this story every time I hear that whining sound, “Where's my PFD?” And where is that whining sound the loudest? Mat-Su and Eagle River; where voters have for decades, elected senators and representatives who absolutely refuse to vote to tax for the extraction of the oil we all own.

DIVIDENDS DON'T GROW ON TREES. Without taxing for the extraction of our oil, there will be no dividends.

In 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, I helped the FBI put six of my fellow elected legislators behind bars for taking bribes in exchange for their votes to refuse to tax the extraction of our oil. Two of them were from Mat-Su and one was from Eagle River. For the next six years legislators taking bribes were no longer in the majority. In year one of no bribes, every Alaskan got a $3,200 dividend and Alaska immediately went from suffering billions in deficits to a three billion dollar a year surplus. During the six years of no bribes, Alaska saved up $17 billion.

But in 2014, with the help of Mat-Su and Eagle River voters, the oil companies regained control and passed Senate Bill 21. Deficits returned and the $17 billion we had saved has now been consumed to fill the deficit. Today, the loudest “Where's my PFD?” screams can be heard all the way across the Knik Arm.

Like The Little Red Hen said, --- “If you want a dividend, you need to pitch in and help pry it from the greedy fingers of the oil companies that stole it.” -- Stop voting to give our dividends to oil companies!

Ray Metcalfe
Anchorage
RayinAK@aol.com

In 1982, Ray Metcalfe was Chairman of the House State Affairs Committee that reviewed Jay Hammond's PFD proposal, the Bill that established the 50% of Permanent Fund earnings formula for PFD payouts.

 
 

Entitlements

 
 

Contributed by Wes Keller

Over time, government has become a cause of prejudice, discrimination and antagonism in human relations! The base cause, of course, is the dark elements of human nature, but government has become a generating catalyst! We decry “racism”, yet our government actually incentivizes the evils defining racism!

How? Government agencies routinely endorse arrogant, pandering, programs and policies to favor politically-endorsed “sub-groups”, thereby causing resentments in anyone who believes others are slighted and don’t get their “fair” share. Funding levels are determined using increasingly subjective rules drifting farther from the foundational moral absolutes on which our Rule of Law depends.

These favored sub-groups are “boxes” into which government places various vulnerable, demeaned, and abused human beings. Lobbying for funds to address the needs of most of these groups is a normal part of the perennial budget process. There can be bitter competition between the sub-groups solidly endorsed by our society - not to mention the controversial ones. Generalized group identities are useful for the lobbying, justification and tracking of public money.

We have normalized this grouping, but it is time to re-think! Over 2/3 of our Alaska budget is spent maintaining these groups, most of them in, or in contract with, the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) and the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS).

This spending has become legal “entitlements” for people solidly in particular boxes. Another problem; many “boxed” Americans have come to believe government spending is the source of their security (as if government was capable of being “god”)! Lastly, under the guise of “tolerance”, the number and scope of group identities is increasing.

It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to realize prejudice, discrimination, antagonism and abuse are to some degree similar to racist by-products of the resentments created in allocating funds based on infirm qualifications. Addicts, for example, have been legally re-defined within the last 20 years to have insurance benefit parity with non-self-induced disease!

Then we have the emphasis of group identity of the two human genders… not to mention LGBTQ and related sexual choice identities. These identities are so politically “hot”, they cannot be rationally evaluated in spite of evidence. All humans, no matter the cause of their identity and choices are worthy of love and care, but not necessarily by “government” that must maintain a standard of justice. This is why our constitution went so far to ensure a LIMITED role that does not mandate federal charity. We have many generations of special government provision for children, the family, seniors, abused, sick and poor, so the path back to decreasing government’s “nanny” role is a difficult challenge.

Government employees and contractors are most often noble-minded and genuinely care deeply about the identity group they serve. Most are merely conscientiously striving to fulfill their authorized job descriptions. The problem stems from bad laws more than bad public servants. We have endorsed “entitlements” (rights) far beyond the original rights expressed in the Declaration and Bill of Rights. Among the additions are the right to an income (minimum wage), guaranteed free education, free health care, quality housing, etc.). A consequence includes entitlement expectations that may or may not be satisfied in the end – if our government cannot sustain them. Inherent rights (life, liberty, property) are ours in spite of the government we are born into. Our government uniquely identified them as ours because we are human… not because government created them.

Several weeks ago, I overheard one side of a loud cell-phone conversation that made me uncomfortable and makes my point. The call was outdoors, in public, with no detectable concern over who was listening. The caller was an attractive young Alaska Native woman who was clearly agitated because someone felt qualified for some unknown government hand-out, and she didn’t believe the other person qualified.

It became obvious that race was the criteria of the identity group. She felt she was honorably qualified, and the offending party was not. She adamantly and explicitly declared she was “entitled” to get the money because of her native blood and the money shouldn’t go to non-natives.

Her meant-to-be-heard indignation caused me self-examination. Do I presume “entitlements” I feel are inherently mine because of my self-identity? I know I have some rights I am entitled to that are clearly described by our founders, such as the right to own and defend property (“pursuit of happiness”), the right to self-defense (life), the right to express my opinions (free speech)… Do I expect special treatment because I am a mostly healthy, white male with a mostly adequate retirement income – one I put in the work time for? Do I feel entitled to government largess for reasons beyond my being a human being?

Some founders opposed passage of the Bill of Rights because they worried the list creation would miss something. I doubt they anticipated government would “play god” to create entitlements that are not inherent by definition. Government’s role is to ensure justice, not a base-standard of livelihood. Have you ever considered why Lady Justice wears a blindfold?

Wes Keller | WesKeller.com

 
 

Diplomacy & Negotiation Can Restore Us

 
 

Contributed by Monica Stein-Olson

I have internalized many lessons from my decades of work in the foreign service – some of the most important being diplomacy, compromise and negotiation. Thumbing through headlines peppered with terms like “Mugwamp Senator” and “Juneau Swamp” authored by local candidates and representatives, I am dismayed because this stance is indicative of the continued political division we will face if we fail to turn out in November. Just as disconcerting is the campaign sign destruction that recently occurred in my district. It is this discord that led to my decision to run as a Democratic candidate for State House in District 10.

I retired in Talkeetna after traveling the world on economic development missions for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This work included collaboration with Ted Stevens on a Russia Far East project from 2000-2004. Steve and I returned to Alaska regularly with our three children until purchasing a home six years ago. Though we have had some amazing cultural experiences throughout my service career, we knew Alaska was home. Today, our three children, Hans (26), Hunter (24) and Tatiana (21) are pursuing their own professional careers. My husband and I own Black Beer Kennel with the addition of eight huskies, and dog sledding has become a favorite hobby.

The Mat-Su has been great to us. Of the many things we have enjoyed, the people and vast opportunities top my list. It is a place where one can attend a diverse research university while exploring the most beautiful scenery that nature has to offer. The land is bountiful, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive, and the indigenous pride is inspiring. It has been difficult to watch the things that make us unique slip away at the whim of an ideological gridlock. The problem lies in a well-recognized revenue shortfall that has manifested into an outward devaluation of public education, irresponsible deterioration of our state’s assets, and disregard for elders. While I am currently focused on economic recovery from the Coronavirus, we must remember that the pandemic has merely exacerbated an existing problem.

We have been told that large cuts are the only viable path to balancing the budget. Alaskans should be very leery of any candidate promising to give more with much less. Governor Dunleavy’s former Chief Economist, Ed King, has recently asserted that we can no longer ignore the revenue discussion. Anyone can make paper cuts while neglecting the consequences, such as shifting costs to local governments. Raising property taxes on a segment of the population contradicts the promise that cuts across the board will somehow lead to a fairer distribution of wealth. The reality is that large cuts alone impact all Alaskans – including small businesses through reduced commerce.

Economies function well with diverse revenues, industries, population, and education. From a fiscal standpoint, one can appreciate that our system of higher education is an economic driver for the state and not simply an overpriced commodity. Divestment harms business and robs future generations of the skills necessary to keep pace with technology. Inevitably and to our disadvantage, it could become more attractive to hire qualified, out-of-state workers. What Alaska really needs in this moment is the type of bold leadership that can remove barriers to temporary support for small businesses and families during the COVID-19 crisis so we can get back on track.

I was raised in a conservative military family which valued hard work and responsibility. Alaska is a state with a high population of active service members and veterans – also great contributors to our economy. We owe it to them to honor our word and provide the type of state they want to settle in: a place that offers ample opportunities for their children and access to the best care available. Our elected officials should focus on these issues and not the kind of punditry that has resulted in divisive headlines. My experience working under Democratic and Republican administrations is exactly the type of leadership Alaska needs.

 
 

Brian Daniels for Palmer

 
 

Contributed by Brian Daniels

Hello Palmer! I’m excited to be running for City Council. I’ve spent the past 10 years working within the service industry, getting to know this extremely kind and sweet community. Some of you might know me from my days at Vagabond Blues or as current co-owner at 203 Kombucha. I’m also a huge music nerd and absolutely love the talent that Palmer has to offer… which has culminated into starting a music production company called 3000-21 Productions. 

I look forward to listening and following through with the input of the people of Palmer. Community involvement is very important to me. Collectively we can define what Palmer looks like for future generations. This town means a lot to me and I would be so humbled and honored to be a City Council member. Thank you for your support!