Reactions to the Palin pick

Will, Atlanta, GA — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:36:10 GMT

Why Walt Monegan got fired: Palin's abuse of power
Last Friday,(07/11/08), Commissioner of Public Safety Walt Monegan went into a meeting with Governor Sarah Palin's acting chief of staff thinking he was going to be discussing security for the governor's picnic. He left the meeting without a job.

The abrupt firing of Walt Monegan was a shock not only to him but all of the men and women of the Department of Public Safety. The way Monegan was fired raises serious questions about the governor's true motives.

So why was Walt Monegan fired out of the blue? Why would Governor Palin send a surrogate to fire her Public Safety Commissioner and then not have a decent explanation for the public? And why would Monegan's replacement be telling people three days before Monegan got fired, that he was going to become the new Commissioner of Public Safety?

Walt Monegan got fired for all of the wrong reasons. Walt Monegan got fired because he had the audacity to tell Governor Palin no, when apparently nobody is allowed to say no to Governor Palin.

Monegan said no, he couldn't cut his budget because his State Troopers were already being stretched to the limit and public safety suffering. He said no, he couldn't cut his budget because fuel costs for planes, boats and patrol vehicles soaring, while crime in rural Alaska was putting more demands on the Troopers transportation system.

But more alarming than any budget battle, Monegan said no to firing a State Trooper who had divorced Governor Palin's sister because the guy was being maliciously hounded by Palin's family.

And not just that; Monegan's firing came after his Colonel had to reprimand the governor's office for meddling in department personnel affairs.

Monegan's budget battles

When Walt Monegan was appointed, he realized the deep problems at DPS including low morale, understaffed detachments and the lack of a funding commitment to a long term vision.

He also recognized, that along with the strategic plan his department developed and introduced just months ago, there needed to be a commitment of resources to follow through on the public safety needs for Alaskans.

"We want out employees to know that help is on the way; that we are planning to grow our staff to provide both the needed services for this vast state, and the appropriate training necessary to do it", Monegan wrote in his 2008-17 Strategic Plan.

But the Palin administration wanted Monegan to go in another direction. They wanted him to cut corners on a budget that had already fallen behind over the last decade. Under Former Governor Murkwoski there was significant investment made to try and catch up with growing costs but Palin's budgets have again started to starve the agency.

To make matters worse, the change to the state's retirement benefit program adopted by the legislature in 2004 has had a negative effect on the departments ability to recruit new Troopers.

Meanwhile, since Governor Palin appointed Walt Monegan in 2007, she has spent less than one hour in face to face discussions with him about the critical public safety issues in Alaska.

And her fy09 budget for public safety clearly shows the results of her lack of understanding about the challenges that DPS faces.

According to the Legislative Finance Agency, the public safety budget in fy09 was cut by .06% from what the governor originally proposed while the governor's own budget increased 22.6% over what she originally proposed.

The problem for Palin was that Monegan was vocal about his concerns about the growing problems in rural Alaska due to alcohol and drug abuse and recognized that the state needed to invest more in protecting the public.

A few months ago, Monegan warned that Troopers were stretched so thin with no funding support coming from the administration that they might not be able to respond to all calls and even suggested the department prepare a statement for when those situations occurred

Monegan and his department were getting too far out in front of Palin, acting in ways that were independent and contrary to the governor's wishes. Palin needed to replace Monegan with someone who would be seen but not heard while doing the governor's bidding.

That's why Palin replaced Monegan with Chuck Kopp from Kenai, an old Palin family acquaintance who is more likely to follow the governor's line and never say no.

Monegan, ever the good cop, even advocated for a safer Alaska after he was relieved of his duties. In an interview with KTUU on Sunday, two days after he was unceremoniously fired by one of Palin's surrogates, he stated that he informed the administration of a few things that should not be ignored, including the current economic situation in Alaska's rural communities, where he believes poor fishing returns could potentially cause social unrest.

"Thefts increase. Domestic violence increases. When you apply a lot of stress on a situation, money and fuel oil are an absolute hope at some point. And unless we band together as a government to address it head on it could be very bad," Monegan said.

Walt Monegan was fired because he fought too hard. Governor Palin fired Monegan because she understood too little and wanted a puppet as commissioner.

But there was another reason that contributed to Monegan's ouster; a more alarming reason.

Trooper Mike Wooten: Being hunted by the governor

In the fall of 2004, Trooper Mike Wooten had decided the differences between he and his wife Molly of four years had grown to the point of being irreconcilable. His wife just happened to be the younger sister of Sarah Palin.

The beginning of the divorce proceedings set off a chain of bizarre and chilling events that has continued through today. During that time it has resulted in the governor and her family trying to ruin the career of an eight year Alaska State Trooper that has served his state on the SERT Team, Motor Unit and DUI Team.

Beginning in spring of 2005 and for the next ten months, over 25 formal complaints were filed by Palin and Heath family members against Trooper Mike Wooten. From drinking while driving his patrol car to making threats to shooting a moose without a permit.

According to Trooper records, Sarah Palin said that in January and February of 2005, Wooten was drinking while driving. After investigating the complaint, the investigator found that Palin never actually saw what she reported.

In another complaint, Sarah's father said that Wooten made threatening remarks. Again, the investigator found there was no probable way that it could have happened.

In all cases except one, the charges were ruled unfounded after an internal investigation. And the one charge that was valid, Wooten immediately admitted to.

In 2003, Wooten, his wife and a friend were moose hunting. Upon spotting a moose, Wooten instructed his wife to shoot the moose since she had the permit, she refused so Wooten did.

After carting the moose back to town, Sarah's father actually butchered it in his garage, and Wooten shared the meat with both Sarah and Todd Palin as well as her parents. Two years later, during the divorce battle, the family filed a complaint alleging that Wooten had taken that moose illegally. At least they waited until they finished the meat to file the complaint against Wooten.

But it didn't stop there. Threatening phone calls, private detectives that were hired to follow Wooten, notes left on windshields, Todd Palin taking pictures then submitting them to Wooten's supervisor, all designed to intimidate Wooten into backing off from demanding equal child custody rights.

But every time they filed a spurious complaint, the Troopers would bring in an Administrative Investigator who after seeing more than two dozen of these ridiculous and time consuming complaints stated that in all his years he had never seen such a shotgun pattern against one officer.

Meanwhile in court, Wooten prevailed at every turn as Judge Suddock quickly realized there was a concerted effort to damage Wooten. Finally the judge warned that if any of their actions caused Wooten to lose his job or pay in anyway, Molly and her family would be held liable.

After the divorce was final in late 2005 things settled down, until last fall.

At the request of the court, Wooten and his ex-wife were instructed to return to re-visit the custody schedule. Once the paper work started in April of 2008, the complaints and the intimidation started all over again.

But now Wooten wasn't dealing with just Sarah Palin, he was dealing with Governor Sarah Palin.

On April 23, 2008 in written testimony to the court, Palin denied ever making claims against Wooten, when in fact she had emailed a State Trooper Colonel in April of 2005 accusing Wooten of driving drunk.

Twice in the last few months complaints were filed by the governor's office accusing Wooten of improperly using his patrol car. Both times he was visiting his kids at school and both times he had permission from his sargent. The last complaint came in May after Todd Palin saw Wooten pulling out of the school parking lot and six days later the complaint landed on Wooten's supervisor's desk.

During the legislative session this past spring, Palin reportedly told Commissioner Monegan to fire Wooten because he was giving Troopers a bad name. However Monegan said he would do no such thing.

A short time afterwards, it was discovered that confidential material in Wooten's Administrative Investigation file had been released to his ex-wife and her attorney. This drew outrage from the Public Safety Union as well as the Commissioner. AI files are strictly confidential and can only be released with the written signature of the Trooper, but yet no one could explain how the detailed confidential information was released.

Reportedly, both Commissioner Monegan and Colonel Audie Halloway warned that if they found out the file was leaked by the governor's office, they would pursue charges.

Unfortunately, Commissioner Walt Monegan has been fired and word on the street is Colonel Audie Halloway's days are numbered as the new commissioner brings in those who won't object when the governor uses the Troopers as her own private security force.

The most tragic part of this whole story is Trooper Mike Wooten. For the last four years his children have endured inexcusable stress at the hands of the governor and her family. The same governor who has been on television telling Alaskans how important it is to love your kids and spend time with them. Truth be told, Governor Palin should watch her own television commercial.

For eight years, Trooper Mike Wooten has served the people of the State of Alaska by putting his life on the line to protect them from harm. Today the question is; who will protect Wooten from the blatant abuse of power now that the governor has free hands.

Commissioner Walt Monegan was fired because he fought for his employees, he fought for a safer Alaska and he didn't care if he had to fight Governor Palin to do it.

In the mean time, God help Trooper Mike Wooten.

Reactions to the Palin pick

Anna B. Kirkland Wa. — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:36:38 GMT

This choice of Palin is an insult to women and all Americans. There are a number of good, qualified Republican women McCain could have chosen. His pandering to the extreme, right-wing element of his party says a lot about how he will run this country. It's a scary thought!

Reactions to the Palin pick

William, Erin, WI — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:38:03 GMT

Like most viewing this site, I do have a number of thoughts regarding this incredible VP selection, but really only one is worthy of print: thank god John McCain finally selected an individual worthy of competing with Cindy McCain for the title of Miss Buffalo Chip.

Reactions to the Palin pick

Truthteller — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:38:41 GMT

Hmmm lets see Obama 3 years community oranizer whatever the hell that is. Then Senate lets see . Did nothing. 3 years in Wash.Voted present, never held any committee meetings. Biden Seator for like forever. Nice hairplugs though. Gee the only things these two actually ran were their mouths. Palin has more executive experience then both of them put together. Hmmmm and isnt Obama running for president and palin VP. So let me see Hmmm.We are supposed to be more concerned about a VP prospect with a lot more experience than we are about electing Obama with none who is running for POTUS. Riddle me that Barky

Reactions to the Palin pick

Pat, Boston, MA — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:39:31 GMT

Senator John McCain sold out to Sean Hannity & Rush Limbaugh & Karl Rove. These people are so far removed from reality, it is downright sickening.

I don't care what anyone's religious beliefs are. However, as far as I'm concerned, in the end, you don't have any beliefs if you continue to exploit this issue.

These so-called right wing religious hypocrites have only one objective - divide the country. That is Karl Rove's MO. He's been doing it for years. Who the heck is he to tell this country what to believe in?

Keep your fake religion OUT OF POLITICS & OUT OF OUR GOVERNMENT. Same goes to you, Pat Buchanan.

John McCain, you have no honor whatsoever.

Everybody, listen to your radio, specifically right wingers. Listen to their talking points. And then listen to the GOP analyists on tv. Their "opinions" are coming from Karl Rove.

They are all saying the same thing.

Reactions to the Palin pick

No More Frat Boys for President, MA — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:39:58 GMT

It is clear that John McCain has chosen to win an election over governing our nation at this critical time in our history. He has chosen to pander to anyone who might listen and if the American people elect this "team" then what does that say about the American people, not much.

Reactions to the Palin pick

Yoly, Portland, Oregon — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:40:53 GMT

Palin is abandoning personal care for her 4-month old Downs Syndrome baby for her personal political agenda. Republicans=greed and no heart.

Reactions to the Palin pick

BJ, CA — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:41:21 GMT

I'm a POW. She's a girl..A Woman..I mean...

Vote for us..

We are what I think America needs..

It's all about me America and war and oil and war and..........oil and war and.......what was it..
OH!and OIL!

I got a joke ..Which came first war or oil?
want the answer?...okay here it is...

Bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran...ha ha..got you on that one
O"bomb"a Iran... Ha Ha, I win.

Reactions to the Palin pick

Melba McDowell — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:41:29 GMT

McCain doesn't remember that he doesn't know Palin. Palin is no HILLARY CLINTON. Palin needs to stay home and help her daughter raise her baby brother.

Reactions to the Palin pick

Therese in NV — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:42:16 GMT

I think the Democrats are grasping at straws and running scared. Rightly so! Gov. Palin has embraced the investigation openly. That doesn't sound like someone hiding something, does it! No, as Governor of Alaska she handles executive issues on a daily basis that Obama only talks about. NOBAMA and Joe had better come up with better ammunition or get ready to say "Welcome Madam Vice President."

Reactions to the Palin pick

Robert Chastain — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:42:54 GMT

THE MORE LEARN ABOUT HER, THE MORE SARAH PALIN APPEARS TO BE AN ALL-STAR IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD.
As for whether she's ready to be President, she will be more ready to be President on her second day as Vice President than Obama would be on his first day. Obama wouldn't have any time to learn the job. She'd have as much time as McCain has days to live.
Anyone who can work on an Alaskan fishing boat is tough.
Anyone who can care for a Down's Syndrome child is compassionate.
Her husband and her children are direct descendants of Native American Eskimos. Her husband also has a real job - and is a union member. They are perfect to represent America.
As for whether she's ready to be President, she will be more ready to be President on her second day as Vice President than Obama is today. Obama wouldn't have any time to learn the job. She'd have as much time as McCain has days to live.
Small town values ALL THE WAY. Small town America needs a voice in Washington.
She entered government for the right reasons... SHE HAS A SERVANT HEART. The only one on any ticket, IMHO, who seeks FIRST TO SERVE.

U-S-A for Palin (and McCain, too).

I LOVE THIS LADY!

Reactions to the Palin pick

Laura Barnes, Gilbert, Arizona — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:43:53 GMT

MCCAIN SHOULD BE THE ULTIMATE MAVERICK. HE SHOULD ADMIT HE IS AN OLD FOOL. THROW IN HIS HAT. AND GET BEHIND OBAMA. IN AN UNPRECEDENTED GESTURE HE SHOULD RECOGNISE AND SUPPORT OBAMA, THAT HE WOULD SIMPLY BE THE BEST CHOICE FOR THIS COUNTRY. HE WOULD GO DOWN IN THE HISTORY BOOKS AS A TRUE MAVERICK. IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE, DEMS AND REPUBLICANS COULD UNITE AND MOVE TO MAKE WASHINGTON A NON-PARTISAN PLACE THAT SERVES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. IT WOULD BE TRULY INSPIRATIONAL AND WOULD LITERALLY CHANGE THE COURSE OF WORLD HISTORY.
COME ON MCCAIN YOU CAN DO IT!
YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! BE THE ULTIMATE MAVERICK AND REDEEM YOURSELF! MCCAIN JOINS OBAMA WOULD BE THE BEST HEADLINE FOR AMERICA! YAY!

Reactions to the Palin pick

huntin' Quayle — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:44:41 GMT

sarah, we know Hillary Clinton, Senator clinton is one of our own, sarah, you're no Hillary Clinton!

Reactions to the Palin pick

Yoly, Portland, Oregon — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:45:22 GMT

I bet Hillary wanted to throw up when Palin tried to leach onto her. Palin is the antithesis of the women's rights movement: a beauty queen? a soccer mom? against women's rights? How audacious that she thinks she's qualified to fill Hillary's shoes. How audacious that she thinks even one person would really want her to lead America in a time of crisis. She should set her greed and desire for fame aside and do what's right: back out and care for her downs syndrome baby.

Reactions to the Palin pick

Angie — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:45:42 GMT

McCain just showed that he is not only old but senile. Palin is no HRC!!! HRC was qualified to be President; Palin in no way deserves the VP. On the issues that most women care deeply about, she is on the wrong side. What are her foreign policy credentials or her take on the Georgian-Russian conflict? Does she know where Iran is on the map?

Reactions to the Palin pick

Therese in NV — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:46:02 GMT

Kudo's to McCain. He just pulled a midnight raid that will be talked about for elections to come! Gov. Palin isn't worried about the investigation and that's all the Democrats had. It didn't stop them from electing Bill Clinton during Monicagate did it! It's an new ball game now, Barry & Joe!

Reactions to the Palin pick

Sue Dubya — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:47:06 GMT

McCain totally shot himself in the foot! The only new votes he'll get out of this are from other nut cases like Palin who believe that a 12 year-old girl who is raped by her father and becomes pregnant should have to carry that child to term rather than end the horror.

And as the aunt of a wonderful young woman with Down's Syndrome, even if I agreed with her politics, I would still be absolutely furious with Ms. Palin for abandoning a 4 month old child with special needs to go on the road, especially when her husband apparently works as both a commercial fisherman and a oil field worker. Who's going to take care of that baby now- her 15 year old daughter? A nanny? Given the critical need for consistency and careful stimulation and therapy that a Down's baby requires in order to thrive, I feel it's the height of hypocrisy to bring that child into the world and then abandon it for your own selfish political career goals. She should be ashamed of herself!!

Reactions to the Palin pick

Billy, MI — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:51:27 GMT

Kay Bailey Hutcinson should be fuming. If he wanted a serious woman contender, she should have been his choice. No way am I voting for someone's who's claim to fame is 20 months as govenor of Alaska and the matyor of a town that has a population of 7000.

Reactions to the Palin pick

melissa- nj — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:52:16 GMT

It must have been embarrassing for McCain at that prep rally in Ohio when is own party likes the homecoming queen better than the quarterback.

Reactions to the Palin pick

Kelly Arvada Colorado — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:53:36 GMT

McCain has just shown the world what he really thinks of women. That we are all mindless drones who vote not on issues or policy, but on the sole fact that someone has the same parts as we do. I am so offended and hope that many other women will see through this as well. Country First McCain?? Really???

Reactions to the Palin pick

Therese in NV — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:55:48 GMT

Already the Democrats are running scared. What does Palin bring to the party? She has actual executive experience as Mayor and Govenor of a state. She deals with Ecology,Economic Job loss,Healthcare,Senior issues/National Security/Family values,etc. Barry is a community organizer and a 2 of 4 year first term missing senator running for President. But that okay, he is a "Man and Black". That must make him more qualified - NOT!!!

Reactions to the Palin pick

SLG, vancouver canada — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:58:29 GMT

After seeing what happened to Mike Wooten, Vladimir Putin must be quaking in his boots!

Reactions to the Palin pick

kky central IL — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:58:59 GMT

As Obama says, McCain does not get it...and he sure does not get it when it comes to women (other than finding a rich, trophy, wife). He does not support women's own individual reproductive rights, but oh, maybe he can latch on to women voters by running an ad using Hillary Clinton's words to lure her disgruntled women base, and now he picks Sarah...to do the same? I really felt that he looked a little on the edge on stage when he introduced her....his body language was not that of a maverick. It definitely was a cautious stature. But hey, we all have to agree that this election has been something...Tim has got to be looking down thinking wow.

Reactions to the Palin pick

Paschal, Knoxville, TN — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:00:15 GMT

Wow, from most of these posts it looks like the liberal left wingers are scared. Finally, McCain has taken the greatest challenge to choose someone with character, determination and amazing values. Someone who is actually doing something instead of talking it to death. I will be so proud to vote for that ticket in November!!!!!

Reactions to the Palin pick

BJ, CA — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:02:01 GMT

Some hail Mary pass or more like hail Sarah hand off..?
John McCain needs to
try anything to look different.. move left of the central republican conservatism message but maintain that core values message.....
but the more they tell you it's change...it ain't and will never be..
Trying to trump the change message will be more
apparent as the months to follow..so look very
carefully and be slow to judge.
Same Old Stuff Different Day...

More like flat tire politicis from day one...
I don't think Gov.Palin needs to be this
countries VP in training..
do you?

Reactions to the Palin pick

sotiredofignorance — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:03:11 GMT

Will, Atlanta, GA:

Thanks for the information. If it is true, imagine what could happen if Palin has the FBI and IRS at her disposal.

Could you tell us where the information comes from?

Reactions to the Palin pick

Joe, Richmond, Virginia — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:03:17 GMT

Truthteller absolutely right, the media and all you people who think this is bad because she has no experience neglect to realize you make yourselves sound ignorant b/c Obama has no experience either, I laugh that you think The Maverick should have made the "safe" choice like Obama did. Changing the way things are done in Washington according to Obama is to fill your campaign with people that have been there for 3 decades I guess, interesting argument none the less, though lacking in logic, interesting. And Melba why does SHE have to raise her daughter, I am sure her husband can do a great job as well, Surprisingly we men can handle raising our children as well

Reactions to the Palin pick

former repub — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:04:05 GMT

Has any of the other repubs who were considered for vp been asked if they feel insulted by mccant, especially the repub women with much more experience and knowledge? this not only a slap in the face to the other potential vp's but to America