Thursday, December 25, 2008

Gov. Rod Blegojevich At The Democratic Convention

I recorded this interview of Gov. Blagojevich at the Democratic Convention but now it takes on new meaning. At the time of this interview, there was no nationally-known scandal. The matter of the Chicago school funding controversy was only known to the Chicago media, and not by me. I was just gathering information. But the matter of who Gov. Blagojevich's allies and enemies are comes out in this brief interview conducted by a member of the Chicago media and recorded by me at part of the group of press behind him.

Gov. Blegojevich answered all of the questions aimed at him and -- considering the rush to see Hillary Clinton speak -- gave as much time as he could to the press. In firing back against charges from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley that school funding was inadequate, the Governor asked if the Mayor and Arne Duncan, the head of the Chicago Board of Education and now President-Elect Barack Obama's choice to be Secretary of Education, could account for the $2 billion the state gave the City of Chicago.

In this, we see who may be backing Blago: State Senator Emil Jones and State Senator Rev. Jesse Meeks. But moreover, I believe we're dealing with someone who, with all of his foilbles, knows where "the bodies are buried."

This matter of his indictment going to get even more interesting before it's done.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

NORAD Tracks Santa - Cape Canaveral, Florida

As of this writing, NORAD tracked Santa in Baltimore! Check out http://www.noradsanta.org for the latest Santa siting!

American Airlines plane incidents at Chicago's O'Hare airport - CNN.com

More at CNN.com: “(CNN) -- A passenger jet preparing to take off from the airport skidded off the runway at Chicago, Illinois' O'Hare and another plane was forced to return there after engine problems were reported, officials said.

American Airlines Flight 1544 -- an MD-80 carrying 54 passengers and a crew of five -- was taxiing into takeoff position on Runway 22-L when it hit an icy patch, said airline spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan.

No one was hurt, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said.

The left tires and the nose tires slid onto the grass next to the taxiway, she said.”

-- I can't remember a time when so many incidents of delays and accidents happened in such a small window of time. I wonder if this is tied to the poor maintainance spending of the airlines and the need for airport upgrades in general?

Denver Airport Three Hour Flight Delay - Christmas Eve

This is the second day of my Denver flight delay story. After not making UAL 7515, I managed to get a free room at the Marriot Residents Inn in nearby Aurora, CO. The next morning, I got up to get back to Denver Airport. This is that portion of the ordeal.

Denver Airport Three Hour Flight Delay - Day Two

This is the second day of my Denver flight delay story. After not making UAL 7515, I managed to get a free room at the Marriot Residents Inn in nearby Aurora, CO. The next morning, I got up to get back to Denver Airport.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Denver Airport Three Hour Flight Delay - Not On Flight

Well, after all that, the flight was so overbooked, and I was on standby, I did not get on. So, I've got to get a hotel room and stay in Denver for the night.

Denver Airport Three Hour Flight Delay - Bad Weather

As I upload this new video I am still at DIA - Denver International Airport - and Gate B56 where the flight to Atlanta, United 7515, was to have departed at 6:56, but will not leave until 10 PM. The reason: bad weather in Iowa