Madigan’s demise is just delicious. I am going to savor every moment. Most of my adult life, he was effectively running this state—practically into the ground. He gave Dems a bad name, not single-handedly, but close. Get him.
This makes the stain on the state's current Democratic party permanent. No one blew the whistle, no one opposed him, everyone voted for him all the way until the very end.
You're right, Eric, the crooks don't learn. But they don't want to - they will always want to take a shortcut to money and power. That's what crooks do. The question is, when will the "honest" politicians, bureaucrats, journalists, and most of all voters, learn to reject all the obviously self-dealing, power-craving sleazebags like Madigan? Unfortunately, they too will never learn, if the sleazebags are helping their team. Ultimately, hurting the cause is the unforgivable sin.
Rauner's statements were only 'whiny and petulant' to anyone that was willing to turn a blind eye to what was obviously happening in Springfield throughout Madigan's speakership. Madigan's Enterprise was very well known and often reported on. Nothing in the indictment is any surprise to anyone that has been paying attention. Madigan's many supporters and admirers have often commented on how clever, wily, and cautious he was. It is also no surprise that Lisa Madigan turned a blind eye on the pervasive corruption while she was state AG, and there is no reason to believe that she was not fully aware of it. Her replacement Kwame Raoul was asked if he would address corruption and answered, 'I am not going looking for it but will act if something comes up'. What Illinois politicians have learned is that they can get away with crimes for decades in a system that sees the self-dealing as a perk of office. Like most crooks, they think they are smarter and more slippery than the ones that get caught. And they know that only the Feds are occasionally looking.
It is true that Pritsker was only in office for Madigan's last year. It is also true that he would not be governor if he had not been sought out by Madigan and that none of the legislation that he wants to claim would have happened if he wasn't 'playing ball' with Madigan. Pritzker was also happy to 'play ball' with Blago when that felon was in office. He also never said anything about corruption before the stuff started hitting the fan. He also supported and signed the blind and toothless oversight legislation. His current statements ring hollow given the little he has done on corruption and his lack of any new initiatives. Pretending that he and Chris Welch are the dawn of a new day, or don't carry the stink of the past, is what helps to ensure the continuation of the corrupt status quo.
I agree with you on Duncan. I have also thought 'why would one want to be mayor?'. There is also the painful and disgusting process of running. Which was confirmed by Toni Preckwinkle. A seasoned and successful politician that would have a good shot, was asked about running again and said, 'no way, worst year of my life, I would never do it again'. What does that say about the sad state of our local politics when one of the most powerful politicians in the state says, 'it isn't worth it'?
I agree with your comment on "Defund the Police" as a slogan for reasonable police reform and investment is other services. While some activists may 'stubbornly cling to it" as they try to clarify, you can't ignore the actual meaning of the people that created the slogan. The Black Visions Collective wants to eliminate the police and replace them with community-led-safety. Many of the BLM organizations have expanded the concept to Abolition. Abolition means the complete elimination of police and prisons, which they say will no longer be necessary when there is real justice for Blacks. They meant exactly what they said with the slogan. It is good to have the President make his remarks, but the Democrats did not take your advice and for almost two years have not made the clear statement that Biden made. So, they will now have a hard time shrugging off the criticism.
I agree with you and Chapman on Putin and Ukraine. I am hopeful that Ukraine will be able to forestall complete defeat and be able to negotiate an end to the current invasion. Particularly given the apparent incompetence and ineffectiveness of the Russian army. Hopefully, Putin is smart enough to back down and settle for 'half-a-loaf'. But the fact that there are people foolishly rationalizing and accepting Putin is no more surprising than the American leftists that did the same for Stalin and Mao. And like them, they are of no consequence, as the vast majority can see clearly.
Spelling and pronunciation. We had a Ukrainian exchange student that said the 'i' was sounded out in Kyiv. Not Keev. But when she said it, the 'iv' sound seemed very muted to me. So not Kee-iv, but more like Keyi-v. Some of the reporters do this pretty well. A tough one for my mouth.
The vast majority of Americans are moderate. The vast majority of liberals are moderate. The vast majority of conservatives are moderate. I am not sure that is true of Democrats or Republicans. And I would like to believe that Biden is moderate, which is the reputation that he ran on, but since in the state-of-the-union he just restated everything that is in the BBB bill I am not sure how he can claim to be moderate. He seems to believe that we need to radically remake the American economy, or maybe he is just trying to moderately appease the progressive left.
Mincing Rascals was fun as always. When you were talking about the future of the Madigan prosecution, I had two thoughts - why wouldn't the defense use every delay possible, since that is the best chance for an old man to avoid conviction: and Madigan is using the Blago defense that he was just doing what politicians do. Getting jobs for his foot soldiers was just constituent services. I was also glad that there was at least one extortion charge, since everyone knew that the merits of a bill were irrelevant if one hadn't first paid the freight with Madigan and failing to continue paying the freight would bring retribution. Even if one of his cronies hasn't rolled on him, the Feds may now be able to connect the dots for a jury with all of the circumstantial evidence and statements that have been made.
Yes, thank God. I grew so tired of arguing about that slogan with my political allies and friends. Oh, they would go on and on telling me what they actually meant by it. The same things I wanted. I knew what it meant, I insisted repeatedly, and it's still an inaccurate slogan - and astonishingly stupid, to boot.
On Madigan - in view of the incredible dump truck loads of dirt that Madigan undoubtedly has on dozens if not hundreds of other corrupt people in the Illinois establishment, the big intrigue for me is whether he would roll over on some of them in exchange for a better plea deal. Can you imagine the fallout throughout Illinois and particularly Cook County if that were to happen?
On Lightfoot - even though her political perspective and policy views are far to the left of my own, I was excited and supportive when she was elected because she is distinctly outside the Democratic establishment that has ruled and mismanaged Chicago for so long now. However, Lightfoot has a definite anger management issue as well as a demonstrated gift for alienating virtually every different constituency in the city. I do not see her re-election chances as great at this point, however one thing we know for certain that is if she makes it to the runoff against a non-black candidate that the racist card will be played over and over and over again.
I had viewed Arnie Duncan as the anointed one of the Obama / Emmanuel/Democratic establishment, and was very surprised at the announcement that he would not run for mayor. The candidate that would excite me now is Paul Vallas as he seems to have both an understanding of the real problems affecting Chicago as well as the courage to address them. However, I would anticipate that the establishment would fight tooth and nail against another mayor outside of their circle.
On the Ukraine - I have a pretty broad circle of friends and family who are varying degrees on the right end of the political spectrum, and I do not know a single person who is supportive of Putin. In fact, you will notice that conservatives and Republicans are leading those demanding more severe sanctions against Putin now without further delay. So ascribing support of Putin to conservatives is truly fake news.
I am very hopeful that Biden will announce further restrictions against Putin, the oligarchs and particularly sanctions of all Russian oil which truly contain human blood at this point. People in the Ukraine are dying by the thousands and we cannot wait to see if the current sanctions have an effect. We must continue to take whatever measures are possible now until Putin stops.
(Eric - I had to change my credit card when I saw what appeared to be a fraudulent charge on it and I need to update that information in your billing system. How do I do that?)
Madigan’s demise is just delicious. I am going to savor every moment. Most of my adult life, he was effectively running this state—practically into the ground. He gave Dems a bad name, not single-handedly, but close. Get him.
This makes the stain on the state's current Democratic party permanent. No one blew the whistle, no one opposed him, everyone voted for him all the way until the very end.
You're right, Eric, the crooks don't learn. But they don't want to - they will always want to take a shortcut to money and power. That's what crooks do. The question is, when will the "honest" politicians, bureaucrats, journalists, and most of all voters, learn to reject all the obviously self-dealing, power-craving sleazebags like Madigan? Unfortunately, they too will never learn, if the sleazebags are helping their team. Ultimately, hurting the cause is the unforgivable sin.
Rauner's statements were only 'whiny and petulant' to anyone that was willing to turn a blind eye to what was obviously happening in Springfield throughout Madigan's speakership. Madigan's Enterprise was very well known and often reported on. Nothing in the indictment is any surprise to anyone that has been paying attention. Madigan's many supporters and admirers have often commented on how clever, wily, and cautious he was. It is also no surprise that Lisa Madigan turned a blind eye on the pervasive corruption while she was state AG, and there is no reason to believe that she was not fully aware of it. Her replacement Kwame Raoul was asked if he would address corruption and answered, 'I am not going looking for it but will act if something comes up'. What Illinois politicians have learned is that they can get away with crimes for decades in a system that sees the self-dealing as a perk of office. Like most crooks, they think they are smarter and more slippery than the ones that get caught. And they know that only the Feds are occasionally looking.
It is true that Pritsker was only in office for Madigan's last year. It is also true that he would not be governor if he had not been sought out by Madigan and that none of the legislation that he wants to claim would have happened if he wasn't 'playing ball' with Madigan. Pritzker was also happy to 'play ball' with Blago when that felon was in office. He also never said anything about corruption before the stuff started hitting the fan. He also supported and signed the blind and toothless oversight legislation. His current statements ring hollow given the little he has done on corruption and his lack of any new initiatives. Pretending that he and Chris Welch are the dawn of a new day, or don't carry the stink of the past, is what helps to ensure the continuation of the corrupt status quo.
I agree with you on Duncan. I have also thought 'why would one want to be mayor?'. There is also the painful and disgusting process of running. Which was confirmed by Toni Preckwinkle. A seasoned and successful politician that would have a good shot, was asked about running again and said, 'no way, worst year of my life, I would never do it again'. What does that say about the sad state of our local politics when one of the most powerful politicians in the state says, 'it isn't worth it'?
I agree with your comment on "Defund the Police" as a slogan for reasonable police reform and investment is other services. While some activists may 'stubbornly cling to it" as they try to clarify, you can't ignore the actual meaning of the people that created the slogan. The Black Visions Collective wants to eliminate the police and replace them with community-led-safety. Many of the BLM organizations have expanded the concept to Abolition. Abolition means the complete elimination of police and prisons, which they say will no longer be necessary when there is real justice for Blacks. They meant exactly what they said with the slogan. It is good to have the President make his remarks, but the Democrats did not take your advice and for almost two years have not made the clear statement that Biden made. So, they will now have a hard time shrugging off the criticism.
I agree with you and Chapman on Putin and Ukraine. I am hopeful that Ukraine will be able to forestall complete defeat and be able to negotiate an end to the current invasion. Particularly given the apparent incompetence and ineffectiveness of the Russian army. Hopefully, Putin is smart enough to back down and settle for 'half-a-loaf'. But the fact that there are people foolishly rationalizing and accepting Putin is no more surprising than the American leftists that did the same for Stalin and Mao. And like them, they are of no consequence, as the vast majority can see clearly.
Spelling and pronunciation. We had a Ukrainian exchange student that said the 'i' was sounded out in Kyiv. Not Keev. But when she said it, the 'iv' sound seemed very muted to me. So not Kee-iv, but more like Keyi-v. Some of the reporters do this pretty well. A tough one for my mouth.
The vast majority of Americans are moderate. The vast majority of liberals are moderate. The vast majority of conservatives are moderate. I am not sure that is true of Democrats or Republicans. And I would like to believe that Biden is moderate, which is the reputation that he ran on, but since in the state-of-the-union he just restated everything that is in the BBB bill I am not sure how he can claim to be moderate. He seems to believe that we need to radically remake the American economy, or maybe he is just trying to moderately appease the progressive left.
Mincing Rascals was fun as always. When you were talking about the future of the Madigan prosecution, I had two thoughts - why wouldn't the defense use every delay possible, since that is the best chance for an old man to avoid conviction: and Madigan is using the Blago defense that he was just doing what politicians do. Getting jobs for his foot soldiers was just constituent services. I was also glad that there was at least one extortion charge, since everyone knew that the merits of a bill were irrelevant if one hadn't first paid the freight with Madigan and failing to continue paying the freight would bring retribution. Even if one of his cronies hasn't rolled on him, the Feds may now be able to connect the dots for a jury with all of the circumstantial evidence and statements that have been made.
Yes, thank God. I grew so tired of arguing about that slogan with my political allies and friends. Oh, they would go on and on telling me what they actually meant by it. The same things I wanted. I knew what it meant, I insisted repeatedly, and it's still an inaccurate slogan - and astonishingly stupid, to boot.
So much in the news...
On Madigan - in view of the incredible dump truck loads of dirt that Madigan undoubtedly has on dozens if not hundreds of other corrupt people in the Illinois establishment, the big intrigue for me is whether he would roll over on some of them in exchange for a better plea deal. Can you imagine the fallout throughout Illinois and particularly Cook County if that were to happen?
On Lightfoot - even though her political perspective and policy views are far to the left of my own, I was excited and supportive when she was elected because she is distinctly outside the Democratic establishment that has ruled and mismanaged Chicago for so long now. However, Lightfoot has a definite anger management issue as well as a demonstrated gift for alienating virtually every different constituency in the city. I do not see her re-election chances as great at this point, however one thing we know for certain that is if she makes it to the runoff against a non-black candidate that the racist card will be played over and over and over again.
I had viewed Arnie Duncan as the anointed one of the Obama / Emmanuel/Democratic establishment, and was very surprised at the announcement that he would not run for mayor. The candidate that would excite me now is Paul Vallas as he seems to have both an understanding of the real problems affecting Chicago as well as the courage to address them. However, I would anticipate that the establishment would fight tooth and nail against another mayor outside of their circle.
On the Ukraine - I have a pretty broad circle of friends and family who are varying degrees on the right end of the political spectrum, and I do not know a single person who is supportive of Putin. In fact, you will notice that conservatives and Republicans are leading those demanding more severe sanctions against Putin now without further delay. So ascribing support of Putin to conservatives is truly fake news.
I am very hopeful that Biden will announce further restrictions against Putin, the oligarchs and particularly sanctions of all Russian oil which truly contain human blood at this point. People in the Ukraine are dying by the thousands and we cannot wait to see if the current sanctions have an effect. We must continue to take whatever measures are possible now until Putin stops.
(Eric - I had to change my credit card when I saw what appeared to be a fraudulent charge on it and I need to update that information in your billing system. How do I do that?)
Thank you for introducing me to the word "groundpawing" -- an apt description of pretrial litigation!