Year-end Close-out

Apparently, lack of time and lack of events have led to little to no substantive blogging on my part of late. And while the years traditionally go by at a faster rate, for a number of reasons, this one has seemed longer than most. So barring anything unforeseen, I think that I will take a break from blogging until after the New Year.

In the interim, I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

And in closing, I'll reprint an excerpt from something that I wrote on this blog almost two years ago to the day (I cannot believe that I've been doing this that long!). I think that it fits just as well today as it did then:

To my friends, colleagues, neighbors, constituents, readers, supporters and detractors alike:

Those of you who know me have likely heard me say that it is all too common for people (myself included at times) to sulk in self-pity when things are not exactly as we would like them to be, yet we rarely pause to be grateful for when things are going smoothly. Every day that we can get up with our health and good fortune, and be able to share that with people whom we care about, is a good day.

We always forget the fragility of life and the inexplicable randomness of the line between life, death or misfortune, until it somehow touches our lives. To the extent that it hasn't touched our lives, we should appreciate and revel in that fact.

And though in the weeks, months and years ahead, we may vociferously agree or disagree upon issues of politics and government, keep in your heads and hearts those things that truly matter, that are truly worth expending energy upon, and that would justifiably mean the most to be without.

It is very easy for those in politics, or for those that follow politics, to become consumed in this arena. We must remember, however, that the other 99% of the people, while dependent upon the decisions we reach, are still able to appreciate that there is a world out there that goes on every day. One filled, not with poll numbers or issue formulation, but with friends, family and the riches of life. And remember that what we do is a means to an end, but should never be considered an end in and of itself.

In closing, my year-end wish for all of you is the health and comfort of you and those that you care about and happiness next year and the years to come.

I have put a lot of time into this endeavor, and have tried to make it something that people find of some value. Thank you for reading my ongoing thoughts and for sharing yours with me.

Peace

Barack the Vote - This Friday!

Here's just the thing for anybody looking to combine good politics and good music.

Join our very own Sen. Barack Obama THIS FRIDAY night for an evening featuring musical performances by:

Jeff Tweedy
Stephan Jenkins
Jill Sobule

The event is at the Riviera Theater, 4746 N. Racine Ave. at 7p.m.

For security reasons, no bags will be allowed inside.

Also, no signs or banners are permitted.

To purchase tickets, go to donate.barackobama.com

Child's Play

Just when you think that you've seen it all in political campaigns, along comes something so absurd that you just have to shake your head.

In their attempt to PROVE, without a doubt, that Sen. Obama has been planning on running for President forever, the Clinton campaign put out a press release yesterday with quotes from (I swear I'm not making this up) Obama's THIRD GRADE TEACHER and KINDERGARTEN TEACHER. The release states in part:

In third grade, Senator Obama wrote an essay titled 'I Want To Be a President.' His third grade teacher: Fermina Katarina Sinaga "asked her class to write an essay titled 'My dream: What I want to be in the future.' Senator Obama wrote 'I want to be a President,' she said." [The Los Angeles Times, 3/15/07]

In kindergarten, Senator Obama wrote an essay titled 'I Want to Become President.’ "Iis Darmawan, 63, Senator Obama's kindergarten teacher, remembers him as an exceptionally tall and curly haired child who quickly picked up the local language and had sharp math skills. He wrote an essay titled, 'I Want To Become President,' the teacher said."
[AP, 1/25/07 ]

If they wanted to try to make their point via Barack's words and actions as an adult, fair enough. But to cite a kindergarten essay in support of their position is simply absurd. Let me congratulate the Clinton camp for resetting the bar when it comes to trivializing Presidential politics.

Bucktown Community Safety Seminar

COMMUNITY SAFETY SEMINAR

Are break-ins and property crime on the rise in Bucktown and Wicker Park or is it just perception?

Tomorrow, please join me, the Bucktown Community Organization, and 14th District Commander Salvador Avila to answer this question, discuss recent break-ins and other criminal activity, and to find out what you can do to help protect yourself, your family, your home and your business.

DATE: This Monday, December 3rd

TIME: 7:00p.m.

WHERE: Drummond School - 1845 W Cortland

For additional information, please contact my office at 773-871-4000, or the BCO at bco@bucktown.org.