A reporter for the Chicago Reader has sued the city of Chicago to get a look at Mayor Daley's schedule, some Chicago Police documents about homicide statistics and a study that caused some personnel shifts within the police department. The suit says the reporter has previously filed Freedom of Information(FOI) requests to gain access to the information but the city has either denied or ignored them.
I applaud his efforts but suspect they will come to nothing.
Open Records and Open Meetings Acts look great on paper. The theory behind them is sound. We, as citizens, have a right to see how our government behaves. We pay for it. We should be able to watch it work. Or not work, as the case may be.
The problem: all bodies of government, in this case the City of Chicago, have great lawyers who know all the tricks to making sure the way the city really operates never comes to light.
Why would it be in Mayor Daley's interest to open his daily schedule to the public? Who knows what names would appear on it and what topics might be covered in the meetings he takes? And murder stats? A close study by a journalist could show manipulation of data, something that was unearthed in Chicago a number of years ago. Is there a reason to think procedures have changed since then? Statistics reflect what the keeper of the data wants them to show. Especially those of the Chicago Police Department.
The arrogance with which governmental bodies operate is well documented. There is freedom of information only if the bureaucrats allow it. If petitioned, they stall, using every legal and illegal method available to them, unless ordered by a court to respond. Unfortunately, that gives them the time to redact or cleanse the documents requested. Sometimes Open Records cases are just thrown out. Why? Aren't those making the rulings essentially bureaucrats themselves? Someday their decisions could come back to haunt them. Don't rock the boat.
Politicians and bureaucrats increasingly have shown their offhand regard for the rights of the people they represent. Our elected officials, and the people they hire, don't regard us as constituents. To them, we are "the citizens" and those who stand up and question them are "pests."
In 2011, "they" run the government and we have no right to question how they do it.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Watching the Eagles and Being Amazed
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles
It's an amazing site. If you are a fan of bald eagles, which I am, it's awe-inspiring.
This eagle mom, you see, laid three eggs. Two have hatched in front of our watching eyes. Another is...about to hatch. Any day now. Any moment, actually. Watching her feed her eaglets, those little squeaking clumps of grey with their black faces, tumbling around the nest, reaching up with wide-open beaks to take the food Mom or Dad offers (right now it looks like morsels of fish and maybe rabbit) darn near brings tears to my eyes. And makes me laugh out loud.
Bald eagles are wonderful creatures. Viciously strong. Graceful. Beautiful. And incredibly frustrating to photograph. I whipped around on a pontoon boat and snapped the picture shown above from waist level in the one moment I had before that particular eagle swooped out of sight above Trout Lake, Wisconsin last summer.
But the site noted above provides live, near-broadcast quality video of the eagles' nest. Eagles 24-7.
If you're not the fan I am, the Raptor Resource Project (http://www.raptorresource.org/) site in Decorah, Iowa, may not do much for you.
For me it's a connection with nature and a way to observe one of the more incredible creations of Our Creator.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
On the Verge of...Ooops...IN Another War
In Libya, President Obama seems to have created an open-ended scenario, complete with vague goals and hidden agendas, so he can please all sides. That seems to be his legacy. Reagan was the Great Communicator. Obama will be known as the Great Pacifier.
C'mon, we're fighting a demonic dictator who not only has hidden himself but has craftily made it impossible for news organizations to figure out how to spell his name. Which begs the question, how can he ever be brought before the International Court as a war criminal if the warrant doesn't have his name spelled correctly? As any regular viewer of Law and Order knows, that's grounds for an immediate dismissal of the charges before the third commercial break.
I offer what may appear to many as an overly simplistic and naive suggestion. This one man is the root cause of the upheaval in his country. Even our President (I think) would agree that he should be removed from power.
Hilary's negotiations, our missiles, rebel ground fighting, political manipulation, covert operations, editorial cartoons, and the tsunami in Japan all have failed to accomplish that goal.
Let's kill him.
One bullet to the forehead should do the trick.
At least one of his associates must have a movie script hidden away that he would like to see produced in Hollywood. President Obama has many friends in the movie business. Just sayin'.
A little quid pro quo and bang...done. End of the spelling bee.
C'mon, we're fighting a demonic dictator who not only has hidden himself but has craftily made it impossible for news organizations to figure out how to spell his name. Which begs the question, how can he ever be brought before the International Court as a war criminal if the warrant doesn't have his name spelled correctly? As any regular viewer of Law and Order knows, that's grounds for an immediate dismissal of the charges before the third commercial break.
I offer what may appear to many as an overly simplistic and naive suggestion. This one man is the root cause of the upheaval in his country. Even our President (I think) would agree that he should be removed from power.
Hilary's negotiations, our missiles, rebel ground fighting, political manipulation, covert operations, editorial cartoons, and the tsunami in Japan all have failed to accomplish that goal.
Let's kill him.
One bullet to the forehead should do the trick.
At least one of his associates must have a movie script hidden away that he would like to see produced in Hollywood. President Obama has many friends in the movie business. Just sayin'.
A little quid pro quo and bang...done. End of the spelling bee.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Open Letter to My State Legislators
I ask that you vote in favor of House Bill 7 and/or Senate Bill 27 which are intended to keep Firearm Owner Identification Card information confidential.
Publicizing the names of gun owners throughout Illinois will create problems, not solve them.
First, it will cause any number of people who now own firearms legally to simply refuse to register, or re-register themselves. Because the FOID card is required for legal weapon and ammunition purchases, as people decide not to register, the black market for guns and ammunition will expand. This will increase the number of weapons bought and sold illegally in the state and criminalize those individuals who would otherwise follow the law by obtaining an FOID card.
Second, if firearm owner information is allowed to become public, those individuals will be at risk of being targeted by thieves looking to steal guns. The reverse is also true. Those residents without a FOID card will be seen as vulnerable for burglary because they, apparently, do not have a registered weapon.
Finally, what purpose is served by allowing the news media, or anyone else, to have the names of legally registered gun owners?
Since the FOID card program began in the 1960’s, law-abiding citizens have registered with the understanding that their information will be kept confidential. I submit it is a great disservice to them to release their names. I realize the opinion from Attorney General Madigan considers that only the names of FOID card holders are “public information.” With the ready availability of search engines, however, their addresses and other information about them can be easily obtained by the news media or anyone else.
I also ask what sort of precedent this sets for the potential release of other confidential information held by the state. If the Attorney General believes the Open Records Act allows the media to have access to FOID card documentation, what will they request next?
Publicizing the names of gun owners throughout Illinois will create problems, not solve them.
First, it will cause any number of people who now own firearms legally to simply refuse to register, or re-register themselves. Because the FOID card is required for legal weapon and ammunition purchases, as people decide not to register, the black market for guns and ammunition will expand. This will increase the number of weapons bought and sold illegally in the state and criminalize those individuals who would otherwise follow the law by obtaining an FOID card.
Second, if firearm owner information is allowed to become public, those individuals will be at risk of being targeted by thieves looking to steal guns. The reverse is also true. Those residents without a FOID card will be seen as vulnerable for burglary because they, apparently, do not have a registered weapon.
Finally, what purpose is served by allowing the news media, or anyone else, to have the names of legally registered gun owners?
Since the FOID card program began in the 1960’s, law-abiding citizens have registered with the understanding that their information will be kept confidential. I submit it is a great disservice to them to release their names. I realize the opinion from Attorney General Madigan considers that only the names of FOID card holders are “public information.” With the ready availability of search engines, however, their addresses and other information about them can be easily obtained by the news media or anyone else.
I also ask what sort of precedent this sets for the potential release of other confidential information held by the state. If the Attorney General believes the Open Records Act allows the media to have access to FOID card documentation, what will they request next?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Why Does the A.P. Want A List of Illinois Gun Owners?
I was startled to see a story in today's Tribune that the Associated Press wants a list of all gun owners in Illinois and has filed suit under the Freedom of Information Act to get it.
And Attorney General Lisa Madigan, daughter of the most powerful Democrat in Illinois, House Speaker Michael Madigan, says sure, let's give it to them.
To own a gun in Illinois the state requires we register ourselves by obtaining a Firearm Owner Identification Card. The Illinois State Police, however, maintains the registry and has, apparently, taken issue with Madigan's order to release the information.
I agree with, and applaud, the State Police.
I can't think of any reason the A.P. would want the list other than to make it public. It's pretty obvious they want to do a story about the evil that lurks in every lawful gun owner's home. Probably in some misguided attempt to save us from ourselves. Their reason, of course, will be that they want to assure that the process is working as it should. How will they do that? Why publish the list, of course. Maybe run some random background checks, too.
First of all, that's an invasion of privacy. Second, it is an invitation to burglars everywhere, even though Madigan is quoted as saying gun owners' addresses should remain private. How long do you suppose it will take the media, with all the online data bases it has access to, to acquire every shred of information about individual gun owners that it wants?
Thus, burglars who are so inclined will know just where to go to get what they want.
Of course, any halfway intelligent thief will also understand that, if there's a gun in the house there's also a decent chance the owner of said firearm will choose to use it, rather than lose it.
It's the dummies I worry about. And there are far more stupid thieves than there are smart ones.
There are also the anti-gunners to worry about. What sorts of mischief will they cook up for us once they have our names?
This sort of ruling also makes me think the National Rifle Association and other groups are not so wrong in believing that liberal-leaning lawmakers would love to pass a law allowing the seizure of all firearms. Wouldn't this be a logical start to such a process?
Illinois already has among the toughest, if not the toughest, firearms laws in the United States.
Why put the lawful owners of firearms at risk of becoming victims of theft or worse by publishing a list that, rightfully, should remain private?
And Attorney General Lisa Madigan, daughter of the most powerful Democrat in Illinois, House Speaker Michael Madigan, says sure, let's give it to them.
To own a gun in Illinois the state requires we register ourselves by obtaining a Firearm Owner Identification Card. The Illinois State Police, however, maintains the registry and has, apparently, taken issue with Madigan's order to release the information.
I agree with, and applaud, the State Police.
I can't think of any reason the A.P. would want the list other than to make it public. It's pretty obvious they want to do a story about the evil that lurks in every lawful gun owner's home. Probably in some misguided attempt to save us from ourselves. Their reason, of course, will be that they want to assure that the process is working as it should. How will they do that? Why publish the list, of course. Maybe run some random background checks, too.
First of all, that's an invasion of privacy. Second, it is an invitation to burglars everywhere, even though Madigan is quoted as saying gun owners' addresses should remain private. How long do you suppose it will take the media, with all the online data bases it has access to, to acquire every shred of information about individual gun owners that it wants?
Thus, burglars who are so inclined will know just where to go to get what they want.
Of course, any halfway intelligent thief will also understand that, if there's a gun in the house there's also a decent chance the owner of said firearm will choose to use it, rather than lose it.
It's the dummies I worry about. And there are far more stupid thieves than there are smart ones.
There are also the anti-gunners to worry about. What sorts of mischief will they cook up for us once they have our names?
This sort of ruling also makes me think the National Rifle Association and other groups are not so wrong in believing that liberal-leaning lawmakers would love to pass a law allowing the seizure of all firearms. Wouldn't this be a logical start to such a process?
Illinois already has among the toughest, if not the toughest, firearms laws in the United States.
Why put the lawful owners of firearms at risk of becoming victims of theft or worse by publishing a list that, rightfully, should remain private?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
"Curveball's" Curveball, Lara Logan's Beating, Drew Peterson Live
"Curveball" lied.
Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, an Iraqi defector, has admitted to The Guardian newspaper that he lied to U.S. officials about Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction program because he wanted to "get rid of" Sadaam Hussein. Codenamed "Curveball," al-Janabi was one of the sources cited by the CIA and others in the Bush Administration as justification for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
None of this comes as any surprise and "Curveball" wasn't the only one making stuff up. Others came forward with little or no proof, too. The Administration was looking for an excuse to go to war. A large percentage of Americans were ready to get revenge for 9/11. Thus ... we got a war. And all the horrific casualties that go along with it.
Speaking of casualties, Lara Logan is the latest high-profile journalist to report suffering beatings and worse covering what amounted to a war zone in Eqypt, the day Mubarek announced he was leaving the Presidency. Anderson Cooper also claimed to have been beaten. Many other journalists were attacked covering the Egyptian tumult, often by government forces intent on getting revenge against the foreign media for just showing up.
It's awful and inexcusable that journalists become victims. But it is also inescapable fact in such situations and Cooper, Logan and the others knew the risks they faced. Were their injuries worth the risk? Was their reporting part of the reason Mubarek left office? I'm guessing they would say it was.
Drew Peterson, accused wife killer, will stay in jail today but his lawyers will be arguing before the 3rd District Court of Appeals that the "hearsay" evidence presented in a hearing several months ago should be ruled inadmissable. At issue is a new Illinois statute permitting the use of hearsay evidence in certain situations. Today's arguments break new ground in that they will be televised live.
I think the Appellate Court will throw out the hearsay evidence and that, eventually, Peterson will be set free.
The risks and realities of the legal system.
Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, an Iraqi defector, has admitted to The Guardian newspaper that he lied to U.S. officials about Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction program because he wanted to "get rid of" Sadaam Hussein. Codenamed "Curveball," al-Janabi was one of the sources cited by the CIA and others in the Bush Administration as justification for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
None of this comes as any surprise and "Curveball" wasn't the only one making stuff up. Others came forward with little or no proof, too. The Administration was looking for an excuse to go to war. A large percentage of Americans were ready to get revenge for 9/11. Thus ... we got a war. And all the horrific casualties that go along with it.
Speaking of casualties, Lara Logan is the latest high-profile journalist to report suffering beatings and worse covering what amounted to a war zone in Eqypt, the day Mubarek announced he was leaving the Presidency. Anderson Cooper also claimed to have been beaten. Many other journalists were attacked covering the Egyptian tumult, often by government forces intent on getting revenge against the foreign media for just showing up.
It's awful and inexcusable that journalists become victims. But it is also inescapable fact in such situations and Cooper, Logan and the others knew the risks they faced. Were their injuries worth the risk? Was their reporting part of the reason Mubarek left office? I'm guessing they would say it was.
Drew Peterson, accused wife killer, will stay in jail today but his lawyers will be arguing before the 3rd District Court of Appeals that the "hearsay" evidence presented in a hearing several months ago should be ruled inadmissable. At issue is a new Illinois statute permitting the use of hearsay evidence in certain situations. Today's arguments break new ground in that they will be televised live.
I think the Appellate Court will throw out the hearsay evidence and that, eventually, Peterson will be set free.
The risks and realities of the legal system.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
"Chicago Code" No "Shield"
Shawn Ryan set the cop-show bar pretty high with The Shield. Expectations were that his new Chicago Code would be just as gritty and high tension.
If the pilot episode is an example of where Code is headed, it'll be dumped in the river by the fourth or fifth show.
The production values are terrific. Chicago Code looks like a feature film and the city shines. However...
A couple of dum-dum things struck me immediately. A chase scene, wherein the balls-to-the-wall detective instructs his partner to ram their unmarked car into the front of a line of several marked squads chasing the bad guy...is something out of Starsky and Hutch. Pulling up beside the bad guy so the detective can "negotiate" with him was ludicrous; it might have worked with snappier dialogue. "Escorting" the bad guy to see his girlfriend before taking him down . . .would get any real cop fired. Again, had the dialog been better...might have worked. It wasn't and it didn't. It just reminded me of the "Jared" commercial where the football player has tears in his eyes watching the guy propose to his girlfriend.
The main problem with Code...the characters lack motivation and aren't likeable. I have no problem with a female police superintendent...but her sudden desire to establish an anti-corruption squad isn't well enough established in the lame voiceover that opens the show. It's explained, yes, but without heart. The lead detective is so cliche (read cocky and unpleasant), it hurts to watch him struggle through his scenes. McGarrett in Five-O is arrogant, too, but his character is given great dialogue and a cast of equally strong co-stars.
Delroy Lindo, as Code's wicked alderman, has potential. He looks like the Devil in a nice suit. There's a bit at the end of the episode where he instructs his secretary/assistant to "kiss my ear" that's nicely malevolent and tells us a great deal about him.
But when you establish the bad guy as a corrupt politician with life and death power over a city like Chicago, the good guys at least gotta have potential. So far, the rest of the cast gives me no reason to think they have the balls to go up against this guy.
The Shield's pilot hooked me in the opening scenes. Chicago Code has a long way to go.
If the pilot episode is an example of where Code is headed, it'll be dumped in the river by the fourth or fifth show.
The production values are terrific. Chicago Code looks like a feature film and the city shines. However...
A couple of dum-dum things struck me immediately. A chase scene, wherein the balls-to-the-wall detective instructs his partner to ram their unmarked car into the front of a line of several marked squads chasing the bad guy...is something out of Starsky and Hutch. Pulling up beside the bad guy so the detective can "negotiate" with him was ludicrous; it might have worked with snappier dialogue. "Escorting" the bad guy to see his girlfriend before taking him down . . .would get any real cop fired. Again, had the dialog been better...might have worked. It wasn't and it didn't. It just reminded me of the "Jared" commercial where the football player has tears in his eyes watching the guy propose to his girlfriend.
The main problem with Code...the characters lack motivation and aren't likeable. I have no problem with a female police superintendent...but her sudden desire to establish an anti-corruption squad isn't well enough established in the lame voiceover that opens the show. It's explained, yes, but without heart. The lead detective is so cliche (read cocky and unpleasant), it hurts to watch him struggle through his scenes. McGarrett in Five-O is arrogant, too, but his character is given great dialogue and a cast of equally strong co-stars.
Delroy Lindo, as Code's wicked alderman, has potential. He looks like the Devil in a nice suit. There's a bit at the end of the episode where he instructs his secretary/assistant to "kiss my ear" that's nicely malevolent and tells us a great deal about him.
But when you establish the bad guy as a corrupt politician with life and death power over a city like Chicago, the good guys at least gotta have potential. So far, the rest of the cast gives me no reason to think they have the balls to go up against this guy.
The Shield's pilot hooked me in the opening scenes. Chicago Code has a long way to go.
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