I agree, Genie. I think a plane crash is among the worst imaginable deaths. Mostly because of the longish period of time before the crash itself but also because of the horrendous damage to the bodies. And I think in Stevens' case it is especially pitiable since he had been in a 1978 crash that killed his then-wife. Doesn't seem right that he had to die in another one.

By the way, up yonder it speaks glowingly of Ted Stevens' work in accomplishing Alaska statehood. May I say that he was a johnny-come-lately in that effort. There had been many people working for it for years before Stevens came to the Department of Interior, and if you'll notice he was there only six years before the bill passed. Interior may have called him 'Mr. Alaska' but Alaska itself did NOT. That honor - or blame - belongs to Senator Bob Bartlett.

Bob Bartlett presented an Alaska Statehood bill in the Senate NINE times before it finally passed.