Showing posts with label Creedence Clearwater Revival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Creedence Clearwater Revival. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Don't Be a Butt Flicker; Be A Butt Picker! Show 'Em Your Butts, Illinois Smokers!



Few things make me more astonished to be a resident of Cook County, Illinois than the lengths to which intellectually challenged and socially retarded individuals manage to find huge paying government jobs, especially with the Illinois General Assembly.

I have taught many young people to be good and sober minded citizens in classrooms from Kankakee to Auburn Gresham, even though my humanly flawed soul strays from the path now and then.  I am proud to say that a number of my students have gone on to careers in business, the church, government, the entertainment industry and the arts.  A few have even thanked me for my small part in their achievements and vocations.

A very few have gone on to unhappy lives of missed opportunities and disappointments public and private. One poor chap became a legislator in another State and ended up going to prison for violating the public trust.  He was always a sneaky little bastard.

As the new year dawned, I was compelled to think about the new punitive law in effect at midnight last.  This is the Deb Mell Butt Flicker Public Act:

Cigarette butts
HB 3243, PA 98-0483 Some Illinois residents will likely pledge to quit smoking cigarettes as a New Year’s resolution. Those who don’t may want to resolve not to flick their cigarette butts on the ground, or they could face a hefty fine. Cigarette butts have been added to the litter control act, and those who toss them on the ground could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of no less than $50 and up to $1,500.

Now, with advent of the Medical Marijuana Law Illinois ( " . . . Patients must be at least 18 years old to apply for a medical marijuana card through the Illinois Department of Public Health and must prove they have one of 33 serious or chronic conditions specifically listed in the bill. They must have an established relationship with a doctor who approves their use of the drug. Successful applicants will be allowed 2.5 ounces of marijuana per a two-week period. Patients, caregivers, owners and employees of growing operations and dispensaries will all be required to pass background checks Owners of growing operations or dispensaries will be banned from making campaign contributions. "), is a Joint to be considered a Butt?  Is there a The Dude's Exempt Clause?  You know like that compelling scene from Big Lebowski?



( sotta voce - Can't hate Creedence and you can't stop bullshit, in my considered opinion. )

There's more.  A triple- repeat offender could go away to the Iron Hilton and pay up to $25,000 for the crimes committed against Mother Earth, Sanitary Issues, Public Safety and Deb Mell.

I smoke, or did, having resolved with my usual steely will to quit the foul talon-clutch of the Marlboro Man.  Through  my years as a tobacco weed fiend, I managed by dint of good manners and an expansive heart to deposit ciggy refuse in a proper receptacle ( ashtrays public and private, empty beer cans, or field stripped in the manner of a Forest Ranger).  I tended not to smoke in restaurants over the last thirty years and have never once lite one up in the house that shelters my bairns.

Like jaywalking, traffic scofflawing, toxic dumping, drug trafficking, or murdering for hire, I never needed a law or ordinance to know what I should or should not do.  That is because I was not educated in public schools (K-20).  Rather, I was taught by Catholic scholars to be a modestly Catholic scholar - Esse Quam Videre.  

Last spring, while suiting up for the Gay Marriage Warfare and Victory, Deb Mell took the time to amend legislation in the Illinois General Assembly to make sure that butt flickers, a particularly nasty breed of Eco-Vandals, got it good and hard.  Governor Pat Quinn who is always quick to sign his name to any and all idiotic legislation crafted with polling and pie charts from the Paul Simon Institute and fashioned by thought challenged activists and deep feeling snitches like Deb Mell signed this latest law against common sense by Cook County Progressives.

Cook County Progressives awe me.  I have yet to encounter one ( male, female, breeder, LGBTQ, hyphenated Irish, Swede, or Proud Black Brother) that was in any way shape or form an admirable, self-reliant, or nice person.  Yet, otherwise admirable, self-reliant and nice persons who take public office allow them to control Illinois.  Awesome.

That said,  Be not a Deb Mell Law Scofflaw.  Flick no butts from a fixed position, or, God Forefend, moving vehicle.  Don't be Flicker, not for fear of Law's Majesty and Might, butt, because it is the right thing to do.  Be a Butt Picker.  If you, or I, continue to absorb the fumes made fashionable by Walter Raleigh, pick the butt, strip the butt and save the butt for future use -recycle.

Illinois Butt Pickers might want to show Deb Mell and her cosponsors the fruits of being concerned Illinois voters, taxpayers and citizens.

Save your butts and show your butts! Collect your butts in gallon sized zip lock bags; drop them off at Alderman Deb Mell's office, or the offices of Bill's co-sponsors. My own Representative Fran Hurley jumped at the chance to savage butt flickers.

Show them your Butts!  Obey the Law with all of the intelligence and mutual respect it deserves.

Here's who want to see your butts: Show 'Em Your Butts!  It's the Law!
Representative Deborah Mell (D)
Represented the 40th District


Photograph of  Representative  Deborah Mell (D)

Alderman Mell's 33rd Ward Service Office
3649 North Kedzie
Chicago, Illinois 60618
Office Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00PM
Ward Night:
Wednesdays 5:00 PM - 7:00PM
The Ward Office is also open the first Saturday of every month, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
Please call ahead to confirm office hours.
 Former Springfield Office:
247-E Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL   62706
(217) 782-8117
(217) 558-4551 FAX
Former District Office:
3657 N. Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL  60618
(773) 267-2880
(773) 267-2840 FAX

Email: staterep40@gmail.com
Years served: January 2009 - July 2013

Committee assignments:

Biography: Full-time legislator; B.A. Political Science and History, Cornell College; California Culinary Academy; Mayor Rahm Emanuel Advisory Council for Human Relations; Award for Activism, National Organization for Women; Howard Brown Cornerstone Award for community excellence. Representative since 2009.

Representative Frances Ann Hurley (D)
35th District

Photograph of  Representative  Frances Ann Hurley (D)

Springfield Office:
252-W Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL   62706
(217) 782-8200
District Office:
10400 S. Western
Chicago, IL  60643
(773) 445-8128
(773) 672-5144 FAX
Additional District Addresses
Email: repfranhurley@gmail.com
Years served: January 2013 - Present

Committee assignments: Appropriations-General Service; Cities & Villages; Health Care Licenses; Transportation, Regulation, Roads; Public Safety: Police & Fire Commit.

Biography: Full-time state legislator and lifelong resident of the southwest community; graduate of Saint Barnabas Elementary School, Mother McAuley High School, and Saint Xavier University; former aide to Alderman Ginger Rugai and Matthew O’Shea; member of the Saint Christina Parish, Mt. Greenwood Civic Association; former director of the Saint Christina Manna Program and volunteer for Christ Hospital’s Ronald McDonald House, Misercordia, American Cancer Society Yme softball tournament, Bucks for Burn Camp, PADS, Marist High School, Mt. Greenwood Party in the Park, and Merrionette Park Youth Softball; lives in Mt. Greenwood with her three children (Nate, Nick, and Emily).
Representative La Shawn K. Ford (D)
8th District


Photograph of  Representative  La Shawn K. Ford (D)

Springfield Office:
239-E Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL   62706
(217) 782-5962
(217) 557-4502 FAX
District Office:
4800 W. Chicago Ave.
2nd Floor
Chicago, IL  60651
(773) 378-5902
(773) 378-5903 FAX
Additional District Addresses

Email: repford@lashawnford.com
Years served: January 2007 - Present

Committee assignments: Appropriations-Human Services; Health Care Availability Access (Vice-Chairperson); Health Care Licenses; Small Business Empowerment & Workfo (Chairperson); Restorative Justice (Chairperson); Tollway Oversight (Vice-Chairperson); Veterans' Affairs.

Biography: Real estate entrepreneur and founder of Ford Desired Realty, Inc. Received his B.S. in Education from Loyola University in Chicago. Former history teacher and basketball coach for Chicago Public Schools. Licensed Illinois real estate broker, member of the Chicago and National Association of Realtors, board member of the Austin YMCA, board member of Circle Family Care, board member of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, founding organizer of Zawadi Youth Group, and member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Parish Council and Finance Committee.

Representative Elaine Nekritz (D)
57th District
Assistant Majority Leader

Photograph of  Representative  Elaine Nekritz (D)

Springfield Office:
245-E Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL   62706
(217) 558-1004
(217) 558-4554 FAX
District Office:
830 S. Buffalo Grove Rd.
Suite 120
Buffalo Grove, IL  60089
(847) 229-5499
(847) 229-5487 FAX
Email: enekritz@repnekritz.org
Years served: January 2003 - Present

Committee assignments: Environment; Judiciary (Chairperson); Personnel & Pensions (Chairperson).

Biography: Attorney; Law Degree from University of Michigan. Her experience includes working as a real estate attorney, later becoming partner, with the law firm of Altheimer and Gray. A community activist, she was chairperson of the Village of Northbrook's Community Relations Commission from 1997 to 2002. A member of the National Council of Jewish Women. She resides in Northbrook with her husband, Barry.



Representative Emanuel Chris Welch (D)
7th District

Photograph of  Representative  Emanuel Chris Welch (D)

Springfield Office:
266-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL   62706
(217) 782-8120
(217) 524-0448 FAX
District Office:
10055 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Suite E
Westchester, IL  60154
(708) 450-1000
(708) 450-1104 FAX
Email: repwelch@emanuelchriswelch.com

Sunday, November 22, 2009

John Fogerty - Revived Creedence and Everyone Else



It looked like a convention of guys from the Frequent Pee-er Commercials! There were younger guys attendant - in fact I ran into about eight Leo High School Alumni from Father Perez Council Knights of Columbus ( John Gardiner, Laryy Funk et al) from the mid and late 1970's. However, mostly there were present the badger-haired guys from the 196o's.

In the Orchestra Mainfloor Center there were me at 57, the guy to me right at60 Something and the guy immediately in front of me, 60 and Change, another 6o Plus behind me and thickly beyond - the Chicago Auditorium Theatre was thick with Middle Age until WXRT,'s Frankie Lee - rather generous in the length of his buckers himself - heads-upped the crowd of silver, white, flesh, and dye -jobbed gents and the infinitely younger and more appealing dates, spouses and arm candy that John Fogerty was fixin' to tear it up.

He did. John Fogerty, the heart and soul, muscle and fiber of Creedence Clearwater Revival, one of the most honest and innovative bands from the late '60's and 70's, cranked out hit after hit then and now.

I saw CCR in 1971 in the very same venue and have always testified that along with the Four Tops gave the greatest show.

Last night was damned near identical to memory of that show. That almost never happen. Have you ever run into an old flame whose fire has been snuffed out by Life's prevailing winds? You have had this image of that person tucked into a brain-fold and when you come face-to-face after decades of wistful musings you now determine that Life, had,in-fact, done you a huge favor.

Well Fogerty ain't nothing like that - Fogerty is 1971!

For more than two hours without let-up, John Fogerty put hundreds of us Pee Pill Poppers back in our place with the Blue Ridge Ranger Tour - a dozen great young musicians and John Fogarty.

For a moment, I thought I smelled a whiff of dope in the Men's Room - Crowded! The guys hed it for two-plus hours!

Click my post title for the tour's cover of the Everly Brothers.

Here's a partial song list from last night.


Born On The Bayou
Green River
Susie Q.
I Put A Spell On You
Who'll Stop The Rain
Rockin' All Over The World
Lodi
Down On The Corner
Centerfield
Swamp River Days
The Old Man Down The Road
Chooglin'
Bad Moon Rising
Fortunate Son
Proud Mary
Good Golly Miss Molly
When Will I Be Loved