ADN Gets It Right on Frivolous Ethics Complaints
The Anchorage Daily News has an editorial up on the coordinated, frivolous ethics complaints against Governor Palin:
Alaska citizens have a right to file ethics complaints against their elected representatives. State law guarantees it. But when Alaskans use the ethics law to score political points, they abuse that right -- and may put it at risk.
[...]
[Andree McLeod] complained earlier this year that a press release issued by Palin on the state Web site last August was a misuse of state resources. Spare us. The governor's release sought to reassure Alaskans that she would continue to govern the state while running for vice president. Part of the release -- that it was great to be running with John McCain and taking the spirit of reform to D.C. etc. -- was political boilerplate and arguably out of place under state letterhead. But that was not worth an ethics complaint.
[...]
State ethics law is not a megaphone for crying foul every time the governor or any other elected official does something someone doesn't like. Complaints are supposed to be confidential until an investigation finds probable cause. That limited confidentiality is supposed to prevent undue publicity and political harm from frivolous complaints.
If you file a complaint against a legislator and then blab to the media about it, your complaint is automatically dismissed. That protection doesn't apply to ethics complaints involving the executive branch. It should.
[...]
BOTTOM LINE: Ethics law is a means to hold leaders accountable, not a political plaything. (emphasis added)
Read the whole thing. Kudos, Anchorage Daily News.
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26 comments:
What, did someone at the ADN bang his or her head on something? Or is this one of those spoof editions someone puts out as a gag?
Actually, gag is what I usually do when I read their stuff. Maybe they sense that the public is turning against this criminal misuse and abuse of the system, and they don't want to suffer the fallout.
Better late than never.
about time the ADN gets it right.
maybe they want to stay in business?
Did the ADN get religion? Is this invasion of the body snatchers? Someone wake me up. I must be dreaming.
I think when all the nutcases file these frivolous cases, they know what the outcome is going to be...no fault. But like the article said, complaints against the executive branch can be taken to the high court of the media nasties while the garbage runs through the state court mill.
Damage accomplished.
Think of the money those losers cost the AK taxpayers by tying up precious funds and time of the court system...just to get a political jab, obviously not truly caring about Alaskans.
Ooohh, this ought to start getting good. We've got Wev saying the Gov should be defended by the state and the ADN is coming out against frivolous complaints.
The One isn't used to media and state govts bucking the trend. If the media is against you...well, we all know how that goes!
Woohoo!
WOW the ADN finally grew a pair, took them long enough but it's nice to see them grow a sack and see the truth in front of their face. Who wants to bet Celtic Diva and that other idiot Andree MacLeod file ethics complaints against the ADN for defending Sarah LOL
this is unfolding nicely....will be interesting to watch.
kudos to the ADN.
Ah, you beat me to the punch, VO. See the posts page.
Good job.
I made some additional comments.
Did the people of Alaska finally wake up...
Maybe I'm a pessimest. But....this ADN piece might just be a little rouge for a bigger Hit piece comming later.
Anyway, ADN doesn't deserve congratulations for being fair. That is the way journalism is suppose to work.
The ADN undoubtedly senses that the end is near. Their parent company, McClatchy Inc., is about 1/2 a step away from bankruptcy. I am just guessing a few of the ADN staff would like to stay in Alaska once the editorial stance is no longer directed from Sacramento.
To me it sounds like the ADN is saying, "Hey don't file so many frivolous complaints or the few zingers we want to file against her won't have as much impact as we want them to have...in the general election should she run"
I don't see the legal defense fund name as being problematic...it is ultimately Alaska who she represents and is trying to protect or else what person of merit will ever want to serve there?
As this is ONLY an editorial...
I would get really excited about it if the person or persons at "ADN" had the Acutal guts to put their name or names on it!
I note that there are No name or names attributed to this "editorial"
If the fund nets in more than she owns where will the funds go towards?
The liberal 'sphere in AK has always accussed of the ADN of being in the tank for Palin, so that's what they'll use as their rallying cry.
Off-topic but Palin did respond somewhat to Politico's question through Meg...
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22059.html
Asked about Romney’s comment, Palin didn’t respond to the reference to her appearance.
"I think there are 100 influential Republicans alone who have tremendous ideas and I hope that we can all work together to accomplish what we believe is best for America,” Palin said through a spokeswoman.
Cruela:
The unsigned editorial is worth more. In theory, it is the "official" stance of the paper.
Between this and Wev and the defense fund, the clock is about to hit midnight on Celtic Diva's time at the DNC Ball.
Hopefully, it will be game over and mission NOT accomplished.
Patty,
from the FAQ of the AFT
10. Where does the unspent money go?
Once the purposes of the Trust no longer exist, the Trustee, in her sole discretion, will donate unspent funds to qualified 501 (c)(3) organizations.
My note: a 501(c)(3) organization is defined as:
Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Testing for Public Safety, to Foster National or International Amateur Sports Competition, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals Organizations
Uh, what happened to the ADN? This follows the Andy Barr piece at Politico. Something's in the air. Why is the press changing its spots quite so suddenly?
=== If you file a complaint against a legislator and then blab to the media about it, your complaint is automatically dismissed ===
And that explains why you don't hear about ethics complaints against French or Ramras.
Something doesn't smell right.
Editorial or not, there is something in the air.
ADN writing an honest editorial on Gov Palin...?
-You're right Uppy-
Something's not right...I know these weasels too well...
Perhaps they read it on C4P first and decided it was enough. Plus the people who are behind it, Celtic Diva, Andre McLeod, Mudflats, etc. are probably going to get charges filed against them for misusing it and using it as a harassment tool against the governor.
Can't believe people can be so vindictive.
My dad always say to keep quiet because karma will hit them in time.
I think that the ADN has put its finger in the air and sensed that there is a popular backlash against these frivolous complaints. They are backfiring, because of their very silliness.
The ADN is wrong to complain about the use of the word 'Alaska', in Alaska Trust Fund. This issue goes beyond Governor Palin. The Palins are not financially poor, but neither are they wealthy. This is to insure that high office does not become open only to those who are independently wealthy enough to withstand attempts to bankrupt them.
I'm guessing the ADN has seen some polling data that shows Alaskans are rallying to Governor Palin's cause because of these ridiculous "ethics" charges. Let me be clear. The ADN would like nothing more than to take Sarah Palin down. These frivolous charges are making her more popular with ordinary Alaskans who see the complaints for what they are. For this reason, the ADN wants them to stop so that another tactic can be tried.
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