Chicago - A message from the station manager

The [Wednesday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

“Former Bears Coach Mike Ditka put his endorsement behind mayoral candidate Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) even though he admits the two are politically polar opposites,” the Sun-Times reports.

When asked what he thought about Fioretti’s work with the City Council’s progressive caucus, Ditka appeared taken aback by the word “progressive.”
“It means inclusive, it means inclusive,” Fioretti interjected, smiling.

1. Ditka apparently has no idea that Fioretti is a member of the council’s Progressive Caucus.
2. Fioretti just renounced being progressive.

I’m to the far right of Attila the Hun,” Ditka told the Chicago Sun-Times. “I’m not politically aligned. I’m really conservative in my thinking.”

So why not endorse Rahm?

“I go back a long way with both Mayor Daleys. Great men,” Ditka said. “I think we can bring it back, that’s all.”

Okay. But Fioretti was a thorn in Richard M. Daley’s side before he was a thorn in Rahm’s side.
In other words, Ditka doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.

Ditka danced around the question when asked to pinpoint what specifically Fioretti offered that Mayor Rahm Emanuel didn’t.
“The business climate will be better,” he said later, without elaborating.

So Ditka is a clown show. Too bad Fioretti, also, acted the fool.


This would be one of them. To wit:
* Mike Ditka Calls Being Gay A ‘Choice’ You Have To ‘Tolerate.’
* Mike Ditka on Ferguson: ‘I don’t want to hear about this hands-up crap . . . This policeman’s life is ruined.’
* Ditka On Redskins.
* He Reeked Of Jim Beam And Slim Jims.
Endorsements are a two-way street. Candidates are often called upon – and often accede – to return donations from unsavory characters.
Getting an endorsement from Mike Ditka isn’t the worst crime in the world, but appearing with him and exploiting the moment for potential (though questionable) political gain says something about Fioretti – that he’s desperate, cynical or both.
It would have been easy enough for Fioretti to simply cash the check while stating publicly that he disagrees with Ditka’s politics. Instead, he held a fundraiser at Ditka’s restaurant.
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One sign of Fioretti’s miscalculation is the degree to which Ditka has become a punch line:

“The American Birther Party has withdrawn an invitation to former Chicago Bear player and coach Mike Ditka to address their annual convention in Idaho. “We can’t afford to be embarrassed,” a Birther spokesman told eTrueSports.

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Eric Zorn Says It So I Don’t Have To
John Wrana’s Status As A Vet Is Irrelevant.
(Actually, I did say it here.)
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Put Polls Out To Pasture
My latest Op-Ed for Crain’s.
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Previously:
* Ald. Moreno’s Stance Against Chik-fil-A Is Cheap, Hypocritical, Dangerous.
* Why I’m Taking A Pass On Boston Bombing Coverage – For Now.
* Blagojevich: The Gift That Keeps On Giving.
* Emanuel’s ‘Data Mayor’ Image Doesn’t Add Up.
* Save Lives – Build An Airport.
* This Bruce Isn’t The Boss.
Diary Of A Lost Pregnancy, Part 3
Remember The Challenger.
Sugar Gamers Love Alleycat Comics
First stop of 2015 tour.
The 30th Anniversary Of That Victory Auto Wreckers Ad
Gotta be the door.
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BeachBook
* Time For Science To Trump Politics In Chicago Staffing Debate.
See also: How Many Police Officers Does Chicago Need?
* Chicago Photographer Calls DNAinfo Reporter’s Article ‘Cunty.’
* British Spy Agency Captured E-Mails Of Top International Media.
* Grateful Dead Fans Mail Decorated Envelopes For Soldier Field Shows.
* Obama’s Computer Security Solution Is A Mishmash Of Old, Outdated Ideas.
* The Iconoclast’s Saint At The Art Institute.
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TweetWood
A sampling.


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The Beachwood Tip Line: Headbuttal.

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Posted on January 21, 2015