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Spezza finds new home
The Senators star is reportedly engaged to be married.
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Alaska Republican Ted Stevens indicted on seven criminal counts
Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator in US history, was indicted today on seven counts of criminal charges related to business deals in his home state of Alaska.
The indictment of Stevens sent shock waves through Washington, where the 84-year old remains a legendary figure and the Congress's strongest advocate for oil drilling in protected wilderness areas.
Stevens has been under investigation by the FBI for more than a year for his ties to Veco, an Alaskan oil company, and his delivery of $50m in US federal money to a non-profit group run by his former aide.
The Alaskan was charged with making false statements on government disclosures to hide lucrative gifts he received from Veco, including furniture, vehicles, and an expensive barbecue grill.
Republicans were already facing an uphill battle in the November election, poised to lose as many as 40 seats in Congress as John McCain struggles to gain traction against Barack Obama.
Stevens's indictment makes matters worse for his party, as he is facing re-election and already trailing in the polls to Democratic opponent Mark Begich, the popular mayor of Anchorage, Alaska.
Political analysts were beginning to acknowledge this summer that Stevens, a fixture in Congress for 40 years, could lose to Begich. After federal prosecutors announced the indictment, some prognosticators questioned whether the man Alaskans still call Uncle Ted could lose to a little-known Republican foe in the party primary on August 26.
Seven Alaska state legislators – who dubbed themselves the Corrupt Bastards Club for their cosy relations with Veco – have already been indicted in the government's probe of public corruption in Alaska.
The former chief executive of Veco, Bill Allen, also has pleaded guilty to bribery. Allen admitted to paying for a lavish remodelling of Stevens's house and giving the senator's son more than $240,000 in sham "consulting fees" to help secure favourable treatment.
Stevens is famous through the US for his quest to unlock Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. He fought for decades to lift government protections on the refuge, estimated to hold more than 6bn barrels of oil, but never surmounted Democratic opposition.
Stevens is also renowned for his temper, often delivering tirades against his critics while wearing a tie printed with the comic-book character known as Incredible Hulk.
The senator's office in Washington was not responding to calls on the indictment today. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator in US history, was indicted today on seven counts of criminal charges related to b... more -
Obama got discount on home loan
Shortly after joining the U.S. Senate and while enjoying a surge in income, Barack Obama bought a $1.65 million restored Georgian mansion in an upscale Chicago neighborhood. To finance the purchase, he secured a $1.32 million loan from Northern Trust in Illinois.
The freshman Democratic senator received a discount. He locked in an interest rate of 5.625 percent on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, below the average for such loans at the time in Chicago. The loan was unusually large, known in banker lingo as a "super super jumbo." Obama paid no origination fee or discount points, as some consumers do to reduce their interest rates.
Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said the rate was adjusted to account for a competing offer from another lender and other factors. "The Obamas have since had as much as $3 million invested through Northern Trust," he said in a statement. Shortly after joining the U.S. Senate and while enjoying a surge in income, Barack Obama bought a $1.65 million restored Georgian mans... more -
US Senator James Marzilli arrested on assault charges
Massachusetts Democratic Senator James Marzilli was arrested Tuesday afternoon for allegedly assaulting a woman. He was charged with attempting to commit a crime, simple assault and battery, and resisting arrest.
The 50-year-old allegedly approached a woman who was sitting on a park bench. He made an “inappropriate comment” before allegedly attempting to touch her in a sexual way. The woman resisted Marzilli and called police.
When police approached the senator, he reportedly gave them a false name and ran from officers. He was arrested and taken to jail. Marzilli was released on $1,500 bail.
Marzilli’s lawyer, Terrence Kennedy, says his client “completely and totally denies” the “ridiculous” allegations.
This is not the first time that Marzilli has been accused to assaulting a woman. Last April, a woman accused him of indecent assault. Marzilli was never charged in the case because of insufficient evidence. Massachusetts Democratic Senator James Marzilli was arrested Tuesday afternoon for allegedly assaulting a woman. He was charged with a... more -
Ted Kennedy rushed to hospital
# Massachusetts senator reportedly has 'symptoms of a stroke'
# Kennedy reportedly transferred from Cape Cod to Boston hospital
# 76-year-old liberal stalwart has served in Senate since 1962 # Massachusetts senator reportedly has 'symptoms of a stroke' ... more -
John McCain’s real record on MLK
(Video courtesy of the DNC)
John McCain continued his campaign tour by visiting Arkansas on Friday. In front of a predominantly African-American audience, McCain again misrepresented his record opposing the Martin Luther King holiday.
McCain claimed to have voted against a federal holiday before changing his mind a “very short time after that.” But McCain voted against the federal holiday in 1983, opposed a state holiday in 1987 (four years later), opposed a new federal holiday in 1989 (six years later) and voted against funding for the commission established to encourage all states to recognize the King holiday in 1994—11 years after his vote. Although, when you’ve been around the block for as long as McCain has, maybe 11 years feels like a short time. (Video courtesy of the DNC) ... more -
Crooks and Liars » The Fabulous Life Of John McCain
As John McCain lives in the lap of luxury, the aging Senator and GOP presidential hopeful tells the American people that the problems with our economy are psychological and that all we, the unwashed masses, need to do is skip a vacation and maybe take on second job and our economy will get back on the right track. As the narrator of the video says; if John McCain can’t understand our problems, how will he solve them?
For more videos like this from Double Talk Express at YouTube click here.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DoubleTalkExpress As John McCain lives in the lap of luxury, the aging Senator and GOP presidential hopeful tells the American people that the problems ... more -
Mike Gravel goes Libertarian
The former Democratic party candidate says he will campaign strongly against Obama, Clinton and McCain. Finally a breath of fresh air in this election! The former Democratic party candidate says he will campaign strongly against Obama, Clinton and McCain. Finally a breath of fresh air... more
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