The opening statements of the trial of former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich (D-in case you forgot) started today. In a sign that this truly will be one of the great spectator sports, Blagojevich’s attorneys have mounted an interesting defense of their client.
Blagojevich’s attorney, Sam Adam, argues in a motion filed this morning that the federal wiretaps that form the bulk of the government’s evidence are tapes of a politician engaged in political speech—and therefore untouchable under the First Amendment. “In this case, the defendant was engaged in political speech and expression,’’ argues the motion. “The government alleges that the political process in which he was engaged is criminal. This is a violation of the defendant’s rights of freedom of speech and expression afforded him under the United States Constitution.’’
Well, I guess by this logic every criminal act committed by a politician is covered.
- Nixon and Watergage Check!
- Ted Stevens Check!
- Bill Clinton lying under oath Check!
- George Ryan selling government contracts* Check!
In reality this sounds like a rather sharp indictment of the entire political process. It doesn’t matter if it’s Washington, D.C. or Springfield, IL. Too many of our politicians feel that what they do is entitled to them. The quid pro quo nature of just about everything that our politicians do would leave most Americans feeling like they needed a shower at the end of the day. You see, when selling a Senate seat feels like business as usual why would you ever think that you were doing anything wrong?
*Seriously I could have made this entire list about former Governors of Illinois. There’s something really wrong with that state.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
Undoubtedly Blago's lead counsel took majored in pre-law at Faber College
ColdWarrior (Diary) Tuesday, June 8th at 11:27PM EST (link)And was in the Delta house. And was tutored by Otter.
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And don't forget
southernilpat Tuesday, June 8th at 11:44PM EST (link)He must be innocent because he has “beautiful hair.”
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/06/08/blago-honest-and-with-beautiful-hair/
Ah, but he doesn't have a well-creased pantleg. [nt]
cwilson (Diary) Wednesday, June 9th at 10:30AM EST (link).
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom — go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! –Samuel Adams
Don't Count Your Convictions Before They Hatch
saintgeorgegentile Wednesday, June 9th at 12:12AM EST (link)Blago’s lawyer was also R. Kelly’s lawyer. Anything is possible in a Chicago courtroom.
Freedom is the glue of capitalism, that amoral wisdom of the markets that most efficiently allots goods and services to a citizenry.
-Victor Davis Hanson
I don't care what happens to Blago
taxpayer1234 (Diary) Wednesday, June 9th at 2:03AM EST (link)as long as he fingers the DC crowd that played along with him.
If they can even pull one or two in
jsanzone (Diary) Wednesday, June 9th at 3:42AM EST (link)as a witness or something, that would be priceless. The more attention this trial gets and the longer it’s drawn out, the more Democrats will suffer in November.
http://www.2010blog.net
20/10 Blog
it really won't get much play
MF (Diary) Wednesday, June 9th at 11:36AM EST (link)Except for places like here, this entire story line won’t get much attention. Yes, it will be mentioned on the news, but most non-politically minded people will barely notice.
I watched Trumps Show
lakecrazy Wednesday, June 9th at 7:53AM EST (link)On the apprentice tv show, Blaggo didn’t even know how to email..now he’s on twitter. The Boy Learns New Tricks..this trial is going to be better than the Young and the Restless.
WITWIR?
gwalt Wednesday, June 9th at 8:49AM EST (link)Where in the world is Rezko?
What is the deal with him and what sort of deal is he cutting or has he cut?
Is he part of this trial? Didn’t he get convicted on 16 counts?
Can even one count include a shady deal with a certain thin-skinned man-boy-child petulant finger-pointer?
A couple of choice stories about him would be good for all of us. Someone get John Kass on the case.
“A lot of briefing for a 2 hr. special with Dan Rather. Saw the show & wonder why we bothered”. –Ronald Reagan, The Reagan Diaries (January 27, 1982)
Ted Stevens
edintexas Wednesday, June 9th at 9:26AM EST (link)Lest we forget, Ted Stevens’ conviction was reversed on appeal, on the motion of the Department of Justice, due to prosecutorial misconduct – specifically the prosecution did not give the defense exculpatory* evidence in the government’s possession, as it was required to do.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123863051723580701.html
Without specifically defending Blago, the DOJ has made politics a crime
Achance (Diary) Wednesday, June 9th at 9:48AM EST (link)when they want to turn on someone. The Public Integrity Section’s favorite toy was a charge called theft of honest services. The argument is that the public is entitled to the honest services of an elected or appointed official; ok, that’s good so far. But they take it one step further by asserting that if the elected or appointed official receives any benefit from a party, even if that benefit is otherwise legal, and goes on to do something that benefits that party, then s/he performed the act for the party because he received that benefit, e.g., Legislator A receives a campaign contribution from Company B. Company B has legislation pending before the Legislature. Legislator A votes from Company B’s legislation. Therefore, Legislator A voted for the legislation BECAUSE he received the contribution. That is a blatant post hoc, ergo propter hoc fallacy, but they’ve been able to get twelve morons with driver’s licenses to buy it.
Alaska juries and the Alaska political set and Bar had tired of it in the “corruption” investigations here involving Veco, Inc., and Bill Allen, the same guy whose family the PIS was holding hostage for his testimony against Stevens. Juneau Republican Representative, Bruce Weyhrauch, who was charged with the crime of have made it known he was looking for a job, has appealed USDOJ’s interpretation of the law to the USSC and from the arguments and the Justices’ questions, it appears likely that the USSC will limit the scope of prosecutions under this very vague law.
In Vino Veritas
55555
petrarch Wednesday, June 9th at 11:29AM EST (link)Exactly right! I’ve been trying to make this argument – the Left has made the practice of politics a crime, secure in the knowledge that the media will protect them while indicting Republicans under the same laws. The correct approach is not to put Obama in jail, it’s to start getting rid of the laws that criminalize the normal horsetrading of politics while making it crystal-clear and logical as to exactly what isn’t allowed – I’d say, anything involving cash in your freezer as a good rule of thumb.
Scragged – Conservative Online Opinion Magazine
"There’s something really wrong with that state." NO KIDDING!
HSMom Wednesday, June 9th at 9:59AM EST (link)GET ME OUT OF HERE! (I live in Illinois)
We can’t even leave if we wanted to! Foreclosures are ridiculous, here! Everyone wants out.
There is only one party here. The Crooked Party.
We don't win by running anyway
southernilpat Wednesday, June 9th at 1:46PM EST (link)We win by staying and taking over one of the parties. Even in Illinois the GOP is fixable by taking it over at the grassroots level (aka ColdWarrior’s PC project). Do we have further to go than some other states? Yup. Even in the Revolution it took some doing to get all 13 colonies on board. It’s no reason to give up and run.
I know Blago is just trying
Melody Warbington (rwm52) (Diary) Wednesday, June 9th at 11:39AM EST (link)to save his own skin, but I love that he’s pretty much giving Obama & Rahm the finger.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. (John 4:25)
That's part of his problem
southernilpat Wednesday, June 9th at 1:04PM EST (link)He tried to play the game without going through the proper channels – now he’s being hung out to dry. This will be priceless to watch.