ALL THREE of Alaska's congressional delegation

[Blue_In_AK]

take hits in editorials in today's Anchorage Daily News.

First, Uncle Ted...

Devil's knocking on front door, Ted

MICHAEL CAREY
COMMENT

Published: July 22, 2007
Last Modified: July 22, 2007 at 05:10 AM

Everybody knows a federal grand jury is examining the relationship of Sen. Ted Stevens and Veco. Everybody knows Stevens insists he has done nothing wrong. He said so again on the front page Thursday.

Stevens insisted he paid for all the improvements Veco made to his Girdwood home under the direction of Bill Allen. The house doubled in size in the hands of the corporate chieftain.

As Alaskans, how should we react to Stevens' protests of innocence? Feel sorry for him, understanding that what happened to him with Veco could happen to anyone? At least anyone who happened to be a powerful senator who received campaign contributions from the contractor who remodeled his place?

Well, Ted Stevens doesn't wear pity well. And doesn't deserve pity now. As a realist from the hardboiled school, Stevens knows he can't blame others for the grand jury's interest in him. He has nobody to blame but himself.

<snip>

more here: http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/9153795p-9070238c.html


Now, Lisa...

Lisa's riverfront deal is a real stinker

DAN FAGAN
COMMENT

Published: July 22, 2007
Last Modified: July 22, 2007 at 05:10 AM

Sen. Lisa Murkowski behaved curiously this past week. Her actions confirmed something I've suspected for a long time. She is not fit for office.

Murkowski took full advantage of a sweetheart deal from known influence peddler Bob Penney when she purchased a prime piece of Kenai riverfront property for far less than fair market value. It was an offer that reeks of privilege.

Kenai real estate brokers and recent transactions of similar properties reveal Murkowski saved anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 on the purchase. Nice gift if you can get it. Trouble is, most of us can't.

It's no surprise Murkowski refused to disclose the sale price on her Senate financial disclosure reports, bringing criticism from ethics watchdog groups. Also curious, even after the story broke and the deal was exposed, Murkowski still refused to say how much she paid for the controversial land. She eventually caved and released a statement.

Why wouldn't Murkowski immediately come clean and say how much she paid for the land? Especially since she bought it from Bob Penney -- a man who along with his family has given Murkowski more than $10,000 in campaign contributions since 2003. A man who testified before a grand jury recently about his cozy relationship with Sen. Ted Stevens. The same Bob Penney who helped Sen. Ted Stevens turn a $15,000 investment in 1998 into $150,000.

<snip>
http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/9153796p-9070239c.html


and, of course, the inimitable Don Young. You just can't make this stuff up.

Don Young
There he goes again


Published: July 22, 2007
Last Modified: July 22, 2007 at 04:40 AM

Don Young has done it again. He has let his passion for defending Alaska carry him beyond the bounds of decorum in the U.S. House of Representatives. Once again, his intemperate bluster has embarrassed Alaska.

This time he did not stand before colleagues with his hand in a leg-hold trap. He did not wave an oosik, the penis bone of a walrus, while angrily making his point.

This time he did it without props.

<snip>

Rep. Young claimed that his New Jersey colleague's attempt to cut the program serving Alaska was downright offensive. He said with indignation, "This is supposed to be a house of honor."

If anyone in this case is helping to call the honor of the House into question, it's Congressman Don Young.

The rest here: http://www.adn.com/opinion/view/story/9153792p-9070236c.html


This is unprecedented. Three cheers for the Anchorage Daily News, a local newspaper doing its job well.

[aquart]

1. Wow.

And you have, of course, already written them to thank and praise them?

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I'm going to...

Don Young has been a frequent target (he basically wears a bulls-eye on his back), but I find it very significant that they're starting to question Stevens, who up until recently was pretty much seen as God up here...pray to Ted, and he'll get you what you want. This questioning of his ethics is a very good sign. Alaska may flip next year.

[CurtEastPoint]

3. I love the sheer audacity and ... I dont' know what! Read this...

"If you can't eat it, can't sleep under it, can't wear it or make something from it, it's not worth anything." -- Congressman Don Young<2>

This is from Wikipedia RE: his tirade in the House:

On 18 July 2007, Young attacked his fellow Republicans, including Representative Scott Garrett of New Jersey for trying to remove education funds allocated to Alaska. Young went into a tirade, stating "You want my money, my money," warning other members of Congress that "those who bite me will be bitten back." Young went on to suggest that Republicans lost their majority because of cutting spending.

Plus he has a bad comb-over

what a prick

[Blue_In_AK]

4. He's got to go...

We've been embarrassed by him for far too long. My theory is that this most recent tirade is a bald-faced pander to the Alaska Native constituency. He received one of his most serious challenges ever last year from Democrat (and Tlingit Indian) Diane Benson, who has already announced that she will take him on again next year. I'm sure that's why he's hitting hard on these Native issues now.

[Nutmegger]

5. Please get rid of Ted Stevens.

He's a total joke.

Don Young would be great too. Stevens and Young in the same year would be a hoot!

[Blue_In_AK]

6. We are hearing rumors here

that former state House minority leader Ethan Berkowitz http://www.aklegislature.com/guide/2006/profiles/listings/leg_berkowitz.shtml will be running for Ted's seat, which is excellent news. "Ethics" is his middle name, and he's very, very smart. He ran for lt. gov. last year with Tony Knowles but they were defeated by Sarah Palin. Some of us think it would have been better if Ethan had been in the top spot, but if he can take over Ted's seat, that would be even sweeter.

[DemoTex]

7. A Trifecta!

Or was it a Hat Trick?