Chicago Daily Observer

A father and son who operate a nonprofit boxing gym for kids in suburban San Diego are fighting their town for the right to stay where they are. Ultimately, their battle to hold onto their property could help decide your right to hold onto yours.

Carlos Barragan and his son Carlos Jr. turned an old gun store into the gym. They sued in September to challenge the “blighted” certification given to the property and an adjacent neighborhood by National City. That designation gives the city the power under California law to seize property, once a fair price is determined, through the constitutional right of eminent domain any time within the next 10 years for private development.

The firing of the wife of a top aide to House Speaker Michael Madigan could add more acrimony to the yearlong fight between Madigan and Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Bronwyn Rains’ contract as a psychologist with the state Department of Human Services was terminated last week by the Blagojevich administration. She is the wife of Madigan Chief of Staff Tim Mapes.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the how the immigration issue was splitting the Republican
party, perhaps permanently. Basically, the intransigence of the
anti-illegal immigration wing has split the party, making even a good
compromise impossible. This has alienated the fastest growing voting block
while accomplishing nothing of POSITIVE value (I agree that stopping the
last immigration bill was a good thing, but USA will NEVER do a “Full
Tancredo”.) The anti-immigration block refuses to use its newly gained
clout for a good compromise, and holds out for the impossible. The result?
Bush’s Republican successor (nominee) will NOT be able to look forward to
the 44% of the Hispanic vote that Bush rec’d. Good work, folks. Keep it up.

If polling is accurate, the Iraq war is having the same effect. While I
support ... Read More...