Knowing what we know now…
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been released from federal prison after Pres. Trump commuted his 14-year sentence.
"I've made a whole bunch of mistakes, but I didn’t break any laws," Blagojevich told reporters at Denver International Airport. https://t.co/JA4nWHQFJv pic.twitter.com/UG7iQdF6V9
— ABC News (@ABC) February 19, 2020
He probably has a point.
In 2008, then-FBI Director Mueller authorized a totally unnecessary and ruthless predawn raid on then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois. Blagojevich, a Democrat, was arrested in front of his two terrified young daughters. He supposedly conspired pay-to-play schemes to fill then-President Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. The arrest and subsequent trial made national headlines. The fame-hungry federal prosecutor in the case? None other than Comey’s best friend, Fitzgerald.
[…]
As Blagojevich’s lawyers wrote in their appeal to the Supreme Court, in McCormick v. United States, it was decided that “extortion based on soliciting campaign contributions requires a quid pro quo in the explicit promise or undertaking by a public official.” In Evans v. United States, the Supreme Court “blurred the relative clarity of the McCormick ruling.” And because of these two rulings, there is confusion at the lower courts.
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia, once a rising star in the Republican Party, was found guilty of accepting more than $130,000 in gifts from a donor-friend who needed the governor’s office and influence to help to save his struggling company. The gifts made national headlines, with pictures of McDonnell driving around in a Ferrari, a $20,000 shopping spree in New York, and a $6,000 Rolex. In the end, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction.
Time spent in prison? Zero days.
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., accepted donations and gifts from his wealthy friend Salomon Melgen in exchange for political influence. Melgen provided Menendez with trips on private jets, hotel rooms, and contributed nearly $75,000 to his political campaign. In the end, his trial concluded with a hung jury, and the Justice Department then filed to dismiss all remaining charges. And last Thursday, the Senate Ethics Committee “severely admonished” the senator for accepting gifts over a six-year period.
Time spent in prison? Zero days.
Unlike the cases of McDonnell and Menendez, Blagojevich never accepted lavish gifts, flew on private jets, took luxurious vacations, drove around in a Ferrari, or wore Rolexes in exchange for his political influence. And yet he is serving 14 years in prison as a first-time offender.
I wonder what the hell he knew about Obama.
These three characters, or creatures of the swamp: Robert Mueller, James Comey, and Patrick Fitzgerald should be put away for abuse of power.
Conrad Black knows these fine fellows.
NR, I agree. Those boys have done more damage than they should ever have been able to. law/justice in both the US and Canada has become a joke. One of the most dangerous things is the charge of lying to any such agency. they are liars and lies is all they deserve. Blago knew a lot about Obama.
I agree. I wonder if he will write a book. For all we know he may’ve started it while he was away.
P.S. Bon voyage! … & …Hope all goes well @ border Xing.
I hope you have considered whether or not you should leave your phone at home. Have a good trip.
Drain the Swamp!
Pardoning former Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois. a Democrat who was sentenced to 14 years, will make it easier for Trump to pardon Roger Stone. “Hey, I pardoned both Democrats and Republicans. This is non-partisan”. Way ahead of everyone.
One has to remember that Rod Blagojevich was governor of Illinois, where I was born and raised, and where it’s a tradition to send former (or, in his case sitting) governors to prison. Four governor who have held office since 1961 (Otto Kerner, Dan Walker, George Ryan, and Rod Blagojevich) have been found guilty of felonies and, therefore, sent to prison. It was simply Blagojevich’s turn in the barrel.
Interesting Jim. Kerner (DEM) sentenced to 4 years and released early. Walker (DEM) sentenced to 7 years and served 2. Ryan (REP) sentenced to 6.5 years and served about 5. Blagojevich (DEM) sentenced to 14 years and served 8. He was the only Governor of those listed to be pardoned.
Blagojevich is a working-class white man of Serbian extraction.
It was not just that Rod was a remnant of a tendency in Democrat circles that still took workingmen’s concerns seriously. Serbs have never had time for liberal pieties or political correctness. In particular, they hate the guts of Muslims.
But, of course, Barack Hussein Obama is not a Muslim (the very idea!), so he would never have railroaded Rod just to avenge the Kosovars.
Never mind. Slobodan Milosevic is smiling just the same.
I couldn’t figure out what Blagojevich did out of the ordinary at the time and I still can’t. Every single politician expects something political from every single appointment. Whether they get it or not is another story. When Blagojevich vocalized his wishes, the FBI was listening. What the hell is that about? Does the FBI tap every politician? Obviously. And the lemmings do nothing about it.
Rod even promised to “DO” Valerie Jarret…. The nasty chores for the needy… He wanted out of the corrupt State of Illinois filled with lizard Democrats and get to Wash, DC where the BIG fish feasted…..
He says he is now a Trump-Crat, who doesn’t have to DO Valerie Jarret anymore
God Bless Kate McMillan and God Bless SDA.
see, the thing is, it is THIS kind of revelation that *doesnt* get in traditional ‘news’ sources for
mass consumption. (‘consumption’ by the way used to be a medical term for tuberculosis).
keep at it kiddo, keep at it. drive it home. give us front line soldiers the ordnance we need to SHOVE IN THEIR FACES.
(and the great sense of satisfaction watching the fluster and incoherant vebiage responses)
Im having a good month by the way.
..God Bless Kate McMillan and God Bless SDA.
see, the thing is, it is THIS kind of revelation that *doesnt* get in traditional ‘news’ sources for…
I concur 100%.
This Blog is truly, the only place I seek the “news”…
I gotta admit, these days, SDA has become my first stop on the news feed circuit. As to this thread, the FBI do seem to be somewhat selective in their prosecutions….sarc now off!
He knew the Marxist Mulatto is a homo and that his beard is hung like a race horse.
Obama took out Blagojevich and Jesse Jr, installed Rahm, so his machine took over Illinois politics