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Friday, Mar 11, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller

My mom’s been sending around photos of her sons lately.

This one is of my brother Denny (on the left) and myself from the ’70s. The pic was taken at my grandad’s farm in Iroquois County.

Not sure why I’m posting it other than I’ve always kinda liked this photo and it lifted me out of my crushing fatigue and put a smile on my face. Thanks, Mom.

Denny is now a vintage clothing dealer in California.

All of my brothers have interesting jobs. One is a newspaper owner in southern Illinois. Another is a Texas construction estimator, an investor in some strange but profitable things (like oil wells) and a Republican politico. And another is a Northwest Illinois computer programming wizard and Internet entrepreneur.

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Friday Topinka blogging

Friday, Mar 11, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller

OK, one more for old time’s sake. I’m too tired to change the Friday blogging subject this week. Completely wiped out. Going to take a nap soon.

7 Comments

Question of the day

Friday, Mar 11, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller

What political reform(s) do you most want to see implemented in Illinois?

UPDATE: If you’re having trouble posting comments, just be patient. Blogger is still a little bit buggy today. You might have to press the button and go do something else for a bit while the posting window opens.

20 Comments

Bummer

Thursday, Mar 10, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller

Sorry for the problems posting comments today. Blogger has been a bad program all day.

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Hyde stuff

Thursday, Mar 10, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller

State Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) is looking more and more like the far and away frontrunner to replace Congressman Henry Hyde if, as expected, Hyde retires.

Roskam is throwing a party tonight for his volunteers, and former attorney general Jim Ryan is billed as the host. Hundreds of people are expected to attend. The guy has built an amazing organization in DuPage and he is quickly rounding up lots of endorsements. There’s a chance that he may even clear the primary field.

Meanwhile, Democrat Christine Cegelis, who ran a respectable campaign against Hyde last year, has already announced that she’s running again. Cegelis posted a long diary entry on the Democratic website Daily Kos yesterday (hat tip to the So-Called Austin Mayor for the link).

As seasoned political advisor told me, if I wanted to win in 2006 I needed to start in November of 2004. I took that advice to heart and kept as much of my organization in place as possible to gear up for what is now will most likely be an open seat in 2006.

9 Comments

Did they find the guy?

Thursday, Mar 10, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller

Big break in the Lefkow case.

Investigators early today said a man who shot himself in the head during a traffic stop in Wisconsin had a suicide note claiming responsibility for the slaying of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow’s husband and mother last week.

Members of the task force of Chicago police and federal agents said a van driven by Bart Ross, whose last known address was in the 4500 block of North Bernard Street in Chicago, was stopped in West Allis, near Milwaukee, about 6 p.m. As officers approached the car, Ross killed himself with a gunshot to the head, officials say.

Investigators said the man had a suicide note that included an admission that he shot the judge’s family.

The note included details in the case that were not released to the public, investigators said. Sources close to the investigation added that there was a list in the van of all the people who had mistreated him, including judges.

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Question of the day

Thursday, Mar 10, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller

What one piece of legislation would you like to see become law this year?

8 Comments

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