Seven Illinois Republicans are holding a town hall at Christ’s Church in Effingham to oppose ISBE’s proposed rules. The sign says the rules would ask teachers to “embrace and encourage progressive viewpoints” and “divisive, far-left politics.” pic.twitter.com/VSun454Jfr
* It was the usual hyperventilating from the usual types…
Senator Darren Bailey says, “Truth is being tossed out the door by our Governor and the people that are attempting to be in charge of our educational process.”
"Whatever a teacher believes or thinks is going to be expelled in the classroom. Friends, that's dangerous."
A man in a camouflage jacket takes the mic and identifies himself as a soon-to-be-former bus driver because he refuses to wear a mask while driving kids to school. "The mask is a control issue only, in my opinion."
He's right. The mask controls the spread of the virus.
Rep. Chris Miller calls the ISBE rules "counter-cultural curriculum" that are "attacking our faith, attacking our family, and it’s attacking our freedom.”
He says, “One thing the enemy knows, if he can destroy the foundation, the family crumbles.”
A second person asks how they can recall Governor Pritzker.
Rep. Blaine Wilhour says the recall process is too weak, and says there aren't many options to remove Pritzker that aren't "…short of completely egregious," he chuckles. "And that won't even work."
They just need a place, phony arguments, a pathetic need to feel aggrieved… instant Eastern Bloc event.
It should be noted that Miller’s wife, Mary Miller, a member of Congress who praised the words of a National Socialist the United States defeated in a world war was in Washington DC during the insurrection.
That Miller (both no relation to Rich Miller), you want he and his wife in your political corner, amirite?
I happened to catch the interview with Darren Bailey and Greg Bishop this morning. Bailey spent the whole time complaining about the Governor and his authority. Bailey is so anti virus it’s pathetic and down right dangerous. He quotes these numbers and then says our numbers are low because the virus only gets old people in nursing homes.
Bishop even went as far as leading him with a question about the Governor dictating his orders. Which we all know that’s right in Baileys game of name calling. Does he think he’s immune to this virus or what?
Counter-cultural? I haven’t heard anyone grumbling about the dirty hippies in a while and I remember the counter culture. I just wasn’t old enough to join it way back then.
With a GOP like this, it’s baffling why bipartisanship has become such a fetish among wonks and the political press. The GOP is quite open their view that the expansion of civil rights–or in this case, even talking about civil rights– is an intolerable oppressive assault. There’s no compromise to be had with that worldview, or at least none worth pursuing.
Just watched Spike Lee’s movie BlacKKKlansman again. Excellent film.
There’s a scene where Flip (undercover) attends a daytime gathering in Felix’s living room. Finger foods are served and everyone is comfortable. Only in such an environment can people say the most absurd things and believe them.
A town hall meeting in Effingham led by Senator Bailey reminds me of just such an environment.
Proposed revision to the first amendment - “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances, except when Rich Miller categorizes free speech as “red meat.” Seems like something Kinzinger will sponsor.
Interesting that this is an ISBE issue but no educators were empanelled to answer questions.
Not that they wanted real answers from professionals.
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:05 am:
Ok, there’s a big distinction here. Most of the comments are bad/objectionable/etc. But the last one: Rep. Blaine Wilhour says the recall process is too weak, and says there aren’t many options to remove Pritzker that aren’t “…short of completely egregious,” he chuckles. “And that won’t even work.”
That shouldn’t be allowed to stand. If that’s not a threat of physical violence, he should specify exactly what non-violent measure he was thinking of. Regardless, this is Marjorie Taylor Greene stuff and it shouldn’t get a pass.
The same people whining about free speech every time they get criticized are the ones lining up to burn the books whenever somebody brings up a discussion about diversity different perspectives on our history
- Don't Bloc Me In - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:23 am:
Reading other Maxwell posts, and knowing what’s been tried previously, I wonder if one of the hoped-for outcomes of this forum was to generate interest in a lawsuit. Stick with a winning strategy, right?
So much dishonesty in one place. (That the place is a church is another whole issue.) There is nothing in the text of the legislation addressing “compulsory education.” The legislation is about teacher prep programs. There is nothing in it that requires any current teacher or school to do anything differently than they are today. I’m tired of trying to correct all the misinformation being pushed around the Bloc about this amendment.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:31 am:
Lets not forget this isn’t just an eastern bloc thing. The stage that Mary Miller was speaking on in DC, was setup by the moms of america group, the vice-president of which is a current Will county board member and was the person introducing Mary Miller onto that stage in.
We would be wise to acknowledge this isn’t just a downstate thing. There are pockets of downstate in certain areas of the suburbs. Not just in rhetoric but in elected positions.
This is a group of small white men just thrilled that someone will listen to them talk, other than themselves.
It’s a superminority echo chamber that gets smaller and shriller by the moment.
These guys are starting to win me over on the whole secession issue. Maybe there should be a new state carved out of Illinois for these, uh, fine people. And I think they should build a large wall too, to keep people like me out. I’ll even help pay for it.
I have NPR on but not really paying close attention. Someone on Here and Now just pointed out these people don’t want to teach history, they want to teach nostalgia as if it were fact. He may as well have been talking about Bailey and his followers.
If only we could give that part of the state to Indiana—-if only. Unfortunately, they don’t have the corner on crazy in Illinois. They are just currently the most vocal.
- The Failing New York Times - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:15 pm:
And then they gasp and clunch their pearls when their incendiary rhetoric is blamed for having radicalized enough people to commit sedition.
“With a GOP like this, it’s baffling why bipartisanship has become such a fetish among wonks and the political press.”
The shibboleth of bipartisanship is supremely important to the donor class of the Democratic Party.
– MrJM
- thisjustinagain - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:32 pm:
While Illinois gubernatorial recall provisions are designed to deny the electorate any hope of actually recalling a Governor, by interposing the Legislature as yet another wall to get over, the GOP still manages to miss the point of having a credible, supportable candidate to vote out your opponent at election time being a huge help. I mean, when a retread Trump supporter (Kinzinger) is your best hope for any type of “moderate” candidate, you’ve got serious, serious problems in your party.
Sometimes when I hear the Eastern Bloc talk about seceding I say, “Fine, go ahead”. But then I hear more from them and I think that I really don’t want a third-world country on the border of Illinois.
This is just more deflection and distraction from the failure of the Eastern Bloc to do anything meaningful to improve the region’s economic standing. The region will continue to reap what it sows as the modern world leaves it behind.
Its time Illinois folks wake up and realize the rest of the world isnt a corn field. What I mean is kids need to be taught to be respectful of other that are not like you. Accurate historical truths about what really happened should be told, not sugar coated versions that are as make believe as the tooth Fairy.
Its time Illinois folks wake up and realize the rest of the world isnt a corn field. What I mean is kids need to be taught to be respectful of other that are not like you. Accurate historical truths about what really happened should be told, not sugar coated versions that are as make believe as the tooth Fairy.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:42 am:
Old, white, regional, angry…
They just need a place, phony arguments, a pathetic need to feel aggrieved… instant Eastern Bloc event.
It should be noted that Miller’s wife, Mary Miller, a member of Congress who praised the words of a National Socialist the United States defeated in a world war was in Washington DC during the insurrection.
That Miller (both no relation to Rich Miller), you want he and his wife in your political corner, amirite?
- Obama’s Puppy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:46 am:
That Wihour is a real comic, maybe he should take his show on the road like permanently to Indiana
- Club J - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:48 am:
I happened to catch the interview with Darren Bailey and Greg Bishop this morning. Bailey spent the whole time complaining about the Governor and his authority. Bailey is so anti virus it’s pathetic and down right dangerous. He quotes these numbers and then says our numbers are low because the virus only gets old people in nursing homes.
Bishop even went as far as leading him with a question about the Governor dictating his orders. Which we all know that’s right in Baileys game of name calling. Does he think he’s immune to this virus or what?
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:48 am:
“One thing the enemy knows, if he can destroy the foundation, the family crumbles.”
Dude, your wife quotes Hitler in supporting the need to indoctrinate children. Don’t you dare lecture anyone on how families crumble.
- Lt Guv - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:48 am:
“Responsible rhetoric,” reprehensible rhetoric, whatever.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:49 am:
Counter-cultural? I haven’t heard anyone grumbling about the dirty hippies in a while and I remember the counter culture. I just wasn’t old enough to join it way back then.
- Trulio - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:50 am:
George Will is writing about this.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:50 am:
===George Will===
So?
- Quibbler - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:51 am:
With a GOP like this, it’s baffling why bipartisanship has become such a fetish among wonks and the political press. The GOP is quite open their view that the expansion of civil rights–or in this case, even talking about civil rights– is an intolerable oppressive assault. There’s no compromise to be had with that worldview, or at least none worth pursuing.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:52 am:
=“They’re not ‘communists’ necessarily…”=
You know who is Rep Caulkins? Trumps in-laws.
And so what, America used to be a free country.
=”attacking our faith, attacking our family, and it’s attacking our freedom.”=
No, it isn’t. And our Founding Father’s would have a very different opinion of religion and government than you clearly do.
- don the legend - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:53 am:
Just watched Spike Lee’s movie BlacKKKlansman again. Excellent film.
There’s a scene where Flip (undercover) attends a daytime gathering in Felix’s living room. Finger foods are served and everyone is comfortable. Only in such an environment can people say the most absurd things and believe them.
A town hall meeting in Effingham led by Senator Bailey reminds me of just such an environment.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:56 am:
And they complain about liberals being in an echo chamber.
- SWIL_Voter - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:00 am:
== George Will is writing about this.==
And using outdated language to lie about the rule change
- Unstable Genius - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:00 am:
Proposed revision to the first amendment - “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances, except when Rich Miller categorizes free speech as “red meat.” Seems like something Kinzinger will sponsor.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:00 am:
It was noted in Maxwell’s tweets that Plummer was on the screen but seemingly wasn’t in attendance.
Wonder what that was about… weather related? Other?
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:03 am:
=So?=
Well, he is a big baseball fan. So there is that.
Interesting that this is an ISBE issue but no educators were empanelled to answer questions.
Not that they wanted real answers from professionals.
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:05 am:
Ok, there’s a big distinction here. Most of the comments are bad/objectionable/etc. But the last one: Rep. Blaine Wilhour says the recall process is too weak, and says there aren’t many options to remove Pritzker that aren’t “…short of completely egregious,” he chuckles. “And that won’t even work.”
That shouldn’t be allowed to stand. If that’s not a threat of physical violence, he should specify exactly what non-violent measure he was thinking of. Regardless, this is Marjorie Taylor Greene stuff and it shouldn’t get a pass.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:12 am:
I guess if I could help those indoctrinated by these Eastern Bloc members of the General Assembly I tell the attendees this;
Forget the myths that social media’s created about these Eastern Bloc alleged leaders in government.
The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things can get out of hand if you listen to their nonsense.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:15 am:
This is the group that so-called moderate Republicans are uniting with to try and win statewide offices next year.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:17 am:
===Proposed revision to the first amendment ===
Another victim heard from.
- SWIL_Voter - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:20 am:
The same people whining about free speech every time they get criticized are the ones lining up to burn the books whenever somebody brings up a discussion about diversity different perspectives on our history
- Don't Bloc Me In - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:23 am:
Reading other Maxwell posts, and knowing what’s been tried previously, I wonder if one of the hoped-for outcomes of this forum was to generate interest in a lawsuit. Stick with a winning strategy, right?
- Still Waiting - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:27 am:
So much dishonesty in one place. (That the place is a church is another whole issue.) There is nothing in the text of the legislation addressing “compulsory education.” The legislation is about teacher prep programs. There is nothing in it that requires any current teacher or school to do anything differently than they are today. I’m tired of trying to correct all the misinformation being pushed around the Bloc about this amendment.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:31 am:
Lets not forget this isn’t just an eastern bloc thing. The stage that Mary Miller was speaking on in DC, was setup by the moms of america group, the vice-president of which is a current Will county board member and was the person introducing Mary Miller onto that stage in.
We would be wise to acknowledge this isn’t just a downstate thing. There are pockets of downstate in certain areas of the suburbs. Not just in rhetoric but in elected positions.
- Third Reading - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:33 am:
This is a group of small white men just thrilled that someone will listen to them talk, other than themselves.
It’s a superminority echo chamber that gets smaller and shriller by the moment.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:37 am:
These guys are starting to win me over on the whole secession issue. Maybe there should be a new state carved out of Illinois for these, uh, fine people. And I think they should build a large wall too, to keep people like me out. I’ll even help pay for it.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:38 am:
Darren Brain on full display. How’d that Christmas desert work out at your gathering? Sand and cactus for your guests.
Darren, your name and education should never appear in the same sentence.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:44 am:
=== I’m tired of trying to correct all the misinformation being pushed around the Bloc about this amendment. ===
Don’t give up, because they certainly won’t. Challenge all falsehoods spouted by the know nothings.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 11:57 am:
I have NPR on but not really paying close attention. Someone on Here and Now just pointed out these people don’t want to teach history, they want to teach nostalgia as if it were fact. He may as well have been talking about Bailey and his followers.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:01 pm:
Dan Caulkins is to education as Jack Kevorkian was to medicine.
- Manchester - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:11 pm:
If only we could give that part of the state to Indiana—-if only. Unfortunately, they don’t have the corner on crazy in Illinois. They are just currently the most vocal.
- The Failing New York Times - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:15 pm:
And then they gasp and clunch their pearls when their incendiary rhetoric is blamed for having radicalized enough people to commit sedition.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:25 pm:
“With a GOP like this, it’s baffling why bipartisanship has become such a fetish among wonks and the political press.”
The shibboleth of bipartisanship is supremely important to the donor class of the Democratic Party.
– MrJM
- thisjustinagain - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:32 pm:
While Illinois gubernatorial recall provisions are designed to deny the electorate any hope of actually recalling a Governor, by interposing the Legislature as yet another wall to get over, the GOP still manages to miss the point of having a credible, supportable candidate to vote out your opponent at election time being a huge help. I mean, when a retread Trump supporter (Kinzinger) is your best hope for any type of “moderate” candidate, you’ve got serious, serious problems in your party.
- Quizzical - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:53 pm:
Sometimes when I hear the Eastern Bloc talk about seceding I say, “Fine, go ahead”. But then I hear more from them and I think that I really don’t want a third-world country on the border of Illinois.
- Zim - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:56 pm:
This is just more deflection and distraction from the failure of the Eastern Bloc to do anything meaningful to improve the region’s economic standing. The region will continue to reap what it sows as the modern world leaves it behind.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 1:11 pm:
==The mask is a control issue only==
I guess he draws the line at socks, underwear, shirt and pants. Anything more is tyranny. /S
- M - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 2:07 pm:
Are these people in bed with Trump? They act and sound like him.
- BluegrassBoy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 2:50 pm:
Its time Illinois folks wake up and realize the rest of the world isnt a corn field. What I mean is kids need to be taught to be respectful of other that are not like you. Accurate historical truths about what really happened should be told, not sugar coated versions that are as make believe as the tooth Fairy.
- BluegrassBoy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 2:50 pm:
Its time Illinois folks wake up and realize the rest of the world isnt a corn field. What I mean is kids need to be taught to be respectful of other that are not like you. Accurate historical truths about what really happened should be told, not sugar coated versions that are as make believe as the tooth Fairy.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 4:39 pm:
==The mask is a control issue only==
So why isn’t he raving mad about the “no shirt, no shoes, no service” signs? /s