Opinion: Sarah Palin's Double Talk

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An ethics inquiry found the US vice-presidential candidate abused her position as governor of Alaska when she sacked the state's public safety commissioner Walt Monegan over a family feud. The inquiry found that while it was within the governor's authority to dismiss Monegan, she violated public trust by pressuring those who worked for her to advance her personal wishes.

With the report now in Sarah Palin commented publicly on it for the first time in the second video above. She has some real chutzpah in stating that the report stated she had done nothing wrong ethically, when the report clearly states the oppisite. Does she think that American citizens are from the planet Tatooine and can fall for the Jedi Mind Trick?

Again the real crime was not in the action, because as she rightly mentions, Trooper Wooten still has his job. Walt Moneghan does not have his job, but the pressure brought to bear on him before his dismissal, and the unneccesary attempt to cover it up has many voters wary of the Alaska governor. He can now sue the state for millions, and she has become known as a female Dick Cheney in some circles.

The McCain-Palin campaign had dismissed the report, saying it was a "partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters" even though the investigation began before she was named as John McCain's running mate. I doubt anyone associated with the Obama campaign had anything but a cursory interest in the dealings of Alaska and vice-versa before Palin was named.

She is also very well vesred in the double talk and has cultivated some mythical legends of her own.

MYTH: "I told the Congress 'Thanks, but no thanks' on that Bridge to Nowhere." — Sarah Palin, convention speech

TRUTH: Supported the infamous pork project in her 2006 run for governor, even after Congress had killed the bridge; derided its opponents as "spinmeisters." She reversed her stance a year later, but kept the money, doling out the $223 million in federal funds to other pork projects throughout the state.

MYTH: "We championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress." — Sarah Palin, convention speech about she and McCain.

TRUTH: As mayor, employed a lobbyist who also worked for Jack Abramoff to secure $27 million in pork spending for Wasilla — more than $4,000 per resident. In her two years as governor, requested $453 million in earmarks. Alaska ranks first in the nation for pork, raking in seven times the national average.

MYTH: "We began a nearly $40 billion natural-gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence." — Sarah Palin, convention speech

TRUTH: With federal approval years away, not a single section of the pipeline has been laid. State could end up paying the pipeline's contractor $500 million — even if it never breaks ground on the project.

MYTH: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending." — Sarah Palin, convention speech

TRUTH: As governor, sought travel reimbursement for 312 nights she spent in her own home.

Sarah Palin's credentials as a "reformer" are nothing but spin. She has lobbied to increase pork spending and abused her public power to carry out personal vendettas. I guess John McCain really found a kindered spirit in Mrs. Palin. They both have a knack for telling whoever is listening what they want them to hear, while the facts point to a totally different reality. They are made for eachother. Their slogan should be, Change We Want You To Believe.