Monday, October 27, 2008

Buh Bye

It's been a dreadful year for the U.S. Congress. In fact, it's been one of the most disappointing ever, when you consider that the Democrats couldn't bring themselves to oppose in any way the Bush Administration's lawlessness and stupidity. They wouldn't even sanction their own when it was quite clear that Ted Stevens (R-AK) was taking bribes. Today, he was convicted by a federal court of doing just that:

Stevens, 84, was convicted on all seven counts of lying on Senate disclosure forms by failing to report more than $250,000 in home renovations and other gifts from an oil executive.

Sen. Stevens found guilty of corruption


Thankfully, the Justice Department still employs a few honest U.S. Attorneys.

So, will the Senate's righteous anger at Stevens' corruption lead it to expel him from that august body? Not bloody likely:

The Senate could vote to expel a convicted felon with a two-thirds vote, but no action is expected before next week's election. Since 1789, the Senate has expelled only 15 members.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, urged Stevens to "respect the outcome of the judicial process and the dignity of the United States Senate."

Sen. Stevens found guilty of corruption

If you ever thought Harry Reid had a clue, you should know better now. Stevens is comporting himself the way this Senate has for the last eight years. Nothing he could possibly do, short of dropping his drawers and peeing on someone in the chamber, could possibly make it look any worse.

Even so, it's nice to know that sometimes people actually are punished for wrongdoing, even when they're in Congress. Buh bye, Ted. Don't forget to write.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Tubes Stevens was corrupt as the Alaskan summer day is long. C.R.E.W. was screaming at the Senate to do something, anything for at least two years. But the gentleman's club that is the U.S. Senate could not be bothered to do anything to either him or Larry "toe-tapper" Craig.

Harry Reid is more a symptom of the disease that affect the Senate than any cause. He is the perfect go along to get along personality. It is not like there are not outstanding members of the U.S. Senate on the Democratic side, it is just most members of the Senate are blazing mediocrities who like being "lead" by other blazing mediocrities.

With the election a mere seven days away, the decision realistically lies in the hands of the voters of Alaska. More than likely Teddy will be voted out of office. For what ever reasons the Senate approved of letting the voters / jurors has this decision out a long time ago. They could have had an ethics investigation ages ago; they could have tossed Teddy out of the club as soon as the indictment was handed down. They chose the easy / cowards way out. It is all part of the "don't rock the boat" mentality of the upper chamber.

Cujo359 said...

When Sarah Palin thinks you're corrupt, you're really corrupt. At least, you are if you're a Republican.

You're certainly correct about why Reid is the Senate Majority Leader, too. Unfortunately, this episode is neither isolated nor exceptional in any way.

One Fly said...

I'll believe it when he's gone which ever way it may be.

Cujo359 said...

The only thing for certain is that he's been convicted of several felonies. How Alaska and the Senate view that are another thing entirely.

I don't count Stevens out, either. If I occasionally sound like I do, put it down to wishful thinking. :)