"Maybe we're jaded. We've seen our Rep. Don Young in action so many times that when he plays Alaska's homespun champion and a bully to boot, it just doesn't "go viral" for us. It's like Boston Red Sox fans used to say about Manny Ramirez -- it's just Manny being Manny.

Young's set-to with Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley was more sizzle than substance. Young was rude. Brinkley was right to stand up to him. Brinkley's own contemptuous reference to Young's education was a cheap shot.

As for Young, railing at environmentalists has been a staple of his career. He clearly has fun doing it and just as clearly doesn't care what critics think. And despite antics like the propeller-head beanie slap at Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and the administration's oil and gas policies, it's a mistake to underestimate Young. He hasn't stayed in office since the early '70s on dumb luck."

Get the Story:
Our View: Rep. Young and his show biz (The Anchorage Daily News 11/29)

Also Today:
ANWR dustup between Young and historian turned personal (The Anchorage Daily News 11/25)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Here comes another bad idea out of Rep. Don Young (11/28)