Too Politically Sensitive: Since When Is Murder Too Politically Sensitive 1st (first) Edition by Michale Callahan, Aurelian, Jake published by Land of Lincoln Pr Inc

by Michale Callahan

Excellent Book

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published May 8, 2009

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't rate this book 5 stars because it's well written - but this whistle-blowing story deserves five stars for the author's courage and determination. Even if half the things this former Illinois officer says are true, it's a scary insight to how our politicians and police force can be corrupt and scandalous. A reminder that we should be paying attention to the actions of those in power.

[Kitap Yakıcı · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point in time, everyone who knows how to pronounce "Illinois" (and millions of those who pronounce the final "s") have some understanding of the corruption with which my home state is synonymous. From the legendary Kennedy election voting machines at the bottom of Lake Michigan to the convictions and prison terms of our last two governors (George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich), political corruption is endemic in Illinois. Before I read this book, though, I had no idea how extensively this corruption extended into downstate, rural Illinois and into the lives of its everyday men and women. If retired Illinois State Police lieutenant Callahan is to be believed, and I see no reason not to take his account at face value, the political corruption in Illinois meant that when a newlywed couple in Paris, IL, were brutally murdered in 1986 and their home burned down, two innocent men were railroaded into prison and any further investigation into the case was deemed "too politically sensitive." What could be "too politically sensitive" about a murder case? Doesn't every murderer, regardless of their political connections, get investigated and prosecuted? It turns out that organized crime families have outposts in many small Illinois towns, that many of these Mafia operatives have various Illinois politicians and police officers in their pockets, and that these politicians in term have control over the highest echelons of the State Police—not exactly a recipe for protecting and serving (or for "Integrity, Service, and Pride," the motto of the Illinois State Police.) Callahan also makes a good case that the sort of anti-whistleblower laws and actions we have seen in the tenures of our current president and his predecessor are indicative of the system-wide corruption of our "democratic" institutions and the desire on the part of the state to prevent "we the people" from knowing and being able to do something about it. This corruption is pretty depressing, frankly, but the existence of people like Callahan, who will risk everything to speak out for the truth, gives this reader a modicum of hope.

[Rex Libris · Rating 5 out of 5]

In many ways this book was "difficult" to read. Illinois is well known for its political corruption, but the depths and pervasiveness of that corruption as revealed by the author is shocking to even the most hardened cynic.

Callahan is a (now) retired member of the Illinois State Police (ISP). He was asked to do a pro forma review of an old murder case that was to be profiled on the TV news magazine 48 Hours. The "irregularities" he found led him to ask the ISP to reopen the investigation. The ISP brass refused to do so, telling him it was "too politically sensitive." I use quotes for "irregularities" because by the time he is done, Callahan has revealed a systemic campaign by local, county, and state government to railroad some innocent people as the perpetrators in or order to protect the real murderers.

Callahan's work is very detailed, and what he writes about ends up being publicly documented. It should be read by everyone who cares about honesty in government and the true costs of political corruption.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't wait to read this book! My Grandma lives just 10 minutes from Paris Illinois, where this infamous murder took place. It's so intriguing..having made many trips to Paris, over the years. It's surreal that something so grotesque could happen in such a small town. It just proves that it doesn't matter how safe you try to make things...corruption and murder can happen anywhere!

[Lori Ichou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It was very sad to know that it is still a cold case and the family never got the answers they were looking for. The light shed on the corruption was very interesting to read. I did however find myself at times losing interest because at times there was a bit too much back and forth. I get it all ties in together but I think had it been the murder, the investigation and it's finds of corruption to the trial and wrongful sentencing, then go into how he was fighting a corrupt system and how that affected him, his trial and the release of the suspects would have flowed a little better. I just found myself having to go back to see what how some of the names fit into the story again. It was a very interesting book.

[Jamie Rincker]

I found this book at a library sale in Mattoon and while I did not grow up around the immediate area, I moved to Shelby County in 2012. Liking true crime novels, I got excited to read this as it's just right down the road from home. This book is a truly sad account, yet makes you angry all at once. It proves Illinois government is and continues to be corrupt, no matter which political party is in control.
I worked for the state during Governor Ryan's term and knew nothing about this, but I was extremely young and probably didn't pay much attention to politics then. I felt utter shock and disdain.
This book is interesting, yet it's also long and repetitive. It just goes to show how many years this went on though and really makes you wish Illinois politicians were more responsible and would own up to the actions because this case sadly has yet to be solved.

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The situation behind the story is an embarrassment to Illinois. Unfortunately, it's not too much of a stretch of the imagination that there is corruption that extends down to the state police. What's disheartening is knowing that it won't ever stop.

I do think while the story was good, the writing itself could have used a little help. There were several places when I wondered if someone had edited this book, as things were repeated or became convoluted. There were also a few typos. And while Lt. Callahan's anger was completely justified, I feel there were a few places where he simply resorted to name-calling. To me, that took away some of the impact of what he was saying.

Overall, if you want to get really angry, read this book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have lived in Edgar County my entire life and never realized how corrupt the police department was. It was incredible and sickening to see how those poor men, Steidl and Whitlock had been accused and convicted on nothing but obvious lies. These murders took place when I was just 4, so I didn't really have any knowledge about them. It's scary to think all my life Ive lived around such corruption. This book definitely opened my eyes

[Tim Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outspoken book about the corruption in the Illinois State Police. There was a lot of information about the Rhoads' murders in Paris, Illinois, in the 1980s. Some of the info is repeated and there are some typos, but it is still a fairly well written story. Hard to believe that all this is non-fiction.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful book! Callahan must be commended for his Courage. I read this book to learn exactly what people meant when they say Illinois is one of the most corrupt states. Very disheartening story but extremely worth reading!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

very scary to think stuff like this is happening in Paris, IL - let alone Illinois. Very difficult to keep up with all the names. But for anyone who lives / lived around here ... amazing book.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not always well written but never dull. I couldn't put this down. Interesting to anyone familiar with Edgar Co Il. You won't look at those small towns in the same way after reading this.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2000, Michale Callahan was the Investigations Commander in East Central Illinois. His first assignment was to review the fourteen-year-old murder of a young, newlywed couple, Dyke and Karen Rhoads. Rumblings from the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project, The Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University, and a CBS's 48 Hours show were that two men had been wrongfully convicted for these murders. This true story is about his fight to search for the truth and free the two innocent men he learned were railroaded into prison. Callahan's fight continues with his personal battle against a corrupt and powerful state that is more interested in covering up the scandal and silencing its employees than seeking justice. Interesting and really paints a very bleak and corrupt system in Illinois from the top government down. Too bad since I am sure there are a lot of very good officers in the Illinois State Police.