This editorial first appeared in the Anchorage Daily News:
Maybe we’re jaded. We’ve seen our Rep. Don Young in action so many times that when he plays Alaska’s homespun champion and a bully to boot, it just doesn’t “go viral” for us. It’s like Boston Red Sox fans used to say about Manny Ramirez — it’s just Manny being Manny.
Young’s set-to with Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley was more sizzle than substance. Young was rude. Brinkley was right to stand up to him. Brinkley’s own contemptuous reference to Young’s education was a cheap shot.
As for Young, railing at environmentalists has been a staple of his career. He clearly has fun doing it and just as clearly doesn’t care what critics think. And despite antics like the propeller-head beanie slap at Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and the administration’s oil and gas policies, it’s a mistake to underestimate Young. He hasn’t stayed in office since the early ‘70s on dumb luck.
But here’s the thing. A verbal slap fight with an academic may satisfy some Alaskans but does nothing for Alaskans. Beanies and bullying won’t expand oil and gas exploration; beanies and bullying subvert Young’s arguments and harden opposition. At the least, they’re a waste of energy.
Besides, Young should realize that if Brinkley sold a few more books off his video clash with Young, then the historian had the last word.
Young will be Young but he’s old enough to know when to know better.
Comments (16)
Add commentAntics, smantics
As one of the least attendant representative in the whole House of Representatives, it would be nice if he would concentrate on doing his job, even if we have to coax him into attending by offering him a beanie with a propeller on it if he is on his good behavior. If he promises not to throw any more fits, we'll stop at McDonald's on the way home...
Speaking out of turn...
Was never allowed by any educator that I've sat under. Brinkley acted like he was in his class room. Young had the floor. I'm amazed at the big uproar over the sound bytes that the media harps on while the context of Young's testimony is skipped over. Brinkley disrupted class and should have been sent home.
Youg's nonsence
Anyone who does not see Don's BS, lack of decorum and triads as unacceptable behaviors needs to go back to grammar school and take notes on how to act.
Brinkley is not a congressional delegate. Brinkley is not representing Alaska. Don Young is both. And his antics are costing Alaska as every time he opens his mouth he gets a little bit less credibility from his cohorts. So it is no wonder Don can not get support for things in the House. He has become an untouchable where no-one wishes to align themselves with him and vote Alaskan.
Don does the same type of antics at public meeting when anyone he does not like anyone presenting him with a question he does not want to answer. I personally sat through a meeting where Don went into a tirade on how he was the one to decide how to vote on legislation not Alaskans. He openly stated he did not care how the audience felt about the fisheries issues, IPHC commission members, he had already decided to support the Congressional delegates from Washington State over Alaskan objections to the proposal.
I called the Honorable Don Young's office this year
to ask him about supporting a Democrat who was introducing a bill to support a National Holiday for Charles Darwin. For a moment I thought I was going to be able to talk to him directly but then his staff came back on the line and said he was busy cleaning his gun.
I'm pretty sure that's what he said.
Mike
Don Young only works for the
Don Young only works for the big money interests in Alaska.
He has never cared to what the common man in AK thinks.
A perfect example is the Sealaska bill, where Murkowski has tried to work out a deal, Don has gone ahead with the most controversial form, he does not care that the majority of SE residents don't like it. How else do these politicians become so rich off their salaries
Yeah, exercising your right
Yeah, exercising your right to free speech is a no-no around your elected overlords.
The nature of respect
Over the years I have spoken with many elected Representatives, Senators, Governors and even a couple of Vice Presidents.
While I may or may not have respected the man or woman, I always -- without fail -- respected the office and spoke courteously and professionally in any citizen/government conversation.
I remain grateful that when my elders taught me about respect, they covered those distinctions.
Too bad crackpot Don wasn't raised with the same values
that YOU were raised with Media! I watched the disgraceful power-drunk tirade from Don, and was aghast at his conduct, and delighted with the responses from Brinkley. Time to retire the dinosaur.
~Um~ Well...
Let's face it: Don Young is just plain lewd. 'Nuff said...
Don needs to just retire already
There's no good reason for him to stay in Congress. His day and his kind of politics are over.
We need a Congressional delegation that will work for an Alaska economy that brings all of us together, rather than dividing us along phonie "greenie or worker" lines.
Most "greenies" work just as hard as anybody else. Most workers want an environment in which their kids can survive. And there has to be some way we can employ people in this state that doesn't involve short-term ecocidal "boom" tactics.
But Don can't be part of helping us create that economy. He's tied to the past and his whole career has been built on division and spite rather than helping the people of this state live together in prosperity.
Just go already, Don. You've done enough. You have nothing to offer this state anymore.
Young will be Young...
...but he’s old enough to RETIRE!
And you need to...
...learn to spell.
Uh, "Jeremiah", you do realize that the character whose name
you post under was played Robert Redford, by one of the most committed
"greenies" in showbiz, don't you?
Were you trying for extreme irony with that?