Marathon Pundit

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site Closing Sunday

This summer, squabbling by the tiny children in grown up clothes who run Illinois, the governor and the General Assembly, forced drastically cut hours, retreats from a seven-days a week schedule, and outright closings of many state parks and historical sites.

Several parks will close, possibly forever, tomorrow.

It could have been worse, but the end result may be the same in a year or so.

Funding from the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission will put most of the Lincoln sites on the same schedule they were on before "Blago" got his pen-knife out and started slashing. But remember that bicentennial is in the name, not tricentennial. Eventually that funding will dry up.

February 12 will mark the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

One Lincoln site was not issued a reprieve--the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historical Site near Charleston in Coles County. I've never been there, it was one of those "the next time in the area, I need to stop there" types of places. And I just a few miles away from there in May. Too late.

About the site: Shortly before reaching adulthood, Lincoln, his father Thomas, and his beloved stepmother, Sarah Bush Lincoln, left Indiana for Illinois. After his 21st birthday, Lincoln moved to New Salem near Springfield, while his parents finally put roots down in Coles County. Lincoln visited every year or two.

The cabin is a replica, the original was dismantled, sent to the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where it was lost, or accidentally used for firewood.

Idiocy in Illinois is not a passing fad.

The volunteers and employees at the site are giving it a loving send-off. But it's a shame this place is closing down, especially since the president-elect is basking in the glow of Lincoln comparisons.

Barack Obama has shown a real talent for fundraising, and I believe if he put his name behind it, he could shepherd adequate donations to reopen the Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site.

Compared to the cash he raised for his successful presidential campaign, all it would take is a pittance.

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Rep. Danny Davis Obama's replacement?

During a Thanksgiving Day meal at the Chicago Christian Industrial League, Gov. Rod Blagojevich referred to Rep. Danny K. Davis as "senator."

The West Side Chicago Democrat has made it very clear that he is interested in being appointed by "Blago" to fill the remainder of President-elect Barack Obama's Senate term.

Blago later said he hadn't made up his mind about Obama's replacement, but added that Davis would make a great senator.

As well as a great opponent for the Republican Party should Davis choose to run for a full term.

Davis took part in a coronation ceremony at the Dirsken Senate building where the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who believes he is the messiah, was crowned.

Davis supports the release from prison of convicted cop-killer Mumia abu-Jamal. Read about it here. Oh, is that Bernardine Dohrn's name on that list?

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Gov. Blagojevich: Ryan's sentence should be commuted

I have some catching up to do....

Governor Rod Blagojevich joined the bandwagon of those who want President Bush to commute the prison sentence of his predecessor, Republican George Ryan.

His fellow Democrat, Sen. Dick Durbin, got things rolling earlier this week when he said that he is considering asking Bush for the commutation.

Blagojevich, in his 2003 inaugural address lied to Illinoisans when he said "I will govern as a reformer," is under federal investigation himself.

"Blago" hasn't been indicted, let alone put on trial, but if he does end up behind bars, will his successor by asking President Obama for a get-out-of-jail-early-card?

Meanwhile in downtown Chicago, convicted political fixer Tony Rezko keeps talking...

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Friday, November 28, 2008

Jesse Jackson rival William Shaw dies

As I've noted here before, largely unnoticed by the national media, the Reverend Jesse Jackson has built a mini-machine on Chicago's South Side. His son, Jesse Jr., is a congressman. Junior's wife is a Chicago alderman and ward committeeman, and the Reverend James Meeks, a former Barack Obama spiritual advisor, is a state Senator who, at the encouragement of the Jacksons, ousted William Shaw from that seat 2002.

Shaw died of cancer in his south suburban Dolton home on Wednesday.

The Jacksons had run Shaw, and his identical twin brother Robert, out of politics, with the exception of the mayor's office in Dolton--William was mayor until his death.

Interesting side note: Like Bill Clinton and Mike Huckabee, the Shaws were born in Hope, Arkansas.

The elder Jacskon's political strength is a qustion mark now. His hot-mike comment about wishing to castrate Obama might weaken his mini-machine. We'll know soon. Cook County Commissioner William Beavers is the last South Side pol in office who openly opposes Jackson, he is up for reelection in 2010. The Democratic primary will be in February.

Related posts:

Momentous special election: 1995 Illinois' 2nd Congressional race

Obama's other spiritual mentors: Pfleger and Meeks

Jesse Jackson family castrates "hog with big nuts"

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Over the river and through the wood...Happy Thanksgiving!

Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandmother's house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.

Okay, there is no drifted snow in Morton Grove today, although we did get a trace of it last night, but almost all of it had melted by the time I reached Linne Woods this afternoon for my Thanksgiving Day 10 mile run.

As regular readers of Marathon Pundit know, that is the North Branch of the Chicago River under the foot bridge.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

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