Illinois Review

Hannity focuses on Obama's church

by Fran Eaton

Wednesday night on Hannity & Colmes' columnist Erik Rush spoke about Barack Obama's Trinity UCC doctrine, something of which Hannity said, "I think we're going to hear a lot more about this. . . "

Finally.  Finally . . . the national media is picking up on something we're been talking about on IR for months.

Two weeks ago,  WVON's Roland Martin invited me to talk about the Chicago Tribune story that first tapped into the topic, ever so lightly. . .

After this short segment, Mr. Martin extended the interview spontaneously into an hour long interview, ending with a surprise call in from Trinity's associate pastor Rev. Otis Moss II. 

We're trying to get the whole interview, but we have the first two segments available.

Download roland_interviews_fran_eaton_seg_1.mp3

Download roland_interviews_fran_eaton_seg_2.mp3

Fixing Medicaid

by Greg Blankenship

Today we released the The Medicaid Fix: Improving Access and Quality Without Breaking the Bank.  It's linked below. 

States have been experimenting with various kinds of health reforms for a couple of years now.  We've seen RomneyCare in MA, Dirigo in ME, and Gov. Blagojevich's expansions of Medicaid on the activist government side of the issue, while we've seen more aggressive market oriented approaches by Gov. Sanford in SC and Gov. Bush in FL.  And let's not forget Arnold in CA, either.

The dichtomy I'm beginning to see is between the more liberal northern state approach and the Southern market oriented approach.  This is good news on the health care front because different states are trying different approaches in addressing health reforms.  Some will do better than others and eventually we will see winners and losers in this competition. 

If you read the Institute's report, we are placing our bet on the southern market oriented approaches.  We see choice and competition as the means by which we get better products and services at lower prices.  We also see it as a way to end welfare dependency and -- albeit at the margins -- begin addressing health care inflation to bring it more in line with inflation in the larger economy (recognizing of course that other drivers technology and labor) are still going to cause inflation in this sector.

The press release is here and here is the full report:  TheMedicaidFix.pdf (application/pdf Object).

'HPV vaccine legislation round-up

by Jill Stanek

The National Conference of State Legislatures has listed all legislation pertaining to the HPV vaccine, including legislation to forbid a mandate.  Here is a wrap-up of the latest actions:

Knowledge Problem: Using Technology and Prices to Empower Electricity Consumers

Cross posted at Spontaneous Solutions

We could use some of this down in Springfield.

Link: Knowledge Problem: Using Technology and Prices to Empower Electricity Consumers.

A Possible Way to Reduce Teen Car Deaths

by Cal Skinner

Osewego does not have to re-invent the wheel. Since 1998, Crystal Lake has figured out a way to induce teens to wear seat belts. A combination of prizes and education has proven successful in increasing seat belt use from 65% to 95%. As Crystal Lake’s Deputy Police Chief Dennis Harris told me,

We have seen almost a 50% increase in seat belt compliance. That 95% is significantly higher than the national average of between 72 and 75%.

Anecdotally, we do believe that the rate of teen accidents and the severity of those accidents has declined. 

And the biggest inducement:

Report from the Free State Project

A report from one of Illinois' own, Scott Bludorn, who has migrated to New Hampshire with the Free State Project. 

From Scott:

The Free State Project's ( FreeStateProject.org ) first annual New Hampshire Liberty Forum just concluded.  The Free State Project exists to coordinate an intentional political migration of limited government activists to a small population state so as to maximize their effectiveness.

Political Promises

By Cal Skinner

Somehow this "Message of the Day" from seems appropriate the day of a Chicago election. I found it on District 300 school board candidate John Ryan's web site, but have no idea where he found it. The sign on the back of a California septic tank pumper truck says,

CAUTION.
Truck may be Transporting
Political Promises!

CDC vaccine chairman opposes HPV vaccine mandate

by Jill Stanek

From today's Washington Times:

The chairman of the federal panel that recommended the new cervical-cancer vaccine for pre-teen girls says lawmakers should not make the inoculation mandatory, as the District and more than 20 states, including Virginia, are considering.

Environmental Hypocrisy

by John Ruskin

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research reported today (see here) that Al Gore, who won an Academy Award Sunday night for his film about global warming and the importance of energy conservation, uses 20 times the national average to power his Nashville mansion. What's more, his use has increased since the release of "An Inconvenient Truth".  The Center says:

Violence of the Left

Below is a video clip of a pro-abortionist attack on a peaceful, pro-life woman.

Warning: some strong language.

Fritchey works toward his Teen Genocide Promotion award

by Jill Stanek

Rep. John Fritchey spoke in circles while trying to defend his legislation that would gut Illinois' parental notice law, as quoted by the State Journal-Register, Feb. 23:

"Judicial bypass is not a way for a minor to get advice on health and safety issues," said Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago, sponsor of the new legislation. "This is about how best to let young girls in a very difficult situation get the support and advice they need."

When a minor girl doesn't talk to a parent before seeking an abortion, Fritchey said, "there's often a very, very good reason for that."

What is the "very, very good reason for that," Rep. Fritchey? 

USA Today features IL Choose Life controversy

by Jill Stanek

Picking up where Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn left off, an editorial in today's USA Today stated:

The Illinois judge is just the latest to state the obvious: Once a state opens the door to using license plates to advocate a cause, it can't slam the door shut because the cause is unpopular or controversial. It's an all-or-nothing situation.

But "nothing" increasingly appears to be the smarter choice.

Shimkus, Biggert Selling Out the Private Ballot? Updated

by Greg Blankenship

Listed below are  some of the Republicans who are being trotted out by the labor unions as supporting "Card Check" legislation to end free elections for unionization.

Americans United for Change and American Rights at Work Series of conference call briefings to urge members of congress to support the "Employee Free Choice Act." Schedule:

IL abortion stats rising - in time for abortion free-for-all

by Jill Stanek

These are dark days indeed for the sanctity of life in IL.  Now that liberals have taken over the General Assembly, the other side is engaged in a free-for-all - introducing every bill it has ever dreamed. 

I've always thought that while abortion proponents outwardly cursed us, they inwardly appreciated our voice of reason.  Well, that voice of reason is now being shouted down.  Illinois' abortion industry on on the verge of abortion nirvana.

Meanwhile, where are the 2005 abortion statistics, the gauge whereby we truly know the death toll of abortion in IL?  It is six months overdue.

I called the IL Department of Public Health this morning.  There is bad news and bad news.

Who Is Running The Cook County Republican Party - Or - Ah, What Party

By Lee Newcom

The incredible lack of leadership ability in people purporting to lead the Republican Party in this state is astonishing.  I keep thinking it will get better, then something even more stupid than I thought possible happens. 

I have to admit, I listened to the Don and Roma show on WLS this morning in stunned disbelief at what I was hearing.  I don't know, maybe it's living down here, 100 miles south in the cornfields that affects my judgment.  Maybe we country folk just don't understand those really intelligent people up there. Or, maybe the results of industrial pollution up there over the last 100 years really has affected the genetic makeup of the brains of people.  Certainly, that seemed to be the case from what I heard.

Let's have a little exercise in how to run a political party.  . .

Gatto's 12 Reflections on an Educated Person

by Fran Eaton

Former NY Teacher of the Year John Taylor Gatto always causes one to think outside the box on the topic of education.  A friend pointed me to this great piece available on line.  It's great to see Mr. Gatto still in the battle.  He, Marshall Fritz and Cathy Duffy are the most creative educational minds I've ever had the privilege to meet. 

Enjoy a sample of Gatto's writings:

Merck's HPV Plan Backfires

Houston Chronicle's Nick Anderson comments on Merck's backfired lobbying plan to mandate their HPV vaccine to all 11 year old girls.

Trial Lawyer Agenda Begins To Unfold In Statehouse: Here Are Two Bills That Should Be Defeated

by Ed Murnane

The Illinois General Assembly got down to serious business this past week and the anti-business, anti-insurance and anti-medicine agenda of the personal injury trial lawyers began to take shape.

Two bills (of many expected) are on the agenda for the Senate Judiciary (Civil) Committee this week.  They could be called Wednesday or held over until later but they will be considered and likely passed out of the Committee before the March 15 Senate committee deadline.

The first (SB 747) is sponsored by Sen. Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park.  Harmon frequently carries the personal injury trial lawyers' water and fights their battles. This bill, similar to one sponsored during the last General Assembly, has been dubbed the "plaintiffs' windfall bill."  It would allow compensation to plaintiffs and their lawyers for amounts that were not actually lost.

For example, if a hospital bills a patient (the plaintiff) $6,000 for care and services, but agrees to accept $5,000 because of an agreement it might have with Blue Cross/Blue Shield or some other insurer, SB 747 would require that the defendant pay $6,000, the full amount originally billed, even though that amount was not paid (or lost) by the plaintiff.   The legislation does not require that the plaintiff receiving this windfall pay the extra recovery to the provider of the medical service.

HPV Vaccine & Circumcision-Relative Publicity

by Cal Skinner

As I was reading the Chicago Tribune while waiting for my swim conference-bound son to finish a two-hour practice, I read an article on page 14 entitled, "AIDS risk lower than thought for circumcised". Maybe it got better play in the New York Times, where the story by Donald G. McNeil Jr.originated, but page 14 in the Tribune struck me as not good enough. Especially when put into juxtaposition with the coverage given Merck’s “Gardisil” HPV inoculations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which I have been calling the Centers for the Spread of Disease since about 1989, say that vaccinated will be protected against 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, still somehow director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, is quoted in the story thusly,

If we had an AIDS vaccine that was performing as well as this, it would be the talk of the town.

What’s the news you probably haven’t read?

Circumcision reduces a man’s risk (of becoming HIV-infected) by as much as 65%

Seems like the Bible has some good advice quite early on.

The Source of the GRT/Tax Problem(s)

by Bruno Behrend

Greg Blankenship of the Illinois Policy Institute, just put up a post sounding the dangers of a "Gross Receipts Tax (GRT). "  Given that I'm getting to be more and more of an agnostic on the ideological hodge-podge of debating one form of tax over another, I'm less interested in what form at tax takes than I am in seeing either a freeze or reduction in taxation - particularly in Illinois.  I asked Greg for some sources of information on the effects of a GRT and he sent me to the Tax Foundation, where I found this...

Mainstream media: Googlephobic on human cloning

by Jill Stanek

I realize dissecting the topic of human cloning may be tough for my mainstream media friends, but really, the following are displays of terrible journalism regarding the state Senate's passage of a human embryonic stem cell/human cloning experimentation bill last week.

Chicago Tribune reporters Ray Long and Rick Pearson reported this on Feb. 23:

The bill also would outlaw human cloning.

Chicago Sun-Times reporter Dave McKinney said this Feb. 24:

Schoenberg's legislation would... ban human cloning.

In the State Journal-Register on Feb. 22, Dana Heupel reported:

Legislation advancing Wednesday in the Illinois Senate would promote research into all types of stem cells - including embryonic - while banning human cloning.

These reporters are taking the bill sponsors' word for it, which is sloppy if not slanted.  Easily spotted on page 1 of the bill, lines 10-11, is that "somatic cell nuclear transplantation" will be permitted.

All one has to do is google "somatic cell nuclear transplantation" and "cloning" to see almost 1 million sources explaining they are one and the same.

Kirk Dillard's mean "maker"

by Jill Stanek

My Bible doesn't list the 5th Commandment as, "Thou shalt not murder unless the victim is away from home," or "Thou shalt not murder unless you are beating someone else to it."

So I became confused when reading Sen. Kirk Dillard's excuse in the Daily Herald on Feb. 24 for voting for taxpayer funded human embryonic stem cell/human cloning research in IL:

Noting that there is a difference between naturally and lab-created embryos, the source for most stem cell research, Sen. Kirk Dillard said it is counterintuitive to discard cells that could save lives.

“They go into the public sewer system,” the Hinsdale Republican said. “I really believe that my maker would want me use these embryos to sustain and improve human life.”

Although I'm unfamiliar with the "maker" Dillard' serves - one who condones human sacrifice - I am familiar with the Maker also known as the God of the Bible, and He had this to say, which would seem to suit this occasion well:

Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side - leaders who permit injustice by their laws?  They attack the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. ~ Psalm 94:20-21

It's a good thing Dillard doesn't believe in this Maker, because if so, he wouldn't like vs. 23.

Cross/Schoenberg change definition of "cloning"... again

by Jill Stanek

That Sen. Jeff Schoenberg and Rep. Tom Cross changed the definition of "cloning" in their current embryonic stem cell research bills from previous versions should give honest liberal supporters pause for thought.  Scientific definitions are not subjective.  Is it possible we are right that they are engaging in deceptive word play to legalize taxpayer-funded human cloning without the public knowing?

New definition of cloning in HB318 and SB0004:

to transfer to a uterus or attempt to transfer to a uterus anything other than the product of fertilization of an egg of a human female by a sperm of a human male for the purpose of initiating a pregnancy that could result in the creation of a human fetus or the birth of a human being.

GRT Roundup

by Greg Blankenship

Lot's of stuff on the Gross Receipts tax today.  PJStar.com business editor Paul Gordon notes that  business groups are circling the wagon:

"If the leaks were meant to let the governor's office test the waters on how it would be received, it will have no doubts about how hot that water will be.

"This would be a bad, bad tax. It's the kind of anti-business policy that sends up the wrong kind of signal - a signal that investing in business is costly in Illinois," said Doug Whitley, president of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. "It would affect every large manufacturer and every small business in the state and drive some of them right out of business."

"This would be the absolute death knell to manufacturing in Illinois," said Greg Baise, president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association.

Strong words for what still is speculation. The governor's office hasn't discussed it. But Whitley and Baise both said signs indicate Blagojevich will propose a Gross Receipts Tax in a couple weeks.

"I think he will have a very difficult time selling this. He'll have a fight on his hands if he proposes this," said Whitley, whose organization adopted a position paper opposing the tax way back on Dec. 8, when it became clear the GRT proposal was at least a strong possibility.

Prez Candidate Hunter to Speak at DuPAge GOP Lincoln Day Dinner

WHEATON — DuPage County Republican Chairman Senator Kirk Dillard today announced that Congressman Duncan Hunter, ranking member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee  and a candidate for President in 2008 will be a featured speaker at the Party’s 46^th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner being held on Friday, March 2, 2007.

Gore's "Inconvenient Truth" wins

Think conservatives are paranoid about the state's radical political climate change, bringing on a liberal legislation avalanche?  It could yet be another "inconvenient truth."

Let's just say traditionalists should all be on notice that the state's liberal agenda tsunami could be tied to the Earth's global warming crisis and meltdown of polar caps.

Former Vice-President Al Gore's Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" wouldn't lie.

Link: Gore's Inconvenient Truth wins documentary Oscar | Reuters.

"My fellow Americans, people all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis," Gore said after taking the stage.

"It's not a political issue, it's a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started with the possible exception of the will to act. That's a renewable resource. Let's renew it."

To steal from Gore (something that happened once before in 2000), conservatives should just dig in and solve the liberal agenda climate crisis.  It takes only  renewing the will to act.

Expected liberal avalanche breaks loose

If anyone thought the liberals in the Illinois General Assembly would be reasonable and nice in their new and stronger majority, here's a taste of what our state lawmakers face this week:

• Expanding human embryo experimentation
• Lowering compulsory school attendance age
• Requiring HPV vaccine for 11 year olds
• Establishing gay marriage in Illinois
• UPDATE:  Gutting parental notification before abortion before it is enacted (With the help of  pro-abort GOP state reps Mulligan, Coulson, Lindner and Beaubien)
• Setting up mental health screenings for expectant mothers (Why is Republican conservative Sen. Matt Murphy co-sponsoring this intrusive bill?)
• Statewide ban on smokers (Why are Republican senators Radogno, Sieben and Cronin on this big government proposal?)
• Doubling the number of gambling facilities throughout the state
• UPDATE:  Hearing testimony on utility rate hikes to send electric bills skyrocketing

and more . . .

Rep. Leitch Proposes Nanny-State Idea

Check out Republican Rep. David Leitch's nanny-state idea for new drivers (story here).

With a $106,000,000,000 pension liability, you think these guys (especially Republicans) would have better things to do with their time. Apparently not. Leitch prefers to fiddle while Rome is burning. Like Jimmy Carter taking policy advise from his daughter Amy, Rep. Leitch takes stupid ideas from do-gooder constituents.

Between Tom Cross's 102 ideas campaign, and Leitch's "let's enact the dumb ideas from my constituents", the Republican Party is truly devoid of leadership.

God help us.

Madigan's Plan to Stick It To Suburbanites

by Cal Skinner

I don’t know why it took so long to figure out that House Speaker Mike Madigan has plans for suburban tollway motorists to finance his version of the Crosstown Expressway. The scheme struck me Sunday night when I was reading Chicago Tribune transportation reporter John Hilkevitch’s article entitled, "New Crosstown project has key difference—tolls".

Back in the 1970’s Glencoe Democratic Party State Representative Harold Katz passed a bill, which I was pleased to support, requiring that any new tollway pay its own way. This law, of course, was repealed by DuPage County legislators when they wanted to build I-355. So, toll tax payers on the Tri-State, the Northwest and the East-West Tollway have been forced to subsidize the old 355, as well as its extension into Will County.

Who cares that Northwest Tollway, Tri-State and DuPage portion users of the East-West motorists have paid for their road more than once? Madigan obviously plans to use this Pate Philip technique to build the Crosstown. Why not? It’s free money, isn’t it? And suburbanites won’t raise a stink.

There too busy earning money to continue paying tolls that should have been abolished decades ago.

Some Policy Proposals

A friend recently sent me some policy proposals. They consists of two plans: A and B

Plan A:

The Democrats and their radical environmentalist friends want us to cut the amount of gas we use. The best way to stop using so much gas is to deport 11+ million illegal aliens. That would be 11+ million less people using fossil fuels. Demand would drop, the price of gas would come down, and the environment would be cleaner.

Plan B

Bring our troops home from Iraq to guard the border. When they catch an illegal alien crossing the border, hand him a canteen, rifle and some ammo and ship him to Iraq. Tell him if he wants to come to America then he must serve a tour in the military. Give him a soldier's pay while he's there and tax him on it.

After his tour, he will be allowed to become a citizen since he defended this country. He will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal patriot. This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the troops in Iraq and the aliens trying to make a better life for themselves.

If hey refuse to serve, ship them to Iraq anyway, without the canteen, rifle or ammo.

Problem solved.

Most Googled IR post: Hey ladies, wanna sell your eggs?

One of Illinois Review's most Googled posts "Hey ladies, wanna sell your eggs?" was posted in March 2006.  A year ago, USA Today wrote about university women selling their eggs for $25,000:

Beautiful and smart college age women are being lured by university paper ads into donating their eggs for up to $25,000, USA Today writes.

This phenomenon is exploding with the need for fertilized egss to be used in embryonic stem cell research.

From the story:

The pressure on college students — the most coveted donors — is likely to grow. A sharp increase in embryonic stem-cell research programs across the USA in the past year created a new market for more donors as scientists use eggs to find medical cures.

The Spy from Illinois

By Mark Rhoads

It has been our custom to feature people in the Illinois Hall of Fame who might be considered positive role models for some group.  I have avoided famous criminals such as Al Capone and his like.  But as a media and cultural curiosity, some of you might find this item interesting if you recently have seen or plan to see the movie Breach. Actor Chris Cooper stars in this tension-filled movie about the final days before the 2001 arrest of Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who sold vital American secrets to the Russians even after the fall of the Soviet Union.  You might find the movie more interesting if you know that unfortunately, this traitor was born and raised in Illinois.

Hanssen was born in 1944 in Chicago and was the son of a Chicago police officer.  He graduated from Taft High School in 1962.  He earned his B.A. in chemistry from Knox College in Galesburg in 1966 and went on to receive and MBA from Northwestern University in 1971.  Hanssen was raised as a Lutheran but converted to the Roman Catholic Church.  The movie's producers make much of the fact that he attended Latin mass and was involved with Opus Dei.  Whatever motives he may have had for his treason, he was a person who led a double life.  This is not an effort to start an Illinois Hall of Shame.  We have already profiled more than 200 Illinoisans who represent the overwhelming majority of Illinoisans who are hard-working and loyal Americans.  But the harm Hanssen inflicted on our country was enormous and his Illinois background is an interesting foot note.  If you can stand the tension for two hours, it is an entertaining movie.

Wisdom needed in making stem cell laws

by Fran Eaton

On Friday, the Illinois Senate voted 35 to 23 in favor of embryo experimentation.  State Rep. Tom Cross plans to call the bill for a vote in our Illinois House this week.  If it passes as it has in the past in our Illinois House, the bill will be signed into law by an eager Governor. 

Today's Star column calls once again for our Illinois lawmakers to exercise caution and display wisdom in this crucial vote . . .

Illinois lawmakers are being asked to make a moral call similar to one Solomon faced in Old Testament days. You remember King Solomon, one of history’s wisest men. Two women were fighting over a baby, both insisting the infant was hers. Solomon settled the dispute by threatening to slice the baby in half. The baby’s real mother instinctively gave over her little one rather than have him die. Wise Solomon immediately recognized who was more committed to the child’s welfare and awarded the baby to that mother.

A modern version of this story is being played out in our Illinois Legislature. This time the “baby” is incredibly tiny, even microscopic. This new life is less than eight weeks old - an embryo. The question our legislators face is whether to allow tiny humans to be experimented upon for the greater good of potentially helping other humans through embryonic stem cell research.

Link: THE STAR :: OAK FOREST :: Fran Eaton :: Wisdom needed in making stem cell laws.

"And the winner is . . ."

From Tallahasee Democrat's  Doug Marlett's pen . .

Obama: Styx' Mr. Roboto?

There's a rumor going around that Styx prophesied the appearing of Barack Obama in their 80's classic "Mr. Roboto."

From the Action Adventure website: 

You can decide for yourself whether this theory means anything or not. However, I’ll leave you with one more eerie parallel. The band Styx formed together in Chicago, IL. in 1961. Barack Obama was born that same year, and today serves as senator from that same city.

Well, it makes you think, doesn't it?

For your reference, "Mr Roboto" lyrics are:

Link: Action Adventure Homepage.

What will happen to those "unused" tiny humans?

by Fran Eaton

A question raised over and over in Illinois stem cell research debate this week was, "Okay, we agree that life begins at conception.  But what do we do with those thousands of embryos frozen in labs?  Rather than being flushed into the sewer system, shouldn't we use them to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's or spinal cord injuries?"

Two things:  One, there's not that many "unused" viable human embryos available for medical research and two, the shortage of available, unused embryos has already created a market for human eggs.

Stem Cell Bill Too Controversial

by Cal Skinner

Two instances in one week where citizen pressure made a difference in public policy formation! First the McHenry County Republican Cat Tax and now a stem-cell research vote.

Wow!

(Sorry for the college verbiage, but I have taught state and local government at Rockford and Harper Colleges in years past and sometimes lapse into "classroom speak.")

If you even wonder whether McHenry County’s Republican State Senator Pam Althoff will listen to her constituents, take a look at what is under the Senator’s picture on the front page of today’s Northwest Herald.

It says, “Program is too controversial.”

"Amazing Grace" is a must-see for discouraged political activists

by Fran Eaton

Two hundred years ago yesterday, February 23, Britain voted to end slave transportation.  The date was marked by the film release of "Amazing Grace," about the life and mission of abolitionist leader William Wilberforce.

Every activist compelled to make a difference for his or her cause needs to see "Amazing Grace."  The film beautifully explains how and why Wilberforce withstood twenty years of  overwhelming discouragement and defeat to ultimately accomplish his life's calling.  It also reveals how his fellow visionaries and confidantes were indispensible along the way.

Seeing this film, co-produced by television actress Patricia Heaton, was the perfect way to spend the evening after 35 state senators expressed overwhelming support to "formalize" Governor Blagojevich's embryo killing fields in Illinois.

Go see "Amazing Grace" this weekend.  Once a slave trader, John Newton's sacred confession which became the hymn "Amazing Grace's" compelling lyrics, "I once was blind, but now I see,"   poignantly conveys the hope we -- who believe life begins at conception -- hold dear for our state and nation.

John Fritchey and amazing grace

by Jill Stanek

John Fritchey and I engaged in an email exchange a couple weeks ago that brought him as close as possible to understanding the consequences of his bill to gut parental notice in IL.

I prayed John would fully grasp his bill’s ramifications if he had been duped by Planned Parenthood. I prayed he would do the right thing and back off.

But John did not. And he was not duped. He said during the House committee hearing this week he understood some of the “counselors” his bill would allow aside from parents were Planned Parenthood agents at the abortion mill.

First, We Should Do No Harm

(Delivered by Senator Chris Lauzen in the Illinois State Senate on 2/23/07 in opposition to SB4)

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In this proposal, we will legalize spending an open-ended commitment of taxpayer funds to conduct controversial and speculative embryonic stem cell research.

The Civic Committee of Commercial Club has recently made the case that Illinois is insolvent considering only its current obligations. Now our attention and taxpayer funds are being diverted from education, property taxes, safe transportation, and reduction of pervasive corruption by seductive promises of cures for diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and even cancer.

I support privately-funded stem cell research that does not destroy innocent human life. I am sponsoring SJR4 to that end. Obviously, we all want cures for diseases; the question is, "What are we willing to sacrifice to get them?"

Why Normal People Don't Run for Office

I decided to run for the Champaign Unit #4 school board because I was tired of complaining in my columns and to others of my dissatisfaction with Unit 4. I ran to try to be part of the solution, not to be another pundit engaging in a blog B&W session. For this, I have been rewarded with being accused of 83 felonies that carry a maximum penalty of 457 years in prison and that's not even counting the misdemeanors.

It's not that I have a problem with Mr. Brayfield challenging my petitions. It's not a problem that he sees problems with the school board and is trying to do what "one man can do" to help fix it. It's that his attacks are personal, destructive, and undemocratic.

A Message from Eileen Byrne: What She's Doing and Her Future

Hello! First of all, it's nice to talk to you again...I am still here in Chicago and, in spite of the nasty bout of cold weather, I'm planning on staying!

Thank you all for your lovely notes and letters of support. Especially to Lee Newcom who started the post and brought back some wonderful memories in Bloomington. I want to especially thank him for his encouragement and friendship both on the Illinois Review page and off. The thing that has struck me the most in the two months that I've been off the airwaves is how much people do care. And, sadly, you find out how little people care too...once you are no longer perhaps in a position that can benefit them.

Should HPV vaccine opponents be insulted?

Yesterday, the State Journal-Register's editorial board chimed in their support for the HPV vaccine and blasted HPV vaccine opponents as using "puritanical politics."

I suppose that's supposed to be an insult. . .

The opponents demanding Halvorson’s sexual history want to paint her as responsible for contracting a virus that is spread through sexual contact. They want to make the case that this vaccine is not needed if we all just “behave” and stay “pure.” Such an implication is disgusting and dangerous.

It went on . . .

An effective vaccine for a virus most of us will contract is now available. Would we be arguing against this vaccine if the disease were polio or whooping cough? Women should not die, or suffer other maladies, due to puritanical politics.

Forgive me if this is confusing, but it is.  Who could ever take seriously an editorial board that mocks high ethical standards?  This editorial must be a spoof.  There's simply no other explanation.

What the Northwest Herald Considers Inappropriate in Letters to the Editor

by Cal Skinner

I read a comment that Cary Grade School member Chris Jenner made about his letter to the editor of the Northwest Herald being edited and was so amused, I thought I would share it with you.

Use the link above to read what the NW Herald published.  Here is the Jenner's original letter:

To the Editor:

State Rep. Mary Flowers (C-31st) recently introduced HB382, which would make it state law that school children wash their hands before eating. I'm not anti-hygiene, but where does government nannying stop?

Commentary on the Gross Receipts Tax

One of the bone headed things I've seen come down the pike in a long time -- the Gross Receipts tax. 

Link: Article Illinois Policy Institute.

Two life votes reveal legislators' mettle

by Fran Eaton

Yesterday in the Illinois House Human Services committee, only two Republicans stood firm in a hostile environment, affirming the value of preborn humans -- State Rep. Patti Bellock (R-Hinsdale) and State Rep. Paul Froehlich (R-Schaumburg).  They should be congratulated.

In an overwhelming 6 to 2 vote, State Rep. John Fritchey successfully passed HB 317, which would remove the rights of parents to know their minor daughters were undergoing an abortion.  While Illinois' 1995 parental notification law is still not in effect, Fritchey is pre-empting parental involvement by making it possible for grandparents, adult siblings, a clery member or even a counselor at a Planned Parenthood abortion-providing clinic to suffice as a notification recipient.   

More to come on this. . .

Statistics, Damn Statistics and Politicians

By Ralf Seiffe

One of the mystics of our democracy, Karen Yarborough, (Nanny, Maywood) told the State Journal-Register that eight people per day die of second-hand smoke in Illinois. She made this observation in support of her bill that would ban smoking in all Illinois workplaces including bars and tobacconists.  I am sure she believes this figure is true but a discriminating public should think twice.

Cisco Cotto: Some Nice Thoughts on Eileen Byrne

By Lee Newcom

A few weeks ago when Eileen Byrne left WLS radio I wrote a post HERE about her. To date, it is the most commented on post by our readers ever, with over 100 comments, most very nice.  One of the latest is by her friend and former WLS newsman, Cisco Cotto, now the morning drive time (5-9 AM) host with Big John Howell on WIND 560 AM Chicago.  I just thought I might share Cisco's words with you here on the main page:

Thanks to everyone who has posted so many nice things here over the past few months. I've talked to Eileen several times and she's doing well. She's busy planning her wedding and after that she'll focus on her next move. Maybe it will be radio...maybe it will be working on a political campaign. Who knows? The important thing is her spirits are high and she is as optimistic as ever.

Also a special thanks to those of you who have given us a try at 560 AM WIND. It is still a work in progress, but we are having fun and trying to improve every day.

Eileen let us know she will be posting her own greeting in the next few days.   Congrats Cisco Cotto  and John Howell for a great new show on WIND also.  I had the pleasure of meeting them a couple of weeks ago and they are every bit as fun and friendly in person as the show.

Confession: I am Not a Platform Republican

by Charlie Johnston

A friend told me that Ash Wednesday services were rather uncomfortable this year. The priest was dogmatic and on a tirade, demanding that everyone behave just like 50 years ago or don't bother at all. My friend was expecting the priest to tell them all, "If you're not a Platform Catholic, you can just get out." I started howling with laughter.

The term, Platform Republican, is the latest by which some conservatives identify themselves. The problem is that platforms don't create Republicans; Republicans create platforms. A platform is not a dicta telling Republicans what to think; it is a quadrennial effort by Republicans to tell the public in general terms what they think. (Of course, the same device is used by almost all parties, major and minor. For the purpose of this article I'm only concerned with Republican platforms).

When drafting a platform, usually not even all members of the drafting committee agree with every tenet of the final product. Are they all heretics? And if the platform they draft is, in any particular, different from the platform it replaced, aren't they heretics for not having given fealty to the previous platform? And which platform are we supposed to worship, the state or the national one? In areas in which the two platforms are not in conformity are we in schism?

When the old Illinois Republican platform approved of abortion, but merely opposed taxpayer funding of it, was I obliged to agree or get out? If the next platform reverts back to the same language I might not cease to be a Republican, but I sure won't cease to be pro-life. If the next platform adopts some moderate, or even leftist, clauses, will the people who style themselves 'Platform Republicans' suddenly become born-again moderates?

Of course these are absurd questions - but only because the term, Platform Republican, is based on an absurd premise. Each Republican will continue to think for himself and try to elevate some of that thinking into successive versions of the platform, which attempt to portray contemporaneous Republican thinking, not command it.

I AM a Platform Catholic, but am only a conservative Republican, which I shall remain whatever any current or future version of the platform has to say on the matter. So if you are not a Platform Republican, don't get too exorcised over it. Neither am I. And the punishment, much as some elements might prefer otherwise, is not excommunication.

No Terrorist Threat?

Michael Moore once said that there is no terrorist threat. As we all know he is a complete idiot. But there are still some out there, though not agreeing with Moore, feel that the threat is minimal. I suggest you watch the short presentation Islamic Mein Kampf and remind yourself of the reasons we fight in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other clandestine parts of the world.

We have a short attention span and even shorter memories. Let this be a reminder that the war on terror won't end once the troops come home.