Blagojevich appeal update, One year prison anniversary, Appeal opening brief April 25, 2013, Attorneys Goodman and Kaeseberg, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals

Blagojevich appeal update, One year prison anniversary, Appeal opening brief April 25, 2013, Attorneys Goodman and Kaeseberg, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Colin Powell allow Patrick Fitzgerald to be pulled away from the Blagojevich prosecution?”…Citizen Wells

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, the Governor of Illinois, wiretapped at least by 2005 when it was known in 2003 that there was widespread corruption in his administration?”…Citizen Wells

Today, March 15, 2013 is the one year anniversary of Rod Blagojevich’s 14 year prison sentence.

From Politico March 15, 2013.

“A year in prison, Rod Blagojevich in good spirits”
“It’s been a year since Rod Blagojevich entered a federal prison in Colorado to start serving his 14-year sentence for corruption — and his attorney says while the former Illinois governor misses his family, he remains in “good spirits” and is “hopeful” the conviction will be overturned.

Blagojevich’s appellate lawyer Len Goodman — who, along with attorney Lauren Kaeseberg, is working on the appeal — told POLITICO that Blagojevich’s family visits him “as often as they can make the trip” to Englewood, a low-security facility in Littleton, Colo.”

“And next up for the former governor, Goodman said, is his case on appeal in the 7th Circuit. Blagojevich’s opening brief is due April 25, Goodman noted.

“He is hopeful that his appeal will be successful and that his conviction will be overturned,” Goodman wrote.”

“Goodman, meanwhile, said he is currently busy working his way through thousands of pages of trial transcript as he works on Blagojevich’s appeal.”

Read more:

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/rod-blagojevich-jail-88904.html?hp=r6

Still wondering what Obama and Blagojevich were discussing shortly before Blagojevich was arrested in 2008.

And…..

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, the Governor of Illinois, wiretapped at least by 2005 when it was known in 2003 that there was widespread corruption in his administration?”

Rand Paul announcement March 5, 2013, Glenn Beck states big, Paul Illinois GOP dinner, Obama Administration use of attack drones, US citizen surveilance, Paul 2016 presidential bid

Rand Paul announcement March 5, 2013, Glenn Beck states big, Paul Illinois GOP dinner, Obama Administration use of attack drones, US citizen surveilance, Paul 2016 presidential bid
“In the Department’s view, a lethal operation conducted against a U.S. citizen whose conduct poses an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States would be a legitimate act of national self-defense that would not violate the assassination ban. Similarly, the use of lethal force, consistent with the laws of war, against an individual who is a legitimate military target would be lawful and would not violate the assassination ban.”…Obama DOJ Memo

“I just want you to know that we are working on it (gun control)….We have to go through a few processes, but under the radar.”…Barack Obama

“Germans who wish to use firearms should join the SS or the SA – ordinary citizens don’t need guns, as their having guns doesn’t serve the State.”…Heinrich Himmler

A few minutes ago Glenn Beck stated that Rand Paul would make a very big announcement on The Blaze today. Many are speculating that it has something to do with Obama’s use of drones to spy on US citizens.

From Illinois Review March 5, 2013.

“If Republicans in Illinois are beaten down and discouraged, they didn’t show it at last night’s Northwest Suburban Republican Lincoln Day Dinner where more than 650 people came out to hear U.S. Senator Rand Paul.

Ryan Higgins, the Republican Committeeman for Schaumburg Township, attributed the success of the dinner to high enthusiasm among party regulars as well as an influx of new members.”

“”We meet three times a week with the Republican caucus,” Paul said. “With the group now down to 45, we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well and sometimes it’s an echo chamber. If you say, ‘I’m for the Second Amendment,’ you get slapped on the back and everybody loves you. But you go down the list, and it’s not always such a consensus. Once you get to the Fourth Amendment, you’re not getting everybody.”

“You may not realize this, but they gave up on the Fourth Amendment when they stopped issuing warrants before examining your bank records,” Paul said. “I don’t know about you, but everything’s on my Visa card. You can tell if I go to a doctor, you can tell if I drink, if I gamble. For goodness sake, shouldn’t you have to issue a warrant before you look at my Visa bill?”"
“”I hate terrorists as much as anyone, and they should be killed on the battlefield,” Paul said. “But we can’t let drones fly around threatening U.S. citizens. What you need to understand in this controversy over drones is we’re not talking about someone with a grenade launcher on their shoulder. Some of these people being killed by drones are in their house or in a cafeteria.

“I’ve said a lot of bad things about the government,” Paul said. I don’t want them coming to my house with a drone.” Paul said, emphasizing the Obama Administration’s plan to use drones, even within America boundaries, is vague and without geographic boundaries.

“Can’t we have a little more assurance from the president that he won’t attack American citizens without a trial?”

Privacy issues, drones, prisoner rights are all a part of the discussions that have come up in recent U.S. Senate hearings, he said, from the nomination for Intelligence Chief Brennan to the Benghazi incident and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Paul told the audience Secretary Clinton should have resigned immediately after Libyan Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others were killed in Benghazi.”

“Paul is considering a bid for the White House in 2016, and he met privately with local Republican donors such as Jack Roeser and Bruce Rauner before dinner.”

http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2013/03/paul-in-palatine.html

Colorado Democrat legislators gun statements, Dumb and dumber, Ballpoint pens against shooter, Call boxes and safe zones protect against rape at colleges

Colorado Democrat legislators gun statements, Dumb and dumber, Ballpoint pens against shooter, Call boxes and safe zones protect against rape at colleges

“Weaker people, whether at school, at home or elsewhere are best protected from stronger people, with ill intent, by guns and proper security measures.”…Citizen Wells

“Germans who wish to use firearms should join the SS or the SA – ordinary citizens don’t need guns, as their having guns doesn’t serve the State.”…Heinrich Himmler

“The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good”…George Washington

 

Colorado legislators.

Dumb and dumber reality stars.

From Michelle Morin February 19, 2013.

“CO Democrat Lawmaker – Protect Yourself From a Shooter with Ballpoint Pens”

“While justifying the coming obliteration of your Second Amendment right, Colorado State Senator Jesse Ulibarri (D) shared an empowering, proven idea on how you can defend yourself from a shooter, and you don’t even need a gun to do it. Instead, use a ballpoint pen.

Yes, he really said it:

“When Congressman Giffords was shot … people who were unarmed took that person down when he stopped to reload. And so there are other ways to address violence …. very valiant folks stood up to defend themselves and protect themselves, and they did it with ballpoint pens.” ~ Colorado State Senator Jesse Ulibarri (D)”"

http://www.mom4freedom.com/tag/colorado-legislature/
From Breitbart February 19, 2013.

“A Colorado legislator stated Monday that women in college should not carry guns to protect themselves from sexual assault, because they may prematurely shoot harmless men they “feel” are dangerous.

During a debate on gun control in the Colorado legislature, a bill HB13-1226, was presented to eliminate legal concealed carry on college campuses by permit holders. Rep. Joe Salazar (D-Thornton) decided that women should be denied the right to carry their legal guns because even if they felt they were going to be raped, they had call boxes and safe zones to protect them. Salazar asserted:

There are some gender inequities on college campuses. This is true. And universities have been faced with that situation for a long time. It’s why we have call boxes, that’s why we have safe zones, that’s why we have the whistles because you just don’t know who you’re going to be shootin’ at.  And you don’t know if you feel like you’re going to be raped, or if you feel like someone’s been following you around, or if you feel like you’re in trouble and when you may actually not be, that you pop out that gun and you pop around at somebody.”

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/02/19/Colorado-Legislator-Going-To-Be-Raped-Use-A-Call-Box-Not-A-Gun

“You can’t fix stupid.”…Ron White

 

Obama Hillary Clinton revealed, February 3, 2013, Truth in print in NC, Clinton testimony exposed, Obama stupid gun comment, Rhino Times Obama administration truth

Obama Hillary Clinton revealed, February 3, 2013, Truth in print in NC, Clinton testimony exposed, Obama stupid gun comment, Rhino Times Obama administration truth

“But Crowley and Obama had it wrong. the Post’s Glenn Kessler explained:

What did Obama say in the Rose Garden a day after the attack in Libya? ”No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this nation,” he said.
But he did not say “terrorism”—and it took the administration days to concede that that it an “act of terrorism” that appears unrelated to initial reports of anger at a video that defamed the prophet Muhammad.”…Washington Post Oct. 17, 2012

“The question that I had in my mind, was why did we not do something to protect our forces?”…Charles Woods, father of slain Navy Seal

“I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”…Barack Obama

 

 

Yesterday it was reported here that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway had just bought the Greensboro News Record. The impact of that transaction may have already resulted in biased wording. This will be watched closely and counteracted to the extent possible.

This makes the role of the Rhinoceros Times, also based in Greensboro, NC, even more important. It too is in print and on the internet.

From the Rhino Times January 31, 2013.

The senators who finally got Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to testify had a lot of fun speechifying instead of asking questions. Sen. Rand Paul made his point that Hillary Clinton should have been fired, but why didn’t any senator ask her the question that should have been at the top of the list — why didn’t she know what happened in Benghazi, if not while it was going on, shortly after?

The ambassador and three other State Department employees were killed, but most of the State Department employees who were there were still alive on Sept. 12 and are alive today. Does Hillary Clinton not know how to use a telephone? Why didn’t she simply call one of the survivors and ask what happened.

If she had she would have known that it was not a spontaneous attack caused by a video or by people out walking around who decided they wanted to kill Americans. Hillary Clinton may not know that few people bring mortars and heavy machine guns to spontaneous rallies or take them on walks, even in the Middle East, but if she had simply talked to some of the survivors she would have known that it was not a spontaneous demonstration.

Rand was right that Hillary Clinton should have been fired for dereliction of duty for not reading the emails from her ambassador in Libya, but what was worse is that, according to what Clinton said, she took no action to find out what did happen at the US compound in Benghazi and at the CIA compund where the ex-Navy Seals were killed.

For what possible reason did it take weeks for the US government to find out what happened? Why wasn’t the compound sealed off? Why did it take weeks for the State Department to send the FBI to the scene to investigate?”

, , ,
“A statement thet rivals Hillary Clintons in outrageousness is Obama’s statement about gun control legislation: “If it saves only one life, it is worth it.” That is so stupid it is hard to believe that Obama’s speech writers allowed him to utter that phrase.

Lowering the national speed limit to 45 mph would save thousands of lives. Putting a trauma center in every little town in this country and in every neighborhood in cities would likewise save thousands of lives. One of the major causes of death in homes is falls, particularly in the bathroom. Ladders and bathtubs have no constitutional protection. So if Obama outlawed ladders and bathtubs thousands of lives could be saved.”

I would provide a link to this article, but I could find none.

Federal budget deficit explained in common sense terms in NC, John Hammer Rhino Times, January 24, 2013, Obama and congress increased spending 40 percent

Federal budget deficit explained in common sense terms in NC, John Hammer Rhino Times, January 24, 2013, Obama and congress increased spending 40 percent

“only 2 percent of the 3.5 million jobs gained since the recession ended in June 2009 are midpay. Nearly 70 percent are low-paying jobs”…AP, Kitsap Sun January 22, 2013

“We tried our plan—and it worked. That’s the difference. That’s the choice in this election. That’s why I’m running for a second term.”…Barack Obama

“the Times of the nineteenth of December had published the official forecasts of the output of various classes of consumption goods in the fourth quarter of 1983, which was also the sixth quarter of the Ninth Three-Year Plan. Today’s issue contained a statement of the actual output, from which it appeared that the forecasts were in every instance grossly wrong. Winston’s job was to rectify the original figures by making them agree with the later ones.”…George Orwell, “1984″

 

Common sense in print in NC.

From John Hammer of the Rhino Times January 24, 2013.

“If you listen to Democrats, and even some Republicans, for the federal government to balance its budget would require draconian cuts that would decimate the Defense Department and put major social welfare programs in bankruptcy. But the truth is that the federal government will take in $2.9 trillion in revenue this fiscal year. If the federal government would simply reduce spending to what it was a mere five years ago it would have a surplus instead of a trillion dollar deficit.

In 2007 the federal government spent $2.7 trillion. That was during the presidency of George Walker Bush and the budget deficit was about $200 billion, because the revenue that year was $2.56 trillion.

What Congress and President Obama have managed to do since then is increase spending astronomically. The projected spending for 2013 is $3.8 trillion. So even though revenue has increased to $2.9 trillion the deficit is still right around a trillion dollars.

It is an unbelievable increase in spending. The problem is not, as Obama continues to say, that the rich aren’t paying their fair share. The problem is that Obama and Congress have increased spending by 40 percent in the past five years. This is during a period of almost no inflation.

Since 2007 the federal government has increased its spending by $1.1 trillion. It is an incredible amount of money and it would be nice to blame it all on Obama, but Obama is a co-conspirator. Spending bills have to originate in the House, which the Republicans have controlled since 2011. Obama in his first term had pretty much free rein in Congress. The Democrats controlled the House and for almost a year had a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Spending skyrocketed and in Obama’s first year in office, 2009, the budget deficit increased to $1.4 trillion.

What could only be done in Washington – where reality left the building decades ago – is that the budget deficit has remained over $1 trillion. The reason for the budget deficit in 2009 was the $1 trillion stimulus plan that Congress passed and Obama signed as soon as possible. That was supposed to spike up the spending, but then it was supposed to come back down.

It never has.

But the country ran pretty well in 2007. We were fighting the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, Social Security was being paid, as were Medicare and Medicaid. The federal government was throwing money at local governments, as it does, but evidently to go back to those years would be a tremendous hardship. It’s hard to believe.”

Read more:

http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/Articles-Columns-c-2013-01-23-214571.112113-under-the-hammer.html

England UK crime rate exceeds US Europe except Sweden, Strict gun control empowers criminals, Four Times Higher than United States, Criminals always get weapons

England UK crime rate exceeds US Europe except Sweden, Strict gun control empowers criminals, Four Times Higher than United States, Criminals always get weapons

“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.”…Barack Obama

“Feelings have their place. I have feelings of empathy for the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy. But my brain, my reason my logic tells me that we need more accountability from our population. Bottom line. Rational people own guns to protect their family from criminals. Schools should be no less protected.”…Citizen Wells

“The problem occurs, sir, in those areas precisely where we have said ‘no guns.’ The problem doesn’t occur where the guns are allowed freely to be carried to be used by people. There we have very low murder rates.”…Larry Pratt

From Political Outcast January 12, 2013.

“England’s Crime Rate Nearly Four Times Higher than United States”

I’ll give Piers Morgan credit for one thing: He’s not afraid to interview people who have strong disagreements with him. He’s giving them a platform for views that rarely see the light of day on liberal networks.

He had Alex Jones of InfoWars on a few nights ago. While Jones was a little over the top, he didn’t roll over for Morgan. Too many conservatives want to be friends with the media as if their agreeable style will somehow endear them to the liberal media establishment. It will never, never, never happen.

Morgan also had Larry Pratt of Gun Owners of America on. Don’t mess with Larry Pratt. He comes to interviews prepared, and he’s a lot more measured and calm than Jones. In his December 19, 2012 interview, Pratt had said that “evil’s in our hearts. Not in the guns.” That’s probably the first time the secularist Morgan ever heard that before. Of course, it’s true. Good people, or at least people who work hard to say no to evil thoughts and desires, do not murder people. When some usually good person “snaps,” the snapping is the evil in them (James 1:13–15; Mark 7:14–15).

Pratt went on to say to Morgan in the interview:

“The problem occurs, sir, in those areas precisely where we have said ‘no guns.’ The problem doesn’t occur where the guns are allowed freely to be carried to be used by people. There we have very low murder rates.”

Pratt returned to Morgan’s show on January 9^th of this year. The sparks flew over crime statistics.

The vast majority of people in England do not own guns. Guns are heavily restricted. Morgan sees this as one of the reasons crime is low in England. At least that’s what he’s been trying to pass off to his low-information viewers . . . until Larry Pratt showed up for round two.

Pratt maintained that the official police homicide numbers are cooked. “The data that you are using for the murder rate in England is a sham,” Pratt countered. “There’s a monumental miss-reporting of what constitutes murder. If three people are murdered, it’s likely to be counted as one event.” In fact, an article on crime statistics in England makes the same point: “there are the official police figures (which historically under-record the true level of crime).”

Morgan couldn’t handle the truth. He accused Pratt of “deliberately lying, deliberately twisting” the data. Where did Pratt get his information? Instead of there being 39 murders in 2011 that Morgan claimed, Pratt stated there were 970. “That’s exactly what your own constabulary is saying,” insisted Pratt.

Then just yesterday, I came across an article that was published in The Telegraph on July 2, 2009:

“Analysis of figures from the European Commission showed a 77 per cent increase in murders, robberies, assaults and sexual offences in the UK since [the] Labour [Party] came to power.

“The total number of violent offences recorded compared to population is higher than any other country in Europe, as well as America, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

“The UK had a greater number of murders in 2007 than any other EU country — 927 — and at a relative rate higher than most western European neighbours, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

It gets worse. “Overall, 5.4 million crimes were recorded in the UK in 2007 — more than 10 a minute — second only to Sweden. . . . It means there are over 2,000 crimes recorded per 100,000 population in the UK, making it the most violent place in Europe.”

Great Britain’s crime rate is nearly four times that of the United States. “By comparison, America has an estimated rate of 466 violent crimes per 100,000 population.”

Read more:

http://politicaloutcast.com/2013/01/englands-crime-rate-nearly-four-times-higher-than-united-states/#ixzz2HrnwE4MO

From The Telegraph July 2, 2009.

“UK is violent crime capital of Europe”

“Analysis of figures from the European Commission showed a 77 per cent increase in murders, robberies, assaults and sexual offences in the UK since Labour came to power.

The total number of violent offences recorded compared to population is higher than any other country in Europe, as well as America, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Opposition leaders said the disclosures were a “damning indictment” of the Government’s failure to tackle deep-rooted social problems.

The figures combined crime statistics for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The UK had a greater number of murders in 2007 than any other EU country – 927 – and at a relative rate higher than most western European neighbours, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

It also recorded the fifth highest robbery rate in the EU, and the highest absolute number of burglaries, with double the number of offences recorded in Germany and France.

Overall, 5.4 million crimes were recorded in the UK in 2007 – more than 10 a minute – second only to Sweden.

Chris Grayling, shadow home secretary, said: “This is a real damning indictment of this government’s comprehensive failure over more than a decade to tackle the deep rooted social problems in our society, and the knock-on effect on crime and anti-social behaviour.

“We’re now on our fourth Home Secretary in this parliament, and all we are getting is a rehash of old initiatives that didn’t work the first time round. More than ever Britain needs a change of direction.”

The figures were sourced from Eurostat, the European Commission’s database of statistics. They are gathered using official sources in the countries concerned such as the national statistics office, the national prison administration, ministries of the interior or justice, and police.

A breakdown of the statistics, which were compiled into league tables by the Conservatives, revealed that violent crime in the UK had increased from 652,974 offences in 1998 to more than 1.15 million crimes in 2007.

It means there are over 2,000 crimes recorded per 100,000 population in the UK, making it the most violent place in Europe.

Austria is second, with a rate of 1,677 per 100,000 people, followed by Sweden, Belgium, Finland and Holland.

By comparison, America has an estimated rate of 466 violent crimes per 100,000 population.

France recorded 324,765 violent crimes in 2007 – a 67 per cent increase in the past decade – at a rate of 504 per 100,000 population.

The Home Office says there has been a downtrend in overall violence for the past decade.

But last October it emerged that levels of violent crime in England and Wales had been underestimated for more than a decade because of a blunder in recording methods.

Ministers admitted that some police forces had not been recording offences of grievous bodily harm with intent as serious violent crime. When the offences were included violent crime figures immediately increased by a fifth.

Separate figures disclosed in May showed that the number of people requiring hospital treatment after being seriously hurt in street fights or assaults has risen 50 per cent in five years.

More than 20 people a day were taken to hospital accident and emergency departments in England last year after being hit, kicked, scratched or bitten. Alcohol is blamed as a factor in half of the incidents and raises further questions over 24-hour drinking.

Researchers admit that comparisons of crime data between countries must be viewed with caution because of differing criminal justice systems and how crimes are reported and measured.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “These figures are misleading. Levels of police recorded crime statistics from different countries are simply not comparable since they are affected by many factors, for example the recording of violent crime in other countries may not include behaviour that we would categorise as violent crime.

“Violent crime in England and Wales has fallen by almost a half since a peak in 1995 but we are not complacent and know there is still work to do. “”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/5712573/UK-is-violent-crime-capital-of-Europe.html

Obama Benghazi lies exposed in print in NC, Rhino Times, November 21, 2012, Obama in the midst of an election didn’t risk sending in air support or ground troops, Spontaneous protest lie

Obama Benghazi lies exposed in print in NC, Rhino Times, November 21, 2012, Obama in the midst of an election didn’t risk sending in air support or ground troops, Spontaneous protest lie

“The question that I had in my mind, was why did we not do something to protect our forces?”…Charles Woods, father of slain Navy Seal

“I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”…Barack Obama

“we leave nobody behind”…Barack Obama

From the Rhino Times, in print in NC, November 21, 2012.

“The most amazing aspect of the tragedy in Benghazi and President Barack Hussein Obama’s response is how well it worked for him. Here he was on 9/11 in the middle of an election caught unprepared by al Qaeda. In a country with known al Qaeda activity the Obama administration had refused to give the US ambassador the security forces he needed, which left him vulnerable on 9/11.

No doubt when the situation was first presented to Obama on the afternoon of 9/11, all they knew was that the consulate was under heavy attack and Ambassador Chris Stevens was thought to be in the safe room of the consulate but was out of contact.

Perhaps Obama bet, that the safe room in the consulate would protect Stevens and other State Department employees and that the terrorists would get tired of banging on a locked door and go away. It’s a little like betting a small fire will burn itself out before it becomes a raging forest fire. It does happen, but most people don’t want to take that chance.

For whatever reason Obama decided to not to risk sending in air support or ground troops. He decided not to send any help and to use “Hope” as his strategy. Hope didn’t work and not only did Stevens die, but Sean Smith died with him at the consulate and two CIA operatives, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, both former Navy Seals, also died in the fighting hours later at the CIA compound.

Obama was in the midst of an election. He could hardly go out and tell the American people that he hoped everything would work out, so he didn’t send troops or security forces of any kind to aid an ambassador under siege at an American consulate. So the White House came up with what seemed to be a plausible lie ñ that this attack, just like the one in Cairo, was the result of a spontaneous protest over a stupid video and it got out of hand. Why you should not send help to a consulate under attack by a spontaneous mob is still a mystery, but the mainstream media bought it and Obama was reelected.

To give the cover story validity Obama sent out UN Ambassador Susan Rice to explain that the attack had been a spontaneous outburst as a result of the video. Rice was perfect for the job for two reasons.

One, as Obama has now said, she had nothing to do with it. She was just a good soldier and went out and said what she was told to say. She had no information on her own. Rice was completely out of the chain of command on this one.

Two, and more importantly, Rice is a black woman, so anyone who criticizes her is by definition racist and sexist. Obama never hesitates to use the race card if it is to his advantage. And his supporters followed through with the accusations of racism and sexism as soon as people were critical of Rice for going on five different shows and telling huge whopping lies on each one.

So Obama and his White House team came up with a story that really doesn’t make any sense and which everyone who knows anything knows is made up. And they found a dupe to sell it to the mainstream media. It helped tremendously that the mainstream media were willing to do everything in their power to get Obama reelected.

The plan worked to perfection because the whole point was simply to push the controversy out past the election. One of the stories that the Obama campaign was trying to sell to the American people was that Osama bin Laden had been killed and the war against terrorism had been won by Obama. That story doesn’t work if al Qaeda attacks and destroys a US consulate, gets in a seven-hour gun battle with personnel at the consulate and at the CIA safe house nearby, and kills four Americans including the American ambassador. The truth makes Obama look weak on fighting terrorism, which of course he is. But it doesn’t matter because it all got pushed past Nov. 6 and now it doesn’t matter what he says. Obama is president for four more years.

Now if Obama wanted to come clean he could go before the American people and says something like, “I made the wrong call. I didn’t want things to escalate just before the election so I was too cautious and I should have sent troops in, or at the very least a fighter jet or an attack helicopter to rescue Chris Stevens and Sean Smith. Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty should not have died because troops should have been there to support them long before they were killed by terrorists.” It wouldn’t matter because people can’t take back their votes.

Obama is president. Mitt Romney had a chance to make Benghazi the issue of the foreign affairs debate and he did not. When he tried to make a point about the Benghazi debacle in an earlier debate Obama was rescued by the moderator who corrected Romney, but was wrong herself. It’s why they call the Republican Party the Stupid Party. They allowed Candy Crowley to moderate the debate even after she said she planned to insert herself into the debate and she did, rescuing the president. But from the comments she made before the debate it was obvious that she was a big Obama supporter, so the Republicans have no one but themselves to blame.

With the help of Crowley and Romney the Obama team pushed Benghazi out past the election, and in politics there is no video review or do-overs. However, cover-ups have not worked out well for presidents.

President Richard Milhous Nixon pushed Watergate out past the election, but it caught up with him and he was forced to resign. For a long time only one newspaper in the entire country was interested in Watergate. It happened to be The Washington Post, with its vast resources, and without The Washington Post the truth about Watergate might never have been known.

President William Jefferson Blythe Clinton pushed the Monica Lewinsky affair out past the election and eventually was impeached for perjury. But look at him now ñ he is the revered elder statesman of the Democratic Party. But if it hadn’t been for Lewinsky’s friend Linda Tripp and Lewinsky’s incredible foresight in hiding the blue dress, the American people would have never known that Clinton had been having an affair with a 21-year-old White House intern.

The key for Obama was not to let the mistake of refusing to provide sufficient security for an embassy under attack by al Qaeda on 9/11 keep him from being reelected and it did not.

Now is the time for some brave American to step forward and tell the truth. It looks like they scared the pants off Gen. David Petraeus and he is not going to be the one to tell the story of what really happened. Petraeus did refuse to go along with the huge lies, but he evidently didn’t break any new ground in his testimony. A former general can hardly testify under oath that he looked at a well-planned and coordinated terrorist attack and thought it was a mob protesting a video. Obama, however, who knows nothing about the military can get away with that and he has.

In the Watergate break-in, which resulted in Nixon resigning, felonies were committed, but no one was injured much less killed. For a president to take advantage of a young White House intern is in no way admirable, but no one was injured or killed during Clinton’s affair with Lewinsky.

In the attack on the consulate in Benghazi, four Americans were killed and any number were injured. The Democrats have no interest in what happened, but the Republicans should insist that an investigation be launched and continued until the American people know exactly how and why those Americans died.

Obama has already told so many lies about what happened and his involvement that nothing he says can be trusted. Originally Obama said that he found out about the attack at night. It was no later than 5 p.m. with the sun still shining brightly in Washington, DC, and there is no way that is night. If he can’t even tell the truth about when he found out about the attack, how can the American people believe anything he says about it?”

I urge you to read more:

http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/Articles-Columns-c-2012-11-20-213888.112113-Under-the-Hammer.html

 

Corrupt Obama Justice Department delays Blagojevich appeal, Transcripts still not ready, Delay in appeal protects Obama, Obama still has a Rezko problem

Corrupt Obama Justice Department delays Blagojevich appeal, Transcripts still not ready, Delay in appeal protects Obama, Obama still has a Rezko problem

“this guy is more Tony’d up than I am. …. they got the Chicago media to f…ing make me wear Rezko more. To f…ing dilute it from him.…Rod Blagojevich wiretap November 12, 2008
“BLAGOJEVICH: You know, Axelrod and Obama’s people, you know, clearly turned, you know, got the Chicago media to make Rezko all about me. And hardly about…

HARRIS: Yeah, in other words, they focus their,they focus their attention on you. They couldn’t make it go away so the bes-, next best strategy is deflect it.

BLAGOJEVICH: Right.

HARRIS: This is somewhere where it, it’ll satisfy the, the hunger of the beast, being the media.

BLAGOJEVICH: Right, right.

HARRIS: Yeah, it makes sense. It’s not a stretch. If I’m, if I’m his message advisor, media advisor or whatever, operative, yeah I’m gonna try to feed the beast by giving ‘em something else to eat on.”…Rod Blagojevich wiretap November 12, 2008

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich wiretap November 7, 2008

The transcripts needed for the Rod Blagojevich appeal, overdue by almost a year, are still not ready and the appeals court judge is faulting Blagojevich attorney Lauren Kaeseberg, despite the fact that the appeals court has responsibility in this matter.

From Fox News Philly October 23, 2012.

“Blago attorney questioned about continued delay in appeal process”

“FOX Chicago News has learned that Rod Blagojevich’s appeal is still having trouble getting off the ground, because of delays in producing transcripts from his two trials.

For the second time in the last four months, Lauren Kaeseberg, one of the attorney’s handling Rod Blagojevich’s appeal, has been threatened with disciplinary action because she still hasn’t provided a complete copy of the Blagojevichtrial transcripts to the appellate court.

The appellate court won’t set a briefing schedule to get the appeal moving until the transcripts are available.

As FOX Chicago reported exclusively in August, the court reporter responsible for producing the 16,000 pages of transcripts took a leave of absence for five and a half months after Blagojevich was convicted. So, the appellate court agreed to wait until September 28th for the transcripts.

But, now in October, they’re still not completed. On Monday, the court issued an order, warning Kaeseberg again that she could face monetary or disciplinary sanctions. She responded Tuesday with an explanation, saying transcripts are still missing because they were under seal, or were handled by a different court reporter and she hopes to have them soon.

Kaeseberg told the appellate court that Blagojevich is aware of the delay. Attorneys who talk with him say he never fails to ask about the progress of his appeal.”

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/19896931/blagojevichs-attorney-responsible-for-continued-delay-in-appeal-process

Delays in the appeal clearly help Obama.

From Citizen Wells August 7, 2012.

“DATE: 11/12/2008
TIME: 12:36 P.M.
ACTIVITY: Rod Blagojevich home line incoming call.
SESSION: 558
SPEAKERS:
BLAGOJEVICH: Rod Blagojevich
HARRIS: John Harris

BLAGOJEVICH I mean think about that. I mean they, they want me here in Illinois. That’s a faraway Illinois problem from my old life.

HARRIS Mm-hmm.

BLAGOJEVICH The governor’s got that problem with Rezko, boom. But if I’m in the Senate it’s not just mine anymore, it’s his too. Isn’t it? If the Rezko thing got worse?

HARRIS Mm-hmm, Mm-hmm. Well we’ve always thought that.

BLAGOJEVICH And, and from a legal stand point on the substance of, you know, did, did you do something wrong or didn’t do something wrong it doesn’t change that. But in terms of the, the people who are trying to chase all that down and does it change any dynamic if you’re there verses being left back here.

(gap)

BLAGOJEVICH But don’t forget uh, Obama’s gonna have uh, you know, do something about that. And is Obama more or less likely to wanna contain that if I’m out there with him. I mean I’ve got this theory that even Knapp says could be possible and Balanoff. You know, Axelrod and Obama’s people, you know, clearly turned, you know, got the Chicago media to make Rezko all about me. And hardly about…

HARRIS Yeah, in other words, they focus their,they focus their attention on you. They couldn’t make it go away so the bes-, next best strategy is deflect it.

BLAGOJEVICH Right.

HARRIS This is somewhere where it, it’ll satisfy the, the hunger of the beast, being the media.

BLAGOJEVICH Right, right.

HARRIS Yeah, it makes sense. It’s not a stretch. If I’m, if I’m his message advisor, media advisor or whatever, operative, yeah I’m gonna try to feed the beast by giving ‘em something else to eat on.

BLAGOJEVICH So, if I wanna be safe from Rezko, am I a little bit safer over there with him.”

http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/blagojevich-appeal-delayed-waiting-on-transcripts-court-clerk-5-12-month-leave-of-absence-delays-help-obama-transcripts-of-blagojevich-wiretaps-hurt-obama/

The court reporter, trial judge James Zagel and the appeals court all have a responsibility to produce transcripts needed for an appeal in a timely manner.

From Citizen Wells August 25, 2012.

“Vol 6: Court Reporting

Ҥ 130.20.20 District Court
Each district court must develop a Court Reporting Management Plan.”

“(g) Providing for avoidance of backlogs of transcripts and assuring prompt
delivery of high quality transcripts, particularly for cases on appeal to the
court of appeals; “
Ҥ 440.60 Judge Appointed (Involuntary) Use of Substitute Reporter

§ 440.60.10 Introduction

A district judge or the chief judge of a circuit may appoint a substitute reporter in the event a court reporter is unable to complete transcripts in a timely fashion.”

“(1) Appeals to a Circuit from a District Court
Transcripts for appealed cases should be delivered within 30 days from the date ordered or from the date satisfactory arrangements for payment have been made.”

Ҥ 540 Transcripts for Cases on Appeal

§ 540.10 Introduction

Cases appealed to the United States courts of appeals require the timely transmission of the record from the lower court. A transcript of the proceedings normally is a required part of the record to be transmitted to the court of appeals.”

Ҥ 540.20.20 Rule 11, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure (Forwarding the Record)
The statute states:”
“(B)
If the transcript cannot be completed within 30 days of the reporters receipt of the order, the reporter may request the circuit clerk to grant additional time to complete it. The clerk must note on the docket the action taken and notify the parties.”
“(D)
If the reporter fails to file the transcript on time, the circuit clerk must notify the district judge and do whatever else the court of appeals directs.”

Who engineered these delays and who is responsible?

What were Obama and Blagojevich discussing in 2008?

“Just because it’s a conspiracy theory doesn’t mean it is not true.”

http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/blagojevich-appeal-delay-perfect-chicago-crime-prosecution-and-appeal-delay-protect-obama-help-blagojevich-judge-zagel-usdoj-violate-federal-court-rules/

It is obvious to any rational person paying attention that this delay was orchestrated by the Obama controlled US Justice Department to keep Obama corruption ties out of the election cycle news.

Blagojevich appeal delay perfect Chicago crime, Prosecution and appeal delay protect Obama help Blagojevich, Judge Zagel USDOJ violate federal court rules

Blagojevich appeal delay perfect Chicago crime, Prosecution and appeal delay protect Obama help Blagojevich, Judge Zagel USDOJ violate federal court rules

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

The delay in the prosecution and appeal of Rod Blagojevich.

A perfect Chicago Crime?

From Citizen Wells July 19, 2011.

“We await the appeal of Rod Blagojevich. He was convicted of most counts remaining after counts 1,2 and 4 were removed by the Justice Department. You know, the Justice Department headed by liar and Obama buddy Eric Holder. As reported here yesterday, denying the motion from the Blagojevich defense team to unseal recorded conversations that were wiretapped, appears to be a huge argument to support the appeal and possibly part of the setup. The question is, was Blagojevich picked as the fall guy or will he end up with a slap on the wrist?”

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”

http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/tag/blagojevich-appeal-strategy-will-reveal-more-about-setup/

From Citizen Wells August 7, 2012.

“You have read it here at Citizen Wells for some time. The delays in prosecuting Rod Blagojevich were designed to protect Obama. You also read here that the appeal process for Blagojevich would drag on past the election. We now have more proof.”

It’s been almost eight months since Blagojevich was sentenced on Dec. 7, 2011. His attorneys discussed how they’d appeal six days after that.

“Well there’s a tremendous amount of work to do now, we need to read through all the transcripts,” defense attorney Lauren Kaeseberg said. “There’s two trials, there’s a significant amount of work.”

“But FOX Chicago News learned that since then, that first key step toward an appeal – getting the 16,000 pages of transcripts – has not yet been accomplished.

“They have to file briefs. The briefs have to be based on alleged errors that occurred in the course of the trial,” Kent College of Law professor Richard Kling said. “Those errors, if they occurred, are reflected in the transcript.”

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals recently warned Kaeseberg that she could face monetary or disciplinary sanctions if she didn’t explain why the transcripts weren’t done yet.

Kaeseberg responded by producing these emails she had sent to Judge James Zagel’s court reporter, asking for the transcripts.

Finally, about two weeks ago, the court reporter filed her own motion asking for more time, saying she had taken a leave of absence for five and half months and has been swamped with work since her return.

She has now promised to have the transcripts done by late September, with any appellate review not likely for months after then.”

http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/blagojevich-appeal-delayed-waiting-on-transcripts-court-clerk-5-12-month-leave-of-absence-delays-help-obama-transcripts-of-blagojevich-wiretaps-hurt-obama/

From Citizen Wells August 24, 2012.

A video of Larry Yellen, FOX Chicago News Legal Analyst.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/19221111/patti-blagojevich-speaks-for-first-time-since-rods-conviction-exclusive

The video no longer shows up at the link.

However, Larry Yellen, the FOX Chicago News Legal Analyst states the following:

“Defense lawyers actually faced possible sanctions because they’ve been unable to get the trial transcripts up to the appeals court to start the appeal.
The delays have gone on for months in part because Judge James Zagel’s court reporter took a 5 and 1/2 month leave.”

“The court reporter now has promised to have the transcripts done in about 7 weeks, around September 28.”

“In the George Ryan case he was sentenced on … September and 5 months later they had the transcripts done and they were already doing oral arguments.”

What the Fox News reporter did not tell you is that there are extensive references to procedures in handling appeal case transcripts. The rules are clear.

I can tell you that, based on court rules and procedures, Judge James Zagel carries some of the blame for the delay in the transcripts.

The question is, what was Judge Zagel’s motivation?

http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/obama-justice-department-delays-blagojevich-appeal-blagojevich-arrest-delayed-years-and-past-2008-election-judge-zagel-and-or-usdoj-personnel-in-cahoots/

From the US Courts Guide to Judiciary Policy.

Vol 6: Court Reporting

Ҥ 130.20.20 District Court
Each district court must develop a Court Reporting Management Plan.”

“(g) Providing for avoidance of backlogs of transcripts and assuring prompt
delivery of high quality transcripts, particularly for cases on appeal to the
court of appeals; “
Ҥ 440.60 Judge Appointed (Involuntary) Use of Substitute Reporter

§ 440.60.10 Introduction

A district judge or the chief judge of a circuit may appoint a substitute reporter in the event a court reporter is unable to complete transcripts in a timely fashion.

§ 440.60.20 Judicial Conference Policy
“Because of the inordinate delays that have taken place throughout the system in the preparation of transcripts by court reporters in cases that are being appealed, the Conference agreed that substitute reporters should be employed to service the requirements of the district judge where the official court reporter is unable to complete his [or her] transcripts in a timely fashion and that the salary of the official reporter be subject to withholdings not to exceed the sum necessary to compensate the substitute reporter until the transcripts are current. The need for substitute reporter service is to be determined by the district judge affected or by the chief judge of the circuit, at his [or her] option, acting through the circuit executive.” JCUS-MAR 75, p. 8.”
“(1) Appeals to a Circuit from a District Court
Transcripts for appealed cases should be delivered within 30 days from the date ordered or from the date satisfactory arrangements for payment have been made. If the customary practice of the court reporter is not to require prepayment, the 30-day period
begins upon acceptance of the transcript order by the court reporter.”
“Late delivery of transcripts impedes the work of the courts. Each circuit council decides the due dates for the delivery of transcripts and the amount of penalties to be applied when such dates are not met. Therefore, reporters and transcribers may not charge the full fee if they do not produce an appellate transcript within the time limits required by the circuit councils. Additionally, the district courts or circuit councils may impose other penalties. One such penalty would be to require the reporter to compensate a courtroom substitute while the reporter prepares the overdue transcripts.”

Ҥ 540 Transcripts for Cases on Appeal

§ 540.10 Introduction

Cases appealed to the United States courts of appeals require the timely transmission of the record from the lower court. A transcript of the proceedings normally is a required part of the record to be transmitted to the court of appeals.”

Ҥ 540.20.20 Rule 11, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure (Forwarding the Record)
The statute states:”
“(B)
If the transcript cannot be completed within 30 days of the reporters receipt of the order, the reporter may request the circuit clerk to grant additional time to complete it. The clerk must note on the docket the action taken and notify the parties.”
“(D)
If the reporter fails to file the transcript on time, the circuit clerk must notify the district judge and do whatever else the court of appeals directs.”

Ҥ 540.60 Use of Substitute Reporters
In the event that an official staff, additional, temporary, or combined-position court reporter is not able to provide transcripts in a timely fashion, i.e., within 30 days, the judge may appoint a substitute reporter at the expense of the reporter. See: Guide, Vol 6, § 440 (Substitute Court Reporters).”
Ҥ 540.60.10 Judicial Conference Policy
“Because of the inordinate delays that have taken place throughout the system in the preparation of transcripts by court reporters in cases that are being appealed, the Conference agreed that substitute reporters should be employed to service the requirements of the district judge where the official court reporter is unable to complete his transcripts in a timely fashion and that the salary of the official reporter be subject to withholdings not to exceed the sum necessary to compensate the substitute reporter until the transcripts are current. The need for substitute reporter service is to be determined by the district judge affected or by the chief judge of the circuit, at his [or her] option, acting through the circuit executive.” JCUS-MAR 75, p. 8.

§ 540.70 Withholding Salary / Placing Reporter on Leave Without Pay
If it is necessary for the judge to appoint a substitute reporter while the court reporter is preparing backlogged transcripts, either the court reporter bears the cost of a substitute appointed by a judge or the court reporter is placed on leave without pay.”

http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/FederalCourts/Publications/Guide_Vol06.pdf

As you can see, appeals cases transcripts are expected to be produced in a timely fashion. There are numerous clearly defined rules for processing them. The responsibilities and contingencies are well covered.
So why is this possibly a perfect Chicago crime?

First of all, without a doubt, this protects Obama again during an election cycle. News from a Blagojevich appeal stays out of the media as does Blagojevich himself.

Secondly, this is another nail in the coffin of judicial misconduct during the Blagojevich prosecutions and another reason for an appeals court judge to throw out the convictions.

Who engineered these delays and who is responsible?

What were Obama and Blagojevich discussing in 2008?

“Just because it’s a conspiracy theory doesn’t mean it is not true.”

Obama Justice Department delays Blagojevich appeal, Blagojevich arrest delayed years and past 2008 election, Judge Zagel and or USDOJ personnel in cahoots?

Obama Justice Department delays Blagojevich appeal, Blagojevich arrest delayed years and past 2008 election, Judge Zagel and or USDOJ personnel in cahoots?

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

Am I another Edgar Cayce. The answer is no. So how did I accurately predict what would happen with the Blagojevich appeal process?

The answer is simple.

I have been paying attention and the conclusion I arrived at was highly predictable.

The Obama Justice Department continues to protect Obama.

The arrest of Blagojevich was delayed years and took place after the 2008 election.

The Blagojevich appeal will drag on past the 2012 election process.

From Citizen Wells December  21, 2011.

“Blagojevich attorneys begin appeals process”

“Attorneys for Rod Blagojevich have formally begun the process of appealing the former Illinois governor’s conviction and prison sentence.

They did so in a court filing late Tuesday, notifying the U.S. District Court in Chicago that they intended to appeal to a higher court.

Blagojevich has been ordered to report to prison on March 15. The 55-year-old was convicted earlier this year of corruption charges that included allegations that he tried to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat for campaign cash or a top job.

Attorneys had said they planned to appeal.

However, the process of filing a full appeal is likely to drag on for several weeks or even months. After notification, transcripts and other documents are typically transferred to the higher court.”

http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/blagojevich-appeal-process-begins-court-filing-december-20-2011-blagojevich-prison-sentence-begins-march-15/

From Citizen Wells July 19, 2011.

“We await the appeal of Rod Blagojevich. He was convicted of most counts remaining after counts 1,2 and 4 were removed by the Justice Department. You know, the Justice Department headed by liar and Obama buddy Eric Holder. As reported here yesterday, denying the motion from the Blagojevich defense team to unseal recorded conversations that were wiretapped, appears to be a huge argument to support the appeal and possibly part of the setup. The question is, was Blagojevich picked as the fall guy or will he end up with a slap on the wrist?”

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”

http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/tag/blagojevich-appeal-strategy-will-reveal-more-about-setup/

From Citizen Wells August 7, 2012.

“You have read it here at Citizen Wells for some time. The delays in prosecuting Rod Blagojevich were designed to protect Obama. You also read here that the appeal process for Blagojevich would drag on past the election. We now have more proof.”

It’s been almost eight months since Blagojevich was sentenced on Dec. 7, 2011. His attorneys discussed how they’d appeal six days after that.

“Well there’s a tremendous amount of work to do now, we need to read through all the transcripts,” defense attorney Lauren Kaeseberg said. “There’s two trials, there’s a significant amount of work.”

“But FOX Chicago News learned that since then, that first key step toward an appeal – getting the 16,000 pages of transcripts – has not yet been accomplished.

“They have to file briefs. The briefs have to be based on alleged errors that occurred in the course of the trial,” Kent College of Law professor Richard Kling said. “Those errors, if they occurred, are reflected in the transcript.”

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals recently warned Kaeseberg that she could face monetary or disciplinary sanctions if she didn’t explain why the transcripts weren’t done yet.

Kaeseberg responded by producing these emails she had sent to Judge James Zagel’s court reporter, asking for the transcripts.

Finally, about two weeks ago, the court reporter filed her own motion asking for more time, saying she had taken a leave of absence for five and half months and has been swamped with work since her return.

She has now promised to have the transcripts done by late September, with any appellate review not likely for months after then.”

http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/blagojevich-appeal-delayed-waiting-on-transcripts-court-clerk-5-12-month-leave-of-absence-delays-help-obama-transcripts-of-blagojevich-wiretaps-hurt-obama/

From Fox News Chicago August 7, 2012.

“Patti Blagojevich not happy about Rod’s delayed appeal process: EXCLUSIVE”

“Former Illinois first lady Patti Blagojevich is not happy about delays in the appeals process for her husband, convicted ex-governor Rod Blagojevich.

In an exclusive interview, she told FOX Chicago News that the situation is “incredibly frustrating.”

“I mean, my girls miss their dad, he’s missing their birthday, my daughter had her sixteenth birthday just the other day,” Patti said.

Mrs. Blagojevich said it’s been bugging her for months.

As FOX Chicago revealed Tuesday, even though Rod Blagojevich was convicted last summer and sentenced in December, the transcripts from his two trials have not yet been completed for the appellate court.

“There sure was a rush to get my husband in jail,” Blagojevich wrote to friends on Facebook, “where he now sits waiting for the long overdue transcripts.”

The former Illinois governor reported to prison in March. He’s serving time at the Englewood federal corrections facility outside Denver.

“We’ve been waiting for the transcripts to start the appeal,” Mrs. Blagojevich said. “You can’t start the appeal until your appellate lawyer can review the transcripts.”

Judge James Zagel’s court reporter filed a request for an extension of time three weeks ago. The request informed the appeals court that she had been on a five and half month personal leave of absence, and returned to a mountain of work.

Defense attorney Lauren Kaeseberg told the court that she has made numerous requests for the transcripts over the last year, without success. She even produced emails to prove it.

“For five and half months we’ve been waiting for these transcripts to appear,” Patti said. “Meanwhile, the trials have been over. the first trial’s been over for two years, the second trial’s been over a year.”"

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/19221111/patti-blagojevich-speaks-for-first-time-since-rods-conviction-exclusive

A video of Larry Yellen, FOX Chicago News Legal Analyst.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/19221111/patti-blagojevich-speaks-for-first-time-since-rods-conviction-exclusive

The video no longer shows up at the link.

However, Larry Yellen,  the FOX Chicago News Legal Analyst states the following:

“Defense lawyers actually faced possible sanctions because they’ve been unable to get the trial transcripts up to the appeals court to start the appeal.
The delays have gone on for months in part because Judge James Zagel’s court reporter took a 5 and 1/2 month leave.”

“The court reporter now has promised to have the transcripts done in about 7 weeks, around September 28.”

“In the George Ryan case he was sentenced on … September and 5 months later they had the transcripts done and they were already doing oral arguments.”

What the Fox News reporter did not tell you is that there are extensive references to procedures in handling appeal case transcripts. The rules are clear.

I can tell you that, based on court rules and procedures, Judge James Zagel carries some of the blame for the delay in the transcripts.

The question is, what was Judge Zagel’s motivation?