The Only Thing We Have to Sears Is Sears Itself

Clinton, Daley to green Sears Tower, other Chicago landmarks

Posted at 8:42 AM on 08 Nov 2007

The tallest building in North America is officially going green, along with a few of its Windy City counterparts. At a green building expo in Chicago yesterday, former President Bill Clinton and eterna-Mayor Richard Daley announced a partnership to retrofit landmarks including the Sears Tower and the Merchandise Mart, the nation's largest commercial center. Using features like wind turbines and green roofs, the endeavor will seek to save energy, fight climate change, and -- perhaps most important -- show other communities and countries around the world that environment and economy do mix. Green building and other climate fixes represent "a staggering economic opportunity," Clinton said. "I think this is the greatest opportunity our country has had to generate prosperity since we mobilized for World War I." Daley, who first took office in 1914, nodded sagely.

sources: Chicago Tribune, Peoria Journal Star, WMAQ

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Comments: (4 comments)

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War is NOT the Answer!

I am aghast that Bill Clinton made the statement at the end of this
excerpt from a piece in the Chicago Tribune. Want to jump-start a
failed economy? Start a war! Is he trying to get us acclimated to the
idea of attacking Iran? Maybe a few other countries, just to make
it "worthwhile"? Are you still voting for Hillary?

Sell your car and buy a high-quality bicycle.

by vociferous at 11:44 AM on 08 Nov 2007

Clinton and Daley

I'm sure you have heard from hundreds of readers by now that Mayor Daley has not been in office since 1914. That would be his father, Richard the First. Not to mention he would be a hell of an old man by now.

by Linda Fair at 5:50 PM on 08 Nov 2007

*sigh*

Clinton's point was, of course, that working to overcome cases of extreme adversity, such as the World Wars and climate change, can often yield unexpected--and seemingly unrelated--benefits. Hell, the second World War is generally credited as what really ended the Depression. That's not to say that these things are good in and of themselves; just to say that there is often opportunity hidden within the tragedy.

Of course, if you're just looking for an excuse to attack a politician, there's always something you can take out of context and find a way to make it prove your point, isn't there?

by Pathos at 6:46 PM on 08 Nov 2007

The Daleys

Of course, the 1914 remark was recognized as satire. However those of us who are familiar with Chicago recognize that we've actually had a couple of non-Daley mayors in the last 50 years and they were even worse than Richard and Richie. Very depressing.

by KenG at 11:08 AM on 09 Nov 2007

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