Penny's worth of clout

Tag : Ladies' Clogs

Sunday is a significant day in history. Sure, man walked on themoon in 1969. But that isn't what I'm thinking about -- I'mthinking about the year before, July 20, 1968, when 1,000 athletesfrom two dozen states met at Soldier Field, all because a23-year-old Chicago Park District gym teacher -- now IllinoisSupreme Court Justice Anne Burke -- had a radical idea: that,rather than spend their lives hidden away, people withdisabilities, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy and such, mightenjoy participating in a competition modeled on the Olympics.
Since that first Special Olympics competition 40 years ago Sunday,it has brought the thrill of participation and the joy of victoryto millions of athletes and their families. Congrats to Anne, andto all involved.
It was also on this day, in 1925, in the city of Chicago, county ofCook, as he likes to say, that Edward McElroy was born. I couldcall him a former radio broadcaster, current cable TV host,publicist for cops and judges, but the best way to describe Ed isto say that, whoever you may be, he not only knows you, but he knewyour father.
A small lunch was held Friday for Ed at the Renaissance Hotel, andI was privileged to sit between him and former Fraternal Order ofPolice President Bill Nolan. About a dozen judges Ed helped winelections were there, too, and conversation quickly turned toBarack Obama, whom some had campaigned with not so long ago. Theyseemed to be experiencing what I call "Barack Shock," the strange,almost queasy cognitive dissonance that comes when you realize thejug-eared guy you were campaigning with, shaking hands next to on awindy Beverly train platform a couple election cycles back, is nowpoised to become the president of the United States.
On the other side of Ed was Illinois state Senate President EmilJones. Jones was still driving a mail truck when Ed met him; now,Jones is being called Obama's political godfather. I commented onthe amazing chain of fate that has brought Obama to this point.
"What happened was this," Jones said. "Blair Hull blew up. What'shis name? Jack Ryan -- Ryan blew up. They bring in this nut ..."
"Alan Keyes," I said, helpfully.
"Keyes blew up."
It was almost like divine providence was clearing a path for Obama.
"He's destiny's child!" exuded Jones. "No doubt about it. It'sdestiny!"