Chicago Daily Observer

Analysis: Good economic news something of a mirage

The unemployment rate drops. Productivity grows. The trade deficit shrinks. Sounds great, right? Not so fast.

Borrowing radio broadcaster Paul Harvey’s signature saying: let’s hear the rest of the story.

Some seemingly good economic numbers can be something of a mirage masking weaknesses in the national economy.

In his victory speech after the North Carolina primary, Sen. Barack Obama said something that is all the more remarkable for how little it has been remarked upon.

In defending his stated intent to meet with America’s enemies without preconditions, Sen. Obama said: “I trust the American people to understand that it is not weakness, but wisdom to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies, like Roosevelt did, and Kennedy did, and Truman did.”

That he made this statement, and that it passed without comment by the journalists covering his speech indicates either breathtaking ignorance of history on the part of both, or deceit.

I assume the Roosevelt to whom Sen. Obama referred is Franklin D. Roosevelt. Our enemies in World War II were Nazi Germany, headed by Adolf Hitler; fascist Italy, headed by Benito Mussolini, and militarist Japan, headed by Hideki Tojo. FDR talked directly ... Read More...

Will Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy serve his state and city by finally drawing national attention to the sleazy and corrupt politics of Illinois and Chicago?

It is all about context. The presumptive Democratic presidential candidate’s politics were born in Chicago. Yet he is presented to the nation as not truly being of this place, as if he floats just above the political corruption here, uninfected, untouched by the stain of it or by any sin of commission or omission. It is all so very mystical.

The Chicago Plan Commission is set to take up the Chicago Children’s Museum’s plans to move into Grant Park at its May 15 meeting, and the safe bet is on the museum getting its way. Why? Well, the commission rarely sees a high-powered zoning change it doesn’t like. Then there’s the rather vocal position of its most important member, Mayor Daley. And finally there’s the matter of the individual loyalties and ties of all the other commissioners:

• Linda Searl, chair: A partner in the respected Searl Lamaster Howe architectural firm, Searl is ten-year veteran of the commission, a donor to Daley’s campaign committee, and a longtime adviser to Daley and the city’s planning department.

• Mayor Richard M. Daley: Didn’t we hear something about how he’s going to look out for the children?

• Arnold L. Randall: As the commissioner for the city’s planning department, he reports ... Read More...

Northwestern has asked the Evanston Historical Society to vacate the Dawes Mansion, the residence of the historical society since 1960. Citing concerns that Northwestern was not able to support a public museum in the home of former US Vice President Charles Dawes, Northwestern closed the massive Victorian structure to the public May 1.

Building engineers are claiming that $4 Million would be required to bring the mansion up to current codes for publicly accessible buildings, leading university spokesman Eugene Sunshine to dismiss the upgrades, stating Northwestern has “other priorities” than supporting a historic education center.

Per the Evnaston RoundTable, the Evanston Historic Society was offered the building by General Dawes in 1939, but rejected the offer as the society did not have funds for upkeep of the grounds and buildling. Subsequently, Northwestern was deeded the property, which was then leased for a nominal fee the the Historic Society for 48 ... Read More...