B.J. Parker, a frequent blogger on CLTV, narrows the senator pick down to Tammy Duckworth, the Black Hawk pilot, and Jesse Jackson, Jr. - the Congressman. I'm leaning towards Jesse, but Tammy will be on my show to share her thoughts on a monumental time for Illinois politics.
Rod Blagojevich has a big decision to make. He has the task of choosing the next Senator from the state of Illinois. Will it be Jackson, Jones, Madigan, Duckworth, Schakowsky, or Guitierrez? Danny Davis? Could it be a sleeper...someone who is not so obvious?
My pick for senator would be Jesse Jackson, Jr. It's an obvious pick, but the individual is the closest candidate we can cartridge in, without cloning. With all respect to the other candidates, Congressman 3J, is an Obama supporter, has worked with him on several initiatives, is similar in age, although a bit younger than Obama (by 3 and a half years), and said on GML that "I wouldn't say no to the invitation Garrard."
Will Sun Times columnist, Mary Mitchell, agree with Garrard that racism is extinct?
Garrard says it's official. Racism has left the shores of the United States. There are no racists here anymore. Everyone is free and we have no need to tell ethnic jokes...well we can tell them now without feeling fearful, inhibited, and racist. Well, that kind of defeats the purpose.
When you leave your house today, pay close attention - taking note that hate groups have disbanded, institutional racism is passe', and people are getting hired today based on their qualifications, not their skin color. We are free today - No Chinese internment camps, no holocaust, no slavery, no native American eradication. We are free because Garrard says so, ...and because Obama is president - elect. Mary Mitchell joins me later for a conversation on racism and it's disappearance.
Dreams from my Father and The Audacity of Hope...Baby Barry does it. Grandma Dunham is smiling in heaven today. Sasha and Malia are going to the White House. Michelle is the First Lady - Elect.
Barack Obama - 44th President of the United States. Tell me what you think...and better yet, what will you do to help Barack Obama be the best president of the United States?
Uh oh! Senator Obama's name may change to President in a few hours...he just won Virginia, he's got New Mexico, Pennsylvania is in his pocket, Minnesota is toast, the North Eastern states are all wrapped up. A caller to my show said it's all about race...political race, not the politics of color. Will Indiana turn Blue? Call me at 630-575-Talk or leave a comment.
The states are coming in...the numbers are close ladies and gentlemen...what states do you think make the difference? We are taking your calls tonight on GML. Post your blog comments and call me.
Who are your picks for local and national elections? I am looking forward to your phone calls, blog comments, and voice messages. Garrard McClendon Live! will be on throughout the election night with CLTV News and continuous election coverage.
GML call in line - 630-575-TALK (8255). Blog me atwww.CLTV.com/gml. Leave a message on the GML-VLINE - 630-574-3232.
Who are you voting for on Tuesday? Tell me and I will share your picks with viewers on GML.
You thought your favorite sitcom was coming on, but the Democratic candidate for president bought the time slot and wowwed viewers with a dazzling 30 minute infomercial stumping on networks with cinematography rivaling Hollywood. Was the money and time worth it? I think so. Obama continues to show that he is a formidible force of nature in the political world.
Call it pompous, conceited, confident, or "humble," Obama spares no expense in getting the message out to potential Barack backers. Senator John McCain should have countered by spending $3 mil to do the same. The film may be the tipping point. Senator, lawyer, organizer, father, husband, candidate, and diplomat, Barack Obama shows us that excellence and hope is just a vote away.
Dr. Carl Bell and the Jennifer Hudson Family Tragedies
Everybody knows the symptoms, but what are the causes of violence in highly dense, urban communities. Dr. Carl Bell joins me in a discussion on Garrard McClendon Live.
Too many guns, irresponsible men, not enough good jobs, drug territory, gang land mentality? No, no, no...it's you and me. We're all responsible for nonsense infiltrating our neighborhoods. If you know of a solution, what have you done today to make your community better?
Incumbent Congressman Bill Foster and challenger Jim Oberweis will present their views on GML Tuesday. The race for 14th district Representative proves to be a tight contest, with Foster's Tribune endorsement and Oberweis's solid reputation as a well-known businessman. On this race, flip a coin - Hastert resigned...and Foster won the special election / primary. It's the general election coming up and Oberweis is going to milk this one for all it's worth.
The Associated Press reported that there was a plot to assassinate Sen. Barack Obama and to shoot or decapitate 102 Black people in Tennessee. Two Neo-Nazi Skinheads reportedly had plans to rob a gun store, target a Tennessee high school, shoot 88 Black people and decapitate 14 more. Supposedly, the numbers 88 and 14 are symbolic in the White supremicist community.
The year 2008 for some people is no different than 1858, 1868, 1915, or 1964. We live in a great country, but killing and devastation are the hobbies of the disturbed.
The blogs are lighting up over who should pay for police, fire and medical services provided by the city of Chicago during Obama's election night celebration.
A 13% approval rating is an 87% disapproval rating. Is n't that grounds for impeachment? Can a governor be asked to leave midway through his term? Come clean Blagojevich! Stop avoiding reporters, stop giving canned (rehearsed answers), and if there is any corruption, kickbacks, favors, or malfeasance, just tell us, and we will forgive you. The public can handle the truth. Admitting these actions could boost your approval rating (maybe) and you could be in better shape for the forthcoming election.
Well, maybe not.
87% disapproval (even if there is an undecided constituency) is still a huge mountain to climb. The Tribune's cover says "Blagojevich: 13% approval. " You're in bad shape governor!
I am fed up with Jon Burge and I have problems with the massive cover-up that has taken years to truly expose. The Chicago Tribune states, "Special prosecutors have alleged that former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge led the torture of criminal suspects for two decades, coercing dozens of confessions with fists, kicks, radiator burns, guns to the mouth, bags over the head and electric shock to the genitals." Jon Burge pleading the 5th Amendment, skating away into the margins of statute of limitations is bogus. On Garrard McClendon's trial, he's a criminal and I believe the testimonials of the tortured deserve to be heard once again. $20 million is a great settlement, but money and justice aren't synonymous.
"A special prosecutors' report paid for by Cook County and released in 2006 concluded that dozens of suspects had been tortured but that no one could be prosecuted because the statute of limitations had run out" reported Angela Rozas and Jeff Coen from the Chicago Tribune on June 11, 2008. If I'm a torture victim, throw away the statute of limitations!!!
You must be joking. Parents and students trying to sabotage other students by sending nasty and exaggerated letters to college admissions' offices? Concentrate on getting your own child (or self) into school. You don't have to bother others.
How big of a loser must you be to sit down, calculate, and produce a letter that condemns other students who are seeking to be admitted to a university? This is sick. Admission by slanderous cancellation is sinful. Competition is tough on high school seniors thinking about college, but those losers - parents and students producing hate letters to admissions offices - should work harder in school, or choose a college that isn't quite as competitive. Get a life, get a clue, but quit hating on students who may have higher grades or more extra-curriculars. We all have to compete, so "Man Up ...or Woman Up!"
Halie Soifer, Jewish Vote Director for the Barack Obama Campaign, talks to Palm Beach County voters. Staff Photo/Jim Rassol, South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Obama is not friends with anti-Jewish organizations and the Louis Farrakhan references are tired and insulting. The trick bag is filled with tricknology, half-truths, and fear. I am a little taken aback by Barack's committees. Are there directors for every ethnic and religious group in Obama's camp? Irish Vote Director, English Vote Director, German, Italian, Neo-Baptist Swahili Vote Director? Poor Halie says "I think some people have been swayed by all the slurs. They hear something and then their minds are closed." Halie - God Bless you - I'm glad that you're out there dispelling the myths of Barack being an enemy to Jews. You are to be commended. But some people love to be ignorant. It gives them a sense of comfort.
The middle school teacher is the most disrespected professional in education. We ask them to be able to deal with students who are leaving childhood, but aren't yet young adults. We ask them to be specialists in their area of teaching and to experts on the perils of puberty, jealousy, self-esteem, and name-calling.
Now we ask them to gain an endorsement in their subject area for 6th,7th and 8th grade. Shouldn't a "major" detail like this have taken place while in their teacher education programs? Are middle school teachers the "fall-back" teachers who were undecided about elementary or high school?
According to NCLB, you must be certified, with a bachelor's degree, teaching in the area of your major. Don't tell me we have social studies majors teaching science! I would be insulted and in mourning for our students.
Carpool Kenny is about to see a spike in his revenue if the State of Illinois introduces the dreaded carpool lane. I'm not havin' it. The lane of choice shouldn't be dependent upon the number of passengers in the car. You can't charge a toll on my car and then charge me extra because I am the only person in the car. Nonesense! I'll get an air pump, inflate Kenny, and take my chances. If the cops pull me over, I'll say - at least Kenny had his seatbelt administered. He loves talk radio and when someone wants a ride, I can say, "sorry, no room." Taxes and tolls are high enough - and you want to charge me for not carpooling? The state should buy a flying car for me or pay for my broadband so I can work from home.
Is Dan Seals - the truth, or a "face man"? Can he overcome his loss to Mark Kirk back in 2006? Candidate for Congress, Dan Seals, joins me on Garrard McClendon Live. Call the show...talk to Dan. 630-575-TALK (8255).
Watch it at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. - Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 on CLTV.
Today, I am saddened by the second police officer slain in the line of duty in the last 3 months. Nathaniel Taylor Jr. (only 39 years old), passed away this weekend. During a search warrant, he was the victim of unfriendly fire by the alleged shooter, Lamar Cooper. Often, we paint a grim picture of police officers, claiming that they're all crooked, sneaky, hot-headed. But all-in-all, they serve and protect. We call them - first, when danger lurks. How do you view the police? How do you view those who harm officers?
Look for service cuts and increases on fairs next year. With 5% more people riding CTA and fuel costs elevating, you know your daily cost of going to work, school, and home will become more painful.
I drive a car - so I am not as affected as CTA riders, but I am concerned because I know senior citizens and students who ride. Seniors make up 92,000 free daily rides. Blagojevich was the town crier and pied piper of this benevolent act, but will it snake bite him and the CTA? $30 million spent on fuel alone! $30 million over budget! It may be time for the CTA to hire a good accountant.
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?
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?
Photo: Nancy Stone
Thank God the feds broke this thing up...
Kyra Speaks
