Gloria Andersen

"We were not aware of the millions who died, but we did know of the hundreds,does that make us less guilty?" Judgment at Nuremburg

The Supreme Court finally ruled that those held in Gyantanamo had the right to Fair Trials. Guantanamo has held "Terrorists" at Guantanamo since 2002. Gratefully, and thanks to a five four decision of the Supreme Court our nation is returning to the importance of Habeas Corpus, the right to a swift and fair trial. The irony is the five that believe in being a nation under law, are also the five oldest. We need the next President to be a Democrat so the next appointees to the Supreme Court will believe in Civil Liberties.

Will the future try us all for Gitmo?

Here I am again--still upset about the rumor mill. This one is amazing-one of the most gracious women I have ever met, Michelle Obama is being referred to as the b word. How do you devend someone from something like that.

I still remember her speaking at North Central College in 2004. She was sick and tired, and had to entertain a very long winded "question" from the audience which she tried to politely answer.

She then came into the audience to greet my mom--and a very young lady behind us who wanted to meet her.

Keyes was running against Obama,very few people were willing to vote for Keys--it was near the end of the campaign trail and yet she still plugged along to help those of us further down on the ticket as well as send a message about what kind of an election this would be.

Back to journaling again.

I can't believe the press is trying to smear Michelle Obama. The report that she said "whitey" on tape in 2004 was awful---and although it was corrected one wonders what will live on -the correction or the accusation.

The Obama site has had to add a page just to dispel rumors. To the best of my knowledge except for McCain himself noone is attacking Obama on actual policies.

Talk about flip-flops--McCain who used to understand the importance of Civil Liberties is now endorsing the use of wiretaps without court approval. So much for privacy rights...

Purim is coming. The holiday full of intrigue, plots and probably one of the first women's rights activists Vashti.

Purim means "lots" as in what they draw in a lottery and is based on the BOOK of Esther.

I'm looking forward to the carnival Sunday and the Megillah reading on Thursday.

It has been a long time since I kept this journal. I would expect it is a private place right now, which is a shame considering what is NOT in the news. For some bizzarre reason 20 of our Congressman, who should know better , are trying to pass a rather useless resolution, which thankfully will not have the power of law number 888.

Number 888 is a resolution that wants us to celebrate the history of religion in this country. As a retired comparative religion teacher that sounds great...but when reads the 75 or so "factoids" that the resolution wants us to teach one realizes most of them are NOT true, and some of them are presented in a slanted manner. All of them have the purpose of promoting the myth that the founding fathers intended this to be a "Christian Nation"

Of course I am calling my Congressman asking him to help keep this from leaving committee.

February 10, 2004 I posted the following. HR2210 Never passed the Senate. Recently the Head Start Reauthorization Act has left committee without an amendment allowing Head Start to hire according to religion, no thanks to Congressperson Judy Biggert (IL-13) speech defending Faith Based programs.

Now I am asking all of you who live in Illinois 13 to write Ms. Biggert and explain to her that hiring according to religion with tax dollars is establishment of religion and is a mistake. Thank you.


HR3030
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act allows religious institutions to consider religion when hiring staff. The purpose of the provision was to allow Houses of Worship, using private funds to hire according to religion. It would then be legal for institutions to hire a priest who is Catholic, a minister who is Protestant, or a Rabbi who is Jewish.

When the school readiness Act, HR 2210 was passed the definition was expanded. My Congressperson, Judy Biggert believes that faith-based funded organizations should have the "freedom to consider religion when hiring staff, and any federal legislation governing federal training and social service funds should protect these rights." (Letter dated December 18, 2003)

Many Head Start agencies have been housed in religious institutions over the last three decades. It was a symbiotic relationship. The Church could use the non-consumables over the weekends, and the Head Start Agency had less overhead than if they had to build their own single use building. Hiring was done according to federal guidelines, without regard to race, religion, or country of national origin.

Very quietly that was all changed with HR 2210. Head Start was deemed "faith based" and being the proper religion can effect one's eligibility to work for Head Start.

This last Thursday HR 3030 passed in the Congress by partisan vote. Congressperson Judy Biggert voted for turning a Block Grant for housing and Training into a Faith Based Grant. This time not only the employees can be chosen by religion BUT the people being served can also be chosen by religion. Decisions concerning my tax dollars will be decided on the basis of religion.

Last week Janet Jackson's costume deserved investigation. This last Thursday the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives limited discussion of my first amendment rights to one hour.

This is a country of immigrants. We live side by side peacefully with each other because of the guarantees of Freedom and Civil Liberties spelled out in the Constitution. Freedom of Religion is at risk.

Please write Judy Biggert and express your displeasure at this vote

Afriend of thirty-seven years daughter just had a baby. Most of you out there are younger than our friendship. The baby is beautiful 10 fingers, 10 toes and can hold his mommy's finger when he nurses.

For one moment there is nothing in the world more important. A planned for much loved and prayed for baby has been born.

Mazel Tov to the world.

I'm not running for office. I am involved in the local Americans United for Separation of Church and State Chapter, which can be contacted at:

WSCChapter@aol.com

I was surprised today when I openned my e-mail to have a response to a two year old entry I made on this journal. Unfortunately it was links to sites that are irrelevant to my goals.

Ironically the whole time I ran there were no lewd posts. I wonder why now?

If anyone wants a real update on my life, I am still concerned that Congress voted down a raise in the minimum wage, and voted up their own salaries.

They claimed that keeping the minimum wage low ($5.15) will keep more Americans working. Congrats to Congress---love to see if they could live on under $11,000 a year.

PS My Congresswoman, Judy Biggert voted against the minimum wage raise.

Life has changed since January. Joe Shannon is running for Congress as the Democrat-IL-13.

Missourri had a resolution calling itself a Christian state pass the rules committee 5-3.

and we re having a meeting of Americans United for Separation of Church and State 7:30 PM at the Naperviille Public library on 95th Street.

Keeping a journal is supposed to be a good method of weight control. The proof must be the weight I have put on since the last entry. I'm still curious as to whom posted the comment about watching my back.

I would expect this is now a personal journal. Bill Reedy is running for Congress in IL-13 and had an extremely successful announcement event. Over 100 people enthusiastically participated, and his organization is up and running. He is getting favorable press. It is time for the good people of IL 13 to have the common sense to support him with their votes, time and funding. Mr. Reedy's campaign is based on his belief that the voters know social security, pensions, and health care are worth voting for. I believe he is correct.

I'm extremely proud of what we all did in the last campaign. We all learned a lot. We've transferred the knowledge to the 2006 candidate and the Reedy campaign has run with it and expanded that knowledge geometrically. Please do not wait until March to help save my Social Security benefits. Please call or e-mail the Reedy campaign and help NOW.

I met Bill Reedy who is running for Congress in the 13th Congressional District Illinois. This is a good day.

If anyone is still reading this journal please write him at bdr13@sbcglobal.net and offer to help him with signatures, money and expertise. He is starting on time and can win this with all of our help. We need to begin NOW, not a year from now.

I believe people are becoming disgusted with a Congressional Culture that permits the regulators of an industry (the Finance Committee) to gain campaign contibutions from those they are regulating. I believe they are disgusted with the health insurance crisis in this country.

Son is safely at school, and unlike last year when he had to update the web pages immediately this time he had to cancel the web page immediately. We are finally taking down the web site.

The good news is I am finally in the real world and realize I am not running for ofice again. It was fun, exciting and over.

Please feel free to download the pictures. All you have to do is click on the lower right hand corner and your computer will ask you what to save as....

I'm still curious about who knew I wasn't running before me, but it is time to let that go also.

Sunday afternoon I was trying to pay some attention to my poor neglected yard when I began to trim a bush that housed a bee hive. The good news is I am not allergic, the bad news is the swelling is incredibly itchy. I wonder if there is some grand metaphor here?

I'm looking forward to the DFA meeting at Caribou coffee tomorrow eventing, and the Wheatland Township fundraiser Saturday evening. The fundraiser is inexpensive enough it really should be labeled party if anyone wants to join them.

PLEASE call 630 416 7724 if you wish to march with the Lisle Township Dems for Last Fling. I've always loved parades and Guy is letting me organize this one.

Change in plans. I am not running. The Web page will come down when the link expires in October. If anyone wants to copy any of my precious words of wisdom, or would like to keep any of the pictures please feel free to copy them. I will still be using my Live journal.

I will not be running for Congress in 2006.

I am curious who the anonymous poster who is thinking "I told you so" is, but I am not sure he will read this journal twice.

Andersen for Congress seems up and running. As usual on a campaign everything needs to have been done yesterday, although it is only day two, the reality is we have only sixteen months until "show time".

Toni is very organized and is committed to make this work.

My son will be updating the web pages. Others are working on issue cards. I'll be getting a new PO Box number today, a bit more convenient for those who will be picking up the mail. The mantra this campaign is, "I am the candidate, I am NOT the manager".

Hopefully by Tuesday we will be able to register with Act Blue.

Meanwhile I need people to walk in the "Last Fling Parade" in Naperville for Lisle Township on Labor Day. I will not be allowed to march as a candidate, but I will be marching as a Lisle committeeman. I had previously volunteered to organize this contingent and need to fulfill that obligation. Parades are fun---please join us if you can. I have stickers that can be distributed before the parade so I will be able to shake hands. Please call 630 416 7724 if you can march in the parade. We are allowed up to fifty people and I would like to see that cap.

We had our first committee meeting this morning. We have a financial advisor,Toni Call taking care of Financial Statements and FEC reports. Renee Schaeffer from John Pavich's campaign came out to get us started. It is too bad both of them can't be cloned. We need volunteers to help with call lists,filing, and march in parades. Please call 630 416 7724.

Dear Friends,

Some months ago Hiram Wurf (County Board 5 Candidate) organized a lobbying visit to Ms. Biggert's in district office. Congress was in session, however we did deliver our message and our written statements to Ms. Biggert's office.

This last Tuesday I received my reply. In a letter dated July 11, 2005. Ms. Biggert states, "I agree with you and will vigorously oppose any proposal that allows the federal government to invest Social Security funds in the stock market". On first glance one believes she is against privatization. Then one realizes she is only promising "Federal Funds will not invest in private industry" She then goes on to state,"However, I do believe we should consider proposals that would give young people who are just entering the system control over how a small portion of their Social Security payroll taxes are invested. At the same time,I adamantly oppose making this option mandatory for any workers-young or old."

Ms Biggert is in favor of privatization. She does not seem to understand Social Security is a tax, not a pension plan, or investment system. The system works because it has faith in the solvency of the American worker. If the worker does not pay the tax there will not be enough funds to render services. The present system is viable until 2052 under the status quo. If the younger workers "voluntarily" invest their funds in private accounts there will not be funds to fulfill present Social Security obligations.

Social Security is NOT only a retirement entitlement. Please remember Social Security includes Old Age and Survivors Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Insurance, and Supplementary Medical Insurance. It was created during the 30's as a safety net to provide for those whose private investments have failed them. One only has to look at Lucent, Enron and United workers to realize how important the safety net is.

It's been almost eight months since the last election. Ms Biggert is still "running " unopposed. It is difficult to lobby a representative when she and her staff know that she will be reelected without regard to her voting record. She was one of the few Representatives to vote against the non partisan "Freedom to Read" act.

We are having a meeting July 30 at my home to discuss my "testing the waters". If you are interested please call 630 416 7724. We have waited too long for a candidate to appear.

Gloria Andersen
2004 Democratic Candidate for Congress IL-13

Where do we begin?
1. The war in Iraq will end as quickly as possible,but Iraqi's must lead the way to reform their own country. No real answer to how long troops will stay.
2. Guesses Ben Laden is in a remote area-but we have damaged his organization-Al Queda is dangerous-no doubt about it-but we will stay on the hunt.
3. We are a nation of laws (response to a question aboutguantanamo) law is working, we are working with the law . After all these people were picked up off a battleground.(I thought America signed the Geneva Convention)
4. On Social Security -Bush will not negotiate with himself. He discussed privatization as if he never heard of 401K's and IRAs. He does not acknowledge that Social Security was not meant to be a savings account.
5. Bush is confident in Rumsfeld-and will stick with his current Defense secretary.
6. They will try to rehire the army that was the old Iraqi army. What was left unsaid was these were the officers under Saddam.

This is not Kansas Toto....or do we feel more like Alice through the Looking Glass???

Upholding the Constitution, concern for the General Welfare and the rights of the individual are all great reasons to join the Township Democrats-Now there is one more reason, they give WONDERFUL parties. Today was the Naperville Township Democrats party. There were more people than expected, the conversation was wonderful, some not even political, and the silent auction turned out to be quite heated with a signed copy of the Obama 1995 Autobiography going for over $250. The food was incredible,Luigis tasted just like I was back in my old neighborhood in New York.

DuPage Township's party was a few weeks ago-we stayed up much too late and had a great time-Again a room that was much fuller than expected (over 100 participates)

Downers Grove Party was last week-as well as Lisle's. Palos is tomorrow night.There is a great common thread-more people than were expected-all ready to work hard to change the path our country is taking. If you care enough to read this blog-care enough to join your Township Dems. There are easy, fun ways to help in the coming months. Whether or not I am running again I expect to be proudly marching in the St. Patrick's Day parade. The more of us there are and the more visible we are the faster we will grow.

December 2 I was invited to attend the Annual Reception for The Women's Institute for leadership. It's a wonderful group that seeks out politically active females and trains them to create policy and run political campaigns as well as to run for politics themselves. This is a group to donate to if you have any extra funds. This is the group that will save our future.

Melissa Bean spoke, and graciously worked the crowd. Christine Cegalis looked great-and has declared she is running again (another good place to send funding if you really want change).

Loretta Durbin created the group to help women break through the glass ceiling, and the first graduates
A few days later I attended a meeting of the defeated Democratic Congressional candidates to see how we can help those who run in the future.

Three political developments have occurred since I last wrote. None of them are good and all of them should evoke a response from the reader.

Dennis Hastert,Speaker of the House, had stated that the security bill will not allow bills to be discussed on the floor unless they have a "majority of the majority". Republicans and Democrats that have been able to cooperate on good legislation will no longer be able to pass legislation if the majority of Republicans want the legislation out of committee. So much for non-partisan legislation.

The second is the refusal of Americans to realize the votes in Florida and Ohio must not only be recounted, the irregularities should be addressed.

The third is the persecution/prosecution of the soldiers who took parts from abandoned Humvees in Iraq to fix their own vehicles.

Hopefully you are all having a great holiday season. Please remember those left fortunate.

Just for the record I try to buy American-no matter the color.