Even “Smart” People Get Caught

Back in 1994, a horrific accident in Milwaukee set into motion a series of events that has led to the conviction of a very influential politico in Illinois – former Governor George Ryan. It took the violent deaths of 6 children in that accident, and the subsequent death of others in accidents around the US, to begin the investigation that led to determining the fact that then-Secretary of State Ryan’s office sold CDLs for cash donations to Ryan’s political campaign and other perks. The fact that it took 9 more years for Ryan to leave office in the shadow of these offenses, and another 3 years for prosecutors to get convictions, shows that Ryan does have a certain amount of intelligence. However, when you keep at this stuff long enough, you’ll get busted.

The Rev. Scott and Janet Willis lost those 6 children that day in a fiery accident. A truck being driven by a man who had purchased his license from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office rear-ended the family van with such force it burst into flame on contact. Both Rev. and Janet Willis were severely burned just trying to release themselves from the front seat restraints – the children in the rear seats never had a chance.

In the months following the accident, the Willis family exhibited what can only be described as deep, deep faith when it issued a statement forgiving that driver that day. They held no ill will to that man, even in the face of what must have been immense emotional pain that very few of us will ever understand, and turned to God for understanding, healing, and forgiveness.

That accident led to the investigation which brought the licenses-for-bribes scandal, and associated influence peddling, to light. Ryan was smart enough that, for 9 years, they couldn’t tie him to the scams conclusively enough to bring charges. The money that flowed in was put into the campaign coffers used to propel him to the Governorship, even in the face of the scandal. That money also paid for regular vacations to Jamaica, Mexico, and California, among other exotic locales.

Those six children, who never had a chance at life, lay in their graves while Ryan was living the high life.

As the noose began to tighten, I imagine Ryan knew he would be charged and convicted. While he was smart enough to insulate himself pretty well, there were ties to be found. He knew that. He also knew that, in light of those ties and the almost certain convictions, he had to do something to save his reputation.

While fighting the investigation in courts of law, he also decided to try to find a way to have the case tried in the court of public opinion. But how? How could he make the case that, when he was convicted of his illegal deeds, it was because of some factor outside his own culpability and greed.

Then it hit him – 13 death row inmates had been wrongly convicted based on faulty investigations and/or evidence. He trumpeted that the criminal justice system was “haunted by the demon of error”. He commuted those 13 sentences, and declared a moratorium on executions in the state. Just before he was forced from office, he also commuted the sentences of all inmates on death row at that time.

As a side benefit, he basked in the limelight of now being a death penalty opponent. His actions commuting those sentences were lauded and he spoke widely on the issue. It even went so far as to lead to a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

But I suspect his real motivations were to try to sway the court of public opinion in the event of the expected convictions. He would, of course, appeal. The jury problems give him the opening he needs from a legal perspective. Now he can continue to hammer on the public in the hopes of influencing any future trials, should one occur.

His comments after the verdict were telling; “I believe this decision today is not in accordance with the kind of public service that I provided to the people of Illinois for over 40 years, and needless to say, I am disappointed in the outcome.”

No condemnation of the charges. No taking responsibility for his actions. The criminal justice system wrongly convicts people all the time! Just look at what happened, and what I found and rectified during my administration!

In the end, he just seems to be saying, “Look what I did for the State. It’s all good, right? So I did a few things that got me convicted. The ends justify the means. I mean – 40 FREAKING YEARS of service to the people of Illinois.”

If only those 6 children had had the chance to live at least 40 years……..

Reemergence

Yes, after these many long months, I am returning to add a post - and hopefully many more in coming weeks. It has been super hectic but, hopefully, I'll be able to recalibrate some of that activity and take time for writing.

First and foremost, I have to commend the US District judge in Harrisburg, PA(albeit belatedly), on his ruling concerning teaching ID in the Dover, PA school system. I particularly liked the characterization of the policy being of "breathtaking inanity". Thank God a Bush appointee didn't get the case to adjudicate.

Secondly, I watched the most recent "Real Time with Bill Maher". If you don't get this program on cable or satellite, you should.

Let me first say that, at times, this show gets awfully preachy. Depending on the panelists and other guests, and Bill's own mood during that taping, it can be painful to watch.

However, there are times when it can be very insightful. Take last week's program - among the panelists was Senator Joe Biden of Delaware. I have always had respect for Sen. Biden, but I have to say his appearance raised my opinion of him immensely. As noted on the program, when allowed to fully flesh out an idea, thinking people like him can stitch seemingly unrelated issues together into cogent overarching themes that make sense.

Take, for instance, the current situation in Iraq. Sen. Biden spoke not only specifically on the situation on the ground there, but the regional issues we have created by invading that nation. While I have been in favor of getting out sooner than later, doing so too early would potentially destabilize the entire region. Without having a plan to deal with the entire region as Iraq tries to put itself back together, all that will happen is that a power vacuum will be created when we leave, political elements from most or all surrounding countries will enter the country, and then where are we?

And we can't even get a coherent thought from the current administration on its plans for just Iraq.

However, in mulling all this over in the days since I first saw this episode, I fear that folks like Sen. Biden cannot do well in our current social and media environment. His thoughtful comments cannot easily be condensed down to a handy sound bite. It takes time to make certain arguments and make them coherently.

That's what makes the Republican party so dangerous. They have come to realize just this dilemma. Therefore, they have settled on a tack in the media which does allow for sound bites that people will listen and respond to - they talk in terms that appeal to the "lizard" parts of our brains. That is, their messages go to the heart of our collective emotional being. They go for the knee-jerk, emotional response. It plays well on Fox News, but when you really evaluate what's being said, there's nothing of substance there.

Very early in the show, Senator Biden voiced his intention to run for the Presidency in the next election. Even the Republican voice on that show, Kevin Phillips, applauded Sen. Biden's character, integrity, and frankness in his dealings with the media and the public at large.

While I am not ready to endorse anyone for any office in upcoming elections, Senator Biden's comments and obvious intellect will keep me tuned to his campaign. If only he can get that message out effectively.

Wouldn't it be refreshing to have a thoughtful person in the White House in light of the last 6 years?