Some Question Blagojevich's Mental Health

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CBS 2 Chicago

Gov. Rod Blagojevich knew for months he was under investigation, so why was he caught on tape making so many incriminating statements? Some are wondering if there's something wrong with his mental acuity....

Could it be that Blagojevich has a mental illness that has impaired his judgment?

Dr. Daniela Schreirer is a forensic psychologist at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and she does not see any sign of mental illness in the public Blagojevich, but believes he does have sociopathic traits.

"We're just talking about traits. We're not talking about full-blown diagnosis. But certainly, there's the same sense of entitlement, the same sense of thinking I am superior. I can do whatever I want. I am not going to be caught," Schreirer said.

Could a claim of a mental illness be the Blagojevich's best defense in court? "There's a difference between being crazy and being legally insane," said CBS 2's Legal Analyst Irv Miller. Miller says don't expect Blagojevich's attorneys to even try that defense....

Read more: http://cbs2chicago.com/governor/Blagojevich.mental.health.2.884667.html

[Captain Hilts]

1. He's still got some time to become a born-again Christian. nt

[ColbertWatcher]

15. There's actually a formula ...

... http://www.wikiality.com/FBACC

[bitchkitty]

20. Love that site, thanks! n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

22. Thank you! You're welcome to add your own jokes!

Just remember to register so no one can see your IP address!

[Mz Pip]

2. He was crooked because

he was off his meds. That could work. :eyes:

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. Psychopathy or Sociopathy are not valid mental health defenses in a court of law

In both cases (basically the same mental state), the person so diagnosed has no problem telling right from wrong - they just don't agree that it matters. Hence, they are able to stand trial and accept punishment.

[Lifetimedem]

4. Just SOME question? n/t

[Enrique]

5. that would explain his hair

:crazy:

[robcon]

6. His megalomania is not clinical.

He's like many politicians who think they can't get caught. His predecessor is in jail now. Two other predecessors served time after being governor of IL.

Blagojevich was just drunk on the power of his office, and especially on being able to name a U.S. Senator.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. He is also stupid.

didja catch him on Daily Show with Riggel?
Stew-pid.

[boomerbust]

8. Sado-masochism

Pure and simple.

[man4allcats]

9. He has a greed problem

plain and simple. He doesn't need rehab. He needs about 15 to 20 or whatever the statutes mandate. He can use the time to re-evaluate his priorities.

[CitizenPatriot]

10. I heard he had Palinosis

Symptoms:

You don't like to live in Gov mansion, charge tax payer for living expenses of living at "home"
Self-Inflated Sense of Self and Place in World (you think you should be appointed to Obama cabinet even though you have no credentials other than the self-aggrandized ones)
Think you are running for POTUS in 2012
Failure to speak in coherent sentence
FBI, Legislative boards, Media, etc playing "Gotcha Games" with Grand Self! How dare they?
See self as king or queen - you deign to give interview, make appointments, when you, the Coronated One, so choose.

Etc


Only thing is, I've never seen Blago slaughter an animal, except for the poor thing he wears on his head. Yeah, I guess that counts.

[Venceremos]

11. Stupid and psycho

I recall when he was running for governor the first time, a local newspaper reported that he scored a whopping 17 on his (college entrance) ACT test. Unfortunately, I can't find the reference now to link it. But I think his current conduct confirms he's no Einstein.

[HopeHoops]

12. Two questions: 1) Why do so many morons look like chimps? 2) Shouldn't he be a Republican?

Edited to add:

Clarification is required: The first question was NOT intended to imply that chimps are stupid.

[Lucky 13]

13. Does his wife have the exact same rare mental illness? That would be a profound coincidence.

She was angling for money, pushed to withhold funds from the Tribune, and made such statements knowing she was being recorded... So, does that mean he and his wife have the same rare mental disorder? Or just the same bankrupt sense of morality?

For a "not guilty by reason of insanity" defense, the defense would have to show that he his mental illness prohibited him from being able to understand right from wrong. He demonstrated (in my mind, beyond a reasonable doubt) that he knew that what he was doing was wrong: When an aide suggested they make a list of things he would accept in return for the Senate Seat, he said, "The list can't be in writing."

These two factors (his wife's similar greed and him instructing for list not to be in writing) prove to me that mental illness 1) is not a viable legal defense in this case and 2) is probably not present at all and certainly is no excuse for his behavior.

He knew it was wrong and he didn't care. He believed himself to be above the law and immune from it... and still does! Still no resignation yet. Lots of people have suffered from this "disorder" in the past. Only it's not a mental disorder, it's a moral one.

It's a fascinating phenomenon these public figures who blatantly and publicly self-destruct in such a spectacular fashion. No doubt there is a psychological component to it - egomania, narcicism, etc. But being a corrupt, greedy asshole does not mean one is mentally ill... and there are plenty of mentally ill who are not corrupt, greedy assholes.

[Warpy]

14. Hubris isn't in the DSMIV

and I fear that's what all corrupt pols are suffering from, whether their corruption is in the public or private sphere. They all feel themselves to be above the law and invulnerable to attack.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

16. He could always check into rehab n/t

[aldo]

17. Jump on the bandwagon, why don't you.

Fitz-PUTZ-ric didn't force him out with his hurried "criminal complaint." So now they're doing a full court press assault in the media (sic).

Why didn't Fitz-PUTZ wait until he could indict for an actual crime (that would have been the normal sequence of events)? To shut down Blag's attack on Bank of America to protect U.S. workers, maybe? We can't have the little people feeling empowered now, can we.


Republicanists = economic terrorists. They hate the American way of life. They hate the middle class.

[glinda]

18. And they haven't questioned Bush's?????

[newscott]

19. He wears a hideous wig and has a termendous ego

I'd say he's a classic narcissist.

[slackmaster]

21. Even the opinion of a mental health professional means little until the Blag gets properly examined

It's all just blather until that happens.

[Augdog20]

23. Vote in poll: who's the worst govenor of 2008?

Check out my blog
& vote on who is <b>the worst governor of 2008?</b>
Rod Blagojevich?

http://bluesunited.blogspot.com