| Sep 20 @ 2:59 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Loreli

Posts: 20,147
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ABC News Now| Critics Question Palin's Record on "Epidemic" Rape, Domestic Violence in Alaska Effort to Tackle Sex Violence Stalled by Palin's Office, Sources Say By JUSTIN ROOD September 15, 2008 Evangelicals and social conservatives have embraced McCain's vice presidential pick for what they call her "pro-family," "pro-woman" values. But in Alaska, critics say Gov. Sarah Palin has not addressed the rampant sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence and murder that make her state one of the most dangerous places in the country for women and children.
Critics say Gov. Sarah Palin, pictured here in her home state of Alaska last week, has not addressed... Critics say Gov. Sarah Palin, pictured here in her home state of Alaska last week, has not addressed the rampant sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence and murder that make her state one of the most dangerous places in the country for women and children. (DONNA SVENNEVIK / ABC)Alaska leads the nation in reported forcible rapes per capita, according to the FBI, with a rate two and a half times the national average – a ranking it has held for many years. Children are no safer: Public safety experts believe that the prevalence of rape and sexual assault of minors in Alaska makes the state's record one of the worst in the U.S. And while solid statistics on domestic violence are hard to come by, most – including Gov. Palin – agree it is an "epidemic."
Related Palin Backstab? Commissioner Praised Then FiredFired Official: Governor Palin Did Not Tell the Truth to ABCMore from Brian Ross and the Investigative TeamDespite the governor's pro-family image, public safety experts and advocates for women and children struggled when asked to explain how Palin's leadership has helped address the crisis. And current and former officials from Palin's administration confirmed that an ambitious plan to tackle the crisis has apparently sunk into doldrums after arriving at the governor's office.
"She's really done a lot of work on oil and gas, but when it comes to violence against women and children. . . we haven't been on her radar as a priority," said Peggy Brown, executive director of the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The Juneau-based group is an umbrella organization for shelters and anti-violence programs around the state.
State troopers respond to most domestic violence calls outside of Alaska's major cities, but they're too short-staffed and under-funded to do it well, according to Robert Claus, a recently retired trooper. Does anyone know about this? It came from a reputable news site....
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| Sep 20 @ 3:50 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Gman762

Posts: 3,291
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ABC is reputable? Since when?
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| Sep 20 @ 3:58 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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capobeachguy

Posts: 3,652
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Alaska leads the nation in reported forcible rapes per capita, according to the FBI, with a rate two and a half times the national average – a ranking it has held for many years. Where are the rapes taking place? Inside or outside of the major cities? If it's inside the cities, according to the article posted, the cases are not handled by state troopers. Has anyone determined why the incidence rate in Alaska is, and has been, above the national average?
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| Sep 20 @ 3:58 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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lefthandedluckie

Posts: 4,987
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I would say this is just more proof of where Sara Palin comes from! The church she belongs to and her beliefs put the woman second and the man first in everything! It is said by these Pentecosts that a woman, females, are subservient to all males! 
With her strong Pentecostal beliefs it is easy to see that what is written literally in the bible will be observed in her household! More proof that she is unfit to serve in a world dominated by males! What would she do if Putin told her to lick his boots....he is a male you know! 
I believe she would lick his boots! Because she has been indoctrinated by religious dogma! 
Being the person I am...I don't believe a woman is subservient to anyone!
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| Sep 20 @ 4:05 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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capobeachguy

Posts: 3,652
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What would she do if Putin told her to lick his boots. Since she can field dress a moose, I'm sure she could handle Putin or field dress a duck...or a rapist!!!
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| Sep 20 @ 4:18 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Angel54214

Posts: 13,904
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Alaska Network On Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Mission statement: The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) is a non-profit, membership corporation composed of 21 programs statewide that provide services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, offender services and adult crisis intervention services. The purposes of the network are to promote linkage and communication between the programs, facilitate information sharing, secure funding in a cooperative and non-competitive manner, and to expose roots of violence against women and children in this culture. Alaska Network On Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is committed to the elimination of interpersonal violence and societal oppression in the lives of women and children. http://womenshealth.gov/violence/state/StateResourcesDetail.cfm?ID=3762
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| Sep 20 @ 4:23 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Loreli

Posts: 20,147
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Angel- please what is your point from that?
As far as news sources....I see none of you could give me YOUR reputable sources
psst-whole thread on it. Please discuss as fact or accept when your stories are argued
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| Sep 20 @ 4:25 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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eastham

Posts: 6,306
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With regard to the rape issue, while mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin made rape victims pay for their own rape kits (the investigative kits used at hospitals, which are provided by the police). USA Today The former police chief, who Palin fired her first term as mayor, never billed rape victims for their kits and objected to Palin's doing so, hence is firing. When it was learned that Palin was forcing rape victims to pay for their own kits, legislation was passed in the state legislation to ensure that municipalities and not victims paid for the cost of the kits.
Secondly, Palin contended that Walter Monegan, the former Commissioner of the state police who is at the heart of "Troopergate", had committed insubordination for going to Washington without permission...Of course, the actual signed permission agreement came to light late last night, conveniently after the end of the news cycle for the networks. And why was Walter Monegan traveling to Washington? To brief Alaska's junior Senator, Linda Murkowski, about the state's efforts to obtain additional money from the Department of Justice and from the Centers for Disease Control for rape and sexual assault and murder prevention programs and other services.
The rape rate in Alaska is staggering. In the US, on average 32.5 per 100,000 women are victims of rape. In Alaska, that number is 83.5 per 100,000. Statistics show that rural women, not those in the big cities of Anchorage or Juneau, bear the overwhelming burden. Rape statistics for Alaska.
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| Sep 20 @ 4:43 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Angel54214

Posts: 13,904
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Palin's town used to bill victims for rape kits Updated 9/11/2008
WASILLA, Alaska — In 2000, Alaska lawmakers learned that rural police agencies had been billing rape victims or their insurance companies $500 to $1,200 for the costs of the forensic medical examinations used to gather evidence. They quickly passed a law prohibiting the practice.
According to the sponsor, Democrat Eric Croft, the law was aimed in part at Wasilla, where now-Gov. Sarah Palin was mayor. When it was signed, Wasilla's police chief expressed displeasure.
"In the past, we've charged the cost of exams to the victims' insurance company when possible," then-chief Charlie Fannon told the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, the local newspaper. "I just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer." http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-10-rape-exams_N.htm
have to read the whole paper, it's too long to post in whole.
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| Sep 20 @ 4:50 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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eastham

Posts: 6,306
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Prior to Palin's stint as mayor, the town of Wasilla paid for the kits. The former mayor as well as the chief of police fired by Palin after she took office, Earl Stambaugh, both men have said that prior to Palin the town paid for the kits.
While Palin has tried to distance herself from having a direct role in the rape kit matter, budget documents signed by Mayor Palin.
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| Sep 20 @ 4:50 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Gman762

Posts: 3,291
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Hmmm...America's most popular governor and still holds an 80%+ job approval rating.
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| Sep 20 @ 4:52 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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burnslikethesun

Posts: 9,586
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"In the past, we've charged the cost of exams to the victims' insurance company when possible," in the past? ya mean before picked for vice presidency? Kind of like I told the big boys in Washington no to the bridge, after they told her no? Oh but we are going keep most of the money.
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| Sep 20 @ 4:54 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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eastham

Posts: 6,306
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I love the "when possible." And guess what? If the insurance companies baulked or the victim did not have insurance, they billed the victim.
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| Sep 20 @ 5:03 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Angel54214

Posts: 13,904
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As mayor of Wasilla, Palin was in charge of the city Police Department, consisting of 25 officers and the man she selected to replace Stambaugh as Chief of Police, Charlie Fannon. She is credited with strengthening the Police Department.
In 2000, state legislators in Alaska learned of the police department practice of charging rape victims or their insurance companies for forensic medical examination necessary to gather evidence, which can cost $500 to $1200; sources differ as to whether this was done by some rural police agencies[16] or only by Wasilla's. In response to complaints this generated, the Alaska Legislature passed a law in 2000 outlawing the practice. Knowles signs sexual assault bill Published on Monday, May 22, 2000 9:00 PM AKDT
ANCHORAGE - Gov. Tony Knowles recently signed legislation protecting victims of sexual assault from being billed for tests to collect evidence of the crime, but one local police chief said the new law will further burden taxpayers.
The governor signed House Bill 270, sponsored by Rep. Eric Croft, D-Anchorage, outside the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) exam room at Alaska Regional Hospital. In attendance at the signing were members of victims advocate groups, law enforcement agencies and legislators.
The new law makes it illegal for any law enforcement agency to bill victims or victims insurance companies for the costs of examinations that take place to collect evidence of a sexual assault or determine if a sexual assault did occur.
We would never bill the victim of a burglary for fingerprinting and photographing the crime scene, or for the cost of gathering other evidence, Knowles said. Nor should we bill rape victims just because the crime scene happens to be their bodies.
While the Alaska State Troopers and most municipal police agencies have covered the cost of exams, which cost between $300 to $1,200 apiece, the Wasilla police department does charge the victims of sexual assault for the tests.
Wasilla Police Chief Charlie Fannon does not agree with the new legislation, saying the law will require the city and communities to come up with more funds to cover the costs of the forensic exams.
In the past we've charged the cost of exams to the victims insurance company when possible. I just dont want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer, Fannon said.
According to Fannon, the new law will cost the Wasilla Police Department approximately $5,000 to $14,000 a year to collect evidence for sexual assault cases.
Ultimately it is the criminal who should bear the burden of the added costs, Fannon said.
The forensic exam is just one part of the equation. Id like to see the courts make these people pay restitution for these things, Fannon said.
Fannon said he intends to include the cost of exams required to collect evidence in a restitution request as a part of a criminals sentencing.
Palmer police chief Laren Zager said that to his knowledge, no sexual assault victim has ever been billed by the city of Palmer for an exam to collect evidence of a crime. Zager, who has been police chief since January, said he would never expect a victim to be burdened with the cost of a police investigation.
Im prepared to pay every dime in an investigation. As long as I am chief, I would never bill a victim, Zager said.
The new bill would also make law enforcement agencies that are investigating a sexual assault responsible for the costs of testing victims for sexually transmitted diseases and emergency contraception. So what's the problem? The bill got passed in year 2000! It's done, over and closed 8 years ago!
[Edited on 9/20/2008 5:12 PM]
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| Sep 20 @ 5:09 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Gman762

Posts: 3,291
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So what's the problem? The bill got passed in year 2000! It's done, over and closed 6 years ago! Wasn't that 2000 PS?? (pre-Sarah)
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| Sep 20 @ 5:13 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Angel54214

Posts: 13,904
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Gman...I corrected my error the year to (8).
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| Sep 20 @ 5:16 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Nightowl001

Posts: 4,071
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Wasn't that 2000 PS?? (pre-Sarah) From Eastham's linked article:
WASILLA, Alaska — In 2000, Alaska lawmakers learned that rural police agencies had been billing rape victims or their insurance companies $500 to $1,200 for the costs of the forensic medical examinations used to gather evidence. They quickly passed a law prohibiting the practice. According to the sponsor, Democrat Eric Croft, the law was aimed in part at Wasilla, where now-Gov. Sarah Palin was mayor. When it was signed, Wasilla's police chief expressed displeasure.
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| Sep 20 @ 5:22 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Gman762

Posts: 3,291
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Hmmm...sure doesn't say that Sarah made it law in Wasilla
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| Sep 20 @ 5:23 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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Angel54214

Posts: 13,904
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Another source...
When Sarah Palin was mayor of Wasilla, the city billed sexual assault victims and their insurance companies for the cost of rape kits and forensic examinations.
Palin had been in office for four years when the practice of charging rape victims got the attention of state lawmakers in 2000, who passed a bill to stop the practice.
Former Democratic Rep. Eric Croft, who sponsored that bill, said he was disappointed that simply asking the Wasilla police department to stop didn't work. Croft said he doubts she was unaware of the practice.
Maria Comella, a McCain-Palin campaign spokeswoman, said Palin "does not believe, nor has she ever believed, that rape victims should have to pay for an evidence-gathering test." To suggest otherwise, she said, is a "misrepresentation of her commitment to supporting victims and bringing violent criminals to justice."
The story continues:
As governor, Palin has worked in a variety of ways to tackle the problem of sexual assault and rape, including making domestic violence a priority of her administration, Comella said. Alaska routinely has the nation's highest rate of sexual assault.
Lawmakers became involved in 2000 when reports began coming in that police departments were charging sexual assault victims for the kits and the forensic exams, which cost from $300 to $1,200 at the time. The kit, a package of sample containers, swabs and other medical supplies, is used to collect evidence from women after they are attacked.
Then-Gov. Tony Knowles said Thursday that Wasilla was unique in the state in charging rape victims for the cost of doing the law enforcement necessary for solving the crime.
The bill passed the Legislature over the objections of Wasilla police chief Charlie Fannon, who said it would require the city to come up with more money to cover the costs of buying the rape kits and doing the exams. The rape kits charges in the city of Wasilla didn't even come to the surface until 2000 when it was brought to the Legislature's attention. The bill was created and passed into law that same year.
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| Sep 20 @ 5:29 PM |
I would have concerns... |
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sealacamp

Posts: 3,120
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More proof that she is unfit to serve in a world dominated by males! You sir are suffering from severe delusion, but we all knew that anyway. Maybe you just need to be reminded.
S
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