Posted on 10/11/2008 12:29:46 AM PDT by earmarksrus
Today's news is Sarah Palin according to Investigator Branchflower; she had abused her power.
Of course the press as usual will go with the headline that she abused her power.
But there is more to that in Branchflower's findings. He states in his first findings that Palin had violated the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.
Branchflower quoting:
"The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds offices as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust."
Now in the purest form of interpretation, the law means Palin would have to benefit on a personal level or financial level. What is troubling about Branchflower's reading is that Palin could not take action against Trooper Wooten when it involved family members period.
The question has to be asked if the law is narrowly defined or does it allow for personal involvement on the level that was required in the Trooper Wooten affair.
Popular opinion of people is that he was a "bad cop".
That question should be taken up by the legislature.
Moreover, the question should be asked what if there was no relationship between Trooper Wooten and Palin and Palin had done the same thing, would the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act be involved?
The answer is no. So what then?
Palin's actions are irrelevant because in Branchflower's second findings, he states the constitutional authority gives the Governor the authority to fire Monegan.
Interestingly enough, Monegan's past allegations of domestic violence against his ex-wife were not included in the findings. Nor was the fact that Judge Suddock had the divorce case reassigned and arguably the docket shows he lost control of this case as was pointed out a here.
And last, Todd Palin's statements were not considered. So it must be said all of this for $100,000.00?
To put it simply, this case was poorly handled and the conclusions are benign, but the media will post sensational headlines that will put Palin in a bad light.
In summary this was nothing more than a witch hunt...
Palin really needs to take this and wear it like a badge of honor: “Guilty as charged, I’m guilty of trying to get rid of a bad cop. And when his boss thought bad cops need to be out on the streets, I got rid of his boss. Who wants bad cops? Obama wants bad cops?”
Too bad the media didn't jetison 30 lawyers/investigators into Illinois and into kenya where there really is more stories than they have time to write. Heck they don't even have to go anywhere; people all over have done the research for them, they just refuse to acknowledge it right under their nose.
McCain has started attacking Obama's crime "record".
IMHO she should say something to the effect of “This is a classic example of what happens when you take on the “Good Ol’ Boy” network”. And then say something like, “Imagine how they are going to squeal in Washington when I get there and start stepping on toes!”
Excellent point. This is a perfect example of the Good Ol’ Boy network in action.
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