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* Ummm…
As a protest against Trump's rescinding protections for trans kids, everyone should use the other gender's bathroom today! #protecttranskids
— J.B. Pritzker (@JBPritzker) February 23, 2017
Kind of unclear on the actual concept, don’t you think?
*** UPDATE *** Pritzker was called out by a progressive legislator and is back-pedaling…
No disrespect @JBPritzker but it's actually about precisely *not* that. We just want to let kids use their own gender's bathroom
— Will Guzzardi 🖇 (@WillGuzzardi) February 23, 2017
Yes @JBPritzker but your idea suggests that we support ppl going into opposite-gender bathrooms, which plays right into transphobic rhetoric
— Will Guzzardi 🖇 (@WillGuzzardi) February 23, 2017
Was not being literal. But I think today and every day we should be standing up for all our kids. #ResistTrump
— J.B. Pritzker (@JBPritzker) February 23, 2017
I’m told that Pritzker was trying to parody the right with his original tweet. Meh. That stuff should be left to the professionals.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 8:57 am
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Pritzker “Unannounced” Crew,
Someone take away his Twitter.
Thanks. OW
Saying nothing is better than this.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:01 am
As my teens would say, “NECK”!
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:03 am
I hope he tries and then gets arrested for it. Ick.
Comment by Earnest Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:04 am
Ah those crazy billionaires and their Twitter.
Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:06 am
Weird.
Comment by Saluki Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:07 am
JB has been stuck on about the same amount of twitter followers for several months. I guess his “controversial” idea is supposed to attract followers?
Comment by anon Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:10 am
Can you imagine any public leader, past or present, making such a public comment?
Well -there was Caligula….
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:11 am
Really missing the point.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:12 am
It would only prove the point that opponents of unisex bathroom/locker room mandates have been trying to make all along, which is how readily they can (and inevitably will) be abused by pranksters, voyeurs, and others who are NOT genuine transgenders. File this under “That’s (one reason) why you got Trump”.
Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:13 am
I love that liberals are all about making 99% of the population suffer for the comfort of the other 1%.
Comment by OpenYourEyes Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:14 am
Go ahead, JB…you first. And be very public about it and make sure there are plenty of women in there before you barge on in.
Sheesh!
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:14 am
Sit a couple plays out, JB.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:15 am
this is unfortunate.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:16 am
I always feel really bad for the dudes using the men’s room after I’m through using it - I think ladies might not survive the olfactory onslaught.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:16 am
Idiocy will come back to haunt him. Two words…downstate Illinois.
Comment by Menard Guy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:17 am
Mr. Pritzker’s tweet is no more bizarre than the policy of allowing the gender confused to use any bathroom they wish.
Comment by anonymous Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:17 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1tmkAFb_Os
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:18 am
He doesn’t have a clue, but it is to be expected.
Comment by Arock Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:18 am
If he runs, I’m posting his campaign stickers in rest rooms.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:19 am
Well, one down early in the race…
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:19 am
I urge all men to leave the seats down today!
Comment by GoldenShowers Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:19 am
We are looking for leaders that are grown ups. These are not the words of a grown up.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:20 am
Eye roll worthy tweet.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:20 am
Flush him
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:21 am
=Mr. Pritzker’s tweet is no more bizarre than the policy of allowing the gender confused to use any bathroom they wish.=
First, they are not “gender confused”.
Second, we are looking for “grown ups”.
Try to be one.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:21 am
Call me a liberal, but I thought it was kind of humorous. As the bathrooms at my home and office are both unisex, it won’t be a factor for me today.
Comment by Collinsville Kevin Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:23 am
When was the last time this billionaire used a public rest room?
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:24 am
Trump’s executive actions are bad and harmful for kids. But using “the other gender’s bathroom” is not the same thing as a trans kid (or adult) using the bathroom they identify with. Unsurprisingly, money doesn’t buy Pritzker an understanding of the issues.
Comment by LeonDespres Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:25 am
J.B., why would you give the GOP material to use to campaign against you?
Comment by No Longer A Lurker Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:25 am
If Pritzker keeps posting nonsense to Twitter, he might become his party’s nominee for President instead of Governor.
Comment by AC Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:26 am
These people just don’t understand that their entire political future rests on the next words out of their mouth. I personally will not even give him a second look now. For me, he’s done, and no longer to be taken seriously. Good bye J.B., phone number deleted (symbolically anyway).
Comment by GoldenShowers Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:26 am
Well sometimes your friends fail you when they forget to tell you that you’re not funny.
Comment by in absentia Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:29 am
First - if someone tries this in a VERY public place (i.e. the Capitol building or the Willis Tower) my guess is that it would cause unintended consequences. Second - while I understand his concern and his (perhaps legitimate) outrage there are better ways to handle his disdain than calling for something that could (and likely will) backfire.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:30 am
** First, they are not “gender confused”. **
You are correct, they are what their birth certificate says they are until they elect to go under the knife to change it.
Comment by CornCob Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:31 am
Dear J.B.,
We need your money a whole lot more than your ideas. Thanks
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:31 am
That was dumb, especially when you consider he has a cousin that is transgender.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:33 am
Could JB’s tweet be the equivalent of Howard Dean’s infamous scream?
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:34 am
He does have a transgender cousin, Jennifer. But it does seem like an odd way to protest. Maybe he should restrict the protest to Trump tower.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:34 am
Good way to get arrested for disorderly conduct.
“But I’m a billionaire running for Governor!”
“And I’m the King of England. Tell it to the judge.”
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:36 am
Question answered: “Does Pritzker drink heavily in the morning.”
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:38 am
In retrospect, hiring Mark Kirk’s political consulting firm to vet Twitter posts wasn’t the best idea. /s
Comment by AC Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:38 am
Here’s a hint. Use your Twitter to show you are traveling the state, not sitting in your mansion in Chicago thinking of ideas composed of less than 140 characters
Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:38 am
Well I have a funny story, that I thought I would share. I frequent Wal-Mart Super Centers at numerous different towns and one day while at a super center, that I had not been to before I went into the restroom, walked right in and went to a stall. While standing there a weird feeling came over me, huh, that was weird, I didn’t see any urinals! That’s odd I said to self, and that’s about the time it hit me, along with the fact I heard the door open and the voices were NOT deep voices! Holly crap I was in the women’s! I finished my business and believe or not was able to sneak out without being seen. I found the wife and told her what happened, we laughed for at least 20 minutes, people were looking at us like we lost our minds. I know this is a serious topic, but it still make me laugh!
Comment by Digity Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:55 am
He was mocking the homophobes. I mean cmon, this guy has a trans first cousin, was chair of the Equality Illinois gala a couple years back and always speaks out on this issue.
It might have made more sense with the previous tweet he sent out: “Disgraceful Trump removes federal protections for transgender students. To trans kids everywhere: we have your back! #protecttranskids”
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:55 am
Rich, you’re youtube link….you think he’s finished?
Comment by Telly Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:56 am
Let’s be clear.
If a guy walks into the ladies bathroom while I’m waiting outside for my 6 year old.
That guy is going to be in a world of hurt.
Comment by John Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:57 am
I think it was Chris Kennedy that suggested he put out the tweet.
Comment by Inspector Gadget Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:57 am
Another shining example of why politicians should stay off “the Twitter”. This is just creepy.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:02 am
I hate to play the devil’s advocate, but if stupid tweets defined one’s ability to get elected to a high office in the country Arnold Schwarzenegger would not be hosting celebrity apprentice.
Comment by Jaded Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:03 am
I’m at a loss to think of something that would be more counterproductive to this cause than that suggestion.
Comment by Mittuns Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:05 am
Why don’t people think these things through before tweeting? I could see someone coming up with that idea thinking it was good, but talk to a few people and then think it over again. Bad idea. Really bad idea.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:05 am
With all due respect, everyone really needs to take a breath. It was NOT a command or a suggestion. It was a failed attempt at humor.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:08 am
Oh JB…
The exchange he had with Guzzardi was hopefully educational for him.
Meanwhile in the back of my brain: “Oh jeez, he’s Blair Hull. All money, no communication instinct.”
Comment by In 630 Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:13 am
=You are correct, they are what their birth certificate says they are until they elect to go under the knife to change it.=
Does it hurt your knuckles when they drag on the ground like that?/s
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:13 am
== The exchange he had with Guzzardi was hopefully educational for him. ==
Nah, looks like he doubled down.
Comment by Tim Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:19 am
JB should be happy he can fit in any stall
Comment by Sue Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:24 am
Perpetuating mental illness seems to be in vogue these days.
Comment by GOP Extremist Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:28 am
not helpful.
In fact transgender people who identify as male or female for purposes of using the bathroom want to use either a men’s room or a women’s room or a neutral bathroom depending on how they identify. Men and women who identify as men and women want to use their own facilities. That’s the point.
Comment by Dozer Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:30 am
A good example why regular people aka ‘deplorables’ wretch at liberal victimhood/entitlement mentality
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:38 am
#notmybathroom
Comment by Bored Chairman Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:40 am
Nice idea, Pritzker. Just what I want - men entering my Granddaughter’s restroom!
Comment by Formerpol Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:45 am
OMG. I have got to pee really bad…and I’m not sure where I’m supposed to go now. Safest thing might be behind a tree.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:48 am
Pritzker really doesn’t seem like he’s ready for prime time. Cubs in ‘16 at 9:31 AM has it right.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:48 am
==- Sue - Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:24 am:
JB should be happy he can fit in any stall===
Sue, I don’t mean to go all Willy and Sling on you here. But…could you please cite your source?
Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:49 am
His follow up tweet:
“Was not being literal. But I think today and every day we should be standing up for all our kids. #ResistTrump”
He thinks posting the #ResistTrump hashtag will make up for his ignorance on the issue?
Comment by Clark Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:55 am
===He thinks posting the #ResistTrump hashtag will make up for his ignorance on the issue?===
- Clark -
Yeah, I’m more and more inclined to agree with Rich’s “9:18 am” comment…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 10:58 am
“- Collinsville Kevin - Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 9:23 am:
Call me a liberal, but I thought it was kind of humorous.”
Yea, I’m pretty sure that was the idea. Too bad so many people took it like a serious command.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:02 am
==Sue, I don’t mean to go all Willy and Sling on you here. But…could you please cite your source?==
Her eyes?
Comment by so... Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:09 am
In the grand scheme of everything facing our state and country we are way too focused on a misdirected but probably well intended tweet. People who run for office make mistakes like anyone else. Doesn’t mean they don’t have what it takes, but if anything it means that he should be far more careful moving forward with what he puts on social media.
Comment by Shytown Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:15 am
I think it was intended to parallel the protest if they set up a muslim registry — everyone should register. Unfortunately, there are some nuances here that Mr. Pritzker didn’t think through.
Comment by NoGifts Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:17 am
===some nuances here ===
lol
You’re being far too kind.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:18 am
To the update….
Just. Stop. Tweeting.
Stop, or tweet “this”
@FakeJBPritzker - My transgender tweet was wrong. I did it. I’m sorry. What I will do is continue my support for the LGBT Community and learn from this mistake and do better.
… and even that’s “too little too late” but at least acknowledges his mistake.
Pritzker right now is still digging.
Stop.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:19 am
- Shytowm -, - NoGifts -
This tweet and this instance isn’t about nuance or being capable.
It’s about awareness and understanding and a lacking in both.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:22 am
This is what happens when you run for office without actually spending time with the constituencies needed as a base…
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:26 am
So…Kennedy vs. Pawar huh?
Comment by In 630 Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:31 am
A parody of the right? Stop. Just say what he did was wrong and move on. And let’s all move on.
Comment by Shytown Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:31 am
This is probably the most over-analyzed tweet in Twitter history. Judging from some of the responses, however, some people see Pritzker as a serious threat.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:33 am
Well that was superbly dumb. Another billionaire with some zingers. Whether JB was serious or not, this will sink him in the general if he makes it that far.
Dems, find someone else, fast.
Comment by Whoops Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:37 am
- 47th Ward -
With great respect as always.
The response by Pritzker after being called on the first tweet hasn’t helped.
Pritzker should just admit he did it and was wrong, he’s sorry and will do better.
The feign “trying to” excuse is the digging Pritzker never needed.
We’ll see if Pritzker can learn here. That’s what I’m more interested in. That, and that Pritzker realizes he can’t tweet things without consequences, and that in this instance the ones calling him out aren’t wrong.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:41 am
Cheri Bustos,
Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?
Comment by Oh Boy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:42 am
===most over-analyzed tweet in Twitter history===
LOL
You must’ve been sleeping the past 18 months or ignoring all national coverage.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:45 am
Tweetin’ ain’t easy.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:54 am
”
- NIU Grad - Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:26 am:
This is what happens when you run for office without actually spending time with the constituencies needed as a base…”
You mean other than his first cousin and the fact he’s been fighting for these contingencies for literally decades. Geez. I’m with 47 on this one.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 12:03 pm
Made me think of this exchange:
Nigel Tufnel: We don’t literally say it.
David St. Hubbins: No, we don’t say it.
Nigel Tufnel: We don’t really, literally mean it.
David St. Hubbins: No, we don’t believe it either, but…
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 12:05 pm
Dumb tweet, but some serious over-reaction here to the impact of dumb tweets on your future campaign. Anyone recall a guy named Donald Trump?
Comment by ZC Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 12:10 pm
===Anyone recall a guy named Donald Trump?===
Please. Only Trump has been shown to be able to get away with saying stuff like that.
Remember Billy Bush? The guy on the bus with Trump when he made that remark about grabbing women by a certain part of their body? Trump is now the POTUS and Bush is unemployed.
Keep that in mind. Trump didn’t set a precedent for anyone to pop off in public. People who think he did are doomed to Billy Bushland.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 12:13 pm
Even Hannity can apologize for a dumb tweet: https://twitter.com/seanhannity/status/834816739636609024
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 12:18 pm
47th-
I don’t think many see Pritzer as a serious threat.
Even fewer see him as a serious threat after today’s events.
Just what we need, another bigmouth trust fund kid trying to play politics like it is a game of monopoly.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 12:28 pm
So after using whatever bathroom we want today, are we going to head into Mexico illegally?
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 12:42 pm
Between this and his many hours late “me too!” arrival at O’Hare for the airport protests, he’s off to a bang-up start before he even begins….
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 12:53 pm
No one is going to vote against Pritzker because of this tweet.
Am I crazy, or isn’t Guzzardi supporting Pawar?
This looks to me like nothing more than some early elbow-throwing by the Pawar campaign.
Was anyone not connected with re Pawar campaign “incensed”?
Comment by Free Set of Steak Knives Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 1:36 pm
===No one is going to vote against Pritzker because of this tweet.===
Really? Um, ok.
If that’s the case, why the back peddling?
Hmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 1:40 pm
“everyone should use” should of been replaced with “swap the doors” with a snark sign s/
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 1:47 pm
Willy, It’s not “back peddling.” His original tweet was misunderstood. In context with the tweet he sent immediately before this one (”Disgraceful Trump removes federal protections for transgender students. To trans kids everywhere: we have your back! #protecttranskids”), it was pretty obvious what he meant. But it was inartfully worded and people took it the wrong way so he clarified. The guy’s bona fides in the LGBTQ community go back decades. I don’t know why you seem to think this is a big deal.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 2:03 pm
Why focus on trump when you are running for governor, Rauner has provided you with enough material to build a campaign around.
Comment by Compromise requires two sides Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 2:38 pm
===… It’s not “back peddling===
Anytime you are backing off your words, that’s back peddling. It just is, by mere definition.
===In context with the tweet he sent immediately before this one… it was pretty obvious what he meant.===
With respect, if it were obvious, there would be no need for Pritzker to revisit the Tweet and then try to explain it away as a poor “humor” attempt.
If it were obvious, no need for the follow-ups.
===…people took it the wrong way…===
I dunno if I’d put the onus on other people and then taking it the wrong way…
“I did it, I was wrong, I’m sorry”
… if you start saying “people” and “not understanding”… that’s not good either.
===The guy’s bona fides in the LGBTQ community go back decades.===
… which is why this is a head scratcher. Why even “attempt humor or snark” knowing the sensitivity with decades of bona fides?
===I don’t know why you seem to think this is a big deal.===
I think you make my case;
* Decades in the community.
* A want to be taken seriously in the issue and as a possible candidate.
* Loose Tweeting and responding to that gives insight to a candidate.
* Self-inflicted, unforced errors, in something where his decades of work is known is confusing.
* Lastly, the seemingly, confusing lack of sensitivity.
Yeah, it’s a big deal as much as its a big deal with Pritzker’s background and bona fides framing this.
With respect. OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 2:40 pm
Gentlemen, we aim to please, so you aim too . . . please!
Ladies, please remain seated for the entire performance!
Comment by Da Professah Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 2:50 pm
–Why focus on trump when you are running for governor, Rauner has provided you with enough material to build a campaign around.–
Because 1.4 million more Illinoisans voted against Trump then voted against Rauner.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 3:30 pm
I just found the fifth person
Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 4:45 pm
Parody the right? I think JB is going to be very strong, but whoever coached him on this part should be the first shoved out the door. He has some real pros helping him out, it’s probably wise to listen to them.
Comment by FYI Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 5:10 pm
I would have expected this type of comment from Scott Lee Cohen.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 5:40 pm
This has been a very revealing thread. On so many levels.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 6:05 pm
John wrote: “If a guy walks into the ladies bathroom while I’m waiting outside for my 6-year-old.”
You really don’t understand the issue. Under Trump’s revised rules someone who looks like a man going into a woman’s restroom is physically likely a woman and that’s not really what the bigots want. Trump is really the one who is “gender confused”.
Comment by striketoo Thursday, Feb 23, 17 @ 11:27 pm