New Book, "Piss 'Em All Off," Promises Just That

Former aldermanic candidate Don Gordon is now an author. He lost to Joe Moore in a vicious run-off election in April, 2007 up in Chicago's 49th Ward. Gordon learned a lot during that nightmarish experience, and now shares some of his knowlegde in a new book. I love the title, "Piss 'Em All Off... and other practices of the effective citizen." Gordon was something of a community activist himself before running for alderman (his main issue has always been preservation of the lakefront, especially along his beloved Rogers Park neighborhood on Chicago's north side). Author Gordon will be signing copies of his new book and answering questions this coming weekend on both Saturday, October 9 from 10:00 am to Noon and also on Sunday, October 10 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. WHERE: Charmers Cafe, 1500 W. Jarvis (at Greenview) in Rogers Park, Chicago. (Very little street parking, but a short 1/2 block from the Jarvis CTA Red Line station.) The book is described by Gordon as an effort to closely examine "the five practices of being an effective citizen, showing that they are simple, require little of our time, and make a dramatic difference in how government responds." Is he talking about the Tea Party? No, not intentionally, anyway. Gordon is not a Tea Partier, but like many self-described "Democrats" he shares many of their values. Like many of those Democrats, he probably wouldn't admit this. Even so, Don Gordon is a bright man with a likable personality (I've gotten drunk with him on more than one occasion) and it would be well worth your while to meet him and check out his book. Gordon sounds Tea Party-ish in his recent media release, in which he poses these questions: "Tired of getting screwed over by a government that's out of touch? Weary of corrupt and incompetent politicians who make things worse? Frustrated by a political system that works only for the well-connected? Well don't give up! Our democracy is indeed failing, but it's you and I who are responsible. Only we can make a difference, and only if we take the time to do what is necessary. What we need is a guide that explores the practices of effective citizenship. This book is that guide." We need all the informed advice we can get these days in our troubled republic, and Don Gordon is more informed than most. But I can't help urging you to remind my friend Mr. Gordon that he should attend one or two Tea Party rallies. He would, I think, find a lot of common ground there. More about the book and the book signing here...

Busted: SEIU Violating Election Law, 2007

I thought it would be a good time to revisit a polling place violation by some SEIU member during the 2007 Aldermanic run-off election in Chicago's 49th Ward. Incumbent Joe Moore was heavily supported by SEIU and ACORN. Here are photos that I took of some SEIU people inside of a polling place on election day, taping up flyers and talking to people as they came through the entrance. When they realized that I was on to them, they left, then yelled at me that I must have been imagining things. I guess my camera has a vivid imagination. Cool Hats & Shirts for Cool Conservatives Leave a Comment... Chicago News Bench RSS Feed We're on Twitter...

Happy Birthday, Mister Gordon

Today is the birthday of Don Gordon, long-time resident of Rogers Park, Chicago. Wishing you all the best, Don, and many happy returns! Here are a few b-day videos for you . . . Chicago News Bench RSS Feed CommieBama Hats and More

NHRP: Odd Man Out

* Neighbors for a Healthy Rogers Park Dissolved is one of many blog posts you'll see about this in the coming weeks. "Neighbors for a Healthy Rogers Park" is a fraud, but has been presenting itself as a legit non-profit, charitable organization for some time now, especially during the current fracas over the Gale Community Center and the NHRP-favored installation of a Boys and Girls Club there. The NHRP, which Alderman Joe Moore loves to cite as some magnificent organization, is actually not a registered non-profit with Illinois. The state dissolved them on May 9, 2008. That's why, as The Bench noted on July 11, their "How to Donate" page was under construction. They cannot legally accept donations - unless they want to pay personal income taxes on the monies as personal income. But here's the kicker: They will try to reform, but only two of the original board members (Jim Ginderske, Francis Scudellari, Tom Westgard) will remain on the board. Mechanics liens attorney Thomas J. Westgard, The Bench is told, was tossed overboard. Odd man Westgard is out. Back on July 11, The Bench wrote this: Their "How to Donate" page is mysteriously "under construction." Their "Who We Are" page does not tell us who they are.Who ARE these people? The only person whose name is revealed in the web site is Jim Ginderske. He is identified as "Jim Ginderske, a Director with the Neighbors group" in a Sept. 11, 2007 press release. His name appears on a total of five of the pages (see list below), but even this "Director's" name is not on the "Who We Are" page. In fact, nobody's name appears on that page. Now why is that? Yup. Saw it coming, we did. Westgard likes to call Don Gordon, a former aldermanic candidate, a man who never sees a project through to completion. Westgard, the attorney, failed to file an annual report with the state, thus resulting in the dissolution of NHRP. Don Gordon gets the last laugh.

Don Gordon Is Angry

And you should be, too. The yutz who "won" the 49th Ward Aldermanic runoff election nearly a year ago is not protecting our precious lakefront. The guy who lost to him, however, is doing everything he can to champion the cause and protect the 49th Ward. From: Donald Gordon Subject: North Shore School Demolition Update Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 On Monday morning, March 10th, I am going down to the Department of Planning to determine whether the demolition of the North Shore School can be stopped because the demolition appears to be in violation of the Lakefront Protection Ordinance. I'm seeking to intercede on behalf of many residents who would like to see the building preserved and put to better use than being yet another parking lot on our lakefront. My perspective on this is as much to insure that we not allow the Lakefront Protection Ordinance to be violated as it is to protect the property. Anyone wishing to join me, please email me at fit4life@the-gordon-family.net and I'll give you details on time and place. If you have a blog, web site or email list please post. Also, if you have the opportunity, don't forget about this coming Thursday evening at Loyola Park: Thursday, March 13: Park planning charrette (group meeting) for lakefront from Devon to Howard, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Loyola Park sponsored by Friends Of The Park. RELATED: LAKEFRONT REVOLT IN ROGERS PARK * Are "Stop Private Encroachment" Meaningless Words to Joe Moore?

Don Gordon's Next Move

The former candidate for Chicago City Council and long-time resident of Rogers Park has not been slacking off. In fact, he and others are busy planning to revolutionize the retail food industry, as Don Gordon details in his own words: As a few of you know, since the election challenge came to an abrupt end last August, I've been working on a business plan for a new concept in food stores. It's kept me pretty much in "hibernation" and certainly has taken all of my attention, but I wanted to at least let all of you who worked so hard in my campaign or lent me your support know what I'm up to at this time. I won't go into the details at this point other than to say that there will be nothing like what we're putting together and that it will be a very exciting retail experience that will forever change the way people shop for food. From the presentation of the store layout to the "check-out" process, our customers will be immersed in a smarter way to purchase their food. It also leverages my life-long addiction to health and fitness by bringing the whole aspect of wellness into the concept ("shop smart, eat right, live well"). Of course being a long-time community activist, we've also incorporated a neighborhood development aspect to the business as well - our focus at first for locating the stores will be throughout Chicago's 77 communities. And yes, there will be bleeding edge technology components to the business - 25 years managing technology projects taught me a little about that. :-) There are three partners involved at this point, including myself, but we're looking for one more. We need to bring on board a partner who has a long history in the retail grocery business and well versed in the management of all aspects of running a store. Though all 3 of us have had experience in the grocery industry in the past (combined 40 years), we need to have a partner who will be focused on the store management aspect of the business and who has been working in the industry more recently. If you know someone, or someone who knows someone (currently working or retired) with this kind of background and who's at the stage in their life that they want to do something that not only will be personally rewarding but also present an opportunity to change the face of the retail food industry, then please let me know. I'd love to talk to them. Finally, if you're simply interested in knowing more about this project and the investment opportunities associated with this start-up endeavor, I'd be more than happy to discuss that as well. I'll have a final business plan done by end of February, at which point I'll be hitting the streets making presentations. You can email me at fit4life@the-gordon-family.net. I hope the new year finds all of you well and that 2008 will be good for everyone. I'll be busy working on getting our new business launched so we can open by Spring of '09 and in the interim hopefully landing a few teaching engagements at one of the local universities. Evidently aldermanic campaign experience, especially the candidate's, is worthy of a Political Science Department's interest. Hope to hear from you, even if it's just to say hello. Sincerely, Don Gordon

The Fat Lady's Encore

It was just a few weeks ago that an overly cocky Alderman Joe Moore (Chicago, 49th Ward) said that the "fat lady has not only sung, she's left the stage." He was referring to the recently sidetracked - if not derailed - challenge from challenger Don Gordon.

Gordon lost to Moore in the April 17 runoff election by less than 260 votes. Gordon challenged the validity of hundreds of Moore's votes. Bloggers had pictures of Moore breaking election laws. Dozens upon dozens of witnesses have stories of the same. Then, mysteriousy, the judge in the Gordon challenge did a fast lane switch and roared down an exit ramp.

So Moore made light of the expression, "It ain't over til the fat lady sings." She may have left the stage, but it seems she might respond to powerful request for an encore.

The Chicago Tribune reported today that there is a city-wide investigation into recent aldermanic voting. According to the Trib:

Ald. Bernard Stone (50th) said Tuesday that the city's inspector general isinvestigating absentee ballots cast in the election earlier this year that returned him to the City Council for a 10th term in a probe that Stone contended "is occurring all over the city of Chicago.

"All over?" Bernie Stone, a well connected man, says so. Don Gordon has been smiling a lot lately. I mean, a lot. Now, perhaps, we know why.

The Trib continued with more of Bernie Stone: "Some of you aldermen had better be advised that [Inspector General David Hoffman] is going all over different wards in this city issuing subpoenas to various people in this city," Stone said at a meeting of the council's Budget Committee. "I didn't know whether he had authority to do that, but he's doing it."

Hoffman (photo, above left) has a reputation as a reformer and a watchdog. He was appointed as the city's Inspector General on October 25, 2005, less than two years ago. An August 5, 2007 article in the Sun-Times noted that "Two years ago, Mayor Daley asked a former federal prosecutor who specialized in hunting down street gangs to root out City Hall corruption from within."

Sing, fat lady, sing.

READ MORE about City of Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman

City sets up 800 line for informants...

City Council To Consider A City Hiring Watchdog

City starts inquiry of absentee ballots

Daley's new hiring office moves ahead

V.O.T.E.R. 49

I tried to get over to the V.O.T.E.R 49 event on Saturday, July 28 but some personal business prevented me from leaving home. Fortunately, Kheris (The Living Room in Rogers Park blog) has good coverage in her report. Excerpts: OK -- I'm In I went to the V.O.T.E.R 49 bash at Michael Harrington's place this afternoon. While the turnout was not overwhelming, it is a committed group of people. ....Don [Gordon's] legal team is seeking the envelopes from the nursing home votes....There is information suggesting that the envelopes were not properly handled, including meeting the requirement to be in the judge's possession. Those of you familiar with criminal trials know about "chain of custody." This sounds similar. FULL POST...

49th Ward Failure to Communicate

A "bill of particulars"... Confusion in the 49th Ward, how typical of the 49th Ward. First, let me (sadly) confirm that the Gordon legal challenge has - to abandon legalese - been thrown out by Judge Marsha Hayes. Yes, apparently the "rumor" last Friday was true. But it was not until today that this was, more or less, admitted. Last Friday, July 20, in the early afternoon, I got a call from another blogger in the 49th Ward. He alerted me to talk of the Gordon challenge being tossed out by the judge. I immediately called Michael Harrington, former Gordon campaign chair and now heavily involved with the challenge, for confirmation - or denial. He flat out denied that the case had been "thrown out," and went on to say that it was a technicality, that Judge Hayes was demanding that the Gordon team present evidence immediately. Michael said that presentation of a mountain of evidence (of alleged Moore election team shenanigans) would be no problem. I - and others - were left to believe that the case had not been dismissed. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I admit that I was sidetracked by other activities and missed the following press release. I did not even look at email all weekend; I went to bed Friday night with Michael Harrington's words echoing in my ears: The case has not been dismissed. Another source, close to Don Gordon, had said the same words. Note to Don Gordon, Michael Harrington, and all at V.O.T.E.R. 49: Be more careful with what you say. If you do not know the answer to a question, there is no shame in saying so. It is better than giving misleading information, even if your intent is not to mislead. When a case is dismissed, it is dismissed, or "thrown out" in street parlance. Just because you plan to appeal, or petition, to rekindle the flame does not mean the fire has been extinguished. Just because you plan to make evidence public - even though the presentation of that evidence will not be in a court of law - does not mean the case is still alive. Nuance can be a powerful tool or weapon. We don't want nuance. We want straight talk. (By the way, we'd also like an explanation from Judge Hayes.) My sympathies are with the Gordon team, and I hope their petitioning of the court is successful. But if that petition effort is lost, we expect a better response from Team Gordon than we got on Friday afternoon. Below are two press releases, the first from Friday evening, the second from this afternoon. July 20, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO ALL NEWS MEDIA: Don Gordon and Attorney Michael LaVelle released the following statement this evening: Our ongoing challenge to the 49th Ward Aldermanic election results took an interesting turn today when Judge Marsha Hayes issued a ruling during a routine status hearing on the lawsuit. At the status hearing, Judge Hayes announced that she had reviewed the motion for what is termed a "bill of particulars" filed by Joe Moore. She then decided to review the briefs filed in connection with his earlier motion to dismiss which she had denied. Judge Hayes said she determined that she had made a mistake in granting a denial of the motion and that she was reversing that ruling. She entered an order granting the motion to dismiss. As a consequence, we are preparing a motion for reconsideration of today's ruling and also filing what is called a "motion for leave to amend the complaint." We are going forward with our field investigation and data analysis since we believe that this will provide the basis for a more detailed amended complaint. Now that we have been given the opportunity to examine records at the Board of Elections and also to do data analysis on the votes cast during the run-off election, we are further convinced that there were many irregularities. The bottom line is that this case is far from over. We will report on the date of the next hearing in the case as soon as possible." And then a followup release on Monday, July 23: Here is an updated statement about the next step in our court challenge to the 49th Ward Aldermanic Election, the ongoing investigation, and why supporting our Saturday, July 28 V.O.T.E.R. debut party is important. The letter and party invitation below are being emailed this afternoon to supporters in our community today with the subject line: You Can Help Continue Our Work for Accountability and Honest Elections! Thank you for your consideration in posting this. - Michael Dear 49th Ward Voters, On Friday July 20th, at a routine status hearing, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Marsha Hayes reversed her earlier decision denying the defendants' motions to dismiss our election challenge lawsuit. While we are dismayed by this unusual and somewhat unprecedented action, Judge Hayes's earlier ruling gave us an opportunity to proceed with our discovery process at the Chicago Board of Elections. The Board had to open their files and allow us to perform a thorough records examination of nearly 4,000 ballot applications and documents. What we found, coupled with other investigations we are currently pursuing, support earlier reports of irregularities and fraud that were our initial motivation for filing this case. Because of the legal precedent set years ago by another challenge to an aldermanic election result, we had the legal right to submit an amended complaint including evidence uncovered during the discovery process. We were preparing to present that amended complaint when Judge Hayes denied us that opportunity on July 20th. Now we must petition the court to allow us to execute that right and to present our amended complaint. We are going forward with our investigation and data analysis, which will provide the basis for a more detailed amended complaint. Regardless of the outcome of our petition to the court, in due course we will make the evidence we uncovered during our investigations available for public review. Citizens of the 49th ward and throughout the City of Chicago will have the opportunity to evaluate for themselves whether this election was conducted fairly. Our V.O.T.E.R. Debut Party this Saturday, July 28 is the next step in our effort to establish a non-partisan watchdog group to promote accountability and honest elections in the 49th ward. We welcome all residents of the 49th ward and everyone who values integrity in the electoral process to join us in pursuit of this important work. The free, honest, and transparent functioning of our government depends on it. Thank you, Don Gordon, Eileen Foxman, Eva McCann, Blane Roberts Founding V.O.T.E.R. members

Joe Moore, Jay Johnson Updates

Lorraine Swanson of the the News-Star (Pioneer Press) covers the north side of Chicago like nobody else can. Today she gives us two hot stories, one about Don Gordon's ongoing election challenge against Joe Moore, the other about local landlord Jay Johnson. It was one of Johnson's buildings where a fire killed six children last September. Until March of 2007, Johnson sat on Joe Moore's land use zoning committee. Gordan lawsuit heads to court June 6, 2007 By LORRAINE SWANSON Staff Writer A June 22 court date has been set to determine if a lawsuit contesting the results of the 49th Ward aldermanic runoff election should be dismissed. Alderman Joe Moore, 49th, and the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by losing candidate Don Gordon and three other ward residents, who are seeking a recount and an investigation into possible vote fraud. FULL STORY... Johnson cleared of 46 building code violations June 6, 2007 By LORRAINE SWANSON Staff Writer A North of Howard apartment building has been cleared of 46 building code violations that were discovered days after a deadly fire that claimed the lives of six children last September. Attorneys for Jay Johnson, president of Cornerstone Residential Group LLC, and a team of city building inspectors told a Cook County Circuit Court judge that the building is now up to code during a housing court hearing on May 29. FULL STORY... Lorraine Swanson can be reached by email at lswanson@pioneerlocal.com

Update: Gordon v. Moore

THE DATE OF THE NEXT HEARING, as reported by the Gordon team yesterday, was incorrect. RPB spoke with Gordon attorney Michael Lavelle at 5:40 p.m. today, and he said the correct date is 1:30 pm on Wednesday, May 30. For location information call Citizens to Elect Don Gordon at 773-262-9473.

Excerpts from yesterday's RPB report:

A quote from Mr. Harrington's email: "We just learned from our attorney Mike [Lavelle] that late on May 15, after the Chicago Board of Elections filed a similar motion, Defendant Joe Moore filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Attorneys for Gordon et al were notified later via mail."

Mr. Harrington spoke with RPB ... [on May 21 and] noted that Alderman Moore himself does not attend the hearings. The reason Moore recently moved for a change of venue, from state court to federal court, was delay and deplete tactics. In other words, force more time to be used up, all the while forcing the Gordon team to expend legal fees in the hope of starving him into surrender. That is also why Moore's legal team filed the motion to dismiss on May 15: Delay and deplete.

There is another reason, however. Perhaps Moore has read "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. If so, he knows that a good strategy for defeating a more powerful enemy is to use fewer soldiers simply to keep the enemy pinned down, unable to move, until the enemy's ammunition, food and water run out.

In other words, Moore's team hasn't a leg to stand on. If they had real ammunition, if their side of the case had merit or substance - or Truth - they would charge into the Gordon flanks head on.

But Moore's side is vapid, empty, without truth or merit. You can keep a modern army pinned down with arrows and slingshots, but only for so long. Moore is frightened and knows that time is truly not on his side, even as he tries to delay the inevitable.

If Gordon's side can maintain their perishable resources - time and money - then their nonperishable weapon Truth will dispense with the dark forces of Joe Moore once and for all.

The hearing on Wednesday, May 30 is open to public viewing. It would be nice to show moral support for Don Gordon. He is a man who is fighting the good fight. It is not about the election so much as it is about fair voting practices, battling endemic corruption, and giving back to a community that he has loved so dearly and for so such a long time.

Gordon Team Responds to RPB Info Request

Sincere thanks to Michael Harrington for the PDF with Gordon versus Moore legal info. Now, at last, the 49th Ward has a faint glimpse through a dusty window into the Gordon legal activities. Seems it took a post on RPB at 2:15 this afternoon (Don Gordon Not Talking) to finally get some info out to the public. Mr. Harrington responded at 6:00 p.m. by sending a PDF to me and fellow bloggers Craig Gernhardt and Toni Duncan. It is reproduced below. Let's hope the Gordon Team continues to update us as changes occur. His supporters - and yes, Mr. Moore's supporters - all deserve to know what is happening in this case. Saturday, May 19, 2007 Gordon et al versus Moore Update Lawsuit Status Report on Gordon et al versus Moore et al Court and Legal Actions and Detail/Explanation May 29, 2007 Next court hearing date May 15, 2007 Plaintiffs Gordon et al: 1. Filed subpoena asking for information from the Chicago Board of Elections 2. Filed Freedom of Information Act request for information from the Chicago Board of Elections 3. Filed Substitution of Judge motion. Case subsequently assigned to Judge Nathaniel House Defendant Chicago Board of Elections - Filed a motion to dismiss the law suit May 3, 2007 - U. S. Judge Honorable Wayne R. Andersen - Federal Court judge rules in favor of Gordon et al and sends case back to state court.This judicial ruling orders that the case be remanded back to the Cook County Circuit court. The case will be heard in circuit court on May 15. May 2, 2007 - Plaintiffs Gordon et al - Filed federal court motion to remand to state court.Plaintiffs motion to remand is a request to the federal judge to send the case back to the state court. May 1, 2007 - Defendant Moore - Filed motion to remove lawsuit from Cook County Circuit Court and transfer case to United States Federal Court.The initial status call for the lawsuit resulted in the entry of an order abating the matter, pending further order of the federal court.This abatement order was entered because defendant Joe Moore filed a notice of removal, which had the legal effect of transferring the case to the federal district court.The order entered on Tuesday abating the state case while still pending means that the state court case file will sit idle until an order remanding the case back to the state court is entered by the federal judge. April 23, 2007 - Gordon et al VS Joe Moore et al lawsuit assigned to a judge Cook County Circuit Court Judge assigned case. Initial status call set for Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. April 23, 2007 - Plaintiffs Gordon et al - Filed Cook County Circuit Court lawsuit. Plaintiffs Don Gordon, Eileen Foxman, Eva McCann, and Blane Roberts file law suit to contest fraud in 49th Ward April 17 Runoff Election.

Don Gordon Not Talking

Don Gordon and his team, busily engaged in a legal challenge to Joe Moore over the April 17 aldermanic election, is being tightlipped and secretive. They were pretty willing to dole out information during the election, but are now keeping information in the bag. On Tuesday, May 15 the legal teams for Gordon and Moore got together downtown. As RPB reported then, Moore was moving for a summary judgement in an attempt to bring the process to quick - and favorable - ending. (See "Breaking News: Joe Moore Moves for Summary Judgement"). Don Gordon, to RPB's knowledge, has made no announcement in the four full days since Tuesday. RPB requested information via email on Tuesday afternoon. On Thursday Don Gordon replied, "I met with Michael and the other plaintiffs last night. We're finalizing the document that summarizes Tuesday's hearing and should have that available to you shortly." We cannot be sure what Mr. Gordon meant by "shortly," but in our opinion it is less than four days. Why the reluctance to communicate, Mr. Gordon?

Breaking News: Joe Moore Moves for Summary Judgement

Sources tell RPB that Alderman Joe Moore (49th Ward, Chicago) and his legal team tried to have the election challenge and legal complaint brought by Don Gordon dismissed this morning. Moore's team wants a summary judgement. In RPB's estimation, it is unlikely that Moore's team will win today. This story is developing...

Moore Headlines

Vote Fraud Charges Brought Against City Reformer (CBS-2 with video)
"...Ald. Moore declined our repeated requests for an interview."

Vote fraud alleged (Sun-Times)
"A week after losing the 49th Ward election by 247 votes, Don Gordon filed suit, saying the results should be thrown out because of alleged voter fraud that Gordon says helped incumbent Ald. Joe Moore win. The suit seeks to have votes tossed out in precincts where votes were cast from vacant buildings and elderly voters received too much help when casting votes."

49th Ward lawsuit follow-up, Gordon asks that election results be reversed(Marathon Pundit)
"Now Moore's supporters will quickly jump on someone like myself expressing support for Gordon's suit as a bit of phoniness. Or maybe a lot of it. What about Florida 2000, "Sore Loserman" and all of that? I'm a Republican, yes, but Gordon isn't."

Aldermanic Challenger Files Suit

Tribune staff report
Published April 24, 2007, 2:30 PM CDT

The unsuccessful challenger in last Tuesday's 49th Ward aldermanic runoff has sued to have the election results reversed, arguing the votes in 22 precincts should be excluded.

Don Gordon filed a lawsuit Monday in Cook County Circuit Court asking that he be declared the winner and incumbent Ald. Joe Moore the loser in the April 17 contest. Gordon's complaint contends that because "the fraudulent votes cannot be separated from the honest votes" in 22 precincts, none of the votes from those precincts should be counted.

The suit names Moore as a defendant, along with Chicago and Illinois election commissioners.

Put a Gordon Button on Your Blog

Bloggers! Gordon supporters! Put this Gordon button on your blog! Copy and paste the html code below into your template. <a href="http://www.dongordon.org" target="_blank"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/thmannis/RhPzb31rDuI/AAAAAAAADus/7RfVtrnQJd4/s288/Gordon_ACG_button-big.jpg" /></a>

Multicultural Pandering in Rogers Park, Chicago

LGBT Cawfee Talk with Don Gordon
Come pull up a chair and have some coffee with Don to discuss your concerns and ideas for the 49th Ward. Don is interested in supporting the LGBT community!
Date: Monday, March 20, 2007
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Address: Ennui Café - 6981 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626

(For those of you may not know, "LGBT" stands for "Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered." Or transsexual, I forget. Either way, one of the T's is excluded, and that seems rather un-PC.)

49th Ward aldermanic candidate Don Gordon will eagerly pander to this special interest group tonight, as noted above. So then, why is this a problem?

Let me preface this post with a reminder that I am now supporting Don Gordon in his bid against incumbent alderman Joe Moore. Gordon is not unique; just about every politician panders to different groups. This is a criticism of Don Gordon, but more than a criticism of Gordon, this posting is meant as a look at multiculturalism and political correctness.

I am strongly opposed to multiculturalism, but I am equally as strongly in favor of diversity. To put it simply, I favor the concept of the "melting pot" over the concept of the "tossed salad."

“A multicultural society is one that is inherently prone to conflict, not harmony. This is why we see a huge growth in government bureaucracies dedicated to resolving disputes along racial and cultural lines. These disputes can never be resolved permanently because the bureaucrats deny one of the major causes: race. This is why there is so much talk of the "multicultural" rather than the more precise "multiracial." Ever more changes and legislation are introduced to make the host society ever more congenial to racial minorities. This only creates more demands, and encourages the non-shooting war against whites, their civilization, and even the idea of the West.” Full article...

Substitute “sexual” for “racial” in the above and you get the same results.

Let's continue.

Prior to the election in February, candidate Gordon stated that, if elected, there would be “zero tolerance for homophobia.” That is a scary prospect, especially if he means it literally.

If he means it literally, enforcement of Zero Tolerance of homophobia would necessitate mind reading Thought and Speech Police. If he means it just-sorta-kinda, it would only need a Speech Police Squad sans mind readers.

Think about (no pun intended). “Zero Tolerance” is absolute. No exceptions would be allowed. Anybody suspected of homophobia would have to be investigated. If enough evidence of homophobia were discovered, prosecution would be required. If the defendant were found guilty, the required punishment would have to be dispensed, whether it is a fine or imprisonment.

But what, exactly, would the defendant be investigated or prosecuted or jailed for? What is “homophobia?”

It has roots in two words. “Homo,” which means “same,” and “phobia,” which means “fear.”

SYLLABICATION: pho·bi·a
PRONUNCIATION: fb-
NOUN: 1. A persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous. 2. A strong fear, dislike, or aversion.
ETYMOLOGY: From –phobia

Taken literally, then, a “zero tolerance” policy that would make it, one must presume, illegal to have an “irrational fear” of gay people.

I have an irrational fear of clowns, which is coulrophobia. I admit that this is not fair to clowns, but I cannot help it. Nevertheless, I would not attack a clown or scream epithets at a clown. I would not deny him housing or a job. Many other people are afraid of clowns, too.

Should there be “zero tolerance” of coulrophobia? I don’t think so. Maybe Don Gordon does. If he does not, well, that is hardly fair is it? Why does the LGBT crowd deserve more protection than the Ringling Brothers crowd does?

It is always a problem when a candidate panders to any special interest group. Yes, the LBGT community (which I will henceforth refer to as "gay" because it's just easier to type) is a special interest group. This does not include each and every gay person any more than Jesse Jackson speaks for each and every Black person.

There are gay people who are afraid of straight people. “Heterophobia” is no more fair than homophobia. Will Don Gordon call for a zero tolerance of heterophobia? Will I be able to file a complaint the next time a gay person derisively calls me a “breeder?”

There are organized groups of gay persons who actively lobby politicians and legislative bodies for the purpose of achieving laws or considerations specifically for their group. That is the definition of a special interest group as simply as it can be put.

Which brings us back to Don Gordon's gay "cawfee" talk tonight. There is nothing wrong, per se, with speaking to a group of gays, Blacks, Italians, Swedes, bowlers, or any other "group." But Mr. Gordon will sip java with these folks tonight "to discuss [their] concerns and ideas for the 49th Ward."

I'm just asking: Do gay people have different ideas for fixing curbs and potholes? Does the "LGBT community" require special sidewalks, differently colored traffic signals, and its own tax code? While we're at it, what exactly is the "LGBT community?" Is there a gay method to reduce gang crime? Would the gays in our community have a better plan than heterosexuals for maintaining or improving the lakefront? Do clowns?

For that matter, what is the Straight community? May I call the Straight community the "MFSW" ("Male, Female, Single, Wedded") community? No? Okay, I won't. You're right, it is silly. About as silly as "LGBT" is.

I know Mr. Gordon is just trying to be "inclusive." But having an event that is advertised specifically to a particular group is automatically exclusive. You simply cannot have an event for midgets without excluding tall people. You cannot have a Black Congressional Caucus without excluding non-Blacks. You cannot have an event targeted specifically to straight people without excluding gay people, or vice versa. And so on.

Not all straight people love pornography, they don’t all “swing,” they’re not all sex-crazed fiends. The same is true of gay people. But if “zero tolerance” becomes the literal policy of a Don Gordon administration, would it be verboten to oppose the kind of thing that can be seen in the video below:

WARNING: This video includes extremely offensive images from the 2006 Dallas “Gay Pride” Parade. To watch 2006 Dallas “Gay Pride” video, click HERE.

Note that under a zero tolerance policy, it would be a violation to refer to the above video as offensive!

I am not trying to imply that the video depicts the typical gay person. But if that were happening on Morse Avenue, Don Gordon’s zero tolerance policy would prohibit you from even making a complaint about it.

And do not even get me started on NAMBLA, the North American Man Boy Love Association. To protest that abomination would surely be labeled “homophobic,” and therefore forbidden, under a homophobia zero tolerance policy.

By the way, the word “homophobia” cannot be found on Don Gordon’s web site in a Google search.

There is not enough time for me to write as much as I would like to about this, and you probably do not want to read any more than you already have. I hope that I have raised some serious questions here, with an injection of humor, and sparked a few conversations about this. This kind of thing needs to be talked about. Perhaps over cawfee?

Suggested future Don Gordon cawfee talks:

Clowns Cawfee Talk with Don Gordon
Come pull up a chair and have some coffee with Don to discuss your concerns and ideas for the 49th Ward. Don is interested in supporting the Clowns community!

Celibate Gardeners Cawfee Talk with Don Gordon
Come pull up a chair and have some coffee with Don to discuss your concerns and ideas for the 49th Ward. Don is interested in supporting the Celibate Gardeners community!

RELATED:

Oprah Winfrey Discusses NAMBLA and Sexual Predators

ACLU defends child-molester group
Asks judge to throw out lawsuit against NAMBLA for 10-year-old's murder

A multicultural society is one that is inherently prone to conflict, not harmony.

What we call "political correctness" actually dates back to the Soviet Union of the 1920s (politicheskaya pravil'nost' in Russian), and was the extension of political control to education, psychiatry, ethics, and behavior. Full article...

Does anyone know the origins of Political Correctness? Who originally developed it and what was its purpose?

Final Solutions, Liberal Guilt and Candidate Don Gordon

Don Gordon faces Joe Moore in Chicago's 49th Ward aldermanic run-off election on April 17. Both Gordon and his campaign lieutenant Michael Harrington are being unfairly accused of intentionally using a Nazi phrase. The phrase is "final solution." In certain contexts, the phrase is incendiary. In others, it should not be. Today's attack against Gordon and Harrington by Tom Westgard is ludicrous. I will try to explain why. "Politically correct" people are tragic, tending to hallucinate, to hear things that don't necessarily make sound, to smell things that don't smell, to see things that are not there. Such is the case with attorney Thomas Westgard, a man whom I consider to be a friend. I like Tom Westgard, and it pains me to write this. Tom is basically a good man, but what I have to say must be said. Our communal sanity may depend upon it. Westgard, like many others, is infected with the Political Correctness Virus (PCV). This disease has among its symptoms delusional thoughts and hallucination. People who are PCV-positive often hear, smell and see things that are not there or do not exist. Perhaps we can work to finally solve this. Perhaps, together, we can find a final solution to the question of hypersensitivity brought on by PCV. Perhaps, finally, it will be solved. Thomas Westgard is hearing voices, and they are saying things to him that are not grounded in reality. They tend to take things out of context, pick them up, and move them into a context that either does not exist or will not properly accommodate. Context is everything. Oh, the White Liberal Guilt weighs heavy on Westgard’s German-American shoulders. Today Westgard pontificates on the phrase "final solution." It is a phrase that haunts his Teutonic memory, and in a fit of guilty, delusional pique he unfairly associates 49th Ward aldermanic candidate Don Gordon with Adolf Hitler. Again: Context is everything. We are not in Nuremberg. Gordon is not Hitler. Harrington is Rudolf Hess. "Something that has been bothering me for nearly a year,” Westgard writes, “is the misuse of the term, 'Final Solution.' It has a very specific meaning, and it's one that culturally literate people know. Everyone must learn it at some point, so I provide for those not already in the know the following explanation of the term, 'Final Solution.' "'Final Solution' is the standard English translation of Hitler's extermination plan for Jews and other groups," wrote Westgard. Westgard is wrong and right at the same time, as deluded victims of hallucination sometimes are. He is correct, of course, that Hitler called his program of extermination a "final solution." But he is absolutely wrong in saying that anybody who uses the phrase "final solution" in a sentence is implying that millions of people must be exterminated. “The Final Solution is the Holocaust,” writes Westgard. Not true. Rather, the Holocaust was a type of final solution. But not all final solutions are holocausts. A Holocaust survivors' group tell us this: “The phrase, ‘Final Solution,’ was just one of the euphemisms used by the Nazis to signify their program of murder. The Final Solution was a secret that had to be disguised in seemingly innocent sounding formulations. Other euphemisms for the mass murder were: ‘Liquidated’ ‘Finished Off’ ‘Special Treatment’ ‘Cleansing’ ‘Elimination’ ‘Resettlement’ ‘Treated Appropriately’ and ‘Made Free of Jews.’" Would Tom Westgard have a problem with somebody telling him that they have “finished off” a big lunch? Or a merchant advertising a “special treatment for the elimination of liquidated” sale items? How would Westgard react to a proposed “resettlement” of Section 8 residents? Or the “cleansing” of his toilet bowl? Or having Muslims “treated appropriately?” Context is everything. Why, then, would Westgard have a problem with Don Gordon calling for the “final solution” to a problem. Would any reasonable person take that to mean a Nazi-style extermination program? Westgard wrote today: “About eight months ago, I was one of a large group who received an email from Michael J. Harrington that emphatically demanded a ‘Final Solution’ to the Block Building problem. To be clear, I am not paraphrasing his words - MJH himself used the phrase ‘Final Solution’ to describe what he wanted to see. As many readers of this blog are aware, the Block Building is actually a pair of buildings bordered by Morse, Glenwood, and Lunt, where a constant drug dealing problem has existed for years. Many residents are Black. Most or all of the owners are Jewish.” Permit me a digression: As a conservative, I find it amusing that the non-Jewish Westgard has taken it upon himself to discuss matters of Jewish concern. Westgard and his fellow Liberals love to tell non-veterans that they should not discuss military issues, or white people that they have no understanding of and therefore no right to discuss issues about non-white people. Yet here is Westgard, as white as white can be, lecturing us about an issue which, by Liberal standards, should be left to Jews. It is also, I must admit, amusing to witness “progressive” Michael Harrington fall victim to PC police, of which he himself is an officer. But that’s enough digressing. Westgard’s final paragraph (sorry about the word “final” there) is a mash of unsubstantiated slander. He wrote: “But it is fair to set a certain standard for cultural awareness in our alderman. Don Gordon himself has exhibited a pattern of behavior that demonstrates a severe lack of cultural sensitivity, and his political advisors [sic] have added more problems to the pile. Don Gordon has personally, and in so many words, opposed compassion for the poor and mentally ill who are homeless. Under the circumstances, I believe that Don does not have the personal qualifications to adequately represent the cultural and economic variety of Rogers Park. Nor is there any reason to think that his team of advisors [sic] can guide him to learn the necessary background. Either one of these failings would be seriously detrimental to an aldermanic campaign; failing in both areas is essentially insurmountable.” “Severe lack of cultural sensitivity?” In what way? “Severe” is undefined here, and no example is given. Westgard alleges that Don Gordon has said he is opposed to compassion for, amongst other, homeless mentally ill people. (How compassionate is it of Westgard, et. al. to oppose institutionalizing the mentally ill rather than put them on the street like so many dogs?) Again, no substantiation, no example given. Westgard continues: “I believe that Don does not have the personal qualifications to adequately represent the cultural and economic variety of Rogers Park.” This is code from a guilt-ridden, Liberal German-American White Man for “Don Gordon is too white” to represent people who are not white. Ridiculous. This is racism on Westgard’s part, pure and simple, although I would say it is not intentional racism. (Remember, he suffers from PCV. Many of his actions and thoughts are adversely influenced by PCV.) As for the “economic variety of Rogers Park,” I’d like to know what that means. Seems to me that one of the problems of Rogers Park is its lack of economic variety. Again, no substantiation. No example. Westgard writes well, but tightly woven paragraphs do not always mean a tightly woven case. Is Westgard bothered by the use of the word “problem?” Surely that for which Hitler wanted a “final solution” was referred to as a “problem” by der Fuehrer. Surely, then, Westgard would have a problem with the use of the word “problem,” right? It is particularly troublesome that Westgard, as an attorney, has not passed the test of being reasonable. As an attorney, he knows better than most of us that if something cannot be reasonably taken to serious, as in the case of obvious satire or parody, it should be thrown out of court. The “case” he brings against Gordon for the use of the phrase “final solution” is frivolous and does not stand the test of reason. Not all “final solutions” are holocausts. Many things can have a final solution having nothing to do with genocide. Remember: Context uber alles. Before I continue, let me note that my father’s side is Jewish. Most Jews would not consider me to be a Jew, because Jewishness is passed from mother to child. My mother was Protestant. But make no mistake, by every rule and law of the Third Reich I would have been considered Jewish and sent off to a prison camp. Mr. Westgard, as far as I know, would not have been considered Jewish in the Germany of 1939. It is probably safe to assume that Adolf Hitler occasionally used the phrase “better road system,” or “road project.” Should we, then, cringe when we hear a politician suggest that we spend more money on a “better road system?” By the same token, when the headline “A final solution for tyre garbage?” was used for a story about disposing of old automobile tires in Australia, were the Tom Westgards of Australia up in arms over the use of the phrase “final solution?” How about this headline, from Good News India: “A final solution for waste?” An excerpt from that story read, “A company in the USA, Changing World Technologies [CWT] , NY has perfected a process to transform all manner of modern waste into crude oil and other useful products. The process ‘Thermal Depolymerisation’ [TDP] is nearly self sufficient in energy, has no polluting by-products and is highly scalable.” Hardly sounds Hitlerian. Doesn’t sound threatening, does it? There are more, of course. Do any of the following sound like they’re advocating genocide? I’m sure that we can all be certain that Westgard will attack the following few examples out of thousands more for their use of the phrase “final solution.” Caltech Authors - The general feedback theorem: a final solution ... Middlebrook, R. David (2006) The general feedback theorem: a final solution for feedback systems. IEEE Microwave Magazine The Hindu : Time for a final solution Time for a final solution. WITH THE TELECOM controversy becoming messier by the ... screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu. After 13 unresolved topics ... is there a final solution to THIS ... Sorry to post this "general" and undetermined title for this post.I´ve been a while looking for an answer related to private and restricted uploaded files, ...” Evidence-based medicine: progress but not a final solution. Maseri A. Publication Types:. Editorial. MeSH Terms:. Evidence-Based Medicine*; Humans ... New Breakthrough Process Offers Parents A Final Solution To ... New Breakthrough Process Offers Parents A Final Solution To Disciplinary Problems, Daron Barker, founder of the highly acclaimed international parenting ... Recurrent aorto-duodenal fistula: a final solution? This paper describes a case of recurrent aorto-duodenal fistula treated successfully by re-sitting t... Opposing Views in the Treatment of OA of the Knee Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Final Solution for the Treatment of OA. Slide. Slide. Total Knee Arthroplasty. Total knee arthroplasty is the final solution for ... "Testimony at Konrad Mine Radioactive Waste Disposal Hearings, NO ... The alternative we are presenting here does not offer a final solution to the problem of nuclear waste. But it can be the least immoral way for us to pass ... Elkarri.org A peace process that leads to a final solution should be based on a commitment regarding its procedure and principles, one that is shared by the political ... Selecting the Right Technology Solutions - Determining the Best ... You will use these scores next week when selecting a final solution. ... Next week we'll use a "Paired Choice Matrix" to select a final solution that should ... Yahoo! Answers - 5.70 g of nitrous acid ( HNO2 ) is added to water ... 1 answer - 5.70 g of nitrous acid ( HNO2 ) is added to water to make a final solution of 408 ml. What is the pH of the solution ? Method for preparing ammoxidation catalysts ... is mixed with an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt to precipitate the mixed oxides and to obtain a final solution having a pH of between 5 and 9. ... The Final Solution The phrase 'final solution' is simply being used in the context of the plans that are underway to address the land issue, rather selectively, ...

Election Alert: Joe Moore's Forces Are Gathering

Note to Don Gordon: Get the horses out of the corral. Now. Here's the latest Moore Machine call to arms: Ward-Wide Door-to-Door Appeal to Re-elect Joe Moore