Blog Bowl II.. This time, I want to finish better than next to last.

Obama by 55.
Bush by 14, Bush 276 Kerry 262 and Keyes get 23% of the vote.

OneMan.

ESPN.com - NCF - College Football Rankings:
"#24. Northern Illinois 7-2 110
Last game: Def. Ball State 38-31 (Oct. 30)
Next week: vs. Toledo (Nov. 9)

-- For the last three years, the best college football team in the state. NIU.... Go Huskies.. Northwhatern? U of I? Please.

OneMan

SJ-R.COM - Worker: Questions led to firing: "The former head of internal affairs for the Illinois Department of Revenue said he was fired after complaining about security cutbacks at the agency and because he is a Republican.
Doug Howard, 50, who now lives in Tennessee, also said he was ousted shortly after complaining that Revenue administrators refused to lock down the Willard Ice Building after the fatal shooting of a security guard in the Capitol just four blocks away.
'I made my opinion known to a few people that I spoke with that day, and frankly, I believe that it got back to (the administrators),' Howard said. 'I think my termination ... was retaliation.'"

-- Really the state doesn't retaliate. Feel free to be honest about your opinions state workers and inspectors.

AP Wire | 10/29/2004 | Illinois Has to Have Flu Vaccine Cleared: "'They need to be comfortable that that French manufacturer is supplying the same vaccines that the one in Pennsylvania supplies,' Blagojevich said. 'We know that they do, they just need to check it out and make sure they're comfortable with it.'
Governor's spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said later the Blagojevich administration also offered to send its own regulators to Europe with FDA officials next week when they inspect plants run by GlaxoSmithKline. It has 4 million doses to sell the United States, and Illinois has a deal to buy up to 100,000 of those."

-- Because state inspectors would feel no preasure what so ever to clear the medicine... It's not like the state is laying off people in various departments, oh wait they are.

OneMan

Lauzen in spat with coach at Marmion: "A Marmion Academy assistant football coach has accused state Sen. Chris Lauzen of committing battery during an altercation after the football team's final game last weekend.
Authorities have not filed charges against Lauzen, who called the allegation 'a lie.' But police are investigating the claims of the 26-year-old McHenry man, who said the Aurora Republican legislator grabbed him by the arm, poked him in the chest and swore at him.
Lauzen said he touched the coach with two fingers to hold him at arm's length after the coach approached him aggressively.
'I had two extended fingers, (as if to say) 'Just get away from me,' ' said Lauzen, a state senator since 1993. 'He came to me. He was the guy being restrained. He was the guy told by the head coach, 'Back off, back off. You're out of line.' '
Matthew K. Welch, a Marmion graduate who is the team's offensive coordinator, filed a complaint with Aurora police Thursday, claiming Lauzen confronted him after the team's season-ending victory against Aurora Central Catholic High School."

-- Assuming the other guys story is the completely true one at 26 would you whine to the cops because someone poked a finger in our chest and grabed your arm roughly?

Chris became a CPA in 1975, so assuming he was 21 at that point, he would be about 50 years old old enough to be the other guys dad.

Please, a classic he-said, he-said.

OneMan

Just got done telling my daughter a 'Flippy the Dolphin' Story I made up before bed, and no she will not have nightmares...

OneMan

From the New York Post Online Edition: postopinion:

"But Kerry's problems with blacks go beyond simple issues. Discuss the candidate with African-Americans even those likely to vote for him and you'll often hear that he is 'distant' and 'tone deaf.'
Look at what just happened in the key swing state of Ohio.
On Saturday, Oct. 16, Kerry gave a speech at a high school in the small town of Xenia, outside Dayton. Nearby is Wilberforce University the oldest private historically black institution of higher learning, whose president is former Rep. Floyd Flake (D-Queens).
A rally, mainly of students from Wilberforce and its sister school, Central State University, was staged at the Wilberforce campus. Organizers were led to believe that if there were at least 100 people, Kerry's motorcade would make a quick stop.
Eventually 150 students and supporters including congressional candidate Kara Anastasio gathered for four hours on a cold (rainy and snowy) Ohio day.
And the Kerry caravan drove right on by. All the long-suffering got from the candidate was a clenched "victory" fist out the window.

According to Shavon Ray, president of Wilberforce's NAACP, the students were devastated — with comments such as "This is why I don't vote."

Ray told the local NAACP chapter the affair was a "slap in the face."

After the incident — and Ray's criticism — made the local paper, the Democratic Party sent one Ken Miller to Wilberforce to meet with Ray. He offered 50 tickets — and 8 VIP tickets — to a Kerry event in Dayton.

Ray declined what she saw as "hush tickets." Taking seriously the idea that the NAACP is supposed to be non-partisan, Ray turned the tickets over to Wilberforce's student government.

Next, Miller offered to have Rev. Al Sharpton stop by as a speaker. That annoyed Ray even more: "We don't want a black face to speak to black students."

The final straw was when Miller said Sharpton would be sent to speak to Central State University — along with X-rated rapper Foxy Brown.

When Ray reminded Miller that they didn't want anything to do with Sharpton, Miller allegedly responded, "What do you want — Kerry to lose the f---ing race? We got you Al Sharpton. What more do you want?"

For Shavon Ray, it was simple: "The [campaign] could have just offered an apology and shared their sympathy to our school."

-- It could have been worse, they could have offered Alan Keyes...

Just got done watching an listening to some Keyes ads on-line.

Nice slow-jam however they totaly suck.

Guided by Truth, more like guided by voices in his head.

Also 'In your heart you know he's right' a quote from Rush, how about 'In your guts you know he's nuts'

OneMan

If the best they can come up with help Crain is this..

and lets not forget about

He is Sooooo screwed.

To see what a 'dead' Flippy looks like (it's a bigger image) go here.

The sad thing is someone most likely got paid to come up with this. Then again "Dude it was a close race last time and she had no money and you didn't do jack to try and connect with your district since then" Dolphin is a bit much to say.

He is going to lose and it is all his fault.

OneMan

The Capitol Fax Blog: Oh, dear God, NOOOOO!!!: "anthropomorphic Republican dolphins"

-- Would make a great band name or the title of a phish protest album.

OneMan

Yahoo! News - UN Votes Overwhelmingly Against U.S. Embargo on Cuba: "The U.N. General Assembly, for the 13th consecutive year, voted overwhelmingly on Thursday against the 4-decade-old U.S. economic, financial and commercial embargo against Cuba.

The vote was a lopsided 179 to 4 with one abstention on the resolution opposing the embargo. United States, Israel, Palau and the Marshall Islands voted against the measure. "

-- We can always count on Palau...

Taking some stuff fromThe Capitol Fax Blog:

"Keyes also had a few not-so-nice words about Illinois reporters:

'I have not been impressed with the standard of journalism in the state of Illinois,' he said. 'I think it's a disgrace to the people of this state that you all don't do your jobs very well. You've got work to do because you're not up to snuff.'

And then Rich's has the best line ever...
Any major party candidate who is trailing his opponent by 40 to 50 points less than a week before election day has no standing to tell anyone else that they suck at their jobs. "

ESPN.com - MLB/FALLCLASSIC - Stark: Useless Information Dept.: "Most titles since the Red Sox last won one: Yankees 26, Canadiens 23, Celtics 16, Lakers 14, Packers 12, Maple Leafs 12.
Original baseball teams that still haven't won one: Cubs (1908) and White Sox (1917)."

From the Sneedster Ay!: "The eraser set . . .
Guess who's going to school?
*Answer: Ron Gidwitz, former chair of the Illinois State Board of Education, will be 'principal-for-a-day' today at John A. Walsh School. (Sneed hears Gidwitz is being urged to consider a run for governor.)"

-- Yeah, thats going to be the answer. Rod Gidwitz....

San Francisco Examiner: Bush's civil-union stance upsets group: "WASHINGTON -- Some conservative groups expressed dismay Tuesday over President Bush's tolerance of state-sanctioned civil unions between gay people -- laws that would grant same-sex partners most or all the rights available to married couples.
'I don't think we should deny people rights to a civil union, a legal arrangement, if that's what a state chooses to do so,' Bush said in an interview aired Tuesday on ABC. Bush acknowledged that his position put him at odds with the Republican platform, which opposes civil unions.
Some conservative organizations sharply disagreed with Bush and pressed him to seek a constitutional amendment that would ban both gay marriage and civil unions."

-- I think he is right. It is a state issue. No other sacrament is defined by the government, so why should marriage. What you do in your bedroom is your own business, not the governments. The state may have an interest in supporting family units with two adults at the lead, I am cool with that.

If I can't trust the government to do health care right, how can I trust them to properly manage one of the sacraments. So render unto Ceasar what is Cesars. Let civil government call marriage what it wants.

In many way the government definition of marriage is as much contract law as anything else.
OneMan

Ok,
I was watching the CBC news, I get it on one of my satalite channels. They were broadcasting from PA and sharing thoughts from Canadians to American Voters?

So here is my question 'if we are voting for the world, how much of an obligation does the American voter have to the rest of the world?'

or
'Would you vote for candidate X who could provide prosperty and safety with a plan that would result in country Y getting jerked over or would you vote for candidate Z instead who would not provide the same level of prosperty and safety'

From This is London: Bob Woodward is having a hard time getting a sit down with Kerry...

Mr Woodward, whose newspaper the Washington Post this week endorsed the Kerry campaign, revealed he has been seeking an interview since June without success. He blamed 'risk-averse' nerves on the part of the Kerry team for the refusal. One of America's most revered journalists, he even took the unusual step of sending his list of 22 questions in advance, in the hope Mr Kerry would feel more confident about answering.
He pointed out that President Bush gave him three and a half hours of interview time for his best-selling book on the Iraq War, Plan of Attack. He wanted Mr Kerry to explain how he would have fought the war differently. 'I interviewed President Bush and he answered hundreds of detailed questions,' said Mr Woodward. 'I wanted to come up with parallel questions that would tell us how Kerry would function.'
He thought Mr Kerry's refusal was because he did not want to take risks. 'What's to gain? There's a downside every time a candidate opens his mouth.' Last month Mr Kerry stepped up his criticism of the Bush war strategy and declared: 'I would've done almost everything differently.'
Mr Woodward then sent his detailed questions asking how he would have acted differently. At that point, Mr Kerry decided not to do the interview. "The senator and his campaign have since decided not to do the interview, though his advisers say Kerry would have strong and compelling answers," said Mr Woodward.

-- Running away from Bob Woodward and we expect him to stand up to terrorists?

"The senator and his campaign have since decided not to do the interview, though his advisers say Kerry would have strong and compelling answers," said Mr Woodward.


Then why not let him give the 'strong and compelling ansers? Perhaps because they are neither strong nor compelling? Besides for the fact the answers could only hurt him, why not try and score points in an area that some see him as 'weak' in?

OneMan

heraldtribune.com: Southwest Florida's Information Leader: "SARASOTA A man accused of attempting to run over U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris with his Cadillac was arrested today.

Harris and a group of supporters were campaigning on the northwest corner of the intersection on Fruitville Road and North Washington Boulevard. Tuesday at about 6 p.m. when they spotted a car heading toward them quickly. The Cadillac drove up the sidewalk directly at Harris and others before swerving and driving away.

Harris said she was afraid for her life and could not move as the car drove toward her, according to the police report.

Witnesses gave the tag number to police, who located the car parked outside the home of Barry M. Seltzer. Police said Seltzer, 46, came in for questioning early this morning and was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Seltzer, a landlord for several rental properties, is in the Sarasota County jail.

"I was exercising my political expression", Seltzer told officers, according to the arrest report. "I did not run them down, I scared them a little." "

-- I am sure to someone this is somehow Bush's fault.

The New York Times > Washington > Campaign 2004 > Where to Catch a Rising Political Star? Try Illinois: "HICAGO, Oct. 26 - Barack Obama drove to Milwaukee the other day and stirred up a crowd in a sunny park on behalf of Russell D. Feingold, a 12-year veteran of the United States Senate.
Another day, Mr. Obama sent a check for $25,000 to the Democratic Party in South Dakota, where Tom Daschle, the Senate minority leader, is fighting to keep his seat. Over a recent weekend, he flew to speak at a national Democratic fund-raiser in Los Angeles, then on to Denver, where he told a crowded gymnasium to vote for Ken Salazar, the party's Senate candidate from Colorado.
Here is the puzzling part: Mr. Obama is a mere state senator from the South Side of Chicago, and many people, even here in Illinois, would not have recognized him a year ago"

-- Well if he does live up to the hype down the road if nothing else at least my blog entries may show up in some phd thesis down the road... I would have rather have had Jack Ryan as my US Senator but I hope he follows the character example of Paul Simon and the independance of Fitzgerald. If he does that then I think we will end up with a senator we can be proud of.

That being said I still disagree with him on his vote against no-knock search warrents in dangerous situatuions.

One

CNN.com - Post-Labor Day spending by PACs favors Kerry - Oct 26, 2004: "WASHINGTON (AP) -- Interest groups that can urge the public to vote for or against candidates have spent at least $25 million on the presidential race since Labor Day, with John Kerry's supporters outspending President Bush's by more than 4-to-1, according to a nonpartisan finance tracking service."

-- Interesting... This seems to include PACs funded by just one person...

OneMan

CNN.com - Report: Explosives already gone when�U.S. troops arrived - Oct 26, 2004: "The mystery surrounding the disappearance of 380 tons of powerful explosives from a storage depot in Iraq has taken a new twist, after a network embedded with the U.S. military during the invasion of Iraq reported that the material had already vanished by the time American troops arrived.
NBC News reported that on April 10, 2003, its crew was embedded with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division when troops arrived at the Al Qaqaa storage facility south of Baghdad."

-- I am waiting for Kerry's apology for his comments on the subject

Well OneMan is at home today and can't go to the Cross event in Oak Brook since I was sick as a dog last night (flu like symptoms) and still not feeling that good. I realized sharing my illness with other Republicans would not be a good idea.

Anyway as I am in bed here I have come to a few conclusions.

If you appear on any TV Judge show (Judge Judy, Judge Mathis, etc) you should lose your right to vote.

We should put Judge Judy and the lady from the Peoples Court on the supreme Court.

I also saw a Conservation Voters anti-Crain ad today at the end of Judge Judy and/or at the start of Larry Elder. Nothing like seeing one of those ads in the middle of ads for bankruptcy, personal injury attorneys and weight loss clinics.

OneMan

Left-Wing UK Paper Pulls Bush Assassination Column -- 10/25/2004: "Britain's left-wing Guardian newspaper said at the weekend that it and a columnist were sorry if anyone took offense at published remarks appearing to call for the assassination of President Bush.

In a column published in the paper's entertainment guide section on Saturday, Charlie Brooker wrote that Bush would probably win the Nov. 2 election despite the prayers of 'the entire civilized world,' thus proving that God does not exist.

'The world will endure four more years of idiocy, arrogance and unwarranted bloodshed, with no benevolent deity to watch over and save us,' he continued. 'John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, John Hinckley Jr. -- where are you now that we need you?'"

-- Yeah that's smart. Again is this sort of stuff going to do anything besides motivate Republicans and make the Secret Service pay you a visist

Ok, off of politics for a post. My daughter age 6 had a couple of teeth removed by an Oral surgeon on Friday so we have been kind of busy with that and I was spending my birthday (the 23rd me and weird Al) doing some construction work at a new Lutheran High School going up in Plainfield, IL and some other stuff. I was able to remind my self that at 35 I can't do the lifting and bending I could at 19.

Anyway I wanted to take a Tom Peters moment about the Oral surgeon.

From the moment he walked in he treated my daughter like an active involved party in her health care, asked how the piano lessons were going and recalled facts about my wife and I he had gleaned from when we had our wisdom teeth out.

I realize that he has this all in a system someplace. But still it makes you feel relaxed and makes him seem really cool (he also does very good work, I would highly recommend him).

Be it health care, politics or life. Remember the little details about people and they will remember you warmly.

My daughter is doing fine. The surgeon even gave her a little round box to put the teeth in for the tooth fairy. Again another example of how a little customer service goes a long way.

OneMan

Telegraph | News | Guardian calls it quits in Clark County fiasco: "The Guardian yesterday ran up the white flag and called a halt to 'Operation Clark County', the newspaper's ambitious scheme to recruit thousands of readers to persuade American voters in a swing state to kick out President George W Bush in next month's election.


The cancellation of the project came 24 hours after the first of some 14,000 letters from Guardian readers began arriving in Clark County. The missives led to widespread complaints about foreign interference in a US election."

From a different article on the same issue...

Across America, the Guardian project has sparked disdain from the Right, and dismay from Kerry campaigners. Coverage in the US media has stressed the risks of offending voters. Furious e-mails have reached the Guardian, such as this one from Texas, stating: "Real Americans aren't interested in your pansy-ass, tea-sipping opinions."

In Clark County, Mr Harkins, the local Republican chairman, has no doubt that the Guardian has helped him - and Mr Bush.


-- That was Bloody stupid. Yeah because an American voter is going to repond well to a letter from the UK asking someone to vote for Kerry. The only dumber thing would have been if a French Newspaper had did it...

I am looking forward to sending letters to folks in the UK encouraging them to vote Conservative...


OneMan

There was an ad in yesterday's Beacon News in Aurora that was some sort of appology for something some guy had done to his lady. After reading it you were still not 100% sure what it was. Turns out here is the rest of the story

Rod to Robin: Half-page ad is whole-hearted apology:

AURORA — Rod couldn't convince Robin to take him back, even after endless flowers, cards, balloons and Teddy bears.
After six weeks of trying, he knew he had to do something "drastic" to get Robin's attention.
So he called The Beacon News and bought a half-page, pink-hued ad, pleading for her forgiveness and professing the "depth and strength" of his love.
Robin hadn't seen or heard of the ad, which ran on page A7 Thursday, until her sister read it to her over the phone while she was at work.
"It made me smile," she said Thursday evening.
But she's still not sure if she'll take Rod back after what her now ex-fiance did: He had an Internet affair.
The affair was strictly over the Internet and not physical, both Rod and Robin affirmed.
Robin discovered the Web affair when she went on the computer one day, only to be bombarded by instant messages popping on the screen from Rod's Internet love interest.
Robin said she soon after kicked Rod out of their Tri-Cities home and ended their engagement.
The couple had been married once before but got divorced about five years ago. Last year, their love rekindled and they got engaged again.
Looks like that love will have to be rekindled once again before there's another engagement for these two.
Rod said he hasn't talked to his cyberspace paramour since the incident.
He said he got the idea for the ad after reading The Beacon News a few days ago.
"People do this type of thing at baseball games on scoreboards, why not do it in the newspaper?" he said.
Rod knows Robin and her family, who are originally from Aurora, read The Beacon News, so he thought it was the perfect venue.
"She tends to think I tell people she was at fault when I was at fault," Rod said. "I thought putting it out in the open would prove something to her."
When Rod and Robin talked on the phone Thursday afternoon, she told him the ad was "very sweet." But there was no talk about taking him back.
"Only time will tell," Robin said.

-- So just remember kids, don't do stupid stuff or you will have to get a half page ad and beg forgiveness to a confused Fox Valley.

FYI a half page display ad with that amount of color costs about $1,700 dollars.

OneMan

From ChannelOne OneVote Results: "American teens have spoken, and they want George W. Bush for president.

Nearly 1.4 million teens voted in the nation's largest mock election, and the Republican incumbent wound up with 393 electoral votes and 55 percent of the total votes cast.
Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry received 145 electoral votes, far short of the 270 electoral votes needed to win a presidential election. Kerry received 40 percent of the total votes, while five percent of teens selected the third-party option, though no third-party presidential hopefuls managed to pick up any electoral votes."

-- Cool.

OneMan went and voted today since he will be out of his county for most of election day (at work) and then needs to help count ballots when the polls close.

I am going to try and e-mail blog with my blackberry during the count on election night to provide unique insight into how that whole process goes, or maybe not.

OneMan

Just saw my first Bean TV ad, on the morning news on the Chicago Fox affliate. Nice add...
I think Crain is toast and if he survivies this will be his last term.

OneMan

SJ-R.COM - Security equipment on its way: "Not everyone entering the Capitol will have to go through a metal detector. Those with valid state identification cards will be allowed in without screening, Druker said. That would include state lawmakers, state employees, Capitol-based journalists and even lobbyists.
White's office issues many of the ID cards, and Druker said officials are reviewing ways to tighten the screening."

-- So bascially it will only be you Joe and Jane Citizen who will be checked... Why bother checking reporters and lobbyists they obviously will not be a problem.

OneMan

Daily Herald: "Making his first public appearance in Elgin since being elected governor in 2002, Rod Blagojevich on Thursday night predicted Democrats will gain ground in the GOP stronghold of Kane County.
Given the paltry crowd of 70 people attending the event at The Centre of Elgin, it seemed apparent that Kane County Democrats have a long way to go before wrestling dominance away from the opposition party.'Kane County is the future of Illinois,' Blagojevich said, noting other Chicago-area counties including Will, McHenry and DeKalb fit the same bill. 'These are new areas that are going to be deciding factors in future Illinois political races.'"

-- As a Kane County Republican I couldn't agree with you more Blagozo. I have every faith that when the time comes you will be defeated in Kane county because we have the intelligence to see you for what you are.

OneMan

GeorgeWBush.com :: Open letter signed by 24 Olympians and Professional Athletes: "The same qualities that make a great athlete make a great President--the determination to do what is right, regardless of the latest polls, the personal strength to bear the weight of the nation on your shoulders, and the faith that a higher power will direct the actions of good people.
We see in President Bush these same qualities."

-- Signers include Ernie Banks, Jack Nicklaus and Lynn Swann.

If he is good enough for Mr. Cub...

OneMan

Chicago Tribune | Mistake in guide for voters decried: "'This is an obvious ploy to disenfranchise and confuse the electorate,' said DuPage Democratic Party Chairwoman Gayl Ferraro, who called it a result of one-party rule in the staunchly Republican county."

-- Stupid, yes. A plot to disenfranchise and confuse the electorate, unlikely. Read the story turns out they misspelled senate and made some other mistakes as well.

They are also going to run corrections in the paper...

OneMan

From Rich over atThe Capitol Fax Blog: Oh, that's rich:

"Oh, that's rich
From the Tribune:

Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Wednesday that a trip to a posh Puerto Rican resort paid by companies and lobbyists for 11 Latino legislators creates a 'perception problem.'

The governor flies all over the country and is feted, wined and dined at the finest hotels and restaurants, almost all paid for by lobbyists, state contractors and other hangers-on through his campaign fund, and he has the gall to even suggest that somebody else has a 'perception problem'?

Give me a break. "

-- Then again we see how important ethics are to the Governor just look at the ethics board, oh yeah it is still missing enough members to do anything....

Here is my question: Did anyone ask, Governor do you feel it is hypocritical to question the ehtics of others when you can't get a board appointed on ethics?

OneMan

Eric Zorn has asked for some questions to be asked of the US Senate candidates.

Here is my question:

Should the US continue to provide disaster relief, economic aid and other assistance to countries such as India that seem to have the financial resources to develop atomic weapons a space program.

India isn't the only country we provide aid to that has atomic weapons but is a handy example.

I guess my more basic question is. Should the US provide economic and health aid to nations that have atomic weapons or atomic weapon programs?

OneMan

From Reuters.com:

"- Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, questioned whether first lady Laura Bush ever had 'a real job,' but apologized later on Wednesday after her remarks drew fire from the Bush campaign.
Senior Bush campaign adviser Karen Hughes said the 'unfortunate' remark was aimed at dividing women.
'Teaching is a real job. Working as a librarian is a real job. Staying at home and rearing a family is a real job,' Hughes said. "

Here is the question and answer that started this in USA Today

Q: You'd be different from Laura Bush?

A: Well, you know, I don't know Laura Bush. But she seems to be calm, and she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job — I mean, since she's been grown up. So her experience and her validation comes from important things, but different things. And I'm older, and my validation of what I do and what I believe and my experience is a little bit bigger — because I'm older, and I've had different experiences. And it's not a criticism of her. It's just, you know, what life is about.

-- D'oh. Not good spin for Teresa today, also a good way to force the media off message for a day and focus on a message that makes Teresa look bad and spiteful.

Also the 'real job' thing is going to play well with the soccer moms, not....

Why say anthing negative about Laura Bush at all. What good does it do you? Why not say something nice about the way they have raised their kids or something?

Bad Move

OneMan

Help of Allies Among Three Key Themes (washingtonpost.com):

"Kerry's belief in working with allies runs so deep that he has maintained that the loss of American life can be better justified if it occurs in the course of a mission with international support. In 1994, discussing the possibility of U.S. troops being killed in Bosnia, he said, 'If you mean dying in the course of the United Nations effort, yes, it is worth that. If you mean dying American troops unilaterally going in with some false presumption that we can affect the outcome, the answer is unequivocally no.' "

-- Sending American troops into harms way should be a decision made by the United States reguardless of how the UN feels about the mission. However if something is wrong or folley, it is so exclusive of any feeling or actions of the UN.

OneMan

From ArchPundit: "Cegelis Left off Sample Ballot
By the fine folks of DuPage County Board of Elections. Close-up Column (jpgs)
Actually, this isn't true entirely since she was put on as the candidate in the 41st State Rep Race which is actually Christine Radogno so Radogno isn't listed--something for both parties to be upset about. Regardless, this isn't the sort of mistake that is acceptable. Getting a sample ballot right is a trivial exercise. "

-- Ummm, that's real slick. If I was DuPage county I would be double checking my real ballots.

OneMan

In the ol' e-mail in box...

STOMP to Victory 2004!!

Dear Name Removed (really I will reveal my identity after Nov 2),

As Election Day approaches, I need your help. In order to maintain a Republican Majority in the House, we need to come together right here in Illinois.

One way to help is to join the STOMP program. This program is designed to mobilize volunteers and make sure all Republicans get out and vote on Election Day. So lace up your walking shoes and get ready to help my friend Congressman Phil Crane on Saturday October 30, 2004. I hope you are available to join us; please call 630/879-1988 or 847/487-0769 for more information.

Thank you for volunteering!

Sincerely,

J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker

-- I guess they are starting to take the Crane race seriously

The Rockford Register Star points out...

"The logo for Gov. Rod Blagojevich's new prescription drug program boasts 'Safe and Affordable Prescription Drugs.'

But the membership agreement for I-SaveRx, which links consumers to pharmacies in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom, says the state isn't responsible for the safety of drugs bought through the program."

The site for I-SaveRx you has this info

How can I trust that I-SaveRx's prescription medications are safe?
I-SaveRx is safe, regulated and accountable.


I-SaveRx only works with licensed vendors. People who purchase drugs from other countries over the Internet currently have no way to know for certain that the vendor is indeed a licensed pharmacy.


I-SaveRx operates under a stringent system of quality controls and multiple safety checks.


I-SaveRx pharmacies are inspected and approved by Illinois regulatory agencies.


I-SaveRx pharmacies in other countries follow the same standards and procedures used by Illinois pharmacies.


I-SaveRx pharmacies dispense individually packed medications (i.e., blister packs), which may be safer than domestic packaging methods.

However that being said there is this within the dialog you have to agree to get the application (way at the bottom) because we know people read the entire thing with stuff like that.

Nevertheless, the State of Illinois cannot guarantee the safety of any particular prescription drug purchase. The State of Illinois makes no representations or warranties as to the safety or efficacy of prescription drugs purchased from foreign sources.

So we think they are safe but we are not willing to stand behind them.

My question is, if a pharmacy in this program makes a serious mistake, is there any recourse besides them getting tossed from the system. Since

Also from the form

The State of Illinois does not license pharmacies outside of Illinois, and the pharmacies in Canada and United Kingdom participating in this program are not licensed Illinois pharmacies.

If an Illinois pharmacy makes a mistake there can be fine and other actions, what can they do to a pharmacy in Ireland, if anything?

Just asking..

OneMan

Understaffed ethics board's claims mount: "Ethics complaints under Gov. Blagojevich's administration and throughout Illinois' university system have rolled in at a rate of about three per day since May of last year, but none of those cases has been acted upon by a state ethics panel still lacking members.
Through the end of September, the state's executive inspector general has received close to 1,700 complaints. Most have been dismissed or referred elsewhere for action, but more than 600 remain in limbo, figures obtained Monday by the Chicago Sun-Times show.

"My initial read is the system probably is working if people are doing this," said Bradley Tusk, a top aide to Gov. Blagojevich, who helped institute a major overhaul of ethics laws. "It would be a waste of time if we did this whole system and no one took advantage."



-- No Bradley if it has been 5 months and a single complaint has not been acted upon by the eithic panel then the system IS NOT WORKING.....

A complaint box that is never emptied is a joke nothing more and that's what the state ethics process appears to be. Feel free to complain but we are not going to do anything about it.

It's been 5 months. He can't find board members for an ethics board but can set up a drug importation plan in that amount of time. He can fill the racing board but can't get around to putting people on the ethics panel.

Remember kids, he was suposed to be the reform governor. Not the can't fill important boards to save my life governor.

Then again waiting until after the election to deal with ethics complaints isn't a bad idea either.


OneMan

Import Canadian Drugs and face a Patent liability (follow the link) The paper they reference has the following in the abstract.

This paper investigates the current legal framework and finds that the application of full constitutional property protections to the importation conflict would produce surprising and powerful results: (1) private organizations and municipalities share the same, crushing liability under the Patent Act; (2) despite Eleventh Amendment immunity in federal courts, state governments face nearly equivalent liability for takings claims based on the Fourteenth Amendment; (3) the federal government confronts liability under the Fifth Amendment that broadens its exposure under the recognized just compensation statute; and (4) attempts by Congress to modify the Patent Act to permit importation would likely constitute an unconstitutional taking. The paper concludes that such strong property protection is not necessarily anomalous and may reflect the continued "propertization" of intellectual property under U.S. law, exemplifying the legal equalization of intellectual property and tangible property.

-- I am not an attorney but the phrase 'crushing liability' catches my eye. I am sure that Blagozo and the gang thought about this before going forward with the plan. It's not like they don't understand the law.

Also there are moves afoot in Canada to stop it as well

TORONTO -- Cross-border Internet pharmacies threaten to drain supplies needed to treat sick Canadians and could lead to a "full-scale disaster" for the health system, a coalition of groups representing seniors, pharmacies and patients warned yesterday. Groups claiming to represent 10 million Canadians called on Ottawa to ban the export of prescription drugs, arguing Canada cannot afford to address U.S. drug shortages and soaring prescription costs with its own stock.

Don't forget Governor, Canadians can care less if you get re-elected. Also some pharmaceutical company would love to nail you for this....

OneMan

UIC to pay $50,000 to cover classes for professor:

"An accounting professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago is expected to cost the university more than 50-thousand dollars to cover his classes.
Ronald Picur (pih-COOR') stopped teaching his accounting classes. But he still collected a full salary while also working on nearly 300-thousand dollars in no-bid state contracts to help the Blagojevich administration solve the budget crisis.
University spokesman Mark Rosati says the extra costs are from payments made to teachers who filled in for Picur while he worked for the state."

-- So let me get this right, he is getting money from the state to work on state finances and he is getting paid by UIC but they also need to get subs....

Now that's sweet. How do I get one of those gigs..

ABC News: 'Primetime Live' Poll: More Republicans Satisfied With Sex Lives Than Democrats

OneMan

Go watch onegoodmove.org/1gm - Jon Stewart on Crossfire 101504.

Chicago Tribune | Keyes manages to rake in cash: "Among contributors to Keyes were Virginia McCaskey, matriarch of the family that owns the Chicago Bears; "

--If I were Keyes I would send the money back and ask her to spend it on a QB....

The Trib also endorsed Bean, so it just goes to show it is not a GOP paper...

OneMan

Chicago Tribune | George W. Bush for president: "For three years, Bush has kept Americans, and their government, focused--effectively--on this nation's security. The experience, dating from Sept. 11, 2001, has readied him for the next four years, a period that could prove as pivotal in this nation's history as were the four years of World War II.

That demonstrated ability, and that crucible of experience, argue for the re-election of President George W. Bush. He has the steadfastness, and the strength, to execute the one mission no American generation has ever failed. "

-- Sounds good to me. OneMan

From theDemocratic National Committee: "Last week
A former Republican Party executive filed a bogus lawsuit, which was dismissed, trying to knock 17,000 Democratic voters off the voter rolls in Nevada. He told the Las Vegas Review Journal 'I am looking to take Democrats off the voter rolls.'"

-- It's ok to go to court to get Ralph Nader off the ballot but wrong to go to court to try and get voters taken off the rolls?

OneMan

From the Barack Obama 2004 Campaign Weblog:

"At the request of the Democratic Party, we are re-directing our Chicago area volunteers who were planning on going to Wisconsin this weekend. We are asking them instead to help staff the John Kerry phonebank in Buffalo Grove and canvass with the Melissa Bean campaign in the 10th Congressional District.
The Kerry phonebank is the largest in the nation(!) with 400 phone lines for volunteers to help make calls to swing states in the Midwest."

-- I guess I can take some comfort in that they are not going to be going to Wisconsin. However the fact that a guy running for senate for a open seat that was held by a Republican is so comfortable in his race that he can send volunteers to other states.

On one hand, good for him. On the other hand Grrrrr...

OneMan

The Sneedster visitis Tipsville?:

"Is Chicago going to get a casino due to . . . gasp, politics?
Word is Gov. Blagojevich's future as a second-termer is making him nervous because of possible primary challenges by powerhouse Dems like Jesse White, Lisa Madigan and Paul Vallas.
All three of these people are being urged privately to run against Blago.
*The big question: Will Blago conduct a preemptive strike and give Mayor Daley his coveted casino in coming months, thereby picking up an enormous chit from the mayor should Blago receive a strong primary challenge? Stay tuned."

-- I have a tip for ya Sneedster Everything the Blagozo does is due to politics.

It would be interesting if the names are being pushed to force Blagozo into a Chicago casino. If we get a Chicago casino look for video poker in bars too.

OneMan

Tennessee Democrats Compare Republicans To Special Olympics Children: "October 12, 2004 Democrats in a race for a state House seat in District 82, are circulating a flyer that shows a retarded child with President Bush's face running in a track race. The headline says: "Voting for Bush Is Like Running In The Special Olympics: Even If You Win, You're Still Retarded."

-- That's cute... Not. See the image here. Do people really think stupid stuff like this helps?

OneMan

I only caught a bit of the debate last night, OneMan was giving blood at Church last night... But ArchPundit: has the best line I caught during the debate.

"Without acting as if we should neglect them as Governor Blagojevich has done. He can't even find his way to Springfield he shows such contempt for the people in Central and Southern Illinois."

OneMan

On my way to work yesterday I saw three Bush signs in Naperville that had been spray-painted with either and X or had the Support Our President part of the sign blocked out....

New signs were there the next day. Does anyone think messing up a sign will encourage someone to vote a different way, or just tick people off.

OneMan

Chicago Tribune | Coming soon to the Loop: A casino?: "The City of Chicago has agreed to sell Block 37 in the Loop at a loss of nearly $23 million to help make a long-awaited development a reality on the vacant but critically important site, officials announced today.

And in a surprise revelation, Planning Commissioner Denise Casalino said the project could have a casino, in addition to the shopping center, offices, hotel and residential tower previously announced.

Block 37, bounded by State, Randolph, Washington and Dearborn Streets, would be among the locations considered for a casino if Mayor Richard Daley wins state approval for a publicly-owned gaming facility, Casalino said.

The heart-of-the-Loop site has nearby access to the Chicago Transit Authority and is close to such attractions as Millennium Park and the Michigan Avenue shopping district, she said.

Casalino said the city 'has agreed to agree' with Mills Corp., Block 37's prospective developer, that 'there might be a casino at this site.'"

-- Yeah that's what Block 37 needs, a casino. Heck why we are at it why not video poker with legal payouts in bars everywhere as well as on CTA and Metra trains...

This is starting to get out of hands kids.

OneMan

From the UK..Generics, Buy American and save:

"Canadian pharmacies often charge more than U.S. pharmacies, FDA reports. Consumers should consult pharmacists to get straight answers, APhA advises.

Using pricing information for prescriptions seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Miami, FDA analyzed prices being charged for foreign generic medications and found that Americans could have done better at their neighborhood pharmacy. As reported on pharmacist.com on September 16 (see link below), the medications were shipped to the States from the Bahamas but had been ordered by U.S. consumers from a Canadian pharmacy in Hamilton, Ontario. FDA selected a sample of the 439 detained packages, converted the prices to U.S. dollars, and compared prices for the same medications at four U.S. pharmacies.

�In every case,� FDA reported, �a U.S pharmacy price for the FDA-approved generic drug was less than what consumers had paid for the foreign generic drug� ordered from the Canadian pharmacy. Despite the reality check, importation of drugs from Canada and other countries appears likely to remain popular, fueled by the possibly flawed notion that all medications are less expensive outside the United States. "

I thought there were suposed to be savings.. Blagozo said so.

From :: Tom Cross for Illinois:

"So Michelle Bromberg's latest mailer has hit the affluent and overwhelmingly white catholic area of Wilmette on Chicago's exclusive North Shore this weekend. The attack piece on Beth Coulson (the current moderate state Rep of the area who is overqualified for her position and has successfully passed legislation beneficial to the area for the last 8 years) pictures the blond attractive State Representative next to a distorted picture of Alan keyes whose picture is colored to make his skin look darker than normal. "

A pdf of a bad fax can be found here. Making Keyes looks darker, that's a nice touch. I know Republicans have done stuff like this too, doesn't make it right or even smart. It just makes me wonder how long the Democrats will use Keyes as the Hobgoblin D'Jour.

OneMan

Chicago Tribune | Suburbs banking on casinos: "With Gov. Rod Blagojevich apparently ready to make a deal on riverboat casinos, officials in Waukegan and Country Club Hills are optimistic they'll hit the jackpot when lawmakers return to Springfield for the fall session."

-- Yeah like he hasn't flipped-flopped on this before as the poltical winds changed. I wouldn't start turning soil yet..

Also my question is, why not just do a full Nevada at this point and let anyone who meets some legal requirements just open up a casino as long as it is not within X feet of a school and the local government gives it's ok.

Obama Lending Star Power to Other Democrats (washingtonpost.com): "

He also happens to have raised more than $14 million, said Obama's communications director Robert Gibbs, who bears the uncommonly relaxed look of a spokesman who rarely has to parry bad news. On a day that started in Milwaukee and ended in downstate Illinois, Obama was trailed by reporters from three national newspapers, National Public Radio, Time magazine and, in the clearest sign of his transformation, Vogue.
'He's like a rock star,' said theater student Lily Emerson, 21, as fans mobbed Obama after an afternoon rally in Decatur, Ill. "

-- If Ryan had stayed in the race, Obama would have had to have stayed in state at least a bit more since they would have been getting the Lincoln - Douglas on at least 6 times or something like that. Lord knows Ryan would have polled better and Obama would have had to have spent some of the 14 Million in Illinois.

I really hope some heads roll over the Ryan-Keyes thing. They better...

OneMan

Chicago Tribune | Time for Crane to retire: "The Tribune endorses Melissa Bean, an energetic, pragmatic Democrat from Barrington, in the 8th Congressional District. Bean, a business consultant, is not quite the ardent free-trader that Crane is, but she understands that free trade creates opportunities for U.S. firms and that foreign competition ultimately strengthens U.S. markets. She has sound views on tax policy, health care and education reform. She will, unlike Crane, pay close attention to the folks back home. Bean is endorsed."

-- Interesting....

OneMan

Go Check Out TurnIllinois.com: "Turn Illinois supports common sense candidates who are fiscally responsible and embrace the big tent approach to the Illinois Republican party. These candidates are the foundation that will develop the talent that will reshape Turn Illinois and the future of the Illinois Republican Party. Many of these candidates are in tough races, and not all of them may win. However, they will spread the message that to change Illinois, Republicans must compete"

-- OneMan is going to be keeping an eye on these guys....

Via and Ad on Arch...(Hey I take ads too..)
From the TheNaderFactor.com:

"Five major donors who have given $13,500 to the right-wing, discredited Republican group, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth have also given Ralph Nader's presidential campaign $8,000.
At a speech to Tulane University on August 27, 2004, Mr. Nader stated, 'It's pretty deplorable that Bush, through his proxies, is doing this smear.'
This slimy group, a front for George Bush's campaign, has already been discredited in the press yet Mr. Nader continues to take their money."

-- Because the only thing Ralph Nader cares about is Ralph Nader. So please Democrat pals, feel free to vote for him.

OneMan

Rich Miller is doing theBlog thing.

Cool....

Ex-alderman faces federal bribery charge: "A former Aurora alderman and a real estate developer have been charged in federal court with trying to bribe a public official to get preferential treatment for a development on Aurora's far East Side.
The U.S. Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Illinois has filed complaints against John N. 'Jim' Meisch, 70, an alderman for 20 years who now lives in Davis, Ill., and Gerald E. Anderson, 70, a developer who lives in Brentwood, Tenn., and Montgomery."

-- I have met 'Jim' a few times. It is really strange to read about this sort of stuff when it involves people you know.. Read the whole story, it would appear to handle the situation intelegently.

OneMan

Sneed has a Pssst...:

"Dining at Christie Hefner and Billy Marovitz's house following the fund-raiser Friday night, Obama told singer Stevie Wonder the first music he bought as a youngster were his albums. 'The songs helped me get through a difficult time when I was a kid,' he said."

-- I guess the question I have is.. Is it a good idea for a US Senate candidate to dine (and have it made publicly known) at the home of the CEO of a major 'Adult Entertainment' company? Yes I know the magazine has good interviews (I am not using the name to avoid Net Nanny or other filters nailing the site) and compared to others in the same area it's stuff may be 'tasteful' than others in the field. Yes, OneMan has both read the magazine and looked at the pictures.

However doesn't the sort of stuff that company produces and sells promote a negative attitude towards women? Does this imply an implicit endorsement of Obama of the industry?

I know some will call this bitter or something for asking this, fine.

However I don't think it is a good idea for him politically long term for him to have a meal at the home of the CEO of an 'Adult Entertainment' company.

OneMan

Fawell tells on Ryan under oath:

"Republican insider and political operative Scott Fawell has given federal prosecutors a 45-page sworn statement directly implicating his onetime mentor former Gov. George Ryan and Republican businessman Larry Warner in wrongdoing.
The new details came in a prosecution court filing released Tuesday. In the motion, prosecutors are asking a federal judge overseeing Warner's case to remove Warner's attorney, Edward Genson, because of an alleged conflict of interest.
Fawell, already in prison for political corruption under Ryan, has been cooperating extensively with prosecutors in their investigations of Ryan, Warner and other potentially high-profile matters."

-- I guess Fawell isn't going to be on Ryan's Christmas card list this year. Perhaps the Gov. could pow-wow with Martha about how to deal with the clink.

From Daily Kos: "And for those who missed it down-thread, here's that picture of Cheney meeting Edwards, once again:"

-- Ummm, they were next to each other, that's different then meeting....

Debate Rule 4: Don't try to score points on things that can be verified as incorect.

OneMan

The Governor touts drug plan safety:

"As Gov. Rod Blagojevich set out Tuesday on a three-day campaign-style tour to tout his new prescription drug plan, administration officials said his program to help consumers buy drugs from abroad would be safer than others available through the Internet because the state would inspect suppliers.

But Blagojevich's aides declined to identify the 45 pharmacies and wholesalers they said they have lined up in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. To do so, they said, would put those facilities at risk for retribution from big pharmaceutical companies that oppose importing drugs that sell for less than in U.S. stores."

-- That's right kids, his safety defense is that it his program to help consumers buy drugs from abroad would be safer than others available through the Internet because the state would inspect suppliers it appears that as long as it is safer that buying Viagra sold via e-mail it should be nothing to worry about.

Also don't worry about the secret pharmacies and wholesalers, you as the drug consumer have no need to concern your self with such things. The Blagozo team knows what's best...

OneMan

local6.com - Politics - Protestors Ransack Bush/Cheney Headquarters In Orlando:

"A group of protestors stormed and then ransacked a Bush-Cheney headquarters building in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, according to Local 6 News.

Local 6 News reported that several people from the group of 100 Orlando protestors face possible assault charges after the group forced their way inside the Republican headquarters office.
While in the building, some of the protestors drew horns and a mustache on a poster of President George W. Bush and poured piles of letters in the office, according to the report.
'We told them to leave, they broke the law,' Republican headquarters volunteer Mike Broom said.
Two protestors received minor injuries when the crowd stormed the building, including a Republican volunteer.
One of the protestors said she wanted to send a message.
'We want to send a clear message to Bush, we want him to take his hands off our overtime pay,' protestor Esmeralda Heuilar said.

Local 6 News learned that most of the protestors were from the AFL-CIO and were taking part in one of 20 other coordinated protests around the country."

-- I guess they wanted to send another message as well, they have no respect for the rule of law.

OneMan

Doug Finke (is that better?) shares some Love about a press release from the new state board of ed.

"The new school regime issued a news release after its first meeting, and let's hope the quality of the release doesn't reflect the quality of the new board.
'Dunn indicated that one innovative ways (sic) to improve education is already underway,' the release stated.
OK, we'll chalk that up to a typographical error, but the rest of the release reads as if an intern from Weekly Reader wrote it.
'He re-emphasized the Governor Blagojevich's priorities and asked Dunn for a report to the board on them each meeting.' Or 'Dunn stated that even after just two days, work has already begun on priorities through an initial assessment of each area. He provided status for each goal.' And 'With regard to seeking ways to save schools money, Dunn reported that he is directing staff to begin planning to launch a purchasing and prescription drug-buying pool.'
Come to think of it, the release does seem to reflect the education bureaucracy in this state - a lot of words and not much information."

Quincy Herald-Whig: "tate Senate candidate Tom Ernst says agriculture will be one of his top priorities if he is elected to the Legislature.
Ernst held a breakfast meeting with area farmers this morning at Mike's Place in Liberty. He was accompanied by Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo, and Rep. Art Tenhouse, R-Liberty. All three men said that Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other Democrat leaders from Chicago don't understand the farmer's plight and have proposed taxes and other changes that would hurt family farms.
'Under the Democrat majority you can see what their attitude is toward agriculture when they want to tax our inputs,' Sieben said.
Blagojevich proposed early this year to tax feed, seed, fertilizer and chemicals purchased by farmers who earn more than $1 million per year. Tenhouse said that would have made farming the only business in the state which pays tax on inputs that go into creating a final product."

-- There are very few farms in Chicago or Cook County. So you might as well tax em.

From theThe Charleston Gazette: " Kanawha County parent is upset about items in this Avon catalog that her son and other children at mary Ingles Elementary Schol are selling in a fund-raising activity. Several pages of lingerie and weomen in suggestive poses are pictured in the magazine. They send children the wrong message, the parent says. School officials said during Monday night's Kanawha County school board meeting that they will look into the matter."
To see the picture of the flyer go here.

-- My daughter sold wrapping paper, what's the difference.

From the PJStar.com : Journal Star : Lawmakers want retirement fund restored 10/05/04: "A bipartisan group of area legislators criticized Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration for taking money from the teachers' retirement health-insurance fund to plug the budget shortfall. "

-- Remember kids unless it's the tollway it all general revenue funds in Blagozo world.

From the Daily Herald:
"'Governor, what do you dream about?'

Walters wasn't at the governor's press conference Monday, but Rod Blagojevich, rather than answer a question about which state candidates he'll be campaigning for, said he would be stumping for U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama. Then, he launched into a story about a dream he had."

-- Follow the link to see what the dream was and what his take on it was. One way to avoid the subject.

I do have one thing to say, viewing a candidate as a taxi cab driver is the slaveholder position.

Also the governor should lay off the grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches before bed.

OneMan

Grand jury seeks records of top Blagojevich adviser:

"A federal grand jury is looking into the work, income and travel records of a top fiscal adviser to the Blagojevich administration.
Spokeswoman Becky Carroll of the governor's budget office says a grand jury has subpoenaed the records of Ronald Picur , who's been paid 280-thousand-dollars as an adviser to the governor's budget office.
Picur is also on the faculty of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The subpoena sent in May also calls for the governor's budget office to turn over expense reports, consulting agreements and Picur's entire personnel file.
Picur says he hasn't done anything wrong and doesn't know why the subpoena was issued."

--- I am sure there is nothing to this. Nothing to see or notice here, move along.

OneMan

Obama is going to be a Rick's house go check it out at tins ::: Rick Klau's weblog: Obama. At My House..

I can attest that the food will be good and if I wasn't a Republican I would go. Not that I am a big Keyes fan or anything....

OneMan

Candidate Keyes crashes GOP dinner party: "Republican U.S. Senate candidate Alan Keyes wasn't invited to speak Sunday at a dinner sponsored by the New Trier Township Republican Organization, but he showed up anyway.
Tolbert Chisum, who heads the group, said the ultraconservative candidate didn't get a chance to be heard 'because we have a full program.'
Despite the apparent snub, Keyes' deputy campaign manager, Dan Proft, said Keyes was 'encouraged' by his reception at the event, held at Allgauer's Restaurant at the Northbrook Hilton."

-- Hope they made him buy a ticket...

Fawell traded Pier goodie for satellite dish: "The crooked deal looked sweet.
Top Republican political operative Scott Fawell, the head of the agency that runs Navy Pier, gets a free satellite dish at his home from a Stickney bar owner, who happens to be running for the state House.
In return, Fawell puts the bar owner at the head of the line for people seeking a coveted vendor's cart at Navy Pier, the state's No. 1 tourist attraction."

-- Sometimes just just how cheap these guys would allegidly sell out is what bums me out the most....

Since the Trib site has been down (at least from OneMan Central)) all day I have to link to other papers on the Board of Ed, jobs for pals thing including theDaily Chronicle Online:

"One of those employees is Eamon Kelly, who is making $57,300 as the interim chief of staff. He comes to the board from a stint as an assistant to Deputy Gov. Bradley Tusk, where his duties included working on education policy initiatives and driving the media van on the rural Illi-nois tour.

Kelly graduated from the University of Illinois in 2002 and worked in former Gov. George Ryan's office as an intern.

The new board budget director is Mark Kolaz, who oversaw the Blagojevich campaign in several downstate counties in 2002. Kolaz previously served as deputy director of agriculture under Blagojevich, managing the state fair. He will make $110,000 in his new job.

Another new name on the state board payroll, 30-year-old Jonathan Furr, was general counsel at the Depart-ment of Natural Resources and takes the same role at the education agency. Furr's salary will jump from $88,000 to $96,600."

-- I thought the takeover of the board was to improve education, not to give your guys better jobs. Business as Usual from the Blagozo.

Update: Still can't get to the trib site, anyone else having this problem?

OneMan

Report: Insiders on education payroll weeks after Blagojevich takeover: "Political insiders close to Governor Rod Blagojevich are showing up on the State Board of Education payroll just weeks after his takeover of the agency.
The Chicago Tribune reports in its Sunday editions that the new hires include a 24-year-old interim chief of staff who drove the media van for the governor's tour of rural Illinois last year. Also on the payroll is a budget chief who worked on the governor's 2002 campaign.
Blagojevich recently replaced seven of the board's nine members. New Superintendent Ralph Dunn says top aides to the governor arranged meetings between him and potential new agency staff members a week before he was hired.
Dunn says he needed the new employees so he could hit the ground running at the agency."

-- Nothing to see here, move along.

OneMan

Ok, I am going to get my Tom Peters on again for a moment. I had to take the Van in to get the brakes looked at.

Took it to Merlin Mufflers and as always they were quick, explanined what they thought the needed to do and why and seemed glad to see me. Even offered some advice on how to keep the warping on the rotors down (Mrs. OneMan needs to break a little sooner). Every time I go there I walk away happy.

Anyway as I am waiting for the van I go accross the street to McDonalds. As I am finishing up a woman complains to the manager about the flies (insects, not frys) that were bothering her and her grandkids. The manager said, I'll look into it, yada, yada, yada. Didn't really seem to care, didn't ask if he could give the kids an extra Happy Meal(tm) toy or something.


OneMan

Hey the IHRO has a news thingy. Sweet.

Some thoughts on the first debate from Aurora U students

AU students say nod goes to the president: "On the first day of Professor Blomgren's political science class at Aurora University earlier this month, 21 of her 26 students said they planned to vote for Senator John Kerry this November.
But despite their left-leaning preferences, the students, to a person, admitted Thursday night that President George Bush, and not Kerry, came out the victor in the first presidential debate of the election season.
While Bush appeared calm, poised and resolute and offered direct answers on his plans for the future of the Iraq War and the war on terrorism, Kerry, they said, was again long on criticisms of the president but short on any real solutions.
'It seemed that Bush was just a step ahead of him all night,' said 22-year-old Dan Opels, a political science and marketing major from McHenry who watched the debate telecast with the rest of his classmates at the Phillips Library on AU's West Side campus.
'To use a boxing analogy, I think he scored a knockout after the fourth question.'"

-- Based off what I saw, I stoped watching about a half hour in the debate. It was a best a tie with both rather disapointing. At work they feel Kerry won, so I find the AU students observations interesting.


OneMan