Category: Chicago

Rod Blagojevich Goes to Second City – Video

Posted on by TL

Rod Blagojevich went to Second City this evening to watch a production … about himself.

From WGN Chicago:

The show has been a hit since it opened in April. The theater company has been clamoring to get the man himself to the show and there he was, next to the stage.

Some in the audience say after the media blitz here in Chicago and New York, it wasn’t that big of a stretch to have him here tonight. With his wife in Costa Rica, he has taken a backseat.

Blagojevich said he has never seen the profanity-laced production before tonight.

How the mighty have fallen, and fallen, and fallen…

Faith Based Initiative Seeks Alternatives to Incarceration at Drug Policy Conference

Posted on by TL

Turning Left is helping to get the word out about this conference.  The organization Protestants for the Common Good is working towards the legalization of marijuana:

Chicago, IL– State-wide education and advocacy organization, Protestants for the Common Good, is hosting a drug policy conference at Roosevelt University the morning of Friday, June 12th to explore new directions for drug policy and alternatives to incarceration. A diverse group of experts will highlight strategies employed locally, nationally and internationally for coping with issues related to incarceration due to illegal drug use and abuse.

“By hosting this conference, we hope to inspire a new initiative for Illinois drug laws, one which focuses on street level intervention initiatives, no?entry strategies, and successful reentry programs, ”says Rev. Alexander Sharp, Executive Director of PCG.

“Our faith tells us that all individuals in society deserve a second chance, and current social systems are not only discriminatory, but work in exactly the opposite direction.”

The program will also bring forward the personal testimonies of two Chicagoans whose lives were altered by addiction, and will include information from Roosevelt University’s Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy Research.

Key policy alternatives such as decriminalization and legalization will be discussed, with special guest Rep. Jeffrion Aubry (D?35) from the New York State General Assembly speaking to the recently repealed Rockefeller Drug Laws. These laws enforced mandatory sentencing and lowered trigger amounts leading to mass incarceration over the past 30 years. Similar laws exist in Illinois, and have exacerbated the problem by emphasizing a punitive solution.

Featured speakers on the agenda include: Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance: Rep. Louis Lang (D?16), Illinois General Assembly: Don MacPherson, Drug Policy Coordinator, Vancouver, Canada: Rep. Arthur Turner (D?9) Illinois House of Representatives, and Pamela Rodriguez, Executive Vice President, TASC?Illinois.

The event speaks directly to crucial issues for PCG, an organization that has worked for the past decade to reform injustice where it appears in the police, judicial, and penal systems, to reestablish rehabilitative resources and services in jails and prisons, and to remove legal and employment barriers for ex?offenders so they may become productive contributors to the common good.

“We have become a prison nation in the past 30 years, and people are incarcerated with a racial disparity that is immoral. There are far better alternatives than recycling individuals through prison, with enormous cost to society and with little or no opportunity to flourish for the rest of their lives,” concludes Rev. Sharp.

Local government, community organizations, and faith leaders will be in attendance.

Source: Protestants for the Common Good

Mancow Expected Fight from Olbermann, Found Respect

Posted on by TL

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I admit I don’t know much about Mancow.

Although I live in the Chicagoland area, I’m not much into talk radio outside WCPT.  Having learned more about Mancow in recent days, I understand that some consider him very conservative.  He says he’s Libertarian.

I can tell you now that I have a ton of respect for him now.

Matthew Erich “Mancow” Muller agreed to be waterboarded, for real.  As we all know now, Mancow lasted less than six seconds.  In his appearance on tonight’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Mancow said the word “drowning” is not a strong enough description of what we call waterboarding.  Mancow, who did drown when he was young, said waterboarding is worse.

Amazing.

It seemed to me — and I could be wrong — that Mancow was expecting Olbermann to say something outrageous.  Indeed, if they had met on any other day, under any other circumstance, Mancow and Olbermann would both be in rare form, very animated, and, no doubt, entertaining.  But tonight, while they met as peers, Olbermann seemed genuinely awestruck with Muller.

Muller said he had chest pains for two days after this episode.  He said no one should have to go through this.

Watch the video above and make up your own mind.

Let’s grow away from waterboarding and torture as a nation and talk about real policy issues.

Mr. Erich “Mancow” Muller, sir, I take my hat off to you.  You did this nation a service. You did us all a service.

Mancow Gets Waterboarded, Admits It’s Torture

Posted on by TL

Friday morning, WLS radio show host Erich “Mancow” Muller agreed to be waterboarded on his show.  He wanted to find out for himself if it was torture.  He didn’t think it was.

He lasted all of six or seven seconds before finally “throwing in the cow” and giving up.

From NBC 5 Chicago:

“I want to find out if it’s torture,” Mancow told his listeners Friday morning, adding that he hoped his on-air test would help prove that waterboarding did not, in fact, constitute torture.

The debate over whether waterboarding constitutes torture reached a fever pitch this week as re-ignited claims that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) knew as early as 2002 about waterboarding techniques being used, and former Vice President Dick Cheney and President Barack Obama gave “dueling speeches” Thursday.

Listeners had the chance to decide whether Mancow himself or his co-host, Chicago radio personality Pat Cassidy, would undergo the interrogation method during the broadcast.  The voters ultimately decided Mancow would be the one donning the soaked towel and shackles, and at about 8:40 a.m., he entered a small storage room next to his studio that was compared to a “dungeon” by Cassidy.  “The average person can take this for 14 seconds,” Marine Sergeant Clay South answered, adding, “He’s going to wiggle, he’s going to scream, he’s going to wish he never did this.”

With a Chicago Fire Department paramedic on hand,  Mancow was placed on a 7-foot long table, his legs were elevated, and his feet were tied up.

Turns out the stunt wasn’t so funny. Witnesses said Muller thrashed on the table, and even instantly threw the toy cow he was holding as his emergency tool to signify when he wanted the experiment to stop.  He only lasted 6 or 7 seconds.

“It is way worse than I thought it would be, and that’s no joke, “Mancow said, likening it to a time when he nearly drowned as a child.  “It is such an odd feeling to have water poured down your nose with your head back… It was instantaneous…and I don’t want to say this: absolutely torture.”

Next up: George W. Bush, Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, and Sean Hannity.  Hannity still has to make good on his promise to be waterboarded.  Keith Olbermann has offered to do the honors — for charity.

What’s the problem, Hannity?  Gonna let Mancow show you up?

Todd Stroger is Confused About Taxes

Posted on by TL

First, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger wanted to cut taxes.  That big announcement was made around tax day 2009:

Less than a year before he seeks re-election, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger today asked commissioners to roll back part of the major sales tax increase he pushed through last year.

Under the proposal, the county’s sales tax rate would drop from 1.75 percent to 1.5 percent. At a a news conference, Stroger said federal stimulus package dollars would make it possible.

Pressed to explain how exactly stimulus dollars would replace sales tax revenue, Stroger replied that he had “no hard numbers” because the county continues discussions with federal officials.

Given Stroger’s inability to focus or clearly explain his positions, it was not surprising that Stroger had “no hard numbers.”  Much like the U.S. Senate Republican’s 2009 budget proposal — which essentially was a glorified coloring book — Stroger’s budget proposals have been erratic.

Forward one month:

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has vetoed a 12-3 vote of the County Board to repeal his beloved sales-tax increase. Deep down, he says, he supports killing the full tax increase. But not now, and not even on a set schedule. No, he wants to roll back the tax “as funds become available.”

Right.  So that federal stimulus package that was supposed to save the day doesn’t count.

The Trib has a plan:

We figure the 12 board members who voted to kill the tax increase will vote to override. Similarly, the three who previously voted to keep the increase in place — Jerry “Iceman” Butler, William Beavers and Robert Steele — probably will vote against an override.

So Stroger’s veto brings tremendous pressure on the two members who missed that 12-3 vote. Either can be the fourth vote he needs. And both may have Democratic challengers in February’s Illinois primary precisely because of their past support for Stroger’s tax policies.

Surely they would appreciate your guidance on whether to let Stroger keep collecting his tax increase. Earlean Collins represents Chicago’s West Side and some west suburbs. Her telephone numbers are 312-603-4566 and 773-626-2184. Deborah Sims represents parts of the South Side and south suburbs. Her numbers are 312-603-6381 and 708-371-4251.

Readers, start dialing.

That’s a good plan.

Look, I know I’m naive.  I don’t get it.  I should better understand why Commissioner Deborah Sims is so loyal to Stroger in the first place — but I don’t.

The Cook County Board needs to grow some and override the veto.  Make your calls.

News from the Blagosphere: Rod Runs to Cameras at Arraignment

Posted on by TL

“You have the right to remain silent.”  Words to live by in some situations.

Rod Blagojevich can’t keep his mouth shut.

Blago ran to the media today, and even stopped for a pedestrian who asked to take a picture with him.

The former Illinois governor entered a plea of, “Not guilty.”

The media continuously refers to Blago with the adjective “disgraced.”  If I do that here, that’s fine.  This is my blog, and you know this is news and commentary interwoven.  But for the media to do that in broadcasts about Blago is wildly inappropriate.

Is the media responding to our desire for commentary?  Why were we so attentive to Walter Cronkite decades ago?  Cronkite gave us THE NEWS.  Is the mainstream media giving up on 24/7 news and giving in to 24/7 commentary?

That’s fine for the blogosphere.  Not for the media.

Back to our reason for writing today, which is news from the Blagosphere, not blogosphere…

Rod Blagojevich may run out of money soon for his defense.   If that happens, he will run to the talk shows and even more cameras.  It’s only our ability to turn the channel that will keep him silent.


Bring 30 Pieces of Silver for Chicago Parking Meters

Posted on by TL

Want to park your car for two hours in Chicago?  Bring 28 quarters plus a few more if you need more time.

Carol Marin says the hike in parking fees has caused a mild rebellion among commuters.  Apparently there are quite a few open spots on the streets of Chicago:

At noon in Wicker Park, where Milwaukee Avenue is usually packed with parked cars, there were open meters waiting.

And at 2 p.m. around the Sheraton Hotel on Columbus Drive, a place where normally you can’t crowbar your car into a space, there were at least three or four parking spaces. What’s up with this?

What’s up is that a month ago, when the City of Chicago privatized parking meters, rates were immediately jacked way up, and you now have to feed 28 quarters into the meter to park a car in the Loop for two hours. In exchange for a 75-year lease, the city got $1.2 billion to help plug its budget holes.

$1.2 billion sounds great in the short term.  But what about sustained revenue?  Did Chicago jump for short-term gain and lose long-term revenue in the process?  According to Marin, “parking tickets reap six, seven, even eight times more than what meters bring in.”  If no one parks, then there are no tickets.

The whole purpose of parking meters was as an urban planning tool, used to generate turnover so businesses could see a steady stream of customers who park for a short time, shop and leave, opening spaces for more shoppers.

And there’s the rub: parking meters exist now only to generate revenue.  They’re punishment for shopping.

There must be an army in Chicago writing tickets now.  A friend’s son pulled into a spot last week, but didn’t have any tickets.  He ran into a dry cleaning store for change to feed the meter.  Coming from the store just a few moments later, parking meter enforcement had already found his vehicle.  Now he’s paying dearly for that spot.

Want to go shopping?  Stay in the ‘Burbs.  Better yet, head to the South Suburbs.  The best deals are in the south.  Discover the affordable housing in Park Forest and have dinner at Bixby’s.  Visit Crete for antiques.  Head to Matteson to J.C. Penny’s or any number of other stores.

You can even park for free.

Deny Richie Daley and the LAZ Parking cabal their 30 pieces of silver.

Gov. Quinn Supports Third Airport

Posted on by TL

Well, it’s about time.  Illinois has a governor who supports the Third Airport, and this is a governor who, like it or not, says what he means and then acts accordingly.  Quite a difference from “Governor-by-Press-Conference” Blagojevich.

This is excellent news:

Gov. Pat Quinn’s renewed commitment to building a third airport near Chicago earned praise Wednesday from lawmakers in Illinois and Washington.

“We will build a third airport in the south suburbs of Chicago, and we will build it as fast as humanly possible,” Quinn said during his budget address at the state Capitol.

Quinn said the airport – talked about for years – is part of much-needed economic development efforts throughout the state.

The proposed Will County airport has been a pet project of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2nd), who created the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission to bring the airport to an area near Peotone.

Congressman Jackson is very happy with this news.

The South Suburbs, long-ago orphaned economically by the rest of the state, and, in particular, Chicago, need an economic engine to become even more viable.

There are many reasons for companies to take their businesses out of Chicago and the South Suburbs.  Park Forest just saw a new grocery store open, there are incredible opportunities for development in Matteson and Richton Park, even Olympia Fields.

People in the South Suburbs have been traveling north to spend money for years.  The New Economy is changing all of that.  Fuel prices are keeping people closer to home, and this will show in local economies.

Personally, I’m very pleased with the new governor’s support of the third airport.  It’s time for this project to fly.

Gregory Robinson Died a Hero at 14

Posted on by TL

Fourteen years old, and Gregory Robinson is gone.

He sounds like someone you would have admired.

Hearing gunshots, Robinson tried to protect a 10-month-old and a 4-year-old, and was shot dead.

Greg was not the target, according to police.

I call once again for more funding for Ceasefire Chicago, the organization with the most comprehensive approach to ending the violence.

Why do we shoot each other?  We could debate endlessly.  For all our discussion, it happened again.

We need gun control.  No, not necessarily fewer guns.  We simply need to contol our  guns, control ourselves.

We have the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.  We have so much freedom in this country. Why can we not control ourselves?

I’m crying for this one.  From the Sun-Times:

Robinson’s cousin, Brandon Orange, who was in the front seat of the car, said he heard what sounded like 30 gunshots being fired at the Chevrolet Malibu as his sister, Brittani Orange, was making a U-turn to park in front of her family’s home.

Brandon Orange shielded his sister, while Robinson tried to protect Brittani Orange’s 10-month-old son, Antonio Porterfield, and 4-year-old goddaughter Sinyiia Bennett, who were with him in the backseat.

When he saw that his cousin slumped over in the back seat, Brandon Orange said, “I didn’t think it was real. Not Greg. He never said or did anything to anybody.”

Robinson suffered a gunshot wound to the back, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said. He was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn at 11:35 p.m.

No other passengers inside the vehicle were injured, Chicago Police said.

This young man died a hero in a city that SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS.

Chicago wants to host the 2016 Olympics, but Gregory Robinson won’t see them.

Chicago gangs need to do the unthinkable, and talk to each other.  Someone out there reading this belongs to a gang, and must know that what happened to Gregory Robinson is wrong.  This needs to stop.

Twenty-eight Chicago Public School students have died this year.

“You’re going to see more of that unfortunately,” Mayor Daley said Saturday, speaking at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Why?