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* As some of you have already pointed out in comments, Rod Blagojevich brought his two daughters to court today so they could witness closing arguments by prosecutors and the defense.
* The Question: Smart defense move, or shocking parental abuse? Explain.
…Adding… Don’t just vent. Explain.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:44 am
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are you %$^&* kidding me? Daughters to court? Horrific. terrible. awful. The depravity to bring your daughters to court…to make them witness this…the man has no conscious. No doubt parental abuse.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:46 am
parental abuse by BOTH parents
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:47 am
Smart move, but….
Comment by OneMan Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:47 am
Neither. It is typical of this man. He has repeatedly demonstrated that he will do anything to get what he wants. To hell with how it may affect others.
Comment by one of the 35 Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:47 am
Whatever it is, quintessential Blago. Selfish and looking out for himself til the end.
Smart defense move as this will evoke sympathy and its not like this is a violent or horrific trial. Plus, they missed all the parts with the tapes and their dad’s potty mouth.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:47 am
I think its shocking parental abuse no matter what, to use your kids like that is just tasteless, but it’s what we have come to expect from him… so maybe not so shocking.
I think the jury is still out on if it’s a smart defense move or not, I would like to see how the demeanor of the prosecution changes, if at all, with the kids in the room. The jury will either be disgusted or sympathetic, hey if you can get a couple sympathy votes, it might be smart.
Comment by Ahoy Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:48 am
No more surprising than reports of Patti knitting during the trial. Wonder how long ago she learned that hobby?
Comment by tubbfan Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:49 am
Both.
Comment by Anonymous ZZZ Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:51 am
Someone needs to report the Blagos to DCFS!!!!
Comment by Dan S, a taxpayer and a Cubs Fan Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:52 am
Explain, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:53 am
A responsible father and mother would have worked out a deal in December 2009 to spare their children the agony and embarrassment of this whole endeavor. Instead, their kids saw trials, media appearances, reality TV shows, and will suffer the consequences of this throughout their entire lives.
I’m sure there is a 10th circle specifically reserved for Patti and Rod.
Comment by Tom B. Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:56 am
It’s the age of these girls that bothers me in being taken in. Adults, fine, but not children. Are they being taken out of courtroom after Adams gets done shouting about how ‘innocent’ Rod is?
I could see Rod thinking it okay to let them hear Adams rattle about ‘our poor misunderstood but good dad’ … if courtroom was not limited Rod would have likely dragged in little kids and disabled and all sidewalk ‘adorning’ fans (all hired for the moment of course).
I’m surprised Patti allowed it, but is it abuse? No, just uncalled for and stupidly using your kids for your own agenda.
Comment by Cindy Lou Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:57 am
It is parental abuse. The saddest part is, neither of them probably see why it is wrong. He is so caught up in himself and his lies, he just can’t get his head around what he is putting his kids through.
Comment by Montrose Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:57 am
Borderline abuse. I would not want my 14 and 7 year old daughters in court listening to the feds sum up all the crimes I could be spending a lot of time in jail for as this could leave some deep seated emotional scars on them (especially the 7 year old - my 7 year old would have a very difficult time with this).
Not so smart defense move either. Yes, the defense probably believes this will evoke sympathy from the jury. But as a father if I was on the jury and having heard all the tapes and other testimony I would be disgusted with him (and Patti) for bringing the kids.
Comment by Bluefish Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 10:58 am
Not really a smart defense move. The jury will see through it (though the defense is really aiming just for one misguided juror, any juror). Not really parental abuse. It should lead to a longer sentence though, for being an extra special schmuck.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:00 am
We’ve seen him use his daughters as excuses justifying decisions he made to score political points. Consequentially, seeing him use his daughters today in this manner isn’t suprising.
Rod Blagojevich owes his political life to his family. He sold his father to us as an example of immigrant success and as a pedigree to his working class roots. He sold his wife to us as an example of a good wife and mother. He sold his father in law to us as an example of his own degree of political and governmental familiarity. He sold his brother down the river. He bartered with the son of a famous civil rights leader to cash money on a US Senate seat. He obsessed over the daughter of the Speaker of the House. To Rod Blagojevich, family is a political pawn to be used with which to barter his personal future.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:02 am
I think both. I’m somewhat conflicted about the daughters
in court and the parent obligation because one could
imagine that it could help them undertand what is going on.
Sometimes when difficult things are happening to parents,
they think that protecting children from the truth helps.
They also often forget to ask the children how a difficult
circumstance affects them. maybe the older daughter
asked to come to court. Maybe it will be good for
them to hear their father defended vigorously. I don’t think
I would make the choice, but I do understand giving
children as much information as possible as a good
way of treating children, although I think the Blagos
may look like hypocrites because they referred to
protecting children from information, if I recall
correctly.
just plain sad.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:03 am
Judge Zagel should remove these children from the courtroom. Question is: Who will pay for the nanny to watch them while they are spared from the circus of closing arguments? Let’s see, that would be all of us taxpayers.
I really think the closing arguments today would be better served (as well as viewed) if they were presided over by Judge Judy on the Jerry Springer show. Where else could you see a redneck defendant wearing a $400 tie?
Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:03 am
Excellent - let the next generation (our children, our children’s children, and so on and so forth) witness what the federal prosecution of a State governor has resorted to. Perhap, the children shall lead the way?
Glad to be back, Rich. It’s been about a year and a half and I just could not stay away!
Comment by Black Ivy Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:04 am
For someone who uses the f-bomb when talking about his children this should come as no surprise. If he is trying to get sympathy from the jurors it may well backfire! Both he and his wife are boneheads but it isn’t parental abuse.
Comment by Fed Up Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:04 am
As a lawyer, I think it is a smart move. As a father, I think it is a dumb move.
Comment by the dark horse Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:04 am
==No more surprising than reports of Patti knitting during the trial. ==
I though Madame Defarge would be for the prosecution.
Seriously, I think this is bad for the kids. The prosecution will be saying their dad is evil incarnate, and (since they introduced no evidence of their own), all the defense can say is things like “the prosecution can’t prove he’s evil incarnate” or “sure, he said those evil things, but he never really acted on them or got rich off them.” No one will say anything good about their dad today.
Comment by Pat Robertson Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:05 am
It seems most people here think this tactic is tantamount to abuse. It would then make sense that the jury would think likewise.
Comment by Deep South Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:05 am
Bizarre. Clearly using the kids to garner jury sympathy. For them, it will be a traumatic event they will have seared into their memory for the rest of their lives, ergo, highly selfish move on Mr and Mrs Blago’s part. But not surprising given what we’ve learned.
Comment by Conservative Republican Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:08 am
Anonymous - Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:00 am:
“It should lead to a longer sentence though, for being an extra special schmuck.”
From your mouth to God’s ear.
Comment by HatShopGirl Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:10 am
the parents that worried about their daughter’s college education while spending 400,000 on cloths! the jury will see through this; therefore, a bad move. would not classify as abuse, just incredible stupidity. the children will unfortunately be hurt by this.
Comment by wizard Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:13 am
To kind of repeat some things I said on the other thread…
Bad move from both perspectives. Even the jurors who don’t have kids of their own were once kids/teenagers themselves, and can easily put themselves in the girls’ shoes. I’m sure they remember how confused, bewildered, self-conscious and easily embarrassed they were at those ages even under normal circumstances, let alone in a situation like this.
Comment by Secret Square Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:13 am
From a pure legal standpoint it’s smart because some jurors may look at convicting as depriving these girls of their father.
From a parenting standpoint it’s cruel. How in the world do you bring your daughters into such a milieu? They have absolutely nothing to do with this trial.
Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:14 am
I think it is smart and appropriate.
His kids are family and this is a serious event.
They are old enough to know the score.
I have two young daugthers.
I think too many people are just kicking a man when he is down.
I am no fan of Blago … but I would do the same thing if I was in his shoes.
You holier than thou types are so tiring.
Do you ever have any fun??
Blago is just pointing out the obvious.
If you put me in jail, my family will suffer.
All you do gooders get a life. Make a wish.
Do something different … have fun.
“I pity the fool.” Mister T.
Comment by gg Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:14 am
It is an act of cowardace by Blago, he is once again using his kids as human shields to cover himself for his multiude of crimes. The judge should not allow them into the courtroom.
Comment by Segatari Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:18 am
“They are old enough to know the score.”
There is a big difference with being honest with your kids about what is happening and having them sit through federal prosecutors detail the illegal activities of your father. A very big difference.
*If you put me in jail, my family will suffer.*
Blago did this. The jury holds no blame. I hope to god none of the jurors feel guilty because of the actions of the former governor.
Comment by Montrose Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:19 am
Don’t know about ‘abuse’.
But….even tho the kids must know something about what’s going on; it makes NO sense to bring them into all the media attention; and then to subject them to the prosecutor’s closing?
As Blago used to frequently say: ‘What ARE they thinking?’
Comment by sal-says Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:19 am
It’s wrong. They don’t need to see the nitty-gritty. And my guess is that the jurors would be as disturbed as the posters here seem to be.
Comment by lakeview Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:20 am
I knew the kids were young, but realize they grow up fast. Just saw a picture of the youngest, Annie, and that is just way too young for this sort of thing. Daddy Blago had boxing lessons…ever hear of “below the belt” you pathetic creep? How heart breaking for the kids to to be treated this way. Sorry in advance Mr. Miller if my comment is over the line.
Comment by washedmyhands Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:21 am
gg - what is obvious is that his primary concern has not been for the future welfare of his children by his own taped moaning and groaning about being so broke that he can’t afford their college education. Yet, he could spend 10’s of thousands on his own personal wardrobe. The jury has no doubt heard this. Do you really think the jury will not see through Sam Adam Jr. when he pleads for Blago to be found not guilty so he can continue to provide for his girls? Do you think Blago will be sitting in court during closing arguments wearing a Wal-Mart white shirt and a KMart tie to suddenly prove he wants to be a good provider for his family?
Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:23 am
Regarding ‘gg’ and the comment that this is smart and appropriate, it is neither.
This is not about “people being holier than thou”; it is about parents knowing that they would never drag their own children through this type of ordeal. ‘gg’ seems to think this is about having “fun”. It is about being a parent and acting responsibly.
BTW, I always love the bloggers who don’t use their real name and then stick in the phrase, “I’m no fan of Blago”. I suppose, though, it’s a dead-give-away that any person who quotes Mister T worked for Blagojevich at one time or another.
Comment by Al Grosboll Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:29 am
It may not be abuse, but it is bad behavior on the part of the parents to use their daughters to garner sympathy from the jury.
Comment by Aldyth Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:32 am
FWIW, the Sun-Times blog now says that Annie, the 7-year-old, has left the courtroom with her aunt Deb Mell; she wasn’t misbehaving but appeared to be bored (no surprise there).
Comment by Secret Square Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:33 am
I truly feel sorry for the kids in the future, they did not deserve to grow up with low life parents. What they did was a shameful act to try to get sympathy out of the jury. It won’t work on me and let’s hope it doesn’t work for them.
Comment by Publius Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:33 am
Suntimes reporter said Aunt Deb took the seven year old out as she was ‘looking bored’.
Comment by Cindy Lou Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:34 am
It looks like window dressing for the jury in order to feel sorry for the family. I would hope that the jurors were sophisticated enough to see through that tactic. The FBI auditor who went over the family expenditures demonstrated that the bulk of the Blago’s funds were spent on himself and his wife. Not anyone else’s fault that they are broke but their own selfish, self-centered lifestyle.
Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:36 am
Dumb move. The initial human reaction of the jurors will be sympathy. Later one or two jurors, after sitting in the courtroom and taking measure of this man for weeks, will realize it just fits the behavioral pattern of the former governor. Their displeasure over this will play into the deliberations and will ultimately work against Blagojevich.
Comment by 13 Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:36 am
Not much he does shocks me, but this case, essentially “human shield-ing” his own daughters, is truly despicable. Why would you want your kids to hear criminal accusations about you? Why would you want them to hear of the embarassing phone recording involving both of their parents?
I feel awful for those poor girls. Maybe this works enough to throw a few jurors for a loop and will thus be judged “smart”, but at a certain point in life, you need to man up and suffer the consequences. Using your kids to avoid that, and exposing them to the ugliness YOU have created, is the epitome of cowardice and disgrace.
I can’t believe it was possible, but my opinion of the Blagojevichs has sunk even further.
Comment by Ben Gazzara Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:36 am
Theatrics! To garner sympathy from the jury.
They’d be better off with grandpa Mel. At least they’d be with a responsible, loving figure.
The sooner Rod reports to prison the better for everyone including his daughters. What is Patti thinking? So much for the brains of this couple.
Comment by Northside Bunker Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:39 am
It is most likely a smart move on the defense, the jury will see Blagojevich as a father, a husband, a family man. It can’t hurt him.
He may be able to win over one or some of the Jury on the sympathy of the “Don’t take Daddy away from his children”
I am sure the news is on at home constantly, so his daughters are being exposed already.
Both parents have been on Television so much that this is probably normal for them.
With parents like Rod and Patti, I am sure the girls learned their copeing strategies with the media from them.
The Blagojevich children might as well get their information first hand, instead of through the media, other kids, etc. They are going to find out what happened in court, it will be hard not to. With so much media coverage you can’t keep it from them.
Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:39 am
Also, could the presence of the children be forcing the prosecutors to tone down the profanities in their summaries of what’s on the tapes… thereby, perhaps, blunting the potential force of those statements?
Comment by Secret Square Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:45 am
Smart by the defense, given the dire straits they find themselves in.
But if I’m the prosecutor, I’d bring up the fact that he brought his daughters to court today in the same breathe that I mention how he held up funding for a children’s hospital.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:49 am
Exaclty secret square!
Smart and appropriate.
Put yourself in the jury box.
Could you send a father to jail for fraud?
Most can … some can not.
“A stitch in time saves nine.” Anonymous
Comment by gg Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:54 am
It’s a vulgar ploy for sympathy. I think it’s transparent, so not very smart.
It’s not shocking parental abuse, but it is an disgusting attempt to use the children. The kids don’t have a choice in being there.
Most of us try to shield our kids from the nastier parts of the grownup world they can’t control and scares them.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:54 am
I take a different approach to everyone one of you. I don’t think this is as morally wrong as everyone else, especially as it relates with the oldest daughter. Like it or not, these girls will live in the shadows of their father’s infamy for the rest of their lives. Until they get married and change their names, they will be asked about their father every day. You are amy blagovechic, any relation to Rod, etc.
It will be complicated history and issue for these girls to adjust and accept. Thus, at closing arguments, why not expose them to the trial a little bit. So, let them get a little taste of this trial, because they will have to answer for their father for the next 75-years.
Comment by Cuban Pilot Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:56 am
Smart? Nope
Understandable from these two? Yep
Abuse? Not so much. Tacky, cynical, harmful–yes.
I wonder if Deb tried to talk them out of it? I hope so.
Comment by Way Way Down Here Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:56 am
I think you all give the jury toooo much credit. It would be safe to assume that a majority of them voted for him both times. It only takes one fool to buy into the sympathy plot.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:57 am
–It would be safe to assume that a majority of them voted for him both times.–
Can’t agree with your arithmetic there. Half of the voting age population doesn’t vote, period.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 11:59 am
It is psychological abuse. Think of the gravity of the charges and the gravitas of a courtroom and then think of inflicting hours upon hours of exposure to both on one’s own children.
This technique, when used on kids who are skirting delinquency, is called “scaring them straight.”
What do you call it when doing it to your own kids? Children who have done nothing wrong?
It will be interesting to hear what jurors say after the trial how they felt to see the kids suddenly appear, on the day of closing arguments. No one likes to be played like that.
Comment by Zora Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:00 pm
The older child is 14 so I am not sure what she is being protected from…she certainly is old enough to be following the trial in the news and actually visiting the trial is probably a good idea so she can fully grasp how this all works. She is too old to not know what is going on so I’m not sure how this is parental abuse. The 7 year old is too young to follow what is going on and as we see has already left out of boredom.
How is taking a teenager or a child to a courtroom abuse? Everyone seems to just assume it is somehow an awful experience. Her father is about to go to prison, she ought to be processing that at that age. The younger child won’t really grasp the whole thing.
Now is Rod Blagojevich doing it to try and sway the jury in his usual ham-handed way? Probably. But it’s not abuse.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:01 pm
===The kids don’t have a choice in being there.
We don’t really know that. I would imagine the 14 year old wants to be there.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:03 pm
“Until they get married and change their names”
Once they are adults, they don’t have to get married to change their names. In fact they can use any name they like, as long as it isn’t done with intent to defraud or decieve others. Actors, writers, etc. do it all the time. I hope, for their sake, they don’t assume that getting married is their only recourse in this regard!
Comment by Secret Square Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:06 pm
It just shows with the ex-gov is all about looks and never about substance.
It will look good to the jury for him to have his family back him in court.
The effect of bringing his kids to the trial will certainly enlighten them, if they are present to hear both defense and prosecution closings.
Comment by downstate dem Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:08 pm
Defense strategy: No idea how this would affect jurors. The pool consisted of people who knew little about the charges, or who had not formed much of an opinion. That’s a small and, frankly, odd group. So their individual reaction may be different than you or I would expect.
Child abuse: Self-centered lousy parenting in my opinion, but what do you expect from a self-centered louse? The alternative is to have the kids separated from their parents while this is going on. No doubt somebody (not me!) would argue that’s just as bad. My question is, what are kids doing in a Federal courtroom anywhere ever? Seems to me we involve kids in way too many adult activities as a general proposition.
Comment by Excessively Rabid Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:12 pm
Some of you seem to think Blago is holding out for one lone juror. Let’s say that happened.
The feds would just go through the whole process again.
The kids should not have been brought in from a “good for the kids” perspective. From a “jury” prospective I just don’t know.
As for Blago if he thought it would benefit him he would start a Montessori in prison and bring his kids.
Comment by Irishpirate Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:14 pm
This is the same guy who reportedly refused to let his mother-in-law see her grandchildren while she was dying.
He threatened funding for a children’s hospital and a school to advance his personal agenda.
Anyone shocked that he brought the girls to the courtroom hasn’t been paying attention.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:15 pm
If, as many of the posters believe, Rod is guilty and desperate, why would you then be surprised he takes a desperate measure like bringing his kids to court?
I could also argue from a contrarian point of view that the daughters presence in court is actually a good thing. There is sort of a closure for them. Let’s say they were kept in a cocoon, then suddenly, next month or whenever, daddy is pronounced guilty and a few months later heads to jail. At least there courtroom appearance begins their preparation for that.
Here is a nightmare scenario for people to consider. Rod is found innocent on all charges except lying to the government. Do the Feds retry the case?
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:23 pm
Well at least this way his wife won’t have to answer the question, “Mommy, why is Daddy in jail?”
They’ll know the answer first hand.
Comment by A.B. Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:25 pm
I meant to add that the jury hangs on the lying count.
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:25 pm
Defendants pretty frequently bring kids to court. It usually doesn’t work. It happens often during sentencings, too.
If, G-d forbid, I ever end up in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs behind my back, I sure wouldn’t want my kids to see it.
As I said in another thread, I’ve always thought there should be a 2-level sentencing guideline enhancement for bringing your kids to court and using them.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:26 pm
The children have already been exposed to their’s father’s plight through the written media, tv and internet. I am sure other children at school have already taunted them and made offensive remarks abouth their father. It might be therapeutic for them to go to court and see the situation for themselves.
Comment by Katya Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:27 pm
Wumpus:
The daughters were spared listening to their potty mouth parents? What do you think these two girls overheard from their parents at home everyday?
I guess one has to wonder if someday both Mom and Dad go to Club Fed, who will raise the children? Grandfather Dick or Aunt Deb?
I feel sorry for these two girls and I do think that it was exploitation to bring them to court.
Will they be present for the verdict and sentencing also?
Comment by Honest Abe Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:31 pm
My father and his sisters were dragged into court to generate sympathy for my grandfather when he was tried for a felony in 1925. My dad was five at the time. He’s ninety now. All these years later, he remembers that experience. Not a good memory at all. (The tactic didn’t work, either; my grandfather was convicted on the worst count and was sent to prison.)
Comment by Steve Downstate Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:51 pm
Actually I’m saddened by the fact that they are putting their children through all of this. It’s deplorable! Another thought, however, is how the jury is reacting to it. This could very well backfire on Blago.
Comment by downhereforyears Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:52 pm
When they are adults, had they not been there, they might well wish they had been. Not all events in children’s lives are good ones but the fact that they are experiencing this with their parents, who seem to be very devoted to them, could mitigate most negative effects. Besides, they are members of at least a second generation political family, with all the advantages and disadvantages. I bet they are pretty tough.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:58 pm
I am not troubled by it. The children have heard a lot and suffered alot. Let them also hear their father’s defense. Should the kids appear real impacted, in a negative way, the parents can remove them.
Comment by anon Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 12:58 pm
Presuming that the older daughter is exposed to the government’s case in addition to her father’s, I think it’s a split decision. At fourteen, the older daughter should get a rare peek at the real world and get some context as to why her father will go to prison for a long time.
Bringing the younger daughter just proves what kind of people they truly are.
Comment by LincolnLounger Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:02 pm
wordslinger, point proven.
Those that voted, I would guess that a majority of them voted for him. THose that didn’t bother to vote, most of them get less credit than those who voted for him, IMO.
Honest Abe, I think they were like the CLeavers, etc, a nice, loving, G rated home. Point is that all kids hear language, at 14, I heard my fair share and my parents were very tame.
Either way, when they wonder why they have college loans like the rest of us, they can remember this date.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:10 pm
If it throws off the prosecution or puts the case in a different perspective for only one juror, it’s worth the risk of making Blago look even more craven (if that is possible). Generally, anything to humanize a defendant is good. Jurors are not the calloused cynics that populate this list and will likely not be influenced one way or the other. Prosecutors would be wise not to even mention their presence.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:25 pm
Eh, whether or not its a good defensive tactic… I certainly can’t blame him for trying playing the kid angle. I mean… if it somehow tips the scale in the verdict (a big if) then the kids could deal with it. Having Dad go to jail will be harder then sitting in a court room. Not abuse.
Comment by Just Observing Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:25 pm
A very personal decision deplorable based on the parents in this particular instance. In the past I assisted in medical malpractice defense. Routinely, plaintiff’s counsel would present sentimental before and after photos in an attempt to gain the jury’s sympathy. Never objected. 99% of the time when juries were questioned after the verdict, they indicated that the plaintiff’s clear attempt to sway them emotionally was offensive
Comment by dominique Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:31 pm
Good parenting. Don’t you take your kids to the circus to watch the clowns?…..the speedway to watch ‘em crash?…. the rodeo?….to the doctor for shots?… to the dentist to pull a tooth out? You folks think Rod was a saint at home but vulgar only when “at work” ? It’ll be a great cause-&-effect lesson for the kids… or do you want them to grow up thinking that THAT behavior is acceptable & normal?
Comment by North of I-80 Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:40 pm
Most 14 year olds are embarrassed to acknowledge that their parents exist, much less seeing them in custody.
The kids should have been in school rather than seeing their dad in court. If I were on the jury, I would not consider a lesser sentence after this stunt
Comment by Plutocrat03 Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:41 pm
{Whatever it is, quintessential Blago}
Quinn T.Sential -Blago Sphere
It is both; and the ends justify the means even if you have to sacrifice the innocent for the benefit of the guilty
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:41 pm
Perhaps neither.
It may remind the jury that Blago blubbered about being unable to pay for his daughters’ college education, then went out and spent $840 on ties.
The jurors may think they’re doing the kids a favor by convicting him.
Comment by David Ormsby Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:46 pm
I will qualify my earlier remarks by saying that if the older daughter WANTED to be there — if she did not feel humiliated or embarassed by it — that is fine. She is 14 — old enough to know what is going on and to have heard/seen almost everything from the news and online. (If her father’s performance on Celebrity Apprentice is any indication, she probably knows how to blog, tweet, text and surf the net better than he does, and for all I know, has been following the media blogs/tweets all along.)
But the 7-year-old, IMHO, should not have been there. She is too young to have had any real choice in the matter, or much comprehension of what is happening, as evidenced by the fact that she quickly got bored and left.
Comment by Secret Square Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:48 pm
Outraged? Yawn. I’m sick of your outrage re Rod. Where’s the outrage on Iraq or Afghanistan where children were and still are being killed?
I’m going to agree with the move, but not for purposes of influencing the court or jury. People are too cynical for that to happen and if that’s his reasoning, he’s in for a surprise. It will probably work against him. The reason I agree with their attendance is for their own sake over the long term. You may hate their dad, but they don’t. If he just disappears off to jail, they’re left with explanations from mom or what they hear from other relatives or their friends. It’s better for them to see it for themselves so they know what’s real and what isn’t. A child will imagine what happened if they don’t see it for themselves and the imagination is worse that reality. If he gets put away, I hope the children are taken to visit him too.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:49 pm
I’ll ditto David 1:46, maybe this will provoke the jury to think how, in the long run, they are doing these kids a favor by putting Rod as far away as possible from them.
On a more serious note, I suspect this would be an effective persuasion tactic. Manipulative, yes, but welcome to the courts.
Comment by ZC Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:52 pm
One thing to consider:
Have we grown so cynical to even consider that maybe the kids are there because, no matter Rod’s or Patti’s faults, they are a family and showing support for each other?
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:55 pm
Cincinnatus: Yes.
Besides, kids that young can’t make a mature decision to show support for each other.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 1:58 pm
Ellen of the 10th; you don’t have to look all the way to Afghanistan and Iraq to see children getting killed. Try Waukegan and North Chicago for starters.
I am sure you can find some way to blame that on Bush and Kirk; in order to support a Seals fundraising appeal without creating a National Geogrpahic Special sbout the virtues of radical islamic fundameentalism
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:02 pm
Well said Ellen.
These posters lives seem completely apart from mine. ‘Oh, you can’t do that’ Beatles.
Life is to be lived and understood and cherished.
All parts.
I am sure they will treasure the moments they have with him in jail.
There is no sheltering children from real life.
“Come on with me she told me, I’ll keep you from the storm.” Bob Dylan
Comment by gg Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:02 pm
If you’re worried about children in Waukegan and North Chicago, try the rest of the district where foreclosures are up and use of township food pantries are up. Then, try supporting more stimulus and food stamps and then you can talk to me about my views on Bush and Kirk.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:13 pm
Unforgiveable! And hopefully a terrible mistake for the defense. If I were on the jury I would recognize this as a ploy by the disgusting ex- governor to garner sympathy for himself by USING his own children. If I were on the fence this would totally throw me over to vote for a guilty verdict. I would bet that the jurors in this case have gotten an eyeful of what kind of person Blago is, and I think what they saw in his antics will be more costly to Blago that what the prosecution had against him.
George Ryan faced his charges with dignity. The present trial reminds me of the new Dodge Commercial. To paraphrase; ” This event could not get crazier or more unbelievable. Oh look a monkey. I stand corrected.”
Ellen and the rest of that ilk. Children can be explained to about how certain things happened. They don’t have to be dragged through it to get the idea. The job of RESPONSIBLE and LOVING parents is to shield them from being a part of these things until they are adults and are better able to deal with it.
Comment by Irish Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:28 pm
I think this ploy by the defense assumes that one of the jurors is pretty dumb and can’t see through this. The defense only needs one vote!
Comment by Elliot Ness Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:33 pm
Whatever else one may say about Patti and Rod, I think we should refrain from passing judgment on this. Depending on what has been going on within the family, and between the children and their friends, this could either be inappropriately traumatic, or it could help the children to deal with the situation. None of us have, or are, perfect parents We all have to come to terms with our parents’ shortcomings and hope that our children will forgive us ours.
Comment by jake Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:34 pm
Yeah, go work in a food pantry before you come on this blog with your petty political comments!
(Um, some of us already do.)
So, let’s just stipulate that we can take any discussion of a domestic, regional or local issue, compare it to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and find it small and petty by comparison.
Under that logic, there isn’t a lot to talk about, except, well, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unless we want to move on to Jade mining in Burma or maybe everyday life in South Korea.
Back to the girls, fascinating how so many here think this is an appropriate way to educate the them about their family’s terrible fate. There are ways to break bad news to a child. And there are ways to prepare them for further media intrusion. This ain’t one of them.
Comment by Zora Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:36 pm
I think it’s just more childhood trauma for those poor girls when they start seeing a shrink.
Comment by Mama Mia Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:37 pm
When you’re that age, you don’t make the decisions in matters such as this (at least not in my life experience).
The parents have the final say, and are responsible, no matter what the kids want to do.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:38 pm
First off, might be a good legal move. However, a bad parenting move, using your kids as a human shield or sympathy getter. Those kids do not need to be put through that.
I had a flashback to when the heat from the media started coming down on him at the State Fair a few years ago. He was holding his daughter as the reporters asked him questions. Then his daughter started fussing and he blames them for it, all the while it almost looks like he’s the one squeezing her causing her discomfort.
Comment by Concerned Voter Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:44 pm
Not “shocking parental abuse,” but pathetic nonetheless. Still a pandering politicians. This tactic of using the kids suggests that the defense is worried? Rightfully so.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 2:59 pm
Wonder if he will drag them in again when the jury reaches its verdict? I doubt it.
Comment by reality check Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 3:53 pm
Rod and Patti have no common sense. Why involve their children in this farce. I have seen first hand what Rod and his cronies have done to the State and it’s people. I hope the jury convict him and that the Feds go after Patti in the same way. Maybe Blagos kids can recover.
Comment by EBCDIC Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 3:55 pm
I am sure they will treasure the moments they have with him in jail.
You’re bleeping me.
Comment by Excessively Rabid Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 4:18 pm
Okay, now I’m angry! It is the parent’s duty to protect their children. NOT to use them to gain sympathy with the public and the jury. Those girls need as much privacy and respect as can be afforded them right now. Anyone who would take their children to court and expose them to such, could potentially cause harm to the girls. It was a completely selfish move. And, we are shocked why? Little girls need to look up to Daddy. They would have had a hard enough time before, but now???? It is a shame that nobody in the Blagojevich family seems to be thinking of what is in the girls best interest. As a Grandmother, this makes me sick.
Comment by Say WHAT? Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 5:26 pm
Bringing children to court will do them little harm and adds in the human factor for Rod. Of course he is looking to garner a little sympathy with them.
Rod needs one juror to win, the gov’t needs to be perfect and win all 12.
Remember one misguided juror nearly derailed the case against ol’ sourpuss George Ryan. Like it or not Blago connects with people, especially people who feel rather than think. What kind of people make up Rod’s jury? I would guess we have less than 12 thinkers.
Comment by jaded voter Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 5:36 pm
Blago has never connected with anyone
He has control of House and Senate
And could not get anything done
except waste Money
Now he wants everyone to feel sorry
for what ????
He picked on and mistreated all
of the Good People of Illinois
Didn’t do his Job
and also mistreated Good Dedicated
Career State Employees
What goes around comes Around
So Sorry !!!
Comment by grategul Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 6:28 pm
It was a bad legal move and bad parenting, not criminal, but very ill-decided. It looks like too transparent a ploy to garner juror sympathy, and would only have a chance to really work if Patti had also been indicted, and in danger of going to jail at the same time as Rod. But that’s not the case here. Though I do think they’ll go after her next. So no, I think the jurors will come to find that an insulting ploy.
Their bad parenting, I base on the way the daughters have been used as props and shields their whole young lives, these past 6 years. Patti carried Annie everywhere, even to public events that had nothing to do with parenting or child care. It seems clear that Annie was being used as a kind of shield to try and discourage reporters from getting aggressive in close questioning situations. …Which assumes all reporters have enough sense of decorum to be put off by that… not sure that it would have stopped an Andy Shaw for example.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 7:27 pm
Interesting comment over on the Tribune site: Patti B herself (I’ll assume it’s really her) left a post on the “Why did they bring the kids?” thread saying that the pink Coach handbag was left to Amy by her grandmother Margaret Mell, and that Amy took it with her as a “good luck charm” to remind her of her grandmother, whom they believe is watching over them from heaven. What do we make of that?
Comment by Bookworm Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 7:44 pm
I was thinking the exact same thing as Concerned Voter. He uses his kids as shields from his stupid and criminal behavior. Shameful.
Comment by Its Just Me Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 9:12 pm
Not so shocking parental abuse, Blago(and his wife) will stop at nothing to gain attention and use whatever-whomever for their purposes.
He’s especially good at throwing ANYONE under the bus using whomever for whatever. Father-in-law, Mother in law, employees, voters,children…
Comment by just sayin Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 9:20 pm
Shocking parental abuse! No father in his right mind would subject himself, not to mention his offspring to this degrading nonsense! Rod needs to go to prison for years to get the wake up call he so greatly needs!
Comment by tunes Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 9:22 pm
Look, a kitty!
Comment by Two Peas in Pod..... Monday, Jul 26, 10 @ 9:46 pm
Pathetic Play For Sympathy! This isn’t the first time he has USED his children to his advantage. Remember his shoving his daughter at the reporter at the State Fair to avoid answering questions and then blamaing the reporter for making her cry? This guy is SHAMELESS!
Comment by DISGUSTED WITH IL Tuesday, Jul 27, 10 @ 2:38 am