Ill. Supreme Court Takes a Pass on Blago’s Fitness to Serve

The charges against IL governor appeared to be shallow, flimsy and a set up at best. I suspect some kind of collusion by Chicago Tribune and other enemies of the governor having some hands directly or indirectly in his predicament. Vengeance and vicious politics begets vengeance and vicious politics. This cut-throat dance of the swords is commonplace in Chicago and this governor is a victim of his own messy environment.
Rarely do you see a newspaper so embroiled with the state chief executive and at the same time negotiating with US Attorney’s office on when to publish a “secret” wiretap on their front page. This case is kind of bizarre. From many newspaper accounts, I see some joint coordination between Chicago Tribune and US Attorney’s office, even though this IL governor is no angel by any stretch of your imagination.
What the governor is being accused of doing is not an abrasion; it is neither unusual nor extra-ordinary especially in US politics. In all state capitals and corridors of power in this nation, similar deals are cut daily and virtually on all issues. It is called lobbying, fundraising and interest peddling. Apart from political damage, getting a conviction here is even harder without actual funds exchanging hands. Merely discussing these things does not constitute commission of the actual crime.
To add salt to injury, as the bad press makes the governor radioactive, it is a full season for those that want to be declared saints overnight from the filth called Chicago. It is shameful for State assembly to jump to conclusion before the investigation is even concluded. It is even crazy for the stat AG to invoke unrelated constitutional power in declaring the governor persona non-grata. All these bizarre actions are self centered, self serving and self promotion that have politics written all over it instead of the rule of law.
Unfortunately, our laws allow these shenanigans that IL governor is accused of and have very few gray areas which any defendant can work gingerly. It is just that there is too much bad blood in Chicago and corrupt reputation of its politicians, if not no one will hear about this. Sadly, Chicago does not possess the exclusive monopoly to this kind of shady deals and pay to play schemes. To claim surprise is disingenuous and dishonesty at best. In the same vein, to exaggerate and make a huge mountain out of this ant-hill is stupid. Well, except to score political points and settle old scores.
I suggest, we let the investigation run its course and the man his day in court. No one should be foolish enough to throw the first stone at this man no matter how blatant his accusers want a pound of his flesh. He is not a saint neither are the AG’s office and the State Assembly. Gov. Roy did what comes natural in the dirty profession aka politics.

I agree with the attorney. Our lawmakers are just idiots. They rush to judgment without having all the facts, like they did on the invasion of Iraq. Yes, I know this is just the Illinois government, but their prejudgment is reflective of the same attitudes in our federal government. This guy deserves his day in court. And the lawmakers that have already stated their opinion absolutely should be removed. Their unfit to sit on a school board!

Blago is a selfish scumbag.
Blago only cares about his reputation which is already destroyed. Blago cares nothing about the people of Illinois that he is suppose to be serving.
This guy is not a servant leader. He has been under investigation since 2006. He has ties to the mob even before that time. It goes on and on. When will it stop.?

Correction to last post: I mean’t they’re (not their) unfit to sit on a school board!

ed banks – are you kidding me? Shallow and flimsy at best???!!! The governor is guilty – period. Now he is just playing political games trying to save his career. Any jury or state prosecutor will have this guy AND his attorney for lunch

Cant we get the titles of all the blago stories to say Democratic Govenor Rod etc..
Or DNC member Govenor Rod Blago
I think party affilication is all important here because the Dems run the entire state.

Oy! “are not valid reasons” – I guess there is enough stupidity to go around.

This is why is a prime example of why this country is becoming ever more dysfunctional. Criminals get to run state governments withouth any shame or consequence. This Serb gangster needs to be removed from government while he is being tried so that the state can continue to be governed legitimately.

Doesn’t anyone find it odd that the Governor of Illinois is in Chicago all the time? Last I looked the capitol of Illinois was in Springfield and Governor Goofy should be there, too.

Come on people. Its not a make believe world out there. Do you think this man will leave? Do you think the Dems want him out and do you think the Ill. Supreme court will do anything? Oh guess they are not. This guy if he was in New York could fill Hills shoes instead of Kennedy. Or maybe he will appoint himself to fill Obamas shoes. What a last slap in the face to everyone that would be.

Replied Currie, “Impeachment is appropriate if there is cause for impeachment.”
This woman’s replies to questions by Blagojevich’s attorney, particularly one’s regarding the legal requirements and due process of impeachment, imply the COMPLETE AND UTTER ANTITHESIS of “spirit of due process and fair play”, begining with, but certainly not limited to her fundamental understanding of the law. It is absolutely frightening in this day and age, that when someone is being subject to due process, they receive a completely circular and unsophistically reply like “”Impeachment is appropriate if there is cause for impeachment” when asked about a standard of proof.
Even Salem witch hunters had something like “if you sink, you’re guilty”.
Wow. “Railroad” seems like a bit of an understandment when describing this process.

Blago Broke no laws
There is more to this than meets the eye.
Seems like someone wants him out of office Fast, for their own personal reasons.
They are in a rush to do this.
Obama and the person he wants in the senate seat is the only ones who would gain by this.

“Obama looked extremely bad at his news conference where he asked the reporter not to question him about this matter. He was “ughing” , stammering and looked really bad. I think the empty suit is showing through.”
No, he’s just annoyed by people like you who can’t get it through your heads that he’s been told not to talk about it by the US Attorney’s office, as it’s an ongoing investigation. Yet, the media insist on continuing to ask him about it.

If Blago the Crook dont go, I urge all the people of Illinois to march down his streat calling for his resignation or impeachment. If that does not work, Then all the people of Illinois should take him and put his ass on a plane and send him back to Serbia. Enough is Enough. We want him out NOW!!!!
Oh Jesus… oh man… where the hell were you shoulder cocking, fat chest protuding tirade spouters when we could have got Bush out before two invasions, warantless wiretaps, political non-merit based firing of federally employed attorneys, releasing intel operative’s identities through uncleared channels (eg. press), and more lies and violations of laws and acts against the American people than can possibly believed yet only a fraction of what is known or reported of this e-mail destroying psychopathic master of lies and secrecy.
Why do people come out of the woodwork when the country is flat on it’s ass, and only at the tip of an iceberg from hell?

ed banks | Dec 17, 2008 2:52:38 PM: As I perceive from your post at the time shown, you are either a lawyer, a politician or both…either way, you a dumb-@zz

Fitzgerald couldn’t find anything on Cheney! Barely got Scooter Libby, who was pardoned. Clearly, Fitzgerald jumped the gun on Blago with flimsy, political charges, that appear to have broken no law. He should have waited until money changed hands… Duh! It would then have been slam dunk. Hence, why would Fitzgerald botch the so-called “crime spree” right before the real crime happened? Since when did it become illegal for a governor or anyone else to wish for financial gain? Fitzgerald’s investigation and methodology is very suspect in my book!

Dave I agree….and where were they when they could have gotten Bush out? By the way you notice when Clinton has an indiscretion which should have been between him and his wife they also pounced all over him….Why not with this jerk of a governor and Bush?

Right again Dave! Didn’t think of them!
:–)

Ed banks, I also find it ironic that the AG wanted
to find out if the Gov. is fit for office.hmmmm…
A pot calls a kettle black? In the meantime
the Lt. Gov. desperately wants to reupholster
the Governors chair to fit him while it’s still warm!
Someone over there wants him silenced,because
he may spill the beans on the legislators laps.

BETH – You need to come to Chicago. There is a State of Illinois building in downtown Chicago. The governor does the majority of his business there and goes to Springfield for votes or when special sessions are called.
I am not for this governor, but to me, the case against him is weak. This has been tried in the court of public opinion. Years of wiretaps and of the only 2 counts he is charged with, one is that he planned to sell the senate seat?
This is almost like the movie Minority Report where people are arrested before the crimes are committed because of the use of clairvoyants. The language was harsh by the governor, perhaps they will argue intent, but I thinks this one is shakey. Let’s see what they have relative to the Children’s hospital and the Tribune.

BUSH WILL PARDON OBAMA (SO THAT HE CAN BECOME PRESIDENT OF USA) WHO WILL THEN PARDON BLAGO (SO THAT HE CAN STAY BEING GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS).
CROOKS PARDON EACH OTHER WHILE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS GET CHEATED, SWINDLED, ETC. BY THEM.
*************************
Presidential Pardons became popular after
Ford pardoned Nixon, prior to that, they
were rarely used or abused.
Posted by: nononsense08

Illinois Supreme Court wont hear Blagojevich Fitness Motion

Via ABCs the Note: Ill. Supreme Court Takes a Pass on Blagos Fitness to Serve
As Gov. Rod Blagojevichs attorney was arguing with lawmakers in Springfield, the Illinois Supreme Court rejected Attorney General Lisa Madigans a…

ed banks: Gov. Roy did what comes natural in the dirty profession aka politics.
*********************
I do not think, the average governors throught United States would consider selling congressional or senate seats to the highest donors!!!!
I believed that they would do the RIGHT THING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED THEM and appoint people that are ETHICALLY, have INTEGRITY and QUALIFIED for the JOB!!
But for DUMB A@@ to even think/conspire about it OUT LOUD and being TAPED talking about it, IS GUILTY!!!
THROW THAT UNCOUTH DOG OUT!!!!

ed banks: Gov. Roy did what comes natural in the dirty profession aka politics.
*********************
I do not think, the average governors through out the United States would consider selling congressional or senate seats to the highest donors!!!!
I believed that they would do the RIGHT THING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED THEM and appoint people that are ETHICALLY, have INTEGRITY and QUALIFIED for the JOB!!
But for DUMB A@@ to even think/conspire about it OUT LOUD and being TAPED talking about it, IS GUILTY!!!
THROW THAT UNCOUTH DOG OUT!!!!

Gary Bonner— I agree with your point. This is not a legal proceeding to be determined in the courts and does not require any “standard of proof”. This is an impeachment proceeding within the state legislature. It is a totally separate and unique process. If the required number of legislators vote for impeachment then — you’re out. It simply does not matter one bit on the reason—- they could impeach him for having sex in the Governor’s office if they so chose! Anf if they decide you need to go, you need to go! So, the bottom line is— he very well could be impeached and removed from office and never be convicted in Federal or State Court of a crime!

Most reporter are missing the real BIG story behind Blago current perils, and it is the age old system of campaign contribution that year after year promotes the pay-to-play Chicago way of business.
While we are all drawn to see the blood in the fresh wreck, reporters in particular to sell more, we are missing a GRAND opportunity to pin down those enraged ,holier-than-thou, grandstanding Illinois house and senate members to pass effective campaign contribution reform that actually give us the best use of taxpayer money, and no more of the substandard work from all the usual patronage business.

Art In Chicago — i rhink we are yet to see all the evidence snd all of the charges. All that has been disclosed are the documents supporting and arrest on suspicion. Additionally, between Hot Rod and his assisant being arrested last week, they are #14 and #15 of the ongoing Federal investigation identified by the code name “Board Game”, which has been going on since 2003! This is simply a continuation of the same investigation that nailed Rezcko and 12 or 13 others. So, we’re still waiting on the rest of the story!

We have way too much time on our hands, enough…next..

I would tend to agree with the Ill. Supreme Court Decision to not hear the case. The AG claims that Hot ROD is not fit to perform his assigned duty. I believe in order to make that determination, she would need to provide evidence that something has changed with respect to Hot Rod’s abilities subsequent to his election. I doubt that she can do that. I’m confident that he is the same incompetant, arrogant, ignorant, incapable and crooked politician that he was when he was elected! Case dismissed!

I know Im probably alone on this but I believe the Gov. should stay being the Gov. I feel if we wire tapped all the politicians phones we would be impeaching them all. I believe its politics at it’s worst but its still politics.

People need to be judged on their own merit – I wish we didn’t have parties – just independents.
Posted by: dctxnov62 | Dec 17, 2008 3:37:19
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And term limits would help. We need to get some power to the people in this country so we won’t have to watch these crooked, money grubbing, do nothings continue to sell this country out. I am fed up with them and the media that keeps them in our faces.

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Fight Blagojevich…Fight Fight Fight…he has not been found guilty yet and you idiot are marking him wrong already. Fight baby fight. He wont give up and that’s the way it’s suppose to be and for Jessie Jackson Jr. sham on you no one will ever trust him again.

No, “Dave”, Currie is not denying Blagojevich due process. She quite rightly said — and please parse the statement — “Impeachment is appropriate IF THERE IS CAUSE.” IN other words, the committee must determine whether there is cause, and that is what due process is all about.
Barbara Flynn Currie is my own state rep in Hyde Park. She is not stupid.
As for the Supreme Court’s denial, this may hinge on the fact that Lisa Madigan made her request under a state constitional provision involving physical and mental disability — which doesn’t exist here, however intellectually challenged you and I think Blagojevich might be — or the fact that it is, as yet, unclear, whether Blagojevich broke any laws. I’m wondering whether a law against “soliciting bribes” might be invoked, but as I pointed out yesterday, we’re all concerned that Fitzgerald jumped the gun.
Given that Bill Clinton was impeached for lies about a series of outrageous sexual peccadillos with an intern, which had no material public impact on anything but general confidence, I think that Blagojevich should be subject to more severe penalties. As I said yesterday, he’s been under investigation for some time, and I suspect that what we’ve heard so far is only the tip of the iceberg. Give Fitzgerald and the House Committee a chance. Owing to the Internet, we are all too hung up on instant answers and action. That’s childish and unrealistic.

Blago is just another Chicago politician. Why pick on him? They have all marinated in the same thuggery and palm greasing! :(
PEBO is not exempt!

It’s really nice to see the good ol boys network is alive and well in Illinois. Lets hope our President elect lost his membership when he won the election.