Cross-posted by Veteran75 at the MOOSE

8 years ago, complaints about charging rape victims for medical exams in Wasilla prompted the Alaska Legislature to pass a bill -- signed into law by (former Gov.)Knowles -- that banned the practice statewide.

"There was one town in Alaska that was charging victims for this, and that was Wasilla," Knowles said

A May 23, 2000, article in Wasilla's newspaper, The Frontiersman, noted that Alaska State Troopers and most municipal police agencies regularly pay for such exams, which cost between $300 and $1,200 apiece.

"(But) the Wasilla police department does charge the victims of sexual assault for the tests," the newspaper reported.

It also quoted Wasilla Police Chief Charlie Fannon objecting to the law. Fannon was appointed to his position by Palin after her dismissal of the previous police chief. He said it would cost Wasilla $5,000 to $14,000 a year if the city had to foot the bill for rape exams.

"In the past we've charged the cost of exams to the victims' insurance company when possible," Fannon told the newspaper. "I just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer."

- Alaska Daily News

Those poor Alaska tax payers! What 'concern' Fannon has for them. He must have forgotten that his state has the smallest tax burden in the Union.

I want to channel a big WTF scream through my keyboard, but what good will it do. What can you say to the (small) community that wants to pile on a victim of one of the most heinous crimes imaginable?

Hat tip to the DNC for releasing this list of reasons to vote for Senator McCain :

1. McCain doesn't even know who is in charge in Iran.

2. Iraq/Iran, Sunni/Shia: McCain doesn't know the difference.

3. McCain still thinks Czechoslovakia (which split into two countries in 1993) exists.

4. McCain wrongly claimed that Baghdad was mostly normal.

5. McCain called Baghdad market safe.

6. McCain can't even remember how little he knows about the economy.

7. McCain falsely claimed he never requested pork.

8. McCain falsely claimed that tax cuts increased government revenues.

9. McCain's claim to be untainted by special interest money is false.

10. McCain wrongly claimed he never supported amnesty.

Feel free to post your favorite caption to the picture above.

WINNER - McCain: Keeping our promise to seniors? Bush: Is this snark? Serious question. - zcflint05

You might have heard the furor this week over Rush Limbaugh dreaming about riots at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. I think this ridiculous comment will be forgotten before the two parties convene their respective conventions in over four months. The Republicans might have their own mild riots this September in Minnesota thanks to Dr. Ron Paul. The outspoken obstetrician earned a surprising 16% of the GOP vote in the PA Primary. The TX Congressman may have downsized his campaign staff, but that team is still on a mission to be heard at the Republican National Convention.

While they'll likely be stymied from having much impact on the platform, Paul supporters are hopeful their guy will secure a speaking slot -- and hint that they may stage a visible distraction to McCain and the GOP if their request is not fulfilled.

"We remain hopeful and would be honored if the RNC would extend a speaking invitation," (Ron Paul spokeman Jesse) Benton said. "If that doesn't happen, Dr. Paul will have an off-site presence and will address supporters." - http://www.politico.com/news/stories/040 8/9886.html

You may have read my report card diary on John McCain that made the front-page diary rescue list. I read some quotes and issue papers from John McCain today, and decided that letter grades do not do justice in proving how WRONG the Arizona Senator will be for the White House. Below are some words of wisdom from McCain on various issues important to progressives.

Reproductive Rights

John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that . . . Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states. . . . the reversal of Roe v. Wade represents only one step in the long path toward ending abortion. Once the question is returned to the states, the fight for life will be one of courage and compassion . . .

We already knew that Justice Alito and McCain were BFF, but could you imagine this country divided between Red (anti-choice) States, and Blue (pro-choice) States? I can already envision the young women in the deep South that could not afford to travel to a Pro-Choice State.

War in Iraq

A greater military commitment now is necessary if we are to achieve long-term success in Iraq. John McCain agrees with retired Army General Jack Keane that there are simply not enough American forces in Iraq. More troops are necessary . . . Accomplishing each of these goals will require more troops . . . Increasing U.S. troop levels will expose more brave Americans to danger and increase the number of American casualties. When Congress authorized this war, we committed America to a mission that entails the greatest sacrifice a country can make, one that falls disproportionately on those Americans who love their country so much that they volunteer to risk their lives to accomplish that mission. And when we authorized this war, we accepted the responsibility to make sure those men and women could prevail. Extending combat tours and accelerating the deployment of additional troops is a terrible sacrifice to impose on the best patriots among us, and they will understandably be disappointed when they are given that order. Then they will shoulder their weapons and do everything they can to protect our country's vital interests in Iraq.

WOW . . . that last sentence was just straight cold and heartless! Does McCain think our troops will just "suck it up & drive on" for another four years?!

KUDOS to the Votemaster at for his analysis of Politico's investigation of the "Dean 25" that will rule on the MI/FL sanctions. Below is the quick rundown of the members, but I suggest reading the Politico article if you are a news junkie.

THE DEAN 25


Name                                Job                                                                     Supports
Dean Aguillen                 Lobbyist                                                                  Clinton
Don Beyer                        Former VA Lt. Gov.                                                  Obama
Allyn Brooks-LaSure       Dir. Media relations for Save Darfur Coalition          Obama?
Jose Ceballos                  Dir. Gov't affairs, Air Traffic Controllers Assoc.            ?
Ralph Dawson                 Labor lawyer                                                          Obama?
Sheila Dixon                       Mayor of Baltimore                                                  Obama
"Christopher Edley, Jr       Dean of the law school at UC Berkeley                  Obama
Hartina Flournoy               Ass't to Pres. of Amer. Fed. of Teachers                 Clinton
Maryscott Greenwood     Managing dir. of law firm                                         Clinton?
Janice Griffin                    DNC activist                                                          Obama?
Adelita Grijalva                Program manager of Pima County Teen Court       Obama
Laura Harris                     Exec. Dir. Americans for Indian Opportunity          Obama
Kathy Hoyt                       Political activist                                                       Obama
Carol Juneau                   Montana state senator                                          Clinton
Scott Maddox                  Former Tallahassee mayor                                     Neutral
Abdul Mujahid                Founder of Sound Vision                                              ?
Maria Neira                     VP of Amer. Fed. of Teachers                                  Clinton
Kate O'Connor                Longtime Dean aide                                                      ?
Leila Sahar                       College student                                                              ?
Marc Stanley                       Texas lawyer                                                          Obama
Carol Pensky                   DNC activist                                                             Clinton
Bob Rogan                       Chief of Staff for Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT)               Obama?
Jane Stetson                     Rep. Peter Welch's finance chair                               Obama
Michael Steed                  Managing dir. Paladin Capital Group                       Clinton
Bill Strauss                       Massachusetts state representative                       Clinton

I am going to keep this short and simple, as I am still battling a case of primary fatigue.

President John Sidney McCain

SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME!

I thought he didn't have a chance to win the GOP nomination last year. I felt he was an OK guy, with an admirable record of military service. His roles as a maverick Senator seemed appealing, but now I am coming to the realization that he has a shot at becoming Commander-in-chief.

I feel very confident that either DEM will defeat him in the GE, but I think it may be a close DEM victory . . . if we don't start defining the Arizona Senator NOW!!

The diary title freaked you out a little, didn't it? Read on to understand how that could become a reality . . .

I was in the McDonald's drive-thru this morning (grabbing some unhealthy breakfast) when an important but disturbing Nina Totenberg segment aired on NPR's Morning Edition. The story quickly reminded me of why we need a DEMOCRAT in the White House, and why we can't afford to have John McCain reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

The Supreme Court heard a major death penalty case today that tested whether capital punishment is constitutional for the rape of a child. I oppose the Death Penalty across the board, but it isn't a hot-button issue for me (that would be censorship). I know that both Democratic Presidential Candidates support some form of the Death Penalty, and I accept that they can't oppose this issue for political reasons.

I listened to Totenberg's segment, and was deeply sympathetic for the children that were victimized by this heinous crime. I have three young children, and would most likely have the same feelings as the father of a victim:

The test case before the court began on March 2, 1998, when Patrick Kennedy called 911 to report the rape of his 8-year-old stepdaughter.

"I need an ambulance," Kennedy said. "I need police. My little girl ... is 8 years old. She was off in the yard and she said two boys grabbed her and raped my child and I'm trying to find these motherf**** because I am going to kill them."