Palin not off Troopergate hook

Personnel board will not be a free ride

And, why won’t Palin get a free ride from the board to whom she reported herself in an attempt to downplay the state legislative board? In two words, Timothy Petumenos.

He’s the investigative lawyer the State Personnel Board has hired. He’s a known Democrat who contributed to Tony Knowles’ campaign two years ago.

“We took a gamble when we went to the personnel board,” said a McCain aide who asked not to be identified discussing strategy. While the McCain camp still insists Palin “has nothing to hide,” it acknowledges a critical finding by Petumenos would be even harder to dismiss.

The Anchorage Daily News has more.

Two other ethics complaints involving Palin are known. One, by activist Andree McLeod, alleges that state hiring practices were circumvented for a Palin supporter. The case is not related to Monegan's firing. The other, by the Public Safety Employees Association, alleges that trooper Mike Wooten's personnel file was illegally breached by state officials.

Petumenos has requested a copy of last week’s legislative report, including confidential backup material. The legislative committee will decide Thursday what to give him.

That said, there’s no telling what the timetable is on the personnel board’s process, and no guarantee its findings will become public.

Black is white in Alaska

Sarah Palin: Troopergate report exonerates me!

Asked “Governor, did you abuse your power?” she said, “No, and if you read the report you’ll see that there was nothing unlawful or unethical about replacing a cabinet member. You gotta read the report, sir.”

Reality? not even close. In the report:

“I find that Governor Sarah Palin Abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act ... Compliance with the code of ethics is not optional.”

I think Palin is an Alaskan, perhaps a Religious Right, version of a Leo Strauss neoconservative —

She believes lies are OK if in the service of a higher good.

Palin aides to testify to Alaska Legislative Council

Guess that state judge affirming the council’s legal authority may have wised them up.

But, Gov. Palin and First Dumbass Todd haven’t said yet whether they’ll offer their own, unsubpoenaed testimony or not.

I guess it also shows McCain’s campaign doesn’t have deep enough pockets to buy legal mouthpieces for the small fry.

McCain’s lawyers stiffed in Alaska on Troopergate

Alaska judge Peter Michalski says the investigastion is within the state legislature’s lawful scope.. He goes into detail:

Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg said he didn't know whether he'd appeal or if he'll now advise the subpoenaed state officals to cooperate with the investigation. He said he needed to consult with them.

And, here’s a smart decision:

Anchorage Democratic Sen. Hollis French, who is overseeing the investigation, said he would let investigator Steve Branchflower decide how to deal with potential testimony from anyone who previously defied the subpoenas but now wants to cooperate.

Well, we’ll see what talking points McCain’s attorneys give you, Mr. Colberg.

Troopergate — how can you conclude a probe if nobody will testify?

I just don’t get Alaska state Sen. Hollis French saying the Lege’s Troopergate probe will be done before the election.

Now, if he had said a report would be issued before the election, and then caveated that by saying it depended on Palin cooperation, or lack thereof, as to whether that report was a final report or a preliminary one, that would be different.

Instead, French has now in essence said, “OK, Sarah, here’s your stalling timeline. You’ve got three weeks left, then you’re off the hook.”

(As the story notes, the recalcitrant witnesses can’t be found in contempt until next year.)

Hollis French, you just punked yourself.

Play ‘Nickname that Palin!’ Illustrated and lyricized!

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Palin roundup Day 8 — anti-Semitism at church?

Palin Pastor Problem — anti-Judaism, anti-gay; Schmuck Talk ups Troopergate probe stall

Palin’s Pastor Problem —
From where I sit, sounds like Gov. Palin has a pastor problem worse than Barack Obama ever did with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I’m sure those Jewish independent voters in Florida are probably comfortable enough with Obama on Israel that Palin’s Jews for Jesus ties won’t fly well.

J4J’s mission statement:

“Make the messiahship of Jesus an unavoidable issue to our Jewish people worldwide.”

In other words, to get in the collective grilles of shuffleboard players in Miami Beach who moved down from Long Island and tell them they’re going to hell if they don’t accept Jesus as Savior.

Via Andrew Sullivan, Palin’s camp claims she doesn’t believe the fire and brimstone J4J founder David Brickner delivered at her church Aug. 17, at the invitation of her pastor, Larry Kroon.

But, did Palin put money in the offering plate for Bricker? Especially since Bricker had been there before?

Also read Sully for how ADL head cheese Abraham Foxman is even more full of shit, or smegma, than usual, in saying this different from old-time Catholic efforts at Jewish conversion.

That said, this latest Palin nuttery, plus Foxman’s willingness to drink the GOP cyanide also shows just how much Jewish neocons like Joementum are getting hoist by their own petard when it comes to, ahem, for quoting Pat Buchanan, their “amen corner” support.

Palin’s latest antiscience nuttery —
If religious anti-Judaism, at the least, isn’t enough, you’ll love Palin on gays. Her church is also holding a “gay-to-straight conversion” conference. Uhh, Log Cabin Republicans, you down with that? Now that you’re officially “less than” in her eyes?

Let’s not forget Troopergate —
As much as Schmuck Talk Express™ is striving to quash its investigation. The Alaska Lege GOPers on the French committee, one would surmise, didn’t decide not to subpoena Palin herself on their own. It wouldn’t even surprise me if they’re meeting with the lawyers for the seven subpoenaed witnesses who simultaneously lawyered up.