I plan to read little about Rod Blagojevic, and write even less. Mostly because this is one of those American news items where active attention isn’t required; I’ll get much more than I need or want via media osmosis. Plus, I don’t want to become sympathetic to this mope, which is a real possibility if the current circus stays in town much longer.This is the kind of story we really like to just beat to death in this country. An egotistical, immoral, big-city bumpkin, with a bad haircut and a worse wife makes us all feel morally superior. We can just pound him to a pulp without remorse or need of even a morsel Christian charity. And it keeps us from having to consider the question, “what’s the big deal here?”
Certainly no one believes a politician trading actions for something in return is an uncommon occurrence? In addition to the update in the 12/7 post, Charlie Rangel is also being investigated for changing his vote on a federal tax provision in favor of a company that donated $1 million to a school building fund that plans to slap Charlie the Tuna’s name over the front door.
Or is it that it is a Senate seat being treated like a used i-Pod on eBay that is troubling everyone? Well, as Gail Collins points out in her NYT column today, Delaware’s Governor Minner appointed one of Sen. Biden’s long-time aides to finish his unexpired term; the aide promptly promised not to run for reelection, which will make it easy for Biden’s son to run when he comes back from active duty in Iraq. There’s one big favor on the books for the Gov. Will the new VP return it in the form of a taxpayer funded “something?” Isn’t that what politics is?
Alright, I get it. Blago was more brazen, lacks style, and is out of step with the times, but here’s a thought: Why don’t we put him on trial -- a real one with lawyers, witnesses, discovery, and a judge and jury, and see what comes of it? That used to be the American way, instead of running him up in front of the High Court of NBC, the Honorable Judge Matt presiding, where the only evidence is in the form of leaked government transcripts, rumors, and carefully selected video designed to make Blago look like a off-duty Elvis impersonator.
Is this really the way we want our judicial system to operate?
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27 comments:
My guess is that he is off his rocker. He couldn't have been this stupid/bold to have gotten his position as Governor on the same tack.
Sure, the courts should handle it if he proves sane.
BTW, he has the same hair as I'm a dinner jacket.
The guy is either crazy or stupid or both. It seems like selling a senate seat should be something from the early 1800s when politicians buggy whipped each other. I've worked directly for elected officials most of my adult life, and I must admit there is something close to verging on a quid pro quo in a lot of deals that are made - some blatant and others more subtle. Let's face it, that's what practical politics is about! And while it's above my pay grade, isn't that what a lot of business deals are about?
Nice try to position Blago as the everyman's sleazebag, tormented by the elite, but sorry, he's still an asshole. People of all races, creeds and social classes regard his haircut with the same keen sense of horror.
HOWEVER, your point about Biden is well taken. I couldn't believe the press wasn't all over that one. The idea of appointing your own son as your successor is beyond cynical, especially because we're talking about the Senate instead of that ragtag mob known as the House and (I hope) the only reason there wasn't more brouhaha about it was that Irawq fortunately got in the way of it.
I'll go along with all but the Elvis comparison.
This Sears-suited goober looks like Roman Polanski on steroids.
Here's the future: He'll resign. In 6-9 months they'll resurrect him as the "Election Czar."
His problem is petty crime. If he just drowned some chick in an Oldsmobile, he could have that senate seat for himself.
Wait isn't this just old Chicago style politics? Hmmm... Or is it just politics in general.
Regardless, I agree, he is a stubborn, arrogant and opportunistic sleezebag.
Sarah Palin is happy that she is not the worst gov in the U.S. now.
Just think about it, instead of losing principle in the equities market, I could have bought a seat in the senate.
Of course I would then have had to obtain the honorific, Colonel for my name. And buy an ivory handled cane. Nah, the brandy and cigars wouldn't be good for me. But I could see Dennis walking with the right swagger handing out $10 tobacco rolls.
Just heard Scott Simon on NPR quoting some Chicago politician who once said, "Never take a dime, just give them your business card!" That's the art of the deal. A hundred plus years ago Mark Hanna greased politicians in the statehouse at Christmas by laying out stacks of cash in full view across the street at The Neil House. He had signs next to each stack of cash with the legislators' names on it so they could see how much each were getting. And, oh yes Hank, he put a big stogie on top of each stack!
C'mon guys, the real power in Illinois is with Dailey. Why burden the taxpayer with a show trial. I want to see another man weep in public with his wife by his side,while his career ends but he will still have his pension and health care. Ex politicians should be like Jimmy Swaggert. Go on tv,cry, beg for forgiveness and repent.I am convinced Trafficant will play it that way and make the most out of being a convicted felon.
It is hard not to be impressed with the genteel way his wife conveys her thoughts. What a blushing flower she is. He must have met her in a strip club...no, the women there have more class.
Colonel Schiffman does have a nice ring to it. but a colonel in what army? Salvation? Confederate? I'd vote for you Hank.
I think the difference between the Biden thing and this guy is that the quid for the pro quo is the personal payoff of $$ for Blagojevich and his wife, who by the way, makes youir garden variety srip club employee look like Grace Kelly.
I too have done quite a bit of work with politicians and with the notable exception of Bill Bradley, have found them to be entitled, delusional, and not that bright. This guy fits the bill to a tee.
Hey Birbman -- what's the difference between cash in your pocket and a free pass to the Senate for your kid? not too much it seems to me. personal gain in either event, probably traded for something that actually belongs to the public. in any event, there certainly is no public benefit from the exchange.
Whats the difference between the Illinois Gov & any other politician? He got caught. The same group requiring auto makers to be more accountable.
Not much I suppose. Just a matter of degree and the manner in which its done. I wouldn't however, lumb Blagoyevitch in the same category as Biden.
It is a time honored tradition to appoint "friends" for the rest of the term. The Governor of Alabama appointed his wife, Dixie Graves, to a seat after Hugo Black moved to the Supreme Court. I am sure she was immensely qualified.
The Biden aide appointment just isn't that outside the norm. Actually putting an amount on how much it would cost to get the appointment is quite a 21st Century tradition.
Well, it looks today's NYT and WSJ agree with you about the guv, but they put the blame squarely on Fitzgerald.
I agree. His overly zealous comments and inflammatory remarks created this media frenzy -- and allowed those dopes on CNN and FOX to turn Blagojevich into another human pinata.
They also added their own spin on how this is "Obama's first Presidential crisis!"
I rescind my Roman Polanski comparison.
Blago resembles the most odious mass murder in U.S. history... JANET RENO.
I thought Al Quaeda retired the mass murder trophy back in 2001. I'm unsure how Janet Reno makes this list at all.
Perhaps I should have qualified Reno’s status with the word “domestic.”
In terms of evil, Reno stands hideous head and brawny shoulders above Bin Ladin. Reno’s sworn duty was to protect US citizens, not orchestrate their immolation by thugs from the Federal Bureau of Intimidation.
One need only dig a bit deeper than the government spin fed to the networks to learn the true story:
An angry, drunken, bow-legged bag of conflicted sexuality decided her dick was bigger than Koresh’s, and burned 85 women and children to prove the point.
Of course, the left-leaning “intelligentsia” cared not a whit… they were only “hillbilly, bible-thumping po’ white trash.” Had Reno’s victims been of a demo more favored by the “diversity” crowd, he/she would have been tried, executed and the incident would have been accurately termed “America’s Holocaust.”
Every 911 victim’s family has gotten rich, courtesy of Uncle Sam.
The families of Reno’s victims have not received so much as an apology.
Any questions, Birdman?
Fisty, I assume Reno would be the evil twin.I don't think Drago has killed anyone. I was amazed at the similarity with hairline,chin etc.Many people forgot that tragedy of the Branch Dividians. I think she was only a couple of months on the job. But we were all fed that pablum from the left.It's the same pablum that has caused Barney Frank to increase his girth while being endentulous.The left is full of Liars, thieves and murderers as well as the right.
No questions really. When agents of the ATF knock on a door with a properly issued warrant and four of them die in an ensuing fire fight, bad things are going to happen. There is some conflicting evidence concerning how the fires started, but many of the victims died of a single gunshot to the head not fire.
I don't have any feelings about Janet Reno one way or the other, but I don't blame the FBI for this incident. Should this have been handled differently? Oviously. Would the outcome have been different. Maybe.
The blame for this rests soley on the shoulders of David Koresh.
What Iheard was that Reno was sleeping with Koresh, and she had the place burned down to cover it up.
Your verison is straight from the Federal propaganda playbook, Birdman. And that's pure spin.
Remember, the jack-booted thugs never allowed the press within miles of the compound.
After they torched the place, they wouldn't allow the firemen in to douse it. They wanted nothing left but ashes.
Do some independent research.
You may change your opinion of Mr. Reno, who, I pray, dies slowly and screaming.
He/she was in command, he/she had all the power, he/she is responsible for those deaths.
It could be asking alot of law enforcement to have four killed a few wounded and then after 51 days of fruitless negotiations to expect that they would just sprinkle pixie dust over the compound and walk away.
Was it mishandled under her watch, without a doubt, but to add JR to the terrorist list might be a bit over the top.
Fisty let's just say that we agree to disagree on this issue. The FBI surely hasn't showered itself with glory on many occasions. However, I do think they do a first rate job on most things. They certainly aren't jack booted thugs. Most of them wear wingtips.
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