Rod B.

Just when newscasters, talking heads, the general public, and even President Trump seem they might be learning how to correctly pronounce the last name of a Democratic candidate for president (Mayor Pete) Buttigieg (Boot-Edge-Egde) we are now being asked to learn a whole new tongue and lip memory in an attempt to get Rob Blagojevich's name out of our mouths.

Rod's name is not so bad if you're used to doing play-by-play of NHL hockey games. Doc Emrick has probably been pronouncing variations of it for years, if not the name itself. There must be a Blagojevich on a roster somewhere.

Rod of course for those with memories, or who are keeping up with the news, is the former governor of Illinois who was convicted in 2010 lying to the FBI regarding his activities of influence peddling, for what in effect was putting the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama's promotion to president in 2008 out for bids to those who might be willing to pay for being named as Obama's replacement. Talk about quid pro quo.

Back when Rob was sentenced he cut a bit of Peter Lawford-looking figure, sporting a massive amount of hair over his forehead, somewhat reminding me what I might do for shits and giggles by wearing my Davy Crockett imitation coonskin cap backwards on my head in the '50s.

The big news of the day is the pardons and sentence commutation President has handed out. Some of these actions wipe a felony conviction off a person's record; other actions actually release a prisoner who is wearing prison clothing somewhere.  And that is exactly what happened in Rod's case. He was sprung.

Anyone will look different 10 years later, and Rod is no exception. His appearance today sports short white hair, seen in the photo.

The photo was posted by a Chicago photojournalist, Erin Hooley, (@erinhooley) who was on the same flight as Rod after his release from Federal prison in Colorado.

Obviously the best thing about being released from prison is that even the middle seat in an aircraft is a welcome seat. Rod doesn't seem perturbed or encroached upon by those sitting adjacent to him, and no one's seat is so far back that he can't breathe. Life is good again.

When Rod is a bit more settled and finishes opening the mail, someone should have him complete the subway survey popularized by @emmagf) the New York Times reporter who retweeted someone's questionnaire about which of the 5 pictured subway seats would you prefer/not prefer to sit in.

When you're a free man, you can go where you want to. Even the seat in the middle.

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