A STATE OF CONTRADICTION

I love this state, and in case you haven't noticed I love this country. Alaska is a state full of contradictions. The climate is more varied than any other state. In one day we can see snow and freezing temps, rain and hurricane force wind, or even warm gentle sunshine.
We are a state that passionately defends our rights for subsistence hunting & fishing, yet we allow parts of the government to exploit our resources in areas where it might negatively impact the future of our fisheries. We will drill for oil, but not scrape for copper. We are a mostly republican state, yet we have a democrat in the house, any many more in the state and local seats. We bitch about the government, yet we have the highest percentage of government employees in the nation. I did the math, it may be off a tad, but my ciphering comes up with approx 23%!
Yet another contradiction, as one of the coldest states we eat more ice cream per capita than any other state in the union.
Ok so many of these things most of you folks probably already knew.
So how about this one? We have a democratic senator who is a blue ribbon member of the NRA. He has sponsored bills that protect our rights and fought against legislation that would take them away. Senator Mark Begich used to be a member of a little group called M.A.I.G.. That stands for Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Mr. Begich quit that group, in fact he was the fourth member to so. Apparently MAIG is not what it seems. When I heard about them my initial reaction was positive. Then I dug a little deeper. These folks have some deep financial pockets, AKA New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, supposedly he has poured over 3 million dollars of his own money into this little group. Illegal guns? LETS GET RID OF 'EM; YOU BETCHA!. Unfortunately that is not what this lobby group is all about. Their agenda steps far beyond illegal guns. They would do away with all private gun transactions. That's right folks, no more gun shows, no more great deals from your buddy, and worst yet; no more leaving your guns to your kids.
So here is the real irony folks. The mayor of the city of Kodiak is a member of this little group. Our own Carolyn Floyd is a member.
Not only that, she is the only member from our great state. I mean come on, even our democratic senator realized that these folks offer nothing our community needs or desires.
I must ask you madam mayor, is this not the biggest contradiction in our state?
How can you be the political leader of a community that generates so much revenue from gun related activities? Come on! We are one of the premier hunting and adventure destinations in the world. Yet you belong to an organization that lobbies to make gun ownership a thing of the past.
I urge Ms. Floyd; research this group you signed on with. I would hope that once you realize what their real agenda is, you too will leave them. Follow our senators lead. We named a library after you for cryin' out loud. It is a place for study and research, something you should have done before you joined these folks in trying to lobby away our right to keep and bear.
Think about this one folks. Question the mayor. I am not an advocate of illegal anything, but M.A.I.G. is a misleading moniker for a group of anti-gun zealots. It does not seem appropriate that the Kodiak City Mayor be a member.
So please madam mayor review your membership in MAIG. I would think you would resign after that, but if you're not going to then I think you owe Kodiak an explanation.
Ms. Floyd you have done many great things in this community, but this is not one of them.
Ask hard questions folks and demand real answers.
peace ya'll

Something to think about...............

Yes I believe in equal rights, and yes I believe in the right to bear arms.
I just think it is ironic and somewhat hypocritical that the majority of the same group that wants to give choice and acceptance to so many, wants to restrict the rights of so many others.
That said............







Lastly;

SI VIS PACEM , PARA BELLUM

OBAMAMANIA

A friend sent me an interesting clip from the net. Check it out.
I am grateful for a country that can overcome it's past and elect a candidate such as Barack Obama. As a child I remember the surprise when John Kennedy was elected. Listening to the adults discuss the future with him in office was enlightening. The adults of that day were not amazed that a man of Kennedy's political beliefs made the oval office. They were surprised that a catholic got voted in. Different days, different biases.
That said; president elect Obama has already boosted one small section of our economy.
Gun sales. The numbers are astonishing, some gun categories have reported a 400% increase in sales since November 2nd. Basically, in fear of losing their constitutional rights, thousands are beating down the doors of gun shops. Stocking up on weapons that they fear will be unavailable in the future.
Crazy paranoia of a bunch of gun nuts? Not likely. We've been there folks, during the Clinton administration we let our gun ownership rights be whittled away. We traded a misplaced desire for safety for the right to defend ourselves.
Did violent crime decrease? No it did not, in fact, in some areas it increased.
When the new legislation steps onto the floors of the senate and congress there will be agendas waiting to come to fruition. Do not blame the new president if you lose one of the rights our founding fathers thought so important that they made it a constitutional right.
It is the senate and congress that should truly represent our interests. this will only happen if we hold them accountable for their actions or inaction's. Our own inaction will be the tool those in office find most useful. Our apathy will provide fuel for their freight train.
Let gun control be, there are already enough laws on the books to keep honest folks honest. We don't need more laws, just enforce those already in place.
Let's focus on our nations real problems. Poverty, hunger, and education are what we, as a nation, need to fix.
Ask hard questions, demand real answers.
Peace Ya'll.