Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Poll: Majority would vote to recall Blagojevich
Next Post: Morning shorts
Posted in:
* 12:13 pm - Off he goes…
Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan lost his final bid Tuesday to delay starting his prison term when Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens turned down his request to remain free on bail.
Ryan is due to report to the federal correctional center near Oxford, Wis., on Wednesday to start serving his 6½-year racketeering and fraud sentence.
The 73-year-old left his Kankakee home about 11:15 a.m., accompanied by his wife, Lura Lynn, and other family members.
* 12:27 pm - Here’s just one of the countless problems with our absolutely awful national political punditocracy. They get all of their information from paid spinmeisters, which essentially serves to form their own goofy opinions. So when somebody not in their little inner circle actually does some research on her own, they automatically assume she was hand-fed…
In a November 5 post on his campaign news website The Page, Time magazine editor-at-large and senior political analyst Mark Halperin claimed that a Chicago Sun-Times column raising questions about the transparency of Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) presidential bid was the product of opposition research provided by the campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).
But the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet, who wrote the column, denies the allegation. “I didn’t use anything in that column that came from the Clinton campaign,” Sweet confirmed in an email to Media Matters for America. According to Sweet, Halperin never contacted her before he posted his claim that her column was based on Clinton campaign opposition research coming in over the “transom.”
And these are the people who are supposed to be moderating our national discourse? Mark Halperin is a moron.
* 12:41 pm - Today’s leaders meeting with the governor has been moved to 3 o’clock from ten this morning, apparently due to some scheduling conflicts with two of the legislators.
* 1:07 pm - More on Ryan…
But it was unclear whether Ryan was actually leaving town yet. Ryan’s attorneys have been tight-lipped about the logistics of his surrender. Ryan must report to the Federal Correctional Institution at Oxford, Wis. — about an hour north of Madison — by 5 p.m. Wednesday, meaning he could leave Kankakee Wednesday morning for the roughly five-hour drive and be there in plenty of time.
His attorneys have called a press conference for 3 p.m. Tuesday in Chicago.
I guess I’ll be late to the leaders meeting.
Hat tip to a commenter.
* 2:00 pm - From the Tribbies…
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) said today that the gambling expansion plan he’s putting together with other legislative leaders is “not real pretty,” but that it may be the key to solving Chicagoland’s mass transit funding needs. […]
“Now we’re in the situation where mass transit riders are being held hostage for what is called a capital bill. Capital means gaming, major expansion of gaming,” Madigan said. “We are working toward that end. It’s not real pretty.
“I don’t know how all of you all feel about gaming, but I’ve known people in my life, severely addicted to gaming,’’ Madigan added. “Not pretty. Marriages lost, families lost, homes lost. Not good. That’s where we’re going. And that’s what we’re working toward.”
Madigan remained mum on what kind of a gambling expansion he could support. The Senate has twice approved gambling measures this legislative session,only to see them stall in the House.
* 3:09 pm - The Associated Press really ought to change the hed it’s using on the Ryan story: “Ill. Governor to Report to Prison.” Last I checked, Rod Blagojevich was still a free man.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:14 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Poll: Majority would vote to recall Blagojevich
Next Post: Morning shorts
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
This is a real shame - I was hoping they could wait a bit until blags could share the cell with him and save us some money.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:20 pm
He deserved it but one still feels sorry for both him and his family.
Given his death penalty work, though, isn’t there a good chance that Bush will pardon him at the end of his term. One presumes Thompson et al are working on that already.
OK with me. A year in jail for someone that old gets the point across. If anything does…and that
s questionable. Pols are big on self-deception.
Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:29 pm
It seems like just yesterday he was an active governor, with Kankakee County getting the spoils. The Willises, Dean Bauer, Jess McDonald, the race against Poshard, the Hillside Strangler and Build Illinois, those Death Penalty hearings dredging up the agony of hundreds of victims’ families again in a cattle-car production, the Nobel nominations, the unlikely celebrity status amongst some people outside IL for his change-of-heart death penalty stance. A lot has changed in the last 5-6 years, and it seems to zip by so fast.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:34 pm
Despite the guilty verdict, the Governor and Mrs. Ryan are very decient people. I feel the Governor was done in by that snake Scott Fawell. He put the trust in him and got hosed. It is a sad day for Illinois. I pray for them especially Mrs. Ryan.
Comment by He makes Ryan Look like a Saint Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:34 pm
Speaking of baggage. Rudy backers will have some ’splainging to do on this one…
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Rudy Giuliani said Monday that if his achievements as president are as good as the crime-reduction results of his New York police commissioner, a man now under criminal investigation himself, “this country will be in great shape.”
Giuliani, in an interview with The Associated Press, acknowledged mistakes by Bernard Kerik, who was police commissioner when Giuliani was mayor. But he said crime reduction for the city was more important.
Kerik, whom Giuliani pushed to head the federal Department of Homeland Security, is under investigation on what could be multiple felony charges. Giuliani said he hadn’t spoken to his friend and one-time business partner recently and had no idea what implication a Kerik indictment or plea deal could have on his presidential campaign.
“I have no idea what’s going to happen, first of all, nor do I have any idea what he’s going to do,” the Republican contender said.
Comment by GettingJonesed Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:37 pm
Looks like those who kept saying “Ryan will never spend a day in jail” were wrong. I agree with those you say “don’t jail him, losing his reputation, most of his friends, and his pension is enough punishment.”
Comment by General Assembly Watcher Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:40 pm
Fawell had nothing to do with him writing a check for his Jamaica vacation and then having the same amount in cash handed back. Or in having the payment made to his daughter’s wedding band rather than directly to himself. Birds of a feather.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:48 pm
Mrs. Ryan — like Carmela Soprano — enjoyed the spoils and lifestyle provided by crime. So I don’t feel sorry for her. Didn’t someone also hand her information regarding CDL wrongdoing which was then squashed?
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:50 pm
For Ben, Joseph, Samuel, Hank, Elizabeth and Peter Willis, the day for justice for these children has arrived. Blame Scott Fawell, blame anyone else you want, but ultimately it all came down to campaign contributions, fundraising, and ticket selling for none other than GRyan.
Comment by Litle Egypt Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 12:52 pm
This, “he does not deserve jail, and he is a decent guy” stuff is crap. He lined his pockets from a criminal enterprise that was directly responsible for multiple deaths. This is not a no harm no foul bribery scandal. He is responsible for a the deaths of most of a family. He should rot in jail. He is a terrible person for showing no remorse for the fact his illegal action directly lead to multiple deaths.
Read some of the police reports or witness accounts of the accident scene in WI that broke the license for bribes scandal. 6 1/2 years…he got off easy.
Comment by the patriot Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:01 pm
they are reporting that he came back to the house this afternoon…meaning he is not in jail or headed there yet.
just wait….Bush will padon him tomorrow….stranger things have happened
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:04 pm
Well I think the state let George keep his custom passenger van that he used instead of a limo during his term. A slow-speed chase to the Wisconsin border in that or a white Bronco sounds like a poetic send-off.
Comment by AC Cowlings Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:16 pm
“Mark Halperin is a moron.”
This is the same Mark Halperin who decided he should start to kowtow to conservatives. In Fall, ‘96. When Republicans were dropping like inappropriate text-messaging, lobbyist coddling flies. His timing is worse than Dennis Miller’s.
Comment by JonShibleyFan Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:31 pm
He’ll probably get one of the traditional out-going President’s commutations/pardons, after next November’s elections. Unlike the Clinton last-days’ pardons of drug-dealers and money launderers, who were big contributors (or worse), such a commutation of the elderly Ryan would be justified.
Comment by Legal Eagle Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:36 pm
I think you mean ‘06. It’s a new century, bub.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:39 pm
he transparency of Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) presidential bid
Today’s online Standard has a very interesting take on Obama’s bid.
http://www.theweeklystandard.
com/Content/Public/Articles/000
/000/014/316vvyov.asp
Most of you will like this *-^*
Comment by Pat collins Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:40 pm
LOLOL
The author of that piece compares Obama to Adm. Stockdale. Kind of a stretch.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:44 pm
Hey I saw a pic of Governor Ryan in a Bulls hat. I had no idea he was a Bulls fan.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:47 pm
Just think, with a good shield law in place halepri could have cited to confidential sources :>
As for Ryan, based on the exsitance of legitimate legal questions and his age; his lack of flight risk etc I was surprised they did not continue his bail. Unfortunetly his celebrityish status may be working against him. I have no doubt he was, and is guilty. BUT the issues with the contaminated jury pool at his trial should be gigiving us all pause. His trial has some unique and tough legal issues, and he may lose on all of them, but I see them as real good faith legal issues.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:52 pm
Isn’t mark halperin the guy who used to be the chief political news guy at ABC?
The guy who said something like “Matt Drudge rules our world”?
Anybody who uses Drudge as a source is an idiot.
God save us from the Villagers.
Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:54 pm
George had a autographed pic of Scottie Pippen in his Capitol office.
Comment by Seersucker Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:03 pm
It certainly sounds like Madigan is ready to be part if not the leader in providing a solution. Even over riding his own very negative views of gaming. That is leadership, if not statesmanship! Perhaps guv will follow Madagin’s lead for a change and not try for some cheap PR gimmick. This is a major compromise by Madagin and not easily made.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:10 pm
Gambling expansion is just such a bad idea. It will increase crime, and it increases the need for police and social services to deal with the effects of gambling. We might as well sell meth to raise money, since we seem to not care how we get the money.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:12 pm
He also mentioned how well he comes across in person, how he impressed a wide range of people at a place where it is especially hard to do so.
And how that seems NOT to be coming through in the campaign.
To me that was the bigger point
Comment by Pat Collins Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:23 pm
A,
That’s called folding under pressure or selling out, not leadership or statesmanship.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:24 pm
- Bill -
It definitely is not obstructionism. Can that be said of the guv? Guess we’ll find out soon. Glad to hear from you again!
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:31 pm
A,
Not obstructionism? You gotta be kiddin’ me. All the Speaker has done for this never ending session is obstruct. If Lisa would just tell him she didn’t wannabe Gov most of this nonsense would end. Rod’s no angel but a lot of this is caused by Mr. Chess Player.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:37 pm
First time commenter, only been reading for a little while. Sorry for asking what may seem a naive question, but I’m trying to better understand the transit issue vis a vis the capital bill: who is it that supports gambling expansion? Specifically, which group(s)? Is it a Republican thing? Why? Who’s interests does it serve? I guess I just don’t understand who the constituency for it is. It’s not like I see a ton of people agitating for it.
Comment by Paul Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:37 pm
“I don’t know how all of you all feel about gaming, but I’ve known people in my life, severely addicted to gaming,’’ Madigan added. “Not pretty. Marriages lost, families lost, homes lost. Not good. That’s where we’re going. And that’s what we’re working toward.”
Does Machiavelli actually have a soul?
Comment by tubbfan Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:55 pm
- Bill -
I agree, Rod is no angel. But then he’s not that accomplished a chess player either. In fact it seems he is usually missing from the action most of the time, holed up at home or the campaign headquarters. He should be engaged in meetings with the tops until resolution is accomplished. Bottomline, the whole bunch amounts to no great prize, we deserve better!
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 2:59 pm
Anon 12:50.
A little over the top aren’t you. You aren’t satifised with GHR going to jail. You sound like you think Mrs. Ryan should be going to jail as well. With or without a trial.
Comment by True Comparison Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:03 pm
“I don’t know how all of you all feel about gaming, but I’ve known people in my life, severely addicted to gaming,” Madigan added. “Not pretty. Marriages lost, families lost, homes lost. Not good. That’s where we’re going. And that’s what we’re working toward.”
Good thoughts by Madigan here; and he scores points for saying this, but ultimately, in the end, what really counts most is his voting record–not what he says. “Consensus” does not equal unanimity, and it does not require compromise.
In terms of consensus based decision making, Blagojevich has made a proposal and Madigan has raised a concern; so the initial test for consensus has failed. The next step is to modify the proposal in an attempt to mitigate (but not necessarily resolve) Madigan’s concern and test for consensus again. (This might include changes to provide stronger protections and services for the scenarios Madigan outlines, for example.) A facilitator would take the group through a couple rounds of this; and if consensus still can not be reached, the group would need to decide if the concern is blocking (which would prevent the proposal from being adopted) or merely stand-aside (valid, and noted, but not a concern that goes to the core principles, root, or mission of the group.) Of course, they can’t do this fairly and objectively themselves–they need a neutral facilitator to guide them.
Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:09 pm
The “apologists” are running rampant today
Comment by Patriot Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:12 pm
Squid, that post sounded like your job application! You have some time on your hands and want to enter the lions’ den? Only madness lies that way. You are either brave or foolish, perhaps both
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:14 pm
Rich,
Regarding your 3:09 update, I REALLY, REALLY hope that you have it wrong and the AP is correct that it is the CURRENT governor.
Comment by Trafficmatt Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:16 pm
“The Associated Press really ought to change the hed it’s using on the Ryan story: “Ill. Governor to Report to Prison.” Last I checked, Rod Blagojevich was still a free man.”
RICH! Leave it alone, it looks great just the way it is.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:19 pm
Rich, I clicked on the link to the story about Ryan at the bottom of this article and the story has gone national BIG time. Funny that it’s the same article for all of the outlets and it has the last couple of paragraphs about Blago’s broken pledge to reform. Not a good news day for Elvis and Graceland.
Comment by Litle Egypt Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:22 pm
-Anon-
Should Patti go to?
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:24 pm
Bill
You are way off base. Madigan has been speaker during Thompson’s,Edgar’s, Ryan’s and now Blago’s tenure. Never other than Blago’s tenure has Madigan not gotten along with the Gov. Furthermore, and remember you heard it here first, Lisa does not have her eye on the Governorship.
Comment by MOON Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:25 pm
Rich for your sake I hope it is true, then you and Mrs Capitol Fax will be able to go on Vacation for the holidays!!!
Comment by He makes Ryan Look like a Saint Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:26 pm
Apparently AP “fixed” the hed. Now it reads “Former Chicago Governor Loses Final Bid To Avoid Prison”. Whoops, again.
Comment by Reality Check Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:37 pm
“The Associated Press really ought to change the hed it’s using on the Ryan story: “Ill. Governor to Report to Prison.” Last I checked, Rod Blagojevich was still a free man.”
- I don’t know, maybe the AP reporter was just guilty of a bit of wishful daydreaming.
Comment by Courser Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:39 pm
Perhaps it was just their new reporter, Journalist Nostradamus, getting ahead of himself yet again. The original text was in Quatrains. Go figure.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:47 pm
Maybe just maybe the AP has the inside track with the almighty. Would that be wonderful news!
Comment by Mystical Surrender Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 3:59 pm
So did the Four Tops meet at 3pm? Did GRod make it on time, or did he get distracted on his way to prison?
I’m thinking the AP was pretty much prophetic.
Comment by 312 Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:08 pm
There are some issues in the George Ryan trial that should be addressed and are relevant to future trials:
1. Whether juries should be suquestered in all “high profile cases”?
2. Whether the prosecution’s granting of immunity to the jurors created a conflict of interest as the Judge should have done so if it was applicable?
3. Whether the length of a trial has any bearing on the outcome of a trial?
Comment by One_Mcmad Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:10 pm
* 3:09 pm - The Associated Press really ought to change the hed it’s using on the Ryan story: “Ill. Governor to Report to Prison.” Last I checked, Rod Blagojevich was still a free man.
- posted by Rich Miller
Check the byline, Rich. That AP story was written by Nostradamus.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:25 pm
“I think you mean ‘06. It’s a new century, bub.”
Indeed. Not sure from which dusty crag of my brain I pulled ‘96.
Comment by JonShibleyFan Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:28 pm
A Citizen wrote, “Squid, that post sounded like your job application! You have some time on your hands and want to enter the lions’ den? Only madness lies that way. You are either brave or foolish, perhaps both.”
Sure. I would do it. It wouldn’t be the first time that I have facilitated what started out as an otherwise hostile decision making process. I’m obviously not biased toward either Madigan or Blagojevich, but I don’t think they’d have me!
Actually, in my opinion, facilitating between just a few people (the four tops) is a lot easier than trying to facilitate decision making in a large group. You have to be skilled to facilitate over a large meeting like a plenary session of the entire membership at an annual statewide membership meeting–keeping things on track, and within time, while addressing people’s concerns, and still coming out with tangible and workable proposals at the end of the day. Madigan? Blagojevich? No problem.
Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:29 pm
Inmate Mail/Parcels
Oxford FCI
P.O. Box 1000
Oxford, WI 53952
Comment by Blago's New Pen Pal Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:35 pm
Fourteen months. George Ryan managed to stay out of jail for fourteen months after his sentence was handed down. Sentencing occurred five months after the jury found him guilty. The clock starts on the 78 months he has to serve, a full nineteen months after his conviction.
I wonder if Jim Thompson could keep me out of jail for 19 months after a jury found me guilty. I may have to pick up his card, just in case.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:43 pm
I wonder if Jim Thompson could keep me out of jail for 19 months
Very likely, but you should expect a higher bill from him than Ryan got.
Comment by Pat Collins Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:47 pm
MOON,
It seems Mike gets along a lot better with republicans than democrats. Maybe Rod was right with the right wing republican thing. Or maybe Mikle is just scared that he won’t be king of the capitol anymore. Ask Alexi or Little Dick Daley what kind of loyal democrat they think Madigan is. As for Lisa, I don’t think Mike cares very much about what she wants. It is all about him. It always has been.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:48 pm
Birds of feather
Comment by Djjims Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 4:49 pm
-Bill-
Now you’ve done it - Set up a battle between MM and Blags in a run for guv! You selling tickets? That one could be fun. The fur would fly.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 5:12 pm
November 17, 1995, My cousin Debra Evans was brutally murdered along with her 10 year old daughter Samantha and her 7 year son Joshua. The murders cut Debra’s unborn child from here womb and butchered Samantha while she was fighting to protect her mommy. Joshua was tortured for two days and eventually thrown in an alley to slowly die from a small would to his throat.
Two of the monsters that committed these acts of savagery were sentenced to die. George Ryan commuted thier death sentances and now my family has to live with the reality that someday these monsters may go free.
Comment by Justice Denied Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 5:26 pm
Where’s VanillaMan with his hypothetical running commentary of what’s happening in the leaders meeting?
Comment by 312 Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 5:34 pm
The trial was delayed because George HAD to have Dan Webb. Apparently none of the other 70,000 lawyers in Illinois could have lost the case with identical skill. An obvious stall tactic, like the petition for rehearing.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 5:37 pm
Webb would have been available earlier however he was absolutely swamped working on gov’s Federal Subpoenas. I think he still may be - campaign funds expenditure to Winston and Strawn has been rather High!
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 6:11 pm
I do wish that people would not continue to blame the Willis accident of former Gov. Ryan.
What happened was a great tragedy which could not have been prevented by the best most fastidious pre-trip inspection possible.
The former governor may have done many evil things during his tenure in state politics, including putting dangerous drivers on the road, but in this instance what happened was not related to a poorly trained driver.
Comment by plutocrat03 Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 6:54 pm
- plutocrat03 -
It’s proven too easy and simplistic to demagogue Gov.Ryan rather than recognize the facts you pointed out. The other participant, the van’s driver, probably bears some responsibility for following too close, too fast for conditions, etc. It is not that simple. The truck driver would probably have been there with or without his license. The accident and its sad aftermath is not what the gov was convicted of but it was heavily used in the campaign to demagogue the Republicans.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 7:31 pm
It looks like I dropped the ball again. Here is a little AP copy from my latest grandstand…
“SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State officials say they’re off to a good start as they take advantage of the latest reprieve from a mass transit crisis.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich met with legislative leaders for nearly three hours to discuss transit funding and a statewide construction program.
Afterwards, lawmakers said the discussion focused on different gambling proposals to pay for the projects. Options include new casinos and slot machines at horse racing tracks.
Last week, the state came up with money to postpone deep cuts in Chicago-area mass transit. Leaders promised to come up with a permanent solution in seven to 10 days.
But negotiators now say it may take weeks.”
Weeks could be months and then that Meany Madigan could pass his own bill without any
of my stooges. Maybe I can just pout and hold my breath til June 08.
Comment by Rodney Recall Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 7:45 pm
- Rodney Recall -
whatever! yaaaawn.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 7:49 pm
George Ryan was a corrupt public official…he has the blood of the innocent Willis children on his hands…that does not make him a “decent person” according to my definition of the word…I feel bad for his wife, but George belongs in the hoosegow…
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 8:09 pm
AP doesn’t need to change story… they’re just early.
Comment by North of I-80 Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 8:17 pm
Wow, Plutocrat. The Willis’ never accepted any responsibility and no one ever questioned them. It is always easier to blame someone else.
Comment by Wow Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 8:50 pm
Wonder how many years in prison Paul Powell, Dem Sec. of State would have gotten for the Millions in Cash he had in all those shoe boxes in his room in the St. Nick Hotel in Springfield when he died? That cash came from bribes for licenses and all sorts of other sources. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 9:24 pm
Bill, not to disturb the collegiality here, but if, as you say, “It is all about him..always has been.” for Mr. Speaker, how does that differentiate him from your on-again, off-again guy Rod or his guy E-Mil?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 9:37 pm
AC,
it’s been a long time, but my recollection is that it was about $800,000.
Loop Lady,
I don’t think anyone “has the blood of the Willis children on his hands”. If the license had been obtained legally, or if the driver had no license at all, the tragedy would be the same, the children still dead.
SoS employees, not George Ryan, took bribes to give out illegal licenses. A small number were doing that before he got there, and somewhere some bad apple almost certainly did it today.
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 9:40 pm
Even considering his felonies and misdemeanors, longtime professional state employees would take Mr. Ryan as governor any day, rather than what has passed for leadership the last four-plus years. The governor’s office under Ryan actually allowed the agency heads to make most of the decisions having to do with their agencies. Partisan politics and political hacks, although ever present, were never so brazenly involved in the actual mission of the agency. Further, the performance of most of those political people hired under Ryan was determined by the futherance of that mission and not the number of contracts awarded to cronies or fellow hacks hired. The hacks were generally hidden, and usually not allowed to get in the way of the real work of the agencies. Ah, those were the days…
Comment by IDOT Engineer Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 9:41 pm
-Steve S-
What year was that? $800,000 in those days would be $_____? now? C’mon-you are the money/numbers guy.
And your response to Loop Lady is correct, however the tragedy is still horrific and I believe her empathy is genuine.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 9:54 pm
“Plutocrat” and “Citizen,” it is true that the accident might have happened anyway regardless of how the truck driver got his license.
However, if I remember correctly, the truck driver could not speak English, and when other motorists tried to warn him of the dangling parts from his truck, he didn’t understand what they were saying.
That, to me, is the critical fact here: the truck driver’s inability to understand English — which would ordinarily have kept him from passing the exams necessary to obtain a commercial trucking license — was the last link in the chain of events that led to the accident. Would the accident have been prevented if the truck driver had understood English? We will never know for certain, of course, but it’s possible. And that is why most people feel Ryan bears some responsibility for what happened.
Comment by Lainer Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:16 pm
to IDOT Engineer
Complimenting a former Governor who has become a convicted felon makes no sense. So many millions were diverted from the Illinois First program for political paybacks, that much of the needed, promised repairs and enhancements of our roadways and bridges were deferred to the next administration.
Public improvements should be done on the basis of need determined by engineering standards no matter who is in office.
Comment by plutocrat03 Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:21 pm
- Lainer -
Interesting slant, but I think they have tests both in English or Spanish - diversity stuff. Try talking to a Chicago Cabbie and understanding what he is saying Or if he even understands you beyond your telling him the destination. Still, Ryan’s not the guy that directed bribes be pursued. Sure his campaign people from Fawell on down put a lot of pressure on employees for fundraising. My comment re Paul Powell was to show how long this corruption has been going on, not to excuse it.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:31 pm
Plutocrat,
What millions were diverted to whom? Which repairs and enhancements that were supposed to be part of the program never happened?
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:44 pm
“The governor’s office under Ryan actually allowed the agency heads to make most of the decisions having to do with their agencies.”
I don’t really see a problem with directing policy through the bureaucracy in addition to through the pulpit.
It seems that Georgie seemed to think his job as Governor was the giving out of gifts, not governing the State. That is why he let the agencies have free reign.
There was an old adage among the tax-eaters back in the day - If you got your meeting with the Governor, you got your million.
Comment by John Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 12:57 am
Bill
All your ranting and raving lack any sense of objectivity. Come clean, you are Blago! lol
Comment by MOON Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:32 am