By Steve Rhodes
The elite prize power, influence, wealth and celebrity above all, so it’s not surprising that New Trier High School’s inaugural Hall of Fame inductees include Donald Rumsfeld, Christie Hefner and The Office’s Rainn Wilson.
“‘These extraordinary alumni truly are a testament to the quality and character of New Trier’s graduates,’ the district’s superintendent said in a letter to alumni obtained by Politico. ‘It was difficult to narrow the field of nominees, but ultimately, these first inductees were chosen for lives and careers spent upholding the New Trier values of inquiry, compassion and service.'”
Yes, Don Rumsfeld is a shining example. Too bad New Trier officials won’t be asked to appear as character witnesses at a Rumsfeld war crimes trial.
And New Trier’s female graduates may not feel as inspired by Christie Hefner’s spirit of inquiry. But hey, there’s that guy from The Office!
Also inducted:
* Arthur C. Nielsen Jr. (’37), the son of the Nielsen ratings guy. Boo-yah!
(Well, he did “earn” an honorary doctorate from the University of Wisconsin.)
* Former U.S. Ambassador Richard Salisbury Williamson (’67), a former hand for the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations who … and is now a partner at clout-heavy George Ryan-defenders Winston & Strawn. Oh, and he ran against Carol Moseley-Braun for U.S. Senate in 1992 and, well, “critics have labeled [his] ads as race baiting.”
* And, yes, a physicist, a cancer researcher, a cataract surgeon, a post-modern dance pioneer and a Holocaust memorial foundation president.
All of which make the inclusions of Rumsfeld, Williamson and Wilson all the more disturbing. But then, who really cares? It’s New Trier, a monument to itself.
The Anti-Rahm
“To listen to the political experts, no one stands a chance against Rahm Emanuel,” John Kass writes. “But [Miguel] del Valle is offering a unique vision for Chicago: It’s a future without a mayoral dictator.”
Objecting To Rahm
Thirty-one challenges have been filed against Rahm Emanuel’s petitions. We have an exclusive look at the basis of those objections.
That’s Todd!
“Todd Stroger Presides Over Last Cook County Board Meeting.”
Then seen boxing up staplers, paper clips, reams of paper, petty cash, yogurt left in fridge, blank checks, snoglobes, East Bank Club towels, sheriff’s badges, computer disks and a shredder.
The Rink at Wrigley
“It’s too bad they didn’t put it on the inside.”
Bears Kool-Aid
Tastes like victory.
Bears-Lions Preview
The key is BSB.
Programming Note
That’s all I have time for today, must attend to both business and a reporting project. Back tomorrow.
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Drink the Kool-Aid.
Posted on December 2, 2010