The following is a prepared statement by Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, threatened with legal action by Sarah Palin for reporting allegations of impending federal corruption charges against Palin. The statement was delivered by Moore in front of Palin's Anchorage office July 5, before reporters and news cameras (see Mudflats, Shannyn Moore, KTUU, Huffington Post):

"On the Fourth of July, when Americans everywhere were celebrating our most sacred national holiday with parades and barbeques, Governor Sarah Palin was busy having me, Shannyn Moore, declared an Enemy of the State.

"In a rambling quasi-legal letter, the most powerful person in this state accused me of defaming her for pointing out the fact that there have been rumors, -rumors- of corruption, rumors that have been around for years.

"When Sarah Palin gave her three-weeks notice to the people of Alaska, aborting her term as Governor, a lot of people wondered why she quit. Mid-level managers turn-in their notice, not elected public officials. It didn’t make sense. It still doesn’t. People have been trying to guess why she really quit, and everyone in Alaska has been playing the guessing game. They’re rumors. There are a lot of rumors. And with all the corruption we’ve had here in Alaska, of course we wonder what’s really behind her resignation.

"Governors don’t just quit. But Governor Palin did.

"The governor’s massive overreaction -on the Fourth of July no less- should make any reasonable person wonder what’s wrong with her. The Lady protests way too much. Eventually we’ll all find out why she really walked off the job.

"Sarah Palin is a coward and a bully. What kind of politician attacks an ordinary American on the Fourth of July for speaking her mind? What’s wrong with her? The First Amendment was designed to protect people like me from the likes of people like her. Our American Revolution got rid of kings. And queens, too. Am I jacked-up? You betcha.

"Sarah Palin, if you have a problem with me, then sue me. Shannyn Moore will not be muzzled!"

Go, Shannyn! I look forward to seeing you on Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow Monday night!

(photo: Mudflats)