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* It appears that state Sen. Michael Noland cribbed a big chunk of his civil unions floor speech from former President John F. Kennedy.
From Noland’s Wednesday speech…
Our nation was founded, Mr. President, upon the principal that with the respect to our pursuit of happiness each of us are created equal one to another and the rights of everyone are diminished when the rights of any one of us are threatened.
From President Kennedy’s June 11, 1963 civil rights address to the nation…
This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.
Noland…
Today, we are engaged in the continuing struggle to defend the right of those in committed family relationships in respect of gender to receive equal services in place of public accommodation, such as hospital—-and places of employment without first having to produce proof of legal authorization under powers of attorney.
Kennedy…
Today, we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free.
Noland…
So ultimately this is not even a legal legislative issue, that let alone can not change what is in our hearts. We are at long last confronted with a moral issue which essentially asks the question of whether all Illinois residents are to be afforded equal rights and equal opportunities. Whether we are going to treat our fellow citizens as we wish to be treated.
Kennedy…
This is not even a legal or legislative issue alone. It is better to settle these matters in the courts than on the streets, and new laws are needed at every level, but law alone cannot make men see right. We are confronted primarily with a moral issue. It is as old as the Scriptures and is as clear as the American Constitution.
Noland…
Again, legislation can not solve this problem on discrimination, it must be solved in the homes and in the hearts of every citizen and every community across this great state.
Kennedy…
But legislation, I repeat, cannot solve this problem alone. It must be solved in the homes of every American in every community across our country.
Noland…
We send young people from Illinois to fight for freedom throughout the world and we teach our children here at home that all men are created equal but are we to say to the world that much more importantly to each other if not our children that this is state where all are created equal except for those that are born with different gender different affiliation. That we have no second class citizens except the gay or lesbian.
That we have no discrimination or gender bias except for the respect for the gay or lesbian; we have previously voted to uphold that principal such discrimination is not allowed in the conduct of housing and employment law in Illinois now comes the time for the state to complete their promise.
Kennedy…
We preach freedom around the world, and we mean it, and we cherish our freedom here at home, but are we to say to the world, and much more importantly, to each other that this is the land of the free except for the Negroes; that we have no second-class citizens except Negroes; that we have no class or caste system, no ghettoes, no master race except with respect to Negroes?
Now the time has come for this Nation to fulfill its promise.
Noland…
We owe them and owe ourselves and our children a better state than that.
Kennedy…
I think we owe them and we owe ourselves a better country than that.
Noland…
That is all the vast majority of the people our state are asking. It is a question of fairness, nothing more nothing less. And in answering it I ask the support of my fellow colleagues in this chamber and all the good people of this great state.
Kennedy…
This is what we’re talking about and this is a matter which concerns this country and what it stands for, and in meeting it I ask the support of all our citizens.
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** Sen. Noland apologizes…
“It was an attribution that I should have made, and I did not,” said Noland, an Elgin Democrat.
“I didn’t. I should have. And I apologize,” Noland said.
It was more than “an attribution.” The speech was a mirror image.
* Related…
* Hetero Civil Unions?
* Vote against gay unions sets Meeks apart in race: Supporters of civil unions will see their votes “split between five or six candidates, while Sen. Meeks will get all the votes of those who are against it,” said Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, who praised Meeks for views that he said “conform to the beliefs of the majority of Chicagoans.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:24 pm
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Fire the speechwriter.
Give a raise to the flak who brought the story to Capitolfax’s attention.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:29 pm
Perhaps Glen Poshard assisted in the preparation of the speech.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:29 pm
It’ve been nice for him to say I based this on JFK. Or, maybe it was deep in his subconscious.
Comment by Aaron Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:29 pm
Probably should have disclosed the source. But it’s a great speech and perfectly apropos of the occasion.
Comment by ChicagoR Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:31 pm
Sounds like he has a lazy speech writer.. the benefits of google..
Comment by Joe Blow Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:32 pm
===Sounds like he has a lazy speech writer===
US Senators have speech writers, state Senators don’t, unless there’s a campaign going on.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:36 pm
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
He’s just being environmentally sound.
Comment by Aldyth Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:44 pm
A state legislator caught lacking originality?
That’s unpossible!
Comment by John Bambenek Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:48 pm
Not the first and not the last.
Comment by CLJ Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:48 pm
Wow, that really bothers me and I’m not even completely sure why.
Maybe because it steals from a great man (Kennedy). Possibly because the chamber deserves to hear one’s original thoughts during a landmark vote in IL history.
Or maybe just because someone (the speechwriter or the Sen.) tried to dishonestly advance their reputation through an amazing, eloquent speech that wasn’t their own product.
I don’t know why that disappoints me so much, it just does. Kudos to whomever spotted that.
Have a good Friday, everyone.
Comment by S Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:49 pm
Ever consider that JFK stole it from Noland?
I mean the man is an alltime genius
Comment by piling on Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:52 pm
LOL at Mike!
Comment by Bill Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:52 pm
If you have to write a speech on short notice, you download something good from the internet, change a few words, and it’s yours. Duh.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:53 pm
I hear it was actually Mark Kirk that wrote this for Noland.
Comment by Gregor Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:53 pm
Check Noland’s follow-up rebuttal to the critisism to see if it will include references to his little black and white puppy dog he got for Christmas. The kids just love it, and they ain’t giving it up!
Comment by Newsclown Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:56 pm
===Ever consider that JFK stole it from Noland?
I mean the man is an alltime genius ===
Steve Rauschenberger now knows why he lost the race.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:56 pm
Quinn’s speeches are often nothing *but* references from other famous men’s speeches, but OTOH he has the good sense to credit his sources, often in excruciating detail.
Comment by Gregor Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 12:59 pm
Noland is an idiot!!!!!!, There I said it, I guess that only makes Rauchenberger a bigger idiot then
Comment by I'm Just Saying Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:01 pm
Just shows how timeless JFK’s speeches were.
Comment by Draznnl (Rhymes with orange) Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:02 pm
I warned them this would happen when they launched www.googlecrib.com, but did they listen? No….
Comment by Montrose Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:02 pm
At least he didn’t go with his first draft about Having a Dream of Morning in America without having malice towards none while building a bridge to the 21st century while showing the audacity of hope.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:04 pm
Looks like he had a dream, then blew his rendezvous with destiny. Probably going to be a lot of blood, toil, sweat and tears over this. Not his finest hour. But eventually, he shall overcome.
Yeah, that’s way too much. You have to give the credit.
I was a reporter at a Dem presidential candidates debate in Iowa when Joe Biden misappropriated Brit Labor leader Neil Kinnock’s magnificent speech/TV spot and life history.
If Smilin’ Joe had just changed the bit about his father “working in coal mines all day, then going out to kick the football around” to “selling used Oldsmobiles all day, then going out to toss the baseball around” he might have gotten a way with it.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:04 pm
I actually think it has been reworded enough that, strictly speaking, it is NOT plagiarism. It’s not like one can own thoughts. Only the exact wording of thoughts. He might have bolstered his rhetoric by adding a line alluding to the similarity to JFK. But I’m not about to make an issue out of this. I’ll leave that for the ideologues who will want to jump all over him because of that “D” that comes after his name — and the fact that he didn’t parrot the thought process of Ronald Reagan instead.
-30-
Comment by Gregory Tejeda Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:07 pm
Attribution would have been nice but if you are going to steal someone else’s words those were pretty good!
Comment by Fed-Up Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:09 pm
Look for a 2012 Latino D challenger in IL 22. What a putz.
Comment by You get the elected officials you deserve Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:09 pm
===I’ll leave that for the ideologues who will want to jump all over him because of that “D” that comes after his name===
Not fair at all, Tejeda. Plenty of people with a “D” behind their name think lowly of that man.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:11 pm
Gj –
I can’t replace the names Romeo and Juliet with Rob and Julie and set it in Bloomington and not give Shakespear some props…
Comment by OneMan Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:12 pm
Maybe Ted Sorensen wrote the speech for Mike Noland.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:17 pm
OneMan, exactly. This is not acceptable.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:18 pm
Tejeda - If that’s not plagiarism then its as close as you can get w/o it being plagiarism …. but you’re the expert.
Comment by Joe Blow Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:20 pm
How embarassing! Both that he did it and also that he thought he was the only smart one in the room to use it without being caught. Just when we thought we had turned the corner on boneheaded legislators, along comes Sen. Noland. O well, I guess someone has to replace Sen. Hendon!
Comment by LisleMike Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:24 pm
Considering he is an attorney, would he have used proper citations if this was a legal brief?
Comment by Free Ike Carrothers Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:25 pm
“You know what I find, it’s easier to just make stuff up than to just blatently rip off speeches. Heck, state Sen. Noland could have just said his aircraft was shot at while flying over some civil unions, and knows of what he speaks or something like that.”
(pause)
“Honestly, I dunno what to say about it, unless I can make up something, or embellish something about me… ok?”
Senator Mark Kirk (R) Illinois
Snark
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:26 pm
–Tejeda - If that’s not plagiarism then its as close as you can get w/o it being plagiarism …. but you’re the expert.–
C’mon, it’s absolutely plagiarism. When I was in grade school, there was an Eddie Haskell in my class who said you could crib a term paper out of the encyclopedia if you changed a couple of words in each sentence. That seems to be the principle here.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:27 pm
There is something in the water out there in Kane County that has produced the two most off-putting members of the GA. Noland and Lauzen are identical in their self-righteous zealotry, narcissism, thin skin and complete lack of interpersonal skills. They are also tireless self-promoters who will out-work any opponent.
Few posting here are surprised by this from Noland. The shame is that his constituents (and Lauzen’s) seem to fall for the act.
Comment by Adam Smith Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:29 pm
Gee, an Illinois legislator who plagiaraizes. I’m gobsmacked!!!
At least he stole from someone good.
If that’s the worst he’s ever done, in that crowd he should head the Ethics Panel.
Comment by Marty Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:30 pm
Mayor Quimby believes “that um Nolan … did um … Play-jor-ize from me … and um … this … state senator … um … deserrrrves to um … to be um … tarrr and um feathered”
“Vote Quimby”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:33 pm
As for Gilligan’s comments, well, maybe so, but I doubt that many of the Chicagoans who oppose civil unions (even if they are a majority as he sasy) will vote for mayor based on that issue above others.
Comment by Marty Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:33 pm
So he stole portions of a good speech to use as his own. Compared to John Jones lying about all the gay friends he has. I think I would rather have the plagiarist in the senate!
Comment by WOW Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:37 pm
At least he didn’t do a speech about having four fathers four score and seven years ago…
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:38 pm
WOW -
Whose speech did Jones “borrow” the gay freinds line from … looks like Noland took all the JFK lines …(searching) … still looking for the cribbed lines for Jones … nope, can’t seem to find them…
Also, are you questioning Jones’ character to amother’s haracter, who has been “proven” to have plagerized on the Illinois Senate Floor? … really?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:41 pm
I’m saying we have enough liars in this government!
Comment by WOW Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:44 pm
From Tom Lehrer’s classic song “Lobachevsky”
Plagiarize!
Let no one else’s work evade your eyes
Remember why the good Lord made your eyes
So don’t shade your eyes
But plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize!
Only be sure always to call it please “research”
Comment by B-non Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:48 pm
===Compared to John Jones lying about all the gay friends he has. I think I would rather have the plagiarist in the senate!===
===I’m saying we have enough liars in this government!===
We have enough liars, but you prefer a plagarist? That is what your sentence above is saying to me, am I wrong?
Just a bit confused, are you defending the plagarist because you “believe” Jones is lying and Jones’ lying is worse than Noland being an “alleged” plagarist?
Help?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:49 pm
Though it may seem like it at times, the Illinois State Senate Chamber is NOT the same as 8th grade.
Did he think people would be raving about his amazing oratorical skills the next day?
Many Sens. made great speeches, even those that weren’t very long (like Rutherford’s comments, which only lasted about a minute but were clearly genuine).
This just makes me feel dirty. Disappointed and dirty.
It’s not like we were voting on lugnuts here.
Comment by S Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:51 pm
It was a good speech, ah, both times around?
A bit disappointed it was not acknowledged as to who and when the original had came from before tweaking and using as his own though. I had missed who was speaking that day (asked here who it was)…now I guess it does not matter the gentleman’s name, as I was actually hearing JFK.
Comment by Cindy Lou Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:52 pm
It’s downright Biden-esque. Ted Sorenson is spinning in his grave.
Ask not what Elgin can do for you, ask what you can do for Elgin.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 1:59 pm
I think what is being said is “Wrong is wrong”.
There is no defending theft and clearly there were words stolen. There is no defending arrogance and there was clearly arrogance in thinking no one would catch his theft. There is no defending a lack of character. I think every speech he gives in the future will create a bevy of literary investigators looking for a source. He only hurt himself in the long run.
Comment by LisleMike Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 2:01 pm
It says a lot about someone’s character when they take short cuts like this and try to pull one over on the public. People don’t pull stuff like this “once.” To me, it’s not acceptable in any way and he needs to face the music to regain some sense of credibility. How does someone stand in the capitol and give a speech that they ripped off and act like no one is going to notice?
Comment by Pioneer P. Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 2:06 pm
Someone needs to check if Noland’s apology is cribbed …
“Good speeches have a thousand fathers, but a plagerized speech is an orphan…”
Senator … an attribute is used to make a point, or start a thought … changing words to fit your situation is NOT “borrowing” or not “an attribution”… its plagarism.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 2:06 pm
JFK and MLK also cribbed a lot from the bible.
If he had made the reference, it is a great allusion and would have been a great floor speech, still, maybe even moreso.
Since he didn’t, it makes it seem like he googled “civil rights speeches” and then swapped out some words.
Comment by George Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 2:13 pm
Well, at least he admitted it, but in this day and age when transgressions like this can be found out almost instantly, what Noland did was really stupid.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 2:21 pm
To use another example Airplane! is a great movie but they gave credit to Zero Hour (the older film with Dana Andrews) where they stole the story (but not the jokes from)
Comment by OneMan Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 2:32 pm
–To use another example Airplane! is a great movie but they gave credit to Zero Hour (the older film with Dana Andrews) where they stole the story (but not the jokes from) –
It’s exactly like that, lol.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 2:34 pm
Ask not what your state lawmakers can do, ask what you can do for your state lawmakers.
Comment by just sayin' Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:01 pm
He admitted it because he got caught. This plagiarism is brazen and outrageous. It says to everyone “I’m smarter than you are.”
It gives us a window through which we can see this man’s character, and it’s not something to behold.
Comment by Old Milwaukee Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:08 pm
It was a great speech with a lot of heart and sincerity behind it.
We all complain about that too many lawmakers are dishonest and that they don’t support enough legislation in their constituents’ best interests, but by not only voting for, but also giving a speech in support of civil unions, Noland showed that he realizes the importance of OPENLY supporting issues as important as the advancement in equality between all Illinoisans.
Yes, he made a mistake, but his immediate apology showed that he wasn’t trying to “pull one over” on anyone.
He screwed up. He said sorry. Give the guy a break.
Comment by Liberal Lady Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:09 pm
Noway, Liberal Lady. You are only excusing him because he is on the right side of the issue. If it was an issue you disagreed with, would you think differently?
Look at the act itself. Anyone who would rip off a speech in such a public forum and pass it off to all those listening as his own thoughts and words is missing more than a couple of cards from the deck.
Comment by Old Milwaukee Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:15 pm
I know Senator Noland, and I have to say that while I do wish he would have attributed much of his speech to JFK - his demeanor was reserved yet passionate; unlike the usual bulldog. I think he was truly speaking from the heart, and I appreciate his words very much.
While Mike certainly hasn’t shed the bulldog for good, he does fight hard for what he believes is right by his constituents, and he votes responsibly most of the time. I am glad he is my Senator.
Comment by collar observer Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:16 pm
Immediate?
Immediate would have been … after he did it! Waiting for a blog to call you out isn’t THAT immediate….
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:16 pm
===his demeanor was reserved yet passionate; unlike the usual bulldog.===
Can you plagerize a “demeanor” …lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:18 pm
Old -
You think he intentionally ripped off a famous Kennedy speech and thought no one would notice? Really??
He should be embarrassed, but I don’t think there was malicious intent behind his error in attribution. And I might be more annoyed if someone on the other side of the issue made the same mistake, but I would feel similarly about the oversight.
Comment by Liberal Lady Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:24 pm
===You think he intentionally ripped off a famous Kennedy speech and thought no one would notice? Really??===
Yes.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:28 pm
I can’t believe how dumb some of our legislators are - he couldn’t even construct a statement reflecting his own opinion on the issue. Shows what a fraud he really is, and maybe even demonstrates why Illinois is in such a mess.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:36 pm
Maybe someone should take the time to check on JFK’s speech writer. Seems to me the line, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” has been stolen several time form the original. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. 1884, “…what has our done for each of us, and to ask ourselves what we can do for our country in return”. Several other citations can also be quoted. Maybe there are indeed no new thoughts, just thoughts repeated…..
Comment by Exhausted Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:37 pm
In journalism, literature, science, etc., plagiarism is considered career suicide.
Only in politics would there be any debate about how egregious this was.
If the man had heartfelt feelings about this issue, he would have expressed them in his own words.
And if we appreciate or justify what Noland expressed through stolen concepts and phrases, we are falling for the ruse he created.
Comment by Way South of the Border Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:42 pm
Even Illinois’ own tenured distinguished academic professors would face being fired if they plagiarized. Good thing he is an Illinois politician. The guy is a goof!
Comment by Professor Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:43 pm
If you take all the “attributes” out of his speech and just left his own words/sentences … this is what you would get ….
(crickets)
All the apologists, realize there aren’t too many original thoughts coming out.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 4:10 pm
Ah, what’s the big deal? No one listens to those goofs on the floor. They don’t even listen to themselves. As long as they vote the right way, who cares?
Comment by Bill Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 4:21 pm
In fact, I’m suprised that Noland has even read a Kennedy speech.
Comment by Bill Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 4:23 pm
Oswego Willy nails it.
Disappointment stems in part from the fact he couldn’t muster entirely original comments on such a historical vote, yet he still felt the need to stand up and speak on it.
His own words weren’t good enough to stand alone, but he couldn’t resist temptation and let the moment pass by.
Creates a perception of opportunism and spotlight-seeking in this case.
At least he’s owning it and not throwing some poor intern under the bus.
Comment by S Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 4:31 pm
‘Back tracking Mike’ is at it again. He probably hoped no one would catch on. He’s only sorry he got caught. If Senator Noland is truly sorry, he should move to have the speech stricken from the record and resubmit his own work.
Comment by Greg Tuesday, Dec 7, 10 @ 12:59 pm