Click here to view the embedded video.

That’s the 800lb gorilla? Further gems of the episode:

• Spencer met Rod, and thought, this is the man I would vote for President of the United States
• Patti defended her husband with aplomb, going so far as to saying that he was a man of the people, and he lost against special interest (which led to a “political fatcats” tag from Spencer)
• Heidi prays very nicely
• Frangela can’t drink cow intestine shakes faster than Sanjaya
• Stephen Baldwin is the fat Baldwin brother
• More people than you think watched this show (I checked Twitter)

All in all – I’m pretty sure I’m done with the show, but I enjoyed Frangela – the cutest black women on TV today.

And by “Just” I mean, “I finally got around to posting this after all my meetings this morning.”

From CNN.COM

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) – Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and removed from office earlier this year, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal corruption charges.

A federal grand jury indicted him this month on 16 felony counts, including racketeering, conspiracy, wire fraud and making false statements to investigators.

I think it would have been better had he pleaded guilty to just one charge. Like the “false statements to investigators”. That would have been awesome.

Just when you thought it doesn’t get any more awkward than Blago trying desperately to look cool as he jogs on 2 feet of snow and ice… Today, Governor Rod is swearing-in the Senate that will oversee his impeachment trial. Awwwwwkward. And Christine Radogno (R-Lamont), was quoted in the Trib saying, “It’s proabably more awkward for him that it is for us. I’m not sure he understands that. I just don’t sense that he grasps the seriousness of the situation he’s facing.” I think that says it all. Hey VH1, I’ve got your next season of “Tool Academy” right here.

This is history happening right now folks! The first governor in Illinois history to be impeached. Right now, my parents are sitting in their McCain barracks saying, “I hope this doesn’t affect your guy.” (My guy being President Obama). Of everything that’s going on – this photo is what makes me stop and smell the roses.

This photo is apparently after Blago’s morning run while the impeachment voting was going on… From the looks of it, was the Trib reporter hiding out in a storm drain to grab this shot? Rod’s bent over, trying to catch his breath, so the photog had to be underneath him somewhere – which leads me to believe that this whole photo had to have been staged…. It reminds me of those “reality” shows where people who have never met open the door for the “first time” and are “surprised to see each other” (Oh, didn’t know you were going to come by.) Really? You always just have a video crew hanging out in your house, just in case someone shooting a TV show decides to stop by?

Anyway, you decide – staged or not?
[Photo Courtesy of Chicago Tribune]

A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining:

– a substantial salary for himself at a either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions

– placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year;

– promises of campaign funds – including cash up front; and

– a cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.

Really Rod? Don’t you have a lower approval rating than Cheney? Aren’t people already hounding you for precisely this? Chicago loses it’s second city status with the election of Barack Obama and NOW would be a good time to get super corrupt?  

But you know, you hire a guy named “Rod”, you get a guy named “Rod”. Where I come from “Rod”‘s and “Rodney”‘s were not be trusted. If it was gym and a “Rod” or “Rodney” was around, somebody’s pants were coming down.

 Missing your daily fix of Justin Kaufmann?  Well, he’s busy breaking the crazy man love stories at the DNC.  Turns out Illinois is also saying “Yes We Can”… when it comes to hugging your biggest political enemy.  Maybe Barack can bring this country together!  If you haven’t heard this story, or seen the amazing footage — check out WBEZ’s blog and get Justin and Ben Calhoun’s take of the touchy-feely events.  See?  Justin’s only a click away!