"Whatever good things you did for people as governor, and you did some, I am more concerned with the occasions when you wanted to use your powers to do things that were only good for yourself."
"When it is the governor who goes bad, the fabric of Illinois is torn and disfigured and not easily repaired."
"The governor was not marched along this criminal path by his staff. He marched them." (Judge James Zagel/Chicago Tribune)
CHICAGO, December 7, 2011 ― In a city where corruption is king, a federal judge in a Chicago courtroom is a hero. He made a difference for the people of Illinois. He decided enough is enough.
Judge James Zagel sentenced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to 14 years in prison. Blagojevich was eligible to receive a sentence of 30 years to eternal life. That would have been just. But our federal justice system doesn’t work that way. Mitigating factors are taken into consideration.
The prosecution recommended 15-20 years. Judge Zagel sentenced the blow dried coifed disgraced governor to 14 years. He gave Blagojevich credit for his self serving apology.
Blagojevich turned himself into a celebrity criminal politician. He made a mockery out of the federal justice system. He never took the charges against him seriously. He turned the whole case into a media circus, with himself as the clown.
He is now a celebrity convicted felon, a criminal no better or worse than any other.
His pathetic apologies and acknowledgement of his crimes are meaningless. He is a Chicago politician: When his lips move he is lying. He is only sorry he got caught. He wanted mercy and understanding. He wanted his pain felt. It was all about Rod Blagojevich, and it always was.
But at last Blagojevich got justice, and better than he deserved.
It would have been just if he had been immediately remanded to prison like other criminals. But judges have some leeway, so Blagojevich will be allowed to spend a last Christmas, New Years, and Valentine’s Day with his wife and daughters, while other less fortunate and less famous criminals go off to serve their time. He was given until February 16th to report to prison.
Blagojevich’s family wrote letters pleading for mercy and pity. His daughters want him home when they go off to college and when their hearts get broken for the first time.
Other criminals have wives and children too. They want their family members there during the important or catastrophic times in their lives.
They are usually denied those moments. They are taken to prison as soon as their sentence is pronounced. Their families are devastated, forced to suffer the extraordinary hardships prison places on them. That’s the way of the criminal world: No mercy, no pity, no bleeding hearts.
Why should Blagojevich and his family expect different treatment? Because he was a politician? Because he was a good husband and father? Because he was a governor?
There is a big price to pay for criminality. Families all across this country pay that price. Children pay the price for their fathers' selfishness and amorality. Parents pay the price when their children go to prison, leaving them behind to pick up the pieces.
Why should a governor, or any other elected official, be different? There should be a bigger price to pay for their political criminality. There should be no such thing as a price too high.
Political criminals are the worst and lowest form of criminal. They rob people of their trust and faith in government. Instead of serving the people, they serve themselves. They deserve no pity and no compassion. They don't deserve just one more Christmas with their kids.
If their families suffer, so be it. Their suffering is not caused by the justice system. It is not the fault of prosecutors or judges. It is the fault solely of the criminal politician. If the family has any anger, they should direct it at the family member who caused their pain.
Rod Blagojevich should have received the 30 years to life he deserves. Judge Zagel gave him 14 years. Blagojevich will have to serve at least 12 of them. He will be 67 years old when he is released. His life will be ruined, as it should be, but he can look forward to regaining his freedom. That is more than he deserves.
It's been said that every Chicago and Illinois politician should be limited to two terms: one in office, and one in prison. There may be some truth there.
Chicago and Illinois politics is a cesspool of corruption. It is a continuing history, cornucopia and culture of criminality. Tough messages have to be sent and tough justice meted out. The same kind of justice meted out for evil. Political corruption is a form of evil.
Judge Zagel sent a very strong message. There are consequences to criminality and they are severe. Hopefully the message will resonate to the corrupt politicians, hangers-on, and political fixers in this state.
Rod Blagojevich is not a tragic figure. He is high-class thug.
Judge Zagel is a hero to the people of Illinois. Let's hope that his sentence of Blagojevich sends a message to the politicians in Chicago and the rest of the state.
If history is any guide, it’s doubtful.
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Also read:
How Blago got whacked (and Obama got away)
Disgraced Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich should get the maximum sentence
Peter Bella is a retired Chicago Police Officer, freelance writer, freelance photographer, and consultant. He is a passionate cook and eater. He likes to be the sharp stick that pokes, annoys, and provokes. His opinions are his and his alone.
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