Splitting with your spouse can be painful. But what could be worse? Alimony, child support, mortgage splitting, selling your home, and paying for the entire divorce process. If youget a divorce, who gets the house? What if you want to sell it? How can you buy out your soon-to-be-ex-partner without enough to pay the mortgage? Who lives in the house? Should one person get an apartment? Who pays the mortgage?

Divorces are one of life's many tragedies that keep some people from realizing their best. You get married to this wonderful human being and in a few years, you can't stand that son-of-a-mortgage.

In Gold Digger, Mr. West says, "we want pre-nupt, we want pre-nupt - yeah."  You know people don't think about finances when they get married. Look at the money they waste on the wedding. Any one for arranged marriages?

What should you do if you have a mortgage and a spouse that wants out? 

I've never had a "dreaded" boot placed on my car but I would be so upset if after work, that thing was on my car. This is legalized strong arming at its finest. The city is playing Tony Soprano: "You pay my ticket, I remove the boot." This is just a money maker for the city.

But as unfair as it may seem. I think people should abide by the rules of the road and park according to the signs and meters. Don't curse Daley and Chicago's Meter Patrol for pasting the orange ticket under your windshield wiper. You were the one who parked and drove illegally. A scam...no. Just rules.

I can't stand when people throw cigarette butts out of their cars, park in handicapped areas (without placard), and turn their hazards on in front of a store (oh, I'll be right back...just getting a few quick items). I'm guilty of this but no boot yet.

Follow the rules people, or get booted. It's amazing how quickly you can pay your traffic tickets when your car has a yellow hubcap. Rolling on DUBS.

What do you think?

Ludacris does it again...he is arguably the most clever lyricist in hiphop. Extremely volatile though...

Blends the serious with the mundane and here he's going to force Obama into apologizing for rap. The Senator may have to denounce the hiphop community...uh oh...Jeremiah and Jesse may be forgotten, or foregiven.

His metaphors and similes make you laugh - (and think). With the Obama song, he pushes buttons that would make Arsenio go, "HHmmmmmm."

I like Reverend Senator Meeks. He is tenacious, smart, politically savvy, articulate, cares for people, and knows his scripture. 

We invited him on the show to discuss his proposal to have CPS students stay away from CPS for the first day of school - and, instead, go to New Trier, a much wealthier district. Hopefully he will be a guest on the show in the near future.

What I want Meeks to explain is the reason for keeping children out of school for a day.

Granted, New Trier, Neuqua Valley, Naperville High School and many other academic fortresses outside of Chicago are doing extremely well. These schools have high enrollment, high test scores, high graduation rates, and scores of National Merit Finalists, Honor Society Members, and Ivy League prospects. Is it because they have a higher per pupil spending ratio?

Senator Meeks - what about Walter Payton, Whitney Young, Lane Tech, and Northside College Prep? Aren't these public schools? Magnets, yes. Public, yes. Are you blaming wealthy suburbs for their impressive schools? If $750,000 homes can raise more tax money, shouldn't they have better schools? What is Rev. Senator Meeks' proposal for the Illinois funding formula?

Chicago, Winnetka, and Northfield, do you agree or disagree with Senator Meeks' proposal?  

Uh oh! Where else can I get a Monte Cristo sandwich, Kilkenny salad, or a grande Komodo Dragon? Two of my most reliable and safe hangouts are closing. I will no longer have the opportunity to run into R. Kelly at the Bennigan's in Calumet City, and if too many Starbucks close, where will I tap into WiFi?

The economy is forcing many of our favorite establishments to shut their doors. What will we do without them?  Favorite item from Bennigan's and Starbucks?

Are there too many unwanted dogs in Chicago? What are your thoughts on spaying/neutering every dog 6 months and older? Licensed breeders should be exempt from such an ordinance, but pet owners need to have their Rexes and Fidos fixed.

Too many dogs...solution - birth control.

Is he real or a processed politician? Can Obama lead our country out of this madness? Can he repair the damage of George DubYah? Very articulate, handsome, young, Harvard trained, superior organizer, constitutional lawyer...notwithstanding...

Can he lead the United States of America? I know he can.

What do you think?

Also, there's been a lot of talk about the concert held before Obama's major speech in Berlin earlier this month. Does it matter that a concert occured and was responsible for at least some of the people who attended Obama's speech?

Check out this clip from the show:

Should Six Flags create days for specific cultures, religious groups, and special interests? Could this be a way of avoiding law suits? Well if you're a practicing Muslim, more fun and more flags. Chicago Tribune reporter Deborah Horan says the Gurnee, Illinois, park expects about 1,200 Muslims to enter the parks gates on Saturday.

Six Flags will show sensitivity to Islamic dietary laws and prayer practices. This sounds like a great idea and I applaud Six Flags! They plan to do this for other groups as well.

What do you think...

Dr. Ronald Herberman says that we should limit cell phone use due to cancer risk. The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute says that children should only use cell phones for emergencies and that adults should use a headset or speakerphone.

WIll you stop using your cell if there is a cancer risk?

The media is clearly giving McCain the cold shoulder. Reporters don't even like following him. Obama is getting so much coverage, George Bush is probably jealous. Obama in Berlin giving a speech with all news sources covering him? Where is John McCain? Eating in a diner begging for 1 reporter to restore his relevance.

Do you think there is media bias in the presidential campaign? Give me some examples and tell me why.

Poll of Polls has the Presidential race at:

Obama 46% and McCain 42% (Source: www.realclearpolitics.com)

How can there be a shortfall in public schools? Where is the money to educate children? Duncan and Daley, please tell us.

Should America's schools be privatized? Would you pay for your child's public education, out of pocket?

Give me your thoughts. 

Man, if your friends are bugging you, you don't have friends. I cannot believe that Drew's peeps went undercover on him...no!

But can that taped evidence be used in court? Probably not...

Nevertheless, Drew Peterson needs to go into the rabbit hole and use the 5th amendment. Why he is still talking is beyond belief. Drew filming camera crews with his camcorder, the car insurance comment, and the jokes about his deceased former spouse and missing wife are incomprehendable.

Please comment on what you think about Drew Peterson and his foolishness.

Will you turn your gun in this weekend?

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday - you can earn $100 MasterCard for turning in your heat. I am a little cynical about gun buy-backs and turn-ins, but if it saves one life - Great!  Sadly, most people turn in replicas, BB guns, and air guns. Folks like to keep their assault weapons. For UZIs, AKs, and 9mms - they should give you $1000...then you would see some guns being turned in.

Talk to me. What do you think?

www.dontkilladream.org

In this corner -- 10.25%.  In the other corner 9%. In fear of losing customers to surrounding counties, Peraica and others are at it again. They want the taxes back down to a rate that satisfies residents, taking the sting off of surrounding county rates of 3% lower.

But what about citizens groups, healthcare, and other entities that benefit from a tax increase? Will they be slighted.

What is your opinion? Blog me up at www.CLTV.com/gml and call me tonight at 630-575-8255 to broadcast your opinion.

Hey GML viewers...if a person is caught abusing a child, what should the punishment be?

I bring this question up because right now an investigation is underway in suburban Crete to determine if abuse let to a 12-year-old boy's death.  You can read the story by clicking here.

Send me your comments and we'll get a few on the air this week. You may also call us at 630-575-TALK (8255).

There is an award for information leading to the arrest of Mya Lyons' killer. Ald. Howard Brookins and local pastors have offered a $5,500 reward and the community is still in search of the offender.

Ald. Brookins has agreed to be on GML and we are asking you to call in with your questions and comments concerning this incident. Are awards enough? What should the community do at this point? Do you agree with the actions of Ald. Brookins? Will the Chicago Police solve this case?

Comment and call today! 630-575-TALK.

Hey everybody! This was a crazy week in Chicago. Cook County Jail is nasty, Jesse calling people "N******S" and cutting "N***," the RTA raising rates and cutting service, violence is rampant, Starbucks scaring those who can afford $5 for a cup of coffee, and The Dark Knight opens today. I also got a call from a merry man of Nottingham (well actually, a preacher from Chicago, Rev. Robin Hood). He says that he can stop the violence without a bow and arrow or a green cap.

Call the show tonight and witness the excitement of Theo McClendon (AKA: Theo The Thinker). He will be giving his twist and harsh critique of everything that comes up. Also, take a look at past blogs and respond. I will be reading comments and emails sent to me during the week.

Call us tonight at 630-575-TALK (8255) and voice your opinions.

As I told you on the show tonight, here's a list of groups and organizations that provide people with assistance:

Association House of Chicago

http://www.associationhouse.org/

(After school programs)

Career Advancement Network

http://www.careeradvancementnetwork.org/

(Help with jobs)

Remember the movie "Face Off" with John Travolta and Nicolas Cage? Magnetic boots on a lock-down. I think we need those...clearly a humane technology for offender control.

Well it seems that the mansion at 26th and California needs those boots because the Cook County Jail has failed to do the following:

"Protect prisoners from being harmed by inmates and staff, and

Provide adequate medical, mental health, fire prevention, and sanitation.

In March 2007, The jail had 35 inmate fights with 46 weapons being confiscated," according to Mike Robinson at the AP.

Stay out of trouble and stay your but out of Cook County Jail. The terrible living conditions are worse than the incarceration. Call the show tonight and join the discussion. 630-575-TALK.

Uh oh! We touched a hot button on last night's show. It seems as if some Chicago neighborhoods don't have enough jobs, activities, and opportunities to keep people out of nefarious behavior. I agree, but it is the responsibility of men, and women, to create meaningful legal activities for 8 through 20 year olds. 

Women are already doing too much...working, raising children, going to school, making ends meet. Where are the men? Every 20 children in Chicago should be under the mentorship of a responsible man: arts, crafts, sports, tutoring, cultural awareness, and rites of passage. Every child should be able to name a father figure in the community who teaches them a skill.

My parents, teachers, and mentors taught me how to read, play baseball, speak, spell, build rockets, appreciate model trains, apply for jobs, and treat people with respect. This isn't happening everywhere.

So my challenge to every block in Chicago is to have 1 man step up and be the mentor who provides information or mentoring to the children and young adults on that block. Not a miracle, just a little male leadership.  Call the show tonight! 630-575-TALK.

I am saddened today. I am barely able to type this blog; I am angry and melancholy because Mya Lyons is not with us. I am looking at a photo of Mya in today's Chicago Tribune and it is troubling to do this show. What are we going to do about children being slain?

Ten years ago, we were here with the brutal murder of Ryan Harris, an eleven year old whose lifeless body was found in a vacant lot. Sabrina Harris (Ryan's mother) made it plain by saying this about her killer's sentence of no death penalty, "He's still breathing, and my child is not. So, I just have to deal with what the judge said and have to live with it," Sabrina said.

No matter how outraged we may become, do we do anything after we're outraged? Are we marching for a cause or a photo opportunity. These families are grieving and we must support them after the march, after the press has gone, after the story evaporates.

But that is just the point -- the story should never evaporate and I am calling for stronger penalties on offenders, especially those who harm defenseless children. What should we do after the march? We should continue to protest, to pressure our legislators, and to create better accountability from block to block. I don't want to see another child harmed, but marches have great affect on attention, but little effect on prevention. Post your entries and call GML tonight to express your views.  

Have you noticed prices starting to creep upward? Milk, eggs, bread, clothing. I am fed up with more money being spent in Iraq and Afghanistan than on American citizens. Let's drive the prices down by curbing our appetites and spending wisely. We can do this.

Foreclosures are rampant. Give me a kerosene lamp, a log cabin, and a bow and arrow and I'm good to go.

Don't put your money in IndyMac. It may not be there tomorrow.

How is the economy affecting you?

Chicago's top cop is currently taking questions at today's hearing in front of city council.  And tonight on Garrard McClendon Live we'll be discussing Weis, the Chicago Police department and the violence occuring in Chicago.

So I want to hear from you. Post your comments below or call in tonight (630-575-TALK) for the show. The show begins at 6:30pm only on CLTV.

You gotta' be kidding me. The New Yorker was desperate for attention and more sales and the pulled the trump card by illustrating every conceivable stereotype possible of future Oval Office Couple.

The 2nd Millenium Camelot Couple has been placed into a lovely caricature marked with the fist kiss, an AK-47 strapped Michelle looking like Angela Davis, Barack in full Bin Laden attire, and Old Glory burning in the fireplace. I see it as satire...and New Yorker Magazine will sell a lot of these. No harm, no foul.

For those not understanding the sarcasm may take the cover literally, thinking that New Yorker is equivalent to Newsweek or Time, instead of Harper's or the National Review (which both are known for controversial covers.

A memo to Michelle and Barack...Keep smiling and thank the New Yorker for the attention. Mockery, satire, and flattery are close relatives. Just be careful when they stick a microphone on your lapel Senator. 

Have an opinion on today's topic? Have a great issue in your neighborhood I need to know about?

Just send me an email to cltvtalk@tribune.com.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Garrard

The "under-the-breath" comment of Jesse Jackson was ludicrous, callous, crude, and despicable. Sure he apologized, but this solidifies that Operation PUSH, pulpit, political preachers are passe'.  He's done great work in the past, but the new school gently asks him to move over - or get out of the way.

There is no room for an insecure consciousness surrounding Barack Obama's trip to the White House. The Right-Wingers and Rush Limbaughs of the world have plenty of fuel now. Jesse inserts foot in mouth and now pundits can say, "I told you that Jesse has a problem with tail-end baby boomers."

Jesse Jr. is a political servant leader; Jesse Sr. is not.

Rev. Jackson, please move into the right lane, turn on your hazard lights, and let the new school quickly pass you on the left. We commend your work and the history books will be kind to your legacy if you stop denigrating leaders of the new school. 

If you're trying to be elected for office and your only means of getting the vote out is snail mail...you are in trouble. A strong cyber campaign is crucial now, and Barack Obama has trumped everyone in this category. John McCain's website finally has hyperlinks.

There seems to be a divide in how political campaigns were once implemented, and how they are deployed now. As Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "the future is now." This concept went right over the heads of politicians accustomed to an era of mailers, flyers, and door to door solicitation of votes. Today's point and click is light years ahead of manual stumping from city to city.

Are older politicians out of touch with the Net? Can a well-invested cyber stump be the ticket to the Mayor's Office, Governor's Mansion, or Pennsylvania Avenue? I want to know what you think Chicago. Call me weeknights at 6:30 p.m. on CLTV.

The political world is abuzz over the comments made by Jesse Jackson towards Barack Obama.

You can see what I think in the video below.  What do you think? Post your comments below. 

Imagine a world where every missing child gets equal media coverage. Sorry to say, it doesn't happen. If you are considered attractive, white, or middle to upper class...you will probably get a headline, an elaborate search team, neighborhood look-out, and media coverage on several television stations.

But if you are considered less attractive, lower class, from the wrong neighborhood, or Black or Hispanic... you won't see a search team, or media coverage outside of a day.

I don't want to believe this, but there is a reason why I know the names of Lisa Stebic, Natalee Holloway, and Stacy Peterson. These missing persons have been on television almost every day. And they should be; they're human beings, They have websites. They have TV cameras all in the neighborhood.

Yasmin Acree, Kenneth Sanders, Lovace Simmons, Nathaniel Holt aren't household names...I had to go to the Chicago Police Department's Missing Persons page to find them. I don't have their names memorized and neither do you - because there is no coverage about them.

So it goes, the nightly news is a respecter of persons. Those considered attractive and middle class - COVERAGE. Those with no money and darker skin...eh, the back of a milk carton will do. 

Post a comment.

Kudos to Mary Mitchell for keeping all of us aware.

This is a photo of Yasmin Acree. 

What gas price would it take for you to change your driving habits? Do you have any suggestions for alternative commuting? Do airline prices have an effect on you? What is the cheapest price online from L.A. to Chicago?

We had a good "live" show today with travel agent, Fran Moeckler, and transportation expert, Professor Aaron Gellman. I should have told both guests that $8 per gallon would be the back breaking price for Illinois residents. This would exceed the new minimum wage of $7.75 per hour. Driving to work for these workers would not be feasible, maybe impossible.

Airlines should have lottery flights, making one customer's flight (per plane) a free flight. What do you think?

Thanks for the calls Chicago...GML

What really makes your blood boil? What gets you mad?

The sales tax increase? Filling up your gas tank? Paying a fortune for an airline ticket and not getting beverages and peanuts free? Hey, that bag of yours must be checked for $15, sir.

You have a right to complain and I want you to...on Garrard McClendon Live!

When taxes are hovering close to 11%, the major purchases that you make, may be worth the trip to another county. When you spend $100 in Cook County, your taxes will be $10.25. It's almost like tithing to the government every time you make a purchase.

DuPage, Will, and Lake counties look much better, but is it really worth the drive? Maybe the price of gas will curb the enthusiasm of traveling beyond the boundaries of Cook County to save a buck, but will surrounding counties come to Cook to purchase goods? Ask Larry David...oops, I forgot he drives a Prius, so it doesn't matter.

Looking for cheapest gas, airfare, and taxes...send me your leads. Blog me and express yourself. I'll may mention you on the show next week.

Garrard McClendon Live!

Hello CLTV viewers. My name is Garrard McClendon and I am delighted to join CLTV to host an exciting interactive experience called "Garrard McClendon Live."

I am asking you to be a participant in a television show that will challenge, engage, and entertain you daily. The show will air weeknights at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and it can only be seen on CLTV. While watching the show, you will be able to interact with the show by phone, email, or blog. This gives you the opportunity to voice your opinion in a Talk-TV format.

Controversial topics, Chicagoland guests, and your interaction will make the show your gateway for expression. Tune in weeknights for Garrard McClendon Live!  It all begins Monday, July 14th - only on CLTV.