BREAKING NEWS: 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Alaska, Tsunami Warning Issued

BREAKING NEWS: 7.1 earthquake strikes south west of Alaska, threatening devastating tsunami.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit just south west of Alaska this morning,  close to the Aleutian Islands, 1,031 miles away from Anchorage. Widespread damage is feared across the West Coast - from British Columbia, Canada, to Washington - as towns brace themselves for the oncoming waves. A tsunami warning has been issued. (From Daily Mail)

UPDATE: Tsunami alert called off.

Pat Buchanan Says "Todd Palin Ought to Take Levi Johnston Down to the Creek and Hold his Head Underwater until the Thrashing Stops"

I am neither a fan of MSNBC contributor Pat Buchanan nor Levi Johnston, but Mr. Buchanan clearly crossed the line with his comments during his appearance on "Morning Joe" earlier today. He said "Todd Palin ought to take Levi down to the creek and hold his head underwater until the thrashing stops." Isn't this the same guy who hammered David Letterman for his comments about Sarah Palin and her daughter? Isn't this the same man who is staunchly pro-life?

Buchanan is a strong supporter of Sarah Palin and was upset with Levi Johnston's recent criticism of Sarah Palin, including his appearance on the "Today Show" this morning in which he said Palin, in part, resigned the governorship of Alaska in order to make more money. Buchanan advice to the Palins on how to deal with ad some harsh advice for the Palin family on how to deal with Levi:

Well, first, with regard to Levi, I think First Dude up there in Alaska, Todd Palin, ought to take Levi down to the creek and hold his head underwater until the thrashing stops.

The whole "Morning Joe" gang, including Mika Brzezinski, laughed pretty at Buchanan's joke, while Mark Halprin added, "That's a reality show, right there." It is amazing that Pat Buchanan continues to appear on MSNBC despite his racist stance on many issues. He owes Levi Johnston an apology. Just as he demanded of David Letterman to Sarah Palin. It seems that the mainstream media is playing the role of a bottom feeder in its inexplicable fascination with Levi Johnston. He hasn't accomplished one thing positive in his life, except perhaps his child, and he's suddenly making media rounds. What gives?

Gov. Sarah Palin Drops Bombshell, To Step Down, from Office by the End of July, is a Scandal Brewing?

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has dropped a bombshell -- she's stepping down from her office effective July 25, 2009. Okay, my first inclination is to say thank God, but there has to be more to this than meets the eye. She has had a myriad of problems since she went back to Alaska after the McCain/Palin team was roundly trounced in the presidential elections. She will transfer power to Lt. Governor Sean Parnell. Sorry, but I smell a rat. A saidGOP strategist said Palin's ‘inept’ move could seem ’suspicious’ to many; BradBlog now suggests that Palin’s resignation was due to an upcoming Federal indictment for embezzlement and Max Blumenthal of the Daily Beast suggests the same line of reasoning. He said "one logical place to start looking is the affair that has Alaska political circles buzzing: an alleged scandal centered around a building contractor, Spenard Building Supplies, with close ties to Palin and her husband, Todd.

The announcement came on the same week that one of her top public health officials says she was forced out of office because Palin felt she wasn't in step on social issues. Some people think that her latest move now allows her to avoid the difficult task of running for president while serving as governor. Hmmm. I don't think so, but who knows. That's entirely plausible. If President George W. Bush could serve as president for two terms, well, I guess it's not entirely far-fetched and hilarious that Sarah Palin could entertain such lofty ambitions.

Todd Palin, the "shadow governor," told their favorite news outlet, FOX News, that his wife will concentrate on "doing the things for Alaska and the country" that she is passionate about and can not do as governor with the limitation and constant opposition she deals with within the state. Right. There's more to this than they are letting on. I could say good riddance, but knowing this woman, there's more to this. If this is just a "cut and run" resignation, it speaks volumes about Sarah Palin's character. You will remember that it took her five colleges in six years to finish her Bachelor's degree. This speaks volumes that when the chips are down, Sarah Palin will run. So, for all those people who think she would make a good president of the United States, think again.

Some "memorable" Sarah Palin moments captured by the Hinterland Gazette

Five Colleges in Six Years for Bachelor's degree
Gov. Sarah Palin's Church Promotes "Pray Away the Gay" Conference
Gov. Palin Bills state of Alaska for work, although she was home
Did Barack Obama call Sarah Palin a "pig in lipstick?"
Gov. Palin linked electoral success to prayer from witchhunter Thomas Muthee
Sarah Palin's memorable interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson

Big Black River, Maine, Records the 50 Below Zero Temperatures as Arctic Blasts Covers Much of Eastern, Southern United States

When I moved to Atlanta from New York City nearly 10 years ago, I thought we wouldn't have to contend with the cold weather anymore, but we were wrong. It does get cold here, down to the teens. One bright spot is that the cold weather is usually not continuous. It usually warms up after a few days. But this winter, the temperature has been breaking historic records. For example, bone-chilling cold bludgeoned the entire state of Maine. Unofficial temperatures dipped to minus 40s and even 50 below zero in Big Black River in the northwest corner of the state, and as low as 56 below in the St. John Valley.

Rich Norton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Caribou, said Friday afternoon that if certified, the unofficial temperature in Big Black River would be a new record low temperature for Maine. Wow, that's COLD. Maine’s all-time record low was minus 48 in Van Buren on Jan. 19, 1925, according to Victor Nouhan of the NWS.

Gov. John Baldacci on Friday signed a state of emergency proclamation to facilitate heating fuel deliveries. The proclamation essentially allows the federal Transportation Department to waive rules so heating fuel delivery drivers can stay on the road longer to make sure homes and businesses stay warm.

Cold gripped much of the rest of the eastern U.S. as well, with temperatures of minus 10 in Cleveland, minus 6 in Detroit and minus 11 in Chicago on Friday morning. In upstate New York, areas near Lake Erie received up to 2 inches of snow per hour.

The cold weather has claimed at least six lives and contributed to dozens of traffic accidents. One death involved a man in a wheelchair who was found in subzero temperatures stuck in the snow, a shovel in his hand, outside his home in Des Moines, Iowa. He died at a hospital.

Here's a twist: Alabama is colder than Alaska, right now.

Big Black River, Maine, Records the 50 Below Zero Temperatures as Arctic Blasts Covers Much of Eastern, Southern United States

When I moved to Atlanta from New York City nearly 10 years ago, I thought we wouldn't have to contend with the cold weather anymore, but we were wrong. It does get cold here, down to the teens. One bright spot is that the cold weather is usually not continuous. It usually warms up after a few days. But this winter, the temperature has been breaking historic records. For example, bone-chilling cold bludgeoned the entire state of Maine. Unofficial temperatures dipped to minus 40s and even 50 below zero in Big Black River in the northwest corner of the state, and as low as 56 below in the St. John Valley.

Rich Norton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Caribou, said Friday afternoon that if certified, the unofficial temperature in Big Black River would be a new record low temperature for Maine. Wow, that's COLD. Maine’s all-time record low was minus 48 in Van Buren on Jan. 19, 1925, according to Victor Nouhan of the NWS.

Gov. John Baldacci on Friday signed a state of emergency proclamation to facilitate heating fuel deliveries. The proclamation essentially allows the federal Transportation Department to waive rules so heating fuel delivery drivers can stay on the road longer to make sure homes and businesses stay warm.

Cold gripped much of the rest of the eastern U.S. as well, with temperatures of minus 10 in Cleveland, minus 6 in Detroit and minus 11 in Chicago on Friday morning. In upstate New York, areas near Lake Erie received up to 2 inches of snow per hour.

The cold weather has claimed at least six lives and contributed to dozens of traffic accidents. One death involved a man in a wheelchair who was found in subzero temperatures stuck in the snow, a shovel in his hand, outside his home in Des Moines, Iowa. He died at a hospital.

Here's a twist: Alabama is colder than Alaska, right now.

Sarah Palin Turkey Pardon Incident: Does TV Interview While Turkeys Are Slaughtered In The Background

Sarah Palin just can't fade into the sunset gracefully. Well, Governor Palin appeared in Wasilla, you know the town the launched her political career, to pardon a local turkey in anticipation of Thanksgiving. The moment was unremarkable at first, but knowing Sarah Palin, something surreal was bound to occur. Well, after she pardoned the turkey, she did an interview with a local television station. The problem was that while she was yapping, turkeys were being slaughtered in the background. She was totally oblivious to the gruesome activity going on over her right shoulder. Once again, where is her staff? Is this the idiot who wants to lead a political party and a country? That's a really scary proposition.

Watch the video and judge for yourself....

Sarah Palin Turkey Pardon Incident: Does TV Interview While Turkeys Are Slaughtered In The Background

Sarah Palin just can't fade into the sunset gracefully. Well, Governor Palin appeared in Wasilla, you know the town the launched her political career, to pardon a local turkey in anticipation of Thanksgiving. The moment was unremarkable at first, but knowing Sarah Palin, something surreal was bound to occur. Well, after she pardoned the turkey, she did an interview with a local television station. The problem was that while she was yapping, turkeys were being slaughtered in the background. She was totally oblivious to the gruesome activity going on over her right shoulder. Once again, where is her staff? Is this the idiot who wants to lead a political party and a country? That's a really scary proposition.

Watch the video and judge for yourself....

Happy birthday Senator Ted Stevens, you're fired!

Many have wondered whether Sarah Palin would run for the Senator Ted Stevens' Senate seat if he were to be expelled from the Senate due to his recent conviction related to more than $250K in gifts he accepted. Well this is a moot point now:

Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid Tuesday, marking the downfall of a Washington political power and Alaska icon who couldn't survive a conviction on federal corruption charges. His defeat by Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich moves Senate Democrats within two seats of a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority. Source: Huffington Post

That's one heck of a birthday present, but it looks as if the people of Alaska have spoken. I have to admit that it seems crazy that the race was actually this close. I mean, after all Senator Stevens was actually convicted of this crime before the election even took place. It's amazing that a U.S. Senator can be proven of having extremely bad judgment at least, and a crook at worst, and the people would actually still almost vote him back in!

As for Governor Palin, it looks like she will have to find another way to Washington. The next Alaskan Senate seat is Lisa Murkowski's seat, whose term won't be up until 2011. It looks like Palin might as well stay in Alaska as governor, run for reelection in 2010, and go from there.

Of course Palin can always go to change.gov and fill out an application for the Obama Administration. However, my gut tells me that she won't be willing to submit to the necessary disclosures in order to get the job.

What do you think?

Happy birthday Senator Ted Stevens, you're fired!

Many have wondered whether Sarah Palin would run for the Senator Ted Stevens' Senate seat if he were to be expelled from the Senate due to his recent conviction related to more than $250K in gifts he accepted. Well this is a moot point now:

Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid Tuesday, marking the downfall of a Washington political power and Alaska icon who couldn't survive a conviction on federal corruption charges. His defeat by Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich moves Senate Democrats within two seats of a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority. Source: Huffington Post

That's one heck of a birthday present, but it looks as if the people of Alaska have spoken. I have to admit that it seems crazy that the race was actually this close. I mean, after all Senator Stevens was actually convicted of this crime before the election even took place. It's amazing that a U.S. Senator can be proven of having extremely bad judgment at least, and a crook at worst, and the people would actually still almost vote him back in!

As for Governor Palin, it looks like she will have to find another way to Washington. The next Alaskan Senate seat is Lisa Murkowski's seat, whose term won't be up until 2011. It looks like Palin might as well stay in Alaska as governor, run for reelection in 2010, and go from there.

Of course Palin can always go to change.gov and fill out an application for the Obama Administration. However, my gut tells me that she won't be willing to submit to the necessary disclosures in order to get the job.

What do you think?