Sunday, October 3, 2010

How Negative is the Climate Fostered by Palin Getting in the Mat-Su Valley? - Updated with a Powerful Answer from This Morning!

I. During last week's wind storm, a couple of Anchorage friends asked me to go over to the Palins and see if their anti-Joe McGinnis fence had blown down yet. I was pretty sure that it wouldn't last the blow, as it was hastily and thoughtlessly built. but I didn't want to go there. I felt weird enough helping Joe McGinnis put up his own security measures when he first moved next door.

The Palins creep me out, and being next-door not only creeped me out, but just didn't seem right on some levels. I don't like it when people come checking out my place with cameras, either. Nor would I like one pushed into my face by somebody who just stares, takes video and has nothing to ask me.So I didn't go over there to be the first person to take pictures of their fence, which did blow down. The Palins are my neighbors. They've been terrible neighbors for a lot of us, especially since august 29th, 2008.

How bad they've been, one can get an inkling of, in an editorial in last Thursday's Frontiersman:

On Tuesday morning, the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman received a tip that two local women filed for and were granted 20-day protective orders against a Pennsylvania man they said had been threatening them for a year.

One of those women was Sarah Palin. The other was her friend, Kristan Cole. Palin testified the 18-year-old man, Shawn Christy, threatened to track her down at her book signings in the Lower 48, told Palin “that she better watch her back,” said he was buying a one-way ticket to Alaska and sent a gun-purchase receipt.

The story went up on the newspaper’s website. Minutes later, dozens of Sarah Palin-related sites had linked to the story. On Monday, our website had about 4,300 hits. After the story broke Tuesday, that number climbed to 8,700. Wednesday hits spiked to 75,000 and by Thursday afternoon we’d had more than 200,000 hits, mostly from new visitors.

Even after we broke the story that Christy is not in Alaska and has never been to Alaska, threats against him continued on our website and Facebook page. Many comments were not approved because they suggested hunting Christy and killing him.

Folks asked us to post a picture of the young man so “decent” people could hunt him down and kill him. And that is exactly why we won’t publish a photo that could identify him.

We were shocked at the number of people from across the U.S. calling for his death and offering to pull the trigger on a .45 loaded with “liberal lead.”

The editorial has elicited comments at other blogs. Alaska progressive blogger, Jesse Griffen, at The Immoral Minority notes:

Now are Alaskans finally starting to see just how dangerous the people who support Sarah Palin are? Good, because there are people in this state who can actually do something about it! And you know who you are.

And for all of you who want to know why I spend so much time calling Sarah Palin out on her lies and revealing the unflattering truth about her, hopefully this story will give you some idea of how important it is to put a stop to her influence in politics and her ability to foment this kind of violence and hatred.

Jesse has been as solid as anyone on doing exactly that - warning people about how dangerous the mindsets of many Palinbots and Palinistas are. One anonymous commenter at his post wrote:

The Frontiersman's learning curve must be pretty flat since it was their paper who offered the threat of "deadly force" as an option against Joe McGinnis when he moved in next door to the Palins. McGinnis received over 4,000 threatening emails by Sarah Palin's "Christian" fans.

Now we're supposed to believe that the Frontiersman has finally bought a clue about Sarah Palin's nasty fan base?

Joe McGinnis said it best MONTHS ago: "Sarah Palin pushes a button, and hate comes out."

Hate and encouraging hate/violence starts at the top with their leader, Mrs. Sarah Palin.

The editorial was one of the first assertive products of the new editor, who has been hired to redeem The Frontiersman after the lapse noted by the above commenter (along with many other lapses).

Jesse also notes, "Please click the link to read the entire article over at the Frontiersman, especially the comments as they are very interesting."

They certainly are, and reflect a lot more local knowledge than those coming (largely from outside Alaska) at his blog. They're not only interesting, they go a way in explaining how the climate here has changed since Palin embarked on the most divisive, hate engendering crusade in Alaska history:

You are kidding, right? The Palin's have been threatening and intimidating people in your own back yard for how many years? And you are shocked, shocked I say at the rhetoric of their fans!

and:

Sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind." Sarah Palin has been whipping crowds into angry mobs since she was campaigning for V.P. I'm saddened, but not at all surprised that this was the response you recieved. I'm grateful that you have addressed the issue.

and:

I had several death threats for a photoshop purposely misconstrued by the Palin Camp...I can't even imagine the threats on this kid.
Buckle up, folks, it's only going to get worse heading into 2012.

and:

What is always so sad about these threats from Palin supporters is this . . . . They don't seem to acknowledge protections in place for Sarah Palin and all other celebrity figures. They become deranged. The truly interesting part is Ms. Palin NEVER tells any of them to calm down. Now that--I find more frightening than a stalker. Mr. McGuinness was threatened, his movers windows shot out. Nothing from Sarah. about lessening up on the threats of violence. Sad.

and:

Locally, it has been just crazy. The wrath of Palin supporters is rude, crude and highly accusatory of just about everything, if they think you don't support her.

My husband, born and raised in Palmer, believes this wrath of Palin supporters, over the past few years, has ruined the valley.

Thank you for this write up.

II. If you're reading this and live in the Valley or Anchorage, come out and support our Mat-Su Democrats on Monday and Tuesday, waving signs and cheering for our great crop of progressives:

Corner of Trunk Road and Palmer-Wasilla Highway - 6:00 am to 9:00 am & 3:30 to 6:00 pm

and in our fight against Proposition 1. Here's more information:

Vote "No" on Proposition One:

We can not afford a "Strong Mayor". We simply do not elect politicians because we think they will be great managers! No one can tell a Strong Mayor how to do the job. No one can fire a Strong Mayor until the next election. A Strong Mayor's poor decisions or failures to act are hard to fix. Even the Frontiersman got this one right. Check out their 9/25 editorial urging a "no" vote.

Is it any wonder the Conservative Patriots Group had this measure placed on our ballot? The former Mayors of Houston and Wasilla, as well as the current Mayor of Anchorage are classic examples of how too much power can seduce, corrupt or overwhelm politicians.

This year the Kenai Borough Assembly is asking Kenai Borough voters to repeal Kenai's Strong Mayor form of government because they've decided it is too big a job for an elected politician.

Government is more accountable when the Borough Assembly sets performance benchmarks for its Manager and then makes sure the Manager performs to expectations. If the Manager does not perform, the Assembly replaces the Manager. We need the checks and balances provided by our Borough Manager form of government. Please vote "No" and ask your friends to vote "No" too.

Yes on the two School Bonds:

Help keep our next generation of citizens in school. Safe and sound school buildings and athletic facilities are important tools in our campaign to raise well informed, healthy citizens.

No on Proposition 5:

While the State's rules for conflict of interest and financial disclosure need to be streamlined, we should not exempt our Borough officials from those State rules until we have had an opportunity to review what the Borough will substitute in place of the State rules.


Update - 6:00 p.m: From the comments:

Yes you can even lose your job in the Valley if you openly support the democrats or comment on Sarah Palin.

I was "laid off" this morning by phone from a local restaurant/hotel.

I have worked there for a year sense I moved to the valley.

I was given no reason and 2 new staff members were hired in the last month.

Sarah Palin fans own and operate the establishment and about a week ago I slipped with statement about a comment I had overheard.

I am a sometimes poster but will post this anonymously, as it seems I have to find work here in the Valley.


Can we help this person, folks?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

great post
*~~~

Anonymous said...

Yes you can even lose your job in the Valley if you openly support the democrats or comment on Sarah Palin.
I was "laid off" this morning by phone from a local restaurant/hotel.
I have worked there for a year sense I moved to the valley.
I was given no reason and 2 new staff members were hired in the last month.
Sarah Palin fans own and operate the establishment and about a week ago I slipped with statement about a comment I had overheard.
I am a sometimes poster but will post this anonymously, as it seems I have to find work here in the Valley.

Philip Munger said...

Anon @ 5:09 pm - I've updated the post. We may be able to find somebody to help you.

AKjah said...

Wish i knew of something. But i would advise them to get the hell out of the Mat-su.

Philip Munger said...

AKjah,

The Valley is the best place I've ever lived.

Seattle was more refined culturally, and certainly more diverse. Cordova was very rugged. Whittier gave us access, with our three boats, to the most beautiful place one could imagine.

But the Valley was and continues to be a place where there is a good battle to be fought and won against ignorance, prejudice, waste and fraud.

We're staying, along with a lot of our friends.

Anonymous said...

So, shut up and work. How hard is that to figure out? Keep your political chitchat for off the clock.

igettit2 said...

Phil, I'm honored more than you can know that you quoted my comment, "Sow the wind...." But I have to confess that I do not live in the Valley, just try to pay close attention.

AKjah said...

Well Phil since you are so strong about it i will stand down on my condemnation of the valley. I don't like going there but then perhaps in time i might. I feel for the person who posted and lost their job. Wish i had a place for them. The reality is that they will be questioned about why they lost their job. How many will be understanding of the situation,in that location. Perhaps i am myself alienating. I have been very careful where i spend my money locally. And this is not how things should be. We should be supportive of our local businesses but i find that hard in all good mind.

Anonymous said...

Try Job Service

Anonymous said...

Thank you Phil for your comments and support.

To anon at 6:29 I am not a child and I have worked in this industry for over 30 years. I also knew from my first few days on the job to keep my mouth shut about politics and religion, and have.
Being new to the Valley from Rural Alaska I actually not only kept my mouth shut at work with my co workers and costumers, I also limited my after work political activities feeling an underlining threat. My slip was not so much of a comment as an involuntary laugh after asking about a few floral arrangements that were on the front desk at work, they were very pretty and I thought it nice. I was told they were for the owner from people saying thanks to the owner for taking them to see the Sarah/Glen 9/11 thing. It was an involuntary chuckle, but after that I cold feel the cold wind blowing at me when at work.

I will admit I am still rather shocked and depressed at my age it is not easy to be "laid off". The job I had before this I worked at for 18 years before my spouse and I moved to the Valley.
I can also say that my employers "laid me off" because outright firing me might have opened up a can of worms that they did not want to have to deal with.

On Friday there was a fund raiser for held and promoted by the Progressive Alaska, i wanted to attend very much but was afraid to for fear of losing my job. I am not kidding or exaggerating.
I have a new mortgage and no health care I needed my income.
Please excuse poor writing as I am still rather emotional.

Anonymous said...

As an educated man, Phil, it must have occurred to you that there is a certain irony in your sounding forth on the aggression of others, when your own abusive, sexualised rhetoric on matters Palin has received frequent condemnation.

Philip Munger said...

anon @ 9:40,

Perhaps I'm not as well educated as you, though. In what ways would you compare my writing's "sounding forth" to the subjects of this post?

Thanking you in advance for your fine explanation of irony.

Anonymous said...

Forgive me, I should have realised that you weren't intending to be deliberately incongruous in your reference to the divisive, hate engendering which goes on.

The sluts! The whores!

Anonymous said...

Part of small town life is finding out who's in power and how to placate them. Being fired for a chuckle and subsequently being unable to find another job? Sounds like my hometown.

KaJo said...

It shouldn't be too hard for native Wasillans/Palmerites (or other residents of "the Valley") to figure out what service industry Anonymous-who-lost-the-job worked in, and what that service industry was.

They should be boycotted, loudly and publicly.

Anonymous-who-lost-the-job, for the price of a plane ticket, you probably could find a job easily in Seattle for the winter...

Good luck.

Anonymous said...

I, for one, would like to know which fine establishment 'laid off' this person. I'd like to know which businesses earn my patronage and which don't. I don't really care which way they lean politically, but this is completely inexcusable. I'd dearly love if the Palins left the valley and all her groupies would leave with her.
Get a grip people, you can disagree with her if you feel like it. She isn't the be all end all of life.

Anonymous said...

You keep blaming everyone else for your job loss. Pretty typical of the left.