Obama's Solyndra scandal reeks of the Chicago Way

Obama's Gangsta Government

Those of us from Chicago know exactly what the Solyndra scandal smells like. And It doesn’t smell fresh and green.

By John Kass

The Solyndra scandal cost at least a half-billion public dollars. It is plaguing President Barack Obama. And it’s being billed as a Washington story.

But back in Obama’s political hometown, those of us familiar with the Chicago Way can see something else in Solyndra – something that the Washington crowd calls “optics.” In fact, it’s not just a Washington saga – it has all the elements of a Chicago City Hall story, except with more zeros.

The FBI is investigating what happened with Solyndra, a solar panel company that got a $535 million government-backed loan with the help of the Obama White House over the objections of federal budget analysts.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden got a nice photo op. They got to make speeches about being “green.” But then Solyndra went bankrupt. Americans lost jobs. Taxpayers got stuck with the bill. And members of Congress are now in high dudgeon and making speeches.

Federal investigators want to know what role political fundraising played in the guarantee of the questionable loan. Washington bureaucrats warned the deal was lousy. And White House spokesmen flail desperately, like weakened victims in a cheesy vampire movie.

So forget optics. What about smell? It smells bad, and it’s going to smell worse.

Or, did you really believe it when the White House mouthpieces — who are also Chicago City Hall mouthpieces — promised they were bringing a new kind of politics to Washington?

This is not a new kind of politics. It’s the old kind. The Chicago kind.

Read the rest at the Chicago Times.

16 Responses to Obama's Solyndra scandal reeks of the Chicago Way

  1. NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 21, 2011 at 5:33 pm #

    I wonder if this writer knows that he is confirming Rush Limbaugh. Rush was saying this exact same thing about the Chicago style politics since before the election. I know a lot of you, especially those on the left, think Rush is a blowhard and, mostly those on the left, hate him. But the funny thing is he’s usually correct. he was sure right about this.

  2. Joe September 21, 2011 at 7:40 pm #

    I sensed a strong odor and now I can see that I found the source. Did you see as well that the Chicago Union Bosses will share millions in retirement funds? Chicago must be a wonderful place to make money off other peoples sorrow. It will never change until the voters do.

  3. Windy September 22, 2011 at 9:42 am #

    @ NEIL F. AGWD/BSD

    Neil John Kass is a columnist at the Chicago Tribune who often reports on political corruption and between Illinois, Cook County and Chicago government he has an endless supply of corruption material to write about. He is much more familiar with the Chicago Way than Rush as John, his wife and his children have all received death threats from those involved in the Chicago Way. Why just a few days ago the new Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel reminded us again how the Chicago Way works. He was overheard passionately try to pursuade a Chicago Alderman to see things his way as Rahm said, “I’M GOING TO BURN YOUR [EXPLETIVE] HOUSE DOWN”. Oh that Rahm, they don’t refer to him as Rahm “Dead Fish” Emanuel for nothing. lol

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 23, 2011 at 7:32 pm #

      Ok. Thanks for that, but I wasn’t slighting Mr. kass. And I don’t doubt a word that you said, but it still doesn’t answer my question. However, it was just a rhetorical question, and does not really require an answer. I’m sure Mr. Kass is far, and above an expert on this than El Rushbo. But Rush was talking about it before the 2008 elections, and I think he was prescient, that’s all I’m saying. If you thought I was insulting Mr. Kass then I would suggest that your perception of what I said was a few degrees off my intent.

  4. Rob N. Hood September 24, 2011 at 8:59 am #

    What?! Rush L. knew about corruption in Chicago WAY back in 2008??!! What a scoop, what a genius!!!

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 24, 2011 at 1:14 pm #

      Yes, and he was talking about Obama. Do you disagree?

  5. Joe September 24, 2011 at 7:56 pm #

    Interesting read. A good friend of mine is an attorney in Chicago and he said “What’s new?”

  6. Rob N. Hood September 25, 2011 at 7:50 am #

    Exactly- nothing new. And if you think Chicago is some kind of corruption-capital you are foolish. And Yes, I knew who you were talking about. I’m not a three year old. And yes, I am disappointed by several things re: Obama. It is our system of politics (legal bribery) and bad electoral process, that generates charlatans and crooks into public office including of course the Presidency. Especially the Presidency. Until we fix those two things this country will continue to circle the drain.

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 25, 2011 at 1:24 pm #

      Chicago is arguably the most corrupt city in the United States. It is a city with a long and in-your-face tradition of rampant corruption, which has changed little since the mobster days of the early 20th century. A whopping 385 Chicago officials have been convicted of crimes in the past ten years, including five governors, three of whom have served prison sentences. The mob is still very active in Chicago as well, being home to crime bosses responsible for several high-profile murders. At least they’re keeping their U.S. Attorney busy.

      http://nakedlaw.avvo.com/2011/03/the-6-most-corrupt-cities-in-america/

  7. Rob N. Hood September 26, 2011 at 4:04 pm #

    Never said it wasn’t a corrupt place. Plenty of them to go around.

  8. Joe September 26, 2011 at 11:27 pm #

    My friend also stated that he wished chicago would change. They are sick and tired of the Democrats constant corruption, Not republicans. Just wanted to qualify.

  9. collie in Wa State September 27, 2011 at 9:12 am #

    Rob N Hood stop making excuses for Chicago or President Obama. Look at what he does and how immature and bullying he is. What amazing statistcs about Chicago from Neil.Every place isn’t like that and certainly no president in my 50 years has been quite like ths one.Take the covers off your eyes.

  10. Rob N. Hood September 27, 2011 at 11:52 am #

    Ahhh… right. No corrupt Republicans in Chicago. (!!!???) If I were Neil I would now ask you for proof of that. Kind of hard to obtain sometimes ain’t it…?

  11. Joe September 27, 2011 at 6:14 pm #

    Unfortunately you will not find “proof of anything” in Chicago. It doesn’t exist, at least as of today.

  12. Rob N. Hood September 28, 2011 at 6:29 pm #

    Reallu Joe? That sure is convenient… at just the right time!

  13. Rob N. Hood September 30, 2011 at 3:55 pm #

    And yet…. you get all crazy when I say something similar, although not quite as lame, as that. Hmmmm.

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