2009

Daily Dolt: Mark Kirk

What a tool:

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) apparently isn’t a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. That, or he just thinks House resolutions are stupid. And they’re especially stupid right now, he says.

The House was going on with its usual Super Bowl resolution Thursday when Kirk took the floor to say he’d had enough.

“It’s a fairly serious point that it’s tremendously distracting to try and get everyone to talk about their favorite football team — and useful if you don’t want people to pay attention to what’s going on behind the scenes,” Kirk told Politico.

House resolutions, he added, are “not serious” and “they demean the reputation of the Congress and give us an image of being people who can’t focus on the issues of the day.”

Kirk wasn’t done.

“If we have many more resolutions, I’ll be encouraging other members to do the same thing. So the speaker may think twice before putting completely irrelevelant distractions on the floor other than business at hand, which is to borrow 2 trillion bucks tomorrow.”

The best is the Andre Aggasi resolution

111th Congress:

4 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2105 East Cook Street in Springfield, Illinois, as the `Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.516.IH]

33 . Expressing support for designation of September 2009 as `Gospel Music Heritage Month’ and honoring gospel music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of the… (Introduced in House)[H.J.RES.12.IH]

110th Congress

4 .  Whereas 20,000,000 Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease; (Introduced in House)[H.RES.439.IH]
5 . Make Our Veterans Smile Act of 2008 (Introduced in House)[H.R.5595.IH]
9 .  Whereas Illinois State University marks its sesquicentennial with a year-long celebration, beginning with Founder’s Day on February 15, 2007; (Introduced in House)[H.RES.57.IH]
10 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the `Lane Evans Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.521.IH]
11 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Vine Street in New Lenox, Illinois, as the `Jacob M. Lowell Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.6681.IH]
12 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 326 South Main Street in Princeton, Illinois, as the `Owen Lovejoy Princeton Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.2825.IH]
13 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 127 East Locust Street in Fairbury, Illinois, as the `Dr. Francis Townsend Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.2300.IH]
14 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11033 South State Street in Chicago, Illinois, as the `Willye B. White Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.2025.IH]
16 .  Expressing support for a National Foster Parents Day. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.179.IH]
17 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 219 East Main Street in West Frankfort, Illinois, as the `Kenneth James Gray Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.6061.IH]
24 .  Honoring and supporting the Hadley School for the Blind. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.875.IH]
27 .  Expressing the sense of the Congress that there should be established a National Pet Week. (Introduced in House)[H.CON.RES.142.IH]
33 .  Recognizing 2008 as the International Year of the Reef. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.1112.IH]
46 .  Recognizing and honoring Prevent Blindness America for its 100 years of dedication to preventing blindness and preserving eyesight. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.848.IH]
52 .  Whereas in 1946, the George One was a Navy patrol plane involved in Operation Highjump, an expedition in Antarctica led by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd; (Introduced in House)[H.CON.RES.301.IH]
58 .  Recognizing the roles and contributions of America’s teachers to building and enhancing our Nation’s civic, cultural, and economic well-being. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.1130.IH]
70 .  Whereas this is the 10th American League Pennant won by the Detroit Tigers; (Introduced in House)[H.RES.488.IH]
80 .  Honoring the Detroit Red Wings on winning the 2008 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Championship. (Agreed to by Senate)[S.RES.593.ATS]

105 . Honoring the service and accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel John M. Shimkus, United States Army Reserve. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.1223.IH]

109th
11 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the `Lane Evans Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.5086.IH]
12 . To redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1927 Sangamon Avenue in Springfield, Illinois, as the `J.M. Dietrich Northeast Annex’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.2630.IH]

14 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 105 North Quincy Street in Clinton, Illinois, as the `Gene Vance Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.4805.IH]

16 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 326 South Main Street in Princeton, Illinois, as the `Congressman Owen Lovejoy Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.5426.IH]
17 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2600 Oak Street in St. Charles, Illinois, as the `Jacob L. Frazier Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.3767.IH]
18 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2000 McDonough Street in Joliet, Illinois, as the `John F. Whiteside Joliet Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.2113.IH]
19 . Designating Room H-139 of the Capitol as the `Henry J. Hyde Room’. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.1087.IH]
20 . To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 202 East Washington Street in Morris, Illinois, as the `Joshua A. Terando Princeton Post Office Building’. (Introduced in House)[H.R.5428.IH]

24 . Whereas the Chicago White Sox won 99 games during the regular season and compiled the best record in the American League; (Introduced in House)[H.CON.RES.281.IH]
39 . Recognizing the 75th anniversary of the death of Glenn Hammond Curtiss and supporting the establishment of Glenn Hammond Curtiss Day to recognize his innovative spirit and legacy. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.374.IH]

55 . Whereas Andre Agassi won 8 Grand Slam singles titles and achieved a total of 60 career singles titles and 1 career doubles title; (Introduced in House)[H.RES.1075.IH]

65 . Whereas Rotary International, founded on February 23, 1905, in Chicago, Illinois, is the world’s first service club and one of the largest nonprofit service organizations; (Introduced in House)[H.RES.142.IH]

117 . Whereas on November 13, 2005, the Los Angeles Galaxy won the 2005 Major League Soccer (MLS) championship by defeating the New England Revolution 1-0 in MLS Cup 2005, in Frisco, Texas; (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House)[H.RES.574.EH]

120 . Whereas on November 13, 2005, the Los Angeles Galaxy won the 2005 Major League Soccer (MLS) championship by defeating the New England Revolution 1-0 in MLS Cup 2005, in Frisco, Texas; (Introduced in House)[H.RES.574.IH]

That’s only a small sample

STFU.

Feigenholtz Fundraising Lead Not As Much as It Sounds

Feigenholtz’s claim on fundraising in her most recent mailing:

As you well know, last night we hit a major fundraising deadline.  I’m so proud to say that since the beginning of our campaign we have raised over $550,000!  Because of your help, we can communicate our message to the voters in the 5th District.

Her December 31st report was for $324,000.  Meaning since then she has raised about $225,000.

On the other hand, Fritchey has roughly doubled her take since January 5th.  Do the math and they aren’t that far apart.  We don’t quite know what the independent expenditures will do, but Fritchey is certainly in a stronger position with this kind of showing.

One of the Better Interviews

Not surprisingly was Letterman.  Here is what I think the best segment was:

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=TlJlFT-kzws[/youtube]

Dave pushed on a couple questions and Blagojevich showed himself to be truly delusional.  .

The final segment is when Dave pushes back harder than anyone else, rightly, that Rod has not been deprived of due process rights.  It took a late night host to push him on this:

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=tNKb6vK_7Pw[/youtube]

Dave also offers up the best description of the process and why Rod will have a fair shot.

$2 – 5 Billion Deficit

Alexi was being too rosy…

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=d8SQ_b8FeWE[/youtube]
Hynes puts the figure as high as $9 billion with steady spending down to $6 billion with federal stimulus.

And yes, it’s a horrible time to raise taxes, but the state cannot function without it.  We’ve amassed nearly $5 billion in debt that we have carried over and carried over and carried over. The bill is due and while we certainly won’t solve the problem this year, starting a multiyear bonding plan combined with continuing to underfund pensions along with significant tax increases are the only way forward. Avoiding it, as we have done for years on end will only result in bigger deficits down the road.

Burris: The Cemetery Salesman Made Me Do It

Via Rich:

Trib:

“I’m an estate planner. I try to convince people to plan for your pre-needs,” he explained. “It’s best to have your crypts or your mausoleum already set aside. It takes a major burden off of your family.”

As for his résumé chiseled in granite, Burris said, “that wasn’t me.”

“The cemetery in Oak Woods insisted when I went out to plan my estate that my résumé be put on it. That wasn’t me. That was the manager of the funeral home,” he said. “They insisted that my résumé be put up and they came up with that design and did all that.”

The argument that convinced him, he said, was that former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington is buried at this cemetery and he could not afford for the funeral home to give him the burial he deserved.

“The manager of the cemetery said, ‘Mr. Burris, your accomplishments are too many to let them not be known to young people.’ And he convinced my wife and I that that’s what should be done,” he said. “I questioned it and my wife questioned it, and we knew there would be that type of reaction, but we said we would be willing to overcome the cynicism of the press in order to let it be known for future generations.”

Any suggestion that space was left in case Burris won yet another political office is just not true, he said, adding that the news media is “just dreaming up stuff” and “people are laughing at me.”

“I had nothing to do with who designed that or who left a space at the top, that’s how they put the words in,” Burris said.

“I have been silent about it. But I think it’s really unfair how they treated that situation without any knowledge,” he said. “The press just took it, ran with it and laughed about it. Talked about what my ego is and this is just all about my business.

“If I’m going to teach you how to take care of your estate, how can I teach you or instruct you if I don’t take care of my own?” he implored. “That is my business.”

The man who was three times elected to the position that regulates cemeteries and funeral homes was apparently upsold by monument salesman.  (For those unfamiliar with the job of Comptroller in Illinois, it includes overseeing cemeteries and funeral homes).

Q. Is the Comptroller’s office in charge of all Illinois cemeteries and funeral homes?

A. No. The Illinois State Comptroller’s Office is responsible for the oversight of those active, privately-owned cemeteries and funeral homes which sell pre-need goods and services. Other cemeteries and funeral homes, including family burial grounds, those with religious affiliations, and those owned and operated by municipalities, along with those businesses that do not sell on a pre-need basis, are outside the jurisdiction of the Comptroller’s office.

Q. How does the Comptroller regulate those cemeteries and funeral homes that are licensed by the state?

A. Cemeteries and funeral homes that hold an operating license from the Comptroller only receive that license after a process of extensive background checks and financial disclosures is complete. These are safeguards put in place by the Comptroller’s office to ensure that businesses holding an operating license from the state are reputable.

Licensed cemeteries and funeral homes are required to submit annual reports so that the Comptroller’s office may perform periodic audits to examine their finances and see that money taken in from pre-need sales is being entrusted properly and in accordance with the Illinois statutes.

I cannot make this stuff up.