Palin’s Abuse of Power And Why Her Slimy In-Law Doesn’t Matter
Palin’s Abuse of Power And Why Her Slimy In-Law Doesn’t Matter
September 2, 2008 ·
This post is the result of a small debate we’ve had here at In One Ear…Out The Other between myself and another author, Kate, about my reporting of Palin’s pressuring of public officials to fire her ex-brother-in-law over supposed abuses made by the in-law while working as a law enforcement officer.
In my own article I had failed to include the fact that Palin’s ex brother-in-law was accused of many serious offenses such as the tasering of his stepson and drunk driving. I agree that if those accusations are true the Alaskan state trooper deserves to be fired, however, the small issue of the indescretions of one minor public servant miss the larger issue of the use of discretion by a major public figure and possible Vice-President or even President of the United States. My elimination of those facts had been intentional self-censorship in order to avoid the more scurrilous debate about the Alaskan governor’s familial intrique in order to discuss what is relevant to federal leadership. If I was wrong, I ask forgiveness, however, this is no way takes away from the validity of my original point.
That in pressuring public officials to fire Trooper Wooten Sarah Palin abused the office of the governor. Justice has a process and that process does not include the office of the executive of either the nation or a state handing down justice. The Alaskan State Troopers performed their own investigation into the actions of Trooper Wooten and suspended him, for a measly ten days. If that action was not in accordance with justice then it would have been Palin’s job to have the Attorney General launch an investigation into the troopers for what would be a gross case of “good ol’ boy” protectionism. The proper action was not to pressure officials to fire the brother-in-law without clear-cut evidence as presented in a court or internal investigation, and certainly well out of the realm of righteous action to fire that official for not abiding by her wishes.
In Alaska she is governor, not a queen. The implication that she was acting righteously because as a family member she knew more than the investigators is not in accordance with the law. Case closed. It is precisely the sort of “mother knows best” mentality the Supreme Court ruled against in the White House’s detainment of foreign nationals at Gitmo without their rights to Habeas Corpus. The truth is, that no matter what crime, or public sphere, the executive does not have the right to dispense justice without judicial consent.
Period.
So, not only is she guilty of abuse of power, but upon further investigation, she’s also guilty of poor judgement. It seems Palin reccomended Trooper Wooten for the job in the first place.
In 2000, as Mayor of Wassila, she wrote a letter of reccomendation for Trooper Wooten that said if,
“America had more people with the grace and sincerity that mirrors the character of Mike Wooten…we would have a much kinder, gentler, trustworthy nation as a result.”
“I have witnessed Mike’s gift of calm and kindness toward many young kids here in Wasilla… I have never seen him raise his voice, nor lose patience nor become aggitated [sic] in the presence of any child. Instead, Mike consistently remains a fine role model for my own children, and other young people in Wasilla.”
Though there is no known evidence of Wooten’s alleged misbehavior at the time, the fact that his marriage to Palin’s sister Molly was his 5th at the age of 35 should have been an indicator of at least some erratic behavior.
Nor is this the first time Palin has been known to abuse power. Apparently while mayor of Wassila, Palin requested that all of the top city-managers (Chief of Police, Head of Libraries, Engineer, etc.) resign and then wait to be reinstated as a sign of loyalty upon entering the office. I don’t think I have to say that such hardball tactics is odd in a town of 5,000.
Reminds me of the politics of another western politician who gained the office of the vice-presidency. Gues we know what a McCain presidency would be like.
-Marc-