AKJ3

I swear this is true.

My favorite, closest aunt was visiting in 1978 during the election of one of the John Paul popes.  She had been an elementary school teacher when she lived in Geneva County, Alabama, but was in her eighties and living in Florida at the time.

As the news report from the Vatican came on television, she looked at me and said, “You know,  there’s some Popes living up in Coffee County.  I wonder if it’s one of them.”

Turns out it was a different bunch of Popes.  She never went to Rome.

 #

The week will start with a good show,  but it looks like it’s heading down hill after that.  My guess is that it’ll take some really fine sandpaper and a lot of polish to make this week shine.

Obviously, the star attraction is the Senate vote on the governor’s bill – HB80 – that lets cruise ships dump waste — such as copper,  ammonia, nickel and other dangerous shit —  where I’m fishing.  Continue reading →

The Valdez Star has published a piece on the e-mail under Speaker Mike Chenault’s name that refers to a proposal by Valdez Mayor Dave Cobb that had been sent to Governor Parnell.  Chenault had received a copy of the proposal as a courtesy.

Chenault’s Chief of Staff Tom Wright inelegantly replied yo Valdez with the phrase “What a crock of shit.”   Here’s where  you can find the Star’s story on it. Continue reading →

It’s a little more than forty years late, but we still have time to catch up.  Although Sixto Rodriguez hasn’t made an album since 1972, I had never heard of him until Saturday night when I saw Searching for Sugar Man – nominated for an Oscar in the documentary category this year.

Here’s a sample of the music we missed when it first was on the streets.  Everyone missed Rodriguez back then.  We were listening to Bob Dylan.  Some of us were listening to Phil Ochs.  Music critics classified him with Jose Feliciano.  We were all ignorant and really wrong.

It’s not too late though.  Rodriguez is on the road now and is thinking about a new album.  Amazon has both of the ones he did in the 70’s.

#

I didn’t see much worth reviewing during the past week.  It was pretty boring, and I’d rather just skip over it.  I pity those guys who have to watch the show and treat it seriously.

Here’s a complete  list of capitol stuff this week.

A few things promise to be memorable, though.  By that, I mean you might not sleep through them.

Monday’s House Floor Session will clean off the two bills that didn’t get to votes on Friday.   HB36 says the military can use firing ranges without first having to get permission from the Department of Environmental Conservation.  The way I read the law, they already have that exemption.  What’s being added is Continue reading →

Legislative Committees took more time this past week for their “overview” hearings.  As long as members are attending those meetings are more than the time-killers they might appear to be.   It’s encouraging to see people willing to take the time to actually learn in detail about subjects they have never previously studied – or even given a damn about.  They might leave with some base level on which to decide about future laws and budgets.

There are many more overviews this week, although some committees are getting down to their assignments.  Continue reading →

Governor Parnell has sent a very clear message that he will not debate Anchorage Senator Bill Wielechowski over his oil tax proposal.  He offered his staff to debate the tax in the committees and hallways of the capitol.

I respectfully remind the governor that Alaskans elected him, not his subordinates.  Alaskans deserve to hear from him, not his subordinates. Continue reading →

Some things  you can’t top.  This, from Willie Nelson is one.

I am through thinking about the subject … once this message gets delivered.

The state will likely have to withdraw some money from its savings accounts just to pay for everything that was included in last year’s budget.  And it could take a bigger withdrawal to cover next year’s needs. Continue reading →

This all started with this Tweet:

————————————————————————————————————

bob valeu @bobvaleu

We the citizens of North Dakota must say “NO” to tax breaks or increased incentives to oil companies until… Continue reading →