IN THE PIPELINE ... Ear hasn't seen them on the air yet, but Rep. Jay Ramras, R-Fbks., has produced a bunch of flashy ads for his Pike's Lodge and Pike's Landing Restaurant that are really ads for the bullet line -- the proposed in-state gas line to supply the Railbelt cities in danger of running out of gas for heating. (Mayor Sullivan has been worrying about gas shortages in Anchorage this coming winter).
Cynical Ear is inclined to snark about this being evidence that Jay really is running for Lite Gov, as the rumor mongers whisper. On the other hand, it's hard to see how promoting the bullet line helps him more than normal political ads would. And word is he's bought thousands of spots around the state -- an incredibly expensive venture.
But then, Ramras has always been a little different, the way the rich are different. Remember how he solved the problem of a possible conflict of interest because he owned 5,000 shares of BP stock and had to vote on Trans-Canada/AGIA issues? Most people would have shut down the critics by selling the BP stock. Instead, he bought 5,000 shares of TransCanada, which was a loser investment and cost him about $130,000.
So, dare Ear attribute a noble motive to a politician? Aaaggghhh. Does not compute. Anyhow, motives aside, you can see the ads at www.tylertv.net/pikes.html.
A DATE ... The Anchorage memorial service for Lu Young is set for Tuesday, Aug. 18th, 11 a.m. at the Anchorage Baptist Temple.
DAN THE MAN ... Darlings, did radiomouth Dan Fagan's column of repentance in last week's ADN blow you away? It certainly made Ear mutter "Alors!"
If you missed it, Dan apologized for making nasty personal remarks about famous people whose political opinions he dislikes. He mentioned Sarah, Gov. Parnell, Hollis French and a bunch of others. Said he should have stuck to the issues, which is very un-talk radio, isn't it?
On Friday night, earwigs report, Dan did the forgiveness thing in person at a big party set up so he could introduce some of his visiting Louisiana family to friends. It was at Jim Lottsfeldt's home. Skeptical Ear actually checked with Jim and confirmed the guest list included Mayor and Mrs. Sullivan, Dave and Terry Dittman, Curtis and Jody Smith, Tim Woolston, Jason Moore, Sarah Erkmann (Sullivan PIO), and Julie Hasquet (Begich aide), among others.
A QUESTION ... Who issued the following statement Wednesday in a press release re Justice Sotomayor:
"(Alaskans) are initially suspicious of those who were educated at Ivy League schools and spend their entire careers in the Boston-Washington corridor. Alaskans wonder whether those with this background truly understand the slice of the American experience that we live in the 49th state and with good reason."
Sounds like She Who Was Governor, right? Wrong.
It was Lisa Murkowski, offering a torturous explanation of her vote against Sotomayor.
Ear can understand her voting against a minority woman Supreme Court justice. After all, her vote wasn't needed so it was a chance to appease the old white R's she has to work with. But, our centrist, wonky senator, an attorney and graduate in economics from Georgetown University, who lives in D.C., railing against an Ivy League education? What's up with that?
Maybe Lisa hired one of Sarah's old speech writers?
ANOTHER QUESTION ... As long as we're reading the senator's press releases, several earwigs wrote to ask why she voted against the Cash for Clunkers program Thursday after issuing a press release the previous Friday urging the Obama administration to extend it? Lisa told D.C. reporter Erika Bolstad she objected to the money for it being taken from the renewable energy loan guarantees pot.
ANOTHER DATE ... Don Young's annual summer pig roast is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Ooops, Ear keeps forgetting. It's now officially called "Taste of Alaska." (giggle giggle).
It's at Bill Sheffield's house again. Ted Stevens is the draw. The invitation reads as follows: "Congressman Don Young has dedicated his life to his wife Lu and to their service to Alaska. Please join us in Lu's memory at a fundraising event to keep Don fighting for Alaska."
Some earwigs complain this use of his dead wife is tasteless. But Ear thinks Lu wouldn't have minded at all.
OUT AND ABOUT ... The Hickel family is throwing a 90th birthday party for its patriarch, former Gov. Wally, at the Capt. Cook on Aug. 18th -- a picnic style celebration, Ear's invitation says.
You can get the details, and post your own favorite Wally story at a new Web site, www. 90yearsofvision.com.
WHAT'S HOWARD DOING ... It's been seven months since Ear's favorite ADN editor, Howard Weaver, left his Sacramento job as vice president of news at McClatchy. Suggestions that he retired to his vineyards to grow grapes and navel gaze seem not to be true, according to a recent post on one of his many online sites. Says Howard:
"I am writing fiction, serving on the Publish2 board and advising them, doing video columns/stories with a small Sacramento company, maintaining (kind of) two blogs and Tweeting actively. I just accepted the assignment of writing an occasional column explaining American politics and culture to Canadians in a small new newspaper there."
ALSO CHECKING IN ... Former KIMO weather babe Elizabeth Hill reports that she's gotten married, finished her meteorology degree at MSU, is living in Richland, Wash., and is the PIO for Benton County Emergency Services.
"Everyone here thinks Alaska is a 3rd world country," she writes. "I tell them that's OK, Alaska only supplies the US with 8% of its oil. Cripes."
Compiled by Sheila Toomey Find Ear online at adn.com/ear Contact Sheila at stoomey@adn.com.