Michelle Malkin has the story.
Scroll for update . . . Wired News confirms . . . McCain camp responds: "This is a shocking invasion of the Governor's privacy and a violation of law. The matter has been turned over to the appropriate authorities and we hope that anyone in possession of these emails will destroy them. We will have no further comment" . . . the feds are investigating. . .
Sometime early this morning, between approximately 3:00am - 4:00am, members of an infamous group of hackers broke into Gov. Sarah Palin's private Yahoo e-mail account. The incriminating discussion threads included screenshots of Palin's e-mail and private e-mail addresses of her contacts. The threads have since been deleted.
. . .
The Gawker smear machine — see here for all the background you need — has posted private family photos of Palin's children that were apparently stolen from the e-mail account.They have used Bristol Palin's illegally obtained private cell phone number from her mom's private account, recorded her voicemail message, and posted it on their website.
They have reprinted her husband Todd's private e-mail address and son Track's private e-mail address.
I can understand someone looking at Palin's private email to see if she had used it for public purposes. I wouldn't agree with that, but I can understand it. But her kids and her husband? That's vile.
One of the strongest arguments against electing Barack Obama, and other leftists, is the often vile behavior of some of their supporters. Those supporters have just reminded us of that important point.
Cross posted at Jim Miller on Politics.
Posted by Jim Miller at September 17, 2008 04:37 PM | Email ThisMeanwhile Gov. Plain is still dodging Troopergate and having the GOP try to shut down a perfectly legit bi-partisan investigation into her purported power abuse.
You are a real, genuine, cowardly scumbag. Congrats, you leftwing pig.
Posted by: hinton on September 17, 2008 05:03 PMHow do you know the hackers were liberals or even American's for that matter? http://mail.yahoo.com is a public site that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. While I don't agree with what the hackers do find it amusing how quick you are to place blame without knowing anything at all about the perpetrators.
These people should be in prison immediately.
Posted by: John Bailo on September 17, 2008 05:20 PMAll web hackers are American leftists? LOL, gotta love the Conservatives are so quick to cast judgment on anything that goes bad for them as a product of the Leftist Dem's. Talk about being mentally deranged. =P
Matthew 7:1-2
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
So, Pacto... besides having earned the label of "cowardly scumbag" and "left wing pig," we can now add "rank hypocrite" to the list of descriptors that apply to you.
Each and every post of your vile filth reeks with judgment... and that doesn't stop you, scumbag.
Posted by: hinton on September 17, 2008 05:28 PMThese people aren't liberals, they're the kind of people who throw around racial and sexist epithets around at everyone. A group of dumb kids, basically, who want to cause trouble.
More accurately, the denizens of 4chan would identify themselves as Ron Paul supporters, not liberals.
Posted by: M. Sanchez on September 17, 2008 05:30 PMThe damage is done and Obama is going to have to address it, in an attempt to distance himself from what is a criminal act designed to denigrate his opponent (regardless that he has no control over these nutjobs).
Even you have to admit that this doesn't make him or his party look good. It makes his supporters look like bullies and Palin and her family victims of what appears to be a concentrated smear effort.
Posted by: Smoley on September 17, 2008 05:38 PMAnd what kind of people run Gawker? Sleazy leftists. Not a McCain supporter among them.
Posted by: Jim Miller on September 17, 2008 05:45 PMWhy should he? It doesn't affect him one way or the other.
I did notice is that Sen. Obama did not allow Lindsy Lohan to attend his fundraiser after her crass statements about Gov. Palin. That's something Obama can do, what the he cannot do is tell anonymous web hackers not to do something. That's just plain silly.
Even you have to admit that this doesn't make him or his party look good.
No, that's a real stretch of the facts. Yahoo is a public site that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. To claim the hackers are Liberal or even American is a stretch of the known facts (which are scant at best).
Palin and her family victims of what appears to be a concentrated smear effort.
LOL, smear effort? Like the one the GOP is running against Sen. Obama (I hear he's a Muslim who doesn't wear a flag pin)? Ahh the Hypocrisy Party at it's finest.
Claimed Levi Johnston was a rapist by Alaskan Law. When confronted to prove it, he selectivey quoted a sentence of rape law when in fact when the entire text reveals the intercourse was perfectly legal in Alaska.
Claimed Seattle Times endorsed Bush in 2004.
Makes stuff up out of thin air, no facts, no proof.
1) Levi Johnson is considered a rapist by AZ law
2) Seattle Times endorsed Bush in 2000
Thanks for playing,
Cato
And that's why Cato spends so much time here. Most folks here don't waste their time at HA. But Cato wastes a lot of time here. The left is worried.
Posted by: Jeff B. on September 17, 2008 06:14 PMIf Gawker got Obama's emails I'm sure they would post it too, it's that kind of company. Looks like you're confusing the acts of random individuals with politicians. Last it checked saying vile things about Palin is covered by the first amendment.
It only takes a small percentage of Americans who are disgusted with the Left and behavior of many of its adherents to swing the election to McCain.
Yeah, and when they see the truth behind the Governor who fired her former brother-in-law out of vengeance and then lied / made excuses about it all while trying to dodge a legal bi-partisan investigation into her actions. Maybe when Americans realize she nationalized a private company and subscribes to teaching kids that the world is merely 6000 years old they will realize this is not the person we want a heartbeat away from the Presidency. I know I don't.
Most folks here don't waste their time at HA. But Cato wastes a lot of time here.
Why would I post on a site full of ditto heads, that's boring. Oh wait, that's you! =P
But then again, Obama has no problem letting newly born babies die, so as to protect leagal rights of abortion doctors, so it follows his supporters are as moral as him.
Posted by: bigdawg on September 17, 2008 06:37 PMThey have very sophisticated ways of tracking the hackers. The most famous of hackers have been caught and the mutts that did this were most likely not even close to the same league as the ones that got sent up the river like Kevin Mitnick, et al.
It will all come out in the wash now that the federal government will have full jurisdiction over the matter. While McCain/Palin are finishing up their second term in office, these kiddies will still be dating their 6'5" cellmate Bruno and enjoying all the amenities of Federal prison. Sites that knowingly posted illegal material will also likely suffer legal consequences for their actions as well. So, while the trolls enjoy this short term giddyness, rest assured it's only fleeting. The same people cackling about this will be calling the suicide prevention hotline on November 5th.
After folks have had a chance to absorb all of the despicable acts from him and his followers, his ratings will be going down.
Posted by: KS on September 17, 2008 06:45 PMClaimed Levi Johnston was a rapist by Alaskan Law. When confronted to prove it, he selectivey quoted a sentence of rape law when in fact when the entire text reveals the intercourse was perfectly legal in Alaska.
Claimed Seattle Times endorsed Bush in 2004.
Makes stuff up out of thin air, no facts, no proof.
Posted by: pbj on September 17, 2008 06:47 PMEven more lies from the Cato Creep!
Yeah, and when they see the truth behind the Governor who fired her former brother-in-law out of vengeance and then lied / made excuses about it all while trying to dodge a legal bi-partisan investigation into her actions.
Cato, you ignorant slut. The trooper - Palin's brother in law - was NOT fired. In fact, no one was fired, period. But being the lying, amoral cretin that you are, you'll make stuff up just to try to further the baby killing Slavery Party agenda.
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on September 17, 2008 07:17 PMSarah was fantastic in her first Hannity interview on Fox. She's sure an all-American. Her adversaries are equally all-unAmerican. What a clear choice: Sarah the Jedi Master against Obama the Sith.
Posted by: The Pirate on September 17, 2008 07:24 PMThis will be a very political decision by President Bush. Justice and the AG's won't move without his imprimatur, and immunity. Under normal circumstances you would be correct, but this investigation has the potential of going to Obama the Sith himself. The President, et al., will weigh the political aspects vis-a-vis McCain and Sarah, but, nonetheless, the President must be "encouraged."
Posted by: The Pirate on September 17, 2008 07:54 PMBush has absolutely nothing to do with this. This is foremost a crime against a public official, a sitting governor, hence the Attorney General of Alaska and the US Attorney General and FBI because she is the vice presidential candidate.
Bush would be a distraction, he would be accused of playing politcs. He has no need, no right, to be involved in this matter AT ALL.
This is a criminal issue, not a political one, although it does have political implications.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 17, 2008 08:01 PMAlaska AG should be the one getting the ball rolling... then feds involved from there.
Liberals talk about the "politics of personal destruction" even though they themselves often excell at it and often take it to new heights (or lows in this case).
I much prefer Palin's daughter Piper's sense of sisterly duty as she makes sure Trig is properly groomed for the RNC convention. This should shame any liberals still believing that attacking the Palin family is somehow engaging in "liberal family values"....then again, maybe it is.
It may seem redundant: Everyone be sure to register to vote, and vote the Republican slate of candidates.
Posted by: The Pirate on September 17, 2008 08:29 PMFBI Spokesman Eric Gonzalez in Anchorage, Alaska confirms to CNN an investigation is underway."We are aware of the allegations and we are coordinating with Secret Service as far as the allegation that someone has hacked into Governor Palin's personal e-mail account," he said. "We are going to be working a joint investigation with Secret Service on this."
Brian Hale, an FBI spokesman in Washington, also confirms the FBI has been contacted about the incident. Two federal law enforcement sources say the FBI and Secret Service would have concurrent jurisdiction normally on a matter such as this, but it remains to be seen if the Secret Service will take the lead on the investigation because Palin is a protectee.
EXACTLY appropriate.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 17, 2008 08:43 PMSorry Pirate, but I agree with Ragnar on this one. I don't want Bush within earshot of this matter or even the slightest hint of it.
Posted by: Rick D. on September 17, 2008 08:50 PMAs for the Palin's, yes, they are quite a happy family. Which is why liberalism in its truest form is one of envy and inner rage at those who can find true happiness in life. It really is the fundamental difference between the two ideologies.
Posted by: Rick D. on September 17, 2008 09:11 PMBut, aren't any of you bothered that Palin uses a Yahoo account to do official state business, apparently to avoid public disclosure laws. That's not right.
http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/526281.html
Posted by: Cat on September 17, 2008 10:27 PMHaving a personal conversation in email with someone else who works for the state does not make it state business.
The really interesting thing about that article that obfusCATOr linked is that there is absolutely no verification to back up the assertions they made. None.
Palin routinely uses a private Yahoo e-mail account to conduct state business. Others in the governor's office sometimes use personal e-mail accounts too.
Pretty grand assertion...how do they know? Can they prove it? To quote the article: "WHOOPS"
Oh by the way, which political ideology group was suffering apoplectic seizures about the 'loss of freedom' and privacy from the Patriot Act and that 'evil BushhRoveHitler?
Remind me, again obfusCATOr.
What a ridiculous statement -- unless of course you mean it's a flimsy argument but the others are even weaker. Why should the "often vile" behavior of "some" supporters have any bearing on who would make the best president?
There are some awfully vile remarks posted here on Sound Politics, and since most readers here are conservative, so are most commenters, vile and otherwise. I sometimes attack vile commenters, but never would I claim that to show a defect in their candidate. That's just illogical.
Posted by: Bruce on September 17, 2008 11:54 PMa) has not yet had his 17th birthday
b) didn't 'hack' so much as pick some completely simple password like "alaska" or "bristol"
Memo to politicians: it's 2008, lrn2internets. Using Yahoo mail is such a fundamentally awful idea on so many levels (not the least of which being, you know, this whole thing) I can barely even begin to describe it. Suffice it to say there are reasons that you pay to have an IT department that will set up secure password checks and secure access controls and all of that good stuff, and reason #1 is that (like Sarah Palin) 98% of people do not know WTF they are doing in this regard.
Also, I miss Eric.
Posted by: brent on September 18, 2008 02:12 AMIn addition, the hacker said he went through every e-mail looking for dirt and found nothing. He also said that he specifically was looking for e-mail relating to work, but again found nothing.
The kid that hacked into it was a 20-year old Obama supporter. He decided to forward the screen shots of what he had to the media outlet at Gawker. The folks at Gawker are hiding and saying they have no idea who the hacker was, but the hacker's own admission shows they know him well.
I certainly hope they bring him and Gawker to justice.
Posted by: Ken on September 18, 2008 07:22 AMIndignation over the sting of truth is the defense of the indefensible.
Of course, with you being a member of the Slavery Party who's candidate support murdering babies, who's leadership believes tax laws do not apply to them, who's leaders want to nationalize all industries, who's candidates want to take by threat of force money from their opponents and give to their own followers, I'm not surprised you'd be offended by the TRUTH being told about this issue.
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on September 18, 2008 07:49 AMThanks for asking. Next?
Posted by: Hinton on September 18, 2008 08:44 AMEmail, ALL email should be private, just as phone conversations are, unless BOTH users are explicitly warned that the email is being tapped or their is a court order.
If we want to require emplyees to ONLY use their official mail for business, that is OK as well.
I do not see this as a lib/con issue. Rather it si one we should all agree on as a matte rof Jeffersonian freedom.
Posted by: SeattleJew on September 18, 2008 08:50 AMShanghai Dan@58, if your comment addressed my comment in any way, shape, or form, I missed it beneath the blizzard of extraneous apostrophe's (sic).
Posted by: Bruce on September 18, 2008 09:32 AMExcuse me, Pirate, I must have mistyped. I agree entirely with everything ever written on this site. Stefan, Jim, et al are Gods. (Uh oh, that may be sacriligeous. What I mean is that they are Godlike.) Even if I disagreed, I would never be so rude as to state a contrary opinion here in the comment thread, because comment threads should be limited to huzzahs for the author and, perhaps, amplifying the author's original point -- for example, describing other vile things that Obama-liking people do, or might do, and how this irredeemably tarnishes Obama. Sorry for disturbing you!
Posted by: Bruce on September 18, 2008 10:49 AM
Pirate - Those who disagree with us should be treated civilly, if they are making points in good faith. If not, they should be ignored. (Or, if they say something funny, mocked, gently.)
There are two reasons to treat reasonable opponents civilly. First, it is the right thing to do in a democracy. For some, that reason is insufficient, so I will add a second: Treating those who disagree civilly is usually the best tactic, politically.
Posted by: Jim Miller on September 18, 2008 11:17 AMSeriously, just look at Dan at 58, he's clearly suffering from Liberal Derangement Syndrome.
So where is your condemnation of leaking private information? I see a lot of anger about people assuming that the leak came from the Obama camp (since it's been traced to Chicago, that's a good bet).
So you're upset about pointing fingers, but nothing about the actual leak itself.
Who's the foaming mouth partisan? You ignore the crime and complain about the hunt for the criminal. I bet you also felt that Jim McDermott was wrongly convicted of wiretapping law violations, and that Rangel should be excused his decade of tax fraud...
Oh, and Cato? The label communist baby killer fits Obama quite well. Care to prove why it doesn't? Seems he espouses communist and fascist policies, and we know that he's on record - twice - for supporting the murder of babies. So why the problem?
Again, indignation over the sting of truth is the defense of the indefensible.
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on September 18, 2008 01:21 PMSo, when will you condemn the shouter of "republicon"? When will you condemn vile invective as a substitute for an answer when one doesn't HAVE an answer.
Yes, mocking happens here... our lefties give us so much ammo... and it's absolutely valid as a technique, but a truthful person will gladly admit that the conservative partisans generally and mostly try to advance their positions.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 18, 2008 02:26 PMCato, you've lied - BIG lies - many times in just the last two weeks and been called on it definitively. Yet never once has a mea culpa issued from your fingers. If you want respect, it starts with earning it by admitting when you're wrong.
Until then, you're a liar, an amoral supporter of murdering babies, and a fascist. And you deserve zero respect.
I disagree with most of what Duffman posts, but I respect the man and wouldn't mind hoisting a brew or two with him. You, factless, Ivan, and Bruce on the other hand aren't even close to having any credibility or respect earned.
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on September 18, 2008 03:10 PMClaimed Levi Johnston was a rapist by Alaskan Law. When confronted to prove it, he selectivey quoted a sentence of rape law when in fact when the entire text reveals the intercourse was perfectly legal in Alaska.
Claimed Seattle Times endorsed Bush in 2004.
Makes stuff up out of thin air, no facts, no proof.
Posted by: pbj on September 18, 2008 07:52 PM