Chicagoist: No One Likes Blago

mike from chicago

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:59:40 -0600

Well, now with Blago's Senate appointment and the resulting hue and cry from the Senate Frat, it should become clear to anyone that all this tit-for-tat crap is wholly between Blago and his contemporaries, NOT between Blago and the voters. They sound like a bunch of whining little girls, "he didn't go along with my vote, now I'm not gonna go with his" or "he didn't personally call me about his anger over using his name on my stationary" bla bla bla....these people live in a different world! Who cares if Blago sends an aide to answer a question? Why is it such a big deal if he doesn't personally respond to a contemporary’s question? Do they really need their egos groomed on a daily basis? Perhaps Blago is not all to blame for this mess - maybe it's just that he refuses to stroke the egos of those people accustomed to being stroked? GOOD FOR HIM!!!

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:08:33 -0600

yea Scoots, I could do that. But what would you do for yer dear old Spookester? Would you read broadly and surrond yourself with folks who think deeply and thoughtfully? Nope, so I think I wil just say careless and you will just stay stupid, consider you and trapped ;-)

Scooter Libbby

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:17:02 -0600

Do us all a favor spooky, learn to spell. And if you use Firefox, it will out a red line under any word it thinks is misspelled or a new word it doesn't know. Then you can right click on it & either change the spelling, ignore it or add it to the dictionary. Maybe then you could fake intelligence, although by supporting Governor 13%, I doubt it.

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:22:36 -0600

Perhaps, but Blago would stiff you with the bill, including the six-pack he took on the way out, yea that mighht be true, but I'd laugh my a*s off and make sure I did the same next time ;-)

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:25:07 -0600

while Daley dosen't get a pass, he surely doesen't get the wrath. Uh, how long have you actually been reading this blog? I've see few defenders of Daley here. You've rarely seen me defend Daley, though I have pointed out the rare good things he's done. . I mean I'd could drink with Blago, but Daley scares the salt out of me Perhaps, but Blago would stiff you with the bill, including the six-pack he took on the way out, at inflated tap-room prices. And then he'd issue a press release about how he drank with the common man. Does this mean some body owes me a drink? Probably, but it ain't me.

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:10:43 -0600

Hence the what a country, my beef is how so many Chicagoist pile on to Blago while Daley dosen't get a pass, he surely doesen't get the wrath. I mean I'd could drink with Blago, but Daley scares the salt out of me. Does this mean some body owes me a drink?

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:59:46 -0600

Oh and Blago has installed some class acts as agency directors, something Daley dosen't do.

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:59:45 -0600

And I am not defending Blago I'm saying that out of a basket of rotten fruit, he is one of the better apples. Maybe, but Christ, the whole basket is worthless, and those are some low standards. I agree: Daley has been much worse, and probably harmed more people more seriously over his long years of "service." Can we drink now?

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:55:08 -0600

p.s and he has harmed less people that Daley, yea what a country.

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:54:28 -0600

Well, Sparky I've never layed any claims to sanity, just being great looking, in shape, brilliant and funny. And I am not defending Blago I'm saying that out of a basket of rotten fruit, he is one of the better apples.

sparky

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:52:30 -0600

@ Marcus: "We can hear Mayor Daley cackling in delight from here." Yeah, he's laughing, but he better be careful given that he was Cook County State's Attorney when there was credible evidence of torture under Burge. Daley should be ashamed. And be held accountable, too. Instead he won't be...so nevermind, you are right: he is probably still cackling in delight because he knows he turned a blind eye and got away with it.

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:35:42 -0600

You can admit it, it's alright. I would, believe me. I am often wrong, and sometimes even apologize as though we were all sitting around a table in a bar. But I simply was not saying anything against people who make coffee, only making a comment about COBRA. I love class warfare as much as the next guy, but it wasn't happening there. but you're the biggest nit-picker on this site and you'd be all in somebody's ass if they made a similar cut down. You have me there, however.

sparky

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:18:08 -0600

Matilda, I can answer your healthcare question. Right now, Blago doesn't know who has an enlarged health insurance program, how much money in premiums it's collected or even where that money is, according to a court ruling. Great fiscal management. Do you think that the people that need it are getting it? I doubt it. I would love to see an audit of that. He also got rid of healthcare if you don't have kids. Nice, huh?

sparky

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:17:31 -0600

Spook, I must question the intelligence and sanity of anyone that defends Blago. Minimum wage: yes the minimum wage has been raised in Illinois. There are still plenty of states that have higher minimum wage. And there are conditions and exceptions in Illinois as well. What else: For nearly two years, Governor Rod Blagojevich would not turn over federal grand jury subpoenas of his office to the Better Government Association (BGA). Tens of thousands of taxpayer funds were spent defending Blagojevich. He finally turned them over. And finally, ethics reform: well, OK sure. But I think it is funny that every state of IL employee has to take ethics training, can get fined and fired if they do not, and can get fined and fired and have jail time if they violate policy. If you examine the ethics policies of the state, and examine what Blago and Friends are doing (small example: getting baseball tickets), why aren't they in jail?

Navin

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:01:14 -0600

I never accused anyone of anything, but thanks for trying to play some superficial class war thing here. *gives 'tilda the Larry David, I think you're lying staredown* M'kay, M'kay.. Sure Matilda, I love ya, but you're the biggest nit-picker on this site and you'd be all in somebody's ass if they made a similar cut down. You can admit it, it's alright. Hell, I wouldn't even have mentioned it if I didn't know that you would have ripped somebody for doing the same.

Prescott Carlson

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:52:52 -0600

For the record, Chicagoist had several posts on the state ethics bill.

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:47:32 -0600

"is somehow about petty politics" about should be above.

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:45:30 -0600

Increased access to insurance for children, seniors and workers. I can't really argue much with other points, but health care has been a key of the Blago agenda. Tell me, though, what is the status of funding for his expanded health care? Go beyond whether you think it is a good idea--generally, I do think it is a good idea, if managed properly by responsible leaders who can do more than toss out press releases--and tell me 1) how well is expanded health care been funded; and 2) whether Blago handling of expanding health care is likely to survive. You seem to prefer to gloss over such points, but I think it is a central part of whether Blago's agenda will survive. For instance, can the state even pay its existing medical bills? If not, why not? And how many people have been enrolled in Blago's expanded health care? Good luck finding out, for even Blago is hardly telling. am not going to blame the lack of funding on him. I'm going to blame it on the politicians who oppose him for political reasons. First, most politics is about "political reasons." That why it is called politics. And to suggest that Blago--who, until a few years ago, apparently still though he could run for President--is somehow about petty politics is laughable. What is your evidence for such an idea? No, I don't let the likes of Madigan or Cross or Watson or Daley off the hook, but let's be realistic here. And I like how he tried to end the double dipping of politicians earning two big government salaries! Sort of, but not really. He stalled ethics reforms for a long time, perhaps to not hurt his own campaign pocketbook or patronage chances. And his crusade against double-dipping, no matter how noble it looked on paper, was used to punish those who opposed Blago. Don't believe me. Look it up. But they are always waiting around Da corner for Blago to slip and fall. Let his hair brush fall out of his pocket and their is scoop Gilmer wearing that silly yellow helmet ready to inform us about it as if thise is the Times-Picayune Sorry, but I've not yet had my weekly allowance of 'shrooms, though I promise to give those sentences another try when I am in the proper frame of mind. Not sure how New Orleans figures into this, but what the hell, I am not hip.

irishman1

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:31:42 -0600

Balvenie 15 Year Single Barrel 750ml $54.99 per bottle

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:28:36 -0600

Rutilda He has finally halted winter utility disconnects Increased access to insurance for children, seniors and workers. Expanded the earned income tax credit and of course ended the sunset clause Increased the minimum wage and that's just off the top of my head. And now here this suckas, I am not going to blame the lack of funding on him. I'm going to blame it on the politicians who oppose him for political reasons. And I like how he tried to end the double dipping of politicians earning two big government salaries! We should have been outraged over that at time of all these lay offs. Did Chicagoist cover it? Nope! But they are always waiting around Da corner for Blago to slip and fall. Let his hair brush fall out of his pocket and their is scoop Gilmer wearing that silly yellow helmet ready to inform us about it as if thise is the Times-Picayune

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:15:27 -0600

Yea I know state government and that's on every thang , but you really think I'm gonna carry out your little "assigment" above? You must be smoking that rock they be selling on the low end. Sorry, but what you are saying is "I Know I'm right, and if you don't believe you, you are a drug addict. So there!" Did I properly translate Spook-speak? Or I am merely a stupid Midwesterner for being skeptical about your ideas?

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:12:24 -0600

Spook: No thesis needed. Just name a few good programs. I asked about funding but all programs, good or bad, need funding, as you know. You also say you know, but you never provide details. That is why I doubt your knowledge. But I hope you prove me wrong. Do you have the skills? Are or you just lonely today :)

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:05:30 -0600

SmackTilda, I'm with Sears, if you think I'm gonna write a thesis on the policy implications of Blagos programs, then you're out of your cotten pick'n dome. I mean more than we already suspect. Yea I know state government and that's on every thang , but you really think I'm gonna carry out your little "assigment" above? You must be smoking that rock they be selling on the low end.

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:48:54 -0600

It least he didn't accuse you of being a lowly java slinger. If somebody else had made such a quip you'd be all over them. I never accused anyone of anything, but thanks for trying to play some superficial class war thing here. I merely said my insurance likely would cost a more than some average employee at a coffee shop. $400/month for COBRA? Not in my experience, and not for my insurance, and not for any job I've had. early Peter Gabriel is not considered "pop culture" if you don't trust a Spook then ask Tank Boy, but we agree that a you are confused and that you do owe me for all I've inparted on to you As I said, you win this regard. Congrats, again. But I notice you have failed to list all the good Blago has done, again. I think you have nothing to report, for all the bluster. Balvenie 15 Year Single Barrel. Smartest thing you've said so far. But so upper middle class, don't you think?

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:39:59 -0600

Wacktidla, early Peter Gabriel is not considered "pop culture" if you don't trust a Spook then ask Tank Boy, but we agree that a you are confused and that you do owe me for all I've inparted on to you, I drink Balvenie 15 Year Single Barrel. I've come upon a most experince bar keep who has schooled me well

Navin

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:38:00 -0600

At least he didn't accuse you of being a lowly java slinger. If somebody else had made such a quip you'd be all over them.

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:26:45 -0600

Any one notice how Black folks in New York sale books on the street?!? Its a whole culture! Only in New York! Heck people barely even read here ????? Sometimes, you can just see a person's insecurities from miles away. As well as the creative logic.

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:21:20 -0600

And your problem- among many -is that you like the majority confuse "negros" with Black people. That's only because Gabriel* has not blessed us with the supreme wisdom he apparently has passed along to you. But, really, tell us the difference. Why keep secrets from the masses you care so much about? Please tell how the "majority" (or it is "among many"?--the grammar is rather like Dada poetry) confuses negros [sic] with Black people. (Are Black people different from black people, by the way? Is that another point of confusion?) *not the singer, either. Sorry, you know much more about [apparently white] pop culture than do I. You win on that count. Congrats. I owe you a single-malt Scotch.

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:16:04 -0600

p.p.p.s and speaking of midwest/east coast, any one notice how Black folks in New York sale books on the street?!? Its a whole culture! Only in New York! Heck people barely even read here and if any body is selling something on the streets it sho aint books! Check out the book "Side Walk"! a friend in the NYC just emailed it to me

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:12:54 -0600

I could list some of Blago's modest accomplishments for all working and poor folks-including children in this state. Be my guest. Be sure to indicate 1) how well such programs have been funded; 2) The financial viability of the programs--that is, will they survive long; 3) How the state's current pension problems, as well as other financial problems, might threaten the future of these programs (Blago has really done nothing with pensions except a series of shell games that do nothing to ensure proper funding, a situation that bears on the rest of the state budget); 4) What courts have ruled about these programs, if applicable in your examples. I assume you have studied this issue in depth, and are not just talking to talk, or out of ideology or emotion. Then again, assumptions usually are wrong. unlike your blue stocking self My savings account and paycheck would like to talk to you to ask about all that money I apparently am supposed to have, but which remains missing. In case it went over your head, I pointed out that for me, such a health-insurance cost would be cheap. I almost agreed with you, in other words. Try to pay attention if you can, as it's better for everyone :)

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:02:14 -0600

p.p.s p.q = Pat quinn

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:59:16 -0600

Ahhhhh is that Scattilda yodeling younder??? I guess you could call me a commuter of sorts or perhaps an intruder, but not like in that Peter Gabriel song ;-) And your problem- among many -is that you like the majority confuse "negros" with Black people. But I’d wager that the few Black people in this state like Blago over any other politican with the exception of maybe P.Q. I could list some of Blago's modest accomplishments for all working and poor folks-including children in this state. Those that ( unlike your blue stocking self would consider having to shell out 400 dollars a month half of their rent. But what would be the point? This is Chicagoist where folks toss Blago , like red meat gets tossed to lions. Now excuse, me, Miss Prescott Carlson VI, I hear Micheal Jackson’s “I’m Dangerous” playing in my head and I want to hum along :-) P.S I don't mix coffee either, but mark me down with a red pen in solidary and spirit

Ingrid

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:39:56 -0600

-That's actually pretty cheap from where I stand for COBRA. Then again, I don't mix coffee for a living. Speaking of mixing coffee, from what I hear, a job at Starbucks would mean you wouldn't have to pay for COBRA since they offer pretty good benefits. I have run into several college graduates, working for years at top level jobs and then lost those jobs and subsequently took work at Starbucks JUST so they could have health insurance. Sounds tempting, to be honest. (sad to say)

Scooter Libbby

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:36:07 -0600

Drinking a lot of Blago flavored Kool-Aid Spook?

Albanyparkour

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:34:30 -0600

@Spook: I see him more like a guy on the titanic who knows he can't get on a lifeboat saving some stranger's kid. A decent gesture, but you're still gonna drown.

matilda

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:22:01 -0600

ea, when they find themselves unemployed looking at a 400 dollar cobra payment for health insurence, they will have nothing coming. Man, mindwesterners are stupid. They are all crooks, but at least Blago Well, for one thing, Blago, for all his bluster, has failed to properly fund his health-care plans (go ask some local health-care experts and provides if you don't believe me). Part of the reason is because he is a poor leader who alienates people. Another reason is his piss-poor skill at financial management. Blago has done some good PR in regards to health care, but that's about it. Man, mindwesterners are stupid. Do you not live in Chicago? Or do you commute each day from the East Coast, where everyone is highly smart and there is no corruption in government and politics? They are all crooks, but at least Blago attempts to help folks outside of his tribe. Well, yes, he panders, and has pandered well to blacks. He puts out good press releases, too. But even his support among blacks has sunk. That should tell you something. I just don't get it Perhaps because you are a stupid Midwesterner. Or part of that 13%. a 400 dollar cobra payment for health insurence That's actually pretty cheap from where I stand for COBRA. Then again, I don't mix coffee for a living.

Spook

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:06:11 -0600

yea, when they find themselves unemployed looking at a 400 dollar cobra payment for health insurence, they will have nothing coming. Man, mindwesterners are stupid. They are all crooks, but at least Blago attempts to help folks outside of his tribe. I just don't get it

Marcus Gilmer

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:51:00 -0600

ah, blago. he brings out the funny in yall. and i mean that sincerely. i almost feel bad for him. then i sober up and don't.

bunnybear

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:48:23 -0600

Replace "family members" with "partners in crime" and you've got it.

PhotoshopAbuser

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:40:18 -0600

10% want to see him back? I didn't realize he had that many family members.

xlprq

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:37:35 -0600

How did they manage to find 65 people who approve of him? I would think if the survey were larger, the numbers would be even lower.