The Politics of Hate, Alaskan Style

A local radio "personality" (he'd want me to mention his name) who fancies himself the Anchorage version of Rush Limbaugh - only without the style, grace or humor - recently took it upon himself to criticize Levi Johnston.

Mr. Johnston, an unassuming young man who was thrust suddenly into a national spotlight when the mother of his girlfriend was nominated, equally suddenly, for Vice-President of the United States.

Levi and Bristol survived the scrutiny, and various slanderous attacks at home and across the country. They came back to Alaska, whereupon he took a job as an apprentice electrician on the North Slope - the oil-producing region.

The "personality" (he'd want me to mention his name) has been unremittingly negative in his remarks toward Governor Palin all along, and long before her rise to national prominence.

So the "personality" wrote a column in the local paper, which also jumped on the "she's-not-so-great" bandwagon during the national election. He criticized the method whereby he assumes Mr. Johnston got the job (his future mother-in-law is the Governor, don't you know). He criticizes Levi for not yet having achieved his G.E.D., which he claims is a prerequisite for the position.

Now, an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate (he lost to Gov. Palin, and would also want me to mention his name) who has also been leading a one-man parade against the Governor, is exchanging pats on the back with the "personality." They're congratulating each other for how clever and courageous they are for having pointed out this situation.

As a result of the unnessary and unwarranted attention, Levi Johnston quit the apprenticeship. Yes, he's apparently an e-e-e-vil conservative - he wanted a decent job to earn money for his new young family.

If - and it's a BIG if - there was any nepotism involved in getting the Slope job, so what? The job market in Alaska is plenty tough, and one frequently gets into a good job only by accident: you know someone who knows someone.

Aren't they brave? Aren't they great? They've managed to run an 18-year-old kid - who does not have the luxury of a soapbox in the local paper - out of his first real job. I suppose they'd prefer him to be on welfare, WIC, and food stamps.

Way to go, guys. I'm sure you're proud of yourselves.