Alaska AG: State employees won't honor subpoenas

[bobthedrummer]

Source: AP via Guardian

Alaska's investigation into whether Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power, a potentially damaging distraction for John McCain's presidential campaign, ran into intensified resistance Tuesday when the attorney general said state employees would refuse to honor subpoenas in the case.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7803852

---

This is breaking news, an update. It isn't a duplicate as far as I can tell. They are following the pattern of ignoring the rule of law for political purposes, just like their Decider et al.

[Historic NY]

1. They're employee's they must be compelled or fired...there is no choice.

[bobthedrummer]

4. Compelled by the corrupt bastards...yep, she is for that kind of "law"...

[bjobotts]

28. They're saying they won't honor subpoenas. Did they succeed already?

[Submariner]

2. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4017233

[bobthedrummer]

6. It's the mods call, yes there is a duplicate in GD but not LBN as far as I know-thanks.

[elocs]

23. Dupe or not, I predict this exact story will be posted here at DU at least 4 more times on Wed.

Wednesday night someone will post this again like it has never been heard of before. Happens all the time here. News is not news here on DU unless the same story gets reposted in the first 24 hours and then for the next 3 days.

[EV_Ares]

3. Makes sense as they stocked her up with Bush people to be around her and

advise her on everything and to handle these situations. Doing what they do the best.

[HopeHoops]

80. A PERFECT Cheney replacement - "Subpoenas? We don't need no stinkin' subpoenas"

[KaryninMiami]

5. Ok so the big question is- will they get away with it?

Will they too be permitted to ignore the law and, use the same Bush tactics or will there be enough outrage in this country to demand that they comply? The only way for this to happen is with cooperation from the media as well of course, as from the Dems and the Obama campaign - all need to DEMAND JUSTICE and paster the airwaves and print media with "WHAT IS SHE HIDING?" messages and start calling them criminals (like Rove).

[martymar64]

75. Even if she does . . .

It will serve as proof that Palin is just another corrupt, business as usual Rethug politician that thinks the law dooes not apply to her.

Some agent of change she is, huh?

[olddad56]

7. Sarah seems fully qualified to be a repubilcan politician.

[Imagevision]

8. This is what were use to from the Bush administration, never going to stop?

[mia]

9. This will endear Palin to the Republicans even more. n/t

[bobthedrummer]

10. ETHICS: Criminal Penalties for Public Corruption/Violations of State Ethics Laws

A State by State page from The National Conference of State Legislatures, rarely applied to corrupt bastards. (Takes a little while to load)
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/ethics/public_corruption.htm

[grytpype]

11. When the HELL is the MSM going to get on this?

Isn't it a matter of interest that McCain is trying to shut down a lawful investigation of his running mate?

[bobthedrummer]

12. No, this is her baby, she is the Governor of Alaska. But I hear you.

[NBachers]

13. "You've learned your lessons well, young Palin"

Where have we seen this before?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n03a7cLf0M

[MinM]

14. Edward O'Callaghan quits "War on Terror" to 'Save Sarah'

Thus putting the lie to both, the "War on Terror", and Sarah 'holdmeaccountable' Palin:

Can He Stop 'Troopergate'?
A McCain lawyer scrambles to block a Palin ethics inquiry.

A former top Justice Department prosecutor now working for John McCain's presidential campaign has been helping to direct an aggressive legal strategy aimed at shutting down a pre-election ethics investigation into Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

The growing role of Edward O'Callaghan, who until six weeks ago served as co-chief of the terrorism and national security unit of the U.S. attorney's office in New York, illustrates just how seriously the McCain campaign is taking the so-called "troopergate" inquiry into Palin's firing last summer of Walt Monegan, Alaska's Public Safety Commissioner.

O'Callaghan emerged publicly for the first time this week when he told reporters at a McCain campaign press conference, in Anchorage, that Palin is "unlikely to cooperate" with an Alaskan legislative inquiry into Monegan's firing because it had been "tainted" by politics. That new stand appeared to directly contradict a previous vow, expressed by her official gubernatorial spokesman on July 28, that Palin "will fully cooperate" with an investigation into the matter.

But O'Callaghan (who resigned from the U.S. attorney's office at the end of July to join the McCain campaign) is doing more than just public relations when it comes to "troopergate." He told NEWSWEEK that he and another McCain campaign lawyer (whom he declined to identify) are serving as legal "consultants" to Thomas Van Flein, the Anchorage lawyer who at state expense is representing Palin and her office in the inquiry. "We are advising Thomas Van Flein on this matter to the extent that it impacts on the national campaign," he said. "I'm helping out on legal strategy."...

Shades of the 2000 Election Recount

[bobthedrummer]

22. Here's an archived thread for you MinM (and anyone else interested)

about the DoJ where Ed used to work, yes it's off topic but you might want to review it since there is no statute of limitations for murder.

"A DU collaborative investigation: Thelma Colbert, Shannon Ross and other deaths at DoJ" (started May 5, 2007)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x847120

[barbtries]

53. wow that sent me off -

i ended up googling samuel lipari and the story is incredible. i mean it's bush business as usual, but i think it's big. throughout the whole US attorney firing brouhaha though i followed it quite closely and through all my countless hours here and on other left leaning websites, this is the first i've heard of this particular story.

i'm getting put through hoops by the IRS at the moment. i'm frustrated. i cannot even imagine the frustration this man and his counsel and all the good guys have suffered. it is murder.

[bobthedrummer]

56. He is/was DUer MSC2007 barbtries, another victim of the BFEE awaiting justice

"Medical Supply Chain Decries US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Investigation of General Electric" (started by MSC2007 July 17, 2007)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2920691

[barbtries]

60. thank you

it surprises me constantly although it shouldn't, just how much they've covered. just how sickening they really are. i mean this story and how many others slipped entirely under my radar and i'm here every day, every day.

[bobthedrummer]

15. Sister Sarah is cancelling a lot of scheduled GOP events lately

I wouldn't be surprised if she includes the State she governs in the near future

[Dangerously Amused]

16. Shocking.

Remind me that I can ignore a subpoena the next time I get one if I feel it's "unfair."

[1monster]

17. Well, I guess she does understand the Bush Doctrine--at least as far as the part where the law

doesn't apply to Republicans...

[hisownpetard]

82. Well said!

:thumbsup: :hi:

[Bette Noir]

18. Troopergate investigation:

She was for it before she was against it.

[drm604]

19. Another Republican Attorney General allowing people to ignore the law

when it suits Republicans.

I thought that Republicans believed in law and order. Hypocritical criminal bastards.

[Supersedeas]

92. Mukasey style right-wing justice...Justice with a political agenda??

[WolverineDG]

20. toss 'em in the can

that's what would happen if a regular person ignored a subpoena. What's sauce for the goose....

dg

[Pete2069]

21. Democrats in Congress have lead the way for destruction to our laws

Republicans do not have to explain themselves anymore.   Has
anyone in Bush's administration answered the when the
democrats subpoenaed them for questioning?>>> , H...
no they have make a joke of the democrats with the control
given them by the Blue Dog republicans.   Republicans are
using the democrat's ticket the independent party's ticket to
elect their republicans for control over the two houses.

   As long as the democrats keep electing republicans as the
Blue dogs into their party the republicans will control our
government's policies forever...

[skyounkin]

26. Agreed

Sorry, but after all the crap rove and those bastards are allowed to get away with can anyone blame palin for not cooperating?

[IndianaGreen]

24. Todd Palin is not a state employee!

Palin is another Cheney!

[PBS Poll-435]

25. You mean "First Dude" isn't a paid position?

:cry:

[Piewhacket]

27. Obstruction...

Like nobody saw this one coming, eh? :sarcasm:

I doubt an investigation would yield anything
until after the election. On the other hand,
an investigation which proceeded without objection
would allow Palin to say she was cooperating fully,
had nothing to hide, and did nothing wrong.

But Nooooo, they are soooo too schmardt for that.
The Pitbull with lipstick,... she just has to claim 'witch hunt',
and 'executive privilege', and otherwise obstruct...
So now it damn well looks like she did it, and is covering
up and obstructing.

Hey, this isn't change, it isn't good government,
its MORE OF THE SAME!!!


==Footnote===========
Improper assertion of executive privilege may also
be an abuse of office. In case you were wondering.
(yes, you can add it to the Bush impeachment, but I
think its already there.)

Anyway, buck up, while the truth may suffer I guess
we'll just have to keep hitting the livin daylights out
of Palin-McCain for 'trouper-gate', 'obstruction-gate',
'rapekit-gate'.... until election or the cows come home.

oh, darn.
====

[quiet.american]

29. Lawless Republicans. Now why does that sound familiar. nt

[countmyvote4real]

30. Me thinks they doth protest too much.

Obviously, there is something to hide. Big problem is that much of that genie is already out of the bottle. Stupid hicks. And that is not a slam on Alaska. These charlatans are everywhere.

[JDPriestly]

31. Palin spoke to her lawyer. That's my assessment.

And her lawyer said, you can't let this proceed. It would be too embarrassing.

It's always the same story. Employers think they haven't done anything wrong. After all, they are employers. How could they be wrong? The boss is always right, isn't he/she?

But then the employer talks to a good lawyer and finds out that whatever the employer did could cost the employer a lot of money or get the employer into trouble. At that point, usually, the employer ends up either negotiating a settlement or -- in court. Here, of course, Palin thinks she is the law and since the legislature will back her up, she probably is.

My verdict: for the plaintiff by default. Failure to answer charges or a complaint results in a default judgment against you. We can assume the worst.

Palin has waived her right to be considered "innocent" until proved guilty. She has been proved guilty by default.

[poverlay]

32. They're going to jail and so is palin. Right after she ISN'T sworn in...n/t

[KakistocracyHater]

33. they are escalating ignoring the Rule of Law

a major milestone for becoming a 3rd world nation-where the 'in crowd' can do anything & everyone else is guilty all the time. Savage tribalists not capable of seeing a tribesmember's crime: the prime reason 19th Century whites used to oppress all non_Caucasions.

[MnFats]

34. who remembers George Wallace in the schoolhouse door. AK next?

On June 11, 1963, Alabama's Governor George Wallace came to national prominence when he kept a campaign pledge to stand in the schoolhouse door to block integration of Alabama public schools. Governor Wallace read this proclamation when he first stood in the door-way to block the attempt of two black students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, to register at the University of Alabama. President John F. Kennedy federalized the Alabama National Guard, and ordered its units to the university campus. Wallace then stepped aside and returned to Montgomery allowing the students to enter.


STATEMENT AND PROCLAMATION

OF

GOVERNOR GEORGE C. WALLACE

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

June 11, 1963

As Governor and Chief Magistrate of the State of Alabama I deem it to be my solemn obligation and duty to stand before you representing the rights and sovereignty of this State and its peoples.

The unwelcomed, unwanted, unwarranted and force-induced intrusion upon the campus of the University of Alabama today of the might of the Central Government offers frightful example of the oppression of the rights, privileges and sovereignty of this State by officers of the Federal Government. This intrusion results solely from force, or threat of force, undignified by any reasonable application of the principle of law, reason and justice. It is important that the people of this State and nation understand that this action is in violation of rights reserved to the State by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alabama. While some few may applaud these acts, millions of Americans will gaze in sorrow upon the situation existing at this great institution of learning.

Only the Congress makes the law of the United States. To this date no statutory authority can be cited to the people of this Country which authorizes the Central Government to ignore the sovereignty of this State in an attempt to subordinate the rights of Alabama and millions of Americans. There has been no legislative action by Congress justifying this intrusion.

When the Constitution of the United States was enacted, a government was formed upon the premise that people, as individuals are endowed with the rights of life, liberty, and property, and with the right of self-government. The people and their local self-governments formed a Central Government and conferred upon it certain stated and limited powers. All other powers were reserved to the states and to the people.

Strong local government is the foundation of our system and must be continually guarded and maintained. The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
This amendment sustains the right of self-government and grants the State of Alabama the right to enforce its laws and regulate its internal affairs.

This nation was never meant to be a unit of one. . . . . . . but a united of the many . . . . . this is the exact reason our freedom loving forefathers established the states, so as to divide the rights and powers among the states, insuring that no central power could gain master government control.

There can be no submission to the theory that the Central Government is anything but a servant of the people. We are a God-fearing people – not government-fearing people. We practice today the free heritage bequeathed to us by the Founding Fathers.

I stand here today, as Governor of this sovereign State, and refuse to willingly submit to illegal usurpation of power by the Central Government. I claim today for all the people of the State of Alabama those rights reserved to them under the Constitution of the United States. Among those powers so reserved and claimed is the right of state authority in the operation of the public schools, colleges and Universities. My action does not constitute disobedience to legislative and constitutional provisions. It is not defiance – for defiance sake, but for the purpose of raising basic and fundamental constitutional questions. My action is raising a call for strict adherence to the Constitution of the United States as it was written – for a cessation of usurpation and abuses. My action seeks to avoid having state sovereignty sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.

Further, as the Governor of the State of Alabama, I hold the supreme executive power of this State, and it is my duty to see that the laws are faithfully executed. The illegal and unwarranted actions of the Central Government on this day, contrary to the laws, customs and traditions of this State is calculated to disturb the peace.

I stand before you here today in place of thousands of other Alabamians whose presence would have confronted you had I been derelict and neglected to fulfill the responsibilities of my office. It is the right of every citizen, however humble he may be, through his chosen officials of representative government to stand courageously against whatever he believes to be the exercise of power beyond the Constitutional rights conferred upon our Federal Government. It is this right which I assert for the people of Alabama by my presence here today.

Again I state – this is the exercise of the heritage of the freedom and liberty under the law – coupled with responsible government.

Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises, and in my official capacity as Governor of the State of Alabama, I do hereby make the following solemn proclamation:

WHEREAS, the Constitution of Alabama vests the supreme executive powers of the State in the Governor as the Chief Magistrate, and said Constitution requires of the Governor that he take care that the laws be faithfully executed; and,

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States, Amendment 10, reserves to the States respectively or to the people, those powers not delegated to the United States; and,

WHEREAS, the operation of the public school system is a power reserved to the State of Alabama under the Constitution of the United States and Amendment 10 thereof; and,

WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Governor of the State of Alabama to preserve the peace under the circumstances now existing, which power is one reserved to the State of Alabama and the people thereof under the Constitution of the United States and Amendment10 thereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George C. Wallace, as Governor of the State of Alabama, have by my action raised issues between the Central Government and the Sovereign State of Alabama, which said issues should be adjudicated in the manner prescribed by the Constitution of the United States; and now being mindful of my duties and responsibilities under the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Alabama, and seeking to preserve and maintain the peace and dignity of this State, and the individual freedoms of the citizens thereof, do hereby denounce and forbid this illegal and unwarranted action by the Central Government.

George C. Wallace
GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA

[pnwmom]

35. No. Guess who is President. (Hint: not JFK or LBJ) n/t

[Peggesis1]

54. Sovereign state, huh?

Sure, Wallace ultimately couldn't get away with this in 1963 with a Democrat in the Whitehouse and, well, a lot of things different in 1963, but could this work these days with BushCo?

[liberal N proud]

36. When did a subpoena become an optional thing?

Isn't a subpoena a legal and binding document calling for your presence to be in the hearing room?

[happygoluckytoyou]

37. I WISH I KNEW........CAN YOU JUST DO THAT? how cool..... what else can i do...i a 'merican

[barbtries]

38. THIS is an abuse of power

case made.

[ladjf]

45. Of course it is. But, as far too many Americans would say, "so what"?

[barbtries]

47. no kidding

just yesterday at work i mentioned what a liar palin is and the first response i heard was, "just like 99% of all politicians." and everyone laughed. except me, i think.

[ladjf]

64. I actually believe that many Republicans think it's "cool" that their

politician know how to use illegal practices to obtain and maintain power. America, are you OK? Because you are behaving strangely.

[OakCliffDem]

39. Well isn't that just peachy. No evidence of pressure or coercion here.

The underlying message there is:

Testify against your boss and lose your job.

[MUAD_DIB]

69. I agree...

The underlying message also is: When you get a subpoena you are obliged to show up and tell the truth.

[bulloney]

40. ATTENTION VOTERS!!! We've had 8 years of ignoring laws and subpoenas under Bush.

We've seen our rights taken away. We've been lied into a war that never should have been started in the first place. Our country is morally and financially bankrupt.

And you want another four years of this?

Government, like markets, does not work without accountability. If you keep voting in people who refuse to be held accountable by making up laws for their benefit or ignoring laws, then this rhetoric about government being incapable of working is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[ladjf]

44. America, are you asleep, sick, tired, brain dead or what?

Please snap out of your somnambulist state of mind and vote us out of this nightmare.

[tom_paine]

50. All four of those and a couple more. PLUS, our voting system is a corrupted pile of shit.

Obama has to win 60-40% in the ACTUAL vote to win 50.1-49.9% in the COUNTED vote.

So, as bad as the Amerikan Subject Populace is, and we are, it is very VERY likely that it never actually voted Bushler in, even once.

Think about it...

[ladjf]

65. You are directly on the money , as usual.

(note: I've read and appreciated a number of your posts. You are a good thinker. thanks.)

[lligrd]

41. Preemptive Executive Privilege

Do we all have that right now? Or are we finally admitting that some people are above the law?

[The Backlash Cometh]

42. Does ANYBODY have ANY idea how they thought they could get away wit h this?

Okay, I hope all of you who are in support of Affirmative Action start writing this down. The Republican party, the party whose platform is to advance white privilege, thinks it is above the law in all matters and, apparently, the Democrats must agree with them because they do nothing to prove otherwise.

[hisownpetard]

83. What does Affirmative Action have to do with this? I must be missing something.

[hisownpetard]

84. Delete - wrong place.

[The Backlash Cometh]

88. Where it come to minorities,

the whole premise behind Affirmative Action is that minorities are harmed by the status quo that rewards like-minded individuals at the expense of all those who do not meet the prejudicial criteria. If the Republicans are coming out, like Pat Buchanan, and revealing their true platform is to maintain dominance for White Christian males, then you can see the problems they create for themselves when their party shows that there are laws that they will not abide by.

As long as they continue to act as if they're above the law, and as long as they have a say in the major decisions made in Congress, then it reinforces the position for minorities that they are harmed by the unequal and unfair practices of the system.

[ladjf]

43. The Republican Party is a criminal enterprise. The Democratic

Party, so far, has been powerless to stop them. The American people have all but given up. The election of Obama/Biden remains as our last hope to rectify this political nightmare.

We are fighting the Republican Party, the White House, the Supreme Court, the media, the religious
fundamentalists, and even the police. What National entity of on our side? America, where are you?

[Uncle Joe]

46. Take 2 - "Restoring honor and integrity to the White House" by the Republicans.

Thanks for the thread, bobthedrummer.

[Usrename]

48. Who does the State Atty General work for in Alaska?

``This is an untenable position for our clients because the governor has so strongly stated that the subpoenas issued by your committee are of questionable validity,'' Colberg wrote.

Is he under retainer to these witnesses? Why does he refer to those people as "our clients"?

What kind of corruption and cronyism is going on here? His name should be added to the investigation.

[Liberalynn]

77. Hey Judge

You just have to take my word for it that I'm innocent. So I can ignore your silly little subpoena.

Who else could get away with this besides a rethug. :shrug:

[tom_paine]

49. This is so much like Ancient Imperial Rome it is laughable. The Caesar Principle.

The Hitler Principle. The Bushies wield them with deadly effectiveness.

Targeted, non-lethal, non-brutal intimidation, for the most part.

Mr. Rogers Fascism. But no less frightening and perhaps even more so for the frightening nature of it hidden behind such a visage.

This is yet another checkpoint on the road to Inverted and then Classical Totalitarianism, I think.

Can the Bushies literally by force of will shut down an investigation that was already in motion (in a Bushie State, no less) right in front of everyone's eyes and STILL get enough of the Amerikan Subject Populace to pull the lever for McBushiePalin to make it close enough to steal?

Probably. That is the saddest of sad truth and tells us just how far and how thoroughly this once-free, once-proud nation has been transformed from top to bottom.

Probably. Though if will be pleasantly surprised if the Bushies finally meet significant resistance for one of the first, if not THE FIRST time.

[bobthedrummer]

57. What many of US have called the Bush Family Evil Empire/BFEE-yep, it is quite real tom_paine.

[bertman]

76. Somebody tell the Wellstone family about the "targeted, non-lethal, non-brutal intimidation".

As a party, we Dems are not big on crying "CONSPIRACY", especially when it comes to murdering prominent politicians, but it seems to me that the Wellstone family plane accident was very fortuitous for the Republicans. You may rest assured that the untimely, accidental death of the most liberal Democratic Senator did not go unnoticed by the other Senators and Representatives.

Our government is EXPERT at murdering its opponents and making it look like an accident--especially plane crashes. The CIA and other black ops teams have been doing it, in our name, for decades.

Think about it. If someone were to drop a manilla envelope in the mail, or send an anonymous email that lists a few "uncooperative" individuals who have met untimely, accidental deaths, to a select few of our Senators' and Congresspersons' staff members or family members, the effect would be chilling to say the least. No direct threats. Just what might euphemistically be called an enlightening moment for those concerned.

These people are far, far worse than the mob. And they have our tax dollars to work with.

It takes an individual of immense, almost unfathomable courage to stand up to these hyenas.

God Bless Amerika.

[tom_paine]

87. Oh, I fully agree with you about Wellstone. I was speaking about the great mass of regular "little"

people like us.

You are almost certainly right about Wellstone. I was spaking about day to day on the ground life for regular law-abiding people.

We don't yet have to fear random brutality on a large scale the way the Germans did under THEIR Bushies or the Russians did under THEIR Bushies. Yet.

So, we've got THAT going for us. :sarcasm:

But I agree 100% about Wellstone's murder (99% certainty).

[wiseoldman]

51. The "AK" Natives are getting restless,,,,

Read comments from the ADN: Troopergate witnesses won't testify : 70 comments when I last looked

http://community.adn.com/adn/adn_pubstory_528320#comment-409065

A couple samples:

How Do You Like It, Alaska?
Now that the McSame Campaign is running your state.

protest: I like the idea of an angry crowd demanding the governor do what she promised us- full cooperation.

What's next?
Is Sarah going to invoke executive privilege and declare that the Alaska legislature has no jurisdiction over her, and therefore command that the investigation be dropped? So much for McCain/ Palin being a change from Bush/Cheney. Sounds like the same playbook to me.

after Obama-Biden win,how is this Administration going to get anything accomplished during the next legislative session? All of our bridges (to nowhere and otherwise) are burning...

Karl Rove won't "sing"... Sooo why should she?? Lower 48 GOP "mouthpieces" fly in.... tell the 'Cuda cult "clam up" ....

Stop the Madness, Follow the Law

This is outrageous. The Attorney General is now unilaterally deciding to ignore subpoenas? He has a legal and ethical duty to abide by them. If Colberg thinks the subpoenas are supect, then he should go to court to get them quashed. Now the rule of law is being hijacked by McCain's New York lawyers and political flacks? Unbelievable

[druidity33]

52. On the Alaska AG...

from Progressive Alaska:

My good friend and former colleague, Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg, has all but sold his soul to the Karl Rove-esque squad of goons sent by the McCain campaign and the RNC to Alaska.

They came here, beginning on the late afternoon of August 29th, to derail democracy in the Far North. With the able help of Alaska's MSM media, kowtowing to people like former human being Bill McAllister, who is orchestrating putting the blow job knee-pads onto the knees of the editors of the Anchorage Daily News, KTUU TV, APRN and others here, something really bad is happening.

<snip>

In one fell swoop, Colberg went from being one of our most honorable AG's to what may come to be regarded as our worst. He has dishonored his sterling record, his family's image, and his high office, by enabling the McCain Straight Talk Express bus, to throw Alaskans, and our constitution under its desperately grinding tires.

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/09/saradise-lost-chapter-sixty-three-ak.html



Have they got something on Talis?

:shrug:

[sattahipdeep]

58. Republican Attorney General Talis Colberg....Judge?

In a letter to state Sen. Hollis French, the Democrat overseeing the investigation, Republican Attorney General Talis Colberg asked that the subpoenas be withdrawn.

....
He also said the employees would refuse to appear unless either the full state Senate or the entire Legislature votes to compel their testimony.

:eyes:

Also Tuesday, five Republican state lawmakers filed a lawsuit against an investigation they called "unlawful, biased, partial and partisan." None serves on the bipartisan Legislative Council that unanimously approved the inquiry. They want it pushed past the election or top Democrats removed from the probe.

http://www.adn.com/troopergate/story/528468.html

[jfkraus]

55. Dear Ms. Pelosi

See? This is why you have an obligation and a duty to hold members of the executive branch accountable. You need to issue subpoenas AND enforce them. You need to impeach those that have done wrong. Not doing this at the federal level sets a bad example and gives every other Republican an excuse to ignore the laws of this country any time it suits them. Palin and Troopergate is a prime example and only the beginning. Hold them all accountable. You have to do it-- there is no choice. Uphold your oath and do your duty!

[Laelth]

68. Hear, hear!

Respect the rule of law. Impeach now.

:dem:

-Laelth

[OHDEM]

59. Feet meet fire!

It's time to start ENFORCING subpoenas PERIOD. I'm sick of seeing those within our own government piss on the rule of law! We need to be screaming bloody murder about this violation. Palin is just another politician who thinks she is above the very laws she is sworn to uphold. Pitbull my arse - she's a snake!

[Prophet 451]

61. THEN ARREST THEM!

Since when did complying with the rule of law become fucking voluntary?

[bobthedrummer]

62. It's way past time to ignore Executive Privilege-all power to the people is not rhetoric

it's in our Constitution--which these criminals have called (and treated) as a "goddamn piece of paper".

This is what OUR MILITARY and AMERICAN CITIZENS have a duty to preserve, protect and defend because it is US.

No one is above the law.

ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE.

[sattahipdeep]

63. Who's the Boss?

Who's the Boss?
O'Callaghan confirmed to NEWSWEEK that day, that Van Flein, the Palin's lawyer, had accepted service of the subpoena for Todd Palin. Another McCain spokesman said the lawyer is "reviewing" the matter and hadn't yet decided how the First Gentleman--as Todd Palin is known--will respond.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/159260/page/3

Who's the Boss?
Alaska Legislative Council--a bipartisan panel that had authorized the probe in a unanimous vote on July 28-

But the e-mail release also seemed to show Palin's own intense focus on Wooten--and why he was still working for the state. In one July 17, 2007 e-mail to Monegan that started out talking about a bill by a legislator, named Les Gara, dealing with the sale of guns to individuals judicially deemed to be a threat to public safety, Palin suddenly veered off topic.

"The first thought that hit me when reading went to my ex brother-in-law, the trooper who threatened to kill my dad, yet was not even reprimanded by his bosses and still to this day carries a gun, of course," Palin wrote. "We can't have double standards. Remember when that death threat was reported, and follow-on threats from Mike that he was going to 'bring Sarah and her family down'-instead of any reprimand. We were told by trooper union-personnel that we'd be sued if we talked about those threats. Amazing. And he's still a trooper, and he still carries a gun, and he still tells anyone who will listen that he will 'never work for that b*itch' (me) because he has such anger and distain towards my family."

Mike Wooten on CNN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7YWNKj3Y50

Mike Wooten has reportedly asked the public to read his investigative papers and judge the matter for themselves.

The Alaska Legislative Council is a permanent interim committee of the Legislature and is responsible for conducting the business of the Legislature when it is not in session. It was first established in 1953 and was given constitutional status at statehood. The council is composed of the president of the Senate and five other senators appointed by the president, and the speaker of the House and five other representatives appointed by the speaker. The council elects a chair and a vice-chair. Members continue to serve until reappointed or replaced after the organization of a new Legislature.


That new stand appeared to directly contradict a previous vow, expressed by her official gubernatorial spokesman on July 28, that Palin "will fully cooperate" with an investigation into the matter.

But Palin, while acknowledging her chagrin that Wooten was still on the state police force (she told ABC's Charlie Gibson last week that the trooper was engaged in "dangerous and illegal activities" and had "threatened to kill my dad") has said she never directly told Monegan to fire the trooper. Palin and her lawyers have also said that she had other reasons for firing Monegan, including a dispute over the state public-safety budget and actions her lawyers have depicted as "insubordination." (Wooten has denied Palin's charges that he threatened her family and contended he has already been appropriately disciplined for his wrongdoings--including Tasering his 10-year old stepson--as a state trooper.)

http://www.newsweek.com/id/159260

Who's the Boss?
"This is an untenable position for our clients because the governor has so strongly stated that the subpoenas issued by your committee are of questionable validity," Colberg wrote.

Who's the Boss?
A fourteen member committee unanimously agreed there should be an investigation

On that fourteen member committee are ten Republicans and four Democrats.

[MadinMo]

66. Sounds like they all graduated from the same Repub school.

[democratdoug]

67. She was for testifying before she was against it...

but she told the Alaska legislature "Thanks but No thanks, if anyone is going to investigate me....it will be me!

Typical Bu$h hack and complete right-wing wacko!

[Supersedeas]

70. Obstruct and delay -- and the Free Ride television media just ignores it too...odd?

[alcibiades_mystery]

71. Palin staff won't testify in trooper probe, AG says

Source: CNN

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) -- Aides to Gov. Sarah Palin won't comply with subpoenas issued by state lawmakers investigating the firing of Alaska's former public safety commissioner, since Palin "has declined to participate" in the probe, her attorney general says.
Gov. Sarah Palin has refused to cooperate with an investigation into the firing of her public safety commissioner.


"As state employees, our clients have taken an oath to uphold the Alaska Constitution, and for that reason, they respect the legislature's desire to carry out an investigation in support of its law-making powers," Attorney General Talis Colberg, a Palin appointee, told the investigation's manager in a letter released Wednesday. "However, our clients are also loyal employees subject to the supervision of the governor."

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/17/palin.investigation/index.html

---

The "Reformer" stonewalling an investigation. Nice, huh.

More of the same.

[sasquatch]

72. Send out warrants for their arrest

[aquart]

73. Put. Them. In. Jail.

Loyalty to the governor ABOVE LOYALTY TO THE CONSTITUTION?

[polichick]

74. I read somewhere (the National Enquirer I think) that the troopergate investigation...

...is how her affair was uncovered ~ maybe that's what they're trying to squelch (in addition to abuse of power).

[Liberalynn]

78. If the Alaska AG can not do his job impartially

The the U.S. Attorney General should step in and throw all those ignoring the subpoenas into jail for contempt of court.Oh that's right he's a Puke too. :banghead:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

79. Maybe the next A.G. can do it.

I hope.

You're right. The current A.G. won't do anything on this.

[DailyGrind51]

81. Since when do Republicans honor subpoenas?

Rove and Company have set the precedent for being in contempt with impunity.

[hisownpetard]

85. Maybe the actions of Alberto Gonzales and Harriet Miers and Cheney and Bush and Karl Rove

and every other nefarious, conscienceless Republican have given Palin the impression that
Republicans are above the law and are certainly above the chore of honoring a subpoena.

I mean, they all spit in the face of Congress and ignored every request and subpoena they ever received,
and look at what befell them.

Nothing!

[shellgame26]

86. Let's plan a national

IGNORE YOUR SUBPOENA DAY. Let's see what this flimsy justice system is really made of. People do it en masse out of protest.

[jfkraus]

89. I like it!

What a great form of non-violent protest! How about Wednesday, October 1st? National Ignore Your Subpoena Day! Only problem is you have to have one to ignore.

[shellgame26]

90. There must be

101 schmucks with a subpoena for something or other. Palin says she can ignore hers cuz it's unfair..well great! Thanks to her and Rove a new precedent has been set. Now everyone can ignore their subporna!

[FiveGoodMen]

91. Well ... "Thanks to her and Rove a new precedent has been set"

I'd say thanks to the Dems who issued subpoenas, were rebuffed, and said, "Oh well, that's that."