Caught Red-Handed: Stevens Blocked Creation of Federal Spending Database
Caught Red-Handed: Stevens Blocked Creation of Federal Spending Database
Last week, an “unidentified senator” placed a hold on legislation introduced by Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) that would create a easily-accessible Google-like database of all federal spending, which totaled $2.5 trillion last year.
The bill appeared to be headed for passage after being approved unanimously in committee. However, the anonymous senator’s hold on the bill prevented it from coming to a vote.
In response, liberals and conservatives worked together to ask every Senate office whether they had placed a hold on the bill. Of all 100 senators, only Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) would not deny placing the hold. In addition, one of the bill’s leading sponsors, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), said of Stevens, “he’s the only senator blocking it.” Stevens’s opposition to such a bill is not surprising; he is one of the most prolific earmarkers in the Senate:
– In 2005, Stevens helped slip in legislation to begin construction on the “Bridge to Nowhere,” earmarking over $200 million for a bridge to an island home to 50 people. When an amendment jeopardized funding for the project, Stevens threatened to resign.
– Later that year, Stevens tried to insert an amendment into the national defense bill allowing oil drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. When the Senate struck the provision, Stevens called it “the saddest day of my life” and has “written off” Senate friends who opposed drilling.
– This year, Stevens earmarked $450,000 to research baby food made from salmon and over $1 million for “alternative salmon product research.” This is the third year in a row he has appropriated money to research salmon products.
More at TPMmuckraker.
– Scott Keyes
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96 Responses to “Caught Red-Handed: Stevens Blocked Creation of Federal Spending Database”
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What an ass.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:37 amHe is such a baby. How did he ever get elected?
August 30th, 2006 at 11:38 amWhen is this guy just gonna die already?
August 30th, 2006 at 11:38 amGod forbid there is easy access to the information that tells us where our tax dollars are going.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:39 amTypical Republicrook.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:41 amTed Stevens is a dirtbag.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:42 amSenility is hell.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:44 amSalmon drives this economy, bridges are needed to access those salmon, and anyone who says otherwise is a no-good liberal commie pinko . I plan on posting a long statement on this fact once I figure out how to cram those fish down these damn tubes.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:46 amHulk smash Federal spending database!!
August 30th, 2006 at 11:47 amYou know what's really unusual about this story is that it appears no other Republican wants to block this. In fact, it looks like it would pass fairly easily. This guy is so far out in right field (can't say LEFT field, can I? hehehe) that his fellow party members don't even want to touch it.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:47 ambig KUDOS to tpm muckraker...
August 30th, 2006 at 11:47 amyesterday on franken, guest host tom oliphant had a guess that it was stevens... he or guest CAPs lawrence korb who figured it was stevens... that "bridge to nowhere" guy...
he doesnt trust the tubes, its understandable
August 30th, 2006 at 11:49 amAnybody know what twisted little rule is allowing him to perform a 1-man silent filibuster? I'm not familiar with anything that can be done solo and anonymously without being a majority leader...
August 30th, 2006 at 11:50 amAnother Republican obstructionist.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:51 amall of these folks, repub or dem, have GOT to go... we can't continue with people like this at the helm... it needs to end, the sooner, the better...
And, yes, I DO take it personally
August 30th, 2006 at 11:53 amAnd this moron realizes that, curiously, global warming is tawing the permafrost, making it disappear in the water of the ocean, the quality of the water of the rivers and the ocean will decrease if drilling is allowed in Alaska?
Probably he would legate to the future Alaskans a bridge to the middle of the ocean (because the tiny and nearly desert island where it drives melts in a not so distant future), a great decrease in the number and quality of salmons due to the contaminated water, and a costly brand of contaminated "salmon puree à la petrol" baby food. Great legacy, and greater lining of his pockets.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:55 amHe is also the guy who had Alaskan Airlines jets painted like giant salmon on the taxpayer dime. Why? Because his son is the head of some Alaskan Salmon Council.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:58 amWho would have guessed it was the king of pork.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:00 pmI would like to know how just one senator can put a hold on a bill. What does that mean? If this is true how does anything get passed at all?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:00 pmIs this freak running this november - or are we and the alaskans stuck with him for another two?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:01 pm#19 I would like to know how just one senator can put a hold on a bill. What does that mean? If this is true how does anything get passed at all?
Comment by dlet — August 30, 2006 @ 12:00 pm
He's playing dead at the door of the Senate Hall. No one dares touch him to pass through.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:02 pmCAPTION:
What bridge ?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:06 pmdlet - I too would like to know how one man can unilaterally bring legislation to a halt... and why haven’t any Democrats used this technique to block some of the soul crushing Republican legislation?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:07 pmHow does that nitwit continue to get re-elected? It's too bad these career Senators don't die from old age sooner.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:08 pmSuperChrist,
The article said something about a 'secret hold' on the legislation. Must be something Cheney advised him to do. Maybe he is in the dungeon holding the bill in the dark where no one can find him babbling "I want my bridge....I want my bridge..."
Its just weird that one guy can do this. Doesn't seem democratic to me. But then not many things do in this day and age.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:11 pmoutrageous, but hardly surprising.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:12 pmIs this anything like "Double Super-Secret Probation"?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:13 pmEvil Spaniard,
August 30th, 2006 at 12:13 pmSomeone should make an intern poke him with a stick. Or better yet have Frist diagnose him.
I hope Jon Stewart plays that tape of Stevens screaming "NO!" on the senate floor when he was asked to give back his enormous earmark for his bridge to nowhere after Katrina. A fine illustration of an upstanding Christian man.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:14 pmIn his defense... he probably just doesn't want the internet tubes to get backed up by all his earmarks.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:16 pmPork. Not just for breakfast.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:16 pmhey... g.w.s.c. gave me a thought... maybe already out there...
August 30th, 2006 at 12:25 pmwas this bill to create database in the works - and stevens aware of it - when he went off on that ridiculous rant about the internet tubes...?
i wonder...
Blogs 1, MSM 0
Happens all of the time.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:27 pmWhen is this guy up for reelection? How can these fools in Alaska vote for this idiot?
The tube thing was funny because this guy does not understand the internet.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:36 pmIm from Alaska, we hate him, do ask me how he keeps getting elected (debold machines). Anyway, he wants to block a database because it would show how much he was stealing. This asshole took fed money to revamp our international Airport, and named it after himself.
I have also herd many citizens of Anchorage, AK tell me, he calls himself the "Grandfather of Alaska". This asshole thinks he's the most important thing to happen to AK!!
August 30th, 2006 at 12:36 pmSomething stinks and it ain't the dead salmon.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:38 pmYou people have short memories. This is direct payback to the Republican Senator from Oklahoma for his blocking the earmarks you've all termed to be for the "bridges to nowhere". One of those bridges was to be built as a commuter feeder into Anchorage, a city of 250,00+ people, as an alternate route into the city. Anchorage can hardly be called "nowhere". It's nowhere adjacent!
There is only one road leading north and one leading south into and out of Anchorage. That second bridge would have provided another route for commuters from the Mat-Su valley, an hour to the north and the fastest growing area in Alaska, to get to work in Anchorage, the largest city in the state.
And btw, we still got the same amount of money.... it just wasn't earmarked
specifically for those bridges. It went to pay for repairs of other
federally funded highways, where it was much more necessary considering the
sorry state of some of our roads. Or lack thereof.
Tourist: "How do we drive the motorhome to Nome?"
Alaskan: "Take a right at Vladivostok, drive north to Magadan and float it
east across the Bering Straight...."
(IOW - there isn't a "road to Nome". Since Alaska has only been a state for less than 50 years, our transportation infrastructure is woefully inadequate, especially considering the fact that over one million of you a year come up here as tourists.)
All that being said, he's still an idiot. Just that he's OUR idiot. Also, I do not approve of his actions but as the saying goes, "paybacks are a bit*h".
-Lazarhat
August 30th, 2006 at 12:42 pmAnother thing was the congress shoud of demanned this guy to resign when he said he would not give up the funds for the bridge to nowhere.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:42 pmYa suppose we could talk Alaska into seccession from the union?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:45 pmThey could keep all that oil and their dirtbag senator.
Hell, he could be the new Alaskan Emperor.
Get a rope - seriously!
August 30th, 2006 at 12:51 pm2006 - Ted Stevens: Senator from Nowhere.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:52 pmuh - oh ... ... "Nowhere"?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:55 pmWhen is this guy up for reelection? How can these fools in Alaska vote for this idiot? Comment by Mary Poplins
See #37
August 30th, 2006 at 12:57 pm[...] I knew it. Here’s the whole ugly story. Stevens should be ashamed, but as we know, that little part is broken or missing—that became quite clear in the “bridge to nowhere” story. What scum. [...]
August 30th, 2006 at 12:57 pmSorry Lazarhat, Where I come from in Southern California, that is considered a small town. Most of the little tiny cities here have 80k people and they don't get any extra bridges or alternate routes. We all have to do what we call sitting in traffic. Welcome to the 21 century. No hover cars or lasers. Just traffic and high gas prices.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:59 pmAside from the fact that Ted Stevens represents everything wrong with an elected representative, the bigger question that needs to be addressed is, "Why does this rule exist in the US Senate?" These folks act as if the Senate is a private club and they make rules to help them look good, and to hide when it's necessary. Whatever happened to being responsible and conductiong business in the open?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:59 pmLazarhat, why can't Alaskans pay for their own damn bridge? I live in the NYC area (BLUE) where the roads and bridges are crumbling.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:03 pmIs he Donald Rumsfeld's brother?
August 30th, 2006 at 1:18 pmNow this is all starting to make sense...
Dear SpugeBoy,
Yeah. I'm from LA but I've lived in Anchorage for over 25 years. So I know Big Cities. But you missed the part that said Anchorage is largest city in Alaska. Like LA is in California only not quite as old and settled.
Over half of the entire state population lives within an hour of Anchorage. And we don't have the federally funded infrastructure that you do, since we've only been a state for less than 50 years.
Who do you think paid for YOUR interstates and highways? Federal matching funds, bub. Just like those 'earmarks'.
Lastly -- I have never voted FOR Ted Stevens. I have voted against him since I moved here. Also, I recently voted against our Republican governor because he's an even bigger ass than Stevens (he used to be the junior Senator from Alaska).
Progressives need to get off the "bridges to nowhere" PR campaign and talking point. It is a lie. Alaska needs infrastructure and we ARE helping to pay for it. But to deny us our due of federal highway funds is just wrong. We pay federal taxes, too.
-Lazarhat
-Lazarhat
August 30th, 2006 at 1:19 pm#36
I believe "The bridge to nowhere" was the proposed bridge from Ketchikan to the island upon which is the Ketchikan Airport. The sole purpose was/is to eliminate the wait for a ferry, sometimes as long as twenty minutes. Poor Babies. Try to get to McCarren in Las Vegas, or any of hundreds of other airports, from across the street in 20 minutes.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:22 pmCynicalgal -- see the response to SpugeBoy. I would add that the federal government owns something like 75%+ of Alaska, so in a lot of cases, the roads and bridges are being built on FEDERAL LAND.
So we should pay for what we don't own? Amazing.
There appears to be a fundamental lack of knowledge of the history of western states and the role of federal ownership of what should be state land. Same for Nevada.
Lastly, you perhaps need to REALLY see the breakdown for who pays for what in your infrastructure. You'll probably find that it is a joint effort on the part of the feds, the state and locals. You complain that your roads are crumbling? We wish we had roads to crumble.
C'mon people! Do some research before pontificating on things you don't really understand. Sheesh.
-Lazarhat
August 30th, 2006 at 1:26 pmClyde,
See my previous posts. They were termed "bridges to nowhere" and it killed a bridge to the largest metropolitan area in our entire state! They were matching funds, people. We were paying for over half the cost! Do some research before jumping on the sheeple bandwagon, people.
Highways, including bridges on those highways, get built by a combination of federal, state and local monies from collected taxes. Alaska pays federal taxes, so why does everyone insist on treating us like this? We also pay property taxes. It'd be nice if you let us build some roads without interference from "sound bite" politics.
-Lazarhat
August 30th, 2006 at 1:33 pmThis is great work!
Thank you.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:36 pmFinally, a point I forgot -- the bridge into Anchorage, even after all this money and matching funds, was slated to be a toll bridge, to offset the costs. Criminy!
Sure, our senator is an asshat, but don't punish US for HIS childish behavior. Most of us DIDN'T vote for him. Blame that on the old guard GOP!
-Lazarhat
August 30th, 2006 at 1:36 pmThey should build a TOLL bridge to no where. That's the current trend here in my hometown. Every new lane mile being added to our highway system is now a proposed tollway in Texas, it's awful.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:37 pmConservatives don't want people to know in detail what our tax dollars actually get spent on, they just want to portray federal spending as a mythological demon.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:38 pmThere are so many petty, back-stabbing, selfish people in the world; there seems to be a higher concentration in the GOP.
Stevens reminds me of a white supremist southern-republican redneck. He's not good for the country.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:39 pmOK so now a call for censure, this old crotchity, mean, nasty, ignorant (the internets isn't like a truck) has snubbed everyday Americans and it's time for the Senate to start policing these idiots. the Dems should call for open floor debate on why this idiot would impede this bill, embarrasing him and Alaska. Then maybe the people of Alaska would be pissed enough to get rid of him.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:40 pmMost of us DIDN’T vote for him. Blame that on the old guard GOP!
-Lazarhat
Actually, most of you did vote for him. That's how elections work. Canidate with most votes wins.
Now, if 70% of the elctorate didn't turn out to vote.... well, that's a bigger problem. But most of the 30% that did turn out did vote for him.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:42 pmlazarhat - points well taken - would like to see some links to your information... educate us with sourced facts on all that... it's news to me... maybe others too...
August 30th, 2006 at 1:46 pmThis is the "Bridge to Nowhere":
Alaska's Gravina Island (population less than 50) will soon be connected to the megalopolis of Ketchikan (pop. 8,000) by a bridge nearly as long as the Golden Gate and higher than the Brooklyn Bridge. Alaska residents can thank Rep. Don Young, who just brought home $941 million worth of bacon.
"How is the bridge going to pay for itself?" asks Susan Walsh, Sallee's wife, who works as a nurse in Ketchikan. She notes that a ferry, which runs every 15 minutes in the summer, already connects Gravina to Ketchikan. "It can get us to the hospital in five minutes. How is this bridge fair to the rest of the country?"
http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/08/09/bridges/index.html
August 30th, 2006 at 1:49 pmFrom the same article, this is the Anchorage bridge:
Indeed. Included in the bill's special Alaska projects is $231 million for a bridge that will connect Anchorage to Port MacKenzie, a rural area that has exactly one resident, north of the town of Knik, pop. 22. The land is a network of swamps between a few hummocks of dry ground. Although it may or may not set the stage for future development, the bridge, to be named "Don Young's Way," will not save commuters into Anchorage any time, says Walt Parker, a former Alaska commissioner of highways.
"I wouldn't want the bridge named after me," says Parker, laughing. "Neither bridge makes much sense, but a lot of people are going to make a lot of money building the bridge, and then they'll have it, and it will have to be maintained. Alaska needs transportation money, but it needs to be spent in the right places."
http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/08/09/bridges/index.html
August 30th, 2006 at 1:54 pm[...] Think Progress (via TPMmuckraker) reports that Ted Stevens (R- Alaska) is the only senator blocking the proposed online database that would provide easy access to all federal spending. The bill, sponsored by Barack Obama (D- Illinois) and Tom Coburn (R- Oklahoma), was approved unanimously in committee and was likely to be approved by the entire Senate. However, the bill was placed on hold by an anonymous senator, which prevented a vote. [...]
August 30th, 2006 at 2:06 pmLazerhat said:
O RLY?
This website said:
Also, Alaska receives more federal dollars per capita than any other state: $12,885 per person in federal spending.
Also, the most recent data I could find was from 1999, but Alaska as a state receives $1.57 for every $1.00 it puts into federal coffers.
Please excuse me if I don't buy the fact that you (read: Alaska) deserve this because you pay taxes. I pay them too. Way way more. (My state gets 88 cents on the dollar--how delightful).
If you want the money because living in Alaska sucks, then I'm with you. Hellish winters and mosquitos as big as your fist would make me want some help too, believe me.
August 30th, 2006 at 2:18 pmThe sources for the actual information on the bridges is already out there. I've read them. Check the Anchorage Daily News. I don't have time to point people to information that they apparently missed because they were too busy being partisan hacks rather than reading the real story. I work for a living and not as a Republican apologist! Yeah I said it. Misinformation is misinformation whether it comes from Liberals OR Conservatives.
Frankly, for Think Progress to regurgitate this story without doing any research is just appalling. I've already made the case for the bridges and provided extensive links to the whole story here in this very forum on Think Progress. Google it up, people.
As far as "Uncle Ted", he WILL be replaced the next time he's up for re-election. As long as Diebold stays out of the mix, that is.
-Lazarhat
August 30th, 2006 at 2:20 pmJeb,
And your state has had the benefit of federal dollars going towards your infrastructure for how may years? Again, this state needs infrastructure since we're so young (less than 50 years), so please quit pissing on progressive plans to build ours.
-Lazarhat
August 30th, 2006 at 2:23 pmPersonally, I think the salmon baby food project is worth looking into. If more of our kids ate pure wild omega 3 packed salmon as babies/toddlers, they wouldn't grow into the lazy lard asses so many are today.
August 30th, 2006 at 2:46 pmFor those asking how the "secret hold" on bills works (and, if it's even legal), TPMuckraker has a good article on the whole thing at http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001435.php
August 30th, 2006 at 2:47 pmthe internet is made of swiss cheese!
August 30th, 2006 at 2:49 pmBut please remember, he is an amatuer compared to Bobby "the Kleagle" Byrd.
August 30th, 2006 at 2:52 pmDoes anyone have any idea how one senator can put a "secret hold" on a bill? What the heck is this? I can't find anything that shows that this is possible.
August 30th, 2006 at 2:53 pmI spoke too soon.
hold - An informal practice by which a Senator informs his or her floor leader that he or she does not wish a particular bill or other measure to reach the floor for consideration. The Majority Leader need not follow the Senator's wishes, but is on notice that the opposing Senator may filibuster any motion to proceed to consider the measure.
So he has to have the Majority Leader hold this from vote. So this is not just the crazy loon from the north but more Repupugs are involved.
August 30th, 2006 at 3:00 pmPlus if every senator wants this bill passed except Stevens there is no reason to "hold" this since there is no threat of a filibuster.
August 30th, 2006 at 3:05 pmI am a former Alaskan. I was born and raised in Anchorage (GO DIMOND HIGH LYNX!!!! KICK THEM SERVICE HIGH WANNABES!!!)
During my time there (1970-1992), Sen. Stevens was a fighting conservative. He sent a letter to me one time in 1985 saying that he was looking to better Alaska and the world by protecting life (aka ending all abortions.)
Whatever your leanings, you had to admire his chutzpah because, in the 80's, he was fighting an uphill battle.
However, in the neocon Congress (1994-2006), Sen. Stevens has gone over the top with his power hunger. The Bridge to Nowhere in the Panhandle is but one example.
In Alaska, I pressed my leaders to increase transportation choices. (A third route from Anchorage to Fairbanks sounds like a winner to me!)
However, my beef was doing something about building a route from Anchorage and Fairbanks to Juneau. (Alaska is the only state in the nation that doesn't have a roadway from the population centers to the state capital. You have to fly there or else take a 6 hour ferry ride from Haines via Yukon and northern BC in Canada).
I understand the challenges facing Alaskans with the project. East of Yakutat was an enormous, completely impassable glacier which stopped all projects.
Alaska is red state and still sees Stevens as a powerful force. They still have the gall to support Bush.
Alaskans need to see Stevens as being over the top, now! (And we cannot do it from the Lower 48... Alaskans HATE "Outside" influences.)
Perhaps our Alaskan friends on this weblog can help to influence their neighbors... it's probably our only hope!
August 30th, 2006 at 3:08 pmThe people of Alaska there have a strong sense of American individualism and rugged self-determination that is hardly deserved. They are one of the biggest pork accepting (and needing) states in the union. But deep inside, every Alaskan knows how dependent they really are, And they vote for Ted who keeps the welfare they need coming.
August 30th, 2006 at 3:08 pm[...] Should’ve fucking known. Full story here. [...]
August 30th, 2006 at 3:20 pmSteven's got something to hide so this is a ploy to conceal his nefarious deeds.
August 30th, 2006 at 4:13 pmWhat's this dried up old coot doing representing the vital people of this country anyway? Out with cronyism!
August 30th, 2006 at 4:55 pmThis old coot is the epitome of smoke 'n mirrors - good ole' boy politics and needs to be ousted from his seat.
August 30th, 2006 at 4:55 pmAlaskans HATE “Outside†influences.)
Comment by MrBlueSky — August 30, 2006 @ 3:08 pm
I'm a pretty well-traveled person and my brain functions as intended, but when I was in Alaska, I kept catching myself after saying "back in America..." because it really did feel as different as being in another country. This sheds some light on why it felt that way.
Odd to me that people who grow up there aren't more environmentally aware. Alaska truly is one of the last frontiers left on this planet. I can't imagine anyone being for any process that would compromise it in the least.
August 30th, 2006 at 5:26 pmDon't worry, Bush 43's environmental policy'll take care of that right quick.
August 30th, 2006 at 9:42 pmThank you Lazerhat for a well put response. People outside really don't have a true grasp of the issues Alaskans face. I agree with your points 100% .
August 31st, 2006 at 12:32 aminformation.
I have not read all your comments but I read enough to know the vast majority of you lambasted the hell out of the man that has brought more money to the state of Alaska than all the other congressmen combined that have ever served in congress. Some of the ways he has gotten that money has not been well understood by many of us. Power does strange things to people, and Ted is arguably one of. if not the most powerful men in the Senate. Who among you know in their heart how they would react to some of these bills as they come through congress if we had the power to kill them. I for one do not know enough about this bill or any other bill to know how I might react to them. How many of you know the details of this bill. Probably very few, if there were two of you who knew, it would surprise me. How many of you can see how easily it is to insight people against someone or some issue by only telling you some of the story. By that I mean, where is Ted’s side of the story. Does he get the chance for rebuttal? It is doubtful he or I or you would rebut anything written in this forum if we were in his position. I really cannot know that for sure, but if you think about it. It would only serve to fuel the fire of those that mean to harm the man. Why to I write this? Just to remind you that some of the people who wave these kinds of things in our faces have an agenda of their own. I am quite certain any one of you could cast dispersions on anyone you might care to who serves the public. Look at what happen to Sara Palin for example in the recent primary race. Is Tony Knowles squeaky clean? I do not know, he might be, but could some of his actions as governor or mayor be written in such a manner as to cast doubt on his integrity? I will leave that for you to decide for yourself. Primarily because I do not know. I do know that without the whole story we should only make half a judgment. It was actually kind of scary reading what some of you wrote. One would have us hanging the guy over this. How would you like to have that guy reviewing what bills get voted on and which ones don’t, for now I’ll stay with Ted. Ok I have had my say. Have a nice day.
August 31st, 2006 at 12:40 amwow... nothing like this before...
August 31st, 2006 at 1:25 ammr. stevens has his own cheering squad!
lucky dude...
Senator blocking the transparency in Government spending bill? None other than ‘Mr. Bridge To Nowhere” himself; Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), of course....
Remember the famous “Bridge To Nowhere”? A Slate article from 09AUG06 might help to jog our memories a bit:
August 31st, 2006 at 2:24 amA bridge to nowhere
Alaska’s Gravina Island (population less than 50) will soon be connected to the megalopolis of Ketchikan ...
]8@P)
Lets give ol' Stevens here the GOP PIG stamp of approval.
Go Pigs!
/sarcon
August 31st, 2006 at 7:29 am[...] No surprise here…the “secret senator” that blocked the legislation that would’ve made government spending clear and accesible to all was none other than the biggest pork barrel spender around, Senator Ted “Tubes” Stevens. [...]
August 31st, 2006 at 8:34 am- I for one do not know enough about this bill or any other bill to know how I might react to them.
-By that I mean, where is Ted’s side of the story. Does he get the chance for rebuttal?
-Primarily because I do not know. I do know that without the whole story we should only make half a judgment.
Comment by Herb — August 31, 2006 @ 12:40 am
Ok Herb, there are some BASIC PROBLEMS with your post. First, the details of this bill are very well known and posted on the internet for your review. It SAILED out of committee with 100% support, telling us no politician wanted to be seen voting against it, usually good for Americans, and total bipartisan support, usually good for Americans. Second, "Tubeboy" Stevens is a mean ASS, so you judge people on their character and that tells you a lot. THE FACT STEVENS WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO HIDE THE FACT he put a hold on the bill tells you a lot. And how can he "rebut" what he's actively hiding? Duh, if he doesn't want to get "caught" doing something shifty, then he shouldn't be hiding crap in the first place.
August 31st, 2006 at 8:40 amAnd lastly, yes sunshine is the best disinfectant to government corruption, that's why "Tubes" is hiding in the dark dark recesses of the Senate on this one. "Being fair" would be Ted Tubes standing the hell up and saying he placed a hold on the bill and why, not getting caught and then having apoligists stating we "haven't heard his side".
Again, and not meaning to defend Stevens, but.... we ARE hearing his side. That's why he placed a hold on the bill.
The Republican Senator from Oklahoma who co-sponsored the bill with Barak Obama knew about the 'hold' two weeks ago and announced it publically to his constituents during a public townhall meeting in his home state at that time. He was quoted as asaying so yesterday.
The 'hold' tactic can be done by any single senator on ANY bill at any time. This particular one, by that mean old bastard Stevens, was done on purpose in an attempt to make it look like Stevens was specifically punishing the Republican Senator from Oklahoma because he was the most vocal opponent of the earmarks referred to by some as "bridges to nowhere". Period. End of story.
It's not right. I'm not his apologist. But y'all need to get your facts straight and get off the talking points. This is merely a diverson, meant to look like Republican infighting when in fact it is carefully designed to kill the bill entirely. And for that you'll have not just Stevens to thank, but the entirety of the Republican party for this planned and well orchestrated disagreement.
-Lazarhat
August 31st, 2006 at 12:22 pmSo what are y'all gonna do about it other than whining, bitching, moaning and bashing Alaska?
-Lazarhat
August 31st, 2006 at 12:24 pmFBI searches offices of Alaska lawmakers, including Alaska Senate President Ben Stevens
Ahhh, yes....a chip off the old block!
Daddy Ted will be proud!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14608601/
August 31st, 2006 at 10:47 pm[...] Why oh why Dear God, are we smote with this sub human? We will see if this prayer works. [...]
September 1st, 2006 at 5:30 pmhttp://rawstory.com/showoutarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tpmmuckraker.com%2Farchives%2F001452.php
According to this story, the one who held up the bill was Sen. Byrd.....who's the actual guilty party?
September 1st, 2006 at 11:01 pmAfter reading many articles regarding the corrupt bastard club, I felt compelled to reveal what I know about Pete Kott.
In 1968 Pete Kott and I were married in Flint, Michigan. In that same year we had a child. Unfortunately, this marriage was a big mistake for me. He was so brutal I escaped for my life by leaving the state. He has never supported this child or had any contact with her. Since I left him in 1968, his life has been driven by lies. He has never told anyone including his current wife and children that he has another child. Moreover, It may be possible his second marriage is not legal. Yes, he met his second wife in Asia in 1968 and I believe he was married before our divorce was final.
Obviously, this is a person who knows lying is wrong but does not care. Most of all, he wins the prize for being the biggest hypocrite for stating family values were important to him.
November 15th, 2006 at 2:19 pmI am truly disappointed.
February 7th, 2007 at 7:14 pmSenator Stevens has helped bring Alaska into the 20th century by his earmarks. Not the 21st, the 20th. We needed him and his legislative power otherwise Alaska would be a third world country in the United States. No roads, no improvements, no pipeline that helps us to mostly pay our own way.
Alaska was the 49th State and yet everytime I called for an order from a mail order catalog in the lower 48 they told me that they dont ship overseas. I often got the same response from the Post Office.
Why do we pour millions of dollars into restoring New Orleans when the money disappears in the pockets of the corrupt? The same corrupt people that were there before the levy broke. Never gets to where it was sent.
With Stevens earmarks, we had improvements... roads, water. Come and see. If you don't want to help then let us seceed like we want to.
Credit repair home business
The drawback with just about every home business is it's either ,too costly to set up, takes too long to become profitable, or is too difficult to learn.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:32 am