Republican stormtroopers, the dark side of the force, and the future of our country.

I noticed something very bizarre yesterday and I wonder if I could get some assistance from you my visitors.

Now as you probably know since Sarah Palin was plucked form relative obscurity by John McCain and chosen as the spokesmodel for his campaign, there has been an aggressive effort to quash the investigation into "Troopergate".

The attempt to stop this investigation by five Alaska Republican Senators was thrown out of court yesterday by Judge Michalski, but almost immediately these same Senators filed an "emergency appeal" to have the case heard by Alaska's Supreme Court.

The five Senators are being represented by Texas Attorney Kevin Clarkson, who works for the firm of Brena, Bell, & Clarkson.

This is how the firms website describes this attorney: Mr. Kevin G. Clarkson is an attorney with Brena, Bell & Clarkson. Mr. Clarkson received his Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) cum laude from Willamette University. Mr. Clarkson's practice focuses upon state and federal civil litigation at the administrative, pretrial, trial, and appellate levels regarding oil and gas pipeline transportation, professional liability (attorney and accountant malpractice), tort (personal injury and wrongful death), aviation and products liability, employment, construction, tax, RICO, fraud, fiduciary liability, contract, and constitutional issues.

But why would the five Republicans hire this oil and gas lawyer to argue a case concerning the abuse of Gubernatorial power? And who pays his bill?

Well Liberty Legal Institute seems to be footing the bill. This is their Mission Statement:

To achieve expanded religious freedom and family autonomy through litigation and education designed to limit the government's power, increase the religious rights of citizens and promote parental rights.

Now Liberty Legal Institute is a non-profit organization. So they are apparently offering their services for free. But why? How does the Troopergate investigation infringe on anybodies religious freedoms?

Are you confused?

Then let us examine who LLI sent to represent them in this case, Kelly Shackelford.

Kelly Shackelford, is not only the lead counsel for Liberty Legal Institute he is also the president of the Free Market Foundation.

Here is their Mission Statement: The Lone Star Ministry Connection exists to protect the freedom of our churches and ministries throughout the state of Texas to impact the lives of their families, attenders, and congregants with the truth. We are guided by the principles which limit government, promote free enterprise, and uphold Judeo-Christian values.

So once again the question arises as to why these groups are willing to spend so much time and money on a case that has to do with Alaska politics and the Troopergate investigation, and nothing to do with religious freedom or families rights?

But then we learn that Mr. Shackelford is also connected with Focus on the Family's James Dobson.

James Dobson says this about our Governor:

"Sen. McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is an outstanding choice that should be extremely reassuring to the conservative base of his party. She is a strong executive who hates corruption and puts principle above politics. After floating the names of Tom Ridge and Sen. Joe Lieberman in recent weeks – selections that would have created consternation among pro-family Republicans – Sen. McCain has chosen a solid conservative who has a reputation for espousing common sense.

"Gov. Palin’s commitment to the sanctity of life is not just a political position. She was advised to abort her fifth and youngest child when it was learned he had Down syndrome. She refused. That’s bravery and integrity in action.

"Gov. Palin’s views align with Sen. McCain’s own stated position that human life is precious and must be protected – and that gives us confidence he will keep his pledges to voters regarding the kinds of justices he would nominate to the Supreme Court and the way he would conduct our nation’s domestic and international affairs. This selection by Sen. McCain is a very encouraging sign for his campaign.”

Ah now I am beginning to see what is happening here. Apparently the religious right has decided that Sarah Palin is their new George W. Bush. She is their "chosen one" and they are going to work hard to protect her reputation and get her into the White House.

Now it may, or may not, be a coincidence that the gas & oil companies have ALSO chosen Palin as their "chosen one" since they have pinned all of their hopes on her ability to get the Alaska gas pipeline built.

So to sum up it appears that the oil companies are more then likely donating tax exempt funds to the Liberty Legal Institute to launder their fee which is being paid to Kevin Clarkson to try to stop an investigation which may damage Sarah Palin's career, and put a stop to ALL of their nefarious plans. "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive".

So how can you help? I am glad you asked.

We Alaskans would really appreciate if you could send a link to this post and this link about the same issue from my fellow blogger Shannyn Moore, who actually confronted Kelly Shackelford in person, to the following e-mail address:

To contact Keith Olbermann or Rachel Maddow go here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339
(These two heroes should be our first choices. Especially since Shannyn has already appeared twice on "Countdown" and wouldn't it be great to hear her tell her story of telling Kelly Shackelford to "get the f*#k out my state" to a wider audience?)

Here are three from the Washington Post (Thanks fgwhite1)
Eugene Robinson at eugenerobinson@washpost.com
David Broder at davidbroder@washpost.com
David Ignatius at davidignatius@washpost.com

Air America's Jon Elliott at jon@jontalk.com

If any of you have more e-mail addresses for big newspapers or news shows, please send them and I will add them as well.

And please do get this word out as quickly as possible, this really does affect us all.