By Steve Rhodes
I had so much fun yesterday I’m going to do the same thing today. I’ve only got about an hour here this morning before I have a couple of appointments, but I’ll pick it up later this afternoon.
For Starters
* Blago’s Facebook Frenemies.
* Blago Bonanza.
Word of the Day
From Julia Gray:
bla*go*viate – noun or verb: to speak pompously (verb), a governor who speaks pompously and uses profanity when describing how unappreciated he feels after being ignored by the president-elect
Blast From The Past
* Blago vs. Spitzer, March 2008.
Programming Note
Once again I’ll be taking your comments and observations.
Triple J
Yes, I know this is the big story of the day. I’ve only had a chance to glance over it, so I’ll withhold comment until I can give it a close reading.
Sneedlings
A lot of folks have asked me to write about Sneed’s pathetic role in this whole mess. I think Gawker said it best.
*
Michael Miner takes a more charitable view.
“If the governor calls Sneed and not somebody else, isn’t that a feather in her cap?” Miner writes. “And if she comments that something ‘sounds like looneyville,’ isn’t she showing the skepticism we ask of a gossip columnist? Sneed is paid, after all, to take the governor’s calls.”
No. Sneed is paid to vet the governor’s calls, and “looneyville” or not, the governor knew who to go to to plant an item. I certainly wouldn’t be flattered to be known as a sap.
As I’ve written before, Sneed’s misdeeds have been documented many times in the past; Chicago magazine has twice annotated her columns to note how nearly every item is either factually wrong or has been reported elsewhere first. And her press agentry for pals like Lura Lynn Ryan and Judy Baar Topinka is inexcusable.
If Sneed is the old media and Gawker is the new, I’ll take Gawker a thousand times over.
*
A reader writes:
“Don’t forget Sneed pal, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, founder of the Special Olympics and defender of the true Catholic faith, as well as apple pie and the American Way. Ugh.
“Chicago may be the center of the universe, but we’re still Mayberry in many ways, though at least Mayberry had honest government.”
51st State
Southern Illinois secession movement.
Rating Rod
More people approve of Britney’s MTV special than the governor.
Blago’s Parents
In case you had forgotten, as I had, both are deceased.
Blago’s Brother
From the Trib:
“The affidavit made anonymous references to many people, some as potential victims and some as helping facilitate schemes on behalf of Blagojevich. Fitzgerald said the investigation was not complete as federal authorities continued to try to track down which schemes were carried out and who might be involved.
“Among them is an individual described in the affidavit as Fundraiser A and chairman of Friends of Blagojevich. Blagojevich’s brother Robert is his campaign chairman. Fundraiser A is listed several times in the affidavit as helping the governor pressure contributors.
“At one point when the governor remarks that he is not involved in any illegal activity, his brother responds by saying ‘unless prospectively somebody gets you on a wire.’ Rob Blagojevich could not immediately be reached for comment.”
Prayer Vigil
Various news agencies are reporting that three ministers arrived at the Blagojevich home this morning for a prayer session. Rev. Jesse Jackson is not believed to have been among them.
Tough Call
“Illinois Voters By 2-to-1 Say Politicians More Corrupt Than Corporate CEO’s.”
Programming Note
It’s 10:30 a.m., gotta run. Will return this afternoon. Feel free to send comments in the meantime and I’ll get to them when I get back.
Back in the Saddle
I had a couple appointments this morning and a (postponed) lunch that meant I had to park in a downtown ramp, given the timing and route I was on. As I paid on the way out I mentioned to the parking ramp guy that I had heard the governor was about to resign (hasn’t happened yet). He exploded.
“They have money, they have power, what more do they want?! They’re never satisfied! They’ll never be happy!”
Yes. It’s never enough for these folks. I wonder how many powerful and/or wealthy people actually are mentally ill – and that’s what drove them to the top.
Alt-Blago
Our very own Marilyn Ferdinand tells me that – in the wake of Bettie Page’s death – traffic is going through the roof for her 2005 review of The Notorious Bettie Page at Ferdy on Films.
Disco Danny
I missed this in all the hubbub: Danny Davis has won a coveted seat on the House Ways and Means Committee.
You said Ways and Means, heh-heh.
Cynicism Writ Large
“Ryan To Give Public Apology.”
Could the timing be any more obvious?
In other news:
– Jesse Jackson Jr. to serve meals at soup kitchen tonight
– Rod Blagojevich announces massive AIDS initiative
– Patti Blagojevich finds God, forms church
– Pat Quinn declares martial law
Dear Attorney General
Can you declare me unfit to serve, too?
I realize this is an extraordinary request, but these are extraordinary circumstances.
Programming Note
John McCormick, the Tribune editorial writer whom Blago tried to get fired, is among the panelists on Chicago Tonight: Week in Review tonight.
Talk Right
I hate how people from around here say Ellinois instead of Illinois.
Animated Blago
This is pretty good.
Nightcap
7:19 P.M. update; on my way to the Beachwood Inn soon. Maybe Bob will let me guest bartend tonight.
The Beachwood Tip Line: Unflappable.
Posted on December 12, 2008