Just returned home after working at the Fed Up with the Feds rally today in Fairbanks. We had booths pertaining to Endangered Species, ANWR, River Jurisdiction Rights, The Alaska Outdoor Council, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, The new Health Care program, and many others I can't remember off the top of my head tonight. Senator Lisa Murkowski came out and walked around in the crowd talking to people. She understands and agrees with the people here in the state about the Federal Government's overreach and abuse of power. Senator Murkowski gave a short speach, and reaffirmed her stance on the Jim Wilde case, that the National Park Service did not have the authority to detain or arrest Mr. Wilde.
Our lone Congressman Don Young came and also talked of his backing of Jim Wilde. Congressman Young is working to cut the US Fish and Wildlife Service budget. All monies pertaining to the Yukon Charley preserve. He is also putting a clause to prevent them transferring monies from other areas to Yukon Charley. He is also working on defunding areas of the EPA, BLM, and several other agencies. Congressman Young used the term Colony discribing the way the lower 48 states look at Alaska.
I discussed with both Lisa Murkowski and Don Young how so many people I talk to every year when I go south feel Alaska does not have the rights of a State, they (the people of the lower 48) own Alaska. It was bought from the Russians and the rest of the states own it. Therefore they have a say as to wheather we be allowed to drill an oil well, develop a mine, build a road, cut timber, or do anything up here.
I know this rally will be in tomorrows paper. I was interviewed by one of the reporters, don't know if that interview will be used or not. We packed the Alaskaland Civic center.
Rog
Here is the link to the story:
http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/12972618/article-%E2%80%98Fed-up%E2%80%99-Fairbanksans-voice-concerns-at-rally?instance=home_lead_story
