Sometimes you can catch more than bluegills in Naperville.

In Oak Brook, they toss out big screens and hot tubs...

The city of Aurora is looking to hire a consultant to help the city figure out how much of the cities new fiber network it wants to lease out and how to do it etc...

I have an idea how about we find a consultant who specializes in telecommunications.

Just askin....

Bridget asks a couple of questions about my post about Obama Camp

Well, sure, I think they would let you go. However, don't you think it would be rather disingenuous of you to do so? Obama's campaign is using their resources and people to train their activists who probably expect to be amongst like-minded friends. I don't think it would be a very nice thing to do.

Yeah I would totally agree with you on that it wouldn't be a nice thing and disingenuous to do under the context of acting like an Obama supporter.

However I have to admit I still think it would be an interesting learning opportunity to go.

OneMan

Some quickies...

• If you need to hire someone to help you pick out a name for your child, perhaps you should not breed.

"It's so overwhelming, it's hard to know where to start," says Patricia ---- of Williston, Vt., who is expecting a baby in September.

hat tip Gawker

However if you are looking for a consultant to help you pick a baby name, contact OneMan and we can work something out.

• The Beacon News has a blog now and has an item about if the proposed 'Pay to Play' rules at the state level applied to the City of Aurora. Might make a good newspaper story.

Actually it will be interesting to see how this blog progresses. Also it will be interesting to see if other blogs in Aurora get a mention (not holding my breath).

• An MSNBC anchor Mika Brzezinski tore up a Paris Hilton news item and refused to do the item.

Obama's speech to the UCC meeting has been getting a little blog play about the hijacking of religion, but I think they are missing the part of the speech that will really appeal to Christian Conservatives. The emphasis is mine...

And it's around this time that some pastors I was working with came up to me and asked if I was a member of a church. "If you're organizing churches," they said, "it might be helpful if you went to church once in a while." And I thought, "Well, I guess that makes sense."

So one Sunday, I put on one of the few clean jackets I had, and went over to Trinity United Church of Christ on 95th Street on the South Side of Chicago. And I heard Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright deliver a sermon called "The Audacity of Hope." And during the course of that sermon, he introduced me to someone named Jesus Christ. I learned that my sins could be redeemed. I learned that those things I was too weak to accomplish myself, He would accomplish with me if I placed my trust in Him. And in time, I came to see faith as more than just a comfort to the weary or a hedge against death, but rather as an active, palpable agent in the world and in my own life.

It was because of these newfound understandings that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity one day and affirm my Christian faith. It came about as a choice, and not an epiphany. I didn't fall out in church, as folks sometimes do. The questions I had didn't magically disappear. The skeptical bent of my mind didn't suddenly vanish. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side, I felt I heard God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth and carrying out His works.

But my journey is part of a larger journey - one shared by all who've ever sought to apply the values of their faith to our society.

That gang, is a statement of faith and an testimony. A man talking about answering what is basically an alter call and explaining what that meant to him. Mark my words, him explaining that directly to a camera will be one of his most effective TV ads in the south down the streatch. It will eliminate all the fog others will attempt to create with conservative Christians about him due to his stand on some issues, conservative Christians will see a honest, open story about his journey to faith and how that journey has influenced his views and it will hit home with these voters....

And all the Ann Coulters of the world talking illogical smack HT (SCAM) will do nothing but tick off the very people she is trying to influence. Trust me you don't want to mock a man's faith and that was this sort of thing will come across as mocking religion in general. You will create a group of 'Obama Christian' voters that will rival the 'Regan Democrats'

OneMan

So you think they would let a Republican Blogger go to Camp Obama even when a major US newspaper has him quoted as saying he wouldn't vote for him....

I have to admit, I think I would find it interesting. Would I likely use and skills or information I picked up to help Republicans down the road, yeah. It still would be interesting however...

OneMan

From Openline in Today's Beacon News...

I feel very, very sorry for the young man who passed away waiting for a lung transplant ("Lifelong illness claims Aurora teen," News, June 20). But why are we bringing citizens from other countries here and putting them at the top of the transplant list when we've got citizens of this country waiting, who are going to die without a transplant? I'm speaking about my own family waiting for a transplant, and they say it's going to be years. Well, is the person going to live those years? Probably not. And yet we will put a person from another country, not a citizen, on top of our transplant list. I don't know where our priorities are in this country.

Wow, I don't even know where to start with this one.
Yet again, we have someone calling into openline who finds a way to take something sad or bad and tie it to non citizens in the United States. Because we all know that these people come here to take our jobs and take our available organs, that when it comes to transplants no consideration is given to any other factor like health or blood type it's just non-citizens to the front of the transplant line.

If this is how America feels, I think any hope of any change in immigration law in this country is doomed.

OneMan

So Rep. Paul Froehlich (R-Schaumburg) looks like he is switching parties. I guess the question is how much is it about him and him keeping his seat and how much of it isn't.

OneMan

Because sometimes if you want to point out issues in a Church Softball league, OpenLine is the place to do it..

On Thursday, I went to see a softball game in the Protestant Church League at the corner of Jackson Street and Montgomery Road. What I witnessed was appalling.

There is more, but I don't want to get into fair use trouble, I really hope the folks from the church this guy calls out respond via OpenLine however.

OneMan took an officiating baseball and softball class in college (I was doing a co-op so I needed some extra hours) and one of the things one of the guest speakers told us was not to work church leagues.

OneMan

The Beacon has a story about how a group wants to put PCs at a facility run by the Aurora Housing Authority but the authority does not want to put them in a secure area.

Wow, will someone explain to me the logic of the AHA thinking a computer in a non secure, non monitored area is a good idea. Computers at High Schools, monitored. Computers at the Aurora Libraries, monitored. The Computers at Kinkos, monitored.

Why in the heck does the AHA think it isn't a good idea to secure them?

OneMan

The gang over at the Openline blog have some stuff on the local judge race. I have to admit, it has always been a bit hard to get really into those races, not being an attorney and being used to seeing most judge candidates and then not seeing them again once they get elected.

So if you are looking for insight on the judge races, you will not find it here.

OneMan

So bottom line, does Governor Blagojevich go nuclear when it comes to health care?

Does he veto any budget that does not have what he is looking for in that area?

OneMan

Is WTTW really the best place to run a lottery ad?

Just askin

OneMan

Rep. John Fritchey's Open House...my view from the inside: Beyond Belief

Over at Rep. Fritchey's Blog he has a post about the non-meeting meeting yesterday (go read it)...

Rep. John Fritchey's Open House...my view from the inside: Beyond Belief

I am starting to seriously think that the Governor has lost it. He had a situation where he could have ended up


At the worst from the Governors point of view, nothing gets done but you can say "The 'leaders' were unable to be there but I was able to get my view and thoughts across to those members who were in the meeting and am looking forward to them calling on their leaders to lead and come to a solution"

Best case

You make some progress or come up with a solution and perhaps take Madigan down a notch.Heck you make some progress with the GOP on the issue and start talking bi-partisanship.

At this point it seems the leaders are setting the pace and tone of the discussion this would have been a chance for the Governor to demonstrate how we wants to work with the members, something he talked about when this whole thing started. He had a chance and he blew it.

OneMan

Apparently some of the residents of HomeTown don't feel there is enough parking....

Say it isn't so, say it isn't so. I just hope this is kept in mind as we move forward with HomeTown part Duex.

OneMan

It should come as a surpise to no-one that the Beacon is reporting that Jim Oberweis is exploring a run for congress and will be setting up a committee.

So I think at this point everyone is assuming that Denny is not going to run again.


OneMan

Bridget in the 6th has a post up about some discord between the DuPage Democratic party and the turn DuPage blue folks.

You would think that the DuPage Democratic party would be ticked pink for any sort of help what so ever. Then again if they have some discord perhaps that is a good sign too ;-)

OneMan

Well, I really don't blog about a lot of 'personal' stuff. Bascially because my life isn't that interesting and I know others who blog about such things much better than I. However I am going to break from that today.

There is a joke,
Q: What do you call the guy who finishes last in a triathlon?
A: A triathalete
it may have a new answer (OneMan).

Update: It turns out I did not finish last (close, but not last!)

Yes I did my first triathlon on Sunday in Batavia, after 6 months of on and off training I was able to finish the Batavia triathlon (400 M Swim, 14.7 mile bike, 4.1 mile run). Don't know for sure if I finished last, but there is a chance I did, but I finshed which was one of my goals (my other goal was to not finish last, oh well).

If a guy my size (and my level of fitness) can get into good enough shape to this anyone can.

I just want to say thanks for all the folks in my life (and during the race) who encouraged me during the race and when I was getting ready.

OneMan

Rich over at CapitolFax is selling some T-Shirts for charity (also mousepads) and two of the slogans came from OneMan.

Go get one.

OneMan

Great Moments in Legislating...

Eric Krol has a piece about the new dem senators who voted in favor of gambling expansion. One of those who voted in favor of it was OneMan's own state senator, Linda Holmes.


When asked to explain her vote here is what she said (via Krol)

In and around Sen. Holmes’ district lie riverboats in Aurora and Joliet. All would see fewer customers if the plan she voted for became law. Still, Holmes told me it wasn’t a tough vote to take because Penn National, the owner of those riverboats, told her it was OK to vote “yes.” Jones “absolutely” didn’t pressure her, but she also didn’t ask Jones for any projects in return for her support on something Jones coveted. “As a new legislator, it’s hard to know what we’re supposed to do,” she told me.

Yes, you read that right

'It wasn't a tough vote because Penn National, the owner of those riverboats told her it was OK to vote "yes"'

Senator, the last time I checked you are not the state senator who represents Penn National you represent Aurora and a host of other communities. Gambling expansion in the form Sen. Jones put forth will most certainly have a negative economic impact on the communities you represent. Did you see how the city of Aurora felt about this, Kane and Will Counties or did you just check with the local casino owner?

On the other hand, thank for the quote. It's going to look great on a mailer someday, perhaps even a TV ad.

Linda Chapa-LaVia (who is also a democrat) in the past has seemed to realize that when it comes to gaming she represents more than just the local casino owner.

Then there was this little line.

“As a new legislator, it’s hard to know what we’re supposed to do,” she told me.

You know Linda, I have a suggestion next time you don't know what you are supposed to do perhaps you should call Chris Lauzen, heck call Linda Chapa-LaVia.

Also thanks for that line as well, that will also work well in the future.

(Also local media, there might be a story here, how she was quoted as saying 'it was ok with Penn National and how much she took from them in the last election as well as how much the Senate dem fund took from Penn National and then gave her)

OneMan

The whole Lou Viverito thing just blows my mind.

The fact that the Senate Democrats let Emil Jones tell they guy to stay out of the meeting is beyond comprehension, are they that beholden to the president of the senate.

Remember kids if Emil can do it to him he can do it to anyone in the caucus.

OneMan

There is a thing in the Illinois Review about

Trannies up in arms over Shrek critic
I would have never imagined such a stir among the Trannies over my humble observations of the current box office craze "Shrek the III."
Take a moment and check out the wild comments coming in

To paraphrase Freud... Sometimes a fart joke is just a fart joke.

OneMan

The City of Aurora is looking for nominees for Grand Marshal of the 4th of July parade....

Nominees must live in, or previously have lived in, the city. (Check)

They also must have contributed to city life, such as through civic or social services work, humanitarianism or personal achievements. (Lets see, mentioned in the New York Times, fun blogger, active in local politics....)

If you want to nominate your favorite Aurora blogger who isn't over at OpenLine you can get the form here.

Some great local insight in the Beacon News' Open Line Column

The Japanese 500 I'm calling in regard to the Indianapolis 500. I call it the Japanese 500. There weren't any other cars in the race but Hondas. The Hondas have moved into our country and taken over all of our industries, practically.

What, taken over all of our industries?

I was listening to Rush Limbaugh. Callers are asking him to demand the president, George W. Bush, end this terrible action on the immigration and the war. He refuses to do so. Dennis Hastert hasn't decided whether he's going to run for re-election. Denny Hastert, John Laesch should have won. Next time around you ain't about to win again. We're all going to work against you because you let this happen.

Let what happen? You know he isn't speaker anymore.

There have been a ton of great ones in the last couple of weeks. But I want to remain on the side of fair use. Suffice to say that immigration is still driving these folks up a wall.

OneMan

It's official, FeedBurner is now part of Google.

I know a couple of folks there, congratulations guys.

OneMan

The Beacon is also reporting today that Lauzen is filing his exploratory paperwork today for congress.

Not a big surprise, I suspect this will kind of force Tim to do the same thing. We will see who else does the same.

OneMan

The Beacon has a story today about how IMSA won 1,035 tickets to a Gwen Stefani concert. It contained this little quote...

The Kiss FM Web page runs a program that can identify users so a computer can only be used once to cast a vote. But computer-whiz IMSA students quickly figured out how to disable the system.

What? 'disabled the system', I bet the folks at Kiss FM folks will be thrilled to read that.


OneMan