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.