NPR: St. Cecilia nuns

Regarding this story on NPR: http://www.npr.org/2010/12/22/131753494/for-these-young-nuns-habits-are-the-new-radical?ps=cprs

Captivating story. It's funny how something that for hundreds of years has been woven into the fabric of most Catholic families, a child who assumes holy orders, seems so radical, almost pathological, today. Lately I've been reading Thomas Merton's book on the hermit desert fathers. I was struck by how revered those hermits were. How they became a destination for pilgrimages and lay people seeking the answers to profound questions. For many reasons, not all of them bad, I think we've lost our orientation towards sage wisdom. I would hope we can appreciate those who step out of the rat-race and cast their gaze upon something else. I suspect there’s a lesson in their lives for us all.

Durbin: DADT Repeal

Dear Senator Durbin,

Thank you for showing the leadership it took to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I am sure you share the view that this legislation is long overdue and an important step for creating the more perfect union towards which we all strive.

Keep up the good work!

Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois,

-HW

Constituent, Voter

Kirk: DADT Repeal

Dear Senator Kirk,

Thank you for voting to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. You said that you would give the matter thorough consideration and I trust that you did just that.

I voted for your opponent in the general election but I had the hope that, while I do not agree with many of your positions, you would represent my interests through thoughtful consideration of the facts and the repercussions of your actions. As my senator, I hope that you will continue to value the interests of your constituents above the majority view of those in your political party.

Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois,

-HW

Constituent, Voter

Kirk: Dream Act

Dear Senator Kirk,

I know that you have said you do not support the DREAM Act. I hope you will re-consider this position and vote for the passage of this legislation.

I live in Chicago, a city forged by the hands of immigrants. The fruits of their labor are everywhere around me. These people have invested their hard work to make this place a home for all of us. I think we are well served to open a path for the best and brightest among them to become citizens of this country.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.

Best regards,

-HW

Constituent, Voter

Kirk: DADT

Dear Senator Kirk,

I am sure that you have given thoughtful consideration to the Pentagon report concerning Don't Ask Don't Tell. I hope that you will agree with our military leadership's assessment that the time to begin the repeal of DADT has arrived.

Countries the world over have successfully integrated openly-gay service members into their armed forces.

We can do this.

Thank you for your service,

-HW

Constituent, Voter

2010-1-14 Response: Obama, Haiti

Dear Friend:

Thank you for writing. The reports and images

from Haiti of collapsed hospitals, crumbled homes, and

men and women carrying their injured neighbors through

the streets are truly heart-wrenching. As we learn more

about the extent of the devastation, our thoughts and

prayers are with the people of Haiti and Haitian Americans

who do not yet know the fate of their families and loved

ones.

I have directed my Administration to respond with a

swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives. The

people of Haiti will have the full support of the United

States Government in the urgent effort to rescue those

trapped beneath the rubble and to deliver the humanitarian

relief--the food, water, and medicine--that Haitians will

need in the coming days.

This is also a time when we are reminded of the

common humanity we all share, and Americans have

always responded to these situations with generosity of

spirit. If you would like to support the urgent humanitarian

effort in Haiti, I encourage you to visit our website where

you can learn more about how to contribute:

http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake

Americans trying to locate family members in Haiti

are encouraged to contact the State Department at (888)

407-4747.

We will continue to stand with the people of Haiti

and keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

2010-11-2 McCance: Facebook Posting, Grace

By way of preface here is an article about the letter's recipient:

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-01/us/arkansas.anti.gay.resignation_1_school-board-resignation-letter-comments?_s=PM:US

Dear Mr. McCance,

I’m sure this must be one of hundreds if not thousands of letters you have received in the last several weeks. Some of those letters you have received are probably from people who wish you dead, others who agree with your Facebook postings and encourage you to defend your initial statements in the name of True Christianity against the cancer of moral decay that homosexuality, for some, represents. Still others will have written to you, as Christians, telling you that because of your actions you have no right to define yourself as a Christian. I pray that you are shielded from any of the venom in these letters and that, in each of them, you find something that gives you occasion to think.

As I watched your interview with Anderson Cooper on October 28, 2010 I saw a man in the midst of a life changing experience. I couldn’t help but think of the Apostle Paul who stood by and watched as his friends stoned to death Steven, the first Christian martyr. Paul’s life was forever changed when God appeared to him shortly thereafter from an opening in the clouds and told him that Jesus was His beloved Son. In that moment Paul knew the awesome nature of God and would spend the rest of his life as follower of Christ.

I could not write to you without saying that, while I respectfully disagree with those would call homosexuality a sin, I felt disgust and anger over the callousness of your Facebook postings. I must also say that I see you as a true Christian.

To be Christian is not to be always perfect or gentle or kind or good. If we were perfect we would not need Christianity. To be a Christian is to fall, to sin and to know that God’s grace and mercy will be our rock and our salvation. To be a Christian is to seek His mercy and to believe in His amazing grace. I believe that, in the last few weeks, you and your family have come to know God’s grace in a new way and as if for the first time.

As Paul was transformed so I hope that, through the grace of God, you will become transformed. I hope that you will continue to serve the children of Arkansas as a former member of the school board. I hope that you will help the children who are bullied for being gay as well as the teachers, administrators and school systems which have not yet experienced grace of God as you have. Speak, please, of the need to show kindness and tolerance towards gay students regardless of whether a person thinks that homosexuality is right or wrong. Speak out against the bullies and the adults who insult and demean. Speak at school boards, go to PFLAG meetings, write letters to the editor, talk to your friends.

Finally, I would like you to know that I speak to you not just as a fellow Christian with faults and flaws of my own, but as a lesbian and one of the people whose suicide you so flippantly wished for. I offer you my forgiveness for this trespass against me and I ask that you keep me in your prayers.

You are in my prayers and you have my support.

2009-10-19 Tribune: Northwestern Innocence Project

Here's the article to which I am responding: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-10-19/news/0910180592_1_wrongful-conviction-prosecutors-students-at-northwestern-university

Dear Editor,
Thank you for your story in today's paper about the state's attorney's attempt to pressure Northwestern University to release student grades concerning the Innocence Project. This seems a blatant misuse of the power we entrust to the state's attorney. The latter's actions seem intended to bully and intimidate those who would seek rectify a miscarriage of justice. Kudos to the University for standing by the students and to you for reporting on this troubling development. I will continue to follow this story with interest.


-HW

2009-9-1 WTTW: Health Care

Dear Chicago Tonight Staff,

Thank you so much for your program tonight on health care.

Over the past month I have explored this topic in all forms of news media from The New Yorker to Fox News. I have also discussed the matter extensively at work and in my community.

The program you created tonight has been the single most rewarding and informative piece of journalism I have experienced on the topic so far. At the conclusion of the program I was left with more information and more questions. Thank you for organizing it. This program in an important contribution to this discussion. I hope you can create more programs like this.

Regards,

-HW

2009-9-1 Durbin: WTTW

Dear Senator Durbin,

I was very glad to have to opportunity to listen in on your panel discussion tonight on WTTW. It was an excellent program and I hope to have the opportunity to watch more such programs hosted by respected news organizations in the future. I'm excited to be able to share a link to the program tonight to my friends and co-workers.

Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois.

-HW

2009-9-8 Response: Burris Defense Spending

Dear HW:

Thank you for contacting me about key provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) currently under conference. I appreciate the benefit of your views.

I intend to stand in the interests of our nation’s millions of veterans and active duty personnel by supporting many key provisions in this year’s defense reauthorization that will provide greater services and cost-saving benefits. With so many differences between the two versions of the bill, there are many spending issues that my staff and I are reviewing to provide the maximum impact on our armed services and their families while subsequently keeping governmental spending in check. Your input is very helpful to me in determining how to strike this balance and I will do all that I can to make sure your voice – and the voice of millions of other Illinoisans – is heard during the conference of the NDAA between the two houses of congress.

I will continue to listen closely to what you and other Illinoisans have to say about matters before Congress, the concerns of our communities, and the issues facing Illinois and the nation. My job is not only about supporting or opposing legislation; it is also about bridging the divide that has paralyzed our nation’s politics.

Sincerely,

Roland W. Burris
United States Senator

2009-9-8 Luis Gutierrez: Plan Colombia

Dear Representative Gutierrez,

I hope you will join Representitive Schakowsky and become a co-signer of the Baldwin-McGovern-Schakowsky “Dear Colleague” letter, which asks President Obama to take caution when evaluating further military aid to Colombia.

Since its inception Plan Columbia has not done what it set out to do; effectively curtail narcotic activity in Colombia. On the contrary there continue to be serious concerns about human rights abuses by the Colombian military; abuses our military aid would seem to inadvertently enable. For these reason the United States should not augment military aid to Colombia until that military can show improvement in its human rights record and demonstrate that it can use the funds already provided to effectively accomplish the task for which said funds were appropriated.

I will continue to follow this story with interest and look forward to seeing your name on the list of undersigned members of Congress.

-HW

2010-6-29 Response: Schakowsky, Gaza Blockade

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me to urge my support for the people of Gaza. I appreciate hearing from you.

I share your concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as your belief that the current situation is unsustainable. I am committed to working with the Israeli government, as well as the international community, to reach a solution that addresses the humanitarian suffering within Gaza while also addressing Israel's very real security concerns. As a strong supporter of the Jewish state of Israel, I believe that it is in Israel's interest to work to relieve human suffering in Gaza. I have repeatedly raised this issue with both the U.S. Administration and with the Israeli Ambassador in Washington.

Congressman McDermott's letter goes beyond humanitarian relief, however, and, in calling for all commercial and agricultural goods to be allowed in, it effectively calls for an end to the Israeli blockade. I think that there is a legitimate policy discussion to be had about whether the blockade is effective toward reaching Israel's long-term goal of security, but we need to find a way to allow in civilian goods without letting in materials that will be used by Hamas to make bombs. If Israel is going to allow free movement of goods into Gaza, there needs to be some assurance that these products will not be used to create weapons or to strengthen Hamas's tunnel infrastructure.

I did not receive your letter until after the Moran-Inglis letter on student travel had already been sent. However, I will raise this issue with my colleagues in Congress, and discuss next steps for providing educational opportunities for Palestinian students while also strengthening Israeli security. I do not believe that these two goals are mutually exclusive.

Ultimately, the answer has to be a negotiated, two-state solution that provides safety and security for all civilians in Israel and in the Palestinian territories. Such an agreement has the potential to provide long-term security for Israel, a better life for Palestinians, and a future of peace in the region. I support President Obama's efforts to urge both the Israelis and the Palestinians to abide by their international commitments and to encourage both sides to meet at the negotiating table to work out a solution to the difficult and longstanding conflict.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to discuss these critical issues further. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance in the future.

Sincerely,

Jan Schakowsky

Member of Congress

2010-5-21 Response: Steans

Thanks for your email. You make a terrific suggestion. I have also had someone recommend putting signage at the crosswalks to inform pedestrians and vehicles about the law. I will be working with groups to determine how we can best do this in an era of very tight resources. I very much appreciate your taking the time to email me.

Best,
Heather Steans

2010-5-21 Steans, Osterman: Crosswalk

Thank you for your work on the crosswalk yield vs. stop bill, HB0043.

I think this legislation is a great idea. I have seen plenty of motorist including City of Chicago police squad cars fail to yield or stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. A city of Chicago sting operation a few years back seems to have not achieved the effect of making the public -drivers or pedestrians- aware of this law.

I believe that in order to make this legislation achieve the intended affect of making motorist aware of the laws concerning pedestrians in a crosswalk it is necessary to appropriate funds to create a public awareness campaign. Billboards on the sides of buses, notice on the Chicago City Stickers, TV spots and the like would go a long way towards making the drivers and pedestrians aware of the law.

Inconsistent understandings of this law could easily lead to traffic deaths. Thus, I hope that funding a public awareness campaign is deemed a worthy use of public funds.

Thank you both for your service,

-HW

2010-7-17 Response from Durbin: Israel

Dear HW:

Thank you for contacting me about Israeli forces boarding the six vessel flotilla headed for Gaza. I appreciate hearing from you.

On May 31, 2010, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) boarded six ships headed for Gaza with the intent to deliver humanitarian aid. Although five out of six vessels were boarded by the IDF without complications, one vessel (the Mavi Marmara) engaged in a conflict with IDF forces upon occupation. The Mavi Marmara carried 10,000 tons of aid for the residents of Gaza and approximately 600 pro-Palestinian activists. The struggle resulted in several civilian casualties and the injury of some members of the IDF.

This tragic incident reinforces the need for a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinian people deserve a safe and sovereign homeland and a voice in deciding their own destiny. However, these goals cannot be achieved at the expense of Israel's sovereignty or the safety of its citizens. The establishment of a Palestinian state must come through peaceful negotiations, not violence. Hamas must reject terrorism and stop launching rockets into Israel and Israel should take steps to address the issue of illegal settlements and work to improve the everyday lives of Palestinians.

The United States, as part of its broader goal of promoting the peaceful resolution of Middle East hostilities, must continue to encourage Palestinian efforts to construct a successful state and become a responsible partner in peace negotiations. The divided Palestinian political leadership, split between Fatah and Hamas, complicates efforts to resolve the conflict.

President Obama has repeatedly stated that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be a top priority for his Administration. I am pleased that the peace process is a focus of our nation's diplomatic efforts and I continue to hope that, despite their violent and bitter history, the two parties can reach a mutual agreement that will bring peace and stability to the region. In the long run, there is no alternative. Israelis and Palestinians are neighbors and must find a way to live together.

Thank you again for your message. Please feel free to keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin

United States Senator

RJD/ab

2009-9-23 Schawoksky: Defense Spending

I am writing you to express my disappointment over the $2.22 billion

security assistance package for Israel that recently passed in the House.

I strongly believe that Israel has the right and the responsibility to

protect all of its citizens (Jew and non-Jew alike) against foreign and

domestic threats. That said I am uneasy with issuing grants of billions of

dollars and advanced technology to an ally who demonstrates such a blatant

lack of restraint in its recent incursion into Gaza. That Israel

continually fails to make meaningful commitments to curb the expansion of

settlements on occupied lands is to me further reason to halt or at least

seriously curb our financial support to Israel. I disapprove of the use

of my tax dollars to fund the Israeli military unless Israel can show it

is capable of reasonable restraint and a halt to expansion of settlements.

To continue to do otherwise seems to be in the interest neither of

Israel’s citizenry, nor its neighbors, nor the

United States. –The interest of the latter being, presumably, the

principle justification for this funding in the first place.

Thank you for your service to the people of the 9th District,

-HW

2009-9-23 Obama: UN, Gaza

I listened, with great encouragement, to your speech at the United Nations General Assembly. I was especially happy to hear you call on members of that body to say publicly what they have said in private regarding the situation in the West Bank. I hope you will urge American politicians to do the same now, as the Senate is considers foreign aid appropriations legislation.

I was disappointed last winter to see so many American politicians, including my own elected representatives, issue such tepid rebukes, or none at all in the face Israel’s asymmetrical war in Gaza. When the death toll rises to a level of 1,700 to 13 we must ask whether the military aid we provide to Israel is truly being used for purposes of self-defense. I believe we have the duty to ask these questions of Israel before we agree to further foreign aid appropriations.

I look forward to more bold words and actions on your part as we try to use American influence in the region to bring peace to the Middle East.

Thank you for your service to this country,

-HW

6-22-2010 Jay Lavine of ABC News: Blagojevich

Letter to Jay Lavine of ABC News regarding 6-22-2010 story questioning whether prosecution of Rod Blagojevich is worth the state's time and money with so many violent crimes left unprosecuted for lack of resources.

Dear Mr. Levine,

Though political corruption might not seem exciting or relevant or even especially effective let's not forget the enormous toll such crimes and indiscretions take on the vitality of our democracy and our fiscal health.

Mr. Blagojevich should forever be remembered here as only the second governor in the history of the world's oldest democracy to violate the people's trust so egregiously as to merit impeachment. What compelled you to suggest that the people's interest is not served by bringing him to justice is beyond my comprehension.

On another note, this is a federal case. I'm no expert on budgetary allocation but it would seem to follow that the federal government, not the state, is funding this prosecution. Is this the case? I wish you would have taken a moment to clarify. This isn't Fox News after all. I think we deserved at least that.

-HW

2010-2-17 Schakowsky, Burris, Durbin: Israeli Defense

I write to urge you to challenge President Obama’s request of $3 billion in security assistance to Israel for fiscal year 2011 and his overall international affairs budget request of $58.5 billion.

While it is clear that Israel continues to face threats to its security from its neighbors it is also clear that US military aid, which we have been providing to Israel for years, has not accomplished the intended aim of bringing peace and stability to the region. Nor has the 8 percent per capita GDP that Israel spends on its own defense had this effect. On the contrary the Middle East remains as volatile as ever.

The military aid my tax dollars have provided to Israel has been misappropriated. I was disgusted and dismayed in the winter of 2009 when I saw American-made weapons being targeted at Gaza. The guns and munitions purchased with the tax revenue I provided leveled schools and the errant bullets and shrapnel hit innocent civilians. While such casualties may be a sad, if inevitable reality of war, I expect that a military that receives my tax dollars will be held to account for its actions.

I have seen no such pressure put on Israel. That so few Israeli civilians were killed by rockets calls into question the claim that it was necessary to kill so many civilians in Gaza in order for Israel to protect itself. Further, there have been reports from numerous credible sources claiming that Israel did not provide adequate relief for the vulnerable civilian population in Gaza during and after the incursion.

I would like to see you ask hard questions of Israel regarding these practices before we approve another $3 billion in military aid. Further, I think it important that these questions be asked in a public manner. I have corresponded with your staff several times in both letters and in face to face conversations. I found their positions on this matter encouraging. That said, I think it is not enough to have these conversations with one concerned citizen. I ask that you investigate the use of our military aid to Israel in the winter of 2009 before any further military aid is provided and make a public statement about how our aid was used in the incursion and what your expectations for use will be in the future.

-HW

2010-5 Schakowsky: Honduras

Thank you for writing to Secretary Clinton expressing concern about the violence that continues to plague Honduras in the wake of the coup d'etat. It concerns me that our State Department has moved to normalize relations with Honduras without addressing the troubling instances of what is clearly politically motivated violence. Though elections in the country were a hopeful indication of the return of civil law, the subsequent violence should preclude a resumption of normal relations.

This violence cannot be ignored by our government nor should we restore military aid to Honduras until that government can bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.


Thank you for your service and your continued attention to this matter of grave concern.

-HW

2010-31-5 Gaza Blockade: Burris, Durbin, Obama, Schakowsky

I was saddened this morning to hear of the naval convoy intercepted off the Gaza coast and the subsequent deaths and injuries of humanitarian aid workers and Israeli soldiers. I applaud the Obama Administration's call for an investigation of this incident. I hope that you will request that a neutral investigation be carried out with due diligence and expediency and that you use the results of that investigation to help formulate our military aid policy towards Israel.

While I understand the importance of helping Israel protect its citizens I implore you to do everything in your power to ensure that not a single cent of my tax dollars is used to stifle human rights in Gaza or anywhere else.

Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois,

-HW

2010-8-6 to Obama re: Africa & Latin America

August 6, 2010

Dear Mr. President,

I was pleased to read in The New York Times "White House Party for Africa Leaves Out Leaders" August 5, 2010 of your ambition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of African independence with who you hope will be Africa’s future leaders rather than the Continent’s current heads of state.

Our policy towards African undoubtedly needs to change and I hope that your substantial reflection on the needs of Africa will be beneficial to its future development and to ours.

I wish that you would also consider a fresh approach, on our own continent, towards Latin America.

Please continue to work to open relations with Cuba, refuse further military aid to Honduras and hold up “best practice” states like Nicaragua which, while poor, has managed to find a positive, effective counter to the gangs and drug wars that plague the likes of Mexico and Colombia.

While making dramatic changes in our foreign policy towards Latin America might be politically uncomfortable such bold measures are as needed on this side of the Atlantic as they are in Africa.

Thank you for your service,

-HW
U.S. Citizen, voter

6-10-09 to Steans uninsured driver prison sentences

June 10, 2009

Dear Senator Steans,

I am writing to urge you to fight against proposed legislation to create mandatory prison sentences for drivers caught operating a vehicle without proper automobile insurance. I think this proposed legislation would be a mistake for several reasons.

First and foremost, we simply can’t afford to send these people to prison. This morning I listened to news that the Quinn administration would be sending letters to non-profit organizations telling them that they should expect massive budget cuts to state funding in the coming fiscal year. In recent weeks I have also heard that I should plan to see my income tax rates increase. Since it costs more than $23,000 on average to incarcerate an inmate in Illinois we should look for ways to keep non-violent offenders out of prison, not create provisions that mandate they be sent there.

Secondly, our prison system is broken. As the recent criticism of the Tamms Correctional Center illustrates, we have not been able to process inmates justly and effectively. Whether this defect has occurred because of administrative ineffiencies or budget shortfall, the last thing we currently need is to place more non-violent offenders into our prison system.

Finally, this proposal promises to exact the most severe toll on the poorest in our state precisely when they are most vulnerable. Poorer families across Illinois, faced with increased household expenses, are under tremendous economic pressure to find ways to cut expenditures in their domestic budgets. It is reasonable to assume that, between lost jobs, increased expenses and diminished aid from social service agencies, many families may feel forced to cut out such expenditures as automobile insurance. As we cut public funding and aid to social service agencies and we should do what we can to alleviate economic strain not setting up mandatory sentencing structures that act to exacerbate the pressure.

As a driver with only liability insurance, I am keenly aware of the risk involved in sharing the road with the uninsured. Still, whatever -if any- deterrence the provision might create would be far outweighed by its negative impact on our state’s budget, poor families and our prison infrastructure. Please fight against mandatory sentences for uninsured drivers.

Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois.

-HW

2010-8-19 Rep Markey Oil spill scientists

Dear Representative Markey,

I am neither your constituent nor a resident of the areas devastated by the Deep Water Horizon disaster but I write, nevertheless, the express gratitude for your persistence in questioning government scientists who claim that the oil has mostly evaporated from the Gulf and poses little risk of reaching shore.

I have listened with dismay as BP representatives, government scientists and the Obama administration have claimed that the oil leaked is suddenly much less dangerous than anyone had thought. BP will doubtlessly devote the next 20 years and millions of dollars worth of legal muscle skirting financial responsibility for this disaster. It is very, very distressing to see that my government is so quick to issue preliminary reports that essentially enable this dereliction of responsibility.

I hope you will continue to sound the alarm about these reports and demand that government scientist “show their work”, as you said, before giving the results of their studies. I will write my own representative, Jan Schakowsky, and ask her to join in demanding better work by government scientists and more pressure on BP.

Thank you for your service,

-HW

2010-9-27 to Durbin re: M.Yunus/Foreign Trade

Dear Senator Durbin,

I was pleased to learn that you are sponsoring S. 846, a measure intended to award the Congressional Gold Metal to Muhammad Yunus. Dr. Yunus’ Grameen Bank proves that when you make available to the poor financial products with similar terms to the products available to the wealthy and couple these products with consumer financial education, industrious poor entrepreneurs can build the wealth of their communities. Dr. Yunus’ banking model should serve as an inspiration to all those who hope to work in business partnership with the world’s poor to bring about better living conditions for those afflicted by poverty.

I hope Dr. Yunus’ argument, that the poor need access to financial products similar to those afforded to the rich, serves as a litmus test as you craft foreign trade legislation this year. In considering that legislation please think about how leveraged trading agreements with poorer countries might contribute to the very poverty Muhammad Yunus’ microfinance programs work to eradicate.

Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois,

-HW
Constituent, voter

2010-11-12 Letter to Editor Wrigley Loan

Tim Ricketts wants to use state bonds to renovate Wrigley Field. Since the State is barely able to pay its bills, I am sure the Legislature can find a better use for $300 million than lending it to one of the few Major League Baseball teams that fills its stadium to near-capacity for every single game. The Ricketts say they will pay this loan back to us by charging an "amusement tax" on all tickets. If I understand correctly, then, the Ricketts will borrow from us tax payers to improve their stadium and pay for it by charging a tax to those same tax-paying Cub fans. After the kind of season they just had I can think of better ways to, as Ricketts would say, “make the fan experience better.”

-HW

2010-11-29 Kirk: DREAM Act

Kirk is sworn in today 11/29. This bill comes up for a vote tomorrow 11/30/2010.

Dear Senator Kirk,

Congratulations on your swearing-in today. I know this is a momentous occasion for you and your family and that you have worked long and hard to arrive at this moment when you are sworn in as a United States Senator I am confident that you will serve your constituents honorably and thoughtfully. I look forward to learning more about your beliefs and sharing my own with you throughout your tenure as my senator.

I write to congratulate you and to ask you to support a common sense bipartisan piece of immigration reform called the DREAM Act, S. 729.

This country was built on the strength and dreams of industrious immigrants as can be seen all across the state of Illinois and is nowhere more evident than here in Chicago.

My great-grandmother immigrated to Chicago from Sweden and, by her own industry, put her children through college.

I can only hope that a new generation of smart, capable and willing young immigrants would have the same opportunities that my grandfather did. I hope that through their own long and hard work these immigrants will have an opportunity, not unlike the one in which you partake today, to be sworn in as citizens of this great country.

Please vote ‘yes’ on the DREAM Act.

Again, congratulations and best of luck.

-HW
Constituent, Voter

2010-12-9 Kirk DADT, Get a website

(letter handwritten and sent) 12/9/2010

Dear Senator Kirk,

Congratulations on your recent swearing in. I have every confidence that you will faithfully discharge the office of Senator and that you will serve the people of Illinois as you have promised.

Since you do not have a website I assume you are busy setting one up and thus do not wish burden your time or that of your staffers with a lengthy penned letter. But I have no printer at my disposal and you have no published email address and your office voicemail is apparently full, so here we are.

I wish to express my opinions about some legislation that will be coming up for a vote soon.

• Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell: Please vote to repeal. I know you will deliberate in good faith and I hope, in doing so that you will consider whether the discomfort of remarkably few in the military can trump the rights of gay soldiers who simply wish to serve with honor and honesty.