MEETING WITH DARFUR REFUGEES

Met today with refugees from Darfur, at a get together at the Park Strip in Anchorage. Their stories are remarkable. It's a miracle any of them survived the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Think we have problems in the USA? Think again!

I was able to get Governor Palin's bill passed out of my House State Affairs Committee to divest Alaska investments in Darfur. The US Congress has declared a genocide in Darfur, so did former President Bush, and President Obama when he was in the US Senate. The bill resides now in the House Finance Committee where, hopefully, it'll receive a hearing next session. I have my own Darfur investment bill, but have given priority to the governor's bill.

Fellowship with the Darfurians included sharing aseeda, topped with beef and sauce. Rep. Pete Peterson joined in our meeting.

THIS WEEK'S "THAT'S INCREDIBLE AWARD"

During a White House CNBC television interview on Tuesday, a fly intruded on President Barack Obama's conversation with the correspondent.

"Get out of here," our president ordered the pesky fly. The fly continued to do what flies do - so Mr.Obama waited for the fly to come in for a landing - and whacked it dead with his hand. "Ready, Aim, Whack."

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has asked President Obama (“The Flyswatter-in-Chief”) to be more humane next time he’s bugged by a fly. Ergo, PETA wins my “That’s Incredible Award.”

TWO TV INTERVIEWS AND "NEW ANCHORMEN."

First: I was interviewed by Anchorage Channel 2 NBC tonight about the today’s US Supreme Court decision on post-conviction DNA testing. Basically, the Court ruled there is no Constitutional right to the testing, but that states can write laws to require such testing. I’ve already done that, and they’ll be hearings on my bill when the legislature reconvenes in January. Forty-seven other states already have legislation similar to mine. Fact is, if a wrongfully convicted, innocent person is in jail, a guilty person is loose and walking down the street someplace. Guilty people need to be in jail. Innocent people need to be set free.

Second: I was interviewed by Anchorage Channel 11 CBS news about my pending legislation to make ethics complaints more ethical - see press-release on the blog below.

After the Channel 11 interview, Scotty the cameraman graciously allowed my grandkids Simon and Ethan Lynn to tour the studio - and even sit behind the news desk as “anchormen.” Simon and Ethan are 2/19th of our grandchildren. Their dad is a teacher at South High. Their mom is a teacher at Goldenview Middle School.

PRESS RELEASE

LYNN TO INTRO BILL KEEPING EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COMPLAINTS CONFIDENTIAL UNTIL INVESTIGATED

South Anchorage Rep.’s intent is to make the complaint process more fair

Thursday, June 18, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – House State Affairs Committee Chair Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage, plans to file legislation in January to revise procedures for ethics complaints filed against the Executive Branch of state government. “Ethics complaints should be ethical,” Lynn said.

“An ethics complaint filed against a legislator is confidential until it’s determined to have merit,” Lynn said. “If the complainant breeches confidentiality, then the case is dismissed.

“In contrast, if someone goes public with an ethics complaint against the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General or anyone in the Executive Branch before it’s determined to have merit, it is not dismissed. As a result, an unsubstantiated complaint can be all over the newspaper, TV, and talk radio before it’s even investigated. That’s not fair. It invites frivolous complaints by people with a political agenda, wasting public money and the time of everybody involved.”

If Lynn’s legislation passes, a complaint filed against someone in the Executive Branch would be as fair as it is in the Legislative Branch. Rep. Lynn drafted the bill independently of the Executive Branch.

The draft legislation awaits introduction in the coming second session of the 26th Legislature, set to convene January 19 in Juneau.

BOOSTER SEATS AND NEW PRISON

Alaska is a resource state, and children are our most important resource. That’s why I was happy to attend Governor Palin’s bill signing of new and better legislation that set better standards for children’s automobile booster seats. The ceremony took place at the Alaska Sales and Service car dealership in Anchorage.

Next stop was the groundbreaking ceremony for the Goose Creek Correctional Center prison, in the MatSu near Point McKenzie. The new prison will help give the prison space it needs to house those who haven’t learned to follow the rules of civilization. It will also allow us to bring Alaskan prisoners back toour state from the private prison in Arizona. In addition it will create some 700 Alaska jobs during construction, and 400 jobs when it goes into operation.

One photo shows Governor Palin looking at the new and better booster seats before signing the bill (You can see Todd in the background feeding little Trig Palin). The other photo shows the governor, shovel in hand and ready, breaking ground for the prison.

SPECIAL TREAT

I was honored to be invited tonight to the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games. Athletes will progress from state championships, to national, and then to the 2011 World Special Olympics at Athens, Greece. Anchorage is one of twelve Alaska communities that provide local athletic training for people, eight years of age and older, with intellectual disabilities - or as one Special Olympic athlete put it, “people with different abilities.”

An Anchorage athletic legend, Ma’o Tosi, founder of the very successful Alaska Youth Pride group, made some inspiring comments. One of Ma’o’s quotes is, “The more effort you put into being successful, the better chances you have of being successful.” Ma’o Tosi was Alaska Basketball Player of the year 1995, and a NFL pro football player.

Several legislators were present for the ceremonies. Our Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell announced the official opening of Alaska’s 2009 Special Olympic Games.

Photo shows Ma’o Tosi (left), and Lt. Governor Parnell (right).

A STEP FORWARD FOR THE GAS PIPELINE

I attended the news conference in the Governor’s Conference Room in Anchorage today. Big news! It appears a giant step forward has been made on the Alaska gas pipeline project. Exxon Mobile, the largest holder of North Slope natural gas (and one of the largest companies on the planet) announced it will be a minority partner with TransCanada to build a gas pipeline to the Lower 48. Congratulations to the hard working folks on our Alaska gas pipeline team!

Understandably, Governor Palin said the agreement is “very encouraging and exciting . . . “ I agree. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski called the deal a “major sign of progress. . . “ U.S. Congressman Don Young said, “I congratulate the Governor for her hard work on this gas pipeline project, and I applaud Exxon Mobile for joining in this partnership.” U.S. Senator Mark Begich commented, “Congratulations to the Palin administration for their persistence in getting Exxon and TransCanada together in this partnership.”

From what I can tell from other news quotes, most state legislators were positive or negative on today’s big announcement - depending on where they were with the governor, AGIA, and the TransCanada deal to begin with. One legislator said, "The devil may be in the details."

Whatever, the legislature is going to take a look and listen. A combined hearing of the House Resource and Energy Committees will happen on Monday, June 15th, to hear testimony from all the major players - the Palin administration, TransCanada, Exxon, as well as representatives of BP and Conoco-Phillips for the Denali Pipeline competitor. It should be an interesting meeting - and useful if participants are positive rather than negative.

From a perusal of public comments on the Internet, there’s lingering anger toward Exxon because of the oil spill from their Exxon Valdez tanker, Exxon’s resistance to reimbursing Alaskans for their losses from the spill, and tardiness in drilling at Point Thompson. Understood. But that was then, and this is now. We fought two wars with Great Britain. Now they’re our ally. Same with Germany. Thirty-six years ago I was rocketed in Vietnam, but this is 2009 and time moves on. Same same with Exxon. If Alaska can work constructively with Exxon, as well as TransCanada, to help bring the gas pipeline to fruition, we should look to the future - not in the rear view mirror and the past.

There will be only one gas pipeline built, and that's no sure thing. Hopefully, at some point all the players will come together, for the good of their business and our nation.

JUSTICE IS SUPPOSED TO BE JUSTICE

I hope I said it right during my Channel 11 CBS interview tonight about the shocking news from our federal Department of Justice. 

I was outraged this afternoon when news came that the United States Attorney General is requesting that former Representatives Pete Kott and Vick Kohring be released from prison because - once again - the federal Department of Justice allegedly withheld evidence that may have been helpful to the defense of the indicted. Unbelievable.  Justice is supposed to be justice.

This is America. Everyone deserves a fair trial: state representatives, US senators, you, me, the next person walking down the street, everybody. We need to trust the people we elect to public office. We also need to trust our Justice System.  First mud is thrown on every honest politician. Mud is being thrown on every honest member of the Justice Department. Mud is being thrown on the United States of America. Shame. 

The only thing I know about the culpability of the accused comes from what I’ve read in the media, and the videos from hidden cameras (which look pretty damning). From what I’ve seen and heard in the public arena, it appears to me some people were guilty as sin (or arrogant, stupid, and guilty). But I’m not on a jury. But if I were on such a jury, I’d want to see all the evidence before I cast a vote of guilty or innocent. That’s only fair. 

It appears some new trials may be in order - if that’s possible. The accused deserve justice. And so do the good people of Alaska. 

AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL REAGAN

Met Michael Reagan, President Reagan’s adopted son, last night. Michael Reagan has been hosting the Michael Reagan radio talk show for some time. He was introduced to the audience by Governor Sarah Palin. The governor was introduced by radio talk show hosts Rick Rydell and Eddie Burke. 

Both Michael Reagan and Sarah Palin struck strong conservative notes at the event. Predictably, their comments have already has caused great gnashing of teeth by some of my more liberal (excuse me, “progressive”) friends. Whatever happened to diversity and tolerance? 

Actually, most of Michael Reagan’s talk centered on the personal relationship between him and his dad. 

A touching moment was when Michael Reagan told us about how, at one time, his dad never said to him, “I love you.” Then he realized that he himself  had never told his father, “I love you.” With that insight, Michael summoned up his courage, went to his father and said, “Dad, I love you.” Ronald Reagan gave a big smile and said, “Well, son, I love you too!” - and hugged him. 

 

One time when Michael was leaving his dad’s home, toward the end of the president’s life, Michael forgot to give the hug and say “I love you.” Looking back toward the house, Michael saw his dad standing at the doorway, arms held out ready to embrace. Of course, his son rushed back to his dad. Michael made the point that though his father didn’t recognize him because of advanced Alzheimer’s dementia, he still remembered to hug his son and say “I love you.” But that he,a man without Alzheimer’s, had forgotten. A touching story. A story I'll remember, long after I forget the evening’s political jabs and thrusts.  

Also in attendance at the Michael Reagan event were Lt. Governor Sean Parnell, former Lt. Governor Loren Leman, and many of my other friends.