2006

2006 Isn’t Even Over Yet: Big Box and 2007

The Mark June 21, 2006 No Comments

Am I the only one who feels we’re not really in an election year? Virtually every statewide race is pretty much decided and there’s no real chance that either state chamber will switch control. Sure, there are a couple of good congressional races, and the Governor’s race might heat up . . . but really, outside of speculating on John Stroger’s health, there’s not much going on.

So what’s a political junkie to do? This one is going to start speculating about the next election cycle!

We can start with this curious polling:

“Chicagoans overwhelmingly favor wage and benefit standards for Wal-Mart and other “big-box” retailers, even if it places jobs at risk, according to a new poll commissioned by proponents to turn up the heat on the City Council.”
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Go Wild, Illinois!

buckturgidson June 20, 2006 No Comments

The politics stuff is a blast — and no doubt, there’s plenty to talk about locally and nationally. But we’ve months for that, and we don’t want to burn out now, do we?

Since it is vacation season, I want to share something with all of my friends outside of the Chicago TV market (as well as the majority within the Chicago TV market that aren’t public television-watching nerds like me).

Wild Chicago’s Illinois Road Trip.

Wild Chicago was a show on WTTW that went dark a few years ago. The hosts, which over the years included eccentric actor Will Clinger and current Illinois Road Trip host Ben Hollis, traveled, mostly throughout the Chicago area and Illinois (though there was some travel to Indiana, Wisconsin and other Midwestern states – I think they may have also gone to Japan), clueing viewers in on the many oddities that exist in our back yards. Info on that show here and here.

Wild Chicago’s Illinois Road trip is in the same vein, but Hollis takes viewers on a journey throughout our great state, stopping along the way to see an idyllic Japanese Garden in Rockford, on a cruise on the Spirit of Peoria, to the Garden of the Gods in Southern Illinois, and on a number of other adventures in every part of Illinois.

The show has one major sponsor. And in essence, the show’s a half-hour ad for that sponsor. But it is NOT a commercial production. It’s sincere and the host is wonderfully goofy, complete with safari outfit, pith helmet and bad jokes.

I don’t think it shows outside WTTW’s viewing area, but it may (if anyone knows, please chime in). But the web site’s pretty inclusive.

Check it out.

Slacking…

BackupPundit June 19, 2006 No Comments

Apologies to the readers, busy day at work.

To hold you over, the Washington Post has a writeup on wonder boy Barack Obama and presidential ambitions. They should have titled the piece, “Dog Bites Man, Sky Remains Blue, and Pizza Still Delicious” for all the news broken in it.

Like this one.

He recently hired two nationally experienced political consultants, Anita Dunn in Washington and David Axelrod in Chicago.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Axelrod worked for the campaign in 2004. So, how is his hiring new? Annita Dunn is new, but already reported. Oh, and lots of people come see him at fundraisers? He raises lots of money? Again, newsworthy?

However, I’d rather see more stories like that than this one. I’ll have more comment on the latter in a later post.

Check out the Post piece here.

In the email box this am…

BackupPundit June 16, 2006 No Comments

I’m a huge fan of Wikipedia and I signed up to get the article of the day via email mainly so I could get the quotes (although I’ve grown to love pretty much the whole thing).

I thought today’s was good and since it came from one of our great statesmen, I’ll share.

“If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it.” — Abraham Lincoln

If y’all have a favorite Lincoln quote, why don’t you just go ahead and leave it in the comment section.

You can sign up here for wikipedia article of the day.

Just Say No to Nancy Skinner

ArchPundit June 15, 2006 No Comments

I swore I wouldn’t be posting much, but my inbox always seems to get filled when I travel. Anyway, remember that DFA contest for the top 5 get endorsed and $2000. Former talk show host and US Senate Candidate in Illinois, Nancy Skinner is in number 2.

Seriously, there are some actual candidates on that board with a chance. Voting ends tomorrow so make sure to stop by and support John Pavich or the other Illinois candidates or David Loebsack in IA-02

Go vote

Annexation Alternatives

ArchPundit June 15, 2006 No Comments

Exploring the annexation of St. Louis City and County brings in some mail:

It’s simple. Article VI Section 5 Missouri Constitution: A county may be dissolved by vote of two-thirds of the qualified electors of the county voting thereon, and when so dissolved all or portions may be annexed to the adjoining county or counties as provided by law. Don’t say nothing about the adjoining county having to be a Missouri county.

On the other hand, the Lege would gladly place an amendment on the ballot.

Shall Article VI of the Missouri Constitution be amended to rid Missouri of the godless wasteland known as the City of St. Louis and permit same to secede from the State and annexed into the godless State of Illinois.

Needs a little work but it’s a start.

If only the City is included, then any County residents and businesses that want in on the action have to move. After annexation, Illinois secedes from Bi-State Development.

Maybe we can trade the Roesers in the deal.

By Request

ArchPundit June 15, 2006 No Comments

Man on Dog Fashion Sense

ArchPundit June 15, 2006 No Comments

You have to go see Rick Santorum’s outfit