With the recent, quick and dismissive ruling by the Alaska Supreme Court over the blatant unconstitutionality of Ranked Choice Voting, we have officially entered the next stage of public discourse, naked judicial tyranny. In the past, there was some semblance of decorum and the facade of judicial impartiality. Some.. semblance. Over the last season of COVID they have now realized that the facade is unnecessary and the mask can come off. No one is watching the watchers and they know it, and they know that WE KNOW that they know it… and they simply do not care.
The sad fact is, I believe the corruption of Alaska politics is complete. The fix is in, and while we had already planned to host a constitutional convention debate, we had no idea the Supreme Court would wantonly disregard the actual State Constitution so quickly, flippantly in fact, as to reinforce the need for Alaska to begin this conversation. Our constitution CLEARLY spells out how we must elect our governor, and it is the job of the supreme court to adjudicate laws as abiding with, or repugnant to, our state constitution and rule accordingly. The reality is they no longer have to even pretend they believe that the constitution means what we say it means.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
On February 1st, 7PM, John Coghill of Fairbanks, former Republican Alaska Senate Majority Leader and multi-term senator will square off against Bob Bird of Kenai, Chairman of the Alaskan Independence Party and Radio Talk Show host, at Valley Performing Arts in Wasilla. Special thanks to VPA for allowing the event at their facility during their spring schedule.
The debate will be Lincoln-Douglas style for an hour of moderated longform point and then formal rejoinder from the opposition. This will be an exercise in statesmanship and a battle of ideas, not the embarrassing, childish bickering we were all subjected to at our most recent presidential debates. At the end of the hour, there will be a 30-minute Q&A for guests to question presenters.
Worthy of note, these two gentlemen both align on the conservative side of the aisle, which is important for a nuanced discussion because while Bird believes a CON CON is truly the only option left to Alaskans, Coghill believes the risks outweigh the potential rewards. There is a case to be made for both sides. Were this simply a debate between the political left and right, it would likely sway no one, as politics there have largely devolved into memes and team sports thanks to the quick dopamine hits of social media and society’s reluctance to read.
Imagine if the political left were to have the courage face its own cancel culture and meaningfully argue with its own side… be a bit like watching Bill Maher say things with which you are totally shocked to agree.
One thing is for certain, we cannot wait until summer or fall to start fleshing out the need, the considerations, and the mechanisms for conducting a constitutional convention. This discussion must begin in earnest, NOW, so the people of Alaska have ample time to look around at our state and decide for themselves whether the gears of politics in Alaska grind slowly but effectively, or whether the gears have now bound up in the rust of corruption and must finally be fixed. There is much to consider and this decision cannot be made lightly.
Tickets to this lively debate are available here. If you support us and our content please share this with friends and buy a ticket, it is costing us an arm and a leg to put this on, and we could use your help… but regardless, the conversation will be worth the cost.
15 Comments
I watched the CON CON article and I didn’t see or get a place to buy tickets!
The AK ‘Supreme’ court is predictable, at least. If it takes individual liberty or bolsters bigger government, the decision will be for it.
As for a Con Con, try again. The system that we have now is not sustainable garbage. The bizarro world that is Juneau is and will always cut our throats and our children’s throats.
‘Non’ and not ‘not’. Stupid iPhone.
Matthew, think of running for high office! You gave have what it takes! Of course it’s the “Stupid iPhone” and not you!
Matthew, the above mistakes are mine. The posting should read as follows: “Matthew, think of running for high office! You have what it takes! Of course it’s the ‘Stupid iPhone’ and not you!”
Will there be a way to listen in for those who can’t be there in person?
Everything the Government does should be for “We The People” not lobbyist and big corporations.
Our Government does not work for the people like they are supposed to according to the US Constitution.
At this point we may just need to FIRE all of them and elect REAL STRONG leaders who WORK for the people.
Google the you tube videos below.
(the Kennedy video is AWESOME)
~ Senator John Kennedy questions Biden assistant AG nominee Hampton Dellinger
~ Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) delivers commentary on COVID-19 pandemic mandates and lockdowns.
So now what? What do the good people do when the Court is WRONG??? Seems to me they acted quickly to change the laws well in advance of a convention. Wasn’t this something that was going to be put to a vote of the people? Of course, it would have been soundly defeated. So, what now?
We are opposed to a Constitutional Convention. We have no faith that the changes taking place by the delegates will go anywhere positive. Dark money is freely available as it was for Ballot Measure 2. What is to keep the delegates from making things worse than they already are.
This is a valid question, and it speaks to the disdain that The People have for our elected “representatives”. There are two ways to ensure that the Constitutional Convention does not ‘go off the rails’:
1. Each delegate must be elected to that position, so it is up to the voters to determine who gets to have a say in what revisions get proposed.
2. Each revision to the constitution has to be put forth as a separate amendment, and each amendment is only a *proposed* amendment until The People vote to approve or disapprove of them during a statewide referendum.
If you don’t believe that a Constitutional Convention would fix any of the current problems, your problem isn’t with the Legislature, but with The People, who you neither trust to select good delegates, or to approve good amendments.
You guys should air this. I would like to see it but am unable. I would have no problem paying for it or for a subscription to your site.
Richard and AkElsa, we are paying a production crew from Anchorage to record the entire deal. They are expensive, hence the ticket sales which even if we sold out wouldn’t cover the cost of the production crew alone. We will post the final video in full on our website once it is edited. We are considering trying to livestream it, but that doesn’t really matter as the info isn’t sensitive to the exact time it happens. Regardless, the final event will be recorded and made available to the people of Alaska.
Good to hear this. Thanks.
We have seen so-called “conservative” leadership in this legislature , For example we voted in conservative such as Bart LeBon, Steve Thompson and decided to vote with the lefties. Not to mention Stutes.. People who cannot remain conservatives because of a lack of integrity, are now the problem. If we choose so-called conservatives from the list of possible delegates, There is no guarantee that they won’t change their minds once elected as delegates. . People can easily change sides when lacking honor, integrity and others values. Also, once the PFD is locked in by the constitution convention, It is easier for the liberals in control to legisslate an income tax. Then that tax can eventually be more than what we received in the PFD. There are very few solid conservatives that we will trust to do the right thing. The Alaska judges are plain evil. Is it not possible to non-retain them all? That would mean we would have voters to going to the polls with information. An informed voter population means they are paying attention. No disrespect intended. Also, do not forget the power of money which has been being used in our state against us. We are wary of the possible delegates chosen. These delegates could be similar to the trend in the legislature at present. How not?
These delegates can be reassuring to us but quite dishonest