Illinois Governor Arrested by FBI on Corruption Charges

By Selwyn Duke

The Democrat governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested by FBI agents on corruption charges at approximately 6:15 AM today.  The arrests are the result of a three-year federal investigation that involved secretly taping the governor's conversations with the help of his friend and confidant, John Wyma.  Reporting on the case, the Chicago Tribune writes:

In one charge related to the appointment of a senator to replace Barack Obama, prosecutors allege that Blagojevich sought appointment for himseld as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the new Obama administration, or a lucrative job with a union, in exchange for appointing a union-preferred candidate.

Another charge alleges Blagojevich and Harris conspired to demand the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members responsible for editorials critical of him in exchange for state help with the sale of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs baseball stadium owned by Tribune Co.

Blagojevich and Harris, along with others, obtained and sought to gain financial benefits for the governor, members of his family and his campaign fund in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state jobs and state contracts, according to the charges.

I've always known that "Blago the Terrible," as I and some others like to call him, could be the worst governor in the nation, and there's a lot of competition for that title.  And to gain a little more insight into the kind of guttersnipe we're dealing with here, read excerpts from some of his recorded conversations as reported by TheSmokingGun.com:

"[A senate seat] is a f*****g valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing."  He was also recorded saying that unless "I get something real good," he would appoint himself to the vacancy. "I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain. You hear what I'm saying. And if I don't get what I want and I'm not satisfied with it, then I'll just take the Senate seat myself. . . . a frustrated and financially strapped Blagojevich referred to Obama as a "m**********r" and said that he would not appoint an ally of the President-elect to the Senate vacancy if "I don't get anything." Referring to Obama, Blagojevich exclaimed, "F*** him. For nothing? F*** him." In a November 11 conversation, Blagojevich remarked that he knew Obama wanted Valerie Jarrett, a longtime confidante, to succeed him, "but they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. "F*** them."

A real peach, huh?

Unfortunately, this is just symptomatic of Illinois politics, from the Daley machine in Chicago -- where election day is sometimes like night of the living dead -- right up to the capital, Springfield.  Corruption just seems to infect so many major politicians in the state, which is why electing one of them to the Oval Office should give us pause. 

Let's hope that Blago ends up in the big house like his predecessor.  Unfortunately, though, since the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, we shouldn't hold our breath waiting for Illinois to elect someone of significantly stronger moral fiber.

Oh, and you Illinoisans shouldn't think I'm dumping on you.  Since we just elected the Illinois Lip to the White House, there is plenty of blame to go around.

        © 2008 Selwyn Duke -- All Rights Reserved

 

 

Comments

[Walt]

The only thing that surprises me is that he got caught.

Now watch...all of the rest of the Ill. lib politicians will eat him like a pack of rabid wolves. The more vicious they appear the more upstanding they wish to be perceived. Just a song and dance for the sheeple of Ill.

[Martin]

They should lock Blagojevich up with OJ. Lock him up and throw away the key. The guy never did anything except what got him money and power.

[Kster]

One more guy in the Obama circus that he doesn't know or do business with (wink wink). The dirtbags in his realm just keep coming and comin! I saw it mentioned by some idiot of accusations on Obama that don't stick. You are right there! They don't stick because of media and willingness of people just to look the other way. Its very sad what this country is becoming! At least he didn't say they weren't true, cause that would be a lie. We get what we deserve when we blindly follow!! Maybe it will be better when the Baby Boomers are gone, but looking at the other articles about pride and corruption with Y-er's on down, it doesn't look it! :(

[johnaman]

I don't curse, but cursing is not against the law. And almost all Politicians are scratcing eachothers back. Don't they all find cozy jobs after they leave office?

It is a fine line, but I'd say he is innocent until proven guilty. Maybe he is not the sharpest tool in the shed but...

Bill (bubba) Clinton was up to the same stuff. Selling pardons to Rich for library donations. Maybe he was a little smarter but.....

And many credible reports (Dick Morris for one) say that hilary has a very foul mouth.

[johnaman]

Also.

Why is the Govenor of a very large state only making $180,000 a year. That is ridiclous. If there is a crime here, it is his how low a salary he earns.

[Democrat]

I have to admit, I am frankly quite embarresed by this rather unusual turn of events. My apologies to all....

[democrat]

Democrat, I am quite sure the readers and posters of this blog realize you are a charlatan. Your ambiguous admission is a damp attempt at a swim in the unknown.

But not to be outdone. I too feel like the man I would give my life for has let me down by his nefarious associations and aggressively corrupt regime. Nixon and Grant must be pleased. Heavy sigh.

[Dave Spaulding]

"Blago the Terrible," as I and some others like to call him...SELWYN DUKE

Come on, the only thing you should be calling terrible these days is your writing. What's wrong?

[democrat is pathetic]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, democrat, whatever.

How was your day off yesterday? Must have been real boring for you if the bathhouse staff "stuck to their guns" and called in sick too....

Lucky for you the pet stores with the gerbils were open, huh, you deranged freak?

[Bobxxxx]

democrat is pathetic wrote "How was your day off yesterday? Must have been real boring for you if the bathhouse staff "stuck to their guns" and called in sick too....

Lucky for you the pet stores with the gerbils were open, huh, you deranged freak?"

That is great! I love it! I was wondering where my fudddy duddy buddy was yesterday!

[democrat-is-pathetic]

Just set your co-ordinates for Chicago or the other "anal"-regions!

[democrat]

to democrat-is-pathetic, don't you realize that those comments are obviously written by an idiot who wants to make the other idiots, like yourself, believe that those comments are mine? If you look at the comments, they sound nothing like anything that the "original" democrat would say. Furthermore, I usually go days, or weeks even, without posting, and this topic wouldn't be something that I would comment on anyway. To fall for the nonsense just shows how much of a pathetic loser you are.
What's even more pathetic, is that someone who wants to post on this blog couldn't come up with their own handle. That's the real pathetic loser.

[don't-b-a-punk]

democrat-is-pathetic,

Hey chump, what are talking about, referring to Chicago as an “anal-region.” My guess is that you are from Boise, Omaha or Fargo, which doesn’t give you much truck to be referring to Chicago in those terms. I don’t think you’d last fifteen minutes in Chicago, unless it was in Boys Town, which is probably where you’d go anyway.

[democrat]

don't-b-a-punk

Don't feel too bad, but thanks just the same (for coming to my defense). I have spent my entire savings on a faster computer, which has enabled me to offer a decent retort on this board to any idiot who thinks they have it all figured out.

"All in a day's work" I like to say..

My job allows me a lot of unoccupied time to spend identifing and pointing out the fallacies of right-winglets.

Keep the faith.

[don't-be-a-punk]

democrat, doing you a favor....

Just cut and paste on your next post, it will save you time.

Me, my, mine, I, me, mine, idiot, pathetic loser, I, I ,I, me, mine, my, my, mine, idiot, loser, pathetic loser, idiot, me, me me mine, I, I, I, I idiot.
Me, my, mine, I, me, mine, idiot, pathetic loser, I, I ,I, me, mine, my, my, mine, idiot, loser, pathetic loser, idiot, me, me me mine, I, I, I, I idiot.

[don't-b-a-punk]

Hey stupid, if you're going to use my name get it right. I signed, don't-b-a-punk not "don't-BE-a-punk." But go ahead, use either one because clearly you are a PUNK and a degenerate moron as well, so drop dead.

[dont-b-a-punk-eats-puke]

(الاسم) مؤيد لفكر معين‏

[don't-b-a-punk]

Hey eats-puke,

Take that fag writing and give it to your Momma, fruit.

[democrat is pathetic]

don't-b-a-punk & democrat,

Wow, thanks for the an on-the-fly study in the dialogue of two liberal pussies.

Really, it's too easy sometimes, and I hope you know many lurkers had a laugh at the expense of your fragile pride, just like in your "real lives."

Happy holidays!