[Max McGarrity]

When Mayor Daly first floated the idea of a smoking ban in Chicago, Mike Ditka was quoted as opposing it.

The cigar-chomping former coach has granted television interviews defending smokers' rights. He has even wondered aloud why smokers have to suffer just because Ald. Edward Burke (14th), the City Council's leading anti-smoking crusader, has a "bug up his butt."

Antis, of course, squealed like stuck pigs, saying Ditka was a "shill for the tobacco industry" and that he "won't stand up for the little guy, especially those who are getting killed working in restaurants."

We know Mike Ditka will be the target of massive, deceptive pr campaigns, they'll try to get the ban statewide to make a "level playing field," and they'll fly in Stan-the-Sham Glantz to "prove" how successful such bans have been in Kookiefornia with his fudged statistics and doctored data. I'd like to see that Ditka has the facts to back him up as well as letting him know we appreciate his support. No one else with any clout has been so vocal.

The address for his restaurant is:

Mike Ditka's Restaurant
100 E Chestnut St
Chicago, IL 60611-6036
Phone: (312) 587-8989
Fax: (312) 587-8980

[Dengar01]

The cigar-chomping former coach has granted television interviews defending smokers' rights. He has even wondered aloud why smokers have to suffer just because Ald. Edward Burke (14th), the City Council's leading anti-smoking crusader, has a "bug up his butt."

Ed Burke makes the other alderman look like angels. Burke is with out a doubt the biggest crook on the council. He's taken more bribes than anyone. But he always gets away with it.