NASA, AIPAC Mourn a 'Friend of Israel' - 'Uncle Ted' Stevens

[Keit]

There is an article on SOTT about the death of Ted Stevens due to an airplane crash.

Here are several interesting details about Stevens:

Apparently, he was a friend and a "steadfast supporter of Israel".

According to AIPAC, the venerated senator was a “lion” who was “a strong friend of Israel and a staunch supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship.”

Stevens was named “Alaskan of the Century” by the Alaska State Legislature in 2000, AIPAC said in a statement expressing its deep regret over his death. “Working together with his colleague Senator Daniel Inouye, the Stevens-Inouye team represented the hallmark of bi-partisan support for the U.S.-Israel relationship,” the lobbyist organization said.

The senator “demonstrated his steadfast commitment to America's alliance with the Jewish state year after year,” AIPAC added, noting that he was a “consistent supporter of U.S. aid to Israel and of America's partnership with Israel in the joint development and production of the Arrow anti-missile system, currently protecting every citizen of the Jewish State.

Among other passengers, there was a former NASA head, Sean O'Keefe, who was injured, including his son.

O'Keefe, 54, currently serves as CEO of the North American arm of EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space) firm. He was heading to his fishing lodge together with the senator and six others, besides his son.

O'Keefe and Stevens became fast friends during the 1980s, when the senator led the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and mentored O'Keefe, a member of the staff. During the administration of President George Bush Senior, O'Keefe served as comptroller and chief financial officer of the U.S. Department of Defense, and in 1992 as the country's Secretary of the Navy.

“As a long-time supporter of NASA, Sen. Stevens made lasting contributions to our agency and our country,” the NASA statement went on. “We at NASA mourn his loss and send our deepest condolences to his family, as well as the families and friends of all who perished in the accident."

Interesting that Israel's best friend was a mentor of someone high ranking in U.S. Department of Defense and NASA. Also, the fishing resort they were heading to sometimes drew criticism for hosting lobbyists and lawmakers to discuss government issues.

Here is an article with more details about the crash.

Also, apparently Stevens wasn't Palin's favorite.

Palin backed off from calling for the resignation of fellow Alaskan Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in Senate history. Stevens leads Democrat Mark Begich by about 3,500 votes with more than 50,000 to be counted.
A Washington jury convicted Stevens on Oct. 27 of seven felony counts of failing to report more than $250,000 in gifts, mostly renovations on his home. Stevens is appealing the verdict. "The Alaska voters have spoken and me not being a dictator won't be telling anyone what to do," she said.

Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in Senate history who turns 85 next week, is clinging to a margin of less than 4,000 votes over Democrat Mark Begich in Alaska. But even if he wins, Stevens is set to be expelled following his conviction on corruption charges. Sarah Palin, who as Governor would have to call a special election to replace him, may stand herself.