Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Something Smells Funny

If you think that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald ordered the FBI to arrest Rod Blagojevich Tuesday in order to stop a crime from being committed, then you would be wrong in that thinking.

Fitzgerald’s office is angry that the scheme didn’t advance, at least for a little longer. Why? Because had the plot been given time to unfold, they might have had an opportunity most feds can only dream of: A chance to catch the sale of a Senate seat on tape, including the sellers and the buyers.

The precise timing of Tuesday’s dramatic, pre-dawn arrest was NOT dictated by Fitzgerald, nor was it dictated by the pace of Blagojevich’s alleged “selling of the Senate seat.” It was dictated by the Chicago Tribune, according to people close to the investigation.

In October, Fitzgerald’s had requested that the Tribune hold back the story, since a confidante of Blagojevich was cooperating with Fitzgerald's office. However, the Tribune’s editor made the decision to break the agreement with Fizgerlad's office. The editor said in a statement last week that these requests are granted in what he called isolated instances. “In each case, we strive to make the right decision as reporters and as citizens.” Publishing the story on Friday, Dec. 5, ending the Tribune’s own cooperation deal with the prosecutor's office.

Why would the Tribune expose an ongoing investigation in Fitzgerald's office?

Here's the Link.

18 comments:

iamcoyote said...

Good catch, Judith. You're not hearing much about this in the Blago saga.

Judith said...

Thanks for linking the story. I will figure it all out one day soon.

Seven of Six said...

That was me Judith. Didn't mean to step on your toes.

Judith said...

I don't get it. First of all, wouldn't it be illegal to expose an on going investigation by the Prosecutor's office?

Judith said...

Seven of Six, you can step on my toes and fingers, for that matter, anytime you want. Thanks.

Seven of Six said...

First of all, wouldn't it be illegal to expose an on going investigation by the Prosecutor's office?

Perhaps they did not realize the man hours or years of investigation involved. Many papers hold onto to the story for as long as possible... plus, Blogo had been threatening the Tribune owner.

Simple economics? The Tribune needed to sell newspapers because they were going broke.

Judith said...

One poster suggested that there was someone at the Tribune feeding the information to the 'targets,' and it was at their directive that the Tribune blew the cover. By doing that, it ended further efforts in Fitzgerald's office in obtaining incriminating information on all those involved.

Would have been nice to have Blago on video tape taking the money. Had that happened, he might not be claiming his innocence and refusing to resign from office. Maybe.

Judith said...

Seven of Six, ah yes, it always comes down to 'money' doesn't it. Still, it would have been lovely to see Blago in one of those hidden camera sequences, dark and grainy, shaking hands as he stuffed the money in his pocket.

Judith said...

I still say something smells in this, knowing Chicago politics.

Judith said...

The worse part of this whole sordid scandal is it gives the Republicans all they needed to attack Obama through innuendos, gossip, and out and out lying (not that they needed an excuse.) My GOP friends are running with this. No one will convince them that Obama isn't involved in this.

Anjha said...

My GOP friends are running with this. No one will convince them that Obama isn't involved in this.

You have GOP friends?

Of course no one can convince them otherwise. The dumb asses get all of their "information" from Rush, et al. According to Rush, I am sure that Obama is the most corrupt politician evah!

Nevermind that the [still president] GWB has destroyed our Constitution and waged illegal war. Nevermind any of that.

These dumb asses are mind boggling. Truly mind boggling.

Seven of Six said...

It was on SNL... because FAUX News asked about Obama's involvement in the form of question. So the seed has been planted in 50% of the population.

Judith said...

You have GOP friends?

Anjha, yep I do. All two of them. The sad thing is they are the most wonderful and giving friends, not fitting the role of typical Republican.

Faux Fox is on 24/7 in their household.

We do not discuss politics because we inherently know it would end our relationship.

Judith said...

"So the seed has been planted in 50%of the population."


Seven of Six. Here is what I know. After 8 years of deceit, lies, manipulations, false allegations, and criminal behavior in general by the GOP, I just might intertain the notion that something else might also be in play here. I have become a paranoid, conspiracy theorist, who checks under her bed every night for a Republican.

Seven of Six said...

I have become a paranoid, conspiracy theorist, who checks under her bed every night for a Republican.

And I keep waiting for Jenna Jamison...

Anjha said...

I have become a paranoid, conspiracy theorist, who checks under her bed every night for a Republican.

Heh. That was funny.

I am pretty paranoid myself. My bed is on the floor - ain't nothing getting under or coming out from under there.

Judith said...

Did I hear that right, Jesse Jackson Jr. was the informant for the past two years in Fitzgerald's office?

idiosynchronic said...

Well, wouldn't that absolve JJ Jr. of his sins?

How convenient.