Subscribe to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here     Contact Rich Miller
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here. Subscriptions are $350 per year. To advertise on the Capitol Fax Blog, please click here.
Automatic Rod Blagojevich story generator

Thursday, May 8, 2008

* This comment was posted last night and it’s one of the more thought-out and funny posts I’ve seen in a while, so I thought I’d promote it to the front page…

Blagojevich story generator. (Bee eSS Generator for short)

Just pick one item from each section to generate a typical Rod Blagojevich story.
For brevity, you can just write your story as a string of the resulting numbers.

Today Governor Blagojevich’s office announced a

1 new program
2 variation on a previously proposed program
3 impotent condemnation of the Federal government over policy
4 sympathetic “me-too” press statement riding the tail of a national issue
5 new lawsuit
6 no-bid contract for a friend
7 re-named version of a previous governor’s program

that met with

1 skepticism from the General Assembly over implementation
2 howls of derision from members of his own party
3 non-committal responses from state leadership
4 a call for his impeachment by Jack Franks
5 complaints of unfunded mandates and frivolous expense by civic/business groups
6 unanswered questions about accountability from experts in the field

His new idea is to provide:

1 free healthcare for pets
2 singing lessons to Miley Cyrus
3 free trips out of the country for anyone who is of Syrian extraction or named Madigan
4 generous retirement plans for prosecuting attorneys and judges

Blagojevich said there would be enough money for all the programs he proposes and to pay off the state deficit by way of:

1 GRT tax
2 a value-added tax on general revenue
3 a previously rejected funding plan
4 just not looking too closely at the books
5 a truckload of new gambling expansion
6 auctioning off everything not nailed down
7 a TRG tax
8 removing “corporate loopholes”… in campaign funding restrictions

.

The governor, thru a spokesperson, dodged questions about

1 a current racketeering investigation in which his name is prominent
2 a lack of detail on the implementation of the new initiative
3 the absence of funding mechanism for the proposal
4 the fact that insiders and campaign contributors would be involved
5 a new law suit / counter-suit
6 a previous, related suit of his being dismissed as frivolous or without merit
7 his taxes
.

Later, on his way

1 to a fundraiser
2 from a fundraiser
3 to his home
4 to a Hannah Montana concert
5 to a Cubs game
6 to a Hawks game
7 to an intramural Jai ali contest
8 to Winston & Strawn
9 from something that most definitely was NOT a fundraiser

the governor was accosted by reporters demanding an explanation. The governor

1 ducked into his state airplane
2 ducked into a black Suburban
3 gathered a protective ring of schoolchildren from a passing field trip
4 began quoting 1970’s Cubs batting averages
5 demonstrated his recall of state area codes
6 blamed George Ryan for everything
7 said whatever it was, he didn’t do it, unless it was for “the people”
8 reminded everyone he got bad grades in school
9 blamed Mike Madigan for not doing enough
10 asked Emil Jones to run block for him and ran for the sidelines
11 told the elephant struck by lightning/ boy digging in horse stall story

and reiterated that he was:

1 the son of immigrants
2 the son-in-law of a powerful Chicago alderman
3 a man of the people
4 not a big reader or mathematician
5 not a “process” guy
6 not wearing lifts
7 not yet indicted
8 not using “just for men”

and that details would be

1 forthcoming from a press aide
2 forthcoming from private lawyers on state payroll
3 open to negotiation, if he felt like it
4 something Lon and those guys would take care of
5 George Ryan’s fault

.

A spokesperson for the governor clarified his comments by saying:

1 we don’t do business that way
2 we never knew this was going on
3 we were always in the forefront of preventing/promoting this exact kind of thing
4 we have never heard of this person (or organization)
5 this was something that was done by low level-underlings
6 accused is not indicted
7 indicted is not convicted
8 convicted means nothing until after an appeal
9 this is all a plot by Madigan
10 we will study the issue and appoint a task force headed by a relative or friend
11 it was an “up” day

Additions?

- posted by Rich Miller


38 Comments
  1. - S. Illinois - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 9:53 am:

    Absolute brilliance!


  2. - K to the 3 - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:06 am:

    I have not laughed that hard in months….there were tears


  3. - Plutocrat03 - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:08 am:

    brilliant


  4. - BannedForLife - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:11 am:

    wow!

    when you read this it makes you realize how every day is groundhog day


  5. - Arthur Andersen - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:12 am:

    I’m reluctant to even suggest one change to such a magnificent and hilarious piece of work. In the event they do release Bee eSS 2.0, the phrase “ferret out wrongdoing” should considered, and possibly “John Filan is going to tell you how were going to pay for this.”


  6. - wordslinger - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:14 am:

    Well done. Deserves to stand on its own.


  7. - VivaLFuego - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:16 am:

    Heh.


  8. - lifer - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:17 am:

    Great but add one that says he is not the mayor of Chicago


  9. - the Patriot - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:20 am:

    Ironically, had he been smart enough to use codes like this, he wouldn’t be in such hot water. We probably should add:

    Patrick Fitzgerald provied the following options to the Governor’s office.

    1. 20 to life.
    2. Flight to a country of non extradition.
    3. Roll on Daley and the Chicago Machine.
    4. Plead insanity (I think I would buy it).
    5. Breath right strips to Stop George’s Ryans snoring in exchange for resignation.

    6. Lifetime supply of Soap on a rope in exchange for plea deal.


  10. - He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:24 am:

    This was one of the Best I have seen on any blog.


  11. - Springfield Alum - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:25 am:

    It was nice of the Spin Sisters to share their press release toolkit with you, Rich.


  12. - Ghost - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:27 am:

    lol can’t add anything to such perfection.


  13. - Garp - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:29 am:

    Solving the riddle of Blogo is no small feat. The primer is appreciated.


  14. - SouthSide Mike - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:33 am:

    I wish I knew who wrote this. Whoever he/she is, they need special recognition at this December’s Capitol Fax Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanza/Winter Solistice/Holiday/New Year party.

    Bravo.


  15. - Bluefish - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:37 am:

    An instant classic.


  16. - Little Egypt - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:43 am:

    Cost of moving IDOT Traffic Safety to Southern Illinois - $1 million; cost of a gallon of gas as of 10:30 a.m. 5-8-08 - $3.77; cost of obtaining copy of Cliff Notes for press releases from Abby & Rebecca - PRICELESS.


  17. - OneMan - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:45 am:

    A spokesperson for the governor clarified his comments by saying:

    12 Incarcerated does not mean he can’t still do his job

    the governor was accosted by reporters demanding an explanation. The governor

    12 Exited via the Kitchen
    13 Exited via a window in the mens room
    14 Exited with a cloud of dust and a mighty ‘Hi-Ho Silver away’

    Later, on his way
    11 to Hannah Montana Day at Wrigley Field
    12 to Cuba
    13 to go for a jog

    Blagojevich said there would be enough money for all the programs he proposes and to pay off the state deficit by way of:

    Leasing the lottery to the state toll highway authority
    Selling Southern Illinois to Missouri
    Selling naming rights to various state assets
    Drilling for oil at starved rock
    New promotional deal with the Hairclub for Men


  18. - Bill - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:52 am:

    OK, who leaked the internal policy manual?


  19. - Little Egypt - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:53 am:

    Bill, I’d like to think it was Abby and Rebecca.


  20. - one more - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 11:11 am:

    The Governor’s office did not return repeated phone calls.


  21. - Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 11:26 am:

    New ideas:

    Free meals on the CTA for the homeless. Solves the food and shelter problem all at once.

    All-Glasses, to give every IL citizen a set of free eyeglasses whether they need them or not.

    All-Hair, to restore to the follically-challenged
    males of IL a mane worthy of the Governor’s hairbrush.

    Funding source:

    Fund sweep of all non-essential state services like corrections, transportation, state police, IEMA, IDNR, and any state office south of 137th street, north of Touhy Avenue and west of Central Avenue.


  22. - Don't Worry, Be Happy - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 12:00 pm:

    One edit:

    The governor, thru a spokesperson who responded by email, dodged questions about


  23. - Levois - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 12:03 pm:

    Quick someone make a website and make a software program out of this!


  24. - 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 12:45 pm:

    that met with:

    howls of “where’s the beef” from Mayor Daley

    reiterated that:

    there’s no governor’s school he could go to.


  25. - Addenda - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 12:46 pm:

    Addenda
    A spokesperson for the governor clarified his comments by saying:
    There are no laws that prevent Governor Blagojevich from running our big state from the BIG HOUSE.
    If there are, we do not acknowledge them.


  26. - Vote Quimby - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 2:09 pm:

    Excellent and thanks for the laughs!
    Instead of a governor’s school, can candidates just use this administration as a case study in how NOT to govern?


  27. - SuperDave - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 2:38 pm:

    This is the quintessential biography of the entire time he’s pretended to serve as Governor. The only thing that would have made it whole was his repeated story of how some little girl thought he was Mayor Daley.


  28. - Amuzing Myself - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 2:59 pm:

    Excellent! Too funny and sad at the same time.


  29. - He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 4:07 pm:

    Rich, You have got to get this to Abby and the girls!


  30. - Little Egypt - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 4:15 pm:

    Oh I’m pretty sure Spinsisters have read and re-read this one, I’m guessing about 10 a.m., if not a couple of minutes sooner. I’m betting at least one computer in the Gov’s office is always on this blog.


  31. - anon A - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 4:55 pm:

    this is too funny. I can’t wait to show people at the office tomorrow.


  32. - Kevin Highland - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 8:56 pm:

    Levois asked for it..so here it is…. http://www.casa-loco.net/BS-Generator.php

    Just hit your refresh button for a new story!


  33. - Gregor - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:03 pm:

    I held up my bic lighter and waved it while reading.

    Love the instant web app, it has a few glitches where a paragraph drops out, but you still get the flavor. I’m sure its just a typo, but it is extra funny that instead of a grammatical mark, it inserts a trademark TM symbol after Blago’s name. Like he inserts his name on everything that’s not in motion.

    Suggested addition:

    The spokespersons said details:
    -would be available later in the FBI’s transcripts
    -would be available in exchange for a “special” birthday card


  34. - hmmmm - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:05 pm:

    If only this could fit on a t-shirt, Rich, you could afford gas for your boat this summer.


  35. - next one - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:13 pm:

    Next one should be a group effort QOTD when it comes time to do a “Federal Edition”.


  36. - Anon B - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:15 pm:

    Honor is due. Absolute perfection.


  37. - Anonymous - Thursday, May 8, 08 @ 10:33 pm:

    This should be published in every newspaper in Illinois…it’s great and so true!


  38. - romeosatan - Monday, May 12, 08 @ 2:28 pm:

    They left out:

    Later on his way to a “religious revival worship ceremony with Emil Jones at a black south-side church”.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


ON THE BLOG TODAY...
* Sunday update: Lt. Governor hopeful videos
* Reader comments closed for the weekend
* *** UPDATED x1 *** Afternoon campaign roundup
* More thoughts about Garrett's lite guv candidacy
* Question of the day
* Cohen claims his religion was a factor
* On the process
* K2 ban advances - And a Statehouse roundup
* Morning Shorts
* Sen. Susan Garrett a "top contender" for LG
** Yesterday's blog posts

Support The Capitol Fax Blog
Visit our advertisers...

Search This Blog...

Search the 96th General Assembly By Bill Number
(example: HB0001)

Search the 96th General Assembly By Keyword

Quick Links


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Polls

Archives
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0
WordPress
 

  
  » Review: Paper Boat Race for iPhone
  » BIS 3.0 Upgrade Hitting North America March 28th
  » Review: MouseWait 1.5
  » Review: Hellemental for iPhone
  » Review: Motorola Cliq XT smartphone

  » Life in Tier 2 [Featured Workspace]
  » MakeMKV Rips DVDs and Blu-Rays With Just Two Clicks [Downloads]
  » Ask the Commenters Roundup [Hive Mind]
  » LED Deck Lighting Adds Some Zazz to Your Party [DIY]
  » IKEA SIGNUM Series Cheaply Manages Your Cables [Stuff We Like]

» Rios returns to White Sox with no pain
» Mind games: Linebrink visualizing success
» Kotsay drives in pair for White Sox
» Concerns with Teahen and news on Jenks
» Jenks says he'll be a go for opener

 
     


  » Senate rivals in Missouri vie for 'outsider' role ....
  » Mighty labor that produced a mouse - News-Gazette..
  » Line up to get your birthday present: a new driver....
  » Comment on: House Dems See Momentum in Home Stretc....
  » Madigan pushes for judicial experience amendment -....
  » Advocates: State needs more sunshine - Southtown S....
  » Madigan makes sure his party keeps control - The S....
  » In Missouri Senate race, meet the `outsiders’ - La....
  » True lap of employee luxury - The Courier News..
  » Lt. governor hopefuls 'audition' for job - WLS..


  » Thousands call for immigration reform in DC
  » SNAP criticizes Pope's response to sex abuse
  » Illinois River closed after vessel hits bridge
  » No injuries in emergency landing at O'Hare
  » Authorities investigate 72-year-old woman's death
  » AMA backs President Obama's health care bill
  » Democrats close in on lieutenant guv choice
  » Aon buys JP Morgan retirement unit
  » Airbus' parent EADS, Russian group might battle Boeing for Pentagon tanker contract
  » Boeing shares up on plans to boost production of 777, 747 models

  » MLS settle labor dispute
  » Gov. Quinn lobbies Caterpillar execs to build plant in Illinois
  » AMA backs President Obama's health care bill
  » Charlie Trotter ends Vegas run with restaurant closing
  » Democrats close in on lieutenant guv choice



  » How does health care bill vote affect Obama's future efforts?
  » Suspect in fatal 1994 DUI crash near Polish resort town arrested in Chicago
  » Gridlock ahead for western commute, Loop traffic
  » Stroke can’t keep single father from trying to care for son
  » Metra ups crash prevention
  » House approves health care bill
  » Family of slain Chicago man urges witnesses to come forward
  » U.S. Rep. Lipinski breaks ranks, votes against health care bill
  » Brother of slain Chicago cop killed
  » Muslim leaders urge census participation


  » Health Care Bill Passes House, Awaits President's Signature
  » Protesters Want Immigration on Front Burner
  » Immigrants To Rally in East Chicago
  » AMA Backs Health Care Bill, Says It's Not Perfect
  » Teachers Fearful, Angry Over Budget Cuts
  » Durbin Believes Health Care Bill Will Pass
  » Some Illinois Democrats Still Unsure on Health Care
  » Supreme Court Takes Up Asian Carp Debate Again
  » Illinois Budget Deficit Could Hurt Odds of Winning Federal Money
  » Illinois Behind in Spending Federal Housing Dollars


  » House approves landmark health-care overhaul
  » Advocacy group: Pope's apology doesn't go far enough
  » No injuries in emergency landing at O'Hare
  » Illinois River closed near Florence
  » Peoria inmate dies of gastrointestinal bleeding
  » DecaturCelebration to sell wristbands for food, drinks
  » Meadowbrook Road will remain closed
  » Crime Stoppers seeks information on burglary
  » Chicago suburbs awarded obesity prevention grant
  » Program to honor female veterans


  » Congress clears historic health care bill
  » Bill would add criminals to lifetime registry
  » Men’s health conference draws good crowd
  » Local demonstrators march for end of wars
  » Smoke ’em if you got ’em — but not in public


» Analysis: Health care's political lift uncertain
» Suburban Representatives react to Sunday's vote
» Crystal Lake man charged in Saturday stabbing
» No injuries in emergency landing at O'Hare
» Congress approves historic health care legislation


  » GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 21, 2010
  » Our President, in "Preacher Mode"
  » GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 20, 2010
  » GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 19, 2010
  » Cuts could hurt Race to the Top application

» Word on the Street: Councilman knows stress o..
» US Rep. Lipinski breaks ranks, votes against ..
» Health care reform bill passes US House - 14W..
» Obamacare Is the Next Roe v. Wade - FOXNews
» Melissa Bean And Deborah Halvorson Say They W..
» The Bush Administration And The Middle Parts ..
» BREAKING NEWS: Congress passes historic healt..
» OPEN INDEPENDENT VOTER THREAD: Live-Blogging ..
» Clyburn revels in health care victory - Chatt..
» Huge crowd at Washington rally galvanizes imm..

» House Passes Health Care Reform - MyFox Phila.....
» Google still considering how to proceed in Ch.....
» House Passes Landmark Legislation Overhauling.....
» House Leaders Make Impassioned Pleas Before F.....
» Headlines: Sen Ready for Healthcare reconcili.....

» Congress Passes Health Care Bill - WSIL TV...
» Now that the Illinois Supreme Court has clear.....
» Sen. Burris confident health care reforms wil.....
» Anger around the Capitol - Politico (blog)...
» Senator discusses health care, jobs - Alton T.....

    » House passes health care 219-212
    » Democrati Lipinski to vote no on health bill. Statement.
    » “Better than nothing” now a national slogan
    » Peoria High parents and boosters express concerns
    » In a development that surprises almost no one who’s been paying attention to District 150, it seems that the renovations at PHS are not being done in a competent manner
    » Congress Passes Health Care Reform, Lipinski Joins GOP In Opposistion (UPDATED)
    » Halvorson, Bean, Quigley To Support Health Care (UPDATED)
    » Seventeen Lt. Gov. Finalists Named
    » RNC chairman Steele calls to oust Pelosi
    » Kirk Statement on Trillion-Dollar Health Care Bill


Header Photos...
Wayne Bretl & UIS


Hosted by MCS