I Worry About My Grandson's Life In Chicago, Murder Capital Of U.S.

Police say 13 people were shot and wounded in a 30-minute spate of violence in Chicago, including eight gunned down on a single street.

Authorities have been battling an increase in homicides in the city where some aldermen complain gangs have no fear of the police.

More here:

It's well-known that gun violence is an issue for many inner cities across the U.S. But Chicago, in particular, has the most alarming rates, almost double that of New York City.

Since 2008, 80 percent of the 530 young people under the age of 21 felled by gun violence lived in the city's South, Southwest and West sides, which are heavily populated with African-Americans and Latinos. Ironically, only one-third of the city's population lives in these areas. Englewood, an area in the city's South Side, stood out the most. Their murder rate is five times that of the rest of the city.

To think that my grandson could be a casualty of a random shooting scares the shit out of me. Please help bring him home and donate.

Emanuel To The Ricketts - Finance This!

I've never like Rahm Emanuel and I was ever so glad he became Chicago's problem and not America's anymore. But I did get a chuckle out of this tidbit:

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is not returning calls from the Ricketts family and is “livid” over a New York Times report that Joe Ricketts commissioned a proposal for a multimillion-dollar ad campaign linking President Obama to the president’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, according to an Emanuel aide.

Joe Ricketts’s children, which include Obama bundler Laura Ricketts, bought the Chicago Cubs in 2009 and have been in talks with the city about renovating the team’s 98-year-old stadium, Wrigley Field.

That appears to be on hold now.

“The Mayor was livid when he read that the Ricketts were going to launch a $10 million campaign against President Obama – with the type of racially motivated ads that are insulting to the president and the presidential campaign,” said the aide, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the situation. “He is also livid with their blatant hypocrisy.”

The aide also said Emanuel, who is Obama’s former chief of staff, has cut off communication with the family.

“The Ricketts have tried to contact the mayor, but he’s said that he does not want to talk with them today, tomorrow or anytime soon,” the aide said.

Pix From Chicago Trip

Some pictures of Zaire and I in Chicago.

It was really special to know that Zaire said that the best part of the "visitation" with him was going to the Baha'i House Of Worship. (Sigh)

"Deadbeat Illinois"

Great title (from this article). On the way back to O'Hare, there was a sign facing those leaving O'Hare going into Chicago that, I paraphrase, said Welcome to Chicago, We're Broke. It was a bit longer in phrase, but I really can't remember it other than it struck me odd as a "welcome to my city" type sign, because of its rather blatant slap. Most "welcome to my city" signs are upbeat, and if it has something important, it is usually highlighted in the welcome sign.

Drowning in deficits, Illinois has turned to a deliberate policy of not paying billions of dollars in bills for months at a time, creating a cycle of hardship and sacrifice for residents and businesses helping the state carry out some of the most important government tasks.

Back From Chicago

Whirlwind short visit. Had its ups and downs, but overall, it was a very pleasant visit. Too many pictures taken to even start to put online. I did get to see the Robin Hood protestors crossing the river in their row boats, though, live, so that was way fucking cool! Went to the Baha'i House of Worship at night when all the lights are on. It is really a fabulous building, and I actually cried like a baby inside. I hadn't been there since I was 16, and it is such a spiritual part of my whole life that to be there (there is only one House of Worship in each country, so they are very special) overwhelmed me. My daughter, of course, loved Wilmette area, but it's way over her price range (sweety darling!). Rogers Park is like a cross between the East Village and the West Village, but with a lot more trees. That's where my grandson has been living.

Flight there was a breeze, getting around was easy, flight home was delayed a bit, today was hell trying to catch up to work.

Will post more over the weekend, both political and personal.

By the way, hat tip and shout out goes to my new favorite (Chicago) bar, Duke's! I was only one of two rooting for Detroit to beat Chicago on MNF, and it was a hoot! I had called around the Rogers Park area to talk to the bars to see where my daughter might like to go hang out after she had to bring her son back to the babysitter or the dad (although, I have to say, the dad let my grandson spend the night with her a few nights while she stayed at the motel, so props for that), so when my daughter got there and called Dukes (I told her since it was a GLBT bar, she'd probably have more fun), the bartender tells her "hey, your mom called us last night!" How funny is that? They sent someone over to her motel to walk her to the bar. That doesn't happen at most places EVER! So on Monday night, I hung out with her at Dukes. First time I was so so so drunk, but REMEMBERED everything! No blackouts whatsoever! And it was cool walking back after the bar closed (they gave me my drink "to go") we stopped off at another bar, the Glenwood, that was closed, but the bartender from Dukes knew the bartender Wally, so he opened up and poured us a round! Very friendly neighborhood, I have to say.

For not flying in 11 years, I had no problems, no gripping of the seat handles on take off, no headaches upon landing! I'm ready to get back into the traveling game.

Manic Monday In Chicago!

Flying to Chicago to see Zaire. Leaving Sunday at midnight, arriving at about 7 a.m. Monday morning.

Just another Manic Monday - trying to navigate the subways, trains, bus systems from O'Hare to Rodgers Park. Of course, knowing ME, I've already set myself up at Duke's Hideaway bar for Monday Night Football (lol) and am in their pool as well. Damn, I'm good! And friendly, don't forget.