Why Exactly Was Lt. Colonel AWOL at Last Week’s Debate?

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Photo Credit: Facebook Political Page There are strange things done in the midnight sun indeed. Rumors have surfaced that Dan Sullivan’s campaign was contacted repeatedly about participating in the United for Liberty-Alaska/Conservative Patriots Group Senate debate last week. Yet, he was a no-show.

On last Friday’s version of the Glen Biegel show he was absolved after claiming he “had a conflict . . . something my campaign had been working on for quite some time.”

Interesting, especially when one considers the fact that said event was created on Facebook about three hours before it was to occur, and four and a half hours before the UFL/CPG debate was to begin. Just seven people responded that they would be there.

So, his campaign had been working on the event “for quite some time,” and didn’t get around to advertising the event until less than four hours before show time?

Maybe the would-be senator from Alaska needs a new staff. Come out of the shadows, and talk about the important issues facing our state and nation. This self-proclaimed “fighter” ran from our state’s first real debate between the candidates. If he can’t squarely face the electorate now, why should they have any confidence he will stand up to the Party bosses and political insideres in Washington, DC?

We don’t need any more of those kind of “fighters” in the United States Senate. Can you say “Surrender Caucus?”

Treadwell Thanks God for Bergdahl, the Suspected Deserter Who Reportedly Converted to Islam, Declared Jihad

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Photo Credit: Fox News Bergdahl Declared Jihad in Captivity, Secret Documents Show

By James Rosen / Fox News.

U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl at one point during his captivity converted to Islam, fraternized openly with his captors and declared himself a “mujahid,” or warrior for Islam, according to secret documents prepared on the basis of a purported eyewitness account and obtained by Fox News.

The reports indicate that Bergdahl’s relations with his Haqqani captors morphed over time, from periods of hostility, where he was treated very much like a hostage, to periods where, as one source told Fox News, “he became much more of an accepted fellow” than is popularly understood. He even reportedly was allowed to carry a gun at times.

The documents show that Bergdahl at one point escaped his captors for five days and was kept, upon his re-capture, in a metal cage, like an animal. In addition, the reports detail discussions of prisoner swaps and other attempts at a negotiated resolution to the case that appear to have commenced as early as the fall of 2009.

The reports are rich in on-the-ground detail — including the names and locations of the Haqqani commanders who ran the 200-man rotation used to guard the Idaho native — and present the most detailed view yet of what Bergdahl’s life over the past five years has been like. These real-time dispatches were generated by the Eclipse Group, a shadowy private firm of former intelligence officers and operatives that has subcontracted with the Defense Department and prominent corporations to deliver granular intelligence on terrorist activities and other security-related topics, often from challenging environments in far-flung corners of the globe.

Read more from this story HERE.

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Photo Credit: ReutersTaliban: Bergdahl Swap Just Means More Kidnappings

By David K. Li.

A senior Taliban leader said the five-for-one exchange for Army ​POW Bowe Bergdahl will only inspire insurgents to grab more Americans.

One of the Taliban leaders directly involved in Saturday’s swap laughed when Time magazine asked if the deal with America would prompt more abductions.

“Definitely,” the chuckling terrorist told Time in a report published online Thursday​.

“It’s better to kidnap one person like Bergdahl than kidnapping hundreds of useless people. It has encouraged our people. Now everybody will work hard to capture such an important bird.”

Read more from this story HERE.

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Photo Credit: APHagel to face House grilling on legality of Bergdahl-Taliban trade

By Bill Gertz.

The House Committee on Armed Services on Wednesday will question Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on why the Obama administration failed to obey a new law requiring the White House to notify Congress 30 days before releasing any Guantanamo Bay terrorists.

The hearing is expected to be contentious in examining last weekend’s swap of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five Taliban leaders held at the prison.

Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, California Republican and committee chairman, expressed relief over Sgt. Bergdahl’s release but said “we have a responsibility to both the American people and the troops still in harm’s way in Afghanistan to get to the bottom of this deal with the Taliban.”

“I am particularly troubled by the release of five senior Taliban leaders, men with the blood of many on their hands, and the implications for our deployed forces,” Mr. McKeon said. “I am no less concerned that the Obama administration broke a national security law, passed with bipartisan support and signed by the president, in transferring these detainees.”

A classified briefing on the exchange is set for Wednesday afternoon on Capitol Hill for House and Senate members.

Read more from this story HERE.

Alaska Volcano Erupts with New Intensity, Prompting ‘Red’ Alert

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Photo Credit: REUTERS / PAUL HORN / ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAMEAn Alaska volcano that has been spewing ash and lava for years began erupting with new intensity this week, pushing a plume of smoke and ash as high as 24,000 feet (7,315 meters) and prompting scientists to issue their highest volcanic alert in five years, authorities said on Tuesday.

But the intense action at the Pavlof Volcano, located in an uninhabited region nearly 600 miles (966 km) southwest of Anchorage, has so far not disrupted any regional air traffic, thanks to favorable weather that has made it easier for flights to navigate around the affected area.

Still, the eruption was intense enough for Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists to issue their first red alert warning since 2009, when the state’s Mount Redoubt had a series of eruptions that spewed ash 50,000 feet (15,240 meters).

Read more from this story HERE.

Joe Miller Slams Obama for ‘White Flag Diplomacy’ and Another Lawless Act

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Photo Credit: REUTERS / Kevin LamarqueFairbanks, Alaska. June 2, 2014 – Joe Miller today weighed in on the President’s latest foreign policy fiasco, stating that the release of five top Taliban commanders was tantamount to surrender and further endangers our soldiers and US interests around the globe. He identified it as yet another lawless act by the Obama Administration.

“It’s outrageous,” Miller said. “It is becoming increasingly evident that Barack Obama’s incompetence in dealing with national security issues is imperiling the country, and if it’s not a competency issue, we’ve got even bigger problems. But one thing is certain, ‘white flag diplomacy’ only emboldens our enemies and endangers Americans abroad, especially US service men and women.”

As more information emerges, other disturbing questions are being raised including whether the President even acted within the parameters of the law by failing to notify Congress of his intentions to release the five dangerous extremists in exchange for American POW Bowe Bergdahl, who disappeared under questionable circumstances.

Miller concluded, “When seen within a larger pattern of lawless acts, this incident is beyond troubling. This President has little regard for the law, to say nothing of his aptitude for decision-making as it relates to our national security. Congress must hold him accountable. This incident is yet another reason the President should be impeached.”

Joe Miller is a husband, father, combat veteran, and advocate of Constitutional liberty who believes in individual rights, private property, free markets and the sanctity of human life.

Joe Miller Wins Debate, Back-to-Back Straw Polls (+videos)

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Joe Miller’s victory in back-to-back straw polls and the last debate reflects his campaign’s strong grassroots support. This follows Joe’s successful Patriots Day launch when hundreds of supporters came out, continuing to build momentum statewide.

Joe Miller Wins Poll at Anchorage UFL-CPG U.S. Senate Debate

U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller got another boost this week after being voted the winner of a debate with Republican Mead Treadwell and Libertarian Mark Fish. The exit poll followed the United for Liberty – Alaska/Conservative Patriots Group U.S. Senate debate at the Wilda Marston Theater in Anchorage and was conducted by the debate’s sponsors. There were approximately 200 people in attendance. The other Republican in the race, Dan Sullivan was a no-show.
 
“Joe’s second straw poll win in less than a week reflects the growing momentum the campaign has been seeing on the ground,” said spokesman Randy DeSoto. “Joe turned in a strong performance in the debate, proving he is the true conservative/reform candidate and is the right choice to represent the Republican Party against Senator Begich in the fall.”


 
Some major differences between Miller and Lt. Gov. Treadwell were highlighted during the debate, including Treadwell’s support for a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens (Amnesty), as well as his support for the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST). Miller opposes both. Miller’s opposition to LOST is, in part, based on the authority it grants the United Nations to directly tax and regulate the American people. Treadwell also affirmed his belief in man-caused climate change, a theory for which Miller believes the science is inconclusive.

 
One of the highlights of the debate came near its close when the candidates were given the opportunity to ask direct questions of each other. Miller inquired into Treadwell’s past support, financially and otherwise, of left-leaning Republicans and liberal Democrats over conservative challengers, including Lisa Murkowski, Matt Claman and Sheila Selkregg. All three are ardent backers of the big-government agenda, as well as socially liberal policies such as abortion and special rights for homosexuals. Miller questioned how Treadwell could be trusted to support a consistent conservative agenda in Washington when he has been unable or unwilling to do so in Alaska.

Treadwell claimed personal friendship was the reason he chose to support candidates who work against his stated values.
 
“Joe believes principle must trump party, and even friendship,” said DeSoto. “Without strong core convictions concerning fundamental issues, the pressures in Washington will quickly turn campaign rhetoric into false promises.”

Joe Miller is a husband, father, combat veteran, and advocate of Constitutional liberty who believes in individual rights, private property, free markets and the sanctity of human life.
 

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Joe Miller Convincingly Wins the Alaska Republican Assembly Straw Poll

Over the weekend, U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller handily won the Alaska Republican Assembly’s straw poll, garnering 76 percent of the vote, with Mead Treadwell taking 18 percent, and Dan Sullivan 6 percent.

The Republican Assembly conducted the poll at its annual convention, which took place in Wasilla on Saturday. Other winners of the poll included Ted Cruz for President, Sean Parnell for Governor and now Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan for Lieutenant Governor.

“Joe’s victory in the Republican Assembly’s straw poll over the weekend reflects the campaign’s strong grassroots support,” said spokesman Randy DeSoto. “We also saw it last month when hundreds of supporters came out for the campaign launch, and the momentum continues to build statewide.”

The Alaska Republican Assembly, along with its parent organization the National Federal of Republican Assemblies “NFRA,” self describe as the “Republican Wing of the Republican Party.” The group is committed to keeping the Party true to its platform of limited constitutional government, free market capitalism, a strong national defense, and traditional values. It does so through grassroots activism and identifying and supporting true conservative candidates for office. The Republican Assembly aligns with the principles championed by Ronald Reagan.

Featured speakers at Saturday’s Alaska Republican Assembly Convention included Rev. Rafael Cruz (father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz), Sharron Angel (current president of NFRA), Willes Lee (NW Vice President of NFRA) and Sheriff and author Richard Mack.

Miller carried a reform message, in the vein of the Republican Assembly, to the GOP state convention in Juneau last month. He exhorted the delegates to resist the temptation to water down the Party platform, especially with regards to traditional values (life and family), along with other core issues. Quoting Reagan’s call to raise a banner of “bold colors, no “pale pastels,” he said, “If you want to defeat Mark Begich this fall, getting rid of the Reagan coalition is the wrong way to do it.”

“People realize Joe is the real deal. I believe that was reflected in this past weekend’s Republican Assembly straw poll results,” said DeSoto. “What he says is not just campaign rhetoric, but a real commitment to help change the current disastrous direction of our country and to restore constitutional government.”

Senior Political Analyst: ‘Very Clear Path to Victory’ for Miller in Alaska

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Alaska Republican Senate candidates, Joe Miller and Mead Treadwell, met this week for a debate hosted by the United for Liberty – Alaska/Conservative Patriots Group. Libertarian Mark Fish also met at the Wilda Marston Theater in Anchorage, Alaska, where roughly 200 people were in attendance. However, Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan was a no-show, leaving unanswered the recent questions raised over his position on climate change.

Following the debate, Joe Miller won the straw poll conducted by the debate sponsors, which was the second straw poll win for Miller in less than a week. In Wasilla last Saturday, during the inaugural convention of the Alaska Republican Assembly, Miller easily won the convention’s U.S. Senate straw poll with a whopping 76 percent of the vote.

The candidates traded blows on issues such as immigration, same-sex marriage and climate change. Miller has been hammering his opponents on their positions regarding climate change. The Alaska Dispatch recently ran a puff-piece story that accused Miller of “trying once again to carve out the far-right territory as a climate change denier, though without directly saying so.”

During the debate, Treadwell affirmed his belief in man-made climate change, otherwise known as global warming or whatever name they have decided to call it this week. Sullivan, who didn’t show up to clarify his position, is trying to straddle the middle ground, claiming there is no consensus on the issue. Sullivan enjoys the endorsement of The Club for Growth, a group that would no doubt oppose climate change legislation. Still, Sullivan has made repeated statements in the past that suggest a flip-flop on the issue.

Read more from this story HERE.

Joe Miller Wins Poll at Anchorage UFL-CPG U.S. Senate Debate

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U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller got another boost this week after being voted the winner of a debate with Republican Mead Treadwell and Libertarian Mark Fish. The exit poll followed the United for Liberty – Alaska/Conservative Patriots Group U.S. Senate debate at the Wilda Marston Theater in Anchorage and was conducted by the debate’s sponsors. There were approximately 200 people in attendance. The other Republican in the race, Dan Sullivan was a no-show.
 
“Joe’s second straw poll win in less than a week reflects the growing momentum the campaign has been seeing on the ground,” said spokesman Randy DeSoto. “Joe turned in a strong performance in the debate, proving he is the true conservative/reform candidate and is the right choice to represent the Republican Party against Senator Begich in the fall.”
 
Some major differences between Miller and Lt. Gov. Treadwell were highlighted during the debate, including Treadwell’s support for a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens (Amnesty), as well as his support for the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST). Miller opposes both. Miller’s opposition to LOST is, in part, based on the authority it grants the United Nations to directly tax and regulate the American people. Treadwell also affirmed his belief in man-caused climate change, a theory for which Miller believes the science is inconclusive.

 
One of the highlights of the debate came near its close when the candidates were given the opportunity to ask direct questions of each other. Miller inquired into Treadwell’s past support, financially and otherwise, of left-leaning Republicans and liberal Democrats over conservative challengers, including Lisa Murkowski, Matt Claman and Sheila Selkregg. All three are ardent backers of the big-government agenda, as well as socially liberal policies such as abortion and special rights for homosexuals. Miller questioned how Treadwell could be trusted to support a consistent conservative agenda in Washington when he has been unable or unwilling to do so in Alaska.

Treadwell claimed personal friendship was the reason he chose to support candidates who work against his stated values.
 
“Joe believes principle must trump party, and even friendship,” said DeSoto. “Without strong core convictions concerning fundamental issues, the pressures in Washington will quickly turn campaign rhetoric into false promises.”

Joe Miller is a husband, father, combat veteran, and advocate of Constitutional liberty who believes in individual rights, private property, free markets and the sanctity of human life.
 

WATCH: Sarah Palin – Illegal Aliens Get Better Healthcare Than Our Veterans

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Photo Credit: YouTubeBy Michael Hausam.

As usual, Palin’s comments are sure to ignite those who disagree with her politics, or dislike her personally:

Isn’t it ironic that those who are willing to sacrifice all, to put their life on the line, to allow the freedom of choices in healthcare and economic decisions and everything else, our soldiers, airmen, marines — they are the ones getting screwed by the VA! And our commander-in-chief is in charge of this, ultimately.

Read more from this story HERE.

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Officials Under Fire For Dumping Illegal Immigrants In U.S.

By Fox News.

Scores of illegal immigrants, caught by authorities in Texas trying to sneak into the country via the Rio Grande Valley, are being flown, bused and then abandoned out of state in places like Arizona, New York and Maryland.

If the immigrants had been from Mexico, authorities would release them back across the border. But these would-be immigrants come from Central American countries, such as El Salvador and Guatemala, and trying to get them back to their country of origin has been a costly and largely unsuccessful endeavor.

Lawmakers in Arizona, which has been battling for years to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the state, wasted no time blasting the practice.

“What an astonishing failure of leadership at every level inside the Beltway,” said Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Smith.

Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, told Reuters, “essentially, they have gotten successfully into the country and it’s unlikely that they’re going to leave.”

https://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2014/05/30/officials-under-fire-for-dumping-illegal-immigrants-in-us/

Read more from this story HERE.

Alaska Journalist Bob Tkacz Found Dead

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Editors Note: For the first time in four years, Restoring Liberty received a complaint from the original publisher of an excerpt that was re-published on this site, in this case, KTOO out of Juneau, Alaska. Restoring Liberty publishes excerpts under the broadly accepted “Fair Use” doctrine but will always remove a short excerpt of an article where the original publisher objects. We have done so in this case even though the presence of such an article drives traffic – and therefore revenue – to the original publisher.

Read the original story HERE.

Wildfire In Alaska Is Bigger Than the Entire City of Seattle

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Photo Credit: MARK THIESSEN / APA wildfire in Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage has grown to cover more than 193 square miles, but it was only 20 percent contained as of Sunday, fire officials said.

The Funny River Fire threatens about 150 cabins, vacation homes and year-round residences in three communities. Authorities have told people in those areas to be ready to leave but had not issued an evacuation order.

The fire, named after a road near its northern edge, was burning in the 1.9 million-acre Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and grew by about 42 square miles on Saturday but did not get any closer to structures. No buildings have been damaged and no injuries have been reported. The size of the blaze is not unusual for Alaska but the state does not usually see such large fires this early in the season, said Michelle Weston, spokeswoman with the

Alaska Interagency Management Team, which includes the state Division of Forestry and federal and local officials. For size comparison, as of Sunday morning, the Funny River Fire was larger than Seattle (143 square miles) but smaller than Anchorage (1,961 square miles).

Read more from this story HERE.