Lettetrs: Troopergate -- How can council claim no bias?

So, according to the ADN, Sen. Kim Elton says "just read page seven or eight" of the Branchflower report to understand his condemnation of Gov. Palin (Oct. 12). Maybe the good senator should read Page 51 too. It attempts to bootstrap something-out-of-nothing, a culpable mental state under the law.

I'm appalled that a former criminal investigator, overseen by a former criminal prosecutor (Sen. Hollis French), would submit such claptrap. Were this a criminal indictment, any judge of competent jurisdiction in the state would grant immediately a motion for dismissal.

I'm neither surprised nor mollified that they came in under budget.

-- Mike Rogers

Anchorage

Palin comes out looking good

After weeks of mudslinging by Gov. Palins' political enemies and the geniuses in local talk radio, the Troopergate investigative report by Steve Branchflower is published. In it, he tells us that Gov. Palin acted lawfully in firing Commissioner Walt Monegan and that the notorious trooper Wooten was treated fairly and lawfully.

So what did Sen. Hollis French and our other political leaders get that we didn't already know? Basically nothing, except supposition and innuendos calculated to embarrass and distract the governor. Perhaps Hollis and his bipartisan Legislative Council members should be the ones to face ethics charges for using our tax dollars to further their personal political vendettas.

Gov. Palin comes out looking pretty good. Her poll numbers are still high because the majority of Alaskans believe in her. The rest of you politicians and talk radio experts look vindictive and petty.

And Walt, good luck trying to find a decent job. You knew Sarah could fire you when she hired you. You could have taken it like a man instead of trying to embarrass the governor. Who'll trust you now? Alaskans love Sarah, but the rest of you need to clean up your act.

-- Burt Bomhoff

Chugiak

Council findings are appalling

I am appalled at the findings of the Legislative Council.

A sitting Governor of your state is not allowed to speak to her Commissioner of DPS about her family's difficulties with Wooten? Who then is she supposed to go to? Is there an unbiased council in the state that will accept complaints about a trooper that's acting illegally? NO!

What's wrong is when the Legislature investigates the governor for trying to get someone to take notice before someone in her family is hurt again or killed.

I am a victim of domestic violence and lost my husband in 1982 in a shooting at Cleary Summit involving my brother and father. I know what the Palins considered a threat. In my instance, it was my husband who lost and died.

-- Bevinne McCann Chevalier

Lynnwood, Wash.

Report reasonably balanced

It would appear the Branchflower report on "Troopergate" was reasonably balanced with two notable exceptions. First, Mr. Branchflower concludes the Palins' "claims of fears were not bona fide." Such assessment significantly departs from the factual and delves heavily into the psychological, an area in which I suggest Mr. Branchflower, a lawyer, is not qualified to opine. Manifestations of fear, whether real or imagined, are best left to psychiatrists to assess. Second, Mr. Branchflower states Gov. Palin "had the power and authority to require Mr. Palin to cease contacting subordinates." I wasn't aware any Alaska governor had the power and authority to prevent a private citizen from contacting public officials over legitimate concerns.

Finally, with respect to your newspaper's coverage of the report, it seems to me the headline could as easily have read "Investigator: Palin's firing of Monegan was lawful exercise of her powers." I suppose, however, that was too much to expect from the ADN and McClatchy Newspapers.

-- Ray Kaufman

Anchorage

Try telling me what to do

So Sarah Palin abused power by refusing to tell her husband to stop contacting people about Wooten. Question. Can my husband tell me what to do? I mean -- and live?

Todd Palin does not work for the governor. She could, and perhaps should have, circulate a memo saying Todd Palin spoke as private citizen and not as First Dude, but she cannot tell him what to do in his private life.

-- Pam Siegfried

Anchorage

Branchflower investigation nothing but a witch hunt

What a sad day for all of Alaskans. Our state is so corrupt. That trooper should have been fired long ago. Walt Monegan should be so embarrassed to even walk down a street and look someone in the eyes.

I hope and pray this brings on an investigation into the troopers. Gov. Palin is absolutely in her rights to fire Monegan. But we all knew she wasn't afraid to take on the corruption in this state and was really doing a good job. Sen. Lyda Green's jealousy of her showed every time she got on the news.

Outsiders only know what they read. And I hope they see the corruption behind this report. It was a witch hunt. Why did Sen. French and the Legislative Council spend $100,000 of our money when they all knew from day one what they wanted in the report?

I'm waiting for the personnel board to come out with their investigations. Then I will believe it.

-- Darlene Buttolph

Anchorage

Governor acted within power

It's long established that commissioners serve at the governor's pleasure and can be fired for any reason or no reason at all. It's good to hear this absurd investigation and the associated report came in "under budget." But voters should remember the legislators involved, like Hollis French. This matter is best acted upon at the ballot box.

-- John Hallinan

Anchorage