Economic Hoax Fix

Until recently, Alaska had weathered the effects of a brutal economic storm upon the rest of the nation. The ranks of the unemployed remained a seasonal reality until outsiders with mobility and no jobs and shelters in foreclosure started moving north to the "Welfare" state - this has begun to "change" things in that life, liberty and pursuit of happiness category. That is what many people voted for, "change"! See, even with a downturn in investment returns, Alaskans will receive that yearly "welfare" dividend. So it invites outsiders on the verge of economic collapse. And with word of a natural gas pipeline project close to reality, well it is just like the early 70’s all over again here in the 49er. It may mean work. It may mean maybe a paycheck once again. It may mean maybe a start over for some. Just the fact that people will start this way in droves for a "pipeliner’s" paycheck will be enough to get this project off the drawing board and pipe headed into the ditches, just to ease the rising unemployment of newcomers. That was indeed a "stimulus" for the oil pipeline back in the beginning. "Change" it is! But this "change" is about to wreck havoc on a somewhat unaffected state of affairs. Now it is FedEx that is responding to a weakened economy, with transfers and layoffs. That was followed one day after Conoco went public with a restructuring plan that was just another sad chapter for its Alaskan workforce It is indeed a sad day when with the price of oil hovering around $45-dollars a barrel, it is failing the economy. And why with all this government intervention stimulus giveaways does the economy continue to tank? Well here it is in a nutshell. It all boils down to the price of energy. We live within an economy that takes energy to produce the wheat we eat. It takes energy to seed, cultivate, harvest, transport, transform and transport again that wheat. It takes energy to transport shoppers to the market, to buy that same wheat as cereal or bread - the basics. It takes energy to cook the wheat. It amounts to an all around energy infrastructure of energy here, energy there, energy is everywhere. Bottom line, it is the price of energy that continues to make the lower 48 unemployment lines look like a Katrina food bailout gone messed up. Now when the price of oil was happy at about $20-dollars a barrel for a long, long time, everybody was happy except the rich. The vision of $40-dollar barrel oil made the board room goons drool, as a double increase would mean fattening of thy bonus and make the shareholders happy at everybody else’s expense. But back then, the gurus of economics pointed out that if oil ever went over the $45 mark, it would mean an end to "Capitalism" as we know it today, I mean yesterday. They were right! So it was prudent and essential that the price of oil stayed low, regardless of the profit margins of greed that made the shareholders hold the CEOs accountable for "more, more, more" by trying to manipulate the commodities by allowing less oil on the market. Everything the oil barons tried in efforts to increase the price of oil failed, except one. And this is where the only thing to blame for an insane economy is the lam attitudes of the regulators. This is where and when the regulators were purchased by the rich. It happened here in Alaska and provides a true to life litmus test of what can happen when people that are elected to a board don’t give a rat’s ass about their neighbors and care only about the fattening of their own personal wealth. Either that or they are downright stupid! This country is in dire straits due to a failed Congress that has allowed the energy henchmen to get control of the regulators and thus take control of "MY" welfare. See, at one time, there was something that kept a "checks and balance" on keeping oil from going through the roof. It was called regulation. For over a hundred years, natural gas pricing was that "checks and balance" thing that kept the economy on track. Take it your way, as you can use natural gas or crude oil derivatives to run your business, or heat your house, or cook that wheat. See, natural gas was the ultimate referee in the energy business. That is why it uses the "natural" label. It is like this. I can take a Coleman stove way up north to the gas fields of Alaska and in no time flat have clean burning heat for boiling water - as natural gas is ready to go without any coaxing or manipulation. And it is clean without additives. There exist not to many hidden costs associated with preparing this natural product for use, just get it too my kitchen. So it is not as popular as "crude oil", the latter seeing many loopholes along the way from a raw commodity to a refined product. Crude oil has a 70% markup along the way from wellhead to the gasoline station. It is a very lucrative commodity, because of the hidden loopholes that allows price manipulation. But with natural gas? Like already mentioned, it is ready to go right out of the well. So on a BTU basis, it was the ultimate "checks and balance" with respect to energy. And with half the nation relying on natural gas to boil water to cook the wheat, it allowed for a very realistic control. It basically kept the price of energy in "check". See, if crude oil and its derivatives went overboard in pricing, there would come a trend to use less of it and more of the gas. Checks and balances my friends! Supply and demand worked well, and the equation rest assured that only about 10% of a workers income would be swept away to keep a family comfortable and allow for a warm meal. But that didn’t sit well with the asshole rich. This naturally controlling variable didn’t allow them to control us. So along the way, the Monopoly game rules went changed. No longer is natural gas available to trump greed, as the rules were changed. Thank Congress for allowing this to happen. Thank Congress for letting this economy go sour. Thank Coingress for giving themselves a raise in pay as most of us see our wages decreased, just to keep a job. See, the lobbyist of the rich were successful in deregulating natural gas and getting it tied to "crude oil" pricing. Since then, the economy has gone downtown. As we speak, if you could punch a hole in your backyard and produce "natural gas", its value would have nothing to do with "gas" but leveraged upon the price of oil. This erased the "checks and balance" that Americans had relied upon for affordable energy since day one. We were screwed. But there is a way out of this mess, and it is very simple. The bottom line, if any entity should be "governmentutionalized", it should be the energy sector. Messing around with the banks is dangerous business, as it clobbers the entire human race. But the energy companies should be taken over by the Fed.’s, a "force majeure" eminent domain move to cash in on a highway robbery scheme that is crippling this nation. If the price of energy went controlled "by the people and for the people", we could see a drastic decrease in the profitability being sucked away from the economy. In fact, let natural gas be once again the referee like it was for so, so long and you will see an economy headed in the right direction. Lower energy for all will mean extra income to be spent on other things, like affordable housing. Hey, I just looked at a house and the monthly energy bills are more then the mortgage! Sidebar on what caused the price of natural gas to be derailed as a checks and balancer. Back some years ago, we had the bastards by the balls, as Congress held congressional hearings with subpoenas to show up or else upon the CEOs of big oil, because of escalating gasoline prices. But when the bosses appeared, they were not allowed to testify "under oath" thanks to Senator Ted "Bacon Breath" Stevens - as he was the energy committee chairperson based out of seniority. So the bosses said nothing, as they were given the preferential 5th degree treatment by the person that was supposed to protect America’s interest. That is why I am glad Ted was gunned down and is spending all of his corrupt money defending himself. He earned what was coming too him, by giving in too big interests over the will of the people. Treason? Real close in my book. So we had our chance to hold accountable "Big Oil" but let it slide. And when you see what is happening today with the economy, it could be proven that it is energy price gouging that is preparing to make America a slum. When we have people like Stevens, wielding power and paving the way for brokerage dealings "by the few and for the few", this is no doubt a ways and means of disenfranchising the "PEOPLE", it is part of the reason America is doomed now as an economic giant. Taking back the energy sector and lowering the cost to do business and heat our homes is the way to go. It is a quick and overnight solution. If I woke up tomorrow morning and realized that it cost me just 10-cents to boil coffee water instead of 50-cents, I would be a happy camper, as the cost of energy affects everybody and everything. And to make matters worse off, just look at what it is costing to fuel the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, from increases in jet fuel pricing since the "mission accomplished" began? We have noosed ourselves when we elect representation that once in office abandons the "good" ship for a "pirate" ship with fools at the helm. And it is happening right now here in Alaska. Our new Senator elect Begich cannot give a straight away answer to some simple questions. Like how come he acknowledged that if elected he would not seek an increase in pay? And 2nd, how come this state has to take in Federal help with strings attached when we have a healthy Constitutional Budget Reserve, reserved to help this state through tough times? So this "Change" thing seems to be just a suggestion or maybe a real delusion. Until true "change" comes to fruition, this ship with fools at the helm will continue to plot a course of destruction that will make the EXXON Valdez wreck look like a bathtub episode in recklessness, like a little kid peeing in the pool! Bob Dylan once sang, "Heard ten thousand whisperin’ and nobody listenin’, Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin..And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall". Well over the past 100-days of the Obama "Change" I have heard 100 Senators and 435 Congressmen say that billions in bailout money has been misappropriated - or in peon language, stolen. My sentiment is this. They know exactly where the money is. If they don’t know then they are all derelict in their duties to uphold this country’s Constitution and take the crooks to task! Not one, not one representative has acknowledging that they are trying to get the taxpayers’ "misappropriated" hard earned money back to the rightful owners. This is theft and the only reason nothing is being done is the sad fact that as with de-regulation, they all benefit from it. There is no other reason to this sinking economy then the fact that Congress has failed miserably. It started with the Clinton era and now we see the effects of such bipartisan bickering to the sickening point. Maybe a 3rd party is needed, to police the malfeasance like approach this representative body called Congress tends to on a daily basis. So like this bailout is theft upon the U.S. Treasury, theft upon our heritage, theft upon good, theft upon what the red, white and blue stands for, so was the deregulation of natural gas a theft upon the people - to that we now all pay for it dearly as they play stupid games and think they are statesmen! And Congress gives themselves a raise? Mark Twain was right. When a senator is not serving the country, they should all be serving time! Sad, when the entire cast of representatives is nothing but a turnout turncoat affair, at our expense. Maybe Rush was right, it is time for a revolution, as when we are let down by those who are sworn to uphold our rights and turn their heads while they laugh and spit at us, we are already doomed and may as well welcome in socialism, as that is what is evolving before us this day. Anyway, I now spend over 40% of my hard earned income for the energy price increases due to deregulation, just over the past 2-years. More then a mortgage, more then taxation. A crying shame it is. America! Once the land of the free and home of the brave. Now though, land of the pirates and home of the lam, especially if we let them get away with it. The time is right to revolt against a government that means well on paper - the Constitution - but is hijacked by insensitive bastards that dwell not in liberty for all, but liberty for a few, including themselves. These bastards would sell their children if the price were right, as the selling of America is just that, with the next generation being scrutinized as collateral for this bailout. Our children will become the slaves of the Chinese government. Foreign governments will own us and with ownership comes control! Are we stupid? And this representative body has not solutions, just more delusion! In ending, I watched a show the other night, called "LOST". During the time-outs, the commercials were nothing but advertisements about ED - Erectile Dysfunction. And it warned against taking this drug in efforts to cure the dysfunction, something to due with a side effect of hearing lose and loss of eyesight. "Lost", ED along with these side effects sounds just like Congress. But in this case not just a fantasy but reality at our expense! Save America, by taking back what is ours. We can do our own representation and don’t need delegates. Modern times allow me to see and hear what is going on in D.C., as I have not ED. I should be able to cast a vote on every bill, every move, with a direct link to the President. Congress, your time has come as your pirate ship has come across the tides of rebellion, and it is hoped that the incoming waves of freedom take you out for the good, for the good of America at last! Congress, once this country’s Trojan horse, but now just an America’s bred disease "by the rich and for the rich"! BASTARDS….

CopyRight 2009 - Dixie Productions/MSK Media/Eagle Rock Press
Contact: Storylineonline@gci.net or www.Storylineonline.com or www.chinookjournal.blogspot.com

EXXON Crap Classic

Egad! Can you imagine coming all the way north during the Iditarod just to gork Sarah Palin? Really, an innocent bystander was interviewed on 4th Avenue during the opening ceremony and made mention that she came up here to catch a glimpse of Palin, going on to entertain ridiculousness with the fact that Sarah was needed to save the world, or words to that effect. Things have indeed "changed"! At one time not too long back in time the Anchorage police had a secret plainclothes squad that hung out at the airports and turned away unwanted no-gooders - gang members, drug dealers, child molesters and lobbyists. Yes indeed, it meant a one way return ticket away from here, until the cops were told too stop this premeditated justice as it was considered ethic stereotyping. Maybe with some of the "stimulus" money we can have a rebirth of this "turn the bad guys away" as it seems the Palin follies have incited an insane following. This is Alaska the "Last Frontier" and not Palin worshipville! Please Palin fanatics go away, go back to your own political cesspool. Anyway, what is with this state anyway? One could not distance away from the EXXON publicity during the Iditarod. But let us put this in perspective, as this giant oil conglomerate handed over $1.2-million to support the greatest dog crap race on earth. And didn’t the Dodge outfit and Cabela’s drop the moose slaying King? What gives? Oh I forgot, as this is the "Corrupt Bastards Club" state so anything and everything we do must be borderline criminal behavior or it doesn’t sell time on Greta’s Fantasy show. OK, so we have a thousand miles of trails from here to Nome. And with over a thousand dogs on the trails over the next few weeks, that means a whole lot of dog crap along the way. According to Mr. Phineas J. Whoopee and his 3DBB, by the end of the EXXON Crap Classic - a.k.a. Iditaturd - it will mean over 28,000 pounds of crap left behind to dry up and become airborne, along with some 3,000 pounds of human feces. Remember this summertime tourists, take a good whiff. Crap happens, as there ain’t no crap-houses along the way. And there ain’t many pull-offs, so where else does one take a dump. Hey, it all looks the same along the trail, so just have a crapout! Dogs and ushers alike. Instead of the Great Alaskan Shootout, the Great Alaskan Crapout. I feel sorry for the runner-up rookies. Instead of the "Red Lantern" award, maybe a new pair of boots would be a worthwhile prize. Can you imagine carrying along everybody else’s crap? I guess if you can’t see the trail when the Chinook blows, just let your keen sense of smell take you in the right direction. Now I realize that the trail grooming committee members have complained about the abnormal growth along the trail, well what do you expect, as this race fertilizes the path to glory. Anyway, I am glad to have watched the events from the comfort of my living room, with the TV sound off. As there were weirdoes running around downtown Anchorage. Sarah freaks. And did you get a load of MoanaLisa Murkowski in her native attire? That has too be a sacrilege, as she is so far removed from the starving people of Emmonak that she thinks famine is only happening in 3rd world nations. And Sarah, yes Emmonak is part of Alaska. You can’t see it from your bedroom, but the kids are going hungry! Ironic, that some villagers were going hungry until the news finally allowed for an opportunistic photo-shoot, as that is when Sarah and MoanaLisa delivered the goods and went involved. And a feast over famine was relied upon through outsiders, some religious organization from another country came to the rescue, when all the time this state’s bureaucrats had available a Constitutional Budget Reserve of 6-billion dollars to be used for emergencies. And we have the National Guard available for this kind of rescue mission. I guess starving natives is of low priority to the politicians, I mean "Corrupt Bastards". Ironic that a corporation can spend millions on advertisements when people are starving to death, in a place close in proximity to where this same race crapping extravaganza takes place. Maybe the race officials should have put out a challenge to the ushers, bring food to Emmonak! Just like the original serum race. The hell with Nome! But this is a competition. So we have EXXON celebrating sponsorship of the Last Great Race, just 17 days shy of the 20th anniversary of the 2nd greatest disaster of all time to hit Alaska! Yes 2nd, as when people come out of the woodwork to come all this way to support a Sarah Palin future, there is a disaster brewing. The 2nd disaster is the EXXON Valdez wreck for those that may have forgotten. So EXXON is paying out for the "good guy" grade. Maybe with some of that "stimulus" money we can take time or make time to educate the politically uneducated so come the next election we have voting based on reality instead of popularity. When the popular vote is amassed from the latter, we are a doomed democracy. Anyway, talk about a trail of crap. Hey, that’s catchy. Instead of Trap-line Chatter, how about Crap-line Chatter? Anyway again, it was good to see the dogs finally get freedom at last. As most of the time sled dogs lead a life of not so freedom. Dog pens are small, usually providing the dogs freedom to roam in a circular path about 5’ in diameter. I have witnessed dogs go crazy in a roundabout fashion, just like drivers in Anchorage trying to maneuver a DOT Round-about! That is why these dogs in vain like to run so much, as when confined in questionable sized shelters - akin to being in a prison’s solitary confinement - the trail provides hope at last as they run away from reality. These so-called athletes are not pet dogs, but dogs of competition. At one time this race was just a Woodstock like affair, a fun race where the purse was there but order of the race itself was fun over money. It was like a jamboree of ushers bent on the lush instead of the rush. It’s amazing how greed sets priorities crooked, just like politicians. It was outside interference that changed the Last Great Race, as it is big money and that does not fair well with the canine population taken advantage of to win in efforts for the ushers competing what could mean a year’s salary for some - for a few days out on the trail. It is hard work, no doubt. It is complicated work, but erase any notion that these dogs are Fiddo like. These are working dogs. They make money for the owners, just like Vic. And I have always wondered, what happens to all those dogs once the limbs get worn out and arthritis sets in? Sled dogs have a very limited career. Maybe the race officials should look at a seniors’ race? But preferential thinning of the pack is called culling, and it is just murder in disguise. I believe there is a book about this, called "Murder on the Iditarod", or something like that. It’s the subliminal message that’s of importance. Culling, put that in your Sarah Pac and smoke it! Culling, seems a cunning way of disguising the real truth of what goes on behind closed doors. Must have originated by politicians. Anyway, I just stepped in dog crap. Yes indeed, after the Sarah fans left town for Wasillabilly, it was safe to venture back downtown. But there is crap all over the place. And too bad this race wasn’t detoured, for Emmonak. The Last Great Race was an original race to save lives, and it could have meant a real life enactment, for our native brethren - in need of a little hospitality. But we are so afraid to "change" horses in midstream as that might mean political doom for those that have the stroke to "change" things. Soon it will be fresh air again here in Anchorage as the Last Great Race has left town, for Wasillabilly, don’t come back now ya hear, Palin fans".

CopyRight 2009 - Dixie Productions/MSK Media/Eagle Rock Press
Contact: Storylineonline@gci.net or www.Storylineonline.com or www.chinookjournal.blogspot.com

Keeping Score #3

To date, scorecard #3 of the 111th Congress verses American Workers:

Days average American Workers have worked: 51
Days the 111th Congress has worked: 40

American Workers’ average pay for this period: $8,976.00
Congressional pay for same period: $34,400.00

Congress leads by 4 to 1 margin in life, liberty and pursuit of happiness! On your buck! Are they worth it?

EXXON Iditarod

Heartfelt Apology
So cometh the 20th anniversary of the EXXON Valdez wreck. And Joe Hazelwood admits remorse in a "heartfelt apology" but at the same time suggests he was wrongly blamed and is quoted, "The true story is out there for anybody who wants to look at the facts…" So we have before us another book titled "Spill" that doesn’t really allow that "story is out there" in efforts to put at rest what really happened on March 24th, 1989 in Prince William’s Sound - a moonlit night with calmest of seas. But there exists that "true story" and for those of you that are truly interested in the reason behind the wreck, go to www.storylineonline.com and navigate to "Alaskan Novels" and under the title "From the Fifth Floor" read and understand what and who was really behind the grounding of the EXXON Valdez. Joe Hazelwood was just the convenient scapegoat!

Heartfelt Apology

So cometh the 20th anniversary of the EXXON Valdez wreck. And Joe Hazelwood admits remorse in a "heartfelt apology" but at the same time suggests he was wrongly blamed and is quoted, "The true story is out there for anybody who wants to look at the facts…" So we have before us another book titled "Spill" that doesn’t really allow that "story is out there" in efforts to put at rest what really happened on March 24th, 1989 in Prince William’s Sound - a moonlit night with calmest of seas. But there exists that "true story" and for those of you that are truly interested in the reason behind the wreck, go to www.storylineonline.com and navigate to "Alaskan Novels" and under the title "From the Fifth Floor" read and understand what and who was really behind the grounding of the EXXON Valdez. Joe Hazelwood was just the convenient scapegoat!

FUX

Did you catch Monica Muxo and Bull O’Reilly having sux on TV? At sux-cessful climax, Bull was yelling "Witch" and Miss Muxo was screaming out what sounded like "Bitch". And that FUX regular Bimbo Blond Ann "Heiress of Crap" said she could never have sux with a liberal, for the reason that they all drive "electric" cars. I bet the only thing "electric" in her bag of tricks is a personalized suxdo. Really, when she is on a rant - which appears to be her full time aspiration in life - something has to be stuck in an orifice and plugging up reality, as crap speak keeps coming from her oral orifice. That’s what happens when the relief valve is hijacked with a foreign object. And Bull, you will get older some day soon. In fact, I just shoved your mug-shot into this morphing program and turned your clock ahead, egad! Looks like you would fit right in with the cast of "Tales from the Crypt". And when I tried to place Muxo’s mug into the same program, it kept locking up the program, some error referred too as the "blue screen of death"! And Ann’s? Fux, it turned out to resemble a raptor like dinosaur! Where did all those teeth come from? Is this evolution at work? But there is some resemblance. It is despicable that two adults with an audience engage in age bashing. Do us all a favor. Bull and Muxo and Ann, please move to Irag or refrain from this kind of crap until behind closed doors, where you can have sux your way. Why the Bull show continues on is for one and only one reason, the lemming population is alive and well and makes money for Mursux. If you don’t watch FUX for entertainment, then next time you are in need of a laugh, tune in. Now I am not trying to offer the FUX free publicity in efforts to steer reasonable people Mursux’s way - but laughter is the best medicine. And this laughter can be found any time of the day. Now during the early mornings, some of the crap stuff is supplemented with info commercials, the ones that indicate Medicare rip-off doctors are alive and well. Or crap about "Reverse" mortgages, a rip off for our senior citizens. Why does the FUX pick on our seniors? Did Mursux fight in WWII? Anyway, this all started when Bull called a respective D.C. news correspondent up in age a "Witch", or words to that effect. Now Miss Muxo - who claims she has a PHD that represents not a respectable sheepskin but a used Tampax mentality - well she appeared on Bull’s "Bigot" show and told the FUX followers that Bull was "too nice" to refer to the news’ lady as a "witch". Come on people, when is enough enough. Mursux, do America a favor and go to Irag with these other three stooges. Now at one time I did respect Bull, when he called for an all out boycott against the oil cartel and wanted Americans to not buy motor gasoline for one weekend during summer. Not one person besides myself joined in that effort. Why? It goes to show that Bull’s and FUX followers are a bunch of cowards. In fact, this Shux Insanity show is a real gem! The stupidity and intelligence loss must be a Mursux prerequisite. Insanity is proof that a male can be on the "rag". But don’t get pulled into the subliminal message of the FUX. Bottom line, Bull O’Reilly, Shux Insanity, Miss Muxo and the "Heiress of Crap", all are a bunch of balless complainers. In fact, Insanity reminds me of the kind of kid fairy you didn’t mind the bully beating up. In fact, FUX should be careful, as Insanity looks like he is ready to have an attack. Wouldn’t FUX be liable? I guess not, as the FUX seems not to take responsibility for anything except being the network of imbeciles. It is pathetic that the FUX has such a following. Now, as a litmus test, this is what the FUX means to some true Americans. I work on a drilling rig way up north in Alaska. We cannot stand Sarah Palin. We vote her in as we vote in a republican time after time for one and only one reason, they now how to rip off the U.S. Treasury. Alaska relies on "pork", as this state never went past the diaper stage - due to a republican mindset. But when the FUX network has satellite coverage problems way up here on the frozen ice, nobody gives a crap anymore, as this network has run out its welcome and past followers are sick and tired of the "Bull-crap". And with Ann running around like a raptor with her head cut off yelling out something to the effect of "Yuppie Scum House Skippers", I think the vibrator needs an oil change. Insanity, look out for the "Bully". And Bill, please have more sux. Ever think about maybe trying out a new career, as a sux’n puck star? So from the WEBdefiner it goes like this. BOZO: Shux Insanity. Imbecile: Bull O’Reilly. BIMBO: All the other FUX correspondents that have dyed their hair blond so they can be like Ann. The FUX entertainment network is by far the most detrimental broadcast to liberty when this country is going through dire straits. Instead of a message of "brother can you spare a dime" it is more like a "Mojo Workout" mentality. "Mojo workout, fux your brother. Mojo workout fux your mother". That’s it in a nutshell. The Mojo Workout network. One other thing. Hey, FUX, since you guys seem affiliated with Rux in Limbo, why does he always have a turd hanging out of his oral diarrhea orifice?

CopyRight 2009 - Dixie Productions/MSK Media/Eagle Rock Press
Contact: Storylineonline@gci.net or www.Storylineonline.com or www.chinookjournal.blogspot.com

Heartfelt Apology

So cometh the 20th anniversary of the EXXON Valdez wreck. And Joe Hazelwood admits remorse in a "heartfelt apology" but at the same time suggests he was wrongly blamed and is quoted, "The true story is out there for anybody who wants to look at the facts…" So we have before us anther book titled "Spill" that doesn’t really allow that "story is out there" in efforts to put at rest what really happened on March 24th, 1989 in Prince William’s Sound - a moonlit night with calmest of seas. But there exists that "true story" and for those of you that are truly interested in the reason behind the wreck, go to www.storylineonline.com and navigate to "Alaskan Novels" and under the title "From the Fifth Floor" read and understand what and who was really behind the grounding of the EXXON Valdez. Joe Hazelwood was just the convenient scapegoat!