The [Tuesday] Papers

"The bankruptcy filing of Lehman Bros. Inc. and the pending sale of Merrill Lynch & Co. to Bank of America Corp. threaten to hit Chicago's battered financial sector hard," Steven Strahler writes in Crain's.

"Ultimately, it's going to have a very devastating impact on the region," a Lehman vice-president in Chicago says.

Poll Position
The Cubs' last two games notwithstanding, Chicago could be losing its grip on its Big Moment. Take the Division Street poll and tell us which big event you'd prefer this fall - a local World Series championship, a Barack Obama presidency, or the indictment of a particular mayor or governor.

Ethics Test
"Pending legislation to tighten state ethics laws could be delayed for years and maybe even die unless the Illinois Senate reconvenes soon to take further action on the measure, the state's chief legal officer warned on Monday," Crain's reports.

That would be state Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

"The (proposed) law is in jeopardy and we know why," Madigan said at a press conference.

That would be because of state Senate President Emil Jones.

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State Rep. Kirk Dillard - a Republican who appeared in an ad for Barack Obama earlier this year - "suggested that what would really move Mr. Jones to fast action would be a call from his favorite protege: Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Mr. Obama's campaign had no response."

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Well, that's not entirely true. As Dennis Byrne notes in the Tribune today, Obama's website states that "Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has fought for open and honest government,"

Which is something that Obama's critics just don't get. For example, consider the talking points dispensed by this Obama Action Wire, including this gem:

LIE: "When Veteran Cook County Boss John Stroger faced a strong and credible challenge in the 2006 primary election from a reform-minded liberal Democrat, Obama said nothing . . . Obama's silence had probably saved Cook County's political kingpin." [pp. 8, 14]

TRUTH: Obama's Neutrality Sent "A Silent Signal" That Was Helpful To Claypool. [Chicago Sun-Times, 3/16/06]

So, you see, Obama is probably just sending another silent signal. Isn't that enough?

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"If John McCain would just insert one sentence into a speech about this topic, it would be front-page headlines all over Illinois," Rich Miller writes.

And maybe beyond.

Sarah Clinton
"What is it about our culture that demands that women go back for additional training if they want to apply for the same job as a man?" Riverdaughter asks before totally shaming Jonathan Alter. "It must be nice to be a man in America."

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Or a University of Chicago Divinity School professor.

Astro Turf
"Other than the brats and cheese curds and Packers updates, how did you fellas enjoy the trip?"
- Richard Justice, Houston Chronicle

Wrigley Field North
"Sources within the organization indicated that [owner Mark] Attanasio was the driving force in the decision to fire Yost. Attanasio is an aggressive businessman and money manager who is not shy to make bold moves when he thinks the situation warrants them," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Beer Goggles
It's always interesting to read the hometown press of opposing teams after a game as well as your local papers; it's like reading liberal and conservative blogs about the same issue, statement, candidate . . . it's all through a prism that refracts the truth. But there is an objective reality that can be discerned. That is the task of journalism.

Cheese Head
"Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is promising to push for $5 billion in new funds to protect and restore the Great Lakes if he gets elected in November," the Journal-Sentinel reports.

"Obama also plans to designate a Great Lakes czar to coordinate existing federal programs with authority over Great Lakes management issues."

Deficit Campaigning
"I am not voting for Barack Obama. Why? Because he won't solve our fiscal crisis any more than McCain will."
- Jeffrey Meredith in today's Beachwood

Bridging the Gap
The city of Minneapolis is scheduled to open its new 35W bridge on Thursday.

"The 35W Remembrance Garden will be built at a cost of $1 million in the northeast part of Gold Medal Park, which became an unofficial gathering spot after the collapse," the Star Tribune reports.

Now would be a good time to revisit the Beachwood's coverage:

* Letter From Minneapolis: About a Bridge
* Big News, Small Town: The national media pays a visit

Thank You, Richard Wright

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