Why are they still meeting talking about the same old stuff like selling the lottery? It must be true; you can not teach old dogs new tricks.
Punley Dieter Finn
· 2 years ago
Was he playing wiffle ball?
Osunlade
· 2 years ago
The freemason story at the end of Seth's post was pretty interesting.
Anon
· 2 years ago
I don't think it really matters whether Blago's done here or not or playing ball with some kids in Chicago. He knows relatively nothing about the true nuts and bolts of the budget, or anything else in the state for that matter, so why bother even having him there. Just send the people in the administration that actually do - they could probably get more accomplished without him around. I've always thought that he was just the figure head of the state anyway - a suit that flies around the state giving speeches. Or maybe I'm just a little digruntled like so many in the capitol that's wearing a suit in 90 degree weather when I should be on vacation after a very busy session.
JJ
· 2 years ago
You need to let Seth and others know they need to take pictures of this stuff. You know this gov will have someone from his office make up a lie about it. Pictures do not lie!! Just ask Paris...
Beerman
· 2 years ago
To Anon:
"Or maybe I’m just a little digruntled like so many in the capitol that’s wearing a suit in 90 degree weather when I should be on vacation after a very busy session."
You don't remember when we use to be in Session well into July??? For years I thought Illinois only had three seasons. I never saw spring. LOL
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
So Seth is telling us the Blagster is a stay-at-home mom er dad. Patti must be at the Real Estate office making the bread and milk money. Well, good! He's finally found something he can do - he just needs to resign now and do it fulltime. Enough of having a ghost payroller for a governor.
VanillaMan
· 2 years ago
I consider it a sign of encouragement that Rod is playing ball with someone, even if it is kids. Maybe he was pretending to be Ron Santo in 1968?
Anyway, it is a nice image - a governor playing baseball with kids. Cute.
Recess over! I hear the bell!
Commonsense in Illinois
· 2 years ago
Anybody think the Rodster tried to impose a per swing tax on the kiddies?
Buck Turgidson
· 2 years ago
Folks, Seth didn't just "see" Rod. He TOTALLY saw him.
Like, gag me with a spoon.
Buck Turgidson
· 2 years ago
By the way...unearthing the stream-of-consciousness blog of some insurance cold-caller and wannabe Freemason?
Call me Ishmael, but I think someone's gone a wee bit Captain Ahab in his obsession with Rod, no?
play by play
· 2 years ago
I see Rod's plane is late again. The wiffleball game must have gone into extra innings.
Rich Miller
· 2 years ago
Buck, I just saw it at Curry's blog.
frat boy
· 2 years ago
in college, if the prof was more than 10 minutes late, class was cancelled. I suggest the leaders follow the same rule. If Rod can't show up on time, with a private plane no less, then walk out until he can be on time.
Buck Turgidson
· 2 years ago
I actually meant Curry (and for what it's worth, it was tongue in cheek - not trying to stir up and you-know-what, just having good time).
Rich Miller
· 2 years ago
:)
zatoichi
· 2 years ago
Hey, I just saw Rod this morning. He was painting a house for an older couple in our neighborhood. Said he had some time to kill between sessions.
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
The Blagster is going to get to Springfield just in time for the return flight - NO time for meetins!
Bluefish
· 2 years ago
So, when Blago finally shows up for the meeting more than an hour late, what line will utter to start the conversation? Will Nix hold another presser focusing on the House not working full-time while her boss cannot even make it to a 2:00 meeting on time.
What a joke.
5 Day Man
· 2 years ago
Hey I needed some more airmiles to qualify for a new bat TeeHee
Tom
· 2 years ago
Folks, you voted for a man who spends time jogging and playing ball in the middle of the day while we have no budget. If leaders in the private sector behaved this way their companies would go under or they would be fired. Instead of oh, I don't know, staying in Springfield His Royal Highness has a plane that makes two round trips each day. Don't want to live in Springfield, fine, then don't be governor.
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
-Tom- He's gov in name only! Otherwise he's just a very expensive waster and an embarrassing joke.
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
Rich, they were letting Blago be the pilot and he couldn't remember where Springfield is. They had to wrest the controls away!
Arthur Andersen
· 2 years ago
Rich, you have probably caused the entire State air fleet to get new tail numbers effective immediately.
Blago Must Go
· 2 years ago
Did he make that loop just to make em wait? Nah, Blago wouldn't do that.
BLAGO MUST GO
Commonsense in Illinois
· 2 years ago
Looking at the map, it looks like the plane went back to Lincoln. Maybe the governor remembered his pledge from four years ago and stopped to dedicate the reopening of the Lincoln Developmental Center.
5 Day Man
· 2 years ago
Weeeee Wow that was fun I feel great
HoosierDaddy
· 2 years ago
The flight crew suddenly realized that the governor was in danger of being ON TIME, so they circled back to kill 10 minutes!
Justice
· 2 years ago
Governor....!!! You forgot your wife.....!!! "Turn back......no, no, on second thought....I won't be here that long"
anonymiss
· 2 years ago
Gov: Crap! We forgot Sheila and Abby! turn this thing around pronto, i'm not going in there alone!
anon
· 2 years ago
Hey, are those crop circles? Turn that plane around, I want to look again.
BLAH
· 2 years ago
I know it was posted a while back, but does any know the cost of one of these flights?
Blah blah blah
· 2 years ago
Those weren't crop circles. Lucky it was just a cloverleaf on I-55 outside Bloominton. The Gov. doesn't travel the highways and byways much ... he likes the Jetset!
bored now
· 2 years ago
so if fitzgerald indicts blagojevich, does quinn immediately assume the office of governor? because, seriouely, it is starting to look like that's the only way this will be resolved...
According to Bill Holland
· 2 years ago
IDOT's aeronnautics operations were recently autided by the Auditor General. The average cost to operate State planes is $9.81 per mile. Multiplied by 400 (round trip SPI to CHI) we have an average of $3,924 per flight.
M
· 2 years ago
Actually, according to the flight schedule at that link the flight back is at 5:30pm.
ALL~BRAN Enema
· 2 years ago
Wonder if Governor Dufus will take the same exact route back. Must a maneuver to shake the Feds off his trail. Remember Milo "To Serpentine".
Fan of the Game
· 2 years ago
- According to Bill Holland - Wednesday, Jun 13, 07 @ 3:52 pm:
IDOT’s aeronnautics operations were recently autided by the Auditor General. The average cost to operate State planes is $9.81 per mile. Multiplied by 400 (round trip SPI to CHI) we have an average of $3,924 per flight. ------------------------------------------------
So each time he makes the trip, because the plane has to go from S'field to Chicago to pick him up, bring him to S'field, take him back to Chicago, and then return to S'field, that we're talking $7,848 every day he flies?
From Meigs Field
· 2 years ago
It's all an "EGO Trip"! And we supposedly have a big budget crisis....
Just commenting...
· 2 years ago
Just jumped over to read the posting by Seth and it looks like the bit about the Gov was edited out....
Crimefighter
· 2 years ago
Geez, why doesn't the governor just STAY in Springfield until the job is done? He wants his budget to be done he should ACT like it instead of be absent all the time. This is gonna go well into July and the government is gonna be shut down most likely.
Scoot
· 2 years ago
Nothing seems to surprise me any more w/ this guy..nothing. He will spend basically 1 hour to go in front of the leaders and bring up the failed GRT/Lottery? Truly amazing.
Old Elephant
· 2 years ago
According to... and Fan of the Game... You are forgetting one detail.
The IDOT planes are based in Springfield. I believe they have to fly from Springfield to Chicago to pick up the Gov. and then after they return the Gov. they have to fly back to Springfield.
So, double your figures.
Buck Turgidson
· 2 years ago
Old Elephant - that's what Fan did.
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
. . . So, double your figures. - Then times FIVE days. $35,000 to $40,000 per week! Pure Waste !
Old Elephant
· 2 years ago
Slightly off topic, but now that they have taken up the great Boyer vs. Santo debate, how about a new contest to come up with future topics for the Gov's meetings.
Werewolf vs. Dracula? Superman vs. Batman? Penny Pullen vs. Carol Ronen?
"Huh", that plane (98 Illinois) is the regularly scheduled "shuttle" from SPI to Midway, if I'm not mistaken. I believe Air Blago is 97 Illinois today.
cermak_rd
· 2 years ago
Crimefighter,
I wouldn't stay in Springfield either if I had a choice (and I do and haven't been back in decades). Blagojevich didn't choose to set up residence in Springfield. Other people do. Personal preference and all.
It just seems as though there are plenty of reasons to bash the man without constantly complaining about his residence. It's almost made me develop a dislike of Springfield and its residents.
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
I would like to suggest that we simply cease the commentary on the gov since he really has become irrelevant and a distraction from rational thought. I admit I am one of the offenders, but barring Fitz's taking some action - doubtful - we are stuck with the same old same old for quite a while. Our commentary is repetitive and ineffective. We all know he is a buffoon so let's just leave it at that and cease.
Disgusted
· 2 years ago
OL, how about this if we're gonna bash: - can't be trusted - short attention span - very poor choice of friends and acquaintences - "spends like a drunken sailor" - uses state funds to finance his campaign literature - can't get along with his co-workers - couldn't care less about the taxpayers and voters of this state - is dishonest about investigations into his administration - gives jobs to inexperienced persons who don't have a clue - misuses state assets (i.e. the Blago air force) - refuses to work in either of his state offices or with the elected representatives of the people of this state - AND SO ON AND SO ON AND SO ON.
Enuf?????
'Lainer
· 2 years ago
Anyone else notice that Air Blago's afternoon flight arrival is listed on the website as "result unknown"? That's the understatement of the year : )
some former legislative intern
· 2 years ago
Noticed the vote on the Guvs gaming bill--02 yes, 20 noes, 3 present.
...and once more the governor proves what a leader he is. His ability to get legislators to vote for his proposals is truly amazing.
some former legislative intern
· 2 years ago
P.S. with reference to the above: does anyone know who the 2 yes votes were in gaming committee?
If you skulk around there, they tell you to budget around 149 gallons of fuel for a 100 Km trip!
Now thats economy for one egotist!
unclesam
· 2 years ago
Rep. Granberg and Rep. Molaro were the two "yes" votes on HB 25 this afternoon.
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
Okay, is it Ho Hummm, Yaaaawnnn, or ZZZZZZZZZZZZ ???
Papa Legba
· 2 years ago
Holy crap! I left my hair care products at home. What? Oh, that's right, Emil is always holding the bag of extra stuff for me. OK. We can go back to, to, to... What's the name of that place again?
de Vreisee
· 2 years ago
cermak-rd:
It has nothing to do with the man living in Chicago. What does matter is that he is preaching they need to work all day, five days a week. OK, Blago arrives at 2:30pm and meets for a few hours, three days a week. The other leaders (1) all stay in Springfield so they can be at work on time and (2) are in the office (state office, not campaign office) working ALL DAY. I wonder what time Blago goes to work at that campaign office of his. My guess is one day a week for three hours. Springfield has some problems (not near as many as Chicago though) but this has nothing to do with living in the mansion. He needs to put up or shut up, and stay here and demand others do as well, or go home and expect others to do the same.
And yet another point has nothing to do w/ Spi or Chi. There is a budget crisis. The Blago says IL will have to cut benefits and education, yet he spends $30,000 - $35,000 a week flying himself back and forth so he doesn't have to stay in Springfield. Multiply by that by the three months of overtime/special session IL is heading towards, and you get a lot of textbooks, teachers salaries, and link cards. This will backfire eventually and the Blago might be forced to bring Mrs. and baby Blagos down for those swimming lessons at Nelson Center (oh, I'm sorry . . . Panther Creek)
anon
· 2 years ago
I said this last week, the press needs to stop letting the Gov off the hook by interviewing Nix after the meetings. Doesn't anyone else find it shameful that the Gov can't even do his own Q&A's?
Me
· 2 years ago
anon 7:54 pm: Yes, I find it shameful, but like the late Boss Tweed said, "What are ya gonna do about it?"
Sadly, most of the media's coverage is anemic at best. Where are the diggers, the truth-hunters?
That we take what we're being fed by this administration is pathetic. I say we stop eating the political spin-Spam.
Food fight, anyone?
'Lainer
· 2 years ago
De Vreise's point is well taken. I don't think downstaters object so much to Blago's keeping his family home in Chicago (Thompson did that too, if I recall) but to the ridiculous lengths to which he goes to avoid staying even a single night in the publicly-funded residence he's been provided. He acts as if it's haunted or something....
Leigh
· 2 years ago
Maybe he is not worried about it being haunted so much as he may be worried about "bugs".
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
Madigan has effectively and totally marginalized the Executive Branch - and the "president" is treading on very thin ice. The ONLY budget bill passed is the House's. Mr. Speaker reigns, the others are at this point simply footnotes.
Loop Lady
· 2 years ago
Madigan is holding legislative school again...the Reps would love it if the Dems were so boneheaded as to sell the Lottery...this session is a seminar on how not to craft a budget...I guess it's not so great to have one party rule after all...Wake me up when it's over...ZZZZZZZ
Pancake Breakfast Shakedown
· 2 years ago
Anyone think that Walker's Pancake place was bugged?
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
Lead (Madagin), Follow (Emil), or get the Heck out of the way (?) !
The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers P
· 2 years ago
Buck said...> Folks, Seth didn’t just “see†Rod. He TOTALLY saw him. Like, gag me with a spoon.
Okay, that does it, Buck wins the best comment of the day award.
Blue Dog
· 2 years ago
Just have a video conference.
'Lainer
· 2 years ago
You mean the kind of bugs that are attracted by sloppy bookkeeping, oops, I mean housekeeping...
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
Does anyone want to venture a guess as to what he meant by "What's the rush" ?
Tom
· 2 years ago
Cermak Rd sez: "Blagojevich didn’t choose to set up residence in Springfield."
He chose to be governor. Springfield is where state legislative business is conducted, and where the governor's mansion is. It's also the place where we have no budget, and a real leader should step in. If he wants to be the gov, then he must live in Springfield. He shouldn't make a plane fly two round trips a day to cater to His Royal Highness.
Ironically it was the Downstate Dems who elected Blago over Vallas in the '02 Primary. Think they regret their decision?
Father of mine (you gave me yo
· 2 years ago
Just listened to Nix's sound bites, attacking Watson for saying it would be impractical to expect all the members to show up in Springfield on a Sunday that's also Father's Day. Especially when they don't yet have any other budget but Madigan's to vote on or discuss.
Why does Sheila Nix, and by extension, the actual governor she speaks for, hate fathers??? Are fathers unimportant to the Blagojevich administration? Isn't that a Neaderthal attitude for her to to have in this modern age?
You know, we got this hippie blogger's testimony posted here that the Governor was seen, not working, but playing at being a simple, caring Dad with HIS kids, (while his staff was apparently lying about his whereabouts and task at hand) while the rest of us ARE working, and his mouthpiece has the nerve to suggest the rest of us should all work this Sunday, when I bet SHE will not be sitting at her desk on the second floor or whatever on that day. That kinda sticks in my craw. Where do these people get off? I have never seen the like.
Crush of reporters over nothin
· 2 years ago
Maybe if the next time the fake governor came out to simply recite a prepared statement and walk off, all the media just turned on their heels en masse and went to wait in the Blue Room for a REAL press briefing instead, the situation would improve. It would at least be more comfortable waiting. But those media folks would never be able to cooperate together that well. Blago's people count on that. They want to control every aspect of the message and deny as much as possible any non-supportive coverage or unscripted queries. It's right out of the Karl Rove playbook.
Levois
· 2 years ago
Seth edited his story. I wonder what happened.
A Citizen
· 2 years ago
Feasance, misfeasance, mal feasance, nonfeasance - Yep that's it!!
word for today
· 2 years ago
Rebarbative.
Def: the style of the governor's press staff.
Tom
· 2 years ago
"Seth, do you really think your blog entry is a good idea?"
Cat
· 2 years ago
State agency honchos are putting out the word, FURLOUGHS, to get state employees riled....
JohnR
· 2 years ago
For all those people who think a Governor is irrelevant -
I can't wait to see all of you up in arms when he takes out that "real big pen" and vetoes every last one of your bosses' bills.
That would be the real hoot.
Tom
· 2 years ago
JohnR, the scariest thing is that Blago is somehow still relevant.
Gregor
· 2 years ago
John R., not as funny as the overrides afterwards. You can smell the desperation from the Blago camp as the month runs out. When it does, the great and most public bulk of the blame and infamy will fall on this governor. He will be humiliated on a national level. He's spending more time right now trying to position his PR machine to counter THAT, than on actual budget negotiations. You have only to listen to and read his PR flak's output to confirm it.
The meetings so far with his flacks have been all sales pitch and no facts. Heck, with all the powerpoint slides and multiple speakers he's lobbed at the leaders in those meetings, I'd not be surprised to find out they'd accidentally signed up for a time-share condo. A lot of high pressure salesmanship. But no FACTS, no sound plan to get us not only past the immediate crisis, but looking forward past that to the next several years.
I understand what the governor is doing; it is much more fun to camp out at the campaign headquarters than the governor's office. At campaign HQ, everybody blows complementary smoke up your skirt, you have hot and cold running yes men, the visitors bring you presents of cash. Everything you say is brilliant, your hair is perfect, you have six-pack abs and they all love you.
At the actual working office, everything you say is interpreted as idiotic, and is being taken down as possible evidence in your upcoming trial. Your hair is mocked, and you have six packs of subpoenas. So yeah, you can see why his attendance is spotty.
Squideshi
· 2 years ago
Lee News Service is reporting that leaders of the Illinois Green Party think that this bickering will only improve the party's position in the 2008.
Buck Turgidson
· 2 years ago
Aaah, Broken Heart.
T'was nothing. But I humbly accept your compliments. ;-)
All Comments
It must be true; you can not teach old dogs new tricks.
"Or maybe I’m just a little digruntled like so many in the capitol that’s wearing a suit in 90 degree weather when I should be on vacation after a very busy session."
You don't remember when we use to be in Session well into July??? For years I thought Illinois only had three seasons. I never saw spring. LOL
Anyway, it is a nice image - a governor playing baseball with kids. Cute.
Recess over! I hear the bell!
Like, gag me with a spoon.
Call me Ishmael, but I think someone's gone a wee bit Captain Ahab in his obsession with Rod, no?
What a joke.
to qualify for a new bat
TeeHee
BLAGO MUST GO
Wow that was fun I feel great
Remember Milo "To Serpentine".
IDOT’s aeronnautics operations were recently autided by the Auditor General. The average cost to operate State planes is $9.81 per mile. Multiplied by 400 (round trip SPI to CHI) we have an average of $3,924 per flight.
------------------------------------------------
So each time he makes the trip, because the plane has to go from S'field to Chicago to pick him up, bring him to S'field, take him back to Chicago, and then return to S'field, that we're talking $7,848 every day he flies?
And we supposedly have a big budget crisis....
The IDOT planes are based in Springfield. I believe they have to fly from Springfield to Chicago to pick up the Gov. and then after they return the Gov. they have to fly back to Springfield.
So, double your figures.
Werewolf vs. Dracula?
Superman vs. Batman?
Penny Pullen vs. Carol Ronen?
ETA is 5:54 at Midway.
I wouldn't stay in Springfield either if I had a choice (and I do and haven't been back in decades). Blagojevich didn't choose to set up residence in Springfield. Other people do. Personal preference and all.
It just seems as though there are plenty of reasons to bash the man without constantly complaining about his residence. It's almost made me develop a dislike of Springfield and its residents.
- can't be trusted
- short attention span
- very poor choice of friends and acquaintences
- "spends like a drunken sailor"
- uses state funds to finance his campaign
literature
- can't get along with his co-workers
- couldn't care less about the taxpayers and
voters of this state
- is dishonest about investigations into his
administration
- gives jobs to inexperienced persons who don't
have a clue
- misuses state assets (i.e. the Blago air force)
- refuses to work in either of his state offices
or with the elected representatives of the
people of this state
- AND SO ON AND SO ON AND SO ON.
Enuf?????
...and once more the governor proves what a leader he is. His ability to get legislators to vote for his proposals is truly amazing.
http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/beechcraft/airc...
If you skulk around there, they tell you to budget around 149 gallons of fuel for a 100 Km trip!
Now thats economy for one egotist!
It has nothing to do with the man living in Chicago. What does matter is that he is preaching they need to work all day, five days a week. OK, Blago arrives at 2:30pm and meets for a few hours, three days a week. The other leaders (1) all stay in Springfield so they can be at work on time and (2) are in the office (state office, not campaign office) working ALL DAY. I wonder what time Blago goes to work at that campaign office of his. My guess is one day a week for three hours. Springfield has some problems (not near as many as Chicago though) but this has nothing to do with living in the mansion. He needs to put up or shut up, and stay here and demand others do as well, or go home and expect others to do the same.
And yet another point has nothing to do w/ Spi or Chi. There is a budget crisis. The Blago says IL will have to cut benefits and education, yet he spends $30,000 - $35,000 a week flying himself back and forth so he doesn't have to stay in Springfield. Multiply by that by the three months of overtime/special session IL is heading towards, and you get a lot of textbooks, teachers salaries, and link cards. This will backfire eventually and the Blago might be forced to bring Mrs. and baby Blagos down for those swimming lessons at Nelson Center (oh, I'm sorry . . . Panther Creek)
Sadly, most of the media's coverage is anemic at best. Where are the diggers, the truth-hunters?
That we take what we're being fed by this administration is pathetic. I say we stop eating the political spin-Spam.
Food fight, anyone?
Okay, that does it, Buck wins the best comment of the day award.
He chose to be governor. Springfield is where state legislative business is conducted, and where the governor's mansion is. It's also the place where we have no budget, and a real leader should step in. If he wants to be the gov, then he must live in Springfield. He shouldn't make a plane fly two round trips a day to cater to His Royal Highness.
Ironically it was the Downstate Dems who elected Blago over Vallas in the '02 Primary. Think they regret their decision?
Why does Sheila Nix, and by extension, the actual governor she speaks for, hate fathers??? Are fathers unimportant to the Blagojevich administration? Isn't that a Neaderthal attitude for her to to have in this modern age?
You know, we got this hippie blogger's testimony posted here that the Governor was seen, not working, but playing at being a simple, caring Dad with HIS kids, (while his staff was apparently lying about his whereabouts and task at hand) while the rest of us ARE working, and his mouthpiece has the nerve to suggest the rest of us should all work this Sunday, when I bet SHE will not be sitting at her desk on the second floor or whatever on that day. That kinda sticks in my craw. Where do these people get off? I have never seen the like.
Def: the style of the governor's press staff.
I can't wait to see all of you up in arms when he takes out that "real big pen" and vetoes every last one of your bosses' bills.
That would be the real hoot.
The meetings so far with his flacks have been all sales pitch and no facts. Heck, with all the powerpoint slides and multiple speakers he's lobbed at the leaders in those meetings, I'd not be surprised to find out they'd accidentally signed up for a time-share condo. A lot of high pressure salesmanship. But no FACTS, no sound plan to get us not only past the immediate crisis, but looking forward past that to the next several years.
I understand what the governor is doing; it is much more fun to camp out at the campaign headquarters than the governor's office. At campaign HQ, everybody blows complementary smoke up your skirt, you have hot and cold running yes men, the visitors bring you presents of cash. Everything you say is brilliant, your hair is perfect, you have six-pack abs and they all love you.
At the actual working office, everything you say is interpreted as idiotic, and is being taken down as possible evidence in your upcoming trial. Your hair is mocked, and you have six packs of subpoenas. So yeah, you can see why his attendance is spotty.
T'was nothing. But I humbly accept your compliments. ;-)