It only takes a few people to give festival black eye

Frontiersman editorial board

How do you know when your political beliefs have moved beyond the range of reason and have become extreme?

If your behaviors can be easily defined as ironic, you're probably ready to turn down your political rhetoric meter. If people who share your basic views are embarrassed by your behavior, it's probably time to take a personal inventory.

If you manage to ruin a light-hearted community celebration, and terrify several children in the process, you've really got issues.

All of the above were apparently the flavor of the day for a few people at the Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival last weekend. The festival is an Alaskan favorite, and people travel from all over the state, and from other states to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, the unique events and the general flavor of one of Alaska's most charming towns.

Unfortunately, some people at this year's event allowed their politics to get in the way, and they managed to give the festival a black eye in the process. A float supporting the Lisa Murkowski campaign, and sporting signs for Bush/Cheney rolled through town during the festival's parade, and it became the target of uncouth people who displayed their disapproval of the Republican tickets by throwing objects at the float and by hurling epithets and threats at the people accompanying the float.

Talkeetna is, no doubt, a liberal town in the middle of a conservative Valley. That's a healthy thing.

Our community would likely be even better if there were more philosophical balance here. The problem is, liberals often describe themselves as reasoned, open-minded people who favor diversity and who hold the concept of inclusion in high regard. That's where the irony comes into play.

Even the parade coordinator admitted she wondered if there might be a cool reception for a conservative political float in Talkeetna. Why? Liberals should believe the democratic process only works when all points of view are considered and are given equal opportunity and equal exposure.

This angry reaction to an innocuous parade float indicates that there are some people in that laid-back community who have misinterpreted the values Talkeetna has been so proud of for years.

We hope the good people of Talkeetna, who are in the wide majority, will speak up and not tolerate this sort of intolerance in their town.