QOTD

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1890

"Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself
but talent instantly recognizes genius."

Two things you need to know about hypocrites!

From Politico:

If I were Politico, I'd consider getting a new headline writer!

Then, there's this, about the woman who considers herself "MOM-IN-CHIEF"!

Cheeseburger and fries--just what her extreme boo-tay needed, RIGHT! No wonder her dresses never fit properly!

And she was a LAWYER? In ILLINOIS?

FIRST LADY CAMPAIGNED INSIDE POLLING PLACE

From Drudge:

First lady Michelle Obama appears to have violated Illinois law -- when she engaged in political discussion at a polling place!

The drama began after Mrs. Obama stopped off at the Martin Luther King Center on the south side of Chicago to cast an early vote.

After finishing at the machine, Obama went back to the desk and handed in her voting key. She let voters including electrician Dennis Campbell, 56, take some photos.

"She was telling me how important it was to vote to keep her husband's agenda going," Campbell said.

According to the pool reporter at the scene, the conversation took place IN the voting center not far from the booths.

Illinois state law -- Sec. 17-29 (a) -- states: "No judge of election, pollwatcher, or other person shall, at any primary or election, do any electioneering or soliciting of votes or engage in any political discussion within any polling place, within 100 feet of any polling place."

WHITE HOUSE DEFENDS ELECTIONEERING

When questioned about the brazen nature of Mrs. Obama's campaigning, press secretary Robert Gibbs defended the action.

"I don't think it would be much to imagine, the First Lady might support her husband's agenda," Gibbs smiled.

Developing...

*********

Soooo, because Michelle is married to Barky, she will be allowed to break the law?

Anyone present, who possessed any iota of COMMON SENSE and may have witnessed this exchange, should be arrested for 'aiding and abetting'. Mrs. Obama, a former lawyer who was apparently forced to surrender her law license some 16 years ago, should and MUST be brought up on charges of 'electioneering'--PERIOD!

Columbus Day

Columbus Day closings

Monday is Columbus Day, a federal holiday. The following public services will be affected:

Schools: Chicago's public schools will be closed. Most parochial and suburban schools also will be closed.

Government offices: Federal, county and city offices will be closed.

Postal service: No regular mail delivery, but express mail will be delivered.

Courts: Federal, state and county courts will be closed, except for Cook County Central Bond Court.

Banks: Most will be closed.

Transit: CTA, Pace and Metra will run on weekday schedules.

This is the atrium of what remains of what is known as the Casa di Cristoforo Colombo (The House of Christopher Columbus) in Genova, Italy. I took this shot on my first visit to Italy in 1982.

This is what it looks like today, via Google Maps:

Personally, I prefer my shot, and I felt very privileged to be on the same spot where Columbus lived and walked and dreamed--centuries ago. A few short blocks away was, I guess you'd call it a 'market street', where, in 1982, banners announced 900 years of markets on that street.

For more on Christopher Columbus, read this at American Thinker:

"Christopher Columbus: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"

From Out My Window...and Beyond

Today, I had to make the trip into Evanston to pay my internet bill, and stop at Blick to pick up a picture frame.

Evanston is full of jewel-colored chrysanthemums--I mean they are stuffed everywhere...so I took care of business and came back to Rogers Park.

This is the view to the north, outside my window. That tall building is called the Farcroft, now owned by James N. Pritzker, and will shortly undergo a total rehab. The downtown Evanston highrise is what you see in the distance--just about 4-5 miles north of my place.

When I look down toward Sheridan Road these days, I see the Pumpkin Lot. Aaron, who has taken over this year for George, has been doing a decent amount of business. Find pumpkins, and later, Christmas trees, at 7313-15 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago (Rogers Park), 60626.

This is the Farcroft building, viewed from the west, showing the turning of the trees at Sheridan Road and Fargo Avenue. Pretty building, isn't it? I'm certain the scheduled rehab will make it even better!

It was a golden afternoon, across the street from my place at Sheridan Road and Chase Avenue.

This is what Chase Avenue looked like this afternoon, as I began my walk to the "L". Luscious autumn...oh, how I love the colors! What made this day even more glorious--the temp was in the low 80s!

Little by little, bit by bit...Autumn in Rogers Park

George, the Pumpkin Seller at 7313-15 N. Sheridan Road, has not been well of late. His successor is a genuinely nice young 'gentle' man from Wisconsin: Aaron (I hope I have the spelling correct?)

This 'Pumpkin/Christmas tree' lot is right outside my 6th floor window. For the last several years I've lived here, George has been 'the man'. Now, Aaron is here, and I found him to be a somewhat shy, but great conversationalist.

Aaron has a dream...don't we all? But I feel Aaron will achieve his dream. He is a musician, a guitar player. At 26, that's about time for something great to happen, isn't it?

Aaron told me he voted for Obama...but for this seasonal job selling pumpkins, and later Christmas trees, he is UNEMPLOYED. He admitted to not knowing what he would do when the season is finished, other than, "I'll look again for a job."

My insight into human beings showed me that this is an exceptional man--creative, inspired, productive!

This is a young man who should not be here, in Rogers Park, selling pumpkins and Christmas trees. He should be out there, playing his heart out as he wants to do, for you and for me! He told me he has no guitar with him, but practices fingering anyway.

One of his goals is to be onstage, playing guitar right-handed, then switch to a left-handed bass guitar, because he is ambidextrous. I think that's pretty cool, don't you?

BTW, Aaron painted the pumpkin himself, with both hands, though he claims he's not an artist!

Please, give him your business. And...he has sugar pumpkins that are great for baking, so you can create your own pumpkin pie. I bought one, and I'm certain I'll go back for a few more!

Aaron also threw in this lovely 'swan gourd', which I photographed just for the heck of it. Isn't it lovely?

President Obama:

Is there any chance you could finally LISTEN to the American people? Can you and your half-baked Southside failed attorney/wife take some time to understand something more than PHOTO-OPS?

Isn't it a pity, isn't it a shame...

...because there are those of us who think, had you been able to live and take advantage of today's technology, you would have been extremely happy and still creative?

John Winston Lennon (October 9, 1940-December 8, 1980)

Tomorrow, John Lennon would have become 70 years old. And oh, imagine what he would have accomplished, musically, during the past 30 years! I am certain he would have used all the technology available--and produced songs that would have helped everyone in the world!

I still sing them...don't you?

The Great Chicago Fire

On this day, 129 years ago, Chicago's landscape was drastically changed.

That Sunday evening, a fire began on DeKoven Street, between Clinton and Jefferson Streets. It is now the sight of the Chicago Fire Academy, where potential firefighters train for the battles they fight to prevent a tragedy such as that which occurred the evening of October 8, 1871.

The Great Chicago Fire decimated nearly four square miles of South Loop, through Downtown, and on north to Lincoln Park. It is estimated that 200-300 died as a result.

Wabash and Washington, after the Great Fire

Dearborn and Monroe, after the Great Fire

Today, there are many residents of Chicago who know nothing of the Great Chicago Fire--an important point in the history of this city, which immediately began rebuilding itself. They come from far and wide, legally and illegally, to make their fortune in what was once touted as "the City of Big Shoulders" . They care nothing about its history--only what Chicago can give them for free.

When I first moved here in 1999, I drove from Downers Grove--about 30 miles--on Ogden Avenue, which took me to Chicago Avenue, less than a mile from my final destination.

I saw then, and I continue to see, areas that could and should be 'fired', laid to waste--because those who have migrated here do not care about their surroundings and do not understand the history of Chicago.

To me, Chicago is a city of lost souls--and believe me, it is really easy to 'lose your soul' here. Many have done just that, including our current President, and our out-going Mayor, and our new wannabe mayoral candidate.

Occasionally, I reflect upon those terrible two days in 1871; I have read of the great valor of some of Chicago's then-most-prominent citizens and their valiant actions to help their fellow men and women and children.

What would we do, here in today's Chicago, without our firefighting members of the Chicago Fire Department? These men and women work continuously to prevent another Great Chicago Fire.

They deserve our honor and respect.

Thank you--to all Chicago Firefighters!

Because...

...this is exactly what a lame duck prez does! Trying to run, but running scared out of his tiddlywinks!

PRESIDENT OBAMA TOWN HALL, DC

(from Backstage.com)


PRESIDENT OBAMA TOWN HALL, DC MTV, BET, and CMT (prods.) are casting the audience for a town hall meeting with President Obama. Shooting Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. in Washington, DC. Seeking—Audience Members: males and females, 18+.

To apply, email townhallaudience@mtvnmix.com and put "Town Hall" in the subject line. To ensure that the audience represents diverse interests and political views, include your name, phone number, hometown, school attending, your job and what issues, if any, you are...

*********

Soooo, who'da thunk it?

Pre-screening a live audience at a presidential town hall?

Who could be the freakin' genius, but my resident troll Mikey Giovanelli's dear friend--DAVID AXELROD: the slayer of Jews among the Jews.


I mean it: Axelrod has NO scruples, and he's 'leaving Obama' to 'work for' Obama'?

STRAIGHT talk, right? Pile o' chickie doo-doo to me!

And...just where does that leave Rahm "Auerbach" Emanuel?

Somewhere in far, far left field--so far even Valerie Jarrett would not endorse him!

You see, there's something you all have to understand about 'inside the beltway':

ALL LOVE IS LOST!

In a moment! In the twinkling of an eye, or the shimmying of a posterior!

There's more, but I couldn't get access without all the mumbo-jumbo.

And I have no time for the Obamas' mumbo-jumbo. PERIOD!

No apologies to VOO-DOO Granny, Marian Robinson, at all, AT ALL!