Comments (21)

Steve5117 wrote on December 18, 2007 1:09 PM:

Next he'll be earmarking funds to study why the tundra is melting.

Freewheelin' Freddie wrote on December 18, 2007 1:21 PM:

You get what you pay for in politics. Stevens is just following thru on his bribes. Who would have guessed?

freshwrestler wrote on December 18, 2007 1:57 PM:

If we elect a Democrat next year will you lay off Alaska a little bit? I know that Sen. Ted and Con. Don have dug us a hole, but don't bury us yet.
Each of those items cited that received funding could really use some research. The unfortunate part of the earmarks is the lack of follow up and scrutiny to ensure the taxpayers received some benefit. And this is a bi-partisan issue.
But that said, thanks for keeping the heat on.

Lt wrote on December 18, 2007 2:05 PM:

Are people insane?

How can the people of Alaska keep putting this criminal into office?,

well hell, how did we get bush and the occupation of Iraq?

Oh Yes!

The faith based BRIBE for the MINDLESS christian vote begot both.

Salmon-30-Salmon-Renditions wrote on December 18, 2007 2:25 PM:

The Salmon-30-Salmons are used for
secret renditions.
Sending em up the River so to speak!

iaintbacchus wrote on December 18, 2007 2:43 PM:

Fresh, How does the world need alternative uses for a fish that is being commercially farmed because there aren't enough left in the wild fisheries?
And the last I checked, Alaska didn't have enough of a growing season to make commercial agriculture a possibility. So how does research into berries, native plant commercialization or new crop opportunities need to be funded.
This is nothing but pork for it's own sake. And if a Democrat proposes the same thing then i'm gonna call him a theif, too.

Denny wrote on December 18, 2007 3:03 PM:

You know, for years we said (with some pride, really), "well, yeah, but he's *our* earmarking, bring-home-the-pork Uncle Ted, so lay off the criticism!" But now?

We're watching state legislators doing perp walks; we're watching them fly Outside to FCI Sheridan, OR, for a few years hard time; and we're wondering when Guppie (Ted's son Ben) will be indicted. We're up to our neck in corruption but, thankfully, with a little help from the guys 'n gals of the FBI and a governor who's saying "no more!" (thanks, Sarah) things are beginning to turn around here.

But then Ted continues the drip-drip-drip of earmarks, bad publicity, rants about "tubes" and the like, and where are we?
Two steps forward, one step back.

And, oh: anyone care to talk about earmarks and something called Coconut Rd.? Yeah, "the Dom." Congressman for All Alaskans. Well, except for me and a few others who say: "enough!"

Kuparuk wrote on December 18, 2007 3:11 PM:

And Republican Gov. Palin (hottie to be in Vogue soon, honest) just asked for a reduction in these earmarks because they're so embarrassing.

(link above goes to article)

Salt wrote on December 18, 2007 3:51 PM:

"How can the people of Alaska keep putting this criminal into office?"

I can only say that most of my neighbors approve of criminality so long as they profit. But that's different from other Americans how? Or is it just that we elected a more able criminal to represent us? As my compatriot freshwrestler notes, it's good you're keeping the heat on, but this isn't a wholly simplistic issue of one or two politicians who too clearly reward those they're in debt to.

"How does the world need alternative uses for a fish that is being commercially farmed because there aren't enough left in the wild fisheries?"

There are a lot of wasted fish that aren't marketable commercially, that might be profitable in other ways if we knew what they might be. Remember, aside from replacing the egg stocks, all salmon die after their runs and are wasted (in economic terms--there's of course environmental/habitat value to even a rotting salmon). Think of it as recycling trash: does that work better conceptually?

"So how does research into berries, native plant commercialization or new crop opportunities need to be funded."

Berries are one of the potentially economically viable crops that does indeed flourish wild here. Making more of that crop does make sense, rather than trying to introduce something that does not, as you suggest, flourish here.

"And the last I checked, Alaska didn't have enough of a growing season to make commercial agriculture a possibility. "

[onlyslightlyfacetious]Well then, maybe he's just wanting us to get the jump on global warming, no?[/onlyslightlyfacetious]

Really, you can't have it both ways: we either need to learn to better use what we've got or we need to figure out what else to do to support ourselves. That oil isn't going to last forever, you know, and while there's mineral wealth yet unplumbed, it looks like that'll be at the cost of everything else living. The fact is, we're living off the map of comfortable American society and we haven't yet figured out how to do that and break even. Unless you (by which I mean the rest of the US) plans to simply rape us barren and then return us to Russia, there is indeed some merit in investing in sorting this out.

Do I think a lot of what's been funded in the past goes too far? Of course. But can't we reason to a little finer scale than the classic baby-and-bathwater?

Kuparuk wrote on December 18, 2007 5:17 PM:

"How does the world need alternative uses for a fish that is being commercially farmed because there aren't enough left in the wild fisheries?"

FYI: They are being commercially farmed mostly for convenience. The commercial farms are actually a threat to the wild salmon -- they're concentrated breeding grounds for parasites and disease.

See link above, "Sea lice making salmon extinct, study says"

/not defending the earmarks, just sayin'...

Hmm wrote on December 18, 2007 5:18 PM:

2nd Highest Airfare at Airport in the USA? Anchorage

Monopolist Airline at Anchorage Airport?
Alaska Airlines

Recepient of Ted Pork? Alaska Airlines

no competition and Ted's Pork? Sounds like Ted

hmmmmmm

AlaskaVet wrote on December 18, 2007 5:43 PM:

Yes. Down on earmarks and the scoundrels who create them! Bad on Ted.

But while we wring our hands over these miniscule allocations of the public's funds, Ted and his cronies blithely spend HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS on their friends in the military-industrical complex (covered witht he patina of "national security"), with no transparency and no accountability whatsoever. That is the real scandal.

If Ted goes to jail for his little tiny corrupt practices, that's fine. But let's not overlook the monster crimes that he and many others in Congress continue to perpetrate against the American public and world peace.

FoonTheElder wrote on December 18, 2007 7:14 PM:

Alaska, the welfare state.

The state gives its citizens money every year for excess taxes that the people in the other 49 states have to pay a big chunk of. Then their crooked politicians have the gall to demand that they deserve every bit of corporate welfare that they can take. What is Alaska down to, paying 70 cents in federal taxes for every dollar they get back?

just joe wrote on December 18, 2007 7:41 PM:

How the hell do these people keep getting away with this stuff? How can I refuse to pay? Berry research? Come on...alternative salmon products? Is it that no one will say anything about anyone else's pork for fear of losing their own. Damn it, this has got to stop. These issues should be presented on their own not packaged up with truly needed funding. The economy and our infrastructure are falling apart and Stevens is milking money for alternative salmon products. Have they just forgotten how to run a nation or did they ever know?

Lt wrote on December 18, 2007 8:37 PM:

Dear Salt,

We are not picking on you, don't be so defensive. In case you failed to pick up on the basic idea let me outline it for you.

THE ARTICLE ABOVE IS ABOUT THE PERSON IN QUESTION, THERFORE WE ARE WRITING ABOUT HIM--- GET IT???

Kuparuk wrote on December 19, 2007 2:16 AM:

Foon, you don't understand the Alaska Permanent Fund.

Yes, we get a dividend every year.

That's because years ago, when the leases to Prudhoe were sold, we invested the money in stocks and businesses.

The dividends on the investment of Alaskans' own money for their own resources pays for that dividend. It doesn't come from the Federal government. Continued oil taxation (for the most part) pays for our state government services.

The other 49 states don't pay a penny of it.

And if you'd click the link I put up above, Alaskans are asking that these earmarks be rolled back. They don't want the corruption that's coming with the money. They just elected a governor on an anti-corruption platform, have passed sweeping ethics reforms, and have undone the biggest damage done by the corruption.

Read. Learn.

Salt wrote on December 19, 2007 10:18 AM:

"We are not picking on you, don't be so defensive."

No, I'm not so much that as expressing the quandary thinking Alaskans find themselves in with all of this (and the point that freshwrestler was making above): this IS a different kind of place and it's a new one, and we're still feeling our way towards where we'll be when we grow up. It's hard to juggle our needs and address them when at the same time the obvious abuses tar all of us and all of our projects as pork...when we know that's not so. If I'm defensive, it's because this is a more complex and nuanced issue: yes, Alaskans are to blame for electing a criminal but that doesn't mean that all of his efforts are without merit. Yes, it's humiliating to have to do what seems like defending him--which I'm NOT doing--but I will challenge those who can to think beyond the simply answer of "deny Alaska everything because that'll show 'em."

Sitkajo wrote on December 19, 2007 10:25 AM:

An Alaskan democrat says:
Alaskan people pick lots and lots of berries for the freezer and canning. I put up about 20-30lbs to last the winter, without even trying very hard. Salmon Berries, Blue berries, Straw berries, Cran berries, Thimble berries and Huckleberries. Other types are available elsewhere in the state. The whole state is like a huge berry plantation. They literally cover every mountain and meadow. Some types are unknown in the lower 48. In the last decade berries have started to be commercially gathered and processed for jams etc. Meanwhile prices of berries in grocery stores have gone up. Also there has been a lot of research showing the medicinal and nutritional value of berries. And we have entire cultures and communities that spend a lot of time gathering berries. So its a natural economic opportunity for this state. Maine by the way has a fairly large berry agriculture so we look at them as a model.

I am not saying anything positive about Sen. Steven's earmarks...but wild berries taste great, and are good for what ails you and we have lots!

If you ever visit Alaska, bring some rubber boots and a plastic bucket. Just saying...

On the salmon: Vast quantites of fish go to waste. Salmon for restaurant tables is only a slice of what is out there. At hatcheries after the salmon spawn the bodies are not useful as human food. Some fisheries target the roe(eggs). Pink and chum salmon are the most common and least desirable for restaurants. This is millions of tons of fish that wont be going to grocery stors and restaurants. These could become fertilizer, pet food ??? Research is needed. The pitutary gland contains hormones and all by itself is worthwhile economically. Research???

So these earmarks are not actually pork. They probably fund some liberal college professors and the poor grad student types that actually muck around with it.

SuperCog wrote on December 20, 2007 3:59 AM:

A few people on here ask how can the good people of AK keep electing crooks like Stevens and Young.

From simple human observation I can proffer a simple answer: ignorance.

That's not to say that the people of Alaska are ignorant. Not so. It's just that people like a winner. Half the battle is if just a few trumpet the horn of whomever makes it in. Then, well, as long as the official appears to be honest, brings home some pork, well, that's just business as usual.

The official wins again and most people figure well if everyone is voting for him, and he hasn't been indicted, well, he must be doing something right. Two, three, four terms later...and here we are.

You people who read and post on this site are no the average citizen. Here's how: You went out of your way to read and find information about the subjects covered here. That's sadly not common. Most people want to eat cheeseburgers, watch TV and make a little more than they did last year. As long as that happens, well, how bad can it be?

I don't think the people of Alaska are any different, or smarter or dumber than any other state. They are, just like the rest of us, finally wising up. Simply because we choose to know.

Hats off to the great staff here- Josh and the rest - for wanting to know more, and for dragging us along with them.

HighPlainsJoker wrote on December 20, 2007 11:02 AM:

Complements to Salt for a reasoned and non-inflammatory comment, too often not found in blogs....

Jim Prall wrote on December 20, 2007 2:40 PM:

I'll second that motion. This is a refreshing change from the usual stuff I find in comment threads on blogs about, say, climate change [nyah, nyah, straw man! Is not! Is too! etc.]

This fall the U.S. Senate has finally begun to tackle some of the really huge, daunting challenges facing the country and the world: energy security, global warming, and the need to speed up the transition to renewable, no- or low-carbon energy sources.
Up to this month, we've seen conservatives dig in and fight hard to prevent any progress. Moderate Republicans have begun to acknowledge that changes are inevitable, they are coming, they're here. Yet without a 60-vote super-majority, (only 59), the Energy Bill could not get through until they cut out two major planks: a national Renewable Portfolio Standard and a shift of tax breaks away from Big Oil to support renewables. Conservative Republicans with ties to big oil were ready to filibuster to hold up the whole show.
Here's the roll call:

http://tinyurl.com/36swhn

One more Senator truly interested in our future, energy independence and a clean, healthy environment could have won cloture (i.e. blocked the filibuster) and gotten the full bill through. Instead, we have half a bill (at least it increases CAFE fuel standards for the first time in over two decades!)

Sen. Stevens has a history of speaking up for big oil (since there is a large oil industry in Alaska, obviously).

I hope voters in Alaska will look past the pork to see that the state and the nation need a more forward-looking individual, whatever their party affiliation, to get us through the challenging times we're facing.

P.S. We visited Alaska briefly while touring the Yukon, and both the scenery and the people were great. I don't think any worse of the people there just because a politician does what so many politicians tend to do: take the easy money.