Is Mayor Daley A Tool?

by Chodes on Sep 25, 2008 9:11 AM CDT Comment 29 comments

Here are the first few paragraphs from the Sun Times article yesturday.

Bars and restaurants around Wrigley Field that ignore the city’s call to voluntarily cut off liquor sales after the seventh inning could face a dire alternative: Area residents could vote them dry, Mayor Daley warned Tuesday.

One day after bar owners reacted angrily to the city’s proposal, Daley defended it as "common sense." He argued that Cubs fans who’ve been drinking up until the seventh-inning stretch of potential title-clinching games need, what he called, "some smoothing time" before the celebration begins in earnest.

"This is about the Cubs. This is about where they worked so hard all year to get to. This is not about a lot of fans and a lot of drinking. We don’t want to see any incident outside, because if there is, that whole area will be voted dry tomorrow. Those citizens will get together and say, ‘I’m gonna vote every precinct dry. I’ll even vote Cubs Field dry," Daley said.

First Mayor it's Wrigley Field not Cubs Field.

Second, is this really going to help or just get people to load up on drinks before the temporary freeze on sales.

Fianlly, doesn't this just provoke people into acting more crazy and more drunk in defiance of 'The Man'.

Get a grip Daley, we know you're a Sox fan but can you lay off the Cubs.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Yes

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Sep 25, 2008 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, the short answer is yes...

but this post is probably going to be deleted. You do not want Chicagoans to start explaining the reasons why.

by Damen Jackson on Sep 25, 2008 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

exactly...

…plus there are far more serious things going on in the city besides the Cubs post-season, the inevitable hijinks around Wrigley, or the Olympic bid. Those larger issues should be the basis for determining whether or not Hizzoner #2 is, as the poster so elegantly puts it, a tool.

IMO, any discussion about city politics, and Daley in particular, is inappropriate for this site because it will likely devolve into a snarkfest about the mayor because he is such an ardent White Sox fan.

"Some people will look at a glass of water and say it's half-empty, while another guy will look it and say it's half-full. A Cubs fan looks at the same glass and asks, "When's it gonna spill?" - Mike Royko

by LaddieRenfroe on Sep 25, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed...

but for the record, my favorite snippet had to be:

Bar owners reacted angrily, arguing that customers who don’t get served will get up and leave and never come back.

Daley was not sympathetic.

"Then I’ll have someone buy their place tomorrow. It’s not gonna cost ’em any business. They made enough money all year.

Ironic, isn’t it? Someone should probably remind him that unlike the Mayor’s office itself, these businesses are not actually for sale.

by Damen Jackson on Sep 25, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Win

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Sep 25, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why didn't they do this for the White Sox

3 years ago?

by Neifi Puppy on Sep 25, 2008 9:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Because the surrounding area is mostly residential...

there just isn’t that commercial density and party atmosphere there.

by Damen Jackson on Sep 25, 2008 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is not about the Cubs or safety of fans

This is about the 2016 olympic bid. This is about locking your illegitimate children in the attic during dinner parties.

by daeviant on Sep 25, 2008 9:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You too?

"And heeeere cooome the pretzels!"

by NightPutting on Sep 25, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This all seems a little silly

From my experience from the ‘03 playoffs, any bar in the area Daley is talking about was absolutely packed by 3pm for a night game and they wouldn’t let anyone in. So assuming that the majority of those people were there in the early afternoon, shutting them off in the 7th will make no difference since no one can get in and the people that are already there have been drinking for a good 6-8 hours prior to turning off the taps.

by cubbot on Sep 25, 2008 9:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Simple solution

…for those of us that can’t go three innings without beer. Buy two at the bottom of the 7th and nurse it through to the end.

by Flatley on Sep 25, 2008 9:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That's really got nothing to do with it...

It’s really more that:

1) The solution doesn’t work, as anyone who has been to Wrigley knows. Watching the drinkers of the group go double and triple-fisted most of the game is almost comical.

2) You’re asking businesses to basically eat that money, with little incentive for them to do so.

3) In classic Mayoral form, Daley is essentially demanding it, even if he says it’s voluntary.

4) After your overconsumers have overconsumed, you’re sending them out into the streets to celebrate; drunk, disorderly, and minus the police and emergency supervision that the City chose not to enhance, in favor of this solution.

by Damen Jackson on Sep 25, 2008 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some bean counter probably told Richie boy

that if they ruled with an iron fist on this, the city would save “X” dollars by virtue of lesser police presence.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Sep 25, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to leave this post up...

… unless it devolves into political discussion.

My own opinions of the mayor should best be kept to myself.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 25, 2008 10:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Al

I don’t want a political discussion either. Just illustrating the silliness of the #1 Sox fan.

by Chodes on Sep 25, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As I said earlier

when is it OK to turn the taps — back on? Are the bars/restaurants supposed to close for the evening in the 7th inning? Can they serve again in — 2 hours? 3 hours? What if there is a rain delay? Why should package liquor be sold in the area? 7-11 and CVS get a pass?

This type of action is possible in the most dire of emergency situations, this ain’t an emergency.

This is just stupid, and as I said in another post, lawyers are lining up right now to file suit against the city should this ‘pronouncement’ take effect.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Sep 25, 2008 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If you read the article

Taps will be turned back on after the game ends, however long that takes.

by lamentir on Sep 25, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come on, SDSJM

you’re injecting logic and reasoning into this. And that sir has no place in Chicago politics! :^)

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Sep 25, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

SIGH...

Mayor Daley and his crusade to further his own personal interests.

I propose that is Chicago gets the Olympic bid, then during said Olympic games, we shut down all restaurants and stores on Michigan Ave for the shot put. We all know that they make enough money during the year, no need for out of control shoppers and famished individuals to go crazy. We wouldn’t want things to get out of hand.

Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?

by Kinky Reggae on Sep 25, 2008 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

According to Roe Conn yesterday

the ban would not only start in the 7th inning, but also extend 2 1/2 hours after game time.

The rest of my comments are political, and as much as I hate doing it, I will delete.

Daley, however, didn’t discuss any South Side bans. The White Sox, though falling like a brick, are still in first place. What of thier celebrations?

What about the South Side Irish parade, which is as appaling behaviour as anything seen at Cub games?

Formerly NO100

by jerry morales rules on Sep 25, 2008 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Really?

I thought they said alcohol would be served following the game’s end.

This is going to be a disaster any way you look at it. But I hope I’m right in the middle of it.

by lamentir on Sep 25, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As for calling it "Cubs Field"...

…I’ll give him a pass on that one. I do so because my own father, who grew up in the city and was about the same age as the mayor, generally referred to the two fields as “Cubs Park” and “Sox Park”. Technically, those were the official names long ago but, in the case of Wrigley, it was more than a decade before he was born and he was a lifelong Cubs fan. I’ve heard other Chicagoans of the same generation and older do the same thing…

…seems like it was common on the old “Sportwriters” shows but, now that I’m wondering about this, I can’t dial up Ben Bentley and ask him why.

"Some people will look at a glass of water and say it's half-empty, while another guy will look at it and say it's half-full. A Cubs fan looks at the same glass and asks, "When's it gonna spill?" - Mike Royko

by LaddieRenfroe on Sep 25, 2008 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Me either...

I call the place 9 miles south a shithole no one wants to go to; still.

I mean that race driver called 1060 W. Addison, Wrigley Stadium didn’t he?

As far as celebrations South of Madison St, Richie boy should try to figure out how to curb the gun fire.

This is a pissing contest about power, nothing else.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Sep 25, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm don't think...

this has anything to do with Daley’s present comments, but I’ve noticed that in a lot of advertisments that refer to the two ballparks (that aren’t put on by MLB or the teams) they refer to them as Cubs Park or Sox Park or the North/Southside parks just to avoid what I presume to be copyright issues…

by hmlee on Sep 25, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This has nothing to do with drinking or partying

it’s about power and the ability to exact said power in a public forum.

It’s a way for “leaders” of society – some people call them politicians – to have their name branded on a controversial move in the anticipation if said move is successful, they can show how they “work for the people”. If it is labeled unsuccessful for any reason, they will work their magic spin.

It’s the same BS reason why Meeks and his whiners are going to consider going to Wrigley during the playoffs to protest the school funding issue. It’s about power, and what better way to get your “word” across than during a nationally televised baseball game at one of MLB’s shrines.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Sep 25, 2008 12:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I would love

I would love to see the broadcasters ignore that and all protests.

It’s not really news. Most of the country doesn’t give a poop and the Cubs have nothing to do with it.

Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Sep 25, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're totally correct on the facts at hand

however, its about power and all too often that has nothing to do with the facts at hand (e.g. Cubs having nothing to do with it; you’re 100% correct. Rest of the country? hmmm, maybe but I don’t know other cities’ issues)

The point is the forum being selected, by Meeks with his issue and the city counsel with their “issue” on the drinking. Some one or some folks are out to make a name for themselves.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Sep 25, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs