Question of the day
Tuesday, Sep 20, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Tribune…
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said Monday that he’s open to reducing the number of gaming positions in a pending casino measure to try to address Gov. Pat Quinn’s concerns that it expands gambling too much.
The North Side Democrat also said he’s willing to scrap plans for year-round horse racing with slot machines at the state fairgrounds in Springfield. But Cullerton said he wants to keep the five new casinos, including one in Chicago. And the lawmaker discounted the idea of getting rid of slot machines at other horse tracks, saying it would jeopardize support for the package at the Capitol. […]
The Senate president also said he wants to work with Quinn on other issues the governor has raised, including fears the measure would erode oversight of the gambling industry and concerns that proposed changes to the way casinos are taxed would mean less money for schools.
* But the photo the Trib used with its piece is what most interests me. Here’s Cullerton speaking with ComEd Chairman and CEO Frank Clark and Exelon CEO John Rowe at a gym dedication for the Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy…
* The Question: Caption?
- Elo Kiddies - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:33 am:
You make it, you take it. Them’s the rules.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:39 am:
Major supporters of casino gaming reveal what they are willing to give up to make it happen
- LN - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:39 am:
although it might have been a little hard to do logistically, I’m bummed you didn’t have a “coloring contest” today.
- zatoichi - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:41 am:
The Big Man attempts the ‘Hide the Good Ball with Your Gut’ ploy as negotiations begin.
- 10th Indy - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:43 am:
PJC: “I’ve hired you to help me start a war. It’s an prestigious line of work, with a long and glorious tradition”
- Aldyth - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:45 am:
You play ball with us, we’ll play ball with you.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:51 am:
As the NBA lockout continues, the Chicago Bulls introduce their new replacement players.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:52 am:
Ballers got to ball…
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:54 am:
State Senate President John Cullerton, representing the Lollipop Guild.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:54 am:
This is how it works: we keep your balls until you override the veto.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:56 am:
Clark: Senator, he vetoed the bill. You can’t put a parliamentary hold on that. But thanks for trying.
- Stones - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 10:59 am:
Frank and I will take on you and Madigan 1 on 1. At least we have the height advantage.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:03 am:
Cheryl44 wins today’s Pepsi on Your Keyboard Award.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:07 am:
Two fatcats…one wannabe…
- 618er - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:09 am:
Don’t hate the player, player hater… Hate the game..
- JustMe - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:09 am:
“How come I never get picked? It’s because I’m a Democrat, right?”
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:18 am:
Exelon CEO John Rowe: You think #22’s gonna take their last shot?
Senate President John Cullerton: Yeah, probably… they been pickin’ low all night. Frank, let yourself get taken out! Uh, Harmon, drop down and take his place! Close that lane!
Cullerton: [after Harmon steals the ball] Time! Time!
Cullerton: Alright, boys, this is the last shot we got! We’re gonna run the picket fence at ‘em! Jacobs, you’re solo right! Rowe, Frank should be open on the other side of that fence! Now, boys, don’t get caught watchin’ the paint dry!
- Deep South - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:26 am:
He’s got a ball..I’ve got a ball…you’ll get one, too, when you decide to give us more casinos.
- walter sobchak - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:27 am:
OK, we’re suits, who’s skins?
- Ann - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:31 am:
Hilarious, but so far I give the game to the 10:54 anonymous.
I’ll offer “No question who’s really running the game.
- Todd - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:32 am:
cullerton: no guys I’m serious, I’m gonna play center…that Jordan guy is all talk I tell you…
- Dooley Dudright - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:39 am:
Referee Cullerton: (TWEET!) “Double drivel!”
- zatoichi - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:39 am:
JC: Hey, this is a volley ball.
JR: Is that a problem?
- Poilitical Junkie - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:40 am:
PJC “Trust me guys i can guard that Quinn guy, I know he looks big but it is all just hot air, he’s got nothing.”
- NIref - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:42 am:
Supporters of the smart grid bill literally take their ball and go home.
- Fed Up - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:43 am:
Look, I’ll explain it to you one more time. We both have a ball. If you want to play, get a ball.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:55 am:
Think of us as the essential core of a team. A championship team. A team like the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. I’m serious, John.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 11:57 am:
“You’re easy to guard off the dribble, John. You always go to your left.”
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 12:00 pm:
The pressure and criticism of the SmartGrid bill ultimately led to the Senate President’s transformation and the game was changed forever …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMyuv3wkTJs
- Bob - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 12:17 pm:
If you want to play. We will pay.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 12:17 pm:
“President Cullerton, you said, ‘make a lay-up, jumper, free throw and a 3 pointer’… we did that, so where are the senators we ‘won’ for next session?”
- How Ironic - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 12:31 pm:
If there is a prize today, please award to Cheryl44. Hilarious.
- Anonymour - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 12:37 pm:
The team captains instruct the waterboy about how best to do his job.
- Plutocrat03 - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 12:43 pm:
No kidding, he ate my ball!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 12:44 pm:
“Mind if we dance with your date?”
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 12:51 pm:
Let’s see who can drop the ball first….one, two, three…GO!!
- Lincoln's Penny - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 1:08 pm:
ComEd is now claiming the smart grid bill will help the Bulls win the championship!
- Irish - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 1:17 pm:
Let me explain it one more time John. I distribute, he generates. It’s like I’m the guard. I distribute the ball to who needs it. He’s the center, he generates points. The ball is power John,..POWER.
Yeah, I know you don’t have any..er one. But you can get one if you play with us. Think POWER John, think Smart Grid, Smart like these kids who will use this gym. And Power to keep these lights on.
No, we are not the same company, .. I mean team. We wear different jerseys. Let me be clear on that. But we need the same thing, Power, Smart Grid. Keep saying that to yourself. Just tell Sad Sack he can give a speech for an hour or two and we will advertise that this will create jobs for the working families of the Land of Lincoln. He’ll be happy with that. Also tell him that if the Power fails there won’t be a light in his refridgerator, that’ll get him.
Or.
Come to the dark side Obiwon. Let the Force,..er Power be with you. The Force, ..er Power can be strong in you my son. Just over ride the veto and you will be one with the Force, er Power.
Yodigan is already with us. Don’t worry about the Ewoks, we will not raise the cost of the Force too high. They will still be able to pay. Besides they will forget in time.
- titan - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 1:21 pm:
There’s a gym at the Math & Science Academy?
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 1:25 pm:
…and it’s named after these two upstanding citizens?
- SAP - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 1:45 pm:
Mine are bigger.
- Dealmaker - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 1:47 pm:
You get us an override, you get your balls back.
- Don't Worry, Be Happy - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 1:57 pm:
Clark: OK, we’re agreed. If Rowe spells out H-O-R-S-E first, then we’ll drop the override attempt. But if you do it first, then he gets the override vote, and I get named the owner of the Chicago casino in the trailer bill.
Rowe: Right, and I shoot first.
Cullerton: Now wait a minute, I didn’t say you could go first!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 2:09 pm:
You said that if we went to the Math and Science Academy wearing suits and carrying basketballs around on the court, the cheerleaders would cheer for us. One of the cheerleaders just walloped Chris Crane on the head with a volleyball and he’s still tring to get up off the floor. This is just like high school all over again. We’re leaving and taking our balls with us while we still can.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 2:18 pm:
Rowe and Clark should pull a Quinn and say that the veto of the SmartGrid means there’s no longer enough money from them to fund the gym. Sorry kids, can’t spend money you don’t have. It’s a line item budget. Our hands are tied. We don’t want to do this but Governor Quinn is making us do this.
- Its Just Me - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 2:28 pm:
Rich, this is off topic on this thread, but I just wanted to publicly say that I thought your post over the weekend on Senator Percy was excellent.
I read numerous articles on the Senator over the weekend, but it wasn’t until I checked your blog that I felt I really grasped what Senator Percy was all about. Good writing/posting.
- AnonAgAin - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 3:08 pm:
JC-guys as long as Quinn keeps shooting on both ends of the court we cant lose and quit guarding him when he is shooting at our basket
- Spring - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 3:13 pm:
Let’s win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 3:15 pm:
It’ll be hard to top AnonAgAin.
- sal-says - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 3:22 pm:
“* But the photo the Trib used with its piece …”
The TRIB has lost its’ editorial way a long time ago; and it just keeps getting worse.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 3:26 pm:
They all can shoot the lights-out.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 4:06 pm:
Cullerton: You don’t get it, guys. When I say jump for the ball, you two try to knock it your team’s way after I throw it up. You don’t get to bring your own balls.
- WazUp - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 4:10 pm:
Tax increase? Give me that ball your off the team!
- 3rd Generation Chicago Native - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 4:10 pm:
Frank Clark to Cullerton, “Put the ball down, I am the captian of one team and John Rowe is the Captian of the other team, wait until we pick teams”
- x ace - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 5:32 pm:
It’s Simple - Play Ball or get Tagged Out !
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 5:40 pm:
I’ve never been downstate but are these really pumpkins?
- Gregor - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 5:45 pm:
“If you can dodge a budget, you can dodge a ball.”
- Chilin n SD - Tuesday, Sep 20, 11 @ 6:22 pm:
“Did not!”
“Did too!”
“Did not!”
“Did too!”