Just when I think my thoughts have grown stale, my stories old and worn (like the Velveteen Rabbit) the media drops a plum in my lap that makes me consider my past, present and future.
As Chicagoland belches yet another politician into the prison system one must care for Illinois voters but also question their judgment.
From reading the indictment, Governor Rod Blagojecvich tried to sell President-elect Obama’s Senate seat to the highest bidder to his personal campaign fund, fire the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune in order to secure the sale of Wrigley Field, and hit up the head of Children’s Hospital for $50K otherwise they’d lose their $8 million state grant.
Sounds like a nice guy to me. I hope the Feds have him on something good and not just wiretaps. This governor is so out of the realm of reality that he sees sunshine all around him and even pulled a “Gary Hart” and asked prosecutors and reporters to follow him and tape him, knowing he was doing nothing wrong, while he was selling his office, Barack Obama’s Senate office, the State of Illinois and each one of its residents and taxpayers so he could collect 2.5 million by New Year’s Eve.
OK, he’s innocent. At least until proven guilty. But what we’ve heard as facts are irrefutable to me right now and even if he is proved not guilty, he needs to resign right now for the good of the people of the state of Illinois. Not for the party, or for Obama or even Oprah. Hopefully not for Senate Candidate #5.
Think of what we’re telling our children. Go into politics so you get a low salary and then become a lobbyist and you’re a lawyer so that’s OK. It is OK given parameters that are in place. I don’t agree with some of the laws that prohibit certain staff from lobbying after their tenure – their name wasn’t on the letterhead and they made not even rent money to work that job.
But to be that nakedly aggressive in trying to amass personal moneys with no consideration of the people of Illinois, the voters, is heinous. Go into politics and make money for yourself and get your wife a good seat on a corporate board. Make it all public. Use the governorship as if it’s a big fire sale and everything’s up for public bid.
One might say that the only thing he’s guilty of is delusions of grandeur, enticing the Feds and press to look at his gross violations of public policy. Perhaps he relishes ten or more years in Federal prison? Depends on where he’s housed, he may want to take up tennis again.
A political rant from your cooking blogger Dee.
Cooking with Dee 
By what stretch of imagination did you include Senator Hart on this list? He was never even accused of criminal activity or of public corruption. He has lived an extraordinary life of public service to this day. He and his only wife will celebrate their 50th anniversary next year. Isn’t it time to leave them alone? Do you just tar everyone with the same cheap brush?
But, if you insist, you should at least get your facts straight. The taunt, “follow me around,” was not the impetus for the unprecedented invasion of Senator Hart’s privacy. That comment had not yet been published when reporters staked out in the bushes outside the Senator’s townhouse. They were prompted by an uncorroborated, anonymous phone tip. Check out the dates. It was the worst kind of “gotcha” journalism, and you’re perpetuating it..
Only a few words in that blog pertain to Gary Hart, his name and the vast public presumption that he asked reporters to follow him then appeared in photos on the “Monkey Business.” I never said he was a criminal – believe you’re being a bit sensitive in that regard.
Anyone over age 35 or 40 remembers the lovable, cute Senator that every girl had a crush on. I only know the legacy of the story and wrote it as I saw it only from the perspective of a public official who asks reporters and, in this entirely unrelated case, Federal prosecutors, to follow them. Sorry if I offended your sensibilities. The Governor of Illinois has offended mine and a blip stating the name of your guy shouldn’t raise a lot of lighning and thunder. If you look, people probably use that analogy a lot. Look what you end up with – a party boat with attractive people having fun. Nothing to be ashamed of.