42 Comments - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:37 am: Yes, Jesse Jackson, the pagan of virtue - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:37 am: Paragon, sorry - Tinsel Town - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:38 am: As if Rauner really cares with what Jessie has to say. - so... - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:41 am: Yes, I remember that section from history class about George Wallace contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to historically black colleges and universities. - Independent retired lawyer, journalist - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:42 am: What is ‘unfortunate’ is Rauner’s indifference, which Jackson noted. The historical reference to Wallace is curious, however. If Jackson believes that what Rauner is doing is racist, then he should say so. Besides. Rauner is much taller than was Wallace… /s - LizPhairTax - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:42 am: If the shoe fits… Wallace was about hate. Rauner is about indifference. By all means Rauner defenders, make this about Jesse Jackson. - Juice - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:43 am: Wait, so someone there is willing to talk about the budget in detail? Would they care to explain their $5-6 billion hole? Or is the good reverend the only one who gets to go through the details? - Gone, but not forgotten - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:47 am: So sick of Jesse and the whole Jackson clan. Can’t they just go away? BTW Jesse, ALL lives matter and are hurting through this budget dilemma. - Juvenal - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:05 am: Did the Rauner administration just offer Jackson a kickback on tape? - DuPage - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:06 am: Rauner is hurting students statewide. It is NOT a racial thing. - AC - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:09 am: I don’t think Rauner holds any deep racial prejudice, but I do think the fact that he doesn’t care has had nearly the same impact as if he did hate the poor and minorities, in some ways more. - Juice - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:21 am: “I don’t think Rauner holds any deep racial prejudice” One quibble with that. It has been made pretty clear that the reason that social services and other things are held hostage while other programs are not is because the Governor thinks that this will get members of the black caucus to vote for the turnaround agenda while perceived GOP and suburban things keep going. He may not hold deep prejudices, but he is certainly playing off stereotypes. - Jack Stephens - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:26 am: @juice: I think you’ve hit on something. But I’m sure at the Wine and Cheese Parties in Winnetka, Bruce and Di just laugh at “those people” just like “41’s” wife did with the aftermath of a hurricane. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:28 am: To be fair, long before he died, Gov. Wallace expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness, many times. In Sunday school, that’s what they taught us was the only thing you could do when you done wrong. –I have learned what suffering means. In a way that was impossible, I think I can understand something of the pain black people have come to endure. I know I contributed to that pain, and I can only ask your forgiveness. I was wrong. Those days are over, and they ought to be over. Address to the Montgomery Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, 1979.– Wallace was a populist who made a deal at midnight at the crossroads after he lost his first race for governor. –”I was out-n——- by John Patterson. I’ll never be out-n——- again.”– Here’s Wallace explaining his transformation from populist to arch-segregationist: –I tried to talk about good roads and good schools and all these things that have been part of my career, and nobody listened. And then I began talking about n——, and they stomped the floor.– You can’t understand this country without recognizing the appeal to some of the racist demagogue. How’d Trump do yesterday down South? - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:38 am: Does the Reverend realize Rauner supports MAP grant funding that is actually funded? The House obstructed that bill without offering a fully funded alternative, not Rauner. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:41 am: Racist demagogue? Whew. Better look up some of the Clinton rhetoric from 2008 while we are at it. I almost forgot who started the “birther” nonsense back then. - Juice - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:47 am: Anonymous at 10:38. The Governor borrowed money in 2015, and for budgetary purposes, those dollars were spent in 2015. That cash is supposed to be paid back in 2017. How does not paying back something in 2016 that is not budgeted to be paid back within that fiscal year actually create cash so that MAP and universities can be funded in a balanced way? I realize the financial wizards within the Governor’s office aren’t great at math, but the answer is it doesn’t. This is nothing more than a face saving gimmick from our courageous Governor who once again is baffled to find out that the hostage taking impacts those beyond the borders of the city of Chicago. Nothing more, nothing less. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:01 am: Jesse Jackson’s son is a Chicago State employee. Maybe the possible layoff notice hit too close to home for the reverend. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:18 am: Liz faire: not a R defender at all. Jesse Jackson makes everything about…..Jesse Jackson - Whatever - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:18 am: Totally untrue. Wallace was a Democrat and he got the Alabama constitution amended to eliminate term limits for governors. Also, his wife apparently agreed with his policies, because she did not reverse any of them when she was governor. I think that was snark. - A guy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:20 am: === wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:28 am: To be fair, long before he died, ….==== Unfortunately for everyone…old segregationists never die, they live to haunt, being quoted by the persons who should have buried their words with their bodies. - Juvenal - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:28 am: Anonymous 10:38 - I am sure that Reverend Jackson is well aware of Rauner’s efforts to strip money permanently from the fund that helps poor people - mostly seniors - afford to keep their heat on in the winter and their air conditioning on in the summer. I believe Jackson’s group helps publicize and register folks for energy assistance. - burbanite - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:32 am: The Gov’s antics could be comedic, but sadly they have tragic consequences. The procurement reforms include antiunion provisions, of course. I can’t find any detailed plan, despite my best efforts, other than the Gov’s oral statements on procurement reform. I don’t think the Governor’s prejudice is grounded in race, but rather, grounded in economics. Those with money matter, those who don’t have money, make too much. I think Jesse Jackson should take him up on his offer, call his bluff Jesse: “Dollar, dime detail”? Would love to see that from the Gov’s office. Don’t underestimate the Rev’s ability to deal in dollar dime detail. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:33 am: –Unfortunately for everyone…old segregationists never die, they live to haunt, being quoted by the persons who should have buried their words with their bodies.– Fascinating. I’m curious — do you think you have a point with that comment? About anything? If so, what is it? - Archiesmom - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:33 am: = Rauner is hurting students statewide. It is NOT a racial thing. = But the impact is being felt disproportionately by minorities. It may not be intentionally racist, but the effects are inevitably skewed towards those who have fewer resources to start with, i.e., minorities. - AC - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:49 am: Juice - interesting point! - tominchicago - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:57 am: - Juvenal - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:05 am: Did the Rauner administration just offer Jackson a kickback on tape? Exclusive Budweiser distributor for the State Fair? - Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:06 pm: Rauner would have been wise to let Rep. Ken Dunkin and the Rev. Sen. Chmn. Meeks do his respondin. - Markus57 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:21 pm: “Does the Reverend realize Rauner supports MAP grant funding that is actually funded? The House obstructed that bill without offering a fully funded alternative, not Rauner.” Maybe funded by magic beans as others have pointed out. A case could be made that since Rauner took office, not a single cent of spending has been “funded”. Since GRF appropriations don’t have a specific trackable funding source, if the sum of GRF appropriations is greater than GRF revenue, none of them are funded. All spending since Rauner has taken office is supported by borrowed funds, magic beans & court orders. Into fiscal year 2 without a balanced budget submitted by the governor. - Union Man - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:23 pm: JJ has to get his face in front of the media every few weeks so he doesn’t fade away. He so full of himself it makes me sick. - Mattman - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:41 pm: Interesting. Jesse, a guy who lost all credibility years ago, lecturing Rauner, a guy who is losing credibility day-by-day-by-day. - A guy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:07 pm: +++ wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:33 am: –Unfortunately for everyone…old segregationists never die, they live to haunt, being quoted by the persons who should have buried their words with their bodies.– Fascinating. I’m curious — do you think you have a point with that comment? About anything? If so, what is it?++++ I’m rooting for you here Sling. Read it until you get it. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:15 pm: –I’m rooting for you here Sling. Read it until you get it.– LOL, I’m not that deep. A little help, maybe? I mean, you pick your spots. You have absolutely nothing to say about the governor’s actions, yet you’re moved to paraphrase Gen. McCarthur for something something about me burying George Wallace. It must be something significant to stir you to action. - A guy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:43 pm: Who is Gen. McCarthur? Probably Doug MacArthur. Had no idea he said anything like what I just said (paraphrase). Hateful things rehashed by the very people who were targets of that hate, and society has long accepted them as being mortally wrong, are simply poor arguments today. Why memorialize these patrons of hell? I spend less time here for a couple of reasons; first, I’m very busy these days. There’s an election in less than 2 weeks. Secondly, what I see every day is very redundant. There’s little new ground being covered. No one’s fault. Just the same people saying the same things. My reactions to these same themes is just as predictable. I pick a spot when I see something that even hints at being a little new. - G'Kar - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:46 pm: “Yes, I remember that section from history class about George Wallace contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to historically black colleges and universities.” I was a finalist years ago for a position at George Wallace Community College. When I asked about the name, I was told that Wallace basically built Alabama’s community college network and Troy State. Later, during the informal part of the interview, it was explained to me that Wallace did this to keep the University of Alabama and Auburn white. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 2:08 pm: – Why memorialize these patrons of hell?– Gov. Wallace was a subject of the post. His record is relevant to discussing it, regardless of whatever it is you’re trying to say, for whatever reason you’re trying to say it. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 2:19 pm: ==Who is Gen. McCarthur? Probably Doug MacArthur. Had no idea he said anything like what I just said (paraphrase).== LOL, really? “Old segrationists never die…” just came to you, out of the blue? How much change did you get back for your breakfast burrito this morning? Four score and seven cents? You’re a laugh riot, dude. You say crazy things. - downstater - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 2:51 pm: “Gov. Rauner has the utmost respect for Rev. Jackson.” That’s almost as unfortunate as Jesse’s comments. - Federalist - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 3:18 pm: I could care less about a shake down artist like Jackson has to say. Always a master promoter of himself. - Lobo Y Olla - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 3:37 pm: Word- A guy- Today, this post, your comments… It’s why I keep reading. You are both quite witty. No snark. I learned a little something today in a comment section on a political blog. How about that. You should both stick around. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 3:44 pm: Rauner = Wallace, huh? Where do you get that? - Tone - Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 9:03 am: It wish Reverend Jackson would also comment on the 70+ African Americans that have been killed by other African Americans in Chicago to date. This is a very real problem. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.