Chicago - A message from the station manager

The [Tuesday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

I can’t keep up. Something’s gotta change.


*
I read a ton of news every day. I save articles, file articles, make notes on articles. I have tons to say about all of them!
By the time it comes to write this column, though, my energy has dissipated. I no longer have enough brain power left each day when the time comes to write in this space to follow through with the required research and thinking to properly say what I want to say.
I guess my coverage and creative ambitions have expanded as my will has weakened. I have other things to do too – like make a living.
So much bad politics. So much bad media. So much comedic potential. So much anger and outrage.
*
Bruce Rauner is disingenuous as fuck. Rahm Emanuel is just a cynical, bad human. So is Michael Madigan. The city council is a joke. The president? Duh. The media? Ugh. The evidence is in. What’s the point anymore?
*
CPS did another cuppa two-tree horrible things. CPD remains the most reform-resistant branch of local government – and all Rahm wants to do is be seen surrounded by cops so they know he “has their backs.” I don’t think anyone even covers CHA – and their huge surplus – anymore. Investigative reporting is experiencing a golden age, but in the general scheme of things, the media never learns. Folly overflows from every corner.
My read-later app is longer than an NBA season. My e-mail inbox is fuller than Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin at an all-you-can-eat buffet. My notes files – digital, analog and mental – are more voluminous than Spinal Tap on 11. I’m trying to do too much and, in turn, doing too little.
Something’s gotta give.
*
Also, Joe Maddon is driving me crazy. I wouldn’t mind his moves so much if he wasn’t so damn sure of his own genius and unwilling to ever acknowledge a mistake. He oughta run for office!
*
I also still can’t believe that the finding that Rahm’s historic, massive school closings that tore the city apart in his first term was essentially a total failure was a one-day story at best. Really?
I mean, I know the story has been overtaken by more recent horrors at CPS, but those school closings were all Rahm – a one-man production. There is no going back; no fixing.
(Which isn’t to treat the absolutely horrific sexual abuse uncovered there by the Tribune lightly, believe me. It’s all almost too much to absorb.)
After all, we still talk about Daley’s parking meter fiasco (as we should). What is wrong with this city?
Oh yeah, we needed a “tough” mayor who could run it. If that’s your shitty criteria, Rahm is still a failure.
*
I was planning to discuss this article by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp today. Maybe tomorrow.
(By the way, how great of a reporter is Sarah Karp? Longtime fan.)
*
Beachwood Reporter for sale, will take best offer!
–
New on the Beachwood . . .
The Weekend In Chicago Rock
Featuring: Aweful, Frank Raven, Liz Phair, The Detroit Cobras, El Fantasma, Cold Cave, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Tech N9ne, Aversions Crown, Shadow Full of Intent, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Whitechapel.
aweful.jpg
*
Last Week In Chicago Rock
Featuring: Mdou Moctar, Moon Taxi, Paul Simon, Bon Iver, Angel Du$t, Gatecreeper, Matt Sams, Alt J, Primus, Post Malone, and From Ashes to New.
moontaxi.png
–
ChicagoGram


–
ChicagoTube
BORINKEN ME LLAMA! CHICAGO PUBLIC ART SERIES.
“Artists from Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane María will be painting a total of three murals in collaboration with local artists in Hermosa (4049 W. Armitage Ave.), Logan Square (The 606 / Humboldt Blvd.), and Humboldt Park (Paseo Boricua) commissioned by Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center with the generous support of the Chicago Community Trust, Foundation for Puerto Rico, and the Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities. Their first visit to Chicago will be marked by an art installation at The 606 on June 23, 2018 and four community events surrounding the concept, creation, and execution of these murals.”

–
TweetWood
A sampling.


Note: That’s Tom Ricketts in the photo, but it’s his brother Todd who is the subject of the article.
*


*


*


–
The Beachwood Tronc Line: Relatively speaking.

Permalink

Posted on June 12, 2018