Blog: Dermot Cole
Food fight: Ramras, Palin trade attacks over response to villages
Published Thursday, February 5, 2009
The press releases from Gov. Sarah Palin and Fairbanks Rep. Jay Ramras over the past two days are not from the "If you can't say something nice" playbook.
They contain expressions of shock, disappointment, sadness, a lack of leadership, accusation of playing politics and "Clinton-esque" behavior over the efforts to get food to remote villages.
This is from Ramras Wednesday:
"We have Alaskans in a rural area in need of our assistance and have been able to amass needed food but have no way to deliver it to communities," Ramras said. "I am saddened that Governor Palin has created a vacuum of leadership by not making state transportation assets available. Many of the cash donations raised will be needed for transportation instead of being used to purchase necessities for these communities. That is a shame."
"4,465 lbs of food from the Fairbanks Community Foodbank had to be transported to Anchorage by Lynden Transport. From there, Alaska Airlines flew the food to Bethel, and then, after much pleading, the State of Alaska provided a small plane for transport from Bethel to Kotlik," Ramras said.
"Many communities in Western Alaska are hungry and cold this winter and nonprofits and faith-based entities can help cure this situation without state funds. It is the least the state can do to allow use of state-owned transportation assets that are sitting idle while capable, good Alaskans are going hungry."
So far, efforts have raised well over $15,000 in cash assets, including funds raised at the upcoming Legislative Fundraiser. Working with Wal-Mart, Safeway, The Fairbanks Community Foodbank, The Food Bank of Alaska located in Anchorage, and dozens of churches in both communities, it is anticipated that this effort will move 20,000 lbs of food to Western Alaska.
This is from Palin today:
February 5, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today lauded the work of the multiple state agencies, nonprofits and faith-based organizations that have worked in a cooperative effort to deliver supplies to Lower Yukon River communities affected by high fuel and food prices.
The governor also expressed concern about inaccurate comments made to the media by Representative Jay Ramras that the state has failed to make state assets available to deliver supplies to communities. In actuality, state agencies have used aircraft from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to fly food into Kotlik, another distressed Lower Yukon River village. DPS plans on providing additional transportation of bulk foods in the future.
“We are working cooperatively with the communities, many legislators, Native corporations, and other entities to address the needs in these areas,” Governor Palin said.
“I am disappointed that Representative Ramras failed to express his concerns to my office before issuing a press release with incomplete and misleading information. This is particularly concerning since he knew I would be attending a meeting with his entire caucus that evening. Representative Ramras did not mention the specific issue of using state assets to me personally at the meeting.
Instead, I read about it later in the press release. Truly Alaskans deserve better than that kind of ‘politics as usual’. It is unfortunate that the representative sees this as an opportunity to play politics rather than help in the response."
This is from Ramras today:
Thursday, February 05, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, today went on the defensive in response to the governor’s misinformed press release about his efforts to help muster volunteers, transportation, cash donations, and other aid for villages in Western Alaska hit hard by high home heating oil and food prices.
“I am shocked and appalled that Governor Palin would stoop to making derogatory statements about me,” Ramras said.
“My question to her during our caucus last night was ‘where is the food?’ In my interactions with her own administration I have spoken with Lieutenant General Craig Campbell from the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs; Commissioner Joe Masters from the Department of Public Safety; Commissioner Emil Notti from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; her Deputy Chief of Staff Randy Ruaro, and numerous others since we first learned of the hardships in Emmonak and Western Alaska. In my press release, I acknowledged that DPS, after much pleading, provided a small plane for transport from Bethel to Kotlik.
“That the governor would accuse me of politicizing the current economic situation in the Lower Yukon strikes me as foolhardy and Clinton-esque,” Ramras added.
“I introduced House Bill 114 yesterday. That was the subject of the press release. And I am offended that the governor would call my service into question. I have been organizing food and supply drives for needy Alaska communities and groups for years, and spoke on the House Floor yesterday about the success we’ve seen thanks to the many groups that have come together over the last few weeks to help. I pointed to her lack of leadership on this issue; I didn’t do it politically, I did it because it’s true: she has been too silent and her administration has taken too long to help in relief efforts. We are already weeks late.”
lol, only in Alaska are people still taking shots at Clinton. Honestly, Jay, get over it.
I will try a new school of public relations.
Claude Raines, "The Invisible Man?" I don't get it, either, altho a Claude Raines reference sounds promising (no pun intended). And actually, this bickering probably draws more attention to the need in the villages and fundraising/food donations. In that sense, it's probably a good thing (not that I'm ever a fan of bickering).
Dermot, as far as you know, is Palin's response to Ramras her first press release on the issue?
Wouldn't you just love to see a real food fight between Sarah and Jay? It would be so age-appropriate for both if them.
And by the way, I'd put my money on Sarah. That woman knows how to aim and fire. Although I suppose Jaybird could take her out with a sneak hot-wings attack.
Regarding Claude Rains — the actor who played the police officer in "Casablanca" and claimed to be shocked when he saw gambling in Rick's gambling establishment — the "Claude Rains school of public relations" was an unsuccessful wisecrack about the sharp exchanges in these press releases. It didn't work.
The Attack Dog school was not much better, but it's all I could think of.
While writing this note, I had another idea, which is why the Attack Dog is gone, replaced by the "If you can't say something nice" line.
Sarah, whose standing in the Bush community has been suspect since she started governing the state, has just taken another step deeper into the morass of her administration.
I think a little sing-along (with a change in the wording) might be called for here:
To the tune of Paul Simon's "Slip-Slidin' Away":
"Slip-slidin' awa-a-ay...
A little more each da-a-ay.
As she keeps on talkin' her polls are slip-slidin' away.
There was a time....
She stood at 90.
Oh, she couldn't do anything wrong at the time, so it seemed.
But she got greedy. Went after vp.
And now her numbers are slip-slidin', slip-slidin' more each day."
Why can't Jay just shut his pie hole and do what is right. Move private resources with private funds, not public funds. That would be great if the state could step in to help, but his planning should have included first, moving the resources on his own, not EXPECTING the state to do it. If this is Jay's way of publicly aggrandizing his charitable efforts, he needs to find a different line of work. The public doesn't need to hear of his cry baby tantrums and be put in the public spotlight just so he can look like a savior. Charity works with no fan fare.
Jay is surprised that state government is unresponsive and ponderous? Give me a break! I've seen turtles and snails that zip past state bureaucrats like they're standing still!
Can't we all just get along!
If Ramras and Palin would stop hurling hate words and work together, this Village hardship would be resolved. It might have been appopriate had Jay contacted Sarah peronally, before issuing a press release - Sarah could have contacted Jay via email/phone. We'll never know the truth now. He says,...She says,... so what!
They're both media hounds, want their name in the spotlight.
When giving especially to charity, annonymous volunteering/donations of your heart and effort, seeking no recognition is the goal.
Back to the issue (not what Sarah, Jay did-didn't do)...Happy the rural community is receivin food and fuel!
I'm confused...I thought 'politics as usual' was the lack of government transparency. By this definition it seems that Palin was participating in 'politics as usual'. Can someone explain?
Charity works with no fan fare! Very well spoken. nuf said.
Whats sad is that both of these nit-wits think we care about their opinion of the other one. All I want to know is: Did people get food...leave it at that, and we'll be fine. I dont care that you two are shocked and awed and dismayed by the politics as usual and disparaging untruthiness etc blah blah blah.
"I helped"
"Oh yea? I helped first"
"Oh yea?!? Well I helped first-er, and I don't like it when people say mean or bad things about me"
So the kids are bickering and meanwhile what's getting done?
How many villages are in trouble and why don't Sarah and Jay think outside the government box like they both say the Democrats should do?
I'd bet there are quite a few well-to-do Alaskans who own their own airplanes who would be glad to donate some trips.
How about going the other direction also and asking the Army and Air Force to take some food along on training and supply flights which might go near a needy village?
Jay I am sorry but you did politicize the problem by issuing your first press release. It was childish and unprofessional.
Rediculous.... maybe I need to take the R off of my voter registration card. Grow up.
Basic principle.... let me keep more of my earnings (less federal tax) so I can help those in need. Maybe efforts could be better spent by uniting and fighting for Alaska on a national level. I know I would pitch in for a chartered flight and donate food.
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