Chicago Report On Trib’s Coverage

Michael Van Winkle takes the Trib to task for their treatment of Jack Ryan’s position on the Davis-Bacon Act. Michael arges that the Trib is being unfair by not giving Obama the same treatment on Iraq.

The problem is Michael is creating a rather strained argument in relation to Obama’s take on Iraq. Just because one was against the Iraqi War does not automatically mean that they should be calling for an automatic pullout. It isn’t inconsistent to have been against the war, observe that regardless of what you felt about the war we are there, and then deal with that fact as the next stage in setting policy.

The Trib piece on Ryan and the Davis-Bacon Act is here.

The companion Obama piece is here.

To me, if there is a problem with the coverage it is that Obama’s covers more issues, but that makes sense given his longer record. I think the point about concealed carry for retired police officers is analogous to the argument made in the Ryan piece, but just not as indepth.

As a note–Chicago Report is a great magazine/blog-the reason it was moved to the expanded blog roll was the level of Illinois content to other content. Moving it isn’t a statement on the overall content as much as guiding readers to the most often updated blogs on Illinois. I highly recommend it. That goes for many blogs on the expanded list.

Remember When Kos Made an Inappropriate Comment

There were efforts to start an advertiser boycott.

But when Reynolds approvingly notes that pictures of torture might have motivated the North Koreans….not much. And actually other than some castigating of the point, I have better things than to worry about his sponsors, but don’t give me any of Glenn’s self-righteous nonsense when he posts:

North Korea, probably the world’s most secretive and isolated nation, has offered an olive branch to the US by promising never to sell nuclear materials to terrorists, calling for Washington’s friendship and saying it does not want to suffer the fate of Iraq.

Hmm.

UPDATE: Tim Blair: “Maybe it was those prison photographs that scared ’em.”

Bizarre

A group of Vietnam-era Navy veterans yesterday criticized Sen. John F. Kerry’s conduct during the war, and called on him to release all of his military and medical records.

All but personal medical records here. Some medical records have not been posted, but made available to the press.

Why does the story not mention this?

This isn’t a claim of conservative bias as much as bad reporting. I think both sides can make legit claims about this type of reporting, but when obviously stupid claims are made, it’s okay to report it.

Taking It Too Far on American Indian Mascots

I think the current Chief Illiniwek is a mockery of a proud people, but that doesn’t mean any American Indian mascot or name is offensive.

Oneman points out the University of Iowa has cancelled a game against the Bradley Braves due to a policy prohibiting games against non-conference games with American Indian mascots. Oneman makes a good point about conference/nonconference games, but more troubling is that if a team were to have a mascot that did honor American Indians, this policy would exclude them. I think we make mistake in glorifying tribes as pure, but there are many amazing traits of American Indian tribes that can translate into an excellent standard for which teams and schools to strive. As such, an American Indian name and a respectful mascot could be an excellent teaching tool.

Torture Shouldn’t Surprise Us

We hold our soldiers to high standards and we should expect high morals, but we also should well understand that torture is not some third world event. In Illinois there was routine torture by John Burge and his fellow officers over several years. It turns out several of the tortured were innocent of those charges. Carol Marin brings it up at a time that should remind us that just as we are horrified at the treatment of Iraqis, we should be horrified by the treatment of Americans under specific members of the Chicago PD.

Torture is not only inhumane, but it is ineffective. If we have 20 minutes until an A-bomb goes off, we might forgive as Steve Chapman once suggested, but in every day life the only way torture can be justified is by assuming the torturer is infallible and that is never the case.

The Weekly Joyce

here

Exposing environmental programs usually brings an attack from the green direction. Their usual tactic is to intimidate and belittle the writer. Greens hate for the general public to know their real agenda – which is to control all property – on land and water.

Yes, I belittle Joyce. There is a reason for that. Actually more than one.

1) She is a loon.
2) She is incoherent
3) Not only incoherent, but she writes stream of consciousness garbage.
4) She is loon.

The leader claims to have editors, perhaps they should use them. There is no coherent point in this slop unless you think that conspiracy theories strung together are coherent.

The environmentalists over all agenda is to close down “working rivers” and return them to free, meandering rivers. This would take the rivers back to the days of Lewis and Clark and before. While this may sound like a good idea, think about the days of Lewis and Clark and then decide if you want to do without insect spray, showers, hot water, microwaves, air-conditioning and all the conveniences that Lewis and Clark could not possibly envision.

What the hell does restoring a habitat have to do with going without insect spray?

ANYONE?

The point of restoring the Missouri flow is not only about restoring habitat, but also retaining other industries dependent on a natural flow. It isn’t environmentalists against barges, it is barges against fisheries and recreation and environmentalists, but God forbid someone point this out to Joyce.

Here’s an idea, why not have a columnist who is more friendly towards market based solutions in relation to the environment. Even some of us who consider themselves staunch environmentalists would be open to new mechanisms of protection. Or just keep running a loon. It is, at least entertaining.

Do You Feel Lucky? Well Do You?

By the end of this budget cycle G-Rod is going get along with Steve Rauschenberger better than Da Speaker at this pace. And he doesn’t talk to Rauschenberger.

Da Speaker takes another shot, and a shot for fiscal responsibility, yesterday suggesting he’ll look at Republican plans.

“My recommendation would be reduce – reduce the level of proposed spending so that we meet the constitutional requirement of a balanced budget,” said Madigan.

Speaking before members of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association gathered in the Howlett Building at the Capitol complex, Madigan reiterated his belief that the state is taking on too much debt.

He has asked the House State Government Administration Committee on Thursday to scrutinize Blagojevich’s borrowing proposals and said he expects that panel to produce debt-restriction proposals that may be similar to ideas pushed by Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville.

“I find most of what they say to be true and accurate,” Madigan said of the Senate Republicans.

The chutzpah award goes to:

John Filan, the governor’s budget director, said Tuesday that he’s open to suggestions.

“If someone has a better solution, we’ll look at it,” Filan said. “But we’re two months away, and we haven’t heard any solutions.”

Hello–you have been dragging it out to hit the end of the session and force your solution. Nice try. Actually not a nice try, but quit your whining.