On The Corner, Mark Hemingway underlines just how microscopic an ethical question can be from Sarah Palin's mayoralty and still be cited as breaking national news in an "investigation" by the AP.
She gladly accepted gifts from merchants: A free "awesome facial" she raved about in a thank-you note to a spa. The "absolutely gorgeous flowers" she received from a welding supply store. Even fresh salmon to take home.
The story was headlined "AP Investigation: Palin got zoning aid, gifts." Most of the story covered a zoning exception Palin got on her lakefront house. AP's Brett Blackledge cites tiny scandals like these as a way to underline "Palin claims she has more executive experience than her opponent and the two presidential candidates, but most of those years were spent running a city with a population of less than 7,000." According to Blackledge, she was suspect from Day One:
Some of her first actions after being elected mayor in 1996 raised possible ethical red flags: She cast the tie-breaking vote to propose a tax exemption on aircraft when her father-in-law owned one, and backed the city's repeal of all taxes a year later on planes, snow machines and other personal property. She also asked the council to consider looser rules for snow machine races. Palin and her husband, Todd, a champion racer, co-owned a snow machine store at the time.
Palin often told the City Council of her personal involvement in such issues, but that didn't stop her from pressing them, according to minutes of council meetings.
Most of the story focused on the zoning issue, and Palin's failure to remove a carport that neighbors thought should be removed before the house was sold. Will there be a garage question at this week's debate? Or just an "awesome facial" inquiry?
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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Meanwhile
September 29, 2008 - 08:35 ET by 10ksnookerAnyone see the story about Obama's terrorist buddy Bill Ayers anywhere? And what happened to the Chicago Annenberg Challenge money, any success stories to show off?
What no interst in that, but the facial gets front billing. Gee I wonder why, says Captian Obvious.
»→ No Snooker
September 29, 2008 - 08:50 ET by Cool ArrowBut when some Plastic Surgeon removes that big booger off of Bambi's nose, we should expect an investigation into the funding.
"I've got a bracelet too" - Barack Obama
Yahoo put this story ON TOP as HIGHLIGHTED!
September 29, 2008 - 09:41 ET by MaximusBraveheartLast night under "most popular," Yahoo highlighted this story at the top. Not the most popular, but the one Yahoo WANTED to hightlight. What a load of c*ap. These are journalists? Yahoo in the tank for Obama?
I really can't understand
September 29, 2008 - 10:09 ET by SeashellI really can't understand how the WSJ story on Obama and Ayers was not reported anywhere. This is a serious issue that people NEED to understand about Obama. Needless to say that the MSM will never mention it.
Palin
September 29, 2008 - 09:35 ET by jaywlThere it is, proof in the pudding (BTW Palin has been known to make pudding and distribute it to neighborhood kids). The word in political circles is that behind the smile and good looks Sarah Palin is a superfacial shell who will be exposed in due time. Well, we didn't have to wait. Apparently with a thank you note to a local spa for the "awesome" facial, never paid for, Palin herself has admitted the obvious. The spa, as a Wasilla business, has been interested in reducing the amount of taxes and fees paid to the city. As Mayor, Palin was in a position to receive such requests. There is at present no proof anything illegal or unethical was done by Palin on the spa's behalf. However, with the admission her facial was awesome the denials by her camp are mute. An Obama supporter said "Sarah Palin is nothing but a superfacial twit dressed as a librarian."
(I know, ficial)
Yep. She's toast, all
September 29, 2008 - 10:29 ET by HockeyKidYep. She's toast, all right. Even worse: when she was mayor, she knew EVERYONE who made requests to her office ON A FIRST NAME BASIS, as evidenced by minutes of city council meetings!! She supported legislation that favored people who have "snow machines" and airplanes! She's as dirty as they come.
Hehe. For all the ignorant trolls who don't recognize satire, here's some info: in small town politics, everybody knows everybody else by name. In Alaska, those who don't own snow machines are in the vast minority, and small airplanes are the only mode of transportation available in many areas of the state. This story is about as controversial as pepperoni on a pizza.
Add to the list
September 29, 2008 - 09:17 ET by Notafraidthe donations Obama received from Fannie Mae
People keep repeating back
September 29, 2008 - 09:37 ET by chambodiaPeople keep repeating back to me false rumors about Palin. Most of them have not heard of ACORN or knows that Obama was working with them as part of his "community organizing."
The sad thing is, some don't believe me when I correct them.
conservative icons
How much you wana bet that Joe gets a facial before Thursday.
September 29, 2008 - 09:42 ET by c5thenAP's Brett Blackledge
September 29, 2008 - 09:47 ET by pickerseniorThis Brett sleaze artiste is from the SF Chronicle. It's amazing how prople get paid writing this drivel. Must be part of the attack squad that went up there.
Must be comforting to make one's place in history through this hateful writing.
She cast the
September 29, 2008 - 10:34 ET by Jack BauerIs this a joke? She cast a vote to "propose" a tax exmption? They're not even talking about voting for a tax exemption, just to propose one?
I was wondering: when Congess votes on tax exemptions for, say, cars, boats, houses, or just about anything" does that mean members of Congress with in-laws owning said items should recuse themselves from voting.
This is what they've got on Palin? Pathetic comes to mind.
JB, It's worse than pathetic.
September 29, 2008 - 11:02 ET by IamTinmanThese bozos actually think they're reporters! Back home they used to call them gossips.
The dems know that McCain alone is a less than exciting candidate but with Governor Palin also on the ticket the GOP is a real danger not just to win the white house but to change the makeup of congress as well.
Lots of airplanes in Alaska
September 29, 2008 - 11:03 ET by nkviking75It should also be noted that it's much more commonplace to own an airplane in Alaska than anywhere else in the country. Rugged terrain and lack of roads makes this necessary. So it's not as if her father-in-law would be the only one to benefit.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
That's nothing! I heard that
September 29, 2008 - 17:59 ET by GrannyGrump42That's nothing! I heard that as Governor, she increased funding for education for special needs kids -- THEN SHE WENT OUT AND HAD ONE OF HER OWN! Coincidence? I think not!
What's more, I would bet that if they looked, they'd find that Palin used her power as Mayor to change the laws governing parking on Wasilla streets -- when she OWNED A CAR HERSELF!
Facialgate!!!
September 29, 2008 - 17:25 ET by jarand550Keep digging, AP, who needs credibility anyway?
Try looking around
October 8, 2008 - 20:47 ET by factfinder44Are you guys competing for the title of national clown?
Put this story in persepective. We know little about Palin and her experience as mayor of Wasilla is a big part of her resume. The largest part. I beleive 6 years as Mayor following some time on the city council.
Still, I agree that the fish and facial part seems petty.
But you all seem too ready to gloss over some aspects of the article that give insight into Palin's sense of ethics and judgment.
She didn't just vote to propose an tax exemption for planes, but she backed the City's repeal the following year of all taxes on planes, when her father owned one.
Then you ignore where she tried to get the City to refund some fees to a political contributor, but the City Attorney told her she didn't have the authority.
The greatest matter being the variance.
Come to think of it, she should fit right in with the inside the beltway crowd.
One last thing. Isn't this the same Brett Blackridge that one a Pullitzer?
Can I add one last thing to that one last thing? I hope you also enjoyed Blackridge's article, "State reviewing per diem payments to Palin."