Illinois Govenor Who Suspends State Business With B of A Taken Into Federal Custody

reply to post by kosmicjack



Koz, I understand and support your overall point of view and I'm not neccissarily disagreeing at all. I'm just focussing on the charges being levied against my Governor.
You can say I'm a proponant of the whole right vs. wrong mindset and you wouldn't be incorrect.
You can step back and see the spiderweb cracks that stretch all over the spectrum and tie them all into the same thing-US Politics. Yes, this is how it's done. Loobying tactics. Greasing palms. Money making policy decisions. Right-O all around.
But, the case against Blago is regarding the selling of Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder. That's what the case is at this point. I, personally expect the charges to compile more with Rezko & Co. spilling guts. This could expand focus to include MUCH of what you refer to.

I hope it does.
Ya do wrong, ya get caught, ya suffer the consequences.

Cuhail

I just read the 21 pages of intercepted phone calls ..wow..
I'm guessing this is not the 1st time that Senate seat was sold...
Read all the pages at:
www.thesmokinggun.com...

reply to post by Helmkat


I understand where you're coming from. I honestly do. However, I am also noticing a lot of hate going towards this guy, and while I believe it is justified, I think that this lust to get the guy in prison is taking center and distracting from other issues. A lot of "that's rubbish, he's a criminal going to jail and it's about time!"

I'm all for people disliking their political leaders, but I'm also for looking at the picture and trying to find a bigger picture.

---

The prosecutor for this case is no other than our very own special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald who was the promise of hope for many in a shakedown of the White House under the Bush administration.

Run a search on him and look at the dirt this guy has.

He played a lot of people under the Libby case and imo, it ended up being a distraction to keep those that wanted their leaders held accountable in a a constant state of bloodlust, hanging on every possible leaked court information that would bring them one step closer to seeing some crooks behind bars.

Btw, in case you're on the edge of your seat wondering, our very special prosecutor never delivered.


[edit on 12/9/08 by niteboy82]

Ok I see many people throwing out the well he is corrupt. I understand this trust me I do example

He is being arrested for things like putting the senate seat for sale. He says that he is not doing this for nothing

Ok I concede this point to you I totally agree. All the backroom deals you know the good old boy network. People yes this does exist and you people seem surprised. He SHOULD be arrested if he put government positions for sale. But here is the double standard...

What about the presidents who put all their cronies in high government positions for giving high campaign contributions and support. What about the back end behind the scenes deals once again the good old boy network that happens in Washington every single day. Why isnt every single Washington politician arrested or at least investigated? Why? Because they hold this dirt on the people and when the people get out of line they drop that axe thats why. That is the point me and others are trying to make. This guy no doubt is a scumbag. But so is every other politician. They dont get arrested however because they play along. Catch my drift?

I've read some of these stories. All I can say is that if you ever wanted to know what really happens in politics and have it exposed for all the world to see, take a good look. I'm sure everyone here would agree that just about EVERY politician/governor/senator/representative does things like this to a certain degree, but this is a nightmare. It will be interesting to see how Obama's team quickly distances itself from him.

Man, I've been waiting for Blago to hang himself for a very long time. Ryan was bad, but everyone knew this guy was a tool. It just amazes me the audacity he has, the sheer selfishness and greed. Since when is Blago in financial trouble? He's jeopardized health care reimbursement in the State, while trying to fund his "All Kids" pet project.

And I hate the fact that I can't even spell his last name!

reply to post by Stormdancer777


I suppose it's possible he ran his mouth to try and get voter simpathy. But it seems fruitless considering that he, as well as Daley are despised in all of IL. Chances are that it will do the reverse since the public will get firther knowledge of his corruption that they didn't know of before. Getting them madder at him, not simpathetic.

Ummm this guy was arrested for trying to sell Obama's empty Senate seat. From source on MSN.com: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on federal charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder. www.msnbc.msn.com...

I don't necessarily see where he tryed to "Take the banks on", seems it's saying he was arrested for trying to profit off of a government position.

reply to post by Freenrgy2


start for you. You want to see what really goes on behind the scenes you are getting a front row seat to see how most politicians in power work period. I still stand behind my assertion that its because he went against the powers ie the banks he is sitting behind bars. They have been investigating him for over THREE YEARS!!!! They have had this dirt on him forever. Now look at what the story is today its not how B of A is screwing the people its now about the evil governor. LOL isnt that funny how that happens.

Originally posted by niteboy82
reply to post by Helmkat

 

I understand where you're coming from. I honestly do. However, I am also noticing a lot of hate going towards this guy, and while I believe it is justified, I think that this lust to get the guy in prison is taking center and distracting from other issues. A lot of "that's rubbish, he's a criminal going to jail and it's about time!"

I'm all for people disliking their political leaders, but I'm also for looking at the picture and trying to find a bigger picture.

---

The prosecutor for this case is no other than our very own special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald who was the promise of hope for many in a shakedown of the White House under the Bush administration.

Run a search on him and look at the dirt this guy has.

He played a lot of people under the Libby case and imo, it ended up being a distraction to keep those that wanted their leaders held accountable in a a constant state of bloodlust, hanging on every possible leaked court information that would bring them one step closer to seeing some crooks behind bars.

Btw, in case you're on the edge of your seat wondering, our very special prosecutor never delivered.


[edit on 12/9/08 by niteboy82]

There is no bigger picture to this. If you lived in Illinois, you would see this in an instant. I just talked to a State Police friend of mine. The first words out of him were, "It's a good day for Illinois." That speaks volumes. This guy was running our state into the ground. Hopefully DICK Daley is the next to go. Even though he's supposed to be tied only to Chicago, the man is like a mob boss and he has immense pull in Springfield. And he's just as corrupt, if not moreso, than Blago. Put it this way, evidentally an Alderman's life in Chicago is more valuable than any citizens, because Alderman's in Chicago carry concealed firearms, without a license, and nothing is done to them for it. However, handguns are banned in Chicago, and Conceal and Carry is a felony in the state. Yet I have a permit to carry in all of the surrounding states, with the exception of Iowa and Wisconsin.

But if you do want a "Bigger Picture" scenario. Try this on for size. It's because he was trying to sell Obama's Senate seat. Obama was an Illinois Senator, and I'm pretty sure that he has some ties to Blago, one way or another. Perhaps Obama had to buy his Senate seat originally. He needs to distance himself from the corruption of Illinois, so it makes sense to tighten the noose at this point in time.

[edit on 9-12-2008 by Oreyeon]

reply to post by mybigunit


Are you also aware that the governor before Blagojevich was arrested and is still in jail, this is also quoted from the MSN.com article: Blagojevich, in his second term, is the latest in a string of Illinois governors to run afoul of the law. His immediate predecessor, George Ryan, is in jail following a federal corruption conviction.

Would-be reformer
Blagojevich took the chief executive's office in 2003 as a reformer promising to clean up Ryan's mess.

Ryan, a Republican, is serving a 6-year prison sentence after being convicted on racketeering and fraud charges. A decade-long investigation began with the sale of driver's licenses for bribes and led to the conviction of dozens of people who worked for Ryan when he was secretary of state and governor.


Seems to me this had nothing to do with him going for the banks and that this guys paper trail is more then 3 years long, this guy was just as corrupt as Ryan and should serve the same time.

I just watched a little of the press conference regarding the Governors arrest. The FBI had been tapping his phone lines for quite some time. Based on what was said during the P.C. this guy is a greedy scum bag. They have a mile long laundry list on this guy. I just hope they can secure enough witnesses to back up all of the recorded conversations. I am sure many heads are about to roll and everyone involved is going to look out for themselves. Lets back that bus over the governor one more time.

Politics, what fun. I wonder if any of this will eventually lead to Obama? These are his hometown people.

reply to post by Freenrgy2


This would be the most simple quote for Obama's cabinet to use against the Illinois governor, also from the Same MSN.com Article:

The charges also state that in a conversation with Harris on November 11, Blagojevich said he knew that President-elect Obama wanted a specific candidate for the open Senate seat but added "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them."

So in short he said f them, and in short has only f'ed himself and made himself fewer allies.

reply to post by Lokey13


Im very well aware of governor Ryan and his corruption. What Im saying is MOST of them are corrupt in the same way but they do not get arrested why? Because they dont mess with the money. As long as the financiers are happy you get to stay in the game. You tick them off in this case they messed with B of A then all the dirt that is held on you gets pushed to the top. Look at Elliot Spitzer. They couldnt get any dirt on him until the prostitute. Once again I recommend you look at the list of people who go against the bankers.....

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Like I said Blogovich deserves jail time if all of this is true. My point is lets arrest them all including the ones in Washington.

reply to post by mybigunit



Very close. But...

The difference is this:
If you allow lobbying or deal-making to benefit the State that's dealing, then, it's honest (cough) politics.
What Gov. Blago is getting busted for is dealing Senate seats to pad his personal pockets. Him. Not the State of Illinois. THAT'S the difference.

He got greedy and shortsighted. He got sloppy and hasty.

He got popped. For the sake of the image of Illinois, according to the US Attorney.

Now, will Blago resign, be impeached or commit suicide? Or, will he tough it out and fight? What will Pat Quinn do?

Hard to say, but, those are the questions.

Cuhail

reply to post by Oreyeon


This is spot on. If you don't live in Illinois it is hard to describe how messed up politics are here and Blago (Yes I also hate that I cannot spell his name) will get his day in court and I look forward to the outcome.

This is not swamp gas, weather balloons or Venus. Blago was driving Illinois into the ground. He all by his loansome brought our state goverment to a standtill, thats right folks, this summer he basically shut down Illinois because nobody wanted to play with him and that is just one example.

You've seen all the rest.

reply to post by mybigunit


Now I can agree with that, that maybe he wasn't worth their time until he attacked the banks. But if he was truely being invetsigated for the past 3 years this could simply be the straw that broke the camels back. I do understand where your coming from and saying they only bagged him now for the bank reasons: it's all a giant possibility.

Sounds to me like the gov has been set up. Is he talking about selling the senate seat for money, or deal making for influence. This latter is typical in politics, and everyone knows it. The gov gets to make an appointment to the Senate seat, and he wants political favors in exchange, standard run of the mill stuff, and everyone knows it.

If every politician who peddled influence were to be arrested, pretty much every elected office in the country would be opened up.

Anyone who claims BofA had nothing to do with this is full of it.

I too live in Illinois, and politicians here are just ASSUMED to be corrupt. It's been that way with every major Chicago figure I can think of in my quarter-plus of a century on this planet (don't remember Harold Washington too well but I'm sure there was something there too).

Blago is a crook, plain and simple. Just take a look at the books on open-road tolling, the Dan Ryan redo, I-355 extension, and I-88 construction projects. All of them went significantly over budgets and what do you know some of Blago's best friends were at the helms of the companies contracted for construction.

The thing I don't understand is the media, and the FBI apparently can't get their stories straight. The first headlines on this were: "Arrested on corruption charges relating to replacement of Obama's senate seat" and "Been under investigation for more than 3 years."

Anyone see a bit of a disconnect there? Ok MAYBE a year ago Obama's name was etched in stone (if you believe all the conspiracies out there) but not three. So what was he under investigation for then?

Now all of a sudden the headlines I see are talking about corruption relating to Tribune Co. and Wrigley.

So. Which is it. Was he arrested for the senate thing? Or the Wrigley thing? Are they just trying to throw as many bad deeds out to the media as possible?

To be honest he needed to be put away (even though we will undoubtedly get some just as corrupt in his place). But anyone who doesn't see the timing of this as MORE THAN COINCIDENTAL is being pretty ignorant and going against the motto of this very site.

reply to post by Fiverz


Exactly, as the saying goes "There's no such thing as coincidences. Everything happens for a reason" I think in this case, it's very obvious that the reason and the timing of this arrest has more to do with him running his mouth off at the banks. Don't get me wrong, he's still a corrupt D****e bag and he might've run his mouth to garner public simpathy (fat chance though) But it doesn't change the reason for the timing of the arrest.

I hope Emil Jones is somehow involved. That guy just looks like a crook. I know our local Reps and State Senator hate Blago and cronies. Blago refuses to work with anyone in the house. Complete chaos. The top echelon of the house and state senate reek to high heaven.

Now, if they can just clean house of most of the crooks in cook county, maybe Illinois can start to redeem itself.

Blago and the worst state government in the country are one of the reasons I want to relocate.

[edit on 9-12-2008 by Freenrgy2]