Anti-War Protesters Rally In Federal Plaza
Expiration Date: An interview with Undateable’s Anne Coyle
Review: Revolution Brewing
Where Are You Going? Hyde Park Mural Asks Big Questions
Bookstores We Love: The Book Cellar
So far this week Chicagoist had an argument with our siblings over baseball, endured a date with a guy who isn't even registered to vote, forgot to set our alarm clock, thus making us late for a big meeting at work, fell down some stairs, and accidentally threw our favorite cashmere sweater into the dryer. And it's only Wednesday! Sigh. Even with all of that, our week is still not going as poorly as Governor Blagojevich's.
First off Blago is having to deal with State Senator James Meeks' threat to run against him as a third-party candidate in November and the ultimatum from black aldermen that he better respond to their needs, or else. The only bright spot for Blago is that Meeks might take away votes from Republican Judy Baar Topinka too.
And remember the controversy about Blago appointing Nation of Islam minister of protocol Claudette Marie Johnson to serve on the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes? Blago originally said he was not aware of Johnson's affiliation with the group. Today it was revealed Johnson sent him a letter earlier this month reminding the governor that she had met and spoken to him on multiple occasions before her appointment and that she always identified herself as being affiliated with the Nation of Islam.
As if that isn't enough, another state agency is being investigated. We told you earlier that the Illinois Department of Transportation was torn apart in a report by the state's Auditor General. Now the Auditor General and Attorney General Lisa Madigan want to know why money that was supposed to go towards Illinois roadways was instead spent on items ranging from a parade float to promotional tattoos. Blago isn't a target of the investigation, but it doesn't look good that this is happening under his watch.
Wake up, Blago! We know you're very busy "getting things done for people," but November isn't that far away, and your Democratic base isn't very happy. Simply saying that you want to work with Meeks, can't remember Johnson because you meet so many people, and will cooperate with investigators just isn't enough anymore. Throw your presidential hopes away; it's time to start acting like the progressive and ethical governor you claim to be instead of just another politician.
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Why is Blago trying to hyp-mo-tize me in that picture?
Geez, is there ANY level of sleaze reporting you won't stoop to in order to back Topinka??
1. Meeks would HATE it if Topinka was elected. Let's be clear on that.
2. Bad week? The Nation of Islam deal was a month ago, and everybody except Topinka supporters have forgotten about it.
3. This IDOT thing has nothing to do with Blago, if you read it.
4. The Dems might not be happy with Blago, but they are disgusted with Topinka and her Ryan connection (ooooh, did you know there's a sleaze trial involving Topinka's friend, George Ryan??? She has closer connections to Ryan than this IDOT guy has to Blago). Also, what's the story on her sleazy relationship with her former Treasurer, and how is that investigation on her "pay for play" scam going?
/Are you related to Topinka or are you just getting kickbacks, or what?
I've missed you, Moon.
1. Yes. And I don't think he'll be happy with Blago either.
2. The letter Johnson wrote to Blago was just released.
3. I said the IDOT thing did not involve Blago, but it did happen under his watch, which does not help him.
4. Quite a few Dems will be voting for Topinka. I will most likely not be one of them. You say there's a corruption trial agains George Ryan, hey? Perhaps I should write about it sometime.
And kickbacks? Please. Like Topinka could ever afford me.
You can post whatever you want, but I think you should point out that you are on the Topinka team before you do it.
Just for a kind of fake journalism ethics.
Wow, "Moon" you must be really far out there on the Left if you think the political postings on this site are sympathetic to Republicans.
Moon: Since you seem to be an...um...expert in journalism ethics, perhaps you should consider this post reads pretty much like a column, in which the writer is free to express an opinion. That said, if you really think this is a skillful piece of pro-Topinka propaganda, I would suggest you haven't really been exposed to much professional propaganda.
One might ask you: Do you get kicbacks from the Gov for posting these comments on semi-influential blog sites? Are you related to Rod?
Actually, sorry to tell you but Moon is right. The whole perspective is from someone getting ready to announce their support for Topinka.
This sentance says it all:
Yeah right. Based on what? -- other than the bias of the author.
But you don't even have to go this far into Amy's analysis since if she thinks Blago had a bad week, she should look over what Judy had to face!
A note to the other posters: "far out to the left" and "kicbacks [sic] from the Gov" are all we need to know to place you on the political spectrum.
LiberalMinded: Good point, but I must ask: So what?
This was a column. Moon acts as though she doesn't know that, though she would lecture the writer on journalism ethics (while apparently offering a "fake" name). I don't know how anyone could confuse the Chicagoist blog with serious, original, objective journalism. If the writer were trying to write something billed as a objective report on the gov race, I would have problems. But I don't see that. All I see is an attempt at a column about politics.
Not the best column in the world, but still a column, and therefore I don't understand Moon's criticisms. Perhaps instead of criticizing, Moon should counter with his/her own column.
I'm a little confused by how saying I most likely won't vote for Topinka means I'm announcing my support for her. I don't think I've even ever voted for her for treasurer.
I've written columns criticizing Topinka, and there will be more of those to come. The stories with Blago were in the news yesterday, so that's why I concentrated on them.
If I'm hard on Blago, it's only because I expect more from him. I think he had and has a great opportunity, but he rests on his laurels too much.
Well what ever you do Amy, make sure in your next post that you really are against Topinka! That is what Moon wants, after all.
Crushing of Dissent!
Listen, unless you've read ALL of this woman's posts where she takes every opportunity to slam Blago (and for that matter, the other GOP candidates for Governor) and says "cutesy" little things like what color hair Topinka has, you haven't seen the whole picture. OK?
/You can go back and check.
/If she's not voting for Topinka, she's not voting. Or maybe she still thinks Lars "America First" Daley is running.
One might ask you: Do you get kicbacks from the Gov for posting these comments on semi-influential blog sites? Are you related to Rod?
I've made NO pretensions to be a journalist or said anything other than Topinka is bad news.
These stories have been presented as 'fair and balanced' journalism.
Since you seem to be an...um...expert in journalism ethics, perhaps you should consider this post reads pretty much like a column, in which the writer is free to express an opinion.
So, what you are saying that this should be viewed as partisan hack Topinka backing???
All righty, then. I guess that's what I'm saying, too.
Moon: Where, exactly, has anything on this site been presented as "fair and balanced"?
Really, did I miss something? If I did, then I apologize in advance for my criticism of your views.
Moon: I'm sure you know that are type of journalism one can do and still offer opinion and strong points of view. If you don't believe me, perhaps you can read columns by such journalists as Zorn or Kass or Roeper.
Addtionally, if you do come here for "fair and balanced" journalism, I imagine you must be disappointed day after day.
Moon acts as though she doesn't know that, though she would lecture the writer on journalism ethics (while apparently offering a "fake" name). I don't know how anyone could confuse the Chicagoist blog with serious, original, objective journalism. If the writer were trying to write something billed as a objective report on the gov race, I would have problems. But I don't see that. All I see is an attempt at a column about politics.
First of all, your name is "Thad" - sounds like a fake name to me, as well. How can we believe ANYTHING YOU SAY??
/Sarcasm
I called it exactly as you are pointing out. There isn't any real journalism here. So, what's your beef? You afraid of the truth or what? Afraid of the truth and hiding behind a fake name is no way to go through life. :\
Yes, Moon, I am afraid of the truth. Deathly afraid.
I wouldn't believe anything I say, either.