# The Ted Stevens Is Indicted Happy Dance!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 29, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110 "2008-07-29T17:22:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/21 "2008-07-29T21:21:52Z")
I just can’t imagine the court going very hard on an 84 year old WW2 veteran, no matter how irrefutable the evidence. My guess is he’ll plea bargain, get a nothing sentence, resign and live in comfort til the end of his days. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/22 "2008-07-29T21:47:59Z")
After that bridge to nowhere nonsense, I lost all respect for him. Good riddance. We don’t need garbage like that in our party. (I’m a registered Republican, but only because the Libertarian party doesn’t seem to be making much of an impact.) ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/23 "2008-07-29T21:57:42Z")
I just hope he doesn’t get the cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/24 "2008-07-29T22:35:23Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] After that bridge to nowhere nonsense, I lost all respect for him. Good riddance. We don’t need garbage like that in our party. (I’m a registered Republican, but only because the Libertarian party doesn’t seem to be making much of an impact.) [/QUOTE] The Anchorage “Bridge to Nowhere” was at least marginally justifiable. There are a variety of reasons for accessibility to the other side of Cook Inlet at some point, not that I agree with spending the money. The other (and more publicized) BTN was to Gravina Island in Ketchikan, and was the baby of then-Senator Murkowski, one of the truly low-life assholes to disgrace the state. Ted supported his colleague on this, which was not one of his finer moments. Ted Stevens’ biggest failure was to not retire ten years ago while he could still exit with his dignity and reputation intact. He helped to lift a lot of rural folks out of the “shitting in a bucket” stage of their existence, and provide avenues for Alaska Natives to attain education and business opportunities. Calling him “garbage” and a “dirtbag” is a bit over the top, IMO, in light of his accomplishments. I believe the current climate in Washington is that you can do pretty much anything you like and get away with it. Dick Cheney sneers at Congress and the justice department, gives the American people the finger, and does as he wishes. Nobody takes him to task legally for what is essentially treasonous behavior. Is it any wonder that others will do the same? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/25 "2008-07-29T22:41:54Z")
[QUOTE=Tenebras] I just hope he doesn’t get the cancer. [/QUOTE] I agree. We get to gloat now, right? Good. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/26 "2008-07-29T23:23:27Z")
[QUOTE=SylverOne] I wonder if a name change is in the works for the Anchorage Airport. [/QUOTE] Ya know, the saner heads up here keep trying to tell people that it’s a bad idea to name something after a living politician, but they just don’t get it. Stevens has done a lot of good for Alaska, but now his name is probably synonymous with corruption, assuming he is convicted. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/27 "2008-07-29T23:26:57Z")
George Bush’s last week in office: “Pardon.” ---
**Author:** ![Dumbguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dumbguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dumbguy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/28 "2008-07-29T23:55:08Z")
Jail is like a series of broom handles. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/29 "2008-07-30T00:11:55Z")
Wow. He’s getting busted for letting an oil company pay for some home remodeling? Seems kind of ticky tacky to me (not that he shouldn’t be busted for it). Maybe it’s just the verifiable tip of the iceberg or something, but in terms of political corruption, this is like shoplifting a pack of cigarettes or something. If I was blowing oil company execs like he apparently was, I’d hold out for several million in a Swiss bank account or something. Pathetic. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/30 "2008-07-30T00:21:07Z")
Another argument for age limits on politicians. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/31 "2008-07-30T00:44:48Z")
**Mr. Moto** , you do know Traficant was even less of a Democrat than Lieberman, don’t you? It isn’t as if it hasn’t been pointed out to you often enough every time you’ve mentioned him in the past. Oh, well, if that’s what you have to do to say “Yeah, well, you guys do it too!”, then you’re welcome to it. Enjoy your feeling of sweet vindication, and never mind the laughter you hear. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/32 "2008-07-30T01:01:20Z")
[QUOTE=An Arky] Wow. He’s getting busted for letting an oil company pay for some home remodeling? Seems kind of ticky tacky to me (not that he shouldn’t be busted for it). Maybe it’s just the verifiable tip of the iceberg or something, but in terms of political corruption, this is like shoplifting a pack of cigarettes or something. If I was blowing oil company execs like he apparently was, I’d hold out for several million in a Swiss bank account or something. Pathetic. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] It’s totally pathetic. The guys sitting in prison already took amounts like $2,000. It was the exchange of money for votes that got them in really hot water. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/33 "2008-07-30T01:39:37Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] **Mr. Moto** , you do know Traficant was even less of a Democrat than Lieberman, don’t you? It isn’t as if it hasn’t been pointed out to you often enough every time you’ve mentioned him in the past. Oh, well, if that’s what you have to do to say “Yeah, well, you guys do it too!”, then you’re welcome to it. Enjoy your feeling of sweet vindication, and never mind the laughter you hear. [/QUOTE] That’s not the point I was making, dumbass. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/34 "2008-07-30T01:43:24Z")
[QUOTE=An Arky] Wow. He’s getting busted for letting an oil company pay for some home remodeling? Seems kind of ticky tacky to me (not that he shouldn’t be busted for it). Maybe it’s just the verifiable tip of the iceberg or something, but in terms of political corruption, this is like shoplifting a pack of cigarettes or something. If I was blowing oil company execs like he apparently was, I’d hold out for several million in a Swiss bank account or something. Pathetic. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] You might want to read up on the career of John Rowland - he got busted for exactly this kind of thing. Ten months in federal prison, and a few more with the ankle bracelet on. Quite a fall from being governor of Connecticut. These guys just get so arrogant they think they can get away with anything. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/35 "2008-07-30T14:42:16Z")
I’m with Mr. Moto: Stevens doesn’t reflect on Bush or vice versa any more than Traficant reflected on Clinton or vice-versa. As for Der Trihs’ comments: There are a lot of big-R Republicans and small-c conservatives who are working, especially at the local level, to reclaim their party from the neocons, bigots, and warmongers. Let’s not paint with such a broad brush, eh? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/36 "2008-07-30T15:12:24Z")
[QUOTE=An Arky] Wow. He’s getting busted for letting an oil company pay for some home remodeling? Seems kind of ticky tacky to me (not that he shouldn’t be busted for it). Maybe it’s just the verifiable tip of the iceberg or something, but in terms of political corruption, this is like shoplifting a pack of cigarettes or something. If I was blowing oil company execs like he apparently was, I’d hold out for several million in a Swiss bank account or something. Pathetic. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Likely it’s because those are the charges the authorities can make stick. Might not have enough evidence to bag him for other forms of corruption. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/37 "2008-07-30T15:22:15Z")
[QUOTE=EddyTeddyFreddy] Likely it’s because those are the charges the authorities can make stick. Might not have enough evidence to bag him for other forms of corruption. [/QUOTE] Yeah, the whole “this oil company is paying to jack my house up and make my first story my second story by building a new story underneath the old story” thing was just stupid blatant for someone who’s been doing this kind of thing for so long. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/38 "2008-07-30T17:01:47Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] For the first time in decades, he is facing a [serious primary contender](http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/businessman_set_to_spend_big_o.php) from within the Republican party. It may come as a surprise to some, but I actually voted for him once. His Senate seat was so secure, no main stream Democrats would run against him, and the only candidate willing to go up against him was apparently mentally ill (Theresa Obermeyer). [/QUOTE] I just saw Vickers’ first ad. He’s taking a completely wrong-headed tack, and obviously doen’t know the love and respect Alaskans have for Uncle Ted, despite his recent problems. Attacking him like that will only piss people up here off and he’ll become the latest in a long line of rich boys pissing away their bank accounts because they think Alaska is such a politically ignorant backwater that they’ll fall for anything. Theresa! Have you ever seen her in a meeting? Holy shit! She’s batshit insane and absolutely brilliant. And that foghorn voice! We haven’t heard anything from her in quite some time, so perhaps she’s taking her meds again. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/39 "2008-07-30T17:15:30Z")
[QUOTE=Chefguy] …and obviously doen’t know the love and respect Alaskans have for Uncle Ted, despite his recent problems… [/QUOTE] If they still have that “love and respect” despite all of this, they are getting what they deserve, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110/40 "2008-07-30T18:37:54Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] If they still have that “love and respect” despite all of this, they are getting what they deserve, I suppose. [/QUOTE] The man has earned that respect over many years of good work. While I deplore his recent lapses, his history of bringing jobs and progress to communities that define American poverty have endeared him to most rural and Native communities. It was through his efforts that the Native Corporations were able to start competing in the national and world markets. Much of the profits from those corporations go back to the boroughs they serve and help improve quality of life. None of this excuses what he appears to have done, but I believe his good work will overshadow his failings when history is written. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-stevens-is-indicted-happy-dance/458110.md?page=3)