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Michael Tavoliero: Enough with the ADN

By MICHAEL TAVOLIERO

It is time to boycott, divest and sanction the Anchorage Daily News, its owners, employees, advertisers and supporters.

Enough of these Marxists who ridicule, criticize, and condemn the good and honorable leaders of our community. They have no intent of to improve our community. Their sole purpose is to help the political elite maintain power and control over Anchorage and Alaska.

The ADN’s campaign against on the Bronson Administration is shameful. It seeks to squelch free speech, censor dissenting opinions and beliefs, and ban or boycott the Bronson Administration and any of its supporters who do not comply with the ADN’s orthodoxy. It is a continual and constant hatchet job wielded by the ADN’s management under the grace of the ADN’s owners.

Enough.

With the change of ownership to the Binkley Company LLC, many members of the Anchorage community were encouraged. We thought that a fair and balanced approach to journalism would finally become the norm, because most of us saw the sire of the Binkley brood, John Binkley, as a respected and thoughtful conservative.

Before the Binkley Company LLC purchase of the ADN, the newspaper was the Anchorage Daily Pravda. Its goal was to seek and destroy the reputations of honorable conservative members of our community, while supporting leftwing politicians who destroy economic development opportunities in Alaska. It was an instrument of the deep state.

But now with this latest editorial hit job demanding the City Manager Amy Demboski be fired, the ADN demonstrates its willingness to use every Saul Alinsky angle to pick apart, intimidate, and excoriate the new mayor and his organization.

ADN is the current equivalent of the China Daily. Its sole focus is journalistic bullying. The editorial department presents what looks like real news articles, artfully crafted with an Alinsky spin, especially regarding local news events.

The ADN’s quest is to disguise and blend freedom of the press with Saul Alinsky’s 13th rule: “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Alinsky wrote, in part: “Obviously there is no point to tactics unless one has a target upon which to center the attacks.” (Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky).

Historically, what better target is there than Amy Demboski, who has tirelessly served the Anchorage community?

This is not journalistic competence or professionalism. It is not our Founders’ anticipated goal of the 4th Estate designed to check and balance a government of, by, and for the people.  

As Thomas Jefferson argued correctly, given the choice between “a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government,” he wouldn’t hesitate to choose the latter. But honestly, why does our free press remain liberty’s assassin in a community such as Anchorage?

Indeed, the ADN, its owners, its staff, and its advertisers and supporters are a compliant trusted ally of the Marxist cabal which seeks to destroy conservatives, our children’s futures, and our American system.

This is muckraking, yellow journalism, and propaganda designed to persuade the public that their targets are worthy of our disdain and to exile offenders without due process from our community.

It is we as conservatives who have the true power in our understanding of our constitutional republic. We have in our numbers a profound sense of maturity, patience, and intelligence. We have a community largely composed of those who have sworn the oath to support and defend our constitutional republic.

It is time to demand that same faith be put into action.

Why should we purchase this Marxist propaganda for our news when there are so many other respectable media sources available to us, such as locally Must Read Alaska and the Alaska Watchman and globally the Epoch Times and Newsmax?

Why should anyone buy the products and services from the companies who support the ADN through their advertising?

Conservatives, it’s time to put our money where our mouths are. We must cancel all support for the owners of the ADN, its employees, and anyone advertising in the ADN.

Boycott by withdrawing your support of the ADN and all of its parts.

Participate in divestment campaigns by putting pressure on any entity or institution, public or private, and ask that they withdraw investments and support in the ADN. 

Endorse campaigns to pressure local and state governments to end any taxpayer subsidies and other forms of support for the ADN.

The Anchorage Daily News, its owner, the Binkley Company LLC, has four members who each have a share in this business. These owners are responsible for the current offensive noise coming from the ADN. They are James M. Binkley, Member, 12%, Kai Binkley Sims, Member, 12%, Ryan E. Binkley Manager, Member, 51%, and Wade M. Binkley, Member, 25%.

Alaska is still a small and friendly community. Contact them personally and let them know your disappointment.

Chugiak and Eagle River, especially, the Demboski family are your friends and neighbors and do not deserve this type of venom.

Michael Tavoliero is a realtor in Eagle River, is active in the Alaska Republican Party and until recently chaired Eaglexit.

Dunleavy, four other governors demand Pentagon withdraw unconstitutional vaccine mandate in National Guard

Five governors, including Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, are calling on the Pentagon to rescind the Covid-19 vaccine mandate for National Guard members.

In their letter, the governors say the mandate is unconstitutional, and that National Guards report to governors of the states, unless called upon by the federal government.

“We write to request you withdraw part of your and the Service Secretaries’ directives to National Guard members in their Title 32 duty status concerning the COVID-19 vaccine,” the letter states. “We acknowledge your right to establish readiness standards for the National Guard for activation into a Title 10 status. However, directives dictating whether training in a Title 32 status can occur, setting punishment requirements for refusing to be COVID-19 vaccinated, and requiring separation from each state National Guard if unvaccinated are beyond your constitutional and statutory authority,” the letter states.

“The U. S. Supreme Court has for decades affirmed in cases, such as in Perpich v. Department of Defense, 496 U.S. 334 (1990), that the National Guard is under the command and control of the Governor of each state unless those members are called to active service under Title 10. The Militia Clauses found in Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution clearly state, ‘…reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress,’” the letter states.

The letter was signed by Govs. Mark Gordon of Wyoming, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Tate Reeves of Mississippi, and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, as well as Dunleavy.

Separately, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt also asked the Pentagon to suspend a requirement that Oklahoma National Guard members receive the vaccination, noting 800 soldiers — 10% of the Oklahoma National Guard was not vaccinated and had no intention of getting the vaccine. The Oklahoma National Guard requires none of its members to become vaccinated for Covid, in defiance of the Biden order.

Alaska’s budding model Quannah Chasinghorse is on special Elle edition

Quannah Chasinghorse has been making the rounds in the modeling world. The 19-year-old Alaskan is in Paris this week for Fashion Week, where she’ll be walking the runway representing some of the biggest fashion houses, including Chanel.

She’s also on the cover of a special digital issue of Elle magazine, which features her discussing what it’s like to be the “first Indigenous woman to walk for certain luxury brands (she’s Hän Gwich’in and Sicangu Oglala Lakota).”

“The 19-year-old model is a warrior for her culture and the land her people have inhabited for thousands of years,” the magazine said.

In her cover shoot, she’s wearing a $3,445 blazer and $1,195 bustier by Dolce & Gabbana. Tiara, earrings, necklace are also Dolce & Gabbana Alta Gioielleria.

“Raised by strong matriarchs, she’s a fourth-generation land protector for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in her home state of Alaska. Her mother, Jody Potts-Joseph, has worked for cultural reclamation since before Chasinghorse was born, and frequently took her dog mushing when she was a child. At this past Fashion Month, Chasinghorse appeared on the runways of Chloé, Savage x Fenty, Gabriela Hearst, and Prabal Gurung, and became the first Indigenous woman to walk for Chanel, tweeting that the experience ‘[made] me feel comfortable, seen, and beautiful!’ For many Native Americans, and Indigenous people across the globe, this much light falling on a fierce advocate for our issues makes us feel seen, too,” the story continued.

According to her bio, Chasinghorse spent her early childhood in Arizona, Mongolia, and New Mexico before returning to her mother’s homeland in Alaska. She lives in the Interior, including Kenny Lake and Fairbanks.

Read the story and see the photo shoot with Chasinghorse at this link.

Earlier this year, Chasinghorse was on the cover of Vogue Mexico and Vogue Japan. She is signed with the international modeling agency, IMG Models.

Dunleavy budget includes $2,564 PFD, plus rest of unpaid 2021 PFD, but spending plan still lower than last year

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday introduced his budget for the fiscal year that will end June 30,2023. 

The FY23 budget package includes:

  • A $24 million increase in funding for public safety over last year, including adding Troopers and VPSOs and advancing 5 programs in the People First Initiative to protect Alaska’s most vulnerable.
  • Fully funds K-12 education, as it has every year since the Dunleavy Administration
  • Funds 100% school bond debt reimbursement ($79 M), resulting in property tax relief for residents
  • A $310 million G.O. Bond package to invest in Alaska’s infrastructure and build the economy
  • A $2,564 PFD payment, according to the Governor’s 50/50 Plan, for eligible Alaskans in 2022 without new taxes or an overdraw on the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve.
  • Paying the $1,250 balance of the 50/50 dividend for 2021, through the supplemental budget.

2022 PFD Payment & 2021 PFD Remainder Payment

  • $1.7 billion for a 2022 PFD payment of $2,564 to all eligible Alaskans. The amount reflects the Governor’s proposed 50/50 dividend plan
  • $795.6 million to fund the remainder of the 2021 PFD using the 50/50 plan
  • Does not exceed the 5% POMV draw for the 2022 PFD or the 2021 remainder PFD (estimated at $1,200 for every eligible Alaskan)

Public Safety

  • $2.9 million for an increase of 10 new Village Public Safety Officer positions and to give existing VPSO’s a 5% raise – with the overall goal of increasing VPSOs to 100
  • 15 new Alaska State Trooper positions (appropriation will be worked out with lawmakers during the 2022 session)     
  • $5.1 million to purchase new equipment for body cams, vehicle cams for law enforcement
  • $750 thousand to fully fund new state criminal prosecutor positions in the Department of Law 
  • $1.0 million for additional support staff in the Alaska Department of Corrections to support correctional officers
  • $1.8 million in supplemental funding to the Alaska Court System for audio/video equipment to resume jury trials and a full five-day work week 
  • $1.4 million to expand booking capacity at Hiland Correctional Center
  • $6.3 million for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs

“The Alaska Department of Public Safety and the Alaska State Troopers are committed to meeting our mission of ensuring public safety and enforcing fishing and hunting laws across Alaska. Public safety is job number one for the Dunleavy Administration, and this new initiative is evidence of that,” stated Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell. “These additional resources to address the high rates of domestic violence, sexual assault, human sex trafficking, MMIP, and other important issues impacting Alaskans are welcomed in our efforts to make Alaska a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Statehood Defense

  • $10 million increase for the Statehood Defense program
  • Funding allows Alaska to fight President Biden’s effort to shut down state’s resource-based economy

General Obligation Transportation and Infrastructure Bond – $310 million

Ports and Harbors:

  • $175 million – Knik Arm Port Infrastructure
  • $10 million – Port of Nome Deep Draft Port project
  • $8.3 million – Craig Harbor improvements
  • $5 million – Seward Freight Dock Expansion and Corridor Improvements

Surface Transportation:

  • $25 million – Juneau Access Project
  • $22 million – Northern Access to University Medical District

Airports:

  • $14.1 million – Wasilla Airport Runway and Terminal
  • $7.5 million – Ketchikan International Airport Terminal
  • $6.5 million – Warren “Bud” Woods Palmer Municipal Airport Taxiway Construction

Education, Public Safety & Community Infrastructure Projects:

  • $18.5 million – University of Alaska Fairbanks – Bartlett Hall and Moore Hall Modernization and Renewal
  • $5 million – Nenana Fire Hall
  • $5 million – Craig Mariculture Infrastructure
  • $6.5 million – Kenai River Bluff Stabilization

Transportation

  • $200 to $250 million to replace the Tustumena with federal highway funds
  • New AMHS budget creates an unconstrained sailing schedule allowing all AMHS vessels to operate by maximizing the use of federal transportation dollars
  • The All-Alaska Highway Safety Initiative – targets improvements to bring down crash rates beginning with the 15-mile section of the Seward Highway between Potter Marsh and Bird Creek

“This budget invests in transportation for Alaska, improving safety, supporting our economy, connecting our communities and providing jobs. A safe and efficient transportation network benefits us all, our families, businesses, and industries,” said Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Commissioner Ryan Anderson.

Resource Development

  • $4.9 million for State primacy over federal wetland permitting under the Clean Water Act
  • $830 thousand for hazardous waste mitigation under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

K-12 Education

  • 100% school bond debt reimbursement ($79M) to 18 local governments for school construction bonds passed in 2014 and earlier ($79M) 
  • Full funding for the Base Student Allocation formula
  • Full funding for school construction and maintenance in Regional Education Attendance Areas
  • $54.9 million to replace the Napakiak school, due to the erosion from the Kuskokwim River

Energy

  • Full funding for the Power Cost Equalization program
  • $1.5 million for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
  • $2.5 million to fund an AEA Strategic Plan for Railbelt Assets to improve power transmission and make the grid more reliable and resilient
  • $17 million for the Rural Power System Upgrades program
  • $5.5 million for the Bulk Fuel Upgrades program

University of Alaska

  • Year three of the UA Compact is nullified
  • $22.8 million in federal ARPA funds for new UAF research programs on critical minerals, heavy oil and unmanned aircraft
  • $94 million in federal grant funds for the UAF Seward Marine Center

Capital Budget Highlights

  • $5 million for a tourism marketing campaign to bring more tourists to Alaska
  • $72.3 million total, $19.5 million UGF for clean water systems in rural communities
  • $6.9 million allocated for maintenance at the Palmer wastewater treatment plant

The FY23 operating, mental health and capital budget totals $4.6 billion in Unrestricted General Funds (UGF), $912 million in Designated General Funds (DGF), $792 Other State Funds, and $4.6 billion in federal funding with the total of all funds at $10.9 billion

“Alaska’s improved revenue outlook means we have the freedom to continue strengthening essential state services and programs that make meaningful differences in the quality of life for all Alaskans,” Dunleavy said. “I look forward to speaking with Alaskans over the coming months about how it will move Alaska forward and working with members of the Alaska Legislature on passing this budget and a sustainable, affordable budget plan that includes a 50/50 constitutional amendment to preserve and protect the PFD. If we all are willing to compromise, and learn from each other, we can make 2022 the year that Alaska made the tough, but correct decisions.”  

With an emphasis on public safety, a fair and substantial PFD, education and infrastructure as his budget priorities, the Governor’s proposed budget still continues the trend of less state spending since he came into office. This budget puts Alaska on track to rebuild and thrive in fiscal year 2023 and into the future.

Fritz Pettyjohn: The PFD and the constitutional convention

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By FRITZ PETTYJOHN


Why does our Constitution give us the chance, every 10 years, to call for a constitutional convention?  The answer is in Article I, sec. 2, which declares “All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people.” If this is true, the people must have the right to intervene in the normal workings of their government, when the necessity arises. 

In the 62 years since the Alaska Constitution went into effect, such an intervention has not been needed. Now, for the first time, it clearly is. Alaska’s politicians have failed to resolve the future of the Permanent Fund Dividend. 

Partisan and personal rivalries have divided the Legislature into two warring factions. One wants the so-called full dividend, according to a formula adopted in the 1980s, which was followed until 2015. 

Another feels the state needs much or most of this money to provide the government services that Alaskans are accustomed to.

For the past five years these two factions have been at war with one another, and legislative sessions are dominated by this issue. Countless special sessions have been called. 

Nothing seems to work. Legislators, and governors, come and go. Elections are held. Promises are made. There’s no reason to hope that more elections, and new people, will change a thing.

If our politicians can’t resolve this issue, the people can. They must vote for a convention, and then elect delegates who they know and trust. They must closely monitor the deliberations of the convention, and in the end they must decide if the solution offered is acceptable.

Are the people of Alaska capable of this? Are there qualified men and women who are able and willing to serve as delegates? What are we afraid of? Ourselves?

They won’t admit it, but those opposed to a convention are afraid of the people.  They feel they can’t be trusted with this kind of power. Left unsaid is the belief that only an elite is qualified for such weighty matters, and the people aren’t.  

Or maybe the real reason for their opposition is that they just don’t like the dividend. In fact, the convention would have only one power, the power to propose amendments. And then it’s up to the people to decide. Yes or no? Is the solution offered acceptable?I think the people of this state are perfectly capable of exercising this power responsibly. So did the men and women who wrote our Constitution. Do you? If you don’t trust the people, who do you trust?  Some elite?

That’s not the Alaska way. That’s not the American way. There’s much more that needs to be discussed on this issue, and everyone’s voice deserves to be heard. We have a little less than a year before we, collectively, render our decision at the ballot box. I will continue to argue, as forcefully as I can, that the people should trust themselves. And that if you want the dividend, you should vote for the convention.

Fritz Pettyjohn got his start in Alaska politics working for Governor Jay Hammond, who was responsible for beginning the permanent fund dividend program.

Rep. Hannan says Jan. 6 protest is factor in beefing up Alaska Capitol security

On the Action Line program on KINY radio in Juneau, Rep. Sara Hannan of downtown Juneau said that Legislative Council is looking at beefing up security measures for the Alaska Capitol.

She said on Tuesday that the Jan. 6 protest that surged into the U.S. Capitol, and the general tenor of politics in this era are driving forces to look at greater security measures in what is arguably one of the most open legislative halls in the nation.

“Whether it’s we  talk about a year ago, Jan. 6 or just the tenor and tone of politics in America, looking at policies governing the security in the building are timely,” she said, reflecting a growing trend around the nation of government being afraid of the people it serves.

Legislative Council has been discussing building security measures for several months.

Hannan didn’t say what security measures would be enacted by the council, which she chairs, and said those measures are still being discussed in subcommittees. The full council, which is the governing body for the Legislature itself, will meet on Thursday at 1 pm, streamed live on AKL.tv.

Hannan noted that the building currently has no restrictions other than mandatory masks for everyone in the building.

The Legislative Council is also in the process of reviewing its contract with Beacon Health, which has provided Covid testing for the legislators and staff at the Capitol.

The Legislature will be in session starting Jan. 18, 2022.

Alaska State medical board won’t punish doctors using Ivermectin to treat Covid

After having received as many as 150 letters from medical professionals who wanted a small minority of Alaska doctors to be punished for using medications such as Ivermectin to treat Covid, the Alaska State Medical Board is taking a pass. In a statement, it noted that its decisions much be based on state law, not on board member preference or public opinion.

The issue raised by the doctors has caused mistrust with some members of the public, who also wrote to the medical board by the hundreds to defend the doctors. Dr. Ilona Farr is one of a tiny minority of Alaska doctors who is using a protocol involving Ivermectin, as well as nutraceuticals and vitamins, to keep people out of the hospital. She is one of the more well-known, having been a part of a conference on early treatment protocols for Covid that brought in internationally known doctors, such as Dr. Robert Malone, a virologist and immunologist whose work has focused on mRNA technology, pharmaceuticals, and drug repurposing research. 

The board’s statement said, “The Alaska State Medical Board received many letters and verbal testimony concerning ‘misinformation’ in the treatment of COVID-19. There was a request that the board make a statement against the use of off-label therapeutics prescribed in the treatment of COVID-19. In addition, there was a call to sanction the licenses of those who do not support this practice, as well those who have spoken out against them. In response, the Alaska State Medical Board held a special meeting on December 9, 2021 and adopted the following statement:

“The Alaska State Medical Board recognizes that there are many issues surrounding the care and treatment of Covid-19 patients. However, as the body that must review and adjudicate matters as they present to us, we recognize and maintain as a foundational ideal to remain impartial in our evaluations to the bestof our ability. The process of investigation, adjudication, and discipline is not arbitrary; it is subject to facts and evidence presented through a thorough vetting process.

“The Board reiterates to the public that its role pertains to the scope of practice of medicine as set forth in AS 08.064 and related regulations. While we welcome and encourage input on regulatory matters, any decision to sanction the license of a medical professional is based on state law, not board member preference or public opinion.

“Disciplinary decisions of the Board are publicly available on our web site, and they may be appealed by the affected licensee through the process set forth in the Alaska Administrative Procedures Act,” the medical board wrote.

ConocoPhillips’ Greater Mooses Tooth 2 produces first oil for TAPS

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ConocoPhillips announced that the Greater Mooses Tooth 2 drill site in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska has achieved first oil production, coming in under budget and on schedule on Dec. 12.

Greater Mooses Tooth 2 is the second project in the Greater Mooses Tooth Unit, in the northeast NPRA on Alaska’s North Slope. It is located about eight miles southwest of Greater Mooses Tooth 1. GMT2 is a satellite development of the Alpine field and is connected to the existing Alpine production center in the Colville River Unit.

It’s been six years in the making. Permit applications for drilling at GMT2 were submitted to the Bureau of Land Management in August 2015. The BLM completed a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement with a Record of Decision issued on Oct. 16, 2018. The BLM, ASRC and Kuukpik Corporation share land and mineral rights for the project.

GMT2 has a 14-acre drilling pad, an 8-mile gravel road, and pipeline facilities connected to the existing Colville River Unit infrastructure. The pad is planned to have 36 wells initially, with capacity for up to 48 wells.

Peak production is estimated at approximately 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and the project costs approximately $1.4 billion gross, including construction and drilling expenses.

At peak construction during the past three winter seasons, the project created about 700 jobs resulting in more than 600,000 direct construction manhours.

“The GMT2 team safely executed this project in an environmentally responsible manner marking another successful milestone for development in the NPR-A,” said Erec Isaacson, president of ConocoPhillips Alaska. “Projects like these continue to create hundreds of jobs in Alaska and contribute to a stable Alaska economy. We appreciate the collaboration with stakeholders from Kuukpik Corporation, the community of Nuiqsut, the North Slope Borough and ASRC that made it possible. Our continuous investment in projects on the North Slope benefits Alaska’s future.”

The Greater Mooses Tooth and Colville River Units are approximately 100 percent owned and operated by ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc.

Throughput in the Trans Alaska Pipeline System was 497,019 barrels per day, so at peak production the project will boost the throughput by as much as 6 percent.

Listicle: How many people are registered to vote in Alaska?

733,391 – U.S. Census official population for Alaska

593,820 – Number of registered voters in Alaska

Breakdown by party:

18,967 – Alaskan Independence Party members

78, 721 – Democrats in Alaska

144, 133 – Republicans in Alaska

688 – Constitutional Party members in Alaska

285 – Moderate Party members in Alaska

1 – Freedom Reform Party members in Alaska

1,494 – Green Party members in Alaska

61 – Owl Party members in Alaska

26 – Alliance Party members in Alaska

6, 902 – Libertarian Party members in Alaska

172 – Progressive Party members in Alaska

170 – Patriot Party members in Alaska

1,323 – Veterans Party members in Alaska

129 – UCES Clown Party members in Alaska

81,355 – Nonpartisan voters in Alaska

259,393 – Undeclared voters in Alaska