Chicagoist: McCain Drinks The Adler Haterade

Stanton Park

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:10:10 -0600

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:At best, Palin has been a convert on earmarks (and perhaps not a full convert). As governor of Alaska, she has requested 31 earmarks worth $197.8 million for next year, according to indicted Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens’ website, the Los Angeles Times reported. As mayor of Wasilla, Palin regularly traveled to Washington to request earmarks. The city obtained funding for several projects, including a bus depot ($600,000) and a water and sewer project ($1.5 million), according to Taxpayers for Common Sense.

castroer

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:19:39 -0600

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.

bobnweave

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:00:35 -0600

Not to mention the multi-million dollar earmark for Michelle's hospital. . . Hey, baby, it's the Chicago way.

sfrazer_chicago

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:18:09 -0600

Most of the loop is divided up in TIFs, so the tax money goes god knows where.

Navin

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:14:07 -0600

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.

Marcus Gilmer

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:20:20 -0600

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.

Chicago D

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:13:28 -0600

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.

fed up

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:18:51 -0600

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.

Sears Tower

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:26:50 -0600

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.

fed up

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:30:54 -0600

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.

Ward Up

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:06:30 -0600

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"?

ScaredOfRepublicans

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:01:20 -0600

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."

Stephen

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:53:41 -0600

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...

riguna

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:48:27 -0600

"...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!

Albanyparkour

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:46:45 -0600

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.

fed up

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:45:58 -0600

Sorry about the doublish post it didnt look like it took the first time.

Navin

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:41:50 -0600

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.

aaronsinger

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:39:55 -0600

the project wasn't funded, so the Adler never received those earmarks [and I would say unfortunately].

fed up

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:37:22 -0600

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.

fed up

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:32:49 -0600

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.

kaylee

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:16:24 -0600

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...