In Obama's Army - Catholics and Evangelical Christians Are Listed as Extremists

Extremist Catholic Priest (above and to the right) Posthumous Recipient Congressional Medal of Honor

Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center: Thoughtful, caring, and well-funded influential American.

As Isaiah the Prophet said [Isaiah 5:20-24]:

Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight!
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine,
and valiant men in mixing strong drink,
who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
and deprive the innocent of his right!
Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble,
and as dry grass sinks down in the flame,
so their root will be as rottenness,
and their blossom go up like dust;
for they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts,
and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) issued the following statement today on the mischaracterization of  “Catholicism” as an example of “religious extremism” on slide #24 of this U.S. Army Reserve training brief:

I got an e-mail from a board member for Brother Rice High School who practices law in Georgia.
This e-mail included a link to the website for the Bishop of Military Chaplains.  

The Archdiocese for the Military Services and Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty recently became aware of a U.S. Army Reserve Equal Opportunity training brief that expressly listed “Catholicism,” “Evangelical Christianity” and other religious groups as examples of “religious extremism” alongside groups such as “Al Qaeda”, “Hamas” and the “KKK.”  
The Archdiocese is astounded that Catholics were listed alongside groups that are, by their very mission and nature, violent and extremist. 
According to an investigation and reply from the Army Chief of Chaplains office, the training in question appears to have been an isolated incident not condoned by the Department of the Army. The Archdiocese and the Chaplain Alliance explained that the Army can and should take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Archdiocese calls upon the Department of Defense to review these materials and to ensure that tax-payer funds are never again used to present blatantly anti-religious material to the men and women in uniform.

A new Army Reserve program warns officers to be on the look out for terrorists, gang-bangers, political extremists, church going Evangelicals and Roman Catholics ( page 24.) as domestic and international terrorists.

From the introduction to the training brief, it appears that President Obama as Commander-in-Chief reached out to the Southern Poverty Law Center for guidance in identifying bad guys and girls.

The number of hate groups, extremists and anti‐govt organizationsin theU.S. has
continued to grow over the past three years, according to reports by the Southern Poverty Law Center. They increased to 1,018 in 2011, up from1,002 in 2010 and 602 in 2000.

The striking rise is fueled by the superheated fears generated by economic dislocation, a proliferation of demonizing conspiracy theories,the changing racialmake‐up of America and the prospect of 4 more years under a black president who many on the far right view as an enemy to their country country. The rise in hate crimes and extremism outside the military may be an indication of internal
issues all services will have to face

On one hand America has an extremist like Padre Grunt

On the other hand you have this runt

Gee, Mark almost to the word of the Army Brief.

There have been many Roman Catholic and Evangelical Christians who went to extreme measures to preserve our democracy.  

Barack H. Obama is the Commander in Chief and not the clowns of the Southern Poverty Law Center, whatever the hell that means?

Here's a few, just the Irish American Extremists:

Civil War

      This along with the *, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
—	James Allen	Army	Private		South Mountain,Maryland	September 14, 1862	Single-handed and slightly wounded he accosted a squad of 14 Confederate soldiers bearing the colors of the 16th Georgia Infantry (C.S.A.).
—	Robert Anderson	Navy	Quartermaster		On board the USS Crusader and theUSS Keokuk	1863	Served on board the USS Crusader and the USS Keokuk during various actions of those vessels.
—	Augustus Barry	Army	Sergeant Major		Unknown	1863 – 1865	Gallantry in various actions during the rebellion.[9]
—	David L. Bass	Navy	Seaman		Fort Fisher, North Carolina	January 15, 1865	On board the U.S.S. Minnesota in action during the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865.
—	William R. D. Blackwood	Army	Surgeon		Petersburg, Virginia	April 2, 1865	Removed severely wounded officers and soldiers from the field while under a heavy fire from the enemy, exposing himself beyond the call of duty, thus furnishing an example of most distinguished gallantry.
	John Gregory Bourke	Army	Private	Company E, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry	Murfreesboro, Tennessee	December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863	Gallantry in action.[10]
—	James Brady	Army	Private		Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia	Sep 29, 1864	Capture of flag[9]
—	Felix Brannigan	Army	Private		Battle of Chancellorsville,Virginia	May 2, 1863	Volunteered on a dangerous service and brought in valuable information.
—	John Brosnan	Army	Sergeant	Company E, 164th New York Infantry	Second Battle of Petersburg,Virginia	Jun 17, 1864	Rescued a wounded comrade who lay exposed to the enemy's fire, receiving a severe wound in the effort.[9]
—	Denis Buckley	Army	Private		Battle of Peachtree Creek, Ga.	Jul 20, 1864	Capture of flag of 31st Mississippi (C.S.A.).[9]
—	John C. Buckley	Army	Sergeant		Battle of Vicksburg, Miss.	May 22, 1863	Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."[9]
—	E. Michael Burk	Army	Private		Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia	May 12, 1864	Capture of flag, seizing it as his regiment advanced over the enemy's works. He received a bullet wound in the chest while capturing flag.[9]
—	Thomas Burk	Army	Sergeant		Battle of Wilderness	May 6, 1864	At the risk of his own life went back while the rebels were still firing and, finding Col. Wheelock unable to move, alone and unaided, carried him off the field of battle.[9]
—	Daniel W. Burke	Army	First Sergeant		Battle of Shepherdstown,Virginia	Sep 20, 1862	Voluntarily attempted to spike a gun in the face of the enemy.[9]
—	John H. Callahan	Army	Private		Battle of Fort Blakely, Ala.	Apr 9, 1865	Capture of flag.
—	William Campbell	Army	Private		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 22, 1863	Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."
—	Hugh Carey	Army	Sergeant	82nd New York Infantry	Battle of Gettysburg, Pa.	Jul 2, 1863	Captured the flag of the 7th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.), being twice wounded in the effort.[11]
—	Patrick Colbert	Navy	Coxswain		Aboard theUSS Commodore Hull	October 31, 1864	Served on board the U.S.S. Commodore Hull at the capture of Plymouth, 31 October 1864[9]
—	Charles H. T. Collis	Army	Colonel		Petersburg, Virginia	December 13, 1862	Gallantly led his regiment in battle at a critical moment.
—	Dennis Conlan	Navy	Seaman		Aboard theUSS Agawam,First Battle of Fort Fisher	December 23, 1864	Conlan served on board the U.S.S. Agawam, as one of a volunteer crew of a powder boat which was exploded near Fort Fisher, 23 December 1864.[9]
—	Thomas Connor	Navy	Ordinary Seaman		Fort Fisher, North Carolina	January 15, 1865	On board the U.S.S. Minnesota, in action during the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865.
—	James Connors	Army	Private		Battle of Fisher's Hill, Virginia	September 22, 1864	Capture of enemy flag.
—	John L. M. Cooper	Navy	Coxswain		Mobile Bay,Alabama Mobile, Alabama	August 5, 1864 April 26, 1865	Double MOH recipient
—	John Corcoran	Army	Private		Third Battle of Petersburg,Virginia	Apr 2, 1865	Was one of a detachment of 20 picked artillerymen who voluntarily accompanied an infantry assaulting party, and who turned upon the enemy the guns captured in the assault.[12]
	Thomas E. Corcoran	Navy	Landman		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 27, 1863	Served on board the U.S.S. Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking
—	John Creed	Army	Private		Battle of Fisher's Hill, Virginia	September 22, 1864	Capture of the enemy flag.
	Cornelius Cronin	Navy	Chief Quartermaster		Aboard theUSS Richmond,Battle of Mobile Bay	August 5, 1864	On board the U.S.S. Richmond in action at Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864[9]
—	Richard J. Curran	Army	Assistant Surgeon		Antietam, Maryland	September 17, 1862	Voluntarily exposed himself to great danger by going to the fighting line there succoring the wounded and helpless and conducting them to the field hospital.
—	Michael Dougherty	Army	Private		Jefferson, Virginia	Oct 12, 1863	At the head of a detachment of his company dashed across an open field, exposed to a deadly fire from the enemy, and succeeded in dislodging them from an unoccupied house, which he and his comrades defended for several hours against repeated attacks, thus preventing the enemy from flanking the position of the Union forces.
—	Patrick Dougherty	Navy	Landsman		Aboard theUSS Lackawanna,Battle of Mobile Bay	August 5, 1864	As a landsman on board the U.S.S. Lackawanna, Dougherty acted gallantly without orders when the powder box at his gun was disabled under the heavy enemy fire, and maintained a supply of powder throughout the prolonged action. Dougherty also aided in the attacks on Fort Morgan and in the capture of the prize ram Tennessee.
—	Edmund English	Army	First Sergeant		Wilderness, Virginia	May 6, 1864	During a rout and while under orders to retreat seized the colors, rallied the men, and drove the enemy back.
—	Thomas T. Fallon	Army	Private		Williamsburg,Virginia	May 1862 andJun 1864	At Williamsburg, Virginia, assisted in driving rebel skirmishers to their main line. Participated in action, at Fair Oaks, Virginia, though excused from duty because of disability. In a charge with his company at Big Shanty, Ga., was the first man on the enemy's works.[6]
—	Thomas Fitzpatrick	Navy	Coxswain		Aboard theUSS Hartford,Battle of Mobile Bay	August 5, 1864	As captain of the No. 1 gun on board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford, during action against rebel gunboats, the ram Tennessee and Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
—	Augustin Flanagan	Army	Sergeant		Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia	Sep 29, 1864	Gallantry in the charge on the enemy's works: rushing forward with the colors and calling upon the men to follow him; was severely wounded.
—	James Flannigan	Army	Private		Nolensville, Tenn.	Feb 15, 1863	Was one of a detachment of 16 men who heroically defended a wagon train against the attack of 125 cavalry, repulsed the attack and saved the train.
—	Christopher Flynn	Army	Corporal	14th Connecticut Infantry	Battle of Gettysburg, Pa.	Jul 3, 1863	Capture of flag of 52d North Carolina Infantry (C.S.A.).[11]
—	James E. Flynn	Army	Sergeant		Battle of Vicksburg, Miss.	May 22, 1863	Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."
	Michael C. Horgan	Navy	Landman		Plymouth, North Carolina	October 31, 1864	"[D]istinguished himself by a display of coolness when he participated in landing and spiking a 9-inch gun while under a devastating fire from enemy musketry."
—	Samuel B. Horne	Army	Captain		Fort Harrison,Virginia	September 29, 1864	While acting as an aide and carrying an important message, was severely wounded and his horse killed but delivered the order and rejoined his general.
—	Michael Hudson	Marine Corps	Sergeant		Mobile Bay,Alabama	August 5, 1864	On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864
—	Thomas R. Kerr	Army	Captain		Moorefield, West Virginia	August 7, 1864	After being most desperately wounded, he captured the colors of the 8th Virginia Cavalry (C.S.A.).
—	Edward M. Knox	Army	Second Lieutenant		Gettysburg,Pennsylvania	Jul 2, 1863	Held his ground with the battery after the other batteries had fallen back until compelled to draw his piece off by hand; he was severely wounded.[13]
—	Bartlett Laffey	Navy	Seaman		Yazoo City, Mississippi	March 5, 1864	Served on board the U.S.S. Marmora off Yazoo City, Miss., 5 March 1864. Landed ashore with his howitzer gun and crew in the midst of battle and contributed to the turning back of the enemy.
—	Hugh Logan	Navy	Captain of the Forecastle		Mobile Bay,Alabama	December 30, 1862	On board the U.S.S. Rhode Island which was engaged in rescuing men from the stricken Monitor in Mobile Bay, on 30 December 1862.
—	John Lonergan	Army	Captain	13th Vermont Infantry	Gettysburg, Pennsylvania	July 2, 1863	Gallantry in the recapture of 4 guns and the capture of 2 additional guns from the enemy; also the capture of a number of prisoners.[11]
—	Michael Madden	Army	Private		Mason's Island,Maryland	September 3, 1861	Assisted a wounded comrade to the riverbank and, under heavy fire of the enemy, swam with him across a branch of the Potomac to the Union lines.
—	Richard C. Mangam	Army	Private		Battle of Hatcher's Run, Virginia	April 2, 1865	Capture of flag of 8th Mississippi Infantry (C.S.A.)
—	James Martin II	Marine Corps	Sergeant		Mobile Bay,Alabama	August 5, 1864	Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Sgt. Martin fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious 2 hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.
—	Peter McAdams	Army	Corporal		Salem Heights,Virginia	May 3, 1863	Went 250 yards in front of his regiment toward the position of the enemy and under fire brought within the lines a wounded and unconscious comrade.[14]
—	Charles McAnally	Army	Second Lieutenant		Spotsylvania County, Virginia	May 12, 1864	In a hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy captured a flag, was wounded in the act, but continued on duty until he received a second wound.
—	Patrick H. McEnroe	Army	Sergeant		Winchester, Virginia	September 19, 1864	Capture of colors of 36th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.).
—	Martin McHugh	Navy	Seaman		Aboard theUSS Cincinnati,Operations against Vicksburg	May 27, 1863	Serving on board the USS Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking, 27 May 1863.[15]
	Hugh Molloy	Navy	Ordinary Seaman		Harrisonburg, Louisiana	March 2, 1864	Served on board the USS Fort Hindman during the engagement near Harrisonburg, La., 2 March 1864.
—	Patrick Monaghan	Army	Corporal		Second Battle of Petersburg,Virginia	Jun 17, 1864	Recapture of colors of 7th New York Heavy Artillery.
—	John G. Morrison	Navy	Coxswain		On board the USS Carondelet	July 15, 1862	Serving as coxswain on board the USS Carondelet, Morrison was commended for meritorious conduct in general and especially for his heroic conduct and his inspiring example to the crew in the engagement with the rebel ram Arkansas, Yazoo River, 15 July 1862.
	St. Clair A. Mulholland	Army	Major		Chancellorsville, Virginia	May 4–5, 1863	In command of the picket line held the enemy in check all night to cover the retreat of the Army.
—	Dennis Murphy	Army	Sergeant		Corinth, Mississippi	October 3, 1862	Although wounded three times, carried the colors throughout the conflict.
—	Michael C. Murphy	Army	Lieutenant Colonel		Battle of North Anna, Virginia	May 24, 1864	This officer, commanding the regiment, kept it on the field exposed to the fire of the enemy for 3 hours without being able to fire one shot in return because of the ammunition being exhausted.
—	Christopher Nugent	Marine Corps	Sergeant		On board the USS Fort Henry	June 15, 1863	For his actions while serving on board the USS Fort Henry, Crystal River, Fla., 15 June 1863.
—	James R. O'Beirne	Army	Captain		Battle of Seven Pines, Virginia	May 31-June 1, 1862	Gallantly maintained the line of battle until ordered to fall back.
—	Henry D. O'Brien	Army	Corporal		Battle of Gettysburg, Pa.	Jul 3, 1863	Taking up the colors where they had fallen, he rushed ahead of his regiment, close to the muzzles of the enemy's guns, and engaged in the desperate struggle in which the enemy was defeated, and though severely wounded, he held the colors until wounded a second time.
—	Oliver O'Brien	Navy	Coxswain		Aboard theUSS John Adams	November 28, 1864	Served as coxswain on board the U.S. Sloop John Adams, Sullvan's Island Channel, 28 November 1864. Taking part in the boarding of the blockade runner Beatrice while under heavy enemy fire from Fort Moultrie, O'Brien, who was in charge of one of the boarding launches, carried out his duties with prompt and energetic conduct. This action resulted in the firing of the Beatrice and the capture of a quantity of supplies from her.
—	Peter O'Brien	Army	Private		Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia	Mar 2, 1865	Capture of flag and of a Confederate officer with his horse and equipment
—	Thomas O'Connell	Navy		Coal Heaver	Aboard theUSS Hartford,Battle of Mobile Bay	Aug 5, 1864	On board the flagship USS Hartford, during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864.
—	Timothy O'Connor	Army	Private		Unknown	Unknown	Date and place of act not of record in War Department.
—	John O'Dea	Army	Private		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 22, 1863	Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party"
—	Menomen O'Donnell	Army	First Lieutenant		Battle of Vicksburg,Mississippi and Fort DeRussey, La.	May 22, 1863 andMar 14, 1864	Voluntarily joined the color guard in the assault on the enemy's works when he saw indications of wavering and caused the colors of his regiment to be planted on the parapet. Voluntarily placed himself in the ranks of an assaulting column (being then on staff duty) and rode with it into the enemy's works, being the only mounted officer present, was twice wounded in battle.
—	Timothy O'Donoghue	Navy	Seaman		Aboard theUSS Signal, Red River Campaign	May 5, 1864	Served as boatswain's mate on board the USS Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864.
—	Stephen O'Neill	Army	Corporal		Battle of Chancellorsville,Virginia	May 1, 1863	Took up the colors from the hands of the color bearer who had been shot down and bore them through the remainder of the battle.
—	George C. Platt	Army	Private		Fairfield, Pennsylvania	July 3, 1863	Seized the regimental flag upon the death of the standard bearer in a hand-to-hand fight and prevented it from falling into the hands of the enemy.
—	Thomas Plunkett	Army	Sergeant		Fredericksburg, Virginia	December 11, 1862	Seized the colors of his regiment, the color bearer having been shot down, and bore them to the front where both his arms were carried off by a shell.
	James Quinlan	Army	Major		Savage's Station, Virginia	June 29, 1862	Led his regiment on the enemy's battery, silenced the guns, held the position against overwhelming numbers, and covered the retreat of the 2d Army Corps.
—	John Rannahan	Marine Corps	Corporal		Fort Fisher, North Carolina	January 15, 1865	On board the USS Minnesota in the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865.
—	George Reynolds	Army	Private		Winchester, Virginia	September 19, 1864	Capture of Virginia State flag.
—	James S. Roantree	Marine Corps	Sergeant		Mobile Bay,Alabama	August 5, 1864	On board the USS Oneida during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
—	Peter J. Ryan	Army	Private		Winchester, Virginia	September 19, 1864	With one companion, captured 14 Confederates in the severest part of the battle.
—	George Schutt	Navy	Coxswain		St. Marks, Florida	March 5–6, 1865
—	William J. Sewell	Army	Colonel		Chancellorsville, Virginia	May 3, 1863	For assuming command of the brigade, rallying the troops, and remaining in command though wounded.[6]
—	William Smith	Navy	Quartermaster		On board the USS Kearsarge	January 15, 1865	Served as second quartermaster on board the USS Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864.
—	James Sullivan	Navy	Ordinary Seaman		Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina	December 2, 1864	On board the USS Agawam as one of a volunteer crew of a powder boat which was exploded near Fort Fisher, 2 December 1864.
—	John Sullivan	Navy	Seaman		USS Monticello	Jun 23, 1864 –Jun 25, 1864	Served as seaman on board the USS Monticello during the reconnaissance of the harbor and water defenses of Wilmington, North Carolina 23 to 25 June 1864.
—	Timothy Sullivan	Navy	Coxswain		USS Louisville	Various	Served on board the USS Louisville during various actions of that vessel. During the engagements of the Louisville, Sullivan served as first captain of a 9 inch gun and throughout his period of service was "especially commended for his attention to duty, bravery, and coolness in action."
—	John M. Tobin	Army	First Lieutenant		Malvern Hill,Virginia	July 1, 1862	Voluntarily took command of the 9th Massachusetts while adjutant, bravely fighting from 3 p.m. until dusk, rallying and re_forming the regiment under fire; twice picked up the regimental flag, the color bearer having been shot down, and placed it in worthy hands.
—	John Walsh	Army	Corporal		Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia	October 19, 1864	Recaptured the flag of the 15th New Jersey Infantry.
—	Thomas M. Wells	Army	Chief Bugler		Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia	October 19, 1864	Capture of colors of 44th Georgia Infantry (C.S.A.).
—	Edward Welsh	Army	Private		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 22, 1863	Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."
—	James Welsh	Army	Private		Battle of the Crater, Petersburg,Virginia	Jul 30, 1864	Bore off the regimental colors after the color sergeant had been wounded and the color corporal bearing the colors killed thereby saving the colors from capture.[12]
—	Patrick H. White	Army	Captain		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 22, 1863	Carried with others by hand a cannon up to and fired it through an embrasure of the enemy's works.

[edit]Indian Wars

      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
—	Richard Barrett	Army	First Sergeant	Company A,1st U.S. Cavalry	Sycamore Canyon, Arizona	May 23, 1872	Conspicuous gallantry in a charge upon the Tonto Apaches.
—	James J. Bell	Army	Private		Big Horn, Montana	July 9, 1876
—	Thomas Boyne	Army	Sergeant	Company C,9th U.S. Cavalry	Mimbres Mountains, N. Mex. and Cuchillo Negro River near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico	May 29, 1879andSep 27, 1879	Bravery in action.[9]
—	Edward Branagan	Army	Private	Company F,4th U.S. Cavalry	Red River, Texas	Sep 29, 1872	"Gallantry in action."
—	James Brogan	Army	Sergeant	Company G,6th U.S. Cavalry	Simon Valley, Arizona	Dec 14, 1877	Engaged singlehanded 2 renegade Indians until his horse was shot under him and then pursued them so long as he was able.
—	James Brophy	Army	Private	Company B,8th U.S. Cavalry	Arizona	1868	Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
—	James Brown	Army	Sergeant	Company F,5th U.S. Cavalry	Davidson Canyon near Camp Crittenden,Arizona	Aug 27, 1872	In command of a detachment of 4 men defeated a superior force.[9]
—	Patrick J. Burke	Army	Farrier	Company B,8th U.S. Cavalry	Arizona	1868	Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.[9]
—	Richard Burke	Army	Private	Company G,5th U.S. Infantry	Cedar Creek, etc., Montana	Oct 1876 –Jan 1877	Gallantry in engagements.[9]
	Edmond Butler	Army	Captain	Company C,5th U.S. Infantry	Wolf Mountains, Montana	January 8, 1877	Most distinguished gallantry in action with hostile Indians.[9]
—	Denis Byrne	Army	Sergeant	Company G,5th U.S. Infantry	Cedar Creek, Montana	October 1876 - January 1877	Gallantry in engagements.[9]
—	Thomas J. Callan	Army	Private	Company B, 7th US Cavalry	Little Bighorn, Montana	June 25–26, 1876	Displayed conspicuously good conduct in assisting to drive away the Indians Surname misspelled "Callen" on citation
—	John Connor	Army	Corporal		Near Wichita River, Texas	July 12, 1870
—	William Evans	Army	Private		Big Horn, Montana	July 9, 1876
—	Daniel Farren	Army	Private		Arizona Territory	August - October 1868
—	James Fegan	Army	Sergeant		Near Plum Creek, Kansas	March 1868
—	John H. Foley	Army	Sergeant		Near Platte River, Nebraska	April 26, 1872
—	Nicholas Foran	Army	Private		Arizona Territory	August - October 1868
—	Patrick Golden	Army	Sergeant		Arizona Territory	August - October 1868
—	Henry Hogan	Army	First Sergeant		Cedar Creek, Montana Bear Paw Mountains, Montana	October 1876 - January 8, 1877 September 30, 1877	Double MOH recipient
—	Bernard J. D. Irwin	Army	Assistant Surgeon		Apache Pass, Arizona	February 13–14, 1861
—	John Keenan	Army	Private		Arizona Territory	August - October 1868
—	Patrick J. Leonard	Army	Sergeant		Little Blue, Nebraska	May 15, 1870
—	Patrick T. Leonard	Army	Corporal		Near Fort Hartsuff, Nebraska	April 26, 1876
—	John McHugh	Army	Private	Company A,5th U.S. Infantry	Cedar Creek, etc., Montana	Oct 21, 1876 –Jan 8, 1877	"Gallantry in action"
—	John Nihill	Army	Private		Whetstone Mountains, Arizona	July 13, 1872
—	Richard J. Nolan	Army	Farrier		White Clay Creek, South Dakota	December 30, 1890
—	Moses Orr	Army	Private			Winter of 1872/1873
—	John F. O'Sullivan	Army	Private		Staked Plains, Texas	December 8, 1874
—	William R. Parnell	Army	First Lieutenant		White Bird Canyon, Idaho	June 17, 1877
—	Patrick Rogan	Army	Sergeant		Big Hole, Montana	August 9, 1877
—	Edward Rooney	Army	Private	Company D, 5th US Infantry	Cedar Creek, etc., Montana	Oct 21, 1876 –Jan 8, 1877	"Gallantry in action."[9]
—	David Ryan	Army	Private	Company G, 5th US Infantry	Cedar Creek, etc., Montana	Oct 21, 1876 –Jan 8, 1877	"Gallantry in action."
—	Dennis Ryan	Army	First Sergeant	Company I, 6th US Cavalry	Gageby Creek, Indian Territory	Dec 2, 1874	Courage while in command of a detachment.
—	Thomas Sullivan	Army	Private	Company E, 7th US Cavalry	Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota	Dec 29, 1890	Conspicuous bravery in action against Indians concealed in a ravine.[6]
	Bernard Taylor	Army	Sergeant	Company A, 5th US Cavalry	Near Sunset Pass, Arizona	Nov 1, 1874	Bravery in rescuing Lt. King, 5th U.S. Cavalry, from Indians.
—	John Tracy	Army	Private		Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona	October 20, 1869	Born as Henry G. Nabers

[edit]Korean Expedition

      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
—	John Coleman	Marine Corps	Private		On board the USS Colorado	June 11, 1871
—	James Dougherty	Marine Corps	Private		Korea	June 11, 1871
—	Patrick H. Grace	Navy	Chief Quartermaster		On board the USS Benicia	June 10, 1871 - June 11, 1871
—	Michael McNamara	Marine Corps	Private		On board the USS Benicia	June 11, 1871

[edit]Spanish-American War

      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Dennis Bell	Army	Private		Tayabacoa, Cuba	Jun 30, 1898	Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.[9]
—	George F. Brady	Navy	Chief Gunner's Mate		Cardenas, Cuba	May 11, 1898
—	Thomas Cavanaugh	Navy	Fireman First Class		Bahamas	November 14, 1898
—	Thomas C. Cooney	Navy	ChiefMachinist		Cardenas, Cuba	May 11, 1898
—	Thomas M. Doherty	Army	Corporal		Santiago de Cuba	July 1, 1898
—	John Fitzgerald	Marine Corps	Private		Cuzco,Cuba	June 14, 1898
—	Philip Gaughan	Marine Corps	Sergeant		Cienfuegos,Cuba	May 11, 1898
—	Michael Gibbons	Navy	Oiler		Cienfuegos,Cuba	May 11, 1898
—	Michael Kearney	Marine Corps	Private		Cienfuegos,Cuba	May 11, 1898
—	Thomas Kelly	Army	Private		Santiago de Cuba	July 1, 1898
—	John Maxwell	Navy	Fireman Second Class		Cienfuegos,Cuba	May 11, 1898
—	Daniel Montague	Navy	Chief Master-at-arms		Santiago de Cuba	June 2, 1898
—	John E. Murphy	Navy	Coxswain		Santiago de Cuba	June 2, 1898
—	Edward Sullivan	Marine Corps	Corporal		Cienfuegos,Cuba	May 11, 1898

[edit]Philippine-American War

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
—	Bernard A. Byrne	Army	Captain	6th U.S. Infantry	Bobong, Negros	July 19, 1899	Rallied his men on the bridge after the line had been broken and pushed back.[9]
—	Cornelius J. Leahy*	Army	Private	Company A, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers	Luzon,Philippines	September 3, 1899	”Distinguished gallantry in action in driving off a superior force and with the assistance of 1 comrade brought from the field of action the bodies of 2 comrades, 1 killed and the other severely wounded, this while on a scout.”
—	Thomas F. Prendergast	Marine Corps	Corporal		Luzon,Philippines	March 25, 1899 -March 29, 1899 andApril 5, 1899	”For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle”
—	Patrick Shanahan	Navy	ChiefBoatswain's Mate		Philippines	May 28, 1899

[edit]Boxer Rebellion

      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
—	James Cooney	Marine Corps	Private		Tientsin, China	July 13, 1900
—	Daniel Daly	Marine Corps	Private	15th Company of Marines	Peking, China	July 19, 1901	Double MOH recipient
	Alexander J. Foley	Marine Corps	Sergeant		near Tianjin, China	Jul 13, 1900	"[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct"
—	Martin Hunt	Marine Corps	Private		Beijing, China	June 20, 1900 - July 16, 1900
—	Joseph Killackey	Navy	Landman		China	June 13, 1900 - June 22, 1900

[edit]United States occupation of Haiti

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Daniel Daly	Marine Corps	Gunnery Sergeant	15th Company of Marines	near Fort Liberte, Haiti	October 24, 1916	Double MOH recipient

[edit]World War I

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Michael A. Donaldson	Army	Sergeant		Sommerance-Landres-et-Saint-Georges Road, France	Oct 14, 1918	Rescued six wounded men despite intense fire
	William J. Donovan	Army	Lieutenant Colonel		near Landres-et-Saint-Georges,France	Oct 14, 1918 –Oct 15, 1918	Exposed himself to fire in order to lead and organize his men, remained with them after being wounded[16]
—	Richard W. O'Neill	Army	Sergeant		on the Ourcq River, France	Jul 30, 1918	Continued to lead an attack despite being repeatedly wounded[16]
—	Michael J. Perkins*	Army	Private First Class		Belleu Bois, France	Oct 27, 1918	Singly-handedly attacked and captured a pillbox[17]
—	Joseph H. Thompson	Army	Major		Apremont, France	October 1, 1918

[edit]World War II

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
—	Frank Burke	Army	First Lieutenant		Nuremberg, Germany	April 17, 1945	Also known as Francis X. Burke.[6]
	Daniel J. Callaghan*	Navy	Rear Admiral		Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Savo Island	November 12, 1942 –November 13, 1942	[18]
—	Robert Craig*	Army	Second Lieutenant		near Favoratta,Sicily	July 11, 1943	[19]
—	Michael J. Daly	Army	First Lieutenant		Nuremberg, Germany	April 18, 1945
—	Charles E. Kelly	Army	Corporal		near Altavilla, Italy	September 13, 1943	[20]
	Joseph J. McCarthy	Marine Corps Reserve	Captain	2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division	Iwo Jima	February 21, 1945	Risked his life to eliminate several enemy troops so his men could move forward
	Thomas B. McGuire, Jr.*	Army Air Forces	Major		over Luzon, Philippine Islands	December 25, 1944 –December 26, 1944	The second leading air ace in World War II before being killed in action in January 1945. McGuire Air Force Base is named for him.[6]
	Audie L. Murphy	Army	Second Lieutenant		near Holtzwihr,France	January 26, 1945	Highest number of decorations for US combatant.
—	William J. O'Brien*	Army	Lieutenant Colonel		Saipan, Marianas Islands	June 20, 1944 –July 7, 1944
	Joseph T. O'Callahan	Navy	Commander		near Kobe, Japan	March 19, 1945	Chaplain aboard aircraft carrier USS Franklin.
	Edward H. O'Hare	Navy	Lieutenant		off Papua New Guinea	February 20, 1942	O'Hare International Airport in Chicago was named in his memory.
	Richard H. O'Kane	Navy	Commander		Philippine Islands	October 23, 1944 –October 24, 1944	For submarine operations against two Japanese convoys.[21]
	Kenneth A. Walsh	Marine Corps	First Lieutenant		Solomon Islands area	August 15, 1943 andAugust 30, 1943

[edit]Korean War

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      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Thomas J. Hudner, Jr.	Navy	Lieutenant, Junior Grade	Fighter Squadron 32, attached to U.S.S. Leyte	Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Korea	December 4, 1950	Risked his life to rescue a downed pilot
	Raymond G. Murphy	USMCR	Second Lieutenant	Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.)	Korea	February 3, 1953	Although wounded he refused medical care to fight the enemy until all his men and casualties had been taken care of.
	George H. O'Brien, Jr.	USMCR	Second Lieutenant	Company H, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.)	Korea	October 27, 1952	Provided cover and care for wounded while his unit was attacking the enemy

[edit]Vietnam War

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Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Patrick H. Brady	Army	Major		near Chu Lai,Republic of Vietnam	January 6, 1968	Flew multiple missions against heavy fire to evacuate 51 wounded men[22]
	Roger H. C. Donlon	Army	Captain		near Nam Dong,Republic of Vietnam	July 6, 1964	Rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group to defeat an enemy force causing them to retreat leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades.
—	Kern W. Dunagan	Army	Captain		Quang Tin Province,Republic of Vietnam	May 13, 1969	Although wounded he directed fire onto enemy positions and rescued several wounded soldiers
	Robert F. Foley	Army	Captain		near Quan Dau Tieng, Republic of Vietnam	November 5, 1966	Despite his painful wounds he refused medical aid and persevered in the forefront of the attack on the enemy redoubt. He led the assault on several enemy gun emplacements and, single-handedly, destroyed three such positions.
	Thomas G. Kelley	Navy	Lieutenant		Ong Muong Canal, Kien Hoa Province,Republic of Vietnam	June 15, 1969	Successfully relayed commands through one of his men until an enemy attack was silenced and the boats he was leading were able to move to safety
	Thomas J. McMahon*	Army	Specialist Four		Quang Tin Province,Republic of Vietnam	March 19, 1969	While attempting to rescue three wounded soldiers despite heavy enemy fire, he was able to carry two of the men to safety but was killed while trying to rescue the third.
	David H. McNerney	Army	First Sergeant		Polei Doc, Republic of Vietnam	March 22, 1967	Despite being wounded after his unit was attacked, he assumed command of the unit when the company commander was killed, organized the defense, and helped arrange a helicopter evacuation of the wounded. He refused his own medical evacuation and instead stayed with the company until a new commander arrived.
	Thomas P. Noonan, Jr.*	Marine Corps	Lance Corporal		near Vandergrift Combat Base, A Shau Valley,Republic of Vietnam	February 5, 1969	Killed while attempting to rescue a wounded man
	Robert E. O'Malley	Marine Corps	Corporal	Company I, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines	near An Cu'ong 2,South Vietnam	August 18, 1965	Risked his life and led his men to repeatedly attack the enemy, assist another Marine unit that had inflicted heavy casualties and led his unit to a helicopter for evacuation.
	Daniel J. Shea*	Army	Private First Class		Quảng Trị Province,Republic of Vietnam	May 14, 1969	Killed by enemy gunfire after assisting in the defeat of an attacking enemy force
	Lance P. Sijan*	Air Force	Captain		North Vietnam	November 9, 1967	For actions while as a prisoner of war
	Michael E. Thornton	Navy	EnginemanSecond Class		Quảng Trị Province,Republic of Vietnam	October 31, 1972	Saved the life of his superior officer and allowed the other members of his patrol to escape

[edit]War in Afghanistan

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      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Michael P. Murphy*	Navy	Lieutenant	SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1	Near Asadabad, Kunar Province	June 28, 2005	Led a four-man reconnaissance team in a fight against superior numbers, exposed himself to hostile fire in order to call for help

[edit]Peacetime

      This indicates that the recipient was born in Ireland

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
—	William Ahern	Navy	Watertender		On board the USS Puritan	July 1, 1897
—	Thomas Cahey	Navy	Seaman		On board the USS Petrel	March 31, 1901
—	John J. Clausey	Navy	Chief Gunner's Mate		USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, Calif.	Jul 21, 1905	For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on ship.[9]
—	John Costello	Navy	Ordinary Seaman		USS Hartford, Philadelphia, Pa.	Jul 16, 1876	For rescuing from drowning a Landsman of the USS Hartford[9]
—	Thomas Cramen	Navy	Boatswain's Mate		On board the USS Portsmouth	February 7, 1882
—	Frank W. Crilley	Navy	Chief Gunner's Mate		wreck site of the USS F-4 (SS-23), off Honolulu, Hawaii	Apr 17, 1915	For rescuing a fellow diver who had become tangled in the wreckage and trapped underwater[6][9]
—	Willie Cronan	Navy	Boatswain's Mate		USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, Calif.	Jul 21, 1905	Bravery shown during ship's boiler explosion[9]
—	John Dempsey	Navy	Seaman		Shanghai, China	January 23, 1875
—	John Flannagan	Navy	Boatswain's Mate		Le Havre, France	October 26, 1878
—	Edward Floyd	Navy	Boilermaker		On board the USS Iowa	January 25, 1905
—	Hugh King	Navy	Ordinary Seaman		On board the USS Iroquois	September 7, 1871
—	John King	Navy	Watertender		On board the USS Vicksburg On board the USS Salem	May 29, 1901 September 13, 1909	Double MOH recipient
—	Patrick J. Kyle	Navy	Landman		Port Mahon, Minorca	March 13, 1879
—	John O'Neal	Navy	Boatswain's Mate		Greytown, Nicaragua	April 12, 1872
—	Patrick Regan	Navy	Ordinary Seaman		Coquimbo, Chile	July 30, 1873
—	Patrick Reid	Navy	Chief Watertender		On board the USS North Dakota	September 8, 1910
—	Thomas Smith	Navy	Seaman		Pará, Brazil	October 1, 1878
—	Thomas Stanton	Navy	Chief Machinist's Mate		On board the USS North Dakota	September 8, 1910
—	James Thayer	Navy	Ship's Corporal		On board the USS Constitution	November 16, 1879
—	Michael Thornton	Navy	Seaman		On board the USS Leyden	August 26, 1881

Gresham Murder, Roger Ebert and the Great John McHugh

Yesterday, when the guys got out of school for the day, I heard the news of the death of Roger Ebert.  I had met the celebrated film critic, while I was teaching at La Lumiere School in LaPorte, Indiana.  In 1990, Ebert was doing a joint book signing in New Buffalo, Michigan which is about five mile north of the school.  Ebert and Frank Sullivan, Mayor Richard J. Daley's press secretary were selling new books and autographing copies.

Over the previous year, I had come to know the editor of the New Buffalo Times and her genius of an opinion columnist - John McHugh.  Mr. McHugh wrote scathingly witty idictments of the small-town, small-time hustlers in real estate and township government that were the Mint Melt-Aways of local reportage.

His prose was acidic, to-the-point and enfiltered.  Instead of bemoaning the the less-than public-minded Wolverine bandits, John McHugh would label them 'thieving gobshites!'

I had to meet this man.  My wife Mary and I invited John to dinner in the residence attached to the dorm I supervised.  We exchanged biographies.  He ignored mine and turned his attentions to my lovely wife and the Yankee pot roast, " Jesus, Mary.  How did you ever settle on this sawed-offvinegary gent, when the world is swimming with heroically proportioned and romantic swains like myself?"

John became a regular visitor to the campus and on several occasions lectured the student body on the craft of writing which had the kids howling in the aisles. Writing is conversation without the noise, or without the immediate need to enjoy a response - that is conversation.  Mr. McHugh chronicled his life in Ireland and his love of songs and poems.  He told hilarious tales of his subterranean encounters with vermin biped and quadruped as a Pest Control Specialist in Indianapolis.  His peace time US Army career and his salad days with the Chicago Daily News.

The dessert in this feast of gab, McHugh served up NBC haircut news reader Ron Hunter, an ego unhitched from the diesel of good living.

John McHugh explained that a person must be humble to be a good listener, energetic to be a careful reader, generous to be a decent conversationalist and honest to be a good writer. Good writing must satisfy the need to know, the desire to enjoy what one has learned and the compulsion to share whatever one possesses.

Roger Ebert was a deep listener and an energetic writer. He wrote an account of his friendship with John McHugh including the great tale of unhorsing an arrogant dope:

John went to work for NBC News Chicago, as the assignment manager. At one time his two principal anchors were Maury Povich and the legendary Ron Hunter, who was possibly the model for every character in the movie "Anchorman." John liked Maury but found Ron unendurable: "He's so vain that instead of wearing glasses, he has a prescription windshield on his Jaguar."
Anchormen value stories when they can go on the street and be seen in the midst of the action. One day McHugh came up with a juicy assignment for Povich. "The next day, " he said, "Ron Hunter comes into my office, puts his feet up on my desk, and says, John, that was a good story you had for Maury yesterday. What do you have for me today? I tell him, Utter contempt."

A great heart always points to an expansive intellect.   A dope has no recourse but to be arrogant.  It is axiomatic that Ebert and McHugh would be great good friends.   The death of Roger Ebert sparked my recollections of time with John McHugh.

I was still in the Leo van with thirteen Canaryvillains and the Sox were yet losing to the Royals.   Some few miles behind, I later learned, a man was dying on the sidewalks of 1400 West 80th Street - south of 79th on Loomis.  Last year, at about this same time, one fella died and five other people were shot up by thugs with a Tech 9 at 79th Loomis.

Roger Ebert passed from this life at about the same time as some poor guy near 79th Street, blocks from Leo High School.

Roger Ebert knew John McHugh and lived according to that association.  The Gresham homicide victim, like most urban victims, will be the news and someone else will make the news.

How do we live?



Sox lost to the Royals 3-1.  I passed the  police activity on my way home.

Catholic Schools Could Become Ivory Towers of the Elite - Like Magnet, or Lab Schools

And now, therefore, I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this council or this work be of men, it will come to nought; 39But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest perhaps you be found even to fight against God. And they consented to him. Acts of the Apostles 5: 38-39

The longer I live the more I learn about how things should not be done.  At one time government was a help; now it is cross-dressing Spendaholic Nanny Uncle with truth issues. At one time Mainline Protestant Denominations were the home to Progressive Babbitry; now, they are segment of Bill Moyers-in-Drag on Sharia Law.

Catholic schools used be very economical, because Brothers, Priests and Nuns comprised a good percentage of the work-force; now, Catholic schools are either doomed to close, or be ivory bell-towers for elites.

It is the in-between  that tells the tales.  Government became a soup-kitchen, tent-city and Circus maximus from the late 1960's - 1990's.  Mainline Protestant Denominations squeezed out the bible-thumpers between Billy Graham and Rev. Barry Lynn while jumping ship from the tepidly pro-abortion Rockefeller GOP to the mad-dog infanticidal maniacs of the DNC.

Catholic schools are run and staffed by lay-persons with very few exceptions ever since Vatican II.

During the 1970's smart Catholic school leaders began to tap private foundations as sources of money that could help make up the gap between revenue and expense, due to declining vocations.  By the 1980's wormy creatures named Development Directors oozed from charity swamps - this slug is one.

 I first heard the term Director of Development in the mid 1980's and the school I worked for hired one.  He lasted about ten months, brought in no new revenue, but he had a stunning wardrobe and golfed like he jumped off the The Tour.

 He had come from the world of business, sales - radio sales to be exact.  He did not understand, or like high school kids very much as I recall, but he liked teachers even less. He drew a pretty handsome salary, but never wrote to Alumni, sent out grant proposals and seemed unable to adequately articulate the history, culture and mission of the school.

He was let go and went on to run a United Way Campaign in Central Illinois for three times what he made in a Catholic school.  This Fund-raising Professional was replaced by a sweet, funny and seventy year old Sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame.  Sr. Madeline Lamar, CND.  She went through the records of the schools and developed the first Alumni Directory, followed by a raffle-calendar, a Spring Event with Dinner and Auction, a wonderful Alumni News letter, and the first annual direct mail campaign.

Prior to that Sr. Lamar worked in the offices answering phones, taking attendance, teaching religion and making students feel good. That was where I learned fundraising.  Watching a sweet-natured little French woman 'Try" stuff.  When Sr. Lamar approached with a her eyes popped in excitement, you were in for some work, " Hey, Pat!  You're Irish . . .and you are so good with words . . .You know what would be fun?  Designing our Raffle Calendar and writing up an Irish Theme for it. . . .AND you get a band going!  Yeah, your Irish band from Chicago . . .and you and Kenny, Jack, Rick, and Joel could do a rock'n roll show for the kids and . . . ! "

Scads of fun.  Months of fun!  Who needs weekends sucking up Rhinelanders and tossing horseshoes?  She had me hooked through the gills and my big mouth!


School fundraising can be brutally disappointing, exhilarating, flattering, embarrassing, rewarding and confusing all on the same day. You can help raise more than million dollars to aid a budget of $ 1.2M and find that it is not enough.  That's the job. . .read the fine print.

Catholic schools and families who need Catholic schools need substantial support.  Public schools hijacked many of the larger private and corporate  foundations by dint of political favors and intimidations.   Catholic politicians have done more to help public education, than they have to help the schools that educated them.
In the 1990's, my neighbor and friend Paul Vallas was CEO of CPS.   Kidding on the square, I often refered to the big talented Greek as the Prince of Darkness - Paul took Peoples Gas, Quaker Oats, Polk Brothers and other charities out of the reach of Catholic, Dutch, Jewish and Lutheran schools and established a Chicago Public Education Reform Foundation headquartered in . . .Evanston.

Leo had big hearted and heroic Bob Foster's name as 501 (c) 3 cache, but Paul Vallas had the crabby little guy who tossed tantrums and people under the CTA wheels with the bat of an eye-brow. Any business in Chicago became enthralled to padding millions of more dollars on to the hundreds of millions of tax-dollars being incinerated hourly by Chicago Public Schools.

School Choice? Vouchers?  Nope! Choice boiled down to Charters (Catholic Schools without God) or CPS havens for teachers without skills, or Magnet Palaces for the skilled and enthusiastic teacher and children of privilege.  That's Reform, folks.

Catholic schools, elementary and secondary, shuttered with regularity under Joseph Cardinal Bernardin - Joseph the Closer and continued until Cardinal George stopped the bleeding and appointed Sister Mary Paul McCaughey. However, the damage had been done.  Elementary feeder schools that had at one time been the recruitment pools for Catholic high schools.  The closer a high school happened to be to the inner city ( read South and West sides) the tougher the draw for students. Not only the fact that black Catholic parishes had been closed, but also the African American middle class Diaspora to the 'Burbs. Black flight had replaced White flight.

On top of that, Chicago City Hall saw the potential for a real estate boom and quickly shut down Chicago Housing Authority and the Projects.   With no affordable housing available families with Section 8 vouchers   took residence in formerly Black middle class apartments and houses.  The crime that had once been isolated along the east side Dan Ryan between 54th Street and Archer Ave. was now knocking on the doors of Ernie Terrell in Roseland and retired physicians and CPD Commanders in Pill Hill.

Through all of this, the economy tanked and layoffs became the order of the day.

A few Catholic high schools closed or were converted to Charter schools and the once powerful support by private foundations began to dry up almost as fast as the tuition payments slowed down.

Foundations, with boards dominated by lawyers, businessmen and accountants, do not want to fund schools that are doomed to close. They want schools run like like businesses - cut here, profit there. At the same time,Catholic schools that put    $10,15, or 25 thousand a year from grants into the budget were now seeing letters that said, " While our decision to longer fund your school is final, we continue to honor and value the very good and important work you continue without our annual support." Concern over that state of schools that might be closed, leads bottom-line sensible boards to pull funding from schools that really need it.
Now, that is a paradox.

Some of these foundations decided money would be better spent funneled through a university "Mentoring Program for Inner City Students Attending Inner City High Schools."

Catholic schools that operate like businesses have no trouble maintaining vigorous business and private support.  Those schools tend to be schools with a very competitive enrollment and placement program, provide competitive teacher salaries, sport magnificent campus, library and athletic facilities and students willing to travel many miles to earn the cache of association with that school.  These schools can demand       $ 8,000, 9,000 and up 15,000 per year, as well as a fund-raising commitment based upon family income.

Now, more working class and middle class families are finding the pink slip in the pay envelope.  An accountant formerly making $ 85,000 in a smart-sized City, or County Department awakens in his heavily mortgaged and taxed Chicago bungalow and struggles the thought of selling his home and taking his two daughters out of Queen of Peace High School.  A highly skilled cement finisher is no longer in demand to fix sidewalks, stairs and porches must wonder if ' Tommy, Mary and Liam will be happy at Clissold CPS on Western Ave. after so many years at St. Cajetan?'

Catholic schools should be only for those who can afford nose-bleed tuitions.  Catholic schools were established for poor and working class families.  The Office of Catholic Schools and the heroic Big Shoulders Fund are working 24-7 to maintain this historical mission.

Leo High School is and has always been a working man's school.  With Tuition set at $ 7,500 for next year, we know that very few of families can meet that cost.  Likewise, Leo High School wants families to know that a Catholic education is available for young men.  President Dan McGrath invites families to qualify for the Leo Advantage.

We'll see, as Gamaliel told the lads of the Temple who wanted to close down the first Christians,  " if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it."

Will CPS Rahm Go All Edwin Starr? And How Far?

Come on, Feet! Start Movin'!    Uh huh huh huh huh , Uh huh huh huh huh huh yeah It's twenty five miles from home Girl, my feet are hurting mighty bad/Now I've been walking three day, 'n two lonely night/You know that I'm mighty mad

With Saturday as the deadline for parents of CPS children to be ignored on the upcoming school closings, some CPS parents want Mayor Rahm Emanuel to diminish some leather from the sole-bottoms of his Florsheims:

CITY HALL —  Parents and community activists have formally invited Mayor Rahm Emanuel to "walk the walk" when it comes to the controversial plans to shutter 54 public schools in Chicago.

And they say they literally mean "walk the walk."

Parents and members of organizations, including Blocks Together and the Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education, rallied on the fifth floor of City Hall, just outside Emanuel's office Tuesday morning to protest the proposed closures. 

The protesters invited Emanuel to join planned weekly walks from schools slated to close to the schools that would receive the displaced students.

 Ain't that something.  CPS and the educational geniuses they always tap with Progressive ideas on small schools* do studies aplenty but can not read gang graffitti, or bother to understand what constitutes a neighborhood demographic - it ain't all income disparities juxtaposed to more affluent communities.  It has to do with what three or four blocks are GD's, Stones, Vice Lords, Mikey Cobras, Four Corner Hustlers, or Latin Kings.

Fenger was 'smart sized' at this time. because Carver was turned into a military academy and kids that did not deire to, or could not possibly go all GI Joe were required to travel west from Altgeld Gardens/ Pullman to Roseland. Guess what? Different Stokes Hit Different Folks, or Peoples.

Fenger made national news when several lads went to the lumber. Even PBS saw the turn-around plan as the catalyst for violence:



An inner city kid can not walk Chicago streets - not because of Burge, or systemic racism, but because he, or she might cross a street that two days before had been the site of a murder.  If the kid is not known to be from those streets ('He stays with his uncle on Euclid') and happens to be walking to school, that child is a victim to be confronted, beaten, or murdered in response to the previous homicide.

School closings will happen.  It is planned and decided upon.

Parents should be worried about how their kids will get to school -damn worried.

Rahm and CPS and CTU have all the charts and figures and studies that ask if "students feel they are getting the Context of Support?"

If Rahm goes on a Mayoral perambulation, he should spund track the stroll -




The very simple to  solution to all of this nonsense - Send Your Kids To Catholic Schools!

*Chicago High School Redesign Initiative (CHSRI). In partnership with CPS, the effort was launched by the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation and local funders. It began
in September 2001 with a $12 million grant from the
Gates Foundation, matched by $6 million from foundations in Chicago, and ultimately will develop andsupport approximately 25 new small high schools. . . .

Catholic Schools - It Ain't Just About the Bucks

Catholic schools operate on tuition ( which is brutal to budget and, in this economy, for families to meet) and on fund-raising.  The cost of educating a student in a Catholic high school runs in the pricey neighborhood of $15,000.  Most Catholic schools set tuition for families in the still burdensome area of $ 8,500.  Many schools will have a tuition exceeding $ 10,000 per year including books, fees and the bells and whistles like transportation.

Most people who send their children to Catholic schools are church going, religious Catholics, or church going, religious non-Catholics.  They are accustomed, or rather acculturated, to obligations of time, talent and treasure beyond the immediate necessities and desires of their family.  They give from the pew and write checks to charities and the schools their children attend over and above the required tuition payments.  Not only that they, as citizens of Chicago, Cook County and Illinois, pay the highest taxes in the United States in support of the sad and expensive public schools.

Many of these same tax-payers work for the very government agencies that vacuum their checking and savings accounts as well as provide a modest salary.  Many of these people are being down-sized.  I know of scores of Dads in my neighborhood who have been forced out of work in the last eight years and more who expect to be let-go in the next few months.  The other day, I spoke to one of my daughter's classmates at Mother McAuley, whose father is now entering his first year as an apprentice tradesman, after being a five-figure accountant for Cook County from the time he had gotten out of college twenty-five years ago. His bride works at Jewel on 103rd Street and has done so since he was 'smart-sized.'

His daughter will graduate in June and go on to college after being educated in Catholic grammar and high school.  They are blessed.

Other families with children still attending Catholic grade school are not so fortunate.  How will a family of modest income and monstrous taxes afford a Catholic education for its children?

We work on it.  This Sunday, the Catholic New World, reported on two initiatives that have been on-going these last three years. One is the strategic plan developed by the Cardinal, Sister Mary Paul McCaughey and the School Board and the other is the Big Shoulders Assistance Initiative. The Strategic Plan is a common sense setting of viability parameters and expectations for best practices.  The Big Shoulders Commitment is much sexier, because it answers the demands of the strategic plan -

The March 6 announcement was precipitated by donors calling and asking about the future of Catholic schools in the lower income communities that the Big Shoulders Fund serves.
“In contrast to what is happening to innercity Catholic schools nationally, enrollment has grown in our schools for three consecutive years through concerted efforts focused on marketing and need-based scholarships, while fundraising has increased each year,” the statement said. “This growth is evidence of increasing interest in the success of our schools and students.”
The Big Shoulders Fund currently provides $12 to $14 million in annual support for 93 inner-city Catholic schools educating nearly 24,000 children in Chicago. This support includes renewable and emergency scholarships coupled with strategic investments in marketing and development, in academic programs and resources and in enrichment programs for students. This year, Big Shoulders Fund will provide $6 million in scholarships to more than 5,000 children in preschool through 12th grade.
The amount of money Big Shoulders Fund provides for schools has grown to its current level from $5 million to $6 million a year only seven or eight years ago, Hale said. The new commitment relies on a continued increase in its fundraising capacity.
“We’re already out there raising the money,” he said.
The statement said the Big Shoulders Fund will invest directly in several schools to help them become more viable.

As I mentioned most Catholic schools are attended by the children of Catholics who have had a tradition of paying tuition.  Leo High School is not most Catholic schools.  Most of our students come from families who had opted for Chicago Public Schools to educate their boys in CPS elementary schools.  Our families found CPS to be most disappointing and the entrance scores of in-coming Leo students who attended CPS schools reflect that opinion.

Leo High School. like other Catholic schools in the African American neighborhoods of Chicago, is refered to as a "Pay School."  That is the CPS anti-marketing meme, I believe. e.g. - "If Raheem does not attend CVS, or South Shore, Mrs. Smith, you'd need to send him to a Pay School!"

Mrs. Smith is more than willing pay for a Catholic School.

Read the articles on the two initiative by committed people and the means by which families trying to keep their noses above the mortgages, taxes, repairs, expenses and tuitions can get a Catholic education.

I will be telling you how Leo High School is going to offer a very sexy opportunity for a Leo Catholic Education over next couple of weeks.  We are going to show a bit more ankle than our pals Jim O'Connor, Tommy Zbierski and Josh Hale of the Big Shoulders.  As Leo President Dan McGrath says, "This is how we roll!"

Catholic schools keep God in play.  Catholic schools teach core values of family and citizenship without blush.  Catholic schools teach the consequences and rewards of behavior.    Our students behave in a manner that reflects credit on their families, their race and their religion -Catholic, Evangelical, Muslim, or Jewish.  

Catholic schools are not only about the costs, they are about the values.

April Fools: Rahm's Mag Mile and Forrest Claypool's CTA: Nobody to Help Stop Well-Accessoried Teens

"There was nobody to help. There was no time, really. We were surrounded it happened in one stop, and then they got off the next stop, at Lake,'' she said. 27 year old woman victimized on Forrest Claypool's CTA

Was it a 'melee' as the Sun Times reports?  An altercation over smoker's rights?  A 'wilding'? 'Flash Mob?  

No, this was behavior rooted in the sad, secular, systemic mess we call public education.  This was not a storming of the Bastille, or Bolivarista Peoples Revolution that is so much a part of 'elementary education expert' Bill Ayer's doctrine.

The kids were well-clothed, nutritionally robust, energetic, focused and more than moderately accoutered with the latest Apple or Microsoft entertainment and communication applications and devices that would make Jobs and Gates glow with appreciation.  Both techno Edisons are icons of public education.

More so, from most accounts, these kids who look like the cast of a Disney series availed themselves of public transportation - the CTA.

The Sun Times feature leads off with the word melee, an innocuous sounding term for 'beating the supreme shit' out of another human being for no earthly good reason.

At least the Chicago Tribune account presented the facts of the attack as provided by the victim.

Now, a melee is a combat between two willing opponents - it is a term that arose from Middle Ages when knights and other men-at-arms squared off according to the rules of combat - most Catholic school kids know that.

The attack of a woman on the west side L smacks not of a melee -

A 27-year-old woman said she was returning home with her mother Saturday night on the Red Line after a dim sum dinner when a group of girls got on the train at the Monroe station and appeared to want to pick a fight.
"This girl started blowing smoke in my face, and she flicked her cigarette ashes at me,'' said the woman, who asked not to be identified. "I said: 'You need to put that out,' and the next thing I know there's all these girls that jumped on top of us.''
They began punching her face and then went for her hair. She believes their attackers had knives or box cutters and padlocks possibly placed inside socks."I put my head down between my legs so they would stop beating me in the face, but they were trying to pull my face up and hit me more,'' she said. "They ripped out chunks of my hair, and I've got a black eye and bruises on my face, and all over my back and shoulder.''
The 11 teenagers arrested in that incident at the CTA's State/Lake station in the Loop about 6:35 p.m. were among a total of 28 people arrested downtown Saturday night for disturbances that ranged from bumping into passers-by on sidewalks to the attack on the CTA train, authorities said.

The attackers were teenage girls, who have been taught under an educational rubric of entitlement.  I believe that these confused kids act out because they believe that they are entitled act out - after all they were encouraged to cheer on Occupy  idiots, NATO bomb-makers and their teachers who abandoned them last summer.  These kids have been taught, not the etymology and application of a word like melee, that personal empowerment is entitlement - what are they supposed to do?

What are you supposed to do?  Move.  Move out of Chicago.  It is all about real estate, Neighbors.  Real estate to be developed for green spaces, cultural entertainment and dining venues, fitness centers, and certainly no homes, apartments, or dwellings beyond the planned Urban Center Chicago  Urban Center Chicago is not for Stash, Wanda, Tony, Maria, Nacho, Teresa, Paddy, Nora, Clifton and Carmesha and their damn kids. It is for Aprile, Dak, E. Morton and Misty Salt, Spencer and Seth.

When public safety has lost all meaning; when basic city services are denied, or diminished by executive fiat, when schools become training grounds for thugs, it might be time to move.

That is why public safety has been purchased at the hands of the G. Flint Taylors, Jon Loevys, Locke Bowmans and the GDS, Vice Lords, Four Corner Hustlers, Mikey Cobras, and Latin Kings, as well as a grant or two for Ceasefire, while any and all public confidence in Chicago Police has been eroded.

That is why more people are alright with Privatizing Sanitation with the Garbage Grid. Seth and Spencer want those over-paid snoring louts fired. Seth and Spencer would be perfectly happy if the Fire Department were hired out and those tubby Mc911 heroes would leave for Romeoville.

That is why an otherwise unemployable good like Forrest Claypool keeps popping up and handed the wheel and throttle of public transportation - he is about Bombardier purchases, Red Line contracts and Ventra Cards and not the safety of a young lady and her mother who foolishly believe that riding the L should be violence free.

Don't think for minute that Forrest Claypool* gives a fat rat's ass about CTA riders, otherwise the CTA would  have addressed thuggery on public transportation long ago. Smart guy like Forrest could do just about anything to reform anything, if he really wanted to; at least that is what the news media always says.

That is why Mayor Rahm Emanuel can sleep nights after putting the bite on President Obama for a loan of $100 million buckeens to gussy up the Riverwalk, rather than hire more cops, improve their working conditions and really do something about melees by the kids.

He might even really try to improve public schools by demanding Vouchers.

Nope.  It is easier to wait for the frustrated, the frightened and the families to move the hell away, while his cheerleaders in the media wring-hands.


*

Happy Easter, Christ Has Risen! Now, Let's Roll Back the Big Stone Keeping Schools in a Cave

Kids believe only what is taught to them.  Last night 28 kids, most under the age of 18, were arrested on Chicago's Mag Mile for intimidating people and another bunch were arrested following an assault on a woman who asked that the kids put out their cigarettes. I do not believe that the youngsters were engaged in civil disobedience demanding that CPS keep failing schools open, nor were they concerned with the plight of LGBTQ citizens.

From this same edition of the paper, the Opinion section of the Chicago Tribune was thick with opinions on both issues as being fundamental to life on our planet.  The school closings?  I see them them as part of the overall Rahm Plan to shrink the City of Chicago ( services) down to an Urban Center.  Likewise, the abhorrent incivility tolerated on Chicago Transportation systems by the Mayor and CTA Boss Forrest Claypool is a component in this plan.  Why else would a Mayor not do his utmost to light a fire under his appointee to interdict such behavior and provide the necessary police officers at his disposal to correct the situation?  Answer.  It is not part of the Plan.

The Plan includes a $ 100 million dollar loan to gussy up the River Walk, but not seek a loan to hire more cops.

Back to the schools. The closed schools, the largest school closing in American history, are  real estate.

Take a look at who is protesting the school closings ( CTU's Karen Lewis & Jesse Sharkey)  - they worked with Mayor Emanuel to engineer the closings.  Their Red-shirted Dragon Dance through the Loop last week provided Bill Ayers and opportunity to be described as an "elementary school expert' in the Chicago media, as well as swell venue for SEIU to play civil disobedience for cameras without the possibility of arrest.  Tickets were issued.

For the last thirty years Bill Ayers* and the well-camouflaged Mike Klonsky have trained a generation of radicals who now control Chicago Teachers Union through CORE.  Chicago Public Schools have nose-dived deeper into the tax-dollars from the moment the Annenberg Challenge was boarded and looted by Bolsheviks and took command of the Education Department at University of Illinois at Chicago.  Here's a challenge.  How many UICC disciples of Billy Ayers are CPS teachers?

The idea of schools has been entombed in a cave behind the boulder rolled by Ayers and Klonsky.

Schools should reflect the neighborhoods they serve.  Catholic schools most certainly do just that and graduates of Catholic schools, black, brown and white manage to avoid massive arrests on Mag Mile and intimidate passengers on the CTA.

Ayers and Klonsky made small schools (cadres) wholesome to lazy and not very bright editorial boards and columnists.   Schools fail, because they are supposed to do just that.

Chicago is a Catholic city.  No matter how much Eric Zorn, Mary Schmich, Neil Steinberg, Carol Marin, Clarence Page, Dawn Turner Trice, or WTTW try to obscure that fact, Catholics rub up against Baptists, Unitarians, AME, Lutheran, Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Dutch Reformed and atheist neighbors.  Schools should reflect that fact, but they are not allowed to do that.

Christ died on Friday, busted Hell's prisoners out on Saturday, and triumphed over death today, when he rolled back the big rock.

The big rock blocking real schools and the idea of a school is still wedged in pretty deep.   Kids are taught what to fear and given no means to conquer fear.  Behavior reflects what people are all about.


*"Elementary education expert and professor Bill Ayers — who has sparked controversy on the national political scene with his ties to President Obama — was in the crowd in support of teachers.
" 'The assault on public education and abandonment of these communities has to be resisted,' Ayers said." Chicago Sun Times

The Bravest Easter Bunny Ever!

On Nov 16th 2012 our lives were completely changed forever, our 4 yr old daughter AVA was diagnosed with stage 3 neuroblastoma high risk, this is our journey with her... Ava's Family on Facebook
This Holy Saturday, the day when Christ Harrowed Hell, this old sob-sister was treated to a heroic little girl. Ava!

Ava was the inspiration of us south siders who attended the recent St. Baldrick's Fight for the Cure at Bourbon Street on Saturday, March 9th.

Ava had another surgery after the Fight Night and took her first step on the road back with the help of her Dad and Mom.

Tell me marriage does not matter.

Christ Jesus, Victor! This makes me happy!

Rahm's Garbage Grid, Layoffs and Meeting Tuition Payments for Catholic Schools

 

The Beverly Review recently reported on a meeting of residents of the 19th Ward and Alderman Matt O'Shea. 

"The program concluded with a discussion on the city’s move to a grid garbage collection system that will be implemented in the 19th Ward in 2013. The program, O’Shea said, will save the city between $15 and $17 million in 2013 and $20 million in 2014 by essentially doing the same amount of work with fewer crews.

Currently, O’Shea said, there are 11 Streets and Sanitation crews that work five days a week to collect garbage in the 19th Ward. Under a grid system, all 48 of the city’s Streets and Sanitation crews will “saturate” an area of the city at once, thereby eliminating the work of seven crews per week (55 minus 48).

The 19th Ward’s garbage collection day under the grid system will most likely be Monday, O’Shea said, and recycling pick-up will continue every other week. Local residents, he said, will receive written notification before the new system is implemented." (emphases my own)

This gives me pause.  Great pause.  The same amount of work will be performed by fewer crews, who now work five days per week, but they will be part of a 48 crew city-wide.  Seven crews will be eliminated.

Is that seven(7) crews Tops?  Citywide?  Which Ward's crews will get the chop?  Back in 2008 when the well-coiffed Inspector General Dave Hoffman was all the rage, a typical garbage collection crew consisted of  three persons.( an MTD, the driver, and two Laborers) who work 8 1/2 hour days 30 minutes of paid lunch.

Even the well-coiffed IG Dave Hoffman had to admit that Bureau of Sanitation (BOS) workers had a "dirty and smelly job."  Gee, You Think, Dave?   Dave wrote a hair-raisingly hysterical Jeremiad against these 'dirty and smelly' crews in 2008 and bean-counted his assessment that most crews ( Dave counted *only 10 Wards out of the 50 btw) to the conclusion that these 'dirty and smelly' workers loafed an average of TWO HOURS A DAY!!!!!!!!

Systemic Loafing, People!!!!! Quod Erat Demonstrandum!!!!  We need the Garbage Grid Pronto!

Hey, thanks for playing your part there Dave!  How are things working out for you in the post-political life?

Well, the Grid is coming.  More crews will be laid-off, smart-sized, re-configured, no longer compensated, bereft of salary.  Thank God, for the great souled reformers! Why even this morning the Sun Times caught some poor slob napping on the job!

You see that is how Progressives roll.  Find some clouted mope who games the system, tag his behavior as SYSTEMIC, and fire hundreds of solid people standing in the way of some Red Light Camera, $100 M. Riverwalks**, CPS - Our Lady of Perpetual Helplessness, Garbage Grid, Claypool's Pee-breaks, Ventra Card, or Bombardier CTA Car boondoggle, which are the necessary components to Chicago -Urban Center.

What will happen to the families of Sanitation Crew member laid off in sacrifice to Progressive Mammon?

Well, they won't be making obscene lower middle class salaries; that's for sure.  Some MTD Streets and San Driver with three kids in Catholic Schools had better re-evaluate his life choices!  Some Laborers will need to pull Marsha from Queen of Peace High School and send her Madam Curie.

The City workers that I know are breeders who send their kids to Catholic elementary and secondary schools.  Like their neighbors who happen to be electricians, carpenters, cement finishers and sprinkler fitters, the Hope & Change Economy, that is GW Bush's fault 100%,  they can only hope that something will change.  Well, there is Marriage Equality, after all, but that won't pay the $10 K tuition for a Catholic high school education.

The Progressive gets a win-win out of this.  With Garbage Grid and other up-coming City of Chicago employment downturns ( privatized police and fire n'cest pas?), fewer families can afford to send their kids to Catholic schools and fewer kids will learn Catholic teaching and fewer voices will oppose SYSTEMIC CHANGES UNIVERSAL!

Huzzah!  It's an Andy Shaw Rodeo, folks!

Nope, Rahm's Garbage Grid and Obama's Economy are here to stay.  Catholic Schools like Leo High School are working hard to help our middle and lower middle class neighbors meet the opportunity to get a Catholic Education.  It is a systemic thing with Catholics.

Over the next few weeks, I explain exactly how Chicago families can budget against Rahm's Garbage Grid and the Obama Economy.


*"Between May and September, IG investigators spied on 77 garbage truck drivers and 145 laborers in 10 wards. They reported what they called "systemic, pervasive" waste and fraud".Tribune

** Please diagram the following sentence - "The truth is, we're now at a juncture in the history of the city of reintroducing the city to the river and the river to the city," Emanuel said. Chicago Tribune

Where is CTU Mastermind Jesse Sharkey in Chicago Media Coverage of CTU Outrage? The Reds are Denouncing Jesse and Karen Lewis

"Let's not pretend that when you close schools on the South and West sides, the children affected aren't black," Lewis said. "Let's not pretend that's not racist." Chicago Tribune

Amid growing opposition to planned school closures and consolidations in Chicago, Illinois, a March 4 Socialistworker.org article entitled “Rahm's scorched-earth assault on our schools” crudely attempts to re-write the history of events surrounding the assault on public education in the city.Socialist Worker, the publication of the International Socialist Organization (ISO), seeks to whitewash the role of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), in which it has a leadership position. ISO member Jesse Sharkey is the current vice president of the CTU. Far from opposing the closure of schools, the CTU and the ISO have collaborated in implementing the Obama administration's school “reforms” with Democratic mayor Rahm Emanuel. WSWS

Wow, hard to get happy after that one, Jesse. Who's the racists?  You? Karen? Rahm? Arne "Demosthenes" Duncan? President Obama? Whom to believe?

Here is the Chicago Media coverage of yesterdays Occupy the Loop with Karen & Jesse & CTU & SEIU lalapalooza singing like Joan Baez with VISA commercial contract and then there is the World Socialist Web Site going all Stalin on ISO member and CTU VP Jesse Sharkey the Karl Rove of the XXX Red Shirts.

The difference is that Jesse Sharkey is invisible in the Chicago Media coverage, while Jesse Sharley is universally denounced as a running dog counter-revolutionary Obama/Rahm stooge in the authenticist Lefty organs.

Denunciation is as Lefty as a Saul Alinsky Hoe-Down on WTTW, or a Studs Terkel Fashion Retrospective.
The Chicago news organs dedicated to whomever they take their daily meme rations has some old-timey Public Radio-worthy copy - let's begin with this pearl from the Medill sausage -

Among those who were sitting on LaSalle Street in front of City Hall hoping to be arrested in an act of civil disobedience was Tom Balanoff, president of the Service Employees International Union Local 1. He said he was demonstrating to show that massive school closings are "not the right direction. This is not the way to really solve the problem in education."
Balanoff said he had been arrested in acts of civil disobedience "many times over the years."
"It's as American as apple pie," he said.

Sing me some Joe Hill, there Union Maid!

Then we have the Sun Times which not only trotted out compelling "it's about the children" laments from real folks, but also this bit of nonsense news -

Elementary education expert and professor Bill Ayers — whose ties to President Obama sparked controversy because of Ayers 1960s radicalism — was in the crowd in support of teachers and kids like his granddaughters who attend CPS schools.
“The assault on public education and abandonment of these communities has to be resisted,” Ayers said. “How can we abandon public education at this point in history and move away from the one thing that’s going to give people hope for the future, and that is a solid powerful education.”

Makes you want to bomb something, don't it?

There is the obligatory accounts of Chicago's Ed.- Zeppelin CTU President Karen Lewis tossing race-cards at Rahm like so many Frisbees and third person narratives about Dr. Bennet-Byrd and Mayor Rahm and the mention of Aldermen who really, really, really care - Ricardo Munoz, Bob Fiorreti and. of course America's favorite family guy Rev. Jesse Jackson -unquoted.

No Jesse Sharkey*?

Salon, a clearing house for smug Progressive shouting, quotes Jesse Sharkey ISO/CTU with this fiery hammer and sickle that somehow went unmentioned in Chicago's reportage:

“The only thing that’s like it( Rahm's Murder of Schools) is Hurricane Katrina,” said CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey of the potential devastation, “except this is being done on purpose.” ( parenthetical my own)


The WSWS goes on to really give Karen and Jesse a comeuppance -

The ISO closes its article with the claim, “As the CTU rightly argues, we should oppose all school closings and stand up against Rahm's scorched-earth war on public education...”
This too is a lie. Lewis made it clear on the second day of the strike that CTU accepted the mayor’s plan to shut down schools. The main concern of the CTU leadership was to ensure that school shutdowns be carried out with the collaboration of the union and not unilaterally by CPS.
Lewis told the Chicago Tribune September 12, “We understand the whole movement of closing schools and doing it aggressively... we either do this together in some reasonable way or we will always be fighting, and I think the key is that the people that are making these decisions want to make them unilaterally.”
In the aftermath of the strike, during a November episode of Chicago Tonight, CTU Vice President Sharkey said nothing to oppose what he termed the “unpopular policy” of school shutdowns, and instead advised that it need be carried out in an orderly fashion. “There’s no point in closing schools until there is a plan in place.”
Speaking at a union organized rally earlier that month, Sharkey said, “What the school board should do is take a year off. Have a moratorium on school closings and have a real process where there is a study of plans and the people who are part of the coalition here, the parents, the community and the teachers of Chicago have real input into what happens to our schools.”
This “real input” has been a series of sham hearings on the school closures and consolidations, where thousands of parents, teachers and students have voiced their opposition to the closures.
On February 11, CTU president Karen Lewis released a video announcing CTU would be sending organizers to assist those displaced by school closures. She admonished teachers—many who will be losing their jobs, and many more whose teaching conditions will become much more difficult after the closures—to support the CTU's efforts to do so.

Which side are you on, Bill Ayers, you elementary education plutocrat?

Why is Chicago's media taking the side of capitalists?

HOW much longer will Americans be satisfied with the endless Progressive Banquet of Bullshit?




                    Here's a good start - send you kids to a Catholic School.


* 24 hour Jesse Sharkey News: