Sarah Palin and the Rape Kit Question

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In a civilized society we don't get to pick and choose the laws we want to follow. Sometimes, as is the case here,we may not like the law. It is unfortunate that this law was allowed to remain on the books until 2000 and the members of Alaska congress and senate did not move to change this law before then.It was the enforcement agencies that imposed this charge.
It's ok to disagree with the politics of an individual. In fact I think it's good for our country that we have a diverse amount of idea and beliefs. There are plenty of reasons why any 1 candidate might not echo someones opinion.It's just plain nasty, hateful and misleading to manipulate the truth to try and sway people from voting for a candidate they would otherwise support.
This sort of thing does more to make some people question the charactor of the candidate the people who spread these kind of lies support.
CAN WE SAY BACKFIRE?????

notdallas of NH 1:22AM September 23, 2008

I hope someone gives Wasilla's police chief a copy of the US Constitution, and quickly....
It is the responsibility of the state to convict someone of a crime, and if it costs some money to do so, the state must pay it, not the criminal nor the victim.

R Harris of ME 1:00PM September 22, 2008

Before the perpetrator is found (if he ever is found and convicted), the victim needs to provide evidence. Charging her for its collection is just wrong. It's not done in other types of criminal cases. Do burglary victims get bills for fingerprint dusting? Why rape, in particular?
The police chief of Wasilla fought against billing the victim for the rape kit for six months, while Mayor Palin was seemingly oblivious. This, from a vice presidential candidate who thinks that every criticism of her is a sexist attack.

Steve of 12:57PM September 22, 2008

Did Charles of VA read the article the original article????? Or is it he just didn’t understand it.
Lots of bla-bla and quotes from Fannon still Fannon was against protecting the victim from this cost and insult. He still choses charge the victim rather then the PD. He would like the criminals to pay, but still charge the victims. I'd like the criminals to die a slow painful death. Whenever possible charge the insurance company. Doesn’t cut it if you get raped and have no insurance.
Where was Palin? Isn't this something she should have jumped on from the get-go?

Roger of RI 12:28PM September 22, 2008

Nothing Fannon said contradicts ANY of the accusations being made against Sarah Palin. It explicitly states that in that article that he opposed the legislation.
What he's talking about, collecting the cost as part of restitution, is only going to happen...at a minimum weeks, more likely months or years after the fact. In the meantime, well gee, I guess it's okay to bill the victim...they'll get the money back, right?
Any contortion of an argument to avoid calling it what it is: a (misguided on multiple levels) anti-abortion policy.

Ian of AZ 4:19PM September 21, 2008

Sarah Palin will never explain it, because her advisors are ensuring that she's not asked any questions by the "liberal media." Her speeches about the "bridge to nowhere" and ads suggesting that she took on "big oil" are hilarious. She has risen to glory through her beauty queen looks combined with her hunting habits...both make her "exciting." If women across the country were aware that she allowed victims to be billed for their own rape kits, there would be outrage. However, because her "campaign" rests only on prepared speeches and no Q and A, voters will never really know her true history. She's a danger to those of her own gender.

Stephanie Metzger of OH 9:05AM September 21, 2008

David Rees knows what's up: http://www.236.com/video/2008/get_your_war_on_sarah_palin_an_9028.php
Maybe McCain is trying to create a rape based economy.

Alyssa Johnston of NM 8:47PM September 19, 2008

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994, written by Sen. Joe Biden, and signed as Federal Law by President Clinton, provides restitution for medical expenses for rape kits and crime related medical treatment. The federal money is funneled through State government, and allocated specifically for the use of victims to cover these expenses. Don't you think someone in the state of Alaska should be notified of this....

of NY 4:42PM September 18, 2008

I suppose that Sarah Palin is also responsible for all the crimes committed in her town while she was mayor of it, too? Has anyone bothered to find out if she even knew of this particular practice? I'll bet a weeks pay that she didn't, as otherwise she undoubtedly would have stopped it.
Look at all that she did to improve Alaska, to promote equality, to get government off the peoples backs. They love her there for what she's done for them.
This is the cheapest shot at her I've seen yet.

Black Sheep of WA 3:58PM September 18, 2008

Why all the fuss? NYC charges Medicaid for its prisoners and will even pay the premiums so it can charge Medicare for elderly care. This is not a brand new tactic by municipal governments attempting to hold down the taxes of their citizens. Rather then condemn we should be encouraging our leaders to think out of the box. Just because it is from one party or the other. Of course if the media had done an in-depth study instead of a yellow journalism attack, we as citizens might become better informed.

Robert of NJ 2:52PM September 18, 2008