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Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the ADN before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers politics and other stories for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

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UPDATE: Ben Stevens on Fagan show audio

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: September 28, 2007 - 3:59 pm

UPDATE: Click here to listen to Ben Stevens on the Dan Fagan show. (Note that it's a long clip and could take awhile to load.)

Audio courtesy of KFQD.

From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

Ben Stevens just called in to Dan Fagan’s show on KFQD. It’s been impossible to talk to Stevens about the ongoing corruption trials and investigations -- he hasn't talked about it since the initial raids of legislative offices last August -- so hearing him talk even peripherally about this stuff is like glimpsing a unicorn or Bigfoot.

Anyway, here’s a few quick quotes from the conversation between Fagan and Stevens - who said Fagan made an inappropriate comment about his family earlier on the show.

Stevens: “Look, he (Bill Allen) might have done something wrong. Obviously he admits he did. But I maintain my innocence, big man… “

...

Stevens said he's being investigated by the Department of Justice, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the IRS.

…

Fagan: “Do you anticipate being indicted?”

Stevens: “Me? I don’t anticipate anything like that, big man. I just live day to day … I didn’t do anything wrong and if I ever get the chance to prove it, I will.”

…

Stevens: “This is a feeding frenzy that’s taking place right now. It’s a blood bath."

…

Fagan asked if Stevens is worried about his father, Sen. Ted Stevens’, future.

Ben Stevens said: “My father’s been in politics for 57 years. He’s been investigated numerous times. This is a feeding frenzy…”

He said in the current environment, people assume that anyone who is accused of anything is automatically considered guilty.

Fagan asked if Stevens is worried about his own future.

Stevens said: “I’m fine with my future. I’ve got family. I’m working. … I’ll survive this Dan.”

…

Stevens said he speaks to his father all the time and got an e-mail from him this morning.

When Fagan talked about the father and son being targets, Stevens said:

“He (Sen. Ted Stevens) is a big, big fish, big man. I’m just a little guppy.”

Finally, Stevens made a joke, asking what would have happened if jurors in the Kott trial would have deliberated as much as in the Carl the cat case.

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44 October 20, 2007 - 10:54pm | akwapsc

just the facts folks

15 September 28, 2007 - 8:17pm | akwapsc

Y'all out there may not like it....

but Ben is right.

My main interaction with him was as a member of the Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board, funded with not taxpayer dollars, but with import duties and fees on farmed and wild fish from foreign countries.... think Thailand Shrimp and Vietnamese catfish.

The SK funds that were used for this board were designated to be used up to for 33% American seafood marketing. Now since by 1997, we were down to an average of 1%, the seafood industry, behind the leadership of Bruce Schactler of Kodiak and Scott McAllister of Juneau, who were at the time co-chairs of the UFA Marketing committee, well, we went to Senator Ted Stevens a decade ago, 4 years before Ben Stevens was ever in the Alaska Senate. Heck, you can see the plans from 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, probably updated at least once, if not twice, each year. It was called the S & M Marketing Plan, named for the promoters, but we just changed it to the UFA Marketing Plan for obvious reasons.

We said, hey, why is this designated seafood import fee not being used for its designated purpose. So Senator Stevens went to work and Bruce and Scott went to work and after years and years we got the ball rolling on this. This is one of the finest constituent services that could be done.

The money was spent exactly as it was supposed to be,save for perhaps a larger portion was used to fund ASMI than we originally envisioned. But that worked out fine as ASMI, along with our efforts and some other positive Wild Alaska Seafood news out there, has caused the average value of salmon back to the fisherman to double in some cases, triple in others, in some areas of the state it's only gone up like 50%.

But all told, the $36 million investment into alaska seafood marketing and promotion has yielded hundreds of millions of dollars in increased value to the Alaskan fisherman, his family, community and state.

=================================

I also work for a non-profit that hired a firm that Ben was partners in, Advance North, to do some serious work on a salmon buyback on the Federal level. The first thing Advance North did was cut back the program by $28 million, from $53 million to the current funding level of $25 million.

And, rather than being low, farm bill interest, with the lion's share consisting of a grant, we are going to be paying prime plus whatever for 80% of the program.

The work for the state bill that enabled this buyback came through legislation in 2002, over 2 years before we hired Advance North. If I recollect my short visit with Senator Ben Stevens, as a volunteer, during that session, I believe that he was not in favor as he didn't believe that our original plan was realistic. --probably why Advance North cut our program in half-- He eventually supported the legislation. It was authored by the late Drew Skalzi.

The work done by the partners was exceptional enough that, 2 years after our engagement ended with Advance, we still work with the other partner. We won't change a thing. The quality of advice, the meetings with staff at NMFS as well as Congress, the negotiation to allow a misfit, east coast MSA buyback system designed for conservation to be used for economic situations, the consulting.... heck I've worked both as a volunteer and then as paid staff at a nonprofit for 13 years of using federal lobbyists, and when we changed our old Virginia firm for an Alaskan firm in June of 2004, I thought we'd done a good thing.

Well, I can tell you right now that in the future, companies and non-profits like ours won't be hiring Alaskans. That's just a fact, not a threat.

Most Alaskans wouldn't know their way around Washington DC without a lobbyist or consultant. And it's not the delegation necessarily that you need to find....it's the folks at Commerce, the NMFS folks, plus often Alaska has historically worked well with such states as Washington and Oregon, and especially Hawaii.

Say what you will, but this part of the chapter with Ben Stevens has been intentionally distorted by folks who dislike he and or his father. And it's the only chapter I know. If any of the rest of the allegations hold as much water as the phony BS that I know about the way the AFMB and Advance North stories are being promoted in the media, et. al., then y'all might as well just get back to hunting, working, fishing, whatever you are doing this time of year, because it is very likely that Ben did no wrong, period.

I mean, he might have one of those campaign pens at his house or something.

go ahead now, throw the rocks, but Ben is right.

bobby thorstenson

reply »

43 October 1, 2007 - 7:10am | Barbies_R_US

ALASKANS ARE LOSING JOBS AS A RESULT OF THE VECO/STEVENS PROBLEM

Contact everyone you can about the upcoming special session talking oil.

Your neighbors, and family will be in unemployment lines soon enough if people don't get involved. Several hundred positions have been lost in the past few days in Kenai and on the slope. I guess as long as the governors husband has a job she don't much care. Someone will when the budget shrinks to the point when Anchorage has to shovel our own roads.

Think about life after oil. If there is one. All the programs and state jobs may go away. I have friends who work for non profits, what will they do without funding?

Corruption is bad, it needs to be cleaned up, but we have resources and honest people to fix them.

October 1, 2007 - 9:59am | Bdiddy

Big Clean Up

I came from the outside almost a decade ago in my teens. I have been working and calling Alaska home ever since. I don't call myself Alaskan as I have no native blood. This land is not mine. I am a member of the up and coming generation that will be cleaning up the mess that all you Rep.'s Dem's and Lib's have left. While all you nimrods are in nursing homes having your rear ends wiped by kids we will be cursing your existance. It is really convenient how few people will take responsibility for this era of corruption. War, greed and oil has taken over this nation, and this is acceptable to the majority? Palin is the best thing that has happened to Alaska in a long time. She may not be perfect but so far she seems honest. Us younger folk in the state are watching this all go down with big smiles on our faces. We are dancing and having barbecues and planning the next ones after the next indictment. Life is good here in the Great Land, the light show is just beginning. So the sooner you jerks retire to your bed pans the sooner we will be able start dealing with this awful mess. Don't be surprised at a federal take-over of the oil and gas industry in this state. It looks a lot like it is in the works.
Seeing as global warming is not going to be stopped we might as well shed a few layers, break out the shades, mix a cocktail and enjoy watching these thieves quiver.

By the way WHERE IS FRANK MURKOWSKI?
????????????????????????????????????????

Suppose he might be taking singing lessons??

October 2, 2007 - 8:37pm | pp05416

Keep up the blogs and keep an open mind!

Otherwise you and your generation will be victims of the "I took it all generation" of which sadly, I'm a part. People like akwapsc and Black3 never had to fight for freedom. All they ever learned to become were immoral materialist pigs. I try and give back to my community and many of my friends do the same as I have the compassion to overcome my greediness and "wipe the asses" of those in need. I volunteer and work with young adults and try my best to understand their fears and concerns (which are many due to my generation's lack of sharing). I understand the frustration you vent, as I also understand the frustration of your triyng to make sense of the world with capatalism and imperialism gone wild to the benefit of the "special few". Please try to realize that there are many of us old farts out there that share in your frustration and would like nothing more than to see cures for cancer, econimic stability for the commoner, an end to "oil wars", and hope for the future. Many of us are also frusrated with the party machine be it Rep., Dem., or whatever. Proclaim your independence young 'un and don't let the corrupt of our generation take you down. It's only then that you'll start calling yourself a "true Alaskan". Party on dude!!!

October 2, 2007 - 7:09am | edgefinder

B did it

It is really convenient how few people will take responsibility for this era of corruption.

I' m sure for some cases you hit the nail on the head there,B. There are truly some irresponsible greed/ power motivated idiots that deserve your reprisal, while most others are not a part of this element of "The Greatest Generation" or for that matter Baby Boomer Hippie/Fasciests switches like Black 3.

I happen to have befriended many of these "greatest gen" whose efforts to fight fascism were compulsory. It is a shame that what they fought then is now symptematic of modern day neo-con corporatism.

Gasoline was supplied by lend lease to our allies at a nickel a barrel, including the price of the steel barrel, and Armored vehicles were likely leased cheaper than todays lexxus models. Who can say how much control of governments and people that has turned into at todays prices, but this corruption is certainly not isolated to Alaska.

Look to where Oil is, and I figure corruption is there to a greater or lesser extent as in Alaska. Alberta has a lot of rigs, as does GWB's home state. Venezuela has Oil and as we all know Chaves has made political chits to show the world philanthropy in Alaska of all places.

Keep your chin up, and your head out of your butt, and don't be afraid to push peoples' buttons. Someone has to get the machine off of Autopilot and put it on the ground without the aparent impending mishap. But don't think that the Democrats are the perfect solution, or you will wind up rendered into 'vivoleum' before they have to change your bedpan.

October 2, 2007 - 7:40am | pp05416

Hey edge - your

"greatest gen" isn't working. Please repost as I find your links informative and hilarious.

October 2, 2007 - 1:59pm | edgefinder

"Hellcats"

About 400+ showed at this years reunion, better than originaly expected. That represents an increasing number "legacy" members of which I am a part.

I can't remember the number morned this year but it was several pages.

Here is a link to the Association, which had it's 61'st annual reunion this year outside of Cincinatti last month.

This is a link to the museum. The division was organized and did basic training outside of Abiline,TX.

They were called the "Mystery Division" as they were all instructed by to remove their insignias, leaving them unidentifiable if taken prisoner, and giving the majority of the 12th divisions' accomplishments to be claimed by the division under Pattons' direct command.

Montgomery C. Meigs is a 12th Armored legacy member who never met his father who died in WWII.

October 1, 2007 - 10:22pm | concerned1voter

Bdiddy

It is nice to know the state will now be in great hands of you and people like you. I am so glad you are going to make this terrible state better. You know, I kind of like it the way it is now. Everyone is not corrupt......just a few are.......the rest of us are just good Alaskans.

Enjoy your barbeques and dances and hopefully you can make this State better, but forgive me for having my doubts.

October 1, 2007 - 3:01pm | Black3

The vast majority of Alaska's

young people with enough sense to pour piss out of a boot with instructions on the heel are long gone. There has been pretty much zero opportunity here for the last twenty years, at least the "work your way up" kind of opportunity. If you came here with good credentials and someone would hire you, you could do pretty well still. If you came out of the State's illiteracy factories disguised as schools, you'd best like paying rent and eating Top Ramen.

You can have all the dancing and barbecues you want to celebrate the ascendency of socialist stupidity here, the competition for what little remains of a high-value economy is less than intense, so there are lots of people in lots of jobs that only got that job because they were a warm body that would show up.

The only things that have kept the Alaska economy from collapsing over the last twenty years have been all the spending associated with Exxon Valdez, which broke the depressionary cycle stemming from the price collapse in 85-86, and huge federal transfer payments into the State as the result of the Congressional delegation you now all so love to hate.

Had Alaska been forced to live off its own revenue, absent the PF, from '86 to '03, somewhere between a quarter and a third of our population would not be here and our economy would be in a shambles. Now, my young Democrat, have you a solution? Obviously, the oil industry is far too corrupt for Alaska to associate with. Global warming is going to kill us all rather quickly, so nihilistic solutions cannot be removed from consideration. What will you do after your celebration?

It is all so simple when you're young and dumb. Got a way to restore two thirds of TAPS thruput? Got a way to open ANWR or NPRA? Got a way to get the great socialist workers paradise to give up the new flat screen this year and actually use the Permanent Fund for something that might benefit the economy?

And, BTW, hang on to whatever job you might have, since if you stay here, you're going to be paying for those bedpans.

October 2, 2007 - 7:31am | wasilla_blogzilla

Hey black3

Usually I find your pointed comments interesting and informative, but attacking our youth - THIS TIME YOU'VE GONE TO FAR. . black3's problem is now obvious, and it has to do with dual
meanings of getting a "heads up"

October 2, 2007 - 3:37pm | edgefinder

Heads Up..

eeeeewwwwww!

October 1, 2007 - 3:14pm | edgefinder

There has been pretty much

There has been pretty much zero opportunity here for the last twenty years, at least the "work your way up" kind of opportunity.

Isn't that the truth even with educational requirements in the state's merit system?

And whose fault is that ?

But if you screw a supervisor you go right to the top of the list and don't have to follow ethics rules or contracts, do ya, Monty?

October 1, 2007 - 3:48pm | Black3

F**k off, moron. (n/t)

no text

October 2, 2007 - 2:34am | edgefinder

How ya Been ART?

I see you're still waging your war on truth.

Maybe you should call in the congress for some pork.

October 2, 2007 - 11:23am | drdrmann

Is that Hackney?

The GOP fixer, can't fix Ben's fall (Humpty Dumpty). Seems like Ben's leg was chained to Papa Ted's. Hey Art, can you fix our whole delegations fall from grace? You couldn't have been recorded by the FBI also, now could you?

October 2, 2007 - 5:26pm | edgefinder

No, this Art is in a different medium.

This Art is a racist minded Dixie Democrat who turned Republican when it became more fasionable and closer to his feudalist ideologies.

He negotiated bad faith Labor Contracts that would not be enforced and processed (rarely enforced contract) grievances for the State of Alaska and generally attempted violating any rights of his fellow co-workers he could.

In His tenure with the State is characterized by the spiraling PERS deficit without any action to correct it, and countless six figure judgements and settlements against the state. He thought of his job responsibilities as more about making enemies.

After his "appointment to retire," Like labor "leaders" Duncan and Metcalfe before him, he immediately took a position representing against the state, a questionable conflict of interest.

What he acts dumb about, is that the likely source of the raids from out of state are directly related to his ignoring ethics statutes and the resulting scrutiny by the Federal Circuit Court of an alleged "ethics crisis" in SOA.

I would not doubt that there were any FBI recordings of his work, but one can never know. Proper Inquiry would likely turn up countless mail frauds, federal felonies, as all grievance communications go through U.S. Certified Mail. He will be a link to Murkowski wrongdoing.

October 1, 2007 - 10:54am | desaerica

Singing Lessons for Murkowski

Sing a song of six pens
A pocket full of bribes
Four and Twenty Lawyers
Got Kott telling Lies

The Queen was in her office
Getting rid of Crooked Money

The king was in the Courtroom
The Federal Tapes were Funny

When the Lies were Opened
They all Began to Sing
Now wasn't that an indictment
To Serve upon the King

October 1, 2007 - 7:05pm | gilld

Catchy Tune!

Is there a music video to go along with it? You know, something from the group "The Baranof 604s"? I hear they're good! :-)

October 1, 2007 - 8:07pm | edgefinder

'Anticipation'

Carly Simon - Anticipation Lyrics (modified)

(Carly Simon)
We can never know about the indictments to come
But we think about them anyway
And I wonder, if I'm really going down
Or just chasing after some finer defense.

Anticipation, Anticipation
Is making me quake,
Is keeping me waiting

And I tell you how easy it is to be bought off
And how right your bars might feel around me.
But I rehearsed those words just for the court
When I was thinking about how wrong I was.

Anticipation, Anticipation
I question my fate.
Is keeping me praying

And tomorrow we might not be together
I'm no prophet, But dad knows the prosecutor's way
So We try to report all those undeclared gifts right now
And stay right here, 'cause these are the VECO days.

October 1, 2007 - 10:38am | desaerica

Big Clean Up

Your words are well written and well taken. Alaska's young people are owed an apology for the legacy of wrong doing left to them and their children. An apology from those who committed the offenses, an apology from those who knew and collaborated, an apology from those who knew and said or did nothing, an apology from those who looked the other way because they benefited, an apology from those who never bothered to look. Real Alaskans who are noted for not running from an earthquake unless it's a six or more, will, as is usual for Alaskans, repair the damage and clean up the mess of any disaster starting immediately. If we work together this could be Alaska's finest hour. GOOD QUESTION! WHERE IS THE FORMER GOVENOR?

42 October 1, 2007 - 6:42am | SPAM_MaGee

All Aboard & About Alaska's Corruption - Best Blog Choice

Now, one stop bloging that tells it all and welcomes your opinion. Read & comment at: http://www.chinookjournal.blogspot.com
~~ Powered by GOOGLE ~~

41 September 30, 2007 - 11:17pm | turtle3

Dan Fagan

This is to Dan Fagan. I would like to give you just a little constructive criticism. I have always listened to your show, but I have been finding you becoming more and more sarcastic to callers, to the point that you become condescending and then talk negatively about the caller after they are no longer on the line to defend themselves. That is why I respect Eddie Burke. He has a down to Earth way of speaking, even if he disagrees with a caller. He listens patiently to the opposing view and does not degrade the caller, simply for having a differing viewpoint. Also, try not to blanket issues, as you sometimes do. Not everything is cut and dry, or black and white. For example; not all poor people are poor by choice. Sometimes a husband leaves his wife, and she must then raise the children on her own. Was that a choice on her part? No. Sometimes, a house fire leaves a family homeless, and without extra money to carry them through this tough transition. Was this their choice? No. My point is this; Make an attempt to have more patience with differing viewpoints, and allow the speaker to complete their sentences. Do not display a "short" attitude with your callers, this only breeds disdain by the listeners who had once respected you. Do not blanket issues, because this causes listeners to tune you out, because it is far too easy, and careless to simply label a certain class of people. Well, I hope you find my opinion helpful, not as sarcasm.

Your listener,
Anthony Lemons
http://anthonylemons.blogspot.com

40 September 30, 2007 - 5:56pm | Stags_Leap

time for another Palin press release

at the heals of someone else's misery....does she do anything...like actual governing...or is it all well-timed but sophmorish press releases?

What about the state's domestic violence problems? What about all our unisured children? What about our seniors who can't afford their meds -and home care?

Must we all get sucked into this CBC scandal...and not expect our Governor to do something...you know -actually make some decisions that help all Alaskans -instead of just metaphorically???

September 30, 2007 - 10:51pm | truthseeker

Not quite yet Stags..............

Got to let the anticipation build up of Kohring next. What revelations in that trial will show Alaskans that the oil companies (your former (formally) master and now informal master) were the ones behind all the corruption and were the ones funding VECO from whom they got all their money. could it be any clearer?

Well, we are going to need another press release when cowdery rolls around. Never know how much John might have to reveal to save himself jail time. Lots of stuff could come out.

Does anyone know: if the oil companies are charged with criminal activity in this, is it the individuals that are charged, or is it the company, for whom they acting??????

Well, Sarah couldn't miss an opportunity to comment on Ben's eventual indictment. Jeez.........he was such a big part of trying to ram a crappy gasline contract through. And he was so greedy. Who knows what a guy like that with no morals will do to turn on his handlers????

Boy, I don't know when it is going to stop mike. But I take great pleasure in imagining the veins pounding on your head, until you are about ready to blow, as each new revelation comes along, making it harder and harder for you to try to defend the obvious corruption sponsored by the oil companies.

Maybe you will have to take a convenient sabbatical, like larry houle did. It might do you good. In the meantime, keep up your broadside attacks on sarah, keep going completely sideways from the subject at hand to say once again."incompetent'......."state about to fall apart".............."prom queen"..........blah, blah blah. I could just write them for you and save you alot of time. Then you could be working on official matters for the city, instead of spending time politicking on this blog.

September 30, 2007 - 6:03pm | edgefinder

Must we all get sucked into this CBC scandal

Yes, Stagsley, even some of your favorite dimocrats MUST get sucked into it.

39 September 30, 2007 - 3:15pm | turtle3

Innocent until proven guilty

I don't care what anyone is accused of, because everyone in the United States has the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The accused should never be made guilty by the media or people with an agenda. If anyone is corrupt, then they need to be dealt with in accordance to the law. I am all for weeding out corrupt politicians who are supposed to be serving the common people, but they must be weeded out in a proper manner; the court of law.

http://anthonylemons.blogspot.com

September 30, 2007 - 4:46pm | mehlman

I don't think inappropriate behavior needs to be proven in court

I disagree with your assumption that we must not criticize our politicians except when they are proven guilty in a court of law.

The facts are not in dispute here -- just the degree of wrong doing. Ted and Ben placed themselves in clear conflicts of interest by accepting direct favors and cash (not just campaign contributions) from individuals that benefitted directly from their actions. Whether or not Ted and Ben's actions were unlawful remains to be seen -- but there is no question that they crossed the line of appropriate behavior and should be publicly condemned by all voters.

September 30, 2007 - 9:52pm | akwapsc

is it larry mehman from the letterman show

you are so wrong.

it is exactly the facts that are in dispute here.

the media and the blowhard accusers are clearly abusing and misusing and in most cases completely distorting the facts.

October 1, 2007 - 5:57am | jtgranger

With your Seattle Seven in Holland's Federal District Court?

BOBBYT?
"Completely Distorting the Facts?"

Why did Alaska's U.S. District Court Judge Holland call it an "astonishing ruse" bobbyt?

Is he more politically correct, or politically ignorant, bobbyt?

How can Exxon, win Punative Damages, against Exxon, Mr. UFA PRES?

Thru the Seattle Seven Seafood Processors association, how else?

Icicle Seafoods?

United Fishermen of Alaska?

Interesting concept.

You haven't experianced any REAL Hot Air yet.

"Though navagation by water is attended with frequent accidents, and in it's infancy must have been attended with more, yet these are now so familiar that we think little of them compared with recent accidents by balloonists."
Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Jones, June 19, 1785

"...the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea...
his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them; they sank into the bottom as a stone...had dashed in pieces the enemy.
And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee; thou sentanced fourth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered togather, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depth's were congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide my spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty waters..."
Exodus 15,

Since you go to church with Kott, bobbyt, did you miss this sunday school lesson too? Does Ben attend the same church too?

October 1, 2007 - 9:33am | desaerica

Sunday School Lesson

They must have been napping during Thou Shalt Not one oh one too.

October 1, 2007 - 10:00am | akgen

About the only thing Fagan and Guppy Ben

did was give me some good entertainment.

Like, what fool would respond to Fagan to begin with?
Which one is dumber than the other?

Who is the bigger fool? Guppy or Fagan?

Some people are disgusted and feel dirty just by hearing the recording. I can relate to the disgust, then after a few moments, I find myself laughing my head off.

No religion or devine intervention can help these two clucks.

September 30, 2007 - 7:55pm | turtle3

Read before commenting

I never once said that no one can "criticize our politicians", but they can not be found guilty unless a court deems them so. Please do not put words in my mouth.

http://anthonylemons.blogspot.com

October 1, 2007 - 5:54am | jtgranger

Right on Turtle3

Like Kott, they all say not guilty.

But the Jury, always says guilty.

Let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

And why are the Fed's doing Juneau's Job?

Could it be, 670,000 Alaskan's are Guilty?

DUH!

October 3, 2007 - 5:00am | Special_Agent_Roswell

Jackie and Todd-

It seems that your e-mail address as canvasback USA is no longer functional.

I am no longer sure how to contactt you bu e-mail.

I am not sure how to do this bu web address.

Do you remember my e-mail addess, and could you make contact throught that conectivity?

Your Sitka information may be very important.

October 1, 2007 - 12:40am | edgefinder

"If I ever get the chance"

Is Ben's double speak for "When I am indicted and put on trial."

He will have a chance to explain what is going on in his recorded conversations with Bill Allen.

If there weren't evidence of this the prosecutor would not have suggested (or had BA) suggest this happened.

As he Waits to get arrested, I wonder if Benny remembers the actual dialogue he knows is out there, and recorded, and ready to be put in evidence against him?

September 30, 2007 - 4:57pm | Stumpy1

Don't forget the other crooked Murkowski

My how Lisa must be thanking her lucky stars that there is so much corruption involving our legislators that her dirty deal that earned her a spot on the list of the 22 most corrupt officials is getting little notice.

From beyonddelay.org:

"Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is a first-term senator representing Alaska. Sen. Murkowski’s ethics violations stem from her purchase of land in Alaska for a price below market value, her acceptance of a mortgage on terms not available to the general public and her failure to accurately disclose the transaction in her 2006 financial disclosure report.

Kenai River Property Purchase

In December 2006, Sen. Murkowski and her husband paid $179,400 for a 1.2 acre vacant lot on the banks of the Kenai River in Alaska from long-time friend and campaign contributor Bob Penney. Three days after the purchase, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assessing Department valued the land at $214,900, 20% over what Sen. Murkowski paid for the land. According to numerous real estate sources in the area, the Kenai lots actually sell for significantly higher than the Borough assessed price because they are located on a world-famous fishing river. Mr. Penney, the seller of the property, has been questioned in connection with a criminal investigation into real estate transactions involving Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. Mr. Penney, though a real-estate developer who has testified regarding the economic impact of fishing upon the Kenai River property values, claims that he was unaware that the Borough assessed value of Sen. Murkowski’s land had increased since 2005, when it was valued at $120,000.

By purchasing the land at a price below the property’s real value, Sen. Murkowski accepted an improper gift from Mr. Penny in violation of the Senate gift rule.

Mortgage for Purchase of Kenai River Property

Sen. Murkowski financed the purchase of the property with a loan for 80% of the purchase price from First Bank in Ketchikan. Sen. Murkowski once sat on the board of directors of First Bank, her sister is a shareholder and member of the bank’s board of directors, her father previously sat on the board of directors and her grandfather was president of the bank. Financial records show the maturity date for Sen. Murkowski’s loan as 2046, making it a thirty-nine year term. First Bank, however, told an Alaskan media outlet that the standard loans for undeveloped property such as Sen. Murkowski’s have a maximum seven-year maturity. On her 2006 financial disclosure form, Sen. Murkowski reported the term as 15 years.

By accepting a loan on terms not generally available to the general public, Sen. Murkowski accepted an improper gift in violation of the Senate gift rule."

38 September 30, 2007 - 12:54pm | robin_sparkles

OMG ADN, Can't U see they R all BFF?

Way to play the whole CNN-to-Faux News role and report on a supposed imprompt to exchange between the "defiant" Stevens and his big-man Fagan. You lend credibility to the whole setup when you report on it without any critical analysis about weather it really wasn't all staged and stuff. Give it another listen and notice how they are all totally with the tough talk then end with what a victim poor Benny is; followed by a chaser of some anti-fed whining to top it all off. Gotta love the free press for poor Ben, KFQD and their leading big-man. Way 2 go ADN...
LOL,
RS

37 September 30, 2007 - 11:49am | edgefinder

This story on Bob Penny's

This story on Bob Penny's millions in earmarks has a link to the blog.

Will it get it's own thread? This smells bad. These millions dealt out to family friends are what causes the rift in congress between true conservatives and the Theodores and their "party member" entitlement crowd.

What sort of actual qualifications does Bob Penny have to be receiving earmarks of this size, or any at all for that matter, for fishery, habitat, or anything? Shame on you Theodore.

September 30, 2007 - 2:22pm | dmitch04

Can you read at all?

or do you just peruse headlines? Penney didn't get any money, the non-profit he heads up did, as do hundreds of non-profits in this state.

Get real, and get your facts straight.

September 30, 2007 - 6:26pm | edgefinder

Do non-profits have salaried

Do non-profits have salaried individuals? Is Penny one of them?

I bet a dollar he is.

Non-profits are as good a way to launder money as anyone has come up with.

Get facts, and get your reality straight.

September 30, 2007 - 9:06pm | akwapsc

as is bill gates

yeah. bill gates gets a hefty non-profit chunk from krsa as well as the man from mars.

so what if bob penney did get a salary...

but he did not. like he needs the money.

this is the edge of the media run amock here.

October 1, 2007 - 3:11am | edgefinder

The Full Monty

Bob Penny must have needed some money to give Ted Stevens a subscription to the gun of the year club! Can you spell

K-I-C-K-B-A-C-K?

Yeah, swabbie t, all your underhanded self dealing with politicians is comming to light, and even your non profits are comming under scrutiny now,too. A shell game for money is what that looks like. And isn't the seiners' and UFA position supposed to be adversarial to goals of the 'sportfish association' you defend here? Or Is it just an act to get $upport from the folks on both sides of an issue?

The dollars Penny earned with his "non-profit' sportfishing grants will come out and I figure it will make a liar out of you again. I bet special Olympics gets an audit soon, too.

Bill & Linda Gates foundation gives away billions to lots of worthy causes including the state library in Alaska. So what is the purpose of your reference to him? Grasping for straws? Does Bill Gates need money?

I posted some FACTS for you and it's now about 1/3 the way down on page three. Obviously you avoid comment there.

And your Uber-Lawyer is advising you to mount an insanity defense by proving you are trumped up incomp and babbling idiot on this blog or what?

October 1, 2007 - 11:13am | akwapsc

i'm one of the few

people who have the kahony's to put my name on here.

if you are such a fact finder, edgefinder, then fact this out....

put your name on here "big boy"

October 1, 2007 - 4:37pm | edgefinder

Who is Me?

Don't worry. Not only have I recieved numerous threats, but some get carried out. It's called proximate cause, a common ingredient of extortion and Racketeering.

I might post my name for you if I thought you were any part of a solution. But as deep in as you are, and since you aren't bedazzling us with brilliance, one must assume you will baffle us with this.

At this point I think I know people who are part of a solution. Perhaps Curt Melcher, Dave Cantillion, Partick Higgins, Jim Myron, Stetson Tinkham, (Tom?) Neilson, Tom Coburn, and I think even Denby LLoyd is wanting to figure out what caused a treaty suspension and what brought all the Ferderal Attention to Alaska's elected officials. And perhaps might want to get things straightened out, finally. Conversely you are now not part of any solution.

Oh, I forgot, Clifton, Kennedy and Gould in the Ninth Circuit are probably part of the solution.

Yeah, as you wish Canadian Courts and the UN might get to look closely about the complacency towards Treaty issues in Alaska. You might even get to testify, so figure it out with the Data I pointed you towards and give us a preliminary report, instead of cryptic and incomplete sentences.(sentences- he he-did I make a pun?)

I contacted all but one of the convicted Legislators along with several others who could have pulled it out. When I handed a copy of a request for a Statutory Injunction to a Staffer of a Leggie on the Fisheries Committee they knew who I was. McKie and Regelin know who I am. So do several Division Directors, as well All the union goons. Maybe they might have a clue for you who I am.

Here is an account a friend set up for me when I told him of all this stuff going on several years ago. I did not think the name was apropriate at the time, but it seems appropriate now so I use it some. Drop me a line if you can put together a noun or pronoun, along with a verb, and predicate phrase.

Alaskaisgoingdown@gmail.com

September 30, 2007 - 8:10pm | bob_the_contractor

they sure are

And Guidestar is a great place to look at the tax returns of non profits, including directors' salaries and offshore investments in places like Luxemborg, The Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

October 1, 2007 - 1:37am | edgefinder

Guns or Butter?

trailfollower wrote on July 20, 2007 8:49 PM:

Take a look at Steven's newly filed ethics report - it contains amendments to prior years reports in which apparently he "forgot" to report the expensive guns given to him by Bob Penny's so-called nonprofit, the Kenai River Sportsman's Association. If you look at its 990s on Guidestar you will see that this organization gets big buckets of money from grants and has it socked away, earning boodles of interest so it can afford to buy fancy engraved guns for Ted Stevens, to wit:

2002 - Marlin Guide - $850 (reported in 2007)
2003 - Winchester - $1400 (reported in 2007)
2004 - Beretta Silver Eagle - $1800 (reported in 2007)
2005 - Ruger - $800.00 (reported in 2007)

October 10, 2008 - 1:46am | megal_1

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October 1, 2007 - 11:10am | akwapsc

Bob Penney

probably ran out of fishing poles to hand out.

Big deal. We'd have given Ted Stevens guns as well from UFA and SEAS..... if we had enough money.

And my point about Bill Gates you took just as it was intended.

Neither he nor Bob Penney need the money so that is why Mr. Penney never took a dime from KRSA>

You may not like Bob Penney, but find one thing about the stupid article that pointed out wrongdoing.

Witchhunt.

That's what this is.

October 2, 2007 - 2:03am | barracos_pizza

A Witch hunt..

Is dat what dis is?

October 1, 2007 - 7:35pm | edgefinder

It's

It's called

QUID(murkowski)

PRO-(land)

QUO.(deal)

Witchhunt? I think not. I think it's better as described in the court as "ethics crisis." I think it better describes the situation. No drowning pools or people burned at the stake, just indicted and convicted. And soon sentenced.

Any comments on why the perforations in transboundary gillnet data for Canada for 2002? Quick, create a diversion before the PSC gets budgets axed.

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UPDATE: Ben Stevens on Fagan show audio