"Maybe we're jaded. We've seen our Rep. Don Young in action so many times that when he plays Alaska's homespun champion and a bully to boot, it just doesn't "go viral" for us. It's like Boston Red Sox fans used to say about Manny Ramirez -- it's just Manny being Manny.
Young's set-to with Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley was more sizzle than substance. Young was rude. Brinkley was right to stand up to him. Brinkley's own contemptuous reference to Young's education was a cheap shot.
As for Young, railing at environmentalists has been a staple of his career. He clearly has fun doing it and just as clearly doesn't care what critics think. And despite antics like the propeller-head beanie slap at Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and the administration's oil and gas policies, it's a mistake to underestimate Young. He hasn't stayed in office since the early '70s on dumb luck."
Get the Story:
Our View: Rep. Young and his show biz
(The Anchorage Daily News 11/29)
Also Today:
ANWR dustup between Young and historian turned personal
(The Anchorage Daily News 11/25)
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Editorial: Here comes another bad idea out of
Rep. Don Young (11/28)
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