A Century of Presidential Elections – Statistics Worth Knowing

by John F. Di Leo   I often talk about what jobs are most winnable for the White House. Vice Presidents look like they have a great shot at it, but statistically, most VPs who have become president have done […]

Of Speeches and Monuments – The Quest for the Obama Presidential Library

Of Speeches and Monuments – The Quest for the Obama Presidential Library Reflections on the intersection of the State of the Union Address and the Chicago effort to solve its problems by building another government building… by John F. Di […]

Free Community College – Economics and Education in Freefall Together

Free Community College – Economics and Education in Freefall Together by John F. Di Leo, in Illinois Review, January 19, 2015 A.D. Democrats have long called for grammar school to be “free” (that is, taxpayer-funded)… and they’ve long called for […]
2015 State of the Union Speech (pirated transcript, abridged)

2015 State of the Union Speech (pirated transcript, abridged)

At great expense and risk to life and limb, I have obtained for my personal website an abridged advance copy of this year’s State of the Union address, including both the Resident’s speech and the American people’s ongoing response, as […]

Under Sky or Minaret, Everything Old is New Again

Under Sky or Minaret, Everything Old is New Again by John F. Di Leo, January 15, 2015 A.D. Reflections on the War on Terror, a century into it… There are as many truisms in war as there are in peace.  […]

If The Founding Fathers Were 21st Century High Schoolers…

JFD’s Top 28 Founding Superlatives, January 11, 2015 A.D. by John F. Di Leo If the Founding Fathers Were 21st Century High Schoolers, they would have voted each other into a “most likely to…” list. Something like this, I expect: […]

Common Sense and the Glorious Cause

Common Sense and the Glorious Cause Reflections on the anniversary of the publication of Thomas Paine’s classic work… by John F. Di Leo Historians, political scientists, and philosophers alike often look at revolutions and ask the question “Was it a […]

The Chicago Dictionary – Volume Six

The Chicago Dictionary – Volume Six Definitions of words and idioms that mean something else in Illinois; posted as a public service to the consumers of news. Art Institute:  A building full of statues, much like the Chicago City Council […]
JFD’s Top Five

JFD’s Top Five

On Dolley Madison’s birthday, here are: JFD’s Top Five Differences Between Michelle Obama and Other First Ladies by John F. Di Leo, May 20, 2015 A.D. 5:  When the British attacked the White House, Dolley Madison saved George Washington’s portrait. […]
JFD’s Statement of the Day – 1-11-2015

JFD’s Statement of the Day – 1-11-2015

JFD’s Statement of the Day:  January 11, 2015 A.D. Let’s get the definition of “lone wolf” straight, okay? When a military commander tells an army to attack, it’s war… no matter whether he says “Front line, Fire, then Second Line, […]