Your unvarnished and insightful analysis of the political game will be missed and I trust, highly valued by your new employer.

“From this arises the question Whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both: but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.”

Niccoló Machiavelli

My Latin is failing but that should mean; they may hate so long as they fear. It’s a good motto. Republicans are so afraid of not being liked, I’m afraid of not being feared.

And, thank you for the kind words.

I’ve never thought even once that you’re a defender of those “good old boys”, Art. You’re a raw conservative talent, Art … a modern thinker in so many ways.

In fact, I thank you for this: I learned from your comments/diaries that “cleansing the party” with “good old boys” will have unwanted consequences if not properly executed especially if not done through “participatory approach” (read: participated and supported by everyone and not by “factions”.) And “conspiring” (too strong, I guess) with the Democrats will NEVER WORK.

I think you’re being unfair to yourself.

Why? I’ve never tied you with this so-called Palin issue, whatevah.

Yes, I admit that I enjoyed several of your heated debates with JoshP. As you can see, I managed to keep myself away from the keyboard during those times you and Josh (plus others) were exchanging sizzling words. He he!

I have come to know your strong adherence to Conservative principles. And I admire your loyalty through “thick and thin”. That’s rare.

RS guys should be thankful to you for keeping most of us “sane” over this “Sarah Palin” thing. lol!

My point is this: You have contributed so much in almost all topics, Art. Your writings and comments are precious to many of us. Don’t you ever try to think otherwise.

I even firmly believe that you can be a good replacement to Begich as an AK Senator. As Senator, you will be in a very strong position to criticize Sarah on AK issues… and help AK in the process. (Although, I may ask for some favor from you to defend her when it is necessary and fair. lol!)

Who knows? So start fishing for supporters to rally behind you, bro, while you’re helping the new “Republican” Anchorage Mayor. He he! I hope someday my wishes for you will come true. TWashington needs people like you……. desperately!

Notwithstandingly, Congratulations, Art. And God Bless You, Brother!!!!!!

PS: It would be cruel of you if you don’t give us “updates”from time to time on the good things happening in Anchorage.

Good luck, Art. You’re doing what needs to be done.

But I’m sure as @#%! gonna miss seeing you here. Hope Dan Sullivan knows just how much he’s hurt RS by taking you away. I hope he makes you his consigliere.

Art:

Snark first……..: So you’ll stay if we buy you a laptop, drop in some black-box tech to mask your IP/ISP and other niceties ? You can even use the screen name “A. Nonny Mouse”.

My friend, do not go quietly into the night. As an American, you have the God-given right to speak your mind. If being “on the clock for the machine” takes away your rights and ability as an American citizen, then the machine, quite frankly, is completely broken and needs to be replaced, not fixed.
.
Anyway, best of luck and tear off a few heads during your first hour on the job….. Send ‘em all notice that that ain’t gonna be none o’ dat dere horse hockey no mo’….. ‘specially if you keep the Mossberg on the wall behind your desk.

Cheers !

I appreciate all the wisdom you’ve shared. Please mentor some young folks while you’re out there, if they’re willing to listen.

…but as you have taught us, it’s no way to live and no way to defend our nation.

Our collective talent pool now runs a deficit in the subject areas of: Alaska politics, the American Civil War, and political hand-to-hand combat.

Thanks for your sharing your experience, your expertise and your insight. The fight goes on.

Wolverines!

I’ve learned a lot about politics in the past few years and much of what I’ve learned has been the result of your posts. Thanks for your encouragement and advise.

And I’ve been getting more involve too. I’m getting down right more radical as I approach the half century mark. Maybe next time we meet it will be US in control of the RNC.

You got that freedom bug. You can’t help jumping at the next outrage. And that outrage is not far. I am sure we will see you back very soon.

..

It is not about dying for your country; it’s about making the other fellow . . . . What I have hated about the Bushes is that they tried to be roses without thorns. Democrats have no qualms about making us suffer. They enjoy it. Please, for the sake of all of us, returnthe favour.

Good Luck – and keep your powder dry!

And you can email me and I’ll even post it all for you using my IP address.

Of course, I can’t loan you my name, because then they wouldn’t think I was even *trying* to be nice.

Anyway, good luck. Slay ‘em.

And as soon as I get these kids raised, I’ll do what you said and run for something, even if it’s just County Coroner.

Proper grammar saves lives.

Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.

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Activists Taking Action: Unified Patriots

I haven’t been here long, but I certainly have enjoyed reading your diaries and comments, even when things got “heated.” You’ve certainly enlightened all of us about Alaska and her politics. You live in a wonderful state, truly the last “American Frontier.”

Hopefully, you will be able to give us updates from time to time.
Will miss you, good luck and best wishes.

Fondly, penguin

I know you are stepping away in order to do what many of us only talk about, but dammit, I don’t want to see you leave. I have learned so much from you, and yet I still have so much more to learn. You are a great example to all of us Art. Kicks some ass and takes some names, we’ll keep you seat warm for your return.

This is really making me sad.

Dammit.

aaronbg.gardner@gmail.com

It’s not going to be easy since by force of habit the first thing I did when I got up this morning was pour a cup of coffee and log on here. That said, I’ve really had it driven home to me lately how far posts here can travel, how distorted they become, and how they can be used against people. If you haven’t done so, go Google your screen name sometime; this site gets quoted and linked A LOT, and not always in a fair or truthful manner. I don’t care what gets said about me and can give as well as I can take, but that changes when I get associated with someone else and I don’t want to put anyone in the position of having a reporter ask them for their reaction to my statements.

So, as I feel my way into this new thing, I’ll try to find where the line is. There’ll be controversy enough for a Republican administration after two terms of Democrat rule and with a government whose employees’ unions all back the other guy; I just don’t want to be a part of that controversy at any personal level. As Kenny says up above, you shouldn’t ever surrender your freedom, but I’ve learned the hard way that the only way not to be misquoted is not to be quoted at all. A screen name doesn’t work since it will get out who you are or at best you’ll spend a lot of time trying to deny that it is you. If you are a Republican officeholder, you will NEVER be treated fairly by the press.

to your insights as the EFCA battle begins. You’ve been a great educator on this site. I’ve learned a lot about state and local politics from your posts. Your posts have also provided an important perspective on Sarah Palin.

We’ll all miss you Art, but we’ll hold down the fort, knowing that you’re doing important work for our cause elsewhere.

As a consolation prize for the peanut gallery here, would like to see at least one cameo from TBFKAAC. I’ll know who it is, even if it doesn’t mention fast cars, faster women, trains, boats or SWMBO.

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Activists Taking Action: Unified Patriots

(sniffle)
I think I got something in my eye.

I mean, just sit here and wonder what you would say? Pull out the Ouija Board and try to make contact for some key words? Get you a non-government e-mail account so you can talk to us? (Wait – scratch that last one…)

All kidding aside, we all need to do what we can, now more than ever, and you are in a great position to make a tremendous impact. I thought recently that if I would gladly die for this country, surely a keyed SUV would be a comparatively small price to pay, so I have waded into the breach here in NC (albeit on a much smaller scale).

I had no idea there was cotton in Alaska, much less that it was high. No wonder you like it there. And if you see Sarah, please ask her to tell my wife that the poster I have in my office is purely political – OK?

All the best, friend.

I want to know what’s going on with you…even if you stop by to shill for some shameless politician.

Keep the faith brother and try not to be so Cynical would ya?

The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in Washington—Fred Thompson

I will miss your insightful posts and your knowledge of history.
You were dead-on right about Stevens.

and got those potholes fixed. Good luck man. We will always be on the same side of Right.

Come on Art, we can’t afford to be down a curmudgeon. The increased workload will probably kill Tbone and I.

All the best man. Slay a few dragons…

I’ll miss you, if some won’t.

I remain an unabashed Palinite, but you’ve enabled me to be at least an open-eyed one. I’ll bet that when you signed up 3 or 4 years ago, you had no idea you’d end up devoting so much time to discussing Sarah Palin on RedState! Funny how things work out. This new Anc mayor looks pretty interesting, may have a pretty bright future in AK politics and maybe beyond? Hope you can play a useful role there.
I’ve enjoyed your insights on non-Alaska-related topics like trains and the Civil War as well. You should still drop some of these types of diaries on occasion. Certainly a non-controversial diary on trains or the Civil War wouldn’t backfire on your new boss!
And lastly, I hope that Sarah follows your recommendations and makes nice with AK GOP folks up there. Hope that means that you get to have some positive experiences involving her and her administration.
Oh, and if I get the chance to take my dream vacation to Alaska, I hope you don’t mind if I look you up!
Best regards and happy trails!

I’m going to miss you, you really know how to show us all the way government sausages get made. Good for you getting back in the fight. If only the RNC were smart enough to throw a pile of cash at you to teach the R’s how to fight the Alinsky’s on the other side.

Hope you get the urge to post with a 2nd identity

It was written into the constitution, and too many good people have laid their lives on the line for it and our other God-given rights. I often disagree with you, but you have the same right to voice your opinions that the rest of us do. At least until the Obamunists rewrite the constitution, and there will one hell of an insurrection should they try it.

I wish you good luck and success, my old sparring partner.

- JP

I will miss the inside baseball discussions. Fight the good fight.

As a newbie I’ve enjoyed, if not agreed with always, your comments and diaries. As a Palin fan I’ve appreciated your insider’s view of her governorship and fully understand when you caution others not to get caught up in the hype. We do need to look at the entire field of candidates and their backgrounds when it comes to 2012 and choose carefully, not just base our decision on one or two speeches. After all, some 52-54% of voters voted for an image last November and look where we are now.

Fight the good fight, man, I look forward to your return.

I know you’ve been a cantankerous presence around here and wouldn’t have it any other way, but you’ve definitely added value to the community. We’ll be glad to have you back any day. Best of luck.

…and all you dudes (dudettes) are recommending…?

geez

Go get ‘em.

Kick Butt and Godspeed.

Art, I read about Anchorage’s new mayor, and I congratulate you for having the stones to step in and pitch in. I suspect that he will need all the help he can get trying to move some new public policy initiatives against entrenched Democrat and Union reactionary power.

What you are doing by leaving us for the time being is both necessary and right. The last thing your Principal needs is for the deeply partisan McClatchy Clowns over at the ADN to try and use you to take down a promising young Republican rising star. That’s why you can’t post here.

Being “in the arena” is enough satisfaction, I guess.

Don’t be surprised if Palin herself adopts more of your tactics. I have always suspected that her people lurk here. I believe you will see a much more harmonious relationship between Palin and the Republican caucus as we go forward, if only because your analysis of her difficulties during this Legislative session were borne out by events. She doesn’t need a bunch of knife-wielding Republicans in her rear, and she could do worse than to adopt some of your suggestions.

Most of all, Godspeed in your Endeavors. I know I speak for everyone here at Redstate when I say that we look forward to your return.

Lots going on here too. Another city council race in Longmont (Katie Witt, a hot conservative chick), and CO-4 and CO Senate races already brewing. Liberals here want to choose our trash company for us (the party of choice….thing is they want to be the ones to make the choice for us), and trying to shut down an aspiring artist trying to raise a family.

So many blogs…so little time…

Did I mention Katie Witt is a hot conservative chick? But I repeat myself.

And no excuses about working now and being tired and all that BS. You know what Nick said, drink good coffee, you can sleep when you’re dead.

Proper grammar saves lives.

Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.

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Activists Taking Action: Unified Patriots

http://www.sullivanforanchorage.com/

The Boy Mayor, now the Boy Senator, gave his union backers a nice present; five year contracts that completely get them past the next three year mayoral term and make the negotiation of successor agreements trade goods in the election at the end of Mayor Sullivan’s SECOND term, assuming he can get one. This is what is called in the labor relations world, putting a turd in your pocket! So, I’m going to try to figure out what he can do. I have a few ideas!

Oh, how I will miss your diaries! And your “Listen up, punk…!” commenting.
And how very much I admire you for doing what you are getting ready to do. The man you’re going to work with is so very fortunate to have a really smart, principled, media and politics savvy man such as you at his side.

You ride for the brand in the very best way, my transplanted Southern gentleman. You might dispute the gentleman word, but I never would. When I finally get my computer sorted out again, I’ll hunt you down by email. Until then, my friend, thank you for all you contributed here. You’ve enriched us all in ways too numerous to mention, not the least of which is your unerring ability to see straight to the heart of a situation and pick out the pertinent issues–and then scare the crap out of the rest of us who might have preferred to keep our rose-colored glasses jammed on our noses. That’s a very valuable gift you have.

Fair winds and following seas on your days off. I will take some comfort in knowing that you will read here when you have time, just to see what’s being said. And I’ll look forward to the day you come back!

A part of me is not only happy for you, but very happy a man of your talents is buckling on the armor again…

But mostly I feel a sense of loss.

When next you take up the fishing line again, I’ll hope we will see a return to RS.

Good luck and Godspeed, Mr. Chance.

I will miss your witty insights. You are an excellent writer and I’ve always enjoyed reading your diaries. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Ya come back and find *the* consumate in-fighter is off, well…to fight (do the local pols and union bosses have any idea what’s about to hit them)

Gonna miss ya, Art. You’ve given this Palin devotee much alfalfa to chew on and I’ve appreciated your insights. But I am glad to see you go…*not* because you won’t be missed here (’cause you will be…tremendously) but because you actually *get* it when it comes to understanding that when it comes to politics, well, nice guys finish dead (and last, too).

So, dust off the brass knuckles…sharpen the sabre…and unleash Art’s version of shock & awe (and then get your butt back here)