Chicago News Bench

Protesters Target Al Gore's Nov. 24 Chicago Appearance

2009-11-23T21:40:00.006-06:00

On Tuesday, Nov. 24, activists will gather at Noon to protest Al Gore's book signing visit to the Borders book store at 150 N. State Street in downtown Chicago.

Outraged by the former Vice President's advocacy of the U.S.’s shift to a cap-and-trade policy, many activists are targeting any politician - Democrat or Republican - for any support of the expensive carbon mandates that could cost U.S. taxpayers and families more than $200 billion per year. Gore will be at the Borders book store.

Republican candidate for Illinois State Comptroller, William J. Kelly, will join activists in their protest of Al Gore's appearance.

Gore will be signing copies of his book "Our Choice," which is said to "pick up where An Inconvenient Truth left off and provide a blueprint for solving the global climate crisis and drawing on Mr. Gore’s 40 years of experience as a student, policymaker, author, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and activist."

We wonder if Al Gore will have any apologies to people for the massive fraud that he and others have been perpetrating on the world for years now, especially in light of last week's revelation of emails that show that climate data was deliberately manipulated and falsified. The discovery was made by a hacker who gained access to a computer at the Hadley Climatic Research Centre (UK), an influential research facility. It's a huge scandal that is still just becoming known, but is already cracking the foundations of the worldwide global warming hoax conspiracy.

John Coleman, the founder of the Weather Channel, wants to sue Al Gore - and companies that sell carbon credits - for fraud. Gore also stands to make millions of dollars from carbon investing. Coleman is in good company; he and 30,000 scientists charge Al Gore with fraud concerning climate (see video interview). Gore is the chairman of a private equity firm called Generation Investment Management, LLP (GIM), which he founded in 2004. London-based GIM invests money from institutions and wealthy investors in companies that are going "green."

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Rogue "Chicago Tea Party Patriots" Must Be Shunned (Updated)

2009-11-23T20:53:00.012-06:00

UPDATED, 11:12 PM, NOV 23 (added info below) - It's one thing to yell and shout; that's a time honored way of getting your voice heard, and as long as there's no physical violence it's all fair. Usually. Sometimes words can be as hurtful as a punch in the face, and the rogue Chicago Tea Party Patriots seems to have hurled some unnecessarily mean punches recently by mocking a couple whose grandchild died.

I call them rogue because they were ousted from the Illinois Tea Party Patriots, of which they were, until a few weeks ago, a part of. They've been operating as feral cats, essentially, without sanction. Full disclosure: I'm "tea partier" myself, but am not a member of any group. I support what tea parties are trying to accomplish. But what this rogue Chicago group did in mocking the death of a child is inexcusable. That's not what the tea parties about, and it certainly is not what conservatives or libertarians are about.

The "ugliness and mob mentality of the Tea Party movement was on full display last week, during a town meeting held by Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) on Nov. 14. What happened? A mob of teabaggers, blinded by hate and anger laughed at and heckled a grieving couple, who lost both their daughter-in-law and grandchild." (Source: Chattahbox) You can see the video at the Chattabox post or see it on YouTube.

The leader of Chicago Tea Party Patriots, Catherina Wojtowicz (photo), had this on her Facebook page as of 8:45 this evening (Nov. 23): "I'm on Huffington Post. The haters are all over calling me. She included my phone number. Awwe, Saul Alinsky!!" Now, maybe I'm wrong, but that does not seem like an apology, and it's hardly a denial. In fact, it seems uncomfortably like bragging. This group needs to be ostracized and shunned.

UPDATE, Nov. 23, 11:12 PM: At 8:35 p.m. this evening, I sent a message to Catherina Wojtowicz via Facebook, asking her for a response to the stories about the sad incident. I asked her for a response before 11:00. The last thing she wrote to me, via Facebook, was "I will issue out a response tomorrow. You have your blog and will do as you see fit."

That's right, and I see fit to wonder why Wojtowicz didn't issue a public response days ago, rather than spending time on her Facebook page mocking the coverage of the incident and happily wallowing in her newfound national notoriety. She has, in addition, locked her Twitter page (Catherina6429) so that only invited people can see what she writes.

As I said before, it is just not right to laugh at somebody's innocent death. It's sick, it's disgusting. The many emails I've received already about this, from fellow tea partiers, all express disgust over the actions the Chicago Tea Party Patriots. I condemn this kind of behavior, frankly. Fortunately, this is NOT typical tea partier behavior. I've been to many, and have not witnessed this attitude. The abrasive and extreme attitude of the rogue Chicago group is why the Illinois Tea Party Patriots kicked them out. Good riddance.

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Born Under Obama

2009-11-23T08:18:00.001-06:00

Here's a frightening thought: Hundreds of thousands of Americans have been born and will be born under the jackboot of the Obama Regime. (Don't even get me started on how many have been aborted; that's another post for another time.)

Cartoonist Chris Muir has a running cartoon strip called Day By Day that deals with all things political from a conservative viewpoint. Currently, the strip is looking at parents having babies while Barack Obama is busy screwing up their future. A panel of Day By Day is shown here (click to enlarge).

In an entertaining comic strip format, Muir gets his anti-socialist message across in wry fashion.

Muir's strip deals with all things political, not just babies. Check out the brilliant Day By Day web site to follow this great ongoing cartoon soap opera.

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David Ormsby Questions Andrzejewski's "Forensic Audits" Proposal

2009-11-23T06:45:00.001-06:00

David Ormsby (photo) is Editor of The Illinois Observer, one of the best of the best of Illinois political blogs.* He says that Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrzejewski's recent call for "forensic audits" are a nice idea, but not necessary.

Ormsby commented on our Nov. 19 post, in which gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrzejewski called for selling off the official "luxury aircraft" operated by the State of Illinois, and that as governor he would "open up the books" in Springfield and conduct a "forensic audit of the state's expenses." Ormsby wrote this regarding the forensic audit proposal:

As laudable as Adam Andrzejewksi's "forensics audit" proposal is on its face, it is important to note that each state agency, board, commission, university, etc. have been and continue to be audited--both with program and finance audits--every two years by the Illinois Auditor General.

The incumbent, Republican William Holland [the Illinois Auditor General] , is respected by both sides of the aisle. Holland, whose audits helped undo Rod Blagojevich, would have found "billions" of dollars lying around in the state sofa cushions had it actually existed.

Lack of audits is not what ails the Illinois budget. A 11% unemployment rate and the loss of income tax revenue is the culprit. An audit is unnecessary to tell you that. Ask a voter.

So there. Will Adam Andrzejewski respond to Ormsby's interesting observations?

I would add this to Ormsby's comment: The state's high unemployment rate and tax revenue loss are due in part to many years of raising taxes. From the City of Chicago to Cook County to the State of Illinois, higher taxes drive out businesses and force some small employer to reduce the size of their payroll. Higher taxes also cause people to shop outside of Illinois or their high-tax counties if possible, or to relocate to another state or county that has lower taxes. All of that has the cumulative effect of lowering the tax revenue streams and contributing to higher unemployment. The Democrats' idea of "fixing" the problem of lower tax revenues is to raise taxes. That's a bit like telling a drowning man that his only hope is to inhale more water. Ask a taxpayer.

* The Illinois Observer ranks at #6 among the top 10 independent Illinois political blogs. (For comparison, Chicago News Bench ranks #22, in the Top 50).

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White House Panicking Over Sarah Palin's Popularity

2009-11-23T00:15:00.000-06:00

You want proof? Here it is. Organizing For America (OFA) is Barack Obama's perpetual propaganda mechanism, and they sent out hundreds of thousands of the email announcement reproduced in the image here (click to enlarge).

You have to ask yourself: If Palin is really the insignificant, petty, unqualified amateur that the Left claims she is, then why are Democrats and Leftists working so damned hard to discredit her? They'll tell you she's an idiot. If so, why do they feel the need to attack her?

RELATED:
Liberal left is afraid of Palin
Be Afraid of Palin
Daily Kos: Are the Democrats really afraid of Palin?
Video: Why are the liberals afraid of Palin? O'Reilly & Colmes ... MSNBC attacks young Palin Supporter : Western Journalism.com

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Zoned Out on Global Warming (Cartoon)

2009-11-21T21:02:00.003-06:00

Another great cartoon by friend Zack Rawsthorne at Diversity Lane.

Click image to enlarge

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SEIU Boss Urges "Old School Ass Whipping"

2009-11-21T10:13:00.009-06:00

A disturbing video shows how the SEIU threatened homecare providers in Fresno, CA to vote their way and even change their ballots in a union election several months ago. An SEIU-UHW boss is caught on video telling members that they need to "bury" the NUHW, the competing union (National Union of Healthcare Workers), and to "drive a stake through the heart that is thing that is NUHW." And how to do that? Lean on the membership, threaten their job security, and generally scare the hell out of them. It should be remembered that SEIU is joined at the hip with ACORN, which is heavily supported by the likes of Barack Obama. (See related videos and articles underneath this video.)

RELATED VIDEOS:
National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) channel on YouTube
Homecare workers reject SEIU secret contract
Sonoma Co. homecare workers speak out
NUHW Founding Convention

RELATED ARTICLES:
Will the Real SEIU Please Stand Up? - Talking Union
Matthew Kaminski: California Labor Wars - Wall Street Journal
NUHW Supporters Brave Eggs, Bottles in Los Angeles - Labor Notes
Latest news - National Union of Healthcare Workers - NUHW
New Document Reveals: SEIU Will Conquer Using Any Means Necessary- Big Government
More on the SEIU Intimidation of Own Members - The Union Label

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Action Call! Senate Health Bill Vote Today, Here's a Phone List

2009-11-21T06:30:00.000-06:00

CALL YOUR SENATORS and tell them to VOTE NO on this nearly-Trillion dollar obscenity. HERE IS A LIST (below) of some of the Senators we need to call, and keep calling. FORWARD THIS LIST to your friends, your neighbors, your relatives. Keep calling, keep emailing them, fax like there's no tomorrow. Below the list are some great related articles. (Many thanks to Catherina Wojtowicz of Chicago Tea Party Patriots.)

On Saturday night [Nov. 21] Harry Reid is scheduled to hold a vote that would then start debate on the Health-care bill that will include a public option. This is just a procedural issue right now, but it is an important step for Reid to overcome. Right now it looks like Nelson, Lieberman and Landrieu are going to vote to allow debate to start. It is not clear whether Sen. Blanche Lincoln from Arkansas will so vote, she has not yet made her intentions clear, but I think she is leaning towards allowing the debate to start. (Source: RightPundits)

Senator Evan Bayh (IN)
Chief of Staff: Thomas Sugar (thomas_sugar@bayh.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-5623 / (202) 228-1377 fax

Senator Michael Bennet (CO)
Chief of Staff: Jeff Lane (jeffrey_lane@bennet.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-5852 / (202) 228-5036

Senator Joe Lieberman (CT)
Chief of Staff: Clarine Riddle (clarine_riddle@lieberman.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-4041 / (202) 224-9750 fax

Senator Bill Nelson (NE)
Chief of Staff: Tim Becker (timothy_becker@bennelson.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-6551 / (202) 228-0012 fax

Senator Blanche Lincoln (AR)
Chief of Staff: Elizabeth Burks (elizabeth_burks@lincoln.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-4843 / (202) 228-1371 fax

Senator Mary Landrieu (LA)
Chief of Staff: Jane Campbell (jane_campbell@landrieu.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-5824 / (202) 224-9735 fax

Senator Mark Pryor (AR)
Chief of Staff: Bob Russell (robert_russell@pryor.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-2353 / (202) 228-0908 fax

Senator Mark Warner (VA)
Chief of Staff: Luke Albee (luke_albee@warner.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-2023 / (202) 224-6295 fax

Senator Mark Begich (AK)
Chief of Staff: David Ramseur (david_ramseur@http://www.facebook.com/l/7e17c;begich.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-3004 / (202) 224-2354 fax
http://www.facebook.com/l/7e17c;begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EmailSenator

Senator Robert Byrd (WV)
Chief of Staff: Barbara Videnieks (barbara_videnieks@byrd.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-3954 / (202) 228-0002 fax

Senator Thomas Carper (DE)
Chief of Staff: Jim Reilly (james_reilly@carper.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-2441 / (202) 228-2190 fax

Senator Jim Webb (VA)
Chief of Staff: Paul Reagan (paul_reagan@webb.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-4024 / 202-228-6363 fax

Senator Jon Tester (MT)
Chief of Staff (Deputy): Mary Walsh (mary_walsh@tester.senate.gov)
Washington, DC (202) 224-2644

RELATED ARTICLES:
Healthcare Radicals Bank on Public Ignorance and Gullibility - Human Events
Three gimmicks that make Senate healthcare bill look better - Christian Science Monitor
Senate to Start Debate on Health-care Bill (Live Video) - Right Pundits
DAVID BRODER A Budget-Buster in the Making - Kitsap Sun
Reid's Health Care Bill Sweetened for Landrieu and Nelson - ChattahBox
Senators may sacrifice immigrant aid to pass health plan - Houston Chronicle
Senate health care bill creates new marriage penalty - Washington Times
Health care bill rests in moderate Democrats' hands - Legal News Line

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Al Gore Responds to Climategate

2009-11-21T01:45:00.001-06:00

A hacker employed by Chicago News Bench wormed his way into the bowels of the iOwnTheWorld supercomputer and found this bit of clever political satire. Poor Al Gore hides in his snow house, badgered by a world that suddenly sees him for the fraud that he is. We reproduce it here without apology or caveat, but if you click on the image you will be magically transported through cyberspace to a place where lunatic geniuses run wild...

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Climate Research Fraud and Fakery Revealed by Computer Hacker (Updated)

2009-11-20T17:11:00.011-06:00

Note/Update: Many people still do not understand how huge this story is. It is, pardon the expression, earth shattering for many, and many are having a hard time coming to grips with it. It's as though the curtain has been ripped away, revealing the man who pretended to be the Wizard of Oz. A reader who is having a hard time facing the harsh reality of disillusionment wrote a comment, reproduced at the bottom of this post.

Falsified climate "data" and strong indications of outright fraud have been revealed by the hacking of a computer at the Hadley Climatic Research Centre (UK), an influential research facility. That's right, fraud. Here's an example, brought to us by Chicago Bungalow (CB), who notes that emails were among the files accessed by the hacking operation. "The emails include one purportedly from Philip Jones, Director of the CRU (Climate Research Unit)," writes CB, "referring to the now well-known 'hockey stick' graph in Michael Mann's article in Nature." Read more at Chicago Bungalow...

We've been saying for years that the gurus of climate change fall into one of two categories: (1) Frauds who deliberately fudge the data (e.g., Al Gore), and (2) Incompetent science quacks who parrot the global warming/climate change mumbo-jumbo in a pitiful attempt to be in with the in crowd. In addition to those false priests of the Church of Climate Change, of course, are the billions of morons who have swallowed whole the wafers of global warming. Perhaps some will be swayed by this revelation, but not many will be. It takes a lot to sway somebody away from their religion, which is exactly what the belief in Global Warming has become.

Comment left by "Juicyfruit" on 11/20/2009:
"So lets say someone breaks into Tea Party Headquarters and hacks into their computer and then pronounces to the world that what the Tea Party folk believe in is a fraud. I think one should question the definately question the source of information that comes from people who break into other peoples computers. Im still out on the whole global warming thing. But I do have morals."

My Response to "Juicyfruit":
Whenever you write to me you give a fake email address and use fake names like Wierdo, Taxman, Sam and now Juicyfruit. So, how much credence should we give to YOU?

Now, I agree with you that the hacking was unethical. However, your comparison of that to a hypothetical hacking of the "Tea Party Headquarters" is seriously flawed for several reasons:

1) There is no "Tea Party Headquarters," per se. The movement is made up of hundreds of loosely cooperating groups, none of which is beholden to a national organization.
2) We are not talking about opinion or "belief," as you put it. We are talking about the numbers, the mathematics and hard data that were fudged by the people at the Hadley Climatic Research Centre.
3) The Hadley people were screwing the data, as demonstrated with notes such as this: "I've just completed Mike's Nature trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years (ie from 1981 onwards) amd from 1961 for Keith's to hide the decline."

That's not political opinion or difference in philosophy, JF, it's outright fraud with numbers. This has nothing to do with Tea Parties, JF. As for the source of the information, it's the Hadley Climatic Research Centre, with a middle man in Russia who hacked into their computer/s.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Scientific scandal appears to rock climate change promoters
Global Climate Change Hoax: The Greatest Fraud in Human History
Global Warming Scam Exposed: Talk About Inconvenient Truths!
Do hacked e-mails show global-warming fraud?

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2010 in Song

2009-11-20T17:02:00.004-06:00

Taking back America, in words and song. This one is by the brilliant Lloyd Marcus.

Hat tip to Illinois Review

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Our New World HQ Offices

2009-11-20T00:57:00.004-06:00

Chicago News Bench is pleased to announce that we've recently acquired a brand spanking new office complex. It will house our world headquarters in a geniune brick structure, complete with a door, windows and cold running water. For security reasons, we can't disclose the address, but believe me when I say that this new facility is just what we needed.

Our dedicated staff of 247 enter through the front door and are whisked 480 feet underground to the four-foot thick steel reinforced bunker, wherein we actually have hot running water and a whole lot of electronic stuff to play with. Indoor shooting range, subsidized cafeteria and daycare center are just some of the perks we share with our faithful crew. We have special, hardened telephone lines connected directly to iOwnTheWorld, the Kremlin and Domino's Pizza. We are excited about the small nuclear power generator that will be installed next month, which will allow us to keep the water and air recycling systems in full operation in the event of any emergency.

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Andrzejewski "I'd Sell Official Illinois Luxury Aircraft"

2009-11-19T22:03:00.007-06:00

Republican candidate for Illinois governor Adam Andrzejewski says that an ABC-Channel 7 (Chicago) report shows that the Illinois state budget priorities are "upside down."

In response to Channel 7 investigative reporter Chuck Goudie's report on Wednesday evening (Nov. 18) about the cost of operating the state fleet of 16 aircraft, Andrzejewski says he would sell the $22 million air fleet, with the only exceptions being the two helicopters and certain planes used by the Illinois State Police.

Andrzejewski re-emphasized his plan to "open up the books" in Springfield and conduct a forensic audit of the state's expenses. He pointed out that Channel 7's report indicated that state employees are using the planes regularly at a cost of $3,000 per hour totaling $4 million per year. "Real reform can only be the result of new people with new ideas in Springfield," Andrzejewski stated.

"While the state wasn't paying social service providers, which in turn, forced them to lay off staff and cost the state jobs, these planes were flying," he said. "Illinois is in a budget crisis, and our state leadership is needlessly spending tax payer dollars. Billions of unnecessary spending will be uncovered by a forensic audit of expenses."

Andrzejewski also made reference to a recent article in the Peoria Journal Star in which Governor Quinn was asked about the budget gap for fiscal year 2010, which puts it among the worst three states in the nation. That dismal ranking came from The Pew Center on the States report, which cites Illinois for a lack of fiscal discipline and failure to balance the state budget. Gov. Quinn's response was "I think we've done pretty well. We've stabilized the budget."

However, Andrzejewski points out that the waste culprits are not only on the Democratic side. He recalled a conversation he had with senior GOP leaders at the United Republican Fund Anniversary Gala at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. "I mentioned to those at my table that I thought we should stop using the fleet so excessively, and sell the planes. To my dismay, the leaders at my table were firmly resistant to the idea."

As governor, part of Andrzejewski's plan for reform would be a top-down transparency mandate by executive order to open up the books in Springfield. His second executive order would be a forensic top-to-bottom audit of state spending. He estimates that the savings of such measures could be $3-$5 billion.

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Jim Dodge's Political Donations Show He's a Fake Republican

2009-11-19T20:45:00.005-06:00

Chicago is not the only town around that has a Democrat-dominated political "Machine." Nearby Orland Park has one of its very own, and Jim Dodge has been an integral cog in it.

Dodge was first elected to the Orland Park village board way back in 1989. (Can you say "career politician?") Dodge calls himself a "conservative Republican." Jim Dodge's history of political campaign contributions show him to be leaning to the Left and anything but a committed conservative Republican.

What kind of conservative leadership has Dodge given Orland Park? Virtually none, for all it's worth. As noted blogger Ray Hanania wrote in February, 2009 (emphasis added):

Orland Park has raised its property taxes and even gerrymandered the "fiscal year" from 12 to 15 months because they couldn't meet their expenses. They said they were changing the fiscal year in order to re-align it with the annual calendar. But many suspect the real reason is they just don't have the funds to pay all the bills in the 12 month budget and use a cute trick to turn the budget period to 15 months to cover 12 months of expenses. It's typical bad management to delay troubles until after the election April 7, 2009.

Property taxes have skyrocketed.
Fees continue to climb.Once free programs now cost money.
The Tax Rebate program has been gutted to barely nothing.
Millions have been wasted in poorly managed projects.

And this guy wants to be the Illinois Comptroller? Can Illinoisans trust Jim Dodge to honestly work with state funds when he and his liberal pals were less than honest about the financial mess in tiny Orland Park? He promises transparency, yet he and his cronies have played a "shell game" with budget numbers in Orland Park. What an insult, what a bad joke.

Of 34 receipts found on the Illinois State Board of Elections web site (from November 1998 - May 2009), more than half of the dollar total went to non-Republican political entities. The largest recipient of his generosity was the “Orland Park First Party,” to which he gave over $16,000. It was formed for retaining the power of the incumbents, mostly Democrats. Why Dodge did not run as a Republican is anybody’s guess.

Dodge’s total donations to Republicans was only $3,900, according to what we found at the Illinois State Board of Elections web site. Of that, $1,650 went to “progressive” liberal Republicans, such as Judy Baar Topinka ($500) and Liz Gorman ($1,500), or scandal tainted Republicans like John Doria ($650). See breakdown of donations below.

Given his split personality as regards political donations, one might draw the conclusion that Jim Dodge is nothing more than an opportunist with no strong grounding in any particular political philosophy. The donations could indicate a desire to go along to get along in an effort to retain power and influence, regardless of the damage it might do to the conservative cause.

As good friend Publius wrote today, "It is quite interesting to see that Comptroller candidate Jim Dodge has a history of giving campaign donations to Democrats. This is a measure of Dodge’s dedication to the GOP, I’d say. How can any Republican vote for a GOP candidate that donates money to the enemy?"

Jim Dodge represents what has become all too common in the Republican Party today: Opportunists who care more about their career than about their constituents or conservative principles, willing to cut deals and chisel away at the cornerstones of conservatism just to further their career. I humbly suggest that the Orland Township Republican organization, which loves Jim Dodge, be ostracized and isolated by true conservatives. Meanwhile, the liars who love Jim Dodge continue to lie about his opposition in the Comptroller's race, all the while insisting that the man who has contributed so much money to the enemy is your friend. Examples: ChampionNews.net has had its blatant lie that William Kelly dropped out of the race on its site for over a week now, even though publisher Jack Roeser knows it is not true.

Total Contributions from Jim Dodge:
$25,323.69 (Also see a detailed report as a PDF document; click here)

Donations to Citizens For Daniel J. McLaughlin,
Democrat, Mayor of Orland Park, IL
$2,300.00

Orland Park First Party
Purpose: To re-elect Mayor McLaughlin and the sitting board members
$16,300.00

Republicans (All)
$3,900.00

Republicans (Strong)
$2,250.00

Republicans (Liberal or Tainted)
$1,650.00

RELATED ARTICLES:
Campaign Election Disclosure Notes for Orland Park - OrlandParker.com
Orland Park finally admits raising property taxes this year - OrlandParker.com
budget shell game in orland park -- the tax rebate is "intact" - Ray Hanania's World
William Kelly: Calling Out Opponent for Democrat Contributions - Publius Forum
Double-Dealing Jim Dodge's Democrat Donations - Chicago News Bench

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Double-Dealing Jim Dodge's Democrat Donations

2009-11-18T11:58:00.006-06:00

UPDATE: Also See "Jim Dodge's Political Donations Show He's a Fake Republican"

RINO - Acronym for “Republican In Name Only”

DODGE - 1. Verb: to evade or run away, withdraw or pull back; 2. Noun: A man in Orland Park who calls himself a Republican while working closely with, and making campaign contributions to Democrats, as in “Jim Dodge”

The current race for Illinois State Comptroller is a bit more contentious than usual. Judy Baar Topinka is the best known of the three candidates, but is widely seen as a RINO. To date, she has not won a single endorsement from any local Republican chapters. That’s no surprise. The RINO label has always been a negative, but is particularly poisonous in the current season. (Just look at New York’s 23rd Congressional District race.)

Back to Illinois. Topinka doesn’t have a chance. There are two other, lesser known candidates who are getting more endorsements from local Republican organizations. They are William J. Kelly and Jim Dodge. Kelly is a conservative Republican. Dodge pretends to be a conservative Republican. Jim Dodge is a trustee of Orland Park, Illinois.

As such, Dodge works closely with liberal Democrats, particularly Mayor Dan McLaughlin. There’s nothing wrong with that, exactly, except that Dodge seems all too willing to help the local Democrats raise taxes and do things that a good conservative just should not be doing. Dodge is seen by many in Orland Park as one of McLaughlin's "down-the-line domino trustees who nary challenge him."

But why has “conservative Republican” Jim Dodge donated over $2,000 to McLaughlin’s campaign fund?

Why did Dodge donate $500 to Topinka’s campaign in 2006?

That’s not all: As recently as March, 2009, Dodge gave $250 to the Orland Township Progressive Party. That’s truly amazing. A self-described “conservative” who gives money to liberals, progressives and Democrats.

If Jim Dodge is going to continue to call himself a conservative Republican, he has some explaining to do.

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Tea Party Candidates Forum Dec. 9 in Joliet

2009-11-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

There will be a "Tea Party Candidates Forum" in Joliet on December 9. Candidates running in Illinois for the U.S. Senate and U.S. Congress (11th District) will be featured. The details, from your friends at Joliet Tax Day Tea Party:

WHERE: Holiday Inn (Louis Joliet Ballroom), 411 S. Larkin, Joliet, Illinois, 60436
WHEN: See schedule below

Free Admission, Live Band (Debbie K & Freedom Band) Slide Show, Candidate Forum, Meet the Candidates, Streaming Video Live on the Internet, Cash Bar, Fellow Patriots. What else can you want?

We have asked the candidates to hear us. They have agreed. Please be there! Recently we held a “Tea Party” Governor’s Forum to meet the Illinois candidates for Governor (over 1,000 people showed). We are now throwing one for the U.S. Senate and U.S. Congressional 11th district candidates. They are coming to meet with you! Tea Partiers have asked them to “hear our voices.” Well, they have responded. Please come and welcome them. No boring forums here. We are sponsoring a” tea party” style forum. Let’s get together. Let’s get answers. (Try to arrive early).

6:00 PM - Start - Fun Begins, Free Admission, Cash Bar, Slide Show, Live Music with Debbie K & Freedom Band, Great Fellowship & Networking Time, Live Video Stream, Meet Candidates.
7:00 PM - 9:00 - Candidates Forum
9:00 PM - Greet Session: Meet Candidates Personally

Watch the event live at:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/homer-lockport-tea-party

For Additional Information:
joliettaxdayteaparty@gmail.com

Since April 15th Joliet Tea Party and The Homer/Lockport Tea Party have drawn tens of thousands of people to a variety of Tea Parties, Protests and Freedom Concerts in Will County IL. We held the largest national “Tea Party Express Rally” in New Lenox, IL. (Drawing 10,000 people). Our objective has been to engage the system, to encourage our elected officials to change the course that we are on as a nation, and to embrace those things that have made our country great. If they are not willing, then we are committed to finding and supporting candidates that will.

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Melissa Bean Opposes Gitmo Detainee Transfer to Illinois

2009-11-17T16:35:00.003-06:00

For Immediate Release - November 17, 2009

CHICAGO – In a crushing blow to Governor Pat Quinn and Senator Dick Durbin’s plan to move Gitmo to Illinois, Democratic Illinois Congresswoman Melissa Bean today announced she opposed any transfer of terrorists to the United States – including Illinois. Bean opposes any transfer and cites national security risks as her primary reason.

The Lake County News Sun today quotes Congresswoman Bean as saying: "I remain opposed to transferring Guantanamo detainees to Illinois, or anywhere in the United States, without substantial assurances regarding potential security threats."

Bean’s statement comes on the heels of new survey results showing that only 32% of Illinois voters support the Quinn/Durbin plan while 57% oppose.

“We hope other Democrats like Bill Foster and Debbie Halvorson will have the courage to stand up to Governor Quinn and Senator Durbin and do what’s right for the people of Illinois,” Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said.

Contact 312-201-9000 info@ilgop.org

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Kelly Endorsed by Niles Township GOP for IL State Comptroller

2009-11-16T23:15:00.000-06:00

William J. Kelly picked up the endorsement of the Niles Township Regular Republican Organization on Sunday, Nov. 16. Apparently, not enough members of the Niles Township GOP have heard the ridiculous lies and rumors being spread about Kelly to keep them from seeing clearly enough to endorse him.

It's a big victory for the man that some people even now mistakenly think has dropped out of the race for Illinois State Comptroller. Kelly is a fighter who refuses to quit despite the desperate wishes of some that he would - and the outright lies by some who are bent on his destruction.

One of those people is Jim Dodge, who is also vying for the GOP's nomination for Comptroller. Dodge picked up the endorsements of Republicans in the townships of Wheeling and New Trier today. In a statewide race, that's a small loss for Kelly, who sees his Niles win as a strong indication that the rumor of his withdrawal from the race is being successfully countered. Kelly alluded to Dodge as "my opponent" on his website today after winning the Niles Township GOP's favor:

“This endorsement shows that my opponent’s smear campaign is not working. He has been telling people that I am out of the race and is having bloggers perpetuate this false report,” said Kelly. “I am the only candidate in the race who has a twenty year history of passionate, outspoken conservative activism. My opponent hasn’t been on the conservative radar for more than three months. This smear campaign being run against me has no place in the future of the Republican Party. We need to be bold, turn the page, and nominate true conservative reformers. And if we do this, I know that together we can win. “That is why I am very proud to have received the endorsement of the Niles Township Regular Republican Organization.”

The exact source of the false rumor about a Kelly withdrawal is not known. It has been, to say the least, perpetuated by incompetent reports at ChampionNews.net, a web site that barely shows up in a Google search but is read by a number of Republican Party insiders. Champion's publisher, Jack Roeser, recently contributed to the spreading of the lie about Kelly on that web site (see "Champion News is Lying About William J. Kelly").

Roeser repeated the lie on his talk show on WIND 560 AM on Sunday morning, November 15, during which he called Kelly a "scared rabbit." To date, however, Roeser has not shown the courage to invited Kelly onto his talk show to let listeners hear his side of the story.

Stay tuned to this race, folks. Kelly told Chicago News Bench this evening that Jack Roeser phoned him this morning and said, "This is going to get ugly." When asked why Roeser would phone him to say such a thing, Kelly said he couldn't think of any rational motivation. Roeser's spreading of the withdrawal lie, said Kelly, is mysterious and disturbing. It is my own opinion that such a phone call indicates a sick mind, frankly, but then I'm not trained in psychology and have never had the displeasure of meeting Jack Roeser.

Kelly is not a run-of-the-mill, stodgy Republican. He's a youthful, fun guy with a joie de vivre that's hard to find these days. Once the executive director of the National Taxpayers United of Illinois, he was profiled in the Washington Times recently. Kelly is a businessman with entrpreneurial experience, with an Emmy award-winning TV production company and currently hosts a multi-state sports TV series, “Sportsaholic.”

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DJ Tiësto - Love Comes Again (Victoria's Secret)

2009-11-16T00:44:00.003-06:00

This verrrrrry sexy video of Victoria's Secret models should get some of you in the mood. For Christmas shopping, I mean. Angel wings and candy canes. And legs til next Sunday. The tunes are hot, too. Not convinced? This video features Alessandra Ambrosio, Ana Beatriz Barros, Gisele Bundchen, Isabeli Fontana, Izabel Goulart, Adriana Lima, Fernanda Tavares, Caroline Trentini, Raquel Zimmerman, Karolina Kurkova, Bianca Balti, Doutzen Kroes, Tatiana Kovylina, Morgane Dubléd, Eugenia Volodina, Caroline Winberg, Andi Muise, Angela Lindvall, Julia Stegner, Natasha Polevshchikova, Inguna Butane, Selita Ebanks, Marija Vujović, Tyra Banks & Heidi Klum.

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Todd Stroger a No-Show at Candidates Forum (Updated)

2009-11-15T17:48:00.014-06:00

UPDATED: SEE VIDEO REPORT HERE

Chicago - Nov. 15, 2009 - There should have been four Democrat candidates for Cook County Board President at a forum for candidates running for Cook County Board President. Three showed up, but the incumbent was an unapologetic no-show.

Present and willing to answer questions from moderator Andy Shaw were Toni Preckwinkle, Dorothy Brown and Terrence J. O'Brien. Preckwinkle is currently Chicago's 4th Ward alderman; Brown is currently the Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court; O'Brien is the current President of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Stroger, the current President of the Cook County Board, was absent. The crowd was surprisingly small; slightly ~~less~~ more than half of the room was full.

There were signs and campaign literature in the foyer of the student center from Brown, Preckwinkle and O'Brien, but Stroger's campaign efforts were as starkly absent as he was.

The candidates forum was sponsored by the Better Government Association (BFA) and the 43rd Ward Democrats at the DePaul Student Center, just south of Fullerton Avenue in Lincoln Park. Andy Shaw is the Executive Director of the BGA. He was a political reporter for ABC7 (WLS) in Chicago from 1983 until his retirement just after Barack Obama's presidential swearing in ceremony in January, 2009.

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Champion News is Lying About William J. Kelly

2009-11-15T10:35:00.002-06:00

Chicago, Nov. 15, 2009 - William J. Kelly (photo) is NOT leaving the race for Illinois State Comptroller. Over the past week, however, this was falsely stated by Champion News (championnews.com) in a short post on Wednesday, Nov. 11 post and repeated in a longer post on Nov. 12. It’s more than a misunderstanding by Champion News - we are convinced that it is a deliberate lie perpetrated by Champion News, with the full knowledge and consent-by-inertia of Champion News publisher Jack Roeser.

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Champion News published a short post with the title “Bill Kelly has decided to drop out of the race Comptroller.” Here is the full text of that post, which had no byline:

“On Monday, November 9, 2009, William Kelly, Republican candidate for Illinois Comptroller, told Champion News Publisher Jack Roeser that he has decided to end his campaign. Kelly's exit from the race leaves it a two-person contest - Jim Dodge v. Judy Baar Topinka.”

The following day, a post with Roeser’s byline was published with the headline “Setting the record straight on a rumor.” The post, however, only served to further the lie about Kelly quitting. The rumor that the headline refers was “explained” in the post:

“Bill Kelly has told me that a nasty political rumor has been started that impugns him and accuses him of a felony conviction. This is NOT true. I know the truth. I was there when this interesting caper happened.”

This “explanation” is akin to asking somebody if they have stopped beating their wife, while in the presence of other people. The post, in my opinion, was meant to actually plant yet another rumor about Kelly being convicted of a felony, all the while not addressing the blatant lie perpetrated in Champion News, the day before, about Kelly deciding the leave the comptroller race.

As of 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, both post were still on the Champion site. You can see the Nov. 11 post here; CNB has archived it as a PDF just in case Champion deletes it. The Nov. 12 post can be seen here, and the PDF archive of it here.

It should be noted that the November 12 post originally had this just under its headline:

“Editor's note: Fortunately, Champion News has heard of and has found no examples on the World Wide Web of any such rumors as those referred to below. We are pleased to report, as well, that Bill Kelly has given his word to Jack Roeser that he is dropping out of the Comptroller's race.”

Although that editor’s note has been removed, there has been no retraction or correction.

On the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 11, William J. Kelly and his campaign manager Steve Ruggiero attended a seminar about Saul Alinsky at the Lincoln Restaurant at 4008 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. The photo of Kelly and Rugierro (left, click to enlarge), was taken just past 8:00 p.m., shortly before Kelly stood before the roomful of approximately 40 people and gave an enthusiastic campaign speech. It certainly did not sound as if he had any intention of dropping out of the race then, and when CNB spoke to Kelly by phone on Friday, Nov. 13 he emphatically denied the Champion News stories.

During that phone conversation, Kelly told CNB that “some people on Jack Roeser’s staff want me out of the race.” He said that some of Roeser’s staff “are working closely with Jim Dodge’s campaign.” Dodge entered the race for state comptroller shortly after Kelly did. There are many in the local conservative sphere who feel that Dodge is nothing more than a shill for Judy Baar Topinka’s campaign and entered the race to draw votes from Kelly, thereby splitting any anti-Topinka support.

“Jim Dodge double deals with Democrats,” Kelly told CNB. “He works closely with Dan McLaughlin, mayor of Orland Park.”

“I am definitely in this race,” Kelly told CNB on Nov. 13, “and I’m staying in this race.”

Kelly says he spoke with Jack Roeser about the Nov. 11. “I called him because I thought someone in his circle of friends was spreading rumors that I was dropping out, and other smears,” said Kelly.

CNB reached Roeser at 3:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 and asked him if he spoke to Kelly. He confirmed that he had. When I asked Roeser why his own web site, Champion News, was reporting a falsehood and had not retracted or corrected it, he said he had not actually written any of it. He said some of his staff have their own ideas. When I asked him whether he, as publisher of Champion News, couldn’t exercise his authority over his editorial staff, he became irritated. When asked point blank why the Nov. 11 post had not been removed from the Champion News site, he grew more irritated and began to ramble. He hinted that the falsehoods about Kelly were inserted without his knowledge.

I pointed out to him that he discussed it with Kelly prior to publication, and that Kelly has complained to him after the fact. When asked again why he, as publisher, had not removed Nov. 11 post, his irritation became palpable and he began to veer off on tangents without providing a real answer.

I had to interrupt Roeser a number of times to bring him back to the subject at hand while he tried to philibuster the phone conversation, and the call ended after he said, “If you’d shut up I’ll try to answer your question.” At that point it was clear that the Roeser wasn’t going to give any direct answers, so my response was, “Well, if you’d shut up maybe I could actually ask a question.” He slammed the phone down.

The motto of Champion News is “Setting the Standard.” Some standard.

RELATED:
Kelly Responds to False Reports That He Is Exiting Comptroller's Race

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Will Todd Stroger Be There Today? Will You?

2009-11-15T08:36:00.004-06:00

Will Todd Stroger attend today's free forum of the Cook County Board President candidates? Man, I hope so - I need new photos of the clown. YOU can get fresh photos of Clown Stroger TODAY (Sunday, November 15) by attending the forum at the DePaul Student Center. That's at 2250 N. Sheffield Avenue, Chicago, an easy walk from the Belmont CTA station. For details, see our Nov. 12 post here.

Note: If you plan to attend, please let the event coordinators know so that they can best accommodate a large crowd. RSVP to countyboardforum@gmail.com.

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The Klan Member and the Gentleman (cartoon)

2009-11-14T11:31:00.007-06:00

Yet another great cartoon by Zack Rawsthorne at Diversity Lane.

Click to enlarge

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Ald. Stone Campaign Committee Paying Defendant's Legal Fees

2009-11-14T06:45:00.000-06:00

Leave it to Lorraine Swanson to turn this up: "Attorney fees for one of the co-defendants in the 50th Ward vote fraud trial are being picked up by the Bernard L. Stone Campaign Committee."

Stone is the 50th Ward alderman in Chicago, lording over a neighborhood known both as "West Ridge" and as "West Rogers Park." Stone, legendary in part for falling asleep at City Council meetings and for yelling at constituents, would not return the phone calls of Swanson, who publishes the Lake Effect News web site.

As Swanson reported on November 13, two of Stone's political workers, Anish Eapen, the former ward superintendent and campaign worker Armando Ramos, are accused of multiple felony charges "that they allegedly tampered with absentee ballots of mostly immigrant voters in the 2007 municipal election and aldermanic runoff in the 50th Ward."

Stone is a Democrat and well entrenched in the local Machine politics. Yes, yes, it's shocking that a Democrat in Chicago would be mixed up with a couple of guys who are, allegedly, scumbags and paying their legal fees to boot. Shocking. I know that you're shocked, too.

There's a whole lot more to this story, which Swanson has been covering since its beginning. See her related stories: Trial Date Set For Stone Political Workers and Witnesses Offer Chilling Testimony of Voting ‘Chicago Style’.

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Cook County Board President Forum, Nov. 15

2009-11-12T11:47:00.004-06:00

Who is your choice for President of the Cook County Board? Still not decided? Perhaps you 'd like to attend a free, live forum of the candidates on Sunday, November 15 at the DePaul Student Center. For details, read the following media advisory from our friends at the Better Government Association (BGA). Note: If you plan to attend, please let them know so that they can best accommodate a large crowd. RSVP to countyboardforum@gmail.com.

The Better Government Association & 43rd Ward Democrats
Host Candidates Forum

Andy Shaw, Executive Director of the Better Government Association, will moderate a lively discussion among the Democratic Candidates for President of the Cook County Board: Todd Stroger, the incumbent; Toni Preckwinkle, 4th Ward Alderman; Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court; and Terrence O'Brien, President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The debate is a DePaul University Forum. Democratic Committeeman Michele Smith and the 43rd Ward Democrats are hosts of the County Board President Democratic Candidates Forum, which is being held at the DePaul University Center at Belden and Sheffield in Lincoln Park.

"The debate in the 43rd Ward offers voters and taxpayers an excellent opportunity to see who, among the Democratic candidates, is truly committed to eliminating the 'corruption tax' we all pay when government is run for the benefit of the politicians and not the public," Shaw said. "The BGA is dedicated to restoring FAITH in government, which is an acronym for Fairness, Accountability, Integrity, Transparency and Honesty. That's the Better Government Association's mission, and we're eager to see who shares it."

Sunday, November 15th
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
DePaul Student Center
2250 N. Sheffield

County Board President
Candidates Forum
Moderator: Andy Shaw
Formerly of Channel 7 News
Executive Director of the Better Government Association

Todd Stroger - President, Cook County Board
Toni Preckwinkle - 4th Ward Alderman
Dorothy Brown - Clerk of the Circuit Court
Terrence O'Brien - President, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Contact: Andy Shaw
312-386-9097 email: ashaw@bettergov.org
Contact: Liz Caldwell
773-963-8963 email: caldwellchcg@aol.com

All are welcome. Admission is free. Doors open to the public at Noon. Attendees are asked to please RSVP, if possible, at countyboardforum@gmail.com to help accommodate the expected large turnout.

Public Parking Available: 2335 North Sheffield Public Transportation Red, Purple and Brown Lines: Exit at the Fullerton station.

Forum Co-Sponsors: DePaul Democrats, DePaul Political Science Department, Better Government Association, WCPT AM & FM [820-AM Chicago] - Chicago's Progressive Talk Radio.

Find out more about the BGA. Think about joining or sending a contribution. Founded in 1923 to fight Al Capone's ironclad grip on Chicago City Hall, the BGA is a Chicago-based, nonpartisan organization that combats waste, fraud and corruption in city, county, suburban and state government.

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First National Tea Party Convention - February 4-6, 2010

2009-11-11T17:56:00.004-06:00

Exciting news from Tea Party Nation!

First National Tea Party Convention - February 4-6, 2010 Opryland Hotel Nashville, TN.Tea Party Nation is pleased to announce the First National Tea Party Convention.

The convention is aimed at bringing the Tea Party Movement leaders together from around the nation for the purpose of networking and supporting the movements' multiple organizations principle goals. This event will be co-sponsored by other national groups that believe in a responsible and limited federal government that is responsive to all the people. National Taxpayers Union, American Majority, Smart Girl Politics, and SurgeUSA are just a few of the organizations contributing their talents and time to this convention.

Special Keynote Speaker for the event will be Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska (2006-2009) and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Nominee.

The convention will feature well known speakers, workshops, seminars, information centers, and organizational tools for leaders to take back to their respective local Tea Party organizations.

We are giving Tea Party leaders the first opportunity to purchase convention tickets before opening registration up to the general public.

* A portion of the Convention ticket price will go to form the TPN PAC which will be dedicated to finding and supporting Traditional American candidates in the future.

Website information coming soon!

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Activists Whine About Criminals With Children

2009-11-11T17:15:00.008-06:00

Many people who are locked up in jails and prisons are parents. Their innocent children are often left behind, victims of the misdeeds of their parents. Those kids are sometimes taken care of by the parent who is not locked up, or by relatives.

Photo: T.H.Mannis

In some cases, the children have nowhere to go and so become wards of the state. In any case, the children suffer, but whose fault is that? Is it socieity's fault? Before you answer, remember that "society" is you and your own family, your friends, your neighbors, and everybody else. Or is it the fault of the criminal who happens to be a parent? Here's my own suggestion: Any parent who is convicted of any crime should then be charged with child endangerment and neglect. A parent can be charged with neglect for leaving a young child unattended at home for a few hours, so why shouldn't they be also charged with at least the same for committing acts that would deny their children the benefit of having a full family unit to care for them?

There are, of course, bleeding hearts who think that you and I (society) should be responsible for the fate of their families, and that sentencing should be lighter for criminals who have children.

See the media release below, from the Community Renewal Society. Notice the phrase "These invisible victims of the criminal justice system have committed no crime and are left without support, stability or care due to a parent's misdeed or mistake," especially the part that says "misdeed or mistake." Words are important, and referring to crimes as "misdeeds" and "mistakes" makes them sound less serious than they really are.

The group is also demanding the "restructuring family visitation procedures, inmate sentencing processes and funding for family transportation to visit incarcerated parents." Notice the phrase "inmate sentencing processes," which can only mean lighter sentences for criminals who have children. It is not society's fault that the criminals committed crimes without regard for their children's future. It is also not our fault that those criminals had children to begin with, and society should not have to face heightened risk by releasing dangerous elements back onto the streets, simply to be able to go back to the innocent children for whom they showed utter disregard for in the first place. Committing a crime, any crime, is the ultimate act of criminal neglect of children.

(Emphasis and links added to the following media release. Note: "IDOC" is "Illinois Department of Corrections.")

MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 11, 2009

CONTACT:
Al Shaw, Media Relations
Phone: 312.673.3865
Mobile: 312.593.0719
ashaw@communityrenewalsociety.org

Alex Wiesendanger, Organizer
Phone: 312.673.3840
Mobile: 646.784.1033
awiesendanger@communityrenewalsociety.org

ACTIVISTS FOR CHILDREN OF THE INCARCERATED LIST DEMANDS TO
NEW IDOC DIRECTOR AT PUBLIC MEETING

Advocates want IDOC Director Michael Randle to help prevent children from being punished for their parent’s mistake

Who/What: The Community Renewal Society and over 300 people will hold a public meeting with Michael P. Randle, director of IDOC, to discuss restructuring family visitation procedures, inmate sentencing processes and funding for family transportation to visit incarcerated parents. Speakers will include advocates, community leaders and Illinois state representatives.

Onsite interviews will be available with: Community Renewals Society’s Executive Director, Rev. Calvin S. Morris, Ph.D.; Civic Action Network congregation leaders; formerly incarcerated parents and children; and state Reps Constance Howard (D-34), Eddie Washington (D-60), and Annazette Collins (D-10).

WHY: Across the state of Illinois , more than 90,000 children suffer the consequences of having one or both of their parents incarcerated or on parole. These invisible victims of the criminal justice system have committed no crime and are left without support, stability or care due to a parent's misdeed or mistake.

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Pullman Presbyterian Church
550 E. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60628

There you have it, Mr. and Ms. Law Abiding Citizen. YOU should pay for the transportation of children to see their criminal parent in prison. YOU should feel bad about the "victims of the criminal justice system," when in fact they are the victims of their own parents' shameful acts. YOU should feel sorry for the poor criminals, who just want to be loving parents even though they put you and everyone else in danger. Perhaps you could let Mssrs. Shaw and Wiesendanger how you feel about this. Let your Illinois State Representative know, too.

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The Morse Theatre, Once a Hole, Still a Hole

2009-11-11T16:23:00.009-06:00

The Morse Theatre closed in March, 2009. Here are some photos of it from Nov. 11, 2007 while still under rennovation. It was a big hole in the ground two years ago.

Today, it's a big hole on the ground, with feuding business partners, a liquor license held as a bargaining chip, and an alderman who pretends he can do something to get it reopened.

Click images to enlarge

The theater was jinxed from the start. In June of 2008, unions strongarmed the theatre, demanding money. It was broken into and vandalized in August, 2008, when arsonists started a fire inside the poorly guarded building. A local blogger and failed attorney made nuisance calls to city inspectors to file false complaints against the theater.

Ironically, the most dangerous threat to the theater's success was the stupidity, greed and inexperience of its own management team. Their feuding is what ultimately closed the theater after well less than half a year after opening to rave reviews. One moral we can learn here: Never, never go into a business deal with an ex-girlfriend. Or boyfriend, for that matter, even if you have a billionaire backing you, and never allow a partner's egomaniacal son to manage a theater's restaurant when his only previous hospitality experience comes from busing tables at Denny's and grilling burgers in the backyard.

Today, the theater's Facebook page and Twitter presence are still up on the Internet, serving more as tombstones than as providers of information (as of 5:00 pm CST, Nov 11, 2009). Now and then a ghost flutters past the tombstones, looking on briefly before fluttering away with a barely audible whimper. The ghosts are secretive and don't speak of their fellow deceased.

The theater closed quietly, but is technically not dead. The body, so to speak, is in a state of suspension, ready to be revived with the right treatment. It could reopen if the feuding former partners come to their senses, but knowing all of the hard-headed partners personally as I do, my own prediction is that the joint will remain shuttered for quite a while. Frankenstein must wait to be put back together.

RELATED:
Morse Theatre to close March 7, Century Public House’s fate in question
Chicago News Bench: ARSON AT MORSE THEATRE
Chicago News Bench: Union Ankle Biters in the 49th Ward
Mr. G's Thoughts for Free: The Morse Theater, Chicago IL

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CAIR speaker to Muslims: OK to attack Fort Bragg

2009-11-11T13:15:00.000-06:00

Lying for Islam

Barack Hussein Obama either cannot understand or refuses to acknowledge reality. Having attended a Muslim school as a child in Indonesia, it seems unfathomable that Obama is unaware that the Koran commands Muslims to terrorize and kill and in the name of Allah. For those of you who still do not believe that for millions of Muslims "jihad" includes killing, maiming, lying to and terrorizing non-Muslims, we share this with you from WorldNetDaily (emphasis added):

A Council on American-Islamic Relations adviser and regular speaker at its events has suggested Islamic law permits Muslims to attack C-130 military transport planes carrying the 82nd Airborne out of Fort Bragg, N.C., according to a stunning new book exposing Washington-based CAIR's inner workings. Radical Islamic cleric Zaid Shakir, a frequent guest speaker at CAIR events, tells his Muslim audiences: "Jihad is physically fighting the enemies of Islam to protect and advance the religion of Islam. This is jihad." Full Article, wnd.com...

A contrasting report from Islam Online, however, paints quite a different picture:

For Imam Zaid Shakir, a prominent imam at the Zaytuna Institute in California, the issue is crystal-clear in the Qur’an. "Killing innocent humans, the essence of terrorism, is equated with murdering all of humanity," he told IOL. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) repudiated any praise for the Fort Hood tragedy. Full Article at islamonline.net...

It should be pointed out that the Koran also commands Muslims to lie to non-Muslims. It is called "al-taqiyya." "Al-Taqiyah, from the verb Ittaqu, means linguistically dodge the threat. Politically it means simulate whatever status you need in order to win the war against the enemy ..." (taken from a Muslim site; hat tip to "How to Discuss Islam with Muslims" blog).

There are Muslims who do not follow the Koran strictly, certainly, who therefore reject al-taqiyya, but the problem is knowing which Muslim may be lying to you or when. This is a factor not only on a daily, one-on-one basis, but in situations such as international diplomacy, as well. So, when we see a report such as the one about the radical Islamic cleric Zaid Shakir hinting that Islamic law permits Muslims to attack C-130 military transport planes at Fort Bragg, and then see a statement from Islam Online quoting the same cleric saying essentially the opposite, we have to scratch our heads and wonder: Which statement by Zais Shakir was the lie?

Al-taqiyya and dissimulation are words used for a practice of Muslims blatantly lying to non-Muslims. All but some of the most fundamental Muslims consider the act of Al-taqiyya or lying to non-Muslims to be a good work. This is very important when one remembers that, in Islam, salvation is determined by good works. This means that a Muslim lying to a non-Muslim is that Muslim doing a good work to earn salvation.... (Source)

The so-called Mainstream Media regularly gets suckered by the practice of al-taqiyya. Many American politicians, including Barack Hussein Obama, buy into al-taqiyya too, without question, without critical thinking, without bothering to research.

Don't be like them. Do your research. Know the enemy.

RELATED:
al-Taqiyya/Dissimulation (Part I) and al-Taqiyya/Dissimulation (Part II)
Muslims Advised to “Choose Words Carefully”
Keith Ellison: Lying to the Infidels? - HUMAN EVENTS
Geert Wilders Warning to America Part 1 of 2 (Video)
Geert Wilders Warning to America part 2 of 2 (Video)
Threat Of Islam In The West (Video)
Taqiyya - Lying For Islam (Video)

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Rep. Deb Mell May Be Off Re-Election Ballot (Updated)

2009-11-10T00:15:00.005-06:00

Update, Nov. 10: Capitol Fax uptdates us with some fascinating legal mumbo-jumbo.

Original Post, Nov. 9:

Another big piece of bad news is hitting Chicago's Mell/Blagojevich political clan. Northwest Side State Rep. Deb Mell may have screwed up her nominating petitions, with a real risk that she'll be knocked off the February Democratic primary ballot. Full story at Greg Hinz Blog, Crain's Chicago Business...

Oh, man, that's not "bad news," it's poetic justice for a politically corrupt wannabe dynasty that's neck deep in Illinois patronage manure. See, it's good news. Do you really want someone like Deb Mell writing the laws that govern you when she can't even file a damned nominating petition correctly?

The Sun-Times has this (emphasis added):

Impeached ex-Gov. Blagojevich’s lone defender in the Illinois House may herself wind up being booted from office because of a .... challenge ...`filed Monday [Nov. 9] with the State Board of Elections against Rep. Deborah Mell (D-Chicago) by a rival in the Feb. 2 primary, Joe Laiacona....that Mell is not registered to vote at the address she listed as her primary residence, as Illinois election law requires, said election lawyer Richard Means, who represents Laiacona.

Gee, that sounds like something a rank amateur would do, not someone like Deb Mell.

“This is a very common amateur mistake. But one would think as a sitting state legislator, she isn’t an amateur,” Means said.

Ah, it is something Mell would do. Thank God she's a Democrat.

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