Go, Blago, go!

[Diogenes the Cynic]

"I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath...I have done nothing wrong." (http://cbs2chicago.com/governor/blagojevich.media.address.2.891120.html)

I gotta say, I love the sack on this guy. I like a guy who won't go belly up and resign, or give a contrite apology even when he's caught on tape committing the cimes. I love the defiance. I love the whole "Fuck you. Prove it" mentality. The entertainment value is phenomenal. This is like going for it on 4th and 50 from your own 1 yard line. Thank you, Governor Blagojevich, for going all out and giving us the best for our entertainment value. You're going to go down in flames, but you're going leave it all on the field and take nothing back to the locker room. That's all we can ask of any scandal plagued politician.

[Merijeek]

"I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath...I have done nothing wrong." (http://cbs2chicago.com/governor/blagojevich.media.address.2.891120.html)

I gotta say, I love the sack on this guy. I like a guy who won't go belly up and resign, or give a contrite apology even when he's caught on tape committing the cimes. I love the defiance. I love the whole "Fuck you. Prove it" mentality. The entertainment value is phenomenal. This is like going for it on 4th and 50 from your own 1 yard line. Thank you, Governor Blagojevich, for going all out and giving us the best for our entertainment value. You're going to go down in flames, but you're going leave it all on the field and take nothing back to the locker room. That's all we can ask of any scandal plagued politician.

He'll resign slightly ahead of the descent of the headsman's axe. Then he'll be all apologetic. We might even get to see a press conference involving him, his wife, and, probably, his preacher.

-Joe

[Skald the Rhymer]

"I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath...I have done nothing wrong." (http://cbs2chicago.com/governor/blagojevich.media.address.2.891120.html)

I gotta say, I love the sack on this guy. I like a guy who won't go belly up and resign, or give a contrite apology even when he's caught on tape committing the cimes. I love the defiance. I love the whole "Fuck you. Prove it" mentality. The entertainment value is phenomenal. This is like going for it on 4th and 50 from your own 1 yard line. Thank you, Governor Blagojevich, for going all out and giving us the best for our entertainment value. You're going to go down in flames, but you're going leave it all on the field and take nothing back to the locker room. That's all we can ask of any scandal plagued politician.

Okay, I'm going to have to break down and read Football for Dummies so I can become culturally literate. Can someone please translate the bolded section into English?

[silenus]

Okay, I'm going to have to break down and read Football for Dummies so I can become culturally literate. Can someone please translate the bolded section into English?

It's like having one hit point left and deciding to attack the Turbonium Dragon head-on with a +1 Dagger of Superficial Injury.

[TVeblen]

I'm rather hoping he stays defiant because it'll make any last minute contrition that much more transparent.

Maybe reality is finally settling in for him. He's arrogant and oblivious enough that, at least to date, he savored any spotlight. Good, bad, pfffft; didn't matter.

He's goin' down. I love it.

[Skald the Rhymer]

It's like having one hit point left and deciding to attack the Turbonium Dragon head-on with a +1 Dagger of Superficial Injury.

I didn't say DUNGEONS & DRAGONS terms.

I'll take English, Italian, or Chess.

[Merijeek]

I didn't say DUNGEONS & DRAGONS terms.

I'll take English, Italian, or Chess.

Losing all your pieces but your king and one pawn - but you're still convinced you can make a checkmate against an opponent who still has his full back row loose on the board.

-Joe

[Skald the Rhymer]

Losing all your pieces but your king and one pawn - but you're still convinced you can make a checkmate against an opponent who still has his full back row loose on the board.

-Joe


Thanks!

[Shayna]

Okay, I'm going to have to break down and read Football for Dummies so I can become culturally literate. Can someone please translate the bolded section into English? A football team has, effectively, 4 tries to move the ball 10 yards down the field towards their opponents' goal. If they can advance 10 yards or more in 4 or fewer plays, they get another 4 tries to go further, and possibly score a goal.

If, say, the quarterback gets "sacked" (knocked down behind the "line of scrimmage" (where the ball starts)), they've lost yards, so it's possible to have more than 10 yards to go in their subsequent tries. This could also happen if they get penalized for a foul of some sort.

A team that is 4th and 50 from their own 1 yard line means that they are on their 4th attempt to keep their turn, so if they don't advance the ball the necessary 50 yards, the ball automatically gets turned over to their opponents from wherever it ends up, which is likely to be very close to their own goal line, making it easier for the other team to score against them. A team almost never tries to advance the ball on their final down, but instead, will usually opt to "punt" it in an effort to kick the ball as far down field and away from their own goal as possible.

Basically, 4th and 50 from your own 1 yard line is a pretty shitty position to be in.

[silenus]

"'e's bloody well scuppered, 'e is! 'is wicket can't get any stickier than this."

[Ichbin Dubist]

(Never mind.)

[bup]

I didn't say DUNGEONS & DRAGONS terms.

I'll take English, Italian, or Chess.
English: It's like an Englishman thinking he'll win a nicest-smile contest.

Italian: It's like picking a fight with the mafia because hey, you've got a pocketknife to defend yourself.

Chess: It's like putting on a revival of Chess because you've always wanted to win a Tony.

[Skald the Rhymer]

In that situation, you would be handing your opponent a golden opportunity to score just by your refusal to admit that you're in a very bad position, one that is due to your own stupidity. Fourth down means you have one play left -- in this case, to go 50 yards forward or you'll lose the ball. The sensible play is to punt (kick the ball forward) so you're giving the opponent the ball, but as far as possible from your own goal line (where they can score).

Also, since you start your downs with just 10 yards to go, the most likely way you've just gone backwards 40 yards is by committing dumb penalities -- essentially, shooting yourself in the foot.


Wait...you can commit a penalty? I thought that penalties were assigned to you when you committed a foul or whatnot. And issues of nomenclature aside, why would something Team A commits cause that team to have to lose territory? I would have thought that Team B would have to do something to earn the territory.

[Dinsdale]

Yeah, it can have entertainment value.
But as a lifelong Illinoisian, I really wouldn't mind it all that much if our gov and legislature actually spent a little time governing and legislating...

[SiXSwordS]

I'll take English,...

This might be a little cliche, but very fitting:
ARTHUR:
Victory is mine!
[kneeling]
We thank Thee Lord, that in Thy mer--
BLAGO KNIGHT:
Hah!
[kick]
Come on, then.
ARTHUR:
What?
BLAGO KNIGHT:
Have at you!
[kick]
ARTHUR:
Eh. You are indeed brave, Sir Knight, but the fight is mine.
BLAGO KNIGHT:
Oh, had enough, eh?
ARTHUR:
Look, you stupid bastard. You've got no arms left.
BLAGO KNIGHT:
Yes, I have.
..
ARTHUR:
What are you going to do, bleed on me?
BLAGO KNIGHT:
I'm invincible!
ARTHUR:
You're a looney.

[Rysto]

Wait...you can commit a penalty? I thought that penalties were assigned to you when you committed a foul or whatnot.
"Committing a penalty" in North American sports lexicon means "committing a foul and getting a penalty assigned by the officials".

And issues of nomenclature aside, why would something Team A commits cause that team to have to lose territory? I would have thought that Team B would have to do something to earn the territory.
It was deemed to be the best way to punish fouls in football.

[Captain Amazing]

Wait...you can commit a penalty? I thought that penalties were assigned to you when you committed a foul or whatnot. And issues of nomenclature aside, why would something Team A commits cause that team to have to lose territory?

If a player on the offense does something against the rules (commits a penalty), the referee punishes the offensive team by penalizing them yards. If it's a player on the defense who does something against the rules, the referee punishes the defensive team by giving the offense yards.

[Shayna]

Wait...you can commit a penalty? I thought that penalties were assigned to you when you committed a foul or whatnot. And issues of nomenclature aside, why would something Team A commits cause that team to have to lose territory? I would have thought that Team B would have to do something to earn the territory. If someone from Team A, who has the ball and is trying to advance it, say, grabs hold of one of their opponents' face masks to pull them down to the ground, that is a foul, for which the whole team will be penalized by moving the ball further back from where it started, forcing them to have to go even further to keep their turn or score a goal. The number of yards a team loses is based on the severity of the foul. Here's a list of them (http://www.football.com/penalties/index.html).

[The Great Sun Jester]

Blago KnightWell played, sir!

[WhyNot]

It's like being down to your last flying monkey and explaining your dastardly plan to the hero whilst his sidekicks finish loading their ammo clips.

Man, I'm really glad real life doesn't have a "no lawnchair" rule, cause I'm SO pulling up a lawnchair to watch the fireworks on this mo-fo.

[Ponder Stibbons]

On top of everything else, I heard Blagojevich has just hired a new PR man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Saeed_al-Sahhaf).

;)

[fifty-six]

Blago is quickly becoming one of my favorite political criminals.

I want an action figure.

[Skald the Rhymer]

It's like being down to your last flying monkey and explaining your dastardly plan to the hero whilst his sidekicks finish loading their ammo clips.


:confused:

What the hell are you talking about? You NEVER explain your plans to the hero. You explain your plans to the hero's CORPSE. Actually you explain your plan to the hero's decapitated head as it is being mounted on the wall. The only time you even look like you're explaining your plan is when you're a Judas Iscariot Lieutenant manipulating the hero into killing your ostensible boss so you can take over, and even then you always say "And you'll have only 30 seconds to get out of the Dark Tower before the protoplasm dissolver turns everyone inside into goo" when you know that they'll only have 10 seconds to get out.

[wring]

I want an action figure.
With interchangable hair.

[Don't Call Me Shirley]

I think he'll declare himself an alcoholic and check into treatment.

[Kyla]

He'll resign slightly ahead of the descent of the headsman's axe. Then he'll be all apologetic. We might even get to see a press conference involving him, his wife, and, probably, his preacher.

Blagojevich is Serbian Orthodox, so I don't think he has a preacher. (I think the term would be pope.) For some reason, the mental picture of Blago giving a press conference with his stupid hair and a guy in brocade vestments and a big hat behind him is cracking me up.

[WhyNot]

:confused:

What the hell are you talking about? You NEVER explain your plans to the hero. You explain your plans to the hero's CORPSE. Actually you explain your plan to the hero's decapitated head as it is being mounted on the wall. The only time you even look like you're explaining your plan is when you're a Judas Iscariot Lieutenant manipulating the hero into killing your ostensible boss so you can take over, and even then you always say "And you'll have only 30 seconds to get out of the Dark Tower before the protoplasm dissolver turns everyone inside into goo" when you know that they'll only have 10 seconds to get out.

See, this is why you're not under indictment. You understand these things. Blago is not nearly the Evil Overlord you are.

[SiXSwordS]

I'm guessing he'll be using some variation on the Chewbacca Defense. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chef_Aid#Chewbacca_defense)
Here, look at the monkey. Look at the silly monkey!

BTW, Inigo, congratulations on your impending nuptials!

[HookerChemical]

English: It's like an Englishman thinking he'll win a nicest-smile contest.

Italian: It's like picking a fight with the mafia because hey, you've got a pocketknife to defend yourself.

Chess: It's like putting on a revival of Chess because you've always wanted to win a Tony.

Game, set, match!

[DigitalC]

Everytime he lies his hair gets stupidier.

[fifty-six]

Can he just name someone ridiculous to the senate seat right now before he gets kicked out?

[Skald the Rhymer]

Can he just name someone ridiculous to the senate seat right now before he gets kicked out?

Only a fool would take the seat. What he SHOULD do is name someone he hates but who is a credible candidate, just to be a jerk.

What I don't understand, of course, is why rich persons who commit such crimes--and I'm thinking Madoff as well--don't take the elementary precaution of having extra passports & whatnot prepared. That's covered in the Legion of Doom orientation.

It's not so much that Luthor advises you to that as it is that you don't get in if you haven't done it already.

[Dinsdale]

Can he just name someone ridiculous to the senate seat right now before he gets kicked out?


Oh yeaf - and it wouldn't such to actually face the prospect of having 2 sitting senators... What a state! :smack:

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Can he just name someone ridiculous to the senate seat right now before he gets kicked out?
That's what I'm hoping. I don't think Dennis Rodman is doing anything.

[BrainGlutton]

I recall a scene from the 1967 comedy A Guide for the Married Man, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Guide_for_the_Married_Man) where Robert Morse gives Walter Matthau lessons in getting away with adultery. One important rule: "Deny, deny, deny!" We see a wife walking in on her husband and some floozy. She's astonished and he keeps calmly saying, "What?" She keeps protesting and he keeps saying, "What?" Like, "What are you talking about?" :confused: This continues while the floozy gets dressed, he kisses her goodbye and she leaves. Husband settles into his easy chair and starts to read the paper. Wife say, "But I just saw you and her . . ." "What?" Finally, with an utterly baffled look on her face, she says, "Harry?" "What?" "What would you like for dinner?"

Almost never works, I'm sure, but it sounds just like the angle Blago is playing.

[Death of Rats]

You have to admire his tenacity but I seriously doubt he is going to score points with Bad Horse on this caper.

[Thudlow Boink]

"I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath...I have done nothing wrong.""I am not a crook."

[Mtgman]

Blago is quickly becoming one of my favorite political criminals.

I want an action figure.
Ooh! A talking Blagojevich action figure. Says phrases like If I don’t get what I want and I’m not satisfied with it, then I’ll just take the Senate seat myself. I’ve got this thing and it’s fuckin' golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for fuckin' nothing. I want to make money I do not want to be governor for the next two years They’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. Fuck them. I want to thank you again for your support and friendship, and we are going to do everything we can to get that capital bill Our recommendation is fire all those fucking people, get ’em the fuck out of there and get us some editorial supportIt's the hot toy this season!

Enjoy,
Steven

[Elenfair]

Dude. The screenplay practically writes itself...

[Boyo Jim]

Can he just name someone ridiculous to the senate seat right now before he gets kicked out?


I think he should name Oprah. Who's gonna dare to vote against Oprah?

[Mtgman]

Ok, I've never done this before, but for some reason I'm really tickled with this idea. I'm going to have to rummage through the kids action figures when I get home and see if I can find a dark haired Ken doll or something similar. At which time I will see if I can set up a little movie set and make a fake commercial for the talking Blagojevich action figure and post it on youtube.

I'll post a link if I actually get around to it. This video editing thing may be more difficult than I anticipate. I'll consider it an extra bonus point if I can find one of the Ken dolls with an earring which I can paint or modify to look like a bluetooth headset.

Enjoy,
Steven

[fifty-six]

He should name himself as senator.

Or his attorney.

[Frostillicus]

"Who are you going to believe? Me or your lyin' ears"?

[SteveG1]

It's like having one hit point left and deciding to attack the Turbonium Dragon head-on with a +1 Dagger of Superficial Injury.
Complete with a blood curdling war cry of ....




LEEERROOOOOYYYYYY JENNKIINNNNNNNSSSS! :D

[The Flying Dutchman]

"I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath...I have done nothing wrong." (http://cbs2chicago.com/governor/blagojevich.media.address.2.891120.html)

I gotta say, I love the sack on this guy. I like a guy who won't go belly up and resign, or give a contrite apology even when he's caught on tape committing the cimes. I love the defiance. I love the whole "Fuck you. Prove it" mentality. The entertainment value is phenomenal. This is like going for it on 4th and 50 from your own 1 yard line. Thank you, Governor Blagojevich, for going all out and giving us the best for our entertainment value. You're going to go down in flames, but you're going leave it all on the field and take nothing back to the locker room. That's all we can ask of any scandal plagued politician.

How are you going to feel when he pulls off the surprise play and goes all the waaaaaay ?

By that I mean he withstands impeachment, and even conviction.

This guy is a product of Chicago politics. There's likely to be powerful politicians he's compromised in the past and he could write a book you know. He goes down and everyone goes down.

That's the only way this play makes sense to me.

[rocking chair]

Blagojevich is Serbian Orthodox, so I don't think he has a preacher. (I think the term would be pope.) For some reason, the mental picture of Blago giving a press conference with his stupid hair and a guy in brocade vestments and a big hat behind him is cracking me up.

no pope, that would be the other side. patriarch, metropolitan, archbishop, bishop, priest.... although i really don't think the big hats of the church would get involved. perhaps the priest... who would have a nifty hat and brocade vestments.

the others have very big shiny hats, which come to think of it could pull attention from the subject at hand... oh look! shiny!

could work!

[The Hamster King]

Did you hear the whole press conference? He quoted Kipling at one point!

He may be crooked as hell, but he's certainly got style.

[kunilou]

I gotta say, I love the sack on this guy. I like a guy who won't go belly up and resign, or give a contrite apology even when he's caught on tape committing the cimes. I love the defiance. I love the whole "Fuck you. Prove it" mentality. The entertainment value is phenomenal. This is like going for it on 4th and 50 from your own 1 yard line. Thank you, Governor Blagojevich, for going all out and giving us the best for our entertainment value. You're going to go down in flames, but you're going leave it all on the field and take nothing back to the locker room. That's all we can ask of any scandal plagued politician.

You want cojones?
At no time have I enriched myself at the expense of the publie trust.

Those are the words of Spiro Agnew, the Vice President of the United States. At the time he said that, he was standing in front of a judge adter pleading no contest to a charge that he had failed to report as income kickbacks he had received while he was governor of Maryland -- which he continued to receive while he was Vice President.

In exchange for the no contest plea, Agnew paid a fine, was disbarred and resigned as Vice President. Years later he told an interviewer he had "let go of all the bitterness" of that time.

THAT'S cojones!

[Man With a Cat]

I think he should name Oprah. Who's gonna dare to vote against Oprah?

I would. A million times.

BTW: Anyone feels like addressing your comments to Gov. Pouf like I have, go here (http://www.illinois.gov/gov/contactthegovernor.cfm).

They ask for real names and all, but it's going to be fun if someone answers me. At the bottom where it asks what you want him to do, I said "pack. and leave"

[BJMoose]

How are you going to feel when he pulls off the surprise play and goes all the waaaaaay ?
* * *

Sorry, I'm having trouble with the idea of someone who's Orthodox throwing a Hail Mary Pass.


The explanations of that line will add at least two pages to this thread.


Gawd. We've really gotta start requiring psychological screening of all folks who run for public office. I suspect DSM-V will have a picture of this clown under the Narcissistic Personality Disorder entry.

[HMS Irruncible]

He'll resign slightly ahead of the descent of the headsman's axe. Then he'll be all apologetic. We might even get to see a press conference involving him, his wife, and, probably, his preacher.

-Joe
I'm banking on a stint in rehab for a coke problem. There's just no way anybody could have this much self-centered gall without being a cokehead.

One other possibility is that Blag knows something we don't... like maybe he's got a blackmail line on someone powerful enough to make this go away (Obama, for instance). It's highly dubious, but then again it beggars belief that someone would bluff so mightily while holding no cards whatsoever.

[MsRobyn]

I gotta say, I love the sack on this guy.

His balls are almost as big as his boobs.

Robin

[Bricker]

Chess: It's like putting on a revival of Chess because you've always wanted to win a Tony.

I'm torn between defending the merits of the show, admitting the practical reality of the claim, and laughing hard enough to burst a blood vessel.

[Don't fight the hypothetical]

What the hell are you talking about? You NEVER explain your plans to the hero.
Tell that to every one of Bond's villains. Or in the words of Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez:

"When it's time to shoot, shoot. Don't talk."


And for the record, the problem I have with the football analogy is that it's theoretically possible. My guess, prescription meds - you heard it here first.

[Oy!]

Here's the thing: I like his hair. I hate the current fashion in hair, where it has to be so close to the guy's head that it might as well be a crew-cut; I think most people look better with a little framing around their face.

That being said, the guy sets new standards in stupidly ballsy corruption. Or at least I hope he does.

[A Monkey With a Gun]

Blago is quickly becoming one of my favorite political criminals.

I want an action figure.They already make 'em.

Here you go (http://ripplesofimprovement.com/wp-content/images/mindset/bond.jpg)

[gonzomax]

I saw him on TV. Apparently we are wrong. He is innocent and will prove it in court. So now we can all back down and allow him to continue his fine stewardship of the state. Quite a relief to find out he is pure.

[Wiggie]

Here's the thing: I like his hair. I hate the current fashion in hair, where it has to be so close to the guy's head that it might as well be a crew-cut; I think most people look better with a little framing around their face.




I can appreciate (although I don't agree with) your taste in a framed face, but THAT hair? He looks like all the 13 and 14 year old boys did when I was in junior high school back in 1972! That baby face of his doesn't help the effect, either.

[Oy!]

I liked the hairstyles of 1972. I'd like men to wear their hair between the bottom of the ear and chin-length. I think that style is the most becoming for most male faces, especially younger ones. Obviously (or maybe not), this does not apply to men who have lost all or most of the hair on the tops of their heads, having what my dad calls "a wide part."

[BrainGlutton]

I'm banking on a stint in rehab for a coke problem. There's just no way anybody could have this much self-centered gall without being a cokehead.

Why not? I'm sure Nixon wasn't.

[Really Not All That Bright]

He'll resign slightly ahead of the descent of the headsman's axe. Then he'll be all apologetic. We might even get to see a press conference involving him, his wife, and, probably, his preacher.
Blagojevich is Serbian Orthodox, so I don't think he has a preacher. (I think the term would be pope.)
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church is called the Patriarch in English. And he has a Bishop- Hristifor, of the Midwestern America Metropolitanate (super-diocese.)

Anyway, I think having your wife on stage is optional when you aren't facing a sex scandal.

[BrainGlutton]

Did you hear the whole press conference? He quoted Kipling at one point!

"If." Bah. A more apposite quotation would have been from Kipling's "Hymn of Breaking Strain." (http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_strain.htm)

[Voyager]

He'll resign slightly ahead of the descent of the headsman's axe. Then he'll be all apologetic. We might even get to see a press conference involving him, his wife, and, probably, his preacher.

-Joe

Do the current rules require the wife to show up for non-sexual offenses?

[BrainGlutton]

He'll resign slightly ahead of the descent of the headsman's axe. Then he'll be all apologetic.

More likely he'll be about as "apologetic" as O.J.

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

More likely he'll be about as "apologetic" as O.J.

I know this can't happen (different jurisdictions and all), but wouldn't it be SO COOL if they wound up as cellmates? They'd wear themselves out with posturing contests.

[runner pat]

More likely he'll be about as "apologetic" as O.J.

He'll start searching golf courses for an appointee?

[Cervaise]

It'd be funnier if he burst onto the Senate floor with a gun and a couple of henchmen.

[BrainGlutton]

Ooh, this is interesting . . . Blagojevich just pardoned 22 people. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blago-pardons-20dec20,0,5753513.story) (Just to show he is still governor, I guess . . . nobody can fault him for this exercise of power . . . and maybe to plant the "pardon" meme in a few minds . . .;) )

[buttonjockey308]

I'm banking on a stint in rehab for a coke problem. There's just no way anybody could have this much self-centered gall without being a cokehead.

One other possibility is that Blag knows something we don't... like maybe he's got a blackmail line on someone powerful enough to make this go away (Obama, for instance). It's highly dubious, but then again it beggars belief that someone would bluff so mightily while holding no cards whatsoever.

I think the same thing about Drew Peterson. He KNOWS something more than he's letting on or perhaps will ever let on. I mean, he could be that big of an asshole, but something tells me there's more to it.

[xanthous]

This is all I can think of when I look at him (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/annewaldron/Blago.jpg)

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

This is all I can think of when I look at him (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/annewaldron/Blago.jpg)

Oh. good grief, now every time I see a photo of the man I'll think of that.

[Bryan Ekers]

Y'know, there was a time when this problem would be neatly resolved to a shallow grave on a farm somewhere.


What the hell happened to you, Illinois?

[WhyNot]

Y'know, there was a time when this problem would be neatly resolved to a shallow grave on a farm somewhere.


What the hell happened to you, Illinois?
Um...all the farmland north of I-80 is now underneath banks and strip malls?

I got nothin'.

[The Tao's Revenge]

Who's got the extra money for bullets these days?

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

Who's got the extra money for bullets these days?

Hey, a sturdy shovel's good for more than just digging holes, ya know.

[Vox Imperatoris]

I think his face is really ugly, but his hair is alright. Not great, but alright.

Valete,
Vox Imperatoris

[MEBuckner]

Ooh, this is interesting . . . Blagojevich just pardoned 22 people. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blago-pardons-20dec20,0,5753513.story) (Just to show he is still governor, I guess . . . nobody can fault him for this exercise of power . . . and maybe to plant the "pardon" meme in a few minds . . .;) )
Marcus Lyons was so bitter after leaving prison in 1991 that he tried to nail himself to a wooden cross outside the DuPage County Courthouse.
:confused: How the hell do you nail yourself to a cross?

[kaylasdad99]

An ingenious Doper once treated us to a splendid description of Batman doing this once, in a competition against Superman.

I think they were both drunk, or something.

[Boyo Jim]

Y'know, there was a time when this problem would be neatly resolved to a shallow grave on a farm somewhere.


What the hell happened to you, Illinois?

Union rules. You can't just have any guys digging shallow graves, plus there's issues of transporting the bodies. The Teamsters need their piece of the action, and it turns out they are real Chatty Cathies when the Feds come around.

[BlueOhio]

Does anyone else see Martin Sheen's character from "The Dead Zone" when Blago speaks? I think it's the hair.

[The Tao's Revenge]

Hey, a sturdy shovel's good for more than just digging holes, ya know.

Who has the money for sturdy shovels and holes these days?

[Boyo Jim]

Gotta brag a little here. I refer you to post #40, where I suggested Blago appoint Oprah to the Senate. Today, on the View, he confirmed he was considered her.

[mischievous]

I noticed that - fucking prescient, Boyo!



How do you know so much about Blagojevich's thinking, hmmm?

[BrainGlutton]

I thought I heard on the news that Blago is resigning, but, on closer investigation, no such luck. His lawyer is resigning. (http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/01/23/blagojevich-impeach.html)

[Sam Stone]

I love this guy. As Dio said, the entertainment value is immense. The crazy hair, the boyish looks, the shiny steel balls swinging in the face of the people hunting him... It's great.

By the way, have they actually got, you know, a case against him? From what I'm hearing, all the evidence to date amounts to a lot of talk about what he'd do, but he never actually did any of it. No money changed hands. I'm not sure Blago's going down, unless Fitzgerald has more dirt on him than we've heard so far.

[kaylasdad99]

I love this guy. As Dio said, the entertainment value is immense. The crazy hair, the boyish looks, the shiny steel balls swinging in the face of the people hunting him... It's great.

By the way, have they actually got, you know, a case against him? From what I'm hearing, all the evidence to date amounts to a lot of talk about what he'd do, but he never actually did any of it. No money changed hands. I'm not sure Blago's going down, unless Fitzgerald has more dirt on him than we've heard so far.As to whether the Feds have a case against him, I'm not in a position to say. The folks doing the impeaching? They're the only ones who have a say in what constitutes a case. If enough of the senators voting on him want him gone, he's gone.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

If they don't have any solicitation of a quid pro quo from anybody, I'm not convinced they can convict him of anything. I'm starting to wonder if the quotes on tape were all just a lot of bluster and bullshit from Blago trying to impress people around him and make himself look like some kind of big operator. I wonder if it's enough to be guilty of conspiracy if you mouth off about what you're going to get from this or that deal if you never actually attempt to make the deal.

[gonzomax]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/23/blagojevich-attorney-quits-suggests-client-listening-problems/ His lawyer quit because he can not deal with a loony. He prefers clients that at least listen to him.

[Projammer]

I have to say, I haven't enjoyed a public figure this much since Baghdad Bob (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/)

[Boyo Jim]

I noticed that - fucking prescient, Boyo!



How do you know so much about Blagojevich's thinking, hmmm?

I channel his hair.

[mischievous]

I channel his hair.That must be painful.





And here I was thinking that you two had something in common - the best of the worst, in each of your respective specialties.

[TWDuke]

:confused: How the hell do you nail yourself to a cross?http://truthinjustice.org/marcus-lyons.htm

No one ever said he nailed his hands to the cross.

By the way, the government of the Philippines recommends that, before being crucified, you should have a tetanus shot and make sure the nails are clean.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1582210/Easter-warning-crucifixion-is-bad-for-you.html

This has been a public service announcement.

[Boyo Jim]

That must be painful....

Not at all. He has hair soft as a summer breeze, dark as dark, er... gets. His thoughts buzz outward through each gubernatorial follicle, depositing a fine Blagojemist on my fevered brow. It smells like... Victory!

[Kobal2]

:confused: How the hell do you nail yourself to a cross?

Nailgun and expert footjob skills ?

[BrainGlutton]

If they don't have any solicitation of a quid pro quo from anybody, I'm not convinced they can convict him of anything. I'm starting to wonder if the quotes on tape were all just a lot of bluster and bullshit from Blago trying to impress people around him and make himself look like some kind of big operator.

Dude, he's the governor of Illinois. He's a big operator ex officio.

[Oslo Ostragoth]

Blagojevich is Serbian Orthodox, so I don't think he has a preacher. (I think the term would be pope.) For some reason, the mental picture of Blago giving a press conference with his stupid hair and a guy in brocade vestments and a big hat behind him is cracking me up.

This line is still giving me the giggles.

[Oslo Ostragoth]

Only a fool would take the seat.

Hindsight being 20/20....

Any opinions?

[Oslo Ostragoth]

You have to admire his tenacity but I seriously doubt he is going to score points with Bad Horse on this caper.

Nice.

[Oslo Ostragoth]

I'm banking on a stint in rehab for a coke problem. There's just no way anybody could have this much self-centered gall without being a cokehead.

Obviously, he needs to create a new protected class.

"I'm being persecuted because I'm a Black American". Done.

"I'm being persecuted because I'm a Substance-Abuse American". Done.

"I'm being persecuted because I'm a Gay American". Done.

"I'm being persecuted because I'm a Sexual Addict American". Done.

"I'm being persecuted because I'm a Delusional, Egocentric-American". Blago finds gold?

[Smeghead]

I caught about five minutes of him on Larry King last night before the rising bile choked off my airway and I had to change it or die. What a complete and utter douchebag. Apparently, his 7% approval rating (which he doesn't believe in, by the way) is because "no politician has a good approval rating right now because the economy is so bad". When asked who was paying for his defense, he stammered and stuttered and eventually admitted that it was coming out of his campaign funds, but "we all hope the lawyers' fees will be reasonable".

[Ferret Herder]

I think the same thing about Drew Peterson. He KNOWS something more than he's letting on or perhaps will ever let on. I mean, he could be that big of an asshole, but something tells me there's more to it.
Latest similarity - Blago hired Peterson's PR guy! :smack:

[buttonjockey308]

nevermind. Jesus, the balls on this guy.

[pepperlandgirl]

I'm watching him on the Rachel Maddow show. This guy is killing me. Seriously, he's hilarious. His "defense" is unbelievable. He has the right to demand Obama agree to political favors in exchange for his selection of the Senate seat because this country has freedom of speech, and he was speaking in the privacy of his own home anyway, so it wouldn't get all "entangled" with Government stuff.

I don't want him to ever go away.

[elelle]

Now that the Good Blago Press Blitz is over, I'd give it two days before the wolverine curled up on his head gets on up and goes for the jugular. Kee-Razzzyyyy!

[Paul in Qatar]

Rachel never laid a glove on him. He might be (he probably is) guilty as heck of criminal charges, but that is not yet proven. He almost certainly will be tossed out of office, but not for criminal violations. To somehow link the impeachment to the pay-for-play thing is false.

The DA refuses to release the tapes. Without them, nobody really knows what is on them. The Senate cannot use them to judge him, he cannot use them to defend himself.

The impeachment is for local political reasons.

He did good with the Rachel Maddow interview. Handled himself well. I expected sharper questions from her.

[DSeid]

What is he trying to accomplish with this press blitz anyway? Obviously it won't change his forthcoming removal from office. Influence potential jurors? Seed a market for a future book deal? That's gotta be it. To jail or not, this publicity is gold for a book deal. Or maybe a radio show ... when he's out of jail that is.

Paul, removal from office is just being fired, not being found guilty of a crime. He deserves to be fired.

[Paul in Qatar]

The US Constitution requires "high crimes and misdemeanors" for impeachment. While he may very well be guilty of such things, the most damming evidence, the tapes, is not yet available. He will be removed for basically political reasons.

[Boyo Jim]

What is he trying to accomplish with this press blitz anyway? ....

My WAG -- a book deal. Imagine Wile E Coyote could come to life and write his memoir. It would be very similar.

That, or he'll run for office again afer he's impeached.

[Oslo Ostragoth]

The US Constitution requires "high crimes and misdemeanors" for impeachment.

The Illinois Constitution has no such requirement. Check the other threads - somebody posted a link.

[waterj2]

The US Constitution requires "high crimes and misdemeanors" for impeachment. While he may very well be guilty of such things, the most damming evidence, the tapes, is not yet available. He will be removed for basically political reasons.He's not being tried under the US Constitution, he's being tried under the Illinois Constitution, which has no such requirement.

Dammit, Oslo Ostragoth beat me. But here's the cite:
SECTION 14. IMPEACHMENT
The House of Representatives has the sole power to
conduct legislative investigations to determine the existence
of cause for impeachment and, by the vote of a majority of
the members elected, to impeach Executive and Judicial
officers. Impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When
sitting for that purpose, Senators shall be upon oath, or
affirmation, to do justice according to law. If the Governor
is tried, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall
preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence
of two-thirds of the Senators elected. Judgment shall not
extend beyond removal from office and disqualification to
hold any public office of this State. An impeached officer,
whether convicted or acquitted, shall be liable to
prosecution, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
From: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/con4.htm

And, note also (Boyo Jim, I'm looking at you) that if he impeached that he would be disqualified from holding any public office in Illinois.

[Oslo Ostragoth]

And damn you for beating me with the quote! :p

[waterj2]

Also, from all I've heard, while the attempt to sell a Senate seat is the most salacious allegation, aren't there several others, like trying to get Tribune reporters fired, that are on a much better legal standing? Does anyone have any information about how much evidence Fitzgerald's office is willing to share with the Illinois Senate? I'd heard a while ago that legislators (I think way back when the impeachment issue was in the House committee) were meeting with Fitzgerald about the issue, but never what ever came out of it. I'd find it hard to believe that he wants to be in the position of protecting Blagojevich just for the sake of being extra tight-lipped about an ongoing investigation.

[Kolak of Twilo]

And, note also (Boyo Jim, I'm looking at you) that if he impeached that he would be disqualified from holding any public office in Illinois.
But he could still run for President.
Imagine Blago vs. Palin 2016! And we think things are effed up now.

[Boyo Jim]

...
And, note also (Boyo Jim, I'm looking at you) that if he impeached that he would be disqualified from holding any public office in Illinois.

I didn't say Illinois. This is a man of the world. He will run for President, possibly President of the World!

[Ferret Herder]

The DA refuses to release the tapes.
Not true: State senate hears Blagojevich wiretap tapes (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1399494,blagojevich-impeach-trial-tapes-listen-012709.article).

And she never laid a glove on him? Really? She all but got him to say that yes, he was expecting serious compensation for his nomination and he backpedaled to say 'well, uh, I wanted a good jobs bill'. Except that the tapes have him talking about things for his wife, for him, jobs for them, etc. He's at least got conspiracy charges in his future, no matter how often he insists that "just" talking about it - even though he did more, he had his staff go talk to candidates and such - isn't really illegal.

He's also full of shit about his rating. He's been in the tank for a long time.

[Paul in Qatar]

Sorry, I was cheering for Rachel, but I thought she did not go for or get blood. The governor handled her perfectly. She never laid a glove on him.

[TVeblen]

Sorry, I was cheering for Rachel, but I thought she did not go for or get blood. The governor handled her perfectly. She never laid a glove on him.
I don't think the point was Rachel laying a glove on him. It was more in the nature of a documentary of his public implosion. The idiot knows he will be impeached; he's gridlocked state government for several years and is widely hated. His most optimistic approval numbers lately have been 7%. He's done as governor, just dragging out the process in the loudest, most technicolor way possible.

What I find most amazing about his tawdry media blitz is that he seems oblivious to the looming criminal proceedings. No wonder his hired-gun defense lawyer quit with pointed comments about clients needing to listen to legal advice. Blags has always been an attention whore but this media orgy won't salvage a public legacy for him. It sure put a helluva lot of juicy, ill-considered statements right out there for the prosecution attorneys though.

Watch for his criminal trial to be another ego-circus. Blags will love it. He'll go for the win against the OJ fiasco.

[Sitnam]

So as I understand it he's not participating in his trial, how can he do that? I understand he can't speak and he can't call witnesses, but how can he just decide not to show up?

[Boyo Jim]

So as I understand it he's not participating in his trial, how can he do that? I understand he can't speak and he can't call witnesses, but how can he just decide not to show up?

How? Unless he's under arrest and delivered in cuffs, he can go anywhere he wants.

I'm sure he has some kind of note-taker there to give him the highlights.

[BJMoose]

If they don't have any solicitation of a quid pro quo from anybody, I'm not convinced they can convict him of anything. I'm starting to wonder if the quotes on tape were all just a lot of bluster and bullshit from Blago trying to impress people around him and make himself look like some kind of big operator. I wonder if it's enough to be guilty of conspiracy if you mouth off about what you're going to get from this or that deal if you never actually attempt to make the deal.

Interesting. Course, there are those of us who think gross stupidity should be criminalized; so, as the Queen of Hearts would say, "Off with his head!"

Anyway. On to the real reason I dropped by:

Last night it occured to me that all of the folks who have been allowed to interview the Blagosphere on his Last World Tour have been women.

Is this correct? And if so, what does this say about B-Rod?

[Discordia]

He was on Larry King.

[little*bit]

All I can think about is that he's following George Carlin's "POLITICIAN TALK #2 - Trouble on the Hill" from "When will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?".
See the bottom of page 69. (http://www.scribd.com/doc/6524114/George-Carlin-When-Will-Jesus-Bring-the-Pork-Chops-v12)

[psychobunny]

I don't think he did himself any good on Maddow. He certainly showed that he expected favors of some form for his efforts. Whether or not it was criminal or even just "politics as usual" I think that a lot of the public sees it as unethical. I do wish that Maddow hadn't spent the second half of the show congratulating herself on the interview, though. That part just bugged.

[Shirley Ujest]

Sorry, I'm having trouble with the idea of someone who's Orthodox throwing a Hail Mary Pass.


The explanations of that line will add at least two pages to this thread.





GOLD!

I think the press is all over this guy for many reasons, mainly, he is flaming out in a way that all newspapers love...in public before rolling cameras.





I think he will find Jesus in his heart ( The True Christian Jesus (TM), not the Serbian/Blago Jesus.) and renounce his evil ways.



Too bad someone doesn't do a Judge Crater on him.



Where's Blago would be awesome.

[tds1273]

Thing with the Maddow interview though, self congratulatory second half or not, she was right, he went past the line of self incrimination. There were chunks where he just went completely speechless as he was realizing the things he just said.

Was anyone else reminded of Jerry Lundegaard?

[wring]

I loved Olberman's take on it (focusing on GEraldo catching up w/him in the parking lot of the View). Yea, his attorney's got to be having kittens about all this. Regarding the actual criminal case, isn't it Fitzgerald, the federal guy who was on the Valerie Plame case? If so, I believe he's got the goods. Remember the outing of the tapes came pretty instantaneous.

If so - my scenario is: Federal prosecutor has mountains of evidence proving all sorts of criminal behavior, is systematically setting it up, getting it all purty and stuff, then comes some tapes suggesting that the guy he's investigating is going to sell a Senate seat to the highest bidder. What do you do (not shoot the hostage)? You're not ready for the big criminal case, but you can't let this bozo sell of public office, you've got to stop that from happening - leak the tape. Shit storm ensues.

[Eva Luna]

I didn't say Illinois. This is a man of the world. He will run for President, possibly President of the World!

Now here's an idea: Blago at the top of the ticket, and Sarah Palin for veep. Or maybe the other way around. Leaving aside the obvious huge ideological differences, it would make for some fabulous TV. Almost as good as the Keyes/Obama debates.

[WhyNot]

So as I understand it he's not participating in his trial, how can he do that? I understand he can't speak and he can't call witnesses, but how can he just decide not to show up?
There's two (potentially three) different "trials" going on here. First, the criminal trial, where it's Blago vs. The State of Illinois (or maybe the USofA, I'm unclear if there are Federal charges here as well, but I think there are.) Anyhow, he will be subpoenaed and have to show up for the criminal trial, where there will be a judge and jury and lawyers and witnesses and everything else you see on Law and Order. If he's found guilty at that trial, he'll serve jail time.

In the meantime, the House of Illinois has decided to impeach his ass. As near as I can tell (and I'm sure the legal dopers will correct me here), the House meets, discusses the situation and more or less says, "We think you're a slimeball and probably did illegal things, but we don't need to prove it, buh-bye." If they do that, called impeachment, THEN the whole thing moves over to the Senate, where they...do more talking or something. I'm unclear on that point, but the Senate, not the House, are the folks who CONVICT him, not in a criminal trial, but in an impeachment trial. No jail time from them, but he can lose his job as governor if the House impeaches him and the Senate convicts him.

Anyway, because the House impeachment "trial" isn't a criminal trial, he doesn't have to show up if he don't wanna. And he don't wanna.

[waterj2]

There's two (potentially three) different "trials" going on here. First, the criminal trial, where it's Blago vs. The State of Illinois (or maybe the USofA, I'm unclear if there are Federal charges here as well, but I think there are.) Anyhow, he will be subpoenaed and have to show up for the criminal trial, where there will be a judge and jury and lawyers and witnesses and everything else you see on Law and Order. If he's found guilty at that trial, he'll serve jail time.

In the meantime, the House of Illinois has decided to impeach his ass. As near as I can tell (and I'm sure the legal dopers will correct me here), the House meets, discusses the situation and more or less says, "We think you're a slimeball and probably did illegal things, but we don't need to prove it, buh-bye." If they do that, called impeachment, THEN the whole thing moves over to the Senate, where they...do more talking or something. I'm unclear on that point, but the Senate, not the House, are the folks who CONVICT him, not in a criminal trial, but in an impeachment trial. No jail time from them, but he can lose his job as governor if the House impeaches him and the Senate convicts him.

Anyway, because the House impeachment "trial" isn't a criminal trial, he doesn't have to show up if he don't wanna. And he don't wanna.Actually, it's the feds that arrested him and will be prosecuting him, and the Illinois House already impeached him (by a vote of 114-1). It's his Senate trial that's now going on.

[WhyNot]

Actually, it's the feds that arrested him and will be prosecuting him, and the Illinois House already impeached him (by a vote of 114-1). It's his Senate trial that's now going on.
Thanks; I thought it was something like that.

[wring]

I loved Olberman's take on it
:smack: Jon Stewert, not Keith

[An Arky]

There's two (potentially three) different "trials" going on here. First, the criminal trial, where it's Blago vs. The State of Illinois (or maybe the USofA, I'm unclear if there are Federal charges here as well, but I think there are.) Anyhow, he will be subpoenaed and have to show up for the criminal trial, where there will be a judge and jury and lawyers and witnesses and everything else you see on Law and Order. If he's found guilty at that trial, he'll serve jail time.

In the meantime, the House of Illinois has decided to impeach his ass. As near as I can tell (and I'm sure the legal dopers will correct me here), the House meets, discusses the situation and more or less says, "We think you're a slimeball and probably did illegal things, but we don't need to prove it, buh-bye." If they do that, called impeachment, THEN the whole thing moves over to the Senate, where they...do more talking or something. I'm unclear on that point, but the Senate, not the House, are the folks who CONVICT him, not in a criminal trial, but in an impeachment trial. No jail time from them, but he can lose his job as governor if the House impeaches him and the Senate convicts him.

Anyway, because the House impeachment "trial" isn't a criminal trial, he doesn't have to show up if he don't wanna. And he don't wanna.

I read this and heard it in my head with the "I'm Just A Bill" voice (Jack Sheldon! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Sheldon))from Schoolhouse Rock. :D

[BJMoose]

He was on Larry King.

So much for that theory (unless this says something about his opinion of Larry King).


Shirley: I'm not complaining (it's always flattering to have one's quips noticed), but that has to be the slowest reaction (five-and-a-half weeks) I've ever seen. Must be getting obtuse in my old age.


I know. I know. You just discovered the thread.

[BrainGlutton]

Heard on NPR that today Blagojevich will finally show up at his own trial, just to make a statement. (He will then be issued a blindfold and cigarette . . .)

[Freddy the Pig]

Heard on NPR that today Blagojevich will finally show up at his own trial, just to make a statement.Yep, he's going to deliver at least part of his own argument at 11:00 CST. (He has 90 minutes for argument, and I'm not sure if even Blago can fill that up by himself.)

There's some speculation that he'll resign, just to deny the senators the satisfaction of voting him out.

If he doesn't, after they break for lunch, the prosecution has 30 minutes for rebuttal, and then the case goes to the senators. I'm not sure how much time they'll allow for debate. If every senator speaks for 15 minutes, debate will take 15 hours. :eek:

After the debate, they'll vote on the single article, on the indivisible question of conviction and removal. If convicted, he's out, and a separate vote will follow on the "political death penalty".

[xanthous]

I'm listening to his arguments now. He's reiterating that not only that there is no evidence against him, but that the witnesses he hasn't been allowed to bring forth would further prove this lack of evidence. He says the most he's guilty of is "pushing and prodding too much." He's a good talker.

[spifflog]

Got to admire the audacity of his plan though.

You aren't allowing me to defend myself during the impeachment, because you aren't abiding by the rule of law.

And when he gets to courts and is convicted, he'll say the trail was poisoned because of the impeachment!

Serious sack.

[Freddy the Pig]

"All I did was try to help people!" Yeah, right. Mostly the person he tried to help was himself.

Senatorial statements will be limited to five minutes, so we should have a verdict by early evening.

[buttonjockey308]

They're going to impeach him. Admittedly though, some of the things he did (i.e. drugs from Canada) I agreed with. Still, he needs to go, the hold-up of funding for Childrens Memorial really pushed me over the edge with this tool. I can't wait for the criminal trial.

[Sarahfeena]

My boss just heard on the radio that as soon as he was done with his speech, he flew home, because Pat Quinn said that the state plane that Blago's been using to fly back and forth while he's been in office would no longer be available to him if he was removed from office, and he'd have to find his own way home. I would have LOVED to see him have to hop on the Amtrak.

[buttonjockey308]

Here's your hat, there's the door, don't bring your ass, 'round here no more. That woulda been sweet, because you KNOW the wifey would leave his ass at Union Station.

[Eva Luna]

Admittedly though, some of the things he did (i.e. drugs from Canada) I agreed with.

Yeah, and I have to give him at least some credit for pushing through the law requiring pharmacists to dispense contraceptives.

I can't wait for the criminal trial.

Yep, I think we are in for some more fabulous television, and a couple of interesting years before the next regular election. Or at least Pat Quinn thinks so: (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1403328,CST-NWS-quinn29.article)

"We can do great things in the next 700 days," Quinn said. "I plan to fumigate state government."


I wish Pat Quinn, and the people of Illinois, good luck - we're all going to need it.

[kidchameleon]

Just get on with it! Too much blabbery and not enough voting.

[Shayna]

Voting's over (to the extent that they have all the votes needed). Buh Bye!

[Convict]

59-0 vote to remove from office.

Bye-bye, Blago!

[Freddy the Pig]

Wow. Now for my favorite part--the political death penalty!

[Convict]

And the switch has been thrown.

Good luck Gov. Quinn--the state is a mess and you've got a tough job ahead of you.

[gonzomax]

Gone Blago gone. He was impeached by a unanimous vote. Then they voted to disallow him from political office in Illinois for all time.

[wring]

59-0 vote to remove from office.

Bye-bye, Blago!

Wasn't the original vote one against? IIRC, he's got some one like a sister or sister in law in the legistlature?

[Marley23]

He was already impeached, what happened just now was a conviction. Anyway he's done. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[wring]

Wasn't the original vote one against? IIRC, he's got some one like a sister or sister in law in the legistlature?
:smack: Just read the actual news story - House voted to impeach him w/one dissenting vote, the actual impeachment trial was in the state senate. Yea, I knew that. Sure I did.

[TVeblen]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!

That arrogant, corrupt piece of scum is out of office! Gone, baby! Roadkill, sayonara, toast.

I will not be truly happy until he goes to prison. He doesn't have to have a cell near Ryan's; hey, maybe the state pen has separate wings for Democratic and Republican ex-governors. But sent up for some serious time, oh yes, please. Look at license plates from that angle, Rod.

[jk1245]

I'm half expecting him to pull an R. Budd Dwyer.

He seems to have a serious persecution complex coupled with a martyr complex and a healthy dose of delusional behavior.

[wring]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!

That arrogant, corrupt piece of scum is out of office! Gone, baby! Roadkill, sayonara, toast.

I will not be truly happy until he goes to prison. He doesn't have to have a cell near Ryan's; hey, maybe the state pen has separate wings for Democratic and Republican ex-governors. But sent up for some serious time, oh yes, please. Look at license plates from that angle, Rod.

I know in my state, most of the 'high profile' folks are in lock up together - that would include celebrities, politicians, former cops, prison guards and so on. So, it may indeed happen.

[TVeblen]

I know in my state, most of the 'high profile' folks are in lock up together - that would include celebrities, politicians, former cops, prison guards and so on. So, it may indeed happen.
Which could be sweet. Sure, I'd rather he share quarters with folks who've done much less expensive damage, like robbing convenience stores or selling weed. They could only be positive role models for him. But sharing a cell with Ryan would work. It'd be hard to fit both of their egos in there but they could talk corruption for hours, bragging about their best buy-offs. Ryan was more a Brylcream kinda guy but he could give Blags pointers on the prison commissary's stock of hair care products.

[Hamlet]

I will not be truly happy until he goes to prison. He doesn't have to have a cell near Ryan's; hey, maybe the state pen has separate wings for Democratic and Republican ex-governors. But sent up for some serious time, oh yes, please. Look at license plates from that angle, Rod.I keep picturing the kind of deadly, violent, evil gang wars we saw on Oz, but instead of Aryan Nation vs. Latin Kings it's Democrats v. Republicans. And instead of shivs and steel pipes, it's subpoenas and inflamed rhetoric.

I need a hobby.

[Shirley Ujest]

So much for that theory (unless this says something about his opinion of Larry King).


Shirley: I'm not complaining (it's always flattering to have one's quips noticed), but that has to be the slowest reaction (five-and-a-half weeks) I've ever seen. Must be getting obtuse in my old age.


I know. I know. You just discovered the thread.

Sir, you are correct. I only just discovered and trolled the thread with great amusement yesterday.

I like to do that with sports, politics and religious things in life. FMS knows I don't actually care or grasp any of it all. Fast forward, get the gist of it all and then go off to MPSIMS where eveyrthing is fluffy and sparkly.

[Shirley Ujest]

I keep picturing the kind of deadly, violent, evil gang wars we saw on Oz, but instead of Aryan Nation vs. Latin Kings it's Democrats v. Republicans. And instead of shivs and steel pipes, it's subpoenas and inflamed rhetoric.
I need a hobby.


Inflamed rhetoric. Is there any other kind?

[pseudotriton ruber ruber]

Inflamed rhetoric. Is there any other kind?

Sure. There's understated rhetoric, subtle rhetoric, low-key rhetoric. "Rhetoric" doesn't mean hysterical ranting.

[Hamlet]

Inflamed rhetoric. Is there any other kind?I put some topical ointment on my inflamed rhetoric and it helped.

[kidchameleon]

Wasn't the original vote one against? IIRC, he's got some one like a sister or sister in law in the legistlature?

There was one no vote after the roll call vote.

[kaylasdad99]

I'd lke to see Quinn show up at the office tomorrow and ask the Illinois legislature for a bill (or an amendment, if that's what's necessary) setting out a process for recall.

[Marley23]

I'd lke to see Quinn show up at the office tomorrow and ask the Illinois legislature for a bill (or an amendment, if that's what's necessary) setting out a process for recall.
Why do they have to do that?

[Jackmannii]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!

That arrogant, corrupt piece of scum is out of office! Gone, baby! Roadkill, sayonara, toast.He fell from grace and hit the ground
They tried in vain to bring him round
No one saw him make the fall
They couldn't understand at all

"For Liquorice John" - Procol Harum

[Ferret Herder]

Why do they have to do that?
Illinois has no provisions for recall elections. If we could have held a recall election, we could have yanked the delusional twit out of office on a 'no confidence'-style vote a long time ago.

As it is, we'd need to amend the constitution to allow for recall elections. Quinn campaigned hard last year for a Constitutional Convention specifically for this purpose - and thus to remove his 'boss' - but it failed on the ballot due to very vague plans and talk of a huge bill for the process.

[MOIDALIZE]

Illinois has no provisions for recall elections. If we could have held a recall election, we could have yanked the delusional twit out of office on a 'no confidence'-style vote a long time ago.

As it is, we'd need to amend the constitution to allow for recall elections. Quinn campaigned hard last year for a Constitutional Convention specifically for this purpose - and thus to remove his 'boss' - but it failed on the ballot due to very vague plans and talk of a huge bill for the process.

I don't want a recall provision. That's how you end up with a Schwarzenegger in office. Besides, the legislature has proved itself capable of removing someone who needs removed.

[ArrMatey!]

So... I was driving home today listening to the vote being cast. When it was over, I felt relief, sure.

I then drove two blocks north of my house and stood on an open plot of land. A small one, to be sure, but open and unused.

"He's gone," I said. "I know it doesn't change anything. And I'm sorry we left you in the hands of such a bad man. We didn't know. We should've known, but I'm not sure how. I know this won't bring you back, but... He's gone, and he won't do this ever again."

Two blocks north of my home is the vacant lot where a beautiful movie theater once stood. It was an icon from the golden age of movie theaters. The walls were beautiful plaster artwork, and the ceiling was a cascade of stars.
About three years ago, the place needed a renovation, badly, and it was put on a list of historic places that needed an infusion of cash. Blag promised one million dollars for the place.
A month later he pulled the money.
I stood in the empty lot today and wondered... Was there a payoff he didn't get?
The idea turned my stomach.

I miss that theater. And I know, it's not a hospital or an education program or anything like that. But it was a beautiful piece of artwork. A piece that Blag decided really didn't need to exist, likely because it wasn't going to line his pockets.

I'm glad he's gone.

I'm glad he can't do that anymore.

[BJMoose]

. . . "Rhetoric" doesn't mean hysterical ranting.

And you've been here how long? :dubious:


Anyway, it's nice to see Illinois throw Blagojevich back on the turnip truck.

[Shirley Ujest]

And you've been here how long? :dubious:


Anyway, it's nice to see Illinois throw Blagojevich back on the turnip truck.

I am not eating those turnips.

[Vinyl Turnip]

Story of my life.

[Captain Carrot]

I don't want a recall provision. That's how you end up with a Schwarzenegger in office. Besides, the legislature has proved itself capable of removing someone who needs removed.
It took them too fucking long. Blago should never have had the opportunity to appoint Roland Burris, who appears to have an enormous ego even for a politician. (He seriously said that if not for him, Obama would not have been elected, and that God wanted him to be a Senator.) Of course, if Blago weren't a bucket of slime, he wouldn't have made the appointment anyway, but . . .

[Punoqllads]

Maybe it took too long, but a recall election would have taken much, much longer and cost the state a lot of money.

[Oslo Ostragoth]

Aaaaand, he's back! Repeating his tour of New York talk shows, including Letterman.

[thirdwarning]

Illinois has no provisions for recall elections. If we could have held a recall election, we could have yanked the delusional twit out of office on a 'no confidence'-style vote a long time ago.

As it is, we'd need to amend the constitution to allow for recall elections. Quinn campaigned hard last year for a Constitutional Convention specifically for this purpose - and thus to remove his 'boss' - but it failed on the ballot due to very vague plans and talk of a huge bill for the process.

But all we really need is an amendment. Don't need to revamp the whole thing. We've only had this one for forty years.

[Tuckerfan]

I assume this is an IL based business. (http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/fail-owned-furniture-ad-fai.jpg) :D

[TVeblen]

Aaaaand, he's back! Repeating his tour of New York talk shows, including Letterman.
Has Paris Hilton been keeping her pants on or something? I'd think Blags is pretty stale news. Well, maybe they hope he'll express contrition but surely they get by now that he'll just go into his familiar victim act. He may have cooked up some even more outrageous comparisons by now though. Having gone through Shane, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela he's pretty much down to Joan of Arc by now. Too female though; do Serbian Orthodox recognize St. Sebastian? (Wasn't he the one martyred by being shot full of arrows?) Or hey, there's always Jesus.

If you listen closely you can hear pitiful, batlike squeaks emanating from the law offices of his defense team. The moron isn't content with shooting himself in the foot. He's shot both feet, kneecaps, his left elbow, reloaded and is now reshooting his feet, just to make sure.

His criminal trial will be a wonder to behold. I do so hope they draw an anti-Ito, takes-no-shit judge who will minimize the minimize the circus act. It would so frustrate media-whore Blags in his starring role.

[Cervaise]

I assume this is an IL based business. (http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/fail-owned-furniture-ad-fai.jpg) :DDammit, I wanted to post that.

[stucky]

"I am not a crook". Richard Nixon

[Smeghead]

Has Paris Hilton been keeping her pants on or something?
I think we can safely assume that's not the case.