Yes, it's true! I live in Chicago. I'm a bit rough and tumble sometimes. Always honest, I like to think, but - hey, I know the angles as well as the next Guy from Chicago!
And a life-long Dem to boot! Made my mind up when my mother and father stood up and spoke, for my little brother and me to hear, these immortal words back in '68 -
"Sons . . . your mother and I have decided to support Richard M. Nixon for President this year!"
But what's going on with our current Democratic Governor here in IL - Rod Blagojevich - is making our state, as well as the City of Chicago, just another episode of "Bozo's Circus is On The Air!"
What galls me now? The esteemed IL Governor flies to NYC - on state time - to "defend his actions" on the national talk show circuit - The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View, and Larry King Live - while his Illinois Senate Impeachment Trial - without him or his legal defense team - rages on in the IL Capitol in downstate Springfield!
As you know, it's not my practice to make sport of politics on our Team's Real Estate Blog. But, in the case of Current IL Governor, Rod Blagojevich, it's very hard to resist.
There could be a real estate connection, I suppose. Governor Blagojevich's wife, Patti, has been an independent Real Estate Broker, licensed in IL, for many years (although she doesn't practice at this time - a likely conflict of interest - but here, maybe not!) Patti has shown several of our Real Estate Listings on the North Side of Chicago over the years.
Today on TV, broadcast across the U.S., and all over the world, Our Governor, again and again, claims his current behavior is geared to protect the people of Illinois from "Old West" style government.
The governor has suggested, with little effort to minimize the comparison, that his current impeachment trial is similar to a Wild West Lynch Mob. "Get a Rope," you might imagine Blagojevich say in describing words said about him.
What theater . . . but to whose end?
Although the state has conducted business in the last few weeks since our esteemed governors arrest, at 6 in the morning, while wearing workout clothes, at his home, about 5 blocks from the Dean's Team Chicago Real Estate Office, it has done so amongst massive drama and distraction.
Sure, most every local, state, and national politician - including President Barack Obama himself - has called for the governor's resignation, in light of wiretap taps that, on the surface, indicate some inappropriate behavior for ANY politician, any where. Of course, this is America, and an accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
But if Mr. Blagojevich were working for a law firm right now, in the private sector (The IL Governor does have a Law License) - would he still be employed at that firm? I would think - ABSOLUTELY NOT! He would be long gone - for inappropriate, unprofessional behavior, and for making a mockery of his firm, on paid time.
Blagojevich's actions continuing to defend himself against likely irrefutable charges of violating the public trust, and acting very inappropriately as the Chief Executive of IL serve no one in the State of IL except himself, and his own ego.
It's time to say goodbye - or the Illinois Senate will say that for you, almost certainly - within a few days.
Then we can, once again, go about our business here - without your distraction!
My three cents, anyway! And, on each of those three cents, Illinois Icon Abraham Lincoln looks highly embarrassed!
Follow IL Governor Rod Blagojevich's Impeachment Trial in the Illinois Senate via the Chicago Tribune.
Also, please read our post via BlogChicagoHomes.com.
Want to know what I really think? Feel free to send me an email - or, better yet, just share your comments from afar!
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
I thing the Blago story is a 3-ring circus and not worthy of all the national press. What is this guy thinking?
Yep watched him on Larry King tonight - quite to comedy hour! :-)
Hi Dean, I don't know if this is even a Democratic or Republican issue. He is simply an embarassment at this point. But he is sly by doing his "poor little me being picked on" routine and refusing to attend the hearings. There are some folks, I'm sure, who still support him and don't believe the bad things people are saying about him. If he goes all over talking about how they won't let him defend himself and he gets impeached, there will always be some people who will believe that the only reason he was impeached is because they wouldn't let him defend himself.
If he went to the hearings and defended himself vigorously, and if he still lost, everyone would feel he must be guilty. He did, after all, receive a fair trial. So he may actually win in a way if he doesn't defend himself. Kind of a backward logic, but clever in a way.
Did you see Geraldo chase him down - was so funny - and the dude got out of the limo and chatted. Of course sometimes real life is more fun to watch than the movies! I do think he should have due process which I don't think he is receiving - you crazy Democrats! ;-)
Although I live far away in Hawaii, I have been following it with special interest since I grew up in Illinois, not that far from Springfield. I heard the gov on Larry King tonight and would say that he certainly is a smooth talker! I don't think that matters much relative to his impeachment and senate trial, that seems a foregone conclusion. I'm not sure what it will mean to the jury in his criminal trial. Certainly it will be hard to find those who are impartial.
Folks -
Thanks for the thoughtful posts - amazing the reach this story has.
It's not about politics, so much, as about professionalism. If you really care about the people you serve, and the work you do, sometimes you have to do the right thing, and move on.
Unfortunately, our Governor doesn't follow that logic. He is only interested in the way HE looks coming out of this, the public be damned.
And that is a shame!
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Dean, I think Rod is a crackpot. The sad part is that I think the guy actually makes up his own reality and believes the crap he puts out.
Oprah? Please..... She may be a great choice but he didnt know how to get a hold of her? Just another lie. The Mighty Quinn should be in his office my Feb 1 so at least we can move on...
Dean, he certainly has managed to take hold of the air waves. I heard that his wife sold Obama his house in Chicago years ago and then sold the land next door to Obama to someone who did not build. Is that true to your knowledge?
I do hope all this will come to an end for you guys so that everyone can get back to business.
By the way, I love your header. That's one heck of a nice skyline!!
Gena -
Thanks for the comment!
No, Patti Blagojevich was not involved with Obama's house. Unsure how that one got started.
This whole impeachment thing will likely end soon. It's been an unpleasant distraction here, at a time we have other important things to worry about. From all the interviews on TV (saw the Governor on Rachel Maddow last night, MSNBC) it's clear the only thing he is concerned about is himself. The only strategy he pursues is something of a competition to him.
Very unnerving!
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
It is like he lives in his own little world! He is just a Crazy Nut! It's hard to believe he can say most of the stuff he does without laughing at himself!
Why did I think your governor lived in Springfield? Maybe I just assumed that because our governor, when they win, they move into our governors mansion in Madison...
THe voters of Illinois re-elected him...after it was already known that he was an inept crook.
Shame on the voters. Wake up.