"TROOPERGATE" COMMON SENSE

The politically “safe” thing, especially in a state legislative election year, would be to sit on the sidelines and let the so-called “Troopergate” matter progress on its own, even when I thought a partisan highjack of the investigation was taking place. But that’s not the way I’m put together. Think me right or wrong, I decided to take a position.

When the Legislative Council initiated the Troopergate matter, it was basically an Alaska issue. Not many Outside knew or cared about it. Alaska Democrat senators, supporting the Barack Obama campaign with time and money, supervised the investigation. That was OK at the outset.

But then, unexpectedly to all concerned, national presidential political events overtook the state legislature's investigation. No one knew, including the Alaska Democrat senators and Sarah Palin that, a short time after the investigation was initiated, Sarah Palin would receive the Republican nomination for Vice-President. When that happened, those senators involved in the Obama campaign should have recused themselves from the investigation.

One should not only avoid conflict of interest, but also the appearance of conflict of interest. There is no way presidential campaign politics can be kept out of a president’s or vice-president’s home state politics. That's reality. But certainly, no legislator should be pushing an investigation when they are actively campaigning for the person being investigated's opponent. That’s basic common sense.

Therefore I joined as a plaintiff, with other legislators I trust, in a suit to remedy the situation. No one from the McCain-Palin campaign contacted me on this matter.

OUR KIDS IN INDIANA

We have six adult children. Marla Kaye Wainscott - our number five child - lives in Rossville, Indiana a few miles east of Lafayette. She and her husband Lance are the proud parents of eight children. Their youngest child, and our youngest grandchild, is Ezra Jeremiah Wainscott, born August 4, 2008. Marlene and I, and our daughter Mary Lynn, were there for little Ezra’s baptism.

We had a wonderful, and relaxing family visit. Marla is a stay-at-home mom, and my son-in-law Lance is a professional potter operating Wainscott Family Pottery in a home studio. His pottery is truly a work of art.

They home school; all their school age achieve far beyond grade level. Marla’s home organizational skills are outstanding, all the kids have assigned tasks. Music is a big part of their life. Guitar and singing occur almost daily. Their oldest boy Hunter has always been into drawing, He plays both guitar and piano – but also likes bicycle racing and touring on the country roads near their home. The kids also help out in the pottery studio, according to their ability.

Photos show me holding Ezra, our Marla and Lance Wainscott family with Marlene, daughter Mary, and me in church prior to the baptism, and some of Wainscott boys working in the pottery studio.

A ROAST FOR FATHER TOM

On Saturday, August 30th, I was honored to be a part of my friend Father Tom Moffatt’s “Celebration of Life,” “Roast,” and “Legislative Presentation.” The Master of Ceremonies was Dirk Moffatt, Father Tom’s son and one of my legislative staff. The event, hosted by his friend Earl Mayo of the How How Restaurant, was very well attended by family, friends, and legislators.

The Invitation read, “Now is the time to celebrate Father Tom Moffatt’s life, his achievements, and unique personality. He is in a heroic battle fighting advanced lung cancer. First comes a ‘roast’ (which he so richly deserves!). Come enjoy sharing and listening to funny stories about Father Tom’s political adventures, and who knows what else! Then Father Tom, a man we all love, will receive a special presentation from the Alaska Legislature.” The presentation was an official Legislative Citation signed by legislators from both the House and Senate.

Sadly, Father Tom was too ill to attend. The event was video taped so he could see it at home. Even more sadly, Father Tom passed away on Tuesday, September 2nd – while Marlene and I were at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St.Paul – and he never even got to see the event on tape.

There will be a special separate blog on Father Tom’s remarkable life.