Cirque du Democrat

Stroger Goggles

2007-10-18T09:35:00.000-05:00

Stroger Goggles - Distorting budget reality, line item by line item.

Al's at it again. . .

2006-06-21T07:33:00.000-05:00

Click here to see Al put Larry King to sleep!

For Sale

2006-06-20T19:39:00.000-05:00

Daley has said machine politics play no role in his dominance of local politics.

Chicago Tribune

June 20, 2006

Audit finds management problems at human services agency

2006-06-13T16:25:00.000-05:00

The Governor’s Department of Human Services suffers from lax billing procedures, has circumvented state law to avoid competitive bids, doesn’t make fraud prevention a priority and has failed to protect confidential employee records.

Garrett Brings Chicago-style Politics to the North Shore

2006-06-02T10:47:00.000-05:00

Daniel Katalinic, the highest-profile witness to testify yet in the trial that's in its third week, said Robert Sorich, a former top official in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, told him to which political races he should deploy his volunteers. He also said Daley's former campaign manager, Greg Goldner, doled out similar orders. In return, Katalinic would hand Sorich a list of people he'd want hired or promoted in city positions, he testified.

Katalinic said his campaign organization started small but eventually grew to nearly 300 people who worked on many campaigns, from that of U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel to state Sen. Susan Garrett. Nearly all of the group were Streets and Sanitation workers or people trying to land city jobs, Katalinic said.

Chicago Sun-Times
June 1, 2006

This is a MUST SEE!!

2006-02-24T06:09:00.000-06:00

Click here to see Blago at his absolute best. This is hilarious!

Now we know Bryant Gumbel hasn't ever been to a GOP convention . . . in the last 100 years.

2006-02-20T08:03:00.000-06:00

"So try not to laugh when someone says these (Olympic athletes) are the world’s greatest athletes, despite a paucity of blacks that makes the winter games look like a GOP convention.

Bryant Gumbel
HBO's Real Sports

Senile Democrat Defends Himself

2006-02-16T17:44:00.000-06:00

"She's a pretty little girl."

"The day I don't look at pretty women is the day I die."

"This little girl" ought to be "happy that I observed her going out the door."

"The one who is offended is me."

Democrat State Comptroller Donald Schaefer of Maryland reacting to critism for holding up a hearing to ogle an aide and asking her to walk back and forth for him.

Congrats to Diane Meyer of Respublica for having her on target piece published in the Trib!

2006-02-13T07:29:00.000-06:00

Come out wherever you are

A new CNN/Gallup poll shows Laura Bush with an 82 percent approval rating, which is not surprising, at least to me, because Laura is one cool woman. But the survey got me to thinking about Illinois and the state's first lady. I don't think I could even conjure up a picture of her in my mind. I know her father is important in Chicago politics and I know they don't live in the Springfield governor's mansion, choosing instead to do their sleeping in Chicago, but what about Patti Blagojevich? OK, she's interested in literacy and in-line skating and knitting, but where is she?

Diane Meyer, respublica.typepad.com

Chicago Tribune

February 13, 2006

What do you expect from cops who report to an elected Dem Sherrif?

2006-02-10T19:10:00.000-06:00

Click Image to Play

" . . . and I hold no hard feelings over your earlier disingenuousness"

2006-02-08T08:04:00.000-06:00

Click letter to enlarge

A picture speaks a thousand words

2006-02-03T05:41:00.000-06:00

So Jan, can we put your voice on MUTE since you finished third in a three-way race?

2006-02-02T04:10:00.000-06:00

“As Vice Chair, my voice will be amplified when it comes to speaking out on issues such as the war in Iraq, which I have opposed from day one and on the Republican budget, which is nothing short of immoral. . . I’ll keep you posted on the race.”

Jan Schakowsky
December 10, 2005

Why the Democrats will continue to lose

2006-01-31T22:07:00.000-06:00

Following the State of the Union . . .

CNN's Anderson Cooper - "What is the primary issue that Democrats will run on in these mid-term elections?"

Nancy Pelosi: "Homeland Security"

Cooper: "Are you serious?"

DePaul students lash out at "crazy" Judith-Rae Ross

2006-01-26T06:58:00.000-06:00

DePaul University History students ridiculed their professor in reviews published as recently as this month on RateMyProfessor.com. The professor, Judith-Rae Ross, is a Democrat challenger to State Representative Beth Coulson in the 17th.

Here are some of the excerpts:

"This woman is crazy, no lie. I couldn't stand her as a person and she runs a horrible classroom (it was honestly a joke), but she is so easy that she's worth taking any chance you get."

"Professor Ross is unclear, vague, and distant from reality and herself."

"This is a class where you don’t have to come and you can get an A. Very easy. Don't expect to learn anything though."

"I don't know what kind of teacher she is, but as a person she is really rude and stuck up."

For the complete list of comments you can check out the review here.

Kudos to Gordon Frederick

2006-01-25T07:35:00.000-06:00

The ACLU is such a noble organization. They defend terrorists, murderers, rapists and child molesters, while they sue American soldiers, Christians and the president of the United States. They defend a Muslim trying to get a driver's license with her face covered, while they sue Christians to remove Nativity scenes and crosses from cemeteries.

The ACLU is supposed to protect all Americans, not just a select few. The question to the ACLU is - Who will protect us from you?

Gordon Frederick

Letter to the Editor

Chicago Sun-Times

January 24, 2006

Democrat Intelligence Challenged

2006-01-24T07:02:00.000-06:00

A Cirque reader sent this in. Allegedly, this guy is a Dem precinct captain in Georgia.

Click Image to Play Video

"F--- you, you Jew son of a bitch, you lousy motherf-----, go home."

2006-01-23T07:36:00.000-06:00

A couple of lefty journalists, Andrew Kopkind and James Ridgeway, who put out a newsletter called Mayday, hired a teacher from the Gallaudet School for the Deaf to read (former Mayor) Daley's lips. The lip reader studied the TV film closely and shook his head sadly and reported that the honorable mayor of Chicago had said something along the lines of, "F--- you, you Jew son of a bitch, you lousy motherf-----, go home."

Frivolous lawsuits: Dem modus operandi

2006-01-20T06:41:00.000-06:00

Leave it to the son of a consultant to Hillary and Obama to sue for a $1 million because he was called a drunk. The Dems and their out of control lawsuits are crippling our country.

Hillary Clinton - Disgraceful on Martin Luther King Day

2006-01-18T07:21:00.000-06:00

Click Image to hear Audio

Correction

2006-01-17T07:21:00.000-06:00

The Cirque incorrectly stated that the quote from the Chicago Tribune,

"Yet there has been a long stream of revelations about the governor's friends' links to state contracts and jobs"

was a reference to testimony in the on-going George Ryan trial. Our apologies to the former governor.

"It's welcome news that Blagojevich recently discovered the job of governor requires his full attention."

2006-01-11T07:31:00.000-06:00

Chicago Tribune

January 11, 2006

Now Bean's kids understand why Mom's not returning their emails

2006-01-09T07:09:00.000-06:00

Extracted from Melissa Bean's Congressional website.

(click link and see bottom of page)

Couslon opponent finds solution for unwanted pregnancies

2006-01-06T08:12:00.000-06:00

" . . .What if an unwanted pregnancy could be transplanted. We have transplanted so many other things; maybe something like that would be possible and suitable adoptive parents found. That might be one way of doing it…"

Democrat Judith-Rae Ross

State Rep Candidate

17th District

Source: Public Affairs

"Frankly, the Democrats are nowhere"

2006-01-04T08:43:00.000-06:00

Frankly, (the Democrats) are nowhere. They are failing utterly in the role of an opposition party . . . Rather than lead a responsible examination of America's strategy for Iraq, they have handed off the debate to a distraught mother who is grieving for her lost son.

David Ignatius

The Washington Post

An Iraqi grandmother tells Dems where they can go

2006-01-03T08:53:00.000-06:00

Click Image to Play Video

Talk . . . and talk . . . and talk

2005-12-30T08:37:00.000-06:00

The Democrats' problem is partly a lack of strong leadership. Its main spokesman on foreign policy has become Sen. Joseph Biden, a man who -- how to put this politely? -- seems more impressed with the force of his own intellect than an objective evaluation would warrant. Listening to Biden, you sense how hungry he is to be president, but you have little idea what he would do, other than talk . . . and talk.

-Washington Post

Mexicans picket Lipinski

2005-12-29T08:26:00.000-06:00

Seems that a group of angry Mexicans picketed Congressman Lipinski's office yesterday for his vote to make entering the U.S. illegally a felony. They announced that they will find someone to run against the Democrat in 2008. "The Mexican community is incensed", said Juan Salgado, a picketer who also heads the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

There's no truth to the rumor that the same picketers protesting Lipinski's vote then asked for job applications to help build the fence that will help keep Mexicans out of the U.S.

Merry Christmas Greetings to Republicans and Democrats

2005-12-27T08:44:00.000-06:00

A friend sent out a Christmas Greeting to Republicans and Democrats. Here's the text of both:

For My Republican Friends:
Here's wishing all of You a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

For My Democrat Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee. By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher.

"I am not Jesus Christ"

2005-12-22T12:05:00.000-06:00

Former Dem State Rep. Patricia Bailey denying that she is GOD after being sentenced for felony election fraud and perjury.

Source: WFLD-TV Chicago

12/21/2005

There's No Truth to the Rumor . . .

2005-12-20T09:44:00.000-06:00

. . . that the American Neurological Association is seeking brain tissue samples form Melissa Bean and Dan Seals to better understand the syndrome that drives Democrats to run in districts in which they don’t reside.

A liberal sign of the times

2005-12-16T11:31:00.000-06:00

Picture needs a caption - please help!

2005-12-14T07:05:00.000-06:00

Stuck on Stupid?

Dumb and Dumber?

DCCC Invite - Click Letter to View in Entirety

2005-12-07T08:48:00.000-06:00

Thank you, Mr. Speaker . . .

2005-12-01T08:44:00.000-06:00

Kudos to House Speaker Hastert for insisting that the name of Capitol's "Holiday" Tree, a name which it has held since the mid 90's, be properly renamed to the Capitol Christmas Tree.

Nekritz "applauds" extremist group

2005-11-30T07:02:00.000-06:00

"[The Council of American Islamic Relations] is unusual in its extreme rhetoric and its associations with groups that are suspect"
Sen. Richard Durbin

"We know [CAIR] has ties to terrorism"
Sen. Charles Schumer

“I applaud all of you”
State Representative Elaine Nekritz in joint press conference
congratulating local extremists including Jeanette Hashem from the Council on American Islamic Relations

The difference between Democrats and Republicans - Part 27

2005-11-23T07:34:00.000-06:00

Republicans: Provide Creative Solutions to Constituents

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R.-Ill., kicked off the enrollment period with an informational session in his Aurora-based district featuring Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mark McClellan. Hastert has said the prescription drug program will ensure that seniors "now have choices that drive down the cost of their health care."

Democrats: Complain Without Offering Solutions

"We have created a plan here that is so difficult, so confusing and so hard for average people to understand that many seniors are struggling to find out what is the best plan to turn to in order to protect themselves and to protect their families and to protect their health," (U.S. Senator Dick) Durbin told reporters during a press conference with other Democrats.

Source: Copley News Service
November 16, 2005

"If I get troublesome, I'm sorry."

2005-11-21T07:54:00.000-06:00

Dick Durbin, at a constituent breakfast in response to Illinois resident Ronald Bulin who told the Senator that he is "not a strong supporter of you because I found, I think, that you've become a vicious attack dog for the Democratic Party"

November 17, 2005

Park Ridge woman doesn't get it

2005-11-18T07:27:00.000-06:00

"I'm not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president."

First Lady Hillary Clinton commenting on the release of subpeonaed documents
James B. Stewart - Blood Sport:The President and His Adversaries

"It's in the long term interest of our national security"

2005-11-16T07:34:00.000-06:00

T.O. is Rev. Jackson's Constituency??

2005-11-15T07:38:00.000-06:00

"My constituency is the desperate, the damned, the disinherited, the disrespected and the despised."

-The Reverend Jesse Jackson

"If (embattled Eagles wide-receiver Terrell Owens) had been caught shaving points, selling drugs, carrying a gun or fighting some fans, who provoked him, and he had not shown sufficient restraint, we could understand the severe suspension, because those are very serious and illegal acts. . . His heart is contrite. . .This punishment is much too severe for the charge."

-The Reverend Jesse Jackson

defending his constituency

Tough to find fault with him here . . .

2005-11-11T07:31:00.000-06:00

Is it me . . . or does Susan Garrett always look like she just got back from Florida?

2005-11-09T07:39:00.000-06:00

Now he gets the picture

2005-11-08T07:58:00.000-06:00

"I can't deny that I'm a better ex-president than I was a president"

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter

November 3, 2005

Liberal Speak . . . Defined - Part IX

2005-11-07T07:59:00.000-06:00

What he said:

(If Senate Bill 2104 becomes law it would) "severely weaken the ability of local communities to have their own say on the important issue of public safety."

Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, Evanston,
Arguing against a Senate bill restricting gun-owner rights in Illinois
Pioneer Press
November 3, 2005

What he was thinking:

It’s getting harder and harder to scare sensible people with the Laurie Dann story.

Jan's support for convicted husband now waning

2005-11-03T08:19:00.000-06:00

Lake County Democrats Deny Link to Cocaine Trafficking

2005-11-02T08:03:00.000-06:00

The News Sun reported yesterday that the Waukegan building which is the home to the Lake County Democratic Organization was raided last week by police looking for drugs. Two men were arrested and one was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

"The aim is to restore the quality of life to the neighborhood ... All infractions, all search warrants for criminal activity, are forwarded to community policing and the city housing departments, said Sgt. Michael Rauschenberger of the Waukegan Police Department's narcotics unit.

Lake County Democrats have vehemently denied being directly involved with the sale of illegal narcotics, including the crack cocaine being sold from the building. "It had nothing to do with us," said Peter Couvall, vice chairman of the party.

At this point, police have not uncovered evidence that Lake County Democrats were directly profiting from the sale of crack cocaine. Several calls placed to their office were not answered and went directly to voicemail.

My favorite liberal rant is that workers should be entitled to live in the communities in which they work

2005-11-01T07:48:00.000-06:00

"I would like to see affordable housing. It's important to have housing for our employees in town."

-Northbrook Village Trustee Sandy Frum

regarding plans for building an entertainment, retail and residential complex in Northbrook

Overheard at the New Trier Republican Organization Annual Dinneree

2005-10-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

"It's like everyone in Hollywood is praying 'Please give us a liberal President. Please give us a liberal President.' When their prayers aren't answered, they pretend it's true by giving us "The West Wing" and "Commander in Chief""

National Talk Show Host

Laura Ingraham

October 16, 2005

If you don't believe me, try it in Google yourself

2005-10-12T07:56:00.000-05:00

Bean Staffers Criticized by Constituents

2005-10-11T15:39:00.000-05:00

"(Bean's Director of Constituent Services Nicholas) Jordan's incompetence is incredible. First he sent a letter to the wrong agency. . . ."

"On top of this, Jordan wrote in the letter that I had contacted Bean's office 'regarding a problem with the care given to [my] parents.' That is exactly what I told him was not the reason why I was contacting Bean. "

"Perhaps Jordan isn't so dumb, because by sending the wrong message to the wrong people, he saved himself from having to work on my case."

John H. Olsen

8th District Constituent

To anyone who has been paying attention . . .

2005-10-10T08:36:00.000-05:00

. . . there's something backward about the Judith-Rae Ross's campaign for State Representative. Case in point - check out her website http://www.judith-rae-ross.org/. Should we assume that she opposes Education, Seniors, and Jobs?

Democratic Leadership

2005-10-04T08:57:00.000-05:00

Marking the 11th anniversary of the Republican “Contract with America,” Rahm Emanuel, Nancy Pelosi and other Democrat leaders gathered to share the Democrat leadership’s view on American prosperity. Also attending the conference was House Minority Leader Steny Hoyer, who spoke about the need for a Democratic agenda for the upcoming election. When asked if Democrats would have a concrete plan, Hoyer replied,

"I think so, I hope so, I believe so."
CQ Today
September 28, 2005

In case you missed it from . . . ALJAZEERA

2005-10-03T07:52:00.000-05:00

إطار هذه المدينة. فمثلا، لو أراد المستخدم أن كتاب على الإنترنت فستأتي له النتائج بمنافذ بيعيبحث عن الكتب المكتبات القريبة التي توفر هذا الكتاب، وليس كل في شتى أنحاء الأرضالمستخدم .

-ALJAZEERA.Net

Doha, Qatar

September 26, 2005

English Translation:

"'I would like to say to Cindy Sheehan and her supporters: Don't be a group of unthinking lemmings. It's not pretty... It gives the enemy hope' - Mitzy Kenny,

whose husband died in Iraq last year and who supports the Iraq war"

Emmanuel contemplates his donation to Hurricane Katrina victims

2005-09-30T07:58:00.000-05:00

Another senseless union boycott

2005-09-29T07:37:00.000-05:00

After they hear about this, The National Association for American Schizophrenics (NAAS) will be calling for movie-goers to boycott Pyscho.

Have you ever noticed . . .

2005-09-28T07:43:00.000-05:00

That whenever Chicagoland's liberal Air America radio station WCPT promotes its Jerry Springer show its only biographical reference to their on-air "personality" is that he is the former mayor of Cincinnati?

Durbin Analysis Interesting . . . Schakowsky Blast Hilarious

2005-09-27T07:23:00.000-05:00

"After all, when it comes to marginalizing political effectiveness through the partisan fire-branding of the opposition, the Illinois delegation in Washington already has Rep. Jan Schakowsky."

Rick Pearson

Chicago Tribune

September 18, 2005

WSCR's Mike North with inside information on the Meeks case

2005-09-26T08:04:00.000-05:00

"The people close to (Reverend James Meeks) are saying it –that he lied about what happened during the traffic stop."
-Mike North
WSCR-670AM Talk Show Host
September 26, 2005

Quotes for an upcoming Peraica mail piece

2005-09-23T08:02:00.000-05:00

"Stroger should leave "

"Why doesn't Stroger announce his retirement? "

". . . rarely a month goes by without some new revelation in the press about a case of county nepotism, cronyism or worse. "

Chicago Tribune

September 23, 2005

Liberalism Defined by Barack Obama

2005-09-22T07:42:00.000-05:00

Illinois Senator Barack Obama Wednesday offered a new twist on the traditional liberal mantra that poverty causes crime. According to Obama it's the federal government's job to watch over American citizens so they won't commit future crimes. According to Obama:

"Look at the crime rate in [New Orleans'] 9th Ward before the hurricane. These people were abandoned long before the hurricane."

-Barack Obama
September 21, 2005

No - thank YOU, Mary

2005-09-20T13:13:00.000-05:00

"Thank President Clinton and former President Bush for their strong statements of support and comfort today. I thank all the leaders that are coming to Louisiana, and Mississippi and Alabama to our help and rescue. We are grateful for the military assets that are being brought to bear. I want to thank Senator Frist and Senator Reid for their extraordinary efforts. Anderson, tonight, I don't know if you've heard - maybe you all have announced it -- but Congress is going to an unprecedented session to pass a $10 billion supplemental bill tonight to keep FEMA and the Red Cross up and operating."

- Sen. Mary Landrieu (D- LA), to CNN's Anderson Cooper, Aug. 31, 2005

To which Cooper responded:

"I haven't heard that, because, for the last four days, I've been seeing dead bodies in the streets here in Mississippi. And to listen to politicians thanking each other and complimenting each other, you know, I got to tell you, there are a lot of people here who are very upset, and very angry, and very frustrated. And when they hear politicians slap - you know, thanking one another, it just, you know, it kind of cuts them the wrong way right now, because literally there was a body on the streets of this town yesterday being eaten by rats because this woman had been laying in the street for 48 hours. And there's not enough facilities to take her up. Do you get the anger that is out here?"

"I don't know who A, B, C or Z is"

2005-09-19T07:31:00.000-05:00

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich

September 16, 2002

Strikingly familiar denials

2005-09-16T06:46:00.000-05:00

"I don't believe I am. I sure as hell don't think I am.”

Former Illinois Governor George Ryan in response to whether or not the Governor was “Official A” as described in a federal indictment.
May 22, 2002

"We don't know who Official A is."

Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff in response to whether or not the Governor was “Official A” as described in a federal indictment.
September 15, 2005

When O.J. finds the real killer, maybe he can find the guy who blew up the levees

2005-09-15T07:19:00.000-05:00

Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn spent yesterday morning listening to the morning drive show on WVON and subsequently made written transcripts of what he heard guests and callers say.

Here's an excerpt:

"A [neighbor of mine] said she heard a loud boom before the water came up. I believe with all my heart [a deliberately set explosion to breach the levee] is exactly what they did. [The way the water was flowing in my neighborhood] "made no sense at all.""

"The Cliff Kelley Show" guest
Atlee Berrie
WVON-AM 1450

It's for such a good cause

2005-09-14T07:40:00.000-05:00

"We ran the plates."

2005-09-13T06:29:00.000-05:00

Chicago Sun-Times

November 2, 2004

Secretary of State Jesse White admitting that his office ran the license plate of former opponent Kris Cohn in violation of a state law which prohibits the use of Secretary of State computers for political purposes.

Thanks, Mary Selvick

2005-09-12T12:16:00.000-05:00

It’s time to set aside hatred for Bush

Ever since President Bush won the first time, and then won re-election, I have watched in disgust the way the liberal press and the democrats have nipped at his heels on every issue.

First, he stole the election. Then I t was those pesky Christians who gave him his second win. Then it was the lies about the weapons of mass destruction (that every major country believed to be true).

Social Security, tax cuts for the rich, Cindy Sheehan and her rhetoric – blah, blah, blah. Then comes the pundits. Now it seems that President Bush is responsible for the horror of Katrina.

. . .

Did anyone ever really answer why John Kerry lost? Could it be because all he could do was criticize Bush? He had no alternative plans that made sense. No one knew what he would do on any given isuue.

I just pray that the hate for one man can be set aside for the good of the country. It has to stop and stop now.

Mary Selvick

Chicago Tribune

Letter to the Editor

September 10, 2005

Tribune Bias

2005-09-09T07:43:00.000-05:00

Typical Tribune . . . the front page story "TV Images Keep Heat on Bush" contends that "In the 24/7, split-screen, blog-drenched, unfiltered America, controlling the image and controlling the language go a long way toward controlling the blame."

I thought this was going to be a fair article about the backlash that can face incumbents following a natural disaster. But as I turned the pages I see a picture of a Bush-hater holding a poster of a de-faced President Bush with a slogan "What, me worry?" orignially linked to Bush by a liberal Park Ridge woman.

Nice reporting, Tribsters. Way to get people to believe that the President doesn't care about one of the greatest natural disasters in American history.

Liberal Speak . . . Defined

2005-09-08T06:42:00.000-05:00

"Whenever a liberal begins a statement with 'I don't know which is more
frightening,' you know the answer is going to be pretty clear. "

-Ann Coulter

What runs in the family . . .

2005-09-07T06:43:00.000-05:00

"Dennis Rush, nephew of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), has been sentenced to 22 years in prison by a Cook County Criminal Court judge for fatally shooting a man in a South Side drug transaction more than three years ago."

Chicago Tribune
September, 2005

Bobby Rush (D-IL) has called decriminalization of drug offenses a "possibility worth exploring”.

Chicago Sun-Times
July, 2000

A somber prediction

2005-09-02T08:01:00.000-05:00

"It's only a matter of time before South Louisiana takes a direct hit from a major hurricane. Billions have been spent to protect us, but we grow more vulnerable every day. "

- A 2002 SPECIAL REPORT from THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Just wondering . . .

2005-09-02T07:25:00.000-05:00

Why did Bob Creamer make a deal and plead guilty? Could the plea have included getting his wife off the hook? After all, it was the Jan Schakowsky who in March of last year said “My husband was innocent seven years ago, and he is innocent today”. . . . And it is the same Jan Schakowsky who formerly served on the board of Illinois Public Action.

Just wondering.

10th Congressional Democrats Trained by Convicted Felon

2005-09-01T07:22:00.000-05:00

A suburban Democratic organization, the 10th Congressional Democrats, has admittedly organized a “training” seminar conducted by the convicted felon, Bob Creamer. Creamer, the husband of U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal bank fraud charge for orchestrating a complex check-kiting scheme involving his liberal agency, Illinois Public Action.

Earlier this year, the so-called “10th Dems” organized the training in which Democratic candidates “who are considering future runs for elective office” could learn from insiders such as Creamer. As stated on their website, the 10th Congressional Democrats is a group with an objective to “Recruit & train new precinct committeemen/women”.

Today, many people are questioning the type of political tactics that convicts and political hacks impart in trainings such as the one recently held by the 10th Dems. The number of complaints of henchman tactics in the collar counties has risen in the last several election cycles.

The 10th Congressional Democrats’ website lists an address as a Post Office Box in Deerfield, IL. Multiple calls to a phone number listed on their site went straight to voicemail without ringing. At this time, there is no confirmation that the 10th Dems’ involvement with a convicted felon has forced the group's officers to terminate the group.

New tax zone is a bad idea

2005-08-30T06:47:00.000-05:00

The City of Chicago is trying to slap downtown property owners with a Special Service Area tax. Why are the owners of three full Chicago zip codes and parts of three others so special . . . because they live near Millenium Park and someone has to pay the higher than expected operating costs.

Higher than expected operating costs? You better believe it. Tax payers had to foot the bill for more than $220 million worth of budget overages (on a proposed budget of $150 million). Now, if you live near M Park, you'll also be asked to pay $7.8 million per year to help keep it up.

Why does it feel like all of last weekend's Bean gawkers hadn't just walked over from their Lake Street condo, but may have come in from Naperville or Hammond?

Like politics, like sports . . . the bias is the same

2005-08-29T07:04:00.000-05:00

Ever notice that the Tribune's wild card standings are biased towards the Cubs. In Saturday's paper, the Cubs were the last team listed as being in contention in the wild card race. There was a spot to list another team, but the Trib opted to leave that slot blank - ostensibly saying that no other teams should be considered as part of the race.

Saturday's Cub loss coupled with the Reds' victory over Pittsburgh, however, put the Cubs and Cincinnati in a tie. Now both teams are listed as being "in the race". Funny how the Reds climbed back in it over night.

How could this happen? We blew it.

2005-08-26T06:35:00.000-05:00

The Daily Egyptian's side of the greatest hoax since Sidd Finch.

A plea to Mike Madigan

2005-08-25T06:33:00.000-05:00

A judge ordered Democratic State Rep. Patricia Bailey to undergo a psychi(atric) evaluation in response to her claim that she may not be mentally fit for her upcoming fraud trial.

I hope Mike Madigan views this as an opportunity to request psychic evaluations for all Democratic legislators. I'd be happy to forward a list of certain Representatives whose "mental fitness" has long been a matter of public debate.

In case you missed it . . .

2005-08-24T06:54:00.000-05:00

Imagine a 17-year-old with attitude. Can't have any of that nonsense on the U.S. Supreme Court.

The real problem with Democrats

2005-08-23T08:32:00.000-05:00

Last month, U.S. Senator Barack Obama best characterized my issue with Democrats. Stumping for Florida Senator Bill Nelson, Obama stated,

"The Democrats at times have lost their way. We are trying to decide what our core values are."

U.S Senator Barack Obama

July 11, 2005

Democrats are trying to decide which are their core values? Aren’t core values the inherent component which supports what we stand for? Aren’t our core values the drivers behind our actions, opinions and policies?

Thus the problem with Democrats. They don’t know what they stand for, they can’t articulate it and they can’t sell it to the American people.

A touch of self-importance never hurts

2005-08-22T07:05:00.000-05:00

The Sun-Times points out today that a computer firm run by Emil Jones’ step-son, John Sterling, just won a $1.2 million contract from the CTA. I had never heard of Chicago-based Synch-Solutions, but I was amused by the company’s website which contains a letter from the CEO, Sterling himself. The page itself refers to Sterling as a “Visionary, Mentor, and Leader”. In the letter, Sterling says that “Synch-Solutions is continuing to grow in a climate where the best companies are only able to tread for survival.”

Maybe Mr. Sterling can call in the executive management from the Fortune 500 and give them some pointers before they “drown”.

Thumbs down to Chicago Tribune

2005-08-19T07:09:00.000-05:00

Add me to the sure to grow list of those personally offended by today's Chicago Tribune headline "Bean set to expose seams on its belly". I've always been a supporter of the Freedom of Information Act, but revealing truly personal aspects of one's life to the public, particularly an elected Federal representative, crosses all lines of decency and professionalism. The Tribune should quickly apologize.

Take a stand

2005-08-18T07:03:00.000-05:00

The Tribune's Mike Downey questioned today, why our state leaders have been silent on the NCAA's decision to ban the use of American Indian mascots by sports teams during its postseason tournaments. Considering that the moniker of the state's primary public university is the "Fighting Illini", isn't it reasonable to believe that there will be a comment one way or another from either Blagojevich, Durbin or Obama?

Here's what others are saying:

With over 20,000 USA Today readers voting, 77% said that the ban is "Ridiculous. Political correctness gone too far."

Representative Tom Feeney (R-FL) whose district includes the home of the Florida State Seminoles, said the NCAA's ruling is "political correctness gone amuck."

In a letter to the USA Today, University of Illinois Board Chairman Lawrence C. Eppley wrote, "The Executive Committee's uninformed use of inflammatory rhetoric does not create a 'teachable moment'. Instead, it retards meaningful debate on an important issue, especially in the communities of the 18 institutions 'branded' by the NCAA as politically incorrect."

NCAA Myles Brand gave a half-hearted endorsement of the decision saying, "While I agree with and support the Executive Committee's decision, neither I nor any member of the NCAA staff had a vote."

So, with a decision that will have ripple effects for those who both follow and pay no attention to Illinois college basketball program, the people of Illinois deserve to hear a position articulated by our governor and two U.S. Senators. Please ignore the polls and take a stand.

Liberal Double Talk

2005-08-17T06:39:00.000-05:00

Not that liberals hold an exclusive on double talk, but it’s more fun to point it out when they speak. The most recent example comes from Senator Joe Biden. You almost get the feeling that between interviews, one of his staffers told him to go easy on the Constitution work going on in Iraq.

In an interview yesterday on the Today Show, Biden calls missing the Iraqi Constitutional deadline “. . . a major, major bump.”

NBC' s Katie Couric: "The Fact That The Iraqis Could Not Come Up With A Constitution By Yesterday's Deadline, Do You See This As A Bump In The Road Or A Serious Setback?
Sen. Biden: "I Think It's A Bump In The Road In A Serious Process. ... It's A Major, Major Bump."

-NBC's Today Show
August 16, 2005

Shortly thereafter, Biden referred to the delays as “Good News” . . .

Sen. Biden: "But There Is Some Good News Going On. ... I Think That The Movement Toward This Constitution, I View The Delay As Evidence That We May Very Well Get A Constitution That Is Reasonable For The Iraqi People. So It's Not All Bad News."

-Fox News' Fox And Friends
August 16, 2005

What's a hired Truck?

2005-08-16T06:15:00.000-05:00

The top observation while we were out of town . . . the number of people we met in Northern Michigan who thought Daley had already been indicted. To the out of town, casual observer, the scandal a day carnival is what currently defines our city. Not the Michael Jordan. Not deep dish pizza. Not the Sears Tower. Scandals.

After telling one Toronto family we met that we were from Chicago, the 18-year old son who had just graduated from high school in June, looked me in the eye and asked, "What's a hired truck?"

Just wondering . . .

2005-08-10T08:42:00.000-05:00

As I drove up the state of Michigan to enjoy a week vacation in Good Hart with my wife's family, I wondered:

"Why do Michigan gas sations post signs advising motorists of the perils of drinking and driving just feet away from signs promoting beer sales?"

Separated at birth?

2005-08-05T05:47:00.000-05:00

1. Democrat Contributor / Baseball Team Owner John Simmons

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Jon "Chucky" Gruden

3. Chucky

The Liberal Dictionary: Part III

2005-08-04T06:58:00.000-05:00

The Tribune ran an article on Wednesday, Peace Groups get Boost in Evanston , about a resolution to be presented to the City Council urging the U.S. withdraw its troops from Iraq. If passed, Evanston would join Gary, Indiana in sending the resolution to President Bush and Congress. The article centered on strength in numbers:

"Speaking through you strengthens and empowers our individual voices," Dickelle Fonda of Neighbors for Peace told the city's Human Services Committee on Monday. "It might actually influence policy on a national level."

Reading the article, you sensed the grass roots support for the resolution. The Tribune referred to it as an “Evanston Coalition” saying that it was “church, neighborhood, student and political groups who addressed aldermen”. Certainly sounds like a force to reckon with. While the President and Congress are unlikely to utilize this resolution to shape America’s foreign policy, when a city of over 75,000 stands up, it should send a message.

But wait a minute . . . Is the city of Evanston standing up? It took me two reads to pick up the liberal bias in the article. ONLY 13 people showed up at the meeting – and that includes supporters and dissenters. In fact, the sentence to referring to the group stated:

"This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is an American issue," said Sue Schell of the Democratic Party of Evanston, one of more than a dozen people from church, neighborhood, student and political groups who addressed aldermen.

More than a DOZEN people? Out of a population of 75,000? Hundreds show up at the same building to debate whether or not the city should buy injections to save its dying elm tree population. A couple of folks representing a church, the neighborhood, a student group, and a political group can hardly be deemed a “coalition”.

If I had written the article, the article would have been about the LACK of support by the people of Evanston for the proposed resolution. The headline should have read “Barely a Dozen Turn Out for Proposed Resolution”.

But hey, if liberal speak didn’t abound, there would be nothing for me to write about.

If you're going to lie on a national stage . . .

2005-08-03T06:39:00.000-05:00

. . . you might as well not wag your finger at Congress or the American people. Just makes you look stupid later.

"Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids. Period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never."
-Rafael Palmeiro testifying to Congress
March 17,2005
"I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again. I did not have sexual relations with that woman - Miss Lewinsky"
-President Bill Clinton
January 26, 1998

Blagojevich Campaign Announces First 2006 Endorsement

2005-08-02T06:51:00.000-05:00

Having seen the governor's favorables drop steadily across the state, the Blagojevich campaign announced it's first endorsement for the 2006 election. Democratic leaders lauded the governor for his early political maneuver. Said House Speaker Mike Madigan,

"This should send a message to any Republican or Democrat who has the nerve to challenge Rod Blagojevich. Bob's endorsement reflects the respect the governor has earned in his first three years. It is a testament to his intelligence, sophistication and class."
Click here for full press photo

Unabashed?

2005-08-01T07:09:00.000-05:00

I’ve often wondered why Liberals will refer to themselves as an “unabashed” or “self-admitted” liberal. On Friday night, I got a glimpse.

My wife and I went out to dinner with three couples to Japonais - http://www.japonaischicago.com/index2.html. (If you love sushi and haven’t been, I highly recommend you check it out.)

Two of the couples are good friends. We’d never met the third couple before, but were enjoying great conversation and laughs. Towards the end of the evening, however, the conversation turned to politics and among our new friends, the guy started spewing how much he hated the President.

He told a story of an experience he had before he moved to Winnetka. It seems President Bush was in his hometown and would be making an appearance very near his home. A secret service team rang his doorbell and asked if they could perch an agent on his roof. My friend laughed at them and told them to get the hell out of his house. Later, as they saw the President appear near his home, he took the opportunity to flip his middle finger at our Commander-in Chief. Shamefully, he was with his young daughter to whom he had to lie and tell her he was letting the President know he was “Number 1”.

Unabashed? Hardly seems to fit.

I agree with her vote, but I love the consequences

2005-07-30T06:53:00.000-05:00

While I support Melissa Bean's YES vote on CAFTA, it's humorous to witness the anger she's creating in her own party. Let her fall in love with the praise while the Democrats are lining up someone to run against her.

" . . . we can no longer rely on out of touch politicians . . . "

Melissa Bean

extracted on 7/30/05

from melissabean.com

"She's probably out of touch with her district."

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney

The Political Consequences of Union Divide

2005-07-29T06:20:00.000-05:00

Democrats were naturally concerned by this week's decision by the Teamsters and the largest service workers union to bolt the AFL-CIO. The announcement was symbolically planned to coincide with the AFL-CIO’s 25th annual constitutional convention.

The impact to the AFL-CIO has already been felt as members voted this week to increase dues to cover part of the $20 million loss to a $120 million dollar budget.

The biggest loser though may be the Democrats - and not just the national organization. This decision will have significant consequences on the state, county and municipal levels.

The single thing that Republicans fear about their political opponents is their ability to organize and mobilize. On Election Day, Republicans perform their civic duty by voting for the party’s candidates up and down the ballot. Then they go off to work and wait to watch election returns on TV.

For the Democrats, it’s a different story. After reporting to the local ward or township office before dawn, the Democrats spend the day performing critical Get-Out-The-Vote activities such as phone banking, poll watching, precinct walking, and assisting favorable voters to the polls.

Where does this manpower come from? - the unions. Union Democrats get a day off from their normal work on Election Day. On this day, the job is not in the factory or plant; it’s out in the political field.

Banded together, unions can coordinate activities behind specific targeted candidates and ensure a cohesive strategy to get out the vote. Splintered, their power is lost. They risk the political consequences that stem from divided candid support, duplicative grass root efforts and diminished power to affect political change.

All of which has Republicans smirking this week with hopes that there is no pending truce announcement by the warring union leaders.

“I know you’ve got issues in your own family. You’ll work it out.”

2005-07-28T18:01:00.000-05:00

-Rod Blagojevich

Addressing the AFL-CIO's

25th Constitutional Convention

July 26, 2005

Quote courtesy of WGN-TV

"We don't run government like this" - John Stroger

2005-07-27T06:38:00.000-05:00

Stroger's pick to run the fledgling Provident Hospital is John Fairman, a man whose resume includes more accusations of wrong doing than accomplishment. But Stroger has strongly defended his appointee saying,

“Unless something comes up that we are not aware of that is MORE damaging . . . then I will not withdraw Mr. Fairman.”

Below, the Cirque has positioned Mr. Fairman’s resume against three other qualified applicants. Please vote for your choice to run Provident Hospital in the poll in the right column.

Stroger quotes courtesy of WGN-TV.

A Park Ridge woman . . .

2005-07-26T06:12:00.000-05:00

. . . donned a sheep costume as she tries to re-invent herself.

The Liberal Dictionary - "That's Just Fine"

2005-07-25T06:31:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the Liberal Dictionary is not needed to translate liberal speak. Such is the case for today's entry which comes courtesy of Judith-Rae Ross, Democrat candidate for State Rep in Illinois' 17th. Ross is a former Niles Township Trustee who is hoping to unseat five-term Republican incumbent Beth Coulson.

No, Judith Rae's quote won't be a regular entry into the Liberal Dictionary. It's going in the Preface with other examples which lay the foundation and background for liberal speak. Says Judith:

"I am a Democrat. That means if there needs to be
programs, that's just fine. "

May 5, 2005

Glenview Announcements

From the same article, there was another Judith Rae quote which is dripping with metaphoric irony:

"She is a formidable opponent," Ross said of Coulson. "On the other hand, do I look like sliced bread?"

It's all chopped liver to me.

Pete Giangreco Disputes Accuracy of Google's New Prediction Tools

2005-07-23T07:50:00.000-05:00

Try it for yourself!

Editor's Note: As of Sunday morning, Google no longer suggests the Governor is a one-timer!

Witnesses insist Rod kept a straight face . . .

2005-07-22T06:19:00.000-05:00

“He’s (Daley) got some issues now that he’s got to address. But I think the real test of leadership happens when you’ve got some troubles and it’s how you deal with those troubles,” Blagojevich said. “He will retool his administration, and there’ll be some new policies that are going to be better for the taxpayers of the city.”

Rod Blagojevich
June 21, 2005
Daily Herald

Say it ain't so . . .

2005-07-21T06:34:00.000-05:00

Seems like a Democrat-leaning school district in California’s San Bernardino County will incorporate Ebonics into its curriculum - “Ebonics Suggested For District” . In the article, Mary Texeira, a sociology professor at Cal State San Bernardino states,

"Ebonics is a different language, it's not slang as many believe. For many of these students Ebonics is their language, and it should be considered a foreign language. These students should be taught like other students who speak a foreign language.

Come on, Prof. Texeira - Ebonics as a foreign language! A dissenting board member, Teresa Parra, argued that the district is opening up a can of worms. Said Parra,

"I'm afraid that now that we have this the Hispanic community, our largest population, will say, 'We want something for us.' Next we'll have the Asian community and the Jewish community (asking for their own programs). When will it end?'

As I’m not intimately familiar with it, I did a quick Google search on "Ebonics".

The first hit was a research piece from The Center for Applied Linguistics containing several good background documents.

The second hit was an Ebonics translator . I pulled a sentence from the article. The sentence:

"Because Ebonics can have a negative stigma, we're not focusing on that, Cooper said. We are affirming and recognizing Ebonics through supplemental reading books (for students).” . . . .

Produced

"Because Ebonics can gots uh negative stigma, We be not focusing on dat, Cooper said. We iz affirming an' recognizing Ebonics through supplemental reading books (for students)."

Again, I know nothing about Ebonics, but this can't be what is being advocated for the school district! I personally find this language offensive!

Yesterday, Project 21, which calls itself "a leading voice in the black community since 1992" denounced the plan saying, “Ebonics has nothing to do with African heritage and is simply the legitimization of modern urban American slang that will harm the professional development of black children if it is put on the same level as Standard English”

While I’m glad we don’t have to fight this battle here at home, I couldn’t help but recall one of the funniest scenes from the movie Airplane!