Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Durbin backlash gaining strength

Posted in:

Illinois
Durbin

* Phil Kadner whacks Sen. Dick Durbin but good for asking that the president commute George Ryan’s prison sentence…

[Durbin] sides with Ryan’s pitiful wife, apparently forgetting the story of Tammy Raynor.

Raynor worked at a driver’s license facility under Ryan and saw the bribe-taking. When she protested, she was harassed. Her life was threatened. She was transferred.

But wherever she worked, she took notes on the corruption that she saw and stuffed them in the pockets of a multi-colored winter coat that she wore even in the summer.

At one point, Raynor claimed her mother passed Ryan’s wife a note, at a fundraising event, explaining the situation Raynor was in. Ryan’s wife, the woman Durbin feels so bad for today, said she never got the note.

I believe Raynor, whose testimony helped send Ryan to prison.

Durbin feels bad for Ryan. He feels bad for Ryan’s wife.

But he feels no sympathy for the honest people who live in this corruption-infested state.

I’m not surprised. You don’t get to be a U.S. senator from Illinois thinking about the little people.

* Mark Brown is outraged…

It’s hard to be against mercy. We all should strive to be merciful and compassionate.

But we also ought to have some standards as to when we show mercy, and the line doesn’t start with crooked politicians who fight, stall and postpone their convictions until they’re old enough to be considered more sympathetic.

Let me preface anything else I say with this: I’ve always liked Durbin. I respect him. I think he tries to be a decent public servant. But I think he’s so wrong on this one it’s ridiculous, as was his attempt at justifying his decision.

Basically, it all boils down to the fact he knows the Ryans personally and is therefore familiar with what a hardship the ex-governor’s prison sentence has been on Mrs. Ryan in particular.

He explained his decision in the context of spending his entire public life trying to correct government injustices of one sort or another that have been brought to his attention by members of the public. He chalked up the Ryan clemency bid as just one more example of that.

When pressed, though, Durbin said he couldn’t remember ever seeking clemency on behalf of anybody else. And he also backpedaled from the notion that Ryan was the victim of any injustice.

* The Sun-Times editorial board examines some problems with Durbin’s logic…

The senator’s notion of fairness is not informed by the facts in Ryan’s case.

If Ryan is released early, he will have spent less time in prison than two friends convicted in the case — Ryan’s aide, Scott Fawell, who did the dirty work, and businessman Lawrence Warner, who profited from the dirty deals.

Hardly fair or proportionate.

Often, special early release is reserved for the most penitent of prisoners. Ryan is the exact opposite. Years after his conviction, he has yet to apologize to the people of Illinois or, more specifically, to the Willis family, who lost six children in a fiery crash in 1994. Ryan’s corrupt secretary of state office gave a license to the unqualified truck driver involved in that crash.

Durbin said he hopes Ryan will apologize — when he gets out.

What a backward notion. And again, hardly fair.

Even if Ryan were to apologize while standing on the prison steps, we would have to question his sincerity. Ryan’s wife has said his conscience is clear.

* The Tribune editorial board published an open letter today to President Bush…

President Bush, you know George Ryan as an affable governor from your past. The people of Illinois know him as a criminal whose first-tier legal team couldn’t sway jurors from convicting him on 18 corruption counts.

We urge you, Mr. Bush, not to tell the preyed-upon people of Illinois that public corruption doesn’t matter.

We urge you to demonstrate that the difficult work of courts and jurors does matter.

We urge you not to free George Ryan.

* And the Daily Herald, like just about everybody else, brings up the dead Willis children…

George Ryan wants to spend time with his family. We think he should continue to reflect in prison on the fact that a bribery scandal in the secretary of state’s office he led resulted in the deaths of the six children of Rev. Scott and Janet Willis.

Our sympathies lie with them.

* Sneed is Sneed…

Sen. Dick Durbin, who asked President Bush for former Gov. George Ryan’s freedom Monday, feels he did so with approval.

• • The approval? Whenever Durbin faces a tough decision, he “thinks about what the late Sen. Paul Simon, a very compassionate man, would have done,” said a Sneed source.

• • The upshot: “Durbin believes Simon would have given a nod of approval to his action. Paul Simon is his North Star when it comes to politics,” the source added.

• • Backshot: In a rare expression of public compassion from a politician, Sen. Durbin gets Sneed’s award for bravery. It’s not easy knowing you’re going to be flooded with hate mail for doing what you think is the right thing. Sneed is told Sen. Durbin was inundated with negative messages the day after he announced he was thinking about asking President Bush to commute Ryan’s federal corruption sentence.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:06 am

Comments

I dunno…I am moving in the opposite direction on this, and am starting to see things Durbin’s way.

After all, President Clinton pardoned Mel Reynolds and Dan Rostenkowski, so there is a precedent for a sitting president to pardon convicted Illinois politicians.

And what fallout could possibly result on Durbin from this? He was elected (in a landslide) to a six year term three weeks ago, and had quite a few major endorsements.

Is Illinois going to vote out one of its senior senator that has a leadership role?

He’s got six full years to bring the bacon home that will more than make up for the temporary outcry from this.

Comment by Leroy Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:14 am
I’d forgotten how angry many people were about Ryan when he was convicted. I wasn’t one of them, believing a lot of others had gotten away with a lot worse. But it sure is out there.

Kind of lame for Durbin to play the Paul Simon card (WWPSD). Stand on your own senator, and leave your ouija board out of it.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:14 am
I think it is a stretch for people to lay blame directly tn GHR for the tragic deaths of the Willis chidren. Also, he shoul dnot be commuted or released. I know a lot of people could use thier husband loved one, but they are in prision. Where are their letters?

Next episode of Profiles in Courage…we focus on Dick Durbin who waits less than one month after his re-election to ask for this garbage.

Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:22 am
The real point - in six years nobody will really remember, or care, that Durbin made the request.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:29 am
I think much of the opposition to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s compassionate request to commute former George Ryan’s sentence is unwarranted and silly in my opinion. Ryan has been stripped of all that is dear to him - his freedom, the love of his family as he enters his 9th decade of life, his former title, his pension and other benefits, etc. Incarceration is supposed to be rehabilitative, not vindictive. He should be given credit for time served and be allowed to return to his family.

I have always thought the six-year sentence was unreasonably punitive on U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s part.

With the devastation that our country is facing on the foreign and domestic fronts, I am hopeful that President George W. Bush will show some compassion for our former governor.

…And this coming from a left-leaning liberal~

Comment by Black Ivy Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:29 am
This is an outrage, it makes a mockery of public trust and the Judicial System. Unless you are going to commute every convicted felons sentence whose family “needs” them, convict Ryan sits.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:31 am
Mel Reynolds served 42 months before he get clemency.

Dan R. served 88$ of his sentence.

Let Ryan match either of those before he tries for a get out of jail card.

Comment by Pat collins Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:31 am
88%

Comment by Pat collins Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:32 am
Twice over the years I’ve posted comments that I thought Sneed was dumber than a box of rocks and Rich called me out. After this fall’s infatuation with all things Sarah Palin and now this, you on board yet, Rich?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:37 am
Anyone recall what the reason was for President Clinton pardoning Rostenkowski and Reynolds?

Hint: it wasn’t age & health.

Comment by Leroy Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:38 am
Anonymous, I defend Sneed when she’s defensible. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:43 am
Durbin received a similar “backlash” from certain corners when he made his Guantanamo comments. Overall, didn’t affect his standing or electability in the next election. I agree that this will be largely forgotten in 6 years if he decides to run again.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:48 am
===Overall, didn’t affect his standing or electability in the next election===

Mainly because he apologized. This time, he didn’t back down when faced with a backlash.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:49 am
I hope Durbin also got my message praising him for his correct and courageous decision. The fact that the joke of the south side, Kadner, is outraged is assurance that Durbin and I are on the right track. Does anyone care what that Royko wannabe hack Brown says anymore? I am outraged that Brown still has a job. No wonder no one reads those rags anymore.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:49 am
Alas, we can’t know what the many politicians and cronies preparing to put their snouts into the state money trough (or whose snouts are already in it) would react if Ryan were pardoned. Would this encourage them to keep eating? Would it make them think maybe they should stop eating? Would it prevent them from starting to eat in the first place. I suspect that Ryan’s lengthy trial and
incarceration to this point might deter a few, but
that’s the wildest guess. Deterrence should be the goal here, not our opinion of Dick Durbin.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:49 am
Bill, chill, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:51 am
Durbin probably brought up this subject because he was re-elected four weeks ago. He knows that, if he runs, for re-election, in 2014, the voters will forget what he did, in 2008. If he wanted to show courage, he would have announced his idea in Oct.

Comment by Phil Collins Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:51 am
Some observations:

Blago also chimed in that ole’ George should be let go but nobody seems to care.

Why do the Republican leaders seem to support Blago while the Dem leaders are supporting Ryan?

This will be an issue in the Senate race in two years.

If Durbin is so courageous, why did he wait till he was re-elected for another 6 years to announce his position on freeing Ryan?

Paul Simon would never do what Durbin is doing.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:52 am
No one seems to remember how little the media cared about GHR before the ‘98 election. The Trib wrote stories about how HARD it was to get a CDL.

Why oh why would anyone listen to them now?

Comment by Reddbyrd Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:52 am
Ok, but those two guys really have a lot of nerve.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:53 am
Courage? Senator Durbin makes the Cowardly Lion look brave.

So what is the point of all the justified outrage?

Sen. Durbin has been reelected and will be spending the next 6 years in Washington. What are the downsides for him in 6 years should he choose to run?

None as far as I can see.

Time and time again, where the going gets tough, the political elite will satisfy their needs before those of the citizens.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:57 am
By the way, rarely do I agree with Cassandra but the issue really is deterrence for future political felons. Would letting Ryan out early help to prevent future corruption-no.

I would support some type of work release program for elderly non-violent criminals that allows them to be part of their families lives, however, to single out people with clout is absolutely the wrong message.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:11 am
Wow Bill, I just decided not to endorse you for Senate.

Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:13 am
Correct thing to do but for the wrong reason. Taxpayers have been paying George’s way for to many years (one way or the other). Maybe now he can pay his own way like the rest of us.

Comment by Down South Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:18 am
What is Durbin hiding? What political gain will this give him?

Comment by Boscobud Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:19 am
It’s sad that Dick Durbin would go to bat for a corrupt politician like George Ryan.Durbin was just elected,he knows he’s in the right state for voter acceptance of political corruption.I know there will not be much fallout from this.After all,Illinois voters will accept virtually anything.The thing you have to remember about Sneed: she’s pretty “ethically challenged”.After convicted felon Alderman Roti died,Sneed wrote a glowing column on how she was such a close friend of Fred Roti and his wife.So,a courage award from Sneed doesn’t mean too much.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:28 am
I know this is a great news story and is fertile ground for comment but, what in George Bush’s background or previous pardons gives anyone the idea that he would act in such a fashion? Also, previous commenters have noted that Senator Durbin merely needs to wait a few weeks to send such a letter to a political ally who could pardon Ryan as his first political action in office.

Comment by walter sobchak Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:31 am
The Real Backshot…

It takes no courage to take an unpopular stand after you win re-election.

I am surprised Sneed didn’t work the Burke’s in somehow…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:46 am
Bill: “No wonder no one reads those rags anymore”
Headmaster Rich: “Bill, chill, please”
Bill: “Ok….(but muttering in low voice…’but they’re still poo-poo heads’…..

HA

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:53 am
Unbelievable that Durbin would ask for clemency in light of Ryan’s failure to express remorse. Six years is a long time off but this is something that he will need to defend during his next election.

Comment by stones Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:55 am
There is little apparent political reason for Durbin to do this. If he let Ryan die in jail, there would be no stain on Durbin. So I give him the benefit of the doubt. He may be misguided because he knows Ryan better than other jail birds, but he’s not asking for a pardon.

My favored alternative explanation is that our politically astute Senator is moving to head off the pardon the Ryan prefers and asked for.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:55 am
Pot,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Governor James R. Thompson

November 27, 2008

GOVERNOR JAMES R. THOMPSON, SENIOR CHAIRMAN OF WINSTON & STRAWN, RELEASED A STATEMENT TODAY CONCERNING GOVERNOR RYAN’S PETITION FOR COMMUTATION OF SENTENCE

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:07 pm
Real courage would be Durbin waiting until January 20th, and sending his letter requesting commutation to President Obama.

Comment by Marco Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:19 pm
If a pardon was good enough for Richard Nixon, then at least George Ryan should receive a commutation of sentence. Does anyone know if Nixon had his presidential retirement taken away for what he did?

Comment by WAR DOG Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:25 pm
This was not just a case where Governor Ryan helped friends make a lot of money by illegal access to public dollars. Nor is it just a case where those friends in turn gave lots of the illegal money to his campaign fund. It is also a case where Governor Ryan, his wife, his kids, and other relatives also personally recieved big dollars and other benefits from those so called friends.

Senator Durbin feels sorry for Mrs. Ryan. Alright, it is a sad case and everyone says she is such a nice person. However, I suspect she is a very nice person who knew full well for years that she and her family were benefiting from ill gotten gains. Now that is not nice, and Senator Durbin is wroing.

Comment by BigBob Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:26 pm
Perhaps U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is driven toward compassion after the recent untimely death of his own beloved daughter. Beyond the obvious political reasons, U.S. Senator Durbin may simply feel compelled to aid an aging former sitting governor.

Simply put, life is short, you know?

Comment by Black Ivy Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:27 pm
Perhaps Durbin could begin to feel some compassion for the unborn while he’s at it. He supposedly had it early in his political career.

Comment by Cradle Catholic Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:39 pm
Black Ivy
You are correct that life is short. Maybe we should give clemency to all prisoners aged 75 and over. Or at least all those who have old and frail wifes who miss them. Their lives are short also.

Comment by BigBob Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:39 pm
compassion for the unborn while he’s at it. He supposedly had it early in his political career.

Yes, but he needed to get elected then. When he needed not to have it to get elected, it went away.

Comment by Pat collins Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:44 pm
My idea of justice isn’t seeing Ryan serve the rest of his sentence. Justice is seeing every other politician in this state who promoted and personally benefited from the same patronage and pay-to-play system sitting next to Ryan in a cell. Until that happens, I don’t really care if Ryan’s sentence is commuted.

Comment by Will Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:47 pm
Will
If George’s sentence is commuted, he will not be available to be a cellmate to those other politicians you seem to hope will join him.

If you really wish what you say, then you should care. Otherwise, you are only offering another lame excuse for clemency.

Comment by BigBob Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 1:00 pm
Big Durbin fan here, I totally disagree with him on this issue but I do not let it reflect on him in any way. I see it as his personal ethics, and I respect him even as I disagree.

Ryan is not on death row, unless his ticker is imminently about to fail. He is in the place where you are sent when you’ve broken the rules and tried to hide it by blocking the investigation. He’s a liar and thief and I don’t care how cute and cuddly he may look. His wife may be about to pass away, that is sad. LuraLyn is a nice enough lady, I’ve met her and I feel for her, however, the Ryans had a choice and they made a decision, and now they have to live with it like anybody else.

My grandpa is every bit as Wilfred-Brimley-like as old George; if he had gotten convicted on 16 counts of perjury, theft, impeding investigations, and corruption, just to have a more comfortable life, nobody would be asking Bush to give him time off for it now. There are countless families who all want their husbands and fathers sprung early. Is Ryan above the same process those familes endure?

This is what prison is: you lose your freedom and you lose the ability to be there for people like your wife and family. Had Ryan weighed the risk of this happening, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. A free Jamaican vacation and extra pocket change is what he wanted. Now he’s paying for it. It’s not like he was involved in some ethical gray area like a mercy killing of a person in terminal cancer with unbearable pain, or shooting an intruder. He’ll get out in what, 4 years. Maybe Bush will throw him a free year for good behavior. This is the wrong guy to ask clemency for, when the prison system is full of many more compelling cases, who’s only difference is who their rich friends are.

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 1:00 pm
BigBob, we both know it isn’t going to happen anyway.

Comment by Will Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 1:08 pm
We are just getting ready to deal with whatever comes out of the current investigation. when you know too much about your fellow polititians, those politicians can’t leave you in jail lest you get bored and decide to air their laundry. If the current Governor goes to jail, it will look normal to try and commute his sentence.

Comment by living in the wrong state Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 1:14 pm
wordslinger: In yesterday’s capfaxblog, Rich wrote “…But Ryan’s recent petition to President Bush asking for a pardon included these contrite words…,” and on Nov. 26, the SunTimes reported that “[Lura Lynn] Ryan…has twice personally appealed to President Bush to pardon her husband before Bush leaves office in January.” So a pardon is on the table.

I have to imagine that Ryan’s lack of a clear admission of wrongdoing indicates some sort of hope that he can get a pardon. Pardons are a lot harder to get when you freely admit guilt.

The pressure is on Bush to do something. It’s easy to see him tossing a pardon Ryan’s way, especially if no one seems to be paying attention. Lura Lynn is pushing for something before Christmas and certainly has some behind-the-scenes help. Durbin knows more than we do about the maneuvering on Ryan’s behalf. Going public with a clemency request could have been a move to make the conversation public and move it away from a pardon. There is certainly a lot of pressure (and sunshine) now that was not present two weeks ago.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 1:25 pm
Living: I don’t see Sen. Durbin making a similar request for Gov. B. They don’t even talk. I doubt Gov. B has dirty laundry on Durbin, although Durbin probably knows plenty about the Gov.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 1:28 pm
At least when Sneed was fawning over Palin, she wasn’t fawning over the Burkes.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 1:34 pm
I like Durbin. I think he’s been a decent Senator. But when I first heard about this, I thought it was crazy. But then, even decent Senators, can have bad ideas.

But if Pot calling kettle is correct and a pardon is still on the table, then maybe Durbin is crazy like a fox. A commutation will be lot more palatable to most citizens than a pardon will.

And blaming Ryan for the deaths of the Willis children is a low blow.

Comment by Crafty Girl Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 3:43 pm
What would Paul Simon do? In his younger days as a crusading newspaper man in Madison County he would have written very critically of the corruption not said oh well George is an old man, let him go.

Comment by Leave a light on George Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 3:44 pm
I think this is a case of Senator Durbin, liberated from the necesssity of running for reelection for six years, feeling free to make a humanitarian gesture and honestly trying to do the right thing based upon his personal convictions. I honestly can’t see that Durbin has anything but grief to gain from his controversial decision to recommend commutation, given the firestorm of opposition that has erupted.

I too have reservations about communtation, absent any admission of guilt and expression of contrition for his crimes. Ryan is a 73 year old guy in failing health with a spouse in poor health too. I would be inclined to strongly support commutation if Ryan would admit his guilt.

Comment by CAptain America Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 3:46 pm
I propose a solution. Ryan is freed from jail and Sneed loses her column. It would almost be worth it not to read about, I never read her directly, how she is writing about the Burke’s, Vdrolyak’s, Ryan’s, Palin’s, or some silliness about the North Shore or North Dakota.

That’s the trade. Ryan goes free and Sneed goes quiet.

How many real reporters could the Sun Times hire with what I expect is her bloated salary?

Comment by IrishPirate Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 4:01 pm
“Blaming Ryan for the deaths of the Willis Children is a low blow”?

No it isn’t.

If your forcing your $60,000 a year or less employees to purchase tens of thousands of dollars in fundraising tickets you damn well know they are getting the money illegally.

Screw Ryan. There are lots of federal prisoners with Illinois ties who are more deserving of a reduced sentence than that corrupt hack. I seem to recall Rich Miller writing about Ryan being investigated for corruption back in Kankakee in the 60’s or early 70’s. Something about pharmacies.

I tend to think there are far too many people in prison in this country. Ryan isn’t one of them who should be out.

Comment by IrishPirate Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 4:06 pm
It would be interesting to know how many people are in prison of Ryan’s age and doing time for white collar crimes? Maybe they could get a group pardon. Though I feel for George and his family I don’t like the idea of a US Senator going to bat for him and leaving all the others to fend for themselves. How many others has Durbin offered to help…..any?

Comment by Justice Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 4:06 pm
Surprisingly, no one will answer the phone at Durbin’s offices, and you can not leave voicemails.

Comment by budussy Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 4:10 pm
So now Kirk has chimed in. Are we going to have to hear from every elected official in this State concerning this old man’s fate. Thanks a lot Dick. By the way, where does Blagojevich’s stand? Next in line I presume.

Comment by Pick of the litter Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 4:20 pm
I like when Durbin condescendingly explained that he is recommending a commutation, not a pardon. Most of us understand the difference and are still against it.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 4:29 pm
In regards to the cases of former Congressmen Mel Reynolds and Dan Rostenkowski, I know that Rostenkowski’s pardon came a few years AFTER he finished serving his sentence. As for Reynolds, I believe his sentence was commuted only after he had served several years (if not the bulk) of his sentence. Both are a far cry of Ryan having served just a year of his sentence.

Comment by Randall Sherman Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 6:49 pm
Durbin is as wrong as wrong can be. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.

Comment by DuPage Dave Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 7:21 pm
Durbin is a coward for waiting until after the election to make this request.

Comment by fed up Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 7:42 pm
Again, just for the record: the REAL Anonymous does NOT believe that Sneed is dumber than a box of rocks and I, like Rich, believe her POSITION could be defended if it’s defensible–though I’m certain she’s a big girl who’s fully capable of doing so herself when she feels same is required.

I will admit, however, to defend the new Anonymous who obviously can’t seem to argue re: the merits of individuals’ positions on issues, choosing rather to verbally assault the indvidual.

Not very nice. Rich’s favorite phrase comes to mind in response to not only the comment, but the continued practice of blogging under “Anonymous”.

Comment by Ahem...The REAL Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 8:05 pm
Without taking a position on either Durbin’s advocacy for Ryan or on the commutation, I did find Dan S’s 10:31 comment interesting in a “flashback” sort of way.

If I remember correctly, I believe that the comment was the same some families of victims had made when Ryan took convicted murderers who admitted guilt to heinous crimes off death row–even in instances where they wanted to stay where they were.

Some–not necessarily me–might argue that an act of compassion deserves one in return. Just tossing it out there for consideration.

Comment by Ahem...The REAL Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 8:17 pm
Senator Durbin is wrong to ask President Bush to commute George Ryan’s sentence and his defense for making this appeal (this is what the late Senator Simon would have done) is shameful.

Many things went wrong up to and on the day the Willis children died. One of the things that went wrong was an incompetent driver was issued a license to drive. When Ryan put public safety second to his avarice with the licenses for bribes scheme, he made himself an accomplice to this tragedy.

I am nearly certain that the same set of conditions that faced Guzman that day would have culminated in a different, less lethal outcome had the driver been competent and properly licensed. Until and unless there’s a magic that can bring back the Willis children, George Ryan should stay put.

Comment by Suzanne Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 10:03 pm
-Perhaps this is the last post of the night on this subject and if it is, then I have to say I’m disappointed that Durbin has made the request but I agree with a previous poster who said perhaps it is driven because of compassion and because Durbin has lost a daughter. I think his heart is in the right place - just not his head.

As we close out the comments on this subject, please remember Rev. Scott and Janet Willis who will be spending yet another Christmas without their precious BEN, JOSEPH, SAMUEL, HANK, ELIZABETH, and PETER. Not being able to see your 6 living children on a daily basis does not begin to equal never again seeing your beloved 6 children until the entire family meets in Heaven. Rev. and Mrs. Willis, we have not forgotten your loss, nor will we ever.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:24 pm
As a parent, I agonize for what the Wills’ have lost, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is not George Ryan’s fault.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 11:44 pm
Steve, I have to say that you are one of many people who have stuck your heads in the sand over the Willis children. Yes, George Ryan was not driving the truck from which the part fell off, the Willis van ran over, punctured the gas tank resulting in an inferno in which 6 children were cremated. But sadly, you will not admit that had it not been for the greed of fundraising money and the immoral push for Ryan demanding that his SOS employees either ante up themselves the money for the fundraising tickets or to “sell” them, there would still be 6 Willis children alive today.

I’m totally sickened by the die-hard devotees of Ryan who will place absolutely no blame on Ryan for the deaths of these precious children.

As a parent, you are not agonizing quite enough over the Willis children or your would be man enough to place blame squarely where it belongs - on George Ryan’s shoulders. I would like to give George another 5 1/2 years to dwell on these children. In fact, it would be nice if everyday he had to look at a calendar showing their pictures.

Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 10:19 am