And now for something completely different
Wednesday, Sep 10, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rarely will you see opinion columns like this one published by the Irish Echo…
Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to humanity, who in turn transformed fire into a force for good and not evil.
Zeus is the Democratic Party of Illinois and Prometheus is young buck Kevin D. Ryan, a United States Marine Corp veteran, teacher, Oxford and Georgetown graduate, who is running in the Democratic primary for the Illinois Senate.
His story and his youth are aflame as Kevin travels across the State campaigning and gathering petitions in an old school bus he bought for 19 grand as he launched his Promethean campaign.
Like many great men, Kevin grew up on the far Southside of Chicago, mostly in Orland Park, went to Marist HS, where his dad and all his brothers went: legacy grads.
He showed me his bus, tricked out for the campaign with slogan “runwithkev.com” and intends to hit every county in the State of Illinois, taking his message to the working-class folks. He’s got bigger cojones than the entire Illinois General Assembly and he says he wants to get money out of politics.
It’s daunting, but something tells me Kevin Ryan is on to something. I ask how old he is, and he chuckles, “I’m 33 years old, the same age as Jesus!”
Check out the highlighted cutline…
- Roadrager - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 12:36 pm:
Finally, a newspaper made specifically for suburban Chicago Notre Dame fans who never went to Notre Dame and consider Gaelic Park in Oak Forest “the motherland.”
- Moe Berg - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 12:38 pm:
” The Oldest Irish American Newspaper in USA, Established in 1928.”
And, with a writing style that reflects its founding year.
- Homebody - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 12:41 pm:
Zero information about his platforms or positions besides a generic “get money out of politics” throwaway line. Cute story, but zero reason anyone should vote for him.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 12:46 pm:
“when Kevin speaks, ladies listen”
I am just going to call bs on that.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 12:47 pm:
Something is definitely aflame, alright…
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 12:52 pm:
They have vilified me, they have crucified me, yes, they have even criticized me.
- Chambanalyst - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 12:52 pm:
That hairline is not giving 33…
- Who else - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 12:54 pm:
I love this whole thing so much. Everything about it is perfect. This line really brings it home for me: “Kevin grew up on the far Southside of Chicago, mostly in Orland Park”
The Onion is probably jealous.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 1:03 pm:
===Everything about it is perfect===
Agreed.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 1:04 pm:
it’s like the Southside Irish parade became print.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 1:06 pm:
===it’s like the Southside Irish parade became print===
That’s so good I shared it in three different text convos.
- Palos (D) - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 1:28 pm:
Kev should start with something he is more qualified for like school board or library board. Former Orland Park mayor Dan McLaughlin is one of his bigger supporters. Whatever that is worth.
- Annon'in - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 1:32 pm:
If Kev is runnin’ for state senate he save some on gas if he focused on those counties. Plus could you toss in your list of all the “greats” who grew up on the south side
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 1:37 pm:
=Kev should start with something he is more qualified for like school board =
You should mind your own business./s
But please don’t encourage him to do that.
- Blue to the Bone - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 1:53 pm:
He spoke in front of our meeting of the county party and surprisingly had people listening. If he’s lucky enough to get into a forum with the other candidates, my bet is that he gains some traction. At the least, he has my respect for doing the work.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 1:57 pm:
Painting Kevin Ryan with the Irish brush reminds me of another Irish politician awaiting sentencing for his antics as an Illinois politician.
- Casper the Ghost Bus - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 2:01 pm:
The Irish Echo appears to be confusing the Illinois Senate and the US Senate. Kev’s shirt says he’s running for the one in DC.
And to complete the mythology lesson …
Zeus, angered by Prometheus’ theft of fire, decided to make an example of him. He ordered that Prometheus be bound to a rock where an eagle would come each day to feast on his liver. Each night, Prometheus’ liver would regenerate, only to be eaten again the next day.
- H-W - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 2:16 pm:
It almost looks and reads as AI.
Personally, I do not believe veterans should wear uniforms. Ready reserve? Certainly, but only when called up.
Nonetheless, with a slogan like === He’s got bigger cojones than the entire Illinois General Assembly ===, how can you not love this guy, and vote for this guy.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 2:40 pm:
Looks just like the guy who checked your ID at Reilly’s Daughter.
- Benjamin - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 2:41 pm:
Not sure about the context of the above picture, but political activities in uniform are a big no-no under Department of Defense rules. I do hope for his sake that was some other kind of dinner he was at.
- confused - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 2:48 pm:
$23 million on a run for Illinois Senate must be a record
- JoanP - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 2:56 pm:
= Not sure about the context of the above picture =
Not a terribly recent picture. The photo on his campaign website shows him with a beard.
- Leatherneck - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 3:07 pm:
=$23 million on a run for Illinois Senate must be a record=
Blair Hull spent $29 million in 2004:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/03/17/a-29-million-hangover/
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Sep 10, 25 @ 4:45 pm:
I don’t know whether to stand up and cheer or reach for the Pepto-Bismol.