Hell no, this is not a book review! For one thing, the book won't be released until September 8, 2009, but in Springfield it is already for sale at Barnes and Noble. Luckily for us locals (and now you, since I am sharing some local news about it), we don't have to waste our money on this book to find out what he has to say!
5:38 p.m.
Illinois has a new governor! Patrick Quinn is being sworn in right now.
WTG Illinois senate!
Blagojevich impeached!
(title link to the Trib story)
I'm still at work, but had to get this out!
Such Good News! More later!
10:50 p.m.
UPDATE: After a long day at work, I will keep this short. Our local news out of Springfield gave a little more information than in the linked article. Blagojevich is forbidden from running for any political office again. He will be allowed to draw his pension ($64,000 annually), as long as he isn't convicted in criminal court. The criminal trial is expected to begin in April. It is possible that his wife Patti could still be indicted as well. If Blagojevich is convicted (looks like he will be) this Spring, he will likely be sent to prison just like his predecessor.
Like most Illinoisans, I am just glad this part is over. I don't know what was worse, all the news talk shows that gave him air time or the ex-Governor himself for going on that media blitz.
And I want people outside of this state, who have asked how he was elected twice to know the main reason. Like many elections of recent years, we were faced with two "so-so" candidates. In other words, we had to vote for the best of the worst. Blagojevich had at least six times more money than his Republican opponent Judy Baar Topinka. He used that money to bombard the airwaves, especially the last two weeks of the election to show Topinka's closeness to the tainted former Governor George Ryan, who is now in prison.
In the Blago ads, all he did was show Topinka complimenting, hugging, and even doing the polka dance with George Ryan. His ploy worked, and she was seen as being too close to Ryan and possibly just as corrupt as Ryan. I can still remember how funny the ads were, especially the polka dance ad. I think we all learned a hard lesson though. Just because we are a democrat, we won't automatically vote for a democrat anymore!
And as for Governor Quinn, don't expect him to be elected when he must run for that office. But that is a whole 'nother story!
You might have noticed, I have refrained from commenting about Blago's latest controversy. For one, it's overkill on every news outlet. And also it is because I have always admired Roland Burris and voted for him each time he ran for various offices in Illinois. I don't know him personally, having only shook his hand several different times at rallies. But there has always been something about him I just liked. I trusted him and had faith in his ability to govern. Many people in this state, and throughout the U.S. think he should have not accepted the appointment. But as it stands, Governor Blagojevich has yet to be convicted, impeached, or even indicted. Illinois deserves two senators just like all other states. And it is the Governor's duty to fill the seat. And so it is done.
None of that was the first thing on my mind, when I heard about this on the news. What did come to mind was the time I had my own little experience with the "shakedown tactics" of Illinois politicians. You see, I had always allowed the local democratic party to put large signs in the unused part of my large front yard of my farm and home, since the house sits far back and there is a highway in front.
Well, it was about a month before the primary of 2002 that I received a threatening phone call from the then county Chairman of the Democratic Party. He wanted to know why I had that "Burris for Governor" sign in my yard! I told him, "because that is who I want to win." And then I was asked, "well, does he spend money at your business?" I said, "no, but none of the candidates do, because they aren't from this area." He said, "well, the democrats here are for Blagojevich, not Burris. So, if you want me and the rest of the local democrats to spend money at your business, you will take down that Burris sign." I was so angry, but I did take the sign down. I did not; however, put up a Blagojevich sign.
And if you wonder why this local chairman did not want to support Burris in any way, just use your imagination. I wouldn't want to accuse him of anything, but I have a pretty good idea as to why he didn't want Burris to win. I will keep that to myself though.
After that incident, I don't allow primary signs at all in my yard!
Well, well, well, is anyone in Illinois surprised? It's juicy, it's dirty, it's ten times worse than watergate. Just wait until all of his tape recorded arrogance is released! One example, from the FBI affidavit, "I have to give this motherf***er (pres-elect) his senator? F*** him. For nothing? F*** him." Another quote: "I'll pick another candidate before I just give f***ing (senate candidate) a f***ing senate seat and I don't get anything."
On behalf of my fellow Illinois citizens, I would like to say, F*** you, Blago! Resign now!
It's not just the selling of the senate seat that led to the FBI arresting the governor this morning. Click the title link for the complete news story.
I wrote recently that it was time for change in Illinois government, and it looks like that time is finally here! Hopefully, "pay to play" is over in Illinois (but don't count on it).
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