State of the State

The plight of my state has been all over the news the past several weeks. Yesterday's denial of appointed Senator Burris to be seated in the U.S. Senate was a big deal. While the only "technical" reason why he cannot be seated is that Secretary of State Jessie White did not certify our embattled governor's appointment of Burris, there isn't much else that is keeping Burris out of the Senate seat. What makes me sad, is that it didn't matter who our Governor appointed, any candidate would be going through this same issues. Our governor definitely outsmarted everyone by making the move to appoint Roland Burris, but how can the same state that was the home of our next President also be the same state that is embattled and is the laughing stock of the country. *sigh*

To take it up a level. Let's talk about the Senate Democrats for a bleeping moment. What happened?!? All of a sudden they are infighting and just plain old disorganized. I think it all began after the election on what to do with Liebermann, now it's about seating Burris. Harry Ried is loosing a lot of credibility with me. I understand that Sen. Durbin is behind the Burris blocking, but quite honestly this isn't doing anything for our nation or for that matter the party. While the Democrats were all sitting back watching the Republican party implode with their choice of Palin and loosing many seats in the Congress, I can see Dick Chaney and the others in the party just sitting back and watching all of what is going on with a particular sneer.

I am hoping that come January 20th, change will still come to America.

Blue State

This morning I as well as other Illinois residents woke up to the news that our governor was taken into custody by FBI agents on charges of corruption. Information and rumors of what was going on in the Governor's office have been brewing for the past several years. Listening to U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald this morning I was shocked and baffled by the extent of what was happening and exactly who, what, where, when and why.Since the news broke, I have listened to talk radio and NPR to hear more about the charges as well as what will happen next.

I am not sure where to start in this blog, so I guess I'll just tell you my feelings on the whole thing. This was said this morning by someone else, I can't tell if Governor Blago is arrogant or ignorant. For a man who has been under investigation and was named several times during the Tony Rezko trial he should have known his head was on the chopping block. To listen to the press conference today with Patrick Fitzgerald I am shocked by the arrogance of a man who thought that he could sell the President elect Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder and then also try get himself AND his wife a better higher paying job either with the Obama administration or with a union. It's the audacity of this man that has me baffled. Not only was this man screwing with the senate seat he was also screwing with the well being of the United States!

Additionally, the allegations of trying to get Chicago Tribune editors fired over bad press that he was receiving in exchange for help selling the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field is mind blowing. Who thinks they have that much power?! Usually a way to get bad press to go away is to not do things like hmmm let's say sell US Senate seats!

I am glad that the federal government stepped in when they did rather than wait until the spring to bring charges against the governor. Unfortunately other than having his name plastered all over world as being charged in corruption that is all that will happen. He goes back to being Governor of Illinois until the Illinois Legislature takes measures to impeach him. I just hope that the State of Illinois can get it together before January 20th and find ourselves a good hard working Senator that will not have this looming over their head and won't be tainted by all that has happened.

Oh yeah, one last thing. Former Illinois Governor George Ryan is in prison, found guilty of corruption and sentenced to I think y7 1/2 ears in prison. Over the past couple of weeks, there has been a lot of back and forth regarding asking President Bush to pardon or at least commute Govern Ryan's sentence due to his age (72) and the health of his ailing wife. Many politicians in Illinois have weighed in on the opinion of commuting Governor Ryan's sentence; asked a few weeks ago Governor Blagojavich stated that Governor Ryan should not have his sentence commuted and if he was convicted of the crime, he should do the time. Karma?

Update: I just finished reading the 76 page complaint against Governor Blagojavich and Chief of Staff, John Harris, it's official. Governor Blagojavich is delusional and definitely has a very big opinion of himself and the power/influence he may wield.