By GottaLaff
The Alaska Legislature rejected Gov. Sarah Palin’s (R-AK) pick for state attorney general, Wayne Anthony Ross, by a vote of 35-23 today.That stomping sound you hear is a spurned little Pouty McPoorTaste leaving the room in rage and disgrace.
By GottaLaff
According to two sources close to the confirmation hearings, Palin may ask Ross to withdraw before his appointment comes to a vote. [...]
Sparky McBackfire really picked a winner, didn't she? Oh, whoops, my bad, I shouldn't use that term. "Winner" and "Palin" should never be juxtaposed. That would be inappropriate and bad form.But as pro-Palin forces attempted to push back against Ross’s critics, dozens of op-eds Ross authored during the 1980s and 1990s surfaced as key exhibits in the case against his confirmation. Among them is a 1993 piece entitled, “KKK ‘art’ project gets ‘A’ for courage,” in which Ross cheered on a local college student who had offended an African-American classmate by creating a statue of a Klansman with a cross in one hand and a flag in the other. “It might have been fun to see [the African-American student] try to remove the display,” Ross wrote. “Then she could have been arrested and her future as a student of the university could have been resolved through the university disciplinary proceedings.”
During the early 1980s, while Anchorage residents grappled over renaming the city’s 15th Street as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and state legislators mulled establishing a state holiday honoring the assassinated civil-rights leader, Ross wrote several manifestoes attacking King as a communist subversive, according to University of Alaska-Anchorage music professor and local progressive activist Phil Munger. Munger also told me Ross has routinely appeared at public events beside his friend, Don Tanner, a white nationalist who moved to South Africa for a period during the 1980s to support its apartheid government, and who reveled crowds of conservatives with anti-black “South African jokes” upon his return to Alaska.
A glance at Ross’s published archive shows he never limited his resentment to minorities. He taunted environmentalists (“It is time we quit crying over the oil spill” was the title of an editorial he wrote in the wake of the Exxon Valdez disaster); he denounced homosexuals as “degenerates” during a 1993 legal fight over a local gay-rights ordinance; and announced that his final wish before dying was to overturn Roe v. Wade. While rising through the ranks of the NRA’s national leadership in the 1980s, Ross published a piece in the mercenary magazine Soldier of Fortune, defending the right to form antigovernment militias.
“Ross’s profile fits where Palin wants to go after the current legislative session ends,” Munger remarked to me. “She seems to be planning some behind-the-scenes movement to stir up the crazies, especially by convincing them the federal government is going take their guns away. So nobody here is surprised by this selection.”
While Ross sustained withering criticism for his views on social issues, Native American tribes denounced his vociferous opposition to their subsistence rights. The tribes were especially disturbed by his vow during a 2002 gubernatorial debate to “hire a band of junkyard dog” attorneys to gut federal laws guaranteeing natives subsistence preferences. “It almost looked like she was rubbing our face in Anthony Ross’s appointment,” said Tim Towarak, co-chairman of the Alaska Federation of Natives, told The Bristol Bay Times. “Like rubbing our face on the ground, saying ‘Here, take this.’” With increasingly powerful tribal groups mobilizing a united front against Ross, Palin was compelled to defend her own record, pleading, “Obviously I am not anti-Native and would never appoint anyone who is.”
If Palin withdraws Ross’s nomination, she could end another embarrassing political spectacle before it registers on the national press corps’ radar. Alternatively, if she manages to ram his appointment through, Palin can begin implementing a hard-right legal agenda that will appeal to the elements she is cultivating as the base of her likely 2012 presidential campaign. However Palin decides to proceed with W.A.R., by nominating him, she has staked out the culture war as the fuel for her national ambitions.
By GottaLaff
Sorry for the long post, but I didn't want to edit this.(I wrote my testimony against Governor Palin's choice of Wayne Anthony Ross on the issues specific to ethics. However there are any number of major concerns with this man becoming AG.
Refer to the online archive for Gavel to Gavel. [...] [L]isten to the April 10th House Judiciary Committee hearing and testimony. If all of that doesn't alarm you, I don't know what will... ) [...] [Laffy Note: Follow the link, she provides e-mail addresses for those who want to contact the legislators]
Dear Legislators:
Friday, April 10, 2009, I watched the House Judiciary Committee's interview with Wayne Anthony Ross, Governor Palin's appointee for the Alaska Attorney General position. I was surprised when, towards the end, Representative Ramras referenced the ethics complaint I submitted in March. I was then disgusted by Mr. Ross's response:
Representative Ramras: "We have a Governor who is provocative in a lot of her actions. Recently it comes to mind when she was in Fairbanks for the finish line for the Iron Dog she was wearing Arctic Cat gear...Arctic Cat letters..."Wayne Anthony Ross: "It was provocative; she looked very good in them, didn't she?"
The fact that Mr. Ross thought it appropriate to sexualize the issue on the floor of the House during his confirmation hearing is probably alarming enough by itself. It seemed to add credibility to the Senate and House public testimony from multiple individuals alleging disturbing past negative comments and attitudes from Mr. Ross towards women.
However, the focus of this letter is the cavalier way in which Mr. Ross seems to view charges that the Governor of Alaska has behaved unethically.
While this attitude is clearly obvious in the previous comment, it is also reflected farther into the exchange between Rep. Ramras and Mr. Ross:
Representative Ramras: Presently, General, there are some concerns in this building about the focus of our chief executive because she's taken a speaking engagement in Indiana for a 36 hour period with only 72 hours to go in the Legislative Session. [Laffy Note: My post about this here] Although she's available by phone, there's a reason we have you here in front of us because we're not interested in doing the confirmation hearing telephonically. Nor are we interested in having a Governor available telephonically with only three days to go in the session.So my question for you...as the Governor's attorney as well as the chief attorney for the State of Alaska...how are you going to advise the Governor, with these lucrative offers she has on the table to write a biography and the requirement for anyone who writes a book to take a book tour across the country? Are you going to advise the Governor that this is something that is within her rights and purview or is that something that infringes upon the rights of all Alaskans?
W.A. Ross: I don't know how I'm going to advise her because the question hasn't been made and I don't know all the facts.
Later on, Mr. Ross gives this response:
W.A. Ross:...Whether that's part of her job or not, I'm not making any decisions on that. Whether she should wear Arctic Cat or I should get in trouble for wearing a Steton, I'm not making any decisions on that. If the questions come to us maybe we'll have to make a decision at that time. I'm sure she feels appreciative that you guys are going to miss her for two days while she's outside giving a speech. She's never talked to me about it and I'm sure you'll be in her heart and mind the whole time.Again, he is clearly not taking any of this seriously. He also states that he is not making any decisions on advising the Governor whether or not the above behavior is ethical.
Here is the rest of the exchange:
Ramras: I would look forward to an opinion from the Department of Law on that point...whether the Dept. of Law will endorse a chief executive writing a book and making a multi-city book tour while she's serving in the capacity of the chief executive. On that point we would like to get an opinion from the Department of Law going forward as we have a new Attorney General.Ross: I think I have a lot more important issues as Attorney General then deciding whether or not the Governor should write a book.
Ramras: I didn't ask you if she should write a book. I asked you if she may take prolonged absences from the State of Alaska on a book tour.
Ross: I don't have all of the knowledge of the issues facing the Department of Law, but when it comes time that I have plenty of extra time for such things I will certainly devote the time appropriate to such an issue
I believe that Mr. Ross needs to read the job description for the State Attorney General a little closer. In a 2007 letter and attachments (starting at page 6) from the former Attorney General, Talis Colberg explains his role as AG to Governor Sarah Palin as the person who is supposed to assist her in understanding her responsibilities regarding her own ethical behavior:
Since I serve as your designated ethics supervisor, I want to remind you that the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act requires that all state employees report to their designated ethics supervisors any outside employment or services benefiting their personal or financial interests by July 1 of each year.So, one of the functions of the Attorney General is to serve as the Governor's designated ethics supervisor, which not only has time-sensitive reporting requirements but would require him to properly advise her if there is a possibility she may be violating the Alaska Executive Ethics Act. I believe that requires Mr. Ross to take action on the issue of ethics whether he has "plenty of extra time for such things" or not. It's an important part of his job. Further, the letter from the former AG lays out more specific guidelines for chief executives:
However, the Ethics Act also precludes "the head of a principal executive department of the state" from engaging in "outside employment."l The Office of the Governor is a principal department of the state.2 Therefore, as head of that office, you may not be engaged in outside employment. We construe "employment" to have its ordinary meaning.These definitions are explained in an attachment to the memo for the Governor (page 8), a list of Frequently Asked Questions that looks like it may be given to all new state employees. What's disturbing is that it very clearly raises questions as to the legality of the chief executive officer (Governor Palin) accepting "a book deal." Mr. Ross seems to be completely unaware of this:
3. What does "outside employment" include?
• Any employment for which you are paid, but not your state employment.
• Examples: a job with another employer, work as an independent contractor, and work in your own business.Also, Mr. Ross seems to be unaware that established DOL criteria may already address the issue of leaving the state for extended travel on a book tour:
The statute (AS 39.52. 170(a» restricts public employees from providing services that benefit a personal interest if those services are incompatible or in conflict with the proper performance of official duties.Mr. Ross discussed none of this when asked pointed questions by Representative Ramras. Instead, Mr. Ross gave flippant answers, seemed to dismiss the importance of Executive Ethics Act enforcement and didn't seem to understand the requirements of the Act himself. While I don't expect Mr. Ross to be up to speed on all the requirements of his potential job, I believe he should have at least a passing understanding of some of the more important duties. Keeping the Governor out of trouble is a VERY important duty and not something to be taken lightly.
Wayne Anthony Ross's disrespectful attitude during the ethics questioning concerns me for another reason. The Alaska Executive Ethics Act does require that the Personnel Board hire an independent investigator in place of the Attorney General when ethics complaints involve the Governor, the Lt. Governor or the AG him/herself. However, the AG is the head of the Department of Law which still the "gatekeeper"-Dept. of Law employees make the decision whether or not the ethics complaint meets the criteria and is sent to the Personnel Board at all. I am concerned that Mr. Ross may not take the process seriously enough to become well-informed and base the fate of ethics complaints upon unbiased legal criteria.
I believe we should all be deeply concerned about the appointment of Wayne Anthony Ross for many reasons already presented to both Judiciary Committees. However, no behavior in front of either Judiciary Committee causes more concern and reflects more directly upon how Mr. Ross may perform at his job than the ethics exchange with Representative Ramras. Ethical government should be a high priority for everyone but especially for the person whose job it is to lead the Department of Law. I urge you to reject the appointment of Wayne Anthony Ross for Attorney General.
Sincerely,
Linda Kellen Biegel
By GottaLaff
With just one week left before the Alaska Legislature adjourns for the year, the conflict between Gov. Sarah Palin and lawmakers over taking federal economic stimulus money is the dominant issue left. [...]There's an old show biz phrase, Shooty McMouthOff: Timing is everything.There's still a chance that bills will pass increasing the state minimum wage, requiring parental notification when a teenager gets an abortion, expanding Alaska children's health insurance for lower-income families and stopping the state, including the Permanent Fund, from investing in companies doing business in Sudan, the African country whose government has been blamed for genocidal killing in the Darfur region.
Legislators will also vote Thursday on approving the governor's appointees, including attorney general Wayne Anthony Ross, who has proven controversial but is still likely to be confirmed. [Laffy Note: My posts here and here explain why I'm about to stick a sharp object in my eye]
Palin herself will be leaving Alaska this week to attend the Vanderburgh County Right to Life dinner in Evansville, Ind. on Thursday, as well as an event for special-needs children. Fairbanks Republican Rep. Jay Ramras questioned her leaving town right at the end of the session, when critical decisions are being made.
"There are some concerns (in the Capitol) about the focus of our chief executive because she's taken a speaking engagement in Indiana for a 36-hour period with only 72 hours left in the legislative session," Ramras said.
Palin, who has barely left Alaska during the legislative session, is clearly irritated.
"I'll be gone for one day. I already have been on record with lawmakers on this. I told lawmakers, you know what, 'Please, don't make me feel that I have to ask you permission, lawmakers, to leave the capital city,' " Palin said.
By GottaLaff
I got a huge response to this post:Sarah Palin's pick for Alaska's Attorney General: “If a guy can’t rape his wife…who’s he gonna rape?”
In that post, I linked to Wayne Anthony Ross's response to Leah Burton's testimony about Palin's terrible Attorney General pick. But this is far from over. Check this out (I strongly suggest you follow the link to read the entire letter), via the wonderfully astute and very thorough Shannyn Moore:
Flippant much, WAR? And where in your response letter did you deny or defend anything that Mr. Burton said about you?From Leah Burton’s Dad:
Mr. Ross,
You may or may not remember the times when we met but I remember you very vividly. The purpose of this communication is over concern for my daughter first and your attempt to be confirmed as the Attorney General, a job for which I know you had long aspirations, as well as thinking you could be the Commissioner of Health and Social Services or the Commissioner of Public Safety, none of which you are qualified for.
I was told today that you deny knowing or associating with the Mad Dads group in Wasilla. Surely records of filings in the court must still be available so that you can produce proof of who you clients were. This, is the same group that my daughter witnessed you addressing and making sexist and demeaning comments in reference to spousal rape and domestic violence, which as I see it means physical abuse of the spouse by the husband. Considering the group to which you were speaking that is the only logical conclusion one could draw from such remarks. I’m also assuming that you may have made these remarks in order to appear as a macho man in front of such a gathering. First of all, I want to caution you on what you say but can’t prove and to advise you that if this kind of slander and attacks on my daughter continue you may well meet a real attorney that knows how to win.
In over 30 years in law enforcement in Alaska, as a police advisor for the U.S State Dept and the Dept of justice, I have met and worked with many quality professionals in the field and let me say that you do not rank among this group. I worked the street as a young patrol officer starting in Ketchikan in 1954, joined the Alaska State Police in 1959 and ended my career by serving two separate terms as Commissioner of Public Safety for the 2 best Governor’s in Alaska, Jay Hammond and Wally Hickel. (In the interest of brevity I will attach my resume for you perusal as I want to establish my bona fides for the remarks I am about to make).
You sir, speak and act like the kind of bully I met many times when responding to domestic violence calls, some of the most dangerous situations police officers are often in. Over the years I brought many an abused spouse and/or children to my own home for my wife to care for, because there was no place else to take them. [...]
Contrary to what you recently told the Judiciary Committee about the Child Welfare workers being hell bent on taking kids away from their families my personal experience was just the opposite. I had to take many children into protective custody,. and even in the most dangerous of situations the welfare workers attitude was that a child was always better off staying with their natural parents regardless of the circumstances. Not a decision that I could always agree with. Therefore I am totally surprised as your comments and I challenge you to provide actual proof that supports that allegation.
[...] The bottom line in this case we found that children were being left in home circumstances in many cases when the right thing to do would have been removal. This resulted in changes of the child protection statutes and policies of the agencies concerned which also included the relationship between children and adult probation sharing of information.
The only conclusion I have been able to come to concerning your remarks about the “frightening” case works is that you really don’t know what you are talking about and are just talking to try to impress someone that you may have an some knowledge about the subject.
In light of the strong reaction from the native and rural communities of the state and your obvious position and bias relative to domestic and children’s issues I find it hard to believe that you could be in charge of the department that is charged with enforcing laws in an impartial or effective manner. I think you should do the state a favor and withdraw your name from confirmation.
Richard L Burton
Commissioner of Public Safety (retired)
RESPONSE BY WAYNE ANTHONY ROSS:
Dick: Thanks for writing. I’ll pray for you and for your daughter. Sounds like both of you have problems. My best to you old friend, WAR
By GottaLaff
March 26, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today announced the appointment of Wayne Anthony Ross as Attorney General.[...]"Who's that?" you may be asking, "And why should I care?" Via Mudflats, we get the answer:
Ross, currently in private practice, will fill the vacancy created last month by the resignation of Attorney General Talis Colberg. [...]
“Wayne Anthony Ross will be a great defender of Alaska and the people he serves," Governor Palin said. "With his vast legal knowledge, experience and integrity, he will make an exceptional Attorney General."
To anyone out there who has accused me of being too hard on Sarah Palin, read this post again. If there's still the slightest question in anyone's mind about why she deserves the critical, snarky treatment she gets, then maybe those few should either reevaluate their own value system or go elsewhere.Tomorrow House Judiciary Committee will meet and take citizen testimony on the nomination of Wayne Anthony Ross to be our next Attorney General.
Leah Burton is on with CC, sharing her testimony regarding Wayne Anthony Ross. She is a former citizen lobbyist who worked on behalf of families and children concerning child support, child custody, domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault.
She discusses a meeting of the group DADS, being run by Wayne Anthony Ross, and what she heard.
Numerous comments were made that were appalling, not the least of which were remarks by Mr. Ross which included the following: “If a guy can’t rape his wife…who’s he gonna rape?” and “There wouldn’t be an issue with domestic violence if women would learn to keep their mouths shut.”
Other members made their own contributions such as, “We have the right to discipline our wives and children without the interference of government in our lives!”
These comments were greeted with laughter and affirmative responses by the group. Given the fact that they had referred to me in recent months as a “femi-nazi”, the comments I was witness to at this meeting, while abhorrent, were unfortunately not surprising.
This announcement by Governor Palin is a slap in the face to all single parents who have no choice but to rely upon the State Department of Law to support court orders for child support, as well as those persons who need the Department to enforce criminal laws against sexual assault and domestic violence. Mr. Ross is the antithesis of the type of person that should be the Attorney General. This has been clearly demonstrated by his own words and actions in public.
In closing, I am not alone in my assessment that anyone who condones, and contributes to that type of hateful and harmful discourse clearly does not have the judgment necessary to represent the people of the State of Alaska as their Attorney General.
You can read her entire written testimony HERE.
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