It was young people who led the revolution, through their use of social media tools many of their elders barely understand.

Today, the country is being led by dinosaurs.

How could this happen? Our new prime minister is 85 years old. It’s true that Beji Caid Sebsi is a respected politician — he dared to defy former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

Still, there is a sense that little has actually changed since the revolution.

Mayor Bruce Bothelo recently convened a committee to determine what, if any, conditions should be pursued if the city re-opened the AJ Mine. If you lived in Juneau 20 years ago, you’ll remember the community battle that ensued when the CBJ considered reopening the mine in the heart of our city whose primary artery is also our community’s water supply. It was neighbor against neighbor, people lost jobs and folks spent countless nights sitting in committee meetings debating their value systems and the science of water quality.

Gov. Sean Parnell’s proposal for new taxes on the oil industry is not good legislation. Neither he nor his administration did a good job of selling this to the public.

The governor’s proposal attempts to undo 2007’s Alaska Clear and Equitable Share, which has a base net profits tax of 25 percent and a progressivity factor of 0.4 (starting at $30 per barrel of net profit or when the West Coast spot price reaches about $56 per barrel). The proposal intends to reward the oil industry for exploration, development and production.

Like many neighbors and friends, writing a big check on top of all the money paid to the IRS during the year is something I don’t like doing, but I think about the necessary role of government — roads, security, education, safe food and drugs, social security, national forests and parks, research, etc. — and write my check. The notion of paying taxes is akin to going to the dentist, unpleasant but necessary. Then I learn that Alaskans get a return of $1.84 for every federal tax dollar we send in and like getting a ‘no cavities’ report, paying taxes isn’t so bad after all.