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What's the Matter With Chicago? and Seattle and New York and Boston...?
Seattle has always had an identity conflict. Gay bathhouses are allowed, street protests are legendary, and marijuana is, by voter initiative, the police department’s lowest enforcement priority. Each summer a two-day event called Hempfest draws some 150,000 people who openly smoke weed in a city park with the blessings of the cops and the local government, which regards the festival as protected speech.
Yet Seattle has long had an unhealthy strain of nannyism as well. Washington was one of the first states to prohibit alcohol in the last century, and the city’s restrictions on strip clubs and card rooms are legendary. In the last five years, the nanny impulse has gone into hyperdrive.
In 2003 Seattle banned sales of high-alcohol beers and fortified wines in a part of town popular with the homeless and street drunks. Three years later, a city report found that the ban hadn’t reduced petty crime and street drinking. Yet Mayor Greg Nickels and the Seattle City Council slammed through another ordinance expanding the so-called “alcohol impact area” to several other neighborhoods. It’s a measure of just how contradictory paternalism gets in Seattle that you can still walk into a bar in these neighborhoods and buy locally crafted microbrews with even higher alcohol content, albeit at a much steeper price than a 40-ouncer.
In 2005 a state ballot initiative banned smoking in all public places. Unlike similar prohibitions in other cities, there are no exemptions for tobacco stores, cigar bars, or private clubs. As if that weren’t enough, the Washington State Clean Indoor Air Act bans smoking within 25 feet of the doors, windows (closed or open), and ventilation systems of any public building. In parts of Seattle, smokers literally have to stand in the middle of the street to comply with the law.
Ironically, many Seattleites who smoke pot voted for the smoking ban. Perhaps they didn’t look too closely at the language of the law, which prohibits “smoking,” not tobacco.
The city’s deep embrace of environmentalism and “sustainability” rhetoric also has a nanny odor to it. This year, for example, Mayor Nickels pushed the state legislature to enact an excise tax on cars based on their fuel efficiency. (For a change, the idea met with a significant public backlash and died.) But one enviro law did expand local freedom a bit. City Council Member Richard Conlin last year proposed that the city license pygmy goats as pets, partly so that residents can process their yard waste in a more eco-friendly manner. The proposal became law by a unanimous vote.
—Philip Dawdy Seattle has always had an identity conflict. Gay bathhouses are allowed, street protests are legendary, and marijuana is, by voter ini... more -
Paralyzed man sues Chicago cops, says they hit him
CHICAGO --
A paralyzed man sued the City of Chicago and seven policemen Thursday, claiming they dragged him from a car and beat him unconscious when he was too slow to obey an order to get out.
Daniel Casares charged that the seven officers engaged in excessive use of force and battery. He asked for unspecified damages from the city.
The officers stopped a car in which Casares was riding on the city's southeast side Oct. 9, 2006, on the suspicion that the driver - Casares' brother - was using marijuana. They asked Daniel Casares to get out and when he didn't do so immediately they dragged him out, the lawsuit said.
Some or all of the officers allegedly continued to kick Casares while he was on the ground, according to the complaint.
Casares was convicted after a bench trial of battery and resisting arrest for charges that came from the stop. He received court supervision and is appealing his conviction.
A spokeswoman for the city law department, Jenny Hoyle, said she hadn't seen the complaint and therefore would not be able to comment.
"They are allegations and have to be proved in court," she said. "Once we get served with the complaint and review it we can respond."
Casares attorney Blake Horwitz said the officers approached the car with guns drawn and yelled at Casares, who was in the passenger seat, to get out. He said Casares had been a quadriplegic as a result of a car accident for four years before the incident.
The lawsuit was assigned to U.S. District Judge George Lindberg. CHICAGO -- ... more -
Toddler shot by BB gun in Humboldt Park
A person was taken into custody for shooting a toddler with a BB gun Wednesday afternoon in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. (chicago)
Paramedics responded to reports of a gunshot victim in the 1900 block of North Pulaski Road and took a 2-year-old girl to Children’s Memorial Hospital in serious condition, according to Fire Media Affairs spokesman Joe Roccasalva. The shooting occurred about 2:45 p.m.
"She was shot with a BB gun but is supposed to be fine," Roccasalva said.
Police News Affairs Officer JoAnn Taylor said one person was taken into custody for the shooting, but no charges have been filed as of 6:20 p.m.
Police recovered a weapon, Taylor said. A person was taken into custody for shooting a toddler with a BB gun Wednesday afternoon in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. (chicago) ... more -
How Scores of Black Men Were Tortured Into Giving False Confessions by Chicago Pol...
More than 20 years after being tortured into giving confessions by Chicago police officers, dozens of black men remain behind bars.
Michael Tillman was 20, with a 3-year-old daughter and an infant son, when he was brought into the Area 2 police station on Chicago's South Side for questioning. His mother, Jean Tillman, says that although he had gotten into some trouble with the law as a youngster, he had been on the straight-and-narrow, working as a janitor and paying his bills, since he and his girlfriend had their first child. That was July 22, 1986.
He hasn't been home since.
Tillman is one of at least 24 African-American men that the People's Law Office in Chicago claims are still serving sentences for crimes they say they confessed to only after enduring hours of torture at the hands of Chicago police officers under Commander Jon Burge between 1972 and 1992. Although 10 of Burge's victims have been pardoned or given new trials after their illegally obtained confessions were exposed, the vast majority of the 100-plus cases have yet to be reviewed by the state of Illinois. Those men have either served out their sentences, died in custody or, like Tillman, continue to live their lives behind bars, hoping that one day they will have a fair trial.
According to Tillman's 1986 trial testimony, when he arrived at the Area 2 police station in the predawn hours of July 21, 1986, Detectives Ronald Boffo and Peter Dignan took him to a second-floor interrogation room and pressed him for information about the murder of 42-year-old Betty Howard, whose body was found the day prior in the apartment building Tillman oversaw. When he told the detectives that he knew nothing about the murder, he says that Boffo and Dignan, along with three other officers, became abusive. Without ever reading him his Miranda rights, he says they handcuffed him to the wall, hit him in the face and punched him in the stomach until he vomited blood. During the course of what appeared to be three days, rotating pairs of officers brought him to the railroad tracks behind the station and held a gun to his head, suffocated him repeatedly with thick plastic bags, poured soda up his nose and forced him into Dumpsters outside of the apartment building, ordering him to search through the rubbish for a murder weapon until, according to Detective John Yucaitis, Tillman confessed to the crime.
According to Tillman's mother, she, her husband and an attorney they called for counsel were all denied access to her son during his three days of interrogation.
***Continues, click link to read*** More than 20 years after being tortured into giving confessions by Chicago police officers, dozens of black men remain behind bars. ... more -
It's The Law: No Sagging Pants In Chicago Suburb
Be careful if you have saggy pants in the south Chicago suburb of Lynwood. Village leaders have passed an ordinance that would levy $25 fines against anyone showing three inches or more of their underwear in public.
Eugene Williams is the mayor of Lynwood. He says young men walk around town half-dressed, keeping major retailers and economic development away. He calls the new law a hot topic. Be careful if you have saggy pants in the south Chicago suburb of Lynwood. Village leaders have passed an ordinance that would levy $... more -
Ebert, Roeper Give "At the Movies" Two Thumbs Down
Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert says he's cutting ties with the television show that he and the late Gene Siskel made famous. His announcement came a day after Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper said he was leaving the nationally syndicated ``At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper.'' Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert says he's cutting ties with the television show that he and the late Gene Siskel made famous... more
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It's the law: No sagging pants in Chicago suburb
Be careful if you have saggy pants in the south Chicago suburb of Lynwood. Village leaders have passed an ordinance that would levy $25 fines against anyone showing three inches or more of their underwear in public. Be careful if you have saggy pants in the south Chicago suburb of Lynwood. Village leaders have passed an ordinance that would levy $2... more
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pull up your pants!
How did this unruly fashion trend get so out of control? Black, white, latino, girls, boys, babys!? No one needs to see some young punks underdrawers and drooping pants. I admit curiosity takes over on occasion, to see how much ass is peeking out and even amused, especially watching these guys attempt to cross the street with one hand on their cell and the other hand clutching their waist band to keep themselves from tripping. How you supposed to give your women proper hugs when your pants are around your ankles? Oh yeah, maybe thats the point. And yes I have seen plenty of joes fall. Get a life. Its not cool, it looks stupid. People who are not trendy like yourself will disrespect and judge you. Why does having pants to large for your body appear cool? You dont look like a gangster, you look like a little kid who got hamy downs from on of his largest family member. It looks obnoxious. Try a new trend, and hurry! How did this unruly fashion trend get so out of control? Black, white, latino, girls, boys, babys!? No one needs to see some young pun... more
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Lynwood to Residents: Pull Up Your Damn Pants!
In a move aimed at cleaning up their image to attract development, Lynwood, Illinois has passed an ordinance against baggy pants. That's right, you had better buy a belt because if you want to walk around town with your underwear hanging out, you're going to get slapped with a $25 fine. In a move aimed at cleaning up their image to attract development, Lynwood, Illinois has passed an ordinance against baggy pants. That... more
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Chicago gangs pressure young boys
One day he's getting beat up. The next day he's getting free snacks and a few dollars. Then he's getting his bike taken. This is all within a one-week span. It's a repeated ruse by a few members of a gang to make a 10-year-old boy one of their own.
Before the school year ended last month for the summer break, Jackie Stewart's* greatest concern was meeting her sons each day after school to help them dodge shoot-outs between rival gangs as they made their way to their Englewood home a few blocks away.
But now, instead of worrying about gunfire gripping her children, Stewart is faced with constant run-ins with a gang that is determined to recruit her son who stands nearly four feet tall.
Last week, Stewart and her sons–ages 10 and 7–were met with a note stuck to their apartment door.
"It said, 'Stay out of our business.' The only thing that could mean is for me to let my son go," she said at a recent community forum.
Stewart snatched the message down before her sons got a chance to see it. A few hours after she found the note, someone started knocking on her windows.
The 50-year-old mother has lived in Englewood for the last seven years and hadn't had a problem with gangs in the area until her son became "ripe" for gang recruitment.
He is at a tender age and is learning at a slower pace than the kids his age. The gangs want kids like that, she said.
"Every time they see him, they ask him if he wants some money. I tell him not to accept the money. They try to buy him candy and little snacks. They would try to send him to the store so he could buy them some stuff, then they would give him about three or four dollars for doing it," Stewart said.
"It starts with little things like that, and before you know it, it will escalate to bigger things. Next, they will try to have him hold their drugs for them or even a pistol," she said.
Her 10 year old cuts grass and picks up trash on the block to earn money, but the gangs see him and take his money. The boy is terrified, and his younger brother runs home to tell the mother. The brothers are now scared to play outside, and Stewart has a hard time sleeping at night.
"One day I took them out on the block so they could ride their bike. As soon as they got to the corner, about a half block from where we live, one of the gang members was waiting on him. I went down there, and he said, 'Old lady, you ain't gonna do nothing about it. We want him, and we will get him. You might as well let us have him,'" Stewart said.
She told the gangbangers, whom she said looked about 15 years old, that the gangs could not have her son.
The mother said the gang is getting bolder each day, and she's at her wits end. She, along with her son, often feel they have no choice but to surrender to the gang's pressure.
"I'm just this short from letting him get into the gang. Help me. I'm trying to save my kids!" Stewart said through a crying and trembling voice, illustrating with her fingers that she was about an inch away from caving in to the gang's demands.
Stewart said she has gone to the police but has received minimal help. She then told her older sons about it, but she doesn't want the situation handled the way they want to handle it.
The mother of seven, with the two younger ones living with her, said she lost her two older boys to gang life. They are now in their 30s.
"I don't want to lose my younger boys to gangs, and their brothers don't want that for them either," Stewart said.
---click link to read the rest of the story---- One day he's getting beat up. The next day he's getting free snacks and a few dollars. Then he's getting his bike taken. This is all w... more -
Jesse Jackson Clobbers Obama with Unbelievably Crude Comments
While taking a break during a taping for a Fox News program, Jesse Jackson told another guest on the program that he wanted to "cut [Obama's] nu**s out." The hurtful and disparaging comments were caught on tape, because Jackson's microphone was still on.
The two faced Jesse Jackson gets caught with his pants down once again!!
Photographs and a video of Jesse Jackson discussing his comments about Obama are included. While taking a break during a taping for a Fox News program, Jesse Jackson told another guest on the program that he wanted to "cut [O... more -
The Obama Girls’ Last Picture Show
"The Obama Girls' Last Picture Show." This is the first televised interview with Barack Obama's little girls. Obama now says that it will definitely be the last!!
Photographs of the Obama family and a video of this cool interview are included. "The Obama Girls' Last Picture Show." This is the first televised interview with Barack Obama's little girls. Obama now says that it... more -
Joe Gets Green
Joe Hanson wants to help save the environment but he just doesn't know how. See if Joe can get green in this episode of Joe Gets...
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YouTube - Chicago- Saturday in the Park "Live" (1972)
This was filmed at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago, IL in November of 1972. Chicago performed an entire week of sold out performances at the ACT.
"Saturday in the Park" was written by Robert Lamm and can be heard on their 1972 'Chicago V' album.
Enjoy! This was filmed at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago, IL in November of 1972. Chicago performed an entire week of sold out performance... more -
2008 Chicago Hempfest
The "Highest Click In Chicago" gets it poppin at the 2008 Chicago Hempfest!
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Cubs: 93 Yr Old Woman Throws First Pitch
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Loretta Dolan has waited 93 years for this moment.
She is a dedicated Cubs fan. And on Tuesday night, she got to throw out the first pitch when the Cubs took on the Baltimore Orioles.
"I get up in the morning and say a prayer that I'm able to get up and walk," said Dolan.
Dolan is on the short side of 94 and a big Cub fan, so much so that over the years, she's kept score of hundreds of games in person or tuned to radio and TV. Her scorecards are filled with the names of legends - Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Kenny Hubbs.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Loretta Dolan has waited 93 years for this moment. ... more -
Train in Vain
Ben Jervey, in his contribution to this month's issue of Good Magazine's travel issue, writes about his coast-to-coast passenger rail journey from New York to Oakland aboard Amtrak. Jervey describes how Amtrak struggles to survive in a nation lacking confidence and esteem towards rail travel. His journey begins on the East Coast aboard the Lake Shore Limited connecting New York to Chicago, and continues his westward travels aboard the famous California Zephyr connecting Chicago to Oakland. Read Jervey's essay to learn about the ups and downs of Amtrak's rail service. Check out video, maps and images by Amy Stein accompanying the article. Ben Jervey, in his contribution to this month's issue of Good Magazine's travel issue, writes about his coast-to-coast passenger rail ... more
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Lupe Fiasco
VC2 Producer Carlos Saqiid shows us what hanging out with Hip Hop's rising star Lupe Fiasco is like. With songs featuring Jay-Z and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park he's well on his way to being "Who's Next" in Hip Hop Pop Culture. VC2 Producer Carlos Saqiid shows us what hanging out with Hip Hop's rising star Lupe Fiasco is like. With songs featuring Jay-Z and M... more
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R. Kelly - Trapped in a VERDICT!
Not Guilty. I KNEW IT! Famous people are infallible.
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A Genius Outside the Academy
The Hip Hop Caucus tour featuring Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. Yearwood is a minister, community activist, military chaplain, and one of the most influential people in Hip Hop. A powerful and fiery orator. The Hip Hop Caucus tour featuring Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. Yearwood is a minister, community activist, military chaplain, and one of ... more
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