State of shame

Add comment December 10th, 2008

That was one of the headlines Fox News used this morning (I try to keep up with all kinds of media outlets) and no one can disagree after Blagojevich’s arrest yesterday.

Lots of interesting theories floating around.  Yesterday Executive Editor Linda Grist Cunningham posted on her blog that she thinks the governor needs mental help. She’s not the first, or only, person to wonder about the gov’s mental health. An article in the February 2008 issue of Chicago Magazine had this sentence: “Privately, a few people who know the governor describe him as a “sociopath,” and they insist they’re not using hyperbole.”

Chuck Sweeny in his blog said the governor didn’t know how to do corruption properly, which may be evidence of Linda’s theory.

An observation that would boost Linda’s theory is Blagojevich’s behavior in public. When he leaves his Chicago bungalow, he strives to be the center of attention. He’s charming, engaging and hyperactive. But on the flip side, he hunkers down in his Chicago bungalow for long stretches without any meaningful contact with the outside world. CBS News followed him around last year and the guy hardly ever left home.

Illinois has had governor’s of both parties indicted. That gives this paragraph in our 2006 endorsement of Green Party candidate Rich Whitney for governor more weight: “The complicated web of corruption allegations snares both major parties. We think a new party has the best chance to bring honest government to the state of Illinois.”

About a quarter of the voters in Winnebago and Boone counties seemed to agree. Wonder how many more are feeling that way today.