I’m a Celebrity....

Once again, Illinois, known for its infamous politicians, is the subject of national attention. On Thursday, jury selection began in a federal court in Chicago in preparation for the corruption trial of our ex-Governor, Rod Blagojevich. Rod and his brother, Robert, are accused of trying to “sell” President Barack Obama’s former state Senate seat.

Rod and his wife, Patti, became well-known in recent years for their appearances on television and radio shows. In 2009, Patti appeared as a contestant in a television series, “I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!” One memorable episode involved her eating a bug, a creature of the Costa Rican jungle. In the course of the programs, Patti endeared herself to her fellow celebrities who felt sorry for her and her dethroned husband. I watched the series and was surprised to find that Patti appeared to resemble a normal person. The fact that other contestants on the show portrayed themselves as jungle idiots definitely enhanced her image.

Rod’s trial is expected to last for months. Unlike his wife, he will not have to eat a bug. Because the Feds have 500 hours of wiretap tapes, the “bugs” he will experience could be far more dangerous. It’s a matter of time before Rod tells the judge, “I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!”