Marathon Pundit: July 2013

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Durbin compares energy drink companies to tobacco firms

Durbin--can you read?

Senate Democrats won't confront real problems are nation is facing, such as runaway deficit spending, the ObamaCare "train wreck," and a recovery from a recession that has never taken hold.

But they have time to attack energy drinks such as Red Bull:

From The Hill:

Democrats in the Senate want energy drink companies to stop marketing their products to children, a trend they likened to covert marketing once used by the cigarette industry.

"We were all veterans of the tobacco wars,” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told a Senate panel on Wednesday. "Remember when the tobacco companies used to tell us 'Oh we're not interested in kids'? We knew better. We knew if they could get them hooked early on it would become an addiction and one hard to break. We're getting the same runaround from these energy drink companies. They are openly advertising to kids and denying it."

Does Red Bull advertise on Nick Jr.?

Illinois voters have the chance to toss Durbin out of Washington next year. Businessman and West Point grad Doug Truax is seeking the Republican nomination for the Senate. Click here to visit his Facebook page. Click here to contribute to his campaign.

Related post:

(Video) Doug Truax for US Senate

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ILL-inois: Dem legislative big shots sue Dem governor to get dem paychecks

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, who last year said he was "put on earth" to fix the state's woefully underfunded, told the state comptroller, a Republican by the way, to withhold the paychecks of all state legislators until they pass pension reform.

Quinn, the the leaders of both houses of the General Assembly, are Chicago Democrats.

Needless to say, the legislators aren't buying into Quinn's payroll robbery.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Tuesday as Illinois' two top legislative leaders filed a lawsuit challenging Gov. Pat Quinn's decision to withhold lawmakers' paychecks until they send him a measure to overhaul the highly indebted government worker pension system.

House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton cast the issue as a Civics 101 lesson, arguing that denying pay undermines the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. The two Chicago Democrats want a Cook County judge to overturn Quinn's action and grant an injunction forcing Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka to issue paychecks — with interest if there's a delay. The first check lawmakers are scheduled to miss would be cut Thursday.

"If the governor's line-item veto is upheld, the independence of each member of the General Assembly is forever compromised. Any governor will hold a trump card over a co-equal branch of government, attempting to bend the members of the General Assembly to his or her will with the threat of eliminating their salaries, which for some legislators is their only source of income," the lawsuit states.

"In this particular instance, Governor Quinn has stated that his dispute with the General Assembly is over the lack of pension reform legislation. Next time it may be gun control, abortion rights or tax policy," the suit states.

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Monday, July 29, 2013

Fundamental change: AP reports on declining economic security in USA

This is Obama's "fundamental change."

From AP:

Four out of 5 U.S. adults struggle with joblessness, near-poverty or reliance on welfare for at least parts of their lives, a sign of deteriorating economic security and an elusive American dream.

Survey data exclusive to The Associated Press points to an increasingly globalized U.S. economy, the widening gap between rich and poor, and the loss of good-paying manufacturing jobs as reasons for the trend.

The findings come as President Barack Obama tries to renew his administration's emphasis on the economy, saying in recent speeches that his highest priority is to "rebuild ladders of opportunity" and reverse income inequality.

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Chicago under Rahm; Less cash, fewer arrests, more debt

What has two years of Rahm Emanuel as mayor meant for Chicago. The Chicago Sun-Times tells us: City of Chicago’s cash cushion plummets, debt triples, arrests drop, water use rises.

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Sunday, July 28, 2013

(Exclusive photos) Restored prairie mowed: Morton Grove's crop circles

Two days ago the Chicago Tribune--paid subscription required--wrote of the diligence of volunteers with the blessing of Cook County Forest Preserve District who wish to rid the woods and meadows of invasive species so native plants can thrive.

Among the weapons used are prescribed burns. But lawnmowers are not included in the arsenal of dedicated naturalists.

For the second time in three years, a lawnmower--or a tractor--has run amok at the Linne Woods restored tallgrass prairie in Morton Grove. Only this time instead of communing with nature, the four-wheeled vandal might have been reaching for the sky--could a message be in these vile mowings?

Now there is always a chance--a remote one--that this action was sanctioned by the District or qualified volunteers. But I doubt it.

Who did it? A rogue CCFPD employee? A drunk mower?

The sign says, "Ecological Restoration, why do we do it? Behind it is mowed grassland.

This sign reads, "This area has been planted with native grasses and wildflowers to improve erosion control, provide wildlife habitat, reduce maintenance costs, and restore our natural heritage. Please do not mow or disturb, but do enjoy its beauty."

Some folks can't read or just don't care.