Ted Stevens, Longtime Senator, in Plane Crash
 

(CBS/ AP) There were conflicting reports on whether Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history who lost his seat after a corruption conviction that was later dismissed, was killed Tuesday in a small plane crash in Alaska.

A family friend said Stevens, 86, was among five people killed in the crash in southwest Alaska. The same friend said later the death had not been confirmed.

In 1978, Stevens survived a Learjet crash in Anchorage that killed five people, including his first wife.

Over the years, Stevens became a political legend in Alaska. Affectionately nicknamed "Uncle Ted," he was named "Alaskan of the Century" in 2000 by the state legislature and the airport in Anchorage bears his name. Thanks to Stevens' long tenure and clout on Capitol Hill, Alaska earned substantial influence in national politics well beyond its small population.

However, Stevens is also known for his fiery temper, the career-ending corruption trial and championing the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere," a $400 million pork transportation project designed to link two remote islands.

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This almost sounds like one of those celebrity death rumors :-/

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/10/ala...pt=T1&iref=BN1

...now CNN has confirmed it.

:eek: @ some of those comments!

Some people can be so nasty and mean spirited.

I'll wait 'til his remains are recovered and buried before making any negative remarks. May he rest in peace.

I agree. This man (regardless of his politics) has a family and friends like everyone else. I think those kinds of comments are out of line.

It's the times. The Internet gives a voice to those that don't deserve to be heard.

I heard this on KLove, and the first thought that came into my mind is "I think vandalsquirrel is still in Alaska, hope she is ok and not on that plane."

RIP to all those who died and my condolences to their families.

Same EP. I'm almost positive she is still in Alaska.

Random personal connection:

When my husband was in medical school (in St. Louis) he did a month long rotation at that hospital in Dillingham. It's teeny-tiny. There are only 16 beds and 3 ER beds. They don't do any surgery there, instead they focus on OB and medical issues (heart attack, pneumonia, etc), and fly anyone who needs anything more critical to Anchorage.

Thoughts and prayers to those affected by the crash including those first responders and medical personal that cared for the survivors.

Thanks for thinking of me, I made it back to Idaho.

I was only in Fairbanks for a couple of days but there were signs all over town that said "we love and miss you ted" and a lot of people were and are very upset by this. I was on the other side of the state, and I really could see Canada from my tent. I first heard of the crash and his death, and another subsequent crash, when I got off the boat in town headed to the air strip. Nothing like hearing about plane crashes when you're boarding a four seater plane on Friday the 13th.

Our pilot has GPS, but only operates with visible flight rules, and for me that's an extra safety measure. Normally we would take the float plane and land on the river, but it had a mechanical problem and we had to go upriver to an air strip and wait for the fog to lift in Fairbanks so he could leave. I've decided for my peace of mind I'm taking basic flight lessons so if I am in an emergency situation I can handle a plane and get more specific details via radio. There's little chance of anything happening, but heart attacks and aneurysms come out of nowhere and I'd prefer to be prepared.

RIP Uncle Ted http://tubesdance.ytmnd.com/ The internet is a series of tubes...how I will always remember him.

Soooooo true. The internet breeds lots of cowards who hide behind computer screens.