State records show that Palin submitted a travel authorization for a quick round-trip visit to attend the June 8 graduation of the Master's Commission program at the Wasilla Assembly of God, the church where she was baptized at age 12. The only other item on the agenda for that trip was a "One Lord Sunday" service involving a network of Mat-Su Christian churches earlier that morning at the Wasilla sports complex.
The records show Palin flew from Juneau on Saturday, June 7. She returned to Juneau that Monday afternoon. The plane tickets cost the state $519.50, and she claimed an additional $120 for meals and other expenses.
Palin couldn't be reached for comment Friday as she campaigned for vice president. Her spokeswoman at the McCain campaign said she wouldn't grant an interview.
The immediate problem with this is the appearance of impropriety. Palin has admitted to attending Wasilla Assembly of God for years. Therefore, there is a huge issue as to whether this was a personal trip and not government business. And, even if the trip was government business, that just ends one question and begs another. Does Sarah Palin understand the citizens of Alaska's contitutional right to separation of church and state? Will Sarah Palin respect the Constitution even when she disagrees with a persons religious practices? Will Sarah Palin use her position in office to promote her own religious agenda and activities? Will Sarah Palin use our taxpayer money to promote her own religious activities and discourage other religious freedoms?
In her eight-minute remarks, delivered without notes except when she read a brief passage from the New Testament Book of Ephesians, she melded the issues of governance with a call to bringing Alaskans to God.
This was not just attendance at a Church ceremony. She promoted her religious belief when she made a call to bring Alaskans to God. Government funded faith-based programs are prohibited from proselytizing. And so are government officials. But here is Sarah Palin calling people to God on her taxpayers' dime.
"But really, all of that stuff doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's hearts isn't right with God. And that's going to be your job," she said. "As I'm doing my job, let's strike this deal. Your job is going to be: to be out there, reaching the people, (the) hurting people throughout Alaska, and we can work together to make sure God's will be done here."
This is pure proselytizing. She told a congregation their hearts must be right with God before State work can be effective? She told a congregation that we must make sure God's will be done. Again, there is no defense to this action. We have Sarah Palin on tape breaching her public trust by illegally using public funds for religious purposes. But, when her hometown paper wanted to ask her about this very alarming revelation, Sarah Palin was unavailable for comment. Not, even by telephone.
I believe in my faith, but I also would never infringe upon someone's Constitutional right not to have their taxpayer money used to promote my faith. If you believe in the Constitution and civil liberties then you can understand how outrageous this is. Where is Sarah Palin for comment?
http://www.adn.com/...
Alaska Civil Liberties Union
Executive Director: Jeffrey Mittman
P.O. Box 201844
Anchorage, AK 99520-1844
Phone: 907-276-2258
Fax: 907-258-0288
E-mail: akclu@akclu.org
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