Diary of a Newspaper Hawk

Apparently green rivers weren't what the Real St. Patrick in Ireland had in mind. It seems he was more sober than the cartoon Americans have made him into. Rahm Emanuel is now Mayor Emanuel, the guy who pulled a Sarah Palin in Washington DC and left his job to chase another one (which is really the same as President Obama, who left Illinois a mess to chase the White House). Chicagoans had to choose whose rear-end they would kiss. With only screw-ups like Carol Mosely Braun on the ballot, the schmucks had no choice. The new rage is the old rage, and that's the baby laughing while tearing paper video. Expect to get a good laugh in yourself. The Chicago Code TV show. What do you think? Lots of cliches in there. Teresa Colvin (Jennifer Beals) reminds me as a clone of the Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein - see the free download:  'Get Happy' - House musical performed by Hugh Laurie and Lisa Edelstein [HD] ) character on House. The trouble I have is I don't believe de...

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone? Not much here in Chicago whether's she's here or not. Warmer temps don't mean sun. They mean slush.   Stories about the dark side of Chicago continue. Terrorism suspects . Cops who tortue suspects . Corrupt lawyers going to prison . How much the Chicago Bears suck .   And this isn't getting into our corrupt politics. President Obama, Illinois' holy child, hasn't done squat for Chicago. We are not better of than we were in 2008 under George Bush. Unemployment is worse, state and city politics is as bad as when Blago tried to sell Obama's seat. So Mr. Yes We Can is just Mr. I Hope We Will.  

Now no one out there who knows Chicago doesn't Koko. Know the blues? You know Koko. Know anything about music? Maybe, maybe not. She wasn't famous like Bach, but she is a legend like Elvis. Koko's dead. I saw her in a few blues bars over the years, and caught her from the lawn seats at the Chicago Blues Fest . The Chicago Tribune collected what others are saying . They describe her Koko Taylor, born Cora Walton in Memphis, Tennessee, moved to Chicago in 1955 and is known as Queen of the Blues. In 1966, she had a major hit with her cover of Willie Dixon's "Wang Dang Doodle (see video below)," a tune that's since become a signature hit for her. Her smoky, almost-masculine-like vocals have influenced some of the most revered female singers around, including Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. Even now, at 79, she pretty much owns the blues scene, having won 25 W.C. Hardy Awards (now known as the Blues Music Awards), more than any other artist.

With all the noise about Drew Peterson , Rod Blagovich and the Barack Obama gaff , it is fun to see something cool. Lebron James Game Winning Shot Live NBA Playoffs 2009 Game 2 Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic. Michael Jordan look out. The Chicago Bulls are still my boys, but I gotta give props to King James.

Say it ain't so. Chicago's favorite team, the Chicago Cubs may soon be the Chicago Zellies, playing in the what --? It better not be Trump Field. Whatchu' Talkin' 'Bout, Willis? Sears Tower Gets New Name (and more here ) Here's to Ronnie Woo Woo , a man who is a fan. We've never met, but as spring approaches, I must think of him. Mr. Ronnie Wickers, I hope all is well tonight. I am a fan of your fandome.

Scum ex-cop, and scum ex-governor are peas of a pod, and pees on a pod, both shaking what little they've got on TV. I was telling someone, as we both worried about the great Chicago Tribune's troubles, that Illinois has so much scum it is a wonder we aren't called 'Detroit.' Here Drew Peterson talks about a possible dating game on Steve Dahl's radio show. Rod Blagovich gets his mouth on with Barbara Walters on the View. I guess Rosie O'Donnell was too busy.

The rains soaked every ounce of this city, most of which landed in my bones. Ain't coffee that I need, but more rest. Papers won't sell themselves tomorrow. But, I'm sick, bedridden, barely focused enough to use my laptop. The news has been a wild lot lately. With John McCain's campaign surging, with a woman helping him lead, I cannot help but think Barack Obama might be worried. It looks like he hasn't got this campaign and the media as wrapped up in bed like it looks. Of course, we need Obama out of Illinois if we want a real man (or woman) in the Senate again. Old Obama has been chasing the White House so much he forgot he has a day job as a senator. I mean, who does he think he is, Carol Moseley Braun? That's true incompetence . Carlos Zambrano threw a no hitter for the Cubbies. Chicago had a half marathon yesterday, as wet as the rest of the city. This was the 2008 Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon. I gotta give a salute to those crazy runners who decid...

The news is sad. Although the Olympics started amazingly (Mayor Daley cameos throughout), the morning's joy is squashed by the death of Bernie Mac . He had his ups and down. The Bernie Mac Show was a class act. His support of Barack Obama gave us some low notes. But, he was through and through a Chicago man. White Sox fan to the hilt. Rest in peace, Bernard Jeffrey McCollough. Bernie Mac, I'll miss you.