Mayor Palin Billed Rape Victims For Post-Assault Exams

[J Bananas]

Despite denials by the Palin campaign, new evidence proves that as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Sarah Palin had a direct hand in imposing fees to pay for post-sexual assault medical exams conducted by the city to gather evidence.

Palin's role is now confirmed by Wasilla City budget documents available online.

Under Sarah Palin's administration, Wasilla cut funds that had previously paid for the medical exams and began charging victims or their health insurers the $500 to $1200 fees. Although Palin spokeswoman Maria Comella wrote USA Today earlier this week that the GOP vice presidential nominee "does not believe, nor has she ever believed, that rape victims should have to pay for an evidence-gathering test...To suggest otherwise is a deliberate misrepresentation of her commitment to supporting victims and bringing violent criminals to justice," Palin, as mayor, fired police chief Irl Stambaugh and replaced him with Charlie Fannon, who with Palin's knowledge, slashed the budget for the exams and began charging the city's victims of sexual assault. The city budget documents demonstrate Palin read and signed off on the new budget. A year later, alarmed Alaska lawmakers passed legislation outlawing the practice.

News of the controversial policy has leaked slowly into the press this week as the presidential campaign has heated up and Palin's record has been subject to increasing scrutiny. The practice of charging rape victims has called into question Palin's stated commitment to women's issues, her judgment as an executive and her honesty about her record.

The story of the Wasilla policy has made its way from comments on Daily Kos to the pages of USA Today. But clear evidence suggesting Palin knew Wasilla was charging the victims of sexual assault has been hard to find. Placing the city budget records, however, alongside a timetable of Palin's firing Chief Stambaugh and hiring Chief Fannon makes it clear the policy was put in place as a direct result of Palin's leadership.

The mayor of Wasilla before Sarah Palin, John C. Stein, was also a Republican, though the office was and continues to be non-partisan. Mayor Stein was defeated by Sarah Palin in a campaign that brought in the NRA, Republican partisans, and a whisper campaign that Mayor Stein was Jewish (he is a Christian, but is "proud of such a reputation"). He now runs the Sitka Sound Science Center, a marine research facility in Sitka, Alaska.

Mayor Stein told OffTheBus that he didn't "think victims were billed while [he] was mayor," but that he wasn't certain. He did mention that "Wasilla participated in establishing a Sexual Assault Response Team to set-up a one-stop forensic exam room for victims," evidence of a pro-victim police department. In order to confirm his assertion about the billing policy, he recommended I contact current police chief Angella Long for confirmation. She did not return my request for comment.

However, I was able to eventually track down Irl Stambaugh, police chief of Wasilla from the founding of the department until Sarah Palin fired him for "not fully supporting her efforts to govern." Stambaugh sued for breach of contract, but lost when a federal judge ruled that "police chiefs serve at the behest of the mayor unless otherwise specified." He later served as the executive director of the Alaska Police Standards Council.

It turns out that Wasilla did not bill sexual assault victims for the cost of rape exams while Irl Stambaugh was chief of police. As chief, he had included a line item in the budget to pay for the cost of such exams. He had only just heard about the Mayor Palin/Chief Fannon policy today, and was just as shocked to hear about it as I was.

Checking the budget confirmed former Chief Stambaugh's claim. He had included a contingency of $15,000 in his budget for the department's 1st year of existence (1993-1994), $5,000 for 1994-1995 and 1995-1996, and $13,000 for his final year as police chief in 1996-1997, spending $11,625.

Duwayne Charles Fannon, his replacement, halved the budget request in 1997-1998, with a request of $7,298, spending $3,454. However, it seems he began the "victim pays" policy in the 1998-1999 fiscal year. That year, he requested $3,000 but spent only $205. This data can be found in the Document Central section of Wasilla's website.

The Document for the 1998-1999 fiscal year begins with a message "To the Citizens of the City of Wasilla:"

    The comprehensive annual financial report of the City of Wasilla for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999, is hereby submitted. The City's Finance Department prepared the report. Responsibility for both the accuracy of the data, and the completeness and fairness of the presentation, including all disclosures, rests with the City. To the best of our knowledge and belief, the enclosed data is accurate in all material respects and is reported in a manner designed to fairly present the financial position and results of operations of the various funds and account groups of the City. All disclosures necessary to enable the reader to gain an understanding of the City's financial activities have been included. ...


At the end of the letter, under the words "Respectfully submitted," is the signature of Sarah Palin. Unless she made a false claim about the data being accurate to the best of her knowledge, she was aware of the change in billing policy orchestrated by Police Chief Fannon. The McCain/Palin campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

[J Bananas]

Had to get that Bridge to Nowhere money...

[Real American]

Is this even true? Sorry, but I am a little skeptical. Do you know how many lies have been put out there by the Obama campaign as well as the media in regards to Governor Palin?

Governor Palin faked her pregnancy and her 4 month old son is really her daughters.
Governor Palin banned books from the library when she was a mayor.
Governor palin slashed funding for special needs children.
Governor Palin said the Iraq war is a task from God.
Governor Palin is racist against Eskimos.
Governor Palin had an affair with her husbands best friend.
Governor Palin thinks that dnosaurs lived 4,000 years ago.
Governor Palin is against the separation of church and state.
Governor Palin is a member of an extremist group that wants to break away from the United States.
 

All of those smears have been proven to be untrue. After awhile it is hard to take any of these attacks seriously.

[J Bananas]

You're not a Real American, you're an incestuous redneck that needs to be put in jail for crimes against your sister and the livestock on your family's ranch.

[Cwalker]

You're not a Real American, you're an incestuous redneck that needs to be put in jail for crimes against your sister and the livestock on your family's ranch.

No... he thinks his me... but I'm back. And yeah... that bitch is not right. She has so much shit wrong with her, but I might vote for her 'cause she's a MILF

[The King]

Sorry, but I am a little skeptical. Do you know how many lies have been put out there by the Obama campaign as well as the media in regards to Governor Palin?

Governor Palin faked her pregnancy and her 4 month old son is really her daughters.
Governor Palin banned books from the library when she was a mayor.
Governor palin slashed funding for special needs children.
Governor Palin said the Iraq war is a task from God.
Governor Palin is racist against Eskimos.
Governor Palin had an affair with her husbands best friend.
Governor Palin thinks that dnosaurs lived 4,000 years ago.
Governor Palin is against the separation of church and state.
Governor Palin is a member of an extremist group that wants to break away from the United States.
 

You think that Obama was behind any of that? Just because some liberal blogger can spread a rumor, doesn't mean Obama was behind it. Jesus Christ.

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right," Palin said. "Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending (Soldiers) out on a task that is from God," she said.

"Governor Palin said the Iraq war is a task from God." She did say that. She said that our leaders are sending them out on a task from God. THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID. QUOTED.

"Governor Palin thinks that dnosaurs lived 4,000 years ago." She is a Creationist, and many creationists do believe the earth was created 6000 years ago, that fossil records are false, and that dinosaurs lived with man. That's what many creationists think. The Bible implies a 6000 year old earth. She is a fundamentalist christian. She obviously doesn't believe in Evolution.

"Governor Palin is against the separation of church and state." When Bush, or Palin say they ask God for guidance in hard times, or decision making, that is not a separation of church and state. Bush saying "What should I do God?" is bad for America, bad for the world. You need someone who thinks with their educated mind, rather then the bible, or their heart.


All that other crap is just rumors spread by random people. And it's completely understandable. McCain picked someone who no one knew, her record isn't known. She deserves the same scrutiny Biden or Obama got, but compressed into a 3 month time. The more you learn about her, the more you dislike her. She's anti-intellectual, incredibly fundamentalist on her religion, and generally a liar. She is a liar. Everything she says misleads people, from earmarks, to the bridge, to selling her plane on ebay. Her judgment is also incredibly poor. If Israel wants to blow up Iran's nuclear plant, she wouldn't second guess it? If Russia attacks Georgia again, the US may have to intervene? She's fucking stupid! A war with Russia because of Georgia. Fuck Georgia. If the US attacks Russia, it's WW3. If Israel attacks Iran, it's WW3.

Palin attacks herself everytime she opens her mouth. She lies, contradicts facts, and generally makes herself look like a complete idiot. Charlie Gibson knew more about everything, then Palin did. They keep Palin away from the media because she's not ready. She's not ready to handle the media. Oh yeah, but she's ready to handle Putin, and Iran? Man, the point is this. If she becomes VP, the US will be the laughing stock of the world, a million times over. World leaders like Obama, other countries people adore him. Electing Obama would be good, just for the fact, it'll gain the US respect. Everyone hates the US because of people like Bush, Palin. Insane religious people, who think preemptive attack against another nation is OK. "God Bless America" Fuck America, if America can't grow up, and do the intelligent thing, and elect the intelligent candidate.

[Sikotic™]

Good. They should be fined for getting raped. This woman should be the presidential candidate. She can see Russia from her house for Christ sake!

Palin '08!

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

Good. They should be fined for getting raped. This woman should be the presidential candidate. She can see Russia from her house for Christ sake!

Palin '08!

dont make jokes. If Mccain wins....he will more then likely die in the next 4 yrs, leaving the soccer mom for President.

[Real American]

Man, the point is this. If she becomes VP, the US will be the laughing stock of the world, a million times over. World leaders like Obama, other countries people adore him. Electing Obama would be good, just for the fact, it'll gain the US respect. Everyone hates the US because of people like Bush, Palin. Insane religious people, who think preemptive attack against another nation is OK. "God Bless America" Fuck America, if America can't grow up, and do the intelligent thing, and elect the intelligent candidate.

LOL, I always have to laugh when I hear somebody say this. NEWSFLASH: no one in the United States cares what the rest of the world thinks. No one cares who the world wants us to chose as the US president. No one is trying to please you or seek your approval. We are going to chose the man that WE think is the best for OUR country.

[The King]

LOL, I always have to laugh when I hear somebody say this. NEWSFLASH: no one in the United States cares what the rest of the world thinks. No one cares who the world wants us to chose as the US president. No one is trying to please you or seek your approval. We are going to chose the man that WE think is the best for OUR country.

Typical uneducated answer. It's a mental illness. America is great, we don't need anyone else, we are so smart. No. It's called being self aware. If you were locked in a box for 10 years, and you didn't know what the internet was, would you just ignore anyone who tried to teach you? Listen buddy, the fact is the US needs the rest of the world, a lot more then we need it. Look at Bush, he didn't care what the UN thought, Europe, Russia or anyone. And look what happened, tricked into a war. What do you think 9/11 was all about? The US, not caring what the rest of the world thought, and just did whatever it wanted. The US deserved 9/11. Simple fact. The think is, you're so brainwashed, ignorant, and stupid, you can only see things from one, narrow point of view. Only uneducated morons actually think the US's "popularity" in the world isn't important.

You think Russia or Iran, or anyone will take Palin seriously as VP? If McCain/Palin get elected, the US is fucked foriegn policy wise. People around the world love Obama, but many Americans don't, what does that tell you? Maybe if 5 billion people think you're wrong, you're actually wrong. If world leaders like Obama, they would be more willing to negotiate, and work with the US, instead of Palin saying a war with Russia might be a good idea. McCain and Palin aren't good on foriegn policy. Their like Bush, if someone doesn't like us, we'll defeat them. If the US can't even keep Iraq under control, what chance does it have against Iran, or Pakistan. The US is fucked, because of narrow minded, uneducated people like you.

I would appreciate instead of you just being the stereotypical ignorant, patriotic, religious nut case, you could leave the country, perhaps get an education, then be able to make a decent arguement not based on complete bullshit. Keep up the bad work kid.

[WestCoasta]

I'll really be upset if this whore becomes the VP along with that cocksucker with the white hair

[Sikotic™]

Good. They should be fined for getting raped. This woman should be the presidential candidate. She can see Russia from her house for Christ sake!

Palin '08!

dont make jokes. If Mccain wins....he will more then likely die in the next 4 yrs, leaving the soccer mom for President.

HOCKEY mom, nigga!!!!!!!!! You obviously don't pay attention to the REAL issues.

[Real American]

You think Russia or Iran, or anyone will take Palin seriously as VP? If McCain/Palin get elected, the US is fucked foriegn policy wise. People around the world love Obama, but many Americans don't, what does that tell you? Maybe if 5 billion people think you're wrong, you're actually wrong. If world leaders like Obama, they would be more willing to negotiate, and work with the US, instead of Palin saying a war with Russia might be a good idea. McCain and Palin aren't good on foriegn policy. Their like Bush, if someone doesn't like us, we'll defeat them. If the US can't even keep Iraq under control, what chance does it have against Iran, or Pakistan. The US is fucked, because of narrow minded, uneducated people like you.

Wow. Why is it that the more you talk, the dumber you seem? Do you want to know why the whole world wants Obama to be president? Let me explain things so even a mentally challenged individual such as yourself can understand. You see, the United States is the sole superpower left in the world. Whether it is economically, militarily, culturally, or politically.........no country on earth comes close to matching the power and influence of the United States. Not suprisingly, everyone that isn't American isn't too fond of the current blalance of power. They would love to see the U.S. knocked down a peg or two in terms of stature. Therefore it really isn't too suprising that they would support the man (Obama) whose policies would undoubtedly weaken America. You see... everyone acts in their own self interest. It is in the self interest of non-Americans that Obama becomes president. For us Americans, not so much.

And another thing, stop with the whole Sarah Palin wants to invade Russia thing. I let it slide the first few times, but enough is enough. Go back and reread the interview Governor Palin did with Charlie Gibson. She was asked whether she supports Georgia being allowed into NATO. She replied yes, a position that is also shared by John McCain, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. Gibson then asked her if that means that she would support a defense of Georgia if they were attacked by Russia. Considering the fact that NATO is a treaty that guarantees mutual self defense for all members, her response was yes. Again, that is a postiion held by all 3 other candidates. Now that doesn't mean that Palin is chomping at the bit to start war with Russia. It just means that she understands exactly what the purpose of NATO is, unlike your dumb ass.

Now I have a question for you. Why does your hero Obama want to attack Pakistan?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6926663.stm

[Real American]

Real talk.

[Sikotic™]

I am glad to see you support your own views.