Corruption Trial of Former Gov. Blagojevich Begins

Millions of Americans lament that they don't really know much about Barack Hussein Obama. By the time this trial is over, we'll know a great deal more about him and the corrupt political machine from which he comes.

Chicago Machine veterans Barack Hussein Obama and Rod Blagojevich

From The Houston Chronicle
By Mike Robinson and Michael Tarm

The corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich began Thursday, 18 months after authorities arrested him at home one morning and accused him of trying to sell the Senate seat that President Barack Obama had vacated for the White House.

A smiling and relaxed-looking Blagojevich had arrived at federal court with his wife, Patti, and stepped into a gantlet of about 30 waiting cameras and reporters. He hugged supporters and thanked them on his way into the courthouse. That included a group of women with signs, including May Farley, 78, of Elmhurst, who held a placard saying, "Rod's not cuckoo. Rod's not guilty."

"I feel great," said Blagojevich, who denies any wrongdoing. "The truth shall set you free," he told one well-wisher as he shook the man's hand.

Patti Blagojevich thanked supporters for helping them through a tough time.

"But today is a good day because today is the day that begins the process to correct a terrible injustice that has been done to my husband, our family and to the people of Illinois," she said. "My husband is an honest man. And I know that he is innocent."

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