I know this question wll be a waste of time...
 

If I knew what it was I could tell you for sure, but seeing as I don't...

You can probably take that as a no.

I know this question wll be a waste of time...
 

Yeah. it's one of those deals where if you don't know what it is, you don't know much about it.

Anybody following the latest developments in the whole Operation Silver Shovel thing?

First this guy Morales is found in Mexico five years later after showing up at the gates of Club Fed to serve his sentence, only to decide he didn't want to go... Now he claims his life was threatened because he dropped the dime on a high-ranking city official who he was supposedly bribing.

Now, today, we hear the guy's son, also Marco Morales, changes his name to Marc Morale (gee, who would ever think they were the same guy!), and gets $40mm in city contracts for his new construction business from many of the same departments his dad was allegedly paying bribes to! His first contract came from Daley's office itself.

Methinks Daley's Sergeant Schultz routine is getting a bit worn...

Yup. When the Trib broke the identity of Morales' bribee on Saturday afternoon (webpage), I immediately called my brother overseas. We watch this stuff as much as anyone. The bribee is the same Tony (Pucillo) that is responsible for Kass naming the Dept. of Transportionat the Dept. of Tony.

It seemed a bit strange that the guy has been picking up union checks in Mexico for the last few years, but he only gets brought in a 5 months before the next Presidential election. If there were a strong Republican waiting in the wings to run for, e.g., the open senate seat, it would make a bit more sense. But, if this leads to Daley (there are sooo many things that do, but they don't follow the trail), his indictment only leads to frustrated citizens. Not a republican mayor or city.

In any case, I'm convinced that Daley is looking out for two groups of people. One: his Bridgeport friends and family, and two: the mob. And the latter is the only group he never flips on. He flipped on Tadin before. He flipped on is cousin. He flipped on Ald. Huels (11th ward). But he never flipped on the mob or their friends. Never.

Meantime, the number of contracts they've won from his administration is staggering.

And I can't even say a word about the things I personally know, that aren't public.

Is Chicago dying?

Hello

Wadda ya mean? This is Chicawga. Same as it ever was.

I'm not in the city at the moment. Can someone tell me whether the press conference from yesterday was televised or otherwise filmed in any way? Both papers are reporting a ventriloquist/coaching act, and I'd think this would make for great TV, but the press never seems to remember their cameras.

I didn't see video of it, but then I didn't watch the news last night. John Kass in the Trib. recounts it like that, though. Kind of a real life Chicago the Musical moment with Mayor Daley as a much less smooth Billy Flynn.

South Side Restaurants
 

Does anyone know of any decent restaurants near Comiskey? Nothing too fancy, just something better than a hot dog stand?

South Side Restaurants
 

Not much in the immediate vicinity. I'd suggest going to a good place in Chinatown (check Metromix.com for reviews) or there's a big Connie's Pizza on Archer about 2300S (mile or so north of the park) which gets big crowds before games. Try those.

South Side Restaurants
 

Ahem, you called? I made a call for ya, and here is what ya get:

Top choice: Gio's, 28th and Lowe, Northwest corner of the intersection. Small, but excellent food.

Bertucci's, 300 W. 24th place or so. Heavy Italian food, but very good.

What used to be Pauly's, and your source doesn't remember the new name... 26th and Wallace, Southwest corner of the intersection.

And, Pancho Pistola's is supposed to be very good Mexican at 31st and Union.

Again though, the top choice far and away is Gios.

Hello

South Side Restaurants
 

Thanks Hello and Aloha. I think we'll try Gios.

Is there a name for this scandal yet?
 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...l=chi-news-hed

Fugitive Morales seeks deal on bribe testimony

Maybe I'm just too optimistic, but I think that this sort of thing is that kind of corruption that will eventually change Chicago politics forever, the most recent reelection numbers notwithstanding. It's getting startling close to Daley, and I think that it will just continue.

Is there a name for this scandal yet?
 

What struck me is the thing about the investigators giving the defense attorney a leather briefcase as a gift. WTF?

Is there a name for this scandal yet?
 

Notice they didn't mention what was in the briefcase, and in what denomination...

Is there a name for this scandal yet?
 

Also got a chuckle about Morales' proposal. Forget about my conviction, my 4+ year sentence and my fleeing to Mexico and hiding out for 5 years and I'll spill my guts...

Government's counterproposal: You get extradited, serve your time plus some for running, and STILL spill your guts. And if you don't we'll convict you of some more stuff like obstruction and send you somewhere real nasty to boot. Or let Pucillo's guys get you. Take it or leave it.

Mickey Segal Gets Nailed...
 

Can't say I'm surprised, but OUCH!! 26 something counts. Looking at 20 years for a white collar crime, which is a LOT. Also has to forfeit $30 million and 60% of his share of Near North Insurance.

Claims he won't roll on local politicians, but that's a lot of time for a 61 year old guy...

Link

A little Ditty 'Bout Jack and Jerri....
 

I'm shocked that this is all over the FB this morning and yet, not a peep about it over here. Have we simply given up? Where's the local pride?

Anyway, I'll repeat what I said elsewhere. I really couldn't give a rat's ass about Jack taking Jerri to sex clubs. What people do within the confines of the marital relationship (or for that matter, outside of it) is a personal matter, not a political one.

My take on the whole thing is major props to Obama for taking the same stand. It's so refreshing to find a Chicago Democrat who won't take the easy cheap shot. This just reinforces the decision I made months ago to back him.

Mickey Segal Gets Nailed...
 

Segal's one sleazy-assed motherfucker and a total crook. Twenty years for insurance fraud totalling in the millions seems to me like he got off easy.

A little Ditty 'Bout Jack and Jerri....
 

I'm an R and I still found Ryan to be just a little too suspicious for comfy. Harvard boy goes to the ghetto for a few years because he's got such a kind heart (hey, he's made his millions already) and then, insert light-bulb here, he has a great idea, er, his party begs him to run because he'd be such a great public servant.

No different than most public servants, except I don't like him using the downtrodden as a prop for his image, when it appears he was using them all along. It appeared that way a few months ago, and it was confirmed yesterday.

As a Dem, Obama doesn't make me puke (at least), so he's my guy too. Tis a shame, as I adore the outgoing senator.

Hello

A little Ditty 'Bout Jack and Jerri....
 

Personally I think the whole Ryan thing could have been very surviveable if he had fronted it originally and not tried to cover up the whole thing... I mean, it's just an allegation made in a nasty divorce, and his ex now supports him. Had he put it out there from the start, he would have lost some of the conservative base but it would be old news by now. Obama admitted to cocaine use, but you don't see anybody harping on that because he laid it out there a long time ago.

Unless he personally overruled his media/PR handlers, which could very well have happened, they should be canned because they botched this big time.

Wonk, you o.k.?
 

Saw your post on the FB, just wanted to make sure you're all right...

I don't have to start preparing the memorial tribute yet, do I?

Wonk, you o.k.?
 

I'm ok, but don't tell fringey. I'd hate to ruin her day.

Wonk, you o.k.?
 

Oh, honey, baby, I don't wish you harm in general. It's only worth it if it keeps you from posting permanently. Intermittent but non-lethal pain just seems to inspire youto bring it up CONSTANTLY looking for sympathy.

Wonk, you o.k.?
 

See Wonk, she just wants you virtually dead. What a lovely sentiment...

A real Hallmark moment.

Wonk, you o.k.?
 

On the plus side, I don't want him really or virtually hurt in any way, or really dead. Much more merciful than him saying, in all seriousness, "next time you are thinking about killing yourself in the dark of night, just do it."

Edited to note that I misquoted -- he really said "Why don't you slither back into your lair with your bile and your twisted fantasies and contemplate taking all the pills tonight. You know, just to see what happens. And if anybody cares."

Is that more or less pleasant?

Wonk, you o.k.?
 

I really wasn't looking for sympathy, dear. I only said it to make your day. If I gave you just one brief shining moment of bliss, it was all worth it.

You see, I don't really need sympathy. I'm doing just fine. I only want the same for you

Wonk, you o.k.?
 

Apropos of none of that, is your avatar a picture of a young Bill Clinton?

Da Senator??
 

Rumblings about the state GOP considering Mike Ditka as a Senate candidate... Oh, Lord.

I tink its Da Coach 233% and Obama tree percent.

If it's a Mini-Ditka, Da Coach still gets 80%...

Da Senator??
 

This isn't Minnesota or California, and the race is for the Senate, not the Governor's Mansion. I think there are still enough concious people in Illinois to vote for someone who knows a little bit about national and world affairs over the king of double-cut pork chops.

Da Senator??
 

And half of the crazy Ditka fans can't vote since they're from northwest Indiana.

Ain't it Just About Time?
 

For Millenium Park http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/13/na...13park.html?th to be opening?

Spree: NYT

The site, Millennium Park, is opening four years late and at three times the original budget, but few here are complaining. The park boasts an outdoor music pavilion designed by Frank Gehry, complete with his signature swirls of shiny metal; an underground theater with 1,500 seats; elaborate gardens with 250 varieties of plants; and other attractions that include an ice skating rink and a shower room for bicyclists.

Ain't it Just About Time?
 

Not nearly as overdue as my Fort Dearborn Massacre National Historic Park that the east coast liberal elite won't allow Chicago to have.

White Sox Trade for Carl Everett
 

He doesn't believe in dinosaurs.

White Sox Trade for Carl Everett
 

INSERT YOUR FAVORITE WONK JOKE HERE!

White Sox Trade for Carl Everett
 

I wish I was a dinosaur. When you get to be my age, you would give almost anything to have your bone fossilized.

White Sox Trade for Carl Everett
 

Were, not was. You will never get an ncs or dtb at this rate.

White Sox Trade for Carl Everett
 

Was (Not Was).


ET fix puncuation and add this link - http://musicmoz.org/Bands_and_Artists/W/Was_(Not_Was)/

White Sox Trade for Carl Everett
 

Wow. Great swing at a hidden and unintentional softball. That door just opened on its own, and you walked through it. Brava.

White Sox Trade for Carl Everett
 

White Sox Trade for Carl Everett
 

The downside to your infinitely witty post is that we all have this running through our heads:

Boom boom acka-lacka lacka boom
Boom boom acka-lacka boom boom
Boom boom acka-lacka lacka boom
Boom boom acka-lacka boom boom