Eureka! ADN Gets the Gold Nugget! Legislators Get…a Spine?
Today I bestow the some day coveted Mudflats Gold Nugget Award to none other than the Anchorage Daily News. They have, in the past, been the recipient of its sister award, The Moose Nugget, but let’s not ruin the mood. Today, they did good.
In a well-worded, concise summary of the current synopsis of the Troopergate investigation, ADN’s opinion piece hit the nail on the head. I hate even referring to it as “Troopergate” these days, because the trooper from whom the ethics investigation got its name, is really not the issue.
The issue, as it stands now is all about abuse of power, perjury, and consequences.
Much as Gov. Sarah Palin might wish otherwise, she has not given Alaskans a complete, transparent accounting of her actions in Troopergate. The “exoneration” issued by the Personnel Board investigator was rushed out the door the day before the national election. It simply took vice-presidential candidate Palin’s word on key disputed aspects of the case and used a tortured interpretation of the state ethics law to find she committed no violations, so the Personnel Board dropped the matter.
And we all know that torture is wrong! Certainly I don’t want to see it practiced on innocent Alaskan ethics law. Moving along…
To put it bluntly, either Gov. Palin or fired public safety commissioner Walt Monegan is lying about key facts. Investigator Tim Petumenos shrugged off the contradictory accounts. Then, to dismiss altogether the question of who was telling the truth, he invoked a creatively contorted interpretation of the state ethics law.
Yes. Blunt is good. Be blunt. And one of them is lying. And lying under oath is called perjury. And perjury is against the law. And people who break the law must, by obligation, suffer CONSEQUENCES. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be called a law. It would be called a guideline. Or a suggestion.
Law – The body of rules and principles governing the affairs of a community and enforced by a political authority.
Guideline – Guidance relative to setting standards or determining a course of action.
Suggestion – A psychological process by which an idea is induced in or adopted by another without argument, command, or coercion.
See that part in bold under the definition of “law?” That’s the part that makes the difference. It’s supposed to, anyway.
Gov. Palin is still highly popular among Alaskans. The Legislature may not have the stomach for trying to resolve the contradictory accounts, even though she told Alaskans from the start that she was prepared for them to hold her accountable.
And there’s the rub. The Legislature may not “have the stomach” to do what is right; to do what we elected them to do. Because what the Legislature will be telling us if they do nothing, is that Alaska is a state of laws, but only for the popular.
Will they find their stomachs? I hope so. But what I think they really could use is a spine. So, I have taken the liberty of finding one, should they run into trouble while trying to locate their own. I invite all Alaska Legislators and those who love them, to visit the Mudflats Amazon Shop, where they can purchase their own desktop model, just in time for the holidays.
And do enjoy the entire ADN piece HERE.
I invite all Alaska Legislators and those who love them, to visit the Mudflats Amazon Shop, where they can purchase their own desktop model, just in time for the holidays.
HAH!
Omg, you ARE hilarious. Kudos!
Is there any chance someone like, ooooh say, the Attorney General of the State of Alaska might actually do his job and file said charges against his boss, who appointed him, the (dis) honorable governess of AK…….I didn’t think so.
my, that is to funny ..buy yourself a spine..they really do need to do the right thing..
Yes torture is a bad thing. I remember wading through the personnel board’s decision. It seems that the the law as written has a part about the intent of the law, and that applies to Palin, but not the law part of the law. Huh ?
I like the idea of coaxing the legislature by buying them Xmas presents- paddles for Palin.
Paddles for Palin
Or a spine. Thats good too.
I’d donate.
Glad Mudflats is up, after that hiccup.
Well, goodnight all…
While perusing the same ADN, I checked out the Ear, “The divine appendage”, and LMAO at the first story:
“CSI BUTTERBALL . . . It was bound to happen, d’Ears. The Wasilla farm where Sarah fell prey to GobbleGate has offered for sale on eBay the turkey fed into the funnel of death during her videotaped interview.”……
for the rest:
http://www.adn.com/politics/story/614598.html
Did I miss the results of the icon choice voting? Are the weird creatures here to stay? I miss the snowflakes/quilt pieces…
i do not think of myself as a blue molar with lobster claws.
Palin has to be accountable for all she’s done, those who support her should be voted out. That will get them going.
@ JBDC Thats too funny
On HuffPo the other day they had a reference to an article on a new medical treatment — “injectable bone”. So, AK legislators wouldn’t necessarily have to have a surgical spine transplant.
I don’t think the injectable bone is available on Amazon yet, thought.
BTW, JBDC, I think the lobster-clawed molar is rather fetching.
Certainly better than amorphous green mucus
AKM-
Honestly, do you think the AK Legislators will buy a spine, or get one as a gift, or keep one if it is pressed upon them?
To me, it is an easy decision: The investigated, researched Branchflower report versus the Petumenos report rubber stamped by three of SP’s best friends and the AG, who decided that his job was to defend the Governor rather than uphold the law.
Hmmm…
CR Flats (20:58:38) :
While perusing the same ADN, I checked out the Ear, “The divine appendage”, and LMAO at the first story:
$225.00 high bid?! Good thing the profits are going to AK Veterans Affairs, and not SP’s book tour…
Check out the Backbone Campaign down here in Washington State: http://www.backbonecampaign.org/index.cfm
They have instructions on how to build your own multi-person, protest march backbone puppet (and other resources/ideas).
Good for the ADN! It sometimes seems from outside Alaska like only a few Alaskans are even paying attention to the growing list of lies.
And what am I– some sort of happy aqua bell pepper?
Idaho Duct Palin (21:56:26) :
And what am I– some sort of happy aqua bell pepper?
You look awesome- and, like Cinderella, I think we turn back into whatever we were before at midnight…
Old Dyke (21:47:17) :
Check out the Backbone Campaign down here in Washington State: http://www.backbonecampaign.org/index.cfm
Thanks for the link. For building the placards (spine disks), I suggest old campaign posters. I keep my old ones for various projects. The ones made of plastic corrugated are great for all sort of projects. A bit of white spray paint and a black magic marker…voila’
Any Juneau Muddies want to organize a spinal parade when the Legislature comes back on January (coincidentally Obama’s inauguration day) 20? I volunteer to make up several disk signs.
A 37 pound turkey? Where would you roast it? I get a 20-21 pound one each year for Thanksgiving, and it pretty well fills the overn. I always have to finish the pie-baking before I can begin the turkey. 37 pounds? I wonder if they feed them steroids. Wow!
Viscera and vertebrae aside….It’s deja vue all over again, except this time SP is the bug on the microscope.
In 2005, she went after previous Attorney General Renkes by filing a complaint with the Personnel Board on his suspected ethics violations. She asked for the investigative file be released…”something that could not happen as long as the secrecy-cloaked personnel board is involved…” “It’s impotant to get these documents made public so that Alaskans can make their own judgments.” Palin said.
Oh, really?? Why wouldn’t Alaskans want to make their own judgments this time as well, Guv? Read the whole ADN article from 2005 linked below and see how many Palin hypocrisies you can find.
http://dwb.adn.com/news/government/renkes/story/6250951p-6128097c.html
Lee323 (22:32:07) : Snap! Oh My! That is a good find.
What’s good for the gander is good for the goose?
It was very brave of ADN to publish that editorial, and I think they deserve a medal for taking such a risk.
Unfortunately, I went on to read some of the comments posted there following the piece and…OMG. I was surprised to see just how much support Palin has up there. Most of the anger was directed at ADN. I’m sure you’re already aware that this sentiment exists. I had to stop reading after I got to the comment from someone who thought graduating from high school isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But since I was there, I read the opinion piece by Dan Fagan on Palin’s health care plan. Wow. I just wonder if this is one of the many newspapers Sarah reads everyday.
Let’s see, AK Legislators authorized $100,000 of AK taxpayer money to investigate Troopergate and now want to do… NOTHING?
Seems to me that the Governor and the AK Legislators work for THE PEOPLE, not the other way around. If you want something done, then it is up to YOU to get it done.
CRFlats (22:46:29) :
I have to give credit to a poster on the ADN editorial (referred to by AKM today) for pointing me in the right direction on that 2005 article. The 2005 article was an amazing condemnation of Palin’s refusal to release her own 2008 documents.
Mired…in the Pine Barrens (23:06:51
One way to read ADN is to select “Most Recommended First” instead of “Newest First” if the ignorant comments bother you. The “Most Recommended” comments are almost uniformly anti-Palin, in great abundance, and usually written with intelligence and adherence to grammatical rules. Occasionally, I make a foray into the “Newest First” to marvel at some people’s willingness to show their ignorance on the printed e-page. I always make a point to click the “recommend” button to bolster the numbers of those who are trying to expose Palin for the schemer that she is. Haha.
…then again we’re talking about Alaska and it seems a majority of the people who live there are not the sharpest knives in the drawer.
You get the government you deserve – the one you voted for.
@Lee323 (23:41:02) :
@Mired…in the Pine Barrens (23:06:51):
The ADN comments seem to be tied to the phase of the moon or something. Some articles draw a substantial majority of mildly progressive comments, and others appear to make a direct tachyonic link to the Great Big Wingnut Galaxy Way Over On The Far Right Side Of The Universe.
Lee — I did not know about “most recommended”, and recommending. Thank you. Excuse me, now, I have to go recommend some comments.
Well I for one am partial to the little critters – and I have my very own purple guy
good onya ADN! and might I add… about time too! I’ve growled at some of the wuss-injected articles which have come out of the daily for a good month so this is nice for a change.
AKM – google ‘snowflakes blog’ for a stack of java scripts which will restore your falling snow on the mudflats.
As for you mudflatters I am now COMPLETELY OUT of Baileys!!!!
The issues raised by Palin’s refusal to cooperate go much further than just getting to the truth of Troopergate. It seems to me that even those who support the governor would want these transcripts released. Instead they want to just move on making it acceptable and easier for the next ethical violation to be committed.
How often do you hear…”all politicans are corrupt, doesn’t matter which party they belong to they are all dishonest”? Well, whose fault is that…it is our fault (the voters). When we do not stand up to power and keep the pressure on for honesty and transparency, then we shouldn’t complain when those we elect don’t keep their word. It gets lonesome being the lone voice in the wilderness…but the more you howl and the longer you howl…the more others will hear you.
I do believe that all politicans lie (some to a greater extent than others), but I also believe in holding their feet to the fire in an effort to keep ‘em honest. For too long politicans have felt that they can do anything and get away with just a slap on the wrist. Hopefully, tho things will change when more people follow the muddies example of keeping the pressure on their misdeeds and their public statements.
Also testing and it totally works!! I cannot think of a sensible thing to say… gee, maybe I can write a book!
“the state was attempting to recover the e-mails Renkes deleted. Since then, Becky Hultberg has refused to say anything about the lost documents.
Palin said she hopes that the e-mails will surface, and that the release of Renkes’ and Murkowski’s depositions, with the rest of the investigative file, will resolve any lingering questions.”
geez…does SP have ANY ETHICS AT ALL? Lets see HER deleted e-mails from Yahoo and her and Toads deposition’s…Just for transparency’s sake…..friggin bat sh1t crazy hypocrite.
Kudos to ADN and Mudflats blog for trying to get to the bottom of the bottomless “Troopergate” pit. There are so many layers of lies, cover-ups, subpoena-dodging and witness tampering that it truly boggles my mind how the legislature can ignore this. The Alaskans for Truth Blog has a call to action on this issue with links to Alaskan legislators e-mails for any who care enough to demand that the legislature act in the interest of exposing this corruption. http://alaskansfortruth.blogspot.com/
I guess it shouldn’t amaze me she is still trying to shove this under the rug. It will fester like an unlanced boil until her next re-election battle. Here’s hoping Mr. Monegan takes up the challenge and brings all this out into the open. You know that if he does run for governor against Palin, it WILL come out, all of it. If that happens, it will carry over into her possible future aspirations for the 2012 presidential elections and her future with the R party in general.
The gov’s dismissal of the first investigation is still offends me.
Perhaps her minions neglected to remind her that while she was tooting around the country two courts found the Legs’ investigation to be properly constituted- within the Leg’s purview and fair and just within the state constitution.
Not itty-bitty made up TV courts. Real live Superior Court and the Supreme Court of the State of Alaska.
The gov has given the Judicial branch of our state the proverbial finger by pretending they do not exist , has bullied the Legs by dismissing their legal inquiry as she-won’t-quite-say-it-illegal , and dismissed thousands of concerned citizens as far left…
Jeez. What a civics lesson in ‘How not to run a government’…
“The gov’s dismissal of the first investigation is still offends me.”
Note- to -self : no matter how ticked off you get at the gov multiple and/or misplaced verbs SHOULD be caught in proofreading…
I’d put it even more bluntly…the Legislature needs some BALLS (but “spine” is more pc
Excellent comments, folks. And great links.
“It’s important to get these documents made public so Alaskans can make their own judgments,” Palin said (in 2005).
Seems Sarah Palin says one thing but does another. Yet another of those “do as I say, not as I do” republicans. When will the rest of the GOP finally wise up?
But be patient, people. It took 13 years for OJ to be brought to justice. As history has shown us, politicians like Sarah Palin will get their comeuppance in due time. All it takes is an interested and vigilant populace – a populace that not only writes to their state legislators but also to the IRS and DOJ. Not to mention a few who combine their thoughts and resources into a writ of mandamus seeking to have the recalcitrant carry out the functions and obligations of their respective offices.
Walter and Sarah in a room at the same time – under oath – video camera running……..you betcha !!!
Alaska Pi (05:09:24) :
“ no matter how ticked off you get at the gov multiple and/or misplaced verbs SHOULD be caught in proofreading…
* * *
Do you get the edit comment option after you post? I get it but the screen goes black when I try to select it. So, I wondered if this was just me/my computer -
Grammy in PA (06:54:00)
Do you get the edit comment option after you post?
————————-
I don’t get the edit option- so far…
After I post a comment, I get the option to edit my comment and then a timer starts ticking down . . . a few glitches yet on the new site!
I’m sure someone has already posted this but with the “move” and all, I thought I would post it again – re: Governor Grifter
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shannyn-moore/sarah-palin-the-gift-that_b_149164.html
Just a tidbit:
Alaska Grifter Total: $85,798
VP Grifter Total: $330,000
Total Grifter Total: $415,798
Erm, if Palin’s popularity is what keeps her free from prosecution, don’t you mean “Alaska is a state of laws, but only for the unpopular?”
Alaska Pi & Grammy in PA: Scroll back to the top of the page when you get the blackened ‘edit’ screen, there’ll be a text box up there.
MonaLisa, thanks!!
I wonder if there are enough spines for all the dems in the US Congress who need one too? Or we could take up a collection to give reid and pelsoi each one?
If the legislature does not do its job they should all be “fired.” Whenever they are up for re-election, their refusal to perform their duties should be front and center.
sjk_from_the Belly_of_the_plane
“geez…does SP have ANY ETHICS AT ALL? Lets see HER deleted e-mails from Yahoo and her and Toads deposition’s…Just for transparency’s sake…..friggin bat sh1t crazy hypocrite.”
That made me LAUGH OUT LOUD–the cat came into the room to see what happened!
__________
Granny in PA
Alaska Grifter Total: $85,798
VP Grifter Total: $330,000
Total Grifter Total: $415,798
——
In just a few months, that schmuck has five-finger-discounted quite a bit of cold cash. That Louisiana guy looks like an amature next to Grifter Spice….
I hope that the AK legislators will get a clue and grow a spine.
In the meantime, look at Todd Palin’s membership in the the Alaskan Independence Party. Pallin’ around with terrorists like whoa.
Just sayin’.