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DAILY HERALD
Wheaton’s Fourth of July parade is one of the highest-profile stages for local and statewide politicians to grin, wave and, maybe, win a few votes in the political nucleus of Illinois’ second-largest county.
But the stage for politicians is going to be a little smaller this Independence Day because of changes prompted by parade-watchers who complained that too many politicians made the event boring.
And if politicians don’t follow the rules, the Wheaton Jaycees promise to give them the hook and take them out of next year’s spotlight as well.
The Jaycees held two public forums to solicit suggestions about how to improve the parade. In short, the response was: more entertainment, less campaign signs.
That resulted in a number of new rules, a crackdown on the candy-throwing ban and rumors about restrictions that caused some turmoil.
First, no one — politicians included — will get a free ride to march this year. The voluntary $25 fee is gone. Politicians and businesses this year had to pay $150 to enter, though political parties get not-for-profit status and get in for $25.
Also, individual politicians are limited to 10 marching supporters. This eliminates the my-group-is-bigger-than-your-group mentality that was arising among the political entries, Jaycee Jeff Barcalow said.
The Jaycees even considered issuing wristbands to each politician’s group to show how serious they were about the 10-person limit. That idea led to an outcry from Milton Township GOP Precinct Committeeman Dave Diersen in his daily newsletter. He likened the wristband idea to a scarlet letter on politicians.
“(The wristbands) must be a joke,” he wrote. “If it isn’t, I will file a lawsuit.”
Others weren’t as outraged.
Wheaton City Councilman Tom Mouhelis called the Jaycees to ask about the wristbands and was told the idea was abandoned.
“I would have had no problem wearing one,” he said.
State Sen. Peter Roskam’s office had no comment on the wristbands or the 10-person limit Wednesday. Last year, Roskam, the GOP candidate to succeed U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde in Congress, had an estimated 300 supporters in tow.
Roskam, a Wheaton resident, is still slated to appear in the parade, as is his Democrat foe Tammy Duckworth. The Jaycees report that Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his Republican gubernatorial rival, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, might also make personal appearances.
All told, political entries will comprise almost 20 percent of a parade lineup with more than 100 entries.
Barcalow said the Jaycees received some positive feedback from entries about the rules this year, politicians included.
“They just want to make sure that everybody is on a level playing field,” he said. “We’re not trying to keep them out.”
Barcalow said the new mandatory entry fee might have deterred some entries but was not put in place to price politicians out of the parade. The fee became necessary because the costs to run the parade increased, but income didn’t, he added.
Barcalow said politicians understood that once it was explained. Some of the local GOP candidates and officials even banded together to sponsor a bagpipe and drum corps called the Chicago Highlanders.
“In general, everyone seems to be cooperative,” he said.
Proof of that will come in the actual execution Tuesday. The Jaycees are placing marshals along the parade route to enforce the new rules. Violators of any rules could get banned from next year’s parade.
This year’s parade steps off at 10 a.m. Tuesday and runs along Main Street.
Immigrant rights groups have a message for unsympathetic politicians around the country: Change your stand or risk getting voted out of office.
A coalition of unions, Hispanic activists and religious groups is trying to convert the big street protests of recent months into long-term political power by launching nationwide citizenship and voter registration drives Saturday in at least 19 states, including a rally and march planned for the Chicago suburbs.
The Democracy Summer campaign aims to register 1 million new voters and persuade many of the 8 million legal residents in this country to apply for citizenship.
“We want to make sure no politician will dare propose the criminalization of immigrants in the future,” said Angela Sembrano, a top organizer in Los Angeles.
Organizers have identified more than a dozen swing states with anywhere from 50,000 to 900,000 legal residents eligible to apply for citizenship — enough to influence state and congressional elections if they become Americans.
The groups have also commissioned studies estimating that as many as 3 million U.S.-born children of immigrants will be of voting age by 2008.
In a trend activists attribute in part to fear the government will crack down on immigration, citizenship applications already are up nearly 20 percent over last year.
The citizenship push might not have a major impact in the November elections, because applications typically take at least eight months to process.
In the Chicago suburbs and elsewhere, the effort gets a nudge forward Saturday.
A series of citizenship workshops and voter registration drives are planned in Aurora, Chicago and across the area. The focus on civic participation in Aurora will segue to civic activism with a march planned by immigrant supporters outside U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s office in Batavia.
“This is all connected for us,” said Kristin Kumpf, a suburban organizer with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. “We want to offer an opportunity for immigrants to feel they have a voice and use that voice to continue to let people we elect know we are serious about wanting immigration reform.”
Still, organizers believe greater voter registration by immigrants who have become citizens could sway elections this fall in congressional districts where lawmakers identified as anti-immigrant — mostly Republican — are vulnerable.
One district is in Chicago, where Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean is trying to hold on to her seat against Republican businessman David McSweeney.
Bean has drawn the ire of immigration advocates for voting for a House bill in December that would make illegal immigration a felony and criminalize anyone lending a hand to the undocumented.
McSweeney also has taken a hard line, saying he opposes a bill passed by the Senate in May that would give many of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in this country a chance at citizenship.
“Bean could be giving away Latino votes in her district,” said Joshua Hoyt, director of the Illinois immigrant coalition, a leading citizenship drive organizer.
“But the Republicans nationally are in danger of alienating the fastest-growing segment of the population,” he said.
Waiting for increased political power from new citizens doesn’t worry Rep. Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat who, along with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, has endorsed the drives.
When he won his seat in 1992, Hispanics made up about 45 percent of registered voters in the 4th District. With the help of citizenship drives, about 40,000 mostly Hispanic immigrants have become naturalized and now about 60 percent of registered voters are Hispanic, he said.
“A naturalized citizen is two to three times more likely to vote than someone born here,” said Gutierrez, whose parents are from Puerto Rico. “They understand the implications and what’s at stake.”
Another congressional race getting attention is in San Diego, where Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray beat Democrat Francine Busby by 5 percentage points earlier this month in a special election to replace former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, who is in prison for taking bribes.
Bilbray made a crackdown on illegal immigration the centerpiece of his campaign, calling for construction of a fence along the entire U.S.-Mexican border. His slim victory in a district where Republicans far outnumber Democrats gave immigration activists hope for the November election.
In the district “there is a tremendous Latino community that could make a difference,” said Enrique Morones, president of Border Angels, an activist group that is helping organize the drives.
Suburban GOP congressmen fired back Wednesday, calling a nationwide series of rallies organized by MoveOn.org a “partisan stunt.”
“MoveOn.org clearly picked the wrong target for its fund-raising efforts,” said Kathy Lydon, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale. “If MoveOn.org really cares about energy independence, they’d spend less time obsessing on fundraising and more time checking their facts.”
One organizer of the group’s “National Day of Action” blasted Biggert and other Republican congressmen for accepting campaign contributions from donors with ties to oil and gas companies.
To raise awareness about the “extreme oil corruption” in Washington D.C., the Web site held 300 rallies across the nation, including three in DuPage County and one in Elgin.
But they were sparsely attended, with six people spearheading a rally in Glen Ellyn about 10 in Carol Stream and maybe 20 in Naperville.
Since 1990, the oil industry has given more than $190 million to members of Congress. Of that amount, House Speaker Dennis Hastert got $389,238, retiring U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde netted $64,430 and Biggert got $31,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group.
And in the race to replace Hyde, state Sen. Peter Roskam, a Wheaton Republican, received $33,150 so far this year from donors associated with the gas and oil industry. Roskam’s opponent, Democrat Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran from Hoffman Estates, has accepted $1,500 from oil industry-related campaign donors.
“The Republican-controlled Congress is in the pocket of the oil industry,” said Nita Chaudhary, a campaigner with MoveOn.org’s political action arm. “That is why gas prices are staying high and why those companies aren’t being held accountable. And, why we are not looking seriously at an oil-free future.”
But Lydon said Biggert has been “one of the key House leaders in efforts to promote alternative energy sources.”
Earlier this month, Biggert hosted a forum in Naperville promoting energy-efficient vehicles. And she’s introduced legislation that would support alternative sources of power, including biofuels, solar, wind and clean coal.
Chaudhary said such actions don’t make up for the years Republicans have hampered Democratic efforts to make substantive progress on clean energy alternatives.
“Since they have been in control, there’s hardly been the will to move past oil,” she said. “And Biggert’s not leading the effort for clean and renewable energy.”
Chaudhary doesn’t hide the fact that her organization is “working very hard” to get Democrats elected to the U.S. House.
The group’s ties to the Democratic Party is why Brad Hahn, Hastert’s spokesman, declined to comment about Wednesday’s rallies.
“When not holding rallies to attack Republicans, this group is busy raising $1 million for Democratic Congressional candidates and encouraging its membership to see Al Gore’s new movie,” Hahn said. “So this event needs to be dismissed for the partisan stunt that it is.”
Years ago, Blodgett’s church was promised more than $400,000 in state funds to build a day-care center. However, the church — Our Saviour’s United Methodist Church in Schaumburg — has yet to see the money. The project is in limbo without the money, and Blodgett asked Topinka if she’d get the church its money if elected.
Topinka went only so far as to say she’d look into it.
“I’ll have to see where we stand,” Topinka said. “I don’t know how much is available.”
Good enough for Blodgett.
“I would’ve loved for her to say she’d cut a check, but I understand,” said Blodgett after the event. “We’re not talking about a luxury project here or planting flowers. It would help a lot of families.”
Topinka spoke to more than 100 Northwest suburban business leaders at the lunch Wednesday at the Hotel Indigo in Palatine. The event was hosted by the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.
Before the brief question-and-answer session, Topinka spent about 30 minutes talking about her political goals. She also spent much of the time bashing Gov. Rod Blagojevich, her opponent in November’s election.
Topinka promised education and ethics reform along with increased business retention if elected, she said.
“He’s gone into third gear and is cruising,” said Topinka about Blagojevich. “You have to show up for work.”
Blodgett was one of three people to ask Topinka a question at the event.
Blodgett said her day-care project rests on those state funds. A local Rotary Club has donated $100,000, but that paid only for architectural fees and planning, she said.
“Right now, only a frame is up, and that’s surrounded by a lot of weeds,” Blodgett said after the lunch.
The center will cost more than $1 million to build. It would serve low-income families, she said.
Blagojevich may soon have the opportunity to answer Topinka’s claims. The two will both attend the Arlington Heights Frontier Days festival on July 4, Topinka said.
“He’s going to be there and so am I,” Topinka said. “It will be a toot. Extra fireworks, no charge.”
Murtha may have been a “war hero”; I don’t know. We thought John Kerry was, too, until he was exposed.
We have a Senate and president who oppose strong border control. We send the National Guard to the border without bullets. We allow these “troops” to do menial labor on the border while illegal immigrants, drug smugglers and potential terrorists have full access to our country.
The politicians who support this program are spineless and have complete disregard for the sanctity of our country and the security of its people. A country that fails to protect its borders and culture will not survive.
DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sadly, Jim Slusher promotes the use of the Spanish language in America
http://www.dailyherald.com/opinion/slusher.asp
Ad insert in Spanish doesn’t beckon sweeping cultural transformation - Jim SlusherI wonder what Stu would think about this one. On more than one occasion, the late Stuart Paddock, Jr., whose memory is still an important ingredient in the personality of the Daily Herald, talked to me with pride about editions of the paper published in both German and English for about 10 years in the early 1900s and sold to immigrants in the Palatine area. It was a business strategy, he said, aimed at interesting newcomers to the area in the community and the paper. In light of that, I wondered last week what Stu — as he insisted on being called — would think about the many phone calls we took complaining about an advertising insert, published in Spanish, that accidentally appeared with the Daily Herald in some communities. The insert was a mistake. It was intended to run with our sister publication, Reflejos, a weekly journal published in both Spanish and English for Latino readers, but among scores of geographically targeted inserts we manage every week, became mixed in with advertising for a few zones of the Daily Herald. I know Stu would be upset about how the mistake occurred, and he’d expect the breakdown to be fixed. I’m sure he also would sympathize with readers frustrated to receive an advertising circular in a language they don’t understand. But about the tenor of these particular complaints, I can only guess at his reaction. I think he’d be perplexed. For, these readers weren’t just angry that they received a circular in a language they couldn’t read. They were angry the circular was published in that language in the first place. I heard Stu talk about the German-language editions of the Herald several times. I don’t recall him ever mentioning complaints from non-German-speaking readers that it existed. We heard many from non-Spanish-speaking residents angry that the ad existed. I suppose that’s a sign of different times. When the Herald was a weekly paper delivered to far-flung homes in what was then “the country,” I doubt that many of a comparative few German editions found their way to the wrong homes, and if they did and if the readers were upset about it, it wasn’t easy to complain. Today, in an environment in which insert advertisers seek to reach a variety of audiences through specifically targeted zip codes from an array of delivery options in a paper delivered daily to around 150,000 homes, avoiding confusion is trickier. And, if someone has a complaint, there are any number of ways to quickly reach someone at the paper to voice it. At the same time, last week’s reactions — although relatively isolated, mind you — unmistakably reflect the emotions of the broader debate currently raging about immigration. The early editors of the Daily Herald knew that those German-speaking immigrants, and potential newspaper customers, would take up English eventually. With so many things published in multiple languages these days, from product owner’s manuals to signs on public restroom doors, that point may not seem so certain. But I hope that on reflection, all readers would realize that an advertising circular printed in another language doesn’t augur a culture about to be overwhelmed or a newspaper about to be overwhelmed with it. Palatine’s German-speaking immigrants certainly helped shape the region, but they didn’t overwhelm it, nor did they long affect the language in which the Herald was written. Likewise, today’s Spanish-speaking immigrants add much to our culture, but — in a region where literally scores of languages are spoken at home and in school — hardly threaten our fundamental principles. As evidence, simply consider the advertising insert’s mission at its root. It was an effort by a business to build relationships with a definable and valuable group of customers. Not much can be more American than that — as I’m sure Stu Paddock and his forebears would understand.
On more than one occasion, the late Stuart Paddock, Jr., whose memory is still an important ingredient in the personality of the Daily Herald, talked to me with pride about editions of the paper published in both German and English for about 10 years in the early 1900s and sold to immigrants in the Palatine area.
It was a business strategy, he said, aimed at interesting newcomers to the area in the community and the paper. In light of that, I wondered last week what Stu — as he insisted on being called — would think about the many phone calls we took complaining about an advertising insert, published in Spanish, that accidentally appeared with the Daily Herald in some communities.
The insert was a mistake. It was intended to run with our sister publication, Reflejos, a weekly journal published in both Spanish and English for Latino readers, but among scores of geographically targeted inserts we manage every week, became mixed in with advertising for a few zones of the Daily Herald. I know Stu would be upset about how the mistake occurred, and he’d expect the breakdown to be fixed. I’m sure he also would sympathize with readers frustrated to receive an advertising circular in a language they don’t understand.
But about the tenor of these particular complaints, I can only guess at his reaction. I think he’d be perplexed. For, these readers weren’t just angry that they received a circular in a language they couldn’t read. They were angry the circular was published in that language in the first place.
I heard Stu talk about the German-language editions of the Herald several times. I don’t recall him ever mentioning complaints from non-German-speaking readers that it existed. We heard many from non-Spanish-speaking residents angry that the ad existed. I suppose that’s a sign of different times. When the Herald was a weekly paper delivered to far-flung homes in what was then “the country,” I doubt that many of a comparative few German editions found their way to the wrong homes, and if they did and if the readers were upset about it, it wasn’t easy to complain.
Today, in an environment in which insert advertisers seek to reach a variety of audiences through specifically targeted zip codes from an array of delivery options in a paper delivered daily to around 150,000 homes, avoiding confusion is trickier. And, if someone has a complaint, there are any number of ways to quickly reach someone at the paper to voice it.
At the same time, last week’s reactions — although relatively isolated, mind you — unmistakably reflect the emotions of the broader debate currently raging about immigration. The early editors of the Daily Herald knew that those German-speaking immigrants, and potential newspaper customers, would take up English eventually. With so many things published in multiple languages these days, from product owner’s manuals to signs on public restroom doors, that point may not seem so certain.
But I hope that on reflection, all readers would realize that an advertising circular printed in another language doesn’t augur a culture about to be overwhelmed or a newspaper about to be overwhelmed with it. Palatine’s German-speaking immigrants certainly helped shape the region, but they didn’t overwhelm it, nor did they long affect the language in which the Herald was written. Likewise, today’s Spanish-speaking immigrants add much to our culture, but — in a region where literally scores of languages are spoken at home and in school — hardly threaten our fundamental principles.
As evidence, simply consider the advertising insert’s mission at its root. It was an effort by a business to build relationships with a definable and valuable group of customers. Not much can be more American than that — as I’m sure Stu Paddock and his forebears would understand.
Topinka said it was "intimidating" to her donors because she claimed peoples' license plate numbers were being recorded outside the Tuesday night event.
"Cut it out," Topinka said at a Wednesday news conference.
Blagojevich campaign spokeswoman Sheila Nix said the volunteer, who's called a tracker, was only gathering general footage outside the event, a common campaign practice.
"If we wanted a list of her contributors, you can get it on the computer in 30 seconds. We wouldn't go through a ridiculous process to send a staff person out to videotape license plates," she said.
Both the Topinka and Blagojevich campaigns send people to record each other's press events.
Topinka's lieutenant governor running mate, DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett, also milled outside a Blagojevich fundraiser in April while Illinois Republican Party representatives passed out fliers to attendees.
Here's his speech.
Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
Call to Renewal Keynote Address
Washington, DC
Wednesday, June 28th, 2006
Good morning. I appreciate the opportunity to speak here at the Call to Renewal’s Building a Covenant for a New America conference, and I’d like to congratulate you all on the thoughtful presentations you’ve given so far about poverty and justice in America. I think all of us would affirm that caring for the poor finds root in all of our religious traditions – certainly that’s true for my own.
But today I’d like to talk about the connection between religion and politics and perhaps offer some thoughts about how we can sort through some of the often bitter arguments over this issue over the last several years.
I do so because, as you all know, we can affirm the importance of poverty in the Bible and discuss the religious call to environmental stewardship all we want, but it won’t have an impact if we don’t tackle head-on the mutual suspicion that sometimes exists between religious America and secular America.
For me, this need was illustrated during my 2004 face for the U.S. Senate. My opponent, Alan Keyes, was well-versed in the Jerry Falwell-Pat Robertson style of rhetoric that often labels progressives as both immoral and godless.
Indeed, towards the end of the campaign, Mr. Keyes said that, “Jesus Christ would not vote for Barack Obama. Christ would not vote for Barack Obama because Barack Obama has behaved in a way that it is inconceivable for Christ to have behaved.”
Now, I was urged by some of my liberal supporters not to take this statement seriously. To them, Mr. Keyes was an extremist, his arguments not worth entertaining.
What they didn’t understand, however, was that I had to take him seriously. For he claimed to speak for my religion – he claimed knowledge of certain truths.
Mr. Obama says he’s a Christian, he would say, and yet he supports a lifestyle that the Bible calls an abomination.
Mr. Obama says he’s a Christian, but supports the destruction of innocent and sacred life.
What would my supporters have me say? That a literalist reading of the Bible was folly? That Mr. Keyes, a Roman Catholic, should ignore the teachings of the Pope?
Unwilling to go there, I answered with the typically liberal response in some debates – namely, that we live in a pluralistic society, that I can’t impose my religious views on another, that I was running to be the U.S. Senator of Illinois and not the Minister of Illinois.
But Mr. Keyes implicit accusation that I was not a true Christian nagged at me, and I was also aware that my answer didn’t adequately address the role my faith has in guiding my own values and beliefs.
My dilemma was by no means unique. In a way, it reflected the broader debate we’ve been having in this country for the last thirty years over the role of religion in politics.
LIBERTY SUBURBAN NEWS
Dillard pleased with plan not to sell tollway system - Kevin Stahr
http://www.libertysuburban.com/story.php?pub=1&sid=54604
One local state legislator is happy Gov. Rod Blagojevich has dropped consideration to privatize the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority but wanted to ensure the issue does not resurface after the November election.
State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-24th District, of Hinsdale and state Sen. Peter Roskam, R-48th District, of Wheaton have led opposition to the governor's contemplation of either selling or leasing the tollway, whose headquarters is based near Downers Grove.
Dillard labeled the concept a "loser" for both the governor and suburban motorists during a June 26 interview.
"I hope Gov. Blagojevich means this is absolutely off the table and not a diversionary tactic to suburbanites until after the election," Dillard said.
The privatization idea first was floated by Chicago's lease of the Chicago Skyway, which netted $1.8 billion, according to the Skyway's Web site. Indiana officials are on the verge of finalizing a $3.8 billion sale of its own toll road after the state Finance Authority approved a lease June 26 to an Australian-Spanish consortium.
Illinois Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg, D-9th District, of Evanston has supported privatization, which could bring the state $10 billion or more. That money could fund sagging employee pension plans or other transportation projects, according to Democrats interested in exploring the concept further.
Schoenberg was in the midst of heading up hearings on the feasibility for any potential sale. The tollway sale likely would have been a hot topic election issue for Blagojevich, who is being opposed by Republican Judy Baar Topinka, before the governor made his decision last week against privatization. Topinka had pledged to keep the tollway public.
Tollway spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis said the tollway has not been involved in the discussion and deferred comment to the governor's office. Attempts to reach Blagojevich officials or the Illinois Department of Transportation for comment were unsuccessful.
Dillard said the governor likely saw he did not have the support from suburban voters, who are "vehemently against turning a valuable 50-year asset over to a foreign company."
Dillard and Roskam were opposed to selling the tollway because they believe the toll money should be reinvested into the roads suburban motorists use on a daily basis.
"The money should be only used for suburban infrastructure, not to bail out the Chicago public schools or to build roads 200 to 300 miles away," Dillard said.
Also, private agencies in control of tollways typically have bumped up fares to make profits, Dillard said, which would cripple economic corridors in Downers Grove bordering the Reagan Memorial or North-South tollways.
He also said employees using the tollway to get to work, such as those at the new Sara Lee headquarters in Downers Grove, would be negatively impacted by any sale.
Blagojevich lauded the tollway's open-road tolling plan, which calls for more I-PASS transponder lanes, adding and resurfacing most of the 274-mile system and extending Interstate 355 from Interstate 55 to Interstate 80 in Will County.
The $5.3 billion reconstruction plan was funded in part by doubling the tolls for cash paying customers -- and even more for truckers -- while leaving the fares the same for motorists with I-PASS.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Peraica: A Second Chance at Reform for Claypool Supporters? - Jeff Berkowitz
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/
Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, in a phone interview this afternoon, responded to this morning’s news that Ald. Todd Stroger [8th] is likely to replace his father, John Stroger [who had a stroke a week before his March primary election and has not been seen or heard from since by anybody other than family and close friends] as the Democratic Nominee on the November 7 ballot for President of the Cook County Board and Ald. Bill Beavers [7th] is likely to replace John Stroger as the Democratic Nominee for Cook County Commissioner from the 4th District. [See Fran Spielman's top notch report here].Peraica [R-Riverside] is on the ballot as the Republican Nominee both for Cook County Board President and for re-election as the County Commissioner from the 16th District.True to his style, Peraica pulled no punches, stating, We again have a corrupt regime that is handing off power from one generation to another, to the next, as if it was part of their Estate to bequeath to the next generation. Damn democracy, Damn the voters, Damn the taxpayers; we’re going to do, as Ald. Beavers said, whatever we want, whenever we want, however we want and we have the votes and there is nothing you can do about it. And, that is exactly what happened here. Peraica predicted that the rest of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee would be “complicit,” with Ald. Stroger and Ald. Beavers and would vote for their selection this weekend as the Democratic Party’s nominees to replace twelve year incumbent President John Stroger on the November 7, 2006 ballot. Peraica seemed to relish the fight, predicting a stark choice for the voters on November 7 between the same old “corrupt, tax and spend, patronage laden regime,” and a reform type government that Peraica, his fellow Four Horsemen, his fellow County Board Republicans and swing vote Commissioner Earlean Collins have been moving the County towards in the last four years: smaller government, lower taxes and the elimination of corruption [See here]. Peraica is optimistic that Commissioners Bobbie Steele and Earlean Collins, Cong. Danny Davis [D-Chicago, 7th Dist] and other west side African American politicians could support him for President of the Cook County Board because they are upset with the way they and their community were treated by President John Stroger’s decision to keep his position as President and Commissioner even though it is unlikely he will be healthy enough to attend meetings and function as the County’s CEO of the more than three billion dollar entity that is called County Government. Peraica noted that a major goal of his is to deliver the reforms necessary to improve the plight of the economically depressed south and west sides of the City of Chicago, which Peraica contends have been ignored and deprived of quality services from the City, County and State governments over the last twenty to thirty years. Commissioner Peraica is confident those goals of his to turn that situation [Peraica cited 50% unemployment, 50% school drop out rates, lack of economic opportunity due to high city and county real estate taxes] around should bring him substantial African American support in those communities. Republican Nominee for Cook County Board President Peraica appears tonight on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm [WTTW, Ch. 11] on a panel hosted by Carol Marin [if she can stop sobbing long enough for poor Robert Sorich, who is alleged, among other actions relating to the City of Chicago hiring scandals, to have committed criminal acts in furtherance of a scheme to violate the the Federal Court's Shakman decree. He said the panel would also include County Commissioner Forrest Claypool [D-Chicago] and someone from the “Stroger Camp.” I asked Peraica if he thought he could get Commissioner Forrest Claypool [D-Chicago] off the fence tonight and have him stop straddling votes and decisions on the John Stroger issue [as Claypool has done since he lost to Stroger in March for the Democratic Nomination for Cook County Board President [53.5% to 46.5%]. Peraica said he would “continue to try,” but he emphasized it is not about Claypool, it is about the 50% [actually, 46.5%] of the Democrats who voted for Claypool. Tony Peraica said, “That’s where my interest is, not on one person, although I have tremendous respect for Forrest.” Cook County Board President candidate Peraica added, “All of those people who voted for Claypool and who support good, honest, open transparent government will have a second chance on Nov. 7 by voting for me.”
Scheurer: It ain't over in 8th CD until the Fat Lady sings - Jeff Berkowitz
http://www.jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/
Larry Handlin, the proprietor of the Archpundit blog, is a smart, thoughtful political analyst who is a big time supporter of Democrats, especially progressive Democrats. In short, Larry bats well to the left of the plate. However, he has shown little patience with Democrats who criticize first term 8th CD Congresswoman Bean for some of her “Republican votes,” on some key issues e.g., CAFTA, Bush Tax cut extensions, Iraq War resolution. This apparently is because Handlin understands that the 8th CD is still strongly Republican [56% to 44% for Bush in 2004]--so he gives Bean a pass on her 18 month voting history. On the other hand, and somewhat ironically in light of the alleged involvement of a Lipinski staffer in the scam perpetrated on would be third party candidate Bill Scheurer in the 8th CD, Handlin has been critical of Democratic Cong. Dan Lipinski [Son of Bill] for casting some “Republican votes,” in the tradition of Father Bill [especially on social issues, but also on health care] in the strongly Democratic 3rd Cong. District in his first 18 months in the House. Bean sent Congressman Crane packing in 2004 after he had spent 35 years representing the 8th CD, but almost everyone agrees that her upset win had much less to do with ideology than with Bean’s winning personality, financial firepower [sent her way by the DCCC toward the end of the '04 campaign] and her ability to communicate, during her two campaigns ['02 and '04] that the District deserved someone who would pay attention to it, be a part of it and serve it diligently – and that she was such a candidate In light of the above described feelings by Archpundit towards Congresswoman Bean [D-Barrington] it is perhaps not surprising that Handlin calls Scheurer “an idiot,” for naively falling for the scam [see here]. While there is plenty to fault in terms of how Scheurer ran his petition drive, from what I hear-- there are easier things to do than getting 14,000 signatures in a congressional district, especially when the major party with which the candidate most identifies [Scheurer ran in the '04 8th CD Democratic Primary] would like to crush him in the way a sixteen wheeler crushes an ant. There are easier things to do. On Tuesday, 8th CD "Moderate Party," would be candidate Bill Scheurer started to shoot back at his critics, saying: that Eric Krol article [See here] in the Daily Herald [of Tuesday] was full of factual errors and political fallacies…it seemed like nothing more than a conveyance through the paper of ‘Bean camp spin,’ which is unfortunate in that the Daily Herald has generally provided good, comprehensive balanced coverage of this congressional race during a Republican Primary. I hope that this doesn’t indicate some undue connection between them [the Daily Herald] and the Bean camp because I know they endorsed her in 2004. When asked what he meant by Krol article errors, Scheurer referred to Krol’s statement: "Still, Scheurer said he thinks Constantine and the Bean campaign were involved, but he could not provide any proof to back up his claim."Scheurer argued on Tuesday, “that is inaccurate, we do have proof…we told him [Krol] we have it and we couldn’t give it [to him, because of how we are proceeding with the legal authorities and defending against challenges]."Scheurer criticized the idea, expressed in the Krol article, that his campaign is a marginal one. Scheurer said: Calling this just an anti-war campaign is bizarre. Certainly major unions from around the country and other interest groups didn’t get involved in this campaign because it is a marginal anti-war campaign. The whole idea that we are going to pull a marginal one or two per cent just from Bean voters—I mean that’s just totally inaccurate spin. Scheurer also noted that Krol’s article reports, “Bean spokesman Brian Herman dismissed the notion that Bean’s campaign was involved [in the scheme to deceive Scheurer that his petitions were being completed] as “absurd” and “ridiculous.” Scheurer argued that the only thing that is absurd and ridiculous is to assume that the Democratic Party was not involved solely for the benefit of the Bean campaign. Why would anyone [else] do this? Who is going to file the objections to my petitions, asked Scheurer? Scheurer stated to me the way the Democratic Party can wipe their hands clean of this is to do the same thing the Republican Party is doing and come out publicly and say they are not going to challenge my filings and they respect the will of the thousands upon thousands of voters who have signed their name—saying they want a third party choice on the ballot. Scheurer said, "It is absurd and ridiculous to think they [the Bean Campaign and the Democratic Party] are not involved. People don’t do this just for the fun of it.”Bean spokesman Brian Herman told me last Friday that he had not discussed with Cong. Bean the issue of challenging Scheurer’s petitions so he did not know whether the Bean campaign would challenge them.Herman did state to me on Friday that if Scheurer were on the ballot, “with an opponent on the extreme left and with an opponent on the extreme right, Cong. Bean would argue to the voters that she is not only in the middle of the three candidates, but that she consistently represents the mainstream values of the families of the 8th Cong. Dist.” Of course, neither Scheurer nor McSweeney would concur with Herman’s positioning of each as on the extremes of the political spectrum and of Bean as being in the middle, but Herman’s argument that Bean would benefit from Scheurer’s entry into the race is a novel, if not persuasive, one. Nice try, Brian.Of course, you would expect Bean, if that were the case, to have persuaded Illinois House Speaker and Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Mike Madigan not to challenge Scheurer and that apparently did not happen, as Speaker Mike’s guy is busily reviewing the petitions, as you read this. It is not a matter of tossing Scheurer off the ballot for insufficient signatures. Speaker Mike’s approach to such matters is, as I said, to crush this guy. If it can, the Illinois Democratic Party, i.e., Speaker Mike with a Capital D, would like to show Scheurer has no argument, at all, to have his name anywhere near the ballot because the number of good signatures is so pitiful. Can Mike do that? We’ll see.After Rich Miller [Capitol Fax] wrote on Friday that this story could be huge, he acted on Monday as if he was folding his tent on the item. The Daily Herald was ready to join him, apparently. Miller has become almost MSM, if not yet respectable. And, the MSM in Illinois have little, if any, interest in Congressional elections until about October 15, 2006. After all, the bread and butter of Capitolfax is state and local. So, it is left to the true bloggers of the world to find out what evil lurks in the minds of men [and women]. And, while we do that, Scheurer has a presser scheduled for tomorrow at 11:00 am in the Loop. Perhaps he will tell us more about what evil lurks in the minds of men [and women].
ROCK RIVER TIMES
Emil Jones supports bid to unseat Syverson - Jason Carson
http://www.rockrivertimes.com/index.pl?cmd=viewstory&cat=2&id=13566
An allegedly geographically-challenged Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones found his way to Rockford, to support Democratic hopeful Dan Lewandowski’s bid to unseat incumbent Dave Syverson (R-34) in the November primary. Jones attended a June 21 fund-raiser at Giovanni’s.
His trip to Rockford included deflecting a question posed—more than once—by WTVO-TV reporter Lauren Lee about his infamous “Where’s Rockford?” comment.
“Do you have a one-track mind?” Jones asked, before stressing he made the comment in jest.
According to Jones, the rhetorical question was born from Syverson’s lack of attention to issues important to Rockford. Those issues include raising the minimum wage and school funding.
“He acts like he doesn’t know it exists,” Jones said.
In a June 23 interview, Syverson disagreed: “I’ve worked so hard to put the people of Rockford first.” Syverson said his record of delivering legislation and constituent service speaks for itself.
Jones argued Lewandowski wouldn’t let partisan politics get in the way of representing his constituents and dealing with issues like economic development, health care and job growth.
Syverson said his involvement with the River Edge Redevelopment pilot program’s passage is an example of ability to work with Democrats. He said bipartisanship was essential to the legislation’s survival.
“It took all three of us,” Syverson said, referring to himself, State Rep. Chuck Jefferson (D-67) and Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. Syverson asserted their efforts were a rare feat because normally, it would have taken two months to get legislation passed.
But Lewandowski said Syverson tried stealing some glory by coming in at the River Edge Redevelopment pilot program’s 11th hour.
“He takes credit for things he hasn’t done,” he said.
Syverson touted his contribution to the joint effort, during a May 12 press conference: “It did take two days for (Jefferson) to get it (through) the House. It only took me one day.”
But Syverson stressed he never discounted others’ contributions. “I was just one part of the puzzle,” he said.
As a Senate hopeful, Lewandowski is working on the challenge. Lewandowski said he’s walked through 30 precincts since April to get himself up to speed on voters’ concerns. He alleged voters are unhappy with at least one of Syverson’s choices—helping bring Alan Keyes from Maryland to face Barack Obama in the November 2004 U.S. Senate race.
According to an August 2004 Los Angeles Times story, Syverson, a state central committee member, pushed Keyes’ candidacy. But Syverson discounts that paper’s and Lewandowski’s characterization.
“I didn’t know the individual,” Syverson said, claiming he was asked to nominate Keyes, when the committee only had a couple of candidates.
“(Keyes) was, at the time, the best candidate. It turned out that he had a different agenda,” Syverson said.
Swinging hard right, Keyes positioned himself as an opponent of the gay and lesbian community. According to The Advocate, he once described Vice President Dick Cheney’s lesbian daughter, Mary, as a “selfish hedonist.” The magazine also reported Keyes disowned his own daughter, Maya, when he learned she was gay.
Syverson stressed nominating Keyes didn’t mean he entirely endorsed his beliefs. He said Lewandowski strongly supports Jones. Syverson wondered whether that meant he supports Jones’ “Chicago agenda.”
When asked whether his association with Keyes could affect his campaign, Syverson said voters are more concerned about job creation, health care and education. But he said a lot of voters support politicians with whom they don’t necessarily agree.
Syverson was also considered a possible successor to former Illinois Republican Party Chairman and current gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“(Syverson) should be more concerned about people of (the 34th) district,” Lewandowski said.
According to Syverson, he must be doing something right because “that seems to be the only issue he can criticize me on,” and issues like jobs and health care “ought to be the priority.”
According to Lewandowski, legislators have failed to pass a capital improvements bill, in part, because Syverson voted along party lines. Specifically, he alleged Syverson has neglected to fight for funding of road projects. He stressed a capital improvements bill would generate road construction jobs and stimulate the economy.
Lewandowski said given that Syverson’s in the minority party, he should learn to work together to get things done. He accused Syverson of attacking proposals put up by the General Assembly’s Democratic majority without offering alternatives.
“(Republicans) came up with a lot of solutions,” Syverson countered. But he said he couldn’t support new programs until previous programs had been funded. Cutting programs to save money and then creating new programs is immoral, he said.
“Most families don’t buy a new car before the old one is paid for,” Syverson said.
According to Lewandowski, he’d champion any project or proposal—if it were good for the district—despite who sponsored it.
Lewandowski noted Syverson voted against the budget that will fund the road construction program.
Syverson responded while “there are some good things in the budget,” problems still exist. Those problems include $1 billion in cuts from the state’s pension fund, human services spending and the diversion of 25 percent of road constructions funds to other programs, according to Syverson.
He also alleged the state is $2 billion behind in its Medicaid payments to health care providers. Some providers, Syverson said, have been waiting at least six months for reimbursement.
Lewandowski stressed his commitment to the area, saying he wanted to be “an advocate for this district.”
We also don’t understand why Chairman McKenna even bothered to have his staff try and mislead Republicans – especially since other attempts to do so have been so embarrassing in the past. Why did McKenna’s Executive Director John Tsarpalas even bother to try and cover the State Party’s tracks as it deserted the base of the Party?
Lame excuses that other State Republican Parties had not helped on similar efforts in other states were blatantly false, and we proved it well beyond any reasonable doubt. On everything from illegally rigged State Party elections, to refusal to enforce its own Code of Ethics, to abandonment of nearly every Republican principle, our current “leadership” is not being honest and is dysfunctional to the core.
Meanwhile, just about every Democrat elected official, and even the Democrat National Committee, is out there right now proudly and openly working to block the Protect Marriage referendum from appearing on the November ballot in Illinois. Our own Republican State Party’s leadership looks completely ridiculous, if not traitorous. But we already knew that.
Chairman McKenna also needs to explain what’s changed from 2004. That was the year McKenna spent upwards of a million dollars for a distant fourth place finish in the U.S. Senate Primary. But some rumors and loose talk about “sex clubs” being alleged in a contested divorce were ginned-up to destroy the winner Jack Ryan. McKenna seemed to be fine with that. He had refused to even congratulate Ryan on his victory anyway. He surely knew the fix was in.
Now fast forward to this past Sunday and the Gay Pride Parade in Chicago. Here we again had Topinka as the only Republican in the parade, and just ten floats ahead of a sex club’s entry! And not just any sex club – needless to say it’s only for homosexuals or it wouldn’t have been represented in Sunday’s parade. The photos linked below make that pretty obvious.
Mr. McKenna apparently decided not to accept our unity challenge made last week to join his anointed candidate at Sunday’s festivities. But thanks to the good folks at the Illinois Family Institute who sent a couple of photographers, Topinka’s backers can see what they missed. We’re certain they will be very proud.
There were apparently other gay sex clubs with entries, but the one closest behind Topinka’s is from an establishment called “Steamworks.” You’ll see it in the photos - it’s the one with old time locomotive engine. Topinka should really be the one to have to explain some of the crude symbolism going on there with her fellow participants. We decline to speculate.
We know we’ve made the Jack Ryan comparisons before, but the hypocrisy is so stunning, it has to be noted again. Whatever Jack did, or wherever he might have gone with his own wife – he wasn’t out there getting in people’s faces and bragging. In fact, like most people, he obviously wanted to keep his private life private.
It was really only Topinka’s crew and a few in the media that were obsessed with finding out what Jack Ryan might have done with his own spouse on his own time. It was all for the sole purpose of embarrassing Jack politically. Few others seemed to care about some things that might have been said in the middle of a divorce.
Compare that to Topinka who endorses an event that not only welcomes gay sex clubs to advertise their offerings before people of all ages – but streets are closed and city taxpayers are required to pay for support services like traffic control and reallocation of police resources. And keep in mind, once a sex club is out on a public street – it’s no longer even a private affair. We’re talking about a public display on city streets where it’s impossible to fully protect innocent children.
It’s astounding that Republicans are stuck this year with a nominee who pretended to be concerned about “family values” in the case of Jack Ryan – even as she proudly participates in public events along with gay sex clubs.
You’ll also see from the photos just a few of the George Bush haters at the parade bashing the President. Perhaps the only surprise is the sign reading “Death to the GOP” isn’t on Topinka’s float. It might as well be. Let’s face it, Topinka’s been working on exactly that for years, and her election in November would only officially take the patient off life support.
We renew our call for Topinka to remove herself from the November ballot and an actual Republican with at least a speck of honesty slated in her place. The State Party’s State Central Committee would have the statutory responsibility to pick a replacement, and hopefully they wouldn’t screw it up like last time. If Andy McKenna doesn’t want to go down in history as the most hypocritical and ineffective State Party Chairman in history – he should show some leadership for a change and make the demand.
If the IL GOP can’t display some seriousness – Republicans will have no choice but to proclaim “none of the above” by ignoring the race for Governor. The day after the phony Republican goes down in defeat we can start building a respectable Republican Party that would never promote a candidate who parades with gay sex clubs.
Is that really too much for Illinois Republicans to ask?
RENEW AMERICA
Can liberals exempt themselves from the terror war? - Chris Adamo
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/adamo/060629
Less than a week after seven aspiring Muslims were arrested in Florida as they plotted a massive terror attack on Chicago's Sears Tower, hardly a word of the story can be found anywhere in the "mainstream" media. Nor was the event treated as earth-shattering news when it first broke.Of course the liberal political machine and its media accomplices seek to downplay the horrific possibilities suggested by the incident, since doing so would not further their cause. The safety and security of the United States is clearly not high on their list of priorities, unless of course they think they can claim credit for improving the situation.Throughout the Cold War, which was the last major threat to the future of Western Civilization, leftists ardently sought to undermine and ultimately to destroy any cultural and societal firewalls that might stand in the way of communist world dominance.Fortunately for them, certain crucial institutions of the much-reviled "establishment" were unwavering in their dedication to the preservation of the American way of life, and communism was thus defeated. Leftists yet remain completely oblivious to the fact that, in the process, their own interests were being preserved and protected as well.From Vietnam to Nicaragua to the massive American presence in Western Europe, this country's efforts to thwart and stall the advance of communist tyranny proved to be the chief means by which Soviet dreams of world conquest were held in check.Yet so far were these battles from American soil, and so obscured from the lives of the common citizen in this country were any accounts of the squalor and oppression inherent in communist states that liberals remained blissfully ignorant of the Pandora's box they were attempting to open. They remain so to this day.Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, they have successfully mutated their virulent anti-American philosophies by which they had justified the barbarism of communism, into a belief that no matter what enemy this country faces, it must be inherently more morally and philosophically legitimate than any vestige of traditional America.Hence the country is ceaselessly subjected to their rationalization and sanitization of the murderous brutality of the Islamists, while concurrently they reserve such words as "torture" and "cruelty" for their condemnation of Abu Ghraib prison and the terrorist prison at Guantanamo.However, such abominable political posturing from the left may (and on some grim day, likely will) very literally blow up in their faces. Though the Cold War threat was massive, its architects were orderly and methodical in their efforts. Thus, even at the height of the Vietnam era, the American homeland remained relatively safe and secure.In contrast, news that the latest target of the Islamists was the Sears Tower in Illinois, which is among the "bluest" of the blue states, should open the eyes of even the most dogmatic liberals to the indiscriminate nature of this threat. Despite their erudite and enlightened philosophies, the hatred and violence of the Islamists is no less directed at them.Had the Sears Tower plot succeeded, it easily could have wreaked death and destruction on a scale rivaling 9-11, in the heart of a city that is every bit as dominated by the liberal/Democrat political machine as was Manhattan, where the Twin Towers once stood. Hatred for Western civilization burns in the hearts of the Islamists, irrespective of political party affiliation.The single aspect of the Sears Tower conspiracy that makes it so ominous is its eminent feasibility. Like 9-11, this one could have worked, and did not require complex or expensive WMD type devices to be successfully carried out.What manner of thoroughness and dedication must be present within the Department of Homeland Security to foresee and avert this attack, and who knows how many other attacks of varying makeup, with the absolute success that they have enjoyed during the past five years? Conversely, what could possibly motivate those on the left to remain as committed as they are to undermine the entire effort?It seems unthinkable that they can actually believe that their own numbers will remain completely unscathed by any future attacks. Yet their actions suggest as much. Perhaps they are aware of the risk, but consider such loss of life to represent acceptable levels of "collateral damage" in their war on traditional America.During the same period that the Sears Tower plot was uncovered and its principals taken into custody, the New York Times has been busy revealing information of a secret government effort to track the financial transactions among terrorists throughout the world. Thus they alert the enemy to yet another means by which America has kept ahead of their plans to rain death and destruction upon us.Do the members of the Times organization really believe themselves to yet be invincible, or do they, like the rest of liberalism, simply consider themselves to be far enough down on the list of potential targets that they can afford to take such risks at the expense of the rest of America?Just across town from Times Square is the hole in the ground where the World Trade Center towers once stood. The Sears Tower could have been the next to go.
CNN
House GOP promotes its "American Values Agenda" - Mark Prestonhttp://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/28/mg.thu/
WASHINGTON -- House Republicans released a package of bills Tuesday aimed at energizing social conservatives five months before the midterm elections.
Billed as the "American Values Agenda," the measures range from legislation that would "protect the Pledge of Allegiance from attacks by activist federal judges seeking to rule it unconstitutional" to a constitutional amendment "declaring marriage to be between a man and a woman."
"Through this agenda, we will work to protect the faith of our people, the sanctity of life and freedoms outlined by our founding fathers," House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) said in a statement released by his office.
Jennifer Crider, a spokeswoman for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California), dismissed the announcement as a campaign stunt.
"The American people will see through the Republican's old playbook of distract, distort, and divide," Crider told the Grind. "Pandering to the radical right-wing's wrong priorities does not reflect American value of opportunity, security, and prosperity. Americans are demanding change, and Democrats are offering a new direction for America with real solutions to our nation's challenges."
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) told CNN's Deirdre Walsh that Republican leaders decided on the 10 legislative items after meeting with about two dozen outside groups in February as well as receiving input from the House GOP's "Values Action Team" headed by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pennsylvania).
Blunt said details were announced this week "both to give our outside friends the notice they need to make their final effort on these issues and to let the members know before we go home before the week in July that they'll be working in the district on this."
A Blunt spokesperson said the goal is to move on most of these items in July, but they will be spread out over several weeks depending on committee schedules. With the August Congressional recess fast approaching, some of these items could slip into September.
The GOP's "American Values Agenda" includes: Pledge Protection Act, HR 2389; Freedom to Display the American Flag Act, HR 42; The Public Expression of Religion Act, HR 2679; Marriage Amendment, HJ Res 88; Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, HR 356; Human Cloning Prohibition Act, HR 1357; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (BATFE) Reform, 5092; Internet Gambling Prohibition; Permanent Tax Relief for Families; Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act, HR 5013.
A House GOP aide told Walsh the first three items that likely will be addressed are the Pledge Protection Act, Marriage Amendment and Internet Gambling Prohibition.
WINDY CITY
VERY SAD: Fair Illinois Files Challenge - Andrew Davis
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=11902
After an effort that utilized hundreds of volunteers and thousands of dollars in resources, the organization known as Fair Illinois filed an official challenge to Protect Marriage Illinois’ ( PMI’s ) anti-gay marriage referendum petition on June 26 with the State Board of Elections.
In May, PMI turned in approximately 345,000 signatures in its effort to place a referendum on the state’s November ballot to prohibit same-sex marriage in the Illinois Constitution—and, in fact, to outlaw any sort of domestic partnership. ( The group needs 283,111 valid signatures to have the referendum placed on the ballot. ) In response to that development, Fair Illinois formed. This organization, believing that many of the signatures on PMI’s petitions were invalid, organized an effort to find invalid signatures and, in turn, help protect gay and lesbian families.
Jim Snyder, the coordinator of Fair Illinois, said that he had reason to be “cautiously optimistic” after filing the 5,000-page document—but added that it could be weeks before the official outcome is known. ( He stated that the volunteers actually checked all of the signatures by last week, but then spent days organizing the document before filing, which occurred one day early. )
The State Board of Elections will conduct an examination after describing the process, which will probably occur at its next meeting on July 5, Snyder said. He added that “we have a right to observe the process, and we probably will do that.”
In accomplishing the huge task of validating so many signatures, Snyder acknowledged the team effort and praised “the outpouring from the community. Every organization in the community and allies from other communities turned out and did the job.”
Gov. Signs Domestic Violence, Hate-Crime and ADAP Bills
Gov. Rod Blagojevich has signed two new laws to help strengthen protection for domestic-violence victims and increase compensation for hate-crime victims.
House Bill 4649, sponsored by Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, and Sen. John Millner, will protect victims of domestic violence. The statute creates a checklist for judges to consider before setting bail for a domestic violence offender. The items on the list include the offender’s mental health and his or her history of violence.
House Bill 4134, sponsored by Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, and Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, adds hate crimes to the list of offenses covered under the Crime Victims Compensation Act. The measure also requires victim compensation to include such items as hospital-related transportation expenses and tuition. The bill also defines the parents of any person—no matter what age—as victims.
In a separate statement, Feigenholtz said that “ [ v ] ictims of hate crimes are put under terrible emotional and psychological strain. It’s important to remember the financial problems that can follow the crime as well.”
Hate crimes in Illinois are defined as violent actions against individuals because of their race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
In addition, Blagojevich has signed off on House Bill 4302, which essentially helps low-income individuals afford HIV treatment. Under the new measure, the state can transfer the majority of prescription drug costs to the federal government’s Medicare program. Those who are eligible for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program ( ADAP ) and Medicare but who cannot afford out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be helped by the Illinois Cares Rx Program, resulting in less fiscal pressure on ADAP—which will keep it solvent.
In a separate statement, Feigenholtz, who spearheaded the measure in the House, declared that “ADAP has been very effective in making prescription drugs affordable for individuals affected with HIV and AIDS. [ This measure ] will shift many of the financial burdens to the federal government so that ADAP can continue being a source of assistance and hope to those who need it most.”
VERY SAD: Mayor Daley Hosts GLBT Reception - Andrew Davis
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=11897
A who’s who of the GLBT community was in attendance as Mayor Richard M. Daley welcomed people to the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council on LGBT Issues’ annual pride reception, which took place June 20.
Daley took time to acknowledge how the GLBT community “has contributed to the greatness of the city.” He added that he is looking forward to July’s Gay Games, which will feature 12,000 athletes. He commented how the Games will be a time for the city to come together and “show what Chicago is all about.” Speaking to the audience, Daley concluded by saying, “You’ve made Chicago very proud of what you’ve accomplished [ and ] I’m very proud to be your mayor.”
Bill Greaves, the mayor’s GLBT liaison, took a moment to remember Gay Chicago magazine founder Ralph Paul Gernhardt and Chicago House co-founder Thom Dombkowski, two local gay icons who passed away this year. “Both Ralph Paul Gernhardt and Thom Dombkowski stood tall for our communities. They were inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of their achievements and contributions, and they will be sorely missed,” Greaves stated.
Greaves also briefly discussed the fact that 2006 marks the 25th anniversary of the first diagnosis of AIDS. “We cannot stand here in 2006 without harkening back to 1981, when the first news of AIDS hit The New York Times,” he said. “That was a defining moment in our history that brought our communities together as never before, to take care of our own in the face of neglect, and to build for the future.” Another topic that Greaves brought up was the effort of the conservative group Protect Marriage Illinois ( PMI ) to put a referendum opposing same-sex marriage on the November ballot—and Fair Illinois’ herculean task of verifying the 347,912 signatures PMI collected. “ [ Fair Illinois’ ] results should be public next week, and the results are expected to be very good. We applaud the efforts of everyone involved and eagerly await their announcement,” Greaves commented.
He concluded by talking about the Gay Games. Greaves not only mentioned how certain companies, such as Harris Bank and Kraft Foods, “have withstood threats of boycott and remained firm in their commitment to sponsor the Games,” but also announced that Gatorade and ESPN are now major sponsors, and that singer Andy Bell of Erasure will perform at the Opening Ceremony.
Paul Oostenbrug and Peg Grey of Team Chicago presented Daley, the honorary chair of the Gay Games host committee, with the Team Chicago uniform and made him a TC member.
VERY SAD: We Love a Parade ...37th Annual Gay Pride in Chicago - Andrew Davis
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=11908
Gray skies and light rain could not dampen the spirits of the approximately 400,000 individuals who turned out for Chicago’s 37th Annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade, held June 25.
The parade kicked off on time, with the lead car occupied by out actor George Takei, the grand marshal. He was followed by dozens of politicians, including Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Republican Judy Baar Topinka, who are both contending in the gubernatorial race that will be decided in November. Other officials in the parade included U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Illinois Lieutenant Pat Quinn, State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, Ald. Tom Tunney, Ald. Helen Shiller, and many more.
According to the Chicago Police’s news affairs division, no arrests were made this year. The statistic stands in stark contrast to the 2005 parade, when there were 16 arrests.
There were 250 registered entries for the event, which had the theme “Pride ... Not Prejudice.” PRIDEChicago presented awards in three categories for:
— Best All Around Float: Chicago Games, Inc. ( Gay Games VII ) won for its presentation and display of energy and exuberance, according to a PRIDEChicago press release.
— Best Business Float: Shawn Daly won for his elaborate same-sex marriage theme entry.
—Best Organization Floats: There was a tie between Columbia College ( for its costumed participants and visual presentation ) and Lake View East Chamber of Commerce ( for its colorful float depicting their Fall arts fest ) .
Honorable mention went to Windy City Rodeo & Charlie’s Chicago.
Richard Pfeiffer, the PRIDEChicago coordinator, told Windy City Times that he was quite pleased with the throngs of people who attended the event. “Attendance was down [ from last year ] , but we’re really happy with the turnout,” he said. He also said that the parade took two hours and 42 minutes, about five minutes longer than last year.
Parade day was topped off with ABC-7 Chicago’s one-hour show at 11:35 p.m. that showed taped highlights from this year’s parade. This was the third consecutive year that ABC-7 aired a taped version of the parade.
See photos throughout this issue and online at www.windycitymediagroup.com . Also see pics in Nightspots.
GOPUSA
The issue of immigration is on everyone’s mind and when asked by GOPUSA to name the top issue facing America, 47% of the respondents chose “Border Security/Immigration. Second place was “War on Terror” with 21% followed by “Moral Decline” at 9%. When asked the same question back in March, respondents ranked “Border Security/Immigration” as the top issue, but at 33%. Second place was “War on Terror” at 22%. The results show that there is less distribution now over the other issues and more concentration on border security/immigration. Needless to say, a lot rides on crafting successful legislation. Americans, not just conservatives, want and deserve a good bill.
The survey was conducted among members of GOPUSA’s Grassroots Survey Team. Over 3,000 members participated in this past weekend’s survey. As far as President Bush’s popularity among respondents, 77% were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with his job performance. In March (see March 19, 2006 survey results), the number stood at 80%. Also, in March, 57% of respondents said that the country was moving in the right direction. On this past weekend’s survey, 45% felt that the country was moving in the right direction.
When asked “What are your feelings about Republican prospects for success in the 2006 elections?”, 45% of respondents were either very confident or somewhat confident, while 53% were either somewhat or very worried. In March, 48% were confident, and 50% were worried.
Comparing the March survey with the newly released results of the mid-June survey indicates that grassroots conservatives are thinking more about the November elections. They are also looking for some kind of rally point or key issues to use as they work to get Republicans elected. In another March survey (see March 31, 2006 survey results), GOPUSA asked respondents what the number one priority of the Republican Party should be. Nearly half (49%) selected “holding elected Republican officials accountable to the platform and their campaign promises.” Another 31% selected “crafting a clear, unifying message to combat the Democrats and the media” followed by 7% who selected “better communication with grassroots Republicans.”
When asked the same question on the mid-June survey, “accountability” still finished #1 but this time with 39%. In the #2 position was “crafting a clear, unifying message to combat the Democrats and the media” which received 35%. In other words, even though accountability is still the prime concern, grassroots conservatives understand the reality of the November elections, and they are now becoming more concerned about what the message and strategy will be to combat the Democrats in November.
Conservatives still feel that Republican leaders in Washington are not doing enough to push conservative issues. In March, when asked, “Do you feel the Republican leadership in Washington has been strong enough in pushing for conservative legislation and policies?”, 87% of the respondents said “no.” In the mid-June survey, 88% of the respondents said “no.”
It’s time to focus on what it will take to beat the Democrats in November. With approval of Congress at lows not seen since the Republican revolution of 1994, there must be something done to turn things around. It’s not too late, but time is running out. Immigration is key, and it is a growing concern among grassroots conservatives. A solution that addresses border security, employer enforcement, and no amnesty will go a long way to energizing the base for November. The Republican Party needs a clear message and plan… grassroots Republicans are waiting for it. After November, that plan must be put into action. A message will only go so far. In the end, it all comes down to results.
Note: Tomorrow’s post will present the full survey results and compare how different states view the issues compared with the nation as a whole.
Richard Valdemar, a retired sergeant with the L.A. County sheriff's department and a longtime member of a federal task force investigating gang activity, went beyond the charges made by Tancredo, the chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus who has led the fight to secure America's southern border.
In fact, he cited first-hand experience in investigating attempts to take over seven cities in Los Angeles County – Southgate, Lynwood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Hawaiian Gardens and Huntington Park.
He also told WND in an exclusive interview that he has since become aware of similar efforts by Mexican drug cartels throughout the Southwest – in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.
The stunning disclosures substantiate claims made by Tancredo in his new book, "In Mortal Danger: The Battle for America's Border and Security," in which he exposes what he has learned from meetings with law enforcement authorities regarding a concerted effort by the Mexican mafia and drug cartels to extend its corruptive influence in urban areas dominated by illegal alien populations.
Tancredo says some of these small cities have become hostile and dangerous places for legitimate law enforcement officials. Valdemar agrees, saying the sophisticated technique being employed in the U.S. was "invented in Mexico."
Valdemar, the grandson of legal Mexican immigrants and now a consultant to law enforcement agencies across the country on gang activity, explains how the operations work.
"In the typical scenario, a wealthy Mexican immigrant opens a business in a small town," he says. "It could be a very nice Mexican restaurant. He's well-dressed, speaks English, seemingly a real gentleman. He gets involved in the community. His business welcomes police officers with discounts. He makes friends with city officials and other businessmen. No one has any idea where his money comes from – the Mexican drug cartels."
Valdemar says the agent of the cartels often sets up other businesses – including the sale of cheap used tires and used autos. These businesses are used almost exclusively as fronts for laundering money.
Then he begins targeting political power in the town. When election time rolls around, Valdemar says, he sponsors – directly or indirectly – a number of candidates for the city council with the express purpose of winning a majority of seats for his handpicked operatives. Some of the candidates are simply in place to level baseless accusations against incumbents, while others keep above the fray, positioning themselves for victory.
As soon as they take power, the new majority fires the city attorney and names a replacement. Often the second city official to go is the city manager. Both of these moves are designed to cover up the illicit activities that will follow.
City contracts for trash collection and other services are given to friendly businesses – also in league with the cartel. Regulations on auto-repair businesses and alcohol sales are lifted – again, making it easier for cartel-tied businesses to operate more freely. Gambling ordinances are changed to permit casinos and bingo parlors. Loan sharking, prostitution and increased drug business follow – all of which increase revenues for the cartels and power for their agents in the city.
Valdemar says very few prosecutions are successful because of the wealth and political ties of those involved. The situation in the Southwest is grave, he says, and the problem is spreading nationwide.
"We lost California," the Arizona resident says. "That's why I don't live there any more."
Tancredo, who blew the whistle on the growing power of the Mexican drug cartels and Mexican mafia in his book, "In Mortal Danger," explains who is behind the plot.
"The Tijuana-based Felix drug cartel and the Juarez-based Fuentes cartel began buying legitimate business in small towns in Los Angeles County in the early 1990s," he writes. "They purchased restaurants, used-car lots, auto-body shops and other small businesses. One of their purposes was to use these businesses for money-laundering operations. Once established in their community, these cartel-financed business owners ran for city council and other local offices. Over time, they were able to buy votes and influence in an effort to take over the management of the town. They wanted to create a comfort zone from which they could operate without interference from local law enforcement."
Tancredo, now a powerful force within Congress for opposing amnesty plans for illegal aliens and for promoting tougher border security measures, points in his book to the L.A. County city of Bell Gardens – where corrupt elected officials under the influence of drug lords actually tried to shut down the police department.
"City officials who would not cooperate with the Mexican-born city manager were forced out of office," he writes. "Eventually, the L.A. County attorney's office moved in, and the city manager was prosecuted on charges of corruption. Unfortunately, Bell Gardens was only the tip of the iceberg. Other Los Angeles suburbs – including Huntington Park, Lynwood and Southgate – became targets for the cartels."
Tancredo, too, cites similar efforts under way to undermine law and order by Mexican criminal gangs in Texas, Arizona and elsewhere.
"The corruption spreading from south of the border is not confined to Southern California," he writes. "In Cameron County, Texas, the former sheriff and several other officials were recently convicted of receiving drug-smuggling bribes. In Douglas, Arizona – where the international border runs down the middle of the town and divides it from its sister city of Agua Prieta, Mexico – the mayor's brother was discovered to have a tunnel from one of his rental properties going into Mexico."
Tancredo reports he has had confidential briefings with top officials in big-city law enforcement who say there are entire cities under the virtual control of Mexican criminal street gangs and their associated businesses, in some cases, making it dangerous for county, state and national law enforcement officers to venture in and rendering any interdepartmental cooperation impossible.
This under-reported aspect of the immigration and border problem is just one of the reasons Tancredo believes the U.S., as a nation, is "in mortal danger" as the debate over solutions rages on in Washington.
Throughout "In Mortal Danger," Tancredo, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the border security issue in the nation's capital, tells the whole story of the threats facing the nation, the solutions within its grasp and his own personal quest to awaken the political establishment to the seething discontentment gripping America as a result of illegal immigration.
Tancredo warns that the country is on a course to the dustbin of history. Like the great and mighty empires of the past, he writes, superpowers that once stretched from horizon to horizon, America is heading down the road to ruin.
English historian Edward Gibbon, in penning his classic "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" (ironically published in the year America's Founding Fathers declared independence from Great Britain), theorized that Rome fell because it rotted from within. It succumbed to barbarian invasions because of a loss of civic virtue, its citizens became lazy and soft, hiring barbarian mercenaries to defend the empire because they were unwilling to defend it themselves.
Tancredo says America is following in the tragic footsteps of Rome.
Living up to his reputation for candor, Tancredo explains how the economic success and historical military prowess of the United States has transformed a nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles of right and wrong into an overindulgent, self-deprecating, immoral cesspool of depravity.
His recipe for turning things around?
Without strong, moral leadership, without a renewed sense of purpose, without a rededication to family and community, without shunning the race hustlers and pop-culture sham artists, without protecting borders, language and culture, the nation that once was "the land of the free and home of the brave" and the "one last best hope of mankind" will repeat the catastrophic mistakes of the past, he writes.
Tancredo, born and raised in Colorado, represents Colorado's 6th district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to his election to Congress in 1998, Tancredo worked as a schoolteacher, was elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives in 1976, was appointed by President Reagan as the secretary of education's regional representative in 1981, and served as president of the Independence Institute. He serves on the International Relations Committee, the Resources Committee and the Budget Committee, and is the chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus. Tancredo and his wife, Jackie, reside in Littleton, Colo.
PERICA CAMPAIGN
New Peraica Online Campaign Asks "Have You Had Enough?"
http://www.votetony06.com/press/contentview.asp?c=33413
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
Humorous rumor forwarded to Diersen about liberals sneaking into Canada
www.gopillinois.com (6/29/06 News Clips page)
The flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into Canadahas intensified in the past week, sparking calls for increased patrolsto stop the illegal immigration.The unflinching determination of the Bush Administration is promptingthe exodus among liberal citizens who fear they'll soon be required tohunt, pray, and agree with Bill O'Reilly.Canadian border farmers say it's not uncommon to see dozens of sociologyprofessors, animal-rights activists, and Unitarians crossing theirfields at night. "I went out to milk the cows the other evening, andthere was a Hollywood producer huddled in the barn," said Manitobafarmer Red Greenfield, whose acreage borders North Dakota. The producerwas cold, exhausted and hungry. "He asked me if I could spare a latteand some free-range chicken. When I said I didn't have any, he left.Didn't even get a chance to show him my screenplay."In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higherfences, but the liberals scaled them. So he tried installing speakersthat blare Rush Limbaugh across the fields. "Not real effective," hesaid. "The liberals still got through, and Rush annoyed the cows so muchthey wouldn't give milk."Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberalsnear the Canadian border, pack them into Volvo station wagons, drivethem across the border for a fee, and then leave them to fend forthemselves. "A lotof these people are not prepared for rugged conditions," an Ontarioborder patrolman said. "I found one carload of them without a drop ofdrinking water. They did have a nice little Napa Valley cabernet,though."When liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, oftenwailing loudly about retribution from conservatives. Rumours have beencirculating about the Bush administration establishing "re-educationcamps" for returning liberals, in which they will be forced to drinkdomestic beer and watch videos of old NASCAR races.Liberals have turned to ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some havetaken to posing as senior citizens on bus trips to buy cheap, Canadianprescription drugs.After catching half a dozen young vegans disguised in powdered wigs,Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing thesupposed senior-citizen passengers. "If they can't identify theaccordion player on "The Lawrence Welk Show", we get suspicious abouttheir age," an official said.Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants arecreating an organic-broccoli shortage and are renting all the good,Susan Sarandon movies. "I feel sorry for American liberals, but theCanadian economy just can't support them," said an Ottawa resident. "Howmany art-history majors does one country need, eh?"In an effort to ease tensions between the United States and Canada,Vice-President Dick Cheney met with the Canadian ambassador inWashington and pledged that the administration would take steps toreassure liberals. A source close to Cheney said, "We're going to havesome Peter, Paul & Mary concerts. And we might even put some endangeredspecies on our postage stamps. The President is determined to reach outon this one."
Paid for by David John Diersen