Rod Blagojevich officially facing federal corruption charges

[NorthSideSox72]

So Obama has time to break from his Hawaiian vacation for talking about Burris, but won't say a word about Israel and Gaza? Interesting priorities.

I've found it interesting how little either Obama OR Bush are saying, or doing (in Bush's case) about it. Neither wants to touch that thing.

 

[Rex Kickass]

I've found it interesting how little either Obama OR Bush are saying, or doing (in Bush's case) about it. Neither wants to touch that thing.

 

I think its wholly appropriate for Obama to keep mum on this at this point, especially since his policy will likely differ fairly greatly from the current president.

[southsider2k5]

I think its wholly appropriate for Obama to keep mum on this at this point, especially since his policy will likely differ fairly greatly from the current president.

 

That hasn't stopped him from advancing pieces of his agenda in other places... here it is just a cop out.

[Balta1701]

So Obama has time to break from his Hawaiian vacation for talking about Burris, but won't say a word about Israel and Gaza? Interesting priorities.

I don't see a thread here about the Israel/Gaza matter either .

 

One could certainly argue that as long as he's only the President elect, he shouldn't be making statements about foreign policy matters that would interfere with the work being done by the current president.

[kapkomet]

It shouldn't amaze me anymore, but the continual defense of the George W. Bush-like tactics of our incoming President being "defended" by the same people who constantly blast Bush for exactly the same thing is just simply hilarious. It's becoming delicious irony, to say the least.

 

[southsider2k5]

One could certainly argue that as long as he's only the President elect, he shouldn't be making statements about state policy matters that would interfere with the work being done by the current governor.

 

Yep. Its kinda like that.

 

Anyways, you could make the arguement, that is if he had been silent on all things so far, because he had deferred to the current President. But he hasn't. He has sure had opinions on a lot of other matters, but this one he has run away from.

[Soxbadger]

Wars that only happen between major US holidays dont exist.

 

 

Oh and there is no point in Blago resigning unless they are going to offer him a sweetheart deal.

 

At this point theres no saving face, he might as well just go down swinging and see what happens. Blago not being impeached and being found not guilty are still in the realm of possibilities.

 

The real question here is on what grounds can the senate deny a state's selection?

 

There is a caveat that the senate can make the rules of its own members, but at the same time the state has the power to decide how the senate seat is given out. If Illinois did not want a situation like this to happen, it could have written rules to prevent it. As such the rules are clear and we may not like them, but they are the rules.

[lostfan]

I don't see a thread here about the Israel/Gaza matter either .

For me, it's like Groundhog Day (that coincidentally is my birthday but that's neither here nor there). This s*** happens like every 6 months, it just gets old to talk about.

[southsider2k5]

Wars that only happen between major US holidays dont exist.

 

 

Oh and there is no point in Blago resigning unless they are going to offer him a sweetheart deal.

 

At this point theres no saving face, he might as well just go down swinging and see what happens. Blago not being impeached and being found not guilty are still in the realm of possibilities.

 

The real question here is on what grounds can the senate deny a state's selection?

 

There is a caveat that the senate can make the rules of its own members, but at the same time the state has the power to decide how the senate seat is given out. If Illinois did not want a situation like this to happen, it could have written rules to prevent it. As such the rules are clear and we may not like them, but they are the rules.

 

The one clear winner here will be the lawyers as there are going to be some lawsuits as this moves along.

[klaus kinski]

It shouldn't amaze me anymore, but the continual defense of the George W. Bush-like tactics of our incoming President being "defended" by the same people who constantly blast Bush for exactly the same thing is just simply hilarious. It's becoming delicious irony, to say the least.

 

I believe the term "teflon" is becoming more common amongst the media regarding criticism of questionable behavior already by Obama and his retinue.

[lostfan]

It shouldn't amaze me anymore, but the continual defense of the George W. Bush-like tactics of our incoming President being "defended" by the same people who constantly blast Bush for exactly the same thing is just simply hilarious. It's becoming delicious irony, to say the least.

Who are you talking about exactly, Balta/Rex (I'd hope not, because neither of them are doing that), or are you just making a statement about the behavior of lefties in general?

[HuskyCaucasian]

When a reporter asked Burris about the $20,000 he's raised for Blogo, he seemed shocked and said he didnt have that kind of money.

 

Well, apparently he more than enough to build a shrine to him for when he dies....

Beneath a seal of the state of Illinois, Burris lists his accomplishments to date, and there seems to be plenty of room above the bench to mention his career in the Senate - if he has one.

[lostfan]

I saw the Blago press conference I would like to commend him; political theatre at it's finest. What a great pick, the senate Dems will have to consider the pick now or be accused of denying the only African-American senator (as Burris has been appointed) a senate seat.

Bobby Rush's comments are pretty embarrassing. A lot of times I defend what I think are unfair accusations of someone playing the race card, but holy s***, Rush basically unzipped his pants, put the race card on his cock, and slapped it across everyone's foreheads.

 

I like how he conveniently chose the word "lynched" in his next statement.

[NorthSideSox72]

Bobby Rush's comments are pretty embarrassing. A lot of times I defend what I think are unfair accusations of someone playing the race card, but holy s***, Rush basically unzipped his pants, put the race card on his cock, and slapped it across everyone's foreheads.

 

I like how he conveniently chose the word "lynched" in his next statement.

What did he say?

 

[southsider2k5]

Bobby Rush's comments are pretty embarrassing. A lot of times I defend what I think are unfair accusations of someone playing the race card, but holy s***, Rush basically unzipped his pants, put the race card on his cock, and slapped it across everyone's foreheads.

 

I like how he conveniently chose the word "lynched" in his next statement.

 

The funny part is that GRod knew this would happen, which is exactly why he picked the person he picked. It was yet another middle finger to those coming after him.

[NorthSideSox72]

The funny part is that GRod knew this would happen, which is exactly why he picked the person he picked. It was yet another middle finger to those coming after him.

I think you give him too much credit. IMO, the pick was simply the fact that Burris is an old buddy of his, and none of the rest of the semi-qualified buddies he has left (few) were willing to take the appointment (few of that few).

 

[lostfan]

What did he say?

southsideirish posted them yesterday.

 

"There are no African-Americans in the U.S. Senate. And I don't think any U.S. senator who's sitting in the Senate right now wants to go on record to deny one African-American from being seated in the U.S. Senate."

Translation/paraphrasing: "How could you not let him serve in the Senate? He's black. If you don't let him serve in the Senate, you're racist, it means you don't want blacks in the Senate."

 

Followed by some not-so-subtle symbolism:

"I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer and separate the appointee from the appointer."

 

I mean, damn, I'm all for having a black person in the Senate and everything, but how about focusing on the fact that Burris is actually qualified to serve in the position first? Not focusing on his race, that completely misses the point of racial equality. It's Jesse Jackson-speak.

Edited December 31, 2008 by lostfan

[NorthSideSox72]

southsideirish posted them yesterday.

 

 

Translation/paraphrasing: "How could you not let him serve in the Senate? He's black. If you don't let him serve in the Senate, you're racist, it means you don't want blacks in the Senate."

 

Followed by some not-so-subtle symbolism:

 

 

I mean, damn, I'm all for having a black person in the Senate and everything, but how about focusing on the fact that Burris is actually qualified to serve in the position first? Not focusing on his race, that completely misses the point of racial equality. It's Jesse Jackson-speak.

Wow. That's some stupid s***.

 

[Balta1701]

Fitz today filed a motion asking for a 90 day extension of the time granted to him to file indictments in the case. This should keep the details of the government's case under wraps until sometime mid-spring.

[NorthSideSox72]

IL House Speaker Madigan is calling the legislature back into session early, on Wednesday of next week, for a possible Impeachment vote. The committee investigating for the assembly is still doing so, and is due to report something early next week.

 

[mr_genius]

Jessie White can't block the Senate appointment, he doesn't know what he's doing. Kind of like Lisa Madigan's ridiculous attempt to get Blago removed. What a list of incompetent people we running this state. Very sad.

[NorthSideSox72]

Jessie White can't block the Senate appointment, he doesn't know what he's doing. Kind of like Lisa Madigan's ridiculous attempt to get Blago removed. What a list of incompetent people we running this state. Very sad.

White was just taking a stand. Call it political grandstanding, ambition for future office, or (I know, take a deep breath) maybe he really was standing on principle. In any case, I am sure he knew that would at worst just stall things, but he did it anyway to make a point.

 

It doesn't make him incompetent though. In fact, I respect him for doing that.

 

[mr_genius]

White was just taking a stand. Call it political grandstanding, ambition for future office, or (I know, take a deep breath) maybe he really was standing on principle. In any case, I am sure he knew that would at worst just stall things, but he did it anyway to make a point.

 

It doesn't make him incompetent though. In fact, I respect him for doing that.

 

His principles should be to uphold the duties of secretary of state, not grandstand. It just goes to the base of what is the toxic political environment in Illinois. Everything is done for personal gain, ignoring the law. This whole chapter in Illinois history is a keystone cops episode.

[NorthSideSox72]

His principles should be to uphold the duties of secretary of state, not grandstand. It just goes to the base of what is the toxic political environment in Illinois. Everything is done for personal gain, ignoring the law. This whole chapter in Illinois history is a keystone cops episode.

There is plenty to be embarrassed about in IL politics right now. But, IMO, White's actions are not among those things. I think he did something right, even if his motivations were likely (at least in part) selfishly motivated.

 

[Balta1701]