Illinois Review

Peraica asks again, "Who's in charge?"

Questions continue to abound as to who is running Cook County as news came out today that Board President John Stroger was readmitted to the hospital after suffering a stroke several weeks ago.

While Stroger's wife has called on him to retire, Stroger's son Todd is positioning to become the potential replacement for his father.  With that revelation, various Cook County Democrats began rumblings that they were also interested in Stroger's job.

In the meantime, GOP Cook County Commissioner and Board Presidential candidate Tony Peraica raised questions today about who is currently in charge of Cook County government and expressed curiosity about who exactly he will be facing in the November 2006 election. 

One board commissioner called today for a legal opinion as to the Board's presidency succession protocol.

It's a fair question.  Just who is in charge? 

How about the tollway users?

"Suburban communities should have more input, not less . . . "

Today, two of DuPage County's state senators -- Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) and Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) called on Governor Blagojevich to hold hearings on the proposed tollway leasing so citizens in suburban Cook County and western DuPage County get a chance to voice their opinions on the matter.

The senators accused the governor of scheming the tollway lease for short-term political gain.

Let's see if the "powers that be" care what those outside of Chicago think about the plan . . .  You'd think he'd want all the support he could get. . . 

But maybe it's time the suburbs understood how the rest of the state feels when it's dissed by a Chicago-preferring governor or maybe after fighting all the hours on I-88, I-294 and I-355, Blago figures tempers may be just a little too heated for public comment time. 

Ya think?

Voting's our civic duty . . .

Point well made.  This is exactly what "voting" means to the average American today . . .

Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Mike Luckovich was in Chicago over the weekend to win the Reuben Award as the top cartoonist of the year.  Luckovich is also a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Thanks Union Bosses

Link: YouTube - Thanks Union Bosses.

Looting The Lottery

By Ralf Seiffe

I suppose there is nothing wrong with selling a publicly-owned asset for more than it’s worth.  The reason governments might want to sell such an asset is the same as it is for private investors; the price a buyer offers exceeds the present value of continued ownership.  This same standard should apply to selling the Illinois Lottery but the Governor’s brazen proposal to sell it does not meet that simple test.  Instead of showing a good head for business, Blagojevich’s plan reveals venality that would shame the greediest hedge fund manager. 

The definition of child abuse

by Fran Eaton

What is child abuse?

Imagine being confronted with the decision of sending your child back into a situation where he had been physically harmed or facing the threats of a state official who had the mechanism to put you in jail if you did not comply.

A mother in Williamson County was recently faced with such a dilemma.  Her son had been physically assaulted at school on more than one occasion, and apparently, the school officials could not control the situation.  Rather than have it happen again, the mother told public school officials she would "home school."

The local Regional Superintendent didn't like her decision.  He began to send a truancy officer to check on the family.  The mother didn't offer evidence of an "established" curriculum to the truancy officer.  She faced charges of causing her son to be truant. 

   

Education plan meets resistance from anti-gambling group

Be careful what you promise . . .

Despite Blago's 2002 promise to ILCAAAP that he will not expand gambling, the governor's $10 billion education plan demands gambling options increase, the anti-gambling group alerted members over Memorial Day weekend.

An Illinois Memorial Day in Washington, DC

By Mark Rhoads

The State of Illinois was proudly represented in the Memorial Day events of Washington, DC this weekend with two actors from the Land of Lincoln leading the way.  Chicago native Joe Mantengna teamed with Blue Island and Highland Park native Gary Sinise (right) to co-host the Memorial Day Tribute to Veterans on PBS at the West Front of the Capitol on Sunday night.  Gary Sinise has been to Iraq several times and has been generous with his time in support of USO shows for the troops overseas.  Front-row dignitaries included Battle of the Bulge veteran and former Illinois Congressman Bob Michel of Peoria and Father Daniel Coughlin, Chaplain of the U.S. House and former Vicar of Priests in Chicago.  Father Coughlin was also voted in as the official chaplain of the Illinois State Society of Washington, DC at its annual meeting at Fort McNair Officer's Club last Wednesday, May 24.

On Monday, May 29, the Illinois State Society co-sponsored the Memorial Day Ceremony with the National Park Service at Logan Circle, NW.  Union Maj. Gen. John A. Logan from Murphysboro, Illinois was a Union Democrat who campaigned for President Lincoln in 1864.  A former Illinois Congressman and US Senator, Logan ran for Vice President on the GOP ticket with James G. Blaine in 1884.

Blagojevich/Topinka NBC Exchange online

If you missed the discussion between Governor Blagojevich and State Treasurer Judy Baar-Topinka Sunday,  NBC Chicago is making the debate available online here.

Blagojevich promises to raise the state's minimum wage higher in his second term, challenges Topinka's position on assault weapons and accuses her of having no education plan.

Topinka attempts to tie the Governor to ongoing federal probes, giving no-bid contracts to campaign fund donors and indebting the state more and more with each budget.

The first in many to come .  . .   

Who Prefers Tyranny to Freedom?

By Mark Rhoads

   At my apartment building brunch this morning a neighbor tossed off a familiar cliche to the effect that “our system of democracy is not right for everyone.”  I guess I have to then ask the question, who is tyranny right for and who prefers it if they can avoid it and live under freedom instead?

   When someone makes the argument that democracy is not good for everyone, what are they really advocating as a substitute policy?  That we in the US should not even try to promote the spread of freedom?  That such efforts are not worth the cost and sacrifice?  Did the removal of Saddam create more danger and less peace?  Is that what history really shows?  Have we forgotten already Saddam’s nine-year war with Iran, his gas attacks against the Kurds and murder of Shiite rebels, his invasion of Kuwait, his launch of Scud missiles against Israel, his brutality toward any dissenter, his murder of his own family members?  Have we forgotten the crimes of his two sons?    History more often shows that democracies seldom wage war on each other, that the spread of freedom leads to long-term peace, that the spread of freedom leads to the rule of law and the encouragement of prosperity. 

  It does no good now to endlessly argue about the decision to remove Saddam in 2003 or about why larger caches of weapons of mass destruction were not found even though those that were constituted a sizable arsenal.  For the first time ever, there is a new unity government that was freely elected by the voters of a large Muslim country in the Mideast and that is a good thing, not a bad thing.

   

Where were District 214's "men of God?"

A guest commentary by Sonja Dalton

From IR Editor:  A thus-far unaddressed perspective on the District 214 controversy concerning offensive passages in the high school students' required reading list is the lack of interest demonstrated by local pastors. Sonja Dalton, who was present at the meeting's start all the way through to it's 1:30 AM Friday morning decision, expresses her disappointment that area pastors ignored what is happening within their communities.

After fifty conservative churches were contacted in the district, not one sent a pastor or staff member to speak at the meeting, she writes:

Two so-called "Christian" ministers came to Thursday night's District 214 school board meeting...to speak in favor of books with vulgar language, graphic violence, and explicit sex, including masturbation, male homosexual rape, and even drunken public sex with a dog.

Sonja shares more . . .

A Gentleman's Wager With Tom Roeser?

By Greg Blankenship

Tom Roeser has a post today that caught my eye.  Mr. Roeser was looking at polling suggesting that the hot issue, right now, was immigration and lammenting that the standard bearer for that issue in Illinois was the defeated Republican Jim Oberweis in the GOP Primary. 

The Real Lost City is Cuba Libre

By Mark Rhoads

    I had the great privilege of seeing Andy Garcia's film The Lost City yesterday.  It is small wonder that the usual left-wing dominated film festivals would not allow this well-crafted cinematic treasure to be shown in their venues.  The film is outstanding on the level of art but by dominant Hollywood standards, the political message is not acceptable.  The film dares to unmask the brutality of Fidel Castro and his murder accomplice Che Guevara.  Hollywood is a place where T-shirts glorify these maniacs and where tragically misguided actors such as Danny Glover defend them as heroes.

    Many reviews have said this film is a personal statement by Mr. Garcia.  Bravo for actors such as Chicago's own Bill Murray and Dustin Hoffman for having the courage to appear in this film and run the risk of incurring the wrath of the leftist elite in Hollywood.  Garcia describes the revolution in Havana from early 1958 until the lead character escapes some time in 1960.  It is important to remember that Fulgenico Batista was a tryant who had thrown out the democratic constitution of 1940.  He too was a cold-blooded killer like Castro and Guevara.  But under Batista on his worst day, Cubans were free to change jobs, attend church, join a labor union, buy overseas publications, leave the country, move within the country, and take advantage of many other freedoms that vanished under Castro.  For a better review read Kathryn Jean Lopez at: National Review On Line

A tribute to our troops

In a moving Memorial Day tribute letter, State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac) shares these thoughts about our veterans and active military:

At this time, our country is involved in another conflict. On this Memorial Day I encourage you to pay tribute to the many soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and all over the world who are engaged in a battle against the evils of terrorism and oppression, miles from their homes and those they love. Though each day they wake to encounter innumerable obstacles, their courage and unwavering patriotism should serve as an example to us all.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said: “All gave some…and some gave all.” The price of freedom is high, but precious. This Memorial Day please take a moment to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women who died in the name of peace, liberty and democracy.

Kudos, Senator.  We here at IR are in 100% agreement. 

Take time to honor those who are fighting today, who fought yesterday, and who will be on the lines in the future to protect our freedom to banter public policy and ideas back and forth. 

There's no question, this untidy, undisciplined nation in which we live is the best place on the planet to be.

*******************

(Personal note to our son-in-law:  Thanks, Jon, for serving us all there in Iraq.  I know you read Illinois Review to keep up on what's happening here at home.  We love you, and count the days until you get back home.  We're doing our best to take good care of your wife and new baby girl while you're away.  See you soon . . .)

See Blago/Topinka tee-off on Dick Kay's City Desk

You'd think this Memorial Day weekend would be one of the quietest politically for the Illinois gubernatorial race, but to the contrary, we're hearing . . .

Political reporter/blogger Jeff Berkowitz was at Friday's taping of Dick Kay's NBC City Desk featuring a faceoff between gubernatorial candidates Governor Rod Blagojevich and State Treasurer Judy Baar-Topinka, to be aired Sunday morning at 9:00 am and again Monday morning at 11.

Berkowitz, who's normally not impressed with any politician, seems pretty impressed with the no-holds-barred back-and-forth skillfully managed by Kay. 

Major political reporters such as Rich Miller and Rick Pearson already have blogged about the debate. 

Sounds like something we may want to record . . .

IR Stories Update

Updates on stories Illinois Review has been following this week:

Catholics and Republicans join to protect marriage

While the Protect Marriage Illinois state advisory referendum awaits notification as to whether it will be on the November 6 ballot, the same topic is now being addressed at the federal level.

Fair Tax begins to move . . . finally

Is it possible that we could -- in our lifetime -- witness the demise of the IRS?   Popular conservative radio talk show host  Neal Boortz and Georgia Congressman John Linder's new book on Fair Tax is stirring renewed hope for tax reform throughout America.

The whole idea is based on an across-the-board 23 percent national sales tax.  All withholding of taxes -- from income to FICA to SSI -- would end.  No more April 15 filings, no more IRS accumulated fines. 

According to Linder,  Denny Hastert thinks Fair Tax is a pretty cool idea, and within the next two weeks, Hastert will take Lindner to pitch the concept to the President. 

Fair Tax may even be a part of a new Contract for America the Republicans are reportedly in the midst of composing, something desperately needed to  help the GOP retain the majority in Congress.

Cast your vote and win a million

Speaking of lotteries, how about a new idea just proposed in Arizona where casting a vote on Election Day could win you a million bucks?

The Arizona Republican story says that the funds would come from unclaimed lottery winnings.

If we enacted this in Illinois, the obvious question would be how would that dead Cook County voter claim his or her winnings?  Would the next of kin pay estate taxes?   

Then, are Illinois snowbirds who nestle in Arizona qualified to enter?

Well . . . it doesn't hurt to ask.

IR Update: Granite City Hope Clinic

Word in the Granite City area is that the Hope(less) Abortion Clinic has cancelled all abortions today and is focused on the court appearance mentioned yesterday on Illinois Review. 

Here, As A Public Service......

Ralf Seiffe received this fax this morning and it is republished here, exactly, as a public service.

Dear Gracious Sir or Madame:
My name is Ibriham Ngoto and I serve as the international banking officer at the Bank for International Payments in the capital city of Lagos, Nigeria.  I am write to you today because an unusual situation has come about and you have been recommended to me as a trustworthy person. 

Cold cash, Constitutional dilemma

by Fran Eaton

I'm so glad I'm not the only one confused about this . . .

Last night, I saw our esteemed U.S. Speaker of the House Denny Hastert (R-IL) telling reporters how upset he was with the FBI raiding Congressman William Jefferson's apartment, where those federal intruders found $100,000 in the Congressman's freezer. 

The freezer!  $100,000!

I kept listening, waiting to hear the Speaker's outrage about the cold cash, and the possible implications of political corruption in DC and how it should stop.  Instead, he was uncharacteristically indignant about the FBI defying the separation of powers. . . He was defending the Constitution.

Huh?

Today, my favorite Chicago area columnist (both his writing style and him personally) John Kass made me chuckle out loud as I read his thoughts about the Congressional dilemma.

As usual, if you're looking for wit and wisdom, read the Trib's John Kass.

(Someday I'll ask John if I can publish the hilarious column he personally wrote for me in response to my suggestion he run for Governor of Illinois . . . )

Testing an IllinoisReview Podcast

Consider this post a test of Hipcast/AudioBlog's software. The podcast (available on my Website) is appropriate, given Rod's selling the Lottery Income Stream yet again - all for the purpose of payoff Meeks and the bloated Education Bureacracy.

Restraining order against Granite City pro-life group

Hope Abortion Clinic of Granite City's attorney Mark Levy,  has applied for a restraining order against assembling and protesting on the sidewalk at the clinic, according to Daniel and Angela Michael of Small Victories Ministry.

Small Victories ministry is an organization of Christian volunteers who make a daily vigil to the abortion clinic to pray and counsel with those who are making a decision about the life of their unborn child.  Angela Michael, a registered nurse, offers a free ultra-sound so the mother-to-be can see the baby she is making a decision to destroy or to keep.  Angela says, "the baby is auditioning for his/her life."

Those pesky, powerful "Other" voters

by Fran Eaton

The governor's race is in the hands of the "other" voters. 

A new SurveyUSA poll released today shows Blagojevich with 43%, Topinka with 37%, undecideds at 4% and "other" at 15%.

It's not the undecideds who matter now.  It's the power of the "others." 

Education funded by sin. Why not?

About the governor's idea for education funding . . .

Since we're on our way to education purgatory, why not develop this industry of taxing questionable activities more?

If we really want to fix schools, why would $10 billion from a lease on the state lottery be enough?  We could pay the teachers and administrators even more and get nicer carpeting in the new buildings if we had $100 billion, couldn't we?

Here's an idea that Jeff Trigg and our Illinois Libertarians could embrace. 

On the way to education purgatory

by Fran Eaton

Well, now we know the education plan that bought off Senator Meeks' third party run for governor.  Indeed, the pastor chose a high stakes game of lottery lease.

To hit the high points of the plan offered today, Governor Blagojevich wants your kids in government schools earlier (3-4 years old), longer (days and school years) and in nicer, newer buildings with smaller-size classes,  better-trained teachers, consolidated school districts and a centralized curriculum -- all paid for by either a private leasing contract or a one-time all purchase of the lottery, which he estimates is worth $10 billiion.

Think of it:  First the lottery and gambling in general were shunned.  Then it became acceptable, thought of as "entertainment."  Then gambling became desirable, something to be sought.  At that point, it became valuable, and therefore, taxable. 

Defending the Right of Congressmen to Break the Law in Private

by John Bambenek

Over the weekend, the FBI executed a search warrant to search Representative William Jefferson’s congressional office. While it might be amusing to point out that the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana is a Democrat, the intent here is not to make partisan jabs (okay, maybe a little). Corruption has been a part of both parties and neither has a lock on it. (Just look at Illinois).

Dennis Prager on Liberal words

By Mark Rhoads

I have written before about the importance of words in conservative debates with liberals. I pointed out how often Sen. Dick Durbin feels free to carelessly throw around the phrase "right wing" to describe people he differs with.  Yet I know how offended I think Durbin would be if Illinois conservatives referred to him as "left wing" even though some of his ideas mirror the ideas of European social democrats.

With the importance of words in mind, I wanted to share with Illinois Review readers the column below from Los Angeles radio talk show host Dennis Prager who offers some keen insights on how too many liberal leaders have abandoned reason and thought for cliches and slogans and the effect this trend has on the quality of our public policy debates. 

I hope this reprint in this limited blog venue falls under the guidelines of fair use reproduction of a column copyrighted today by Creators Syndicate.

ABC News: Republicans Pin Hopes on Black Candidates

A national ABC News segment, "Republicans Pin Hopes on Black Candidates," reports on candidates throughout the nation, and features one of my personal favorite Illinois Senate GOP candidates Eric Wallace, who is running against Democratic incumbent Maggie Crotty in a diverse, blue collar, conservative south suburban 19th district.  This race will prove to be one of the most interesting in the '06 IL Senate races.

Eric is quoted in the ABC story as saying:

"Sometimes when I tell people I'm a Republican, they just automatically shut down and don't want to hear any more," Wallace said.

"But when I start talking about our views we're not for abortion, we're pretty much against same-sex marriage, they start listening."

Link: ABC News: Republicans Pin Hopes on Black Candidates.

Read more about Eric on his website:  http://wallace2006.com/

The French Stink

by John Ruskin

We're constantly told by the mainstream media and Hollywood glitterati that we Americans are reviled around the world. However, a recent British poll seems to show it differently. According to a AFP story (see here), the French were voted the most unfriendly nation by a landslide. The Germans came in second.

While the United States was voted the world's most uncultured nation (thanks in large part to the trash made by the Hollywood glitterati), the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, which ran the poll, agreed that the French stink -- physically, not culturally. Although this is arguable.

Two glaring omissions in Bush's Chicago speech

by Fran Eaton

President Bush's comments to the National Restaurant Association members while in Chicago on the White House website (here) featured not only a scripted speech but answers to audience questions.

There were two glaring omissions, however . . .

Update on key IL Congressional races

Update on Congressional Races . . .

In the 8th, GOP candidate Dave McSweeney's camp announced Monday anticipated June fundraiser featuring Vice President Dick Cheney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as well as Speaker Denny Hastert.

In the 6th, GOP candidate Peter Roskam held a press conference last week blasting Dem opponent Tammy Duckworth for her ties to Chicago Dems involved in the Blagojevich favors list.

In the 17th, the winner of March's GOP primary, Andrea Zinga, stepped up her campaign efforts as the far western district's Dems continue to scramble to figure out who will replace retiring Democratic Congressman Lane Evans on the November ballot. 

What Ever Happened To...?

So, what ever happened to Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad -- Protocol Minister for the Nation of Islam, and Blagojevich appointee to his Hate (Thought) Crimes Commission?

Inquiring minds would like to know. Anybody have some information?

Meeks: The Latest in a Long Line

by John Ruskin

Here are the facts. Rev. Meeks race baited conservative Christian, Caucasian-American Illinoisans simply to strengthen his Potemkin gubernatorial run as leverage in his deal-making with his own Party's governor.

And it gets better. Today the Daily Herald reported that Meeks' extortion money will more than likely come from gambling expansion. And who does gambling negatively affect the most? African-Americans.

Conclusion: Meeks' uncontrollable self-aggrandizing has now put him in league with Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, et al. He's made the Faustian deal. Stepping over his own people to do so. Of course, he had a little help from the "politically challenged".

I hope the pieces of silver were worth it. For everyone involved.

Finally: Answers to our major dilemmas

Finally, answers to the major dilemmas America is currently facing.

Received via email today:

A win win situation.

Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border, take the dirt and raise the levies in New Orleans and put the Florida  alligators in the moat.

Any other problems you have for me to solve?

I'm wondering if he could find a way to get gas back down to $1.00 per gallon...

The future of limited government conservatism

by dreckless guest columnist

There is a wonderful conversation occurring on Cato Unbound concerning the future of limited government conservatism. The lead essay, by David Frum, contains the familiar lament that the GOP has lost its golden opportunity to reverse the massive expansion of government that is about to result from the combination of entitlement programs and the retirement of the baby boom. Bruce Bartlett restates his view that the entitlement explosion is inevitable, and we should adopt a VAT (rather than raising other taxes) to pay for it. David Boaz looks for a new political alignment to rescue the cause of limited government.

I look at it differently. Frum argues that the “best opportunity” to deal with the problem has passed, and from a planner’s perspective he is correct. Reforming Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in 1995, while the retirement of the baby boom was 15 years in the future, would have involved less pain than reforming them in 2015, while the boomers are in the process of retiring. What Frum fails to recognize is that, for that very reason, reform was not going to happen in 1995.

As others in the conversation point out, it is impossible in a democratic republic to modify benefits for voters today because of a problem that lies years in the future. No matter how powerful a set of ideas is, if it requires major change to the status quo it is not likely to become policy until there is a crisis. In the preface to the 1982 edition of Capitalism and Freedom, Milton Friedman explained this dynamic:

(For complete dreckless article, click here.)

The campaign donation dilemma

by Fran Eaton

Those chafing under the unbearably restrictive McCain-Feingold federal contribution laws  will find a story in the the St. Louis Post Dispatch very interesting today.   Missouri removed state political contribution caps last week, and those opposed to unrestricted donations are taking their case to the people.

The donation cap supporters point to Illinois as a prime example of what corruption and potential graft unrestricted political contributing can bring to state politics.

Full and quick disclosure of campaign contributions will fix the problem, some say.  And, anyway, there's always a way around the law if you want to get money to the right influential person or persons, they say.

Illinois' full disclosure requirements for unlimited contributing does not provide a panacea.  If we are looking to the media to shed light on undue influence by unions, corporations, billionaire philanthropists, it is a rather naive approach.  The same people who have money to give to candidates are the same people who buy expensive ads in media outlets and influence what and how much the public knows.

Illinois' own paying-to-play and influence peddling stories in today's state politics have led to a corrupt legislative industry -- one that determines its citizens' welfare and ability to prosper. 

There's a problem here, there's no question.  And there is no clear solution. 

The scariest thing of all is that citizens living normal, balanced lives will naturally leave the complicated problem to fix to the same politicians who abuse it.

Wow.  Let's move on to happier thoughts. . . and think about this another day.

Link: STLtoday - News - St. Louis City / County.

The free speech controversy continues

by Fran Eaton

Sunday's St Louis Post-Dispatch story penned by Adam Jadhaw about Missouri and Illinois' new ban on funeral protesting is an example of excellent objective and analytical reporting.      

Jadhaw describes the Westboro Church's response to Illinois' new law restricting protests within 200 feet of a military funeral.  The first such funeral since the ban went into effect was held Friday in Shumway, IL to honor fallen Army co-pilot Christopher Brian Donaldson.   Our deepest sympathies to Donaldson's family.

Jadhaw provides some contemporary and historical context to the debate over free speech and points out potential problems in applying the law.  The ban passed the Illinois General Assembly with unanimous votes in both houses, a "Kumbaya moment," Senator Bill Haine (D-Belleville) said.

Today's story is well worth the read.  Kudos, Adam.  You've obviously done your homework. 

Link: STLtoday - News - St. Louis City / County.

Meeks deal will cost us all

Speculation is running rampant this weekend about what exactly it took to keep Rev. James Meeks from announcing his expected third party candidacy for governor.  Meeks has been pushing for two years for more money for public schools, and apparently successfully used the gubernatorial bid as leverage to push Blagojevich into a deal.

The Governor will unveil his proposed education funding solution next Tuesday.  Some say that because Blagojevich insists there will be no tax hike, the Blago/Meeks deal involves a major gambling expansion or a plan to privatize the tollway.

The idea of a pastor pushing for more gambling to extort Illinois citizens for education funding makes one shake his head, and the tollway leasing controversy is another whole matter. . .

Whatever the deal is, get ready.  It will cost us all.  Don't forget, we just added a universal preschool program. 

Now's the time to fix the school problem in Illinois.  Get state government out of the education business and back into the hands of the parents. 

Link: Daily Herald | DuPage County.

The DaVinci Code raises questions

I'll admit it.  I saw The DaVinci Code last night.  It's true.  It could cause you to question your faith, just as Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Mike Luckovich illustrates:

Meeks: Color me disappointed

by Scott Thomas -- WYLL Talk Show Host

James Meeks is out of the governor’s race.

James Meeks spent an hour on my radio program several weeks ago talking about running for governor.  He had been quoted as going so far as to say that if he ran, and white Christians didn’t vote for him, he’d go to the top of a skyscraper and call them all racists. 

While he backed off from that rhetoric while on my show, he did say that he would run a campaign on the issues most important to Christians like me…abortion and same sex marriage. 

Meeks is out

As predicted weeks ago on Illinois Review, Rev. James Meeks announced today that -- surprise, surprise -- he and Governor Blagojevich have come to an agreement about education funding and -- surprise, surprise -- Meeks doesn't plan to run for governor as a third party candidate.

We hate to gloat, but hey, we were right.  These wonderful wild goose chases Illinois conservatives get pulled into are embarrassing. . .

When will we learn?

Now, will social issues voters focus on helping conservative Downstate businessman Randy Stufflebeam get his slate on the ballot, or will they stay away from the voting polls in November?

Yes to Porn, No to Chips

The new PC rule for PC-challenged conservatives:  Say "Yes" to porn, and "No" to Chips.

I don't get it. 

The bigtime liberal blog The Daily Kos links to Illinois Review's posting on Cook County District's book debate.  The concern is whether or not books with pornographic passages (as made available on Culture Campaign's website) should be a part of required reading at several area high schools.

Let me get this straight.  It is perfectly acceptable to ban soda, junk foods, potato chips and of course, the evil legal vice tobacco, but restricting access to pornographic literature is "censorship."

Come on. 

It's like a 3-pack-a-dayer trying to defend his habit.  Those who fight for kids to get hooked on porn and robbed of their sexual innocence at younger and younger ages should be the ones who are scoffed and ridiculed, not the ones who want the best for our next generation.

You go, Ms. Pinney. . . It's time we finally had grownups on school boards. 

CIA call for info: Meeks' mates

MEMO:  Find out what's happening with the Meeks' slate.

Has anyone heard the details about Rev James Meeks' slate for a third party run?  The Chicago Defender said last week that tomorrow he would be announcing his running mates and unveiling a planned petition drive?

Our sources tell us he's run into difficulty finding the credible elected Republican he was searching for to jump on board with him. 

UPDATE:  We're hearing Meeks is making an announcement at 11:30 am at the Union League Club today.  Hmm...not a fly around, not a big Saturday rally/announcement.  We'll see . . .

Chicago alderman playing economics

By Bryan Darge

An article on the Chicago Tribune web site has just come up and it looks like the city aldermen are playing economics vs playing politics.  Actually, they are playing politics with economics. 

According to the article the city council is going to look into the issue of mandating the minimum wage at $10 per hour plus $3 per hour more for other perks.  But only on big box stores of 75,000 square feet or more.  They are actually considering taking this up for a vote. 

Does the city of Chicago have no shame?  Where are the real issues Chicago needs to face?  Can’t the city be allowed to recover from the loss of their foie gras?

Critics pan The Da Vinci Code

By Mark Rhoads

The great majority of reviews from The Cannes Film Festival have been blistering The Da Vinci Code as plodding and dull.  One exception is our own Roger Ebert who can be beyond eccentric at times.  Variety gave it one of the worst reviews of the year.  Now its true controversy can help a film.  But if the word of mouth on the first weekend is bad, the fall off for the second weekend can be noticeable and one can know many weeks in advance if The Code will make enough revenue to recover $125 million in production costs not counting the marketing expense.  Check the Box Office Mojo web site as the week progresses.

Like porn? Check out your kids' required reading

If you're into reading pornography, you might want to visit Culture Campaign's current hot topic. 

CC is featuring provocative excerpts of books your kids are being required to read in the following Cook County District 214 schools:

Buffalo Grove High School
Wheeling High School
John Hersey School
Prospect High School
Rolling Meadows High School
Elk Grove High School

But don't be naive . . . these books could very well be in your kids' high schools, too.

If it wasn't for newly-elected District 214 school board member Leslie Pinney, we wouldn't have known anything about this -- and neither would you.

Check it out.

The Left and its language

by Corey Miltimore

My recent posting on the need for liberals to call partial-birth abortion anything other than partial-birth abortion generated interesting feedback. Rather than re-argue the partial-birth abortion debate, the point was to emphasize the fact that the Left finds it necessary to cloak its true beliefs, goals, and philosophy in euphemisms.

The penchant for words that deflect and obscure is but one more example of what the modern Left has in common with its Bolshevik antecedents. Soviet Russia was so awash in such terms that it brought language to the point of meaninglessness. (Orwell satirized the trend with special effectiveness in 1984.)

(For complete dreckless article, click here.)

Environmental groups hit the lottery

by Joyce Morrison

According the Alton Telegraph (which there is no link), Attorney General Lisa Madigan said that as a result of the coal-fired plant in Baldwin's failure to meet the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act, Dynegy Midwest Generation, Inc. will be required to provide $15 million for environmental projects in Illinois.