It’s really a shame I don’t have time to blog. I’d love to talk about this some more:
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents for what U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald called a “staggering” level of corruption involving pay-to-play politics in Illinois’ top office.
But, alas, I can’t. But here’s a post about it so you all can discuss it. It’s disgusting, isn’t it? Especially after we just sent one corrupt governor up the river.
Which reminds me, any word on whether Dick Durbin has asked Bush to pardon Blagojevich yet?
He’s submitted a request for a commutation of the sentence but not a pardon (if i recall correctly). I’m thinking that the likelihood of that getting approved just dropped significantly with the arrest of the current gov.
The feds docs that they used to get the arrest warrant are great reading. The Gov sure has a gutter mouth on him. I used to feel sorry for his wife – but it’s clear from reading the docs that both of them are as corrupt as they come. I hope that he gets the max and that Obama comes out and condemns his actions soon.
Does anyone else believe that (in addition to being corrupt and dishonest) Blagojevich is really crazy–even in the clinical sense?
He has to be the biggest megalomaniac i’ve run across. He’s knows for months (if not years) that his administration is being watched…..and he still so blatently does what he does in shaking people down for money, benefits, and perks.
They say that “what you say” when no one is listening is the best indicator of your true self. Well, if you read his comments, he’s a real low life!
So… with the exception of JIM Edgar… how many Illinois Governors in the last 40 years are NOT convicted felons? I think Blagojevich is the only one, isn’t he?
OK… a little hasty… I forgot about Thompson and Shapiro.
4 indictments
Stratton — in 1965 on tax evasion charges related to campaign contributions
Kerner — in 1971 on bribery, conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud charges
Walker — in 1987 on bank fraud, misapplication of bank funds and perjury unrelated to his time in public office.
Ryan — in 2003 on racketeering, mail fraud, filing false tax returns, making false statements to the FBI and diverting campaign funds for personal use
Peo Proud said: “He’s submitted a request for a commutation of the sentence but not a pardon (if i recall correctly).”
That’s George Ryan, and I know it was a request for commutation. I was jokingly asking if he had asked Bush to pardon Blagojevich now, too.
Maybe with Blagojevich’s “cooperation,” we will find we didn’t need a constitutional convention to get rid of a governor.
Sorry CJ – that’s what I get for reading in a hurry! I doubt that even Durbin is dumb enough to ask for assistance for Blago……
Given our troubled history with corrupt governors, could we be looking at a situation where the behaviors of fraud, bribery, etc. have become so ingrained and accepted within the Illinois political system that they are now institutionalized? That could be part of the reason why governors from both parties have suffered the same or similar fates. And if that is the case, can the system be “fixed” and if so, how?
Illinois’ governor isn’t the only governor in trouble–maybe the corruption of the political system is a bit more widespread.
Chicago politics. Business as usual. Doesn’t our President-in -waiting hail from that area too??
Our new state representative (what’s her name) should get along well with Blagojevich.
I now have a clearer picture of how B could callously close Peoria’s Zeller Zone (mental care) & boot those folks who so desparately needed special care out to the curb.
Allegedly he was taped as he explored removing funding of a children’ hospital to spite it’s director who wasn’t coming across with $50K personal campaign contribution fast enough.
I hope it isn’t true. But if it is, maybe there will be a special, more unpleasant place in Hades for people like that.
-Scott
I hope it isn’t true. But if it is, maybe there will be a special, more unpleasant place in Hades for people like that.
-Scott
That would be nice, but alas there isn’t. Ther is only justice now.
Scott: Blagojevioch did not close Zeller. George Ryan did, during a budget crunch. As former State Sen. George Shadid and former State Rep. Ricca Slone were working to get it re-opened, State Rep. David Leitch arranged a sweet-heart deal to lease the entire closed facility to Illinois Central College, which wanted to use the center’s cooking facilities for a culinary arts program. The rent: $1. Eventually, they ended up having to pay more. To this day, people with mental illness have a very hard time getting th services they need. But hey, it’s worth it so that we have an endless supply of fry cooks, right?
my bad, Billy Tx 4 jumping on thia so fast so misinfo isnt spread as widely.
I just remember B’s campaign promises guaranteeing that he would keep it open & then breaking his promise after taking office. That’s probably why I had the feeling he was responsible.
Always good to hear from you.
-Scott
If a special election is held for Obama’s vacant senate seat …..
How about former governor Jim Edgar for the Republican bid?