This column recently applauded Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's decision to switch careers from indicted elected official to teacher of poetry. Turns out, though, there's a job even better suited to Blago's talents: he could become a member of the British House of Lords.
Sure, there might have to be a certain amount of constitutional fuss go get him in, but what the heck? There are 743 members, most of them appointed; who'd notice one more? If the new guy's a crook, well, so what? The Washington Post today quotes one peer, Thomas Taylor, as heard telling undercover reporters he could be paid to attach amendments to bills. "That's cheap for what I do. You've got to whet my appetite to get me on board." Taylor went on to say he felt he'd followed the rules.
What if Lord Blago gets convicted over here in the States? No problem. The Post reports that Conrad Black, a newspaper magnate convicted of fraud here in 2007 and serving time in a US prison, yet remains a member of the House of Lords. You can't be thrown out no matter what you do, one leader explained.
I don't know whether Blago, in a US prison would be permitted to wear those those cool, ermine-collared red robes that the Lords wear when in session in London. But hey, maybe the wardens would let him show it off once a week--on Sunday, maybe. I mean, even a felon gets to dream a little.
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