Most Alaskans would call it progress. But when then-Mayor Sarah Palin found out in 2000 that a new state law required her town of Wasilla -- rather than the victims -- to cover the cost of rape kits, local officials blasted the policy as just too expensive. Here's what Wasilla Police Chief Charlie Fannon told the local newspaper at the time, according to a McClatchy report:
"In the past we've charged the cost of exams to the victims insurance company when possible. I just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer," Fannon said.
The additional cost of having to supply the rape kits, the Wasilla Police Department estimated, came to between $5,000 and $14,000 a year. In a conference call with reporters today, former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles confirmed that the 2000 bill was, in fact, spurred by Wasilla's policy. From McClatchy:
Eight years ago, complaints about charging rape victims for medical exams in Wasilla prompted the Alaska Legislature to pass a bill - signed into law by Knowles - that banned the practice statewide.
"There was one town in Alaska that was charging victims for this, and that was Wasilla," Knowles said.
While the print outlets have begun reporting on this issue, it's yet to get much play on the cable networks. Appearing yesterday on MSNBC, our own Rep. Jan Schakowsky did her part to change that. Video after the jump.
Comments
Setu Madhavan (not verified) on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 01:13
Why dont you people just get to the true facts as to why Sarah Palin felt compelled to charge rape victims, instead of chasing your tails regurgitating make-believe theories till the cows come home.
Here is the real reason why Sarah is justified in charging rape victims. Amen. Read on, you unholy heathens.
One line item in the cost towards the rape test kit includes money towards EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (typically used if the victim was ovulating during the rape to pre-empt pregnancy. Remember pre-emption. Yes the same pre-emption from the 'pre-emptive strike, definition of the Bush Doctrine, that caused Sarah 'pitbull' Palin to give Gibson the 'why are you doing this to me, Charlie,' look). Now Sarah believes that any form of contraception, that prevents/pre-empts conception is a sin. Do you think such a pro-life person as her (that loves to shoot wolves from the air, fire at bear cubs on trees, and anything that moves on four legs in Alaska for pleasure- even as she is doing her best to deny the eskimos and native Alaskan population their right to subsistence hunting/fishing) would be able to face her lord on the day of judgement when she is asked how she allowed Wasilla to pay for 'emergency contraception' for such sinful people as the 'contraception demanding rape victims' of Wasilla. So Sarah decided to take the moral religious high road. Just so you know her pastor is on tape proclaiming to the congregation, "Jesus is in WAR MODE", as he implores his people to support the 'Bush war'. Another nugget from her church pastor,"Those that voted for Bush will go to heaven, those that voted for Kerry are destined to hell". Amen. Hallelujah!!
So people, please refrain from getting your thongs and boxers all into a knot thinking about why Wasilla charged upto (and over) $1000.00 a-pop to rape victims. It wasnt Wasilla raping the rape victims all over again. It was just Wasilla's godly Mayor, that holier-than-thou-godless-heathen-elites following her religious beliefs. Amen.
Now if you are willing to kindly undo the knotted thongs and boxers, let me share with you what happened next.
One senator tried to push a bill hard in Washington to get Federal dollars for such town and counties across the US that didnt have money to pay for rape test kits - just so the towns and counties dont charge rape victims instead. Now I am sure you silly boys and girls would imagine that such a bill would have passed smoothly - without even a single 'Nay' vote. Right? Wrong!!!
So, boys and girls, here is a little quiz for you. Name the senator who pushed the bill to ensure that rape victims are not forced to pay for the rape test kits? Since I dont want you to knot up what you just unknotted, here is the answer. Senator Joe Biden, pushed hard to get the bill through to prevent rape victims from having to pay for their rape test kits.
Onto the next question. Which senator voted 'no' to prevent the bill? Here is the answer: Sen. John 'Maverick' McCain!
Go figure.
- Setu Madhavan
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 10:46
This is something that's really important for voters to know about. Unfortunately, more stories are surfacing about Palin's wardrobe budget and even adult movies like Nalin Palin than substantive discussions about things like her rape kit policy. Part of this is surely due to the fact she is avoiding the press, who presumably would ask her to explain policies like this.
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