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Eastern Bloc member announces another Confederate Railroad gig

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* Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) just called me to announce that the “Restore Illinois PAC and the Eastern Bloc” have booked Confederate Railroad for yet another concert.

After Gov. Pritzker’s administration canceled the band’s Du Quoin State Fair performance, a local Harley Davidson dealership booked it to play on September 5th.

Rep. Miller (no relation) said the band will play at the Effingham Performance Center on August 27th, the same day they were supposed to perform at the fair.

“Our theme is ‘JB may give you 21 new tax hikes, but we’re going to give you Confederate Railroad in concert tonight,’” Miller said.

The Eastern Bloc is probably best known for supporting a resolution calling for Chicago to be kicked out of Illinois.

The Restore Illinois PAC is run by Reps. Miller, Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) and Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City). It had just $12.65 in its bank account at the end of June, but Miller and Bailey are well-off (and have received lots of federal farm subsidies), so they can probably recharge that account pretty quick.

…Adding… With a hat tip to a commenter…

The Southern country-rock group Confederate Railroad lost a second summer fair gig after objections over the use of the Confederate flag in its logo.

The band’s Aug. 1 date at the Ulster County Fair in New York’s Hudson Valley has been canceled, a spokesman for Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said Thursday. Illinois this month canceled a state fair appearance by the band, whose logo features a steam locomotive flying Confederate flags.

“The Ulster County Fair must be an event that everyone can enjoy while representing the values of all members of our community,” Ryan said in a prepared statement. “Any showcasing of a symbol of division and racism runs counter to that principle and will be vigorously opposed by my administration.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:37 am

Comments

Ah should be a great veto session of working across the aisle.

Comment by Dupage Bard Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:45 am
Why should we be surprised that GOP State Reps double-down on their pandering to racism and hate?

I’d ask if they had any decency, but we already know the answer.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:46 am
This is so funny to me. They need the extra gigs - a county fair in New York just scrubbed them off the lineup.

Comment by Absuluki Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:49 am
===Our theme is ‘JB may give you 21 new tax hikes, but we’re going to give you Confederate Railroad in concert tonight,’” Miller said.

The Eastern Bloc is probably best known for supporting a resolution calling on Chicago to be kicked out of Illinois.===

The best part is they don’t think they’re a ridiculous caricature of what they don’t want folks mocking.

If you made up the Eastern Bloc folks, they would have to be tamped down… “no one is this embarrassingly silly”.

I love it. They are oblivious. They cater to things that run against what they think they’re standing up for… and it delicious when people lack self awareness.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:49 am
Mr Wilhour is my Rep. He has the Eastern Bloc talking points down quite well. I have oftentimes wondered why the farm subsidies dont count as a wasteful handout but food stamps or Medicare expansion does. I guess the perception of a handout is in the eye of the beholder.

Comment by Fayette County Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:50 am
Republicans bringing in Confederate Railroad wouldn’t exactly qualify as minority outreach, unless Confederate sympathizers are the minority.

Comment by anon2 Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:50 am
Are they associated with the new Support Illinois Segregation PAC? https://old.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?id=tqjWU98fGYVrqVTGJG3UqA%3d%3d

Comment by Former Downstater Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:52 am
Between the “Bloc” and the “Squad” they couldn’t buy a clue with all the money in the world. #cluelessbothofthem

Comment by D Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:53 am
“Republicans bringing in Confederate Railroad wouldn’t exactly qualify as minority outreach”

It qualifies as keeping the ILGOP in super-minority status.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:54 am
=“Our theme is ‘JB may give you 21 new tax hikes, but we’re going to give you Confederate Railroad in concert tonight,’” Miller said.=

I hope they didn’t pay anyone to come up with that theme.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:56 am
Maybe a more appropriate venue for this would be a silo or an echo chamber.

Comment by Morningstar Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 11:57 am
This issue is ripe for a bill in the General Assembly. Any legislator reading this should introduce a bill to ban all confederate symbols and any other terrorist or treasonous related symbols at any state sponsored event. Put it to a vote.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:00 pm
I wonder which flag they’ll use on the logo.

Comment by Curious Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:01 pm
==I hope they didn’t pay anyone to come up with that theme.==

No, if you’ve ever heard Miller speak, you know he’s capable of coming up with that all by himself.

Comment by Curious Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:04 pm
Join us we won’t tax your brain

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:04 pm
Open plea to legislature…please repeal the cutback amendment. Bring back majority/minority reps in each house district.

Comment by 62401 Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:11 pm
==I wonder which flag they’ll use on the logo.==

One doesn’t have to drive around Effingham for very long to find a confederate flag, should the Performance Center accidentally use the Stars and Stripes.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:13 pm
I think a lot of old bands are going to start adding “Confederate” to their names and Confederate flags to their logos to score some some easy gigs in southern IL /s

Comment by Ike Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:17 pm
If the Republicans want to keep loudly showing their support for racism and treason, I’m all for that.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:18 pm
Please don’t judge all southern Illinois legislators and citizens by a few.

Comment by Wondering Wendy Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:21 pm
==Please don’t judge all southern Illinois legislators…by a few.==

The bigger risk is that they’re putting their stamp on the entire Republican House caucus.

Comment by Curious Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:30 pm
I read these rep’s gabbling and wonder to myself: “…this was the best guy they could find for that district? Really? There were worse candidates than this?”

Comment by chagrinned. Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:30 pm
If I were these guys I would send JB a nice fruit basket for the boost given to their touring schedule.

The biggest favor a government entity did unintentially for a band since the arrest of Luke Skywalker of 2 Live Crew. Yes I did listen to them in college (2 Live Crew, not the other one)

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:32 pm
The HGOP…

Perspective?

They are closer in number to 40 than 50, and the Eastern Bloc folks are in the safest seats for “Republicans” in Illinois.

The regionalizing of a once strong statewide party is now the shell Raunerism, and later Trump thinking, and has a monolithic view and dismisses a bigger picture.

But please, embrace “Confederate”, be angry and white… tell us all “counties vote” and only folks “like you” are this new party.

The new map won’t sink the chamber caucuses, it will be folks that have concerts because a flag needs to be “ok” even if it represents everything “not ok” about America.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:36 pm
==“Our theme is ‘JB may give you 21 new tax hikes, but we’re going to give you Confederate Railroad in concert tonight,’” Miller said.=

So the governor is raising taxes to, you know, pay for things, and the response of the Eastern Bloc is to hold a concert where the confederate flag is on full display?

At what point to Durkin and Brady show some spine and make it clear that this isn’t how the Republican party in Illinois wants to define itself.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:40 pm
===At what point to Durkin and Brady show some spine and make it clear that this isn’t how the Republican party in Illinois wants to define itself.===

I’m waiting. Seriously.

Help me, help you, Leaders.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:42 pm
==At what point to Durkin and Brady show some spine and make it clear that this isn’t how the Republican party in Illinois wants to define itself.==

I’m sure there are a lot of people in the formerly Republican strongholds in the collar counties asking the same thing.

Comment by Curious Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:44 pm
Still not helping. The Proft legacy is strong.

Comment by Dirty Red Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 12:56 pm
Jacksonville Journal Courier is reporting that they have a Jerseyville date on 10/19. Hillbillie Offroad RV Park.

Comment by warrior-213 Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:00 pm
I just don’t get this. When did we start, for lack of a better word, celebrating our enemies?

If this were Alabama the stars and bars would make some sense, not really but sort of. The confederacy was a rebellion and it was militarily defeated. The defeat was absolute. That some in the south would want to hold on to the vestiges of that failed rebellion is dumb to me but ok.

Illinois fought against the rebellion and not in any way reluctantly. The stars and bars are not a part of our heritage and should not be celebrated.

It is similar to the rights sudden love of Russia and dictators. I just don’t get it.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:06 pm
They are completely gaslighting their districts without a care in the world for honesty or morals. Miller and Bailey are welfare queens who have raised their entire families on government handouts all the while telling their constituents to look the other way because there’s someone coming after their culture and way of life.

Comment by Southern_Dawg Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:11 pm
Rich, with the way you always note Rep Miller is no relation one might get the impression you don’t want to be associated with him. /s

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:11 pm
===with the way you always note Rep Miller is no relation===

I used to do that with David Miller when he was in the House. Kind of a running joke since he’s African-American. He always got a kick out of it.

Chris has taken to calling me “Uncle Rich,” even though he’s older than me, so that’s sort of a reminder to him that I’m not his real uncle.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:14 pm
Hillbillie Offroad Park sounds so apropos.

Comment by Glengarry Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:14 pm
I thought there was a provision in their contract that prohibited the band from playing within so many days and within so many miles of the fair location on the scheduled date that survived the cancellation.

Comment by Tommydanger Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:20 pm
=== When did we start, for lack of a better word, celebrating our enemies? ===

It not a celebration of the Confederacy so much as a celebration of a time when the notion of white supremacy went virtually unchallenged in much of America.

Roughly the period from 1776 - 2008.

Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:21 pm
Rich, that’s good stuff. Especially with regard to David Miller.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:25 pm
=It not a celebration of the Confederacy so much as a celebration of a time when the notion of white supremacy went virtually unchallenged in much of America.=

And the difference is? The two are synonymous.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:43 pm
Are republicans recruiting candidates to run in the Eastern Bloc? There have to be more qualified and reasonable individuals in that region that would be willing to step up and help move the region forward.

{Sigh} this is an embarrassment.

Comment by {Sigh} Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:43 pm
===Are republicans recruiting candidates… ===

The caucus can’t, and shouldn’t.

That’s not how that works.

I hear ya, but, can’t.

That’s also why ya get disciplined for yapping on and on against fellow caucus members. Again, a “no-no”

At some point, the caucus will right itself with these folks.

Like… suggesting going to the IL Senate… or Congress… lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:47 pm
Bringing up farm subsidies as some kind discrediting element for these reps, is a cheap shot in this context. A lot of big and small farmers are on the edge, with a combination of 15 months of adverse impacts of bean tariffs, and floods this spring — the subsidies aren’t covering the losses.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:47 pm
When might someone consider investigating Halbrook, Miller, Bailey and Wilhour for violating 720 ILCS 5/30-3…Advocating Overthrow of Government? Can the House take up this issue? Il AG? State Police?

Remember the good old days when Al Salvi, Cal Skinner and Bob Biggins were the fringe of the fringe in House GOP? I cant imagine any of those guys cloaking themselves in the stars and bars and marching down copperheads road…

Comment by Rte 40 Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 1:53 pm
Many regulars at this blog seem to be unaware of the concept of “transgressiveness”. And too un-selfaware to know when they’re being trolled by the folks they regularly condescend to.

Comment by PrairieDog Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 2:00 pm
@OW with respect — “delicious when people lack self awareness”

Except when this lack of self-awareness warps or poisons public discourse, interfering with addressing serious public business. Rather than delicious, the taste then becomes somewhat bitter, I think. Which sadly seems where so many now are.

Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 2:06 pm
- Flapdoodle -

All we can do is *try* our best to help change the discourse and the narrative to thinking better for America.

===Rather than delicious, the taste then becomes somewhat bitter, I think. Which sadly seems where so many now are===

I hear ya. I also know, with the same respect, that this isn’t all overnight, the idea they can be purposely overt is the new thing.

At some point, they will face a reckoning from society. Society will have to get better and quicker with that reckoning.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 2:14 pm
=All we can do is *try* our best to help change the discourse and the narrative to thinking better for America.=

Agree.

Rich should feel some pride with all this. No one was talking it about it until he put it in front of the right people. Right now maybe CR gets a few more gigs from the increased publicity, but eventually it will be less gigs because of the imagery and name. And the next artist will think twice about using the imagery on an album cover.

The different kinds of institutional racism often survive right until people start talking about them. It’s a good thing to start the conversation.

Comment by phenom_Anon Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 2:25 pm
==the idea they can be purposely overt is the new thing.==

Yes, agreed. It used to be that when a rock was turned over, the insects scurried for cover. Now they seem to bask in the light. As the primary agent of this change would say, SAD.

Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 2:30 pm
This stain is strong…and deep…still.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 2:33 pm
Well I heard Mr P banned the railroad
Well I heard ol’ Jay Bob put her down
But I hope Pritzker will remember
A railroad man don’t need him around anyhow

Sweet home southern Illinois
Where the map ain’t so blue
Sweet home southern Illinois
The railroads comin’ home to you
Effingham

Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 3:12 pm
I mean, seriously, the GOP politicians who think Chicago isn’t fit to be part of Illinois are the same ones who think - in Illinois - that standing up for a band with “Confederate” in its name and the Confederate flag in its logo is a good idea?

Is there a Golden Horseshoe category for “Unclear on the Concept”?

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 3:14 pm
Southern man, you can keep your fair
Cause Chicago-Land doesn’t care.
Southern counties are free at last
Now your bridges are burning fast
Southern man

I saw farmers and straining backs
Hand crank plumbing in ancient shacks
Southern man, when will you face the facts
North pays tax more, and you just ask more and
How long? How long?

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 3:25 pm
=The caucus can’t, and shouldn’t. That’s not how that works.=

OW- I didn’t say the caucus needed to recruit, I asked if republicans were recruiting. Noting would prevent the local county chairs or republican organizations from putting up their own candidate. I’m not sure people in the Miller’s district know who he is, other than the (R) by his name. Any republican that had a little money, a field plan and personality could win that district.

Comment by {Sigh} Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 3:33 pm
===I asked if republicans were recruiting. Noting would prevent the local county chairs or republican organizations from putting up their own candidate.===

Can’t beat someone with no one.

September will be here soon.

Can’t see folks turning on the “Founding Fathers of the Fifty-First State”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 3:50 pm
=Our theme is ‘JB may give you 21 new tax hikes but we’re going to give you Confederate Railroad in concert’…=

Ummmmm, *who’s getting the short end of the tax stick, and who’s taking more than their share?

https://capitolfax.com/2019/05/28/85-percent-of-those-who-would-pay-more-live-in-chicago-and-the-suburbs/

https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article217665185.html

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170809/suburbs-share-of-state-income-taxes-keeps-growing

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 4:18 pm
My GG Grandfather fought in Gettysburg for the Union….PA Cavalry. Still hard to fathom that elected members from the State of Lincoln could support a Band that displays the Confederate Flag. Patriots they are not.

Comment by Druid Eye Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 5:02 pm
I really thought Bailey would get a primary opponent from the Mattoon area..

Comment by Big foot Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 7:45 pm
Sure, Eastern Block, lets bring back your real favorite band, The Jim Crows.

Comment by LBJ Thursday, Jul 25, 19 @ 8:05 pm
==Bringing up farm subsidies as some kind discrediting element for these reps, is a cheap shot in this context. A lot of big and small farmers are on the edge, with a combination of 15 months of adverse impacts of bean tariffs, and floods this spring — the subsidies aren’t covering the losses.==

No it’s not.

Nobody is saying subsidies for farmers are bad. But these two farmers don’t recognize that government money for others, non farmers, are good. Both voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill, both voted against increasing penalties for wage theft, they voted against letting people injured by toxic substances have less limits in workman’s compensation, it’s all about money for me and not for thee.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 8:40 am
@Walker

Yesterday the Feds just passed out billions more to farmers to try and make up for the economic damage that their own President created. It is apropos to point it out at time like this.

To rail against 21 tax hikes but also support a White House and USDA that are passing out cash to put out a fire they started is fair.

This year alone USDA and the White House will spend $16 billion or so in trade aid. At the same time they want to trim $2.5 billion in SNAP.

I’ve always needled my farmer friends about the disparity but they don’t really get it. Just like the Eastern Bloc can’t understand how important Chicago is to the rest of the state.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:38 am