http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=6847984by Bill McAllister
Thursday, July 26, 2007
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Democratic Party has launched a new cyberspace assault on Young called www.dropdon.com.
The Web site has hundreds of links to unflattering articles and commentaries about the state's sole congressman. It also refers to inflammatory statements and controversial policies, but the home page focuses on corruption.
Dropdon.com depicts what it calls "the Don Young web of corruption," with Young positioned as the sun in a solar system of dubious acquaintances, some of them now convicted felons.
The Web site adds links to controversial statements and policies by Young over the decades.
Alaska Democratic Chairman Jake Metcalfe said it doesn't look good for the state.
"We think they're all interrelated," Metcalfe said. "You have corruption and you have missteps that he's made over time. It's built up to what it is now this huge web of corruption. And it's an embarrassment to the state of Alaska."
Most recently, the Wall Street Journal revealed Young is included in a federal investigation into public corruption in Alaska, centered on bribery by former executives of the oilfield services company VECO Corp.
Dropdon.com provides cross-references on that scandal, as well as one involving a former Young aide who this spring entered a guilty plea to corruption charges in the Jack Abramoff lobbying case.
State Republican Chairman Randy Ruedrich said the Web site is big in volume but thin on content.
"Novel Democrat solution: to bring all of the stories that they've had printed in the media together in one spot. It's the Democrats' Reader's Digest," Ruedrich said. "We'll see if the investigations reach any other conclusions. But at this point in time, it's conjecture."
Metcalfe said Young needs to explain himself.
"He's under investigation now. We don't know, and doubt, that he can do his job when he's having to pay $260,000 to lawyers. And we think he ought to come home and talk about that, but he's refusing to do that. He's not answering any questions," Metcalfe said.
But Young's campaign manager, Steve Dougherty, said he will.
"Congressman Young will be in Alaska next month and traveling around the state and answering questions, and that will be a time that he will be here" Dougherty said.
No doubt Democrats will be looking for lots of answers.
The Web site includes Young's tirade on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives last week, when he said that Rep. Scott Garrett of New Jersey should be voted out of office.
At the time, Garrett told Young he was violating House protocol.
Today, Garrett's press secretary said that his office would have no comment on being included in an anti-Young Web site.
Metcalfe acknowledged the site could seem presumptuous. Democrats use the phrase "the Don Young web of corruption," and it seems as though they're not respecting a presumption of innocence.
However, he went on to talk about all the ties Young has to people under indictment or who already have been convicted.
The banner on the home page of www.dropdon.com urges viewers to say no to corruption. So while no jury has convicted Young, some might well conclude the Democrats already have.
Contact Bill McAllister at bmcallister@ktuu.com
The website is very entertaining. Have a look...
http://www.dropdon.com/ Move your mouse across the "web" and be educated. :)
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