Chicago Daily Observer

For two years now nearly half the priests in the Southern Illinois diocese of Belleville have been in rebellion against their bishop, Edward K. Braxton. Among the priestly complaints against Braxton are that he does not consult them, has misappropriated funds, and is pretentious and arrogant. On Wednesday, March 12, the rebellion led to a letter signed by 46 of the diocesan priests (nearly half) calling for the bishop’s resignation. What is most peculiar – and perhaps most revealing – about the nature of this rebellion is that it began three months before Braxton was even installed as bishop. On Good Friday, March 21, Braxton broke the long-standing silence he has maintained on the subject in a letter to parishioners and priests of the diocese.

The tale Braxton tells is astonishing, perhaps even unprecedented. The Bishop says that days before his installment, he met with a group of diocesan priests ... Read More...

For obvious reasons, Todd Stroger is an easy target for critics of patronage hiring and public waste. But it’s not like he’s the only elected official who’s hired political allies and relatives for jobs that don’t always add up as necessary to outside observers.

Among the 220 employees on the staff of Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene Moore is his son, Eric, listed in payroll records as an administrative assistant paid about $53,000 a year. But according to other records and a spokesman for the recorder’s office, Eric Moore spends his days transporting documents and computer equipment from the county building to the recorder’s five suburban branches.

Here’s a likely presidential scenario:

Barack Obama goes to the Denver Democratic convention, beginning Aug. 25, with a few more delegates than Hillary Clinton. At present, Obama leads in the delegate hunt by 1,617–1,498. Amid much discord, and much controversy about the non-elected super-delegates, Obama is nominated. Blacks and white liberals are ecstatic. Obama proclaims the “end of racism.”
Critics, however, proclaim the end of the Democratic coalition. Huge numbers of Hispanics and working-class whites gasp and gag – and resolve to vote Republican. They will not back a black for president.

Likewise, huge numbers of baby-boomer women, who crave a female president in their lifetime, are enraged that Obama has snuffed their dream.

As a result, John McCain wins the presidency, with the Republicans snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. But blacks are infuriated by Obama’s loss, and America’s so-called “racial divide,” which Obama attempted to bridge, ... Read More...