Should Jesse Jackson Jr go to jail over "pay to play"

[likearock 2]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jclordTOUrAKPT4gqF4lTowSgNDQD9516IKO4

Report: Jackson backers sought cash for Ill. gov.

CHICAGO (AP) — Businessmen with ties to both Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson discussed raising $1 million for Blagojevich to help persuade him to appoint Jackson to President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat, according to a published report.

Citing unnamed sources, the Chicago Tribune reports in a story for Friday's editions that businessman Raghuveer Nayak and Blagojevich aide Rajinder Bedi told attendees at an Oct. 31 meeting that they needed to raise the money for the governor to ensure Jackson's appointment.

"Raghu said he needed to raise a million for Rod to make sure Jesse got the seat," an unidentified source who attended the meeting told the Tribune. Blagojevich also attended the meeting, which was sponsored by Nayak, an Oak Brook businessman.

A message left at a listing for Raghuveer Nayak in Oak Brook was not immediately returned early Friday. No published listing for Bedi could be found.

Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on federal corruption charges that allege, among other things, a brazen scheme to put Obama's vacant Senate seat up for sale.

According to the FBI complaint, the Oct. 31 meeting took place the same day federal prosecutors intercepted a conversation in which Blagojevich claims he'd been approached by a representative for an unnamed "Senate Candidate 5" who offered cash in exchange for the Senate seat.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Jackson was the candidate.

"We were approached 'pay to play,'" Blagojevich said in the call. The candidate would raise $500,000 for Blagojevich, and an emissary would raise an additional $1 million, according to the conversation.

Jackson spokesman Rick Bryant told the Tribune that while Jackson discussed the Senate seat with Nayak, he never asked him to do anything.

Nayak, 54, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Blagojevich and is also close to the Jackson family. Bedi has also been a Blagojevich fundraiser.

The Oct. 31 meeting led to a Blagojevich fundraiser held Saturday that was co-sponsored by Nayak. The governor attended, as did Jackson's brother Jonathan, who went into business with Nayak several years ago, according to the newspaper report.

Two days later, Jackson met with Blagojevich to discuss the Senate seat.

Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com

[quade 4]

Only if it can be proved that what is said to have transpired actually happened.

If that IS the case, then yes, he should absolutely go to prison.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[kelpdiver 2]

sounds like one way or the other, we won't have to put up with JJ anymore. Is he an Illinois resident?

[lawrocket 3]

"Businessmen with ties" to him? Not the guy himself?

Even if everything the story says is true, Jackson has done nothing wrong. People associated with him have.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[kallend 2,150]

Has he been found guilty already?

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[likearock 2]

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"Businessmen with ties" to him? Not the guy himself?

Even if everything the story says is true, Jackson has done nothing wrong. People associated with him have.

Technically true. However, is it reasonable to think that they were acting completely on their own without Jackson's knowledge? He's the one that gets the Senate seat.

BTW, a lot has been said about why Fitzgerald pulled the plug before an actual exchange took place. That's usually SOP in cases like this to bolster the case. In fact, there are several legal analysts that say Blago may walk because there was no actual tit for tat. Here's a theory: what if Fitzgerald wanted to protect Jackson before he actually compromised himself on the wire tap? Just a theory of course but does anyone else have a better explanation?

[BIGUN 1,487]

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However, is it reasonable to think that they were acting completely on their own without Jackson's knowledge?

It is very reasonable.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[likearock 2]

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However, is it reasonable to think that they were acting completely on their own without Jackson's knowledge?

It is very reasonable.

Like my avatar? I can get it for you cheap!

[ryoder 1,590]

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BTW, a lot has been said about why Fitzgerald pulled the plug before an actual exchange took place. That's usually SOP in cases like this to bolster the case. In fact, there are several legal analysts that say Blago may walk because there was no actual tit for tat. Here's a theory: what if Fitzgerald wanted to protect Jackson before he actually compromised himself on the wire tap? Just a theory of course but does anyone else have a better explanation?

On NPR this morning that question came up in an interview with a prosecutor, (not involved in the case). His explanation was that Fitzgerald had to "spring the trap early", else there would have been public furor over having a sitting senator who had been appointed by fraud.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[likearock 2]

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BTW, a lot has been said about why Fitzgerald pulled the plug before an actual exchange took place. That's usually SOP in cases like this to bolster the case. In fact, there are several legal analysts that say Blago may walk because there was no actual tit for tat. Here's a theory: what if Fitzgerald wanted to protect Jackson before he actually compromised himself on the wire tap? Just a theory of course but does anyone else have a better explanation?

On NPR this morning that question came up in an interview with a prosecutor, (not involved in the case). His explanation was that Fitzgerald had to "spring the trap early", else there would have been public furor over having a sitting senator who had been appointed by fraud.

I don't buy it. You go public the moment after the appointment is made. You explain that you needed an overt act to secure a conviction. People can understand that.

The alternative is to be left with this lukewarm case where the governor can always claim he was just talking shit all along.

[marks2065 0]

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BTW, a lot has been said about why Fitzgerald pulled the plug before an actual exchange took place. That's usually SOP in cases like this to bolster the case. In fact, there are several legal analysts that say Blago may walk because there was no actual tit for tat. Here's a theory: what if Fitzgerald wanted to protect Jackson before he actually compromised himself on the wire tap? Just a theory of course but does anyone else have a better explanation?

On NPR this morning that question came up in an interview with a prosecutor, (not involved in the case). His explanation was that Fitzgerald had to "spring the trap early", else there would have been public furor over having a sitting senator who had been appointed by fraud.

I don't buy it. You go public the moment after the appointment is made. You explain that you needed an overt act to secure a conviction. People can understand that.

The alternative is to be left with this lukewarm case where the governor can always claim he was just talking shit all along.

Talking shit just doesn't cut it. The blohard is a public official that has been put in a position that is very important and influencial. Blagojevich is the leader of a state and should act like one. guilty of a crime or not, he is not fit for office and should be removed.

[Amazon 7]

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Blagojevich is the leader of a state and should act like one. guilty of a crime or not, he is not fit for office and should be removed.

I agree, he must be replaced at once with a staunch rePUBICan with the proper "public" morals that are in line with his parties "public" appearance. This will keep fringe right posters like you very happy till your "morality" party member is caught when his gay lover at the local church has a crisis of faith and confesses to it all.

[kallend 2,150]

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BTW, a lot has been said about why Fitzgerald pulled the plug before an actual exchange took place. That's usually SOP in cases like this to bolster the case. In fact, there are several legal analysts that say Blago may walk because there was no actual tit for tat. Here's a theory: what if Fitzgerald wanted to protect Jackson before he actually compromised himself on the wire tap? Just a theory of course but does anyone else have a better explanation?

On NPR this morning that question came up in an interview with a prosecutor, (not involved in the case). His explanation was that Fitzgerald had to "spring the trap early", else there would have been public furor over having a sitting senator who had been appointed by fraud.

I don't buy it. You go public the moment after the appointment is made. You explain that you needed an overt act to secure a conviction. People can understand that.

The alternative is to be left with this lukewarm case where the governor can always claim he was just talking shit all along.

Fitzgerald is a Republican, so it's hard to see why he would be doing a favor for RB or JJJr.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Muenkel 0]

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Only if it can be proved that what is said to have transpired actually happened.

If that IS the case, then yes, he should absolutely go to prison.

Exactly what I would say. The poll choices do not include this possibility.

_________________________________________
Chris

[rushmc 23]

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BTW, a lot has been said about why Fitzgerald pulled the plug before an actual exchange took place. That's usually SOP in cases like this to bolster the case. In fact, there are several legal analysts that say Blago may walk because there was no actual tit for tat. Here's a theory: what if Fitzgerald wanted to protect Jackson before he actually compromised himself on the wire tap? Just a theory of course but does anyone else have a better explanation?

On NPR this morning that question came up in an interview with a prosecutor, (not involved in the case). His explanation was that Fitzgerald had to "spring the trap early", else there would have been public furor over having a sitting senator who had been appointed by fraud.

I don't buy it. You go public the moment after the appointment is made. You explain that you needed an overt act to secure a conviction. People can understand that.

The alternative is to be left with this lukewarm case where the governor can always claim he was just talking shit all along.

Fitzgerald is a Republican, so it's hard to see why he would be doing a favor for RB or JJJr.

He would be a RINO at best. I dont claim he is a Dem either.

He is in this for himself. period. And he has a track record to prove it.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[tbrown 26]

Here's a theory: what if Fitzgerald wanted to protect Jackson before he actually compromised himself on the wire tap? Just a theory of course but does anyone else have a better explanation?

[likearock 2]

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Here's a theory: what if Fitzgerald wanted to protect Jackson before he actually compromised himself on the wire tap? Just a theory of course but does anyone else have a better explanation?

"Protect" Jackson how, by besmirching his name and reputation?

Bad as it is to have your name besmirched, most people would take that over doing years of hard time.

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OF COURSE if Jackson is guilty of a crime, he should be sent away to stamp license plates for a few or several years. But if he has committed no crime, then what is the penalty for those who have suggested he may have ? They haven't committed a crime either. He could perhaps sue them, but not even a hefty civil judgement could begin to make up for a lost Senate seat he could have won, or even may have deserved.

IMHO, no one is going to jail for this, neither Jackson nor Blagojevich. The most Blago will get is a suspended sentence. Why? Because, for whatever reason, they pulled the plug too early. There was no overt act, only a lot of talk, which any competent defense attorney will dance around without too much difficulty. And in the end, we'll probably never know the full extent of this corruption.

[rwieder 0]

It is my belief that Jackson Jr. did nothing wrong. I saw his news conference the day after the story broke, and he appeared to be straight and honest. IMO he is innocent until proven guilty, but the press is crusifying him for no other reason that who his father is. He has no priors and never has been involved in any type of scandel. He has an exempalary reputation.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[kallend 2,150]

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BTW, a lot has been said about why Fitzgerald pulled the plug before an actual exchange took place. That's usually SOP in cases like this to bolster the case. In fact, there are several legal analysts that say Blago may walk because there was no actual tit for tat. Here's a theory: what if Fitzgerald wanted to protect Jackson before he actually compromised himself on the wire tap? Just a theory of course but does anyone else have a better explanation?

On NPR this morning that question came up in an interview with a prosecutor, (not involved in the case). His explanation was that Fitzgerald had to "spring the trap early", else there would have been public furor over having a sitting senator who had been appointed by fraud.

I don't buy it. You go public the moment after the appointment is made. You explain that you needed an overt act to secure a conviction. People can understand that.

The alternative is to be left with this lukewarm case where the governor can always claim he was just talking shit all along.

Fitzgerald is a Republican, so it's hard to see why he would be doing a favor for RB or JJJr.

He would be a RINO at best. I dont claim he is a Dem either.

He is in this for himself. period. And he has a track record to prove it.

Indeed - a true Republican would have given a pass to George Ryan's associates, Libby, and other Republican scum.

It must have come as a big suprise to Dubya and his cronies that his appointee actually turned out to be honest and bipartisan.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[lawrocket 3]

This is the problem. "Technically true" means true.

Are you willing to go to jail because people assume that you must have some involvement in stuff that your friends were doing?

People's freedom means too much to me. The court of public opinion should not have the same standards as a court of law. It's someone's freedom we're talking about.

Now - if it turns out that he actually participated in it? Yeah. Send him to the can.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[likearock 2]

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This is the problem. "Technically true" means true.

Are you willing to go to jail because people assume that you must have some involvement in stuff that your friends were doing?

People's freedom means too much to me. The court of public opinion should not have the same standards as a court of law. It's someone's freedom we're talking about.

Aren't we getting a little too serious about this? Nobody's sitting on a jury, if the poll shows more yeses than nos nobody goes to jail. It's a Speaker's Corner poll ffs.

Yeah, I know that if he is convicted by a jury, most people here will say he should go to jail. That's a no brainer. The more interesting question is, given the information that's come to light so far, do you think JJJr has participated in PtP or not? So far it looks like 2 to 1, people think he did.

[marks2065 0]

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Blagojevich is the leader of a state and should act like one. guilty of a crime or not, he is not fit for office and should be removed.

I agree, he must be replaced at once with a staunch rePUBICan with the proper "public" morals that are in line with his parties "public" appearance. This will keep fringe right posters like you very happy till your "morality" party member is caught when his gay lover at the local church has a crisis of faith and confesses to it all.

hey I'll take an honest democrat, if you can find one.

[Amazon 7]

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hey I'll take an honest democrat, if you can find one.

I would be good with an honest Republican.. even one who would come out of the closet for once.

[marks2065 0]

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hey I'll take an honest democrat, if you can find one.

I would be good with an honest Republican.. even one who would come out of the closet for once.

I guess we both have problems with honesty with the politicians

[Andy9o8 2]

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"Businessmen with ties" to him? Not the guy himself?

Even if everything the story says is true, Jackson has done nothing wrong. People associated with him have.

Yeah, yeah; facts, evidence, truth, blah, blah, blah.
You're no fun at all.