Be Afraid, . . . . It's hunting season !

I've been keeping an eye on the US election debates and listening with amazement at the media's assessment of the outcomes of the Presidential and vice presidential debates and even interviews, on early morning TV and SBS and there are several things that astound me.

1) There never seems to be a clear winner, the media always has a way to credit both protagonists with points and usually declares a close contest, which in my opinion hasn't been the case.

2) George Bush JR. hasn't come out in support of McCain and in Fact McCain is saying, even though he voted with Bush Policy throughout his terms (over 90% of the time) that he disagrees with a lot of policy and will change it, his running mate also says she wants to change a lot of things, shake things up, take it to the goo old boys, do some moving and shaking, initiate change, make a new start and yet neither of the two of them have said (up till now) exactly what they will change.

3) Both McCain and Obama have vowed to KILL Osama BinLadin, Not capture and bring to trial, not try to corner and make pay for crimes if they can be proven to be attributed to him, not get irrefutable proof that BinLadin is responsible for the tragic events of 9/11, but KILL him.

Today I am scared, I have been hearing that Palin has bullied her way through politics, pushing people around, and dealing harshly with detractors, and those rumours have been persistent but expected after all it is a presidential campaign, and it didn't surprise me that she was the one to come out and exploit the obvious similarity with Osama and Obama by making claims that Barack Obama Palled (was very friendly) with Terrorists, but this article (below) is making me wonder, because we in our area are used to seeing the Glamorous politician who is not used to hearing the word NO from her supporters and doesn't take kindly to hearing it from anyone else and has been reputed to seek vengeance when her will is not complied with.

JUNEAU, Alaska - Todd Palin sought the dismissal of a Alaska state trooper at the centre of a probe into his wife's conduct as governor but denied attempting to influence her directly, court documents showed today.

In a 25-page sworn affidavit to an investigator examining abuse of power allegations against his wife and Republican vice-presidential nominee, Palin said he had repeatedly contacted senior Alaska officials to raise concerns over the conduct of his ex-brother-in-law Mike Wooten.

However, he denied that the dismissal of Alaska's public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, was connected to his grievances with Wooten, who had been involved in an acrimonious divorce with Sarah Palin's sister.

Sarah Palin is the subject of an official investigation in Alaska which began before she was unveiled as John McCain's presidential running mate.

The inquiry was launched to probe allegations that Palin abused her position by replacing Monegan because he refused to dismiss Wooten. Monegan has said he was forced out after coming under pressure over the trooper.

In his affidavit, Todd Palin, nicknamed the First Dude by Alaskan media, revealed he had contacted several senior figures in his wife's administration over Wooten, but said his wife had later told him to "drop" the matter.

"Anyone who knows Sarah knows she is the governor and she calls the shots," Palin said in his affidavit.

"I make no apologies for wanting to protect my family and wanting to publicise the injustice of a violent trooper keeping his badge."

Palin also defended his role in his wife's career as Alaska governor.

"I have heard criticism that I am too involved in my wife's administration," he wrote.

"My wife and I are very close. We are each other's best friend. I have helped her in her career the best I can, and she has helped me."

The first results of the "Troopergate" probe could be released in Alaska on Friday when the committee that initiated the investigation convenes to receive the investigator's report.

However the investigation could be stopped in its tracks if Alaska's Supreme Court rules in favour of five Republican lawmakers who have launched a legal bid to have the inquiry halted, arguing the probe is politically motivated. The court is expected to issue a ruling later today.

If the results of the investigation stand, the report is likely to be made public on Friday, Alaska's legislative council has said.

The inquiry was launched following a unanimous bipartisan vote on July 28, and Palin had initially said she and all state employees would co-operate.

However, since her unveiling as McCain's running mate, Palin and several members of her staff have refused to co-operate, with her campaign branding the probe as "partisan and tainted."

So is this the equivalent of the John Howard "children Overboard" scandal? and Is Palin behind the persecution of her sister's ex-husband, by her own words she doesn't miss a trick so you'd have to say it is, wouldn't you?

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