Hidden Senator revealed
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/30/secret.senators/index.html
It is oddly enough a Republican from Alaska, anyone else remember the infamous Bridge to Nowhere? Guess the prospect of people being able to see reckless spending must have him worried.
The Nazz
30-08-2006, 22:56
Stevens was always the number one suspect. He was pissed at Coburn ever since Coburn tried to redirect his "bridge to nowhere" money to Katrina relief. What an incredible douchebag.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/30/secret.senators/index.html
It is oddly enough a Republican from Alaska, anyone else remember the infamous Bridge to Nowhere? Guess the prospect of people being able to see reckless spending must have him worried.
I think Ted Stevens is officially the most hated senator in america.
Drunk commies deleted
30-08-2006, 22:56
Why the fuck should the people know how their representatives are spending their money? What's the matter, don't you trust our elected officials?
Who called it in The Nazz's thread? I did!
This douchbag is absolutely disgusting...honestly, he (along with Ted Kennedy) represent all that is wrong with our Congress. A self serving, career politician, shady, and wiilling to waste the public's money on bribes for his constituents...he along with the other pork-barrel senators are no better than thieves.
Furthermore, his support for the bill that would have killed offshore wind in Massachussetts (a state that is facing blackouts if its power supplies aren't increased) so that Ted Kennedy's mansion won't have its ocean view marred further lowered him in my eyes.
A worthless man, really.
Philosopy
30-08-2006, 22:59
Hang on... you have a system where a single man can just stop the entire legislative process?
Someone explain to me what I'm missing and how that works. :confused:
Where would the Bridge to Nowhere have lead?
Hang on... you have a system where a single man can just stop the entire legislative process?
Someone explain to me what I'm missing and how that works. :confused:
Because as soon as we find out about it we lynch them.
Where would the Bridge to Nowhere have lead?
It's listed in the article, but it was a hugely expensive bridge to service an island of 50 people.
Where would the Bridge to Nowhere have lead?
The Gravina Island Bridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravina_Island_Bridge)
New Stalinberg
30-08-2006, 23:03
Who called it in The Nazz's thread? I did!
This douchbag is absolutely disgusting...honestly, he (along with Ted Kennedy) represent all that is wrong with our Congress. A self serving, career politician, shady, and wiilling to waste the public's money on bribes for his constituents...he along with the other pork-barrel senators are no better than thieves.
Furthermore, his support for the bill that would have killed offshore wind in Massachussetts (a state that is facing blackouts if its power supplies aren't increased) so that Ted Kennedy's mansion won't have its ocean view marred further lowered him in my eyes.
A worthless man, really.
You think that's bad? Try driving with the man.
The Nazz
30-08-2006, 23:05
Hang on... you have a system where a single man can just stop the entire legislative process?
Someone explain to me what I'm missing and how that works. :confused:
Here's the way I understand it. The Senate works on a system of unanimous consent and unlimited debate, as opposed to the House, which routinely limits time for floor debate. What happens most of the time in the Senate is that bills are sent to the floor via unanimous consent--it saves time and gets bills considered quickly. But a hold is basically a way of allowing a Senator to object without making it public. Now, many Senators object to the secretive nature of the holds, and so when they hold a bill, they attach their names to it. Stevens, in this case, did not--nor was he required to do so--but because of the nature of the bill, it seemed quite egregious.
Senate tradition allows any senator to keep a piece of legislation from reaching the Senate floor by placing a hold on the bill.
Hold on...Senate tradition!? Last time I checked, a "tradition" is different from a law. If this isn't part of the legal framework for the parliamentary process then they shouldn't have to abide by it.
You think that's bad? Try driving with the man.
I think it's time Mr. Stevens and Mr. Kennedy went for a drive over the Bridge to Nowhere...
Checklandia
30-08-2006, 23:39
Hang on... you have a system where a single man can just stop the entire legislative process?
Someone explain to me what I'm missing and how that works. :confused:
I know its crazy, but after probing (tee hee) a couple of our fellow american nation staters it seems to be true.Crazy, but true,my whitehall friend.(thank god our parliament isnt so fucked up....wait a muniute?)
The Nazz
30-08-2006, 23:42
Hold on...Senate tradition!? Last time I checked, a "tradition" is different from a law. If this isn't part of the legal framework for the parliamentary process then they shouldn't have to abide by it.
Tradition is a poor choice of words. It's part of the rules of the Senate, which are agreed upon at the beginning of every session. In fact, this rule--the anonymous hold one--was done away with at one point in the 80s, but it was reinstituted pretty quickly.
King Arthur the Great
30-08-2006, 23:44
Tradition does have its purpose.
As long as it is the tradition of an angry mob forming up with pitchforks, torches, rifles, and M-16s fitted with grenade launchers in hand and tanks in tow. Time to remind Sen. Stevens of the ideas of "democracy," which I am sure must be on a piece of paper buried somewhare in his office's beurocracy (read: trash-bin). Just a little nudge in the right direction (read: a shove off his precious bridge) is all he needs. And maybe a prison term after his shove.
Sumamba Buwhan
30-08-2006, 23:47
at first I thought I read 'pitchfork with grenade launcher' and thought that was the kuhlest thing I've heard of all day.
Andaluciae
30-08-2006, 23:54
Who called it in The Nazz's thread? I did!
This douchbag is absolutely disgusting...honestly, he (along with Ted Kennedy) represent all that is wrong with our Congress. A self serving, career politician, shady, and wiilling to waste the public's money on bribes for his constituents...he along with the other pork-barrel senators are no better than thieves.
Furthermore, his support for the bill that would have killed offshore wind in Massachussetts (a state that is facing blackouts if its power supplies aren't increased) so that Ted Kennedy's mansion won't have its ocean view marred further lowered him in my eyes.
A worthless man, really.
Seven term, career politician. I haven't even been alive half the time he's been in office.
Seven term, career politician. I haven't even been alive half the time he's been in office.
He started his term in 1968. My parents were 10 years old, oil was $2.50 a barrel and we hadn't even landed on the moon yet.
Myrmidonisia
30-08-2006, 23:58
Hold on...Senate tradition!? Last time I checked, a "tradition" is different from a law. If this isn't part of the legal framework for the parliamentary process then they shouldn't have to abide by it.
You know that the Senate is allowed to make it's own rules for handling legislation.
Myrmidonisia
31-08-2006, 00:00
I think it's time Mr. Stevens and Mr. Kennedy went for a drive over the Bridge to Nowhere...
Now there's a thought ... Just get Teddy to give Ted a ride across the 14th street bridge.
You know that the Senate is allowed to make it's own rules for handling legislation.
But the rules don't technically have to be followed if they're just a "tradition"; it's different than a rule because it's only upheld by the good faith of the Senate.
Myrmidonisia
31-08-2006, 00:02
But the rules don't technically have to be followed if they're just a "tradition"; it's different than a rule because it's only upheld by the good faith of the Senate.
As Nazz said, tradition is a poor word. These rules are voted in at the beginning of each Congress, I believe.
Just think... if some freak accident or terrorist attack took out Dubya, Cheney, and Hastert, good ol' Teddy Stevens would be President of the free world.
Sane Outcasts
31-08-2006, 01:57
Just think... if some freak accident or terrorist attack took out Dubya, Cheney, and Hastert, good ol' Teddy Stevens would be President of the free world.
And now I have something to replace the clown in my nightmares.
Super-power
31-08-2006, 01:58
Hey, doesn't surprise me. This is the man after all who considers the Internet as a series of tubes.
As Nazz said, tradition is a poor word. These rules are voted in at the beginning of each Congress, I believe.
That's different. Rules are rules, after all. I'm sure the rule does have legitimate uses as well...
Liberated New Ireland
31-08-2006, 02:39
Has anyone made the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Senator" joke yet?
The Lone Alliance
31-08-2006, 02:48
Oh yeah this is the InterTube guy. Heh no wonder, I'm suprised he can even get to the Capital without stopping to ask directions though.
Demented Hamsters
31-08-2006, 04:20
Maybe some good will come from this and:
1. He'll be kicked out of office
2. The whole 'secret hold' crap will be struck off.
Demented 'let's be positive!' Hamster.
Philosopy
31-08-2006, 11:32
Here's the way I understand it. The Senate works on a system of unanimous consent and unlimited debate, as opposed to the House, which routinely limits time for floor debate. What happens most of the time in the Senate is that bills are sent to the floor via unanimous consent--it saves time and gets bills considered quickly. But a hold is basically a way of allowing a Senator to object without making it public. Now, many Senators object to the secretive nature of the holds, and so when they hold a bill, they attach their names to it. Stevens, in this case, did not--nor was he required to do so--but because of the nature of the bill, it seemed quite egregious.
Interesting system, but I'm not going to make any comments about how good/bad it is. Our legislative process has more than enough quirks in it, not to mention that the whole system is held hostage by the executive anyway.
Yay for elected dictatorship!
Lunatic Goofballs
31-08-2006, 11:38
I think Ted Stevens is officially the most hated senator in america.
Are you kidding? That's about a 25-30 way tie. At least. :p
Lunatic Goofballs
31-08-2006, 11:40
Why the fuck should the people know how their representatives are spending their money? What's the matter, don't you trust our elected officials?
*slips in a pool of sarcasm* Ow!
Jeez, clean that crap up! :p
Lunatic Goofballs
31-08-2006, 11:42
Where would the Bridge to Nowhere have lead?
A teensy little island with a population of 50. A 223 million dollar bridge for 50 people. :p
Hidden Senator revealed
Now if he had a cape no one would have revealed him! :D
Jwp-serbu
31-08-2006, 11:58
I think it's time Mr. Stevens and Mr. Kennedy went for a drive over the Bridge to Nowhere...
only thing that would happen is kennedy would swim away from dying stevens - he's done it before
Demented Hamsters
31-08-2006, 15:37
A teensy little island with a population of 50. A 223 million dollar bridge for 50 people. :p
For that money they could have bought them all a jetski each.
And a helicopter.
John Galts Vision
31-08-2006, 15:57
For that money they could have bought them all a jetski each.
And a helicopter.
Actually, that comes to $4,460,000 per person on that island. That money could buy each resident a Lear Jet!
Senator Scumbag definitely had some contractors that help his campaign, relatives, or some other self-interest in this project. That's the way things tend to work, and precicely the type of crap that Sen. Coburn's (R-OK) - it was not Obama's - bill was supposed to fight.
Here's a link to the bill:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d109:13:./temp/~bdTOVu::|/bss/d109query.html|
Deep Kimchi
31-08-2006, 16:12
The Nazz: "I'm shocked! Shocked! To find that gambling is going on in this facility!"
DK: "Your winnings..."
It is always nice to see our elected officials working in our best interests isn't it? :rolleyes:
Deep Kimchi
31-08-2006, 16:15
It is always nice to see our elected officials working in our best interests isn't it? :rolleyes:
When did you first realize this? Today?
Cluichstan
31-08-2006, 16:42
Hidden Senator?
http://thousandrobots.com/blog/files/palpatine_02.jpg
When did you first realize this? Today?
Perhaps we need a story about an honest politician. If that isn't a contradiction.
The Lone Alliance
31-08-2006, 21:18
http://thousandrobots.com/blog/files/palpatine_02.jpg
Sorry, that's Cheney right there.
Kerblagahstan
31-08-2006, 22:42
I've been over the Bridge to Nowhere many times: http://www.pahighways.com/graphics/pictures/I279FtDuquesneBridgeUC.jpg
The Nazz
01-09-2006, 00:17
An update on this. Turns out it wasn't scumbag Stevens after all. It was Byrd of West Virginia, and I'm very disappointed in him for doing it. To his credit, he's lifted the hold and the bill will now proceed, but he still should have been open about the hold from the beginning.
Guns n Whiskey
01-09-2006, 00:31
Why the fuck should the people know how their representatives are spending their money? What's the matter, don't you trust our elected officials?
No, actually. :p
The Nazz
01-09-2006, 00:48
No, actually. :p
Commie. :D
Guns n Whiskey
01-09-2006, 01:08
Commie. :D
Sad thing is, I'd probably get called a commie even though I'm at about 8.5 on the economic axis of the political quiz.