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Rauner makes cheery visit to Illinois State Museum

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Illinois

* Whatever else you think of him, you gotta give the governor credit for chutzpah…

Kids at the Illinois State Museum summer camp last week got a lesson in irony after Gov. Bruce Rauner, who proposes to close the museum, stopped by for a photo op with them.

Next day the children wrote a letter thanking the governor for coming to camp, adding, “We hope to see you next year!”

The Rauner administration has set official wheels in motion to shutter the 138-year-old institution […]

Already there are a hundred pages of letters opposing closure, but none more eloquent than the note from Elsa, a summer camper who wrote on the group letter to Rauner: “Please don’t close the museum. Please save my Mom’s job.”

Sheesh.

* The letter…

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:18 am

Comments

There are no words……

Comment by anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:21 am
breathtaking.

Comment by Pawn Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:23 am
“… you can fool some of the people all the time… ”

How does the Governor look at these kids and …

What a complete lack of self-awareness.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:23 am
Let ‘em go to the Walter Payton Prep Academy Summer Camp

Comment by D Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:23 am
What an (deleted).

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:23 am
and the governor’s heart grew three sizes that day!

(not really.)

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:26 am
That’s not real. It’s a gag.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:27 am
Makes me want to spit up

Did he tell the kids we may have to have some pain, but it will be worth it, if we can hamstring union employees?

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:28 am
Maybe they can add an exhibit before they close, entitled ‘Tone Deaf’ and just have a picture of Rauner.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:31 am
If the media which enjoy his money and bend to his power won’t say anything then he gets away with it. That’s nothing special. It’s just money.

Comment by All the answers Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:31 am
Hi Rich,

Bruce had a great day at the museum. All the kids said they would be for RTW if he would just keep it open!

Best,

ck!

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:32 am
Socio-something…

Something-path…

Something-something…

– MrJM

Comment by Mister Jay Em Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:32 am
sorta like when he came to our Department with his warm n fuzzy song and dance, but we didn’t get a photo op!

Comment by MAD MAX Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:33 am
OW- They aren’t his kids, his responsibility, just props. Maybe he’s using the picture as a “trophy” for one of his “wins” in the Turnaround. Much like a big game hunter.

I’m very cynical today.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:34 am
That’s got to be a fake. I cannot imagine that being real.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:36 am
It brings to mind the research that suggests many CEOs are psychopaths. We haved lived through the narcissist as governor thing in the past. Maybe this one leans a different way.

Comment by Neveranonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:39 am
- Anon221 -,

Rauner proved, unless it’s his Daughter being denied, it doesn’t matter much to him.

Rauner is also willing to deny a child over his Daughter. That’s real too.

People that aren’t Rauner, they don’t matter until… I’ll get back to on that…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:39 am
In the heading, I believe the work “cheery” should be replaced by the work “cheeky”.

Comment by Kippax Blue Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:39 am
Who on his staff let this happen? This is gag-inducing.

Comment by logger Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:46 am
Caption contest: “Here I am saying hello to the last class able to learn at the State Museum. Every other child can now do their learning where they belong in a poorly maintained building being taught by underpaid teachers who shouldn’t have decent pensions.”

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:47 am
his hypocrisy has no bounds…it is, however, a consistent trait

Comment by Yo Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:47 am
Kinda like a CEO visiting the employee picnic of a company he already decided to liquidate.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:47 am
He always had the capacity to be a politician.

Or, is this even lower than that?

Comment by Belle Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:49 am
Rauner: “Sorry children, we have to destroy Illinois to save it.”

Comment by Monday morning Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:49 am
A few caveats up front: I love the museum and do not want to see it closed. I also do not know any details about the summer camp program. I also agree it was not very savvy to have a photo-op at a place you want to close.

However, I have to question if the State can afford the Museum’s summer camp program in light of the fiscal crisis. It may not be big savings, but I don’t view it as essential. Additionally too often these types of programs serve a limited few (including the children of employees) rather than benefiting all children in the State.

Comment by Chicago Guy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:52 am
If this is real, what was next on the agenda during the governor’s excellent day:

– waxing the floors at the old folks homes?

– rearranging the furniture at the lighthouse for the blind?

– beer bongs with the Frat Boys with those yanked esophagul tubes?

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:54 am
I guess one man’s chutzpah is another man’s billionaire indifference to anything that does not promote more wealth for the uber-rich.

Comment by efudd Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:56 am
There is no adjective to describe the irony here.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:56 am
Chicago Guy - since the ISM is in Springfield, it’s not feasible for all children of the State to attend. And a quick Bing/Google search on “Illinois State Museum Summer Camp” shows that these camps cost money, with discount given to those who are members of the Museum. If employee kids go to these camps (as evidenced by Elsa), they probably pay whatever fee is appropriate.

Comment by Name Withheld Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:59 am
This is truly a wicked man.

Comment by Snucka Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 11:59 am
Chicago Guy- Try Google, the camp is fee based.

http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/main/events.html?EventID=2477

BTW- The program was full!

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eaf38gyo93f6cc32&llr=vjuxmucab

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:02 pm
Seems nice. Gov took time to visit with kids. Kids said thanks, shared their thoughts, and became engaged in a civic issue.

Positive event all around. Thanks Gov!

Comment by Shoe Searer Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:03 pm
State employees, restaurant patrons, spectators at local high school sporting events, all need to understand what a photo opportunitity visit from the Governor really means. Goodbye state agencies, farewell eating establishments frequented by state employees, and guess what your local school district will “reform” when their revenue is cut and property taxes are frozen. Or did you think you were more important than an ancient institution dedicated to teaching kids and adults about the states rich history?

Comment by AC Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:05 pm
Anon221 - I looked but missed that link. Thanks!

Comment by Name Withheld Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:05 pm
Cancellations of kids activities now on the ISM website after July 18-

http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/main/events.html?month=07&year=2015&day=18

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:05 pm
Perhaps it is a message to the legislators that “They are your budget decisions that decide whether or not we close the museum.”

Or perhaps his real intention is at the last minute to keep the museum open…..?

Comment by Sunshine Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:06 pm
What a jerk! Why doesn’t he just print the money to keep it open? Or borrow some more on Illinois’ sterling credit rating? Oh wait …

Comment by Reality Ron Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:06 pm
That takes……
I just can’t find the words.

Is he oblivious or merely cold hearted?

Comment by btowntruth Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:08 pm
There are some things that just shouldn’t be on the short list to be sacrificed. This is one. On the other hand, given that a tax increase is apparently off the table, where are $3 billion in substitute sacrifices to be found?

Comment by Keyser Soze Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:09 pm
=== Perhaps it is a message to the legislators that “They are your budget decisions that decide whether or not we close the museum.” ===

The purpose of RAUNER’s decision is to try to blame legislators However the decision is RAUNERS.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:10 pm
I would like to hear from these children in 30 years when they are stuck with the State of Illinois debt.

Comment by Hickory Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:11 pm
btowntruth: I would say cold hearted, and self-centered

Comment by Earl Shumaker Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:13 pm
“Nice museum you have here. It’d be a shame if anything happened to it.”

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:14 pm
==Next day the children wrote a letter thanking the governor for coming to camp, adding, “We hope to see you next year!”==

Cleverly done by a savvy camp leader. Superlative. +1 for their h/t to the Times.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:18 pm
The governor made it clear that he would only commit to future camps if each of the kids agreed to his turnaround agenda. When they refused he promptly labeled them all corrupt and pronounced the entire camp a sham.

Comment by pundent Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:21 pm
If the Gov had his way, there will eventually be a new exhibit at the State Museum - one of what union employees used to look like. Right next to the display of what Indians used to look like. Rauner would have the former union employee display showing some guys taking naps, drinking coffee, eating donuts, and in general, not doing anything. Then there would be a description how Rauner made the state prosperous by getting rid of the unions.

Comment by Joe M Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:32 pm
You have to have a head full of mush to believe that the governor’s actions are an attempt to reduce spending or debt.

He has been quite clear as to his objectives.

He has proposed spending in excess of revenues by more than $3 billion.

He has proposed adding $2.2 billion in unfunded liability to the pensions systems.

He has proposed raising taxes after he gets unrelated anti-union measures.

Those are public actions that have been out there for months.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:41 pm
Putting this next to a similar picture of Madigan, if one exists, could destroy the universe.

Or make for one barn-burner of a caption contest. We would all get lifetime bans lol.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:41 pm
How the Governor Closed The Museum - Seuss, enhanced by VanillaMan

Scene Five -

Narrator: As the Governor took the museum, as he started to shove, he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove. He turned around fast, and he saw a small Who. Little Elsa Lou Who, who was smarter than he knew. She stared at the Governor and said…

Elsa Lou Who: Governor Rauner, why? Why are you taking our Museum? Why?

Narrator: But do you know, that old Governor was so smart and so slick, that he thought up a lie and he thought it up quick.

Governor: Why my sweet little tot…

Narrator: The fake Governor lied…

Governor: …there’s a budget on this museum that won’t add up on one side. So I’m closing it down and selling off treasures, my dear. I’ll sell everything there is, and bring the money back here.

Narrator: And his fib fooled the child. Then he gave her a food stamp, he got her a drink, and he returned her to camp. And when Elsa Lou Who was in camp with a friend, he crept to his office and that was the end. Then he went locked the library himself, the wealthy old liar, and the last thing he did was rob the pension so they couldn’t retire. In the museum, he left nothing but a plaque hung by a wire. And written upon it was “Opened 1877 but I let it expire”.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Come on Bruce the kids card was great. Keep it opened.

Comment by mokenavince Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 12:57 pm
===Next day the children wrote a letter thanking the governor for coming to camp, adding, “We hope to see you next year!”===

The person who wrote that message on the card for the kids to sign was either oblivious in their platitude or chose a brilliant, subtle, and well executed barb.

If the latter is the case, they could probably teach a thing or two two the Snark Crew.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:02 pm
Heads above and oblivious. Comparable to passing gas on a crowded elevator.

Comment by vole Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:04 pm
=== There are no words…… ===

Two, actually: Rod Blagojevich

Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:06 pm
I heard Gov. Rauner found a few bucks in the budget to have this letter framed for posterity. Nothing like reminiscing about making little kids cry.

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:06 pm
- VanillaMan -, nicely played.

The “Who”, delicious irony I enjoyed as an addition.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:07 pm
Oh, no! Didn’t someone tell those poor kids what happens when you get your picture taken with BVR?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:10 pm
I hope he’ll enjoy figuratively popping these kids’ balloons when the museum is closed.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:12 pm
The creative genius of V Man knows no bounds.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:15 pm
Vanilla Man: Bravo! Well done.

Comment by Pawn Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Dukakis is just out of the picture in his tank….with a bit of advice.

Comment by $10 Lid Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:28 pm
==either oblivious in their platitude or chose a brilliant, subtle, and well executed barb==

It looked oblivious until reading the campers’ messages.

Each message asks Rauner not to close the museum, indicating the person who had the campers sign the card knew of Rauner’s plans to close the museum when doing this. Unless a camper reads Capfax and told the others, that person likely told the campers of Rauner’s closure plans before asking the kids to sign the card. Brilliant, subtle and daring imho.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:38 pm
In Hebrew, chutzpah is used indignantly, to describe someone who has overstepped the boundaries of accepted behavior. In traditional usage, the word expresses a strong sense of disapproval, condemnation and outrage.

Leo Rosten in The Joys of Yiddish defines chutzpah as “gall, brazen nerve, effrontery, incredible ‘guts’, presumption plus arrogance such as no other word and no other language can do justice to”. In this sense, chutzpah expresses both strong disapproval and condemnation. In the same work, Rosten also defined the term as “that quality enshrined in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan”. Chutzpah amounts to a total denial of personal responsibility, that renders others speechless and incredulous … one cannot quite believe that another person totally lacks common human traits like remorse, regret, guilt, sympathy and insight. The implication is at least some degree of psychopathy in the subject, as well as the awestruck amazement of the observer at the display.
Chutzpah is correct. From Professor Wikipedia:

The cognate of chutzpah in Classical Arabic, ḥaṣāfah (حصافة), does not mean “impudence” or “cheekiness” or anything similar, but rather “sound judgment”.[3]

Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:48 pm
He’d make the puppy sit up before he sent it to the pound

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:57 pm
As usual Vanilla Man hit one out of the park. Touch ‘em all, VM

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:57 pm
the words to describe this are all banned!

Comment by DPGumby Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:59 pm
+1 for Pundent @ 12:21

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:11 pm
VanillaMan, I don’t use the word ‘hero’ lightly, but you are the greatest hero in American history.

– MrJM

Comment by Mister Jay Em Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:46 pm
Gov. Rauner- you have been photo bombed!

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:15 pm
I can’t claim that title because my uncle used to drive a Rambler Rebel, so that almost makes me a Southern Confederate KKK member, except in Kenosha Wisconsin.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:25 pm