Gov. Sarah Palin is telling the Alaska Public Offices Commission she doesn’t want to disclose the discount her husband, Todd, receives on purchases of Arctic Cat snowmachines.
“Todd Palin is entitled to discounts on purchases (as he has received the last 16 years as an Iron Dog racer.) However, according to the terms of his sponsorship agreement, the exact amount of the discount is confidential as a proprietary trade secret,” the governor wrote to APOC officials on Monday.
Palin’s letter said her husband is allowed to buy a snowmachine at manufacturer cost, without retail markup, and “the manufacturer cost is proprietary information.”
“Public disclosure of this information is expressly prohibited by the sponsorship agreement. This would also apply to any discounts offered on wear.”
Palin is requesting APOC allow an exemption from the disclosure, arguing state law allows it. (UPDATE -- The APOC commissioners just directed agency staff to research Palin's response and report back to them so they can decide what to do.)
Gee I wonder WHY Governor Palin is so concerned with divulging how much (if anything) she and Todd had to pay for those spiffy Arctic Cat clothes? (Trust me this has NOTHING to do with the snowmachines.)
Could it perhaps have something to do with a certain ethics complaint filed by a certain progressive blogger? Well duh!
Now the question is will APOC do the right thing, and make her divulge this information? Or are they in Palin's pocket just like the Alaska Personnel Board.
“Todd Palin is entitled to discounts on purchases (as he has received the last 16 years as an Iron Dog racer.) However, according to the terms of his sponsorship agreement, the exact amount of the discount is confidential as a proprietary trade secret,” the governor wrote to APOC officials on Monday.
Palin’s letter said her husband is allowed to buy a snowmachine at manufacturer cost, without retail markup, and “the manufacturer cost is proprietary information.”
“Public disclosure of this information is expressly prohibited by the sponsorship agreement. This would also apply to any discounts offered on wear.”
Palin is requesting APOC allow an exemption from the disclosure, arguing state law allows it. (UPDATE -- The APOC commissioners just directed agency staff to research Palin's response and report back to them so they can decide what to do.)
Gee I wonder WHY Governor Palin is so concerned with divulging how much (if anything) she and Todd had to pay for those spiffy Arctic Cat clothes? (Trust me this has NOTHING to do with the snowmachines.)
Could it perhaps have something to do with a certain ethics complaint filed by a certain progressive blogger? Well duh!
Now the question is will APOC do the right thing, and make her divulge this information? Or are they in Palin's pocket just like the Alaska Personnel Board.
Doesn't ANYBODY in this state have any goddamn balls?
I think the question to ask is, "Doesn't any government worker have integrity and a spine?"
ReplyDeleteOnejrkitty here:
ReplyDeleteI liked this guy's response to the ADN article. His point is the MOST pertinent one.
HankZ wrote on 06/17/2009 06:11:24 PM:
An additional consideration:
The governor's argument is that contractural arrangements her family has made for their own personal benefit outweigh her obligation to let the Alaskan public know what conflicts-of-interest she is involved in by accepting free goods and services.
That's totally unacceptable and this article should be on the front page rather than fluff about Levi or the "hotness" of Sarah Palin. Why isn't it?
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IRS, ARE YOU LISTENING??? For the last SIXTEEN YEARS they have been getting those discounts, and have NOT declared them on their income tax forms...
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much more they will find if they *REALLY* dig into the Palins past?
How very Sarah of her -- file without the information about the discounts to see if she can get away with it. Then when cornered about the issue, she asks for an exemption.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, any Alaskan can file an anonymous complaint with the IRS. You have to live within the state that the offense occurs or they will not take your complaint.
ReplyDeleteIf (as it appears) they are taking assets without declaring them, then file a complaint. The IRS does take extreme care to protect anonymity for whistle blowers.
We don't know this info hasn't been disclosed. It would be like her to disclose it and not tell anyone since tax returns are confidential as well.
Give it a try Alaska - try and make your GINO obey the same IRS rules and regulations that you follow.
How very Sarah of her...first she files without the relevant information to see if anyone notices. Then when she's confronted about it she asks for the exemption.
ReplyDeleteIts not just that she wants to hide the cost.Rememebr she told the ethics board that the gear was given to Todd's partner,and he gave it to Sarah.
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty simple.If a spouse has a job that requires you to submit this info,and you have a sponsor who will not sponsor you if you submit the info,then you get to make a decision on who has the most important job in the family.If the Governors job is more important than Todds playing with snow mobiles(Yeah,I know,but a lot more people call them snow mobiles.) ,then I guess Todd needs to bite the bullet. The young guns are putting him out to pasture soon anyway.
She included the amount in her 2007 disclosure. Patrick from Palin's Deceptions downloaded the document and put the URL on that website. Patrick, please post the URL here; thanks.
ReplyDeleteI posted a comment about this on ADN. A high-end Artic Cat for 2010 runs 14K or so. Standard wholesale to retail mark-up is 100%. So Todd gets a $7K discount. Someone can go by a dealer, fin the prices for his trailer, etc, and get a fair idea of how much benefit the
ReplyDeletepalin family receives.
Blue_in_AK here. Have you noticed that someone has flagged nearly ALL of the comments to that article? That AKSailor, who has apparently registered numerous times under different numerals, must be reporting all posts critical of Sarah. The only ones remaining are at the very beginning of the thread.
ReplyDeleteAs said in the steak knives episode of WKRP in Cincinnati ... "hit (her) between (her) beady little eyes with an IRS audit!"
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a law (federal tax law) that these gifts must be declared? The IRS does not read here or the ADN but they do like to hear about people who brazenly and openly refuse to follow the law. So perhaps all of us should take her public statements and send them to the IRS.
ReplyDeleteSo let me get this straight. Artic Cat allows Todd to buy something that usually costs $14,000. for only $7,000. That looks like they are "paying" him $7,000. without having to declare it, too. Todd has received $7,000. which might not have been declared, and someone in Artic Cat's home state need to tip off the IRS, because they might be trying to fly beneath the radar, too. Artic Cat won't want to be fined, because it might turn out to be a really big number. They might have to throw Todd under the snow machine, so to speak. In my dreams. And, this has been going on how long???
ReplyDeleteAs Chris Matthews would say "Ha!'
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how this plays out tomorrow.
Hahahaha!
(Seattlefan) (I can't figure out how not to be anonymous, so I just click that and will sign my other anonymous name. lol!)
So Sarah entered into a sponsorship agreement with Artic Cat? she can't make public disclosure of the amount of discount.
ReplyDeleteHer job is: Governor of Alaska or Artic Cat walking billboard?
benefits.....apperances......ethics....Palins
haha, word verification: tryon
Check out Sarah's signature at the end of her letter requesting the exemption. Small, shaky and not at all like her big, broad signatures of old. Is she seriously worried about this one? I hope so!! Would like a handwriting anaylsis comparing her signatures. Run Sarah run. Your grifting is going to catch up with you big time!!
ReplyDeleteSome of the ADN commenters, before getting deleted have mentioned that they thought the Artic Cat ethics complaint was frivilous until this came out, now they are seriously doubting it and thinking there should be a reinvestigation of the charge. (progress!) I commented that YES, it needed to be investigated by an impartial entity - NOT by a Personnel Board controlled by Palin. Guess what? My comment was blocked almost immediately.
I think there might be one possible fly in this ointment
ReplyDeleteIf this had been the first time that ActicCat had given a goodie to Todd, it would be obvious that the only reason for the perks would be the governer.
Instead, they've been associated with Todd for years (16? wow) and surely that shows precedent for Todd, and the "Gov thing" was simply "incidental"
Dunno, really. But it seemed like something to thiknk about.
Nan
I have interesting news, because Palindeception.com has created „Team Truther“, an interactive website. This site gives the members a wide range of possibilities to communicate with each other and the public. One of the core parts of “Team Truther” is a comprehensive public forum. Please help us to develop this network and become a member! The address: http://www.teamtruther.com
ReplyDeleteLOL, this needs to go on CNN or MSNBC and all the other goody news!!!! Someone call David Letterman. Hehehehee. This is good.
ReplyDeletePalin is using statutes from AGIA as a basis for her claims of confidentiality and contract issue with Arctic Cat. Desperate much Gov?
ReplyDelete“the manufacturer cost is proprietary information.”
ReplyDeleteHUH? Is this some sort of 007 snowmobile that can see Russia or even better N Korea?
“Public disclosure of this information is expressly prohibited by the sponsorship agreement. This would also apply to any discounts offered on wear.”
HUH? the sponsorship agreement outweighs disclosure laws? If I was aksed how much I recieved and said, "cant tell its a secret" the IRS would be up my ass in half a heartneat.
Something is gonna bite them in the ass....and it will be bigger and badder than any pit bull.
What kind of Bullshit is this??? GINO told the ethics board that all the Artic cat (custom embrodiered) jacket came through Brad Davis!
ReplyDeleteNow she won't disclose????
I hope the IRS is investigating all things Palin, YES THE FEDS!! Bring 'em on!!!!
And just watched the SNL episode she is on, with Amy Poehler(right before Amy had her baby) and one of the guys is wearing the exact Arctic Cat jacket (he is supposed to be Dud) How weird is THAT????
ReplyDeleteProprietary trade secret??????
And the most bizarre thing is that she is trying to use statutes from the AGIA to justify this exemption!
ReplyDeleteGov. Palin's "provocative" (Wayne Anthony Ross) team artic clothing was allegedly a gift from her spouse's team mate. Full retail value should be reported... this has absolutely NOTHING to do with any Artic Cat confidentially.
ReplyDeletere: shrinkinggranny comments at 11:35 pm
ReplyDeleteI could buy your theory if it wasn't in the back of my mind that Todd made a detour after the Republican convention --- after Sarah's nomination --- to do an appearance for Artic Cat. I saw pictures of him signing autographs.
Is this also something that he has done in the past or just this year? Does anyone on here have that information?
Could someone tell me why, if it were not for contractual agreements, would anyone care about disclosing the costs? What purpose does it serve?
ReplyDeleteWhy would you want this headache if it were not for the contractual agreements? Guess I am stupid, but I just don't see the point you all are making?
When it comes to ADN, her supporters check that site continuously and mark each comment with recommend for those favorable to her and contest those that are not. They've been doing it for a long time, every since they realized that the ones that are unfavorable were getting recommends.
ReplyDeleteThe way ADN's comments are set up, it's easy to do that.
ADN's website has gotten some of the most vile comments against anyone that doesn't agree with anything and everything Palin than any other site I've seen (public news type).
Juju- this one isn't just another "Palin's being Palin" issue, although there is that facet to it. Theres these little things we call tax codes/laws, and she has not disclosed something that she should have. I'd be willing to bet she didn't claim the gift/discounts in their entirity on her tax forms in years past, just like she most likely won't for this year- that's called tax fraud, which can lead to fines, penalties, and jail time in addition to paying whatever she should have in the first place. When it comes to the IRS, I don't think GINO will be able to wiggle out of it so easily.
ReplyDeleteTo think of it another way- if she's willing to cover up something as supposedly simple as this, what else would she hide? The list could go on and on... and has already started to.
Too much Kool-Aid, juju.
ReplyDeleteOK... let me get this straight... Is she GETTING PAID from Arctic Cat? Wouldn't that violate her terms of employment?(As government employee, she is not allowed to accept emplpoyment/paymentoutside of her job for anything else?)
ReplyDeleteI think that the contract with Todd Palin and Scott Davis changed this year because of the Gov running for VP.
ReplyDeleteHas Piper shown up other years in full gear like this last race? Not that I can see.
The ethics conclusion suggested that the clothing was incidental and given to Scott Davis which he in turn gave to Palin after his wife embroidered Sarah's name on it (odd how she was able to match thread exactly, usually that is pretty darn near impossible to do), and the outfits could be found in the AC catalog. Good luck finding pants like the Gov & Piper are wearing in the catalog. I found similar styles but not colors, and the outfits suggested that they cost close to $1,000.00 between Sarah & Piper.
Previously the Palin's disclosed AC information on their financial disclosure, but this year it is contractually confidential? I think that there is every reason to believe that this is due to the added advertisement AC got due to Sarah's run for VP (and possible future run for Pres) along with the benefit that AC got in exposure due to Todd being out on the campaign trail with his Iron Dog history being discussed at length by people. He has been written about in several high profile magazines now, got a spoof shot on SNL in AC gear.
There seems to be some serious dirty dealing going on here with the Gov trying to hide this information from the public.
Others have stated, if they signed a confidentiality deal knowing that as Sarah is Gov they must report everything then too bad, so sad, either Todd gives up the confidentiality or Sarah can resign. Which is more important to them?
juju- the IRS has the answer to your questions about disclosure.
ReplyDeleteAbout you being stupid....go back to c4p and read on, you'l see you are not stupid, you just chose to support Palin. That makes you a worshiper of 'People of the lie'(people intrinsically evil) as described by Scott Peck.
Forever.
I think Sarah is the Ant-Christ. That's the Devil's joke. He send a woman who can lie out her ass and everyone believes her. She has a group of Satanist following her Name Team Sarah. She can fart a purple cloud and they will run to smell it. Their mission is to destroy the earth with a smile and a wink!
ReplyDeleteJuju, the point you seem to be missing is that Todd signed a confidentiality agreement knowing that adhering to it would force Sarah to break state law. In other words, the Palins made a morally and ethically corrupt decision to place their family's personal greed over the transparency she legally owes the people of her state (after running on a platform of transparency). Now she's trying to use AGIA of all things to wiggle out of obeying the law. If she doesn't want to obey the rules, she should resign. If she's allowed to get away with this, any future payments from anyone can be deemed "confidential."
ReplyDeleteHow cheap can these people be? It's not that much money! They should have said thanks, but no thanks--for the past two years.
BTW, juju is a seee4peeee'er and it looks like the Cat is gonna bite palin in her skinny arse
ReplyDeleteHey, guess what folks! Todd and the Palin family get the Arctic Cat stuff for free! Yes, absolutely free!
ReplyDeleteThat is the charge you present to Palin and Arctic Cat and then watch them sweat.
This I have been told by a competitor and that's how I know it to be true. Don't doubt it, just run with it and present the charge in that manner. Ask yourselves, why would you not. It's an invitation to Todd and Sarah to lie! Ya think they will? If they do they're toast!
First, I have yet to see a confidentiality agreement that did not stipulate "except where required by law" or words to that effect. That's because if the contract conflicts with existing laws, it would be an illegal contract, and that part would be held to be unenforceable anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnd the IRS would make quick work of that dumbass argument.
Second,(this is not my thought, but I am making damn sure to spread it around a bit): Add up the numbers for snowmachine, gear, gas, parts, whatever else AC gifted to Todd. Whatever that final number is, does not disclose anything about the actual value of the individual items he was gifted. So bye-bye to "the cost of manufacturer is proprietary information" argument. Income/ gifts from Arctic Cat could be reported as a single, global number. Problem with this is, there is no way to verify that the number isn't a lie.
Really, I've got to say that I don't think she's gotten anywhere near half a million dollars WORTH of legal advice.
Oh...I understand about the IRS. But, you or no one has any proof about that. Ohh...sorry I came here Annon. Just asking a question. I have come here several times and I have never used a vile comment against anyone here or against any of your opinions. I have politely pointed out how I think you are wrong or misunderstood. Only trying to understand both side. Yes, I am for Gov. Palin, but that doesn't mean I am blind, deaf or can't read. And, I don't drink kool-Aid.
ReplyDeleteGuess you all saw today where Olive Garden dropped there ads on Letterman.
I agree with the comment by the problem child--when contracts conflict with the law, the law trumps the contract. The portion of the contract that is void or unenforceable is not enforced. So the Alaska disclosure laws supersede a contractual provision.
ReplyDeleteNext, the position that an AGIA exemption provision applies to the disclosure laws must be blasted out of the water. (don't expect any state committee to do that) I think an attorney is needed to convincingly prove that AGIA does not apply to executive branch disclosure laws. Where are the attorneys in Alaska? Is the population that small that no one will take up this matter?
I hope that Celtic Diva or Andree McLeod find an attorney to work with them on these issues.
The issue with the IRS is an entirely different issue (declaration of income) and has nothing to do with the state disclosure laws.
But they are both LAWS that must be followed.
juju, how is that AK FAKE TRUST web-a-thingy coming along over at c4p? Look slike its running out of steam....Only 20% of the 7 day goal in 3 days.....
ReplyDeleteIron Dog was this winter. Practice for it (on an expensive Artic Cat supplied snow vehicle(machine/mobile) probably began earlier. Nov. 08? Dec. 08, Jan. 09? WHY is Gov. Palin & family asking for an exemption 6 months after getting the gift? She can not say it was "unopened". This is slovenly reporting and blatantly lax oversight. Gov. Palin should promptly explain her tardiness to the people of Alaska. Gov. Palin should explain what measures will be taken to meet her future obligations under the statutes regulating gifts to office holders.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the specific info regarding this matter from you all-who-know-who-you-are!
ReplyDeleteAgain and again it amazes me how Pain (and yes, that is an intentional mis-spelling--just because she is) slithers through incidence after incidence of questionably ethical practices and comes out unscathed. Any free magic wishes she may have had should be used up by now.
I read all the comments here, then I went outside to take a walk and think about it before commenting so here goes...
ReplyDeleteI don't think that we should be dismissive and rude to juju (or anyone else) just because she is from C4P or a conservative or republican. That isn't any way to make a point. Just because C4P tends to be rude to any nonPalin person, and delete comments (which Grythen does Not do) doesn't mean we have to follow suit. So that having been said and no I'm not picking on anyone, just saying in general.
Now juju, you probably have seen that Olive Garden has specifically sited the Politico article as being incorrect, that they did not pull ads from Letterman due to jokes.
Moving on..the law whether it be IRS or Alaskan or whatever state is for everyone. No one likes to pay taxes, but we all do, and we all have to report certain things. Palin has said she hasn't disclosed and sited the reasons she didn't. In regards to the IRS, in 2007, I believe it was said they did report the Artic Cat info to IRS (wasn't that what Patrick pulled down?) the question is did they report it to Alaska and have they reported it for all the years to the IRS. That is a question, that the IRS would know about, not me. It should be asked..why..because think about how prevalent it is for government employees and others, not to report "gifts" appropriately. When Obama was appointing his cabinet, it came up more than once with individuals. It's not a Democrat only issue, Republicans do it to and have been caught at it. Then you have back taxes, revised tax returns and penalties to pay.
I find it personally irritating and insulting to citizens who pay their taxes as required and report everything when others do not. No one is above the law, and it's people who think they are that usually end up in trouble of one kind or another. In this case, truly I don't find Palin to be a personality that is very trust worthy.
Juju, its "their" ads, not "there"ads and Olive Gardens food sucks anyhow, blchhhhh
ReplyDeleteJuju it isnt just the IRS. There is this called ethics and there is alsi something called class. Scarah doesnt understand it either so you are not alone. But integrity and following the law are still important to most Americans. You really don't understand do you? Yet you bring up David Lettermen? That is over-no one cares.
ReplyDeletePacos gal - I agree with your assessment on treating people with respect, especially since JuJu has not been disrespectful to US. How can we be expected to educate, change hearts/minds, and show truth if we resort to acting like nasty children. Leave that to the other side. I appreciate hearing your opinion JuJu, and I think you will find that visiting this site (along with Mudflats, Shannyn Moore, and Palingates) will prove very educational. We tend to back up statements with links to legitimate sources. Here is the latest re Olive Garden, who have wisely decided not to buy into the drama over a bad/tasteless joke:
ReplyDeleteThe Olive Garden tells the Christian Science Monitor that they have not pulled their ads from the Letterman show.
“Information reported today by Andy Barr of Politico regarding Olive Garden’s advertising on the Late Show with David Letterman was erroneous. No authorized spokesperson for the company confirmed the information in his report,” said Olive Garden spokesman Rich Jeffers in an email to The Vote.
If JuJu or others doubt the above info, please call Olive Garden Corporate offices at (407) 245-5161.
I think the thing that Sarah Palin doesn't realize, is that it doesn't matter whether you pay for something or not. Remember Tom Daschle? The reason he lost out on a cabinet job (right about the time the Palin's released their financial disclosure statement wasn't it?) was because of the car and driver that a friend provided for him. He had to go back and pay taxes on it (and any time you have to go back and pay taxes, assume there will be penalties). It is the value of something that counts, not what you paid for it or how you got it. If you won it, or got it as a gift, someone has to pay the taxes on it, so if Artic Cat declared all the stuff they gave the Palin's as gifts and paid the taxes, that's about the only way it would be legal. Unfortunately, I can't imagine why they would do that since they would want to be able to deduct those expenses as fees paid.
ReplyDeleteAlso, elected officials are careful to separate themselves from what their spouses do. Look at Bill Clinton - he had to open up the books on his private foundation in order for Hillary to get Sec. State. Frequently, spouses have to quit their jobs because what they do conflicts with the agencies their elected spouse has oversight on.
If Sarah Palin gets away with this, then any pretense of ethical standards up there is a joke.
juju are you the lady in yellow?
ReplyDeleteI have tunned in every night and Letterman has not let it go. Are you still going to fire him?
What did Willow wear to the game?
juju, notice that no one deletes your posts here.
ReplyDeleteits a different world than where you come from.
Welcome!
yes juju - welcome to HUMANITY! Please understand that I wanted Sarah to be everything she pretended to be. I was anxious to support a WOMAN (yaay!) who I thought was intelligent, honest and ethical. I was more excited than I can say when she got the VP nomination. And she was lovely and had charisma to boot! Then I did my homework, and my joy turned to horror. Just be open-minded and read all you can (I still read the posts at c4p, but was banned when I VERY politely questioned the wisdom of Sarah's AG choice, Wayne Ross). None of us wants to believe that someone we so fervently trust and support is not who we think she is. I was disappointed too (albeit I learned much sooner).
ReplyDeleteI hope you will see the light; It is not a healthy environment in the sea of pee (sorry for the snark, could not resist, I meant c4p).
Yea, the Olive Garden thing is just as much of a hoax as the Embassy Suites claim. They did not pull their ads either. Their Corp HQ verified that. Clearly, the 15 people that showed up for Palin/Ziegler protest against Letterman was an EPIC FAIL. I am of the opinion that both TS and see4pee are only hurintg Sarah's reputation, beyond even the level to which she hurts her own rep whenever she opens her mouth. At this point it's too late, she's already done as a politician.
ReplyDeleteSusan in MD
@Susan in MD, I totally agree with you, and I work in branding, FWIW.
ReplyDeletePalin needs a new PR team/strategy fast, but it probably is already too late.
juju said...
ReplyDeleteThese bio/profiles are one of the best things I have seen on various blogs. I have told so many people to come here to read them. I wish you had them in some form that would be easy to print so I could pass them out to friends. So many people don't really know Sarah and when friends of mine have read these profiles they now have a new understanding of her. I read your blog daily and I post often on C4S as well as team Sarah.
Today I was going to comment about these profiles on C4S and then I had to really scroll to find them. Just glad I did. I am impressed by these people.
June 12, 2009 3:57 PM
http://texas4palin.blogspot.com/2009/06/who-is-david-murrow.html