How racist Joe Ricketts managed screwed over his own family.

No, seriously.

Okay, so the Ricketts family owns a little enterprise known as the Chicago Cubs.  And they want to renovate Wrigley Field (originally built, by the way with private money) with public funds.  They're asking the City of Chicago for $150 million bucks to help with a $300 million dollar renovation.

Guess...who the @#$%@ Mayor of Chicago is, and would have to approve said money?

In October 2009, a trust that Joe and Marlene Ricketts established on behalf of their family acquired a 95-percent controlling interest in the Cubs and the team’s home park, Wrigley Field. Tom Ricketts, a son, is team chairman, and Pete Ricketts, Laura Ricketts, and Todd Ricketts (another son) all serve on the board. Dad’s place in the headlines this week actually comes at a bad time for the Cubs: the team is trying to work out a deal with the city “that would involve using $150 million in city amusement taxes for a $300 million renovation of Wrigley Field,” The Chicago Tribune reports. An aide to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel told The Washington Post that the former White House Chief of Staff was “livid” over the Times story.

“The Ricketts have tried to contact the mayor, but he’s said that he does not want to talk with them today, tomorrow or anytime soon,” the aide said.

The President's 2012 NCAA Bracket (VIDEO)

The President's had a rough two years, but that's because I think he's clinging to his Tar Heels and his Spartans, but we'll see.

Behind the Scenes:



And then there's this from the Wall Street Murdoch:

Here’s a clear difference between Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama: Mr. Romney said he won’t be filling out an NCAA college basketball tournament bracket this year.

“I’m not plugged in well enough this year to do that,” Mr. Romney told reporters traveling with him on Tuesday in Missouri, the Associated Press reported.

Mr. Obama, on the other hand, is making his choices public again this year. The First Fan even brought British Prime Minister David Cameron to a “First Four” game in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday between Mississippi Valley State and Western Kentucky. ESPN disclosed the president’s Final Four picks — Kentucky, Ohio State, Missouri and North Carolina – and will release his entire bracket on Wednesday.

Was it just me, or was the tone of the piece just a little bit snide?

"I've got another five years here..." (VIDEO)

Who'd thunk it. Bill Simmons...Bill freakin' Simmons gets a White House interview:

Matt Lauer's pre-Super Bowl Interview with the President (VIDEO)

...or, what I could find of it.

The President's Super-Bowl prediction (or lack of), and Iran & Israel:

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On Iran's Nuclear Program, the Economy and 2012:

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Though Matt's question about meeting with Romney was ridiculous.  He is aware the President has a day job, right?  And for the record, I'm glad the President didn't answer the question (which I took to mean "what's the friggin' point, Matt"?)

And disappointment? You're on that canard, Matt??! Seriously?


Syria, the GOP Primary battles, and his time in the Spotlight:

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Did Clint Eastwood just make a campaign ad for the President? (VIDEO)

First off, brilliant ad. But then Chrysler has been making brilliant stuff since their comeback.



Jamelle Bouie from the American Prospect:

[A]s befitting a car commercial, is that it focuses on the revitalization of Detroit as a template for pushing the country forward. This echoes language the president used in his State of the Union last month:

Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. Ford is investing billions in U.S. plants and factories. And together, the entire industry added nearly 160,000 jobs.

We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back.

Not only should you expect to hear more like this as the year continues, but don’t be surprised if the Obama campaign’s positive advertisements look and sound a lot like Chrysler’s.

Finally, after a painful stink of a Season, Rex Grossman comes through for worker's rights....

Yeah, I can't believe it either:

Jay Cutler and Rex Grossman have no love for each other when they face off as quarterbacks of the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins. But when it comes to protecting the rights of workers in their shared home state of Indiana, they both take the same position.

Cutler and Grossman joined fellow Hoosiers Courtney Roby of the New Orleans Saints, Trai Essex of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mark Clayton of the St. Louis Rams, and Kris Dielman of the San Diego Chargers in sending letters to Indiana legislators opposing the anti-worker bill that is moving swiftly to through the House.

Cutler, from Santa Claus in Southern Indiana, called the so-called right to work bill “a political ploy against workers.”

All the players belong to the NFL Players Association, which formally opposed “right to work” in a statement last week. Unfortunately, anti-worker legislators aren’t listening; they voted the bill, which will weaken bargaining rights and depress wages across the state, out of committee after only six minutes of consideration.

In a few weeks, Indianapolis will be in full spotlight as they host Super Bowl XLVI. With players making their opposition to the pending legislation vocal, workers may be on a very public collision course with anti-worker legislators as February 5th approaches. Protesters have already filled the statehouse and forced the retraction of an ordinance which would keep them out. Watch as Governor Mitch Daniels and his secret corporate backers seek to force a vote as soon as possible – before they have to explain footage of angry protesters to a rapt worldwide audience.

From Main Street, a project of Working America.

President Obama Honors the Dallas Mavericks (VIDEO)

Finally, Barack Obama gets to enjoy the perks of the job (VIDEO)

Just remember, that smiling jackass standing next to the President (aka, Mike Dikta) briefly considered running against then State-Senator Barack Obama after Jack Ryan dropped out of the race. Wisely, he dropped out.



And notice that Dikta and Buddy Ryan are standing on opposite sides of the stage.

President Obama's worst...day...ever. (VIDEO)

This is an example of the superhuman patience this President possesses. If I were President and the Dallas Cowboys (aka, the source of all evil in the Universe) were to win the Super Bowl, I think I would rather resign my office rather than have them in my White House.

But there's our President, sucking humble pie for his beloved Bears while the arch-rival Green Bay Packers come to town to...well, rub it in. Well, Packers DB, former Heisman Winner and (euuuhhh) Michigan Alum Charles Woodson wanted to rub it in.

Yes, I said.  I would rather resign my office than congratulate the Dallas Cowboys on anything.

America! @#$^ YEAH!!!

This is one of the rare times my jingoistic hat comes on, full of red, white and blue pride.  Why?  Because  being an evil overlord doesn't always work out.  Five members of the North Korean Women's World Cup team have tested positive for steroids.

This would be the same North Korean Women's Team, Team America beat 2-0.

Diane Sawyer's Interview with President Obama - March 29, 2011 (VIDEO)

Rich Guys have somehow Jedi-Mindtricked themselves into believing that the First Amendment protects them from criticism.

First off, you don't have to be a football fan to enjoy (or understand) the following story:

If you root for the Washington Redskins, as I do, odds are you loathe Redskins Owner Daniel Synder. Mr. Sydner is a Maryland Grad, a brilliant owner, and one of the worst Owners in Pro Sports. He has managed to improve the Redskins balance sheets while simultaneously guaranteeing q burgundy and gold slump towards mediocrity. (4-12 in 2009, 6-10 in 2010).

Needless to say, the Press has noticed Mr. Synder's inept management of the team and one of them wrote a rather harsh (but funny as hell) article on the history of Synder's terrible, horrible management history. It was called: The Cranky Redskin Fan's Guide to Dan Synder.

Needless to say, Danny didn't like it.

Few of us like criticism (few meaning everyone planet-wide). It would be one thing for Danny to shake his fist angrily at the Washington City paper, or release a statement trashing the paper and the article for...well, whatever reason they saw fit.

But of course, that's not what Danny's doing.

What's Danny doing? He's trying to get the writer of the article fired.

With that we can now tie this Football story into a story worthy of a Political blog.

This isn't the first time Danny's done something like this. As the Skins were imploding in 2009, and the 'Skins fans were letting him have it in every manner possible, he banned signs in Fedex Field.

This seems to be the first tact of the those in power. We saw it in Egypt. We see it in China every day. The first idea that pops into the heads of those in power, when faced with criticism, don't address it, squelch it.

Now, let me not make the Steve Cohen mistake. I am examining an idea, an impulse in the human conditition. While on a really bad Sunday where we're losing to the woeful Detroit Lions, one might be cranky enough to compare Danny Synder to a totalitarian dictator, the comparison isn't really apt.

Danny Synder is an @$$hole. He's a bad businessman. He sucks at what he does, but he's not Murbarak, by any measure or stretch of the imagination.

So let's go back to the idea. Why is the first impluse to squelch dissent? Why do the powerful not only do it, but defend the practise as though it was a natural human right.

I would accept it's a natural human impulse. We're all human, and don't like it too much when criticism is hurled our way, no matter how mild it is. The first impulse is to shut it off. For you or me, that means turning away, walking away, pretending it never happened. While these actions may not be helpful in the long run, they are natural impulses.

But the rich and powerful are in a different position than the rest of us. They not only can turn away from such criticism of their wonderful selves (normal), but they have the ability to make sure no one else hears it either. And now we're into creepy territory.

And worse, as I have said, the rich and powerful tend to confuse their rights as a political authority or their rights as a property owner or business owner...with what is right.

It takes a brave person with a stout heart to turn and face criticism. It takes character. One of the things we're going to have to ask in the future is that people in power and authority have more than a little, and not just claim that they do.

In case you missed the video of the Metrodome Roof Collapsing... (VIDEO)

It's eerily beautiful...only because no one was hurt when it went down.



Between this and the Dallas Practice Facility collapse (where someone was severely injured), maybe its time to realize these Inflata-roofs or "Steel" structures don't really work in areas with the potential for inclement weather...which would be everywhere.

Also, so the Gophers got a new Stadium...the Twinkies got a new Stadium...and the Vikes get what?  Bupkus?

AP may be just as bad at headline writing as say...I don't know...the Huffington Post.

Here's the AP Headline (posted via Talking Points Memo):

Obama knocks FIFA over 2022 World Cup decision

Wow.  The President went after FIFA.  He knocked them.  He must've said something really strong to garner that kind of headline.

So what did the President say?

"I think it was the wrong decision."

Uhhh...excuse me?

Was that it?

No, I didn't miss anything. That was the whole quote.

"I think it was the wrong decision."

That's a knock?

What did you expect the President of the United States to say? I'm thrilled that Qatar beat us out for our World cup Bid?

AP, rapidily joining Politico as the most full of @#$% News source out there.

Following up on why it sucked to be Rey Decerega last Friday (VIDEO)

The following is the video from the President's Press Briefing on the meeting with Congressional Leadership that happened today. (Most of which we've already covered in this space).

This is the second appearance of the President's since Rey Decerega gave a hard foul to our Commander-in-Chief. His speech and pronunciation were top notch as always. You can barely tell he's got a scar.

But if you look, you can see a little bit of the scar.

It must truly suck to be Rey Decerega today...

Okay, if you don't already know Rey Decerega is the guy who apparently dropped the "people's elbow" (that's a WWE reference folks) on the President of the United States, ripping open a gash on his lip that required 12 stitches.

Uhhh, damn.  Muh mouf's jes hertin tinkin bout dat.

Let's see Putin pull this off!  (Whale?  Pleeeezze!)

How bad to you think Rey Decerega feels right now? First and foremost these are friendly games. At most, you get a bump in the head, you get jostled around, or you overextert yourself (these are 40+ year old men on the court, after all). You, I and the rest of America know that Mr. Decerega did not mean for that to happen?

Still, despite his intentions, Mr. Decerega can probably expect 24-72 hours of Press-on-my-lawn coverage, at least until the President comes out with that million dollar smile...and adjoining scar. (I'd say ask the First Lady, but chicks are supposed to dig scars, Mr. President!)

We have no idea if the stitches are in the inside of his lip of the outside.  Either way, I hope that the Communications shop doesn't pull a Tiger and hide the President away.

The next phase of this story is inevitably the Press clamoring for a look at the First Scar, and trying to get Mr. Decerega to apologize on tape.

Albert Pujols turns out to be a Beckhead. Go Cubs!

I can tell this is going to be an awful morning.

First, Economic Growth was revised downward from 2.2% to 1.6%, feeding the Austerity Caucus, but as Mathematician Dad reminded me that the German's 2.2% is the best they have done in decades. Still, it's going to feed the Pain Caucus, and cause the Congress to do even less when they come back to actually address the Economy.

Then, I learned that St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa and Cardinals Superstar Albert Pujols are going to attend Glenn Beck's Goldline-sponsored "reclaiming" of the Civil Rights Movement on Saturday. Now, I'm not a Cards fan (actually, I'm a long-suffering Orioles fan), and the fact that LaRussa is a Right-wing douchebag is not a total surprise. The fact that Albert Pujols is attending shocks me.

Now, both LaRussa and Pujols are using the fact that the Beckocalypse is "non-political" to justify their attendance. Bull@#$%! If they don't know, they don't want to know. They're Beckheads, plain and simple. Go Cubs.

I hope Albert realizes that this is going to damage his brand with African-Americans for a long time, probably for good. What I want to know is what his Latino fans are going to do with this. After all, he's siding with the people who hate Latinos almost as much as they hate gays, blacks and everyone who's not white and Christian. I'd love to be surprised, but I'm not optimistic.

Madden 2011's Virtual Barack Obama (VIDEO)

Via TPM. If you play Madden 2011, and win the Super Bowl, your virtual team will meet the virtual President Barack Obama.



Honestly, though. Saints, I can buy, given their Offense. But the Jags in the Super Bowl? Please.

How does the deficit affect LeBron's decision?

Wow. A non-politics post.

We had a 5.4 Earthquake here in SoCal, and I asked "How does the Earthquake affect LeBron's decision"

Speaking of ego run amok...

Listen, I’ve been on record (in the non-blogsphere world) saying over and over again that LeBron is staying in Cleveland. Even though it’s starting to look very much like I was wrong on this one, I’m going to stick with my prediction to the bitter end. Why? Because I cannot believe that this multi-millionaire Athlete, who can live anywhere in the world, and chooses to live in Akron, Ohio (because clearly he loves it), is going to give that up...and take less money in the process.

If Art Modell had to leave Cleveland for his own safety, do you really think that Bitter Cleveland fan is going to let LeBron off the hook? At least Modell was a New York native. Prince James doesn’t have that excuse. Cleveland fans have been through tough times, and are even tougher people, and they’ll hold onto a grudge until hell won’t have it no more.

But since I’m not from Cleveland, I just root for the team, I’d like to think I have a little perspective on LeBron James. I like the guy, but I don't love him like Ohio fan does. I think he is vastly overrated. I think he's a smart kid, but not a very bright one (and there is a difference). I think he truly believes that if he bolts to Miami, he’ll be forgiven by the people of Ohio.

Never in a million years.

Only a individual with his titanic ego would buy himself an hour of national (basic cable) television time, to tell the people of Ohio to @#$% off, and somehow expect them to be grateful for it. (I heard Stephen A. Ego---errr, I mean Stephen A. Smith on the Jim Rome show this morning saying that LeBron has nothing to apologize for. I think he’s living in the same bubble as LeBron and his crew).

There will be no gratitude, no thanks and no fond memories from the fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers. All they can do is pick themselves up, dust themselves off, draft well, let Byron Scott coach ‘em up, and win despite that preening @#$%.

No other act in this world will turn me into a Laker fan faster than LeBron bolting for Miami. But hey, that’s where we are.

UPDATE: 11:20am Pacific: Bill Simmons has a lot more. Read it, I'm sold.

I can't wait to watch for the same reasons I couldn't turn away from O.J.'s Bronco chase or the Artest melee: it's Car Wreck Television. If LeBron picks anyone other than the Cavaliers, it will be the cruelest television moment since David Chase ended "The Sopranos" by making everyone think they lost power. Cleveland fans will never forgive LeBron, nor should they. He knows better than anyone what kind of sports anguish they have suffered over the years. Losing LeBron on a contrived one-hour show would be worse than Byner's fumble, Jose Mesa, the Game 5 meltdown against Boston, The Drive, The Shot and everything else. At least those stomach-punch moments weren't preordained, unless you believe God hates Cleveland (entirely possible, by the way). This stomach-punch moment? Calculated. By a local kid they loved, defended and revered.

It would be unforgivable. Repeat: unforgivable. I don't have a dog in this race -- as a Celtics fan, I wanted to see him go anywhere but Chicago -- but LeBron doing this show after what happened in the 2010 playoffs actually turned me against him. No small feat. I was one of his biggest defenders. Not anymore.

President Obama's interview with Marv Alpert (VIDEO)

Worry not. I'm still trolling for the complete Oil Spill Press Conference Video. (I can't believe it was this early...at least for those of us on the Left Coast.)

In the meantime, Obama on the NBA, Lebron and the ability to take a hard foul with the Secret Service around...




By the way, he didn't completely advocate for LeBron going to the Bulls, as some have suggested. It was Marv who was advocating the President to advocate for Chicago. He said if LeBron finds a coach he respects, and a stable situation in Cleveland (I'm hoping that the Cavs get Byron Scott), he should stay in Cleveland.