Snort: Blago staff leads ethics classes

By Michelle Malkin  •  January 6, 2009 10:32 AM

Last month, I noted that the annual COGEL (Council on Governmental Ethics Laws) Conference took place in Chicago just as Blago-gate erupted.

Now, members of Blago’s staff are conducting ethics classes for state workers.

No, seriously.

The Chicago Trib reports:

Only in Illinois?

As legislators weigh impeaching Gov. Rod Blagojevich and federal prosecutors prepare to indict him on corruption charges, his acting chief of staff and a deputy governor will be keynote speakers Wednesday at an “Ethics in the Workplace” seminar for some 200 state employees.

The governor’s acting chief of staff, Clayton Harris III, is new to his post; his predecessor, John Harris, was arrested the same day as the governor and resigned Dec. 12. Deputy Gov. Dean Martinez started his job a month ago.

An academic interviewed by the Trib doesn’t see teh funny in the ethically tainted teaching government workers how to stay clean:

“That’s a real tough question, but … I don’t see the irony really,” said Rev. Tim Fiala, executive director of University of Illinois at Chicago’s Integritas Institute, an ethics forum.

The commenters at the Trib site provide some needed schooling:

The author should have askked some questions and he would have found out the Mr. Harris, the charged former chief of staff, lead the round table discussion last year. Maybe the U of I professor would have been able to find the irony in that.

***

I’ve heard about these exams. Not only are they hilariously slanted toward wrongdoing by the George Ryan administration, they time you on the testing. If you finish too quickly in answering the questions, they make you take it over again to be sure you’re not cheating! Can’t wait to hear about this year’s questions. ie: Is it wrong to “talk” about taking money for a Senate seat if in fact, you didn’t take any?

***

Another case of “do what I say not what I do”. Maybe the professor can line up Scott Falwell, George Ryan and Blago for next year’s ethic symposium. They all could give tips on what they would do differently so they wouldn’t get CAUGHT! They could also talk about how to build a big slush fund so you could use it to defend against your eventual federal indictment.

(Hat tip: Marathon Pundit)

Posted in: Corruption

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Comments


  1. #584090
    On January 6th, 2009 at 10:38 am, jjmurphy said:

    “That’s a real tough question, but … I don’t see the irony really,” said Rev. Tim Fiala, executive director of University of Illinois at Chicago’s Integritas Institute, an ethics forum.

    What would we ever do without the sheer brilliance of our academic community?

  2. #584093
    On January 6th, 2009 at 10:39 am, ajmontana said:

    And now the Senate has a comedy writer in the mix to make it all just as peachy as this ethics poohbah.

    Maybe Rev Wright was on to something with his spewing of you know what.

  3. #584098
    On January 6th, 2009 at 10:44 am, pueblo1032 said:

    BLAGO is a BLACK EYE to CHICAGO POLITICS… Ethics classes are indeed needed… The CHICAGO WAY will teach employees HOW NOT TO GET CAUGHT…

  4. #584108
    On January 6th, 2009 at 10:51 am, On-my-soap-box said:

    Now, members of Blago’s staff are conducting ethics classes for state workers.

    No, seriously.

    HAHHHAHHAAAAHHHAHHAAAA

    No, wait…

    HAHHHAHHAHHAAAHHHAAAAA

  5. #584131
    On January 6th, 2009 at 11:05 am, Flyoverman said:

    If you want to best learn how to protect your home from theft, consult a former or current burgular.

    Perhaps the classes are on indictment avoidance.

  6. #584133
    On January 6th, 2009 at 11:06 am, Cosmo said:

    The “Integritas Institute” at UI-C…HAAHAAAA

    I think I’d trust a degree from the Bosley Institute of Hair Restoration first.

    Thanks Marathon Pundit for nice hot steaming cup of irony this morning!

  7. #584171
    On January 6th, 2009 at 11:30 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    Next up, the fetching Mrs. Blagojevich will open a #@$%ing Charm School.

  8. #584201
    On January 6th, 2009 at 11:48 am, tre said:

    I have obtained a copy of their lecture. Here it is in its entirety.

    “Look at what we did, then do just the opposite. Class dismissed.”

  9. #584208
    On January 6th, 2009 at 11:52 am, rocketman said:

    Why don’t we have the very knowledgeable “B.J.” Clinton teach a class on avoiding SEXUAL ETHICS problems with subordinates, co-workers, and interns? And how to properly “treat” women in the “workplace”–aka Oval Office.
    ***
    Or maybe Willie Sutton on how to avoid robbery problems in banks?
    ***
    Or maybe Adolf Hitler on proper treatment of minorities and political opponents?
    ***
    Possibly HAMAS could field some experts on how to properly treat those of other religions–especially the JUICES.
    ***
    Remember–it takes one to know one!
    ***
    John Bibb

  10. #584213
    On January 6th, 2009 at 11:57 am, Fat Jolly Penguin said:

    “That’s a real tough question, but … I don’t see the irony really,” said Rev. Tim Fiala, executive director of University of Illinois at Chicago’s Integritas Institute, an ethics forum.

    I may sue him for a new laptop. Mine suddenly has apple juice all over it.

  11. #584229
    On January 6th, 2009 at 12:06 pm, CW4_KGP said:

    “That’s a real tough question, but … I don’t see the irony really,” said Rev. Tim Fiala, executive director of University of Illinois at Chicago’s Integritas Institute, an ethics forum.

    Hey Padre, you DO know you can go to hell for lying too, don’t you?

  12. #584243
    On January 6th, 2009 at 12:20 pm, John Deaux said:

    If Zimbabwe can chair the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, then why not this?

  13. #584245
    On January 6th, 2009 at 12:22 pm, right_on said:

    It makes perfect sense to me. You must know how the system works in order to game it. Boxers don’t enter the ring to face an opponent, without first doing research on the other fighter.

    Expect the Illinois Democrats to start using semantics, and wordsmithing to deflect scrutiny on their corrupt infrastructure. Sorry, but even bleach at this point will not remove that stain. It has sat too long, and is set too deeply to be removed cosmetically.

    Politicians in the various Illinois state houses would be well advised to wear safety glasses in the coming months because of all the fingers that will be flying. Perhaps flailing would be a better word.

  14. #584267
    On January 6th, 2009 at 12:43 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    So is that where that expression comes from? “Those that can, do. Those that can’t, teach.”

  15. #584288
    On January 6th, 2009 at 12:58 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    Next up, the fetching Mrs. Blagojevich will open a #@$%ing Charm School.

    Dexter Alarius. Thanks, dude. Coffee sprayed all over the monitor.

  16. #584518
    On January 6th, 2009 at 4:10 pm, dan708 said:

    “That’s a real tough question, but … I don’t see the irony really,” said Rev. Tim Fiala, executive director of University of Illinois at Chicago’s Integritas Institute, an ethics forum.

    Perhaps this genius could be appointed Washington’s first “Comic Laureate”?

  17. #584572
    On January 6th, 2009 at 4:46 pm, bballbob said:

    Perhaps the good reverend has been spending his time with fellow faculty memeber Bill Ayres and has thus misplaced his sense of humor and now finds everything about America just too darn depressing.

  18. #584660
    On January 6th, 2009 at 5:52 pm, MtsEdge said:

    “We teach best that which we most need to learn.”

  19. #584717
    On January 6th, 2009 at 6:52 pm, cubbiegal said:

    I saw an ethics book today that was written by Peter Singer.
    He and Blago should teach the class together.
    *gag*

  20. #584753
    On January 6th, 2009 at 7:27 pm, MtsEdge said:

    I saw an ethics book today that was written by Peter Singer.
    He and Blago should teach the class together.

    Perhaps Singer and Kevorkian could collaborate, too.

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