Pardon me, but I am breaking with my colleagues on the editorial board in saying I feel sorry for former Gov. George Ryan.
Barring a miracle, Ryan will go to prison to serve 6 1/2 years for public corruption. Instead of enjoying his retirement at age 73, capped by a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for imposing a moratorium on state executions, this proud and arrogant man could be taking orders from a lowly prison warden. He already has stripped of his $200,00-a-year pension.
What a sad ending to his legacy.
This blog brought to you by the Sun-Times editorial board (click on names to read bios):
I couldn't agree more, Gov. Ryan did a noble thing. Iit's just who he did it for that's the problem. He had the gall to stand up for true justice. Gov. Ryan is a trail blazer. We need more politicians to blaze trails than to follow them, true leadership. Gov. Ryan will do fine in prison , because he is a hero to the little guy, he has shown mercy therefore mercy will be shown to him.
Sympathy? Not from the rest of us. Nobel Prize for what? Letting criminals off of death row? Explain to the family of Debra Evans why they should feel good about the killers of their daughter and grandkids being released from paying the appropriate penalty.
He's been feeding at the public trough for decades and STILL thinks he is above the law.
But hey, if that other morally corrupt former governor (Thompson) gets some court to free Ryan, how long before he demands that Ryan gets all of those pensions reinstated?
He's a crook. He deserves jail and scorn, not sympathy.
I don't feel sorry for George ryan.Just other worthless politician going to jail.william from chicago.
Anyone else would be in jail right now. Ryan and his lawyers refuse to accept that he got convicted. They think they are above
the law. In this country if you have money and or powerful attorneys, you usually are. This country is going down the tubes
due to the fact that our elected officials are self serving immoral scumbags. Bush and Cheny should be going to jail as well
for selling out our country to the interests of big business not to mention lying to the American public to start an ill advised war.
I feel sorry for him. Only because he has a hardened heart against apologizing to that family who lost all their children. That is a CHARACTER flaw. And Mr. Ryan was simply too big to offer some sincere sympathy - but you can bet now that he is facing a tradgedy - he wants some. And the sad part is that he is going to get it. But that family - he indirectly killed, has to live with all that pain and grief.
George Ryan still arrogant!! In my opinion, he will find a way to never serve a day! The legal team has been bought and sold by Big Jim Thompson. Ryan should show some humility and apologize to the poor family that lost their children.
Typical bleeding heart Democrat comment... The only thing I feel sorry about George Ryan is that he'll be doing soft time as opposed to hard time with a cell mate named Bubba who might want to make George his new boy toy. Letting those criminals off death row. Yeah, what a brilliant idea.
This individual deserves what he got!! I would call him a man, however he's not!! He does'nt even have the decency to admit his wrong doing!!Set George Ryan free? especially around the holidays? How do you think the poor Willis family celebrates their holidays?!!This disgusting human being is responsible for the deaths of 6 children!!! I have personally met pastor Willis, his faith in the lord is incredible!! George Ryan why don't you finally stand up and be a man and admit your wrong doings to all of us Illinoins?!!!Then serve the rest of your sentence!! Your wife is ,you want out of jail? You should have thought about your wife while you were being corrupt!!!!! Your wife is sick, 6 of the willis children are dead why don't you dwell on that bfor the next 5 years!!