Would love a full and transparent disclosure of circumstances surrounding the dismissal of the state's public safety director. Did First Dude exercise undue influence?

An Alaska State Attorney General who owes his job to First Dude's wife, the governor, (appointed in December 2006) is unlikely to do anything unless provided a high-definition digital video, transcript and taped confession pointing to a crime being committed.

As long as he doesn't fib during a probe, First Dude can feign ignorance of ethics or civil rights. He can say he was motivated out of "concern" for his family's safety when he inquired on the trooper's employment status several times and shared information dug up from a private investigator hired to tail the tainted cop. Call it the "Palin Doctrine" defense. Doesn't matter that Alaska's First Family presumably has access to a government provided security attache.

Resentment, hate, attacks... This commentary from January 2007 in the Anchorage Daily News provides more insight into Gov. Sarah Palin.

http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/v-printer/story/295464.html

Laughing when a political competitor, woman and cancer survivor is called a "b----" and a "cancer" by a radio host is a curious example of executive leadership.

And it was more than one giggle.

Stand up for decorum and respect? Defend a woman who is being belittled? Stop blatant smears?

No.

Apologize after the fact. Sounds like McCain-Palin.

Timeout, hand-wringers and whiners.

We aren't witnessing the lynching of someone who doesn't meet liberal dogma. Instead, we are watching in real-time a compressed and very public vetting of a politician who outside of Alaska was not known by many until Sen. John McCain made her his VP pick. Reporters, bloggers, political hacks are trying to get the juiciest dirt possible. And they have precious little time. Hence, why everything on Sarah Palin is posted. It's just how the hell things work in a country where the First Amendment is practiced, people are ultra competitive and readers want information.

It's a bit like capitalism.

Why isn't Obama being hammered to same micro degree? He's been campaigning across the U.S. for what, 20 months or so? Written two books. Given god knows how many speeches, and done god knows how many interviews with press from the right, left and center. He's built relationships with others. Nearly 20 million people voted for him in the primaries. In his last month of fundraising, the campaign reported half a million "new" supporters making donations. The vetting has been going on awhile. Yes, rival political operatives will have their way, thanks to deep pockets and very motivated folks who don't want to see him elected. Expect to see that closer to election day. They are planning right now.

But back to Sarah and the outcry about press stories on every kernel of her life. Having worked as a journalist, I can attest to the petty crap that goes on in small town politics. It goes on in big city politics. Enemies Palin made on her way to state capital are now having their way. Over-sized personalities and vendettas are very much a part of the game. We just don't see it all the time. Still, payback is a b----. On a national stage, the serious vetting begins. Brains, ideas and poise are judged by the electorate in the naked light of cameras and always-present reach of microphones. If you have the right stuff, you survive. If you are bogus, good luck.

Welcome to the big leagues, Sarah. Step up to the plate.

It's sad to see John McCain shirk from his maverick label to assume the king of fib-meisters mantle. He looks uncomfortable and forced, a bit alone and overwhelmed unless flanked by his wife or running mate.

McCain is doing what he must to win. His handlers are calling the plays, writing the talking points, going on the offense wherever they can. And we know the facts arn't wholly on their side. When things in the country are this shabby due in large part to your party's leadership, lying becomes almost a core tactic.

There's a reason why Wasilla is slammed by "Alaskans". Poor land regulation equals crap. Unfortunately, many U.S. cities have this drill down to a science.

Either Gov. Sarah Palin is a small-minded, self-absorbed, ambitious climber -- or Alaska politics is a narrow world where making enemies haunts you if you're elevated to the national stage. Maybe it's a bit of both.

Has anyone ever read a critical article where Sen. Barack Obama is accused of being petty, mean and nakedly power-hungry?

.... where the small town salt-of-the-earth people cling to their guns and religion... Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Florida, anyone? Every news editor of a small town paper loves a well-written letter he/she can publish -- after confirming its authenticity to the best of his/her ability. It's hardly like posting to the web under screen names.

With the Web, instant messaging, texting, etc., what is keeping Americans from organizing and marching on Washington D.C. to show their outrage? If we truly feel wronged, should we not show it in person with true human emotion? Imagine a million angry Americans of all colors, creeds and religions marching with a single purpose. Maybe we're not so different after all...

Sen. John McCain is now simply a robotic candidate spewing talking points. He holds no firm beliefs or positions. He taps a running mate who has no business being the #2 leader of the most powerful and influential country in the world. The "maverick" is mushy. No convictions. Just reciting from a script. This is what happens when you're so desperate to win you'll say or do anything. Shame on the handlers and flim-flam men in the shadows seeking to engineer a victory through this robot.