Monday, February 20, 2012
The Reefer / Politics / Clout City The Great Debaters: Alderman Joe Moore and I go at it
Posted by Ben Joravsky on 02.20.12 at 10:24 AM
Hold it, time out for an explanation. Rogers Park’s the community on the city’s far north side. Joe Moore’s been its alderman since, like, forever. Don Gordon ran against him in 2009.
And that, my friends, is pretty much all you need to know to continue…
Wait, wait—time out for personal reminiscence....
I’ve known Joe Moore for almost 30 years. Thirty freaking years, people! That’s a long time to have known anyone—let alone an alderman.
Time out for song. "Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset—swiftly fly the years...."
OK, back to reminiscence….
When we first met, Joe was a young, idealistic gonna-change-the-world lawyer for the city. And I was a young, idealistic reporter, who was gonna write about changing that world.
Somewhere along the line lots of things change—though not, alas, the world.
Joe evolved into a more practical politician who learned, as they say, to pragmatically work within the system.
And me? Well, I remain hopelessly and foolishly anchored in the idealism of my youth, like some funny little oddball you show off to schoolchildren on field trips.
“Look, children, that’s the nutcase who thinks we should spend more on libraries.”
Back to our debate….
It wasn’t positioned as a debate. More like two old guys answering questions about Chicago politics asked by a group of 20 or so college students from across the country brought together by the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. (Let's give a shout out to Mary Scott-Boria, the ACM official who organized the session.)
But since Joe looks at Chicago politics one way, and I look at it another way, we pretty much disagree, though politely, on everything.
So that’s how things turned into a debate.
For instance….
I said TIFs are an abominable scam that take from the poor and give to the rich. And Joe said it’s a valuable tool for economic development with flaws that can be fixed with a little tweaking.
I said Mayor Emanuel’s an impulsive political schemer who rarely takes the time to think through whatever scheme pops into his brain. And Joe said the mayor really, really cares about what aldermen think.
I said the upcoming G8/NATO summits were a colossal waste of money, and Joe said it’s good to shine an international spotlight on our fair city.
I said I’d rather spend all that money on something more tangible—like libraries—than an international spotlight shining on our fair city. And Joe said money’s not really an issue 'cause the feds are picking up most of the tab.
I said Chicagoans spend federal taxes too.
And Joe said, then it’s good those taxes come back to Chicago.
I said I’d rather have them come back to pay for something we really need—like libraries.
And Joe said—what's with you and those fucking libraries!
Just kidding. Joe didn’t really say that. Probably didn’t even think it. Mayor Rahm on the other hand….
Afterward, Joe and I posed for a photograph. Part of my plan to pose with every politician in town. Let's see—posed with Mayor Daley and Alderman Richard Mell. Guess Mayor Rahm’s next.
On second thought, I’m not sure either one of us is ready for that…
It was fun jousting with you, Joe!
Comments (8)
Showing 1-8 of 8
like
dislikeBen - a big thanks for speaking with our students. This session was definitely one for the books. You and Joe (Alderman Moore) are such great assets to Chicago! How lucky are we to have individuals that may come down on opposite sides of an issue but are willing to engage in authentic dialogue. Thanks for making this a memorable session for ACM Chicago Program students!
Robyne Hart
Hey, Rogers Parker: You are absolutely correct--2007 was the year that Don ran for alderman. Please excuse any errors caused by my advancing senility....
Ben Joravsky
Thank you, Robyne. It was a lot of fun. I think Joe would agree with me on that.
Ben
Ben, I had a great time, as well. Let's take the show on the road! Speaking of road shows, do you remember the forum I organized back in the mid 80s at the old Wisdom Bridge Theater when I was president of Network 49? You were a guest panelist along with two other observers of the Chicago political scene. Do you remember who they were? Hint: one was a local Chicago Tribune columnist and the other was a Tribune reporter turned political consultant.
Joe: Yes, I still remember that forum. The panelists were Clarence Page, David Axelrod and yours truly. The place was packed. Sunrise, sunset -- indeed.
Ben
Good story on a good dialogue. But, I am surprised that there was no mention of Alderman Moore's 49th Ward innovative and democratic "Participatory Budgeting" Program that allows residents to vote for city-funded projects allocated to the ward. This should be one issue that both the alderman and the reporter agree on.
Jeffrey Doman
