From frozen tundra, we built airports, roads, ports, water and sewer systems, hospitals, clinics, communications networks, research labs and much, much more.
Former Sen. Ted Stevens • Speaking during his unsuccessful 2008 Senate campaign. Stevens, perhaps the most well-known politician in Alaska until Sarah Palin came along, was a tireless advocate for his state. While the many earmarks were controversial, it earned him some high marks amongst the people in his home state. He defended the earmarks in part because the state was relatively new, the government owned most of it, and there were numerous strategic reasons for modernizing Alaska. The state legislature responded by making him the “Alaskan of the Century” back in 2000. The scandals and flub-ups he faced late in his career (including the embarrassing “series of tubes” incident) put a negative mark on a popular politician, but ultimately, he was cleared of the ethics charges against him, leaving his reputation relatively in check. Still, a sad end for an iconic senator. source
The backstory In case you’ve forgotten, Stevens, the former Alaska senator, was convicted of corruption charges right around election day for apparently taking gifts from Veco, an oil services company. The case managed to do what years of questionable actions by Stevens couldn’t – get him booted out of office by voters after 40 years. source
The backstory In case you’ve forgotten, Stevens, the former Alaska senator, was convicted of corruption charges right around election day for apparently taking gifts from Veco, an oil services company. The case managed to do what years of questionable actions by Stevens couldn’t – get him booted out of office by voters after 40 years.
Fumbling the case This morning, the Justice Department, citing gross prosecutor misconduct, will be looking to dismiss the conviction, effectively putting Sen. Stevens in the clear. The prosecutors apparently withheld significant evidence and mishandled witnesses. The case would likely not be pursued again, mainly because Stevens, 85, is really freaking old. source