A Chicago Blog

And then there’s Todd Stroger:

More people are ratting out Cook County employees alleging everything from theft, sexual harassment and carrying a gun at work to bribery, mismanagement and ethics violations. Between July and September, there were 44 new investigations. During the same period last year, there were eight.

Since the media has decided this election … err, I mean decided this election is over. I think it is time, for history’s sake to make close documentation of the love fest that has been the Obama candidacy. Here’s today’s Obama Love log. Bill Curry compares electing Obama to the fall of the Berlin Wall:

Nineteen years ago, I was blessed to be in Berlin as the Wall came down. It was among the most exhilarating experiences of my life, walking among the throngs of window-shoppers as they tasted not only capitalism but freedom for the first time. No one knew exactly what the fall portended but all felt the sense of impending liberation.

In a way this election is like that. America has been victim of a historic political logjam. We don’t know everything an Obama administration will bring, only that the logjam will explode and the river of the democracy will flow again. It has been a dismal election at times, but beyond a doubt it is the most important of our lives.

There’s nothing worse during football season than bye weeks. I’m sure they are much beloved by the team but they drive me insane. John Mullins has a great article about Kyle Orton, who I can’t say enough positive things about. He’s not Peyton Manning, but hell he’s got potential to be the best Bears QB since Eric Kramer at least, maybe since long before.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting Mark Grace is on the “short list” of those who would replace Bob Brenly in the booth, if Brenley were to get the Milwaukee job.

I’ve grown to like Brenly and the thought of him coaching Milwaukee … well, I don’t like it. He’s a smart guy and I certainly wouldn’t want the cubs to have to play him 16 times a year. But you have to admit, it would be kind of cool to have Grace in the booth! A little swearing never hurt anyone right? Can you imagine his interviews with Pinella?

From the LA Times:

And what about the American citizens who inundated the U.S. Capitol switchboard with calls of protest? The ones who vented their rage on radio talk shows and propelled a revolt by House Republicans that nearly derailed the proposal? Apparently they like the plan even less now than they did before.

Read the rest of this entry »

I meant to write a critical post the other day about some negative ads Peter Roskam is running about his opponent, Jill Morgenthaler. I don’t know how accurate they are but they don’t lift the political discourse and so they should be criticized. So there.

I was reminded of this while watch this Morgenthaler hit-piece questioning Roskam’s record. While the video at least takes on the issues (kudos to Morgenthaler), like the Dan Seals ad, it distorts his record on veteran’s issues.

Funny enough, the video attacks Roskam for voting against the bailouts. I wonder what polling data Morgenthaler is looking at?

As much as it hurts me, I will plan on going to the Election Night Obama Rally. As a student of politics, I’m still a sucker for hisory.

PS> I wonder if Chicago taxpayers are footing any part of the bill for this?

I have been thuroughly enjoying Jerry Agar’s presence on WLS since he replace Eileen Byrne last year. I am depressed to read this morning that he’s being replaced by Mancow. WTF. Here’s hoping WLS will keep Jerry on and just move his time slot.

Education Matters is reporting that students in Grayslake will be learning from a text book that features a 15-page section on Obama. Of course, I understand why some parent might be furious about this. The thought of young kids being subjected to a political agenda is frightening. And I would support any school board who wanted the book removed (though I’d rather see them remove their children). But I can’t help admiring just a little the gamble that the book publisher took. McDougal Littell is know there is more than a good chance Barack Obama will be elected president. When he is, they will have the first book out there with a chapter on him and his election. They’ll probably make a killing.

When going through airport security, it helps if when you bins come out of the x-ray you slide them to the end of the conveyor before putting your jewelry back on. Standing obliviously as everyone else’s stuff falls off the conveyor because you are blocking it with your bag won’t win you any friends.