Blago found gulity

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Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
nonlnear said:
I have my moments.
I didn't mean to imply that you are okay with violating a public trust. Only that you are indignant at the capricious enforcement of violations of public trusts when the target is somebody you like, railing against the injustice of inconsistent enforcement while, on the other hand, applauding capricious enforcement of virtually identical prosecutorial tools when the "victims" are corporate fatcats with whom you, understandably don't sympathize at all.

Even that may have been a stretch because, looking back on the thread I see you are right. You didn't comment on Blago at all. I apologize. In my mond I was conflating your position with Jaskalas's. If you aren't actually all that sympathetic to Blago in the first place then my contention is completely misplaced.

Even if you are sympathetic to targets of inconsistent enforcement I wouldn't say that's quite the same as condoning crime. For example I kind of (begrudgingly) agree with Jaskalas that the politicization of incidents like this, coupled with the tacit acceptance of the political establishment that this is the way it's done as long as you don't leave any evidence, makes the execution of such sentences a sign of structural injustice even though the crime itself does deserve punishment.

It's a subtle distinction, and certainly not one that I communicated effectively with my misguided attack. My apologies.
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Thanks for the response. The remaining issue with it is that it still seems to contain some claim that I am inconsistent based on whether I 'like' the person who violated the public trust, that's completely baseless and offensive. Certainly if Grover Norquist and Al Gore are both convicted of the same violations of public trust tomorrow I think they have very different records in affecting the public, and I'll be glad one is gone and not the other, but that has nothing to do with the issue of the crime and punishment which is the same.

With that, I appreciate the rest of your post, and basically, I haven't followed Blago all that closely but my basic position has been that it appears he's been corrupt in his handling of the seat and should go to jail - and lied about it. I don't like him; turns out he's the 4th Illinois governor to go to federal jail lately apparently.

Again, I appreciate the post.
 
nobodyknows

nobodyknows

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2008
5,474
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I simply can't believe the number of posters who think Blago should get off lightly. He got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he violated the publ9ic trust!! I say hang 'em from the highest tree!!
 
nonlnear

nonlnear

Platinum Member
Jan 31, 2008
2,497
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76
Craig234 said:
Thanks for the response. The remaining issue with it is that it still seems to contain some claim that I am inconsistent based on whether I 'like' the person who violated the public trust, that's completely baseless and offensive.
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I meant that was the position that I had mistakenly inferred from my conflation of your post and Jaskalas's.
 
First

First

Lifer
Jun 3, 2002
10,518
271
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Craig234 said:
Madoff didn't go to jail for anything to do with the financial crash, but his own scheme.
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That's because these guys were able to get Congress to agree that this stuff wasn't illegal. Until recently (well, sorta).
 
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Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
First said:
That's because these guys were able to get Congress to agree that this stuff wasn't illegal. Until recently (well, sorta).
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As I understand it, that's true of some things, but others are still illegal - it's not just not being investigated and prosecuted.
 
C

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
nonlnear said:
I meant that was the position that I had mistakenly inferred from my conflation of your post and Jaskalas's.
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Thanks.

A little more on the crimes here, from the prosecutor:

"The jury sent a loud and clear message that Governor Blagojevich committed very serious crimes shaking down a children's hospital, trying to sell a Senate seat and demanding cash campaign contributions in advance before signing a bill," Fitzgerald said.
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This sounds like catching a guy who was a corrupt politician. I don't know what 'justice' is in terms of punishment here, but it's good to catch him and take him out of power.
 
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EagleKeeper

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
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Sentenced to 14 Years

CHICAGO &#8211; Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison Wednesday for 18 felony convictions stemming from trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat once occupied by Barack Obama, shaking people down in exchange for campaign contributions and lying to federal agents

Blagojevich earlier told the court that he made "terrible mistakes" and is "unbelievably sorry" for his crimes.

His emotional statement was a dramatic departure from his insistence on his innocence since his arrest three years ago. U.S. District Judge James Zagel is preparing to sentence him for 18 felony corruption convictions.
.
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vevo_43

Member
Dec 5, 2011
178
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The difference in his image is so huge. Now he's very private, avoids the cameras, doesn't give statements. Compare this to a while back when he was in all the late night shows, radio shows, limelight.

His sentence is well deserved. If not for him taking advantage of his power then, it's for making an ass out of himself. He was a public figure, a public servant. Not to sentence him sets a bad precedent for future politicians.
 
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