The American Spectator

The unemployment rate increased in 28 states in June, reflecting the rise in the national rate to 9.2% from 9.1% over the month, the Labor Department said Friday.

While 14 states saw their unemployment rate hold steady, eight logged decreases.

(July 23-24, 2011)

Chicago Sun-Times

Writing in the mordant voice for which she is justly celebrated, hometown columnist Stella Foster reports on the gruesome ways Mayor Rahm Emanuel now spends his days:

I love that Mayor Emanuel really cares and is compassionate about all Chicagoans and has been very visible by attending diverse events all over this great city, not just in the downtown area. In fact, besides eating at soul food restaurants on the South Side, the mayor was also seen enjoying gospel great Richard Smallwood’s performance at the Trinity United Church of Christ 50th anniversary celebration Tuesday evening. He also dined on roasted chicken at Kiki’s Bistro on Monday and stopped by Mario’s Lemonade for Italian ice. The mayor is the “energizer bunny” for this city…he just keeps going, and going and going.

(July 21, 2011)

Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Cindy in progressive Petaluma, her brown shirt all neatly folded and her hobnailed boots spit and shined in her bedroom, gently coaxes her Führer, on the correspondence page of her local newspaper, to get off the golf course and take action:

EDITOR: Lately, among my circle of friends, someone whispers that they are disappointed in President Barack Obama and a quiet conversation starts. Some want to stay devout and defend Obama, but many of us are admitting that we are not as hopeful as we once were. He promised change, and we are still waiting.

Saying you are disappointed in someone you voted for can feel like admitting you were wrong, but what you are really admitting is that you are not inspired. The majority of us went to the polls pumped up and hoping for change. We did not expect a perfect America, but we did expect a leader who would inspire us again and again.

Most of us are waiting for instructions, Mr. Obama. Ask us to sacrifice, and we will. Ask something of us, and we will understand who we are and what we are capable of. Give us something to work together on — not a war or a disaster but something that can be brought into each and every home. You inspired us before and can do it again. We’re just waiting for instructions.

CINDY LOHRENTZ

Petaluma

(June 12, 2011)