Comments on: The Audacity of Hype! Palin Signs Book Deal. But is it Legal?

By: Dame

Dame — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:15:35 +0000

I apologize if someone has already expressed this thought. How is this going to affect her quality time with her special needs child? There is no way with only 24 hrs in a day she can adequately provide the mothering and nuturing to her child, be the governor, mother her other children, write a book, read the blogs, update facebook, make deals for public financing and twitter away. Just sayin.

By: Rick in the ArkLaTex

Rick in the ArkLaTex — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:01:24 +0000

Keith Olbermann had a good title on tonight’s show.

I Have My Answer Now, Katie.

By: austintx

austintx — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:44:50 +0000

297 Lori in Los Angeles – Courtney , the entertainment maven on MSNBC this am said it was “much less” than 11 mil. She was laughing her ass off. I watch MSNBC every morning and see her segment a lot and she is right on her info about 90% of the time.
Here is Chris Matthews on “the book”.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/13/chris-matthews-on-palin-b_n_203286.html

By: PepperzMom (GA)

PepperzMom (GA) — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:16:47 +0000

Marnie Says: May 13th, 2009 at 7:37 AM

I agree with the title “Pepper’s Mom” although I would amend that to “OK I’m Pepper’s Mom, but Who’s Pepper?”

Late to reply, Marnie…but better late than never.

Pepper is my little furry lady…a rescue Cocker Spaniel who is not perfect (front legs shorter than back, and left front shorter that right front), but she’s perfect for me.

Trust me…her little legs do NOT stop her from running around like an out of control furball, especially up/down staircases; I’ve learned not to go up/down before Pepper – it’s painful.

By: Blooper

Blooper — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:58:37 +0000

Dr Chill: You make great points. And that’s only assuming 3.65 Million. I”ve heard of figures going much higher, up to 10 Million. The ethics board is so stacked in her favor and I’m sure that she is going to be able to go ahead with the deal anyways.

Judging by the amount of money the publishing house is willing to advance Palin they are predicting this book will be a huge success. One can only hope the book is a huge failure and they get stung for entrusting this huge sum of money to Palin and her questionable written/verbal talents.

By: ds55

ds55 — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:17:42 +0000

I’m watching Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. He remarked that GINO’s book deal was paid for by Rupert Murdoch. I thought he was joking, but I checked facts and it’s not a joke.

Rupert Murdoch owns News Corporation which owns HarperCollins, the publisher for GINO’s book. Rupert also owns FOX News.

By: Lori in Los Angeles

Lori in Los Angeles — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:56:37 +0000

Had to post this comment from Palins Deceptions blog:
midnightcajun said…
Thought you’all might like to know that I just spoke to a little birdy in New York. Believe me, everyone in the publishing world is running around trying to find out how much Sarah’s advance was. I may have more definite info soon, but word is a figure around $1 million is about it, since they figure the market will be pretty much limited to the TeamSarah types and liberal pundits looking to make fun of her. As my source said, “What’s she going to write that no one hasn’t heard about?” When I said, “The truth?” she went into hysterics.

By: DrChill

DrChill — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:38:21 +0000

More thoughts on legality.
Okay, the DOL says nahhh its okay, it’s not regular work for a salary or wage.
So irregular or one time compensation is okay?

Lets break this down. Lets say SP is getting 3.65 million to write a book, and its going to take a year. And lets say the whole weighty tome is going to be 365 pages, and she can write and edit 1 page a day.

That comes to $10,000 a page, $10,000 a day.

Now if ADN hired her to write a daily column 1 page a day – for a year, that would be regular work. No good.

Now if ADN hired her to write a weekly column 7 pages a week- for a year, that would be regular work. No good.

How about a chapter a month? 30 pages a month. Monthly pay, $300,000 a month. regularly for 12 months. See?
See where this is going? See how the ethical dilemma disappears when you save it all up for one big fat paycheck at the end of the year?
No? Neither do I.

The argument is the same if she’s freelance & self employed as it is if shes an ‘employee of ADN.

How is Daily pay Unethical
Weekly pay Unethical
Monthly pay Unethical
But yearly pay ethical?… all for the same 365 pages @ $10,000 per page.
Because it’s not “Regular?”

And heck where’s the ethical dilemma, she’s only getting paid 25 times her salary as Governor. How would that interfere with her main job?
Why on earth would she have divided loyalties?

“Governor, the legislative session is almost…”
“Not now! I’m almost finished chapter two of my best seller!”

By: Alaskah

Alaskah — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:32:04 +0000

Oops. Meant AS 39.20.050

By: Alaskah

Alaskah — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:25:36 +0000

Might be another legal violation. AS 38.20.050 titled “Exclusive compensation” says: “The compensation fixed by law for the governor and lieutenant governor is in full for all services rendered by each of them in any official capacity or employment whatsoever during their respective terms of office…” Not sure, but seems like this could mean that the governor cannot accept any other compensation besides her salary as fixed by law.