***So Winch Flowers is closing...Doesn't it seem like every day another business in Spfld closes?  World Market, Pass Pets, Winch, the restaurant on the 30th floor of the Hilton, etc., etc., etc.

Here's the deal - why aren't more people talking and writing letters making fun of these business owners?  Stay with me on this.

When mom & pop taverns closed after the smoking ban went into effect, supporters of the smoking ban were vicious in making fun of these business owners saying things like 'they should've had a better business plan than to rely on smokers' and 'if these places close because of the smoking ban, they shouldn't have been in business to begin with.'

Of course these places had mortgages and employees and loyal patrons and they closed because they operated on the margins.  I don't hear the same anti-business zealots jeering and finger pointing at a place like Winch's Flowers that has been in business for 70 years.  The current owner says because of changes in the floral business, she has to close.

Well, because of big government changing the business climate for small bars and taverns in Spfld and across Illinois, some of them had to close.  Not only did they close, they then were kicked in the teeth by the anti-business hacks and flacks.  They, of course, will say it is not the same thing because one dealt with smoking and smoking is more evil than terrorism, murder and rape all wrapped in a bow.

They are right to some extent - there is a difference in why the bars closed and why other businesses are closing - one was shoved down our throats by big govt and the nanny state and the others are closing because of market corrections.

***So the Mayor FINALLYregisters his opposition to a pension bill.  He didn't actually show up to the committee and testify against the bill or speak to reporters or actually do anything than have one of his people fill out a form telling the committee he didn't like the bill.  Rumor has it he is out of town.  But, thank goodness he is starting to GET IT!

***Another step in the International Media's plan to end the war one soldier at a time.  This time it was Prince Harry - the guy wanted to be there, has been in Afghanistan for 2 + months, was liked by his men and was doing a good job according to his superiors.  Oh well, you're outta there - we can't have any good PR, can we?

***Cubs Fans - I know this will be a shock to most of you, but you're not special.  Even for all of the losing your team has done, that doesn't make you special.  The 'outrage' by the fraternity boys that worship at the Ivy is more of the same crap from a fan base that has never had to look reality in the eye or actually worry about baseball.  They've been too interested in using Wrigley field as the world's largest college bar and now they have an owner who wants to treat the team like a business.  Tough.

***Shocked that the Sun-Times actually lets Steve Huntley write a column that, not only, knocks Savior Obama but actually discusses the great weaknesses of the Savior with regards to foreign policy.  This is a great column on two counts [1] Huntley quickly disassembles Obama's pull the troops out and then send them back policy for Iraq and [2] exploits Obama's preference of meeting with any world leader - out enemies - including Iran's nutjob of a president.  This is the guy who continues to say he wants to wipe Israel off the map and bring the Islamic revolution to the world.  Not to mention the nukes. 

***More on Obamarama:  Ms. Obama said this yesterday:  But, she told about 200 supporters this morning at a restored theater in Canton, Obama won despite that "climate of negativity and doubt" in 2004.  But Eric Zorn had this in his column yesterday:  "We warned him away from using the middle name," replied Bill Pascoe, Keyes' former campaign manager.  If anyone remembers the Alan Keyes campaign, if it could actually be called that, you would remember that it was a pathetic affair that never caught fire and never actually did anything to come close to Obama's win in '04.  Obama walked into office after the IL GOP imploded with Jack Ryan and Keyes.  That sure was some win, Ms. Obama.