For some time now I have been listening to and watching campaign advertising paid for by theoretically “unaffiliated” political action committees (wink wink) supporting various candidates vying for our U.S. Senate seat that attacks their opposition for their perceived newness to the State. As a lifelong Alaskan this kind of “seniority” mantra has just about got my BS meter pegged.
I have been listening to this type of useless baloney for over 50 years, and have found that in most cases it is usually touted by drunks or politicians (that are quite often themselves stateside transplants) trying to “out Alaskan” another drunk or politician.
In my view, being an Alaskan means far more than just having “time on target.” It is an affair of the heart, joined with an unreserved lifelong commitment to this magnificent land, its people, its diverse and virtually classless society and its cultures.
I personally know many people born here that, in this sense, will never be an “Alaskan” and many others that became “Alaskans” the day they arrived here.
Can’t we please knock off this kind of stuff, start acting like the Alaskans we really are, and direct our focus to those issues that truly matter?
