Results tagged “middleeast”

Governor Quinn paid a visit to Illinois troops overseas in Iraq and is still over there on a tour of goodwill, showing support for the soldiers far from home. Quinn spoke with CBS 2 and told them, "This is an arduous, difficult, hard assignment, and they've carried it out with great distinction...(We have) 3,200 men and women from our Illinois National Guard are over in Afghanistan. It's the largest deployment since World War II. But here in Iraq, we have hundreds of Guard members." Quinn took the surprise trip with a group of other state governors, departing Friday; the plans for the rest of his trip and his return have not been released.

If you are willing to brave crappy weather with your "Bush was right" or "Bush is a dope" signs, get ready: he's coming to town on Monday.

Mayor Daley and the rest of his Getalong Gang took their Olympic show on the road yesterday, heading to Rio de Janeiro to the Pan American Games, sort of a regional Olympics. Daley and company are hoping to learn a few lessons from an actual large-scale event, rather than just what they might envision on their drawing board. It won't be a carnival for the boys behind the bid, however, after the USOC issued a...

Last night was the first debate among Democratic candidates for the presidential nomination. On a crowded stage, the large group of suits that are hoping for the nod to take on a Republican in Fall of '08 for the White House argued about the nuances of the Iraq War. Erstwhile local gal Hillary had a well thought-out answer to the question "Do you agree with the position [that the war in Iraq is lost] of...

There are a lot of rules at Viet Hoa Plaza, which really isn’t a plaza but an Oriental market on Argyle. The signs posted throughout the store inform shoppers that since there are no refunds, returns or exchanges — exceptions are made for defective rice cookers, and thermo and hot pots — they should inspect all items before leaving. Just in case you didn’t get that, rule No. 4 states that “All sales final.” Are we clear on that? And don’t even think about writing a check — rule No. 5 — but these days we don’t know anyone who does.

This week, more than before, we have a veritable cornucopia of presidential news. After how many years of Southerners and Westerners in the White House, it seems only fitting that we dedicate this week's Hump Day Political News Roundup to all the cowboys that have ridden off into the sunset that is the Beltway. Let's take a look back: George W. Bush Is a Bad-Ass Cowboy. As his term dwindles away, his approval ratings circle...

Yesterday we gave you a preview of who might be running for president in the Democratic camp. Today we turn our focus to the right, looking at the Republican side of the primaries. Since Dick Cheney isn't going to seek the presidency this time around, the field is wide open for any Republican to join the fray, hoping that his agenda is the one that will resonate most with conservative voters. And not unlike the...

Today we here at Chicagoist turn our broad gaze outward, looking far and wide to the rest of the nation, and recap some of the highlights of last nights State of the Union Address.

Chicagoist watched with great interest as the Iraq Study Group released its report this week. A report featured in this weekend's International Herald Tribune points out how much the report has fractured what is already a coalition on shaky ground, and it goes on to talk about the different approaches that GOP candidates might take in the 2008 elections. This got us thinking about our favorite distraction: the skinny kid from the South Side with the funny name.

Chicagoist is a big fan of Richard Branson. He's the type of tycoon we would want to be if some obscure rich uncle became wormfood and left us a couple of billion dollars. He's been a busy guy, with his fingers in a lot of businesses, including entertainment, retail, and transportation. We're particularly a fan of his Virgin Galactic idea and we can't wait to buy tickets on a suborbital flight. We don't care where we'd go - we'd be there for just for the trip

In the wake of an election which media outlets say demonstrated “clear popular opposition to the war in Iraq,” DePaul University is holding a forum tonight that will expound upon our governments' plans in the Middle East, particularly with regards to Iran. Two Iranian Studies scholars, Hamid Dabashi, and Golbarg Bashi, will present their views along with anti-war activists. Subjects include global geopolitics, the neocon agenda, Islam, human rights, and feminism, to name a few....

In case you weren't paying attention earlier, the Chicago Humanities Festival begins tomorrow. Really, we’re not kidding. Judging by the long scroll of sold-out shows in the website’s festival updates section, advance ticket sales have been brisk. And at $5 a pop to see the likes of General Wesley Clark, Garry Trudeau, and Paul Krugman, are you honestly surprised? This year’s theme, Peace and War: Facing Human Conflict, speaks to growing apprehension about America's military...

Daniel Barenboim has left Chicago, but he hasn’t stopped thinking big. Conducting his multicultural, multi-faith West-Eastern Divan Orchestra across Europe this week, Barenboim is taking a stand against war in the Middle East and, since 1998, has provided an example of how Israelis, Palestinians, and Arabs from across the region can work together. But the commendable project isn’t exactly a musical utopia. The tours have been outside the Middle East and certain musicians won’t develop friendships across the divide, afraid of how that will look back home. Prior to this week’s European tour, Barenboim drafted a statement condemning the violence in Israel and Lebanon. After intense debate, the ensemble accepted it without amendment and the orchestra played to rave reviews.

Chicagoist hopes you enjoyed your weekend, perhaps catching some good music at the Pitchfork Festival, watching the Cubs sweep the Cardinals, or just sitting inside on top of an air conditioning vent. Because any kind of good vibes you have left over will be squashed when you check out today's headlines:

Goose Island Building?

As you may have already heard, Mayor Daley has been going crazy with the globe-trotting the last few days. In the manner of Carmen Sandiego and her gumshoes, Daley has been popping up all over, chiefly in Chicago’s sister city Amman, Jordan.

Adding one more dimension to the already incredibly complex realities of terrorism, museums and other institutions that keep historical artifacts may have to hand collections over as compensation for victims of suicide bombings in the Middle East.

Today the Trib features an interesting piece on how the proposed smoking ban could impact the success of the city's hookah bars, restaurants and cafes. While we knew mainstream bars and restaurants would be impacted, we're slapping our foreheads for forgetting the hookahs.

Our town’s known for big honking summer festivals. They draw the tourists and our friends from Schaumberg to spend their hard earned cash and contemplate someday moving here. Those of us living here already know the real joy of a Chicago summer lies in the smaller neighborhood fests. Chicagoist can’t wait to grab a kabob and exotic pastry and take in some local culture.

As always, there's a shitload of things to do this weekend. Go out have fun and don't forget to pick up some packs of sparklers. Even if you don't use them this year, it may be the last year you can get them legally... and you never know when a little sparkler action's gonna be needed. Stock up now. So here we go -

People in this city can be passionate about their chocolates. Between Fannie May, Brach's, Frango, and Margie's everyone has his or her favorite and any dissenting opinions are just not recognized as valid alternatives. We were raised in a Brach's household and to this day the sight of candy corn hurts our teeth to no end.

Two of Chicagoist’s favorite summer traditions kick off this week. In Grant Park, dance instructors, bands, and DJs return to the Spirit of Music Garden for Summerdance. Further up the shore, Theater on the Lake begins its sixty-fourth year remounting some of the best recent work on Chicago’s stages. Summerdance reminds us that no matter our differences, everyone around the world loves to dance. Even if we’re not so good at it, we look forward...

Attention gullible dipshits! If Sgt. Mark Dang contacts you via e-mail to ask for your help in transferring part of Saddam Hussein's fortune that he found in Iraq, be careful. Sgt. Dang may only be taking advantage of your delusions of renown among the U.S. Armed Forces and, according to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, may not even exist. "I would be very surprised if this con artist is a member of our military, which is serving so courageously in the Middle East. ...This seems to be a new twist on a very old scam," Madigan said today.