Shannyn Moore writes a long note to Keith Olbermann for breaking up with her — to the extent that he’s been bashing Alaska and happily turning his back on Sarah Palin’s constituency. It’s a true homage to Alaska and the fight for progressive values that has gone on there during the state’s history. Here’s a clip:

Alaska is one of the best things about America. We are the last frontier. What once was wild in America still is here. I still catch my breath; the northern lights over Denali can trump a full moon; a phosphorescent glow in the wake of my row boat; bears fishing salmon out of Brooks Falls; glaciers bigger than cruise ships.

It’s wrong to be hard on you for not knowing Alaskans aren’t all Palinbots. After the last week or so, it would be fair to wonder if we suffer from Reality Deficit Disorder when it comes to Ted Stevens and the Rule of Law. It’s easy to want to knock sense into my neighbors who have ignored our history; so rich with strength, true with characters, and patriotism that deserves to be called American.

In my time living in  Alaska, I saw all that Shannyn is writing about on Huffington Post. It is a remarkable state and despite what people may have seen with Sarah Palin, there is a thriving and growing Democratic community, as well as real art, intelligence, and culture. It’s unfortunate that most Americans only know of Alaska through Palin, Ted Stevens, and Don Young. They don’t represent the state well. Hopefully Senator-elect Mark Begich will be just the first person changing peoples’ views in the Lower 48 on Alaska.