Sometime this summer, I was working the patio at the restaurant I work at, when the owner quietly came over to tell me that I was waiting on the governor. I had waited on Governor Blagojevich a few times in the past, but not since he became governor of Illinois; he served as the House Representative for the district I live in (the one that soon-to-be Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel served until recently). His office back then was down the street from the restaurant, and he came in frequently.
Back when he came in as a Congressman, it was more casual. He'd show up with a couple of cronies and have a quiet dinner. As governor, he had a bunch of Illinois State Troopers as bodyguards.
This summer, he and his wife and kids, as well as his brother and brother's wife, had dinner out on the patio. I chatted with him for a minute, reminding him that I hadn't seen him there since he was a congressman.
When he left, I was astounded at what happened; all of my other customers on the patio started trash-talking him. I'd known he had become very, very unpopular (his most recent polls show a 13% favorable rating, even lower than that of the historically-low President George W. Bush). It was widely believed that he was going to be indicted for various things.
News this morning was that he was arrested at his home, just a few blocks from mine. Apparently, he told the Chicago Tribune that if they didn't fire the head of their editorial board, which has been highly critical of him, that he'd withdraw support for the Trib to sell Wrigley Field. He was also trying, apparently, to gain financially from his position as the person who will get to fill the Senate seat that Obama is vacating.
What an idiot. He knew that they were gunning for him, yet he became even more arrogant and outrageous in his graft. It looks like he's going to join the long line of Illinois governors who went to prison:
Otto Kerner, Jr., 1961-1968
Dan Walker, 1973-1977
George Ryan, 1999-2003
He was kicking the Tribune while they were down-- they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy yesterday.
That leaves Lt. Governor Pat Quinn as acting governor. Quinn was considered one of the possible picks to fill Obama's seat. Instead, it looks like he might be making that choice.
11 comments:
America. We sure can pick 'em, can't we?
So how was he as a customer? Was he arrogant, entitled, and demanding, or a decent guy? Did he tip well?
I've often thought you can tell a lot about a person by how they treat waiters, janitors, bus drivers and others in the service industry. Wondering whether that holds true in this case.
I agree with LegalMist in her assessment of a person in that way. While growing up working in a ski shop for many years, I could pick out a jerk a mile away!
Mnmom-
No doubt. We're especially good at it here in Illinois.
Legalmist-
Absolutely. I think it tells a lot about a person how they treat someone they don't have to.
That said, it's really odd-- he's a very gregarious, friendly guy. He's always treated me and the other people in the restaurant very well. And his brother picked up the tab that night, and tipped well. When Blago has picked it up, he has tipped well.
SD-
Generally, yes, you can pick out a douchebag from a mile away.
Also, when I was a teacher, the kids that were going to give you a hard time usually let you know the first day. It was pretty funny-- they always seemed shocked that I was on to them.
Hi JY!
I read about the gov and logged in to check your blog right away! I knew you would have something on it.
My theory on the legalmist theory and the contradication with blago's behavior: Politician. They are not human, especially the ones like him.
I can't wait to get together with you over a couple of drinks to talk about all this. Technically, Quinn is NOT the "acting governor" until Blago steps down or is kicked out.
We are about to get a fascinating civics lesson in the next few weeks.
Cicero once said that "politicians were not born they were defecated" after watching the news tonight I felt like I had fallen into a septic tank. Squeezing hospitals for cash and holding up funds if the money didn't flow! My God, parents now have to wait 6 months for an appointment with a specialist at CMH now as it is.
The worst part? Roddie probably will not resign, he will cost the state a fortune in court costs. The special election is going to cost millions that could be spent better elsewhere. He is so going to hell for this one....
What a dumbass.
I hope he tipped well, at least.
p.s. AH, so he did tip well. That's worth something, I guess.
Eight ring of hell instead of ninth.
how fast can they toss this guy?
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