Good Morning Readers! In what could only be bad news to those of us who care about ethics in government, the Obama Administration's Justice Department today asked a federal judge to drop all charges against former Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska. As usual, politicians who break the rules go free. I find it so depressing.A jury convicted Stevens last fall of seven counts of lying on his Senate disclosure form in order to conceal $250,000 in gifts from an oil industry executive and other friends. That is a VERY BIG DEAL whether you want to try to belittle it or not. I worked in the Senate, and lying about major gifts is a major no-no. It effects everything, especially the integrity of your votes.
I also met him. He is a very nasty piece of work. Stevens is a creepy little man who is directly responsible for tearing the Alaskan wilderness to pieces. The man never saw a piece of wilderness he wasn't willing to lease to a mining, oil or logging company. He spent his entire career trying to turn government protected land, owned by all Americans, into Alaskan corporate fodder.
He always claimed it was about jobs. Funny thing, like most Republicans, he never fought hard to use the billions in federal dollars - or oil/mining/logging dollars - for education or the creation of new industries. He was mediocre when it came to fighting for quality higher education. He never fought for anything much except those depressing blue collar jobs.
What does that tell you? It tells me that he promoted blue collar values and passions for one reason, so that he [and his political career] could benefit from the industries that need such workers. It was nothing more, nothing less.
Btw, I looked into it. Except for being a major supporter of natural resource industries, he paid little attention to Alaska's potential for other industries. Overall, Stevens did very little to promote a better future. Feel free to let me know if I'm wrong, but I can't find anything - and he had a LONG career. Explain to me what he did to help Alaskans move beyond just a few, crude, environmentally destructive industries?
The way I see it, he was a bought-and-paid-for, one trick pony. Interesting, how many other Republicans would fall into that same category? I'll bet more than a few. I think it's time we learn from the Ted Stevens of this world, and outgrow them.
His environmental legacy, comprised mostly of golf course and vacation home vista preservation, will go down as one of the worst in American history. Despite his personal love of hunting and fishing, his loyalty and passion for logging, mines and oil will anger preservationists for years to come.
Like the Long family of Louisiana, who helped destroy the wetlands and most of the "Sportsman's Paradise" in favor of the oil and gas industry, Steven's will be remembered for low wage jobs, dirty industries, carcinogenic waste, and poor overall economic development. He delivered millions each year to Alaska, but the state has very little to show for it. Where did that money go? You tell me.
Oh well, one more corrupt politician will be allowed to live his golden years out in peace and quiet, enjoying his spoils. When will this nation learn that unless we do a better job of prosecuting those who break our laws, we will continue to be victims of the treachery and manipulations of very bad people? I only hope Attorney General Eric Holder, and President Barack Obama, know what they're doing when they let people like Stevens go without a good fight.
Enjoy your retirement Ted, because if the universe does ask for payback, then you have a lot to account for after it's all over. Your nastiness alone should be enough to score you a hot seat. Who knows, maybe you'll be forced to mine or log for the rest of eternity - without gloves! At least you lost the election, and you're very old, so hopefully your bile - and ability to destroy - will grow less toxic very soon.
Wednesday's Political Rant - Michael
Special Note: For those curious about his actual vote legacy, feel free to visit On The Issues and get the facts - always remember, there's only one set of facts! Enjoy!
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13 comments:
Michael - Good post! I'd like to know what the "prosecutorial misconduct" was that was so egregious that caused the justice department to drop charges? Something is very fishy!
Hey Boh why aren't you liberals thrashing Joe Bidens Girl for snortin' coke?.....How many lines did she do... You done a good job on Palin's, girl one good deed deserves another don't you think?
"Michael - Good post! I'd like to know what the "prosecutorial misconduct" was that was so egregious that caused the justice department to drop charges? Something is very fishy!"
Hey dumb ass they were with holding evidence from the defense. In your court of law that may be ok but not in the peoples court.
I agree Nancy. Something does seem fishy, or at least ole-boy-network like. Eric Holder and his people seem to think the prosectors did some pretty bad stuff. Okay, fine, but why is nobody talking about declaring a mistrial and trying again. There was plenty of good evidence - enough to convince a jury. I don't know, but it just doesn't seem right. The Republicans are wrong when they say this exonerates the man. Anybody following the trial knows HE IS GUILTY! General Holder, you better hold your same set of principles when it comes to the Bush crimes. If you're so concerned about the integrity of American justice, enough to drop a case against somebody the FBI felt was powerful, then you have an obligation to do something about the Bush crimes. What's good for the goose - you know what I mean. I guess we can only hope they hold firm on the same principles across the board. If not, the Obama Justice Dept. represents more government manipulation, cover-up or inaction. We the people should not tolerate more of the same. Let's make sure something changes. Michael
PS - I just saw your post before posting mine Anon. As usual, I have no idea what to say, except ARE YOU DRUNK? Btw, Nancy is no "dumb ass." Her intellect makes you like a dim bulb in the back of a subway bathroom! Take my advice, don't offend people who can walk circles around your grey matter. Then again, that would be most people in your case. Trust me ANONYMOUS - the DUMB ASS is YOU!
PPS - Fine, I will agree to as much press coverage about the coke thing if you agree to that coverage about Palin's morally screwed-up family. As long as we both get equal coverage - you remember, kind of like the Fairness Doctrine used to be - my side should be just fine! Go sleep it off you political vagrant!
Did we hit a nerve Boh? are you pissed that someone is not afaid to talk back to you and tell you that you are full of shit and a fucking liberal lying asshole.
Turst me dumb ass, you've haven't hit a nerve yet. You're more like comic relief. Btw, "with holding" is one word! TRY LOOKING SOMETHING UP SOMETIME! It helps you look less like the fool you always look like. To others, I swear the man is a typical Republican masochist - they seem to like abuse for some reason. Did you know that 90% of all men that like a dominatrix (probably because their wives are dull) are from the GOP - okay, I admit that figure comes from a less than respected source. Anyway, am I the only one that thinks they seem a little CRAZY?! :) MB
PS Anon - I'm PROUD to be a liberal asshole! Are you PROUD to be a conservative DUMB ASS?!
Hello Mr. Anonymous. Do you have any actual facts to back up your ad homonym attack that I'm a "dumb ass?" Does it make you feel good to spew insults? Sir or Madam, I would love to have an honest debate with someone who has the intellect, facts and decency to speak in an intelligent manner, but you don't appear to have any of those qualities. You'd rather throw out insults which is a typical conservative tactic that just doesn't work. No facts, no intelligence - no debate.
I never mentioned Sarah Palin, but since you brought her up, she did a "good job" at discrediting herself all on her own without the media or me.
You seem to be a tit-for-tat kind of a person instead of trying to help solve any issues you may be harboring.
In the future, if you wish to debate like a grown up, it may behoove you to reveal who you are instead of hiding behind "anonymous." I didn't attack you, but you had an overwhelming need to attack me without even trying to have a conversation. One turn deserves another, but I won't engage in the kind of rude conduct you seem so adept at. As always, have a wonderful day.
Hello Michael. Thank you for the thoughtful essay, comment and defense of me! Anonymous trolls with nothing to say except schoolyard bully words are like annoying insects. Just swat them away. :)
This Ted Stevens thing is an enigma to me. You're right about the jury. If a jury convicted Mr. Stevens on seven counts of lying on his Senate disclosure form in order to conceal $250,000 in gifts from an oil industry executive and other friends on the evidence presented, how is it that charges can be dropped? His party affiliation is irrelevant. It just shouldn't happen with strong evidence to the contrary.
Clearly Michael, "anonymous" isn't proud of the fact that he's a brain-dead Rushpublican tool, and I don't blame him; I'd be ashamed of it too.
As far as Stevens goes though, fair's fair. Holder is upholding the law, and the law should be the same for all of us. Misconduct in the Stevens prosecution is no better than misconduct in the Siegelman prosecution.
I agree JollyRoger - though I never meant to look like I favor prosecutorial misconduct. That was my mistake. I was merely moaning about how the bad guys get away with murder. Instead of just admitting error and dropping the case, I would have preferred a mistrial and a proper trial. Oh well, he must have his reasons. I only hope he applies the same great PRINCIPLES to the Bush crimes. MB
Why do anonymous posters all have poor grammar? Just saying...
it's fitting that they announced the dismissal of Ted Steven's case on April 1st
Hey now they are going to prosecute the prosecutors who mishandled the case. For withhlding evidence.These prosecutors are criminals. Ted is a nice man, all of you who accused him of being corrupt need to go slap yourselves and apologize.
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