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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Dec. 17, 2008
/ 20 Kislev 5769
Is there something in Illinois water? The air? Or the culture?
By
Roger Simon
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
This is getting embarrassing. I grew up in Illinois, and in my lifetime three governors from the Land of Lincoln have gone to prison and a fourth may be on his way.
Is there something in the water? The air? Or the culture?
Otto Kerner, a Democrat who served as governor from 1961 to 1968, was a patrician type and considered a model of rectitude. He resigned the governorship to become a federal judge — and not just any federal judge, but a member of a U.S. court of appeals.
Lyndon Johnson had made him chairman of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders in July 1967 to find the cause of the riots that had broken out across America. Otto Kerner was a very big deal. He also took bribes in a racetrack scandal and went to prison. I interviewed him after he got out, and he was convinced that he never got a fair trial.
Dan Walker, also a Democrat, ran as a reformer. He ran against the Chicago Democratic machine and won, mainly by walking the length of state — more than 1,000 miles — and beating one of the most famous figures in Illinois politics (and a real reformer) Paul Simon in a shocking upset in the Democratic primary. Walker served as governor from 1973 to 1977, got in trouble after he left office and ended up serving18 months in a federal prison for bank fraud.
George Ryan, a Republican, served as governor from 1999 to 2003. Ryan is currently a guest of the taxpayers in the Federal Correctional Institution in Terra Haute, Ind., for corruption not just as governor, but for when he was Illinois secretary of state.
Ryan was succeeded by Rob Blagojevich, the current governor, and one would think that Blagojevich would at least be careful (if not actually honest) while in office. But Blagojevich was recently arrested and named in a 76-page criminal complaint on charges of conspiracy and soliciting bribes.
According to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, Blagojevich was planning on filling the Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Obama with whomever gave Blagojevich the best deal in terms of campaign contributions, jobs, etc. Fitzgerald has wiretaps to support his case.
Blagojevich has only been charged, not convicted, but if his case gets to trial, he also is going to have to explain to a jury allegations that he threatened to withdraw money from a children's hospital unless the CEO of the hospital agreed to raise $50,000 for Blagojevich.
That's pretty low. Even for Illinois.
But why Illinois? Part of the problem, I think, is that there has always been a certain level of public tolerance for corruption in the state as long as things "worked." As long as the snow got plowed, the highways got built and no public buildings actually fell down, nobody much cared if a few dollars stuck to a few hands.
Public officials put their friends, their brothers-in-law, their spouses and their children on the public payroll? Well, that was just considered the cost of doing business. They shook people down for campaign contributions? Well, who really got hurt?
But the corruption spread and spread and became part of the culture, and when it reaches as high as the governor's office — three times and possibly a fourth! — and it reaches into the funding of hospitals for sick children, well, that is going too far.
There will be a public reaction. "Reform" candidates — if they can be found — will be at a premium in future elections.
Currently, however, Illinois is left with a mess. Blagojevich refuses to resign and is still the governor. Technically, he could fill Obama's seat at any time (though the U.S. Senate could refuse to seat his choice). Many want a special election to fill the seat, but that could cost around $50 million, and the state doesn't know where it will get the money.
But the biggest problem of all? Blagojevich could get sent to prison before his predecessor gets paroled.
Two Illinois governors in prison at the same time? Now that's embarrassing.
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© 2008, Creators Syndicate
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