Anchorage Daily News

In the Troopergate scandal, some of Gov. Sarah Palin's defenders have lost sight of an important point. It is possible to criticize the governor's original conduct and subsequent stonewalling, as we do, without giving trooper Mike Wooten a pass on his improper behavior.

Let's be clear: Mike Wooten is no angel. The fact that he is still a trooper suggests that the Legislature should review the troopers' disciplinary standards.

Trooper Wooten gave his 10-year-old stepson a "test" firing from his state-issued Taser because the boy wanted to know what it was like. That was astoundingly bad judgment. Because the child "consented," and the test apparently produced no lasting harm, Wooten would have a good defense against any criminal charges. But it was a hopelessly inappropriate thing for a state trooper to do with state-issued equipment.

Trooper Wooten also shot a moose illegally, using his wife's permit. At the time the incident was investigated, he was a wildlife enforcement officer responsible for enforcing the very same hunting laws he broke. Questioned by troopers about the incident, he said he felt it was not inappropriate, according to the troopers' disciplinary report.

Trooper Wooten also said he would make his father-in-law "eat a f***-ing? lead bullet" if he helped get a lawyer for his daughter. Apparently that didn't qualify as "assault" under the law because Wooten did not say it directly to his father-in-law. No crime, but another example that trooper Wooten lacked the judgment and temperament to remain a trooper.

Another disturbing incident from Wooten's record was the courtesy treatment he got from a fellow trooper during a DUI stop. A bartender had reported Wooten as a suspected drunken driver after Wooten caused a commotion in the bar and drove away. Wooten's fellow officer stopped him, let him leave his car behind and gave him a ride to his destination. An arrest and conviction for DUI would have ended Wooten's career as a trooper.

In another incident, Wooten was off duty and drove his patrol car with an open container of alcohol. Witnesses indicate he had been drinking before he got in the patrol car -- a finding that trooper Col. Julia Grimes upheld in her review of Wooten's case.

Under normal circumstances, Alaskans and the country wouldn't know much about Wooten's record as a trooper. Typically, his infractions and disciplinary record would be confidential as a personnel matter. We'd all be left guessing what he had done that made the Palin family so upset.

Not to excuse the Palins' persistent queries about why Wooten was still a trooper, but they knew nothing of the disciplinary action that had been taken against him. They didn't know he had been suspended for five days. They just knew he was still on the force.

However, in one of the more bizarre twists in the case, Wooten himself released his personnel information, perhaps thinking it would vindicate him. On the contrary, most who view his record are left wondering, "If what he did doesn't get you fired from the troopers, what does it take?"

That's a good question for the Alaska Legislature to ask.

Asking why Wooten is still a trooper does not mean Gov. Palin should be let off the hook in Troopergate, though -- any more than calling her to account for her behavior implies a free pass for trooper Wooten.

Legislators should also ask why a shroud of secrecy is allowed to cover personnel actions against state employees like trooper Wooten. These employees are paid by the public and serve the public; they should be accountable to the public. Were it not for trooper Wooten's unusual decision to air his own dirty laundry, Alaskans would be frustrated and ill-informed about profoundly important matters involving the quality of the state troopers and the conduct of our governor.

BOTTOM LINE: Alaskans have two legitimate questions: Why is Wooten still a trooper? And did Gov. Palin do anything improper in Troopergate?

Who's got game?

Gov. Palin, forget the hockey mom schtick for a moment. Troopergate? Big deal. Briefing books? Later.

How about a little HORSE with Barack Obama? Not for blood. For money. For charity.

You were hard-nosed point guard on Wasilla's state championship basketball team in 1982. Obama already has shown he can a make a shot under pressure, canning a three-pointer before a gym full of troops and the cameras in Kuwait.

So who's got more game?

Let's find out in some modest venue like, oh, Madison Square Garden. Courtside seats could go for small fortunes so the swells would have a chance to see and be seen and raise a bundle for some good cause. Bet you two could fill the house. Bet Jack Nicholson and Spike Lee would be there.

What would really sell out would be a one-on-one, half-court game. But concessions to age must be made. After all, Obama is 46, and you're 44, Governor. Both lean, mean, politickin' machines and all, but the resilience of youth has well, retreated.

HORSE is a slower game that wouldn't leave either of you breathless. Voters would see and hear who can trash talk and dribble at the same time. Then you could both sign the ball -- which would be auctioned for charity. The winning bidder would compound his or her generosity by donating the ball to the Smithsonian.

Take a night off from campaigning and lace on your sneakers.

-- Frank Gerjevic

ADVERTISEMENT