Illinois Rep. La Shawn Ford

I heard Rep. Ford on the Bruce and Dan Show, 89 WLS AM Thursday morning on December 13, 2012. He was promoting an emergency town hall meeting to protest the school closings proposed by the board of Chicago Public Schools. It was his argument that westside schools were disproportionately targeted.

It was arrogance on his part to believe he could agree to an interview on a conservative talk radio station and not be asked about his appearance in a federal court just two days prior. He pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of bank fraud. Ford has denied lying to the now failed Shorebank to obtain a line of credit. He seemed completely caught of guard when Dan Proft asked about the charges. He replied, “Are you guys serious about asking me that question?”. They were very kind to him considering the circumstances.

I was intrigued by this “wrongly” accused elected official and decided to attend his emergency town hall meeting that night. My motive was to see for myself if he was sincere or trying to improved his tarnished image.

For well over two hours attendees listened several speakers expressing their opinions about CPS closing under utilized schools. I saw only one wireless microphone resting on the stage representing one of the major news stations. If there was one designated theme it was their dislike for how CPS has treated schools in poor black and Hispanic neighborhoods. The blame list was long, Mayor Emanuel, his cronies that financially back charter schools, Bill Gates, Race to the Top, the Commission on School Utilization, no one was safe from criticism. Even the pastor that opened the meeting with a prayer was thrown under the bus. He was long gone by the time someone called him a trader for signing a petition to support the opening a charter school in the neighborhood.

When I saw the reporter remove the microphone it never occurred to me that the temperament would quickly go from refined community organizers to angry protestors demanding war and calling for sit-ins and shutting down schools. Suddenly from the rear of the room a woman had everyone’s attention, she was tired of meetings and called for action. Almost on cue it was the fault of the white man. Rich white folks don’t want poor people or blacks in the city. She stated that she had 3 degrees and was a teacher for 15 years. She shouted phrases like, ethnic cleansing, high powered white folks, killing our children. The room got very loud and less civil. She agreed to lead a follow up meeting, even though she started her rant by informing us she hated meetings, she wanted action. The meeting would be held at 11:00am the following Monday at Rep. Ford‘s Chicago office. It struck me as odd since she was a teacher and Monday was a school day. They closed the meeting in prayer that called for Ford to get God’s help through the trails he was experiencing.

On Monday I arrived at the next meeting on time. The receptionist told me that I was the first to arrive. I decided to patronize a local shop to pass some time. When I returned 15 minutes later there were 2 women waiting. I engaged them in conversation about the CPS and school closings. Eventually I could no longer hide my conservative views. At some point a young man from Thursday’s meeting arrived and joined in our discussion. They were all eager to give me a list of books I should read. We shared ideas respectfully without shouting. After remaining silent during the first meeting it felt great to come out of the closet as a conservative. The women were educators of many years and had a great deal to say about what was wrong with Chicago Public Schools but had little to offer when I asked why we keep electing the same type of leaders while expecting different results.

About 11:45am Rep. Ford walked in, he said since he didn’t call the meeting he didn‘t feel that he had to attend. I left around noon and never saw that woman who had called for action and scheduled the meeting. Four people including myself bothered to show up. I honestly feel the woman that was yelling for action was a plant. They needed to take the focus off Ford’s charges.

In conclusion there are too many organizations working on a problem that can be solved by getting parents involved with the PTA. I lost count of the organizations, committees, unions and coalitions represented at the “emergency” town hall meeting even organizers from Chicago Teachers Union were in attendance. They meet to schedule more meetings without results. I would love to know how those all those groups are funded.

I really wanted to be wrong about Rep. La Shawn Ford but it was obvious that the only emergency reviving his damaged image.

Top 5 Finalist, Pinch Me!

I just finished listening to the audio clips of the 4 people trying to keep me from being crowned The Next 89 WLS Talk Star and I am so happy I waited until now to do so. Had I listened to them prior I might have to dropped out, those contestants sound great. Originally I thought about submitting a mock show clip but I thought the people judging the applicants needed to hear who I am and how I came to be.

Tomorrow is the live broadcast where we will fight to the death for the title. I am nervous, excited and still in awe of how I made it to the top 5. I should not be shocked because I have support from almost everyone in my life. My husband kept telling me I would make it to this point. Of course my mom, sister and children have encouraged me. My friends from grade school that have opposing political views even voted for me. The girls from high school (in my mind we are frozen in time which is why I call them girls) were so kind. Facebook friends made me feel like a rock star, it was sweet. There is a group of people I need to give a loud shout-out to, Lisle residents, they are the best townies on the planet. Everywhere I went they engaged me and asked me to them posted, throughout my journey.

Whatever happens tomorrow I have exceeded my dreams already, my name was mentioned on the same station were my favorite conservative personalities are heard. How did that happen? I just hope I don't embarrass my family and friends and simply have a good time. If the ride ends tomorrow, I won't complain. I do feel horrible about missing the high school open house, it's nerdy but I love going.

Thank you all!

I Still Don't Believe It

I made my peace about not getting a call Monday and came clean that I had entered a contest and lost.
Yesterday I was working the Jr. High registration helping at the Booster table when I saw a 312 number on my phone. A woman said she was from WLS 890 AM and asked if I had ever been paid to be on the radio and if I had ever paid to be on the radio (I didn't know you could pay to be on the radio). I replied no to both questions. The woman then told me I was one of the 10 finalist.

I could not wrap my mind around what she said. I called my husband, he told me that I just won him $10, good news, wait who bet against me? I was beaming like an idiot the entire time I was working. I had no words to tell the friends that I encountered. How did I get picked? The top ten will have their bios and pictures posted and the 5 with the highest votes make it to a live broadcast. I am thrilled but terriffied.

Mother's Day 2012 and the Stupid Black Cat

I never verbally expressed what I wanted for Mother's Day after I mentioned that the iPad was the number one gift this season, hint, hint. My husband and adult children are great at giving me things that I want and sometimes things that I didn't even know I wanted. This year I was shocked when opened my gifts, God delivered big time.

I work part-time at a scrapbook store and like most crafters I am behind in preserving my family memories. I am always green with envy when I wait on customers stocking up for scrapbook weekend. I could only imagine what it would be like to have 48 hours to scrap as much as I wanted.

I am also training for my second Chicago Marathon which means I am always suffering from minor aches and pains. Years ago I went in the Coldwater Creek Spa to buy a gift card, you can smell the aroma therapy as soon as the elevators open. I have dreamed of getting a pedicure or a massage there.

I was surprised when my son Julian and his wife gave me a scrapbook weekend, wow. I had just taped a B & B brochure for scrapbookers inside the cabinet in my craftroom with the thought of one day in the distant future. Then my daughter presented me with a gift certificate from Coldwater Creek Spa for a deep tissue 50 minute massage. I hit the jackpot, I had never told anyone.

My mom was visiting and needed a ride home with her gift. I have avoided driving her since she stopped riding on the expressway but I was felt so good about my haul that I eagerly took on the journey. It is normally a 35 minute trip on a Sunday night but on the side streets the travel time is doubled. She did the usual passenger seat driving despite the fact that I have a clean driving record, I didn't care. When we got there I carried her TV up 3 flights of stairs and plugged it into the cable box; I wanted her to be as happy as I was so I did my best to set her up until the cable guy could hook up the HD cables. I even tried to program the Comcast remote for the TV but that was beyond my pay grade. I was floating, this was one of the best Mother's Day ever.

I left her apartment and eagerly headed to the expressway. Just as I made it to the entrance ramp a black cat crossed in front of my van. I am not superstitious, all I could think about was how that stupid cat was going to get hurt or killed on the Dan Ryan. It was about 5 minutes later that a light on my dashboard lit up. I called my husband and described the symbol as a sailboat. Simultaneously we figured out my engine was over heating, yikes. I kept telling myself to stay calm. When I finally decided to get off the Stevenson I was at Pulaski Road. I was home, the first 15 years of my life were spent riding the Pulaski bus and the south end was the neighborhood I traveled through for 4 years to high school.

Well, high school was 29 years ago and everything was different. My husband stayed on the line as I drove forever (5 minutes) looking for a gas station. He told me to buy coolant, when I saw the price I knew it was cheaper at Walmart but I had no choice. The station was attended by a lone woman behind bullet proof glass, she couldn't open my hood. Bill tried to talk me through it but I could not get it, I felt like such a girl, I had never opened my hood. I approached a young man for assistance, he kindly and easily opened my hood. I was not sure where the radiator was, he showed me and pointed out the warning to use special coolant, my van is 12 years old, the manufacturers warranty expired before this kid could drive. I poured the entire bottle in and filled the empty container with water as a backup in the event it over heated before I got home.

I was back on the Stevenson within 20 minutes or so, still flying high but wondering out what the lesson was. I did learn how to pop open the hood and pour a little crushed red pepper in the radiator to impede the small leak which has since been repaired. I wonder what happened to that stupid black cat, hope he made it home safely.

President Barack Obama Could Have Been Great

Barack Hussein Obama II was the 44th man to take the oath as president but he is different from all the rest. For the first time the President of the United States could have truly inspired those who grew up believing the American dream was just out of reach due to their race or circumstances. It is time to call him out for failing to do the one thing that only a president that looks like him can do. If others before had even attempted the same they would have been called racist and out of touch. Obama could have been a great president. Imagine him standing at a microphone and delivering a speech to a group of Americans that have survived for many generations by depending on government programs. I am not referring to the permanently disabled, I am focusing on those that have been programmed to believe the government owes them food, housing, clothing and a cell phone.

Recently he came to his hometown Chicago to raise campaign funds, it was during one of our violent weekends. Obama could have done something that no other president has ever done, skip the V.I.P. events and golf to hold town hall meetings in the neighborhoods most effected by the weekly senseless killings. If I were on his staff as an advisor one of the first speeches would have spoken directly to those who feel like it really doesn’t matter who is the White House because their situation will never change. He could have said the following on January 21, 2009 or when he came to Chicago last spring:

 “Good morning my fellow Americans, I am eager to put this country back track but I need everyone to get on board. As a community organizer I worked in the neighborhoods effected by blight, lack of jobs and violence. I know what you are battling and together we can make it better. Get some skin in the game, take personal responsibility for your well being.

I am calling for everyone to finish high school. If college is a goal, great, start with a junior college. The truth is college is not for everyone, the world needs ditch diggers too. There’s no shame in an honest day of hard work. Economics professor Walter E. Williams has a 3 part plan to defeat poverty:

1. Graduate high school, find a job, keep a job (work to excel)!
2. Don’t have children until you are married!
3. When you get married, stay married!

If you have the desire to change your situation that's the first step. There are government, private and faith based programs available right now for temporary assistance, use them but don’t make them a permanent fixture for your family. The government can never give you the self-respect gained by being in control of your own destiny. Our framers said, “…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, you must do the pursuing.

Take responsibility for your neighborhoods, home is where you raise your families and lay your head. Most Americans are not living in fear of their neighbors. In the days of the civil rights movement black families feared the KKK and other hate groups dedicated to violence against non-whites. The enemy had white skin making them easier to identify but in 2012 the victims and perpetrators are identical. Martin Luther King Jr. died fighting for the right for equal rights, school aged kids getting shot while sitting on their porches is not his dream, it the nightmare many of us are living in everyday.

Stop playing the blame game, evil slave owners are dead. The sins of slavery left a dark mark on the America’s timeline but you get to thrive in the same land your ancestors were forced to build; you can honor them by not wasting the blessing of being born in the Land of the Free. Some of you are thinking there are still racist people how can I succeed, of course there are still folks that hate anyone that doesn’t look like them, they must be really mad about November 4, 2008. Don’t you believe the lie that if you are not white and or rich you can’t make it in this county. Think about our brown brothers and sisters living south of us, they risk everything just for a chance to live where we were born. They pack a bag and leave everything behind. They were born in a country where everyone looks like them and speaks their language but yet they are eager to walk, run and hide for a chance to live in the United States of America, land of endless possibilities.

Make a change, be the change, you are a role model to your family and neighbors. If you have children that you cannot live with please stay involved in their lives. Children need rules, boundaries and corrections but more importantly a feeling that someone really cares. God’s plan is a man and a woman are needed to create a human being, sadly too many families are being lead by only one parent. Single parents have a tough job but it is not impossible. Ask yourself what do my children think of me, is my behavior worthy of praise? Children did not ask to be here, you brought him here so take care of them, all of them. Finally, America was built with the blood sweat and tears of people from all over the planet, the great melting pot, you can be whatever you want to be if you are willing to work hard, look at me.”

The last three years Our Fearless Leader has blamed Bush and the Republicans. He has appeared numerous times waving his finger at the rich for not paying their fair share. Instead of uniting the country he divided America into the “haves” and the “have-nots”. If you are uninformed you might be led to believe the rich are responsible for the ills plaguing our economic recovery. I know there are those who falsely believe that if greedy rich people were simply willing to pay taxes Our President could create more jobs. Has he ever given a speech about cutting the spending. Confiscate every penny made by the 1% for the next ten years and the greedy fat cats in D.C. will spend that and more. He could have been a great president because he can say things that no other President could.

Midnight Mass

I have not been Catholic for many years but Christmas Eve will always take me back to those unforgettable midnight mass services at Our Lady Of Lourdes on the corner of 15th and Keeler in Chicago. My sister and I were members of the student choir, we attended O.L.O.L grade school across the street. They never held tryouts or evaluations and for that I am happy, I would have never made the cut. I wish that God had given me the gift of beautiful voice or at least one decent enough to sing a lullaby without my son placing his hand over my mouth to quiet the screeching.

We would give up Saturday mornings for weeks in preparation of this very special service. Midnight mass was guaranteed to pack the house forcing parishioners to stand in the rarely used balcony. We always shopped for a new outfit which included shoes. One year my step-mom took us to Madigans, I got a 2 piece light tweed suit and my sister Marvine chose a red and cream sweater dress, our shoes were a perfect match. My mother made sure our hair was flawless.

The church was dimly lit with the warm glow of candles. Poinsettias were placed on every flat surface. Father Cross wore festive robes and "Rejoice" banners hung from the ceiling. The mood in the sanctuary was different from Sunday services, there was feeling of quiet peace. I wish I could remember the woman's name, she was a member of the adult choir. She wore a short Afro, tasteful make-up and large fashion earrings, she sang like an angel. One hymn that silenced the entire church every time she sang the words. "Oh Come, Oh Come Emanuel" still gives me chills though I have not heard anyone do it justice since my last midnight mass. The woman's voice was so strong and penetrating. When she bellowed "REJOICE, REJOICE, Emanuel" every space was filled with her rich deep voice, she never failed to bring me to tears. The coveted lead part of "Amen" was always given to an older female member of the children's choir, not me. My absolute favorite part of the night was when the entire choir sang "Hark How The Bells" in full harmony. The school principal was the director of the choir, she had spent many hours correcting our errors but that night she smiled with pride. In the 70's all nuns could play piano and or guitar all while spanking you for talking back, good times.

When the mass ended we rushed home because my mother allowed us to open our gifts that night. We joined the our dear friends from chior who lived downstairs and played with our newly gained loot until the sun came up. Bowls of mixed nuts in the shell, my step-dad Robert singing Nat King Cole with such confidence and midnight mass are all part of my wonderful Christmas memories.

Laws Of Kindness

On Saturday September 18, 2010 a dream of mine came true, I attended a Beth Moore Living Proof Live event. In January of 2000 I delivered a stillborn son, Thaddeus Ace, 2 months after I was baptised. I was a new Christian and could not reconcile why God would allow that to happen to our family. I struggled with the my relationship with God and decided to walk away from the church.

In the fall of 2005 my friend Lucy U. invited me to a Wednesday morning bible study at her church. The study was a DVD presentation of Beth Moore, I had no idea who she was. I have not missed a Wednesday morning study since. We have had a variety of studies but Beth is my favorite. I have one of her books on my iPod and I will listen to it until I drift off, over and over.

Beth is based in Houston, Lucy moved to there a few years ago so I thought I would one day attend her study during a visit with Lucy. Nine months a go I was surfing her website and learned she was coming to Chicago, I put it on my calender. During my spring bible study the leaders of our church asked for volunteers to help organize efforts of women who would be interested in attending. I was happy to help. During the training with her staff we were told of opportunities to help at the event, yes was my first thought. After I read the description of the jobs I chose "Encourager", which meant I would pray with women who felt move by the event to ask for encouragement. There would be a call to prayer and we would be waiting to place a hand on their shoulder and pray with them. I feel like I freshman prayer surrounded by master level women. That position allowed me to serve, not miss any of the event and get preferred seating.

That morning I had some minor set backs but I was so excited that I just smiled and stayed focused, the enemy was not going to win. During the morning training session I listened to the job description and started plotting how I could change jobs. I was convinced that I would be babbling like an idiot and turn those women away from the church. The trainer said God will pair you a woman that you can relate to, "trust me it works out that way".

I was seated in the fourth row behind the orchestra pit. When she appeared on stage it was like I was seeing an old friend. The title of the study was "Laws Of Kindness". She presented 8 steps of being kind. One step was "Don't Mistake Kindness for Weakness", it hit home because I had just sent an email with that title. I was a very difficult email to write, it took me 45 minutes and I only sent a few lines. I kept editing the message, my first thought was to go out of character and use harsh language but like Beth said I was conscience of the fact that our words can be passed on and on in the modern age and that is just not me.

There I was taking notes on my lap just like I have seen women do in so many DVD's. I tried to relax and take it all in, enjoy the moment. Travis Cottrell and the Praise Team opened the show, they were singing all the songs I have learned at church, my eyes filled with tears, I was home.

Just before our final break Beth called for women that felt the need for prayer to make their way down to one of the women in the blue vest, yikes that was me. I got very scared. I was not ready, I had no idea what I could say to women seeking the comfort of prayer. I thought about my bible studies when everyone closes the sessions in prayer and those women are rock stars, why had I volunteered for this task? I was thinking that since there were so many encouragers I may not get anyone in my line. I grabbed a hand full of tissues and I waited. It took sometime but as the worship team's singing filled the room with something good, the lines started forming and suddenly there was a woman headed toward me, help!

I asked her name and where she was from. Anita was from Ohio and had a friend standing behind her. She talked about being in an unhealthy relationship, wow, I know a little something about that considering my first marriage. I got nervous , forgot her name but asked her to repeat it then I started praying. At some point I mentioned Thaddeus and my separation from God. Suddenly I was using the tissues I had intended for my "customers". We were hugging because the music was very loud, amazing feeling. She sat down and there was no one in my line. I got more tissue and focused on the moment. Suddenly I was convicted about my relationship with my daughter and I started crying. As a mom we struggle at different times with all our children. A beautiful woman approached me, she was about my age, stylish and fit, age was all we had in common. She wanted me to pray for her 20 year old daughter Jessica who she feared was an alcoholic. Bingo! We started chatting and praying. Her daughter has traits like mine, type A, driven and doing well in school. She and Jessica had an open relationship, no secrets but with her 21st birthday approaching she feared that her daughter would soon hit bottom and maybe have an accident. I again used the tissue but offered her some first. I will never forget those women. A woman came to collect my blue vest and I made a joke about wanting to keep it, I had survived.

I went back to my seat to grab the gift I made for Beth, for 8 hours I was wrestling with how to get the gift to her or should I just mail it later. I was so moved by the moment I knew that I may never get such a time as this (Esther study) to express what she means to me. I stayed up until 2 am preparing a little compact and a letter. I spotted the trainer just before she closed the back stage area and told her I was losing my nerve but I really wanted Beth to have my gift. She was very sincere when she said she would make sure Beth got my gift.

If you love Jesus and know the bible go to Beth Moore Live, if you love Jesus and don't have a clue about the bible go see Beth Moore Live, if you don't have a personal relationship with God, go see Beth Moore Live. I have seen those Dead Heads in Grant park that give up their lives to travel with the Grateful Dead (I don't get it) but I could see how a person would want to be surrounded by that energy of thousands of women and "a few brave men" worshiping together. For years I wondered if she took multiple takes to get the perfect DVD presentation and after seeing her live I am convinced she has been anointed by God to lead bible studies, she's flawless and her message is God breathed.

My only regret was that I did not share the experience with a friend or family member, I will next time.