For some reason, I've just got a ton of stuff today.
The first batch is related to Gov. Blagojevich, corruption, and Friday afternoon's announcement of the CMS scapegoats.
- Gov. Blagojevich says, "We play by the rules," after firing two employees who had been contacted by Federal investigators about political hiring by the Blagojevich administration: "For months, federal prosecutors have been conducting a criminal grand jury investigation into hiring practices in state government. The FBI has contacted DeFraties and Casey and asked about hiring practices and personnel procedures, sources familiar with the hiring investigations of the administration said. Interviews between inspector general's investigators and CMS personnel employees show several said they felt pressured to hire "special" applicants, some of whom were referred by the governor's office or state lawmakers."
- Meanwhile, Democrat campaign contributors are doing well with state government leases.
- And Rich Miller connects the dots while on vacation.
- Cal Skinner sees parallels between Blagojevich in Illinois and Fletcher in Kentucky.
In other news:
- To those who jumped to the defense of Tom Lakin, the DNC member and alleged child abuser plaintiff's attorney from Madison County: State Rep. Jay Hoffman, who is a rainmaker for the Lakin Law Offices, issued a statement within 24 hours distancing himself from Lakin.
- I'm going to bookmark this story to use everytime some nitwit says that David Duke is conclusive evidence of the racism of Republicans or conservatives: "A Democratic candidate for Alabama attorney general denies the Holocaust occurred and said Friday he will speak this weekend in New Jersey to a 'pro-white' organization that is widely viewed as being racist. Larry Darby concedes his views are radical, but he said they should help him win wide support among Alabama voters as he tries to 'reawaken white racial awareness' with his campaign against Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson." Every party/group/subsection of humanity has their share of idiots, and neither Republicans nor Democrats are immune.
- State Sen. James Meeks (and possible candidate for Governor) is having dinner with conservative GOP political operatives and having discussions with metro-east Republican Steve Reeb about running as a ticket.
- Congratulations (I think) to The Squire, who graduated this weekend but has not yet been accepted into medical school.
- Peoria Pundit rectified his problem with a single unruly commentor by banning them, citing concerns about libel. In doing so, he gives me another good reason to do something I wasn't afraid to do in the first place. Complain about censorship all you like, but if you can't control yourself, then we'll control your behavior for you. (And if you think I might be talking about you, then I'm probably talking about you.)
- Perhaps the most visible diplomatic dividend of the Bush Doctrine is normalizing relations with Libya. Now let's start pushing for some elections, there and in Egypt, too.
That should be enough for one day, I think.
NOT ENOUGH
How about a notice that the MAY 2006 Transportation Improvement Program for FY 2007-2010 is out in draft form and asking for PUBLIC comment?
www.ccrpc.org/planning/transportation/transportation.php
To me it was disappointing to see that none of the current THREE I-57 overpasses (Bradley, Kirby or Windsor) were up for improvement. These are dangerous overpasses if you are walking or biking.
With all the annexations west of I-57, why are these not up for improvement?
Like I said a couple of days ago, this CMS story has legs. Its just a gut feeling based on observations and a little insight into state gov't. People at her "pay grade" do not make those kind of decisions without being told to do so by a person at a higher "pay grade." If you dont think thats the case, just use a little logic. Why would an mid/upper level CMS official do this kind of stuff to help out connected people??? It would be one thing if it were to help out a friend or neighbor, but a connected person who you dont know??? Come on, this had to come from higher up than her. Again, its never the crime that gets ya, its the cover-up. This story will dominate the summer, and the fall. It only takes one person to decide they dont want to go to jail to start it all rollin'.
Rather one-sided reporting on the Peoria Pundit issue. There was no libel involved but I guess it makes a nice blog tidbit. Meanwhile, I'm waiting for Bill to pull the blade out.
The Meeks story fascinates me. Both Topinka people and Blago people are claiming he will pull more votes from the other party, and seal the doom of their opponent. In my dream scenario, he enters the race and pushes Judy to the right a bit on abortion issues (and she wins, of course). How it would actually turn out, only the pollsters really have a clue.
Complain about censorship all you like, but if you can't control yourself, then we'll control your behavior for you.
Hmm. A sneak peek at the Republian slogan for the '08 election?
Seriously though, all of this libel business is unfortunate, as it may prevent me from fully disclosing what I've heard about that time when Redstatewannabe shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.
Mamma tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied.
RSW = the Man in Black?