Judge Refuses to Halt Troopergate Investigation

[Blue_In_AK]

http://www.adn.com/troopergate/story/544566.html

By SEAN COCKERHAM
[e-mail]

An Anchorage judge Thursday refused to halt the Legislature's investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin and denied the Alaska attorney general's challenge of legislative subpoenas.

Superior Court Judge Peter Michalski heard arguments from both sides Thursday morning and issued a written ruling just before 5 p.m.

"I think it's great. It's a big day for the Constitution of the state of Alaska," said Peter Maassen, the lawyer representing the Legislative Council, which ordered the investigation.

The Texas-based Liberty Legal Institute, which helped represent the five Alaska Republican legislators who sued to stop the investigation, said that it planned to appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court. Any appeal would have to be fast.

That's because the investigator hired by the Legislative Council, Steve Branchflower, is to present his report in a week. Branchflower is looking into Palin's dismissal of her public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, and whether she improperly pressured him to fire a state trooper divorced from her sister. There's intense national interest in the outcome now that Palin is the Republican nominee for vice president.

The Liberty Legal Institute said Thursday's ruling is a dangerous decision and declared that "Judge Michalski is the same judge who ruled in 1998 that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right, a decision subsequently overruled by a constitutional amendment approved by the voters of Alaska."

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So now after slandering Walt Monegan, Steve Branchflower, Hollis French, Les Gara, and all of us who protested last weekend, the Libery Legal Institute goes after the judge. What a bunch of losers. For what it's worth, my guess is, if this is appealed, the Supreme Court will affirm the lower court's ruling.

It was a good day for Alaskans judicially yesterday between this ruling and the one allowing the Stevens trial to go forward.

[ailsagirl]

1. Very cool

[Frustratedlady]

2. What happened to that powerhouse of attorneys they sent to Alaska

to stop this hearing? Rove losing his touch?

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Our judges have integrity.

I've worked in the legal field here as a legal secretary and paralegal, and now legal transcriptionist, since 1975. I've been consistently impressed with the quality of our judiciary, with just a few exceptions here and there, and our Supreme Court is wonderful. They've been objective and nonpartisan through Republican administrations and Democratic administrations, and they stick to their principles.

[iceman66]

4. How long before Palin declares "executive privilege"

or has that happened already?

[Blue_In_AK]

6. I think she's tried that

while not exactly using those words. Thus, the withholding of the e-mails and the instructions to her staff (and Todd) not to respond to the legislative subpoenas. Barring a reversal by the Supreme Court (which seems unlikely since Peter Michalski is a long-time, well respected judge), it looks like they're going to have to testify to Steve Branchflower now -- and soon, since his report is due October 10 -- or face penalty.

[Frustratedlady]

7. How long before Todd tries? He has her ear all the way to the bedroom.

Isn't he the one who was making the threats/suggestions on firing the trooper? Isn't his name on the emails? Some of them, anyway. As crazy as some of their other claims are, that one will be next. Executive privilege...maybe a new one: Spousal Privilege?

[speedoo]

5. This could destroy Palin before Nov. 4.

It could force those subpeonaed, including Todd Palin, to now tesify.

It could result in an official report that says Palin effectively made a bribe to have the trooper's disability claim denied. That has to be a felony.

I'm eagerly awaiting additional news on this.

[livetohike]

8. What would the penalties be?

What's the next step? Is it possible to have this resolved before election day? :shrug:

[vanderBeth]

9. When will the investigation end?

And when will we hear the outcome?

And a kick for justice.

[WA98296]

10. Alaska Supreme Court accepted "emergency" appeal, so they will rule

[dchill]

11. God, Dobson and Palin supercede the Constitution.

The Liberty Legal Institute said Thursday's ruling is a dangerous decision and declared that "Judge Michalski is the same judge who ruled in 1998 that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right, a decision subsequently overruled by a constitutional amendment approved by the voters of Alaska."

Liberty is the legal arm of the Free Market Foundation, which is associated with evangelical leader James Dobson's Focus on the Family, and lists its guiding principles as limited government and promotion of Judeo-Christian values.

Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg said he didn't know whether he would appeal Thursday's ruling or if he will now advise subpoenaed state officials to cooperate with the investigation. He said he needed to consult with them.

"I'm going to talk to the clients before I talk to you," said Colberg, a Palin appointee.

So, I guess if Judge Michalski is in favor of Constitutional rights, and Alaska is not, then that means that nobody has a right to question Governatrix Palin's actions. It would seem that this would be the position of Dobson's group and Alaska AG Colberg.

Michalski, Branchflower, Peter Maassen and the Laws of the State of Alaska are godless agents of Liberalism.

Have I got this right?

:shrug: