We can all help

I think I stand with most in the center when I say I struggle with the war in Iraq. As an American I bear responsibility for the suffering of the Iraqi people. I struggle with how we got in and even more importantly how we get out – responsibly, and carefully. I do not protest because I do not believe that bringing our troops home immediately will help. But I do think of myself as a woman of action. So I pray and I support the USO, and the VFW, and AMVETS. I voice my appreciation to members of the military and their families whenever I have the chance. Mostly, I pray, for our sailors, soldiers and marines. For their families and their leaders. And I pray for the people of Iraq. I know that prayer is powerful, but I have often wished I could do more.

Enter the TD Foundation, started by former Army Reservist Tom Deierlein during his service in Iraq. Money donated to the TD Foundation is being used to purchase items in bulk for Iraqi children: clothes, shoes, vitamins, toys, soccer balls, school supplies, blankets and other provisions. The items are being shipped to designated U.S. Army soldiers who distribute them in the poorest areas of Baghdad. The charity also is helping to coordinate medical care for injured Iraqi children whenever possible. This is a grassroots organization. All participants in this fund are volunteers, 100% of donated funds will go to those children and families in need. An e-mail from Capt. Bill Billeter about a shipment of clothes the TD Foundation sent to Baghdad shows the tremendous power these efforts can have:

Tom,
There is a local Iraqi District Council member who has dedicated much of her time to locating and assisting the refugee families who have fled to our area from all over Iraq. This area is a little safer than most, so we have several hundred of these families here — Sunni, Shi’a, whatever. They often arrive here with little besides their clothing, a few small suitcases, and a carload of children. The council member invited many of these families to a local government office that was secured by Iraqi police for the purpose of giving out food and water. And she invited us too. So, we loaded up one of our trailers with many of the clothes, shoes, stuffed animals and school supplies that you and your friends have sent us. There were hundreds of Iraqis there with their families. We pulled up and opened the trailer, and you would have thought we were giving out gold bars. Hundreds of them gathered around us to get whatever we had to offer. And they were grateful. I saw little kids holding stuffed animals bigger than they were. I saw families helping their children try on the new clothing and shoes. … It was a great event and a great day, and all the boxes of gifts that you guys sent us made a big difference.

As you know, many of the Iraqis are fed lies about us by the insurgents and radical imams and those who want us to fail here. They are told that we are oppressors and infidels. And, unfortunately, many Iraqis believe the lies because they don’t get to interact with us and find out the truth. On that day, with the hundreds of refugee families, they got to see us for who we really are.
Thank you,
Bill

As soon as I read about Tom Deierlein’s story in this MSNBC special report, I went to the site and made a donation. And now I challenge all of you, whatever your politics to do so as well. Make a difference, make a donation, spread the word. And above all keep on praying.

Muslim hero with a pen

I wrote a little bit about Shoaib Choudhury last week. The Canadian Free Press ran a more in depth story:

...It was four o’clock Saturday morning and Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t the patter of the incessant rain hitting the window panes of his hotel room in Washington, D.C., it was more his wanting the new day to start sooner. Waiting until 6:30 a.m., he called Canada Free Press (CFP) from his ever present cellular. “Forgive me if I woke anybody,” he said.

This is his second trip to the U.S., as arranged by the people who saved his life, Dr. Richard L. Benkin and Rep. Mark Kirk. Choudhury was arrested and tortured for exposing the rise of Islamists in Bangladesh, spending 17 long months in prison before being set free to an uncertain future in April of 2005.

On his current American tour, the editor of The Weekly Blitz has been meeting with lawmakers, advocacy and rights groups and students in Chicago, Washington and Philadelphia. On October 30, at noon, Choudhury will once again address the prestigious Hudson Institute in New York
about what we can do to combat Islamist extremism and to support anti-Islamist Muslims.
While in Chicago, the award-winning journalist visited the Illinois Holocaust Museum and met Holocaust survivor and celebrated author Sam Harris.

I spoke at length to Benkin on the telephone two nights ago, telling him how impressed I am with Choudhury’s infectious enthusiasm. “His charm is captivating and you would love him,” Benkin said. Reaching out from the darkness of Dhaka, Choudhury first contacted Benkin via the world wide net. Benkin not only immediately responded by email, but also subsequently wrote an article called Hello Bangladesh for The Weekly Blitz.

Endearingly Choudhury now describes their friendship, “Two men, one Muslim one Jewish, once strangers, now brothers!” Courageous and charming, Choudhury is well received wherever he goes. Unassuming and self-deprecating, “I’m not an important person in this fight, but only a small cog in the wheel,” he told CFP.

But Shoaib Choudhury is in reality a Muslim hero, at a time when a terrorism wary world most needs one. A little guy with spunk, Choudhury had tucked the latest copies of The Weekly Blitz into his suitcase on the way to a 2003 conference in Tel Aviv. Instead government agents arrested him, as he was about to board his plane. The arrest was carried out with Islamist forces because of his open advocacy of relations with Israel and interfaith dialogue based on his religions equality, and his many articles exposing the rise of radical Islam in Bangladesh through some 64.000-and growing Bangladeshi madrasses.

Bangladesh does not recognize Israel and refuses him the same option. Tortured and refused medication for the glaucoma from which he suffers; forbidden to attend his own mother’s funeral, Choudhury was held in prison for 17 months. Indeed, he was only released after unrelenting pressure by Benkin and Kirk. Bangladeshi officials, who admit they are maintained only to appease Islamists, have never dropped the trumped up charges against him.

The free world knows all about Choudhury as the fearless editor of The Weekly Blitz. Few know that he was once (1993-1995) Chief Correspondent, for the Itar-Tass News Agency (Russia), or that he was founder and Managing Director (1995-1999) of A-21 TV, Bangladesh’s first private television channel.

Choudhury has made it a life mission to pursue the truth in the most dangerous of places. Praise from around the world met the publication of his new book Injustice & Jihad. “Mr. Choudhury is a man in the mold of such heroes of freedom as Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa,” said the New York Sun.

In its editorial the Washington Times said, “The United States must encourage people like Mr. Choudhury to speak out. But when they do, it must also do all it can to protect them. Freeing Mr. Choudhury will tell others like him that when you stand against Islamists, the United States will stand with you.”

The Jerusalem Post said, “Despite the dire circumstances in which he finds himself, Choudhury remains strong, upbeat and determined.” The Jewish Week said, “In a world where radical Islam is on the march, threatening moderate Muslims and non-Muslims alike, outspoken and fearless individuals like Mr. Choudhury deserve our full support. It is they, after all, who are on the front lines.”

These are all accolades that Choudhury takes in stride. The Bangladeshi journalist, who can now add the Monaco 2007 Award for Courage in Journalism to his roster, remains solidly on message. “The Weekly Blitz is saying we have to say no to jihad, not to Holocaust denial, and we openly advocate relations between Dhaka and Jerusalem,” he tells American policy makers.
When he started out just a few years ago, the words `Israel’ and `Jew’ were taboo. In Muslim dominated Bangladesh. Thanks to the unflagging courage of an editor whose office was bombed twice, now they are not.

The words, “If there will be no more voices against jihad, in tomorrow’s world there will be thousands of Osama bin Ladens” will resonate long after he returns home. “They are active; we are silent. Our silence is giving them strength.” “How can you save my life?” asks this Muslim hero with a pen. “Let Bangladesh recognize Israel.”

Friday's Florescent Jungle

We’ve all lost a sock or two to our clothes dryer. But how many of us have actually resorted to line drying our socks to avoid the occasional odd pair? This is what my office mate Trudy does. Rather than risk the wrath of that mysterious sock monster in the dryer, Trudy line dries all of her socks. Sure, it’s environmentally responsible, but practical? Not so much, especially when it results in lost productivity to others like it once did at the office.

It was a rainy Friday morning, one of those days that even an umbrella does little to help. Everyone walked into the office a little damp that day. But I don’t think any of us actually thought to use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process. For one thing, none of us keep a hair dryer at our desk (or a barometer, a thermometer, a space heater, an electric cup warmer….). Except for Trudy.

Trudy walked into the office about a half hour after I arrived at work, and about two hours after the Old Joe. A few minutes later, I recognized a familiar sound. As a matter of fact, it was the same sound that I heard in my bathroom earlier that morning. It was the sound of a hair dryer.

Now as someone who uses a hair dryer just about every day, I know a thing or two about their power. There have been several mornings where my roommate and I blow a fuse after using our hair dryers simultaneously. So I knew it was only a matter of time before Trudy’s hair dryer elicited the same response.

The dryer went off for a moment and then started again. At exactly the moment that the dryer fired up for a second time, my computer screen went blank. So did the screens of the eight other people who share our bank of cubicles and, therefore, our power source. Trudy’s hair dryer blacked us out. I hadn’t really starting working yet so the black out came as nothing more than a hilarious way to start my day, but for Old Joe, who lost about two hours worth of work, it served as both an irritant and a reminder to always save your work.

A memo was sent to all staff the day of Trudy’s Hair Dryer Incident, as it will forever be called, reminding us that hair dryers are not to be used at our workstations. (A ridiculous memo to be sure, almost as ridiculous as the one reminding us to wear shoes at the office. Our HR Manager does God’s work). So now, when Trudy comes to work with damp socks, she dries her socks in the only part of the office sanctioned for those types of small appliances, the ladies’ room.

Dan Seals can't fool them in Kentucky.

The 10th CD dem primary is the subject of a post by the Kentucky Democrat, who writes:

Since I plan to move to Chicago sometime late next year, I figure I should start looking at some of the campaigns up there...no, I am not renaming the blog anytime soon.

This is despicable. How do you expect to get elected to Congress after saying Israel should negotiate with Hamas? That's not a person I want in Congress. Doesn't anyone remember the rule: You don't negotiate with terrorists. It's an unwritten rule but it's still a rule.

At a Daily Kos meeting last Thursday, Seals told audience members that Israel should negotiate with Hamas (reminding you that Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization that even Fatah wants nothing to do with because of all the damage they're doing to Palestinians).

I'm surprised that someone like Jeffrey Schoenberg would support Dan Seals after such comments were made.

There's more -

Seals lost a campaign in 2006 and he had a campaign message against the likes of Bush and Hastert. Clearly, it did not play well in Illinois' 10th congressional district or he would have been elected and not lost by 7% of the vote.

KYDEM raises an interesting point. Is it valid? and Kentucky - Welcome to the wacky world of Illinois politics!

Armchair Campaign Advisor

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. – Booker T. Washington

Poor name recognition, lack of cash, anti-incumbancy fever - what is the biggest obstacle each candidate in the 10th CD has to overcome? And how do they do it?

The Center is not Weak

The Chicago Tribune ran a story today about the tactics of left wing bloggers trying to squash bi-partisan efforts, especially in regards to Dan Lipinski. Read the full story here, but here are a few excerpts:

Independent ratings show Lipinski, a second-term Democrat representing the Southwest Side and southwest suburbs, actually voted with the Republican president less than 20 percent of the time this year (down from about half the time in 2006). But he has backed President Bush in at least one key vote on the Iraq war -- and he has suggested war opponents are better-served by working across party lines than by sending withdrawal timelines for repeated presidential vetoes.

That, in the new Democratic Congress, is enough to draw Lipinski an Internet-fueled primary challenge from the left.

It's an ageless debate with new technology. Primary fights often turn on the ideological divisions between small sets of voters. Former Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa), director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, estimates that only 1/24th of American voters decide each party's primary -- the most active of the activists, liberal on the left and conservative on the right.

"The center of American politics, in Congress, is exceptionally weak," Leach said.

As constant readers may know I started this blog because I was frustrated with the limited voice of the center – in the media in general and the blogosphere in particular. I think that most Americans hear the chatter at both ends of the spectrum and come down closer to the middle. The center may have a small voice – but I wouldn’t call it weak.

10th District Wrap-up

It’s been a busy couple of days for 10th District politics:

Mark Kirk held a town hall meeting in Winnetka. The community house was also hosting their annual rummage sale and I pickup up some cool 1940’s table linens. Approximately 70 people attended the meeting, including the same group of Anti-War protesters that attend all of Kirk's town-halls. I welcome their participation in the process, but I think that an immediate withdrawal from Iraq is dangerous and prefer Kirk's position. He outlined that position as he answered every one of the protesters questions. (The meeting lasted almost 3 hours - so much for the 10th dems claims that Kirk wont talk to them. Truth is they just don't like his answers.) Kirk supports the bi-partisan Iraqi Study Group position on ending the Iraq war - moving American forces from a combat to a support role. While I admire the conviction of the protesters I think many in this particular anti-war group are more interested in scoring political points than finding an end to the war that might actually result in a more stable, democratic Iraq.

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Dan Seals had a meet-up at the Goose Island Brewery in Chicago. Looks like 11 people attended. Team America has pictures and a link to the Daily Kos diary if you’re interested.

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Bangladeshi journalist Shoaib Choudhury , of Interfaith Strength, is in the Chicago area this weekend. A muslim who advocates interfaith dialogue based on religious equality, he was arrested in 2003 as he was boarding a plane bound for Israel. He was arrested by Islamist forces because of his advocacy of relations with Israel and his articles exposing the rise of radical Islam in Bangladesh. He was tortured and held for seventeen months and only released after strong pressure by 10th District’s Dr. Richard Benkin and Congressman Kirk. Mr. Choudhury appeared at the Winnetka town hall to thank 10th CD citizens and Kirk for their efforts on his behalf.

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Green candidate Dave Kablefleisch was also in Winnetka on Saturday at the rummage sale. I didn’t see him in the town hall meeting though.

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Carol Marin has an interesting op-ed today on the 10th District Democratic Primary. My question is when are Footlik and Seals going to realize that running on the “I’m not Kirk” platform is not enough and start laying out their own positions? An update to either of their web-sites would be welcome, since I’m betting the Seals camp won’t agree to a debate with Footlik.

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The News-Sun has a story on the 10th District Gifted Kids program and other outlets ran stories on SCHIP and security issues at O’Hare (see the links at right.)

Welcome to the florescent jungle.

After much groveling, the Unincorporated Middle agreed to let me to contribute something relatively non-political to her fine blog. With that, I bring you Friday’s Florescent Jungle, a weekly discussion of all things corporate from someone who recently realized that she now spends more time in a cubicle than outside of one.

Anyone who works in a cubicle environment can relate to the NBC show “The Office” in some regard. Every office has its characters and its quirks. But I actually feel like I live it, day in and day out, and I feel like I interact with many of the characterizations portrayed on the show on a daily basis. There’s the boss, let’s call him Bert, who goes out of his way to make everyone like him. The “Assistant to the Regional Manager,” Bertha, who upholds the tenets spelled out in the Employee Manual as if it were Gospel. The crazy cat woman, or women, who talk about their cats as if they were children. And even a hard-working prankster who, before leaving for greener pastures, conspired and flirted with a young assistant, yours truly, much to the chagrin of their office mates.

But if I were to create my own version of “The Office,” I’d have to add a few new character types:

Island Stan, the little man with a penchant for hard living, big women, Bob Marley and rum and an unhealthy preoccupation with death.

Trudy, a twenty-something woman who wears a parka 365 days a year, dries her socks with a hair dryer, puts an air freshener on her desk and gets into inane, 45 minute conversations about things like area codes and electric rates.

The IT Geek, who thinks that the NFL should reinstate Michael Vick because of the joy and excitement he brings to football.

And the Old Joe, who has sacrificed most of his life to the company and feels comfortable doing and saying just about anything he wants while still being the most productive member of the company.

After spending more than five years with these characters, I’ve decided to share my stories with the blogosphere. And if I happen to veer off topic into a discussion of the most recent episode of “The Hills,” or a rant about my latest public transportation mishap, so be it.

Welcome to the florescent jungle.

We can't fix it with a pill.

I admit I come down left of center when it comes to reproductive rights – Mr. UM would call me a screaming liberal on the topic. But the decision by a Maine middle school to provide contraceptive pills to girls in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades, is craziness. The school district cites a rash of teen pregnancies (17 in the past four years) as the reason for its decision. It is appalling that four young girls a year in one Maine school district are pregnant. It is appalling that more are probably sexually active. Quite frankly, that even one american 11-year old girl, is having sex is appalling. That our answer is for middle schools to provide the Pill without parental notification is both appalling and absurd. It is wrong for so many reasons – questions of responsibility, parental control and the purpose of schools are all legitimate.

But in my mind the biggest reason it is wrong comes down to this. We, as a society, are supposed to protect and care for our children and providing contraception to 11-year old girls does neither. It is dangerous for 11 year old girls to have sex – it is dangerous for them physically, emotionally and, yes, spiritually. It our responsibility to prevent it from happening, especially if her parents are unwilling or unable. I don't believe providing contraception, or education or vaccinations encourages sex - but neither does it stop it.

The question is how do we stop it? How do we teach young people to respect themselves and each other? How do we teach them to wait? How do we let them know it is good to be young? That innocence is something to be valued? That they are precious?

Providing quality schools and safe streets is a start, but why are there halter tops, low rise jeans and daisy dukes available in girl’s size 6? Why is it okay to hear the words “bitch” and “ho” on television, in music and on the street? Why is there a sexual assault every 2.5 minutes in America? Why do 54% of all rapes of women happen to girls under age 18 with 22% of those to girls under age 12? Why is it that, in 2007, as a society, we still don’t treat women and children with decency and respect?

We are broken and I don’t think the Pill is going to fix it.

My Own Modest Proposal

I could never hold elected office. I have a past that is filled with dumb mistakes, questionable decisions and some plain bad choices (I had a thing for bad boys before meeting Mr. UM). I could probably come clean and apologize to keep the voters on my side. But I have a bigger problem, as Mr. UM will confirm. I like to talk and I like to make people laugh. I also hang out with people who make me laugh by shooting off their mouths, usually in crowds. I’m sure it’s a big, smart, competitive family thing – outrageous is a definate way to score in our constant game of verbal one-upmanship.

But outrageous is fatal in today’s political game, along with plain speaking and unguarded moments. Every word can be parsed, dissected, blogged, harshly judged and criticized. No context required. No understanding of irony or satire or humor necessary. Isn’t “A Modest Proposal” required reading anymore? It is still brilliant and relevant – read it here.

The latest twist in the game is to tar and feather Jane for the speech of Dick. Blame the Republican next door for the wacky comments of Ann Coulter, hold the Democrat in the car pool responsible for the ranting on Daily Kos. There are arguments in favor of this tactic – “birds of a feather...,” “tell me who your friends are...” and the most impressive “they did it first.” But at best this approach is lazy and diversionary; at worst it is mean and hatefully misleading.

So going forward, I promise not to blame Dan Seals for the crazy posts of left-wing bloggers, not to hold Mark Kirk responsible for the wacky tirades of Rush Limbaugh and not to fault Mr. UM for the drunken statements of his buddies. All I ask in return is the right to enjoy an outrageous comment, laugh at the occasional bad joke and write about what interests me without anyone demanding that Hillary Clinton condemn me because I advocate selling young poor children to rich landlords for food.

Armchair Campaign Advisor Challenge

Here's the approximate 3rd quarter cash-on-hand figures for Illinois 10th District Congressional campaigns according to Crains:

Jay Footlik: $400,000
Dan Seals: $500,000
Mark Kirk: $1,500,000

How would you advise each candidate to spend their money?

Team America's New Blog

I loved reading Team America's comments. I didn't always agree with him but he sure does knows how to write an opinion! He has been kicked off the Ellen of the Tenth site where I used to lurk with delight mostly due to TA's comments. As a result of his banishment he has started his own blog http://teamamerica10th.blogspot.com/. Stop by and wish him well.

Clinton in the Middle

John Ibbitson writing in Tuesday's Globe and Mail about Hillary Clinton’s likely win of the Democratic nomination for president has this to say:

How did she do it? There may be three factors. First, the organization. The Clintons built a formidable political machine to advance Bill Clinton's presidential prospects, and Ms. Clinton inherited that machine.

Second, the husband. Bill Clinton was a highly popular president, and that popularity was enhanced by the travails of his successor. Voters appear to approve of his presence, and look forward to having him back in the White House as first gentleman.

Third, the end of ideology. National polls report that voters are fed up with the ideological divide that has formed between the Democratic and Republican parties. They want a president who can get things done, who can navigate legislation through Congress, who will balance the budget, who will get the United States out of Iraq without giving away the store to the terrorists, who can fix the health-care mess and improve the schools and mend the broken infrastructure.

While too early to call her the winner, it is starting to look like the nomination is Hillary’s to lose. Factors one and two are significant, but factor three is the one that’s gonna bring it home. Senator Clinton seems to get that we need to ratchet down the political rhetoric. I am not saying she has never slammed a republican! So you don’t need to post any and every example you find here. I do think she is the only candidate in either party who has started to reach out to those Americans who want a government that works across party lines. She is smart, experienced and has learned that compromise can be good for the country. Don’t know if it will be enough for her to win the presidency – but if the election was today – she’d get my vote.

With Love to Captain Lovell

American hero, Captain James Lovell was all smiles and joy this past Friday, when Congressman Mark Kirk announced that the new Great Lakes Navy/VA Hospital will be named after Lovell. The Apollo astronaut spoke at the naming ceremony and later danced with recruits at an outdoor concert by Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band.

My dad is a vet. Marine. He visited this summer from out east and brought along some navy pals. They toured great lakes and loved it. After noticing that the recruits get to wear baseball caps instead of "dixie cups" (my dad's phrasing - he may hang out with sailors but he is still a marine), they were most impressed with the new VA/Navy hospital that will serve both veterans and active personnel. They all use the VA back home for health care. They depend on it, as do the Vets here who will be even better served because of the new Lovell Health Center.

Ye are the light of the world. A city set upon a hill cannot be hid.

Stayed up late to watch the cubs, tired of politics, need to spend the weekend doing yard work - Lord I miss the City. Any City. I have favorites: Chicago, Vienna, Paris, Miami, and ones I want to see - St. Petersburg, Rio, Athens. You?

Question: Is Bi-partisanship Always Good?

Larry raises an interesting question in a comment on an earlier post. Perhaps because I tend to vote across party lines I assume that bi-partisanship is good. I suspect that many of the commenters here have a much stronger political party affiliation than I do, and as is often the case, there probably are situations when partisan trumps bi-partisan. When and why is it good to be partisan?

Jay Footlik Lies while Iraq Campaign Ignores Reality

UPDATE: Jay Footlik has removed the Ad in question from his website - good for him! Wonder if the IIC will still be protesting at Kirk's office tonight?

Jay Footlik, candidate in the 10th CD democratic primary has a nasty ad on his website stating that Mark Kirk voted against SCHIP to support big tobacco. And it just isn't so. Truth is Kirk voted against an early version of the bill that would have taken away medicaid services to seniors and voted for the subsequent compromise bill that ensures kids - read here, here and here.

And the Illinois Iraq Campaign is calling for a "protest" against Kirk's position on the SCHIP veto overide. Kirk has called on his colleagues to override the veto. What exactly is IIC protesting?

Kirk Statement on SCHIP Veto

Kirk: Congress Should Override President’s Children’s Health Care Veto

WASHINGTON – Following this morning’s presidential veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Congressman Kirk issued the following statement:
“Last week, I joined with 264 House members and 67 Senators to support the state children’s health program. Our legislation is a modest extension of the program that will cover 3.4 million additional kids, funded by an increase in tobacco fees. In sum, the bill is a good one – more health insurance for kids and less smoking.
“Congress should end this partisan fight and override the veto.”

Halvorson to run for Congress.

I like Debbie Halvorson and would vote for her if I could:

from the Daily Journal on-line:

Web Exclusive: Halvorson confirms bid for Congress
10/02/2007, 1:40 pm

State Sen. Debbie Halvorson of Crete confirmed today that she will seek the Democratic nomination for Congress for the 11th Congressional District -- the seat being vacated next year by 14-year veteran Rep. Jerry Weller, R-Morris. Halvorson was in session with the Illinois Senate and said she would make a formal announcement as early as today. She is the first woman ever to be majority leader in the Senate and has three years left on her current term.

Americans For ChiIdren's Health Thank Kirk for SCHIP Vote

Looks like some people do get it. From what I can tell the group is a coalition of Health care and consumer groups who got together to make sure SCHIP passed.

Fans Rally for NLC Champion Chicago Cubs at Noon

I'm going to try and make the cubs rally at Daley Plaza today - and will recap later. For now favorite cubs stories please. Mine is opening day date with my now husband - it was cold, he was hot and the cubs won - doesn't get better than that.