(Melchizedek Communique, MC121308) Illinois is now "a highly charged political landscape where questions about the allegiances and motives of all major players could dominate the discussion," reports the Chicago Tribune newspaper today. [3] Like earlier reports from Melchizedek Communique about flying snakes and their legendary battles, Illinois has turned into a political jungle where fierce creatures lurk in the shadows. Ever since the dramatic arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich (aka "Blago") on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, Illinois creatures have been stirred from their nests.

Actual charges against Blago are "conspiracy to commit mail fraud and solicitation of bribery." [1]

The Chief Exec of the Chicago Tribune is Sam Zell. Reportedly overheard on "The Blago Tapes" is the name Nils Larsen, "finance whiz" for the Tribune. Larsen was allegedly asked to get some Tribune editorial writers fired. Blago did not like what some Tribune reporters were writing. "Want to renovate Wrigley Field? Blago will block money unless unfriendly reporters are fired." Did Larsen apply pressure at Tribune? That is unknown. The FBI is seeking internal Tribune memos involving personnel changes. [1]

But why did the Chicago Tribune wait more than a month to report on this?

Dateline: Nov. 5, 2008: Blago tells John Harris, his chief of staff, to warn Nils Larsen, "finance whiz", that Tribune editorials are harming the Wrigley Field situation. Next day, Harris reports back to Blago. "Did Larsen get the message?" asks Blago. "Yes, boss", replies Harris. [1]

Much of the information we are getting on the Blagojevich scandal is filtered through the Chicago Tribune, not a neutral party.

Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., is the son of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, famous symbol. A suspicious fundraiser was held on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. In attendance were Raghuveer Nayak, an Oak Brook businessman, Jonathan Jackson, also a son of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Blago himself. [2]

Then, on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, Blago met with the congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. According to the Tribune, Blago and Rep. Jackson "met to discuss the Senate seat" that day. Next day, from out of the blue, a news frenzy erupted when Blago got arrested. We depend on the Tribune for information that "Senate Candidate 5" is Rep. Jackson and not Emil Jones, as had been thought. Rep. Jackson has retained an attorney, James Montgomery, as his consigliere. [2]

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, daughter of Michael Madigan, power in the Ill. state House and bitter opponent of Blago, has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to remove Blago from power. House Speaker Michael Madigan reportedly helped install some of these same Illinois Supreme Court judges. The name of Lisa Madigan has been "bandied about" for capture of the coveted U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. There are "no clear standards for how justices would determine a governor's fitness to serve." There are "flimsy legal handrails." [3]

------- Sources -------
[1] "Tribune finance whiz questioned by FBI", by Todd Lighty and Robert Becker. Chicago Tribune, Dec. 12, 2008, p. 20

[2] "Blagojevich fundraiser held by Jackson allies Saturday," by David Kidwell, et al. Chicago Tribune, Dec. 12, 2008, p. 1

[3] "Madigan: He's Unfit", by Ray Long, et al. Chicago Tribune, Dec. 13, 2008, p. 1