The Mockery: Oh, geez! Sorry I missed it!

The 'chess piece' of Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce dons his COSTUME...and gets no mainstream media attention again!

PUH-LEEZE!?!

It might be best if these guys just come 'out of the closet'. Say you are gay, all of you, and be done with all the speculation.

Nothin' wrong with that, or will you call me a 'racist' again, Bishop?

Scam, scam, and more SCAM 'N' SPAM!

Complete BS!

Probably from Nigeria, but possibly from right here in Rogers Park!

"We're on a mission from God"

Mission accomplished: Vatican blesses Blues Brothers

Elwood and Jake Blues

They really were "on a mission from God."

In a stunning move by the Vatican, the classic Dan Aykroyd-John Belushi comedy film "The Blues Brothers" was declared a "Catholic classic" alongside more pious films such as "The Ten Commandments" and "The Passion of the Christ."

The announcement was made in the Vatican's official newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, corresponding with 30th anniversary of the release of the film.

"As a former altar boy from age 6 . . . but a somewhat lapsed Catholic, I was delighted with the endorsement," Aykroyd said in a message to The Post yesterday.

"My local monsignor will immediately be receiving a check for parish needs."

L'Osservatore editor Gian Maria Vian praised the flick for its plot, in which Jake Blues (Belushi) and his brother Elwood (Aykroyd) battle cops, neo-Nazis and crazed country fans in a bid to save the Catholic orphanage where they were raised.

"For them, this Catholic institution is their only family," Vian wrote. "And they decide to save it at any cost." L'Osservatore's editorial lavishes praise on the 1980 comic romp, in which Aykroyd and Belushi say that they're "on a mission from God."

The writers call it "incredibly shrewd" noting that in one scene a picture of Pope John Paul II could clearly be seen.

*********

When I received a phone call from the Business Agent of IATSE Local 18 (Milwaukee) back in 1979, I was working at the Melody Top Theatre as Stage Designer, and also in the process of moving. It took one hour to decide that, yes, I would be in Chicago, at 929 W. Adams Street, at 7:00 AM the following morning.

For two or three weeks of work.

At union rate of $125.00 per day.

The director of the Melody Top was thrilled that I had gotten this opportunity, and even sent me a full week's paycheck, though I had left mid-week.

I arrived here in Chicago, wearing two-day-old clothes, shortly after 5:30 AM. I went to the cafeteria in the old Greyhound station on Randolph Street, had some food, and took all my gear (a lot!) and piled into a cab.

"9-2-9 West Adams", I told the driver.

I had no idea where I was going, but I knew what I had to do.

I found out. I was "On a Mission from God".

The 'two or three weeks' turned into three months. I was given a raise my second day, because my L.A. boss deemed me worthy of the title 'Stand-by Sign Writer'.

I received NO credit in the film, though what my brain and hands did are peppered throughout.

In 1979, I made almost $18,000 in 87 days.

They were crazy days, to be sure.

The first time I was sent 'shopping' for Paint Department supplies, my boss (Gary O) gave me $500. I came back with $200 plus change, and was reamed out for not spending enough, and for not spending it all.

He told me I was like his wife, always trying to save money.

I learned, after that.

I was there, in Daley Plaza, climbing the tanks and military vehicles. I had stencils, and sprayed stars and ID numbers at their owners' requests. I was also 'running on empty', ill but charged up anyway.

I was told I could see the 'company nurse' (Universal Studios being the company), and get a vitamin B12 shot. That would help, I was told.

I took the shot in my arm, not my butt. The 'company nurse' called himself "Michelle". I was then offered a brown vial filled with a certain white powder, which "Michelle" said would help me.

I refused.

My last day was October 27, 1979. Almost 31 years ago.

A great time. I would not have traded it for the world.

But now, the Vatican calls this a "Catholic" film?

You should have been there when the Chicago cops were getting 'blow jobs for 5 bucks' on Morgan Street!

Are you a DAD, or just the father of the child?

Married Fathers: America’s Greatest Weapon Against Child Poverty

The mainstream media, liberal politicians, activists, and academia bewail child poverty in the U.S. But in these ritual lamentations, one key fact remains hidden: The principal cause of child poverty in the U.S. is the absence of married fathers in the home.

According to the U.S Census, the poverty rate in 2008 for single parents with children was 35.6 percent. The rate for married couples with children was 6.4 percent. Being raised in a married family reduces a child’s probability of living in poverty by about 80 percent.

True, some of this difference in poverty is due to the fact that single parents tend to have less education than married couples. But even when married couples are compared to single parents with the same education level, the married poverty rate will still be about 70 percent lower.

Marriage is a powerful weapon in fighting poverty. In fact, being married has the same effect in reducing poverty as adding five to six years to a parent’s education level.

More...

Here in the freakin' Sanctuary City...

Harvard student won’t face deportation
ICE defers action on illegal resident’s case

...gay caballero Eric Balderas...

...via his mentor, Dick (the Turban) Durbin (D-Dumb and Complacent) from where else? Illinois.

Eric Balderas, a 19-year-old Harvard biology student who became an international celebrity last week after being arrested for being in the United States unlawfully, is no longer facing deportation to Mexico, officials said last night.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency informed US Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois late yesterday that it would not pursue Balderas’s deportation, said Max Gleischman, a spokesman for Durbin. The Illinois Democrat had lobbied the agency on behalf of Balderas.

Read the rest and try to hold your cookies.

*********

Meanwhile, Jay Tea at Wizbang has the particulars:

Should Be A Short HearingPosted by Jay Tea

Published: June 20, 2010 - 10:00 AM
Eric Balderas, the illegal alien Harvard student who was caught while trying to board a plane from Texas last week, has been released from custody and immediate deportation taken off the table pending his hearing on his immigration status. In addition, he can now apply for a work permit.


In my mind, his eventual hearing will be a brief one.

"Mr. Balderas, when did you enter the United States?"

"In 1995."

"How old were you at the time?"

"Four years old."

"And who brought you?"

"My mother."

"How did she get into the country?"

"She sneaked across the border."

"You're nineteen years old now, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"At what point did you realize you were in the country illegally?"

"I don't really remember."

"Was it before your eighteenth birthday?"

"Yes, sir."

"Since your eighteenth birthday, what steps have you taken to correct your illegal status?"

"None, sir."

"Did you use your Mexican passport as a form of identification?"

"Yes, sir."

"Even after it expired?"

"Yes, sir."

"Did you ever try to renew it?"

"No, sir."

"At any point in your adult life, have you taken any steps at all to correct your illegal status?"

"Objection! Asked and answered."

"Withdrawn. So, you're a sophomore at Harvard, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"On a full scholarship?"

"Yes, sir."

"Pursuing a degree in molecular and cellular biology?"

"Yes, sir."

"What was your plan for when you got your degree?"

"I'd go on to an advanced degree."

"Sorry, let me be clearer. Once you completed your education, what was your career plan?"

"I don't know. I might go into research, or I might go into education."

"How?"

"I'm sorry?"

"How could you get a job -- either in the private sector or in the public sector -- while an illegal alien?"

"Um..."

"Did you have any plans at all to ever address your illegal status?"

"Yes! Someday..."

"'Someday.' Perhaps, some day when 'comprehensive immigration reform' is passed and you could apply for amnesty?"

"Well, sure."

"So, until then, you planned to just keep your head down, your nose clean, and hope you didn't get caught?"

"Um... yeah."

"As a biologist, I presume you're familiar with basic human biology."

"Yes, sir."

"Then I presume you've heard the phrase 'hope is not a method' before?"

"Objection! Argumentative!"

"Withdrawn. So, Mr. Balderas, how did that 'hope method' work out for you?"

"Not very well."

"I'd have to agree. So, now that it's failed, what are your plans?"

"Um... try to get right with the law, I guess."

"And would that 'getting right' involve garnering as much public sympathy as you can while you jump to the front of the line for legal immigrants?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Mr. Balderas, every year millions and millions of people apply to come to the United States legally. They fill out the forms, pay the fees, and in general respect the laws of this nation that they wish to come to. In addition, every year many, many more who are here illegally take steps to fix that, turning themselves in and starting the process to determine if they are allowed to stay. Why should you jump ahead of them?"

"I was just a kid when my mother brought me here. I didn't choose to break the law."

"Yes, you were just a child. And no one blames you for that. It wasn't your fault. But you're not a child now. You haven't been a child for over a year. During that year, your illegal status was your responsibility. You had the duty to start the process towards becoming a legal resident and, possibly, even a citizen. And you didn't. Instead, you just put it off and put it off, in the hopes that the problem would just go away. And if it didn't, you'd just hope for the best. Does that sum it up fairly accurately?"

"I... I don't know what to say."

"I'm not surprised. But here's some good news for you: the current regime in Washington, like you, doesn't give a rat's ass about enforcing immigration laws. They are actually fighting to keep the borders from actually meaning anything. And they see everything through a political lens. Which means that they don't ascribe to any principles other than winning. They see catering to illegal aliens as a way to pick up more votes, and tend to see their political opponents as the greatest threat to the nation. So I have no doubt that your situation will be used as an example. You'll be given a slap on the wrist, if even that. And others in similar straits will see that and instead of taking that as a warning to get themselves right with the law, will instead keep on hoping to go unnoticed until this fantasy 'amnesty' comes about. And even more people will come to the United States illegally, because only idiots will bother going through the legal process when they get shoved to the back of the line ahead of the illegals."

"Now get out of here, kid. You've wasted far too many resources of my nation -- my nation, not yours -- already. And be sure to register to vote as a Democrat. Here's the number for the local office of ACORN -- they'll get you squared away. And here's the number for the SEIU -- they'll hook you up with a job and get you paying your union dues."

"Um... vote? Work? I don't have any of my papers for that."

"Haven't you been paying attention, kid? That don't mean shit any more."

*********

Support Governor Jan Brewer!

To RJC: I still miss you, so much...

Today is Father's Day.

Many have no father to honor, because he is unknown.

War has taken a number of Dads. Age or illness have taken more.

I reflect today upon my own, who was a 'cop' first, then a father.

He has been missing from my life since 1994, when he died on June 7th of that year.

I have had to go on without his wise counsel, but not without memories.

He passed on at 79 and a half, which is considered a 'respectable' life--except those last four and a half years were spent in a nursing home, which was neither 'home', nor a nursing, nurturing atmosphere.

I will never forget the evening. He had experienced a mild stroke (again) and refused to speak English to anyone. He spoke only Slovak, the language of my grandparents.

The attendants at the nursing home may have been bi-lingual, but Dad spoke seven different languages. None of them were schooled in Slovak, much less in English.

The head nurse pleaded with me to speak with him.

He sat in a wheelchair, away from the others, looking vacant and irritated at the same time.

Though I had heard it spoken around me, for over 30 years, I did not speak Slovak.

So I walked up to him and said, "Detective ___, you know who I am?" He looked up and nodded an affirmative (but he did not, and had not known I was his daughter for at least a year and a half).

I continued.

"Detective ___, you can talk to me."

He looked back and forth, rather furtively, then looked me in the eye, and said:

"If we only had a screwdriver, we could get out of here."

He had worked, all his life, to make life better for many people in Milwaukee, WI. He was the 'copper' the people respected, but his bosses didn't care for that. His name, after all these years, is still known in the MPD--Milwaukee Police Department.

I wrote this years ago, even before he passed:

OLD DAYS

Finding my way through this maze
Called Life I look back
To the time I was two and bounced
On your lap
To the rhythms of the Dorseys
Every Thursday night at seven o'clock
Before I slept
In a room with two brothers
Who picked up their pillows
And constantly fought
About who slept next to the wall
That was so cool in the place we lived
Before we moved to the suburbs
Where we could breathe again.

*********

Thanks, Dad, for everything!

Snippets from Columbus...

Obama Jokes About Biden's "Big F-ing Deal" Comment

...This is a "big....deal," said Mr. Obama, pausing for effect between the two words between which Biden had inserted an expletive in an overheard whisper three months ago.

...Mr. Obama spoke for just ten minutes and was on the ground in Ohio for just over an hour.

And though his appearance was billed as official and not political, he did use his remarks to deliver attaboys to some of the Democratic politicians here including the Governor, who is up for re-election.

...The trip Columbus probably cost taxpayers between $500,000 and $1 million.

Air Force One alone bills out at $100,000 per hour, and the round trip is nearly two hours.

Adding to the cost are military aircraft to carry limos and secret service vehicles, Marine One on standby, Secret Service, local police and other factors.

*********

I have one word to describe this creep: WASTREL!

Go ahead...look it up.

Fat-whaaa?

Iran cleric says dogs "unclean" and not to be kept as pets

Courtesy: rhiangittins/photobucket

Dogs are considered "unclean" under Islamic tradition but, while relatively rare in Iran, some people do keep them as pets.

By issuing a fatwa -- a religious ruling -- Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi has sent a clear message that this trend must stop.

"Friendship with dogs is a blind imitation of the West," he was quoted as saying in Javan daily.

"There are lots of people in the West who love their dogs more than their wives and children."

Guard dogs and sheep dogs are considered acceptable under Islamic law but Iranians who carry dogs in their cars or take them to public parks can be stopped by police and fined.

The Koran does not explicitly prohibit contact with dogs, Shirazi said, but Islamic tradition showed it to be so.

"We have lots of narrations in Islam that say dogs are unclean."

The interpretation of religious rules on personal conduct is a constant source of debate and potential conflict in Iran which has been an Islamic republic since a revolution ousted the Western-backed Shah in 1979.

More of Last Evening, in Rogers Park

Sherwin Avenue Garden Path

Windows

Wildflowers at Jarvis Beach