Afternoon open thread
Monday, Jul 14, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This photo of our governor was taken recently by my intern, Kevin Fanning. Caption?
* This cartoon pretty much sums up the Blagojevich/Jones vs. Madigan fight…
“It’s not enough that we succeed. Cats must also fail.”
* The Illinois Hospital Association’s Howard Peters talks about the $600 million in Medicaid payments that the governor is moving to next fiscal year…
A spokeswoman for the governor says the payment cycle under the new budget will be three months. Peters says he has no idea how Blagojevich’s office could come up with that short a timeline.
More here and here.
* Interesting editorial in the Jacksonville paper…
Quite a few people are likely to disagree with a good number of the Gov. Blagojevich’s cuts, and we can’t help but wonder whether they were made for their maximum political impact Except for stretching out payments to state contractors, however, most of the areas to get cut are activities people should be handling themselves.
Forget the fund sweeps; let the cuts stand.
* We’re a little late to the game…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich proclaimed last Thursday as Beer Distributor Day
* Proft takes a whack at legislative Republicans who supported gaming expansion to fund a capital bill…
Having apparently abandoned any effort to argue for market-oriented, private sector-focused ideas as the means to spur economic activity, the GOP’s leadership reverts to George Ryan-omics: casinos and public works projects.
Rather than holding up the Chicago Democrat junta and relentlessly (and publicly) asking them to account for their ineptitude, ineptitude that is jeopardizing $6 billion in federal transportation funds set aside for Illinois because of this state’s failure to come up with its federally-required 25% match, the House GOP enables the problem gamblers in charge by proposing to tie Illinois’ financial future to a spinning wheel.
* Rep. Aaron Schock voted against tabling the casino expansion bill in May (which was essentially a vote in favor), but voted against an amendment to the same bill last week. He explains his latest vote, but not the flip to the local TeeVee.
* Why did John Borling, a McCain delegate, endorse a Democratic candidate against Congressman Manzullo last week? The Daily Herald explains…
Borling faulted Manzullo for his key role in importing Alan Keyes from Maryland to carry the Illinois Republicans’ banner in the 2004 U.S. Senate race, a move that Borling said “was and is an outrage.”
* ComEd’s ghoulish mailer.
* Ann Marie Lipinski has quit…
Chicago Tribune Editor and Senior Vice President Ann Marie Lipinski announced her resignation today, a week after the paper announced significant cuts to its newsroom staff and a reduction in the number of pages it prints each week.
Gerould W. Kern, who has been Tribune Publishing’s vice president of editorial since 2003, was named Lipinski’s successor by Tribune Publishing Executive Vice President Bob Gremillion, who assumed interim oversight of the paper this month after the retirement of Publisher Scott C. Smith.
* Bad news at GateHouse…
The New York Stock Exchange has only been open slightly more than a half hour, but GateHouse Media stock has already dropped 12 cents to an all-time low $1.46 per share.
That was much earlier this morning. It’s down to $1.38 as of 1 o’clock Central time.
* Oy: Local banks need cash
* RIP Virginia MacDonald. I remember her from my early days. She was always pleasant to me at a time when not a lot were…
Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 to 9 p.m. at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home 2000 E. Northwest Highway, in Arlington Heights.
The funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Simon Episcopal Church 717 W. Kirchoff Road in Arlington Heights.
Interment will be in Oakridge Cemetery in Hillside.
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 1:33 pm:
I don’t necessarily disagree with Peters, but where did he get his number of over a year from? Whats the current time delay?
Whats fascinating about this is that people want the government to take over all health insurance so everyone can have it, and get rid of private insurance companies. Those evil companies that pay their bills on average of 30 days or less; are subject to time to pay legislation in many States etc. The government can’t handle the health care currently under its care, why would anyone think its a good idea to put even more of it into the hands of the government.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 1:44 pm:
===where did he get his number of over a year from?===
I have a call into Howard to clarify that and other points.
- How Ironic - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 1:52 pm:
Caption for Photo:
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagovitch pauses to discuss his new “Focus on Ethics” proposal.
- Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:02 pm:
This Governor is neither qualified nor interested in doing the job he was elected to. On top of that he is a documented liar. It is past time for the General Assembly to remove him from office before he futher damages the State of Illinois.
- Bluefish - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:03 pm:
Blago: “Let me be clear…”
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:04 pm:
Dan, didn’t you already post pretty much the exact same response elsewhere today?
- How Ironic - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:06 pm:
He’s a Cubs fan. Cut him some slack…they no be so bright.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:07 pm:
“They can’t catch me if they can’t see me”
- decaturvoter - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:08 pm:
Let me be perfectly clear. I’m not a crook.
- Fan of the Game - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:08 pm:
Is there an image of the ComEd mailer?
CAPTION: Gov. Rod Blagojevich hits the ground “running” after his state-paid flight home. “I’d love to take your questions,” Blagojevich said, “but I have to get to the Cubs’ game and my daughter’s dance recital before I spend the rest of the evening ignoring the state’s problems.”
- Commonsense in Illinois - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:11 pm:
I’m saddened to hear of Virginia MacDonald’s passing. She was a classy lady and thoughtful member of the legislature. I’ve often wished some of her successors could have known her to realize how to be an actual “representative” of the people of Illinois. May God bless, Virginia and bring comfort to her family and friends.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:12 pm:
“Fanning Smears Blagojevich - Governor Responds”
- GoBearsss - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:12 pm:
Caption: “Get a better photographer”
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:13 pm:
GoBearsss, he wasn’t happy that i used this pic. lol
Conversation summation…
KFan: C’mon, I know I sent you a better pic than that.
RWM2: I liked this one.
- Kevin Fanning - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:14 pm:
===GoBearsss, he wasn’t happy that i used this pic. lol===
nope, lol
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:22 pm:
Blago: Bob and weave, bob and weave, that way the reporters can’t land any questions, er blows.
or
Picture of Dorian “Blagojevich” Gray
Blago:
- Ucster - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:23 pm:
Uh oh, reporters. Warp Factor 7 Mr. Scott!
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:25 pm:
“I’m melting!”
- cardsmama - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:31 pm:
looks like the back half of his head is missing…any significance to that???
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:33 pm:
Barack can make his hand all wavy, but I can do it with my whole body. So, I got that going for me.
- GoBearsss - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:34 pm:
Rich, if you are going to make an executive decision on the photograph, you need to come up with a better caption than that.
like: “Beam me up Hoffy”
- How Ironic - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:39 pm:
Caption:
“As I have stated 10,000 times before…I have answered the Rezko stuff before. If I’m guilty, I’m also the invisible man”. Promptly the Gov. began to disappear.
- Kevin Fanning - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:41 pm:
===“Beam me up Hoffy”====
I like that one.
- Old Shepherd - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:42 pm:
Caption:
After traveling back in time to 1955, Governor Blagojevich suffers the ill effects of disrupting the space-time continuum.
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:43 pm:
Kevin, Next time set the camera mode arrow on the ‘little guy’ that’s running. The photo usually comes in clearer.
- Kevin Fanning - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:44 pm:
That was zoomed in. And as I’ve grumbled above I hate the pic. I had a couple clearer ones…
- Siyotanka - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:46 pm:
Faster than a speeding veto pen….It’s Blagoooooman. Leading fight against over spending, no revenue streams…he lives in hyperspace doing what he does best…slaying the Evil Budget Beast….woooosh!
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:47 pm:
KFan, the problem with your other pics is that they weren’t caption contest worthy.
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:51 pm:
You need a better handle then KFan. Sounds like a Levine supporter.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:57 pm:
Ghost, KFan was not my invention, but it kinda stuck, at least in some circles.
- Kevin Fanning - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:00 pm:
Kinda sounds like KFed. Maybe I’ll start wearing sideways hats and jumpsuits…
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:05 pm:
Obviously, the photo is the result of Pat Quinn shaking his Rod Blagojevich voodoo doll really, REALLY hard.
- One of the 35 - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:14 pm:
This Blago image imitates his clarity of understanding of important issues.
- Steve Brown - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:24 pm:
Virginia MacDonald was one of the first political people I met while at the (Daily) Herald. She was a great lady with great insights. She was also a good listener which made her a pretty good tipster too.
Legend has it that she made cookies for the Speaker during ConCon.
Our family offer our prayers and sympathies.
- Vote Quimby! - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:24 pm:
The picture equals what the Blago administration will be in Illinois history: a blur. Notice you can still recognize the part in his hair.
- DumberThanUThink - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:27 pm:
Blagoof allows the BoyToys to hold the SociopathCam outside the body to give a rare view of what how it sees the dimension in which the rest of us reside
- Jake from Elwood - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:33 pm:
Kevin must be running the cameras at Channel 26 WCIU. . .
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:33 pm:
“A Portrait of Rod Blagojevich” by Francis Bacon
- If It Walks Like a Duck... - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:45 pm:
The Governor ends latest press conference with his imitation of “The Flash”
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:48 pm:
Blaggo (jittery voice): Those feds will never catch me know, red bull gives me wings!
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:53 pm:
“A Portrait of Rod Blagojevich” by Gerhard Richter
- Little Egypt - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:53 pm:
Can this be the official portrait that will hang in the capitol building once we are rid of Elvis?
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:02 pm:
Perhaps RRB, aka POA, was in warp mode after he saw the article RWM2 posted concerning banks in trouble, particularly the Harvey Bank, owned by his homie AM. AM loaned several million to ASR, aka TR, now residing in the MCC. AM’s spouse, AM, awaits trial on Federal fraud charges related to phony bills for lab work that was never done for DCFS, one of RRB’s agencies. VTY, AA
- S. Illinois - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:03 pm:
Hey Rich, aren’t you breaking your own rule with KFan? I thought we were going all three initials? If so, please tell me that his middle name is Ulysses. I can’t wait to see you making references to having KUFs on the way to the gov’s office!
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:04 pm:
AA, that comment of yours made my eyes all fuzzy. lol
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:05 pm:
SI, I don’t know what his middle name is. Adams?
- Kevin Fanning - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:16 pm:
Patrick - I might as well wear green every day.
- S. Illinois - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:23 pm:
OK….KPF doesn’t roll off the tongue like KFan. Maybe Mr. Miller will decree an exception to the three-initial rule.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:28 pm:
KFan it is. Or K-Cub-Fan. Whatever floats your boat.
- Kevin Fanning - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:29 pm:
lol
- anon - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:37 pm:
Caption: In the next segment of Ghost Hunters, Discovery Channel investigators visit several locations in Illinois where the phantom Governor has allegedly appeared.
- Jim Bray - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 4:51 pm:
Ditto on Steve Brown’s comments about Virginia Macdonald. I followed Steve in the Daily Herald bureau and found her to be one of the nicest people around. She cared passionately about issues, and she fought hard for her district and her positions. She also enjoyed a good laugh. . .something that sometimes was hard to come by during those ERA demonstrations. I could always count on her for a good quote - not because she wanted her name in the paper but because she wanted to inform her constituents.
- Tasteless - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 6:57 pm:
Caption:
Governor Blagojevich attends fundraiser hosted by Michael J. Fox. He later did a karaoke version of Elvis’ “All Shook Up” for the audience.
- Gregor - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 6:58 pm:
The photo is impressionistic. Not unlike the gov’s grasp of the budget process or governing.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 9:52 pm:
Caption:
A thinking man’s solution to dealing with a bad hair day in front of the press: “keep moving–FAST!!!”
Re: Borling/Abboud:
Based on what I know about the Abboud the elder’s involvement in Aerospace & Defense, I wasn’t suprised re: Borling’s endorsement, but I WAS surprised that Abboud the younger is running as a Democrat. It does all seem to be blending together and proof again that my generation does tend to look at things differently.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:20 pm:
Virgina MacDonald was a great lady. She was one of my goombahs when I was a kid in Springfield.
Salt of the earth. Godspeed.
- steve schnorf - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:31 pm:
If estimates were right and the Medicaid payment cycle (average) was about 70-72 days at the end of the fiscal year, then it was going to go up by 20-22 days without the additional money. My understanding was that the specific purpose of the new money was to keep the payment cycle even with 6/30/08.
- Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan - Tuesday, Jul 15, 08 @ 7:12 am:
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:04 pm:
Dan, didn’t you already post pretty much the exact same response elsewhere today? Yes Rich I did and I just wish some one with the authority to do something would read it and take action.
- Deleted Daily - Tuesday, Jul 15, 08 @ 8:59 pm:
Caption: Running on empty.