Is Anyone Upset and Sad over the loss of Ted Stevens ?

[JI7]

Ted Stevens 1923-2010

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Yes, I am.

And by the way, Ted was NOT a fan of She Who Shall Not Be Named.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. You know more of what he did for AK than most folks here

I might joke about the Intertubes, as well as the bridge to nowhere, but he also did a lot of good to his state.

And most round these parts cannot get it, he was still from a generation that knew compromise.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. Indeed he did.

People don't realize how hard he worked for the Equal Rights Amendment and Title IX, the many, many things he did to help the Alaska Native people, and the fact that he would go to bat for any one of his constituents, no matter their party. It would take all night to list the many good things that he did for the young state of Alaska.

Alaskans are in mourning tonight, across the political spectrum. Shannyn Moore, who's about as progressive as they come, was crying on her radio show this morning.

I read the comnents here, and I understand that people feel the need to be snarky, but Ted really was a good senator for my state.

Of course, as Democrats we didn't agree with everything he did, but he never wavered in his love for Alaska. And he never quit ... unlike some other Alaskan politicians I can think of.

[asdjrocky]

18. That's a really good perspective Blue, thanks. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. Ah yes, the one that shall not be named

by the way



As a follower of politics I get it... Stevens was in some ways like Ted Kennedy... no, not ideologically, though they worked together on Title IX

[Journeyman]

23. Thanks for the perspective, Blue. . .

I know Sen. Stevens primarily for his comment on "the tubes." I always assumed there was more to him, and especially more in his younger days.

And you're right: We can disagree with a man's opinions, but until we know the totality of his life and works, we shouldn't hold a totally disagreeable opinion of the man.

[Vickers]

25. Thanks for putting things into perspective, Blue.

[kath]

27. A REPUG working for the ERA and Title IX?!?! Wow.

And helping Native Americans, too??!

[Kalun D]

33. Shows US

how far our political parties have stooped

when and old Republican is better than the new Dems

[nadinbrzezinski]

38. +1

[niyad]

36. I am reading his history, and don't see anything about the ERA or title IX.

and I understand, from several documentaries seen lately, that the indigenous people were not really happy with the native settlement act,which was pretty much rammed through.

glad to see that he came around on global climate change, but his votes on drilling, logging, etc., don't sit well with a lot of people.

[Blue_In_AK]

39. Please read this

which turned up almost immediately on a Google search

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/league-of-her-own/2010/...


This is a pretty accurate biography here http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/08/10/ted-stevens-kil... / and shows that he was a fierce advocate for Alaska. We may not always have agreed with him on individual policies, but there was never any doubt that he had Alaska's best interests at heart. It was his job as our senator to advocate for the state, and that's exactly what he did. I'm not saying that he wasn't touched by corruption, but there are very few politicians in Washington who aren't. At least he could be reasoned with, unlike the present crop of Republicans.

[niyad]

42. thank you for that--as I said, it didn't show up in my searches.

[Stinky The Clown]

55. I am quite in awe of the fact that he was the only senator standing who has a political career .....

..... that last longer than his state is old. The end of his career was quite awful, but in total, I can see what you're saying.

[JI7]

8. i seem to remember something about that during the campaign

i always thought Stevens was kind of funny. kind of like some old grouchy uncle or neighbor that people like to make fun of.

but i never felt hatred towards him as i did against people like Bush Cheney Delay PAlin etc. maybe it's just because he was older. but it was hard to dislike him as those named above.

there is a reason why people continually re-elect people like Byrd, Stevens etc. and it's not always ideological .

[aquart]

2. We didn't lose him. He was already gone.

Doesn't change the composition of the Senate at all. He didn't die in jail. Win win for him.

[Jennicut]

3. His family maybe? Sen. Inouye was.

In a statement, Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye said, "Our friendship was a very special one. When it came to policy, we disagreed more often than we agreed, but we were never disagreeable with one another. We were always positive and forthright ... I will never forget him." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38645177/ns/politics-capito... /

I think he as a corrupt Rethug. But I can't wish death on anyone. Well, except Dick Cheney.

[onenote]

4. Yes. As well as the loss of the others on the plane

a group that included someone I know professionally (and whose wife I used to work with).

[Cleita]

5. I'm kinda amazed that Sarah hasn't noticed.

Wasn't she off someplace campaigning for someone? Apparently, she didn't even cancel to cry crocodile tears for the deceased. But then what do you expect of a self-involved grifter.

[JI7]

10. according to first post they didn't really like each other

i remember something about that during 08 also.

[Cleita]

13. Yeah, but he died and as a fellow

Repuke politician from Alaska, it's sort of being polite, don't you think?

[Blue_In_AK]

19. She put up something on her Facebook

that obviously wasn't written by her. There was no love lost between the two of them. Very few of the "real" Republicans in Alaska like her. She was and continues to be very divisive within the Alaska Republican Party. She is even backing a Tea Party opponent to Lisa Murkowski this year.

[Cleita]

22. Facebook? How Valley Girl of her?

She is a former governor of Alaska and if she were the real thing, like a true blood Alaskan, would have dropped everything to go to her home state and show that she cared about a fellow politico, especially one that qualifies almost for a senior statesman in your state. Wow, we know she's an ass, but she keeps proving it.

[Blue_In_AK]

24. On tonight's local newscast

where the story of Stevens' death took up most of the whole hour, there were comments from across the political spectrum -- the president, Mark Begich, Lisa Murkowski, Sean Parnell (the governor), people who worked with Ted, Alaskans on the street -- but Sarah was nowhere to be found. Not a peep. ... Which is just as well, because we're sick of her, and everyone knew that they weren't "pals."

I guess the controversy surrounding her appearance at Wally Hickel's funeral (who had been her mentor in her early political career but had recently said he didn't give a damn about her) may make her a bit publicity shy, at least here in the state. Especially after the little debacle in Homer a few days ago.

God, I can't stand that woman.

[niyad]

31. well, for starters, she isn't a true blood alaskan, having been born in idaho.

doesn't matter, though, the woman is totally without class.

[Blue_In_AK]

44. She is an embarrassment.

The damage she has done to the reputation of Alaskans is irreparable. She played us like fiddles. How anyone could trust her after the way she treated us is beyond me.

[ibegurpard]

7. No. I did not know the man.

I have no reason to celebrate his death though.

[Canuckistanian]

9. I'll miss his suits

They make me feel much better about my own wardrobe.

[Kerrytravelers]

11. I think it is sad when anyone dies so violently.

When someone passes painlessly in their sleep, like both my grandfathers did, it is a blessing. A plane crash? A horrific way to go.

His family and friends are in my thoughts.


And, apparently, his first wife died this way, too. How sad.

[SwampG8r]

37. from what i understand

and i was in alaska only once for a few weeks
a lot of the towns are only accessable by water or air
the capitol city has no road going out if i remember right
so the average alaskan spends more time in the air than we do down here
and usually in small craft
from what i gathered in my short stay it seemed almost to be taken like a bad car wreck amongst alaskan residents
but like i say one visit and a short one so i could be completely wrong

[Kerrytravelers]

60. I understand that, too.

I've never been to Alaska, so this is all second hand information, but it does stand to reason.

[lpbk2713]

14. I gotta hand it to him ...

... he was a snappy dresser. Nothing but the best K-Mart had to offer.

[Blue_In_AK]

21. Gotta love his Hulk ties.

[krispos42]

15. Lived a full life, his final months were pain- and illness-free,

avoided going to jail, got to see his kids grow up and his grandkids. But didn't really do anything that would make me feel he was a person to admire. And presumebly his family will be well taken care of financially.

So there's nothing that either makes me feel that humankind lost a major assest, or to make me feel bad for his family. Frankly I feel sadder for a convenience-store clerk/college student that was shot and killed in Bridgeport a couple of weeks ago. I think he had a wife and a couple of kids.

He was a bit of a prick after Hurricane Katrina, though. I do remember that.

[pa28]

16. Yes.

I have a little personal experience. Despite the appearance (and maybe reality) of corruption I think he's a good man. I'm sorry to see him gone. R.I.P.

[scarletwoman]

17. As a one-time Alaska resident, yes, I'm a bit sad.

He was a corrupt son-of-a-bitch, but he was Alaska's corrupt son-of-a-bitch, heart and soul.

He wasn't a rabid right-winger, he was just a garden variety nest-padder. And he truly loved and cared about the state he represented.

Fare thee well, Uncle Ted.

[XOKCowboy]

26. I'll defer to Blue_in_AK, Shannyn Moore and AKMuckraker....

All I knew of him was the "Tubes" video and the indictment. I don't live in Alaska but I have a lot of respect for those that do. I doubt you'd find anyone more Progressive in Alaska than Shannyn Moore. She was torn up by his death.

So yes I mourn the death of Ted Stevens. He reminds me a lot of Carl Albert. He was a crooked SOB but for Oklahomans he was OUR crooked SOB and thanks to him rural Oklahoma got electricity, roads and jobs.

[Blue_In_AK]

45. That is so correct.

People who complain about all the federal money that Alaska has received over the years don't realize how primitive this place really was -- and still is to a large degree. Many of our villages still don't have plumbing and pay $10 a gallon or more for their heating fuel. Our infrastructure had to start from scratch, and you still can't drive anywhere here. Building a state requires a lot of bucks, and we had a disastrous earthquake thrown in, as well.

I'm glad to set the record straight on Ted Stevens. Yes, he was flawed, and he didn't always vote the way I wanted him to, but his intentions were good. I believe he was an honorable person.

[Iggo]

28. I'm upset that there was aplane crash and people lost their lives...

...even if one of those was Ted Stevens.

[MuseRider]

29. I sat next to him on a flight

and he engaged me in conversation. This was a long time ago, I think it was in 1982. He wanted to talk about politics, then I knew what I thought but was not terribly engaged at the time. I of course disagreed with him plenty but he was polite and I was polite and at some point I think I slipped into uh huh, yup, sure just because he would not let up. He was a nice guy to talk to. I have always remembered that. He just turned his head my way and started talking to me like I was someone he knew. I am sad that this has happened to him.

[pa28]

30. That's the opinion I formed of him.

I've been involved in politics since I was a teenager and I've met several senators. They've all had an attitude I'd describe as "existing on a higher plane" but Ted Stevens was the only exception. He actually had time to talk.

[Nye Bevan]

41. Everyone with an R after their name is not necessarily the devil incarnate

even though many on this board like to pretend otherwise in a misguided attempt to burnish their hard-ass liberal credentials.

[Confusious]

57. As time goes along, it seems all the repugs we hated in the past

Are the ones we're wishing would come back, because every new crop is more batshit crazy then the last.

[XemaSab]

32. I didn't care for him as a politician

but nobody deserves to die like that.

(I mean hell, even Cheney doesn't deserve to die like that. Something MUCH more drawn out would be suitable for that man.)

[turntxblue]

34. Yes

While I certainly didn't share many political views with him, I'm saddened by his death. His death is tragic, regardless of the politics, and he leaves behind a family and friends who love him. I hate to see tragedy befall anyone.

[PBS Poll-435]

48. Kindest thing I have seen in a while

Thanks.

No man is an island...


I, for sure, didn't agree with his politics, and he had lived a very long life, but the accident is tragic.








And welcome to DU!

[niyad]

49. and possibly avoidable--several pilots said conditions were such that they wouldn't have been flying

[bermudat]

35. No

Not really

[Nye Bevan]

40. Wow. He posed for a picture with Sarah Palin?

I guess the "fuck him, I spit on his grave" brigade was right after all.

[Blue_In_AK]

47. Lots of people have posed in pictures with Sarah Palin.

I've taken several myself. It doesn't mean a thing.

[Nye Bevan]

50. You're right, I was being sarcastic.

Sorry.

[Blue_In_AK]

54. I'm sorry.

I didn't realize.

[slampoet]

43. .....sound of crickets.............

[PBS Poll-435]

46. After hearing the story of the '72 crash

A little bit.

[Barack2theFuture]

51. You mean the asshole to nowhere?

[slackmaster]

52. Yes, a little.

I didn't know him, but I find it tragic any time someone dies in a plane crash or car wreck or shipwreck or spacecraft disaster.

[Xenotime]

53. Nope.

[Vinca]

56. No. I don't think Ted ever cared whether any of us lived or died.

He lived to a ripe, old age and anyone should be grateful for that. I'd rather die in a plane crash than rotting away in a nursing home.

[OnyxCollie]

58. He was a corrupt Senator and a convicted felon.

I'll light a candle.

[alsame]

59. My sympathies to his family and the people of Alaska. nt