pBills Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Does she represent the America you and I wish for? :lol: From CNN: Panel: Palin abused power in trooper case ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) -- Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin abused her power as Alaska's governor and violated state ethics law by trying to get her ex-brother-in-law fired from the state police, a state investigator's report concluded Friday. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is under investigation for the firing of her public safety commissioner. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is under investigation for the firing of her public safety commissioner. "Gov. Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda," the report states. 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. The investigator's report states Palin's efforts to get Wooten fired broke a state ethics law that bars public officials from pursuing personal interest through official action. Video Watch what led to investigation » The lawyers representing both Sarah and Todd Palin issued a three-page attack on the investigative report, including the contention that Ethics Act violations can only involve financial motives and financial "potential gain, or the avoidance of a potential loss." "Here, there is no accusation, no finding and no facts that money or financial gain to the Governor was involved in the decision to replace Monegan," the lawyers said. Any abuse of power, they said, was on the part of the Legislative Council members, not the Palins. "Sen. French and Sen. Green may have abused their government power by using public money to pursue a personal vendetta against the Governor, and then agreeing to pursue the PSEA attack against an administration that would not cave in to outrageous union demands." "Put bluntly, Branchflower completely misapplied the Ethics Act and has instead sought to create a headline to smear the Governor," the lawyers wrote. Monegan has said he was fired in July after refusing pressure to sack Wooten, who had gone through an acrimonious divorce and custody battle with Palin's sister. View a timeline of the investigation » Monegan said he was "relieved" by the findings. "I believed and had the opinion that I was terminated because I did not fire Wooten," he told CNN. "Now these findings say that that's what happened, so I feel relieved." Palin and her husband, Todd, have consistently denied wrongdoing, describing Wooten as a "rogue trooper" who had threatened their family -- allegations Branchflower discounted. "I conclude that such claims of fear were not bona fide and were offered to provide cover for the Palins' real motivation: to get Trooper Wooten fired for personal family reasons," Branchflower wrote. The Branchflower report states Todd Palin used his wife's office and its resources to press for Wooten's removal, and the governor "failed to act" to stop it. But because Todd Palin is not a state employee, the report makes no finding regarding his conduct. The bipartisan Legislative Council, which commissioned the investigation after Monegan was fired, unanimously adopted the 263-page public report after a marathon executive session Friday. About 1,000 more pages of documents compiled during the inquiry will remain confidential because they involve private personnel matters, according to the council's chairman, state Sen. Kim Elton. "I believe that these findings may help people come to a conclusion on how they should vote" in the presidential election, Elton said. McCain-Palin campaign spokeswoman Meg Stapleton said Palin would cooperate with the Personnel Board investigation. The Palins' lawyer has said an investigator named by that board wants to question them in late October. Stapleton called the investigation "a partisan-led inquiry" run by supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, but hailed its finding that Monegan's firing broke no law. "Gov. Palin was cleared of the allegation of an improper firing, which is what this investigation was approved to look into," she said. Stapleton went on to say that the Legislature exceeded its mandate in finding an ethics violation. "Lacking evidence to support the original Monegan allegation, the Legislative Council seriously overreached, making a tortured argument to find fault without basis in law or fact." Rep. John Coghill, a Republican who criticized the handling of the investigation, said it was "well-done professionally." He said Palin "bumped right against the edges" of the state's ethics laws but that he would give "the benefit of the doubt to the governor, though, at this point." Palin originally agreed to cooperate with the Legislative Council inquiry, and disclosed in August that her advisers had contacted Department of Public Safety officials nearly two dozen times regarding her ex-brother-in-law. But once she became Sen. John McCain's running mate, her advisers began painting the investigation as a weapon of Democratic partisans. Ahead of Friday's hearing, Palin supporters wearing clown costumes and carrying balloons denounced the probe as a "kangaroo court" and a "three-ring circus" led by supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. advertisement The state senator managing the probe, Sen. Hollis French, fueled those complaints with a September 2 interview in which he warned the inquiry could yield an "October Surprise" for the GOP. But Palin's lawyers already had begun pushing for the state Personnel Board to launch its own investigation, calling it the proper legal venue for the matter. "The report speaks for itself," French told CNN Friday night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finknottle Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 And the Democrats have taken the Republican "independent investigator" tack and raised it to a new level. Congratulations on your gullibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pBills Posted October 11, 2008 Author Share Posted October 11, 2008 Gullible because they finished a report on her. Granted the timing is something, however the report has been going on for some time now. These questions have been there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 And the Democrats have taken the Republican "independent investigator" tack and raised it to a new level. Congratulations on your gullibility. 10 republicans and 4 democrats in that panel started in a Republican led Legislature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 10 republicans and 4 democrats in that panel started in a Republican led Legislature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finknottle Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Gullible because they finished a report on her. Granted the timing is something, however the report has been going on for some time now. These questions have been there. He, not they. It was Stephen Branchflower, an investigator contracted specifically for the job. Like Kenneth Star, but from outside the government... http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/478090.html The investigation was authorized bipartisanly, but the hiring of the contractor was done by a Democrat (Elton), and the work overseen by a Democrat (French). As to 'some time,' it was authorized less than 10 weeks ago. The contractor had less than two months to investigate, interview, analyze, followup, analyze, and write a 300 page report on a max 100k budget. That's not a lot of time for a government investigation unless you already know exactly where you want to go. FYI - the findings are as follows: 1. An ethics violation over using the official office for personal use 2. No illegality over the firing of the trooper. 3. No improperness in the proceedural termination and the handling of his compensation claims. http://media.adn.com/smedia/2008/10/10/16/...affiliate.7.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 He, not they. It was Stephen Branchflower, an investigator contracted specifically for the job. Like Kenneth Star, but from outside the government... http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/478090.html The investigation was authorized bipartisanly, but the hiring of the contractor was done by a Democrat (Elton), and the work overseen by a Democrat (French). As to 'some time,' it was authorized less than 10 weeks ago. The contractor had less than two months to investigate, interview, analyze, followup, analyze, and write a 300 page report on a max 100k budget. That's not a lot of time for a government investigation unless you already know exactly where you want to go. FYI - the findings are as follows: 1. An ethics violation over using the official office for personal use 2. No illegality over the firing of the trooper. 3. No improperness in the proceedural termination and the handling of his compensation claims. http://media.adn.com/smedia/2008/10/10/16/...affiliate.7.pdf The 10-4 Reps over Dems voted unanimously to conduct the investigation, voted unanimously for Branchflower, voted unanimously for French, and unanimously to release the report. The Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees are 3-1 Republicans over Democrat and voted 4-0 to authorize Branchflower's subpoenas. The decision to move it up earlier so it WOULDNT be an October surprise was also supported by the Reps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I'm so glad so many of you are experts in Alaska politics. I'm also really stunned by the hypocrisy of big government liberals wagging their fingers when big government uses it's power in an unjust manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blzrul Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Alaska is pretty but it sure sounds like a corrupt state. Stevens is on trial (at his age, good gravy) and now this. Seems like it's just a way of life up there. I guess when you're that far away it's more tempting to see what you can get away with ... because often you can. However I am sure all 680,000 Alaskans are not corrupt and it has to be pretty embarrassing for them. Granted, Alaska's a welfare state and all, so I suppose they're probably used to getting picked on, but still a dingy, corrupt Governer and a corrupt Senator shouldn't reflect on those who are honest and hardworking. Whatever happened to those Murkowskis by the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I'm so glad so many of you are experts in Alaska politics. I'm also really stunned by the hypocrisy of big government liberals wagging their fingers when big government uses it's power in an unjust manner. If there is one thing this board really needs, it's another "everything sucks, you're all azzholes" speech from you. They're all so original. You should ban yourself for a lemmings crusade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drnykterstein Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 10 republicans and 4 democrats in that panel started in a Republican led Legislature. What part of unanimous do you not understand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 What part of unanimous do you not understand? Huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantelliotoffen Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 If there is one thing this board really needs, it's another "everything sucks, you're all azzholes" speech from you. They're all so original. You should ban yourself for a lemmings crusade. Hahahahahahaha!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drnykterstein Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Huh? Doh!. Oops. I think my brain had not turned on yet today when I posted that. Just ignore it I have no clue what I was thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Fischer Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I'm so glad so many of you are experts in Alaska politics. I'm also really stunned by the hypocrisy of big government liberals wagging their fingers when big government uses it's power in an unjust manner. This will be even funnier when and if he ever stands up to say who he's voting for. My Guess: the anti-American Alaska Party. "Hey Ma! I was gonna go out an vote AP but them black helicopters were a-criclin' so I hid out in the safe room 'til after the election." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 This will be even funnier when and if he ever stands up to say who he's voting for. Who will you be voting for?? Show him your leadership, tell us who you will vote for..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Fischer Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Who will you be voting for?? Show him your leadership, tell us who you will vote for..... Barack Obama. Your turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Barack Obama. Your turn. As of right now..... None of the above seems to fit. Clearly its not Obama the Socialist, nor is it the OLD man who tried to slam down our throats the most obnoxious immigration policy known to man kind. Drink up Maxie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drnykterstein Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 As of right now..... None of the above seems to fit. Clearly its not Obama the Socialist, nor is it the OLD man who tried to slam down our throats the most obnoxious immigration policy known to man kind. Drink up Maxie You mean Obama the intelligent? Obama the smart? Obama the guy with a brain. I am so sick of morons leading this country that I just love the fact that someone with a high IQ is finally going to be in charge. We haven't had a smart president is at least 16 years. It makes me sick to think about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Fischer Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 As of right now..... None of the above seems to fit. Clearly its not Obama the Socialist, nor is it the OLD man who tried to slam down our throats the most obnoxious immigration policy known to man kind. Drink up Maxie How about narrowing it down? Alaska Party? Constitution? Falangist? Green? American Patriot? Communist? America First? Something even more fringe and irrelevant? Will you give us a hint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts