Fond of saying “the only special interest I care about is Alaska,” Ted Stevens was convicted today on seven counts of lying about more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations he received from corrupt oil and field services contractor Bill Allen (founder of VECO, Corp.)  I guess he figures because his home is in Alaska, that was an improvement that everyone could appreciate.

A couple of interesting facts as quoted by Fox News:

1. Stevens has held his Senate seat for 40 years.
2. He won his sixth term of office in 2002 with 78% of the vote.
3. In 1999 he was named “Alaskan of the Century” for having the greatest impact on the state in 100 years.
4. The anchorage airport is named in his honor.
5. He plans to continue running for office, although he now faces a tight race with Democrat Mark Begich.

My take on these facts:

1. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  It’s examples like this that suggest term limits are there for a reason.  Someone that powerful, if at all inclined, eventually thinks that they are above the law.  That’s not the case.
2. Term limits, term limits, term limits.  This isn’t Wal-Mart.  The people of Alaska and every other state need to start thinking about what new people are able to bring to the table.  New ideas; new integrity.
3. When a state reveres someone to this extent, it’s only a matter of time before something like this happens.  Nobody is immune to human nature.
4. I guess hoping that they’ll rename the airport after Barack Obama is out of the question?
5. Can you effectively run an office from prison?  I mean, this is a felony, right?!?!  They have rules about those things, even in Alaska, right?  (Each count is punishable by 5 years in prison.)

So in all fairness, I commend Ted Stevens for what he’s done for the state of Alaska.  I’m sure he’s done some good things – it’s just too bad that’s all for nothing when convicted of a crime like this.  But, Sarah Palin has told us many times that Alaska is not another country (or planet for that matter) and I believe that it’s time the people of Alaska realize that for themselves – there are stupid people in Alaska, too, but that doesn’t mean you have to put them in office.

To acknowledge his years of service and mitigate any damage that he might do to her, Sarah Palin was quick to put out a less than supportive quote:

“The verdict shines a light on the corrupting influence of the big oil service company that was allowed to control too much of our state. It was part of the culture of corruption I was elected to fight. And that fight must always move forward regardless of party or seniority or even past service.  I’m confident Senator Stevens will do what’s right for the people of Alaska.”

I’m sure Senator Stevens is thinking, “and thank for your support, bitch.”

Ranter