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: A Public Defender's Life in Alaska

So, let me tell you something about life in Alaska. At least for me. I am damn proud of where I live. Damn proud. I love this place (even though I despise the government.....but what else is new). Alaska is the best place on earth. So when friends (old and new) and family want to visit, I am happy to accomodate. Not only do I get to do new things (and share the cost) but I get to show visitors why Alaska is just so special. Like today. My family and I hiked up to Exit Glacier. It was Kadee's first hike and she did the ~2 miles like a champ. I was so proud of her. She is getting to be an 'Alaskan'. 2 miles at 2 years old just to see a glacier. Sweet. Like yesterday I went shooting to get my.300 Win Mag dialed in for moose season, which starts Wednesday. Kadee sees my gun and says "Gun. Moose". She just got it. The gun is to kill moose. I didn't teach her that. She just got it. I just about cried. She gets it. And the Government says that this 2 year old is somehow less Alaskan because her parents were born in a different country! If this was not a family blog I would say what I think about that. Let just say this: ^%$&suckers. We'll see. They told Zobel (see Zobel v. Williams 457 U.S. 55 (1982)) the same thing but the United States Supreme Court would not have it. The Court stated that "States may not "divide citizens into expanding numbers of permanent classes. Such a result would be clearly impermissible" (emphasis added). I am so going to jam this in their ass. But anyways. "Gun. Moose". Exactly. Exactly. Back to my main point. Alaska is awesome. But, for me, here is the price: having to show this place to people that I love and then watching them leave. This summer there have been many, many tears in driveways and airports as I have had to say goodbye to those I loved. My brother and his family will be the last this summer and thank God. I am not sure I could handle any more. Seriously. I have 2 more days with them and intend to enjoy every second.

Full post as published by A Public Defender's Life in Alaska on August 19, 2008 (boomark / email).