With all the Coronavirus stories clogging up the airwaves and print media, there are quite a few stories that have gone unnoticed or unreported for lack of a better word. I guess one could say the Virus is probably the most important story in most of our lifetimes. Imagine for a few fantasy seconds that the virus never happened.

Without question, a mass killing in Canada by a lone gunman posing as a Police Constable would be headline news, the slaughter of 18 innocent people was relegated to the back pages of most dailies and a mere blip on the newscasts. Another weekend in Chicago a City that is under a stay at home order has another horrific violent weekend with 35 people shot and another 5 murdered. Nineteen days in April all under stay at home orders, the violence totals are 175 people shot and 43 murdered.

DUH! Some folks are not staying at home. However, the Mayor has seen fit to drive around selected neighborhoods badgering people to get into the house and practice social distancing. One Major Chicago paper made no mention of the shooting violence whatsoever and the other one covered it only on line. I’m not a news professional of course, but life does go on for close to 2.6 million people that have not contacted the virus.

One Major paper in Chicago today had 27 Coronavirus stories covering the entire online edition before low and behold there was a story, READY! about Prince Harry and his bride Meghan not being comfortable anymore with the British Tabloids. Easy to be a critic I guess but it is a tad frustrating. Another rather interesting story that slipped on by unnoticed was that 65 years ago today Richard J. Daley was sworn in as Chicago’s Mayor. A run that began in 1955 and ended with his death in 1976. Machine politics from its infancy to one of the most powerful political organizations in the world. His run was so complete it paved the way for his son who was elected Mayor in 1989, after the death of Harold Washington. The Chicago Machine rumbled on.  Between them, father Richard J and son  Richard M. Virtually ruled Chicago for 42  years.

Without getting into the merits of either Daley’s regimes, and actually 42 years of running a big City it would take an entire library to list all the pros and cons, though the great Chicago Columnist Mike Royko did write a brilliant book on Richard J called “BOSS.” The Daleys had lots of things in common, but the most glaring ones were their comedic Malaprops and distortions of the queens English. The senior Daley at times would become so frustrated he just let loose and the reporters loved it. His most famous Malaprop below is still making the rounds. Somehow Richard M mirrored his dad when it came to letting loose with the press but we’ll get to him a little later.

“THE POLICEMAN IS NOT HERE TO CREATE DISORDER THEY’RE THERE TO PRESERVE DISORDER.”

Then came his hysterical introduction of Chicago’s Poet Laureate. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE WITH US TODAY THE POET LARIAT OF CHICAGO”.

THEY HAVE VILLIFIED ME: THEY HAVE CRUCIFIED ME: THEY HAVE EVEN CRITICIZED ME.

Coming to grips with looters with this classic.”WE HAVE TO FACE IT: IN AMERICA TODAY THE WAY TO HAVE FUN AND CELEBRATE IS TO BREAK A STORE WINDOW AND TAKE SOMETHING. THAT’S THE WAY IT IS TODAY IN AMERICA, AND WE HAVE TO ACCEPT IT.

Next, we have one that’s kinda in vogue today.”THE NEWSPAPER IS THE LOWEST THING THERE IS.”

Not all of Daley’s quotes were of the humorous variety, one in which I had a  front row seat. When Dr. King was assassinated in 1968 Chicago witnessed some of the worst rioting in the country. Vast sections of the west side were burning and the looting was fierce. Many were shot and killed and it seemed to be nonstop. Frustrated by the arsonists and looters Daley issued his infamous shot to kill order. He gave the order to the Police Superintendent to shoot to kill arsonists and to maim looters. Even as angry as he was it was the most chilling blunder imaginable. I had thought about it while on the westside, when a teenager ran by me with a Gumball machine in tow.  Imagine if Chicago’s cops followed that order.

When Richard J. died in office in 1976, the City was Daley free until 1989 when his son Richard M was elected Mayor. Almost immediately the Malaprop,   humorous misuse and distortions of words received a rebirth.

Richie (I went to De La Salle high school with him, he’ll always be Richie)  may have had a prophetic moment when it comes to describing then Governor Rod Blagojevich. “I’VE SAID CUCKOO ONCE, I’LL SAY IT AGAIN (CHIRPING) CUCKOO.” In my opinion the most on the money description of Blago ever. Shortly after he went to prison for corruption and said he wanted to teach Shakespeare to the inmates. Man Daley was right, they don’t make nest big enough for that Cukoo.

When asked by a reporter how effective his gun control law would affect people he responded “WHILE HOLDING UP A RIFE: IF I PUT THIS UP YOUR BUTT YOU’LL FIND OUT HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS.”

This one when Democrat Neal Hardigan lost the Governorship to Jim Edgar.

I WORKED FOR HIM. I RAISED MONEY FOR HIM. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? TAKE OFF MY PANTS.” I think old Richie has something going with his pants or shorts, it always seemed to come up, or off depending.

Finally, this last one that is still kicked around today.” SCRUTINY! what else do you want? Do you want to take my shorts? Give me a break, how much scrutiny do you want? Go scrutinize yourself, I GET SCRUTINED, EVERY DAY. DON’T WORRY FROM EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. IT DOESN’T BOTHER ME.” A change a pace from the Coronavirus and maybe Harry and Meghan who somehow managed to sneak in.  But let’s face it, its damn hard to upstage the Daleys in a normal world. Stay safe and watch out for the Mayor if your outside breathing fresh air.