Justice Catches O.J. and Blagojevich: Is Dubya Next?

“When you’re born, you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front row seat."

— George Carlin

O.J. Simpson, the “Juice,” had it all: the life of the “rich and famous” in LaLaLand. He had a sterling career in college football as a star halfback at the U. of Southern California. That was followed by even more success as an NFL “All Pro” halfback, mostly with the Buffalo Bills. He made his mark, too, in Hollywood as an actor: he served as a pitch man for lucrative TV commercials, did commentary on NFL games, and once served as the host of NBC TV’s “Saturday Night Live.” Then, one fatal night in 1995, Simpson tossed it all away! He reputedly allowed his raged-filled Shadow side to take over his generally likable public persona. Death and tragedy ensued. [1]

Although, a criminal jury found O.J. “not guilty” of the murders of his wife Nicole Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, a civil jury, in 1997, held him responsible for their deaths and imposed a $33.5 million judgment. True justice, however, didn’t catch up with the elusive “Juice,” until Dec. 5, 2008, when a “no-nonsense” judge, in Las Vegas, sentenced him to serve a minimum of nine and maybe up to 33 years in a state slammer for his role in an armed robbery-related case dealing with his supposed memorabilia. [1] Ron Goldman’s father, Fred Goldman, speaking for many, said that Simpson is, finally, after all of these years, facing some serious jail time. He labeled the long delayed justice process–“Karma!”

Then, there is Rod Blagojevich, the Governor of Illinois. He stands accused by US Attorney Patrick J. “Pit Bull” Fitzgerald of trying “to sell” the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Prez-Elect Barack Obama “to the highest bidder.” Under state law, it’s the governor who has the power to appoint a successor to fill Obama’s U.S. Senate seat. [2] Even the crime-jaded residents of the “Windy City” were nonplussed over this blockbuster of a political scandal.

Here is another character, Governor Blagojevich, not unlike O.J., who rose very quickly up the success ladder, it takes your breath away to review it. Here’s his story: Assistant States Attorney in Chicago, a two term member of the Illinois Legislature, a U.S. Congressman for three terms, and then, elected to the office of governor of the state of Illinois in 2002, and again in 2006. [3] Governor Blagojevich, in the prime of his career, has apparently committed political suicide! What dark forces drove him to do it? [4]

Governor Blagojevich, age 52, denies any wrongdoing in the reportedly ultra-sleazy matter. But, the Feds’ Fitzgerald, (Lewis “Scooter” Libby’s bete noir,) doesn’t believe him. He insists that the “court ordered wiretaps” on the governor’s phones, (planted by the FBI), reveal official corruption so appalling, and so crass, that it would cause “[President Abraham] Lincoln to roll over in his grave.” Fitzgerald accuses Governor Blagojevich of putting a “for sale sign” on the “naming of the U.S. Senator.” [2]

Only days before Fitzgerald announced the shocking federal indictment, Blagojevich was publicly boasting that he had nothing to hide from the federal sleuths and if they wanted to tap his phones, then they should “feel free to do so.” [2] Well, it sure looks like the governor of Illinois got his wish.

Who, you might wonder, is Justice going to grab by the back of the neck and haul in next to face the music? George W. Bush?

Dubya has led, like O.J. and Blagojevich, a fairly sheltered life. In his case, his powerful “Daddy,” the ex-Prez, protected him from taking any hard hits from the real world. There was a prep school education, a ticket to an elite Ivy League college, and also National Guard duty, rather than service in Vietnam for junior. Two terms as governor of Texas followed for Dubya, before the job opening at the White House, in 2000. And, thanks mostly to an inept campaign ran by the Democratic ticket of Al Gore and Joe Lieberman, a victory was delivered to him on a silver platter.

The influential, blue blood “Daddy” took care of his junior, Dubya. As a result, the alleged “dry drunk,” ended up incapable of fully appreciating the consequences of his often time monstrous conduct in the White House. [5] The Congress could have brought him down, since legal scholars pointed out that there was more than enough evidence for it to impeach him for “high crimes and misdemeanors,” but it didn’t. [6] And, don’t count on the current U.S. Justice Department, in D.C., to rise to the occasion either.

The law, however, does have a long arm, and an even longer memory. After Dubya leaves office, he could become a global pariah, a la Chile’s late dictator, General Augusto Pinochet. (7) I think he is very vulnerable on the torture issue, as it relates to the detainees, who were held by U.S. forces at Gitmo, in Afghanistan and Iraq (Abu Ghraib), and via the “extraordinary rendition” operation run by the CIA at various “black spots” around the world. [8] If it is true, and can be established by probative evidence, that Dubya personally approved the unlawful torture and rendition programs, he will indeed, be in very serious legal trouble. Think “War Crimes!” [8] Even if he does decide to pardon himself for the offenses he committed during his administrations, it will have no effect whatsoever under International Law. Eventually, Dubya’s fate may be decided–at the World Court! [8]

Well, Justice is patient! It waited 13 years to nail the “Juice.” It can wait to snag Dubya, too! The immortal English bard, William Shakespeare, had it right, when he wrote: “Times’ glory…is to unmask falsehood, and bring truth to life.”

Notes:

[1]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O.J._Simpson

[2]. http://cbs2chicago.com/local/rod.
blagojevich.charged.2.883170.html
and
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local
/chi-rod-blagojevich-1209,0,7997804.story
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/
years/2008/1209081rod1.html

[3]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich

[4]. Carl G. Jung said: “Man is an enigma to himself…We are always, thanks to our human nature, potential criminals…None of us stands outside humanity’s black collective shadow.” See: C.G. Jung’s “The Undiscovered Self.”

[5]. http://www.counterpunch.org/wormer
01222004.html

[6]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_
to_impeach_George_W._Bush

[7]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Pinochet

[8]. http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/
rendition701/
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/
02/14/050214fa_fact6
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/
2008/07/10/bush_pardon/
http://www.truthout.org/article/us-general-
accuses-bush-administration-war-crimes
http://www.crimesofwar.org/onnews/news
-cia4.html
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/11/
13/torture_commission/index.html