Here is what the state of Alaska’s legislative commission found regarding Gov. Sarah Palin’s firing of Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, whom she allegedly fired because of his reluctance to dismiss a state trooper that Palin wanted gone for personal reasons:
– Palin did not violate any law in firing Monegan. As governor, she had the right to fire a cabinet member for pretty much any reason she wanted.
– Palin DID, however, act unethically, and she abused her power as governor.
That’s two separate findings. Did she break the law? No. Did she abuse her power and act unethically? Yes.
Now here’s Palin’s reaction to the report:
“I’m very very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing, any hint of any kind of unethical activity there.”
No, dummy. You were cleared of any legal wrongdoing, but NOT of unethical activity. Yes on one, no on the other.
REPORT: Sarah Palin acted unethically.
PALIN: I’m very pleased that the report has cleared me of acting unethically!
REPORT: Did you even read me?
PALIN: I’m so glad the report supports me! I love the report!
REPORT: I don’t support you.
PALIN: See? So much love and support.
REPORT: I don’t even know why I bother with you.
PALIN: Maverick! (winks)
It would be one thing if she said she disagrees with the report. But to say that the report says the OPPOSITE of what the report actually says — who does she think she’s fooling? As Rachel Maddow, MSNBC commentator and part-time K.D. Lang impersonator, says in this clip, that’s not a difference of interpretation. That’s just a lie.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CV6rHnELpY]In the comments below: people posting examples of other politicians stating the very opposite of what is true, because that makes it OK when Palin does it.
