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* Senate President Don Harmon…
Dear friends,
The past couple of weeks have been tough when it comes to the cause of freedom.
Forty-four million people in Ukraine face the threat of an autocratic tyrant after Vladimir Putin started an illegal invasion of their sovereign country. Millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes and left everything behind to protect their families from brutal repression.
But many more have stayed to repel this assault on their democracy. They’ve inspired people around the world to join them in defense of their homeland and one example happens to be a member of our own Democratic Party of Oak Park. Her story is worth your time.
Maria (her last name is being withheld for her safety) has called Oak Park home for the past decade. She was born in Kyiv and has many family members facing grave danger today in this conflict.
A week ago Saturday, Maria was married in Oak Park. Soon she and her husband will cross the border between Poland and Ukraine to join President Volodymyr Zelensky’s newly formed International Legion of Territorial Defense. You can read more about Maria and her husband here:
https://www.oakpark.com/2022/03/08/married-in-oak-park-newlyweds-to-take-fight-to-ukraine/
I could not be prouder that a member of our community and volunteer in our own Democratic Party family has chosen to defend her homeland at such great personal risk.
Maria’s bravery and the spirit of the Ukrainian people compel us to renew our effort in our own democracy. It is easy to fall prey to the pessimism and hopelessness we all feel when times get tough.
But we don’t give up. We move forward, do the work necessary, and remember that the stakes in every opportunity to renew our democratic values are as high as they ever have been.
I pray for the safety of Maria, her husband, her entire family, and the people of Ukraine. Their example is an inspiration to us all.
Slava Ukraini,
Don Harmon
* Russell Lissau at the Daily Herald…
A Chicago-area Republican congressional candidate on Monday said a now-fired staffer was responsible for a tweet on his account that called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “corrupt thug” while Zelenskyy and his people defend their country against Russia’s invasion.
The tweet, which has since been deleted, appeared on 14th District candidate Jack Lombardi’s Twitter page about midnight Sunday.
It read, in part: “The Ukrainian people are in my heart and prayers. However, President Zelensky is a corrupt thug who leads a corrupt government.”
Lombardi said he didn’t write the tweet and that a campaign worker who had been assisting with tweets did. Lombardi said he learned about the tweet Monday morning after being contacted by the Daily Herald and someone else.
* Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) is doing his bit by distributing this yard sign…
Moylan said he’s sending out 2,000 postcards at a time to his constituents, regardless of party, asking if they want a sign. He’s usually getting about 500-600 responses per round and then he and his crew delivers the signs and puts them into yards. “The first batch was gone in a week,” Moylan said.
* Lots more…
* Southern Ill. University to host Ukraine symposium
* ‘Teachable moments’: How history teachers are bringing war in Ukraine into suburban classrooms
* Ukrainian-born Walter Polovchak — the Cold War’s ‘littlest defector’ — lives happily in a Chicago suburb but is devastated by events in his homeland
* Illinoisan’s viewpoint inside Ukraine
* Family of ISU student fleeing war in Ukraine
* McHenry Police Department donate dozens of extra bulletproof vests to Ukraine
* Retired Soccer Player Struggles to Get Family From Ukraine to Chicago
* Army vet turned Chicago cop quits department to volunteer in Ukraine
* 70 Chicago Chefs Unite Wednesday for Ukrainian Fundraiser at Navy Pier
* Chicago businesses show support for Ukraine
* St. Nicholas Cathedral School Needs Supplies, Donations To Support Students Arriving From Ukraine
* Brent Renaud, journalist killed in Ukraine, won Peabody for Chicago docuseries
* Chicago Businesses With Fundraisers For Ukraine
* Chicagoans collect supplies to benefit Ukrainians
* Riot Fest founder holding fundraiser for Ukraine to honor grandparents
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 12:50 pm
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Where can people get the “We Stand with Ukraine” yard signs?
Comment by Ares Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 1:02 pm
Ares, call Marty
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 1:02 pm
Words fail in situations like this - the violence and death Russia is inflicting on Ukrainians is horrible.
I can’t help but notice, though, that the kind of sympathy and attention devoted to Ukraine and its people dwarfs that of other countries suffering similarly. Was anyone out passing signs saying they support Yemenis being slaughtered by Saudi Arabia? Or Palestinians, Burmese, or Sudanese?
I say this as someone with likely distant relatives living in Ukraine. What they are experiencing is awful, something nobody should have to go through. But our media is shining a light on this in a way they completely fail to in most other cases. Our media needs to do better on bringing attention to such violence and suffering throughout the world.
Comment by Techie Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 1:21 pm
The story on Brent Renaud, the journalist, ends on a really poignant note. Worth reading.
Comment by Jabes Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 1:47 pm
Many in the Chicago area have descendants from Eastern Europe. When family arrived in US, they followed the Eastern Orthodox rites and built churches to continue their faith.
In Chicago, there is Ukrainian Village near Division, Grand, Western, and Damen established by the early Slavic residents.
Time for peace and not war.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 1:56 pm
Techie,
I’m with you that all human suffering is worthy of our attention, Yemenis, Palestinians, Burmese, and Sudanese included. I think one of the things drawing our outsize attention to Ukraine is “who” is waging this war, especially their ability to blow a substantial part of the world into little bits and dropping hints that the possibility is not unthinkable.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:05 pm
Good luck Maria and spouse[banned exclamation point]
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:13 pm
Lombardi is blaming his staff for following the Trump team theme. Too bad Lombardi doesn’t disavow their rhetoric as well.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:16 pm
=== Next time work in Rauner for…===
Do you accept EFTs or do I need to send cash for the rent space I have in your head. Love of Pete…
To the post,
The senseless and unprovoked war in Ukraine, the free world rallying around Ukraine and its hero leader, and the countless heroes fighting for their home, when two weeks ago this was nothing but worry… it’s another instance where people are willing to tell you who they are, and fortunately standing with Ukraine isn’t as divisive, but it is enlightening to those so willing to choose to side with Russia.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:16 pm
Didn’t realize Dan Harmon was still around… /s
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:33 pm
Unprovoked? Encircling Russia with biolabs and training their soldiers is NATO membership in all but name. Come on, OW. Do better.
Comment by Billy Rubin Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:35 pm
- Billy Rubin -
I’m guessing that is snark, otherwise…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:36 pm
===Encircling Russia with biolabs===
This is a debunked Fox News talking point that demonstrates your ignorance and gullibility.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:37 pm
“But many more have stayed to repel this assault on their democracy”
The good news is their government isn’t demanding FOID cards and continually trying to restrict the RKBA. Instead, they are handing out weapons to their citizens. I’m sure the Senator can tell us how long those background checks are taking. . . .
Comment by Todd Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:54 pm
it has been quite a challenge trying to sponsor a Ukranian family. we may have found the next best thing in donating to an organization that buys air fair out of Poland.
Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:55 pm
====Encircling Russia with biolabs==
This is a debunked Fox News talking point that demonstrates your ignorance and gullibility.==
And also lack of geographic knowledge…
Comment by Vote Quimby Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 3:07 pm
I admire Maria and her spouse’s courage, but it is dangerous and complicated for US citizens to volunteer in Ukraine’s army. Russia has said it would consider these people “mercenaries,” and mercenaries do not have as many rights under the Geneva Conventions as normal soldiers. Russia’s argument is not correct, but I worry about what could happen if US citizens are captured by the Russians.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 3:27 pm
–And also lack of geographic knowledge… –
Okay, Quimby. At least you acknowledge their existence by knowing I meant within the Ukraine.
China told us. Vicki Nuland burped it out under friendly fire from Marco Rubio.
Comment by Billy Rubin Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 3:27 pm
Oh my goodness…
- Billy Rubin is serious.
Wow. That’s pretty pathetic, siding with Putin with fake Russia talking points abs false flags.
Wow.
Thanks for letting me know, now I know better and exactly who you are.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 3:30 pm
Also, Todd, thanks for making this about you and your pet issue. Classy.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 3:38 pm
From Oak Park.com: “The couple believes that the unit will likely operate in English, which will be helpful to David, who doesn’t speak Russian. Maria speaks Russian, Polish, English, German and some Italian.”
Umm…beginning to think maybe David should stay with the kids and considering neither speaks Ukrainian, maybe they should both stay put. The Ukrainian military has better things to do than babysit Abraham Lincoln Brigade 2.0 aspirants.
Comment by Nuke The Whales Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 4:07 pm
Don’t ‘wow’ me, OW.
As an American, I don’t take sides, like you do. Why do you side with arms industry recipients like Mitt Romney instead of Tulsi Gabbard, who actually served and has ten times his moral authority?
Comment by Billy Rubin Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 4:12 pm
- Billy Rubin
If you feel so strongly, you should join the Russian army. They take conscripts. We’ll see what you think after seeing things firsthand.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 4:15 pm
=== As an American, I don’t take sides, like you do===
Stopping totalitarians shouldn’t be a difficult thing. Nor should one be proud to spew Russian propaganda as a reason to be… “neutral”?
Wow.
===instead of Tulsi Gabbard===
Isn’t she a Russian apologist, one seen almost as a Russian asset for misinformation?
===moral authority===
Choosing to side with foreign governments whom are dedicated to undermine American democracy isn’t choosing someone with any moral authority, you’re merely an easy mark.
Wow. Shockingly. Wow.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 4:18 pm
Billy Rubin, not taking sides against an oppressor is siding with the oppressor. Or are you actually the ghost of Henry Ford?
Comment by Mary Poppins Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 4:36 pm
47 not about me but spare me the fuax handwringing and platitudes by someone who actively has sought about the means to stifle what they embark to do.
Comment by Todd Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 4:49 pm
===…who actively has sought about the means to stifle what they embark to do.===
Anybody else know how to translate this?
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 4:56 pm
“the Ukraine”
Only Russian nationalists refer to it as “the Ukraine” anymore. Saying “the Ukraine” is like saying “the South.” It referred to a region of the former USSR.
As it is now a sovereign nation, it is now just “Ukraine.”
Comment by Proud Papa Bear Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 4:57 pm
You can’t live your whole life stuck inside a Red Dawn daydream Todd. You want to arm citizens to protect us from a tyrannical government in the US. That’s why we have a 2nd Amendment. I happen to think an armed insurrection against a government of “we the people” is a low order probability. And common sense gun safety laws are legit.
If that changes, and the Russians invade, i’ll be the first to thank you for arming so many of us. Until then, every time I hear gun shots in my neighborhood, I’ll think of you with no personal animus, but profound disagreement.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 6:02 pm
Ok 47 let’s see, the senator has voted for and supported every gun control bill in the senate while pooping all the reasons given for the 2A. And now lauds these people for going to Ukraine to end up in an armed conflict where the government is handing out machine guns like candy on Halloween
Even ray charles can see the hypocrisy r
Comment by Todd Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 6:09 pm
=== … who actively has sought about the means to stifle what they embark to do. ===
47, you know he’s just loving the idea of an assault rifle in every closet and a handgun in every pocket to keep all those he defines as bad guys away. So he thinks supporting Ukraine efforts to defend themselves and being for limitations on guns is inconsistent.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 6:11 pm