Another leap to the side: Palin has become a sticky subject in Alaska. Not only Democrats but members of her own party are fed up and getting progressively more vocal about it. In some ways it has become a running joke.

At the moment, in addition to the bigger fights she is waging on every hand, she is apparently going to be a no-show at the Capital city's ceremonies replicating the activities of July 4 fifty years ago. Alaska had just been named a state and this was the first time that the 49-star flag had been hoisted. The governor at the time was here and spoke, other dignitaries spoke, a full court of queen and princesses was on hand as well as a crowd of several thousand and I don't know what all else.

This time, fifty years later, Governor Palin has refused to commit herself as to whether she will be present nor has she named someone to represent her. The Lieutenant Governor has already officially said that he can't be present.

Palin has political enemies here and a good many of the private sector is no longer that fond of her either. Neither am I but I do want her here- as the governor of the state it is the proper thing to do.