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Emmer is nominee for Speaker

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Emmer is nominee for Speaker

By CASEY HARPER | THE CENTER SQUARE

U.S. Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., is the latest to emerge as Republicans’ nominee to be the next House speaker, after a series of votes Tuesday by the GOP caucus behind closed doors.

Emmer faces an uphill battle getting the needed 217 votes on the House floor as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan failed before him already this month.

Nine Republican lawmakers had thrown their hat in the ring to become speaker, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said Sunday.

“Today at 9 am, I will gavel in the House GOP Organizing Conference for the purpose of electing a Speaker. Each candidate will be nominated by one colleague,” Stefanik wrote Tuesday morning on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Some candidates withdrew their name from the race. U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Penn., said late Monday he was withdrawing from the race.

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., made the same announcement Tuesday morning.

“I will work with the next speaker on the ideas I have laid out so Congress can come together and do the job the American people sent us here to do,” Palmer wrote on X. “With this in mind, I am withdrawing my name from consideration for Speaker.”

With Rep. Jim Jordan out as Speaker, might this UAF alumnus score the seat?

The speakership race has led to more division and rancor in the Republican party, meaning whoever does win the speakership will have a tough road ahead of them to fund the government by the mid-November shutdown deadline.

Congress also faces ongoing calls to send funds overseas to help Ukraine and Israel in their respective wars.

The initial nine candidates in the race were as follows:

  • Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich.
  • Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.
  • Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.
  • Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla.
  • Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.
  • Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Penn.
  • Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala.
  • Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga.
  • Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas

If any nominee fails to get the votes, one of these could likely be next in line to give it a shot, and so on. The House has gone about three weeks without a speaker.

“The American people elected us to deliver on a conservative agenda that secures our border, stops reckless spending, and holds Joe Biden accountable,” Emmer wrote on X earlier this week. “We cannot afford to fail them. I’m running for Speaker of the House to bring our conference together and get back to work.”

House committee to Lloyd Austin: What’s with the American weapons Hamas has in its possession?

Suzanne Downing
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House committee to Lloyd Austin: What’s with the American weapons Hamas has in its possession?

House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer has asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to explain to the American people the use of American weapons by Hamas in its guerrilla war against Israel.

The letter asks Austin to appear on before the committee to discuss reports that U.S. arms are making their way into the hands of terrorists around the world.

Comer of Kentucky and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia opened a probe into the Department of Defense’s processes and policies to ensure that American military aid and weapons are properly distributed and used abroad.

“The Committee is concerned by reports that Hamas and other terrorist organizations may have obtained American-made weapons,” wrote the lawmakers. “Recently released photos show Hamas terrorists allegedly holding what appear to be M4A1 Carbines, which were specially designed for U.S. Special Operations Forces. This would not be the first time our military service members and allies have been targeted by terrorist organizations misappropriating American-made weapons.”

Previously, the Central Intelligence Agency reportedly provided Stinger Anti-Aircraft Missiles to the Afghan Mujahideen, which were later obtained and utilized by the Taliban. More recently, the Taliban released videos and photographs in 2021 of their members flying a U.S. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

A recent Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine report alleges that Russian intelligence has repurposed weapons seized during the Ukraine-Russia war, which were manufactured in the United States and the European Union.

An Israel Defense Forces commander echoed concerns in June 2023, stating that Palestinian groups in the Gaza strip possessed U.S. weapons seized by the Taliban during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

“The Committee seeks transparency as to how the DoD ensures that military aid, including American-made small arms, are being carefully distributed, safeguarded, and tracked abroad to prevent further incidents,” Comer and Greene’s letter said.  “The potential possession of U.S. weapons by terrorists is alarming in light of the terrorist group’s recent horrific attack on Israel.  Therefore, the Committee seeks a staff briefing on DoD procedures for preventing, addressing, and mitigating weapon diversion abroad.”

Read the letter to Secretary Austin here.

Dave Donley: School district persists in keeping secrets from parents

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
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29
Dave Donley: School district persists in keeping secrets from parents

By DAVE DONLEY

At the Anchorage School Board Sept. 19 meeting, over 20 community members and parents testified for parental rights and against current the district guidelines that discourage the district staff from advising parents when their middle or high school students decide they want to be called by a different name or gender pronoun.

In response to this public concern, I submitted a school board resolution to the School Board president to adopt a board policy that overrides existing administrative guidelines by reversing the current presumption against notifying parents of secondary students regarding pronoun and gender status changes.  

At the Oct. 12 meeting, I sought co-sponsors for this resolution. So far, I have had no support from other board members. Current Anchorage School Board rules are that for a resolution to be considered by the full board it must have at least two board members supporting it. My resolution currently has just one sponsor -– myself.

Federal law prohibits school districts from not providing parents with accurate and full information about their students. In Anchorage, the guidelines recommend just not telling the parents when it happens. If a parent does happen to ask, the district must tell them the truth about student names, pronouns, and gender selections. 

It is important not to refer to the current Anchorage School District administrative guidelines regarding gender identity as “policy.”  Only the School Board can adopt policy.  

Additionally, all administrative regulations must be based on board-adopted policy and be published under the policy they are based on. These gender “administrative guidelines” are neither and have never been voted on by the Anchorage School Board.

Specifically, the current administrative guidelines in regard to secondary students, Section XIV B. reads: “Generally, notification of a student’s parent about his or her gender identity, expression or transition is unnecessary.”  

These guidelines can be found on the ASD Website / Departments / Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement / Students-Title IX / More about Title IX / Transgender Guidelines / Administrative Guidelines: Working with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students and Employees. 

Simple to find? They are not. You have to dig through many layers to get there. But now you have the direct link right here.

The ASD administration created a new department entitled: “Office of Equity and Compliance.” At the time, I opined that it sounded more like a bureau in the Soviet Union than an American school district.  It has since been renamed multiple times and is now called: “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement.”  It this within this department that these “administrative guidelines” exist.   

Some supporters of the “guidelines” have asserted they are consistent with board policy against discrimination.  This is an erroneousjustification, as these guidelines against notifying parents have no direct relation with even potential discrimination. In fact, other sections of the “guidelines” unfairly discriminate against biological girls in sports in direct violation of the Board’s anti-discrimination policy. That policy (BP 0410) clearly calls for “equal opportunity” and having biological boys competing against biological girls is scientifically not “equal opportunity.”

As a Board member I have inquired whether the administrative guidelines regarding working with transgender and gender nonconforming students and employees are inconsistent with current court decisions. 

As a Board Member I have inquired whether the administrative guidelines regarding working with transgender and gender nonconforming students and employees are inconsistent with current court decisions.

Based on its current legal guidance the Administration stated it will continue to await anticipated changes to federal Title IX guidance before proposing adjustments to the guidelines.

Dave Donley serves on the Anchorage School Board. This communication is from Dave Donley as an individual member of the Anchorage School Board and is not on behalf of or intended to represent the School Board or the Anchorage School District.

Rape down in Alaska: Report

Suzanne Downing
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20
Rape down in Alaska: Report

Rape decreased by nearly 6% in Alaska in 2022 — at least rapes reported to law enforcement.

The Alaska Department of Public Safety has released its 2022 Crime in Alaska Report and Alaska Felony Sex Offense Report.

Both reports show that property and violent crime statistics have dropped since 2018, after Gov. Mike Dunleavy took office and signed the repeal of SB 91, the Gov. Walker crime spree bill.

“In 2022, the overall number of crimes reported decreased by 1.6%. Additionally, the number of rapes reported to Alaska law enforcement decreased by 5.9%. The number of reported property crimes also decreased by 2.9%, continuing the decreasing trend that began in 2018,” the department said in a statement.

“Public safety has been my administration’s top priority since day one. We’ve made progress by giving Alaska law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to protect victims and bring those responsible to justice,” said Dunleavy.

“Alaska’s overall crime rate is down, property crime is down, and the rate of sexual assault is down significantly with Western Alaska seeing a decrease of close to 9 percent in felony sex crimes,” Dunleavy said. “The backlog of untested sexual assault examination kits is cleared and in the system. While there is still work to do, I will not take my foot off the pedal and will continue to increase the resources toward public safety, corrections, and prosecutors.”

The Uniform Crime Reporting Program is a nationwide effort by federal, state, city, county, and tribal law enforcement agencies that tracks data on crimes reported in their jurisdiction.

The report is a resource for measuring the trend and distribution of crime in Alaska. Under Alaska law, law enforcement agencies in Alaska are required to submit UCR data to DPS. In 2022, 30 agencies reported crime data to DPS. These agencies represent 99.3% of the state’s population. 2022 is also the second year that a significant number of agencies have participated in the federal National Incident Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, reporting model. This new reporting model captures additional details about the suspects and victims of crime to allow for additional data set tracking. 

“While the 2022 crime data continues to show decreasing crime rates in many categories, we also have significant work to do addressing violent crimes such as murder and aggravated assault,” stated Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell. “Your Alaska State Troopers will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to address crime across the state, so that every Alaskan feels safe in their community. “

The 2022 Crime in Alaska report was authored by the Alaska Department of Public Safety’s Division of Statewide Services. The Division of Statewide Services provides technical and specialized services to the Department of Public Safety and law enforcement agencies across the state. Past Crime in Alaska Reports and Felony-Level Sex Offenses reports can be found online here.

The UCR and Crime in Alaska reports are based on the Federal Bureau of Investigation UCR Program definitions of crimes to ensure consistency and uniformity in reported offenses nationally. These definitions do not always mirror state definitions; therefore, federal publications cannot accurately be compared to reports that use the state definitions for crimes as these are unique to each state.

Additionally, the population counts for Crime in Alaska come from the US Census.

Even with sanctions lifted by Biden, Venezuela oil remains muted

Suzanne Downing
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11
Even with sanctions lifted by Biden, Venezuela oil remains muted

Despite President Joe Biden lifting most sanctions on oil imports from Venezuela on Oct. 18, expectations for a significant surge in oil production by the country remains muted, according to the Energy Information Administration.

While the easing of restrictions opened doors for increased exports of the heavy, sour crude oil — of which there has been a recent shortage and notable price increase —Venezuela has been underinvesting and mismanaging its state-owned oil businesses for years and it is unlikely to be able to supply significant levels of oil to the U.S. in the immediate future, the EIA said.

Venezuela’s crude oil, once a staple in U.S. imports, witnessed a dramatic halt post-January 2019 due to the Trump Administration-sanctions on the socialist state oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PdVSA).

It was only in November of 2022 that the Biden Administration made concessions by granting Chevron waivers to resume exports from its joint venture operations in Venezuela. Subsequently, crude oil began flowing back to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries by January of 2023.

Earlier this month, Biden lifting most remaining sanctions, in exchange for the promise that Venezuela would have free and fair elections.

U.S. Gulf Coast refineries, particularly those under PdVSA’s U.S. subsidiary, Citgo, are set up for processing the heavy oil type that Venezuela produces. Citgo’s refineries, located in Lemont, Lake Charles, and Corpus Christi, boast a combined capacity of over 800,000 barrels per day.

However, a looming sale of Citgo’s assets on Oct. 23, intended to settle creditor claims against both Venezuela and PdVSA, might reshape the ownership dynamics of these refineries.

Historically, Venezuela’s crude oil production has seen a significant decline, tumbling from 3.2 million barrels per day in 2000 to 735,000 barrels per day in September. The South American nation now ranks as the 10th-largest producer in OPEC despite its abundant oil reserves.

Current EIA data from September indicates a dip in Venezuela’s oil production from its July high of 790,000 daily barrels. The drop is being attributed to a shortage of diluent, essential for processing the heavy oil.

With the sanctions now lifted, increased imports of diluents could offer a modest bump in output. A significant chunk of the anticipated growth is expected from Chevron’s joint ventures, with production forecasts reaching 200,000 b/d by the end of 2024.

Other ventures operated by ENI, Repsol, and Maurel & Prom might collectively add an additional 50,000 b/d in the near future, potentially taking Venezuela’s total output to roughly 900,000 b/d by 2024’s end.

Nevertheless, for Venezuela’s crude oil production to witness a more substantial and consistent increase, an injection of capital and regular maintenance of its aging infrastructure is considered essential. That appears to be unlikely, as Venezuela is not considered a stable investment.

Biden loosens more sanctions on Venezuelan oil, but there’s a catch

Sullivan in Tel Aviv: ‘Be warned, Iran’

Suzanne Downing
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Sullivan in Tel Aviv: ‘Be warned, Iran’

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan joined a bipartisan group of colleagues, led by Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin of Maryland, for a press conference Sunday in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The senators discussed their viewpoints after visiting Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Senator Sullivan warned Iran not to widen the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and condemned the vicious nature of the Hamas terrorist regime.

“Be warned, Iran, be warned,” Sullivan said. “There are so many U.S. senators on both sides of the aisle who view the terrorist leadership in Iran as the biggest malign threat in this region and in many ways, the world. And we won’t stand for you widening the war. We have military assets here and the United States is going to defend its friend and ally.”

Sullivan arrives in Middle East
Winter is coming: Will there be an OPEC oil embargo?

Terrorism watch: New Hampshire governor sets up own patrols of border with Canada

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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8
Terrorism watch: New Hampshire governor sets up own patrols of border with Canada

By SARAH RODERICK-FITCH | THE CENTER SQUARE

Citing inaction from the Biden Administration on the New Hampshire border with Canada, the governor of the Granite State is taking action.

A joint task force comprised of local, county and state law enforcement has been established to conduct patrols along New Hampshire’s border with Canada to combat threats and illicit activity.

Gov. Chris Sununu, Attorney General John Formella and New Hampshire Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn announced the establishment of the Northern Border Alliance Task Force today. The task force will perform patrols along the northern border to reduce crime, illicit activity, threat response and collect criminal intelligence in cooperation with federal law enforcement.

Sununu said the task force was needed in response to inaction to secure the northern border. He cited funding and lack of resources in his criticism of the federal government.

“The federal government refuses to take action on our northern border,” said Sununu. “They cut funding, limited our resources and have thrown their hands up. Without adequate federal support, the state is stepping up.”

The governor noted a disturbing growing trend among “encounters with individuals on the terrorist watch list” along the northern border land port of entries, which he says have doubled since 2017. Meanwhile, Sununu noted a decrease during the same period at the southern border land port of entries.

“In fact, just this year, 85% of all land border encounters with individuals on the terrorist watch list occurred on the northern border – while only 15% occurred on the southern border. In meeting with local law enforcement up north, it is clear we need more targeted resources,” the governor added.

The task force will be funded by the Department of Safety. It has more than $1.4 million in grant funds available to the State Police, Forest Ranger and the Fish and Game Department, in addition to local law enforcement agencies, and will be able to provide patrols within 25 air miles from the Canadian border.

“Our aim is to increase the presence and effectiveness of law enforcement in northern New Hampshire, particularly in communities in close proximity to the Canadian border,” Formella said. “Given the rural nature, expansive geography, and sparse population of northern Coos County, local law enforcement resources are extremely limited.”

The attorney general added the task force is anticipated to increase patrol hours by 10,000 through June 30, 2025.

“This will shorten response times to calls for service in the region, increase the effectiveness of crime detection and prevention in a remote area of the state, and enhance border security efforts,” Formella added. 

The task force will serve under the “general supervision and control” of the attorney general’s office, in accordance with a memo from Formella’s office. The task force will be implemented in two phases, with the first beginning immediately in participation with the State Police. The second phase is expected to begin on Nov. 16, when the Northern Border Alliance Program rules go into effect.

Highest number of known, suspected terrorists apprehended at U.S. borders
Border bad guys: Known terrorists crossing at record pace

Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot tried to shut down jet’s engines mid-flight

Suzanne Downing
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Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot tried to shut down jet’s engines mid-flight

On Sunday evening, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059, which flies from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. to San Francisco, was diverted to Portland after an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, who was in the jump seat of the cockpit, tried to shut down the engines mid-flight.

The off-duty pilot was subdued and forced out of the cockpit and into the cabin, while the pilot of the jet headed to Portland and called for law enforcement to meet the plane, which is also operated as a Horizon Air flight.

One Joseph David Emerson, 44, was booked into jail shortly after 4 a.m., according to Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office booking information, as reported by KATU in Portland, after being arrested by the Port of Portland Police Department. He faces 83 counts of attempted murder.

“We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit,” the pilot had radioed to Portland air traffic control. “It doesn’t seem like he’s causing any issue at the back. I think he’s subdued … Other than that, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked,” the pilot said.

Alaska Air Group said in a statement that it was “a credible security threat related to an authorized occupant in the flight deck jump seat. The crew secured the aircraft without incident. All passengers on board were able to travel on a later flight.” The passengers were given vouchers to fly later.

“We are grateful for the professional handling of the situation by the Horizon flight crew and appreciate our guests’ calm and patience throughout this event,” the company said.

The flight, which leaves Everett daily at 5:35 pm for San Francisco, had 80 passengers onboard, with two pilots and two flight attendants. It is routine for airlines to allow an off-duty pilot who is moving from place to place into the cockpit, where he or she sits just behind the captain and first officer who are flying the plane.

Alaska Airlines owns Horizon, which is a major air carrier in the Western United States and Western Canada, and Embraer jets are a typical size of aircraft flown by Horizon.

Passing: Vic Fischer, last surviving signer of Alaska Constitution, at 99

Suzanne Downing
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23
Passing: Vic Fischer, last surviving signer of Alaska Constitution, at 99

Victor Fischer, who was the last surviving member of the Alaska Constitution Convention, died on Sunday evening at his home in Anchorage after a long life and more recently, extended hospice care.

Fischer, who was 99, was born May 4, 1924, in Berlin, Germany and raised in Russia. His father was American and his mother was Russian. After slipping out of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, his family came to America in 1939, and he eventually moved to the territory of Alaska, where he was elected to the Constitutional Convention when he was just 31 years old.

Along the way, he had earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering at the University of Wisconsin, and an advanced degree from MIT.

Fischer was the University of Alaska’s first director of the Institute for Social and Economic Research, and actively participated in Alaska government and politics for over 50 years.

He was a territorial legislator, and after taking part in the creation of the state as a delegate in 1955 to the Constitutional Convention, was elected as a state senator. He remained engaged in state policy, local government, and Alaska-Russia issues and was a committed member of the Democratic Party. He earned his masters in public administration from Harvard University in the 1960s and in 2006 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from University of Alaska Anchorage. In 2012 he published his autobiography, To Russia With Love, co-authored by Charles Wohlforth.

Fischer is the last of a generation of statehood founders. Before he died, Katie Hurley, chief clerk to the Alaska Constitutional Convention, died Feb. 21, 2021 at the age of 99. Prior to her death, Lt. Gov. Jack Coghill, a delegate like Vic Fisher, died at age 93 in 2019.

“Vic Fischer’s life story reads like a real-life Forrest Gump, with appearances by Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Saul Alinsky and many more, together with everyone in the whole history of Alaska from statehood to the present day,” say the liner notes to The Great Alaska Show interview with Fischer in 2022. It can be heard at this link.

Indeed, Fischer was a committed politico of the Left. Just last year he believed that Rep. David Eastman, of Wasilla, should not be allowed to serve in the Legislature because he attended a rally in Washington. D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021 and stood outside holding a Trump flag. Eastman was put on trial in Alaska in 2022 due to his passive membership in the group called “Oathkeepers.” He prevailed, but the spectacle put a chill on Alaskans’ perception of First Amendment protections and whether they, too, could be hauled up in front of a judge just for expressing their beliefs.

“It’s so basic,” Fischer told Politico. “If somebody comes along and wants to destroy the constitutional structure of Alaska, they should not be elected to the Legislature.”

Vic Fischer’s birthday ‘bash’ of the governor
Breaking: Jack Coghill, ‘Mr. Republican,’ passes
Katie Hurley, clerk of Alaska’s Constitutional Convention, has passed

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