Who has Terrorist Ties?

It was interesting today to hear Sarah Palin challenge Obama's ties to Bill Ayers. When Sarah Palin's appointment was first mentioned there were a few stories about her and her husband's involvement in the AIP, The Alaska Independence Party. Her husband was a registered member of the party and she was alleged to have been a member. In fact, in the first video below, the chairman talks about her being a member before she was a mayor. For a little background on the Party's goals, here is a quick primer from the op Ed News:

The party lists its complaint on its website (akip) that all of its citizens weren't allowed to vote in 1958, and now demand to do so by picking one of the following alternatives: "1. Remain a territory; 2. Become a separate and independent Nation; 3. Accept Commonwealth status; 4. Become a State."

They also seek "the complete repatriation of the public lands held by the federal government" to the people of Alaska, using oil and gas profits to become self-sufficient. So Palin's desire to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge makes more sense now.

Any group advocating secession from the United States of America is not only un-American but treasonous, particularly among patriotic citizens in the year 2008. The founder of the AIP, Joe Vogler, who died in a plastic-explosives accident (but that's a whole other story) is clearly a radical simply by his own words.

ABC and CBS reported that Vogler said, "I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've no use for America or her damned institutions." He also said that "the fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American government."

CBS also reported that "Marc Ambinder has a video of an AIP leader explaining that party members "Must 'infiltrate'-his words-the other two parties and push for the cause of Alaskan independence." How is Governor Palin associated with this philosophy? What is the connection?

In March of this year, Palin recorded a video welcoming the convention of the secessionist AIP, saying "We have a great promise to be a self-sufficient state, made up of the hardest working, most grateful Americans in our Nation." This video can be viewed on the AIP website.

This is a 9 minute video of the chairman of the Alaska Independence Party speaking at their conference in Chattanooga,TN last year. About 6 minutes in he talks about Sarah Palin, the former member.


It is pretty unbelievable that someone with such close ties to a party that wants to secede from the union could potentially be a heart beat away from the Presidency. Does Sarah Palin want Alaska to secede from the Union? Who knows for sure, but her connection to this group is far more disturbing than any limited relationship Barack Obama had with a radical from 40 years ago. How much different would this story be if it were Michelle Obama's involvement or even Jill Biden's?

Just for yuks, here is Sarah proudly addressing the AIP's convention.