It is not a joke anymore

A kind reader passed on a bit of holiday cheer in the form of a very funny song lyric incorporating the holiday season and our governor.

This is sung to the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”

Get packin’, Rod Blagojevich

The state’s in disarray

The Tribune wants you unemployed

At least by Christmas Day.

The TV pundits want your head

Could there be pay to play?

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Save Illinois!

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

Good riddance Rod Blagojevich

Your Elvis look’s inane,

The Senate’s mad, so’s Lisa’s dad.

You drive us all insane.

Our transit’s broke, the state’s a joke,

The Tollway’s one big pain.

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Save Illinois!

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

Good luck old Rod Blagojevich

The feds have quite a place.

Fitzgerald’s poked his nose around

And if he has a case,

George Ryan’s moving stuff around

Creating extra space.

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Save Illinois!

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

We have to admit this is quite clever and gave us reason to chuckle. But, upon further reflection, it is not that funny because it heaps more ridicule on our governor and state.

On the Daily Show Jon Stewart refers to Illinois as the “Land of Stinkin.”

Before you just write off the jests poked at all of us on Comedy Central, The Tonight Show, the Colbert Report and Saturday Night Live, remember that the clever pokes at Blagojevich and all of Illinois are going to resonate in people’s minds for years to come.

The real shame is that the governor’s  alleged actions have upstaged the rapidly approaching inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. This should be a time for Illinoisans to be proud.

Whether Obama is your candidate, or not, there should be a sense of pride that he is one of us.

He will, after all, be our president. But, Blagojevich has taken that moment of pride away from us.

While Blagojevich may be a joke, what he is doing to Illinois’ reputation is not.