Swell news: Stevens might hold his seat
posted at 10:00 am on November 5, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Really, I’m finding it difficult to decide how to feel about this. Ted Stevens has apparently eked out a win in Alaska to return to the Senate, despite his convictions on seven counts of corruption. As of this moment, with 99% of precincts reporting, Stevens holds a 3300-vote margin over Mark Begich, who may well wonder what it takes to get Alaskans to retire Stevens.
On the positive side, it gives Republicans their 41st confirmed Senate seat, making filibusters possible. If the GOP catches breaks in Oregon, Minnesota, and Georgia, they would have a strong firewall of 44 seats. That would give them the ability to keep an Obama administration in check, at least on its most radical impulses.
However, keeping a corrupt porkocrat in office hardly merits celebration. Every day Stevens caucuses with the GOP is a day his corruption taints the Republican caucus as a whole. The Senate Ethics Committee will almost certainly recommend expulsion if the judge in his case confirms the convictions in February, and they’ll be doing the right thing when they do, regardless of which party holds the majority.
The good news? Once Stevens gets the boot, Sarah Palin will get to appoint his successor, and that will be a Republican. More than likely, it will also be a reformer, which will help the GOP find its identity in the Obama administration.
Update: I’m told that the seat would get a temporary appointment from Palin, followed by a special election. That’s the way it works in some other states as well. Alaskans don’t seem too interested in sending Democrats to Congress, though, so it’s still almost certain to remain Republican if Stevens wins.
Blowback
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Teh One-Elect might just mandate it through a Presidential Directive. Remember the Office of National Continuity? Look up NSPD 51 (also HSPD-20) from May 2007. In the event of a national emergency, the office of the President basically takes control of everything. Can you not envision a Civilian National Security Force created in the interests of “continuity”?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:29 AM
If ever that product was asking for a celebrity endorsement from Barack Obama’s favorite neighbor.
I can see it now.
wise_man on November 5, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Chris Wallace is talking about the Palin’s future. I’m smiling.
terryannonline on November 5, 2008 at 10:30 AM
a cap, so tell me what Democratic Seat has been affected lately due to the midrepresentation that those who have done things? NONE!
So why should Stevens move away from his seat? When no one else moves from theirs? Calling a Spade a Spade… or is the fact that I am tired of playing nicey nice anymore.
Give it up and stop playing for the Dems, you colors are starting to show thru.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I wonder if this is Alaskans displaying great faith in Sarah Palin.
amazingmets on November 5, 2008 at 10:30 AM
With all the corrupt dems staying in DC and the election of Obama with all his Rezko taint, do you honestly believe that the electorate gives a hoot about corruption?
This sort of pollyanna stupidity and self-flagellation will keep us out of power more than any Ted Stevens will
clnurnberg on November 5, 2008 at 10:31 AM
No, I am just tired of you supposedly GIVING Facts and I called you out on them.
You need to start looking for everything before you give out the “factoid of the week” BS. It is freaking old, ignorant and you look stupid everytime. Especially when you have no clue about another State in which you talk about.
Do I make myself clear?
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:32 AM
while we’re talking about corruption
…..Obama wants Rahm Emanuel -chief of staff.
let the fun begin
woogs on November 5, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Trouble getting the capitalist pig grease out of government? Try….
I’m Bill Ayers. And I approved this ad.
Heh.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Agreed. How will God-fearing, America-loving patriots going to respond to that? Will they cave? Or…
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 10:33 AM
You responded to wise’ response to me. Ka-Boom? I just continued the original thought. You put yourself into the conversation.
AubieJon on November 5, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Absolutely, upinak. I have no reason why McCain did not go after the corrupt Democrats, like William Jefferson, or counter Joe the Plumber’s tax issue with Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Charles Rangel’s multiple tax issues. But that is one way for Rs to distinguish themselves from Ds: Rs believe in the rule of law and that it applies to all — corrupt politicians need to go. Then start listing all the corrupt Ds. Go after the campaign financing laws that Dear Leader’s campaign broke. Hammer hard the corruption in the Democratic Party.
It’s just harder to do when there is corruption in your own party and the MSM is against you. Remember that — the media is an opponent too.
rbj on November 5, 2008 at 10:33 AM
No he didn’t defend conservatism. You’re right. Although, I can’t blame him for the “high road” part. We are living in tense times. War and economic turmoil. I don’t want a president who only points fingers and calls the other side names. It is counterproductive. However, we need to look at ourselves also. We didn’t do much to defend conservatism either.
terryannonline on November 5, 2008 at 10:34 AM
No. Perhaps, if it’s not too much trouble, you could point out the “factoid of the week” I gave out and the way it was so wrong as to offend you. Thanks.
factoid on November 5, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Sorry. I didn’t get the joke until just now. Trying to come to grips with a socio-marxist sitting in the White House.
AubieJon on November 5, 2008 at 10:36 AM
You didn’t OFFEND ME…. you ARE OFFENSIVE!
You put out crap on Sarah concerning Tasergate and you didn’t even get the whole damn story. I called youout and you called me the Liar, whne I am telling you how it was IN ALASKA.. because I LIVE HERE!
Jesus…. give me a break and go cry me a little inlet!
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:36 AM
If the electorate truly does not care about corruption, then America is already dead.
I don’t believe that though. I think the electorate is generally dumb enough to willfully believe rainbow-strewn rhetoric.
I also think that part of ‘the problem’ is in our mindset – the notion that we need to ‘take back’ Congress/White House and regain ‘power’. We need to have an attitude adjustment, then go about awakening the childlike population to our new realizations.
LimeyGeek on November 5, 2008 at 10:36 AM
What happened in the Orefon Senat race? Did Smith reatin the GOP seat?
I can’t find it anywhere. Thanks.
txdoc on November 5, 2008 at 10:37 AM
We may be getting ahead of ourselves. According to NRO (via ADN), there are 40,000 absentee ballots to count.
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 10:37 AM
carbon_footprint:
Shocking as it may seem the Republic is sturdy enough to withstand the Democrats. As for banning guns, that is the second amendment. Wouldn’t they have to repeal it?
Keep in mind, this is the United States, the states themselves have rights that make it difficult for the feds to do certain things. Remember Bush and LA and Katrina and a Democratic Governor who refused to give him permission to send in the active military when he first asked for it.
Our republic is not so fragile that it can be undone so easily by the loss of one election or even several.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 10:37 AM
It’s all right, man.
Just remember he’s one man. Not THE one, JUST one.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 10:38 AM
What do you think Obama’s Civil defense force is for ?
The left has perverted the culture by taking over the schools. That’s the root of the problem and it will be a generational struggle to win them back. The second amendment is not going to save you from the government.
gh on November 5, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Hold me, I want to cry. :(
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Who was the guy that ran against Don Young in the primaries? Palin’s Lt. Governor? Doesn’t he seem like the most likely candidate for her to appoint and to run in the special election?
Dudley Smith on November 5, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Could Sarah run for that seat?
LtE126 on November 5, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Two things – repeal the 2nd, then add an amendment authorizing the fedgov to legislate arms.
LimeyGeek on November 5, 2008 at 10:39 AM
New member, glad to finally be able to comment. Today’s a sad day, but we soldier on. Ronald Reagan is weeping now, and with good reason. Rovin, great post. I’ve read that no society ever survives its own success; I just never expected that I’d live to see the beginning of the end of ours (and I’m only 39!) Stand on principles, fellow conservatives, and fight the good fight.
jonrademacher on November 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Sean Parnell
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Oh Bob Beckel is on Fox News singing Bush’s praises. Yeah, now they won a election Bush isn’t such a bad guy, you know?
Gimme a break.
terryannonline on November 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM
those who will not raise arms will eventually if decent headway is made by those of us who would be willing to raise arms against a tyrannical government.
Mind you that I am not at this moment saying take to the streets. Though following the boyscout motto “be prepared” might be a really good idea right now.
Unfortunately in the wild west there were judges who would not follow the law either. Some would legislate from the bench and uphold sentences that had no basis in law whatsoever. These judges were met with “Wild west” justice. There comes a point in time where people know their government is working against them and it is necessary to use force to undue corruption.
God help us all if it comes to this but I will sit idly by as the constitution I served to protect is destroyed. I will not trade my liberties for a little bit of security.
If the socialism comes remember that anything that has the ability to give you everything you need also has the ability to take everything that you have.
theguardianii on November 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM
America, on some level, admires successful criminals and the corrupt. Look at the admiration for the Gottis that we saw and the gangster heroes of so many films.
The idea that the GOP cannot “point the finger” if it has any corrpt pols in its own midst is stupid. The Dems do it with great success every day. Rangel and Murtha will be dancing at the inaugural balls, their challenger swill be watching on TV.
Why is reality so hard to grasp here?
clnurnberg on November 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I think you are mistaking me for someone else. I’ve never, ever called you a liar and I haven’t posted anything about “Tasergate.” Chill out. This hostility is not good for you.
factoid on November 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM
If Palin could appoint a stand in, as was suggested, and she continued on as Governor, why couldn’t she gain foreign policy experience from that office?. She now knows her weakness, and I doubt she really had any, and she is astute enough to get involved in situations that could gain her valuable experience. Am I off base in that thinking?
MNDavenotPC on November 5, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Well, we can whip ourselves into a frenzy fantasizing about taking back the Republican party, but unless there is some differentiation on corruption issues, it’s gonna be an uphill climb. Dirty pubbies = dirty donks, and conservative values won’t override that. Need to start with the doable things first.
a capella on November 5, 2008 at 10:41 AM
terryannonline:
We did not do much to defend conservatism, the Republican party or the President. Too busy finding fault.
The man is Commander in Chief in a war and too many people were willing to help Democrats humiliate him. I don’t know how they thought this was going to help anyone on the right side of the aisle, but there you go.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Hands out, people. HANDS OUT. Take everything you can from the government and give them as little possible in return.
The Resistance starts now. I trust you to do the right thing in the long run.
Gilda on November 5, 2008 at 10:42 AM
terryannonline:
It is probably dawning on the Democrats that Bush can make things pretty difficult for Barry if he just wants to. After all, he is the guy who has to deal with things now.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 10:44 AM
That’s why we need to start running for 2010 House/Senate races now.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I still say that America only shuns unsuccessful criminals. And if they are glitzy enough they live as legends long after they are gone.
Maybe that makes us “dead”, but if so we have been so for a long time. No one cares today about Rangel and tax evasion, Jefferson and his cold cash, Dodd and sweetheart mortgages, except a few GOP.
clnurnberg on November 5, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Amen, Limey.
Maybe not. But we should.
BacaDog on November 5, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Limey Greek:
And that is not something the Democrats can do by themselves even if they do have a majority.
Terrye on November 5, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Bury your head in my chest, get the tears out, and then look at me and shake off the exhaustion of a long night, too much liquor, and a two year campaign, and realize that Bill Clinton was a far more wily and shrewd politician than this rookie.
Obama will last one term at most, if he even manages to finish his first one without being tossed out for any of a number of things. The democratic congress will continue to suck and 2010 will allow for some real change. In the meantime, all the doom and gloom being chanted by resident jerkoffs on our side is no more going to come true than the identical doom and gloom spouted by liberals in 2000. Just because your side suddenly starts spouting BS doesn’t make it any less BS.
We still live in the greatest nation in the world, the freest, the most prosperous, and the home to the best ideals in history. Don’t you forget that, hun. Be proud of what happened yesterday: we voted to choose the future of our country. That’s a right that many in the world don’t have. I love America. I know you do, too.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Stevens win is great news despite the problems with Stevens. For the next two years, the Republicans need every Senate seat to moderate what the socialist Dems will try to pass.
thuja on November 5, 2008 at 10:47 AM
The “we are corrupt forgive us” doesn’t win elections, sassy dems with goody bags do.
clnurnberg on November 5, 2008 at 10:48 AM
lol. I think someone needs a nice nap.
a capella on November 5, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Thank you Terrye.
I just wonder if our new government and SCOTUS would be willing to push those of us in the red states to the point where we would lash out?
carbon_footprint on November 5, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Ahem….Geek
I dread to think what a limey greek would be like….buggeration with a raised pinky, perhaps?
LimeyGeek on November 5, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Apparently this is true. I hadn’t heard a Dem say a single nice thing about Bush. I just find it ironic the day after Dems win Beckel couldn’t have nicer things to say. LOL!
terryannonline on November 5, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Which is exactly how Obama won. The NEA and the Department of Education have been successful in dumbing down America to the point where independence and creativity are viewed as bad things. They are teaching the kids that government is the solution to their problems.
Wanna bet? The Founding Fathers knew that an armed citizenry was the only protection against a tyrannical government (see the United Kingdom ca. 1600s). Besides, what have precedent on our side now with Heller.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I really don’t understand the utter fools my fellow Americans seem to be.
Obama wins in a landslide after preaching Marxist rhetoric and threatening to deliberately bankrupt important industries.
Murtha repeatedly bashes his own voters and slanders our troops yet he wins reelection big.
And now Alaskans are reelecting a felon and one of the most corrupt men in government?
At least we might be able to keep the socialists in check for a couple years. I fear if we don’t turn this around by 2012, they’ll rig the demographics of this nation to be so dependent on the government teat that we’ll never see a return to capitalism and liberty until the world revolution leavs the world in ruins.
Sign of the Dollar on November 5, 2008 at 10:53 AM
If it comes to arms, we’ll have a tough time doing the job with winchesters and glocks. Denying us access to modern military weapons was one of the most evil acts our gubmint perpetrated.
LimeyGeek on November 5, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Hey, I do to. I suspect that this is the root cause of many short fuses around the site today. Rest assured that we still live in the greatest nation ever on the face of the earth. They can’t take our freedom until they take all of our guns, which is why the founding fathers placed that as the 2nd ammendment on the bill of rights. The had the afterthought that if some things weren’t specifically spelled out that they may not be implied in future generations. Trust in their wisdom, and the wisdom of God.
That being said, its still the crappiest birthday of my life!
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Americans wanted to turn the page and it is the Democrats turn now. We shouldn’t sacrifice our integrity as Conservatives or Republicans to make political headway. We need to rebuild and it will take some time but our cycle will come around again too.
As for Stevens, well, the people of Alaska have spoken and they know full well about Steven’s conviction for crimes. I think this is more a trust in Sarah than the desire to put Stevens back in. So I don’t see this as a sacrifice of principles for political gain.
I noticed the sun still came up this morning. Unfortunately the country has headed so far left that its coming up on the west coast now.
JonPrichard on November 5, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I agree with you. Conservatives have long made a mistake by not challenging this liberal nonsense that the Second Amendment was about hunting. It was intended to protect Americans from tyranny. Hunting was just a given.
Has anyone read this: THE NEXT CIVIL WAR FOR HISTORIC AMERICA: ARE YOU MY ENEMY?
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Seriously, this is how I am thinking and you may or may not understand.
Alaska is more or less a little country (as is Hawaii). We do not have millions of people who can defend us up here, we defend ourselves. We do not have Government give us anything, we have to make it work with what little we get.
Do any of you know what it is like to say I belong to the U.S.A. but yet not be part of the Continental United States. Alaska is some stupid dream State you all think is so damn great. But it is hard to live up here. We pay the most for everything, not because we want to, it is because we have too. Why… we don’t jack up the prices… thanks to the people in the Continental U.S. we have to. Everything is almost a dollar more then where you all are. Yet we don’t make anymore then you all do.
I was raised here, this is my home. I elect those who can help my State not hinder it. But I doubt any of you would understand.
I have come to the conclusion that Alaska should secede. Why the hell do we need to be part of the U.S. when you don’t give a shyte about Alaska except for Salmon and Oil. Screw everyone… We have cows, we have gold, we have natural gas, oil and our own infrastructure. We do NOT need the rest of the U.S. Hell it would probably be cheaper to import crops from Mexico, South America, etc then our own Nation because my Nation is gouging me for living in a place that they deem isn’t worthy enough.
Screw it. I want to Secede… you all can take your oil, and natural gas worries and go by over seas. I have had it. Continental Americans are about the interlect of Cows… since sheep are actually smarter.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Meh, thats funny.
Ironically, the planet spins from west to east. So that could alternatively be viewed as spinning from left to right.
Theres a cheery thought for you.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 11:00 AM
As long as Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, Chuck Rangel and William Jefferson have a vote, I no longer care about Stevens woes in court.
MCPO Airdale on November 5, 2008 at 11:01 AM
eat news despite the problems with Stevens. For the next two years, the Republicans need every Senate seat to moderate what the socialist Dems will try to pass.
thuja on November 5, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I appreciate what you are saying and I understand, but it says volumes about the condition of this poor sick society when we cheer the election of a convicted felon and a committed socialist that hates the country he lives in.
rplat on November 5, 2008 at 11:01 AM
I wonder how those idiots in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York etc will like have rolling blackouts when most of their electrical generating plants are closed. ROTFLMAO
txdoc on November 5, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Sarah Palin would be awesome in the Senate, explaining the problems with want democrats do in congress in plain language.
Right_of_Attila on November 5, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Alaskans are stupid.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Russia will take you in an hour if you secede, my friend.
Again, my arms are open if you need to cry. Have the breakdown. You’ll feel far more rational afterwards.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:03 AM
As an Alaskan voter let me explain my vote for Ted Stevens. It was not a vote in support of Ted Stevens so much as a vote to keep an (R) representing Alaska. It was my view that if Begich won the seat it would be near imposible to replace him. If we had asked Stevens to step down and try to put a candidate in at this election the (R) would most certainly have lost with no time to put his name out there. If things play out the way I expect and many others who voted for Ted expect Alaska will have a special election to replace him. This senario at least gives the GOP candidate a fighting chance to win. This also damages Begich politically. I mean to loose to a convicted Senator, what a big FU to begich and the dem party. Another side of this coin, some Alaskans feal he didn’t get a fair trial since it was held in D.C. I mean what Republican is going to get a fair trial in D.C.??!!
lwssdd on November 5, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Mosin Nagant, SKS, Ar-15 and guerilla tactics.
A fishing buddy of mine is a police chief in a small city. After a drink or two he has said (more than once) that a determined, armed, and organized resistance would dominate his police force as well as the National Guard. He is quick to point out the difficulty the military has had in Iraq as evidence. This is a really big country. He also says most of his force would likely quit and join the outlaws. I suspect he would too.
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 11:04 AM
You just can’t help yourself, can you?
LimeyGeek on November 5, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Oh I agree with that, I’m just saying that without the benefit of quality modern military weapons, it’ll be a very bloody mess.
If modern heavy weapons and armor were available through the open market, we’d have militia capable of annihilating local gubmint agents.
LimeyGeek on November 5, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I’ve been mostly holding back because everyone else is directing their anger at their fellow conservatives for not spitting bile at our president-elect, and I don’t want to be part of that. So I won’t. I’ll save it for the worthless little creeps like you who have been nothing but trolls since you arrived here. In the end, I hold Barack Obama in higher regard than you because he’s one of my countrymen, and you’re just a sniping little nitwit in a country who couldn’t defend itself from a pack of five-year-olds armed with Nerf guns.
Go f**k yourself, you little Marxist Canuck slimebag.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I’m sure there is a lot of that sentiment to go around in AK. Much of the same logic would resonate in Texas as well.
The only point of arguement I have to offer that is that having kept both, sheep are definitely stupider than cows. I’ve never had to pull a cow out of a ditch. They at least recognize the danger in standing next to a cliff. Sheep don’t.
Sheep are a better analogy for the lower 48 folks, and is the biblical analogy for people for the same reason. They tend to wander and get into trouble when not attended to very closely.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I’m not so sure about that. The Russians, specifically Putin would relish the thought of being able to stick it in Washington DC’s eye by rushing to be the ally of the newly formed AK. It would be very similar to what we did with Georgia.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 11:10 AM
I’m not a sheep, pal. Time to quit splitting us up when we’re supposed to be on the same side.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:13 AM
You’re right. I don’t understand.
I’m hurt today because I have always loved this country and feel he was the absolute worst choice my countrymen could have made. Tearing the country apart will only make that worse even if it makes it better for me in the short term.
I get that you’re upset, really, but I think you’d feel better if you directed your anger at the people who deserve it rather than at the rest of the United States.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:15 AM
So you say Texans understand her anger, then immediately call us all idiotic sheep. I know I was wasted last night and am more than a little hung over, but you do not make any sense.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:18 AM
I’ve been mostly holding back because everyone else is directing their anger at their fellow conservatives for not spitting bile at our president-elect, and I don’t want to be part of that. So I won’t. I’ll save it for the worthless little creeps like you who have been nothing but trolls since you arrived here. In the end, I hold Barack Obama in higher regard than you because he’s one of my countrymen, and you’re just a sniping little nitwit in a country who couldn’t defend itself from a pack of five-year-olds armed with Nerf guns.
Go f**k yourself, you little Marxist Canuck slimebag.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:08 AM
———
Hey, I wasn’t gloating around here last night. I left you to your misery.
Unlike you, who needs to anonymously post immature sh*t like this directed at a complete stranger, to make yourself feel big on the internet. The powerlessness you feel at this election kick in the face must be very, very frustrating. Time to face reality. You need to man up.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Whoa, hold on there. My only point there was that sheep are a better analogy for people as a generality. Its biblical. I was trying to lighten UPINAK’s mood by focusing on the other portion of her post.
I’m not suggesting that all in the lower 48 are sheep. The 62,926,158 who voted for Obama are arguably sheep, but there are at least twice that number who aren’t.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 11:18 AM
The first ammendment didn’t keep the SC from allowing the banning of political speech.
MarkTheGreat on November 5, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Unless you know upinak personally, then you just did to her what you’re accusing Madison of doing. You started off by calling all Alaskans stupid, which only makes you look jealous since Alaskans actually had a say in this election whereas you can only look in on this country from the sidelines.
You didn’t gloat last night, because you had nothing to gloat about. Obama’s win had nothing whatsoever to do with you. It’s our election, not yours.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Agreed.
I just can’t believe this is even a topic of conversation. It’s been whispered and discussed around the edges for a while, but now I’m hearing it and reading it all over the place. In recent weeks, while standing in line in stores and sitting in local coffee shops, I have heard people say they are preparing to fight the government. I stopped by a gun shop to get some buckshot and it was overrun with customers buying guns of all kinds, including tactical weapons. Our local news has even had stories about all the gun and ammo purchases. I don’t get into conversations about resisting the government in public; I just listen and observe. And I sense a sizeable group in my part of the country (the South) are preparing for something. Maybe they simply feel helpless and are reacting the only way they know how. But knowing the kind of people who are my friends and neighbors, I don’t think they are playing.
I do not advocate violence. I’m not a hothead or an extremist. I don’t buy all the conspiracy theories. And I think the best thing is to fight to defeat the libs in the arena of ideas. That said, I am unwilling to simply hand over liberty. I am well-armed, but I am a lone man in an unspcale golf course neighborhood with a family to protect. The question for me is at what point should citizens organize and prepare. How much liberty do we allow to slip away?
Maybe these people who say Obama is a pragmatic centrist are correct. His record and associations tell me they are woefully wrong, but we can hope.
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Can someone with more political knowledge than me tell me what happens to Biden’s and Obama’s senate seats. I can’t find a definitive answer.
Believer88 on November 5, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Before you tell me to man up, you should learn what one is. It has nothing to do with the needle and tic tacs stashed in your slacks. It has a lot to do with you being nothing but a left-wing troll on a right-wing site. Your actions are all to do with your e-peen because all you ever offer is antagonism for the sake of antagonism. You’re a troll of the first caliber, and all because you can’t stand to bask in the irrelevance of your pointless country.
We exercised our powers last night to determine the leader of the free world. When you vote, you’re deciding who gets the maple syrup and hockey tickets with their check on Boxing Day.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Good Grief. Tensions are running high. Texans share certain beliefs with AK. Both are states with a secession clause in their constitutions. That’s it.
Sheep are the biblical analogy for people. Not all people are sheep. We are all feeling out of sorts because this is one of the times where the sheep ran straight over the cliff despite the shepherds attempts to prevent it.
Chill out folks. I’m looking for some discussion, and not out to hack folks to pieces.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Human Nature.
What happens when thieves capture treasure? Remember the movie “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre?”
Expect a vicious grasping backstabbing melee of greed. The gutless thieves will destroy each other. We who love this country have to be ready to pick up the pieces and rebuild what was damaged.
One way to get started is to support only true conservative candidates at local, state, and federal levels and dump the RINOs. But first there has to be true conservatives leadership in the RNC.
blue sky on November 5, 2008 at 11:28 AM
You really should get some sleep before you alienate everyone around here.
I may not know much about Alaska; I’ve never been there, but I am a block and a half away from the Treasury building here in DC, so let me tell you something about Federal finances:
Alaska pays $7,200 in Federal taxes per capita. In return, the Federal government (that’s mainly us here in the lower 48) spends $13,800 per capita in your state. That’s a net revenue of $6,600 for every man, woman and child in Alaska that the rest of us pay to make it easier for you to live in the harsh north.
And you know what, that’s OK. That’s what the “United” part in the phrase “United States” is about. But is it too much to ask in return not to call us, lower-48ers stupid, not to say we don’t give a damn about you and not to want to secede from us?
factoid on November 5, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Before you tell me to man up, you should learn what one is. It has nothing to do with the needle and tic tacs stashed in your slacks. It has a lot to do with you being nothing but a left-wing troll on a right-wing site. Your actions are all to do with your e-peen because all you ever offer is antagonism for the sake of antagonism. You’re a troll of the first caliber, and all because you can’t stand to bask in the irrelevance of your pointless country.
We exercised our powers last night to determine the leader of the free world. When you vote, you’re deciding who gets the maple syrup and hockey tickets with their check on Boxing Day.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:25 AM
———
If you can’t handle someone calling the occasional bullsh*t on stuff that goes on in your country, then yes, you definitely need to man up. That, or ignore my posts. I couldn’t possibly give less of a sh*t either way.
Bye bye now.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 11:30 AM
And months ago, when we all saw this, we scoffed. Texas is one of the best states in the Union, as is Alaska, but you talking about secession because you lost one presidential election after winning the last two is roughly equivalent to the Hollywood elitists talking about moving to another country if they lost.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Yes, they are. I saw after you responded to Madison that I’d misunderstood you. I apologize.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:30 AM
I can handle from people who are part of this country, not from cowardly little foreigners like you who don’t do anything to change the situation. Unless you’re voting one way or another, take your opinion and shove it up where your head is.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Unless you know upinak personally, then you just did to her what you’re accusing Madison of doing. You started off by calling all Alaskans stupid, which only makes you look jealous since Alaskans actually had a say in this election whereas you can only look in on this country from the sidelines.
You didn’t gloat last night, because you had nothing to gloat about. Obama’s win had nothing whatsoever to do with you. It’s our election, not yours.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:23 AM
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Ah, small-minded life-only-happens-inside-my-border Americans. There are too many of you.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Except that I actually wish the Hollywood people had left. No one would miss them, but they’d certainly miss Texas and Alaska.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Agreed. I just want good, sensible people like upinak to back away from the kind of behavior that the nutroot libs were showing 8 years ago. All of us here thought they were insane, wanted them to knock off the melodramatic crap, and quit predicting the end of the world. Either we’re going to stick by that, or we’re going to be hypocrites.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:35 AM
OK, I’m about to give up on this thread.
Texas is one of the best states in the Union – Agreed
as is Alaska – Agreed
but you talking about secession – I did this where?
upinak did say this. I was simply saying that she is likely not alone in that sentiment. This by no means implies that I wish to have AK or TX secede.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Yeah, it does imply it, particularly when, since last night, I’ve seen dozens of posts on this site calling for secession. I would prefer that you would be clear on whether you want it or not. Normally, I would assume you don’t, but since last night, assumptions about the actual desires of people have gone out the window.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Thanks for the link. imo, it is wishful thinking, should events come to that. These affairs always will degenerate into terrorist type activity, regardless of good intentions at the beginning. Without strict chains of command and military-like discipline, fringe elements run amuck. Kidnappings, car bombings, targeting officers’ families to create fear, abuse of prisoners, etc. are bound to occur. I think a good analogy might be the English-Boer war in South Africa, and we know how that eventually turned out. Once these things start, they can’t be stopped and the hatred lingers for generations.
a capella on November 5, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Not at all. You’re the one coming in here acting as though America is more important than your own country.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I found that article interesting, but I don’t want to live in that world whatsoever. Is it better than rank tyranny? I say yes.
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Not at all. You’re the one coming in here acting as though America is more important than your own country.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:41 AM
———-
Not as important, but crucial nonetheless.
I guess the next order of GOP business is to arrange for Palin’s $150,000+ of clothes (and husband’s and family’s clothes) to get donated to charity.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 11:46 AM
No offense, but that site is one step down from Alex Jones.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:48 AM
He will step down and then Sarah Palin can appoint herself. This is the best of all worlds. She gets to Washington on the taxpayers dime. She gets to the foreign affairs committee.
We have our next President in 2012.
Jdripper on November 5, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Ok, fair enough on that one then, but the implied meaning is in the context of these posts.
I haven’t been scouring the posts and had no idea that talk of secession was rampant.
I’m guessing that’s why Esthier was a little raw too?
I’m rather fond of upinak, and was trying to pull her into another line of thought, because shes been very short and snippy.
I apologize for inadvertently stirring the pot, and I’ll certainly steer clear of even breathing the word secession for the next couple of days.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 11:49 AM
As an Alaskan voter let me explain my vote for Ted Stevens. It was not a vote in support of Ted Stevens so much as a vote to keep an (R) representing Alaska. It was my view that if Begich won the seat it would be near imposible to replace him. If we had asked Stevens to step down and try to put a candidate in at this election the (R) would most certainly have lost with no time to put his name out there. If things play out the way I expect and many others who voted for Ted expect Alaska will have a special election to replace him. This senario at least gives the GOP candidate a fighting chance to win. This also damages Begich politically. I mean to loose to a convicted Senator, what a big FU to begich and the dem party. Another side of this coin, some Alaskans feal he didn’t get a fair trial since it was held in D.C. I mean what Republican is going to get a fair trial in D.C.??!!
lwssdd on November 5, 2008 at 11:51 AM
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