At least some of you are wondering why I haven't gone off on Rod Blagojevich. Two reasons.

One, in an existential way, the facts do speak for themselves. And for the rest of us. I mean, what is there to say compared to what's happening? Nothing about this vast crass banal venality requires interpretation. You don't need my take on it. It doesn't need a take.

Two, in human terms, this is a little like shooting a rabid dog. It's not the dog's fault it got rabies. Blagojevich is beyond greedy. He's sick. He's so delusional, both about how easy it would be to get paid for this senate seat, and how much it would be worth to someone willing to pay -- a Cabinet position? an Ambassadorship? a non-profit set up by Ross Perot? -- that I really think whatever he's got, there are meds for it. You don't make fun of a guy with Tourette's because he can't sit still. I'm putting Blagojevich in that category.

Which does not, however, for one moment excuse the Illinois machine for selling the Governor's mansion to him -- or, really, I guess, his father-in-law -- in the first place.