Greetings, Naperville!
My name is Chris Magee, and I'm your new moderator. I'm the night editor at the paper, and I've been with the Sun and lived in Naperville for 2 1/2 years. This is the first post of a new feature I'd like to introduce. From time to time, I'd like to go to more of a traditional blog format, where I'll post my opinion on an issue, and you can comment and give your own opinion. We'll still be doing the usual format most of the time, but when the right issue comes along I'll try this. I can't promise to respond to all responses, but I'll make the effort if I think a response is necessary. To be clear, this is my opinion and not that of the Sun as a whole. And now for today's main feature:
Despite criticism from just about everyone except the former governor's friends and family, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin on Monday asked President George Bush to commute George Ryan's sentence on corruption charges.
Durbin should have listened to those critics.
Illinois is a state that has always been known for shady politics, and our elections are a national joke. Most state residents assume that at least some of their government officials are crooked, but usually there's no way to prove it, or no one willing to prosecute. Occasionally a lower- or mid-level official will go to prison, but the chiefs tend to get off untouched.
That's why so many voters of both parties were happy to see Ryan tried, convicted and sentenced to some actual prison time for his misdeeds. Finally, one of the bigwigs got what he deserved.
But now along comes Durbin, who wants to let Ryan off after he's only served one year of a 6 1/2 year sentence. Durbin uses Ryan's age and his ailing wife as an excuse, but Ryan is far from the only 74-year-old person in prison, nor is he the only one with a sick wife. Perhaps while I was in civics class I missed the part of the law that said if you reach a certain age, you should no longer be punished for your misdeeds. Are we going to release every prisoner over 74, or who has family who misses him? If we don't, then we're just setting a double standard again.
This isn't a partisan issue, either. State Republican chairman Andy McKenna opposes a pardon, saying, "The issue is not one of party but of bringing real change to Illinois by the way we conduct business."
Republicans have no reason to feel any special sentiment toward Ryan. He almost single-handedly destroyed the party in the state. He was elected in an era when his party controlled most of the state offices, and now they can't even find a credible candidate to run for most of them.
We shouldn't belittle his crime, either. Under his watch, licenses were given by the secretary of state's office to people who didn't deserve them, and people died because of the accidents these drivers caused.
Ryan says he feels "deep shame" for his actions. That's great, and he should. But remorse is not a get out of jail free card.
I remember reading a story around the time of Ryan's conviction, when an official was quoted as saying something like, "only three Illinois governors have gone to prison." ONLY three? Is that how high our standards are in this state? Maybe we should put up a sign when you cross the state border that says "Welcome to Illinois. XXX days since the last governor's conviction."
After Ryan had lost his re-election bid and was a lame duck with no mandate, he unilaterally commuted the death sentences of everyone on Death Row. I thought at the time it was a self-serving move blatantly seeking to create some sort of legacy. If Bush pardons Ryan, it will be a similar travesty.
Ryan did the crime, now he has to do the time.
Chris,
I agree with your sentiments. Knowingly do the crime, do the time. I think because of the cast of characters in those circles this is something better left where it is. Sorry George, that's the way the cookie crumbles. You had every opportunity to derail the train when in office. You didn't.
The first year in jail is the worse year in jail. So the suffering and punishment already took place to a great extent. George Ryan is a big time criminal. He should have been put in jail 15 years ago and haver been released by now to die out of a jail.
Yes, he is an idiot, but I do feel sorry for him from the humane angle. No one should have to spend his last years in jail for a white collar crime.
I would like to see him out before he dies. Not now, but in a year or two. He actually is a poor man in a financial sense. I think most of the corruption money was used to get him re-elected. It was not used to enrich him.
The man is a defeated man...he is a dead horse...I see nothing to gain by keeping in jail for his entire sentence. It would be like beating a dead horse.
The only thing positive regarding releasing him besides it being humane would be one less prisoner we have to pay for in a country club anyway.
I say release him to his wife. She is old and frail. She was very dependent on Ryan.
For those who don't know Ryan's sister lives in Napervile. I can't remember her name but I think it was Nancy Fergusen. Very nice lady who was devastated when her brother got in this mess. She was one of the first people to step forward and help the Napergate Man in his battle with City Hall. She wrote several letters to the Naperville Sun in his support in the late 80s and early 90s.
Ryan comes from a nice family. Something went loose upstairs in his old age. Maybe his judgment was impaired so badly from Alzheimers. I don't know but if that was the case, he should be released to die peacefully at home.
Many people these days are Atheists and don't believe in after life. I heard he was a closet Atheist. If that is true this is his only chance to enjoy some fresh air before he becomes dirt upon his death and burial. I say have Mercy! We are all capable of committing white collar crimes. Lots of money can tempt the majority of us.
I have always asked people if a 5 million bag fell out of a Brink's Trunck driving in the desert if they would keep it or turn it back in as long as there was no chance of being caught. I have yet to find a person who would return it. I doubt if I would return it and if I got caught I WOULD NOT want to spend the rest of my life for having impaired judgment during a moment of extreme greed.
What would you do, Chris? Keep the 5 million or turn it in? I guess that is a bad question to ask you, for if you give the wrong answer one of your bosses may fire you.
I am sure Original Joe would not hesitate and would return the 5 million bag immediately! Right Joe! LOL....
I completely agree with Chris.
George Ryan committed a crime and was sentenced after due process. He's 74 years old. So are many other criminals serving their time. George's wife is ill. So are parents, spouses, children, and relatives of other incarcerated criminals. The only difference I see between George and the rest of the prison population is a well-placed buddy named Dick Durbin. The actions of Senator Durbin lead me to believe he needs to take a good, hard look at his friends. You are judged by the company you keep.
Is Ryan getting ready to sing?
Is Rezko getting ready to sing?
Is Obama still hiding his birth certificate?
Are Durbin, Blagovoich and Obama getting nervous?
Is Fitzgerald getting ready to indict?
Is Pres. Bush going to provide more evidence that the Republican Party is the party of incompetent, collapsed border, cheap-labor, big spending, deficit producing, social engineering, feel good, banker bail-out, corrupt-invertebrates?
I agree that it might be fair to cut his sentence short, but I think it's way too early to think about that. I read Dan Walker's biography (he's the last Illinois governor to be sentenced) and he was also in his elder years by the time he got out of jail, and I don't think they cut his sentence short, or at the least he served most of it. Ryan still has more than 80 percent left. Most criminals don't serve their entire sentence, but they should serve at least half. As for the money, we'll never know until it happens.
Chris,
I completely agree with your take on Dick Durbin's crusade for George Ryan. Had it been you or me, I somehow don't think that Durbin would be pulling for us, no matter what our age. Isn't it ironic that he should wait until AFTER the election to speak out so strongly for his buddy? I still believe in the old addage, "If you're gonna do the crime, you'd better be prepared to do the time."
After he sprung those innocent men rotting in jail he became the best of the best in my book. Man should have been given the Nobel Prize not handed a jail sentence.
Actually, I just checked that. Walker only served 18 months of a 7 year sentence, so there's something of a pattern here. As far as I can tell, he was released under the usual means, not a pardon. He actually asked President Clinton for a pardon after he was out of prison and it was denied.
McF,
Ryan was not convicted of not returning a bag of money that fell out of a truck.
Even in that hypothetical situation, the money isn't yours.
Finders/Keepers isn't a golden rule to follow in life.
By Naperville Sun editorsAuthor Profile Page on December 2, 2008 11:56 AM
"Actually, I just checked that. Walker only served 18 months of a 7 year sentence, so there's something of a pattern here. As far as I can tell, he was released under the usual means, not a pardon. He actually asked President Clinton for a pardon after he was out of prison and it was denied."
He should have had his wife contribute a million to the Clinton Library.
Elaine,
I don't think Ryan and Durbin are buddies. They are rivals. Ryan is a Republican and Durbin is a Democrat. I think he was concerned about an old man rotting and dying in jail.
However, I do agree if it was you or I rotting in jail no one would care about us even if we were approacing 100 years old.
Politicians and corrupt Judges are treated better than civilians. They should be treated equal or worse! But I still think we need to have Mercy after someone received punishment and is no long a threat to society. I do not think Ryan is a threat to society.
A rapist is a threat to society. He should not be released early. However, if he gets a 60 year jail sentence and he is now 94, I suspect it would be safe to release him. Just make sure he is banned from a prescription for a bottle of Viagra!
To McFarland on December 2, 2008 3:05 AM--
No one should have to spend his last years in jail for a white collar crime?
This was more than a white collar crime. People died, many of them children, because of Ryan's "license for bribes" system. In fact, it was a federal investigation into a deadly crash in Wisconsin that killed six children that revealed the scheme inside Ryan's secretary of state's office in which unqualified truck drivers obtained licenses through bribes. I remember this as it came to light shortly after we moved to Naperville. The surviving parents were a pastor and his wife. You should ask them how they feel about losing six children to Ryan's "white collar crime".
In addition, it seems Ryan's family and friends were taking cash from this scheme as well. All five of Ryan's daughters in addition to his sister, Nancy Ferguson, confessed to getting campaign money for doing no work. Even his mother's housekeeper was paid out of these funds.
Enough already. So what if he and his wife are old and sick. The choices they made brought them to this point. At least they have a life to live, which is more than many of their victims got.
My ex and my daughter's father is incarcerated in federal prison for transporting drugs across state lines (in his semi). He got 24 years. My daughter misses her dad -- hasn't seem him in 5 years. I don't think Senator Durbin gives a rat's a-- about him. While Ryan wasn't convicted of a drug crime, he was still convicted of a felony and he should be expected to serve just as much of his sentence as anyone else (which I believe in the fed system is 80%). Why is it that the rich and famous always get special treatment?
And what about Betty Loren Maltese? Shouldn't she get out early too?
I am extremely disappointed in Sen. Durbin. I previously felt he was one of most respected senators in Illinois -- that opinion has drastically changed in my book. Shame on your Senator Durbin!
Anonymous,
I understand what you are saying. What happened to those 6 children was terrible. But if you followed the trial, the judge would not allow that evidence to be introduced.
Our system does not jail for assumptions or indirect actions. I as you feel he is indirectly responsible.
But we can not jail people because of how we feel.
Blogger Ken is ranting on these blog sites that the Napergate Man is a criminal. Can we jail him and just throw away the key because blogger Ken suspects he is a criminal?
Evidence has to be introduced in court and a jury has to hear that evidence and convict based on that evidence....not on heresay and media articles.
The Judge would not allow that inflamatory evidence in. The Federal Prosecutors had a right to appeal the Judge's ruling. They did not appeal.
Thus we can not legally hold Ryan responsible for that crime because of what we read in the media. Maybe that idiotic state employee gave that truck driver the license to enrich himself and not Ryan. Maybe Ryan had no knowledge of that incident and did not santion it while sanctioning other kinds of scams. There has to be a reason that case was never made part of the trial.
Having said all that, I think the man is a crook and a useless member of society. But I still think he is a human being that should be allowed to harmlessly die in his home instead of a country club. Keep in mind we are paying for the country club where he lives. Let him pay his way! He will never hurt anyone again and learned his lesson.
I think all prisoners who are harmless should be released and allowed to die with their families...not just Ryan. Let us not be vindicative and hateful people. As I said in an earlier blog, it serves no purpose to beat a dead horse.....especially in a Country Club!
There are basically two reasons to imprison someone - to keep them from harming others and to punish them. So while it's true that Ryan wouldn't be harming others if he was released, that's not really why he's in prison to begin with. He's in prison to punish him for his crimes.
Ryan is in prison because his secretary of state office accepted bribes and contributed them to his campaign fund. Then, when he was governor he disbanded the task force investigating it because he was advised they were going to find something. Those are criminal actions and that's why he is being punished.
Host Christopher or would you rather be addressed Moderator,
I agree with most of what you said.
A third reason people are imprisoned is to serve as a deterrent to others who may think of committing a similar crime.
In an earlier post, Host Christopher, you agreed that it might be fair to cut his sentence short. Have you changed your position?
Chris, Christopher or moderator, whatever you like.
You're right, deterrent is important, and that's a big part of why I think it's important for corrupt officials to be held accountable. Look at so many other countries in the world where corruption is endemic and people just consider it the price of doing business. Our country is one of the few where the rule of law is enforced to the best of the authorities' ability. Some people need to see the consequences to keep them in line.
I think it might be fair to cut his sentence, but during the usual methods, which would be the parole board reviewing his case and making that decision. And certainly not only a year into a 6 1/2 year sentence. A presidential pardon is arbitrary and just looks like politics as usual.
Host Chris,
Just wanted to say it was me making that last post you responded to. I simply forgot to insert my name.
I know it does not matter to you but it matters a lot to Original Joe so I thought I better correct my error before he jumps on the Napergate Nation for deceptive and conspiratorial practices. I am sure you noticed how he must have spent hours analyzing an old ancient archived thread.
BTW, I agree with what you said in your last post.
I also want to complement you for interacting with the bloggers. It has been a long time since Host Ted and Moderator Jim interacted with us. Those were fun days even though we had our shares of disagreements.
If you continue to blog, I believe bloggers will eventually return in large numbers. A Host gives identity to a blog site. He can make it happen or not happen.
Eric Zorn of the Tribune has made his blog site very successful. Tim West of the Naperville Sun can't get his off the ground.
It seems like you are following in the footsteps of Eric Zorn. Keep us the good work, Chris, and I have no doubt you will be very successful. Your success is already apparent!
Thanks. I'll reply when I can and when I have something to say. Like everyone else, I care more about some issues than others, and I am trying to put out tomorrow's paper too.
McFarland--
Anonymous on December 2, 2008 1:01 PM was me. I forgot to identify myself.
At any rate, it appears Moderator Chris answered you better than I could have. Requiring criminals to serve their sentences is not being vindictive and hateful. It's enforcing the same values we teach our children--when you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences. If Ryan is paroled after serving a good portion of his sentence, for whatever reason, then that's one thing. To get a presidential pardon after one year of a 6+ year sentence is tantamount to saying the crimes he committed while in a position of public trust--and the collateral damage it caused--is of no importance.
And I don't care about the specifics of the trial or why the Wisconsin accident was admitted or not. The fact remains that when that truck hit that van killing those six children, investigators noticed the truck had safety violations and should not have been on the road in the first place, which begged the next question--how did the driver get his license? This question led directly to the secretary of state's office and uncovered the license for bribe system. No, Ryan did not intend to kill those children when he allowed licenses to be exchanged for contributions to his campaign, but doing so compromised the safety of all of us on the roads. What happened in Wisconsin could just as easily have happened to any one of us here. Ryan knowingly endangered the public for personal gain and then tried to use his office to cover the crime. That's why he is in prison.
So I couldn't care less if he's old and sick, or if he's of no danger to anyone now that he's out of office. And the country club argument holds no weight, either. If it's such a nice place, then it shouldn't be a hardship for him to stay there. I don't want to beat this horse by any means, but I do believe the horse should remain in the barn where he belongs. My sympathies go to the innocent people who were hurt by his actions.
What bothers me most is the Senator's timing - 3 weeks after being re-elected to another 6-year term. The Senator undoubtedly formed his opinion on recommending a pardon well before the election He should have had the courage and integrity to disclose this in the lead-up to the election.
I think that Senator Durbin shows his true moral character by asking for early release for Ryan...in other words, none at all.
What the?, just a little clarification. The truck driver didn't hit the van, the van ran over something that fell off the truck, and the van driver admitted that he was following to close to have time to avoid the debris. Doesn't change the fact that the driver should not have been out there, or change the fact that Ryan committed criminal acts. Mostly, it doesn't change the fact that politicians want one of their own to be treated better than other criminals. It kind of makes one wonder if they are just looking to protect themselves in the future...
George killed innocent children and he has no regrets. This SOB must rot in jail for his crimes. What kind of payoff is in it for Durbin?
Hey, Ken.
That's right! I was thinking something fell off the truck and it lost control, but it was the van that lost control. Anyway, wasn't the "debris" a part of the truck that fell off the undercarriage or something, illustrating the fact that it wasn't fit for the road?.
It is unsettling the way politicians don't seem to have a problem pardoning each other. It's sort of like a "But for the grace of God, there go I" club. Makes one wonder why Durbin is taking up this cause.
On a separate note, glad to see you're still around. I remember you from the Blowing in the Wind thread. Poor Brenda and her sk*d marks still make me laugh. For the purposes of full disclosure, I was Dollars and Sense during the Metea controversy, later shortened to D&S. I got sick of the moniker, especially when a Hyundai commercial started using the same theme. So I'm skimming the threads during the election and reading some of the stuff that pops up here, and my reaction was "What the *&#!?" (you fill in the blank), so it seemed like an appropriate handle!
No remorse, no cut in time.
George was a scumbag who severely hurt the State, the GOP, and the country. To let him out now would be an affront to those who worked so hard to put him away AND to those who died under his stewardship.
I think it all boils down to being accountable for our actions and facing consecquences when we have done wrong. Undoubtedly, George Ryan knew that accepting bribes was wrong. He made his choice and he knew the consequences of his actions. His case went to trial and he was sentenced. Now he needs to take it like a man. Period. It shouldn't matter how old he is, whether he has ailing family members, or who his cronies are. Would that factor in for you or I or any other Joe Schmoe?
By the way, I don't recall him ever apologizing for his actions or uttering remorse for those that suffered. I have always felt his demeanor to vascilate between smug and annoyed.
And the fact that Durbin waited until after the elections to take up this cause disgusts me. To me, it proves that the voters made a mistake in re-electing Durbin. Going to Bush on Ryan's behalf just shows that he is part of the good-old-boy network, and that he's probably looking down the road for a payback at some point.
Illinois needs to clean house and get rid of these self-serving, crooked politicians. Accountability shouldn't be a thing of the past.
Isn't Durbin a Democrat!
So why is he helping a Republican get out of jail.
I am confused unless it is strictly for humane reasons.
I would recommend everyone interested in this subject read an article which was in Tuesday’s Trib and was written by the former prosecutors in the Ryan case:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-oped1202ryandec02,0,6074399.story
One of the better points they stated was that “Ryan's power and influence as the highest elected official in Illinois did not entitle him to any greater (or lesser) rights; he was charged and judged by the same standards that govern every criminal defendant in every courtroom in the nation.” Ryan deserves the same treatment you or I would receive, nothing more or less.
They also wrote that “Ryan's family has undoubtedly endured considerable pain and embarrassment from the criminal proceedings and his incarceration. Yet, sadly, these factors do not distinguish him from thousands of other federal prisoners. Regrettably, the federal prisons are filled with the ranks of young and old, of both genders (including countless single mothers) and all races, whose families pay a terrible price for the misdeeds of their loved ones.” Ryan’s wife may be suffering, but is anyone to blame for this other than Ryan?
Lastly, I believe an important part of this discussion, as stated by the former prosecutors, is that “In contrast to many defendants who acknowledge their misconduct and express sincere remorse prior to being incarcerated, at no time during the judicial proceedings did Ryan acknowledge his wrongdoing or accept responsibility for his crimes. Instead, we have heard repeatedly that his ‘conscience is clear’ and, most recently, that if he had a chance to do it all over again, he would ‘govern the same way as he did before.’” Is this someone who deserves to get out of prison early?
Also, just FYI, there is no parole in the federal system. An inmate can get 15% off for good behavior, but there’s no such thing as parole. Thus, Ryan would have to serve about 5 ½ years of his sentence before his normal release date.
T.B.
I can't believe Durbin would champion Ryan's early release for humane reasons. They're from opposing parties, aren't friends--why should Durbin even be involved? There has to be something in it for him. I'd love to see a reporter pursue this and find out!
Durbin should ask his President Elect to pardon Ryan. Let Obama do the dirty work.
Also, Bush should not parden Ryan because he destroyed the Republican party in Illinois. Do us a favor, if you do pardon Ryan, make one condition that he move out of Illinois.
OJ Simpson just got sentenced to 33 years for bullying a few old buddies over some memobrilia. I wonder if Bush or Obama will pardon him. Probably not!
I think the Judge basically convicted him for the murder he got away with as opposed to trying to recover his "belongings."
What a stupid idiot? He knew he got away with murder. He knew everyone was after him. Instead of being a saint he wanted to be a devil and now the devil will die in prision.
@Anonymous on December 6, 2008 1:11 AM
If by "die in prison" you mean "will throw his friend under the bus in a non-stop series of appeals and might serve 1 year if the courts are slow" then you would be correct.
By T.B. on December 4, 2008 8:55 AM
TB
Excellent find, the below clip from the article indicates that Ryan is still maintaining Omerta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omert%C3%A0
"Two critical factors in the equation—the severity of the conduct and the defendant's cooperation and remorse—strongly militate against granting a commutation to Ryan, who was convicted of racketeering, mail fraud, false statement and tax offenses."
IMHO Ryan's Illinois Political Mafia buddies are trying to spring him so he doesn't lose his nerve and sing. Durban's head may already been in the noose at the prosecutors office in Chicago.
This topic should be rekindled now that Governor B has been arrested. Perhaps Gov. B's belief that Ryan should be pardoned was an attempt to curry favor in case he ever needs this kind of help in the future?
Second question: A President can issue a pardon at any time, not just the last weeks of their term. Typically the pardons happen at this time because, as in Clinton's case, they pardon their friends or contributors just before they leave office and therefore escape the questioning that is sure to follow.
If Durbin truly feels this is the right and just thing to do why doesn't he ask his "friend" Obama to simply pardon governor Ryan the day after he takes oath in January? Why make Bush do the evil deed?
Not a single person has mentioned the COMBINE!Durbin and Ryan are family in the COMBINE. Why not just admit it,is it because we are afraid that by exposing COMBINE members,we might just shine the spotlight on local and county COMBINEERS,like the ones who railroaded coach mike.Over 250 ERRORS in Cardamone's trial. We honest people were trying to expose the trial judge,but could not get press or air time. If you want to FIX this state all COMBINEERS must be exosed,charged,judged and jailed. Do you think these corrupt pols exist in a vacumn? They need crooked cops to scare and intimidate the honest citizens. Ryan's top cop went to jail for quashing the investigation and disbanding the SOS inspectors police. The crooked cops are as much a part of the COMBINE as the corrupt pols. FOLLOW THE $$$$$$$$$.
just watch'in:
Huh?