Blagojevich

[live love laugh]

All over the news is that it's "shocking" that he spent $400k on clothes. So far the tapes they have point to the fact he had financial problems but not that he explicitly asked for money for anything. He talks about wanting to make more money to a 3rd party but nowhere does he approach anyone to make a deal. I don't think he should be convicted. This is a soft case.

[murielm99]

1. I agree.

If he gets convicted at all, it may be for lying about something.

He tangled with the wrong Democrats in Illinois. His crime was crossing and not getting along with Madigan.

[tropicanarose]

2. I think that the entire case is a farce. I don't think that Blago did

anything that any other politician doesn't do. It is just simple horse trading--I'll scratch your back and you scratch mine. Politics as usual.

[barb162]

4. Every time I brings up what politicians do in other states

I never can get an answer from anyone. I think it's the same crap all over the country.

[barb162]

3. 400k in clothes is a crime or something?

I think the feds were wrong to bring this up.

[Drale]

5. Blago

If he is convicted, I dont beleave he should go to prison because that serves no one. I think he should be out on the side of the roads and in fields picking up garbage every day for a few years. If something like this was the punishment for corruption maybe we would see a decline, with people knowing they are not going to be sitting of pretty pretty in prison but out working in the hot sun or freezing cold.

[Saturday]

6. I didn't hear anything that would make

"Lincoln turn over in his grave" which is what Fitzgerald promised everyone. What a waste of taxpayer money.

[mucifer]

7. I'm sure many politicians do it, but blackmailing Children's Memorial Hospital

is a low blow. I'm glad the CEO of CMH stood up to him.

[mopinko]

8. you got me there.

it doesn't get much lower than that.

[ColesCountyDem]

9. The jury is hung, atm. n/t

[murielm99]

10. Let's wait. The jury might not be hung.

They can't agree on all the counts, but there might be a few guilty counts.

I have always thought that there was not that much there to convict him. Mostly, his lying would do him in. This was such a poorly developed case. If he goes to jail at all, it will not be for long.

[ColesCountyDem]

11. My personal dislike of the man somewhat clouds my judgment, I'll admit.

'Loathe' would be a good word to describe my feelings about Blago, and I have uncharacteristically let that cloud my thinking on the issue of his guilt or innocence. For as long as I practiced I trusted juries, for the most part, but I never forgot that they could also do the absolutely unpredictable.

I've seen better prosecutions than this one, but I've also seen worse ones. That said, I'd be surprised if he isn't convicted on at least SOME counts, and I think you may well be right about it being the ones about perjury and/or obstruction of justice.

[Gordan Shumway]

12. I can't wait to hear the jurors stories

I want to know what's been going on in that room for the last 2 weeks. I like Rod, I haven't been following all of the trial very closely but I hope he's acquitted.

[mopinko]

13. verdict eminent

jurors filing into courtroom

[mopinko]

14. guilty on count 24

[mopinko]

15. making false statements- only count with unanimous agreement

hung on all other counts

[Gordan Shumway]

16. Vindicated

He's slimey and dumb as hell. But the jury has spoken.

[Gordan Shumway]

17. Is it worth the money for a retrial?

He beat the rap, no matter your own personal opinion on Blago, the Government's case went down in flames.

[Critters2]

18. +1 nt

[Gordan Shumway]

19. Jury Foreman was a Marine

who's family was in a Japanese internment camp in WWII.