The View From ‘Nowhere’

Ketchikan is somewhere. The bridge to nowhere is from Kitchikan to nowhere (the freaking place where the the airport is located). People please do not comment on something you no nothing about. Palin and McCain are both Liars that stupid bridge put that stupid lady in the news and you all keep talking about her dumb ass.

It seems that people in the lower "48" seem to forget that as US citizens they do pay FEDERAL INCOME TAX. And that as a State of the UNITED STATES are entitled to have thier state represented and Federal tax dollars utilzed on behalf of thier state. As for somer of these posstings all I can ask is does that mean they shouldn't have a National Guard that is there to defend the "Lower 48" either? Get a life people!! they have just as much right to utilize U.S.Tax Dollars as does Hawaii or any other States belonging to the "United States of America and its territories. And by the way....this writer lives in California....in the "lower 48"

I think this is an issue that will not be solved unless everyone works together. Mayor, you send me a plane ticket to Gravina, and I will personally come help you build that bridge.

Quite the fiery debate here I must say - well, that's what America is all about isn't it? Too bad all of you down there in the lower 48 are being fed so much misinformation (BS) about us. Ketchikan could indeed use that bridge, but the earmark which attempted to fund it was nothing more than a political ploy to ensure reelection of one or more of our now infamous Congressmen. Go figure. As for Sarah claiming to squash the deal - again, just another well timed political move - by the way, you all can have her, and good luck with that. And then there is the matter of our state dividend checks - well, we never asked for that, and besides, how many of you would turn down "free money" if it were offered? Right, not many. I agree that Alaska should indeed fund this bridge with state money - we can afford it - but then how would Uncle Ted and Uncle Don and Auntie Lisa get reelected if the pork quits flowing? Oh wait, that won't matter because they'll all be in prison soon. Only in America folks, only in America.

A well written article from an honest man looking out for his community. But sold out by Punk.......... I mean Palin. If the Republicans replace Usless.... I mean Palin with this guy then I would vote for McCain. Power Hungry Back Stabbing Liar......... I mean Palin would drive us more useless wars killing our VERY BRAVE soldiers looking for weapons that are not there. Take My Kids On Trips And Bill The Alaskan People Even When They Are Not Invited.................. I mean Palin should take some lessons from this guy on how to govern.

I was born and raised in Ketchikan. They have been talking about a bridge since my father was on the city council and borough assembly in the late 60's. This is a great article, I know that the rest of America doesn't understand Alaska and its unique way of life.

What this lamenting mayor forgets to mention is that Gravina Island, to where this brige leads, has a population of 50 people. 50 People. The Ferry ride from Grvina Island takes between 3 - 7 minutes and runs at least every 1/2 hour.

I'm amazed at how poeple can somehow justify spending over $200 million for a bridge that truly does, lead to nowhere.

Ketchikan is somewhere. The bridge to nowhere is from Kitchikan to nowhere (the freaking place were the the airport is located). People please do not comment on something you no nothing about. Palin and McCain are both Liars that stupid bridge put that stupid lady in the news and you all keep talking about her dumb ass.

Alaska is the only state that does not collect state sales tax or levy an individual income tax on any type of personal income, either earned or unearned. State projects are funded from the oil companies in Alaska and our federal tax dollars. We are paying taxes in our communities to fund the projects that we need, maybe Alaskans need to do the same! With the talk of breaking away from the USA (we dont need big government messing around here) not paying any sales or income taxes and then asking for big dollars to solve your problem? You guys need to start kickin in yourselves like the rest of us. Its easy to tell big government to stay out of your lives until you need something that you don't want to pay for yourself. Start paying taxes at your state level then we may start feeling sorry for ya.

Sounds like Sara sold the people out and used their money for her own priorities.

I am a resident of Ketchikan but I am not in favor of the bridge. I would however like to sincerely thank our newly elected mayor for pointing out that Ketchikan is NOT Nowhere. It as a beautiful, engergized small town. This seems to have slipped the mind of our dear Governor. You would think she could remember the name of the fourth largest city in the state she governs. Perhaps she was too busy shopping and it slipped her mind. Or perhaps she has no problem selling us out for her own gain. Whatever the case may be, bridge or no bridge, Ketchikan (not Nowhere) is a terrifc place, you should stop by and visit sometime!

Sounds like Sara sold the people out and used their bridge money for her own priorities. I thought there must be some hanky-panky.

I want to thank Dave for the information (looks like Dave doesn't buy his wardrobe at Neiman Marcus?) We forgot to mention the ???road to nowhere??? (to the airport.) Another government success story.

Like rural America it is normal to travel a 100 miles just to see a doctor, or have a job or able to buy food. People in the cities have no true idea of the miles it takes to get somewhere let alone schooling. If gas prices rise too high then more and more people will stop trying to go to work and let the government support them. Funny, If you have a product for sell or used, but the people don't have the money to use it then you no longer have a product

I bet that Road that goes to that Bridge becomes a Runway!

Dave Kiffer and his community have every reason to be frustrated by what passes for politics today. A funny one-liner, a quip, a humorous moniker, all you need nowadays for what some would call a reasoned debate. Dave should direct some of his anger at the media who miss this story. What previous generation of journalists would have let politicians refer to a Bridge to Nowhere without following up on where "nowhere" was? Thanks Dave for giving America (the whole 50) the other side of the story. Clearly, McCain picked the wrong Alaskan for VP.

You just have to wonder if the real problem was that the design of the bridge was inappropriate for the cirumstances--too much bridge for the number of users. Clearly, while it may have been needed, it did not benefit enough people to justify spending that much. As for easylius' comment about Iraq--what are you going to say in 10 years when that country is like Western Germany before the wall came down?