If you’ve been to a barbershop or salon in the last month or so, you’ve at least heard about this guy’s hair. If you’ve been in seclusion for the last month or so, you might’ve been hiding in this guy’s hair. And by “this guy,” I mean embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Back in November Blagojevich’s conversations began to be taped by federal investigators. In December, Blagojevich said that everything he was doing was legal and, in his words, “there’s nothing but sunshine hanging over me.” Then, toward the middle of the month, he was arrested by the FBI on charges of trying to sell then President-elect, now President, Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. Surprisingly, even though he’s known for shooting off his mouth, he was quite calm when he got the call from the FBI. According to wiretaps, he said that the Senate seat was something of value and he wasn’t going to give it away for free. This led to the scandal surrounding Obama’s former Senate seat, but that’s a whole new can of worms.
Anyway, in the past few weeks, he’s been going on a media blitz, proclaiming his innocence and saying some very … would outlandish or outrageous be appropriate? … statements. He’s compared what’s happened to him and his family to the effect of the Pearl Harbor attacks on the United States. Doesn’t that sound a little outrageous to you? So far he’s been on with Larry King, the women of “The View,” Rachel Maddow and the hosts of “Good Morning America.” Mind you, this is during the time his trial is taking place. Currently, there are two empty seats for him and his lawyer waiting in the courtroom in Illinois. What I don’t get is why he is going on national programs to beg and plead for sympathy. Does the nation even care about him? To them, he’s just another brief attraction in the political circus, preceded by the attractions from the past election season, including Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers and Sarah Palin.
During the past month or so, he’s been acting like the shit hasn’t hit the fan. For him, everything’s been peachy keen. He appears to be as innocent as a young lamb. Can we believe this?
What if — and I’m not doubting anything — he didn’t try to sell the Senate seat? What if the main evidence against him is older charges, ones that have nothing to do with the Senate scandal? Is he truly guilty? And why hasn’t he chosen to show up in court and obey the justice system? He has said that the court trying him is a “kangaroo court” and he didn’t bother to attend his hearing. Doesn’t he understand that the rest of his political career is at stake?
Regardless, he’s expecting that he’ll be out of a job. If you’re being impeached, Governor, you’ll definitely be out of a job. That’s the most well-thought-out statement I’ve heard you say over the past few months.