GOP-controlled media finally notices what's happening up in Alaska

[ColbertWatcher]

Here is coverage from the LA Times:

From the Los Angeles Times
In rural Alaska, villagers suffer in near silence
Bush residents struggle to balance the need for food with the need for fuel -- the building blocks of survival in a frigid winter that has months to go. Some call for massive airlifts of aid.
By Kim Murphy
January 25, 2009

People who had enough gas for their snowmobiles immediately set off across miles of tundra, hauling firewood back to Wassilie's small house. A few offered helpings of dry fish, which most families keep in the larder for winter.

There was little more they could do. Nearly every one of Tuluksak's roughly 500 residents is performing a perilous balancing act between food and fuel -- the building blocks of survival in a frigid winter that still has months to go.

(...)

The price for heating fuel and gas is only the beginning of the story. Groceries must be flown in at ever-higher freight prices. A pound of hot dogs in the village store costs $7.39, and a two-pound loaf of domestic cheese runs $17.49. A loaf of Wonder Bread is $5.85.

The cost of flying to Bethel has risen to $186 for a round trip, so few go there to shop -- and even fewer make the trip to the dentist or hospital until ailments become urgent.

(...)

Tucker says he's seen the same thing all over. Shame. Pride. Silence.

"You would think a Yupik village like this would be aware of its neighbors' needs, but we weren't, because people were so shy and quiet," he said. "They were suffering alone. Like one of them said during our testimonials with the state officials, 'I thought I was the only one.' "

Los Angeles Times

There's more to the story, but there isn't a link for ways readers can help.

So, for that info, we have to rely on The Mudflats, http://divasblueoasis.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=9355C7FA69BC2C072FB445409C53FF5C?diaryId=422">Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis and http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/01/spirit-of-emmonak-burns-brightly-in.html">Progressive Alaska.

Alaska Newspapers, Inc has been delivering donated supplies with their newspapers, and they provide a link to their shopping list for donations.

Consider this post a late addition to the regular Friday Food Bank! post.

[tabatha]

1. This is a result of being made to feel bad if poor.

"You would think a Yupik village like this would be aware of its neighbors' needs, but we weren't, because people were so shy and quiet," he said. "They were suffering alone. Like one of them said during our testimonials with the state officials, 'I thought I was the only one.' "

[ColbertWatcher]

2. Good point.

True, and I have yet to hear a thing from their Neiman-Marcus-trotting governor.

[jpak]

3. I hope this issue is made into a campaign ad in 2012, if and when Queen Sarah runs for the prez.

:thumbsdown:

[ColbertWatcher]

6. Agreed. n/t

[rainbow4321]

4. Amazing how Palin "offers" to fly out there...and yet other people HAVE flown out there

Plus she is blaming the local officials for the teleconferencing not going as planned.


http://thetundradrums.com/news/show/4615


“Both the lieutenant governor and I have offered to fly out there and see what we can do personally and we scheduled and stood by for a teleconference the other day, waited an hour and 45 minutes for the teleconference to take place. Unfortunately, there must have been some miscommunication because there wasn’t participation on their end and that didn’t occur,” she said.

That same morning, state officials, including Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell and Colberg, did have a teleconference call with Emmonak and other leaders from the region, in an effort to learn more about the situation, said Austerman.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. It always seems to be someone else's fault, doesn't it?

I hope she runs again in 2012.

[blue_roses_lib]

13. Wow.

I can't believe her. Why doesn't she actually FLY out there?

:wtf:

I'm glad this is getting national media coverage.

[rainbow4321]

15. She can't find time between her interviews?

Goodness knows it's not because she is busy governing the rest of her state.

[ColbertWatcher]

17. Maybe she was waiting FOR national media attention!? n/t

[alsame]

7. This is unacceptable, they must air lift help to these people. Palin

cannot be relied on to give a damn, I hope President Obama steps in.

[ColbertWatcher]

8. I've been wondering who the new FEMA pick is going to be.

And when the announcement will be made.

[alsame]

9. I know, me too. But since FEMA is now part of Homeland

Security, I'm sure Napolitano could get something moving. After all, she was a COMPETENT Governor.

[ColbertWatcher]

10. True. I'm wondering what the hold up is? n/t

[alsame]

11. Don't know. I just did some googling to see if there was any

information, any speculation - nothing.

Personally, I wish he would make FEMA a cabinet position again.

[ColbertWatcher]

12. Wouldn't he have to disband DHS first?

Since FEMA is under DHS, if they're both cabinet positions, then wouldn't that make them equal?

[alsame]

14. I'm not sure is he'd have to disband DHS . I suppose he

could just pull FEMA out if he wanted to. FEMA really should have a different and unique function apart from DHS, although they could certainly work together when necessary.

However, my main concern is that FEMA functions well again. No more excuses when disasters hit.

[ColbertWatcher]

16. Agreed. Let the professionals do their work. n/t