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Oddities and ends

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Illinois

* Apparently, this little scheme is quite popular in Chicago…

For more than a year and a half, state Sen. Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) recruited people into a home-based sales organization that she called “the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Other local politicians, including Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, also have belonged to the company, 5Linx. But Van Pelt was one of the most visible company cheerleaders, seen on one promotional video for 5Linx boasting of her BMW and Bentley. She joined the company after she heard about a “million-dollar earner” with 5Linx, she says on the video. […]

In the video, titled “Senator Patricia Van Pelt’s 5Linx Platinum Lifestyle,” she blurs the line between her public office (a part-time job) and her sales position. Twice on the video Van Pelt’s name, title and the seal of the State of Illinois are featured prominently.

Despite the rhetoric in videos from Van Pelt about the wealth potential of 5Linx, she told the BGA that saving money on services is the benefit most people realize after joining.

Van Pelt rose to platinum senior vice president — one of the highest rankings in the 5Linx organization. But she quit 5Linx in June and joined a similar company, Utah-based Ariix international because, she said, she liked that company’s products. Ariix contributed $10,800 to Van Pelt’s political committee in September.

Have a look at the 5Linx page. Sheesh. No wonder Jesse White (who backed Van Pelt for the Senate) never did anything with it.

* I told subscribers about this earlier today…

Three months after the Illinois Senate rose to honor what seemed to be the heroics of Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, a McHenry Republican is asking to take it back.

State Sen. Pam Althoff has made the rare request to strike from the Senate record the mournful resolution honoring Gliniewicz that was adopted in September, days after the officer died.

“Since adoption of Senate Resolution 942 the facts and circumstances related to it have changed,” the new resolution says.

I wasn’t aware this could be done, but I suppose anything’s possible…

Rescinds Senate Resolution 942 and expungement of entries relating to it from the Senate Journal and the Illinois General Assembly website.

* And, finally, an e-mail that was sent to the secretary of state’s office…

Greetings;

My name is Chaz Stevens, Executive Director of The Humanity Fund.

I am seeking information regarding installation of our 2015 Gay Pride Festivus Pole inside the Illinois State Capitol rotunda. We’d like the pole’s erection to near the Baby Jesus … as you never know, the little one might want to dance the night away!

The 2015 Gay Pride Festivus Pole is approximately 6’6” tall, painted with purple-glitter, covered in the rainbow colors of diversity, and topped with an 8” disco ball.

There are no moving parts, no power requirements, but plenty of opportunities to air one’s grievances.

I’m including a couple of links to get you up to speed, just in case you dialed in from another galaxy.

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/12/christian-lawmakers-unintentionally-open-the-door-to-gay-pride-festivus-pole-at-arkansas-statehouse/
http://www.mtv.com/news/2618454/gay-pride-festivus-pole-arkansas-capitol/
http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/man-applies-to-place-gay-pride-festivus-pole-at-capitol
http://spectrum.suntimes.com/news/10/155/7654/festivus-pole-gay-arkansas/
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/dec/01/advocacy-group-requests-gay-pride-festivus-pole-st/

And, for your edification, here are a few pictures of the pole in action.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7008106/HuffPo.zip

Yeah, it’s pretty gay looking! Ain’t that the coolest?

I’m expecting my application to be accepted in short order, otherwise I’m gonna have some problems with you people!

KINDLY CONFIRM RECEIPT OF THIS EMAIL.

Happy Festivus, see you soon!

Chaz

The pole…

* Related…

* Sandra Salgado: Republican Party “Behind Steve Reick 100%,” GOP Primary Opponent Backs Jack Franks

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 2:45 pm

Comments

A festivus for the rest of us.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 2:48 pm
I heard that with every Gay Pride Festivus Pole purchased, you get to join the 5Linx Platinum Lifestyle. Because we all know how important lifestyle is during the Festivus season!

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 2:50 pm
Cracking the budget impasse will be our Feat of Strength.

Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 2:55 pm
“I’m expecting my application to be accepted in short order, otherwise I’m gonna have some problems with you people!”

That approach has worked well for the Gov so far. LOL

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 2:56 pm
A double Seinfeld inspired prank! A “Festivus” Pole and the “Humanity” Fund. George Costanza had a fake charitable organization called the “Human Fund.”

Let the Feats of Strength Begin!

Comment by Costanza Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:01 pm
The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people! And now you’re gonna hear about it!

The Humanity Fund describes their alleged Gay Pride Festivus Pole as “painted with purple-glitter, covered in the rainbow colors of diversity, and topped with an 8” disco ball.”

But what does Frank Costanza, the founder of Festivus, tell us about the Festivus Pole: “There’s a pole. Requires no decoration. I find tinsel distracting.”

No decoration. NO DECORATION! The proposed Festivus pole is clearly heretical!

Heretical!

– MrJM

P.S. And until you pin me, Chaz Stevens, Festivus is not over!

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:05 pm
A request, then a threat. The request was okay; and probably would have been granted. The threat changes it into a response to telling him where to stick it…

Comment by donwstate ciommissioner Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:06 pm
(The “threat” is also a Seinfeld/Festivus gag: https://youtu.be/dS7-jcsB_WQ?t=2m6s)

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:08 pm
Just to be clear, Van Pelt’s company is basically the same thing as this - http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/543/wake-up-now - right?

Comment by Subway Prophet Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:09 pm
5Linx = Amway = Pyramid Scheme scam
Not shocked that State politicians are well-versed in this scam of people’s money. It fits perfectly with the politician resume’. I hear she’ll do a little 3-Card Monte between sessions as well!!!

Comment by Roadbuilder Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:15 pm
Subway Prophet,

“It’s not a pyramid scheme — it’s a reverse funnel system!”

https://youtu.be/JyKt8_ZLxUg

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:20 pm
Oh, he hee. He said “erection” near baby Jesus instead of “position” near baby Jesus. Maybe just a little too clever by half, there, Chaz?

Comment by Responsa Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:20 pm
Van Pelt. Wow. I had no idea she was so deeply involved in a pyramid scheme. And make no mistake. Multi-level marketing schemes like this are pyramid schemes. She’s completely using her public position for private profit. Totally unacceptable.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:35 pm
Oh, and I should add, kudo to the BGA for this report on Van Pelt. This thing stinks.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:36 pm
Van Pelt quotes from video:

“I need 7 BMW’s on the ground in order for me to feel comfortable driving a Bentley.”
“Before I turn diamond I need to have 5 Bentleys.”

This doesn’t include the number of times she quotes the Scriptures. But I didn’t think it was possible to have 2 careers where you produce nothing.

http://www.downvids.net/illinois-state-senator-amp-newly-promoted-5linx-platinum-senior-vice-president-patricia-van-pelt-bentley-celebration-party-626638.html

Comment by nixit71 Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:57 pm
See you at the pole!

Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 4:25 pm
The Poles, the Poles, the Poles! What about the Czechs? I’m offended!

Comment by Motambe Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 4:30 pm
must find Festivus countdown clock! so need that holiday.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 4:34 pm
Excuse me. But, WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE THINKING?

Comment by sal-says Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 5:12 pm
The lede was buried on this one.

Forget Festivus and the State Senator who nobody cares about. State Senators do crazy stuff. People want to decorate for the holidays. That’s hardly news. Until my faith gets our boatload of pirates to hang out in the capital, none of that stuff matters.

However, I, for one, am shocked that Dorothy Brown would be associated with anything shady. Never saw that one coming. She always seemed to keep such a tight focus on running an efficient office. Where could she possibly find the time for this?

Comment by Gooner Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 5:13 pm
April Fool!

A four-month Springfield celebration.

Comment by walker Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 5:18 pm
Been approached by more than one elected official about things like that to make money.

Always stuck me as odd…

Comment by OneMan Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 5:54 pm
===Been approached by more than one elected official about things like that to make money.

I’m just running the list of who would have asked you in my head and it’s making me giggle.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 6:32 pm
Convenient location for pole watching.

Comment by a drop in Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 7:18 pm