Palin Appoints New Attorney General – W.A.R. is Declared.
26 03 2009
Convicted felon and ex-Representative Vic Kohring, and his defense attorney, Wayne Anthony Ross leaving the Federal Courthouse.
Sarah Palin has named a replacement for Attorney General Talis Colberg who resigned amid a flurry of controversy stemming from his office advising state employees that complying with Legislative subpoenas in the Troopergate investigation was “optional.”
Well, the governor could not have possibly picked a more divisive and controversial person than Wayne Anthony Ross, and so that’s exactly who she picked.
Former NRA Vice President (1988-1991): Benefactor member; current Director (Chairman, Ethics and Gun Collectors Committees); former Assistant Attorney General, Family Court Trustee and Master; practicing Attorney; Colonel, Alaska State Defense Force (Area Defense Counsel); B.S., J.D., Marquette University; twice Knighted (Poland and Vatican), former Republican National Committeeman, candidate for Governor (Alaska), and teacher, columnist, gun collector — Member: Alaska, Colt. Dallas, Ohio (Honorary Life), S&W, Washington, and Wyoming Gun Collectors; Alaska Peace Officers’ Association; GOAL; Military Vehicle Preservation Association; Alaska Territorial Cavalry, Motorized (Secretary); Marine Corps League; testified before Congress and State Legislature, and numerous television and radio appearances, on firearms, lands, and hunting issues; handgun hunter (.45 caliber); fisherman; assistant wide and lodge owner; court qualified expert witness (firearms); wife. 4 children, 3 grandchildren, NRA Life members; successfully sued Alaska’s Governor to stop State’s destruction of surplus firearms and ensure their sale to public, strong supporter of junior programs. NRA Board of Directors 2003-2006.
Mr. Ross is easily identified by Anchorage residents as the owner of the red Hummer with the vanity plates that say “W A R”. The “War Hummer” as it is known, is usually found following immediately behind speeding ambulances.
A friend of mine broke the news to me this afternoon. “Did you hear who Palin appointed?” I could tell by the tenor of her voice that the answer was not good. “Wayne Anthony Ross!” (I’ve deleted the expletive that was found between Wayne and Anthony) The first millionth of a second I was thinking this had to be a joke.
She could not possibly choose an attorney who defended one of the members of The Corrupt Bastards’ Club while she tries to cultivate her image as an anti-corruption governor! But yes, he was the defense lawyer for former Rep. Vic Kohring, now incarcerated in sunny California.
She could not possibly choose the attorney who defended the guy charged with assault for throwing buckets of water on anti-Iraq war protesters on the highway! But yes, she did.
She cannot possibly think it’s wise to choose someone who is anti-subsistence and further alienate Alaska Natives and rural residents! Apparently, she does.
Ross was the co-chair of Palin’s 2006 gubernatorial campaign.
Or, she’s not thinking of any of those things…. Because (bluebirds sing and fly in little swooping circles, and the sun pops out from behind a puffy white cloud… The trees suddenly bloom with little white flowers) Sarah has found a kindred spirit. Together, they can climb on that white horse, rifles over their shoulders, and take the state by storm. She’ll back him up. He’ll back her up. It’s wingnut love…. Wait. What are they doing? They’re climbing off the horse and heading for the Hummer, and it looks like…..>>>>BANG!!!<<<< Oh my god, they’re shooting the bluebirds. And they’re driving away in this:
The new AG's ride.
And yes, he does still need to be approved by the Legislature.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:11 PM
AKM, thank you for updating the photograph of whats-his-name. It’s better that he looks like the overblown sycophant that he obviously is.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Here’s my all time fave WAR case. (He won the appeal of the permit denial.)
Alaska Court Rules on Concealed Gun
By MARY PEMBERTON
Associated Press Writer
January 10, 2002, 1:54 PM EST
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Judge Natalie Finn took away Timothy Wagner’s gun permit after he claimed someone had implanted a computer chip in his head and injected him with deadly chemicals.
A state appeals court, though, ruled that Finn erred, saying Alaska’s concealed-carry law does not allow general concerns about mental illness to play a role in deciding whether someone should have a gun.
Gun control advocates say the episode illustrates a dangerous accommodation to the gun lobby by Alaska’s Legislature. Gun owners, however, argue that Alaska’s law safeguards their Second Amendment rights and that the public is adequately protected.
The Department of Public Safety has issued more than 18,000 such permits since 1995, when Alaskans were allowed to carry concealed handguns under restrictions that include an age limit and a gun-safety course.
In 1998, the law was amended so that applicants did not have to prove they actually needed to carry a concealed weapon. Also, whether someone was mentally ill or had been treated for mental illness in the preceding five years was taken off the list of questions applicants were asked — a change cited by the appeals court last year in Wagner’s case.
The Alaska law requires applicants to disclose only whether they have ever been committed to a mental hospital or found mentally incompetent by a court. “Yes” answers are grounds for denying a permit.
“We wanted to remove the potential for arbitrary and capricious decision making on the part of the issuing agency,” said Brian Judy, Alaska liaison for the National Rifle Association.
But Nancy Hwa, spokeswoman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, complained: “They are taking away the discretion of local law enforcement to make these decisions in the best interest of public safety.”
Other gun-friendly states, including Texas, Montana and North Carolina, have much stricter standards when it comes to mental instability and concealed-carry permits, said Luis Tolley, the Brady Campaign’s state legislative director.
In Montana, the law says a sheriff can deny a permit if there is reasonable cause to believe “the applicant is mentally ill, mentally defective or mentally disabled.”
North Carolina applicants with a “physical or mental infirmity that prevent the safe handling of a handgun” can be denied a permit.
Even Texas has a long, broad list under mental health, Tolley said. The restrictions include anyone that has been diagnosed with “a psychiatric disorder or condition” that is likely to cause impairment in judgment, mood, perception or intellectual ability.
“Alaska seems more likely than many states to allow mentally ill people to carry guns in public,” Tolley said. “By establishing such a narrow definition, that is allowing an awful lot of people who are mentally ill to carry guns in public.”
Wagner’s case began in 1998, when he entered the Alaska Mining and Diving store in Anchorage, dripping wet, and told a clerk he was trying to soak away chemicals in his body before they killed him. He also said a computer chip had been implanted in his head. Another employee overheard the conversation and called police.
A background check revealed he had a permit to carry a concealed gun. When an officer asked Wagner if he had a gun with him, Wagner pointed to a briefcase next to him. In it was a loaded .357 and several bags of bullets.
Alaska law requires permit holders who come in contact with police to tell officers immediately if they are carrying a concealed gun. Wagner was convicted of failing to do so.
Finn sentenced Wagner to three years’ probation and ordered him not to possess guns during that period. She also ordered him to forfeit his concealed-gun permit until his mental illness was “either cured or improved.”
The Department of Public Safety later revoked Wagner’s permit based on Finn’s decision.
Efforts to reach Wagner were unsuccessful. He has no telephone listing in Anchorage. He told the court he was an “inventor” and designed guns and ammunition. The public defender’s office said it had not recently heard from him.
Wagner had no prior convictions, according to court documents. After his arrest, police took him to a state mental hospital. Wagner testified that he was released after being interviewed.
The amended law was enacted over the veto of Gov. Tony Knowles, who warned at the time that the measure could allow dangerous people to carry concealed weapons.
The Department of Public Safety has taken a wait-and-see attitude in Wagner’s case. He has not again asked for his permit back and no court has ordered it returned, said Del Smith, deputy commissioner.
“I think Finn was concerned about his behavior, and rightly so,” Smith said. “He made some pretty bizarre claims.”
March 26th, 2009 at 11:45 PM
WAR has been defending Palin family for a while now.
http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/pa/pa.urd/PAMW6500
March 27th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Is it common for a Govenor to have so many legal issues?
http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/pa/pa.urd/PAMW6500
March 27th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
@InJuneau (19:52:05) :
@Enjay in Eastern MT (19:22:16) :
Oh, don’t say that, just please don’t say that…
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ah, Enjay is insightful …… quid pro quo. I give you stim funds, you give me Ross.
urghhhh
very probable
March 27th, 2009 at 12:11 AM
@Team Alaska (20:21:07) :
@BS (19:37:46) :
AKM I’m ready for duty.
==============
BOOTS ON & REPORTING FOR DUTY!
TeamAlaska, your words struck heartstrings.
March 27th, 2009 at 12:22 AM
@shilo442 (21:01:46) :
What does Greta want out of supporting Gino?
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(Now, you have to put this in perspective, because I just watched ‘Skulls’ the other nite … but …)
The more I read about politics — and even Alaska politics — the more connections I see between politics, money, oil/energy, and religion.
Greta and hubby represent the media (money), and they also have friends in high places – friends SP can use. They have similar objectives (furthering their religious purposes). And if they can get all of their friends together with all of their money, what a good deal for everyone!
Strange bedfellows.
And after watching Skulls, I wouldn’t put it past them to do anything.
March 27th, 2009 at 12:31 AM
I don’t believe for a minute that the Legs are allowing Mrs Palin to blackmail them.
March 27th, 2009 at 12:33 AM
@Lori in Los Angeles (21:38:25) :
…John Coale (of sara pac) who is Greta’s hubby and high up in scientology – they WANT to recruit Palin, and from what I have seen, she MAY be for sale!
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Lori, I read it. Yeah, it’s totally believable.
March 27th, 2009 at 1:16 AM
There’s such a thing as “handgun hunting?”
March 27th, 2009 at 1:22 AM
That is not a car, that is a prop from Mission Impossible. Right? Right… Hello, hello….. Oh, oh no it is not a prop.
@yukon…. every little thing we do ends up being politics. That is why we can make a difference. So after the shock, we pick up our pens, laptops, wallets, telephones and whatever it takes to send our message. Look at Ann and Diva. They are WOW!!
March 27th, 2009 at 2:16 AM
Lee – This is the kind of “hunting” Ross-bo likes -
http://bop.nppa.org/2003/still_photography/winners/pictures/NAE-First.jpg
March 27th, 2009 at 3:39 AM
“As AG, Wayne’s going to help our administration develop our vast natural resources. He’s going to help Alaskans lower the cost of energy here instate and provide nationally towards energy independence, those resources that are needed,” Palin said. “He’s going to work tirelessly to manage our fish and game resources for abundance through science and not through politics.” This is a quote from the ADN.
Now, when I read this, I was confused – this is not what I thought the AG did. Here’s Widipedia’s definition:
“In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.”
WE ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE if this AG is being appointed to handle stuff outside his role as legal advisor to the state (translated: governor)
March 27th, 2009 at 5:48 AM
Is it not more than ironic that although the letters of his name spell war, he hasn’t seen a lick of combat?
A hell of a marketing guy.
From Dragon Lady’s link [invaluable!]
All quotes from an August 13, 1998 “Fed up, Ross stages battle for guns, family, Alaska pride”
By Steve Rinehart
Anchorage Daily News
Does that include families of the same sex? Does he think they have the same rights as ‘his family values’?
I doubt it. How will his ‘family values’ affect the way he
Does this not sound like the old Mayor of Wasilla? *cough* Those were the days, he’s cut from the same cloth, I believe…
Sounds ominous, WTH does ’strengthening parental rights’ exactly mean? Sounds like it’s about power and control. Meaning more of it.
Just great, send Alaska back a few decades with old school, good ole boy type of ‘thinking’.
Talking out of both sides of his mouth here. We know which side his ideology falls on.
I think I’ve heard enough. CRAZYTRAIN? Indeed.
@Team Alaska — Ready for duty? Good, you’re Colonel! lol. lol. lol.
March 27th, 2009 at 6:12 AM
Alaska, do yourself a favor and recall your governor: http://ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/petitions/irr.php If they can do it in Chicago, you can certainly do it too. Also.
Get on your legislators about opposing this AG nomination.
Seems like she’s responding in character: vicious and vindictive when thwarted just like a schoolyard bully or a spoiled brat not getting her own way, just stamping her little red-heeled feet and yelling, “Oh yeah! Well I” show you!.” And, oh boy, has she been thwarted lately. Keep up the good work AKM keeping us informed. I just read that she was nominated 24th sexiest politician. Must be a HUGE blow to that beauty queen ego. “Beauty fades. Dumb lasts forever.” ~ Mark Twain.
March 27th, 2009 at 7:18 AM
Five years ago, a screenplay with a factually accurate account of the Palin administration would have gotten you laughed, or thrown, out of every studio in Hollywood. Too bizarre to be believed, even as a fantasy.
March 27th, 2009 at 7:25 AM
W.A.R.~ not my kinda guy
March 27th, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Just noticed the tag “numbskullery”. Rolling on my back and kicking all four hooves in the air with laughter.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:39 AM
You can leave a 50 max word comment for all the legislators using the:
“Alaska State Public Opinion Message System” at http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/
go to the bottom of the page its under quick links and its easy.
I left a message asking them not to approve the AG pick.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:54 AM
Thanks for that link. However, that’s a pretty full page of links and am having trouble finding the right one to send any messages. Can you help us find the right link on the page?
March 27th, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Found it. Bottom of page in the blue part.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:27 AM
As with most of the State functions, the Alaska State Public Message System is not working all that well.
Got the repeated message “could not find user” though I matched up everything precisely with my voter registration card as instructed.
Hope it works better for others???
March 27th, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Moose Pucky,
You can just mosey over to the Alaskan’s for Truth website. They have e-mail addresses for all the House and Senate members.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Should that be “moosey”?
March 27th, 2009 at 10:25 AM
What a sad advertisement for Alaska this apparent buffoon projects. And is he in grade 8? What’s with the teenaged-mentality car?
I also see the the top rethugs turned down an invitation from the White House. Smacks once again of bigotry and poor losers to me. What a disgrace this once okay party (read religious cult) has fallen to.
“Where have all their brains gone – long time passing” (sung to ‘where have all the flowers gone’)
March 27th, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Thanks, Problem Child, who is no problem whatsoever.
March 27th, 2009 at 11:00 AM
On APRN last night, Palin laid out her agenda for the State with the AG appointment–precisely.
#1 Resource development (Drill, baby, drill)
#2 Protect the right to bear arms (concealed weapons are especially good, NRA rocks)
#3 Sound science in wildlife management (kill those predators)
March 27th, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I can’t keep up!!!! I wish I could be on the blogs 24/7, but I have a small child and a job.
I live in Texas and even with Bush, we never had this junior high garbage going on. It is jaw-droppingly CRAZY. Is Palin jealous of all the attention Blago received and is gunning to outdo him? I thought he was the WORST, but Palin can’t stand that he might win even THAT trophy. For the love of all that is good and holy…..please let Blago pass the torch to Palin. She wins.
I read somewhere that Rep Ray Ramras (sp?) once said that the Palin administration is run like a high school student council. I feel sure we can find plenty of high schools with more mature students. This isn’t governing – it’s playground antics.
I’m so embarrassed for every Alaskan legislator who doesn’t have the gonads to do something about getting rid of her. It is CRIMINAL that she is preventing the legislative process.
Jesus, don’t you have enough to do? (And I mean, Him too. He certainly has enough to do without having to be bothered by that silly woman and all the doors she’s pleading with Him to open.)
If her pastor is a true Christian, he/she should have a long chat with this deranged Gov. Better yet, sounds as if an intervention and a trip to some institution is called for.
March 27th, 2009 at 3:02 PM
I appreciate the comments concerning the appointment of WAR, and while I would not support him as AG myself, I do take issue when he is attacked because of his function as a defense attorney. There is a common misunderstanding in this country about the role of a defense attorney in a democratic society and one based, as ours is, on a system of written laws, including a primary document: our Constitution. The Defense Attorney is literally the most powerful line of defense between the government and the rights of the people, the staunchest defender of the Constitution(s), and the champion of the “little person” . To categorize an attorney with the character of the person he defends is a gross insult to these champions of liberty. Who protects you and me from illegal wire taps, being held without bail or the right to trial, torture, invasions of our homes and privacy? I could go on for quite awhile, but hope you all with think about the importance of these people that are so often referred to with such contempt.