Now-former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevcich talks to Diane Sawyer on Monday about his impeachment hearings. | Getty Images

So, the Illinois Senate convicted (now-former) Gov. Rod Blagojevich, removing him from office.

The nation (or at least the media) seemed transfixed by the affairs in Illinois. Perhaps it was the salty language of Blagojevich’s phone conversations that were caught on tape. Maybe it was his charm or The Hair.

Most likely, it was because of the allegation that Blagojevich was looking for bidders for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. You know, the “golden” one.

I’d gotten two letters this week that I’d wanted to publish, but held them because of the uncertain nature of events in Springfield. They are somewhat opposite, and both from Missourians. Go figure.

Born and raised in northern IL 77 years ago, I am keenly aware of IL politics.  Until Jimmy Carter, I was a staunch Democrat.  Now, much farther to the right, I watch the IL Governor twisting in the wind, probably due to his own actions and basic IL politics.  However, as a lawyer with many, many trials under my belt, there is a strange smell about both the Impeachment and the Federal criminal case.  The Governor is not able to call the witnesses he wants for the Impeachment because, supposedly, they may have an impact on the Federal criminal case.  Yet, this imported U.S. Attorney (a Republican) seemingly has a case based solely on his television statement, which action many lawyers consider the bottom of ethics.  Nowhere, is an overt criminal act mentioned.  The word ‘mentioned is here because, from my understanding of the Federal criminal procedural process, a Federal prosecution either involves an Information filed by the U.S. Attorney or a Grand Jury Indictment (see the OJ Simpson CA state murder case).  Sacred to every trial lawyer is the basic concept of ‘due process’.  This means the right of all of us to be confronted by the evidence, an opportunity to hear and question the evidence and the right to call witnesses in our own defense.  If the Governor is precluded from calling witnesses for his own defense because this U.S. Attorney deems them untouchable (while, all the time, not pursuing his own case), where stands our stellar Right to Due Process?  For any critics of the foregoing, please do not raise the cry that the U.S. Attorney is still developing his case.  The Justice Department has been on the Governor’s tail for years.  Whatever’s there is there.  Put up or shut up.

And letter two:

After reading the article about the “mysterious foul odor” in the St. Louis area (Jan. 27), I realized where the smell is coming from.  I am extremely surprised area officials haven’t figured this out!  The smell is wafting over from the East side.  So, it is obvious that the unpleasant odor is the stench of Mr. Blagojevich’s politics.

The second letter was from a 16-year-old. I bet dinner conversation at her house are interesting. (Much like mine, where I have an astute, smart and quick-witted 15-year-old.)

Even though the outcome was predictable, I was a bit sad. I liked G-Rod (as the Illinois State Police call him). I still do. I was ready to withhold judgment until his criminal proceedings (or at least more evidence for them was available).  If he did try to trade political actions for campaign donations, that’s a symptom of a deeply flawed campaign system. But trying to secure jobs for himself or his wife (especially on do-nothing or do-little boards) does cross a line.

The governor — oops, sorry. — former governor made the excuse earlier this week that he was not allowed to prepare a defense. He was not in a criminal trial but an impeachment trial, where the standard is fitness to serve.

In the Illinois political machine, G-Rod may not have been able to serve. He’s had it rough for some time now, having had go-rounds with very influential politicians, namely MIke Madigan and Dick Mell. And he went around the legislature to implement programs he wanted. Cynical minds will say he had his own motivations for expanding health coverage for children (or any of the other things he did), but gubernatorial motivations don’t make a difference when your kid is sick and needs to see a doctor.

Still, the Illinois Senate heard portions of the wiretapped phone conversation that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald used as the basis for seeking G-Rod’s arrest. Blagojevich at least should have been able to defend that portion. The legislators had threatened impeachment for months, but didn’t have the gall to do it until Fitzgerald ordered the arrest. Blagojevich probably would have gone on “The View” anyway.

In the end, if this cleans up Illinois politics, or takes it several steps closer to clean, that’s a good thing, I suppose.

And, while I think I may be the only one, I’ll miss G-Rod.

So, here’s a welcome to Gov. Pat Quinn. It’ll be less inetersting with him, undoubtedly. Maybe that’s as it should be.