Willy is Picking on La Hood again.

I believe the sun will rise tomorrow. I believe Hillary Clinton will run for President in 2008, and I believe Willy Nilly will never, ever cut LaHood some slack. LaHood's son wants the U.S. Attorney job in town. Yup, someone else is also up for the job. However, what Willy fails to reveal is that the young LaHood is far more qualified than the competition.
From yesterday's Journal Star Word on the Street Column:

And it certainly can't be overlooked that Darin LaHood has an impressive resume that spans from Cook to Tazewell counties in Illinois to his current job in Las Vegas, where he is the lead terrorism prosecutor for the U.S. attorney's office.

"I think this would be a different scenario if I was applying right out of law school or had only one or two years experience in Tazewell County," Darin LaHood said.

On paper, in fact, he looks more qualified than Winkel, 49, who works at a private law firm in Champaign, but has no experience as a prosecutor.

A politician's kid not only stays out of trouble and rehab, but actually makes something out himself and wants to follow in his father's footsteps as a public servant. LaHood could make a lot more money at a law firm (and will if not selected for the post) and Willy is still whining.

Ray LaHood isn't my favorite Republican, but please, give me a break! The Democrats have the biggest claim on nepotism - (lets start with Madigan, why don't we?) and Willy knows it. In fact, LaHood Jr. is more qualified than Lisa Madigan for the job she was gifted by her Daddy... you know the one, Illinois Attorney General. Let us have a look at her "qualifications" again:

Although Lisa Madigan won the Democratic primary for Illinois Attorney General in March, largely through the efforts of her powerful father, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, her reputation as one of the least-qualified candidates for the state’s top legal post was thoroughly established, and will be difficult to eradicate. She carries a lot of negative baggage into the election.

Madigan, age 35, who has been a lawyer for just eight years, and an Illinois state senator for four years, readily admits to being a novice when it comes to the practice of law. She has never tried a case on her own. If she were running for judge, she would be rated unqualified by the bar associations, who require a minimum of 10 years’ practice before going on the bench.

I love you Willy, but please, remember the rule about those who live in glass Democrat houses.

Yeah, she's pretty...

but Reese Witherspoon is also a great actress.


For the love of God don't let that strap fall, Reese! I don't think Bill's heart can take it!!!

Walk The Line.

*Sigh*. Polly just loves a man in black. Especially when it's this guy:


Instead of getting out of town, I escaped by going to see the movie Walk The Line last night. The show was excellent, but not quite as good as last year's Ray. Johnny Cash had quite a life, but his life mirrors just about every other musician from that time period and this one. You know the story - grew up dirt poor, at the hand of a cruel/distant parent, suffered a huge childhood trauma, fought for fame, found it, discovered drugs, struggled for sobriety, and so on and so forth.

It was interesting to learn that most of the musical stars of that period not only knew each other, but toured together, and shared a lot of the same problems. Rock started as Country. As a musician it seemed you were either Big Band, Gospel, or a rebel. Rebels Elvis Presley (who introduced Johnny Cash to drugs), Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, June Carter, and Orbison -to name a few- all toured and hung out together.

Reese Witherspoon is a smart actress. She played a very believable June Carter Cash. I forgot Reese's ditzy earlier performances in Legally Blonde and Sweet Home Alabama. The movie covered Carter's life as much as Johnny Cash's. It was fascinating to learn how critical she was to Cash's success. Not only did she supervise Johnny's rehab, but June Carter was the songwriter for Cash's famed "Burning Ring of Fire" hit. The love story between Carter and Cash was gritty and touching.

Actor Joaquin Phoenix (brother of the late River Phoenix) was incredible as Johnny Cash. I never thought I would be able to take him seriously as Cash simply because -IMHO- he looks nothing like him. (Of course, I still think of Phoenix as Russell Crowe's enemy in Gladiator.) Johnny Cash must have come back from the dead and taken possession of Phoenix's body. The movie included a scene where Cash (Phoenix) sang to inmates while recording a live album at Folsom Prison. The scene was so convincing I thought I was there and even a little afraid for my safety.

Walk the Line spent too much time on Cash's drug abuse and completely neglected his rift with Country Music Radio/Television and Nashville in his later years. In the eighties, Nashville went "Pop" and signed only those artists who looked at least as sexy as they sounded. Think Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Timothy McGraw, Garth Brooks, etc. Cash was no longer played on country radio which led his record label to drop him. Nashville's cruelty prompted Cash to post the following now legendary billboard in Nashville:

Oddly, it was MTV who reinvigorated Cash's career. Cash made a video to the song "Delia's Gone" about a man who kills his love. CMT found the video too dark and refused to air it. MTV picked up the Delia's Gone video and ran with it, leading a new generation of fans to both discover and embrace Johnny Cash. Cash spent his late career singing versions of songs first recorded by younger artists, including U2's One and Nine Inch Nail's Hurt. Cash's last video, Hurt, is considered by many -including moi- as one of the best videos of all time. The Hurt video is also credited with waking up Nashville to the fact they had sorely neglected one of their own. If you have never watched the Hurt Video you really should. The word "powerful" doesn't come close to describing it. Unfortunately, Walk the Line ended well before this period of Cash's life. It is the later half of his life and his rebound that makes Johnny Cash's story unique.

Nonetheless, for the acting performances alone, Walk the Line is worth seeing. The movie made me long for the days when male recording artists were strong men, complete with deep voices and songs that revealed the darker side of ourselves. Unlike many of today's over sensitive, whiny, whimpy boy artists who are filled with to the brim with free floating anxiety, singing songs that have meaningless angst as the prime ingredient.

Polly Needs A Vacation.

Enjoy the eye candy. I gotta get out of town before the in-law arrives for Thanksgiving.

God Speed.

All is fair in love and war...

IMHO, eye candy is just fine as long as it goes both ways. Ever notice, guys never complain when their one of their gender is viewed as "just a piece of meat." This guy is People Magazine's Sexist Man Alive 2005. I don't think it is for his acting ability.

A cheesy trick because I'm too lazy to post...

Somehow, Catherine and I think you won't mind.

Hey Bill, do you ever get tired of blondes?

A little TGIF eye candy for Bill Dennis

You've earned it.

Phew! Russell is free!

Last June, Russell Crowe had himself a little hissy fit at a NYC hotel. Apparently the phone wasn't working, Russ felt neglected, and threw the phone at the desk clerk, hitting him in the face.

Today Russell, The Bratiator, faced a Judge who could have sentenced him to seven years in prison. As is the standard for celebs in our country, Russell got a slap on the wrist, a little fine, probation, and a mild scolding.

Hey, I like his looks and his acting. I never said he was the most mature among us.

Cased Closed? Never!

WEEK TV reported at 5:00 that the City and the theoretical old/new (maybe) owner of the Grandview Hotel, Kris Jain, went to Court today to see if the Judge's earlier order to close the Hotel for 30 days (60 days suspended) was followed.

It wasn't. If you require a refresher in this bizarre drama, be reminded that Chase Ingersoll claims he purchased the hotel one day after the Judge issued his ruling to close the problematic, crime ridden property.

In order to give legitimate residents time to find new living quarters, the Judge order the Hotel closed by November 11th. The 11th came and went. The City did nothing. In all fairness, it was Veterans Day, Courts were closed. Monday rolls around. Nothing. More guests register at the Hotel. Life and business goes on as usual. The City seems not to mind. Same with Tuesday and Wednesday. Ah, but TODAY the hot shot legal team goes to Court, but only because the Judge scheduled this date, a status review, at the same time he issued his original order to close the place down. Nice of you guys to make it.

Now, those of you who didn't go to law school (or fail to watch Boston Legal) may not be familiar with a handy motion known as "Rule to Show Cause." Any attorney who occasionally stayed awake during Civil Procedure class should be familiar with it. When a Judge's order is not followed, the injured party (The City) can waltz into Court and demand to know why the delinquent party (The Hotel) has not come into compliance. Rarely, a Judge's order is not obeyed for a good reason. If the Hotel was the only structure left standing after a major earthquake, for instance. Otherwise, the offending Party is typically held in contempt and the Judge can order the Sheriff will to put people and their possessions to the curb before locking the doors and wrapping the building in barbed wire to enforce the Order. (Greater legal minds might disagree with Polly. Some would say a new owner would be enough for the Judge to re-think his original order.) Oddly, the Judge can't do anything to remedy the situation until the City files a Rule to Show Cause Motion. The Judge might know his order is being ignored, but until the injured party files a motion, his hands are tied. (Quirky, eh?) Today the Judge ordered the Hotel be closed for the full 90 days instead of just 30. Judges don't like to be ignored. So will the Hotel close? Nope. Why? BECAUSE CITY ATTORNEYS STILL HAVE NOT FILED A RULE TO SHOW CAUSE MOTION.

Randy Ray should have filed one Monday, at the latest. That he didn't have one ready to go at today's proceedings is pathetic to say the least. Clearly this case is not a priority for the City. Uh, does anyone know of one that is?

Kris Jain, the former/new (maybe) hotel owner believes the sale between he and Ingersoll is void. According to WEEK, Chase hasn't made a mortgage payment. Apparently Jain is one guest who won't be living at the Grandview Hotel any more. The Judge tossed Jain's temporary restraining order, which previously kept Ingersoll from evicting him from the property. The Judge did this because he can't uphold a Temporary Restraining Order (which would essentially uphold Jain's room lease), on a property that he has CLOSED.

If all of this is too boring for you, just remember, there is sex and drugs involved. Ingersoll alleges Jain demanded sex in lieu of rent money from some guests. Ingersoll also says that Jain illegally taped some of those sex acts. Employees at the Hotel have said that Jain was very aware of the drug activity on the property, he simply demanded a cut of the profits.

Anyone care to place a wager when and/or if Randy Ray will ever file a Motion to Show Cause? It has probably dawned on the neighborhood by now that The City of Peoria V. Jain/Ingersoll/Grandview Hotel could be litigated for years and years. A sound strategy considering the pathetic performance of the City's legal team.

P.S. Chase, how about the following for a new name?

Just a suggestion.

You'll get no argument from Russell.

"Damn. It IS cold in Peoria."