I learned a lot as a blogger covering the Vic Kohring GOP Alaska Legislative corruption trial at the end of October and beginning of November, 2007. There are growing numbers of progressive Alaska-based or Alaska-related web sites and weblogs. None seems to be keeping up with this site expansion in a comprehensive way.
I think it is vital that opportunities for these sites to be aware of each other, and to develop communication links, grow rapidly between now and the 2008 elections. This is one of the most important periods of Alaska history. What was once a state evenly balanced between progressive/liberal politics and conservative interests has, over the past two decades skewed further to the right as the main industry here - big oil - corrupted both major political parties.
With the ongoing demise of the far right in Alaska, it is time for Democrats to make up with the Greens. It is time for Democrats to reconstruct their base in a way that inspires young people, the elderly, Alaska Natives and other people of color, the majority of union workers, and newly energized independents to band together to take this state away from the selfish, inept, uninformed politics of the GOP - and old-school Democrats.
At a time when our nation is on the brink of dictatorship, when the leaders of both major national parties seem to be enabling a vast, out-of-control war machine; when leading Democrats seem to endorse new Presidential Cabinet appointments who refuse to condemn torture, severe departure from the rule of law, and rapid growth of privatized military and police structures, we need to act - globally. But if we fail to act locally at this time of a perfect storm of GOP failure recognition, liberal Alaskans will pass by an opportunity we've seldom been given.
3 comments:
Welcome to the web. I used to host a radio show called Progressions. Close, huh?
Thought you were great on Talk of Alaska this morning. Maybe you'll be on again to trumpet the rebirth of the progressive Alaskan. Growing up, I'm old enough to remember Alaska as a good democratic stronghold. Let's not forget, Ted Stevens was appointed to replace a Democratic senator, and Don Young lost to a dead Democrat.
Don't forget another spoke in the wheel of Alaska oppression and regression: Evangelical Christians. They came here with the Texans who were lured by oil, and though not the power they are elsewhere, are devious and almost everywhere.
Thanks for the new blog and links to other AK progressive blogs. I have been reducing my intake of the MSM and relying on the tubes for my news. Lets face it TPM Muckraker has been a better source about AK politicians than the ADN. It will be great to have some in-state resources and dialogue.
I agree that progressives need to make more efforts at organizing in this state. KUDO has been an excellent addition. The internet will be key. The amount of online communication going on around this state is growing and growing. I live in a small cabin, off the grid, no telephone service and I can communicate daily, world wide. But I visit Alaska Demcratic Party website and volunteer and I NEVER hear back. Lame. We gotta get these people on the job and some scutiny would be best.
See ya round
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