The Bridge to Planet GOP

On Planet GOP things come into existence fully formed as imagined in the Mind of GOP. The absurdity of the thing is unimportant. GOP can imagine anything. GOP is in charge of the debate.

Change means no change. Somewhere means nowhere. Support means denial. References to facts checked by FactCheck.org reference no fact from FactCheck.org.

Let us consider the Gravina Island Bridge. Something that must be important since it is in every speech Sarah Palin has made. Usually more than once.

Ketchikan is the fifth most populous state in Alaska. The Ketchikan Airport is on Gravina Island. The only means by which the Ketchican Airport can be reached by the rest of the state of Alaska, other than by plane, is by ferry. It can't run year round.

The bridge was to be pretty damned long and pretty damned big. It might have been useful. Might not. We'll never know.


October 2005, a proposal surfaces to shift the bridge funds to help support aid to Katrina. Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens opposes it. Congress strips the specific earmarks for federal funds but doesn't reduce the allocation of federal money for Alaska. It still gets about 12% of its money from the feds.

September 2006, Sarah Palin runs for governer. She supports the bridge. It's part of her campaign platform. At this point, on a T-Shirt held up, Nowhere, Alaska is introduced, Nowhere being a euphemism for Ketchikan. The term "Bridge to Nowhere" is created.

October, 2006: Sarah Palin says about the bridge: "I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now - while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist." (See here.) Later that month she is criticized for supporting the Knik Arm Bridge, the Gravina Island Bridge and other projects instead of rebuilding the Parks Highway. She is noted as being consistently in support of all project. (See here.)

November, 2006: Sara Palin wins the election.

August, 2007: Alaska's DOT is leaning against the bridge for cost reasons and towards alternative ferry options. The federal funds for the bridge have been delivered. Public support turns against the bridge.

September, 2007: Sarah Palin redirects the project. (See here.) Much of the money given for the bridge is retained.

There are liars, damned liars, statisticians and Republican candidate speak.

But never on Planet GOP.

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Links of Interest
Diatomic Light
My Vote for Ugliest Bird on the Planet and here
Creationism. Again. Or Why I really Love Living in a Blue State
Ghandi Pills
Gamma Burst Aimed at Earth: Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here.
Self Surgery. This is nasty.
God Particle and here.
NASA's Future Forum: Boston
The 24 Hours Pedometer
The Singularity via Neuroengineering
Neal Stephenson reads from Anathem
Classical MP3s for Purchase
Inheritance of Herpes
Ancient Southwest Art
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