Thank you, Mr. Hopefully-Soon-to-Be-Ex-Governor!

It has been quite a while since my last regular post. I am hoping to remedy that, as Real Life seems to be kind today. I have been pondering what to write in this blog, especially now that the election is over. I never intended for this to become a political blog; there are more informed and better writers out there to do that, ones with much more clout and better sources. But, in covering things that interest me, I find my thoughts and words turning towards politics and government frequently. Anyway, I digress.

Actually, I digress quite a lot, or else I would not be writing this in the first place.

So, there I was, in the beginning of December, not having written in a long time due to various things, including holidays, houseguests, psychotic cats, Real Life , an excess of turkey, one psychotic dog, bad weather, snow, frigid cold, the fact that the CTA sucks, occasional bouts of writers' block, talking to friends, various other writing projects... There was a purpose to this at some point, right?

Oh, yes. Early December. Into the void came a political issue that was a writer's gift: Rod Blagojevich. A humorist's or comic's gift, certainly, a cartoonist's gift with that odd Ken-doll hair. I suppose I should send him a "thank you" card at some point.

I have heard a lot of people from places other than Illinois referring to what Blago has done (...Yes, yes, I know, innocent until proven guilty. However, that applies to the legal system, a system which, I might add, many Illinois politicians have flouted for decades. Unless I get called to serve on a jury, I am quite free to declare Blago guilty guilty, guilty.) as "Chicago politics". This proves that these people don't actually know much about Chicago, or Chicago politics.

First of all, we don't all sound like we came out of the "Superfans" sketch (Da Bears!) or the "Cheeseboogie" sketch (Billy Goat Tavern). Do you hear me, SNL? We don't all sound the same! Secondly, all the real Chicago politicians are looking at Blagojevich and thinking "amateur". Chicago politicians don't get caught like that. They get caught 10 or more years after they have left office, or, if their name is Daley, after they have died. They make powerful, powerful friends first, secure money and loyalty, and then do whatever illegal things they want to. Or, if their name is Daley, they just do whatever they want, period. They don't piss off 2/3 of the state (very very inexact, imprecise estimate), alienate just about every other politician, put their name on toll-road tolling signs (because you really want people to associate your name with payin g money and road construction, brilliant move), and then try to sell a Senate seat. I mean... a Senate seat? While he was already under investigation and knew it? Oh yes, this is one smart cookie, all right.

Would you like a Senate seat? I can sell one to you...