tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101432372024-03-19T03:48:47.563-05:00Marathon PunditCall me "Doctor." I have a doctorate in blogging.Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.comBlogger25096125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-59458598923689174402024-03-18T07:58:00.005-05:002024-03-18T08:11:14.883-05:00Chicago Ald. Matt Martin on Bring Chicago Home ordinance: "If we have a little bit less revenue coming from the downtown area over the next year or two after Bring Chicago Home passes, that's okay" <p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzONFKhrZFQe-9M2qmTOoFFCpJO0IU-jl5boBdx9vGvVYFS2BakCjFWYRUn0yFlUFFNzUb-cEG9NF02l5ktQdC0xZgZ2pQzceK1OxJG06_ie5Ca9p73NRMucYeqwAr86HULJIMbK6yDZHMwynK2tP8N-oR9SLqpiDBo4fH1jLLPqKhG47z74Icw/s2048/Austin%20Boulevard%20apartment.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="2048" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzONFKhrZFQe-9M2qmTOoFFCpJO0IU-jl5boBdx9vGvVYFS2BakCjFWYRUn0yFlUFFNzUb-cEG9NF02l5ktQdC0xZgZ2pQzceK1OxJG06_ie5Ca9p73NRMucYeqwAr86HULJIMbK6yDZHMwynK2tP8N-oR9SLqpiDBo4fH1jLLPqKhG47z74Icw/s320/Austin%20Boulevard%20apartment.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Vacant apartment building, Chicago's West Side</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Chicago Ald. Matt Martin of the 47th Ward was a guest last week on the Ben Joravsky podcast. <p></p><p>The Bring Chicago Home ordinance was one of the issues they discussed. Widely caused by supporters as a "mansion tax," if passed by Chicago voters in Tuesday's primary election, the municipal real estate transaction tax will be increased on property sales over $1 million. Proceeds from the higher tax will go to fight homelessness, but its chief backer, Mayor Brandon Johnson, isn't providing specifics on how that will happen.</p><p>Unfortunately for ordinary Chicagoans, apartment building and retail storefronts often sell for more than that amount. High-rises always do. Which will mean, higher rents and likely, fewer jobs. </p><p>Downtown retail vacancy rates <a href="https://wgnradio.com/wintrust-business-lunch/wintrust-business-minute-chicago-loop-retail-vacancy-rate-increased-30-in-2023/">are at 30 percent</a>. </p><p>But don't worry, Martin tells Joravasky in <a href="https://chicagoreader.com/columns-opinion/podcasts/ben-joravsky-show-podcast-episodes/">his March 14 edition of his podcast</a>. It's "okay" if Chicago collects a little less money from downtown, even in the short term.</p><p>"But just like, during the great recession we had certain revenue streams that were lower, you have to take a longer view of this," Martin tells Joravsky, "and so I think if we have a little bit less revenue coming from the downtown area over the next year or two after Bring Chicago Home passes, that's okay. </p><p>That's okay, Martin adds, because he <i>cares</i>, adding, "But the city will continue to be very mindful of how we support all of our communities including downtown." Yep, leftists always <i>care</i>.</p><p>The relevant portion of the podcast begins at the 23-minute mark. </p><p>Chicago faces <a href="https://news.wttw.com/2023/09/13/chicago-faces-538m-budget-shortfall-2024-johnson">a deficit of at least $500 million</a>.
</p><p>Well, at least the alderperson didn't tell the host that any downtown Chicago revenue declines, will be "transitory," the infamous comment by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that inflation, which still plagues our economy, would be "transitory."</p><p>According to leaked Chicago Teachers Union documents, revenue from Bring Chicago Home <a href="https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-teachers-union-wants-revenue-meant-for-homeless-if-mayors-tax-hike-passes/">could be used to provide housing funds for its members</a>.</p><p>I'm urging Chicago voters to vote "No" on Bring Chicago Home.</p>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-70347427427265888952024-03-17T19:48:00.003-05:002024-03-17T19:53:23.801-05:00Van Morrison – Up County Down (Live on Later)Van Morrison has released two albums of original material in the 2020s. Both of them, <i>Latest Record Project, Volume 1</i> and <a href="https://datechguyblog.blog/2022/05/22/van-morrison-continues-his-attack-on-lockdowns-and-government-overreach-on-his-tremendous-new-album/">What's It Gonna Take?,</a> are terrific attacks on authority. <div><br /></div><div>From the former, for St. Patrick's Day, I present "Up County Down," a play of words on County Down, which is one of the six counties in Van the Man's native Northern Ireland. </div><div><br /></div><div>Van, with saxophone in hand, belts the tune out here, from <i>Later...with Jools Holland.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/C8DBC6ymaDs?si=Fu1ef-Ma25cK0-Bf" width="480"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>
<b>Related post of mine from Da Tech Guy</b>: <div><br /></div><div><a href="https://datechguyblog.blog/2022/08/28/as-van-morrison-turns-77-here-are-his-ten-best-albums/">As Van Morrison turns 77, here are his ten best albums</a></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-21100095528739870552024-03-17T17:25:00.001-05:002024-03-17T17:25:01.919-05:00From Da Tech Guy: Chicago Teachers Union molding Soviet-style Young PioneersCall Chicago Moscow west?<div><br /></div><div>From my post at Da Tech Guy: <a href="https://datechguyblog.blog/2024/03/17/chicago-teachers-union-molding-soviet-style-young-pioneers/">Chicago Teachers Union molding Soviet-style Young Pioneers</a>.</div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-32764631484007922022024-03-16T13:56:00.001-05:002024-03-16T13:56:00.165-05:00The Pogues: Thousands Are SailingThere will be some sadness this St. Patrick's Day, because Shane MacGowan, the principal songwriter and lead singer of the Pogues, passed away late last year.<div><br /></div><div>The voice of the Irish diaspora, "Thousands Are Sailing" is a song about emigration from Ireland.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy St. Patrick's Day!<br /><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/IooPBuFoJCM?si=wLpnBcMdDD7xeitJ" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IooPBuFoJCM/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></div></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-76317695323320934472024-03-15T09:25:00.003-05:002024-03-15T09:25:58.493-05:00Judge's 'disjointed' ruling in Willis case raises more questionsProfessor Jonathan Turley looks at the "disjointed" ruling that allows Fulton County George DA Fani Willis to remain on the Donald Trump witch hunt case-- but only if her former boyfriend, Nathan Wade, is removed from the prosecution team.<div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/kstBmDUfgpk?si=dBmc_aFo91P-jlbS" width="480"></iframe></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-55381846097955792022024-03-14T08:12:00.001-05:002024-03-14T08:12:03.084-05:00‘JIG IS UP’: Bartiromo exposes Biden’s motive for wide open borderRep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-PA explains why Joe Biden and the Democrats support an open border to Maria Bartiromo.<div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/VbJAdznARog?si=H1GR7DsOQGMnU3xj" width="480"></iframe></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-38060109688314497202024-03-13T08:09:00.000-05:002024-03-13T08:09:09.605-05:00Overnight Chicago carnage: 5 killed and another 5 wounded<p> The disastrous effects of Illinois' SAFE-T Act, which abolishes cash bail, are evident in Chicago. </p><p>A court challenge delayed implementation of the SAFE-T Act until mid-September, just as temperatures are cooling and the murder rate goes down. </p><p>Tuesday saw unseasonably warm weather to Chicago--and violence.</p><p>Overnight--from 6pm Tuesday through this morning, <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-shootings-shooting-crime-cta-bus/14519299/">five people were fatally shot and another five were wounded</a>. </p><p>Things will only get worse as summer approaches. </p><p>In August, the Democrat National Convention comes to Chicago.</p><p>I'm just saying.</p>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-82366705919379592402024-03-12T09:07:00.001-05:002024-03-12T09:13:33.599-05:00Fourth migrant measles case in Chicago shelter, disease was declared "eliminated" in USA by CDC in 2000<p>Sadly, not only are illegal migrants arriving in the United States, but they are bringing the measles virus with them. At a Chicago migrant shelter in Pilsen on the Southwest Side, <a href="https://wgntv.com/migrants-in-chicago/measles-case-count-up-to-4-at-pilsen-migrant-shelter-cdph/">there have been four cases of measles identified</a>. </p><p>There has been an additional fifth Chicago measles victim.</p><p>In 2000, the CDC declared <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/elimination.html">that measles was eliminated</a> from the United States. There have been cases of measles in America since then, apparently all of them originated from foreign visitors. </p><p>Nationwide, according to a CDC announcement last week, there have been <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-we-know-about-the-measles-cases-reported-in-2024/">45 cases of measles identified in 17 states</a>.</p><p>Measles kills 200,000 people yearly, <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/symptoms-causes/syc-20374857">according to the Mayo Clinic</a>.</p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-9277695787621458442024-03-11T08:04:00.002-05:002024-03-11T08:04:17.606-05:00Trump meets with Laken Riley's family before Georgia rallyBefore his Rome, Georgia rally over the weekend, Donald Trump met with the family of Laken Riley, the nursing student who was murdered by an illegal alien from Arizona. <div><br /></div><div>Her father was wearing a MAGA hat.</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/tx17idR6p3U?si=SFsZ55cE8KBVyfc0" width="480"></iframe></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-14819094667319535772024-03-10T15:49:00.003-05:002024-03-10T15:49:43.714-05:00From Da Tech Guy: On Illinois Primary day I’m choosing a Democratic ballot so I can vote for Eileen O’Neill Burke for Cook County state’s attorney<p>For a few minutes next week, as I explain at Da Tech Guy, I'll be a Democrat!</p><p>From my post at Da Tech Guy:</p><p><a href="https://datechguyblog.blog/2024/03/10/on-illinois-primary-day-im-choosing-a-democratic-ballot-so-i-can-vote-for-eileen-oneill-burke-for-cook-county-states-attorney/">On Illinois Primary day I’m choosing a Democratic ballot so I can vote for Eileen O’Neill Burke for Cook County state’s attorney</a>.</p><p><br /></p>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-55323065716991826842024-03-09T13:08:00.000-06:002024-03-09T13:08:00.139-06:00Matisyahu - King without a Crown (live)Last night, under the threat of protests from Hamas supporters, Jewish reggae and rap artist Matisyahu was forced to cancel his concert at the House of Blues in Chicago. <div><br /></div><div>That's quite ironic. As the blues--and Chicago is the home of the Blues--is the music of the oppressed. Not the mob.<div><br /></div><div>Here is Matisyahu performing "King without a Crown.<div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/dsFpUW48Tnc?si=pHJwsGmN9TgkG0Ri" width="480"></iframe></div></div></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-49453874183529880502024-03-08T09:33:00.002-06:002024-03-08T09:33:34.186-06:00Mark Dice: State of the union trainwreck!Joe Biden gave a mean-spirited State of the Union address, Mark Dice tells us.
However, the Republican response, but from Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, was an embarrassment.<div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/12SeKT8fW7o?si=mV3AI87bY6ezXgJU" width="480"></iframe></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-3491569302096380302024-03-07T08:09:00.002-06:002024-03-07T08:09:44.808-06:00Trump could be ‘one of the biggest political comebacks in US history’Sky News Australia analyzes the rise, again, of Donald J. Trump.<div><br /></div><div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/mPA89KmMaJg?si=3V9Q9_UZ69lLPZLc" width="480"></iframe></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-44986493443740723322024-03-06T07:50:00.001-06:002024-03-06T07:50:03.902-06:00Mark Dice: TRUMP VICTORY! Super Tuesday media meltdown - bye bye Nikki Haley, and moreDonald Trump will be the Republican nominee for president--and MSNBC is freaking out.<div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/C8Qi-h_-9wk?si=XwmLjU4q2dH0seys" width="480"></iframe></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-21793768138354992222024-03-05T08:49:00.004-06:002024-03-05T08:49:23.953-06:00'BLOCKBUSTER ADMISSION': Biden admin reportedly comes clean about secret migrant flightsMaria Bartiromo tells us about Joe Biden secretly flying over 300,000 illegal aliens to big cities.<div><br /><div> <iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/VSl57Ojulkg?si=NxlJrgzagKnnanFM" width="480"></iframe></div></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-86296758219897846832024-03-04T08:14:00.001-06:002024-03-04T08:14:07.198-06:00Three shot and at least 17 wounded over weekend in Chicago<p> The first weekend of meteorological spring in Chicago saw <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-shootings-this-weekend-violence-police/14487910/">three killed and at least 17 others wounded</a>. </p><p>Oh, if you click on the above link you'll see lower totals. The ABC Chicago story I linked to doesn't include the man <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/stevenson-expressway-shooting-i55-dusable-lake-shore-drive-chicago-news/14489740/">fatally shot in the head </a>while in a car on the inbound ramp to the Stevenson Expressway from Lake Shore Drive.</p><p>As for the other deadly shootings, a flash mob gathering in the South Loop resulted in the death of a 17-year-old boy. And on the Southwest Side a man who shot to death in a car in the Little Village neighborhood.</p><p><br /></p>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-80881172458770551412024-03-03T16:24:00.000-06:002024-03-03T16:24:12.833-06:00From Da Tech Guy: 13 great songs about getting old<p>Yes, I'm getting older. But over at Da Tech Guy I've compiled a soundtrack: </p><p><a href="https://datechguyblog.blog/2024/03/03/13-great-songs-about-getting-old/">13 great songs about getting old</a>.</p>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-5481148923889876132024-03-02T13:50:00.002-06:002024-03-03T16:50:13.979-06:00The Kinks - Where Have All the Good Times Gone (from One for the Road) Barring a major news development, over at Da Tech Guy on Sunday I'm writing a post where this great Kinks song, "Where Have all the Good Times Gone," will figure in.<div><br /></div><div>The live performance comes from their 1980 live album, <i>One for the Road</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was fortunate to see the blokes from Muswell Hill, London, that year in their tour to support that LP.<br /><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/kGhTS6UTWj4?si=2Zo99GgpMQEAj6-N" width="480"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>
<b>My related Da Tech Guy posts: </b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://datechguyblog.blog/2024/03/03/13-great-songs-about-getting-old/">13 great songs about getting old</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://datechguyblog.blog/2023/11/19/review-the-kinks-the-journey-part-1-and-2/">Review: The Kinks the Journey Part 1 and 2</a>
<div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><a href="https://datechguyblog.blog/2023/05/07/the-kinks-at-60-here-are-their-10-best-albums/">The Kinks at 60, here are their 10 best albums</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-53723335858015269972024-03-01T09:49:00.004-06:002024-03-01T20:15:09.266-06:00Lawfare against Trump: This is ‘fueling the rage’ in America, Jonathan TurleyIllinois, the state I am ashamed to live in, joins the lawfare against Trump.
Jonathan Turley explains.<div><br /></div><div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/hzMoaq8odLo?si=ywNcC2O11sCrpZq4" width="480"></iframe></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-65631152913235505842024-02-29T08:17:00.003-06:002024-02-29T08:17:53.945-06:00This is a 'huge win' for the Trump team: Criminal defense attorneyWhile Donald Trump was dealt some bad news yesterday <a href="https://marathonpundit.blogspot.com/2024/02/leftist-cook-county-judge-removes-trump.html">from a leftist Illinois judge</a>, Tracie Porter, earlier in the day he received some better news as he battles witch hunts.<div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/n5f-dqBs67Q?si=2rz3qI9fuj5FLpEo" width="480"></iframe></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-21780926884485446792024-02-28T19:57:00.000-06:002024-02-28T19:57:32.752-06:00Leftist Cook County judge removes Trump from Illinois Primary ballot<p>I am so ashamed to live in Illinois. </p><p>From <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/illinois-judge-removes-former-president-donald-trump-from-state-ballot-because-of-insurrectionist-ban">Fox News:</a></p>
<blockquote>Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter barred Trump from the Illinois ballot one month after the anti-Trump challenge was dismissed by the Illinois State Board of Elections. Illinois goes to the polls March 19.</blockquote>Not only has President Trump not been convicted of insurrection--which is why the leftist jurist booted him from the ballot--he hasn't been charged with it.Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-57025875310369175372024-02-28T08:09:00.005-06:002024-02-28T08:09:45.146-06:00Mark Dice: Biden attempts to alleviate concerns about his age on late night talk showMark Dice touches a lot of bases in his latest video. He goes after Joe Biden and his gaffes, and he tells us that Google's woke images go beyond the Genesis fiasco.<div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/RPwBxnDg5SY?si=psoRpps3RLXhMO2x" width="480"></iframe></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-56268284109093924942024-02-27T08:11:00.002-06:002024-02-27T08:11:31.615-06:00Italian TV brutally mocks Joe Biden's 'cognitive decline' in comedy skitAmerica's woke comedians won't poke fun at Joe Biden's clear physical and cognitive decline.<div><br /></div><div>Italians are not afraid to do so.<br /><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/SBKQcSfVlck?si=kn5y7jiR_azbkdLX" width="480"></iframe></div></div>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-39370739581425962282024-02-26T08:10:00.001-06:002024-02-26T08:10:28.438-06:00Four killed, including 14-year-old boy, and at least 18 shot over weekend in Chicago; there were two mass shootings<p>February's last weekend of the year saw <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-shootings-this-weekend-violence-police/14466679/">four people shot to death</a> and at least 18 others wounded.</p><p>Of the homicide victims, <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-shooting-today-west-chatham-vincennes-avenue/14468343/">three of them were killed in a mass shooting</a> on Sunday night in a Chatham home on the South Side. One of the slain was a 14-year-old boy. A fourth person was wounded.</p><p>The fourth deadly shooting occurred earlier on Sunday <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/rogers-park-shooting-chicago-today-pottawattomie/14467779/">when four people were shot</a> in Pottawattomie Park in Rogers Park on the Far North Side. One woman, a 19-year-old, was killed, one other woman and two men were killed.</p><p>It was a mild weekend and while spring hasn't graced Chicago for good yet, soon will see the disastrous effects of Illinois' SAFE-T Act, which abolished cash bail statewide. </p><p>The SAFE-T Act went into effect last fall.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10143237.post-14968490105798812782024-02-25T16:59:00.001-06:002024-02-25T16:59:23.262-06:00From Da Tech Guy: Chicago’s southern suburbs are the sewer of corrupt Illinois<p>At Da Tech Guy I swim into a cesspool: <a href="https://datechguyblog.blog/2024/02/25/chicagos-southern-suburbs-are-the-sewer-of-corrupt-illinois/">Chicago’s southern suburbs are the sewer of corrupt Illinois</a>.</p>Marathon Pundithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05994493157706065371noreply@blogger.com0