>In the lower 48 we have been given the impression that you all feel detached......which you are physically.....from the rest of us.....but not just in terms of the physical but in terms of the issues as well. Is that true?<<
Hmmm... I wonder where you got that impression? Was it from Koan who hides out on his remote artist colony island paradise in Southeast, rhapsodizing about an endless cornucopia of oil that'll keep the good times rolling for decades? :0)
No. If my Alaskan view relied on koan, well......let's just not go there. <g>
Actually, its articles that I have read......."Alaskans are people who move from other states hoping to rid themselves of the problems of the lower 48 and to forget about the lower 48." Most of these impressions were created after Palin ran for VP......and she was the classic example of someone who was clueless about national issues. Did you not read the slew of articles that came out then?
Prior to that, I saw Alaskans as people from another state.....remember Seattle has always been kind of a starting point for people heading to Alaska so there is a connection, albeit small one, between the two places. I saw few differences but then I have never known someone from Alaska.
So then, do you all have running water? Just askin'.
Up here in urban Southcentral where most Alaskans live, we're scared sh*tless that the oil pipeline will close in a few years because the feds are blocking development of ANWR and the North Slope offshore oil. We fret that the huge shale gas boom in the lower 48 will kill our gas export pipeline down thru Canada. We worry about the wars, healthcare, cap and trade affecting our energy industry, ocean acidification killing our fisheries, the recession, taxes, budget deficits, H1N1 flu carried by waterfowl migrating from Asia, gun rights, the price of gold, etc. We detest Bush's "No Child Left Behind" law. We love/hate Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Sarah Palin, and the Tea Party. We have internet, cable TV, newspapers, books, universities, and global airline connections. We have the third-busiest cargo airport in the world (after Memphis and Hong Kong). We have strong international links, and the kids in our local school system speak 87 different languages at home.
We're used to high-caliber representatives in DC who are knowledgeable about the many national and international issues that affect Alaska.
Okay. I get your point but I never said you all were idiots, working with stone tools. All I said was that the impression that's been given was that Alaskans were not that interested in national affairs. And that impression has been fortified by the likes of Palin and now Miller and McAdams. Miller acts like a crazy man and McAdams sounds like he just fell off the turnip truck when it comes to the issues. And trust me when I tell you that Levi Johnston ain't helping your case.
As for high caliber, I know Ted Stevens brought the state a lot of fed. monies but do you really consider him to be an outstanding leader? I hope not.
Let me add......for better or worse, people get a general impression of a place that may have an iota of truth to it but may be wrong as a general impression. For an example, a lot of people think Seattle is mostly made up of a lot nerds wearing socks with sandals. Well its true than on average Seattlites are better educated than a lot of other places. And because of the climate....too cool......its hard to wear sandals without socks.......your feet get cold. And there is always that one guy in ten thousand who wears sandals with socks, carrying a briefcase, on some flight going to some other city, reinforcing that impression. But are all Seattle people like that guy.....hardly. But does it give you a flavor of the city......yeah.....one among many flavors.
So then, its not a crime if Alaskans are not that wrapped up on national issues. After all, the state is mostly many miles removed from the rest of the country, reducing the interactions with the lower 48. So, it would not be surprising if the people were slightly disconnected from the rest of the country. |
