Sarah Palin, "private" citizen

This week hasn't started very well for $arah Palin.

- Keith Olbermann was very vocal about her "death panel" claims and how she incites hatred. He didn't buy her backtracking.

- Levi talked about the Palins marital problems. Will there be a backlash?

- The Alaska Legislature voted to override her veto of the energy stimulus funds. They couldn't see the strings turning into ropes.

Next week will start with the deadline to comply with APOC's requests regarding full disclosure of Arctic Cat deals and gifts received in 2008.

I keep hoping something really big would hit her. The bribery angle in the Juneteenth lawsuit looks promising, but it would be poetic justice if someone actually launched a legal challenge to her slush fund.

Watching her making a spectacle of herself on Facebook as a "private" citizen is tedious and profoundly irritating. Her profile photo changes on a daily basis to reflect her mood, I suppose.

Somehow I don't think she will post the one photo I long to see: the quitter governor sporting an orange jumpsuit, no make-up, no hair extensions, with only matching silver bracelets as adornments.

The other garment perfect for Sarah Palin would be the customized Team Arctic jacket...

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Sarah Palin's job description

As far as Sarah Palin is concerned, all ethics complaints against her are frivolous, ridiculous and outrageous. Her preocupation with business unrelated to the state was turning into a talking point among Alaska lawmakers, including some from her own party. Sarah Palin's choice to go AWOL during the crucial closing stages of the legislative session confirmed the lawmakers suspicions.

Sarah Palin's choices have made headlines recently. She gave herself the choice of having a baby while advocating the removal of choice for other women. She made the choice to remove herself from state business and go to Indiana before the end of the session. She made the choice of not attending some Republican events after the end of the session but used the session as an excuse to decline the invitations.

So, which is which? Is the Legislative session important to her as the governor of Alaska or does it become important only when it can be used as an excuse? Her inability to engage in state business is not new.

In 2008 the lawmakers started wearing "Where's Sarah?" buttons because she couldn't be bothered to stay in Juneau long enough to attend to state business. Those were the good old days when the price of oil was going through the roof and there was no recession.

This year things became a bit more serious: oil prices plummeted, affecting the state budget. The recession set in and the new president proposed a short term solution to kick-start the economy, the stimulus plan. Sarah Palin not only didn't understand the spirit of the plan, she sabotaged the whole thing by refusing to take a big chunk of the money. Fortunately, the issue still had to be discussed by the lawmakers. Did Sarah Palin make herself available to take part in the discussions? Was she around to answer any questions?

Somebody should tell Sarah Palin what it is that the governor does all day. She seems to be under the impression that the job of governor consists of cutting ribbons in shopping malls, an opportunity for family travel on the state's dime, promoting her church, attending picnics, cheering her husband when he competes in the Iron Dog while clad head to toe in the colours of his team and giving interviews to Fox News, Vogue, Esquire, People and other magazines.

Somebody should tell the "governor" that the 90-day Legislative session is not a mere inconvenience to be avoided at all costs, that Juneau is the capital of the state and not Wasilla, where she stays in the comfort of her nice, warm home while collecting per diems.

A governor doesn't take her governor's hat off for a minute in order to influence the outcome of a ballot.

Being the governor is not about issuing press releases about her family's shortcomings and little scandals. A governor of state shouldn't make stump speeches in an endless loop of political soundbites for the benefit of her fawning supporters from other states.

Being the governor is not ignoring a crisis affecting some of her constituents for weeks on end then turning the whole thing into an Evangelical circus for a photo opportunity. A governor shouldn't indulge in political games while leaving an important area of the state without representation.

A proper governor doesn't ignore a potential environmental disaster when a volcano is erupting with millions of gallons of crude oil sitting in its vicinity. A proper governor would issue a press release about what precautions the citizens of the state should take regarding the volcano on her own website. For some reason, such a warning appeared on the SarahPac site, not the first place a concerned citizen of Alaska would look for guidance.

The job of governor is not about appointing her not necessarily qualified high school and church chums to key positions in her administration.

An accountable, transparent, ethical governor doesn't use private e-mail accounts to conduct state business then drag her feet when asked to disclose their contents.

A governor who storms into a colleague's office and scolds his aide shows no respect for her place of work or the people who surround her.

Ethics complaints apart, there must be something somewhere in the Alaska Constitution about a governor who doesn't meet the job description. In the private sector, a person who fails to fulfill the requirements of the job gets fired.

For a governor of state who falls short of the requirements and doesn't have the competence or the inclination to stay on the job there is impeachment.

Maybe it's time for Alaska senators to make their choice. Sarah Palin doesn't blink when making her decisions, she plows through the doors.

Please, senators, don't blink. Show her the door.
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What will Sarah Palin do next?

The Alaska State House and Senate have both passed appropriation bills taking all the stimulus money.

House vote 40-0
Senate vote 15-4

With such a large majority, they can override Sarah Palin's vetoes.

The only option left for Sarah is to refuse to request the money, or try to misuse it when it comes.

In any case, she will either shortchange Alaskans and have to explain herself or get an almighty slap on the wrist.

Well done, lawmakers!

Links
Bill text
House vote
Senate vote
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WAR is out! Hurrah! UPDATED

The state legislature voted to reject Wayne Anthony Ross as Attorney General!

The House voted 23-16 and the Senate 12-7 against WAR.

Phew!

UPDATE

How they voted:

Alaska House

(Richard Foster, D-Nome, who caucuses with the largely Republican

majority, was excused)

Yeas - 16

John Coghill, R-North Pole

Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Anchorage

Anna Fairclough, R-Eagle River

Carl Gatto, R-Palmer

John Harris, R-Valdez

Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage

Carl Johnson, R-Anchorage

Wes Keller, R-Wasilla

Mike Kelly, R-Fairbanks

Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage

Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage

Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau

Mark Neuman, R-Wasilla

Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna

Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks

Bill Stoltze, R-Eagle River

Nays - 23:

Alan Austerman, R-Kodiak

Bob Buch, D-Anchorage

Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski

Sharon Cissna, D-Anchorage

Harry Crawford, D-Anchorage

Mike Doogan, D-Anchorage

Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham

Les Gara, D-Anchorage

Berta Gardener, D-Anchorage

Max Gruenberg, D-Anchorage

David Guttenberg, D-Fairbanks

Bob Herron, D-Bethel, but member of Majority

Lindsey Holmes, D-Anchorage

Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan

Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue, but member of Majority

Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks

Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau

Pete Petersen, D-Anchorage

Woodie Salmon, D-Chalkytsik

Paul Seaton, R-Homer

Bill Thomas, R-Haines

Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage

Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell

Senate

Yea - 7

Con Bunde, R-Anchorage

Fred Dyson, R-Eagle River

Charlie Huggins, R-Wasilla

Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage

Linda Menard, R-Wasilla

Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage

Gene Therriault, R-North Pole

Nay - 12

Bettye Davis, D-Anchorage

Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage

Hollis French, D-Anchorage

Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel

Albert Kookesh, D-Angoon

Donald Olson, D-Nome

Joe Paskvan, D-Fairbanks

Bert Stedman, R-Sitka

Joe Thomas, D-Fairbanks

Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage

Tom Wagoner, R-Kenai

Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak

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WAR: "I didn't say that!"

Alaska attorney general nominee Wayne Anthony Ross denies that he advocated that the law should be ignored in filling Juneau's vacant Senate seat.

Wayne Anthony Ross is circulating a letter among legislators saying "I have been advised that there is now a rumor circulating that I have advocated or implied that the law should be ignored when the Senate takes up the issue of approving the governor's appointment to fill the vacant Senate seat for Juneau. ...That rumor is totally false."

But audio files indicate otherwise. Ross told the Alaska Public Radio Network on Wednesday that "the most important thing that can be done by the Senate is not argue what's legal or illegal but to appoint somebody to represent Juneau."

WAR seems a bit desperate.

I'm going out of my mind waiting for the result of the Legislature vote, or tabling, or whatever!

Report from ADN
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W.A.R.: what's legal or illegal?

State Senate Democrats are refusing to vote on the three names that Gov. Sarah Palin forwarded as appointees for the open Senate seat. They obtained a legal opinion this morning saying it is illegal for Palin to submit more than one name.

“There is nothing for us to vote on, there is no appointment,” said Senate Judiciary Chairman Hollis French, an Anchorage Democrat. “The governor has taken an unusual course which is outside the law and leaves us no choice but to ignore what she‘s done.”

The governor’s attorney general appointee, Wayne Anthony Ross, said in response that he needs to review the legal opinion by Pam Finley, revisor of statutes.

"It seems to me the most important thing that can be done by the Senate is not argue with legal or illegal but to appoint somebody to represent Juneau," said Ross.

WAR's approach to the whole thing is absolutely inane. A wannabe Attorney General advising Senators to ignore the law?

It was clear from the start that Sarah Palin appointed WAR for one reason: he would give her permission to break the law and make it look "legal"...

Report on ADN
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Sarah Palin's legal eagle

The following are a couple of paragraphs from the critique of WAR's article "Join A Militia -- Break The Law?", written in 1995.

I highlighted the bits I found interesting.

"One of the things missing from the magazine is information about the author, Wayne Anthony Ross, and his credentials to write such a legal analysis. My source states that he is a colonel in the Alaska State Defense Force, which is a select militia of the State of Alaska. I do not know if he has had any legal training, but his article indicates that if he has, he didn't master his lessons. It is not clear that he has any authority to speak for the NRA, but if he has accurately stated their position, then that position is in error and needs to be changed.

First, Ross misquotes the Second Amendment. He substitutes the word "for" for the phrase "to the security of". This is indicated in the sidebar by surrounding the word "for" in brackets. Ross cannot quote the Constitution correctly."

WAR's education, according to his own website:

Mr. Ross graduated from Marquette University High School in 1960. After attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for two years, he transferred to Marquette University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1965, and a Doctor of Law (Juris Doctoris) Degree in 1968.

In 1995 he had been a lawyer for 27 years and had served as the NRA vice president from 1988 to 1991.

WAR's so called areas of expertise are the law and the NRA. I looks like he's below par in both of them. WAR couldn't quote his favourite amendment correctly!

He's already giving dodgy advice to Sarah Palin regarding the appointment a new Senator to the vacant Democratic seat.

If the Legislature approve WAR's appointment to the position of Attorney General it will be a very serious case of the lunatics running the asylum.

Links
WAR's article and critique
WAR's qualifications
WAR's NRA
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Beautiful Sarah Palin pictures

These beautiful photos were borrowed from Celtic Diva and Mudflats.

Only the Alaska Senate can start impeachment proceedings. Perhaps Alaskans should write to their senators asking why they haven't started the ball rolling yet? There are lots of reasons to impeach Sarah Palin, dereliction of duty being one of them.

They had to chase her around to discuss the stimulus package and were humiliated in one of her press releases.

Sarah Palin was absent from Juneau for great part of the 2009 legislative session ( the 2008 session as well, remember the "Where's Sarah?" buttons?) and the executive wasn't represented even in some discussions dear to the Governor's heart, such as the parental consent bill.

The Legislature didn't achieve very much in this session due to the unavailability of the Governor.

Sarah Palin declined several invitations to GOP events from May onwards, stating that she was too busy and couldn't consider any events outside the state until the end of the session on April 18.

But... she's going to Indiana on April 16, missing the crucial final days of this year's session.

Sarah Palin's attitude to the Legislature is contemptuous, to say the least.

Alaskans should start asking their senators why they put up with a Governor who doesn't have any respect for elected officials and the people they represent.

State Senators

Gary Stevens
Johnny Ellis
Gene Therriault
Con Bunde
Bettye Davis
Fred Dyson
Johnny Ellis
Kim Elton
Hollis French
Lyman Hoffman
Charlie Huggins
Albert Kookesh
Lesil McGuire
Linda Menard
Kevin Meyer
Donald Olson
Joe Paskvan
Bert Stedman
Gary Stevens
Gene Therriault
Joe Thomas
Thomas Wagoner
Bill Wielechowski
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Sarah Palin bends the rules

Sarah Palin sent the following letter to Sen Gary Stevens, president of the Alaska Senate, regarding the appointment of Tim Grussendorf to the seat left vacant by Kim Elton when he moved on to Washington DC:

"Dear Senator Stevens:

On March 31, I nominated, under AS 15.40.320, Mr. Tim Grussendorf to fill the vacant senate seat for senate district B. On the following day, April 1, I received an unsigned memo from “Alaska Senate Democrats” to Senator Gary Stevens that the nomination of Tim Grussendorf, “did not achieve the needed support to be seated.” The memo also stated that “Today the nine Senate Democrats met to discuss Governor Palin’s nomination.” Based on various news reports, it is our understanding that the meeting of Senate Democrats took place behind closed doors.

The Alaska Constitution provides that “Each [house of the legislature] is the judge of the . . . qualifications of its members. . . .” Alaska Const. art. II, sec. 12. The Department of Law has opined that “confirmation by a political caucus is probably a legally deficient procedure. The confirmation procedure set out in existing law appears to conflict with the Alaska Constitution.” 1987 Inf. Op. Att’y Gen. 2 (Sept. 21; 663-88-0107).

Accordingly, the closed-door action taken by a minority of the Alaska Senate is without legal effect. Until the Alaska Senate takes action consistent with the Alaska Constitution, my appointment of Mr. Grussendorf remains in effect.

I respectfully request that the entire Alaska Senate consider my nomination of Mr. Grussendorf in open session, in the same fashion as the legislature would consider any other appointment subject to confirmation. The people of Alaska and Juneau are entitled to a public confirmation process that is consistent with the Alaska Constitution."

She cites cited a 1987 legal opinion that challenges the constitutionality of the state law that sets out how lawmakers should confirm an appointee to an open legislative seat.

As it stands, the state law says the person "shall be a member of the same political party as that which nominated the predecessor in office, and shall be subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of the legislature who are members of the same political party which nominated the predecessor in office and of the same house as was the predecessor in office."

I find it really rich that she's challenging state law by claiming that it doesn't comply with the Alaska Constitution. In 2007 Sarah Palin appointed one of her Wasilla Bible Church cronies, Wes Keller, to a vacant Republican seat in the House of Representatives in exactly the way prescribed by the law she's now challenging.

Sarah Palin has no problems acting in ways that breach the US Constitution. Mixing state and religion, for example...



Links
Article on ADN
State and religion
Religiongate part 1
Religiongate part 2
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Sarah Palin playing dangerous games

White House budget director Peter Orszag says a state legislature can’t apply for funds from a key pot of education money from President Barack Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus plan if its governor fails to do so.

With governors facing a Friday deadline to seek their states’ shares of $48.6 billion in the recovery package’s State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, Orszag’s opinion puts more pressure on a handful of Republican governors who oppose the stimulus plan Obama signed into law on February 17.

April 3: Deadline for the Governor of the State to certify that: (1) the State will request and use funds provided by this Act; and (2) the funds will be used to create jobs and promote economic growth.

Sarah Palin is playing political games with the stimulus package and Alaskans will miss out on the opportunities the plan offers in several areas.

The Governor's behaviour is irresponsible, callous and self-serving.

Alaskans will remember that.

Sarah Palin is no longer the golden child of the GOP and doesn't realize that her faithful base in the lower 48 is very narrow.

She will end up with nothing. No office in 2010, no 2012 run for the presidency.

But she's quite willing to let Alaskans pay the price for her shortsighted ambitions.

Links: article about Peter Orszag, stimulus deadlines

Busy Sarah

There are less than three weeks until the end of the legislative session. Sarah Palin will be rid of those pesky lawmakers for another year and will be able to go back to her nice, warm home in Wasilla and the lovely per diems!

Oh, she's already there? Blame it on the volcano. (Chevron tanks? Spill? Disaster? Whaaaat???)

Honestly, these lawmakers keep bothering the Governor with things like discussing the stimulus package, what are they thinking? She already said "Thanks, but no thanks"! ("I'm a fiscal conservative, I don't want to grow government.")

The Governor has better things to do, like giving interviews to People magazine, chatting (on camera) to her mates at Fox News, attending Christian events, important things!

Of course she hasn't forgotten her duties as governor, but hey, she can do that by press release. Modern technology is truly marvellous. A few clicks here and there and her latest announcement is instantly, in full glory, on her very own website!

Then there are chums to be appointed to various important positions. But that's the fun bit, she doesn't mind it at all and it gives her the chance to issue more press releases and grab some camera time.

(Mental note for all official communications: mention small government. They really like it in the Lower 48.)

Sarah has to check on the progress of her SarahPac, exchange the weekly e-mails with John Coale, it's hard work. (Not state business? Darn! Will have to do it when not on duty. On duty 24/7? Bill McAllister can't keep his mouth shut, why did he say that? Meg, help!)

Sometimes she worries, though. People keep filing "frivilous" ethics complaints and law suits and they cost a lot of money, you know? (Must start that legal fund, pronto!)

The Governor has a very busy schedule. She prays every day for those whining natives to behave themselves and seize some opportunity somewhere hundreds of miles away from their villages and leave her alone. (Why can't they be more like Todd?)

Sarah also prays for some fresh snow so the wolf slaughtering program can progress as planned.

Yes, this Legislative thingie in Juneau is a a pain in the neck, she's counting the days until it's all over!
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Sarah Palin quite contrary

Sarah Palin named Democrat Tim Grussendorf to the open state Senate seat representing the Juneau area, snubbing the choice of the local party.

She is rejecting Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, the only name recommended to the governor by southeast Democratic leaders after Elton resigned to take an Interior Department position with the Obama administration in Washington, D.C.

Grussendorf’s selection must be approved by Senate Democrats.

Press release from Sarah Palin's office:

March 29, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today named Tim Grussendorf as her designee to replace Kim Elton as the state senator from District B, representing the City and Borough of Juneau.

Grussendorf has worked as a commercial fisherman and serves as chief of staff to Alaska State Senator Lyman Hoffman. He is currently president of the Southeast Alaska Fishermen’s Alliance and a board member of the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association. Grussendorf is active in the Juneau community, volunteering his time to coach soccer and basketball teams. He is the assistant basketball coach at Floyd Dryden Middle School.

Grussendorf’s father, Ben Grussendorf, was a representative from Sitka and served as Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives.

“Tim’s solid credentials and thorough understanding of the issues facing our state will serve his constituents well,” Governor Palin said. “I am confident he will be able to hit the ground running.”

Governor Palin said she appreciates the interest shown by so many qualified applicants for the position.

“It is encouraging so many dedicated Alaskans stepped forward to offer their services to the constituents of District B and the State of Alaska,” said Governor Palin. “I’m confident the good people of our capital city can look forward to Tim joining Representatives Kerttula and Munoz in fine service.”

Grussendorf is married with two teenaged sons who are involved in Juneau sports teams. He must be confirmed by a simple majority of Senate Democrats.

Sarah's appears to have a new hobby: antagonizing everyone. She won't discuss the stimulus package with the lawmakers, RNC staff are not good enough to pray with her and now she rejected the Democrats' choice for the vacant Senate seat.

I won't mention the media and the bloggers. Being at odds with them is an old hobby of hers.

Report from Juneau Empire and ADN.

Sarah Palin v Alaska Legislature

Relations between Gov. Sarah Palin and top Republican legislators are deteriorating as battles over acceptance of federal stimulus money grow.

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, called Sarah Palin’s statements “absolutely false” that legislators would not meet with her to discuss acceptance of stimulus money.

Legislators have expressed frustration that they could not find out from Palin’s staff about her goals for the stimulus money.

Palin said she “has made her position clear on stimulus funds.”

She left Juneau in the midst of the stimulus debate, but said it was legislative leaders who canceled a meeting with her.

“Governor Sarah Palin was scheduled to participate telephonically in a meeting with legislative leadership today when legislative leaders canceled the meeting to host their own press conference,” Palin said in a press release.

Stevens said that was not true. “I am sorry the governor put this out,” he said.

Palin’s legislative liaison, Jerry Gallagher, declined to comment.

Stevens said Gallagher said Palin declined to meet with them, but instead offered to have staff available instead.

That wasn’t acceptable to legislators, who have been meeting regularly with the governor’s staff.

Palin’s staff, Stevens said, “apparently often have trouble answering questions or making decisions or letting us know the intentions of the administration.”


Oh dear, things are hotting up in Juneau!

Full report: Juneau Empire
Better report: Politico.com
Sarah Palin's press release
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Sarah Palin's banquet

Governor Sarah Palin is planning at least two trips out of state paid for by her political action committee, which told backers on Wednesday she'll be travelling the country to support those who share her vision.

She will start by attending a major pro-life banquet.

Sarah Palin will attend the Vanderburgh County Right to Life dinner in Evansville, Indiana, on April 16, SarahPac's spokesperson Meghan Stapleton said.

The Governor is going away before the Legislature session ends on April 19?

Tut tut...

Article: ADN
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Sarah Palin's special session

Sarah Palin already indulges Alaska Legislature with the occasional visit to Juneau. How dare they ask for a 30 day special session?

Members of the Republican House majority said Monday that the federal stimulus package and the governor's recently introduced legislation on in-state gas and Railbelt utilities could be time consuming and warrant a special session.

Sarah sees no reason to call one. If they're counting on it to be able to go through the present agenda, they're very much mistaken. The part-time Governor will not entertain the idea of going to Juneau for one extra day, let alone thirty!

What are they thinking? Sarah can't collect per diems when she's in Juneau! Don't they use their brains?

More from KTUU here.
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