I
suppose they justify it by saying they’re trying to create tourist attractions
of the future – even more reasons why people might want to visit Chicago and
bolster our local economy by spending their money here.
BUT
THAT’S WHAT we literally got on this day – state government officials spent
time talking about the possibility of the future presidential museum and
library that will pay tribute to Barack Obama.
While
Mayor Rahm Emanuel created a new task force that will study the possibility of
moviemaker George Lucas developing a museum in Chicago to pay tribute to his
work – primarily “Star Wars” and all its declining-in-quality sequels.
Could
we literally get the day someday when tourists make stops at museums paying
tribute to the first non-white U.S. president AND the Jedi Master whose command
of “the Force” doesn’t overcome the fact that he sounds just like Grover from
Sesame Street?
Quite
a difference from the days of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum
being the places people felt compelled to visit (along with the Museum of
Science and Industry, if they had kids in tow) when they stopped off in Chicago
for any length of time.
NOT
THAT WE’RE anywhere near getting either museum. This is literally the first
stage in the process, and it is still very possible that both museums could
wind up elsewhere – particularly in the case of Lucas, although I’m not
underestimating the concept of Obama wanting to retire to Honolulu and have his
museum nearby.
To
that museum’s end, an Illinois House committee meeting in Chicago gave its
recommendation to the idea of spending $100 million someday on an Obama museum
– with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, saying that’s
comparable to the amount of state funds that went toward developing an Abraham
Lincoln library and museum in downtown Springfield some nine years ago.
Not
that this latest action, which still needs approval by the full Illinois House,
the state Senate and Gov. Pat Quinn before it becomes official, tells us where
such a museum would be located.
Since
we’re still nowhere near deciding where, in Chicago, would be the best site to
remember the eight-year period in which a one-time community organizer from
down around the Altgeld Gardens public housing complex became the most feared
(by the conservative ideologues amongst us) element of our society.
FOR
HIS PART, Emanuel said he does not think the fact that Obama still owns a home
in Chicago and may come back at some point to live part of the rest of his life
here does not ensure Chicago would get the museum.
He
wants to see serious politicking on the issue. Similar to what we’re likely to
see to get the Lucas museum.
Similar
to the task force that he created to try to bring a Lucas museum to Chicago.
Long live the imagery of “Star Wars,” although I’d be more interested in seeing
relics of “American Graffiti” – which gave us “Happy Days” before “Happy Days”
existed on television.
How
about that souped-up yellow car that actor Paul LeMat’s “John Milner” character
drove about all throughout the film, before beating Harrison Ford’s character
in the film-ending drag race?
 |
| Check out the car! |
THEN
AGAIN, FORD went on to become “Han Solo,” and ride around the galaxy in the Millennium
Falcon with a walking carpet named “Chewbacca.”
It
seems Chicago is amongst the cities being considered because Lucas’ wife is a
Chicago native, and he actually has a home here, along with in San Francisco.
And
if we get it, we run the risk of having people suddenly think that a museum
makes the “Star Wars” saga real-life history – just the opposite of those
people who think “Titanic” was a story about Leonardo DiCaprio and some rich
chick!
-30-
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