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Linda Boyle: Truth is coming out about Covid origins

By LINDA BOYLE

It’s amazing to see all the articles suddenly being written about the origin of Covid-19 and how it came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. 

For years we were told it came from the wet market, and that it had nothing to do with the lab, according to our own government and that of the Chinese government. Those poor pangolins and bats were vilified. 

If you said the virus did not come from the wet market, you were banned from several social media platforms. And you were accused of spreading misinformation, violating so-called community standards. You were called a conspiracy theorist.  

Even my social media posts back then were marked misinformation by the “fact checkers.”  The Facebook fake news trolls were looking for anyone who dared spout something other than the agreed upon government narrative.     

While the higher ups in the U.S. government or those of foreign powers continue to try and cover up the origins of Covid, the truth continues to leak out. And leak it does—only because of the persistence of some members of Congress and courageous doctors who were maligned during the “pandemic.” 

Freedom of Information requests are finally being answered. The U.S. Right to Know organization obtained documents that demonstrated American researchers had concealed the fact they wanted to conduct high-risk coronavirus research in Wuhan because the of lax safety standards. This attempt to get research funding at the Wuhan Institute of Virology occurred the year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Amazingly, a group of elite scientists with the assistance of a complicit media drove the fake narrative. 

Dr. Peter Daszak, the president of the Ecohealth Alliance, received grants from the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases to conduct  research at the Wuhan Institute. One of the “most controversial” of Ecohealth’s work was a project titled “Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence.” This research was started at the WIV in 2019 and then paused by the National Institutes of Health because of concerns of a lab leak. Daszak kept pushing NIH for months as he wanted to continue this project. 

Daszak, who has been at the center of the debate since 2020, testified to Congress in November 2023. However, Congress wanted him back for more questioning because there were some inconsistencies in his previous testimony. 

On May 1, 2024, in testimony to the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, Daszak suggested that the intelligence community was aware of these experiments being carried out at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.  He also stated our government sent money to the WIV despite concerns and Daszak identified the institute as a lab where the Chinese government made bioweapons.  

If that weren’t enough to make you go “wow,” Daszak stated the institute has more than “15,000 samples of other coronaviruses that may belong to the US government through past taxpayer-funded research.” Add to that, Daszak said Ecohealth Alliance is still receiving a staggering $16 million a year in U.S. taxpayer cash.

Rep. Brad Wenstrup, chairman of this select subcommittee, stated “Dr. Daszak and his organization conducted dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute for Virology, willfully violated the terms of a multi-million-dollar NIH grant, and placed U.S. national security at risk.”

More new information has come forward and these documents confirm that Dr. Fauci lied about Covid.  Sen. Rand Paul, who is a doctor, has been on this since the pandemic started and has sparred repeatedly with Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has continued to state the National Institutes of Health had nothing to do with any gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, despite what was done meeting their very own definition.  

“Newly obtained documents confirm yet again Fauci lied about COVID. Fauci’s NIH lab was a partner with Wuhan on a proposal to engineer a highly transmissible coronavirus in 2018,” Sen. Paul wrote on X/Twitter. “But he wasn’t alone, 15 government agencies knew about it and said nothing. Americans deserve answers.”  

Judicial Watch filed Freedom of Information Act request with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine what the agency knew and when they knew it regarding gain-of-research in China. It seems the FBI was informed in April of 2020 that this type of research might be being accomplished in China, funded by none other than Dr. Fauci’s former agency. Emails obtained about this research stated that such research could be done and “leave no signature of purposeful human manipulation.” 

The president of Judicial Watch, Tom Fitton, stated, “These smoking gun documents showed the FBI quickly understood that Fauci’s agency funded the gain-of-function research that could disguise the resulting coronavirus as ‘natural.’”

Because of earlier FIOA requests by Judicial Watch, the FBI had opened an “inquiry” into the bat coronavirus grant awarded to Wuhan Institute of Virology around May of 2020. In 2023 the FBI determined the most likely cause of the Covid-19 pandemic was an “accidental lab leak.”  

Not only was our government trying to downplay the origins of Covid, so was the Chinese government. Rather than trying to assist with determining how the virus came into being, the Chinese government continues to hide whatever truth on the origins existence by closing labs, shattering collaborations, and preventing Chinese researchers from leaving the country. The Chinese government went as far as to say the U.S. military brought the virus to China when the military games were held in Wuhan in October of 2019.  

Where does the truth lie? We may never get to it, but I’m banking on a lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which was known to have lax safety rules. And I also bank on the fact we paid for part of that research and even gave them coronaviruses to manipulate and genetically engineer. 

What about Dr. Fauci? Did he not in 2012 argue for the gain-of-function research on viruses “to increase their potency was worth the risk, even if the work could accidentally lead to a pandemic”? He did qualify his comment to indicate his support, as long as there was significant oversight—something it doesn’t appear the Wuhan Institute of Virology was capable of doing. 

Fear can be used as a weapon. That worked well the last time round. The government knew the truth about the origin of Covid back in April of 2020. The State Department concluded Covid came from a lab.  Did they share that with us?  No they backtracked and hid its tracks.  

Jeff M. Smith, in his article for RealClearWorld, stated that the origin of Covid being in the wet markets “was always a lie; one of the most consequential lies of the 21st century.”  If truly evaluated, the lab leak theory was always more “compelling and has grown substantially more persuasive with time.” 

The truth continues to emerge.  You can’t shut it off.  You can choose not to believe it, much like the Flat Earthers did not believe the world was round. But bear in mind our government and the World Health Organization are already gearing up for the next “pandemic.” They seem to believe they can convince you of anything since they were so successful four years ago.

There are those of us who continue to roll up our sleeves, injecting an unknown “vaccine” into bodies that was never completely tested.   

U.S. Navy Captain (ret) Charlie Plumb, a Vietnam prisoner of war, talks about the eight-foot cell he lived in for years and said the restrictions weren’t there. The restrictions are the eight inches between your ears. That set him free in a horrible environment where he lived for six years.  

Most of us don’t like to be told we were wrong. We try to twist and turn the truth to match our beliefs. I can only hope to educate you and provide you with the truths currently emerging. You can decide which prison cell you want to keep in your mind. Or let yourself be free. 

Linda Boyle, RN, MSN, DM, was formerly the chief nurse for the 3rd Medical Group, JBER, and was the interim director of the Alaska VA. Most recently, she served as Director for Central Alabama VA Healthcare System. She is the director of the Alaska Covid Alliance.

  

Watch video of vandal who painted over Bronson sign

A man with a bucket of white paint and a roller brush on a long handle painted over a Bronson for Mayor sign in Spenard early in the morning on May 8. He was caught on security camera, not unlike another Bronson sign vandal who was caught recently any who has now been arrested and charged with a felony.

The sign that was defaced Wednesday was on the side of the Carousel Lounge, a popular bar on Spenard Road.

Watch below as the man then sets his brush and bucket down behind a dumpster and then, masked up, skips away, perhaps to go vote for Bronson’s leftist opponent. The incident has been reported to police.

Security video from Carousel Lounge captures the perpetrator skipping away after getting rid of the paint and roller brush.

NANA Regional Corp. flips, withdraws support for Ambler Road

The Alaska economy received a blow on Wednesday. NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. announced its board of directors’ decision to withdraw from further involvement with the Ambler Access Project.

That means that the surface access permit that is held by Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, (AIDEA) will not be renewed this year.

“This decision reflects unmet criteria, insufficient consultation, and a lack of confidence in the project’s alignment with our values and community interests. NANA upholds a rich legacy of responsible resource development in our region, guided by a commitment to protect and advance our Iñupiat way of life. NANA established specific criteria required to consider supporting AAP [Ambler Access Project], including controlled access, protection of caribou migration routes and subsistence resources, job creation and community benefits. These criteria remain insufficiently addressed by AIDEA,” NANA said in a statement, adding that the project is not in the best interests of its Alaska Native shareholders.

The access is needed to get to a mining area that the state wants to develop to improve the economy of Northwestern Alaska.

In March, the Village of Hughes threw its support in for the project, passing a resolution that points out that it is one of the few communities that is located near the proposed road.

“This resolution acknowledges the high unemployment and expensive cost of living in the area and the potential benefits a limited-access road will enable for communities in Northwest Alaska. By backing the Ambler Road, Hughes Village recognizes the significant opportunities the project will bring, including local job creation nd lower cost of supplies,” the Village stated.

But NANA said, “We continue resisting attempts by the federal government to deny Alaska Native corporations’ control over our Indigenous owned lands and diminish our role in decision-making affecting our lands.

“Our Elders fought to retain our ancestral lands in the Upper Kobuk, emphasizing both their subsistence value and mineral resource potential. It is our responsibility to steward these lands for future generations,” said Gia Hanna, chair of the NANA board of directors. “All decisions about development on our lands need to be made by and with our people at the table. We intend to vigorously defend our right to pursue resource and infrastructure development in alignment with our values.”

“For more than 40 years NANA has successfully developed our resources alongside trusted industry partners in ways that respect our way of life and advance our region as a whole,” said John Lincoln, NANA president and CEO. “While NANA is disengaging from the AAP, we maintain our interest in future mineral development in the region that aligns with the expectations of our shareholders.”

It’s possible the only way left to get to the mining site will be to tunnel or put train tracks. The access to the site is guaranteed under federal law, and the state was promised access to its lands at Statehood. In any case, the Biden Administration unlikely to approve permits to the area that has the copper, zinc, lead, gold, silver, and cobalt deposits needed for the Biden “green energy” future.

Breaking: House Freedom Caucus endorses Nick Begich for Congress

The Freedom Caucus, the conservative group inside the Republican House Majority, came out with a stunning endorsement for Alaska’s only seat in Congress: Nick Begich III.

The caucus’ Freedom Fund made the announcement of its support of Begich as one of nine candidates around the country that it is endorsing in the 2024 election. Begich is making his second run for Congress and already has the endorsement of Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida, Congressman Scott Perry of Pennysylvania, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and a growing list of conservatives around the country.

Added to that list are Representatives Bob Good of Virginia, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Andy Ogles of Tennessee and about 41 Republicans altogether who are in the Freedom Caucus, whose members represent about one out of every 18 Republicans in Congress.

“Constitutional principles are the bedrock of our republic and are worth fighting for. I’m honored to have the support of HFF and to be among that group of conservative leaders who will work to ensure the American promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness endures for generations to come. I look forward to continuing to work hard to restore Alaska’s tradition of bold representation and to grow the Republican majority in the House.” Begich said, upon receiving the Freedom Caucus endorsement.

In addition to Begich, the other candidates endorsed today by the Freedom Caucus are:

Dave Williams (CO-05) Elsie Arntzen (MT-02) Rick Becker (ND-AL) Stewart Jones (SC-03) Adam Morgan (SC-04) Colby Jenkins (UT-02) Joe Kent (WA-03) Jerrod Sessler (WA-04). There are about a dozen other candidates who have been previously endorsed by the group, which has a political action committee, the House Freedom Fund, that will help in their races.

Begich is making his second run for Congress against the incumbent Mary Peltola, who has over $2.7 million in her war chest.

Bronson vs. LaFrance fundraising reports, and what about that illegal campaign coordination LaFrance has going with Planned Parenthood?

When it comes to balance, it’s not just about balancing out a left-wing Anchorage Assembly that seems determined to break the law and bust through the tax cap with the city’s budget.

There’s also the balance sheets in the Anchorage Municipal election runoff, which ends May 14.

The required seven-day reports filed at the Alaska Public Office Commission show that Mayor Dave Bronson’s reelection campaign has raised nearly $570,313, while Democrat-backed Suzanne LaFrance has raised $739,393.

But LaFrance has spent almost everything she has raised and has just $13,000 cash on hand, and she is nearly $84,700 in debt.

Bronson has about $134,000 cash on hand for the final six days of the campaign and has only $800 in debt.

She spent $35,000 on staff, while he has spent $8,000.

The cash and spending difference is stark, although LaFrance is getting help from the side with the major groups like Planned Parenthood, AFL-CIO, and NEA-Alaska, which are using their resources and union dues to work to take the mayor’s office. Bronson is getting nowhere near the help that LaFrance is getting from independent expenditure groups in this race.

However, LaFrance may be illegally coordinating with Planned Parenthood, which supports her. According to records, she not only attended a fundraiser put on for her by Planned Parenthood Votes Alaska on Sunday, her campaign paid money to promote the event on Facebook and elsewhere. It appears they coordinated expenditures for the event, and the candidate participated in the event. According to APOC, this is coordination between a campaign and an independent expenditure group, which is illegal.

The receipts appear to show that LaFrance, who is backed by the Alaska Democratic Party, violated the campaign law by advertising the event being put on by Planned Parenthood. The Bronson campaign was told by APOC that it was not allowed to coordinate in this way with independent expenditure groups.

Planned Parenthood event that the LaFrance campaign advertised on Facebook for the benefit of LaFrance.

David Boyle: There is no equity for more than 17% of Alaska’s students — the ones who are home schooled

By DAVID BOYLE

Superior Court Judge Adolf Zeman has kicked a hornet’s nest and those hornets, home school parents, are mad as hell. 

With his decision, Judge Zeman started a battle between parents who want the best education fit for their children and the education industry that wants to protect its institutional turf — the brick & mortar schools.

Home school parents are waking up to the facts. 

One judge with the flick of a pen did away with the pittance of financial assistance homeschool parents used to get. Now these parents understand that their children aren’t “worth” as much to the state when it comes to funding their children’s education.

The constant cry of equity from the teachers’ unions and school boards seems not to apply to homeschoolers. There is no equity in state financing of these correspondence students.

Here is one parent’s testimony to the legislature: “This bill does not pass the equity test. It clearly discriminates against one group of public — school children in an effort to defund and drain the correspondence programs.”

There are 34 correspondence/home school districts in Alaska. These districts provide educational choice for more 22,289 students this school year. 

This is more than 17% of the total K-12 students in Alaska. And it is with fear that school districts are seeing more parents opting for home school over their failing brick and mortar schools.  

The State saves lots of money by parents enrolling their students in a correspondence program. So, how are parents and their students being short-changed when it comes to funding from the State of Alaska?

It all comes down to the formula that funds K-12 education. Brick & mortar students end up being multiplied while correspondence students are reduced by 10%. That means a brick & mortar student is “worth” more than a correspondence student.

This is how the student counts compare for school year 2023-24 (ADM is the Average Daily Membership or actual student count, AADM is the Adjusted ADM):

BRICK & MORTARBRICK & MORTARCORRESPONDENCECORRESPONDENCE
ADMAADMADM90% ADM
105,986257,73522,28920,060

Some of the correspondence schools are part of the brick-and-mortar school districts while others are unique districts by themselves.

Another way to look at it is a correspondence student is only valued at 90% of the Base Student Allocation.  So, that student is only worth $5,364 and no more. But the brick & mortar student gets multiplicative factors such as, “special needs”, CTE, and intensive services that are in the funding formula.

Here is a listing of the correspondence schools with the largest student populations, the number of students, and correspondence student state funding only:

District *     # Correspondence StudentsCorrespondence Student State Funding ** 
Anchorage (3)*1,863$9,993,000
Galena (IDEA)7,215$38,701,000
Fairbanks (B.E.S.T)945$5,069,000
Kenai (Connections)1,104$5,922,000
MatSu (3)*3,155$16,923,000
Nenana (CyberLynx)1,860$9,977,000
Yukon-Koyukuk (Raven)3,188$17,100,000
Denali720$3,862,000 

(*indicates the district has more than one correspondence school).

 (**90% of the Base Student Allocation times the actual number of students). 

What would happen if the home school parents took all 22,289 of their children out of the correspondence programs?  Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, and the MatSu would lose about $38 million.

That is a very powerful number. And that threat by many home school families is valid. Here is a quote from a parent’s testimony to the legislature:

“There are many reasons we choose to homeschool. Should these changes pass, we will not be putting our kids in brick-and-mortar schools, or even the correspondence schools with these unfathomable changes to the AK constitution. I will independently homeschool. I will say again, the government doesn’t own my children. Please, oppose SB 266 and HB400”.

Here’s one more chart that compares the per student costs for correspondence students versus the per student costs for brick & mortar students:

DistrictCorrespondence Per Student CostsBrick & Mortar Per Student Costs
Anchorage$13,207$16,689
Galena $4,512$5,869
Fairbanks$7,257$17,813
Kenai$10,476$19,860
MatSu$7,929$15,976
Nenana$5,910$8,570
Yukon-Koyukuk$6,691$13,190
Denali$5,486$11,844

As you can see, home school families save the State of Alaska tons of money while still tailoring learning plans to each individual’s needs. 

Hypothetically, if the correspondence program were discontinued and all the students joined the brick & mortar schools, then the State would have to come up with millions more dollars to fund those schools. Using the Anchorage per student cost that increase would be about $371,981,121.

And what would that number really be if the education industry’s chant of “raise the BSA” were to happen?

Home school parents have saved the State of Alaska millions of dollars over the years.

Home school parents have the power and leverage to control the outcomes in this battle for their children’s futures.

This is a battle for funding equity and parental choice which pits the education industry and the NEA-AK against parents.

Every one of the 22,289 correspondence students is not just a number. Every one is a person who wants a future where he/she can be prosperous, happy and a productive member of this great nation.

This parent’s testimony to the legislature sums up the feelings of most home school parents:

“I will not consider educating my children in our neighborhood schools and will not hesitate to remove my children from the public school system entirely in order to meet their educational needs”.

And one more parent’s testimony:

“Don’t let anti-homeschooling legislators and the teacher’s union damage educational freedom here in Alaska”.

You, too, can help decide who wins this battle.  Join the parents as the hornets that Zeman kicked now swarm to protect the home school programs in Alaska.

Contact your legislator on SB266.

Contact your legislator on HB400 and the constitutional amendment — HJR28.

David Boyle is the education writer for Must Read Alaska.

Pam Bondi on the STAND podcast with Tshibaka covers why the Trump trial is ridiculous

By KELLY TSHIBAKA

Several of the country’s top legal minds have come out against the newest lawsuit against Trump, labeling it everything from “ridiculous” to “an embarrassment”. Pam Bondi, who was part of Trump’s defense team during the first impeachment trial, is one of these legal minds. This week on STAND, with Kelly and Niki Tshibaka, Bondi offered her legal insight into the newest case against Trump. 

According to Bondi, these criminal charges against Trump are nothing but a farce.

“This is a case that the Justice Department years ago…declined to prosecute. The Southern District of New York also declined to prosecute. The statute of limitations…expired years ago.” Bondi explained.

In fact, because the statute of limitations had passed, “[The prosecution took] a misdemeanor, and they have to tack it on to thirty-four felonies just to make it within the statute of limitations so that they can bring this case years and years later.”

But that’s not the only legal embarrassment of the case.

“Now, Alvin Bragg and the New York DA, they come into this case, and they basically air-dropped a special prosecutor who is from the Biden Administration. You can’t make this up. I mean, it’s such a concerted effort to get Donald Trump”, Bondi pointed out.

Furthermore, Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, is a key witness against him in this case. The prosecution is blatantly violating attorney-client privilege, by compelling an attorney to testify against his client, severely infringing on Trump’s constitutional rights. 

This recent barrage of legal attacks has clearly been initiated for a more sinister purpose, according to Bondi, and the timing is intentional. Because of the criminal status of the lawsuit, Trump is unable to leave the courtroom. The result? He suffers on the campaign trail.

“Their case is falling apart, but they don’t care. The goal is to try to embarrass him and to have him sitting in a courtroom, which, they got him.” Bondi explained.

This “lawfare” that the Left has employed to hinder Trump’s ability to campaign in 2024 has so many legal contradictions, it’s a wonder it’s still permitted to be in court. However, there is some solace in the fact that the blatant tactics of the Left seem to be backfiring. Bondi talked with Kelly and Niki Tshibaka about how Trump is leading in polls nationally, including in toss up states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona, and Wisconsin.

Bondi also offered her insights into the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent hearing on President Trump’s immunity, having attended the arguments in person. She opined, “I think most likely what’s going to happen is they are going to rule that there is immunity but it’s going to be remanded back to the appellate court, back to the trial court, to make the determinations on what acts are immune and what acts are not immune.”

She made the astute observation that if presidential immunity is not protected, then subsequent administrations would prosecute prior administrations for policy decisions they opposed: Abraham Lincoln would have been criminally prosecuted for the Civil War, and Harry Truman would have been criminally prosecuted for dropping the atomic bomb in World War II.

When asked why Bondi supports Trump, she told a heart-gripping story about a boy who was about to pass away, and his last wish was to speak to President Trump. So, Bondi reached out to the President to see if it was possible.

“This little boy is about to die. All he wants to do is talk to you. So he calls me, ‘Pam. What’s the number? What’s the number, what’s the number We’ve got to talk to him.’ He writes the number down. He writes the number down himself–this is our world leader, when everything is going on in the world. And so he says, ‘Okay, I’ll call, let me call him.’”

To hear the rest of the heart-warming story about what happened when President Trump called the boy and what he did for him, check out the latest episode of STAND. You can also view the episode on YouTube, Rumble, and your podcast streaming platform.

Kelly Tshibaka is the host of the podcast, TV, and radio show STAND, and the 2022 Alaska Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. She co-hosts the show with her husband, Niki Tshibaka.

Michael Tavoliero: NEA’s grip on politics and classrooms is what’s in the way of a high-quality education in Alaska

By MICHAEL TAVOLIERO

National Education Association-Alaska, the Alaska education industry’s union, stands as the foremost advocate for its members’ rights and interests. Its membership includes educators and other school employees.

However, a critical constitutional conflict exists between this union and the State of Alaska concerning constitutionally prohibited sectarian control over the state’s education system.

While NEA-Alaska’s mission and vision statements ostensibly prioritize public education and the welfare of public-school employees, aligning with its role as a teachers’ union, they also reveal a distinct ideological stance lobbying its current control over Alaska’s public education system over alternative models such as private or charter schools and the state’s correspondence and home school programs. NEA-Alaska also aggressively lobbies its distinct ideological stance controlling budget and performance outcomes for the state and local school districts. 

The union’s vision statement boldly highlights its sway in state and local politics, endorsing candidates and influencing policy decisions. While political engagement might be expected of a union, it is not in itself a “political party” nor is it held to the same standards.

The extent to which NEA-Alaska aggressively shapes political outcomes underscores a concerted ideological agenda aimed at advancing specific educational policies and funding priorities to maintain hegemony and authority.

Furthermore, the vision espoused by NEA-Alaska accentuates the collective might of its members and its consequential impact on working conditions, instructional quality, and student outcomes. While empowering educators is a legitimate objective, the fervent pursuit of attaining the “best instructional conditions in the nation” and securing the “highest compensation packages” reflects a broader ideological ambition to reshape the educational landscape according to its own specific values and priorities.

This vision also outlines specific policies and practices, such as class size limits and curriculum development expectations, which, while potentially beneficial, are presented as components of a larger ideological agenda that favors certain educational approaches over others.

In essence, NEA-Alaska assumes the role of arbiter, determining winners and losers within Alaska’s educational system.

However, the Alaska State Constitution unequivocally asserts in Article VII, Section 1, that “Schools and institutions so established shall be free from sectarian control.”

But what precisely constitutes sectarian control?

According to the original constitutional delegates, led by R. Rolland Armstrong, the term encompasses any form of ideological control or influence that could compromise the neutrality and effectiveness of public education. It is imperative to ensure that public schools remain free from the sway of any particular religious or ideological group.

The debate surrounding the wording of the Enabling Act aimed to safeguard public education from undue influence. While proponents argued for including the term “or indirect” to prevent unintended support to religious or private institutions, opponents cautioned against overly restrictive interpretations that hinder providing services to all children for the public good.

Ultimately, the discussion highlighted the delicate balance between preserving the neutrality and integrity of public education while respecting individual rights and freedoms. The overarching objective was to establish a system prioritizing the educational needs of children while safeguarding against undue influence from any ideological or religious faction.

Constitutional delegate John Coghill’s failed attempt to include the “or indirect” language underscores this contention. His defense emphasized that public education is a state function and should not be encroached upon by any particular group, whether in the minority or the majority.

Thus, when considering sectarian control in the context of public education, it is crucial to recognize that it transcends religious influence to encompass any attempt to impose a specific ideology or agenda onto the education system.

In this debate, the concern extended beyond religious organizations exerting control over public schools to encompass any entity seeking to impose its ideological agenda. This could include political groups, special interest organizations, or any faction with a particular agenda, which maintained continuous control as NEA-Alaska has since the 1960’s.

The emphasis on maintaining public schools free from sectarian control arises from the imperative to preserve neutrality and impartiality in education. Allowing any single group to dictate curriculum or policies has marginalized certain students and stifled open discourse within schools, undermining the fundamental principles of democracy.

Therefore, the term “sectarian control” encompasses any effort to impose a specific ideology onto the public education system, regardless of its origin, be it religious or non-religious.

Conflicts between NEA-Alaska and the State of Alaska invariably stem from differing priorities, perspectives, and interests regarding educational governance, funding, and policies. These conflicts have been ongoing in ideological principles as highlighted by NEA-Alaska’s own website. Finding common ground necessitates constructive dialogue and collaboration to ensure that the educational needs of students prevail over ideological agendas or special interests, this however has not been the history of NEA-Alaska.

In conclusion, the influence wielded by NEA-Alaska raises grave constitutional concerns regarding sectarian control over Alaska’s education system. While the union champions the rights of educators, its extensive political involvement and ideological agenda pose a direct constitutional threat to the state’s mandate of ensuring neutrality and impartiality in public education through Article VII, Section 1 of Alaska’s Constitution.

Resolving this conflict demands a steadfast commitment to preserving the integrity and efficacy of Alaska’s public education system, safeguarding it from any influence or control that may compromise its mission of providing high-quality education for all students.

Michael Tavoliero writes for Must Read Alaska.

Legislature bounces Mike Porcaro off of Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission

Mike Porcaro, who has a popular afternoon radio show and has run an advertising firm for decades, was bounced from the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission by the Legislature. Porcaro was a nominee of Gov. Mike Dunleavy and has served on the commission for nine months.

In a joint session of the House and Senate, nominees to various boards and commissions came up for confirmation. Most of the governor’s appointees made it through. A few of the more politically charged ones did not. For example, Bob Griffin was not retained on the Alaska Board of Education, written about here in an earlier story.

At first, Porcaro made it through the nomination vote narrowly, 31-29, generally down party line, with Sen. Gary Stevens and Rep. Louise Stutes voting with the Democrats and Sen. Lyman Hoffman and Rep. Neal Foster voting with the Republicans. But then, Rep. Louise Stutes asked for a reconsideration, and Porcaro’s nomination failed on a vote of 30-30. On that second vote, Rep. David Eastman became a yes vote, while Foster voted no, and Sen. Lyman Hoffman at first didn’t vote at all, and then voted “no,” casting the deciding vote. Again, Stutes and Stevens voted with the Democrats.

Porcaro was criticized by some for not having prior commercial fishing experience. But Rep. Sarah Vance of Homer defended his service and said he had done an exemplary job and brought balance to the commission.

The commission issues permits and vessel licenses in both limited and unlimited fisheries, and provides due process hearings and appeals for disputes related to limitations on fishery participation.

Porcaro says it is not a requirement that a board member must have fished commercially, but that he gave it his all for the nine months he served on the board before Tuesday’s confirmation vote that went against him.

The Legislature also voted down the nomination of Mark Sayampanathan to the Alaska Workers Compensation Board. Again, several Republicans voted against the Republican governor’s nomination.

The joint session did confirm Barbara Tyndall to the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development, Donald Handeland was confirmed for another term on the Personnel Board, Robert Sheldon for another term on the Commission on Judicial Conduct, Marit Carlson-Van Dort for another term on the Board of Fisheries. Several other new and reappointments were confirmed, including Curtis Chamberlain to the Board of Fisheries, Emily Jackson-Hall to the Alaska Labor Relations Agency, Kayla Green to the Board of Marital and Family Therapy, Wendy Palin to the Barbers and Hairdressers Board, Kevin McKinley to the Barbers and Hairdressers Board, April Erickson to the Board of Nursing, Richard Larson to the Board of Parole, Carla Hebert to the Board of Pharmacy. Terrance Haas was confirmed as the Alaska Public Defender.

Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Torrence Saxe was confirmed as the successor to the lieutenant governor, should either Gov. Dunleavy or Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom leave office early. Emma Pokon was confirmed as the Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner, Cathy Munoz was confirmed as commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.