Well, they certainly have the diversions and chaos that they desired.

A snippet from the Blagojevich trial yesterday.

“In 2008, Ata’s testimony helped prosecutors secure the conviction of Blagojevich insider Antoin “Tony” Rezko. On Thursday, Ata covered much of the same ground.

He again told of a plot to get U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald fired, and of how Blagojevich discussed a state post with him while an envelope containing a $25,000 check Ata had written sat before the governor.

But his testimony was overshadowed by clashes between Adam and Zagel.

At one point, Adam was almost shouting at Ata over the connection he had drawn between his donations to Blagojevich and his position with the Illinois Finance Authority.

“It was not a job for money,” Adam exclaimed.

Zagel cut Adam off. “It’s a nice argument and feel free to make it in closing arguments,” Zagel said. “But it’s not a question.”

Lawyers often try to send messages to jurors with questions they know the witness will never be allowed to answer, and Adam plowed forward. He argued with Ata over details of a different state post that he thought he had landed, but did not. Ata insisted he had technically been given the job in exchange for campaign checks, and that the governor knew it.

“Did you have an office?” Adam asked after multiple objections. When the judge sustained yet another government objection, Adam had a look of astonishment.

“I know you look shocked, but the truth is I don’t think you are shocked,” Zagel said, making clear to everyone in the courtroom that he was aware of the gamesmanship unfolding in front of him.

One line of questioning by Adam led Zagel to send the jury out of the room. Ata, an emigrant from Jordan who worked at a chemical firm for 25 years, said he believed he was forced into early retirement after the FBI visited him at his workplace while investigating one of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers, Mohamed Atta.

Adam said he wasn’t trying to get too close to a sensitive topic. “Yes, you are; don’t do it,” Zagel said sternly before clearing the jury box and delivering another lecture.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/06/judge-defense-attorney-clash-at-blagojevich-trial.html

Speaking of Arizona, I side with the state of AZ and would be willing to travel there and stand side by side with them in whatever means is necessary to repel the intrusion of the Federal Government.

Once again the government is protecting criminals and going after decent citizens. Enough is enough.