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*** UPDATED x1 *** If you weren’t depressed before…
Thursday, Aug 12, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller * I’ll bet he’s having the time of his life. From a late-afternoon Tweet by Susan Berger…
Words fail me. *** UPDATE - 4:37 pm *** The jury has left the building and won’t return until Monday.
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- Independent - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:49 pm:
Rod must be nailing all the questions on Hair Bands.
- BluegrassBoy - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:50 pm:
Hopefully this guy will be the life of the party in Cellblock D this time next year.
- Really?? - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:51 pm:
Why are they even still there? Go home to your children!
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:52 pm:
There’s a feeling that the jury could do something today, or may send another note, so they’re waiting around.
- Just Observing - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:53 pm:
Is it that bad that they are passing the time? I mean they don’t need to act somber the whole time.
- shore - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:55 pm:
why do they get friday’s off?
- Tom B. - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:57 pm:
I’m with Shore on this one. Keep their butts in the room and get this thing over with.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:57 pm:
This is like one of the Reality TV Shows they were on!!
- South of I-80 - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:57 pm:
I wonder why they aren’t playing twister instead?
- John Bambenek - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:58 pm:
Some new media type should be getting video of that for youtube.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:59 pm:
This happens all the time at federal court. I remember a gaggle of reporters playing poker with Jimmy Marcello, Joey Lombardo and Frank Calabrese too. I think I saw John Burge playing chess with somebody from one of the TV stations (snark).
Please, please, please tell us the names of any reporters who are playing 80s Trivia with these clowns. They need to be publicly shamed.
- the Patriot - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 2:59 pm:
Blago on Bonnie Hunt next week, “I mean it was freaking golden, the prosecutors and even Fitz are pacing the halls all worried, and I am down here totally dominating the 80’s trivia, knowing I got nothin to worry about.” “It was golden baby I tell you golden!”
- IrishPirate - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:01 pm:
Twister?!
The image that puts into my mind is disturbing.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:03 pm:
Maybe they should be playing Clue instead?
“Colonel Blago, er, Mustard did it in the campaign office, er, library with a phone, I mean, revolver.”
- flabergasted - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:03 pm:
I am glad its not Monopoly or Clue
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:04 pm:
With the jury taking another Friday off, they seem to be emulating Rod’s work ethic. No wonder they’re having such a hard time convicting him of anything.
- Been There - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:06 pm:
===I’m with Shore on this one. Keep their butts in the room and get this thing over with. ====
Yea, I don’t think they have given enough of the ir time. What, its only been since June that they have traveled down to the federal building. Heck, I think they even took Fridays off during the trial. I want that job. I even think they get about $17.50 a day. If you pack a lunch and take the CTA you can pocket some nice cash for the small amount of time they put in. Sign me up for the next one.
- Hunterdon - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:06 pm:
I hope the jury isn’t dragging this thing into next week, with a day off to enjoy tomorrow. The judge needs to lock ‘em in the room until they’re done. Of course, the jury is probably ready to finish this off late this afternoon anyway.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:07 pm:
OK - here’s some trivia for them!
Q - Who was the 1980’s Secretary of the Treasury to serve time in prison?
Q - Name the investigation involving influence peddling and bribery of Cook County Circuit Court judges.
Q - Name the Illinois District Judge found guilty of bribery, conspiracy, income-tax evasion, mail fraud and perjury in connection with money he earned from racetrack stock while governor.
Q - Name the Illinois state official sentenced to 15 years in jail after serving as Illinois Treasurer.
Q - Which Illinois state representative from Chicago plea-bargained his way into a guilty plea due to “Operation Greylord” only to serve probation?
Q - Name the only governor in Illinois history to be impeached and removed from office.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:08 pm:
It’s like being stuck in an enclosed space because of a power failure or lockdown. Everybody becomes friends for the duration.
- And I Approved This Message - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:10 pm:
Stockholm Syndrome. Although it’s hard to tell whether it’s the reporters and producers, or Patti and Rod, who are suffering from it. Either way it’s really stunning that the media members are participating.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:11 pm:
Q. Name the FIRST Illinois governor to be arrested while in office?
- Concern Citizen - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:12 pm:
Now that we have an idea that this “guy” is getting away with most of these things what about his underlings. Has it been so long ago about the Deputy Diector’s at DCFS and the infamous Deputy DIrector from there that resigned in shame for funneling tens of thousands of dollars into his company. We could go on and on but many are still in policy making postions and the ones like I mentioned should be punished. I realize the government was going after the “Big Tuna” but there were so many that did wrong that it is a sin the government should look the other way. Shame shaME Fritz’s for not only letting the “Big One” get away but allowing all the sharks to also go untouched
- Been There - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:15 pm:
===Either way it’s really stunning that the media members are participating===
Something tells me its not Paul Mienike or Carol Marin who are playing. Maybe Amy Jacobson if she is still free-lancing.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:16 pm:
1980s trivia, eh? I’ve got one that seems appropriate for the setting, occasion and days news:
In 1989, what Dem powerbroker and former (I presume) friend of Rod was indicted in Operation Greylord on federal felony charges of taking bribes as a court clerk, but beat the rap in his Dirksen Building trial after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict?
He later avoided a retrial by pleading guilty to a misdemeanor tax charge and has gone on to bigger and better things.
Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
- shore - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:19 pm:
I think of several more arduous government jobs than sitting in an air conditioned room for 3 months without any sort of evaluation over your job performance. They get weekends off. Finish the job.
- KeepSmiling - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:21 pm:
Those producers/reporters may get some exclusive interviews, too. And let me tell you, Rod is going to be a RED HOT ITEM once the jury returns a complete verdict.
Trivia Pursuit play reports? SCORE! The distant judgmental reporters? BYE BYE.
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:23 pm:
80’s trivia?
How many; and what percentage of the popular vote did John Anderson receive in the 1980 Presidential General Election?
How many votes were cast in Illinois in the 1980 Presidential General Election?
How many votes did Ronald Reagan receive?
How many votes did Jimmy Carter receive?
How many votes did John Anderson receive?
What percentage of the vote did John Anderson receive in Illinois, and what percentage did that represent of his nationwide total?
How many write in votes were cast by democrats for Billy Carter instead of Jimmy?
Come on now; how many Republicans later on actually wrote in Fred Edgar’s name instead of Jim?
How many wanted to; but chose not to do so?
- Secret Square - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:26 pm:
Q. In the three presidential elections held during the 1980s, was Illinois a “blue” or a “red” state?
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:28 pm:
They haven’t done the wire fraud cases–this is going to next week whether they meet tomorrow or not. And probably the week after that so don’t be so antsy.
This is a complex case and with a jury that’s not used to dealing with complex scenarios and giving them time to attend to their real jobs/lives will make them more able to stay fresh and think through this entire case.
There is no reason to lock them in a room until they finish. The point isn’t to rush a decision, but to get to a just one supported by the facts. It took a half a day for a jury I was on to decide an open and shut case. A day a count on a case like this wouldn’t be entirely crazy.
- D.P. Gumby - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:30 pm:
Sounds like this blog is turning on the jury!
- Amalia - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:31 pm:
I think I just hear WBBM radio say that Patti is knitting.
ah, the Mell family has their very own madame de farge
- Niles Township - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:31 pm:
Should reporters really be playing a trivia game with the subject of their story?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:31 pm:
What 1980 Barbra Streisand album was co-produced by Barry Gibb?
- Commonsense in Illinois - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:33 pm:
Ya just got to wonder what Wyma and Monk are thinking right now…
- Jake L - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:38 pm:
I feel like Perez Hilton, but I was in line to get into the court yesterday and saw some two of the young reporters playing this game. I have no idea what organization they were from but they were very chatty with Mary Ann Ahern. SNEEDLING!
- The Mighty Swan - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:39 pm:
That makes me so angry. I don’t know why I hate this guy so much. Maybe I’m mad at myself for voting for him originally. He’s set our state back further than Bush did to our country.
- Blag-anon - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:41 pm:
He’s gonna walk.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:49 pm:
The answer to Word’s question is: Who is State Sen. James DeLeo?
- kitty herself - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:49 pm:
knit one, pearl two
pu-leeeeze
- just sayin' - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:50 pm:
oh cut him some slack, I can nearly guarantee he’ll be going away for awhile soon enough. I don’t see him beating the rap on everything. The G holds too many cards.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:53 pm:
–Q - Who was the 1980’s Secretary of the Treasury to serve time in prison?–
Gee, VMan, I don’t think William Miller, Don Regan, Jim Baker or Nick Brady served time in prison.
I got one for you — What 1980s president said “facts are stupid things?”
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:54 pm:
Pipe the “Simonized” video into the jury room. That oughta speed play.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 3:55 pm:
Check out the big brain on Secret Square! You are correct, sir.
- dznuts - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:01 pm:
It’s all for show — appearance of not being worried. Guess the testicular virility has reared its ugly head again.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:02 pm:
I think Cincinnatus has it right. Play the Simon video in thirty minute intervals, they’ll be done in two days.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:13 pm:
“You are correct, sir”
Actually, it should be “ma’am.” Now, how about Charley Weaver for the win?
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:16 pm:
Meanwhile; jurors have started to straighten their papers, check their pocket train schedules, text their spouses about dinner, or to get a reminder about what time their kid’s game or event is, and at what park.
They should be heading out for the weekend shortly, and any momney left on the Trivial Pursuit tables will have to be added up; locked up, and carried over for the weekend until next week?
Are any of them capable at math? Who among them do you think is trustworthy enough to safeguard the score sheet, let alone the stakes pool?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:20 pm:
Pardon me, Madame Secret Square.
In answer to your question, Illinois was GOP all the way in the 1980s presidential elections — Reagan, Reagan, Bush. I can’t remember which party is blue or red.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:23 pm:
–I remember a gaggle of reporters playing poker with Jimmy Marcello, Joey Lombardo and Frank Calabrese too.–
That strikes me as a real bad idea, even for funsies. Frank C., in particular, seemed to be a sore loser.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:25 pm:
Since at least the 1980 election, red has meant Republican and blue Democrat. This, of course, was based on the colors used by the Big Three networks to light up each state on their Election Night electoral vote toteboards.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:30 pm:
I know that having “red” mean Republican seems kinda backwards for us Baby Boomers who were brought up to think of red as the color of Commies/pinkos/leftists, but that’s how it is.
- Publius - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:35 pm:
Jury left for the weekend.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:36 pm:
In 1976, those colors were reversed, but Democrats didn’t like being considered red, and knowing the Networks, they happily obliged the Democrats and switched the colors.
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:40 pm:
Looks like I win the prize in the jury departure pool contest.
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:42 pm:
Red v. Blue
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:45 pm:
VMan, who was that Secretary of the Treasury in the 80s who went to prison, anyway? It was your top question, don’t leave us in suspense.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 4:47 pm:
Thanks for pointing us to the Wiki page Cinci, it’s a better version of history than the one imagined by VanillaMan.
VM, is everything a liberal conspiracy in your world? Who else is out to get you?
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 5:01 pm:
Stop being so blue.
- Vibes - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 5:12 pm:
VM, if you mean STATE Treasurer, you’re just a bit off, as Cosentino was sentenced to home confinement.
Cosentino, Jerry (c.1932-1997) — of Palos Heights, Cook County, Ill. Democrat. Illinois state treasurer, 1979-83, 1987-91; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1980; candidate for secretary of state of Illinois, 1982, 1990. Pleaded guilty to bank fraud in April 1992; fined $5,000, and sentenced to nine months home confinement. Died of a heart attack, in Naples, Collier County, Fla., April 3, 1997. Burial location unknown.
- Reddbyrd - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 5:30 pm:
Wordslinger
Deleo
And he is still part of the stats in that mope Dick Simpson’s famous “study”
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 5:46 pm:
The Blago people still working for the State are praying for a “victory” and if that happends all of those deputy directors or policy makers at DCFS, IDOT, Tollway, etc., etc. will think that nothing can stop them and then go and screw up the State some more. If Blago walks, heaven help us……
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 6:06 pm:
So, I assume that Elvis left the building when the jury recessed for their three-day weekend.
- Amalia - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 6:31 pm:
re Irv Miller on Channel 2, very bad day for the prosecution.
if the Feds get a guilty on the count re the selling of the seat,
no retrial, otherwise, retrial.
no fridays….someone on the jury must have a summer house.
- flabergasted - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 7:09 pm:
I do not think we should disparge this jury. I think they planned to be there thru November, so let them take a day off. This should let them deliberate with fresh minds. And @ Blue dog-you have hit the nail on the head. It will be worse.
- Anonymous ZZZ - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 7:46 pm:
flabergasted, I agree. For pete’s sake, they’re deciding this man’s fate, it’s not something they should rush just because some of us are getting impatient. If Rod is found guilty on some of the charges and faces prison time, does it really matter if they come to that decision tomorrow vs. 3 weeks from now? Besides, the charges and the instructions are complicated - if they need time to wade through it all, they should take whatever time they need.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 7:53 pm:
Blue dog - Are u kidding me? Please explain how these blago people r gonna run wild?? If Brady wins they won’t have a job anyway. And hopefully Quinn will get rid of them if he wins
- Illannoyed - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 8:05 pm:
Give the jury a break. Have you never served on a jury? It’s stressful being trapped day after day with people not of your choosing, and you don’t go to bathroom without an escort. On top of it, this jury is wading through some very complex legal language. Why should they hurry just to please those of us who would like a verdict? This is serious business.
- Quizzical - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 10:26 pm:
Maybe there’s punishment in being tried to hung juries over and over and over — and if that’s what the feds have to do, I’m all for it.
- Patrick McDonough - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 11:26 pm:
Scott Lee Cohen had a nice interview at Can-Tv earlier in the month. It is on chicago clout website. Rich are you interested in hosting Scott September 3? Thanks Pat.
- Ghost of John Brown - Thursday, Aug 12, 10 @ 11:52 pm:
You know, this might be a good thing. Maybe we could start a collection and buy a dozen or so board games for our legislators. Think about it - they could spend their time playing board games instead of thinking up goofy new laws.