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Rod Blagojevich Reports to Prison

Update: The longest 60 seconds of Blago's life is probably this walk (video)from the car into the prison. Via the Denver Post, here's his real welcome crew.

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The media circus surrounding Rod Blagojevich continued today as he flew commerically to Denver and made his way to FCI Englewood.

Followed by helicopters and television news crews on the road that brought to mind the low speed chase of O.J. Simpson, Blagojevich arrived at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. A mob of travelers took photographs on their cellphones as Blagojevich, his arms raised, stood in a body scanner before heading to down the concourse.
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Since he arrived at DIA at 10:30 and didn't have to report until 2:00 p.m., they drove around aimlessly for a while. Even his stop at a nondescript suburban diner called Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers for patty melts and fries was filmed and broadcast. (He didn't each much.) Then, around 11:45 a.m., Rod entered the FCI.

The media was camped outside his house this morning as he left. His last words to them:

"Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'm leaving with a heavy heart, clear conscience and high, high hopes for the future. I'll see you guys when I see you. I'll see you around."

He was talkative and interacted with passengers and reporters on the plane. At Freddy's, a customer recognized him from Celebrity Apprentice.

Blagojevich reportedly replied, “Donald Trump fired me but that’s nothing compared to what I’m facing today.”

As I've said a few times, I think Blago will get along fine with the other inmates. He has a knack for getting along with people quite different than him. His tendency to be self-deprecating rather than arrogant will probably help. He'll get immersed in the stories of other prisoners. He'll maintain hope his appeal will be successful. His worst problems will be the boredom, lack of privacy and regimentation.

Here's the prison's admissions and orientation handbook. He's not going to be locked in a cell. His first days will be spent with prison staff undergoing assessments. When he finally gets a job, he'll probably be so grateful for something to do he won't care what it is. He'll be able to email. The commissary list is pretty extensive.

If you'd like to write him or send him a magazine subscription, his address is:

Rod Blagojevich, #No. 40892-424
FCI Englewood
9595 West Quincy Ave
Littleton, CO 80123
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  • Display: Sort:
    I've come here a couple of times to comment (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by sj on Thu Mar 15, 2012 at 04:30:47 PM EST
    But I just don't even know what to say.

    He's like (none / 0) (#4)
    by Edger on Thu Mar 15, 2012 at 04:32:54 PM EST
    the Bernie Madoff of politics, only on a much much smaller scale?

    Parent
    Not really, IMO (5.00 / 3) (#8)
    by sj on Thu Mar 15, 2012 at 09:00:33 PM EST
    His transgressions didn't cause harm to others.  There's something very likeable and almost... I don't know... innocent? child-like?  ... about him.  Oblivious, surely.  

    There are felons, and then there are felons, if you know what I mean.  The sentence just seems like such over-kill.

    Parent

    Yes (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Edger on Thu Mar 15, 2012 at 09:20:28 PM EST
    I probably could have repeated the words much much much much much much more than I did ;-)

    Like, if Madoff had only shoplifted a bag of chips or neglected to tell his bank about a few dollar misdeposit into his account something then there would be a parallel between him and Blago.

    Blago isn't Blankfein.

    Parent

    Spelling Alert: "Blagojvich" needs an (none / 0) (#1)
    by Anne on Thu Mar 15, 2012 at 03:15:17 PM EST
    "e" between the "j" and the "v" in the title.

    fixed, thanks! (none / 0) (#2)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 15, 2012 at 04:15:41 PM EST
    Maybe he could email TL (none / 0) (#5)
    by CoralGables on Thu Mar 15, 2012 at 05:57:49 PM EST
    and could have a daily posting of the BlagoBlog

    Jeryalyn. I look forward to your post on this (none / 0) (#6)
    by randy80302 on Thu Mar 15, 2012 at 06:02:36 PM EST
    thanks, feel free to discuss it (none / 0) (#7)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 15, 2012 at 07:36:00 PM EST
    in an open thread.

    Parent