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29 Sep 2009 11:16

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28 Sep 2009 23:00

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U.S.: Is Derrion Albert’s death a tipping point for school violence?

Screencaps from Darrion Albert's murder

It's a hard video to watch. (Watch it here, but note that it's very graphic.) It's a situation that you'll likely never be in. But in Chicago, it's a way of life. Derrion Albert's death is not the first nor the last to happen in and around the public school system, but it could be a tipping point.
  • Derrion Albert Albert, an honors student, got caught in the middle of a gang fight just blocks away from his school, where a separate incident happened earlier that day. He was kicked and beaten with a plank, and he died on the scene. But someone caught it on a camera phone, a video that allowed Chicago police to identify the suspects. Four have been charged. source
  • Derrion Albert Albert, an honors student, got caught in the middle of a gang fight just blocks away from his school, where a separate incident happened earlier that day. He was kicked and beaten with a plank, and he died on the scene. But someone caught it on a camera phone, a video that allowed Chicago police to identify the suspects. Four have been charged.
  • This was not isolated Let’s be honest here: Albert’s death is getting much more attention because of the YouTube-friendly video. But it’s attention that can be harnessed. 290 students were injured last year in gun-related incidents in Chicago, and gang fights like the one shown in the video are common. The page-one play of this story could help the city turn a corner. source
  • Derrion Albert Albert, an honors student, got caught in the middle of a gang fight just blocks away from his school, where a separate incident happened earlier that day. He was kicked and beaten with a plank, and he died on the scene. But someone caught it on a camera phone, a video that allowed Chicago police to identify the suspects. Four have been charged.
  • This was not isolated Let’s be honest here: Albert’s death is getting much more attention because of the YouTube-friendly video. But it’s attention that can be harnessed. 290 students were injured last year in gun-related incidents in Chicago, and gang fights like the one shown in the video are common. The page-one play of this story could help the city turn a corner.
  • Social media As Albert’s death becomes a touchstone for Chicago schools, it’s important to note the video’s impact. Like the texting-while-driving PSA from a month ago, this video stays with you. It’s as strong a deterrent against gang violence as any, because the world doesn’t need more Derrion Alberts. Chicago needs safer schools and safer streets. Will that happen? source

23 Aug 2009 11:39

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Offbeat: Dolphins blamed for slip and fall conditions at a Chicago zoo

  • Dolphins at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo are encouraged to splash, because hey, it’s cute and visitors love it. source
  • A woman walking near the exhibit slipped and fell last year. Now she’s suing the zoo for encouraging this. source

17 Aug 2009 20:16

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U.S.: Chicago had Furlough Funday today. They saved; you complained.

  • $8.3 million was saved by annoying people for one day source

07 Aug 2009 19:38

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Sports: Ben Wallace grovels his way back to the Pistons fold

  • In a classic bad career move, Detroit’s biggest star, Ben Wallace, takes a massive payday from Pistons’ biggest rival, the Chicago Bulls. He quickly declines. source
  • After spending time sucking for two different teams, Wallace re-signs with the Pistons for the veterans’ minimum. He didn’t completely burn the bridge. source

29 Jul 2009 10:40

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U.S.: Chicago seemed violent last night: Tons of overnight shootings

  • 15 shootings last night alone; that’s a pretty scary taste of Chicago source

23 Jul 2009 20:52

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Sports: Mark Buehrle has plenty of reasons to be perfectly happy

  • 18 perfect games, ever; the White Sox pitcher threw one of those today source
 

18 Jul 2009 12:41

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Music: *sigh* We’re currently missing the Pitchfork Music Festival

Fortunately, our friends at The Windy Citizen are covering THE social event of the hipster year for us. Thanks guys. source

16 Jul 2009 12:19

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U.S.: The Sears Tower got renamed? Whatchoo talkin’ bout …

  • WILLIS Tower is its brand-new name source

24 Jun 2009 21:39

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U.S.: Racist net dude Hal Turner arrested for threats to Chicago judges

  • Turner’s threats Turner, a white supremacist, radio host and blogger who’s claimed to be so far to the right that he makes Rush Limbaugh look liberal, said this in response to a recent court decision banning handguns in Chicago: “Let me be the first to say this plainly: These judges deserve to be killed.” source
  • Turner’s threats Turner, a white supremacist, radio host and blogger who’s claimed to be so far to the right that he makes Rush Limbaugh look liberal, said this in response to a recent court decision banning handguns in Chicago: “Let me be the first to say this plainly: These judges deserve to be killed.”
  • Going too far He also posted their vital information on his site, along with a picture of the courthouse mentioning where barriers were put up to prevent truck bombs. WTF man? The court in question is sensitive to threats, after District Court Judge Joan Lefkow’s mom and husband were killed in 2005. source