We’re coming to the end of another month. Eleven down, one to go for 2022. It’s hard to believe this year is almost over. It seemed to go so quickly or is that something we now say every year, especially as we get older? Anyhoo, let’s look at some of the high and lowlights for November:
Anti-semitism wielded its ugly head again…no surprise, right. It started with a story that four men jumped on a school bus in the Rogers Park area of Chicago. They scared the children by giving Nazi salutes as they were yelling Heil Hitler. School officials denied that this actually occurred, but it certainly is believable. It wouldn’t be a surprise if it really did happen.
In the world of real anti-semitism, red swastikas were painted on sixteen gravestones in a Jewish cemetery, in Waukegan, Illinois. The good news is they were easily removed by spray washing, The bad news is this isn’t the first time it has happened. It won’t be the last. Expect this again sooner than later.
Let’s lighten things up a bit. The Senate run-off election is finally coming up next week. Republican candidate Herschel Walker brought in some big guns to campaign with him. Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham were standing next to the former Heisman winner as he said, “This election is more than about Herschel Walker. This erection is about the people.” Cruz shook his head in agreement. I wonder if Viagra made any donations to Walker’s campaign? Should I have written his comment in extra-large font type?
Actress Denise Richards and her husband were victims of a road-rage incident in Los Angeles. When you first heard the story, did you think it was Charlie Sheen going off? Yeah, you’re not alone.
The World Cup is going on in Qatar. Please let me know when someone scores a goal. Pop music legend Rod Stewart was asked to perform during the tournament. He turned them down stating he wouldn’t be comfortable playing in a place with all kinds of human rights issues. Say what you want about Rod and his musical choices, but the dude is a stand-up guy. He also raises a ton of money for cancer charities. No Rod, I don’t think you’re sexy and please no more albums of standards and Christmas songs, but you gained a lot of points in my book this month, for what that’s worth.
The Full/Fuller House sisters are in a spat. You may have heard that Candace Cameron Bure has left Hallmark to join the GAC network. Candy says she’ll focus on making films with traditional family values…meaning no same sex kissing or interracial couples. That rubbed her little tv sister Jodie Sweeten the wrong way. Although Jodes responded with “You know I love you”, she made it clear that she didn’t agree one iota with Bure’s intolerance. Older sister had her own response by unfollowing her on Twitter. To quote Stephanie, as played by Jodie in her Full House days, “How rude!!” We’re still waiting for a comment from Kimmy Gibler and the Olsen twins.
Now it’s time for the main event. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is in the news again…and again…and again. Hell, she does something every day that could headline this monthly column. I’ve picked three:
On November 19-20, there was a mass shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Lightfoot herself is a member of this community and felt a need to comment, “I’m sick of this shit. How many people have to be murdered? How many lives torn apart? And we don’t have to die like this.”
Lori is right about this but as the most powerful person in one of the nation’s largest cities, she has the position to help stop this…to help effect change. People are dying every day in Chicago due to gun violence. It should have been her first priority when she took office almost four years ago. Now all she has are pretty words.
For the third consecutive year, Chicago was voted America’s best big city. I guess the people who voted have never been here in the winter or maybe they love Lou Malnati’s and Portillo’s. Anyway, in response to this, Lightfoot tweeted “Chicago strong!” In response to that, some smartass tweeted, “Pretty sure it’s not because of you.” I don’t want to out the responding dude, but it’s someone you read here on Substack a few times each week. By the way, the likes for the response were almost as many as the future-ex Mayor received for her tweet. One of my proudest Twitter moments.
Finally, earlier this week our current mayor turned in her petition signatures in her bid for re-election. She’s hoping to get the last spot among the contenders on the ballot. This seems appropriate because most voters will feel that way when we vote in February.
That’s it for this month. Only December is left. I can only pretend to imagine what that will bring. We’ll find out in a few weeks. See you then.
Classic, great writing about the crazy stuff happening. Keep it up, and I’ll have no choice but to ask as I face another month, week, day...I wonder what Howard thinks?!
I now see Rod Stewart in a whole new light.