This was just released and one has to wonder if the timing was questionable since the Alaska State Personnel Board who are 'at will' employees under Palin's jurisdiction just 'found' Palin didn't violate any state ethics laws as was found by the Branchflower investigation. This directly conflicts with the Branchflower report and testimony from various witness's.

One has to wonder why we didn't see the full record (or any record actually) and instead only get a summary of her health condition.

Here's the link (sorry folks, only one I could find was on McCain's website):

http://www.johnmccain.com/Downloads/110308...

Palin, like most Alaskans, does not understand the American economy.

Alaska's economy is, on average, twenty-four months behind the continental united states and we have our own unique set of factors that determine how our economy responds to influencing factors. Alaska's economy is primarily based on seasonal jobs servicing the oil industry, the seasonal commercial fishing industry and seasonal instate construction projects. Most off of these are highly unionized jobs and done by highly skilled workers.

Alaska doesn't have the multitude of factors and problems that you experience every day. We don't have residents loosing their homes due to lack of work and failing infrastructure around the state. Fact is, we build new schools every few years and very little is falling apart around us. We also rebuild our roads on a regular basis because of the high oil prices in America. Life is good in Alaska.

Is it America?

If a recession in the continental united states is less than twenty-four months we normally don't even see a ripple in Alaska's economy. Truth be told, it takes a long time to have Alaska's economy affected negatively and while its rough for you today, here, in Alaska, our economy is strong. Because of this, Palin has never seen troubled times and had to make tough decisions. Anyone can run our state - just ask our last governor.

Palin doesn't understand the problems of high unemployment across the country or the unique issues bringing in industry to a state as its residents go hungry and are forced to declare bankruptcy. Truth be told due to high oil prices that hurt the continental united states, Alaska has gained astronomical wealth through tax royalties pouring into the state coffers. Palin did not have to find new tax revenues or new sources for income for our state like you have to in yours - instead she (we) raised taxes.

Palin governs a state of about 600,000 people and of that, only an estimated 300,000 are working. She doesn't understand the issues of different cultures, serious crime, neighborhood slums, over worked police forces, gang warfare, murders in our streets or state and municipal budgets that don't have money. All and all, Palin doesn't understand YOUR issues and unique problems you face in America and doesn't have the interest as she has been disconnected by geographic location and interest.

When an Alaskan refers to the continental United States we use the term 'outside'. So by definition, Palin was correct she is an 'outsider', but she isn't the type you want or need.

If you look at our state of Alaska, you will find that Palin hasn't done anything to relieve high unemployment rates in rural Alaska for Alaskan residents or bring in new business to open shop. She has used state revenues to gain political stature. Job growth hasn't changed much since she got into office and I'm sure your not aware heating oil and automotive fuel is an average of $6 a gallon across the state. What was Palin's response to this crisis? She gave each Alaskan resident $1200 for 'energy relief'.

Does that really solve the problem? I bet most conservatives wouldn't think so...I bet you wouldn't either knowing she failed to properly fund special needs funding or add the needed additional police officers in our state.

Considering this and the fact that John McCain has admitted he doesn't understand our economy I have to ask...just who is going to design a plan for America's economy in this administration? Will McCain or will those in charge of his campaign who decided who to pick for VP and who revised Palin's campaign speech? And if they do design a plan for our economy who will benefit?

Clearly it won't be you and I if McCain/Palin is elected.




Spread the word. Vote OBAMA!

A few quick points on this speech.

First, I've never seen her so cocky, sarcastic, witty or partisan. Never. I've also never heard her talk about international issues before this speech.

Second, taxes. She raised taxes on the oil industry by millions of dollars and the conservatives in this town loathe her for it.

Third, this speech was designed to not discuss issues but to bait us to attack her so we no longer focus on McCain.

Fourth, the jet she referred to. It was an unpopular move by the former governor and movement to sell it was brewing before she took office. There isn't any content in that 'savings'.

Fifth, the fact is she was for the bridge before she was against it. She campaigned for the bridge and when she got the federal money, she drooped the bridge project and built a road with her money.

Sixth, her ethics law change was luke warm and highly criticized for not going far enough. Truth be told she never prosecuted any corrupt officials - it was the FBI that did it thanks to a former Republican and now current Democrat.

Seventh, she cut special needs funding significantly in Alaska and refused to fund vital programs for early pregnancy.

Eight, she is upset about the media because they are holding her accountable. She isn't used to this in Alaska - she bakes them cookies and calls them on their birthday. (Check the facts!) They have rarely held her accountable in Alaska.

And there's more folks, much more. Truth be told this speech was re done by the republican operatives and, I would bet, Rush Limbaugh.


This isn't politics, its a bad Mrs. Congeniality sequel.


All I can say is focus on McCain and Obama's message. McCain is plagiarizing Obama's message and taking credit for everything he has done to date with his message of change.

I thought I'd pass this along before it hits the media.

I know, another story about Palin's family but this one may actually lead into current problems with Palin's abuse of power investigation. For those not aware, its an old story from 2005 concerning school bus vandalism in Wasilla, Alaska with a new twist previously unreported.

It was reported today in Anchorage on progressive talk 1080 KUDO - and quoted from a non-disclosed judicial source, that Track Palin was the unidentified minor who was involved with the vandalism at the time. The minor was reported to be 16 years old. Here is the news article I found relating to this back in 2005. The judicial source's reason for disclosing the data was that it would be released 'sooner or later'.

Even more interesting is the fact that the Alaska State Troopers did the investigation and report on the incident. To add fuel to the fire, Trooper Wooten (the trooper Palin has tried to get removed from the Alaska State Troopers) was assigned to that post at that time and may have worked on the case. I'm trying to secure a copy of the police report.

Rumors are circulating (and have been in the past) about Track being forced to accept military service or jail time. It is unclear if this was from his mother and father, or from another source.

While its unfortunate this is another story about Palin's children its just more fuel to the fire surrounding Palin. If I'm correct Trooper Wooten's divorce paperwork was filed with the Alaska court system in April of 2005. It will be interesting to see if Palin was involved with this incident and/or if Wooten or Palin used their power to get Palin's son out of trouble.

I'll post more as details as I learn more that isn't reported in the media. Alaska is learning many things we never knew about our governor. Needless to say that Alaska talk radio is raking her over the coals and worried their words will be used against the republican's on a national level. For some interesting listening and to learn what the far right of Alaska thinks of Palin, check out the pod cast for Dan Fagan today at 750 KFQD here.

OK, I need some help from my fellow Alaskans.

Some time ago I heard that Palin's son was sent away to live in another state before she became governor. The reason stated at the time was he needed 'to work and improve on his hockey skills'. For those of you who don't know, Alaska is one of the top places in the United States for hockey - just ask Palin, a self admitted 'hockey mom'. I find this curious and uncanny at best. It was later reported Palin's son decided to enlist in the military and serve his country. I never gave it much thought...until now.

Why did Palin's son really move away? Was Palin's son a troubled child? And if he was - or wasn't, why did Palin send him away to live outside of her immediate influence when there is more hockey in Alaska than the remainder of America? Does this show a long term pattern for the Palin family and how their children respond to their mother's political life and their fathers absence working on Alaska's north slope?

I'm bringing this up because Palin has used her son's military enlistment as political fodder. In her acceptance speech, she made her family open game by introducing each of them and using them for political gain. Because of her actions, she can't have it both ways on the campaign trail but we need to tread lightly. If Palin has had long term family issues with her children rebelling and her work took precedent, what kind of person is she really? Is her focus really on her family or climbing the political ladder?

I'm sure we can all agree my questions may open pandora's box. While I understand and somewhat agree with Obama's comments regarding a candidates family, I had to ask the question because it was Palin that first made her family the issue.

Please, before you start posting - keep it civil and respectful. I don't want to harm our candidate by this boards content...with our collective intellect we should be able to have a discussion without throwing mud and looking like idiots.