Troopergate report: Palin abused power... (Metlakatla: home, food, association)

[RayinAK]

In my view, it's too soon to tell if she is right or not. The investigation was spearheaded by a well known Obama supporter, and by the same Republicans that opposed her when she ran against the previous governor. Also, she did not fire Monagan, although she (any governor) can. Monagan also said that she (her administration) never told him to fire the trooper. This is that part that will be difficult to prove if the case goes to the Personnel Board, and the only one she has been found guilty in the investigation.
Ethics report: Palin abused authority - Decision '08 - MSNBC.com

[j760]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

In my view, it's too soon to tell if she is right or not. The investigation was spearheaded by a well known Obama supporter, and by the same Republicans that opposed her when she ran against the previous governor.

Which is no surprise, anything to take the attention off the legitimate questions and concerns about Obama. Whether or not Sarah was right or wrong I don't know, but what I do know is this is politics as usual. If Sarah was wrong I don't doubt for a second that she will do what she can to make things right, but Obama continues to sweep under the carpet very important issues that even his supporters deserve to know the answers to.

Again, people that support Obama are loving this story right now because it takes the attention away from stories such as Acorn, potential voter fraud, etc. Which are much more important in my opinion.

[rotorhead]

The whole "troopergate" is a classic tempest in a teapot. It wouldn't have rated the back page of any major newpaper (a group which very much excludes the liberal birdcage liner known as ADN) had it not been for the election "silly season" spotlight. Even by the bush league standards of Alaskas political naughtyness, this one is small potatos.

Moderator cut: off topic

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

No financial gain, of course, but nonetheless, the investigation concluded that she was guilty of abuse of power. The most unsettling thing for me is that her husband took it upon himself to badger Monegan for the trooper's dismissal.

The trooper may well have deserved to have been fired; lord knows, police corruption in parts of Alaska is fairly rampant. But proper channels should have been utilized. Palin has a history of this type of behavior and it is not something that we need in a VP who could quite conceivably inherit the presidency.

I'm wondering how many tax dollars were spent in the effort to block the investigation. Probably a bit more than 100K.

The "proper channels" as you call them all covered for the officer. He had the police union behind him trying to make sure he wasn't fired, then they raised a stink about this whole thing. Maybe the real message from all of this is that we need to eliminate police unions. Perhaps I'm a bit biased because I've experienced thug police officers who abused their authority, then of course all the "official channels" covered for them. It took the threat of a civil rights lawsuit to bring the cop under some degree of control in my case. So, I support what was tried.

[CarolinaCowboy]

She made a minor mistake. This is not a career ender for her. I learned LONG AGO, not just to read the headline. If you actually read what happened, and what they concluded, there is as much positive towards her in the report as negative. They actually gave her kudos for reining in Todd, by telling him to stop making calls. Todd acted on his own accord and she stepped in and told him to stop. The report actually praises her for this.

You must also remember, this report did not find her GUILTY as the media might have you believe. It simply said she most likely stepped outside her boundaries and executed her power in a fashion not quite appropriate as governor. And lets keep in mind, the guy she fired, held a position that governor's can come up with 300 daily reasons to fire them! If he simply disagreed with her position on a few issues, she can fire him. It is HER position, she appoints that position and can do with it as she pleases and it is her's to take away at anytime she sees fit.

AND, don't forget this bum that is at the root of the entire mess probably belongs in prison himself. He is a real sleaze, zappin a 10 year old kid with a tazer. Which, by the way can kill you!

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Rance

She acted lawfully. That investigator (who was paid $100,000.00 by the way) who just so happens to be a Obama supporter, found her guilty, but she wasn't found to gain anything from her actions. No financial gain etc. I'd like to know where that 100 grand came from he was paid for what...6 or 8 weeks investigation? I hope to hell my tax money didn't pay for that. That trooper should have been fired and wasn't. Somebody should be fired for abusing power and it isn't Sarah.

I do agree and wonder why the questionable donations Obama took from Arabs is not more of a concern?? I'd think Obama supporters would ask themselves just "why" Arabs are giving him money. Such a sorry bunch on both sides to have to choose from.

[Metlakatla]

AND, don't forget this bum that is at the root of the entire mess probably belongs in prison himself. He is a real sleaze, zappin a 10 year old kid with a tazer. Which, by the way can kill you!

No one in the Palin family came forward or tried to do ANYTHING to help that kid when the tazing took place, and they knew about it because their daughter was there. To me that says a lot about SP's character, or lack of it. It wasn't until she began her little vendetta that it was even brought up.

[Tank1906]

Originally Posted by j760

Which is no surprise, anything to take the attention off the legitimate questions and concerns about Obama. Whether or not Sarah was right or wrong I don't know, but what I do know is this is politics as usual. If Sarah was wrong I don't doubt for a second that she will do what she can to make things right, but Obama continues to sweep under the carpet very important issues that even his supporters deserve to know the answers to.

Again, people that support Obama are loving this story right now because it takes the attention away from stories such as Acorn, potential voter fraud, etc. Which are much more important in my opinion.

Palin was found guilty by a bi-partisan committee of ethics violations. Stop justifying and spinning her mess. If she cant control her redneck husband in Alaska, what can we expect of her anywhere near the white house. Why does someone McCain sprung on the lower 48 a few weeks ago deserve the benefit of the doubt. She is the dubious, scary character we should all fear. The thing is, she's dumb and nobody really takes her seriously. The right fears Obama's unflappable calm and intelligent demeanor amid 2 years of attacks. Unfortunately, Kerry buckled 4 years ago while Obama charges. He has earned the right to be our leader. Without him, all we get is the same ol mess.

PS- Dont forget Silly Sarah wants more power for the VP. Look what she did in her short stint has governer. America doesn't need Dick Cheney on steroids.

[RayinAK]

I have no idea if it was legal or not, but I read some e-mails from Palin and some official documents, dating back to 2005 at the News Miner's forum. The links to the documents were posted by a person there about a month ago. The documents gave details of what the trooper had been accused of before Palin was governor. For my safety's sake, I will not post what was said in the memo and the e-mails. I have no idea if that stuff can still be found in the News Miner's archives, however.

[Metlakatla]

Paranoid much, Ray?

Here's a letter of recommendation that SP wrote for Wooten in 2000.

In 2000 Letter, Palin Called Ex-Brother-in-Law ‘Fine Role Model’

Personally, I think the guy is probably a first class dirtbag, and I also think that SP knew that well before 2005.