WLS shames itself again
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* He compared himself to the Japanese tsunami victims but claims others are cynical scoundrels? Sheesh…
Rod Blagojevich got behind the mic at WLS-890 AM Wednesday morning during which he compared his ousting as governor to the tragedy in Japan, calling it a “tsunami that happened to me” and called Springfield lawmakers “cynical scoundrels.”
* And he still claims he was “highjacked” from office so that the remaining Democrats could pass a tax increase…
Blagojevich set his sights on political life and former colleagues, namely who he called the “unholy trinity of Democrats”: Gov. Pat Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate Pres. John Cullerton.
“What’s on my mind today are things like the taxes, the Illinois taxes,” Blagojevich said at the start of his 5-9 a.m. stint filling in for Don and Roma on the “Don Wade and Roma Show.”
“I was hijacked from office. Pat Quinn got there, and he made a deal with [Madigan and Cullerton] that he was going to sock it to the people and solve the problems of government on the backs of the hard-working people of Illinois … not by making government more efficient.”
Yeah. His impeachment had nothing whatsoever to do with his arrest. Right.
How WLS could give this convicted doofus a microphone is just beyond me.
* Meanwhile, could Fitz be leaving? He’s apparently on a prestigious short list…
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is reportedly on the short list of candidates being eyed to replace outgoing FBI Director Robert S. Mueller.
Citing sources, both the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday included Fitzgerald on the list of top candidates. […]
The leading candidate is reportedly another Chicago native, Michael Mason. Mason is a former top official at the FBI’s Washington field office currently serving as Verizon Communications’ top security chief.
- South of I-80 - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 9:33 am:
Giving Blago a microphone is akin to putting a pig on roller skates!
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 9:39 am:
So, Rahm and Dick have a chat and say, “How do we get Fitz outta here and outta our biness?”
- Aldyth - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 9:45 am:
Give a narcissist a microphone and an audience and you are simply reinforcing his delusions.
- Bill - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 9:53 am:
Yeah, great idea! Put Mr. Overreach in charge of the FBI so he can harass people on a national level. This guy is a Republican in a Democratic administration. He should be chasing ambulances on 26th Street by now.
- fed up - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 9:54 am:
Fitzgerald has been quiet lately. Either their is no more corruption in Chicago or he has made a deal for a nicer job. Ever since the Ike Carothers case went nowhere you have to wonder what happened. Carothers Daley’s staunchest ally on the city council wears a wire for 6-8 months and gathers no information on anyone and then gets a light sentence for cooperating and his brother Tony gets a big promotion in the police dept. (His 4th “merit”promotion). I think Fitzgerald maybe a little over hyped as a straight shooting cleaning up Chicago guy.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 10:03 am:
I imagine more than a few politicians on both sides of the aisle are a little wary of giving Fitz a 10-year term as FBI director.
To be honest, I’m nervous about giving anyone a 10-year, no-cut deal to run such a powerful national police and intelligence agency. Where the middle ground is between an an all-powerful J. Edgar Hoover and a White House lapdog like L. Patrick Gray, I don’t know.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 10:05 am:
Blago is perfect for talk radio, a vast wasteland of ignorance and tedium no matter where you are on the political spectrum.
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 10:08 am:
WGN, RB and Patti - the “Healthy Trinity”.
- amalia - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 10:23 am:
let the domino building begin! let’s see, Patrick Fitzgerald gets that coveted investigation job so he’s out of Rahm’s hair. and who gets put into the USAttny job? to benefit Rahm? guess who….
- D.P. Gumby - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 10:29 am:
How about Pat Fitzgerald Ambassador to Ireland!!
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 10:39 am:
Rush Limbaugh mocked gay people dying of AIDS and WLS still airs him — is comparing yourself to the tsunami much less offensive?
- soccermom - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 11:01 am:
WLS — Have you no shame? Have you no humanity?
- Wilson Pickett - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 11:02 am:
I had a friend call me earlier today to ask me if I heard Rod and Patty on WLS this morning? He said Blaogojevich was hammering on Quinn and Careen Gordon. My friend said Rod Blagojevich accused Pat Quinn of doing the same thing with Careen Gordon (payment for favors given)that got Rod indicted and something to the effect of “How can Quinn get away with it?”.
What makes this a little ironic (”timing is everything” as they say) is that the state senate committee that confirms appointments “finally” had Careen Gordon listed on their committee docket for today. She is scheduled to appear before them this morning at 8:00 AM.So far, this committee has been dodging having to rule on her appointment by Quinn since they knew politically it was akin to picking up “a hot rock” with their bare hands. Quinn was just too blatant with what he was doing for Careen in return for Careen’s lame-duck vote. Careen lost her re-election to the Illinois House in November to a Republican.
- CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 11:20 am:
Been a long time, but ….
This website summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as “their right.”
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others’ feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet “gets by” by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others’ lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
- MrJM - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 11:33 am:
“WLS shames itself again”
At this point that’s kinda like a clown making a fool of himself — it’s part of the job description.
– MrJM
- Dan S in Springfield - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 11:37 am:
The convicted felon should have his bond revoked and sit until the trial after which he can sit some more until he is sentenced and the he can rot while serving his time. He and Tony should be sharing a cell.
- independent - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 11:39 am:
Since Charlie Sheen sold out his show in Chicago so fast, maybe WLS can get both Blogo and Sheen to do a show together. That sounds like a real ratings getter.
- formerpolitico - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 11:47 am:
Fitzgerald has been in office 10 years - much longer than any other US Attorney. He’s ready to leave after the Blago trial, and Sen. Durbin wants to pick the new US Attorney from a long list of Democratic aspirants. So They may well”‘kick him upstairs”.
- Lurker - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 12:06 pm:
@circularfiringsquad.
If the general public had the definition of a sociopath or narcissist stamped on their heads, they will still elect these bums. We look for alpha males and females. That is the sociopath politician. We don’t elect weaklings (obama is the exception).
- mokenavince - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 12:20 pm:
Blago my be an idiot, but there is a bit of truth
as far as the way our leaders operate.
- amalia - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 12:26 pm:
who has applied to be the Northern Illinois USAttny in the past?
- Bill - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 12:47 pm:
==If the general public had the definition of a sociopath or narcissist stamped on their heads, they will still elect these bums.==
Nobody knows that better than Circular FS.
- Say WHAT? - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 1:06 pm:
WLS lost a listener today. I’m done! I didn’t listen today. I couldn’t. When he was first removed, I was curious (train wreck curious). Now I just cannot look or listen. Makes me hurl. I won’t even let his name cross my lips. I need a shower after reading what he said today. Comparing himself to the victims in Japan? Where are the men in the white coats?
- Jake From Elwood - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 1:25 pm:
I offer a collective “Lighten up Francis” to many of you.
I was commuting to Lake County this morning and listened to about 90 minutes of Blago and Patti. I listened for the entertainment value of it, and certainly considered the creditability of the source of the information. WGN put Laski on the radio too and he was nowhere as entertaining as Blago. One of the best bits was an exercise in self-parody when Blago referred to his lenten sacrifice against using swear words as “effin golden”.
- just sayin' - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 1:45 pm:
I’ll admit it. I would listen to Blago before Don and Roma. At least he’s entertaining radio. And presumably you don’t have to hear about Nature’s Trinity or whatever those 2 are pushing these days.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 2:21 pm:
“How WLS could give this convicted doofus a microphone is just beyond me.”
I agree 100%, but this morning at 6 a.m. the TV stations where all covering it. I’m sure tomorrow-the newspapers will be covering it. Hell, even your covering it and I’m blogging about it. I wonder what it does for their ratings.
I quit listening to the station a year ago.
- Concerned Voter - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 2:28 pm:
Blagojevich: The man has never met a microphone he didn’t like, at least the ones he sees.
- Secret Square - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 3:36 pm:
“Blago referred to his lenten sacrifice against using swear words as “effin golden”.
How about spending a year in a monastery where he would shave his head and observe a strict vow of silence?
If he agreed to do that, I’d be fine with dropping all his charges… getting rid of The Hair and not being able to talk would be a penance worse than death for him anyway.
- amalia - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 4:14 pm:
WLS was just purchased. there is a question whether Wade and Roma and Roeper and Conn will remain. It would be good to keep local flavor and not just go to Rush/Hannity/etc. this is probably a good bid to keep local flavor, even if it is effin local flavor.
- radio guy - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 4:18 pm:
Were Blago and Charlie Sheen separated at birth?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 5:16 pm:
–I offer a collective “Lighten up Francis” to many of you.
I was commuting to Lake County this morning and listened to about 90 minutes of Blago and Patti. I listened for the entertainment value of it, and certainly considered the creditability of the source of the information. –
Jake, I’m pretty loosy-goosy on the Illinois ethics experience, and very appreciative of the state’s checkered, if not scoundrel, and how it contributed to building one of the garden spots of the world.
But this guy is a ……(your pejorative here).
The dude is on tape shaking down a baby cancer hospital. He’s on tape, saying he wouldn’t give money to help babies with cancer unless he got some money for himself.
There’s no moral relativism there. With all apologies to CFC, that’s not sociopathic, that’s evil.
- Jose Jiminez - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 5:47 pm:
“The dude is on tape shaking down a baby cancer hospital. He’s on tape, saying he wouldn’t give money to help babies with cancer unless he got some money for himself.”
One wonders why the hospital didn’t run to the Feds to narc on a governor that would do something so dastardly. I mean…come on…if he was shaking down baby cancer hospitals, who else was he shaking down?
Of course, if the baby hospital was playing ball…?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 7:39 pm:
–”The dude is on tape shaking down a baby cancer hospital. He’s on tape, saying he wouldn’t give money to help babies with cancer unless he got some money for himself.”
One wonders why the hospital didn’t run to the Feds to narc on a governor that would do something so dastardly. I mean…come on…if he was shaking down baby cancer hospitals, who else was he shaking down?
Of course, if the baby hospital was playing ball…?–
Jose, what do you mean? Who’s to say they didn’t? The federales don’t share.
Children’s Memorial testified at trial that they were being shaken down. They didn’t give him money.
It’s all on tape and testimony.
There is no question he shook down the baby cancer hospital for money, and they didn’t give it to him.
He has to live with that, and in the great by and by, he’ll have to answer to that, too.
Funny, Don and Roma never ask about that. But I hear Roma, thank you, got a nice scarf from a listener in Grayslake…
- JustMe - Wednesday, Mar 16, 11 @ 8:02 pm:
==and called Springfield lawmakers “cynical scoundrels.”==
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.