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.
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.)
9 comments:
WOW, thanks UM for the complete wrap up from all the week-end's activities. I couldn't get to the Town Hall meeting and now I'm glad I missed it. The ever-present protesters are everywhere and nowhere if you know what I mean. When Congressman Kirk answers them they're still not satisfied. They hear the sound of their own voices and the 'beat' of their own drums. What they just won't understand is that the war is an issue, nobody denies that. What is also at issue are the many other issues that our Congressman and the constituents in this district want and need to address when they have a chance to talk to him, either in person or on the TeleTown Hall calls. Mark Kirk is now leading the bipartisan effort to break the deadlock on SCHIP. He is involved in helping get the needed Impact Aid Bill through the House for full funding of the education needs of our Military families. He's working on more environmental issues, transportation problems that we have yet to resolve out here. Mark Kirk is a DOER.......and the protesters are just loud talkers on one subject. I admire his patience in dealing with this group. The Shoaib story is a compelling one brought to Mr. Kirk's attention from a Mt. Prospect constituent. The student programs that Mark Kirk established in his first term are unique and the first of their kind for a legislator. Just ask the students who are now in college, some who have graduated, what being part of his Student Leadership Advisory Board, or his Laureates program has given them. Ask their parents as well. Congressman Kirk thinks outside the proverbial 'box' and works to create new ways to help the nearly 700,000 people in this district.......yes, even the sons and daughters of some of those protesters! This Congressman is an accomplished leader. Nothing else needs to be said.
Funniest thing on ebg yet!!!
As you can imagine the post today is their spin of the town-hall - totally dismissing Chowdurry and Ash borer problems with the usual condescension.
Anon commenter says Kirk has done nothing on ash borer while the top side-bar item lists Kirk's Bill introduced to provide grants for local communities to combat ash-borer!
They are tripping over themselves! Can't wait to read tommorrow's twisted logic!
I deleted the above comment because of an insult to ellen beth gill of a personal nature. She may let folks get away with it on her site - but it won't fly here.
UM....stick to your principles. Unlike the responders on EBG's Blog it's simply not necessary to resort to ugly, distasteful and dishonest posts. What none of them, including EBG herself seem to understand is that they won't win the minds and hearts of the people in this district with that kind of rhetoric and venom. I think the comment of the guy who attended the Town Hall meeting and told Congressman Kirk that while he may disagree with him on issues, he has a new found respect for him after yesterday's meeting says it all. To criticize Mr. Kirk for his continuing efforts in the field of human rights is just outrageous. Anyone who thinks that it was a stunt has no idea how many years Mr. Kirk has taken up the cause of human rights. He has been honored and recognized by many organizations for his efforts. It's a shame that some out here can't find one word of praise for all that he works for in this field. Today's EBG entry sinks again to levels that are so unacceptable and so reprehensible that she's not helping her "cause"....but I'm not quite sure what the cause might be. She sure isn't someone I'd want on MY team. The beauty of America is that we can disagree, but do it with respect. UM, on your Blog I can see that we can have intelligent discourse and spirited and lively conversation. Let's keep this going.
I think people are starting to desert the 10th Dem blog in droves. Of the 8 comments on today's post 6 are from the blog owner.
UM, thanks for mentioning Dave Kalbfleisch.
Dave and some supporters, including me, were out petitioning for ballot access this Saturday. We had heard about the townhall meeting and, since we were in the area, stopped by for a few minutes before it started to talk to some people we knew.
Generally, people have been very receptive to Dave's candidacy. When asked to sign his petition, most people express delight at the prospect of having another choice on the ballot. I'm excited about the 2008 general election.
Anon 1:27
Sorry I spelled his name wrong. I respect Dave's service, and his willingness to discuss issues in a reasonable way. Folks I know who talked to him on Saturday all said that he seems concerned and genuine. As you know, I do not agree with his stand on the war but I appreciate the ability to disagree without personal attacks.
Anon 12:05 p.m. I'd agree with you. Ms. Gill is talking to herself these days. She is so obsessed with her hatred of our Congressman that most reasonable people can see right through this total distortion of reality. Without bipartisan reparte it's just not fun over there. It's all her in stereophonic babble. Yikes.
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