Thursday, January 29, 2009

Impeached Cobbler

Here's the short version for those person's who've managed to live under a rock for the last few months, there by escaping the events pouring out of the Land of RodZ.
"Blago" found himself under investigation by federal powers a few months ago. This by itself is not exactly uncharacteristic of politicians in Illinois in general and Springfield in specific. What makes it entertaining is that the nut job (knowing this fact, that he was under scrutiny from federal law enforcement) continued to say and do things that make him look guilty. Specifically, if the federal prosecution is to be believed, he continued to have phone-calls where in he revealed that he was trying to auction off an Illinois Senate seat! This is the definition corruption.
Now, that established, let me move onto my actual point.
I am not interested, at this moment, in the matter of innocence or guilt on the part of Blago. What matters in the matter of an impeachment, in this instance, is the question of whether or not the Governor demonstrated an inability to properly execute his office. Operating under the assumption of innocence (because this is America, dammit) I have to say that the Wizard of RodZ, so thoroughly bungled this thing that his credibility is still in tatters. As a perfect example, let's look at his recent media blitz. Among other things, Blago arranged for an audience with the King. That's right; Larry King. "Captain-frigging-Softball" himself. Wonder of wonders, His Majesty actually dusted off the grill and put the coals to Blago's feet, "Did you say that? Well, but you know if said that," referring to the following;
"It's a (EXPLETIVE LANGUAGE) valuable thing -- thing. You just don't give it away for nothing."
Another quote: "I've got this thing and it's (EXPLETIVE LANGUAGE)
golden. And I'm just not giving it up for (EXPLETIVE LANGUAGE) nothing. I'm not going to do it. And I can always use it. I can parachute me there."
Larry King? A hard interview?
I almost choked.
I get the impression Blago had a bit of indigestion as well. His answers are universally evasive. I mean, "I don't know if I said that, I haven't listened to the tapes yet?" Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Furthermore, Blago keeps trying to talk about how unfair it is that he "can't call witnesses," when this isn't (repeat, IS NOT) a criminal proceeding. He has gone on since then, implying that regardless of his actions A: the people love him for what he's done on their behalf and B: everyone in the state government does the same crap anyway, and you're all a bunch of hypocrites for crucifying me.
Now I am not one to get caught up on what are called "character issues" (meaning "things we can blast you for when you get ahead on actually concrete issues") but Blago has demonstrated two things at least which suggest he isn't fit to lead a sewing circle, let alone the Illinois state government. First is his apparently obliviousness to the actual reality inhabited by the rest of us and the second his general inability not to behave like a litigious prat and offensively arrogant power broker.
All of this is fine though, if the people of Illinois are interested in having either a spoiled, adolescent bully or a loon in charge.
I'm not taking odds on that one.

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