US Longest Serving Republican Senator Indicted

[deltecs]

I'm ashamed to post this article due my past support and genuine admiration for Alaska's Senator Stevens.  Senator Stevens has the distiction of having the longest tenure for Republicans in the Senate in US history.  Senator Stevens has done much in office over these years for Alaskans and the Nation.  He is up for re election and this indictment will definitely impact his electability.  I remind myself that he is innocent until proven guilty, although Alaska's corruption probe has resulted in several convictions with prison sentences of Alaska's elected state officials.  This probe is the result of 25 years of corruption by an oil service company owner in collusion with big oil companies drilling and transporting oil from the North Slope.  It is of important news as Alaska, like some other States are cleaning house of corrupted elected officials unlike some others that will and do not.  I'm saddened that this once and, maybe still, ethical man succumbed to temptation and used his office to grant favors to irresponsible businesses and practices.  Well, here it is. 

Sen. Ted Stevens Indicted, Charged With Making False Statements in Corruption Probe
Tuesday , July 29, 2008



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WASHINGTON —

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens allegedly made false statements to cover up gifts given to him by an oil contractor seeking his help on Capitol Hill, according to a seven-count federal indictment unveiled Tuesday.

Stevens, 84, is the longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate and has been under investigation for more than a year, with a heavy focus on work done to his Girdwood, Alaska, ski-community house.

"We are at the very beginning of the criminal process," said Matthew Friedrich, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department Criminal Division. "Like any other criminal defendant, Senator Stevens is presumed innocent."  .........

  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,393562,00.html 

[james]

That's why I believe in term limits.  The  big businesses know they can't make long term deals with the politicians and it may not be worth it for a couple of years.

[Chilachuck]

VECO has owned the Alaska State legislators since the pipeline days, I'm not surprised that those elected to Federal office are on the take.

Democrats don't resign because they got caught with their fingers in the till. Stevens should give the press the finger and stay in. If someone wants to impeach him, well that gives us precedent to impeach the crooked Democrats as well.

[deltecs]

Kind of a sad swan song, and not unusual, probably common especially when somebody has to go.  Would term limits help?

..TM7

I disagree with any term limits for elected officials.  One of the reasons for tenure is that less populated States are not controlled by States having a larger population and thus more elected officials.  So the populated States then could nominate chaimen from their States in control of all committees.  With the populated States, more representatives are elected to the House and compensates for their larger needs.  In the Senate the populated States Senators would be elected to Committee chairs to control and approve House legislation in favor of those States.  That was the primary reason for each State to have only 2 Senators, regardless of population to protect this one sided disparity.  With term limits, the populated States Senators would elect committee chairs only from the populated States and then control both houses.  With tenure, the less populated States in chair positions have a bargaining chip or negotiation position against populated States enacting legislation that is detrimental to small States or inequality in government distibution of services.  The problem lies with individuals that do not adhere to the ethics and standards required of elected officials in every level of government.  Let's not blame the weapon or temptation.  That's the same philosophy Dems use for gun control.  Remove the temptation or access and our country is safer.  Not true for gun control or term limits.

[deltecs]

Deltecs...I see,,,I'll have to think about that.  So end lobbying, or at least greatly restrict..??

...TM7

I'd agree with that and limit lobby money to a maximum for individuals and corporations alike.  Corporations are treated as individuals under law, so no additional lobby money should be permitted just because it is composed of individual investors.  Let the individual investors lobby as individuals, if they want to see changes or benefits.  This would apply to churches, religious groups, non profits, environmentalists, capitalists, labor unions, small business associations and every other organization wanting special privleges.  If they want change, let's get back to the individual involvement in government. 

[deltecs]

Governor Palin is and has been a strong supporter of eradicating corruption in government.  That is one of the reasons she beat ex Senator Murkowski in his reelection campaign.  She is a strong supporter of open forum to the people of the State and open negotiation with big business.  So far, I'm pleased with her ethics and dedication to her campaign promises.  However, some are not.  She fired the head of Alaska's Dept of Public Safety and now some (quote Democrats) want an investigation into whether this was due to possible interference in her personal life with a sister and messy divorce from a State Trooper.  Either way, the heads of Depts in Alaska serve at the will of the Governor.  If he/she/they do not follow executive policy, they should be terminated.  I don't know if this is the case, but would bet more so that it is, than anything to do with the divorce between her sister and a Trooper prior to her election.  I don't know anything about a meeting or book on Veco.  I do know that I've not liked or supported Veco from its inception.  It always seemed that this company got contracts that were unwarranted and crushed the competition.  Also, I didn't like it when Bill Allen bought the Anchorage Times and then sold it to the Daily News (McClatchy, that should tell you something) with the proviso that he had a half page to express the Times editorial side.  Naturally, it was Bill Allen's side and not necessarily those of conservatives.   So, not only did he have lucrative oil industry contracts, media, and money, he could also slant public opinion in his favor, especially to those who did not agree with the extremely liberal editorials by the Daily News.  This would include determining what support for conservative candidates running for office.   The Daily News always supported the Democratic candidates regardless of Local, State, or Federal office positions.   It still does.  Anyway, Governor Palin seems to be honest, hard working, keeps campaign promises, and holds open forums and negotiations.   So far, I like her. 

[phalanx]

Like her we love her !!!