Stevens leaves to a standing ovation
By lilwonders
@lilwonders456 (8214)
United States
November 21, 2008 11:07am CST
Stevens convicted of taking bribes and abusing is his position was given a standing ovation and spoken of nicely by his fellow Senators on both sides on his last day in office. Anyone else have problem with this? Why are they celebrating a politican that was corrupt? Why did they publicly praise his 40 years of service? Is this an endorsement of his actions? Or is it they are all guilty of the same actions but he was the one that got caught?
I sat dumbfouded as I watched Senators crying (yes actually crying) over this man loosing his seat in congress. What is wrong with these people?
2 people like this
4 responses
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
23 Nov 08
Well what can we expect, they're politicians, minimum requirement a Master's in Hypocrisy. It's all about form, there's no substance to politics, in just about any electorate. The eleventh commandment applies, thou shalt not get caught, but if you do, bluff it out to the end, and we'll all pat you on the back as you go. Because next week it might be us. I mean, in an era which accepts multimillion dollar payouts to CEOs who have sent major companies bankrupt, Golden handshakes of the most cynical kind, governments hardly need to be any different. Does he get a senator's full pensions and perks?
Lash
2 people like this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
23 Nov 08
Yep he still gets his pension and all the perks. Makes you sick doesnt it.
1 person likes this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
21 Nov 08
There are probably a good many of them that know the same thing could happen to them!
1 person likes this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
21 Nov 08
You are probly right. It was a huge Stevens lovefest. I was absolutely shocked. I exspected them to shun him. It makes me wonder, if he would have won....would they have really expelled him? WIth the way they were gushing all over him I do not think they would have.
2 people like this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I thought it was strange that they were even considering keeping him after he was convicted!
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I was kind of surprised since I'd heard somewhere recently that Stevens wasn't all that well liked in the Senate, even by his own party. They then showed that clip of him yelling, "NO!", I forget what it was about. Last evening someone on one of the news shows I was watching was saying how outrageous it was that they spend so much time saying goodbye to Stevens when there is so much they should be trying to get done in their "lame duck" session. It really reminded me of Stromm Shurmond's birthday party a few years back when Trent Lott stuck his foot in his mouth.
I'm trying not to believe they're "all" guilty of the same actions but it's amusing and amazing how they can show so much affection to a known crook!
Annie
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I know, it sure did look like he was the most loved person who had ever served and that he'd never done a thing wrong in his life but I really did hear somebody say he wasn't one of the more popular Senators. They were saying that when discussing whether the Senate would do the right thing and expel him if he did get reelected. All I can say is maybe they were so relieved they didn't have to take action to get rid of him themselves they were feeling really generous towards him. Whatever their motives, it was enough to make you want to barf, wasn't it...lol?
Annie
1 person likes this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
21 Nov 08
His war cry short of speaking for his whole 40 years in congress was "screw politics I am doing what's best for Alaska". They say he did do a lot for his state.
As for how what the other congress members thought of him, well yesterdays cry fest made it look like he was well liked and as one senator put it "we will miss you, alaska will miss you, America will miss you".
You would have thought he was the hero of the year and a great man. I was more than shocked. It really ticked me off.
IS this how we treat our politicans who take bribes? Like heroes?
1 person likes this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
24 Nov 08
Well I am astonished that he was not sacked in disgrace after being found guilty. That is what would have happened in Australia. We are quite tough on politicians found guilty.
For that matter we make them resign in shame if the evidence looks strong before it ever gets to court. Not only that he would have been banned from ever standing for the post again.
