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Dunleavy, other leaders react to FBI raid on Trump’s house

Reactions from around the country on the FBI raid of Mar A Lago, updated at Must Read Alaska as they arrive:

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy: This raid on the 45th President’s home in Mar-a-Lago is very concerning, and should be concerning to all of us. This continues the politicization of the FBI against Donald Trump that started before he was even elected and continues to this day. Today’s action will only widen the divide in our country and further weaken trust in our Justice system. Presidents are elected by the citizens of this country, not by unelected bureaucrats using the FBI against their political opponents. This is smacks of Third World politics, and damages our standing in the world as a country that was founded on the rule of law.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy: Attorney General Garland: Preserve your documents and clear your calendar. When Republicans take back the House, we will conduct immediate oversight of this department, follow the facts, and leave no stone unturned. The Department of Justice has reached an intolerable state of weaponized politicization.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: The raid of MAL is another escalation in the weaponization of federal agencies against the Regime’s political opponents, while people like Hunter Biden get treated with kid gloves. Now the Regime is getting another 87k IRS agents to wield against its adversaries? Banana Republic.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio: It is disgraceful and unprecedented. The question is what comes next. We either have Republic or we don’t. If we do, the people who’ve politicized the FBI in recent years will face investigation and prosecution. Using government power to persecute political opponents is something we have seen many times from 3rd world Marxist dictatorships. But never before in America. After today’s raid on Mar A Lago what do you think the left plans to use those 87,000 new IRS agents for?

Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake: This is one of the darkest days in American history the day our Government, originally created by the people, turned against us. This illegitimate, corrupt Regime hates America and has weaponized the entirety of theFederal Government to take down President Donald Trump. Our Government is rotten to the core. These tyrants will stop at nothing to silence the Patriots who are working hard to save America. This is an incredibly horrendous abuse of power. If we accept it, America is dead. We will not accept it. The 10th Amendment can and will save our Republic and the road to stripping the Feds of power travels right through Arizona. We must fire the Federal Government. As Governor, I will fight these Tyrants with every fiber of my being. America — dark days lie ahead for us. May God protect us and save our Country.

Christina Pushaw, press secretary for Gov. DeSantis: Anyone who knows about my background before I came to Florida, will understand why the politicization of the FBI/DOJ, or even appearance of it, scares me more than anything else. We Americans like to tell ourselves “it couldn’t happen here” … until it happens.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” she said.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniels: Countless times we have examples of Democrats flouting the law and abusing power with no recourse. Democrats continually weaponize the bureaucracy against Republicans. This raid is outrageous. This abuse of power must stop and the only way to do that is to elect Republicans in November.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson: The search at Mar-a Lago of a former President is unprecedented & alarming.  We must see the probable cause affidavit before making a judgment. Normally that would be under seal but since Trump announced  the raid then the probable cause should be made public.

Lou Dobbs: The FBI and the DOJ have ruthlessly violated the Constitution and law in America. Joe Biden and Merrick Garland are no more than Marxist thugs, not public servants. They’re an outrage against decency, judgment, a former President, and the American people.

Glenn Beck: This is the act of a dictator of a Banana Republic. Republicans NEVER did this to Clinton, although perhaps we should have. With Joe & Hunter Biden paying zero consequence for his actions. This is shameful and MUST STOP. We don’t do this in America. Way over the line.

Mark Levin: The Biden Administration raid on former President Trump’s Florida home is a bald attack on our republic.  The Democrat Party is dragging us into the Third World.

Arizona Rep. Paul Goser: The FBI raid on Trump’s home tells us one thing. Failure is not an option. We must destroy the FBI. We must save America. I stand with Donald J. Trump.

Charlie Kirk: Pay very close attention to how every Republican reacts to this raid on Trump. Watch carefully.

Former RNC Chair Michael Steele: Trump failed to return classified docs requested by the National Archives. A federal judge issued a search warrant for probable cause of a crime. This is not some rando move by the FBI so you shitforbrains Republicans calling for “defunding the FBI”for once try to be less stupid.

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: DEFUND THE FBI!

Newt Gingrich: These people are bad people doing bad things and it’s time that we finally said that and actually do something about it.

Students for Trump founder Ryan Fournier: No matter how hard the Democrats, RINOs, or other Deep State actors try to stop Trump or the MAGA movement, they will not succeed. The people STAND with President Trump. This unlawful raid will only make him & his movement STRONGER.

Ohio Senate candidate J.D. Vance: Little to add on the details of the raid on Trump’s home: it is disgraceful and unprecedented. The question is what comes next. We either have Republic or we don’t. If we do, the people who’ve politicized the FBI in recent years will face investigation and prosecution.

Benny Johnson: Joe Biden is in charge of the DOJ. Joe Biden directed the DOJ to attack his political opponent. Joe Biden openly abused his power. Joe Biden is scared to death of Donald Trump. Joe Biden will lose. Joe Biden will be impeached for this.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem: The FBI raid on President Trump’s home is an unprecedented political weaponization of the Justice Department. They’ve been after President Trump as a candidate, as President, and now as a former President. Using the criminal justice system in this manner is un-American.

President Donald Trump, during a tele-rally for Sarah Palin: Another day in paradise. This is a strange day. You probably all read about it,

Steven Crowder: Tomorrow is war. Sleep well.

Anchorage health director Gerace resigns due to stroke

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson today accepted the resignation of Anchorage Health Director Joe Gerace, who is leaving because of severe health issues.

“Last week, I suffered a stroke while working and spent three days in the hospital as a result” said Gerace. “Today, after suffering another event, and being transported by ambulance to the hospital, I recognize the need to focus on my health first and foremost. I thoroughly enjoyed leading the Anchorage Health Department and it’s dedicated staff to help the residents of Anchorage, but my health and well being is my upmost priority right now. I want to thank the exceptional emergency responders at the Anchorage Fire Department and the hospital health professionals that have tended to me during both of these events.”

“Joe’s service to Anchorage and the Anchorage Health Department is greatly appreciated,” said Mayor Dave Bronson. “I will miss his dedication, hard work, and commitment to help our city’s underserved. Deb and I are praying for his complete recovery.”  

Anchorage Health Department Deputy Director Kim Rash will serve as the Acting Director until a Director is announced.

Breaking: Trump says Mar A Lago under siege by FBI

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Former President Donald Trump said today that the FBI has raided his home at Mar A Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. The FBI had a search warrant and even broke into his safe, Trump said.

The FBI is acting on behalf of the Justice Department, which is apparently investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 surge into the nation’s Capitol, as well as whether Trump tried to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, vice chair of the House select committee investigating events of Jan. 6, has urged the Justice Department to prosecute Trump for crimes allegedly committed during the the rally that turned riotous as the Senate was preparing to certify the election.

“After working and cooperating with the relevant government agencies, this unannounced raid at my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Trump said in his statement.

“…my beautiful home Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida is currently under siege, raided and occupied by a large group of FBI agents,” Trump said. He was not at home at the time of the raid.

Trump has been crisscrossing the country, speaking on behalf of many candidates and conservative causes, and pumping up his visibility in advance of what many expect will be a run for the presidency in 2024.

His full statement:

Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America

“These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-A—Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents. Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before. After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate. It is prosecutorial misconduct, the weaponization of the Justice System, and an attack by Radical Left Democrats who desperately don’t want me to run for President in 2024, especially based on recent polls, and who will likewise do anything to stop Republicans and Conservatives in the upcoming Midterm Elections. Such an assault could only take place in broken, Third-World Countries. Sadly, America has now become one of those Countries, corrupt at a level not seen before. They even broke into my safe! What is the difference between this and Watergate, where operatives broke into the Democrat National Committee? Here, in reverse, Democrats broke into the home of the 45th President of the United States.”

Rollback to Trump-era pricing: Big Mike’s Tesoro is site of two-hour event when price of a gallon will drop to $2.38

Americans For Prosperity Alaska State Director Bernadette Wilson announced Monday that the organization will be helping Alaskans out with their transportation costs on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Big Mike’s Tesoro, 7201 Jewel Lake Road.

Her nonprofit organization will be paying the difference between the price at the pump on Tuesday and the price that gas was when Joe Biden took over as president in 2021. Those drivers coming by to fill up their tanks will pay just $2.38 a gallon.

It’s part of the group’s “True Cost of Washington” tour of the 50 states, and it’s finally Alaska’s turn. Recreational vehicles and gas cans will not be allowed in the event — this is for cars, trucks, and motorcycles only, Wilson said. And the event lasts just two hours.

“Let’s get as many cars through as we can, like a NASCAR pit stop,” Wilson said. There are no gimmicks and it’s not a political event, she added.

In all other states AFP has had similar price rollback events, bringing down the price of gas to point out the problems with inflation-driving policies in Washington, D.C. Drivers can expect a long line, and Wilson advises families to pack some snacks.

Last month hundreds of cars waited in line in Davenport, Iowa, where a “True Cost of Washington” event occurred.

While prices are coming down from the high of about $5.79 in Anchorage last month, they’re still double what they were before Biden came into office.

Find out more at this link.

Must Read Alaska’s Suzanne Downing interviewed Wilson on Monday afternoon on Facebook.

U.S. Senate candidate Shoshana Gungurstein an actress? Is she a fake candidate?

One week before the Alaska Primary election, candidate Shoshana Gungurstein has been exposed as probably a fake candidate, but one who is most certainly on the ballot for U.S. Senate, along with 18 others, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Gungurstein’s real name appears to be Shoshana Chagall, a Hollywood actress with a long list of credits in fantasy films.

Suspicions about Gungurstein, who is nonpartisan, had arisen over recent weeks in political circles. She had not applied for a Permanent Fund ever, and she was first registered to vote in Alaska in April of 2022.

Her address is at a bed and breakfast establishment in Juneau, and a post office box. Beyond that, she has no internet history as a Gungurstein. She has left no trace. Finally, an Alaska political blog took the plunge and called her out as a fake candidate.

Gungurstein has sponsored the Must Read Alaska Show for the past several weeks. Her ad appears on the Must Read Alaska home page and she paid promptly. Gungurstein was featured on the Must Read Alaska Show several weeks ago. She has yard signs in Juneau and a few in Anchorage. Gungurstein has been in parades, and last week attended at least one event in Anchorage, an instructional seminar on Ranked Choice Voting by Americans For Prosperity Alaska.

She voted as a Gungurstein, which means she had enough identification to get a voter registration card. As a candidate, she has amassed over $29,000 in contributions, mostly from out of state, but also over $16,000 loaned by herself to her campaign.

Anyone from any state can apply and run as a candidate in any federal race for any state. Vic Vickers of Florida ran in Alaska in 2008 against Sen. Ted Stevens. He had only moved to Alaska that year for the purpose of running for Senate. He quickly moved back to Florida.

Attempts to reach Gungurstein for comment were unsuccessful. Attempts to reach the Division of Elections to get more information about how Gungurstein ended up on the ballot were unsuccessful.

Read more about Shoshana Chagall at this link.

Visit her Federal Elections Commission financial statements here.

Anchorage School Board will add ‘land acknowledgement’ requirement to weekly classroom rituals

The Pledge of Allegiance is supposed to start the day for students in the Anchorage School District, although some teachers ignore it. Now, the Anchorage School Board’s Governance Committee is considering adding a “land acknowledgement” as a required performative ritual.

The proposal has been discussed since at least March. Sponsored by School Board President Margo Bellamy and member Carl Jacobs, it is on track for approval this month, before the start of the school year.

The land acknowledgement statement would be required at the beginning of certain official events: Before school board meetings, commencement ceremonies, regional or state competitions or events, and professional conferences, a full land acknowledgement statement will be required to be read aloud.

At the start of every school week, at athletic competitions, before intramural school events, and at regular gatherings, an abbreviated land acknowledgement will be read to express “collective values.” For instance, before a school play or concert.

A land acknowledgement is a political statement that forces people to confess that they are colonizers and that the land they are on belongs to someone else — tribes, ancestors of original settlers. Others are simply “visitors from elsewhere.”

Some schools in the district ignore the requirement that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited. That district rule, which has been on the books for years, says, “The Pledge of Allegiance will be held as an opening ceremony at all ‘formal’ assemblies involving resource speakers and visitors.  The principal and faculty should determine when the Pledge should be held for other assembly meetings. The Pledge of Allegiance shall be recited daily at the start of the school day. It is the expectation that an opportunity shall be provided for all students and staff to salute the flag with the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements daily. Students or staff exercising their right to not participate in the flag salute must demonstrate respect and courtesy, whether standing or seated.”

School Board member Dave Donley, the lone conservative on the board, has visited schools in the district and has said during school board meetings that some teachers are ignoring the Pledge of Allegiance. At the very least, he knows of schools that do not broadcast the Pledge over the loudspeaker, so there is no way to know if it is being done in individual classrooms.

The most recent Governance Committee meeting where the land acknowledgement is discussed is at this link:

The draft of the land acknowledgement resolution includes:

“This Resolution recognizes the importance of honoring and recognizing the traditional lands of the Dena’ina People, discusses a historical and researched take on the values and uses of a Land Acknowledgement, and offers a non-exclusive list of occurrences when the official Land Acknowledgement statement should be read.

Whereas a Land Acknowledgment opens the opportunity to establish meaningfully aligned values with the contributions, innovations, and contemporary perspective of Indigenous peoples; and

Whereas a Land Acknowledgement is an actionable statement that marks our collective movement towards decolonization and equity; and

Whereas these lands and waters have been cared for and continue to be cared for by the Dena’ina people through traditions passed from generation to generation, and since the late 19th century, the Dena’ina homeland has been subject to the greatest settlement, urbanization, and population growth of any Alaska region; and

Whereas the Eydlughet and K’enakatnu Tribes have lived and subsisted on the lands and waters between the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains for thousands of years, long before Anchorage was “founded” and developed by visitors from elsewhere; and
Whereas a Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement recognizing shared values between the Anchorage School District and the traditional Indigenous relationship with the land5 that should avoid metaphorizing or tokenizing; and

Whereas a Land Acknowledgement is done in ceremonies where outside stakeholders are invited to gather to collectively express shared values, shared commitment, and mindfulness of decolonization; and

Whereas a Land Acknowledgement requires diligent and intentional mindfulness of what is being said, otherwise it turns the ongoing relationship between land and Indigenous values into an “empty gesture” to “honor … this century’s mascot”; now, therefore

The Anchorage School Board resolves that as of the date of approval for this resolution, that all Anchorage School District schools and programs will honor, acknowledge, and respect the unceded Dena’ina lands during public gatherings and will be expected to use a Land Acknowledgement for all gatherings open to the public including but not limited to the starts of school weeks, athletic competitions, and intramural school events.”

The Governance Committee is preparing to move the land acknowledgement requirement to the full School Board soon. The next Governance Committee meeting is at 1 pm on Aug. 10, with information about how to watch it at this link.

The next regular School Board meeting is at 6 pm on Aug. 16, with information about it at this link.

What is a woman? Senate Democrats reject Rubio amendment defining pregnancy as unique to bio females

All 48 Senate Democrats and the two independents in the Senate Democratic Caucus voted down an amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act that would have created a federal definition that pregnancy is unique to biological females. 

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida introduced the amendment during the 15-hour amendment vote-a-rama to the Democrats’ $749 billion climate and tax bill that passed the Senate on a party-line vote, expanding taxes on Americans and increasing the Internal Revenue Service workforce by more than double.

Random amendments such as the one that Rubio offered are done to pin opposing party members down on controversial subjects.

In introducing his amendment, Rubio, a Republican, said, “The only people capable of being pregnant are biological females, and therefore, I think federal pregnancy programs should be limited to biological females, and that’s what this would do. A few minutes ago, I looked back across 5,500 years of human history, and so far, every single human pregnancy has been biological female. And therefore, the only thing I’m trying to do is make sure that federal law is clear, since every pregnancy that’s ever existed has been in a biological females, and that our federal laws reflect that pregnancy programs are available to the only people who are capable of getting pregnant — biological females.”

All Republican senators voted for the amendment, including Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. With a 50-50 tie, Vice President Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote against the amendment would state in law that pregnancy programs are for biological females.

Commenting on the Democrats’ rejection of his amendment, Rubio said, “Federal funding should reflect reality: Only women can get pregnant. Unfortunately, it looks like my Democrat colleagues don’t trust ‘the science’ after all.” 

Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington State, took the lead position against the amendment.

“Mr. President, let’s be clear about what’s going on here. This is a procedural attempt by Republicans to derail our ability to get this bill across the finish line and deliver for families in our country. It’s actually outrageous that Republicans are trying to talk about pregnancy when in this country right now they are forcing women to stay pregnant no matter their circumstances, pushing cruel and extreme abortion bans. Republicans are now resorting to tactics like this to distract from the fact that they don’t have any serious concerns for working so hard to oppose this bill that lowers costs, lowers emissions, and lowers the deficit.”

Seriously. CDC says gays should stop banging random strangers to flatten the monkeypox curve

The CDC has spoken, and has advice for people with overactive sex lives: Slow down.

In published government advice that covers everything from masturbation to fetish toys, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advice for the gay community, and we quote it here, unedited:

Make a habit of exchanging contact information with any new partner to allow for sexual health follow-up, if needed.

Talk with your partner about any monkeypox symptoms and be aware of any new or unexplained rash or lesion on either of your bodies, including the mouth, genitals (penis, testicles, vulva, or vagina), or anus (butthole). If you or your partner has or recently had monkeypox symptoms, or you have a new or unexplained rash anywhere on your body, do not have sex and see a healthcare provider. In some cases, symptoms may be mild, and some people may not even know they have monkeypox.

If you or a partner has monkeypox or think you may have monkeypox, the best way to protect yourself and others is to avoid sex of any kind (oral, anal, vaginal) and kissing or touching each other’s bodies—while you are sick. Especially avoid touching any rash. Do not share things like towels, fetish gear, sex toys, and toothbrushes.

Even if you feel well, here are some ways to reduce your chances of being exposed to monkeypox if you are sexually active:

  • Take a temporary break from activities that increase exposure to monkeypox until you are two weeks after your second dose. This will greatly reduce your risk.
  • Limit your number of sex partners to reduce your likelihood of exposure.
  • Spaces like back rooms, saunas, sex clubs, or private and public sex parties, where intimate, often anonymous sexual contact with multiple partners occurs—are more likely to spread monkeypox.
  • Condoms (latex or polyurethane) may protect your anus (butthole), mouth, penis, or vagina from exposure to monkeypox. However, condoms alone may not prevent all exposures to monkeypox since the rash can occur on other parts of the body.
  • Gloves (latex, polyurethane, or nitrile) might also reduce the possibility of exposure if inserting fingers or hands into the vagina or the anus. The gloves must cover all exposed skin and be removed carefully to avoid touching the outer surface.
  • Avoid kissing or exchanging spit since monkeypox can spread this way.
  • Masturbate together at a distance without touching each other and without touching any rash.
  • Have virtual sex with no in-person contact.
  • Consider having sex with your clothes on or covering areas where rash is present, reducing as much skin-to-skin contact as possible. Leather or latex gear also provides a barrier to skin-to-skin contact; just be sure to change or clean clothes/gear between partners and after use.
  • Be aware that monkeypox can also spread through respiratory secretions with close, face-to-face contact.
  • Remember to wash your hands, fetish gear, sex toys, and any fabrics (bedding, towels, clothes) after having sex. Learn more about infection control.

The complete advice from the CDC can be found at this link.

Notes from the trail: Valdez Gold Rush Days, Metlakatla Founders Day

There are just eight days left before the end of the Alaska primary and special general election. Some of the candidates are running hard through the tape, and some are barely running.

Valdez had a rainy start to Gold Rush Days. The rain let up on Sunday morning, but it’s pouring Sunday afternoon and everyone is hunkered down under the tents.

Kelly Tshibaka, running for U.S. Senate, was in Willow on Saturday for a mix-and-mingle event. She held a town hall meeting in Valdez later Saturday, with about 25 people in attendance, and was in the Gold Rush Days parade on Sunday. Tshibaka, the strongest candidate to take on Sen. Lisa Murkowski in years, heads back to Anchorage later Sunday.

Mary Peltola, running for Congress for the Democrats, went to Metlakatla for the Founders Day celebration and stopped in Ketchikan for the Blueberry Festival.

Nick Begich, running for Congress, was in Willow for a candidate event, and is in Valdez for Gold Rush Days. He’ll be in Fairbanks for a meet-and-greet on Monday.

There’s no sign of Sarah Palin in Alaska. Running for Congress against Begich and Peltola, she had spent some of the week in Texas and then disappeared from the public eye again.

Also spotted at the Valdez parade: Sen. Mike Shower and his Republican competition Doug Massie. Rep. George Rauscher also had a booth.

Bill Walker, running for governor, has been in Fairbanks campaigning and will then be in Seward Monday for a meet and greet at the Gateway Hotel. Then he’s back to Fairbanks for another meet-and-greet at an equipment rental company.

Les Gara, running for governor, will be in Dillingham on Aug. 9 at the boat harbor for a meet and greet on government property, but hopefully he won’t be fundraising on public property if he doesn’t have a permit. It’s kind of a gray area, but a Republican could not get away with that. On Aug. 11, Gara and his running mate will have a barbecue at a 10th Avenue home in Anchorage.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy was in his official capacity his his visit to Metlakatla in Southeast Alaska for Founders Day, marking the 135th anniversary of the town, and then he zipped up to Nome to examine the port, was in meetings with locals about national security and the Port of Nome, and discuss the landmark appropriation of $250 million recently obtained from the federal government for that deepwater project.

Republican Senate Majority fundraisers: Republicans in the Alaska Senate have a fundraiser honoring a life of service by Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer on Aug. 11 at Saint Coyote Restaurant in Anchorage. Lots of “who’s who” on the flyer as sponsors.

On Election Night, they have another fundraiser, but at Fat Ptarmigan Restaurant in downtown Anchorage, where Republican senators and their allies will wait for election results and raise money for the November election.

Endorsements: Republicans in District 34, Northeast Fairbanks, endorsed Nick Begich for Congress.

District 29 Republican Committee Endorsements

State House Nominee: George Rauscher

State Senate Nominee: Mike Shower

US Congress: Nick Begich III

US Senate: Kelly Tshibaka

Rep Rauscher’s Endorsement of Governor Dunleavy

Alaska Republican Party Endorsements

US Congress: Nick Begich III

US Senate: Kelly Tshibaka

Governor: Mike DunleavyCharlie Pierce

State House: George Rauscher

State Senate: Mike Shower

Campaign springs to life for Andrew Satterfield: Don’t write off the arguably nicest, most normal and balanced candidate for Senate Seat J — Andrew Satterfield. While Democrats battle it out between the hardline partisans Forrest Dunbar and Geran Tarr, Satterfield is a normal human, a family man, a small business owner, and a proud, lifelong Alaskan who believes in the powerful opportunities our country has made available to every American. His website is up and running at http://satterfieldforstatesenate.com.

Spotted at a block party in East Anchorage, Stanley Wright, running for House District 22. (Also spotted, Stephanie Taylor and Nick Begich.)