“Bill” is Bill Press, professional progressive prognosticator and radio talk show host. (Also a self-proclaimed “insider,” as if that were an attribute – then or especially now). ash remembers that much. But she doesn’t remember his specific comments, let alone the forum, praising ex-Governor George Ryan as a hero for suspending executions in his state as he prepared to leave office. ash happens to agree with the death penalty; if she didn’t she would still be fully cognizant of the most cynical tactic of distraction imaginable.
Bill, you’re wrong, and I’m no conservative, so let’s get that out of the way. I do live in Springfield, Illinois and I do know of what I speak.
Ryan’s blanket commutation is one colossal wag the dog and everyone in my state knows it. Up to his earlobes in a license-for-bribes campaign fund-raising scandal (which resulted, among other things, in the death of six children in Wisconsin), he has been attempting to divert attention (and salvage his legacy) with this death penalty moratorium for three years. Some guy, with his own agenda motivating him, has even nominated Ryan for a Nobel Peace Prize no doubt further encouraged by Ryan’s “bold move” this morning.
Not if the overwhelming majority of Illinois citizens have their way. My local newspaper is leaking with scathing letters from having been stupid enough to vote for Ryan to outrage by and for the families of murder victims to now this, the obvious ploy. I hear speculation in Chicago is the only reason he hasn’t been indicted yet is because he’s still governor, while it is all but assumed that he is “Official A,” an unnamed person involved in this sordid mess.
Well, not for long will he be governor. On Monday, he leaves office. My guess is by Friday he’ll be officially charged, along with upwards of 50 other participants, many of whom have been convicted, sentenced, and are currently serving time.
The joke is if Ryan does win he can receive his prize behind bars.
Bill, you haven’t done your homework. If you are against the death penalty, that’s one thing. But to salute a corrupt, self-serving, grossly negligent politician such as Ryan for merely attempting to save his reputation is to reveal yourself as naïve, uneducated about this story, or both.
And I’m a liberal.