Yesterday I was interviewed by an ABC News reporter for a story about Illinois residents reaction to the Blagojevich news within the context of the national media attention that Chicago's been getting. Obama, the Olympic bid, the James Beard award...Chicago's been on quite a roll, right? You can read my rejection of that triumphalist line of thinking here.
Recently however, we've had some not-so-great news in Chicago. The Republic Windows sit-in, the Tribune declaring bankruptcy and now Blagojevich.
I was asked if I was embarassed by yesterday's scandal.
While I'm definitely outraged as a taxpayer and Illinois voter, I can't say I felt embarassed by the news per se. Then again, I wasn't registered to vote in Illinois during Blago's last election. I didn't vote the guy into office.
So I asked the folks following us on Twitter for their take on the question. Are you embarassed by the Blago scandal? Their responses:
ItsJenJen takes a no-nonsense line of thought:
itsjenjen: The only one who should be embarrassed is Blagojevich.
stu_j: No, I'm not embarrassed by G-Rod's arrest as an IL resident. Fool me twice, shame on me.
lainiep: I was, a bit. I know I am not responsible, but one governor in the poky is enough!
greenparentchgo: If a Chgo resdnt/IL resdnt admitted embarassment over Blago, they'd have to chalk up their whole life to it given Chi politics
AnnaTarkov: I'm embarrassed. Not for myself but for the Illinois electorate for electing these bozos.
How about you? Are you embarassed by yesterday's Blagjevich arrest? If so, who are you embarassed for? Have scandals like this deadened our sense of political outrage?
Photo from ChicagoTribune.com
BradFlora
Brad Flora is founder of WindyCitizen.com, a web service that lets people share their favorite Chicago news and events with their friends and neighbors. More



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I live in central Illinois and I’m not embarrassed by Blago. He is Chicago’s Governor not Illinois. He was a Robin Hood for Chicago and that is why they voted him into office twice. He stole money from the state teacher retirement system and gave it to the Chicago teachers’ retirement system. Why can’t Chicago support them selves if they want idiots like Blago in office? Illinois did not vote for him, we just can’t out number Chicagoans. I hope they do a better job voting at the next election.
Judge lest ye be judged. www.liberalwarriors.com.
This entire situation is a giant embarrassing for the state of Illinois.
Hmmmm well neither am I embarrassed. As I'm from California. But I guess it need not be such a big issue. He's arrested now and if he has committed crime he should be punished as any other citizen. Which I believe will happen. Anyway, what is the newest situation regarding the matter?
The picture isn't that funny but it's an attempt. I mean seriously what could be as funny as Gov. Blago trying to sell the Senate seat though?
I don't know why people have a problem with Blago. It was all just talk, nothing really happened. Besides, I think he's CUTE!
It is dangerous to start convicting people for voicing wrong opinions...
Much more dangerous than letting him finish out his term as governor.
Creepy, eerie, abhorrent, delusional, psychotic, in denial: Who is Blagojevich? Time to impeach the creep.
Blagoyevich needs to go the way of Jimmy Hoffa.
Embarrassed isn't the right word. I'm proud of our system for showing us that this scum bag is not even worth mentioning - absolutely worthless - a waste of space and air. They just need to bury this low life and end all the drama - it's not even newsworthy anymore. This idiot mustn't walk with our money, but I'll bet my bottom dollar he is dishing out our monely left and right to defend himself. I think they should freeze his assets.
Hey, nice site-- wish there were more recent updates. Feel free to check out the complete collection of poetry penned by Gov. Blago Shakespeare (Illinois Poet Laureate):
http://illinoispoetlaureate.blogspot.com/
Enjoy.
So, is there any more info for this? I've been trying to find out what happened to the governer but I'm having trouble locating any reliable info.
Pleae update me on this blog, if at all possible.
Thanks!
Can anyone say INDEPENDENT PARTY? Both republicans and democrats alike have repeatedly made fools of us (Illinois residents)and used us for nothing more than their own petty greed. It's absolutely ridiculous what has transpired for decades in this state. If you haven't traveled the country, you should know we are laughing stocks known mainly for political corruption.
Last election we heard "vote for me because the last guy was a crook" It's going to be more of the same unless we send BOTH parties a serious message to clean up their acts or go try to find real jobs like the rest of us.
The real kicker is we're paying to protect this a-hole while he performs his idiot routine on national television.
Vote INDEPENDENT
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