Walter Jacobson's Perspective

I am not a gambler. I’ve never been or even wanted to go to Las Vegas. But, I’ve been dying to go to the big casino that’s just opened here in Chicago to see what it’s like. So last Saturday I went to the casino, got in for free – there’s no charge, and felt like I was in a Hollywood movie. Beautiful colors. Flashing lights and sounds. And three floors of gamblers. I had a terrific time watching it all. I’m not promoting big casino gambling. But I recommend watching it. Any time. Any day. Last Saturday was, for me, a terrific show. More fun than Sunday watching the Bears.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:

So, what are you thinking now about the Chicago Bears? For me, I’m thinking that the Bears are in deep, deep bleep. The Bears are a bad football team that’s lost 13 games in a row and not once in 13 years has made it to the NFL playoffs. What’s unclear is whether there is something, anything, the Bears are doing about it, and whether the Bears are capable of, or even trying to do something about it.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:

I thought I could never think like John Catanzara, the politically extreme, often foul-mouthed President of the Chicago Police Union. But I’m thinking like him now as he criticizes City Hall’s decision to place homeless migrants in police stations. To help migrants, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is welcoming them to our Sanctuary City. OK, says Catanzara, but not in police workplaces. Welcome them, he says, into City Hall. Hmmm. That is a good idea.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:

What, oh what, is going on in the Department of Chicago Police? Here’s what. The temporary Chief of Police is on his way out, soon to be replaced, and is stepping, oh you might say stumbling, into trouble. His name is Fred Waller. His trouble is that in his hurry before being replaced he has promoted several policemen who have bad things in their record. Those records have been exposed under a newspaper headline hollering “Acting top cop shakes up command staff on his way out the door.” The moral of the story, Mr. Mayor, is to be more aware of bad behavior in City Hall. Or, if you must accept it, at least be more transparent about it.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:

Tony La Russa, once loved now lamented, has come back to the Chicago White Sox as a personal consultant to owner Jerry Reinsdorf because Reinsdorf believes Tony La Russa knows all that there is to know about Major League Baseball and because Jerry and Tony are dear friends. Some prominent and popular Chicago media sports guys are beating up on Jerry Reinsdorf for bringing his close buddy back. I’m a baseball fan feeling for Tony La Russa and crediting Jerry Reinsdorf for understanding and being loyal to a dear friend.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:

There is more news being made by the Democratic Party about its 2024 Presidential Convention next summer at the United Center and McCormick Place in Chicago. Good news. The convention will be chaired by Minyon Moore of the South and West Sides of Chicago. Miss Moore is aiming to raise $85 million and working on being head honcho for what is certain to be one of the county’s most difficult and biggest events. So, Miss Moore, good luck to you.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:

Anybody who hangs out around Chicago’s City Hall is sure to see dumb things happen. I’ve been hanging out around City Hall for more than 50 years and have just seen what may have been one of the dumbest things ever, which is our rookie mayor, Brandon Johnson, kicking out of City Hall Dr. Allison Arwady. Mayor Johnson has not explained why he fired Arwady except to say, vaguely while campaigning, that he and Arwady have different philosophies. It’s clear nonetheless that she is recognized as a consummate public health professional and he is now recognized as a consummate political professional who understands she is too independent to fit into his cabinet. That’s the story, a sad one.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:

During this time of a Republican Party search for a 2024 presidential nominee, the newspapers, the network and cable TV are reporting that public opinion polls are showing that Donald Trump is far, far in front of all candidates running for the GOP nomination. Most of the famous media hot-shots are saying that despite the indictments and his alleged crimes, Donald Trump may be too far ahead to be caught. What they’re not saying is that they themselves are causing the Trump surge. Love him or hate him, people want to hear what Donald Trump has to say.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:

There is nothing that sells newspapers and stirs television ratings like vulgarity and sex. Patrick Fitzgerald, Northwestern’s former football coach, has a contract paying him more than $5 million a year and 8 years still to go. Fitzgerald is being sued by some of his former players who say he knew all about the locker room hazing and sexual abuse and permitted it to go on. His lawyer, Dan Webb, says the lawsuits contain no evidence of that, which means there will be an ugly courtroom battle.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:

A bias is showing in Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to double the money Chicago teachers are paid on days they have off to parent and bond with their newborn babies, a pay raise the Chicago Police will not be getting. It seems, Your Honor, that because you’ve been a teacher, you believe the teachers are more important to Chicago than police. That appears to be a bias and is not good for your public approval rating.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective: