I’ve seen people light a lot of stupid sh*t on fire, but this one takes the cake. Apparently it’s possible to catch a frozen lake on fire by making a small hole and lighting the methane gas that escapes, like these University of Alaska students do here. And surprise, surprise – it’s a really bad idea.

As I write this, the Republican National telethon Convention has officially started. Following Obama and the Democrats, the Republicans began their convention Monday–albeit hindered “because of hurricane Gustav.” But convention coverage has barely broken the exhilarating stranglehold of natural disaster in the mainstream media. Those silly bastards just can’t shut up about the hurricane(s), something that affects only a small portion of the national population. And while it might seem like some small tragedy–and somehow unfair–that the Repubs won’t get as much coverage as the Democrats, don’t be fooled.

This is the best bit of stratagem by the Republicans since Newt Gingrich and the spooge-stained dress. While the 24-hour news channels focuse on the impending doom of Hurricane Gustav and incoming Hanna, McCain and “friends” have taken the opportunity to release some of the most damning information about the Palin pick, saving them countless voters-worth of embarrassment. Here are all the reasons Gustav, Hanna and the rest of the storms are good for the Republicans this week, very good… (more…)

As I write this, the Republican National telethon Convention has officially started. Following Obama and the Democrats, the Republicans began their convention Monday–albeit hindered “because of hurricane Gustav.” But convention coverage has barely broken the exhilarating stranglehold of natural disaster in the mainstream media. Those silly bastards just can’t shut up about the hurricane(s), something that affects only a small portion of the national population. And while it might seem like some small tragedy–and somehow unfair–that the Repubs won’t get as much coverage as the Democrats, don’t be fooled.

This is the best bit of stratagem by the Republicans since Newt Gingrich and the spooge-stained dress. While the 24-hour news channels focuse on the impending doom of Hurricane Gustav and incoming Hanna, McCain and “friends” have taken the opportunity to release some of the most damning information about the Palin pick, saving them countless voters-worth of embarrassment. Here are all the reasons Gustav, Hanna and the rest of the storms are good for the Republicans this week, very good… (more…)

Once thought a longshot, Republican Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is now on a plane to potentially stand at McCain’s side. We have received some great insights from interns that we know who work at some real publications.

If Obama had tapped (politically speaking) Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney would be the VP bid to try and match her fund-raising firepower. Since Joe Biden is in, the Republicans can now pick a female VP and look (and this is a direct quote), “progressive in the ever-changing political landscape where all citizens have equal representation and a global voice.” Gosh, I wish I could write pretty like that. (more…)

The experts who have helped establish a global reliance on oil and wasted billions of dollars trying to turn corn into gas, have now turned their attention to nature’s biggest natural power generators. Volcanoes and hot springs could supply up to 25-percent of America’s power needs–and as fuel prices soar, Alaskan officials announced the exploration of the state’s volcanoes.

Companies are being invited to lease the rights to explore geothermal resources beneath Mount Spurr, a snowcapped 11,070-foot volcano that most recently erupted in 1992, showering much of Anchorage with volcanic ash. The state Division of Oil and Gas hopes the lease sale, due to go ahead in August, will be the first of many. It is also considering allowing exploration of the 4,134-foot Augustine Volcano, 171 miles southwest of Anchorage. (more…)

Sean Penn adapts Jon Krakauer’s novel about the young idealistic Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), who leaves his life behind to go to the Alaskan wilderness.