Corruption, American style

Indonesia's been on the front lines of anti-corruption-fighting this last while, with the commission that's been kicking ass and taking names. Seems like every day some new bank honcho or government functionary is taken down. No wonder the nation climbed in Transparency International's index this year, becoming 'cleaner' than 17 additional countries.

But to those who thought Indonesia had corruption issues all to itself, we present for your enjoyment: Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich! Brazen enough to try selling President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat to a half-dozen suitors for a cushy job, or cash, or maybe a combination of both. (Oh, and a gig for his wife too.) As MSNBC's Keith Olbermann said, this guy's either the dumbest SOB in the world, or the craziest.

Goes to show that corruption can happen anywhere, at any time, and not just in the developing world. The potty-mouthed Mr. Blagojevich is now out on bail, vowing to get back to work, and maybe even make that Senate appointment anyways. Shocked and amazed yet? Since it's Chicago politics we're talking about, though, no one should really be that surprised ...


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