Let him rot (Wizbang)

There's a movement among certain Illinois politicians in order to get President Bush to pardon former IL Republican Governor George Ryan.

Democratic Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan said today that she does not agree with Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's decision to send a letter to President George W. Bush asking him to commute the federal corruption sentence of former Republican Gov. George Ryan.
Madigan, a potential governor candidate in 2010, said Ryan must be held responsible for the 1994 deaths of the six Willis children. They were killed when the family van caught fire after hitting a piece of debris that fell off a truck driven by a man who obtained his license through a bribe. Ryan was secretary of state at the time and federal prosecutors later convicted dozens of engaging in a licenses-for-bribes scheme that benefited Ryan's campaign fund.

"I respect the work that Sen. Durbin has done for the people of the state of Illinois, but I think he's wrong to seek a commutation for former Gov. Ryan's sentence," Madigan said. "As a prosecutor, we look at the impact that crimes have on victims and in this case, (the victims are) the six Willis children (and) the 13 million people of the state of Illinois."

Madigan acknowledged concerns about the health of Ryan's wife, Lura Lynn, but said Ryan should have realized both he and his family would suffer because of his crimes.

If there was true justice, Ryan and his five of his family members would be placed in a vehicle which would then be set on fire. That or have Ryan watch as six of closest relatives had this done to them. Ryan put money over human lives, it don't matter to me that he couldn't have foretold what happened to WIllis family, all that matters is his actions destroyed a family and killed six children. He deserves to spend every day of his sentence in jail and MORE!

Comments (9)

"If there was true justice,... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by DaveD | December 4, 2008 7:33 AM | Score: -2 (4 votes cast)

DaveD:

"If there was true justice, Ryan and his five of his family members would be placed in a vehicle which would then be set on fire. That or have Ryan watch as six of closest relatives had this done to them."

Corrupt officials should do the time.

But,
I am going to assume that when you actually think about the above statement you probably do not mean it. Wanting to fry Ryan is one thing. His family along with him?

Posted on December 4, 2008 07:33

Oh no.... no pardon for thi... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Jason | December 4, 2008 7:42 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Jason:

Oh no.... no pardon for this guy!
http://rightklik.blogspot.com/

Posted on December 4, 2008 07:42

Why should Durbin ask Bush ... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by hermie | December 4, 2008 7:53 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

hermie:

Why should Durbin ask Bush for the pardon or commutation? The answer is simple.

If Bush pardons Ryan, then the Dems can use this to continue to bash Republicans through 2012, especially in Illinois. It is Durbin's cynical little ploy to attempt to make the GOP totally responsible for Ryan's corruption; forgetting to mention it was a state-wide system of corruption and graft.

This is also meant to do injury to any continued investigation of Illinois politicians by Patrick Fitzgerald. By 'tainting' the Ryan case; by making it a matter of politicial 'persecution' (the guilty GOP pol getting off while Fitzgerald is 'hounding' Dems), this gives Obama an excuse to can Fitzgerald and pardon 'victims' like his buddy Rezko.

By the way...As of this morning, Obama is not commenting on Durbin's efforts...As his usual method of operation, when things are difficult, he votes 'present'.

Posted on December 4, 2008 07:53

4. Posted by Bruce Henry | December 4, 2008 10:06 AM | Score: -2 (4 votes cast)

Bruce Henry:

"If there was true justice, Ryan and five of his family members would be placed in a vehicle which would then be set on fire."

How very Christian of you.

Posted on December 4, 2008 10:06

If there was true ... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by Anon Y. Mous | December 4, 2008 10:10 AM | Score: -1 (3 votes cast)

Anon Y. Mous:

If there was true justice, Ryan and his five of his family members would be placed in a vehicle which would then be set on fire. That or have Ryan watch as six of closest relatives had this done to them.

A little Saddam style justice? How about setting up a rape room; Ryan can then be forced to watch as his family is raped and tortured to death. Would that be enough "justice" for you?

Posted on December 4, 2008 10:10

I live in Illinois, and I a... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by Omnibus Driver | December 4, 2008 10:21 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Omnibus Driver:

I live in Illinois, and I am most unhappy with Durbin at the moment... but... I think his actions are colored by the recent death of his daughter. I'll give the guy a little credit for acting out of grief... but not much.

Posted on December 4, 2008 10:21

That's completely over the ... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by PC | December 4, 2008 10:24 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)

PC:

That's completely over the line. Yes, what he did was wrong and he deserves to rot in jail, but his family had nothing to do with it.

Posted on December 4, 2008 10:24

Ryan deserves more time for... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Dodo David | December 4, 2008 4:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Dodo David:

Ryan deserves more time for what he did to his ex-wife Jeri (a.k.a. Star Trek Borg Babe) .

Posted on December 4, 2008 16:45

Dodo is an apt term.<... (Below threshold)