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« June 2008 | Main | August 2008 »
July 31, 2008
The [Thursday] Papers
There will be no Papers today, this week has gone awry and I have to attend to business that's piled up. But if you missed our piece "Chicago 2040" yesterday, go read it now. It's really funny. Because it's true.
The [Wednesday] Papers
The new Sun-Times: RedderEye.
Same inanity, poorer execution.
And one's free.
*
By the way, Serena Williams and Common were not the participants in that baseball brawl.
So, yeah, design problems too.
Pet Council
"After a three-hour hearing that starred [Bob Barker], the City Council's License Committee took no action on the spay and neutering mandate," the Sun-Times reports.
Must. Resist. Obvious. Bob Barker. Jokes.
What, Drew Carey wasn't available?
Pet Peeves
"Somebody will say this is an intentional distraction from the city's looming budget deficit," writes Mark Brown, who spent a couple of hours on Tuesday listening to city council testimony.
It's working!
Bennigan's Beat
* Who is lamer, Richard Roeper for standing in line to get into the Bennigan's in Calumet City or Michael Jordan for taking ex-wife Juanita to Bennigan's on their first date?
Flair Fallout
"Angry customers must now walk extra three blocks to TGIFs."
- Marty Gangler
Office Space
The big question no one asked in the papers today: Who gets that prime Michigan Avenue space?
Early Beachwood leaderboard:
* O'Briens: 2-1
* Panda Express: 15-1
* The Children's Museum: 25-1
Everybody Poops
Page 14 Metro story in the Sun-Times: "Guilty Plea For Defecating In Cell."
Hyperlocal news is here!
Motives
Did a man really lose an eye because he's a Sox fan?
Anything could have started that fight - even a debate of the merits of Bennigan's vs. TGIFs.
*
"Boguslaw Czapla acknowledged that he and his brother are Cubs fans but said he does not recall any discussions about the teams during the gathering," the Tribune reports, under the headline "Baseball Rivalry Turned Violent At July 19 Party, Police Say: 3 Cubs fans charged in fight that cost Sox fan an eye."
*
"3 arrested in Brewers-Cubs brawl at Miller Park."
Christ, here come the trend stories.
Why Not Six?
"Aldermen Agree To Take Part In City Furlough Plan."
They'll take three unpaid days off.
A) Will spend time at fundraisers instead of jobs.
B) They agree to make up for it with their next pay raise.
C) Unpaid days off will be the next three Saturdays.
Got Brains?
"Milk and country just seem to go hand-in-hand in terms of wholesome imagery," Lewis Lazare writes today.
Because nothing says wholesome like songs about drinking, cheating, screwing, screwing while drunk, cheating while screwing, gambling, gambling drunk, brawling, brawling while cheating, and all-around rambling like country.
Gov. Baloneyvich
The governor continues to say he won't sign campaign finance reform legislation because it isn't tough enough, and then sets out on a fundraising binge to prove his point.
World Wide Wait
It's been more than a month since the Tribune's Internet critic has posted to his blog.
Contrary Mary
Mary Schmich offers upsides of bad economic news today. For example, "Home is home again. It's not an ATM or a castle."
Well, yes, for those who still have their home.
Here's a potential upside, though: Maybe Mary Schmich will lose her job.
Budget Beat
"Daley Warns That City Will Have A Huge Deficit."
Maybe a new spay and neutering law could fill it.
Ballpark Estimates
"The size of the city's budget shortfall, however, remained a moving target Tuesday," the Tribune reports.
"'A couple hundred million dollars,' Daley told reporters.
"Later, Daley spokeswoman Jacquelyn Heard amended that statement.
"'When the mayor said a couple hundred million dollars, he didn't mean it literally,' Heard said. 'He meant it in general terms, as in , More than a few hundred million.'
Okay, the only thing I can figure from this is that she amended the deficit size upward - from a couple hundred million, meaning, say, $200 million, to more than a few hundred million, say, more than $300 million.
Which means it's really going to clock in at about twice that.
Stimulus Response
Should you get another stimulus check?
A) Only if it goes on George W. Bush's American Express card.
B) Only if by "stimulus" you mean it comes with a vial of crack.
C) Yes, we'll just raise taxes to pay for it.
Local Yokel
"Daley Warns That City Will Have A Huge Deficit"
Maybe a stimulus check would help.
Tell Mell
"Only 25 Apply For Mell's Gun-Registration Amnesty."
Wouldn't this have worked better as an undercover sting instead of a real ordinance?
Home Again
"Visitors from across the globe are in town marveling at the architecture, visiting the museums, posing in front of the Bean," the Tribune wrote on Sunday.
"But away from the lures of the lakefront and the Loop, there's a truer Chicago."
Yes, one the Trib ignores so sufficiently that it feels compelled to make a special series out of writing about it.
The Beachwood Tip Line: Make your dreams come true.
Posted by Lou at 06:40 AM | Permalink
July 30, 2008
The [Wednesday] Papers
The new Sun-Times: RedderEye.
Same inanity, poorer execution.
And one's free.
*
By the way, Serena Williams and Common were not the participants in that baseball brawl.
So, yeah, design problems too.
Pet Council
"After a three-hour hearing that starred [Bob Barker], the City Council's License Committee took no action on the spay and neutering mandate," the Sun-Times reports.
Must. Resist. Obvious. Bob Barker. Jokes.
What, Drew Carey wasn't available?
Pet Peeves
"Somebody will say this is an intentional distraction from the city's looming budget deficit," writes Mark Brown, who spent a couple of hours on Tuesday listening to city council testimony.
It's working!
Bennigan's Beat
* Who is lamer, Richard Roeper for standing in line to get into the Bennigan's in Calumet City or Michael Jordan for taking ex-wife Juanita to Bennigan's on their first date?
Flair Fallout
"Angry customers must now walk extra three blocks to TGIFs."
- Marty Gangler
Office Space
The big question no one asked in the papers today: Who gets that prime Michigan Avenue space?
Early Beachwood leaderboard:
* O'Briens: 2-1
* Panda Express: 15-1
* The Children's Museum: 25-1
Everybody Poops
Page 14 Metro story in the Sun-Times: "Guilty Plea For Defecating In Cell."
Hyperlocal news is here!
Motives
Did a man really lose an eye because he's a Sox fan?
Anything could have started that fight - even a debate of the merits of Bennigan's vs. TGIFs.
*
"Boguslaw Czapla acknowledged that he and his brother are Cubs fans but said he does not recall any discussions about the teams during the gathering," the Tribune reports, under the headline "Baseball Rivalry Turned Violent At July 19 Party, Police Say: 3 Cubs fans charged in fight that cost Sox fan an eye."
*
"3 arrested in Brewers-Cubs brawl at Miller Park."
Christ, here come the trend stories.
Why Not Six?
"Aldermen Agree To Take Part In City Furlough Plan."
They'll take three unpaid days off.
A) Will spend time at fundraisers instead of jobs.
B) They agree to make up for it with their next pay raise.
C) Unpaid days off will be the next three Saturdays.
Got Brains?
"Milk and country just seem to go hand-in-hand in terms of wholesome imagery," Lewis Lazare writes today.
Because nothing says wholesome like songs about drinking, cheating, screwing, screwing while drunk, cheating while screwing, gambling, gambling drunk, brawling, brawling while cheating, and all-around rambling like country.
Gov. Baloneyvich
The governor continues to say he won't sign campaign finance reform legislation because it isn't tough enough, and then sets out on a fundraising binge to prove his point.
World Wide Wait
It's been more than a month since the Tribune's Internet critic has posted to his blog.
Contrary Mary
Mary Schmich offers upsides of bad economic news today. For example, "Home is home again. It's not an ATM or a castle."
Well, yes, for those who still have their home.
Here's a potential upside, though: Maybe Mary Schmich will lose her job.
Budget Beat
"Daley Warns That City Will Have A Huge Deficit."
Maybe a new spay and neutering law could fill it.
Ballpark Estimates
"The size of the city's budget shortfall, however, remained a moving target Tuesday," the Tribune reports.
"'A couple hundred million dollars,' Daley told reporters.
"Later, Daley spokeswoman Jacquelyn Heard amended that statement.
"'When the mayor said a couple hundred million dollars, he didn't mean it literally,' Heard said. 'He meant it in general terms, as in , More than a few hundred million.'
Okay, the only thing I can figure from this is that she amended the deficit size upward - from a couple hundred million, meaning, say, $200 million, to more than a few hundred million, say, more than $300 million.
Which means it's really going to clock in at about twice that.
Stimulus Response
Should you get another stimulus check?
A) Only if it goes on George W. Bush's American Express card.
B) Only if by "stimulus" you mean it comes with a vial of crack.
C) Yes, we'll just raise taxes to pay for it.
Local Yokel
"Daley Warns That City Will Have A Huge Deficit"
Maybe a stimulus check would help.
Tell Mell
"Only 25 Apply For Mell's Gun-Registration Amnesty."
Wouldn't this have worked better as an undercover sting instead of a real ordinance?
Home Again
"Visitors from across the globe are in town marveling at the architecture, visiting the museums, posing in front of the Bean," the Tribune wrote on Sunday.
"But away from the lures of the lakefront and the Loop, there's a truer Chicago."
Yes, one the Trib ignores so sufficiently that it feels compelled to make a special series out of writing about it.
The Beachwood Tip Line: Make your dreams come true.
Posted by Lou at 11:37 AM | Permalink
Chicago 2040
"At the behest of Mayor Daley's former law partner, a City Council committee agreed Monday to extend until 2040 a franchise agreement that has allowed a private company to tear up Loop streets to install the chilled water pipeline needed to cool downtown office buildings," the Sun-Times reported on Tuesday.
This got us to wondering what Chicago will look like when that contract finally runs its course.
*
CTA hovercraft derails even without rails.
*
City council approves Lake Michigan privatization deal.
*
Last city landmark demolished.
*
Cubs announcer Kerry Wood to miss rest of season with vocal cord strain.
*
2016 Olympics finally paid off.
*
Todd Stroger Jr. named county board president after father suffers stroke.
*
Rod Blagojevich to write prison memoir.
*
The Kennedy renamed the Obama.
*
Michael Jordan: I'm Back!
*
But is this season's Bears team better than the 1985 team?
*
Blackhawks still refuse to put home games on the Internet.
*
ChicagoTribune.com slashes jobs as readers flock to wireless brain implants.
*
Chicago Sex-Times wonders whose bots are hotter.
*
Cryogenic Daley elected to another term.
*
Gentrifying Stickney the new hot spot.
*
Mayor says one day you'll be able to eat out of the Chicago River.
*
Oprah and Steadman plan fall wedding.
*
Former President Obama to deliver Jeremiah Wright eulogy.
*
Roeper & Roeper At the Movies premieres - Roeper debates old clips of himself reviewing classic oldies from 2000-2008.
*
Soldier Field finally takes off, flies to home planet.
*
Children's Museum completes expansion into Grant Park softball fields.
*
Could this finally be the year for the Cubs?
*
City budgets $122 million for wrought iron removal.
*
Continued delays due to three track construction on the Clear, Transparent, and Translucent lines of the CTA's Elevated "Vacu-suck" Pneumatic tube people-mover system.
*
Ozzie Guillen fined by Pleasant Meadows Nursing Home's residents council for latest outburst.
*
O'Hare Aviation Museum annexes fifth suburb.
*
Milwaukee threatens to secede from Cook County.
*
House Speaker Michael Madigan predicts overtime session.
*
Last real bluesman leaves town.
*
Block 37 blaxploitation megaplex a rousing success.
*
Studs Terkel invites luminaries for 127th birthday party.
*
Sweetheart chilled water pipeline contract finally expires.
-
- Cate Plys, Rick Kaempfer, Marty Gangler, Bethany Lankin, Marilyn Ferdinand, Tim Willette, Brian Rhodes, Steve Rhodes
Posted by Lou at 08:58 AM | Permalink
Big In Japan: Not the Olympics
The only experience I have had with Chicago's Olympics frenzy has been via online communications from friends and my perusing of the Tribune, Sun-Times and Daily Herald via the Web. I know the hype is swirling in Chi-town and that the community seems to overwhelmingly support the idea of a Chicago Olympics. Additionally, according to some people I know in Chicago who work in the news, the media there also has wholeheartedly latched onto the Olympic bandwagon.
Since Tokyo is also a finalist for the 2016 Games, I thought I'd ask around town and see how people here felt about the contest and what their thoughts were on being in competition with Chicago.
But before I delve into that, the advantages of Tokyo as an Olympic city are worth mentioning. From personal experience, I have to say (no disrespect intended to the City of Big Shoulders) that Tokyo would make an excellent Olympic site. It is virtually crime-free, clean, organized and efficient. It also boasts what is arguably the world's best public transportation system. Further, Tokyo is truly an international town, the capital of Japan and large enough to host the games. Some contend that a Tokyo-hosted Olympics would signify Japan's complete rehabilitation from the destruction and poverty wrought by World War II.
So how does the Olympic bid look from Tokyo?
The consensus among Daily Yomiuri sportswriters is that the bid "is not even on the radar." Sports talk radio is in a sumo/baseball mode with occasional quips about the upcoming Beijing games.
There is very little hype here about the Tokyo bid. Sure, there are posters and other ads around the city, but the public seems to be indifferent. According to one Japanese writer I spoke with, the 2016 Games are seen more as the baby of Governor Shintaro Ishihara, and of less importance economically or culturally. Isihara has proposed building a 100,000-seat arena in west Tokyo's scenic Yoyogi Park. People seem to think that Ishihara wants to create one last spectacle before he dies. Or, as one English acquaintance of mine so eloquently put it, "Shintaro'll be dead and buried before the Games anyway, so why should people give a [expletive]."
Many from the city see the 2016 bid as a distraction and a nuisance that would disrupt their busy daily lives. Evidently, some within the city government - particularly assemblywoman Yoshiko Fukushi - are grumbling that the cost will be too high. Further, public backing for the bid is estimated at about 59% - the lowest of all finalist cities. On top of that, Tokyo would have to spend billions of yen in taxpayer money to build facilities in the city. That doesn't sit well with residents. In addition, there is a possibility that Tokyo would be dragged into a competition with neighboring Fukuoka for a new Olympic venue, another potential issue that draws the ire of Tokyo citizens.
A Japanese friend of mine who lives in Yokohama (home of the Cubs-like BayStars) told me that Tokyo feels that it doesn't really need the games. It already hosted an Olympics in 1964 during a time when, according to my friend, "the Olympics meant something in the world." At that time, many in Japan - and Tokyo in particular - saw the awarding of the Games as part of an emergence from the Third World into the first. The '64 games were the first Olympics held in a non-Western city, which was a source of pride to residents.
The same friend told me that an Olympic bid would be a much bigger deal - both for economic impact and city pride - for other, smaller cities in Japan (i.e. Yokohama), as it was for the Nagano's 1998 Winter Games.
As there is little discussion of the Olympics in general, there is even less discussion in the city about being in competition with Chicago or Rio. Again, people seem to not really think about it much. Don't get me wrong; people in Tokyo know where Chicago is, and are aware of the competition. They just don't seem to care.
-
Previously in Big in Japan:
* Not Fukudome
* The Yokohama Cubs
* The Chicago Way
Posted by Lou at 01:05 AM | Permalink
July 29, 2008
The [Tuesday] Papers
This is what a desperate newspaper looks like: best beaches and hot fans.
And let's not forget headlines inside like Hot Bods, Hubba Bubba Barbie and Sex Hit-And-Run Stings!
Oh wait, is that John Mayer? Yes, and guess who occupied his time while Jennifer shopped? Someone hot, I'll bet!
Meanwhile, Miley is hearing footsteps at Disney!
And with Susanna's Night Out taking the day off, there's room for a Liz Phair story from Billboard!
Too Hot To Handle!
*
Is it any surprise that that an ad package for a diet pill - disguised as news stories - spreads out over two pages? What, the people from the Mint took the day off?
Longest. Contract. Ever.
"At the behest of Mayor Daley's former law partner, a City Council committee agreed Monday to extend until 2040 a franchise agreement that has allowed a private company to tear up Loop streets to install the chilled water pipeline needed to cool downtown office buildings," the Sex-Times reports in between beaches and bods.
2040!
The original agreement - with the Northwind subsidiary of ComEd - had been set to expire in 2020, so give the Daley administration credit for thinking ahead. Officials also announced the music lineup for Taste of Chicago that summer, including a reunion show by Fall Out Boy, and said Chicago would bid for the 2038 Olympics.
"That will give MDE Thermal Technologies, the company that acquired Northwind years ago, the stability it needs to attract more clients. MDE is owned by Australia-based Macquarie, the company that paid the city $1.83 billion over 99 years to lease the Chicago Skyway."
And so the city feels compelled to help keep it in business.
"MDE was represented at Monday's Transportation Committee meeting by Jack George, a partner in the law firm of Daley & George. Michael Daley, the mayor's brother, is a partner in the firm."
Ding ding ding!
The agreement reportedly transfers power of attorney to George's grandchildren after 2030.
"The law firm stands to reap lucrative legal fees over the course of the longer franchise agreement."
On 32 years of interest alone.
"Daley & George once employed the mayor and paid him until 1991 under a buyout agreement reached in 1980, when he was elected state's attorney."
According to the buyout agreement, they now own him.
"George said the unprecedented extension is needed 'to ensure that more than 100 existing customers - and all of our potential new customers - understand that the environmentally-friendly cooling system is gonna be available for the [long-term] future when we enter into these contracts with these various people.'"
Oh, and it's also to send a message to our existing customers - and all of our potential new customers - that we're the boss hogs with the big nuts.
"Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Allen (38th) countered, 'When you see that the use agreement changes from expiring in 2020 to 2040, it raises some eyebrows.'"
Mostly from people who want to know how to get a slice.
"He asked MDE President David Bump to justify it some more."
That way he wouldn't look so bad when he passed it out of his committee.
"They need to know we're going to be there," Bump said. "It's in our interest - ours as well as the city's - to have this system committed for the long-term so people will utilize it."
Funny how their interest and the city's coincide.
*
Here's the worst part: Now Brian Urlacher wants his contract re-done.
Urgent Message
R U An Idiot 4 Thnkng Txt Msg Hdlines Are Clvr?
*
Co-anchor chit chat on the Channel 2 "news" last night after a Vince Gerasole report on text-messaging.
"Vince is down with the kids!"
"He sure is!"
*
"Today's big danger: Texting while walking!" Margaret Lyons writes at Chicagoist. "Holy moly, is it ever time to be afraid. Particularly of twin bullshit stories, neither of which identify anyone who has actually been injured."
*
Chicagoist commenter Spook responds to the Trib story: "I hope that in the very near future, Ms. Kelly Scheiner of Streeterville is texting whilst running one of her many errands and has a 'real time intro' with the front grill of a speeing Mississippi bound Mack Truck that leaves nothing left behind on the street but her silver Nordstrom bag still draped over her left forearm for shallow mindless consumer posterity."
The Beachwood Tip Line: Hot and bothered.
Posted by Lou at 09:58 AM | Permalink
TV Notes: Freak Shows and Erection Drugs
Recent observations from more TV viewing than should be allowed even in a democracy.
1. I think those of us who have been fans from day one can all say we were disappointed with the opening episode of Mad Men's second season. Maybe all the attention will spoil the show. I had a hard time grasping the plot lines or even what the hell the characters were saying. A head-scratcher - and not in a good way.
2. I watch a lot of "freak shows" on cable and find them to be compassionate and illuminating. The story of the half-man, half-tree broadcast recently was particularly moving.
Here is an update on the man's condition.
3. I also watched The Man With No Face recently.
4. I know it must not be easy to come up with ad campaigns for erectile dysfunction drugs, but man! I'm not entirely sure why, but the Viva Viagra! commercial called "Nashville" bugs the shit out of me. I think it's because it has a certain smug quality to it - it's almost too well-done. See, here are some old Nashville session hands working late in the studio, and they're men, slightly leathery but also (country) musical and still relatively good-looking and this guy's got a clever song for a pick-me-up! And oh boy, it's funny! When did he come up with that? And they call join in and jam! Even the guy at the soundboard starts fidgeting with the levels.
5. And then there's this one too. Listen to the lyrics - see, he's not one to stray! And why the shot of the dog - is that a comment on horny men? But anyway, yes, these are dirty, dusty men's men who speed off on loud motorcycles to get home and bone their wives.
6. At least it's better than the dorkathon that is "Anniversary." My God . . .
7. On the other hand, Cialis goes too far in its sensitivity campaign with its talk of being ready "when the moment is right." Dude, take the damn pill every day and you're good to go!
Their campaign is oddly built around coitus interruptus, or at least pre-coitus interruptus when the equipment is getting primed. Oh wouldn't you know it, just when I was going to nail my wife our daughter comes home from college with the laundry! Or the in-laws dropped by! Or we ran into old friends!
8. Cuba Gooding Jr. for Cialis.
9. This is pretty good too.
11. Oh what the hell. Here's one more.
-
Comments welcome. Please include a real name and something clever to say if you want to be considered for publication.
Posted by Lou at 07:22 AM | Permalink
The White Sox Report
When President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch of the season in Washington, one thing was eminently clear: this was a guy who loved baseball. Maybe that should have been obvious all along - after all, he did own the Texas Rangers (and traded Sammy Sosa to the White Sox ) - but hearing Bush talk informatively about baseball from the broadcast booth, one couldn't help but notice his passion for the game.
As Deadspin's Will Leitch wrote at the time, Bush was never more engaging or likable as he was that night. Those are hardly two adjectives Bush is synonymous with anymore, and maybe it's even more astonishing that our president was actually able to tolerate speaking with Joe Morgan.
Even so, it was a little surprising to read of Bush's affection for Sox pitcher John Danks. After all, it would seem like the South Side of Chicago couldn't be more different from Bush's White House surroundings.
As a Texas kid who was drafted by the Rangers, Bush has plenty of reason to monitor Danks' development. If not for Carlos Quentin, Danks' transition into one of the best young hurlers in the American League would be the biggest surprise of this White Sox season. With the rest of the Sox playing up and down all year (as is wont to happen in 162 baseball games), Danks has been the Sox' most consistent pitcher, the type of front end of the rotation force that is required to win post-season games.
I'm not sure if Bush's love of Danks is relevant or even interesting. But for a White Sox team that always feels a tad underappreciated nationally, the support one pitcher gets from our inept president may be as much as we can ask.
-
Week in Review: The Sox' ten-game road trip against division foes is just getting underway, but taking two of three from Detroit is an encouraging start.
Week in Preview: The Sox take on the Twins for four games in Minnesota, and then head to Kansas City for three.
The Missile Tracker: Alexei has been smoking lately, picking up 15 hits in his last 11 games. Kudos to Ozzie for realizing that Ramirez's surprising power and unsurprising lack of plate discipline - you don't walk off the island! - means he is at his best when he isn't hitting at the top of the order.
Fields on the Farm: No longer! With Joe Crede on the DL, the Sox called up Fields prior to the Detroit series. Let's just hope the Sox aren't using this stint as an audition to trade him to another team.
Over/Under: 0: the number of moves the Sox should make at the trade deadline this year. The Sox have what it takes to win this division, and it wouldn't be smart to deal an emerging power hitter like Fields - the team's only prominent prospect - unless something unexpectedly awesome came along.
Beachwood Sabermetrics: A complex algorithm performed by The White Sox Report staff using all historical data made available by Major League Baseball has determined that despite what you may read in major newspapers, home runs are a good thing.
The White Sox Report: Read 'em all.
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Comments welcome. Please include a real name if want to be considered for publication.
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Ricky O'Donnell is the proprietor of Tremendous Upside Potential , a contributor to the Sun-Times's Full Court Press and a lot of other things.
Posted by Lou at 06:30 AM | Permalink
July 28, 2008
The [Monday] Papers
BREAKING 12:40 P.M.: Robert Novak diagnosed with brain tumor.
Obamaphiles
"If you thought Sen. Barack Obama would have an easy time before an audience of journalists of color Sunday, think again," Mary Mitchell writes this morning. "[I]t looks like the honeymoon - if there ever was such a thing - is over."
If the honeymoon is over, it's only because the marriage has been consummated.
"Sporting a beige suit and a U.S. flag lapel pin, Obama found a receptive audience among the minority journalists and students at McCormick Place, who gave him standing ovations, 10 rounds of applause and a rush of cell phone picture-taking," Sun-Times political reporter Abdon Pallasch reports.
It's true that Pallasch also writes next that "they did not hold back on tough questions." And Obama did not hold back on evading them, as I will show.
But c'mon!
"As it happened, Obama received a standing ovation from much of the audience at the start and end of his appearance," the Tribune reports.
That's all you get in the online version, which is curious because my print edition ends like this:
"One journalist was also overheard wishing him luck, while another exclaimed, 'He touched me!' as she left the ballroom."
(I wonder if that was Sun-Times editorial writer Deborah Douglas, who once said on Chicago Tonight after Obama met with the editorial board to address lingering issues about Tony Rezko that "You could listen to him all day . . . it was really refreshing to have that experience . . . only the malcontents and Obama-haters will keep this alive.")
And here were the questions the Trib's Mike Dorning put to Obama on the flight home:
* After making this trip, can you visualize yourself making the case for America abroad as president?
* Can you change the way America is viewed?
* How quickly?
* Did you pick up hostility to the U.S. in this trip?
* Was this trip presumptuous?
* What was the political value of the trip?
* What happens if the U.S. or Israel attacks Iran after the election but before the inauguration? Should the president-elect have a role in a decision like that?
* Can I have a hug?
Okay, not the last one, but all the rest.
Meanwhile, the Trib's Sunday magazine mails in a cover story about Daley crony Valerie Jarrett titled "Insider Has Obama's Ear: What's She Telling Him?" without ever answering the question.
For starters, what did Michelle Obama do exactly when she worked for Richard M. Daley? What kind of discussions led to Barack Obama's endorsement of the scandal-laden mayor? Name three things Obama did that challenged politics as usual in Chicago. And what kind of discussions did you have with other campaign officials about race-baiting in South Carolina? I mean, I could think of others, but I guess that's why I don't write for the Tribune Sunday magazine.
Asking Obama
"Obama bristled at questions about whether meeting with foreign leaders before he's elected president was presumptuous - and about whether he should admit that his opposition to the Iraq troop 'surge' was a mistake," Pallasch reports.
"'I basically met with these same folks John McCain met with after he won the nomination, and nobody suggested that was audacious,' Obama said, evoking applause."
Yes, but John McCain has been traveling overseas for years as part of his duties as a United States Senator. Obama has yet to report to duty as a Senator and instead choreographed a campaign swing through Europe as a political stunt.
"Obama said he had not heard journalists press McCain about whether it was a mistake to authorize the war - though they have."
Well, just because they have doesn't mean Obama has heard it.
"Obama said the surge helped bring down violence in Iraq, but the troops are more urgently needed in Afghanistan."
So he was wrong to oppose the surge? He doesn't say.
"Obama did not rule out an apology from the U.S. government to Native Americans but said, 'I'm more concerned about delivering a better life and developing a better relationship with Native Americans'."
This is classic Obama fuzziness. So you're against an apology? Why?
"He gave a similar answer to the issue of reparations for descendants of slaves, saying the best reparations would be the chance of a decent job and a good education."
So is that a No?
(Robert Novak recalls today that in Jordan last week Katie Couric "asked four different times whether the troop surge he had opposed was instrumental in reducing violence in Iraq. Each time, Obama answered straight from talking points by citing 'the great effort of our young men and women in uniform'.'')
Finally, in the Trib account, Obama responds to a question about whether his disavowals of being Muslim are offensive to Muslims this way: "I just don't like the idea of somebody falsifying my religion."
Um, right.
O-Commerce
The Sun-Times is selling Obama posters for $8 (20 percent off - regularly $10). I saw that in an ad in the print edition. I can't find it online because, you know, nobody buys anything online these days.
Committing Journalism
I'm not sure a permalink for today's Doonesbury is available so I'll just do it this way . . .
First panel:
"Have to go, honey. I'm picking up Rick at the airport."
"How'd the trip go?"
Second panel:
"Great, I guess. I mean, it was pretty historic . . . "
Third panel:
"No one's ever campaigned for president in Europe before."
Fourth panel cuts to Rick on the campaign plane:
"So what's the takeaway, Senator?"
"The people of Germany want change."
UPDATE 12:48 P.M.: Here it is!
In Today's Beachwood
Lots of great stuff. Consult the "Today's Beachwood" box in the upper right rail for assistance.
The Beachwood Tip Line: Giddyup.
Posted by Lou at 10:03 AM | Permalink
Telling Zell
Of course, this is all much too late. Sam Zell has to meet his debt obligations, just like many of us warned when at least some Tribune Company journalists were getting all giddy about the new slogans and Bob Dylan quotes being bandied about. As if. And many of these journalists protesting the cuts at Tribune Company are responsible for the mess in their own way because of their recalcitrant stance toward change. Instead of being the changemakers themselves, they have ceded that power to the clowns in the Tower. Still, it's interesting to note that in Chicago there is nothing but silence. Here's the way things look elsewhere in the Tribune empire:
Hartford
Los Angeles
Baltimore
Posted by Lou at 07:59 AM | Permalink
SportsMonday
Many have noted it is awfully tough to be a No. 1 receiver and a return man at the same time, especially a guy who returns kick-offs and punts. A guy runs one back 20 or 30 or 50 or 60 yards isn't going to be ready to line up at receiver for a play or three. Unless he takes it to the end zone of course - then everything is peachy.
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Here's to Jerry Angelo by the way. He could have taken a very dim view of Hester's remarkably short-sighted holdout (he wanted to be paid like a No. 1 receiver but for a little while at least, he refused to go to camp to continue to learn how to actually become a No. 1 receiver). The conditions were ripe for a "we don't negotiate with hold-outs" or a "take our final offer or leave it" type showdown and it didn't happen. Angelo continued to negotiate a contract extension for Hester when he was out of camp and he continued to do so when he was back, sort of. I guess I'm just cynical but Hester's hamstring injury (that kept him out of practice even after he returned to camp until Sunday, when his contract extension had been signed and he enjoyed a miraculous recovery) was about as legit as the ailments they used to dream up for down-the-bench Bulls who had to be put on the injured list because of the roster limit.
But even with Hester signed and sealed, I still can't muster a great deal of optimism about the Bears (and I'm trying! I've noted before that it simply doesn't make a whole lot of sense to be a sports fan if you can't marshal at least a few positive thoughts about your team in the offseason). It all comes down to: How can a team with all this stability (22 players on the roster have signed contract extensions with the Bears, i.e. have settled in for the long haul) have so many fundamental questions marks on offense? I've noted before I think the quarterback situation, while far from perfect, is better than most have made it out to be. It was noted in the Trib on Sunday that both Grossman and Orton have career win percentages above .600, for goodness sake.
But the Bears are counting on a rookie at left tackle, only the most important spot on the line for a right-handed quarterback. And Chris Williams at left tackle would make more sense if the Bears had a stud at left guard. But the competition for that spot in the lineup leaves a ton to be desired, with underwhelming Terrence Metcalf (a backup for most of his undistinguished career) getting most of the first-team snaps so far.
You can make an argument for the running back position as a potential strength, even if it is still in flux. Rookie Matt Forte clearly has all sorts of potential and he and Kevin Jones could be a strong one-two punch when Jones returns to full health. But the receivers - come on. Devin Hester could develop into a consistent deep threat but they tried to do that with him in college at Miami and failed. The news this weekend is that Brandon Lloyd has the best shot at the No. 2 receiver spot. Lloyd washed out of Washington in a big way last season and despite his Illinois ties (love the locals!) doesn't seem a great bet to become a force on his side of the field.
But what about the tight ends? I'd be more excited about what Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark could do for the offense if a Ron Turner offense had ever even begun to truly utilize multi-faceted performers at the position. Turner's ideal tight end blocks, and blocks again, and again, and then maybe catches a five-yard pass on third-and-7.
Pitch Count
Hey Geo Soto - we love ya' but you've got to be a little sharper with your pitch calls late in games. It isn't a good idea to throw a big-league hitter the same pitch in the same (approximate) spot three times in a row, let alone four (OK, OK, if it's Carlos Marmol throwing his slider that's really a slurve - I can see three or four in a row . . . otherwise, no). In three different critical situations on Friday and Saturday, you had your pitchers throw the same thing four times in a row. And all three times good Marlins hitters nailed No. 4.
In the ninth on Friday, Bobby Howry faced red-hot Jeremy Hermida. Outer half fastball, outer half fastball, outer half fastball, outer half fastball, game-winning solo home run. Saturday's eighth inning saw Sean Marshall take his shot at the left-handed hitting Hermida (who had already hit a second home run in two days earlier in the game). Marshall's slow curveball is almost impossible for most left-handers to hit even when it comes in right over the plate, unless they see it four times in a row. Then they time it, rip it, and then circle the bases yet again. Hermida's second home run of the day and third in 24 hours was what eventually sent the game into extra innings.
Finally in the top of the 12th, Chad Gaudin took on Jorge Cantu with the lead run on second. Low sliders seemed like a good idea but Cantu went down and got the fourth, lining it down the left-field line for what held up as the game-winning double.
If this were the Cardinals, where the over-involved coaches - they may be ridiculously good but they're still over-involved - call many of the pitches, plenty of the heat for these sorts of screw-ups would accrue to the guys on the bench. But Lou Piniella has always said he lets his catchers call their own games. So until I hear different, this stuff is on Soto and Soto alone.
Brew Crew
The Brewers' four-game sweep of the Cardinals last week looked bad for the Cubs in terms of the top spot in the Central Division (Milwaukee moved within a game of the lead when it won on Thursday) but it probably moved the Cubs closer to a playoff spot. Even if the Brewers move into the top spot in the division, there is still the wild card and going into action this week, the Cubs lead the wild-card runner-up Cardinals by five big games. I know we want to win the division but I would very much take just making the post-season for the second year in a row for the first time in how long is it again? Yes, there's that wonderful 100-year answer again. Isn't it special.
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Jim Coffman appears in this space every Monday with the best sports wrap-up in the city. You can write to him personally! Please include a real name if you would like your comments to be considered for publication.
Posted by Lou at 07:31 AM | Permalink
The Cub Factor
The Cubs may have exploded for nine runs on Sunday to salvage a split with Marlins, but the tendency of the offense to disappear for stretches is still a concern. We here at The Cub Factor have input all available data into the computers at Beachwood Labs and come up with the following slump-busting solutions.
* Dip into Sammy Sosa's secret cache of corked bats still hidden in the Wrigley ventilation system.
* Call the White Sox and ask to borrow their blow-up doll.
* Bring back Michael Barrett and let everyone take out their frustrations on him.
* Bless the bats and the children.
* Casually ask Fukudome how to say "steroids" in Japanese.
* "I'll have what Fontenot's having."
* Stop taking batting practice at Sluggers.
* Tell Derrek Lee to regain his focus and stop spending so much time updating his Facebook page.
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Week in Review: The Cubs didn't look good losing two of three to the D-Backs on the road and splitting a four-game series with the Fish at home.
Week in Preview: Four games at Wrigley North against the Brew Crew. And then I think they play a few more games after that. It's hard to focus beyond these four.
The Second Basemen Report: Seven games last week and three second baseman. Mighty Mini Fontenot got three starts while Mark DeRosa and Ronnie Cedeno got two starts each. DeRosa also played every other position not just for the Cubs but for opposing teams. He actually never left the field. Just like Hendry drew it up.
In former second basemen news, Mark Grudzielanek owns Kenny Rogers, is having another unheralded quality season, got his 2,000 hit, wants to play another two or three years and is missed in St. Louis. He is missed.
The Zam Bomb: Big Z is apologetic this week as he actually won his start this week and the Cubs only committed one error behind him. But he is still an angry young man.
Lost in Translation: Jeff Samardzija-san is Japanese for Kerry Wood.
Sweet and Sour Lou: 60% sweet, 40% Sour. Lou is down another five points on the Sweet-O-Meter this week due to concerns about the offense and the lame way he was ejected from a game defending first-base coach Matt Sinatro. And like your real crazy drunk uncle, Lou doesn't mind making a scene for you because your history teacher gave you a bad grade, but it's up to you to do something about it.
Center Stage: A gimpy old knee limited Joltin' Jimmy Edmonds to three starts, while Reed Johnson got three and Kosuke Fukudome moved over from right for one. Johnson's spectacular defense was like a dart aimed at Alfonso Soriano.
The Cub Factor: Catch up with them all.
Beachwood Sabermetrics: A complex algorithm performed by the The Cub Factor staff using all historical data made available by Major League Baseball has determined that Bernie Brewer rules.
Over/Under: Number Cub fans who go up to Miller Park this week and say, Tthis ballpark is pretty sweet": +/- 22,000.
Mount Lou: Mount Lou is sitting on red. Lou is spitting magma right now and all villagers heading north this week should take cover. Or at least cover your beer with some sort of lava proof cap.
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Posted by Lou at 06:39 AM | Permalink
Robert Novak's Little Black Corvette
Editor's Note: This was posted before we learned that Robert Novak was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
*
With apologies to Prince and Don Liljenquist.
*
I guess I shoulda known
By the way you spout your nonsense
That you'd hit-and-run
See you're the kinda person
Who drives fast at 10 a.m.
And hates pedestrians
I guess you had to run
cuz u had to meet with sources
Use them and also get used
But it was broad daylight
You were in plain sight
And the Prince of Darkness doesn't lose
And Bobby I say
Little black corvette
Bobby you're much 2 crass
Little black corvette
U need a source who's gonna last
I guess I shoulda closed my eyes
When u drove me 2 the place
Where your sources run free
cuz I felt a little ill
When I saw all the pictures
Of the sources who were there before me
Believe it or not
I started to worry
I wondered if I had enough crap
But it was broad daylight
I guess that makes it alright
And u say, baby, let's give the liberals gas
Oh yeah
Little black corvette
Bobby you're much 2 fast, yes u r
Little black corvette
U need 2 find a source who's gonna last
A reporter like you (a reporter like you)
Oughta be in jail (oughta be in jail)
cuz u verge on bein' obscene
(cuz u verge of bein' obscene)
Eat little babies (eat little babies)
Out secret agents (out secret agents)
And spread the lies of the Republican machine
(and spread the lies of the Republican machine)
Little black corvette
Bobby you're much 2 fast
Little black corvette
U need 2 find a source who's gonna last
Little black corvette
Honey u got 2 check facts (got 2 check facts)
Little black corvette
You whore yourself out for loads of cash
Little black corvette right in the ground
(little black corvette)
Write down what they want (honey u got 2 write down)
U, u, u got 2 write down (little black corvette)
You're schmoozing much 2 fast (2 fast)
U need 2 find a source who's gonna last
Boy, u got a racket like I never seen
And your rap . . .
I say your rap is so smooth
U should drive a limousine
Bobby you're much 2 fast
Little black corvette
U need a source, u need a source who's
Who's gonna last
(little black corvette)
U got 2 write down (u got 2 write down)
Little black corvette
cuz if u don't, cuz if u don't,
U gonna run your column right into the ground (right into the ground)
Right into the ground (right into the ground)
Right into the ground (right into the ground)
Little black corvette
Posted by Lou at 06:16 AM | Permalink
Swingtown
Love her or hate her, you have to admit Liz Phair knows her '70s music. And she knows how to pick a good TV show. In fact, she's kind of made a cottage industry out of both of those things with her involvement in CBS' Swingtown, which, I'm thinking, would have ended up becoming a minor hit of the 2007-08 network TV season if it had debuted when it should have in January instead of being derailed by the writers' strike.
Instead, it has been languishing in summer-replacementland, first on Thursday nights, and now on Fridays (not a good sign). Probably only Liz and the uber-suburbany folks of Winnetka, whom this show is really about, are watching Swingtown as it is now. CBS programming boss Nina Tassler says she's undecided about bringing the show back, perhaps as a mid-season replacement for next winter. The ratings, of course, suck.
Too bad. This show is so well-written, it's an instant classic. Created by Phair's Winnetka childhood pal Mike Kelley, it's not so much about ripping apart the hypocrisy of suburbia's penultimate hour as it is about gently dissecting it. It's no Taxi Driver, to be sure, but it's not Jonathan Livingston Seagull either.
It's got just the right combination of real affection for the superficiality of the '70s - its ridiculous feel-good psycho-babble masquerading as an authentic successor to the rage of '60s - and a dead-on depiction of the subtle undercurrent of foreboding over changing sexual and familial roles that everyone deep-down knew would end up leading to something nobody bargained for, even as they were popping their 'ludes, drinking their Harvey Wallbangers and trying to tell themselves it was all good in the crowded space just beneath the smiley-face bedsheets.
Oh, and did I say it's got group sex? On CBS? And drugs? On CBS? And lots and lots of rock 'n' roll? Which is where the ever-debatable Liz comes in. On the show, she has teamed with TV and film score producer/musician Evan Frankfort and Marc "Doc" Dauer (now playing in Minnie Driver's band) to whip up the music for Swingtown, which is really just as important a character as any of the intermingling marrieds. The three compose the incidental music for the show (which, to be honest, is not all too inspiring). Liz sings the show's opening theme song.
But way more importantly, she helps pick out the playlists of the actual '70s songs used to punctuate the emotional and dramatic points being made. In what also seems to be a first, CBS has teamed up with Last.fm to highlight the show's song selections. The list here from Last.fm seems to be a compilation of the songs sampled on the 13 episodes of Swingtown that have been filmed so far. All in all, a list I could really see Liz grooving to in her retro moods while holed up in her girlie room after a hard day at New Trier: A lot of familiar titles, as well as few that are a bit on the subversive side.
Kind of like the show itself: On the surface, it seems like everything is all Average White Band on the North Shore . That is, until the stylish neighbors invite you over to their special basement room, and you notice Kool is gettin' down with the whole Gang.
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1. Julie London, "The Good Life"
2. Brick, "Dazz"
3. Average White Band, "Pick Up the Pieces"
4. John Lennon, "Jealous Guy"
5. Commodores, "Machine Gun"
6. Golden Earring, "Radar Love"
7. Norman Greenbaum, "Skyline"
8. Three Dog Night, "Joy to the World"
9. Johnny Nash, "I Can See Clearly Now (Single Version)"
10. Rita Coolidge, "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher"
11. Deep Purple, "Smoke on the Water"
12. Captain & Tennille, "Love Will Keep Us Together"
13. Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Sweet Home Alabama"
14. Stealers Wheel, "Stuck in the Middle With You"
15. Van Morrison, "Moondance"
16. T-Connection, "Do What You Wanna Do"
17. Redbone, "Come and Get Your Love"
18. Free, "All Right Now"
19. Blue Swede, "Hooked on a Feeling"
20. George McCrae, "Rock Your Baby"
21. David Bowie, "Golden Years"
22. David Bowie, "Ziggy Stardust"
23. King Harvest, "Dancing In the Moonlight (Original Recording)"
24. The Emotions, "Best of My Love"
25. Orleans, "Still the One"
26. James Taylor, "Fire and Rain"
27. Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Fortunate Son"
28. The Three Degrees, "When Will I See You Again"
29. Smokie, "For a Few Dollars More"
30. The Doobie Brothers, "What A Fool Believes (live)"
31. Vanity Fare, "Hitchin' a Ride"
32. Carly Simon, "Nobody Does It Better"
33. Bob Dylan, "It Ain't Me Babe"
34. The Rolling Stones, "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
35. Stonewall Jackson, "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo"
36. Earth, Wind & Fire, "Shining Star"
37. Cheryl Lynn, "Got to Be Real (Single Version)"
38. The Tymes, "You Little Trustmaker"
39. Paper Lace, "The Night Chicago Died"
40. Johnny Bristol, "Hang on in There Baby"
41. Lobo, "I'd Love You to Want Me"
42. Little River Band, "Reminiscing"
43. The Hollies, "The Air That I Breathe"
44. T Connection, "Do What You Wanna Do"
45. Joe Cocker, "Bye Bye Blackbird"
46. Phil Ochs, "Song of My Returning"
47. Smokie, "Living Next Door to Alice"
48. Robin Trower, "Day of the Eagle"
49. Carpenters, "We've Only Just Begun"
50. Stealers Wheel, "You Put Something Better Inside Me"
51. Carole King, "It's Too Late"
52. The Allman Brothers Band, "Can't Lose What You Never Had"
53. The Dramatics, "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get"
54. Norman Greenbaum, "Spirit in the Sky"
55. Dobie Gray, "Drift Away"
56. Three Dog Night, "Shambala"
57. Looking Glass, "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)"
58. Melanie, "Brand New Key"
59. KISS, "Shout It Out Loud"
60. Eric Clapton, "Hello Old Friend"
61. Helen Reddy, "I Am Woman"
62. Parliament, "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)"
63. Barry Manilow, "Mandy"
64. Steve Miller Band, "Space Cowboy"
65. Kool & the Gang, "Jungle Boogie"
66. Neil Diamond, "Cracklin' Rosie"
67. Captain & Tenille, "Shop Around"
68. Bobby Darin, "Call Me Irresponsible"
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From the Beachwood jukebox to Marfa Public Radio, we have the playlists you need to be a better citizen of the Rock and Roll Nation.
Posted by Don at 01:01 AM | Permalink
July 26, 2008
The Weekend Desk Report
You can sleep in this weekend, safe in the knowledge that Madonna's still married and we're still watching the news.
Market Update
Markets failed to respond positively to a last-minute bailout of Presidential Dignity. Analysts note that fourth-quarter profits continue to plummet and stress most investors seem resigned to ride out the slump.
Court of Appeal
Meanwhile, presumptive Democratic candidate Barack Obama spent the week assembling key members of his potential Homecoming Court. Observers note Obama spared little more than one dance for Nicolas Sarkozy, although sources close to the once and future king note this is not related to unconfirmed rumors of cooties.
No Appeal
The deadline for captured former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic's appeal of extradition to the Hague has passed. Analysts note his actual appeal had pretty well passed anyway.
1984 + 32?
The City of Chicago this week took another big step towards Orwellian dystopia by announcing all its citizens will be kept safe by the watchful eye of Big Brother. City officials have also announced that we are currently at war with Springfield.
Summer Hours
How about you write a punch line for this one? We're on a bit of a staycation.
The Truth Is Out There
Finally, this week sees the release of a new X-Files movie, proving conclusively that America is just as paranoid and blustery as it was six years ago. So, basically, duh.
Posted by Natasha at 08:30 AM | Permalink
July 25, 2008
The Five Dumbest Ideas of The Week
1. It may be hard to take Al Franken's Senate campaign seriously, but it's even harder to imagine what might have possessed incumbent Norm Coleman to release an attack ad that seems to attack the blue-collar voters who are not Franken's natural constituency. Or maybe Franken just pulled off a masterful satire.
2. Ottawa resident Frances Woodward is appealing a decision by her local transit authority that prevents her from bringing Gyno, her pet albino ferret, along on bus rides. Woodward, an agoraphobic, claims that petting the animal calms her down. We think she'd fit right in on the No. 22 bus.
3. Want to send Aunt Agatha into cardiac arrest? Then follow the hot new trend of topping your wedding cake with updated versions of the classic bride-and-groom statuette - shown attempting to consummate the marriage or wearing NASCAR uniforms. Next: both at the same time.
4. This week beauty salon owner John Ho got almost as much press as Barack Obama when Ho unveiled the ultimate in "green" pedicures - one that makes your feet part of the food chain. You dip your tootsies in a tank filled with a swarm of tiny fishes that nibble away the dead skin. Next: how to prevent athlete's fish.
5. Turns out that inflation isn't the only remnant of the 70s to darken the horizon. Jumpsuits are staging a comeback, too. I guess it's Sex Machine chic.
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Stephanie B. Goldberg brings you the Five Dumbest Ideas of the Week every Friday.
Posted by Lou at 09:03 AM | Permalink
The [Friday] Papers
"Presumptuous or not, the campaign spared no detail - providing giant cranes for camera crews to get crowd shots - to capture images intended to present Obama on a world stage as he has never been seen before, even as Obama protested that he was speaking not as a presidential candidate but as a 'citizen'," Lynn Sweet writes.
Lord. Ich bin nacht ein candidater!
"Obama is on a nine-day overseas campaign swing designed to help plug holes in his foreign policy resume and blunt any perceptions among U.S. voters of a stature gap."
Again, I'm still waiting for someone to tell me how stagecraft plugs holes in resumes. We're in for the ultimate illusionary presidency.
Political Calculation
"Under criticism for canceling a planned visit with wounded U.S soldiers under treatment at a base in Germany, the Barack Obama campaign said today that they made the decision after the Pentagon advised them that the visit would be considered a campaign event," the Tribune reports.
"The senator decided out of respect for these servicemen and women that it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign," campaign official Robert Gibbs said.
Funny, here's what Gibbs said just a few days ago: "The trip is not at all a campaign trip, a rally of any sort."
*
Lynn Sweet has a terrific collection of photos, videos and stories from the trip on her blog, by the way, showing in a small way why 3-D journalism is obviously superior to 2-D journalism.
Traffic Code
"Civil rights groups called Thursday for ending the state police practice of searching vehicles during routine traffic stops, citing new statistics that show black and Hispanic motorists are searched more often even though drugs or other illegal items turn up more frequently among white drivers," the Tribune reports.
And those aren't just raw numbers. The study shows that 24.6 percent of searches of white people among participating agencies statewide yielded contraband, while only 13.8 percent of searches of blacks and 11.3 percent of searches of Hispanics did.
Prince of Pedestrians
"The homeless pedestrian who was struck by a car driven by syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak said in a radio interview yesterday that he is 'doing fine,' recovering from a dislocated shoulder, and voiced surprise and amusement that the prominent political pundit was at the wheel of the Chevrolet Corvette that hit him," the Washington Post reports.
"'Bob Novak is the one that hit me?' said 86-year-old Don Clifford Liljenquist, sounding astonished when WMAL (630 AM) reporter Troy Russell told him that the driver was Novak. 'Well, everybody knows who Bob Novak is! He's a famous journalist! . . . I was struck by Bob Novak? . . . Well, I think that makes it a great story!'"
*
Maybe Novak thought he was Joe Wilson.
*
At least Novak sent the guy a card.
Ann Marie's World
Wow, if the excerpt Chicago Tonight ran last night of tonight's John Callaway interview of departed Tribune editor Ann Marie Lipinski was the best tease they could come up with, it's one helluva boring interview. Just like the paper!
About Sam Zell, Ann Marie said, "My dealings with him were limited," adding that "he didn't come up through the newspaper industry."
I've got news for you: Neither did Dennis FitzSimons!
He was a broadcast guy.
Paradise Internet
Styx - minus the estranged Dennis DeYoung - sang the 7th-inning stretch at Wrigley last night. Guitarist James Young then sat in with Len & Bob for the bottom half of the inning and one thing he said in particular struck me: Young said that while the Internet has impacted the record industry, it has also given Styx - and other bands - new life because they can be discovered by new fans.
The Internet is a superior distribution system; the less any of us have to rely on the radio or record stores - and God bless the great ones - for exposure to bands, the better. More bands having a better chance of being heard is a great thing.
That's Neil
"Some Fear Flouride, Too."
1. Steinberg complains about stupid people who "find innovation so frightening." You know, like the way Steinberg is frightened by the Internet.
2. Steinberg complains about "once-respected scientists [who] are making sweeping public statements based on nothing." I'm skeptical about links between cell phones and cancer too, but the doctor who is the subject of Steinberg's complaint A) didn't make a sweeping statement but a cautionary one and B) didn't base his statement on nothing but on data that has yet to be published but does, in fact, exist.
3. Steinberg thinks he's written an original joke that George W. Bush is proof that anyone can grow up to be president.
Foul Ball
Right. And if Bartman offered the Sun-Times editorial board an interview, would they refuse it, or just be disappointed as they conducted it?
*
One thing Steve Bartman's got in exchange for all the grief he's taken: economic security.
Video Vixens
* Our smash hit "We Can't Wait 100 Years" is now out on video!
* Citizen Kate's voter registration drive.
The Beachwood Tip Line: Share the glory.
Posted by Lou at 08:40 AM | Permalink
Song of the Moment: I Kissed A Girl
It seems to have gone forgotten in all the rage, but it's a thousand times better.
Released: October 1995
Album: Jill Sobule
Length: 3:13
*
From Wikipedia:
"The song 'I Kissed a Girl' was banned from many radio stations in southern American states due to its controversial lyrics wherein Sobule describes her character cheating on her boyfriend with a female friend. In response to the banning, Sobule jokingly reminisced: 'I felt like Ice-T [with his song] Cop Killer."
*
The song reached 67 on the Billboard Hot Tracks chart.
*
LYRICS:
Genny came over and told me 'bout Fred
"He's such a hairy behemoth," she said
"Dumb as a box of hammers
But he's such a handsome guy."
And I opened up and told her 'bout Larry
And yesterday how he asked me to marry
I'm not giving him an answer yet
I think I can do better
So we laughed
Compared notes
We had a drink, we had a smoke
She took off her overcoat
I kissed a girl
I kissed a girl
So she called home to say she'd be late
He said he'd worried but now he feels safe
"I'm glad you're with your girlfriend, tell her Hi for me "
So I looked at you, you had guilt in your eyes
But it only lasted a little while
And then I felt your hand above my knee
And we laughed at the world
They can have their diamonds
And we'll have our pearls
I kissed a girl
I kissed a girl
I kissed a girl, her lips were sweet
She was just like kissing me
I kissed a girl, won't change the world
But I'm so glad I kissed a girl
And we laughed at the world
They can have their diamonds
And we'll have our pearls
I kissed a girl
For the first time
I kissed a girl
And I may do it again
I kissed a girl
I kissed a girl
I kissed a girl her lips were sweet
She was just like kissing me
But better
I kissed a girl
Won't change the world
But I'm so glad
I kissed a girl
For the first time
I kissed a girl
*
From today's New York Times Arts Listings:
JILL SOBULE (Wednesday): Years before the nascent pop star Katy Perry sang lasciviously about kissing a girl, Jill Sobule parlayed the notion into a quirky hit: in 1995, Ms. Sobule's "I Kissed a Girl," with its strummed guitars and sweet lyrics, earned her passing infamy. Now Ms. Sobule, an accomplished singer and songwriter, has released her seventh album, Jill Sobule Sings Prozak and the Platypus," the soundtrack to a play ("Prozak and the Platypus") she helped write. At 9:30 p.m., Joe's Pub, at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, at Astor Place, East Village, (212) 967-7555, joespub.com; $18. (Petrusich).
*
Priceless Amateur Katy Parry video:
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Previously in Song of the Moment:
* Iron Man
* The Story of Bo Diddley
* Teach Your Children
* Dream Vacation
* When The Levee Breaks
Posted by Lou at 06:02 AM | Permalink
Gary Slutkin's Campaign Contributions
Here are the campaign contributions to state lawmakers made by CeaseFire executive director Gary Slutkin, according records from the Illinois State Board of Elections.
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
8/1/2001
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Lisa Madigan
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
8/22/2002
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Lisa Madigan
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL 60610
$200.00
6/10/2003
Individual Contribution
Friends of Iris Y Martinez
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
10/28/2003
Individual Contribution
Citizens to Elect Karen Yarbrough
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
10/28/2003
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Cynthia Soto
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
12/29/2003
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Lisa Madigan
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$500.00
6/9/2004
Individual Contribution
Friends of Blagojevich
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
6/30/2005
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Claypool
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
6/30/2005
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Maldonado
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
1/18/2005
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Lisa Madigan
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
10/18/2005
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Cynthia Soto
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
11/7/2005
Individual Contribution
Friends of Lou Jones
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
3/10/2006
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Claypool
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
6/28/2006
Individual Contribution
Citizens to Elect Karen Yarbrough
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
8/8/2006
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Lisa Madigan
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
10/3/2006
Individual Contribution
Friends of Linda Chapa LaVia
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$250.00
10/30/2007
Individual Contribution
Citizens to Elect Karen Yarbrough
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
12/15/2007
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Esther Golar
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
8/10/2007
Individual Contribution
Citizens For Davis
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
Occupation: Medical Doctor Professor
Employer: University of Chicago at Illinois School of Public Health
$700.00
12/15/2007
Individual Contribution
Moreno for Senate
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
Occupation: Medical Doctor Professor
Employer: University of Chicago at Illinois School of Public Health
$1,500.00
12/30/2007
Individual Contribution
Moreno for Senate
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$250.00
5/29/2008
Individual Contribution
Friends of Julie Hamos
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$250.00
1/25/2008
Individual Contribution
Friends of Don Harmon
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
10/25/2007
Individual Contribution
Citizens to Elect Eddie Washington
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
Occupation: Doctor
Employer: UIC
$500.00
6/30/2008
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Lisa Madigan
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL 60610
$250.00
1/31/2008
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Deborah L Graham
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$200.00
2/1/2008
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Donne Trotter
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
Occupation: Medical Doctor Professor
Employer: University of Chicago at Illinois School of Public Health
$1,500.00
1/5/2008
Moreno for Senate
*
NOTE: Each of the above contributions listed the same Chicago address, which I've deleted. These are the two earliest contributions by a Gary Slutkin listed under a different address.
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$150.00
8/10/1999
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Lisa Madigan
*
Slutkin, Gary
Chicago, IL
$250.00
7/27/2000
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Lisa Madigan
*
Slutkin has also made some federal contributions, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
SLUTKIN, GARY
CHICAGO, IL
CEASEFIRE/EXECUTIVE
9/20/07
$250
Rush, Bobby L (D)
*
SLUTKIN, GARY MR
CHICAGO, IL
ULC-SPH/PUBLIC HEALTH MD
3/28/08
$1,000
Obama, Barack (D)
*
SLUTKIN, GARY MR
CHICAGO, IL
12/8/07
$500