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Quiz about Christmas Time for Bribery Blago

Christmas Time for Bribery Blago Quiz

Or, an Illinois 2008 "Night Before Christmas." Lyrics taken from a Chris Britt editorial cartoon in the Dec. 16 Springfield "State Journal-Register." To say more would be gilding the lily. Enjoy.

A multiple-choice quiz by pu2-ke-qi-ri. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
pu2-ke-qi-ri

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
301,977

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
440

Awards
Top 5% quiz!

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "'Twas just before Christmas, and all through the house
Impeachment was coming to remove the louse."

Who is the "louse" in question? Hint

The Evil Dr. Blago of the University of Chicago

Chicago mayor Rodney Blagojeviszczewskinicekivillivetch

Former senator and president-elect Barack Obama

Illinois governor Milorad "Rod" R. Blagojevich

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. "Their stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that some cash would soon be stuffed there."

How was Bribery Blago hoping to illegally pick up some extra cash? Hint

Auctioning off President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder

Mugging little old ladies out walking their dogs

Burglarizing 800 million pawn shops

Selling photo opportunities with President-elect Barack Obama

3. "Blago and Patti snoozed in their bed,
While visions of shakedowns danced in their heads."

The December 2008 developments were certainly dramatic, but Blago had plenty of prior experience in the shakedown arena. What had Bribery Blago done previously? Hint

All of these

He awarded $8 million to the Children's Memorial Hospital if its CEO would give him $50,000.

He tried to get someone who would be benefited by a $1.8 billion tollway project to raise $100,000 for him.

He solicited a $100,000 bribe to pass a bill diverting money from casinos to horseracing tracks.

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. "When out of the TV there arose such a chatter:
'Blago's been busted! Now more on this matter!'"

How was information about Bribery Blago's illegal doings uncovered? Hint

Through an FBI wiretap which had been set up because of Blago's previous illegal activity.

Blago started talking in his sleep while visiting the house of a friend, whose five year old then called the police.

One of Blago's staff members defected and spilled the beans to the media.

Blago set up a billboard announcing the illegal activity, to drive prices higher.

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Away to the TV I flew like a flash,
To hear about Blago fishing for cash.

Actually, Bribery Blago had a Plan B, a plan which wouldn't get him more cash. What was this plan? Hint

Appointing himself to Obama's vacated Senate seat.

Helping little old ladies cross the street with a new Little Old Lady Crosswalk bill.

Having himself photographed with President-elect Barack Obama.

Buying the inventories of 800 million pawn shops to give to the poor.

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. "His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples-- how merry!
'This is bleeping golden, start bidding already!'"

Is the above is a real "quotable quote" from Bribery Blago, as reported by the Justice Department?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. "He was corrupt and stupid, a vulgar old elf.
I cringed when I saw him, in spite of myself."

What was President-elect Obama's reaction to Bribery Blago's actions? Hint

He gave Blago a big pat on the back as his old pal.

He called for Blago's resignation.

His office could not be reached for comment.

His staff pummeled Blago with snowballs when he emerged to go jogging.

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had something to dread;

Was Bribery Blago ever arrested?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. "He spoke not a word, but went right back to work,
Despite the whole state screaming, 'Step down, you jerk!'"

On December 16, the Illinois House of Representatives voted to begin impeachment hearings for Bribery Blago. What was the margin of victory on the bill? Hint

57-56

1-0

1,346,008,954-10

113-0

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. "But I heard him exclaim, as he got home that night,
'Bleep to you all, and a bleeping good night!'"

Bribery Blago comes from a long tradition of political corruption. How many of his predecessors in office have been put in prison? (If they ever were in prison it counts, even if they are now out or dead.) Hint

One

3.14159

Eighty-one

Four

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "'Twas just before Christmas, and all through the house Impeachment was coming to remove the louse." Who is the "louse" in question?

Answer: Illinois governor Milorad "Rod" R. Blagojevich

Blagojevich, pronounced "blah-GOY-uh-vich," was elected governor of Illinois in 2002. He defeated his opponent, state Attorney General Jim Ryan, on a platform of fighting corruption. According to CNN, Blagojevich "touted his record on Capitol Hill, saying in a debate that 'Illinois is mired in corruption, and insiders like Jim look the other way.'" It would make for a beautiful day for the all-seeing Goddess of Irony some years down the road.

2. "Their stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hopes that some cash would soon be stuffed there." How was Bribery Blago hoping to illegally pick up some extra cash?

Answer: Auctioning off President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder

The Illinois governor has the power to appoint a successor when a Senate seat is vacated mid-term. Not one to miss out on a clear opportunity for personal gain, Blagojevich began plotting to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat to whoever could cough up the most in "personal benefits" for himself or his wife, Patti. You've got to admire the guy's warped sense of democracy-- he wasn't interested in giving the seat to one of his cronies, just whoever would pay the most.

3. "Blago and Patti snoozed in their bed, While visions of shakedowns danced in their heads." The December 2008 developments were certainly dramatic, but Blago had plenty of prior experience in the shakedown arena. What had Bribery Blago done previously?

Answer: All of these

Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris (now on trial), had also sent an e-mail to the Chicago Tribune saying that if the Tribune wanted to sell its ballfield, Wrigley Field, then the price to do so would be firing the editors who had written editorials calling for Blagojevich's impeachment.

4. "When out of the TV there arose such a chatter: 'Blago's been busted! Now more on this matter!'" How was information about Bribery Blago's illegal doings uncovered?

Answer: Through an FBI wiretap which had been set up because of Blago's previous illegal activity.

According to a Justice Department briefing on Blagojevich, eight weeks before the Senate seat auction, when they became aware that the pay-to-play scheme was accelerating, the Justice Department decided that "more extraordinary means of investigation" needed to be used. So, they put a bug in Governor Blagojevich's campaign office and a tap on his home telephone.

The FBI report on the illegal activities fills 76 pages.

5. Away to the TV I flew like a flash, To hear about Blago fishing for cash. Actually, Bribery Blago had a Plan B, a plan which wouldn't get him more cash. What was this plan?

Answer: Appointing himself to Obama's vacated Senate seat.

As a Justice Department representative stated in a December 9, 2008 briefing, Governor Blagojevich "talked about appointing himself to the Senate seat for reasons not having to do with the better welfare of the citizens of Illinois. He wanted to do it to avoid impeachment in the Illinois legislature for his conduct.

He wanted to do it to have access to greater financial resources, if he were indicted. He wanted to do it to see if he could help his wife work as a lobbyist. He wanted to do it to remake his image to run for office in 2016, and he wanted to do it to see if he could generate speaking fees."

6. "His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples-- how merry! 'This is bleeping golden, start bidding already!'" Is the above is a real "quotable quote" from Bribery Blago, as reported by the Justice Department?

Answer: Yes

Governor Blagojevich also told one of his potential "donors," "You got to be careful how you express that, and assume everybody's listening. The whole world is listening. I would do it in person. I would not do it on the phone." Righ-o, Blago.

7. "He was corrupt and stupid, a vulgar old elf. I cringed when I saw him, in spite of myself." What was President-elect Obama's reaction to Bribery Blago's actions?

Answer: He called for Blago's resignation.

While questions remain about the exact nature of Obama and Blagojevich's relationship, it is clear from the wiretaps that Governor Blagojevich's staff did not like Obama. In one television interview, Obama declined to quote what Blagojevich's staff had said about him, because, in Obama's words, "This is a family program, I know."

8. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had something to dread; Was Bribery Blago ever arrested?

Answer: Yes

Governor Blagojevich was arrested by FBI agents on December 9, 2008, but was soon free on $4,500 bail. He appeared in court in a blue jogging suit.

9. "He spoke not a word, but went right back to work, Despite the whole state screaming, 'Step down, you jerk!'" On December 16, the Illinois House of Representatives voted to begin impeachment hearings for Bribery Blago. What was the margin of victory on the bill?

Answer: 113-0

Unanimous? That's pretty damming. At the same time, Governor Blagojevich's approval ratings fell to 7%, with 70% of the population believing that Blagojevich should resign now.

10. "But I heard him exclaim, as he got home that night, 'Bleep to you all, and a bleeping good night!'" Bribery Blago comes from a long tradition of political corruption. How many of his predecessors in office have been put in prison? (If they ever were in prison it counts, even if they are now out or dead.)

Answer: Four

Blagojevich is the seventh Illinois governor to have been arrested or indicted. The previous six are:
1. Joel Aldrich Matteson (1853-1857) tried to cash $200,000 of stolen government script, only to be let off the hook when he was found out and promised to pay it back.
2. Lennington Small, governor in the 1920s, was charged with embezzling $1,000,000 of state funds, but was acquitted.
3. William Stratton, governor in the 1950s, was indicted for misusing campaign funds, but was also acquitted.
4. His successor, Otto Kerner, was convicted of bribery, conspiracy, income tax evasion, mail fraud and perjury, and went to prison.
5. Kerner's successor, Dan Walker, went to prison for making $1.4 million in fraudulent loans.
6. George Ryan was found guilty on 18 felony counts and sent to prison. Somehow, this didn't stop him from being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
So, maybe there is some hope for Governor Blago, after all!

Source: Author pu2-ke-qi-ri

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