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Levi Johnston's Mom Arrested in Felony Drug Bust

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:06:30 AM EST
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Update: The spokeswoman for the Alaska Troopers says the drug involved is OxyContin. The prosecutor hasn't even seen the paperwork yet.

*****

In the "you can't make this stuff up" department, Sherry Johnston, soon-to-be grandmother to Bristol Palin's as yet unborn child, was busted at her home yesterday and charged with six felony drug counts.

Johnston is the mother of Levi Johnston, the Wasilla 18-year-old who received international attention in September when Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd, announced their teenage daughter was pregnant and he was the father. Bristol Palin, 18, is due on Saturday, according to a recent interview with the governor's father, Chuck Heath.

Gawker says it sounds like a meth lab.[More...]

Troopers charged Johnston with second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance -- generally manufacturing or delivering drugs -- as well as fourth-degree misconduct involving controlled substances, or possession.

The Anchorage Daily News reports Palin's office says it's not a state government matter. Really? Aren't state prosecutors and police under the umbrella of the State of Alaska?

When asked about the arrest, Palin's spokesman, Bill McAllister, issued the following statement by e-mail: "This is not a state government matter. Therefore the governor's communications staff will not be providing comment or scheduling interview opportunities."

Ms. Johnston was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond. Gawker aptly observes:

Overall this is sad and if fool ass McCain hadn't picked fool ass Sarah Palin in the first place then this lady could at least be arrested in peace.

The baby is due Saturday.

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    Levi Johnston's Mom Arrested in Felony Drug Bust | 116 comments (116 topical)

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    Wow (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by Steve M on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:12:47 AM EST
    The baby is due this Saturday?  What a tumultuous time to be dealing with this.  I hope everything will work out okay for that family.

    Me too Steve. I'm so glad I'm not (5.00 / 5) (#7)
    by Teresa on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:26:53 AM EST
    responsible for one of my in-law's drug dealings.

    [ Parent ]
    Agree completely (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:31:54 PM EST
    My children have a half-brother who is about to enter a federal prison for marijuana growing.

    I would hate to think that would reflect on anyone other than the person making the decision to break the law.


    [ Parent ]

    They aren't yet married? (none / 0) (#26)
    by denise k on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:03:28 PM EST
    I thought they were engaged.  That usually means they plan to marry and to fundies like them, marriage -- between one girl and one boy, of course -- is serious business.  Could this arrest be some kind of retribution by Todd and his Cheney-like henchmen?  Admittedly this is wild (oo-my-#ss) speculation, but considering what he did to Palin's ex-bro-in-law, I would not put it past that crew.  

    Sad

    [ Parent ]

    meth lab? (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by txpublicdefender on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:14:38 AM EST
    Where does Gawker get meth lab?  That's a leap from the information we've been giving considering the charge "generally" deals with "manufacturing or delivering" drugs.  At any rate, I don't think I care.  I'm not sure how Sarah Palin's daughter's "fiance"'s mother's arrest relates to her.

    I'd say it's speculation, but (none / 0) (#5)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:20:46 AM EST
    speculation informed by Mat-Su's reputation as the meth capitol of Alaska (a small campaign issue, IIRC).  Could be a grow-op, but I suspect (and Alaska/more-knowledgable people should correct me if I'm wrong) small-time pot growing would not be a major priority of local law enforcement (given what I recall as being Alaska's more liberal attitude toward pot) sufficient to generate six felony charges.  

    And all that would also be informed by the fact that, in the small town that Mat-Su is, everyone would know who the defendant is and is related to, and charges would not be brought unless it was deemed quite serious.  A meth lab would be the most likely scenario to meet those criteria (to my eye, anyway).

    [ Parent ]

    Though it could be... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:26:39 AM EST
    just a reefer grow op and the authorities got a tip...they love a high profile bust, regardless of substance.  Gets their name in the paper, and if they play their cards right, increased funding.

    [ Parent ]
    why a manufacturing op at all? (none / 0) (#15)
    by txpublicdefender on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:16:34 PM EST
    I don't understand where the assumption that it is a manufacturing/growning operation comes from at all.  She could have just been dealing.  I see nothing in the reports that specifies that she was manufacturing or growing anything.

    [ Parent ]
    Could have been just one plant (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:27:17 PM EST
    being grown for medicinal purposes.

    This new media where just enough information is released to cause as much harm as humanly possible to as many people as possible really needs to take some time out.

    [ Parent ]

    Good point guys... (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by kdog on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:32:23 PM EST
    by 3 pm she'll be the next Pablo Escobar.

    [ Parent ]
    Sure you would (none / 0) (#118)
    by mbspringer on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 06:32:22 PM EST
    I bet you say the same thing about EVERY POOR INNER CITY KID WITH 6 FELONY COUNTS? Right

    Sure you would......................

    [ Parent ]

    because the news article in the ADN (none / 0) (#31)
    by DFLer on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:11:10 PM EST
    cited above said:


    Troopers charged Johnston with second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance -- generally manufacturing or delivering drugs -- as well as fourth-degree misconduct involving controlled substances, or possession.

    Therefore, the crime she was charged with usually involves "manufacturing or delivering.." Hence the speculation on the "manufacturing" part...not that big a leap. Could be either or both. The second charge involved possession. The article said details about what drugs etc, were not yet released by the cops.

    [ Parent ]

    not marijuana (none / 0) (#44)
    by wystler on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:43:25 PM EST
    class II refers specifically to meth

    [ Parent ]
    nope (none / 0) (#138)
    by TeresaInPa on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:02:04 PM EST
    class II refers to all kinds of drugs not only meth.

    [ Parent ]
    $5000 unsecured and she's out on (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:35:56 AM EST
    the street w/i 2 hours.  

    But, class, let's talk about undercover investigation followed by executing a search warrant.  

    [ Parent ]

    2 hours too long.... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:59:30 AM EST
    if you ask me:)

    [ Parent ]
    not speculative (none / 0) (#42)
    by wystler on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:42:16 PM EST
    see this GreatOrangeSatan comment that manages to identify that class II misconduct references methamphetamine

    (couldn't get to the AK statutes myself ... timeout ... bandwidth demand?)

    [ Parent ]

    Every time the Palins (or those close to them) (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:53:11 PM EST
    do something*, it crashes all the Alaska government servers.  It's like rubbernecking a car wreck.

    But, the reference to Class II being a meth, as opposed to pot, violation, leads me to understand how Gawker's speculation was more solid than just speculation.

    -
    *  Seasonally speaking, "Every time a bell rings, it means an angel got his wings...."

    [ Parent ]

    Perhaps what she needs (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:58:15 PM EST
    is an indulgence.

    [ Parent ]
    Nice One (none / 0) (#64)
    by squeaky on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:12:10 PM EST
    Where's Martin Luther when you need him:

    On his deathbed, Tetzel received a magnanimously penned correspondence from Martin Luther, stating that the child (i.e. the scandal) had a different father.


    [ Parent ]
    That's a great line about the coin ringing (none / 0) (#65)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:17:10 PM EST
    and the soul springing.

    One is compelled to wonder whether the folks who wrote "It's a Wonderful Life" knew it and bent it to their use....

    [ Parent ]

    Well, it's the original (none / 0) (#67)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:21:21 PM EST
    I had to know it for my AP Euro class, and didn't even recognize the Wonderful Life reference.

    [ Parent ]
    It's in Westlaw (none / 0) (#46)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:44:47 PM EST
    but, you know, that's not going to be useful to anyone here.

    [ Parent ]
    no westlaw subscr at my PC (none / 0) (#62)
    by wystler on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:07:00 PM EST
    (kinda odd, since we do legal publishing here, but i digress)

    [ Parent ]
    Join us next time... (5.00 / 5) (#9)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:56:54 AM EST
    ...for "As Wasilla Turns".

    Will Bristol's baby be OK?  Will Levi make a run for the hills?  Who was really behind the church burning?

    LOL.... (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by kdog on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:04:30 PM EST
    "Like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives"

    [ Parent ]
    Heh. (none / 0) (#13)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:07:53 PM EST
    And double heh.

    [ Parent ]
    It's reflective of Wasilla and environs. (5.00 / 4) (#39)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:31:40 PM EST
    Mrs. Johnston and far too many of her neighbors and fellow Alaskans suffer from alcohol and / or drug addiction. Clearly, Alaska's Mat-Su Borough and many if not most of the state's rural communities have problematic issues concerning substance abuse amongst its residents.

    It's quite tempting to continue our ridicule of the State of Alaska in the wake of the recent election, particularly for its myriad political scandals, high-profile humiliations and dashed dreams. However, this is first and foremost a corrosive public health issue and social tragedy that Gov. Palin and the legislature need to address forthwith in a comprehensive manner, rather than in an ideological vacuum.

    Further, we should be fully prepared to offer assistance if and when they ever decide to face the hard realities of responsible governance.

    Hmmm (5.00 / 8) (#51)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:54:21 PM EST
    Overall this is sad and if fool ass McCain hadn't picked fool ass Sarah Palin in the first place then this lady could at least be arrested in peace.

    Or, if the media and bloggers would stop with their fixation on Sarah Palin.  She lost.  Some people need to get over it.  People from our out-back can't run for president.  Only 'special people' get that opportunity.

    The baby is due Saturday.

    I'm trying to think what this has to do with the drug bust.  Can't see the connection.

    Imo, the diversion du jour & more trash talk (5.00 / 3) (#99)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 04:09:07 PM EST
    of the people and the place that Palin comes from.

    Out here on the Whole Foods moral high ground, how many degrees of separation do any of us have from a family member or an acquaintance who's been busted for drugs?

    [ Parent ]

    No kidding (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by BernieO on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 08:41:04 AM EST
    The disdain for Alaska and other places in the hinterlands is despicable bigotry. Just look at all the messes elites like the the Kennedy's, Jeb's daughter, Neil Bush and his prostitutes (which the media ignored)have gotten into. I recently read that Caroline Kennedy managed to get the media to back off reporting on her offspring's antics. Having screwed-up family members is not just a phenomenon with "hicks". This is not news and should not have been even if Palin were the VP. I think this kind of thing should only be covered if it exposes hypocrisy or special treatment, as was the case with Jeb "get tough on drug users" Bush. His kid did no time, but he thinks yours and mine should for similar behavior.

    [ Parent ]
    Oh but when our family members (none / 0) (#139)
    by TeresaInPa on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:05:55 PM EST
    get busted it is always because the laws are unjust.  When Palin's not even in law is busted it is indication of Palin's moral hypocrisy.


    [ Parent ]
    Really? (3.00 / 2) (#58)
    by squeaky on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:01:36 PM EST
    I'm trying to think what this has to do with the drug bust.  Can't see the connection.

    But you could see all the most extravagant connections between Obama and any connection that cast the faintest bit of bad light on him?

    Must be some type of brain myopia.

    And if you are suggesting that Palin was a passing moment for the GOP that has now faded into obscurity, I have a bridge to sell you cheap.

    [ Parent ]

    How in the world did this become about (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:22:06 PM EST
    Obama?

    I can't even think of one relative in Obama's family, or Michelle's, who had an almost in-law arrested for a drug crime.

    [ Parent ]

    Nothing To Do With Obama (5.00 / 0) (#82)
    by squeaky on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 03:05:37 PM EST
    More to do with shameless double standards that occasionally appear in the threads.

    [ Parent ]
    Ahhhhh, yes (5.00 / 3) (#83)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 03:12:07 PM EST
    I remember well all the double-standards in play. Some episodes are just so much more obvious than others.


    [ Parent ]
    Double standard?? (none / 0) (#112)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 05:07:04 PM EST
    Surely you jest!

    BTW - The Anchorage Times published the story a little after 1AM PST, 4PM EST.....

    I just Googled "Sherry Johnston arrested" and got 85,700 hits... all in around 15 hours... about half of those in the early morning..

    Double standards... yes, you might say that....

    [ Parent ]

    wow, could you be more off base? (none / 0) (#140)
    by TeresaInPa on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:09:09 PM EST
    Palin is not connected to this in any way.  This has no comparison at all to OBama's connections to corruption in Chicago (of which many of us believe he took part... washing of each other's backs and such) or his absolutely cynical use of anyone who can help him get ahead including that idiot Ayers.

    [ Parent ]
    Ahem (none / 0) (#125)
    by Repack Rider on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 07:30:10 PM EST
    Can't see the connection.

    Sarah Palin stood on a bully pulpit and lectured me and every other American on the small town values that she exemplified, as opposed to...  Well, she didn't say, but obviously I didn't qualify for them.

    During her brief turn in the spotlight, which may come back to haunt us again, we found that the values of her own family are at the very least set at a modest threshold.  Now we find that the small town values of the town WHERE SHE WAS THE MAYOR, are set even lower among her immediate circle and are certainly nothing worth aspiring to as a national standard of morality.

    When do you suppose a politician SHOULD be called upon to explain her own public hypocrisy?

    [ Parent ]

    Got proof? (none / 0) (#130)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 08:33:07 PM EST
    What proof do you have that her values are set at a "modest threshold?" Or even, how do you equate her values to her family's values? Do you think that parents should be punished for the actions of their children?

    And do you think that every unwed pregnant girl should be attacked because her husband to be's mother has allegedly committed a crime?

    And what proof do you have that Sherry Johnston is a member of Palin's immediate circle? I would say, none.

    [ Parent ]

    ahem (none / 0) (#141)
    by TeresaInPa on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:10:36 PM EST
    was Palin arrested on drug charges?

    [ Parent ]
    Ugh (5.00 / 3) (#89)
    by DaveOinSF on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 03:33:29 PM EST
    Overall this is sad and if fool ass McCain hadn't picked fool ass Sarah Palin in the first place then this lady could at least be arrested in peace.

    Or people who do political commentary could understand what is and what is not legitimate.

    I had a hard time rationalizing this blog's obsession with the private life of Bristol Palin.  I was quite skeptical about the relevance of Levi Johnston.  And I am at a complete loss to understand what Levi Johnston's mother has to do with anything.

    When exactly did this become Andrew Sullivan's blog?

    But just look how many comments (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by oculus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 05:04:53 PM EST
    there are to this non-story.  

    P.S.  I think it is the revenge of "The Trooper."

    [ Parent ]

    I'm thinking it's a good thing (none / 0) (#91)
    by nycstray on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 03:45:18 PM EST
    I never went into politics. My sister's ex-husband's family is pretty colorful . . .   ;)

    [ Parent ]
    Thread cleaned of insults and (5.00 / 1) (#126)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 08:08:32 PM EST
    off topic comments. Jim, you know better. You just cost me a half hour in read/delete time by starting the firebombing nonsense.

    This story is about Mrs. Johnston's arrest. It made every newspaper and wire service today. If you don't want to read about it, please scroll on by.

    Sorry (2.00 / 0) (#128)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 08:12:39 PM EST
    I was trying to make the point that it shouldn't have made the wire services.

    [ Parent ]
    The Update information certainly (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by MoveThatBus on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:56:20 AM EST
    alters the discussion.

    OxyContin. Any information on whether or not she has a prescription, or had one and is now dealing with an addiction?

    Any information on just how much of this drug was seized?

    I think I'll wait until all the facts are released before reading anything more on this particular campaign.

    fwiw, I googled "Sherry Johnston," (3.00 / 2) (#87)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 03:27:41 PM EST
    all by itself, and my very first hit is her phone number in Wasilla.

    that is information (none / 0) (#142)
    by TeresaInPa on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:15:02 PM EST
    that no one needs to know and I question your motive in sharing it.  Is this another dkos like attack where people are encouraged to harass someone?  Because it certainly looks like one and this comment  should be deleted.

    [ Parent ]
    Yep. You got me pegged. (none / 0) (#144)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 07:47:00 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Family Values, Alaska Style (1.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Continuum on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:28:50 PM EST
    Sex, drugs, what no "rock n' roll"?  Well, at least they got the queers under control and go to church real regular in Wassalia.  You bethca!

    Lovely. (none / 0) (#131)
    by robert72 on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 08:33:56 PM EST
    He who is without sin can cast the first stone.
    Bethca???
    Moran.
     

    [ Parent ]
    oy (none / 0) (#1)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:08:18 AM EST


    Vey (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:03:58 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    is mir (none / 0) (#30)
    by wystler on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:07:07 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    gevalt (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by MKS on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:54:39 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Meshugina (none / 0) (#33)
    by squeaky on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:15:43 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    bzzzt (none / 0) (#35)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:23:08 PM EST
    Sorry, even on your birthday you can't flub Yiddish and get away with it!

    [ Parent ]
    Flub Yiddish? (none / 0) (#37)
    by squeaky on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:30:43 PM EST
    I grew up with it.

    [ Parent ]
    So what, you're telling me (none / 0) (#40)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:34:19 PM EST
    I'm meshugina?!

    [ Parent ]
    No (none / 0) (#41)
    by squeaky on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:38:02 PM EST
    Sherry Johnston, a public person, through Palin, dealing out of her house is meshugina.

    [ Parent ]
    Do you think Michelle's mother is a public person? (5.00 / 3) (#75)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:39:20 PM EST
    Semi, maybe for the really yellow journalism.

    Do you think their children are?

    I don't and hope you don't.

    Now if the children aren't, how is the mother of a spouse of a child a public person?

    [ Parent ]

    OK, you win! (none / 0) (#43)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:42:37 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Es Abgemacht (none / 0) (#49)
    by squeaky on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:52:48 PM EST
    I was just piling on the next appropriate yiddish word.

    Oy gevalt, vey is mir.... meshugina.

     verschtest du?

    [ Parent ]

    heh (none / 0) (#53)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:56:57 PM EST
    (I am sure, BTW, that you know much more Yiddish than I do).

    [ Parent ]
    Probably (none / 0) (#147)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 11:34:05 PM EST
    But it is so deeply buried in my brain that I would have to be blind drunk to remember most of it.

    And then I would not even remember, remembering it.

    [ Parent ]

    Was fuer* 'ne Mischegoss (none / 0) (#38)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:31:36 PM EST
    und wie bloed*.

    Until then, squeak, go here and click play.

    *  no umlauts on my keyboard....

     

    [ Parent ]

    "go?" or "schlep?" (none / 0) (#47)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:47:39 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Geh' mit Gott, (none / 0) (#52)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:54:33 PM EST
    aber geh.

    [ Parent ]
    I was raised Catholic, Deus est intus. (none / 0) (#61)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:04:45 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    A very commonly used acronym (none / 0) (#72)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:32:18 PM EST
    in the movie biz is "MOS" for when you shoot a scene without recording sound at the same time.

    Legend has it it stands for "mit out sound."

    [ Parent ]

    Umlauts are not just for metal bands! (none / 0) (#57)
    by DFLer on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:01:26 PM EST
    Cut and paste these:

    ë ö ä ï ü

    Also, you should have a prg called "character map" (PC) that generates these umlauts, and also tildes and acutes etc., from any keyboard.

    You can copy and paste or, for the more common ones, use a keyboard stroke like:
    Holding down the "alt" button (PC) while typing ON THE KEYPAD ONLY (not top row)the numbers 0169. You should get: ©

    I keep the character map in my sys tray for easy access.

    Also has arabic, cyrillic and hebrew letters, and other symbols.

    [ Parent ]

    The whole mishpucha. (none / 0) (#45)
    by Iphie on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:44:34 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I always wanted to know (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:22:19 PM EST
    how to spell that word.

    My favorite is shmanaunut (shma-nau-nut). It means "just ok, sometimes up, sometimes down."

    As in, "How are you?" Answer: "I'm shmanaunut."

    I made that up in high school.

    [ Parent ]

    No received spelling for Yiddish (none / 0) (#70)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:23:44 PM EST
    because it has to be transliterated.

    [ Parent ]
    Absolutely - and the pronunciation (none / 0) (#115)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 05:55:01 PM EST
    ... well, books could be written about the philology....

    [ Parent ]
    Schadenfreude (none / 0) (#101)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 04:20:53 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I wanna laugh, but (none / 0) (#4)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 11:15:37 AM EST
    then I think of the kids involved and just have to shake my head.  

    And then I think of what might have been:  (allegedly) drug-dealin' grandma goes to visit her new grandkid and its teenage parents.  At Blair House.  Yeesh.  Worse than Roger Clinton and Billy Carter combined.

    Still, y'have to love the cop's comment, when asked how long this investigation has been going on:  "a while".  Laconic is almost always good.

    Also, think back - remember Levi's Facebook entry (quickly scrubbed around August or so), wherein he self-described himself as a "redneck" (among other things)?  I have to think he might have been the most forthrightly honest of the bunch.  In the picture - note the yard vehicles parked in the background weeds.

    /facepalm (none / 0) (#14)
    by Faust on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:13:25 PM EST


    Bill Clinton's brother, Roger, is a convicted (none / 0) (#16)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:22:20 PM EST
    cocaine distributor. That arrest and conviction having taken place while Bill was the Governor of Arkansas.

    Gawker didn't have anything substantial in their article to justify claiming meth lab, or in any way connecting this woman's arrest to Sarah Palin. Amazing how far the mind can stretch, though.

    Yeah (none / 0) (#19)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:29:18 PM EST
    She was just someone in the neighborhood.

    [ Parent ]
    Roger Clinton, Neil Bush, Billie Carter (none / 0) (#28)
    by denise k on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:05:33 PM EST
    you name it, what family doesn't have black sheep in it somewhere?

    [ Parent ]
    Mrs. Johnston isn't related to (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:50:43 PM EST
    Sarah Palin.  They aren't even in-laws yet.

    [ Parent ]
    Doesn't the baby tie them together? (none / 0) (#60)
    by Iphie on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:02:34 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    You're kidding, right? (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:17:24 PM EST
    That connection makes it necessary to tie Sarah Palin to the decisions made by her daughter's boyfriend's mother?

    I can assure you that my son-in-law's mother is not related to me. What she chooses to do has absolutely nothing to do with me. Name the relationship if you think there is one. They are both grandmother's to the baby, but they are nothing to each other. If the two mothers shared a common belief system, Bristol would be married right now.

    [ Parent ]

    You are ascribing meaning to the question (none / 0) (#77)
    by Iphie on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:42:42 PM EST
    that wasn't there. I am making no judgment or comment about any decisions made or responsibility for them. I am just questioning what your definition of "related" is. They would certainly not be considered immediate family, but I think most definitions would include that relationship as one of an extended family (and not even that extended).

    And really? If the two mothers shared a common belief system, Bristol would be married right now? Wow, I guess that must mean that Bristol has no autonomy or free-will. I suppose that if and when she does marry, the ownership of decisions in her life will transfer to Levi?

    [ Parent ]

    And, I'd venture to guess 99;.9% of the (none / 0) (#90)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 03:43:30 PM EST
    population would have taken your question the same way.

    What are they? You forgot to submit the term describing their relationship. There is no term that I am aware of to describe the relationship you are suggesting.  Just as my son is not related to his brother-in-law's brother, the mothers are also not related to each other.

    Sarah Palin struck me as a very hands-on mother who would have wanted her children to believe in the values she found to be comfortable in her own life. Having children inside of marriage is somewhat basic to religious beliefs. You're the one who decided there was something bigger than that in what I said. I neither said, nor implied, that one school of thought was better than the other.

    I have a difficult time thinking Sarah Palin and the mother of a teen being involved in drugs have much in common when considering what's in the best interest of their children.

    I might be wrong, but Levi could be at risk of "conspiracy" if he knew what his mother was doing and didn't come forward. I've been removed from 2 jury seatings when the person on trial was the wife of the drug dealer who was facing prison because she lived on the money he earned through illegal means.

    [ Parent ]

    Wow. (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by Iphie on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 04:36:46 PM EST
    Not only do you ascribe motives to my question, but you know how 99.9% of the population would understand it. Your omniscience is impressive.

    I'm not interested in naming their relationship (though I see someone else has) -- I am questioning your understanding of the word "related."

    But it's okay, don't answer the questions asked, just continue to have this argument with yourself -- 'cause no one else is having one with you. Enjoy!

    [ Parent ]

    The relationship is "comadre" (none / 0) (#94)
    by sj on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 03:53:26 PM EST
    At least that was what my maternal and paternal grandmothers called each other.  The families are still very close and each is invited to the others' family functions -- and we've reached 3rd and 4th generation associations.

    That didn't make them responsible for each others' decisions, however.

    [ Parent ]

    I have three adult offspring. (5.00 / 2) (#129)
    by robert72 on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 08:28:57 PM EST
    I know and am 'friendly' with my children's spouses' parents, but we are not even friends. We have grandchildren in common, and little else. For me to be tarred with anything that they should happen to do is JUST PLAIN SILLY. Are you responsible for your son or daughter's inlaws?
    To all of you who think this has anything to do with Sarah... give it up. The PDS is quite evident and ridiculous.

    [ Parent ]
    Just plain silly (none / 0) (#146)
    by sj on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 09:29:58 PM EST
    Is you not reading my comment.  I said specifically that they were not responsible for one another's decisions.  

    She asked for the relationship.  That's the one that my grandmothers had for each other.  "Close female friend" was an understatement with those two.  And really?  tarred?  My grandmothers?  The love enriched them both.

    And I know that I was blessed to have that close family connection.  I was in my twenties before I realized that most people were like you.  "Friendly" with the parents of the their child's spouse.  And that only if they were lucky.  Most people aren't even that.  Re-reading your comment, it seems you fall into the second category.  Not even lucky enough to be friendly.

    Tarred.  Wow.  

    I kind of feel sorry for you.  Not that you'll appreciate it the way I mean it, I expect.  But I do.  Even though you fall into the majority.  I think what makes me feel sad is that you don't really know that anything could be missing.

    Nevertheless, you all enjoy your grandchildren.  

    Whatever.  Love is.  In the end, that's enough I guess.

    [ Parent ]

    That seems a personal choice (none / 0) (#102)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 04:29:07 PM EST
    comadre

    co·ma·dre [ ko m dray ] (plural co·ma·dres)

    noun  

    Definition:

    Hispanic godmother: a godmother or close female friend

    [< Spanish]
     

    but, not a definition of maternal and paternal grandmothers as relatives.


    [ Parent ]

    Yeah, I saw that :) (none / 0) (#145)
    by sj on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 09:22:19 PM EST
    I think it must have been an anglo that came up with that dry definition :)

    "Close female friend" indeed.  They would have laughed at that.  Seriously.  And they seriously considered themselves related.  Our family is really, really lucky.

    I miss them both terribly.

    [ Parent ]

    Kindred spirits (none / 0) (#148)
    by MoveThatBus on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 01:12:44 AM EST
    might actually have been their choice of terms if they had thought of it first.  It doesn't seem so dry, does it?

    [ Parent ]
    I doubt it (none / 0) (#150)
    by sj on Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 09:32:22 AM EST
    That it would have been their choice of words.  I've spent some time pondering this thought.  And I don't think kindred spirits would have meant much at all to them.  They felt related to each other.  Our families were bound together.  Are bound together. Four generations later, family gatherings include members from both sides.  Even if the host is not in the "direct decendent" line.

    But the in-law to in-law (or in-law to out-law as my cousin calls it) term of address of their generation, and the next generation as well, is "comadre".

    My generation and later, not so much.  But then we're also losing the language.

    [ Parent ]

    Ain't that the truth... (none / 0) (#34)
    by kdog on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:18:03 PM EST
    You've got a black sheep typing right now..."Baaah":)

    [ Parent ]
    There goes another 5 jobs (none / 0) (#36)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:27:00 PM EST
    as if the economy wasn't hurting enough.  Now the prices will go up, more people will be unemployed and the weekend parties will have to be postponed.

    Maybe for the same reason (none / 0) (#55)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 01:58:35 PM EST
    Gawker's:
    Because this sounds vaguely like a meth lab:

    (emphasis added)

    Became:

    Gawker says it sounds like a meth lab.

    Gawker also characterized the charges as second and fourth degree misconduct - but that doesn't raise eyebrows as high as felony does.

    it's really not quite so VAGUE (none / 0) (#73)
    by wystler on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 02:32:29 PM EST
    given that "second degree" in Alaska statutes refers specifically to meth and related ...

    oh, well

    [ Parent ]

    state government (none / 0) (#96)
    by txpublicdefender on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 04:01:22 PM EST
    The Anchorage Daily News reports Palin's office says it's not a state government matter.

    I'm sure Sarah's former brother-in-law will be interested in hearing that what the Alaska State Trooper's do (they're the ones that arrested her) is "not a state government matter."

    Does the Governor of every state (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by MoveThatBus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 04:37:03 PM EST
    need to comment on every arrest made in their state?

    Maybe, just maybe, Palin doesn't know enough about the case to make an off-the-cuff public comment about it. She's not my brand of politician, but I sure don't know what it is people think she should have said about this event.

    [ Parent ]

    Just another chance to show (none / 0) (#111)
    by oculus on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 05:05:50 PM EST
    Gov. Palin's knows from nothing.  

    [ Parent ]
    no (none / 0) (#151)
    by txpublicdefender on Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 10:57:09 AM EST
    When did I say that the Governor of a state needs to comment on every arrest made by the state troopers?  Her spokesperson, though, was the one who said that this case, involving a state trooper investigation, was not a state government matter.  That would seem to contradict Palin's views of the business of the state troopers.  That's all I said.

    Frankly, I don't think this is something a governor should comment on, but she clearly has believed that she had the right to but into state trooper business in the past.  That was my point, and I don't think it was particularly murky.

    [ Parent ]

    ugh (none / 0) (#97)
    by txpublicdefender on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 04:01:47 PM EST
    Troopers, not Trooper's

    [ Parent ]
    thank GOD (none / 0) (#120)
    by mbspringer on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 06:33:58 PM EST
    Thank god for mandatory sentencing.
    Thank god for mandatory sentencing.
    Thank god for mandatory sentencing.

    How much time did Rush Limbaugh (none / 0) (#149)
    by MoveThatBus on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 01:14:34 AM EST
    serve for his felony convictions for his OxyContin addiction?  Oh, wait, was he ever arrested, or taken to trial?

    [ Parent ]
    How many strikes? (none / 0) (#124)
    by mbspringer on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 06:42:35 PM EST
    I wonder if this dear soul has spit on the sidewalk or bounced a check?  
    3 strikes and you're out RIGHT.? If this were somebody brown or INNER CITY , be honest now, you'd be screaming get em off the streets, throw away the key, why are they out on bail?
    Where is the indignation? Where is the outrage?
    JUST DEALING?
    JUST GROWING?

    GROW A SET! THIS person deals death, POISON..
    THEY SHOULD BE PUT AWAY FOR A LONG TIME

    Don't know who you are talking to (2.00 / 0) (#127)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 08:09:42 PM EST
    I have long commented that we need to rationalize our drug laws. I see no sense that we first make a market for the dealer and then put him jail for serving it.

    Having said that, Meth and the date rape drugs deserve no quarter. But the remainder hurt the user more than anyone else and we have proven that the desire to use is more powerful than the fear of going to jail.

    [ Parent ]

    yes, poor baby drug dealers (none / 0) (#143)
    by TeresaInPa on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:26:42 PM EST
    they's just trying to make a living....

    Frankly throw every one of them to the bottom of the ocean and I am fine with that.  Dealers create addicts and when their addicts get clean they show up with free heroin to re-addict them.
    Heroin addicts cause havoc and despair in the lives of everyone involved with them.  They lie they cheat they steal and they wear you out.  When you are worn out they move on to the next victim who feels sorry for them...

    But no one is hurt but them, that is such a joke.

    [ Parent ]

    I think . . . (none / 0) (#152)
    by txpublicdefender on Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 11:01:34 AM EST
    . . . you may be on the wrong site.  The administrators here don't like to advocate throwing accused (even convicted) criminals to the bottom of the ocean.

    Also, you make it sound so easy in separating "drug dealers" from addicts, but at least half of the people I have represented charged with "dealing" were addicts who were working for their drug dealer to work off what they owed or to get more drugs.  It is hardly something as clean and clear as you make it.

    [ Parent ]

    Re the update that it was oxy - (none / 0) (#134)
    by scribe on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 09:49:08 AM EST
    there was an allegation around that Palin's oldest son - the one now in Iraq - had been a serious oxy-head before "voluntarily" joining the Army.

    Worth looking into....

    Why would that be of interst? (5.00 / 2) (#135)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 11:13:24 AM EST
    Do you believe that a child's sins should be placed on the parents?

    [ Parent ]
    There was also an allegation around that (5.00 / 1) (#136)
    by MoveThatBus on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 11:38:10 AM EST
    Sarah Palin had an affair with her husband's friend, but that never came to be truth.

    You think Palin's oldest boy went to Iraq to kick the habit? No one from the rehab center willing to leak his dates of admission?

    I'd be willing to go out on a limb on this and say that it's as big a lie as every other smear effort has been. Palin's don't pretend to be perfect, and when they've faced socially judged issues in their family, they have come forward.

    Get over it.


    [ Parent ]

    Gawker aptly observes? (none / 0) (#137)
    by TeresaInPa on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 11:57:51 AM EST
    It looks more like Gawker is just another disgustingly snug and nasty liberal who makes me ashamed to be part of the left from time to time.
    This says nothing about Palin except perhaps that UNLIKE the democratic governor of IL she is not using her influence to illegally bend the laws for her and her family's sake.

    Jeralyn ,why was my comment been deleted? (none / 0) (#153)
    by Prithimp on Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 01:57:25 PM EST
    So we are not allowed to even disagree with you now ? nice...

    I'm not sure I'm up on Oxycontin (none / 0) (#154)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 02:04:54 PM EST
    it's an pain-killer, no? Opiate as well?

    Levi Johnston's Mom Arrested in Felony Drug Bust | 116 comments (116 topical)

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