This comes from an article in the ADN about the beginning of the 2009 legislative session.Gov. Sarah Palin begins the 2009 session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday faced with a potential state deficit in the billions of dollars and at least some hangover among lawmakers from the "Troopergate" investigation.
The article begins with a fluff piece about how POSITIVE Sarah Palin is about this new session even though, with oil prices plunging, this will mark the FIRST time she is working with a state budget not spilling over with oil soaked doubloons.
(It is not a secret that buzzards are circling our state budget this year, just waiting for it to take its last gasp of air and expire well before the end of the fiscal year. )
The Governor then talks about her desire to focus on getting the doomed gas pipeline project moving forward. I am hoping that somewhere on her staff she has retained the services of one Dr. Frankenstein because as far as I can tell the AGIA corpse is almost up on the slab with its toe tag dangling off the side.
But despite all of Palin's best cheerleading and efforts to change the subject it appears that old business may rear its head and bite her on her elliptical machine toned ass.
Here is what my new legislative crush, Beth Kertulla, has to say about this 2009 session:
"Troopergate isn't going away, and it shouldn't go away," the Juneau Democrat said.
Yeah baby! Is that not the best news we have heard for a while? Yes it is!
And get this, Kerttula is not alone.
There doesn't appear to be sufficient desire in the Legislature to reprimand the governor. But there is bipartisan concern about the resistance the attorney general, Palin appointee Talis Colberg, posed to legislative subpoenas.
"One of the judiciary committees or both of the judiciary committees should maybe bring the AG in front of them and have some frank discussions about what his actions were toward the state employees, why the subpoenas weren't complied with," said Chenault, the Republican house speaker.
In other words, "Its on bitchez"!
However there is at least one lawmaker who is not interested in revisiting Troopergate.
But Anchorage Republican Rep. Bob Lynn said it's a bad idea to dredge it up.
"I think that's history. We should stop looking in the rear-view mirror," Lynn said. "I've got a news flash, the election is over."
That is right you little pissant, the election IS over, but your next run for re-election is still in the future. Good luck on that, because trust me, you are going to need all the luck you can get. And next time, don't pee on my parade.
And by the way, and keep this under your hat, I have it on good authority that the behemoth known as "Alaskans for Truth" is finally stirring from it post election hibernation, shaking out the cobwebs from its brain, and getting ready once again to wade into battle with a renewed sense of purpose and a reinvigorated membership.
On the one side we have the soldiers of truth, and light, and ethical integrity (That's us!). On the other we have Sarah Palin, and in his last term as an Alaska legislator, Bob Lynn. Let the battle commence!
Okay now if you will excuse me I have to compose a love poem to my new legislative crush.
What rhymes with "Kerttula"? Or for that matter what rhymes with "Beth"? Oh this is going to take a while.
Yes Gryphen,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Beth.
My comment in the ADN to Bob was,"News flash Bob Lynn,elected officials are NOT above the law."Love you're site Gryphen,keep up the good work.
Here's some help with your poem:
ReplyDeleteBeth
"Breath" as in breath of fresh air.
As in maybe democracy in Alaska hasn't taken its last breath.
Kerttula
"Ah" as in "Ah, someone gets it."
"Rah" as in "Rah, rah for the politicians who actually want to do the people's business.
"Voila" as in "Voila! Here's YOUR supoena Talis."
"You Betcha" as in "Impeach Palin - you betcha!"
-ginf
Gryphen,
ReplyDeleteI said this on Mudflats, but I'll say it here as well:
Don’t count on any real help from Mike Chenault. He’ll be too busy pushing his Death Penalty™ bill. I’m embarrassed to admit that he’s my legislator.
Now that he’s House Speaker, Mike’s full of more bluff and braggadocio than ever.
But… there’s nothing there, there. If you look deep into Mike's eyes, you see the back of his head.
Like a toad, Chenault will puff up in an effort to make himself larger, but in the end, he’ll flee, fearing being be eaten by the Ibis.
I’ve known Beth Kerttula for many years. As Minority Leader she can at least keep the issue alive. Politically speaking, Beth has a far bigger pair of cojones than most of the men who meander the halls of the Capitol.
Additionally:
>>“I’ve got a news flash, the election is over.”
WTF?
Hahahaha!
Bob Lynn needs to tell Sarah that. She won’t get off the National Stage™.
Somebody get the hook!
"I think that's history. We should stop looking in the rear-view mirror," Lynn said. "I've got a news flash, the election is over.
ReplyDeleteWhat does Troopegate have to do with the election? It happened and the investigation was initiated before Sarah Palin was chosen to be the VP candidate
I'm sure the people of Alaska would wonder why, the legislators voted and spent almost $100,000.00 on this investigation and when their is a judgment of an ethics violation, do nothing.
There is a town in Alaska that is starving and freezing and that $100,000.00 could have gone a long ways to help them.
And why only single out the Attorney General? Do they think that Sarah Palin and the Republican party had nothing to do with the subpoena refusal?
If so I have a bridge to sell them... been there, done that!!!!
Judge: Mr. X, you have been charged with committing aggravated assault on August 5, 2008 when you stabbed Jimmy Y with a knife. How do you plead?
ReplyDeleteDefendant: Judge, I think that's history. We should stop looking in the rear-view mirror . . . .
I thought responsibility was one of those old-fashioned values Republicans love so much.
Beth is a fine legislator, cut from the same cloth as her dad, Jay. He did a great job in Juneau representing the valley, and she does a great job representing Juneau.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I see with focusing on the AG is that it takes the focus off of Palin. The AG is the attorney for her administration, and within the parameters of the law, he is responsible and answerable to her. Like any other commissioner, he follows her agenda. She tells him what she wants, he finds a legal way to do it (if there is one).
Since according to the Alaska Statutes, legislative subpoenae are only enforceable when the legislature is in session, he had an out for her minions. Of course, the legislature probably could reinstate the subponae when the session starts, but I doubt they could get the committee to reopen the matter - would be nice though, I'd love to hear from all those folks who are hiding behind the letter of the law!
JC