Monday, March 16, 2009

Southside Irish Parade!

A quarter of million people descended on 60655 and 60643 yesterday. The aftermath...well, it looks like a war zone. Is it really worth it anymore? I can't believe some of the horror stories circulating. I am scared to even look up the parade on You Tube. Fights, vomiting, urinating, defecating, not to mention the 15 and 16 year olds wasted before the parade even stepped off. Is it even worth it? Do the bars and restaurants make any money on this?

The good news - at least the really bad pot holes on Western have been fixed.

84 comments:

Anonymous said...

It really shows the Irish in a bad light. Alcohol should be barred within a mile of the parade.

Steve said...

I've been going to the parade since I was 10, and every year it changes. More and more suburban people are coming just to get drunk. I bet 3/4 of the attendees don't even know why they SSI Parade was started. It's embarrassing to see all these drunks "celebrating" their heritage; go sit and your house and drink and spare yourself from looking like a moron on Western in front of families. I don't even think I will go next year and when I have kids I won't take them to the drunk-fest.

Anonymous said...

I agree with teh comment on the suburbanites. They flock the Metra stations and pile in like its Mardi gras. I think maybe all adults 18 and over should have to show I.d to enter the parade area if you live in the city have fun its free. If you live in the burbs, have fun its 4.00 each. That money will help off set the cost of police and clean up. Porta potties etc. I love teh parade its a great thing, but something should be done to manage the out of state and out of city people. I must have seen two dozen out of state plates in and around the parade, trying to park. manage it like any other city function charge it back to normal. City tax payers should get to enjoy it, out of the city? Pay up to enjoy, plus fines fo rdrinking and throwing garbage.

Anonymous said...

Do you think Hinsdale, Evanston or Palos Heights would ever tolerate thast kind on conduct on it's streets? Think again.

Most of the trouble is caused by suburbanites.

Anonymous said...

I witnessed a mini riot in Kennedy park about 3pm. Hundreds of teens swirling around pounding on each other. Just 2 cops to the whole park. It was nuts until they got under control.

Went home to sit in front and watch people stagger and throw up on the street and then try to negotiate the fence that borders the cemetary, got our laffs watchin them fall off the fence.

Years ago it was about a 100g coming, now 500g attending? Its gotten way out of hand. Liked the parade, dont like what it has become.

Anonymous said...

Picking my kids up at SC today, and they saw the big pile of congealed blood by parking lot. Got to tell them it is what happens when you drink to excess. Like STeve, I walked in Kennedy Park in the first parade, it is a shame what it has become.

Side note. The mom on the playground asking why don't we have an "Italian parade"? Honey, we're the southside irish, go to 22nd street and get dem to organize a parade.

Anonymous said...

Someone please start a petition to stop this madness.....lot's will sign, but all efforts will probably be futile due to the "juice" that all of the bar owners have & $$$ that they make on this day.....the neighborhood is fed up, and it's a disgrace

Anonymous said...

It is a disgrace. I'm 100% Irish and I can tell you that being Irish is not about alcohol abuse.

Yesterday was not a celebration of Irish heritage. It was 200,000 drunks looking for a bathroom. This is good? This is a good thing? I think we need to figure out how to shut it down.

Anonymous said...

From a CPD Blue Shirt's point of view, I hate to say it, but the SS Irish Parade is starting to resemble the Bud Billiken Debacle. After what I saw Sunday, you got to really ask yourself if you want to bring your children to this anymore...

Anonymous said...

I would love to know who is benefiting from this parade?? It cannot solely be the bar owners because know one cares about the bars on western that much. Someone is making a pretty penny on this ordeal at the expense of the whole neighborhood. I saw more disrespectful white trash in one afternoon than I would ever care to see again. I hope they cancel it or think of a better solution.

Anonymous said...

Here we go again. The Irish this, the irish that, pissing, blood, doo doo, any guns?, any knives?, pot heroin?, 208 lost children?, open smoking of mari jane?

Any rival gangs throwing down, any gangs at all??

Stop the parade!! Kill it!!!

Meanwhile we let Western Ave. rot, 111Th. and Kedzie is a joke and a disgrace. Jesus what a bunch of crybabies.

The thing that ticked me off was the damm helicopters, the noise, the aggravation, and the cost to us to run them back and forth over peoples houses, at such a low altitude that a major tragedy would have be un avoidable had the chopper gotten into trouble, and choppers love trouble.

Relax everyone, the bad people are gone, Kedzie the new home of the Section 8 craze remains eternal.

And you really don't want to know the plans for the Salvation Army building. If that parade set you off so much, this news will really launch you gems.

Anonymous said...

I have always LOVED the parade, but it's gotta go.

1. It is fiscally irresponsible to us taxpayers.

2. It is physically unsafe.

3. It is not the family event that it started out to be.

4. It has gotten so big, and costs alot to run, and clean up.

5. The helicopter did make me think East Compton.

6. The public urination, defecation etc are disgusting.

7. This should have been number 1 it is dangerous to the CPD that we leave out there to maintain sanity in absolute chaos. We are the white Bud Biliken parade now.

8. It doesn't make just the Irish look bad, it makes us all look bad.

9. We fill up our ERs with the riff raff that can't drink responsible, stressing their abilities.

Do yourself a favor, don't have a grabber on a parade day, because u probably will have to drive yourself to the hospital, and if you get there, hopefully the ER will be able to do their REAL job, not babysit.

Send the parade up north. Next year will stay home and have a house party.

Thanks to all you (you know whats) your crap killed a good thing

Anonymous said...

You can blame the parade committee for getting us into this mess. They hit us with the guilt about it being good for the neighborhood.

Family parade? Give me a ------ break. I would never encourage my kids to go to it. It's not a family event. Women squating in the alleys up and down 109th street is not family type amusement.

Anonymous said...

witnessed a mini riot in Kennedy park about 3pm. Hundreds of teens swirling around pounding on each other. Just 2 cops to the whole park. It was nuts until they got under control..........

I DECIDED TO KEEP FAMILY HOME THIS YR. & JUST HAVE A FAMILY PARTY AT HOME.....TOOK THE KIDS AROUND THE BLOCK IN A WAGON & HAD OUR OWN PARADE, WITH SOME NICE NEIGHBORS GIVING US SOME CANDY...PROBABLY MUCH LIKE THE ORIGINAL STARTED AND GREW..TALKED TO A CPD FRIEND OF MINE WHO RESPONDED TO KENNEDY PARK & SAID IT WAS UNREAL, THE AMOUNT OF FIGHTS.....GLAD WE STAYED AWAY

Anonymous said...

Over 50 arrests most from the burbs. The parade needs to be stopped. Maybe a small family fest or another type of celebration bu this has gotten out of hand and become an embarresment. I was like mardi gra. The parade itself was nice the BS all over the side streets was a shame.

Anonymous said...

I have not gone to the parade in at least 10 years, let me tell you my observations on Sunday as I drove out South to visit friends. Starting at 103rd and Pulaski, all the way down to 159th, large groups of teens (all decked out in green) STAGGERING and some even playing in traffic. Then turned west on 159th st. and was greeted by a group of girls (all in green) jumping up and down and waving their middle fingers at the cars. So you can certainly blame the suburbanites, too. I also saw at least 3 IL state troopers stopping traffic violators but not bothering the drunk teens.

Anonymous said...

Not getting like the Bud Billiken parade ??? Just watch these links ... March 16, 2009 9:55 PM If we are not there yet we sure are catching up !!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXLmuJiVOJo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5GSBYq0m3w&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGUMop_LJ7M&NR=1

Anonymous said...

1978 - For the St. Patrick's Day exhibition game, the Cinncinati Reds don green uniforms, rather than their traditional red, starting an annual ritual. The St. Louis Cardinals and other teams will follow suit.
And you wondered who started the tradition ..


20 Days to Opening Day !!!!

Anonymous said...

It was nice out and so every Tom Dick and Haryy went. Next year it will rain and snow and be 25 degrees againa nd it will "be a family party again". It never was a family thing ever since I have been going, its always drunks and kids everywhere. get over it, its once a friggin year.

Anonymous said...

From what I'm reading from all these posts, I can see why the Original Southside parade was shut down way back when. Who needs it??

Anonymous said...

The poster above is right the one talking about the outrage over the section 8 housing all over Kedzie and the crime. Dont woryy people the bad partygoers are gone! Now the Robbers and burglars are back. Get outraged at the lack of police service all year long. The idiots that cant sell their homes so they section 8 them out and ruin the neighborhood!

Anonymous said...

I think as residents in the neighborhood and taxpayers we should have some rights. I'm tired of strangers on my property all day and the inconvenience of no parking by my own home. My son is 16 and has not gone to the parade in 2 years because he said all his friends are getting wasted and passing out on the tracks. That's scary stuff! Wake up parents! Get out of the bars and get some control of your teenagers before something happens to them because of your ignorance. I haven't gone in over 5 years because I'm just disgusted by all the same stuff others have posted. Enough is enough already. This has nothing to do with the Irish. The majority of the people attending don't have an ounce of Irish in them!

Anonymous said...

Bunch of crybabies! What gives you teh right to end a era on the southside? Who gives you the right to end what we enjoyed as kids growing up? Get over it , get on with your day, life.

Anonymous said...

Bunch of crybabies! What gives you teh right to end a era on the southside? Who gives you the right to end what we enjoyed as kids growing up? Get over it , get on with your day, life.

March 17, 2009 6:32 PM


Hey era goof, why don't you go get some garbage bags and spend a few days cleaning up after your tradition. Fresh air is great for a hangover.

Anonymous said...

Hey End of an Era AssHat I'd have a lot more respect for you and your people if you would just act civilized on parade day.....

Here is a suggestion...let's have it back again on 79thSt Halsted/Ashland...the neighborhoods that your predecessors abandoned in quick time and caused this city to turn into the ghetto that it is....SSI my ass....you all ran and should be ashamed

Anonymous said...

I agree the parade does leave a mess - but do take my kids. I am sorry for those people who have their lawns littered on, but unless you were here before the parade, quit bellyaching! You are worse then the people who live near O'Hare or Midway and complain about the noise! It is 1 day a year - suck it up!
Kudos to the people in the area who charged for bathroom use - even porta-pottis, and those who sold food and drinks!

Anonymous said...

60655,
What did I say? I didn't troll, incite or whatever, but my comment was deleted. Was it one of the ones that have been getting lost or did you delete me? I sent it in last night reference this parade. No mean remarks, nothing rude. Don't know what happened.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Bunch of crybabies! What gives you teh right to end a era on the southside? Who gives you the right to end what we enjoyed as kids growing up? Get over it , get on with your day, life.

March 17, 2009 6:32 PM


Hey era goof, why don't you go get some garbage bags and spend a few days cleaning up after your tradition. Fresh air is great for a hangover.

March 17, 2009 7:46 PM

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Better idea, why dont you take that garbage bag and put it over your head, for like 10 minutes! Move if you dont like the parade.east of Western was nice, no problems and the houses are nicer anyway. The best of both worlds I guess nicer property bigger yards and still get to enjoy watching west beverlygo up in flames or piss, sorry

Anonymous said...

I hate the Ridge run, it cause nothing but gridlock and is such a waste of tax payers time and money! is this were I come to bitch?

Anonymous said...

"Bunch of crybabies! What gives you teh right to end a era on the southside? Who gives you the right to end what we enjoyed as kids growing up? Get over it , get on with your day, life."

We didn't end an era, goofballs like you are ending it. It is only one day? One day that required 75% of the entire police force. Violence galore. No that wasn't the parade of my youth.

I think the poster that said pull the kids in the wagon and do a house party has hit the nail on the head.

Hurry up back to your seat on the parade committee, and start prepping your bogus line next year for your "family event". Btw, I noticed a HUGE decrease in the number of banners hanging at 115 for the kickoff, makes me think, people are speaking.

Anonymous said...

Get rid of the parade - it is out of control - does anyone know the real meaning of St. Patrick's Day who comes? probably not. they are confused with the fact it is a beer drinking holiday. all the people that park on our street and WE LIVE VERY far from western.

GET RID OF THE PARADE!

Anonymous said...

Someone please start a petition to stop this madness.....lot's will sign, but all efforts will probably be futile due to the "juice" that all of the bar owners have & $$$ that they make on this day.....the neighborhood is fed up, and it's a disgrace

START ONE YOURSELF IF IT BOTHERS YOU THAT MUCH..DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT, GET OFF YOUR ASS... (& I AGREE WITH YOU)

inandaround60655 said...

60655,
What did I say? I didn't troll, incite or whatever, but my comment was deleted. Was it one of the ones that have been getting lost or did you delete me? I sent it in last night reference this parade. No mean remarks, nothing rude. Don't know what happened.

******************************

I have posted everything regarding the parade from the last two days. Please check under Open Post for your comment, as there are quite a few regarding the parade. Other than that, I don't get it either.

Anonymous said...

The parade itself is nice. The event is nice. Something needs to be done to stop the chaos. Maybe close the bars on parade day. Maybe seize liquor. Maybe very aggressive police with aggressive arrest and fines. A few years of that and the word will be out.

Anonymous said...

Asshat?? I think you need to stop reading secondcitycop, bustout. If its the garbage, violence and use of police that worries some of you then lets ban all city functions.Staring with the Taste of Chicago, how many deaths how much police how much garbage?? Next the La salle marathon people die every year, dont they? Next the 03rd of July and Cinco de mayo...how many drunks and shootings have taken place there??? You come here to moan about it yet dont talk to your neighbors that were partying it up! I mean the whole west Beverly was a giant house party...boy they really must hate it, huh?? Whatever crybabies! Never happy , ever. Asshat, get over yourself.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Hey End of an Era AssHat I'd have a lot more respect for you and your people if you would just act civilized on parade day.....

Here is a suggestion...let's have it back again on 79thSt Halsted/Ashland...the neighborhoods that your predecessors abandoned in quick time and caused this city to turn into the ghetto that it is....SSI my ass....you all ran and should be ashamed

March 17, 2009 8:51 PM

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You sound like an ignorant racist piece of #$%." your people" where did your people used to live?? Marquette park? why dont you go back? Why did you leave? High horse bigot! My people built this city.

Anonymous said...

...the neighborhoods that your predecessors abandoned in quick time and caused this city to turn into the ghetto that it is....SSI my ass....you all ran and should be ashamed

March 17, 2009 8:51 PM

Wow big indictment made here. Who the Fu*^ are you? When someone buys a house they have to live there forever because you say so? "We" the Irish are the reason why the city is a ghetto?? Wow, I will pay for you to have a Chicago History class , son. The Irish did more for this city then any other group or race. Let me talk baout your heritage, what are you? Why dont you move away to a more pleasant neighborhood where "your" people are at?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
It really shows the Irish in a bad light. Alcohol should be barred within a mile of the parade.

March 16, 2009 4:19 PM

It really shows white people in a bad light, I doubt half were Irish

Anonymous said...

isnt it ironic that St. Patrick was agreat Christian man and leader that brought the irish out of paganism, and we honor his memory by acting like.... pagans. wake up people, your kids are watching.

Anonymous said...

Asshat is a really lame expression. Sounds very nerdy. If you must name-call, at least use terms that people can relate to. Like a**hole, MFer, etc. Really... what is an asshat?

Anonymous said...

I've only heard an asshat referrenced to as a tattoo girls get on the lower back just over their a$$...

Makes no sense for somebody to actually refer to a person as one!

Anonymous said...

The parade committee did an outstanding job this year and every year. They do their best to bring everyone out for a great parade. People complain about the alcohol consumption, drunks..This parade has been going on for years. Get over it! 54 arrests out of 350,000 people is not bad at all. And for the people that act like idiots, they must have been raised by idiots. For years I have gone to the parade, all in my 20's we all sat up at that parade and drank,and we didn't act like idiots. Don't blame a % of the people and condemn the whole parade. And..I can guarantee that half of the crowd is not even irish. Why don't we complain about the murder rates in the city then about a one day event.

Anonymous said...

You'll regret that post God forbid something bad happens to some innocent person you know one of these years!

It doesn't matter if it's one day a year or 365 days a year. The value of a second is priceless when someone you love is put in harms way because of the risk people take with all the alcohol consumption and driving occuring on that particular day. It's just not worth it!

54 arrests maybe, but how many 911 calls were received? Ambulances were dispatched from the Northside because so many from the Southside were already in service with something going on there. I agree, it's as bad as the Bud Billikin Parade and we should be ashamed. Instead people prance around, get loaded, and preach they're proud to be Irish when half of them aren't. It's a disgrace to those of us that are.

Everyone has a right to their own opinion I understand, but when an event like this puts innocent people in danger, it's just not right.

Anonymous said...

Oh and one more thing....

We don't need to complain about the murder rates in the city because they are not happening in 60655....this is a neighborhood blog and we have the right to complain about events occuring in our neighborhood.....isn't that what the blog is for?

Anonymous said...

Everyone has a right to their own opinion I understand, but when an event like this puts innocent people in danger, it's just not right.

March 18, 2009 2:04 PM

Above you seem like a reasonable person. With the logic (above) that you posted then there are many activities that we cater to and conduct that can be removed using that logic. Is life was about safety we wouldnt do anything.I have been going for about a steady 24 years, I ave never been injured nor has anyone I was with. This year was warm and the crowd was large, all and all it was fine.
Even if you and others wanted it gone there are many many more that want it here to stay. Ask all the home/taxpayers that were having massive house and yard parties.

Anonymous said...

This is the first time I have written on your site. While I totally understand peoples frustration with parade day the fact is not that anyone is to blame, but it has simply gotten to big to control. I have seen several suggestions that do not make sense. One post suggested closing the bars. If we close the bars there will just be more people on our streets and lawns. Also, as far as bus parking, if you take a look at the parade website the first thing addressed on the home page is bus trips, asking them to park south of 117th. I also liked that we should charge $4 admmission. It is not really possible to fence off the whole neighborhood. Out of 58 arrests, 2 were from Chicago. The parade committee is not at fault here and the CPD did everything they could this year. This is not about who makes money, who has political influence, or who has "juice". This is about a 31 year old tradition that is hard to let go of, but there is no going back to what it was. Before people spout opinions and suggestions, think to yourself, what have I done to change it or make it better?

Anonymous said...

If it is true that over a quarter million people came to our part of town. Then I say it went pretty well.If you want to change it then keep your punk teenaged kids at home. I know the cause the most trouble.

Anonymous said...

I think the Irish are wonderful people. One cannot condemn the whole lot because of a parade. The neighborhoods we left was not because of who moved in, but the crime that followed. Many good people tried to escape their crime ridden ghettos to raise their kids better, away from drugs, killings and gangs, but unfortunatly, crime followed them too. Take a ride through your old neighborhood and I bet you won't recognise it, not even the house you lived in. Urban blight? Now for the person that said the Irish did more for the city than any others, I beg you read your history books. Lets start with the Irish Mayors as far back as 1915. Remember William Hale Thompson, Al Capone's buddy. Then there was Dever, Kelly, Kennelly, Daley, Byrne, and now King Richard M. Daley, with the most corrupt city council of all time, and we keep voting these crooks in. I quess you are right, you have done more for this city like out of control gangs, taxes, patronage, poor public services, pot-holes, shootings, etc...If corruption is what you have done for this city, I can't disagree. Poor Richard J. Daley must be spinning in his grave to see the mess his son created. ERIN GO BRAUGH!!!!!

Anonymous said...

The parade committee is not at fault here and the CPD did everything they could this year. This is not about who makes money, who has political influence, or who has "juice". This is about a 31 year old tradition that is hard to let go of, but there is no going back to what it was. Before people spout opinions and suggestions, think to yourself, what have I done to change it or make it better?

A 31 year old tradition that has gotten out of control. It is to some degree about politics, juice etc., and to deny that is entertaining. It has become dangerous, and uncontrollable. I fear for the police because it gets more aggressive every year. I don't want to have to go to one of my neighbor's funerals because he was doing his job, and got killed. Every year it gets worse, and it will take something bad to make people think. When it happens, think back to this post. I have loved the parade since Kennedy Park, but it has outgrown the neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

One thing we can do is make the keggers and any other liquor on busses illegal. No one should have open alcohol on a bus. Charge the bus owners, drivers and anyone with alcohol on the bus.Second, business owners should not allow people to "party" in their lots. If they want to make money off of this, charge for seating in their parking lot and this way you can control the number of people in each lot. Third, everyone turn on your lawn sprinklers on parade day. It worked for me this year. Can you imagine when it is 40 out? Have a controled tailgating area and charge $ to get in. Each tailgater is allowed so many passes for guests. Priority seating for residents on the parade route. They can wear badges or around their necks like back stage passes. Finally, please put some effort into the parade and make a float. The banners with families and groups walking behind them are getting silly.

Anonymous said...

One post suggested closing the bars. If we close the bars there will just be more people on our streets and lawns. Also, as far as bus parking, if you take a look at the parade website the first thing addressed on the home page is bus trips, asking them to park south of 117th.

March 18, 2009 7:42 PM

I say let's wait until something tragic happens and THEN let's end it ... and then all the pro parade drunks can boo hoo over the unfortunate mishap of a good boy or girl being hurt or killed. Hey I have an Idea ... then we can have benefit at Bourbon Street so everyone can get drunk again and boo hoo over the tragedy. Listen people ... I like a good time just as much as the next personn but this has just gotten out of hand. No one will take responsiblity for it ... clearly the buses parked all up and down 115th street not south of 117th and this disrupted the neighborhoods ... I say if you want to have the parade, make it dry along the parade route, no bars open, no buses, no drinking. With the amount of taxpayer money wasted on police service that day it would be the least the parade committee should do. Otherwise can the whole thing. I hate to say it but having been at this parade and the Bud Billiken last year ... The South Side Irish Parade 2009 was definately worse...

Anonymous said...

People who love the parade love it for one of two reasons: 1) Nostalgia or 2) Another excuse to get drunk.

To the Nostalgics: Let the past go and move on. Create a new tradition for your kids. Face reality - Marquette Park and the areas around 79th/Ashland went to pot because the people who COULD move out of the city did and fled to the suburbs. If City workers ever unite and get the right to live outside the city, Mt. Greenwood & Beverly will follow once-beautiful places like Englewood and turn into slums virtually overnight.

Very few Mt. Greenwood residents go to the parade to get drunk. Yes, some teens from the neighborhood act up, just as you did when you were their age. But most are a bunch of good kids if you take time to get to know them. Most of the trouble comes from suburban A-holes bussed in courtesy of the slophole bars they get drunk in every weekend.

To the Suburban amateur drunk morons: Stay in your snug white enclaves and drink there. Keep your spoiled nitwit teens home or one of these days you'll be going to the morgue to identify what's left of a drunk driving accident.

Anonymous said...

I hate to say it but having been at this parade and the Bud Billiken last year ... The South Side Irish Parade 2009 was definately worse...

March 19, 2009 8:38 AM

--------------
I guess you wont mention that it was cold and rain sideways all day at Billiken?? If it was 60 at Bilikin with sun there would be 3 dead and 190 missing kids and 100 shots fired, I know I work that sad excuse for a parade every year

Anonymous said...

I hate to say it but if the bars were closed, people would just bring their own as they do now.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I think the Irish are wonderful people. One cannot condemn the whole lot because of a parade. The neighborhoods we left was not because of who moved in, but the crime that followed. Many good people tried to escape their crime ridden ghettos to raise their kids better, away from drugs, killings and gangs, but unfortunatly, crime followed them too. Take a ride through your old neighborhood
-------Pretty weak examples of why the Irish did not build this city.Poeple like you look to goverment or politics to be the hero or savior. You probably are one of the millions that got fooled into "hope" last election. politicians are not why the Irish built this city. The canals and the buildings the railroads the homes, with help from other immigrants like the chinese and the germans the Irish helped shape this city. Politics, gangs, shootings as you put it, were not all associated with the Irish, sont forget the Italians in that. The Irish and Italians are some of this countries biggest and best assets. Whats your nationality? I would love to tout it with ignorant un-truths.

Anonymous said...

Who is moaning on here anyways? lets put a neighborhood or block by every response to the parade. If you live in West Beverly dont even bitch! Your whole neihghborhood is a giant house party every year. 96 percent of the homes on each block are par-taking in a celebration of some sort. I think we are all in agreement that the suburban and out of state people are the reason the influx is so high. If you loved teh city so much then tell your parents they shouldnt have moved out years ago!! Suburb brats buy some realestate or stay the F*&^ out. The city response to anything bad is "ban it for everyone" its a weak liberal mindset. "its too big now to handle" How could you say that when the city holds host to millions for the taste and other functions in and around the city? The city wants to host the Olympics for Christ sake!! They city is short police and are not manning the events how they should be manned. Sending a piece of crap loud chopper to the parade is just Caps, its not detering anyone.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I try to be logical and practical. My point was simply that if the danger could be avoided, it should be.

I also agree with the suggestion that the parade should be moved to a different location away from the bar scene and get it back to a family event. Believe me, I don't want to see it go completely...it's tradition in my family too!

It's my understanding that the parade committe voted that it ends anyway. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

All of these problems can be traced to the Queen Victoria and her ant-Irish policies. Down with Queen Victoria.

Anonymous said...

I say we get pitchforks and torches and burn the irish out! Then blame it on the polish

Anonymous said...

I've only heard an asshat referrenced to as a tattoo girls get on the lower back just over their a$$...

Makes no sense for somebody to actually refer to a person as one!

No, That's a "Tramp Stamp...."

Anonymous said...

I guess you wont mention that it was cold and rain sideways all day at Billiken?? If it was 60 at Bilikin with sun there would be 3 dead and 190 missing kids and 100 shots fired, I know I work that sad excuse for a parade every year

March 19, 2009 10:08 AM

I don' know what you are talking about but it was not raining until after the parade was over at BB.

Anonymous said...

Tramp Stamp is the more common term, but a$$ hat, a$$ cap, a$$ antlers are all slang for tattoos for women on the lower back.

Google it!!!

Anonymous said...

March 19, 2009 10:08 AM

I don' know what you are talking about but it was not raining until after the parade was over at BB.

March 19, 2009 3:02 PM


----
I was there is was like acow pissing on a flat rock! The problems happen after the parade. Thats really not a parade there is no floats, just people and grocery carts for hours. The ghetto types dont wake up till after 12! Not to mention there was 5 times the amount of police at Bud

Anonymous said...

I have a great idea!!! let's move the Bud Billiken Parade to Western Ave. and the South Side Irish Parade to Martin Luther King Drive ... Then we can embrace each other as true Americans and join the spirit of change that President Obama would like us all to embrace ... and it would keep the damn Northsiders and suburban kids away ... Kumbaya !!!! My Brothers and Sisters ...

Anonymous said...

I wonder how the media of Obama will spin or not mention his making fun of special olympics kids? On the late night show (which is a joke he is even on there in such a "CRISIS") Obama made reference to how he sucks so bad at bowling "its like the special olympics, up in here" Of course no media coverage of this gaff from the large media outlets. People were calling in to 890 a.m this morning crying because they thought he was a supporter of special needs kids. Meanwhile he pulls the white towel out to Iran and pleads for surrender. Where are the "he is so dumb" jokes?

Anonymous said...

Obama, was wrong on the special o joke, he should be whipped for that.

Obama is right on the way he is handling Iran. Its better to seek a diplomatic soluttion than to make war. Making war against Iran would take 2,000,000 troops and would require a draft notice to every boy currently in our local high schools. All that for what? Why should we make war against a country whose only trespass against the US is cursing us? Iran is no Iraq. It would be a bloody fight which would surely spread tp Pakistan.

Anonymous said...

By the way a friends car was stolen the night of the parade from 102nd and Fairfield

Anonymous said...

Tramp Stamp is the more common term, but a$$ hat, a$$ cap, a$$ antlers are all slang for tattoos for women on the lower back.

Google it!!!


-- "Asshat" is just stupid. How is that an insult? If someone called me an asshat, I'd have to give them my "Gosh are you stupid" look. Let's get back down to basics with the cutdowns.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I was justing answering somebody else's comment asking what an a$$hat is. Apparently somebody thought it was insulting enough to call somebody one in their posting copied below....

"Hey End of an Era AssHat I'd have a lot more respect for you and your people if you would just act civilized on parade day....."

Anonymous said...

Talking to Iran will do nothing. We have been talking to Iran for ever so has many other countries. The dictator is insane and wants Israel wiped off the map, his words. Under Obama Israel is not our friends anymore, I get that. Why talk to Iran though its useless . Ignore em and wait for the their offense to do something. Thats the democrat way for any violent talk.\
Obama can apologize for his comments but who really cares. Sarah Palin was the "idiot" "hick" clown" not as proper a speaker at Obama, yet he is a complete dufus without his promtor. In fact this week on the 17th his promtor broke and he was reading in tongues and thanked the president. Now that dumb! Sorry it is just dumb. Kinda like anchorman when he would read anything the promtor told him.

Anonymous said...

Ap news "Iran's Leadership Ignores Obama Outreach, Says World Powers Cannot Block Nuclear Program"
I guess the wise ones talking thing didnt work out, DUH

Anonymous said...

Village Voice said...

I have a great idea!!! let's move the Bud Billiken Parade to Western Ave. and the South Side Irish Parade to Martin Luther King Drive ...

March 19, 2009 9:45 PM

The Bud Billiken Parade is on Western Avenue every day. That's why I stay west of Kedzie.

Anonymous said...

The parade is dead !!! take it to the bank !!! Word is the parade committee have gotten together and there will be no more SSI parade ... halleluh !!!

Anonymous said...

The SSI parade should continue, just have more police officers on the parade route instead of driving around. Kennedey Park is a BIG park, why were there ONLY 2 police officers? Years ago there were alot more police around. Close ALL bars and liq. stores until the parade is over.

Anonymous said...

Goodbye parade, I will kinda miss you, but say let's keep the house parties going

Anonymous said...

Good we will have it on Longwood!

Anonymous said...

The Bud Billiken Parade is on Western Avenue every day. That's why I stay west of Kedzie.

March 20, 2009 7:50 PM

___________________________________

Kedzie isn't very pale either. You'd have to go out to Lake Cook Road

Anonymous said...

The city should ban all ethnic celebrations and the Taste of Chicago. Have a Memorial Day parade for the Veterans and a Labor Day parade for people with jobs. On the Fourth of July the city can legalize fireworks and you can all go blows your faces off. Then everybody can stop complaining about every thing.

Anonymous said...

Just heard from reliable sources that the parade committee is going to vote on if there will be a parade in the future.

Stay tuned

Anonymous said...

You know who I figure is at least 50% the problem why the parade is so bad? The City and the Police Department. Every year the City has a big press conference about one week before the parade. The Mayor, Police Superindentant of the Year and other high ranking officials are in attendance. They all have there serious and tough guy look in eyes. Then they proceed to tell everyone how the police will have command vans, portable lockups, helicopters, hundreds of police, cameras, dogs, bosses and guns. Their message is that if anyone even thinks of drinking at the parade they will go to the gas chambers!

Then every year they don’t do jack sh** about the drinking and disorderly conduct, batteries in progress etc. And then what happens? Their message becomes a big joke followed the next by even a bigger joke and progressively bigger jokes every year they don’t do anything.

Remember 1985 when they actually did tell a lot of people to get rid of their beer, regardless of age and employer? That may also have been before the hayseeds and bumbkins from suburbs found out about the parade.

Anonymous said...

What about going thru Beverly and Mt Greenwood. 103rd Street from Longwood to SXU. Only marchers allowed are bagpipes, marching bands and military all other entrants must have a float. All busses will be checked. Any one with alcohol on it will be fined ( bus company and bar running it)anyone under 21 on the bus and drinking will be arrested and above mentioned will be arrrested for contributing to a minor. The narrow sidewalks on this route would keep crowds down.

Anonymous said...

The parade is no more. I just got this.

Hello Family/Friends,
>
> I thought I'd take a moment to give all of you a slight heads up on some major neighborhood news.
>

Just received this email. hope you liked this years because...

> The South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade is no more.
>
> As all of you know, I've served on the parade's organizing committee for the past six years. Well, that committee met this evening to discuss the situation and, after much debate, it was decided that this fine tradition must end.
>
> Many will say this was a long time coming. The behavior of those who come to this neighborhood on parade day just to get drunk and cause trouble has gotten worse and worse over the past decade, and it's finally become too much for the neighborhood to endure. The tipping point, in case your curious, was the fact that 11 police officers were assaulted during the 2009 parade. This total disregard for law enforcement crossed a new line, and we were afraid the next step would be someone getting seriously injured or even killed. So given that mindset, we obviously could not go forward.
>
> Not sure how you all feel about the parade at this point - I'm sure some of you will be glad to see it go while others will be disappointed. Though I did not hesitate to vote with those committee members who wanted to end it, I think it is an incredible shame. This was an event which helped defined the community in which I've chosen to live. It was a tradition that spanned my entire life and one I'd hoped to share with my daughter. And because of irresponsible people, most of whom don't even live in this community, it has been destroyed.
>
> The committee will work hard to make sure that the end of the parade does not mean the end of Irish celebrations in Beverly . We plan to continue with the annual Mass and hopefully create a new tradition - some kind of cultural event, perhaps at the Beverly Art Center , involving Irish music, dance, food, etc. All of that is of course very vague right now, but I hope you all will choose to support it.
>
> News of the parade's demise will be released tomorrow.
>
> Sadly yours,
> Colleen

Anonymous said...

To the Parade Committee:

I'd like to see you have a parade but start at 9:00am and have maybe 65 floats. No floats from any organization or business exceeding 10 miles from Beverly. No buses allowed in the 19th ward on parade day unless they have paperwork to march. No liquor company sponsorships of bars.

Have the Chicago Police exert a little authority like they do at Taste of Chicago. If we see you with beer you have to dump it , just like the parade in 1985 when they used to tell you to dump it. Anyone arrested will be held for the full 72 hours for questioning before being charged.

It would make life hard for hayseeds from the burbs and Wrigleyville (boys town). They’d have to leave their house about 6:00am to get to the bar sponsoring the trip. And then walk 2 miles into the 19th ward to see the parade and then walk 2 miles back to catch the bus home so they can slop the pigs and milk the cows.

Anonymous said...

I think it is terrible the parade is no more. Although I live in the "burbs" (oak lawn, I'm 4 blocks outside the city limits.)Our church has a float every year and we make it a family day with mass in the morning, walk in the parade, and party in the gym after. It is people who are "Plastic Patty's" that come to get wasted and could care less about the parade. People have been shot at the taste of chicago and that goes on everry year! The need to have more restrictions and enfore no underage drinking or move it to kedzie where there isn't bars every two feet.

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