By Steve Rhodes
1. Convicted Liar Who Broke His Word As Governor So Many Times Legislators Forced Him To Sign ‘Memorandums of Understanding’ Still Seen As Credible By Media.
2. Media Now Selling ‘Interviews’ With Public Officials In Joint Publicity Venture.
3. City Hall To Remain A Fact-Free Zone.
4. If It’s So Quiet Why Won’t The Defendant Shut Up?
5. Buffoon Persuades Media To Use Warm And Fuzzy Photo From Here On Out.
6. Evil Progressing Geometrically.
7. Because It’s Worked So Well For The White House.
8. Illinois Congressman Prefers Comforting Myth To Truth That Would Shake His Worldview.
9. So Was The Old Chief’s, And Look Where That Got Him.
10. General Assembly Becoming Too Gay For Him.
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Rahm’s Partner in Reform
“Can Rochester, N.Y., superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard pad a payroll? Skirt the rules? Spend frivolously? Distort statistics to make himself look good? Infuriate his constituents with a high-handed style? Check, check, check, check and check.”
– Eric Zorn, Our Kind Of Guy To Lead Chicago Schools
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“I think we should sue his ass.”
– Rochester School Board member Cynthia Elliott, New CPS Chief Owes Us $100K For Quitting, Rochester Schools Say
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“Chicago is an amazing opportunity for me and my family.”
– Jean-Claude Brizard, Brizard Suggests Successor, Says Reforms Will Continue
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“When Rochester City Schools Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard departs to take charge of Chicago’s public school system, he’ll leave behind a largely broken school district with dismal test scores, shaky finances and a fractured relationship with teachers.”
– Tribune, Chicago’s New School Chief Leaves His Old District Mired In Questions, Controversy
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Geez, what was so wrong with Terry Mazany?
Police Pick
If his schools pick is any indication, Rahm Emanuel’s choice for police chief will leave behind a department with shaky finances, falsified crime statistics and fractured morale.
Meaning it could be an insider or an outsider.
Search Engine Manipulation
“Emanuel has been running a separate but parallel selection process while the police board goes about its work,” the Tribune reports.
Um, what exactly is the police board’s work if Emanuel is running his own search? And how much is their fake search costing us?
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“[Emanuel] has been outspoken about picking his own top cop, sending a clear message that he expects the board’s list of finalists to contain his own shortlist picks.”
Wouldn’t it be easier, then, for the police board to just call Emanuel when his search is over and ask him who the finalists should be instead of running its own search as well?
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“The police board, which is appointed by the mayor and is currently headed by a City Hall lobbyist, does not have a record of opposing the mayor on the top cop selection.”
No wonder so many board members don’t see the point of showing up for their meetings.
Economical Emanuel
“Emanuel did all the talking at Wednesday’s press conference,” the Chicago News Cooperative reports. “His economic team stood silently nearby, with each member standing on a piece of blue tape with their initials marked on it.”
The tape was a reminder to grown adults to keep their mouths shut.
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Likewise . . .
“Appearing with Emanuel at a news conference Monday at a Southwest Side high school, Brizard read a brief statement saying he was ‘honored and thrilled’ to come to Chicago. But Emanuel fielded all questions on Brizard’s behalf.”
Maybe Rahm just got carried away talking about how transparent he wanted his administration to be.
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And then there was the appointment of Washington, D.C., official Gabe Klein as Chicago’s new transportation commissioner . . .
“Emanuel did not allow his new appointee to answer reporters’ questions.”
Instead, a piece of tape with his initials on it was placed over his mouth.
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“Klein launched Washington’s bike-sharing program and expanded its trolleylike bus lines. After the new Washington mayor took office, his transition team issued a report criticizing the transportation department, saying it skirted accountability and violated local laws in funding projects, according to a news report.”
Hence the tape.
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Finally, Forrest Claypool was named the head of the CTA while Terry Peterson was re-upped as CTA board chairman.
“Claypool and Peterson did get to speak.”
Either because they’re old Daley hands who are already well-trained or because Rahm ran out of tape.
Carl’s Cubs Mailbag
Naming names, spitting game.
Boystown, USA
Casting underway.
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Split the difference.
Posted on April 21, 2011