Well, by now you've heard that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald filed criminal charges against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on a number of allegations, not the least of which is to literally sell for campaign contributions (or otherwise trade for personal or political gain) the appointment to Barack Obama's vacated senate seat. They're slicing and dicing this incredible story over at Capitol Fax Blog, so I would encourage you to go over there for the in-depth look and lots of scoops on what this all means. Here's a link to the complaint. It's a must-read.
On the micro-level here in Lake County, we'd like to note that local Dems wasted no time in throwing Blago under the bus. More here. But, not so fast. Where was Terry Link, Susan Garrett and Michael Bond when they were debating amendment of the state constitution to allow for a recall provision? Oh, yeah, I believe they were against that. Where was Kathy Ryg or Karen May when the state house was talking about potential impeachment proceedings? Oh yeah, they didn't speak out and, lo, nothing happened. Of course, when Blago was handing out state grants, where were our guys? Oh, yeah, they had their hands out. When Blago ran for re-election, who did they support?
Where was ANYBODY on the Democratic side of the aisle when the stories of the federal subpoenas and probes into Blago's alleged pay-to-play activities were hitting the papers? Any public statements? Any displays of outrage? Nothing, Nada, ZIPPO.
It's a very sad day for Illinois politics, but I have to say that if Lake County voters let our local Democratic office holders off the hook for never lifting a finger or raising a voice in opposition to this madman, but NOW are calling for his resignation, impeachment or other action, let's remember whose party this governor belongs to, and who has supported him for the last six years.
Elephants never forget.
UPDATE: Well, if there was any doubt that Illinois was not THE most corrupt state in the nation, we are now the laughingstock, that's for sure. Check out the story on the eBay and other online gags that are cropping up, including sale of Obama's senate seat and a 'wish list' (including the movie "Prison Break" ) for Blago. When I checked, the actual posts on eBay and Amazon had already been taken down, but the news article is good for a chuckle.
I'm sure Barack Obama must be very proud of the state he cleaned up before he left for D.C. Maybe that trip to Kenya to speak on corruption in government could have been obviated by looking a little closer to home...
UPDATE x2: JUST FOR FUN: Watch them sweat over at progressillinois.com, which is sponsored by SEIU, and which union was referenced in the Blago complaint. Fun, fun, fun.
UPDATE x3: Anne has some good stuff going on at BackyardConservative. Check it out.
UPDATE x4: WOULD MARK KIRK RUN IN A SPECIAL ELECTION?: Crain's mentions Mark Kirk as a possible candidate for the GOP in a special election, if one is called for filling the Obama seat. But, would the special election be open? Or Dems only? Would Kirk run as a Dem if that's what it takes? Could he? Would he? With a mouse? In a house? In a box? With a fox?
Sorry, it's been that kind of a day.... Get ready for any and all wacky theories and issues coming out from lots and lots of people who really don't know jack...
UPDATE x5: MORE NATIONAL LAUGHS AT ILLINOIS' EXPENSE: Well, both Letterman and Leno mentioned Blago's arrest in their monologues tonight, although the jokes were short and fairly unfunny, and it was clear that neither comedian really knew what to do with this, since Chicago is just so... not New York or LA. Better get used to understanding the quirky Midwest, though, if you want to survive at least 4 years of Obama and have some material for your show, gents...
UPDATE #6: LET'S COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES: Ellen of the Tenth actually did acknowledge the Blago scandal tonight, but she advises Dems not to feel too bad about 'one bad apple' (it would just be so... unfair... to paint other Dems with Blago's actions, don't ya know?), and quickly reminds her readers that everything including the war, the economy, death and taxes is all the Republicans' fault. You could let her know how you feel about this, but she doesn't accept comments on her blog anymore. Gee, I wonder why...?
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13 comments:
Read Link's comments - give me a break - I recall Link tying every Republican in Lake County (including voters) to George Ryan, as part of the corruption.
The Dem legislators have demonstrated again, they are either morally bankrupt or wimps.
That's the problem, TA, is that in our modern culture of OnDemand and Buy-It-Now and Next Day Shipping, people do forget. It's going to be up to us the precinct committeemen (and women) to keep reminding people. Remind them of the heritage of this state, and remind them where our current state government has taken that heritage (in a handbasket).
1. We must realize that Mark's butt buddy, Andy McKenna worked hard to see today never come about. He and the rest of Mark's pals-like Denny Hastert worked day and night to have Peter Fitzgerald taken out of public office precsicely because he appointed PATRICK to kick some corrupt butt. He and Ray LaHood are a part of the party that need to leave.
2. A weakness of the Kirk organization is that no one has stopped in the local party apparatus to check to see which of these local state legislators has received money and or endorsements from Blago-Tim perhaps we could see if Karen May was on the blago train?
3. Reihan Salam-a great new Republican writer and protege of rockstar David Brooks at the national level is already talking Mark up for Senate. I feel this would be foolish because Rahm would not allow Obama to be embarrassed by having his seat lost to Mark. If Dems are dumb enough to try this in 2009-I say go for it.
-Fan of King Louis Astaves the Ellen Slayer
(FOKLAES)
TheHill.com is reporting that Madigan is calling a special session on Monday to consider a bill for a special election to choose Obama's replacement...
mobile.thehill.com/leading-the-news/illinois-house-to-consider-special-election-2008-12-09.html
Where were all the Democrats while Blago was committing his crimes? They were probably looking the other way along with the Republicans, like Mark Kirk, who have let Dubya irreparrably diminish the United States Constitution, torture and murder foreigners, and run up a record debt.
Anon aka liberal wacknut, please be advised that the statute of limitations on Mark W. Bush has run out-you lost twice, and your continued tears in your beer should go to ellenofthetenth.com.
On this blog we prefer to question whether Mark and the State party he works with will ever learn to fight or get the political cojones of the revered Peter Fitzgerald, aka wally pipp of Illinois politics, aka man who appointed the prosecutor who has now taken down 2 Governors, Scooter Libby and many others.
Democratic blood is in the water-time to go for the kill!
If there is a special election for the Senate seat, how will they go about choosing candidates? Can just anybody run?
Any chance we could get Peter Fitzgerald to revive his career?
Somehow, I don't think there will be enough room under the bus for everyone who will be tossed under it by the Democratic Party of Illinois.
John Kass hit the nail on the head in his latest Tribune column: "Governor Dead Meat."
Kass has got it right. Governor Dead Meat has two choices: (1) sing now and sing loud and hope for the best, or (2) go to trial and get sent away for a far, far longer time than George Ryan was sent away for.
And Chief of Staff John Harris? He should immediately begin tuning up his vocal chords because Governor Dead Meat will leave him high and dry. Sing now John. Sing loud. And be sincere about it. Perhaps the backing vocals can be supplied by those various "Deputy Governors" quoted in the complaint. And hey? Didn't Harris once work for Mayor Daley as his budget director for several years?
And all of those folks who landed those fat contracts, pinstripe patronage and high paying state jobs under all those pay to play allegations and more which I am sure will surface now that the spotlight is shining? They better lawyer up. Now.
Perhaps Senator Durbin is now also busy preparing a letter requesting a Presidential Pardon for Governor Dead Meat?
Wonder how many of those taped four letter words Patti used when Governor Dead Meat returned home late this afternoon?
In the meantime, we need to start sorting out who our candidate for U.S. Senator will be for the special election which will almost certainly take place. Instead of a Democrat appointing a Democrat to finish Obama's Senate term, we Republicans now may have an early shot to take that seat back. Talk about fumbling the ball and then trying to recover your own fumble!
And all those Democratic "candidates" who approached Governor Dead Meat seeking to be appointed to that seat? Good luck running guys and gals with that anvil tied to your backs!
You won't read about Governor Dead Meat over at Ellen's blog. She is under the delusion that the Republic Window sit in fiasco is all Mark Kirk's fault!
Louis G. Atsaves
Link's and Ryg's comments made me laugh. Link is as arrogant as the governor and Rys is just plain clueless and always has been although she has great hair, a nice smile and a very pushy mother.
Anon 6:29 is correct on both accounts. Ryg's mother tells everyone she supports our Congressman and then wears the pup's tee shirt and marches in parades. Link is plain stupid and should go back to Waukegan where he belongs. Illinois government won't get better until we totally clean house with honest ethical office holders. The time is now to take back Illinois.
the reality about bloggin
Wow, this really is just an echo chamber like every other blog. I make a comment about Mark Kirk that also criticizes Democrats, and some idiot assumes I'm a Democrat anyways.
blogging
ANON 4:23, I think you may be a legend in your own mind.
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