In Happier Times

Every now and again, you read a story about an old photograph of a public figure surfacing. The hapless person is smiling it up with someone who later becomes infamous. Here's a link to a rogue's gallery of such photos, courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.

And then, there's this photo.
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From left to right, KCBS reporter Doug Sovern, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, KCBS and CBS5 reporter Mike Sugerman, your humble reporter, and my esteemed colleague Steve Bitker.

All smiles, we were, because we'd just watched the Cubs clinch the National League Central Dvision title at Wrigley Field on a gorgeous September Saturday. The Governor had been sitting four seats away from me, rooting for the Cubbies and schmoozing an endless stream of well-wishers.

It occurs to me now that some of the well-wishers might have been offering inducements for a U.S. Senate appointment. It also occurs to me that some of the fans in the area might have been FBI agents.

Who'd have thought we would be the ones who would later be embarrassed about the photo?