A Fractured Smile

What the what?!

2010-01-20T16:17:00.001-06:00

Wow so I now see I haven't post a single thing in a year. Bummer I'll have to work on that for 2010.

What a day, eh?

2009-01-20T17:08:00.002-06:00

So it's been quite a surreal day today, eh? It keeps striking me as strange that 10 years ago I first met Obama while I was at WBEZ and he looked like a kid running against, and ultimately losing badly to Bobby Rush.

Forward a few years later and I would end up meeting the now President on many an occasion as he was a frequent guest on Chicago Tonight were I worked. I will always have a few memories that will stand out. He and I alone walking to the studio when he turns and asks me what my plans were for the upcoming Thanksgiving. I said my in-laws. He asked if that was a good thing or bad. Well I must have paused too long. He caught it and gave me a slight ribbing about it.

The other was when he was running late, because he had to drive himself (no fancy limos then) the debate. I say hello quickly grab him and we both run to the studio me leading him.

The final was just after the senate win. It was a funny moment when he was lingering talking to the crew and Michelle does what only a wife sternly calls out “Barack!” and instantly gets his attention that they need to be going.

All this only adds to the strange feeling of the day. I’m very happy and hope that President Obama can clean up the mess left by his predecessor. It will be a large task.

I still can’t believe that a black man has been elected to the nation’s highest office in my life time, amazing! I also know that this does not suddenly end racism. We still need to fight against that as well as all other forms of prejudice.

2008-11-06T02:09:00.001-06:00

I heart Neko Case!

2008-10-14T00:07:00.001-05:00

I've got lots to say but until then enjoy this...

Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood EPK
Uploaded by heydrich

Please people no dancing.

2008-08-29T20:42:00.003-05:00

Ah yes it's convention time for the two major U.S. political parties and that can only mean one thing..lots of BAD dancing by people.

So much to talk about so I think I'll try to start writing on the blog a bit more.

Summer break number one...

2008-06-19T23:30:00.005-05:00

...be back soon, maybe when the DNC and GOP conventions gear up. Well OK I'm guessing

before that. Crazy has no off button.

How to lose something you should win and blame others for your mistake, just ask the DNC

2008-06-02T22:11:00.005-05:00

It seems like the DNC will stop at nothing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Sen. Clinton time to step aside for the better of your party. And all you preacher dudes out there remember many (but not all) of the media are lazy and you will come off as a major nut after they have edited your sermon down to 5 seconds. It's going to be a rare thing if you get to have an actual conversation about what you meant. But remember even if you do that most Americans will not be able to sit still to watch.

Oh yes and we have results in Kentucky..65.5 Clinton to 29.9 Obama, better get that southern white running mate, paging Mr. Edwards. Can't wait to see the mess that will be made in Denver. Hopefully cooler heads will prevail and all will pull together.

May I be the first to say good day President McCain. Then again I could be completely wrong. We may know in November, then again maybe not.

Primaries, Primaries, Primaries!

2008-05-06T23:49:00.003-05:00

So yes I have not been doing much on the blog. Most posts have been on the cycling site.

I will be trying to have at least one new thing here per week hopefully more.

Stay turned for more news from the Carolina and Indiana slug fest of this Tuesday.

Not in a million years..

2008-03-26T16:16:00.003-05:00

..would have a ever, ever though that the comedian Sinbad would be mentioned

in the same breath as Hillary Clinton and yet it happened.

I also think having your story of being shot at debunked by said comedian

has to be a major embarrassment. It's not even like he's at the heights

of his career anymore. Why just recently a rumor was going around that the

man was dead.

What new crazy tidbit will this race for President bring us?

Comeback Kid?

2008-03-06T00:07:00.005-06:00

Well after a night of winning big ol' Texas and Ohio can Hillary Clinton be labeled a comeback kid. Ah that's where things get a bit muddy. Because the Dems don't do a winner takes all on the delegates we are looking at the super-delegates really becoming a factor this year. They most likely were going to be one anyway but now the Clinton camp can really make a case for winning all the big states (accept Illinois and one could add Georgia) which could be key in the general election. I still wonder if John Edwards' delegates are pledged to anyone? And what to do with Michigan and Florida?

Well looks like the next big stop will be Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh on one end, Philly on the other with Alabama in-between) could be the next big sandlot in the electoral playground! And around and around we go!!

Well I thought it already had one.

2008-03-04T22:50:00.007-06:00

With talk of corporate naming rights for Wrigley Field just one question..

doesn't the place already HAVE a company name on it?

Just something to think about next time your

in one of the ballpark's tiny, tiny bathrooms while missing two innings of the game.

Red Rising

2008-02-13T16:44:00.005-06:00

It seems that whenever certain friends and I talk about things those things start to become reality or close to it.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Park District seem to be the latest in the wave of outdoor hockey enthusiasts. Talk seems to be that the Blackhawks could consider playing a game in the Chicago elements.

Soldier Field is one possible site, but what could really be more interesting would be a game (or two) at Wrigley Field.

How could the NHL ever pass on the PR this would generate? Have the Blackhawks play another original six team. The bad news could be that since ratings for a game like this would be higher anyway, you might end up with the Atlanta Thrashers or Tampa Bay Lightning instead of a Toronto, Montreal or Detroit vs. Chicago match up.

Hmmm? Maybe she is cool.

2008-02-13T01:05:00.003-06:00

A Fractured Smile tries it’s best to stay neutral. But when it was heard that the new Sheryl Crow album contains some Lance Armstrong bashing songs, well we may just have to have the lovely lady over for a beer.

Hoorah Sheryl! The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Ok that was nice but what about Texas?

2008-02-13T00:37:00.005-06:00

So it would seem that after the "Potomac Primary" we are looking at an Obama/McCain showdown for November.

Well let's wait until March 4th and Texas to see what the final tally ends up being. With Hillary Rodham Clinton at 1,198 and Barack Obama at 1,223 of the 2025 delegates needed its still all up in the air.

The resent run of victories is a plus in the Obama camp. While Clinton's lineup of behind the curtain wizards seem to change with each loss. Also interesting Obama has won 22 states to Clinton's 13.

On a Virginia always an interesting place tip...McCain wins a close one to Huckabee. Such a close race shows just how the north (D.C. suburbs) and the southern parts of the Commonwealth are so different. A sign that an overall win for the Democrats in November may require a running mate from the south..John Edwards, paging Mr. Edwards.

Mayor Daley goes off!

2008-02-09T15:50:00.000-06:00

Well not really sure what to say so watch it for yourself.

Here's da Mayor!

A thanks to WGN TV.

The Sports Column

2008-02-07T00:15:00.000-06:00

WTF!! The Phoenix Suns trade for Shaquille O'Neal? Maybe 5 years ago but now? Prove me wrong Shaq, prove me wrong.

GAME ON!

2008-02-05T12:20:00.000-06:00

Finally, Super Tuesday is here. Time to get your vote on! I think this is the third, maybe fourth different type of ballot I've used in the last 3 years. Well hopefully it was actually counted.

Something else to think about

2008-02-03T01:30:00.000-06:00

With all this talk about how far we have come as a nation here is some resent history

that still very much shapes who we are today.

The new documentay Banished takes a look at U.S. "Sundown Towns" all over the country. Many in the north and some still practicing this in some form up to the present day.

http://www.banishedthefilm.com/

Also related is the book

Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism

When is a Win Not Really aWin?

2008-01-29T01:10:00.000-06:00

Barack Obama won the South Carolina Democratic Primary on Saturday, but looking
at the number breakdowns can he win nationwide? Let us all remember that years ago Jessie Jackson Sr. won this state, twice in 1984 and again in 1988. Yes many people are stating that well he didn’t really have to work for those victories while Mr. Obama most certainly did time around. Well did he really? If you win 55 to 27 percent with a 4 to 1 black vote margin how does that translate nationwide? I hate to break it to you Mr. Obama but it doesn’t.

The numbers along the racial divide don’t look so good.

Iowa may have been a surprise but remember it is a neighboring state to his home. What about New Hampshire, he was pretty close right? A lot of self dubbed independent voters but when it cam down to it Clinton was the choice.

I hate to think that race is so much of a factor but I live in this country and know that we still have miles and miles to go. Maybe one day a person of color will be elected to the highest office, I just don’t see it any time soon. All of this isn’t even the general election where I really think we’ll see a vote divide among race and class.

Now after all that I could be wrong as next Tuesday.. Super Tuesday approaches we should all have a better idea of who the Dems will have to represent the party come this fall. Then again the entire thing could be even murkier with John Edwards playing the role of King or Queen maker when it’s all said and done. All this making for something we have not seen for years, a contested convention. Say it isn’t so.

Hmm, Vice President Edwards or will he want a nice cabinet post instead. The fun is just beginning folks.

The hair don't lie

2008-01-24T23:10:00.000-06:00

If not the Presidency well..Mitt Romney: Secretary of Lookin' Good

Leave Dana alone

2008-01-24T22:47:00.001-06:00

So ESPN's Dana Jacobson made a bit a of a lapse in judgement when she decided to insult Notre Dame. Well wait a minute it was at a friggin' roast! And she went to Michigan, if she hadn't said those things about N.D. I'd have been shocked! I'm sorry but Jesus himself did not attend Notre Dame, lighten up! He was not enough of a douche bag to get it. I've heard so much worse at so many other roasts. This country is way to religion happy, lets do a little more separating OK folks. Let's all lighten up. We have a never ending war and tanking economy that should be enough to worry about.

I really do wonder if she was some dude who had said the same would she not still be on the air? Oh well who can say for sure.

That's just wrong!

2008-01-24T14:09:00.000-06:00

So Los Angeles Times Editor James O'Shea gets canned by the Tribune, now this gem in the continuing demise of the printed newspaper. Learn how some folks at the Chicago Sun Times got their walking papers..yikes!

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Business/2008/01/24/sun-times_staffers_fired_by_phone_call/9179/

New Hotel across from Wrigley Field?

2008-01-23T19:32:00.000-06:00

There was a meeting tonight at the Wrigley Field Stadium Club (no chance to attend it myself) at 6:30pm to get reaction to plans to construct two buildings across from the 94 year old stadium.

One a hotel, the other mixed use. Both would be taller than Wrigley.

44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney along with reps for developer Steven Schultz will be there to field questions, complaints and deflect rocks from area neighbours as well as residents city wide.

We'll see how this plan goes over. My guess.. not well, which means it's already a done deal. Invest in parking around the area it'll be worth even more if this goes through.

"Well It's sundown in the sinkhole...And the earth she's caving"

2008-01-23T16:29:00.000-06:00

Photo by K.

photo by K.

DAY 2

Looking at the site of Tuesday's water main burst it's hard to imagine that it will be back to normal anytime soon. I heard grumblings from a local about the numerous workers on site that seem to not really be doing anything, while the others were working hard on getting Montrose and the affected businesses back up and running. Hmm, well good thing the Olympics are a few years off.

photo by K.

Define Debate

2008-01-23T16:02:00.000-06:00

DEBATE: a: the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure b: a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides.
photo by by Evan Vucci

After watching the latest face off between Hillary and Barack I think someone needs to tap the shoulders of those putting on these so-called debates. Granted every news outlet played the two candidates going at each other but for what purpose? What did any voter really learn about these two people who want to become our next leader? In my opinion John Edwards (yes he was really there) came out looking the least like a pissy 12 year old out on the school playground. Well maybe only slightly so. Maybe they need to throw Dennis Kucinich back in the mix for a little civility

I do want to acknowledge at least one outlet that did some digging to check the facts behind the mud slinging.

WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show

Day One, Act One, Scene One

2008-01-22T23:58:00.000-06:00

Hello and welcome.

This space will soon be so full of wonderful

things your eyes won't know where to focus first.

Until then sit tight and await further instructions.