Post by alyssaostroff on Dec 19, 2008 23:59:29 GMT -5
Citation: Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com, 12/16/08
In the format of an eBay page, it is apparent that the United States Senate Seat, Like NEW, Barely used by Barack Obama” is being put up for auction. It is located under the category of “Really weird” because Senate Seats aren’t usually up for grabs for the public. This is an anomaly! The FBI affidavit claims to have intercepted one Illinois Governor’s phone calls by tapping into his phone. By using this measure, officials were able to gather enough evidence to accuse Gov. Blagojevich of illegal activities within his elected position. The phone taps lasted a month during which his calls were monitored and he was heard engaging in illicit activities. Gov. Blagojevich purportedly attempted to sell the U.S. Senate Seat for his own financial benefit and engaged himself in “pay-to-play” activities. He was basically selling the Seat to “the highest bidder,” as the political cartoon indicates under its shipping information. There is a wad of cash sticking out from the pocket of the Gov. Blagojevich caricature, emphasizing his personal gain if he was to sell the Seat. “A substantial salary for myself and a $150,000 do-nothing job for my wife; some campaign cash,” were listed under the product description, and indeed, this was what he allegedly was reported asking for. The end time for the “bidding” was soon, for he “may be going to prison.” The history in the political cartoon says he was a “scumbag for a really long time.” He has, in fact, been under a certain degree of vigilance because he has been suspected of corruption in his past administration. He today came out saying how he denies all the accusations. “I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way," Gov. Blagojevich said. It’s humorous how this illegal activity is compared to an eBay bid.
Oddly enough, the Illinois governor that served in office before Gov. Blagojevich – Gov. George Ryan – was found guilty of corruption in 2006. Maybe the Senate Seat has one of those Harry Potter type curses on it. Maybe it is like the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Maybe that Seat is corrupted… Just a thought.
Despite the demands that Gov. Blagojevich resign, the Illinois governor isn’t quick to make any rash decisions. He says that he will stay governor because he will do the job he was elected to do. The major concern, though, is who the new Illinois Senator will be. In theory – and practice -, Gov. Blagojevich was supposed to appoint someone to the Senate Seat, but since the news of the corruptions, many are weary of his pick. Ideas are being thrown around, and among them was the idea to vote for the replacement in an election. That way would be fair because Gov. Blagojevich may be influenced or even financially obliged in his choice.
I am nevertheless shocked at the news. There is too much injustice in this world. Oddly enough, I can’t help relate this incident to the Watergate Scandal. Ronald Reagan told everyone in his famous words “I am not a crook.” As did Gov. Blagojevich when he said “I have done nothing wrong.” However, evidence is wont to show otherwise.
Sources:
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98072486&ft=1&f=46
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081220/ap_on_re_us/illinois_governor
