BlatherMunch29: she hates our salmon

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin may not be the sharpest tool in Olde John's campaign toolbox, but as a tool of Canadian gold mining interests, she could cut steel -- and she wasn't above blatantly breaking the law to do it. 

Gov. Gidget was really fierce opposing clean water standards upstream of Bristol Bay, one of the world’s largest and most sustainable wild salmon fisheries.

It was a big defeat for the fishes, the fishers, the cooks, and the eaters of salmon. (which is what God eats on Sundays).

The Clean Water Initiative ( Ballot Measure 4) was in place in Alaska to restrict the amount of arsenic, acid runoffs, and other toxins that modern large-scale mines might dump into watersheds. It was supposed to protect the salmon that use the rivers and streams to spawn and to safeguard the humans who eat them.

It was aimed specifically at a massive gold and copper mine called Pebble Mine which exposes upstream Bristol Bay to the largest open pit mining operation in the world.

(photo: Palin- she'll take the gold, thank very much)

Bristol produced 31 million pounds of king, sockeye, and chum salmon last year.

Although Palin's popularity has dropped 14 points in Alaska since the unfolding fiasco of her VP candidacy, she was still very popular in August when she spoke out publicly -- probably illegally -- against Ballot 14.

Alaska law forbids a governor from officially lobbying for or against a ballot initiative so to get around the law, Palin exercised what she called “personal privilege,” telling reporters, “Let me take my governor’s hat off for just a minute here and tell you, personally, Prop 4—I vote no on that.” Her opposition counted -- the measure was defeated by 57% of the Alaskans who voted.

Donning metaphorical hats may or may not be legally recognized in Alaska to break the law, but donned one she did showing alarming short-sightedness for an Alaskan elected official. 

The mining industry employs 5,500 people in the state and generates $200 million in tax revenues. It's finite and will run out one day. Salmon fishing in Bristol Bay alone employs 12,000 people and contributes $250 million to the economy. Fishing is a sustainably managed renewable resource that will be around long after the last ton of ore is dug out of Pebble Mine.

"It's like pissing in your pants to stay warm," Dan McGee, a gillnetter from Moose Mittens told BlatherWatch. 

One toxic mine spill in the notoriously earthquake prone area could permanently damage the state's market reputation for pristinely clean, and healthy fish.

Tim Bristol, the Alaska program director for Trout Unlimited, told the Associated Press that Palin's statement of opposition to the measure a few days ago had really hurt the measure's chances.

"She broke the heart of a lot people who love and depend on Bristol Bay salmon," Bristol said.

Comments

[joanie]

When will people learn that they can't have it all. The right has cut off its nose to spite its face and now we're all desperate for oxygen.

Damn each and every one.

[nevets]

Y'know, another way to save the salmon runs every year is to wipe out the Salmon Shark. It is estimated that they consume 15 percent of the Pacific salmon run every year.

[nevets]

"Most Americans haven't bought anything Palin said as being a "definitive polilcy statement."

Appearantly B'lam disagrees with you Joanie in this thread...

“Let me take my governor’s hat off for just a minute here and tell you, personally, Prop 4—I vote no on that.”

In an attempt to put Palin down, he took her "personal opinion" and made it into a "policy statement".

[joanie]

Without her gov's hat on? I thought that was a personal opinion?

Michael can't help it if Alaskans play follow the leader - that's pretty typical on the right, isn't it?

I'd say you're the one making it a "definitive policy statement" if that's what you think it is.

I'm laughing at the thought that "sheep" will eventually fall over the cliff...and be proud of it.

[nevets]

I think I called it a personal opinion. Yes I am sure I did. (See above)

You asked for someone who thought she made "definitive policy statement" and I gave you one. B'lam himself. The whole thread is about that one statement. Don't go in circles now. Just accept the facts as they are written.

[joanie]

God this gets old.

If you're calling it a personal opinion, how can it be a "definitive policy statement?" So she still hasn't sold any such policy statement to the American people.

Right?

Nor has Michael claimed she has. Right?

Nobody is claiming she has. Even you aren't claiming she has...or are you?

Speak with clarity, please.

[Particle Man]

The Republicans are stuck with Palin now.

[nevets]

Joanies
. Who needs them when they act like a bunch of anti-American Hussein loving jackasses. Oh, and thats the real Hussein. Saddam.

[nevets]

I'm sorry Joanie, didn't mean to call you a jackass. I meant liberals.

I think you have been hanging out with the first graders to much. You are starting to act like one.

[nevets]

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded."

Hussein Obama

Hussein (Obama) has started sending his "Truth Squads" into action in Missouri. Will his Gestapo take over if he is elected the next President.

[sparky]

Soldiers mother "ecstatic" Obama mentioned her son in Fridays Debate

Sun Sep 28, 2008 at 03:17:22 PM PDT

The internet reports of her being upset about Obama's mention of her son during the debate this past Friday were "COMPLETELY FALSE".

Tracy Jopek gave an interview to the Associated Press today to squash the false internet reports from her ex-husband and posted on DrudgeReport.

It will be interesting to see if Drudge posts her response to his FALSE story.

She said Obama's mention on Friday was appropriate because he was responding after Senator John McCain said a soldier's mother gave him a bracelet.

Jopek says Obama's comment rightfully suggested there's more than one viewpoint on the war.

link to story http://www.nbc15.com/...

The false story on drudgereport was linked to an ABC NEWS blog. The Abc news report is a disgrace. They reported a story as fact without even speaking to the mother of the dead soldier. They fell for the lies of the ex-husband. their version of events added to the end of their blog

I wasn't able to get through to Tracy Jopek, but she spoke to a reporter at the Associated Press today. She confirmed her ex-husband's recollection that she'd emailed the campaign to ask them to request that the senator not mention her son on the stump.

But she said she was "ecstatic" that Obama mentioned her son's hero bracelet during Friday's debate. That's because he was responding to McCain citing a different griveing mother's hero bracelet as a way to back his political views of the war in Iraq and citing the bracelet she'd given Obama was a good and appropriate way to remind people there are different views on this issue.

Update #2........Bryan Jopek's interview was given back in March 2008, NOT AFTER THE DEBATE. The story on DrudgeReport gives the impression that he gave the interview after the 1st debate........by the way, the mother is an Obama supporter and the ex-husband is a McCain supporter.

UPDATE #3 The Chicago Tribune has done a more thorough explanation of these events........apparently the ex-husband is in Cuba, he is in the national guard......

Tracy Jopek said she didn't hear the interview but that her ex-husband, who is currently stationed in Cuba, mischaracterized her viewpoint. An e-mail message sent to Brian Jopek through his daughter on Sunday was not immediately returned.

"I think he knew my intention, he understands it was a gesture between me and Sen. Obama," she said. "It was just little piece of peace for us. I don't understand how people can take that and turn it into some garbage on the Internet."

link http://www.chicagotribune.com/...

[sparky]

This is just horrible:

"On Friday, September 26, the end of a week in which thousands of copies of Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West -- the fear-mongering, anti-Muslim documentary being distributed by the millions in swing states via DVDs inserted in major newspapers and through the U.S. mail -- were distributed by mail in Ohio, a "chemical irritant" was sprayed through a window of the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton, where 300 people were gathered for a Ramadan prayer service. The room that the chemical was sprayed into was the room where babies and children were being kept while their mothers were engaged in prayers. This, apparently, is what the scare tactic political campaigning of John McCain's supporters has led to -- Americans perpetrating a terrorist attack against innocent children on American soil.

"She told me that the gas was sprayed into the room where the babies and children were being kept while their mothers prayed together their Ramadan prayers. Panicked mothers ran for their babies, crying for their children so they could flee from the gas that was burning their eyes and throats and lungs. She grabbed her youngest in her arms and grabbed the hand of her other daughter, moving with the others to exit the building and the irritating substance there.

John McCain has a moral obligation to publicly censure the Clarion Fund, the organization that produced Obsession and is distributing the DVDs; to denounce the inflammatory, anti-Muslim message of Obsession; and to do everything in his power to stop any further campaign activities by his supporters that have the potential to incite violence."

[KS]

Back at ya, Ph(Jo)anie - to modify your quote:
"The progressive left has cut off its nose to spite its face and now we're all desperate for oxygen.

Damn each and every one."

(by appearance the analogy is ridiculous, but I'll run with it)

Yes, ABC news is disgraceful - but for another reason. It edited Palin's answers to Charlie Gibson and deliberately took out the answers that showed her in a favorable light and that is a fact. That plays into the above quote in that we are all desperate for oxygen (i.e. the truth) thanks to garbage like this.

[KS]

"John McCain has a moral obligation to publicly censure the Clarion Fund, the organization that produced Obsession and is distributing the DVDs; to denounce the inflammatory, anti-Muslim message of Obsession; and to do everything in his power to stop any further campaign activities by his supporters that have the potential to incite violence."

I disagree - why should we bow down or knuckle under to Radical Islamists ? We are fighting these jackals, not appeasing them - for God sakes ! Are you saying we should suppress the truth because of this ? Can you say Dhimmitude ?

[sparky]

Babies and preschoolers were gassed, KS. If you cant see the difference, then it sucks to be you.

And you have no proof of any editing of her interview. More Drudge?

[Puget Sound]

Sparky
What lie?
Obama was told not to use it for campaign purposes and that is what the ex husband told the press.
The wife admitted that she asked Obama not to do so. That she was later pleased with it doesn't change the fact that he shouldn't have used it.
The bracelet is obviously a prop. He had to cheat to get the name. Sad.

So what is your position on Obama voting for infanticide? The same bill that was voted down in the US Senate 98-0. He liked it so much in the IL Senate he voted for it twice.
If you can't take a stand on that, it sucks to be you. It already sucks to be J(P)hoanie.

[KS]

Thanks, PutS. Sparky does not see the big picture and selectively picks her sources like Ph(Jo)anie.
It is unfortunate that the misfortune described above occurred but to blame it on the McCain campaign is pure progressive propaganda and more garbage on the internet.

The book "Obsession" should be widely distributed to inform people of the truth. If she has to get sucked in and blame the McCain campaign for the perceived scare tactics in the name of the truth, yes, then it sucks to be her.

One more reason that you should not trust the mainstream media. Obama is figuratively giving them orgasms.

[Puget Sound]

KS-good stuff. Looks like you, me, Nevets, Duff, and a few others are getting locked out of this website. Not sure why given that we have contributed money to keep this going.

It's just Palin Derangement Syndrome that they have. And they have it bad.
The signs are very similar to Bush Derangement Syndrome.
Moonbats have been dropping like flies from it lately.

No known cure. Exposure to facts, reason, and reflective time does help. Unfortunately, many of them are so revved up by Randi, Malloy, Olby, (pick any other lefty wingnut blog like KOS, Huff, DU that treatment is often ineffective.

[nevets]

Thats a sad story there in Dayton Sparky. I hope they catch those responsible and send them to jail for a long time.

[nevets]

Now Sparky, what of the "Truth Squads" Hussein has going around Missouri threateneing lawsuits to suppress the first ammendment. What say you on that scare tactic?

[Puget Sound]

"John McCain has a moral obligation to publicly censure the Clarion Fund, the organization that produced Obsession and is distributing the DVDs; to denounce the inflammatory, anti-Muslim message of Obsession; and to do everything in his power to stop any further campaign activities by his supporters that have the potential to incite violence."

Sparky the ones who did this act should be found and held accountable to the highest extent of the law.
But you offer no proof that McCain or the Clarion Org had anything to do with this.
Stop trying to make political points off of this.
Please.

[nevets]

Not to undermine the severity of what happened to the Muslims in Dayton. But after looking into this story more (Sparkys source Daily Kos for one) and other news reports I found that this Islamic Society of Greater Dayton were denied a permit to build a bigger Mosque back in January. But earlier this week, a permit was granted under heated debate. I am thinking it is just a coincidence that this happened with the release of the DVD and is just a local group mad at the permit to build a new mosque. No McCain here, I know Sparky you would like none other than McCains fingerprints all over this but I think you need to look at the facts and let it go as another farce Daily Kos got you into.

[joanie]

Join me in laughing at their last hurrahs, Sparky. McCranky is toast and Palin will be remembered as an SNL skit and nothing more.

Sarah can go back to Alaska - if they'll have her - continue shooting defenseless wildlife from helicopters while flying through Russia's and Canada's air space. I wonder if she'll spend some time brushing up on her grammar as well as her geography?

I won't miss her.

In the meantime, boys, post all the verbose and nonsensical stuff you can google. Few people seem to be reading it anyway.

[Duffman]

'I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath.' -Aesop

Indeed Bart...apparently Aesop's infamous quote applies equally to these 'women'.

[Puget Sound]

but a wolfe...one will poetic about it all day long.
note the troll like inability to address the argument as outlined earlier.
the wingnut truly earned the name, p(J)hoanie.

glad to see you back, duff.

[joanie]

Ah, Bart. Retreating to that last bastion of inconsistent self-righteousness: abortion.

[Puget Sound]

ah Joanie, retreating to the last bastion of
skeddadlery: Trollism.

[chucks]

It is beginning to look like the Ohio attack on the mosque was an act perpitrated by Obambam supporters in hopes of making it look like McCain supporters commited the act.
You people will stoop lower and lower to place blame on the right. There is no limit to how low you clowns will go. Pathetic.

[sparky]

chucks..proof that it is "beginning to look like", please.

BART, if you dont want an abortion, dont have one. For the record, I would never have one either,but it is none of your business, nor the government's business to make medical decisions for me and other women.

[Coiler]

Today's Gallup poll

Obama--52
McCain- 40

PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama leads John McCain, 50% to 42% among registered voters in the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday -- just one point shy of his strongest showing of the year.

These results, from Sept. 25-27, span the time period since John McCain made the announcement that he was temporarily suspending his campaign and returning to Washington to work for a bipartisan solution to the financial crisis, and since Congressional leaders first announced progress towards the resolution of a financial bailout bill. The results also include one complete day (Saturday) after the first presidential debate on Friday night. McCain had reached a point where he was tied with Obama earlier in the week, but Obama has gained steadily in each of the last three days' reports. Overall, Obama has gained four percentage points over the last three days, while McCain has lost four points, for an eight-point swing in the "gap" or margin.

The full impact of the debate and its aftermath will not be reflected in the tracking data until Tuesday's report, which will be based on interviewing conducted Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Still, Gallup's one-day read on the standing of the two candidates on Saturday suggests that Obama held the lead over McCain among registered voters that night, just as he had for the two previous nights.

[Sierra]

Looks like the white horse McCain rode in on to provide leadership, make everybody pass the bailout bill and save us all has tripped and fell, broke its leg, and must be put down. same solution should probably happen to McCain and his campaign too.

[Duffman]

Bring on the economic depression. POTUS Obama will have the challenge of a life time to deal with...hope Biden can stay sober and help out. BUH-bye 401-K! [Let's see if THIS one gets posted?]

[Duffman]

Have I mentioned what a fine leader House Speaker Pelosi is? What a fricken waste of a leadership position. Now what...of course, THEY go on vacation. I guess we deserve what we elect.

[joanie]

Ah, such reflective and intellectual posts. Sputs continues his impotent "S" tricks and has added the "T" word as well.

Such insights. Such knowledge. Such . . . an idiot.

Sputsie and Duff - the Fezzic and Vizzini of Blatherwatch.

I'm laughing so hard.

[KS]

Keep laughing, Joanie - the joke is on you. You may understand this better after Nov. 5th and then again who cares ?

In the meantime, I am out of here on sabbatical, until whenever.