The [Thursday] Papers

Sneed has coincidentally "learned" the day after the election that Jesse Jackson Jr. is in the "midst of plea discussions with the feds probing his alleged misuse of campaign funds."

Question: Is the source . . .

A) A fed heating up Junior
B) A Jackson rep trying to leak the news out slowly

Answer: B.

Why?

This clue:

"This has been an ongoing nightmare for the Jackson family, particularly his wife, Ald. Sandi Jackson, and the Reverend," added the source, who is familiar with the campaign funds probe.

First, I doubt that's actually a direct quote. Who would use his wife's full name and title?

Second, a family member probably would just say "Sandi."

Third, it must not be Sandi.

Fourth, a fed wouldn't care about the family dynamic. But someone "familiar with the campaign funds probe" puts a family lawyer into the mix.

Either way, Sneed is being used, as usual. Forget Western Union. If you wanna send a message, call Sneed!

Election Central
* Election Notebook: The Numbers. In which I find a lot overreaching - as usual.

* Al-Jazeera: How The White House Was Won. Al-Awesome.

* The Greatest Election Night Speech Ever. It's all of them, mashed up just right.

The Daley Who Cried Wolf
Floating this perennial is usually Sneed's job.

Burger Bull
Tom Thibodeau must be upset with how his McDonald's stock is performing.

Wrong Profession
Should've cast their votes instead.

Cows, Pigs And Priests
"Dozens of clergy members will carry a golden calf symbolizing the idols of wealth and greed to Senator Richard Durbin's office on Thursday, as a coalition of community groups demands that Durbin defend social programs - including Social Security and Medicare - in any post-election budget showdown," Curtis Black writes for Newstips.

"So far Durbin has refused to sign a pledge - backed by Majority Leader Harry Reid and 28 other senators - promising to oppose cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid."

Crime And Punishment
"On Wednesday, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago overturned an earlier decision of a 3-judge panel of the 7th Circuit and in an 8-3 decision ruled that two American citizens cannot sue former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and others over torture in Iraq," JD Journal reports.

"The two men, Donald Vance and Nathan Ertel had alleged that they were tortured by the U.S. military in Iraq, and Rumsfeld and others in the military chain of command had developed, authorized and used harsh interrogation techniques against them. Earlier, in similar cases, both the 4th Circuit and the District of Columbia Circuit have rejected suits for damages against U.S. officials over allegations of torture.

"In the instant case, the two complainants used to work for a private security company in Iraq, in 2006. They became concerned over illegal bribery and other corruption in the firm and they notified the U.S. authorities and cooperated with them. However, when they tried to act as whistleblowers against the private security firm, they were taken into custody by U.S. military forces and then taken to Camp Cropper near the airport in Baghdad. They allege that at Camp Cropper, they were subjected to harsh interrogation techniques and physical and emotional abuse."

Cheese & Crackers
Maybe these guys have it.

Local Music Notebook
Chicago Gangsters, Shawn Colvin & Jackson Amps.

Local Book Notes:
R.L. Stine Has Steak In Chicago.

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The Beachwood Tip Line: Break a few eggs.

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