New allegations have surfaced in Alaska charging Governor Sarah Palin with additional violations of the Alaska Executive Ethics Act.
At the same time, even more of her past political improprieties have come to light, along with details of criminal charges filed against Palin when she was a member of the Wasilla city council.
Zane Henning -- a conservative government watchdog from the governor's hometown of Wasilla who had previously sought Palin's email records as governor to determine whether or not she was conducting partisan business on her state email account -- contends that Palin improperly advanced her personal political career by using state offices to hold national television interviews that had nothing to do with her role as governor or with state business.
"The governor is using her official position and office in an attempt to repair her damaged political image on the national scene," Henning declared. The Alaska ethics code bars elected officials from using state resources to help or hurt a political candidate.
Palin's office did not contest the fact that the interviews were held in state offices but said that Palin was "not a candidate at the time of the interviews."
Yet in her lengthy, sit-down interview last week with Greta van Susteren on Fox News -- clearly conducted in the governor's office -- Palin primarily discussed both her failed bid on the Republican ticket and acknowledged that she had not ruled out a run for the presidency in 2012.
"I'm like, OK, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, I'm like, don't let me miss the open door," the governor declared. "Show me where the open door is... And if there is an open door in '12 or four years later, and if it is something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I'll plow through that door."
That hardly sounds like Alaska state business.
Moreover, this is not the first time that Palin has been charged with conducting partisan politics on the state's nickel. While pursuing her unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor in 2002, Wasilla city records reveal that she improperly used her mayor's office to conduct her campaign.
According to a July 2006 article in the Anchorage Daily News, "Palin used city employees, telephones, computers, and fax machines for her campaign fundraising and literature. On her candidate registration form, she used her City Hall fax number and her mayoral email address. Records show that Wasilla city property was used to contact supporters, donors, media contacts and media purchasing. Palin even held campaign meetings in city hall."
In fact, Palin has consistently come up against charges of ethics violations throughout her political career. An editorial in the Wasilla Frontiersman once opined that Palin had "little understanding or little regard for the city's own laws."
Or apparently the State of Alaska's, either.
In 1993, while she was a member of the Wasilla city council, Palin was busted for using a drift gillnet to harvest salmon in Bristol Bay without an annual permit. She was also charged with fishing without a photo ID. According to Alaska Criminal History Records, she plead guilty to the criminal negligence charges (it was originally recorded as a felony), while the charges for fishing without the proper ID were dropped.
This sense that she was above the law followed her to the state house in Juneau. According to the Associated Press, Palin accepted "dozens of gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars since taking office [as governor], including two free trips last year that she failed to report on disclosure forms, despite criticizing state legislators for the gifts they take."
Keeping track of Palin's ethics violations has become almost a full-time business.
Anne Kilkenny, the longtime Wasilla political activist whose legendary email about Palin last September referenced Palin's "unbridled ambition and predatory ruthlessness," says she's not surprised about the latest charges. "Sarah is incredibly strong-willed and nothing is going to stand in her way," Kilkenny noted in a phone interview from her home in Wasilla. "Sometimes strong-willed people don't see their own shortcomings."
In addition to lingering questions about the so-called Troopergate scandal, Palin also remains under another investigation for misusing her office to campaign against a voter referendum calling for tighter mining regulations; for finding a state job for a friend and campaign contributor; and for appointing the founder of an engineering firm that received $6.8 million in state business as head of the transportation department.
In October, a Republican investigator of the bipartisan Alaska Legislative Council declared that Palin violated the state's Executive Ethics Act by obsessively pursuing the firing of her former brother-in-law, Alaska state trooper Mike Wooten.
When the Legislature reconvenes in January it will decide whether to censure Palin for her activities in the so-called Troopergate affair. The Legislature also has the power to seek contempt charges against Palin and other state officials who willingly ignored the Legislative Council's subpoenas during its investigation. It could even go so far as to hold hearings on whether or not Palin and her husband committed perjury.
As far back as the 1990s, Alaska newspapers were calling Palin's behavior into question. "Mayor Palin," the Frontiersman declared in a February 1997 editorial, "fails to have a firm grasp of something very simple: the truth."
The internet simply moves the war of the parties and their funding machines, not just the battle of ideas, to a new domain.
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It also cleared her of ethics violations in respect to her dealings regarding Michael Wooten, the trooper involved in a contentious divorce and custody battle with the governor's sister. This report clearing her was released the day befor eht POTUS election.
That is why there are checks and balances between Executive and Legislative branches of government. So one person can't have total control.
"I'm the Mayor. I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't".
When she sees an opening in the truth, she just plows right through it.
She's a force of nature. Nothing will bring her down.
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When that fellow American has joined groups which wish to destroy the American govt..... . and you telling me that I cannot call them terrorists..... Yeah, that's a reasonable word!
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By definition, a secessionist group does not wish to destroy the American government. They simply wish to separate themselves from it...
Michale.....
These are fringe groups that really have no chance of success. They are more social groups than anything else.
The simple fact that no one knew about, nor cared about, the AIP prior to Palin's entry onto the national stage indicates that this is just partisan politics at work.
But, if you really are concerned about secessionist groups in general, I can provide you a list of them and you can get started in taking them all down... I would start with the ones in Vermont and Texas..
Michale.....
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" It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." Robert F. Kennedy 1966
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You are quoting a man in defense of the integrity of a second man who dedicated a book to a third man who brutally murdered the first man..
Ironic, no??
Michale.....
By the way...
No need....
to hit...
the space bar.....
So often....
It's really...
Annoying, pal.....
I have seen your other posts where you suggest that Obama would "want unity", "the election is over" etc. yet you feel the need to rehash the election issues as you see fit, including the Obama/Ayers association.
You originally stated that my opinions were "hysterical nonsense" and now you seem to want to paint the issue with a blanket condemnation of people you perceive to be extremists on either side, of which I am neither.
As far as you being "more qualified to comment on matters relating to terrorism" I cannot say. I can merely express my own opinions and leave you to express your ideas however you please.
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As far as you being "more qualified to comment on matters relating to terrorism" I cannot say. I can merely express my own opinions and leave you to express your ideas however you please.
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And I respect that. But there are times where opinions are expressed as facts when they are not.
I simply point out the distinction... And yes, I am guilty of that as well and have signaled my appreciation to those who have pointed it out to me..
Michale.....
I am not here as a representative of the "hysterical left" as I will assume that you are not here representing the "hysterical right."
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Agreed..
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I have seen your other posts where you suggest that Obama would "want unity", "the election is over" etc. yet you feel the need to rehash the election issues as you see fit, including the Obama/Ayers association.
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Actually, I only bring that up in response to others who bring it up.. Setting the record straight..
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You originally stated that my opinions were "hysterical nonsense" and now you seem to want to paint the issue with a blanket condemnation of people you perceive to be extremists on either side, of which I am neither.
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Actually, reviewing the posts, I never claimed that your opinions were hysterical nonsense.. I DID claim that 'coloradodreaming' opinion that Todd Palin was a terrorist was "hysterical nonsense". It's in the same vein as "Obama is a secret Muslim"... That sort of hysterical nonsense. Much like people using comparisons to Hitler to make a point, it simply cheapens the suffering inflicted by Hitler and his band of thugs..... Using terrorism to describe actions that aren't even in the BALLPARK of being terrorism does the same thing..
CONT
What do you think the result would be if Ayers had done post-911 what he did back then???
I think you know the answer as well as I do. He would have joined the likes of Timothy McVeigh and Eric Rudolph and Ted Kazinskey and Jeffery Dahlmer..."
Michale.....
Hey you fool, Ayers blew up empty buildings you ignorant reich wing toad...there is a BIG difference in what you are implying.....lol
But, your point was just too easy to refute to resist..
Ayers blew up buildings. That IS terrorism..
Ayers' terrorist buddies were killed constructing a nail bomb. A garage built anti-personnel device that has one use and one use only. To kill and maim men, women and children in the most vile and inhumane way imaginable..
Their plan was to detonate these weapons at social functions that had a good percentage of military personnel attending...
Bill Ayers is a terrorist. THAT is a fact. The only reason that Ayers and his buddies didn't kill more people is due to their incompetence. Not due to any moral compass..
These are the facts...
And no amount of ignorant name-calling will change the facts.
Michale.....
it's funny how terrorist wasn't used as often as it has been since 9/11
oogey-boogie...
People in the country are innocent until proven guilty. That is the law...AND THAT'S THE FACT.
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You are also not qualified to suggest that my opinion is "hysterical nonsense" any more than I am qualified to suggest that your opinion is just that.
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All things being equal, I would agree with you.
However, during the Dem primary and general election, there were many accusations sent forth that Obama would destroy the country, etc etc etc... Just as there are many accusations that Palin and McCain would destroy the country etc etc etc...
Either of those, I would write off as hysterical nonsense..
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Respectful interaction is the key to successful debate.
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I completely and 1000% agree with this...
However, respect is a two way street.. The hysterical Left doesn't get to scream hysterically about AIP terrorists and Palin establishing a religious USA, then turn around and expect that their arguments be treated with respect when the hysterical Left refuses to give any respect to the arguments from the hysterical Right...
'Obama is a muslim!!!' is a hysterical opinion..
'Palin is a traitor!!!" is also a hysterical opinion.
I give credence or value to neither..
Michale.....
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A disagreement with another person's opinion does not give you the right to dismiss that opinion as "hysterical nonsense."
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Really?? So how would you characterize the Left's dismissal of the hysterical Right's claim that Obama is a secret Muslim, is not even a US citizen and is an Al Qaeda "Manchurian Candidate"...
Sorry, but I would dismiss those "opinions" as "hysterical nonsense".. As would any sane or rational person..
Openmindedness is a great thing, but not when taken to extremes...
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The fact that you say the Ayers/Obama association has been "proven" an issue does not make it fact and therefore you are not qualified to present it as such. (In your words "You are free to disagree, but you are not free to state your opinion as fact.")
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It IS a fact and I can assure you that I am MORE than qualified to comment on any matters relating to terrorism..
CONT
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Who exactly is mainstream America? When Palin's associations are questioned, it is immediately dismissed by certain people (you call them mainstream Americans) as hysterical nonsense.
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I don't have a problem with anyone questioning Palin's associations.. I DO have a problem with hysterical people making hysterical claims about terrorists and terrorism in such a manner that makes it painfully obvious to anyone with more than 2 brain cells to rub together that they have absolutely NO CLUE as to what constitutes terrorism..
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The Bill Ayers/Obama association was a non-issue
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I disagree and have PROVEN why it was, rightly, an issue...
You are free to disagree, but you are not free to state your opinion as fact..
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Palin has delusional aspirations of her importance in the national arena and that makes her dangerous to all Americans. Mainstream ones included.
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Yea, and many Democrats said the same thing about Obama during the primaries...
Would you give THAT hysterical nonsense any credence??? Of course not..
So, why do you expect that YOUR hysterical nonsense be given any more credence???
Michale.....
The fact that you say the Ayers/Obama association has been "proven" an issue does not make it fact and therefore you are not qualified to present it as such. (In your words "You are free to disagree, but you are not free to state your opinion as fact.")
You are also not qualified to suggest that my opinion is "hysterical nonsense" any more than I am qualified to suggest that your opinion is just that.
Respectful interaction is the key to successful debate.
Don't anyone disagree with this guy. He'll just tell you how profoundly wise he is, and how profoundly "hysterical" you are. There can be no dialogue with the proudly, defiantly ignorant.
Your concession of my superiority is appreciated, albeit irrelevant..
Michale.....
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Oh puulleeeeze...
Do you really believe that hysteria you are spouting???
Or is it just soo much fear-mongering??
Michale.....
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Once again, I ask you to answer the question. I raised a point about how rwt claimed she was associated with a group trying to make a theocracy in America, and you claimed that it was a freedom of religion issue. I want to know how her being a close associate of a group trying to overturn the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States is a "freedom of religion" matter!!! And don't try that stupid "fear-mongering" or "hysteria" stuff again. I'm asking a VALID question about a former VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate!
Once again, I ask you to answer the question. I raised a point about how rwt claimed she was associated with a group trying to make a theocracy in America, and you claimed that it was a freedom of religion issue.
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Did I?? I highly doubt that. Being as agnostic as I am, arguing a freedom of religion point doesn't sound like something I would do...
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I'm asking a VALID question about a former VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate!
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How can it be a VALID question if she is a FORMER candidate???
What POSSIBLE reason could you have to ask that question other than to simply be seeking more ammunition with with to attack her??
The election's over... Let it go...
Michale.....
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She's governor of a state with a smaller population than El Paso spread oput over a territory larger than most of the lower 48
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"Most"???
Which state in the lower 48 is larger than Alaska???
Michale....
I think that roooth was stating that Alasksa is bigger than most of the lower 48 COMBINED.
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If that is what roooth was stating then *I* think that roooth has had one tee meeny martoonies... :D
The entire size of the US is more than 3.5 million square miles, of which Alaska is about 600,000 and change square miles...
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However, Alaska is larger than 2 Texas'.
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Actually, closer to 3 Texases... Texasii?? Texasiums???
Michale.....
She was adamantly determined to keep those personal health records from advanced public scrutiny, most unusual stance for a candidate for such high office. What on earth was the lady hiding so grimly?
Could it be that, since the date of her first delivery is known and also the date of her marriage, being a public record, is also known . . . that her health records would reveal this first birth was not premature, but full term, and that it strongly indicated the conception occurred before her marriage?
And that is exactly what the medical record showed, that the birth of her first child was full "term," which means 9 months, plus or minus 2 weeks. Yet the lady gave birth only 8 months after her elopement marriage. Such marriages are often rushed, for pregnancy reasons, and that seems to have been the case here.
This certainly would have been damaging in the election for one who professes such fundamentalist views and such personal virtue as the Alaska governor. She, after all, has been an ardent promoter of premarital chastity and abstinence, and an equally ardent opponent of sex education.
Seems to make her a total hypocrite, no?
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What hysteria???
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"Trying to create a theocracy in America" is hysterical fear mongering..
Michale.....
a group that is trying to create a theocracy in America,
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And once again, this is simply fear-mongering hysteria with no basis in fact...
Michale.....
She is truly dumber than a doornail. And don't think she wasn't really a member of the Alaskan Independent Party and beyond a doubt a de facto one.
Why the media let her get away with the Ayres nonsense is a chilling comment on our nation.