Ryan roundup
Wednesday, Nov 7, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Michael Sneed: Goodbye George
“I was innocent then and I’m innocent now … and we are still pressing ahead in our legal battle.
“But it certainly has been a 10-year nightmare.”
So the man who once wept when he met South African President Nelson Mandela — but has maintained a dry-eyed stoicism since his conviction on corruption charges — spent his final night at home, with his wife, Lura Lynn, his extended family . . . and a piece of banana cream pie.
* Mark Brown: You’re guilty Ryan an we know it
Ryan should have just kept his mouth shut if he didn’t have the sense or decency to acknowledge the error of his ways.
He should have waved at the cameras and climbed into his car and drove to Oxford, Wis., and waved once more from inside the car when he got up there.
Then, in 2012 — when the now 73-year-old former governor will get out of prison, if he lasts that long — he could have waved twice more on the way home. Fine by me.
* John Kass: Shame on Ryan–and us– for corruption
Ryan was our governor, whether you voted for him or not, and most who voted for him will have conveniently forgotten by now. I didn’t vote for him, and many of you didn’t either, but even so, shame washes over all. It stains us, collectively, because he was our governor.
The stain deepens if we pretend George Ryan’s corruption is some isolated case. He’s not the exception, but the rule among the boss hogs in Illinois politics. Ask yourself whether you think they’re in public life to give honest service to overburdened taxpayers, or to amass fortunes for their families and friends.
* Ryan’s decades of service tainted by scandalous end
There is no doubt that Ryan, 73, accomplished some big things after becoming governor in 1999.
He was the first U.S. governor to visit Cuba since Fidel Castro seized power there. He passed a major construction program to rebuild Illinois roads and bridges.
The Republican drew national attention to problems with capital punishment, even being mentioned for the Nobel Peace Prize, after he suspended executions in Illinois and emptied out death row by commuting the sentences of all 167 inmates to life in prison. He cited the risk of the criminal justice system making a grave and irreversible error.
“Why would anybody take any great satisfaction that this man is going to prison?” asked Republican state Rep. Bill Black. “He had decades of, I think, noble service.”
* Sun-Times Editorial: It’s about time ex-gov starts doing his time
* Tribune Editorial: Ryan’s gone, who’s next?
* Ryan remains defiant
* Former governor prepares to do time
* Former governor Ryan going to prison today
* Former governor Ryan leaves for prison this morning
* Prison-bound Ryan still defiant
* Chicago Public Radio: Former Gov. heads to prison
* What former governor can expect in prison
* NBC5 Videos of Ryan saga: Ryan’s statement; Daley, Blago react; Former Gov. Thompson
* Clout Street: Daley offers kind words to ex-Gov Ryan and family
* Small rural town home to federal prison
* Books, governor to arrive at prison on the same day
- What can I say? - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:04 am:
I voted for Ryan for gov the one time he ran, but I made up for it by NOT voting for hot rod twice. I’m older and smarter now.
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:28 am:
Could little chills be going up the spine of our
current governor in recent days.
And not just because he’s down in the polls. That can always be rectified before the 2010 primaries.
Maybe Lisa won’t run. And given the state of the Republicans, the primary is the only hurdle to a third term.
But George is going to jail, really, despite the $20 million plus efforts of Big Jim Thompson. And in Kentucky, Ernie Fletcher lost his bid for a second term as governor. Many attribute this at least in part to Fletcher’s in-office indictment on misdemeanor charges for what the grand jury called a “widespread plan to skirt state hiring laws.” Sounds like what the Blago administration does every day.
- Levois - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:49 am:
Kinds words or condolences for Ryan’s family almost sounds like Ryan has died or something. He’s just going to jail for a crime he was convicted of in court.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 8:13 am:
I have sympathy for Ryan that the trial he recieved was not the fair and impartial medium that should exist when we are taking away ones liberty. That said, the evidence against him was overwhelming. He needs to stop claiming he is innocent, this just mars his whole being.
- Bill - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 9:54 am:
Seeya George!
Don’t bend over to pick up the soap.
- MOON - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 10:05 am:
Bill
You are a sick person! I can only assume you are speaking from experience. Did you go in as a tight end and come out as a wide receiver ?
- R.A. - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 10:17 am:
I can’t take it anymore! The Tribune editorial board has no credibility or moral authority to pontificate on George Ryan. I wish they would just shut up.
In 1998, not only did the Trib editorial board ignore the mounting evidence against George, they absolutely disemboweled Poshard or any one else who even suggested Ryan needed to be held accountable for the license-for-bribes scandal. And, as was the Chicago media’s habit back then, the press parroted the Trib’s point of view and shook their collective finger at Poshard throughout the campaign.
Not only that, the Trib offered op/ed column space to a long succession of Rick Garcias, Newton Minnows and other liberals, all of whom announced they would vote Republican because Poshard failed one litmus test or another.
And don’t forget, the Tribune’s lead reporter on that race was Rick Pearson, who’s wife worked for George.
If John Kass wants to identify who is most responsible for the ascension of George Ryan, he need not leave the Tower.
- Anon - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 11:05 am:
I wonder if George and Mickey Segal will be poker buddies.
- Sweet Polly Purebred - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 11:29 am:
I wonder if our current governor is getting just a bit nervous??? Could that be Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald sneaking up on him on “Little Cat Feet” as Mr. Sandburg would say??
“THE fog comes on little cat feet.
It sits looking over harbor and city
on silent haunches and then moves on.”
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 11:30 am:
I don’t like what Kass says about this.
Those that support a candidate are not to blame when they turn out to be criminals. I don’t blame voters for choosing whom they choose. Kass is being an intellectual midget here.
So he didn’t vote for Ryan - that doesn’t mean he is smarter than anyone else, does it? He needs to take his elitist opinions about those who voted for Ryan and Blagojevich down several pegs.
I don’t care how right one appears when history coughs up data on someone, no one wants to read a know-it-all who wants to say I-told-you-so!
I believe in Democracy. Stop blaming the voters!
- Anon780 - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 11:42 am:
These media hand wringers are testimony why no one believes what is reported any more. Ryan’s current critics were his boosters back then. They trashed opponents, went on the trips and smoked the cigars.
THey should also get credit for giving Edgar a pass because the editors thought his MSI scam was too complicated and his horse racing hustle too confusing.
Another sad day in Illinois. Much thanks to the media for helping it all to happen.
- i d - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 1:15 pm:
I don’t care what anyone says, I am sorry for his family members and friends that may have not have benefited from him in any way and should not be blamed for his wrong doings. I’ve not heard of anyone blaming Tom Skilling for his brother’s lapses, nor should they. We all have those we love but don’t approve of.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 1:33 pm:
Rich, are you going to offer a “Free George” or “Pardon George Ryan” Tee? If so do we also get Fundraiser Tickets too?
- Shelbyville - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 1:34 pm:
The Ryan’s are dear friends of mine, but I think all that can be said has been said.
I am more worried about Thompson, than George. My gosh. Tell me that that isn’t George consoling Jim, this morning. (Trib pic, with Thompson in the car.)
- Snidely Whiplash - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 1:46 pm:
Maybe Segal can give Georgie a boost up to the top bunk. Adios, El Corrupto!
- downstater now in chicago - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 1:53 pm:
What is with this constant love afair Sneed has had with Ryan?? Please Sneed…spare us any more of your Ryan sympathy.
- nino brown - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 2:14 pm:
bill, you are not funny.
- Snidely Whiplash - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 2:49 pm:
Sneed has a love affair with most of the long-standing members of the state Dem-GOP Combine. Why is anybody’s guess.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 3:18 pm:
Just watch — commutation by Christmas.
- Cookie Monster - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 3:37 pm:
I find it very sad that while Ryan goes to prison, on the radio link, a priest is trying to avoid prison for molesting a boy, at the same time, violated probation for another molesting another child. Why are we wasting a cell on Ryan, I would rather have a child molester in jail. I’ll bet money, given the chance, the priest will do it again.
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 4:12 pm:
George Ryan’s imprisonment reminds me of one of my favorite lines from “It’s a Wonderful Life” when Mr. Potter says to Jimmy Stewart, “Happy New Year to you–IN JAIL!”
- frustrated GOP - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 4:19 pm:
At least the State functioned under George. There was a budget it was on-time and the State government didn’t look so pathotic. Corrupt, yes but not clueless. I’m still not sure which is worse.
- frustrated GOP - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 4:23 pm:
one more thing, as much as everyone hated him for doing so, If George hadn’t cleared death row throughout the state, the legislature would have never put reforms in place. He deserves credit for change to a system that both sides of the aisle refused to address.
- Levois - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 4:54 pm:
Well I belive in democracy as well and while I may not go to say democracy is perfect Kass is right we get the government we deserve. I don’t think he was being a know it all because we re-elected a man last year whom warnings weren’t required. A lot of us around here were paying attention to him before he got his second term though at least for Ryan the scandals forced him not to seek a second term.
- annon - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 5:40 pm:
You know …I’ve never seen such a display of hatred directed at one person as has been displayed in this & other passages of this ‘blog ; especially by people who didn’t even know the guy. Where’s your editing Rich ??? It’s not been a problem before with far less crass comments or remarks ?? To take so much delight in seeing someone of his stature & now his advanced age in this predicament…is unbelievable. A family is shattered & this “hangem’ high” attitude is bizarre. It’s only by the very grace of God that it’s not us. The entry “BILL @ 9:54am”….man you are perverse!
In any event God bless you George & your family. You showed strenghth & class right up to the end, a stand up guy , following the order given & did it beliving the system will somehow work.
I hope that if the time comes, these prosecuters will go after the current situation in our state capitol with the same zeal & energy as they did this.
- Anon - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 6:04 pm:
I don’t feel sorry for Tom Skilling. Is there another job where you be wrong that often and not get fired?
- just the facts - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 6:28 pm:
Anon 604 - the other job where you can be wrong that often and not get fired is held by Kass
- plutocrat03 - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:06 pm:
I can mostly agree with Kass about deserving the government we get.
The average voter seems easily fooled by a slick advertisement or swayed by some false flag negative advertising. There simply is not enough knowledge of political history fo the voter to sift through and select the most decent candidate for a position.
I have to fault the media in how they cover the political scene in general. They report the tit for tat and the occasional scandal, but they do not try to put it into a coherent context for the voters. Perhaps voters who have been here all their lives know some of the history, but every year there ar new voters who take the campaign literature at face value and often get fooled.
Furthermore there is a large number of votes cast for the candidate who ‘will do the most for me”. There simply isn’t enough money in the State coffers to fulfil that promise.
If you vote for a candidate who will give you something, consider that he will probably run out before he gets to you.
- Bill - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:24 pm:
“It’s only by the very grace of God that it’s not us.”
I can’t speak for everyone here but the fact that it is “not us” may have something to do with the fact that most of “us” have not committed any federal crimes.
If we do commit one someday I doubt that we will have Big Jim, Webb, and the rest of the dream posse at Winston and Strawn fighting to keep us out of the federal pen at no charge for almost 10 years.
George got every break, up to and including the prison officials letting him sneak in the back door today at Oxford.
I don’t think that his trial was fair and I support his bid for a new trial but in the end he got what was coming to him. He shouldn’t have done the crimes.Arrogance is a pitfall for a lot of pols who have spent their whole life at the trough. George just figured that he was too big a wheel to be brought down. After 50 years he learned the hard way.
Maybe he would have been better just being a hick drugstore owner in Kankakee.
Anyway I don’t think that he is in for that bad a time at club fed where the inmates’ only problem seems to be a lack of reading material which has been taken care of.
A little forced humility probably won’t be such a bad thing for good ol’ George.
Better late than never.
- Independent - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 7:31 pm:
I read Sneed’s piece and could feel her tears through my monitor. Expect a nauseating piece about how St. George has become a beloved grandfather figure to the inmates at Oxford.
Plutocrat’s right. Illinois elected leaders like Ryan and we deserve them.
- Anon - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 8:01 pm:
While I know what George did was wrong I still do feel sorry for him. If people really want to see him pay for what he did we should fix the criminal justice system. Having an old man sitting in “club fed” for 7 years seems silly to me. Why pay all that money for him to sit and do nothing? Lets be honest he is an old man do you really think the prison is going to have a grandpa scrub floors? Then they would be the cause of an inmate possibly having a heart attack on their hands. Why not require people like him to do community service 9-5 everyday for 7 years? Save the room in the prisons for rapists and murderers.
- annon - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 10:30 pm:
Well “Club Fed” or otherwise …it’s still prison & as to “Bill’s” comments, well it’s meant as in our walk in life , how things happen & where we’ve ended up, most of us staying on the good side of justice. Thank God it isn’t us or anyone we really know. It’s too bad it came to this for the Ryan’s.
- Just My Opinion - Wednesday, Nov 7, 07 @ 11:11 pm:
What’s really sad is that if George had plea bargained, shown some remore, apologized, not been so arrogant and obstinant, the court would probably have shown mercy on him and given him a much lesser sentence. He said last night that he could have done that and made things a lot easier on his family. Shame on him for not doing exactly that - make things easier on his family. A 73 year old guy is not going to be made to shovel snow - perhaps sling a mop on a floor but not shovel snow. Our judicial system is way out of whack. Dan Walker got sentenced to 7 years and did 1 1/2. George got 6 1/2 years and must serve 5 1/2. Justice? Blind? You bet it is. I’m not a fan or George’s but if he had only publicly said “I’m sorry for what happened to those Willis children and I will go to the ends of the earth to find out who is responsible” - well that would have gone a long way in my book. But he didn’t. Instead he dug in. I’m really sorry it has come to this but George, you asked for it. I his family is devastated. That being said though, I wish they would direct their anger to their father/husband/grandfather because had he been remorseful and not tried so hard to stay out of prison, he could have possibly already been out and back home. George, you gotta know when to hold em’ and know when to fold em’. Perhaps some of the inmates can help you be a better poker player.
- Anon - Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 9:32 am:
I think the Willis family situation is often misrepresented. The accident wasn’t caused by reckless or negligent driving (which even legally licensed drivers engage in BTW), but because a part of the truck’s undercarriage fell off and the Willises drove over it. This kind of thing could happen to any driver. I’m not sure if it’s even a commercial driver’s responsibility to maintain the truck so that won’t happen; the trucking company may have mechanics who are supposed to inspect and repair such things.
It seems that part of the cause of the accident was that the driver spoke only Spanish and did not understand when other motorists were yelling that the part was dragging. This has more to do with the immigration issue than careless driving.
This is not to say that Ryan was not guilty of what he was convicted of, but I think the Willis thing is a bit of a bum rap. It’s that kind of “but for” analysis — if he didn’t have a CDL, the accident wouldn’t have happened. But some other driver would have been driving the defective truck, and he might not have known English either.