Blago Should go Directly to Gitmo!
Guantanamo is not US soil and people there have a long tradition of being judged guilty without the possibilty of any kind of trial.
Granted Blago's antics -- and his expletive laced insider glimpse of the political process -- are a boom to the owners of newspapers, blogs, television anchors and media of all kind -- a political Paris Hilton.
Maureen Dowd loves him. Quote, "I love his beady little eyes. I love his Serbian shock of hair. I love his flaring nostrils."
Blago is the new media pinata -- a whacky devil who lives in a trees. Great fun.
But this should not blind us to the reality that serious democratic and common sense rights are being casually trampled in this media-political feeding frenzy.
The Illinois Attorney General took the unjustified -- and eventually unsucessful -- step of seeking the Illinois Supreme Court to remove Blagojevich.
Today, after being impeached by the Illinois House, the Senate is hearing evidence to remove him, which it will probably do in the next few days.
Dangerously, the Illinois legislature has the right to impeach and remove officials "for any reason" they want, with a two thirds vote. You don't have to be convicted of "high crimes and misdemeanors " as is required under federal law. Any reason will do.
Surely, this is an unconstitutional invitation to Mob rule.
As Blago has been busy pointing out all week on Good Morning America, The View, Larry King Live, and Nightline. he is not allowed any meaningful opportunity to defend himself. He can't see the evidence against him, nor can he subpoena evidence that the US Attorney has.
Patrick Fitzgerald's case seems a little iffy. He arrested Blagojevich before indicting him -- an unusual move in political cases -- and is taking four months to go to a grand jury... The word is that he doesn't have enough right now, and is hoping that the worms will turn on Blagojevich by the time of a trial.
Let Fitzgerald bring his evidence and his case.... let Blagojevich be tried...Fitzgerald probably will win, and if he does, Blago will resign.
But for the time being, he is innocent until proven otherwise, and the legislature should not use rumors to overturn the 12 million voters who twice elected Blagojevich.
Is it possible that Blago is just a jackass .... and not a criminal?
Government by Media Mob rule -- a relatively new byproduct of our 24/7 culture of "scandal de jour" -- has been rampant of late.
Bill Clinton's impeachment, was a travesty. Other easy examples come to mind,Gov. Elliot Spitzer, and Jim McGreevey.
The salacious media Inquisition -- usually ignited by puritanical religious zealots -- becomes so overwhelming that the victims usually resign. But sometimes, the high profile targets are innocent and democracy suffers.
Alexis de Tocqueville warned that the greatest threat the United States faces is the tyranny of the majority. But even he couldn't have anticipated the fury of a technological firestorm, flashing back and forth though interconnected blogs, internet, cable, television, and newspapers.
De Tocqueville's prescient account of his travels through America in the 1830s, Democracy in America, is both an admiration of American democracy, and a cautionary tale about its fragility.
write to: jfleetwood@aol.com
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.