When I lived in Chicago, Mary Ann Smith was my alderman. Too bad I'm no longer a constituent, because she'd be hearing from me.
Ald. Smith has been "working with animal rights groups," according to the Chicago Sun-Times, in developing an ordinance that would require any elephant brought into the city (that means by circuses) to give each elephant 10 acres of wandering space (half indoor, half outdoor). Smith tells the Sun-Times meeting this requirement would be "difficult." Many circuses have 10 or twenty elephants.
Chicago, obviously, does not have much in the way of open space. Cities with 3 million people tend to be that way.
Smith apparently doesn't have the guts to propose a bill banning elephants in the city. Doesn't matter. If the bill passes, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus will never put the Greatest Show on Earth on in Chicago again; they'll put the show on in the suburbs.
(Personal note: My eight year-old daughter and I got to see the circus last November and we had a great time. David, the star clown, called me onto the stage to participate in a comedy routine. The circus is great.)
PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals hates circuses with animals, and of course is very supportive of Smith's backhanded way to keep elephants out of Chicago. PETA wants everyone to be a non-leather wearing vegetarian, too. And a whole bunch of other things. If you have to know, visit PETA's web site.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Must be the first name: 9/11 "artist" Kerry Skarbakka tries to spin his way out of a mess
I blogged on this yesterday morning about Chicago "artist" Kerry Skarbakka, who stages mock falls off buildings as some sick tribute to the September 11, 2001 WTC tragedy.
Well, according to NBC 5, Kerry, like his quasi-namesake Senator John Kerry, is singing a different tune, out of both sides of his mouth of course.
From NBC 5:
Skarbakka, 35, captures photographs of himself in mid-fall -- off of ladders, bridges, cliffs, and now, buildings. On Tuesday, he repeatedly jumped off the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago while wearing a harness under a business suit.
A reporter from New York thought Skarbakka's stunt paralleled 9/11.
Skarbakka, who lives in Brooklyn, said Thursday that his words were taken out of context.
"I'm sitting here reading forum submissions from people who hate me so badly, they want me to die the worst death ever. I've never received this before. These poor people that are suffering --their pain, their wounds that have been opened by something that was caused by a newspaper, not by me; I did nothing wrong. I was doing a performance piece that had nothing to do with 9/11."
But NBC 5 has "the goods" on Kerry S. This is what Kerry told NBC 5 Chicago reporter Amy Jacobson on Tuesday.
"The series really began as a response to the events of Sept. 11. This is really my way, as an artist, to respond responsibly to what I think is a really important change in our world," he said. "I'd like to say, and I'd like to be understood that the work resulted from that experience. The idea became ... it was born."
Kerry S. has been getting all kinds of nasty calls and e-mails, as well as death threats. That needs to stop. But Kerry S. needs to come clean as well, and stop being, well, Kerry-esque.
Well, according to NBC 5, Kerry, like his quasi-namesake Senator John Kerry, is singing a different tune, out of both sides of his mouth of course.
From NBC 5:
Skarbakka, 35, captures photographs of himself in mid-fall -- off of ladders, bridges, cliffs, and now, buildings. On Tuesday, he repeatedly jumped off the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago while wearing a harness under a business suit.
A reporter from New York thought Skarbakka's stunt paralleled 9/11.
Skarbakka, who lives in Brooklyn, said Thursday that his words were taken out of context.
"I'm sitting here reading forum submissions from people who hate me so badly, they want me to die the worst death ever. I've never received this before. These poor people that are suffering --their pain, their wounds that have been opened by something that was caused by a newspaper, not by me; I did nothing wrong. I was doing a performance piece that had nothing to do with 9/11."
But NBC 5 has "the goods" on Kerry S. This is what Kerry told NBC 5 Chicago reporter Amy Jacobson on Tuesday.
"The series really began as a response to the events of Sept. 11. This is really my way, as an artist, to respond responsibly to what I think is a really important change in our world," he said. "I'd like to say, and I'd like to be understood that the work resulted from that experience. The idea became ... it was born."
Kerry S. has been getting all kinds of nasty calls and e-mails, as well as death threats. That needs to stop. But Kerry S. needs to come clean as well, and stop being, well, Kerry-esque.
Durbin could've been Kerry's running mate?
I follow politics closely, especially in Illinois, and this is the first I've heard of this twist on Election 2004. From the same Chicago Tribune article referenced in the previous post.
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) was so impressed with Durbin's skills that he confided to a Chicago fundraising audience not long ago that he badly wanted to pick Durbin as his running mate but passed him over because he didn't think the nation could tolerate two Roman Catholics on the ticket.
Dick Durbin was never on any published "short list" of running mate choices that I saw. Okay, yeah, maybe Kerry was seriously considering Illinois' Durbin and never told anyone, but I'm pretty sure it's just another instance Nuance-boy's twisting of the truth.
And sorry Senator Kerry, America is long past the time where one, or even two Roman Catholic candidates on a presidential ticket is viewed as a negative.
Here are some more reasons why Kerry is probably lying:
1) Kerry was going to win Illinois anyway
2) Durbin (see previous post) like Kerry has no substantial legislative record to speak of.
3) Durbin is a drip
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) was so impressed with Durbin's skills that he confided to a Chicago fundraising audience not long ago that he badly wanted to pick Durbin as his running mate but passed him over because he didn't think the nation could tolerate two Roman Catholics on the ticket.
Dick Durbin was never on any published "short list" of running mate choices that I saw. Okay, yeah, maybe Kerry was seriously considering Illinois' Durbin and never told anyone, but I'm pretty sure it's just another instance Nuance-boy's twisting of the truth.
And sorry Senator Kerry, America is long past the time where one, or even two Roman Catholic candidates on a presidential ticket is viewed as a negative.
Here are some more reasons why Kerry is probably lying:
1) Kerry was going to win Illinois anyway
2) Durbin (see previous post) like Kerry has no substantial legislative record to speak of.
3) Durbin is a drip
Moron Durbin
Or more on Durbin....(Brainster uses "moron" within this context a lot.)
The Chicago Tribune had an extensive profile on Democratic Senator Dick Durbin in today's edition.
If you're interested in learning about what legislation the Illinois Democrat has had turned into law, you won't find anything in this article about that. Could it be, just possibly, that Durbin has no legislative accomplishments?
Here is a telling excerpt from the Tribune article:
Durbin has spent most of his adult life in and around legislatures. During college and law school at Georgetown University, he worked for Sen. Paul Douglas of Illinois. Later, he became parliamentarian of the Illinois Senate, counsel to the state Senate Judiciary Committee and an aide to Lt. Gov. Paul Simon before winning election to the U.S. House in 1982.
Note no private sector experience. Oh, he may have worked at a law firm for a few years, but no, I hate to say it "real job." No real public sector CEO jobs either. No "Governor" or "Mayor" Durbin. He's in love with the process of the legislature, or stopping the process.
And he represents a party that has no concrete ideas, other than opposing the elected Republican majority.
In short, Durbin is worthless.
The Chicago Tribune had an extensive profile on Democratic Senator Dick Durbin in today's edition.
If you're interested in learning about what legislation the Illinois Democrat has had turned into law, you won't find anything in this article about that. Could it be, just possibly, that Durbin has no legislative accomplishments?
Here is a telling excerpt from the Tribune article:
Durbin has spent most of his adult life in and around legislatures. During college and law school at Georgetown University, he worked for Sen. Paul Douglas of Illinois. Later, he became parliamentarian of the Illinois Senate, counsel to the state Senate Judiciary Committee and an aide to Lt. Gov. Paul Simon before winning election to the U.S. House in 1982.
Note no private sector experience. Oh, he may have worked at a law firm for a few years, but no, I hate to say it "real job." No real public sector CEO jobs either. No "Governor" or "Mayor" Durbin. He's in love with the process of the legislature, or stopping the process.
And he represents a party that has no concrete ideas, other than opposing the elected Republican majority.
In short, Durbin is worthless.
Iranian presidential election today
This could end up being one of the big stories of 2005, as Iran seems to be on the cusp of revolution. (Very wishful thinking on my part, but the status quo there can't hang on forever.) Balloting is taking place now in Iran to choose the next president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The best blog out there to keep an eye on the election and its aftermath, is Regime Change in Iran. This blog is very likely the bravest blog on the Internet.
The best blog out there to keep an eye on the election and its aftermath, is Regime Change in Iran. This blog is very likely the bravest blog on the Internet.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
East St. Louis "$10 per vote" trial update
The East St. Louis vote fraud trial carries on. Votes were allegedy for sale at just $5 a head, but shrewd haggling got the bidding up to $10 per vote.
It's a crazy one, as one witness, a former ESL cop, claimed not to know what a "snitch" was. Months earlier, the same cop bragged on videotape that he was a snitch. That was yesterday.
Today, a prosecutor asked the judge for permission to declare one of his witnesses "hostile" because her in-court testimony didn't match earlier under-oath versions of what she says happened.
Last two links come to us from the Belleville News-Democrat.
There are other memory gaps in East St. Louis in regards to the votes-for-sale trial, as this post explains.
It's a crazy one, as one witness, a former ESL cop, claimed not to know what a "snitch" was. Months earlier, the same cop bragged on videotape that he was a snitch. That was yesterday.
Today, a prosecutor asked the judge for permission to declare one of his witnesses "hostile" because her in-court testimony didn't match earlier under-oath versions of what she says happened.
Last two links come to us from the Belleville News-Democrat.
There are other memory gaps in East St. Louis in regards to the votes-for-sale trial, as this post explains.
Durbin has no sense
Well, one of my senators is Richard Durbin. Best known, if known at all, outside of Illinois as an obstructionist.
When he came to the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board in 2002 seeking the Trib's endorsement, they questioned the Springfield Democrat on his role in blocking the approval of President Bush's judicial nominees. His answer to the Trib was something along the lines of, "Well, that's what the Republicans did under Clinton." Some leader, the Tribune sarcastically retorted in it's op-ed endorsing his challenger, Republican Jim Durkin.
Some of those judicial nominees are just now getting getting approved by the senate.
Well, Durbin---what does he stand for, by the way? -- has joined the anti-Gitmo catcallers, by coughing up this quote, which the White House called "reprehensible."
If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime _ Pol Pot or others _ that had no concern for human beings," Durbin said.
On Fox & Friends this morning, E.D. Hill commented that she's shocked about the "lack of intelligence this man (Durbin) possesses. He has no sense of history."
I'd like to take a bit past that, and add, Durbin has no sense.
When he came to the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board in 2002 seeking the Trib's endorsement, they questioned the Springfield Democrat on his role in blocking the approval of President Bush's judicial nominees. His answer to the Trib was something along the lines of, "Well, that's what the Republicans did under Clinton." Some leader, the Tribune sarcastically retorted in it's op-ed endorsing his challenger, Republican Jim Durkin.
Some of those judicial nominees are just now getting getting approved by the senate.
Well, Durbin---what does he stand for, by the way? -- has joined the anti-Gitmo catcallers, by coughing up this quote, which the White House called "reprehensible."
If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime _ Pol Pot or others _ that had no concern for human beings," Durbin said.
On Fox & Friends this morning, E.D. Hill commented that she's shocked about the "lack of intelligence this man (Durbin) possesses. He has no sense of history."
I'd like to take a bit past that, and add, Durbin has no sense.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's husband, already indicted, arrested at protest
I'm picking up on some odds and ends that I've been meaning to post, but I wanted to focus on the Klocek/DePaul case since the defamation suit was filed on Tuesday.
This comes to Marathon Pundit via Obiter Dictum:
The notorious Robert Creamer, husband of Jan Schakowsky and erstwhile IPAC (Illinois Public Action Council) head, was arrested last week on charges stemming from a "demonstration" at which he was present, protesting privatization of social security. He was detained over night after allegedly having crossed a police line and assaulted someone.
Terry Armour of the Chicago Tribune has more details here, as he writes that Creamer "charged officers as Bush's motorcade pulled up."
Creamer, for those who don't know, was indicted last year because he was allegedly kiting checks while serving as Executive Director of the Illinois Public Action Council. His wife, Congresswoman Jan, D-IL, does matter in this case--she was on the IPAC's Board of Directors while this hubby was running the show.
Jan, a Democrat from Evanston, is also known for her far-left views
This comes to Marathon Pundit via Obiter Dictum:
The notorious Robert Creamer, husband of Jan Schakowsky and erstwhile IPAC (Illinois Public Action Council) head, was arrested last week on charges stemming from a "demonstration" at which he was present, protesting privatization of social security. He was detained over night after allegedly having crossed a police line and assaulted someone.
Terry Armour of the Chicago Tribune has more details here, as he writes that Creamer "charged officers as Bush's motorcade pulled up."
Creamer, for those who don't know, was indicted last year because he was allegedly kiting checks while serving as Executive Director of the Illinois Public Action Council. His wife, Congresswoman Jan, D-IL, does matter in this case--she was on the IPAC's Board of Directors while this hubby was running the show.
Jan, a Democrat from Evanston, is also known for her far-left views
Chicago "artist" stages fall from museum roof, "inspired" by 9/11
From AP via CBS 2 Chicago:
A performance artist wearing a business suit and safety harnesses jumped repeatedly from a museum roof to create photographs that recall scenes from the World Trade Center attack, but his spectacle was scorned by some onlookers and victims' relatives.
Collaborating photographers snapped away as Kerry Skarbakka fell more than 30 times from the five-story Museum of Contemporary Art on Tuesday. The photographs will be retouched to erase the pulleys and wires that kept Skarbakka from hitting the pavement.
Skarbakka, 34, said he started thinking about falling after watching on television as workers jumped to their deaths from the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001.
``I was so distraught, I needed some way to find an artistic response,'' he told the Chicago Sun-Times. Now, he says he sees falling as a metaphor for life.
And I see Kerry Skarbakka as a metaphor for bad taste and obnoxiousness. I'm not the only one to agree. From the same article:
In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg called it ``nauseatingly offensive,'' and some who lost family and friends at the trade center agreed.
``What kind of a sick individual is he? Tell him to go jump off the Empire State Building and see how it feels,'' Rosemarie Giallombardo, whose son Paul Salvio died in the terrorist attack, told the (New York) Daily News. ``He's an artist? Go paint a bowl of fruit or something.''
A performance artist wearing a business suit and safety harnesses jumped repeatedly from a museum roof to create photographs that recall scenes from the World Trade Center attack, but his spectacle was scorned by some onlookers and victims' relatives.
Collaborating photographers snapped away as Kerry Skarbakka fell more than 30 times from the five-story Museum of Contemporary Art on Tuesday. The photographs will be retouched to erase the pulleys and wires that kept Skarbakka from hitting the pavement.
Skarbakka, 34, said he started thinking about falling after watching on television as workers jumped to their deaths from the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001.
``I was so distraught, I needed some way to find an artistic response,'' he told the Chicago Sun-Times. Now, he says he sees falling as a metaphor for life.
And I see Kerry Skarbakka as a metaphor for bad taste and obnoxiousness. I'm not the only one to agree. From the same article:
In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg called it ``nauseatingly offensive,'' and some who lost family and friends at the trade center agreed.
``What kind of a sick individual is he? Tell him to go jump off the Empire State Building and see how it feels,'' Rosemarie Giallombardo, whose son Paul Salvio died in the terrorist attack, told the (New York) Daily News. ``He's an artist? Go paint a bowl of fruit or something.''
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Thomas Klocek Defense Fund
I posted this about a week ago or so, but here it is again, From the American Thinker:
Defend Professor Klocek
Several weeks back, we described the almost unbelievable situation surrounding De Paul Professor Thomas Klocek, who lost his job at the Catholic university for the "crime" of daring to argue with some Muslim and Palestinian students in a cafeteria about some inflammatory anti-Israel flyers the students were distributing.
So much for free speech rights for Professors at De Paul who dare to defend Israel.
Despite much commentary in the blogosphere about Professor Klocek's case, so far De Paul has offered nothing to Klocek in terms of restoring his position, back pay, health insurance. or even an apology for slandering his good name. A legal defense fund has been created for his lawsuit against De Paul.
You can contribute by sending a check to:
The Thomas Klocek Defense Fund
c/o Cole Taylor Bank
P.O. Box 88481
Chicago, Il. 60680
Defend Professor Klocek
Several weeks back, we described the almost unbelievable situation surrounding De Paul Professor Thomas Klocek, who lost his job at the Catholic university for the "crime" of daring to argue with some Muslim and Palestinian students in a cafeteria about some inflammatory anti-Israel flyers the students were distributing.
So much for free speech rights for Professors at De Paul who dare to defend Israel.
Despite much commentary in the blogosphere about Professor Klocek's case, so far De Paul has offered nothing to Klocek in terms of restoring his position, back pay, health insurance. or even an apology for slandering his good name. A legal defense fund has been created for his lawsuit against De Paul.
You can contribute by sending a check to:
The Thomas Klocek Defense Fund
c/o Cole Taylor Bank
P.O. Box 88481
Chicago, Il. 60680
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