You're As Sick As You're Secrets

That's a popular saying in 12-step programs, and a perfect illustration of the sickness forcing itself upon America in the name of one Sarah Palin. From today's NY Times:

Interviews show that Ms. Palin runs an administration that puts a premium on loyalty and secrecy. The governor and her top officials sometimes use personal e-mail accounts for state business; dozens of e-mail messages obtained by The New York Times show that her staff members studied whether that could allow them to circumvent subpoenas seeking public records.

Rick Steiner, a University of Alaska professor, sought the e-mail messages of state scientists who had examined the effect of global warming on polar bears. (Ms. Palin said the scientists had found no ill effects, and she has sued the federal government to block the listing of the bears as endangered.) An administration official told Mr. Steiner that his request would cost $468,784 to process.

When Mr. Steiner finally obtained the e-mail messages — through a federal records request — he discovered that state scientists had in fact agreed that the bears were in danger, records show.

“Their secrecy is off the charts,” Mr. Steiner said.

Folks, she is a liar, the McCain't campaign is lying about her being a liar, and most of the mainstream press is enabling the lying by not probing deeper. However, the Times story here is just one example of how some of the press is having none of it.

And if anyone has any doubts about what Sarah Palin really wants, how about this exchange between her and the campaign manager from her first mayoral run in 1996:

Laura Chase, the campaign manager during Ms. Palin’s first run for mayor in 1996, recalled the night the two women chatted about her ambitions.

“I said, ‘You know, Sarah, within 10 years you could be governor,’ ” Ms. Chase recalled. “She replied, ‘I want to be president.’ ”

The governor's office is an annoying afterthought to this person. She has no more affection for the state of Alaska as she does for the American people. She is her greatest fan, the president of her own fan club, and a shameless example of blind ambition. No wonder she was so appealing to McCain't, who has repeatedly demonstrated that he would rather lose all he believes in than lose this election.