"Troopergate" just got a whole lot grimier.
Earlier this week, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin told the press she would refuse to speak with an independent counsel about the abrupt firing of her public safety commissioner because the inquiry is "tainted" by Democrats. Let's bypass the obvious rebuttal -- that a majority of the panel are Republicans -- and get to the good stuff. Initially, it was believed Palin fired Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan because he refused to dismiss a state trooper who went through a nasty divorce with her sister. The McCain campaign and Palin responded that her efforts were not the result of any personal vendetta surrounding the trooper. Instead, they are now claiming Monegan was relieved of his duties because of insubordination on budget issues.
For what program was Monegan so interested in securing funding? Talking Points Memo's Zachary Roth has the details:
[I]t now appears that the program in question is one that most elected officials would be wary of admitting they hadn't strongly backed. According to Peggy Brown, who heads the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Monegan wanted to use the federal money to hire retired troopers and law enforcement officials, and assign them to investigate the most egregious cases of sexual assault -- including those against children.
In other words, if Palin's new story is true, she fired Monegan for being too aggressive in going after child molesters.
So let's get this straight ...
On the one hand, we have Barack Obama, who supported the protection of children against sexual predators in the Illinois State Senate. John McCain distorted this position in an ad that CBS2's Mike Flannery described as "disgraceful" and said "made Obama look like a pedophile."
On the other hand, McCain chose as his running mate a governor who fired her public safety commissioner for pursuing a policy aimed at reducing rape and sexual assault in her state (which happens to boast the nation's highest reported rapes per capita).
Enough said.
Comments
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/17/2008 - 14:27
So Alaska has the highest reported rapes per capita.
What about that doesn't surprise me? Nothing.
Whenever there is a social atmosphere of disrespect toward women (unless she is packing a gun of course), NASCAR and manly man sports and activities - these sorts of crimes are bound to flourish.
And despite Alaskas current appearance as the bible belt of the north - Alaskan's partake of more internet porn and 'not work friendly' sites than any other state in the nation.
All that leads to is men looking at women as if they were simply sexual commodities.
votetheday.com (not verified) on Wed, 09/17/2008 - 14:49
Democrats have a puzzle with a code name "Palin Problem". They have to solve it, and to do it effectively, because the prize is the White House.
Sarah is everywhere these days. No matter, if there are negative responses, rumors and resentments; or praises, support and encouragements. She filled media, and not only in America. Palinmania is spreading all over the world - everybody has their opinion on the new political celebrity of US.
The Palin avalanche is winning against Obama inundation. How should Democrats defeat her? Would it be better just keep their line of campaign and ignore populist idol of Republicans? Or should they put out their claws, oppose her and show her the real politics? http://www.votetheday.com/polls/to-defeat-palin-260/
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/17/2008 - 15:41
Going after Barack for trying to protect children and Palin's going after the state employee for trying to protect children are part of the same thinking. Conservatives think that fathers, and fathers alone, should protect their children. But what if it's the father who is the threat? Conservatives have no answer. We need a government that cares about children.
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