Some of the guests scheduled for Thursdays edition of Radio Chicagoland, WCEV 1450 AM Radio, 4 to 6 PM (streaming live on the internet at www.WCEV1450.com):
4:05 PM: Authors of a new book"Hidden Letters," a true story of an 18 year old Dutch Jew's tale of the Holocaust while interned inside a forced labor camp in 1942. The annotators of Hidden Letters (Deborah Slier and Ian Shine, a 75 year old couple who commute on their bicycle built for 2 rom Central Park to Queens) discuss how the hidden letters from 1942 surfaced in the 1990’s, how they felt upon meeting the survivors of the Sobibor concentration camp uprising, and why this honest account of a young Jew trying to survive in an internment camp during the Holocaust is so moving. I'd be happy to ship you a review copy of the book. May 1 is Holocaust Remembrance Day.
5:05 PM: VOICES OF OUR SOLDIERS feature! First Sgt. Scott Maynard, is from the Southeast Side of Chicago, Illinois, talks about serving in Iraq. Maynard is currently now in Iraq at "FOB Hammer" near Sadr City and is expected to return to hsi wife and four children in June. He comes from a long line of War veterans with 12 of his family members having served in the military since World War II. (Pre-taped)
visit www.RadioChicagoland.com for more details on other guests
Ray Hanania
www.hanania.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
When CIndy McCain says she loves and supports her country, what does she mean?
I saw Cindy McCain on The View, a great program to remind us that this isn't a man's world any more. It's just a world. (I love Whoppie Goldberg!).
But Cindy McCain said there and elsewhere that she loves and supports this country. What does that mean? Does it mean that she doesn't think there are things that need to be improved? Does she think it is perfect and that imperfections don't exist? Or, does she believe that there are problems, but it is "unpatriotic" to address those problems?
I think this country has problems. And I think the real American Patriot is the American who recognizes that this is a great country with problems and we must correct those problems. And the best way to correct those problems is to address them, using the very instrument that makes this the world's greatest Democracy, "Free Speech."
But when we try to say that we are better than someone else because we don't criticize our country, we remain silent in the face of wrongs, and injustice, then what we become is complicit in the problems.
Imagine if the response to those who championed civil rights was, "Hey, I love and support this country and you don't because you are criticizing its policies." If that were the case, African Americans would still be lynched on Patriotic American trees. African Americans would be slaves and African Americans would be denied the right to vote. In fact, women would be denied the right to vote, too, and would be oppressed and denied equal right.
No, I think loving this country is in fact about speaking out against its failings and speaking out in order to correct those failings.
But, when we respond to the discussion about how to improve this country by calling some people unpatriotic, then we are basically embracing the problems, hiding from the problems, and avoid the moral and principled responsibilities.
Ray Hanania
www.RadioChicagoland.com
But Cindy McCain said there and elsewhere that she loves and supports this country. What does that mean? Does it mean that she doesn't think there are things that need to be improved? Does she think it is perfect and that imperfections don't exist? Or, does she believe that there are problems, but it is "unpatriotic" to address those problems?
I think this country has problems. And I think the real American Patriot is the American who recognizes that this is a great country with problems and we must correct those problems. And the best way to correct those problems is to address them, using the very instrument that makes this the world's greatest Democracy, "Free Speech."
But when we try to say that we are better than someone else because we don't criticize our country, we remain silent in the face of wrongs, and injustice, then what we become is complicit in the problems.
Imagine if the response to those who championed civil rights was, "Hey, I love and support this country and you don't because you are criticizing its policies." If that were the case, African Americans would still be lynched on Patriotic American trees. African Americans would be slaves and African Americans would be denied the right to vote. In fact, women would be denied the right to vote, too, and would be oppressed and denied equal right.
No, I think loving this country is in fact about speaking out against its failings and speaking out in order to correct those failings.
But, when we respond to the discussion about how to improve this country by calling some people unpatriotic, then we are basically embracing the problems, hiding from the problems, and avoid the moral and principled responsibilities.
Ray Hanania
www.RadioChicagoland.com
Friday, April 18, 2008
War-related corruption case building
The Rockford Trial of the Iraq war corruption case is continuing.
Here's a link to my story on First Kuwaiti and contractor Jeff Mazon:
http://swnewsherald.com/online_content/2008/04/041808rh_contract.php
Here's a link to the Washington Post which has not covered the Mazon trial but reported on the completion of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/17/AR2008041703603.html?hpid=topnews
Here's a link to my story on First Kuwaiti and contractor Jeff Mazon:
http://swnewsherald.com/online_content/2008/04/041808rh_contract.php
Here's a link to the Washington Post which has not covered the Mazon trial but reported on the completion of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/17/AR2008041703603.html?hpid=topnews
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce survey shows widespread public concern over increased taxes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 15, 2008
Contact: Justin DeJong (Chamber) 312-494-6725
Greg Durham (Ask IL) 217-899-7181
New poll shows widespread dissatisfaction with Chicagoland tax climate
Results indicate that taxpayers plan to hold elected officials accountable for
latest increases; pending 10.25% sales tax rate will cause consumers’ to
leave Cook County for purchases
CHICAGO – Even as many taxpayers scramble to pay their federal taxes, a new poll released today shows widespread dissatisfaction with the Chicagoland tax climate which has burdened the region’s taxpayers with more than $1.2 billion in higher city, county and state taxes in the past six months. Among the most astounding findings: more than 92 percent of Cook County residents polled said the latest tax increases will affect who they vote for in future elections, while nearly 76 percent said the pending 10.25 percent sales tax rate will change their purchasing behavior and cause them to travel outside of Cook County to avoid paying higher sales tax.
“This poll confirms that there is widespread anger and dissatisfaction about the current tax climate in our region and voters plan to hold their elected officials accountable at the ballot box,” said Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Roper. “Despite raising taxes by $1.2 billion within the past six months, we continue to hear officials at every level of government threaten to raise taxes again, but we’re reaching a tipping point where our region’s economic competitiveness is at risk. Our elected officials must recognize that enough is enough.”
The Ask Illinois poll, commissioned by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, was completed on April 10 with 3,025 participants from throughout Cook County. The poll had a 1.78 percent margin of error. Complete poll results are available at www.chicagolandchamber.org.
Additional poll results show:
· Nearly 36 percent of those polled hold the Cook County Board most responsible for higher taxes, while 42 percent held the Chicago City Council, Cook County Board and Illinois General Assembly equally at fault.
· 95 percent of those polled felt the overall tax burden on Cook County resident was high, with nearly 82 percent who felt the burden was ‘extremely high.’
· The pollsters noted that there is growing dissatisfaction about the overall tax burden – up more than 24 percent over previous surveys.
“These results indicate a total lack of ambiguity in the opinions of Cook County residents concerning the region’s tax climate,” said Greg Durham, pollster for Ask Illinois. “There is across-the-board anger about recent tax increases, which transcend all geo-political differences and will impact both future voting and where purchases will be made.”
Within the past six months, elected officials at all levels of government have approved a flurry of tax increases which impact the economic climate of the region and state. These tax increases include:
Date
Jurisdiction
Amount
November 2007
The Chicago City Council passes record property tax increase and raises many fees for the 2008 budget
$270 million
January 2008
The Illinois General Assembly and Chicago City Council pass a .25% sales tax increase and real estate transfer tax increase to fund the RTA
$530 million
February 2008
The Cook County Board passes 1% sales tax increase, and hikes rate to 10.25% – the highest sales tax rate in the nation
$425 million
Total
$1.25 billion
About the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce:
Since its founding in 1904 as the first regional chamber of commerce in the United States, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to make our region the most business-friendly region in America and enhance its members’ success through aggressive programs of advocacy, member benefits and services, and actionable information. The Chamber’s 2,600 members employ more than 1.2 million individuals in the region. Learn more by visiting www.chicagolandchamber.org.
About Ask Illinois:
Ask Illinois and its national division, We Ask America, have polled more than four million American households since its inception in 2005. A division of Xpress Professional Services, Ask Illinois specializes in large sample surveys on public policy issues. The company’s clients include both major political parties, non-profit trade associations and private businesses throughout the country.
###
Justin DeJong
Director of Communications
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60601
312-494-6725 (office)
312-636-7666 (cell)
jdejong@chicagolandchamber.org
***ACCREDITED AS A FIVE-STAR CHAMBER BY THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE***
Upcoming Special Events:
March 26: The Exchange, Hyatt Regency, 5-7pm
June 9: Annual Meeting of Membership, Sheraton Chicago, 7:45-9am
August 11: Annual Corporate Golf Outing, Beverly Country Club
Visit the Events Calendar on the Chamber’s website for additional information and to register for any of these events: www.chicagolandchamber.org/sub/events.asp
April 15, 2008
Contact: Justin DeJong (Chamber) 312-494-6725
Greg Durham (Ask IL) 217-899-7181
New poll shows widespread dissatisfaction with Chicagoland tax climate
Results indicate that taxpayers plan to hold elected officials accountable for
latest increases; pending 10.25% sales tax rate will cause consumers’ to
leave Cook County for purchases
CHICAGO – Even as many taxpayers scramble to pay their federal taxes, a new poll released today shows widespread dissatisfaction with the Chicagoland tax climate which has burdened the region’s taxpayers with more than $1.2 billion in higher city, county and state taxes in the past six months. Among the most astounding findings: more than 92 percent of Cook County residents polled said the latest tax increases will affect who they vote for in future elections, while nearly 76 percent said the pending 10.25 percent sales tax rate will change their purchasing behavior and cause them to travel outside of Cook County to avoid paying higher sales tax.
“This poll confirms that there is widespread anger and dissatisfaction about the current tax climate in our region and voters plan to hold their elected officials accountable at the ballot box,” said Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Roper. “Despite raising taxes by $1.2 billion within the past six months, we continue to hear officials at every level of government threaten to raise taxes again, but we’re reaching a tipping point where our region’s economic competitiveness is at risk. Our elected officials must recognize that enough is enough.”
The Ask Illinois poll, commissioned by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, was completed on April 10 with 3,025 participants from throughout Cook County. The poll had a 1.78 percent margin of error. Complete poll results are available at www.chicagolandchamber.org.
Additional poll results show:
· Nearly 36 percent of those polled hold the Cook County Board most responsible for higher taxes, while 42 percent held the Chicago City Council, Cook County Board and Illinois General Assembly equally at fault.
· 95 percent of those polled felt the overall tax burden on Cook County resident was high, with nearly 82 percent who felt the burden was ‘extremely high.’
· The pollsters noted that there is growing dissatisfaction about the overall tax burden – up more than 24 percent over previous surveys.
“These results indicate a total lack of ambiguity in the opinions of Cook County residents concerning the region’s tax climate,” said Greg Durham, pollster for Ask Illinois. “There is across-the-board anger about recent tax increases, which transcend all geo-political differences and will impact both future voting and where purchases will be made.”
Within the past six months, elected officials at all levels of government have approved a flurry of tax increases which impact the economic climate of the region and state. These tax increases include:
Date
Jurisdiction
Amount
November 2007
The Chicago City Council passes record property tax increase and raises many fees for the 2008 budget
$270 million
January 2008
The Illinois General Assembly and Chicago City Council pass a .25% sales tax increase and real estate transfer tax increase to fund the RTA
$530 million
February 2008
The Cook County Board passes 1% sales tax increase, and hikes rate to 10.25% – the highest sales tax rate in the nation
$425 million
Total
$1.25 billion
About the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce:
Since its founding in 1904 as the first regional chamber of commerce in the United States, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to make our region the most business-friendly region in America and enhance its members’ success through aggressive programs of advocacy, member benefits and services, and actionable information. The Chamber’s 2,600 members employ more than 1.2 million individuals in the region. Learn more by visiting www.chicagolandchamber.org.
About Ask Illinois:
Ask Illinois and its national division, We Ask America, have polled more than four million American households since its inception in 2005. A division of Xpress Professional Services, Ask Illinois specializes in large sample surveys on public policy issues. The company’s clients include both major political parties, non-profit trade associations and private businesses throughout the country.
###
Justin DeJong
Director of Communications
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60601
312-494-6725 (office)
312-636-7666 (cell)
jdejong@chicagolandchamber.org
***ACCREDITED AS A FIVE-STAR CHAMBER BY THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE***
Upcoming Special Events:
March 26: The Exchange, Hyatt Regency, 5-7pm
June 9: Annual Meeting of Membership, Sheraton Chicago, 7:45-9am
August 11: Annual Corporate Golf Outing, Beverly Country Club
Visit the Events Calendar on the Chamber’s website for additional information and to register for any of these events: www.chicagolandchamber.org/sub/events.asp
Monday, April 14, 2008
The biggest whiner in the world ... J.K. Rowling
What a real loser. J.K. Rowling, who has made millions on her "Harry Potter" book series is upset that someone had the nerve to take the pop culture her books have instilled around the world and put it in a companion book.
Rowling is crying that Steve Vander Ark's plans to publish an encyclopedia based on terms and prhases that have left Rowling's books and have become household words, violates her copyright. Vander Ark's genius idea has been to take the lexicon of Harry Potter -- which has become a language all its own in the world, and put it all down in an encyclopedia.
Hogwash! Someone should wave a wand and put Ms. Rowling in a 15th Century dungeon, and torture her back to reality. Rowling is an ungrateful author who eagerly cashes the checks from exploiting her readership audience, but wants to keep the most dedicated audience members from taking what they have learned from her books and interpreting them into a lexicon collection.
I am on the side of Vander Ark, a librarian who has spoken at Harry Potter conferences in several countries. Rowling counters she was planning to write her own lexicon and would donate the proceeds to a charity. She asserts she is anguished by Vander Ark's project
More Hogwash. Hogwarts. Hog is probably the best term yet. Add that to your lexicon Rowling witch!
Ray Hanania
www.hanania.com
Rowling is crying that Steve Vander Ark's plans to publish an encyclopedia based on terms and prhases that have left Rowling's books and have become household words, violates her copyright. Vander Ark's genius idea has been to take the lexicon of Harry Potter -- which has become a language all its own in the world, and put it all down in an encyclopedia.
Hogwash! Someone should wave a wand and put Ms. Rowling in a 15th Century dungeon, and torture her back to reality. Rowling is an ungrateful author who eagerly cashes the checks from exploiting her readership audience, but wants to keep the most dedicated audience members from taking what they have learned from her books and interpreting them into a lexicon collection.
I am on the side of Vander Ark, a librarian who has spoken at Harry Potter conferences in several countries. Rowling counters she was planning to write her own lexicon and would donate the proceeds to a charity. She asserts she is anguished by Vander Ark's project
More Hogwash. Hogwarts. Hog is probably the best term yet. Add that to your lexicon Rowling witch!
Ray Hanania
www.hanania.com
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Why was American Airlines not punished sooner?
American Airlines was warned 18 months ago that it needed to address safety issues on its airlines. Why didn't it act then?
Today, the American Airlines PR Machine (read one reporter's opinion-news spin) is trying to spint he story that the real problem rests with the FAA and government bureaucracy. Really? What about the fact that American Airlines has been operating in an unsafe mode for 18 months, knew about the need to make the safety checks and improvements and did nothing?
Nothing, that is, until the FAA finally cam edown with a threat and then wanting to make it look like it is the FAA's fault, American Airlines decides to cancel hundreds of flights.
American Airlines should be fined huge! They should be punished and passengers whose flights were cancelled should be given the right to file lawsuits for damages caused when American Airlines, the unsafe airline that it is apparently, disrupted their lives in order to play politics with flight safety.
Ray Hanania
Today, the American Airlines PR Machine (read one reporter's opinion-news spin) is trying to spint he story that the real problem rests with the FAA and government bureaucracy. Really? What about the fact that American Airlines has been operating in an unsafe mode for 18 months, knew about the need to make the safety checks and improvements and did nothing?
Nothing, that is, until the FAA finally cam edown with a threat and then wanting to make it look like it is the FAA's fault, American Airlines decides to cancel hundreds of flights.
American Airlines should be fined huge! They should be punished and passengers whose flights were cancelled should be given the right to file lawsuits for damages caused when American Airlines, the unsafe airline that it is apparently, disrupted their lives in order to play politics with flight safety.
Ray Hanania
Friday, April 11, 2008
National Taxpayers United of Illinois Opposes Income Tax Hike
NATIONAL TAXPAYERS UNITED OF ILLINOIS
407 S. Dearborn, Suite 1170 * CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60605
(312) 427-5128 * Fax (312) 427-5139 * Web Site <www.ntui.org> * E-mail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jim Tobin (312) 427-5128 or (773) 354-2076 (Cell)
April 9, 2008
TAXPAYERS ASK ILL. HOUSE COMMITTEE TO SCUTTLE STATE INCOME-TAX-HIKE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT HJRCA42
SPRINGFIELD—The president of Illinois’ largest taxpayer organization has asked each member of the State Government Administration Committee (SGAC) of the Ill. House to oppose House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 42 (HJRCA42). The letter of opposition was sent by FAX to each committee member on Monday, April 7.
“State Representative Michael K. Smith (D-91, Pekin) has sponsored a constitutional amendment, HJRCA42, that would double the state personal income tax for upper-middle class taxpayers,” said Jim Tobin, President of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI). The SGAC will consider HJRCA42 at 8:30 am, April 9, in Capitol Building Room 114.
“This bill is an income-distribution scheme that would make Karl Marx proud,” said Tobin. “The state income tax would be initially doubled, to 6 percent, on that portion of income of individuals and joint-filers that exceeds $250,000.”
“This is a shameful class-warfare bill that deserves to be put in the trash bin. Chicago machine politician, St. Rep. Joseph Lyons (D-19, Chicago), was quoted as saying, ‘Let’s take from the rich and give to the poor.’ However, what this bill would really do is take money from productive citizens and transfer it to less productive government employees.”
“The bill would sock it to the 107,000 households in the state who earn more than $250,000 a year.”
“Part of this tax windfall would be given to the state’s overpaid public school teachers, administrators and consultants, and the remainder would go to pork barrel projects such as state-sponsored construction. As a token, the personal exemption would be doubled for those making less than $250,000 annually.”
“This back-breaking state income tax increase would cause small business owners to move to states with lower tax rates and increase Illinois’ unemployment rate. In a time of economic downturn, raising taxes would be catastrophic to the local business environment.”
“I ask the members of the State Government Administration Committee to scuttle this socialistic raid on Illinois’ most productive citizens.”
Founded in 1976, NTUI is the largest taxpayer organization in Illinois with over
10,000 members and affiliation with more than 200 local taxpayer organizations.
###
407 S. Dearborn, Suite 1170 * CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60605
(312) 427-5128 * Fax (312) 427-5139 * Web Site <www.ntui.org> * E-mail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jim Tobin (312) 427-5128 or (773) 354-2076 (Cell)
April 9, 2008
TAXPAYERS ASK ILL. HOUSE COMMITTEE TO SCUTTLE STATE INCOME-TAX-HIKE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT HJRCA42
SPRINGFIELD—The president of Illinois’ largest taxpayer organization has asked each member of the State Government Administration Committee (SGAC) of the Ill. House to oppose House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 42 (HJRCA42). The letter of opposition was sent by FAX to each committee member on Monday, April 7.
“State Representative Michael K. Smith (D-91, Pekin) has sponsored a constitutional amendment, HJRCA42, that would double the state personal income tax for upper-middle class taxpayers,” said Jim Tobin, President of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI). The SGAC will consider HJRCA42 at 8:30 am, April 9, in Capitol Building Room 114.
“This bill is an income-distribution scheme that would make Karl Marx proud,” said Tobin. “The state income tax would be initially doubled, to 6 percent, on that portion of income of individuals and joint-filers that exceeds $250,000.”
“This is a shameful class-warfare bill that deserves to be put in the trash bin. Chicago machine politician, St. Rep. Joseph Lyons (D-19, Chicago), was quoted as saying, ‘Let’s take from the rich and give to the poor.’ However, what this bill would really do is take money from productive citizens and transfer it to less productive government employees.”
“The bill would sock it to the 107,000 households in the state who earn more than $250,000 a year.”
“Part of this tax windfall would be given to the state’s overpaid public school teachers, administrators and consultants, and the remainder would go to pork barrel projects such as state-sponsored construction. As a token, the personal exemption would be doubled for those making less than $250,000 annually.”
“This back-breaking state income tax increase would cause small business owners to move to states with lower tax rates and increase Illinois’ unemployment rate. In a time of economic downturn, raising taxes would be catastrophic to the local business environment.”
“I ask the members of the State Government Administration Committee to scuttle this socialistic raid on Illinois’ most productive citizens.”
Founded in 1976, NTUI is the largest taxpayer organization in Illinois with over
10,000 members and affiliation with more than 200 local taxpayer organizations.
###
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