May 6, 2007 - 12:47pm | aktraveller

Lighten up Francis (Natalie O)

While I agree their actions are particularly reprehensible, I would never in a million years equate their slimey moves with rape or assault. Sorry, just can't do it. Huge difference. I think this isn't quite the time for hyperbole and knee jerk reactions with such statements.

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  May 6, 2007 - 8:06pm | Natalie_0

Lighten Up for What?

In some ways you're right. But this is no knee jerk reaction. Their crimes are worst because, as lawmakers, they were entrusted by the people of Alaska to do the right thing. As a taxpayer and resident of Alaska, I feel like I've been assaulted so I call it like I see it. I'm sure they all took an oath. They broke it. Nobody forced them to do this...they choose to do it because they thought they could get away with it!

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  May 7, 2007 - 5:48pm | aktraveller

Of course you are entitled to your opinion

I just hope you or someone you know ever suffers through such a crime because I guess you will say "I know it's bad kids, but at least a legislator didn't try to bribe you, that would be a lot worse." Try and keep some perspective. What they did was bad, but not even slightly on par with rape. That suggestion denigrates your argument somewhat.

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  May 6, 2007 - 2:54pm | gilld

Good Point

I voted for Vic Kohring once, in the first legislative election after we moved here from North Pole in '96. I had occasion to telephone him the following year; he initially impressed me as someone who promptly returned calls from constituents. However, in the following five minutes he quickly convinced me that I had never talked with anyone with such a closed mind. Yes, I voted for "anyone but Vic" thereafter, and fortunately Chugiak was reapportioned following the 2000 census.

I have always wondered how District 14 voters returned to office a man who can't even produce evidence he lives in the district, let alone the state. We as Alaska voters can only hope the current indictment against Vic will help us know for sure his future address for a few years to come.

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  May 6, 2007 - 10:20am | fishwrapper

$1K Vic

Valley residents need to Ogan Kohring! Asap

fw

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  May 5, 2007 - 12:33pm | rfn

Choices

Was it that Valley voters voted for Kohring or that they voted against the alternative?

When one thinks one is voting for the "the lesser of evils" one often forgets the vote is still for an evil. Maybe it's time for Alaska to establish voting for "none of the above" and disqualifying all contenders when "NOTA" gets the most votes?

Failing that....

Perhaps, when confronted with two candidates you feel are evil, it might be best to vote for (in your mind) the worst. Then you can immediately set out to indict or impeach him/her.

That might firmly establish gridlock; that wonderful period of time when nobody has time to think about raising taxes!

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  May 5, 2007 - 1:35pm | bmcdaniel9

Evil?

Sorry, your theory is weak. Over the years numerous qualified and modest candidates offered themselves up as a choice to Vic. Even in her 80's, Katie Hurley, who ran a strong campaign against him in 2006, is abundantly more qualified and ethical than Vic.

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  May 5, 2007 - 1:40pm | TheSdog

bmc

Qualified is only part of the question. You still have to vote for a candidate that represents your views. I am not sure someone you would vote for would ever it cut it for me even if they were "qualified."

I am sure the same would hold true if I were pushing a "qualified" conservative.

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  May 5, 2007 - 2:07pm | bmcdaniel9

?

How about ethical? Does that matter? Do you subscribe to Vic's "Greed is Good" ethic?

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  May 5, 2007 - 2:21pm | TheSdog

Here's the problem

Do I vote for someone who is "ethical" even if I disagree with them on everything?

My answer is no.

Many people are judged based on their mistakes. I always ask myself when something like this happens would I only want my life judged based on my mistakes. You may want to ask yourself the same question.

I can tell you some of these guys...Anderson in particular from my perspective did push some pieces of good legislation.

Jimmy Carter's "I won't lie to you" sure sounded good until he got in the oval office...even if you disagree with me you have to see my point.

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  May 14, 2007 - 1:01pm | jmth2

I have to see your point?

I see your point. You could cover it with a hat.

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  May 5, 2007 - 12:36pm | TheSdog

rfn

Truly a key. You don't vote in a vacuum. We have to be careful we do not backlash and cut our nose despite our face.

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  May 6, 2007 - 11:56am | rfn

When the alternative would destroy...

When the alternative to a candidate you feel is corrupt is a dedicated near-socialist hell-bent on saving every insect in creation? Or outright BANANA (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Anything); a courageous killer of jobs!

Then the question arises whether it is acceptable to just stay home or weigh the consequences of a corrupt evil against a dark, cold future with only out-of- state opportunities for your offspring. Hell of a choice to have to make!

That's the kind of "win-win" situation politics has brought us.

Now is when we need to look hard at an election option called "None Of The Above". It won't happen but then, neither will the environmental enthusiasts (hobbyists? professional feeders at the "donations" trough?) allow a gasline to be built.

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  May 6, 2007 - 3:23pm | TheSdog

What happens

if none of the above wins?

Do you leave a place without representation?

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  May 6, 2007 - 7:34pm | MeganLarson

None of the above

How about if none of the above wins, all candidates in that race are disqualified and anyone who wants to run has 15 days to declare their candidacy. Then the next election happens 15 days after that and none of the above is not a choice anymore. That would get some fresh blood into our state government!

I know, I know, you hate it. It needs tweaking. So tweak away.

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  May 5, 2007 - 1:37pm | MeganLarson

Dog

It's "cut our nose to spite our face." :) Now I'll make like a tree and get out of here. 'Scuse me while I kiss this guy. :)

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  May 5, 2007 - 1:44pm | TheSdog

Yeah yeah

I'm constantly amazed at how many little errors I make.

Clearly my message here is to not let the anger get a hold of us. "Despite" actually is used occasionally in the expression is slightly diffrent contexts but it was not what I meant here.

I almost put "center" in for "senator" the other day...guess I should slow down the typing and let my brain catch up.

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  May 5, 2007 - 7:10pm | MeganLarson

Slow typing

No, it's fine. I'm not the grammar police. Just trying to be Helpful Herman. You are a busy guy...don't let the typing get in your way. :)

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  May 5, 2007 - 12:06am | edgefinder

Never Happened or...

Never happened or

Ashton Kutcher visits Alaska Legislature:Corrupt Bastards-You've Been Punk'd!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashton_Kutcher

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  May 4, 2007 - 6:50pm | jtgranger

LEO

It is a Conspiracy.

Part of the charges as with 18 U.S.C 371

"Conspiracy to defraud the United States."

It is a perfect world, especially when you leave your politicians behind.

Like Justice Holmes wrote
"Three generations of embiciles are enough."

Unless of course your a Stevens Klan member where "Two generations of embiciles are enough."

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  May 4, 2007 - 5:14pm | AK_Logic

LEO:

You will resort to anything to try and make Dog and I look bad, won't you?
Show me where I have ever defended the idiots involved in todays indictments???

Man you are pathetic, most humans wouldn't use indictments as a reason to celebrate, especially considering the only thing this does is make our Legislature and some of it's decent members look bad too.

I hope the accused get what they deserve, but I am not happy or boastful.
What kind of person are you?

Read my below post to further see what I think about the events of today...

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  May 14, 2007 - 12:35pm | jmth2

Wow!

". . . the only thing this does is make our Legislature and some of it's [sic] decent members look bad too." Wow! And what does it make the sub-imbecilic right-wing-nuts who consistently vote for these Corrupt Bastards look like?

If you have to blame somebody for this mess, just take a look in the mirror. Do you consistently vote for the guy who says, "We'll tax the other guy and deliver the services to you"? Shame on you.

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  May 5, 2007 - 12:12am | leowassilie

Dude, I don't have to do

Dude, I don't have to do that.

You constantly defend the oil industry like they are responsible citizens when they consistently show their real colors.

Maybe you're just blind, maybe you get paid by the industry.

Do you think I'm celebrating? Wow you have a twisted mind. I am happy to see our state get rid of filth.

I'll bet you don't think big oil has anything to do with this do you?

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  May 5, 2007 - 10:21am | TheSdog

Leo

There is a difference between "defending" the oil industry and saying it is reasonable to negotiate with them.

You never seem to get that.

Trust but verify.

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  May 4, 2007 - 6:33pm | TheSdog

"...especially considering

"...especially considering the only thing this does is make our Legislature and some of it's decent members look bad too."

That is the saddest part of this whole thing.

When Maloney(big Dem guy) praised an Anderson bill(now law) recently it dawned on me you sometimes have to understand good people can do bad things.

Nixon will always be judged on Watergate. Nobody will ever remember the other things he did(including some fairly progressive things which actually shaped us more than his conservatism to this day).

The price we paid for Nixon was backlash and the most ineffective pres of the modern era, Jimmy Carter.(Notice I said ineffective and not worst, he is a smart guy just was an awful pres)

People need to put this in perspective and continue to vote the issues and their conscience.

This is not about party alone or Knowles would have beaten Palin. I think Sarah actually took advantage of it and really had no real substantive "stands." She still doesn't. She is who I thought she was and I am glad I voted for Halcro.

Wise Alaskans should keep their eye on the ball. If we get distracted from the issues here all we hear is the thud of the catcher's mit.

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  May 5, 2007 - 12:19am | leowassilie

Nixon would probably be

Nixon would probably be considered a lefty in todays world.

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  May 5, 2007 - 4:09pm | TheSdog

Could be

and JFK might be a conservative.

The old Star Trek analogy....Kirk is JFK liberal and Picard is a Carter liberal.

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  May 5, 2007 - 4:17pm | MeganLarson

Great

Now you've opened up a can of worms. It's not like Star Trek fans like the Internet or blogging or anything...

Kirk=JFK: well, Kirk did always get the girl...

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  May 5, 2007 - 5:26pm | TheSdog

I am a trekkie

despite the underlying left wing political message it often pushes.

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  May 5, 2007 - 7:19pm | MeganLarson

Warm and fuzzy

Even out in cold, cold space.

Yes, I enjoy those shows too; Trekkette I am.

They are TV shows. Very few don't push a left wing political message.

Here's a challenge everyone: post a NBC, CBS, ABC, or FOX prime time television show that pushes right wing political messages. Not the news, but a show with fictional characters who "learn something" during the storyline of the show (although few news programs are right-leaning, anyway).

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  May 5, 2007 - 8:35pm | TheSdog

I have never

watched "24" but the way liberals scream about it, it must be doing something right.

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  May 5, 2007 - 10:09pm | MeganLarson

Duh

How could I have forgotten 24??

I guess "Jericho" would kind of be in that same category...

24 is thrilling but a bit too gory for me. My husband likes it though. It's a testosterone-filled hour!

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  May 8, 2007 - 9:09pm | bmcdaniel9

Liberal TV

My very favorite is Gavel to Gavel. The funniest moments are when Vic sticks the earpiece of his glasses in his mouth and looks studious. I also like watching Nancy Dahlstrom do nothing.

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  May 4, 2007 - 5:55pm | JSpenard

You are so full of spit

If Begich, or 5 or 6 legislators with a D behind their names were indicted you would be dancing in the street. How many times have you accused others of behaving unethically. You have absolutely no credibility after some of the crap you posted. Go back under your rock creep.

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  May 14, 2007 - 12:52pm | jmth2

Go back under your rock creep.

Republicans lay their eggs under rocks. We need to find those eggs and destroy them before any more Republican hatchlings crawl out.

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  May 4, 2007 - 6:49pm | TheSdog

JSpenard

You clearly have not followed Logic carefully or you would remember him hammering Bailey. He, like myself, finds the political games to be nauseating.

It may seem strange to you but it is exactly this kind of BS that Logic and I are railing against when we go after city politicians.

I have less problem with Begich than I do with his supporters when they fail to see problems with the 4th Ave Thtr, ML&P, union contracts, etc.

Go read my Oberstar post on a previous blog and look up just about any DC politician. Where they get money based on committees and party affiliation is scary on both sides of the aisle. Ds and Rs are both beholden to masters.

We need a 3rd party.

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  May 4, 2007 - 7:47pm | Emperor

No Party

There should be no support of any political parties. If groups of people want to get to together to support candidates then they should do so on their own ticket. Top two vote getters in the primary go on to the general, regardless of any affiliations.

It should be against the law for a candidate to accept any contributions cash or in kind from anyone that is not eligible to vote for them. That means only registered voters, in their area of representation. No companies. No Unions. No parties. No PAC's.

As long as politicians have to be whores to the parties and special interests for their contributions we can expect to get rolled for cash after they screw us.

All Alaskans.

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  May 14, 2007 - 1:17pm | jmth2

Compared to the GOP, Dems are altar boys and girls

And we all know what priests do to altar boys and girls.

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  May 4, 2007 - 3:58pm | TheSdog

"A Dukakis Democrat"

Ever lived in Massachusettes Ginny?

I doubt it. I did for 4 years. You want corruption, you'll get it on a grand scale in MA.

It is loaded with Dems. They have complete power and guess what....that magnifies the corruption.

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