Bears need to wake up, smell the coffee.

Chicago Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye writes a blog for ChicagoNow.com.
In a posting from September 8^th, Ogunleye wrote this, “Pop quiz, tell me the
preseason record of the 2008 World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
(Insert Jeopardy game show music here) Ok . . . time is up. The answer is 3-1. I know the preseason doesn't count for anything during the regular season but it sets the tone. We were able to finish on a great note with a win last Thursday against the Cleveland Browns and finish the preseason 3-1.” Sets the tone, huh? What about those 2006 Bears that went 2-2 during the preseason. Really set a tone for a .500 season didn't they? Oops, they went 13-3 (with a terrible quarterback) and wound up in the Super Bowl (only to lose). Not to mention the tone for the season that the Indianapolis Colts, the Bears opponents in that Super Bowl, set with
their 1-3 preseason record. What about the 2004 Patriots who went
1-3 in the preseason and won the thing.

This tone setting thing is garbage, complete trash. A team that is above average at best, with numerous holes in its defense, wide receiver corps, and no forceful backup running back is tone setting in the preseason. Give me a break. Records are crap in the preseason. Complete crap. They mean absolutely nothing. If every player had terrific preseason stats but the team went 0-4, I would be a lot more confident in the Bears than I am now.

It also seems like Wale is drinking a little too much of his own Kool-Aid with comments such as this, “We begin the season with a road game in Wisconsin and we will end with a road game in Florida. The countdown to Miami has begun.” Not to mention, “Even though we lost Dusty [Dvoracek] and Kevin [Jones] for the season, we are fairly healthy as a team.” Healthy? Then why is the defense carrying 11 defensive backs? Hell, in the injury report Charles Tillman was listed as full-participation for practice despite just one day earlier telling WSCR-AM's Laurence Holmes that he was, “50-50,” for Sunday's game. I have to run the store right now, because I think I'm running out. Wait! I found more. For more of Wale's Kool-Aid, a September 2^nd post is titled, “Ask Wale: No pressure, just thinking about Super Bowl.” The Super Bowl would be a nice thing, but right now I am focused on the Bears beating Green Bay. Then the Steelers, then the Seahawks, etc. Once I know that we have locked up a playoff spot, I'll be focused on winning playoff games. Then, once the right playoff games have been won, I will have two whole weeks to think about the Super Bowl. Until then, I have some cheese that needs to be eaten.

Around the News – Lowe Style

Husband testifies in 'Krazy Glue' case.

CTA moves to put cameras in all rail stations. Nice for the CTA to get in the 21^st century and decide to install security cameras in the stations. I wonder what genius just came up with this new, innovative idea. Nevertheless, I cannot wait until the first time some beaurecrat cries about not having enough money for service and repairs because of security cameras. The CTA –what a joke.

Apparently, Time to Waste in Illinois

By Aaron Lowe

Recently, Illinois State Senate President John Cullerton spoke to the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune. Out of his appearance before the board came this item. Cullerton told the Trib, “There’s no reason” to vote on an income-tax increase this fall because there wouldn’t be enough support to make the hike effective immediately. Now, if Cullerton supports the increase and wants to balance the budget through an income-tax hike, why won’t he call the increase for a vote? He is the Senate president and he can ram things through to the floor.

He argues in the Trib piece that there would not be enough support in the House and Senate. Even if there is not enough support, if he really believes that this needs to be done for the state of Illinois, why will he not call a vote on the issue? If he is standing up for the people of his district and the citizens of the state, then he should be willing (and eager) to take a definitive stand on this issue. With a severe economic downturn and the state billions of dollars in debt, we as citizens need real financial solutions. If it means passing a tax hike, then it means passing a tax hike. If it means cuts here, cuts there, and a smaller tax hike, then so be it.

However, Mr. Cullerton is not interested in real financial solutions for the people; he is interested in politicking in order stay in his cozy leadership position. Cullerton told the Trib that he,” also believed it was important that lawmakers adopt a less-generous pension system for future state employees before seeking a major tax increase.” The state legislature had months to do this before taking the end of the summer off. Unfortunately, the only other citizens able to take months off are most likely the ones that are facing furloughs and layoffs. They have no choice. Cullerton could have extended the Senate session and tried to prevent the recess through a vote—but he of course he did not
do that. He could have asked Governor Quinn to call a special session. Instead he politicked and prophesized. Forget about a fall tax hike vote, it might be done right before the primaries if some Republicans get involved in the scheme he told the Tribune. All of a sudden, it does not seem like Illinois is in that bad a spot. It seems like we have all kinds of time to waste. Wait. That is just how the legislating game is played in Illinois. Laws are not made to, “eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves and our posterity” as the Illinois state constitution preamble states. Instead, the game is played to the benefit of the office holder, the politician, not the every man, woman, and child individual that lives in this state every single day.


Commentary by Aaron Lowe. ©2009 Aaron Lowe.

Chicago cop may sue over his special treatment.

The story from the Tribune here.

"Last month, Chicago Ridge police detained off-duty Chicago Police Officer William Singer after he jokingly displayed his handgun to a mall worker without identifying himself as an officer, authorities said."

"After his employment was verified, police released him as a courtesy, authorities said, but warned him to show better judgment." Ok, no big deal right? A Chicago cop getti--a cop getting special treatment from other cops. No big deal right? Happens all the time, teachers protect teachers, cops protect cops, EMTs protect EMTs, politicians protect politicians. Ok, now that it's settled then all should be good and well right? It shouldn't be after you flash a gun, but it is. Then Chicago Ridge police chief Tim Baldermann received "a notice from a law firm representing Singer and his wife, claiming emotional distress as a result of the incident." Complete crap if you ask me. While not yet suing, the Trib reported this, "On July 31, Chicago Ridge police got a notice that the law firm run by Ed Vrdolyak was representing Singer and his wife, Lisa, in their claim. Singer's attorneys have not filed a suit, thus far only requesting that evidence be preserved and insurance information be forwarded to them." Evidence in gun crimes, flashing or otherwise, should be preserved anyway in my opinion. However it is very puzzling that Officer Singer would feel "emotional distress" as a result of this. Getting detained can be quite stressful and embarrassing, but shouldn't a cop know better than to flash a gun in the middle of a mall? Or, is it just me? Apparently though I am not the only person puzzled by this course of eventsas "Chicago Ridge Mayor Eugene Siegel, a former assistant chief with the Cook County sheriff's department, said: "That doesn't sound normal. You'd think he'd be grateful for getting a break."

"Baldermann said he backs his officers and believes Singer was ultimately responsible." And I too believe Singer was the only person responsible for this puzzling and strange chain of events.

Pearson on Giannoulias/Hannity; Houlihan Commentary

The other day, via Capitol Fax, I found this hit job on Alexi Giannoulias done by Fox News.



While watching it, I was shocked to find Rick Pearson, the respectable Tribune political reporter on the piece. Well, it turns out that Pearson wasn't in on the whole hit job thing. Pearson told Steve Cochran of WGN Radio about the incident.

Pretty shallow, but pretty typical for folks like Hannity and his producers. Especially since Alan Colmes left, the show is a complete right-wing hack job.

Man goes unconscious at Lollapalooza and ends up dying.

Cook County Assessor James Houlihan announced he will not seek re-election.

Houlihan claims that he will continue to fight for property tax reform and school funding reform. (In Illinois, property taxes make up the majority of school funding leading to large disparities between rich and poor school districts.) If he is really serious about doing this, he has to have a large bully pulpit. This may have to include starting a political action committee. (Not something I should be advocating in the state of Illinois...) However, to fight people like Daley and Speaker Madigan one has to have a war chest of funds available. This can easily be accomplished through a grassroots state tour effort. Sure in Greenup, Rock Island, and Cairo the soon to be ex-Cook County Assessor might not be a big draw, but if anything in this state is going to change it is going to have to be a hard fight from the ground up. Mr. Houlihan supported a Constitutional Convention vote last year. Several special interest groups and unions did not support the "con-con." A con-con would have drafted a new state constitution. In the end, while I applaud Houlihan for modernizing the Assessor's office and coming up with independent, creative solutions to fix the state budget, I have to say that if he is serious about reform in Illinois, he has to speak up and he has to start speaking up now.

News Aggregated by Aaron Lowe
Commentary by Aaron Lowe

Around the News - Lowe Style

Sands hid fate of Gulf War pilot lost since '91.

Remains found of Gulf War's first US casualty.

US identifies navy pilot shot down in Iraq in 1991: Pentagon.

US Pilot's Remains Found in Iraq After 18 Years.

Iran court warns against criticizing proceedings.

Mass trial of Iranian protesters deepens nation's divides.

Inauguration Expected To Spark More Unrest In Iran.

LaHood: Car rebates will stop unless Senate acts.

‘Cash for Clunkers’ Becomes a Republican Target.

L.A. Episcopal leaders nominate 2 openly gay, lesbian priests as bishops.

Gunman kills 3, injures 11 at gay club in Tel Aviv.

Israeli Police Hunt for Tel Aviv Gay Club Gunman .

Campaign site goes hardcore.

Signs aid safety, hurt tickets.

Report: Illinoisans ticketed more often in Wisconsin.

Israeli gays' safe haven turns deadly.

Cabrera Hits For Cycle as Yankees Turn Back White Sox.

Scientists find new strain of HIV.

Scientists ID First Human With Gorilla Strain of HIV.

Swiss Diplomat Seeks Information on U.S. Hikers Held in Iran.

Around the News - Lowe Style

Black scholar agrees to meet with Obama, policeman.

Gates says it's time to 'move on' from his arrest.

To me, this Gates's whole shtick is just one big crock. How many people actually heard of him before this incident? How much money was he making? How much can he make off this? TONS!

'Cash for clunkers' rules are released.

Census threatens to rip Iraq into shreds.

Sarah Palin leaving governor's post amid confusion, criticism.

Kyrgyzstan: At the Crossroad of Empires, a Mouse Struts.


Kyrgyz opposition cries fraud over vote

Vote in Kyrgyzstan Gets Harsh Criticism

Community backlash grows regarding arrested Hoboken Mayor Cammarano.
This case is just crazy. I cannot wait to see how this thing plays out over the next few months and years. More on Cammarano and the city of Hoboken here.

Last British Army WWI veteran dead at 111. More here. And here. And here.

Report Sees Agent Orange Link to More Illnesses.

Oakland Voters Approve Marijuana Tax

Drive to legalize marijuana rolls on in California

Is Marijuana the Answer to California's Budget Woes?

New Yorker says he would have been suicide bomber.

American says he volunteered for Taliban suicide mission.

New Yorker Explains Path to Al Qaeda.

Three State Legislators Sidestepping Clout Panel.

Jupiter: Our Cosmic Protector?

Hubble snaps picture of Jupiter impact site.

Quinn, Hynes Trade Shots In Likely Primary Prelude.

The governor called Hynes a "no show" on tough budget choices, while Hynes' campaign accused Quinn of keeping quiet while disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich "drove our state into a ditch.”

Pat Quinn may have kept mostly quiet and out of the forefront while Blago drove Illinois into the ground, but Dan Hynes was even quieter and even more out of the spotlight. So Dan Hynes, who ya crappin’?

“When you get in the arena, you've got to make decisions,” Quinn said. "You can't stand on the side of the road and not take part in tough battles. You can't be a no show. You can't just show up and say, 'Hey, I want to be elected to something.' I think you have to show you have the courage of your convictions to stand in the arena, take tough positions, do hard things because that's what the public demands."

But Hynes campaign spokesman Michael Rendina disputed Quinn's characterization, noting Hynes has proposed $1.2 billion in cuts to the state budget along with $1.8 billion in new money by legalizing more casinos, closing business tax breaks and expanding the sales tax to luxury items. Hynes had been critical of inconsistencies behind Quinn's failed push for an income-tax increase and questioned why the governor hadn't made cuts to try to win public support.”

Hynes did not publicly out line any of his proposed cuts or revenue raising measures. He sent out an open letter, but that had the same rhetoric as this statement. It’s easy to say build more casinos, blah, blah, blah. Unfortunately, Illinois still has an outstanding casino license because we can’t seem to find someone to develop a property that doesn’t have ties to the mob, some other crooked enterprise, or some corrupt politician. And as for Danny-boy Hynes’s cuts, I want to see them line by line. I want to know how did you come up with these cuts? Why did you just send an open letter? How come you haven’t requested a sit-down meeting with Governor Quinn? These are all questions that have to be answered before you can be believed. As for Quinn, he’s been flip flopping left and right so much that I don’t even know where to begin.

Around the News - Lowe Style

Greg Hinz from Crain's on the Olympics.

Water district's Terrance O'Brien to run against Stroger.
More from Greg Hinz. O'Brien's MWRD page. The Tribune.

Comptroller Dan Hynes to run for governor. Hynes's campaign site. (No mention yet of governor's run.)

Pat Quinn basically says Hynes has no spine.

Government 'Cash For Clunkers' Program Begins

Spokesman: Stroger Will Not Veto Pot Ordinance
I think this whole situation is so full of crap it's almost unbelievable. Let's ticket people who are high and then send them off driving while impaired.

Obama Visits Chicago for Democratic Fundraisers.

Massive New Jersey corruption case stuns citizens, voters, the media, and political observers. NYT graphic on the case. More from the NYT. Syrian Sephardic Communities Shaken by Charges Against a Leading Rabbi. More on the CW (cooperating witness) in the case. News release from the New Jersey U.S. Attorney.

Shanghai Promoting 2-Child Families.

Black officer at scholar's home supports arrest.

ComEd loses customers for the first time ever.
I know it's because of the economy, but the way this place is run it should have been hemorrhaging customers for years.


Cop that sued Sheriff's office wins money.


Cook County lets motorists pay traffic tickets online.
Slowly but surely this area can crawl out of the stone age.

Murder Charge Filed in Gay Sailor's Death

Hawaii says no to wieners!