For those who complain about the irredeemable corruption in India, we present competition from Chicago!Rod Blagojevich, came to gubernatortial power in Illinois, the 1st Democrat to do so in 30 years, campaigning as an anti-corruption crusader. In his winner's speech, he said "Tonight, Illinois has voted for change". And what a change that was...
6 months of legally authorized FBI wiretapping has found out that:
1. Rod attempted to arm-twist the Chicago Tribune by withholding state aid if they did not sack editorial staff who wrote scathing critiques of our hero's tenure.
2. Rod tried to wring money out of the Mercy Children's hospital and threatedned to refuse state funds/approval if they did not undertake sufficient fund-raising efforts for his campaign.
3. Rod tried to "sell" off Obama's seat to the highest bidder, calling the President-elect a "MXXXXfucker" and berating Obama's team because they promised him mere "appreciation" instead of monetary benefits or high-ranking positions that he coveted.
Of course, Leno, Letterman and the rest of the talk-show gang have already moved in, smelling blood:
LENO: "Hey, you probably saw this on the news. A very embarrassing moment at the Illinois State Capitol today. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich attended the opening of the nativity scene. And when the three wise men showed up with gifts for the baby Jesus, Blagojevich demanded half the loot."
LETTERMAN: "We're not kidding about this economy, which is so bad that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich had to mark down the price of a Senate seat 40%"
More profanity by Blago & wife here, more news about Blago's senate selling spree here and more fun about his hair here.
Like my Dad said, corruption in India is very obvious and low-level - you can bribe the cops, the health inspector and the meter reader. IMHO, in the US it's not so obvious but very much prevalent and quasi-legalized with official lobbyists and think-tanks. The system definitely works better but is oiled and rigged at the highest levels, methinks.
1. Rod attempted to arm-twist the Chicago Tribune by withholding state aid if they did not sack editorial staff who wrote scathing critiques of our hero's tenure.
2. Rod tried to wring money out of the Mercy Children's hospital and threatedned to refuse state funds/approval if they did not undertake sufficient fund-raising efforts for his campaign.
3. Rod tried to "sell" off Obama's seat to the highest bidder, calling the President-elect a "MXXXXfucker" and berating Obama's team because they promised him mere "appreciation" instead of monetary benefits or high-ranking positions that he coveted.
Of course, Leno, Letterman and the rest of the talk-show gang have already moved in, smelling blood:
LENO: "Hey, you probably saw this on the news. A very embarrassing moment at the Illinois State Capitol today. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich attended the opening of the nativity scene. And when the three wise men showed up with gifts for the baby Jesus, Blagojevich demanded half the loot."
LETTERMAN: "We're not kidding about this economy, which is so bad that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich had to mark down the price of a Senate seat 40%"
More profanity by Blago & wife here, more news about Blago's senate selling spree here and more fun about his hair here.
Like my Dad said, corruption in India is very obvious and low-level - you can bribe the cops, the health inspector and the meter reader. IMHO, in the US it's not so obvious but very much prevalent and quasi-legalized with official lobbyists and think-tanks. The system definitely works better but is oiled and rigged at the highest levels, methinks.
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