Unbelievable. President Obama decides to send nearly 100 terrorist suspects from Guantanemo Bay, Cuba, to Illinois. Sounds like a political move to me. Why would he pick his own state to house 9/11 suspects? See story in Tribune.
To secure jobs, attention, and importance, Thomson was chosen not only to become the new apartment complex for these men, but to act as a base for the trial. The feds will acquire the prison from the state and Thomson is a depressed community that will benefit from the 3,800 jobs that will be created. It's clear, President Obama is overtly taking care of his state and the town of Thomson. This is politics at its finest.
Mark Kirk (R) questions the illegal move to incarcerate detainees in the U.S. and he's right by keeping the focus on the law. But Kirk should just call it what it is: a ploy to secure 3,800 votes ensuring that Illinois can keep two U.S. senators who are Democrats.
Thomson is 150 miles west of Chicago. Sen.Dick Durbin (D) backs the plans.
Why should the terrorists get an American trial and not treated as an act of war against the United States? It doesn't even matter because Guantanemo bay will be closed, which means the President made "good" on his promise, and nearly 4,000 jobs have been created at a correctional facility far, far away from here, but still in Illinois.
The Salahi Couple
Al Qaeda and the Taliban aren't the enemies - Try the Salahi Terrorists.
Michaele and Tareq Salahi should be thrown in jail. The Secret Service fumble is embarrassing to our government and it is surely a breach. The Salahi couple lied to authorities to get into a private affair with a designated guest list. They attended the State Dinner with no invitation. Put 'em both in jail.
Anyone else would have been placed on lockdown, treated like a common criminal. But the Salahi "wanna be" reality show contestants get a pass because they were dressed for the occasion.
Al Qaeda and the Taliban aren't the enemies. The Salahi Family - terrorizing the White House dinner party. Throw them in jail.
Fort Hood: Alan Henkl Photo/NBC
I am saddened to hear of 12 dead and 31 wounded at Fort Hood. My condolences to the families. I will keep a close eye on this horrible occurrence.
Congress met with families and closure is still incomplete for hundreds of loved ones who have endured the Burr Oak Cemetery tragedy. Garrard talks with Perry Meyers from USpyStore.com on how to secure a cemetery with surveilllance cameras.
He's smooth, but the President of the United States shouldn't call a beat cop in Cambridge over a humbug. Click the video for my full commentary on a president picking and choosing local issues. When Obama becomes this vocal on violence in Chicago, then and only then can we dialogue.
You can't beat this deal. Get $3,500 to $4,500 back for your beater. Car dealers and the government have teamed up to hook you up. If you weren't thinking about getting a new car, think twice. Does your vehicle fit this criteria? Check out the FAQs?
Cars and trucks must be 1984 models or newer to be eligible for a trade-in rebate. They must get 18 miles per gallon or less in combined highway/city rating -- based on the "Estimated New EPA MPG" ratings available at
http://www.fueleconomy.gov. The vehicle needs to be drivable, insured and licensed for at least a year -- so forget about buying a clunker this summer for $500 and "flipping" it through the program. Violators face penalties if they submit false information.
Take advantage of the CARS - Car Allowance rebate System today!
Which would you prefer? Jail time or a fine? If Cook County Board President Todd Stroger doesn't veto, unincorporated Cook County may have just fines for marijuana possession, instead of jail time. Is possession a crime, a minor offense, or a warning? See Commissioner Earlean Collins and Garrard sparring on the topic.
Wow! No jail time for marijuana possessors with less than 10 grams - in unincorporated Cook County. Aggressive, but this will free up the court system. A $200 fine on pot puts weed in the same category as speeding tickets. Guitar player, Carlos Santana hits the sustain pedal and calls for decriminalization and so does Commissioner Earlean Collins. See Santana's rationale below. He believes that an income tax on marijuana could pay for better school teachers and better government.
The Cook County Board is pushing for this to relieve jail strain, and to put cash in the county. Presdient Stroger may veto the measure, but if not, just carry 9.9 grams with you at all times. If you smoke in your home, no worries...if you smoke elsewhere, remember the 9.9 rule.
The people in Gary are mad today! And to think, crime, murder, and unemployment aren't the issues. How can you have a Jackson museum, without trash pick-up? The topic is rubbish and the citizens are protesting, big time! Because there is no trash pick-up, residents are threatening to take their garbage to City Hall. Mayor Clay, you better act fast.
Mayor Rudy Clay, City of Gary
The honeymoon is finally ending for Mayor Clay. He has billboards up that state, "Rudy Clay cares about Gary." Well, "no-bid" contracts, A/V jobs for his son, and a few citizens coalitions are the thorn in his side - or the Gillette to his sideburns.
He's wounded now...and will have to come up with a solution to garbage pick-up. Douglas Grimes from Miller Citizens' Corporation and Lori Peterson from Central District are just asking for justice. Choose the Hummer or garbage.
If Gary can't get its garbage together...how much harder will it be to create jobs and demolish abandoned buildings ? Mayor Rudy Clay, it's time to be a leader...not just a sharp-dressed mayor who "cares for the people." 2300 Jackson needs a dumpster - Tito and Jermaine would be upset if they saw trash on the lawn.
I blogged earlier that Michelle Obama's father was buried in Burr Oak Cemetery - see earlier blog. First Lady Obama's communications director, Camille Johnston, has notified the press that Fraser Robinson III, is buried in nearby Lincoln Cemetery in Alsip.
Camille Johnston: Special Assistant to First Lady Michelle Obama
Although the mis-speak saturated the web, Johnston quickly retracted the statement, and we're notifying everyone on ChicagoNow.com.
We appreciate your patience with Garrard McClendon Live. I also forgive Camille Johnston for an honest mistake. The cemeteries are in proximity to one another.
Swamp Politics Photo
"If this General Assembly sends me a partial budget that decimates the social safety net of our state, I will veto that budget," Quinn said in a speech lasting 10 minutes. Oooh, he was mad...and he just vetoed the budget!
Developing and passing a state budget isn't an easy task, but one would think that 59 senators and 118 reps could pass a budget. With Governor Quinn's emphasis on raising taxes as the only solution, the legislative playbook gets thinner as lawmakers embrace an unintentional filibuster. My conclusion: Illinois lawmakers are incompetent, standing clueless on how to develop, propose, and pass a budget. By no means should this be a crisis. Political fodder strikes again and I'm convinced, our lawmakers are incapable of doing the right thing.
Indiana recently passed its budget and has, according to President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne), reduced state spending to reflect declining state revenues. Indiana is also maintaining $1 billion in emergency cash reserves and may avoid general tax increases. Why does this sound like the antithesis of Illinois?
It must be nice to be able to get away to a golf outing in Wisconsin. The sun, the cart, your best set of clubs, and... 2 small packs of cocaine? Kevin O'Brien, an employee of the Cook County Assessor's Office, accidentally dropped one pack at the office, and it was caught on DVR before his golf trip. See story.
This poor guy was just trying to "sniff a little coke" and work on his chip shot. But he will have to find a better place to keep the small packs. According to recordings and his confession, the pack popped out of his wallet unexpectedly. A bystander turned the package in and charges were administered. I hope his wife, 38th Ward Democratic committeeman, Patricia Cullerton, understands. When trying to drum up votes, don't say Coke or weed, unless you have some (remember the movie Hollywood Shuffle?).
Kevin, next time take Coke - the drink, not the drug, with you on a golf outings. But if you must take a powdery substance, talcum powder is legal.
It seems Mayor Richard Daley has done it again. We were led to believe that paying for the Olympics would not fall on the shoulders of taxpayers. A combination of guaranteed money from the city and state, private donations and insurance were supposed to bankroll the $4.8 billion needed for the games.
Instead, Daley says he'll sign the mandatory IOC contract requiring the host city to bear full responsibility of Olympics costs.
Chicago bid committee members Pat Ryan(L) and Mayor Richard Daley.
Courtesy: AFP/Getty Images/File/Jonathan Ernst
Supposedly previous cities who have hosted The Games in the last quarter-century had to sign the very same agreement. This fact coupled with Mayor Daley's flip-flop suggest he will do whatever it takes to get the 2016 Summer Games here.
If the City of Chicago has to bear responsibility, essentially that means it's going to fall on the taxpayers.
Did Hizzoner pull another fast one on us? Did Daley flat out lie to us about how he was going to pay for the Olympics? Should we expect more scams, I mean privatization deals, like the parking meter scheme to help fund this? I bet you can't wait for more tax increases and jacked up fees.
Leave a comment and then watch GML tonight at 6:30 p.m. Call 630-575-TALK(8255) and tell me if you agree.
Tribune Photo: Antonio Perez
You make the call. Cut services or raise taxes. Has anyone seen casino and lottery funds?
Quinn is in a pickle, because he's feeling the sting of what it means to be governor. The executive of the state must find funds or else valuable programs may be sacrificed, which may include:
"Alcohol and substance addiction programs seeing 65,000 people lose treatment. Child care services would be cut for 80,000 low-income working mothers. A whopping 463,000 children and teens would lose services such as substance abuse, delinquency and teen pregnancy," according to Ryan Keith at the State Journal-Register.
AP Photo
To curtail his whimsical ways of spending our tax dollars and funds, from leased city assets, I am proposing a TMZ camcorder to follow Mayor Daley around - 24/7. From the moment he leaves his bed, until the moment he put his pajamas back on, the camera will roll non-stop. We won't roll 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. He needs a little quiet time with Maggie.
TMZ stands for the Thirty Mile Zone. Our internetwork would be called MMZ - The Mag Mile Zone. Professors, lawmakers, pundits, and the inspector general are in deep criticism of Daley's tactics. But there is nothing more revealing than a camera and a microphone. Spelling "STATE" - "s-a-t-e" was caught on camera, and, so was his confession of jumping the gun on parking meter leasing.
Alderman Ike! Head of the City Council's Police and Fire Committees! Are you Okay?
Say it ain't so...say that the indictment is a dream...somebody please stop the rapid eye movements during my peaceful sleep. The names (Troutman, Carothers, Blagojevich) are flying before my eyes like Richard Pryor's henchmen in Berry Gordy and Motown's, The Wiz. Ease on down the road alderman.
I don't want to do a show on Alderman Ike Carothers...but if the indictment comes down, expect a call from me tonight on Garrard McClendon Live.
"I also wanna, you know, hope I get a consideration to get that appointment." Roland Burris
On the wiretap, Senator Roland Burris makes a clear distinction. He says that he would not pay for a senate seat, but that he would like to be a consideration for an appointment. Although, he does make it clear that he plans to give money on a personal level, he does not engage in a conversation about pay-to-play. You be the judge of the rhetoric on CLTV unedited video, and the Roland Burris transcript in the Chicago Tribune.
Nuccio DiNuzzo Tribune Photo
I hope the praying worked. The tape has been released and we're still awaiting Senator Burris's alleged statements. Will any of this reveal a sneakier side to Burris? I don't think so.
Courtesy: Saul Loeb
After watching the George Washington Law School Moot Court competitions on C-Span, I immediately became a fan of Judge Sonia Sotomayor. See video. She is centered, poised, and ready to be a Supreme Court justice. I wasn't looking at skin color or gender while waiting for President Obama's nominee. I was praying for balance. Princeton, Yale, and balance.
In a disappointing measure, the Illinois house approved video poker to fill budget gaps and to help pay for $29 billion worth of construction projects. So much for gamblers anonymous, because this changes restaurants into casinos.
There may be as many as 45,000 virtual poker bandits that will pay-out, and vacuum the dollars of palyers trying to win a few bucks afetr work. Sadly, the access to the games will cause problems if they aren't quartered off well enough to ward off teens and the mildly addicted. I think Illinois is getting desperate with its measures to raise funds. Gov. Pat Quinn said he would raise taxes; but it's coming...he's also apprehensive about signing the poker initiative into law, but he will. His hands are tied far worse than former Gov. Blagojevich's, because he has to serve the former governor's advocates, as well as his neophyte supporters. Illinois is the new "sin-state." Let's tax burlesque and exotic dancers' tips at gentlemens' clubs. Now there's a "real consitent" source of revenue. Meow!
The battle continues: do we tell people to abstain from sex, or to just be careful while doing it? The Obama administration says that more funds will go to sex ed programs, and that abstinence will be partner-less.
Dr. Rachael Ross, a noted medical doctor and sexologist, speaks strongly on education programs that should be honest. Hewebsite, www.DrRachael.com is explicit and highlights the dangers of haphazard, irresponsible sexual practices. Darren Washington, www.DarrenWashington.com, a prominent abstinence advocate, says that "waiting" should be taught for social, medical, and spiritual reasons. He is upset that President Obama would cut the funding.
Courtesy: WLS
Waterboarding is a terrible interrogation and torture method. It is a virtual drowning, above water. I am against torture methods, but you have to admit; they're quite effective. Mancow Muller proved that. See video.
With a black head-covering and a pitcher of hydrogen 2 oxygen 1 - waterboarding preys on one oby drowning. Mancow said "no way in hell" as he lasted for allof 6 seconds. I thought about doing this on CLTV, but my wife wouldn't even let me propose it to upper brass.
As a method for squeezing information out of a prisoner: it's probably effective. But if you're worth more alive than dead, your fears should decrease. Nevertheless, Guantanemo Bay should close, we should try peaceful methods to underscore wars, and President Obama is correct about the inhumane practice of waterboarding. The question: "Is there a way to get information from prisoners without threats and torture?" Probabaly not.
Courtesy: Cook County Board Office
Thanks Bobby Steele and Earlean Collins - the votes were in your hands, but you voted "present." Give me a break. See Tribune story.
With the most ominous Veto power in the state, the Cook County Board President is the bully and the commissioners are the children on the playground with money and candy. Give me that! Now!
With surrounding counties having percentage veto power of 2/3rds and 3/5ths, Cook County strong arms its commissioners by not giving in unless there is an 80% override on the Board President's demands. Nearby Will County is only 60% and Lake County has no veto power - the votes stand.
Veto in latin means "I forbid" and President Stroger is forbidding. This is almost absolute power, likened to a Little League coach who starts his son as pitcher and lead off batter - realizing that the child can't pitch and struggles making contact at the plate. Eighty percent is a tough figure to beat, and President Stroger knows this. Expect your taxes to remain at 10.25%. Happy shopping.
Could the alderman from the 4th Ward defeat Todd Stroger next year? Post your thoughts on the changing of the guard in Cook County government.
Courtesy: Chicago Tribune
The Strogers made $226,000 in 2007. "No repeal, because I'm the Board President." But Mr. Cook County, shouldn't you settle your own income tax issues with the IRS first? The lien on the board president's house and back taxes of $12,000 should have created some softness in his heart to repeal the tax. See CLTV news package.
It's nice to have Beavers, Steele, and Butler in your pocket, even when you're wrong. But this has gone too far. Businesses and shoppers are feeling the sting of 10.25%, but the "logic" of the Democratic Party always seems to prevail in Cook County. Stroger says the truth sustains him - and that the press is out to get him. I beg to differ.
Cook County Board Photo
Make up your mind Cook County Board. What's it gonna be?
9.25, 10.25%, back to 9.25%
It is clearly an act of political posturing as board commissioner seats are up for re-election next year. Board President Todd Stroger will have to solidify his political base as well, and the tax finagling has begun.
Tony Peraica is on the warpath - saying that the repeal could save tax payers and businesses $400 million. President Stroger says that the county will lose $300 million and will be far worse off than its ever been, and that services will be absent if the tax is repealed.
When you want a bridge fixed, ask a rich business owner for the money and a bridge expert for the plans. The Cook County board and its president need to focus on how to save, turn, and invest a dollar, not just spend one.
Photo: Garrard McClendon
I will never forget the day I put 3 quarters in a parking meter and the timer laughed at me saying "18 minutes, Garrard." A physical robbery would have been more pleasurable.
It's clear that the Daley Admin jumped the gun on the parking meter lease - to the tune of unhappy parking patrons, broken machines, and $1.2 billion somewhere in the ether. I just wish I was on the monetary end of the billion dollar caper. Insult to injury, meter marking monitors are writing tickets before the time expires - assuming that the manipulated motorists won't move fast enough to beat the clock. Mayor Daley should host this game show, with a microphone, 2 contestants in panic mode, and a giant parking meter about to expire.
