Trib sat on Blagojevich wiretap story

[WaylonJennings]

Patrick Fitzgerald just commended them for it.

Not sure how I feel about it.

I understand ... but ick.

 

[PeteyPirate]

Why the ick? Either you believe there are circumstances under which a newspaper should sit on a story, or you don't. If we learned anything from "The Wire," it's that blowing a wiretap would be a bad thing. I'm fine with them sitting on it.

 

[Ace]

Did they still get the story first?

 

[budcrew08]

Personally, I think it was a good move by the editorial board. Why run a story if it would ruin an investigation into a high-ranking public figure?

I think it's better off for the public good that they waited to run it.

 

[WaylonJennings]

Why the ick?

The "ick" relates to the prosecutor publicly commending the paper for sitting on news.

To me, we'll sit on it. But don't congratulate us for it.

Because with sources like that, it comes down to this:

Break news on our time = Good newspaper!
Break news on your time = Bad newspaper!

 

[Sheri]

"Blagojevich and Harris also allegedly conspired to demand the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members responsible for editorials critical of Blagojevich in exchange for state help with the sale of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs baseball stadium owned by Tribune Co."

Ummm, was Tribune actually entertaining the discussions? Or did they come forward? WTF?

From:
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/12/source-feds-take-gov-blagojevich-into-custody.html

 

[Sheri]

And forgive my Canadian ignorance, but aren't Senators elected? Or are they only appointed between elections?

 

[WaylonJennings]

And forgive my Canadian ignorance, but aren't Senators elected? Or are they only appointed between elections?

Elected. But in this case, it's the seat that Obama vacated, and Illinois state law is that the governor appoints the replacement to serve out the rest of the term. Every state is different. Some hold a special election.

 

[21]

Trying to imagine the shudder that went through the Tower when Fitzgerald disclosed this. Gotta believe they didn't see that coming.

 

[Stitch]

And forgive my Canadian ignorance, but aren't Senators elected? Or are they only appointed between elections?

Elected. But in this case, it's the seat that Obama vacated, and Illinois state law is that the governor appoints the replacement to serve out the rest of the term. Every state is different. Some hold a special election.

17th Amendment

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two
Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six
years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in
each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of
the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State
in the Senate, the executive authority of each State shall issue
writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided That the legislature
of any State may empower the executive thereof to make
temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by
election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the
election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid
as part of the Constitution.

 

[Double Down]

This thread really confused the hell out of me for a few minutes because I couldn't understand why Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald would be commenting on the Trib holding this story. One of these dudes need to take a middle initial or something.

 

[Ace]

Trying to imagine the shudder that went through the Tower when Fitzgerald disclosed this. Gotta believe they didn't see that coming.

Maybe Sam Zell demanded it. Being a great journalist and all.

 

[21]

Trying to imagine the shudder that went through the Tower when Fitzgerald disclosed this. Gotta believe they didn't see that coming.

Maybe Sam Zell demanded it. Being a great journalist and all.

The more I think about it, seems rather stunning that for all the things Fitzgerald won't comment on, he didn't hesitate to 'congratulate' the Tribune for its participation.

As stated on the other thread, the Tribune definitely had reason to see Blag go down, which raises a lot of other questions. Would they have been so willing to withhold the story if they hadn't been victimized by his blackmail/threats?

 

[toomanycookies]

More from the AP story regarding the Tribune:

The affidavit also outlines Blagojevich conversations related to Tribune Co., which has been hoping to sell Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs which the publishing giant also owns.
Blagojevich was quoted in court papers as telling Harris in a profanity laced Nov. 4 conversation that his recommendation to Tribune executives was to fire the editorial writers "and get us some editorial support."
Harris is quoted as telling the governor Nov. 11 that an unnamed Tribune Owner, presumably CEO Sam Zell, "got the message and is very sensitive to the issue."
The affidavit said Harris quoted a Tribune financial adviser as saying cuts were coming at the newspaper and "reading between the lines he's going after that section," apparently meaning editorial writers. Blagojevich is quoted as saying: "Oh, that's fantastic."
"Wow," Blagojevich allegedly replied. "Keep our fingers crossed. You're the man. Good job, John."
Harris allegedly told Blagojevich in his conversation with the financial adviser he had singled out deputy editorial page editor John McCormick as "somebody who was the most biased and unfair."
After hearing that, Blagojevich allegedly stressed to the head of a Chicago sports consulting firm that it was important to provide state aid for a Wrigley Field sale.

I hope the editorial writers are taking some satisfaction in all of this. Also, interesting to see if Mr. Zell is implicated, or asked to cooperate with the Feds.

What an incredible **** stew. Every time I think the old-school era of Chicago politics is over, I'm always proved wrong.

 

[WaylonJennings]

So it's possible that Zell was considering selling out his own editorial page writers to placate the governor?

Or was he not?

 

[Ace]

So it's possible that Zell was considering selling out his own editorial page writers to placate the governor?

Or was he not?

Sounds like he was.

 

[Double Down]

So it's possible that Zell was considering selling out his own editorial page writers to placate the governor?

Or was he not?

Maybe Sam Zell is like Arvin Sloan in Alias, except not nearly as crafty. He does work with the evildoers, until it becomes advantageous to turn them in, at which point he pretends it was all ruse and that he was on the side of the righteous all alone. Thematically, it doesn't always make sense but that's why Jennifer Garner is there, dressed in skimpy clothing, to distract you and keep you from asking those kind of questions.

In this metaphor, I believe Garner is the Cubs.

 

[ondeadline]

According to a Chicago Sun-Times writer on CNN, Zell made six-figure contributions to Blagojevich's campaign before he bought the Tribune Company.

 

[WaylonJennings]

According to a Chicago Sun-Times writer on CNN, Zell made six-figure contributions to Blagojevich's campaign before he bought the Tribune Company.

This is going to get fun.

 

[21]

Trying to imagine. :'(