Sunday, April 15, 2007

The Leopard and His Spots

The latest on Moore's electioneering is detailed at Don Gordon's site. It's all over the blogosphere, and here are my dos centavos.

Tom W recently posted yet another statement as to why he supports JoMo. I responded, although the comment has yet to appear. I said at the time (and I should have copied it for myself) that I thought Tom was naive for believing JoMo was going to change. In my view he will continue as before and if he indeed has aspirations to higher office, he will be even more dangerous because he will accrue more power. I said I would not support or reward Joe with another job.

Back in February JoMo was called out for electioneering and I recall reading that his attorney was contacted regarding his behavior. Here we are, a few days from the election and JoMo blithely goes about breaking the law yet again. I wasn't there, but the pictures are clear as to what is going on. The poll watchers will have to file complaints, and the Chicago Board of Elections needs to take action. It's too bad JoMo can't be disqualified from running.

We are not talking about watching a friend's misbehavior and not acting on it. No. We are talking about JoMo's misbehavior. I should reward this man by voting for him? By giving him yet another four years as the ward's representative? What does that accomplish aside from institutionalizing the status quo?

Tom W believes, as you will read in his post, that he can influence (indirectly if not directly) JoMo's behavior. I recall reading elsewhere that Jim G let JoMo have it regarding his performance, complete with expletives undeleted. JoMo initially gave off this aura of a contrite, humbled politician who had a "wake up call." Evidently he hit the snooze button, and it is set for 4 more years before it goes off again.

This leopard is not about to change his spots and I hope Tom has a very thick skin. If JoMo wins we'll be at it again, and Tom is going to be in a tough spot explaining why he was so spectacularly unsuccessful in curbing JoMo's worst tendencies. Jim G's sermon didn't make a lasting difference, why should anyone believe that Tom and like-minded progressives, will be better equipped at inducing change?

JoMo's got to go. It's the only way I can see to put a brake on his personal corruption in the public sphere.

1 comment:

blog_lurker said...

If Westgard and Ginderske think that Joe Moore is going to change, or even give them any serious respect, then they are sadly naive. Just a few weeks ago the Ginderske campaign was challenging Joe Moore's rather dubious electioneering tactics. Now, they can say nothing because in a fit a bitterness and jealousy they've portrayed Don Gordon as so evil that he must be defeated at any cost. This can also be read as a couple of aspiring patronage workers who want their boss to keep his elected position, no matter what, so that they can get a cozy position.

Either way, Joe Moore now has them. They know he's a liar and a cheat and they have become willing accomplices in his crimes. They've shown weakness in front of Joe Moore and I don't think this is ever a good thing to so with someone like our Alderman. Sure, they might be able to get something out of Moore from time to time and that something might even benefit the neighborhood but it will always come at a price. Joe Moore will always make them do something for him in exchange for any favors he doles out.

Word of advice boys: if you're going to sell your soul to the devil ask for something more than a seat on the zoning commission.