The Stonecipher Report

The Stonecipher Report Goes to Blago's House - With Pictures (Part 1)

Posted by: Stonecipher

Jan. 30, 2009

Earlier this week I got in touch with a guy named Greg Boose, who writes for the Huffington Post.  I contacted him because I came across a story that he wrote called I'm Totally Rooting for Blago at This Point.  In that story Mr. Boose refers to another piece he wrote about a run-in he had with the now-former Governor, Rod Blagojevich, who just so happens to live in his neighborhood.

Blagojevich Has Left the Building!

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Jan. 31, 2009

At the foot of most of my posts, I promote the availability of my twice-weekly e-mail newsletter column, And, in the News... To both give you a taste of what's in it and to tie in to the latest news -- as well as to give you a preview of what to expect from the upcoming post by Stonecipher on the same subject (PLUS exclusive pictures!) -- here's a substantial excerpt from my most recent issue, taking a look at the political wake-in-waiting outside Blago's house on his final day as Illinois Governor...

And, in the News...#115

Elvis Fan, Cubs Fan; Former US Congressman, Former IL Governor; Hair, Still Perfect -- R.I.P. Blago

The day that Rod Blagojevich suddenly -- but not unexpectedly -- found himself unemployed was a cold, windy day in his hometown of Chicago. The winds constantly blew on and around those of us gathered in the then-still-Governor's North Side Ravenswood Manor neighborhood, making the waiting TV reporters bundle up a little tighter and even hide their usually-TV-ready hair under warm caps...AND somewhat-ominously swaying the 50-foot-tall extended antenna arrays atop the awaiting TV vans.

Shameless Self-Promotion

Posted by: Stonecipher

Jan. 30, 2009

Make sure to stay tuned to TSR over the weekend.  Michael Sweeney and I bravedthe cold last night, along with about a dozen news crews from around the City of Chicago, to hang out and wait for now-former Governor, Rod Blagojevich, outside his house on the North Side.

After a three hour wait, a run-in with a belligerent neighbor of Blago's and an offer of coffee from a nine-year old kid who ran around with a box on his head, the former Gov. finally made his appearance. We have pictures, plus a bit of video and we'll get that up, along with some stories you probably haven't heard about Blago's neighborhood over the weekend and into early next week.

Along those lines, one of Blago's neighbors is a guy named Greg Boose.  He writes for the Huffington Postand has a really funny story about running into B-Rod while he was out for a run.  He is going to share that story with us on Monday's edition of The Stonecipher Report On-the-Air on WHPK.  So remember to check us out by tuning your dial to 88.5 FM on the South Side of Chicago or by cruising over to WHPK.org this Monday afternoon (Feb. 2) at 3:00 PM Chicago Time.

Blago – First Impeached…Then Out as Guv…Next: Ex-Cub Fan?

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Jan. 30, 2009

The rumblings grew all day yesterday – something was up…some news was breaking…a major change was coming…

Shadowy, powerful figures gathered, coming together from distant points: Right field, second base, first base. In the deep, dark secret catacombs far below 1060 W. Addison St., three prominent figures in flowing blue ceremonial robes with large numerals on the back – 26, 23, and 17 – glided down the secluded passageways, headed for an important meeting.

These are powerful Cardinals Williams, Sandberg, and Grace, on their way to present their emergency plea before His Holiness of Cubdom, Pope Santo…(Note to self: Yes, the parody of the Roman Catholic organizational structure works well, but…"Cardinals"? Eh…sigh…)

Blago Goes Down Swinging - Maybe Not as Insane as You Think

Posted by: Stonecipher

Jan. 29, 2009

Just moments ago Illinois Governor (at least for the next few hours), Rod Blagojevich finished up almost a full hour of remarks to the Illinois State Senate, wrapping up his impeachment trial.

During the full hour, Blago managed to not actually address the issue of pay-to-play politics or the accusation that he attempted to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat.  Instead, he appealed to the legislature's sense of "fairness" arguing that there has been no proof of criminal wrong-doing on his part and that he was not given the opportunity to call his witnesses.

My Top Three Hopes for the Obama Administration

Posted by: Stonecipher

Jan. 29, 2009

The election of Barack Obama has already brought about many changes, and it will bring many more, but after eight years of George W. Bush and friends there is no way I could possibly list all of the changes I would like to see during Obama's tenure.  So, just as Michael Sweeney did last week, and as I have already done on-the-air at WHPK, I present to you my top three hopes for the Obama Administration, in no particular order:

The Stonecipher Map

Posted by: Stonecipher

Jan. 28, 2009

We here at The Stonecipher Report are a geographically diverse bunch, and we've posted from all over the United States. 

In an effort to give our readers a better understanding of that, and because I happen to be a map addict, I've put together a Google Map that pinpoints some important locations to TSR.  I'll add to the map and update it as it becomes necessary and my hope is that some of our other TSR contributors will add their own locations as well.

So check it out below.  If you click on the markers you can read short blurbs about why those spots are important to TSR - for better results click on the 'View Larger Map' link below the map:

View Larger Map

Back in Business

Posted by: Stonecipher

Jan. 28, 2009

We're looking for new writers here at The Stonecipher Report - if you're interested read below, but first I would like to publicly say thank you to our very own Michael Sweeney.  For the past two weeks, while I have been out of commission due to some major computer issues, Michael has kept the site alive by making sure to have a high-quality post up every couple days.  Without him TSR would have had a 12-day period of dead air.  So thanks Michael!

Coming Next For Blago: Martyrdom?

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Jan. 26, 2009

In an apparent attempt to just keep free-writing material for me (and many other pundits), Illinois’ still-(but-not-much-longer)-Governor Rod Blagojevich went on actual, real-live network air yesterday – via NBC’s Sunday version of "The Today Show" – and compared himself and his self-inflicted ordeal to some of the most respected and beloved persecuted social protestors of the last 100 years.

Obama to GOP: “Drop Dead” (Er, I Mean, “I Won”)

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Jan. 25, 2009

Well, seeing as my piece listing my top three hopes for the Obama Administration – building to Hope #3, "Positive Partisanship" – was posted out here on Jan. 17, I only had to wait six days to see it start coming true…

"President Obama listened to Republican gripes about his stimulus package during a meeting with congressional leaders Friday morning," according to the report from politico.com. "But he also left no doubt about who's in charge of these negotiations. ‘I won,’ Obama noted matter-of-factly, according to sources familiar with the conversation."