Well, here we go with the results of the first of what could be many mega-corporation bailout packages being abused by those receiving them - AIG American General spending part of that $85 billion package on a half a million dollar junket to a posh California resort (see the bill here http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1007083aig1.html?link=rs...). 

A quick look at AIG Board of Directors shows a stream of finance industry corporate fatcats - and not ONE there representing the "investment" that the American people have made in this company.

You lucky folks in Missouri, the Barack Obama Truth Squad has recruited two top prosecuters to curtail your First Amendment rights - and you could end up in jail if you dare speak against Barack Obama.

Here we go - one more step toward Big Brother watching our every move, our every waking moment's activities. And in February 2009 - Big Brother will be in your living room via DHTV - able to monitor everything going on in that room.

You have to wonder about the Illinois Constitution's set up, don't you.  Unlike the US Constition, which requires the President to veto a bill within 10 days, we're stuck with legislation sitting for weeks... months... years under the thumb of Governor King Rod Blagojevich.  Sitting... waiting... to cut off the funding that he oh so loves in his "pay to play" brand of politics.

King Governor Rod Blagojevich is trying to get two political heavyweights, Glen Poshard and former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to convince the General Assembly that he can be trusted. Crain's Chicago Business is apparently buying into this bamboozle, too with their headline "Blagojevich moves to break budget logjam." But then they go on to say that King Rod himself never bothered to actually sign the memo that outlines the capital spending plan.

Rep Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) was a loyal follower of old King Rod Blagojevich way back in the early days of the Governor's takeover of the state government for his personal pleasure. And way back in 2003, King Rod asked those loyalists to submit the names of people to fill up porky seats in state government, with hefty salaries and even heftier perks - so Jack be nimble, and he tried to get some family members some nice jobs, sorta like the one Clown Prince Emil Jones' wife got.

A tough week for Governor King Rod Blagojevich in a short four day span. A discrimination lawsuit against him is moving forward, an independent auditor sampling a minuscule portion of the state's contracts found some hanky panky going on with how King Rod doles out our tax dollars - and his buddy Tony Rezko gets indicted in Nevada for more gambling related shenanigans. Oh - and the House has collectively told him to kiss their ass on the budget.

Two years - for TWO YEARS - Governor King Rod Blagojevich has sat on a strings-free federal grant, while he awaited word on which of his cronies would best benefit from the handout of choice sidewalk and road improvement contracts meant to make it safe for kids to get to and from school. And almost three months after finally making the decision on which Chicagoland cities would get the money (did any downstate schools benefit? Doubtful) - the money STILL isn't disbursed.

I'm amazed the Federal Highway Administration hasn't asked for the money back.

Poor Don Moffitt (R-Galesburg) thinks that Governor King Rod Blagojevich should *gasp* follow the law, and actually GIVE BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY the taxes they paid that are supposed to go the schools! Oh MY! Our "pro-education" governor couldn't even get around to signing the disbursement legislation for 5 months, Don, so what makes you think he won't blow that cash on his commuting expenses, first?

Well, finally, almost all of the Democrats working hard in Springfield have told Governor King Rod Blagojevich to take his name off of state-owned property. The sole dissenter in the House was Kenneth Dunkin, who said there is value in having an officeholder's name emblazoned on signs promoting state programs. What was your first clue Sherlock Dunkin - the fact that it costs businesses thousands of dollars every month to use an outdoor advertising structure? And King Rod has commandeered over 30 of them?