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Ray Thompson on GML
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Raymond Thompson discusses asset based community
development on Garrard McClendon LIVE. Call me at 773-883-3450.
Dwyane Wade should get custody of children
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The custody battle is on ... To whom should the court appoint the Wade Children? Siohvaughn or Dwyane? The Chicago Tribune's Becky Schlikerman reports, NBA Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade went one on one against his ex-wife today in a child custody trial at the Cook County Courthouse in downtown Chicago. The couple reached a divorce settlement in June, and have two sons, ages 3 and 8. But what about custody of the shorties? What about Gabrielle Union? -- Ooooohhh!
Wade's lawyers called on Siohvaughn Wade to testify. They questioned her about her arrest on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and damaging property in 2001 while she was a student at Northeastern Illinois University. She was later expelled from the university. Wade's lawyers also claim she tried to turn the two boys against him, and took steps to keep him from seeing them. James Pritikin, Wade's attorney, said "He's a much more stable individual than Mrs. Wade." But, Siohvaugn claims Dwyane is too busy with his professional basketball career to take care of the kids, and that she has been the primary caretaker all along. Dwyane Wade disputes that. "I'm no different than any other working parent," said Wade. Wait a minute Dwyane - you play in the NBA. That's not a regular job. You're dating a high profile woman - who isn't a regular person - Gabrielle Union. Wade continued by saying, "I have proven I have a great support system." Alright Chicago - I need you to be the judge. The US Cellular text poll for tonight - Who should gain custody of the Wade children - Dwyane or Siohvaughn Wade? To vote, text "Dwyane" or "Siohvaughn" to 97999. US Cellular - Believe in Something Better. I ain't saying he or she is a gold digger, but they ain't messin' with no broke...Dwyane and Siohvaughn with Gabrielle Union and the kids in the middle.
Detroit Lions were robbed - Chicago Bears and NFL officials suck
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You have to be kidding me. The Bears - Lions game was a disaster. The rule called "the process" is a terrible one. It punishes great athletes who risk life and limb to catch footballs, get two feet down, and become forced to maintain " a process" of a completion by having possession from now until tomorrow.
This has to be the most ridiculous rule in the NFL. This shouldn't be a win for the Bears - it's a "kinda win" and should only be a half game win - like baseball on a day that your team doesn't play.
Sure I was rooting for the Bears to win - but to win dirty - as Marcus Leshock just said in a tweet - is not winning. The incompletion was called because officials and the NFL knew that the Bears fans would have rioted, and ripped the goal posts out of the endzones. I am too through with this rule and I will be writing a song to protest the rest of the Bears season and the NFL's cowardice stance toward great athletes.
A player can cross the goal line with the "ball only" and score a touchdown. But you can't go into the clouds, bring a ball down with two feet, with derriere later hitting the ground, and score?
Bears win on fluke - 19-14. Look for my song "3 and 13" later this week. How could you play for a coach named Lovie?
Rev. Jesse Jackson talks about Qur'an burning
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Listen to Rev. Jesse Jackson's remarks concerning the Qur'an burning proposition of Pastor Terry Jones in Florida. The burning has been called off, but Rev. Jackson calls us from New York to discuss Jones's premise.
An interview with Supt. Jody Weis
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Chicago is hurting for a solution to killings happening on a regular basis. Everyone has answers to erasing the social ills that cause murder and mayhem, but the difficulty lies in getting from concept to practice.
Superintendent Jody Weis is trying his best to figure out this south and west side nonsense. He is definitely not to blame. I thought I was in a Fellini nightmare when I saw former gang members trying to atone for their sins, cut deals, fail to take the blame for drugs sold, and people shot. And current gang leaders refuse to be responsible for underlings in the same gang who commit crimes. A twilight zone episode indeed.
The Chicago Police Department is doing fine. They are understaffed, but still manage to get to crimes in an expedient fashion. I get a few calls from citizens who feel that there is a disconnect between emergency dispatch and the departments, but overall - criminals are getting caught and the murder rate (although too high) is lower than it was 10 years ago.
The 17-minute interview with Jody Weis was solid. He answered all of my questions and gave some assurance that the city is in good hands. The attention shifted toward my last two questions: Will Jody Weis take a pay cut next year? and Would Jody Weis live in Englewood or Roseland? The bulk of the interview dealt with crime, bettering the city, and gang members being rustled up and out. But I received a "gangload" of calls concerning whether Weis would live in Englewood or Roseland. I guess when you have to infuse ultimatum into gangland, that community just isn't an option to reside.
If Cubs were contenders, would Piniella have quit?
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Taking care of your 90-year-old mother is the most important task. It far exceeds managing a baseball team. But if the Cubs were still in the hunt for a playoff opportunity, would Lou Piniella have quit as the manager of the Cubs?
(Nuccio DiNuzzo - Tribune Photo)
I don't think so. With 37 games left in the season, playoff teams and wildcard hopefuls are sharpening their skills and cutting their teeth for the big dance. Hitters are trying to peak and pitchers are hoping that their arms will hold up for post-season. Managers are feeling the excitement of winning a pennant, and maybe a World Series.
But if you're Lou Piniella - you call it quits early - not just because your mother is ill, but because the Chicago Cubs are a disgrace for a baseball team. I'm a Cub fan and I can't quite blame Lou totally. You shouldn't just quit with 37 games left. It looks like you would abandon your ship if you were the skipper. It's throwing in the towel, giving up. But if your team is in the playoff race, 37 games becomes exciting - and your family members would root for you.
It's official that the Cubs, officially, suck. But if you have Wrigley tickets, call me.
Lou, I will cheer for your Hall of Fame entry a few years from now. But when you quit on the Cubs with 37 games left - that I cannot cheer.
Blagojevich hanging in the balance
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The jury is deliberating. The wiretaps have been heard. The verdict may be moments away. See the Bob Secter, Jeff Coen, Stacy St. Clair, and John Chase story from the Chicago Tribune below or by clicking here.
The former gov signs autographs for fans. Photo: E. Jason Wambsgans - Chicago Tribune
In their latest note to U.S. District Judge James Zagel, jurors signaled they may be getting close to wrapping up their negotiations. They have asked for two things.
First, they requested a copy of the oath that they took when they were sent to deliberate the case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"Do you and each of you solemnly swear that you will well and truly try and a true deliverance make between the United States and ______, the defendant at the bar, and a true verdict render according to the evidence, so help you God?"
Second, they asked Zagel how to fill out a verdict form when they can't agree
on a specific count. "Do we leave it blank or report the vote split?" the note
asked.
Zagel agreed to send a copy of the oath to jurors and said he
would also instruct them to write on top of the verdict form if they cannot
reach a consensus on a count.
Zagel also ordered Blagojevich and his
brother, Robert, to remain no more than 30 minutes from the courthouse.
Last week, in an earlier note, jurors said they had deliberated for many
days "without rancor." The request for a copy of the oath could signal that the
harmony in the jury room has begun to fray.
Attorney Michael Ettinger, who represents Robert Blagojevich, predicted a
verdict today.
"I think all that's left is to sign the verdict form," he
said. "I think it's over."
The former governor's attorney, Sheldon
Sorosky, was less certain the latest note likely meant a verdict
today.
"It could be today or it could be three, four days," he
said.
This is the jury's 14th day of deliberations.
On Monday, Zagel agreed to hand over the transcripts of former deputy
governor Bradley Tusk's testimony after jurors asked for them. They're the first
witness transcripts jurors will have with them in the jury room since they
started deliberating at the end of July.
Tusk told the court in June that
Blagojevich planned to hold up a $2 million grant to a school in
then-Congressman Rahm Emanuel's district until his Hollywood-agent brother, Ari,
held a fundraiser.
--Bob Secter,Jeff Coen, Stacy St. Clair, and John
Chase
Dr. Laura and the word "Nigger"
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Nationally syndicated radio talk show host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger said the word "Nigger" over and over on her nationally syndicated radio show. She was involved in an embroiled conversation with a Black woman who is married to a white man. The conversation drifted from the caller growing tired of her husband's friends inquiries on race. The conversation then took a turn for the worst when Dr. Laura signified that the caller was sensitive.
She said, "If you're that hypersensitive about color and don't have a sense of humor, don't marry outside of your race. Don't NAACP me." She also said, "On HBO listening to Black comics, you hear Nigger, Nigger, Nigger. I didn't call anybody a Nigger." Maybe Dr. Laura is right. I've heard a lot of black people use that word repeatedly - toward one another. But don't let an outsider say it. Fireworks! Should she be fined, kicked off the radio, or praised for her courage to say a word that Black people get away with all the time?
So if sticks and stones hurt our bones and names can never hurt us, why can't we use the words, nigger, spic, wetback, honkey, kike, dago, wop, polock, moulan yan, ho? When are words hurtful and when are they innocent? Can we legislate word use? Does word use violate morals, ethics, or just feelings?
So although we say that some words aren't that bad, they seem a little uglier when we actually say them or hear them. Can words really hurt or is the pain an invented figment of our linguistic imagination?
It's not what you're called, it's what you acknowledge.
Dr. Laura gives us a piece of her mind in a Mel Gibson styled rant - N-word everywhere! What do you think?
Should Blacks be the only people allowed to use the "N" word?
Will Rod Blagojevich walk?
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The jury is still in deliberation with 24 counts before them. So the question remains: Will the former governor be found "not guilty," acquitted on all charges?
Rod Blagojevich smiling before going to court. Tribune Photo: Michael Tercha.
It is looking good for the governor now because the longer it takes to render a verdict, the more it appears that the jury may be hanging, swinging, and drifting into the "not guilty" zone. The following list contains the charges Mr. Blagojevich is facing. Although intimidating, the jury has to decide if the evidence is concrete enough to take the former gov to the slammer.
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
COUNTS: Racketeering (Count 1); conspiracy to commit racketeering (Count 2), wire fraud (Counts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13); attempted extortion (Counts 14, 15, 19, and 22); conspiracy to commit extortion (Counts 17 and 21); bribery (Counts 16 and 20); conspiracy to commit bribery (Counts 18 and 23); and making false statements to the government (Count 24).
Charisma, confidence, and 2 lawyers by the name of Sam Adam may work on his side. The conviction or acquittal - in the balance.
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