By Steve Rhodes
Now that was a debate!
An actual exchange of policy and theory – you hardly ever knew a moderator was there.
And the split-screen ruled!
We’ve got what you want over on Division Street today – our new installment of Mystery Debate Theater. It’s pretty good.
Crocodile Tears
Robert Vanecko – the nephew’s mayor – has a lot of nerve. He refuses to answer the entreaties of Sun-Times reporter Tim Novak for more than a month, then writes a letter to the editor after a story involving him appears in the paper complaining that Novak got it all wrong.
Please.
Vanecko’s excuse for not getting back to Novak is that “it’s been a crazy 10 days,” as he said in a story published yesterday.
But the truth is, Vanecko has a history of not answering the media’s inquiries.
What Vanecko doesn’t seem to understand is that he’s not subject to scrutiny merely because his uncle is Richard M. Daley; it’s because he’s landing millions of dollars in city contracts including the investment of pension funds in risky deals. He would be worthy of scrutiny if his best-known relative was Joe the Plumber – and with public funds comes the responsibility to answer the public’s questions.
Ace Rothstein Is Dead
FrankRosenthal.com.
Budget Games
Among the budget cuts proposed by Mayor Daley: No more free jumping jacks for neighborhood festivals. I kid you not. I don’t know what it means either.
FROM GARRY JAFFE 2:05 P.M.: They’re those inflated little playhouse like things that kids climb into & jump up & down in. The city must rent them & then brings them & sticks them in the middle of the street. I wonder which of Daley’s relatives has the contract.
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Fines on ovedue library books would also double – form 10 cents a day to 20 cents.
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Best Seinfeld one-off character ever.
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Luna Retro
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Programming Note
That’s all for today, this week has been insane. Tomorrow I’ll be back with a full column and new stuff all around the site.
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Satisfy your impulse.
Posted on October 16, 2008