Corruption Reports Challenge Credibility

[Blue_In_AK]

From this morning's Anchorage Daily News http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/story/9195854p-9112141c.html

CRITICISM: Stevens, Young shrug off questions and continue to work.

By ERIKA BOLSTAD
[e-mail]

Published: August 5, 2007
Last Modified: August 5, 2007 at 05:34 AM

WASHINGTON -- It was just two days after Monday's FBI raid on U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens' house, and his colleague, U.S. Rep. Don Young, was at a press conference to attack a Democratic energy bill. It was the first time reporters were able to ask Young any questions since the news emerged that he, too, was under federal investigation.

Young swatted away the inquiries. He didn't really open up until he was asked about Alaska-related projects he inserted into a federal water bill -- including money for a study of the proposed bridge across Knik Arm, a project known to the rest of America as one of the "bridges to nowhere." He grinned, happy to answer questions about the millions of dollars he has squirreled away for his home state.

"Oh yeah, I did real well," Young said, before hopping an elevator and avoiding additional questions. "I'm happy."

These days, though, such boasts make many in both Alaska and Washington cringe, especially as it becomes more apparent that two-thirds of the state's congressional delegation is being investigated for improprieties connected with how they allocated federal money. Many people also have started to question how a delegation weakened by criminal investigations and ethical concerns can continue to effectively represent a place that, since statehood, has depended on federal money and attention to thrive.

<snip>

It's a generational shift that's going on, but it's also a values shift that's going on," said Gov. Sarah Palin.

The "culture of corruption" that has become ingrained in Alaska politics is a poor example to the rest of the nation as the state tries to be taken seriously in negotiations over a natural gas pipeline, Palin said.

"We have to prove that we are responsible, that we are trustworthy, that we are truthful up here," she said. "Our actions have to speak louder than our words."