You will be reading and hearing a lot today about how on September 22, 1862, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and how, on August 26, 1920, women were finally given the right to vote. You may even find out that the deciding vote for Women’s Suffrage was cast by Henry Burn, a 24 year old Tennessee legislator whose mother told him to vote for the amendment.
Since those events the world has seen more and more people break down barriers that were thought impenetrable. Today, no matter who wins, another barrier will fall. And, some day, when we elect our first multi-racial Lesbian Republican or handicapped person or all of the above as president, I think we will be able to say we have attained real progress.
But until then, today will do nicely.
No matter who you are rooting, and hopefully voting, for, you have to admit that this election has truly caught the attention of the electorate. After today you will be permanently denied the right to voice any complaints about the government if you do not exercise your rights in the voting booth.
Okay, off the soapbox and back to sports.
I am still waiting to hear Babich or any coach of the Bears to explain why safeties and corners are lining up 7 yards deep on 3rd and 1 and similar plays. While they’re at it, they can also explain how one of the best built defenses in the NFL can look as though they need companion animals to find the opposing team. The talent level is not so high that every quarterback, not wearing a Bears’ uniform, is actually the league MVP. It is just starting to seem that way when they play us.
That makes Billy sad.
But, since it appears that the Mets are willing to take Javier Vazquez off the Sox’ hands, my mood has brightened considerably. A pitcher who only posts winning records on losing teams is not the first guy you want to hand the ball too. Heck, he may not even be the last.
The Cubs have solved all their problems by firing Fukudome’s interpreter. They also had 7 players file for free agency, so you can guarantee that not all of them will return. Since the Cubs need what everyone else needs, pitching and speed, this could be an interesting offseason.
The Chicago Fire have home field advantage in the playoffs and will try and win this round Thursday night. They can move on with a victory Thursday night over the hated New England Revolution. I have asked a friend of mine to explain the soccer playoff points’ system to me. He tried but, sadly, my math stopped at advanced calculus so I am a little befuddled. Nevertheless, win and move on I understand.
In the meantime, you have enough serious stuff bouncing around inside your head, so take a load off, think of your favorite Chicago band or musician and CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE FUN!