TJ,
Good to hear from you either way, you're a hoot and I usually agree with your opinions.
I based out of Iliamna for a few years, and trust me, you can't legislate "morality" when it comes to that particular mining company. They are foreign, they have an attitude--now they would appear to be PC--and when they get done cleaning up OUR resource--with no real meaningful profit for the Great State of Alaska or even the USA, there will be a huge hole left in the ground for us to clean up, and the potential of killing a LOT of fish.
I am against Pebble whole heartedly as are many of the locals that live in that area (except the ones who stand to profit of course). I was flying in Iliamna before Northern Dynasty, Inc. showed up en masse, and then during the ramp up, and they do not care, they may pretend they do care now but I saw so many things they did and said that convinced me otherwise.
And in regards to the Colorado boy filming his trip to Alaska...
You said you've been in Alaska 44 years, that's awesome. I'm just guessing here, but you seem at least a year older than 44 or maybe two?...
My point is, Alaska is like a melting-pot, most people come from somewhere else or "Outside", and all the Genuine Alaskans I know are a pile of giggles when they get to go to the beach and vacation somewhere warm in the winter! You can always tell an Alaskan, they are either pure White still, or bright red!
I love it when Hometown USA Folks come up to My beautiful home state to visit, especially when they are enthusiastic about Alaska and all it has to offer! I get excited talking about it to them, and showing it to them out of the Airplane windows...and ultimately it makes Alaska that much Greater in the process (NOT from my talking, but from their awe of It!).
What DOES irritate me to no end are people that come up and do NOT respect it--OR it's resources--or it's people and its ways; there is so much going on with that it's positively nauseating. Between the animal rights groups from elsewhere who are here to save a particular species, and the rich-kid teenagers littering all over the place I get just about fed up sometimes!
But the people who share a love and respect for the GreatLand and it's endless experiences will always feel welcome by me! That's how I was raised in the Alaskan bush, to be friendly and help your neighbor. And I think our Colorado boy is trying to show the World what is being risked here, and I applaud him for Caring about OUR State enough to do so. Glad someone's getting it out there.
BY the way, I'm sure you knew this already, but I was born and raised in Alaska, out near Chitina and plan to rot/freeze in my grave in Alaskan soil/permafrost. The only reason I've not been in Alaska 44 years is because I'm not that old yet. 8)
Besides, I love watching videos of Alaska in the summer mid-winter, it makes winter not so...Wintry.
Cheers!
RB