swtimes.com — Senators have ways to stymie things. One of the senators most criticized for his personal projects, Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, has a hold of his own on Coburn’s bill (Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act). Apparently this is payback since Coburn opposed Ted's Bridge to Nowhere earlier. I think the bill is a great idea.
Aug 30, 2006 View in Crawl 4
bufordtAug 30, 2006
"an internet was sent by my staff"God Damn internet-sending staff members!
romzombieAug 30, 2006
Here's what I sent to him at <a class="user" href="http://stevens.senate.gov/contact.cfm">http://stevens.senate.gov/contact.cfm</a> .I am deeply ashamed that a representative of the government of our nation would be so deeply against the public knowing the allocation of federal funds as to place a legislative hold on a transparency bill. The money that is being shuffled comes from each and every one of our wallets, and if it's being misappropriated, we as taxpayers deserve to address the issue without it being obfuscated. Information should be freely flowing, Mr Stevens.
demarcheAug 30, 2006
You can count me among The Tube's detractors, however, lets at least represent the bridge thing fairly. The bridge was proposed to connect the city of Ketchikan on the mainland with the Gravina Island. Check out the geography here: <a class="user" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=Ketchikan,+AK">http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=Ketchikan,+AK</a>While it's true that less than 50 people live on Gravina island, it is where Ketchikan International Airport (KTN) is located (see the map). Currently, if you want to get from the airport to the mainland you take a boat. According to data from the FAA Airport Master Record as of January 24, 1996 (dated I know), a total of 20 aircraft are based at the Ketchikan airport. Operations for the 12 months ending January 24, 1996 totaled 16,208 including 5,290 air carrier, 9,789 air taxi, 410 general aviation local, 575 general aviation transit, and 144 military. There are approximately 700-900 operations per day during the summer season, but considerably less during the winter season. This includes communications with aircraft that are flying over the area and not landing at Ketchikan. (<a class="user" href="http://www.faa.gov/ats/ars/Directorates/Arw/SiteVist_KTN.htm).">http://www.faa.gov/ats/ars/Directorates/Arw/SiteVist_KTN.htm).</a>Now, if you lived in Ketchikan, or operated an airline into/out of KTN, the infamous bridge would probably be absolutely great. Was it worth the federal money we would have spent on it, probably not. But lets get through the propaganda from both directions and understand that this wasn't purely pointless, there was a valid reason for wanting it, it just wasn't worth the money
jbcghiaAug 30, 2006
Term limits are not the answer. Voter participation is. Cap election spending to a small publicly financed amount so that incumbents can't continually buy elections via lobbyist's money. Don't allow any other money, hold all debates on cspan and public access and get rid of commercials for politicians and voter initiatives. Level the playing field at the voter/candidate level and forget about term limits...i know a pipe dream but...
pileAug 30, 2006
"My friend from Alaska agrees that the only reason he would keep Ted Stevens in office is for the money sent their way for education."Obviously it doesn't seem to be working to educate the people of Alaska well enough to see beyond their short term self-interests.
corvidaeAug 31, 2006
It's pretty much garunteed that anything Stevens does is against what 99% of the rest of the country would want. He's a bought and paid for senator, plain and simple.
demarcheAug 31, 2006
@ochitoI see your point, but as a reality check, the new *runway* that my local international airport is building will cost between $1.1 and $1.2 billion.