Another Member Of The Grand Old Party Goes Down With Rumors Of Alaska’s Congressman Don Young’s (Yep — Republican Also) Impending Sinkage Down Stevens’ “Series Of Pipes And Tubes”
Will Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) soon be trading his “Series Of Pipes And Tubes” behind for a series of “Bars, Three Squares, And A Cot”? The McClatchy Washington Bureau’s Erika Bolstad brings us the latest on the Feds versus The Alaska G.O.P. corruption scandal:
Stevens denies charges that he failed to disclose gifts
Hold up for a second. Let’s take a look at the MWB’s headline. I’m all for our Founders’ “innocent until proven guilty” concept but that’s not how it works anymore. That concept only works today for white collar crooks and the elected officials they “buy”, NOT for we “average” Americans. See, we have a whole DIFFERENT set of rules to follow and our freedom and liberty are much easier for We, The People, to lose while these crooked ba$t@rds remain free and on the loose for months if not years, even after they’ve been indicted on multiple felonious charges.
Sure, today’s majority of Congressional crooks are Republicans, but let’s take a look at “Dollar Bill” Jefferson, Jr. (D-LA) who has enjoyed his freedom and even his continuing Democratic activism forever, but now must soon face the music for his 16-count indictment on December 2nd (H/T to The Bayou Buzz). Of COURSE, these guys have “alleged” their “innocence”, but YOU try being indicted on seven (in Stevens’ case) to sixteen (in Bill Jefferson, Jr.’s case) FELONY CRIMES and see if you don’t get handcuffed IMMEDIATELY unlike these clowns. I first predicted the Stevens indictment over a year ago, by the way, just in case you are new around here or may have forgotten.
That said, let’s continue on with the McClatchy article — some “snips”:
“WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate and one of the chamber’s most powerful members, was indicted Tuesday in Washington for failing to disclose more than $250,000 worth of gifts that he received from businessmen who were seeking his help on federal issues and projects.
While most voters outside Alaska aren’t familiar with Stevens…”
HOLD UP AGAIN. Wow, these MSM BUMS are a joke, are they not? Newsflash — most voters, at least, INFORMED voters know exactly who this guy is — a couple of his most recent “greatest hits” to serve as a reminder:
“The Internet is a series of pipes and tubes“ “The Bridge To Nowhere“ “The Secret Public Openness On Earmarks Bill-Blocking Senator“
Okay, so now we know full-well who we’re talking about here, correct? Then on with the “snips”, continuing where we left off, and thanks for your patience, my friends:
“… the indictment is likely to hurt Stevens’ chance at re-election and give Democrats a chance to take a seat in the U.S. Senate that has long been a Republican sinecure. Stevens was already facing a tough campaign ahead of Alaska’s Aug. 26 Republican primary, and recent polling has shown the likely Democratic nominee, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, leading in the November race.
The indictment’s impact on the presidential race is uncertain. Republican John McCain is noted for his opposition to congressional “earmarks,” the practice of funding local projects in legislation without normal procedural review, which Stevens specialized in. But the state’s Republican hierarchy has been badly hit by political corruption… ”
(Snip!)
“… Stevens declared his innocence and said he would relinquish all committee leadership posts until the charges are resolved.
“I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. senator,” he said. “I am innocent of these charges and intend to prove that.”
The seven-count indictment charges Stevens with making false statements by failing to disclose things of value he received from the VECO Corp., an Alaska-based oil services compmany, and from its CEO, Bill Allen, over an eight-year period. …”
(Snip!)
“… The government has since brought indictments against five state legislators. Three have been convicted by juries and two are awaiting trial. Four others, including Allen, Smith, the former chief of staff of Gov. Frank Murkowski and a private-prison lobbyist, have entered guilty pleas and are cooperating with the government. …”
(Snip!)
“… Alaska’s sole congressman, Don Young, is also under federal investigation. …”
Again, all REPUBLICANS. As “Dollar Bill” has shown us, “gub’mint corruption” isn’t the SOLE territory of the G.O.P., it’s just mostly dominated by Republicans. The larger question (I’ve always despised that phrase, don’t know exactly why I fell for it this time) is the impact this may have, if any, on the presidential election of 2008 pitting “Panama” John McCain against “Barry” Obama. I’ll predict right now — expect a four to five-point bump for Barack; The People are sick and tired of elderly, crooked, Republican politicians and Señor McCain of Arizona Panama is, at the VERY least, two out of the three…
And folks, that’s not going to be good news for the McCain Campaign and it’s not going to be helping his G.O.P. cronies out very much either come November 1st. We can thank them directly for this putrid oligarchy (i.e., “A government of The Corporations, by The Corporations and for The Corporations”)
***
The Blogosphere “Buzz” — just “snips” of my favorite reactions to the news — read the entire article — You may be surprised by some on the right…
Drudge Retort (Left) — First commentator, “Taxman”:
“Hopefully Jefferson is next. Get rid of all of the crooked dirtbags.”
Crooks and Liars’ Silent Patriot (Left):
“… In real world terms, this has huge ramifications for the Republican Party. …”
(Snip!)
“… Today’s news may very well put us one seat closer to that coveted super-majority. …”
Prairie Weather (Left):
“… It’s nice to see someone who votes right along with Mitch McConnell and gang get pitched headlong into the dumpster. Or maybe not. This whole thing may be a mirage… “
Hot Air’s Allahpundit (Right):
“… This is, after all, the pork king of the United States Senate, dogged for years by allegations of corruption. …”
The Left Coaster’s Steve Soto) (Left):
“… he of the internet “tubes” fame and unlimited pork barrel spending, was indicted today on seven counts. I suspect that this won’t be the last of it.”
The Reaction’s Michael J.W. Stickings (Left):
“… In response, Stevens professed his innocence (of course, they always do): “I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. senator. I am innocent of these charges and intend to prove that.”
Yeah, good luck… with that. …”
The Washington Monthly’s Kevin Drum (Left):
“… Apparently Republicans were right all along about the morally debilitating effects of relying for decades on a nonstop stream of federal welfare handouts.”
And — Outside The Beltway’s Alex Knapp in his direct response to Kevin Drum’s comment above (Right):
“… Tough to argue with that. Stevens was a notorious pork coopersmith, and to my immediate recollection has not done much to commend himself in Congress. …”
The Newshoggers’ Fester (Left):
“… Remember, Louisiana is the state where a sitting Dem. Congresscritter (allegedly) had a $90,000 block of cash sitting in his freezer and where most of his family is already indicted for corruption and influence peddling charges. So what is the commonality?
Both states are heavily dependent on oil revenue and they don’t have a whole lot of other economically viable propositions going to support themselves. …”
Dean’s World’s Maniakes (Right):
“… If the charges are true, Stevens should resign. And if he doesn’t resign, the Senate should consider expelling him (this requires a 2/3 vote, and would let Alaska’s governor appoint a replacement to serve out the last few months of his term). Criminal misconduct in office is serious business… “
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10:17 pm on July 29th, 2008 1
GTL, you know better than to say that Repubs go to jail more than Dems, the tally since 1960 is Dems almost 18-1, nationwide. Not just Fed though. The arrests in Chicago alone eclipse the entire Republican Party arrest record in its history. And man, how many state Democrat Party officials have been indicted in the last two weeks? Twenty or is it closer to thirty? What about how many Democrat Party officials that had their homes and offices searched, YESTERDAY? Wasn’t that eight?
Lemme see if I can find that link on my site about the serving time, I think that I did that one about three years ago when I was first challenged on that statement. Of course, if we are only talking about US federal elected, then the tally drops to about 3-1 Dem.
7:33 am on July 30th, 2008 2
GTL
While I think you’re painting with pretty broad strokes regarding the Republicans as more corrupt than the Democratic Party, you’re right on the money regarding ol’ Ted. His arrest may be one of the few that actually save taxpayers some money.
We better hurry up and drill in ANWAR, since the state of Alaska is about to take a big financial hit with Teddy gone.
5:24 pm on July 31st, 2008 3
I think you’d really enjoy this video of Ted Stevens’ wiretapped phone call:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nHR-E_tZTE