Monday, June 29, 2009

Daley replaces his Streets and Sanitation boss | Clout Street - local political coverage

Daley replaces his Streets and Sanitation boss | Clout Street - local political coverage

Shocked this didn't happen earlier. I thought Picardi was gone after the plowing disaster last winter. No news about Human Resources guy. I don't know if that's to spite Hoffman or just because the City can't afford hire anyone.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Greg Hinz

Claypool announcing that he won't run for Cook County President is way too fishy. It sounds like he is leaving politics to go run a Medical startup? Seem really suspicious. There has got be something more. The only good thing about this is that it is so early in the election cycle that there is time for a reformer to come out of the pack. I don't know if that's going to happen, but the Stroger/Daley people should have waited a little longer.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Chicago Reader Blogs: Clout City

Chicago Reader Blogs: Clout City

Beachwood Reporter

Two brutal assessments of the Mayor's Chicago 2016 dreams. We are getting railroaded into paying for something most people don't want. We are sheep, but proud sheep. Combined with the parking meter fiasco and the "reform" aldermen, the Mayor is in for some tough sledding on this. No one seems to be able to get a clear answer on what the Mayor signed the City up for. No one seems to know what the downside or upside of his signature. If there were a strong candidate to run in a couple of years, Mayor Daley could be voted out of office. It's not likely, but now a possibility.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Calif. Aid Request Spurned By U.S. - washingtonpost.com

Calif. Aid Request Spurned By U.S. - washingtonpost.com

I think the people in California, the middle class, don't care that their government is failing. It's not that important to them. The term-limits laws in Michigan and California need to be overturned. These two states have the worst fiscal problems in the country. Instead of bringing more accountability to the Lansing or Sacramento, they have made the lobbyists all powerful. It's not to say New York or Illinois have their fiscal houses in order, but they are in slightly better shape since the legislators know the issues and care about their district more than the next office.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Metra to offer credit card options for some passes :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Transportation

Metra to offer credit card options for some passes :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Transportation

Time Macine baby!

Holy crap it's like it's 1999 over there in Metra land. Credit cards are too expensive? Maybe you'll get more riders. Wacky idea. Check out the Metrarail.com Web site, that's like from 1996.

The Ice Age Cometh - TIME

The Ice Age Cometh - TIME

The GOP has other problems, but Murphy hits it on the head with the demographics. The inability of the GOP to adapt to the new America is killing its electoral chances. The strong anti-immigration rhetoric that often crosses the line into racism is its number one problem. If you want to return to Reaganism, be optimistic about immigration.

This is a country based on optimistic immigrants and America should welcome that. Increasing raids and building fences, do nothing for the underlying solution of immigration. People will always want to come to America. We should encourage that.

Getting back to the GOP, would it hurt the Dems to keep putting immigration on the front burner? It would keep polarizing the electorate (very Rovian) and hopefully move non-whites permanently into the Dem column. I don't see much of a downside to this. Worst case scenario you get immigration reform through or the GOPself-immolates as a stand in for the No-Nothings. Win-win.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

An Innocent Abroad - Timothy Egan Blog - NYTimes.com

An Innocent Abroad - Timothy Egan Blog - NYTimes.com

A clear look at this odd Italian murder case. It seemed that the earlier reporting had a touch of sensationalism and this seems a little more levelheaded albeit a little too much personalization. I'm not sure what is served by their conviction. Someone also needs to reign in that prosecutor. He's off the deep end and should be investigating stuff that matters.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Kung Fu star David Carradine found dead in Bangkok - 6/04/09 - New York News and Tri-State News - 7online.com

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

TheHill.com - Critics focus on Sotomayor speech in La Raza journal

TheHill.com - Critics focus on Sotomayor speech in La Raza journal:

"This has prompted some Republicans to muse privately about whether Sotomayor is suggesting that distinctive Puerto Rican cuisine such as patitas de cerdo con garbanzo — pigs’ feet with chickpeas — would somehow, in some small way influence her verdicts from the bench."

All I can say is hallelujah! These morons are not only pissing off the fastest growing and largest minority in the country, they have gone off the deep end. I wonder if that spicy Italian food makes Alito or Scalia so ornery?

Monday, June 01, 2009

Editorial Observer - The Lord Justice Hath Ruled - Pringles Are Potato Chips - NYTimes.com