ScottsBigMouth

Jamie Oliver Wants To Save Your Kid's Life

Jamie Oliver's TED Prize Wish Presentation. Absolutely a MUST WATCH for EVERY individual who cares about kids. Period. Don't skip this. Really.

To Save His Legacy, Daley Must Walk The Walk In Chicago's War Zones

With the latest round of killings sending shock waves through Chicago's gang-infested neighborhoods, local activists are clear on one thing.  Mayor Daley is in danger of losing the latest battle to save our city in the larger "war" with they city's street gangs.  Under duress, he appears to be closing ranks in the post-Olympics-loss blame game, while simultaneously being exposed as having allowed the Olympics to consume his administration's attention as Fenger High, Uptown, and countless other hot spots flared into mini-versions of "Lord of the Flies."

Where is the leadership that Daley so proudly proclaimed last year in attacking the gang problem across the city?  Sure, Taste of Chicago was relatively tame this year, but we have all-out war in the neighborhoods.  When he was wining and dining the Copenhagen glitterati, posing with Oprah and Obama, and cajoling  every reporter in town that the Olympics were coming; his embattled police command couldn't even keep their cameras pointed down range to insure officers were where they needed to be when the mobs turned into wolf packs out for a kill.

When you look at the videos of the wilding gangs chasing victims in Uptown, the lynch-beating murder of sixteen-year-old Derrion Albert, or the tearful soul-ripping pleas from victims' mothers and grandmothers for help from our city fathers; what don't you see?  You sure as hell don't see the Mayor, political candidates, Aldermen and Alderwomen, county board members, or business luminaries descending upon our blood-stained poor neighborhoods giving real triage to the root of the problem.

Nope, they're still nestled safely in their chauffeured cars, protected by staff behind marble-lined, cordoned-off, wood-paneled environs; glass-and-steel towers, and echelons of security personnel to keep them "safe" to do the "people's business." All the while, the city's children are slaughtered in the streets.

Its time for these political opportunist power-brokers and money-hounds to leave the damn Loop to really walk the walk with the ministers and community activists who are trying to pick up the pieces of our duct-taped-together neighborhoods before another entire generation of young kids are either dead or incarcerated.  It is time for our city and county leaders to actually prioritize REAL attention and money to what matters, instead of chasing a dream off to Copenhagen, or DC, or whatever glitzy benefit happens to be on at the Four Seasons or Peninsula that night.  Its time for them to ride-along with our cops, social workers, teachers, and EMTs; to see what's really happening out there in the REAL Chicago instead of the "idealized" version that's been rolling in the 2016 promo videos.

Mr. Mayor, it starts with you.  You need to leave City Hall for a few weeks, and spend every day in the neighborhoods, listening, learning, and then acting to save the city you say you love so dearly.  Your legacy, and your loyalty to us...the people who got you there, is at stake--not to mention hundreds of thousands of young lives who should be preparing to take over and lead in our city's uncertain future.

Tom Harkin Picks Up Kennedy Torch As New Senate Health Chair

BIAS STATEMENT: I used to work for U.S. Senator Tom Harkin as Director of Operations for his political campaign.  I love the man like a brother...and in fact, he IS a fraternity Brother of mine, a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity; as I am.

I couldn't be more proud to learn that U.S. Senator Tom Harkin is picking up the torch previously carried by the Lion, U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy.  As most Americans know, Senator Harkin and Senator Kennedy both share the strong Progressive and common sense positions that where you come from or how much you earn should not determine whether you deserve health care.

In assuming the helm of the Senate Health Care Committee, Harkin carries forward on his leadership as a passionate fighter for the common Iowan and American.  As co-architect of the Americans With Disabilities Act, a friend of Registered Nurses, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctors of Chiropractic Medicine, caregivers of all stripes, and yes...Medical Doctors as well; Harkin has arguably done more to fight for patients' rights than any other Senator currently serving.

Congrats, T.H. on your new post.  I couldn't be more proud to be associated with someone than I am today.

Y.I.T.B.O.S.

ScottsBigMouth / Scott Foval

President Must Keep It Simple, Hold On To Public Option Tonight

Congress is finally back from their "listening tours" during the Summer recess, and it has become clear that they are still hedging their bets.  Despite the right wing noise machine's need to disrupt, distort, and dismember (read: D.O.A.) the health care reform effort; the President seems to have evolved and gained some clarity of purpose over the past several weeks.

The opponents of health care reform have done their best to absolutely shred the message into a scream fest over "death panels" and "socialization" of our country as a whole.  Reasonable people understand this is just fear mongering to scare enough people into being all worked up and crazed to get on TV.  The President doesn't seem to have taken the bait, and has stayed above the fear factor.

Tonight, though, he will speak directly to Congress about what he expects.  As he mentioned over the weekend "its time to do something."  Now that he is doing this...a couple of notes.

K.I.S.S. = I'm not going to spell it out.  This is obvious, and for some of the low-noters out there, who don't understand what it means--I'm not going to purposefully piss you off by calling you stupid.

Second, keep the public option in tact.  It is time for the Congress to actually deliver real health care coverage for poor, low income, and the uninsured.  We must take care of our people, period.  The selfish folks who think we should not do this, should quit being selfish and remember the golden rule.

Third, don't give Congress ANY room to wiggle out of this.  Especially Max Baucus, Chuck Grassley, and Blanche Lincoln.  Max, you're dead to me.  Chuck, you're an embarrassment to all Iowans.  Blanche Lincoln; who's side are you on?   All three of you have taken enough Big Health Money to recondition a battleship and launch it as your private yacht.  Sit down and just give me health care, NOW.

Finally, take a stand for the Progressive voters that got you there, Mr. President.  You need to stand and deliver, or this is going to be a huge problem for you in the next round.  You may not "win" in the eyes of the pundits, but remember, the pundits didn't elect you.  You don't have to be bi-partisan either.  The Republicans weren't bi-partisan when they whipped Clinton's tail on health care back in the day.

If the President follows these little suggestions, it can be predicted that a reasonable result will come down the pike...and it will be a nice compromise.  However, if the President fails to demand a public option, and kick the Righties' and Blue Dogs' butts Chicago-style like he should, all bets are off.  We're going shopping.

Blue Dogs Will Be Swept Out If Health Care Public Option Fails

Right before network deadline time yesterday, it became clear that corporate health care companies were digging-in on Congressional Democrats.  These companies, the same entities that have doubled the average American's insurance premiums, hooked millions of people on prescription drugs for life, and discriminated against individuals with pre-existing conditions in favor of profit; showered Capitol Hill with lobbyists to bury health care reform with every resource they have.

Chief amongst the turncoats behind closed doors on Health Care Reform is Senator Max Baucus and his "conservative Democrat" contingent of Blue Dogs.  These Republicans in sheep's clothing have collectively taken more money than their Republican counterparts, all while pretending to represent the Democratic party.

Well it is time to raise hell with these folks, and call-the-ball on them.  This message is specifically for my fellow Progressive Democrats.  Its time to get our brooms out and let these folks know we mean business.

The Blue Dogs will be replaced with Progressive Democratic candidates if we don't get a public option.

We must take control of our own destiny for the sake of all Americans.  The public option is not something that can' be swept under the rug, as 70% of all Americans want it.  Confusion, disinformation campaigns, and outright lies are being touted by the right in order to foster the "death" of the public option as part of the debate.  The Blue Dogs are walking right along, their leashes being held by the same health care companies that feed their Republican counterparts.

That is wrong.

It is time for Progressives to pull our brooms out and remind Congressional Democrats (PARTICULARLY THE BLUE DOGS) that we are the ones that put them there with our votes.  Sure, they can take all the corporate health care money they want, but when it comes down to it, we won't think twice about kicking their asses out of office and replacing them with Representatives and Senators who truly represent the wishes of the people.

We also have to remind President Obama that we put him there as well, and his hyper-modulation over what the meaning of "Health Care Reform" actually means will not be tolerated either.  Time to buck up, Mr. President, and remember that the Progressive wing of the Democratic Party went along with your rhetoric, but we expect that you will deliver the public option.  You can't give billions to the Finance industry on one end, and screw the people on the Health Care Reform mandate.  You are expected to stand and deliver on this one, and call on Congress to do the right thing too.

If not, you're a one-termer as well.

Blue Dogs' feet, whether they belong to members of Congress or the occupant of The White House, must be held to the fire. They must understand that the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party is not going to allow corporations to control our future.  We've put up with it for nearly 40 years, and it is no longer acceptable.  The people must take back control over our representatives, and put them in their place, reminding them that without our votes, they don't have jobs.

STATEMENT: IL Reps. Steans, Osterman, Harris On H1N1 A Virus Response

Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 16:56

From the Desk of...
State Senator Heather Steans
State Representative Harry Osterman
State Representative Greg Harris

Dear neighbors,

As many of you may have read in the news yesterday, a student at Kilmer Elementary School in Rogers Park has been diagnosed with a probable case of swine flu.  Kilmer School was closed to prevent spread of the illness.   The school has also noticed an elevated rate of absenteeism.  The Chicago Tribune reports that the school normally has an absentee rate of 94 to 96 percent, but reported a rate of 87 percent on Tuesday.

The Chicago Public Schools are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of swine flu to other students.  Right now, we are being told that all of the local schools would like donations of hand sanitizers.  If you are able to donate hand sanitizer, please bring it to  5533 N. Broadway, 5535 N. Broadway, or 1967 W. Montrose between 9AM and 5PM.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has released the following information:

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs and typically, humans are not infected.  However, the CDC has confirmed human-to-human transmission of swine flu cases.

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.  Some people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

The public should follow some common sense precautions to avoid getting sick or, if sick, infecting others:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough and sneeze.  You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; that's how germs are spread.

• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit your contact with other people to avoid infecting them. Parents should follow these same recommendations for their children.

The Department of Public Health also recommends: For people who have flu-like symptoms and have traveled to areas where swine flu has been confirmed, they should seek medical attention.  However, if a person has flu-like symptoms, but has not traveled to areas where swine flu has been confirmed, they should stay home and contact a doctor to see if they should go in for testing.

As further steps to combat an outbreak, the U.S. Health and Homeland Security officials announced a release of a quarter of the country's stockpiles of anti-flu drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza.  Illinois currently has a sufficient emergency supply, but will be receiving additional supplies from the federal government.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) also is closely monitoring the developing situation and working to ensure response plans can be activated quickly if necessary. In addition to coordinating closely with Dr. Arnold, IEMA Director Velasquez participated in several situation briefings with the Department of Homeland Security over the weekend. IEMA alerted state agency liaisons to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) of the developing situation over the weekend, and Monday afternoon the liaisons will meet to discuss potential response actions. State emergency management officials also have contacted local emergency management agencies throughout the state to make them aware of developments and ensure that they are prepared to deal with a potential flu outbreak in Illinois.

The Department will continually update information on swine flu on its Web site at www.idph.state.il.us and also the www.ready.illinois.gov Web site.

Sincerely,

7th District State Senator Heather Steans
14th District State Representative Harry Osterman
13th District State Representative Greg Harris