By Steve Rhodes
Yeah, this column didn’t happen.
But it will on Friday.
Here’s some social media commentary to hold you over.
Posted on March 12, 2015
The [Wednesday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
I couldn’t find a YouTube clip of Family Guy’s Chris Griffin somewhat famously saying “I have just been buried in paperwork for the past 72 hours,” but I’m about to be buried in paperwork for at least the next few hours so I don’t suspect there’ll be a column today. Besides, Tuesday’s column took a lot out of me. That’s several days, weeks and even months of work right there for some columnists in town.
It’s important, though. I beseech you: If you haven’t read The [Tuesday] Papers about the latest on Homan Square, please do so – and follow the links to my previous coverage.
Also, follow the links to the rest of what’s on the site right now – it’s really good stuff.
Posted on March 11, 2015
The [Tuesday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
Welcome to the Homandrome, Tom Durkin!
Durkin, one of the city’s best-known defense attorneys, weighed in on Monday with an Op-Ed in the Sun-Times and then an appearance with Tracy Siska of the Chicago Justice Project on Chicago Tonight.
Let’s take these one at a time.
Posted on March 10, 2015
The [Monday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
Bedeviled by several technical issues. Well, two. But that’s enough. One is 99% solved and the remaining 1% of the problem I can live with for now. The other is 100% maddening.
Still, for your enjoyment:
* I recommend @BeachwoodReport in particular today for the overnight real-time quotes about Rahm Emanuel’s 2011 campaign as well as key excerpts from national media coverage dating back to his Clinton days.
Such as . . . :
… Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus say he does not pay attention to their issues.”
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) March 9, 2015
Go see the rest. You will be rewarded.
–
(Here’s another example, as well, from Beachwood Facebook: When Rahm Told Eric Holder To Shut The Fuck Up About Guns.)
–
* The Beachwood Radio Hour #47: What Chicagoans Aren’t Being Told.
The most extraordinary part of the show, though, is about how New York magazine buried the most golden nugget of all the Brian Williams coverage.
The rest is about the nature of local news and where/how people are supposed to learn about Homan Square, the CIA’s fake reforms, the NSA scandals, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is probably the most under-reported story going.
Also: Pander bears in a runoff.
Posted on March 9, 2015
The Weekend Desk Report
By Steve Rhodes
“Private equity giant Blackstone Group LP is in advanced discussions to buy the Willis Tower in Chicago, the country’s second-tallest skyscraper, for about $1.5 billion according to a person briefed on the talks,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“If completed, it would be by far the highest price paid ever for a building in Chicago, and well above the $841 million that the iconic black tower – formerly known as the Sears Tower – last traded for in 2004 when it was sold to a group that includes New York investors Joseph Chetrit and Joseph Moinian.”
I can speak for all Chicagoans when I say I hope they change the name back. Maybe we can do a Kickstarter to acquire the naming rights.
Posted on March 7, 2015
The [Friday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
I’m on Weekend Desk duty tomorrow with Natasha Julius traveling, so if I don’t get to a Papers column today – pretty jammed up – I’ll just have more for Saturday. If I’m awake and coherent. Something tells me beer is in my future tonight.
Of course, I’ll have The Beachwood Radio Hour, which is already in pre-production. That means I’m thinking about it. A little
The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour with Jim “Coach” Coffman is already in: Bears Get Boring – Clearing the drama decks. Plus: Who The Hell Is E’Twaun Moore?; The Big Boy Blackhawks; Tony, Oh!; Joe Maddon Is A Madman; The Mesmerizing Minnie Miñoso; and The Chicago Fire Do Some Stuff.
Posted on March 6, 2015
The [Thursday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
Someone finally asked John Conroy what he thought of the Guardian’s reporting on Homan Square. It was WBEZ on Wednesday, and what he said was devastating:
“I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this before where a reporter comes in and there seems to be such anger at the reporter and a few words in his story, which are provocative but nonetheless the basic facts are borne out.
“Seven attorneys have now said they had clients in which they couldn’t reach . . . not seven clients – dozens, scores, we don’t know.
“I don’t know why there was such outrage that this was reported. People get scooped all the time . . . Get over it.”
Posted on March 5, 2015
The [Wednesday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
Another day, another Guardian story about Homan Square and the Chicago police. I count 11 stories so far (not counting this solicitation for victims or this Op-Ed about Chicago and “touchless torture“) plus the two-part investigation into former Chicago police officer Richard Zuley that got the ball rolling.
Is that enough yet?
And, of course, there have been follow-ups at scores of outlets including the Intercept, Salon, and Al-Jazeera America.
The Chicago media? Denial.
Posted on March 4, 2015
The [Tuesday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
“Under the increased scrutiny and pressure of a one-on-one campaign against Mayor Rahm Emanuel, challenger Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia on Monday dropped his monthslong opposition to allowing a Barack Obama presidential library to be built on city parkland,” the Tribune reports.
You should know better, Chuy. You grew up here. You’re not supposed to sell-out until after getting elected.
Posted on March 3, 2015
The [Monday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
Here’s the only thing you need today:
The Beachwood Radio Hour #46: Explaining Chicago’s Black Site.
A guide to Homan for our comprehension-challenged local media.
Take the time, it’s worth it.
And if you can’t take the time, follow the links to the original Guardian story and the Tribune’s follow-up and tell me who got it right and who blew it.
Posted on March 2, 2015