Letter to the Editor
Bird banned
Published Saturday, October 4, 2008
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To the editor:
Re: Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce decision to censor, and therefore ban, U.S. Senate candidate Bob Bird from the general election candidate forum.
Please consider these points: 1. The Alaskan Independence Party has been a recognized political party by the Division of Elections for almost 30 years. 2. Candidate Bird has met all the standards set forth by the Division of Elections and the bylaws of the AIP, and he won his 2008 primary election with 5.5 percent of statewide voters. 3.
The chamber “rule” reads “The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to limit candidates or group participation.” The AIP is not asking to change their “rule,” but, in the interest of fairness, to simply change their mind and allow access for the voters to candidate Bird.
Not only is the withdrawal of Bob’s invitation excluding access to Interior voters an insult to the AIP, but all third parties in particular, and the nearly 40,000 who voted against both Stevens and Begich in the primary.
This prime example of censorship of Mr. Bird and other candidates who won their primaries says we voters here just aren’t smart enough to know who to pick. Well, limited choices bring limited answers and limited solutions.
Members’ businesses present a “choice,” either by the products on their shelves or by the services they supply. If the chamber “reserves the right to limit candidates,” they surely reserve the “right” to include Bob in this forum.
The chamber exercised that option, rescinding its prior decision, granting candidate Bird access to their primary debate. Why not now, too, for the general election? Since Ted Stevens is at trial, Bird and Begich would make for an interesting debate.
Today Bird will be making a campaign swing to the Interior with a full schedule. He will attend the chamber luncheon and afterward will host a press conference with a “Q and A” forum for voters at the Curling Club, Tuesday, 1-3 p.m.
Open up your “golden heart.” Please attend, come meet Bob, the only conservative offered for this U.S. Senate seat, and a strong constitutionalist to boot!
Community Discussion
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It's always fun to see the AIP rear it's microcephalic political head and pretend it really knows what it's doing. Ever since Hickel played them for the fools they truly are, I look forward to seeing them show up in our state and local elections, watching as they sound so righteous and full of themselves while unable to garner a single seat.
Of course, one only has to have known the originator of this group to understand why it is after Hickel and their debacle with him they are the laughingstock of Alaska. It goes a long ways towards explaining why Palin, as hypocritical as she is, has taken pains to make sure no one thinks she ever belonged to this bunch.
If what you say is true, dobieman, then Mr. Bird should be allowed to participate in the debate. If they are all truly fools, then the public should have the opportunity to find this out firsthand.
As it stands, this is an underhanded political trick by the chamber to manipulate our free election process. As a voter, I want to make an informed choice from ALL the candidates, not just those chosen for me by a biased committee. To settle for less would make ME the fool.
doobieman- did you just blast the founders of the Alaskan Independence Party? Do you even know who they are? If you do, tell me why you said that; I would really like to hear who you name and what you have negative to say about that person or persons. I will hold my tongue until then.
This old squirrel here on the Permafrost Ranch said it's arrogance. The arrogance of those in the Chamber, who believe the AIP isn't a viable political party to garner enough votes to be electable. They may be right, but the arrogance of their decision shows they only want to invite those that they maybe able to influence.
fairbanks city council and the chamber are notorious for thinking that voters are stupid, so they choose for us. thanks guys!!!
Great letter to the editor!
I wonder... what is the motivation of the Chamber censoring a viable candidate? Rick Solie is an avid supporter of Stevens. Bob Bird is the only alternative for conservative voters, and they know that will take votes away from their candidate. In my opinion, it is very unlikely that any Democrat is going to vote for the most conservative candidate running. So the Chamber of Corrup... I mean, Commerce has chosen for us the candidates that we are allowed to vote for: A liberal Democrat and a corrupt politician on trial.
I wonder what the voting population of Fairbanks would decide? I believe they would overwhelmingly choose to invite Bob Bird from the the well-established AIP.
What kind of "service" is the Chamber offering to the public with this debate? What is the point? I believe voters would like to hear from all the candidates, not just hand-picked big party tickets.
Is Alaska following after the national political scene where all 3rd party candidates are ignored and treated as second class? Whether you support/agree with the AIP or not - the important thing is to voice your opinion on the side of what is fair and right. If you are happy with a polarized two-party system then by all means, keep quiet and support the Chamber.
I am voting for Bob Bird and I think many more would as well, if they had the chance to hear his positions. He is a Champion of the Constitution and would represent Alaska with integrity and courage.
I probably will vote for Mr. Bird. We need to pay more attention to this candidate.
I don't know if I will vote for Mr. Bird, but I guarantee I will be voting 3rd party in every election this fall.
If the candidate is a Republican or Democrat, then my vote is "Hit the road, and don't come back".
I agree that Bird should be allowed to appear at the Chamber forum. But let's understand, it is on his merits (and the fact that it is awkward for the Chamber to withdraw a previously proffered invitation); not because the Chamber "should not censor a viable candidate". The Chamber is a private group. They are ideologically inbred and exist to promote their own interests: Commerce. They are not obliged to invite anyone. How many of you have attended Chamber meetings regularly, you know, weekly, for years? Not a member? Hmmmm. Imagine that.
In a small town like Fairbanks, the Chamber is a little like the Grange was in Delta a couple decades back, serving as a sort of fifth rail of government. (In Delta's pre-Deltana days the Grange WAS the de facto government!) But do not expect them to be "fair" when mostly what you mean by that is "Chamber, give up your causes for mine." Unfortunately that is not their duty nor their raison d'etre, pure and simple.
Bird's website is informative. He makes a case for his candidacy in part by not sounding like a loose canon. It is unfortunate that the AIP is often seen as a group of extremists. (Alternative political parties often are discounted with unflattering language when mainstream groups are trying to avoid the issues they raise.)
I like the AIP, and I respected Joe, but the party has a sort of "splinter group" feel to it. They talk about being "strict constitutionalists" when it is not clear what that means, and their candidate does not appear to have a legal background in that important document. (BTW, THE AIP's founder DID have a background in law and as abrasive as he could be at times, he knew what he was talking about.)
I often hear alleged Constitutionalists talking about the US Constitution when they have hardly read it, do not have a legal interpretation at hand, and more often as not are about as good at interpreting it as the Justices who "legislate from the bench" (like so-called Activist Judges). That makes them NOT Constitutionalists, but citizens with opinions.
Bird's website explains his beliefs, but does not explain why he would be substantively better than the other guys. To his credit he makes it clear he is not them, and Alaska has elected politicians on far less!
Bob Bird knows the Constitution (U.S. and Alaska) like the back of his hand. He is a professor and teaches all about the document. He is an expert on the Constitution, if there can be such a thing. He is also passionate about sticking to the Constitution and believes that it will guide us into right government and steer us clear from the path our nation seems to be taking. This is my understanding.
I'm certainly voting for Bob Bird. Dobieman's ignorance for a fair electorial process is why this country is failing. Yes, it was Joe Vogler who stated he hates the American Government...not America...it's government, which is becoming more and more tyranical every day! I understand his point. Look at the "bail out"...now we will buy our homes from the Government (or government owned entities). Next our vehicles...then our food. Is this what you want Dobieman? It could even come to arrests for having a vegitable garden on your own land...as that would be competeing against THEM. God forbid should you try and sell it to your neighbors or at the local Farmer's Market! You'd go to jail for illegal food distribution for which you are not licensed for...of which that license will probably cost an astromical amount only a handful could afford. That handful? They will probably be employed by the Government.
Vote smart...vote Bird.
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