John McCain went for the sympathy vote: He wants everyone to pay attention to his VEEP candidate Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska. Well, there is plenty of oil there so that may help in terms of energy arguments. She is capable of running a state. She was the youngest person, and the first woman, to be elected governor of Alaska. She is obviously a pro-life advocate - it has been reported that she knew her child would have Down's Syndrome and she chose to deliver: I do applaude her for this decision. Sensitive issue.
But can she deliver the female vote and sway the Hillary fanatics to leave the donkey and go for the elephant? I think the chess match has begun. Biden vs. Palin: 2 months of Vice Presidential contrasting.
Sen. Barack Obama has delivered his acceptance speech at the convention. Now we want to hear from you. What do you think of Obama's speech?
If you have thoughts or questions you'd like to share now, don't hesitate to leave a comment. Something you've seen or heard this week in Denver on your mind? A question about a speaker or the convention? Write it out and send it in.
On the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, Senator Barack Obama will accept the nomination, deliver a speech, and continue his quest toward becoming America's next top model -- I mean President. Is there substance in his change movement? What about policy over politics? What would you like Mr. Obama to improve in this country over the next 4 years?
Delmarie Cobb and Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. will be guests on GML.
Do you think the Democratic Party is unified? Did Hillary trump or stump on Tuesday night? Can the democratics really beat John McCain and the Republican juggernaut?
Was Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech -- too good? Was she stumping for Obama or campaigning for 2012? I did like the speech...her metaphors and stories were memorable, especially the Harriet Tubman story, the slogans, and the Twin Cities remark about Bush and McCain. What were your thoughts on Hillary at the DNC?
The first day of school: Should you go or not? Arne Duncan takes the hotseat on Garrard McClendon Live. Chicago Public Schools have the herculean task of getting students to school on the first day. Advocates such as Phillip Jackson agree with Duncan. BlackStarProject is sponsoring the Million Father March in hopes of sending children to school holding the hands of their fathers in several cities throughout the U.S.
The after-parties in Denver are going to be obscene...all of those democrats in one city for a whole week. Howard Dean, Alexi Giannoulis, Emil Jones, Jr., Jesse Jackson , Jr., and Michelle Obama are headlining tonight. Will you be watching? Is Obama your presidential candidate?
Wow!!!! After weeks of speculation, Barack Obama has picked Sen. Biden as his running mate.
GML wants to hear from you! Do you think it's a good pick? Will Biden help or hurt Obama's quest to become President? Is Biden too much of a Washington insider? Should Obama have picked Hillary Clinton?
If you live in Illinois, you know the name: Roland Burris. The CEO of Burris & Lebed Consulting, Burris served as Comptroller and Attorney General of the State of Illinois. Hear his views on Obama/McCain and Vice Presidential candidates tonight on Garrard McClendon Live. Questions for Mr. Burris? Please ask by calling 630-575-TALK at 6:30 p.m. or post a comment below.
I'm the sheriff and I'm throwing myself in jail. With sagging clothes and those Godforsaken red plastic slippers, Sheriff Mark Curran assumes the humiliation of an offender But he can go home anytime he wants. Will he really get a taste of what living conditions are really like? Will he eat the same food? Did they clean the cells this week so that the sheriff would say, "The conditions are great for me."
What do you think about living conditions in jail? Should they be tidy? Should inmates get a free education? Should jail be worse so that returning won't be equivalent to free rent for the winter? What are your thoughts?
Is Chicago headed by a few families? Do these names ring a bell? Burke, Madigan, Hynes, Dart, Daley, Jones, Jackson, and Stroger? After reading John Kass's article, Family Ties are What Bind Illinois into its Sad State, I'm convinced that qualifications aren't needed; unless you count your last name as one. The chief prerequisite on your resume' is your surname. Is this unfair, or just the way it is?
Lower the drinking age to 18 and let the kids drink. This is the sentiment of many colleges around the United States, who think that binge drinking will curtail if we de-criminalize drinking. Forbidden fruit does have its place and some teens just won't wait until 21 to tap the keg. Pump, tip, pump, tip...there it is - but scrape the foam off.
MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving - has another agenda. Keep the age 21 and discourage driving after the inebriation pursues. They have a great point, but drunk driving isn't as big an issue in other parts of the world. Make the penalties more strict, raise the driving standard, and criminalize the drunking driving offense, not the age of the drinker and driver. An 18 year old with a Miller Chill or Blue Moon at home isn't bad...but one on the road - now that's homicide and suicide.
Both fast food joints will be in town soon...I ask, which do you prefer? I like Sonic for it's convenience and the shakes...but Fat Burger will scramble an egg and place it ever so gently on your burger. Transfats rule...whose counting calories? Vote now for Sonic or Fat Burger.
PACE bus drivers have thrown a wrench into the machine. Ten percent of 155 PACE drivers called in sick today - evidently in protest for contract negotiations. Is it best to negotiate or boycott?
Is a boycott the only way to get people's attention?
Bern Nadette Stanis (Thelma) has written a new book on relationships and she will be on Garrard McClendon Live tonight! Please tune in at 6:30 p.m. on CLTV. If you have a question for Ms. Stanis. Please call early. Phone lines will be jammed. What was your favorite Good Times episode? Post it on our blog. Bern Nadette's (Thelma's) website is http://www.thelmaofgoodtimes.com . Her new book is called Situations 101:Relationships / The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Tune in tonight on GML!
Finally, city government decides to do the right thing: embracing fiscal responsibility.
Layoffs are never pleasant, especially for those who receive the dreaded pink slip, but $420 million is a monumental sum that can potentially be an asset to the city, its workers, and property owners. In the event of a massive layoff, care must be taken not to release people who may be crucial for city services, but the layoff must be done with expedience, so that morale doesn't place workers in "deer-headlight" syndrome.
These layoffs can also guage the excess in the city and its needs. Municipal employment has too many extremes - either you're working hard all day, or taking several coffee and smoke breaks to kill the time. This layoff may be a blessing in disguise.
Reverend and Senator James Meeks is on Garrard McClendon Live! So is Alderwoman Freddrenna Lyle and maybe Mary Mitchell from the Sun-Times. Post your questions or comments and we may be able to get them to our guests during the show.
Should CPS students boycott schools because of poor funding? Or should they follow the superintendent and board president, by attending on the first day?
- Cardinal George Settles - $12.7 million to Victims -
Sex should be a sacred act of mutual affection involving a man and a woman in marital bliss. Or should it?
Not for sex abuse victims, violated by Catholic priests. Just hush for a few years and we will compensate you handsomely. Don't tell your parents what I'm doing to you. It's none of their business until we get caught, and then the Chicago archdiocese will pay you, your parents, and other victims to the tune of $12 million collectively. It is a terrible day when Cardinal Francis George has to apologize (go to public confessional) and divvy out settlements because of priests like Daniel McCormack and others.
Come on Catholics! Let the priests get married; sexual desires can only be contained by those who are called not to be sexually active. Most men have to have sex, regardless of religious cloaking, collars, and cover-ups. Desire for good purpose is "good." Suppression of desires because of religious practice is being untruthful to God. Allowing priests to get married is just one step. Ridding the Catholic community of child predators is a serious civil rights issue.
Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes - Remembering Greatness
Bob Fila 2000 File Photo
Whether you watched The Bernie Mac Show or listened to Hot Buttered Soul, your consciousness had to feel the magnetism of Bernie Mac and the musical mindspring of Isaac Hayes. It is hard to think of two other individuals whose lives have expressed the embodiment of urban genius.
I will miss them both: Mac, for his explosive joke telling , and subtle, satirical delivery, and Hayes for The Look of Love, Shaft, and Never Gonna Give You Up. Genius is an understatement for both gentlemen.
As the Bud Billiken Parade ends, the Parade of Reverend begins. From what I understand, there are over 75 ministers in line to launch the historical first day of school boycott. Will they do it - for real? Or is this just a threat to get Arne Duncan and Gov. Blagojevich at the table?
I must admit folks, Rev. and Sen. Meeks is getting more convincing every day. And he's gaining momentum with a nationally recognized minister. Post comments now.
Eminent domain: a dirty phrase. This means that if the city or state wants to seize your property for a stellar business opportunity, you don't own your home anymore. I think it's unfair because you really can't ask for an amount greater than what the city offers you. The appropriate term would be "theft."
We work all of our lives to own a home, paying a mortgage, taxes, and maintaining the property. And then the city strong arms you into a meager payoff. Eminent domain trumps your family's domain.
Obama Assassination Threat - Will this change your vote?
Secret Service can't protect you from everything and every idiot with a laser scope, but when you are a high profile political leader, you can't worry about You have to be fearless and live your leadership...not hide under a table and ask, "Will they shoot me?" Barack Obama and John McCain have to concentrate on leading the country, not following a trail of fear.
All eyes on Meeks! Meeks and Drastic Measures May WorkHe is getting plenty of media coverage especially in light of the downtown rally bringing more cameras and microphones out than earlier events. Rev. Acree, a guest on Garrard McClendon Live, stated that nobody else is offering any better solutions for equalizing the funding playing field. The website, www.SaveOurSchoolsNow.com , is truning up the heat on this issue by telling parents to keep their children out of school on the first day and beyond, until an equitable solution manifests. Could this be likened to the bus boycotts of the South? Instead of Little Rock Nine needing troops to enter a school, Meeks is saying, "stay away on the first day."
Gov with a Speed Gun
I've seen it all. Blagojevich holding a press conference on the expressway. He pledges to put up cameras so aggressive, that if you're photographed over the speed limit, you will be ticketed. Everybody is going to break the law, at least until the tickets start arriving in the mail. I won't admit to driving above the speed limit, but I will say that I keep up with the traffic.
Has Ebony Magazine dedicated too much coverage to the Obamas? They have put the Camelot couple on the cover several times which can be interpreted as newsworthy, political patronage, or smart art direction. The Obamas can sell magazines, especially in an internet content-driven reading environment.
Beijing is on the center stage as the Olympics begins. The city has had to clean up, build, create infrastructure, infuse more technology, and provide business and resident security. Will Chicago be able to handle an Olympic Games? Even with massive improvements to the roads, a possible new stadium in Washington Park, and the beauty of Lake Shore Drive and the Loop, Chicago still needs to get its crime problem in order. 600 caskets in one year? A welcoming committee's dream.
Erin Andrews! Get out! or Come on in...Should female reporters be allowed to report in "ManSpace"? Yes, yes, and yes. Erin Andrews is a great reporter at ESPN and banning her from a story just because she wears a skirt above the knees isn't fair. She's an intelligent woman who happens to look nice, and typical chauvinists are labelling her the siren of sports. What do you think about women reporting in mens' locker rooms or the inverse?
I am a Bears Fan. At times, it is an embarrassing existence, but I wear the badge regardless. I love the Bears almost as much as my wife. Tailgaters love the Bears too, and they should be allowed to hang out in the parking lot, with brats and beers. Fan-atics have rights too.
Last night on Garrard McClendon Live we had a heated discussion about CPS and school funding. Rev. Ira Acree was our guest. He and Rev. Meeks are calling for students to miss the first day of class to protest school funding.
Do you think it's a good idea to have your child miss the first day of school? What's your thoughts on school funding?
Check out the video clips and post your comments. I want to hear from you!!!
All Chicago Public School Students: Don't go to your school on first day, go to New Trier! That's what Rev. Meeks says, and Rev. Acree says don't go to school at all. Yes, the school funding formula is terrible, but what message are we sending children? Are the reverends equating this to Little Rock Nine?
Athletes make too much money and ticket prices are too high.
Yeah, I said it and I mean it...How can I take my child to see a game when my trip to the ball park runs about $200 or more? This is sick. Hester at $40 Mil, Deng at $80 Mil, Griffey at $Infinity$, and Urlacher cashing in on phenomenal middle linebacker money.
John McCain went for the sympathy vote: He wants everyone to pay attention to his VEEP candidate Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska. Well, there is plenty of oil there so that may help in terms of energy arguments. She is capable of running a state. She was the youngest person, and the first woman, to be elected governor of Alaska. She is obviously a pro-life advocate - it has been reported that she knew her child would have Down's Syndrome and she chose to deliver: I do applaude her for this decision. Sensitive issue.
