What's Up with the Blog?
In case you haven't noticed, I have now added a consolidated news feed on the right side of this blog. I figure that it might let people see some stories that they wouldn't ordinarily come across. But that's not the point of today's post.Some folks have asked me why I haven't been posting as regularly of late, so I figured I'd address it here. (Hey, an unitentional reason to post!) And while I still post most every day, plain and simple, I just don't think that there's been that much to discuss over the last few days. It's not my intention or desire to simply retread other stories that are being covered in the media. The point of this particular blog was, and is, to bring a unique viewpoint to various stories or issues.
So if I think that I can add something to a story being covered, I will post about it. Similarly, if there are issues out there which simply seem to be interesting or may be something that I think that readers of this blog wouldn't ordinarily come across, I'll probably weigh in here as well. Or if there is something that just prompts me to write, I'm in.
I guess what I'm saying is that I think it is better to have whatever the blog equivalent of 'dead air' is here and there, rather than to post for the sake of posting.
Trust me, I'm sure that there will be enough material in the upcoming days, weeks, and months to keep me going (much to the dismay of some people). But at the same time, if there are items that you'd like to discuss, as always, let me know. Carry on.
posted by Rep. John Fritchey @ 11/01/2005
14 comments
14 Comments:
It's fine with me. No one really wants to hear your blathering nonsense anyway. Personally, I find you arrogant and annoying. The less I hear from you the better.
Um, 5:57, who the hell is forcing you to check this blog, YOU IDIOT?!
That's the problem with people in this business (and this world), they'll go out of their way to take shots at people. If you don't want to read what he has to say, don't click on his blog. For the rest of us, we can read it and agree or disagree with the Rep. You apparently are being drawn to this site against your will. What a stooge.
Sounds like 5:57 found a couple too many rocks in his trick-or-treat bag this year. What a killjoy.
I have to agree that Fritchey is arrogant. He thinks he is big-time, but the reality is that he just hasn't had any organized competition.
Man, John, you couldn't have known this post would turn into this...oh well, if you build it they will come.
Seriously though 10:11pm, I don't think John thinking he's "big time" has anything to do with not having to fight for his seat. I think you get "big time" status (and sure, some big time bragging rights) when you face big time issues head-on. no, he hasn't had an organized opponent, but i say bring it. and if by "arrogant" you mean he has a sense of being self-important, fine. but introduce me to a politician who doesn't. it's a job qualification. you've got to believe you're smarter and more effective than the next guy, and lucky for us, john usually is. i'll take a little arrogant with the integrity to back it up over a grandstanding demagogue anyday. (sorry, alderman.)
How about a discussion of Chicago (and Illinois) disaster chain of command?
What if something bad happens in Cook County that requires evacuation? Are we prepared? Or will we just blame some guy that lives 1500 miles away?
Who is in charge of these positions in Illinois? Are they qualified? Or is political cronyism in play for these important jobs?
As a taxpayer, I'd be interested in knowing more about how a disaster scenario would play out in Chicago, and who we would have to rely on.
Anon 6:41
IL is in good shape when it comes to disster preparedness. It would be a good topic to discuss here.
IL took place in TOPOFF 2 a couple years back, and regularly does tabletop exercises.
As far as the toolshed that's saying Rep. Fritchey is arrogant, etc...nice to see that the R hacks hold him in such high regard to whine on his blog.
Keep it up Rep.
I haven't met him personally, but I have heard the arrogant comments about Fritchey. They are stated pretty pejoratively - as in, they in they find him annoying.
On the whole, I find Chicago politicians to be pretty weak. I would like to see a minimal proficiency test.
Minimal proficiency test? As a former staffer who worked a good amount with Rep. Fritchey, I'll tell you that he is one damn smart guy. Arrogant? I don't think so. He's confident and passionate about what he's doing, but I think that we would be better off if more Reps were that way. But weak? Somebody told me he's a Mensa member, and while I'm not sure, I wouldn't doubt it. He works harder than any of the other Reps that I saw and really believes in the job. You can disagree with him on issues, but you can't question his effort or belief.
It's interesting that the people who read this blog, of their own will no less, want to take shots at him, but over the years, more and more of his colleagues have come to appreciate and respect him.
I wasn't writing this to come to his defense, and I don't think that he needs me too. But I think that it says a lot that he has left a lot of these petty and anonymous posts up here, or that he even takes the time to have a blog and try to open things up. Go John. Don't let the naysayers bother you, you're one of the good guys.
I agree with the previous poster. Fritchey has matured a ton since being down here, personally and professionally. He has really turned into a very very good legislator.
Keep up the good work on the blog.
fritchey's a good guy. leave him alone.
What I like most about blogs is that it's optional reading. Nobody makes ya, so, you must want to.
That brings to fore the comments of anon 11/01 05:57. We definitely have something in common. Nothing else to do at 6 AM rather than read somebody else's opinions in a blog. Personally, I find them more informative than than the newspaper that I have already finished by that time.
However, even though comments - pro and con - are invited, I tend to stay away from blogs that irritate me. (So that narrows it down to about three.) I seldom comment, except on my on blog, in a negative manner. Therein, I did some analysis on the previously mentioned anon's comments as relates to this blog.
I was born 7200 days before John. I have been alive, not counting tomorrow, 14761 days since his birth. In that time frame there have been 17 days that somebody didn't disagree with something I said or did. (They were mostly sick days) That leaves 21,944 days of my life that I was not in total agreement with somebody in the world.
Just want you to know anon 5:57, you need to get up earlier to pick a fight with a Fritchey. Your perception of arrogance is a family trait of bonafide confidence in the ability to do the job and your supposed annoyance is an inate intuition to make the truth register on those that are unaware of the facts.
Wake up, the roses are odiferous.
Fritchey is one of the hardest working legislators. He actually attends sessions and reads and debates bills before he votes. I guess that you may feel he is arrogant because he won't take cr*p from anybody and votes his conscience most of the time. He really cares about his constituents, his district, and the whole state.
We could use a whole lot more elected officials like him!
I really never thought that this post would turn into a referendum on me. Let me just say thanks to my supporters, and to my detractors, I'm sorry that you think that I come off as arrogant. I take the job seriously, believe in the process, and try to be a part of making it better. I try to respect the opinions of others, even if I don't agree with them, and I try to work to help my colleagues on both sides of the aisle with issues that are important to their diestricts. For those traits, I don't apologize.
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