ETHICS and POLITICS MAKE FOR AN INTERESTING BLEND
Neither Sarah Palin's nor the official Republican dismissive response to the findings of the trooper gate commision are harldly surprising. The conclusion of the report is that although she did not break any law she did abuse her authority. (Now there is a neat piece of official double talk).These findings mean that she could conceivably be impeached as the Governor of Alaska abusing her authority using her office to further her personal agenda.
It is also interesting to note her response. She and people of her personality type (I think they are called sociopaths or if you want it more tender: character disorders), reflexably respond to criticism by deflecting it, denying it, and insisting that it is all a partisan vendetta. This, despite the fact, that the commision who carried out this investigation was populated with a majority of Republican members.I think these teflon deflectors of accepting responsibility for their negative actions must go to the same graduate school. It cannot be a coincidence that when caught in the glare of negative publicity they all deliver the same "I'm an innocent victinm" disclaimer.
The McCain response to the findings of tropper gate are not surprising. What else is new. But it is interesting that 1- the findings were released three weeks before the election, 2 - the conclusions are both unambiguous and highly ambiguous (?) and 3 - how can it be a partisan report when the great majority of the commission members are Republicans?
My speculations:
All three suggest that both ethical and political reasons most probably are the chief motivators explaining the content contained in these three questions. The ethical concerns are that the combined integrity of the commission members made it incumbent on them to pursue the truth no matter what the outcome. Good for them.
The somewhat mixed results suggest great dissatifaction with Sarah Palins' governing style. However she still has a great deal of power. The commission members aren't stupid and have to present the material in such a way that anyone can read whatever they want to into them and indeed will. She will either be perceived as a victim of a partisan witch hunt or be revealed as a sadistic power hungry abuser of authority when she experiences herself as wrongfully crossed.
On balance - the Republican's question of Obama's judgment and character as the central issue in this campaign is clearly blunted by the findings of the trooper gate commision.
It couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.
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Comments: 41
What I find most disconcerting about this situation is something that really hasn't been discussed that much. It seems Todd Palin, the husband of the Governor and someone who never got elected to anything, had almost unfettered access to the Governor's staff and resources. He was allowed to make calls, contact key people on the staff of all relevant offices, and use his/her clout to pressure further disciplinary action for personal reasons. Todd Palin had no business in this case, and yet he seems to be the main person exerting pressure, and he did so for a significant period of time. I have to ask, why did the parties involved not simply complain to the Governor, and if they did, why did she not take action immediately to remind her husband that interfering with state business is inappropriate for a mere spouse of the Governor? Perhaps the secret lies in her use of private email accounts for official business. I suspect we will be hearing more about that, eventually.
Governor Palin's term as Governor is set to end in December of 2010. This case will go to the Personnel Board, and therefore no actual action will occur before the Presidential election next month. Assuming McCain/Palin do not win the Presidential election, and depending on the Board's findings, it is possible that there will be no further action taken; or in the other extreme the legislature could institute impeachment proceedings. I doubt the latter will happen (though it is possible), but I wonder what will happen as her current Governorship term ends in two years. She is eligible to run for reelection. It would interesting to see whether her flash on the national scene will help or hurt her future career in Alaska.
I believe people are so caught up in the nasty rhetoric of the Republican party, some choose to not see or will never admit Palin's wrongs. The Republicans leaders, only hope to blanket all until after the election. I believe though the more the undecided are watching, it is helping Obama more in the polls! So I say let the games go on!
Obama 08' Have a great weekend Gibbs, you and your family!
What is illegal is the use of government power for personal vendettas. The Committee does not have the jurisdiction to make a final decision on Palin's actions in abusing her authority (or letting her husband abuse her authority, or both), and this will go to the Personnel Board.
The BBC was interviewing folks from around the world regarding their reactions to the official report and findings. These were sharp people. One person compared it to the standard operations in some corrupt nations in the world. They pointed out that this Troopergate type behavior would be small peas and would be business as usual in those countries.
The Key is that they were very aware that unfortunate as it is, it is almost expected in some corrupt nations... it is NOT what they expected in the USA...
It's not so good to be compared to the Corrupt, 'failed' nations of the world.
Is THAT what we want for this country?
Sad.
Very Sad.
Then they aren't near as "sharp" as you implied.
touche ...
valid point...
The difference is: in those counties it is accepted as the norm (though they know it's wrong), in the US, they at least see a society that strives for something of a little higher quality...
It's the difference of expectation I suppose...
Bush and Cheney should be arrested and Convicted.
It is sad and unfortunate that they have not been... yet...
They have created a Crisis of US Identity: Who are we? What have we become?
The examples and expectations they have set have been terrible for this nation...
I suppose we are on the verge of DECISION: Do we want THAT to be the accepted norm here? Or do we want something different?
What direction should this country go?
It could be a disastrous decision.
Who will we be?
;)
We have these niggling little procedural rules (grin) in government because we don't want a dictatorship. The US is all about doing the right thing in the right way.
Oh, I don't know - there are so many deserving people to consider: George Bush, Dick Cheney, John McCain, the entire Republican Party . . .
After watching our society vote for GW Bush for 2 Terms and watching redneck grannies fear the Arab Obama (who doesn't exist btw lol), watching everything Iraq, watching Afghanistan get throw to the side like a tired old toy, watching everything this NATION has done in the last 8 years, how can you say that with a straight face? ;)
I humbly beg to differ, David. 10 years ago, sure. Not since.
We have no one to blame but Americans. So I dont find it particularly remarkable. The bigots in this country that have made it the garbage it has become have existed for decades in this country. The past 8 years just showed us that they've become a strong minority, and growing bigger by the day.
Lack of Education, backwoods upbringings and an UNWILLINGNESS to learn anything beyond "whut deddy tawt meh!" is a growing disease in this nation.
It's not remarkable at all. Its the 'murrican way! Dontcha know?! lol ;)
gibbs williams, Oct 11, 2008, 1:37pm
Because if they do win, thats gonna be it. No one is going to contest it, and the American ppl dont have the will or desire to stand up for themselves.
As I stated in another article, I wont believe it until Obama takes his oath in Jan, and is out of the line of fire. Or at least, immediate fire.
I pray for that "landslide".
(I forgot what I was going to say - reading all these comments)
"""I have to tell you he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States"
So, Ray, if McCain (your man) says he's a decent man that you have no reason to fear as President, what is it again that you're afraid of? The boogeyman that McCain himself tricked you into believing? Baaaahahahahaha I love you Ray types. :-) So...Simple.
Once again, Yellow Ray can't answer.
Poor loser. . . .*world's smallest violin*