During his campaign last year, Barack Obama said we are all our brothers' keepers. He said it again in mid-December:
"Now, more than ever, we must rededicate ourselves to the notion that we share a common destiny as Americans - that I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper." (Source)
REALLY? What a hypocrite. Barack Obama has made millions of dollars from the sales of his books. Yet he has allowed some of his relatives to continue living in squalor. His half-brother George, for example, who gained worldwide attention during the campaign for living on less than $20 a year in a shanty town in Kenya. Now, poor George, half-brother of Barack Obama, is in legal trouble:
Barack Obama's Kenyan half-brother, George, has been arrested by police in Nairobi on suspicion of possessing marijuana....President Obama's young half-sibling was in the headlines last year after it was revealed that he was living in a corrugated iron shack in a sprawling slum as his brother ran for the most powerful job in the world. (Source)
So, is Barack Obama his brother's keeper? Perhaps he thinks not. Obama said, above, that we have a "common destiny as Americans." Hmmm. This is problematic, because Kenyan George is not an American. Furthermore, Obama did not say that he is "my half-brother's keeper," so that could be his loophole.
Poor George, living in squalor and now in legal hot water, can expect no help from his wealthy and powerful brother Barack because he's not an American and shares only one parent.
Perhaps, then, Barack Obama is only half sincere when he tells us that we're all the keepers of our brothers and sisters.
RELATED:
Behind the Scenes: Meet George Obama - CNN.com
THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS: IS OBAMA HIS POTHEAD BROTHER'S KEEPER?
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Slave labor is alive and thriving in Cook County, USA. CNB photographed slave labor at work in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood on January 30, 2009. The men shown in these photos were shoveling snow at the intersection of N. Broadway and W. Wilson. (A year ago, on January 27, 2008, The Bench did a story about slave laborers in Rogers Park.)
The slaves, also called "inmates" or "prisoners," are in the custody of the Cook County Sheriff, and are put to work in a program called "S.W.A.P." That stands for "Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program." It should be noted that the words "inmate," "prisoner" do not appear in the Cook County Sheriff's description of the program. Although the men are not literally in chains, the S.W.A.P. work units are essentially chain gangs.
Here is a description of the S.W.A.P. program, taken from the Cook County Sheriff's web site:
"...the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program (S.W.A.P.) has been one of the most successful, fastest-growing and beneficial programs in the history of the criminal justice system in Cook County. It puts drunk drivers and other low-level offenders to work on the streets of Cook County, doing everything from assisting the Medical Examiner in handling the bodies of victims during the 1994 heat crisis to sandbagging during the 1991 Chicago Flood and the cleaning up after 1996 suburban floods, to removing graffiti and beautifying the County’s public property. Everyone benefits: city and suburban citizens; the jail from reduced overcrowding; and the offenders themselves, who show low recidivism afterwards."
The Cook County Sheriff's web site proudly notes this:
Under a partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), SWAP teams are cleaning buses at the CTA’s five busiest terminals, “This cooperative program gives us cleaner buses at no cost, and the offenders are performing useful work,” said [former] CTA Chairman Valerie Jarrett.
"At no cost." Indeed. Local officials love free S.W.A.P. slave labor. Slaves don't usually charge their masters much for the labor they provide.
Let's look again at the description above, but this time we'll add the word "slave" to it:
"...the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program (S.W.A.P.) has been one of the most successful, fastest-growing and beneficial programs in the history of the criminal justice system in Cook County. It puts slaves to work on the streets of Cook County, doing everything from assisting the Medical Examiner in handling the bodies of victims during the 1994 heat crisis to sandbagging during the 1991 Chicago Flood and the cleaning up after 1996 suburban floods, to removing graffiti and beautifying the County’s public property. Everyone benefits: city and suburban citizens; the jail from reduced overcrowding; and the slaves themselves, who show low recidivism afterwards."
What did former CTA Chairman Valerie Jarrett say about S.W.A.P.? Again, adding the word "slaves" to the statement:
Under a partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), slaves are cleaning buses at the CTA’s five busiest terminals, “This cooperative program gives us cleaner buses at no cost, and the slaves are performing useful work."
Sheriff’s Work Alternative Programs are used in other counties around the country, not just in Cook County. Slavery seems to be a popular source of labor for the governments of those counties, and the cities and town within them.
Free slave labor takes away paid work for non-offenders. Every time a S.W.A.P. group shovels a sidewalk, it could be taking away a paid job from a local teenager. An example of this is the Highway Department of the Township of Schaumburg (IL). In a message from Robert Fecarotta, Highway Commissioner, he lists things that can be expected from his department in 2009. One of them is excerpted here (emphasis added):
Continued participation in the S.W.A.P. Program. The department will continue to use this free labor force provided by the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program. (www.schaumburgtownship.org/highway.htm)
How many paying jobs are killed by that? How many people would get that highway department work - and be paid for it - if Schaumburg did not use Cook County's "free labor force?"
RELATED:
Schaumburg Township Highway Department
Government greed getting in way of agricultural progress
American Chain Gang
The return of the chain gangs
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This is our 3,994th post since we started in October, 2006.
We anticipate post number 4,000 any moment now.
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C'mon. Tomorrow's da Super Bowl. Ya knew I was gonna do this again. An encore presentation of what has become a Chicago classic, our very own video of Alderman Joe Moore shuffling from tavern to bar to watering hole buying votes with drinks and trinkets! From Super Bowl Sunday, 2007, here's Shufflin' Jo Mo at the world famous Duke's Bar in Rogers Park...
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The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
~ Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
Pat Quinn is a nice guy, we've heard for years, and we don't doubt it. Pat Quinn is ready, they told us. Pat Quinn is the right guy at the right time, we were assured. Pat Quinn, as Illinois's Lieutenant Governor, has been groomed to take the shoveled-out seat of Rod Blagojevich. Now, he's Governor Quinn. What they forgot to remind all of us was this: Pat Quinn is just another Big Government Democrat. And you better not doubt it:
Quinn's first official act expands state government
True to Democratic liberal form, the new Governor Pat Quinn's first executive order is to expand Illinois government by setting up his new Illinois Reform Commission as an official state body, he told reporters today. FULL ARTICLE at ILLINOIS REVIEW...
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Did something die under a couch in here? No, that smell is Ron Huberman, Chicago Mayor Daley's Waterboy and newest head of Chicago Public Schools. When the Blagojevich Crime Spree was finally crushed as the Illinois Senate removed him from office this week, it seemed like Chicago politics might become ho-hum until Blago's federal criminal trial begins.
Silly us. Chicago politics is never ho-hum.
But like a late Christmas gift, Mayor Daley named Ron Huberman to replace Arne Duncan as head of Chicago Public Schools. Chicago's City Council could still reject Huberman, and a number of local leaders are calling on them to do just that.
Duncan was chosen by Barack Obama to be the nation's Secretary of Education, which means that every American will now be guaranteed a Chicago-quality schooling experience (be afraid, be very afraid). Huberman, until a few days ago the head of the inept Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), will undoubtedly bring his CTA style to the local government schools (be afraid, be very, very afraid). This has caused much outrage in Chicago. Many people are upset with the choice of Huberman. A sampling of that outrage follows:
Ron Huberman "in over his head"
Black leaders say no to Huberman for CPS
Black leaders lament Huberman appointment
Selection of Huberman just a bad choice
Daley's appointment fishy
Ron Huberman booed, heckled at his 1st school board meeting
Jesse Jackson Slams Choice Of Huberman As New CPS Chief
Some Teacher's Don't Want Huberman
Why Daley Is Wrong to Move Huberman
Transit Riders Still Second-Class in Second City
Unauthorized BIO on Ron Hubberman
Hubba Hubba Huberman!...
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"Blagojevich Getting It Done!" is the hilarious post by 49th Ward Democratic Committeeman David Fagus. He wrote the piece in October, 2006. By then, most of us knew that Rod Blagojevich is a putz. But not Fagus, no siree. Too busy kissing Rod's butt to see the crack in it, Fagus penned his absurdity, which is - incredibly - still posted on his site as of 6:04 p.m., January 30, 2009. Uhm, someone might want to let Sycophant Fagus know that Blago was removed from office yesterday. Oh, let him know that Nixon resigned, too, and that the Berlin Wall has come down.
Rod Blagojevich has been making the kind of changes we had been anticipating for 30 years of Republican governors. With his 2002 victory we realized what life could be like with a Democrat leading the state government. We as Democrats had very high hopes for the Blagojevich administration and he has delivered. He has taken up the cause of many of the concerns we all had including health care, minimum wage, stem cell research, passing GLBT legislation to protect against discrimination, expanding pre-school programs, and funding for the vast array of social services and human rights programs that make the quality of life in Illinois better. Full Suckup from Fagus... (Too bad it couldn't have lasted 1,000 years, eh Dave?)
(Rest assured that we have archived this little gem, in case Fagus developes a sense of shame and deletes it. We have no doubt that Fagus patron, Ald. Joe Moore, had an intern print this post off to insert into the "Bench Dossier," which is probably over 100 pages by now.)
RELATED: Todd Stroger Turns It On!
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...and they could not have picked a better person to lead the Republican Party. Two videos below: First, CNN's report of the vote today as it happened. Second, Steele's acceptance speech.
October 7, 1964. Reagan speaks in support of presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. In this excerpt from the speech, Reagan talks about the importance of "peace through strength." You can also read the transcript of the full speech.
Andy McKenna is the Illinois GOP Chairman. His comments about Michael Steele's election as the new chair of the Republican National Committee:
ILGOP Chairman Statement on Steele election to RNC ChairmanshipShare
Today at 3:13pm
"Today, Republicans sent a message to Americans that our party is ready for a new generation of leaders focused on the future. Michael Steele will lead a Republican Party that reaches out to every citizen, regardless of political persuasion, in every city, county and town in America.
”In Illinois, Republicans share that message because Blagojevich Democrats have embarrassed our state and the people of Illinois are hungry for change.
”The same message of lower taxes, less government, higher ethical standards and reform we are talking about in Illinois are the principles embodied by Michael Steele and embraced by the overwhelming majority of our country.
”Pat Brady and I are proud to be a part of the leadership team involved in Michael Steele's historic election as are the thousands of grassroots supporters in Illinois who are eager for Chairman Steele's first visit to our state.”
---Andy McKenna
ILGOP Chairman
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THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE HAS A NEW CHAIRMAN: MICHAEL STEELE.
Michael Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland was voted the chair of the Republican National Committee. His nomination came as a historic first as he is the first African American to head the party. In a speech to GOP delegates after his nomination, Steele hailed "conservative principles that have made us the strong and proud party that we are." Full Story at DC Examiner...
Si, se puede!
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The television show "ER" is filming its last Chicago episode today. Chicago News Bench caught up with them on location at W. Leland, between N. Winthrop and N. Broadway in Uptown. Trucks, vans, trailers and equipment were parked at the Aragon's parking lot at W. Lawrence and N. Winthrop.
Crew told CNB that the hit show "might shoot three more episodes," but they would not be done in Chicago. The long running show is in its 15th season.
Enjoy our exclusive photos, below.
RELATED: ER given three more episodes (tv.com)
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This is regarding the current subpoena from the attorney of a Chicago developer, the goal of which is to discover the identities of some anonymous bloggers in Uptown (see "Developer Targets Bloggers in Chicago"). Uptown Update is one of those blogs, but this could apply to almost every blogger who does not use his/her real name.
Dear Uptown Update:
I believe that you have the right to be anonymous. However, it would lend much more credibility to UU if you did not hide behind a veil. While I honor your anonymity, I frankly have less respect for anonymous bloggers than I do for those who have the courage to name themselves. Imagine, if you will, how you would feel about the Chicago Tribune if none of their reporters used their real names. Suppose the editors did not identify themselves. It would lessen their credibility, and properly so.
Let me give you some unsolicited advice. You and your staff should seriously consider revealing your identities, and doing it as soon as possible. Why? It would make Holsten and the Johnson subpoena look ridiculous. Furthermore, it is only a matter of days before a lot of Uptowners start wondering what you're afraid of by using your real names. You should have considered this possibility before your first post.
The anonymity that you thought would protect you has, ironically, become a yoke around your necks. Remove it at your soonest possibility. You will be hailed as brave heroes if you do. If you don't, some will question your credibility - and you will be forced to continue fighting to protect an anonymity that will soon serve you no longer.
I wish UU all the best in this fight, and I'm on your side in the struggle. I could be subpoenaed by Joe Moore or God Knows Who, for all I know. But if I am, I will have one less battle in that potential war because I will not have to work hard to protect, or lose sleep over, some secret identity.
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A developer in Chicago is using the legal system to go after at least two blogs based in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. There are several very disturbing aspects to this story, including the possible involvement of the son of Alderman Helen Shiller (46th Ward, Uptown), an attorney who shares an office suite with the developer's attorney. First, let's quickly review the basics as reported in the current issue of News-Star:
The attorney representing Wilson Yard developer Peter Holsten in the lawsuit filed against him by Fix Wilson Yard has subpoenaed Google seeking information about two Uptown blogs. News-Star learned that the blogs in question are Uptown Update and What the Helen. Each blog was notified by e-mail that they had been subpoenaed as third parties through Google and that they have until Feb. 4 to file a motion to quash the subpoena. Both blogs are maintained anonymously and neither is affiliated with Fix Wilson Yard. In December, the Uptown community group Fix Wilson Yard, which claims to represent more than 2,000 Chicago residents, filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago and Holsten Real Estate Development.
The attorney is Thomas E. Johnson. His law firm is Johnson, Jones, Snelling, Gilbert & Davis, P.C., located at 36 S. Wabash Avenue, Suite 1310, Chicago. Another law firm in the same suite is Shiller, Rossiter & Co., LLC. The "Shiller" in that second firm is Brendan Shiller.
Brendan's mother is Ald. Helen Shiller, who has championed developer Holsten's project at Wilson Yard and has been the subject of much criticism by the blogs in question. Additionally, Tom Johnson has been a financial contributor to Ald. Shiller's campaigns. All this proves is that Brendan Shiller shares a suite with Johnson's firm. One must admit, however, that the coincidence is stunning, and it begs the question: How involved is the Shiller family in this legal pursuit of Uptown Update and What The Helen?
The most disturbing aspect of this, of course, is the fact that a developer is trying to suppress the free speech activities of a respected blog, Uptown Update. "What The Helen," a blog whose name is derived from Helen Shiller, the target of their critiques, has been defunct for about a year, so to stay in the present, let's concentrate on Uptown Update. Uptown Update (UU) is enormously popular; it achieved one million hits last week. Like What The Helen (WTH), UU has been critical of Shiller and of the Wilson Yard TIF project at Montrose and N. Sheridan. UU, however, has been somewhat more subtle than was WTH.
Additionally, UU reports on a broad range of news in the Uptown neighborhood. In essence, UU is a virtual neighborhood newspaper, providing some commentary and a lot of hard news reporting, with excellent graphics and community events listings. It is not unusual to hear an Uptown resident say, "I saw that on Uptown Update."
For a developer's attorney to use subpoenaes to identify the operators of UU and WTH is disturbing. If this action by Holsten's attorney is being done as an attempt to silence Uptown Update and, thereby, the comments made by community members on that blog, then it is frightening. There can be only one or two reasons why this is being done. Those reasons may be:
1) To simply intimidate the bloggers, with the possible intention of scaring them into either shutting down their blogs or to delete past references to Holsten and not make future posts about him or his Wilson Yard project;
2) To discover the bloggers' names to subsequently bring legal action against them. That legal action would most likely be charges of defamation or interfering with commerce;
There could be other reasons, of course, but the most obvious ones would seem to be an intention to either intimidate and/or to bring legal action against the individuals behind the blogs if their real names are discovered.
It should be noted, for whatever it's worth, that Holsten Development Capital has channeled a lot of money over the years to a number of Democrats in Illinois, including Ald. Helen Shiller (at least $10,000 to Citizens for Shiller, 2000 through January, 2006).
A small sampling of other beneficiaries of his largesse includes Citizens for Lisa Madigan (over $12,000), Citizens for David Orr ($8,000), Citizens for Joe Moore (over $16,000), Citizens for the 48th Ward Democratic Party (over $3,700), Citizens for Mary Ann Smith (over $17,000) [Smith is the 48th Ward Alderman], Citizens for Carol Ronen (over $4,000), Friends of Edward M Burke (over $10,000). (Source)
It should be noted that I am not implying anything illegal about the contributions referred to above.
MORE DISTURBING ASPECTS
As mentioned above, Ald. Helen Shiller's son Brendan is an attorney who shares a suite with Holsten's attorney, Tom Johnson. Holsten and Ald. Shiller have both been targets of harsh criticism in the blogs. Both, therefore, have the motivation to squelch the blogs. Both Holsten and Shiller have the means, or ability, to bring the legal tools to bear in order to attempt that. Let me stress that this is theory on my part, but to say the least, it seems unlikely that the Shillers were not aware of the pending subpoena before it was filed.
IS HOLSTEN BEING HONEST?
Developer Holsten told News-Star that he had no knowledge of the legal action:
Holsten said that he was not aware that Google had been subpoenaed by his defense attorney for information about the blogs. "I tend to stay off the blogs," Holsten said "They can get pretty nasty."
This may or may not be true, but it seems difficult to believe. While he might actually "stay off the blogs," as he claims, it seems unlikely that his attorney Tom Johnson would not make him aware of anything about him on the blogs that could be deemed problematic. As for Holsten staying off the blogs, Holsten Management Corporation is one of the most frequent visitors to Uptown Update. Now, are we to believe that one of Holsten's secretaries is reading UU, and nobody else in that office, and that no notes are being taken by said hypothetical secretary?
Furthermore, it is hard to swallow Holsten's implication that his attorney is lobbing subpoenaes on his behalf without his knowledge. Why would Johnson be seeking the identities of the bloggers? If not for client Holsten, then for whom or for what purpose? Curiosity?
Suppose Holsten is being honest about this. Is Helen Shiller behind it? As mentioned, Holsten and Shiller are allies in the Wilson Yard battle. Shiller undoubtedly sees the whole controversy as a threat to her political career in the 46th Ward. I'm not saying Shiller is behind it, but the question must be asked.
WHO ELSE WILL BE TARGETED?
At this time, the targets of this subpoena is Uptown Update and the defunct What The Helen blogs. However, plenty of other blogs and web sites have been critical of both Holsten and Ald. Shiller, and still more have republished or linked to posts on those blogs. If Holsten and/or Shiller are truly on a witch hunt, they may leave no stake unburned in their attempt to shut down free speech in Chicago's 46th Ward. Worse still, other politicians will be watching this action. If Holsten and friends prevail, it could set a very chilling precedent for citizen journalists nationwide.
RELATED:
Open Letter to Uptown Update: Expose Yourselves
News-Star: "Trial Date Set!"
Shiller comes out fighting
What is Wilson Yard?
City makes change to spur financing for Wilson Yard
Tax increase may blunt Uptown’s economic boom
UNC ENews - The Truth About Wilson Yard - Uptown Neighborhood Council
UNC e-News: The latest on Wilson Yard, Vote, October 28, 2008
Is Illinois the Most Corrupt State? - Capitol Briefing
Feds Sued by Community Organizations and Publishers, Charge Computer Searches Illegal
Electronic Frontier Foundation
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You must get over to see this video, posted on friend Levois' blog, It's My Mind. Dude walks into Harlem and interviews people on busy sidewalk about the tax problems of Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY). Informative, funny, upsetting all at once, and shows that the average person on the street might not be as dumb as the last presidential election suggests they are.
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The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is an organizationt that has been working to protect the rights of citizen journalists ("bloggers") since 1990. They have battled unfair laws and attempts to squelch free speech by advocating and representing in courts. EFF has brought and defended lawsuits "even when that means taking on the US government or large corporations."
EFF has a story posted on their web site about a recent lawsuit filed by private citizen groups against the FBI and other federal entities. The groups are being helped by both EFF and the ACLU:
Data Seizure Violates Constitution and Federal Law
San Francisco - The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the ACLU of Northern California filed suit in federal court today to protect the privacy and free speech rights of two San Francisco Bay Area community organizations after the groups' computers were seized and the data copied by federal and local law enforcement. Both organizations, Long Haul and the East Bay Prisoner Support Group (EBPS), are publishers of information for social and political activists. FULL ARTICLE... EFF also has a link to the full complaint here (PDF).
I recently heard of a few bloggers who could use EFF's services, so I forwarded a link to mutual friend (who was previously unaware of EFF), who in turn passed it along to the bloggers. (You're welcome very much, thank you.)
Another threat to free speech: Orwellian-Alinsky Dems
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In this video, Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL, 6th Dist) chides fellow members of Congress for giving only $40 Million of the $825 Billion "stimulus package" to small businesses for tax relief. Roskam quotes a colleague in calling small businesses the "risk takers, the doers, the makers of things," and notes that they, not the government, have carried the nation to prosperity and freedom. WARNING: This video contains language that may be considered obscene or hateful by some liberal progressive Democrats.
Hat tip to Illinois Review!
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Illinois State Senator Heather Steans cares about her constituents and wants them to be informed.
That's why she presents her "Upcoming Events" page on her beautiful web site! Find out what's happening, courtesy of Heather Steans (pronounced "stains").
Thank you, Senator Steans, for keeping us all so informed!
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There is sooooooo much going on in Illinois' state capitol this week. That thing about the impeachment of the governor, for example. Let's turn to State Senator Heather Steans' informative "Legislative Update" on her own fine, fine web site.
Surely, Sen. Steans will have some news about the Springfield drama! Click here for updates! Steans (pronounced "stains") cares a lot about her constituents, which is why she works so hard to keep her "Legislative Updates" so fresh and so updated. (Can you hear me laughing?)
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We said it on Sunday. Days later, the president of the Chicago Teacher's Union said it, too. We said that Ron Huberman, most recently the CTA president, is not the right pick to replace Arne Duncan as the head of the Chicago Public Schools. Duncan recently became the new US Sec. of Edumuhkashun. On Tuesday, Mayor Daley appointed Huberman to replace him. Daley could have chosen from thousands of better candidates, but probably could not have found a better waterboy.
A WLS report today tells us that "Chicago Teacher's Union president Marilyn Stewart said this is not the CTA, this is far more complex and we are not scheduling buses, we are educating children." Stewart, reports WLS, was called by Mayor Daley, who told her about his choice of Huberman. "I was really speechless. I was like, where did you get Ron Huberman from? I didn't understand the rationale for that."
We understand it. Duncan is Daley's Golden Boy, popular in the gay community (not that there's anything wrong with that, but it neither disqualifies nor qualifies somebody to run a school system). Huberman is a good fundraiser, and he lends a pretty public face to Daley's haggard administration.
Education-oriented blogs are upset about the Huberman pick, too. For example, a post today at MoreAboutEducation.info says this: "It's not so objectionable to me that Huberman is the third white guy in a row to head a school system that is overwhelmingly black and Latino. It's not that a non-educator can't run a big city school system. It's not even that Duncan's pick — Barbara Eason-Watkins — would necessarily have done a better job. Rather, it's the absence of any kind of national search that might bring in a new energy and thinking for CPS, and — perhaps most of all — Duncan's decision to support a decision he clearly disagrees with. Come on, man. Stand up." (Full post...)
Huberman has not managed CTA well. He has not made changes in the CTA where they really count. Although he brags that the trains and buses run well, those of us who use then daily know that you'll lose money every time if you bet one will arrive on schedule. Huberman leaves a CTA with a bloated bureaucracy. Tens of millions of dollars have been spent to spruce up a few selected stations, while stations just down the street are left to rot because the folk there don't have clout. (See the slide show below, which shows CTA infrastructure decay.) It's nice that the Howard Station is being renovated, but does it really need a $250,000 piece of artwork? Security at many stations is lax or virtually absent. For decades, storefronts on CTA property have remained vacant, a wasted source of potential income for the CTA, which annually whines about budget woes.
Now, Huberman will take on a larger bureaucracy. Like CTA, CPS has infrastructure problems. Huberman made spotty cosmetic changes at CTA, but nothing substantial. His record gives us no indication that he will address CPS infrastructure differently. Marilyn Stewart is correct when she says that running the schools is more complex than running the CTA. Mayor Daley should have chosen someone who had a track record of running a school system, not running political footballs down the field.
RELATED:
Lenz: Huberman "Knows Nothing About Education"
Let's Get Real About Huberman
Reaction to New Schools Chief
Mayor Daley is Faking It
HUBERMAN'S LEGACY: CTA ROT
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Here is a brilliant compilation of Blago exposing himself has a narcissistic fool, making allusions to grandeur. Includes out takes from Blago's Jan. 26 talk show appearances. (3 mins 16 secs)
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Chicago News Bench is predicting that Chicago Alderman Joe Moore (49th Ward) will not seek re-election in 2011. CNB has been considering this for some time now and we believe that Moore will probably choose to retire gracefully and with a full pension with benefits rather than face an embarrassing defeat two years from now.
Moore was forced into a run-off when he could not muster enough votes in the 49th Ward's four-man race of February, 2007. He then barely won re-election in the run-off of April, 2007, defeating challenger Don Gordon by fewer than 300 votes. Accusations of ballot fraud are still bandied about the 49th Ward today.
Moore outspent Gordon by enormous amounts and had the support of US Rep. Jan Schakowsky and her convicted-felon-on-parole husband Bob Creamer, as well as some top gun air cover provided by the Democrat National Committee and Big Unions. Moore may not be able to count on the same level of support in 2011 that he enjoyed two years ago.
More on this....
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In one day of media blitzkrieg, Rod Blagojevich may had done more damage to his reputation than did his arrest on December 9, 2008. Yesterday's tour of the national television interview circuit seems to have piled up even more damage, in fact, than everything he's done or said since his arrest on December 9, 2008 combined. Blago claims he was trying to warn the American people of a great injustice that might endanger everyone's right to a fair trial.
Let's be honest here. Blago was not trying to warn anybody about anything, and he was not interested in speaking to all of the American people.
There were only 12 people in the entire nation that Rod Blagojevich was hoping to reach yesterday, and they are the 12 who will eventually sit in the jury of his federal criminal trial. If I am correct in that assumption, Blago's lies and foolish behavior may have poisoned his potential jury pool moreso than anything said so far by Patrick Fitzgerald.
FEATURED FREAK
Blago was the featured freak in yesterday’s media circus, but seemed oblivious to the fact that the ring masters were poking him with a stick, urging him to make another bizarre move, then laughing with the crowd gathered under the big tent. His obvious lies and self contradictions did not help him, either.
BLAGO THEATER
My favorite Blago moment of yesterday came when Ring Master Larry King interviewed. Earlier in the day, Blago appeared on "Good Morning America." Then he yukked it up with the gals on "The View," who were less than sympathetic but smartly mixed some good questions with intermittent doses of humor. Barbara Walters nearly busted out laughing at one point, as Blago did the typical politician's dance-around-the-question routine. Considering that Blago is surely about to be removed from his job as governor, however, it was all like joking with a man who has a date with a metaphorical firing squad. Sort of funny in a squeamish way, kind of tragic and great theater. Shakespeare could have written this play, and I'll predict here and now that the drama of Rod Blagojevich will be a hugely successful stage play before the end of 2010.
LYING TO LARRY KING
The Larry King appearance was the best one, I felt. King was low key but insistent, repeating questions that Blago refused to answer. Barbara Walters did that too, but she understandably was having a bit too much fun it all and it showed. King, on the other hand, appeared less sadistic as he repeatedly asked Blago if he “said those things” on the federal wire tap tapes that we’ve heard described so much: “Bleeping golden,” “parachute,” and so on, in reference to Blago’s phone conversations to allegedly try to sell Obama’s former Senate seat.
Blago consistently said throughout the day, including on King’s show, that he could not comment on the tapes because he has not heard them. King, incredulous but sedate, pushed him. Blago lied and contradicted himself. Surely, King said, someone would remember having said such things.
He told Larry King - and millions of viewers - that he cannot comment on those tapped phone recordings because he hasn’t “had the opportunity to hear” them. He was saying, in other words, that because he has not heard the tapes, he does not know what’s on them even though he’s the one speaking on the tapes, and as King said, they must have been memorable conversations.
Then, suddenly, Blago tripped all over himself. Just after saying he couldn’t comment on taped conversations that he could not recall and has not heard, he said he is confident that if the American people could hear “the entire tapes” he would be exonerated. Really?
How is it that Rod Blagojevich could be so certain that he would be exonerated by the very tapes that he insists he himself has not heard? If he hasn’t heard them, and if cannot recall what was said on them, how could he know that they would exonerate him. To say the tapes would show him to be innocent of illegal activity is to say that he knows what was said on the tapes, which further implies that he recalls at least some of the conversations captured on those tapes. The only conclusion I can come to on this is that he either lied about not knowing what is on the tapes, or he lied about knowing that the tapes - if played in full - would exonerate him. Perhaps he lied on both counts, but he told another interesting lie to Larry King.
THE BURRIS DECISION
Blago told King that he had pretty much made a decision the night before his December 9 arrest as to who he would name to fill Obama’s vacated US Senate seat. Burris was not named by Blagojevich until December 30. If, as he told Larry King, he had already decided on the night of December 8, why would he have waited three weeks to publicly announce Burris as the choice? Granted, Blago spent a day in detention being fingerprinted and processed by federal authorities. Granted, he huddled with attorneys in the days immediately following his arrest. But Blago also creeped us all out by quickly going back to work, and if he had truly chosen Burris by the time he went to bed on December 8, why couldn’t he have had a quick press conference to announce his choice of Burris within the three weeks after his arrest?
While Blago was making his tour of New York television studios, the Illinois State Senate got together at noon on the same day. Blago didn't bother to show up that day. Instead, he was in New York cabbing it from studio to studio, hoping for a sympathetic interview that would allow him to convince Americans from coast to coast that his trouble in Illinois are all just a Vast Democrat Conspiracy to oust him. Why? Because, he said on all of the talk shows, he was the only guy standing between the State Legislature and higher taxes for the people of Illinois. Yup, and I almost believed that he believes that.
The self-immolation of Rod Blagojevich on national television took schadenfreude to new heights for millions of viewers, and my favorite moments of Blago's Public Self-Immolation Tour were during his appearance on Larry King Live.
Perhaps Blago really believed that appearing on major television shows and dancing around his hosts' questions would engender some kind of sudden sympathy. Perhaps he was advised to do this by his newly hired public relations firm. They're the same firm that put alleged wife-killer Drew Peterson on the talk show circuit.
Can you argue with success, though? May Blago's new PR firm has him on the right track. After all, Drew Peterson is still a free man.
RELATED:
Rod Blagojevich, Drew Peterson just trying to play us for fools
`The View' from Illinois: No, Blago, this is not bigger than you.
To Gov. Rod Blagojevich: Americans have their own problems...
Who's who in the Blagojevich impeachment saga
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If you thought Bush spent like a drunken sailor, know this: Obama's proposal for even more money for the non-stimulating "stimulus" will throw money down like a meth whore in Reno. The investment will be about as well spent, too. Watch the must-see video below for an explanation that even Barney Frank could understand.
President Obama wants Congress to dramatically expand the burden of government spending. This CF&P Foundation mini-documentary explains why such a policy, based on the discredited Keynesian theory of economics, will not be successful. Indeed, the video demonstrates that Obama is proposing - for all intents and purposes - to repeat Bush's mistakes. Government will be bigger, even though global evidence shows that nations with small governments are more prosperous. (Source)
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Following is a press release from Epworth United Methodist Church in Chicago, located at N. Kenmore and W. Berwyn. It is republished here without comment or editing, with the sole exception of links added for informational purposes.
Press Release
Epworth UMC, Chicago
Warming Shelter
Monday, January 26, 2009
Over the past two weeks, many prayers have been answered at Epworth UMC – Chicago. As the year drew to a close, with help from the 48th Ward Alderman Mary Ann Smith’s office and the City of Chicago, Epworth was able to keep its shelter open. The shelter – an emergency men’s shelter which has a 65 bed capacity, is full virtually every night of its 50 operating weeks per year.
Closing the shelter was thought to be eminent as the former administrating agency - Residents for Effective Shelter and Transitions (REST) - was not able to meet the increase in space-sharing fees and pay for the shelter’s portion of heat expenses. At the last minute, Cornerstone Community Outreach met with Epworth Trustees and decided to take on the shelter project. Under Cornerstone’s administration of the shelter, alcohol and substance abuse counseling as well as job counseling will be part of the shelter program which had been nonexistent with the prior administration.
During the Martin Luther King Memorial Holiday, a Day of Service as suggested by our newly elected President of the United States Barack Obama, under the direction of the Alderman Smith’s office, approximately 60 people from the Chicago neighborhoods of Uptown, Edgewater, and Rogers Park, volunteered at the Epworth Shelter for nearly 12 hours. Epworth is truly thankful for this community action and looks forward to more work days in the future to “help the least amongst us”.
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There is at least one man in Texas who has not succumbed to hyper political correctness. You may recall the recent story of a girlss high school basketball team that won a game 100-0, and the school's administration actually apoligized for it. They called it "un-Christ like" to win by such a large margin. After days of national attention, the winning coach has had enough.
DALLAS — The coach of a Texas high school basketball team that beat another team 100-0 sent an e-mail to a newspaper saying he will not apologize "for a wide-margin victory when my girls played with honor and integrity."On its Web site last week, the Covenant School of Dallas, a private Christian school, posted a statement regretting the outcome of its Jan. 13 shutout win over Dallas Academy. "It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened. This clearly does not reflect a Christlike and honorable approach to competition," said the statement, signed by Kyle Queal, head of school, and board chair Todd Doshier. FULL STORY...
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God Help Chicago. There are hot rumors out there that CTA chief Ron "Caboose" Huberman might replace Arne Duncan's old position as the head of Chicago Public Schools (source) . Duncan just became the new US Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration. Huberman is a slick salesman and former cop who has trouble balancing budgets, assuring the safety of CTA customers and making trains run on schedule, but Mayor Daley apparently has him on a list of people to run the schools? Huberman seems to be Daley's Golden Boy. In September, 2007 Huberman was on Daley's short list for the position of Superintendent of Police.
Are we to believe that there aren't several principals out there who could run CPS better than Ronnie Huberman? Gimme a break.
ALSO:
Could CTA's Huberman Be Getting an Education?
Douche of the Day: Ron Huberman
Joe Moore's CTA Hysteria Derailed
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Is Rod Blagojevich insane? Friend Anne Leary at Backyard Conservative has a killa post today about Illinois Goobernor Rod Blagojevich, and the insanity issue is addressed. It's a must-read, darkly funny, and has amazing quotes. For example:
"He's gone insane. He has decided that he's only got a couple of days left in office and he's gonna go out in a blaze of misguided glory," said Republican Rep. Mark Kirk of Chicago's north suburbs.
Anne's post is rich in information and relevant links.
Commenter "RogersPark60626" tried to write intelligently about my open letter to 24th District Commander Sobczyk, but struck out on the first swing. Now, "RogersPark60626" has failed a second time. In chronological order:
On Sat, 1/24/09, RogersPark60626 wrote:
From: RogersPark60626 <rogerspark60626@gmail.com>
Subject: (Another) Open Letter to Commander Sobczyk
To: rogersparkbench
Good god, I don't know when I've heard a more ignorant rant from a more seriously disturbed, utterly pompous [fornicating] wack job.
-------------------------
On Sat, Jan 24, 2009, I wrote:
In all seriousness, I would like to hear your honest reasons as to why you say that.I am not trying to argue with you; I really want your input here. The comment you made tells me nothing, but you obviously feel I am wrong. Tell me why, please.I would welcome an honest discussion with you - let's keep it civil.
Kind regards,
Tom
-------------------------
On Sun, 1/25/09, RogersPark60626
Subject: (Another) Open Letter to Commander Sobczyk
To: rogersparkbench
Your inability to even recognize the true nature of your utterly ridiculous rant further demonstrates what can only be described as a delusional state of mind. I could spend the time trying to explain it to you in detail but you would never understand it. I am simply once again flat out amazed by how you see the world and your place in it.
-------------------------
On Sun, 1/25/09, I wrote:
Thanks for writing back, but once again you do not offer any substance. If you'd like to substantiate your own comments, you've got one more chance.
Kind regards,
Tom Mannis
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The always hard hitting Canada Free Press listened to Obama's Inaugural Speech last week. They analyzed it. In a column titled "The Camouflaged Treachery In Obama’s Inaugural Speech," they report the results of their analysis. (Note: "Treachury" is the British/Canadian spelling of the American "treachery.")
Excerpts:
In his message to the third world, Obama said this: "And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.”
But what this phrase really means is to prepare us for the one-world-order and the dissolution of our sovereignty. It also means that Obama wants us to use up a large portion of our wealth and give it, free gratis with no strings, to other countries and dictators who refuse to use their own resources to elevate their own people. We are the most generous nation on Earth, but Obama and his minions in the U. S. Government and the United Nations tell us, it isn’t enough. We have to give more, no matter how much it hurts our economy, or our individual lives, or our living standard. FULL COLUMN at Canada Free Press...
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One of Congressman John "Pork Master" Murtha's biggest financial contributors was raided by federal agents last week. Murtha is a Democrat from Pennsylvania. The Wall Street Journal reported:
Federal agents raided two small Pennsylvania defense contractors that were given millions of dollars in federal funding by Rep. John Murtha, chairman of the defense appropriations committee and one of the most powerful men in Congress. Kuchera Industries and Kuchera Defense Systems shut down for the day after the raid by officers from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and an Internal Revenue Service criminal unit.
Culture of corruption? Remember that phrase?
Meanwhile, the WSJ continues, a senior Democratic lawmaker is pushing back on the Obama administration's choice for the No. 2 Pentagon official because of potential conflicts of interest and recent lobbying work for defense contractor Raytheon Co. The new resistance comes a day after President Barack Obama unveiled tough lobbying rules to curtail such conflicts.
Culture of corruption. Mmmm-hmmm. Have you noticed that Congressthing Nancy Pelosi has not uttered her once-favorite phrase "culture of corruption" much lately? She hasn't, because it would only serve to remind us that the Democrats embody that culture: Dems wrestle with ethics problems, reports Politico yesterday:
Even as President Obama has instituted tough new ethics guidelines for administration officials, House Democrats continue to wrestle with the ethics problems of two of their most senior members—Reps. John Murtha (Pa.) and Charles B. Rangel (N.Y.).
Pelosi hasn't uttered "culture of corruption" much recently because of all the problems within her party and, indeed, within her own private culture of corruption. Even a hypocrite like Nancy Pelosi is astute enough to know that she shouldn't appear hypocritical. It is, of course, too late for Pelosi and her fellow Corruptocrats to put that inconvenient truth back in the bottle.
RELATED:
Holding Elected Officials Accountable
US Raids Contractors Aided by Murtha
The House of Pelosi by John J. Pitney Jr. on National Review Online
Culture of Corruption Snares Another Democrat While Pelosi Snoozes!
Top Obama aides subject of Blagojevich subpoenas
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Are Illinois authorities doing all they can to clean up the state's systemic corruption? Probably not. State's Attorneys are elected officials too, and in Illinois that means there is a good chance that they are beholden to The Machine Democrats in the north or The Combine Democrats in the south. Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, a Machine Democrat, was asked some tough questions recently. She was not happy about it.
Another touchy moment came when former state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin, said “the level of corruption in Illinois is unprecedented and unmatched” and asked “why Illinois’ 100 state’s attorneys are not more engaged in uncovering it and prosecuting it.” Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, a commission member, sat expressionless as he spoke. VIDEO at CBS 2 Chicago. More good video at ABC 7 Chicago.
This and other stories at http://www.unitedrepublican.com/
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Commander Sobczyk:
I am distressed by your cavalier defamation of citizen journalists ("bloggers") with associations to Rogers Park. I do not pretend to speak on behalf of other blogs and web sites associated with Rogers Park, but I am confident that every one of them would agree with me when I say that your careless and cowardly reference to "a recent community website" in your undated, untitled flyer casts each and every website - not just bloggers - in a bad light.
My blog's web site is "rogersparkbench.blogspot.com," and so it is associated with Rogers Park, so I am personally asking that you issue a public statement naming the "community website" and citing the URL of the site's page on which you allege "an anonymous e-mail was posted regarding alleged 911 and Chicago Police Department indifference regarding an attack" on a synagogue in your 24th District.
Yes, I said "cowardly" above. Commander Sobczyk, to make a vague public accusation without naming the accused takes little spine and, for a man in your position, even less brains. If you know the name of the web site, name the name. By not doing so, you libel each and every other web site that has any association with Rogers Park and, for that matter, with any other neighborhood within the 24th District.
Commander, we in the media, whether humble bloggers, little community web sites or the big mainstream daily newspapers, are used to hearing people in your position brush off our questions with the excuse that you cannot comment without the blessing of CPD spokesperson Monique Bond. Is Ms. Bond clearing the recent spate of irresponsible communiques from your office? Has your superior officer, Area Chief Bruce Rottner, cleared and approved your vague, accusatorial, amateurish and insulting responses to the legitimate concerns of local residents?
The written words coming from your desk within the past week have shown a level of amateurism and immaturity never before displayed by the men who have occupied the office in which you sit, Commander Sobczyk. You're leaving quite a trail of documented and archived public relations incompetence. Your recent actions have only served to set back the advances made in the trust and confidence levels that the residents of the 24th District had in their local police brass, thanks to the positive efforts and good communications skills of your predecessors. Quite frankly, sir, you should be embarrassed and ashamed. We, all of us who are in any way associated with Rogers Park, are embarrassed and ashamed both for you - and by you.
Tom Mannis
Chicago News Bench
rogersparkbench.blogspot.com
RELATED:
Open Letter to 24th Dist Commander (the first one, Jan. 23)
Got a Problem in Rogers Park? Blame the Bloggers
BREAKING NEWS, JAN. 24, 2009 - Is Blago trying to destroy himself? First, he had to have known that his phone calls were being monitored by the feds, but he kept talking. Then, after being arrested, he hires Attorney Ed Genson, the defense attorney who represented Tony Rezko. Genson announced yesterday that he is resigning from Blago's defense.
Today, word from the Chicago Sun-Times that Blago has retained the same PR firm that represents Drew Peterson. One has to wonder how Blago thinks this will make him look any better to the jury pool.
Illinois' embattled governor has hired the same public relations firm that represents another much-in-the-news Illinoisan -- former suburban police sergeant Drew Peterson.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to employ the Tampa, Fla.-based Publicity Agency comes amid a newly launched media blitz, which will include a Monday appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live." Full Story, Chicago Sun-Times...
RELATED: Two Must-Read Editorials
"Thanks, Governor" - Chicago Tribune
"Gov's plea: Save me We say: Save yourself" - Chicago Sun-Times
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Our friends over at Chicago Bungalow were sharp enough to snag this. Blago was interviewed live by WLS's morning hosts Don and Roma on Friday, January 23. Click over to CB for the audio links: Blagojevich Interview on the WLS Don & Roma Show.
This is just the beginning: Next week, Blago will be in full media blitz mode.
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They wouldn't let him into the Inaugural Ceremony. Although Chicago Alderman Joe Moore is a member of the Democrat National Committee (DNC), and he campaigned hard for Barack Obama, and his wife sent out a whiny plea to voters just before the November election, in which she bragged about being personal friends with the Obamas. He travelled to Washington in anticipation of attending the inauguration ceremony and shaking President Obama's hand. O, shattered dreams...
Despite all of his campaigning for Obama in Ohio, despite his claims of great personal friendship with Obama, despite his (now tarnished) membership in the DNC, despite everything, the 49th Ward alderman (Rogers Park) was not allowed to enter the inauguration ceremony. Joe Moore, self-proclaimed Obama buddy, watched it like us little people did: On television.
A fine report from Mick Dumke at The Chicago Reader relates Moore's explanation of why he was not allowed in to see the ceremony up close:
For starters, Moore said, there were no signs offering directions to the various entrance gates. Then it turned out that wasn't his biggest problem. "The gate we were supposed to go into was closed for some reason," he said....So Moore went to the offices of the National League of Cities, where he knew some people. "I watched it on TV," he said. "But I did get to see the parade go by from the comfort of a heated office." Full Article...
Too bad Joe Moore doesn't know "some people" connected with Barack Obama. Oh, he does? Then why was Moore not allowed to pass into inauguration ceremony?
That reason is this: Moore was late to the gate. Security concerns being what they were, the area was properly locked down with military precision at the designated moment. Moore is habitually late to community meetings that he himself sets up in his 49th Ward of Chicago. Judging from his comments in the Reader, it apparently did not occur to Moore that his tardiness, or concerns for security that day, had anything to with being denied entrance to the event. Instead, he blames it on "some reason," as if it's a great mystery. "For some reason," Moore's self proclaimed close friendship with Barack Obama didn't count for anything as he was told to step away from the gate.
Imagine Moore getting hissy with the gate keepers. "Do you know who I am?" he might have said. "I'm Joe Moore, a member of the Chicago City Council! Barack Obama wouldn't be here if not for my and my wife! You must let me in! Barack Obama is expecting me!" Moore would have then squinted his eyes menacingly at the gate attendant, lowered his voice an octave, and growled, "What's your name? What's your address?" The method of intimidation is a Moore standard. He does it to his own constituents who dare to challenge him openly. Moore might have added another remark to the by-the-book guard who kept him out of the ceremony. "Do you realize that The Nation magazine just named me the Most Valuable Local Official in America? Do you? Do you?!?"
Moore has a history of rejection in Washington. On July 31, 2007 he was told to go away when he presented himself at the White House gate. (Click here to see the sadly hilarious video.) Moore was trying to deliver resolutions from various city councils and other elected officials expressing opposition to the occupation of Iraq. Moore was accompanied by John Cavanagh, the Director of the Institute for Policy Studies, (IPS).
After being politely refused entry, Cavanagh turned to the news cameras and said, "It would seem it would be a simple courtesy for [Pres. Bush] to meet with the local elected officials, but he has chosen not to do so." But Moore and Cavanagh had no appointment - they dropped in unannounced, which is just plain rude in ordinary circumstances but unbelievably stupid when it's the White House you're dropping in on. To paraphrase Moore, it would seem that it would have been a simple courtesy for him and Cavanagh to call ahead and make an appointment with the Commander in Chief. Behaving like a door to door vacuum salesman is not how you get in to see the President of the United States.
Moore added this absurd statement when Cavanagh finished: "We have [resolutions from] elected officials who represent over a hundred and fifty million people. That is practically half the country, uhm, who have passed resolutions calling for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq."
Moore's statement was absurd for several reasons:
(1) Not a single one of the various city council members or state legislators was elected to deal with matters of international policy and, additionally, none of them had or have the authority to make policy for international relations;
(2) Moore said that the signers of the resolutions in his hands "represent....practically half the country," apparently unaware of the fact that more than half of those 150 million people are under the voting age, and that of the voters who voted in 2004, "practically half" of them voted for George Bush;
(3) Unlike the local and state officials who Moore claimed to represent, Bush was elected partly for the purpose of dealing with international issues (including Iraq, of course). As President and Commander in Chief, Bush was repeatedly authorized by the elected officials in Congress to do so. Congress repeatedly approved and re-approved funding for the war, then the occupation. Joe Moore seems to have been unaware that Congress represents exactly the entire freeking country, not just "practically half" of it, as he falsely claimed his signing local officials did;
(4) Of the 150 million people that Moore claimed to be representing by proxy, it is probably safe to say that far fewer than half of them were even aware of the resolutions signed by their local officials. Moore made it sound as if every one of those 150 million people (a) knew about the resolutions, (b) agreed with the resolutions, and (c) would approve of their local officials wasting time on issues that they're not paid to deal with even if they had been aware of it.
So, Joe Moore dropped in to the White House unannounced in 2007, then whines about not being let in. A year and a half later, he arrived late to a very big, ultra-high security event, arrogantly (or ignorantly) believing that he, The Most Valuable Local Official The World Has Ever Known, would be allowed in. Tens of thousands of people waiting many hours, some of them camped outside overnight, to catch a glimpse of Obama's inauguration. Why couldn't Joe Moore have arrived at such a momentous, historic event an hour before it started?
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