Mayor Rahmbo: Ruthlessness Redefined

Channel 5's political blog has this to say about Chicago's new Mayor:

“Foul mouthed, iron-fisted and arrogant. Say hello to Mayor Emanuel.”

Everything I’ve read, heard and seen about the guy suggests that assessment of the new mayor is absolutely spot-on.

While Daley whined when he felt mistreated by the media, Emmanuel delights in his default Rahmbo. The tone of Channel 5's coverage displeases him, so he thinks nothing of, literally, turning his back on their cameras. Some consider it theatre. I think it's the behavior of a politician of the Mike Madigan School of Doing Whatever You Like Because You Can.

In fact, Madigan should shiver a bit. So should all of Illinois. You're either this guy's ally or regarded as something he picked up on his shoe. Emmanuel redefines ruthless. In his arrogance, he knows he can get away with most anything he chooses to do. Who is there to question him? C’mon. The Chicago media? Please. Talk about bringing a limp noodle to a sword fight.

Beware Chicago. You’ve gotten what you asked for. Good or bad, Rahmbo’s about to rip you a new one.

Another Chicago Cop Murdered

I'm damned angry. If you live, and vote, in the city of Chicago, you should be, too.

Officer Michael Bailey was 62, just weeks away from mandatory retirement.

A Chicago police officer for twenty years, he was shot in his own driveway. He was still in uniform, having returned home after a shift spent guarding Mayor Daley's home.

Think about that. He was in uniform! What does that say about the people who attacked him? What does that say about the climate of violence in that one South Side neighborhood? In fact, he's the second off-duty cop still in uniform to be killed this month.

How ironic that he was part of Mayor Richard Daley's security team. Mayor Daley, the guy who says the city's wallet is empty and he can't afford to hire more cops. Mayor Daley, the guy who doesn't want law-abiding citizens to own handguns but allows violent criminals to feel so safe on the streets that they brazenly attack a uniformed police officer in his own driveway.

Will it make a difference that Daley personally knew this fine, brave copper? Of course not. He'll make a few meaningless media statements and perhaps attend Bailey's funeral. I certainly hope he is not allowed anywhere near a lectern on that sad day.

The City of Chicago needs to hire more cops. At least enough to replace those who are leaving in record numbers. Will that happen? No. As John Kass points out in the Tribune, "(The) mayor and his rubber-stamp council have spent all the money. Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of deals went to the cronies. And now there's no money left to hire cops."

I absolutely believe that to be true. He's cheated you and the city and now, not even his cops are safe.

Be angry. Be furiously angry.

Better yet, come November, be votingly angry.

Guns, Guns and More Guns

If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the Chicago handgun ban when it rules in June, I'll be overjoyed.

I will also be apprehensive.

I enjoy target shooting and I agree with the folks who believe the Second Amendment gives us the right to own firearms, including handguns. I also agree, however, that there can and should be restrictions on that right.

For example, if one of my neighbors could legally own an automatic rifle, I suspect he would be out shopping for one now. To repel the hordes of whoever from raping and pillaging when the evil red menace takes over the world. Actually have two neighbors who think like that. It's sort of comforting, really. I know I'll be well protected when Mad Max comes calling. Or at least, all the shooting at that end of the street will let me know when he's in the neighborhood.

The problem is that one of those neighbors doesn't believe he needs any training to own a firearm. "I've messed around with guns since I was a kid," he told me a few weeks ago. "So now I got my FOID card, where do I go to buy a pistol?"

Some gun safety is intuitive. Assume it's always loaded. Don't point it at anything you don't intend to shoot. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Those sorts of things.

As with many activities, however, the problem arises when you don't practice. Practice handling your weapon and practice using your weapon.

If the Supreme Court throws out Chicago's gun ban, many people will buy a handgun without a moment's thought of learning how to appropriately and safely use it. They'll ooh and ahh over it, show their friends, throw it in a drawer and leave it for the next burglar who stops by to take it when they aren't home. Or worse.

Yes, you have a right to own a handgun. Absolutely. With it, however, comes responsibility to know how and when to use it. And how to store it in such a fashion that it will be available to you when necessary and not be the spoils of someone else's looting spree. Or, worse, your child's curiosity.

Serious gun owners know the rules and accept the requirements of ownership.

It's the frivolous ones who make me nervous.

But you go, Justices. Rid Chicago of Daley and the Rev JJ's law. Maybe then some of the bad guys will be a little nervous, too.