Alaska inquiry finds Palin abused power
Originally published Friday, October 10, 2008 at 10:21 a.m.
Updated Friday, October 10, 2008 at 7:08 p.m.
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Stumble It!ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded Friday. The politically charged inquiry imperiled her reputation as a reformer on John McCain's Republican ticket.
Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in a report to a bipartisan panel that looked into the matter, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain.
The inquiry looked into her dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, who said he lost his job because he resisted pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce and custody battle with the governor's sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.
Monegan's firing was lawful, the report found, but Palin let the family grudge influence her decision-making - even if it was not the sole reason Monegan was dismissed.
"I feel vindicated," Monegan said. "It sounds like they've validated my belief and opinions. And that tells me I'm not totally out in left field."
Branchflower said Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Lawmakers don't have the authority to sanction her for such a violation, and they gave no indication they would take any action against her.
Under Alaska law, it is up to the state's Personnel Board - which is conducting its own investigation into the matter - to decide whether Palin violated state law and, if so, must refer it to the Senate president for disciplinary action. Violations also carry a possible fine of up to $5,000.
Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein disagreed with Branchflower's conclusions. "In order to violate the ethics law, there has to be some personal gain, usually financial. Mr. Branchflower has failed to identify any financial gain," he said.
Palin and McCain's supporters had hoped the inquiry's finding would be delayed until after the presidential election to spare her any embarrassment and to put aside an enduring distraction as she campaigns as McCain's running mate in an uphill contest against Democrat Barack Obama.
After a court fight to block the report failed, the panel of lawmakers voted to release it - though not without dissension. The panel did not vote on whether to endorse its findings.
"I think there are some problems in this report," said Republican state Sen. Gary Stevens, a member of the panel. "I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye."
The report was made public the same day an Anchorage judge issued a temporary restraining order forcing the state of Alaska to preserve any government-related e-mails that Palin and top aides sent from private accounts in what critics contend was an effort to conceal that they were doing political business while working at state government jobs.
The state paid Branchflower, a retired state prosecutor, $100,000 to prepare the nearly 300-page report. He interviewed or accepted affidavits from about two dozen people in the eight-week investigation.
"Legislative Council seriously overreached, making a tortured argument to find fault without basis in law or fact," McCain campaign spokesman Meg Stapleton said.
The Legislature could vote next year to censure Palin, but committee members appeared divided over the report and Democratic state Sen. Kim Elton, the committee's chairman, gave no indication that would happen.
Stapleton also dismissed the report as "a partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters." The inquiry has been dogged by such criticism since Democrat Hollis French, who oversaw the investigation, predicted an "October surprise" for the McCain campaign.
Elton rejected the accusation of partisanship.
"When we began investigating this, we had no idea that Sarah Palin would be a part of the national ticket," said Elton, an Obama supporter.
The report notes a few instances in which Palin pressed the case against trooper Mike Wooten, but it was her husband, Todd, who led the charge. Todd Palin had extraordinary access to the governor's office and her closest advisers and he used that access to try to get Wooten fired.
Gov. Palin knowingly "permitted Todd to use the governor's office and the resources of the governor's office, including access to state employees, to continue to contact subordinate state employees in an effort to find some way to get Trooper Wooten fired," Branchflower's report reads.
Wooten had been in hot water before Palin became governor over allegations that he illegally shot a moose, drank beer in a patrol car and used a Taser on his stepson. The Palins said they feared for their family's safety after Wooten made threats against them.
In proceedings revealed by the report, former Alaska State Trooper Col. Julia Grimes told investigators that Sarah Palin called her in late 2005 to discuss why Wooten hadn't been fired, and Grimes told her the inquiry was confidential by law.
"Her questions were how can a trooper who behaves this way still be working," Grimes said. "I asked her to please trust me, that because I can't tell her details I would ask her to please trust me that I would take the appropriate action if and when I knew what the findings were. ... I couldn't have another conversation with her about it because, again, it's protected by law."
Grimes said Todd Palin also contacted her by telephone in late 2005 to discuss the confidential investigation of Wooten.
Wooten's disciplinary case was settled in September 2006 - months before Palin was elected governor - and he was allowed to continue working as a trooper.
After Palin's election, her new public safety commissioner, Monegan, said he was summoned to the governor's office to meet Todd Palin, who said Wooten's punishment had been merely a "slap on the wrist." Monegan said he understood the Palins wanted Wooten fired. "I had this kind of ominous feeling that I may not be long for this job if I didn't somehow respond accordingly," Monegan told the investigator.
For months afterward, Todd Palin filed complaints about Wooten, saying he was seen riding a snowmobile after he had filed a worker's compensation claim and was seen dropping off his children at school in his patrol car.
Monegan said Wooten's doctor had authorized the snowmobile trip and his supervisor had approved his use of the patrol car. Monegan said Alaska's attorney general later called him to inquire about Wooten, and Monegan told him they shouldn't be discussing the subject.
"This was an issue that apparently wasn't going to go away, that there were certainly frustrations," Monegan said. "To say that (Sarah Palin) was focused on this I think would be accurate."
Community Discussion
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LEAVE SARAH ALONE! It is quite evident that is must be bad. Otherwise, the democrats would not be in such a rush to release their "findings." Everyone agrees that she was a great governor. I am not saying she is perfect. That she made no mistakes. But tell me, if she did do something wrong, but it better served the state, whats the harm. Look at wall street. They are getting off free for cheating the system. Yet they are worried if Palin fired someone over a family dispute? That goes to show where out priorities are! They are not where they should be.
One more thing. This report is 300 pages long. Plus 1,000's of supporting pages. How can you say someone is guilty or not guilty without reading the whole report? Thats anther thing that goes to show that people in the Alaska Government is working hard to make her look as bad as you can. Just put yourself in her position. Lets say your running to be the vice president of the united states and you "did something wrong." People who you have not always seen eye to eye with puts out a report and expects a vote on it without everyone getting the opportunity to read the whole findings. Is that fair? I hope our courts don't go down the same path. Otherwise, innocent people will be heading to jail and the criminals will be walking the street. GO SARAH!
Not everyone agrees she "is" a great Governor. Since you use the past tense, are you agreeing that she has abdicated her authority to the Republican campaign workers of GrandPa McCain?
NO ONE should be able to use a public office to "enforce" private problems. Is her sister to much of a baby to do her own divorce? If Sara does this down at the governor level, how scarry will she be in a higher office? Food for thought.
"Look at wall street. They are getting off free for cheating the system."
the fruits of deregulation, repulicans gift to america.
jmailman1999, if I planted drugs on a person I knew was guilty, would it be OK? I mean if it "better served the state" what's the harm, right? Of course it's not OK! The end does not justify the means. Wrong is wrong.
Then you go on to say that one cannot decide if she is guilty or not guilty without reading the whole report, yet you say if she did something wrong that better served the state, what's the harm? In other words, you have found her not guilty without reading the whole report. You can't have it both ways.
Justatrooper--after reading all the stories on the "troopergate" what do you think? Based on the reports from the media--do you think this trooper should still have job?
justatrooper: Look at the facts. The facts both the officer and the man over him should lose their jobs. She just may have done it the wrong way. I am sure the democrats could have handled it better LOL. What a joke that party is. But so are the republicans. GO INDEPENDENTS!
I will answer both lagirl and jmailman1999 at once. What many, many people fail to understand is that Wooten's actions were done, investigated, and punished before Monegan ever entered the picture. It would have been unlawful for Monegan to come in, and re-punish Wooten for something he had already been punished for. Imagine you get a new boss, and the first thing they do is go through everyone's personnel file to see if all employees were adequately punished for any passed misdeeds. When they find a person that they didn't think was punished enough (say it was you for example), they hand down a new, additional punishment. That is unlawful and unethical, but that is what Palin allegedly asked Monegan to do. So in that light, no, I do not believe that Wooten should be currently fired. Whether anyone agrees his punishment was appropriate or not (I do not), he has already received his punishment; there is no do over. If he was going to be fired, it had to be by the last colonel/commissioner, who have long since retired.
jmailman:
" But tell me, if she did do something wrong, but it better served the state, whats the harm"
I also have a problem with this statement. This is what gets politicians and lawmakers in trouble -- many hold this attitude. They also also hold the attitude that if something wrong serves THEM, what's the harm. Hello, Ted Stevens?
NOT everyone agrees that Palin is a good Governor. All you have to do it look at all the video where Palin claims one thing but what she does betrays what she says or proof surfaces which makes her come up with a new story. There is no truth and transparency. She is a disappointment and an embarrassment. It's not just troopergate, it's her involvement in the Mat Maid scandal, her poor judgement in replacing Monegan with Kopp and her constant lies (all on video). It's her mouthpieces who always give excuses why Palin should not be held responsible and accountable. It's Palins' own actions or lack of them why some people will not support her or condone her lies and actions. Palin has proven she is only about what is good for Palin and hers.
And what happened to Sarah Palin's "hold me accountable"... that she said when this began? When, if ever, will we learn about the activities?
Send our pet Pitbull with Lipstick over to Iraq.. She'll settle the pesky mid easterners down... Or send the Barracuda... No it'll just get a hook stuck in those lips of steel..
Thank you, justatrooper, finally a post of reason.
Heres the link to the report:
http://media.adn.com/smedia/2008/10/10/1...
Alright. Problem served. Lets get Obama into office and turn our democracy into a socialist nation. No more freedom. Americans can handle it, so why have it? I am just alittle tired of everyone attacking her. Before she was running to be vice president, everyone seemed to love her (or so they say) then after her nomination, its almost like everyone hates her.
"Everyone" loved her because the media that we have in this state is garbage. They did no investigating to bring her abuses to light. Even when the "Troopergate" investigation started, I heard more about from the national media then from any of the Alaskan media.
Seems to be the concept it was a "contributing factor" not the sole reason is a rather personal judgemental statement in reason 2 and the report. Look at the report, talk about a $100,000 political point of view. By the way what is the final cost of this. I have a real problem with the person who wrote the report, appears more opinion than fact.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state's public safety commissioner.
The investigative report concludes that a family grudge wasn't the sole reason for firing Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan but says it likely was a contributing factor.
What is wrong with the above? I will tell you all. They say that the family grudge was not the sole reason for firing the public safety commissioner then continue that its likely a contributing factor. Sounds like an opinion to me and not facts. I think there are no facts to back their opinion and in my opinion, she is innocent unless further proof can be bought to my attention. But with this artical, I see no proof.
America is a socialist country.
Get your head out of the sand and deal
with it.
Thank you Freedarfur! Finally someone with common sense!
Once she returns to Alaska, after Nov 4, I expect he new nickname will be Sarah "One Term" Palin.
Ouch. ABUSED. HER. POWER.
Read 'em and weep, all you supporters!
No surprises here - she's shown herself to be an incredibly self serving small minded brutal barracuda of a person.
[Maybe people should have expected this based upon the circumstances surrounding the bestowal of "baracuda" as her nickname in High School?]
What? Sarah Palin did something wrong? Sarah "I can see Russia from my porch" committed a crime? Sarah "Men and dinosaurs lived together 6000 years ago" abused her power? "Sarah "honest administration, open administration" Palin used her gubernatorial powers in a personal vendetta?
All one has to do is listen to her when she doesn't have a carefully-prepared speech or hasn't spent 3 weeks with her professional McCain handlers to clearly comprehend she is in way over her head. As she has said herself she doesn't know what the v.p. does. However, despite her fine "Christian" upbringing and morals she has no qualms, it would seem, against going after someone in an illegal way. I guess one could expect this from someone who would shove their unwed, pregnant daughter into the public scrutiny to save her own political image.
I've said it before and, I'm glad to note, it has now been confirmed....she's a hypocritical fraud.
She has two years left in her term, now that she has ruined McCain's chances at the presidency. I wonder what other crimes she is going to be found guilty of as more and more her actions and record receive the scrutiny they deserve. This isn't small-town politics as she practiced in Wasilla where she and her congregation of AIP'ers could get away with sleazy behavior. This is the bigtime and she is getting just what she deserves.
After the election when she comes slithering back to Wasilla on her belly like a whipped mutt; what are the steps necessary to get a recall petition initiated and then voted on?
dog
Unbridled Capitalism consumes itself sooner or later. There has to be some sort of regulation, or it turns into chaos, sort of like what the commercial fishing industry would be like with zero regulation.. They would fish and fish till there were no more fish. Capitalism needs a dose of socialism in order to flourish and bring a measure of stability to everyone. This country is so freaking terrified of communism that we risk moving to the opposite extreme of fascism. You can see the starts of it going on in this presidential campaign with Sarah stirring up hate and fear at every rally. She may look good to some, but to me it is all skin deep. She has showed a bad side of her since McCain picked her and I am not sure how much of that is inherently her personality and how much of it is being shoved down her throat from McCain. I suppose if the desire to become VP of the USA is great enough and the only way to do that is to do what you are told then you will sell out everything for your free ride to the top. In my opinion, she should back out of this VP run and save what is left of her reputation for the principals of transparent government that she ran as Governor on. She won't do that though, so the pit bull is going to be getting even meaner as the weeks go by.
GO MCCAIN AND SARAH! That report was based on opinions. Anyone who reads it and disagrees have hate built up for her. Read the artical for what it is. It is not factual. It is based on opinions of democrats (and even some republicans.)
As soon as the Obama/Biden landslide victory on Nov 4th is over, we need to impeach Palin and send her back to Wasilla...oh wait, the prison is in Seward and she can have a room with a view!
Did you listen to John McCain having to DEFEND the character of Barack Obama today. He told his supporters to "not fear a President Obama", and that Barack Obama is a good man, an American. Listen to John McCain for yourself!
McCain/Palin has used racist remarks to inflame the red necks of this country to the point that McCain has to take the microphone away from his supporters and say "NO, Barack Obama is not an ARAB" and defend his character to his own supporters.
McCain/Palin is finished! They lost. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are OUR best answer to the problems this country has at home and abroad. You'll see it, and guess what, you'll keep your constitutional rights and guns.
Obama/Biden 2008!
I scanned through the report and looked at the recommendations.
Ludicrous is what Ludicrous does.
This investigation seems a bit lacking in professionalism. So much of the transcribed testimony is pure 'here say'. There is no legal validity to any of it.
Maybe the Aurora Borealis affects you folk, but I don't know how anyone can determine a "mental state", "how she felt", etc. based on a telephone call.
In the ABC Charlie Gibson interview with Sarah Palin in Wasilla, Alaska she said "...he threatened to kill her father". You can figure out now who said what...
Sarah's primary concern was obvious: a Death Threat. I can understand the concerns of no feedback on the Investigation was given to the Victims and/or person reporting (her father) the events involving the trooper (her former brother in-law).
Naturally this Alaskan investigator had no transcript of this ABC TV broadcast in his report. I can guess her state of mind from watching and listening, not a telephone call. But that was actually a very brief moment when she said it to Charlie Gibson in the high school gym within a much lengthier TV interview*.
I guess 911 operators sense something, but how many children have called them and they thought it was a hoax as their mother or father was lying on the floor suffering a heart attack or not breathing.
To Sum it up: Rubbish.
The October surprise wasn't there except to say Alaska writes sloppy legislation.
John McCain - Sarah Palin
VOTE McCain November 4th
Sarah, Todd and most of the kids start packing.
__________
* P.S.
Only some reporters and authors of magazine articles know what a Bush Doctrine is. I doubt President George W. Bush or Vice President Dick Cheney know what it is.
Bush Doctrine is a term coined (so they think) by a Conservative Writer describing the Bush Foreign Policy regarding Terrorism...
This foreign policy on terrorism changes fluidly depending on the terrorists.
Peace Be With You In Alaska!!
Everyone get the Winter woolies out.
A legislative investigation has concluded that Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power in pushing for the firing of an Alaska state trooper who was once married to her sister.
Branchflower also recommends the Legislature change the way complaints against peace officers such as troopers are handled. He says lawmakers should consider making it possible for people who file such complaints to get feedback about the status of their complaint and whatever action was taken about it.
Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan's refusal to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten from the state police force was "likely a contributing factor" to Monegan's July dismissal, but Palin had the authority as governor to fire him, the report by former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower states.
Still, he said, Palin's firing of Monegan was "a proper and lawful exercise" of the governor's authority.
Looks like the $100K could have been spent on other state business. Wonder how many legislators who live in Anchorage were drawing Per Diem while they were working on this masterpiece of garbage?
Eh, oops. "Here Say" meant "Hear Say"
But actually "Here Say" fits for interviews to gain fame in trying for an October Surprise and Gotcha' from the North Pole region.
Better luck next time....funny Alaska didn't investigate the previous Democrat Governor.
jmailman1999 = Clear example of Kool-Aid poisoning. Grownup's, don't let this happen to you or your's.
Permit me a moment of schadenfreude.....what do you expect from a person who lacks a decent education, doesn't read, isn't interested in ideas, lacks knowledge of the world, and currently is promoting a fascist agenda in the campaign for the (vice)presidency? What can you expect?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
I best stop. Let's just hope she is done on the state level, not to mention the national level. God please, have her be done on the national level. She would rival W in damage to the country. Just think of it.
chief,
Caution or you'll be monitored.
Alaska is nervous now over "per diem". They want to investigate to see if Gov. Palin's per diem reimbursements are Federally Taxable. If so they would have to file IRS forms and should have made withholdings.
However in all my 40 years when travelling on business and receiving per diem, even when as a group we changed the maximum knowing those McDonnell Burgers were a lot cheaper, they never add that to your income statements. Never.
But if Gov. Palin's per diems are Federally Taxable, what about the entire Alaskan State Government present and past. At least back how many years for the IRS? The former Democrat Governor is probably looking into it more than Gov. Palin is right now.
chief,
"A legislative investigation has concluded that Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power in pushing for the firing of an Alaska state trooper who was once married to her sister."
True, but they didn't make any specific recommendation on action against Gov. Palin. In fact the recommendations appeared to bring out the weakness of the Alaska legislation he used in the investigation.
Clearly none of this would have happened if the Investigators reported back to the person or persons involved in the Complaint in the first place. It's called Victim's Rights.
Look when they know their Father's life was threatened, what does anyone think would happen?
Patcaribou, I think you need to go back a little further than the deregulation. It was not deregulation but Bill Clinton, a democratic President, following up on Carter that put pressure on banks to loan money to people to buy houses that they couldn't afford. The democrats started this housing crisis years before the Bush administration. Banks required 20% down and payment of on 25% to 30% of your income. Only when Clinton started the pressure on banks to give loans so even those on welfare could own a home and those backed by Fannie and Freddie with Fed. money did the problem start. Banks know how to make money and Clinton and the democrats should have stayed out of it. So put the blame where it belongs. But then again Democrats are mostly liberals with blinders on and can't really see the truth behind anything. They ignore Obama's $800,000 campaign money to ACORN to violate voter registration laws and liberals ignore it. They ignore his association with Ayers, Wright, etc. If McCain had those relationship he would be getting crucified by the libs. And if McCain/Palin have any sense at all they will crucify Obama with his socialistic, terrorists connections. Obama couldn't even get to level one FBI,CIA security, let alone Top Level security. What does that say about the guy. Do you really want him for President? Yep, blinders on again.
Now for Palin. What did you expect? She took on her own Republican party to become Governor. She took on the power brokers of the corrupt politicians in Alaska. She took on big oil. Of course they think she abused her power and released the report just before the national election. What else do you think they would do? She didn't abuse her power at all but the report said she allowed her husband to use the Governor's office and didn't stop him. She had every right to git rid of any Commissioner and an Alaskan cop using a taser on a child should be in jail for child abuse and his boss should be fired. The ONLY reason this whole issue has come up is because Palin stepped on some powerful toes to become Governor of Alaska. If the Republican party would have totally stood behind her bid for Governor there would never have been an investigation at all.
CPW
... "Still, he said, Palin's firing of Monegan was 'a proper and lawful exercise' of the governor's authority." ...
Wow, what a non-partisan report!
Will we vote any of these out next go-around?
Geez, all the 'imports' from the states, LATE registrations, Obama-ites POSING as Alaskans, are still around... Haven't yet done enough damage I guess. Doubt if we'll see much of y'all around here after the election. Really sorry to know that you'll be crawling back under your rocks.
dobieman,
Find the ABC TV archive on the Charlie Gibson interview in Wasilla, Alaska with Sarah Palin.
As for seeing Russia from her porch. That was SNL Tina Fey. The Palin home in Wasilla has a porch looking the wrong direction, and trees and mountains would block seeing Canada.
As for proximity of Russia to Alaska, Sarah's father was in a TV interview and he showed a picture hanging on his wall in Wasilla where he goes fishing. From that point, he says Russia is only 2 miles away. So I'm assuming on a clear day, one could see Russia.
Congratulations, Alaska, for standing your ground against the D.C. goon squads that have been trying to suppress Ms.Palin's past and circumvent legal parameters and the fundamentals of ethical behavior. She was foisted upon us a complete unknown by a reckless and irresponsible mob of neo-rednecks that call themselves the Republican Party and we concerned voters have a right to know what lies behind all the lipstick and cutesy folksy schtick.
McCain's decision was a poor one from the start, we had a feeling, but over the course of the last few weeks, it has become increasingly clear that Ms.Palin is not the vice presidential representative that this country needs at this time in our global evolution.
I support our governor for standing up against a corrupt system that would rather protect a criminal in uniform than go against the public employees union. I think that most of us would have acted the same way if we had been in her position. The good news in all the recent events is that Sarah will most likely be returning as our governor next month. I know that I will still support her 110% when she returns to Alaska.
How many Alaskans are writing comments? Seems the politics in this great state have become the same as those in the lower48. There is plenty of blame to go around on both sides of the aisle.
Sounds like pooten should have gotten fired before Monegan came in the picture. I think someone didn't do there job right by not firing it. Maybe it was a democrat, lol
It appears most on here are a bunch of liberal democrats wanting a social government that will take care of you. If you want that, move out of our great nation. Better yet, move to russia or china and that away the government will take complete care of you. I am a hard working american who likes to do my own stuff. Leave our nation for hard working americans such as myself please! We don't need lazy people in our nation!
RUSSIA.... and the BRIDGE...
Don't ever let the FACTS get in the way of your diatribe...
The Russia reference was in reference to HOW CLOSE we are...
"The Diomede Islands (Russian: острова Диомида, ostrová Diomída), which in Russia is also known as Gvozdev Islands (Russian: острова Гвоздёва, ostrová Gvozdjova), consists of two rocky, tuya-type islands. The American island of Little Diomede, which is also known as Krusenstern Island and Russian island of Big Diomede (part of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug), which is also known as Imaqliq, Nunarbuk or Ratmanov Island or Inaliq are located in the middle of the Bering Strait between the mainland of Alaska and Siberia."
As in... sometimes you can see either island, FROM the other.
THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE... is... a bridge TO THE AIRPORT... In Ketchikan. Heaven forbid we would be able to DRIVE (yes, we can take the Island-hopper ferry acrss the strait) to the airport to catch a flight. Not many live there because DOWNTOWN Ketchikan is across the narrow strip of sea.
I'll bet no one in the lower 48 EVER cruises over a bridge to catch any of their flights... Never... NOWHERE!
I know you'd enjoy the inconvenience of short ferry rides on YOUR way to YOUR airport, especially as you're never in a rush, having all this extra time to stick your nose in "the Yuke's" business.
THE BRIDGE wouldn't have been as expensive as ONE freeway interchange in Pelosi-land, or in downtown Seattle, for that matter.
Remember to FORGET these FACTS upon reading them...
Come on Alaska, is this what we've turned into. This is a witch hunt plain and simple pushed by the old guard who think either she "doesn't deserve" her leadership spot and national attention, or who are trying to protect the last vestiges of a lost era of waste and excess. People who cause mischief will earn their's, but Alaska must resist the Californication and do what is right, or we'll never get anything done.
jmailman1999 sez: "It appears most on here are a bunch of liberal democrats wanting a social government that will take care of you. If you want that, move out of our great nation. Better yet, move to russia or china and that away the government will take complete care of you. I am a hard working american who likes to do my own stuff. Leave our nation for hard working americans such as myself please! We don't need lazy people in our nation!"
The seeds of fascism started in financial turmoil in Germany and their citizens embraced Hitler's ideals in a way that is similar to jmailman1999 zeal to cleanse America of people who don't share his values.
Dangerous times indeed.
One thing that I would like to point out with respect to JAT's comments regarding the previous investigation of Wooten. Lt. Ronald Wall was the "investigating" officer who determined that the complaints were unsubstantiated, yet after his "thorough" investigation there was a second investigation conducted which determined that the complaints against Wooten were valid. Seems to me this is another case of troopers protecting their own.
As for the punishment handed down to Wooten, it amounted to nothing more than a means of appeasing those onlookers while doing nothing to address payment for the crimes he perpetrated.
AK_CPA whines: "Come on Alaska, is this what we've turned into. This is a witch hunt plain and simple pushed by the old guard who think either she "doesn't deserve" her leadership spot and national attention, or who are trying to protect the last vestiges of a lost era of waste and excess."
So interesting that the "Council" is made up of 8 Republicans and only 4 Democrats and yet it is some sort of "witch hunt". If this were a Dem Governor you would be cheering them on! The fact is that she saw which way the wind was blowing when she decided to run for governor as the FBI was already going after corruption and it was easy for her to turn on her fellow GOP to win the election. What has she done since then to fight corruption? Seems to me the Feds already cleaned house (and Senate) quite well without any help from her.
akbearable: my values are the true american values. the values which built our great nation. what obama is promising is he will take care of you. that socialist. not to far from dictatorship. i like having my freedoms and don't want to lose them. please don't compare me to hitler because there is alot of difference between us. she we can have different opinions and live with it because we are americans. these are the values we will lose with obama, which is why i wish his supporters would just move away. because once again, i love our great nation (even in the turmoil its in now) and i know there are millions of people that do as well. but for the rest, i don't want them taking my rights away because they wanted to make history by electing the first african american president. i think it would be great if an african american would become president however just not this socialist one!
4 of the 8 Republicans are RINO - "in name only" . Lyda Green had no love lost for Ms Sarah as Ms Green's huband was also affiliated in some way with VECO. She would rather see Sarah jump from the highest tree than vote for her for VP. At the end of the day the October suprise was that their was.. "NO Supprise" !!
DenaliDog says... "THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE... is... a bridge TO THE AIRPORT... In Ketchikan. Heaven forbid we would be able to DRIVE (yes, we can take the Island-hopper ferry acrss the strait) to the airport to catch a flight. Not many live there because DOWNTOWN Ketchikan is across the narrow strip of sea.
I'll bet no one in the lower 48 EVER cruises over a bridge to catch any of their flights... Never... NOWHERE!"
What is your point? On some of your posts you are hammering the Democrats and others like this one you seem to side with them. Have you forgotten that Sarah and her running mate have come out and made a huge deal how they were against that bridge to nowhere?
Opinions are like arsewholes, everyone's got em. This all boils down to one thing: She violated ethics! It wasn't "criminal" except in that it violated Alaska Stats. Her chosen methods were wrong. It could have been handled in a way that would never become public, let alone Troopergate but she has her own way or nothing. Damn the torpedos, full steam ahead!!!!!
So let's do a quick tally....
Kohring...guilty.
Cowdery...under investigation.
Stevens....indicted.
Young....under investigation.
Murkowski...just plain stupid and venal.
Palin....guilty of abuse of power; also see: Murkowski.
And what does this Gang of Six have in common? Why...they're all Republicans, the party of traditional American values, honesty, and integrity.
I'll be gentle and not even bring up George Bush, easily the most incompetent president ever foisted on this nation....and a Republican.
This must be a painful time to be a Republican trying to remember whose side they are on on which issue. For instance, I would bet that 80% of them will vote for Stevens even though their idol Sarah has not shown the spine to come out and publicly support him. Then they have to try to remember that they are against the bridges to nowhere and earmarks in general when they are cheering for Sarah and for them when they are voting for Young/Stevens. Then they must be against socialism unless it is for the government bailouts. Then they must be against regulation except for when they are supporting McCain/Sarah where they must be FOR more regulation. They must be for opening ANWR unless they are at a McCain rally where he has always been in opposition to opening ANWR.
It is all too much for me, I don't see how you can keep all the hypocrisy straight!
BTW, not only is Alaska's embarrassment and humiliation due to Palin a national item of news but it was the opening story on the BBC Evening News tonight. So, thank you, Sarah...you've just made Alaskans look like buffoons and backwoods rednecks on an international scale.
"So, thank you, Sarah...you've just made Alaskans look like buffoons and backwoods rednecks on an international scale."
Yeah, first Papa Pilgrim and now Sarah Palin! I can hear the world laughing at us clear from my little corner of AK.. A sad day.
For evil to succeed, good people will do nothing. A bad cop makes all cops bad, fire Wooten and prosecute the scumbag.
akbear...
The 'deal' was dead, so she switched gears... ok to change your mind as long as you admit it. Usually better to be right when you switch. Looks like she went with the flow on this one because of the way it played out in the 48 great. It was right the first time, from my eyes, as I am in and out of KTN a couple X/year.
The POINT is the 'play' put on by media outlets... using takes on Russia/The Bridge, etc... the press, nightly news, SNL, Leno, Letterman, et al, to blast her and Ak. Real tired of the lousy portrayal of her and Alaskans. Much of it... NOT FUNNY... mostly low blows, really... to get WHAT? People will vote for who they want to. Maybe 'undecideds' can still be influenced by the slams and slants, can't say, but I doubt it. Many are one-issue voters... mine is Ak. I have a stake in Ak, a couple of them, and it is the best time to pay attention to Harris, Ramras, Lydah, Whitaker, Kelley.. geesh Don Young... and most all the democrats and that agenda. I'm not so sure we cleaned anything out... maybe reloaded, didn't rebuild.
I am not affiliated.
GDI.. 'gosh darn' independent and not of the Ak Indy party variety.
Just ALASKAN!
This one is likely over unless SOMETHING happens/occurs/debuts in the next few weeks. Lots at stake and it does not look good to me, either way. 'Lesser of two evils', once again, and the demo-smear makes it impossible to lean in that direction. Out weighs the lapses on the right side. Anyway, the GOP will take our 3 electoral votes no matter what I say or do. I can live with that. Seems to me having an Ak VP would benefit us more than any other scheme... us.... ALASKA!
I think the investigation by Judiciary Chairman Branchflower (D) shows the partisan politics of this election blended with the politicians that Palin dragged kicking into the light for corruption. The fallout from that clean up is still coming down. As per the Alaska Constitution, the Judiciary committee does not have the authority to conduct ethics investigations. Branchflower has overstepped his authority in favor of partisan politics over the truth. It is the Ethics committee that has the responsibility of investigation in this instance and Governor Palin did the correct thing in initating an investigation against herself with the constitutionally correct portion of our government. The abundant inuendo and hear-say evidence in Mr. Branchflower's report serve only to illuminate reasons he should not be re-elected next term.
It looks like all of you Obama worshippers get your wish. Also looks like Obama better get some actual plan behind his "changes". If the Republicans put in a candidate worth his salt as a public speaker, then the American public would have sniffed out Obama for what he really is; a naive freshman politician with some really vague ideas. For that matter, if the Reps would have had Guliani, Huckabee, or someone with some no-kidding away-from-party ideas as a conservative, or at least independant, the country would be in better shape, if nothing more than to provide a real option other than the ridiculous choices right now.
Sarah, if see abused her power as the links claim, needs to be bounced out, not only of her VP candidate slot, but also her Gov job. It's a shame too because I liked her all right. Maybe the girls will like her in prison too...
As for the country, well...
Once Obama comes into office, I wish him luck and hope he uses the knowledge and judgement of those around him to benefit the country.
I don't think he will, but since the country will probably choose hope as a plan and change as a strategy...one can always hope.
I love listening to you democrats call for justice, recounts, and impeachment over troopergate, but you bury your head in the sand when your own presdential candidate has had his hand in the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac crash, his own minister is a racist, one of his biggest contributors and one charity he gives to has been active in the illegal registration of voters, he conspires with a known domestic terrorist, and to top it all off supports the killings of newborns that were the result of unsucessful abortions.
IF MCCAIN WINS AND HAS A HEARTATTACK SARAH WILL BE A FEMALE RICHARD NIXON WITH A ENEMIES LIST.
I imagine that Obama could commit murder on national TV and still get elected at this point. The shameful part is there were so many better qualified, more level headed Democrats and Republicans that could have made this election worth while. I feel like watching the debates is like watching B rated late night movies on the Sci Fi channel.
What happened to Biden as the P? Pelosi? Guliani? Huckabee? Howard Dean? Al Gore? Bozo the Clown? SOMEONE?
Bueller?
Wow, so much hateful right wing white trash here in Alaska.I am surprised we dont have a KKK chapter here. Oh wait I forgot, we do have the AIP. Vogler said it well, when he stated that "What Is wrong with the John Birchers, is that they are so goddamn LIBERAL!" When Alaska started a bounty program for loosers of all walks of life to move here, there were a lot of Mobile Homes going up for sale in the lower 48. Now, I spewed my own right wing trash! And to the Idiot that was commenting on my spelling, unlike you, I do not sit at my keyboard 16 hours a day. I type with 3-4 sausage fingers, and dont give a hoot about punctuation or capitalization.Its the message that counts, and judging by the responses, people can read it.
Hey, I have a novel idea. Let's eliminate the parties, overage election spending( gee whiz, Obama rails on spending this and spending that, except he is spending tens of millions a month while his voters lose houses, jobs, file bankruptcy, etc. because of the crooks that donated the money to him in the first place)
Maybe we should vote on a person not based on party. Maybe, just maybe we could not have a lawyer, big oil beneficiacry, adulterer, prescription medication addict, thief, or professional liar.
With Ted Stevens currently on trial, Sarah Palin apparently guilty of illegal behavior, where does that leave us?
As Alaskans, we certainly look foolish in the nation's eyes right now.
B...b...b...BUT BILL CLINTON!!!
Wait... what? I'm too late with that? Oh... sorry...
Bill did....
What?
Have a ciger, Bill. Have a cigar.
THE ALASKA STATE TROOPERS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUTABLE,WHY HAS THIS ROGUE BADGE HOLDER NOT BEEN CHARGED ?????? COPS & TROOPERS COVER FOR THEIR BUDDIES!!! ALASKA HAS GANG MEMBERS & ALASKA STATE TROOPERS ARE ON TOP !!!!!
WE don't have to leave sarah alone na na na na....school children SARAH PALIN IS A >>>>>> mmmmmmm LOUSY PERSON >>> NO IF ANDS OR BUTTS
Tompat. Are you in the AST? Do you know something that could shed some light on the reasoning?
Just curious. I don't have a great deal of info as to why the Governor would be involved in an AST's firing or what this has to do with Palin's sisters divorce.
"Maybe we should vote on a person not based on party. Maybe, just maybe we could not have a lawyer, big oil beneficiacry, adulterer, prescription medication addict, thief, or professional liar."
Well this statement must somehow prove that universal law that scum rises to the top. I am not at all sure that Obama can do any good as president. This country is so divided and every republican will be working hard to make him fail. But I know McCain/Sarah would be the final nail in the coffin of this once great land. We simply cannot have 4 more years of republican domination and still have anything left of our dignity, let alone our economy. It makes me sick what Bush did to squander our reputation of America, land of the free. We are seen all over the planet as land of the preemptive strike, land of the torturer, the occupier of any nation we don't agree with. We try to bully other nations and say they can't have nukes and yet we have more then all the countries on earth. Hypocrisy is now our legacy thanks to Bush. Where is it written that only right wingers can love this country and everybody else is unamerican.
Don't forget that Sarah is not guilty of any crime, only abusing her power. Who hasn't enjoyed the perks of their job? Sarah was only protecting her family as anyone would have done from a trooper that has no place on our roads with a gun. Our real frustration should be why this guy hasn't been fired already? I have had my family threatened before and it is a horribly feeling. Monegan was appointed to his postion by Sarah at her leisure. Anyone in those type of postions know that they can be fired at anytime for any reason. And isn't it convenient that this is coming out just before the election?
I must say that I have been disappointed in the side of Sarah that this campaign has brought out. No even thinking about this particular incident.
Oh but never mind that Obama couldn't even pass a security clearance for a job with FBI, CIA, hell, even the local PD more than likely. Move along folks, nothing to see here...
To bad for Sarah right now, I'll make my decision about her ethics after the personnel board reports their finding.
And if Mr O wins ,,well, I expect it won't be long before Hugo is sleeping comfortably in the White house!
B...b....BUT OBAMA!!!
/It's just not working for you people anymore...
I must admit, I did not vote for Sarah, but did call her on Michael Duke's show and tell her I apologized when I realized my mistake. Since she has been the nominee, I have been sorely disappointed in her. When she comes back next month, Fairbanksgas, I am with you, I will support her 110%. She will once again make a fantastic Governor. Hey, look back...Knowles, Hickle, Cowper, Sheffield...holy cow, she stands head and shoulders above ANY of these!! This issue is a NON ISSUE!! Let her come back and resume her job as the best Governor since Jay Hammond, maybe even better than him...remember, Alaskans didnt really care for him either when he was in office.
The news story stated the following finding-
in the 4 th paragraph-
"Monegan's firing was lawful, the report found"
She can fire the guy for any reason what so ever-- I don't like your tie, you went behind my back, you did not do what I ask you to do.
SO WHAT!!!! FROM WHAT HAS BEEN RELEASED RE THE COP'S BEHAVIOR.....and the guy is still on the force!!!
Tell me what illegal action has been done?
GO SARAH GO
Just one thought on the Ayers/AIP connections. How many of you 60's bra burning, draft dodging hippies thought the radical ideas presented were "cool" and then grew up to realize just how crazy the leaders were. Joe Vogler was as crazy as they got but had many followers (although most were "in the closet"). You can't hold things against anyone for what they did in their youth, look at what they have accomplished since. I didn't/won't vote for Sarah based on my knowledge of what she has done. She might be an effective leader some day IF she changes her ways BUT she's not prepared now.
Yes, Alaskans have become the laughing stock of the Union. But, I guess a "REAL" Alaskan doesn't know anyone in the Lower 48 to tell them this. Uncle Ted, Sarah DID abuse her power... and well there's a ton of other videos out there that makes you embarrassed she's your governor.... most folks don't know about anything dealing with Young. Then, there is the history of what people consider "crazy" earmarks.
Remember, this investigation begun prior to her GOP VP candidacy, and was bipartisan. Probably would be if the McCain Campaign didn't come in and take over the Alaskan Republican Party
All the liberals and socialists love this where a rogue trooper goes around and threatens families and tasers his own child and you want to protect this trash and by the way the rogue carries a gun. This just shows the intelligence of the left.
Palin Corrupt? No, Just Another 'Girl Next Door'
Who could possibly be surprised that Palin has been found to be corrupt?!
She is a product of this county’s insipid, inclining to cretinous, popular (re: dominant) culture. Our economy has been ruined by rapacious gangsters in custom-tailored suits. Our political class is dominated by arrogant and incompetent idiots. And tonight on 'The Girls Next Door' Holly, Kendra, and the other one gave 'Hef' chocolate moldings of their private parts as birthday gifts--providing religious fundamentalists everywhere with yet another quite valid reason to hate us, thereby. (Cut to Holly holding up the chocolate model of her own vagina as the camera zoomed in on its...details, while she inanely giggled “oh my Goooood, its so reeeaaal”.)
Palin is just the new girl in McCain's bevy (and a needed addition; the blankly staring blonde was getting boring) whose primary duties are always to look pretty and be pleasing. It doesn’t matter that she lies, knows nothing and has violated ethics rules by bullying opponents and erratic former family members. (She'll find out “what ethics is” and get back to us, I’m sure.) Nevertheless, Americans will vote for her and her geezer keeper for essentially the same reasons that ‘The Girls Next Door’ is now in its fifth season. (Is it any wonder that intelligent women who've striven to make something of themselves all their lives revile her?)
Could all of this and myriad--nay, innumerable--other examples of our society’s increasing decadence possibly not portend the imminent demise of our nation? No one with an I.Q. higher than the temperature of the room they occupy could deceive themselves into thinking so.
If i had a dip%!# brother in law like the media has painted wooten to be I would have done what I could to get him gone too. most of Alaska voted for Palin thinking she had good judgement. Maybe she did in trying to get her sisters @#$$ed up husband out of a position were he could possibly harm her family. What would YOU have done in her position? I personally am voting Democratic this year....Not only becouse I am disapointed in Palin's betrayal to Alaska (she told us she would not run if asked), or becouse she has allowed the GOP to shove their hand so far up her @#$ and use her for a puppet....but becouse the last eight years of Republican presidency just don't seem to have worked so very well. Change looks pretty good right now.
"It was not deregulation but Bill Clinton, a democratic President, following up on Carter that put pressure on banks to loan money to people to buy houses that they couldn't afford. The democrats started this housing crisis years before the Bush administration."
B.S. Ever watch "Enron, the smartest guys in the room"? Deregulation is the republican mantra; "get govermnets nose out of wallstreet"...otherwise your an anti-american socialst. thats exactly what the yuppie thugs did, beginning with reagan and ending with gingrich's so-called "contract with america", dismantling all of the rules that FDR passed in response to the great depression.
The comments on here are so stupid about how Palin has made Alaska look bad or foolish. Give me a freakin' break! That's like saying Lindsey Lohan makes California look bad, or what about Michael Jackson, born in Indiana. Is Indiana disgraced everytime he does another wacky thing? Or wait, how about Ted Kennedy, who wrecks his car and kills a young lady...wow, did that make Massachusetts look bad??? Are we Alaskans really so arrogant that we think people in the lower 48 actually CARE about our state "image"??? People love Alaska FOR THE TOURISM, which has little to do with our governor, who is just like the rest of us...human and imperfect. The Fairbanks Propaganda Press (a.k.a. News-Miner) has enough problems without these ridiculous posts...
no comment.
Conservatism is a cult and this is just the type of government you get when you elect a cult leader to the executive position. Get used to it Alaska cause you got two more years, at least with Sarah as governor.
I think akbearable needs to get a life you bum. You are always attacking post. Attacking two or three is okay. But a normal person has work to do? Are you on welfare or something? Because I am all for getting rid of welfare. Its nothing more than a waste of tax dollars!
We hire a woman as governor and give her a place to live in Juneau, and then we pay her per diem to live in her own house in another town?
I wonder if my boss would pay my transportation and living expenses and let me move my job to Hawaii for the winter?
Lindsey Lohan isn't GOVERNOR YOU MOOSE DROP.......AKANG take you're al-qaida garbage to ALABAMA.
"hilgeinak, McCain/Palin is finished! They lost. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are OUR best answer to the problems this country has at home and abroad. You'll see it, and guess what, you'll keep your constitutional rights and guns." If Obama, Biden, and McCain are the answer then why have they not done in the senate what they say they can do as President and Vice President? People fail to realize that the Congress is where the power is. All the President can do is: deploy the troops and tell his driver where to park the car...
Bill Clinton didn't cause the meltdown we are in now...I am as conservative as anyone but I am done with these STUPID POSTS......are you listening PATCARIBOU???? PHIL GRAMM and company eliminated safeguards put in place in the 30's to stop what just has happened. PHIL GRAMM john mccains financial advisor...PAT CARIBOU lash out all you want ..BE TRUTHFUL ... BE TRUTHFUL.....anything else makes it appear as if you a BORN AGAIN MORON
Palin should step down as Governor, immediately and McCain should give her the boot!! Palin is the devil....
The really HILARIOUS thing (NOT) is that the State of Alaska has NO INTEREST in Public Safety - and even if you are the Governor - please don't say anything AGAINST a Trooper - regardless of the fact that HE'S not FIT to be a Trooper and has violated his oath.
This is a SHAMEFUL day in the State of Alaska!
I pity the Palin Family and their inability to get that Trooper off the road. The Trooper in question wouldn't have lasted a DAY in 1976 b'c the standards were higher - no tazering of non-arrested child - no - the Child Protective Services would've been called AND HE WOULD'VE BEEN ARRESTED - I guess that doesn't happen anymore - kill a moose out of season - the law AGAIN turns a blind eye. Threaten to kill your family member - that's okay - just because you wear a STATE issued weapon - we don't think you will use it on your father-in-law ... that's okay - you just do WHATEVER THE HELL you want Trooper Wooten - and don't you LET anyone stop you... Just go wild - oh wait that's what you've been doing!!!!!!
The Legislature should be ASHAMED of themselves and so should the dang X-Commissioner b'c he is NOT interested in ANYONE'S public SAFETY outside of his PAYCHECK and book deal!
VERY SHAMEFUL!!!
God bless those Troopers (my late hubby was an Alaska State Trooper) who are out there upholding the law and not breaking it - I'm sure Wooten is only one of the men that does this ... but IF you have a problem with a Trooper - DON'T EXPECT THE DPS OR THE STATE OF ALASKA to respond and HEAR what your problem is! They will AGAIN turn a blind eye.
CLEAN up the Troopers State of Alaska - work on THAT Legislature.
I don't live in the state - but I would encourage all in those legislature's districts to VOTE THEM THE HELL out! Get them out of the state capital and doing something that they have to sweat to make a living. They obviously are wasting state funds with this sort of crap.
So the State Legislature did NOT investigate the Trooper in question - but sided with him. Appalling!!!!!
The State Legislature did NOT put in place an agency that can receive complaints about Troopers that would be unbiased!
The State Legislature did NOT HELP THE PEOPLE OF ALASKA!!!
Sarah stood up to the troopers, as well as big oil, and the good ol' boys, I know she will do a great job as Vice President.
You know, maybe the panel is correct, Sarah Palin "focused" on this issue. After reading more about this, Wooten should have been fired OVER AND OVER!!! Why is he still a trooper?!?! He should be fired today if he is still a trooper!!!
mailman,
I use to have a lot of respect for you, after reading your posts on the web cam,
but when it comes to politics sir, YOU SUCK.
And if I'm not mistaken, you don't even live in
Alaska.
I will tell you that I know for a fact, that the troopers are only protecting themselves, in 1998 I told Palmer trooper Dennis Ponder that they were being survailed by a group of people, who were going to do great harm to law enforcement officials, they caught those people. I also told them that Micheal Palmer would be kidnapped on June 4th off Pitman near Silver at 4:30 in the morning by an escaped prisoner, Micheal Palmer was kidnaped, as I told the troopers
I ended up reading almost all of the posts here before I got to the gem, and that was by Bovinne Morse.
When all is said and done, we still have a rogue trooper with his job. As a past union activist in a public employee union, I fully understand workplace discipline. If one of my co-workers had tasered a 10 year old, for whatever reason, which Wooten admits to, he would be gone. Maybe the AST has a lot stronger union, but it doesn't make it right.
On the other hand we have a governor reprimanded by a group that is either for the Democratic ticket, or has an inter-party grudge against the governor. Those posters who keep claiming bi-partisanship on the committee are right that Republicans serve on the committee, but the Republican establishment has a grudge with the governor.
Oh well, this phase is done, except for the hay to be made by opponents. Those posters above who claim that they are humiliated and that Alaskans are shamed by the governor, you are full of it. This is exactly what you had been hoping for. Your only disappointment is that Gov Palin is not in schackles.
Your need to be liked by everybody, everywhere shows immaturity. But then so does your belief in Obama.
Alaskans have never given a damn how they do it on the Outside, or what they think of us. Now in California, they love image.
"Trooper Wooten should have been fired", well then the Palins should not have WAITED to make the complaints- you snooze, you LOSE!
Plus- what business did Todd Palin have harassing state employees? he doesn't even work for the state, he just happens to be married to its governor which in no way qualifies him to harass people, he's a nobody.
Personal vendettas have no place in government, I'm not surprised at this finding at all as it is...as "Sarah" puts it....."Gods will".....
Obama the Socialist? State Healthcare isn't socialism, but McCain and Bush having the Government buy into banks IS outright Socialism. Bunch of ignorant hicks up here.
Hey slacker if you don't like it. Drive down to Delta, and turn left at the Alaska Highway.
sambreetmeuse -- you might want to read today's column in the Investor's Business Daily. It speaks directly to Clinton's authorization of bundling subprime mortgages in 1997. Also, note the interesting parallels in the accompanying chart. I'm no chartist, but I am a statistician (earth scientist) and the pattern is worthy of examiantion and conversation.
http://www.investors.com/editorial/edito...
http://www.investors.com/images/editimg/...
Prospector- I could post B.S. links all day too, the only person you're convincing here is yourself.
Al Gore used allot of charts too, but he didn't prove anything either.
I for one am tired of the whining and fingerpointing - I suspect (very unfortunately) that Nobama will be elected and then we will really see the impact that a far left wing radical can have in this country. It sounds like many readers are into the Obama rhetoric and blindly will follow the liberal media to the ends of the earth. Whatever Sarah Palin did, she did properly - the governor has the flexibility to terminate at-will employees and she did. Regardless of the "trooper gate" scandal that the media loves to banter back and forth, she was within her rights to terminate Mr. Monagan. I do not see that she really truly had any personal gain in terminating him - I believe that Trooper Whooten is still working is he not? Someone please correct me if he is no longer a trooper. Has the new trooper commissioner fired him yet?
You must be LostAlaskan - how did ANYONE snooze re: making complaints about Wooten???? No one SNOOZED it's just that there was NO RESPONSE from the state regarding the actions of this WOOTEN.
Get it? I THOT NOT!!!
sourdough"diablo"(ooooo, scary)- represents the "ignorant hicks" in Alaska eh?, lol, you can now disregard all his further posts as SPAM and leave it at that, as he is the "bubba vote" personified.
Get back to the south before they start the uprising without you! hurry!
It will be quite interesting to see what happens if she is not our next vice president! The fur will really be flying for the next 6 years....
Bevinne Morse-
The Palins waited until Wooten was divorcing their sister, months AFTER he had committed the "offenses" people are so eager to crucify him on.
In essence, they KNEW about the offenses, right? so why did they WAIT till AFTER he was divorcing the sister, GET IT?....probably not, as a deity shouldn't have to be held accountable for anything she does, right?
btw- I'm never lost, the GPS on my I-Phone works awesome!.......
Bovinne Morse - yours are the words of reason and good judgement. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
$100,000 for a 300 page report? That's the real crime here.
I'm sorry. I'm a bit confused. If I understand this article correctly, Sarah Palin was found to have not done anything illegal but was also found to have unlawfully abused her power. Is that right?
From what I read, they need to investigate the power that Todd Palin had and if that was lawful.
This whole thing is so totally politicized that it has no hope of being fairly evaluated.
Jump off the partisan bandwagon, folks.
jmailman said -
I think akbearable needs to get a life you bum. You are always attacking post. Attacking two or three is okay. But a normal person has work to do? Are you on welfare or something? Because I am all for getting rid of welfare. Its nothing more than a waste of tax dollars! -
and i'd like to say that i notice YOU like to attack people often yourself, maybe you need to consider getting a life as well! And my how thoughtful of you to take it to a personal level and label those who are on welfare as a waste and perhaps less human than you! Ever been really sick and lost your job? Lost your savings? Lost your medical coverage? Lost almost all you worked so hard for - even almost lost your life? Well - I have and I HAD to rely on WELFARE to get me through it. I bust my butt when i am healthy enough to do so - I am only 30 and IF WELFARE did not exist, I would not have lived to see 31. And trust me - I spent much time in the welfare offices listening to people go in there and talk about what happened to them to send them there in the first place. Very few are happy to be there. You think people are on welfare for the fun of it? Hardly. If your goal in that comment was to come out looking like a total tool.... excellent job!
I have an opinion on this subject - but really what does it matter? It seems like you have to throw stones in order to debate here and I am a lover, not a hater - I preferr to treat you with respect, even if I don't know you and esspecially when we disagree - it's healthy to try to understand things from other points of view. This is my first post - and I had to go negative! :(
Your L Phone? Lost Alaskan - let me set you straight - IF someone commits a crime - there are a set of years before you can no longer make a complaint.
Also, don't you think that the trooper in question got MORE violent and threatening as he saw his 4th marriage going down the drain.
We don't know the whole story - but I pity your sorry ass if you EVER have a beef with a police officer - b'c as it stands in Alaska - no one will listen to you either. Get it? I didn't think so!!!
Does anyone ever look at the facts or read the material? I almost think I'm back in Junior High with Mrs. Wilson. First, neither the legislator nor any legislative committee found ANYTHING!!!! The Legislative Council voted to release ONE MAN'S report. ONE MAN, a former prosecutor who has a close personal relationship with former Commissioner Monegan and Democrat Judiciary Chairman French, submitted a REPORT to a COMMITTEE chaired by Democrat Kim Elton of Juneau. Elton, a known very partisan Democrat, rejected any accusation of partisanship by saying: "When we began investigating this, we had no idea that Sarah Palin would be a part of the national ticket." LIKE HE DOESN'T ADMIT PARTISANSHIP EXISTS ON A STATE LEVEL???!!! That answer was a SIDESLIP.
Finally, Wooten is a jerk who shouldn't be an Alaska State Trooper. But his union negotiated away with a five day suspension what any of the rest of us would suffer a criminal record. Justice? I think not. Where are Branchflower's recommendations in that regard. Where are the quotations of broken Alaska Statutes for Wooten?
It isn't for personal gain that a responsible Governor would want a scoff-law Trooper off the force. It was very simply and righteously for the benefit and protection of the people of the state of Alaska.
Todd Palin wouldn't be much of a man if he didn't do everything he could to protect his family. And, were I Governor (thank God I am not), I would not want a scallywag like Wooten or an enabler like Monegan wearing the badge of the Alaska State Troopers. After all, why should any Trooper live by the rules when there is no real punishment for those who do not. "Loyalty-Integrity-Courage" the motto of the Alaska State Troopers. Not with Wooten and not under Monegan.
akbearable-- China and Russia are not the models of socialism that come to my mind when I think of socialism.
Why is socialized health care so scary? Health care should be a RIGHT not a privilege. The health insurance companies employ statisticians and mathematicians to make sure that they don't loose money. It is legal gambling. Legal gambling with your health. Pre-existing condition = no coverage, no coverage for mental health, you can be dying of anorexia and they will hang you out to dry. It's SICK.
Plenty of countries, (Canada, UK, Sweden, Norway) have affordable, socialized health care. We need to go there too.
wow bv, allot of assumptions without actually saying anything, and I didn't type "L", are you illiterate? and so what if I have an I-phone anyway?
Try addressing the question of Sarah Palins abuse of power, like letting her husband harass state employees instead of doing things BY THE BOOK, she, after all, is ONLY the governor, not the "owner" of Alaska.
You can take the girl out of Wasilla.........
Yesterday I had a long time friend (retired but still runs a tourism business) visit me from Canada and we had a conversation about Canada's health care and he said it is great. A bit off topic but it is always interesting to get information first hand.
Todd Palin should use should his own office to conduct his personal business. Family or not - maybe this WAS less of an issue from Sarah, but with her husband all up in her Gov. matters - you have to question her involvment and her intentions. In a relationship where someone holds a high power job - there has to be some personal boundaries. I mean - my husband is a head chef where he works.... and well you can't get much higher in the kitchen really.... but I would never walk in there and just toss myself a steak on the grill!
(but i'd like to see his reaction if I did.... he he he)
I don't think of this as a legal matter so much, did she, did she not, break the law? I am more interested in how people feel about Todd being allowed such access to Gov. office. Meet for lunch - fine, maybe even some hanky panky on the sneaks, but to use the phones etc... and get all business man in there....not cool. :)
Darkhorse - you nailed it - Good words!! Thanks!
Well most people type iPhone - not I Phone - :)
As for abuse of power - it's hardly the case to try to clean up Alaska one Trooper at a time. I guess you just think that Wooten is a wonderful man and would like him in YOUR family. Go for it!
It is sad to watch a Palin rally, she has been made the 'bad guy' and McCain is the 'good guy' it looks like they are just using her and making a fool out of her. They 'pumped' her all up to think she is part of the team and all she is doing is digging a hole for herself with her negative campaign. And I did vote for her.
Typical, just plain typical..... people like Branchflower and french, Both
ex-prosecutors for the State of Alaska, doing what they did best,DISTORTION of REALITY, No case, No evidence... But just like so many court cases in Alaska, this was intentionally staged to compell the public to convict someone where no crime has occured!
Thiers is a case builded on CONJECTURE:Conjecture comes from the root word:
To conjure or make up as one go's along(As practiced in WitchCraft):
(Maybe there's something to that bit about Sarah going through a Chrisian Ceremony for protection from witches, was it for just reasoning????? (sorta sounds that way to me now!))
For $100,000.00 Even I could misquote Alaska Statutes, paraphrase the objectionable parts out(which I won't), and then find an [I]ncompetant (Or
[C]orrupted) Judge to let it Fly (from personal experience I know there to be several of both in the Alaska Court System!)....
As for AS 39.52.110(a),..... I fail to understand where there even by the loosest interpretation has been a violation of ethics,
http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Stat...
If You read the whole statute, you will Note:
in Section(b)(1), it does state "(b) Unethical conduct is prohibited, but there is no substantial impropriety if, as to a specific matter, a public officer's"
(1) personal or financial interest in the matter is insignificant, or of a type that is possessed generally by the public or a large class of persons to which the public officer belongs;
or
(2) action or influence would have insignificant or conjectural effect on the matter.
(c) The attorney general, designated supervisors, hearing officers, and the personnel board must be guided by this section when issuing opinions and reaching decisions.
[Note:]The below excerpt from The Statutes Mr.Branchflower has Relyed upon itself would tend to undermine his posistion:
"(1) personal or financial interest in the matter is insignificant, or of a type that is possessed generally by the public or a large class of persons to which the public officer belongs;"
Personal interest of a type that is possessed generally by the public!
"COME ON ALASKA'S LEGISLATURE"
(Or have You figured out how to Avoid being recalled when when it's pointed you've wasted the States funds by conducting an [I]llegal Investigation for your agenda in violation of the very Same Alaska Statute?).
Who in thier right mind backs a corrupt Police Official?
how about the child Abuser/Drunk/poacher, whom is at the often ignored center of this issue?
How about the irresponcible handling of thier supposed punishment...
If a private Citizen pulled half of the [I]llegal, boneheaded, hatefull, (and yes)terroristic stunts that this States Legislature, and law enforcement Union Leaders seem to comdone!
They would be facing Criminal Charges, that if convicted for would net Them Aprox., 70 Years, or twelve if I got tome off for good behaviour (In Alaska it's Called
[G]ood-Time)(haven't quite reconciled the phraziology just yet!))
At the very least, Palin showed poor judgment in allowing her non-elected husband, with the aid of publicly paid staff members, to use government for a personal vendetta. This judgment is more typical of a small town mayor than a state executive. I would not want someone to be Vice-President who doesn't have proper oversight on her staff and husband (which raises the unanswered question of the depth of her own role). The Palins did not appear to be motivated by concerns of safety, but revenge.
To those Alaskans that fear the election of Obama will lead the U.S. down the road of "socialism", I must point out that Alaska is the greatest beneficiary of federal socialism of all 50 states on a per capita basis. 25% of Alaska's state government budget ($2.5 billion) came directly from the federal government which means the rest of the country subsidizes Alaska at a rate of $3.7 million per Alaskan.
and see state services cut.
One definition of "socialism" is large government. These Alaskans are also not aware of how large their state government is on a per capita basis. Arizona's state budget is exactly the same size as Alaska's ($10 billion) and Arizona has 9 times more people. Thus, Alaska spends nine times more per person more than Arizona to provide services to its citizens. There may be very good reasons for this discrepancy, but those Alaskans who consider themselves "anti-socialists" enjoy the benefits of federal and state socialism (including unearned oil dividends), not to mention social security and Medicare.
This is not a critique of Alaska or its citizens (my brother has been an Alaskan for 30 years and I've visited many times), but a response to those who claim to be against the "socialism" that they fear Obama will force upon them while benefiting greatly from various forms of socialism.
Obama's core tax policy would be to have higher income Americans pay a greater share of taxes (a point Warren Buffett agrees with) while reducing the burden on the middle class. The Bush tax policies have fostered the increasing income disparity between the middle class and the higher income classes and created massive deficits. Obama will bring balance and sanity to tax policy; this is not "socialism" but common sense.
Robert Doyle, Mesa, Arizona
They harassed Trooper Wooten because he was divorcing their sister, BOTTOM LINE, else they could have turned him in long before.....
Palin abused her authority in Wasilla, so they could sell their house.
This time she abused her authority as governor, to get revenge.
As for what I think about Wooten, who cares? I'm not going to condemn him to protect poor princess Sarah, he got "punishment", or would you people like a public stoning with Princess Palin casting the first one?
How in the name of God did Alaska elect someone like Palin to begin with? She has a witch doctor in her "religion", she obviously is not very bright, AND she breaks the laws of the state!!!
Canyon1951
Extremely well written message!!
Though I don't agree with his math I do agree with Canyon1951's conclusion.
While neither Obama nor Biden is perfect I find far more flaws in McCain and Palin in terms of potential presidential material. It makes a difference. Those who are flawed are more likely to bring problems down upon themselves and those that depend on them while at the same time they are less likely to succeed at complex endeavors having more things to trip them up.
I hate to see what would have happened had a dumocrat been in office on Sept 11, 2001. If AlGore had been president, I am sure with his lack of back bone, we all would have been suffering the present global meltdown 7 years ago. If Obama had been president I am sure he would have traveled to Afganistan to discuss "playing fair" with the terrorists - Probably would have not came back though...
On the flip side, President Bush did have a lot more serious things to deal with than an intern in the oral office.
"President Bush did have a lot more serious things to deal with than an intern in the oral office."
yeah like golfing and taking vacations, spending time with/protecting his Saudi oil buddies.....
Plus I wouldn't brag about how the repubs handled 9/11, Bin Laden did get away and is probably laughing at dubya right now and thanking his incompetence and greed which has helped him more than anything else.
Cry a river--Your statements of I assume, IF,IF,IF, has no validity at all. But mmcneal--- Your post gives me one more reason to get cable. I didn't even know that I could see chocolate vagina's on t.v.
Impeach Palin and send her back to Wasilla , Then Bring in Tony Knowles !!! To bad the people weren't smart enough to elect Tony .If they had , we would not be in this terrible mess , the laughing stock of the world . But on the other hand we would not have such great Saturday Night Live opening sketches , and Tina Fey may not have made the big time so soon . Now she is world famous all because of the dummies up here in Alaska . But as the old saying goes ,it takes an ill wind not to blow somebody some good , and this ill wind came out of Alaska . You have heard on the La NIna "cold" and El Nino "hot" Winds ,now we have The Sarah Palin wind from the North Country . Is it hot or cold , nobody knows . Is she the "North Country Girl" that Bob Dylan sang about ?
Canyon 1951, Pretty much hit it right on the head .I have some anti socialistic hard core Republican friends that hop on every free loading wagon that they can gain from . Then they cry about high taxes .
Dark Horse , Stalin did the same thing as The Palins did , except Stalin did it on a greater volume , he could have them executed ,not just fired . the rest is the same principle .
Dark Horse , Stalin did the same thing as The Palins did , except Stalin did it on a greater volume , he could have them executed , not just fired . the rest is the same principle .
Yes, Palin abused her power and is hiding behind her vp badge. But I for one, am tired of reading about her in the news, seriously!
just a quick legal question, well, two and a perspective then I'm outta here again for a few...
1.The facts being that the legislature itself by the definition given in the statute violated the ethics rule by conducting this investigation in the first place and then released it does this not make any findings by the personel board moot as it would be considered double(or prior)jeopardy?.... and therfore would this not make the responcible and participating members of the legislature whom have appearantly deemed themselves empowered to cirmunvent the stated legal process liable? and what the sanction?
They have smeared Sarah Palin's Name for The Nation to see, it is sad so Many either lack the wherewithal or do not have the time to look up the facts because they are working two jobs, one to pay for gas and the other for heat, food, fuel oil,,... and now out of petty and [I]legal actions they the Legislators may well have commited a genuine real life conspiracy...
http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/...
(d) In a prosecution under this section, it is not a defense that a person with whom the defendant conspires could not be guilty of the crime that is the object of the conspiracy because of:
(2) belonging to a class of persons who by definition are legally incapable in an individual capacity of committing the crime that is the object of the conspiracy;
(3) unawareness of the criminal nature of the conduct in question or of the criminal purpose of the defendant; or
(4) any other factor precluding the culpable mental state required for the commission of the crime.
the inaction taken on wooten was criminaly negligent on the part of the State Troopers, The Police Union has too much power, however I don't hear much about that.... why no investigation there?
Beings that everyone is on the subject, isen't the Legislature overlooking this not so small part of Alaskan law?
http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/...
AS 11.81.320. Justification: Necessity.
(a) Conduct which would otherwise be an offense is justified by reason of necessity to the extent permitted by common law when
(1) neither this title nor any other statute defining the offense provides exemptions or defenses dealing with the justification of necessity in the specific situation involved; and
(2) a legislative intent to exclude the justification of necessity does not otherwise plainly appear.
(b) The justification specified in (a) of this section is an affirmative defense.
I believe this has the whole thing covered!
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/cgi-bin/fol...
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