Former Illinois Governor Rod “Blago” Blagojevich Sentenced to 14 years in Prison on Corruption Charges

As the band Chicago sang … “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” … especially when you are guilty as sin of doing things the Chicago Way.

“Everybody needs a little time away.”
I heard Blago say,
“From each other.”
“Even former disgraced governors need a holiday.
Far away, from each other”

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been sentenced to 14 years in prison on corruption charges for trying to sell Barack Obama’s Illinois Senate seat to the highest bidder. Blago made a final plea to the court acknowledging his guilt and saying that he was “unbelievably sorry.” The plea fell on deaf ears as Blago received one of the longest for any politician in state history. And rightfully so.

Disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was sentenced Wednesday to 14 years in prison after he made a final plea for leniency, acknowledging his guilt and saying, “I am unbelievably sorry.”

The sentence is the longest received by any Illinois governor and one of the longest for any politician in state history.

As stated at Michelle Malkin.com the culture of corruption continues in Illinois, it’s the “Chicago way”.

This makes four former Illinois governors convicted of crimes.

PolarCoug (h/t SteveEgg) tweets: “The new official slogan for the State of Illinois: ILLINOIS: WILL THE DEFENDANT PLEASE RISE?”

And from macguyinnc: The new official song for the State of IL: “Get Me to the Judge On Time.”

Outbreak of Suspected Strain of Legionnaires’ Disease at Hugh Heffner’s Playboy Mansion

Outbreak of suspected strain of Legionnaires’ Disease at Heff’s Playboy Mansion. Some are speculating that they became ill at the Playboy mansion at the Domainfestconference in Santa Monica, held February 1 to 3. Is it possible, could the famous Playboy mansion and bachelor pad have caused so many to become ill? An investigation is under way by the LA County Health Department.

From the NY Post:

Can the Playboy Mansion make you ill? Hugh Hefner’s iconic bachelor pad is under investigation after more than 80 guests at a conference and party there became sick with a suspected strain of Legionnaires’ disease.

Scores of attendees at the Domainfest conference in Santa Monica, held Feb. 1 to 3, came down with symptoms including fever, respiratory infections and violent headaches. Four Swedish guests were diagnosed with Legionellosis or pontiac fever — a milder form of Legionnaires’ caused by bacteria that thrives in warm air-conditioning systems.

However, others are stating it is mere speculation and rumor that the blame is being put on the Playboy Mansion … ”but you can’t be sure.” Statement from the Playboy representative, “Don’t Blame Us for Illness”.

There is no truth in the rumor that anyone caught anything at the Playboy Mansion. Nor is there any evidence. None of the Playboy staff became ill, the deejay was in the middle of the fog and she didn’t get ill. We have been contacted by the Health Department and the Playboy Mansion is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Charlie Rangel’s “Blago” Moment & Democrat Headache … “Hey, if I was you I may want me to go away too. I am not going away! I am here!”

Rangel … “I am not going away.” What is going away is the Democrat control in DC.

Scandal plagued NY Congressman Charlie Rangel’s 20 minute rant was pure “political theatre” and for Democrats an Excedrin PM headache and Pepto Bismol moment all rolled up in one. Rangel had his “Blago” moment as he defensively went on the defensive in his House speech stating that he was not going away. Rangel asks as he begins his speech, “Why did I take the floor today …” Many Democrats were asking the same question.

Rangel says … “I am not going away!”

It was a rant that slammed everyone from House Democrats to Pres. Barack Obama – and he promised not to go away anytime soon. Watch this video.
This was a very senior member of Congress, who clearly thinks he’s been wronged by both the press and his colleagues, sounding off about exactly the way he feels. And he’s pissed off. Here’s a selection of some of the best quotes:

Charlie Rangel even found time in his rant to go after President Barack Obama. Do we sense trouble in Democrat paradise?

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Former Blago Aide John Harris: Obama Knew About Plot to Trade the Illinois Senate Seat

It’s the Chicago way … and Barack Obama has brought it to Washington, DC, “Hope & Change” Chicago style …

What did Barack Hussein know and when did he know it with regards to the former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the plot to sell the Illinois Senate seat for political favor? This story is beginning to smell out loud.

Bosom Buddies, Barack & Blago

This is getting interesting and rather unpleasant for the Obama White House. John Harris, Blagojevich’s former chief of staff, testified that  “he believed Barack Obama knew of Blagojevich’s plot to win himself a presidential Cabinet post in exchange for appointing Valerie Jarrett to the U.S. Senate.” OUCH, that’s going to leave a mark. This is a much different story than Obama has previously told. Attorney for the defense state that Harris’ testimony contradicts the government’s previous public statements that Obama knew nothing about deal-making involving the Senate seat appointment. Oh what tangled webs we weave, just what Obama needs, another scandal and implication into sleazy politics to bring down his approval rating.

 A top aide to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he believed Barack Obama knew of Blagojevich’s plot to win himself a presidential Cabinet post in exchange for appointing Valerie Jarrett to the U.S. Senate.

John Harris, Blagojevich’s former chief of staff, testified Wednesday in the former governor’s corruption trial that three days after the Nov. 4, 2008, presidential election, the ex-governor told Harris he felt confident Obama knew he wanted to swap perks.

“The president understands that the governor would be willing to make the appointment of Valerie Jarrett as long as he gets what he’s asked for. . . . The governor gets the Cabinet appointment he’s asked for,” Harris said, explaining a recorded call.

Harris said Blagojevich came away believing Obama knew what he wanted after having a conversation with a local union representative, who in turn spoke with labor leader Tom Balanoff, with whom Blagojevich met to discuss a Jarrett appointment. Jarrett, now a White House adviser, was seeking the appointment to Obama’s Senate seat.

As Right Wing News states, Quid pro quo just seems to be the Chicago way. Not surprising at all. How will Americans react to this news and Obama’s connection to Blagogate. Americans are growing wearing of this President and an ethics scandal would be the final touch in the end of Obama’s presidency. Remember President Obama, just like with the BP oil spill, We the People’s impression is what matters.

Thanks to Weasel Zippers … they have provided us what Obama previously said that no one knew about the Blago Senate seat for favor scandal. Would Obama like a Mulligan?
 

VIDEO via Weasel Zippers

Talk about your uneasy times for Obama and his Administration … the chickens are coming home to roost.

Coincidence? The Chicago Way, Obama Now Selling Judgeships for Health Care Votes (Scott M. Matheson, Jr.)

It’s the Chicago way … quid pro quo … selling influence and political appointments for votes … this seems way to much of a coincidence. Was this the hope and change that you were looking for America?

Wasn’t there a big deal made when Illinois Governor Blago tried to sell Obama’s former Senate seat? Wasn’t he impeached? Now we are presented from the Weekly Standard that the following looks an awful lot like the same, an appointment for a health care vote … the timing is a bit suspect.

Tonight, Barack Obama will host ten House Democrats who voted against the health care bill in November at the White House; he’s obviously trying to persuade them to switch their votes to yes. One of the ten is Jim Matheson of Utah. The White House just sent out a press release announcing that today President Obama nominated Matheson’s brother Scott M. Matheson, Jr. to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

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