Alaska Republican Ted Stevens Caught On Tape By FBI
By Logan Murphy Thursday Sep 20, 2007 6:10pmVia TPM:
The FBI, working with an Alaska oil contractor, secretly taped telephone calls with Sen. Ted Stevens as part of a public corruption sting, according to people close to the investigation.
The secret recordings suggest the Justice Department was eyeing Stevens long before June, when the Republican senator first publicly acknowledged he was under scrutiny. At that time, it appeared Stevens was a new focus in a case that had already ensnared several state lawmakers.
The recorded calls between Stevens and businessman Bill Allen were confirmed by two people close to the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still under way. They declined to say how many calls were recorded or what was said.
Allen, a wealthy businessman and Stevens' political patron, agreed to the taping last year after authorities confronted him with evidence he had bribed Alaska lawmakers. He pleaded guilty to bribery and is a key witness against Alaska legislators. He also has told prosecutors he paid his employees to renovate the senator's house. Read more...
I wonder how Stevens feels about wiretapping now...
CREW has Stevens on the list of Most Corrupt Politicians, how much longer does he have before he is stripped of his seats or is forced to retire?
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"I wonder how Stevens feels about wiretapping now..."
I'm guessing he thinks that ol' Constitution is a good idea now.
Ah, this is all "token gesturing" on the part of the GOP and white house. Stevens, in his senile state, was blathering in public about all of his criminal "good ole' boy" dealings so it was obvious that he was doing more harm to the GOP than anything. If they really want to clean up their act, they need to go after the serious criminals, liars, crooks, hypocrites and pedophiles in their ranks. This is nothing.
[Deleted. I know it's a joke but please. Let's not suggest violent acts, even in jest-Sitemonitor]
Sure would be nice if Stevens would go and jump off his "bridge to no where".
Why does the FBI want the turrists to win?
Karma sure has its work cut out for it these days.
it looks like alot of seats in the Senate will be taken up by Dems in the next election.......hopefully Stevens will get some jail time....but I doubt it.....he should atleast lose his pension if he is infact guilty.......
The funny thing is, this wiretapping of Stevens, presumably, had nothing to do with FISA, the Patriot Act, or any other weakening of civil liberties BushCo has undertaken.
But it's pretty satisfying to see a(nother) corrupt Republic Party politician fall under the broad surveillance powers of the FBI, now, isn't it? Let's just sit back and find out how the good Senator reacts...
They don't specify if the FBI had a warrant to tap his phone.
I'd be tickled if they didn't. Make these bastards rethink the unconstitutional legislation they peddle.
[Deleted. I know it's a joke but please. Let's not suggest violent acts, even in jest-Sitemonitor]
I wonder how Stevens feels about wiretapping now…
Oh, I'm sure he feels just like all these Red Staters caught Red Handed -- that it isn't fair or Constitutional to do any of this to him. It's character assassination, political theater, and enables terrorists. What we really need to do is go after Democrats this way. And no, that's not an inconsistency, and anyone who thinks so probably only loves the terrorists.
[Deleted. I know it's a joke but please. Let's not suggest violent acts, even in jest-Sitemonitor]
Jdo @ 9:
If that's the case, it won't make them rethink anything. People with Hannitized minds are never given pause by having tables turned. Their brains work very simply: My side good; other side bad. Period.
"how much longer does he have before he is stripped of his seats or is forced to retire?
Is that an "over/under" kind of question? There was no sex involved (as far as we know) so I'm going with "a long time".
Karen @ 13:
Agreed. I keep making the mistake of assuming they can think outside of that us vs them box.
Loonie @ 6:
Beautiful! Well put.
[Deleted. I know it's a joke but please. Let's not suggest violent acts, even in jest-Sitemonitor]
"i wonder how how"...lol, i love it!
[Deleted. I know it's a joke but please. Let's not suggest violent acts, even in jest-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Alternate troll name-Sitemonitor]
They could of put a stop to the surveillance if they wanted to protect senator Stevens. I say they gave him up for superficial appearance of justice being served.
site moniter...do you think we could get a thread on McCain at the NRA today......I think it was today.....anyway thanks.....oh...Stevens is a crook and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.....................maybe he should be sentenced to serve time in Barrow .....that would work for me.
homer simpson: damn poetic justice!
ok ....the McCain thing set me off....I'll be nice....wait to you see what McCain said at the NRA.....it'll make your blood boil.
"The FBI is not a big truck . . . it is a series of wiretaps, in tubes!"
Why the delay?
Granted, investigations take time. But they already prosecuted several others over the same events. Meanwhile, Stevens is free to strafe the Constitution a little longer.
Methinks the DoJ was dragging its feet due to some important GOP votes in the Senate.
Just, y'know, Spidey-sense tingling.
Now that is what I call KARMA
I wonder how Stevens feel now about wiretapping. ROFL
I read somewhere where the state officials in Alaska have asked him to resign. But we all know that's a dream. It would be better if he didn't. That way it can be kept in the public eye up to the elections. I also read that every single solitary member of congress from Alaska is under indictment or investigation or already in jail....how's that for a corrupt state.
[McCain is not the topic of this thread. Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
obviously this Allen guy cut a deal w/the FBI........looks to me they caught a pretty big fish.fugum...I hope he likes his new roomie....in THE BIG HOUSE.....bubba the dancing bear..
Stevens may be able to get the witetaps thrown out:
Prosecutors Worry Court Decision May Threaten Pol Wiretaps
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004264.php
Why does John McCain even warrant a thread. He's about as significant to the presidential race as facts are to Bush. McCains only in the race for campaign contributions, because we all know someone that's anti-torture can't get appeal to the republican base anymore.
nosering @ 29:
isp.......especially the dillusional ones.
How much republican shit do they need to be forced to smell before the democrats will do anything meaningful? For crying out loud, they are acting like f**king invertebrates!
No wonder Congress has an approval rating lower than the cheney/bush White House. The repukes have made the filibuster a daily event, and the democrats don't have the balls to stand up to them or to bush. Disgusting.
This country is in deep trouble, and the MSM is totally complicit, as are the members of Congress who, out of fear of losing their lucrative jobs and lifelong perks, consistently roll over for bush.
Forget about your f**king jobs, and realize that it is our country that is in danger of being lost!!!!
[Deleted. Off topic and RUDE-Sitemonitor]
nosering @ 35:
LOL.....take your pick..
Oh gawd, please don't make him cry.
justabill @ 31:
From that article:
Fascism progresses nicely. Only citizens may be tapped -- warrants be damned. Lawmakers, however, may not be, even with a warrant.
Ya know, Senator... the phone system is just "a series of tubes"....You know tubes filled with very useful information.
Ahhhh, technology. Tubalicious!!!
he is one of the loudest hypocrites in the gop. le'ts hope he gets his karma.
Stevens is busted on tape by the FBI... OK, fine, and....
So what now?... He's still in the senate representin... I mean if the jerk doesn't have to face 'real' consequences for what he's done like a trial and maybe jail time, then what the fuck does it matter??? If history and these fuckers track record is any indication of what to expect; then seems like if there's a real chance for trouble for the ol boy, I'm sure we're shortly going to be treated to a waterworks 'Jimmy Swaggart' moment begging forgiveness, and redemption... Then we're all going to be encouraged to 'move along'.... This guy is an old fart schemer problably verging on senility, who needs to be out of congress.. But it ain't happened yet and I'm not so sure this is gonna get that done...........Hell, it's not like they caught him in bed with a small boy or girl, or a undercover cop in a public john.... That's about the only situations that really get these pricks in trouble these days...JD
Mo Bettah Tubes!!!!
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
nosering @ 43:
Please elaborate. How is the MSM left wing? What evidence do you have?
I highly doubt anyone here actually gauges popular opinion by reading C&L or Kos, but then, you don't know how we think. Nor do you know how many people actually read these blogs.
http://theprogressivepost.blogspot.com/2007/09/teds-bill-coming-due.html
tHeGaMeOfLiFe @ 37:
[Awwww. A sensitive troll who is pathetically OFF TOPIC. Deleted-Sitemonitor]
Wow - couldn't happen to a nicer guy. If Senator had any idea how many people he made truly happy today - he'd literally explode - right in front of the cameras. I'm waiting - I don't want to miss this . . . .
Lets see..Allen has plead guilty.....and....Stevens had a remodel done by this guy.....hmmmmmm.....nawwwwwwwwww...not a repug...say it ain't so.Well at least he didn't try to pick up a young boy or another man it the rest room.But it's still early.
Hey Stevens! You Repiglican POS - look at this!
*
He should have used e-mail. That way it might get lost in the clogs in the tubes, or the White House could delete it.
Karen @ 44:
And I e-mail them all over the world. People in other countries are happy to see America waking up. They've always known about these lies many Americans don't seem to catch on to.
What lives under a bridge?
Stevens is as innocent as the surge is working....lets see..we have about 150,000 soldiers in Iraq+ 180,000 blackwater mercenaries(terrrrists)...so we have roughly 330,000 personel in Iraq....and it ain't working.As for Stevens......ummmm....yeah ..sure.
small numbers...LOL...yeah right....then why are you here?
nosering @ 43:
Nosering, scroll down a bit to that little black and green box next to that REALLY LARGE number and click on it. Check on the number of folks that come here on a regular basis. THOUSANDS, DUDE! And we know where you are!
Holy crap, nosering! 170, 000 hits today alone. 8,000 in the last hour! Fuck a Duck!
It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
oops. Only 150, 000 today. A slow day. 170,000 is the average.
Past your bedtime, nosering.
I think deep down, Ted always knew one of those new-fangled gadgets would get him in the end.
I know this is off topic C&L. But those numbers are friggin' amazing. You don't advertise and the only way folks get here are by accident (me) or word of mouth. If this were a mom and pop country store with those numbers...crap, John should TOTALLY be proud of himself.
The CREW site displays one of the major differences between Democrats and republics: Democrats want all unethical and corrupt politicians of both parties ousted--permanently, while republics would exalt their own corrupt party members to leadership positions. Republics suck...period.
Anybody see Mel Brooks' Dracula, Dead and Loving It? I'm reminded of the gag where the mental asylum prison guard, played by Rudy DeLuca, is egging on Renfield's already agitated state. He is peeking through the floor hatch on the door of Renfield's cell saying, "Renfield! I've got to get out of here! The walls.....they're closing in on me! I can't breathe!...". And, Renfield freaks out even more, believing the guard to be another prisoner in the mental hospital. It's a classic Mel Brooks mind-fuck scene, very funny.
I hope that's how this sanctimonius little thug Stevens is feeling... like the walls are closing in on him and he can't breathe. I couldn't help but laugh, because that scene is the first thing that popped into my mind when I read this post.
Poor Ted! Turned in by a member of his own crew. But, unlike the fictional Supranos, Ted's crime family didn't find his "Big Pussy" in time.
Ted Stevens always reminded me of Uncle Junior.
Karen @ 38:
In Alaska one person my tape conversations without the other party knowing. In Steven's case it was his BFF Bill Allen who did the taping. So I'm not certain the court decision regarding Jefferson applies.
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
Strawberry @ 56:
HA......LOL.......thank Strawberry.........fly united.
not to sound obtuse....but......someone here does know where you are...and who you are.....hehehehe....
nosering...you do realize the US is sponsoring terror...don't you?
Hey, Senator Stevens,
I'm the guy in the control room at KTTU, Channel Two, in Fairbanks... 1986, remember??? During the interview about the pipeline and the Guitchn' Caribou People. I'm the guy in the Cowboy Hat!
Now yer ass is in a SLING... and I'm out walkin' around fancy free!
Na, na, na, na ,na.
Average stay 3 minutes 10 seconds. AVERAGE
I rest my case . a few hundred (oh,a couple thou) spend all day jacking each other [Hmmm THAT sounds familiar-Sitemonitor] and the rest are gone in under a minute. Half of THEM after they see what they have been linked to unwittingly.
Say you have 10,000 people clicked here.
350 stay for an hour.
9650 stay ONE MINUTE.
Average==Just over 3 minutes.
[Deleted]
[Wow. thanks for improving our stats, by sticking around for longer than 3 minutes. What's the topic of this thread? Sitemonitor]
nosering @ 67:
No nosering...It's called S I T E M E T E R... it can tell where in the world you're from, ya know like Carmen San Diego? Technology is your friend.
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
Oh and how does Redstate stack up, Sparky? Or YOUR website? That's right, you don't fucking have one! GIT!
Damn.....I wonder who he pissed off.
nosering @ 74:
No sweetcakes, I'll die to defend your right to make a complete ass out of yourself.
Strawberry @ 77:
I guess I didn't make a friend......and i was being nice too......oh well.....I'll get Sen Stevens to bribe my way in.....lol
[Deleted. Off Topic-Sitemonitor]
Chris from Ohio @ 76:
ALL of 'em. By disagreeing.
damnit.....some one has issues up there^.....oh and Stevens is a crook...
sorry about that.........I'll be going now....gn all and thanks site moniter for putting up with me...
nosering @ 66:
Actually, your third one is very recent.
So, you don't actually have something you think is current evidence, except for your general feeling.
My experience of their product is quite different, though you'll likely accuse me of watching with "pre-bias" rather than "openly." I am hard pressed to convince you otherwise, since you appear to have pre-judged me. To wit:
Did I say that? I said nothing of the sort to you. I simply asked you for evidence of your contention that the media itself has a liberal bias. Personally, I think searching for "bias" in the media in general, is somewhat a fool's errand. I do appreciate Media Matters' attempts to highlight the plethora of conservative misinformation, however. Not that liberal misinformation isn't out there too. My experience of their product in today's times, however, is one of continuous misinformation that benefits conservatives.
Why would you try to avoid asking for evidence? Evidence is the first thing a non-biased person must search for when seeking truth. That's why I asked you for it. I would happily study your evidence, and am always willing to be convinced.
I agree that ownership itself does not tell you that the media is conservative. However, it could play a part in many media outlets' decisions to run conservative talk show hosts despite their low ratings, or despite the higher ratings of potential progressive alternatives.
By the same token, the mere fact that journalists themselves might be liberal does not, in and of itself, make the media liberal. It's the information provided -- their "product," as you put it -- that counts. Of course, the owners might be conservative and the reporters might be liberal. Or the reverse might be true. What matters is the product.
Of these links, the last (and most current) says simply that 144 journalists have been identified as having donated money to Democrats. Such is hardly evidence that the media's product is liberal. (Moreover, this article says that newsrooms are heavily influenced by the "homosexual lobby." Such statements indicate a bias of its own. And a silly one.)
The first, says largely the same thing. That many reporters are themselves liberal. Again, not evidence that their reporting is liberal.
The only one that attempts to deal with the product of the media itself is second link, a National Review article from the 1980s. While that article does point out some instances (contemporary to its decade) of apparent double standards in the media of highlighting conservative corruption, while ignoring corruption on the other side of the aisle, it is hardly proof that today's media are, as you put it "left wing shills."
You'll find all sorts of people posting all sorts of ridiculous things as blog commentary. You'll also find a lot of intelligent discussion. Frankly, no, you cannot tell who reads what for information sources just by coming on a blog to discuss something. That would require an empirical study.
Personally, I do come here for information. It is hardly my only source. I'll read many different sites and newspapers to find information. And I know many people who do the same thing, and who use C&L as an information source. But I'll refrain from saying what people do in general.
Oh, I'd imagine you're correct on that. Same for readers of conservative blogs, libertarian blogs, newspapers, local news watchers, etc.
This is a peculiar rant coming from someone who has posted what you have posted in this thread. Of course, the fact that you have engaged in some belittling, selective perception yourself in no way undermines what you are saying. Indeed, you can find a lot of raging nonsense on commentary sections of blogs. All blogs.
So, ignore that, and converse with those who are contributing intelligently. There are plenty of us, if you are willing not to be "pre-biased" against us.
But you said that we did. You said, "You’ve fooled yourself into thinking you have a popular set of notions because hundreds come to this blog."
To be convinced of one's own righteousness is an unfortunate, human attribute. We're all guilty of it to some extent. It's hardly the province of liberal bloggers.
And in my experience, common sense hardly permeates "real life America."
So, you're essentially saying that you channel us in an attempt to imitate our thought processes. This does not speak well of your own analytical abilities. Nor does the lack of eloquence in this statement.
I think you're intelligent enough to realize that plenty of personalities participate in blogs of every stripe. C&L's participants are hardly monolithic in their viewpoints or styles. If the sillier rants really get under your skin this much, and you think it gives you a GOOD IDEA of how hateful liberals think, I would suggest you get some much needed rest, and get into therapy.
Thing Fish @ 65:
I'm not sure either. It'd have to read the various precedents, cases and briefs each side will use. Still, though, the idea that precedent might lead us to a world where lawmakers can't be wiretapped, but citizens can, is...well...let's just say I wish I could dismiss the possibility as paranoia.
Karen @ 83:
Johnny2Bad @ 85:
The GOP hates honesty.
Karen. I love your posts. I wish I could be as thoughtful and well educated as you. But I've come to the conclusion that I'm a shock and awe kinda' gal.
Stevens graduated from Ferdinand Marcos U
I guess this means our wishes are coming true, we can remove Ted's name from our International airport. We won't have to here Ted call the Internet a series of tubes. Maybe Alaska will feel like home again...hmmm...doubt it. I just hope he takes that S.O.B. Don Young with him upon departure.
damn those tubes....damn them to hell...
Karen @ 84:
I should've added the IANAL disclaimer. I wouldn't be shocked if Steven's tries to claim his recorded conversations were "the people's" business. Steven's could say he wanted to make certain he wasn't selling his office too dear.
I'm thinking this may be a red herring by the Justice department given the issue was about going through legislative documents in a Capitol Hill office. I haven't heard that the documents were critical to the case.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Need to see if the assertion that "[s]ome members of Congress interpret the ruling as prohibiting FBI agents from interviewing congressional staffers" as the attorneys claimed. (It's this claim, without specific example, of "some" members that make me think it's a red herring. Justice Department isn't what I'd consider a bastion of integrity right now.)
Still, an interesting twist to the Steven's story.
Marge @ 28:
If we were to list every state that had a few corrupt politicians in it, we'd have to call the every state corrupt. I willing to bet you have a few of your own corrupt officials. What state is it you live in?
I wonder whether the wiretapping of Ted Stevens was being conducted under a warrant. I know it's a side note, but the wiretapping issue generating such controversy right now is about *warrantless* wiretapping, not just any wiretapping.
The FBI must have been listening & watching Sen. Stevens through them internets tubes.
What?!? You want him to have *consequences* for his actions?
Bu-but, he's a Republican!
Just an OT shout out for Alaskans like at Alaskan Alpine Club that gives me hope that Steven's is just an aberration.
I wonder how Stevens feels about wiretapping now…
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAA
It would be great to see Mike Gravel run for a senate seat in Alaska.
Ted Stevens has a problem. Even if his mouth piece gets the wire tap thrown out (rather unlikely with the active participation of one party), Bill Allen has a plea deal with prosecuters to testify against Stevens. Not surprisingly, Ted Stevens' certain bribery indictment is seen by his fellow Repugs as less serious than Senator Craig's foot tapping.
And another one bites the dust.
Wireless surveillance? Isn't that done through a series of tubes; unlike a dump truck, of course...
[...] reaction from Crooks and Liars I wonder how Stevens feels about wiretapping now… Powered by Gregarious [...]
It would be great to see Mike Gravel run for a senate seat in Alaska.
oh yeah!
I wonder whether the wiretapping of Ted Stevens was being conducted under a warrant. I know it’s a side note, but the wiretapping issue generating such controversy right now is about *warrantless* wiretapping, not just any wiretapping.
But of course in order to hype the whole news story the newscast conveniently left that information out.
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