Suburbanites Saving Seats At Pritzker: The New Dibs?
Area Soldier Killed In Fort Hood Rampage
Oprah's Leaving Chicago?
Strollergate 2009: Doubts Raised
Marcus Jordan Wears Nike, Adidas Bids Adieu To School
During last night's debate, our ears perked up when Sen. John McCain dropped this little nugget:
[Sen. Obama] voted for nearly a billion dollars in pork barrel earmark projects, including, by the way, $3 million for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Illinois. My friends, do we need to spend that kind of money?We did a bit of searching and found this Obama press release from last June that includes the following:
Adler Planetarium, to support replacement of its projector and related equipment, $3,000,000The Trib takes it one step further in explaining:One of its most popular attractions and teaching tools at the Adler Planetarium is the Sky Theater. The projection equipment in this theater is 40 years old, and is no longer supported with parts or service by the manufacturer. It has begun to fail, leaving the theater dark and groups of school students and other interested museum-goers without this very valuable and exciting learning experience.
McCain's phrase suggests Obama spent $3 million on an old-fashioned piece of office equipment that projects charts and text on a wall screen. In fact, the money was for an overhaul of the theater system that projects images of stars and planets for educational shows
The kicker? The project was never funded.
According to a press conference held by the Adler Planetarium today, the projector is 38-years-old and the Planetarium is now pursuing funding that would renovate not just the projector, but the entire Sky Theater. Said Paul Knappenberger, Jr., President of the Planetarium, at a press conference this afternoon:
The projection system in the sky theater is nearly 40 years old. The projector breaks down with growing frequency. The ceiling is stained from an old leak. The seats and carpeting are worn. The Sky Theater as it is today, cannot offer an immersive, high tech museum experience contemporary audiences expect...Given the cost of renovating the theater, the Adler asked the Illinois Congressional delegation for its help, and Sen. Obama submitted an earmark request on the museum's behalf. As you can see, the projector [pictured above] is more complex than what was described last night at the presidential debate. Additionally, i want to stress again this theater is the Alder Planetarium's primary educational facility.
Photo courtesy of the Adler Planetarium
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
No, we just need to spend money to fund more wars and the democratization of countries who are clearly asking for our help.
Science isn't important. Goodness. What is wrong with Obama? He should have just recommended the Planetarium be shut down and converted into, oh, I don't know... condos.
Just imagine living in the sun and having that lakefront property...
I think Mcain was pointing out that Obama was getting earmarks for the adler while the adler director was acting as a fundraiser for obama. Not the most ethical arraingment. But this is Chicago/Crook co./Ill. and ethics aren't very important.
Not to judge the earmark request itself but having Obama make an earmark request for an institution that's director is a fundraiser for Obama seems a little unethical. But Ethics aren't important in Chicago/Crook Co./Ill. are they.
the project wasn't funded, so the Adler never received those earmarks [and I would say unfortunately].
Huh?
He didn't say anything that suggested some kind of conflict of interest. Whether it's true or not. He simply tried to make it sound like he was spending 3 million on a classroom projector. It's also worth noting that the photo above is of a real old one. The newer ones look more like something you'd see in a high tech observatory on a Nova show or something. They clearly look like they'd cost that much.
There's real issues to hammer Obama on but that's stuffs just a little too complicated for the slack jawed McCain supporters to grasp onto. So better keep it to lame Muslim/Ayers/Projectors shit.
Sorry about the doublish post it didnt look like it took the first time.
This is an 'earmark' I would fully support. Getting kids excited about science and space exploration? Take my money...PLEASE.
As for the Adler/Obama connection, isn't part of the job of a senator to see that his or her state receives funding for worthwhile projects and programs?
Adler getting up to date equipment is a good thing. It's about 1/10 of a F/A18 Super Hornet, and we've got plenty of those.
"...Planetarium be shut down and converted into, oh, I don't know... condos."
good call - better yet - why not earmark a few billion to demo the planetarium and built a museum of creationism... you know, to balance out the Field? The first exhibit can be "Jesus and the dinosaur rangers of yore", featuring a saddled, animatronic t-rex ride! If we are super lucky, Palin will stop by the new facility to give a presentation on Glossolalia...Guess what kids: complete sentences and correct grammar are not required to speak in tongues!
Nevermind that according to the Tribune, "planetariums in New York and Los Angeles both replaced their Ziess projections systems in recent years with federal funding." I've got no problem with the Adler having that privilege as well; it's a shame that they probably won't be able to secure the same public funding provided to their peers in NY and LA...
Gotta love the pot calling the kettle black. Was McCain trying to distract from Palin's "Bridge to Nowhere" by pointing out a legitimate earmark on Obama's part? "Please don't vote for Obama because he would support a legit earmark with the other senators and representatives of his state."
Doesn't that "projector" look like a Pixar character from "Toy Story"? It look's like he is cross-country skiing.
Oh, and about McCain comments. How pathetic. I am already looking at the 2010 Congressional elections. That's when we Republicans can pick up some seats. After all, people are not going to like President Obama's tax hikes. Can you say "1994"?
Palin's bridge to nowhere you are pathetic. Federal earmarks have nothing to do with govs. Obama doesnt want to be labeled with blago does he.
Nevermind that according to the Tribune, "planetariums in New York and Los Angeles both replaced their Ziess projections systems in recent years with federal funding." I've got no problem with the Adler having that privilege as well; it's a shame that they probably won't be able to secure the same public funding provided to their peers in NY and LA...
So Obama is a less effective senator for Ill.then Hillary is for New York but we should give him a promotion.
How did they end up paying for the new system?
Perhaps they used money they got from charging admission (I believe $15)?
While the planetarium has its role, this should hardly be the concern of the president.
I am not against the new projection system I believe better funded science is essential. My only problem is the typical chicago way it was done. That and the fact Obama isn't a closer.
Sears tower look at your property tax bill. Every muesum that is in a city park gets a slice of your property taxes if you live in Chicago. Thats why the childrens muesum wants so badly to be in grant park. A steady stream of property tax income.
Fed up,
That is the typical Chicago way, but in the Federal context it is the typical American way. People who run institutions tend to give money to local politicians.
Besides, it is not as if the director personally would have received a benefit. The Planetarium would have. And since that is a public, educational institution, everyone who saw a sky show would have received the benefit.
Ward Up,
Yeah. I'd be looking forward to 2010 too, were I you. After all, McCain is about to get pimped all over the yard. If he loses Indiana, he ought to completely leave politics.
It's also worth noting that the photo above is of a real old one.
Navin - apologies for not making this clearer in the post, but in case there's any confusion, the above projector is the current Adler projector.
While the planetarium has its role, this should hardly be the concern of the president.
Sears,
Let me point out a couple obvious flaws in your statement here:
Obama was not President when him and fellow Democrats and *Republicans* gave their support. This was very much within their "role".
McCain (who *is* running for pres) is the one who's trying to make this non-issue an issue.
Most of the loop is divided up in TIFs, so the tax money goes god knows where.
Not to mention the multi-million dollar earmark for Michelle's hospital. . . Hey, baby, it's the Chicago way.
I looked at that picture and immediately saw a cute little sick projector! Big round head, two eyes, a nose, and a frown with a thermometer sticking out of it.
During the debate, I was a little bit surprised Obama didn't explain what kind of projector it was and how valuable it is for getting kids excited about science. So they can, you know, keep up with the Singaporeans so the dollar will be worth something in 20 years.
While McCain tries to paint Obama as an un-American, terrorist, earmarker, he ignores the fact that his own running mate is the Pork Queen. That bastion of lefty-liberal thought, the Cato Institute has this to say: