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More Wooten Footage
CNN just aired a little more footage of their interview with Alaska trooper Mike Wooten, who's at the center of the Sarah Palin Trooper-Gate affair. Among other subjects, Wooten talks about Tasering his 11-year old stepson.
Check it out:
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Josh
Zachary
Wooten is not the story, Monegan is. The moose story is one where his wife at the time won a license to kill a moose and she the opportunity presented itself she wouldn't do it, so Wooten took the shot. Palin's father was present at the time on the hunting trip.
The taser story is the 11yr old step-son wanted to get tased to show off to his older cousins (Bristol was there). Was it stupid for Wooten to do - sure, but it wasn't done maliciously or for any sort of punishment. The kid didn't cry or complain about it - he asked for it, and it was on the test setting.
This is the type of dirty laundry that comes up in all bitter custody hearings. If it was such a big deal, why didn't they raise a stink when each seperate incident happened?
Besides the police looked into the complaints and Wooten was suspended for 10 days. Monegan wasn't even in his position when this decision was handed down. When Palin become Governor she they tried to revisit this issue, and Monegan couldn't do anything because Wooten was already punished. Palin wanted Wooten fired because it woud help her sister in the custody hearing, and fired Monegan because he wouldn't go along with her illegal scheme.
September 5, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Almost, but not quite. As an Alaskan, let me correct some of the misconceptions.
Wooten was turned in BY THE BARTENDER for driving while drunk; his buddy trooper stopped him and then gave him a ride home. (Not normal procedure)
The father in law was NOT there when the moose was shot. Wooten's wife didn't have a gun with her. Wooten DID. (Not normal for the person with the 'tag' to not have a gun.)
Wooten has made threats against his ex-wife's father, which were reported by Todd Palin to Monagan during the first portion of Sarah's term of office. (As head of the Troopers, shouldn't he have been told of possible threats???)
Wooten has been married four times. Has a stressful job, but apparently can't resist cheating on his current wife / wives. (Being a cop isn't easy, but it is not a free shot at available women.)
Sarah and her family found out about these things DURING THE DIVORCE. (As a former 'survivor' I can state that the family is always the last to know. They are then appalled that they didn't know, and didn't protect their relative.)
No divorce is easy. There are no winners, especially the children.
BTW, Monegan was NOT fired; he QUIT when he was asked to move to a different job -- the governor has the right to do this -- and went directly to the news. So much for class. (I expected better from him!)
AND Monegan admits that Sarah NEVER asked him to fire Wooten; nor did anyone else!! He felt 'pressured' according to him. (Excuse me, but if you are the Chief of the Alaska State Troopers, shouldn't you be able to speak up about a little 'pressure' without losing your cool?)
I expected better from Monegan. As to Wooten, ANY officer that did some of the things he did should be watched, if not fired.
The only thing worse than a dirty cop is a CHIEF who looks the other way purposely.
p.s. I don't agree with Sarah about everything, but I think she is getting a raw deal on this. My friends and I agree WE would have reported him too -- and wonder about the stability of OTHER troopers. Do they get preferential treatment too?? I sincerely hope not.
September 5, 2008 9:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
September 6, 2008 7:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting how you know all that so well, palmerbuyer - it sounds a little different than what the governor is saying.
The published emails from Sarah contained a lot of pretty clear pressure, probably like the other 24 contacts, and _not_ like what you're saying.
There's a lot of Republican money behind Sarah. Maybe Wooten thinks he might get a little better deal now if he plays along with Sarah? How are you doing?
September 5, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
What, specifically, are you referring to?
I know two of the three parties mentioned -- and what has appeared in the press has been 'spun' to make all three of them look goofy. Enough truth to make it sound good, but not accuracy. It makes me thankful that I'M not running for anything. (I know of a couple of things in my far past that could be spun to be embarrassing - at least for my children. LOL)
The truth is a combination of all that has been said. There are no winners in this. Wooten, Monahan, and Sarah all lose. I have to think they are all good people caught up in a drama worthy of prime time TV. Divorces DO THIS to people. Good people are not rational at times.
Please don't judge Sarah for feeling strongly that she needed to protect her family.
Again, I do NOT agree with Sarah all the time. I think her stance on 'choice' is medieval. But it is HER choice and she believes in it. (Even if I don't agree with her, I DO respect her right to be wrong. )
And BTW, I am NOT a Republican. I did know one once tho.
September 6, 2008 1:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
I judge anyone who abuses their office for any reason. "Don't judge Sarah harshly for starting World War III, she was just trying to protect her family."
And yeah, it is that big a deal.
I don't know all the details, but I know she issued one statement claiming no involvement by her or her staff and then she had to retract that statement once it was proven to be false. That's a red flag. This is an abuse of power case that must be thoroughly investigated before this person is put in charge of our country.
If Sarah is not comfortable with this level of scrutiny she should withdraw. But please don't judge us harshly for being concerned with the fate of the entire human race. McCain would be the oldest person ever sworn in as president, making Sarah one stoke away from the presidency. One stroke away from the authority to send thousands of men and women to their deaths.
September 6, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
After one full week, let's cut the crap. Sarah Palin's personal life is a soap opera, which she unfortunately is not reluctant to bring into her professional life as Governor of Alaska and now as the nominee for Vice President of the United States for the Republican Party.
She has talent as a public speaker and a passion for forwarding her political and social beliefs.
However, we have less than two months left to elect the leaders of our nation for the next four years. She is becoming a distraction, and the fault lies with her and John McCain. Get her out in front of the press and the American public now, or get her off the ticket. McCain, Obama and Biden were thorougly vetted in the primaries and are well known to the American public. She was not and is now being sequestered to be 'prepared". Bullshit. We have real problems. If she is not prepared, don't nominate her.
September 5, 2008 11:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not much talent as a public speaker yesterday. In her Cedarburg, WI appearance she spoke from notes. It didn't make for a good delivery. As she basically was reading sound bites from her convention speech. She apparently can't ad lib when campaigning for someone else.
Re Cedarburg, WI:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/the-truth-about-cedarburg-wi.php
September 6, 2008 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
seriously, the guy was an asshole, but once you're gov you can't then go after him through your office. The recordings clearly show that she was trying to do just that through her aide. He even mentions them by name. Let's not forget that the guy that she replaced Monegan with left two weeks later because an old sexual harrasment complaint surfaced. Apparently she doesn't vet thoroughly either. He ended up getting a $10K severence package for his fortnight though. Seriously though it shows that like Bush she hires for loyalty more than for competence. She has a history of this too. She was nearly recalled as mayor of Wasilla because of bizarre loyalty tests she had, capped by firing a librarian because she wouldn't ban books. A city manager had to be hired for the balance of her term. Executive experience only counts when you're competent. As governor she has taken credit for things she has had no hand in. She didn't clean up the GOP. Ray Metcalf was responsible for the VECO scandal breaking and the implosion of the GOP. She just happened to be in office when it happened. Same with "taking on the oil companies". When it became obvious that VECO had bought the ridiculously unfair deal they had it didn't take a lot of political muscle to renegotiate. She line item vetos a lot of little things so she gets a reputation as a fiscal conservative, but the fact is that although she cuts funding for things like covenent house, and denali kid care, the overall operational budget has swelled. No one notices though because oil revenues are so high. I guess really what it comes down to is that Palin is NOT the best and brightest that this country has to offer so she shouldn't be one melanoma away from running the country.
September 6, 2008 1:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh my goodness. It now seems like Ms. Sarah Palin is a big "celebrity." Very similar to that trampy Paris Hilton to whom crusty old Mr. McCain was unfavorably comparing Mr. Obama. But what do you think would be the reaction of Conservatives if Mr. Obama ran an ad comparing Ms. Palin to, say, Britney Spears? Would they think that was appropriate?
September 6, 2008 2:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
One thing i do like about Ms. Palin is that she admits she sparked up marijuana when she was more youthful. But then she claims that she didn't "like" the buzz. I'd like to find a politico who says that he/she smoked marijuana and reeaallyy enjoyed it!
Mr. Wooten looks like a gross pig. Very hard to look at when one is high.
September 6, 2008 2:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
From:
Head of State
http://tinyurl.com/65hxld
Saturday, September 06, 2008
What Are The Duties of The Mayor of Wasilla?
Given that Sarah Palin has been Governor of Alaska for less time than John McCain has been running for President, and that, given McCain's age, she could well become President, it is important that we look at the duties that she had in her major position in government--Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.
Here, direct from the City of Wasilla, are the entire duties of the Mayor of Wasilla (population 9,700). These are the complete duties, as listed by the city:
The duties of the Mayor of Wasilla can be found in Wasilla Municipal Code 2.16. For your convience, the duties are outlined below from WMC 2.16:
Chapter 2.16 MAYOR
2.16.020 Power and duties of mayor.
A. The mayor is the chief administrator of the city, has the same powers and duties as those of a manager under AS 29.20.005, and shall:
1. Preside at council meetings. The mayor may take part in the discussion of matters before the council, but may not vote, except that the mayor may vote in the case of a tie;
2. Act as ceremonial head of the city;
3. Sign documents on behalf of the city;
4. Appoint, suspend or remove city employees and administrative officials, except as provided otherwise in AS Title 29 and the Wasilla Municipal Code;
5. Supervise the enforcement of city law and carry out the directives of the city council;
6. Prepare and submit an annual budget and capital improvement program for consideration by the council, and execute the budget and capital program as adopted;
7. Make monthly financial reports and other reports on city finances and operations as required by the council;
8. Exercise legal custody over all real and personal property of the city;
9. Perform other duties required by law or by the council; and
10. Serve as personnel officer, unless the council authorizes the mayor to appoint a personnel officer.
B. The mayor may appoint a person to the position of administrative assistant and deputy administrator. If appointed, the positions may not be eliminated during the mayor’s term of office without prior consent of the mayor. (Prior code § 2.16.010)
From:
Head of State
Cite: http://tinyurl.com/65hxld
September 6, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
As Wooten's stepson waddles up and sezs:
Taz me bro!
September 6, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's odd to see Gov. Palin hide from the press after describing herself as a "pitball with lipstick."
She's more like a submarine than a barracuda -- she rises from nowhere, fires, then ducks and runs. We can watch her repeat the pattern till November 4, or get back to discussing the real issues.
September 6, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is no pitbull. She is a PIG. And we all know about lipstick and PIGs.
September 8, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will the MSM report on this video?
At the 6 minutes mark.. DC talks about Sarah Palins membership in the AIP.
Alaska Independence Party - Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NK2sFJebGc
September 6, 2008 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mr. Roth,
Why on earth isn't TPM posting this disturbing video from Sarah Palin's longtime church promoting it's Master's Commision workshop.
In the widely watched video of Sarah Pallin talking about praying for oil pipelines, it is a Masters Commission workshop at this very church she is addressing. The man who introduces her in that video Ed Kalnins her one time pastor AND THE VERY SAME MAN WHO APPEARS IN THIS CREEPY VIDEO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJnhRhJW35o
EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD THIS VIDEO. And when you watch it REMEMBER...this was Sarah Palin's church for nearly her entire life.
The man with in the leather jacket donning a goatee was Sarah Palin's pastor from 1999 till 2002.
She continues to have close ties to this church and is involved with workshops there.
September 6, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
If this guy can give an intervirew and answer tough questions, why can't Sarah Palin?
September 6, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN is simply echoing the Republican propaganda here. The issue is: Did Palin abuse the power of her office? She clearly did not like the results of the effort to use official complaints to get her brother-in-law fired in order to give her sister an advantage in the custody battle. These charges were aired and when he was not fired, Palin fired the former Alaska public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan. CNN repeats the Palin charges against the former brother-in-law which seems to make the issue the failings of the brother-in-law, not the firing of the public safety commissioner. In other words, CNN is focusing on points that the Republicans want people to look at so Palin can avoid being held accountable for abuse of office. CNN can no longer be trusted to report the news, they have joined FOX in the stable of Republican propaganda organs.
September 7, 2008 5:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why are we talking about this man!?
I'm sorry, but the E Hollywood expo interviews with Wooten are a waste of valuable oxygen.
The story is not about Wooten. It is about his boss who was fired by Gov Palin for living according to the law, and acting according to the rules
This is the story of the Bush administration in a nutshell: if you aren't willing to bend the rules on their behalf you will be punished, if you show you have a higher loyalty to party than to the rule of law you will be rewarded.
I think it is this disdain for the rule of law is probably what attracted Rove's boys (Schmidt et al).
September 7, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Better Wooten footage here.
I think the guy rocks...
September 7, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the Republican Party at the national and state level loves this Trooper-Gate controversy to all the way to the election. It is a distraction. They continue to get the Democrats bound up in the legalities of forcing the Palin group to testify. It distracts everyone from the reason the McCain organization gave for the dismissal of the Commissioner of Public Safety… “The last straw, the McCain campaign said, was in July, when Monegan planned to travel to Washington to seek federal money for a plan to assign troopers, judges and prosecutors who could exclusively handle sexual assault cases — one of the state's most intractable crime problems”. Alaska’s rape rate is 2.3 times the national average and it is reported that child sexual abuse is 6 times the national average. The real outrage is Palin’s reason for firing the Commissioner. Here is the AP report….http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jOTk11gvqDAgD0cY3i4WjI_2YOxwD937N8L80
September 20, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink