Comments by swanny
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Posted on January 8 at 5:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've seen the temperatures drop just as dramatically as rise. Some buddies and I went out on a camping trip on a February day with the temperature at around 25 or so, and it dropped to -42 well before midnight. It was a beautiful night, though. Full moon so bright it would hurt your eyes, and one could easily read newsprint in it's glow. (sigh)
Posted on January 4 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Y'know, walking up a relatively well traveled road dragging an insulated shelter on wheels seems pretty benign when you consider that may Alaskan outdoors enthusiasts regularly jump on snow machines or the runners of our dog sleds to go cruising through places where we are pretty certain we won't see another human being at all.
Heck, a lot of folks even let their children jump on snow machines to go dashing off unsupervised, through country that is infrequently traveled. Most of us who are accustomed to cruising through the woods think little of it.
We all know that stuff can happen, and most of us are willing to accept the consequences of our decisions. I'm certainly aware that I could become injured or ill or lose my team or any of a million other things could happen while I'm out in the woods and I know it could take several days or even weeks for my friends and neighbors to start wondering "now why don't he write?".
I'm willing to weigh the risk versus the benefit and hook up the team.
There is no reason to believe that Mr. Yamaguchi is any less knowlegeable or less willing to face the realities of life in a cold, remote region. Whatever may have happened, it's pretty much between him and his Diety.
The only thing worse than dying is refusing to participate in life.
Posted on December 31 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A typical tanker truck carries somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 gallons of fuel oil - so I'm sure the 1,000 gallon figure is inaccurate. 1,000 barrels equals 43,000 gallons which is probably closer.
Posted on December 30 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've tried a "rich variety" of synthetic veggie based 'foods'. They didn't taste particularly good, but the did fill me with a profound (albeit temporary) sense of self-righteousness and gas. Neither was particularly appreciated by my associates.
Posted on December 24 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations. TVC is indeed well ahead of the curve in seeking and attaining accreditation. The program has come a LONG way.
Thom Swan, NREMT-P
Posted on December 23 at 6:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've been living in the region for the past 18 years, and I'd bet there are no more than 15 people in the entire borough who know my given name. Those who know me, know me as "Swanny".
I use my given name under a professional capacity, and my very long-term nickname in all of my personal dealings. I've spent many years trying to avoid centering my entire lifestyle around my work, and I see no reason to change now.
Posted on December 21 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
[quoting article]Matt Ruger, manager of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Control Shelter, wasn’t aware of the ALDF’s rankings and said he hasn’t read the new animal cruelty law.
That one sentence speaks volumes. We have a borough assembly unwilling to adequately fund an AC division that is stuffed into a forgotten corner of the Emergency Operations Department and is run by a manager who hasn't read the law his overworked and overextended staff is expected to enforce.
The borough's animal cruelty laws are much stronger than the State's, but it really doesn't matter because neither the borough nor the State are invested in enforcing them.
Posted on December 20 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
[quoting Val Mackler} Animal Control doesn’t seem to think horses without shelter are breaking any rules.
[quoting FNSB Animal Control Division website] Reports of cruelty to animals are given high priority and Animal Control investigates all complaints. Offenders may be prosecuted in District Court.
[quoting FNSB Ordinances, Title 6] 6.24.040 Cruelty.
A. A person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if the person:
4. Intentionally or negligently fails to provide that person’s animal with adequate food, water, shelter or veterinary care, to prevent physical suffering.
I think it's time for the Borough to either stand up and perform the duties for which they are responsible, or get out of the animal control business entirely.
Posted on December 20 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Buggerer, I would bet dollars to donuts that Val's "sourdough credentials" are significantly stronger than your own. If she expresses a concern it behooves us to lend an ear. She isn't one to go off without reason.
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Posted on January 8 at 5:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Roger X, cops & prosecutors will sometimes pursue a weak case in hopes of pressuring a witness into giving up evidence against a party of particular interest. It gives them some leverage. If it truly is a weak case it will generally be either dropped by the prosecutor before going to the judge, but sometimes they'll pursue it further, especially if they have a bone to pick.
Seriously, we don't know if this chick is guilty of anything other than hanging out with bad company - and lots of us have been guilty of that over the years.
On Judge tosses case against woman in Gentleman case