Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Mount Greenwood girl with cancer knows toys bring joy to sick kids - Southtown Star

Mount Greenwood girl with cancer knows toys bring joy to sick kids - Southtown Star

Do our leaders know this?


JAMES CARVILLE SAYS 80% OF DEMOCRATS ARE POLITICALLY CLUELESS

From Clash Daily -
James Carville, Democrat political consultant extraordinaire – and former Bill Clinton campaign manager, has astonishingly come out and said what all good Republicans have known for decades: Not only are most Democrats politically clueless; they’re easily manipulated by the puppet masters of their party as well. Wow. James Freaking Carville. Of all people. Here’s an excerpt, as quoted on Amazon.com:
“Ideologies aren’t all that important. What’s important is psychology.
The Democratic constituency is just like a herd of cows. All you have to do is lay out enough silage and they come running. That’s why I became an operative working with Democrats. With Democrats all you have to do is make a lot of noise, lay out the hay, and be ready to use the ole cattle prod in case a few want to bolt the herd.
Eighty percent of the people who call themselves Democrats don’t have a clue as to political reality.
What amazes me is that you could take a group of people who are hard workers and convince them that they should support social programs that were the exact opposite of their own personal convictions. Put a little fear here and there and you can get people to vote any way you want.
The voter is basically dumb and lazy. The reason I became a Democratic operative instead of a Republican was because there were more Democrats that didn’t have a clue than there were Republicans.
Truth is relative. Truth is what you can make the voter believe is the truth. If you’re smart enough, truth is what you make the voter think it is. That’s why I’m a Democrat. I can make the Democratic voters think whatever I want them to.” 

Monday, November 26, 2012

President Rahm?


RAHM EMANUEL'S PUZZLING WASHINGTON POST OPED

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel editorialized in the Washington Post today.
Emanuel_rahmIn a Washington Post editorial, Rahm Emanuel states he has the prescription to rebuild America; yet, he has failed to fix the city he was elected to lead.
Why should America trust a Mayor who has no answer for the gang violence that continues to haunt his city streets? There were 4 more deaths and 19 injuries from shootings this holiday weekend.  
Who should take advice from a Mayor who gave up on taxpayers when a teacher's union threw a tantrum?  
Why is the Mayor who has no answer for his own public sector pension problem, giving advice to the nation on where to spend money?
We look forward to seeing an Emanuel editorial in Chicago newspapers that details his plan on solving Chicago's biggest problems: violent crime, inequality in public education, unsustainable long term public debt, population loss, foreclosures and increasing urban poverty. 
It's clear that Rahm's aspirations for higher office are driving his recent national PR tour. Emanuel should focus on Chicago problems and leave national policy to those better positioned to talk about it.

Residents lose homes, belongings in condominium fire - Southtown Star

Residents lose homes, belongings in condominium fire - Southtown Star

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Neil Steinberg has been at it again.

Resisting aggressive secularism promoted in the world

Father Robert Barron

It was with barely concealed delight that Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg conveyed the findings of the recent Pew Forum survey that the “nones,” those who claim no particular religious affiliation, are sharply on the rise in America. Moreover, he crowed, the survey revealed that a disproportionate number of young people placed themselves firmly in the “none” camp, thus indicating that religion’s decline would only accelerate in the years to come. Taking these findings as a starting point, Steinberg then delivered himself of an anti-religion screed that was, even for him, remarkable in its vitriol and lack of nuance.
Central to Steinberg’s argument is that the “virus” of freedom, which the founding fathers planted in the body politic long ago, has spread to the point that it now threatens religion itself. Finally, he says, people have the courage to throw off the shackles of “arbitrary rules and arcane liturgies” and join the society of free-thinking moderns.
There are two fundamental problems here. First, like so many of his secularist colleagues, Steinberg conveniently forgets that the political liberty he rightly praises is predicated inescapably upon religious assumptions. The keen sense that each human being is the subject of rights and dignity is grounded in the antecedent conviction that that dignity and those rights come from God and hence have an absolute sanction. As Thomas Jefferson put it rather memorably, “All men are created equal … and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
If you want to see what happens to freedom and human rights when God is removed from the picture, consult both ancient aristocratic societies and modern totalitarian regimes. Steinberg exults that the “freedom virus” conduced toward the liberation of blacks in America, but he seems utterly to have forgotten that both the abolitionist movement in the 19th century and the civil rights movement in the 20th were led by passionately believing Christians, who advocated for liberty precisely because of their religious beliefs, not despite them.
The second problem is that Steinberg assumes that his position — modern, secularist liberalism — is not itself sectarian, peculiar and indeed marked by its own “arbitrary rules and arcane liturgies.” This is a difficulty that any cultural analyst tends to have, but modern liberals seem especially susceptible to it, namely, the assumption that their own culture isn’t really a culture at all but just “the way things are supposed to be.”
The form of life that came up out of the European Enlightenment of the 18th century — empirical, scientific, subjectivist, rationalist, anti-traditionalist — strikes modern secularists as just identical to sweet reason and hence they feel that anyone who fails to conform to it is operating “irrationally” or is in thrall to some strange “superstition.”
Jurgen Habermas, one of the leading philosophers in the world, advocates (admittedly at a higher level of sophistication) the position staked out by Steinberg. He argues, accordingly, that the only people who should be allowed around the table of political discussion in contemporary societies are those who accept the presumptions of the Enlightenment. Thus religious people, representing some of the most ancient intellectual traditions in the West and relying on the work of such geniuses as St. Paul, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, John Henry Newman, John Wesley, and G.K. Chesterton would not be allowed at Habermas’s table. Nor for that matter would William Lloyd Garrison, Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu or Mohandas Gandhi. One wonders how neither Habermas nor Steinberg can see that the Enlightenment view, though obviously valuable, is hardly identical to Reason tout court.
Utterly congruent with this idolatry of the Enlightenment is Steinberg’s sneering relegation of religion to the arena of hobbies and harmless avocations: “Life is a long time … and you have to fill it somehow, and adhering to the various tenets of Lutheranism or Baptism or Seventh Day Adventism … is not inherently a worse use of your time than, oh, knitting colorful afghans or playing John Madden Football or anything else.”
Though the Christian tradition essentially created the culture of the West, though it invented the university system, and though it gave rise to Dante’s Divine Comedy, Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae, Chartres Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Bach’s cantatas, and the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins and T.S. Eliot, it is, according to Mr. Steinberg, the intellectual equivalent of knitting an afghan! Trust me when I tell you that whatever matrix of thought produced that conclusion ain’t identical to “sweet reason.” It is in fact something peculiar and sectarian indeed.
The relegation of religion to the private realm is, of course, an aggressive move, for it is designed to exclude religious people from the political and cultural conversation. Basically, Habermas and Steinberg and their fellows are saying to religious believers, “While you play at your little hobbies, we rationalists will take care of serious matters.”
In the face of this act of violence, believers should engage in non-violent resistance, entering the public arena with the language of the Bible and the great tradition on their lips, as did our forebears Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Pace the secular ideologues, it is altogether possible for religious people — especially those who believe in the divine Logos — to have a logical conversation.
Barron is the rector and president of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/ Mundelein Seminary. For more of his writings visit www.wordonfire.org.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Matt O'Shea


Are you tired of turkey? Join us tonight for the 19th Ward Family Pasta Dinner at 115 Bourbon St., 3359 W. 115th St. from 6:00 - 8:00pm.  Tickets are $5 each and include a family friendly pasta buffet. Proceeds will benefit the John McNicholas Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation & the 19th Ward Youth Foundation.

 

You may also register or pickup materials for tomorrow's Beverly Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Family Walk. This is your last chance to take advantage of pre-registration discounts. Hope to see you there!

 

Sincerely,

 

Matt O'Shea

Alderman, 19th Ward

Prep Bowl

Brother Rice vs Simeon,11:00  AM today at Soldier Field. 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Lawsuit threat means Alsip Christmas tradition gets crossed off - Southtown Star

Whatever they said to him I don't know. Now he's so scared he's afraid to call it a "Christmas" tree. Talk about wimping out. 

There is nothing wrong with calling it a "Christmas" tree. What is wrong is holding the same public office too long. 
Lawsuit threat means Alsip Christmas tradition gets crossed off - Southtown Star

Walmart throws Thanksgiving under the bus.

Walmart has announced that they intend to open their stores at 8 PM on Thanksgiving evening in order to maximize profits. Do you think they have gone too far?

Monday, November 19, 2012

Patrick Quinn is not a serious man.

Squeezy the Pension Python is a simplistic approach to a serious problem. It's time to get serious.
Posted by Mike Riopell on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 13:59

Illinois' ability to sort out its finances, pay for schools, care for the disabled and build roads is in the hands of a orange cartoon snake.
But snakes don't have hands.
As we pressed Gov. Pat Quinn and his advisers over recent months about what his grassroots plan to win Illinoisans' backing of pension reforms would look like, we never imagined it'd be a bright orange snake wrapped around the dome of the Capitol building.
The video introduces us to Squeezy the Pension Python, part of Quinn's new push on thisismyillinois.com to try to win support for cuts to teachers' and state workers' retirement funds.
But as both Republicans and Democrats agree on some pension cuts, they continue to lock horns over whether school districts should pay more for teachers' retirements. That might be a tough knot for Squeezy to untangle.

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance


Out of work?

Between jobs counseling at St. John Fisher rectory tonight 7:00 P.M.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Rahm, my way or the highway.


ILLINOIS COULD LEAD WAY TO DESTRUCTION OF REAL MARRIAGE

By Laurie Higgins -
Mayor Emanuel, with his finger ever on the political pulse of Democrats-I mean, Chicagoans, has discerned that two of the top three problems facing the city are the absence of casinos and legalized
"same-sex marriage."
The city's failing schools, gang-activity, murder rate, debt, unemployment, poverty, family breakdown, child abuse, and drug use pale in significance as compared to the absence of casinos. Or, perhaps Emanuel sees casinos as the solution to all those problems.
One of his top priorities is bringing casinos to the city, casinos that will disproportionately harm those of lesser incomes because they have less financial padding to sustain the ineluctable losses on which
predatory casinos rely.
Judging from his letter, his de facto top priority is same-sex marriage, which will further erode the institution of marriage, the erosion of which has already disproportionately harmed the black community.Gaymarriage
But why should these inconvenient truths bother Emanuel when he's got fat cat casino-backers and wealthy homosexuals in his corner. Emanuel in a display of "progressive" ignorance and uncharacteristic mushiness claimed that "gays and lesbians are still denied one essential freedom: the right to make a lifelong commitment to the person they love." Say what?
Every unmarried person of major age is free to marry as long as he or she is seeking to marry one person of the opposite sex who is not closely related by blood. Homosexuals are not denied the right to marry. They choose not to participate in this sexually complementary institution.
Homosexuals are simply not permitted to unilaterally jettison the central defining feature of legally sanctioned marriage: sexual complementarity.  Similarly, polyamorists may not unilaterally jettison the requirement regarding numbers of partners, and those in love with their siblings or parents may not unilaterally jettison the requirement pertaining to close blood kinship.
Moreover, homosexuals are not denied the right to make a lifelong commitment. Homosexuals may, indeed, love, have sex with, set up households with, and commit for life to any person they wish.
Emanuel seems to have adopted the view that marriage is an institution centrally or solely concerned with the loving feelings of those involved. But if that's the case, if marriage is solely about love and has no intrinsic connection to procreation, then why does the government limit it to two people? And if marriage is solely about love, why not permit two loving brothers to marry?
If marriage were centrally or solely about the recognition of love, there would be absolutely no reason for the government to be involved. The government has no vested interest in "recognizing" subjective feelings. The government has a vested interest in the objective connection of sexually complementary coupling to procreating.
The government is in the marriage business because a two-person, sexually complementary union is how children are produced, and the government has a vested interest in recognizing, regulating, and
promoting the type of relationship that can produce children-whether or not any particular couple has children.
In describing Chicago's diversity, Emanuel paired race and "sexual orientation" revealing that he's also bought into the intellectually vacuous comparison of race to homosexuality, which is the flawed analogy upon which the entire homosexuality-affirming house of cards is built. Whereas race is 100% heritable, in all cases immutable, and has no behavioral implications whatsoever, homosexuality is constituted by subjective feelings, volitional sexual acts that are legitimate objects of moral assessment, and is not 100% heritable.
Despite exploiting the language of the civil rights movement by trumpeting his defense of "equality," Emanuel is not advocating for equality. He's advocating for the unilateral redefinition of marriage by
homosexuals to serve their desires.
Emanuel, envisioning himself as the Martin Luther King Jr. of the homosexual movement, proclaims "Marriage equality is the next step in our nation's march forward. Illinois must lead the way." Emanuel would do well to remember these words of Martin Luther King Jr.: "How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law....An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law."
Illinois has certainly proved itself capable of leading the way, leading the way to fiscal insolvency, educational malpractice, and incomprehensible murder rates. Why not lead the way to the destruction of real marriage by pretend marriage?

Friday, November 16, 2012

Another Metra fare increase?



Many Metra riders could be facing another fare increase this February, just one year after digging deep for the biggest fare hike in the commuter rail line's history.

Metra's board is expected to vote Friday on a recommendation to raise the price of the popular 10-ride tickets about 11 percent, the Tribune has learned.

That would mean an increase ranging from $2.75 to $9.25 per 10-ride ticket, depending on the distance.

If approved, the increase would deprive 10-ride ticket buyers of the discount traditionally associated with the ticket. Currently, 10-ride tickets cost the equivalent of nine rides.

Word of the possible increase did not set well with riders Thursday evening.

Student Satya Shah, 24, of Rogers Park, said that if the price goes up, he'll have to consider taking the CTA from Rogers Park to downtown, even though Metra is closer to his home.

"It's going to hurt the wallet," he said of an increase. "If it works out to be cheaper, I'll take the CTA."

Customers now pay anywhere from $24.75 per 10-ride ticket for close-in Metra zones to $83.25 for the farthest communities.

Ten-ride ticket users account for about 22 percent of Metra's ridership. Customers who use monthly passes — about 57 percent of Metra's riders — and those who buy single tickets would not see their fares increase.

Metra's staff estimates the fare increase would produce $8.3 million in 2013 to help meet the agency's capital needs. Those include system improvements, maintenance and equipment.

Unveiling a proposed 2013 budget totaling $713.5 million last month, Metra officials warned that they would consider "scenarios" for raising fares up to 10 percent but did not specify any options.

Friday's recommendation comes as a result of discussions among board members and Metra staff, officials said.

Spokesman Michael Gillis said Thursday that the agency wants to use the $8.3 million in additional revenue as a match to obtain federal dollars for capital needs.

Metra needs about $7.4 billion over the next 10 years to keep the commuter rail line in what officials call a "state of good repair."

Board members contacted Thursday said they expected to have a thorough discussion of the fare increase Friday before taking action.

If the board approves the increase Friday, Metra still would need to hold a series of hearings to get public comment before the increase would get final adoption. That could come as early as Metra's Dec. 14 meeting.

Arlene Mulder, who represents suburban Cook County on the board, said she had not decided whether she would support the increase.

"I feel we need to cover our costs, but I know a lot of people who are on extraordinarily tight budgets now," said Mulder, who also is the mayor of Arlington Heights. "We can't lose sight of that."

James LaBelle, who represents Lake County, said he supported increasing the price of a 10-ride ticket to cover the cost of 91/2 rides.

He said there was "a mix" of opinions on the issue but that he was in the minority.

Paul Darley, who represents DuPage County, said the 10-ride increase was "about the least painful way to bridge the budget gap."

Metra isn't calling the 10-ride ticket hike a fare increase. Gillis said the agency considers the move a "policy change."

"The way we view it, (10-ride tickets are) a convenience, not a discount … so riders don't have to buy one-way fares as often," Gillis said.

By way of comparison, a monthly ticket is priced at the cost of 28.5 one-way fares.

It sounded like a fare increase to some riders at the Ogilvie Transportation Center, who expressed anger Thursday upon hearing that only 10-ride tickets would be hiked.

"It seems like they're almost trying to force you to do a monthly or single" ride pass, Nicole Hoffman, 30, said as she waited for a Metra train to go to her dance class in Park Ridge.

Metra's largest-ever fare increase came Feb. 1. Metra said the overall ticket hike was 25 percent, but the vast majority of riders, who use monthly passes and 10-ride tickets, saw their ticket prices increase an average of 30 percent.

After that increase, Metra officials pledged to consider regular but more modest fare increases.

If the prices of 10-ride tickets are raised, Metra will once again try to prevent riders from stockpiling them.

This time, 10-ride tickets purchased between Friday and Jan. 31, 2013, will be valid only through Feb. 28, 2013.

Joyce Harris of Des Plaines doesn't come into Chicago often but buys a 10-ride ticket to attend shows and visit the Art Institute.

The 70-year-old, on her way to see comedian Craig Ferguson perform at the Chicago Theatre, wasn't thrilled to learn that the fare for the 10-day pass might increase, but she said it still would be cheaper than driving and parking downtown.

"Nobody's ever happy about that," she said of the increase. "But I know it costs money to run the train."

Benghazigate,

What did they know? When did they know it? How high will this go? 

Did NSA know CIA head was leaking info about Benghazi? about other things? What about the girlfriends? Were they US citizens? How did they get security clearances? What about the 20,000 emails? Did NSA report any of this to FBI? What did the FBI do with it? What did State Dept. know about Benghazi? What did the military know? How high does any of this go? Does this constitute malfeasance or is it treason. 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

49ers’ Smith returns to practice; Cutler’s status remains uncertain - Chicago Sun-Times

It's just a concussion! 
49ers’ Smith returns to practice; Cutler’s status remains uncertain - Chicago Sun-Times

Beverly Arts Center


Support this neighborhood gem!

The Beverly Arts Center is a nonprofit organization sustained by its members and community. While many cultural institutions receive significant corporate sponsorship and government funding, the BAC relies almost entirely on community support. Through the generosity of our donors, we are able to support current and future artists across all disciplines in the development and presentation of their work.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Petraeus-Broadwell Snafu


In case you are wondering what else is going on here, the chances are good that we will never know. The scandal being leaked 2 days after the election, is not inadvertent. Be confident that this scandal will shake the US military command, FBI and CIA to it's core. When this is over there will be different people calling the shots. 

The rapidly unfolding scandal surrounding David Petraeus' affair ensnared another top-ranking official overnight, with the American commander in Afghanistan Gen. John Allen coming under investigation for "inappropriate communications" with a woman at the heart of the controversy. 
A senior defense official confirmed the investigation was due to allegations of inappropriate emails between Allen and Jill Kelley, a close friend of the Petraeus family. Kelley was the woman who originally notified the FBI when she received threatening emails from Petraeus' mistress Paula Broadwell -- that investigation later uncovered the affair. 
The nature of the communications between Allen and Kelley remains unclear. The senior defense official said officials are reviewing 20,000 to 30,000 pages of documents -- mostly emails -- between 2010 and 2012. The official would only say "there is the distinct possibility" this case is connected to the Petraeus investigation. 
That investigation, it appears, it still ongoing. FBI agents on Monday conducted a search of Broadwell's home in Charlotte, N.C.  FBI agents appeared at Broadwell's home carrying the kinds of cardboard boxes often used for evidence gathering during a search. They walked through the open garage of Broadwell's house and knocked at a side door before entering the home, but refused to talk to the media. 
Further, Fox News confirms that the FBI agent who originally spurred the Petraeus investigation was taken off the case because authorities grew concerned about his relationship with Kelley. Kelley had alerted this agent to her concerns about the harassing emails from the start, but the agent was removed from the case over the summer because of his behavior, which included sending shirtless photos of himself to Kelley. He now faces an internal investigation. 
As for Allen, for now he will remain the head of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. However, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has referred the case to the Pentagon's inspector general's office for investigation. For the time being, Allen's nomination to be commander of U.S. European Command and commander of NATO forces in Europe is on hold. Allen was scheduled to have a nomination hearing for that position Thursday and had been expected to take that new post in early 2013, if confirmed by the Senate, as had been widely expected. 
The senior defense official who described the case would not say whether the communications between Allen and Kelley involved sexual matters or whether they are thought to include unauthorized disclosures of classified information or any criminal activity. He said he did not know whether Petraeus is mentioned in the emails. 
"Gen. Allen disputes that he has engaged in any wrongdoing in this matter," the official said. He said Allen currently is in Washington. 
Panetta also said he wants the Senate Armed Services Committee to act promptly on Obama's nomination of Gen. Joseph Dunford to succeed Allen as commander in Afghanistan. That nomination was made several weeks ago. Dunford's hearing is also scheduled for Thursday. 
The revelations about Allen are the latest twist in a scandal that has captivated the American public since Petraeus abruptly resigned. 
Fox News confirmed Sunday that the investigation that led to Petraeus' resignation started when Kelley, 37, alerted the FBI about harassing emails, which appeared to be an attempt to blackmail Petraeus, sources said. It was widely reported that Broadwell was behind the emails, but early indications suggested that they might not have come from her. 
However, Fox News confirmed Monday from multiple law enforcement sources that the emails came from multiple dummy accounts, which were traced back to Broadwell. The reason the FBI had jurisdiction is because cyber-harassment is a federal crime, and once the FBI got to Broadwell they uncovered the affair. 
Kelley, a Tampa, Fla., resident who is married with three children, and sister Natalie are close friends of the Petraeus' and spent holidays together. Sources close to the family told Fox News she was not having an affair with Petraeus. 
Kelley has been described as an unpaid social liaison at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., which is headquarters to the U.S. Central Command. She is not a U.S. government employee. 
Kelley issued a statement through Smith and Company, a Washington communications and crisis management firm, before the Allen news broke, asking for privacy. She said she respects Petraeus' privacy and wants the same for her own family. 
Allen, a four-star Marine general, succeeded Petraeus as the top American commander in Afghanistan in July 2011. 
Allen was Deputy Commander of Central Command, based in Tampa, prior to taking over in Afghanistan. He also is a veteran of the Iraq war. 
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/13/top-us-commander-in-afghanistan-gen-john-allen-under-investigation-for-alleged/#ixzz2C6npEzYk

Monday, November 12, 2012

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Former U.S. Prosecutor Negotiating Plea Deal For Jackson Jr.

Former U.S. Prosecutor Negotiating Plea Deal For Jackson Jr. « CBS Chicago

Protect your children. Be informed.

Heroin use rises among young, whites in suburbs


Heroin use is rising sharply among young people in the suburbs, and the Chicago metropolitan area has more heroin-related emergency room visits than New York, Boston or Detroit, according to a study released Thursday by Roosevelt University's Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy.
The study, “Heroin Usage in National and Illinois Perspectives,” found heroin overdose deaths doubled in Lake and Will counties in the past four years.
Heroin-related treatment in Illinois emergency rooms jumped 27 percent for people age 20 or younger between 2008 and 2010, the study reported.
Even though the suburban heroin epidemic has received widespread media attention in recent years, usage continues to increase and expand to new demographic groups, says study co-author and consortium director Kathie Kane-Willis.
“This trend is going to be long and pronounced, and we're still in the midst of it,” she said. “When we first did this study (on heroin) in 2004, we thought, well, this is increasing. But it's continuing to grow, and the rate it's continuing to grow surprises me.”
The trend locally mirrors what is happening around the country, consortium members say. Nationally, the average age of first-time heroin users dropped from 25.5 to 21.3 years old between 2009 and 2010, according to the study. It also found cocaine and methamphetamine use on the decline, while heroin and opiate pain killers are rising.
In Illinois, the consortium identified two distinct groups of heroin users — white people in their teens and 20s, and African-Americans over age 30.
White people entering public treatment facilities for heroin rose 6 percent, while the number of blacks entering treatment dropped by 8 percent, the study found. While heroin use among blacks is trending down, blacks make up 60 percent of those seeking help from public treatment facilities in Illinois, the study reported.
Study co-author Stephanie J. Schmitz, of Schaumburg, said part of what's fueling the heroin problem in the suburbs is that the dangerous drug is easy to get, cheap and can be snorted or smoked instead of injected.
“When you have young users, you have novice users. There's less knowledge about heroin. And you run the risk of overdose being a possibility,” Schmitz said. “The $10,000 question is why. What leads to heroin use, of all things?”
The study proposes solutions, and topping the list is education — of parents, students, police, medical works and others. Consortium members say heroin and opiate pain pills often fall into the “other drugs” category during school programs, but they deserve more attention.
“Everybody needs to know a little bit more about drug use. They're not aware of what drugs do or how they're used, and they're each very different,” Kane-Willis said. “We haven't been particularly honest in our approaches. Sometimes there's a honeymoon period that occurs with drug use. Then they try to stop, and they can't.”

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Neighbors

CHICAGO (FOX Chicago News) -
One more thing, about the death of Chicago Fire Department Captain Herbert Johnson.
The story of his family is a familiar one in this city. Herbie's brother is a Chicago police officer, his sister is a former police officer, their father worked for the city's streets and sanitation department, and his grandfathers were Chicago cops. It's one of the great things about Chicago. So many police and firemen have generations of public service and a love for this great city in their blood.
They are truly caring neighbors.
There are heroes like Herbie Johnson in our midst every day. Sadly it takes a tragedy for most of us to find out about people like him.
How he helped New York's 911 rescue efforts, rescued children from a burning building on the South Side, or that another child wrote Herbie a thank you letter for telling his class what to do during a fire, and helping to save his family's life when they escaped from their burning home.
Our police and fire departments are filled with Herbies, helping people every day. We don't hear much about them. Mostly, we hear about the bad apples on the news, the tiny minority, because--well news, by definition, is something that's not the norm. But the heroes in our midst don't mind if you don't recognize their efforts. They'll tell you it's just their job. Like the motto of the Chicago Fire Department says: "we're here when you need us." Thank God they are.


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Election result

With Obama's re-election America continues to descend down the slippery slope of socialism. 

Friday, November 2, 2012

NYC and Jersey is in trouble.

Queens
There are over 8 million people without power, fuel, water or food. Where is the government? Where is FEMA? Where is the military? There is an aircraft carrier sitting 200 miles off shore. It needs to be brought in to generate electricity. There needs to be an airlift of humanitarian supplies right now! Why is the media not reporting this disaster in the making?
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The lines of New York area motorists scrambling for gasoline lengthened on Friday, as a third day of "panic buying" intensified even as pipelines and oil tankers resumed limited shipments.
The restoration of power to more than half the 8 million homes and businesses knocked out by Hurricane Sandy offered the best hope for boosting fuel supplies. Still, operations remained constrained across the complex New York Harbor network of storage tanks and pipelines. Two New Jersey refineries were still shut, with reports of severe damage at one.
Many service stations lacked the power to accept new fuel, even as tankers began to discharge millions of gallons of gasoline that were stuck offshore four days after Sandy smashed into the U.S. Northeast. As many as three-quarters of the area's filling stations were shut, either because of lack of fuel or a lack of power, by one estimate.
New York City cab driver Mohammad Sultan parked his yellow taxi at Hess station on Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn at midnight on Thursday so he could be first in line when a rumored fuel shipment arrived at 6 a.m.
At 9 a.m., with 180 vehicles behind him, the pumps were still empty. The city's Taxi and Limousine Commission said 24 percent fewer cabs were on the road Friday morning than at the same time last week.
"Because of the gas problem, there are thousands of yellow cabs sitting around wasting time and money," Sultan said.
The lack of fuel -- and of electric power to pump it -- had a noticeable impact on morning travel in the dense New York City and New Jersey area. Traffic through the Lincoln Tunnel was down more than 50 percent, authorities said, despite closure of the Holland Tunnel to the south. Some taxi drivers and frustrated commuters said they chose to stay home rather than search out scarce fuel.
Homes and businesses also needed gasoline and diesel to keep generators running.
Authorities scrambled to address the issue, but without power for pumps and oil tanks, the supply chain cannot work. Some people compared the lines to those that were seen nationwide during the oil crises in the 1970s.
The U.S. government waived the Jones Act barring foreign-flagged vessels from carrying fuel between U.S. ports in a bid to boost supplies from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast. Benchmark gasoline futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) fell 2 percent on the news.
Still, such tankers would not arrive for a week, and could not discharge their cargo without power.

Kelly Burke

Kelly Burke, good for the neighborhood. 
Kadner: ‘Burke Rebellion’ was no revolution - Southtown Star