Justice in the Ted Stevens prosecution

The Department of Justice team in the Ted Stevens prosecution has given justice a black eye.  We hope Attorney General Eric Holder and Judge Emmet Sullivan have taken the first steps to keep our courts from regularly becoming a political tool during election campaigns.

Hit and Run Prosecutors

When U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced the Department of Justice would be requesting dismissal of charges against Senator Ted Stevens, many Alaskans felt two emotions.  First, we were glad “Uncle Ted” was off the hook.  Then we got mad, because he was the person we wanted in the Senate.  We felt cheated by the other party’s dirty politics.

These where my thoughts when I drew the cartoon with donkey’s heads on the prosecutors; the result was some strong feedback on both sides — read the comments for more information.

What Goes Around Comes Around

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In the world of politics, sometimes its easy to become too involved in pointing out the flaws of your opponent, forgetting that your party may not be immune to corruption.

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Alaska’s Senator-elect Mark Begich has Big Shoes to Fill

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After a vicious, hard-fought political campaign, Mark Begich has earned the opportunity to represent Alaskans in Washington D.C.  At a time when the idea of progress for Alaskans finds itself in a hostile political environment he has his work cut out for him.  One thing’s for sure — even Ted Stevens’ detractors have to admit that Begich has some big shoes to fill.

Click on the image to view the full cartoon.

Open Letter to Mark Begich

From: A member of the Alaskan majority party

Dear Senator Begich,

Congratulations on your election to the U.S. Senate.  Yours was a hard-fought campaign, and we wish you the best as you represent us in Washington D.C.

Your term is not destined to be an easy one: Alaska has recently been in the spotlight for a number of reasons: endangered species, climate change, ANWR, political corruption and a wildly popular governor who was on the vice-presidential ticket in opposition to Barack Obama, the current president-elect. Every vote you cast on the Senate floor will be in the shadow of these issues.

On the election process:

Many Alaskans already feel slighted because of the events surrounding this election.

As you are no doubt aware, republicans outnumber democrats two to one in Alaska.  Without the well-timed controversy that effectively sabotaged Senator Stevens’ campaign, the election would have turned out differently. Politics is a dirty game, and we feel cheated because our respected U.S. Senator was damaged by a legal process that we perceive as tarnished by political intrigue, thus depriving us of the opportunity to run a viable republican candidate.

On your loyalties:

The Democratic Party, your party, has frequently taken the lead in opposing our natural desire to improve our infrastructure, economy, and resource-based industries.  And your campaign was largely funded by folks who have specifically been in opposition to Alaskans on those issues.

As a result, you will often be torn between the wishes of the democrat majority in the Senate, including those who helped fund your campaign, and the wishes of the majority of your constituents. You said during your campaign that your loyalties would be toward Alaskans, and we’re about to see your promises put to the test.

On your constituents:

We’ll be watching, and hoping that you are a strong advocate for Alaskans.  If so, you will have our full support.

As your constituents, however, you can expect that we will be watching every official action on your part with a critical eye, keeping in mind our responsibility during the next election cycle.

Alaskans Vote Right

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Alaskans showed their true colors during yesterday’s election, leaning to the conservative side in all three races for federal office.  View updated election results.

President-Elect Barack Obama

Most Alaskans, by nature a self-sufficient and independent people, were not fooled by Barack Obama’s definition of Utopia.  Nevertheless, this is the time to congratulate him on his election to the presidency.

That said, I think the true feelings of our conservative majority were best expressed in one of my favorite blogs, “Everything I know is wrong.”  Take a few moments to read Sean’s posting, “Obama Wins”.

On Senator Ted Stevens’ reelection:

Gunfighting and Politics: Alaskans Defend Stevens

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“You’ve taken care of the immediate threat.  Now look around — make sure your world is safe. Don’t holster your weapon until you’re sure.”   — Range Instructor

Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is fighting for his political career.  With the Washington D.C. jury’s conviction on all seven counts of failing to disclose gifts, he is bound to lose a percentage of support in Alaska-yet he is not without friends. 

Who’s Moving Mark’s Lips?

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Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich is running an all-out campaign against Senator Ted Stevens using huge amounts of money from outside liberal and environmental interests.  And he’s telling us that he will be looking out for Alaskans.

Here is a partial list of contributors to Begich:

• Sen. Barack Obama
• Sen. Joe Biden
• Sen. Hillary Clinton
• Sen. Chuck Shumer
• Sen. Barbara Boxer
• Speaker Nancy Pelosi
• Sen. Harry Reid
• Sen. Maria Cantwell
• Liberal activist Tony Podesta
• Joanie Mitchell
• “Hanoi” Jane Fonda
• Liberal activist Al Franken
• Former VP and environmental activist Al Gore
• Moveon.org

Are these people contributing to Mark so he can “stand up for Alaskans” in Congress?  Really?

Read more in the Ketchikan Daily News.

More information: http://www.alaskarepublicans.com/

Alaska’s Republicans in Congress

It seems these days, from reading the Anchorage Daily News and a few others, we can assume many of our Republican politicians are related because they all have the same surname, “Who-is-under-investigation.” The few who have been indicted and convicted have given the opposition a broad brush with which to blacken the rest of the party.