The Exxon Stedman Navigates the Narrows

Robert Dillon, who is covering the Special Session for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and is probably falling in love with his brand new MacBook, posted this revealing photo at his blog, an Alaskan Abroad, a little while ago. I ripped it off before I could ask his permission. Because. I. Am. Extremely. Pissed!

Here's Robert's entry from his blog:

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Exxon Mobil lobbyist Kevin Jardell on Wednesday morning reviewing the Finance Committee's substitute for the governor's oil tax bill.

Thanks, Robert for posting the pic. Everybody in Alaska needs to see that photo. Every person who lives on or near Alaska's coasts needs to see that photo. Every legislator who sits down and speaks with Exxon's lobbyists needs to be photographed. We need to get statements from these cynical legislators about why they're even allowing Exxon's representatives into their offices.

We have a governor, who said about Jardell's employer, reacting to the Supreme Court decision to review the class-action suit against the oil giant, that it was a huge "kick in Alaska's collective gut. It seems to be a case of justice delayed being justice denied. This protracted litigation, I believe has gone on too long. It's been a generation going on without resolution."

So, now we've got Stedman holding Palin down while Jardell kicks Sarah again. And again. I want to puke!

Update Thursday afternoon: Stephen Taufen at Alaska Report has written an in-depth article about Jardell as beneficiary of the revolving-door culture that needs to be brought to a screeching halt if Alaska is going to get any progressive legislation passed.

KUDO's Shannyn Moore led her Blue State of Mind program this morning with a discussion of Taufen's article. I had to go to work, so only caught the start, but she's as pissed as I am.