A big couple of days, with surprising political news.

First, a hearty congratulations to the Republican primary voters in Kenai and the Talkeetna area. Their votes have rid us of those political carbuncles, Bev Masek and Jerry Ward - two very commendable results.

If I don't seem to be leaping for the sky in celebration, well, I'm not. Sen Waggoner will likely remain in the Kenai seat as a reliable vote for Gov. Dorkowski and the reactionary boobs in charge of the Majority, and the leader in the Talkeetna race is a fellow who's claim to fame is having been hand selected for Dorkowski's phony "Conference of Alaskans" - although I don't know much about him, that is hardly a high recommendation. Nonetheless, Masek and Ward represent the worst of Alaska politics: reactionary, thuggish, ill-informed, and, most importantly, corrupt. We're a better state without them involved in government.

As for Sen. Ogan's (R - Evergreen) resignation - I must admit to being somewhat shocked. I had, frankly, judged him as a man incapable of recognizing the public's best interest if it bit him on the ass (see my earlier post on Ogan), but perhaps I was wrong. Whatever his reasons (and I can't help but think that his poor health did not have something to do with this), it was a stand-up decision, and the right thing to do. A recall campaign could only have been devisive and bitter, and a successful recall would have cast a long shadow over the State's elections for years to come. So (gulp), well done, Mr. Ogan. You should be proud of yourself.