You can love or hate the criminal charges against Gov. Blagojevich.
But you've got to admit, the criminal complaint is a heckuva read.
If you haven't read it, do yourself a favor and check it out. In certain sections, it's a potboiler.
If you have read it, what's your favorite part?
Is it when the governor allegedly considers yanking the state funding to Children's Memorial?
Or when he talks about the possibility of an ambassadorship?
Or maybe when his wife appears to lose it over the Tribune?
Tell us your favorite section and why.
This blog brought to you by the Sun-Times editorial board (click on names to read bios):
chicago politics enough said. corrupt always. all of them, i there one among them who is pure. what about the new boy going to the
whitehouse is he in this crowd. oh yea he is. this is small potatoes; anyone remember the election the mayor of chicago was a part of the recount? almost got al elected. the list goes on and on. glad i live in north carolina where we just have the gov who takes his wife on lavish trips at taxpayer's expense doing the "states business" oh yes and the da who tried to railroad a bunch of youngsters to get himself reelected.
Best part is seeing that this newspaper has employees who are complicit in this criminal organization..nice job in promoting free independent press to "inform" the people........
those involved should immediately resign from the paper.
I would like to know if the Mayor had ice and snow on his sidewalks and streets. 11 people fell in the parking lot of Police Headquarters last week. I think he should be heading the same place as Ryan and the Gov.
Even though I may not be as eloquent or precise as the lady from North Carolina, this can’t be a shock to anyone. I was surprised to read that he was considering stepping down in January, as long as his funds and future were secure that is. Regardless of whether this is “just politics” or not, he needs to use that big pair of his and resign immediately.
My favorite part is how well all this dovetails into what he's already done. He wants to sell all kinds of state assets to pay the state's bills...and now this bakelite-haired fraud gets busted selling a senate seat to pay his own bills. Classic!
And this guy was better than Jim Oberweis?
the citizens of illinois have always known there is corruption in illinois politics. it starts with chicago aldermen and ends with the governer. the level of this corruption is staggering. the cook county board president, todd stroger, raised sales taxes and then promptly gave his appointed friends and relatives pay raises. the governor soon followed raising sales taxes again making illinois have the highest sales taxes in the nation. when will this assault on the taxpayers of this state end. the us economy is in bad shape and people are hurting. with the level of political corruption in illinois, the citizens here need life support. the arrest of the governor should put every illinois politician on notice.
When he calls Obama a motherf*cker - page 63. Unbelievable.
I read the charges, but I cannot say that I have a favorite part. I did not vote for this individual, and my son remembers me saying that when Blago was elected in 2006, the voters were actually electing Pat Quinn as governor, although it did take a bit longer than I thought. Sickened is a more accurate description of my feelings after reading the charges. How can one have a favorite part when you read how this person viewed the office to which he was elected by the voters of Illinois solely as a means of enriching himself? How can one be say that he likes reading about two parents who so totally fail their children while discussing how to get the Tribune to get rid of certain editorial writers, thereby putting both at risk for prison, without even thinking of who will be the parents when Rod and Patty pay the penalty for their actions. I cannot see any way that Patty Blagojevich will not be indited as a co-conspirator given her apparent participation in many of the taped conversations. Favorite part, when it appears that as far as Rod is concerned along with those angling for the Senate seat, that this is how politics is done in Illinois, and one realizes that this is the same political training ground of the next President? Blagojevich put the Senate seat up for sale. Will the White House be the next item up for sale?
While I haven't had time to read the whole complaint--the whole thing is entertaining so far. I plan to finish reading it today
I cannot believe with all the crimes the govenor committed his bail was set at 4500.oo.What a joke! More corruption on that end.DUI's cost more as do many other crimes.That was almost as appalling as the crimes he has committed.Also why let him resign?Let's just impeach that *******!Let him sit in the same country club and rot in hell with Thompson!
The complaint is indeed entertaining reading! The Children's Memorial extortion attempt is a good one. But my personal favorite part wasn't in the actual complaint, it was in Fitzgerald's presser yesterday, when he kept reading aloud quotes and "bleeping" certain bon mots out... then clarifying, straight-faced, that "Those bleeps were not the words he used." Made me crack up every single time.
Best part? It's actually a very depressing document to say the least and defining a "best part" only exacerbates the joke Illinois is going to become.
This is the state of the next President. Our Governor had no foresight beyond his wallet. You'd think 4 years ago that anyone worth their salt would have seen the potential in Barack Obama; and made sure that they were aligned in any way shape or form with such a potential political star. Nope, not our Governor.
Our Governor has dashed any hope of Chicago getting the Olympics... so, I will give you the WORST PART of that document...
"If [Illinois] isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's one hell of a competitor."
Any other city in contention for the 2016 Olympics would run that quote across the IOC's desk every day until their decision is announced.
Holding funding for Children's Memorial Hospital hostage for kickbacks takes the cake! I thought this "reform" governor was cool...I feel deceived and saddened. Thank you to the diligent prosecutors and Chicago Tribune for cooperating to shine the light on this skunk.
Just got done reading the Governor's 78 page indictment... Who's the Sun Times columnist in his back pocket?
sneedsneedsneedsneed
I am interested in the race track casino part. Interesting isnt it? Dont to of the players in Waukegan have an interest also in the racetracks? wasnt one of them a lobbyist till recently for the tracks????? isnt the other one owner of a defunct race track ?????? and they talk about rosemont??? me thinks the gov probably has his hands in that license also?? hmmmmmm pg39
Next good read.. "City Corruption at its Best"
The best section is paragraph 116, in which, among other things, he is said to be considering a 2016 presidential run. I can't decide which shocks me more - his absolute corruption, amazing stupidity, or baseless hubris.
I don't believe the charges against Governor Blagojevich. I think that political operatives who are enemies set the Governor up. I don't understand why everyone has taken the feds word and just are assuming guilt. This is a herd mentality that does not invite independent thinking. I feel that a lot of you who leap to the cconclusion of "guilty" aren't very bright. You are like a herd of sheep being led wherever the conspirators against the Governor want to take you. Stop and think. These are just charges. I want to hear
the so-called audio tapes. I want to hear the testimony of those people who said he tried to bribe or extort them. Until then, I would say that this is a witch-hunt. Furthermore, It has been about three years that the feds have been on Blagojevich's trail; three years of hatred, conjecture and innuendo from political enemies. Yet, the center-piece of the federal charges is something the feds claimed occurred in the last 5 weeks?? And also, after George Ryan and knowing that these people were watching him, the Governor is ccommitting these alleged crimes, anyway??? I don't believe he is that dumb??---there is a power-grab conspiracy here---can you say Madigan, Tribune and Quinn??
There is no "best part". It is all a hoot. I am more intrigued with
William Lane's RIGHT ON comments regarding the Olympics. Blago has cost Chicago a lot more than embarrassment. Whatever Obama's election might have done for Illinois prestige is clearly overshadowed by these travesties (and I bet there is more to come!!)!
The best part of this is that it isn't over yet. Rod seems like the type that will sing louder than Rezko. Isn't it funny that Obama has all of these associations that we aren't supposed to care about. Not only did he work on his campaign in 2002 meeting with him and 2 others once a week, but he also endorsed him in 2006 after allegations of wrongdoing were out there. Yeah, this should be very interesting. All of you Bush bashers, expect the same from us. Remember you didn't cut him any slack, you lied about him and continue to do so and he's main purpose has been to keep this country safe and free. Let's see how long msm can go without making the connection. How long before the love fest is over?
By Bob Brewer on December 10, 2008 11:25 AM
Just got done reading the Governor's 78 page indictment... Who's the Sun Times columnist in his back pocket?
Michael Sneed
she should join Jay Marriotti as far as i am concerned.
You see, Sneed was allegedly the guv's go-to reporter for planting fake rumors designed to help his scheme to extort money in exchange for Obama's replacement in the Senate. How tight was Sneed with these people? So tight that today—the day that the scandal itself broke—she has what certainly appears to be another Blago-planted item in her column!
I hope Blago goes to the Big House and ends up married to the guy with the most cigarettes.
For life.
As Chicagoans, we've been accused of being part of the systemic corruption of our dear City. Having read that, I realized it's the truth.
Once I heard the news, my reaction was far from one of shock, and yes, I admit to laughing, particularly when some genius from the FBI said we may be the most corrupt state in the country. Duh.
Point taken, that none of the many beneficiaries or intended beneficiaries of these bribes and pay offs came forward. Rod was brought down by taped conversations. Without that, no doubt business as usual would have prevailed.
It's just a brick in the wall.
The absolute best part, sorry, parts, for me was when he called Obama a "mother..." because Obama would not give him anything for picking his choice for the senate; and when Gov Blago said, and I paraphrase: "I've got this thing, this "effing" (think bleep) and it's golden. It's valuable. I'm not going to give it away for nothing. F... him."
Woo hoo, it's better than a James Patterson Alex Cross type book.
The part I read I believe was in the press release where it said
that Blagojevich had three criteria for selecting the new senator: “Our legal situation, our personal situation, my political situation — this decision, like every other one, needs to be based on that."
In other words we can infer that him and his family have benefitted financially from every decision he has ever made as Governor.
All I have to say is that Money is the root of all evil and whether you are a Christian or not this is a prime example of the power of the Word. See 1 Timothy 6:9-10
Blago better start reading the Holy bible as he still continues to believe he did no wrong. That is almost worst than anything else!
If Obama is a motherBleeper, does that make Michelle Mrs. Motherbleeper?
Blago has been going down this trail for a while now. For me though the best part is where he is sizing up his Washington potential and potential 2016 run for the gold ($$$$ that is). That's a hoot. While the president-elect has surely distanced himself from Blago a long time ago, the fact that Blago really thought he had any leverage at all is a darn hoot. Politicians have big egos at the get go, so many of then can smell out a rat or rival long before it gets to the public. I am sure Obama knew that Blago was on the edge of legality or a crook long long time ago and has somewhat sidestepped that land mine.
Blago reminds me of Gary Hart or former CT Gov. John Rowland (now a convicted felon). Hart dared anyone to find him of misdeeds and they did -- it was like taking candy from a baby. Rowland acted a lot like Blago or Blago like Rowland--above the law; called a "rising star"; felt he was "due" the perks that lobbyists and donors bestow on people in power; jerked people around and mistreated them; and so on. In a way they really do become delusional, which does lead them to engage in erratic and terribly risky behavior. Despite a competing newspaper columnist's piece today on the "sanity" of Blago, I do believe that he is pretty far out there--nearly insane. Maybe that is a good defense. Save the taxpayers a lot of money on trials and maybe save his family some face.
The other "insane" thing and a hoot at the same time that he did was to talk about "doing good for the people of Illinois" while at the same time complaining that he will be "stuck" as governor two more years--that is actually the best of the lot. I don't think he will have to worry about being "stuck" for the next two years as governor. The people of Illinois will, sadly, be stuck with the bill of this piece of trash for a long long time. Pitty too. Blago had it all going for him in the first few moments of his administration. A chance to set Illinois on the right path. He squandered that Big Time. Now the rest of the story is just gonna be a long long soap opera with quite possibly the biggest soap in American political history. If Blago doesn't own that crown he shares it with some illustrious company.
The "f-bombs" are of no consequence, just adds flavor.
The entire city of chicago politics are corrupt including the head ring leader, so in this case we must cut the head off of this bad boy in order to stop the bleeding. Bloga is doing exactly what he saw and was taught as to how the city corruption is carried out and run from stealing, lying to nepotism. The main problem I have that they are stealing so much they can't do the job they were hired to do. Thanks to P. F. he's cleaning house from the top so maybe the people of chicago can gain the trust of the politicians (joke) !!!
Dale isn't it funny that Blago might have even repeated that oft used cliche: "you can't argue with people that buy ink by the barrel." But it is very very true no matter how many times it is said. I have seen editorial writers and reporters get off on a tangent and "have it in" for certain politicians. It happens. And while not intending to go off on news media, in many many ways there are no checks and balances in that environment like there are in other industries. Having said that, the fact that Blago for one minute believed that he could actually control these editorial boards in terms of personnel or future writings is again close to insanity. It's that easy is it? Get a few people fired and even if you replace them with "your" people that would be "friendlies", does anyone think they would turn their back on the truth eventually when Blago would have continued his reign of terror? If Blago hadn't been brought down this week, he would have further sunk the state with his actions. He is kooky; done for; cooked; dead; deaf and dumb...The news media and powerful politicians use each other at all times. I wonder when each goes home at night, who has the biggest laugh about how much "using" was done to one another?
1) If you were drafting the indictment, how would you eliminate the "President-elects'" involvement so as not to details of an "on-going investigation"?
Notice the indictment lists questions of D.C. “Advisors.” Yet, their responses are never included – never reported – never heard. WHY?
More to come? – from the "President-elect"?
2) Until this day, corporate America was the consummate leader in pilfering the ‘American Dream’ ... now look with fresh eyes upon the Illinois government legislative (Advisors; and, IFA?) and executive branches (Blago and Harris), lobbyists, not-for-profits, print media and unions. The concepts of “health and human services” (public welfare) is an empty shell that smacks of the moneyed few, horse-trading their “financial security” over our lives and destinies.
3) Judy Barr-Topinka (i.e., the last Republican gubernatorial candidate) figured it out: “Now we know where Blago came up with all those campaign contributions – all that money.”
Is she still available?
For Governor?
For Senator??
For President???
JohnnyRun
aka The Little Prince
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, money is not the root of all evil.
LOVE of money is.
Page 74, and throughout, where Blago laments being "stuck" in the Governorship!
Excerpt from bsproof.net
BSPROOF.NET
December 14, 2008
WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?
Filed under: POLITICS — CW @ 8:23 pm
It is impossible after inhabiting a pig stye for any period of time, to emerge unaccompanied by what might politely be referred to as, a stink. Obama, not even sworn in yet finds that the Chicago Stink, has followed him into his new life. I believe he is an honest and honorable man, but he seems reluctant to establish himself on new and direct terms and leave the guarded Chicago Pol behind, and it is disappointing.
If Sneed is, indeed, in Blago's pocket, why is she still writing for the Sun-Times? This is not about freedom of the press. It's about corruption. Or, is the Sun-Times complicit, also? What a joke!
excerpt from bsproof.net
excerpt from bsproof.net
Apparently Chicagoans, like longtime neighbors of a sewage treatment, or chemical plant, are immune to how really offensive corruption is to the uninitiated not conditioned to accept it as “normal”.
To them normal is corrupt politicians and their stooges, small men, who’s great burden in life is the constant fear that the next guy is getting more than them. The crooks who masquerade as honest men are the most vile, they possess no talent, no skill, no ideas, nothing of worth to society that might establish them as a solid citizen. they are the takers.
It is easy to see how Blago the Cretin got elected King of the Stink-Hole. He’s crude, unsophisticated, apparently of very limited intelligence, and he’s on the way to winning the title, “convicted felon”.