Obama and Blago disliked each other intensely. Obama did not endorse Blago for Governor and Blago did not endorse Obama for the Senate. Blago was “an unapologetic product — and representative — of the Chicago Democratic machine ” while Obama campaigned for office as the “righteous alternative” to those “old-school politics”. The two men have not talked for more than a year . Blago, who been conspicuously left out of the speaking invitations, arrived late at the Democratic convention, and skipped Obama’s victory-night celebration at Chicago’s Grant Park. They were never “a team” in any respect. Blagojevich considered Obama naive and pretentious and just lucky. Obama disparaged Blagojevich for his combativeness, his disorganization and his habit of arriving at official events half an hour late. Obama dealt with Blago only when he had to. I think that Blago is such a head case, Obama or no, he would be all over the news. Blago is so deliciously nuts, the media would find him irresistible. I applaud Chicago for seeking a change to old style politics, by electing Obama to office. I think Blago’s downfall will stike yet another death blow. I hope it is emblematic of new wave of voter awareness, all across our country. Obama supported the Democrats in their call for Blago to step down and not to appoint. When Blago in his desire to be relevant, ignored this and appointed Burris, Obama instructed Reid to settle the matter quickly. What would you have him do? I do not feel bad for Burris. He is not a pathetic little person to be pitied. He knew what he was getting into, when he accepted the appointment. I assume he was ready and willing to face the gauntlet. He seems to be playing his cards well. I hope he does the people of Illinois, proud. It is unfortunate, but hardly sad. Sad is the state of our country after the last 8 years of the terrible corruption and horrible administration. There are much more pressing matters. The fact that the media seems to have grown incapable of reporting what is important to us and would rather ‘play with itself’ endlessly dreaming up sound bites, does not mean the American people share their excitement. A very bad omen? What does that even mean? Sounds very much like like superstition and nonsense. As to the disagreements, I think you are misunderstanding the nature of our Government, the Democrats and Obama. Democrats do not fall unquestioningly in line, behind their leader, as the Republicans have done. We question, we argue, we dissent. Obama’s team is not concerned. Their response to the Democrats’ concerns was “Message received, loud and clear.” And “These folks are not potted plants. They’re elected officials, and they’re doing their jobs. It’s a collective process” Collaboration of ideas and intelligent discussion, sound fantastic to me. I don’t know what you are trying to say about the Sierra Club. But they are excited about and quite squarely behind Obama. From a letter dated January 9th, Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director wrote, “Now it’s up to us to make sure that Congress supports him (Obama), … We’ve got our work cut out for us. But we’ve gotten the leadership we’ve been aching for.” Every facet of this country is aching. The challenges are great and the needs are many. There will be lots of disagreements. Especially so, since Obama wants to bring the country together to solve our problems, rather than polarize and favor factions. There has been no allowance for dissension or encouragement of collaboration, no listening or coming together for 8 long disastrous years. Why would anyone think this would be a cake walk? If we, the American people want the next years to be good to us, then we will have to stop wringing our hands and start doing the work that needs to be done in our neighborhoods, our communities and our states. The days of the authoritarian daddy, making our decisions for us and patting us on the head, while our nation disintegrates, are done. Nothing will be done for us, that we do not roll up our sleeves and put our shoulders to. We are part of the solution or we are part of the problem. Hand wringing, worrying and endlessly carrying on, whether feigned or real, does nothing except perpetuate the impotence of America.