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Thursday, December 3, 2009

Sarah Palin: The Ethos of Ethics

Following is the complete transcript of Thomas Van Flein's post on Governor Palin's Facebook Notes page pertaining to frivolous ethics complaints:



When the Governor announced her decision to resign on July 3, she
pointed out the then 15 frivolous ethics complaints that had been filed
against her and dismissed. It was intended to explain, in part, her
decision to resign as well to educate the public about the abuse of the
Alaska Ethics Act through a repetitive stream of baseless partisan
accusations, each one seemingly more pointless and frivolous than the
next. The Governor’s message was not intended as an invitation to run
off half-cocked and file more baseless ethics complaints, but not
everyone understood that message—or wanted to understand. In August
2009, largely in response to the abuse of Alaska’s Ethics Act by
partisan shills and low level lackeys, the Attorney General issued an
opinion recommending changes to the Ethics Act ”to prevent another
potential harm—abuse of the process. Some Alaskans have argued that the
Ethics Act has been used inappropriately in some circumstances to
politically damage the subject of the complaint.” (August 5, 2009
Attorney General Opinion). That argument was asserted by the Anchorage
Daily News. “Our View: Abuse of Ethics Complaints Turns Good Law Into
Bad Politics,” Anchorage Daily News, May 3, 2009. The Attorney General
further recommended “another safeguard to discourage habitual complaint
filers who use the Ethics Act process to harass executive branch
employees. Statutory amendments could provide authority to the
personnel board to decline to process further complaints filed by a
person who has abused the Act in this way.” Though it is encouraging to
see an impartial evaluation of the problem, it is ultimately up to the
Legislature to implement any of these recommended changes. Governor
Palin has been subjected to 24 ethics complaints, several lawsuits, and
dozens and dozens of public information act requests, few of which
raised even a scintilla of a good faith issue, and most of which were
simply done to garner a headline or promote opposition research for
political gain (Van Flein, 2009, ¶1).



Recently we learned that two more ethics complaints against Governor Palin have been dismissed—complaints that were filed after
the Governor announced her plans to step down. One complaint asserted
that it was unethical for the state to follow its own per diem
regulations and pay per diem to the Governor as set forth by law. Of
course, the complainant conveniently overlooked that the Governor and
her family received less per diem than they were entitled to under
State law—why let such details stand in the way of an ethics complaint?
The other complaint that was dismissed asserted that the Governor,
through me, supposedly violated the constitution because we informed a
person who falsely implied that the Governor was “under investigation”
by the FBI, that such statements are defamatory. It is notable to watch
those who agitate on all things Palin—locally and even across the
Atlantic—as they Huff and puff falsehoods about Sarah Palin under the
guise of free speech, which brings us to a teachable moment. All too
often we hear about constitutional rights—as we should—but many forget
about constitutional responsibilities. As citizens we have both rights
and responsibilities. Though we have the right to exercise free speech,
we have the responsibility to exercise that right without defaming
people. I like the way our Alaska Constitution describes it: “Every
person may freely speak, write, and publish on all subjects, being
responsible for the abuse of that right.” Ak. Const. Art. I, Sec. 5.
The irony of filing an ethics complaint because of a reminder about the
constitutional parameters of free speech is no doubt lost on those
consumed by irrationality when it comes to Sarah Palin; but one does
not need an ethics law to know that positive political discourse
depends on a robust debate about facts and the policy implications
stemming from such facts. The nation is not helped by calumnious ad hominem attacks against Sarah Palin, matrilineal conspiracy theories, and aberrant notions of ethics (Van Flein, 2009, ¶2).



- Thomas Van Flein, Personal Attorney for Sarah Palin



References:


Van Flein, T. (2009, December 3). The ethos of ethics. Facebook, Sarah Palin. Retrieved December 3, 2009 from: http://www.facebook.com/sarahpalin#/notes/sarah-palin/the-ethos-of-ethics/188537988434

Sarah Palin: "Mr. President: Boycott Copenhagen; Investigate Your Climate Change "Experts"

The president’s decision to attend the international climate conference in Copenhagen needs to be reconsidered in light of the unfolding Climategate scandal. The leaked e-mails involved in Climategate expose the unscientific behavior of leading climate scientists who deliberately destroyed records to block information requests, manipulated data to “hide the decline” in global temperatures, and conspired to silence the critics of man-made global warming. I support Senator James Inhofe’s call for a full investigation into this scandal. Because it involves many of the same personalities and entities behind the Copenhagen conference, Climategate calls into question many of the proposals being pushed there, including anything that would lead to a cap and tax plan.

Policy should be based on sound science, not snake oil. I took a stand against such snake oil science when I sued the federal government over its decision to list the polar bear as an endangered species despite the fact that the polar bear population has increased. I’ve never denied the reality of climate change; in fact, I was the first governor to create a subcabinet position to deal specifically with the issue. I saw the impact of changing weather patterns firsthand while serving as governor of our only Arctic state. But while we recognize the effects of changing water levels, erosion patterns, and glacial ice melt, we cannot primarily blame man’s activities for the earth’s cyclical weather changes. The drastic economic measures being pushed by dogmatic environmentalists won’t change the weather, but will dramatically change our economy for the worse.

Policy decisions require real science and real solutions, not junk science and doomsday scare tactics pushed by an environmental priesthood that capitalizes on the public’s worry and makes them feel that owning an SUV is a “sin” against the planet. In his inaugural address, President Obama declared his intention to “restore science to its rightful place.” Boycotting Copenhagen while this scandal is thoroughly investigated would send a strong message that the United States government will not be a party to fraudulent scientific practices. Saying no to Copenhagen and cap and tax are first steps in “restoring science to its rightful place.”

- Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin: Faith, Family, Freedom

Following is the complete transcript of Governor Palin's Facebook note on her speech at College of the Ozarks and photo spread from recent book signing events:



My parents and I just had a wonderful time at “Hard Work U” – the
school motto of College of the Ozarks. It earned that proud nickname
because students there work their way through college and graduate with
little or no debt. (In other words, a place after my own heart, and the
hearts of others who worked their way through college and, like me,
maybe took five years to finish because of work schedules!) (Palin, 2009, ¶1)



At tonight’s patriotic event at the college we heard some amazing
personal stories of heroism and sacrifice by our military veterans in
attendance, including members of our Greatest Generation, who we
honored tonight. It was such an inspiration to hear their stories and
affirm the principles that make this country great – faith, hard work,
perseverance, patriotism, and public service (Palin, 2009, ¶2).



All Americans need to hear from these true, proud patriots. May we
never forget their fight for freedom. Their battles make the petty
shots and irrelevant “challenges” some of us face today pale in
comparison. I thank them for allowing us a healthy perspective and a
reminder of what really matters (Palin, 2009, ¶3).



- Sarah Palin



PS: Please enjoy the photos below from Arizona, New Mexico, and Missouri!





Gov.
Sarah Palin signs a sticker during a “Going Rogue” book signing event
at Cosco on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in Tempe, AZ. Photo by Shealah
Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin shakes hands with a gentleman dressed festively for the
holiday season during a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Cosco on
Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in Tempe, AZ. Photo by Shealah Craighead.
Copyright SarahPAC.



A
birds-eye-view of a “Going Rogue” book signing event with Gov. Sarah
Palin at Cosco on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in Tempe, AZ. Photo by
Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin receives two thumbs up from a supporter during a “Going
Rogue” book signing event at Cosco on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in
Tempe, AZ. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin shakes hands with a cadet from the New Mexico Military
Institute during a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Cosco on
Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in Tempe, AZ. Photo by Shealah Craighead.
Copyright SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin shares a moment with a supporter during a “Going Rogue”
book signing event at Cosco on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in Tempe, AZ.
Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin shares a moment with a supporter during a “Going Rogue”
book signing event at Cosco on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in Tempe, AZ.
Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin waves to a crowd upon arriving at Borders bookstore for a
“Going Rogue” book signing event on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, in
Springfield, MO. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin hugs a woman in the crowd as she makes her way into Borders
bookstore on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, in Springfield, MO, for a
“Going Rogue” book signing event. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Copyright
SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin high-fives a supporter as he and his family pass through
the line at a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Borders bookstore on
Wednesday, December 2, 2009, in Springfield, MO. Photo by Shealah
Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin shakes hands with a supporter as he passes through the line
at a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Borders bookstore on
Wednesday, December 2, 2009, in Springfield, MO. Photo by Shealah
Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.



Gov.
Sarah Palin gets a “thumbs-up” from a supporter as she and her family
pass through the line at a “Going Rogue” book signing event at Borders
bookstore on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, in Springfield, MO. Photo by
Shealah Craighead. Copyright SarahPAC.

References:

 



Palin, S. L. H. (2009, December 3). "Faith, Family, Freedom: Remembering What Really Matters" Facebook, Sarah Palin. Retrieved December 3, 2009 from: http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=24718773587#/note.php?note_id=188015753434

Accomplishments Featured in: Historical Moments in Time: Sarah Palin

Thank you!!!!!




Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's Accomplishments is featured in a short list of blogs on Page 57 of Historical Moements in Time: Sarah Palin. Also included in the spread are Conservatives4Palin, The Sarah Palin Blog, Texas for Sarah Palin, and The Book of Sarah...colleagues we work closely with.



The spread features screen shots from Accomplishments, C4P, and the Sarah Palin Blog.



The special magazine is sold at Governor Palin's book signings and is usually on the center display along with her books as you walk in. It is also available online at Books-A-Million.

To be part of this short list is a honor. As editor and publisher of Accomplishments, I am humbled and grateful to the producers of Historical Moements in Time: Sarah Palin.


Special thank you to Whitney the Pipsqueak, publisher of The LOTUS Laptop of the United States for informing me.