The Chicago circus
Thursday, Dec 10, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* They’re this/close to shark jumping…
…Adding… Ronnie Woo-Woo and Willie Wilson’s former spokesman. Such a combo…
Ronnie “Woo-Woo” Wickers has two words for Mayor Rahm Emanuel: “You’re out!”
The Cubs’ resident rooter, known for his “Woo-Woo” chants across Wrigleyville, joined a City Hall news conference Thursday urging the recall of the mayor.
“When you’re right you’re right, and when you’re wrong you’re wrong,” Wickers said. “Get him out.”
Wickers was the last speaker in a demonstration led by Gregory Seal Livingston, former spokesman for mayoral candidate Willie Wilson and now head of the Coalition for a New Chicago.
- Robert the Bruce - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 10:43 am:
Maybe Ronnie Woo Woo can host a budget summit next.
Compromise Woo!
- Anonny - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 10:50 am:
I thought Ronnie Woo Woo was dead…
- NIU Grad - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 10:52 am:
That, plus CTU and AFSCME are planning protests of their own. Expect some convoluted messaging soon…
- Century Club - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 10:52 am:
Let’s be fair here, the tweet about equal number media and protesters was 4 hours after and two miles away from when/where the protest started. Look at the pictures from noon yesterday when it started. To diminish the size or importance of it is a mistake.
- Bill White - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 10:54 am:
Dan Sinker needs to re-open that time vortex
- Bystander - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:00 am:
Here are some vivid and moving photos
which contradict Tom Palmer’s tweet.
http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/December-2015/Laquan-McDonald-Protest/
- Amalia - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:02 am:
there was a great deal of yelling, pushing and shoving going on between those on the second floor at City Hall yesterday as I watched live tv coverage. but it was all civilians. what was going on?
- Tone - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:03 am:
Those photos don’t contradict that there weren’t that many protestors.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:09 am:
I can’t wait to read how IPI spins this!
- LizPhairTax - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:10 am:
Once again Ribbie and Roobarb are silent on matters of social justice
- Amalia - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:24 am:
LPT, Ribbie and Roobarb are no longer with us. Southpaw might be smart to stay out of the fray.
- Hon. John Fritchey - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:26 am:
I ran into him at City Hall this morning, he told me he wants to run for Mayor. I kid you not.
#StrangerThingsHaveHappened
#MaybeNot
- Anonymous - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:32 am:
I marched from City Hall to the Board of Trade and then went back to work. Many Loop workers were in that sizeable crowd earlier. It was billed as a walk out of work event. The photos are from Dearborn and Division, miles away and long after lunch time.
- LizPhairTax - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:37 am:
Amalia,
I was told that they moved to a farm downstate where Andy the Clown takes care of them and they have lots of room to run and play.
Fritchey-woo! 2019-woo!
- Hank - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:43 am:
Honestly Rich, you’re not up here, and I don’t think you can judge whether any of this has “jumped the shark.”
The pressure is real and it isn’t dying down.
- Dupage Bard - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 12:15 pm:
Ronnie Woo Woo in the House……. *&^t just got real!
- Touré's Latte - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
When the bike cops are out the protesters are done. Those guys are terrific at channeling protesters.
- Carhartt Representative - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 12:29 pm:
=To diminish the size or importance of it is a mistake.=
It’s also pretty typical for Chicago media. The Tribune will refer to any protest no matter how big as “hundreds”.
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 12:42 pm:
So what would happen if Ronnie Woo Woo and Ric Flair meet?! Heads would explode.
- walker - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
As long as it’s portrayed as big enough for the national news producers to run it, it will last.
- JB13 - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 12:56 pm:
Noted at the end of the coverage on Twitter yesterday, protesters said they intended to stage outside the mayor’s house. I, for one, think that’s a great idea. Give those retailers on State Street and Michigan Avenue a rest. The trying to enter the stores/block the entrances bit has run its course, and is only going to lose them support.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 1:02 pm:
Look on the bright side. If Ronnie runs the Cubs may be able to keep him out of Wrigley for electioneering.
- Amalia - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 1:09 pm:
LPTax, and I hear Nancy Faust is playing the organ on select sundays!
- wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 1:13 pm:
–It’s come to this.–
Always amused when TV types think they aren’t part of the circus.
Ronnie Woo has a publicist. Met her at Billy Goat one night.
I’m guessing at the high school reunions that doesn’t get a mention.
- scott aster - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 1:43 pm:
Rich…got caught in the traffic jam on N Dearborn had many many cops get the few of us who had to get away. There were maybe 50 at the Cardinals house and then they just stragled south down state still making some noise.
- Looper - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
I work in the loop and haven’t been overly impressed with the size or noise level of the protests. CTU gets much larger turnout for protests on a regular basis and this is not even remotely in the same ballpark as NATO. I’m fairly confident that the opening of Michael Jordan’s store on State street was a larger turnout and disruption than what’s occurred to date. I think it’s valid to question the level of media coverage based on what I’m seeing. However, the fact that the media was a year late to the game on this and that it folds nicely into the larger national narrative are valid contributing factors.
- @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:13 pm:
The following Washington Post piece is offered for entertainment purposes only!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/10/rahm-emanuel-is-running-out-of-options-and-time-in-chicago/
So much out-of-town certainty.
– MrJM
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:19 pm:
NATO was a single event of national importance, and there was no ask.
CTU has thousands of paid members and structured leadership for a singular ask.
I’m not getting the comparison.
The protest and outrage is deep and sustained on this one. Not explosive and sharp. Protests will continue to pop up all over the city and they will all point to the same 2 chief villains. Last night a lot of them attended the Police Board meeting asking for Dante Servin to be fired. Right now a lot of people are watching Anita prosecute a black transwoman for defending herself by fleeing from a violent hate crime (she has been on lockdown with a male roommate 22hrs/day at Cook County Jail for over 3.5 years awaiting today’s trial).
There is no “jumped the shark” here. There is no “small protest” here. The vibe is resistance. And there is committed organization. But there is no singular broker, event, or deadline for justice.
If you were a would-be protestor, which specific day/s in the past or future would you plan to take off work to attend? You could easily have been in the street any one of the last 14 days and on MANY other occasions before Thanksgiving.
Things are happening. The news will stop covering it when people stop feeling angry about what’s going on and stop wanting to read and hear about it. Or, I suppose, when it’s pressured to do so.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:21 pm:
Obscured my point, meant that “You could easily have been in the street *every* one of the last 14 days [and the next 14]”
People have to live.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:23 pm:
For those interested in the self-defense case:
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Trans-woman-claims-self-defense-in-case/49008.html
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
===So much out-of-town certainty.===
lol
“Amber Phillips writes about politics for The Fix. She was previously the one-woman D.C. bureau for the Las Vegas Sun and has reported from Boston and Taiwan.”
- Angry Chicagoan - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:36 pm:
The out of towners obviously do not play the Chicago game of considering who would be the successors in the event that resignations are tendered. Funny, that — I remember reading in the autobiography of a prominent British politician that you should never resign unless you know the name of your successor.
And Rahmie might not wish to be blamed for one of the city council old guard taking over as caretaker.
- Big Joe - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:37 pm:
The trip to Rahm’s house sounds like a terrific idea. That would give them some instant attention, and I assume that is what they are striving for….to be noticed and taken seriously.
- Edison Park Progressive - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:43 pm:
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20151209/loop/feud-between-mccarthy-citys-lawyer-blocked-police-reform-sources-say why is dna the only paper digging into the possible McCarthy - Rham feud? If Rahm tried to squash McCarthy led police reforms then that might be the smoking gun that removes the mayor.
- Amalia - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
crazybleedingheart, are you calling for Dart to resign over how the trans defendant is housed?
- internal angel - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
Democracy is messy and crowded. Its better than living in North Korea so I embrace Americas public circus protests.
At least its safe to march down the street yelling and chanting in America.
- Robert Montgomery - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:52 pm:
When you’ve lost Ronnie, you’ve lost Chicago.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
Amalia, I believe in LGBT right to access facilities in dignity.
But nah, the manner in which someone is housed, though unjust, pales in comparison to having been charged with attempt first-degree murder with less evidence of intent than shown on the Ronald Johnson tape in the first place.
So I’ll stick with blaming the police and Anita, per usual. Thanks, though.
- Anonymouth - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 3:02 pm:
crazybleedingheart vs. Amalia part 76
In all honesty, this will epitomize the fractionalization of the City. It’s going to take a long time for the wounds to heal on this one.
- Stones - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
Rahm!…Woo!…Out!….Woo!….Rahm!…Woo!…Out!…Woo!
Sorry - too tempting to pass up!
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
Pregnant Chicago woman claims being tased by police caused her miscarriage
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/56742806-story
Relevant:
The case logs show that for almost two years after the complaint, IPRA failed to interview Kelly or take other steps to investigate the case This, despite a track record of complaints against Kelly.
“Officer Kelly, in a 10 year period, amassed over 25 complaints, most of them alleging violence. He was arrested twice by the Chicago Police Department,” Granich added.
The only complaint IPRA upheld against Kelly, Granich says, was the case where Kelly resisted his arrest by a female police sergeant.
- Amalia - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
oh, Anonymouth, you underestimate the posting fervor/animus to others of crazybleedingheart! I hardly feel the burn by myself.
- Amalia - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 3:34 pm:
crazybleedingheart, what is her bond? did her defense attorney demand trial? don’t think that was in the article.
- IrishPirate - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 3:48 pm:
Protest got ugly in this alley. They’re lucky cop kept his head. https://twitter.com/_TonyBriscoe/status/674706324136067072
- cpd duhawk - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 3:53 pm:
The rational here is as flawed as Rahm’s. In his speech, he kept referring to a fraction of officers that need to be addressed however at the end he states this is no longer the police department we believe in and trust. This type of generalization is exactly what the people who are marching are trying to limit. And trust me, it negatively affects each and every officer who is out there doing their best to protect a city that is already lost. I welcome anyone to look at the crime statistics now and compare them to a year from now and then let me know how this cause positively affected our city because thanks to this mayor and the various community leaders, officers will no longer be proactive since its been made very clear that no one has their backs.
- The Teflon Rahm - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 4:09 pm:
==The trip to Rahm’s house sounds like a terrific idea. That would give them some instant attention, and I assume that is what they are striving for….to be noticed and taken seriously.==
Actually, they’d get more notice and be taken more seriously if they stuck with the Magnificent Mile shut down traffic on a regular basis. Granted, that might hurt some merchants in the short term, but I suspect Tiffany’s and Brooks Brothers could weather the storm.
They’ve apparently stopped traffic at least once. Here’s hoping they keep it peaceful and make a difference.
- Amalia - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 4:16 pm:
Irish Pirate is right, the protesters are lucky the cop/s kept their heads. think that is a sgt hat. they clearly tried to surround him/the bike cop also. menacing actions. not cool.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 5:12 pm:
==every officer who is out there doing their best to protect a city that is already lost==
Kristen McQueary? Is that you?
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 5:53 pm:
==Protest got ugly in this alley. They’re lucky cop kept his head.==
https://www.facebook.com/100001167471290/videos/922607717788135/
Actually, perhaps it’s the good Sgt. who is lucky he was verbally warned he was being taped enough times that it penetrated through his red haze.
Bet there isn’t a camera in that doorway.
Bet he knows it.
- Tone - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 5:59 pm:
The protests were a complete joke. Probably no more than a few hundred of the typical college student and old dirty leftist variety.
- Amalia - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 6:10 pm:
poor crazybleedingheart, I’m sure your head is spinning now with the Glenn Evans case gone to argument tonight.
Anita charges a tough case to win, against a police commander, who is african american. the defense argues that IPRA did not do the job right. who to hate in that one? prosecutors? defense? the commander? the victim?
- Cathartt Representative - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 11:25 pm:
CPD duhawk, I would assume the police statistics would be just as factual next year as this year…not very.
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 7:26 am:
“who to hate in that one? prosecutors? defense? the commander? the victim?”
“Don’t hate the playa, hate the game.” — Ice-T
– MrJM
- Amalia - Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 8:18 am:
Ice T, how, um, appropriate.