Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, the longest-serving Republican senator in United States history and a figure of great influence in Washington as well as in his home state, has been indicted in connection with a federal corruption investigation.
Mr. Stevens, 84, was indicted on seven counts of failing to report income. The charges are related to renovations on his home and to gifts he has received. They arise from an investigation that has been under way for more than a year, in connection with the senator’s relationship with a businessman who oversaw the home-remodeling project.
The counts in this indictment are serious, to be sure, but I’m far more outraged by Stevens’ arrogance in loading up appropriations bills with “Bridges to Nowhere†and other wasteful pork projects simply because he could!
And how did that happen? Longevity alone should not confer that kind of power on any one legislator.
And why did his colleagues permit this selfish, despicable behavior all these years?
Was there no one with the courage to say “NO— to his tyrannical, shameful behavior?
He’s a disgrace to the country, and I hope he spends his final years behind bars!
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t get my hopes up about Stevens receiving any type of punishment for years of criminal activity.
I am sure he will be high on President Bush’s pardon list in January.