Illinois Review

Should feds take action against sanctuary cities?

As a sanctuary city, Chicago's not in the majority of American voters' good graces.  A Rasmussen poll released Tuesday says 54 percent of those surveyed support legal action against sanctuary cities and 60 percent support withholding federal funds from the jurisdictions.

While the feds are suing Arizona for their state law challenging federal law enforcement by toughening on illegals within their state's boundaries, the Obama administration refuses to do anything about sanctuary cities which ignore federal immigration statutes.  The Washington Post writes:

Kirk: "Giannoulias watched Illinois' financial situation become nation's worst"

from the Mark Kirk for U.S. Senate campaign

Northbrook, Ill. - Yesterday, the National Conference of State Legislatures released a new study showing Illinois' financial situation as the worst of any state in the country.

As Chicago Public Radio reported:

"Illinois is one of only two states projecting a deficit for the end of the current fiscal year, as well.

"Despite a gaping budget shortfall, Illinois is planning to boost its spending this year by 15.1 percent, according to the study…

"…Illinois is also predicting a 17.9 percent uptick in revenue collection for fiscal year 2011, which Merriman says is simply wishful thinking. The study calls the state's budget situation 'tenuous at best.'"

“State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias issued little warning that this would happen to Illinois,” Kirk spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski said.  “Rather than criticize the leaders of our state who are leading it to financial infamy, he has used little of his office's voice or authority to describe our state's deteriorating fiscal position.  Treasurer Giannoulias lost $73 million in Bright Start college savings and watched our state's financial situation become the worst in the nation. 

Blagojevich's fate in jury's hands

Illinois Statehouse News' Kevin Lee reports on the Blagojevich trial's closing arguments Tuesday ...

Pollak confirms support for Breitbart's BigGovernment.com

Congressional GOP candidate Joel Pollak, who is the Republican nominee to face off against Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), has been tapping into Andrew Breitbart's popular newsblog BigGovernment.com to raise questions about Schakowsky's involvement with ShoreBank and other questionable activities.  

Last Thursday, Schakowsky used the controversy circling Breitbart and the Ag Department's Shirley Sherrod firing controversy to call on Pollak to “denounce Breitbart’s intentional distortion of the truth and to end any further association with his website, BigGovernment.com.”

Pollak explained to 560 AM WIND's morning hosts Big John Howell & Amy that he has no intention of ending his work with BigGovernment.com.  The interview audio is HERE.

IL Policy Institute joins effort to celebrate Friedman legacy

The Illinois Policy Institute will honor Dr. Milton Friedman on July 30 as part of a national day of recognition for the Nobel Laureate, his work, theories, and contributions. The Friedman Legacy for Freedom Day is being celebrated in 43 states and in 5 countries.

The breakfast event is being sponsored by the Foundation for Educational Choice, the continuation of the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation. The event will feature O'Donavan Johnson and Carmen Hernandez of Freedom to Learn, a new organization dedicated to giving Illinois families better choices of schools for their children.

New Broom Is Not Enough To Win

By Mark Rhoads

I almost always want GOP candidates in Illinois to win because they are usually better than the alternative.  I really do not enjoy being so hyper critical of state GOP leaders but they always seem to make the same mistakes over and over again.  Even a superficial glance at GOP messaging so far leads one to think that state party strategists have hitched their wagon to a "New Broom" straegy exclusively for 2010 and that is very dumb because it will likely take a lot more than just attacking Democrats for their corruption in order to reverse Illinois from blue to red on November 3 and precious message time and resources are being wasted every day by the clumsy GOP leadership.

Things That I Really Don't Care About

by Ghost of John Brown

I don’t care whether someone has new “evidence” that “proves” President Obama wasn’t born in the United States. We've heard the debates for 2+ years, it hasn't changed anything and no one in authority has ruled in your favor. Move on.

I don’t care whether or not Trig Palin is Sarah Palin’s birth son. I’m assuming he is. Past that, I'm not going to dignify people that want to make a story out of this.

I don’t care if a staffer on a candidate’s campaign worked as a lobbyist for BP. There are thousands and thousands of lobbyists and pretty much every single campaign has a former lobbyist working for them. Besides, up until about four months ago, BP was a respectable company, who a lot of people would have been proud to work for.

Illinois GOP Chairman: Pay-to-Play Still In Play?

from the Illinois Republican Party

As jurors begin deliberating the fate of former Governor Rod Blagojevich, Illinois State Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady today questioned whether pay-to-play politics is still part of Governor Quinn’s game plan.

“Campaign finance disclosure reports now available show us that Pat Quinn received more than $500,000 from two labor unions which benefited from the unprecedented, heavy-handed intervention of his Illinois Department of Transportation into the labor dispute with private road contractors,” Chairman Brady said.

Kirk Proposes Seven Debates/Forums for Senate Race

Congressman Mark Kirk today proposed seven U.S. Senate debates and candidate forums beginning August 21st in Ottawa, Illinois – the date and location of the first of seven Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858.

“Our country faces serious issues at home and abroad,” Congressman Kirk said.  “I look forward to a thoughtful series of debates and forums to discuss the complex economic and foreign policy challenges before us while demonstrating the clear choice facing voters in this election.”

In addition to a foreign policy debate on August 21st in Ottawa and an economic policy debate on October 15th in Alton – the dates and locations of the first and last Lincoln-Douglas debates – the Kirk campaign’s proposal includes:

Illinois suffering enthusiasm gap, Plouffe says

St. Louis Today's Kevin McDermott reports on today's media conference call with Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe:

Plouffe repeatedly declared the race "winnable'' for Giannoulias, which may speak to the situation the Democrats are in this year, even in blue-state Illinois: This is Obama's state, this was Obama's Senate seat, Giannoulias is Obama's protege ... and yet it's just "winnable''?

"The numbers suggesting Alexi can win this race,’’ said Plouffe. He noted the latest polls showing a dead heat (good news for Giannoulias, who was previously trailing). But he also acknowledged that the mid-term slumps that affect most incumbent presidents, including this one, are very much in play in the Land of Lincoln.

"We’re going to have to close the enthusiasm gap that exists about the country – it exists in Illinois, too,’’ said Plouffe. "You’ve got Republican enthusiasm at a very high level...Democratic enthusiasm is trailing. The question is how much can you grow it.’’

Kinzinger, Hultgren, Schilling 3 of 20 underfunded U.S. House candidates

National Review Online's Jim Geraghty points out three Illinois U.S. House candidates of Underfunded 20 nationally badly in need of funding.

Adam Kinzinger, Illinois’s 11th district: Kinzinger is another candidate that the NRCC touted early, and he’s largely lived up to the hype. He ended the last cycle with healthy reserves — more than $480,000 on hand. Unfortunately, his opponent, Rod Blagojevich–ally and incumbent Debbie Halvorson, has $1.4 million. Because of the high cost of advertising on Chicago television, this Joliet-centered district of fast-growing Windy City suburbs ranks as one of the most expensive in the country.

Randy Hultgren, Illinois’s 14th district: Like Kinzinger, Hultgren is managing to raise funds in a state widely considered deep blue. He has raised $778,000 so far this cycle, but has only $244,000 on hand, while incumbent Democrat Bill Foster has $1.5 million. Foster hasn’t been there long; he won a 2008 special election in this R+1 district.

Bobby Schilling, Illinois’s 17th district: On paper, Schilling should be a hopelessly outmuscled challenger against Phil Hare, a two-term Democratic incumbent in a district Obama carried by 15 percentage points. But a recent poll put Schilling ahead by a comfortable margin, 45 percent to 32 percent, and it showed that Hare — who gained some infamy for uttering “I don’t worry about the Constitution on this, to be honest” while arguing with constituents about the health-care bill — has miserable job-approval and favorable numbers for an incumbent. This is all great news for Schilling, but Hare’s $885,000 can buy a lot of ads, and Schilling currently has only $211,000.

Alexi Giannoulias: "Man of the Mob"

from the IL GOP

According to news reports, David Plouffe attacked Mark Kirk on a conference call with reporters this morning to distract voters from a deeply flawed U.S. Senate candidate in Illinois.  The following is a statement by Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady:

“Alexi Giannoulias is a man of the mob who brings a proven record of poor judgment, risky behavior and reckless decision-making.  Long before Rod Blagojevich went on trial or Roland Burris got an ethics censure, Alexi Giannoulias was already loaning money to convicted mobsters, Tony Rezko and an illegal gun smuggler.   Alexi Giannoulias would be a disastrous choice for U.S. Senate.”

If David Plouffe wants to talk about fiction, maybe he should re-read the tall tales Alexi “Man of the Mob” Giannoulias gave editorial boards in Chicago in his failed attempt to explain his loans to convicted mobsters:

Your last chance to speak before Congress silences you

from Family Research Council:

This past weekend Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama told a gathering of the most hard-edged liberal activists that they need to pull out all stops to win this November so that they can push more of their damaging agenda on the American people. Fearful of what Election Day could mean for their extreme ideology, a number of liberals in Congress are pushing S. 3628, the DISCLOSE Act, which amounts to Democrat incumbent protection legislation disguised as campaign finance reform.

Instead of addressing the problems often found in the financing of campaigns, S. 3628 seeks to add to the already onerous burdens placed on organizations that act within the law by going after their donors and exposing them in public forums. The exceptions, or "carve-outs," in the bill demonstrate the hypocrisy of its supporters. They provide special treatment for select special interest groups in a bill designed to crack down on the power of special interests!

Roskam hosts 2000 seekers at Addison job fair

Unelected Committee Casts Your Vote

By Mark Rhoads

Very soon now, only nineteen un-elected party hacks will get to hide in a closed room to substitute their judgment for that of 800,000 Republican primary voters of record and will nominate a GOP candidate for U.S. Senator in a special election if a federal judge orders one to take place.  Read more to see who the unelected 19 people are.

Fox Chicago reports on U.S. Senate special election costs

Fox Chicago News' Mike Flannery reports on the recent U.S. Senate special election decision, the cost to taxpayers and the cost to our rights as citizens:

Kirk challenges Giannoulias participation in leftist blogger conference

As reported by Illinois Review over the weekend, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Alexi Giannoulias appeared at the leftist "Netroots Nation" blogger conference in Las Vegas  (Alexi Giannoulias visits with lefties in Las Vegas). The Kirk for U.S. Senate campaign issued this statement today: 

The Kirk for Senate campaign today called on Alexi Giannoulias to explain his decision to participate in a far left-wing conference that featured panels with Van Jones, marijuana legalization advocates and J-Street.

Last week, Giannoulias announced on his Facebook page that he would be “leading the Illinois Caucus” at the Netroots Nation convention in Las Vegas.  The Netroots website showed Giannoulias confirmed to attend the conference’s candidate event as well.

Foster and Gutierrez sign on to legalize internet gambling

Two Illinois Congressmen -- Rep. Bill Foster (D-14) and Luis Gutierrez (D-4) -- are joining U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) in sponsoring HR 2267 which would federally legalize internet gambling.

In addition, Eagle Forum reports, Rep. James McDermott (D-Wash.) wants to tax internet gambling. He says his Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act will raise $40 billion in new taxes.

Two problems: 1) gambling destroys individuals and families and 2) taxing internet gambling will lead to more internet taxes.

Adam "has no qualms" about going to prison for Blagojevich closing

Illinois Statehouse News grabbed some comments after the Blagojevich trial judge ruled against Sam Adam Jr.'s comment he would mention witnesses in his closing arguments which the prosecution did not call for testimony.   YouTube  below ...

Can you Spare a Dime for the Environmental Idiots?

by Ghost of John Brown

Last fall, an intrepid group of environmental wackos decided it would be really cool to strap themselves together and lay down in the middle of the intersection of LaSalle and Adams in downtown Chicago (see picture to the right). Oh boy, what a hoot.  Inconvenience everyone just to say something that no-one really cared about.  I remembered when this happened.  I looked for a newspaper article about it, and even the liberal media here in Chicago was bored with it - sadly, no articles.

Surprisingly, the City of Chicago wasn't so bored with the idea.  The City has decided to fine these goofballs $8,340 for their little stunt so they are begging for money.  For once, I think Mayor Daley is a fantastic Mayor.

Blagojevich's life-sized Elvis statue could be auctioned off

Rod Blagojevich hasn't paid his storage bill for a year, and the owner's threatening to auction off the accused governor's belongings, including a life-size Elvis statue.The Elvis statue, given to the Governor as a present by the late State Sen. Vincent Demuzio (D-Carlinville), held a prominent place behind the Governor's desk.   More HERE.

Illinois U.S. Senate Special Election decision could come Monday

from the Chicago Tribune:

A judge in Chicago could decide if Illinois residents will vote twice to fill President Barack Obama's old Senate seat on Election Day.

The case stems from a lawsuit two voters filed last year because Gov. Pat Quinn didn't call the special election they say is required by the U.S. Constitution.

A federal judge could rule on the issue Monday after getting the case back from an appeals court.

So when the IL GOP called for a special election in 2009, they were absolutely right to do so.  Is anyone going to give credit where credit is due?  Likely not!  However, we will remind you all if no one else does...

Illinois NFIB Endorses Kirk

from the Kirk for U.S. Senate campaign

ROCKFORD - The National Federation of Independent Business today endorsed Congressman Mark Kirk for U.S. Senate citing his commitment to pro-growth, pro-jobs policies that will turn the Illinois economy around and put people back to work.

Speaking at a Rockford-area small business, Ever Ready Pin and Manufacturing, Congressman Kirk pledged to add private sector jobs with pro-growth, pro-employment policies that allow employees to succeed.

"You cannot talk about creating jobs without talking to Illinois job creators," Congressman Kirk said.  "I am honored to earn the support of small and independent employers across Illinois who share my vision of lower taxes, fiscal discipline and economic growth.  My opponent may think government creates jobs, but the reality is– employers like Ever Ready Pin and Manufacturing are the real job creators.  We need policies that help small businesses add employees rather than policies that add government spending and higher taxes."

87% Say America Likely To Elect Woman President in Next 25 Years

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters finds that just 11% think it is unlikely a woman will be elected to the White House, with three percent (3%) who say it’s not at all likely.

If the choice between two candidates for office was a man and a woman and all other things about them were equal, 30% say they would vote for the man, while 32% would vote for the woman. Thirty-eight percent (38%) are not sure.

Robinson State Senate Campaign Driving Numbers in IL-7th

from the Robinson for State Senate campaign

Today, the Adam Robinson State Senate campaign released results from their voter survey for the week-ending July 24th.

Results obtained through the Robinson campaign's internal poll show that his campaign is driving a measurable shift in voter support in this traditionally unchallenged State Senate district.  When asked which candidate they were most likely to support in November, 55% of independent voters surveyed indicated that they would choose Adam Robinson over the incumbent.  In a sign of voter dissatisfaction with the political status quo, 45% of Democrat primary voters surveyed indicated that they will support Robinson in November.

This sizable lead among independent voters and the strong support within base Democrats indicates that Robinson is well-positioned for the November 2nd general election.

Only 99 Days to Change the Topic

By Mark Rhoads

Many national and Illinois Democrats are reading the polls and running scared.  They have come up with a strategy, not a good one, but its all they have to work with.  The strategy is to try to change the dynamics of a normal mid-term Congressional election from a referendum on the party of the president to a "choice" election between two competing visions of what the next Congress might do.  Senior Democratic strategists hope they can scare voters by the prospect of Republicans again taking contol of Congress and they also hope they can sell the last 18 months as a historic success for reform.  The plan is not working very well so far for a variety of reasons.

"Racist" is the New "Homo"

by Teri O'Brien

The eagerly anticipated return of AMC’s outstanding series, “Mad Men,” now in its fourth season, coming on what we hope will mercifully be the heels of the latest Kabuki sideshow in Obama’s post-racial America, the Shirley Sherrod Charade, seems an appropriate time to note an interesting cultural phenomenon: “racist” has become the new “homo.”

The use of that now-quaint sounding, archaic term is intentional because it harkens back to the time punctiliously chronicled by “Mad Men,” not only in its recreation of daily life, with children playing with dangerous household objects like dry cleaning bags, and pregnant women puffing on cigarettes, which at that time were sometimes referred to by what has now become the new derogatory term for homosexuals, but in its presentation of their treatment by larger society. The early sixties were not exactly the best time to be “gay,” to put it mildly. Even the slightest suggestion that one had that predilection could end a promising career and doom one to virtual banishment, so much so that many male homosexuals married women, using them as “beards,” human shields against whispers about being “light in the loafers.

WaPo for Dummies

by Sam Pierce

Or, should that subject line read "WaPo by Dummies"? Perhaps it should read "WaPo by Rabid Democrat Tools"?  Maybe there is no real difference between these last two possibilities. Of course, it comes as no surprise to anyone who has read some of the articles published by the Washington Post, that it is little more than a campaign arm of the Democrat Party.

Always there to churn out leftist drivel, the WaPo makes it convenient for its readers to either cheer the further degradation of our nation or become irate with the obvious biases of its "journalists" by offering twice daily e-mail versions. Although these e-mails never fail to disappoint, today's first e-mail was notable. The first two headlines promised the reader a journey into a world where Democrats are wonderful champions of the masses and Republicans and icky companies are vile, inconsiderate beasts, who happen to not pay well.

Little Pavel Has A Senior Moment

Reflections on facilitating vote fraud

By John F. Di Leo

Left alone at a work table at party headquarters, young Pavel Syerov Jr. (Paul to his friends) had been collating literature and listening to country music on his radio for an hour, while Pockets, the deputy committeeman, was on the phone in the back office.  When he heard Pockets emerge at last, Pavel quickly changed the station back to NPR and asked “So what’s up, Pockets?”

“Gotta deliver a floppy disk to a nursing home.  Ya got another hour or two to join me, Paully?”

“A floppy disk?  Do you mean maybe a CD, Pockets?”  Pavel knew that the old pol’s jargon was a mixture of several eras, so interpreting his speech was sometimes a bit touch-and-go.

“Yeah, right.  CD.  Whatever.  So can ya join me?  It couldn’t hurt to show a little young blood when we make this call." Pockets dropped his voice before continuing.  “It’s a new guy, who just took over management of one of the nursing homes in the 5th precinct.   Gotta deliver the format we need their voting info on.”

When They Cry Wolf Too Often

By Mark Rhoads

Ever since President Obama was elected, there has been a cynnical effort by some on the Left to demonize any critics of his socialist schemes as motivated by "racism."  This is perhaps the worst slander in American culture.  All the more so because for so many years most of America struggled so hard to overcome and eradicate if possible a tragic subculture of actual racism among certain white people in some regions and cities.

Anita MonCrief: I Am Filing FEC Charges Against Obama Administration

Anita MonCrief blew the whistle on ACORN, and has proceeded to pursue ACORN-related exposes. Watch for more on this story rolled out at Right Online 2010 ... H/T Kristi Zwier Couse

Herman Cain inspires at Right Online conference

Radio show host and former Godfather Pizza CEO Herman Cain told the Right Online audience about what inspires him to believe we're going to take back our government in 2010 ... "The Bumblebee Story"

Senate energy debate is still all about cap-and-trade

by Phil Kerpen, Americans for Prosperity

A headline today screamed: “Democrats pull plug on climate bill.” Don’t believe it. It’s a diversionary tactic.

The Obama administration and Democratic congressional leadership, seeing their window for shoving the country to the hard left closing quickly, are intent on making one last major push for cap-and-trade. It starts with their “spill-response bill” or “energy bill,” but it’s really about cap-and-trade.

Right Online 2010 featured on Fox News

Let me see your hair-braiding license!

by Sam Pierce

The tall woman with long brown hair walks up the front steps to her best friend's house and rings the bell. Her friend opens the door and the tall woman gives her a little hug before entering the premises. Out by the hedge something moves. The door closes and from behind the hedge crawls a slight man with a a badge and a stainless steel comb. The little man crawls with cat-like stealth around the side of the house and perches himself where he can see through the kitchen window. "Aha!" he softly proclaims. He touches the button on his headset and whispers, "The hen is in the fox-house. Repeat, the hen is in the fox-house!" In his headset, he hears a female voice, "maintain your position until backup arrives." "Roger!" is all the little man replies. The voice on the other end responds, "I know your name, just wait where you are!"

Slow Learners: Brits Step Back from Socialized Medicine

by Mark Rhoads

The new coalition government of Tories and Liberals in Britain has decided to finesse their promise not to touch the National Health Service because Britons are fed up with long lines, rationing, and bad care.  America is only four months into our version of socialized medicine but hopefully we can learn faster from the mistakes of the UK. They have been tinkering with their central planning under different parties since 1948 and the more they tinker the more the system fails. CLICK HERE to read more from The New York Times of all papers.

Former Green Czar Van Jones pushes green economy to leftist bloggers

Former Obama Administration Green Czar Van Jones was featured at the shrinking leftist Netroots Nation bloggers conference in Las Vegas Friday afternoon. Jones bemoaned the circumstances surrounding his resignation and continues to push a "clean, green economy" over the current "dirty economy," while sympathetically discussing the Obama Administration's handling of Dept of Ag's Shirley Sherrod.

Obama caves to pressure and sends Dr. Berwick to confirmation hearing

from Americans for Prosperity

Last week, President Obama decided to recess appoint Dr. Donald Berwick to run the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The White House claimed Republicans were blocking his nomination, but that was impossible given the fact no confirmation hearing had ever been scheduled. The New York Times even pointed out, “The recess appointment was somewhat unusual because the Senate is in recess for less than two weeks and senators were still waiting for Dr. Berwick to submit responses to some of their requests for information.” The President clearly was trying to avoid an inevitable major uproar on Capitol Hill over Dr. Berwick’s radical views on health care.

Alexi Giannoulias visits with lefties in Las Vegas

Illinois Democrats' U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias was in Las Vegas Friday night, visiting at the leftwing Netroots Nation bloggers' conference, just blocks away from conservatives' RightOnline 2010.

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann talks Tea Party Caucus at RightOnline 2010

"We're taking money from our kids," Congressman Pence tells conservative bloggers

UPDATE 1x: RightOnLine jazzes conservative bloggers in Sin City

Update 1x:  FoxNews.com has a story on RightOnLine, too -- just posted HERE.

Illinois Review is one of hundreds of conservative blogs represented this weekend at American for Prosperity's Third Annual RightOnLine conference located just down the street from the sparsely attended liberal Netroots conference -- right in the middle of America's hottest city Las Vegas -- and we do mean "hot" as in temp -- an expected 107 degrees.

RightOnLine provides new bloggers a springboard of ideas and tools, boosts longtime writers with new ideas and nifty new techie tips and introduces political personalities and newsmakers to the new media troops that will be forming political opinion more and more in the days ahead.  Citizne journalists are heroes at RightOnLine, not pesky "amateurs" at which the stifled dinosaur media so likes to dismiss.

The political notables scheduled to visit with conservative bloggers this weekend are Congressman Mike Pence (R-Indiana), Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (R-Minnesota) but also the Harry-Reid threatening Republican conservative candidate for U.S. Senate Sharron Angle.   

Election Wins Can Stop Lame-Duck Threat

Phil Kerpen, Americans for Prosperity

Senate Democrats who think they can use a lame-duck session to force the country into a final, decisive lurch to the left may be in for a big surprise: newly elected senators ready to take their seats and derail major policy changes before the new Congress convenes.

The rest on National Review ...

Did you just roll your eyes? That could soon be illegal in Elmhurst

Whatever you do, don't roll your eyes in Elmhurst, IL ... it may soon be illegal.  Makes you wonder about nose-picking, groaning ... Elmhurst Trib

Elmhurst officials are considering creating a "disturbance and disorderly conduct" violation after a resident accused of rolling her eyes and sighing was ejected from a public meeting.

City Attorney Don Storino has been directed by the city’s finance and council affairs committee to look at various sources including “Robert’s Rules of Order,” Illinois state statutes and policies adopted by other municipalities for a legal definition of disorderly conduct and disruptive behavior.

He is expected to report his findings to the committee on July 26.

Kirk would support Kagan

from the Kirk for U.S. Senate campaign

With regard to Solicitor General Kagan, I would support her nomination.  Ms. Kagan appears to be modest and thoughtful not because she expected this nomination but because she is modest and thoughtful.  Under the Constitution, only the President can make this nomination and Solicitor General Kagan is one of the more careful nominees he could have picked.
 
Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist No. 76: “To what purpose then require the cooperation of the Senate?  I answer that the necessity of their concurrence would have a powerful, though in general a silent operation.  It would be an excellent check upon a spirit of favoritism in the president, would tend generally to prevent the appointment of unfit characters from family connection, from personal attachment, and from a view to popularity.”

Al-Qaeda Spokesman - Your Friday Comic Relief

by Ghost of John Brown

If you are going to be the spokesman for an uber-scary terrorist group, it might help if you sound uber-scary and not like a promoter for a Liza Minnelli concert.

Man wrongly convicted says Daley complicit in police torture

A man released from prison earlier this year after he was allegedly tortured into confessing to a 1986 rape and murder sued former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge, a host of detectives and law enforcement officials and Mayor Richard Daley, alleging they conspired to coerce false confessions that sent him and dozens of other men to prison.

Michael Tillman, 44, spent more than 23 years in prison until he was released in January when a special prosecutor declined to retry him for the 1986 murder of Betty Howard, saying there was no evidence to convict him and that there was ample evidence that his statement was the product of torture. He has since obtained a certificate of innocence, similar to a pardon.

In a federal lawsuit filed today, Tillman alleged he was beaten, burned, smothered and threatened with death over the course of four days until he gave a false confession to Howard's murder and rape in fear for his life. The suit alleged that Daley, then the Cook County state's attorney, knew about allegations of torture by Burge for years and that the primary piece of evidence against Tillman was his confession but still chose to seek the death penalty anyway.

via www.chicagobreakingnews.com

Kinzinger: Halvorson owes veterans an explanation

NEW LENOX, IL – Republican Candidate for Congress Adam Kinzinger released the following statement Thursday requesting an explanation from Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson after her campaign was caught this week working to discredit Kinzinger’s service in the United States military.

More than 48 hours have passed since the activity was exposed, but Halvorson has remained silent. An Air Force Captain, Kinzinger has served honorably for seven years and completed five stints in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Below please find Kinzinger’s statement, followed by a link to the Southtown Star Editorial exposing the Halvorson campaign’s efforts to “dirty” the challenger:

None Dare Call It Communism

By Mark Rhoads

A recent PPP Poll said 55 percent of Americans thought that "socialist" was a fair and accurate description of Barack Obama.  Is that word too generous or not accurate enough?  Was former SNL comedienne Victoria Jackson more correct than not when she wrote her comical song, "There's a Communist Living in the White House?"  Consider the latest move from Big Brother Barry called the "Paycheck Fairness Act" which will require the government to collect data from all private companies on how much the paychecks are for everyone by race, gender, and national origin.  Does the Obama Politburo only want the data just for the sake of research?  Or is this a prelude to the government setting all salaries paid by all private companies?  If it were the latter, would that surprise you?  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

Chicago Man Convicted of Mailing Bomb Threat to Jewish School

Mohammad Alkaramla, 26, of Chicago, was convicted Thursday of mailing a bomb threat to a Jewish school in Chicago in late 2008 after a two-day bench trial before Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer in U.S. District Court. Judge Pallmeyer revoked bond for Alkaramla and ordered him detained pending sentencing, which was scheduled for Sept. 29. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Alkaramla was arrested in March 2009 for mailing a threat use an explosive to kill, injure, and intimidate individuals and damage and destroy a building and other property. The letter was addressed to numerous rabbis and leaders in the Jewish community and mailed to the Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago. 

The case was investigated by the Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force led by the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Kartik Raman and Meghan Morrissey.