Mayor Daley was not happy with the Sun-Times this week.
On the front page was a headline from news made during the Family Secrets trial.
Nicholas Calabrese, who has admitted to killing at least 14 people for the Outfit, testified this week how three men he knew were involved in the bombing of Horwath's Restaurant in the early 1980s.
One of the men allegedly was Fred Barbara, now a millionaire executive who happens to be a friend of Mayor Daley. Barbara was never charged.
So is it fair to make this the headline news of the day?
Daley's spokesman argued, essentially, it was a cheap shot and guilt by association.
On the flip side, you're always judged by the company you keep in life, especially when you're a public figure.
The Sun-Times put the item on the front page. The Tribune featured it prominently too, in a John Kass column.
So what's the verdict, low blow - or taxpayers have the right to know?
Cheap shot? Guilt part association? No.The Chicago Sun-Times got it just right,this is a front page story.Fred Barbara and Mayor Daley are friends.Try guilt by participation.Fred Barbara's uncle the late Fred Roti was a another "friend" of Mayor Daley's.On September 29,1999 Mayor Daley offered a resolution honoring the life of Fred Roti.Here's a quote on page 11239 of the Journal of City Council-Chicago: "WHEARAS,Fred B.Roti,a committed public servant,a cherished friend of many and a good neighbor to all,will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his many family members,friends and associaties;now,therefore,"
Remember,Fred Roti was named as a "made member" of the Chicago Outfit by the Clinton Justice Department on August 11,1999.So,Mayor Daley feels "made guys" can be "committed public servants".
LOW BLOW!
I give the media credit with some great coverage of this trial.
But they have to stop grabbing at so many straws!!!!
Barbara was mentioned and all hell broke loose! Give the guy a break!
Just like when someone mentioned that antique Al Tornabene the media went nuts!
This was a bit of a cheap shot on the Mayor. True, he's got to be smarter about who he associates with, but he's not directly involved with some of these people and the headline gives that impression.
Still, the mayor has some explaining to do about Barbara, but that doesn't mean the mayor should have been lumped into that category by association. These are some real bad people we are talking about and the mayor, as politicians are not always the sweetest most loyal people, is still a dedicated family man and does value the city.
Mayor Daley has A LOT of explaining to do. Ask him a few tough questions and he curls up like a caterpillar. You really can't blame him, the media in this town have treated him with Kid gloves for 17 years. Someone needs to use some boxing gloves on this Mega Farce we call the DA Mayor. He is cooking the books on almost everything he touches and would make a charlatan blush at his feigned indignation to REAL above the belt questions. I say let him stew in his own gravy of Mobsters, GOONs and Grifters. One day the sunlight will shine on this Farce of a Leader and everyone will say " Hard to believe he could hide so long".
Of course it is OK to grill the mayor on the donors and head honchos he hangs out with. He was a Bad State's Attorney and even a more terrible Mayor.( SEE POLICE BRUTALITY, 12 INNOCENT MEN SENT TO DEATH ROW, MOB COVERUPS ETC. ETC) He should be thrown out on his ear, HE HAS LOOTED THE TAXPAYERS OF CHICAGO OVER A BILLION DOLLARS WITH HIS CORRUPTION AND BUY-A-VOTE PROGRAMS.
JUST WATCH HIM SELL MIDWAY AIRPORT AND TELL EVERYONE IT WAS A GREAT DEAL. The idiots that vote for him are delusional.
Maybe Dumber than Bush his federal counterpart!!
Its is amazing things haven't imploded before our eyes already!
Give him Hell ---All you reporters!!!!!!!
Steve my book I am writing is called CHICAGO'S MOST POWERUL NEIGHBORHOOD. Some history on Bridgeport, mayor Daley, trucking scandal, and political ties to city hall! The book also centers on some of the 26th street crew and how friends and associates of some mob figures scored good jobs with the city!