Thoughts & Musings
Huge Increase in Warrantless Electronic Surveillance
Pen register and trap and trace devices now generally refer to the surveillance of information about—rather than the contents of—communications. Pen registers capture outgoing data, while trap and trace devices capture incoming data. This still includes the phone...
Quantive Easing Meets Peter Gun
A light hearted take on a serious subject. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvh60dJ-hTQ?rel=0]
CPS Debt Downgraded
A leading bond-rating agency has downgraded the Chicago Board of Education's debt in the wake of the settlement of the Chicago Teacher's Union's recent strike. Moody's Investor Service had already downgraded the Chicago Public Schools' bond rating outlook to...
Aldermen Briefed on Pension Time-Bomb
[Chicago's] Chief Financial Officer Lois Scott reminded council members that absent significant changes to pension plans, the city will be forced to drastically cut services, raise taxes or do both to close a funding gap that could reach $700 million in just a few...
Pete’s Update – 09/27/2012
A couple of new things to report on the situation with Pete's Fresh Market. As most readers know, the story has now made the local papers and WGN TV News. Here's what's new -- and what you won't read in those papers: #1 My original story stated that "the ring-leader...
Corruption “Widespread” in Illinois
A new poll finds that a whopping majority of state residents believe that not only state government but Illinois business is plagued by serious misconduct. According to the survey of 1,271 registered voters by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern...
Bishop E.W. Jackson: Message for Black Christians
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi_KaZ53eDg?rel=0]
Federal Reserve Funding the Entire US Deficit
[Lawrence] Lindsey said that with the Fed purchasing at least $40 billion a month in mortgage debt through QE3, “they are buying the entire deficit.” ... The central bank's recently announced bid to stimulate the economy has also taken the pressure off politicians to...
Pete’s — Update 09/26/2012
"If we don't work then nobody work." via. WGN. Dude on camera telling the world he's going to shut-down construction. This is insanity.
East Coast Liberals: Smartest Students in CPS are the Gang Leaders
... Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker and former New York Gov. David Paterson — who spoke Tuesday morning about recidivism and racism at a panel hosted by Stroock law firm — say. During the talk, Paterson observed the smartest students in the Chicago Public School...
Obama, Iraq & Afghanistan, Peace & War
There an amazing story about mine clearing activities in the Persian Gulf. Before we get to it though we really need to consider some history. Do we remember: There is no military solution to the war in Iraq. Our troops can help suppress the violence, but they cannot...
Pete’s — 09/25/12 Update
The Sun-Times joins the discussion: The West Side is one of Chicago’s “food deserts,” so named because it lacks full-service grocery stores. Cheers went up from people in the neighborhood when the city sealed a deal two years ago to bring one to Madison and Western....
Anti-Austerity Protests in Spain; U.S. Media Not Reporting
Police are trying to clear out the massive anti-austerity demonstration that engulfed Spain's federal district this evening. via Business Insider. Follow the link for photos. This is us in a few years. There's no other way.
Painkillers Kill More Than Heroin And Cocaine Combined
Prescription opioid painkillers are responsible for more fatal overdoses in the U.S. than heroin and cocaine combined, according to a new study out of Brandeis University. via Business Insider. I'm fascinated by statistics about how we die. In Chicago gun crimes get...
Mayor Booker Gives Rahm & McCarthy an Idea
This will be "policy" in Chicago within the next 12 months. Controversial Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker wants to make an offer to local drug dealers that they can't refuse. Cory Booker and former New York Gov. David Paterson spoke Tuesday morning about recidivism and...
Allen West Samples a U.N. Speech
Florida Congressman Allen West had harsh criticism for Barack Obama after the President's speech at the United Nations today. In a Facebook post Tuesday, the Tea Party favorite accused Obama of continuing to "offer up apologies instead of defending our hard earned...
Embarassing Americans — And These People Vote
I received this via email this morning. I thought it was timely because just yesterday Howard Stern played audio of his producers in Harlem interviewing Obama supporters. There is something very very wrong with the educational system in this country whereas so many...
Two Stabbed Outside Near North Bars
Two men were stabbed, another badly beaten and a fourth arrested early Sunday morning after a fight on Division Street spilled over onto State Street, according to police. An officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries that didn't require hospitalization while...
50,000 New Jobs!! Seasonal… at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores said on Friday that it plans to give current workers the chance to work more hours and will hire more than 50,000 seasonal employees as it gets ready for the winter holiday season, its busiest time of year. via Fox Business. [Insert cheap joke here.]
Legislative Change Means $670 million More for Teachers’ Pensions
The state will have to come up with another $670 million for the teacher pension system in the next budget after a retirement fund panel crunched the numbers and adjusted its assumptions. The Teachers' Retirement System lowered what it expects from investments from...