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Did Blagojevich really change?

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Illinois

* The Chicago media is all over Patti Blagojevich’s letter to the federal judge who is expected to decide today how much more prison time that former Gov. Blagojevich will serve. But this previously undisclosed letter on RRB’s behalf caught my eye…

Another unnamed inmate, whom Rod Blagojevich met at the Federal Prison Camp in Englewood, Colorado, said he has “no entitlement issues, does not display any narcissistic behavior, and is not self-centered.”

So, in my opinion, either Rod has had a complete personality transplant, or (donning my special tinfoil hat) he wrote that letter himself. I mean, for crying out loud, he had oodles of self-centered, narcissistic entitlement issues when we knew him. Could he really have changed that much behind bars or is this just a cynical ploy to address longstanding criticisms of his behavior?

I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

* The hearing starts at 10:30 this morning, so we’ll have a ScribbleLive feed up by about 10, when Mrs. Blagojevich is expected to arrive.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:05 am

Comments

Pete Rose had his wife send a letter to MLB saying he is not a gambler, he does not drink, and he does not get his hair cut by a 9 year old boy.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:09 am
He’s only learned to reduce the overt narcissistic behaviors. Probably a good strategy in prison. He’s “sad dogging”, ala Will Ferrell.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:13 am
This has the crinkle of confederate money, just like the “remorse” feigned by George Ryan. Both are only sorry that they got caught. What will he do when he no longer has political influence to peddle? Patti is still stunning, and I’m sure she can support the family well from her Dad’s connections. Of course, keeping him out of trouble will be a major job for her.

Comment by Illinois bob Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:15 am
Who knows? Take away everything a man has, his power, family, freedom, hair dye, etc. and it could really humble a person. We’ll see what he says today. If I were advising him, a little contrition might be worth a few years, so why not suck it up and say you’re sorry?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:15 am
Last time I checked ol Rod was to appear via video feed since the warden said it was too expensive to move him to court….

Comment by Silent Majority Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:20 am
Sitting for even a day can change people. Blago was a crook, but his crookedness didn’t hurt the vulnerable in the way that Rauner’s does. I think it’s a crime that people with disabilities are being made to sit in their own filth because of Rauner. Whether or not Blago is a changed man is less important to me than the fact he wasn’t mean as sin.

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:21 am
Or the inmate wrote the letter in exchange for a Snickers bar from the commissary.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:21 am
===Patti is still stunning,…===

In what way?

To the Post,

If the Judge gives him 10 years, out in 8 and half, less his alcohol rehab, that would be more than a sufficient compromise.

Rod got himself oversentenced. This might be a good way to have all fit?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:22 am
Changes after conviction can be considered by the Parole Board. I would not consider them at sentencing or resentencing.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:23 am
Imagine that! Blagojevich was imprisoned with an unnamed Federal prisoner who had a degree in psychiatry! What are the odds?

Do prison inmates routinely speak in diagnostic terms?

I think Blago wrote the reference letter himself.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:24 am
So an inmate is qualified to make this judgment? If staff there says this, it would be news.

Comment by fed up Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:25 am
We should ask this unnamed inmate to take a look at Trump.

Comment by Dome Gnome Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:27 am
Reduce it 2 months. The B-word made an effort to make us believe he changed; the judge can make an effort to make us think he was taken in by it

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:28 am
Is this inmate a former psychologist? I’m thinking Zagel will reduce the sentence by at least two years.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:32 am
fed up, The courts take the word of jail house snitches all the time so why not now. I worked in a federal super max and it will change a man. Usually for the worse but I doubt Rod joined a gang or is now covered with Tats. I think he received a very harsh sentence for what went on and probably should be out on timed served. I was never a fan of his but it is time to bring this to a end where he can come back to Illinois and run for Mayor of Chicago with the rest of the crooks.

Comment by Nieva Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:35 am
I still think that while some of the years on the sentence were for violating the laws, the added years were for embarassing voters and everyone associated with government and to get the governor out of sight and earshot for a long time.

Comment by Motambe Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:38 am
I am new to this website. Is ScribbleLive a live stream or a portal for tweets and such. If it is not a live stream, does anyone know where I can get it live streamed? I have my popcorn ready.

Comment by Question Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:38 am
Sorry for throwing out the s-word, but if Governor 40892-424 is indeed one, he could easily have “no entitlement issues, does not display any narcissistic behavior, and is not self-centered” and it could simply be an act. My guess is the trip out West also had to be quite a bit humbling, so it could be for real.

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:40 am
I find it highly unlikely Blago has changed at all. Personality disorders like the ones he appears to have are not ‘curable’. There are certain therapies that can minimize the maladaptive behaviors but Rod would not have received this type of specialized mental health counseling in prison. If there were multiple people coming forward to speak for Rod that would be different. But one fellow inmate? Nah

Comment by Cubs in '16 Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:41 am
The unnamed inmate was referring to a different Rod Blagojevich. It’s a common name. s/

Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:41 am
I was not a fan of Blago, still not, but the sentence was excessive. He is a convenient scapegoat for blatantly rather than covertly comporting himself in the Illinois fashion of politics.

Comment by illinoised Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:45 am
I think the (possibly phony) letter displays entitlement issues, narcissistic behavior, and self-centeredness.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:48 am
@OW

===Patti is still stunning,…===

In what way?=

Physically attractive, of course. OK. I’ll admit it. I always had a politi-crush for her…LOL

Comment by Illinois Bob Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:51 am
I maintain he lost his sincerity and any credibility when he went on The View and Letterman instead of laying low and being contrite. My prediction: reduction of no more than 2 years.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:52 am
Of course he changed. His hair is gone gray.

Comment by Matt Vernau Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:53 am
===Patti is still stunning,…===

In what way?=

Physically attractive, of course. OK. I’ll admit it. I always had a politi-crush for her…LOL===

Ewwwww

Comment by Cubs in '16 Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:57 am
It is clear that even when he leaves prison, he won’t find a great deal of sympathy in the public square. The penalty and punishment will continue in some form for the rest of his life. In it’s own way, his credibility has received a life sentence. He certainly earned that.

I still believe the sentence was overly punitive. To feel that way, you must overlook a lot of utter buffoonery. He’s likely still somewhat of a buffoon, but his ability to influence anything important with that trait should be gone.

In my heart of hearts, I hope he’s given another year, with him released to a local half way house in 9 months. To the extent Justice can be served, it has been. His family has been deeply punished too. Their sentence should be over soon in my opinion. It won’t be a life of cherries when he’s released no matter when it is. It’s close to, or maybe even at, the level where he’s been there long enough.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:57 am
===Physically attractive, of course.===

I’m done, I just wanted to admit how shallow you are when we are talking about a family and the freedom of a man.

Speaks volumes. Ugh.

No need to respond, I won’t.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 9:57 am
What is Leslie Munger wanting to end the extortion…

Or is there a fear to admit something has to happen for the constitutionally mandated act happens will fulfill the act of the extortion?

What has to happen for the Office of the Comptroller to follow the constitution?

Just let everyone know…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 10:07 am
I wanted the book thrown at Rod big time at initial sentencing but I don’t see the point in poking fun at him getting letters from fellow inmates. Is this letter really any more ridiculous or worthy of scorn than the letters that other people get?

Think back on the letters that Denny Hastert got. Or the ridiculous break the beanie babies guy got as just going on probation after getting caught as a billionaire tax evader based on his lawyer gathering a bunch of letters together touting his philanthropy.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 10:16 am
Surely reads like someone took dictation.

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 10:26 am
My biggest problem with Rod (besides they act that put him in prison) is the lack of remorse or admitted responsibility. He along is responsible for the length of his term. Until he falls on the sword I don’t think he is entitled to a reduction.

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 10:29 am
He’s the lead singer of an Elvis cover band in prison.
Lead singers are never known for their narcissism, right?

Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 10:40 am
I believe Rod was a stupid greedy man who believed the Chicago machine hype. I also think he wouldn’t do to Illinois what’s been done in the last 18 months. Served enough time, release him on parole.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 11:00 am
Blago may or may not have been over-sentenced. Regardless, he needs to serve more of his time. I don’t think (whenever it is he emerges from prison) that he will ever be a “changed man”, because there’s a deep pathology in his personality. But at least he will never again have the power of the governorship to facilitate his narcissism and self interest.

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 12:15 pm
Ya ! Trust an inmate. That’s rich.

Comment by Opie Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 5:52 pm