Lets get real about Palin I

[medicineman]

I've noticed some people who should know better claiming that bringing up Gov. Palin's troopergate scandal is tantamount to making a victim of or defending her slimeball ex-brother-in-law who allegedly once used a taser on his stepson.
That's awfully foolish. So I thought I'd put together a post explaining why.
The person in question is state trooper Mike Wooten -- Palin's ex-brother-in-law who's embroiled in a bitter custody and divorce battle with Palin's sister. Back in the second week of August, well before Palin became a national political figure, TPMMuckraker was reporting on this story. And as part of the reporting we tried to get a handle on just how bad a guy Wooten was. Most people who are familiar with the ugliness that often spills out of custody and divorce cases know to take accusations arising out of the course of them with a grain of salt unless you know a lot about the people involved. And if you look closely at the case there are numerous reasons to question the picture drawn by the Palin family. Regardless, we proceeded on the assumption that Wooten really was a rotten guy because the truth is that it wasn't relevant to the investigation of Palin.
Let's review what happened.
The Palin family had a feud with Wooten prior to her becoming governor. They put together a list of 14 accusations which they took to the state police to investigate -- a list that ranged from the quite serious to the truly absurd. The state police did an investigation, decided that 5 of the charges had some merit and suspended Wooten for ten days -- a suspension later reduced to five days. The Palin's weren't satisfied but there wasn't much they could do.
When Palin became governor they went for another bite at the apple. Palin, her husband and several members of her staff began pressuring Public Safety Commissioner, Walt Monegan -- a respected former Chief of the Anchorage police department -- to can Wooten. Monegan resisted, arguing that the official process regarding Wooten was closed. And there was nothing more that could be done. In fact, during one of the conversations in which Palin's husband Todd was putting on the squeeze, Monegan told Todd Palin, "You can't head hunt like this. What you need to do is back off, because if the trooper does make a mistake, and it is a terminable offense, it can look like political interference."
Eventually, Palin got fed up and fired Monegan from his job. (Palin claims, not credibly, that she fired Monegan over general differences in law enforcement priorities.) This is an important point. Wooten never got fired. To the best of my knowledge, he's is still on the job. The central bad act was firing the state's top police official because he refused to bend to political pressure from the governor and her family to fire a public employee against whom the governor was pursuing a vendetta -- whether the vendetta was justified or not.
Soon after this, questions were raised in the state about Monegan's firing and he eventually came forward and said he believed he'd been fired for not giving in to pressure to fire Wooten.
After Monegan made his accusations, Palin insisted there was no truth whatsoever to his claims. Nonetheless, a bipartisan committee of the state legislature approved an investigation. In response, Palin asked the Attorney General to start his own investigation which many in the state interpreted as an effort to either keep tabs on or tamper with the legislature's investigation. Again, very questionable judgment in someone who aspires to be first in line to the presidency.
The Attorney General's investigation quickly turned up evidence that Palin's initial denials were false. Multiple members of her staff had raised Wooten's employment with Monegan. Indeed, the state police had a recording of one of her deputies pushing Monegan to fire Wooten. That evidence forced Palin to change her story. Palin said that this was the first she'd heard of it and insisted the deputy wasn't acting at her behest, even though the trascript of the recorded call clearly suggested that he was. (Hear the audio here.)
Just yesterday, Monegan gave an interview to the Washington Post in which he said that not only Palin's aides, but Palin's husband and Palin herself had repeatedly raised the Wooten issue with him and pressured him to fire him. And now he says he has emails that Palin sent him about the matter. (In an interesting sidelight, that may end up telling us a lot, Monegan says no one from the McCain campaign ever contacted him in the vetting process.)
The investigator appointed by the state legislature began trying to arrange a time to depose Gov. Palin last week -- in other words, in the final days before her selection.
So let's put this all together.
We rely on elected officials not to use the power of their office to pursue personal agendas or vendettas. It's called an abuse of power. There is ample evidence that Palin used her power as governor to get her ex-brother-in-law fired. When his boss refused to fire him, she fired his boss. She first denied Monegan's claims of pressure to fire Wooten and then had to amend her story when evidence proved otherwise. The available evidence now suggests that she 1) tried to have an ex-relative fired from his job for personal reasons, something that was clearly inappropriate, and perhaps illegal, though possibly understandable in human terms, 2) fired a state official for not himself acting inappropriately by firing the relative, 3) lied to the public about what happened and 4) continues to lie about what happened.
These are, to put it mildly, not the traits or temperament you want in someone who could hold the executive power of the federal government.

 

[Spitzered]

Hmm, interesting.

Here is a slightly different take from the AP.


Troopergate could dog Palin on campaign

By STEVE QUINN – 5 days ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Troopergate. It's a political he-said, she-said that has dogged Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for nearly two months and is likely to do so for another two months leading to the Nov. 4 presidential election.
The little-known vice presidential candidate faces accusations of firing public safety commissioner Walt Monegan in what amounts to a messy Palin family drama dating to her pre-gubernatorial days. Monegan had refused to fire a state trooper who had divorced Palin's sister.

The accuser is blogger and rental car executive Andrew Halcro, a Republican-turned-Independent who lost to Palin in the 2006 governor's race.

The accused is Palin, the rising Republican star with a clean-hands reputation who has the most to lose.
The man in the middle is former commissioner, Monegan, who says Palin never told him to fire the trooper, but he felt pressure to do so from members of her administration.

Then there's trooper Mike Wooten, who used a Taser on his stepson, Palin's nephew Payton. Wooten has been reprimanded for violating nearly a dozen laws and departmental policies since December 2001.

It's now in the hands of a state-hired investigator working for a Republican-dominated legislative committee that hopes to sort out the mess.
Palin steadfastly denies the allegations, and with her signature resolve, said she welcomes the investigation. "Hold me accountable," she challenge her critics.
With Palin now in the national spotlight as McCain's choice as running mate, the investigation could get more attention than the federal corruption probes involving Republican Sen. Ted Stevens and others that already is besetting this state.

"With this appointment, you've given an obscure investigation more national limelight than any grand jury," said Democratic consultant Dane Strother. "Think about it, if they come down on her, what is McCain going to do?"

McCain's campaign says it's not worried about the investigation. "The bottom line is Governor Palin has a proven record championing transparency in government and we are confident in that record," said McCain spokeswoman Maria Comella.
Monegan was fired in July, after he declined a transfer to become the director to the state's alcohol control board.
At the time Palin said she wanted the department to move in a new direction. But later, after Monegan said he felt pressured to fire Wooten, Palin at a news conference said Monegan wasn't a team player, didn't do enough to fill trooper vacancies and battle alcohol abuse issues in rural Alaska.
State lawmakers have long said they understand that Monegan and other commissioners serve at will, meaning they can be fired by Palin at any time.
But they want to know if Palin abused her power with the potential motives of this firing being personal rather than work-related.

It began with a July 17 blog posting from Halcro, whose accusations gained momentum when Monegan publicly said he felt pressure from Palin's administration to fire Wooten.

A few days later, the state approved $100,000 to hire an outside investigator, former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower, to look into the firing.

Monegan could not be reached for comment, but he recently told the Anchorage Daily News that he was never directly told by Palin or anyone to fire Wooten.

But he maintained that Palin, members of her administration and her husband, Todd Palin, raised the issue about Wooten's employment numerous times.
A month after Monegan was dismissed, Palin revealed that at least two dozens calls were made from her staff members to Department of Public Safety officials, also questioning Wooten's employment. But she denied orchestrating the calls.
One of those took place between Frank Bailey, Palin's director of boards and commissions, and an Alaska state trooper serving as a liaison to the Legislature.
In the recorded conversation, Bailey is heard saying: "Todd and Sarah are scratching their heads, why on earth hasn't, why is this guy still representing the department? He's a horrible recruiting tool. ... You know, I mean from their perspective, everyone's protecting him."
Palin has said she had no knowledge of the call, and Bailey told The Associated Press that he made the call without direction from anyone.
This investigation is separate from a higher profile federal probe of corruption of Alaska politics.
Stevens, the longest serving Republican in U.S. Senate history, faces trial later this month for allegedly lying on federal disclosure forms to hide $250,000 in gifts from VECO Corp. The state's only congressman, Rep. Don Young, also is under investigation. Five former and current state lawmakers have either been sentenced to federal prison or await trial on bribery and conspiracy charges.
This investigation into Monegan's dismissal has more than its share of subplots as well.

The probe into Palin's involvement if any was ordered by a Republican-dominated state legislative council that includes one of the lawmakers under a federal bribery indictment.

And Branchflower, the investigator, is a former Anchorage prosecutor whose wife used to work for Monegan at the Anchorage Police Department.

Wooten did not a return message left Sunday on his cell phone by The Associated Press.
___

The Associated Press: Troopergate could dog Palin on campaign

Cops only taser people that really need it anyway. 'Don't taser me bro'. Everybody knows that.

 

[medicineman]

Hmm, interesting.

Here is a slightly different take from the AP.


Troopergate could dog Palin on campaign

By STEVE QUINN – 5 days ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Troopergate. It's a political he-said, she-said that has dogged Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for nearly two months and is likely to do so for another two months leading to the Nov. 4 presidential election.
The little-known vice presidential candidate faces accusations of firing public safety commissioner Walt Monegan in what amounts to a messy Palin family drama dating to her pre-gubernatorial days. Monegan had refused to fire a state trooper who had divorced Palin's sister.

The accuser is blogger and rental car executive Andrew Halcro, a Republican-turned-Independent who lost to Palin in the 2006 governor's race.

The accused is Palin, the rising Republican star with a clean-hands reputation who has the most to lose.
The man in the middle is former commissioner, Monegan, who says Palin never told him to fire the trooper, but he felt pressure to do so from members of her administration.

Then there's trooper Mike Wooten, who used a Taser on his stepson, Palin's nephew Payton. Wooten has been reprimanded for violating nearly a dozen laws and departmental policies since December 2001.

It's now in the hands of a state-hired investigator working for a Republican-dominated legislative committee that hopes to sort out the mess.
Palin steadfastly denies the allegations, and with her signature resolve, said she welcomes the investigation. "Hold me accountable," she challenge her critics.
With Palin now in the national spotlight as McCain's choice as running mate, the investigation could get more attention than the federal corruption probes involving Republican Sen. Ted Stevens and others that already is besetting this state.

"With this appointment, you've given an obscure investigation more national limelight than any grand jury," said Democratic consultant Dane Strother. "Think about it, if they come down on her, what is McCain going to do?"

McCain's campaign says it's not worried about the investigation. "The bottom line is Governor Palin has a proven record championing transparency in government and we are confident in that record," said McCain spokeswoman Maria Comella.
Monegan was fired in July, after he declined a transfer to become the director to the state's alcohol control board.
At the time Palin said she wanted the department to move in a new direction. But later, after Monegan said he felt pressured to fire Wooten, Palin at a news conference said Monegan wasn't a team player, didn't do enough to fill trooper vacancies and battle alcohol abuse issues in rural Alaska.
State lawmakers have long said they understand that Monegan and other commissioners serve at will, meaning they can be fired by Palin at any time.
But they want to know if Palin abused her power with the potential motives of this firing being personal rather than work-related.

It began with a July 17 blog posting from Halcro, whose accusations gained momentum when Monegan publicly said he felt pressure from Palin's administration to fire Wooten.

A few days later, the state approved $100,000 to hire an outside investigator, former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower, to look into the firing.

Monegan could not be reached for comment, but he recently told the Anchorage Daily News that he was never directly told by Palin or anyone to fire Wooten.

But he maintained that Palin, members of her administration and her husband, Todd Palin, raised the issue about Wooten's employment numerous times.
A month after Monegan was dismissed, Palin revealed that at least two dozens calls were made from her staff members to Department of Public Safety officials, also questioning Wooten's employment. But she denied orchestrating the calls.
One of those took place between Frank Bailey, Palin's director of boards and commissions, and an Alaska state trooper serving as a liaison to the Legislature.
In the recorded conversation, Bailey is heard saying: "Todd and Sarah are scratching their heads, why on earth hasn't, why is this guy still representing the department? He's a horrible recruiting tool. ... You know, I mean from their perspective, everyone's protecting him."
Palin has said she had no knowledge of the call, and Bailey told The Associated Press that he made the call without direction from anyone.
This investigation is separate from a higher profile federal probe of corruption of Alaska politics.
Stevens, the longest serving Republican in U.S. Senate history, faces trial later this month for allegedly lying on federal disclosure forms to hide $250,000 in gifts from VECO Corp. The state's only congressman, Rep. Don Young, also is under investigation. Five former and current state lawmakers have either been sentenced to federal prison or await trial on bribery and conspiracy charges.
This investigation into Monegan's dismissal has more than its share of subplots as well.

The probe into Palin's involvement if any was ordered by a Republican-dominated state legislative council that includes one of the lawmakers under a federal bribery indictment.

And Branchflower, the investigator, is a former Anchorage prosecutor whose wife used to work for Monegan at the Anchorage Police Department.

Wooten did not a return message left Sunday on his cell phone by The Associated Press.
___

The Associated Press: Troopergate could dog Palin on campaign

Cops only taser people that really need it anyway. 'Don't taser me bro'. Everybody knows that.

So it's just another republican cover up, go figure.

 

[Spitzered]

Of course it is, what else could it be?

Except the whole investigation was instigated by Republicans.

 

[medicineman]

Of course it is, what else could it be?

Except the whole investigation was instigated by Republicans.

What better way to cover something up than investigating yourself! If I did some iffy shit and could get away with investigating myself, I'm pretty sure I'd come out with a clean bill of health, who wouldn't?

 

[ZenMaster]

What better way to cover something up than investigating yourself! If I did some iffy shit and could get away with investigating myself, I'm pretty sure I'd come out with a clean bill of health, who wouldn't?

I have some words for you med, but I think I have a friend who can say it best-

 

[medicineman]

Since you choose to let someone else express your feelings, It is still your feelings and there fore you should be censored. I guess when you run out of arguement as I covered your ass with the last post, you just revert to wanting to kill me and cussing me out. I'll ask a Mod if this is appropriate?

 

[imtylerdammit]

why so hostel? jesus its just sarah palin. mccain isnt gunna win either way so calm down. and that rep- was definately inappropriate

 

[ZenMaster]

Since you choose to let someone else express your feelings, It is still your feelings and there fore you should be censored. I guess when you run out of arguement as I covered your ass with the last post, you just revert to wanting to kill me and cussing me out. I'll ask a Mod if this is appropriate?

Let me get this straight-

Since I proved you wrong on the John McCain aircraft carrier incident, I receive this negative reputation from a disgruntled bitter old man, a very immature move because it says nothing but hateful things. At least you signed it, I'll give you that, but its still pathetic.

And now that I am laughing about it and linking it to you, you want to report ME to the mods, like some child running to the momma because I am embarrassing you? How low will you go Medoman?

Are you joking? I cannot tell, for the sake of what little prestige you have left on this forum please tell me you are.

 

[Spitzered]

I went to the site where you get your 'information'.
No bias there, no agenda, just the truth huh?
TPMMuckraker | Talking Points Memo | AK Gov. Says Staffer Pressed for Trooper's Firing


Generally speaking the AP wire is the least biased of the news outlets, most of MSM is without a doubt leftist.

You are looking for 'reasons' to justify your position. And anything that opposes your beliefs is labeled as a 'lie' or 'coverup'. Your positions are clear but your sources are questionable at best.

 

[mane2008]

godamn hostile as fuck in here.
end that shit its just a neg rep. This aint myspace.

 

[medicineman]

Let me get this straight-

Since I proved you wrong on the John McCain aircraft carrier incident, I receive this negative reputation from a disgruntled bitter old man, a very immature move because it says nothing but hateful things. At least you signed it, I'll give you that, but its still pathetic.

And now that I am laughing about it and linking it to you, you want to report ME to the mods, like some child running to the momma because I am embarrassing you? How low will you go Medoman?

Are you joking? I cannot tell, for the sake of what little prestige you have left on this forum please tell me you are.

When you refer to me as a fucking queer and go take it up the ass and die, I believe that is a little over the line. I may refer to you as a stupid ass, but maybe that is because you are, I'm not going to backtrack on all my comments to you, but in case you didn't notice the new rules, I doubt if threatining someone with death is appropriate. Do I believe you are a condescending asshole, most assuredly, But I don't wish you to Die, at least not by my hand.

 

[ZenMaster]

When you refer to me as a fucking queer and go take it up the ass and die, I believe that is a little over the line. I may refer to you as a stupid ass, but maybe that is because you are, I'm not going to backtrack on all my comments to you, but in case you didn't notice the new rules, I doubt if threatining someone with death is appropriate. Do I believe you are a condescending asshole, most assuredly, But I don't wish you to Die, at least not by my hand.

What are you talking about? That negative reputation is from you, signed by you, linked to a post I made talking to you. Are you denying that you gave me that negative rep?

 

[medicineman]

Let me get this straight-

Since I proved you wrong on the John McCain aircraft carrier incident, I receive this negative reputation from a disgruntled bitter old man, a very immature move because it says nothing but hateful things. At least you signed it, I'll give you that, but its still pathetic.

And now that I am laughing about it and linking it to you, you want to report ME to the mods, like some child running to the momma because I am embarrassing you? How low will you go Medoman?

Are you joking? I cannot tell, for the sake of what little prestige you have left on this forum please tell me you are.

BTW, you haven't proven shit on the McSame forestall incident. See Dankdudes post, or go and look it up for your self. His daddy covered it up pretty much. You have to dig for the truth.

 

[medicineman]

What are you talking about? That negative reputation is from you, signed by you, linked to a post I made talking to you. Are you denying that you gave me that negative rep?

I'm not denying anything buttwipe, I didn't call you a queer and wish you to die after taking it up the ass, Maybe I should have. If you can get away with it, look out, I have some choice shit for you.

 

[doobiedo]

you can dig up dirt on JESUS, but that doesn't make him/her a bad person!! not a nice thread!!!

 

[imtylerdammit]

McCain Ally Moves to Curb Probe of Palin | Newsweek Politics: Conventions | Newsweek.com

 

[mane2008]

med let that shit ride, aint worth time to type with someone who wants to argue. Am I right?

 

[ZenMaster]

I'm not denying anything buttwipe, I didn't call you a queer and wish you to die after taking it up the ass, Maybe I should have. If you can get away with it, look out, I have some choice shit for you.

Hmm

If you say that neg rep wasnt from you then I will believe you. Either someone is trying to frame you or they had more to say but it cut it off.

Personally I think negative rep is stupid idea implemented by RIU in the first place. I don't negative rep, I just shred someone publicly on threads, its a cowardly system because no one signs it for fear of receiving wrath.

 

[medicineman]

you can dig up dirt on JESUS, but that doesn't make him/her a bad person!! not a nice thread!!!

Jesus never ran for Vice president. This is politics son. Thats what politicians do. They never have anything positive to add to the mix, so they try and destroy the oppositions credibility. The repukes are masters at it. I'm a pure novice, but someone has to fight back. It seem the spineless democrats wont, so I just bring up the oppositions weaknesses for all to see.