The Windy City Olympic Shakedown

NY Post ^ | September 30, 2009 | Michelle Malkin

[khnyny]

WHEN government of ficials play the Olympic lottery, tax payers lose. That has been the disastrous experience of host cities around the world. So, why are President Obama and his White House entourage headed to Copenhagen, Denmark, this week to push a fiscally doomed Chicago 2016 bid? Political payback.

Bringing the games to the Windy City is Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's "vision." The entrenched Democratic powerbroker -- in office since 1989 -- would like to cap off his tenure with a glorious $4 billion bread-and-circuses production. The influential Daley machine backed Barack Obama in the presidential primaries. Obama lavished praise on Daley's stewardship of the city. Longtime Daley cronies helped pave Obama's path to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Now, they're returning the favor for their hometown boss.

Senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett, a Daley loyalist, served as vice chair of Chicago's 2016 Summer Olympics bid committee before moving to the White House, where she has helmed a new "White House Office on Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport" with an undisclosed budget and staff.

It's not just Chicago taxpayers who should be worried about this field of schemes. Crain's Chicago Business reports that Jarrett and Chicago 2016 committee member Lori Healey met this month with federal officials at the Department of Housing and Urban Development "to discuss financing options" for the estimated $1 billion Olympic Village.

The door is open, and the administration is "willing to meet and listen" to any federal subsidy proposals, Jarrett said. Hey, what happened to Obama's tough rules on interest-conflicted lobbying by his administration officials?

[montag813]

CATCH THE SPIRIT!

[taillightchaser]

Here’s a novel idea. Maybe the ossamaites swiss bank accounts will be a lot larger after they collect their graft from this fiasco. If Chicago gets the olympics, zero will be the richest ex-president when he is gone.

[combat_boots]

“an undisclosed budget”

[combat_boots]

“start the city down the path toward the worthy urban planning goal of revitalizing the long-ignored Near South Side lakefront.”

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2009/02/architecture-is-supposed-to-be-chicagos-strong-suit-in-its-quest-to-host-the-2016-summer-games-but-the-plans-for-an-olymp.html

Who owns this land?

[shadeaud]

It's so obvious what is going on here and the administration doesn't give a rat's arse what the people think about it. I'm tired of thinking what the media would be screaming if President Bush did something like this.Even if sent Condi Rice in his place. We have to do something, but what, I have no idea besides writing and calling my senators and congressmen

[9YearLurker]

Interesting how concerned Obama is that the US be only an equal among all nations—until it comes to bringing home yet another Olympics hosting.

[taillightchaser]

Just keep doing that. That’s what we do. I just keep praying that these commies will self destruct.

[TBall]

“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times … and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK.” But we can have the Olympics in Chicago because I say so.

[combat_boots]

And how far is Hyde Park?

Michael Reese Hospital location

Michael Reese Hospital
1859 S Blue Island Ave
Chicago, IL

Various news stories.........on this ‘proposed’ 2016 games. Is this why one of the airports was demolished?
http://outside.in/places/michael-reese-hospital-chicago

[combat_boots]

“86 million but no raises”

Second City Cop

http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/2008/12/86-million-but-no-raises.html

[My Favorite Headache]

How much did it cost tax payer’s to send Michelle Obama on her own plane and then Barack on Air Force One 8 hrs later? What a total fraud these scumbags are.

[Josh Painter]

Will the IOC make the 2x4 Bash an olympic event in time for the Chicago games?

- JP

[dalebert]

ya i think we are the ones being shook down...so obama can buy olympics for his pals

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Wow! Powerful graphic!

[balls]

“Who owns this land?”

Great question. A large portion of the proposed site is owned by Valerie Jarrett, 0’s Senior Advisor.

[combat_boots]

“Michelle Obama: It's a ‘sacrifice’ to travel to Europe to pitch for the Olympics. But I'm doing it for the kids.”

By: Byron York
Chief Political Correspondent
09/30/09 5:12 PM EDT

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Michelle-Obama-Its-a-sacrifice-to-travel-to-Europe-to-pitch-for-the-Olympics—For-Oprah-and-the-president-too—But-were-doing-it-for-the-kids-62928957.html

[combat_boots]

So, Valerie Jarrett & ‘associates’ can get the government to come in and clean up/demolish all kinds of buildings that might be connected to wrong-doing a la Rezko’s Grove Parc?

The government would pay to destroy the evidence?

But, it’s for the kids, isn’t it.

[Palladin]

That graphic says it all.

[aruanan]

Who owns this land?

A lot of different people. It's not an unconsolidated piece of land.