The dark side of Ryan’s character
Friday, Jun 16, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
I doubt I would be so willing to forgive.
As Janet and Scott Willis promoted her new children’s book in the heart of the Cabrini-Green housing complex Thursday, the couple didn’t want the ex-governor’s name to come up.
But “A Dad’s Delight” is about forgiveness, and an inevitable question came up: Do they forgive former Gov. George Ryan, convicted this year of sweeping corruption charges?
Among them was a license-for-bribe scandal that emerged from the fiery highway deaths of six of the Willises’ nine children in 1994. The trucker responsible was an unqualified driver who received his commercial license by bribing an official in then-Secretary of State Ryan’s office.
While the answer was “yes,” said Scott Willis, a retired preacher, full forgiveness can’t be had until the ex-governor asks for it–or at least acknowledges wrongdoing.
“People ask if we’ve forgiven George Ryan for what we believe and what the jury believes that he participated in,” he said. “George Ryan needs God’s forgiveness. … I want to forgive Gov. Ryan.”
Ryan doesn’t deserve all of the blame for the deaths of those six Willis children, but he has never even accepted partial blame for running a shop that traded undeserved commercial drivers licenses for illegal campaign contributions.
- Pat Hickey - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 8:35 am:
As I recall Judge Pallmeyer made any reference to the Willis Tragedy off-limits in the ‘trial’ of Gov. George Ryan; however the court of public propaganda made great use of the Willis family through the trial and beyond. I never voted for George Ryan, but I have always found him to be an intrinsically good man. Don’t like that statement; take your response and put it where there is a lack of daylight for now.
George Ryan went on trial after a special prosecutor was shopped by Peter Fitzgerald to be U.S. Attorney, in order to ‘get’ the evil combine of Dem/Rep pols who handed him his lard over the Lincoln Museum. This same corruption scrubber allowed Karl Rove off the hook just the other day.
God bless the Willis family. This father understands loss and wishes them comfort.
As far as George Ryan is concerned, not that what I believe matters in the scheme of things, I would be proud to stand with him.
- Beowulf - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 8:43 am:
George Ryan is the “sow’s ear” that tried to become the “silk purse” that we see in Mr. and Mrs. Willis . George Ryan still doesn’t get it nor do I think he ever will. He lacks the character and integrity to feel “somewhat” responsible. Let’s face it. He still doesn’t believe that his federal conviction for a multitude of illegalities was justified. His lackeys like Dean Bauer and Fawell that enabled George to exist and even flourish will never feel responsible for their part either.
The arrogance that we continually saw in Fawell, George Ryan, and Dean Bauer is the mentality that has existed down in Kankakee County politics since the 1950s. It is all about self-enrichment through state and county politics. It is considered to be normal down there. That is why these guys are stupified when we accuse them of abusing their power and their public office. They rationalize that what they do is okay because that is just how things are done in Illinois politics. There is no such thing as accountability for one’s actions when in state political office. They are in an elite group of “made men”.
- Shelbyville - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 8:50 am:
I would trust George Ryan with my last dollar. I can’t say that I would even trust the current governor with a cent.
- Julie - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 1:25 pm:
George Ryan is not responsible for the deaths of those 6 children and for anyone to think that is disgusting. And to say he has never taken partial responsibility for what happens is also not true. When Ryan was secretary of state I attended one of his press conferences, when this was all coming out and he did take responsibility for this happening under his watch. But in all fairness - That sort of thing has been going on during every administration. I’m not saying it’s right but that’s the way it is. No he doesn’t take responsibility for the 6 horrible deaths because - who would? I’m sure my next statement is going to upset everyone but - I wonder how closely they were following the van when the part fell off and hit their van. George Ryan, I believe, is a great man. He may not have surrounded himself with the best people - I admit, but to blame him for such a tragic crash that killed 6 children is just evil. The God loving Willis’s should understand that no one - even George Ryan would wish that kind of tragedy on anyone.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 1:32 pm:
I believe in forgiveness, it’s the only way to move forward with your life without holding grudges and resentment. Holding grudges and resentment only affects you as a person and your dealings and interactions with others.
I would forgive George Ryan and I believe that the Willis’ have take the right approach.
However, without an admission of guilt or innocense, I believe that George Ryan, who was Governor when the accident happened as a result of improprieties and criminal violations in the SOS office, should offer a public appology for not governing with more discernment and for failing to vigorously root out corruption in the SOS office. That’s all the Willis’ are asking for, not an admission of guilt or innocense.
- Lovie's Leather - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 2:08 pm:
See this is why I don’t read the Trib. Getting six-year-old news today. Don’t care about George Ryan. He was corrupt, he was convicted, he is gonna go to jail. It is all wrapped up in a nice little package. Why rehash the past now when everyone needs to be getting ready for november?
- Anon - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 2:10 pm:
This is a truly disgusting set of posts, reflecting far more about the character of those who hang out here that about any of the subjects involved. Our own Illinois-based Anne Coulters. I can’t stand what Gov Blagojevich has done over the past 3 years, but folks on this site hold him responsible for every uncleared path in a state park, every questionable hire in an IDOT outpost in Hicksville and every questionable opinion held by an appointee to an obscure state commission.
So it is absolutely justified to hold Gov Ryan accountable for the climate of corruption in his offices that led to dangerous people being licensed and ultimately, the Willis tradegy.
I couldn’t give a wit whether Ryan is a nice guy. He’s responsible. Stop being apologists for him.
- One Man Can Make A Difference - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 2:25 pm:
- Lovie’s Leather - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 2:08 pm:
See this is why I don’t read the Trib. Getting six-year-old news today. Don’t care about George Ryan. He was corrupt, he was convicted, he is gonna go to jail. It is all wrapped up in a nice little package. Why rehash the past now when everyone needs to be getting ready for november?
It’s not over with Lovie Leather, there are motions pending I believe and an appeal on it’s way.
- Walking Wounded - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 3:48 pm:
That’s it, Julie, blame the victims of the tragedy for possibly following too closely? After the crash, Ryan was given ample opportunity to have the matter investigated, but he didn’t. Underlings brought the issues of corruption up to him on numerous occasions. He had his lead henchman, Dean Bauer, cover up the facts that CDLs were sold to the highest bidders out of the license facilities. Yes, this is old news, but if Ryan’s staff wasn’t so corrupt, the Willis children would still be alive.
BTW, Anonymous 1:32, Ryan was Secretary of State when the crash happened.
- annon. in central illinois - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 3:48 pm:
George Ryan is NOT responsible for the deaths of those children …directly nor indirectly. Though it was terrible tragedy by anyone’s standard that I would wish for noone….George Ryan is NOT responsible. Who is responsible is the official, line staff at the obscure license station or whom ever took it upon himself/ herself to take a bribe, violate the confidence of not only his/ her employer but the people of Illinois. The Sec’ty of States office is quite large with many divisions & thousands of employees. I’m sure there are {as with most agencies} rules & regulations to follow. This employee in question chose not to follow them & the net consequence was an ill-qualified driver on the street & then a chance of fate where this tragedy occurred. If George is guilty of so called “”corruption”" of his office then so be it. A court of law found that the case & he was convicted, all or nothing. But, as a result noone can in good conscience can loop everything, the actions of many others, beyond his direct control, , some of which had or have worked for this specific agency perhaps for years ,can accuse Mr. Ryan of this act as he wasn’t there, he didn’t issue the license & he didn’t take the bribe. There are unscrupulous people in every walk of life or profession. Mr. Ryan is not guilty of killing innocent children simply by his being the agency administrator. Unfortunately people break the law, some never get caught & some do as a result of tragedies like this.
If that’s the case, where’s the apology from our illustrious governor who’s in the midst of corruption & scandal…perhaps not by his own making !? He’s “bankrupt” our state, where’s his apology.. Can’t have it both ways folks !!!
- Merlin - Friday, Jun 16, 06 @ 7:13 pm:
Of course George Ryan is not directly responsible for the death of the Willis children, but the job performance of the head of an organization transcends direct responsibility. If corruption is tolerated or even encouraged at the top it flows throughout the entire agency.
When employees know the bosses are stealing and getting away with it they look for theirs too. They become part of a corrupt system flourishing on ill gotten gains. Supervisors who have their own scams are forced to accept underling’s transgressions under threat of exposing their own misdeeds.
After a certain period this becomes the acceptable way of getting things done. No better example of this was the Cook County Court System. Bribery was rampant and if you were ever convicted of a traffic offense from DUI to blowing a stop sign you were raised on mars.
How many people were killed and injured, how much property was destroyed and cars damaged by drunks who had no business driving? The judges and lawyers who took the bribes were not directly responsible, but they sure should be accountable.
- T.J. - Saturday, Jun 17, 06 @ 3:08 am:
George Ryan cannot be responsible for any death because he ended the death penalty and I am like totally proud of him.
- anon - Saturday, Jun 17, 06 @ 7:56 am:
I guess that’s why they have foreman, managers, areas managers, divisional directors ect., ect. & I doubt that the employee in question said to himself one day “”well the boss is doing it”; he/she figured away to do it & for a time got by with it . Somebody taking a bribe you can almost bet started small & has been consistent then progressivly increasing that activity knowing how{apparently} not to be detected or caught. If it was an employee of 20 years plus meant they’d probably been doing this over several administrations Dem & GOP. SOS is largely a service oriented agency. With what is maybe 12, 000-15, 000 employees at SOS & the hierarchy that wasn’t “watching the ball”, by the time it got to the “top shed” it was way too late. Question ? where were all the foreman, managers, area managers & directors in all this ???? Oh !! I know none of them was the Sect’y or Gov. George is not responsible directly & the blame starts with the bribe taker(s)& works up. With several thousand folks at SOS ANY Sect’y of State , GOP or Dem, would have to depend on subordinate staff to report & try to “weed out” the bad ones. Pretty hard to exactly know what’s going on in the facility in a small town 100’s of miles from Springfield. I’m sure that this is not the first time & with the very unfortunate circumstances makes it more apparent that tighter rules need to be implemented & I’m sure that’s the case. But, you can’t regulate or legislate morality ?? Just try your best & if you nail them take it to the full extent of the law. George’s problems we’re at the top, perhaps surrounding himself with greedy people anxious to take power…time will tell but you cannot blame the direct action of one lowly suborinate to the cheif executive.