Palin Appoints "W.A.R."

Governor Palin nominated Wayne Anthony Ross as the new attorney general. Talis Colberg had resigned February 9, just days after the State Senate had found Todd Palin and Palin's aides in contempt for ignoring subpoenas during the Branchflower/Troopergate investigation.

W.A. Ross, who drives around Anchorage in his Hummer with the license plate "WAR", is less than savory to those who value free speech. In 2003, Ross defended Jeff Webster of Soldotna, Alaska. Webster had dumped gallons of water on war protesters in freezing weather. The protesters wore black and held signs with pictures of soldiers in hospitals that read "Victims of War." Ross argued Webster was the victim of the protesters since his son was fighting in Iraq. Ross also advised former Representative Vic Kohring in his defense against corruption charges for taking bribes from Veco for his vote on oil tax legislation.

In a 2003 letter to incumbent Mayor George Wuerch, Ross "broke up" with his friend because Wuerch refused to help a friend get into the Anchorage Fire Department. WAR's friend failed a psychological test needed to qualify and Ross had gone to the mayor to grease the wheels.
"I asked for your help in getting (the friend) another psych test and assistance in getting aboard the fire department," Ross wrote. He continued: "Instead of your help, I got a snotty letter from (municipal attorney) Bill Greene."
Wuerch said Ross ' request was inappropriate which is a nice way of saying "WTF?" The mayor said, "He basically wanted me to get his friend into the fire department. I can't do that."
A 2003 ADN post called "campaign notebook" went on to explain WAR's follow up for his friend: "Ross said he wanted the mayor to correct a discriminatory psychological exam. Ross has filed a federal lawsuit against the city on behalf of his friend and several other applicants turned away from the Anchorage Fire Department. He said that among the grounds for the lawsuit were questions asked about alcohol use, which he says violate the Americans With Disabilities Act. " Wow, what a peach! I'd love to have a mentally ill, drunk fireman forget to pull me out of a fire.

Ross, an anti-choice advocate and NRA official, is a blatant panderer to the base Sarah Palin is hoping to woo in the 2012 election. Her statements at the local Republican dinner this past weekend bellyaching about not having a McCain campaigner to pray with have gone national. Her need for a prayer assistant is reminiscent of the Pharisees and Sadusees warning from the book of Matthew.

Palin's pandering to her national "religeous base" is hurting Alaska. W.A.R. is not an appropriate choice for attorney general...he's a sound bite.

 

Follow Shannyn Moore on Twitter: www.twitter.com/shannynmoore

Comments

[AFAN]

Is the Democratic Party in Alaska going to have Nancy Jones to run in the Primary? The need her to be Palin.

[ReaganTMan]

Hopefully this comment will get through moderation. I didn't join Huffpo to become a troll or disrupt its way of life. I consider myself intellectually honest enough to listen to the other side and learn so that I can formulate reasonable and logical arguments. Yes, I am as my screen name clearly shows, a Reagan conservative. In conservative circles, I flame the Keith Olbermanns and the Chris Matthews of the world because I quite frankly don't see them as being very intellectually honest at all.

They spew hatred and twist their arguments for the sole purpose of the politics of personal destruction. It's fine if Ms. Moore wants to say "Ross, an anti-choice advocate and NRA official, is a blatant panderer to the base Sarah Palin is hoping to woo in the 2012 election." It's only fair to say that Ms. Moore's appearance on Countdown shows that she's pandering to a base, too: the hatemongerers that Obama will need to woo in 2012.

[bronzy]

What's new, the saga just continues, no surprise here at all!

[lis60]

Shannyn, do you know what "WAR" refers to?On Twitter someone posted a video of a group (Joels Army) that wants to elect Christians into the seven pillars of society (their words)-government, education, and I can't remember the other ones, and they definitely refer to it as a war. Here is one link: http://dogemperor.newsvine.com/_news/2008/10/07/1963800-seven-mountains-and-the-joels-army-plan-for-takeover
I just wondered if this new AG was part of this group. What other "WAR" could he be referring to? This is one scary group and I have no idea why more people don' t know about this and the connection to Sarah Palin, but then again, her supporters probably would not care. I have never seen a group of people so blind to someones faults.

[TheRubberRoomHotel]

W.A.R. is his initials Wayne Anthony Ross.

[xango xango]

Hey, Alaskans are uniting daily to get rid of this narcissistic fraud of a Governor. She's constantly getting caught publicly lying, it's a daily occurance. Sarah Palin and her cult like followers have invaded the lives of many Alaskans. She is running for President on the State of Alaska's dime and she's adding to her own problems by exercising poor judgement right and left. Oh yeah- she has a terrible work ethic, but truly thinks because she is Governor she was "crowned" to be the special one and treated accordingly. She's a walking talking ethics violation that is going to fall hard when she realizes she will be held accountable for the "gates" she's building. It's just a matter of time.

[jjgg5]

I must keep reminding myself to never visit Alaska.

[TheRubberRoomHotel]

Please don't base all Alaska on these bozo's.
We are a very big state.

[huffingt]

Alaska! it is about time you get a new governor

[xango xango]

Alaskans are trying - and please do come visit. Alaska is not a reflection of our Governor - in Alaska we call her GINO - Governor in name only....re­ally!

[bronzy]

I agree, Alaska is quite beautiful, I would love to visit it someday. I don't think we should let its beauty be overshadowed by the Gov. and her supporters.

[TheRubberRoomHotel]

Don't we know it!

We will be very happy to say bye bye to Palin!

well except the palinbots

[ReaganTMan]

If Sarah Palin is the second coming of Ronald Reagan, so Obama is the second coming of Jimmy Carter. At this point in his presidency, Jimmy Carter had a 75% approval rating. The Soviet Union was on the march and Europe thought the appeasement approach Carter was taking was right.

Governor Sarah Palin wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates:

"Your announcement of a proposed $1.4 billion reduction of the Missile Defense Agency's budget is not the best decision for today's threat environment. Alaska is committed to supporting continued missile defense implementation at Fort Greely and the development of future technology through our Kodiak Launch Complex, which has access to the Gulf of Alaska Maritime Exercise Area. This unique training space offers a safe and secure location to further develop and test future missile intercept technologies in conjunction with the latest sea-based and land-based radar.

I am deeply concerned with North Korea's development and testing program. It has the clear potential of impacting Alaska, Hawaii, and possibly the West Coast, with a nuclear-armed warhead. I can't emphasize enough how important it is that we continue to develop and perfect our global missile defense shield."

Is Barack Obama being schooled on foreign policy by the political rival his campaign mocked for being able to see Russia from her house? Say it ain't so, Barack.

[kiksadi50]

How can an attorney that does not support free speech be a good A.G. for Ak.?

[Navy VET EOD]

I'm almost afraid to ask because I think I already know the answer, but: Does W.A.R. drive to work in that thing (i.e. with the camouflage net on it)?

[Rehbock]

He practicesup the street. and drive it w/o the net. Also he drives that Hummer responsibly which is practically as rare as Palm trees in this town, He's really a decent,ethical fellow and has long been a zealous advocate in his long varied law practice here. I base this on my 31 years practicing law here and coming from the opposite end of the political spectrum. I doubt he and I personally agree on much but I would recommend him( and have often) as a lawyer to anyone within his fields of practice who wants their point of view championed within the bounds of law.

[Navy VET EOD]

Thanks. I feel a litle better now.

[TheRubberRoomHotel]

HAHAHA, LOL chortel chortel gasp......

[obamagal]

Shanynn, I saw you on Countdown last night (sincere kudos!).

I have just been reading the most recent Mudflats article regarding the Doogan outing. Would you please consider writing an article specifically on this. I'm appalled and am sure many others would be as well. To me, Mudflats represents the little guy standing up against the system. That Doogan has now tried to stifle freedom of speech because of a criticism is unconscionable.

Thanks for your consideration.

[kwalters]

Shannyn's immediate response to this was posted on her blog here:

http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2009/03/27/my-friend-mudflats/#comments

[obamagal]

I just found it and came back to this thread to post another comment here to that effect, and found your reply to me. Thank you! Still, I think it would be a good idea if Shannyn wrote another article on HuffPo speaking specifically to this, which would increase the amount of people learning about it. Reading tje Mudflats comments, I'm glad to see some messages referring to contacting KO and Rachel. I hope they pick up the story as well.

Thanks again kwalters. :)

[Freesia2]

Great idea obamagal. I'd like to read it as well. I hope she takes you up on the suggestion.

[marko77]

I'm not sure why you find it remarkable that a Republican would be anti-abortion and pro-gun rights That's a pretty standard position for most Republicans. Did you really expect Palin to appoint a liberal Democrat? by JulieSA]
__________­__________­__________­__________­__________­__________­_____

To be honest, I think Sarah Palin's just this side of the KKK and she has a sentimental side that would feel right at home with the Grand Inquisitors of the Spanish Inquisition. Know what I mean? ( Wink, wink, gee willikers I'm cuckoo for coco puffs and gosh darn it!)

[Freesia2]

Oh JulieSA. She's just a Team Sarah cheerleader. I've encountered her before. She's PUMA Ann's roomate. If Sarah Palin hacked up a hairball, Julie would scoop it up and knit herself a sweater.

She enjoyed the race baiting rallies. She thought they were a fine time. She wants to choose your President in 2012. I wouldn't let her choose my lunch in a diner. Besides she's been handling hairballs. :-)

[rattlerat]

LOL

[bronzy]

LMAO

[MAragon]

Another Alaskan politician has gone after an Alaskan blogger, first it was the Palinistas going after CelticDiva for filing a complaint about GINO and now it's: http://www.themudflats.net/2009/03/27/in-exposing-the-identity-of-mudflats-rep-mike-doogan-exposes-himself/
Those of us in favor of free speech need to stand up to this sort of bullying.

[Navy VET EOD]

"Palin-ist­as"...LOL. I love that one! Keep killin' me!

[Freesia2]

I just saw Shannyn Moore on Keith Olberman. I was sitting at my desk and suddenly realized who I was hearing.

Two favorite remarks: Sarah is grandstanding for the people in Iowa. (Good luck with that by the way Alaska. I'm sure Iowa really feels your pain.) And that of course Sarah isn't concerned with education - her family just has drop outs. (It all makes sense, doesn't it?) Geez.

Is "Alaska" reading here? Vote this governor-i­n-name-onl­y out.

Good interview.

[xango xango]

Yes, Alaskans are reading here and reaching out, blogging our distress. We have Hurricaine Palin running out of control - it's not something you can exactly cover up with all this great internet technology! It's like watching a live freak show going on in your state. The whole thing is starting to polarize Alaskans into pretending she isn't there until the end of her term or she gets investigated first. First and utmost: Palin is an embarassing liar - technology catches her in the act constantly.

[2008CaliforniaFan]

Shannyn,
Please have Geoffrey Dunn or yourself do a follow-up story about the fact that Palin has had her "Friends" at FOX news arrive with a News Crew to go after Celtic Diva today. The blogger that just this week filed the 'ethics complaint' against the Gov.The story on this link.
http://divasblueoasis.com/

National Press needs to show how she will vindictively go after people who expose her criminal behavior.
This is just so Wrong. How Christian-like of the Governor..­?

[Navy VET EOD]

This exemplifies what bugs me about television "journalism". I can't watch Faux because of hypertension, but I can imagine how it plays out: Greta Van Sustererererern profiles the complainants as frivolous, vindictive former classmates who weren't up to Sarah's high personal standards in order to discredit them, and the base who are watching after a day of listening to Rush Limbaugh eat it up with a spoon.

Meanwhile over on MSNBC this doesn't get covered, too?

Get some (or all) of the complainants on Countdown or The Rachel Maddow Show to talk about their specific ethics complaints. I'd like to watch that while I'm waiting for the movie.

[Shannyn Moore - Huffpost Blogger]

I talked to Diva today...an­d I talked to my good friend Mudflats a few times. She was outed today by an Alaskan Politician who likened her to the KKK (see my story at shannynmoore.wordpress.com)

The harassment to Alaskans who don't agree with Palin is fierce. The blogging community is really tight here - we have parties...­wear our jammies...­and defend each others right to dissent.

I'll call Geoff! Love him!

[Navy VET EOD]

Shannyn,

Thanks for being on Countdown again last night. You always do a great job!

I wish I had the time, resources, talent and experience to do the "Sarah" documentary mentioned in my other posts myself, but I don't.

I do, however, have the time (I'd make the time), resources and talent to assist any would-be producer with fund raising (e.g. applying for grants) and accounting for such a project.

None of the major networks (CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, et al) nor their affliates (e.g. MSNBC) will ever touch the "whole" story. Not even PBS. Someone else with intelligence, independence, persistence, and a lot of guts will have to take it on if it's going to become a part of our documented history for all to learn from (i.e. how and why it all happened).

I'm imagining such a journalistic undertaking would be a lot like an X-rated political version of "The Blair Witch Project", but it needs to be done.

Between Shannyn's excellent, no-nonsense, on-site, day-to-day accounts of things-Palin and Bruce Wilson's coverage of her core base and their beliefs, rituals, ambitions, etc., I'm sure there's a great---really great----d­ocumentary in there for the right producer(s) and director(s).

Something like that would serve us all very well.

Let me know if I can help.

[RachelMc]

Yay!! just saw the countdown episode with you on there. i really liked it and now im a new fan...of yours. hope u keep doing what u do. i will pass your blogs on to my hubby and the rest of my fam. my 'associates' here in MS wont understand anything u write so i'll pass them by on this because they are all huge fans of Palin because they share the same type of sex chromosomes.

[Navy VET EOD]

I would really love to see some capable person(s)---like Shannyn Moore and Bruce Wilson, perhaps---team up with a film crew and do a 2 hour documentary about this captivating, fascinating woman, Sarah Palin! Why not? Oliver Stone did "W.", why not "Sarah"? Regardless what one might think of her or her politics, I'm sure something like that would kill on the screen. It might also give Tina Fey an opportunity to show her serious side and win an Oscar. Her early years, her salvation via the WAG, her relationship with Pastor Muthee, her mayoral and gubernatorial campaigns, her journey from Beauty Queen and sports anchor to Vice Presidential candidate, a little peek behind the scenes at the machine that got her on the ticket...

What a movie!

[KayJay90]

That's "Beauty Queen RUNNER-UP", Navy Vet EOD....

Gov. Sarah got the consolation prize, "Miss Congeniality", and she's been trying to prove the beauty contest organizers wrong ever since.

[Navy VET EOD]

That kind of baggage makes the movie even better, the reality all the more terrifying.

I'm not a "People" or "Variety" kind of guy, so if she weren't such a prominent, boisterous political figure now (and therefore a threat to life as we know it) I wouldn't give a fine s**t what she did or said (e.g. I know of Britney Spears by name only).

...but the popcorn munching, bug-eyed film nut in me WANTS THAT MOVIE!!! I'd love to know the WHOLE story...wo­uldn't you?