« previous | MUCK HOME | next »
FBI "Gestapo-like" In Raid Of Stevens' Home
Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) called the tactics used by FBI and IRS agents who raided Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) home "Gestapo-like" today, the Crypt reports.
Craig's main objection seems to be that the agents could have parked a large white truck in front of Stevens' Girdwood home, photographed it and the neighboring property and carried out black trash bags (presumably filled with evidence) much more discreetly than they did. Maybe Craig's never been to Girdwood, because I just consulted our handy Girdwood map and it looks like it might have been tough for a dozen federal agents to have shown up at the most famous Alaskan's house without any of the neighbors noticing:
From the Crypt:
"I think some people say, 'Ah, but for the grace of God go I.' Especially when you have the allegatiatons, you have the judicial segment of our government, the executive branch, out raiding the homes of senators, that is a very frightening proposition. It is a bit Gestapo-like in its style and tactics," Craig said on Wednesday. "When the FBI was offered a key and invited into the home, they chose publicize it to make sure the media was there first, and they broke in. That is gamesmanship. That makes senators very, very angry when they attempt to cooperate when for reason they are caught in these webs and yet they are denied that for the sake of the judciary’s publicity. That is wrong.’’
Advertisement
Comments (25)
DiFi Fan wrote on August 2, 2007 5:59 PM:I thought the FBI notified Senator Stevens about the raid one day in advance of it. That is not a courtesy extended to everyone.
Anonymous wrote on August 2, 2007 6:00 PM:Either Larry Craig is very busy and does not know the scale and scope of corruption in Alaska or Ted Stevens has so much dirt on everyone in the Senate that no one will throw him under the bus. Even in Alaska the sheer volume of the investigation has not really resonated
i would bet the latter
A DC Wonk wrote on August 2, 2007 6:03 PM:What is it with Republicans that they don't give two whits about defendants, defedants' rights, prisoners' rights, or civil rights, until one of their own find themselves on the wrong end of a criminal charge?
A DC Wonk wrote on August 2, 2007 6:04 PM:What is it with Republicans that they don't give two whits about defendants, defedants' rights, prisoners' rights, or civil rights, until one of their own find themselves on the wrong end of a criminal charge?
I mean -- the "liberal supreme court" just "made up out of whole cloth" the right of privacy, right? But then that's just what Rush Limbaugh uses (with the ACLU defending him!) to defend himself in the Vicodin case.
Sheesh . . .
Steve5117 wrote on August 2, 2007 6:05 PM:Come on now Karl, we know you just told everybody that the republicans' troubles don't come from the administration's policies or Iraq but from crooked congressmen.
Is this a message to toe the line, or else.
A DC Wonk wrote on August 2, 2007 6:08 PM:What is it with Republicans that they don't give two whits about defendants, defendants' rights, prisoners' rights, or civil rights, until one of their own finds themselves on the wrong end of a criminal case?
The "liberal supreme court" just "made up out of whole cloth" the right of privacy -- and yet when Rush Limbaugh gets nailed for Vicodin, he rushes to use that very right (with the ACLU defending him) to get charges dismissed. <-- just one example
Sheeesh!
Anonymous wrote on August 2, 2007 6:13 PM:At least we can now all agree that the Bush/Cheney admin is gestapo-like.
johnnydoughey wrote on August 2, 2007 6:27 PM:I emailed Senator Craig a few minutes ago and asked him if it would be possible to ensure the rest of us could possibly be given the same Gestapo-like treatment when search warrants were delivered.
I then asked him if he was familiar with the book "Animal Farm".
I am awaiting his reply..... wish me luck.
What?! wrote on August 2, 2007 6:37 PM:Craig was concerned about the FBI "out raiding the homes of senators". I just read that this raid was the FIRST ever of a home of a United States Senator! In 230 years this has never happened, yet Craig intimates there is a plurality of this kind of event.
Ship Stevens off to Guantanamo and then let's hear Craig bellow.
kilo wrote on August 2, 2007 6:54 PM:oh shut the fuck up, Larry Craig. They notified him about it a day in advance! They sure as hell wouldn't notify me a day in advance if they were about to raid MY home. You government officials already get plenty of wiggle-room when it comes to disputes. You get the "benefit of the doubt" more than any other citizen. Shut the fuck up, Steven's has obviously been into some shady deals these past few years and this raid was definitely warranted.
oldtree wrote on August 2, 2007 7:42 PM:senator craig voted against the open government action today. he enjoys what he doesn't have to report and wants to continue to hide his actions. Why wouldn't he defend someone like Teddy that apparently has criminal actions to hide. Did any of the senators that voted nay on the bill today have reasons to keep their actions hidden? Look at the list, it entertains the most corrupt there are. Why? They just voted for corruption by voting no. What could be more clear about who is committing crimes in our senate?
Lori wrote on August 2, 2007 8:24 PM:truth is truth, this is an admission of crime. Why do we have to suffer traitors like this?
Additionally, the final bizarre sentence that this was done for the "sake of the judiciary's publicity" is delusional right-wing madness. Since when is the FBI part of the judicial branch of government. This guy is a senator????
Mark Richards wrote on August 2, 2007 9:36 PM:My heart frikkin bleeds.
Maybe if enough of these arrogant upper class snobs get the same treatment as everybody else (actually better: they didn't smash Stevens' door in and leave the place in pieces) they might then take seriously the accounts of horrendous abuse of authority that so many Americans suffer on a daily basis.
All the "justice" money can buy. Stevens got his. They should have provided the full treatment instead.
Richard L. Adlof wrote on August 2, 2007 9:41 PM:Did dem preVERT Fibbees put dar grubby hands all over Mrs. Steven's undies . . . Jus liken dey did with Mrs. Do-nuttin's?
aklocal wrote on August 2, 2007 10:36 PM:A lot of Alaskans have watched the unbridled power of Senator Stevens with dismay for many years. His ill-considered Gravina bridge put him on display for the rest of the country in a way he did not predict. Well then, so much the better. The little guy cheers a blow in the face of arrogant power. Ted Stevens reaps his own rewards.
Rufus wrote on August 2, 2007 11:59 PM:Where has Senator Craig been all his life? FBI/IRS raids have always been Gestapo-like. Oh, right, when they raid Senators they should be gentle-like. Now I understand.
Anonymous wrote on August 3, 2007 1:37 AM:It was hardly gestapo. we live here--they were in Girdwood for a couple of hours before the press figured it out. The smallest outlet in the state happened upon them.
DO PEOPLE KNOW THAT CHANNEL 2'S (NBC) TOP REPORTER--JASON MOORE--IS BROTHER IN LAW TO TREVOR MCCABE? STEVENS'S FORMER STAFFER? THAT'S PROBABLY WHY CHANNEL 2 DIDN'T GO DOWN AND BREAK THE STORY. THEY'RE THE BIGGEST NEWS AFFILIATE IN THE STATE AND THEY WERE NOT THE FIRST ON THE SCENE. POSSIBLY THE LAST. ALASKANS WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY JASON MOORE HAS MADE OFF TED STEVENS THROUGH TREVOR?
pocket wrote on August 3, 2007 7:29 AM:Maybe the Honorable Senator from Idaho was concerned that the Bear and the Moose (see map of Girwood) would be upset with all the commotion.
The Repug’s really are good at playing the minority party, much better than the Dem’s. But the best is, he’s criticizing the Executive Branch!! Love it when they attack their own!!
nofltwlt wrote on August 3, 2007 9:23 AM:These Gestapo tactics are at the hands of an administration controlled (GOP) FBI - you have no right to complain - or any rights at all for that matter.
Tommy wrote on August 3, 2007 9:32 AM:I've been to Girdwood (twice - great skiing), and you are right - the houses are pretty much on top of each other. Maybe Ted's place is a little outside of of the congestion, but I doubt it, considering the complaint about the FBI's lack of discretion.
Anonymous wrote on August 3, 2007 10:33 AM:
Anonymous wrote on August 3, 2007 10:47 AM:Will TPM publish Ray Metcalfe's allegations for readers?
I LOVE the definition of "liberal" that says he's a conservative who has been indicted -- or had his house searched.
Johann wrote on August 3, 2007 10:54 AM:The arrogance and greed of these muthers is beyond the pale.
Is this FBI action pointing toward a major rift between the FBI and the Justice Department? With a total Republican control of congress, the FBI, and the Justice Department, this raid would never have happened.
TheraP wrote on August 3, 2007 12:15 PM:I see to recall that the home owner was tipped off before the arrival of the FBI.
So it's tit for tat, I guess.
When did the Gestapo tip off the homeowner?
Roberta W wrote on August 5, 2007 10:22 PM:I'm wondering when they're gonna get around to Rep. Murtha's house?
Maybe they can't get past all that pork