# Panel Finds Palin Abused Power (Troopergate) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 11, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397 "2008-10-11T00:31:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![EhhMon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@EhhMon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EhhMon)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/61 "2008-10-11T07:35:45Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > In all seriousness, and without spin. By all accounts this guy is a crazy mofo and a bad cop, and was actually threatening her family. It’s not like she got a blowjob from an intern or something. If he was really threatening her family like she claims, why didn’t she file a police report? Something fishy about that. ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/62 "2008-10-11T07:50:08Z")
> [@leander](#): > > I agree – the hope, I suppose, is that the “undecideds” who are starting to shift towards Obama will see this as further good reason to vote for him. And let me add – the other hope is that this story will take time away from the current glurge of fabricated nonsense regarding Ayers and ACORN, which is getting lots of play on Fox et al. (And I hate to say it, but I think some of you have been whooshed by Scylla!) ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/63 "2008-10-11T07:54:38Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > So, Palin abused power, but the abuse was not illegal. Yes, the abuse was illegal. The report points out the statue that was violated — AS 39.52.110(a) of the Ethics Act. But the abuse wasn’t in firing Monegan, which she had the authority to do even with a half-ass reason. The abuse was in was pressuring Monegan to fire Wooten for personal reasons. That’s something she wasn’t allowed to do, and she broke the law in doing it. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/64 "2008-10-11T08:12:44Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > In all seriousness, and without spin. By all accounts this guy is a crazy mofo and a bad cop, and was actually threatening her family. It’s not like she got a blowjob from an intern or something. Seconded. It’s the collateral damage that is what makes it suspect. ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/65 "2008-10-11T08:19:14Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > By all accounts this guy is a crazy mofo and a bad cop, and was actually threatening her family. The problem here is with the phrase “by all accounts.” The only accounts I’ve seen are from the Palin camp – not the most unbiased source. I’d love to see a second side of this, because I, too, am left with the impression that this guy is a scumbag… but I also realized that I couldn’t come to any other conclusion, with the information I have! ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/66 "2008-10-11T09:52:43Z")
> [@quixotic78](#): > > The problem here is with the phrase “by all accounts.” The only accounts I’ve seen are from the Palin camp – not the most unbiased source. I’d love to see a second side of this, because I, too, am left with the impression that this guy is a scumbag… but I also realized that I couldn’t come to any other conclusion, with the information I have! [Is Wooten a Good Trooper? ADN 7/28/2008](http://www.adn.com/politics/story/476430.html) > [@](#): > > As the investigation got under way in 2005, Wooten was in the midst of a bitter divorce from Palin’s sister, Molly McCann. The couple was fighting over custody of their two young children. Accusations flew from both sides. > > Troopers eventually investigated 13 issues and found four in which Wooten violated policy or broke the law or both: > > • Wooten used a Taser on his stepson. > > • He illegally shot a moose. > > • He drank beer in his patrol car on one occasion. > > • He told others his father-in-law would “eat a f’ing lead bullet” if he helped his daughter get an attorney for the divorce. > [@](#): > > In October 2005, Palin announced she was running for governor. Sgt. Wall, who is now a lieutenant over patrol in Fairbanks, finished his investigation the same month. The following March, Grimes handed out the punishment. > > The union’s Cyr says that ultimately Wooten was treated fairly by the Department of Public Safety. > > “Clearly the folks have the ability to file complaints, and the state has the obligation to investigate them and that is what was done. He was disciplined, appropriately so we believe in the end. And you know, basically end of story. The only question in our mind would be has this pattern continued and has pressure been brought on anybody, I mean, after this whole sorry mess.” The whole article is pretty thorough, and gives a good time line of who did what and when. Monegan wasn’t involved in the initial investigation or reprimand–he didn’t become the head of the Department until a year after the investigation and reprimands. I think that’s what needs to be clarified here. Palin pressured Monegan to fire a man who had already been investigated and reprimanded. Monegan had no reason to fire Wooten, and so Palin fired Monegan instead. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/67 "2008-10-11T12:57:47Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > In all seriousness, and without spin. By all accounts this guy is a crazy mofo and a bad cop, and was actually threatening her family. It’s not like she got a blowjob from an intern or something. One of the charges in Nixon’s Articles of impeachment was misuse (i.e. abuse) of power. Article 2 1. In disregard of the rule of law, he knowingly misused the executive power by interfering with agencies of the executive branch, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Division, and the Office of Watergate Special Prosecution Force, of the Department of Justice, and the Central Intelligence Agency, in violation of his duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. Which is a hell of a lot more serious than a blow job, ETA Cite: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10302432#post10302432](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10302432#post10302432) ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/68 "2008-10-11T12:59:16Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > Sorry, by for the most prominent quoted text is in “Abused Her Power” in the headline. No cookie for you. Ah, notice I said cookie and not pie – the gist of the blurb was on 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/69 "2008-10-11T13:37:06Z")
> [@](#): > > In all seriousness, and without spin. By all accounts this guy is a crazy mofo and a bad cop, and was actually threatening her family. You’re confusing two different people. Mike Wooten was the trooper who, according to the Palin family, is the “crazy mofo”. The investigation was over Palin’s firing of Walt Monegan. There are no allegations Monegan threatened anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Burton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/70 "2008-10-11T13:49:10Z")
I like the fact that they’re waiting on the investigation by the personnel review board, a body she can dismiss at will. No one but the mindless faithful will swallow this. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/71 "2008-10-11T14:16:41Z")
I can see the rap a comin… \*Sarah Barracuda Authority abusah Hooked up with a losah November 5th blusah Pimpin out her daughter Wonder what it bought her Gonna be a slaughter Now they f_ckin caught her_ ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/72 "2008-10-11T14:51:18Z")
I don’t buy the “Wooten used a TASER on his stepson” line. At least not as it’s implied. There are too many ways that could have gone down, not all of them maliciously. Much to the dismay, I’m sure, of the more delicate types, there are times when male bonding — especially of the father-son kind — involves some sort of mutual suffering or endurance. In fact, it reminds me of the time my older brother (the good one) allowed me to lick my fingers and touch the contacts of a radio battery as he had just done. It hurt like hell, but I wanted to try it. Because enduring pain was cool and manly. After I blew on my burned fingers for a while, we had a good laugh. We were just Appalachian trash, much like the Palins. And I can easily see how her family might routinely engage in bone-headed tomfoolery. Probably the whole bunch of them have been shocked, burned, farted on, and kicked in the ass many times over in the course of their lives. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/73 "2008-10-11T15:19:28Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > I don’t buy the “Wooten used a TASER on his stepson” line. At least not as it’s implied. There are too many ways that could have gone down, not all of them maliciously. This was from his interview on CNN: > [@](#): > > Speaking Thursday to CNN’s Drew Griffin and Kathleen Johnston, Wooten gave his account of the Taser incident but denied ever drinking while driving. > > He said that he was a new Taser instructor, and his stepson was asking him about the equipment. “I didn’t shoot him with live, you know, actual live cartridge,” Wooten said. > > Instead, he said, he hooked his stepson up to a training aid “with little clips. And, you know, the Taser was activated for less than a second, which would be less than what you would get if you touched an electric fence. … It was as safe as I could possibly make it.” > > He said his stepson was on the living room floor surrounded by pillows, that he “was bragging about it,” and that the family laughed about it. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/74 "2008-10-11T15:22:50Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > In all seriousness, and without spin. By all accounts this guy is a crazy mofo and a bad cop, and was actually threatening her family. So serious his boss deserved to be fired? By that logic, shouldn’t Cheney be removed from office due to Scooter Libby’s deeds? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/75 "2008-10-11T15:30:43Z")
How long before the tearful press conference in which she admits she may have done something (unnamed and unspecific) wrong but it was because she loves her family? And of course the accompanying “this woman is a _hero_” responses by the base. Oh wait… press conference… not gonna happen. Web cast maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/76 "2008-10-11T15:35:04Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > It would destroy his campaign. Picking a running mate is the first (& arguably the most important) decision a President makes. By picking Palin as his running mate McCain basically told us “I believe this woman it best qualified to run the country if I die.” Palin being dropped from the ticket would be an indictment of his judgement. There is **no way** he could recover. Hell, absentee ballots have already gone out. It’s too late. I suppose you’re right. Remember McGovern in 1972! But I can’t help but have a sneaking suspicion (read: dread) that it might work in his favor if she made an exit before the end of the month and were replaced by a real powerhouse running mate. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/77 "2008-10-11T15:50:20Z")
During Rachel Maddow’s interview with Monegan yesterday, she asked him if he felt vindicated. He said he was of two minds about all this because during his tenure he tried to protect Palin from getting herself into exactly this position. Given Palin’s huge approval ratings while governor, all she really had to do was put on her best folksy manner and say “gosh darn it, I was only tryin’ to protect my family and ol’ Todd got a little carried away 'cuz he loves his family so gosh darn much, and if I overstepped my bounds, well I’m just really sorry and it won’t happen again.” The issue would have been dead. It really wasn’t even too late once she was the VP candidate, but the McCain campaign decided to turn it into a circus. Technically, she could face impeachment charges, but there aren’t the votes for it and anybody who DID vote for it would find himself out of a job, as Palin is still hugely popular here. The most I would expect to see might be censure, but more likely a written reprimand. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/78 "2008-10-11T16:24:57Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > From the article:" A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state’s public safety commissioner. " > > From the other article: “Palin abused power but didn’t break law in trooper case” > > If she “unlawfully abused her authority” , doesn’t that, by definition, mean that she broke the law? It is not just a legal issue. Whether she can escape legal ramifications is one thing, but abusing her power and being a petty tyrant are ethical and moral problems. She reveals who she is and it is ugly. She seems like Nixon. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/79 "2008-10-11T16:44:54Z")
OK, so she abused her power and broke the law a little. Is that some kind of big hairy ass deal or somethiing? And doncha know, if that Putin character tries any of that Commie witchcraft on _her_, he’s gonna get a big surprise! So what I want to know is who’s going around saying she oughta be unpeached, or something? Could it be…_Satan_!? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397/80 "2008-10-11T17:27:08Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > if that Putin character tries any of that Commie witchcraft on _her_, he’s gonna get a big surprise! You know, [Putin’s got a Tiger now.](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7664244.stm) In my mind, that makes him _extra_ scary! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397.md?page=5)