I. Ann Strongheart from Anonymous Bloggers, delivered her and her late husband Segundo's new daughter, Gabriella Kegginacangaq Strongheart, late Thursday. Congratulations, Ann, CC and Gabriella.
You can help ensure CC and Gabriella's future educational prospects by donating to the Segundo Strongheart Fund at the link near the top right of this blog.
Please do that!
II. The Books: If ever a month in American history was devoted to a spate of books on a useless subject, this one may be it. I'm trying to avoid writing about it as much as possible. I was told today that one of them complains about my descriptions of one of my three conversations with the Crazy Woman about evolution, creationism and the End Times. Whether or not the writing results in more calls on the subject, all I have to say on this right now is: Why would she have believed any differently in June 1997 than about 85% of the rest of the parishioners at the Wasilla Assembly of God?
Alaska's progressive bloggers, most notably Gryph at The Immoral Minority, are covering the books very fully. Of special interest to me is the variety of viewpoints presented by Alaska bloggers compared to traditional media. As much as I've been critical about Palin fetishism in our community in the past (and may have been wrong in some of the specifics of my criticisms), what writers like Gryph and others are uncovering in regard to the layers of falsehoods and lies in the continuing right-wing myth culture surrounding Palin is not only an important aspect of the post mainstream media world, but may be unique.
The gulf between what people claim Palin to be, either as representing so-called "Conservatism" or in regard to the veracity of her claims about her past, is huge. And it is widening. FAUX News, especially, is, when covering these books and her related media appearances, the nuttiest. But our local outlets are not much better. Once again, it is the Alaska progressive bloggers who continually have to remind people that Palin, whether as writer, politician, facebook poster or commentator on important issues, is totally, ridiculously, almost ignominiously, fake.
III. The President's EAFB refueling stop: Obama made three speeches in three days, before audiences largely composed of members of the U.S. military. At Ft. Hood, he tried to console the families and friends of people grieving for their loss to a hate crime that is leading to further polarization in our country on religious issues, but seems to be avoiding - by and large - discussion on the pressures our military are continuing to endure.
Obama's simple recitation of benefits passed this past year by the Democratic congress that have increased military pay, health benefits and educational opportunities more than any in a generation, won me over. But not the far right. These benefits passed into law with few GOP votes.
Not only that, but locally, especially right-wing radio host Eddie Burke, pedaled the false meme that most people in uniform were at the event against their will. I have over 250 students at UAA. Some are serving our country in uniform. Two asked for permission to miss their Thursday class to attend the ceremony. One texted me:
Awesome! This is SO exiting. Thanks, Prof!
I called Burke's show as he was dissing the speech, and quoted the text message. I called because he asked "What has Obama done for these people?"
I pointed out that my University students are benefitting from the new GI Bill upgrades. His response was "Those college kids are ALL socialists." The next three callers seemed to agree with Eddie. I could almost hear the six-packs sliding along the floor as they blabbed their FAUX talking points. No wonder the Crazy Woman doesn't believe in evolution, hanging around with so many of these cave people.
Alaska bloggers AK Muckraker, Shannyn Moore, Celtic Diva and Dennis Zaki were there at Elmendorf.
Update - Saturday 9:45 a.m: The conclusion of Christopher Hitchens' review for Newsweek of the Crazy Woman's fake book:
Sarah Palin appears to have no testable core conviction except the belief (which none of her defenders denies that she holds, or at least has held and not yet repudiated) that the end of days and the Second Coming will occur in her lifetime. This completes the already strong case for allowing her to pass the rest of her natural life span as a private citizen.
Ouch!
image - Segundo Strongheart. I imagine him being happy to hear of Gabriella's entry into the world he had to leave