Indignant Desert Birds

Poor IL Governor Rod Blagojevich. His money situation is so dire he’s trying to sell President-Elect Obama’s Senate seat. He’ll take a bit of everything – from a corporate board membership for his wife, to $500,000. Whatever spare change you have lying around.

I’m curious to how much this will effect Obama, and how much Obama knew about it. There are definitely references to the President-Elect, but does that mean that he was in communication with Blagojevich? They talk about White House influence more than once, but often in terms of sending indirect signals that don’t lead back to Blagojevich.

Below are some of the transcripts from the Affidavit. Tons of fun reading. Warning: explicit language below.

[The Illinois Governor has sole discretion in appointing someone to the Senate seat.]

“I’ve got this thing and it’s fucking golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for fuckin’ nothing. I’m not gonna do it. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me there.” [referring to the open Senate seat]

ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that his decision about the open Senate seat will be based on three criteria in the following order of importance: “our legal situation, our personal situation, my political situation.

In particular, ROD BLAGOJEVICH has been intercepted conspiring to trade the senate seat for particular positions that the President-elect has the power to appoint (e.g. the Secretary of Health and Human Services). ROD BLAGOJEVICH has also been intercepted conspiring to sell the Senate seat in exchange for his wife’s placement on paid corporate boards or ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s placement at a private foundation in a significant position with a substantial salary. ROD BLAGOJEVICH has also
been intercepted conspiring to sell the Senate seat in exchange for millions of dollars in funding for a non-profit organization that he would start and that would employ him at a substantial salary after he left the governorship.

ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Deputy Governor A that if he is not going to get anything of value for the open Senate seat, then ROD BLAGOJEVICH will take the Senate seat himself: “if . . . they’re not going to offer anything of any value, then I might just take it.”

[Senate Candidate 1 is an adviser to President-Elect] During the call, ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated, “unless I get something real good for [Senate Candidate 1], shit, I’ll just send myself, you know what I’m saying.”
[Later he says] “I’m going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain.” Later, ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that the Senate seat “is a fucking valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.”

On November 5, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke with Deputy Governor A regarding positions that ROD BLAGOJEVICH might be able to obtain in exchange for the soon-to-be vacated Senate seat. Among the potential positions discussed were Secretary of Health and Human Services and various ambassadorships. Deputy Governor A noted that the cabinet position of Secretary of the Energy is “the one that makes the most money.” Deputy Governor A stated that it is hard not to give the Secretary of Energy position to a Texan, but with ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s coal background it might be a possibility.

On November 4, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke with JOHN HARRIS regarding the potential vacant Senate seat. ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that the “trick . . . is how do you conduct indirectly . . . a negotiation” for the Senate seat. Thereafter, ROD BLAGOJEVICH analogized his situation to that of a sports agent shopping a potential free agent to various teams, stating “how much are you offering, [President-elect]? What are you offering, [Senate Candidate 2]? . . . Can always go to. . . [Senate Candidate 3].” Later ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he will make a decision on the Senate seat “in good faith . . . but it is not coming for free. . . .It’s got to be good stuff for the people of Illinois and good for me.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH states “[President-elect], you want it? Fine. But, its got to be
good or I could always take [the Senate seat].”

On November 5, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke with JOHN HARRIS regarding what ROD BLAGOJEVICH could obtain for the Senate seat. After discussing various federal governmental positions that ROD BLAGOJEVICH would trade the Senate seat for, ROD BLAGOJEVICH asked about “the private sector” and whether the Presidentelect could “put something together there. . . .Something big.” Thereafter, HARRIS suggested that the President-elect could make ROD BLAGOJEVICH the head of a private
foundation. ROD BLAGOJEVICH told HARRIS that he should do “homework” on private foundations “right away.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH asked whether he could get a high-ranking position at the Red Cross. HARRIS stated that “it’s got to be a group that is dependent on [the President-elect],” and that a President probably could not influence the Red Cross. ROD BLAGOJEVICH told HARRIS to “look into all of those.”

On November 5, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with JOHN HARRIS and Deputy Governor A. They discussed potential private foundations with which ROD BLAGOJEVICH might be able to get a position in exchange for filling the Senate seat and, in particular, those foundations that are “heavily dependent on federal aid” and which, therefore, the White House would have the most “influence” on. ROD BLAGOJEVICH wanted to know how much the positions being discussed pay.

On November 6, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with Spokesman. ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Spokesman to leak to a particular columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, that Senate Candidate 2 is in the running for the vacant Senate seat. According to ROD BLAGOJEVICH, by doing this, he wanted “to send a message to the [President-elect’s] people,” but did not want it known that the message was from ROD BLAGOJEVICH.

On November 7, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with Advisor A about the Senate seat. ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he is willing to “trade” the Senate seat to Open source information indicates that 22 Change to Win is an organization affiliated with seven unions, including SEIU, and appears to be focused on having the affiliated unions work together on matters of common interest. SEIU Official is affiliated with SEIU. Senate Candidate 1 in exchange for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services in the President-elect’s cabinet.

ROD BLAGOJEVICH indicated in the call that if he was appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services by the President-elect, then ROD BLAGOJEVICH would appoint Senate Candidate 1 to the open Senate seat. HARRIS stated “we wanted our ask to be reasonable and rather than. . .make it look like some sort of selfish grab for a quid pro quo.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he needs to consider his family and that he is “financially” hurting. HARRIS said that they are considering what will help the “financial security” of the Blagojevich family and what will keep ROD BLAGOJEVICH “politically
viable.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated, “I want to make money.” During the call, ROD BLAGOJEVICH, HARRIS, and Advisor B discussed the prospect of working a three-way deal for the open Senate seat. HARRIS noted that ROD BLAGOJEVICH is interested in taking a high-paying position with an organization called “Change to Win,” which is connected to Service Employees International Union (“SEIU”).22 HARRIS suggested that SEIU Official make ROD BLAGOJEVICH the head of Change to Win and, in exchange, the President-elect could help Change to Win with its legislative agenda on a national level. [this is a fascinating conversation that you can read more of on page 61 of the affidavit]

ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that Governor General Counsel believes the President-elect can get ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife on paid corporate boards in exchange for naming the President-elect’s pick to the Senate.

ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he is “struggling” financially and does “not want to be Governor for the next two years.”

ROD BLAGOJEVICH said that the consultants (Advisor B and another consultant are believed to be on the call at that time) are telling him that he has to “suck it up” for two years and do nothing and give this “motherfucker [the President-elect] his senator. Fuck him. For nothing? Fuck him.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH states that he will put “[Senate Candidate 4]” in the Senate “before I just give fucking [Senate Candidate 1] a fucking Senate seat and I don’t get anything.” (Senate Candidate 4 is a Deputy Governor of the State of Illinois). ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he needs to find a way to take the “financial stress” off of his family and that his wife is as qualified or more qualified than
another specifically named individual to sit on corporate boards.

Among other things, ROD BLAGOJEVICH raised the issue of whether the President-elect could help get ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife on “paid corporate boards right now.” Advisor A responded that he “think[s] they could” and that a “Presidentelect . . . can do almost anything he sets his mind to.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH states that he will appoint “[Senate Candidate 1] . . . but if they feel like they can do this and not fucking give me anything . . . then I’ll fucking go [Senate Candidate 5]. ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that if his wife could get on some corporate boards and “picks up another 150 grand a year or whatever” it would help ROD BLAGOJEVICH get through the next several years as
Governor.

Later in the conversation, ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he knows that the President-elect wants Senate Candidate 1 for the Senate seat but “they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. Fuck them.”

[conversations about Warren Buffet beginning a non-profit organization - $10 to $20 million - for Blagojevich to run, or] ROD BLAGOJEVICH said that “[Senate Candidate 6]” (Senate Candidate 6, based on other intercepted conversations, is believed to be a wealthy person from Illinois) “could raise me money like that for a Senate seat.”

Also on December 5, 2008, after publication of the Tribune article described above, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and three others discussed whether to move money out of the Friends of Blagojevich campaign fund to avoid having the money frozen and also considered the possibility of prepaying the money to ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s criminal defense attorney with an understanding that the attorney would donate the money back at a later time if it was not needed.

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more animals

I know I’ve not put up much of substance since I’ve been back; I’ve been busy looking for work. Looking for work is almost as much fun as actually working, but the pay is a lot worse. If you’re interested in hiring me, I’m an HR/Sales sort looking for work in the SF Bay Area or the DC metro area. I got myself a taste of politics and it’s the best drug ever.*

To keep myself from stabbing myself in the eye out of shear boredom, I’ve been playing games. Specifically Civ4 and Fallout3. Fallout 3 was designed, I think, to remind me how bad I am at FPSs. Thank the gods for the VATS system; otherwise I’d never hit a damned thing. So far the quests are much more than the usual sort of “kill kill kill” grind typical of RPGs, and I’m rather enjoying that I can get XP for _failing_ to blow up a city.

Speaking of grinding, I’m off to apply for more work. But if you drop me a line, I could be up for a bit of Left 4 Dead…

*I’m comparing this to the zero other drugs I’ve used.

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This rather good article in the Politico about Pelosi gives me a good excuse to mention a few thoughts about what the Rahm Emmanuel pick means for the Obama Whitehouse

Until a few months ago, there were basically 2 centers of power within the Democratic Party. Howard Dean’s office and Pelosi’s Office. Reid, near as I can tell, was a non-player. Rahm Emmanuel was Pelosi’s Chief rival. Near as I can tell, he was trying to take credit for the 2006 election since roughly 5 minutes before any results came in.

Now: Obama wins the Whitehouse. Suddenly there are 3 people who can claim to be the power in the Democratic party. This is going to be trouble for everyone. Dean announces that he is going to step down– as he had always intended to do. And Obama takes Pelosi’s biggest rival and makes him Whitehouse Chief of Staff. This removes a sore spot in Pelosi’s leadership team, and puts a major power player on the Obama Staff.

What does this tell us about an Obama administration? He’s a shrewd, shrewd man who will do what it takes to get his agenda passed…

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He’s just Biden his time until he’s president.

That was the pun I came up with at 1am when the Obama team sent its pick to my cell. Seriously, guys, your choice was good but the timing sucks.

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The last 7 years have been a disaster. When Bush came into office, the right was trying to gin up a new Cold War with China, Bush increased the allowable content of lead in drinking water in his first week, hopped into bed with Enron while they shut down the power in California, and began ignoring the looming threat of terrorism.

Then 9/11 happened and it got really bad.

For 7 years we have systematically alienated the rest of the planet, poisoned our world, and redistributed wealth away from workers to gamblers investors. It would have been easy for a left-wing hate monger to rise up and promise retribution. With righteous fury we would have marched on the ballot boxes and seized back the reigns of power.

Instead a man came and said he wanted us to wake up from the nightmare. Sometimes I have a hard time believing, but I’ve allowed myself hope:

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McCain’s campaign is encouraging trolls. They’re literally giving trolls “points” for leaving pro-McCain talking points in the comments section of various blogs. Their view of the blogworld is fairly skewed, they list Glen Reynolds (Instapundit) as neither right, nor left, nor moderate, but “other” (he’s a fairly doctrinaire conservative).

This isn’t the worst idea in the world– many large companies employ trolls to get their own word out. Its just so transparent and icky that I can’t think it will do much good. Yes, this blog is a bit annoyed not to be included on the hit list.

Tags: conservative, Election 08 by Punning Pundit
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I don’t know which emotion is stronger: Happiness that it’s back, or anger that it was ever gone.

Before today, the President reserved to himself the right to declare an individual an “Enemy Combatant”, and for those classes of people, he opined that they could be held– forever– without charges being filed.

The court today held that a plain reading of “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.” means that Congress must find that either a state is seceding, or has been invaded, or else Habeas Corpus cannot be suspended.

Let’s be clear: if we think someone is a terrorist, we can still hold them long enough to put them on trial, and if they are convicted we can treat them– fairly harshly under military law. If they’re innocent, however, we’ll let them go.

It’s only just.

Tags: death, human rights, politics by Punning Pundit
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I was listening to this song by the floblots, and had never heard of Anne Braden. Naturally wikipedia was able to help…

If this is accurate, an American was thrown in jail for selling his house to another American. Power was used to maintain injustice. I am always and forever terrified of being on the wrong side of power– and so for that reason I’ve always been _very_ supportive of free speech.

The problem comes when people who have no interest in discussion seek to drown out the voices of those who do. Speech is then used against itself to the edification of no one. For a free-speech fetishist like myself, this presents a problem: how do I keep a conversation moving when the trolls show up– without destroying the right of a troll to speak. After all: the person may not be a troll, but merely have (true) ideas I find repugnant. What if I am on the wrong side of history?

One solution which presents itself is disemvoweling. “Offending” comments are still there, and if there is truth, it will shine through. But no one will struggle to read asshole comments. I think it’s a good compromise. If there is a better idea, please let me know in the comments…

(updated within 30min. of posting. For clarity)

Tags: free speech, human rights, politics by Punning Pundit
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She had a tough job with this speech. On the one wrist, she had to acknowledge that her supporters had done a magnificent job. Then she had to explain why Obama will make a fantastic president.

“The way to continue our fight now – to accomplish the goals for which we stand – is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States. ”

The way she said it, with such obvious passion and sincerity in her voice, she means it.

“I understand that we all know this has been a tough fight. The Democratic Party is a family, and it’s now time to restore the ties that bind us together and to come together around the ideals we share, the values we cherish, and the country we love. ”
Absolutely, 100% the right thing to say. The Party isn’t the “Hillary Clinton Show”, it is about a certain set of ideals– ideals which both Hillary and Barack share. Obama has the standard, let’s line up behind his charge.

And, as a final swing, she reminds all voters how good they had it when we last had a Democratic president:

“We made tremendous progress during the 90s under a Democratic President, with a flourishing economy, and our leadership for peace and security respected around the world. Just think how much more progress we could have made over the past 40 years if we had a Democratic president. Think about the lost opportunities of these past seven years – on the environment and the economy, on health care and civil rights, on education, foreign policy and the Supreme Court. Imagine how far we could’ve come, how much we could’ve achieved if we had just had a Democrat in the White House.”

I’ll leave it off there. Hillary: you did good. And if– gods forbid!– things don’t work out for Barack, I’ll gleefully pull the lever for you in 2012…

Transcript

Tags: Election 08, Feminism by Punning Pundit
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When the California primary came around, I had this idea: I would vote for Barack Obama– who would lose the nomination– and then I would vote for Hillary Clinton in the general. This way, I though, I would have the pleasure of voting for them both. That seems to have been an error.

Hillary ran a fantastic campaign. Not a perfect one. But a fantastic one that– had she run against anyone else– would have resulted in victory. Her mistakes were worth learning from, but– for now– not dwelling on. The problem for her, it seems, is that Hillary fell victim to Zeno’s Achilles and the tortoise paradox. She could see herself making up ground, but never quite making up _enough_ ground, never _quite_ pulling ahead. It could never be enough ground– the math was working against her from February. Then the finish line came…
click here for a nifty chart.

Hillary gave it her best shot. I would guess that she is unused to trying as hard as she can and still losing. The qualities that would have made her such a fantastic president are combining to make her into a liability for the party. She’s a smart woman– I’m sure she will recognize it soon. As a party, we owe her the space to come to terms with her loss. Our country is stronger for her having run.

Tags: politics by Punning Pundit
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