December 9th, a day that will live in infamy

[Carnivale]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_re_us/illinois_governor

He should win an award for Most Hilarious Political Scandal 08/09. I thought that conservatives had us beat for laughably absurd politics, but we're back baby.

[Mabus]

Strangely, I feel for the guy.

His career is over, his reputation ruined, any jury pools are tainted, he is a laughing stock of the internet and media, his wife lost her job...
...possibly because he did not do what the Chicago political bosses told him to do.

He has not been convicted of any crime. If he is impeached, yet later vindicated, and found innocent of any crime (doubtful), what recourse does he have?

They should allow him access to all information and charges against him, and to subpoena witnesses for his defense during his impeachment. That would be fair.

But Chicago-style politics never has been about what was "fair".

[Carnivale]

Iono, the idea that this man is being persecuted for his 'humanitarian acts' and tax cuts is conspiratorial at best. Also, if he's not busy reciting poetry then he's reworking the narrative he's living entirely, from "I knew this was coming" to "the arrest was as unexpected as the attack on Pearl Harbor."

I think it's more reasonable to assume that we're not dealing with a crooked politician so much as an avant-garde comedian that has taken his craft to levels that this world isn't ready for.

[Carnivale]

Oof, how friggin irritating. Yahoo changed the link to the significantly less amusing story about tax conspiracy.

To be clear, the original headline was: "Ill. Governor Compares Arrest to Pearl Harbor."

[Clove]

I wonder what happened to Ashliana?

[Parkbandit]

I wonder what happened to Ashliana?


I have no idea who/what Ashliana is.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Red_flag_waving_transparent_rev.png

:shrug:

[Tsa`ah]

Strangely, I feel for the guy.

His career is over, his reputation ruined, any jury pools are tainted, he is a laughing stock of the internet and media, his wife lost her job...
...possibly because he did not do what the Chicago political bosses told him to do.

The jury pools are tainted? A pool hasn't even been called.

His wife was fired from a 100k plus job as a fund raiser because of her very unchristianly antics. Chances are that CCIL is burning a bridge and covering it's ass before anyone digs into how Mrs Blago got the job. But cheer up ... it's not her only job.

Also a news flash for you ... It's not Chicago political bosses that will string Blago up ... it's downstate IL, the portion of the state that detests most things political out of Chicago.


He has not been convicted of any crime. If he is impeached, yet later vindicated, and found innocent of any crime (doubtful), what recourse does he have?

None, but if he's acquitted it doesn't mean he's innocent. There's a laundrylist of contribution shake downs (likely how his wife got her posh charity job) and obvious pay to play schemes. Ryan was convicted on far less.


They should allow him access to all information and charges against him, and to subpoena witnesses for his defense during his impeachment. That would be fair.

By law he is allowed everything listed. His laywer certainly requested the information, but Blago has refused to file for his witnesses and plans on boycotting the entire process. His lawyer has since quit stating "He doesn't have to do what I say, but he does have to listen to what I say".


But Chicago-style politics never has been about what was "fair".

You do realize that Springfield is the political hub of IL right? You know, the capitol of the state, 200 plus miles to the south west. I also hope you realize that IL has a population of nearly 13 million, Chicago proper takes 3 million of that. Politically, the rest of the state (and most of the Chicagoland areas) detests Chicago because it's such a sink hole for taxes.

It won't be Chicago politicians, or these mysterious "bosses", with lit torches for Blago .... it will be everyone to the west and south of Chicago.

In the future, please know what the fuck you're talking about ... a tall order for you I know, but one can only ask.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

All you have to do is hear the phone tap recordings. That dude is corrupt and SHOULD be impeached. He should go to jail. I don't feel sorry for him AT ALL.

That, and he's got bad hair.

[Daniel]

That, and he's got bad hair.


Srsly. What the fuck is that?

[Tsa`ah]

Srsly. What the fuck is that?

Big time Elvis fan ... and I'm not kidding.

[g++]

I thought I read somewhere today that he was seriously considering Oprah as the replacement...that would have been sooo awsome.

[CrystalTears]

I thought I read somewhere today that he was seriously considering Oprah as the replacement...that would have been sooo awsome.
I heard that on the news this morning too.