Roland Burris has filed to ask a court to compel Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to certify his appointment by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to the United States Senate. White has refused to sign off on the appointment and the Senate democrats appear to be moving to block Burris.
The lawsuit asks the court to order White “to certify Governor Blagojevich’s appointment of Mr. Burris to the office of United States Senator from the state of Illinois and do all other acts required to confirm such appointment.”
The lawsuit is well based given White’s clear abuse of his authority. This is a valid appointment by the governor, who has been neither impeached nor convicted for any crimes. White is effectively declaring that he can unilaterally reject duly appointed candidates because he does not like the governor. That position would make the state laws discretionary at his whim and wishes.
It is not clear that White’s signature is actually needed in this case, though the standard form has placed for both the governor and secretary of state.
In the meantime, the democrats are moving forward with a plan to block Burris. Both actions are entirely without legal basis. There is no legal controversy or cloud over this appointment. To block such an appointment is an arbitrary and abusive use of power.
For the full story, click here.
Well Gyges, I done forgot about them playoffs and them god time consuming end zone kneelin’ and prayin’ demonstrations…
Furthermore, I just need to remember and respect that at least god has *his* priorities straight; gridirons over leg irons any day of his workweek. Which reminds me, does god ever get a holiday/vacation day off?
FFLEO,
God Is toO busy rigging the playoffs and bowl games to worry about anything as inconsequential as a the Illinois Junior Senator.
I still want the stepwise processes of government: executive/legislative/judicial to occur but now Mr. Burris is interjecting the supernatural ordainment of god/lord/holy ghost into the proceedings:
“We are hoping and praying that they will not be able to deny what the Lord has ordained,” Burris said. “I am not hesitating. I am now the junior Senator from the state of Illinois. Some people may want to question that and that is their prerogative.”
Holy Cow!, whatcha doin’ now… (1966 song by Lee Dorsey)
I was reading about the Burris issue over at ‘The Daily Kos’ and someone posted the following saying. I got a chuckle out of it because I used to spend hours seeing how far I could make a Slinkie travel down the long outdoor grade school steps back in the 1950s.
“You know, some people are like slinkies, they’re good for nothin’! But they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.”
If we have the spectacle of an attempt to expel Roland Burris from the Senate by Democrats, we face the prospect of Republicans voting for a Democrat to be seated. Probably won’t happen, but, given the contrarian habits of the GOP, it might be irresistible. What better way to keep the pot boiling?
Democrats, sometimes it’s better to quit digging in that hole.
FFLEO,
As long as we don’t apply that same logic to football. I know deep in my heart of hearts that the Raiders are dirty cheaters and the Broncos just make mistakes.