When I started this post I didn't know there were four other parts. This was part. 5 from the YouTube Channel - The Perteets. Anyone interested in seeing these other parts?
[VIDEO] When I was a child this was something that was of interest. To be a CTA motorman or a CTA conductor.
Well those used to be two different positions, however, by the 1990s the conductor positions were eliminated making CTA trains one person train operations. The man you see here gives us his job title, rapid transit operator. The title of what I used to call the motorman back in the day.
He talks about his experience, how he started on CTA and the routes he regularly worked before he started working the CTA blue line - which once used to be the Congress (Forest Park)-Douglas (54/Cermak)-O'Hare. Though these days it's just O'Hare-Forest Park.
My understanding of how CTA works and whoever works for the Chicago Transit Authority can correct me if I'm wrong is that before they let you have the control of the train, you have to be a flagger. I think you'd have to work on the tracks for a time before you can get promoted to operator. Don't quote me the comments are open for those who knows what it takes to eventually become a motorman/operator.
Anyone interested in becoming a rapid transit operator? Write a comment.
George Ryan served as the Governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. There was a Republican dynasty from 1977 to 2003 which included Governors Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, and finally Ryan. That dynasty ended upon the election of Democrat Rod Blagojevich as IL Governor.
George Ryan I recall was the last effective governor Illinois had. There was significant infrastructure investment during his term and one infrastructure project involved the rehab of the Douglas branch of the CTA L (back then it was part of the CTA Blue Line, today it's the Pink Line). His infrastructure program was called Illinois First.
He's primarily known for commuting all death sentences in the state after at first placing a moratorium on death sentences. He had been demonized for this by death penalty advocates and they cite his political problems as a result of what was going on during his tenure as IL Secretary of State.
You might remember license for bribes you can read more about it here. This scandal led to his downfall (that is is one term as Governor) and ultimately his status as a convicted felon. Sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison in 2006, he was released from federal custody in 2013.
His wife preceded him in death and Gov. Ryan showed little regret in his decisions regarding the death penalty. However, many still view his moves on that issue as more politically motivated.
For the record, while I do consider myself right of center (or conservative) I'm against the death penalty. I'm in favor of justice, and hard for me to justify the death penalty when it's not always applied in the most just way. And certainly that some people may not be guilty of the crime for which they will be put to death. Also I don't find the application of the death penalty very humane.
I would say regardless of what motivated his decisions on this issue, I think he did the right thing in hindsight. Almost a decade after Gov. Ryan had left the Illinois Governorship, the state abolished the death penalty. And a later Republican Governor - the ineffective Bruce Rauner - had proposed reinstating the death penalty and that failed.
To make a comparison while I may not like the progressive politics of J.B. Pritzker, I would give him credit for being an effective IL Governor. What both men have in common is that they both are interested in governing more than anything. That's what this great state needs.
I'm sorry to say I was slow to share with you news of the death of Gov. Jim Thompson who died in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. He was Illinois' longest serving governor from 1977 to 1991.
Also we have Gov. Thompson's immediate successor, Jim Edgar who is currently fighting cancer. Having seen someone I was very close to deal with this, I feel for Edgar. He was another one who was truly an effective IL Governor serving from 1991 to 1999. I hope he defeats that dreadful disease.
[VIDEO] How did every president spend their retirement?
A few of them didn't get retirements as eight had died while in office. Someone like a James K. Polk has died a short time after leaving office - President Polk had the shortest retirement of any president.
Many had devoted their time to writing and speaking. And especially now many former Presidents stay active in someway. Being President is like a very special fraternity - well only men so far have been President - the current President has his predecssor Presidents to lean on.
Regardless after working such a stressful job for four years or longer, a President has earned their retirement once they leave office. Another fact noted the earlier Presidents lost money once they serve. The only recent reported example has been Donald Trump who is said to be a billionaire.
Either aren't you curious how every President has spent their retirement. Check out this recent vid by Mr. Beat.
The news broke on Sunday and there have been nothing but stories about it. Carter served as the 39th President of the United States between 1977 to 1981. In 1976, he was elected in light of the Watergate scandal as a change from the Nixon/Ford administrations. Then had to face the terrible economy of the late 1970s and was really brought down by the Iranian hostage crisis which resulted in his 1980 electoral loss to his successor Ronald Reagan.
His last public appearance was in a wheelchair in time for his 100th birthday, he didn't even appear to be conscious at that time. There were reports prior to that in terms of his condition and was noted by his son that he wasn't awake everyday.
He had been in hospice care for well over a year and about a year ago former first lady and wife Rosalyn Carter had passed away. That was his last formal appearance.
How many of you follow the X/Twitter account "How Many Days Until Jimmy Carter Turns 100?" At least the account was able to track Jimmy Carter to 100 years of age, however, not too long after that he passes away and this was the first time I heard about it.
— How Many Days Until Jimmy Carter Turns 100? (@CarterTurns100) December 29, 2024
This is how the YouTube channel Biography remembers President Carter. [VIDEO]
I am too young to remember Carter's presidency, however, as a former President he was very active often seen working with Habitat for Humanity and even as a Sunday school teacher.
He may not rank well with many of America's great or even above average Presidents, however, he was an all around decent man and that's how I remember him. I don't care about his politics or even what he had done as President. What allowed him to be a great man in general?
When Alex Trebek passed away I noted that he seemed to be a constant presence thanks to his role as being host of Jeopardy! Although to be honest I didn't totally understand Jeopardy! when I was younger, therefore I hardly really watched the show. However that program was such a pop culture icon.
And then there's Bob Barker. Although I fell off of my fandom for The Price is Right it was a show I did watch often. In fact my dad was a huge fan. It was probably a sad day when Barker retired and made some reappearances to the program he started hosting in 1972. In fact there was an April's Fools Day episode that he hosted a few years ago [VIDEO]
I wish I could say that I watched his very last season in 2006-07. It was certainly the end of an era when he left the show. And it's hard to believe he was only 99 years old when he passed away. He's had a long career in TV and he was well known for his pitch to control the pet population and have pets spade or neutered. He was very passionate about animals.
And now another part of my childhood watching TV has gone on to that great beyond. At least we still have the memories available on YouTube.
I consider myself a bit of a railfan and this caught my eye. CTA put out a video about the first woman to be a "motorman" or perhaps she's the first "motorwoman". In 21st century parlance she's the first woman to be a rail operator.
Lena Phillips talks about how she started. There were other women ahead of her as far as being hired as a rail operator, however, she was chosen to be the first to operate the train. She was told of a lot of cameras and she recalls her first day as an operator as very hectic. She even talks about how uniforms weren't cut for women at that point in time.
I saw her metal CTA badge which has her employee number on it. We don't see that anymore. :(
[VIDEO] Pulaski Day is a holiday in Illinois and is yet another holiday I used to take for granted back in the day as we get the day off from school for it. I do understand that at one point in time - and perhaps still is true - that there is a sizeable Polish population in Illinois.
Pulaski is a Polish nobleman who is said to be the father of the America cavalry. If you don't know what that means, he's dealing with horses. Think of a cavalry charge involving horses in a military sense. Of course what has replaced cavalry these days since warfare has changed a lot since the American Revolution of the 1770s & 1780s is the tank. So ultimately cavalry gave way to armor though they may still use the same tactics and even some armor units use cavalry as their designations.
So an Illinois resident The History Guy discusses further the life of Count Pulaski. For those who got yesterday off I hope you all had a restful one.
[VIDEO] One of Mr. Beat's videos discusses the 34th POTUS Dwight David Eisenhower. He's known for being one of the many five-star generals of the second World War. He was in command of the Allied forces that landed on Normandy Beach in France. He was elected President of the United States in 1952 served between 1953 to 1961.
He was the President during the start of the Cold War against the communist Soviet Union. He addressed issues of Civil Right as president sending federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas to integrate the public schools. It was under him that the Interstate Highway system was first constructed. His presidency proved to be a stabilizing influence in a critical time.
Of course how he to to where he was from his humble roots in Kansas to going to West Point to his career in the US Army and then his presidency. Very fascinating look.
[VIDEO] This happened Saturday, yesterday. Two days after Queen Elizabeth's death, an accession council meets at St. James Palace in London to officially proclaim Charles King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In his speech he does refer to himself as head of state and head of nation which is his role, Charles will reign but effectively doesn't rule.
His gov't headed by the Prime Minister governs in the name of the King. The King appoints the leader of the party that won the most seats in the House of Commons to be the Prime Minister.
You will also notice that the King signs with his first name - or the name we have known him as - and the initial R. You will see this after he takes an oath with the church of Scotland. R represents rex which is Latin for King. This is how he will sign state documents.
It's interesting to see the other previous living British Prime Ministers who are in attendance for the accession council. I was even surprised to see John Major who was the first British Prime Minister I remember when following world news or better yet when C-Span would air Prime Minister's Questions.
And of course the British understand protocol, pomp, and ceremony. You will hear trumpets along with some royal guards at at Friar's Court Balcony at St. James Palace and the reading to the public of the proclamation of King's accession to the throne by Garter King of Arms, David White.
It's cool to see the seemingly once in a lifetime transition between monarchs.
BTW, forgot to note you will see Camilla, Queen Consort and the newly created - in that address I shared with you Friday from the King - William, Prince of Wales. They also sign the document re-affirming the Scottish oath that the King signed showing visible irritation at an inkwell as he signs both documents.
[VIDEO] If you don't understand monarch, the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland is a hereditary constitutional monarchy. The reigning king or queen is the monarch. Also sovereign could be used interchangeably with the term monarch as you see in the title above.
So King Charles III makes his address to his nation as sovereign the day after his mother Queen Elizabeth II dies. Again footage from the BBC, the state broadcast company of the UK.
[VIDEO] Well the former Prince of Wales now His Majesty the King Charles III meets with his subjects outside of the home of the British Monarchy in London. Yesterday his mother Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II had passed away at age 96. We're witnessing the end of an era and the beginning of a new one with the ascension of a new monarch in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
[VIDEO] Wanted to share this piece of history. How this was announced on the state TV network for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Perhaps we can see how other Commonwealth Realms that count the reigning British Monarch as their head of state announced the death of Queen Elizabeth. However, we'll just look at the mother country of Great Britain.
I can only imagine how it was in 1952 when King George VI, the Queen's Father was announced on the emerging communication method of TV. And then all the news reports of her own ascension to the British throne.
I didn't really plan to post here today, however, since we do look at things from a history standpoint here we talk about the late Queen of England.
Well in fact Elizabeth was the Queen of many realms and former parts of the British Empire such as Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Tip of the iceberg of course however she was the figurehead sovereign of many territories around the globe.
And now that passes on to her son, the Prince of Wales who it seems will now be known as King Charles III. I knew someone who predicted that Charles would likely pass away before he gets the throne. Of course that prediction was made two decades ago and now we see King Charles finally has ascended the throne at 73 years of age.
The Queen was 96 years of age when she passed away and I woke up to news that she was under medical supervision. And then I saw reports of her family coming to her estate in Scotland wanting to be with her in the final hours of her life as it turned out. When I saw those reports I had a sinking feeling, although she usually bounces back. It wasn't that long ago that she was diagnosed with coronavirus.
So anyway the 2nd Elizabethan era has come to a close and now we're starting the reign of Charles. And consider that she reigned a long time other British monarchs who reigned as long includes King George III - and if you remember the United States of America broke away from the British Empire under his reign - and a woman named Queen Victoria. The Queen reigned for 70 years having celebrated her diamond jubilee this year!
I do find this British monarchy fascinating, many Americans do as well.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
[VIDEO] Sharing this with you on this wonderful Sunday, May 1, 2022. I've shared a number of Mr. Beat videos over at least the last three years. This is where you will learn more about him and since we're talking political beliefs what are his beliefs. And perhaps you want to share yours below here.
This is a live stream scheduled for 7 PM Chicago time TODAY. Enjoy!
[VIDEO] How about this for your morning viewing. Blagojevich was the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009 when he was impeached and removed from office admid a corruption scandal. He speaks about his background, how he got into politics, his ascent to become Governor of Illinois, and his downfall. His advice to young people is to "stay the f**k away from politics".
I will warn you the language in this interview will be quite harsh, use your discretion here. This interview is over two hours in duration.
For Black History Month I wanted to further reference this "long story" that was noted in a post about Rod Blagojevich who served as Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009 the first and only governor of this state to have been impeached and removed from office. Also another in a line of governors who have ran afoul of the law and to have served time in prison.
However before talking about this long story I have to start with the U.S. Senate. The seat currently held by Tammy Duckworth who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 defeating the Republican incumbent Mark Kirk is considered a class III senate seat. The U.S. Constitution sets up senate elections in three classes and every two years each class will have their seats up for election every year. For example class I was elected in 2018, class II was elected in 2020, and finally class three is up this year 2022.
So Duckworth's class III senate seat is an historic one since three of her predecessors were Black. And to discuss this we must go back all the way to 1992 which was when the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate - Carol Moseley Braun. I believe 1992 was called the year of the woman when a number of women got elected to the U.S. Senate at that point of time and she was one of them.
[VIDEO] The above is the backstory to the documentary Being Blago from WLS-TV Chicago.
During the Holiday Season I finally had the opportunity to check out the Hulu docu-series about the 40th Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich. I had shared that this was coming over the past fall and I'm sure some have already made up their mind on this based upon the history and how Blago's story would be presented
To start, of course we get a rundown of how Blagojevich started becoming politically active. His father-in-law was a longtime Chicago Alderman Dick Mell who wanted him to run for a state house seat to compete with candidates of other local politicos. Blagojevich was a lawyer having worked for the Cook County State's Attorney. From the state legislature in Springfield he later became a congressman where he defeated a Republican incumbent in 1996.
Yes we're talking about a Chicago-centric congressional district. Republicans don't always win those districts unless a Democrat really fouls up. In the case of that Republican Michael Flanagan he defeated powerful Congressman Dan Rostenkowski who ran afoul of the law at that point.
Anyway winning his congressional seat and then successfully winning re-elected that allowed Blagojevich to make a run for Governor in 2002 and win!
I don't remember much was said about his governorship other than how it ended. What I can say is that it explored the family relationships with Blagojevich, his wife Patti, and Dick Mell. I do know that in the news we found out that the Governor basically turned on Dick Mell who helped his son-in-law make it to the dance. We know that Blagojevich came from working class roots and without some type of support would he ever have made it as Governor of one America's largests states?
Eventually we go to the day he got arrested by federal authorities on charges of corruption. He ultimately gets impeached and removed from office. All of this occurs after Barack Obama wins the Presidency, since Obama was a U.S. Senator for Illinois this surely was an embarrassment for him.
We know that there was some drama of some sort in the Blagojevich household and I can only imagine the stress the pressures. The man of the house is going to go to jail and of course the media scrutiny. The real drama might be more day-to-day like how will they afford the house note. We know that both Patti and Rod Blagojevich had overtime made their rounds on the talk circuit and the reality TV circuit. Rod himself made it onto the TV program of a future President of the United States Donald Trump.
Patti herself was on Survivor and made pleas on FOX News for President Trump to intervene in Blagojevich's case. And as you see Blago is free though his federal conviction wasn't wiped away however his 14-year sentence was commuted. So we see him make speeches at various events it seems there are those who view him as a politician who fights for the common man. We see him about to perform with a band, Rod Blagojevich and the Jailhouse Rockers. We see him getting ready to clean up after their dog does his business.
Blagojevich does a rather long winded Cameo to a client can't help but mention that he was wrongfully convicted of what politician have been doing for who knows how long. He was gearing up to challenge the judgement of the Illinois state senate who voted to remove him from office and bar him from holding any state office (he wants to challenge being barred from holding any state office). Patti his wife on the other hand had her fill of politics and wishes her husband would leave it alone.
I just have to add one job he was seen holding which was revealed in the first episode of this series is part of a logistics company. So at least he's found a job outside of the media, I recently saw him on an edition of th FOX News program Gutfeld. An odd fit but now it causes me to wonder.
I hate to dump on our former Governor because he already got it probably from his performance in public office to his impeachment and to his conviction. Although one thing was analyzed here is whether or not the public has had enough of him. It does seem as if he craves attention and he is clearly an engaging figure. I would say now he's just positioned himself as being against the power structure both his fellow Democrats and Republicans, though certainly his fellow Democrats. When he got released from federal custody he even referred to himself as a Trump-ocrat aligning himself with the man who commuted his sentence.
Overall I enjoyed watching this. It seemed a bit balanced however we get the other component of this story which is the man who had to go through this. The start of his political career to his fall. We see what he has been up to since he left federal custody, we also know his thoughts about being in federal custody. He hasn't really entirely left his more political personality aside. We see the impact on his family and we also know that Dick Mell didn't participate in this at all.
Perhaps you've seen this docuseries and have your own thoughts. Please share them.
I hope to do WBEZ's own podcast series about the Rod Blagojevich story.
[VIDEO] What a funny title to this one almost evokes this movie starring Channing Tatum.
Anyway in this episode where you can read a transcript here. You will see former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan rise from his base in Chicago's Ward 13 to become one of the more powerful politicians in this state.
Bear in mind a few things from the previous episode. Madigan was old school he came up in the Chicago Democratic Machine which valued knocking on doors and also an important part of his political acumen constituent services. Now believe Madigan is corrupt if you want to, but constituent services is key take care of your voters and they will re-elect you. Also it took 10,000 in his house district the 22nd to get himself re-elected to his own seat.
In this episode it will show how in 1988 Gov Jim Thompson and Madigan were able to keep the Chicago White Sox in Chicago. Florida media were hear to cover this drama as somewhere in Florida the White Sox would call their new home. Instead, the deal that was struck lead to a new baseball park being built for the Sox. Madigan knew how to use the rules and beat the clock.
Madigan though he rarely gave interviews to the press often paid attention to what was being said about him in the newspapers. He also stymied a future governor in Jim Edgar again knowing how to use the rules of the state legislature to his advantage. Also his ability to count votes which Edgar also learned when he served in that chamber long before he moved on to statewide office.
Also he was the man who you could make a "deal" with. If you wanted something important you needed to work with him. There were a few governors who failed to get that memo and in some cases Madigan just wasn't interested in certain ideas.
Just wait until part three. Well that's all for this edition of the Shedd School of Political Science.
The woman you see above is Lt. Governor of Illinois Juliana Stratton. She was formerly a member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing Chicago's near south side when she had been tapped by then gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker as his running mate in the 2018 Democrat primary. Well she with Pritzker are at the top of state gov't in Illinois. She's the first Black woman to become Lt. Governor.
This great post provided by the Illinois state house caucus blog gives us a historic run down of this office. The Lt. Governor succeeds the governor in office upon death, resignation or impeachment. The most recent time this has occurred is with former Gov. Pat Quinn who succeeded to the office of Governor upon the impeachment and removal of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Before the 1970 state constitution was written the Lt. Governor like the Vice President of the United States would also preside over the upper house of the legislature. So per the federal constitution the Vice President is the presiding officer of the U.S. Senate, and before 1970 the Lt. Governor presides over the Illinois Senate.
Since the 1970 constitution was enacted a Senate President is elected amongst the membership of the Illinois Senate to be presiding officer in the state's upper legislative house. So what does that leave the Lt. Governor to do? Well it's listed on the Lt. Gov's state webpage:
In this role, her portfolio includes leading the Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative, and chairing the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, the Military Economic Development Council and the Illinois River Coordinating Council. Lieutenant Governor Stratton currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association as the Treasurer.
Basically aside from that portfolio you can make of this office what you will if you get elected. Stratton is one of 48 people to have been elected Lt. Governor. Most recently the first woman to hold the office of Lt. Governor - Corinne Wood - has passed away.
If you want to see what Lt. Gov. Stratton is doing feel free to follow her on Twitter or IG
[VIDEO] I was hoping Daily Dose would say once this clip was finished, the employee was later fired for his actions. Either way another fun video from them and I hope it's something you enjoy.
More fun animals, YouTubers marking their million subscriber milestone, and some gold prospecting seen in this video. :)
