There are things about all of our towns that are hard to explain, things that just aren't seen unless you live there. Things that make you start scouring the net for a new place to live.
I'm lucky enough to live in a pretty cringe-worthy area of the US - Chicago, Illinois. A state who's last 2 governor's are either in jail or on their way to jail. (Yup, I voted for Blagojevich but I swear his hair hypnotised me and forced me to do it).
Then there's Mayor Richard Daley, a man completely incapable of putting words into a sentence. A man who's been in office for what, 20 years? A man whose name is synonymous with Chicago.
One of our papers is hosting a poll where we get to vote for our favorite Daleyism ( Stupid Statements Poll [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-100521-daley-says-stupid-things-poll,0,3320888.poll]). This one's getting my vote:
On state funding, but misspelling a key word: "The state of Illinois funds those centers. We did not cut. They have cut state mental health facilities all over the state. That is state money. Underline that. S-A-T-E money. It's called state money ..."
I gotta give you another, sorry:
On the gun ban: "If I put this up your butt, you'll find out how effective it is. Let me put a round up your, you know."
Does us all proud, he does.
Who's in your town, elected or appointed, that makes you hang your head in shame, makes you say you're from somewhere else, makes you want to escape? Who's your Village Idiot?
Conversely, do you have any leaders that are really good - intelligent, fair and effective? If so, can I come live with you?
I'm lucky enough to live in a pretty cringe-worthy area of the US - Chicago, Illinois. A state who's last 2 governor's are either in jail or on their way to jail. (Yup, I voted for Blagojevich but I swear his hair hypnotised me and forced me to do it).
Then there's Mayor Richard Daley, a man completely incapable of putting words into a sentence. A man who's been in office for what, 20 years? A man whose name is synonymous with Chicago.
One of our papers is hosting a poll where we get to vote for our favorite Daleyism ( Stupid Statements Poll [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-100521-daley-says-stupid-things-poll,0,3320888.poll]). This one's getting my vote:
On state funding, but misspelling a key word: "The state of Illinois funds those centers. We did not cut. They have cut state mental health facilities all over the state. That is state money. Underline that. S-A-T-E money. It's called state money ..."
I gotta give you another, sorry:
On the gun ban: "If I put this up your butt, you'll find out how effective it is. Let me put a round up your, you know."
Does us all proud, he does.
Who's in your town, elected or appointed, that makes you hang your head in shame, makes you say you're from somewhere else, makes you want to escape? Who's your Village Idiot?
Conversely, do you have any leaders that are really good - intelligent, fair and effective? If so, can I come live with you?
