Lawmakers to issue subpoenas in Troopergate

What a great question. I'm sure for anyone looking North from the L48 this blog seems really odd after you have heard all of Sara's self promotion about her immense popularity. Well she is popular but not as much as she likes to pretend. She is after all a 100% populist. She is rarely if ever specific and tends to get by with vague references to things like the "will of the people" when faced with a hard issue or question. Our press is Alaska is horrible in a way those living elsewhere can not grasp. We have two dominent news outlets Channel 2 KTUU and the Anchorage Daily News Paper both funded and influenced from outside sources. In general both these news outlets are poor quality although KTUU invested in lots of expensive camera and broadcast so at least the lousy and bias news coverage is pretty pictures. Over the years they have leaned really hard left and had a great influence over our local elections. That is why here in Anchorage we have a Mayor and City Assembly who are completely left wing. We are drowning in property taxes and horrible local government but you will not find any reference on KTUU or in the Anchorage paper. Both of our Alaska news outlets realized how liberal Sara Palin really is in spite of her constantly screaming about being a conservative. As a result of her very liberal policies they have supported her in a way that boggles the mind. Not a single negative work spoken or in print for her first 18 months in office. She did not walk on water but rather about 2 feet above, hovering like an angel. This fits with Sara's populist approach, as long as people are saying nice things she is happy (no moral compass). There was hope about a month ago when John Tracy left as News director of KTUU but it appears his replacement Steve McDonald is just as liberal and bias. Hope this perspective helps.

Amazing, that you have been asked to back off. Country First?? Freedom of Speech? America needs the truth, for a change. Thank you

With subpoenas expected to be served to State officials and anyone else connected with Troopergate at any time, the Anchorage Daily News today reveals that John Coghill is blowing the whistle on the Chief Grandstander and Smugmeister, Hollis French. It seems that the legislator tasked with leading the investigation has been doing what he does best. He has been shooting off his mouth in the national media about an "October surprise" that is "likely to be damaging to the administration." He admits this. Coghill is on the legislative committee that appointed French, who hired Branchflower to investigate the events surrounding Troopergate. Thank goodness that Coghill has the integrity to send a letter outlining this grievance to the chairman of the committee. After all, the committee ordered French to keep politics out of the investigation. Seems the council knew that French has long-established habits. So much for the White Knight of the Palin-Haters directing a fair and honest investigation. Though Branchflower, the investigator, has earned his chops and a reputation for being fair and thorough, French's open statements about the process leave this investigation smelling like a salmon stream bank in October.

French is not running this investigation, Branchflower is. If French is asked about possible repercussions, he can respond to the possible consequences. If A, then B; if C, then D. It's a simple algorithm of possible procedural consequences. If the governor and her office have illegally accessed personnel files, then they should be held accountable. No one should be above the law. Just let the process run. Collect testimony and report the findings. Then we can better see what happened. I think everyone deserves privacy. I am not of the opinion that people who protect their privacy necessarily have something to hide. However, to the extent that people act along official channels and use their official authority to drive policies, they cannot expect privacy. Even if the attorney general now says their communication devices are personal, we should still demand that communications on publicly supported devices have no expectation of privacy. Regardless of what any of us thinks of Trooper Wooten, his personnel files should be off limits to the Department of Administration. We already know, through clear admission, that Bailey had access to private information, and the recording claims that he was acting on the governor's behalf. Of course, he denies that now, and can't really explain why he said he was acting on her behalf. We all know that the people are willing to lie in public for a number of reasons. For this reason, we need to be sure that all people involved be required to give testimony under oath. Just maybe it will be less likely for them to commit perjury, though we can't be sure. Let's go ahead and get it done and stop whining. The public has a right to know.

Hmmm. It was my understanding that Hollis French's remarks were in response to a question along the lines of "what's the best and the worst that could happen". And that his response was along the lines of "be cleared of wrong doing" or "impeached which would be damaging". Folks have just been jumping all over the impeached half of the answer. The truth is probably somewhere in between. But the choice to stall, the revealed lies and the opaqueness (rather than transparency) of Palin & Co certainly are leaving a bad taste in the public's mouth. I would imagine French and the bipartisan committee that launched the investigation (6 Dem, 6 Repub) have been under substantial pressure applied by the McCain campaign to sweep this all under the rug. For that reason, I am proud of our AK legislators for not caving to external pressure and continuing to tend to AK business. Personally, I will be thoroughly insulted and angered should Palin, the McCain campaign and Coghill prevent completion of our AK business, a pre-VP-pick legitimate investigation into the conduct of our executive branch.

Fact is, French was told to keep politics out of it. By talking "October Surprise," most people would consider French's political cat to be out of the bag. No matter how hard he tries, he's covered in political stink from here until the investigation is finished and the report presented to the legislature. Pressure by the McCain camp to sweep this under the rug? Provide facts, quotes and witnesses or the BS flag gets raised on this.

You sir are dangerous to the safety of the country a hack and a moron. That's all I have to say.

That's pretty tough talk. And exactly how is pointing out the opposing viewpoint creating an element of danger to the country? It is usually intellectually deficient or dishonest people themselves who look an opposing argument and use ad hominem attacks with words such as hack and moron. Why is is that these Anti-Palins become so consumed with their anger and hatred that they cannot see what's on the other side of the balance scale? I'm glad, though, that your post is all you have to say on this issue. Then again, we cannot be sure since you choose 'Anonymous' as your user ID. At least I have the integrity to use my own initials...

I'm not the previous Anonymous, since they have no more to say... I'm a new Anonymous that also doesnt have the integrity to use my initials... because that surely is a sign of integrity. Kind of reminds me of Sarah's integrity, offering bits of information, but not all the information, not the information that might be held against you. Or could be that some people want to remain anonymous because there just isnt much room left under the bus. You might want to consider some soul searching... based on your tone... you may indeed be a hack and a moron.

Thank you, Nordstrom Shopper - My husband has been an Alaska State Trooper for over 30 years and I just read your comment to him. He thanks you also. It is so disheartening to know that the majority of ALL in law enforcement, no matter the branch, are good, solid men and women who joined to serve. How sad that our Governor who claims to have a "servant's heart", doesn't respect those who not only serve to protect, but in doing so, put their lives on the line every day. How sad that our Governor is more focused on her own political aspirations than she is in keeping her word to the citizens of Alaska that she asked to hold her accountable. But how warm and reaffirming to read comments such as yours, by citizens who are still grateful to the men and women who keep us safe.

I too am the wife of a State Trooper. Mine not 30 years but over 15 and another relative with over 18 years. I am saddened and sickened by the comments of this Governor regarding the Troopers. Still yet with all she has done and said about them - most would still take a bullet for her should the situation arise. She is the most Selfish, Self Centered, Vindictive person I have ever encountered. Ask yourself this when cast your vote in November. She has compromised the Security of the People of State of Alaska over a 4 year old personal grudge. Can you trust her with the Security of the United States of America? If you say yes- then by all means vote for her - but if you say No - then do something different. By the way I am a lifelong Republican. Wonder what McCain would say if he really knew what she has done to our safety over a personal grudge.

To "Another Proud Wife of a State Trooper" I say, yes!!!!!!!!! This is a very scary situation that affects the very safety and security of our nation. Anyone who would resort to the tactics, actions and statements ascribed to Palin is surely not a person who should be entrusted with national security decisions on behalf of America should the occassion arise. We've got enough problems without having to deal with an unethical vp who is proving to be one who doesn't think things through. That kind of loose cannon is not someone I can envision in a meeting with world leaders. At least not a meeting that will end well, that is.

Thanks to both of you for your husbands' service to the safety of Alaskans. As someone who has been surrounded by law enforcement in his family and professional life I've learned that just because one is a law enforcement officer, he or she is not above the law and should be held to higher standards. Pat Wellington, the former head of the Alaska State Troopers, taught me that as I was starting my career. Any single thing that Wooten has done would be enough to cause me to be brought before a court of law, loose my property or loose my rights as a parent. The issue here is not to attack your husbands, but why the Troopers union so vigorously defends a man who admits he has done all that he has been accused of, yet still manages to hold on to his job -- or is not in front of a court of law. Death threats, poaching moose, driving under the influence of alcohol in his State of Alaska-provided vehicle, tasing his 10-year-old son (can this be called abuse?) and more have been charged against him. He has not denied these things. These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern. Where are the voices of those who argue against domestic violence? Where are those who argue for humane treatment of children. Where are those against driving while impaired? Where are those for fair chase and compliance with fish and game laws? If there is to be blame and shame here, it is the union that represents the Alaska State Troopers. Shame on those who do not call for integrity from those sworn to defend the Alaska constitution and enforce it's laws. Whether Palin or her administration bent, broke or did not follow the letter of the law is a secondary issue. The investigation will most likely reveal the culprits, no matter how tainted with politics the report and process might be. The true issue here is when the Department of Public Safety will act on what can arguably be called a crooked cop and restore public confidence in the Alaska State Troopers.

The other side dose have arguments which address these issues. This investigation should go ahead as major issues here for both sides. And I think boths sides have committed major errors and broken the law repeatly. "August 18, 2005. During this interview, she stated that she did not warn her father Heath of the death threat until two weeks after it was made: she explained the delay by saying that Wooten had no reason to shoot Heath" the only complaints ever filed against him were those by Palin and her family "Palin replaced Monegan with Chuck Kopp previously suspended and investigated" "Palin probably would not agree to an interview unless the legislature turned the matter over to the Personnel Board.[42] If witnesses were not available, French said, he would ask the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, to issue subpoenas. He said that Palin needed to be interviewed sometime in September." "On September 1, Palin essentially filed an ethics complaint against herself, asking the state Personnel Board to review the case.[44] Her lawyer asked the state Legislature to drop its investigation, saying that by state law, the board had jurisdiction over ethics issues" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Public_Safety_Commissioner_dismissal

But that's exactly why I have a hard time with the administration's position. If the problem was the disciplinary methods used by the Troopers, then why were those procedures not the target of change by Palin and the administration? If those methods were flawed, then for the safety of EVERYONE - including the troopers themselves - the administration had a public duty, and the power, to encourage discussion to address those methods in an effort to develop better procedures/oversight and prevent reoccurence. If those guidelines were flawed, and the trooper in question has a pattern that will not change, then better procedures would catch and discipline future transgressions not only of the trooper in question, but also any other trooper who did not meet the high standards you mention. That would earn praise from all Alaskans. But, from what's come out so far, that doesn't appear to be what happened. Instead it seems they focused on one trooper's employment status, already disciplined via guidelines established at the time. Unfortunately, add in the family history and that's what makes this whole mess appear to be primarily a personal vendetta (i.e. abuse of power) and not a problem with the procedures. Agreed - some professions should be held to higher standards. I think that applies to law enforcement and our executive branch. My confidence in the State Troopers is just fine, it's my confidence in our executive branch that has been damaged.

Subpoenas shouldn't be necessary. But, let's not forget Karl Rove and his refusal to testify in response to a Congressional subpoena. We haven't heard much about that lately. And this guy was on McCain's campaign staff and is still providing input in a lesser role now. We can hope the fast track is free of obstacles. Let's hear it for full disclosure and gutsy people who are going after the truth....

As I hear another Alasken come up with the same disappointment over the behavior of our current Gov. it makes me wonder was nobody listening prior to her being elected? I heard and read exactly what she was all about before she gained this position. Firing of employees for no reason other than personal, and installing the "at will" policy as soon as she took office(city of wasilla). Running her campaign for lt. Gov. out of that office(wasilla city fax # on the apoc app.)Getting a variance on her Wasilla lake property a day before she left office and Todd collecting the 3 thousand dollar sewer re-bate check for the new house on Lake lucille, that $ was set aside to encourage people with less money to hook up to city sewer, problem with her kids that have been covered up, an affair with a council member from palmer, it just keeps going on and on. All this was out prior to her current position and she was still voted in. Oh yeah , the sports complex vandango that the city of wasilla is paying millions on, sorry, had to throw that one in, and I bet she gets voted in as V.P. Wake up Alaskens, we did this to our selves.