Friday, October 10, 2008

Troopergate comes to an end: Conclusion, it was a witch hunt.

Today's news is that Sarah Palin according to Investigator Branchflower; she had abused her power.

Of course, the press as usual will go with the headline that she abused her power.

But there is more to that in Branchflower's findings. He states in his first findings that Palin had violated the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

Branchflower quoting:

"The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds offices as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust."


Now in the purest form of interpretation, the law means Palin would have to benefit on a personal level or financial level. What is troubling about Branchflower's reading is that Palin could not take action against Trooper Wooten when it involved family members period.

The question has to be asked if the law is narrowly defined or does it allow for personal involvement on the level that was required in the Trooper Wooten affair.

Popular opinion of people is that he was a "bad cop".

That question should be taken up by the legislature.

Moreover, the question should be asked what if there was no relationship between Trooper Wooten and Palin and Palin had done the same thing, would the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act be involved?

The answer is no. So what then?

Palin's actions are irrelevant because in Branchflower's second findings, he states the constitutional authority gives the Governor the authority to fire Monegan.

Interestingly enough, Monegan's past allegations of domestic violence against his ex-wife were not included. Nor was the fact that Judge Suddock had the divorce case reassigned and arguably the docket shows he lost control of this case as was pointed out here.

And last, Todd Palin's statements were not considered. So it must be said all of this for $100,000.00?

To put it simply, this case was poorly handled and the conclusions are benign, but the media will post sensational headlines that will put Palin in a bad light.

In summary this was nothing more than a witch hunt...

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