I think Rod Blago has suffered enough.

[Peregrine Took]

He's been publically brought low, lost his law license, his pension, his homes, his job, his ability to ever run for public office, etc. I think he's suffered enough and 'should get probation and community service.

I heard Richard Roeper today (on the Roe and Roeper radio program) say that he, too, is disgusted with the possible sentencing and, instead, Blago should be assigned to work with seniors or kids in a service capacity.

[murielm99]

1. I agree.

I think those of us who live in Illinois know what Blago's REAL crime was: he tried to mess with the Madigans.

[madrchsod]

3. yup...it`s a family affair in illinois.

[tropicanarose]

2. I completely agree! This entire thing is a travesty. If he is a criminal than so is every other ro

politician in the US. They have essentially criminalized politics.
I just read today that the proposed sentencing recommendation is more than a mob murderer received under the same judge. Nice, huh? The law is so arbitrary and unfair.
This is preposterous. He has been disgraced, lost his job....but the prosecutors still want a pound of flesh and to ruin his life.

[tropicanarose]

4. I am bracing myself for the sentence this Wednesday. I really wonder if rop

Blago's brother stuck his neck out by writing to all of the members of the Congressional Ethics Committee in an effort to strike some kind of a plea deal for his brother. He wouldn't have made any waves if he didn't have something concrete......and what he had to offer was about Jessie Jackson jr.
Robert Blago isn't off the hook entirely himself. When the charges were dropped against him, it was "with prejudice" I believe meaning that they left the door open to charge him again if they decided to, so I don't think that he would have come forth if he didn't think that he could help.
I wonder if there is wiggle room for a plea deal down the road based on info that could be provided on others.
I think that the condemnation of Blago has really gone overboard. I feel sorry for his children most of all. It is very sad.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Fourteen Years Is TOO Much

There are convicted rapists in Illinois that didn't get 14 years. Two time armed felons don't get 14 years.

Yeah, he's a sleaze. And, i do think he's crooked. And, i don't think he really gets it.

But, 18 months would have been enough. He's already ruined.

Geez, Ryan's corruption actually got somebody killed. That's not what happened with Blago.

This sentence seems far too puntive, to me.
GAC