About the ATF & the Anchorage Gun Shop

I was one of several people who contacted Sen. Lisa Murkowski's office regarding the ATF agent (or agents) asking for 4473 forms from at least one local gun store.

Today I received a call from one of the Senator's staff, who told me that another staffer had met with ATF officials earlier in the day. She said those officials agreed to review the actions of the local agents to determine why they were asking for the sales forms.

I don't know if I'll hear any more about it, but it's nice to know that at least one elected official is listening.

Sen. Murkowski: Press Conference

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) just held a press conference in the lobby of my building, to speak about her proposed Medicare "Empowerment" act. According to her May 23 press release:

The Medicare Patient Empowerment Act would allow patients to continue the relationship they have with their physician, even if the doctor does not participate in Medicare or is not taking new Medicare beneficiaries.  Under the legislation, Medicare would pay the amount typically covered, with the patient responsible – or able to negotiate – any difference between the going Medicare rate and the physician's fees.  It would also allow doctors to charge a lower rate for Medicare patients - a practice currently not permitted.

Copyright 2011 www.mooseintheyard.com

This is a big deal, especially in Alaska where seniors have almost NO providers who will accept Medicare patients, because the cost of doing almost everything is higher here. I'm no fan of government medical programs, so this is an important step in the right direction: it would remove the stranglehold of the government from the process of allowing both physicians and patients to seek a free-market solution to the provision of health care.

Do They WANT Us to Secede ...

Or just leave?

I don't know if you've seen the ads which are running up here, accusing Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) of trying to gut the Clean Air Act. It's disgusting what they say about her, and I'm fed up with it.

Her press release says,

"Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and 40 of her colleagues have introduced a bipartisan disapproval resolution that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing damaging climate regulations. Senator Murkowski chose to sponsor this resolution because she believes this debate belongs in Congress, and allowing the EPA to finalize its regulations would endanger America’s economy – as well as jobs and competitiveness – at a time our nation can least afford it."

From Senator Murkowski's talking points:

"If the EPA is allowed to proceed with its greenhouse gas regulations, the consequences for Alaska will be severe. Hundreds of facilities will be subject to much greater regulation from the EPA, including large hotels, hospitals, fish processors, mines, and other energy-intensive businesses."

Folks, that's what industry looks like, up here. That's what we have.

Some extremist environmental groups are making wild and irresponsible claims about her, for her efforts to safeguard our economy against the EPA's out-of-control proposals. They've accused Sen. Murkowski of trying to gut the Clean Air Act and implied that she wants to give cigarettes to babies. Seriously.

Greenpeace is now running a new Internet ad made to look like an online dating service, pairing lawmakers with lobbyists. The ad shows someone who is supposed to look like Senator Murkowski having a romantic relationship with a lobbyist for cash.

Aside from the obviously sexist aspect (you think they'll run such an ad against Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK?), it's an insult to Sen. Murkowski and her family, and goes way over the line of common decency.

I'm told the local lefty blogs have apparently picked up the theme. I don't understand why none of them care what EPA's proposed regulation of greenhouse gases would do to Alaska's economy. Please note that neither Greenpeace or any of the other environmental groups that support EPA regulation have challenged the Senator on the merits of her argument. It seems they simply don't care what the economic damage will be.

Robert Dillon, Communications Director for Senator Murkowski, has said:

"This type of personal attack is highly offensive and clearly crosses the line. This is a perfect example of what's wrong with Washington. Too often Outside groups go for the personal attack when they can't win on the merits. Rather than have a legitimate debate about the policy, they launch a smear campaign. A couple weeks ago it was babies smoking cigarettes; now it's insults to the senator and her family ­ as if these people have no bounds, no sense of truth, and no interest in meaningful climate policy. Greenpeace should be downright ashamed to be associated with, let alone paying for, these ads."

Now note that I don't normally get involved in politicians' personal issues, but rather political ideas. However, their treatment of the Senator disgusts me. If you have a beef with her science, then use science to refute her arguments. Insult her and the other Senators who oppose you, and you've just lowered your side to the gutter.

It seems the enviro-weenies like it there.