The "rape victim pays for the rape kit" story is getting front page coverage now

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/21/palin.rape.exams/index.html

Palin's town charged women for rape exams


From Jessica Yellin
CNN


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's hometown required women to pay for their own rape examinations while she was mayor, a practice her police chief fought to keep as late as 2000.


A former Alaskan lawmaker says it seems unlikely that Gov. Sarah Palin was unaware of Wasilla's policy.

Former state Rep. Eric Croft, a Democrat, sponsored a state law requiring cities to provide the examinations free of charge to victims. He said the only ongoing resistance he met was from Wasilla, where Palin was mayor from 1996 to 2002.

"It was one of those things everyone could agree on except Wasilla," Croft told CNN. "We couldn't convince the chief of police to stop charging them."

Alaska's Legislature in 2000 banned the practice of charging women for rape exam kits -- which experts said could cost up to $1,000.

[quiet.american]

1. So, they're using the 'ole "Palin wasn't in the loop" defense -- sounds familiar.

I'm convinced this woman is a sociopath. That sounds familiar, too.

[Turn CO Blue]

2. And want to know why?

The best theory for Wasilla charging for rape kits (when no other city in Alaska did, in fact, the state law directing that no victim should have to pay for the kits was written solely to admonish Wasilla) - was diaried on DailyKos and is this:

Many rape evidence collection kits contain EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION.

And Sarah Fakin' and her church has a big problem with birth control and with emergency contraception.

Just a theory - but a good one.

[w4rma]

3. I think you're giving Palin way too much benefit of doubt with that theory. (nt)

[gateley]

5. I don't know - I can see her getting behind that reasoning.

Baby, bathwater.

[KittyWampus]

7. I think she's a tool who would do the bidding of the Fundies & NeoCons in charge behind the scenes

[JimDandy]

4. They did in 2000 when Alaska authorized the kits, but what about during Palins tenure as mayor?

[EC]

10. I think it was more for the numbers

the fewer reported rapes, the fewer rapes on the books...makes it look like she was taking care of the problem...


and as far as not being in the loop...what was the reason she said she fired the superintendent of police? Because he was working on lowing rapes by going to Washington to lobby for payment of the rape kits....

[JimDandy]

6. Well, Charlie, police budget items weren't one of my "actual responsibilities" as mayor.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. For local background on this

read these and the links contained within. Alaskan bloggers have been on this for a couple of weeks.

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-do-rape-gurney-joe-and-alaska-hb.html

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/09/saradise-lost-chapter-forty-three-torn.html

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/09/saturday-progressive-blog-roundup_13.html

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/09/saradise-lost-chapter-sixty-seven-50000.html

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/09/saradise-lost-chapter-seventy-eight.html

[Nye Bevan]

9. Has Obama made an ad based on this yet?

Obviously he should if he has not already done so.