Reason and Common Sense

Amusing

2006-05-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

The majority of "views" to my page to reference the e-mail are from known State of Illinois IP addresses.

Cool.

ILLEGAL HIRING PRACTICES???

2006-03-06T19:15:00.000-08:00

At a State of Illinois Agency? Say it ain't so!

So what did people at Corrections know and when did they know it?

I didn't make this e-mail up. Authentic as it gets.

Shady business.

Or rather: Business as usual.

So here's the problem. If I know about this AND have copies of e-mails like this one, why is it that everything always gets swept under the carpet?

I also have some other e-mails that might raise eyebrows.

Stay tuned.

Sssshhhh. I have stuff.

2005-11-14T19:11:00.000-08:00

Don't go crazy. It isn't pot.

But I do have an e-mail, from two IL Correction's personnel department employees, speaking to the illegal hiring practices that has been going on during the Blago administration.

I will post it this week.

I've been talking about this for months...kept my mouth shut for a couple months...and now I am going to let loose.

There are other e-mails...and I hope the people involved are ready to answer questions...

Franks For State Treasurer

2005-06-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

Well, at least the Governor is supportive of Jack taking a stab at JBT's current domain:

Spokesman Pete Giangreco said the governor supports Franks for re-election to the Illinois House or to an office like state treasurer.

(emphasis mine)

Simon Nomination...Kaput.

2005-06-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

I spoke to this back in April, and on June 8, the Governor's office finally says "Uncle."

Does Rebecca Rausch really believe what she is saying?

2005-06-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

I can't help but wonder. Here's my problem (via Bernie Schoenburg):

REBECCA RAUSCH, spokeswoman for Blagojevich [...]

"Whether we're talking about providing health care for more people who need it, allowing more children the opportunity to go to preschool or passing legislation that will help keep doctors in Illinois, there are a significant number of accomplishments to cite," Rausch said. "That's what this governor is about - doing things to help working families."

(emphasis mine)

Hey Becky and Rod, I am still waiting for a salary increase (or at the very least a COLA), consistent with the union employees' contract and the high marks I continue to receive on my annual evaluations. I have to tell you, as a card carrying member of one of these working families, it is such a moral booster to see my duties increase and my salary decrease over the past three years. Oh, and then read about people in the Governor's office getting raises because they are doing the same thing!

Excuse me Sir, can you spare some good press?

2005-05-24T03:35:00.000-07:00

Hey Jackie, it isn't getting any better with the press in your "city of dreams." And you think the Illinois press is the only people who are giving you the business.

From the Washington Post:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was swept into office in 2002 on a vow to "shake up a system in Springfield that accepts corruption" _ a promise that appealed to voters weary of the scandals that drove his predecessor from office.

Now, though, Blagojevich's administration finds itself under investigation, suspected of some of the same practices he promised to end, such as the trading of plum appointments and contracts for campaign contributions. [...]

"I'm not prepared to say he's dead meat as far as re-election is concerned. But he and his people have hurt themselves," said Mike Lawrence, who was press secretary to former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar and is now director of the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. "They need to get more serious about day-to-day management of government and get more serious about impropriety and wrongdoing."

(emphasis mine)

One word: Clueless.

What? No Comment?

2005-05-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

The only thing I found interesting about this story is that the Governor's office didn't have the "same old, same old" comment to justify why they do what they do...

From the Chicago Tribune:

While agencies under the Democratic governor have increased flights 27 percent, other sectors of government — the attorney general and treasurer, for instance — have decreased flights by 27 percent during the same period. Some of Blagojevich's top cabinet directors fly nearly once every 21/2 work days.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Cheryle Jackson did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. Administration officials have said the increased flights aren't relevant because Blagojevich has cut overall travel spending by 21 percent, from $33 million his first year in office to an estimated $26 million this year.

...I guess the "thing speaks for itself."

Is this thing on???

2005-05-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

I had to re-read the following quote (empahsis mine) from Senator Durbin:

CHICAGO - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, today did not discourage fellow Democrats from taking on controversy-plagued Gov. Rod Blagojevich in next year's primary election and said he's not endorsing the incumbent at this point. "Anyone can run for any office," Durbin said at an unrelated news conference in Chicago. "I'm not going to say what's good or bad for the party. I want to make sure that the voters in Illinois have good candidates to vote for." Asked if he'll endorse Blagojevich, who's expected to run for a second term in 2006, Durbin replied: "I'm not making any endorsement today. What I've said in the past is I've worked with him, I'm looking forward to working with him in the future."

SO. What you're saying is, "things are about to get interesting."

But you know what? I would like for him to comment on what he thinks is good or bad for the party. Forchistsake! He's the number #2 ranking Democratic in the U.S. Senate! But I'll let him tease for a little while...

Overheard.

2005-05-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

I’d like to take page from the RhodesSchool playbook. He’s busy rubbing shoulders with movie stars in Cali, but I am sure this was on his mind as well…

Conversation overheard at Headquarters at the Thompson Center regarding "testicular virility."

-----------------------------------------------------------------

RB: Bradley, do people really think I am a pawn of Patti’s father?

BT: Cm’on sir, you know as well as I that you have faced this issue head-on in the press without backing down. You had the kahonas to take him on and he’s backed down.

RB: Yeah, but with all these subpoenas flying around I think the press is going to take his side again…wait, what did you say about kahonas?

BT: Kahones, balls, nuts, the BOYS!…you know…

RB: Yes, dear Bradley, I know what kahonas are…my point was this: if I make a public statement letting the ENTIRE state know what we know about my boys…I can take the upper hand on this subpoena thing.

BT: Brilliant sir! Just brilliant. But one thing. We need to phrase it just right, showing you can speak in a way about your boys that will make you revered and admired as a great orator. Remember the playbook. “It depends on what the definition of ‘is’ ‘is’…”

RB: Yes. Yes…you are correct. So where do we start?

BT: Well. Let’s get a dictionary. Where do you keep yours?

RB: Am I supposed to have one?

BT: Never mind. Look, what’s a slick way to say balls? Hmmm…balls are technically called testes…and you are the tough guy, big macho man, which would make you…

RB: President?

BT: Not yet sir, still a couple years from that stage. Being macho would make you virile. So if you were a macho man with balls, that’d mean you’d have testicular virility!

RB: OK. But give me an hour to learn how to pronounce those words correctly. Look Bradley, is this going to work? I don’t want this to be a PR nightmare.

BT: Sir, trust me. This is going to rock their world.

RB: Hmm…I’ve heard that someplace before…

Jackie, I know Jesse Ventura...

2005-05-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

And Jackie, you are no Jesse Ventura.

Jackie had this to say, defending his "brass balls" statement (CBS2):

He called it "complete baloney" to suggest the phrase excludes women or is inappropriate for a governor to use.

I know you are smart and all, having scored a masterful 18 on your ACT, but your phrase most definitely excludes women. And so far, from what I've read, it was pretty inappropriate to say something like that unless your name is Jesse Ventura. And who are you quoting for your "complete baloney" statement? You obviously didn't come up with that witty remark on your own.

My bologna has a first name, it's R-O-D.

What About the Backlog?

2005-05-18T05:10:00.000-07:00

I just don't understand. I am sure she will stick around, just like Rumman. "I'm leaving, but I'm really staying." Okay, she'll probably leave, but isn't this getting old?

From WQAD:

Governor Rod Blagojevich's (bluh-GOY'-uh-vitches) inspector general has announced her resignation. Zaldwaynaka (zahl-DWAYN-nah-kah) Scott says her decision has nothing to do with recent charges of mismanagement and favoritism plaguing the governor's office.

Me thinks the wheels are coming off. First his legal eagle flies away, now Z. I smell something nasty.

Bark Like a Dog for Me Jackie!

2005-05-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

Puke.

The Governor's one-liners are getting old. Now he's recycling. At least this one references the same investigation.

The present (May, 2005), from NBC5:

We're going to cooperate and we look forward to full vindication and, to quote Teddy Roosevelt, 'We're as clean as a hound's tooth,' when it comes to those kinds of things."

The past (January, 2005), from the Suntimes (via ilcampaign.org):

In Chicago, Blagojevich denied wrongdoing, welcomed the investigation and said his office would provide anything investigators seek to prove his administration is "as clean as a hound's tooth."

I'd like to quote Teddy when I ask the Governor, to quit "pussyfooting" around and do something more productive than describe the virility of his testicles to the press.

Grrrr...Frustrating

2005-05-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Raise your hand if you are a reporter who covers politics in Illinois and are frustrated by the antics of the Governor. Let me see...I see Rich Miller's hand...and oh!There's Bernie Schoenburg!

Wouldn’t it be nice if the governor could have actual legislation in hand next time he announces something? It’s just a thought.

This isn't the first time I've read Bernie's frustrations with the Governor. And I sure the frustrations are controlled since he is used to the Governor's behaviors. But for so many reporters to make public their frustrations just goes to show how out of touch Blagojevich is with governing.

Let me know if you find any other reporter's little tarts directed at the Governor.

Update #1: Hi Doug Finke!

As legislators like to point out, the General Assembly is not empowered to pass press releases.

He's not in...YET!

2005-05-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

Jim Edgar may not be an announced candidate for Governor, however, he sure is making news these days.

It isn't like I begged him to "step up" back in early January or anything...

...check out the link at the end of the entry.

This Guy is Sharp!

2005-05-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

The more I read Aaron Chambers, the more I anticipate his next article.

And I enjoyed this little nugget in his article Saturday:

WELCOME TO THE STATEHOUSE, where another week transpired without legislative leaders and Gov. Rod Blagojevich getting any closer to a deal on a state spending plan. In the week since I covered Madigan's alliance with the GOP -- "the coalition of the willing," as he puts it -- the Five Tops failed to have a single budget meeting.

(emphasis mine)

Why have meetings...who needs a budget anway? Oh, just about 12.4 million people.

Cm'on. Get to work.

I'd like to make an introduction...

2005-05-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

Kerry Wood, bullpen...bullpen, Kerry Wood.

I've been yammering about this to ANYONE who would listen for about 2-3 weeks. I realize he has control issues...but SOMETHING needs to be done. And now I think people in the front office are FINALLY beginning to consider the option.

From The Tribune:

Although there are no concrete plans, the idea of moving Wood to the bullpen, at least for 2005, seems to be one many in the organization endorse.

That's not to say the Cubs will make the switch. Because of the mysterious shoulder soreness, however, they are thinking about the possibility for the first time.

There was this talk going around during the NLCS a couple years ago. I don't think Kerry is ever going to be a 20-game winner. He's never won more than 14 games in a season. He could save 40 games for a good club, and the Cubbies would be a much better club if they could hold a lead past the 7th inning.

Let's Play the Definition Game!

2005-05-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

Remember not so long ago when Jackie (my new name for Blago) was caught in the definition cross-hairs? A pledge wasn't the same thing as a promise, so he wasn't breaking any promises. Okay, but how does vow work into all this nonsense? Is a vow a promise? Or is it closer to a pledge? Why do I care?

This from the SJ-R today, tucked away near the end of the story:

Blagojevich, a Democrat, last year vowed to veto any proposal containing caps but backed off that promise Wednesday morning.

"I'm going to wait and see what happens," he said. "I think it's constructive if we keep working behind the scenes to try to get something done."

(emphasis mine)

Bernard Schoenburg wrote the piece, and I am reading Bernie sees vow and promise as having the same meaning. But I digress. Let's cut to the chase.

If Jackie votes for any type of cap, he's breaking a vow. The same vow Bernie would call a promise. Jackie's mantra for over two years has been all about not breaking his promises.

But he'd have to actually sign into law a measure on caps that both the House and Senate can agree on, which is unlikely. So basically, all Jackie is doing is playing both sides of the argument (knowing he isn't going to have to break a vow/pledge/promise), just like he is doing with the campaign "rock my world" finance reforms he released yesterday. And we all know how well that proposal was received. Just ask Jackie's buddy from the 'hood Representative John Fritchey.

Go Jackie, Go.

HEY! How's that budget thingy coming along?

Hey Jackie...Show'em the Way!

2005-05-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

This guy is incredible. Mr. Press Conference taking about the CTA bailout issue. From NBC5:

"They ought to stop scaring the public and start rolling up their sleeves," the governor said. "(Go) down to Springfield and lobby the general assembly, close the unfair corporate tax loophole, and put that money into the CTA to avoid service cuts or fare increases."

(emphasis mine)

Hey Jackie, why don't you give'em a ride? Oh, because you hardly know the way yourself.

Open Letter to Blagojevich

2005-04-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Governor Blagojevich,

I am a loyal employee of the State of Illinois. I have worked for the State for over 10 years. I have spent all those years as a merit compensation (MC) employee. As you know, former Governor Ryan suspended raises and COLAs (cost of living increases) for MC employees near the end of his term. Your administration has continued his policy. In your speeches for Governor, you repeatedly stressed you wouldn’t balance the budget on the backs of the workers of this State. I don’t know if that was a pledge or promise, but to me it was something. I now make less than I did 4 years ago. I took a furlough day over 2 years ago. I read I may have to take more days before the end of the fiscal year. For over a year I have had additional duties that were assigned to a manager in a higher title than mine. All my employees (union) make (considerably) more money than I do…with the added benefit of yearly raises you negotiated with the union.

I write to you today to convey my disappointment with this situation. I voted for you. I walked the streets in the cold for you. I believed in you. You have the opportunity to restore some of the beliefs I had in you by acting on this issue. There are hundreds of state employees in my same situation who feel as disgruntled as I do. We work just as hard as the majority of union employees under your thumb and feel we should be compensated just as you have compensated them with a new contract.

Do the right thing. We have families, just like you.

Scorching CMS (finally)

2005-04-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

Here it is!

Update 4-27-05: The above post was the first news story I caught yesterday morning (before all the press conferences). Obviously, this story is now a wildfire. Rich Miller is covering this quite well, as is ArchPundit. And, EVERY media outlet has their salivating chomps on this story. Here and Here and Here and Here and Here.

Look for all the political commentary everywhere...you can't miss it.

Here's the link to the Auditor General's website. All kinds of fun reading about CMS (and other agencies).

CMS saves Illinois Money?

2005-04-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

Southtown reports on the upcoming audit of CMS:

The suspicion among some lawmakers is that CMS hasn't really saved any money, Lauzen said. Campbell would not comment on the upcoming audit but said the agency can back up its claims. "If the report questions our savings, we can show how we saved that $600 million," he said.

Okay. Here's how ANYBODY can save money, Paul. Don't spend it!

It's no secret CMS has basically suspended all equipment purchases. Every single PC/monitor/laptop purchase has to be individually approved by CMS and their consultants. PC costs $500 and you want one? Has to be approved. You need one monitor, which costs $125? Has to be approved. And there are NUMEROUS steps an agency must take to request just ONE monitor. Talk about bureaucracy at its finest!

And why are lawmakers JUST NOW taking notice? JFC! We've been blogging about this for over a year. Maybe they were just letting Rod bake himself...because the oven is definitely on broil right now over at CMS.

Dick Durbin, Life of the Lincoln Presidential Museum Dedication

2005-04-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

Dick, Dick, Dick. Why?

However, Durbin may have gone too far on the levity scale when he retold a story about the late federal Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz of Chicago, whose collection of Lincoln books is included in the presidential library's holdings.

"Judge Marovitz used to say that his mother believed that President Lincoln was Jewish," Durbin said. "After all, his first name was Abraham, and then, to confirm it, she learned that John Wilkes Booth shot him in the temple."

My father was among the crowd yesterday who got the chance to listen to Dick's comments. He commented, "...went over like a lead balloon." My father said he was floored by the comments and mentioned the crowds' response to the "joke" was like being in a field of crickets.

Dick Durbin was indeed the last comic standing yesterday.

Well, Duh! It's Pretty Obvious

2005-04-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

Ellen Warren is keeping readers updated on the A. Lincoln going-ons today. The Governor once again reminds us why he governs the way he does:

At the dedication, high school student Mihan Lee read her prize-winning Lincoln essay. After that, the Blagojevich let the audience in on his own unimpressive score on the ACT college entrance exam: 18. "If I can be governor of Illinois, Mihan, you can be president of the United States!"

Blagojevich constantly reminds us how much of an über scholar he was in high school/college. As if we need the reminders. He impresses me with his obvious superior knowledge of Illinois politics on a daily basis.*

*note dripping sarcasm

Illinois Emergency Contraceptives Rule

2005-04-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Governor wants his emergency contraceptives rule made permanent.

I recently made a comment over Rich Miller's blog basically saying I believed the lawsuits filed against the Governor's emergency contraceptives rule might prevail. However, I am adjusting my thinking after reading the press release from the Governor's office.

From where I sit, the emergency contraceptives rule, as well as the proposed permanent rule, instructs the pharmacy, not the pharmacist, to dispense the prescription. And this is something I agree with wholeheartedly. Morals aside, a pharmacy is a business, not a church, and should conduct business as such. Now a pharmacy may want to deal with the morals of their pharmacists how ever they feel necessary. Point being, the pharmacy better know who they have passing out the pills. But if the state/government instructs a pharmacy to dispense FDA approved drugs, then the pharmacy should abide by the rules.

Sheila Simon

2005-04-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

Here's my problem: Why nominate someone who you KNOW cannot accept the position?

State ethics laws prohibit public officials from sitting on the Illinois Gaming Board. Sheila Simon made it CLEAR to Governor Blagojevich she would not vacate her position on the Carbondale City Council, yet he went ahead with the public announcement of his desire to have her on the Gaming Board and would deal with that silly little ethics law later.

Well, his proposal to alter the law so Ms. Simon could sit on the Board was defeated in the House recently. Blagojevich shill Rebecca Rausch had this to say: "We find it hard to imagine that members of the House would reject someone like her."

I find it hard to imagine that out of the almost 13 million people in Illinois, the Governor's office couldn't find someone qualified without a conflict of interest.

Rich Miller had this to say recently about the Guv: "I gotta admit that I'm gaining more respect for his [Blagojevich's] abilities every day. I don't agree with the way he's always looking to push a moral hot button (as he defines it), but that certainly makes him a different sort of Democrat."

Rich, I know you are the ultimate insider as far as I am concerned, but jeesh. It seems everything this guy does is contrary to everything he has stood on his pulpit and preached about in the past. Ethics is the biggest joke in this state right now, as far as state employees are concerned as well as those who can read a paper. If you pass the state employees' ethic test in under five minutes you have to re-take the test...even if you score 100%. Why? Who cares...it's a joke.

What's this? Budget crunch?

2005-04-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

Why is the Department of Corrections bidding a RFP for someone to come in and evaluate general office effciency?

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is seeking qualified vendors to gather and collect data, perform analysis and evaluation, and make recommendations on efficient staffing of Department of Corrections’ central offices. Services to Be Performed: The selected candidate will analyze, evaluate, and make recommendations on non-security personnel working in central office facilities.

Flies on the wall say over $200k has been budgeted. And why are certain offices being excluded from the study? Parole? Procurement? Correctional Industries? Food Service? Mental Health? Wow. Doesn't the state (OMB) have anyone qualified to assist agencies better utilize their staff? Guess that was redundant. No, they don't. They have people who have never worked for the state before in their lives and kids fresh out of college or some internship who are telling agencies how to spend their money, if not taking the agencies' money (CMS, are you listening? Good luck Mike Rumman. The Auditor General was impressed with how you ran CMS). Or better yet, WHY, WHY, WHY doesn't the Governor's office have the ability to put qualified people AT the agencies who can make these important decisions?

You know, things may not have been perfect before Blagojevich took office...but this is getting ridiculous. I hope someone in the legislature is watching this RFP. Take notice. THIS is a waste of the taxpayers money.

Doug Scott / Blago

2005-04-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

Aaron Chambers chronicles aspects of former state representative/recently defeated Rockford Mayor Doug Scott's fall from office:

Scott boasted about his special access to Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan, his fellow Democrats. He made it a theme of his mayoral administration and his re-election bid, which ended in his landslide defeat by independent candidate Larry Morrissey.

Remember when many republican candidates distanced themselves from any relationship to George Ryan during the end of his scandal plagued term? Maybe some democratic candidates should take that same advice for 2006.

As an example of the growing discontent among Illinois residents (and voters) witht the current administration: If elections were held today, there isn't much sentiment to get Rod elected at the U of I campus in Champaign. (hat tip Captiol Fax via hat tip Illini Pundit).

Rod? Rod who?

Obsessed with NARC

2005-03-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

So irritating...so damn irritating this is getting. Just leave it alone. It was declared unconstitutional already (are we forgetting this?!?!). Focus on the matters of the state. Is anybody besides Speaker Madigan dealing with the budget issues?

You can't touch this...

2005-03-17T03:57:00.000-08:00

This will now be considered the standard rebuttal from the Governor's office to any allegation he is involved with shady dealings:

"The only thing I have to say is this doesn't involve the state or the governor," Blagojevich spokeswoman Cheryle Jackson said. "It doesn't have anything to do with the state or the governor."

Perfect. And I don't have anything to do with the human race.

Video Games are the Causing the Meltdown in Society

2005-03-17T03:50:00.000-08:00

It's moving to the Senate.

Despite lingering concerns about its legality, Gov. Rod Blagojevich's plan to ban the sale of violent video games to minors was approved by the Illinois House Wednesday.

The Kicker:

An Indianapolis law that criminalized the sale of such games to kids was ruled an unconstitutional limit on free speech by the same federal court that would hear any challenge to Blagojevich's plan.

I am sure the Court will just spin 180 on this issue.

Whatever. Find a better cause, like identifying lunatics who may have grudges against members of law enforcement or the judicial system.

I've been quiet...

2005-03-16T04:10:00.000-08:00

But here's what I have been looking at lately:

Why does Blago insist on ruffling feathers of people who can help/hurt him in tremendous was? From the SunTimes today:

The mayor warned Illinois lawmakers not to "listen to extremists" as he sloughed off claims by Gov. Blagojevich that City Hall lobbyists are to blame for the perennial failure of the mayor's gun-control initiatives.

(emphasis mine) This is after Blago told Daley to "hire some new lobbyists" with a little more energy and a lot less lethargy if he wants to get his anti-gun bills passed."

The Tribune covers the story here as well.

Casinos, Guns...will these two ever stop bickering in through the press? I would like to see the two fo them together face-2-face for some "real" discussion.

The lack of movement of any substantial gun control legislation is also examined by the Quad City Times.

Daley to Gov: Can I get a little support here?

2005-03-03T03:32:00.000-08:00

The bill to require Illinois gun dealers to register with the state (at a clip of $300) has made it out of a House committee and is headed to the House floor. From WQAD:

The seven-to-five vote in the Human Services Committee on a measure requiring dealers to pay a 300-hundred-dollar three-year fee comes a day after a handful of antigun legislation failed in a Senate committee. [...]

Todd Vandermyde of the National Rifle Association says the proposal would allow authorities to search dealerships any time for any reason and require statewide registration of all gun purchases.

A similar bill met a more chilly reception over in the Senate where the bill failed to make it out of committee. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is a little put off the Governor's office has shown some opposition to the bill. Others has been more vocal about the opposition:

State Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago), chairman of the Senate Executive Committee, said he was furious that Blagojevich passed up the chance to push for key gun-control legislation this week. [...]

"We didn't hear from Gov. Blagojevich's office at all. It was really a shame," said Silverstein, who serves on the Judiciary Committee that did not advance two of Daley's bills Tuesday. "Licensing gun dealers is probably the most important bill we have this session. And to go down like that, without any input, without any lobbying, is unacceptable."

"We really coordinated the testimony of our departments in state government," (State Senator Kirk) Dillard said. "I don't know what the Blagojevich administration does, but it seems on certain issues the governor's office itself is not necessarily in the best communication with its agencies."

If you read between the lines in one of the Governor's office's statements, you'll see the Governor doesn't seem to be too worried the bill will ever make it to his desk.

Aides to the governor say he supports the mayor's bills and that, if the bills get to his desk, he will find a way to pay for them.

"If" the bill gets to his desk...that's a pretty big "if" from where I am sitting.

So Governor, are you for this bill or not? Better yet, why can't you be more specific on your stance(s)? "I'm pro-gun control." Please elaborate. People south of I-80 who voted for you want to know your stance. We're not asking for a pledge here, so you don't have to go out on a limb.

I fought the Law and the Law won

2005-03-02T05:10:00.000-08:00

I know this is old news. And this is yesterdays news.

State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia and Sen. Deanna Demuzio, both Democrats, sponsored legislation authored by Gov. Rod Blagojevich that would subject retailers to a fine of up to $5,000 and a year in prison if they sell a restricted game to anyone under 18. [...]

Courts have overturned laws in the state of Washington; St. Louis County, Mo.; and Indianapolis that made it illegal to sell violent games to minors, in each case ruling that games are constitutionally protected speech, and age restrictions thus must be limited to the type of discretionary systems used for movies, books and other media.

I just keep wondering why some people divert their attention away from the bigger picture?

May I have another sir?

2005-03-01T06:02:00.000-08:00

Add another candidate to the list of possible Republican challengers to Governor Rod Blagojevich in 2006: State Senator Bill Bradley. The Pantagraph reports:

State Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington today will take a step toward fulfilling his dream of becoming governor. The 43-year-old real estate developer plans to announce he's forming an exploratory committee to run for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2006. A formal decision could come this summer.

Bradley has $159,000 in his campaign account. I think the key word in the article is dream. But we all have dreams. I had one last night that the Governor's office would give COLAs (cost of living adjustment) to merit compensation employees (who haven't had one in over three years).

Don't make me whip out my Obama stick

2005-02-28T16:52:00.000-08:00

There seems to be confusion...and if the confusion isn't cleared up, Obama may wisk in and steal some more thunder from a future wannabe Presidential nominee.

From WQAD:

Governor Rod Blagojevich (bluh-GOY'-uh-vitch) told lawmakers last month he would increase the number of state employees helping veterans. But his proposed budget shows no increase in staff -- let alone the 50-percent increase Blagojevich proposed. And the director of veterans' affairs told lawmakers the governor's budget contains no money for new employees.

So what's up? I'm sure Illinois veterans are interested.

It's all about perception

2005-02-27T13:49:00.000-08:00

The Herald & Review addresses the Governor's inability to lead by example when it comes to ethics laws; legislation which he pushed through the General Assembly when he became Governor two years ago.

One of the hallmarks of the governor's ethics reform legislation was a ban on "public service" messages by state officeholders that were more like campaign commercials.

Of course, as we all know, a picture of the Governor's family on a newsletter sent out by 21st Century Insurance. The Governor's office claims they didn't know the picture would be used in the mailing. Whether you believe them or not isn't really an issue. The perception is the Governor is above all ethics legislation he rallied for two years ago.

Others have spoke on this topic before:

Political studies professor and reform advocate Kent Redfield: "The appearance is just as corrosive as the reality. The more times the public sees linkages, whatever the reason for linkages, that increases their cynicism."

Another cynical perception has reared its head here.

[T]he administration of Gov. Rod Blagojevich is trying a new wrinkle by asking prospective vendors also to kick in some upfront cash to help the struggling state treasury. [In a recent solicitation] the request...asks prospective vendors to spice their bids with cash "incentives" to help reduce the state's budget deficit.

But alas, a voice of reason steps up and calls a duck a duck.

[S]tate Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) called the state's efforts "a request for a legal kickback" and said it will only add to public cynicism.

And then the kicker:

[Illinois State officials] said Connecticut, Florida and Pennsylvania have adopted similar tactics, but procurement officials in those states deny it.

"I have no record of us ever signing on to a bonus plan or having the state be given a cash rebate for contracts," said Carol Wilson, procurement officer for Connecticut's Department of Administrative Services.

John Kuczwanski, spokesman for Florida's Department of Management Services, said incentives are "absolutely not" used in Florida. Kuczwanski said Florida does tack a 1 percent fee onto vendor contracts, which funds the agency's administrative costs.

An official in Pennsylvania's Department of General Services said he was not immediately familiar with such an incentive plan in his commonwealth.

What I see here is another bonehead attempt to find a new revenue source. I will say this again and again until I have to say it again...this administration is not familiar with governing. You cannot come into the game and change all the rules. The State of Illinois cannot be run like a private business, as the Governor likes to proclaim on many occasion, because the State of Illinois is a public entity. As such, the Governor and his staff should hang out in Springfield more often and talk with the other elected folks of the State about finding realistic ways to generate revenue.

Blajokeavich

2005-02-23T04:58:00.000-08:00

It's not sex, lies and videotapes...but rather: Pledges, Vows and Promises...or whatever. Here's the Governor's yet another attempt at humor (my emphasis in bold):

While visiting the Daily Southtown, Blagojevich said his response to a question had been taken out of context. A reporter had asked him about the "pledge" he had made to fund the schools as a candidate, the governor said. "I thought that meant (and here the governor raised his right arm, as if taking an oath). ..."

The Governor shouldn't try so hard to make all his "blunders" some kind of comical afterthought. It's not amusing.

Read the entire column.

Read My Lips

2005-02-17T04:18:00.000-08:00

How many times is he going to trample all over this promise? Even Rep. Bill Black remembers the promise. "I think it stinks," Black complained. "This is an administration that wasn't going to balance the budget on the backs of working men and women. So much for that."

So now he wants to decrease the benefits of new hires to the State of Illinois. And in the same breath, he notes the State should be run like business.

Well.

If this becomes any truer, you are going to have nothing but top-heavy contributors and supporters running the joint and a bunch of mopes pushing paper because the most qualified people will begin looking for other jobs where their employer will treat them well.

From what I hear, the atmosphere at the state for rank and file employees is nothing short of mass paranoia. Low morale, merit compensation employees still without a raise or even a COLA in almost FOUR years...all while watching new hires (while there is a supposed hiring freeze and budget shortfall) come in making $60k, $70K, and higher.

Sir, my back hurts.

Mmmmmm...Zinger!

2005-02-08T18:50:00.000-08:00

Saw this late this afternoon...Rod's boy has got some bite for Joe:

From the Chicago Tribune:

Blagojevich campaign spokesman Pete Giangreco responded that Birkett is in no position to criticize how anyone runs a government office.

"The people of Illinois have already been heard on this case. He wasn't qualified to be attorney general. He isn't qualified to be governor," Giangreco said.

Hey Joe. Pay off your $700k campaign debt, close the book on Brian Dugan, and get a clue. If you can't beat Lisa Madigan...a...duh...do the math.

Putting Bling Bling on the Hands Which Feed You

2005-01-31T17:42:00.000-08:00

If I've said it once, I've said it a few hundred times, "Is it just the insiders who see this?"

"...the [Chicago] Tribune...looked at a subset of state contracts known as "professional and artistic" that are not always subjected to the bidding process. During the 12-month period that ended June 30, at least 38 of the 51 businesses awarded professional and artistic contracts worth $3 million from agencies closely linked to the governor's office had also donated."

Ending "business as usual" was the gospel according to Milorad during his campaign for Governor. It's no secret businesses/individuals contribute to political campaigns to gain leverage toward access to their favored politician should he/she gain elected office. And it is also no secret Democratics are whispering among themselves, "well, for 25 years you've had your way...it's about time we have some say how things are done." And so far, everything is on the up and up (legal). And I will subscribe to the argument I have read from others that all this hub-bub is merely the fallout of those who once had power whining they can't have their way anymore. What irks me is this:

" 'The appearance is just as corrosive as the reality,' said Kent Redfield, a professor of political studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield. 'The more times the public sees linkages, whatever the reason for linkages, that increases their cynicism. Blagojevich's decision to run on a platform of reform means he has to "take special pains not to create an appearance that who you know or who you give money to is going to get you state business,' Redfield said."

And folks, these following examples would seem to suggest the Governor is not following the script that propeled him to victory:

Example #1

"Bearingpoint Inc., an Atlanta-based company the administration hired to review computer and telecommunications systems, contributed $3,000 to Blagojevich before winning a $10.5 million contract. A few months after the contract award, it gave an additional $25,000."

How about a little background on these folks.

Florida News:

"Recently, it has come to my attention that the Department of Elder Affairs has announced its intention to award yet another contract to Bearing Point, Inc. This is particularly disturbing given the fact that this company is currently one of two firms under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The investigation reportedly was requested by the State Technology Office to determine whether the procurement process was "clean, transparent" and "above reproach" following a highly critical audit by the Legislature’s Auditor General. The STO cancelled the $173 million contract with Bearing Point and Accenture in October."

From CorpWatch:

"Many of the federal contractors named by GAO also hold multi-million dollar contracts in Iraq, including...Bearing Point... (A separate GAO report released in August found that such companies enjoy a substantial competitive edge in winning contract awards over government contractors without such offshore operations.) Bearing Point, which holds contracts worth up to $240 million for famine relief and directing Iraq’s transition to a sustainable market-driven economic system, is also identified by GAO as having operated 22 subsidiaries in tax haven countries during 2001."

Some may or may not remember the Accenture fiasco, who by the by, continues to provide services to the State.

Example #2

"Before Rod Blagojevich ran for governor, Castle Construction of suburban Markham had not given state politicians much money in recent years, nor had it won big state contracts.Then Castle and a related company, both with links to Blagojevich's chief fundraiser Chris Kelly, poured $224,000 into the Democrat's campaign fund. Firms directly owned by Kelly gave Blagojevich $462,000 more. Last year, Castle scored a $24.3 million contract with the Blagojevich administration, nearly 10 times the state business it earned over the previous five years combined."

Example #3

"IGOR The Watchdog Group has done business with the state for years, but the Tinley Park firm has done especially well under Blagojevich. The company has up to $5.4 million in contracts for the current fiscal year, four times the state business it did in any of the five previous years. Michael Guthrie, IGOR's president, has contributed $51,000 to the governor's campaign fund, almost all of it after Blagojevich was elected. Guthrie, who declined comment, had previously contributed almost exclusively to Republicans."

My favorite comment comes at the end of the article from none other than a member of the Governor's own party.

"Sen. Miguel del Valle (D-Chicago), an assistant majority leader, said the Tribune contract examination underscores the need for legislation that would ban state elected officials from accepting contributions from anyone doing business with the government where they serve."

Go get'em Miguel.

Now What?

2005-01-21T15:56:00.000-08:00

I am perplexed. I am by no means a political insider, political genius, nor am I going to be hired anytime soon as a political consultant. However, I am not an idiot either. After watching the past two years of the Blagojevich regime (and yes my friends, he rules), and knowing his aspirations toward a becoming a resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, what in the world is going on in the heads of the advisors to Governor Milorad Blagojevich? For someone who wants to rule the free world known as the U.S.A. he is not acting very presidential.

And now, over the past year, he has taken the back seat, hell...the crawl space of his party to a young junior U.S. Senator named Barack Obama. Now Eric Zorn predicts Obama will run for president in 2008, and his reasons are compelling. For all the reasons Rod would have made an interesting candidate in the next presidential election, Obama has slid into this space Rod was thought to have reserved.

Blagojevich's father-in-law, Richard Mell, was rumored to have wished for a Bush victory last year so Blagojevich would not have to face watching an incumbant democratic president run for re-election in 2008. Mell got his wish; however, considering the family pains he and the Governor are going through right now, I am sure he wishes Kerry would have prevailed in the past election.

And with Blagojevich no longer mentioned in the company of possible democratic contenders in the next presidential election, and Obama's face plastered in every press publication (in seems that way)...what now for Milorad? Does he believe he still has the ability to right the ship (his image) and gain some popularity back?

Barack Obama came out of no where at put two millionaires in their place. Will the third be the charm?

Master Of His Domain

2005-01-19T04:06:00.000-08:00

Think what you will about Illinois Speaker of the House of Representative Michael Madigan, but over the years I have grown fond of his legislative principles. I have watched him up close and personal at times, but mostly from a far over the last decade. Anyone who has an ounce of reason and common sense can at the very least respect most of the positions he embraces.

Illinois Issues sat down with the four leaders of Illinois’ legislative branch in November and printed the interviews in this month’s issue. I found Madigan’s interview quite introspective with regard to what might be expected in the coming months of this year’s legislative session, as well as possible insight into a possible challenge to Governor Rod Blagojevich in next year’s primary election.

II: [W]e’re already talking about a $1 billion hole in next year’s budget. How much progress have we made from two years ago, when the number was $5 billion?

MM: We’ve made progress. The biggest problem we have is the governor, his desire to continue to spend more money when we’re running a budget deficit. And I’ve said to people that, in retrospect, had the governor in his first year in office taken advantage of the honeymoon afforded him…with both chambers of legislature under Democratic control…we’d be in pretty good shape today.

Madigan explains that despite the huge deficit, Blagojevich proposed spending an additional $1 billion dollars, which the legislature approved. It was the following year when Madigan took his stand for fiscal responsibility and aligned himself with strange bedfellows Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson and House Minority Leader Tom Cross, a relationship he says will continue into this year.

MM: I’ve told Rep. [Tom] Cross and Sen. [Frank] Watson that I plan to maintain the coalition. [T]he people of the state are not interested in useless, wasteful partisanship. They’re interested in a good, solid work product coming out of a legislature, which is populated by people from both political parties…I think the people of the state agree with me, that everybody elected to the General Assembly ought to be involved in the decision-making, and, as far as I can facilitate that, I’m going to do that.

I was impressed by the resolve of the Speaker’s coalition with the other two leaders. I can’t see any reason to not believe him, especially after reading the following:

II: Barack Obama became a star of the party overnight. Who do you see as potential future stars in the state Democratic Party?

MM: That is a question [that] if I were to answer it I would make one or two people happy and many people not happy. So I’ll punt.

There is no hint of one those “happy” people being his daughter, Attorney General Lisa Madigan or one the “unhappy” people being, maybe, oh…Governor Blagojevich? One can only hope.

As evidenced by last year’s well publicized Grand Canyon sized rift between the Governor’s office and rank-and-file members of the General Assembly, as well as the four legislative leaders a times, Madigan has this to say about those certain “memorandums of understanding” the Governor was forced to sign at the end of session:

MM: [T]hat (memorandums of understanding) happened because of a broad, widespread distrust of the Blagojevich Administration, which they acknowledge, at least in private. And so, in the near term, you will see more and more of memorandums of understanding.

II: Does that include outside the scope of the budget negotiations?

MM: I think it will happen wherever members of the legislature are interacting with the governor’s office.

Isn't it nice that going into this year's session there is still that warm and fuzzy feeling leftover from last year?

And finally, on the prospect of any property tax or school funding reform, here’s the skinny from the Speaker:

MM: An impediment to that (reform) today is the position of Gov. [Rod] Blagojevich, where he has stated repeatedly that he’s not in favor of raising the income tax or the sales tax. You may remember I made a statement down at Southern Illinois University, which was very measured, in response to a question. And he took a very measured statement, where I was simply saying that if the governor wanted to raise the income tax, I would be supportive, and made it into a position where I was the one who was the advocate of the increase. And then he used that for political purposes for about three months. So, he’s pretty well maneuvered himself in a corner, where, in all likelihood, it won’t be possible for Illinois to meet its obligation under the Constitution.

There is more discussion about the gaming/casino issue, as well as Madigan’s view of a variety of other legislative topics. The article, as well as the other interviews is definitely worth a look. I chose to blog Madigan since I view him as the most influential member of the legislature; the one person who has the ability to control the ebb and flow of most legislation at the Capitol.

I was impressed when Blagojevich won the primary and subsequently the Governor’s office. Madigan sat back the entire time and watched…and observed. I think he has something up his sleeve this coming year. That sly smile of his is foretelling…but what it is saying, I cannot quite put my finger on yet.

A Tempting Teaser

2005-01-13T04:47:00.000-08:00

Rich Miller found an interesting teaser on ABC7 Chicago’s website about an I-Team segment, led by investigative reporter Chuck Goudie, scheduled to air this evening at 10 p.m. Without giving any specific information of the segment, the viewer can probably expect more fallout from Governor’s office. Goudie, if you recall, was the lead reporter in the investigation that led to the reassignment of a few top Illinois State Police bodyguards to the Governor because of unethical behavior while assigned to the Governor.

“I-Team reports uncovered Blagojevich bodyguards in high-speed accidents; misusing state vehicles; performing personal errands; allowing a police gun to be stolen; and blocking out-of-state roads so the governor's convoy could move quickly.”

So what has Goudie dug up? I don’t know. However, Goudie recently wrote about his take on the recent Mell-Blagojevich feud. Interestingly enough, Goudie diverts his attention to some past history between the two politicos. Here’s a review of his most recent article in the Daily Herald.

Mell: "This governor is trying to put on this mantled cloak of what a great white knight he is, when he's not."

Goudie: “Mell's outburst opens the door to issues far smellier than the Joliet rubbish pile. Actually, the door was opened during Blagojevich's campaign for governor and never closed.”

Goudie is referring to the “accusations” made by Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan in 2002 during the general election about Blagojevich’s possible “indiscretions.” Mell jumped to his son-in-law’s defense on the radio calling the accusations “gutter stuff” generated by the Illinois GOP. Goudie also points out how Mell defended his daughter, Patti.

Mell: "Knowing Rod Blagojevich and knowing what he thinks of my daughter, I guarantee there are no indiscretions. He'd have it from my daughter. Patti is a very strong-willed lady."

Goudie then moves to the present situation and picks up on Mell’s sudden shift in his portrayal of his daughter.

Mell: "She's got blinders on, Patti will wake up one day. ... He (the governor) uses everybody, and when there's no more use, he discards them."

Goudie has picked up on what many others readers of this saga have read and offers:

“But as the father of three young women myself, it is what Mell said about his daughter that makes me wonder. [Mell said] Patti will wake up one day. But what is it she will see with her eyes wide open?”

And what is it we will see with our eyes wide open tonight on the ten-o-clock newscast?

Room For Improvement

2005-01-12T15:16:00.000-08:00

At what point do you ask yourself, “Is this the right thing to be doing?”

As people of the State of Illinois now watch Governor Rod Blagojevich reach the halfway point his term, certainly the former question has to be echoing throughout many of the homes of the State’s residents.

In the 2002 general election, for the first time in twenty-five years, Illinois Democrats won control the state’s top office (and two of the other three constitutional offices), as well as control of both legislative houses.

In the Governor’s first go-around at the legislature, and although not being in the capitol for “the business of the people” the majority of the time, Blagojevich did not ruffle too many feathers and was given most items on his legislative/budget agenda. He won support for a $10 billion pension funding plan (at the last minute no less), pushed through several bills that protected workers (but not his own STATE workers), increased fees (don't call them taxes), and put a stop to an attempt to expand gambling. He had the support both leaders of the legislative houses, as well as the Republican minority leader in the House, Representative Tom Cross.

Was it possible this was a first year gift from the two leaders of the Senate and House, Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Mike Madigan, as well as Cross? As it turns out, the answer was a swift yes from the latter two. The honeymoon was over quickly, and it started after the Governor’s 2004 State of the State address, in which he slammed the Illinois State Board of Education as a "Soviet-style" bureaucracy. This attack went over like a lead balloon with many of those in attendance, including Speaker Madigan. Some would say Blagojevich’s cavalier attitude of taking on the Board was inflated by his first year successes (or his own pats on the back). However, as we would learn, it was only beginning of the Governor’s countless crusades to "uphold the laws" in the Illinois, as well as do what is in the “best interest” for the people of the State of Illinois. Hey, those are his words, not mine.

These crusades included: importing prescription drugs illegally from Canada (against the law according to the FDA), buying flu vaccines from Europe (which as it turns out was not necessary and could cost the State upwards of two million dollars), make selling mature-rated video games a crime in Illinois (this was already found to violate the First Amendment in some states), publicly humiliating Chicago Mayor Richard Daley (while he was in Paris no less) by stating there would be no way he would get a casino in the city (when the Mayor believed they were still in back-room negotiations), out-sourcing/contracting with campaign contributors (BearingPoint / Accenture) to better streamline government (turns out to be nothing more than millions of dollars in spreadsheet work), appointing campaign contributors to state boards and commissions (quit telling me it is coincidental), using the Governor’s office as a springboard to show your father-in-law who is the REAL boss is in Illinois (read Zorn), becoming Governor on the backs of downstate Illinoisans and then spitting in their face by living in Chicago (at the taxpayers expense of all his airfare back and forth), being elected with the help of those same downstate Illinoisans' legislators and then spitting in their face by not giving them access to you (“please talk to this mid-level liaison”), being late for almost single event he attends (even Ray LaHood gave him a spanking in Washington, "I think it shows a rudeness toward people he's trying to influence," LaHood said of Blagojevich's late arrival to a meeting. "It doesn't show much political savvy or political class."), etc, etc, etc. The list would fill up the rest of my post.

"Is this the right thing to be doing?"

No.

These are indeed exciting times!

2005-01-11T18:20:00.000-08:00

Welp. Haven't the past few days been somewhat eventful.

Rich Miller reports Ray LaHood may announce his intent to form an exploratory committee...and while he is of that age...this exploration will be in the form of finding any reasonable sign to run for Governor of Illinois in 2006. Ray LaHood. Nice Guy? I would say probably. But hey, what about that "colorful" personality of his...wait...never mind. But didn't George Ryan win without a grain of personality? Dammit. That was when Republicans were thisclose to being God-like. But he's not a rebel-rouser...nope...wrong again. One of three of the "fiery" class of 1994 who refused to sign his party's "Contract With America" campaign manifesto that year.

Good Luck Ray LaHood. You'll need that and the money you've been holing up winning those easy elections over the past decade.

Moving on.

I haven't seen this one, and I think I can say I may have coined it, so here goes.

Blagonnamakemepuke made news late last week with his announcement of using his Kingship's rarely used power of a "seal-order" to close a distant relative's landfill. Of course, his father-in-law, Chicago Alderman Dick Mell, was right in the middle of this family affair. The owner of the landfill is related to Mell's wife. Here's the story; I won't re-write what has been written for 5 days now. But hold the phone! The landfill will re-open next week with conditions. What-A-Surprise. And this one is even better...the Governor's office calls this a victory! But this apparent abuse of power is nothing compared to some of the fall-out:

"Mell accused Blagojevich of ripping apart their family, being so politically manipulative that he would "throw anyone under the bus," and granting plum appointments in exchange for campaign contributions.

That candor drew amazement from legislators in Springfield, particularly the alderman's assertion that Blagojevich's chief fund-raiser, Chris Kelly, had traded seats on state boards and commissions for $50,000 contributions to the governor.

"Some of the allegations of the governor's father-in-law are rather astonishing," said Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale). "While I don't want to get into the middle of a family spat, when there are allegations of trading commission appointments for campaign contributions, that just adds to the already tarnished image of Illinois politics and government."

Kelly has denied Mell's accusation against him, and Blagojevich allies like Sen. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago) called them "outrageous." But other legislators predicted the statement could carry serious consequences."

WHOA! Money for appointments? No way. Not in this "changing business as usual" administration. You mean those appointments to the Health Care Construction Panel were coincidental? Okay. And those other appointments? Sure. I am buying that, and I'll take an extra order of Brooklyn Bridge as well.

You know what? This s--t has got to stop. Will someone please step up?

In-what-itus?

2005-01-05T16:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, so...

...you may have noticed the change of my blog name. I used Ineditus (unpublished) as a temporary name until I could properly name my blog to reflect the material I would be blogging.

I now feel comfortable.

And I know you feel more comfortable as well.

So let's get on with it...

Nellie McKay

2005-01-03T16:56:00.000-08:00

I am K.I.S.S.

Saw her on the Late Late Show last week. Went and bought the CD "Get Away From Me" on Sunday. Love her music. Check out this site for more Nellie. She brings a smooth blend of pop/jazz (IMO) with her piano. Her voice is absorbing and addictive. Listen to this interview with Nellie as the featured guest on NPR.

Zorn Dishes...No One Bites

2005-01-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

Eric Zorn recently tapped Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich as his Big Loser of 2004 in his notebook on Thursday, December 30. As reported by him today, no one wants to dispute the title.

Given that polls show Blagojevich has pretty good approval ratings and no matter what a columnist criticizes he can expect at least a few angry letters from those who disagree passionately (...once again you idiots in the media fail to see the value in torturing orphaned puppies just to hear them squeal...), so I expected Blagojevphiles to mount a defense.

In the space below is every rebuttal I've received so far by phone and e-mail:

Hmm. Oh well. Next item:

Zorn, it was too easy of a pick. The Blago-mojo has been cast upon you. Are you now relegated to writing stories so populist that you smell of perfume? You need a Blago-mojo-exorcism.

On Being Catholic

2004-12-29T13:19:00.000-08:00

I must have been in a cave the past couple months to miss the story in Springfield, Illinois, involving the former principal of a Catholic elementary/junior high school who had to fire her son and his fiancée from the school. Additionally, she was “forced” to resign a short time later following a conflict of standards she had with the Bishop of the Diocese.

As the story goes, Joan L. McKinney, former principal at St. Patrick Catholic School, fired her son, a computer teacher at the school, and his fiancée, a secretary at the school, for living together with their two children out of wedlock. This, of course, is a big no-no with the Catholic Church. Catholicism is strongly against cohabitation. This firing came about following a meeting McKinney had with Rose Mersinger, director of Education, and Monsignor Carl Kemme, Vicar General. According to McKinney, Mersinger and Kemme instructed her to “fire both employees.” A subsequent meeting with Bishop George Lucas in which McKinney advised Lucas of her unwillingness to “enforce ALL catholic rules” (among other issues) with her employees resulted in McKinney’s “forced” resignation.

There can be two ways to view this story. One, as a devout catholic who wishes to see students not only taught in the traditional ways (lecture, reading, writing), but also exposed to the teachings of the Catholic Church by example of those who teach these students. The other view is to tell these “old school” Catholics to wake up smell the coffee. A large number of people these days, Catholics included, are living together out of wedlock, and many of these families are raising children in a most productive way.

No matter which way you choose to view this story, there is one view that is invariable: the view of the Catholic Church.

As a young adult preparing for the sacrament of marriage, I was exposed to the teachings of the Church. As my future spouse and I met with the priest to prepare for our marriage, it was revealed that my fiancée and I were living together at the time. This went over like a lead balloon with the priest. He advised us to split until we were married. We decided to nod our heads accordingly and employ the “don’t ask, don’t tell” position throughout the rest of preparation with the priest.

Now as parents of a child in the Catholic school system, we have seen how real these teachings, or “rules,” are to the school. A single female second-grade teacher who became pregnant during the middle of the school year was forced to “resign.” She has since returned to the school, and to her classroom, as a married mother. However, she was counseled and then exposed, or scorned, in the school newsletter at the beginning of the year. The short paragraph in the newsletter described how this teacher would be returning, but only after our principal was satisfied with the teacher’s responses to her questions regarding the Catholic teachings. Thus, this teacher was given her scarlet letter by our school. Not in a malicious way by no means, but nevertheless, her situation was made example of for all parents to witness.

I have always thought teaching in the parochial school system is a vocation of sorts. The pay is miserable in comparison to public school salaries. The work is difficult and the hours can be long during the school year. Taking nothing away from public school teachers, but parochial school teachers are not paid near enough for the commitment they make to their school.

I sympathize with McKinney, her son and his fiancée, the students of the school who lost a teacher and secretary, the parents of these children, and the employees of the school who lost two of their colleagues. However, as employees of the Diocese, there are a completely different set of “rules” and even morals to which these individuals are subject. Like it or not, res ipsa loquitur. It is what it is. If you are not prepared to live by the current teachings of the Church as an employee of the Diocese, then as such, you should prepare yourself for discipline or dismissal for not following their rules, or better, their “Employee Handbook.”

George Carlin is a Prick.

2004-12-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

Why I am wasting my time writing about this eludes me. Oh, I remember, because Carlin constantly rants and raves about other people's problems but can't take care of his own. So why am I not surprised to see that Carlin has (self) admitted himself into rehab for wine and painkiller abuse.

In his last performance at the MGM Grand after four years before 700 paying customers, he reportedly said: "People who go to Las Vegas, you've got to question their fucking intellect – traveling hundreds and thousands of miles to essentially give your money to a large corporation is kind of fucking moronic. That's why what I'm always getting here is these kind of fucking people with very limited intellects."

But wait, where is your next gig George? Answer: He is scheduled to open in February at the Stardust Hotel.

Carlin has suffered three heart attacks and undergone a number of angioplasties in recent years. He has also battled through cocaine addiction and a $3 million debt to the Internal Revenue Service that reportedly took him 15 years to pay off.

Do us all a favor George, go f--k yourself.

Merry Christmas...

2004-12-25T08:57:00.000-08:00

...all you irritating manufacturers who put all those goddamn ties (seemly 50 in each container) in kids toys! You have a young child, who is ever-so-eager to play with their toys, however, you need to spend 30 minutes getting the toy out of the box!

God Bless America. And God Bless toy ties. They fill me with Christmas Sprirt...or rather, they lead to me to the Christmas spirit...which I fill up on...pour me another one!

Happy Holidays to all! Drink early and drink often. You have a whole day to recover!

It's Fun to Stay at the Y M C A

2004-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

If you were a participant of an all-night transgender fashion show and ball and were still partying at the New City YMCA on Chicago's North Side last Sunday morning, as John Kass (free subscription area) wrote today.

"When I got there with my 7-year-old daughter on Sunday morning, I could sense some bad mojo."

This from a parent who had bought his child to the Y for the early morning swim program.

Bad Mojo...? Do you think? As it were, unused and soiled condoms were found in the ladies' locker room. Good Mojo for some, bad mojo for youngsters changing in to their swimming suits.

And from reading Kass' take on the ordeal, it would appear some of the party attendees still around for the children and parent's arrival found cause to cry..."sexism!"

"It was like they didn't want to see the gay people at all," trans-fashion show security official Kashma Avery was quoted in the Sun-Times as saying. "... The guests started hearing sexist slurs. And an altercation ensued."

Why am I not surprised. But I would find it hard to take anyone seriously dressed in leather chaps and handcuffs at 7:00 in the morning on a Sunday. But that is just me.

They Y claims there was a scheduling snafu. You can do the traslation here. If I were one of the parents, I would probably use the NON-polite version.

I don't want to jump to conclusions, but Alan Keyes probably won't be having any fundraisers at this particular Y. Now...Marv Albert, maybe...

I knew Rich would beat me to the punch...

2004-12-20T07:11:00.000-08:00

Capitol Fax's Blog comments on another of Blagojevich's May-December political initiatives...

From the State Journal Register:

Blagojevich embraced the literacy initiative (to partner with a Tennessee foundation to offer free, age-appropriate books to Illinois children younger than 5) early this year during a news conference at a South Side church in Chicago. In a Jan. 11 news release, the Democrat was quoted as saying: "Illinois will become the first state in the nation to offer every child a personal library. That's exactly the kind of commitment children deserve."

After reading about this initiative earlier in the year, I had to wash the vurp (a Tim Allen reference to the combination of vommit/burp) residue out of my mouth. I commented on and on, to anyone who would listen, about not only what a publicity stunt this was, but how it was also a ridiculous expenditure on an already strained state budget. Little did I know, the So Called Austin Mayor would coin the "Blago-Mojo" checklist, which this initiative fit in to perfectly at the time.

To comment: I cleaned my 6-year-old child's room this weekend and made this comment to myself, "Christ! We have a mini-library!" We must have over 200 children's books. My point: It is the parent's responsibility to get their kids educated and provide an atmosphere for learning. There are libraries (public and and schools) that provide books to kids FREE OF CHARGE! Poorer families...news flash Gov...public aid/private charities are always helping families with books. But my biggest hangup with this initiative at the time was this: why waste state money on middle-class/upper class families who can afford to buy their kids books?

How in the world does someone concoct these sort of ideas in the first place?

And the Eight Ball says...

2004-12-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

Close more public assistance offices! Perfect! That will solve the State of Illinois' budget problems. As reported by Jarrett Dunbar, WTVO News in Rockford, IL:

Belvidere, Illinois- The Department of Human Services is planning on shutting down 13 public aid offices state wide in a cost cutting move. One of the offices on the chopping block is the Boone Bounty office. The D-H-S says it will save 39 thousand dollars a year by closing the office...[snip]

Representative Ron wait believes it would be unwise to shut down the Boone County office, especially at this point in time...[snip]..."Sure, on paper, flow charts, it looks good to combine them, but when you look at the reality and the inconvenience and the hardships it's gonna put on people, it makes no sense," says Wait.

The Boone County office could be closed as early as January.

Paper and flow charts...sound familiar to the governing ways of the Blagojevich administration? I may be wrong here, but isn't assisting the poor one of the Democrat mantras? This from the Democratic 2004 National Platform Statement:

We must help Americans deal with the staggering increase in everyday costs of living, from insurance premiums to child care to the price of gas.

Well, closing Public Aid offices surely doesn't seem to adhere to this statement. And having 20/30-somethings, who know very little about Illinois government (past and present) browsing over Agency budgets and arbitrarily slashing here and there without any type of "real-world" knowledge of what they are actually doing is just plain irresponsible.

My Kind of Town...Chicago is...

2004-12-16T06:58:00.000-08:00

WOW...I'll be shopping on-line this year. From the Sun-Times today:

Chicago shoppers will pay a 9 percent sales tax -- highest in the nation -- and a whopping 15.4 percent hotel tax July 1 and dig deeper Jan. 1 for parking, cigarettes, hard liquor, amusements and natural gas now that a reluctant City Council has approved Mayor Daley's $5.1 billion budget.

Pass the smokes, booze and hand me a razor blade. Don't have to travel abroad to Europe/Britain to feel the effects of the shrinking dollar.

Might as well start somewhere...

2004-12-15T08:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a link that will keep you giggling...