Question of the day
Thursday, Oct 12, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Wut…
* From the link…
Study Group with Congressman Rodney Davis: Political Prisoner or Not? You Decide
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Illinois is know for sending Governors to prison. The last two, one Democrat and one Republican, maintain that they were treated unfairly. Students can listen to one of them and determine if his convictions are another example of a two tiered justice system in this country or not.
GUEST: Rod Blagojevich, Former IL. Governor, will join Resident Fellow, Congressmen Rodney Davis, in-person for the October 17 session.
AUDIENCE: These conversations are open to members of the Harvard community. Please RSVP with a valid Harvard email address.
OFF-THE-RECORD: In keeping with our long tradition at the IOP to ensure honest and candid discussions of politics, all IOP study groups are off-the-record.
* The Question: Your predictions of Rodney’s questions and RRB’s answers?
- George Ryan Reynolds - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 12:48 pm:
(extreme Blago voice)
Heyyyyy. How are ya?
(shoehorns in 1968 Cubs starting lineup)
- Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 12:48 pm:
The first liar doesn’t stand a chance.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 12:49 pm:
Rodney: So Rod, I understand Mike Madigan once chaired your election campaign.
Rod: Who?
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 12:50 pm:
Can you believe we’re both here at Harvard? Me neither.
- Stuck in Celliniland - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 12:52 pm:
RD: Do Amy and Annie need jobs? McDonald’s is hiring.
RB: Oh look, a kitty.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 12:52 pm:
The typo in the first line combined with these two “scholars” tells me Harvard’s standards have gone down considerably.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 12:58 pm:
“Political prisoner”?
- Stuck in Celliniland - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:01 pm:
RD: So, what’s John Filan up to these days?
RB: I don’t know.
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:04 pm:
Rather than a political prisoner, Blago’s actions and decisions caused his incarceration. He has no one to blame but himself.
Harvard Institute of Politics must be desperate for guests to invite Blago. Question: Are you being paid for this appearance? If so, what is your fee?
- walker - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:08 pm:
R: What was really behind your prosecution?
RB: They didn’t want me to run for President.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:12 pm:
Rodney: Did you see that great write-up of me in the Washington Post? I think it’ll really help the DC lobbying company I operate.
Rod: I only watch Fox News now.
- twowaystreet - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:12 pm:
All the answers will be either (1) because Madigan and (2) drawing a parallel to his treatment and Trumps.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:12 pm:
Davis: Looks at watch. See’s its 5:45 pm.
“So glad you were able to join us on time.”
- twowaystreet - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:14 pm:
Rodney: Is the money you make on cameo a good living? I’ve been thinking of trying it out.
- uialum - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:14 pm:
Not sure what the question will be but at some point Blago will say he needs to check the statute of limitations before answering.
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:17 pm:
Rodney: Why did the evil Dems put you in jail?
Blago: Because I was the best governor, the most perfect governor.
Rodney: What bogus charges did they file against you?
Blago: Fraud, extortion, graft and abuse of power. But it was all a witch hunt. The alleged fraud was wrong because all my actions were the most perfect actions, pure across the board. As governor, I had the right to force actions which proves I’m working for the people and that was conflated as extortion and abuse of power.
Rodney: Well governor, it’s clear that you were a victim of Dem judicial abuse and should appreciate that our savior Donald Trump blessed you with a pardon.
- Ms. Green - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:17 pm:
Rodney: These Ivy Leaguers’ need something to do in their spare time when they are not supporting terrorism.
Rod: This attack never would’ve happened if Trump was the President.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:18 pm:
I saw Tim Mapes was asking for letters to the judge. I hope he gets as many as I did.
- Jerry - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:18 pm:
As the Godfather of I-Pass it’s an honor to be here today.
- Stuck in Celliniland - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:28 pm:
RD: So Milorod, what was it like in your neighborhood the night you got impeached? It was the most “up” day that Taylorville ever experienced, especially if you were a state employee.
RB: I was innocent. Where is Taylorville?
- Steve Rogers - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:29 pm:
Wow, you’d think Harvard wouldn’t have so many typos in this description. It’s embarrassing enough having two bozos on, and you can’t even put your first sentence together? I don’t mean to be a grammar nut, but this is Harvard for crying out loud.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:31 pm:
This is put on by some whack jobs in McHenry Co. right? Not the Ivy League university. Blagoof on the loose with Rapid Rodney — scary
- Stuck in Celliniland - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:32 pm:
=This is put on by some whack jobs in McHenry Co. right? =
Sounds like something Jack Franks would sponsor.
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:34 pm:
Rodney: Thanks for submitting your questions in advance. Unfortunately, having read them, the former governor seems to have retreated to the bathroom.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:35 pm:
RD: You didn’t have to bring a gift. What is it?
RB: Sweatshirt with a picture of me saying “Et tu, DeLeo?”
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:36 pm:
Interesting that RRB rates a “former” before Governor but RD gets nothing similar in front of his now-former title.
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:37 pm:
What is your honorarium for showing up today and does it require you to be truthful?
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:40 pm:
Rodney’s Questions?…Self-serving.
Rod’s Answers?…Self-serving.
Sicut Semper…
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:42 pm:
Unfortunately, cancel culture is not nearly as effective as we have been promised.
- Drury's Missing Clock - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:45 pm:
$54k/year to learn about politics from these two and public health from Lori. Is Harvard just a four year stayaway camp for rich kids? Seems like it.
- OneMan - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:56 pm:
I think this quote from a Successories poster that shows a half-sunken ship states it best.
Not every life can be a success, just like not every vessel can be seaworthy. But there’s no shame in being one spectacular shipwreck
A close second is one showing someone going over a waterfall in a kayak.
Believe in Yourself
Because the rest of us think you’re an idiot.
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 1:59 pm:
Rodney : Rod, can you spell the word truth?
Rod : Wouldn’t even try.
- Nick Name - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:04 pm:
Just last night, no joke, I was wondering what Blago is up to these days. Sigh.
Also, two typos, one in the first line. Awesome, Harvard.
- Red Ketcher - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:05 pm:
RD: Guess it had to be hard to go out as you did
RB: Yes real hard - but probably not as bad as getting beat by Mary Miller.
RD: uhhh
- Nick Name - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:09 pm:
Q: Rod, why were you so late today?
A: Because testicular virility, Rodney.
- It's always Sunny in Illinois - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:13 pm:
Hoping Rodney asks Rod to explain his relationship with now Governor Pritzker back in the day when Pritzker was a Wealthy Political wannbe trying to get Rod’s support.
- Jocko - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:16 pm:
To paraphrase the King “A hunka hunka burning dung.”
- Incandenza - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:18 pm:
My question is, why is Harvard even hosting this?
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:18 pm:
Study Group Participant: Will any of this be on the test?
RD & RB: ROFL
- Arctic - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:19 pm:
Maybe they’ll play all of the ads Rodney put up lumping londrigan with Blago.
- New Day - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:21 pm:
RD: Hey Rod, this doesn’t look like the kind of schools you and I got into, does it?
RB: You said it Rodney. 30 years ago I was shining shoes for extra money and attending an occassional class in SoCal, now I’m lecuturing at Harvard. Boy, did I marry well or what?
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:26 pm:
“So, Rod, how would you rate J.B. Pritzker as the current governor, and why is that a lie?”
“Does Bobby Goldsboro send you copyright infringement notices about your haircut?”
“How long do you think Trump will go away for, and have you been to Mar A Lago lately?”
“Did you gain any self-awareness at all in your Prison time?”
For The Other Rod:
“Are you proud of what your party has been doing?”
- James - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:28 pm:
I will always remember when this blog posted a “Say Something Nice about Blago” post.
- Baloneymous - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:44 pm:
Rodney: Rod, are we supposed to be the modern-day version of Timothy Leary and G. Gordon Liddy?
Rod: I’ll eat these shrooms if you light your arm on fire.
- Opening Date - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 2:53 pm:
Rodney: Can I whine to you about what happened to me? Because I like to whine about the party that I helped create that voted me out of office.
Rod: Yes, let me explain to you how best to whine on national television.
- Soccermom - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 3:09 pm:
Are you sure this is from the Harvard Institute of Politics and not, like, the Harvard Milk Day Festival?
- Proud Sucker - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 3:11 pm:
“Are you sure this is from the Harvard Institute of Politics and not, like, the Harvard Milk Day Festival?”
Hey, hey, the Milk day fest has standards.
- low level - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 3:38 pm:
Shame on Rodney and Harvard for giving that pathological liar any sort of a platform, especially at a respected institution.
- Lurker - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 4:02 pm:
Rod: so which did you find a truer prison; politics or prison?
Rob: that’s an insightful question; I don’t get it.
- Lurker - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 4:06 pm:
LOL. And I really hate auto correct sometimes …
RD and RB darn it
- Rabid - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 4:37 pm:
Dorm room study group it’s five o’clock somewhere bush lite tour
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 4:39 pm:
Rodney should as the former Governor how he felt when he found out he’d won the “National Homeland Security Award for Innovation and Best Practices from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government” and what recommendations he’d have to stop Rep Chris Miller’s war on the Democrats.
- Huh? - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 4:54 pm:
Rodney - Can you believe how much these students are paying in tuition to listen to your pearls of political wisdom?
Audience - yeah, if only it were pearls wisdom. I’ll do the opposite of what ever he says.
- Huh? - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 5:01 pm:
So you think you were a political prisoner because you were convicted of attempted extort the Chicago Tribune because you were upset about the way they were reporting your handling of State affairs?
Or was it the conviction for abuse of power by attempting to obtain a $50k political donation from Children’s Memorial Hospital?
- Primate - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 5:02 pm:
You don’t get better opportunities for comedy like this everyday!
Davis: Hey Rod, have I ever told you about the time I…..
Rod: No, but did I tell you about the time I….
Too much self-admiration, from the both of them, to have a meaningful dialogue. Many Republicans, along with many Democrats, would pay good money to see this spectacle of political genius if the Former Congressman could land Z and Nancy as moderators.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 5:04 pm:
Can you reconcile how you were you convicted of selling your office and President Joe Biden continues to dodge indictment selling his office through the fact millions of dollars were funnels to his family members and grandchildren from foreign governments and businesses
- Ares - Thursday, Oct 12, 23 @ 5:23 pm:
Part of the continued attempt to rehabilitate the image / legacy of a convicted (and impeached) felon, from The Apprentice to the (successful) POTUS clemency requests. Perhaps a RRB Library or Ethics Program at his alma mater Northwestern will be next, in the wake of the Outcome Health convictions of other NU alums.