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VETS BLAST BLAGOJEVICH FOR COMPARING HIS
ARREST
TO PEARL HARBOR -- "It's disgusting if he
actually believes
that. Personally I think the man needs help."
Illinois Governor (sort of) Rod
Blagojevich (photo: Paul Beaty / AP file)
Story here...
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/n
ews/stories.nsf/politics/story/9BFD67872C60236
0862575480010348B?OpenDocument
Story below:
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-------------------------
Veterans blast Rod
Blagojevich for comparing his arrest to Pearl Harbor
By Kari Andren
POST-DISPATCH SPRINGFIELD BUREAU
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Veterans organizations in Southern Illinois blasted
Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Friday for comparing his arrest last month with
the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Blagojevich said
his arrest was to him and his family "what Pearl Harbor Day was to the
United States. It was a complete surprise, completely unexpected. And just
like the United States prevailed in that, we'll prevail in this."
 Blagojevich's
impeachment trial in the state Senate is set to begin Monday. He said
Friday he won't appear for it.
Since his arrest last month at his Chicago home on federal corruption
charges, Blagojevich has taken to quoting poetry and short stories. But
his latest analogy to a very real attack landed him in hot water.
"It's disgusting if he actually believes that," said Bob Graham, commander
of American Legion Post 365 in Collinsville.
"Personally I think the man needs help," Graham said, a Vietnam veteran.
"My advice to him would be to stand up and admit to what he's done and go
on with his life and not try to compare his life to the entire nation."
Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Highland, called the remarks "just ridiculous."
"Here's a guy on his way out the door, with regard only for himself, and
he decides to insult the entire veteran community," Stephens said. "When
you're in a hole, get rid of the shovel. Stop digging."
The governor could not immediately be reached for comment.
At a news conference Friday in Chicago, Blagojevich reiterated his
innocence against the impeachment charges and decried the rules for his
impending Senate trial.
Blagojevich said the rules are unfair because they prevent him from
calling any witnesses who are likely to be called in any later criminal
trial. "Under these rules, I'm not even getting a fair trial. They're just
hanging me," Blagojevich said.
Meanwhile, Blagojevich's lead attorney says he plans to resign from the
Illinois governor's criminal case. Ed Genson's decision Friday comes one
day after Blagojevich's defense team sent mixed signals over whether the
governor would file a lawsuit to block his impeachment trial.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
-------------------------
posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
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