In case you hadn't heard, Oscar nominee Josh Brolin has been signed to play the lead in "Rod:The Movie" with Will Smith as Barack Obama and Ben Stiller as Rahm Emanuel. Although it is still possible that a soon to be unemployed Illinois Governor might want to play himself. He's certainly been too busy visiting "The View" to even attend his own impeachment trial, where contrary to his public pronouncements, he could certainly testify in his own behalf. But of course, he then couldn't play martyr or wrap himself in the mantra of Gandhi, Mandela and King. TNB just realized that chutzpah was a Serbian word.
Blago is just the latest in a series of governors who have fallen on hard times. Being a governor is not what it used to be, although there will never be any shortage of candidates anywhere in the USA.
As recently as 1977-2009, the White House (with the exception of Bush 41's one term) was continually occupied by former governors (Carter, Reagan, Clinton and Bush 43). But the 2008 Presidential campaign produced only a few viable candidates (Romney, Huckabee) who were former governors plus one sitting governor (Richardson) now being investigated for corruption and another (Sarah you-know-who)now being investigated for brain cramp. There don't appear to be a lot of present governors who are future presidential material, but as we know surprises happen.
Worse yet, this decade alone has seen the following governors lose their office under a cloud:
Convicted and Sent to Prison:
John Rowland (CT)
Edward Di Prete (RI)
Edwin Edwards (LA)
George Ryan (IL)
Recalled by Electorate:
Gray Davis (CA) Replaced by Arnold S.
Resigned Due to Sex Scandal:
James McGreevey NJ) Involving a male
Eliot Spitzer (NY) Involving a female
Spitzer's successor, David Paterson, has not exactly distinguished himself in selecting Hillary Clinton's Senate replacement, but he at least apparently didn't attempt to sell the seat to the highest bidder (Caroline could have easily been the winner).
Senators have fared a little better, although Ted Stevens was convicted of corruption and Larry Craig was a bad boy in the men's room.
Not a lot of great role models for today's youth.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
America the Beautiful
Even the ultimate cynic--TNB--has to confess that he too was excited, inspired and a little bit overwhelmed by the enormity of Inauguration Day. The sight of millions of Americans, black and white, in Washington or elsewhere, exulting in the new President and the hope he brings has to warm even the coldest, most skeptical of hearts. This scenario is what makes America Beautiful.
Even George W. Bush appeared to rise to the occasion by being gracious in transition and amazingly issuing no political pardons, even preemptive. Out of luck were Scooter Libby, George Ryan, Alberto Gonzalez et al. At least W. left office with a lot more dignity than did his predecessor, Bill Clinton, who started a long period of sleaziness with some of his questionable last minute pardons.
Speaking of Bill, leave it to Bush home state Senator John Cornyn to absurdly hold up Hillary Clinton's confirmation (by one day) by refusing to join in a unanimous voice vote (9 other nominees were so confirmed). This proves what exactly?? A little dose of reality apparently. The honeymoon will obviously end, but can we have at least a few months of civility while President Obama (sounds nice) tries to begin extricating America from the mess he's inherited?
Also, was TNB only imagining that Chief Justice Roberts, whose confirmation Senator Obama voted against, sort of deliberately flubbed the administration of the Presidential oath? There's that cynicism rearing up again.
Finally, the best description of the new President (never used for his predecessor) is "he's one cool dude". Come to think of it, that's no description of TNB either.
Even George W. Bush appeared to rise to the occasion by being gracious in transition and amazingly issuing no political pardons, even preemptive. Out of luck were Scooter Libby, George Ryan, Alberto Gonzalez et al. At least W. left office with a lot more dignity than did his predecessor, Bill Clinton, who started a long period of sleaziness with some of his questionable last minute pardons.
Speaking of Bill, leave it to Bush home state Senator John Cornyn to absurdly hold up Hillary Clinton's confirmation (by one day) by refusing to join in a unanimous voice vote (9 other nominees were so confirmed). This proves what exactly?? A little dose of reality apparently. The honeymoon will obviously end, but can we have at least a few months of civility while President Obama (sounds nice) tries to begin extricating America from the mess he's inherited?
Also, was TNB only imagining that Chief Justice Roberts, whose confirmation Senator Obama voted against, sort of deliberately flubbed the administration of the Presidential oath? There's that cynicism rearing up again.
Finally, the best description of the new President (never used for his predecessor) is "he's one cool dude". Come to think of it, that's no description of TNB either.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Scoundrels
Can anyone remember when the American public has been so captivated by the parallel but unrelated sagas of two fascinating scoundrels--Bernie Madoff and Rod Blagojevich?
Even TNB couldn't make this up.
To the dismay of his many direct and indirect victims, Bernie Madoff is under "house arrest" in his luxurious Manhattan penthouse, enjoying a lot better food, bedding and other comforts than he would if he had been remanded to a Federal pen while awaiting his ultimate fate. Since there is obviously a different standard of justice for some of the privileged (why should he qualify?)one wonders if such ultimate fate will satisfy the horde of revenge seekers. Many of these people would (at least surreptitously) prefer that Bernie took the honorable way out (fat chance) and flipped out his window, after of course alerting the New York Post. Certainly his Austrian banker friend Sonja Kohn, reputed to be in hiding from Russian "businessmen" whose billions she apparently "invested" with Bernie, would like to avoid showing her face by being forced to testify at his trial.
Isn't it interesting that when Americans are swindled they just file lawsuits but when Russians (and maybe others) are conned, they put out a hit on the perpetrator?
Just as incredible as Bernie is our embattled (impeached on a 114-1 vote, facing Federal criminal charges, etc.) Illinois governor Rod (the mad Serbian) Blagojevich.
Who else but Blago could go jogging while the impeachment vote was being taken and then hours later conclude a "press conference" (no questions allowed) by quoting Tennyson, two weeks after similarly quoting Kipling?
No doubt Rod is looking for some other English poets to quote during his upcoming Illinois Senate trial where, contrary to his lawyers' desires, he will probably testify. As a public service, TNB offers the following possibilities:
BROWNING "All's over then; does truth sound bitter as one at first believes"
SHELLEY "One word is too often profaned for me to profane it"
FLECKER "I had a friend who battled for the truth with stubborn heart and obstinate despair"
CONSTABLE "Give pardon, blessed soul, to my bold cries"
Even TNB couldn't make this up.
To the dismay of his many direct and indirect victims, Bernie Madoff is under "house arrest" in his luxurious Manhattan penthouse, enjoying a lot better food, bedding and other comforts than he would if he had been remanded to a Federal pen while awaiting his ultimate fate. Since there is obviously a different standard of justice for some of the privileged (why should he qualify?)one wonders if such ultimate fate will satisfy the horde of revenge seekers. Many of these people would (at least surreptitously) prefer that Bernie took the honorable way out (fat chance) and flipped out his window, after of course alerting the New York Post. Certainly his Austrian banker friend Sonja Kohn, reputed to be in hiding from Russian "businessmen" whose billions she apparently "invested" with Bernie, would like to avoid showing her face by being forced to testify at his trial.
Isn't it interesting that when Americans are swindled they just file lawsuits but when Russians (and maybe others) are conned, they put out a hit on the perpetrator?
Just as incredible as Bernie is our embattled (impeached on a 114-1 vote, facing Federal criminal charges, etc.) Illinois governor Rod (the mad Serbian) Blagojevich.
Who else but Blago could go jogging while the impeachment vote was being taken and then hours later conclude a "press conference" (no questions allowed) by quoting Tennyson, two weeks after similarly quoting Kipling?
No doubt Rod is looking for some other English poets to quote during his upcoming Illinois Senate trial where, contrary to his lawyers' desires, he will probably testify. As a public service, TNB offers the following possibilities:
BROWNING "All's over then; does truth sound bitter as one at first believes"
SHELLEY "One word is too often profaned for me to profane it"
FLECKER "I had a friend who battled for the truth with stubborn heart and obstinate despair"
CONSTABLE "Give pardon, blessed soul, to my bold cries"
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Pardon Me
With the daily rush of events (Gaza, Burris, Richardson, job losses, etc.) now occurring, it is difficult for Barack Obama to continue to function in the "one President at a time" mode. But for 13 more days, George W. Bush ("forgotten but not yet gone" in the apt words of Frank Rich) is still the President. The Dick Cheney coup feared by TNB hasn't happened. So it appears that W. will have a chance as did all his predecessors to issue a slew of pardons on the way out of office. Bill Clinton managed to have a few humdingers--especially Marc Rich, whose pardon may be a factor in the upcoming confirmation hearings for Eric Holder as attorney general.
The presumptive pardonees (is this a real word?)can be grouped in 3 main categories.
Keep this list handy (sort of like the Oscar nominees) so you can follow the last minute news just prior to the inauguration. Remember you don't have to be convicted or even indicted to be pardoned (see Gerald Ford pardon of Richard Nixon in 1974).
MORE LIKELY THAN NOT:
Ex White House Aide Scooter Libby (previously convicted but jail sentence commuted)
Ex Alaska Senator Ted Stevens (convicted but not yet sentenced)
Ex Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez (still facing Federal inquiries)
Ex Lobbyist/Fixer Jack Abramoff (in jail but not yet singing soprano)
MORE NOT THAN LIKELY:
Ex Enron CEO Jeff Skilling (serving time for accounting fraud)
Ex WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers (serving time for accounting fraud)
Ex Illinois Governor George Ryan (in jail at age 75)
NOT A CHANCE IN HELL:
Present Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (apparently soon to be indicted)
Super Swindler Bernard Madoff (apparently soon to be indicted)
Watch for a few surprises as the lame duck utters his final quacks.
The presumptive pardonees (is this a real word?)can be grouped in 3 main categories.
Keep this list handy (sort of like the Oscar nominees) so you can follow the last minute news just prior to the inauguration. Remember you don't have to be convicted or even indicted to be pardoned (see Gerald Ford pardon of Richard Nixon in 1974).
MORE LIKELY THAN NOT:
Ex White House Aide Scooter Libby (previously convicted but jail sentence commuted)
Ex Alaska Senator Ted Stevens (convicted but not yet sentenced)
Ex Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez (still facing Federal inquiries)
Ex Lobbyist/Fixer Jack Abramoff (in jail but not yet singing soprano)
MORE NOT THAN LIKELY:
Ex Enron CEO Jeff Skilling (serving time for accounting fraud)
Ex WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers (serving time for accounting fraud)
Ex Illinois Governor George Ryan (in jail at age 75)
NOT A CHANCE IN HELL:
Present Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (apparently soon to be indicted)
Super Swindler Bernard Madoff (apparently soon to be indicted)
Watch for a few surprises as the lame duck utters his final quacks.
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