On Martin Luther King Day, appearing on WVON radio, Gov. Bruce Rauner refused to call David Duke a racist – and punted on President Trump. Nice goin’.
Should’ve asked him about Hitler. See where he draws the line.
*
Another problem: Rauner repeats his talking point about the kind of language he says has no place in our political discourse, but does not disavow the viewpoint behind the language. The word “shithole” is not the problem. It’s a word, and it is sometimes deployed accurately and effectively. The problem, of course, is using that word to describe entire countries such as Haiti and El Salvador, as well as the entire African continent – while comparing those places disfavorably to Norway. Get the picture?
*
In other words, “shithole” has a place in our political conversation as much as any other word, and in fact I’d argue that Trump has every right to use that word. He gave his opinion, which he should do. It’s his racism that informs that opinion that has no place in the White House. It can be in our political conversation because, as was pointed out, it exists in our universe. But should it exist in our presidency? That’s the question for Rauner. With his utter lack of outrage and cold insistence on repeating a single talking point, Rauner failed quite a big test – not just a political test, but a test of his humanity. On WVON on MLK Day, of all times and places.
–
Meanwhile, Rauner primary opponent Jeanne Ives also had a quite an MLK Day. From a Community Renewal Society forum:
OH MY GOD. @JeanneIves says gun issues are solved by having “fathers in the home”. Chris Kennedy says “I would just like everyone to know, I didn’t have a father in my home.”, hands the mic to @JBPritzker, and walks out to a standing ovation. BRUTAL. #CRSMLK
— Conner Kerrigan (@ConnerKerrigan) January 15, 2018
–
New on the Beachwood . . .
Trump And The Rhetoric Of Dictators
Under President Donald Trump, language is undergoing a familiar shift we’ve seen before.
*
The Myth Of A Litigious Society
The real question isn’t why Americans sue so much, but why we don’t sue more.
*
Does Defense Really Win Championships?
Yes. And so does offense.
*
Chicagoetry: Sick
A lovely, longer lease.
*
SportsMondayTuesday: The Bulls Are For Real
The sample size is no longer small.
–
ChicagoGram
The Rogers Park studio of Sarah Ortlieb. (“Providing affordable and accessible art education to the Chicago community.”)
–
ChicagoTube
Chicago Stand-Up Marvin Phipps.
–
BeachBook
A sampling.
Culture Of Deceit Chapter Eight Zillion: StubHub.
*
The Invention Of The White Working Class.
*
The Brilliant Bernie Lincicome.
–
TweetWood
A sampling.
So many pleasing sentiments voiced today by politicians who do not practice what Martin Luther King preached.
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) January 15, 2018
*
The Chicago Freedom Movement’s quest for economic justice https://t.co/Urd5Bh7Y0n via @ChicagoReporter
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) January 16, 2018
*
Even if they did provide these services, why should they get a penny of taxpayer money? Let’s not normalize TIF financing to prosperous companies locating in the Loop!
Rahm staff is calling aldermen tonight, pressuring them to vote yes on giving a $5.5m tax subsidy to a healthcare company that refuses to provide contraceptives and won't perform abortions in the case of rape or incest. 👀
— Joanna Klonsky (@joannaklonsky) January 15, 2018
–
The Beachwood Tronc Line: Penny lane.
Posted on January 16, 2018