For those among us who believe all people are inherently good, Rod Blagojevich will challenge your thinking. Wow. This is appalling. Absolutely appalling.
Hailing from the 5th most populous state in our country, the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, was arrested Tuesday based on allegations of federal corruption. Long the focus of criminal investigation, Blagojevich was finally charged – one of the charges being that he was attempting to sell President-Elect Obama ‘s vacant Senate seat.
Let’s wrestle with aspects deserving of attention…
First, the arrogance. As we acknowledge that Blagojevich has not actually been indicted as of yet, the wire taps alone identify an arrogance that is disturbing. To think that simply because he is the holder of elected public office gives him the authority to use his appointment power for personal financial gain is despicable! To actually say a U.S. Senate seat “is a [bleeping] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing,” shows that while Blagojevich may be smart, he is by no means wise. His arrogance only magnifies his foolishness.
Second, the politics. With rumors swirling for years of the man’s unscrupulous behavior, were there people who ignored a lack of integrity out of loyalty to a political party? Was there anyone who promoted a man of knowingly shady character because they felt he would work to advance their particular cause? For even though each of us is capable of erring often (something about that “erring is human” thing), depravity of this magnitude is typically not an individual’s initial attempt at deception. Why was Blagojevich elected in the first place? Who wanted him on the ballot? Who jumped on his political bandwagon for all the wrong reasons? Careful, too, not to jump too quickly on Blagojevich’s Democratic Party standing. If it wasn’t the Democrats, it could be the Republicans. For any partisan to believe his party is incapable of operating in this current culture of corruption, that would be equivalent to grand naiveté. Make that even more foolishness.
And third, the fallout. Thank God Blagojevich and Obama are not close. As the next to assume our nation’s leadership reins, we don’t need a leader scarred from the onset. I admit; it does make me uncomfortable that both men’s careers were propelled by the historically unethical, Chicago political machine. But as for Obama’s current ties to Blagojevich, I pray they are null and void. Just make sure you’re honest with us, Barack. I need my President to be honest (I wish President Clinton would have learned that a little more quickly). My guess, however, is there will be others involved here who are far, far less than honest (and thus, quite possibly, the focus of another semi-witty blog). Too many put self-interest above doing what is right. To be honest is what’s right.
But wait… a final fallout question…
In light of the aforementioned arrogance, I am assuming today that Rod Blagojevich is not remorseful; at most, perhaps, he is merely regretful to have been exposed. So back to the dubious concept that perhaps not all people are inherently good, I have to wonder: where else in our country is this happening? What else is unknowingly for sale? How, as a national body, are we being deceived?
The potential answer is even more appalling.
AR
Hailing from the 5th most populous state in our country, the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, was arrested Tuesday based on allegations of federal corruption. Long the focus of criminal investigation, Blagojevich was finally charged – one of the charges being that he was attempting to sell President-Elect Obama ‘s vacant Senate seat.
Let’s wrestle with aspects deserving of attention…
First, the arrogance. As we acknowledge that Blagojevich has not actually been indicted as of yet, the wire taps alone identify an arrogance that is disturbing. To think that simply because he is the holder of elected public office gives him the authority to use his appointment power for personal financial gain is despicable! To actually say a U.S. Senate seat “is a [bleeping] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing,” shows that while Blagojevich may be smart, he is by no means wise. His arrogance only magnifies his foolishness.
Second, the politics. With rumors swirling for years of the man’s unscrupulous behavior, were there people who ignored a lack of integrity out of loyalty to a political party? Was there anyone who promoted a man of knowingly shady character because they felt he would work to advance their particular cause? For even though each of us is capable of erring often (something about that “erring is human” thing), depravity of this magnitude is typically not an individual’s initial attempt at deception. Why was Blagojevich elected in the first place? Who wanted him on the ballot? Who jumped on his political bandwagon for all the wrong reasons? Careful, too, not to jump too quickly on Blagojevich’s Democratic Party standing. If it wasn’t the Democrats, it could be the Republicans. For any partisan to believe his party is incapable of operating in this current culture of corruption, that would be equivalent to grand naiveté. Make that even more foolishness.
And third, the fallout. Thank God Blagojevich and Obama are not close. As the next to assume our nation’s leadership reins, we don’t need a leader scarred from the onset. I admit; it does make me uncomfortable that both men’s careers were propelled by the historically unethical, Chicago political machine. But as for Obama’s current ties to Blagojevich, I pray they are null and void. Just make sure you’re honest with us, Barack. I need my President to be honest (I wish President Clinton would have learned that a little more quickly). My guess, however, is there will be others involved here who are far, far less than honest (and thus, quite possibly, the focus of another semi-witty blog). Too many put self-interest above doing what is right. To be honest is what’s right.
But wait… a final fallout question…
In light of the aforementioned arrogance, I am assuming today that Rod Blagojevich is not remorseful; at most, perhaps, he is merely regretful to have been exposed. So back to the dubious concept that perhaps not all people are inherently good, I have to wonder: where else in our country is this happening? What else is unknowingly for sale? How, as a national body, are we being deceived?
The potential answer is even more appalling.
AR
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4 comments:
Ann,
Most times, the sufferings and the sins of an individual's heart are only known by them, and by God. The rest of us need to trust our "instincts," keep a diligent lookout on "Our Watch," and trust God to bring the "truth" to light. Sadly though, I fear we have become a society that turns a blind eye, when the actions of others do not personally affect them. When one area of society falls...we all fall. Ring around the rosey, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, WE ALL FALL DOWN!
Mrs. A~
As I lived in Chicago when Governor B. was elected I have a bit of insight as to how that occurred. His opponent, then Governor Ryan, was under investigation for the roll he played when he was Sec. State in a scandal that involved selling commercial trucking licenses to people without requiring them to pass the testing. While this doesn't sound like a horrible thing, it culminated in one of the unqualified drivers causing an accident in which 6 kids burned to death inside their mini-van. Blagojevich ran on a platform to end business as usual in the Governor's mansion which makes this even more ironic. Barack Obama supported the opposing Democrat in the primary of that election.
My question to you is respectfully asked as follows:
You call for honesty from Obama, referencing Clinton, but your quest for this does not seem to include our current President and his now known stretching of the truth that led us to the war in Iraq. Why does that dishonesty get over-looked and President Clinton's lie over a personal relationship that, aside from a lapse in moral leadership, had nothing to do with the Governing of our Nation? While Pres. Bush's lie lead us into a war that has killed thousands of our citizens, countless Iraqi's, given a battle cry to thousands of terrorists, and damaged our reputation on a National platform. Why no mention of that dishonesty?
As always, I look forward to your reply and insight.
Need to correct previous comment, Blagojevich was running against Jim Ryan, who was the Attorney General under George Ryan, not Ryan himself, but the investigation into G. Ryan was taking place during the campaign, and the name similarity added, the pundits said, was a factor in the election.
Great comment, Jules! First of all, I love your insights into Chicago politics.
That is especially helpful to those of us who have never lived around there.
Ryan also seemed incredibly unethical. Egad.
I believe your second question about our current President is also valid.
You are certainly not alone in believing Bush lied to us. My understanding --
and certainly feel free to correct me if you believe I am wrong (which I have
been before!) -- is that it has not been proven that Bush knowingly told us
mistruth. Did Bush know what he was saying was wrong when he said it?
Follow me here...
It is not proven that Bush knew what he said was untrue when he made his public
comments. And if he did knowingly tell us mistruth, then there were multiple
other people who lied to us as well -- from Colin Powell to the Republicans and
Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee both here and in the UK. There
is also a growing number of Republicans and Democrats who believe that Bush and
the House committee did not lie, but rather, they were purposely misled by
falsified Italian intelligence.
If Bush and/or any public official was proven to have publicly said something
that he knew was untrue at the time, I would be just as hard on him. I have no
respect for dishonesty. I will add that I also try to be cautious and hopefully
discerning in coming to that conclusion -- always remembering that there may be
a few things I don't know.
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