Governor Andrew Cuomo signs law taking all firearms away from New Yorkers with a history of domestic violence.

Courtesy of The Hill: 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Saturday announced the passage of legislation that would strip all firearms from New Yorkers convicted of domestic violence, updating a previous law that prohibited abusers from owning handguns. 

In a press release on the governor's website, Cuomo said the law, which passed the state Assembly by 85-32 and Senate by 41-19 this week, will make the state "safer and stronger." 

"New York is once again leading the way to prevent gun violence, and with this common sense reform, break the inextricable link between gun violence and domestic violence," Cuomo said. 

The law forces convicted domestic abusers to turn in rifles, shotguns, and any other firearms they were not previously prohibited from owning under a law passed after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that barred abusers from owning pistols or revolvers.

Just another example of the influence these Parkland students are having on our gun laws.

Personally I do not understand why ANYBODY would even think to allow an individual with a history of domestic violence own a gun, but then I am somebody who uses his critical thinking skills.

Wife of the guy who founded the Oath Keepers gets restraining order accusing him of domestic violence and using gun to threaten people.

Courtesy of the Southern Poverty Law Center:  

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes faces allegations of abuse and household violence in a motion for a temporary restraining order his wife filed last month with a Montana court. 

Stewart Rhodes, the head of the antigovernment Oath Keepers, will frequently threaten himself and his family with a weapon he always carries, and he has a history of violent outbursts against his family, including an incident in 2016 when he choked his teenage daughter by the throat. 

That history was outlined in a sworn petition Rhodes’ wife, Tasha Vonn Adams Rhodes, filed last month in a Lincoln County, Montana, court room asking for a temporary protective order against her husband. Hatewatch obtained a copy of the petition on Thursday. 

Vonn Adams Rhodes claims in the filing that the most recent incident involving her husband occurred last November at the family home in Trego, a far-northern Montana town where Rhodes lives with his wife and four of their six children. 

“Whenever [Stewart Rhodes] is unhappy with my behavior (say I want to leave the house — he doesn’t like me to leave) he will draw his handgun (which he always wears), rack the slide, wave it around, and then point it at his own head, telling me my behavior has caused this,” Vonn Adams Rhodes wrote in the petition, which was filed on February 20. “I filed for divorce a few days ago and am terrified.”

What? A gun toting Rambo wannabe is violent toward others? You're kidding?

Aren't the Oath Keepers the group that volunteered to stand outside public schools and keep them safe from gun wielding thugs? 

Yeah, I think it is a good idea to take a hard pass on that one.

Even amid allegations of spousal abuse Rob Porter was in line for a promotion up until he abruptly resigned.

Courtesy of CNN: 

Rob Porter was involved in serious discussions to be promoted when he abruptly resigned from the White House last week amid allegations that he abused his two ex-wives, multiple sources familiar with the matter tell CNN. 

His anticipated elevation further highlights how top White House officials were willing to overlook indications from the FBI that there were potential abuse allegations in his background in exchange for professional competence in a tumultuous West Wing.

Porter had been actively lobbying to take on new policy portfolios outside the traditional scope of the staff secretary, one person familiar with the matter said, which included speechwriting duties and a role in planning policy rollouts. Neither of those tasks is traditionally carried out by the staff secretary.

He was also being considered for the deputy chief of staff position, another source familiar with the situation said. CNN reported Friday that Jim Carroll, who served as the deputy chief of staff for less than three months, was stepping down to helm the Office of National Drug Control Policy. 

Several White House officials, including chief of staff John Kelly, were receptive to promoting Porter. Kelly had told associates that Porter was one of the few competent professionals on his staff and wanted to ensure that he was being used to his full potential. CNN has reported that Kelly was aware for months of the potential that Porter's ex-wives could present damaging information on him. 

Kelly "definitely wanted to expand his role," a source familiar tells CNN.

Like I said it is likely a prerequisite for a job in this White House to be a predator.

And if you actually beat your wife, well hell that's a promotion!

After church shooting military adds more than 4,000 names of domestic abusers to FBI's background checklist.

Courtesy of the Daily Mail:  

More than 4,000 names have been added to the country's list of ex-military members banned from owning firearms since the Sutherland Springs massacre last November, a CNN report has found. 

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the US Air Force came under fire after admitting it failed to submit the gunman's name to the FBI's background check system - even though he had been kicked out of the military for assaulting his wife, which should have prevented him from owning a firearm under federal law. 

Still, the ex-airman was able to purchase a semiautomatic rifle that he used to kill 26 people and injure 20 others at the First Baptist Church church in Texas, exposing a massive hole in the nation's background check system. 

Since then, 4,284 names have been added to the FBI's list of dishonorably discharged military personnel banned from owning firearms - an increase of 38 per cent. 

It is the law that anyone who receives a dishonorable or misconduct discharge should automatically get banned from owning a firearm. 

The number of banned servicemen once stood at 11,000 but has now jumped to 15,583.

That certainly seems like a significant portion of the ex-military members don't you think?

Of course Track Palin supposedly received an honorable discharge so one would not think that this list would have effected him, however I am certain that his actions since leaving the military have put him on a number of lists. 

It does not appear that Rob Porter and White House chief of staff John Kelly have the same story about Porter's resignation.

Courtesy of Axios:  

White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter is telling associates that some senior White House officials strongly encouraged him to "stay and fight," and claims he "never misrepresented anything" to Chief of Staff John Kelly. 

Why it matters: This White House has a culture problem, starting at the top. The natural instinct is to defend/deny and show scant, if any, concern for the women alleging misconduct and harm. And when the going gets tough internally, the other natural instinct is to blame everyone but yourself. 

It should be noted that Trump himself offered this reaction when asked about Porter's resignation:  

"I found out about it recently and I was surprised by it," Trump said. "We certainly wish him well. It's obviously a very tough time for him. He did a very good job while he was in the White House." 

"We hope that he will have a wonderful career," Trump added. 

Trump said "it was very sad when we heard about it." 

Trump focused on Porter's denial of the allegations that he struck his two-ex-wives while they were married. "He says he's innocent, and I think you have to remember that," Trump said. 

"He said very strongly yesterday that he's innocent, but you'll have to talk to him about that."

So essentially Trump was insinuating that the women were liars, and seems very defensive about losing Porter.

But that is NOT the story that Kelly wants told about his reaction:

According to the member of Congress, giving the most detailed Kelly version of events so far: 

In Kelly’s telling, Porter misrepresented to him that the Daily Mail story would be about a messy marriage and divorce, with allegations of verbal and emotional abuse. 

Kelly specifically asked Porter about physical abuse of both ex-wives and girlfriends, and Porter denied that. 

Upon Porter’s denials, Kelly allowed the White House press team to write a statement giving a wholehearted endorsement of Porter as a man of great integrity. (This was Kelly’s initial statement.) 

Kelly is telling associates that only when the Daily Mail story published online on Tuesday night did he learn the real story. 

Kelly says he immediately took action: he confronted Porter, told him he had to resign, then called President Trump to inform him of his decision. This is what Kelly means when he tells colleagues he acted quickly and settled the matter within 40 minutes.

However it should be remembered that this was what Kelly said right after the story of Porter's spousal abuse became public:

"Rob Porter is a man of true integrity and honor and I can't say enough good things about him … I am proud to serve alongside him."

That does not sound like a man who "acted quickly" when he learned that his trusted subordinate had a history of beating the shit out of the women in his life.

By the way even some of Kelly's White House aides are calling bullshit on his version of events.

This Trump White House is almost literally bulging with habitual liars so it is almost impossible to discern who might be telling the truth at any given time.

But in this case I am thinking that Kelly is simply in CYA mode right now, and is lying his ass off to keep his job.

Yesterday Donald Trump called for due process when dealing with allegations of abuse or sexual misconduct. Senator Gillibrand says "Hold my beer."

Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false. Some are old and some are new. There is no recovery for someone falsely accused - life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 10, 2018

Trump tweeted this out yesterday in response to yet another White House staff member resigning in the wake of allegations of spousal abuse.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand decided that he had a point.

The President has shown through words and actions that he doesn’t value women. It’s not surprising that he doesn’t believe survivors or understand the national conversation that is happening.

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) February 10, 2018

The lives of survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse are being shattered every day. If he wants due process for the over dozen sexual assault allegations against him, let’s have Congressional hearings tomorrow. I would support that and my colleagues should too.

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) February 10, 2018

Well that seems perfectly reasonable to me.

If Trump really wants to see justice done, and an investigation of the numerous allegations being bandied about, well where better to start than with the ones against him? 

If Trump thought the Mueller investigation was terrifying, wait until he saw a parade of women making accusations against him filling into the Senate chambers.

Now THAT would be must see TV.

Another White House staffer resigned yesterday over accusations of spousal abuse.

David Sorensen

Courtesy of WaPo: 

A White House speechwriter resigned Friday after his former wife claimed that he was violent and emotionally abusive during their turbulent 2½ -year marriage — allegations that he vehemently denied, saying she was the one who victimized him. 

The abrupt departure of David Sorensen, a speechwriter who worked under senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, came as The Washington Post was reporting on a story about abuse claims by his ex-wife, Jessica Corbett. Corbett told The Post that she described his behavior to the FBI last fall as the bureau was conducting a background check of Sorensen. 

White House officials said they learned of the accusations by Sorensen’s wife Thursday night, before The Post contacted the White House for comment. 

“We immediately confronted the staffer, he denied the allegations and he resigned today,” spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement Friday evening. 

In a text message to The Post, Sorensen said he stepped down because he “didn’t want the White House to have to deal with this distraction.”

"This distraction" being that he beat his wife?

I swear it is beginning to look as if one of the necessary prerequisites to working in this White House is that you had to have abused a spouse, sexually assaulted somebody, or had inappropriate contact with a child.

That may seem a little tongue in cheek, but it is actually supported by the facts.

Keep in mind that before this guy there was Corey Lewandowski, who was charged with assaulting a female reporter as well as sexual assault.

Steve Bannon, who was once charged with domestic violence by his former wife.

Trump's pick for  Labor Secretary, Andrew Puzder, who also charged with domestic violence.

Rob Porter who had to step down after being accused by both of his ex-wives of being a serial abuser.

And though he was not in the White House, Roy Moore was also a Trump favorite, even though he was credibly accused of sexual assault and of being a pedophile.

Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false. Some are old and some are new. There is no recovery for someone falsely accused - life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 10, 2018

Of course perhaps the biggest abuser in the White House inner circle would be Trump himself, who has been accused of various kinds of abuse by no less than 18 women.

So yeah, one has to wonder if there is a box marked "sexual predator" on the White House application form, and if not filled in you might as well look for work elsewhere?

Track Palin's bail paid by friend, so he can return to his now gun free house while wearing an ankle monitor. Update!

Courtesy of ADN:  

Palin, 28 and the oldest son of the former Alaska governor, was approved for house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor by a Palmer judge on Wednesday afternoon. 

He had been jailed on $5,000 bail and release to a third-party until then. Magistrate Judge Tara Logsdon signed off on the change. 

Big Lake resident Kaleb Westfall posted Palin's bail Thursday with $5,000 cash, according to a receipt in the court file with Palin's charges. 

If Palin doesn't comply with his conditions, the state gets the money. 

Under Logsdon's order, Palin can live alone at his Wasilla home. But he is under 24-hour supervision by Alaska Pretrial Services with an ankle monitor and a facial recognition device that tests for alcohol. 

The private company is also charged with clearing Palin's home of weapons and pills. 

Company owner Dennis Johnson said late Wednesday morning "that's being conducted as we're speaking." 

Palin can leave the house only for specific reasons: work at a Palmer drilling company; medical visits; and legal or court visits. He can drive himself.

So that is proof that Track's family would have left him to rot in jail rather than pay for his bail themselves.

According to Radar Online Palin taped Track's attack on Todd:

Multiple sources told Radar that the former vice presidential candidate recorded the terrifying incident because she “wanted to be prepared” for any potential legal action.

“They knew he was coming, and were ready,” a family insider told Radar. “They wanted to be prepared for anything.” 

Local police refused to comment on the existence of a video recording of the incident, but a source told Radar that if cops do have the tape, they cannot release it to the public for months. 

They knew he was coming and yet they did not call the cops until he already started beating on Todd?

Good planning.

And yer even with all of this going on apparently Sarah still wants to visit Track and bring both Piper and little Trig to see him as well.

I am not sure that is a wise idea at this point, especially as he starts going through withdrawals due to no access to alcohol or drugs.

That could be quite terrifying for both Trig and Piper.

I also hope that somebody is on suicide watch right now.

Track just lost everything, and the drugs he takes to cope with his demons, that leaves him especially vulnerable to truly bad decisions, and the idea of taking his own life to punish his family is sure to be one of them.

Update: Jordan Loewe gives interview to the Daily Mail:

Loewe, however, told DailyMailTV that Track's parents had not always been in favor of involving authorities. 

'He's told me he was going to kill me and his parents knew that,' she said. 

'They didn't want me to call the police. They know, there's no doubt about it. I think they wish they didn't know but they know. 

'I did stay quiet each time, I never spoke about anything before this. I wanted to respect their privacy and mine and I just didn't think the world needed to know. 

'But I'm at the point that keeping quiet didn't do anything and he's hurt more people, so it's time to speak up.' 

Loewe said that she was angered by the court's decision to allow him to be released on a low bail. 

She said: 'I think he has a lot of issues – not just instability but a lot of mental health issues that have never been addressed. I think there's a bit of PTSD there but that's not the main problem. There's a lot of problems and that maybe just adds to it. It's the same with alcohol, it exacerbates it.' 

Jordan said she was unaware if Track, a veteran who served in the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, in Iraq, was using drugs. 

'When I was with him, he was sober for year at that time and there was still a lot of violence problems,' she said. The issues are there, with or without substance abuse. He doesn't think have a problem so much as anyone wants to help him – you can't help yourself.' 

So Jordan was getting constant death threats from Track and his parents dissuaded her from calling the police? Apparently they were willing to risk her life, rather than force their son to get help.

Yeah, a little counseling is NOT going to turn any of this around.

Track either accepts being in therapy for the long hall, or he is going to kill somebody. 

Period.

Britta Hanson gave her daughter a safe word to protect her from her father Track Palin's temper.

Britta Hanson with Palin at Governor's picnic.

Courtesy of The Blast:  

Track Palin‘s ex-wife got a protective order against him to keep her and the couple’s 6-year-old daughter safe, and also created a safeword to use in case the child needed to be secretly saved from the troubled man. 

According to documents filed in Alaska by Britta Hanson, and obtained by The Blast, Hanson agreed to a secret phrase with 6-year-old Kyla that would alert her mom if she needed to be picked up from Track’s home if she felt she was in danger. 

Hanson would know there was trouble if Kyla asked her, “Mom, can you sing me a bedtime song?” Hanson says that on November 25, she went to pick Kyla up after staying the night with Track, and when she showed up he was enraged, allegedly “cussing and yelling” and “grabbed me and pushed me into the wall” when she began to record on her phone. 

She says he took their daughter and headed to the home of Sarah and Todd Palin, and she followed. 

Hanson says Kyla went to hang out with Sarah, and she confronted Track with his father, Todd. She says Track flipped out, started throwing tools and threatened to beat up Todd.

Hanson says after the November incident, Sarah, Todd, and herself agreed that she would drop Kyla off at their house in the future, and Track could spend supervised time with his daughter. 

She also says the night Track was arrested for attacking his father, she received a call from Piper Palin informing her of the situation, and locked herself inside her house with her family in fear that Track may come after them. 

She says their daughter is not safe with Track. Hanson also lists in the document that he has committed an act of domestic violence against the child, but does not give details.

Gee, I can almost hardly wait for the Palin troll to show up and start lecturing all of us about what a good guy Track is, and how all of this is a recent development.

It's not. This is who Track Palin has been for over a decade now, and unless he gets help he is going to kill somebody.

And that somebody could even be one of his own children.

As we reported before Britta DID get that restraining order and baby mama number two Jordan Loewe was granted a change in her custody agreement.

According to the Daily Mail, Todd, Sarah, and Willow have all also taken out restraining orders against Track. 

P.S. I know that some of you want me to post about Willow's engagement, but I do not consider that actual news and will not do so here on IM. Sorry.

Track Palin's supposed PTSD is now being used to excuse his most recent assault.

Shushannah Walsh, who once authored a book about Sarah Palin (Sarah from Alaska), is essentially offering excuses for Track's behavior here.

Yes Track has a definite substance abuse problem.

But no it has NOTHING to do with any PTSD from his time in the military.

As we have noted a number of times in the past, Track did NOT actually see any combat while he was serving his one year hitch overseas.

In his discharge papers, posted above, there is no CIB (Combat Infantry Badge) which is given to ALL infantrymen and special forces who ACTIVELY participate in combat.

This of course means that Track did NOT see any actual combat, which I am sure his mother arranged for before she forced him to enlist.

So if indeed Track is suffering from PTSD, it is a disorder he earned simply by being a member of the Palin family, and NOT one he earned while serving his country.

As for the opioid problem, well Track has been dealing with that since his teens.

And that is ALSO likely the result of being a member of the Palin family.

Track also appeared in court today and was approved for house arrest.

Courtesy of ADN:  

Magistrate Judge Tara Logsdon approved house arrest with electronic monitoring for Palin and kept his $5,000 bail. Logsdon said she expected Palin to be released Wednesday. 

Once released, he's not allowed to go within an "exclusion zone" around his parents' home along the Parks Highway, or near liquor stores or places serving alcohol. He can't drink and must take prescription drugs only as prescribed. All weapons must be taken out of his house. 

Palin, who lives alone, will be allowed to go to medical appointments and to work at Alaska Directional LLC, a drilling company in Palmer. 

The family supports the house arrest request, Todd Palin told the judge by phone. His parents and siblings — younger brother Trig and sister Piper — still want contact with Track, Todd Palin said. 

It's not known if the children were in the house during the assault. 

Personally I would keep the kids far away from Track at this point, but the Palin family is not exactly known for good parenting decisions.

The prosecutor was not happy with some of these bail terms agreed to by the judge, but she did manage to get her request approved for a mental health evaluation.

Well, that's a start.

P.S. For those who were asking for one, here is a photo of Track from today's proceedings.

 Oh yeah, that is definitely the face of a man you want spending time with your kids.

Update: Track Palin now has a lawyer.

I'm keeping my eye on this case for any further developments, and as of yesterday Track finally has a lawyer assigned to his case.

The lawyer is one Patrick Bergt, and he does not appear to be any of the numerous lawyers that the Palins have used in the past.

Which more or less reinforces by contention that Track is not getting any help from his family at this time.

In fact it's quite possible that Bergt was assigned to the case as a public defender, though it does not specify that in the Court View documents.

Whatever the case I do not think that Track has a steady source of income, so if I were this Bergt character I would make sure to collect my fee up front.

There is a bail hearing at 1:00 today so Track may soon be out and ready to go finish Todd off by 2:00 PM.

Update: Courtesy of the Daily Mail:  

Things are quickly spiraling out of control for Track Palin following his arrest on Saturday at his parent's home in Alaska. 

Court records show that on Monday his ex-wife Britta Hanson filed a petition for a protective order against Track. 

Britta, who is the mother of Track's 6-year-old daughter Kayla, was granted a short-term order by the judge and will be back in court early next month to try and get a long-term order keeping her ex away from her and possibly their daughter. 

At the same time, Track's ex Jordan Loewe also filed an emergency motion to change the child custody agreement that is in place between the couple. 

Track and Jordan are the parents of a son Charlie, who is almost two. 

The part about Britta we report the other day, but that Jordan Loewe part I did not see at Court View.

Well even if Track manages to get out of jail today, it appears unlikely that he will spend his Christmas with any of his kids, or probably even with any of his family.

Update 2: Just as we suspected Track never finished his court ordered rehab from the 2016 incident.

Courtesy of ADN: 

Track Palin, the son of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, opted not to finish a therapeutic court program for military veterans to address a 2016 domestic-violence arrest. 

Police arrested him last year for punching a woman in the head and threatening to fire a rifle. He was charged with fourth-degree assault, interfering with the report of a domestic-violence crime and possessing a weapon while intoxicated. 

But rather than pursuing a traditional path through the court system, Palin chose an alternative sentencing agreement through Anchorage Veterans Court, according to his attorney and the Anchorage district attorney. 

Veterans Court offers eligible service members reduced or dismissed charges in exchange for going to weekly hearings and undergoing treatment — counseling, substance abuse programs — available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

"We don't force anybody. You have an option," said Rick Allen, who coordinates the program through his position as Anchorage district attorney. "It's a major time commitment. You're going to have to do lots of rehab stuff, you're going to have to do constant (urine tests). It's a major ordeal." 

Apparently Track's excuse is that he had work commitments at some oil company. 

I seriously doubt this employment thing, but even if real since when do job responsibilities take precedent over completing a treatment program to avoid jail time?

A little follow up on the whole Track Palin beat Todd's ass debacle.

So since yesterday's post we have learned a few more details.

First off is that we now have an actual copy of the official complaint.

When you read it, especially Track's testimony, it appears that Todd and Sarah had ample time to notify the police BEFORE Track arrived to kick Todd's ass, but failed to do so until things got really out of hand.

There were no children in the home so everybody can stop worrying about them.

However after the badly beaten Todd was able to get away from Track he apparently abandoned his wife and jumped in his car.

She was also able to get out on her own it seems and was in a second vehicle exiting the compound when the police arrived.

Track was still inside screaming at nobody and high as a freaking kite.

The complaint also says that after pointing his gun at Track that Todd "decided" that he was not going to shoot his son as he broke in through the window.

Personally I doubt that Todd ever intended to actually use the gun, but he did indeed point it at Track and threaten him with it.

That is some good parenting right there.

According to Court View Britta Hanson, his first baby mama, also petitioned for a protective order, which she quickly received.

Now I assumed that this was a preemptive move on her part, after hearing about this incident at the compund, but Zaki told me that he believes she could not have received one of these unless there was an actual physical threat made against her, which indicates that more may have happened that night than we know right now.

All in all it is beyond obvious that Track's addictions continue to control his life.

According to various sources I have talked to in the past Track has been abusing and selling drugs for more than a decade now, and in fact that may be how he is currently paying his bills.

Sarah had a real opportunity to help this young man, and instead she attempted to "save" him from himself and now this is the result.

It appears that Track remains in custody, and is still not represented by counsel which I think indicates that Ma and Pa Palin are finished covering for his loser ass and that he is now truly on his own.

Track Palin was arrested for beating his father, Todd Palin! Update!

Track, the beater, is on the far right, and Todd, the beatee is 4th from the right. One person separated from Track's last victim.

Courtesy of ADN: 

Wasilla police came to the Palin home after Sarah Palin called them just after 8:30 p.m. to say her son was "freaking out and was on some type of medication," according to a sworn affidavit filed in court by Wasilla officer Adam LaPointe. 

Track Palin came to the house to confront his father over a truck he wanted to pick up, according to the affidavit. Todd Palin told his son not to come because he'd been drinking and taking pain medication. 

"Track told him he was (going to) come anyway to beat his ass," LaPointe wrote. 

Todd Palin told the officer he got his pistol to "protect his family" and met his son with the gun when he came to the door, according to the affidavit. 

Track Palin broke a window and came through it, and put his father on the ground, the report states. He began hitting him on the head. 

Todd Palin escaped and left the house. He suffered injuries to his face and head, the officer wrote. He was bleeding from several cuts on his head and had liquid coming from his ear. 

Track Palin was arrested on charges of felony first-degree burglary and misdemeanor criminal mischief and fourth-degree assault.

Well I guess we now know what really happened during Todd's supposed "snowmachine accident" last year.

Did you see the part where Todd went to get a gun?

He was literally so afraid of his son that he was preparing to shoot him dead.

THAT is fucked up, even for the Palin family.

By the way leaking liquid from your ear is a pretty good sign of a ruptured eardrum or possible damage to Todd's brain.

I wonder how Sarah feels today about helping her boy avoid jail time, or any real counseling, after he attacked and beat his pregnant fiancee?

How did that work out for you Sarah?

Update: According to Court View the charge for destruction of property, which we now know to mean the Palin family window, has been dismissed.

The bail is set at $5,000.00 but it does not appear that anybody has paid it yet.

And the date for his preliminary hearing is December 27th, at 1:00 PM.

Gee I wonder if a bandaged up Todd will show up as the star witness?

Update 2: Here's more from ADN:

As police arrived, they saw two vehicles leaving the home: Todd Palin was in the first, and officers could see blood running down his face, LaPointe wrote. 

Sarah Palin, in the second, was "visibly upset," he wrote. Officers learned Track Palin was alone in the house, and they could hear yelling coming from inside. 

Police called to Track Palin to come out, and he came out the partly open front door, according to the affidavit. 

"Track stood on the porch," LaPointe wrote. "Communication was attempted which failed due to Track yelling and calling myself and other officers peasants and telling us to lay our guns on the ground before approaching the residence." 

Palin walked back in and the officers saw him moving around, the affidavit states. Then he came out an upstairs window onto the garage roof. 

"He moved around in a strange manner and assumed a prone position just behind the roof line in what appeared to be an attempt to locate officers on the property," LaPointe wrote. 

He went back inside, the officer wrote, but communication was re-established after 10 or 15 minutes of silence and Palin came back outside to talk. 

Police put him handcuffs without incident and read him his Miranda rights in the back of a patrol car, according to LaPoint.

He told the police to lay their guns down?

What kind of entitled POS thinks he can tell the cops, who arrived to place HIM under arrest, what to do?

Well, a Palin POS of course. 

South Carolina Republican lawmaker arrested for assaulting hi wife with a firearm after being caught cheating. Gotta love those family values!

Courtesy of Aiken Standard: 

South Carolina Rep. Chris Corley has been arrested after police say he assaulted his wife and pointed a handgun at her. 

Corley, 36, who represents Graniteville in Aiken County in the South Carolina House of Representatives, was arrested Tuesday by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. 

Arrest warrants for Corley show he has been charged with first-degree domestic violence and pointing and presenting firearms at a person. 

Warrants state Corley, in the presence of an 8-year-old child, did "cause physical harm and injury" to the victim, by "striking her about the head and face with a closed fist and further did, after threatening to kill the victim, point a Smith & Wesson ... handgun at the victim causing her to fear for her life." 

Deputies responded on Monday to a home on the 100 block of Sugar Hill Drive in Graniteville, where a woman said Corley, who she identified as her husband, hit her in the face with his fist and said he was going to kill her while children were in the home, police reported. 

The woman told deputies Corley was "caught cheating."

Corley made national news last year after sending out a Christmas card featuring a confederate flag to his colleagues suggesting that they "ask for forgiveness of all your sins such as betrayal."

And yes of course he was a Trump supporter. 

Well I'll tell you right now that once Donald Trump is sworn into office it will once again be perfectly alright for a man to pistol whip his wife for catching him cheating on her.

Just like it says in the Bible.

Probably.

You know I usually think that the FBI in Alaska is a little more competent than our police force in Anchorage. May have to rethink that.

Courtesy of the YouTube site: 

This is the FBI Alaska field office SWAT team responding to a domestic disturbance call where the suspect was armed. I know everyone can be a critic after the fact but this is definitely something comedic.

I like how they just leave their weapons leaning on the neighbors garage door while they attempt to enter a home in which they believe an armed  suspect is waiting for them.

I don't know where those folks bought their door, but I need to get me one of those bad boys.

A round up of news stories dealing with Track Palin's plea deal to avoid facing justice for punching his girlfriend in the face.

So I figured I would let a day or so go by and then gather up the majority of the news coverage over the dropping of charges in the Track Palin case.

First thing to note is that it was covered quite extensively. And most of them did not let Track off very easily.

Almost all of them include an account from the original police report describing Track's alcohol intake and exactly what he did to Jordan.

Courtesy of Raw Story: 

Track Palin, 27, was arrested back on Jan. 18 at the Palin compound after a woman said he had punched and kicked her during an argument over an ex-boyfriend. According to the woman, Palin punched her in the face, then threw her phone away before pulling a gun and threatening to commit suicide. 

When police arrived, Palin had marks on his face and claimed the woman hit him with her elbow. According to police, Palin was given a breathalyzer test that measured his blood alcohol level at .189.

Alaska Dispatch is the source many of the papers used to describe the plea deal:  

"As a condition of his entry into that court the state dismissed the first two counts," Fitzgerald said. "Track pled to misconduct involving weapons (in the fourth degree), concerning being under the influence and having a firearm." 

Track Palin will have to complete a regime of "alcohol-related" treatment under the terms of this week's agreement, Fitzgerald said. Upon successful completion of the treatment, the weapons-misconduct charge will be expunged from his record. But if that doesn't happen, Palin will receive a 180-day suspended jail sentence and be placed under informal probation for two years.

It should be noted that almost all of the news coverage shied away from giving Track a free pass.

In fact the Daily Mail wrote this right below their headline: 

Track Palin agrees to rehab and avoids jail for 'punching his girlfriend in the face and drunkenly threatening to shoot himself dead with an AR-15' 

Yeah, no free pass there.

The Mail also added this:

The charges were filed on the same day his mother Sarah Palin, who was the GOP vice presidential candidate in 2008, endorsed Donald Trump before primary voting began with the Iowa caucuses. 

As media covered her son's arrest, she told reporters her son returned from Iraq 'a bit different' and blamed the incident on post-traumatic stress disorder. 

She also used the opportunity to criticize the Obama administration's policies towards veterans for her son's problems. 

Other news outlets which covered the story included Radar Online, USA Today, Talking Points Memo, Mediaite, and a handful of others. (By the way if you want to see what people really think about Sarah Palin, and her violent drunken offspring these days just spend a little time at the comment sections on those sites. To put it bluntly they are no longer buying her shit.)

However it should be noted that only here on IM, and over at Joe My God, did the story of the changes on Court View receive coverage.

Though we were the only ones to note that the remanded portions was removed, and the July 11th additions did not show up, until July 14th, only as the story of Track's incarceration started to spread across the internet.

Which means that for all intents and purposes Sarah Palin was able to change the narrative again.

And that is really too bad because as all of us here know Track Palin has a long history of violent behaviors, predating his time in the military, and he really DOES need to face some consequences and to get professional help.

Because the next time it might be a whole lot worse than simply punching his girlfriend in the face and kicking her while she lay at his feet.

Next time somebody could be killed.

And I don't think that even Sarah Palin can snap her fingers and make that go away.

Oops, the Supreme Court has some potential bad news for Track Palin.

Courtesy of Mother Jones: 

Should domestic abusers who get convicted of minor domestic-violence charges get to keep their right to own guns just because their crimes were merely reckless, as opposed to premeditated? That's more or less the question the Supreme Court was considering in Voisine v. US, a somewhat obscure case that was languishing on the court's docket as one of the last cases decided of the term. In a 6-2 opinion written by Justice Elena Kagan, the high court answered that question with a muted "no." 

The case challenges a 1996 amendment to the federal Gun Control Act, sponsored and named after the late New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D), that barred people convicted of misdemeanor domestic-violence offenses from owning firearms. Violating the law carried a federal felony charge with a 10-year maximum sentence attached. The law was a triumph for women's advocates because it recognized that people guilty of domestic violence were rarely charged with felonies and banned from gun ownership, and that there was a documented relationship between domestic violence and gun homicides. The law was designed to keep guns out of the hands of those perps, even when they'd only been convicted of misdemeanors.

So according to the Supreme Court even if you only got drunk and punched your girlfriend in the face, while waving a gun around, without premeditation,  you still must surrender your 2nd Amendment rights.

Oh that is not go to go over well at a certain compound by a dead lake.

Though in all fairness Track has not yet been convicted of attacking his now pregnant fiance and beating her like a stray dog, so perhaps he can still avoid having to give up the guns that were more precious to him than his own daughter.

However I think that if anybody were to ask the people around Track if he should keep his arsenal we would hear a resounding NO.

Well except for his mother of course, who believes that guns don't cause domestic violence, bitches who don't know their place cause domestic violence.

Track Palin succeeds in having his assault case moved to the Veteran's Court in Anchorage.

According to Court View tomorrow's court date in Palmer has been vacated, and Track's case has now moved to Anchorage.:

3PA-16-00145CR Crim Dist Ct Misd (3PA) 01/19/2016 

Palin, Track Defendant 06/13/2016 

Unopposed Motion for: 

Unopposed Motion for Transfer of Case File 
Attorney: Fitzgerald, Kevin T (8711085) 
Filing Party: Palin, Track 
Case Motion #2 

06/14/2016 

Order Granting Motion Order Granting Motion 
Case Motion #2: Unopposed Motion for Transfer of Case File 

06/15/2016 Temporary Transfer of Case to: 

Temporary Transfer of Case to: Anchorage

My assumption is that this is called a "temporary transfer" just in case Track does not show up or does not agree to the treatment that the court will insist upon in exchange for less jail time.

So another Palin finds a way to circumvent justice in Alaska.

Same old story that I have been telling for over eight years now.

(H/T to the Anonymous IM commenter who sent me this information. Thanks.)

Now why is Track Palin's attorney talking about moving his case to a Veterans Court in Anchorage?

Jordan Loewe and Track Palin, Before all the hitting started.

Courtesy of ADN: 

Track Palin, the 27-year-old son of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, may face criminal domestic violence charges in a special court for military veterans. 

Palin, a U.S. Army veteran, was arrested in Wasilla in January after what police described as a drunken altercation with a woman at his family's home on Lake Lucille.

Of course we all know that the woman is in fact Jordan Loewe Track's fiance, and now soon to be baby mama.

The article goes on to describe the events of that night in January which I think all of us here are pretty familiar with, including all of the hitting and kicking, and then lists the charges against Track: 

Track Palin was charged with three misdemeanors: fourth-degree domestic violence assault; interfering with a report of domestic violence; and fourth-degree weapons misconduct.

The article also points out that there was a "no contact" order given by the courts which Jordan tried to have lifted, though it apparently stayed in place.

Of course since Jordan is now pregnant we will assume that Track ignored that guideline as well.

The next question to ask is why does Track's attorney think this is a good idea for Track?

Here are the prerequisites for having the case moved to the Veterans Court according to their website:

The veteran must reside in the Municipality of Anchorage. 

• The veteran must be eligible for VA services, as defined by federal law and con firmed by the Veterans Administration. 

• The veteran must be charged with a criminal offense. A veteran charged with a felony offense will be considered on a case by case basis to ensure public safety. Considerations will include the seriousness and the class of the current offense, and offender’s criminal history. 

• The veteran must voluntarily agree to waive his or her right to a speedy trial while they participate in Anchorage Veterans Court. 

• The veteran must have no other pending cases in district or superior court. All open cases must be heard at Anchorage Veterans Court hearings. 

• The veteran must have a treatment need (related to the criminal conduct charged) that the VA can address through one of its programs in order to participate in the Veterans Court Program.

Well first off Track does NOT reside in Anchorage which should immediately make him ineligible, though according to the ADN article the court has the ability to make exceptions to that rule for special circumstances.

Also according to ADN Track would have to plead guilty, or no contest, to at least one of the charges in order to qualify for this program, but he could receive a lesser sentence if he agrees to a treatment program. (Aha!)

I have also been told that these court proceedings are open to the public so there would be no expectation of a media blackout.

My guess is that the Palins know that Track is screwed if he goes to regular court and that this Veterans Court is his only hope of avoiding some serious time.

This also explains all of those continuances. They were looking for a way out.

As usual.

Utah man shoots and kills girlfriend in fight after Superbowl.

Jenna Spinya

Courtesy of Raw Story: 

A Utah man shot and killed his girlfriend during an argument Sunday night after the Super Bowl. 

The 41-year-old man called police shortly before 11 p.m. to report that he had shot his 30-year-old girlfriend after she pulled a knife on him, reported KSL-TV. 

Police found the woman dead from multiple gunshot wounds when they arrived at the couple’s Riverdale apartment. 

The woman has been identified in news reports as Jenna Manuel or Jenna Spinya, the mother of an 8-year-old daughter and longtime employee at an Ogden bar. 

Investigators said the couple began arguing shortly after one of them returned from watching the Super Bowl with friends.

Okay first off "multiple gunshot wounds" does NOT sound like self defense to me. 

Second this is yet another illustration as to why guns are the very LAST thing that should be purchased for self defense purposes.

There is such a thing as an "appropriate use of force." We teach this in self defense classes to educate students as to when they should use physical force and how much force should be applied to any given situation.

But with guns there is only one setting on the weapon, and that is death.

Contrary to what you might have learned from television Westerns guns are designed to kill, and if somebody gets wounded in the arm or the leg that usually means the shooter missed their initial target which is the torso. You know, where all of the vital organs are located.

 Not only that but the death which rushes from the barrel of a gun is indiscriminate in that it can kill, not only its intended target, but anybody within a certain radius depending on its caliber and the environment in which it is fired.

That means that a person, even a child, minding their own business in another part of a house, or in the neighborhood, or even driving by on the street could be the victim of a billet fired in anger or out of fear.

Now I'm not saying that this man was not in imminent danger of being injured or even killed, but grabbing a gun to fend off a knife attack by somebody you are supposed to care about is a complete overreaction in my opinion.

And before you jump on me for not understanding the danger you should know that I have actually faced off against knife wielding combatants more than a few times, and in fact have a small scar right below my bellybutton and another on my hand.

In none of my situations, as scary as they might have been, did I pull out a gun to defend myself, and every one of the people who threatened or attacked me are still walking the earth to this day.

They did not have to die, they only had to be stopped, and I was able to manage that without taking a life, or really even doing a great deal of injury to my assailants. 

That is what is meant by an appropriate use of force.