Extreme Home Makeover, brought to you by Big Oil

Ted Stevens, Alaska's leading Republican and one of the most senior U.S. Senators, was indicted today on 7 counts of making false statements on his financial disclosure forms. You may remember Sen. Stevens from some of his more famous sponsored legislation, such as the famous "Bridge to Nowhere", and his now infamous statement calling the internet a "series of tubes". What you may not remember is that last summer, the Senator's home was raided by the FBI in connection with an investigation into improper renovations on his Alaskan home that were paid for by the oil engineering company VECO. Apparently, VECO paid for renovations that included an entirely new first floor, wrap-around deck, and other "home improvements" that totaled over $250,000.

What did VECO want in return? According to CBS News, the oil company wanted funding and other aid for the company's projects in Pakistan and Russia, federal grants from several agencies, and help in building a natural gas pipeline in northern Alaska. A small price to pay for the Senator, especially considering WE, the taxpayers, would be paying it.

If that's not enough to enrage you, you should also keep in mind that Sen. Stevens has been one of the earliest and most vocal proponents of opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil exploration and drilling. He's also tried to weaken organic labeling standards for Alaskan seafood, used his position on the Appropriations Committee to prevent funding for research to help protect fish habitat in the North Pacific, prevent the feds from labeling endangered wildlife as protected, and pushed to increase logging in Alaska's Tongass National Forests.

Oh yes, and it appears that crime and corruption are part of the family business, as well.

All I can say about this scandal is that I'm glad Sen. Stevens is up for re-election this year. Not only is he likely to lose his seat, and thus end his 68 year reign of lunacy in the Senate, but it will almost certainly go to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, a democrat. Though Begich supports drilling in ANWR, he has been a vocal and frequent champion of the environment, pushing for renewable fuels and other measures to help combat climate change.

This entire episode reminds me of a quote I heard during undergrad, one that I have keep in the back of my mind whenever I hear about new policies and politicians who support them:

"When evaluating a particular policy or piece of legislation, consider this: Who benefits from it?"

The evidence, in this case, is quite clear: Senator Stevens and Big Oil. The losers? The rest of us.

And now, via Comedy Central, the top 5 Ted Stevens moments of all time:

#5 Ted Stevens attempts to censor cable programming


#4 Ted Stevens calls the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge "Hell"


#3Ted Stevens votes in support of torture


#2 Ted Stevens would rather lose his job then lose his "bridge to nowhere"


#1Ted Stevens explains the internets for you