It is official, today Mark Begich announced that he is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Ted Stevens.

Follow me below the fold for a little history of Alaska politics.

First, just let me say that I hate to even say or write the name of Rush Limbaugh. I heard him on the radio ONCE more than ten years ago and made it a point to never be within earshot of the spewage that comes forth from his facial orifice.

That said, I am compelled to write a few lines about a brave young Yup'ik girl from Western Alaska. You may ask, why is she brave and where does Rush fit into this diary?

Take the leap....

Readers of DKos have seen more than one 9/11 conspiracy theory surface on these pages. And there have been a few diaries questioning why conspiracy theory diaries are not allowed. Would it have to do with something about lack of evidence?

Take the jump...

Driving home tonight and I hear on NPR that executive priviledge is on the march......

The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Alaska's sole representive, Don Young (R) is under criminal investigation for his ties to oil field contractor Veco.

Follow me below the fold..

Kryptonite discovered in a mine in Siberia. Implications for Democrats and Superman debated.

Ninety two years ago tonight, Christmas Eve 1914, along the British section of the Western Front a remarkable thing happend. Men who had been shooting at one another across a "no-mans land" sometimes only thirty yards wide, quit shooting. Carols were sung and good cheer was yelled from the German side to the British and back again. Men who had been trying to kill one another the day previous, emerged from their trenches and met in good cheer and comraderie.

How did such a wonderous thing happen in such a terrible war? Follow me for a Christmas story......

my adopted home. I arrived in Alaska 23 years ago after a six week road trip from Colorado where I was living with my brother after the break up of my marraige. Alaska was the end of the road for those of us who left "America"(it also wasn't a Republican stronghold in those days, but that is another diary). Like many people who ended up here I was seeking a little adventure and had a long fascination with the idea of Alaska.

I have been a follower of Daily Kos for a few years. Once I overcame my initial bashfulness about a year and a half ago I became a member. Since then I have taken part in many discussions and you know what I have learned...
follow me to the flip

Paul Krugman and Stuart Butler went at it hammer and tongs on today's Fresh Air with Terry Gross.

more below the fold..

So the msm danced around the Gannon story and we had to be happy with the editorial pages picking up the scent. Well, a couple weeks ago Harry Shearer had a field day with the Gannon story (Gannon at Harryshearer.com Feb. 20) You gotta listen to it, classic radio. (Sorry couldn't link the audiofile)
Saturday David Horsey summed up the WH newsroom with this cartoon in the Seattle PI: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?id=1173
Today (it is Monday the 14th of March here in Alaska) it is Doonesbury http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/
I say, "Pile on however you can" and keep the story rolling.

Once upon a time common political wisdom had it that if the late night talk shows parodied a polictitian on a regular basis that was pretty much the kiss of death. Gerald Ford was doing fine until he stumbled on the stairs of Air Force One (not to mention his white socks). Johnny Carson had a great time with that. Ford lost to Carter.

 Since everything is parody these days that adage has become as quaint as the Geneva Convention. However, last week on Le Show, Harry Shearer brought up the Gannon affair but only touched on it. As I expected, he had a hey day with old Jeffey Boy last night.  
More below the fold