Warned by the Court A judge repeatedly told Palin and family not to badmouth her sister's ex

[DogPoundPup]

Source: Newsweek

An Anchorage judge three years ago warned Sarah Palin and members of her family to stop "disparaging" the reputation of Alaska State Trooper Michael Wooten, who at the time was undergoing a bitter separation and divorce from Palin's sister Molly.

Allegations that Palin, her husband Todd, and at least one top gubernatorial aide continued to vilify Wooten—after Palin became Alaska's governor and pressured state police officials to take action against him—are at the center of "Troopergate," a political and ethical controversy which has embroiled Palin's administration and is currently the subject of an official inquiry by a special investigator hired by the state legislature.

Court records obtained by NEWSWEEK show that during the course of divorce hearings three years ago, Judge John Suddock heard testimony from an official of the Alaska State Troopers' union about how Sarah Palin—then a private citizen—and members of her family, including her father and daughter, lodged up to a dozen complaints against Wooten with the state police. The union official told the judge that he had never before been asked to appear as a divorce-case witness, that the union believed family complaints against Wooten were "not job-related," and that Wooten was being "harassed" by Palin and other family members.

Court documents show that Judge Suddock was disturbed by the alleged attacks by Palin and her family members on Wooten's behavior and character. "Disparaging will not be tolerated—it is a form of child abuse," the judge told a settlement hearing in October 2005, according to typed notes of the proceedings. The judge added: "Relatives cannot disparage either. If occurs the parent needs to set boundaries for their relatives."

A spokesperson for the law firm that represented Palin's sister, now known as Molly Hackett, said Hackett's lawyer would have no comment because custody issues are still in litigation. Other lawyers representing Sarah Palin in connection with the state legislative investigation—which is examining whether she abused her powers as governor in trying to have Wooten fired or disciplined—had no immediate comment. Palin's official gubernatorial spokeswoman did not respond to e-mails and a phone message requesting comment.

Read more: http://www.newsweek.com/id/158140

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Talking Points Memo: "If her behavior was so abusive and over-the-line before she became governor (this was in 2005), can there really be much doubt she would have used all her power of office to get him fired?"

[FLyellowdog]

1. Hmmmm...

The truth will come out sooner or later...hope it's sooner.

[benh57]

3. sigh

10 years ago, just one thing as small as this would have killed the entire campaign.

Today -- ignored.

So much negative stuff is coming out about Palin, it's just too much at once and her supporters just tune it all out.

[Demeter]

5. Oh, If She Were a Democrat, It Still Would

But It's Okay if you are a Fundie born-again and Saved-by-Jesus. You have your get out of hellfire card and can do what you like in this life and the next.

Standards are a good bit lower on the other side of the aisle.

[Bette Noir]

10. This reminds me of a car I saw, years ago.

It had two bumper stickers. On one side, it said, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven." On the other, it said,"I don't get mad; I get even."

I was pretty sure I wouldn't like the owner of that car, just as I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like Palin.

[renate]

36. that is the most subtle example of religious nuttery I have ever heard

It says so much about them, but it says it in a whisper. Love it!

[bjobotts]

11. Exactly. When the corruption is everywhere as with Bush, you run around in circles confronting it

[cstanleytech]

17. Well yeah but even I am willing to admit

some of the stuff people are trying to make a big deal about Palin just......isn't.
I dont want her as VP nor do I want McCain to win but unless we get something really to nail her on soon we might want to consider switching the focus from her to McCain.
Force him to answer exactly in what areas his administration would be different than the Bush administration, he just cant seem to really provide a solid answer for that one yet or atleast not one that I've been satisfied with.

[Joe Bacon]

23. Palin tries to come off as Little Orphan Annie

But in reality she's a shrew who would send chills down Joan Collins' spine!

[AlbertCat]

26. Palin tries to come off as Little Orphan Annie

You mean... Little Orphan Annie Get Your Gun


"The Gun will come out....tomorrow!"

or

"The Sun will come out....in 6 months!"

Family Values obviously is just tribalism with this group.

I never knew much about Alaska, but aren't you getting the feeling of just how "small" and isolated the state is? I'm sure it's lovely from a cruise ship and a great place to visit if you don't mind cold, but to want to LIVE there one must be a loner, an isolationists, and not mind it has the highest incidences of rape and incest.... and welfare... in the country. Just a thought for those who think Palin is in touch with anyone else. I mean even Hawaii seems more in sync with the rest of the country. At any rate, she seems completely out of touch. So much so she cannot even answer questions. Especially about how she apparently did as she pleased up there.

[xxqqqzme]

33. more like Joan Crawford!

[Coexist]

18. Please Digg It!

http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Newsweek_Judge_warned_Palin_about_emotional_child_abuse

[ellie]

29. Dugg and done

[LonelyLRLiberal]

2. Sarah Palin is redneck trash.

I am not going to disparage the husband and children. I'd like to find out more about the husband - do they go with that fundamentalist belief that the husband is the boss (they call it something else) of the wife?

[Journeyman]

6. Headship . . .

that's what they call it. Of course, some of us know it by it's more common name: bullshit.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

51. LOL - bullshit is what I would call "headship" too. eom

[Joe Bacon]

24. She couldn't even get an audition for the Springer show!

She's too sleazy for Jerry!

[Ishoutandscream2]

30. Sad, but true. I like to say White Trash

Her whole family would be a great feature on Jerry Springer.

[George II]

35. It wouldn't be a Springer "feature", it would be a mini-series!

[hamsterjill]

37. Yeah and I'll Bet She's Against Divorce

Of any kind, too. Just like she's against abortion even in the case of rape and incest.

This all goes to her whacko religious beliefs, which she is entitled to have, but which beliefs certainly do not reflect the mainstream of Americans.

[juajen]

58. Seems to represent a hell of a lot of voters. Dems isolate themselves from

conservatives, unless they're unlucky enough to have them for bosses or if they have relatives that are conservative. In my lifetime, I have had bosses that were pugs and relatives that are pugs. They are afraid of us and call us "wacky liberals". I am in the minority in my family and it isn't easy. But, my relatives are nice people, as were my bosses. They were and are very liberal in some ways. Almost all would help anyone they came across that needed help, with no restrictions. Generalizing doesn't help this situation. Pugs are human, honest.

[norepubsin08]

44. Headship

and yes they do subscribe to it...he sits in on state meetings with her.

[redqueen]

45. And due to that fact, the M$M should be all over him like they were Hillary...

of course, they aren't... but we never expected otherwise.

It's up to us.

[SemperEadem]

56. I agree

According to her beliefs, he's the head of the family and her. So, while she's out playing the "sleazy, scandal-poxed politi-critter/snarling pitbull in lipstick", he's the one who is supposed to be in charge of his family. His minor 17 yr old is laying up somewhere fvcking and not using any protection--where was daddy? Why wasn't he acting like he was "head of the family"?Why wasn't he paying attention? Did he not know where she was? Where did she get pregnant--being that their kind don't believe in birth control (or is it not controlling those they gave birth to)? It's not like they live in LA and there are a lot of things to do to distract a 17 yr old.

[dchill]

4. I hope a lot of those "independents" and white women...

believe in the existence of emotional child abuse - hard-core Republicans don't - or won't admit it is a flaw.

[Politicalboi]

7. Her sister's Ex

Should go on TV and tell his story.

[barbtries]

16. he did give an interview:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/05/palin.trooper/index.html

[AlbertCat]

27. Jesus! He's as nutty as the rest of them!

It must all that dark and cold in isolation! Plus GOP family values (married 3 times!)

[llmart]

43. I thought it said "married four times"....

ah, gotta love those family values Repugs.

[speedoo]

8. K&R. Thanks for posting this. Must read. nt

[Bette Noir]

9. She needs to be a private citizen again.

This woman is clearly unfit for office.

[happygoluckytoyou]

12. COULD THE MEDIA PLEASE TAKE A REAL STAND ON ANYTHING before we elect this VP to nowhere

[redqueen]

46. No. It's foolish to expect that they will.

They *might*, but I doubt it. If they do it'll likely be spun blue and only mentioned in passing.

[meowomon]

13. This female pitbull is crazy

Time to put her down! (Hey S.S. I didn't mean that literally. I repeat: It was hyperbole and general snarkery. I have never and I repeat, never intended anyone any harm. So don't go throwin' me up against the wall and pouring water down my throst to get some sort of confession that I am a sleeper cell jihadist or anything.) Hey, some one's at my door. OMG, the NSA and the FBI and Dick Cheney! Help me mommy!

[Waiting For Everyman]

14. Uh oh, Little Miss Muffet violated a court order...

Judges don't like that. Bad stuff just happened to a mayor in Detroit, you know.

[CitizenPatriot]

21. different for the mayor

he's not in bed with OIL so they can stick him to the full extent of the law.

Bush Palin's PEOPLE will threaten everyone on this committee and the DoJ will back them up. This committee is toast.

Sure she violated a judge's order and violated every ethics standard that comes to mind and she 's now a child abuser, but she
s a

wait for it

balloon drop

HOCKEY MOM!

I have NO faith in this country or this government anymore. I hope I am so wrong.

I loved your post and I hope you are RIGHT!

[Hubert Flottz]

15. NeoCon John and the Ice Queen think that the rule of law is for

is for the working class. Those two believe that like Bush and Cheney, they are above the law.

[VaYallaDawg]

20. Ice Queen - I love it!!!!

:rofl:

[mod mom]

19. but, but but she's cute, can skin a moose and deliver a speech from a teleprompter

:sarcasm:

[Tutonic]

22. How much longer can this dysfunctional family be buoyed up by

the RNC?

[Divernan]

25. Judge threatened to move kids out of Wasila/Mat-SuValley

Child targets of Sarah Palin's vicious mouth need relocation program - sort of like witness protection. Sarah didn't give a damn what damage she did to her neice/nephew. No one gets between her and her need for revenge. The Judge threatened to take custody away from Sarah's sister and have the trooper move his kids to Anchorage to get away from the vicious Palins.


"It is the mother's responsibility to set boundaries for her relatives and insure they respect them, and the disparagement by either parent, or their surrogates is emotional child abuse," Judge Suddock wrote. He added that: "If the court finds it is necessary due to disparagement in the Mat-Su Valley , for the children's best interests, it will not hesitate to order custody to the father and a move into Anchorage." Cyr, the union official, said that to his knowledge, no such move was ever ordered."

[peacetalksforall]

28. SOAP QUEEN. I think we really need to learn that there are SOME SANE

people in Alaska.

In the name of GOD, I'm going to disparage my brother-in-law and deny him employment to pay child support for my niece and nephew using my powers as Governor to do so, so help me GOD.

[Turner Ashby]

32. I hate people like this.

As a divorce lawyer, I sincerely think they have a screw loose. They harass someone until they lose their job, THEN, they will (in Alaska) not be able to get a job, so they can't pay child support, so they get put in jail for non payment, then they tell the children that their father is a dead beat OR the dad has to leave the state in order to get a job. Either way, it is an insidious way to produce child alienation and the people who do it are sick, sick, sick. They will also try every trick in the book. Their files in the divorce court are usually 2 or 3 inches thick, or 2 files. They are sick puppies. And this sounds like the whole family was joining in....including Saint Sarah.

[Dora]

38. The people who do this aren't just sick, they're bullies.

And bullies must be stopped from imposing their "sickness" on other people. They are a threat to decent society.

[happyslug]

31. Notice the word "Child Abuse" in the statement of the Judge.

That implies to me the Judge was NOT concerned about the claims themselves but that such claims should NOT be said in front of the children of the couple who were getting divorce (i.e. Officer Wooten and Palin's Sister Molly). A Custody and Visitation Judge would give such a warning even if the Accusation Were TRUE, for the accusation had nothing to do with the Children and under Custody and Visitation Orders BOTH parents have a duty to uphold the other parent in the eyes of the Children. This is a typical Warning (and often part of the Custody and Visitation Order) in such cases.

My point this warning had nothing to do with the underlying claims (Which may or may not be true) or Palin's complaints to Wooten's Superiors (None of which was done in the presence of the Children). Al this warning was to protect the children of the couple undergoing a Divorce, and that is all.

[JBoy]

40. It tells me that in addition to just being vengeful, Palin doesn't seem to mind

repeatedly trying to destroy the father of her sister's children. Which the judge pointed is a form of "child abuse".

For Palin, children are just pawns for her to position, exploit and sacrifice.

[happyslug]

60. Please note if the accusation are correct, there can indicate a tendency to violence

Remember if true, the accusation can be grounds to deny him visitation IF IT SHOWS HE CAN BE VIOLATE WITH THE CHILDREN. The issue in front of the Judge was NOT whether Wooten was or is violate but the Judge did NOT want those accusations being made in front of the Children. That is all the Judge wanted, for if true the accusations are grounds to deny the father Visitation (If it can be shown he would act the same way in the presence of his own children).

As to Palin's view that the "children are just pawns" that may NOT be the case, she may want to protect the children from someone she truly believes will do them harm. We do NOT have the information to see if that is true or not, the Judge did NOT have to address it when she gave her order. Remember while the best interest of the Children is the test for Custody in most states (I do NOT know about Alaska, but I suspect it is the rule even in Alaska) the test for Visitation in most states is that Visitation is an absolute right of the non-custodial parent UNLESS THE VISITATION CAUSES GREAT HARM TO THE CHILDREN. Notice a little harm is NOT enough to deny Visitation, it has to be a "Great harm" (Again I do NOT practice in Alaska, but is suspect the law is the same, it tends to be the same in all 50 states, details varies but these two tests seems to work so most states use them).

Furthermore, in most states, the cases are "Closed" to the Public to protect the Children, thus we do NOT know what was the Accusation, what evidence was presented as to the accusation, and what the Judge Decided based on that Evidence (We do not even know if The Father was stripped of any visitation, for all we know he was or was not).

My point is this statement by this Judge should NOT be taken out of the Contest it apparently was given in, i.e. a Custody case. To take it out of it and imply a decision by Palin to ignore a Judge because she did not like the Judge's decision to how she will handle other adverse action is a stretch. Custody and Visitation action involve the hearts and emotions of the Parents and their families. These things get bitter fast and often over nothing. As a rule I can NOT take what someone was told in a Custody Case by a Judge as to what was being said to each other by the parties as anything more then emotion run wild. I can NOT see it as a good indicator of what Palin would do if she became President. There are better way to attack her then through this court action and the emotions it produced by all sides.

Please note, "Trooper-gate" is more then the dispute between her sister and her ex-husband over the custody of their children. It involved the termination of the person who was in charge of reviewing Wooten's actions AS A POLICE OFFICER not in the litigation. If Palin did more then write letters to him about why Wooten should be fired (i.e. Fired the person is charge of the investigation do to that person's failure to fire Wooten) then that is something to look at, but I would avoid the actual Custody Case for reason I set forth above.

[barbtries]

55. right, and the point is

that sarah palin and her family had to be instructed by a judge to do the right thing for the children.

[happyslug]

59. That happens in most custody cases, where custody is in dispute.

I have spent to many years doing Custody and Visitation cases to say otherwise, in fact in my county it is so common the county as a practice puts such a warning in ALL of its Custody and Visitation Orders AND the Judges tell the Parties what Palin was told here in almost every case. It is that common.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

61. I mean after all he did admit the child abuse.

Wooten admitted using a taser on the 10 year old.

[George II]

34. National Enquirer webstie has some of the dirt they've uncovered on her, all seems plausible.

[krkaufman]

39. Judge, in court, on Palin: "bitterness ... has overridden good judgment"

Welcome to last week, Newsweek.

And you didn't even manage to find the most damning quote from the judge:

"It appears for the world that Ms. McCann and her family have decided to take off for the guy's livelihood - that the bitterness of whatever who did what to whom has overridden good judgment," Suddock said in an audio recording from the trial heard on TV station KTUU's website.

edit: p.s. Oh, and great; this Newsweek article is a "web exclusive." Can't have this information making it into general circulation, now, can we.

[atjrpsych]

41. Even if she goes to jail "kmart" moms will find a way to spin it

I am so disheartened by this trend in voting. I had more faith in the American public, but obviously there is more of a division than just red and blue states. I have always been told to use by analytical skills before I make a opinion (don't judge a book by its cover). Are important decisions made so with so little information?

[BlueDonkey08]

42. Just shows her character, or should I say lack thereof

As is so rightly pointed out by others, her actions as a private citizen and as a public servant speak volumes about her - she is corrupt and does not hesitate to "punish" anyone who comes in her way, does not agree with her, or crosses her path. Wake up America! Are we going to elect a guy like McCain who has no judgement as clearly evidenced by his choice of this corrupt individual to be our next leader? Don't we deserve better?

[libodem]

47. How conveeeeenient

Sarah Barracuda and her little sister Molly Hatchet. The genteel Palin girls, make national news.

[NOLALady]

52. The Heath Girls.

[peacetalksforall]

48. Which soap opera comes closest to her life - her decisions - her tricks?

[SomeGuyInEagan]

49. Please Digg the Newsweek article ...

Dugg and Recommended.

[VWolf]

50. And the repug response:

"Just another liberal activist judge, legislating from the bench"

[McCamy Taylor]

53. Her behavior was "child abuse" is the key line. What if the accusations against the brother in law

were all made up?

[Life Long Dem]

54. This would be the equivalence of the Dean speech if it were a Democrat.

Another word's it would be plastered all over the news for 3 days straight.

You know... the way bittergate went 3 day's with no Obama defense except a recording very early on, when the news broke, and msm used this little snippet recording as his defense for 3 day's while they went live with Hillary to attack Obama on a spin on his comment that brings voter's to the polls.

Oh yeah... we have seen much worse, over and over again.


MSM sucks!

[redqueen]

57. "MSM sucks!" is so generous of you. They're evil.

Just plain evil.

[fascisthunter]

62. Now I Know WHere Screenwriters Get their Content From for Soaps

from Republican families.....