last week's circus

Chicago has been quite the circus in the past week. On Thursday alone, we had the huge mid-day demonstration at City Hall and Daley Plaza by Chicago police and firefighters, the Blago indictments and associated media circus around the Federal court house, then the evening anti-Olympics protest at the Federal plaza.

Yesterday, there were plans for pro-Olympics groups running and cycling along the lakefront, to coincide with the IOC evaluation team's tour of potential venue locations. The weather may have put a damper on that. In mid 30s temps, rain and wind, I don't know how many people were motivated enough to get out there.

Will it be a circus again this week? Stay tuned...

the circus resumes

After a long lull, the Blago circus is revving up again.

anyone order garlic?

Tim - This cartoon is SOOO right. Thanks for the laugh.

the circus continues

Did you see Blago on David Letterman's show last night? I thought he looked more than a little uncomfortable, perched on the edge of his chair, constantly in motion. Letterman seemed to be having a fine time taking jabs at Blago.

for your political amusement

...a gallery of Blago cartoons

what goes around...

...comes around - a perfect example of karma in Chicago politics.

it's unanimous!

Blago's out! Quinn's in! Too bad he had to rip us off one last time by taking the state plane to Springfield this morning, fleeing Springfield before he was stripped of power, and taking the state plane home while he still had the right to use it. He can't rip us off with the bleepin' plane anymore. Celebrate!

more Blago humor

Here's a local news highlight of the week and John Kass keeps having fun at Blago's expense. Who knows how much material for humor will come out of Blago's media blitz tomorrow?

what's the game?

Is this a stalling tactic? a publicity stunt? a bailout because they're not getting paid? something else? Stay tuned...

yes, yes, yes!!!

Here's a bit of welcome news. And what's your $0.02? Then there's the latest Burris angle. What next?

Burris? WTF?

The Blago situation continues to be bizarre and surreal. Yesterday's news about Blobhead naming Roland Burris to fill Barack Obama's Senate seat is just plain bizarre. Never saw that one coming, especially after Burris called for Blobhead's resignation 2 weeks ago. I always considered Burris to be ethical and competent during his terms as Illinois comptroller and attorney general, not a rock star, but a solid, dependable guy. If Blobhead had stepped down and Burris had been nominated by Pat Quinn, I don't think anyone would have had a problem with that nomination. A Sun-Times article about his life and career helps put it into perspective.

Why would someone with his long, clean record of public service willingly accept a nomination from someone as radioactive as Blobhead? Jesse White, who would have to sign off on the nomination as Secretary of State, has publicly stated that he would refuse to do so, because any nomination by Blobhead would be tainted by the current scandal, even for a seemingly clean nominee such as Burris. Also, while I would like to see increased minority representation in Congress, should Obama's replacement be chosen on the basis of race, regardless of who is most qualified?

Watch the video of the press conference, accessible from the first link above. One of the reporters questions Burris about a $14K contribution by his firm to Blobhead. According to a Sun-Times article, Burris, his lobbying firm, his clients and a law firm that includes him donated $127,986 to Blobhead since 2002. Burris gave $4,500 personally, including $1,000 in 2008. Blobhead got $10,796 in cash and services from Burris & Lebed Consulting (lobbyists). Burris's law firm gave $5,000. Burris' consulting firm has scored $294,546.30 in state contracts under Blobhead's tenure in office.

Is the latest bit of pay to play to see the light of day? That and Burris' answer certainly make him look like less than he previously appeared to be. Here's more on the money angle. Some of the comments here are interesting.

What's your $0.02 on this? Please leave comments.

the gift that keeps on giving

John Kass continues to have great fun at Blago's expense. Enjoy!

Illinois distinction

new seal of gov. of IL

a rather apt cartoon

wotta slime

Nothing this guy says should surprise me anymore. How much of the money that Illinois DOESN'T have will be wasted as Blobhead "fights this to the last breath." Sheesh! I will celebrate on the day he's sent to Club Fed.

telling stories

A few folks have something to say about Jesse Jackson, Jr. John Kass of the Trib has a funnier-than-usual column. The videos linked to this one have some amusing moments. Stick around for the one about the nude Blago painting in the Old Town bar. Second City Cop has some winners as well.

Meanwhile, Tony Rezko's sentencing has been delayed indefinitely. I interpret this to mean that he's singing like a canary.

Blago blurbs

Has anyone made up spoof lyrics along the lines of "Blago roasting on an open fire"? If so, please share in comments.

Here's some commentary with just a bit of cynicism.

Lisa Madigan's attempt to have Blago removed due to "disability" has been rejected by the Supreme Court. That was a long shot at best, so I found it disappointing but not surprising. And Blago's lawyer strikes back.

Meanwhile, the plop thickens. And here's an interesting footnote to the story.

This old Richard J. Daley makes another interesting footnote: "Power is dangerous unless you have humility."

Stay tuned for more....

editorial comment

People are stupid.

really?!?!

A Saturday Night Live Weekend Update take on this week's Blago news.

more on the big rat

The Economist weighs in from the UK. The Reader gives it a local spin.

Blago appeals to a higher power. Meanwhile, I smell a rat.

And then we address the question, does power really change a person, or does it reveal their true nature?

Stay tuned for more....