"America will only be the land of the free so long as it is the home of the Brave"
Enjoy your hard-won freedom this weekend.
May 23, 2008
Memorial Day, 2008.
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Irreverent and Unrepentant Satire and Irony
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28 comments:
I agree with Moyers about the treatment of our service men and women. However, he could not resist using the story for political purposes to assail the war in Iraq. I have very little respect for Moyers. If he had just stuck to the issue of how our soldiers are treated it would have been fine. But he has an agenda, and he uses our tax money to pursue it. In a similar vein, his recent interview of Rev. Wright was appallingly slanted. He should just put on his Obama pin and get it over with instead of pretending to be an even-handed journalist. I LOVE the Underground, and I believe you are performing a great service to the community in fostering dialogue about LOCAL issues (despite being accused of toxicity). And I agree our service men and women deserve much better treatment, but I'm disappointed you allowed this site to be used as a platform for Moyers and his anti-war message.
Alderman Dave,
Friday's are often the days that we step beyond the local and take a look at the offerings from the outside world.
It was the most up-to-date discussion, with cites, that we could find on the funding issues facing the VA in conjunction with the current White House Administration's actions regarding veterans. And Memorial Day is fast approaching.
The focus of the piece was not the Iraq war -- but its being an editorial piece, tangent opinion is acceptable but that does not mean we either endorse nor oppose Moyer's view on the Iraq war -- and there was never a mention of Wright or Obama in the clip. You have chosen to introduce -- for "political purposes"? -- that agenda into the discussion from an entirely different presentation.
Since you pointed out your preference for sticking to a LOCAL focus, here we go:
1 -- Should the PR community open a PADS shelter to assist the growing number of mentally ill veterans returning from Iraq but who are unable to get help from the VA because of funding shortages, as veterans represent a large and ever growing number among the homeless population?
2 -- Is there anything more the PR community could be doing for veterans in need besides offering a "hot and a flop"?
3 -- At which locally owned shops will citizens of PR be spening their government "rebate" checks?
4 -- Has anyone in the PR community suggested that a portion or all of those locally received government rebate checks be donated to any local not-for-profit veterans groups?
5 -- If you are concerned about the use of taxpayer funds for the use of propaganda, will you be offering that the City Council refuse to fund future issues of the Spokesman? Or suggest that the "Mayor's Message" be eliminated from future issues of the Spokesman?
6 -- Wasn't the Mayor's reference to "toxicity" about you?
All good questions. Didn't mean to get your dander up. Just have an intense dislike of Moyers. And you are right, I believe I was the target of the "toxic" quote. You and the 'Dog were branded as "evil." My mistake. We should all be congratulated for being targeted by the mayor. We must be doing something right. I promise to give some thought to the issues you raise, although I can tell you right now that a "hot and a flop" is most definitely not the answer to the issues raised by Moyers in his piece. Have a great weekend. See you at the parade, whoever you are.
Alderman Dave,
Congratulations. A most prudent response.
Enjoy your weekend as well.
Alderman Dave,
Speaking of the parade....
You march with Mayor knucklehead right? I double dog dare you to wear a "I'm with stupid" t-shirt.
Too late. I have already picked out a shirt to wear in honor of our 50th State and the site of one of our country's most treasured memorials to fallen servicemen.
Re: point 2 of PRU:
There are a lot of lawyers in town, and they can make a huge difference in the lives of our veterans and their families by helping them navigate the process to get the benefits they deserve. The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism has collaborated with many organizations state-wide in an effort to encourage attorneys--on a pro bono basis--to take a veteran's disability benefits case. Close to home, the John Marshall Law School has opened a veterans legal support clinic. Check it out at jmls.edu/veterans. All the related organizations reflected on that website could use monetary contributions too!
Happy Memorial Day.
Jayne Reardon
Deputy Director
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
Alderman Dave---the parade is a great place to throw your hat in the ring!
In turn, we will throw CASH to you to run the clown out of office.
Personally, I think alderman "little Schmidt" should be the one next to someone wearing the t-shirt mentioned in anonymous 12:29. Come on - really - is this a popularity contest simply because he appears to be aligned with the majority of the comments on this blog? Don't think he isn't running a campaign for supporters like the rest of them. He has his own agenda as does every other alderman and politician. I like the comments made by Jayne Readon. You are an attorney alderman dave...put your money where your mouth is...
This is not directed at PRU readers, friend or otherwise.
عليك اللعنه الاسلامية مقيت الام
Stay off our site.
Yikes! What's going on PRU? What is that squiggly line you have up there?
It's Arabic. The IP has been blocked.
Anonymous 8:25
Unfortunately...pru.admin said some bad words. It says..."F You Islamic sinful mother" or something rather close to that based on my rough translation.
So why all the aggression? I thought this was a public domain?
It's public in so far as we say it is. Those popping in from the Islamic Republic of Iran are not welcome. Our site. Our discretion. Don't like it? Don't let the cyber door hit you in the ass as you leave.
amen
HOward has supporters in Iran??
go figure
OK.....
and now back to memorial day.
Thats part of the problem Jayne...too many attys!
Alderman Dave--loved the Hawaiian shirt you wore in the parade. You are the only one who didn't look like a STUFFY UPTIGHT alderman. Hmmm...was someone missing in that group?
Thanks Mouse. I was happily honoring our 50th State. I do think however that special mention should go to the Carey clan who were all decked out in red. They're a nice looking bunch, and unlike me, they remembered to bring candy...lots of it.
It was nice seeing the folks on Cumberland exercising the rights that our service men and women have fought and died for these many years, the right of Free Speech. The message was direct, yet it was delivered in good taste. Well done.
Many I am frustrated. I agree with much of what is written here but have been struggling about the PADS/veteran/homeless issue. You asked the perfect question(s) and the Alderman takes a pass.
he doesnt have to answer for the other aldermonkeys.
I didn't want to hear him answer for the other alderman. I wanted to hear his own answer to the questions that were posed. The question pretty much hit dead on my struggle with the PADS issue and as an alderman, someone who has been a part of the PR community for much longer then me and is much closer to the issue, I am sure I could have benefited from his response.
I did answer a couple of them, and I said I would think about the others. However, I don't want you to think I am ducking anything, so here goes.
1. A PADS shelter would be a horrible idea for trying to help returning vets with mental illness issues, or anyone with mental health issues for that matter. Those individuals need sustained treatment in a stable setting. Shuffling them from one town to another on a daily basis would solve nothing. At least that's my opinion.
2. I cannot answer that right now. Perhaps giving financial support to certain service organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Realistically, much of what needs to be done must come from Congress. Concerned citizens should get on their representatives to do more and make it a priority.
3. I'm hopeful every business in town will see at least a little bit of it. However, I fear that much of it will end up in the gas tank.
4. Not to my knowledge. People should do what they can, but folks should remember that the stated purpose of the rebate checks was to stimulate the economy by help businesses and enhancing job growth through consumer spending.
5. No. The Spokesman provides a service which is a cost-effective way of distributing information to the citizens. As far as the mayor's message goes, I don't always agree with what he says in there, and sure he sometimes uses it to give a slanted view of some topic on which he feels strongly. However, I think leading a movement to ban it is overkill.
6. We have already established that I was the toxic one, and that the U'ground is evil.
I hope this addresses the questions to your satisfaction. If you want to know more or have something else on your mind, I encourage you or anyone else for that matter to contact me at 847-430-3165.
Alderman Dave:
You have addressed my questions and I very much appreciate you taking the time to do so. This is another example of why blogs work. Questions, answers and dialogue - what a concept! While I am not a Doctor, I am in complete agreement with your comments about sustained treatment in a stable setting. It only makes sense that greater progress and success would be made in such an environment versus a shelter.
Unfortunately, you are also correct in that much of what must be done must come from Congress. At the risk of being called a skeptic, I am not overly confident that anything meaningful is going to come from Washington to directly address this issue in a timely manner. One need only look at recent history (see FISA or Farm Bill or Veterans Bill etc.) to see what kind of progress we can expect. First Congress has to come up with a plan they can actually pass and potentially override the VETO. Next the plan has to be implemented. Let's just say I would not count on it by this weekend. I have shared my thoughts on this matter with the Majority Whip.
In the mean time I can't help but recognize that on any given night some of our veterans have more immediate needs then addressing their mental health - like food and a warm place to sleep in February. Do we deny them that because a shelter environment is not the best answer to the mental health issues, or for that matter the addiction, issue? To use an automobile analogy, what we ultimately need is a Cadillac but a Yugo to get around in the mean time would sure help!
Re: the issues of the service men/women coming home with mental health issues and/or addiction and where they may be able to get help…I am aware of an organization called Salute, Inc. One of the Journeys from PADS to HOPE volunteers runs the organization. Her and her husband started it after he was shipped out (after 911) to Guantanamo Bay for 13 months. Unfortunately, he had to leave his wife and three sons facing financial hardship. The organization is located in Prospect Heights. The website is www.saluteinc.org They have 4 major programs to assist vets and families of vets. The majority of what they do is direct financial assistance.
Alderman Dave:
Please forgive me for going back 6 days, but I have been mulling over your post on the Moyers clip and I think there is something worth commenting on.
Your are correct about Moyers having an agenda. I would submitt virtually all the players in the war and veteran issue have an agenda. This would include the media (MSNBC on one side, FOX on the other) as well as those in political office. Some of these agendas are based on money or retaining on political office. Some are based on a sincere conviction or belief in the direction the country should go. Unfortunately in the quest for their agendas, many on both sides step out of bounds (moveon.org).
So now we get to my problem. You say that Moyers should have "just stuck to the issue of how our soldiers are treated" as if there is absolutely no connection between the war and treatment of veterans. I would argue that there is at least some connection.
One of the positions often used by those who are for our policy in Iraq to advance their agenda is simply stated "you are not supporting our troops". If anyone asks a question or has a position different from theirs they are hit with accusations that they are not supporting the troops. At the very least it is ironic that many of those who have used this argument have done so while in a position to make positive changes about how troops are "supported" here at home or make changes that would address the strain on military personal and families do to increased tours of duty.
Would you not agree that this is at least a small connection between what you see as two seperate issues? Is it ok to use it as a weapon against opponents and then do nothing, or at least very little, on the back end?
I would submitt to you that there are many people out there with what you call agendas - probably the majority of people. That would include people and issues right here in Park Ridge. Ones outrage at "agendas" is directly proportional to whether you agree with them or not.
One final note. You express concern about our tax money and Mr. Moyers agenda. Don't Democrats have an agenda?..and Republicans?...and Congressmen?..and Senators?..and Mayors?..and even some Alderman? Who pays for that?
You make some valid points. You are correct that all elected officials have an agenda, or at least they should. But not all agendas are created equal. And, as you correctly point out, one person's "positive" agenda may be viewed quite negatively by someone else. Now, to the news outlets. You are correct that MSNBC and Fox News appear to have agendas. However,the difference them and PBS is that the latter is funded by you and me. I do not appreciate MSNBC's agenda, but that's OK, because I don't have to pay for it. On the other hand, I do not relish the thought of my tax money going to fund someone like Moyers so that he can despouse his agenda on my dime. And that, my friend, is my fair and balanced view.
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