A rather hilarious cartoon that I came upon the other day featured Sarah Palin selling a perfume called Moose Piss. I sent it around to a few friends, including several who live in Alaska. These latter were far less amused than I and reminded me of an excellent point: the absurd Sarah Palin in no way represents all of Alaska. And those of us who fall into the pit of thinking Alaska is filled with empty-headed and/or crooked people might do well to remember that some of our best and brightest also live under the Northern Lights.
Every state has its morons and its poseurs—I think of Jesse Helms in my own state. Trouble is, every state is not as exotic in the minds of the lower 49 as is Alaska. So it is easy for us to pick up on a few huge images—moose, bears, fishing, snow mobiles, and dog sleds—and ignore totally the geo-physicists who work at the University of Alaska/Fairbanks on esoteric projects that kept us safe during the cold war, environmentalists who lead the way in these times of climate change, colleges and university campuses not to mention the teachers, professors, artists, writers and journalists, and entrepreneurs who have had the grit and talent and vision to create a great state in often challenging circumstances.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the next time you hear about moose piss, think of the governor and not the state. Or, even better, mix up a batch and enjoy.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Todd Palin // Oct 14, 2008 at 7:23 pm
For someone who doesn’t know that much about Alaska and sees it as kind of exotic it’s easy to associate it with the folksiness shtick that is Palin’s only hope of appealing to voters. By milking that she is giving Alaska a bad name around the world (I’m in England). Likewise all the attacks along the lines of ‘Wasilla is tiny and parochial’ and ‘Alaska has so few people so she can’t know anything about government’ make a valid point about her experience but unfortunately add to our impression of Alaska as Nowhere.
2 admin // Oct 15, 2008 at 7:54 am
Gee, I thought the first dude had posted. Yep, you make good points. Fortunately if one has been to Alaska, it is easy to see how UNrepresentative she is.
Thanks for coming by!
3 Beth // Oct 15, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Snow machines, Puffin. Snow MACHINES.
I thought the first dude was in the room, too! It made me click on that post, posthaste.
4 kelsie // Nov 4, 2008 at 8:58 pm
can you send me the cartoon?
5 admin // Nov 5, 2008 at 9:41 am
Sorry,kelsie, I tossed it. You might try and google Palin+moose piss.
Thanks for stopping by.
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