Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Being Innocent

After being convicted of 7 felony accounts, Ted Stevens, the 84-year-old senator from Alaska who has been in office for 40 years, said to his wife as he left court, "It's not over yet." She replied, "You got that right."

This is the most arrogant shameful dialogue that I have ever heard from a convicted felon and spouse. It's not even typical for mafia types or drug lords to make such statements upon leaving the court house. They tend to have more respect for the law in court, knowing that their life hangs in the balance. The senator from Alaska seems to have no such regard for the court or the justice system.

Mr. Stevens has been in office for so long that he believes himself to have absolute power. But we know that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." It also blinds. "Put this down: That will never happen -- ever, OK?" Stevens said in the weeks leading up to the trial. "I am not stepping down. I'm going to run through, and I'm going to win this election."

After his conviction Mr. Stevens issued a statement which read, "I am innocent," blaming his 7 felony convictions on the State Department and vowing to stay in the Senate. So, what's new about that claim? And why is he so arrogant? Even as a convicted felon, he can still serve in the Congress Senate. But as a convicted felon outside of Congress you cannot get a job at the Post Office. You can't even vote.

Mr. Stevens is a disgrace. He should resign immediately. We know that he will not resign. In his mind he is innocent. So he must be innocent, right? But we also know that the prisons are full of convicted felons who all claim innocence.

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