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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:42 PM CST
Durbin might ask Bush to release Ryan from prison

By MIKE RIOPELL, JG/T-C Springfield Bureau

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Tuesday he is considering asking President Bush to commute the prison sentence of jailed former Gov. George Ryan.

“I’m in the process of reviewing that at this point,” Durbin said. “That is a decision only the president can make.”

In a Springfield news conference Tuesday, Durbin said he’s mulling putting the request to Bush after speaking with Ryan’s wife, Lura Lynn. The two worked together on a Abraham Lincoln bicentennial group.

Ryan was convicted on corruption charges in 2006 and is now serving his sentence at a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind. The former governor has been in prison for about a year, and is scheduled for a 2013 release date.

Reached at home in Kankakee, Lura Lynn Ryan said she didn’t want to talk about Durbin’s comments.

Durbin said Ryan’s attorneys didn’t ask the senator for help.

The Springfield Democrat said he definitely wouldn’t be asking Bush to fully pardon Ryan, therefore wiping the former governor’s record clean. Durbin is only considering asking Bush to let Ryan free from prison.

Bush pardoned 14 people and commuted two other sentences this week. Presidents often use the end of their terms to consider various pardons. If a president commutes a sentence or pardons someone, it’s final.

Durbin said Ryan has already paid a price.

“His family name has been damaged. He is at an advance moment in his life removed from his family,” Durbin said. “He has lost the economic security which most people count on at his age, and he is separate from his wife at a time when she is in frail health.”

Contact Mike Riopell at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.

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longtimegone wrote on Nov 25, 2008 2:36 PM:

" Durbin is a closet repub. Let the old thief serve it,s time. "

injustice85 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 2:53 PM:

" if I had known that Durbin would do this, I most certainly would not have voted for him "

zeldalu wrote on Nov 25, 2008 5:14 PM:

" Common Mr Durbin, he did not think about being in an advanced age when he done his crimes so why think about that stuff now. Let the old geezer pay the appropriate price for the crime that he committed. If you feel sorry about the financial aspects then lend Mrs. Ryan some of your money. I mean pulleeze. "

cd wrote on Nov 25, 2008 6:36 PM:

" longtimegone wrote on Nov 25, 2008 2:36 PM:

" Durbin is a closet repub. Let the old thief serve it,s time. "

zeldalu wrote on Nov 25, 2008 5:14 PM:

" Common Mr Durbin, he did not think about being in an advanced age when he done his crimes so why think about that stuff now. Let the old geezer pay the appropriate price for the crime that he committed. If you feel sorry about the financial aspects then lend Mrs. Ryan some of your money. I mean pulleeze. "
+++++++++++++++++++++++=
Ditto to the above.

Do the Crime, Serve the Time!

Let all those that benefitted from Ryan's crimes replace his lost pension, and supply the medical needs of Lura Lynn. "

medic57 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 6:40 PM:

" ''His family name has been damaged. He is at an advance moment in his life removed from his family,'' Durbin said. ''He has lost the economic security which most people count on at his age, and he is separate from his wife at a time when she is in frail health

This is what happens when you knowingly break the laws with no regards for others. "

Billie Brant wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:05 PM:

" No Mr Durbin, he sould not be pardoned. It's his fault he's in this mess to start with. He and his wife have a large family. Have the Ryan's call upon their family to help them out as many of us have to do when we get old.

The mom and dad that lost many of their children in that awful wreck in Chicago which Ryan was in part responsible for, won't have those children to help comfort them in their old age. Also they were robbed of the pleasure of seeing those kids grow up.

He should do his time. "

Locke wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:25 PM:

" No "

ed miller wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:39 PM:

" Can we please end this policy of lame duck Presidents pardoning criminals as political favors? This is ridiculous. Even Jimmy Carter called Clinton's pardons of FALN and Weather Underground terrorists, "disgraceful". Before all the Bush-bashers sound off, this has gone on with the other side as well. Can't we at least require all pardons to occur prior to the election so at least his party will be accountable for the pardons? "

cd wrote on Nov 25, 2008 8:03 PM:

" president@whitehouse.gov

Voice your opposition. "

Rotty wrote on Nov 25, 2008 8:06 PM:

" What Billie said. "

medic57 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 8:10 PM:

" This is ridiculous. Even Jimmy Carter called Clinton's pardons of FALN and Weather Underground terrorists, "disgraceful

Of course Mr. Peanut holds the record for presidential Pardons. "

tammer65 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 8:21 PM:

" I have been a long-time and enthusiastic supporter of Sen. Durbin, and I cannot express how disappointed I am to read that he's even considering this. It's one thing to feel compassion for Ryan's wife, who committed no crime herself, but this is ridiculous. I'm sure there are less prominent people in prison whose families face similar hardships when a family member commits a crime and is imprisoned -- and without the extended family resources of the Ryans -- but (thank goodness) no one is rushing to have their sentences commuted or pardons granted. Besides his crimes while serving as Sec. of State, his blanket clearing out of death row in IL should be reason enough for him to serve every last day in prison that he was sentenced to.

Perhaps instead of blogging we should all flood Sen. Durbin's office with calls, letters, and emails expressing our outrage. Maybe if enough people do so, he will reconsider his position. "

medic57 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 10:23 PM:

" I just emailed this entire thread to Senator Durbin. "

just wondering wrote on Nov 25, 2008 11:42 PM:

" If Senator Durbin feels so strongly about this, he should volunteer to take Ryan's place and finish out the sentence. Then if he feels the same about Rod, he can take his place too when he gets convicted. And while we are at it maybe he can do time for Madigan and Jones who deserve to be there too. "

leatherneck wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:55 AM:

" should have seen this coming they should commute the two border gaurds the desevered better "

The Question wrote on Nov 26, 2008 5:14 AM:

" Billie is right. I have always supported Sen. Durbin, but he is dead wrong this time. In a just world, George Ryan would end his life staring at prison bars for what he did. "

knowitall wrote on Nov 26, 2008 6:43 AM:

" Do the crime, serve the time. "

Billie Brant wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:05 AM:

" Yes Question. Also Sen Durbin's remarks He has lost the economic security which most people count on at his age" seem at least to me fell to the floor with a big thud.

Many of our citzens have lost their jobs, savngs, homes, etc. due to the economic mess we find ourselves in. What about their security Sen. Durbin?

To be concerned about Geoge Ryan's loss of it due to the fact he's a convicted felon who chose to be a crook and an arrogant one to boot, doesn't cut it. "

father bob wrote on Nov 26, 2008 9:39 AM:

" leatherneck wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:55 AM:
" they should commute the two border gaurds the desevered better """"

great post....and let Ryan rot "

NeoCon Academician wrote on Nov 26, 2008 9:52 AM:

" Leave Ryan in jail. Leaving him there makes a statement that it's time to clean up the Republican party.

Ryan should have know better than to act like a democrat in the socialist utopia of Illinois. He tried to act like a democrat and see where that got him?

Take note the rest of you republicans!!!!! "

NeoCon Academician wrote on Nov 26, 2008 9:55 AM:

" Father Bob wrote...

" they should commute the two border gaurds the desevered better """"

Wow, I agree with fb...is the sky failing?

YES...definitely commute/pardon the two border guards!! "

medic57 wrote on Nov 26, 2008 10:05 AM:

" leatherneck wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:55 AM:

" should have seen this coming they should commute the two border gaurds the desevered better "

I believe they're on the list, it's all up to Bush. "

BlueDogDemocrat wrote on Nov 26, 2008 10:16 AM:

" Consider this story a wake-up call for all you partisan Democrats.

After 8 long years of whining and complaining like little brats, and the incessant claims that the Democrat Party will make everything all better in the world; your wish has finally come true. Your Party is about to take over FULL AND COMPLETE POWER.

You will soon discover that the similarities between Republican corruption and Democrat corruption has little to do with ideology and everything to do with the quest for power. You will find that the Party differences quickly fade after the elections have passed.

Campaign promises will be broken. Ideology will give way to the quid pro quo of lobbyist support. Backroom deals will be made. Money will still be the oxygen of politics. Hens will finally come home to roost. "Change" will resemble "more of the same".

What this story reveals is Chicago politics as usual, and we will probably never know the true motivation behind any of this. But just remember this, your President Elect is a product of this very same Chicago machine.

The next four years are going to be very long indeed for some of you. And you're about to discover that playing defense is considerably more difficult than playing offense.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - Lord Acton "

The Question wrote on Nov 26, 2008 11:12 AM:

" As long as George Ryan is not burned alive, the way those children were, thanks to his corruption, he has nothing whatsoever to complain about. "

Old Grumpy wrote on Nov 26, 2008 11:55 AM:

" Politicians are all "brothers" under the skin. When one of them is caught and convicted of corruption all the others start looking for ways to get them off the hook. I can see Sen. Durbin telling George, "I got your back bro."

These last minute pardons are, for the most part, totally political and should not be allowed. Old George had his appeals and the Courts turned him down. "

injustice85 wrote on Nov 26, 2008 12:21 PM:

" everyone else in Illinois that is in prison is paying for their crimes why shouldn't George Ryan? We know he was right up there with the worst of the worst Illinois politicians for a long time and yet we want to turn him loose all the while other Illinois citizens are paying their dues honestly, it is time to start calling Durbin if you ask me because this shouldn't "fly" "

Billie Brant wrote on Nov 26, 2008 12:41 PM:

" To TQ and fb--Yes! "

what? wrote on Nov 26, 2008 3:00 PM:

" My opinion. Ryan was and remains a 'company' man. Jim Thompson, if not the godfather is certainly a don of the 'company'. They provided millions for Ryans defense. I doubt his or his wifes economic security has anything to do with it. Honor among thieves will take care that. They can certainly afford it. Durban's wrong on this one, he did the crime he should do the time. "

yeah right wrote on Nov 26, 2008 3:51 PM:

" No way! Only after he repays Illinois for the damages he has done. "

medic57 wrote on Nov 26, 2008 6:40 PM:

" Four of our last 5 Governors have had some kind of legal troubles either in office or out of office, this includes Jim Edgar and will most certainly include Rod Blagojevich who now has the distinction of having the loest approval rating of any Governor in US history, 4% "

medic57 wrote on Nov 26, 2008 6:41 PM:

" Leave Ryan in jail. Leaving him there makes a statement that it's time to clean up the Republican party.

Like the Democratic party has been any better in this state. "

The Question wrote on Nov 26, 2008 7:32 PM:

" "Like the Democratic party has been any better in this state."
----
When the Democrats' corruption incinerates six minister's children in a car, you let me know, Meds. "

what? wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:00 PM:

" Bush pardoned a turkey in a cage today. "

johndeerelover wrote on Nov 26, 2008 10:55 PM:

" You play you pay!!!

Durbin should have never been kept in office.

You can't out guess stupid!!!
That is exactly what even considering letting Ryan go is. "

eugene wrote on Nov 27, 2008 6:46 PM:

" Yes, leave Ryan in there ! Why should he be given a pass to get out ? Edgar should be right there with him too. And Max Coffey should go visit both of them. Auger some more salt Max. "

Rotty wrote on Nov 28, 2008 12:07 AM:

" Thursday, November 27, 2008 5:45 PM CST

Illinois governor backs freeing Ryan

CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is adding his voice to those calling for freedom for convicted former Gov. George Ryan.

Ryan has served a year of his 6 1/2-year sentence for corruption charges. Blagojevich said Thursday that he'd like President Bush to show Ryan compassion by letting him out of prison early.

If Bush did commute Ryan's sentence, the former governor's conviction would stand and he would still lose his state pension.

Also Thursday, former Gov. Jim Thompson thanked Sen. Dick Durbin for backing the push for Ryan's freedom. Earlier this week, Durbin said he was considering asking Bush to commute Ryan's sentence.

Ryan's wife, Lura Lynn Ryan, says her husband has faced life in prison with a positive attitude, but jail has taken its toll on him.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)

.......

Figures, don't it.
Let him rot! "

longtimegone wrote on Nov 28, 2008 9:42 AM:

" It isn,t doing hardtime in the feds bed breakfast and playpen. three rooms , mad service weekends at home now that it is Terre Haute.it still has all four feet in the public trough. "

Harry Potter wrote on Nov 30, 2008 10:58 AM:

" Visit them? Hell, he should be in there with the two of them. That worthless hack never did anything for the citizens of this district, his whole political career was about himself and his relatives. Same goes for the blond bomber too. "

eugene wrote on Nov 30, 2008 8:21 PM:

" HP, I always wondered how the barber Postlewait got his job, well Max is his son-in-law. "

Harry Potter wrote on Nov 30, 2008 8:48 PM:

" Actually eugene, I've heard that he set the record for getting the most relatives on the state payroll, while he was in office. Also he has the distinction of never introducing a single bill while in office, but I'll bet he collects a fat pension check every month. "

Early Bird wrote on Dec 1, 2008 5:55 AM:

" Hey HP and eugene, you guys have pretty much assured a fast demise of this thread with your comments about our esteemed retired local politician. You two probably got it moved over to the archive section faster than planned. This action will usually slow down the traffic on any "semi-retired" thread. lol! "