I know everyone has their panties in a wad over trooper-gate, yeah yeah it certainly has all the ingredients of a truly juicy scandal - but Sarah has used her looks and charm to deflect ANY criticism since gaining office here in Alaska.

The REAL scandal in MY mind happened just last week, over Proposition 4, (which was voted down).

Prop 4 was apparently an initiative to block a massive mine in Western Alaska - something to do with clean water and mine waste. Personally, I'm skeptical about enacting NEW laws when the ones we have are rarely enforced.

That aside - an ethics complaint was filed here in Alaska against Palin LAST WEEK over her statements in opposition to Prop 4. It was deemed highly inappropriate by many here that she would comment at all - as governor her opinion could have undue influence - it's just inappropriate.

As governor she should have set aside her personal opinion and let the public process take its course.

When I first heard her comments AND the fact that the STATE WEBSITE was taking a position against Prop 4 - I was appalled, even though I voted no.

I'm just disgusted and sick that McCain has put her on as the 'clean government' running mate - less than a week after this happened.

I know this is micro-political on a purely Alaskan level - but doesn't corruptiion begin this way?

Exerting undue influence when a public issue should be decided by the ... public?

Final note. I've always deemed myself a conservative atheist - basically a libertarian without all the isolationism and spray painted signs. I've always been proud of Alaska's Republicans that they seem to be able to adhere to conservative principles without using Jesus to get elected.

Yesterday, Sarah Palin took the national stage as a token Jesus Social Warrior to help McCain get elected.

McCain who is one of only a few Republicans that have prevented the opening of ANWR (which even Dem Alaskans want) and has led the fight to dismantle trade unions.

Palin's husband is a union oil worker - union wages that gave them the opportunity to have and AFFORD five children.

The most bizarre part of her becoming his running mate is that it will focus attention on Alaska - we have felt deeply misunderstood and short changed for a long long time.

Now I'm worried that it will only bring focus on Alaska for all the wrong reasons.

Something in my gut told me not to vote for Palin for governor (not to mention my mother who was suspicious of her uber-Evangelical associations) and I voted for the Democrat because I knew she was going to win and I wanted to make sure my vote mitigated the 'mandate' she claimed to have won.

I'm utterly stunned and disillusioned at this point.