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Unsolicited advice

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Illinois

* Dear Illinois State Board of Elections,

Tomorrow is the filing deadline for D-2 reports, but your website has been crashing all day today. If this problem isn’t fixed, tomorrow is gonna be a nightmare for candidates and reporters alike. Fix it, please. [I’m not linking to the site because it would only make a bad problem worse.]

* Dear budding media critics,

If you’re gonna be a media critic, it would be best to point to the stories you are actually trying to critique. For example, Progress Illinois has a post today entitled The Problem With The Media’s Early Release Coverage in which it derides the “spotty” reports on the secret, botched program. In doing so, they link approvingly to this post by the Chicago Justice Project…

The press is all a flutter over the fact that some of the individuals released under the MGT program committed new offenses after their release from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). The reporting on the issue leads the reader to believe that if only these individuals had not been let out after serving 7 days rather than the 61 days that was mandatory they would never have reoffended. The media has presented no evidence to demonstrate this.

The problem with the slam is that not a single media report was cited to demonstrate the underlying thesis. Not one. The Justice Project’s argument, therefore, is little more than a bogus, defensive red herring.

* Dear UNITE/HERE Local 1,

A 37-second text lead-in to the actual meat of your Internet video does not encourage viewing. Your point is good, but, please, get to it quicker…

* Dear Michigan,

Bite us…

Illinois officials and industry representatives are relieved after the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to allow the immediate closure of shipping locks to prevent the Asian carp from infesting the Great Lakes.

The office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan opposed Michigan’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have ordered the locks in the Chicago area closed. They argued the move would deal an economic blow to Illinois.

It could’ve also led to massive flooding of the city. Seriously, this was the best idea that Michigan and those other states could come up with? Does Michigan want our economy to suck as badly as its own? We are in desperate need of a solution to this Asian carp thing, but closing the locks? A bit extreme, no?

* Dear Capitol Fax Blog commenters,

Thanks.

Something that I neglected to post in my obituary of Carlos Hernandez Gomez was the real impact you had on his life. I didn’t say so at the time, but he had told me on a late-night phone call that he was pretty much giving up. The next morning, I was desperate to do whatever I could as fast as I could, so I asked you to help lift his spirits. Your comments really turned him around. I can never, ever repay the debt I owe all of you for those kind and timely words. They meant so much to Carlos, to his wife and to his family.

Your turn.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 4:45 pm

Comments

Capt Fax once MI is done biting us they may want track down this Bayou Buddy for another “solution” to the crisis….the same advice might go to our Peoria friends….
Invasive Fish Coming to a Store Near You

In a program spearheaded by one of the first chefs to start cooking alligator meat, the invasive Asian carp will soon be appearing on menus and store shelves around the country as silverfin. Introduced in the 1970s to assist in the management of aquaculture ponds, the fish escaped into the wild and has been causing boating accidents ever since. In northern states, wildlife officials opt for poisoning the carp, but a group of Louisiana-based companies have teamed up to clean, process and sell the fish that reach their waters through freshwater rivers at a profit. Chef Philippe Parola told the Associated Press that this solution puts private money behind a public problem and can be reached without any taxpayer dollars.

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:00 pm
“Carlos Hernandez Gomez” “Your comments really turned him around.”

Life ain’t easy; any time anyone can lift another up is great and a gift. Don’t ever quit doin’ it. Ya’all never know when it makes THE difference.

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:04 pm
Holy sweet Moses, Rich. You couldn’t be more spot on about the ISBE site…it’s been making mundane tasks time consuming ordeals for months now.

Comment by Two More Weeks Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:05 pm
Mass Democrats…
There will be a day after, take it from someone involved in a special election that became a national cause.

Mass Republicans…
If Brown pulls it off thanks for making the Hastert thing look minor. Ted Kennedy’s seat, seriously sweet.

Andy McKenna,
Dude enough with the Robo-calls, I get it, I am active Republican and I am someone to reach out to. But if you couldn’t be bothered to come out to the Kane County candidates forum, I can’t be bothered to listen to your robo-calls 2 weeks out. Also talking with your workers does not mean you understand the working class, don’t forget your their freaking boss. No one talks to their big boss like he is a regular guy.

Jim Ryan,
Spoke to a guy on the train today about the race. He likes you but he wishes you would show some more vigor. Easy to say I realize, but something to shoot for.

Dillard,
I have an idea for a drinking game, every time you mention Edgar the players have to drink a shot. Take everyone’s keys beforehand.

Proft,
Dan, I work about a block away from your campaign office the ‘We were all born poor black children’ or whatever was classic. Regardless of what happens on primary day, I want to buy you a drink for that laser cutting through BS comment.

Soy Boy,
A well written script can do wonders, remember that.

Adam Adrew…
For being the first candidate for anything who used the term API and knew what it meant. Respect forever..

CapFax Homies…
Thanks for being able to discus Illinois politics in a intelligent and interesting way. I thank you and my wife who I am sure gets sick of me sharing my thoughts and opinions at the TV thanks you.

Rich,
Thanks for creating the coolest political geek clubhouse ever.

Finally,

Damn it Bill, you should have run for Senate you would have been a better choice than what the Dems are offering up.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:10 pm
Also…

Alexi,
Wall Street doesn’t do anything. People and firms do.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:17 pm
EVRYONE in America knows Unite is a front for the boys!

Comment by TRUEST Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:23 pm
I called the ISBE several times today to report web access problems. Each and every time, no one was available and I was advised to call back later, after lunch. Given the number of times I called and the span of time my calls covered, I am curious about more than the just the functionality of the website now. I wanna know how long lunch is at the ISBE. Grrr.

Comment by Indeedy Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:30 pm
I wish the real story about how the carp came to knock on Lake Michigan’s door in the first place. It wasn’t Illinois’ fault, nor is it Illinois’ problem to solve alone.

Rich is right, we need solutions to the problem…not pathetic pandering and finger-pointing.

Comment by Knome Sane Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:39 pm
Perhaps, Knome, the governor could distract us all from the budget deficit, unemployment and the early release debacle by invading Michigan in retaliation.

A little boost of jingoistic patriotism right before the election wouldn’t hurt. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:43 pm
This isn’t unsolicted advice. It’s simply a very heartfelt and totally “soppy” comment (especially coming from an R), but it needs to be said. (Maybe today, especially):

The entire State of Illinois–and more importantly, WE as individuals–are DAMN lucky to have Rich Miller around for too many reasons to even try to explain to somehow who doesn’t know.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:46 pm
I’ve hit the 100% mark on typos today. (But you know what I mean anyway. Right, Rich?)

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 5:55 pm
I think its intresting that NONE of the states around Mich. are countersuing over the Emerald Ash Bore that has destroyed communities agronomy,The trees where traced back to Michigan, check how many Chicago destroyed from just fear!! Plus for those of us oldies remember the Tiger Mussel that attatched to cargo ships thru the Saint Laurence water way, hey ‘dair carefull what goes around comes around!

Comment by bwana Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 7:10 pm
Following the directions downloaded from the ISBE on electronic filing of D2 reports, I dialed the provided number for a password and ID Number after downloading the program.

I got a recorded message advising me to leave a message and they will get back to me. I called a second time, Third time, Fourth time. Fifth time. Sixth time. Dialing other numbers ended up being transferred back to THAT recorded message!

How does that old Beatles Song go? “No Reply.”

So I’m documenting everything and shipping the data to someone who already has a password and ID to try to get this thing in on time.

Small little local campaign with no opposition in the primary.

Maybe they are all out helping round up the early release folks?

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 8:18 pm
If you’re planning to vote republican in the primary, PLEASE pick a gubernatorial candidate everyone can live with for the next 4 years or so. It’s tempting to pick people based on what they say, but if they have no practical experience in Illinois politics will be highly unlikely to accomplish what they say they will today

Pick someone whop can hold onto to the GOP base, but more importantly can pick up independents and moderate dems in November.

PLEASE choose carefully and wisely, for all of our sakes.

Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Jan 19, 10 @ 11:41 pm
WCW, are you switching parties on us?

Comment by The REAL Anonymous...fka Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 12:24 am
- Perhaps, Knome, the governor could distract us all from the budget deficit, unemployment and the early release debacle by invading Michigan in retaliation. -

I’m behind that, new campaign slogan “Muck Fichigan”

Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 8:11 am
====Pick someone whop can hold onto to the GOP base, but more importantly can pick up independents and moderate dems in November.===

That person doesn’t exist, in Illinois or at the national level.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 8:40 am
Sorry, the above comment is from Deep South.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 8:41 am
===
Perhaps, Knome, the governor could distract us all from the budget deficit, unemployment and the early release debacle by invading Michigan in retaliation.
===

Rich, I think we have a thread from a year ago or so where we outlined our strategies to invade not only Michigan, but Canada, too–and I think maybe even Indiana! We could pull that and begin work on it again. I still have that map I was using. lol

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 8:59 am
Sorry, the last one (8:59) was from The REAL Anonymous…fka Anonymous.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 9:02 am
@ Rich Miller -Fix it, please-

A man can dream. Ten Bucks says the site will crash by 11 am.

Comment by Big Policy Nerd Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 9:25 am
re your info for CapFax posters…thanks, and…blub….so sad.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 9:52 am