Plum Line And TPM: Still Plum Dumb Over Palin

This analysis by Plum Line, suggesting Palin couldn't have quit due to costs incurred by Alaska in fighting bogus ethics complaints is just silly. They suggest it wasn't about the costs, as the money was already budgeted for the state's lawyers and would have been spent anyway, simply on other matters. Well, Duh! Waste is waste, no matter how you cut it. All this does is show how distracted the lawyers were from working on more serious state business. It also proves how desperate they remain to throw any trumped up allegation Palin's way they can, even after she has resigned.

But Murrow, the spokesperson, acknowledged to our reporter, Amanda Erickson, that this total was arrived at by adding up attorney hours spent on fending off complaints — based on the fixed salaries of lawyers in the governor’s office and the Department of Law. The money would have gone to the lawyers no matter what they were doing. The complaints are “just distracting them from other duties,” Murrow said.

Furthermore, the still on going attacks disprove the notion that somehow things were going to change.

Similarly, TPM reports that there are only three ethics complaints outstanding against the Palin administration in any case — which, combined with the above, casts serious doubts on one of her chief stated reasons for quitting.

Comments

[epobirs]

So, these fools expect people to believe the lawyers were just hanging around the office doing crossword puzzles until these false complaints came in and required response?

[gapliba]

Aren't these the same folks who were piling on Palin for supposed ethics violations prior to the anointment, I mean election?

[wally sadaber]

As some of you recognize, I am not in the Palin Cult but this post of Riehl's is correct. I posted the following at the Plum Line:

While Greg’s contention that the State does not pay for her legal bills is an interesting claim, it does not reflect how budgeting of government legal offices work. Whether the Alaska Dept. of Law (essentially the Alaska AG) outsources such legal work or the in-house attorneys bill for it, there is still a legal bill. I have been an attorney in local, state and federal legal offices and either way, the taxpayer pays for defense of government employees, thus, these ethics complaints do have budgetary consequences. Also, believe it or not, government lawyers, like teachers and cops, do some important work. So, if you divert me from getting a child removed from an abusive parent or writing a hazardous waste regulation to defend an ethics claim, I will have less time to do that other legal work.

While Palin may have crossed some ethical boundaries and may feel that she is above the law, that puts her in good (or bad) company with many of my past clients who feel that a high government position makes them beholden to no one.

[Ran]

H^ll, but this is fun.

I posit the hypothesis that what we are witnessing are the death-spasms of modern "Progressivism." In the final analysis, Alinsky was a parasite... and once you've killed-off the host, there's not a whole lot left. Keynesian monetary theory, likewise: It murders aspiration while sucking productivity dry. The whole cr^p notion of "redistributing wealth" is based on the naive assumption of wealth as a zero-sum game... and the reality of that is sinking-in. The Left is in thrash-panic mode.

Palin represents everything the Left fears... She's the lightning-rod on a resurgent libertarian conservatism in America.

Here's the deal I'd cut with Preparation "S" and his cluster... show us one proven Legitimate palin Ethics violation, and while you're at it, show us The Won's precious Birth Certificate. H^ll, I'd settle for his school and college applications.

[wally sadaber]

For Ran's rant. Palin has paid two different fines. You don't pay fines if the ethics claims have no basis. Also, the legislature found that she did abuse her office in firing the State Trooper chief. And she has a lot more coming. She is pretty typical in that she thinks she is above the law. Alaska politics are pretty corrupt with all that oil money.

[F Secret]

"You don't pay fines if the ethics claims have no basis."

15 bogus complaints, and despite all 15 going down in flames, you don't think this crap takes its toll? Maybe, so much so, that you are willing to pay a small fine in order to placate the maggots? And yes, Alaska politics is very dirty...and Palin was essentially alone in fighting said corruption, taking on not only Democrats, but also the Ted Stevens wing of the Republican Party.

...and oh, btw, if Palin's family had not been involved in the case involving disgraced former trooper Wooten, there would have been no controversy what so ever in firing this maggot...

Link
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MzNjYjc5YTFmMTAwMjYwOWM3ZDQ2MzY1ZmY3Njg4OGM=

Excerpt...real swell guy...
"The first warning from the judge came in October 2005. By this point, according to the sister’s petition to the court, her husband had committed “extreme verbal abuse, violent threats, physical intimidation… driven drunk multiple times, threatened her father, and told her to 'put a leash on your sister and family or I'm going to bring them down.'” State police officials deemed her complaint serious enough to require Wooten to give up his department-issued guns, badge, credentials and vehicle during his off-duty time, while her simultaneous domestic violence protective order was in effect. Also, by this point Wooten had already used a Taser on his 11-year-old stepson, at the boy’s request, and over his mother’s objection. (This incident was confirmed by the State Police investigation.) "

[unseen]

Wally,

get your facts straight. Palin has paid no fines that i am aware of. she settled one ethics charge about her childrens's travel by agreeing to reimburse the state for that exapanse. she agreed to hold herself to a higher standard then her predecessors by settleling the case. and paid the state approx $8000 to cover the costs of her children traveling with her. the statement that was released at that time stated clearly:

Nothing in this agreement constitutes an admission of wrongdoing, and none has been found, nor may any inference of wrongdoing be inferred by virtue of the execution of this agreement in any other proceeding.
http://media.adn.com/smedia/2009/02/24/12/Settlement_Agreement_with_Exhibit_A.source.prod_affiliate.7.pdf

Notice that this WAS NOT A FINE.

As far as the tropper firing the state personal board ( a nonpartisian board unlike the state legistrature) found no wrong doing on Palin's part.

That is 16 of 16 complaints that have been dismissed with no finding of any wrong doing. No fines paid. Period. If you have a link that says otherwise let us know. If not stop spreading false information

[unseen]

another article by the press that refutes Wally. Either he does not know the facts or he is intentionally misleading the readers on this blog. either way he needs to stop.

http://newsminer.com/news/2009/jun/21/list-ethics-complaints-filed-against-alaska-gov-pa/

[wally sadaber]

Unseen and FSecret, If, IF you are reporting correctly that she settled the cases, then it is pretty obvious that she had, at one point, had filed false or exaggerated reimbursement reports. That can be a misdemeanor (aka crime) in some states but the enforcement agency settled the false filing, like it usually does. The disclaimer regarding wrongdoing is a template in a settlement agreement and in no way absolves her from her misuse of state property. Thus, this supposed 15 for 15 rate is clearly misleading.

The state personel board was controlled by Palin so obviously, they were not going to rule against her. (Indeed THAT self invoked complaint was THE most costly.) Stupid system of course, but very typical in corrupt Alaska. Using the state apparatus to fire an estranged in-law is an illegal and reprehensible abuse of the rule of law and it does not matter what a cretin the dude is. There are state legal procedures for addressing this guy's acts and those were followed by the State. But Palin was not satisfied so she went AROUND the state procedures by using her political power to try to fire him. This power abuse, this rule of man is her PATTERN. Let's recall that in Wasilla, Palin was the first mayoral candidate to wage a partisan campaing. She sent pro life mailers paid for by Newt's PAC to bloody her opponent. She then fired every single department head who did not campaign for her. This was not done before in Wasilla and is atyical in the post political spoils system of local government in the U.S. She also tried and failed to fire the librarian, for goodness sake, for not banning books.

Then she cannily exploited the lack of anybody challening Republican Party corruption to win office - which is fine - BUT then she resumed her imperious approach at the state level where she appointed her real estate agent buddy head of the Agricultural Agency. She is no different than the other self absorbed corrupt Alaska politicians. The only difference is that she is beautiful and is willing to continue to fight the culture wars on behalf of those resentful of cultural change in this country. For some reason, if one is a drug addict (Rush), philanderer (Newt, Ensign, Vitter, Craig), Harrasser (O'Reilly), Racist (Savage), those fearful of cultural change will follow those very imperfect people to the ends of earth.

[libarbarian]

Alinsky was a parasite...

What is up with the current obsession over Alinsky???

The guy was a putz who didn't do anything. He was the perfect example of how "those who can't do, teach" and his "rules" are worthless and certainly not held in any respect by anyone who actually wants to accomplish anything.

I could write a manual on being a revolutionary too, but that doesn't mean it's worth anything or that anyone is following my advice.

[mark l.]

alinsky just reinvented the wheel, and called it something else.
there isn't a single idea that can't be found elsewhere under another name.

it's like he walked out of the soviet propoganda ministry, with their book, crossed the out the names on the work, and passed it off as his own.

[unseen]

Wally with each post you prove you do not know what the hell you are talking about more and more. Here are some facts for you:

First fact if you bothered to read. Palin did not file "false or exaggerated reimbursement reports." she filed her reports the same way as the previous governor. The ethics complaint questioned the state on the proper protocol for children travel. Since there were none. Palin agreed to a TOUGHER STANDARD THAN ALL PREVIOUS ADMINS. And because of this she decided that she would not only start paying going forward but would also PAY FOR PAST TRAVEL expense incurred. There is no misleading, there is nothing. She HELD herself to a higher standard. Got that. Learn to read. And it wasn't 15 for 15 it is 16 for 16. Get your facts straight. this is not a he said she said thing. This is provable fact. There is no wiggle room. She was not fined. Period. end of story. You were wrong. And if you continue to try to suggest that there was any wrong doing when there is provable facts and documents that there were none then you are trying to SLANDER a person's character by lies.

Second fact. the personal board was not controlled by her. It was staffed with people appointed by her Gov Murkowski (not a big fan of Palin) In fact she reappointed one of the members so that there would be NO question of their independence instead of picking one of her own. Got that.

I know wally facts they are stuborn things when they go agains t your worldview. Her are some more:
The personnel board is composed of three members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature meeting in joint session. The term of office of a member is six years. A vacancy in an unexpired term shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the remainder of the term. The appointment is subject to confirmation in the same manner as a full-term appointment.

(b) Members of the board may not be employees of the state. Not more than two members of the board may be members of the same political party.

(c) A board member may be removed by the governor only for cause.

(d) A member of the board may receive a per diem allowance and transportation expenses incurred in carrying out the member’s duties.

The rest of your post is borderline delusional.

Your entire post is wrong. Your facts are wrong, your conculsions are wrong and you have no idea what the hell you are talking about. Do us all a favor and brush up on the facts before posting your smears.

[unseen]

it's like he walked out of the soviet propoganda ministry, with their book, crossed the out the names on the work, and passed it off as his own.

Posted by: mark l.

True. Yet he is a big person in the left's world. Since the left has never come up with an orginal thought themselves I can understand why they would study him....

[syn]

Palin pawned the Ministry of Lies and Propaganda; the only thing they have left to sell their glossy magazines and dead-tree newspapers is Barack and Michelle Obama who are already over-exposed.

"Beware the newspapers, they'll have you hating the one's being oppressed and loving the one's doing the oppressing" (Malcolm X)

[M.E.]

I am not a big fan of Palin but that "Plum line" site almost always reads like a DNC press release. He isn't pretending to be a straight news source is he?

[Troll Hunter]

Unfounded comments smearing Palin remind me of Obama's stimulus projects... "Shovel Ready."

[DG``]

I wish all you Palin-haters would tell me about Obama's college days and maybe explain his birth mystery. Betcha her GPA is higher than his, try to disprove this question. How did a low-grade stoner like Obama get into Harvard?

[SacTownMan]

DG,

I'll bet she isn't an admitted crack head like him either!

NEVER question the great Xerxes!!

"How did a low-grade stoner like Obama get into Harvard?"

How about another radical connection that got "missed" by the state run media!

http://www.newsmax.com/timmerman/obama_harvard_/2008/09/23/133199.html

Nothing to see here, move along!!

[wally sadaber]

Unseen. Posting your interpretation of state policies and calling them "facts" might impress the Palin Cult here, but it is not a winning argument. If you reappoint someone, that is no different than appointing someone new - Palin still appointed them and they are still beholden to her. Removing an appointee for cause is very, very easy. If you have some naive view that her government appointees are independent, whereas all the rest of gub'ment is evil (which as a right winger, I am guessing is your worldview), you need to check your biases. Your explanation of Palin REVISING her reimbursements is so patently biased, I am not sure how you do it with a straight face. This is like saying the money in the freezer was really just being safeguarded because I WAS really gonna pay it back before you busted me. She got busted by audits and did not voluntarilly offer to change them out of the blue.

Why are my recitations of Palin's time as mayor in Wasilla "delusional?" Are you denying that Palin fired all the city department heads who did not support her? Are you denying that she tapped into millions in Federal pork to build a sports center? Are you denying that she tried and failed to fire a librarian? Are you denying that she campaigned for governor to bring the porky bridge to nowhere to Ketchikan? These are well documented so attempting to dismiss them as delusional, again, may be effective with the base, but not to those who eye Alaska government officials with any scrutiny. BTW, Democrats would love for Palin to be a candidate for POTUS because she alienates not just progressives but about 65% of the electorate. There could 14% unemployment in 2012 and she woudl still lose by 20%. But I don't want her to run. I would rather have an intelligent, honest, non petty GOP candidate so that issues could actually be addressed by an oppostion candidate with knowledge and experience.

Also, are all the insults you fling normal operating procedure for Palin cult members? I don't recall insulting you so I am not sure why your have personally attacked me. Palin might be your model, becuase of course, she was in attack mode in the campaign, saying or suggesting that Obama was a loser for working as a community organizer, that he was a terrorist, communist and not a good or real American. So is that the MO? Derision and condescension? Where does all this anger and vindictiveness come from? Are you afraid of me? Do you fear other views? Do you fear fellow Americans who work hard, support families, pay taxes, fight in wars, volunteer in communities but who are ... liberals? The world is changing but don't blame your fear and resentment on me.

[Tennwriter]

Wally,

I think if a Democratic governor found some cretin in his State Police, and decided to fire him because he was an idiot, that that would be a good thing. Being fairly partisan, I might be a bit suspicious, and snarky, but if the facts came out and he really looked like a threat to the public, I'd have to say 'good on the Dem'.

I'm a Palinista, but I voted for a Democratic Governor twice, Phil Bredesen. He's a good governor, and I'd vote for him again unless the R's put up someone outstanding.

I think trying to tie up elected officials in too much procedure does not advance justice. The Quest for the Big Book of Rules which will remove all need for human judgment is a terrible thing, and both sides do it.

I'm not certain if you're a Rulist or just overly partisan.

[wally sadaber]

Tennwriter, I pick door number ... One! I am definitely a rule of law guy. I worked in developing countries for years and in some, almost every policy, political and legal decision is made by a man, not a law. And that leads to corruption and underdevelopment and poverty.

Sure, some pesky rules and procedures let some cretins go without consequences. But those same rules ensure that the politically powerful cannot place their friends and family above the law and place their enemies on unemployment or in jail. Our system places discretion on punishment in certain bodies - appeal boards, juries, etc. It does not place it in governors except on clemency appeals. If a governor takes over those functions, here is violating the rule of law for his own political purposes. Zelaya is such an example. And he should have been impeached. But Velsco is a far worse example and he should be imprisoned.

[unseen]

Wally,

It is not my interpretation it is a fact. Period. she was not aduited by the state. Wake up. If you take an expenses she took where SOP. The person that filed the compliant did not agree with the SOP. The borad found that there was no policy that said anything about children's travel. Period. That is FACTS> Not interpretation. so she and the board decided to make a policy and as such She decided to hold HERSELF up to a higher standard. A fact. She is not william cold hard cash yes i'm a democrate jefferson.

As far as the appointments goes. ALL three was appionted by her political rival whom she DEFEATED for the her office. When one of those people came up for reappiontment she could have easily but one of her allies in the seat. Instead because of the ethics compliants that were ongoing she did not "stack the deck" in her favor. She choose to reappoint her political riuvals pick. got that. This would be in your dem world akin to Obama instead of firing the Inspector general giving him another term. So let's see Obama fires his rivals watchdogs and Palin reappoints them. Fact. Not interpretation.

As far as palin being a runner in 2012. Careful what you wish for. In 1980 carter's admin and political advisors where gleeful when Reagan got the nominatation. We all know how that turned out.

Your facts about Washilla is not documented. I can link the majority of those talking points to the Daily Kos and other left wing bloggers. Note when you are on the same side daily kos you might want to check your facts....Just like when Obama is on the same side as Castro and Chavez he might want to rethink his policy.

As far as the attacks go. You are spreading provable false information. you continue to do so. this is not he said she said on most of your smears. she paid no fines. was found not guilty on all complaints agains ther. It is provable false. Yet you continue to spread the smears. Thus you are either doing it intentionally to paint Palin as "bad" which since you are a "rule of law" guy is called defamation of character and is illegal. Or you are unable to understand fact from political mudlsinging in which case you are part of the problem not the solution and need to be called out on it.

Just your usage of Palin Cult memeber is a sure sign of your worldview. Cult is a buzz word to try to frame the deabte. Are you a member of a cult because you support Obama? or any other dem? No It is an unfair attack. and is beneath political debate. It boils down to name calling. You can as easily say I'm ugly. you don't want to be attacked fine then choose your words more carefully. Palin supporters, conservtives etc. Are not right wingers, not cult members etc. We simply believe that government is the probmlem not the solution. the same as the founding fathers believed. That the best course in any policy debate outside of consitutional mandate govetrnment responsibilites is to let the states and/or the people solve those problems. Is that a cult? when did it become a cult to stand up for your beliefs to attack and defend when attacked?

[wally sandaver]

Your facts are not what I view as facts. I view taking children on trips paid for by the taxpayer to watch snowmobile races as unethical. Palin paid this type of thing off before she got an adverse ruling. I will agree that she is clever.

Let's address your last point. "Gubment is the problem." The person who said that increased goverment enormously. The founding fathers never said any such thing. Bush used the same line but hugely increased spending across the board. And Wasilla under Palin and Alaska under Palin have enormously increeased the amount of federal pork they get. People who claim that all those blacks are white, ups are downs are what I would refer to as in a cult. But since you don't like the word, let's say you are easily susceptible to anti government rhetoric from politicians who don't believe or follow that rhetoric. No cult. Just some naiveity.

[charlie kohm]

Sarah Palin was the worst best bet for John McCain, chosen by the fundamentalist theocratic loving Bush Republicans.

As a former Democrat, and now a former Republican, I happily voted for Obama, this time. I won't be voting Republican even in local elections anymore until the Republican RIGHT WING NAZIS are rebuked publicly by centrist party members.

Sarah Palin is about corporate greed, lies and mis-representation. Her religious convictions are frightening for any elected official to have in America. She is why John McCain lost the Presidential election.

The Republican Party claims the Democratic Party is in disarray all the time. If that was true, they would not have seen a landslide victory in both Houses, the Presidency and in many state elections. They are not acting in concert to hand our country over into the hands of a fascist corporate WASP theocracy. If the Republican Party wants to be considered as a serious contender for any future run for the White House, they had better ditch the right wing fanatics that have gained control over them since Reagan took office in 1980.
Independents will control future elections, and the Republican Party will be losing ground for a very long time with their continued rhetoric and their ties to fundamentalist christian extremists. Americans are not going to play the electoral game of trying to balance things by keeping an evenly split electorate. We're fighting muslim extremists overseas. Americans will not permit so called christians of the same extreme to embed themselves into our government anymore!

Good riddance to Palin and Bush!