# Impeach Roland Burris **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 14, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870 "2009-02-14T21:54:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/61 "2009-02-16T05:21:25Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > It feels WEIRD to agree with Carol Stream. Of course, I was saying they shouldn’t seat him way back when this was a raging controversy so, like Shayna, I’ll consider CS to be agreeing with ME instead. It is much better to agree with Carol Stream than to have Carol Stream agree with you. If you agree with Carol Stream, it only means that Skald the Rhymer is going to die. If Carol Stream agrees with you, it means you have to go back to your post and read it very, very carefully to figure out what terrible mistake you made. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/62 "2009-02-16T18:36:48Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > It is much better to agree with Carol Stream than to have Carol Stream agree with you. **If you agree with Carol Stream, it only means that Skald the Rhymer is going to die**. If Carol Stream agrees with you, it means you have to go back to your post and read it very, very carefully to figure out what terrible mistake you made. Note to Ed: The bolded section is not a threat. EC and I get along, even though he’s a flipping socialist. Besides, he’s too wise to try to harm me on account of the sun-killer bomb thingie, for which, again, I am sorry. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/63 "2009-02-16T18:45:52Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Note to Ed: > > The bolded section is not a threat. EC and I get along, even though he’s a flipping socialist. Besides, he’s too wise to try to harm me on account of the sun-killer bomb thingie, for which, again, I am sorry. Has it really come to this now. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/64 "2009-02-16T18:54:11Z")
I agree with **Carol Stream**. So, its come to _that_, at any rate… Excuse me, I have to go find some drugs. Lots of them. Don’t care what kind. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/65 "2009-02-16T18:58:25Z")
come on, 'luci, you and me will wait it out in a cave somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/66 "2009-02-16T19:01:56Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Has it really come to this now. ☹ Ye gods, man. Consider who posted the remark which saddened you. How likely is it that the post was meant seriously? Your atypical lack of perspicacity worries me, so I am teleporting you the follow items for therapy: One (1) loaf of Lembas, with chocolate frosting. Two (2) flagons of the finest elf-wine (remember it must be diluted before drinking, lest you allow the Dwarves to escape). Four (4) clones of Monica Bellucci, programmed to fulfill your most perverted sexual fantasies both enthusiastically and acrobatically. One (1) copy of The Silmarillion–not the version you know, but an edition obtained by continua device from Earth analogue 79456-b, in which the Professor lived to be 105 years old (and also completed work on the sequel). I know you’d like the completed sequel, but I’m saving it for your birthday. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/67 "2009-02-16T20:26:42Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > And don’t say shoot the hostage, or I’ll shoot myself in the head and thereby destroy the Earth. I live in Illinois; your threats of a doomsday device only make me more eager to trigger it and improve the lot of all who reside in this state. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/68 "2009-02-17T00:43:39Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > If Carol Stream agrees with you, it means you have to go back to your post and read it very, very carefully to figure out what terrible mistake you made. I agree. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/69 "2009-02-17T01:12:58Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Keep in mind that these are people who gave themselves raises on the public dole while excoriating bankers for doing the same. Actually they could argue that they performed good public works. When the bankers got bonuses the companies were losing billions. They have no justification other than they could get away with it. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/70 "2009-02-17T04:01:58Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > I agree. A funny! \*\*Carol \*\*made a funny! And some of you guys were sayin’ “hopeless”! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/71 "2009-02-17T21:41:01Z")
> [@](#): > > U.S. Sen. Roland Burris now acknowledges attempting to raise money for ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich … [From the AP via Yahoo](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090217/ap_on_go_co/burris_blagojevich) Expulsion only takes a simple majority. 'Course, it takes a simple majority of the same crew who said they would NEVER seat anyone Blagojevich appointed. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/72 "2009-02-17T21:43:12Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > A funny! \*\*Carol \*\*made a funny! And some of you guys were sayin’ “hopeless”! I knew we were a good influence! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/73 "2009-02-17T21:52:46Z")
But who gets the credit, the Islamofacists, the wealth-redistributing pinkos, or the dirty fucking hippies? ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/74 "2009-02-17T22:21:21Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I…I…I agree with **Carol Stream**. > > I’m going to die, aren’t I? Did you just threaten yourself with death? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/75 "2009-02-17T22:33:02Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > Did you just threaten yourself with death? That was a forlorn and tragic cry for God’s intervention, like the stimulus package. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/76 "2009-02-17T22:35:42Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > That was a forlorn and tragic cry for God’s intervention, like the stimulus package. Did you just threaten the stimulus package with death? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/77 "2009-02-17T23:03:55Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > I expected to see a reference in the article to his being asked that question, but the closest it came was: > > “He disclosed just one of those contacts when asked Jan. 8 by state Rep. James Durkin (R-Western Springs) during the impeachment hearings to name any contact he had with Blagojevich’s people **about the seat**.” [emphasis added] > > If he demonstrably lied to congress **about being asked for money** , the Sun-Times is guilty of not just burying the lead, but omitting it altogether. Yes, they did bury the lead. Here’s Burris’ original testimony: > [@](#): > > REPRESENTATIVE DURKIN: Did you talk to any > members of the Governor’s staff or anyone closely > related to the Governor, including family members or > any lobbyists connected with him, including let me > throw out some names, John Harris, Rob Blagojevich, > Doug Scofield, Bob Greenleaf, Lon Monk, John Wyma, did > you talk to anybody who was associated with the > Governor about your desire to seek the appointment > prior to the Governor’s arrest? > MR. WRIGHT: Give us a moment. > MR. BURRIS: I talked to some friends about > my desire to be appointed, yes. > REPRESENTATIVE DURKIN: I guess the point is > I was trying to ask, did you speak to anybody who was > on the Governor’s staff prior to the Governor’s arrest > or anybody, any of those individuals or anybody who is closely related to the Governor? > MR. BURRIS: I recall having a meeting with > Lon Monk about my partner and I trying to get > continued business, and I did bring it up, it must > have been in September or maybe it was in July of '08 > that, you know, you’re close to the Governor, let him > know that I am certainly interested in the seat. > REPRESENTATIVE DURKIN: Okay. Did you speak > to any individuals who – any individuals who were > also seeking the appointment of the United States > Senate seat, otherwise people we’ve referred to as > Senate candidates one through five? > MR. BURRIS: No, I did not. > REPRESENTATIVE DURKIN: Okay. At any time > were you directly or indirectly aware of a quid pro > quo with the Governor for the appointment of this > vacant Senate seat? > MR. BURRIS: No, sir. His subsequent affidavit, however, says: > [@](#): > > 1. I recall that Governor Blagojevich’s brother, Rob Blagojevich, called me three times to seek my assistance in fund-raising for Governor Blagojevich. The first conversation was in early October, 2008, and the other two were shortly after the election. During the first conversation I asked Rob Blagojevich what was going on with the selection of a successor if then-Senator Obama were elected President, and he said he had heard my name mentioned in the discussions. In one of the other conversations (I believe the last one), I mentioned the Senate seat in the context of saying I could not contribute to Governor Blagojevich because it could be viewed as an attempt to curry favor with him regarding his decision to appoint a successor to President Obama. I did not raise or donate any funds to Governor Blagojevich after the fundraiser on June 27, 2008. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/78 "2009-02-17T23:37:38Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Expulsion only takes a simple majority. Actually, under US Constitution Art I, sec. 5: “Each House may . . . with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.” Thus, it takes 66 Senators to expel, but I have no doubt that if goes through the Senate Ethics panel and expulsion is recommended, he’ll be kicked out with 90+ votes. The problem is that even if the Ethics panel works extremely quickly for it, it will be a long while until he’s up for expulsion. For instance, they didn’t even get around to moving for Senator Stevens of Alaska’s expusion after he was convicted. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/79 "2009-02-17T23:45:10Z")
This whole thing is a joke. He should never have been seated in the first place. Whether the Democrats just wanted that 59th vote or chickened out on the idea of expelling someone, I don’t know, but it was idiotic and underscores how badly their congressional leadership sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870/80 "2009-02-17T23:46:51Z")
> [@Billdo](#): > > Actually, under US Constitution Art I, sec. 5: “Each House may . . . with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.” True enough. I’m now off to look for my brain. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-roland-burris/485870.md?page=5)