The Bring Chicago Home initiative was propagandized in the same way as the eminently sensible idea of making Illinois' income tax system progressive (as is the federal income tax). First, you warn of dire but cloudy consequences for the majority of people who do not have high TAXABLE incomes (none of which wash at the federal tevel). Second, you go full Grover Norquist anti-tax--"they" will waste it, starve the government, et bloody cetera. Eh voila! (if you will pardon my French).
Sorry about the shouty capital letters. The anti-any-tax people always omit the "taxable" giving the impression that higher tax rates apply to all dollars earned,
Yay I voted for all the tweets with the most votes.
As for March Madness, I totally ignore it, as I totally ignore all basketball. I really hate it! It's the only so-called sport where your commit a foul, in an attempt to improve your score. They need top change the rules, so that the team that shoots the free throws after being fouled, also gets to keep the ball, instead of the opponent getting the ball. Then the game might make sense! Plus I love Jimmy Kimmel's claim that Gonzaga doesn't exist! I wonder if Bing Crosby going to that very Jesuit school is why he beat the shit out of his four oldest sons regularly. All became drunks & all died early, deaths after terrible lives because of his violent attacks on them! I knew guys who went to Catholic high schools around Chicago run by various orders of priests & they all told me they too were beaten by the priest for minor infractions. That was back in the 1960s.
Regarding the concern about creating an echo chamber, I believe that linking to articles with a progressive viewpoint doesn't necessarily deter individuals with moderate or conservative views. These articles can simply be overlooked by those who prefer not to engage with them. Eric Zorn's contributions significantly shape the publication's tone. He has consistently aimed for objectivity and a fresh perspective on every topic, a method that has contributed to maintaining a respectful discourse within the comments section.
However, I must express my disapproval regarding the use of the term "cling" in reference to Italian Americans who oppose the renaming of Columbus Drive in this edition. This choice of word does more than just disagree with their stance; it suggests a kind of emotional fragility and lack of intellectual rigor, which is likely to alienate readers.
The too-big-Big 10 solution: limit your interest to the pre-expansion Big 10, exactly 10 of them. Goodbye Rutgers, Maryland, Penn State, Nebraska. If that feels too small, add original member U of C when they’re competing for Division III glory.
I am a big fan of ranked voting. Why not use that method for your March Madness Tweets? It would help people understand the system and why it is a good idea.
Please. No more streets named after Roman Catholic clerics. Fermi and Chicago can claim the first chain reaction but Fermi had to be dragged kicking and screaming from Columbia to do it here so not a willing Chicagoan. Of course, Columbus never got here at all. I love the Wabash Avenue suggestion.
"The problem was that America didn't really have any American history distinct from that of Britain upon which it could draw. There were the Native Americans – and indeed many Native American place names dot the map east of Ohio – and some admiration for the French who had aided us during the Revolution (Lafayette and King Louis both became popular naming inspirations). There were also living American icons, primarily Washington, but one could only name so many things after a man who was still living and around whom many feared the development of a cult of personality. So that is how Americans at the time seized upon an Italian mariner of bewilderingly little talent, sailing for the Spanish crown, as a national icon. Columbus, who had very rightly been completely ignored and forgotten in this country up to the American Revolution, suddenly became America's founding saint for the sole reason that he was untainted by any association with England."
1) Kanye - even before he lost it, I couldn't get behind the hype. Creative at times, but not 'genius'.
2) Bob Fioretti - showed some promise a few years ago, now just throwing his hat in any ring seemingly without consistent beliefs. Long past time to take a hint, there are other ways to support your community.
Did a little research and Italy did not exist as a nation state until 1861.
So the concept of Columbus being “Italian” does not hold water. There was no Italy during his lifetime, Italy was made up of city states.
If you asked Columbus if he was “Italian”, he would scratch his head and say no I am from Genoa.
Next, Columbus did all his explorations for Spain and wrote about his exploits in Spanish.
He lived in Spain or in Spanish colonies (which he founded and claimed for Spain) for the rest of his life.
Reading his biography, it does not appear he ever reestablished an identity or relationship with Genoa once he left. And he NEVER considered himself Italian in any way because that concept did not exist.
So to be accurate, one must say he was Genoan by birth and then explored for Spain and lived out his remaining life in Spain or Spanish colonies. He was in no way Italian, that label came retroactively via propaganda.
Eric, the other folks you suggest to replace Columbus all make sense. They were outstanding people who identify as Italian or Italian American because the concept of Italian now existed in their lifetimes.
And I also agree with the folks who point out Columbus was kind of a “Smuck” who did little or nothing to make the world better. He probably killed way more people than Al Capone, a man and legacy most Italians want to forget.
So yes, change the name to a real Italian who contributed positive things to this world.
I love Rick Weiland's suggestion for ranked-choice voting for Tweets and Visual Tweets. I, too, find myself not keen on "meh" match-ups. But then again, it strays from the "bracket" idea of the contest - which is derived from March Madness. Nevertheless, I'd rather the "meh" Tweets drop out as early as possible.
When the city says they are looking for a tax (or tax increase) to serve a particular purpose, it is always a political charade. Pensions, kids, homelessness, mental health, failing bridges, etc are just conveniently appealing props. Telling the story better won't help, because it is still just a story. Many voters no longer believe these fairy stories and look to the total tax burden and question total spending. The issue for Johnson is to propose taxes that make sense in the context of the $16.7 billion dollar city budget.
Fermi is my choice. While he may have wanted to stay ay Columbia University in New York City in the early 1940s, he did move to Chicago at that time. His most significant contributions to science took place when he was in Chicago, and he died in Chicago in 1954. He and his team at the University of Chicago achieved the first man made self sustaining nuclear reaction, which changed the world forever. (And like another great scientist, Marie Slodowska (Curie), his experiments with radioactivity probably led to his early demise.) I also like the story about his conversation with other physicists that gave rise to what today is called the Fermi Paradox. “But where is everybody?” And I also like the story of his prescient warning to Louis Slotin about the cavalier way in which Slotin conducted tests to verify the closeness to criticality of the plutonium core which later became known as the “demon core.” Instead of using shims between the hemispherical neutron reflectors, Slotin used a flat tipped screwdriver to keep the neutron reflectors apart. Fermi allegedly warned Slotin that he and others would be “dead within a year” if they continued to perform the test in that manner. And Fermi was right. See the Wikipedia entries below for the Fermi Paradox and the Demon Core. So Fermi Drive?
EZ provided a good example of entrenched government inefficiency in the election boards. There are many more. They rarely get enough attention, and even when they do, they are shrugged off by politicians.
The story of excessive police overtime has been around for a very long time and was one of the campaign issues for Mayor Lightfoot in her successful run for office. When she ran the overtime bill for police was $150 million. In 2023 it was $293 million. One might think that excess overtime is from insufficient staffing. Mayor Johnson cut total police staffing in his budget, and no one asked how less staff could have less overtime.
The city has over $6 billion in uncollected fees and fines. It is hard to believe that they are all uncollectable, or unjust, when it took the Sun-Times a few phone calls to collect over $1 million.
Two thoughts. It sounds from all the comments here like the referendum failed because of who the mayor is. On Myerson: has Eric ever heard a complaint about including comments and articles from the right? It makes you wonder which side is open minded.
The Bring Chicago Home initiative was propagandized in the same way as the eminently sensible idea of making Illinois' income tax system progressive (as is the federal income tax). First, you warn of dire but cloudy consequences for the majority of people who do not have high TAXABLE incomes (none of which wash at the federal tevel). Second, you go full Grover Norquist anti-tax--"they" will waste it, starve the government, et bloody cetera. Eh voila! (if you will pardon my French).
Sorry about the shouty capital letters. The anti-any-tax people always omit the "taxable" giving the impression that higher tax rates apply to all dollars earned,
Yay I voted for all the tweets with the most votes.
As for March Madness, I totally ignore it, as I totally ignore all basketball. I really hate it! It's the only so-called sport where your commit a foul, in an attempt to improve your score. They need top change the rules, so that the team that shoots the free throws after being fouled, also gets to keep the ball, instead of the opponent getting the ball. Then the game might make sense! Plus I love Jimmy Kimmel's claim that Gonzaga doesn't exist! I wonder if Bing Crosby going to that very Jesuit school is why he beat the shit out of his four oldest sons regularly. All became drunks & all died early, deaths after terrible lives because of his violent attacks on them! I knew guys who went to Catholic high schools around Chicago run by various orders of priests & they all told me they too were beaten by the priest for minor infractions. That was back in the 1960s.
Regarding the concern about creating an echo chamber, I believe that linking to articles with a progressive viewpoint doesn't necessarily deter individuals with moderate or conservative views. These articles can simply be overlooked by those who prefer not to engage with them. Eric Zorn's contributions significantly shape the publication's tone. He has consistently aimed for objectivity and a fresh perspective on every topic, a method that has contributed to maintaining a respectful discourse within the comments section.
However, I must express my disapproval regarding the use of the term "cling" in reference to Italian Americans who oppose the renaming of Columbus Drive in this edition. This choice of word does more than just disagree with their stance; it suggests a kind of emotional fragility and lack of intellectual rigor, which is likely to alienate readers.
I’d choose a blue state over a red state in a heartbeat. Just sayin.
The too-big-Big 10 solution: limit your interest to the pre-expansion Big 10, exactly 10 of them. Goodbye Rutgers, Maryland, Penn State, Nebraska. If that feels too small, add original member U of C when they’re competing for Division III glory.
I am a big fan of ranked voting. Why not use that method for your March Madness Tweets? It would help people understand the system and why it is a good idea.
Please. No more streets named after Roman Catholic clerics. Fermi and Chicago can claim the first chain reaction but Fermi had to be dragged kicking and screaming from Columbia to do it here so not a willing Chicagoan. Of course, Columbus never got here at all. I love the Wabash Avenue suggestion.
About that Columbus thing:
"The problem was that America didn't really have any American history distinct from that of Britain upon which it could draw. There were the Native Americans – and indeed many Native American place names dot the map east of Ohio – and some admiration for the French who had aided us during the Revolution (Lafayette and King Louis both became popular naming inspirations). There were also living American icons, primarily Washington, but one could only name so many things after a man who was still living and around whom many feared the development of a cult of personality. So that is how Americans at the time seized upon an Italian mariner of bewilderingly little talent, sailing for the Spanish crown, as a national icon. Columbus, who had very rightly been completely ignored and forgotten in this country up to the American Revolution, suddenly became America's founding saint for the sole reason that he was untainted by any association with England."
http://www.ginandtacos.com/2016/02/26/npf-hail-columbia/
Judge Seeger's take on Dr. Seuss was funny but completely inappropriate in a judicial opinion.
Mooney nominees:
1) Kanye - even before he lost it, I couldn't get behind the hype. Creative at times, but not 'genius'.
2) Bob Fioretti - showed some promise a few years ago, now just throwing his hat in any ring seemingly without consistent beliefs. Long past time to take a hint, there are other ways to support your community.
Did a little research and Italy did not exist as a nation state until 1861.
So the concept of Columbus being “Italian” does not hold water. There was no Italy during his lifetime, Italy was made up of city states.
If you asked Columbus if he was “Italian”, he would scratch his head and say no I am from Genoa.
Next, Columbus did all his explorations for Spain and wrote about his exploits in Spanish.
He lived in Spain or in Spanish colonies (which he founded and claimed for Spain) for the rest of his life.
Reading his biography, it does not appear he ever reestablished an identity or relationship with Genoa once he left. And he NEVER considered himself Italian in any way because that concept did not exist.
So to be accurate, one must say he was Genoan by birth and then explored for Spain and lived out his remaining life in Spain or Spanish colonies. He was in no way Italian, that label came retroactively via propaganda.
Eric, the other folks you suggest to replace Columbus all make sense. They were outstanding people who identify as Italian or Italian American because the concept of Italian now existed in their lifetimes.
And I also agree with the folks who point out Columbus was kind of a “Smuck” who did little or nothing to make the world better. He probably killed way more people than Al Capone, a man and legacy most Italians want to forget.
So yes, change the name to a real Italian who contributed positive things to this world.
I love Rick Weiland's suggestion for ranked-choice voting for Tweets and Visual Tweets. I, too, find myself not keen on "meh" match-ups. But then again, it strays from the "bracket" idea of the contest - which is derived from March Madness. Nevertheless, I'd rather the "meh" Tweets drop out as early as possible.
When the city says they are looking for a tax (or tax increase) to serve a particular purpose, it is always a political charade. Pensions, kids, homelessness, mental health, failing bridges, etc are just conveniently appealing props. Telling the story better won't help, because it is still just a story. Many voters no longer believe these fairy stories and look to the total tax burden and question total spending. The issue for Johnson is to propose taxes that make sense in the context of the $16.7 billion dollar city budget.
Fermi is my choice. While he may have wanted to stay ay Columbia University in New York City in the early 1940s, he did move to Chicago at that time. His most significant contributions to science took place when he was in Chicago, and he died in Chicago in 1954. He and his team at the University of Chicago achieved the first man made self sustaining nuclear reaction, which changed the world forever. (And like another great scientist, Marie Slodowska (Curie), his experiments with radioactivity probably led to his early demise.) I also like the story about his conversation with other physicists that gave rise to what today is called the Fermi Paradox. “But where is everybody?” And I also like the story of his prescient warning to Louis Slotin about the cavalier way in which Slotin conducted tests to verify the closeness to criticality of the plutonium core which later became known as the “demon core.” Instead of using shims between the hemispherical neutron reflectors, Slotin used a flat tipped screwdriver to keep the neutron reflectors apart. Fermi allegedly warned Slotin that he and others would be “dead within a year” if they continued to perform the test in that manner. And Fermi was right. See the Wikipedia entries below for the Fermi Paradox and the Demon Core. So Fermi Drive?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_paradox
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_core
EZ provided a good example of entrenched government inefficiency in the election boards. There are many more. They rarely get enough attention, and even when they do, they are shrugged off by politicians.
The story of excessive police overtime has been around for a very long time and was one of the campaign issues for Mayor Lightfoot in her successful run for office. When she ran the overtime bill for police was $150 million. In 2023 it was $293 million. One might think that excess overtime is from insufficient staffing. Mayor Johnson cut total police staffing in his budget, and no one asked how less staff could have less overtime.
https://news.wttw.com/2024/03/12/chicago-spent-524m-overtime-2023-including-293m-police-setting-new-records
The city has over $6 billion in uncollected fees and fines. It is hard to believe that they are all uncollectable, or unjust, when it took the Sun-Times a few phone calls to collect over $1 million.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2024/03/21/chicago-traffic-control-payments-live-nation-united-center-chasse-rehwinkel-c3-biggest-loser-chitown-rising
I also have to wonder how much of the fees are related to police overtime, and if the city has set the fees properly to reflect the costs.
Funny how 'waste and inefficiency' get shrugged off as conservative tropes whenever a new tax or tax increase is proposed.
Two thoughts. It sounds from all the comments here like the referendum failed because of who the mayor is. On Myerson: has Eric ever heard a complaint about including comments and articles from the right? It makes you wonder which side is open minded.