A Cornucopia of Corrupt Crapulence.

ViRedd

ViRedd

New Member
A Little Blago for Everyone
A cornucopia of corrupt crapulence.

By Jonah Goldberg


There are so many things to love about the Rod Blagojevich scandal it’s hard to know where to begin.

Wait. That’s not right. There are so many bleeping things to love about this bleeping-bleep Blagojevich scandal it’s hard to know where to begin.

For starters, the folks at the Chicago Tribune are Christmas Pony Happy because Blago tried to strong-arm the Trib’s owners to fire members of the editorial board. Instead, Trib editors will get to have a big tailgate party outside Blago’s cell window.

Newspaper people love that sort of thing.

For the more historically minded, it’s a time for nostalgia. The past comes alive as Chicago’s grand tradition of corruption is sustained for another generation. As the Chicago Tribune once wrote, “corruption has been as much a part of the landscape as corn, soybeans and skyscrapers.” According to the Chicago Sun-Times, as of 2006 — when Blago’s predecessor, George Ryan, was sent to prison for racketeering — 79 elected officials had been convicted of corruption in the past 30 years. Among the perps: 27 aldermen, 19 judges, 15 state legislators, three governors, two congressmen, one mayor, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a stolen pear tree. Especially in this holiday season, it’s so very important to keep traditions alive for the kids. In a sense, Blago did it for the children.

For partisans, there’s the schadenfreude that comes with watching the Democrats — self-proclaimed anti-corruption zealots in recent years — explain why Blagojevich shouldn’t be lumped in with Congressmen Charlie Rangel (cut himself sweetheart deals), William Jefferson ($90,000 in his freezer) and Tim Mahoney (tried to bribe an aide he was sleeping with not to sue him — and you thought romance was dead) as part of a new Democratic “culture of corruption” storyline.

There’s the enormous I-should-have-had-a-V8! moment as the mainstream press collectively thwacks itself in the forehead, realizing it blew it again. The New York Times — which, according to Wall Street analysts, is weeks from holding editorial-board meetings in a refrigerator box — created the journalistic equivalent of CSI-Wasilla to study every follicle and fiber in Sarah Palin’s background, all the while treating Obama’s Chicago like one of those fairy-tale lands depicted in posters that adorn little girls’ bedroom walls. See there, Suzie? That’s a Pegasus. That’s a pink unicorn. And that’s a beautiful sunflower giving birth to a fully grown Barack Obama, the greatest president ever and the only man in history to be able to pick up manure from the clean end.

Obviously the list doesn’t end there. Blago’s hair not only appears bulletproof but seems to confirm reports that he is the human model for Playmobil action figures.

And you can’t leave out the supporting cast. Mrs. Blago curses like the inmate working the cafeteria at a women’s prison who replies with an f-bomb to anyone objecting to a leaden ladle-thwack of unidentifiable green mush on their lunch tray.

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. — himself the son of a shakedown artist — is alleged to have offered (through a minion) a half-million bucks for Barack Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat. Jackson replaced former Rep. Mel Reynolds, who went to jail for getting jiggy with a 16-year-old campaign staffer and stayed in jail because of various fraud convictions. Reynolds, in turn, was the “reformer” who had replaced Rep. Gus Savage, the thug-congressman who groped a Peace Corps volunteer in Zaire while on a “fact-finding” trip. Savage held off Reynolds’ attempts to replace him for several years by claiming Reynolds was financed by “racist Jews.”

Man, what isn’t there to love about Chicago politics?

It would be premature, not to mention un-festive, to discard any of these delicious immoral morsels from this cornucopia of corrupt crapulence. Fortunately, there’s no need to single out just one fragrance from this miasma of malfeasance or one dish from this smorgasbord of smut.

But, there is a nice moral to the story here. For the last several years, we’ve heard a lot about “new politics.” We are going to start fresh and put aside the old politics and the old ways. So far, it looks like Obama did nothing wrong, and I hope that remains the case. But it’s worth remembering that there really isn’t any such thing as a “new politics.” Politics is eternal because human nature is unchanging. Even Barack Obama, hero-saint light-worker Jedi Knight Messiah that he is, came from a political culture that would not be unrecognizable to Caligula.

Hopefully, Obama will take away from this the humility that comes with realizing we are all — even The One — built from the crooked timber of humanity. Hence the genius of the Founders who built a government that took our imperfection into account. As James Madison said, If men were bleeping angels ...

— Jonah Goldberg is the author of Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left from Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning.

 
medicineman

medicineman

New Member
For partisans, there’s the schadenfreude that comes with watching the Democrats — self-proclaimed anti-corruption zealots in recent years — explain why Blagojevich shouldn’t be lumped in with Congressmen Charlie Rangel (cut himself sweetheart deals), William Jefferson ($90,000 in his freezer) and Tim Mahoney (tried to bribe an aide he was sleeping with not to sue him — and you thought romance was dead) as part of a new Democratic “culture of corruption” storyline.

As much as I'd love to respond with the list of republican scandals in the last 20+ years, I don't have the time, christmas is only days off and I have shopping to do, that and the fact that I don't know if my computer can hold all that info.
 
Spitzered

Spitzered

Well-Known Member
I will more than happy to recognize repub scandals. But it seems that liberals tend to turn a blind eye to dem scandals. Like belonging to the democratic party somehow makes people better. I find that hard to believe.

I'm sure everyone remember Mark Foley right?
How about his replacement? Tim Mahoney ring a bell. There are a plenty of Democratic scandals.

Repub scandals receive longer and more sensationalized coverage. I wonder why?

But we know why don't we? Its just that some people think its appropriate.

But Chicago politics is an on going 'Tammany Hall' kind of thing.

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/989.html




By Joel Daly
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Three former Illinois governors have gone to prison in the past 35 years. And, a host of others have gotten into trouble with the law.
Rod Blagojevich is the latest Illinois governor to face charges, but the first to actually be arrested while still in office. One of his neighbors said, with sadness, "I guess we're going to have to build a 'governor's wing' at our federal prison".
"If it isn't the most corrupt state in the country, it's certainly one helluva competitor," said Robert Grant, FBI Special agent in charge.
In April of 2006 George Ryan was convicted of corruption charges, including steering state business in exchange for bribes.
Ryan is currently serving a 6 and half year prison sentence. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin wrote President Bush a letter asking him to commute Ryan's sentence. Governor Blagojevich has also said he believes the sentence should be commuted.
Dan Walker was governor from 1973 until 1977. He served 17 months of a 7-year prison sentence for a conviction on fraudulent business practices after he left office.
Otto Kerner was indicted and convicted of taking bribes in the form of racetrack stock while he served as governor of Illinois in the late 1960's. Kerner served 3 years in prison.
William Stratton was indicted tax charges for illegally using campaign funds. Stratton was acquitted of those charges. He served as governor from 1953 to 1961.
"This is a moment of truth for Illinois," said U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
Possibly the most colorful politicians was Paul Powell, who'd say, "I can smell the meat a' cookin," when making political deals.
Powell was never indicted, but when he died, the late secretary of state left about $800,000 in shoe-boxes in a closet in his hotel apartment in Springfield.



Repubs and Dems alike.
Of course Obama merely says, 'I didn't know', or 'I didn't know the guy'. For a highly touted genious with the power of the ages, he must have some serious lack of perception, in all his past.



"Obama saw this coming, and he was very cautious about not having dealings with the governor for quite some time," said Abner Mikva, a former congressman and appeals court judge who was Obama's political mentor in Chicago. "The governor was perhaps the only American public officeholder who didn't speak at the convention, and that wasn't by accident. He's politically poisonous. You don't get through Chicago like Barack Obama did unless you know how to avoid people like that."
But Obama and Blagojevich shared pieces of the Chicago political network, which is why this has been an uncomfortable week for Obama's presidential transition team. Senior adviser David Axelrod once advised Blagojevich. Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a developer who was convicted in June of fraud and money laundering, raised money for both men. Robert Blackwell Jr., a longtime Obama friend, served on Blagojevich's gubernatorial transition team. Blagojevich appointed one of Obama's closest confidants, Eric Whitaker, as director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/11/AR2008121103936.html

I'm not going to indict Obama because of Blagojevich, but please, 'I didn't know' doesn't quite cut it either.
 
?

******

Well-Known Member
Spitzered said:
I will more than happy to recognize repub scandals. But it seems that liberals tend to turn a blind eye to dem scandals. Like belonging to the democratic party somehow makes people better. I find that hard to believe.

I'm sure everyone remember Mark Foley right?
How about his replacement? Tim Mahoney ring a bell. There are a plenty of Democratic scandals.

Repub scandals receive longer and more sensationalized coverage. I wonder why?

But we know why don't we? Its just that some people think its appropriate.

But Chicago politics is an on going 'Tammany Hall' kind of thing.

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/989.html




By Joel Daly
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Three former Illinois governors have gone to prison in the past 35 years. And, a host of others have gotten into trouble with the law.
Rod Blagojevich is the latest Illinois governor to face charges, but the first to actually be arrested while still in office. One of his neighbors said, with sadness, "I guess we're going to have to build a 'governor's wing' at our federal prison".
"If it isn't the most corrupt state in the country, it's certainly one helluva competitor," said Robert Grant, FBI Special agent in charge.
In April of 2006 George Ryan was convicted of corruption charges, including steering state business in exchange for bribes.
Ryan is currently serving a 6 and half year prison sentence. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin wrote President Bush a letter asking him to commute Ryan's sentence. Governor Blagojevich has also said he believes the sentence should be commuted.
Dan Walker was governor from 1973 until 1977. He served 17 months of a 7-year prison sentence for a conviction on fraudulent business practices after he left office.
Otto Kerner was indicted and convicted of taking bribes in the form of racetrack stock while he served as governor of Illinois in the late 1960's. Kerner served 3 years in prison.
William Stratton was indicted tax charges for illegally using campaign funds. Stratton was acquitted of those charges. He served as governor from 1953 to 1961.
"This is a moment of truth for Illinois," said U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
Possibly the most colorful politicians was Paul Powell, who'd say, "I can smell the meat a' cookin," when making political deals.
Powell was never indicted, but when he died, the late secretary of state left about $800,000 in shoe-boxes in a closet in his hotel apartment in Springfield.



Repubs and Dems alike.
Of course Obama merely says, 'I didn't know', or 'I didn't know the guy'. For a highly touted genious with the power of the ages, he must have some serious lack of perception, in all his past.



"Obama saw this coming, and he was very cautious about not having dealings with the governor for quite some time," said Abner Mikva, a former congressman and appeals court judge who was Obama's political mentor in Chicago. "The governor was perhaps the only American public officeholder who didn't speak at the convention, and that wasn't by accident. He's politically poisonous. You don't get through Chicago like Barack Obama did unless you know how to avoid people like that."
But Obama and Blagojevich shared pieces of the Chicago political network, which is why this has been an uncomfortable week for Obama's presidential transition team. Senior adviser David Axelrod once advised Blagojevich. Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a developer who was convicted in June of fraud and money laundering, raised money for both men. Robert Blackwell Jr., a longtime Obama friend, served on Blagojevich's gubernatorial transition team. Blagojevich appointed one of Obama's closest confidants, Eric Whitaker, as director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/11/AR2008121103936.html

I'm not going to indict Obama because of Blagojevich, but please, 'I didn't know' doesn't quite cut it either.
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then why do dirty liberals want him to resign now the gop would say clinton did it to , or they'ld say its a partison witch hunt maybe give a standing ovation on the senate floor after a feloney convition . yeah the right police themselfs and the left covers for theirs , tell urself til it becomes fact
 
misshestermoffitt

misshestermoffitt

New Member
Does anyone else think we need way harsher penalties for white collar crime, regardless of political party?

Everytime you hear of a major white collar crime the picture is always a white guy with a bad haircut. Hmmmm, I'm sensing a pattern here.
 
TheBrutalTruth

TheBrutalTruth

Well-Known Member
misshestermoffitt said:
Does anyone else think we need way harsher penalties for white collar crime, regardless of political party?

Everytime you hear of a major white collar crime the picture is always a white guy with a bad haircut. Hmmmm, I'm sensing a pattern here.
Click to expand...
For politicians,

Betrayal of Public Trust, I think the death penalty should be sufficient.

It'd also serve to restoring a great deal of accountability to the government.

Though one only wonders how long before the Democrats or the Republicans were trying to use such a (to them) vague term to kill each other off.
 
medicineman

medicineman

New Member
TheBrutalTruth said:
For politicians,

Betrayal of Public Trust, I think the death penalty should be sufficient.

It'd also serve to restoring a great deal of accountability to the government.

Though one only wonders how long before the Democrats or the Republicans were trying to use such a (to them) vague term to kill each other off.
Click to expand...
I'd wager that any political party, dems, repukes, whigs, libertarians green, etc, once elected would do everything in their power to remain in power. Remember "absolute power corrupts absolutely". That being said, I hope our (Democratic) cycle rips and tears on the repukes, repayment for all the crap they have heaped on us.
 
TheBrutalTruth

TheBrutalTruth

Well-Known Member
medicineman said:
Could be you're right. I was just insinuating that people in suits have a lot better cover.
Click to expand...
makes them look more trustworthy...

I've never understood that logic...

Lawyers- Suits
Politicians - Suits
White Collar Criminals - Suits

Seems that a person wearing a Suit is more than likely to be out to screw everyone over for their own gain.
 
misshestermoffitt

misshestermoffitt

New Member
What we need here is a good old fashion assassination. Blago intends to "fight" which will waste even more taxpayer dollars. I wish there was some unstable mental patient out there who would just take matters into their own hands.
 
Picasso345

Picasso345

Well-Known Member
misshestermoffitt said:
What we need here is a good old fashion assassination. Blago intends to "fight" which will waste even more taxpayer dollars. I wish there was some unstable mental patient out there who would just take matters into their own hands.
Click to expand...
There is an unstable mental patient, but unfortunately he is also the Governor, lol.

I wouldn't worry about Blago. The government probably wastes less tax dollars by Blago staying in office and not being able to pass anything than if it was business as usual. Our money is safe for a little while.

And just to be clear, assassination=bad.
 
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