Daley Blames - Who Else? - The Media For Oprah-geddon
Chicago Gets Googled
Friday Flashback - Old School Oprah
Today's Transgender Day of Remembrance Honors the Dead
Review: Paramount Room
Yesterday, Mick Dumke at the Reader explored the possible identities of candidates named in the Blagojevich complaint, including Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Senate Candidate 5:While there are two other possibilities we could think of for this one - Danny Davis and Emil Jones - Jackson fits so we'll go with Dumke's guess.CLUES: According to the complaint, this person is "publicly reported to be interested in the open Senate seat"; the governor's purported interest in the candidate was also leaked to the Sun-Times. Blagojevich "was giving Senate Candidate 5 greater consideration for the Senate seat because, among other reasons, if ROD BLAGOJEVICH ran for re-election Senate Candidate 5 would 'raise money' for ROD BLAGOJEVICH. . . . Senate Candidate 5 was very much a realistic candidate for the open Senate seat, but . . . ROD BLAGOJEVICH was getting 'a lot of pressure' not to appoint Senate Candidate 5."
GUESS: Jesse Jackson Jr.
Now ABC News is jumping on the Jesse Bandwagon, citing unnamed sources as telling them Jackson is Candidate 5.
According to the FBI affidavit in the case, Blagojevich "stated he might be able to cut a deal with Senate Candidate 5 that provided ROD BLAGOJEVICH" with something "tangible up front."We guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...Jackson Jr. said this morning he was contacted yesterday by federal prosecutors in Chicago who he said "asked me to come in and share with them my insights and thoughts about the selection process."
Jackson Jr. said "I don't know" when asked if he was Candidate #5, but said he was told "I am not a target of this investigation."
Seth Perlman/AP Photo
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Said he was told "I am not a target of this investigation."
So his defense will be, "But they told me that I wasn't a target. They lied to me."
that would be amazing.
Lets get Todd Stroger and Daley involved and really clean house.
F.B.I, Get Todd Stroger, and Jessie Jackson Jr! Both somehow, using their dads to get a "official" position!
Apple doesn't fall far from the tree? Not understanding this one...
Unless you're trying to make some sort connection between Jackson Sr. allegedly "shakingdown" companies he accuses of racism/sexism/etc. and Jackson Jr. allegedly being willing to buy a senate seat. In which case those are two different trees.
And in which case, Blago must be Jesse Sr. son, since he's the one doing the shakdown...
Not of this investigation.
There's a fantastic book on Jesse Jackson Sr. called "Shakedown". Corruption and bribery is a family tradition.
Stealth - Albany took the words right out of my mouth. Wheeling and dealing seems to be genetic.
I'm confident that his motives will be lost on the idiots that voted for him in the first place
Ooh. Don't forget the Lipinski family in the 3rd congressional district.
There's a fantastic book on Jesse Jackson Sr. called "Shakedown". Corruption and bribery is a family tradition.
I haven't read this book of his, but Timmerman, the author, is a regular contributor to Newsmax, which I don't hold in the highest regard. Still, I see your point. I mean, I guess Jesse Sr. babymomma scandal was a bribe from him too...
Stealth - Albany took the words right out of my mouth. Wheeling and dealing seems to be genetic.
Which is why I'm wary of all of these calls for Lisa Madigan to take over the governor's seat.
I'm confident that his motives will be lost on the idiots that voted for him in the first place
Just like all those who vote for Democrats and Republicans.
It's fun to speculate, but until there is solid evidence (and I don't think someone's guess is solid, and I am skeptical of the "unnamed sources"), we'll just have to wait and see.
If I couldn't laugh about this, I'd cry because what is going on in this state is so depressing and sickening.
Yeah... she worries me a little bit, too.
I'll admit to voting for him in the first election, when he was running on the platform of reform after the disaster that was Ryan. However, I've become more jaded than ever about local politics and will ONLY vote third party options whenever possible.
Just like all those who vote for Democrats and Republicans.
Well, 100% opposition to any party, major or not, also implies a certain closed-minded ideology and mild idiocy akin to voting straight ticket. Just saying. Context always counts as does the individual candidate. Sometimes, for instance, the Greens run some good candidates, sometimes not. This year, not so much, at least at the national level.
Stealth: Don't rely just on the Newsmax guy. Seek out other sources. I am certain you will find the Jacksons a pretty sleazy family.
Good point, Matilda.
I'm likely to side with the Democrats on many issues nationally, but life in Chicago has sort of soured me on the party as a whole.
I'd like to see an election where we were given good, reasonable, realistic choices instead of just going for the "lesser of two evils."
Stealth: Don't rely just on the Newsmax guy. Seek out other sources. I am certain you will find the Jacksons a pretty sleazy family.
I didn't say I didn't find them "sleazy" or even "pretty sleazy". I just said I find Newsmax's unmitigated slant a bit displeasing. OK, more than a bit...
I'd like to see an election where we were given good, reasonable, realistic choices instead of just going for the "lesser of two evils."
Most of those "good, reasonable, realistic" people are afraid to run and can't say as how I blame them. Politics is a nasty business, especially in this city/state. There are a few out there, though...
Naturally Matilda,
But locally you have to admit considering our officials state/city/county wide that most people (here included) are voting for idiots which sort of would mean they're as idiotic as the people who voted for Jr. Given Blago, Daley, Stroger, the Aldercreatures etc. it's safe to say that idiocy is widespread around these parts. I wouldn't say that Illinois voters have had any good choices among Democrats or Republicans in my years here.
I'd like to see an election where we were given good, reasonable, realistic choices instead of just going for the "lesser of two evils."
That doesn't happen in Chicago or Illinois. As soon as a viable 3rd party candidate is introduced, another is propped up to dilute his/her votes.
The irony of all this, if true, is something I can't remember seeing in a while. You have a man, whose father championed civil rights and being judged on the quality of one's character, who nevertheless gained notoriety and maintained notoriety based on the exploitation of the color of his skin, who put his son into office based on his name rather than his character, that ended up trying to gain a higher office based on what he could pay for rather than what he could earn.
I'd like to see an election where we were given good, reasonable, realistic choices instead of just going for the "lesser of two evils."
As long as people keep voting for only Republicans and Democrats you never will. They've got no reason to field any kind of real *change* agent. Your support, is after all.... guaranteed.
Agreed. I mean, who have we had to vote for that WASN'T the "lessor of two evils", either on the city or state level? Mayorally, in the last election, we had Dorothy Brown and William Walls. Nice guys, I'm sure, but do you think they were up to the challenge of running this city? Not that Daley is doing a bang-up job, but they'd be starting further back than he is. And I actually voted for Brown not because I thought she'd win, but just to try to keep things even and show Daley that it won't be a cakewalk forever.
As long as people keep voting for only Republicans and Democrats you never will.
That is a simplistic way to put things, and evidence of why few so-called 3rd parties and their supporters don't stand a chance.
It's not just about voting and going along your merry way. It's also about contributing and helping to raise funds; going door-to-door more than one weekend every couple of years; making calls and writing letters to newspapers; nagging friends about the wisdom of supporting more third parties; and other such mundane and often annoying activities. I assume you have done all that--I am NOT trying to attack you, as I don't know you except as an Internet character--but voting is hardly 10% of the battle for those who wish for a viable multiparty system, or something along those lines.
I'd like to see an election where we were given good, reasonable, realistic choices ...
There was a good, reasonable and realistic choice in 2002. Illinois voters instead opted for the guy the machine told them to vote for.
That is a simplistic way to put things, and evidence of why few so-called 3rd parties and their supporters don't stand a chance.
Yet, third parties have been growing and winning more seats (however small) over the past decade. I'd say you're wrong on that.
For the record I will vote for whoever I think is best regardless of party. Which is why locally I've occasionally voted for both Republicans and Democrats if it was necessary. That said I believe you know that the gist of what I'm saying is correct. Democrats and Republicans have *no reason* to alter their platform because they're assured their "lesser of two evils vote" from either side. Why change the script? They get your pragmatic money and support regardless.
And I actually voted for Brown not because I thought she'd win, but just to try to keep things even and show Daley that it won't be a cakewalk forever.
Exactly what I did too. Will there ever be a viable challenger to Daley? Or whoever he puts on the throne when he decides to retire?
Yet, third parties have been growing and winning more seats (however small) over the past decade. I'd say you're wrong on that.
Yet the two major parties enjoy as much, or more power, than ever before. When is the last time a 3rd party had major influence on a national policy debate, for instance--or even a local or state one.
Listen, I agree with you: We need more variety in our candidates, and more ideas and debates. But what are you willing to do besides telling people to consider voting for more than the Dems and GOP? How much skin will you put into this effort?
Yet the two major parties enjoy as much, or more power, than ever before. When is the last time a 3rd party had major influence on a national policy debate, for instance--or even a local or state one.
Listen, I agree with you: We need more variety in our candidates, and more ideas and debates. But what are you willing to do besides telling people to consider voting for more than the Dems and GOP? How much skin will you put into this effort?
I'm glad you agree with me so why are you trying to change the subject with these red herrings? Just admit that what I said is basically true and move on. This isn't an argument about whether or not Navin campaigns door to door or the fact that there isn't a third party Senator or whatever.
Navin: Not trying to change the subject, only question the depth of your passion here.
I am annoyed with holier-than-thou-types--again, talking generally here, not attacking--act superior because they vote Green or some other party (and it's almost always Green in Chicago). Fine. Dandy. Everyone has a vote.
But what on earth are they doing beyond a vote every few years? Building a party and/or movement requires blood, sweat and tears. If things are so bad under the Dems and GOP--and guess what, the two parties are hardly monolithic, as each has various factions often at odds with one another, as any observer can see--if things are so bad, then why wouldn't one risk reputation and fortune (to paraphrase the Founders) to change things?
Just admit that what I said is basically true and move on.
Because what you say is not basically true, at least not on any level beyond the superficial. Why do some people always need others to agree with them so much? I find such behavior needy and off-putting, and odd from one who desires more variety of thought.
Hey, ho, that crooked bitch has got to go.
What's that Obama saying these days? "I am not a crook, just all my friends are."