sterling1man Wrote:Exactly why you can argue for Fed involvement.
Self-Interest in the market place, whether it be selling a Senator seats for favors, as a natural parts of the "spoils system" practiced in Illinois.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The Power of the U.I. needs checks and balances.

If Iowa could legislate a yearly game between Iowa State and U.I. , then a balanced Illinois congress might be able to enact similar legislation which forces the U.I. to play N.I.U. on a yearly basis.

When a University controls a State like in Illinois or LA , the result is a very corrupt State, where the controlling University has the ability to do what is best for itself over what is best for the State.

If the informal power structure of a University is as follows: Head of Alumni - President- VP athletics(A.D.) etc , then it stands to reason that the head of the U.Illinois alumni is the most powerful man in Illinois. More powerful than the Governor? Certainly has more staying power, and less political, financial and FBI scrutiny.

In Illinois the U.I. needs a counter balance.
Executive officials who have served in Springfield should not allowed to serve as executives on the U.I. and especially not to head the U.I. Alumni.
Ex Governors should not be hired as consultants for the U.I. , like EX. Gov Ryan, at six figured salaries.

As long as the U.I. controls Illinois, NIU will not be able to grow academically or on the athletic field in a way that can be seen as rivaling U.Illinois.

Transparency and segregation of the U.Illinois from Springfield will lead to a better University system in Illinois where NIU will be able to become a competitor of the U.I. both on and off the sports field.

No, just because you want NIU to play UI more doesn't mean there should be Fed involvement. That's a ridiculous conclusion. Your insistence on government involvement boggles my mind and the government, whether it be state or federal, has absolutely no business telling athletic departments who they should play and who they shouldn't. The athletic departments need to be able to make decisions that are in their best interest; the UI athletic department makes money at a time when the state doesn't have enough money to support it if it had to. Making UI change their method of scheduling would be flat out stupid and overstepping the boundaries.

There is no point in playing an NIU-Illinois game annually because there is no rivalry. You may want there to be one, but it doesn't exist. The deman for an NIU-UI game is not even close to ISU-Iowa. It's not even in the same ballpark. Illinois already plays Northwestern every year; that is their in-state "rival". I have no problem with UI playing NIU, but the idea that UI somehow owes it to NIU or has some sort of responsibility to play that game is laughable.

It is the job of the people that work for the University of Illinois to do what is best for that University. They have no obligation to NIU. None. Nor should they.

Trying to equate the Blagojevich situation with a University doing what is in its own best interest (which is perfectly logical and ethical) is beyond belief. I also fail to see any relevance of that situation to the scheduling of college football games.

It is the job of the people that work for the University of Illinois to do what is best for that University. They have no obligation to NIU. None. Nor should they.

Trying to equate the Blagojevich situation with a University doing what is in its own best interest (which is perfectly logical and ethical) is beyond belief.
[/quote]

It is very believable that the U.I. controls Illinois and nothing less than Federal involvement will ever change that.
Competition is the hall mark of any democracy.
In Iowa, Iowa refused to play Iowa State and were much better than Iowa State.
The situation is very comparable.
NU is a small private school and no real threat to the U.I. .
The U.I. has no competition in Illinois because it does not want competition in Illinois.

The situation between U.I. and Blagojevich is very comparable. Both are acting in their own interest.
What makes it ethical for the U.I., but not for Blagojevich ?
If the public interest is compromised by an Institution(our anti-Monopoly laws try to prevent this) or by a governor who claims to be cleaning up Illinois and acting in the public interest, we have an unhealthy situation on both accounts.
Federally we have checks and balances with an Executive, Legislative and JUdicial branch. If a University effectively controls all 3, then you have a dangerous and unhealthy situation.

A University which is marred by allegations of embezzelment and corruption charges is no more ethical than a Governor(who happens not to be in the Illinis pocket for once), who is seeking to do what most other politicians in Illinois have done, get favors in return for their power.

I am not defending the Governor's behavior. All I am doing is advocating a system of transparency with checks and balances which limits the powers of an Institution or individual without the feds getting involved.

sterling1man Wrote:It is very believable that the U.I. controls Illinois and nothing less than Federal involvement will ever change that.
Competition is the hall mark of any democracy.
In Iowa, Iowa refused to play Iowa State and were much better than Iowa State.
The situation is very comparable.
NU is a small private school and no real threat to the U.I. .
The U.I. has no competition in Illinois because it does not want competition in Illinois.

The situation between U.I. and Blagojevich is very comparable. Both are acting in their own interest.
What makes it ethical for the U.I., but not for Blagojevich ?
If the public interest is compromised by an Institution(our anti-Monopoly laws try to prevent this) or by a governor who claims to be cleaning up Illinois and acting in the public interest, we have an unhealthy situation on both accounts.
Federally we have checks and balances with an Executive, Legislative and JUdicial branch. If a University effectively controls all 3, then you have a dangerous and unhealthy situation.

A University which is marred by allegations of embezzelment and corruption charges is no more ethical than a Governor(who happens not to be in the Illinis pocket for once), who is seeking to do what most other politicians in Illinois have done, get favors in return for their power.

I am not defending the Governor's behavior. All I am doing is advocating a system of transparency with checks and balances which limits the powers of an Institution or individual without the feds getting involved.

Just so I'm clear on this: Northwestern, who plays in the same conference as Illinois and is a more prestigious academic institution, is no threat to Illinois but NIU is? Are you kidding me?

And now anybody who is doing something in their own best interest is immediately comparable to Blagojevich? And, again, what does that have to do with scheduling football games? And why are you complaining? You called the game "strange" earlier in the thread.

Again, employees of the University of Illinois have an obligation to do what is in the best interest of that University. Why is that such a difficult concept for you to grasp? The same holds true for those at NIU. Do you truly believe NIU employees don't do things in the best interest of their own school? And, if you really believe that somehow makes an act comparable to what Blagojevich has done, why don't you criticize NIU for it as well?

NU is privately funded & does not compete with UI for state dollars nor must its academic programs nor expansion plans be approved by the state board of higher educ. which is historically loaded with Illini members. Current Chairwoman Hartman is a UI grad and two other members of the board are also either employed by UI or graduates.

None from NIU.

UIHuskie Wrote:

sterling1man Wrote:It is very believable that the U.I. controls Illinois and nothing less than Federal involvement will ever change that.
Competition is the hall mark of any democracy.
In Iowa, Iowa refused to play Iowa State and were much better than Iowa State.
The situation is very comparable.
NU is a small private school and no real threat to the U.I. .
The U.I. has no competition in Illinois because it does not want competition in Illinois.

The situation between U.I. and Blagojevich is very comparable. Both are acting in their own interest.
What makes it ethical for the U.I., but not for Blagojevich ?
If the public interest is compromised by an Institution(our anti-Monopoly laws try to prevent this) or by a governor who claims to be cleaning up Illinois and acting in the public interest, we have an unhealthy situation on both accounts.
Federally we have checks and balances with an Executive, Legislative and JUdicial branch. If a University effectively controls all 3, then you have a dangerous and unhealthy situation.

A University which is marred by allegations of embezzelment and corruption charges is no more ethical than a Governor(who happens not to be in the Illinis pocket for once), who is seeking to do what most other politicians in Illinois have done, get favors in return for their power.

I am not defending the Governor's behavior. All I am doing is advocating a system of transparency with checks and balances which limits the powers of an Institution or individual without the feds getting involved.

Just so I'm clear on this: Northwestern, who plays in the same conference as Illinois and is a more prestigious academic institution, is no threat to Illinois but NIU is? Are you kidding me?

And now anybody who is doing something in their own best interest is immediately comparable to Blagojevich? And, again, what does that have to do with scheduling football games? And why are you complaining? You called the game "strange" earlier in the thread.

Again, employees of the University of Illinois have an obligation to do what is in the best interest of that University. Why is that such a difficult concept for you to grasp? The same holds true for those at NIU. Do you truly believe NIU employees don't do things in the best interest of their own school? And, if you really believe that somehow makes an act comparable to what Blagojevich has done, why don't you criticize NIU for it as well?

U.I. has the power. NIU does not. U.I. dictates, NIU listens.
Self interest should not be a predominant theme for public servants.(Although realistically in Illinois it most definitely is.)

University of Illinois employees should not be allowed to offor Gov Ryan a consultant position with a six figured salary.
It makes you wonder how many tens of millions of dollars he must have shoveled Illini's way under the carpet.

Why does the head of U.I. alumni happen to be a former Executive VP of finances
for the Illini and most alarmingly a high ranking former State employee at Springfield. Does this not create an opportunity to shovel money between U.Illinois and government accounts without transparency and with impunity.
Is this not a potential recipe for corruption on a huge level defrauding the Illinois taxpayers of millions in the name of the University of Illinois?

Every State public servant serves the Illinois taxpayer and should not have to defraud the Illinois taxpayer to serve the interest of his employee.

The problem lies with the lack of transparency in Illinois.
Secondly lack of segregation of duties between THe Illinois State government and the University of Illinois.

Similarly a governor should not chose a senator on his own.
A committee which includes the governor should be responsible for that function, hence making it harder for blatent corruption.

Chicago and the State is full of kickback arrangements. Whether it be special contractors with the University of Illinois, City of Chicago or whomever.

Transparency, careful monitoring by the Feds, and a State system which prevents a single institution from dominating the Legislature and Judiciary and in most cases the executive branches as well.

Competition is an essential force in any democracy. When it is replaced by an oligoploly like the University of Illinois or LSU corruption and the benefit of those institutions replaces both competition and the benefit of the taxpayers in the States of Illinois and LA.

sterling1man Wrote:U.I. has the power. NIU does not. U.I. dictates, NIU listens.
Self interest should not be a predominant theme for public servants.(Although realistically in Illinois it most definitely is.)

University of Illinois employees should not be allowed to offor Gov Ryan a consultant position with a six figured salary.
It makes you wonder how many tens of millions of dollars he must have shoveled Illini's way under the carpet.

Why does the head of U.I. alumni happen to be a former Executive VP of finances
for the Illini and most alarmingly a high ranking former State employee at Springfield. Does this not create an opportunity to shovel money between U.Illinois and government accounts without transparency and with impunity.
Is this not a potential recipe for corruption on a huge level defrauding the Illinois taxpayers of millions in the name of the University of Illinois?

Every State public servant serves the Illinois taxpayer and should not have to defraud the Illinois taxpayer to serve the interest of his employee.

The problem lies with the lack of transparency in Illinois.
Secondly lack of segregation of duties between THe Illinois State government and the University of Illinois.

Similarly a governor should not chose a senator on his own.
A committee which includes the governor should be responsible for that function, hence making it harder for blatent corruption.

Chicago and the State is full of kickback arrangements. Whether it be special contractors with the University of Illinois, City of Chicago or whomever.

Transparency, careful monitoring by the Feds, and a State system which prevents a single institution from dominating the Legislature and Judiciary and in most cases the executive branches as well.

Competition is an essential force in any democracy. When it is replaced by an oligoploly like the University of Illinois or LSU corruption and the benefit of those institutions replaces both competition and the benefit of the taxpayers in the States of Illinois and LA.

At this point you've gone off on about 10 different tangents in this thread and I really have no desire to continue to try and follow your political pontifications.

You're welcome to your opinion. I simply don't agree with a significant portion of it as it relates to athletics and scheduling (key point here) a football game.

MiamiHuskie Wrote:Must be global warming. Actually, that kind of game would benefit us.

Baton Rouge got 8" of snow yesterday.

UIHuskie Wrote:

sterling1man Wrote:I was referring to Div1a in-state schools. Not Div1aa instate schools.

So it's not an issue with them playing in-state schools. It's an issue with them specifically not playing NIU, since they play Northwestern every year.

Don't say they've avoided in-state competition if that isn't what you meant and if the facts don't back it up.

I also don't know why playing the game is "strange" to you. You complain that UI won't play NIU but then when they do you call it "strange".

Strange that they wanted no part of the Huskies 2003 to 2006, but now are interested.

Dog Fan Wrote:

MiamiHuskie Wrote:Must be global warming. Actually, that kind of game would benefit us.

Baton Rouge got 8" of snow yesterday.

"Global warming" is now known as "global climate change". It covers periods of extreme hot weather, periods of extreme cold weather, and periods of both hot and cold weather. So you see, the cold weather in New Orleans was caused by global climate change, as was Hurricane Katrina.

Furthermore, we are no longer the "Knights Who Say 'Ni'". we are now the "Knights Who Say 'Ecky-ecky-ecky-ecky-pikang-zoop-boing-goodem-zoo-owli-zhiv'".

huh?

Huskie_Jon Wrote:

Dog Fan Wrote:

MiamiHuskie Wrote:Must be global warming. Actually, that kind of game would benefit us.

Baton Rouge got 8" of snow yesterday.

"Global warming" is now known as "global climate change". It covers periods of extreme hot weather, periods of extreme cold weather, and periods of both hot and cold weather. So you see, the cold weather in New Orleans was caused by global climate change, as was Hurricane Katrina.

Furthermore, we are no longer the "Knights Who Say 'Ni'". we are now the "Knights Who Say 'Ecky-ecky-ecky-ecky-pikang-zoop-boing-goodem-zoo-owli-zhiv'".

Crikey!

Huskie_Jon Wrote:

Dog Fan Wrote:

MiamiHuskie Wrote:Must be global warming. Actually, that kind of game would benefit us.

Baton Rouge got 8" of snow yesterday.

"Global warming" is now known as "global climate change". It covers periods of extreme hot weather, periods of extreme cold weather, and periods of both hot and cold weather. So you see, the cold weather in New Orleans was caused by global climate change, as was Hurricane Katrina.

Furthermore, we are no longer the "Knights Who Say 'Ni'". we are now the "Knights Who Say 'Ecky-ecky-ecky-ecky-pikang-zoop-boing-goodem-zoo-owli-zhiv'".

maybe they should get a shrubbery to hold back the snow.

Snow in Louisiana does happen but maybe once or twice a year. The average high in Shreveport in early December is 60 degrees, dropping off to the mid 50s by the end of December, here is the 10 day forecast:

58/38 Sunny
62/54 Sunny
71/59 Cloudy
61/40 Thunderstorms
56/47 Showers
66/47 Showers
68/46 Showers
67/41 Sunny
65/44 Showers
64/39 Showers

When we are in Shreveport, the average weather will be on order of early April in Chicago, hopefully we get a warm stretch where its in the 60s during the day and the 40s at night.

Bring on the rain. Isn't that what doomed LTU vs Navy?

a repeat of Silicon Valley Bowl !!!

The hotel I am staying at has an outdoor pool.
Can you say Polar Bear swim.

calvin12 Wrote:

Huskie_Jon Wrote:

Dog Fan Wrote:

MiamiHuskie Wrote:Must be global warming. Actually, that kind of game would benefit us.

Baton Rouge got 8" of snow yesterday.

"Global warming" is now known as "global climate change". It covers periods of extreme hot weather, periods of extreme cold weather, and periods of both hot and cold weather. So you see, the cold weather in New Orleans was caused by global climate change, as was Hurricane Katrina.

Furthermore, we are no longer the "Knights Who Say 'Ni'". we are now the "Knights Who Say 'Ecky-ecky-ecky-ecky-pikang-zoop-boing-goodem-zoo-owli-zhiv'".

maybe they should get a shrubbery to hold back the snow.

Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. ...

The Tech offense freezes up in severely cold weather and in heavy rain. We are hoping for a sunny day in the high 60's.

See you soon!

Polar Bear Swim - Can you say shrinkage..... Still soaked from the SV bowl, miserable....garbage

the misery was overshadowed when Wolfe bolted for a 50 yd TD run getting Huskies into the game and leading us to a come back W.

SOGGY, yes, but at least it was not chilly nor cold in Spartan Stadium.