Will Palin now have to threaten a lawsuit against Fox “News” too?! Oh, the tangled webs…
By way of reminder, Palin’s private attorney, Thomas Van Flein, had issued a legal threat on the 4th of July to those in the media (seemingly only the perceived left-leaning media) who discussed questions about the Palin’s contracting of their house in Wasilla, and the Wasilla Sports Complex, both built while the state’s soon-to-be-former Governor was mayor of the small Alaskan town.
“This is to provide notice to [Alaska blogger and radio host Shannyn] Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law,” Van Flein wrote for Palin over the weekend.
Of the outlets named above, only MSNBC had actually discussed the controversy (video here), during a telephone interview with Moore following her Huffington Post blog item referencing a potential “iceberg scandal,” and the further details we followed up with on that here.
When asked why the other outlets, which hadn’t reported on the matter, had been targetted as well in the statement,”Van Flein said he believed they were asking questions,” according to the Anchorage Daily News. “What I’ve been informed is that they’ve been interviewing people in Wasilla about this, and have tried to interview the governor’s parents about it,” Palin’s attorney told the paper.
For her part, Moore quickly shot back in her own defense, against the Van Flein/Palin legal threats, assailing the outgoing Governor as “a coward and a bully.”
So does Fox “News” now need to lawyer up too?
[Via HuffPo, hat-tip BRAD BLOG commenter “IDontGetIt”]
I don’t remember the use of the word “potential” iceberg scandal in the original blog post. I’ll have to go back and re-check, but it seems to me it was a pretty definitive statement put up by Brad.
No word of potential in the original post. Sneaky Brad, sticking that in there now. And no mention of how Moore is now claiming she repeated rumors. Gossip, if you will.
Selective quoting much, Axey? Sigh… Here’s some of what you didn’t bother to quote from that report [bold emphasis added for Axey]:
Hope that helps, detective. Other than that, yes, very “sneaky” of me…Don’t tell anyone! K? Thanks!
Selective quoting? I posted the entire paragraph that I was referring to. You didn’t tell us the rest of the post, where “I have been able” “sources say” “AK sources” etc. were actually Ms. Moore and not you. I assumed, apparently wrongly, that the only thing Ms. Moore said were the words you put in quotes “iceberg scandal that’s about to break. She’s doing damage control.” You indeed morphed believes, with good reason into potential.
How do you feel about Ms. Moore stating she was repeating rumors? Does that not bother you when you put your name and reputation on the line in repeating what she was telling you? I would expect someone who was merely repeating gossip would have stated that upfront. You know, rumor up here is there is an iceberg of a scandal…that way everyone would know you are merely spreading rumors.
Axey,
please go crawl back under the rock…no one is buying your crazy here…
Jamzz,
At least you asked nicely.
Hmm, Fox News contributor Liz Trotta also called her “inarticulate and undereducated.” Personal attacks now from Fox News? Wow. What’s the world coming to?
What I simply do not understand is why Sarah Palin is on the defensive? No matter what side of the ideological fence one might sit, and this positioning is really the basis for all comments on this blog, the question is why would a politician take such a stand?
She is a politician. She knew this going in. It happens to everybody in the political world. Look at the hits both the Clintons took. What about Bush? Cheney? Obama? Millard Fillmore? You have to understand that there will be fans and haters, it’s all part of the package.
This is the odd part that is so perplexing.
And if she did her best and did nothing wrong, then so what? Let the media do their song and dance.
It hints more towards a huge insecurity. Secure people take criticism easily since they believe in themselves.
However, I must admit, if she had come out and said clearly (and not couched in innuendos), that she cannot stand the heat and really just wants to be with family and needs to quit, I would have had a lot of respect for her.
Here’s the deal: wingnuts love to get screwed by Republicans.
They’ll defend a corrupt Republican, to their last dying breath. As long as the corrupt politician is a Republican.
Axey: Did Sanford get picked on by the media, too? Or Ensign? How about Vitter, Larry Craig, Mark Foley, Newt Gingrich…they all got screwed by the media!
I don’t think an opinion would be a cause of action.
Did I say something about people being picked on? As far as I can tell, all of the people you listed actually had something to hide. So far, Palin isn’t included in that list because it is rumors, according to Brad’s sources.
Breaking:
“In the wake of Governor Palin stepping down from her job, new allegations have surfaced today in Alaska charging Palin with additional violations of the Alaska Executive Ethics Act.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/g..._b_226667.html
uh-oh, here it comes, the bad news is hitting the presses!!!
Palin Hit With Another Ethics Complaint
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/g..._b_226667.html
and sarah gets schooled
Panel Debates Palin’s Presidential Ambitions: “She Thinks She’s Got A Shot… But She Needs An Education” (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2..._n_226672.html
Is this the iceberg we are anxiously awaiting?
Read Wayne Barrett’s response to Van Flein….
Axey: Why do you like Palin so much?
From that HuffPo article:
Zane Henning — a conservative government watchdog from the governor’s hometown of Wasilla and an oilfield worker on Alaska’s North Slope — asserts in a letter to Alaska Attorney General Daniel S. Sullivan that Palin has “been charging and pocketing per diem to live in her home and has used the process for a personal gain since being elected.”
Axey: Did you like George W. Bush as president?
[ed note: Previously banned commenter. –99]
Non-“Credibility”: If you have problems with Brad’s Journalism, please feel free to avoid trolling here in the future. The non-trolls here will continue to get the same kind of reliable information from this site that we have come to expect since long before you took on the assignment of smearing a source of information that has credibility far beyond any you will ever dream of having (regardless of what you laughingly call yourself).
Letterman isn’t on Fox, Brad…
actually it just occurred to me why Sarah Palin resigned as Governor of Alaska — she’s going to run for Governor of California! A much better springboard for the Presidency than someone who’s job is only three months a year. Arnie is termed out, so, given a choice between Gavin Newsom, Dianne Feinstein, and Sarah Palin, what do you think? (gulp)
[ed note: Previously banned commenter. –99]
I just find the idea of a politician suing media figures wierd and disturbing. So if, big IF, she becomes president, is she going to continue to sue newspapers for saying less than flattering things about her? Really scary thought. Kudos to Shannyn Moore and people like her for having the guts to report what others are afraid to. Last time I checked, we still had the freedom of speech.
Maybe we need to be asking ourselves; just how did the train wreck Sarah Palin even happen ?
This is a woman who is barely qualified to serve on a city council of a small city. Yet she was a serious consideration for Veep (by loony right wingers)simply because she parroted all of their paranoid, disjointed hypocritical family values talking points. To the far right wing of the GOP her lack of qualifications didn’t matter one bit. Her simple adherance to their small exclusive platform was all the skills she needed for them.
Sarah Palin is a clear picture of what the hijacked GOP has come to. The far right neo cons aren’t concerned about what’s best for the country or anything near that; they’re only concerned about their values and marginalizing those who don’t buy into their authoritarian hypocracy.
These are people motivated by fear of others and a radical narcissitic self interest that undermines any sense of community or nationhood for that matter. What’s happening to the right-wing today is what happens to all movements that ignore seeking truth or building cohesiveness in the national psyche.
In their attempt to marginalize those that didn’t fall in line with their small minded rhetoric, they actually marginalized themselves and have become like clowns as they stubbornly attempt to justify lies and hypocracy.
In reality Sarah Palin embodied that movement well…a narcissistic blowhard with no moral compass or compassion for those unlike her. It’s a really small world that these radical right-wingers inhabit…and it looks like it’s collapsing around them.
The truth does matter, care for others is what makes us human and radical self interest always leads to greed and inhumane acts.
Will the radical right learn ?
right now it looks like they won’t.
Is that what the letter was about? Less than flattering things said about her? I don’t think you can be sued because of your opinion. It’s when you state something as fact that is a lie that you walk into trouble. Whether Ms. Moore’s actions reach that level is debatable. But there was a clear walkback by Ms. Moore when she made sure everyone knew she was merely repeating a rumor.
Big Dan,
I don’t like or dislike Palin anymore than any other republican. In fact, I think she ruined any chance of being a serious contender for president by resigning as governor. And since she has not indicated she wants the job, it really doesn’t matter whether she resigned, except maybe it will stop some of the frivolous ethics complaints filed against her. All I can say is what goes around comes around. It is very easy to file ethics complaints in Alaska, apparently. Democrats beware, payback is always a bitch.
And yes, I am a fan of George W. Bush.
Would that Fox News blasted Palin for being an unqualified flashy not very intelligent politician when she was running as VP – now that would have been truthful and useful reporting. The corruption charges must have been known to the GOP before they chose her – so this is weird coming out now.
I’m sure George W Bush is highly appreciative. He needs some fans.
The only GOPer defending Palin at this time is Rush Limbaugh.
I find that appropiate.
One bloviating, hypocritical, windbag who is thoroughly untruthful defending another one.
Synchronicity at it’s best.
Axey #27
It’s when you state something as fact that is a lie that you walk into trouble.
You would gain my respect if and when you call for the immediate arrest and trial on war crime charges of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Karl Rove for their lying about WMDs in Iraq and lying about the association between Saddam and Osama as well as the the attorneys who drafted the papers declaring torture to be legal.
I have a whole laundry list of other even greater crimes, but the above most directly address your comment.
BB2
It’s a good thing I’m not seeking your respect. And, those don’t even remotely address my comment.
Axey
Not to be confrontational; but you’re a wiley deflector of the issue at hand. You hardly offer any reasonable thoughts to accompany your spin on things. All I see from you are standard right wing pundit speak.
It appears that you have no intellectual connection to the things you write here, it appears that you simply parrot right wing punditry for every situation.
Your projections about those who “don’t even remotely address your comments” is in actuality the exact thing that you do. You haven’t addressed head on any point that myself or others have presented to you or asked of you. Your cryptic speak doesn’t shed light…it only demonstrates your lack of knowledge or unwillingness to be frank and truthful.
What you’re doing isn’t debate or anything close to it. It’s simply a transparent attempt to play verbal smoke and mirrors and frankly it lacks guts on your part.
Your tap dancing around isn’t responsible or respectful to those you CHOOSE to engage with. I have to wonder why do you bother to post here…obviously your intention isn’t open and honest give and take. One would think it’s simply to confuse and obfuscate.
What a waste of time
What issue would that be? The one the subject of this thread? I’ve already addressed that issue upthread. Ask me a question and I’ll answer it. If I ignore a comment, it is because I have no desire to get into a which side is worse, the left or right, debate.
I’ll pay closer attention to you to see how it is done correctly.
I have no idea why I post here. I’m sure I’ll leave shortly, when the iceberg doesn’t actually form. Unless the host runs me off first.
Axey
From what I see you’re being intellectually myopic. You state in post 28 about “frivolous ethics complaints” against Sarah Palin. I ask you how do you know those complaints are “frivolous” ?
You constantly speak aout most of us here being sure there is some merit to the iceberg scandal.
On the one hand you’re sure all of the ethics complaints about Sarah Palin are frivolous…and on the other hand you mock others for their belief in the iceberg scandal.
In either case you present no facts or sources for your assuredness.
While Shannyne Moore has connected dots factually that lead her to present the case for fraud regarding Sarah Palin.
Your position in this matter is no mare factual than those that believe differently…Yours is an emotional position based on your own bias. Most here have presented various indications to Sarah Palin’s dishonesty…you however haven’t.
Just your beliefs based on your bias.
And then you state in post 28…regarding the Dems. “What goes around comes around”
Haven’t you considered that’s what exactly happening to the GOP now. Their smear machine has now brought karmic reciprocity to them.
in a nutshell Axey…you’re incredibly myopic and intentionally intellectually forgetful.
Axey it took a lot of verbal gymnastics for me to not outright call you dishonest.
Because they have all been dismissed.
Am I wrong? Do you or don’t you believe there is merit to the iceberg scandal?
What exactly is my position? First you accuse me of not addressing the issue at hand, then you say I am no more factual than you are.
Well darn, don’t hurt yourself on my account.
Axey one last thought …
I would respect a lot of conservatives more if they simply stated that;
“the divisive policies of Karl Rove, W Bush, Dick Cheney, Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh and other right wing liars don’t represent my values.”
Conservatives simply follow the party line no matter what the transgressions to truth or even decent human interaction.
They seem to be followers who are more attuned to simply do as they’re told without thought or question.
It’s an empty existence to live without thought and curiosity, to simply be told what is and accept it. That’s the sad state of Republicanism today, get the talking points out, style over substance and as long as a lie is told with authority it will become “truth”.
Axey I invite you to read more…not liberal stuff…just basic civics and current events. Think about them independent of right wing spin. This doesn’t mean you’ll become a liberal, but it does mean you’ll have a fresh outlook about things that will reflect your true thoughts, not right wing memes that have infected your outlook.
Truth will set you free.
I’m speechless.
No Axey…they haven’t all been dismissed.
Obviously I do believe it has merit. But again you twist the point; The point being is how do you KNOW it has NO merit ? Another example of Axey deflection…answer the question Axey.
I said
What exactly is my position? First you accuse me of not addressing the issue at hand, then you say I am no more factual than you are.
Well darn, don’t hurt yourself on my account.
Did I misspeak? Were they not actually dismissed but found to have no merit? Either way, Palin is 15 for 15 in the ethics game being played up there.
And obviously I believe it doesn’t.
Well, how do you KNOW it DOES have merit? I can no more prove it has no merit than you can prove it does. Unless, of course, the iceberg actually becomes a reality. If it doesn’t, you will just claim it was brushed under the rug, good ole’ boys covered it up, whatever spin works. I am in the unenviable position of defending a negative.
My mockery is reserved for Ms. Moore, no one else.
Thank you.
Axey….
An unresolved Sarah Palin ethics complaint
“In the wake of Governor Palin stepping down from her job, new allegations have surfaced today in Alaska charging Palin with additional violations of the Alaska Executive Ethics Act.
Zane Henning — a conservative government watchdog from the governor’s hometown of Wasilla and an oilfield worker on Alaska’s North Slope — asserts in a letter to Alaska Attorney General Daniel S. Sullivan that Palin has “been charging and pocketing per diem to live in her home and has used the process for a personal gain since being elected.”
The Washington Post first broke this story last September during the 2008 presidential race, but until now, no formal ethics charges have been brought on the matter in Alaska.
In a detailed press release accompanying his complaint, Henning declared that:
Palin’s use of the per diem is in direct conflict with Section 39.52.120. (a) of the Alaska Executive Ethics Act….More than a thousand state employees commute from the Mat-Su Valley daily and none of them get to pocket free money.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/g..._b_226667.html
BlueHawk,
I read it last night. I even wondered if this was the iceberg Ms. Moore was referring to, but alas, it wasn’t, at least not the one about embezzlement. There were 15 filed before this one. What happened with them?
You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t take seriously an ethics complaint filed by the same guy that has already filed prior ethics complaints against Palin. After a while, it just becomes…frivolous.
By the way Axey…
Expect a lot more ethics complaints to flood in before Sarah’s resignation takes effect. Conservatives who were silent during her term will now come out with complaints (good ol’ right wing vegeance)…they’ll have merittoo because those conservatives know more.
fasten your seatbelt…the Sarah Palin landing will be turbulent.
As exciting as this sounds, I’m waiting on the iceberg.
Comment #43…Axey
Actually Henning has only filed one other ethics complaint. By the way Henning is identified as a conservative.
What happened to the one he filed?
And? He is one who knows where Sarah buried the bodies? I don’t get the significance.
COMMENT #28 [Permalink]
… Axey said on 7/7/2009 @ 6:53 am PT…
I am a fan of George W. Bush.
Axey: Name some reasons you’re a fan of George W. Bush, please.
My take on Sarah Palin, based on her TV tour that’s going on now: I think she’s not going to run in politics anymore, and she’s going to try and score some big $$$ somehow, not with politics.
Comment #47….Axey
Axey you stated in #43 that he has filed “Prior ethics complaints” you used the plural.
I corrected you with the fact that he has only filed one other complaint.
RE: Henning being idenitfied as a conservative.
Axey do you actually think conservatives file “frivolous” complaints against each other.
I find the fact that Henning is identified as conservative significant…I do however see how you would want to minimize that fact.
Cincinnati Enquirer Columnist Issues A Non-Apology For Using Doctored Franken Photo, Deletes Original Post
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/1...en-ohio-photo/
Palin thinks there is a ‘Department of Law’ at the White House. (There isn’t.)
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/0...omment-5715763
Flashback: Palin said that women complaining about ‘excess criticism’ don’t ‘do us any good.’
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/0...rceived-whine/
The complete list of Sarah Palin eithics complaints as of July 4, 2009…you be the judge…frivolous or not.
I see 2 that are still pending, not counting a one filed yesterday. That makes 3 pending.
[ed note: Please read the rules for commenting, and quit breaking them. Thank you. –99]
I know. Quite embarrassing. But did you know there is a Department of Law in Alaska? It houses the AG’s office. Go figure.
Why? So the thread can devolve into a bash Axey and George thread? Bush has nothing to do with the subject of this thread. When the host starts a why do you love GWB thread, I’ll respond to your inquiry.
Did you count the ones dismissed?
Yeah, that one bugs me too. Other than sticking up for her kids, and defending herself against frivolous ethics complaints, she really needs to cowboy up when it comes to criticisms of her.
Well yeah. We eat our own daily.
No, I don’t want to minimize it. I don’t know if he is indeed a conservative or a pseudo-conservative or a liberal in conservative clothing. I don’t see the significance in him being conservative. Didn’t Sarah take down the conservatives to get where she is? Or was, rather?
RE:Comment #57
So Axey…
Sarah Palin equates Anchorage with Washington D.C. and didn’t bother to discover the differences in her state government the federal government.
RE: Comment #58
Maybe a smart move Axey…or a cop-out.
RE: Comment #59
Axey you gave the impression that none were pending and that all were dismissed. While in reality there were 2 pending before yesterday and now 3.
Makes me wonder why the 49 other governors aren’t dodging a storm of ethics complaints. One would tend to believe where there’s somke there is fire.
Either Alaska is really lax in it’s ethics laws for elected officials…or Palin has many friends on the ethics board. Sen. Ted Stevens comes to mind…Alaska tolerated his unlawful acts for years until they became too apparent to let slide.
Sarah Palin may see something coming down the pike that she can’t skirt out of the way of.
Call me crazy…but the sheer volume of ethics complaints against Palin gives one pause.
One would. I’ll check in every now and again to see if the iceberg has arrived. Have a great day!
Take care Axey…
same to you…
Aw BlueHawk, you chased them away…
Aside from an occasional comment towards something I just can’t let go by, I learned here about 4 1/2 years ago that there is little to be gained by engaging those folks.
Waste of time and blood pressure medicine!
Anybody remember our favorite troll – Paul?
COMMENT #57 [Permalink]
… Axey said on 7/7/2009 @ 11:16 am PT…
Axey: Name some reasons you’re a fan of George W. Bush, please.
Why? So the thread can devolve into a bash Axey and George thread? Bush has nothing to do with the subject of this thread. When the host starts a why do you love GWB thread, I’ll respond to your inquiry.
No, I just wanted to get more info on your overall personality, like: do you like Bush? Limbaugh? etc…
I don’t think anyone was personally attacking you.
To be honest with you, I have a lot of “rightwing” friends.
I put quotes around the wrong word: I have a lot of rightwing “friends”. (that was a joke)
BLUEBEAR2 and Big Dan….
I hope I didn’t run Axey off…like Big Dan; I too try and get some reasoning and understanding from right wingers; but that’s not easy.
They seem to retreat behind Rush Limbaugh-Sean Hanity style verbiage and do a lot of tap dancing. I’m really not trying to be confrontational or belligerent with them. But it does take a certain attitude to even get their respect…maybe I’m wrong, but approaching right wingers for a discussion or debate on the issues can’t be done with a “nice guy” posture.
I like what you 2 posted…I stumbled onto Bradblog a few days ago and have posted on several threads…I better read the rules again because I’ve been warned about my copy and paste habits. I like the discussions despite the right wing silliness.
But all in all maybe I can find a right winger that can actually walk me through the intellectual territory of their thinking. Right now it seems like righties are just nuts with no rhyme or reason. I hope that’s not true.
Either way good to meet you 2.
Hey BlueHawk
The rules basically are very few and easy – no personal attacks on other commenters, and don’t post long quotes – give a brief description or relevant quote with a link to the article.
Oh – keep the same name.
I first came here in late Nov. or early Dec. 2004 when the Brad Blog was fairly new. It was the first place I commented at. At the time you could post photos and do other rudimentary html editing in the comments. Boy did I ever screw up the column a few times, Brad and 99 had to come to my rescue.
Dan came in around the same time I think.
To be honest although I cruise through occasionally I haven’t been commenting much.
Click on our names and you can find what else we are into.
Comment #71….BLUEBEAR
I checked out your site…very nice. I’ll be sure to visit it regularly. I’ll add a url to my profile.
Deal with the facts folks!
http://www.latimes.com/news/nat...,7018263.story
“Special Agent Eric Gonzalez told the Los Angeles Times: “There is absolutely no truth to those rumors that we’re investigating her or getting ready to indict her. It’s just not true.”