Blagojevich Joins Chorus Calling For Ryan Clemency
Ryan
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has added his voice to the list of Illinois pols calling on outgoing President George W. Bush to commute the corruption prison sentence of Blagojevich’s predecessor, former Illinois Gov. George Ryan.
Blagojevich, a Democrat, made the comments earlier today at an event in Chicago, according to the Associated Press and other media outlets that attended the event.
“I think people make mistakes,” Blagojevich, a Democrat, was quoted as saying at the event by the Chicagoist, a local blog. “George Ryan has paid a significant price for those mistakes. And if President Bush makes that decision, I think it would be a fine decision. He’s a man well into his 70s. Mrs. Ryan is in her 70s and in frail health.”
Earlier this week, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illinois, said he was contemplating asking Bush to commute the sentence of Ryan, a Republican who has serve one year of a 6 1/2-year federal sentence for selling influence while he was governor from 1999 through 2003.
The latest development offers a couple bits of irony. While Ryan is reviled in Illinois as a corrupt politician, he is known to most of the world as an anti-death-penalty crusader who granted - yes - clemency to scores of Illinois death row inmates on his way out of office, commuting their death sentences to life in prison.
Also, there’s the possibility that Blagojevich himself might be seeking clemency at some future point. The recent corruption conviction of his friend and political fundraiser, Antoin `Tony’ Rezko, and the indictment of Springfield kingmaker Bill Cellini, has stoked speculation that federal prosecutors in Chicago are actively probing questions about Blagojevich’s fundraising methods.
Ryan should not get clemency. This is one of the worst types of crimes out there: abuse of authority and political office for personal gain. Ryan should serve all his time.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy?
I wouldn’t hold your breath George, that’s a good place for ya..!
Ex-Governor Ryan should only get clemency unless he states publicly that he was guilty, that what he did was wrong.
The model of plea agreements in criminal proceeding and parole applications, is a good one. They don’t get a lesser sentence or get released early, until they plead guilty, or state to the parole board that they did wrong, and how they’ve changed to deserve early release.
If Ryan is going to continue to maintain that he did nothing wrong, and that his conviction was wrong, because other people have done it, then he should not be released before his sentence is served.
NO! NO! NO! Former Gov. Ryan betrayed the trust of the people of Illinois and should serve his sentence. The powerful should not have a way to skirt the rules and receive favorable treatment. It is a tragedy, but one that could have been avoided. Gov. Ryan’s punishment sends the right message to deter others in the future.
I think that Gov. Rod should take his place in jail.
The second I started reading this story I realized why Gov. Rod is pushing for Ryan’s clemency, and it was stated in the final paragraph of the article. Blagojevich will also be a jailbird at some point in the future and he wants Ryan’s sentence commuted to help make the same thing happen for him.
I think he should stay in prison. I don’t feel sorry for his situation, he created it.
So Mrs. Ryan, in poor health, should suffer not having assistance from him by her side? I don’t know what’s worse, his crime or your feelings toward seniors in poor health.
NO CLEMENCY. Absolutely not. I’m sick of this. Politicians all stick together because they are all crooks and they all know that someday they could be in Ryan’s position. Let him spend the rest of his days in prison if that is what it takes.