Dear U.S. Congress: This is Why We Hate You!
November 21st 2008 08:05
There are lots of rules of decorum within the halls of Congress. One has to behave in a certain manner becoming of a United States Senator or a Representative. Some of them seem rather arcane, while others make sense. Its all about appearing impartial and dignified. One must remember that they are there to do a job on behalf of the people, and therefore there are rules in place that are designed to prevent certain outbursts or otherwise unsavory actions by members of Congress.
One of those rules is against standing ovations. Specifically, "boisterous demonstrations" are a direct violation of Senate rules. Historically, this rule is only broken as a show of solidarity within the Senate for a particularly moving or monumental occasion.
Today, the U.S. Senate determined that one of those important occasions was to bid farewell of disgraced Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. Stevens, who at the age of 85 lost his Senate seat this year which he held for 40 years, was the longest serving Republican Senator in History, and will be remembered not only for this achievement, but also for his felony corruption conviction, which should have cost him at least some respect amongst his colleagues.
Instead, Senators flooded the floor of the Senate to give him a minute long standing ovation. Senators from both sides of the aisle sang his praises, while some were even seen weeping. Senate Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell, said that no senator "in the history of the US Senate did more for his state than Senator Ted Stevens."
Stevens was found guilty of corruption one week before the November 4 election.
He was on trial in Washington for making false statements on mandatory financial disclosure forms he filed between 1999 and 2006 concerning gifts he received from an oil-services firm.
Not only did Senators praise this criminal, but they actually extended "morning business" until 2:00 p.m. to allow senators to speak about Stevens for 10 minutes each. The same Senate who can't seem to get anything else done on behalf of their constituents; the same Senate that had to deal with whether or not to bail out our failing auto industry today...actually decided to extend the allotted time to celebrate the man that the Alaskan people voted OUT of the Senate based on his crimes.
The sentiments expressed by the Senate today left a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. Certainly, some people had grown fond of the man affectionately known as, "Uncle Ted." But, a standing ovation? Tears? Senators are the employees of the U.S. citizens, and it seems to be in such poor taste that they would celebrate so boisterously the fall from grace of a man who was supposed to be a public servant, but who instead served himself by profiting from big oil lobbyists.
This blatant disregard for the American people and the trust that we place in the hands of our elected officials is why we are so very fed up with the Government. This is why Congressional approval ratings are always low.
Here is video of the display:
Full list of senators speaking on behalf of Stevens today: Harry Reid (D-NV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Kay-Baily Hutchison (R-TX), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Larry Craig (R-ID), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Thad Cochran (R-MS). John Warner (R-VA) also praised Stevens in advance of the Alaskan senator’s farewell address.
One of those rules is against standing ovations. Specifically, "boisterous demonstrations" are a direct violation of Senate rules. Historically, this rule is only broken as a show of solidarity within the Senate for a particularly moving or monumental occasion.
Today, the U.S. Senate determined that one of those important occasions was to bid farewell of disgraced Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. Stevens, who at the age of 85 lost his Senate seat this year which he held for 40 years, was the longest serving Republican Senator in History, and will be remembered not only for this achievement, but also for his felony corruption conviction, which should have cost him at least some respect amongst his colleagues.
U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R) arrives at a U.S. district court with his wife Catherine Stevens (L) for his arraignment July 31, 2008 in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images )
Instead, Senators flooded the floor of the Senate to give him a minute long standing ovation. Senators from both sides of the aisle sang his praises, while some were even seen weeping. Senate Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell, said that no senator "in the history of the US Senate did more for his state than Senator Ted Stevens."
Stevens was found guilty of corruption one week before the November 4 election.
He was on trial in Washington for making false statements on mandatory financial disclosure forms he filed between 1999 and 2006 concerning gifts he received from an oil-services firm.
Not only did Senators praise this criminal, but they actually extended "morning business" until 2:00 p.m. to allow senators to speak about Stevens for 10 minutes each. The same Senate who can't seem to get anything else done on behalf of their constituents; the same Senate that had to deal with whether or not to bail out our failing auto industry today...actually decided to extend the allotted time to celebrate the man that the Alaskan people voted OUT of the Senate based on his crimes.
The sentiments expressed by the Senate today left a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. Certainly, some people had grown fond of the man affectionately known as, "Uncle Ted." But, a standing ovation? Tears? Senators are the employees of the U.S. citizens, and it seems to be in such poor taste that they would celebrate so boisterously the fall from grace of a man who was supposed to be a public servant, but who instead served himself by profiting from big oil lobbyists.
This blatant disregard for the American people and the trust that we place in the hands of our elected officials is why we are so very fed up with the Government. This is why Congressional approval ratings are always low.
Here is video of the display:
Full list of senators speaking on behalf of Stevens today: Harry Reid (D-NV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Kay-Baily Hutchison (R-TX), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Larry Craig (R-ID), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Thad Cochran (R-MS). John Warner (R-VA) also praised Stevens in advance of the Alaskan senator’s farewell address.
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