* Of all the “arrestoversary” stories today, this one truly takes the cake…
As he marked the anniversary of his arrest, ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich today reasserted his innocence by autographing a copy of the U.S. Constitution with his now-infamous catchphrase, “fn golden.”
The indicted politician scrawled the near-profanity on the nation’s most sacred of documents at a book signing on the University of Chicago campus. A student asked Blagojevich to sign near the 17th Amendment — the one dealing with the appointment of U.S. senators. In other words, the very type of seat that federal prosecutors say Blagojevich tried to sell and was allegedly heard describing as “(bleeping) golden” on a wiretap.
“Always remember the rule of law is sacrosanct, nay it is more — it is fn golden,” Blagojevich wrote on the page today. […]
“I’m OK with writing it,” he told reporters. “I did not write the bad word. I abbreviated it.”
What a freaking clown he is.
But this is the quote of the day…
Student Richard Ruiz said [of Blagojevich], “I’m sure, personally, he’s a swell guy. Politically, I am kind of terrified of him.”
Ruiz just nailed it. I should hire him as an intern.
* The Sun-Times misses the point…
When other states get hit with massive, nationally embarrassing corruption scandals, political leaders upend the status quo, throw the bums out and do their level best to ensure it can’t happen again.
In Illinois, state lawmakers have tweaked and twiddled on reform measures, in hopes voters forget what they’re mad about.
Um, they did throw the bum out. Remember that impeachment thingy? Also, as Charlie Wheeler wrote several weeks ago in Illinois Issues, most of the reforms that were approved by the General Assembly focused like a laser on Blagojevich’s many, many transgressions…
Overall, the legislative reaction to the reform suggestions followed the pattern predicted here a couple of months ago. Changes affecting executive branch operations were embraced; those that would upset the legislative status quo were not.
In so choosing, did Democratic leaders and their majorities sustain a culture of corruption? Or was that the rational approach, focusing on eradicating the opportunities for clearly documented illicit activities while ignoring certain aspects of the legislative process that some might not like but are hardly corrupt?
Instead of bemoaning what didn’t happen, naysayers might want to look again and see a glass that’s got more in it than anyone would have believed possible this time last year.
Weakening the legislative leaders is a noble cause, and should be done. But, in this context, would a weak House Speaker have been able to stand in Blagojevich’s way for two years, as Michael Madigan did?
* And despite all the “woe is us” editorials across the state today, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform tries to point out the positives in the reform bills today…
The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) on Wednesday said the campaign contribution limits legislation signed by Gov. Quinn is a significant victory for Illinois voters and should help reduce the influence wielded by big campaign contributors.
Gov. Quinn, by the way, has a new video where he talks about the past year. Take a look…
Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady responds…
“Today Governor Quinn will sign into law legislation claiming to be a significant victory for ethics reform in the State of Illinois. However, the reality is quite different. Notwithstanding the laudable efforts by numerous citizen reform groups, the legislation does nothing more than enhance the power of those who supported Rod Blagojevich. Notably absent from today’s bill signing is any legislation recommended by Governor Quinn’s Reform Committee Task Force.”
* And now for something a little different…
[US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald] not only went after Blagojevich, satisfying the growing political Machine in Illinois that wanted him to leave, but also check-mated Obama. How could Obama replace Fitzgerald in the wake of his taking action against Blagojevich over Obama’s old senate seat without looking like he was protecting “corruption” in Illinois?
Never mind that what Fitzgerald did was wrong. People are innocent until proven guilty in America, but not in Fitzgerald’s eyes. And, there is a process of prosecution that Fitzgerald side-stepped and avoided in going after Blagojevich to protect his own political career in Illinois. Instead of filing charges, Fitzgerald used the Chicago FBI to arrest Blagojevich one year ago at his home not on charges but on trumped up claims thatw ere not backed by evidence at all.
Imagine if the US Attorney can do that anytime he doesn’t like someone? Accuse them of a crime, disgrace them publicly? Say things to disparage someone you don’t like and set up a political movement to have him removed from office and never, ever have to provide one real bit of fair evidence in a court room where the target, Blagojevich, can defend himself?
Whew.
* Related…
* One year later - The movie
* Quinn to OK Campaign Cash Limits
* High court shows doubts about law used against Blago, Ryan, Black
* Court Looks Askance At Fraud Law
* Supreme Court seems wary of law used to convict Ryan, Black
* Just for U of C students: Blago signs books ‘f’n golden’
* Blagojevich anniversary: First reactions to the arrest.
* Blagojevich arrest one year ago was ’sad day for government’
* Blagojevich’s arrest sent shockwaves through state
* This paper tiger won’t cut it for long
* One year later, Blagojevich investigation moves slowly to trial
* Illinois marks strange year since governor’s arrest
* Too little change since Blago’s arrest
* Illinois remains adrift one year after Blagojevich
* Waves from former governor’s ouster still rippling
* Q&A: Blagojevich’s arrest one year later
* One year later Blago’s gone, but problems remain
* Feds want a conviction, Any conviction