A pretty good article about the history Black politicians in Chicago, including how Obama was helped by moving here instead of New York.

I thought it was interesting especially when it mentions William Dawson, who ran the Black machine under Mayor J Daley. You see from what I read in a book about Daley and the machine, the machine worked to the benefit of whites who feared blacks moving into their neighborhoods and politicians. Large housing projects guaranteed that Black politicians would get reelected and would have a representation. It also guaranteed that black residents would be stuck in those housing project and unable to move to white neighborhoods. So from Daley's perspective he could say he was helping black politicians advance while avoiding conflict in white neighborhoods looking not to integrate.

The article doesn't go into that much, but it is still a good article mentioning all the powerful politicians that have come from Chicago. It also lauds Illinois as the most average state in the US, a microcosm of the nation. Anyway, I thought it was interesting.

Bulls trade

So the Ben Wallace era has ended. What can we conclude and what can we assume for the future?

The basics
What we gave up: Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Adrian Griffin, 2009 second-round draft pick.
What we got: Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Shannon Brown

I think that we can conclude that Ben Wallace signing did not work as the Bulls had hoped. He was not the same player and did not provide the veteran leadership the Bulls had envisioned. When they brought him, they traded away Tyson Chandler. While Tyson has improved, he is still not a dominant player on a Hornets team that is very hot. (Due mostly to Chris Paul, who I think is quickly becoming on of the elite players in the league) While he certainly was not worth the price, he did weaken the leading contenders the Pistons and provide occasionally boost on defense and rebounding.

I think we can assume the era of the Post Curry-Chandler Bulls, the era of the 2003/2004 draft is done. In those drafts, they picked up Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Duhon, and Nocioni. It looks like Gordon is through. Possibly, Nocioni and Duhon as well. The Bulls have too many shooting guards with Gordon, Thabo, and now Hughes and Brown. It should be interesting to watch Gooden and Hughes. Shannon Brown is also an interesting player to watch because he is a native of Chicago and because of his time a Michigan State. While there are an overload of guards now (which would have been helpful a couple weeks ago when they were essentially down to Duhon and Thabo), there are more spots for Noah, Thomas, and Gray to contribute. The Bulls and other teams should get a good look at these players. They should be able to evaluate them for the future, and possibly for trades.

I'm taking the optimist's view on the trade. The Bulls still have a collection of good, quality players. They still have enough to attract free agents with a quality core or put together enough pieces for a superstar trade. They still have enough talent to make the playoffs, which I think should be a goal, regardless of how well they do in it. So while things look to be going backwards, remember that this is still basically the same team that made it to the second round last year in an Eastern Confrence which was stronger.

Sam Smith as usual has an interesting analysis of the trade.

A pretty interesting article on self repairing machines. I haven't had time, but I am planning posts on the Bulls trade and the future, as well as the Cubs.

One of my favorite Across the Universe songs

(Skip ahead to the song)

Been busy lately, but here's a story about a couple getting married at a White Castle. I wonder if the reception was there too. But check out the bride's last name. Joe Dirt may have found his sister.

Thoughts on Basketball

Can someone please teach Pruitt to make free throws?
http://www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2008/02/08/Sports/Two-Overtimes.Not.Enough.For.Illini-3197762.shtml

Also, I hate to say I told you so, but I did predict the Bulls would struggle with injury problems this season.

Does anyone think Shaq will fit in with the Suns style of play?

The Gasol trade kills whatever slim possibility the Bulls had of landing Gasol or Kobe.

Better times at U of I

New from U of I

New research could make solar panels more efficent
"Nayfeh said rays in the blue-ultraviolet region of the spectrum can be harmful to solar cells and ruin them. But the thin layer of nanoparticles will both protect the solar cell and make it more efficient, he said."

They have also created a radio the size of a grain of sand.

"Their radio is built from transistors made of carbon nanotubes – and you could fit it easily on a grain of sand,"