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Question of the day
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller * The month since Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s arrest has been somewhat of a blur to me, and perhaps others as well. What is the single event of the past several weeks that sticks out in your mind the most? Why?
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- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:02 am:
The gov jogging in circles, because it reminded me of the state’s current direction.
- BandCamp - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:06 am:
When RRB said at his last press conference, “I’ll answer your questions in a minunte…” and then BOLTED out the door. After parading those people out in front of the cameras. His defiant attitude on display once again, in the face of numerous polls that say, “LEAVE. NOW.” Yet he continues to tout he work for the people.
That sticks to me like a wet…you-know-what…and it stinks. Bad.
- aqui, alli, alla - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:09 am:
Seeing his daughter walk out the gate into the car before school one morning. This is not how she should remember her youth. I can’t help but think her father is acting in his own self-interest by remaining in office after all that’s gone down this past month. He doesn’t seem to have taxpayers in mind nor his own family in mind. Additionally, that rat picture will forever be remembered.
- downstate demo - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:12 am:
Blago’s last press conference where he proved without a doubt that he really believes that he is doing right and Madigan is the devil.
This Governor can not be removed from office fast enough.
Second best wa SNL with Blago trying to sell Lincoln’s wedding ring with hand included at a congressional hearing.
- Skeeter - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:16 am:
I was in Mexico City — perhaps the most corrupt city in the world — when the story broke and having my local counsel translate the headline on the lead story in their paper ripping Illinois for corruption.
I was in a city where I could not drink the water, assumed every cop was on the take, and was concerned about my own safety in leaving the hotel, but the people of Mexico City were mocking my home for corruption.
And feeling — THIS NEEDS TO END NOW!
On that note, I give the Illinois House a ton of credit for quickly moving forward on impeachment. Hopefully, everybody will get the message.
- Bill Baar - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:16 am:
The guv reciting poems. He’s a charismatic politican and it’s a tragedy he couldn’t have used these skills to lead instead of enrich.
- Just My Opinion - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:17 am:
I feel extremely sorry for those two young girls who didn’t ask to be born into this hugely dysfunctional family.
- Concerned Observer - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:17 am:
You’re right, it has been a blur.
I think for me, it’s the moment I saw the first breaking news report (online, I think from the Trib) that Blagojevich would appoint Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate. The whole crazy train jumped the tracks at that point, for me. It went beyond “wow” to “you cannot be serious” for the first, and so far only, time.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:17 am:
Seeing the e-mail from the Chicago Tribune entitled: “Gov. Blagojevich Arrested” and initially thinking it was spam. lol
- Snowball - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:18 am:
The state stopped paying all medical claims last September; the providers (doctors, etc.) are now starting to refuse treatment until they are paid. It seems no one knows about this. How far is Illinois from bankruptcy?
- Down South - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:19 am:
On December 9th at 5:35 p.m. after hearing on the CBS new of The Gov. Blagolevich’s arrest my 8 year old daughter teary eyed asking me “Why did they arrest our Governor”. Then I had to tell her he must have done something very bad.
- IMBack - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:23 am:
Two things: (1) the rat picture; and (2) my husband telling me that the Governor was being arrested and my reaction was “don’t tease me like that.”
- sal-says - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:26 am:
Seeing the Burris mausoleum pictures. Wow, an ego to match any in the State for another small time guy.
- sad - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:26 am:
Watching hi recite the poems. If you look closely, you can see how proud he is of himself in reciting these. I think one of his strongest skills is memorization and he seems to believe that these poems make him look smart.He’s like a little kid. He has no perspective on what’s really going on.
- sal-says - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:26 am:
By the way, Rich; thanks for all the work you do.
- Deep South - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:32 am:
Getting that email from the Trib that the Gov had been arrested. Man, I had to look at the subject line five or six times before I really understood what it said….then opening the email for details. Now that was a brain-jolter!
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:33 am:
The governor of Illinois appearing before a federal judge on a criminal complaint in a black jogging suit like some Grand Avenue wiseguy after a bookmaking pinch. Incredible and appropriate at the same time.
- Central_IL_farm_boy - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:33 am:
I agree with “6 Degrees”. The Governor going for a jog as the House voted on impeachment stood out for me because it emphasized the total disdain he has for the House and the constitutional processes of government.
- Sore Stomach - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:35 am:
Stepping down from the podium after giving a speech in D.C. and having a few members of the audience cluster around holding their iPhones/Blackberries and saying “your Governor has been arrested.” It was like a kick to the stomach.
- Cookie Monster - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:35 am:
This last press conference , when talking about his healthcare intitives, after trying to extort a $50,000 donation from Children’s Hospital, in exchange for the $8 million appropriated funds
- Mommy - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:37 am:
Rod in his jogging suite, with his hair looking perfect.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:38 am:
For me it was the Tribune Headline the day it he was arrested. The other one was during the vote and debate of the House Impeachment.
Note to Pat Quinn, there are still a lot of Blago “thugs” still in state agencies, there needs to be a thorough cleaning!!!
- 2010 - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:39 am:
The the thing that sticks out the most was when the BBC reported on the Governor’s arrest and referenced the affidavit. The whole world knew about our State’s mess.
- Anon - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:50 am:
Christmas. Although it wasnt quite the same this year, it was the one day when the “blur” cleared and I realized what is important — friends and family. I had to crack the shell around my brain to realize that there is a whole other world out there where this isnt the center of the universe. It was during those times, whether at church, or walking down Michigan Avenue, I felt the spirit of the season and truly believed that things would be better eventually. I also realized that my worst time at Christmas is far better than the best that many may experience.
I have so much to be thankful for. I try to remember that every day and treat others accordingly.
- Ahem - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:52 am:
Seeing him blithering around at the tree-lighting ceremony like an attention-hungry goony bird.
- scoot - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:52 am:
Notre Dame winning the Hawaii Bowl!!
- Scooby - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:52 am:
This was by far the most bizzare part of the whole process.
- GOP gal - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:57 am:
I remember seeing a friend’s facebook status message talking about the Governor getting arrested on December 9th. I immediately thought he was being sarcastic…until I saw another…and another!
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:58 am:
==Seeing the e-mail from the Chicago Tribune entitled: “Gov. Blagojevich Arrested” and initially thinking it was spam. lol==
Like, Rod’s thinking the call from the FBI on the day of the arrest was a joke. All I could think of was James Mason in “Lolita,” taking a call that his wife had been run over by a car, “Is this a joke? Is this one of the fellows from the country club?”
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:59 am:
The reactions of the people in my agency as they arrived at work after hearing the news of the gov’s arrest. That was an “up” day for them!
- bored on 1 - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:59 am:
On Monday, the 29th of December, on my way home from a fun day at the Capitol, I saw a horse get hit by a car.
The fence was broken that kept the horses corraled, and it just bolted into traffic.
I stayed with the horse, along with two very professional State Police officers, until the vet arrived to put the horse to sleep.
In light of all that has gone on within the State and its inner workings in the last month, this still bothers me more than anything our bone-headed governor has done.
At least the horse knew enough to lie down and allow itself to be taken to a better place.
Take a hint, Rod.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 10:59 am:
Being in training with folks from around the country on the 9th after telling them on the 8th how our governor was going to be arrested soon…
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:00 am:
Single event was RRB saying at the Roland Burris announcement that he has been enjoying all of the attention of the last few weeks. That says it all.
- Blago Sphere - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:01 am:
When Bobby Rush appeared “unexpectedly”, and used the term “lynch” when referring to his efforts to have the media and the public separate their opinions of th Governor and Burris, who would be the only African American serving in the U.S. Senate.
It was at that point for me that the final outcome of this Shakespearian tragedy was pre-determined. How the plot unfolded from there; and all the twists and turns that it took along the way could never have been imagined on the day of the first press conference announcing the appointment.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:04 am:
Hearing the Gov. was arrested was memorable, but when they said he was trying to sell the Senate seat, that really floored me. I’ll never forget reading the USA’s complaint and the list of official acts the Gov. was attempting to sell, but hearing the allegation that he was selling the senate seat, that is the single moment that stands out above the rest of the surreal month.
- Lefty Lefty - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:05 am:
That first “interview” in Blago’s jogging outfit on his porch will go with me to my grave. Jogging “keeps love in your heart.” Yeesh. It’s similar to Bush’s statement a while back about terrorists followed by “now…watch this drive.” The detachment some “leaders” can achieve is astounding.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:09 am:
It was watching the President-Elect lie to the press that he never spoke to Blagojevich about his Senate replacement. Watching him parse, hem and haw over questions involving Blagojevich made me ill.
- Suzanne - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:17 am:
Burris’ mausoleum. I thought it was a joke, that someone had had some fun with Photoshop. When I got it that the mausoleum was actually real, I was a bit frightened, it made me think that this enterprise was no longer a manned mission…
- SouthernGirl - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:23 am:
Whooping in my car on the way to work when I heard on NPR that he’d been taken into Federal custody — and that he thought the call informing him of his arrest was a joke of some sort.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:26 am:
The single event for me was seeing Blagojevich emerge from his arrest wearing his jogging suit. The Feds even said they gave him time to get ready (and Harris wore a suit) but Rod didn’t change into anything else. For me that really made a statement about what he thought about the process….like it happened every day or something.
- Jake from Elwood - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:41 am:
Running in place vigorously. . .fetal position. . .running in place vigorously. . .fetal position.
Physical fitness > Mental fitness.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:45 am:
The incredibly sad images of the ov’s children. I keep thinking about how young they are, and how these events will forever shape and effect their lives.
- Speaking at Will - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:50 am:
Gov’s Children, looks on thier faces. Terrible.
- HoBoSkillet - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:51 am:
Bill’s one word reaction to the governors arrest - “WHOOPS!”
- Missing Springfield - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:52 am:
(I work for an international justice organization that goes after dictators) - My 5 yr old son asking me if I had given the police the evidence to arrest the Governor.
- Prairie Sage - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 12:00 pm:
Receiving an email at 830 am saying “Blago got picked” and knowing immediately that it meant “arrested” not “nominated for Ambassador to Serbia”.
- Toni H. - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 12:04 pm:
I had been monitoring all the activity for the last few months like everybody else. On the morning of 12/9 I was busy taking care of my granddaughter - naturally watching Dora! My sister-in-law called and asked my husband if “she is all over it?” He said “all over what?” She then told us - I was up in a flash and REFRESHED MY CAPITOL FAX BLOG site!!!! OMG - Praise God from who all blessings flow!! Finally, my prayers were answered with what I ASKED FOR! It was a Up day for me for sure.
- Doc - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 12:08 pm:
Quote: “I’ve got nothing but sunshine hanging over me.”
- Blago 12/8/08
Fetal Position - 12/9/08
- Cheswick - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 12:33 pm:
That big red suitcase and how the governor seemed to be clutching it to his chest. (Maybe that last part was just my imagination.)
- id - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 12:34 pm:
still in awe of his mind set that he thought (still thinks?) he could run for president unbleeping believable
- ChampaignDweller - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 12:48 pm:
Watching Burris say that all he wants is to serve the people of Illinois.
- ChampaignDweller - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 12:48 pm:
Oh, and that Burris is humbled by his appointment!
- Anonymous Coward - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 1:17 pm:
The late-night comedic exposure…
Last night, “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central gave us another:
Scumdog Million-hairs
- Kevin Fanning - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 1:30 pm:
Awaking from my deep sleep to a phone call from Rich Miller frantically telling me that the Guv had just been taken into custody, and laughing thinking it was a joke. His response sounded something like, “It’s no joke dude. Get up and get cracking on those morning shorts; it’s going to be a busy day.” And it was.
- Been There - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 1:43 pm:
===HoBoSkillet - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:51 am:
Bill’s one word reaction to the governors arrest - “WHOOPS!”===
Have to agree. Had me laughing all day. Maybe for a couple.
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 1:44 pm:
Roland Burris on the ROe Conn show. He was oddly defensive and hostile..despite the fact that Roe Conn is easy-going and more comedic than serious. He should have taken the chance to be humble (lol) and put people at ease.
- EmptySuitParade - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 1:48 pm:
Toss-up
1.Listening to all available pre 12-9 audio for StateWideTom and TugBoat Andy calling for the special elections.
2. Listening to the gasps from GOPs when it as suggested Bill Cellini come to impeachment hearing. They begged for the idea to go away
- Captain Flume - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 2:01 pm:
Bleep
- Captain America - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 2:37 pm:
Larry Sabato’s quote from Robert Peen Warren’s novel, All the King’s Men, with reference to Blago:
” Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption from the stink of the didie to the stench of the shroud.”
This lierary allusion seems appropo to both Governor Pinocchio and the way politica in Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago has operated from the very beginning.
- Ben S. - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 2:57 pm:
Last Friday’s press conference took the cake as far as I am concerned.
- Jechislo - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 3:13 pm:
Burris
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 3:36 pm:
In addition to that initial Trib email…
I talked to my wife on the phone a couple of days after the guv’s arrest. She was visiting family in Syria. I apologized for not calling her, explaining I was extremely busy.
“Oh, I understand,” she said. “It’s all over the Arabic news channels here.”
That’s when it hit me how truly gigantic this story had become. I was floored.
Careful what you wish for.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 3:38 pm:
And one other moment…
When Speaker Madigan said after Friday’s vote, “The governor is hereby impeached.”
That sent chills down my spine. Everything was put into focus.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 3:52 pm:
Patrick Fitzgerald’s news conference detailing the charges and my realization that Blago wasn’t getting out of this one. There were some of the most prefound statements on Illinois corruption ever uttered.
- Bill - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 5:01 pm:
The conjured picture of Patti screaming,”Bleep that Cubs Bleep” in the background while Rod talked to that dipbleep Harris on the phone. If Rod had to go down I’m glad Harris went with him.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 5:04 pm:
the presser where Rod shook his finger at those present…the gall!
- Bookworm - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 5:31 pm:
Watching Barry Maram and Tami Hoffman testify before the impeachment committee. Anyone who saw that performance and had ever been to a JCAR meeting with HFS healthcare expansion rules on the agenda got a definite feeling of deja vu.
- Justice - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 5:33 pm:
The governor’s arrest at 6am in the morning….. at his home….. and being led away in handcuffs! It says a lot about how he will be portrayed in the history books.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 5:57 pm:
I am still waiting for the “single moment” - The priceless Mugshot upon booking. Lacking that, the moment I read he had been arrested was very heartwarming. Also that the US Marshalls were so thoughtful of the family that they accomplished it so uneventfully.
- transplant - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 6:22 pm:
For the last 2-years, my standing order as I left the office was, “Don’t call me unless the Governor or the Sheriff gets arrested.” The morning Blago was picked up I was getting ready to go to the courthouse for the first appearance of our former sheriff, who had been arrested the week before on charges of theft and official misconduct. When my editor called and told me Blago had been arrested I didn’t believe her … what were the chances of both men being arrested in 1-week?
- Rocketman - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 6:49 pm:
Finding out during a business trip to Shanghai that most Chinese business people I met with during the first week of 2009 were well aware of our beloved Guv and his surreal behavior.
- Southern Illinois Voter - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 6:56 pm:
Two things - my son calling me to tell me that he was fairly certain that the gov had been arrested & my thoughts of “finally” & “thank you God” and watching the gov’s “press conference” last week & thinking now everyone has to know he’s not right.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 9:11 pm:
Driving in after hearing the scoop and listening to everyone call into the Don & Roma show on the car radio. It went something like, “verified the Feds are there” to “can’t verify any more” to “we’re verifying everything” all within what seemed to be a 1-min span. Made me realize once again how communications have changed because it sounded like an AM status report at the office rather than a “breaking” news story that would filter in throughout the day.
What Aqui said, but wondering whether the impact on kids, rest of the family, and whatever supporters were left would strengthen Blago’s resolve to fight or cause him to walk away.
The Sneed column re: fetal position.
- Honest Abe - Tuesday, Jan 13, 09 @ 11:41 pm:
The University of Chicago Hospitals cutting staff and eliminating the $300,000.00 senior executive position formerly held by Michelle Obama. As the reporter noted, it does make one ask if the position was ever needed in the first place.
- Dantana - Wednesday, Jan 14, 09 @ 8:28 am:
Hearing he was arrested. Now I know how Europe felt on D-Day.