Who Needs D.C.?

While an estimated 2 million Americans will be making their way to Washington D.C. for the inauguration next week Tuesday, citizens of Chicago have some party plans of their own. Inauguration celebrations ranging from galas to informal gatherings at local bars are popping up all over the city. To see where one is near you, visit MoveOn.org's inaugural party finder or check out a few of my picks (courtesy of a post originally found on TimeOut Chicago):

African Harambee (7537 N. Clark) will be offering pan-African food, music, and dancing between 8pm-1am.

Considered the best place to go for Ethiopian in Chicago, Ethiopian Diamond's (6120 N. Broadway) large restaurant will be transformed into a dance hall between 11pm-2:30am.

The first and last time I was at Town Hall Pub (3340 N. Halsted), I was surrounded by hipsters, militant bikers and I was trying to keep a friend from calling an unfaithful ex. This time around, the crowd is sure to stay the same, but with a life-sized cutout of Obama, free Jell-O shots, and drink specials, I might not mind the stink of post-irony irony.

I watched the Vice-Presidential Debates at the Whirlaway Lounge (3224 W. Fullerton) in Logan Square. The bar's affable bartender and owner, flat screen TV, and feel good environment would make for a great place to celebrate the Obama administration's official start.

Pay Pal

(photo credit: New York Times, Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Corruption in Chicago politics is as much a part of the city's history as the Great Chicago Fire or the remnants of stockyards in the Southwest side. But today the inside joke has made national headlines: Governor Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on federal corruption charges for planning to sell now President-elect Obama's senator seat to the highest bidder. The Governor had been under investigation prior to his arrest for his relationship with political fundraiser Tony Rezco.

Many are pushing for his resignation. I'm just processing all of this myself, but here are links to articles about the scandal in the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times. The entire front page of the Tribune is devoted to coverage as it breaks.

"Undecided"

David Sedaris, a writer who I have already fully disclosed my love for, has written a short piece in the New Yorker about Undecided voters in this year's election appropriately titled "Undecided." In true Sedaris fashion it's thoughtful, hilarious, and a must read. Enjoy!

"Bottom of the Ninth....Nine Runs Down...and [McCain is] the Cubs..."

(photo credit: Damen Winter for the New York Times)

Last night, my boyfriend and I watched the final Presidential Debate at the Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark), a part of their In the K/Now series. The evening began with a moderator and speakers, including 848 and WBEZ political reporter Ben Calhoun (you're amazing on 848!), and two other gentleman whose names I couldn't hear, sadly. The gem above is from one of them, continuing the use of sports analogies throughout the discussion.

The crowd and panel were decidedly for Obama and we all laughed heartily at every dig at McCain's sinking ship. I had hoped there would be an equal mix of conservative and liberal speakers, just to make things interesting, but I guess its hard to find McCain supporters in this blue state and in Obama's home turf of Chicago. In effect, the panel was preaching to an enthusiastic choir, with only three undecideds in the room.

After the panel discussion, we watched the debate. I thought it was the best debate between the two, with moderator Bob Schieffer getting more specifics out of the candidates than before. Joe the Plumber made the audience gag, McCain's erratic facial ticks scared us all, and Obama's calm under McCain's lies and misrepresentations made me think all the more that this man needs to be in the White House.

Although there wasn't a follow up by the panel after the debate, overall I enjoyed my first experience at the Chicago History Museum and look forward to attending any other of their special events that pique my interest.

No Words

Make Sure You Are Registered to Vote!

Vote For Change is a helpful website that puts together a voter registration card for you if you've yet to register, moved and haven't updated your registration, or need an absentee ballot. As Joe Biden stressed in the Vice Presidential Debate, this November 4 will be the single most important our generation has ever voted in. With the economy and America in the catastrophic state its in, we can not afford to assume Obama will clinch the election. His lead in the polls is encouraging but slim and who knows how people will actually vote come election day (the Bradley effect, anyone?) So please, check Vote For Change to make sure your voter registration info is up to date and vote November 4.

While wide sweeping change is unlikely to happen, to quote Monhandas Gandhi, "We need to be the change we wish to see in the world."

The Subprime Primer

This Powerpoint has been making the rounds since early spring when news of the subprime mortgage crisis first broke. Now that we're looking at at $700 billion bailout, I think it does some good to get reacquainted with (or just plain understand) how America got here in the first place.

Despite the stick men figures, this makes the subprime crisis understandable/makes me all the more angry at the level of greed that ensures the haves will always have more than the have nots.

The Great Debates (and 100th Post)

(photo credit: Richard Perry for the New York Times)

I watched last night's Vice Presidential Debates at the Whirlaway Lounge (3224 W. Fullerton) in Logan Square. It was a small, narrow bar with most eyes glued to the debates on the plasma screen as the three Cubs' fans in the corner cursed and cheered at the playoff game on mute. I could go on and on about how Palin dodged questions, stuck to the talking point(s) (because really, all she has is energy) her coaches spoon fed her, and clung to her "folksy" hockey mom persona for dear life...but really, half the fun of watching her slip ups were experiencing them with like minded, slightly buzzed bar patrons.

For the third and last presidential debate, I'll be far away from $2.50 PBR and .50 bags of Doritos in favor of a panel discussion at the Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark).

The Chicago History Museum has screened the presidential and vice presidential debates in their lecture hall, accompanied with a discussion led by Chicago professors and journalists. I'm excited to hear what Chicago's political minds have to say in real time. There is a suggested donation of $5 but free tickets are also available. Buy your tickets here.

Recap
Where: Chicago History Museum, 1601 W. Clark
When: October 15, 7pm
What: In the K/Now: Presidential Debate II Domestic Policy
Cost: $5 suggested donation, free tickets available

So Topical

I love Someecards, a website full of free sarcastic and witty e-cards. The snarky words mixed with the graphics of yesteryear make it all the more enjoyable.

A Return to Good Political Satire

Last night's Saturday Night Live's Premiere opener

"I See Those Flashing Lights..."

(photo credit: People)


Man, these [expletive]s got me
I hate these [expletive]s more than the Nazis
--Kanye West, "Flashing Lights"


Kanye West, rapper, performer and arguably Chicago's favorite native son, was arrested yesterday after a scuffle with a paparazzo at LAX airport. During the skirmish, West reportedly broke a camera valued at $10,000; he was charged with vandalism (really?) and bail was posted at $20,000. West's road manager was also arrested for vandalism and battery.

Now, I love celebrity gossip (even though I like to rationalize that I'm not a part of the problem since I only read the gossip online and don't buy the magazines). I know that love gives the paparazzo reason to stalk celebrities for the photos that fetch thousands for their pockets and millions for gossip magazines. But, I can understand why at 7 in the morning Kanye might have flipped. I can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing.

I'm pretty disgusted with the celebrity culture we live in that places more importance on what the girls of The Hills are doing over the fact that as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin charged rape victims for the rape kits used to procure the DNA of a victim's assailant. [Opposing viewpoint, for the sake of presenting both sides, here]

Really, the flashing lights should be pointed at the people who are making the decisions (or, as the case may be, poised to make the decisions) that affect policy and the way we live our lives. Not at Kanye West, or any other celebrity, trying to get through airport security and live their normal, everyday lives. They are just like US you know.

Barack Obama on David Letterman

Click here to see Jezebel's write up and clip of Barack Obama's winsome appearance on David Letterman.

"I Just Want to Know!"

By this point, you've already heard about Sarah Palin. How this woman was just a hockey mom from Alaska before being thrust into the national spotlight with an ill-conceived ploy to grab angry Hilary Clinton supporters and social conservatives by being McCain's VP choice. How her 17-year old daughter is 5-months pregnant and plans to marry the father, making Democrats crow over how the abstinence-only sex education her mother supports could have saved her from teen pregnancy (despite the fact Palin does not support sex education, Alaska does offer sex ed in its schools). But this video of Cambell Brown sticking it to Republican strategist Tucker Bounds by asking him a simple question as to Palin's experience in the Alaskan National Guard gives me more reason to believe McCain's decision to make Palin his VP is the first tap on the nail in the McCain Presidency coffin.

Move On and Smart Up

I'm laying in bed, enjoying the fresh "It's-just-rained" smell wafting in on the breeze and reading the New York Times. Obama and Clinton made a stop in Unity, New Hampshire to showcase the newfound unity within the Democratic Party. The name of the town is solid gold for the sound bite driven mainstream media and was chosen "for the perfect split of votes cast in the New Hampshire primary — 107 for each candidate."


One part of the article really annoyed me, however. People were at this rally still wearing Hillary campaign t-shirts and openly objecting to his presence and nomination:

“Carmella Lewis of Denver chanted 'Hillary' while Mr. Obama spoke, smirked throughout his remarks and then stuffed her ears with scrunched-up tissue.

'I can’t listen to him,' Ms. Lewis said. 'No way are we voting for Obama. We're all voting for McCain.'

This is a pretty accurate depiction of the people who continue to cry "foul" over Hillary Clinton's inability to "clinch" the Democratic nomination. Won't face the facts or listen to reason.

Color of Change

Dear Friends,

Right now, Fox News is trying to paint Barack Obama as foreign, un-American, suspicious, and scary. They're trying to send Americans the message that our country's first viable Black candidate for President is not "one of us."

I've joined on to ColorOfChange.org's campaign to push back on Fox, publicly demanding they stop their race-baiting and fear mongering. If that doesn't work, then we'll go to their advertisers and the FCC. I wanted to invite you to sign on as well. It takes only a moment:

http://www.colorofchange.org/foxobama/?id=2156-595616

Here's what happened recently:

After Senator Obama won the nomination, he and his wife gave each other a "pound" in front of the cameras. Fox anchor E.D. Hill called the act of celebration a "terrorist fist jab." Then last week, a Fox News on-screen graphic referred to Michelle Obama as "Obama's baby mama"--slang used to describe the unmarried mother of a man's child. It was a clear attempt to associate the Obamas with negative cultural stereotypes about Black people, an insult not only to Michelle Obama but to women and Black people everywhere.

After each of the incidents mentioned, Fox issued some form of weak apology. But what does it mean when you slap someone in the face, apologize the next day, then slap them again on the third? It means the apology is meaningless.

These aren't one-time incidents--they're part of a pattern that continues no matter how often Fox is forced to apologize. Fox has a clear record of attacking and undermining Black institutions, Black leaders, and Black people in general.

If we don't push back now, we will see more of the same from now until November. Please join me in helping to bring an end to Fox's behavior.

http://www.colorofchange.org/foxobama/?id=2156-595616

Thanks.

Ralph Nader: Sour Grapes or Calling It Like It Is?

(photo credit: Judy DeHaas. taken from Rocky Mountain News)

Full disclosure: This is my first foray into political, op-ed writing so bear with me.

Admittedly, I know very little about Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader. To me, he's a joke cracked on the Daily Show, a Ross Perot character of sorts in his repeated runs for president. So today when I first read about his criticisms of Obama (claiming Obama is "talking white" and appealing to "white guilt"), I could feel my temperature rising. As a black person, I've heard the same criticisms lobbed my way for speaking proper English. To blacks, I'm either "trying to be white" or called "articulate"—that damning word for any educated black person—by whites.

But as I continued reading the Rocky Mountain News article, Nader made some points I had to stop and think about:

“I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson?"

and...

“Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up.

The fact that Barack Obama's campaign had originally shied away from The Race Issue is something that is well documented. I was really surprised in the beginning (which seems like a lifetime ago) when his blackness wasn't immediately spun into a problem with his candidacy, as it is now. In fact, it's my opinion that race hadn't become an issue in the Democratic race until the Clintons made the first of many racially charged comments.

Now that Obama has become the BLACK candidate, is his campaign strategy shifting to avoid rousing the fears of the ignorant? Is that why he hasn't spoken publicly to large groups of Muslim-American supporters or in a mosque? Is that why he started wearing the American flag pin? Is that why most of his rallies featured in the media have an overwhelmingly large white audience? Though I think the core part of his message is that there is no black/white/brown specific issues, but American issues, its been painted in the media as BLACK vs. WHITE.

Because every act of "blackness"—which is a highly debatable concept best saved for another day—is dissected to his disadvantage. His wife bumping fists with him after winning the Democratic nomination? Why, that's a "terrorist fist jab" according to the fine folks at FOX News. Hanging out with rappers, playing basketball, attending a black church (with a preacher who is voicing, albeit very bluntly, the thoughts of many blacks in the country)... it's all a negative for the Obama presidency. So maybe Nader has a point. Maybe he isn't trying to rock the white power structure....yet.

Don't get me wrong. I don't question my support of Obama, or his decency and sincerity. However, it does make me question politics. Obama's genuine message of change has had to be manipulated to avoid ignorance and media spin. Conversation has been hijacked of all meaning and replaced with baseless and seemingly never ending rants on his blackness, his elitism, and his "angry" wife. And so, to quell suspicions that once in the office he will lead a "Kill Whitey" movement, he has to play the game.

A game I hope he wins in November, before dropping it to bring about real change to this nation.

FINALLY!

Change I can definitely believe in. Barack Obama has officially become the Democratic National Party's nominee for president. Let's see the Hillary Clinton groveling for Vice President begin. Unity ticket, my ass.

My God

I really have a hard time respecting anyone who supports Hillary Clinton. Especially after this latest gaffe. What a horrible human being. What a despicable, condescending, ignorant, power-hungry person.



...and then to try to back out of it by saying she was distracted by the BRAIN TUMOR Senator Ted Kennedy suffered this past week. Jesus Christ.

Step Away and No One Gets Hurt

Today pundits and commentators from all over the nation and interwebs weighed in on the state of the Democratic candidates chances post-Indiana and North Carolina's primaries. Two of my favorites:


(Obama as Harry S. Truman. Image courtesy of Young Manhattanite)



(Matt Drudge, who runs the news website drudgereport.com, compiled a photo montage of Hillary Clinton's various expressions [all grotesque] titled "No Way." Animal New York Andy Warholized the montage.)

"What Should I Blog About?"

"The Obama speech. Because everyone is blogging about it."


New York Times Transcript of Barack Obama's Speech on Race

YouTube Video