Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska is going to resign! the bridge to nowhere DOA

[oregonindy]

The Senate Appropriations Committee removed earmarks for two controversial "bridges to nowhere"

http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2005-11-15a.asp


Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, was dramatic in his response: "I don't kid people," he roared. "If the Senate decides to discriminate against our state ... I will resign from this body."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/20/AR2005102001931.html

[unblock]

1. he left himself an out

presumably it's ok to cut from alaska if other states get their pork cut as well.

but then, we can hope....

[janedoe]

3. Perhaps he can volunteer to make a swap.

Take the bridge to nowhere out of the budget, and add in a yacht for every family on that island. It's a whole lot cheaper!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

14. Even a plane for each family would be cheaper!!! I wonder what kind

of kickbacks he was expecting from the bridge construction......

[Toots]

25. Ignorance is bliss

Ketchikan is the largest US city that does not have road access to an airport. It is not about building a bridge for fifty people it is about connecting a major US city with an international airport that virtually every other city in the US has. I think it is a good idea to put the project on hold becuae of Katrina but that doesn't mean it isn't a worthy project.

[unblock]

34. aww, you're spoiling our fun!

the truth about pork is that the vast majority of pork actually DOES have a reasonable purpose. it may be a tad extravagant, or the odd part is why does it wind up in YOUR district, mr. congressman, but for the most part most of it is reasonably legit.

it's just that there are so many pork projects that it's not too hard to pick out one or two that can be made to sound ridiculous. calling it a 'bridge to nowhere' or emphasizing the fact that only 50 people live on the island is obviously distorting the fact that the point is to connect to the AIRPORT, not to the 50 residents.

but that's not nearly as much fun!

republicans love to do this sort of the with funding for the arts, too.

[JerseygirlCT]

30. They didn't even cut from Alaska

they just moved the money into an undesignated pile. They still get the bucks -- Alaska will just have to decide whether the two pig pork projects get it or something else.

He'll still go home and claim to have gotten tons of $$$ for his state.

[wakeme2008]

2. Poor Ted....

Now that your buff has been called, what will you do. :evilgrin:

[Greeby]

4. He should resign

It's quite clear he';s not sufficiently compus mentus for the United States Senate. He's even worse than Shrub for getting his sentences out, and he went on a long ramble on the floor, then had to ask the President what he was talking about :eyes:

Just one thing, thinking about a replacement, who is the Governor in Alaska?

[KharmaTrain]

23. Frank "I Need A New Jet" Murkowski

This asshat's already named his daughter to take his old seat to hold onto that graft. Don't look for any help there.

Good news is I read the Alaskan Democrats have some good candidates coming up...ready to clear the deadwood, like Stevens...and his corporate cronies.

[izzie]

5. With his temper he will not go.

Even in the 70's and 80's Alaska got more money from the feds. Per person than any other state and they were so rich that they dropped their state income tax in 1975 I think. He was Sen. then also.He also was wild when he did not become the leader of the Sen. He is one of these men who became rich on some ones pocket book. Look into his history for that. :nopity:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. shame on all people for calling on Ted to resign. Do you realize what

that means? Do you folks have a clue how hard it is to replace the entertainment value offered by Stevens? By acting - wait - being the class clown, he breaks the ice, allows others to actually do business, knowing that the media spot light is on Stevens, not on them.

His absence would change all of that.

[belle]

7. Wow. Someone really likes his bridges. What's up with that, anyway?

I mean, normally I get the "pork" business; but why the obsession with this bridge? What's this guy's deal, anyway?

[DemonFighterLives]

8. I guess we'll accept his resignation.

Sadly though. :woohoo:

[dusty64]

9. These criminals never

keep their word. A stroke on the Senate floor remains a possibility though..........

[Boredtodeath]

10. Not quite true - money STILL there.

Stevens gets his pork - it's just up to the Governor (isn't this his daughter?) where the money gets spent.

on edit:

Nope, that's the Murkowski dynasty.........sorry.........

[Jacobin]

11. don't let the door hit you in the ass, ted

[Rowdyboy]

12. Wonder if Gov Ted Murkowski has any other children he can appoint

to replace Stevens?

[MrTriumph]

13. This should be a "theme" for Dem.s in 2006 elections. "Bridge to Nowhere"

A bridge graphic with a slash through it should be on all Dem. candidate literature, bumper stickers, billboards, etc.

Disgust over pork is something everyone feels (except actual Congresspersons). This is something to remind voters of.

[Skidmore]

15. An R caller to Washington Journal just called in and

accused Dems of spending tax monies on projects like the bridge to nowhere. Felt he could spend his money better himself.

[ComerPerro]

18. Funny how they always project Republican scandals and misdeeds onto Dems

Yeah, its the Dems fault that a Republican Senator is pushing for a massive pork project.

Must be those Democrats who are sending us into record deficits too, right?

[mwb970]

16. Have you seen this guy on TV?

He's as worthless as any of the other wingnuts. Where do they get these people? Sheesh.

[stanwyck]

35. Exactly. It's embarrassing to have

this man in Congress.
The wingnuts elect crazies who froth at the mouth. DeLay. Santorum. These people have nothing to recommend them. They're badly educated, narrow-minded, self-centered, and arrogant.

[DeltaLady]

17. It was perfectly okay for him to "discriminate" against New Orleans

after all, it needs levees not bridges...

[newyawker99]

26. Hi DeltaLady!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Justice Is Comin]

19. He should be taken out in handcuffs.

He's the bastard that refused to let Boxer put the gas companies under oath.

And look at my post on that about the gas co's. It will tell you all you need to know.

[vonslagle]

20. I like the Brdge

Think about it, it will provide lots of construction jobs, and won't ever be used. That's the best of both worlds, a works project that won't contribute to pollution or global warming, or encourage motorists to drive more.

More Bridges to Nowhere!

[spanone]

21. He won't quit....this blowhard won't step down.

[WernhamHogg]

22. As the great

Jon Stewart said recently: "Senator Ted Stevens is kinda a dick".
:)

[triguy46]

24. That was then, this is now....

his words have no lasting impact or meaning, for others or himself. He aint gonna go away.

[Ernesto]

27. Maybe, he just wants "more time to spend with his family".

[TayTay]

28. Stevens resigns! Party's at my house later today!

Someone bring salsa and chips. This is great! (How about we serve Alaskan salmon.)

[liberal N proud]

29. Corss linked to share info.. the money still goes to Alaska

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5380988&mesg_id=5380988

As part of the deal, Alaska will get to keep the $454 million that Congress set aside for the two bridges, and technically the state can use the transportation funds for any project it chooses -- including the bridges.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111602330.html

[greekspeak]

31. Sounds like Ted is taking a page from Parousia Pat on tantrum throwing

Says Pat to America: "If you don't respect my authoritah, God will rain down meteors/earthquakes/hail (i.e. I will pout)." Says Ted to America: "If you don't respect my authoritah, I am going to go home to Alaska and pout." Bye Ted. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. It might chip the paint and then more money would be wasted on fixing another of your mistakes.

[Roland99]

32. When is Stevens up for re-election?...oh...he's up in 2008. n/m

[oc2002]

33. baby throws tantrum, news at 11. whaa whaaa whaaa!

nt

[RSchewe]

36. Alaska will still get funds, regardless of dumped bridge plan

It looks like their duping was successful. This is about misappropriated money not that stupid bridge.

Earmark Killed, But Funds Still Head to Alaska

Republican leaders in the House and Senate have taken the unusual step of removing line-item funding for two controversial bridges in Alaska from the 2006 transportation bill. However, contrary to most headlines, this is merely a public relations effort on the part of Congress: the move does nothing to reduce federal transportation spending. The "earmarked" $442 million will, instead, be given to the state of Alaska as a lump sum to spend the money as the state sees fit; yet Republicans are trying to cut $50 billion in spending cuts over five years.

more...

http://uspolitics.about.com/b/a/207461.htm

[Freddie Stubbs]

37. Does Murkoski have another daughter?