Blagojevich roundup - It ain’t exactly pretty
Thursday, Oct 2, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The governor can’t catch a break…
Presented with a certificate from Gov. Rod Blagojevich for her 100th birthday, Skokie resident Sally Lerner, looking as vital as ever, had this to say:
“That’s very nice. I don’t like some of the stuff he does, but OK.”
Heh.
* And citizens are resorting to some unusual actions to express their grievances…
In the dark of night between Thursday and Friday, an anonymous citizen, or group of citizens, made a bold statement concerning Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s current plans to shut down or cut open hours for many of Illinois’ historical sites.
Julia Dent Grant, the proud statue next to the [Ulysses S Grant] home, was discovered on Friday morning with a bandage around her head, cotton up her nose, her arm in a makeshift sling. On her pedestal was taped a sign that read, “Thanks Gov’ner.”
* Even some Cub fans booed him last night (sensitivity warning: profanity at this link)
* Some citizens were not so successful at expressing their displeasure, perhaps because they overreached…
Although she is disappointed Oprah Winfrey and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn won’t attend the Save the Park Rally on Saturday at Gebhard Woods State Park, rally organizer Rachel Pfaff says it is not going to stop her or the community from fighting to keep the parks open.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced in August that 11 state parks and 13 historic sites would be closed to accommodate the state’s deficit. The Senate voted last week to take $221 million from dedicated accounts to restore funds to save the parks and human service programs.
The bills to dedicate and appropriate the funds are going through the process to hit the governor’s desk for approval, changes or veto.
“It still has to go on. We still have to fight this fight,” Pfaff said.
* Best Bagojevich line of the day goes to Kristen McQueary…
That hug between [Speaker] Madigan and Blagojevich at the Democratic National Convention? No doubt Madigan took a Silkwood shower afterward.
* And on a day when no new stories about the sped-up federal investigation of the governor were published, Tony Rezko was back in the news…
A federal judge on Wednesday froze more than $100,000 belonging to Antoin “Tony” Rezko, saying the money may be needed if she orders the prominent political fundraiser to forfeit a big chunk of his assets as punishment for masterminding political corruption.
“There is a substantial probability that the United States will prevail in its request for entry of a money judgment against the defendant,” U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve, who presided at Rezko’s trial, said in her order freezing the money.
* And a former deputy chief of staff who is now running for congress, Jill Morgenthaler, wasn’t exactly heaping praise on the guy at the Tribune editorial meeting this week…
Morgenthaler said Blagojevich “has been good in some areas and bad in other areas.”
* Related…
* Task force strategizes about funding cuts
- Enough is Enough! - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 10:11 am:
Now the next step in the right direction would be to freeze Rod Blagojevich’s ill-gotten assets.
- Cassandra - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 10:12 am:
From all we are hearing, Rezko made a lot more than $100,000 off his highly productive relationship with our Blago. If he only has to pay $100,000 that is hardly a deterrent for other ambitious (shall we say greedy) businesspersons to cozy up to our Blago. And when you consider the taxpayer costs of investigation and prosecuting Rezko and others, well, it’s a net minus big time for the taxpayers with this Democratic crew, just as it was under the Republicans. We are so pluckable.
- The Doc - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 10:18 am:
Apparently Sally Lerner hasn’t been riding the Pace bus for free quite yet. This photo op would have been a gimme putt for practically any other politician. Time to make a full retreat back to the bunker, governor.
- Levois - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 10:18 am:
It was funny to note that Cubs fans were booing him and he seemed almost oblivious.
- Frost - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 10:23 am:
Well, quote of the day should go to:
“The hostility with Madigan got bad in the spring,” Hassert said. “He has a tendency, if he can punish you or show you who’s boss, he will. He’s like the Italian mafia, except he’s Irish.”
- Princess - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 10:41 am:
Poor Julia, cotton up her nose? The state will be lucky is they manage to have gotten through the lay-off meetings before the sites are set to ‘close’. DNR is on the third lay-off package, three meeting dates set and canceled and as of this week a fouth try at meetings with this round shut down and canceled part way through the first day. I’m sure, well, kinda sorta maybe, sooner or later they’ll get it right. Maybe they should have not stopped taking/returning phone calls a couple weeks back.
- Old Hen - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 11:47 am:
“Cubbies Curse” lives on, ala Rod Blagojevich’s presence.
- Leave a light on George - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 12:35 pm:
Cassandra the U.S. attorney’s office does not consider whether or not they’ll make a profit before they bring a prosecution.
- Soy Milk - Formerly Known As Napoleon has left the building - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:30 pm:
Great link Rich - this line was awesome “Hey dumb***, unless your name is Bruce or Moose, there’s no way you can’t tell we’re booing you!”
Glad I wasn’t the only Cub fan who thought he had jinxed us last night. True or not, I am already pre-scouting for a scapgoat and Rod is mine for all things bad.
Comparing himself to Lou at the rally was the kiss of death. We might as well give up hope until 2108.
- Cassandra - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 1:53 pm:
Leave a light on….
And that’s not my point. My point is, by allowing
our Blago, our George Ryan and others to sponsor cronies who make out like bandits, we ignore the costs to us taxpayers of these arrangements. And it is the taxpayer who pays, even if the guilty party has to pay out a few thousand bucks. We shouldn’t feel vindicated if the guilty parties have to pay out a few thousand bucks in addition to jail time.
- Disgusted - Thursday, Oct 2, 08 @ 6:01 pm:
“Silkwood shower” - perfect line.
Re Morganthaler: She was hired on at IEMA because of the prestigeous place she previously worked (Argonne National Labs), AS A PR PERSON! She knew nothing about IEMA and didn’t even try to learn. Now she wants to be elected. Illinois’ own Sarah Palin in army boots!