Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: crockett on July 30, 2007, 09:29:17 PM
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I've always thought Ted Stevens was the best Senator money could buy, well him and Orion Hatch. They seem to be quite the pair and always involved in shady bills and BS.
Guess the FBI/IRS seem to have raided his house today in conjunction with corruption investigation in relation to a big oil contractor..
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/30/lawmaker.raid.ap/index.html
Gee Ted who built that nice new extension on your house? It looks really nice. Oh the oil contractor whom just got a big Alaskan govt contract. Ahh na no funny biz going on there.. ;)
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There needs to be a Congress wide investigation of every member's dealings. If they complain about their rights ask em to leave. Anyone got any valid ideas on how to change the political system we have? I'm starting to think complete leveling of the infrastructure isn't a bad start....through what means? :shrug:
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That salamander was begging for it--during the last budget fight before the election, Bobby Jindal from Louisiana pointed out that the 'bridge to nowhere' might not be the best use of taxpayer money....good ol Ted threatened to squash him like a bug, and stop every dime he ever asked for from going to (Jindal's) district
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term limits
boot them out every 8 years and this problem and many others dry up and blow away
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Ted is way too powerful; I’m not surprised. The problem is that men like Ted get so powerful that voting for someone else will ensure that Alaska will get less stuff. When you vote for a man like Ted Stevens you vote for his tenure, not for the man himself.
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Good to see someone finally looking into Stevens. What a scumbag. The Daily Show had a great piece last year called "Just who the F*** is Ted Stevens?!?". Unfortunately I can't find it any where.
He is also one of the idiots trying to fight net neutrality.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/22/AR2005102201040.html
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2006/06/your_own_person.html?entry_id=1512499
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Seems somebody telegraphed their search....
Stevens said in a statement that his attorneys were advised of the impending search yesterday morning. He said he would not comment on details of the inquiry to avoid "any appearance that I have attempted to influence its outcome."
Fortunatley, the community of Girdwood had no industrial sized house shredders available on such short notice.
:rolleyes:
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I have to give the old guy credit that he is not acting like he has anything to fear. Of course this investigation into the bribery situation has been going on for a while now and he would know if he had any dealings or records of dealings with the contractor that is being investigated. This is a nice quote in the article.
Quote: "Stevens, who has been in office since 1968 and is the longest-serving Republican in Senate history, said the interests of justice would be best served if he commented after the investigation.
"I continue to believe this investigation should proceed to its conclusion without any appearance that I have attempted to influence its outcome," Stevens said. "The legal process should be allowed to proceed so that all the facts can be established and the truth determined." endquote
I'd bet that if he is dirty (and I really don't doubt he is) that he has already sanitized the files and there is nothing left to find. He's had more time than hillary did with her files early in her hsbands presidency.
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http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/story/9181339p-9097204c.html
Warrant served at Ted Stevens' Girdwood home
FBI, IRS examine residence; remodeling job under scrutiny
By RICHARD MAUER and ERIKA BOLSTAD
Anchorage Daily News
Published: July 31, 2007
Last Modified: July 31, 2007 at 01:41 AM
Federal law enforcement agents raided U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens' Alaska home in Girdwood on Monday, hauling off undisclosed items from inside and taking extensive pictures and video.
Officials wouldn't say what they were looking for or what they found.
"All I can say is that agents from the FBI and IRS are currently conducting a search at that residence," Dave Heller, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Anchorage office, said Monday.
Neighbors said agents showed up between 11 a.m. and noon and that a commercial locksmith was called to open the front door. Some two dozen agents were still there at 9:30 p.m.
Stevens, 83, has long been the most powerful political figure in Alaska and a major force in Congress. A swarm of federal agents serving a search warrant at his home is unprecedented in Alaska politics and is part of what appears to be a widening corruption investigation that first burst into view last August. That's when agents raided the offices of state legislators and oil field services company Veco, among others.
Federal investigators and grand juries in Anchorage and Washington, D.C., have been seeking information about a remodeling project at Stevens' Girdwood home that occurred in 2000. The project, which more than doubled the size of the house, was overseen by Veco CEO Bill Allen. Two months ago, Allen pleaded guilty to bribing state lawmakers and agreed to cooperate with authorities. Veco vice president Richard Smith pleaded guilty to identical charges.
Stevens said in a written statement that his lawyers were told Monday morning that federal agents "wished to search my home in Girdwood in connection with an ongoing investigation. I continue to believe this investigation should proceed to its conclusion without any appearance that I have attempted to influence its outcome. I will continue my policy of not commenting on this investigation until it has concluded."
ALL-DAY SEARCH
Throughout the afternoon Monday, agents could be seen coming and going from the house, on a dirt street below Alyeska Ski Resort.
Curtains were drawn much of the day, but outside, agents could be seen taking extensive still and video images of the house and surrounding property.
The agents were obviously cataloging the house and its fixtures, from light switches and electrical outlets to a big stainless steel barbecue grill on a second-floor deck that neighbors said was hoisted there with a crane. At one point, agents climbed on the pitched metal roof to take pictures of heat tape in the gutters.
One agent carried a full large black garbage bag out of the house and put it in the white truck.
A half-dozen federal vehicles, including a white panel truck with a satellite dish on the roof, were parked in front of the house most of the day. At least 10 more federal vehicles were parked at the ski resort's day lodge a couple of blocks away.
The commotion didn't attract much attention in laid-back Girdwood through the afternoon, though by evening quite a few people had made Stevens' street part of their evening dog-walking itinerary.
Agents at the house wouldn't answer questions. Heller, the FBI spokesman in Anchorage, directed other questions to the U.S. Justice Department's Public Integrity Section in Washington, which has been working with the FBI and two Anchorage-based assistant U.S. attorneys on the inquiry. A spokesman there had no comment, and neither did a spokesman for the IRS.
REMODELING QUESTIONED
Three contractors who worked on the remodeling project told the Daily News in May that their records had been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury, and others connected with the work and with Stevens said they had been interviewed or called to appear before a grand jury.
One of the contractors who worked on the job said he was hired by Veco CEO Bill Allen. The contractor said that his invoices were paid by Stevens and his wife, Catherine, but that the bills were reviewed first by Veco.
A federal law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of not being identified by name, said the FBI is trying to determine whether Stevens has received a hidden benefit stemming from his position in Congress.
If Stevens received renovation work for which he did not pay, it could be deemed unreported income by the IRS. Receipt of unreported renovation work also could amount to an illegal gratuity. Or if it were performed in return for political favors, it could be considered a bribe.
Two weeks ago, Stevens told reporters that money for the remodeling came out of his own pocket.
"As a practical matter, I will tell you. We paid every bill that was given to us," Stevens told reporters. "Every bill that was sent to us has been paid, personally, with our own money, and that's all there is to it. It's our own money."
The remodeling involved lifting the house on stilts and adding a first floor. City records show the 10-room dwelling has 2,471 square feet and is assessed at $440,900.
PART OF WIDER PROBE
Earlier this year, Stevens announced he planned to run for re-election in 2008 for another six-year term.
Stevens' Washington, D.C., lawyer, Brendan Sullivan, said Monday that he had a "long-standing practice not to comment on such matters" and would not answer any questions about the raid.
Sullivan, one of the best-known criminal defense lawyers in Washington, represented former Lt. Col. Oliver North, the central figure in the Iran-Contra scandal in the late 1980s.
Earlier this summer, Stevens told The Washington Post that federal investigators had asked him to preserve certain documents as part of the Veco probe, and that he expected to eventually turn those documents over to the FBI. He told the Post that "my son is also under investigation." Stevens said then he had not been interviewed by federal investigators.
Four former state lawmakers have been charged with bribery and other crimes. One, former Anchorage Rep. Tom Anderson, was convicted earlier this summer of taking money from a lobbyist for a private prison company. The others, all accused of taking bribes from Veco executives, are awaiting trial. Allen and Smith are awaiting sentencing.
Last August, federal agents served more than 20 search warrants across the state, including at the offices of six state legislators, including Ted Stevens' son, Ben Stevens, who at the time was president of the state Senate.
Ben Stevens has not been charged, but Allen's guilty plea in May described Veco paying him some $243,000 in phony "consulting" fees while he was in office.
The Wall Street Journal and Associated Press reported last week that Alaska's sole congressman, Rep. Don Young, is also being investigated as part of the Veco criminal inquiry. Young recently reported spending more than $260,000 from his campaign treasury on unspecified legal fees during the first six months of this year.
(http://www.adn.com/photo/2007/07/31/3015656-400-x-259.jpg)
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Originally posted by Eagler
term limits
boot them out every 8 years and this problem and many others dry up and blow away
Agreed, I've always thought every single elected govt office should have term limits. Politics has become a profession in this country, a dirty profession at that filled with scum.
The current system, gives no incentive for up an coming politicians to go "against" the flow. There is no room in out govt for original thinking, because anyone whom does, will never get any help or support from the powers that be. So he's just putting himself out of a job.
Ted Stevens just looking at the man makes me grengs knowing the BS he's done. Sad p[art is, I'm sure he's not stupid enough to not cover his tracks, but then again yea never know, he might have slipped up somewhere.
If that's his house in the pic above it's nothing really spectacular, however I'm sure he has more than just that. Then again he doesn't look like the kinda guy that goes over board with some huge house. However I'm sure his family is more than set for life.
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Wonder if he has cash stashed in the freezer... if he does I bet he gets re-elected by idiots.
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The problem with term limits is it allows them to hit and run. They have no incentive to support their constituants. When a good guy finally does get in office you can't keep him there. Yer danged if you do and danged if you don't.
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Originally posted by rpm
The problem with term limits is it allows them to hit and run. They have no incentive to support their constituants. When a good guy finally does get in office you can't keep him there. Yer danged if you do and danged if you don't.
Term limits like every thing else has it's pro's and con's. That said, with the state of this countries career political figures I think term limits are a good idea. Term limits would immediately clear the government of career political hacks who are there to only push their own personal agendas.
Term limits might be just the thing this country needs to get our government back on track.
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Originally posted by rpm
The problem with term limits is it allows them to hit and run. They have no incentive to support their constituants. When a good guy finally does get in office you can't keep him there. Yer danged if you do and danged if you don't.
I agree term limits have issues as well. I think the first place to start would be to get rid of lobbyists. Lobbyists have become the downfall of this country, it's to the point now, these big companies and groups are putting their lobbyists right into power.
I think the only ansawer, is for the people of this country to grow a backbone and a pair of balls. Then let this govt know who runs the show.
Of course that will never happen...
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Having a long term senator is like having someone at the top of a pyramid scheme. It’s hard to convince voters to replace someone at the top of the pyramid with someone at the bottom. It’s not really fair that those states with the oldest senators get more representation power just because the guy has been around. That power could be used for good, but generally power corrupts.
In this particular case, however, I don’t really see what Stevens did that’s wrong. Unless he’s lying and receives services that he didn’t pay for, of course.
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Originally posted by crockett
I agree term limits have issues as well. I think the first place to start would be to get rid of lobbyists.
I think the only ansawer, is for the people of this country to grow a backbone and a pair of balls. Then let this govt know who runs the show.
Of course that will never happen...
I agree 100%.
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Hi Shuffler,
Originally posted by Shuffler
Wonder if he has cash stashed in the freezer... if he does I bet he gets re-elected by idiots.
Speaking of cash in the freezer, that was found in May of 2006 and when I last checked, despite at least 16 counts of bribery William Jefferson was still in office.
Anyone know what the status is on Jefferson and whether they will ever complete the "Duke" Cunningham process with him?
- SEAGOON
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Originally posted by Seagoon
Anyone know what the status is on Jefferson and whether they will ever complete the "Duke" Cunningham process with him?
- SEAGOON
jefferson is being honored by the NAACP as the most outstanding politician of the year.
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Originally posted by rpm
The problem with term limits is it allows them to hit and run. They have no incentive to support their constituants. When a good guy finally does get in office you can't keep him there.
I agree. The Ohio Legislature has term limits and while it enabled us to get rid of the bad apples, we are unable to keep the good ones around. Some are able to bounce between the house and senate, but most leave state office.
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Originally posted by Seagoon
Hi Shuffler,
Speaking of cash in the freezer, that was found in May of 2006 and when I last checked, despite at least 16 counts of bribery William Jefferson was still in office.
Anyone know what the status is on Jefferson and whether they will ever complete the "Duke" Cunningham process with him?
- SEAGOON
Man our entire govt is so corrupt that it really doesn't matter what these guys get caught with. Nothing ever happens to them, likely because they all have dirt on each other.
Back when these *******s at least had a little dignity and honor, they would resign on their own. Now days they don't have to, because the entire system is just as corrupt as they are and the people of this country do nothing about it. We pretty much have the govt we deserve it seems.
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Originally posted by crockett
Man our entire govt is so corrupt that it really doesn't matter what these guys get caught with. Nothing ever happens to them, likely because they all have dirt on each other.
I guess you are not familiar with the name Duke Cunningham.
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Oh gee...yet another Republican busted for corruption. No wonder the Democrats have a legislative majority, all the Republicans are getting busted by the Feds. Looks like Bush Jr. is going to be filling out a lot of pardons.
Might as well burn my Republican registration card and register as an Independent.
ack-ack
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Originally posted by Ack-Ack
Oh gee...yet another Republican busted for corruption. No wonder the Democrats have a legislative majority, all the Republicans are getting busted by the Feds. Looks like Bush Jr. is going to be filling out a lot of pardons.
Might as well burn my Republican registration card and register as an Independent.
ack-ack
difference being the republicans usually pay for their exposed sins whereas the dems just get re-elected
must say something about their voting bases :)
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Originally posted by Eagler
difference being the republicans usually pay for their exposed sins whereas the dems just get re-elected
must say something about their voting bases :)
Sounds like the Democrats have better lawyers to me.
ack-ack
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Originally posted by Seagoon
Hi Shuffler,
Speaking of cash in the freezer, that was found in May of 2006 and when I last checked, despite at least 16 counts of bribery William Jefferson was still in office.
Anyone know what the status is on Jefferson and whether they will ever complete the "Duke" Cunningham process with him?
- SEAGOON
He goes to trial next YEAR:t (Does anyone remember him commandeering a 6X6 and some National Guard troops during the height of the Katrina mess, to go to his house and rescue papers? (and apparently, some cash)
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Originally posted by Ack-Ack
Sounds like the Democrats have better lawyers to me.
ack-ack
Lol being convicted is a badge of honor--can you say B-a-r-r-y? Getting convicted didn't hurt him to awful much.
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Originally posted by bj229r
Lol being convicted is a badge of honor--can you say B-a-r-r-y? Getting convicted didn't hurt him to awful much.
hey Marion Barry was just trying to clean up D.C. one line at a time.
ack-ack
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:rofl :rofl
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I've been thinking about calling a Constitutional Convention to address this, and other problems.
Along with the Term Limits, I was going to propose this amendment: "No person may run for any political office if they currently hold a different office."
Basically, you can't have all these senators, representatives and governors currently running for president while still being paid our money.