Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Ring in the Hope

First off, I am giving myself a slap on the wrist for taking so long to blog. No excuses, but December kind of blew past me without much thought about what was going on in local, national or international news. I've thought about a few things, but haven't been "connected" to the news in 3 weeks. I think I might have just needed a bit of a news cycle break.

With a little less than 12 hours before we ring in 2009, I just wanted to wish the three of you (and you know who you are) a very wonderful new year. Looking back, we've all gone through some rough patches with family,relationships, health, professional ambitions, and of course the economy slowing everything else down. While it wasn't all a downer, hopefully there are many things in 08 that you will have happy memories about; new homes, new babies, new jobs, new organs and best of all a new President. I hope that all around 2009 brings us more opportunities and less struggles in all aspects of our lives.

So right now, I am raising a mug of coffee, but later tonite a glass of some sort of alcoholic beverage to all of you and wishing you a hopeful, healthy, and Obama New Year!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Let's Talk

Dear fellow holiday card senders

We need to talk. Some of you may know of my "holiday card" book. It's the book I keep that has everyone's name and addresses along with if I have sent you a card and if I have received a card from you. I enjoy holiday cards I receive but lately I have become very disappointed in what I have found in my mailbox. These are the labeled cards.

Labeled cards, where you label the recipient's name, your address is labeled and then the card is pre-printed with your holiday message inside. I understand that it is the thought that counts, but really is there any thought process to these cards, other than to wonder if you should sent a card to your perspective recipient. I don't ask for much, but how about a little hand written "Happy Holidays" + your signatures. At least I know then that you genuinely care or took the time to think about about me or my family during the holiday season.

I understand that people are busy and also understand that there might not be a lot of time to actually send out cards. I just hope that holiday card sharing hasn't become something of a necessity but rather something you want to do to share a your hope for a safe and peaceful holiday season with those you care about.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Blue State

This morning I as well as other Illinois residents woke up to the news that our governor was taken into custody by FBI agents on charges of corruption. Information and rumors of what was going on in the Governor's office have been brewing for the past several years. Listening to U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald this morning I was shocked and baffled by the extent of what was happening and exactly who, what, where, when and why.Since the news broke, I have listened to talk radio and NPR to hear more about the charges as well as what will happen next.

I am not sure where to start in this blog, so I guess I'll just tell you my feelings on the whole thing. This was said this morning by someone else, I can't tell if Governor Blago is arrogant or ignorant. For a man who has been under investigation and was named several times during the Tony Rezko trial he should have known his head was on the chopping block. To listen to the press conference today with Patrick Fitzgerald I am shocked by the arrogance of a man who thought that he could sell the President elect Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder and then also try get himself AND his wife a better higher paying job either with the Obama administration or with a union. It's the audacity of this man that has me baffled. Not only was this man screwing with the senate seat he was also screwing with the well being of the United States!

Additionally, the allegations of trying to get Chicago Tribune editors fired over bad press that he was receiving in exchange for help selling the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field is mind blowing. Who thinks they have that much power?! Usually a way to get bad press to go away is to not do things like hmmm let's say sell US Senate seats!

I am glad that the federal government stepped in when they did rather than wait until the spring to bring charges against the governor. Unfortunately other than having his name plastered all over world as being charged in corruption that is all that will happen. He goes back to being Governor of Illinois until the Illinois Legislature takes measures to impeach him. I just hope that the State of Illinois can get it together before January 20th and find ourselves a good hard working Senator that will not have this looming over their head and won't be tainted by all that has happened.

Oh yeah, one last thing. Former Illinois Governor George Ryan is in prison, found guilty of corruption and sentenced to I think y7 1/2 ears in prison. Over the past couple of weeks, there has been a lot of back and forth regarding asking President Bush to pardon or at least commute Govern Ryan's sentence due to his age (72) and the health of his ailing wife. Many politicians in Illinois have weighed in on the opinion of commuting Governor Ryan's sentence; asked a few weeks ago Governor Blagojavich stated that Governor Ryan should not have his sentence commuted and if he was convicted of the crime, he should do the time. Karma?

Update: I just finished reading the 76 page complaint against Governor Blagojavich and Chief of Staff, John Harris, it's official. Governor Blagojavich is delusional and definitely has a very big opinion of himself and the power/influence he may wield.