My Take on Blagojevich

Editor's Note: More than one commentator, including our own Jason Linkins, has compared Gov. Rod Blagojevich's obscenity-filled wiretapped conversations to the profane poetry of a David Mamet play. So we asked Mamet for his take on Blagojevich.

I am from Chicago, and, so, having been disillusioned with politics at an early age I do not become involved. The only reason I vote is because they pay me.

Comments

[local21]

at least the dems pay union scale

[Gdebs]

Rules of politics:

Barter is ok. Cash money is not.

[Nan2008]

"The only reason I vote is because they pay me."

Hey this statement could've come from any ELECTED POLITICAN OR EVEN THOSE WHO ARE SELECTED TO A POSITION, lobbyist pay they vote, it's that simple.

[DS3M]

when comedy is not comedy because of its truth and sadness, what do we call that?

[Pat15]

Feel bad for Obama...with large problems looming ahead for him ..the guy cant catch a break...Now this Blagojevich....

[Palemoon]

LOL, gotta love that. The very definition of concise. :o)

By the way Mr. Mamet, I'm guessing you are the same David Mamet that made at least one music video for one of my idols, Joan Jett, back in the 80's? I think the song was called "The French Song". Always loved that video. Correct me if I'm wrong and it wasn't you, or was a different video. :o)

[omahkohkiaayo]

On Blogo, what is so new and unusual? This is politics, when commodified, at work. Just go to the websites on earmarks of legislators and compare the earmarks and their destinations with campaign donations and their origins and you will find an amazing correspondence. Every one of those legislators will look into the camera and simply assert that in their mind there was no correlation or nexus or quid pro quo between who gave them money and who got the earmarks. And a spineless, pampered and self-indulgent/absorbed polity just takes it and begs for new messiahs to save them from themselves and their own narcissism and delusions.

Blogo is but a more concentrated expression of politics as usual: votes, positions and access for sale to the highest bidder. It is not only in Illinois that the common expression is vote early, vote often and vote even if dead.

[Mutande]

I'm working on a synopsis of Mamet's piece. So far, it's five words longer than Mamet's.

[allwrite]

Humor is so much more enjoyable when it is subtle. (For me, at least.)

[HARVIN]

I've watched Mamet's self directed,scripted film House of Games at least twenty five times.I'd like to watch it again right now.One of my favorite movies of all time.Utterly brilliant.Thank you David Mamet.

[Clare53]

Wait, where's the article? Is there a news article here? Oh, I must have missed it.

[Kruldermons]

Looking for a good laugh about this Blagojevich mess?

http://www.poopreading.com/2008/12/additional_demands_made_by_illinois_governor_rod_blagojevich/

[lioness99]

My take on Blagojevich is that we're being rushed to judgment, while a snitch covers his ass. The guy may be a jerk, but being a jerk isn't a felony. Getting ready to commit a crime won't cut it. Anytime someone is convicted as a result of wiretapping, the average citizen's head should spin, or, at least, stop to ask questions before condemning. Remember FISA.

[Lynn Voedisch - Huffpost Blogger]

Obviously, this is someone who doesn't live in Illinois.

[shebear111]

Conspiracy is a crime.

[Pyfagorus]

Thanks for voting early, and often, Mr. Mamet!

[cyrano1]

Absolutely the best response I've read yet.

This whole thing has to have political humorists stunned to be so outdone by a 76 page FBI document. It's had me rolling on the floor with tears of laughter.

[alvdh1]

The right wing media will make every attempt to link Obama to scandal after scandal. The best offense is a great defense. Therefore, the new administration should just make a Bush scandal public everytime the media attempts to falsely link him to a scandal.

[rock2casbah]

The right wing? Their name is SCANDAL. Just thinking of them juxtaposed against Blago is laughable. Stevens and Palin quickly come to mind. I wish the Feds or some special investigation committee had investigted him like they did Palin after only 18 months in office, I am sure we would have been well rid of him before this happened.

Why did the feds take so long? Illinoisan would have gotten rid of him a long time ago, not covered and circled the wagons like the repubs do with their thugs.

[exmate]

Governor Blagojevich does not seem to be acting very rationally.

Conceiveably, he could be removed from office by the State Supreme Court and be replaced by the lieutenant governor pending Blagojevich's impeachment. In that way, Illinois would have a viable Governor and second Senator.

[Paz3]

Folks keep referring to "Chiacgo" and "Chicago politicians." Is Chicago the only city in Illinois? Last time I looked, the capital is Springfield.

"Illinois politicians" seems more apt, but maybe I don't get the Illini culture.

???

[BSERIUS]

Chicago is the pinnacle that the rest of Ilinois politicians strive .. And from Durbin down they do it quite well

[Triangulate]

Durbin's from downstate.

[BluebirdofUnhappiness]

Let's not forgey Denny Hastert either (not Chicago) he's not led an unblemished career

[Bitsko]

That's a good point, and helps explain why Illinoisians often elect Republicans.

[chitown]

That's right. And the last Republican governor we elected is sitting in Federal prison right now. He's from Kankakee. But you never hear anyone talk about Kankakee corruption.

[JulieSA]

The Mayor of Chicago has more power than the governor.