First, Rod Blagojevich is asking a judge today if can go to Costa Rica to do a television reality series. Here is a person who has been charged with serious federal crimes and is out on bond awaiting his trial, which may start next year sometime.
He governed the state of Illinois into the ground financially, made it a laughing stock and broke the trust of the people. Yet he continues to make a mockery of the whole situation by requesting to go on a game show. He needs the money.
If the judge, U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel, allows this idiot to participate in the show he too is making a mockery of the justice system and should be fired. What's next, mass murders playing on The Price is Right before hitting the gas chamber? Embezzlers as The Bachelor? Busted madams as the rose winners? The judge must deny this motion.
Secondly, over the weeked Miss California in the Miss Something Or Other pageant voiced her "opinion" that she was against gay marriage. For some reason the shit hit the fan and so many people are like, "How could she?"
Are people not allowed to have an opinion of their own? The greatness of this country is free speech. However, of late any controversial topic (i.e. gay marriage) that arisesunless you agree with it you're chastised. This young lady voiced her opinion and now she's the devil. What is wrong with people?
I'll tell you, they lack respect and that's the problem.
Update from Chicago Tribune:
A federal judge today denied permission to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to travel to Costa Rica to participate in a reality TV show.
U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel called modifying the terms of Blagojevich's bail on political corruption charges "a bad idea."
Even if Blagojevich had a personal monitor, that person wouldn't have the authority to arrest him, Zagel noted. He also said Blagojevich needs to stick around to read the government's evidence, because only then will he be able to understand the jeopardy he is in.
Zagel added that he was sympathetic to Blagojevich's financial condition, but said there were others ways for him to earn money.
Outside court, after the hearing, Blagojevich told swarming reporters: "This is another day in the big city. I know what the truth is when it concerns me, and I know that I've done absolutely nothing wrong. ...I'm actually looking forward to this day in court. ...I want to prove my innocence, I want to vindicate myself."
When Blagojevich arrived at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago this morning for the hearing, he said participating in the reality show would be "a way to earn a living and support my children.
"It's not my first choice, but it's a living," he said.
Asked later if his client was really broke, attorney Sheldon Sorosky said: "It shows he is an honest man."
Blagojevich's lawyers had asked permission for their client to travel to Costa Rica in June to be a contestant on NBC's "I'm a Celebrity ... Get me Out of Here!"
In a short-lived 2003 version of the show, contestants, among other things, had to put insects, worms and rats in their pants, sit in a tank of leeches and wade through a swamp populated by snakes and eels.
Blagojevich also is seeking the court's okay to use more than $2 million in his campaign fund to pay for his legal expenses. Zagel encouraged his attorneys to file a motion to that effect but said he believed Blagojevich should be allowed to do so. A hearing on that issue was set for May 1.
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