rainydaynews

Illinois may soon become the most hated state in the nation if things are not resolved here by the time the new U.S. Senate is sworn in.
Governor Rod Blagojevich is pressing the issue and forcing the Senate to dust off Constitutional law manuals to try to find a way not to allow a federally indicted governor, whose federal security clearance has been revoked, to name someone to the United States Senate.
The provess is convoluted enough to make even Constitutional scholars scratch their heads. The appointee, Roland Burris, will have to present to the Sargeant-at-Arms a certificate signed by Blagojevich and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White indicating that he is the Senator-elect.
If the certificate is presented, then some sitting Senator, probably a Democrat, will challenge Burris’ credentials when Vice President Dick Cheney, presiding over the swearing in of new Senators, asks for objects. Then, Burris will be referred to the Rules Committee of the Senate. Because he will prevented from taking the oath of office, Burris would be given priviledges to be on the Senate floor, but no desk or voting rights.
Without the certificate, Burris will simply be turned away by the Sargeant-at-Arms. White has said that he will not sign the certificate, but there is every indication that he may be required by law to do so.
The senate is hoping that the referral to the Rules Committee will be the delay until the Illinois General Assembly can take care of the impeachment proceedings here in Illinois. In theory, they may take action on the impeachment as early as Thursday. Locally, we can only hope so.
In the meantime, I am adopting the the new American Manifesto as written by Harry the Hobo Widdifield, except that I’ll be substituting Illinois for America.

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