WHAT EXACTLY IS A BLAGOJEVICH ANYWAY?

AMERICA. WHAT WENT WRONG?

CHICAGO – Shortly after his 2002 election, Gov. Rod Blagojevich told Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. he didn’t appoint the congressman’s wife as lottery director because he had refused him a $25,000 campaign donation, a person familiar with the conversation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “Blagojevich went out of his way to say, ‘You know I was considering your wife for the lottery job and the $25,000 you didn’t give me? That’s why she’s not getting the job,’” the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing federal investigation.

Jackson’s name has played prominently ever since Blagojevich was arrested last week on corruption charges, including allegations that he tried to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat for personal gain.

Jackson has been identified as one of the candidates Blagojevich was considering for the seat, and a criminal complaint said his supporters were willing to raise $1.5 million for the governor if he picked the congressman.

The complaint quotes Blagojevich as saying on federal wiretaps that an associate of the candidate offered to raise money for him if he made the Jackson appointment happen. LINK

How funny is that – Blago trying to shake down Jesse Jackson, Jr.? I think this whole Blago scandal is a howl. Aside from being so perverted and disgusting, it’s an absolute scream. Apparently someone from the DNC had forgotten to send ol’ Blago the new policy. The new policy for Democrats is GUILTY until PROVEN GUILTY or forced to resign. Apparently, this is their domestic version of “Cut and Run.”

Obviously, Blago didn’t get the chance because he’s still playing by the OLD DNC policy. Remember the one that went like this: Deny everything, admit nothing, feign outrage, lawyer up, demand proof or blame the media, right wing conspiracy, or unseen forces of darkness. When all else fails, lie outright. But no matter what, at all costs and under no circumstances will you ever RESIGN. EVER!

Until now. Now all that’s changed because this scandal has the possibility of tainting the Messiah. In all probability it won’t, but it may take down a few of his corrupt cronies. It will probably be much worse at the state level. I’m guessing Illinois has replaced New York as the corruption capital of America right about now.

The funniest thing about the whole scandal is that Blago was trying to shake down Jesse Jackson, Jr.  I can barely catch my breath when I hear that. Trying to shake down the son of the shakedown king! What ballz! Not too bright, but you have to hand it to the guy. Go big or go home. Fortunately, home for Blago may be a Federal Pen unless he has juice to cut a deal.

What is interesting is that Blago may fight these charges, or at least drag them out for a couple of years. What if he gets a sympathetic (Democrat) jury and beats the rap? What if he screams it’s a set up? What if he threatens to take others down with him? What then? Rahm Emmanuel either talked to Blago about selling the seat or he didn’t. If he DIDN’T, then where’s the crime? If he DID, he could be in big trouble. At the very least it’s a problem for the Messiah. (He’s already given us divine assurance that he’s clean as a whistle.) Joe Biden confirmed this as well.

So I think it’s funny watching the Democrats throwing him under the bus for what’s been standard practice in Illinois forever. Standard practice that the Messiah has so far been able to circumvent all along the YELLOW BRICK ROAD. Hmmmmmm?

If I was Blago I wouldn’t be throwing away any phone records anytime soon. (Or sleeping in the same bed two nights in a row.)

SHOP TALK

Local 22 of the International Association of Fire Fighters asked two courts this morning to order Mayor Nutter’s administration to stop plans to eliminate five fire engines and two ladder trucks until the safety of the budget cuts can be further studied.  Rick Poulson, Local 22’s attorney, said actions were filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and the state Supreme Court.

The local lawsuit, Poulson said, cites contract language added in 2005 that allows the fire fighters to file a grievance on workplace safety issues.  The union did just that on the budget cuts on Dec. 3.  The city has not responded, Poulson said.  The lawsuit asks a judge to issue an injunction stalling the cuts until the grievance process is completed.

The filing with the Supreme Court also asks those judges to step in and stop the budget cuts because the fire fighters are appealing a decision on another lawsuit.  The city appealed a 2005 contract provision on the procedure for closing fire companies but lost in the Court of Common Pleas.  The city appealed that decision and won in 2007.  The fire fighters appealed and the Supreme Court this year agreed to hear that case, which is scheduled for a March hearing. LINK

I know that our Union will fight the company closings in the courts. I also hope they will prevail. Their arguments will be that closing these companies will endanger the lives of other firemen who will now have to fight fires and other emergencies short handed. This will be because call volume will stay the same (if not most likely increase). That translates into less companies being available to respond to MORE emergencies. When a fire hits in our guys won’t be able to get there with the force we need in a timely manner. This spells big trouble. Fire doubles in size roughly every two 1/2 minutes.

That is what this all boils down to. Response time and manpower. If we can’t get enough guys to the scene fast enough then events spin out of control. Most people  understand the impact of missing  just ONE player from the field during a professional football game.  It would in all likelihood result in a touchdown for the opposing team. Imagine playing baseball without a left fielder. Even if the coach says the Left and Right fielders are really good and can cover the ground would anyone buy it? Of course not.

So when Mayor Nutter says that the firemen can handle the loss of SEVEN companies can you take him seriously? Of course not. Even if the Big Bosses say everything will be fine we have the best firemen in the world does that make you any more inclined to believe this drivel? Hopefully not. Politicians desperately try to make you believe things that you know deep down inside just aren’t true. Like closing fire companies (But not stations). This line is supposed to make you feel like it’s ok . Well it’s not. A firehouse without fire trucks in it is like a swimming pool without water in it. Or filling it halfway. The pool’s open but you can’t swim in it. Or it’s only half full so you can’t dive. Good luck with that.

And what about the firemen? How much more pressure are you going to put on them? Don’t we have enough stress right now? Anyone who doesn’t think maneuvering a fifty foot tractor trailer through the gridlock of downtown heading to an emergency is stressful is unworthy of debating. Like having to climb through a window with a charged hose line through blinding smoke worrying if there will be a ladder company coming to ventilate or save you if you get in trouble. Think that would stress you out a bit?

These politicians are selling us all out. Don’t buy what they are selling.

EAGLES WIN ANOTHER ONE

EAGLES CHEERLEADERS: 1000 miles an hour standing still.

Ok, so the Eagles won last night and before I get any grief, here are the cheerleaders as promised. Now with that out of the way, it’s safe to say the Birds are going to drag us kicking and screaming into the last games of the season. This is so typical of the Eagles and why it’s so damned hard being a Philly fan.

The team just about self destructs mid-season because of stupid unprofessional play, only to claw their way back into the running near the end. We should be totally out of it, so we fans can find better things to do with our Sundays for the rest of the season. But no. Like a car wreck, we just have to keep watching lest we miss something. Now there is a chance the Birds could make the playoffs. Unreal.

Last night’s game doesn’t require too much review. They beat up a woeful Cleveland Browns team that they were expected to beat. Fine. It was a Monday night game, but it lacked the hype of a normal Monday night affair.  When the Eagles play a worthy opponent like the Giants or Dallas it’s really a lot more fun. It will be interesting to see if the Eagles can pull off a playoff spot. Until we know, the agony continues.