By Steve Rhodes
If you can’t brief Mike Pence adequately, you don’t deserve to have the job. After all, Pence may be president soon.
Posted on February 14, 2017
The [Monday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
“Republican U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton says he’s no fan of ‘circus’ town hall meetings and prefers a more controlled setting for town-hall-style meetings by telephone, which he will conduct on Monday night,” the Tribune reports.
So town hall by conference call?
Posted on February 13, 2017
The Weekend Desk Report
By Steve Rhodes
“The Wall Street Journal’s editorial features editor has left the paper following tensions over the section drifting in a pro-Donald Trump direction,” the Atlantic reports.
“News of the departure of Mark Lasswell, who edited op-eds for the Journal, comes as the paper’s internal tensions over Trump have begun to spill into public view. The reliably hawkish, pro-trade, small government conservative Journal op-ed page has been challenged by the rise of the populist, nationalist Trump movement. The Journal’s opinion pages have been a showcase for the intra-right divide over Trump, featuring Trump-sympathetic writers like Bill McGurn alongside anti-Trump columnists such as Bret Stephens. Lasswell appears to be a casualty of that divide, and his dismissal a victory for the pro-Trump faction on the editorial staff.”
Okay, but to me the biggest outrage in this piece isn’t about the Journal’s editorial decisions or Trump at all. It’s this:
Posted on February 12, 2017
The [Friday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
1. Auto Erotica.
“The 2017 Chicago Auto Show was flush with new trucks, off-road vehicles, SUVs, and crazy van concepts,” Autoblog reports. “There was even a muscle car and a cute hatchback to broaden the scope of things among the new product reveals. Our complete coverage.”
Posted on February 10, 2017
The [Wednesday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
“Sabrina Jackson looked forward to a raise last summer at her job as a crossing guard near her children’s Englewood school,” Melissa Sanchez reports for the Chicago Reporter.
Chicago’s minimum wage was slated to increase from $10 to $10.50 per hour under a city ordinance, providing a small but welcome boost to Jackson’s paycheck.
But when the new school year rolled around, Jackson discovered, “I didn’t get a raise.” Chicago Public Schools refused to pay the higher wage for the 1,300 crossing guards, telling nonprofit groups that run the program that the district had budget problems and claiming the workers were exempt. The district never explained why it considered the workers an exception.
The underpayment of Safe Passage workers is just one example of how the city’s minimum wage ordinance has fallen short since it took effect in July 2015. A Reporter analysis estimates that thousands of workers have been left behind because of exceptions in the law, which will raise the city’s minimum hourly wage to $13 by 2019.
Oh, but it gets worse:
“Meanwhile, the city department responsible for enforcement has investigated just a quarter of 454 wage complaints, recovered lost pay for only a few dozen people and has yet to fine a single company for violating the ordinance.”
Posted on February 8, 2017
The [Tuesday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
“United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz was surely pleased by a federal judge’s decision to stop (at least for now) the travel ban affecting people from seven Muslim-majority countries,” Shia Kapos reports for the Sun-Times.
“In a letter to employees last week, Munoz reiterated the Chicago-based airline’s commitment to diversity.
“‘We are a company representing every creed and conviction, background and belief. It is these differences that strengthen us and unite us as a company and a country,’ he wrote.”
Perhaps.
But:
Posted on February 7, 2017
The [Monday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
“Chicago’s beleaguered former red-light camera vendor, still reeling from a $2 million bribery scandal that nearly brought down the business and rippled across the globe, has agreed to pay $20 million to the city to settle its lawsuit over the company’s admitted fraud,” the Tribune’s David Kidwell reports.
“In a 12-page settlement agreement, Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. agreed to pay the city in mostly annual installments through 2023. The first installment of $5 million is due within 45 days, according to the agreement.”
I don’t mind saying once again that Kidwell’s red-light reporting has been absolutely remarkable. In fact, I rejoice in saying it! Inspiring and important. Journalism!
Posted on February 6, 2017
The [Friday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
“An Ohio pastor told FOX 32 that he ‘misspoke’ at the White House. He created a national sensation by telling President Trump Wednesday that Chicago gang leaders would ‘lower the body count’ if given new federal programs,” Mike Flannery reports for Fox Chicago News.
FOX 32: “So, there are no gang leaders offering to reduce the body count in exchange for federal funds?”
Pastor Darrell Scott: “No! I mean, c’mon now! (laughs) No!”
Darrell Scott, you are Today’s Worst Person Within Two States Of Chicago.
Posted on February 3, 2017
The [Thursday] Papers
The [Wednesday] Papers
By Steve Rhodes
“In a world often hostile to migration, Canada has stood out, welcoming thousands of refugees fleeing war and seeking a haven. It has been a feel-good time for Canada, proud of its national tolerance,” the New York Times reports.
“On Sunday, that was upended when a man walked into a mosque and started shooting, killing six people and wounding eight. The man accused of being the gunman, Alexandre Bissonnette, was charged with six counts of murder on Monday.
“The nation quickly rallied after the attack. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it an act of terrorism, and there was a collective outpouring of remorse and empathy. But the attack also forced Canadians to confront a growing intolerance and extremism that has taken root particularly among some people in this French-speaking corner of the country.”
Posted on February 1, 2017