Friday, April 26, 2024
Mark Dice on AI: I called it five years ago!
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
‘The Five’ reacts to Hillary Clinton’s ‘unhinged’ attack against Trump
Sunday, April 21, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: History awaits as Chicago White Sox might finish with worst MLB season ever
It will be a memorable year on the South Side.
From my post at Da Tech Guy: History awaits as Chicago White Sox might finish with worst MLB season ever.
Five for Fighting: "OK" Official music video
Chicago cop shot dead in uniform after shift, his car stolen
Cook County has, until December, a George Soros-funded catch and release prosecutor in Kim Foxx.
Chicago's City Council has several progressive anti-cop members. Its newly elected mayor, Brandon Johnson, said in 2020 that defund the police was "a political goal."
Overnight, a 31-year-old Chicago Police officer, Luis M. Huesca, a six-year veteran of the force, was shot to death at his home in the Gage Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side.
ShotSpotter, the gunfire detection system that Johnson and his leftist allies want to get rid of, alerted authorities of the homicide.
As Barack Obama famously said, "Elections have consequences." Chicagoans made a poor choice with Johnson. And those voters in wards with socialist alderpersons made a bad choice too.
The same goes for Pritzker and Foxx.
Six hours or so after Huesca's murder, Johnson, or more likely a staffer, issued a statement on X. In true leftist fashion, the statement blames the murder on "gun violence." Guns don't fire themselves; a thug pulled the trigger. In lefty-world, on one is ever at fault.We are deeply mourning the death of Officer Luis M. Huesca of the 5th District/Priority Response Team following an act of unconscionable gun violence in our city. No family or community should ever have to suffer such pain.
— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) April 21, 2024
Friday, April 19, 2024
‘Pathetic pathological liar’: Joe Biden blasted for claiming uncle was eaten by cannibals
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Chicago is not MAGA Country: Brandon Johnson blames recall push on the "extreme right wing"
I say nascent because the first step, to make it possible to recall a Chicago mayor, must first be approved by a referendum. After that recall, which, if the referendum collects over 56,000 signatures, another referendum, the real recall, will be held.
Johnson, who is notoriously thin-skinned, is blaming the push of the "extreme right wing" and "a dude in the suburbs."
That "dude" is a North Side man, Daniel Boland, who says he "votes straight down the middle."
Johnson's approval ratings hover around 20-percent. He campaigned on transparency--but he isn't. And while the murder rate is slightly down from the year before, other violent crimes are up. And Johnson seems to care more about the illegal alien migrants than the needs of Chicago residents.
Chicago, despite Jussie Smollet's claims, is not MAGA Country. In 2020, Joe Biden won over 80 percent of the vote.
Johnson is delusional.
Monday, April 15, 2024
7 dead and at least 36 others wounded over weekend in Chicago, including ninth mass shooting of the year
It was yet another violent weekend in Chicago, seeing seven people killed and at least 36 others wounded.
There was a mass shooting, likely gang-related, in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the Southwest Side. One girl, a nine-year-old, was killed. Ten others were wounded. It was the ninth mass shooting in Chicago this year, if the city was a state, it would trail only California in the number of mass shootings.
Illinois is the land of the no-cash bail SAFE-T Act and Cook County, until December, has a George Soros-funded catch-and release so-called prosecutor.
Weekends like this past one are the end result of that.
Sunday, April 14, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: Media malpractice on the Dexter Reed police shooting
The media is trying to turn Dexter Reed, was killed in a police shooting in Chicago last month, into the next George Floyd.
My analysis is at Da Tech Guy: Media malpractice on the Dexter Reed police shooting.
8-year-old girl dead and 10 others wounded in Chicago mass shooting
Last night, in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the Southwest Side, an 8-year-old girl was killed, and ten other people were wounded. Of the wounded, three were children, including two boys--a one-year-old and an eight-year-old--and a nine-year-old, whose gender has not as of yet been reported.
Police arrived on to the scene after a ShotSpotter alert. ShotSpotter is a controversial gunfire detection system hated by the left.
Chicago's new progressive mayor, Brandon Johson, campaigned on cancelling the ShotSpotter contract. He extended the contract into September, which means it will be in place for the Democratic National Convention in August.
What a city...
Beyond Chicago's city limits, Cook County is plagued by a woke George Soros-funded so-called prosecutor, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. Fortunately, for law-abding citizens, she chose not to run for a third term. The Democratic nominee for that post, Eileen O'Neill Burke, is expected to be an improvement over Foxx, but she doesn't take office until December.
As for Illinois, last autumn, the pro-criminal SAFE-T Act, which eliminates cash bail, went into effect. Violent crime rates typically go down as the temperatures fall--now they are headed up.
Chicagoans should prepare for a rough summer.
Correction April 15: Initial media reports said the victim, whose identity, Ariana Molina, is now known, was eight years old. She was nine. There mass shooting is being called "targeted" and it's believed to be gang related.
Saturday, April 13, 2024
The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon (Official Audio)
Friday, April 12, 2024
‘Embarrassing’: Joe Biden sits dazed and confused while ignoring questions
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Jesse Watters: Biden's real legacy is a lie
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
NPR has eliminated ‘diversity of thought’: Vivek Ramaswamy
Tuesday, April 09, 2024
Man accused of DUI and reckless homicide in accident that killed cop is free under no-bail Illinois SAFE-T Act
Illinois' Democrat governor, JB Pritzker, regularly brags about how he signed into law the first legislation that bans cash bail.
In the 2022 gubernatorial campaign, Pritzker repeatedly told an apocryphal story that the SAFE-T Act will prevent a mother from being held in jail for stealing diapers because she can't afford bill.
Then there is Nathan Sweeney of DeKalb, who has been charged with DUI and reckless homicide.
From NBC Chicago:
Nathan P. Sweeney, 44, was apprehended following the death of Deputy Christina Musil on March 28. Sheriff's officials said Musil was sitting inside her vehicle, parked on the right shoulder of southbound Illinois Route 23, when a single-unit Kenworth truck ran off the roadway for unknown reasons and struck her vehicle from behind.Musil was rushed to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and later pronounced dead. During the investigation following the collision, officers determined that Sweeney had been under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, authorities said.At a court hearing packed with Musil's family and friends on Monday, 23rd Judicial Circuit Court Judge Marcy Buick cited Illinois' SAFE-T Act and what it requires to be considered when deciding whether to detain someone prior to a trial, the newspaper reported.
More...
The Daily Chronicle reported that Buick listed a multitude of conditions that Sweeney must abide by while on release, including not operating a motor vehicle throughout the proceedings and submitting to at least three random drug tests per week.As for Pritzker, he ordered flags in Illinois to be flown at half-staff.
Gov. JB Pritzker ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Thursday, the same day the public is set to lay to rest the late DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy Christina Musil, who was killed in a car crash while on duty March 28. | Click the ... https://t.co/G6s5I8sm2Q
— Daily Chronicle - Shaw Local (@Daily_Chronicle) April 3, 2024
A far better action would be for the General Assembly to vote to repeal the SAFE-T Act--with Pritzker signing the legislation into law.
Monday, April 08, 2024
Two killed and at least 13 others wounded over weekend in Chicago
It's said that eclipses bring out the worst in folks.
But in Chicago the shooters didn't wait for today's long-anticipated eclipse to cause mayhem.
Over the weekend two people were shot to death and at least others were wounded.
Of the fatalities, both were males, one on the South Side and the other on the West Side.
Sunday, April 07, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: Chicago’s mayor Brandon Johnson asks, “Who expected me to defeat white supremacy in one year?”
There he goes again. My latest at Da Tech Guy on Chicago's leftist mayor:
Chicago’s mayor Brandon Johnson asks, "Who expected me to defeat white supremacy in one year?"
Saturday, April 06, 2024
Smash Mouth - Walkin' On The Sun (Official Music Video)
Friday, April 05, 2024
"Am I Happy with the State of America Today... No" Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Thursday, April 04, 2024
Greg Kelly exposes the truth between Jill and Joe Biden's love
Wednesday, April 03, 2024
White House erases Joe Biden's 'oyster bunnies' gaffe from records
Tuesday, April 02, 2024
RFK Jr. reveals why he thinks Biden is a bigger threat than Trump
Monday, April 01, 2024
Four killed and at 28 least others wounded over Easter weekend in Chicago, two mass shootings
The first Easter after the passing of Illinois' pro-criminal SAFE-T Act was sadly a quite violent one. Four people were shot to death in Chicago and there were two mass shootings as well. At least 28 people were wounded.
As for the mass shootings, early on Easter Sunday, five women were shot, one fatally, in Austin on the West Side. Later on Easter, there was another Austin mass shooting, where four people were wounded. Mayor Brandon lives in Austin, by the way.
Of the other deadly shootings, a 29-year-old man was shot to death Friday night in Gresham, and there was another Gresham killing on Saturday afternoon.
I haven't found any details on the fourth shooting.
There's a bit of good news, although the victim is in critical condition. A man was shot nine times on the West Side. Amazingly, he drove himself to the hospital. Let's hope he recovers, as with other wounded victims.
Sunday, March 31, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: Republicans who voted Eileen O’Neill Burke to victory in Cook County, Illinois offer a lesson to blue state conservatives
It's time to take a look back at Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos" strategy from 2008.
From my post at Da Tech Guy: Republicans who voted Eileen O’Neill Burke to victory in Cook County, Illinois offer a lesson to blue state conservatives.
Saturday, March 30, 2024
The Rainmakers - Lakeview Man
Friday, March 29, 2024
‘It’s embarrassing’: Joe Biden ‘making stuff up’ about Baltimore bridge
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Sean Hannity: RFK, Jr. has Biden worried
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
DNC calls reveals panic over RFK Jr.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Ald. Nicole Lee admits the obvious on Chicago's Gaza ceasefire resolution: "We were never going to solve Middle East peace at the City Council of Chicago"
Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) |
"We were never going to solve Middle East peace," Lee said, "at the City Council of Chicago." The relevant passage is at the 44-minute mark of the March 25 edition of the podcast.
America's third-largest city faces numerous major challenges, including rampant violent crime, widespread shoplifting and car jackings, schools that don't teach, crumbling infrastructure, significantly underfunded public worker pensions, and not surprisingly, a declining population.
But the Chicago City Council, that corrupt legislative body where an alderperson is sent to prison every 18 months or so, found the time to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. And Mayor Brandon Johnson had to cast a rare City Council tie-breaking vote to put it over the top, after reportedly convincing a couple of "no" alderpersons to miss the vote, which was held on January 31.
SNL, which rarely criticizes leftists, responded a few days later. Weekend Update anchor, Michael Che, responded to the vote with this quip: "And in return, Gaza called for a ceasefire in Chicago."
Earlier in the Joravsky podcast--at the 39-minute mark--Lee said, "I received probably 12,000 emails, probably 400 calls, to my office, all in support, asking me to support the ceasefire."
Interesting. The implied meaning here is that every call and every email Lee received was in support of the Gaza ceasefire resolution. I find that hard to believe.
Lee tries to play both sides of the longstanding conflict in the Holy Land, mentioning in the podcast that she voted for the October City Council resolution that denounced the Hamas attack, which was drafted by that body's only Jewish member, Debra Silverstein (50th). The alderperson also said that before her vote on the ceasefire resolution, she watched the 43-minute long Israel Defense Force video that showed graphic details of the terror attack on Israeli civilians.
If you oppose Lee's vote on the Gaza ceasefire resolution, you may want to reach out to her. The alderperson's contact information is here.
Israel and Hamas are still at war in Gaza. But you knew that already.
Monday, March 25, 2024
Mark Dice: Trump Just Made 3 BILLION Dollars, and the Democrats are FURIOUS!
Sunday, March 24, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: Voting irregularities and worse in Cook County as the winner of the Dem Primary for state’s attorney remains unknown
The more things change...
From my post at Da Tech Guy: Voting irregularities and worse in Cook County as the winner of the Dem Primary for state’s attorney remains unknown.
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Drop box or mail-in ballots just "found" in Chicago that may effect razor-thin Cook County state's attorney race
Primary election Day was Tuesday in Illinois
Eileen O'Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III are the Democratic candidates for Cook County state's attorney. Cook County is Chicago and the inner suburbs. I live in Cook and I voted for Burke, as Harris promises to continue the pro-criminal "prosecution" policies of Jussie Smollett's protector, Kim Foxx.
Mail-in ballots are still being counted, currently O'Neill Burke, a retired state appellate judge is leading by about 4,000 votes. Mail-in ballots are still arriving.
But suddenly thousands of drop box ballots have just been discovered. Or are they mail-in ballots?
Details are still coming in. But right now, this story is combining the debacles of the 2000 Florida presidential election recounts and the 2020 Trump-Biden race.
Really?
Chicago is not Alaska, even if you are walking, you can make it to downtown from the farthest place within city limits in a few hours on asphalt or concrete--while carrying drop box ballots.
And barbells.
From the Twitter feed of Ald. Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward.
After counting what was ostensibly the remaining mail-in ballots, Eileen O’Neill Burke maintains a lead of more than 4,000. BUT…election staff now say they have "found" thousands of ballots with no postmarks, that were placed in drop boxes. They intend to count them tomorrow.
after counting what was ostensibly the remaining mail-in ballots, Eileen O’Neill Burke maintains a lead of more than 4,000. BUT…election staff now say they have “found” thousands of ballots with no postmarks, that were placed in drop boxes. They intend to count them tomorrow.
— Alderman Hopkins (@AldermanHopkins) March 23, 2024
More from Twitter, from the Chicago Board of Elections Twitter feed:
Statement from Max Bever, Director of Public Information, Chicago Board of Elections:I traded speed for accuracy in reporting out numbers this week as quickly as I could. I truly regret this error on my part and for the confusion that it has caused the voters of Chicago. I will share updated numbers only when they are accurate and verified.
— Chicago Board of Elections (@ChicagoElection) March 23, 2024
UPDATE March 24:Correction: after counting what was stated as most of the remaining mail-in & dropbox ballots, EOB holds a 4,000+ lead. BUT…election staff told me they misstated the total number of remaining ballots, and 14,710 more (most are dropbox, so not postmarked) still must be counted.
— Alderman Hopkins (@AldermanHopkins) March 24, 2024
Robert Earl Keen, 1952 Vincent Black Lightning (Bluegrass Underground)
Friday, March 22, 2024
Letitia James will get Trump re-elected: Charlie Hurt
Thursday, March 21, 2024
This shows an ‘influence-peddling scheme’: GOP lawmaker
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Mark Dice on the "bloodshed" hoax: They're doubling down
Monday, March 18, 2024
Chicago 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"
Vacant apartment building, Chicago's West Side |
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.
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.
Downtown retail vacancy rates are at 30 percent.
But don't worry, Martin tells Joravasky in his March 14 edition of his podcast. It's "okay" if Chicago collects a little less money from downtown, even in the short term.
"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.
That's okay, Martin adds, because he cares, adding, "But the city will continue to be very mindful of how we support all of our communities including downtown." Yep, leftists always care.
The relevant portion of the podcast begins at the 23-minute mark.
Chicago faces a deficit of at least $500 million.
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."
According to leaked Chicago Teachers Union documents, revenue from Bring Chicago Home could be used to provide housing funds for its members.
I'm urging Chicago voters to vote "No" on Bring Chicago Home.
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Van Morrison – Up County Down (Live on Later)
From Da Tech Guy: Chicago Teachers Union molding Soviet-style Young Pioneers
Saturday, March 16, 2024
The Pogues: Thousands Are Sailing
Friday, March 15, 2024
Judge's 'disjointed' ruling in Willis case raises more questions
Thursday, March 14, 2024
‘JIG IS UP’: Bartiromo exposes Biden’s motive for wide open border
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Overnight Chicago carnage: 5 killed and another 5 wounded
The disastrous effects of Illinois' SAFE-T Act, which abolishes cash bail, are evident in Chicago.
A court challenge delayed implementation of the SAFE-T Act until mid-September, just as temperatures are cooling and the murder rate goes down.
Tuesday saw unseasonably warm weather to Chicago--and violence.
Overnight--from 6pm Tuesday through this morning, five people were fatally shot and another five were wounded.
Things will only get worse as summer approaches.
In August, the Democrat National Convention comes to Chicago.
I'm just saying.
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Fourth migrant measles case in Chicago shelter, disease was declared "eliminated" in USA by CDC in 2000
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, there have been four cases of measles identified.
There has been an additional fifth Chicago measles victim.
In 2000, the CDC declared that measles was eliminated from the United States. There have been cases of measles in America since then, apparently all of them originated from foreign visitors.
Nationwide, according to a CDC announcement last week, there have been 45 cases of measles identified in 17 states.
Measles kills 200,000 people yearly, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Monday, March 11, 2024
Trump meets with Laken Riley's family before Georgia rally
Sunday, March 10, 2024
From 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
For a few minutes next week, as I explain at Da Tech Guy, I'll be a Democrat!
From my post at Da Tech Guy:
Saturday, March 09, 2024
Matisyahu - King without a Crown (live)
Friday, March 08, 2024
Mark Dice: State of the union trainwreck!
Thursday, March 07, 2024
Trump could be ‘one of the biggest political comebacks in US history’
Wednesday, March 06, 2024
Mark Dice: TRUMP VICTORY! Super Tuesday media meltdown - bye bye Nikki Haley, and more
Tuesday, March 05, 2024
'BLOCKBUSTER ADMISSION': Biden admin reportedly comes clean about secret migrant flights
Monday, March 04, 2024
Three shot and at least 17 wounded over weekend in Chicago
The first weekend of meteorological spring in Chicago saw three killed and at least 17 others wounded.
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 fatally shot in the head while in a car on the inbound ramp to the Stevenson Expressway from Lake Shore Drive.
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.
Sunday, March 03, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: 13 great songs about getting old
Yes, I'm getting older. But over at Da Tech Guy I've compiled a soundtrack:
Saturday, March 02, 2024
The Kinks - Where Have All the Good Times Gone (from One for the Road)
Friday, March 01, 2024
Lawfare against Trump: This is ‘fueling the rage’ in America, Jonathan Turley
Thursday, February 29, 2024
This is a 'huge win' for the Trump team: Criminal defense attorney
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Leftist Cook County judge removes Trump from Illinois Primary ballot
I am so ashamed to live in Illinois.
From Fox News:
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.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.
Mark Dice: Biden attempts to alleviate concerns about his age on late night talk show
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Italian TV brutally mocks Joe Biden's 'cognitive decline' in comedy skit
Monday, February 26, 2024
Four killed, including 14-year-old boy, and at least 18 shot over weekend in Chicago; there were two mass shootings
February's last weekend of the year saw four people shot to death and at least 18 others wounded.
Of the homicide victims, three of them were killed in a mass shooting 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.
The fourth deadly shooting occurred earlier on Sunday when four people were shot 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.
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.
The SAFE-T Act went into effect last fall.
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Fleetwood Mac ~ What Makes You Think You're the One ~ 1979 rehearsal
Friday, February 23, 2024
Mark Dice on Vice News: They shut it down! 😂
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Undecided voters support Trump after town hall: He had 'strength'
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Review, two novels by Adam Jonathan Kaat: Life on the Grocery Line and The Patron Saints of Grocery
Other novels, Mark Twain's fiction comes to mind, centers on the common man, such as Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. Or I should of course now say, the common person.
Adam Jonathan Kaat's first two novels, Life on the Grocery Lane and The Patron Saints of Grocery, are also such works.
Kaat's lead character, an anti-hero of course, is Daniel, a corporate refugee and aspiring novelist from San Francisco who lands in Denver as a front-line employee at the fictional Dream Grocers, which to me appears to be a cross between Whole Foods and Costco.
Daniel, like all of the characters in this book--well, like all people who work in retail--finds himself at Dream Grocers because he needs the money and not because it's a career choice. Daniel starts his new job the same week the COVID-19 lockdowns begin. Suddenly he's an essential worker.
In spite of the pandemic, or maybe more so because of it, a few days into the lockdown the temperament of the upper middle class--and beyond--clientele of Dream Grocers becomes even more sour.
You've heard of "Karens," the catchall term for snooty and pesty white females, which ironically became cemented into American slang in the pandemic year of 2020. Daniel is told by his co-workers that Dream Grocers have three groups of clientele: Lindas, Daves--who are usually married to each other--and Normans. The former parade their superiority over the rabble who make up the supermarket's workforce as their perceived right.
As Kaat tells us thru Daniel:
When I think of a Linda, I imagine her wearing a fur coat as she walks around a Walmart with her tiny dog. That mutt has a serious viral infection that's contagious, but Linda doesn't care. In her mind, she exemplifies excellence, but in actuality she doesn't possess a single nice or meaningful thing, because everything she claims as her own is painted ugly by her abuse of others. She knows people, and she is known. Respect is expected but not earned, because she tried for a while and stepped on whomever to get where she is now. Continued effort to improve is not in her wheelhouse.
Linda is an idea. She is a caricature of unearned exceptionalism with the demand of a grizzled veteran. She is very American. Wild tastes with a narrow mind. Elite. Unsettling in the truth she reveals about the way we treat others in service positions. Linda is an unexamined life.
I worked many years in retail, and I encountered many Lindas.
As for the Normans, they're a senior version of the Lindas and Daves. Daniel's first manager, Alejandro, comforts Dave after run-in with one. "He hates his life even as he swims in luxury you could never understand," Alejandro explains, "and at our store, he's the norm."
Daniel's social life is meager---it's centered on his neighbors and other Dream Grocers workers. The lockdowns limit his choices as do the extra hours assigned because of the COVID restrictions. Yet he enjoys a bit of romance, or rather, sex, and a lot of abuse of alcohol and recreational drugs.
In the second novel, Daniel continues his journey in the aisles as he moves up a wrung on the retail later. During lockdowns, just as in war, promotion comes quickly.
Kaat touches on this sentiment in the introduction of the second edition of Life on the Grocery Line: his two Dream Grocers novels decades from now will probably be viewed by historians as an accurate look of how people endured during the COVID year of 2020. We are approaching the fourth anniversary of the first shelter-in-place orders--and that unhappy time seems so long ago.
Two thumbs up for two books by Adam Jonathan Kaat from me. And if you've suffered or are still suffering as a retail employee, then you'll give Life on the Grocery Line and The Patron Saints of Grocery four thumbs up.
Life on the Grocery Line and The Patron Saints of Grocery are available at Amazon.
Monday, February 19, 2024
Texas constructing military base camp at southern border
Sunday, February 18, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: Norovirus and my cruise ship trip
Or I went on an ocean voyage and all I got was a sickness.
From my post at Da Tech Guy:
Norovirus and my cruise ship trip.
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Rhonda Vincent - The City of New Orleans
Saturday, February 10, 2024
The Clash: Jail Guitar Doors
Sunday, February 04, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: Journalism’s “extinction event” will lead to new and better choices for news
Bring it on!
From my post at Da Tech Guy:
Saturday, February 03, 2024
Van Morrison: March Winds in February
Friday, February 02, 2024
These boys ripped down a tampon dispenser in their high school bathroom
Thursday, February 01, 2024
Mark Dice on cities and migrants: They can't ignore it anymore!
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Migrant crisis: The Biden admin 'created this nightmare'
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Mark Dice: The Democrats' latest scheme to take down Trump is beyond a farce!
Monday, January 29, 2024
Two shot to death and at least 12 others wounded over weekend in Chicago
Over this past weekend in Chicago, two people were shot to death.
Early Saturday morning a 28-year-old was found dead in Auburn-Gresham with a gunshot wound to the chest. And on Sunday, about 24 hours later, just to the north another man, also with a gunshot wound to the chest, was discovered dead in Englewood, after driving his pickup truck into a tree.
Citywide there were at least 12 people wounded by gunfire.
Not included in the weekend totals were the two male students, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, who were fatally shot while leaving Innovations High School Friday afternoon in the Loop.
Sunday, January 28, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: Leftist group of Chicago municipal staffers cheers on students cutting class to attend Gaza ceasefire rally
Then again, what will these kids learn in school?
From my post at Da Tech Guy: Leftist group of Chicago municipal staffers cheers on students cutting class to attend Gaza ceasefire rally.
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Van Morrison: "Magic Time" live, BBC Four sessions
Friday, January 26, 2024
'Race is over': Nikki Haley trailing behind Trump in home state of South Carolina
Thursday, January 25, 2024
'The Five': Pelosi gets 'confused' while questioning Trump's mental fitness
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Megyn Kelly: Georgia DA Fani Willis could be deposed in divorce case of her prosecutor
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Dems created a monster and now he's turning on them: Gutfeld
Monday, January 22, 2024
Mark Dice: DeSantis quits! - Trump forgives! - Nikki Haley in denial and stays IN - Here's what's next for 2024
Sunday, January 21, 2024
From Da Tech Guy: Chicago mainstream media ignores rumors that Mayor Brandon Johnson has suffered panic attacks
Panic time in Chicago?
From my post at Da Tech Guy: Chicago mainstream media ignores rumors that Mayor Brandon Johnson has suffered panic attacks.
Saturday, January 20, 2024
John Prine - "Hello in There" live
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Reporter grills Karine Jean-Pierre over admin falsely blaming Texas officials for migrant deaths
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Vivek with Tucker: “We’re on the Cusp of a Revolution”
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Mark Dice: Trump massive victory at Iowa Caucus, Vivek endorses him! - Nikki Haley delusional
Sunday, January 14, 2024
From Da Tech Guy, Damning OIG report leads to an obvious conclusion: Chicago Public Schools system has too much money
Chicago is a cesspool in so many ways.
From my post at Da Tech Guy:
Damning OIG report leads to an obvious conclusion: Chicago Public Schools system has too much money.
Saturday, January 13, 2024
The Tremeloes - Here Comes My Baby (1967)
Friday, January 12, 2024
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Doocy GRILLS White House: Why should we believe you?
Tuesday, January 09, 2024
Black voters rejecting Biden: 'Everything was better' under Trump
Monday, January 08, 2024
'NO ONE KNEW': Biden, WH, reps unaware about Lloyd Austin's hospitalization
Sunday, January 07, 2024
From Da Tech Guy, Ouch-ouch: Failures of Latvia’s new electric trains serve as a warning for the rest of us
I return to Europe for my weekly post at Da Tech Guy: Failures of Latvia’s new electric trains serve as a warning for the rest of us.
Saturday, January 06, 2024
XTC - Real by Reel - Paris 1979
Friday, January 05, 2024
Sen. Kennedy: Biden is 'running out of toes to shoot off'
Thursday, January 04, 2024
Mark Dice: Billionaire activist has awakening about diversity agenda - and is now on on a new mission
Wednesday, January 03, 2024
‘Atrocious’: CNN reporter blames ‘sloppy attribution’ for Harvard University president resignation
Tuesday, January 02, 2024
Book review, American Refugees: The Untold Story of the Mass Migration from Blue to Red States by Roger L. Simon
Still, deep down, I had no real idea why I had chosen Tennessee, and not say, Florida or South Carolina, other than that wife and daughter favored the former. Had Tennessee, bizarre as it may sound, chosen me? Or maybe it was all random. Regardless, I had had enough of California and needed to get out.
Simon then takes us on a Nashville journey, as well a diversion to its wealthy former exurb, now a suburb, Franklin. In American Refugees, Simon does ponder whether a second American Civil War is coming. Ironically, Franklin and Nashville were the sites of two pivotal Civil War battles--both Union victories.
Simon meets a lot of people as he familiarizes himself in Tennessee. including connecting with "Rocky Top," a Tennesse blogger who writes anonymously. Rocky Top recounts a story about two Californians who moved to a small town in the Volunteer State. "'We're from California,' she said, before adding quicky, 'But we're not bringing California values with us...in case you were wondering.'"
Simon discovers that the established Republican establishment tends to be less conservative than the new GOPers--the refugees. Those fed up with failed government in California, as well as New York and my own Illinois, have stronger faith in conservatism.
Later in the book, Simon recalls a conversation with Glenn Reynolds, the Instapundit and University of Tennessee law professor, who used to favor kiosks to greet Blue State refugees in Tennessee. It turns out, at least for now, they aren't needed.
For now, I'd like to add, they aren't needed.
DuPage County, Illinois, like Orange County in southern California, used to be a solid Republican stronghold. Used to be. For generations, Chicagoans from heavily Democratic Chicago left for DuPage County Either those Chicagoans were part of the GOP minority in the city, or they saw the light once they put down roots in the western suburbs. Up until maybe 20 years ago, you'd see lawn signs there declaring, "If you like DuPage County, thank a Republican." But Democrats have taken over DuPage, bad schools, crime, and wokeness followed.
Tennessee needs such signs. And of course, Tennessee needs to continue to produce good, if not great governing, such as not having a state income tax. Marsha Blackburn, now a US Senator, while a member of the state legislature, played a key role in blocking its implementation, Simon notes.
There are some fish-out-of-water contrasts in American Refugees. Simon is floored over how much more friendly Tennesseans are. Although he might think a bit differently if he attended a Nashville Predators game wearing Chicago Blackhawks sweaters when the Blackhawks visit, as my wife and I did a few years ago.
If you want to immerse yourself in the political folkways and psyche of Tennessee, then Roger L. Simon's American Refugees is the book you need.
My wife and I live just north of Chicago. We are fed up with Illinois, and you probably know why. If you don't, here is why: Illinois has an income tax, in addition to high property and gasoline taxes, as well as rampant crime, and abject political corruption. Some people stay, despite the threats to themselves. Abandoning friends and family, being the biggest reason. Simon covers those who stay in Blue States,
Because of my right-of-center political views, I have fewer friends now. As for my wife, an immigrant from Latvia, moving away means leaving behind a reasonably large Latvian community in Chicago. Reasonably large, because there are few Latvian-Americans.
But I've noticed in my trips to the South that the southern United States is filled with clubs and organizations, something Simon touches on in American Refugees. Simon plays tennis, I'm a runner. I can find a new running club.
In short, we can meet new friends. And Tennessee tops our list for our next, and likely final, home,
One of my wife's Latvian friends, who lives in Michigan, is considering moving to a university town east of Nashville where her son lives. If we relocate to that city too, then there will be a Latvian community of three there. It's start.
Sports is one warm connection I still maintain with Chicago. I suspect it's a bluff, but the Chicago White Sox want a new taxpayer-funded ballpark and they have mentioned--this story will sound very familiar--that they'll move to a different city if Chicago and Illinois officials don't cough up giveaways. If the South Siders move to the South, to Nashville, as I remarked over at Da Tech Guy blog, I might be already living in Tennessee to welcome them.
Simon concludes American Refugees with thoughts about Chicago.
As for the refugee flow--given the recent mayoral election in Chicago, with Brandon Johnson (a former public school teacher and union organizer who tends to have more sympathy with criminals than their victims) defeating former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas (who campaigned on public safety for the bloody streets of that city), not to mention political mayhem in New York, California, San Francisco, and many other blue state redoubts--it is highly unlikely to stop.
American Refugees: The Untold Story of the Mass Migration from Blue to Red States is available on Amazon.com.
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