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First, the setup…

Today, [George] Ryan will appear with his wife Lura Lynn in Springfield. Mrs. Ryan will be signing the book “At Home with Illinois Governors: A Social History of the Illinois Executive Mansion.” The book sounds like a fine piece of work. And we certainly understand why Mrs. Ryan, as a co-author, would show up at a book signing.

But if George Ryan wanted to show some class and remorse — if he is actually capable of that — he would stay away from such events. This man tied Illinois up in a web of corruption for years. He enriched his friends with public contracts while receiving lots of financial favors in return. […]

Those who truly care about clean, honest government will refuse to fete Ryan as an honored former governor in a tea-and-cookies ceremony such as today’s. To do so is to diminish the serious crimes he committed.

Question: Do you agree or disagree with the SJ-R editorial?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 9:55 am

Comments

I’d have waited until George was otherwise disposed and invited the Mrs. to a ceremony.

Comment by Redbright Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:07 am
Disagree. Ryan also did many good things for the State as well. The world is not such a blck and white place as the author protrays it. History should not ignore or rewirte all that Ryan did. Loss of his pension, and his jail sentence are our punishment to him as a society. We can at trhe same time serve him tea and cookies and recognize his important role in matters such as the death penalty and infrastructure of the State.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:17 am
Agree totally. Ryan enriched himself for decades in many ways. I understand on a personal level why he’d want to go. But he should show some class and stay away.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:17 am
So when is the en banc hearing?

I heard they aren’t going to decide whether or not they are going to hear Ryan’s case until next spring at the earliest.

Comment by Prisoner 3421 Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:21 am
Personally, if I were George Ryan I would not attend such an event. However, nothing prevents him from doing so. As the editorial outlines, he is currently appealing his conviction and has every right to do so. He is still a free man and really can go anywhere he chooses.

As the editorial outlines, the name of the book is “At Home with Illinois Governors: A Social History of the Illinois Executive Mansion.” Has not George Ryan been an Illinois Governor? Can’t he have an input on “the social history of the Illinois Executive Mansion”? After all, didn’t he and his wife live in the mansion? So he has a great deal to say about the mansion and its history.

On a personal level, if I were his advisor, I would advice him not to attend. However, his wife might want him to be there as after all, she would not have lived in the Executive Mansion to explore the social history if it were not for George Ryan.

Comment by One_Mcmad Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:23 am
Wasn’t the book the outcome of Lura Lyn’s Phd dissertation and completely independent of any other turmoil in their life? I’m also sure she wrote every word and quoted all sources.

A bit more cynical view is that the book will be a source of income now that the pension is gone. It also doesn’t hurt George’s image to be promoting a nice book in I’m sure softball settings. It also provides a nice dig at Rod for not being in Springfield.

I think Ex-Gov should go only if he is apologizing the whole time.

Comment by Objective Dem Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:32 am
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Please consider today’s State Journal-Register Chris Britt cartoon as such. Go to: http://www.sj-r.com/extras/galleries/gallerybox.asp?gallery=723

Comment by anonymous Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:40 am
While I wouldn’t attend if I were George Ryan, I disagree with the SJ-R’s position for the reasons laid out by Objective Dem (income for Mrs. Ryan) and One_Mcmad.

Comment by Fan of the Game Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:46 am
Disagree with the SJ-R. It is also my understanding that income from the book does not go to Mrs. Ryan, but rather to the Executive Mansion Association.

Comment by Just the Facts Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:54 am
I diaagree. It’s not like his successor has exactly brought “class” to the office.

Besides, the SJ-R has the purpose of the event bassackwards. It’s not to herald George’s return to Springfield, it’s a book signing.

At this point in their lives, I would think that the Ryans are inseparable for a number of reasons.

Cut them some slack.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:55 am
he shows no remorse because his contention is that he is innocent—-as to the money being raised—none of it goes to the ryans—it goes to the executive mansion organization which helps with funding this public building

Comment by hmmmm... Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:57 am
I disagree, He is still a former Governor and deserves the respect. In this case he is supporting his wife.

Comment by He makes Ryan Look like a Saint Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:57 am
He should not appear. As bad as the corruption of his Administration may have been, the ultimate stain on his legacy is the fact that the corruption led to the election of Guv Rod. For that reason alone he should be too ashamed to appear.

Comment by back back bencher Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:58 am
I agree.

And I think that who truly care about clean, honest government will refuse to fete Blago as governor. To do so is to diminish the serious [stricken by SCAM legal dept] he committed.

– SCAM

Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:00 am
AA,

So Rod hasn’t brought class to the office. Does that diminish the fact that George is a convicted felon who is about to serve real time in the pokey or that he fleeced the people he was elected to serve for decades?

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:09 am
Why is he free?

Comment by Boone Logan Square Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:10 am
I agree with the editorial. They shouldn’t be signing books about a big house they should be living in one.

Comment by Garp Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:14 am
I completely agree. His presence is his way of reminding people that he feels he did nothing wrong & should not have been found guilty. Yet, the court found him guilty, he remains guilty, & he should be in prison instead of walking free. It’s a slap in the face to everyone in the state.

Comment by Alison Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:19 am
I agree.

Ryan is a convicted felon who has been sentenced to prison. He is already getting the “respect” due a former governor by having his sentence stayed during appeal. Now it is his turn to “respect” the people of Illinois - the victims of the crimes for which he was convicted - by not attending such events until he is either exonerated by the courts, or finishes repaying his debt to society.

Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:19 am
Oh, please folks. It’s not like the governorship has ever been held by saints in IL. It’s usually been held by sinners of one kind or another, the difference being the degree of egregiousness.

Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:19 am
Once again the media is wrong
George is right to do a low key event and sign some books. If I were in town I woul stop by and buy one.
His work on wrongful prosecutions was substantial and his place in IL cannot be erased.

Comment by Redbyrd Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:25 am
Since the book is about the Executive Mansion, the current Governor had to excuse himself for lack of knowledge of the subject matter. Maybe Ryan was the only ex-Governor with free time?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:33 am
I jumped to the conclusion that the profits were going to the Ryans. Based on this bit from an old Sneed column, it appears the book was originally published several years ago and the profits go to the Executive Mansion Association.

“The history: Money was raised privately during Ryan’s tenure to publish a history of the governor’s mansion in Springfield from 1855 to 2003. The late Lincoln scholar John Trutter, a member of the Lincoln Academy, encouraged Mrs. Ryan to do so because a comprehensive mansion social history was long overdue.

“So I met with the Illinois Executive Mansion Association, which the first lady oversees, whose mission it is to raise money to provide for all interior repairs and furnishings for the mansion,” Lura Lynn Ryan told Sneed.

Comment by Objective Dem Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:34 am
I was there when the book was written. Maynard authored it, with Lura Lynn’s input. It is essentially “her book” and the current governor sent thousands of copies of it to a warehouse in Ohio. It took 5 years to find the copies.

This is the Ryan’s event. They can do what they want with the books.

Comment by Shelbyville Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:36 am
Disagree,
Leave Ryan alone. He may be a crook but he got railroaded, deprived of his right to a fair trial, and is almost 80 years old. He can do want he wants for now and hopefully for the rest of his life when he wins his appeal.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:48 am
Disagree.

I’m tired of all the judging and political sniping. Lets leave these old people alone. Kicking Grandma and Grandpa during this event shows no class. They know how people feel about them, and they are doing this to help others - not themselves.

If you didn’t like what he did while in office, then you should at least appreciate what they are trying to do now.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:56 am
I don’t see a need to be nice to them. He is a convicted felon out on appeal. He wasn’t railroaded. He did all sorts of corrupt things that happened to result in the deaths of several young children. The only reason he is out of prison is he has good lawyers for free. And to top it off, he doesn’t show remorse or any indication that he recognizes the seriousness of what he did.

Comment by Objective Dem Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:15 pm
Why is his name still on the Lincoln Presidential Library cornerstone?

Comment by Where's an eraser? Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:16 pm
- Where’s an eraser? -
Because the cornerstone is too small for blagos name and the stone masons refuse to defile it.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:23 pm
How about the two years worth of crime the current Gov has commited against the State of Illinois? At least this book reminds us their is a Govenor’s mansion.

Comment by Mark Johnson Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:32 pm
I disagree with the premise that he shouldn’t be there. You cannot rewrite history and, like it or not, he did do a lot of good as Governor. Sure, he took advantage of the system, but till now it has always been a ‘good ole boys’ system. Now it is simply an ‘all for me system’ under the current governor. As mentioned above, he was Governor and contributed to the history of the Mansion, as by action, the present less than governor hasn’t. Until he has exhausted all appeals, our system of governance says he is free to help a worthy cause.

Comment by Justice Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:43 pm
Disagree:
If SJR’s criteria for not allowing current/former public officials to attend public functions,…which presumably will benefit a public cause i.e., the upkeep of the Governor’s mansion…because “he enriched his friends with public contracts” then the Four Tops, Blago? and other elected officials (Chicago, Cook County?)should be kept from such ceremonies. In fact, many leaders have not only enriched friends but family members have and will continue to receive contracts, jobs, perks etc…all at the public’s expense and perfectly acceptable by the way since these officials continue to be elected.

Comment by ChicagoDem Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:51 pm
This just occurred to me. The SJ-R has published a few puff pieces on convicted felon and serial liar Dan Walker on the occasion of his new book.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:56 pm
Ryan hasn’t even served any time yet, but has time for teas & cookies.
Just go away and take Blagojevich with you!

Comment by Play to get Paid Politics Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:59 pm
I disagree…I mean, Rod still shows his face in Springfield.

Comment by Jay Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 1:40 pm
Justice Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 12:43 pm:

“You cannot rewrite history and, like it or not, he did do a lot of good as Governor. Sure, he took advantage of the system, but till now it has always been a ‘good ole boys’ system. Now it is simply an ‘all for me system’ under the current governor. As mentioned above, he was Governor and contributed to the history of the Mansion, as by action, the present less than governor hasn’t. Until he has exhausted all appeals, our system of governance says he is free to help a worthy cause” PERIOD.

Comment by One_Mcmad Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 2:21 pm
Without George Ryan, the Lincoln Library wouldn’t be here. Mrs. Cellini had floated that concept to Thompson and Edgar for decades. Ryan finally agreed to build it. He raised a huge portion of the cash.

Comment by Shelbyville Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 3:06 pm
Does the Book have a chapter on the Blagojevich years? Perhaps a chapter on the history of the executive aircraft would be more appropriate.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 3:13 pm
Hey, Rich. Once Ryan serves his time, I’ll let him write a “puff piece” for the Op-Ed page. I promise. And I really can’t let the comment from Shelbyville stand without noting that Ryan did not raise “a huge portion of the cash” for the Abe presidential library and museum. Your tax money paid for the lion’s share of that project. That would be like saying Blago “raised” money for All Kids. As for the means-justify-the-ends argument being used here, lots of public officials have done greater good without also earning federal convictions.

Comment by Mike Matulis Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 3:26 pm
I know Mrs. Ryan personally and I applaud her for writing a book that documents the history of the Executive Mansion, a crown jewel for use of most governors. I just hope in writing the book that the history of the mansion stopped with the Ryans because there sure hasn’t been anything worth writing about in the past 5 years. Has anyone thought perhaps GRyan’s visit to Springfield could be his swan song?

Comment by Just My Opinion Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 3:29 pm
hmmmmmmmmm GR was the best Dem this state has had in a long time. Look what he did to save the men and women on death row. He knows he risks a lot of negative comments by attending, but Ghost had it right - he’s paid already.

Doug Dobmeyer

Comment by Doug Dobmeyer Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 4:06 pm
So Ryan got careless and got caught - it’s not like any of his predecessors were saints - they were just more careful. And frankly, the only reason he ultimately got convicted was because his trusted aide couldn’t bring himself to fall on the sword if it meant jail for his lady love. I say let Mrs. Ryan have her moment and let her husband stand by her side. Whatever his sins were, they already pale by comparison to the current governor. (So I agree that the worst thing Ryan did was to set the stage for King Rod to be crowned.)

Comment by cynically anonymous Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 4:30 pm
why is george free, BCAUSE HE”S A REPUBLICAN AND ONLY DEMOCRACTS GO TO JAIL. Just ask Dan Walker. Feel my pockets with money, thats what george is saying, RIGHT MRS RYAN.

Comment by quincy Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 4:46 pm
Mike Matulis got it exactly right. I’d like to set our standards a bit higher for future governors than George Ryan or Rod Blagojevich. Just because George Ryan didn’t do everything wrong doesn’t mean he’s not a crook.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 5:42 pm
73 is almost 80?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 6:00 pm
Hmmm…Bill, VM, and AA agree on something again?

Are we mellowing out or what?

PS: Methinks Mr. Matulis doth protest a bit too much, although he is correct on the fundraising point. If only the J-R was as prompt to correct its own mistakes, editorial or otherwise….

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 7:57 pm
I disagree. The money is going to a worthy cause.
What I would like to know is why there has been no mention of why Emil Jones, president of the state Senate, is allowed to continue to rule as if he is the only one elected to represent this state. I think a survey should be done asking voters if they would allow one man to have so much power? If walls could talk, I just wonder how many other elected leaders would be up on criminal charges?

Comment by Thunder 2 Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 8:12 pm
It was good to see a real Governor and his First Lady back in Springfield again. Just wish they were in the Mansion!

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 10:17 pm
He shouldn’t have any choice in the matter of whether or not he is at the book signing as he should be in jail. As he is not in jail, he should have decided to stay away if he had any class. As he does not, he chose to go to the book signing. In the big picture, who cares? I thoroughly disagree with those who say we should go easy on him because he is old. What’s age got to do with it? He’s a criminal. It is unacceptable to have him out and about.

Comment by Way Northsider Wednesday, Sep 19, 07 @ 11:20 pm
I agree with the editorial. Ryan is not only a convicted felon and proven corrupted official, but also an arrogant curmudgeon who could give Dick Cheney and Rostenkowski a run for their money … and probably win. He’ll also have the last laugh, since his friends’ influence seems to be ensuring that he’ll croak before he sees in the inside of a prison cell.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 1:06 am
Before we keep fitting him for yet another “black-hat” …..let’s keep in mind maybe the good he did in -30 plus- years of public life, that his conviction is under appeal for a wide variety of reasons & that if he choses to join his wife of nearly -50- years, more power to him. These few occassions, depending on his legal issues outcome, may be their last !? At -71-, most would agree that he’s , like others that age, are turning into the home stretch of his life.

Comment by annon Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 6:14 am