OK. Fifty years ago when Alaska became a state it was a big deal. The Governor and all the dignitaries gathered in the capital city of Juneau; on Independence Day, July 4th, 1959, bleachers were set up and there was a parade and there were songs and dances and speeches. And then Old Glory with its new forty-ninth star was sent up the pole. From all accounts it was a wondrous day.

Time passed and the time came for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Alaska statehood. There were songs and speeches and the original 50-year-old flag was sent up the pole.Everybody was there.

Except for the Governor, Sarah Palin. Oh, yes, she was in town (which she rarely was) just a block and a half from the festivities but she stayed home in the Governor's mansion. She did not even send an emissary.

She would not commit nor non-commit as to her presence; at the last minute the Celebration Committee prevailed upon Dennis Egan, the grandson of former Governor Bill Egan, to act as the top dignitary.

And that is why I don't like Sarah Palin, the person.