October 30, 2010 - Chicago - Isaac Hayes, the Republican nominee for U.S. House in the Second District of Illinois, was endorsed today by Black America’s Political Action Committee (BAMPAC), the nation’s largest minority PAC. Hayes is running against incumbent Jesse Jackson, Jr.

President and CEO of BAMPAC Alvin Williams said, “Having Isaac Hayes elected to the U.S. Congress would be great for Illinois’ Second Congressional District. Mr. Hayes has proven leadership qualities and supports public policy that would accurately reflect the values and needs of our country and particularly the constituency of the 2nd District. The citizens of the 2nd Congressional deserves leadership and representation that is unimpeachable.”

“I am proud and honored to receive the confidence and support of BAMPAC,” said Hayes. “The organization is essential to enlarging the 'big tent' mission of Chairman Michael Steele and is a national voice for Black Conservatives.”

The primary mission of BAMPAC is to support African American candidates at the local, state and federal level who “advocate a common sense approach” to addressing America’s political issues.

BAMPAC was founded in 1994. It is a non-partisan federal Political Action Committee committed to promoting the sanctity of human life, excellence in education, economic self-empowerment, protecting our freedom through limited government, and improving the moral climate in our nation as well as highlighting the importance of the African American vote.

BAMPAC works daily towards those goals by supporting the election or re-election of public officeholders who share this vision and work to promote these core values in public life. Actively advocating its core issues through media campaigns and providing the quantitative and qualitative analysis on issues of importance to its growing constituency, BAMPAC also promotes the tenets of democracy and political action globally.

The Tea Party Patriots Chicago put together a good list of SEIU-endorsed candidates running in Illinois. As right-minded folks know, the corrupt SEIU's endorsement is a sure indication that a candidate is not fit for office because they are in the pocket of the union leaders and their wallets. Here is the list, which originally appeared today under the headline "at the Tea Party Patriots Chicago website as written by "Pat":

Although I wanted to write a piece on who the candidates are and what they stand for, I have not had the time available to dedicate to such a task. So instead I thought of a way to generate a list of people we should be weary of. I grabbed a list of candidates who the SEIU has endorsed. This is the same SEIU who held rallies to raise our taxes. Therefore it is easy to assume that any candidate that the SEIU has endorsed will in fact have trouble with fiscal responsibility. So here is a list of SEIU endorsed candidates that probably do NOT deserve your vote:

U.S. SENATOR
Alexander (Alexi) Giannoulias, Democratic Party

U.S. SENATOR (UNEXPIRED TERM)
Alexander (Alexi) Giannoulias, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Bobby L. Rush, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Luis V. Gutierrez, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Mike Quigley, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Danny K. Davis, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Janice D. Schakowsky, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Deborah "Debbie" Halvorson, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 12TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Jerry F. Costello, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 14TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Bill Foster, Democratic Party

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Phil Hare, Democratic Party

GOVERNOR / LT. GOVERNOR
Pat Quinn, Democratic Party

ATTORNEY GENERAL
Lisa Madigan, Democratic Party

SECRETARY OF STATE
Jesse White, Democratic Party

STATE COMPTROLLER
David E. Miller, Democratic Party

STATE SENATOR, 1ST STATE SENATE DISTRICT
Antonio "Tony" Munoz, Democratic Party

STATE SENATOR, 7TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT
Heather A. Steans, Democratic Party

STATE SENATOR, 13TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT
Kwame Raoul, Democratic Party

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 1ST REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT
Susana Mendoza, Democratic Party

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 2ND REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT
Edward J. Acevedo, Democratic Party

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 4TH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT
Cynthia Soto, Democratic Party

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 5TH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT
Kenneth (Ken) Dunkin, Democratic Party

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 11TH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT
Ann M. Williams, Democratic Party

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 27TH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT
Monique D. Davis, Democratic Party

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 32ND REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT
Andre Thapedi, Democratic Party

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 114TH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT
Eddie Lee Jackson, Democratic Party

COUNTY CLERK, COOK COUNTY
David D. Orr, Democratic Party

PRESIDENT, COOK COUNTY BOARD
Toni Preckwinkle, Democratic Party

COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 5
Deborah Sims, Democratic Party

COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 6
Joan Patricia Murphy, Democratic Party

COMMISSIONER, COOK COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW, DISTRICT 1
Brendan F. Houlihan, Democratic Party

COMMISSIONER, METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT
Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Democratic Party
Barbara McGowan, Democratic Party

October 30, 2010 - They booed Barack Obama at a get-out-the-vote political rally in Bridgeport, Connecticut today (video below).

According to the New York Times today, "President Obama was heckled Saturday by AIDS protesters, who interrupted a rally here, forcing the president to temporarily suspend his remarks to a stadium of 9,000 Democrats."

It would seem that Obama is unraveling somewhat under the last-minute pressure of a mid-term election that will cause his party to lose a considerable number of seats in Congress. The Daily Mail Online (UK) has a headline that says, "Barack loses his cool: Angry Obama yells BACK at hecklers... as new poll shows his own party isn't sure he should be President in 2012."

The pressure is on Barack Obama - and it is starting to show. The famously-cool President lost his temper in Connecticut today after hecklers interrupted a speech he was giving at a rally. Astonished attendees watched as Mr Obama interrupted his own speech as the hecklers - believed to be activists seeking more global Aids funding - began chanting at him. Full article...

"The President responded by asking the Hecklers," Politics and World News wrote today, "'I don't see why you think this is a useful approach to take.'"

Really? I wonder if Obama would have told Jan Schakowsky's campaign manager, Alex Armour, that it was not a useful approach to have union goons attempt to disrupt Republican Joel Pollak's fundraising luncheon on September 1. Heckling is a classic tactic of leftists. They love it -- unless it's used against them, of course.

P&WN continued: "He looked visibly very angry, and rightly so. Even if you don't agree with his political views, he's still the president and demands respect."

I disagree. With all due respect to P&WN, Barack Obama deserves as much respect as he gives, and that's very little. Telling Republicans that they'll have to sit in the back after they win big next Tuesday is disrespectful. Describing Tea Partiers and other Americans who opposed his socialistic policies as "enemies" is disrespectful. False campaign promises about transparency and the leashing of lobbyists was disrespectful. Taking weeks to pay a visit to the oil-stricken Gulf Coast? Disrespectful. I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea. Barack Obama has the right to speak, of course, but those who would heckle him have the right to do so by showing him the same willingness to listen to him as he has shown the American people.



RELATED:
Obama Is Heckled by AIDS Protesters New York Times
President Obama Heckled At Campaign Stop In Connecticut ‎Mediaite.com
Barack Obama Heckled in Massachusetts Politically Illustrated
Obama's to protesters: Heckle the other side‎ Power Line
Obama booed lustily by Boy Scouts American Thinker
Obama booed at Washington Nationals Opening Day Game YouTube
Obama Booed By Some Doctors At AMA Speech Huffington Post
Obama booed at White Sox season opener Illinois Review
'Daily Show' Interview Damaged Both Stewart & Obama Big Hollywood

Are the media favoring the two big political parties over others such as the Greens and Libertarians? Mike Labno, an Illinois Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate is not happy with the fact that he was excluded from a debate last week on WLS 890 AM, which included only Mark Kirk (R) and Alexi Giannoulias (D). Now, Labno and other Libertarians are upset with WTTW (Channel 11) and the City Club of Chicago for not including them in upcoming debates. They stage a protest tonight at 6:00 p.m. (Oct. 27) at WTTW studios, 5400 N. St. Louis Avenue, Chicago (see map).

Here is Labno's October 27 press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Mike Labno, Libertarian Candidate for US Senate (IL) Responds to Partial Senatorial Debate Organizes Protest of Debate

The Mike Labno, Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Senate and Lex Green, Libertarian candidate for Illinois Governor, as well as Green Party and Independent candidates are being excluded from the WTTW "Chicago Tonight" candidate forums for Senator and Governor, tonight and tomorrow evenings, hosted by the City Club of Chicago. We believe that WTTW, as a public station, is in breach of it's statutory mandate regarding "strict adherence to objectivity and balance in all programs or series of programs of a controversial nature."

[Labno cited the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, as amended]

Further, we believe that sponsor of the forums, the City Club of Chicago, is in violation of it's 501(c)(3) non-profit status by funding a forum which "has the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates."

[Labno cited the IRS's Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations]

We are organizing a demonstration for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 10/27/10 outside of WTTW studios, 5400 St. Louis Ave. All excluded candidates have been invited to participate.

Neither the producers of WTTW's Chicago Tonight or board members of the City Club of Chicago have responded yet to inquiries made by Mike Labno's representatives.

Mike Labno is the Libertarian candidate for US Senate. He resides in Oak Brook, IL. He is the only pro-life, pro-second amendment, fiscal and constitutional conservative on the ballot. For more information visit https://www.labno4senate.com.

NOTE: In citing the IRS's Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations, I believe Labno was most concerned with this sentence:

"Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office."

Labno's got a good argument against the City Club. By inviting only the Republican and Democrat candidates to participate in their debates, they are effectively participating in opposition to other such as Libertarians, Greens, etc. It is an intentional act on the part of the City Club and WTTW. Perhaps they feel that having more than two candidates debating would be messy, but running a democratic republic is messy business. A monarchy or dictatorship would be much easier in the way of stage arrangements and ticket sales for an evening of political indoctrination, but we live in a political system that demands that all voices be heard. WTTW and the City Club of Chicago are ignoring those voices, and shunning the ears that long to hear what they have to say. Shame on them.

Call me optimistic, but I do believe we're going to kick some serious Democrat ass on November 2nd.

No gloating? Yah, right...

Go ahead and gloat, patriots, you've earned it! Put one of these sweatshirts, tees or button on and know that we'll do it again in 2012!

Get this and more cool stuff for conservatives at our very own online Zazzle store! Perfect for Tea Party group events, it's guaranteed to be a conversation starter.

Tea Party Patriots Chicago has released their first-ever video and it's gotten a lot of views since it was posted on YouTube on October 21. Watch it below, and then check out their list of Things To Do Before The Election!

Schakowsky, like so many other Democrats, has been both dodging and twisting the truth. Rather than face her opponent in an actual debate (rather than a non-confrontational forum), Schakowsky steadfastly refuses to debate Joel Pollak in the race for the 9th Congressional District seat in Illinois. Worse yet, Schakowsky has been running a campaign of disinformation and outright lies, as friend Keith Liscio noted in a fine column on October 24:

To anyone listening to the steady stream of misinformation emanating from the campaign of Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D), it would seem that she’s handily thumping her opponent, Republican nominee Joel Pollak, in debates for the 9th district seat. A recent post on her campaign website, for instance, was headlined: “Jan Trumps Pollak at KINS Debate.” There are two problems with this mischaracterization of the event, however..... Full post at Chicago Conservative Examiner.

Pollak has invited Schakowsky to debate him at a Town Hall meeting that is scheduled for Wednesday, October 27th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn at 5300 W. Touhy Ave. in Skokie. Thus far, Schakowsky's campaign has not accepted. As of today, Schakowsky's campaign is still lying about it. Pollak wrote about this yesterday and offered "proof" is Schakowsky's dishonesty. An excerpt:

My opponent is trying to duck Wednesday’s debate by pretending that she’s debated me already. She refused to debate all year; participated in “forums” that were explicitly not debates; then claimed credit afterwards for “debating” me (never beforehand).

She’s lying to her own supporters, some of whom are calling on her to accept my invitation to debate this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Skokie Holiday Inn at 5300 W. Touhy. She wants it both ways–to avoid a real debate, while pretending she’s had one.

Here’s the proof that Schakowsky is lying–the full 6-part correspondence between my campaign and hers on the subject of debates. You will note that Schakowsky’s campaign manager, Alex Armour, never once refers to the “forums” as “debates.” The invitation to debate remains open, though we have yet to receive a response....

The Pollak post then reproduces email exchanges between Schakowsky's Campaign Manager, Alex Armour, and Ashley Kain, Pollak's Campaign Manager. You can read it all here.

Just a thought: Lynn Sweet reported on October 11 that "Alex Armour said that Republican Candidate Joel Pollak's statements in the debate showed clearly that his right wing views are inconsistent with the progressive values of the 9th District."

Armour is partly correct about the values of the 9th District. Let's turn his statement around: Democrat Schakowsky's far left wing views are inconsistent with the mainstream and conservative values which are also present within the 9th District. Armour's statement assumes that everyone the 9th is a "progressive" who agrees that more spending and higher taxes are the solution to our current economic malaise. That is simply not true; as with any other district, there is a diversity of opinion in the 9th, where the Schakowsky support resides primarily in the eastern portion among the "lake front liberals." Visit the western portion of the 9th District and you'll see quite a lot of Pollak yard signs.

In fact, as Fred Dardick wrote recently, there are at least "20 Reasons Why Jan Schakowsky is Unfit for Congress," all of which should worry every voter in the 9th District -- whether they are one of Armour's "progressives" or otherwise.

RELATED:
Why won't Jan Schakowsky debate? Chicago Tribune
Why won't Jan Schakowsky debate Joel Pollak? HillBuzz
Jan Schakowsky: First You Lose, Then You Misquote American Thinker
Pollak, Schakowsky Spar Over Campaign Finance, Support of Israel Skokie Patch
20 Reasons Why Jan Schakowsky is Unfit for Congress‎ Canada Free Press
(Video) Schakowsky On Defense At 10-10-10 Forum Chicago News Bench
Pollak Taunts Schakowsky's Campaign Manager at Big Fundraiser Chicago News Bench

Chicago - Last night, WLS 890 AM broadcast a live debate between Mark Kirk (R) and Alexi Giannoulias (D), two of the candidates for U.S. Senate in northern Illinois. Two out of three ain't bad -- if you're playing horseshoes.

But there is a third candidate in that race. He is Mike Labno, the Libertarian running for U.S. Senate. Today, Labno sent out his response to what he calls the "Partial Senatorial Debate" in the press release below. Labno has a valid point: WLS did the voters a real disservice by not including him in the debate between Kirk and Giannoulias.

For Immediate Release - Oct. 20, 2010 - Last night, two of the four candidates for the US Senate were invited to debate before the cameras by The League of Women voters which, to its discredit, prevented viewers from hearing all the options that will be available to them on the ballot, Nov 2.

The two candidates who were allowed to appear mostly traded jibes and misleading half-truths, which gave voters no real idea of their positions on the issues, which are clearly less important to them than their images.

While Mark Kirk's views are hard to pin down, Alexi Giannoulias' mistaken idea that the Constitution of the United States, and the principles of strictly limited Federal power and checks and balances central to it, are open to review and revision was alarming.

It is hard to say whose interests are served by "debates" like this one, but it is clearly not the Illinois voter's.

Mike Labno is the Libertarian candidate for US Senate. He resides in Oak Brook, IL. He is the only pro-life, pro-second amendment, fiscal and constitutional conservative on the ballot.

THIS PHOTO NEEDS A CAPTION! I snapped this photo of Alexi Giannoulias and two very eager young male admirers at the recent Socialist Democrat rally in Rogers Park. After G spoke to the mostly-elderly, over-medicated crowd at the Heartland Cafe on Monday, Oct. 18, he posed for a few photos. (Click photo enlarge)

What caption would you put under this photo? Tell us your caption suggestion by leaving a comment below. The only prize offered is 15 seconds of fame for you and my eternal gratitude. Have at it.

THANKS TO ALL COMMENTERS! And big thanks to IOTW and Big Fur Hat for linking to this!

Chicago - October 19, 2010: In a speech last night at the communist-owned Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park (video, right), incumbent Jan Schakowsky urged fellow Democrats (video, below) to intimidate voters into supporting her and other candidates. She told a roomful of liberals that the message for campaign workers should be "I don't get off your doorstep until you get out to the polls and vote."

Others present at the event included: Alderman Joe Moore (49th Ward); State Sen. Heather Steans (7th District); David Orr, Cook County Clerk; Alexi Giannoulias, Mob Banker; Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois; about 90 hypnotized voters.

Chicago - October 19, 2010 - In a stunning blow to the campaign of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., the Southtown Star has endorsed Isaac Hayes, his Republican challenger.

The paper's endorsement starts of with this:

The 2nd Congressional District stretches from Chicago's South Side into the suburbs, picking up wide swaths of reliable Democratic voters in Calumet City, Dolton, Harvey, Lansing, Matteson and Chicago Heights.

For 15 years, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2nd) has represented this city-suburban district and, more often than not, earned our endorsement.

But questions surrounding Jackson's involvement in Rod Blagojevich's pay-to-play U.S. Senate appointment fiasco, and more important, Jackson's unwillingness to meet face-to-face to explain it, leave us ill-equipped to endorse him for another term. Full editorial...

The Southtown Star could not have made any other choice. Jesse Jackson, Jr. has shown himself to be dishonest, unfaithful to his wife as well as to his constituents, and a man of low character. Like the Southtown Star, the voters of the 2nd District must face the fact that there is only one good man in the race. They are fortunate to have Isaac Hayes, a man of solid integrity and sharp intelligence, as that one good man. The choice so clear that one wonders why anybody would cling to the flawed and disgraced Jackson, Jr.

The Southtown Star's endorsement included this:

Hayes is running on a platform of restoring integrity in government, reducing spending, cutting the federal deficit and increasing the number of police officers in high crime areas of the 2nd District through Department of Homeland Security funding. He is young, dynamic and thoughtful. Full editorial...

Here is the Hayes campaign's news release about the endorsement:

Republican Nominee for Illinois 2nd Congressional District Isaac Hayes released the following statement applauding today's endorsement by the Southtown Star newspaper.

“I am greatly encouraged by the endorsement of the Southtown Star,” said Hayes. “Its endorsement is a strong vote of confidence to Independents and non-ideological Democrats that I am ready for the job.”

In its endorsement the Southtown star called Hayes, “young, dynamic and thoughtful.” Recognizing that political corruption is a “distraction” to job creation and small business growth, the Southtown Star broke from the status quo and endorsed Hayes who is ready "to hit the ground running in Washington, D.C."

Hayes has received the only two endorsements in the race for Illinois 2nd Congressional District. In April, the Kankakee City News, a Black-owned newspaper, endorsed Hayes, calling him the “change in direction and leadership” the district needed.

The Southtown Star, the most influential newspaper in the South Suburbs of Chicago, endorsing Hayes will give undecided voters confidence in Hayes’ ability to Represent them in Congress with competent leadership.

RELATED:
GOP gets traction in Jesse Jackson Jr.'s district‎ Chicago Tribune
Sticking it to The Man on Chicago's Southside‎ ChicagoNow
GOP picks up endorsement in Jackson Jr.'s district KFVS12 News

Illinois State Senator Heather Steans (7th District) is a coward. A lying coward, to boot. Her latest display of spinelessness comes in the form a broken promise to debate challenger Adam Robinson in a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters. She said she would previously, but now says she won't. Robinson's campaign manager, Caitlin Huxley, told Chicago News Bench that Steans has "backed out of any future event by refusing to name a date, location or return calls from the League of Women Voters or from us."

Steans has shown her cowardice in the past, as when she avoided a candidates forum back on January 25 just before the primaries. As reported here by Sean Vera, Steans's Democratic challenger Jim Madigan and Republican Adam Robinson appeared at Loyola's Rogers Park campus on January 25 and debated the issues. Steans was invited but was a no-show. The debate between Robinson and Madigan was lively and civil; both men did well for themselves. It would have been nice of bank heiress and Blago-enabler Heather Steans to show up then, but that would have required courage.

Steans does not do well in a debate, you see, and after getting trounced by Madigan she seems more comfortable hiding at home. Watch videos of Jim Madigan owning Heather Steans in a debate on January 6. You almost feel sorry for the inept Steans, who could not remember one of her own bills. That's probably why she avoided another humiliating encounter on January 25.

In a press release issued today, Adam Robinson calls Steans a lying coward. I'm paraphrasing Robinson, of course. Although he did not use the phrase "lying coward," he would be justified in doing so.

"Incumbent Illinois State Senator Heather Steans has reneged on an accepted invitation to participate in a town hall-style meeting with challenger Adam Robinson," says the release, which then quotes Robinson's campaign manager Caitlin Huxley.

“Two weeks ago, Heather Steans called me personally to indicate that she would participate in a town hall event with Adam Robinson, so long as the event was hosted by a neutral third party,” says Huxley. “The League of Women Voters stepped up to host this event, but the Steans campaign has literally ignored all requests to set a date.”

Huxley added that "Senator Steans is backing out on an accepted invitation from the League of Women Voters." She calls it a "disturbing turn of events. It sure says a lot about how hard she’s willing to work to earn votes – not very, apparently."

Robinson said that “Senator Steans is doing a huge disservice to the residents of Edgewater, Rogers Park, Uptown, Bowmanville, Buena Park and Andersonville by refusing to participate in an open, honest discussion of critical issues facing Illinois. Voters in the 7th District should know that I remain ready to debate the issues with Senator Steans - any time, any place."

Robinson is running on a platform that calls for "policies that cut wasteful spending, increase jobs, and promote transparency." Find out more at http://www.electadamrobinson.com/.

RELATED:
Part 1 of 5: Jim Madigan Criticizes IL State Sen. Heather Steans (Videos)
Robinson Challenges Heather Steans On Quinn's AFSCME Deal CNB
Is Sen. Steans Lying About Evergreen Healthcare Involvement? CNB
Campaign Flyer Links Steans to Blago Pay-to-Play CNB
Heather Steans Lies About Hubby's Blago Connections CNB
Sen. Heather Steans Lied on Her Resume CNB
Heather In A Corner Lake Effect News

Here's a fun and pro-active way to spend a Sunday. Get together with friends and neighbors to get signatures to put Michael Carroll on the 2011 aldermanic ballot, then kick back with free food and watch the Bears on a big screen television. Nice!

Mike Carroll needs signatures from registered 46th Ward voters. That means knocking on doors, stopping into stores, restaurants, and canvassing the neighborhood to collect signatures! You get some excercise, meet new people (maybe make new friends?), and feel good about participating in the democratic process.

Join Michael Carroll on Sunday, October 24 anytime between 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at 4700 N. Sheridan Road (at Leland) in exotic Uptown. Only a few hours of your time can make it happen! The campaign especially needs people with any foreign language proficiency. For more information or to RSVP contact: Michael@Carroll46.com or 773-627-1410.

Mike Carroll is committed to protecting and empowering the residents of the 46th Ward, and as Alderman he will bring innovative and practical ideas to City Council. The first step towards a better 46th Ward begins with making sure every resident has the opportunity to vote for Michael Carroll on February 22, 2011.

The Bears are playing the Redskins on October 24 at Noon and the game will be shown a big screen television at the campaign office. There will also be plenty of food and drink for anyone that drops into help. So, spend the morning collecting signatures, then get back to the office to watch the game. Go Bears!

If you still haven't met Michael Carroll, here are some good times to introduce yourself:

Monday, October 18:
The Awake Cafe - 9am to 11:30am
736 W Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60613

Tuesday, October 19:
Campaign Headquarters - 9am to 11:30am
4700 N Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60640

Wednesday, October 20:
Winston's Internet Cafe - 10pm to midnight
5001 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60640

Thursday, October 21:
Campaign Headquarters - 9am to 11:30am
4700 N Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60640

Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club - 7pm - 9pm
601 W. Montrose Drive, Chicago, IL 60613

Friday, October 22:
The Broadway Cafe - noon to 3pm
4716 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60640

Saturday, October 23:
Bernie's Tavern - 8pm - 11pm
3664 N Clark Street Chicago, IL 60613

Sunday, October 24:
Campaign Headquarters - 9am to 3pm
4700 N Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60640

Contact Michael Carroll directly at 773-627-1410 or at Michael@Carroll46.com and ask him to come to you. He has been doing just that for the last eleven months and will continue until election day in February, 2011.

Chicago - October 17, 2010 - Here are our slideshow (below) of the scene of a fire that gutted a co-op building on Chicago's north side yesterday at a six-unit, four-story apartment building at 1241-43 W. Granville Avenue. No residents were injured. One firefighter was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of exhaustion.

According to a female resident who spoke to me in the alley, the fire started on the third floor of the co-op building. CPD officers were overheard later, on a scanner, as saying that five persons were displaced by the fire. The fire started around 3:45 p.m. (The time was incorrectly reported as "about 4:15" by the Chicago Tribune, but I saw the already-heavy whitish-gray smoke from the fire at 3:55 p.m. as I was walking a couple of blocks away.) More than 80 firefighters attended the extra-alarm fire, and police blocked off Granville from N. Broadway west to N. Lakewood for several hours.

UPDATE, Oct. 18: Coverage of the event...
Israel Becomes Issue in the Illinois Elections‎ Arutz Sheva
The Campaign Spot‎ National Review Online
IL 9: Republican Pollak outraises Schakowsky 2-1 Marathon Pundit

On Sunday, Oct. 17, Joel Pollak will appear on stage with anti-Israel Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky in the To Protect Our Heritage PAC 9th Congressional District candidate forum.

A panel will question the two candidates on a variety of issues concerning Israel, and the U.S.-Israel relationship. The forum will be held at Congregation K.I.N.S., 2800 West North Shore Avenue, Chicago (map). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. to pre-registered guests and 6:45 p.m. to others. This should be a red-hot forum.

IMPORTANT: If you did not register by Saturday night, you will not get a seat. There is no on-site registration. If you are attending, remember: Please be civil, respectful, and courteous, even if others in the audience are not.

The Jerusalem Post calls Joel Pollak "unabashedly pro-Israel" in an amazing article by Caroline Glick, on October 15, about the US-Israel alliance and the threats posed to it by the anti-Israel "J Street PAC":

"In Chicago, far-left six-term Democratic congresswoman and J Street sweetheart Jan Schakowsky’s approval ratings have fallen below 50%. Her unabashedly pro-Israel Republican opponent Joel Pollak is making Schakowsky’s record on Israel a pillar of his campaign. For his efforts Pollak was the recipient of Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz’s first ever endorsement of a Republican." Full article at Jerusalem Post...

To put that into context, J-Post writer Glick noted this:

A survey of American Jewish opinion published this week by the American Jewish Committee shows that J Street’s agenda is rejected by American Jewry. Whereas 78% of American Jews voted for Obama in 2008, today a bare majority of 51% approve of his performance in office. As political analyst Larry Sabato noted, “A 50% positive rating for a Democratic president among Jews is, frankly, terrible.”

The unprecedented drop in American Jewish support for Obama is directly related to his hostility towards Israel. Today a mere 49% of American Jews support his handling of US-Israel relations, while 45% disapprove. Tellingly, 62% of American Jews approve of Netanyahu’s handling of US-Israel relations and only 27% disapprove.

Democrats supported by J Street – that is Democrats who have supported Obama’s policies towards Israel – are running scared today. The Emergency Committee for Israel and the Republican Jewish Coalition are running ads against members of Congress supported by J Street to great effect. In Pennsylvania, Democratic Senate candidate and J Street ally congressman Joe Sestak is polling far behind Republican nominee Pat Toomey.

J Street has recently come under fire for the huge support it's gotten from George Soros and, perhaps most troubling, a huge amount from a foreign donor in Hong Kong. Schakowsky has now come under fire for having taken large contributions from J Street -- and in cowardly fashion she is trying to publicly distance herself from the PAC by claiming ignorance.

Mitz Vote reports that Schakowsky now says she is “extremely disappointed that J Street wasn’t up front about their funding.” J Street, said Schakowsky, needs “to be very clear and open about who their donors are.”

The chutzpah of Schakowsky's statement is stunning. It is difficult to believe that she had no clue about the Soros and Hong Kong money connections, nor about J Street PAC's generally anti-Israel stance. She made her "extremely disappointed" statement only after Joel Pollak recently and loudly demanded that she “give back the J Street cash.” More about this affair at Mitz Vote...

Schakowsky and her extremely radical agenda and policies are not only bad for American taxpayers, they are dangerous for our important alliance with Israel.

Pollak wrote this recently on Facebook:

It is radical groups like J Street--sponsored by George Soros and foreign donors--that have made Israel into a political football. Today, while 85% of Republicans support Israel, only 48% of Democrats do. That is the direct result of pressure groups like J Street, together with the Obama administration’s ill treatment of Israel, and the weakness of Democratic leaders in confronting the anti-Israel radicals in their midst. Jan Schakowsky has decided where she stands: with J Street and against Israel’s strongest defenders--not just Rubin and Pipes, but Elie Wiesel, Alan Dershowitz, Joe Lieberman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, each of whom has been attacked by J Street in recent months. More on Facebook...

RELATED:
Soros a secret J Street donor since ’08 Jerusalem Post
J Street Gets Taken To The Woodshed Mitz Vote
J Street's Dead End Commentary Magazine
Dozens of Questionably "Pro-Israel" Contributors J Street PAC Contributors (blog)
Schakowsky's Shame on Supporting Israel Backyard Conservative
Pollak to Schakowsky: "Give back the J Street cash!" Illinois Review
Congregation KINS of West Rogers Park website
To Protect Our Heritage website

Join actor Gary Sinise this Sunday, Oct. 17 for the "Road To Victory Brunch" as he supports Joel Pollak in the 9th Congressional race of Illinois. The brunch is at the beautiful Hyatt Regency at 151 E. Wacker Drive, alongside the Chicago River with its magnificent views.

Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Hyatt Regency, Plaza Ballroom, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago

Info: Call 224-217-9669
Register by clicking the button below






IT'S A BUSY DAY FOR JOEL! Join him on Sunday night in West Rogers Park for the Candidates Forum with Jan Schakowsky. Details: Pollak-Schakowsky Forum, Sunday, Oct. 17

Did Michelle Obama violate Illinois electoral law recently? Seems she did, and a big deal is being made of it by some in the media (although not enough).

To residents of Chicago, however, Mrs. Obama's violation seems mild in comparison with what we've put up with as a matter of course for decades. Residents of Chicago's 49th Aldermanic Ward, in particular, are shaking their heads and laughing bitterly over Mrs. Obama's crossing of the line as they recall the way that Alderman Joe Moore blatantly broke the law in 2007.

The Daily Mail, a British newspaper, reported on October 15 in their Mail Online edition that Mrs. Obama "has been accused of breaching electoral law by campaigning inside a polling station. The First Lady cast her ballot for the mid-term elections in Chicago but then posed for photos and told voters to back her husband. Illinois State law prohibits anyone from campaigning inside a polling station or within 100 yards of one, so Mrs Obama appears to have broken the rules."

"Appears" to have broken the rules? Some may excuse Mrs. Obama's behavior as just being friendly and posing for photos. But consider this, as the Daily Mail reported:

On her way out, other voters wanted to take pictures of her and as she paused to oblige them, she could not resist a spot of campaigning.Voter Dennis Campbell, 56, said: ‘She was telling me how important it was to vote to keep her husband's agenda going.’

The Mail guesses that it's "unlikely she will be prosecuted." That's a safe guess indeed, considering her offenses happened Chicago, a city where corrupt Democrats pat each other on the back and wink at each other knowingly when it comes to violating electoral law. Whereas it just might be believable that Michelle Obama is so stupid that she didn't realize that what she said amounted to campaigning, 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore has no such excuse.

Moore blatanly and knowingly violated electoral law in the April, 2007 run-off election in Rogers Park. A well-known series of photos (right; click to enlarge) caught him in the act as poll watcher Frank Williams snapped his cell phone camera at the scene.

His statement:

I was a poll watcher for the Don Gordon campaign, observing the nursing home voting at the Arbour Health Care Center at 1512 W. Fargo Avenue. There were numerous voting irregularities that I observed at this facility.

Foremost was the blatant electioneering conducted by Alderman Joe Moore. Moore arrived at the facility at approximately 9:30 a.m., ”prime time” for the voters standing in line after a 9:00 a.m. poll opening, and immediately started working the room, trolling for votes. Joe went through the line, shaking hands and hugging voters, introducing himself as “Alderman Joe Moore.”

Joe did not limit himself to the voters, but also made it a point to introduce himself to the election judges. Joe was challenged by both the Board of Elections officials, and the State’s Attorney’s representative, about his behavior, and told to leave the facility. He ignored those officials, because he knew that, even though they would report his behavior promptly, he would be finished with his activities before anyone would arrive to physically remove him from the polling place. However, Joe was unable to dodge my cell phone camera, which caught his escapades, photos of which are appended to this report.

This was just the start of the shenanigans. For example, during my time at the polling station I did not hear one voter ask for assistance. Yet, numerous voters were given “assistance,” primarily by two of the election judges, Yvonne Dickerson and William Steinfeld. Yvonne’s assistance even went so far as wheeling residents in and out of the polling area. These two election judges seemed, to me at least, to be “assisting” far beyond the limits of casting a vote as directed by the voter. There seemed to be coaxing of the voters occurring, pointing to specific areas of the ballot (although, as the voting was done behind a privacy screen, I could not see exactly where they were pointing).

Even when the election judges were doing their job, Jesse Rangel from the Board of Elections stepped in to frustrate the normal process. As an example, one particular female voter, “assisted” by the election judges, could not, after ten minutes, make her vote known. Both election judges determined that the woman was incapacitated and had failed to vote. Mr. Rangel, however, would not accept this result, and had the election judges continue to “work over” the voter, until a vote was produced.

When I objected to these numerous irregularities, Mr. Rangel told me that I was only allowed to observe the process. I was not to speak to anyone in the polling station, including the election judges. Were I to continue voicing my concerns, I would be removed from the polling station and arrested. Apparently, I was just to sit there and watch the electioneering, even as the officials assigned to prevent these abuses did nothing to stop them. Welcome to “democracy” in the 49th Ward!

That's "democracy" in Chicago, Democrat style. We're still waiting for punitive action to be taken against Joe Moore, and we're fully aware that we'll wait until Hell freezes over.

RELATED:
First lady casts early ballot near her Kenwood home Chicago Sun-Times
Uh-Oh… Michelle O Campaigns In Polling Place Gateway Pundit
Moore's Illegal Polling Place Tactics Exposed The Broken Heart

Which party is more influenced by "extremists," the Democrats or the Republicans? A report at TheHill.com this morning noted that "likely voters in battleground districts see extremists as having a more dominant influence over the Democratic Party than they do over the GOP."

Well, yes, but what The Hill doesn't point out is that more and more Americans everywhere - not just in "battleground districts" - have been waking up to the fact that the Democrat Party is compromised by radical left extremists.

"This result comes from The Hill 2010 Midterm Election Poll," reports The Hill, "which found that 44 percent of likely voters say the Democratic Party is more dominated by its extreme elements, whereas 37 percent say it’s the Republican Party that is more dominated by extremists." Full article at thehill.com...

I'm frankly perplexed that so few people are yet awake to the extremism that has dominated the Democrat Party since the late 1960's and that made it's final parasitic lunge deep within the host body with the 1972 George McGovern presidential campaign. I'm equally befuddled that so many people see the Republican Party as "dominated by extremists."

Only a gullible fool believes, in 2010, that the Republican Party is led by extreme political elements. That's not to say there are not extremist individuals in the party; those types exist in every large group. But to say that the party is "extremist" is to follow the nonsense propanda line of the Marxist/Socialist led Democrats, who want you to believe that anybody who wants to follow the U.S. Constitution as written (and as intended) is some kind of extreme nutjob. To do so is to call all of the Founders extremists, or anybody today who takes (and honors) an oath to protect the Constitution.

The Democrat Party, in sharp contrast, has outspoken extremists. Some try feebly to mask their extremism, but others parade it proudly and make no attempt to hide the fact that they are - if not by label then by deeds - Marxists, Socialists, Communists and generally anti-capitalist and too often anti-American. Jan Schakowsky, for example.

Is Obama a Socialist? Ask the Socialists
Obama File 42
Centrist Democrats Warn Party Not to Present Itself as 'Far Left ...
More Americans See Democratic Party as "Too Liberal"
Democratic Party Coordinates With European Socialists In Bid For “Global New Deal”
American Socialists Release Names of 70 Congressional Democrats in Their Ranks
How Socialist Unions Rule the Democratic Party

It's not often enough that a candidate for Congress names a campaign event after me, and so I thank David Ratowitz for doing just that. This Friday, October 15, the Ratowitz people will distribute yard signs in the 5th District, where he is the Republican challenging incumbent Obama enabler Mike Quigley.

A few days ago, David had the event listed on Facebook as his "Yard Sign, Pizza & Beer" event. He's an affable guy with a good sense of humor, so I half-kiddingly commented that there had better be anchovies to go with the pizza. David shot back, in good humor, "If you're there, anchovies will be there."

I kiddingly challenged David to change the name of the event. To my amazement, he did, and you can see the whole thing by clicking on the graphic here.

By the way, if you want some free beer and pizza, join us in distributing yard signs and help get a good guy elected to Congress.

What's up with all the UFO sightings in the United Kingdom lately? Some interesting new developments.

UFO expert Ron Halliday (photo left) talked to STV News recently in an exclusive interview about mysterious sightings in Edinburgh and the nearby Pentland Hills. According to STV, Halliday "said witnesses had come forward and reported three sightings to him since July." The events were all unexplained balls of light, essentially, but STV notes that Halliday "says having three sightings around the Pentlands in the space of three months is quite unusual. As UFO researchers will know, these latest events happened only a few miles away from two of the most famous unexplained incidents in Scottish history." Details at STV.tv.

UFO sightings in the UK are not only taken more seriously by the public in general, they're just more fun. So much so, in fact, that some schools over there are actually having UFO crash drills. No duck-and-cover excercises, these. Datelinezero reported this on October 10:

The latest “UFO drill” took place Wed, Sept 29, at Sandford Primary School in the UK. The kids were treated to a full UFO crash scenario that included wreckage, police tape, and real police officers. (Perhaps it was only lacking men from the government telling the children not to talk about what was seen.) What’s interesting is that “police were on hand to show the children how to properly investigate the UFO crash site.” Full article...

Before you dismiss the UFO crash drills as ridiculous, think of them as a fun way to get students to eagerly participate in a disaster drill. Whatever they learn in those drills could probably be applied to a lot of different, more likely disaster scenarios.

More sightings in the United Kingdom can be found at the UK UFO Sightings website.

Also See:

• Father of stealth tech admits: "Extraterrestrial UFO visitors are real and the U.S. Military travel among stars" - Ben Rich, CEO of Lockheed's Skunk Works, said that “We already have the means to travel among the stars, but these technologies are locked up in black projects, and it would take an act of God to ever get them out to benefit humanity. Anything you can imagine, we already know how to do."
• Ex-Air Force officials reveal UFO sightings - Several former Air Force officials spoke out about UFO sightings they experienced while on US military bases.
• NORAD officer predicts worldwide UFO display October 13, 2010 - A newly-published book by a retired NORAD officer predicts October 13, 2010 as the tentative date for a fleet of extraterrestrial vehicles to hover for hours over the earth's principal cities.

This vacant lot on Chicago's north side becomes a pumpkin patch every October. Located in the 7300 block of N. Sheridan Road in Rogers Park, it becomes a Christmas Tree lot in November.

October 12, 2010 - Chicago - Fall has dabbed its vivid colors along Lake Michigan in Rogers Park at Pratt Beach, seen this afternoon.

Chicago - It was a beautiful afternoon at the dog beach in Uptown, north of of Montrose Beach, in Lincoln Park.

October 11, 2010 - Chicago - Just past 3:15 p.m. today, Chicago police cars screamed toward the intersection of 6200 block of N. Sheridan (at W. Granville) in Edgewater (map). There, according to witnesses and police, a man shot his wife to death and then killed himself with the same gun. The identities of the couple are not known at this time. The shooting took place just a few yards from Berger Park on Lake Michigan. As of 5:05 p.m., the area is still blocked off for the ongoing investigation.

In this exclusive photo, looking east along Granville toward Sheridan, police can be seen in the early stages of the investigation (click to enlarge). Small yellow markers are down, designating spent bullet casings on the ground. About a hundred people stood about on both sides of the taped-off section of Granville between Sheridan and N. Kenmore. It's hard to see in this photo, but a large amount of blood was on the sidewalk just to the left of the yellow markers.

October 11, 2010 - It's Giannoulias versus Kirk, right? Yes, but that's only two of the three candidates. There's also Mike Labno, the Libertarian candidate, and he's not happy with the Chicago newspaper endorsements - or with the way he's been ignored. His press release today:

"Mike Labno, Libertarian candidate for the US Senate, expressed disappointment today that the two major Chicago newspapers had endorsed his opponents. "I'm really not surprised, Labno said, "considering the Tribune's consistent Republican slant, and the SunTimes enduring Democrat tilt ; but considering the political mess that Illinois finds itself in from the unchallenged dominance of the those two parties, I had hoped that Libertarian principles of sound, small government, enthusiastic tax reduction, and vastly increased personal liberties would have received greater attention - particularly with the Tea Parties getting larger, and louder on these very issues."

"What really gets me, though, Labno went on, "is that both papers are right in the criticisms that they level against the major party candidate that they did not endorse. The Tribune came out for Kirk, and, in so doing, said that Giannoulias was strictly a party-line man who would vote with Democratic leaders nearly 100% of the time, and that is correct. Giannoulias supports the recent "small jobs" legislation in Congress which is a repeat of the same policies that destroyed the housing market by providing implicitly backed loans, ultimately putting us - the taxpayers - at risk...again An economy grows when there are savings, wise investments, and innovation. Creating more public debt and burdening taxpayers does the exact opposite. Giannoulias will unquestioningly aid in continuing the policies of the Obama regime, which will just perpetuate the same problems we already have.

" About his ethical problems, probably the less said, the better.

"On the other hand, Mike Labno continued, "in endorsing Giannoulias, the SunTimes noted that in the past few years Kirk has become something of a '...mystery, exaggerating his resume, flip-flopping on some issues and refusing to take a stand on others for fear of offending any segment of voters...We no longer know who Kirk is, where he stands, or what he would do', and that, too, is correct. Kirk voted for, but now opposes TARP and Cap & Trade. He invites us to judge him on his record, but refuses to stand behind it.

"About his veracity problems, probably the less said, the better.

"I am not a politician, nor a banker. I work in construction, and was compelled to run out of my outrage over the spending spree that the Republicans and Democrats have been engaged in that leverages the future of my daughter and her entire generation. The people are screaming for legislators who are willing to change the outcomes by discarding the policies of the Republicans and Democrats that have grown this government to unsustainable proportions and continue to ignore the Constitution by abandoning the principal of individual rights. Both Kirk and Giannoulias promise more of the same old policies", stated Mike Labno.

Mike Labno is the Libertarian candidate for US Senate. He resides in Oak Brook, IL. He is the only pro-life, pro-second amendment, fiscal and constitutional conservative on the ballot.

Also See: http://www.facebook.com/labno4senate

October 11, 2010 - Chicago - Radio talk show host William J. Kelly says he was "attacked" today by reporters when he confronted Rahm Emanuel about his city residency status. He says he has the threats and attacks on video, which he says he will post later today.

Emanuel is running for mayor of Chicago and faces questions about whether he has maintained continuous residency here long enough to run for that office, in light of the fact that he has been living in Washington, D.C. for close to two years while working as the White House Chief of Staff. Kelly is the host of "The Kelly Truth Squad" radio show on WIND 560 AM.

Kelly says he has video of the "threats" that he will post to his Truth Squad website later today. Here are portions of a press release from Kelly, which was sent out at 2:04 p.m. this afternoon (my emphasis added):

Conservative/tea party activist and WIND-AM (560) talk show host William J. Kelly was attacked by members of the Chicago media today when he confronted mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel on questions about his residency at the Columbus Day Parade.

After challenging Emanuel on-camera about questions on his residency and the failed $800 billion stimulus he spearheaded as White House Chief of Staff, CBS2’s reporter Jay Levine told Kelly he was going "to deck him" and a CBS cameraman used profanities. ABC7 political reporter Charles Thomas told Kelly to "go away." "This is the problem. Journalists have lost their objectivity,” said Kelly. “How can we rely on them to report the facts? People have lost faith in the media and with the actions of reporters like these, it’s not hard to see why.”

The video of Kelly's encounter and the Chicago media's response will be uploaded today at www.kellytruthsquad.com.

Kelly says tea party and GOP activists are already in the process of recruiting a candidate to be ward-off Emanuel’s Chicago mayoral bid. “We are actively reviewing candidates to block Emanuel at every step of the way,” says William J. Kelly, a long-time conservative and tea party activist.

Critics like Kelly have charged that as White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel directed stimulus funds to payback political cronies and structuring programs for Wall Street’s benefit. “Rahm was responsible for the failed stimulus that has exploded the deficit,” remarks Kelly. “In his own words, he ‘never let a good crisis go to waste.’ Unfortunately, for America, that took the form of enriching his Wall Street friends who made him a millionaire in the 1990s. “If that’s success, he can keep it. Chicago deserves better than Rahm Emanuel.”

Kelly says that during Emanuel’s White House tenure, Wall Street won and Main Street lost. “Wall Street got its guarantees and low interest rates. Rahm’s friends at Goldman Sachs made $12 billion a year after the bailout,” said Kelly. “He orchestrated President Obama’s failed $800 billion stimulus that has saddled taxpayers with debt and all they received in return is 9.5% unemployment. That’s nothing for Rahm to be proud of. That’s called failure.”

Conservatives are not the only ones critical of Emanuel. Last week, he was criticized for a “Glad to be home” video message recorded from his DC home. His ‘listening tour’ brought him an earful from Chicagoans unhappy with his mayoral ambitions after years of being a Washington insider.

Kelly recently announced an exploratory committee for a possible bid for Alderman of the 42nd Ward.

Let's see if the local media are "objective" enough to report their own bad behavior.

This video, reports Founding Bloggers, "is a preview of our full report on the recent candidates’ forum in Illinois’ 9th congressional district between Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and her Republican challenger, Joel Pollak." It's a great teaser, and we can't wait for the full version. As you watch the video, you'll see Schakowsky's convicted felon husband, Robert Creamer, hovering in the background. More from Founding Bloggers, and also see "Pollak and Schakowsky face off at LWV candidate forum" at Examiner.com.

Back in da hood: Just in time for the 2011 aldermanic election, Chicago News Bench has returned to its birthplace in Rogers Park. We've set up our new World Headquarters in a secret location deep within the 49th Ward, behind enemy territory, watching, waiting, watching, waiting...

The best used bookstore in Chicago, in my humble opinion, is Armadillo's Pillow in Rogers Park. They are in financially troubled times (who isn't these days?), but there's a way that you bookstore lovers can help them out. It's simple enough: Buy some books from them and/or drop off the used books that you know you'll never read again.

Armadillo's Pillow is not the biggest used bookstore in Chicago. It doesn't have the largest selection, and there is no off-street parking (although it's along some major bus lines and is an easy walk from the Morse CTA Red Line station). But the quality of selections and the charm of the space itself will hook you.

What makes A.P. the best is a combination of things: A warm, cozy environment that encourages lingering and browsing, a wide variety of genres and titles, the home made art for sale on the walls, and never knowing what new literary gem you may find for a couple of bucks in the well-organized aisles and rows of used books. Actually, they're in such good condition that owners Matt and Beth might take a cue from the auto retail industry and refer to them as "pre-owned" books.

Like many businesses these days, Armadillo's Pillow is having a rough time financially. You might think that a seller of used books (or used anything) would see an uptick in business during such times, when people are looking for bargains.

Not so, says Matt. Apparently, people are willing to forego books to keep their own budget in line. I find that confusing, since a good book can be found for less than what might pay for a beer at tavern. Unlike the beer, the book can provide entertainment for days or weeks and will not increase your need to urinate or impair your ability to operate heavy machinery.

Armadillo's Pillow has been in business for 15 years. I discovered them 12 years ago, when I first moved into Rogers Park. Over the course of 10 years, I think I purchased something like 70 or 80 books there. Most of those were used (pre-owned) science fiction items, often under $2.00 each. With no television at home, the books were welcome entertainment. Also welcome has been the many hours of good conversation I've had over the years with Matt and Beth.

Now, Armadillo's needs a little extra love. Friend and fellow blogger Bill Morton recently helped in a big way. "I donated roughly two thousand books to local bookstore The Armadillo's Pillow. The books that I donated were the ones that I saved from the North Shore School demolition a few years ago." Read Bill's post at his RP1000 blog.

The Armadillo's Pillow is located at 6753 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois, 60626. They're on the east side of Sheridan just south of Pratt. Their website is http://www.armadillospillow.com/. Their phone is 773-761-2558.

Photos taken October 9, 2010 by T.H.Mannis

by Adam Andrzejewski, Founder
For The Good of Illinois

On October 28, 2010 the champion of freedom who brought Communism to its knees once again visits Illinois.

The former President of Poland, Lech Walesa will headline a series of events with “For the Good of Illinois” less than a week before one of Illinois’ most historic elections.

The visit commences with a private breakfast with President Walesa followed by a luncheon open to the public. The details:

WHEN: October 28, 2010 - Breakfast 8:00 am; Luncheon 12:00 Noon
WHERE: University Club of Chicago, 76 East Monroe, Chicago, Illinois

Join leaders of the conservative movement for a discussion of the biggest issues facing the nation through the lens of the President’s experiences. The last time President Walesa visited he made international news with his clarion call that, “…America is sliding toward socialism…” Make sure to attend the luncheon as not to miss the President’s next round of inspiring remarks.

Click on the invitation (top right) for the details of both events and RSVP so as not to miss out on this unique opportunity. CONTACT: Basia Sikora, (630) 899-9191 or email to basia@forthegoodofillinois.org.

Illinois Senator Michael Noland is very proud of the Recall Amendment - even though it falls short of actual reform

by Allen Skillicorn

Elgin, IL – After years of Democrat majorities, Illinois is the financial Titanic. Illinois State Senator Michael Noland (D) insists on rearranging Illinois’ deck chairs and avoiding real issues like corruption and creating jobs. District 22 taxpayers are waking up and are calling on an old friend, former Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R) to usher Senator Noland into the private sector. The two could not be more different on policy and positions. Noland’s ideas, like boosting income taxes by 66%, are less popular than Rauschenberger addressing Illinois’ structural problems and bloated programs. To create the illusion of reform, Noland has been advertising, talking and boasting about the Recall Amendment that will be on the November ballot. Noland claims the Recall Amendment will give voters the right to recall an incompetent or corrupt Governor. Yes, voters want and deserve accountability.

However, as pointed out in John Bambenek’s recent column, Illinois’ Recall Amendment: Holding Politicians Accountable Only if they Say it is OK, this amendment is ineffective and would have been useless against Illinois’ impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich (D).

Senator Noland ignores the petition process and affidavit procedures that fail to provide accountability, and instead create an environment of protection. In Illinois, Constitutional Amendments are placed on the ballot after collecting signatures from 8% of IL voters. Many amendments fail to receive 267,000 signatures needed to reach 8%. The Recall Amendment requires signatures from 15% of IL voters. Collecting 550,000 signatures is a not an impossible task, but the Governor and his attorneys will challenge many of the signatures, making recall a significant investment of time and resources.

Furthermore, before the petition process can even begin, the signatures of 20 State Representatives (10 from each party) and 10 State Senators (5 from each party) are required. Before Rod Blagojevich was arrested, even very few Republican legislators would have taken the political risk to sign this affidavit. This provision takes power away from voters and gives it back to the legislative class. Mr. Noland claims this amendment is an example of "ethics reform", but upon scrutiny, it clearly falls far short of any real reform.

Allen Skillicorn is political activist and blogger. Follow him at twitter.com/allenskillicorn

RELATED:
IL Recall Amendment: Holding Politicians Accountable Only if they Say it is OK John Bambenek
Vote No on Illinois Governor Recall Amendment