far more important things to be discussing and debating, and a great lot of the details that do go down on this blago/burris rag will not make any real difference to the ultimate outcome. so i’ve wondered out loud why we’re wasting so much energy – not to mention the tensions! – on this trivia.

and correction; i did use the phrase ‘politically astute.’ readeroftealeaves gave a very reasonable interpretation that does not conflict with my own at 174.

or is there a restriction to making legal arguments here? i wasn’t aware of that, so please enlighten us.

i think you have assessed our distinctions from the legal eagles here, but actually hope that there is room for all. it sure makes for a more interesting and comprehensive picture of things, to my mind.

if not, though, absolutely would be thrilled to keep it up elsewhere, so don’t hesitate to suggest.

meanwhile, i have been thinking even more about your western insights into reid’s background; that’s really had an impact on how i view him. thanks again for that.

not at all sure what your point is here, but surely you’re sensitive to the differences between say ted kennedy and oh say tom delay. though delay became quite powerful, i would not even consider referring to him as politically astute or even that smart. he was a brute and a bully; still is, and always will be. he wielded his power like a neanderthal, and if we’re lucky he’ll spend time in jail.

like the difference between a gentleman and a thug, i suppose. lincoln and bush. need i go on?

specific to blago, so what if he has cornered his adversaries? it’s temporary and not ultimately that damaging. and i’m not at all sure i agree that fitz moved too quickly on this one. i noted to ew in a later post today that it seems simply that the wiretaps strongly suggested blago was about to commit a crime, whoever might be a taker was irrelevant. is it not a law officer’s duty to prevent a crime from being committed if it will have comprehensive consequences? my sense of him is that he would feel a duty to this notion, and acted accordingly. the rest of all this is just fallout; blago is behaving desperately and threw a lucky punch because the IL legislature was so slow on the uptake. he’s going down and he’ll drag the ref with him if he can. cuz that’s the kind of classy, politically astute guy he is, doncha know?

the pressing problems of the world around us are what are really important.

Heartily concur.
Quite the amazing bits of political theatre going on, aren’t there?
However, I agree that Burris will be a future Trivia Pursuit question.

With Franken and the new CO Senator being sworn in, the IQ points and sense of humor in the Senate seem likely to move in a positive direction very shortly.
And not a moment too late.

Now, to sit back and watch McConnell and Corker be foolish… but I’ll count on Al Franken for some quick one-liners about that. Well, Al Franken and TBogg ;-))

I do enjoy the political nonsense going on between Blago, Reid, Burris, et.al.

However, the pressing problems of the world around us are what are really important.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..55208.html

I didn’t find that quote in the article, but if Burris really said it, or prayed it, loudly enough for a reporter to hear it, then it’s not unfair to assume that Burris believes that God thinks highly enough of him to intercede with Blago on his behalf.

Which, if it’s true, I would like to begin impeachment proceedings against God. :o)

Also; did Blago ask for a job for Patty?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..55244.html

Speculation about a deal in which Burris is seated, with his promise that he won’t run in 2010…

The problem is, after watching him do a backflip in that clip, I don’t know if the dems should trust him. :o)

So. What’s the rush? :o)

But since they’re both lawyers, maybe they can tell us what’s wrong with waiting for the…ummm…law to run it’s course with the Ill. legislature, and for that matter, Fitz’s investigation.

Again, Bmaz quoted Powell to us, and he was kept out of that House seat and the committee chairmanship for what appears to be at least two years, while that was being resolved. And don’t forget, he was repeatedly elected, and by landslides.

I believe we can function without Roland Burris for three months. :o)