tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35087972012-01-21T00:34:12.917-06:00A place to congregate, visit and discuss the issues impacting our community.Kherishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972018983882360966noreply@blogger.comBlogger8551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-79771685710393134342011-11-12T09:54:00.001-06:002011-11-18T21:26:49.616-06:00

Back on Nov 12 I received an email that originated with Evanston aldermen reporting our Alderman was selected as the Director of the Illinois EPA, subject to Senate confirmation.  In following up on that I heard back from our Alderman that the announcement was premature.  An interesting assertion since the email in question quoted Mr. Moore as stating he had been selected.  Now Crain's has

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-29092508948120134452011-11-04T11:31:00.000-05:002011-11-04T11:31:19.189-05:00

The 'drill baby drill' crowd operates out of the belief that unrestrained drilling for oil, shale gas, or natural gas, will somehow keep the party going indefinitely.  Gail Tverburg just put up a post at The Oil Drum questioning the Department of Energy's latest effort at priority setting.  The article is, as usual, thoughtful and well reasoned.  Gail is an actuary by trade, and evaluating risks

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-71893654502799635402011-10-21T20:21:00.001-05:002011-11-03T19:32:30.269-05:00

The Huffington Post has an article discussing the impact of Alabama's immigration law on agriculture. A friend sent it to me as an example of American indolence.  I think he overstates that case, although it's evident that contemporary Americans may not be up to the physical rigors of field work. In this instance we are told several things -  low pay  physically demanding work  most

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-28317936750759802392011-10-17T18:14:00.000-05:002011-11-03T19:33:03.249-05:00

My previous post resulted in another (extended) family member de-friending me on Facebook.  Such is the price for questioning the role of authority, including religious authority.  The issue was the effort by Mississippi to use a ballot initiative to define a fertilized human egg as a person.  I have already noted the potential issues arising from that, but I didn't discuss the issue of what

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-87083847961636293012011-10-16T20:46:00.000-05:002011-11-03T19:49:41.046-05:00

Mississippi is attempting to define human person-hood as legally starting at the moment of fertilization of the human ovum.  This being pursued via a ballot initiative. On its face it sounds just wonderful, especially if you subscribe to that viewpoint.  But the article points out there are legal traps just waiting to be sprung.  The law of unintended consequences looms large.  For example; if

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-49001667384791092262011-10-11T17:00:00.000-05:002011-11-03T19:50:10.785-05:00

I struggle with the Occupy movement.  In less than a month it has gone from a single location to multiple sites worldwide.  The NYC location was visited recently by CNN and the reporter described food distribution, donated clothing distribution and more.  What began as a largely unfocused effort is manifesting the self organizing principle of life, which evolves from the simple to the ever more

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-13315908055537552192011-10-03T15:11:00.000-05:002011-11-03T19:50:52.885-05:00

Over at my FB page I put up a link to a Trib story about a family that is leaving their home after a police raid.  It's a story worth reading in tandem with the comments.  I, and a couple of others, took some push back on our responses due to the perceived failings of the article itself.  Was it fair, balanced and respectful of the facts?  A journalist acquaintance thinks not.  Well, she may be

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-39110970796116842002011-09-23T00:38:00.000-05:002011-11-03T19:51:25.500-05:00

We had 3 beats at the Sector Meeting; 2422, 2423 and 2424.  The discussion was focused on the recent shootings, student behavior, and gang activity.  The next meeting is on Oct 27 at the Chicago Math and Science Academy at 6 PM. Biggest takeaway for me; health care professionals have identified specific buildings they will no longer visit due to safety issues.  This includes a building at 7500

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-69979188861794972602011-09-21T17:14:00.000-05:002011-11-03T19:51:40.082-05:00

From the comments to my earlier posts it is evident I touched a nerve. For those readers unfamiliar with the Chicago Park District Code, let me fill you in on some pertinent details.  I  am sure Mr. Jet Ski and his friends know all this, but they are 'respectable' people who are busy protecting the rest of us from the 'bad element' that would otherwise be hanging around Jarvis Beach.  Besides,

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-66046461629502956312011-09-21T08:26:00.000-05:002011-11-03T19:51:52.534-05:00

It seems I have upset Mr. Jet Ski's friends.  Proud beach goer asserts that I need to find some other use for my time, as Mr. Jet Ski, et al have been busy saving Jarvis Beach from the "bad element of RP."  Not only that, they are heroic first responders having "assisted the lifeguards in rescuing overzealous swimmers instead of having to call out the lifeguard cavalry and wasting taxpayer $."  "

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-81872164064782304502011-09-15T23:17:00.001-05:002011-09-15T23:17:53.425-05:00

I have gotten into a conversation at FB about a petition drive to get Michelle Bachmann to come out against bullying of gay students.  This drive has its origins in a 2010 suicide in Bachmann's Congressional District that resulted in a lawsuit.  The linked article includes Bachmann's comments about school bullying, which are not exactly the paragon of a definitive statement.  She sounds much too

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-15803889860572839302011-09-15T21:44:00.001-05:002011-09-15T21:44:48.017-05:00

Had an interesting evening at the homestead here. A delivery truck, no name, wound up in a westbound fender bender with a car in front of my building just before 7 PM.  He backed into her.  I came to the window and saw the drivers, a man (truck) and a woman (car) quietly exchanging information.  Nothing to look at here.  I walked away and then heard a shout and came back. A young woman was

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-62435532837274054732011-09-15T12:20:00.000-05:002011-09-15T23:22:05.730-05:00

Well well well...... I don't know if the Alderman has done anything about the issue I noted earlier about jet ski launchings off of Jarvis Beach, but apparently the local neighbors are not happy.  Thus a call is going out to folks to attend the upcoming Sector Beat Meeting on September 22, 2011.  The jet ski launches will be coming up for discussion. Beats 2422 and 2423 will be meeting at

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-28820221983618871302011-09-08T20:11:00.000-05:002011-09-08T21:09:22.281-05:00

I have noticed a jet ski up in my neck of the woods from time to time.  I wasn't paying much attention, but I will be in the future, including next summer.  Why?  I recently learned that the owner of said watercraft has been launching off of Jarvis Beach.   I am hearing that the Alderman is working the issue.  I hope so.  I did some research on the Chicago Park District code.  There are harbors

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-57292612599669727742011-09-08T19:34:00.000-05:002011-09-08T20:15:30.389-05:00

Back in 2009 Transition Rogers Park started work on a community garden.  Initially the plan was to try and get a garden into Touhy Park, but after consulting with the park's advisory council the decision was made to pursue a garden in Leonard Dubkin Park.  After much work and marketing, and taking up the opportunity provided by Alderman Moore's Participatory Budget process, funding was obtained

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-45054507849354973152011-07-28T22:31:00.000-05:002011-07-28T22:31:08.649-05:00

Remember Simpson-Bowles?  It's long name was the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.  This was a bi-partisan group set up by President Obama whose mission was; to bring the budget into primary balance (balance excluding interest costs) in 2015, and to meaningfully improve the long-run fiscal outlook. The commission failed to get the required number of votes to bring its

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-53850054722611395712011-07-28T21:36:00.000-05:002011-07-28T21:36:33.080-05:00

Gonzalo Lira is a Chilean analyst who has assessed the American economy and its challenges, and asserted that we are heading for hyperinflation.  But he has also assessed the issue of debt reduction and the budget deficit, and he makes a clear case as to why we won't be seeing serious debt reduction, although we might be able to kill the deficit with an enormous amount of pain. I said in my

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-5583844167827583572011-07-27T09:51:00.000-05:002011-07-27T09:51:24.691-05:00

This entire debt ceiling fiasco is wrapped around the issue of budget cuts and increasing revenues (or not).  So let's do an exercise shall we, using available online tools.  You too can show your elected officials how to do their job. Since the Republicans, especially those beholden to the Tea Party, don't want to let the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy to expire and only want to talk cuts,

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-33148497589543100622011-07-12T23:43:00.000-05:002011-07-12T23:43:13.379-05:00

I have been told in no uncertain terms that I was jumping to conclusions regarding L'affaire Poofy Hair.  Not surprisingly, I still disagree. Reason one - The traveler cleared the Almighty Imaging System, which is supposedly the be-all and end-all for traveler screenings.  Refuse to be x-rayed and you will be subject to an invasive pat down, and we all remember the energy around the issue.  

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-61429116487747579452011-07-08T15:18:00.002-05:002011-07-08T15:27:45.592-05:00

Facebook friends, remember to click on Original Post to read it all. I wrote before about the Ministry of Love in Guilty Frogs.  The Ministry strikes again!  Feeling the love yet? What is especially galling is that this is a black woman and there were numerous white female passengers with equally 'poofy' hair, yet she is singled out.  This was after she cleared the Almighty Imaging System.  

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-69905618876239117582011-06-27T13:37:00.000-05:002011-06-27T13:37:31.187-05:00

Facebook readers, remember to click Original Post below to read everything. Do you remember Orwell's 1984?  Words are given new meaning, often at odds with the conventional definition.  For example, the Ministry of Love is responsible for law and order, while the Ministry of Peace wages war.  Doublethink is the order of the day.  Many have wondered whether this country is becoming one of the

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-47025830973116927532011-06-13T21:52:00.000-05:002011-06-13T21:52:51.191-05:00

Whenever we come across discussions about prisons it seems to devolve into an either/or discussion.  People not in prison are generally OK whereas anyone in prison is a bad person, so if  you are in prison then you must be a bad person.  Seriously?   What about Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King?  How about Jackie Hudson or Father Bichsel?  Anyone, anyone, Bueller? Until recently I wasn't

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-41846684131942271332011-05-28T23:09:00.000-05:002011-05-28T23:09:05.988-05:00

This article ought to be required reading for every person who believes no abortion should ever be performed.  Not Ever!  The bleeding cannot be stopped, the fetus is dying, and this woman is treated like a medical exhibit until a doctor is called in who will perform the abortion.  And when it's over, this is part of the feedback from the family; After my family found out I'd had an abortion, I

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-17944430718345568132011-05-27T17:59:00.000-05:002011-05-27T17:59:39.856-05:00

I come from an aviation family, stretching back to my grandfather, an uncle who was a career AF pilot, and through to one of my sisters and a brother.   So I am always keenly interested in aviation matters, especially when things go wrong.  The loss of Air France 447 was tragic, and more so because it seemed we would not ever find out what happened. The discovery of the wreckage and the Flight

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-81284754929843689142011-05-22T18:18:00.001-05:002011-05-22T18:18:42.647-05:00

I have an account at Factnet, which is an anti-cult site.  Lyndon Larouche is one of the cults being discussed and I am a member at that forum.  Usually when I visit not much is happening.  However, in January the Larouche site posted yet another screed, in which I was named.  About the same time a character named ace appeared at the site.  Thus began a long period of posts and counterposts

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-86860166729866639132011-05-14T16:35:00.003-05:002011-05-14T16:38:56.489-05:00

A Facebook friend turned me on to this article regarding H. R. 968, The Detainee Security Act of 2011.  It is sitting in the House Armed Services Committee and apparently is coming up in tandem with the National Defense Authorization Act. What is so worrying about this bill?  It employs an Orwellian approach to conflict by proposing  indefinite detention of combatants, without trial in Section

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-23648004036216854922011-05-01T23:44:00.000-05:002011-05-01T23:44:44.487-05:00

I was getting ready to shut down, and cruised the Tribune site one last time.  I noticed a headline that the President was going to address the nation, so flipped to CNN on cable.   Dang!! As I write this David Gergen is commenting, and a crowd is cheering in front of the White House.  Gergen points out that the politicking as begun and some folks will lobby ever harder to bring home the troops

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-76546711671178122912011-04-27T10:25:00.000-05:002011-04-27T10:25:31.392-05:00

Back in February I wrote about the extremists trying to control me and the reproductive decisions I make.  The immediate issue was about abortion, but it was clear to me at the time that the instigators would not stop there.  This article, along with this discussion about conservative Catholic reaction to the Guttmacher Institute report on contraception strongly suggests a desire to turn back the

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-65514276225681165372011-04-22T01:16:00.000-05:002011-04-22T01:16:42.921-05:00

I was at the Clean Power Ordinance hearing until just shy of 3 PM.  An interesting array of facts, counterfacts (I made up that word while channeling Alexander Haig), and claims that the other side was dealing in falsehoods.  When I got there the folks waiting for entry to the council chamber got shunted upstairs, only to find out the 'balcony' was full.  I went back downstairs and snagged a seat

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-87868167050396226742011-04-18T18:35:00.000-05:002011-04-18T18:35:37.937-05:00

Over at Facebook I have been dueling with a character who has no problem disparaging the government and claiming that it is the enemy.  The latest duels have been about the distortions in the Internal Revenue Code.  The IRC has gone through numerous revisions, starting in 1954 when it took the form it carried for decades, through the Reagan era revisions, and then the Roth revisions of 1998.  

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-76426394459198655222011-04-11T06:37:00.000-05:002011-04-11T06:37:08.206-05:00

Over at The Oil Drum there is a post that reviews the Top 30 Oil Producers.  One of the immediate take aways is the fact that only 13 of the 30 are experiencing increasing production, and it is not enough to offset the declines occurring elsewhere.  The total production values by themselves are not solely oil.  In the case of the USA for 2009, just over 5 million bpd is crude oil.  The rest is

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-91723225897099880052011-03-19T20:09:00.000-05:002011-03-19T20:09:46.182-05:00

MinnPost - Biggest barrier to using less oil? Our reluctance to embrace new ways of life There is a lot of truth in this. One of the folks I am working on a community garden with has no TV, her wireless hub has died so she prints from her laptop via a cable to the printer. She has no car. She tries to live her politics and is probably in a better position than many of us will be when it hits

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-77801226270829416352011-03-18T18:01:00.000-05:002011-03-18T18:01:58.268-05:00

Buddy, I was POed before, but this really takes the cake!  Our Republican Keepers Of Moral Purity were all set to redefine rape and draw a line between forcible rape and everything else.  Pedophiles everywhere would have rejoiced, especially those in positions of authority, since they could use their authority instead of a 2x4 to get what they wanted and if the outcome was an unwanted pregnancy,

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-50604098205385607702011-03-07T08:53:00.000-06:002011-03-07T08:53:24.231-06:00

Think Progress has an article describing a raft of state proposals requiring IDs for voter registration and/or voting.  The chief knock on all of these bills are that voter fraud, in the form of impersonation, is non-existent and the real aim of all of these bills is to disenfranchise voters, especially the poor. Assuming that the claim about voter impersonation is true, is that the only form of

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-74194523308806391242011-03-03T16:48:00.000-06:002011-03-03T16:48:42.129-06:00

I have come across an outfit called Free and Equal, whose chief purpose is to ensure open access to the electoral process.  I met Christina Tobin, the Chairperson, at a fundraiser for the movie Electoral Dysfunction.  The movie describes the dysfunctional state of the election process.  It is not completed yet, but the expectation is that it will be ready for viewing next year.  The story behind

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-60527227632303596682011-02-26T04:15:00.000-06:002011-02-26T04:15:44.522-06:00

Over at tax.com we find this article about Gov. Walker's claims regarding public unions and their pensions. According to the author, the pension benefits are funded via deferred compensation that would otherwise be paid to the employees in their regular paychecks. This was the result of negotiated, collective bargaining agreements. The logic makes sense to me. Now, how do we get journalists

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-6104545180340256232011-02-26T00:43:00.000-06:002011-02-26T00:43:49.129-06:00

The Bureau of Labor Statistics put out a very brief report about union membership.  It includes an interesting table of professions represented by unions, and the percentage of folks in those professions who are actually represented.  The data is from 2010 and includes 2009. Just over 36% of public workers are unionized.  6.9% of private workers are unionized.  I think there is a fair amount of

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-62984333930252633532011-02-25T23:58:00.000-06:002011-02-25T23:58:25.663-06:00

Better brains than mine are spending serious time analyzing the situation in Libya and its impact on oil.  This post is a great analysis by Dave Summers and worth reading.  I have offered up my views to others, and it is good to know that I am apparently learning what to pay attention to. Robert Rapier writes about performing due diligence on renewable energy investments.  It's so easy to be

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-38010639887265174332011-02-23T12:42:00.000-06:002011-02-23T12:42:41.687-06:00

Reminder to FB readers, click on Original Post to see the whole thing and access the hotlinks. Long time readers know that I have huge concerns about our future as a nation (and frankly as a city too).  Those concerns did not keep me from the Chicago Auto Show, where I sat in several cars to see if I might like them enough to spend money.  The verdicts were swift - driving the Camaro would be

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-29852630897500892572011-02-23T01:41:00.000-06:002011-02-23T01:41:30.570-06:00

The cyberink was barely dry and I was hearing here and at FB about my posts about Rahm and Joe's wins.  Maybe I wasn't seen as gracious enough or perhaps was seen as too cynical.  So, let's look at this another way. To my progressive friends (with or without the capital P); I suggest you have a nice sleep and on the morrow ask yourselves if we can afford complacency.  Can we afford to accept a

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-43857546209160399062011-02-22T22:48:00.000-06:002011-02-22T22:48:16.660-06:00

Joe won.  That is not a total surprise.  He did it by 72% to Brian's 28%.  As with the Mayoral election, the percentage is deceiving. By Joe's own statement there are 21,000 registered voters in the ward.  As I write, the actual vote total was 9,522 or 45% of the registered electorate.  Joe received 6,857 of the votes available from the total registered voters, or 32.65% of the registered

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-85330324053132099052011-02-22T22:22:00.000-06:002011-02-22T22:22:29.580-06:00

Rahm won.  I wish there had been a runoff, but so be it.  His supporters will cheer loudly.  He will insist he is the choice of the people.  Really? The tally for the turnout is less than 45%.  Only 41.22% of registered voters actually voted.  Based on the numbers posted as I write, Rahm wins as Mayor, due to the votes of 22.5% of the registered voters.  That is not a mandate.  In my view the

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-3081586224291597682011-02-22T11:54:00.000-06:002011-02-22T11:54:14.444-06:00

We may wish otherwise, but housing prices are at the lowest they have been in years.  In some cases the prices have reached year 2000 levels.  Depending on what occurs next, they may keep falling.  Not good news for those looking to sell soon.  I completed a refinancing, but the appraisal mentioned continuing downward pressure on prices/valuations.  I think I'll get a mask and snorkel since I

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-60155236529619981862011-02-21T22:48:00.000-06:002011-02-21T22:48:04.750-06:00

We hear all the time that growth is good.  This study suggests that may not be the case.  Another situation requiring more study.

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-74570103620334648542011-02-21T20:38:00.000-06:002011-02-21T20:38:10.325-06:00

Privatization?  One commenter to the article points the way to an online recruitment ad.  It will be up to us to ensure that our local political leaders don't go any further down this road.  Unfortunately for Wisconsin it appears they may be well on their way.  The vendor for that ad certainly thinks so.

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-65384516523718735992011-02-21T20:27:00.000-06:002011-02-21T20:27:11.837-06:00

If you would like another view of what is happening in Wisconsin, The Washington Post can help you with that.  Harold Myerson and Charles Lane have a go at each other on the issue. Start here with Myerson. Then go here for Lane. Return to Myerson. Once more to Lane, complete with a side trip to PolitiFact.  And again to Myerson. It was an interesting series.  I wonder if they will

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-2049330644309993172011-02-20T23:17:00.000-06:002011-02-20T23:17:13.388-06:00

This started out as a tough aldermanic election for me.  In 2007 the choice was stark and clear: NO Moore!  Four years later and it appeared our Alderman might have been sufficiently chastened that supporting him might be possible. As the process unfolded I considered Blane Roberts, who is very close to me philosophically.  Personal responsibility matters in creating the course of our lives.  

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-20112817364391892542011-02-20T19:33:00.000-06:002011-02-20T19:33:55.630-06:00

Dear Brothers - I don't know if you remember me, but I remember you.  In the autumn of 1973 we lived in Alban Towers in Washington, DC.  I was attending the School of Foreign Service and you were learning English and planning on transfers to other universities at the end of the semester. I remember your generosity, and how you stuck another plate on the table when I happened to knock on your

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-54237685779477991722011-02-19T23:32:00.005-06:002011-02-20T22:01:20.893-06:00

*Well DANG!!  I have talked to Friends of Joe, Fans of Joe, and No Moore Joe folks and the verdict is unanimous - the FUD mailers are DUD (Dumb und Dumber) mailers.  No one I talked to supported Joe's use of FUD/DUD mailers.  Unfortunately, one of Joe's operatives - Mr. The Most Dangerous Operative In The City - has gone so far as to describe the folks who are actively opposed to Joe as "I Don't

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-10161023765937317932011-02-18T14:58:00.000-06:002011-02-18T14:58:29.901-06:00

I am a big fan of Tom Whipple, who writes on energy and climate change.  His latest details the transitions humanity has made over the millenia,and the one we are now facing.  When it is all said and done, whether or not there is free parking at Loyola, or a TIF to fund affordable housing won't matter in the long run.  The problem is, we aren't preparing for the long run, and none of our

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-31395506868010639512011-02-17T20:38:00.000-06:002011-02-17T20:38:10.273-06:00

I actually do have a life outside this blog, all my recent political posts notwithstanding.  A meeting I hosted just broke up and out of the blue one of the attendees announces that she can't stand Joe's negative mailers.  I am not making this up.  I didn't bring it up, I didn't prompt her, she just blurted it out.  That was followed by a chorus of agreement from the other attendees.  These folks

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-62445360682240798112011-02-17T16:33:00.001-06:002011-02-17T17:18:07.466-06:00

Someone has left a comment to be published on my last post and is apparently planning on a followup comment.  I won't be publishing anything that uses opaque identifiers from AOL OpenId.  That's the equivalent of Anonymous to me and I don't do Anonymous.  Take it elsewhere, whoever you are. ETA - looks like he hit the "post" button too quick.  See the last post on FUD for Joe Moore's take on my

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-40864374952392330322011-02-16T23:20:00.000-06:002011-02-16T23:20:53.575-06:00

One of the issues in Moore's FUD mailer about Brian's Top Secret plan was the TIF, and I wanted to address that separately. First of all, I am not opposed to affordable housing.  Most of us are one or two paychecks (or pension payments) away from disaster.  And that disaster may actually be closer than we think.  Ensuring that folks have a safe, decent place to live is something that all of us

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-67935840890025247382011-02-16T19:02:00.000-06:002011-02-16T19:02:46.355-06:00

So here we are, a few days from the election and I am still struggling with whom I should vote for.  I happen to care about character, which never translates well into programs, promises or outcomes.  But it can translate into a public servant who is not obsessing over vote counts while in office.  Unfortunately, that is very hard to come by in any part of the country, including the 49th Ward.

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-85795730193677048662011-02-15T20:35:00.000-06:002011-02-15T20:35:47.462-06:00

In the Federal sector, when you are terminated from a job it is a serious matter.  Depending on the agency, employee status (i.e. covered under a negotiated agreement), and all the variables surrounding your case, being terminated is usually the last resort of the agency, and would likely be considered termination for cause. Employees can be, and are, terminated for misconduct or poor job

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-22782607207688461442011-02-15T19:50:00.000-06:002011-02-15T19:50:46.091-06:00

To date, Joe Moore has issued two glossy mailers attacking Brian White.  The first one is labeled "Top Secret" and accuses Brian White of having "The Plan That Will Take Down Our Neighborhood".  I will comment on that one later this week.  The most recent one refers to Brian as "The Smartest Man In Chicago" and proceeds to attack his responses to the IVI-IPO's questionnaire, which you can read

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-3650433374253258002011-02-13T23:54:00.000-06:002011-02-13T23:54:56.543-06:00

Thomas Westgard has filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service, my old boss, claiming that A Just Harvest is in violation of its 501(c)3 status.  This is due to its alleged engagement in prohibited lobbying activity via Northside POWER and NsP's actions on behalf of the TIF/RIF.  He has notified the leadership of this action, and their response was not unexpected - "ain't so."  The law

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-64093232030316764382011-02-05T16:57:00.000-06:002011-02-05T16:57:47.863-06:00

God bless the Republicans and their friends.  They know what is best for us!  Keep the government out of our lives, unless of course we are talking about social issues near and dear to their hearts.  In which case - let's invoke Nanny Government.  The issue at hand - abortion. H.R. 3 "No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act", has just been introduced by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ).  He has 173

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-15893242520907190802011-01-30T22:46:00.000-06:002011-01-30T22:46:31.770-06:00

Bob Fuller asks: What evidence links Joe to this flyer and the organization? Could you post the scanned copy of this flyer? Plenty of people are against TIF's, Brian White and inclusive housing. Please clarify what about the flyer makes Joe so bad. Well Bob, let me spell this out for you and recap that I am not a TIF/RIF supporter.  First of all, I walk the Jarvis area fairly frequently since I

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-91327712976402566352011-01-29T23:38:00.000-06:002011-01-29T23:38:30.306-06:00

Just when I thought that Joe Moore was going to keep to the high road, he confirms that he can't.  I am on my second glossy campaign mailer already.  Truly a work of art, and certainly a well done plug for Joe, regardless of what you think about the message.  But he is not happy with glossy well done mailers.  Nope, not at all. January 26 I was on my way to the Jarvis EL stop and came across

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-90932574949789487992011-01-29T13:41:00.000-06:002011-01-29T13:41:33.942-06:00

I checked back at the Board of Elections and here is the decision to boot Akins off the ballot.  He was in arrears for just over $1600.00 in parking fines, boot, tow, and storage fees.  So it is just White and Moore on the ballot, with Roberts as the Write-In.

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-54044137523915837552011-01-28T18:52:00.002-06:002011-01-28T18:52:52.711-06:00

I managed to miss the news yesterday about Rahm's return to the ballot.  Glad to see it, but I do fear the other candidates are going to be overshadowed.  I am not convinced he is the best we can do.

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-65741569315533199212011-01-26T07:25:00.000-06:002011-01-26T07:25:49.324-06:00

I strolled into my living room just before 7 to the sound of a helicopter buzzing overhead.  A quick check of WGN and I find Rogers Park has become the destination of a suburban car jacker in a taxi.  He zipped down Sheridan, turned on Estes, then switched to an alley, which he followed to Morse (I think) where a police van was waiting.  He went right, then left on Clark and zipped down Clark

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-81604248586591634652011-01-25T22:11:00.000-06:002011-01-25T22:11:21.896-06:00

January 25, 2010  Where Has Joe Moore been?!…It’s about Ballot Access! Where has “progressive” Incumbent 49th Ward Alderman been for twenty years for open and fair election rules?! We all should ask. He has not challenged any elections rules because it benefits him!! I am disturbed that all of the pundits and our political leadership are not addressing the issue related to ballot access.  Rahm

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-54472791380078835482011-01-24T14:46:00.000-06:002011-01-24T14:46:03.364-06:00

The Appellate Court has ruled that Rahm Emanuel does not meet the qualifications to run for Mayor of Chicago.  There will no doubt be a further appeal to the State Supreme Court and I suspect it will turn on the following from the Appellate Court's ruling: To that end, the candidate argues that, regardless of whether he meets the candidate eligibility requirements of subsection 3.1-10-5(a) of

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-88322947289643113362011-01-17T18:17:00.002-06:002011-01-17T22:20:40.134-06:00

First of all, a hat tip to Thomas Westgard for obtaining and posting this information.  We have the results of the pre-eligibility study and Joe Moore's statement regarding the RIF. I read the study, and then I read Moore's letter.  I have to say I agree with Moore's reasoning.  I never thought I'd ever say that! I must note that although I was a party in the Alderman's Affordable Housing

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-30446066294182109362011-01-14T15:59:00.000-06:002011-01-14T15:59:52.440-06:00

The Board of Elections has posted the decision document for Myers.  It appears that Myers filed for bankruptcy prior to filing his nomination papers.  Mr. Myers was in arrears to the city on a water bill issued subsequent to the bankruptcy filing and that is what disqualified him.  The Board also noted that merely filing for bankruptcy does not result in the taxpayer no longer being responsible

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-67141624681602483592011-01-13T23:44:00.000-06:002011-01-13T23:44:48.386-06:00

The Aldermanic race is definitely shaping up into a 2 man race.  Myers has been booted off the ballot.  Wonder if he had overdue parking tickets? The Board's current document, dated 1/11/2011 indicates a Recommendation Pending for Akins.  Given the number of objections listed by Jason "Concerned Citizen" Olsen I doubt Akins will survive the challenge. I wonder if either will mount a write-in

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-37149807703791691532011-01-13T23:24:00.000-06:002011-01-13T23:24:03.869-06:00

49th Ward- Write-In Candidate, Blane Roberts Supports RIF Study  and Pushes for Ward-Wide Ballot Referendum I am supportive of many options to sustain affordable housing in the 49th Ward. However, absent a comprehensive study on the feasibility of the Rental Improvement Fund-TIF proposal it would not be in the best interest of our community. If elected, I would support and fund the RIF study to

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-5629320731589642382011-01-10T17:30:00.000-06:002011-01-10T17:30:41.374-06:00

The Chicago Tribune has posted written questionnaire responses from three of the four candidates for the Ward 49 Alderman position.  I checked and the Board of Elections summary of decisions dated 1/8/11 has blanks in reference to Myers and Akins, so apparently their cases were not decided or the objections were overturned.  I have no way to tell.  Ben Myers has not responded to the Tribune.  At

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-31158805691013594162011-01-08T00:19:00.000-06:002011-01-08T00:19:49.560-06:00

The latest Jobs Report is out, with mixed messages.  This Financial Times write-up was clearly unimpressed.  The Democratic leadership on the Hill is more upbeat as is FoxNews.  NPR dissects it, and the rate of job creation is a sticking point.  Bernanke's view is that we won't be climbing out of this before 2015.  Over at Time there is an article that points out where the jobs may be, and the

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-68814539158925955592011-01-03T21:11:00.000-06:002011-01-03T21:11:46.611-06:00

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-80012628017981965302011-01-03T01:00:00.000-06:002011-01-03T01:00:26.331-06:00

The preceding post shares the Bloomberg story about Chicago's financial instability, which will be amplified by the requirement to fund police and fire pension funds.  The problems with Chicago's finances ought to be a wake-up call to Club 50 and the incoming mayor.  My suggestion; everything goes on the table.  This includes all sources of revenue for the city and its departments, and everything

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-75003169304203447832011-01-03T00:25:00.000-06:002011-01-03T00:25:26.069-06:00

The North Coast published a report from Bloomberg suggesting that Chicago was on a financial precipice.  We are going to just squeak through Fiscal Year 2011.  I suspect the landscape will morph again in view of this report. I don't know how much of an impact this law will immediately have on our taxes, but it will have an impact. Under the law Quinn signed yesterday, the city’s combined annual

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-48271462134116516482010-12-30T21:35:00.000-06:002010-12-30T21:35:47.547-06:00

I feel it has become necessary to explain myself to folks who think they know me but don't.  They really don't. Long, long ago, in a lifetime far, far away, I was the member of the family who stood up and faced down bull---- that passed for facts.  It got to the point that my parents would preface jokes and stories about African-Americans, and others, with the caveat that they weren't intending

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-35813421654511861652010-12-29T16:16:00.000-06:002010-12-29T16:16:41.811-06:00

Robert Hirsch is the author of the 2005 Department of Energy report known as "The Hirsch Report."  This is the report that first discussed Peak Oil and the mitigations needed to avoid a serious fuel crunch in the future.  He has since co-authored a book, The Impending World Energy Mess (Dr. Roger Bezdek and Robert Wendling are the co-authors), which discusses what the authors foresee occurring in

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-649538575182669002010-12-28T15:46:00.001-06:002010-12-29T06:07:19.968-06:00

Back on December 23 I reported this bit of information that was sent my way via a phone call from a Joe Moore supporter; Blane Roberts - has a car in the city impound lot, owes $3,900 in unpaid tickets, and his license is suspended due to the unpaid tickets.  I emailed Blane for his side of the story and he responded; He sold his car in 1997 to a buyer from Milwaukee.  He does not own a car. The

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-31100504446997980662010-12-27T18:31:00.000-06:002010-12-27T18:31:35.308-06:00

MAKING SENSE OF TODAY’S FINANCIAL CRISIS .....What lies ahead? ....How can you prepare?Featuring Nicole Foss of The Automatic EarthInternationally acclaimed energy and economic analyst JANUARY 19, 2011 at 7:00 PMUnited Church of Rogers Park1545 W. Morse Ave., ChicagoFree parking (SW corner of Morse and Ashland) $20 DONATION (no one will be turned away) We’re all on a roller coaster ride ….

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-74205685547860730842010-12-23T22:09:00.000-06:002010-12-23T22:09:19.694-06:00

The cheap shots have started in the aldermanic campaign.  Joe Moore has a supporter who is determined to stand by his man, but who is evidently unable to provide objective evidence for perusal, let alone able to make a cogent argument against the competition. One can only hope that time and experience will fix that deficiency.  I am sure Moore doesn't need, or want, a bevy of supporters who are

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-28142302332449720892010-12-23T10:52:00.000-06:002010-12-23T10:52:38.902-06:00

I was raised Catholic, and while I don't practice I do pay attention to what is happening.  We can talk another day about what I believe and why.  Right now the issue in front of me is abortion.  Hard core right-to-lifers like to beat their collective breasts about the horror of abortion and that there is never a reason to terminate a pregnancy.  I beg to differ. In Phoenix, AZ. Bishop Olmsted

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-45499211997146010122010-12-23T08:15:00.000-06:002010-12-23T08:15:18.595-06:00

The hearing officer has recommended that Emanuel stay on the ballot.  After reading this trove of information, I suspect the only appeal will be on the residency issue.  I have my doubts as to whether the objectors can prevail on that issue, but I am not the one making the final call.

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-65057507113519225612010-12-23T06:15:00.000-06:002010-12-23T06:15:00.615-06:00

The following was sent to me by Blane Roberts.  The objection to his candidacy was upheld. December 23, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Candidate Blane Roberts of the 49th Ward announcesWrite-In Campaign As a result, in part, of the city of Chicago’s byzantine election laws we were unsuccessful in remaining on the ballot but we will remain in the RACE! I decided to continue our campaign on your

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-76913029173451277982010-12-22T18:46:00.000-06:002010-12-22T18:46:13.676-06:00

I heard that position on the ballot is very important.  First or last is advantageous.  Middle, not so much.  The Board of Elections has the unofficial candidate list posted.  Page 18 shows the ballot positions for the 49th Ward candidates.  If all five candidates actually run, Joe Moore is stuck in the middle.  Could this work to the advantage of Brian White, who is at the bottom? I personally

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-83641433490456107372010-12-22T18:15:00.000-06:002010-12-22T18:15:54.214-06:00

The Grinches have lost a couple.  The bill for healthcare for 9/11 first responders has cleared the Senate and is headed back to the House, due to compromises made in the Senate.  Don't Ask Don't Tell has been repealed and signed into law by Obama.  The New START treaty was ratified by the Senate.  I really didn't expect all that to happen.  Either the sitting Republicans have suddenly realized

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-35350088105508689612010-12-17T22:25:00.000-06:002010-12-17T22:25:38.031-06:00

The dustup over the compromise tax bill has been settled; bill passed and signed.  The same Republican crew that couldn't bring itself to limit their gift giving to the wealthiest 2% of Americans finds that it suddenly is unable to pop some pennies to help out 9/11 first responders deal with health issues.  They also cannot bring themselves to find some dollars for needy child brides, not to

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-92057476354125217602010-12-16T12:43:00.000-06:002010-12-16T12:43:04.640-06:00

Well, we know that Blaine Roberts is being challenged for an aged parking ticket, but the objection to Benjamin Myers is also based on an alleged overdue debt to the City of Chicago.  Ross Akins, on the other hand, is a gold mine of objectionable material.  Roberts and Myers are set for another hearing on December 20, while Akins is awaiting the recommendation from his hearing per the Board of

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-6503664278941163452010-12-10T11:01:00.000-06:002010-12-10T11:01:08.812-06:00

I am not sure how I feel about this piece of news.  State St. is loaded with chain stores already, so this is nothing new, but I think the fact that it is a big box store is what concerns me.  I know they are moving in, and there is a Target at Wilson Yards, but I don't think I expected to see one in the Loop.

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-35852196701692468142010-12-09T17:39:00.000-06:002010-12-09T17:39:02.175-06:00

If you have been out of town, out to lunch, vacationing on Mars, or otherwise occupied, you probably missed all the noise about Obama's tax compromise with the Republicans.  His Democrat peers in the House and Senate are wailing, so much so that Pelosi has declined to introduce it into the House.  One might be lulled into thinking that the Democrats were the only ones upset, and one would be

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-60798940142041306802010-12-09T17:23:00.001-06:002010-12-09T17:42:39.182-06:00

OK, I asked for someone to step up and tell me what is up with Messr. Olsen and his law firm.  I got a phone call today from a friend who is a Moore supporter.  He states unequivocally that Olsen is not a proxy for Moore.  Our Alderman decided not to issue challenges since he sees 6K+ petition signatures as confirmation of the support he has in the ward. In other words, he ain't skeered 'bout

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-48938838891246036502010-12-08T12:00:00.000-06:002010-12-08T12:00:00.887-06:00

Blane Roberts effort to run for alderman is being challenged over parking tickets.  I have spoken with Blane and his dilemma points up the problem for the average citizen who wishes to run for office.  Having done due diligence on his part and coming up with nothing, it appears there may in fact be something still out there that he did not know about.  The hearing on Friday will tell that tale.

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-30880404414429487652010-12-07T21:50:00.003-06:002010-12-08T10:43:19.316-06:00

Apparently I just missed the action.  I was at a meeting at the HOW office at 1607 W. Howard and left shortly after 7 PM.  About 9:30 PM I got a call from another attendee who left after I did.  She and the others still in the office heard popping sounds at some point after I left, and dove for the floor.  Shortly after sirens were heard and an ambulance pulled up.  I am fuzzy on the following,

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-90750607990263222542010-12-01T13:04:00.000-06:002010-12-01T13:04:01.847-06:00

Chicago likes to ensure that its incumbents have every advantage.  Rather than conduct municipal elections in November along with all the other elections that are going on, it holds them the following February.  By then the excitement has died and the weather is usually dicey.  This year, with the mayor's race no longer including Daley we are poised for more excitement than usual.  Will the

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-74932686403950292652010-11-28T14:19:00.001-06:002010-12-09T17:43:21.509-06:00

I am a member of Transition Rogers Park, which is part of the global Transition movement.  As we work on getting our message out to the community I have wondered what impact we are really having.  Today I came across this article at The Huffington Post and it neatly lays out the difficulties in getting Americans to embrace Transition to the extent that the English have.  We may have shared

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-5950490733073107132010-11-26T12:36:00.000-06:002010-11-26T12:36:18.546-06:00

How sustainable is renewable energy? | Energy BulletinWe put so much stock in renewables these days, yet I have long believed that this was mostly wishful thinking. The writer, who has experience in renewables, puts wind energy in perspective. He suggests that his conclusions are valid for other forms of renewables. I am sure their supporters will demur, but I suspect he is close to the truth

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-72800940800138090012010-11-16T22:05:00.000-06:002010-11-16T22:05:32.963-06:00

I solved the deficit using aspects of the Simpson-Bowles proposal.  You might have a different solution.  Give it a whirl.  The bottom line is that it can be done.  We have the options.

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-34130979997022555932010-11-09T09:06:00.000-06:002010-11-09T09:06:31.789-06:00

The Oil Drum has posted a commentary about the International Energy Agency's (IEA) annual World Energy Outlook.  The commentary includes the summary Power Point page, which does not paint a pretty picture.  All those folks looking for renewables to take over for power generation will have to face the economic facts of life; natural gas will continue to be cheap enough to limit investment in

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-85748707990458544832010-11-06T04:12:00.000-05:002010-11-06T04:12:45.640-05:00

I recently came across two articles at The National Catholic Reporter that caused me to think again about the faith I was raised in. Since 9/11 I have watched and listened as Christians of all stripes pound on our Islamic cousins.  I certainly have serious questions about that faith and wonder how much of what we see is genuine Islam or a corruption of earlier pagan beliefs to fit an Islamic

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-39869523264332751342010-11-03T00:07:00.001-05:002010-11-06T02:42:45.986-05:00

Now the real work begins.  The Republicans get the House, the Democrats just barely keep the Senate.  Can the parties and the President make the new relationship work?  According to The New York Times there is cause for concern.  This is not at all trivial since the House now has the ability to put together a Republican agenda yet get stymied via the Senate and President.  Given our financial

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-46526263957960230702010-10-31T18:59:00.000-05:002010-10-31T18:59:57.012-05:00

The investigation of the bombs sent on air cargo jets, and possibly carried by passenger planes, has once again focused our attention on radical Islamists in the Middle East.  In this case the bombs started their journey in Yemen.  Yemen is a small nation on the southern border of Saudi Arabia. The CIA Factbook and Wikipedia can bring you up to date on the details. Online bloggers of a more

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508797.post-41677402653943701182010-10-28T14:36:00.000-05:002010-10-28T14:36:19.994-05:00

First of all, a reminder to Facebook readers, click on Original Post to see this one in its entirety and access the links.  The title of this post is hot-linked to the original site. Tom Whipple would never make it as a politician because he insists on being honest.  Those of you who think it is just a matter time before we can "party on dude!" in a revitalized America are smoking something no

Kherisnoreply@blogger.com0