Oh, Governor Grifter....again.
Today Sarah Palin has disclosed previously omitted free trips, adding them to her financial disclosure forms. Hey, what's the big deal...she took those trips almost two years ago.
According to the Associated Press, "One of the trips, the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute of North Carolina - a nonprofit education policy group - paid the $2,827 cost of Palin's April 2007 flight and hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, to attend a four-day conference."
So, who the ham and cheese is James B Hunt Jr.? Why was he sending our Governor on a trip in April 2007? Well, he's a former North Carolina Governor who was concerned enough about education that he set up a policy group. Here's their mission statement:
In order to provide all students with an equitable chance to succeed and to foster a high quality of life for all citizens, the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy cultivates state leadership that focuses on public education's value and actively promotes the fundamental role of governors to instill and protect the ideals of democracy.
So, even after 4 days of resorting in Scottsdale, Palin didn't do jack crap for education in Alaska. Was there a test? A quiz? Apparently not. New reports show Alaskan students are less likely to graduate from high school than other states. In fact, Alaska's drop out rate is double the US average. I'm glad she reported -- albeit nearly 2 years late -- her "gift trip," but Mr. Hunt Jr. really should get his money back. In the 2008 budget, Governor Palin vetoed $479,000 for "Drop-out Prevention Programs."
A month later Palin, her daughters and her former deputy campaign treasurer were put up for free at the Mt. Chilkoot Lodge in Skagway, Alaska. The rules state you must report any gifts within 30 days. Well, Sarah has been late reporting multiple "gifts." A June 30, 2007 trip for Piper and herself valued at $1,187. An April Republican event in Texas...oh, yes, the same one she went in to labor at the next year... valued at $4,620 with a cowboy boot bonus worth $1,000.
We'll just put this on the list of mistakes that aren't Sarah Palin's fault.
The list: Troopergate was about a dangerous renegade brother-in-law; Walt Monegan was "insubordinate;" Charlie Gibson's interview was full of "gotcha" questions; Katie Couric was just mean and condescending; the shouts of "kill him" and "terrorist" at her rallies were the fault of Bill Ayers; Wardrobegate was the fault of the McCain Campaign; losing the election wasn't her fault, it was George W. Bush and the economy; Gobblegate was the fault of a cameraman ; another late "gift" disclosure, the fault of her staff.