Politics, Football and Poker
Once again, I've been remiss in meeting my blogging goals. I have just been really busy trying to get a variety of things done, but I think I'm almost there. The worst part is that there's been tons of stuff worth commenting on:Rick Pearson's Sunday Trib article about the Governor's tactic of demonizing D.C. in his State of the State speech; the Trib Editorial about corruption everywhere you look; and Carol Marin's article about whether Chicago is ready for reform, just to name a few.
The common theme in those articles is one that I've discussed before. Will stories of scandal and corruption trump items like education and healthcare when voters head to the polls in March and November? And what does it portend for the future if they don't? Only time will tell.
I'm pretty tired and have to get on the road early tomorrow to get downstate, but I'll cover this issue in more detail sooner rather than later and discuss the specific impact that it could have on races on both sides of the aisle, and up and down the ticket.
Believe it or not, I actually have some other good topics which I will really try to find the time to get to soon.
On a closing note, (and remember, this is coming from the guy who predicted Texas over USC by 4), take the Seahawks and the points. I don't really like the Seahawks, and the Steelers are peaking at the right time, but I'm surprised that they are favored, let alone by 3 1/2 to 4.
Lastly, anybody interested in a friendly game of Texas hold 'em downstate in the next couple of weeks, let me know. The first five people who I could see spending a few hours with, (and more importantly, that I think I could take), are in. E-mail me directly if you're interested.
I'm thinking about putting together a larger charity poker event in Springfield in March, but have to see how onerous the regulations are on doing something like that, or if it's even permissible. I'll keep you posted.
posted by Rep. John Fritchey @ 1/24/2006
8 comments
8 Comments:
Rep. Fritchey,
I never noticed it until you put the picture up there, but the resemblance between you and Sammy Farha is uncanny. Ok, you on a bad day, but you get my drift.
More seriously, I had been thinking what Carol Marin wrote, namely that it seems like corruption could come out of left field and make for some big upsets in the next couple of cycles. I think that the public gets it, and has had it.
And I am going to e-mail you about the game :)
Representative, what is your ethnic heritage? The tan has me wondering. And you would best be described as a mixture between Wayne Newton and Sammy Farha. Have fun this session!
Rep. Fritchey,
I commend your courage in posting the Sammy Farha photo. No way what that going to go without the old "separated at birth" commentary.
If your prognostication on the Superbowl is as good as the Rose bowl, I'd suggest you pitch the Governor on legalized sports betting in taverns and you can be the director of the effort. You got talent, the Governor needs revenue.
On a serious note, I think the corruption issues have some traction right now. The primary battle for Cook County President will probably give some rough indication how voters view the issue. If Stroger loses or wins in a close one it is a bad sign for the Mayor and the Governor.
I don't think the public's concern has reached George Ryan like levels yet. However, if another major indictment hits City Hall and/or the higher levels of the Governor's administration then they are in serious trouble. The well of support for the Mayor, although deep, is starting to run dry. The Governor's well wasn't that deep to begin with.
What's interesting is that if (when) Claypool starts pummelling Stroger on ethics issues, it's going to hurt Rod two ways - it will remind people of Rod's issues, and will be magnified by the fact that Rod (the supposed reformer) is going all out to help Stroger defeat Claypool's reform candidacy. A dicey situation indeed.
The Farha photo was the result of my daughter making a comment while I was watching a WSOP event on television. As far as the Wayne Newton thing is concerned, I think I'm crushed. How old is the guy, 70?
With respect to my ethnicity, my mom is French-Moroccan, born in Oujda, Morocco. My dad is German, with some Canadian tossed in there as well, and as some of you know, hails from Olney, home of several generations of my family. Funny, the older I get, the more of a bond I feel with the area. Good people.
As far as the separated at birth thing goes, sounds like that might be my thread for tomorrow, so start thinking about it today.
Copletely off subject but don't know where to ask this question. A friend of mine today told me about Blago while at the Du Quoin State Fair had several troopers reserve him a private room at a local strip club near Carbondale. Is there any way to check their detail log sheets to see if that is true. This guy swears he was there and complained that he did not get a private room. He says security stayed on sight until the Guv left. Maybe just a rumor but if it true the taxpayers have no business paying for this.
Rep. Fritchey,
Your career appears to be progressing by leaps and bounds. From writting rap lyrics in the back of class in law school - to state Legislator -- to football prognosticator - to Texas hold-em, you are a multi-faceted and talented individual. And you probably could get your own Vegas show being billed as the next Wayne Newton.
I have to agree with you on the Seahawks and the points. Hailing from the Great Northwest (but having made a career move and now living in Detroit) I too cannot see how the Steeler's are 4 point favorites. Ah well, better to play with the less pressure of being an underdog. Absolutely take the Hawks and the points.
-- The Only Seahawk Fan in Detroit.
JJ
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