Incredible, gentle readers. I have finally come up with the appropriate combination of Friday Cock Pictures and a news item (of sorts) in a single post.
Yes, it's true. The Kendall County Democratic "organization" that the young pisher king is so proud of is full of tools. In fact, Powertools, as it were. Kind of like this one, I think.
By the way, I have no idea if the website where I found this is for real or not. I can't imagine the amount of Astroglide you'd have to have onhand to sooth the nether-regions... Oh, well. Different strokes, I guess (it's just that some are handjobs and some are high-speed reciprocating tools).
So the other day, I opened my email to a delicious item about the last meeting of Democrats, where somewhere around an even dozen people showed up (from what I'm told). What's so delicious is that I found the sender's name on the party's website; someone who has also posted comments here on this blog.
Such intrigue!
In the message, four incredible things came up (among other things less startling):
• The current chairman has halted the party's fundraising until after the election.
• The chairman does not support voter registration before the cut-off date because it will only register "the wrong kinds of voters."
• In the course of a two-hour meeting where the emailer said nothing of note was accomplished, more than 40 minutes was spent dealing with complaints from an old man about anonymous postings on the internet. And nothing... Was. Accomplished.
Jesus Christ on the Saturday morning cartoons!
Sorry, kids. That's about all I can muster on those three gems. After all, WHAT?! is so cliché.
More good stuff:
• The Pisherometer hasn't budged in a couple of months. It's pretty sad when Dallas Ingemunson (no lightweight, he) can raise twice as much money for his kid in a few months than the Pisher King can in a whole fucking year.
• I've been so funked out lately, I didn't even notice that 50MO is about to crash through the 21,000 mark.
Thanks to you, it's working. One day at a time.
88 comments:
THIS IS A BUNCH OF NONSENSE I WAS AT THAT MEETING AND WE HAD 35 PEOPLE LOYAL TO GET DEMOCRATS ELECTED. WE ARE COMMITTED TO ALL PEOPLE AND HAVE SET UP VOTER REGISTRATIONS. I AM A PROUD NEW MEMBER OF THE KENDALL COUNTY DEMOCRATS AND HISTORY WILL BE MADE IN THE FALL. QUITE LYING ABOUT PEOPLE WE ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERNCE.
Usually at this time in a campaign, the money starts to flow in. This campaign should be producing a lot more money and a lot more attention than it has. The reason it hasn't on both accounts is that John Laesch was the wrong man for the job of running agains Hastert.
All Bullshit aside, Laesch just isn't a charismatic person. He's not a good speaker. He comes off as limp noodle. He's not a dynamic fellow. either of the two original candidates would have made a better run than Laesch in that, they were much more dynamic, however, they were probably less politically astute.
Dynamism brings in more money than politically astute.
And remember, this is the party "dynamic organization" that John helped usher in to power.
Yupp, I agree Tools one and all.
I really think that Chairman Birch is either the laziest prick in the valley, or a republican.
Anyone know of a REAL democrat to vote for (persons supported by the KCDCC need not apply).
You people are weirdo's all these lies about John and everything elese what to you hope to accomplish lets just stop fighting and give Denny Hasert another term in office. If this blog keeps up that is what you are going do!!!!
I agree, money is what is lacking and money is what should be moving this campaign along ang money ain't flowin. I agree that Laesch is probably more politically astute than Zamora or Serra but either of them have gads more personallity than Laesch ever will. In my humble opinion, personality wins races politically astute loses them. You can always teach someone how to be politically astute but you can never teach someone to have a personality. Who Agrees?
Yikes, how am I supposed to read this blog at work when these pictures are posted? I'm gonna get fired.
Methinks the so-called "politicallly astute" should have put his ass-tuteness to work for one of the other more dynamic candidates, instead of running himself. That would have helped the party.
Blabbermouth,
The best way he could have helped the party was by working on The Wost Speaker Ever's campaign. This is the kid that bought a really junky pontoon boat, and proudly calls it the "SS Accountability".
Now there's a thought. Just immagine if he did. He could take Jim Birch and his pack of morons with him. That way we get a party of at least patially sane folks and get to focus on getting our county to a more liberal and caring place. I like that idea, any clue as to how to make it work? I would hate to stoop to jim's level by walking precints for his as a repuke. It didn't work for Jim (his chosen canidate lost to M Flowers by a 38pt margin) so it may not work for me.
Oh Well...
As for political astuteness, two words: George Bush.
Laesch does not have a snowball's chance in hell of beating Hastert, which is truly unfortunate. But even now he is clueless as to what he should be spending his time on and it isn't running around in his pick up truck following Hastert.
At the very least Zamora would have given Hastert a bit of a cardio work out, made him work up a sweat before election.
One day at a time - TODAY - is the only place any of us can be and work on. I've had funks so bad it's been hour by hour at a time. It's gets better. The one thing that is constant is change.
Is Laesch considering himself to be a Christian Social Democrat? It sure sounds like it. Religion has no place in politics.
Where is the tipping point for these "Christian Social Democrats"?
When do the all of a sudden turn red? Is it abortion? Is it school prayer? Is it flag burning. Is it the 10 fucking commandments on the courthouse steps? I refuse to vote for bible thumpers like Laesch and Hastert.
I'm not voting for either.
John Laesch can kiss my fat ass. He is a brick and a moron and needs his ass spanked good luck suckers.
Picking on JL is too easy. The poor kid is a repuke plant whos day to day tasks are sanctioned by the Nat Repuke Party.
If we ignore him, maybe he'll go away.
Anyone know how to get Jim Birch and his cronies to go away?
I'm a DIE HARD straight ticket Democrat and I WON'T vote for that lieing smarmy LAESCH. I'm terribly disappointed that we can't get the right democratic candidate to run for office in the 14th District. It tells me not that the Republican Party is stronger in these parts, but that the Democratic Party is weaker. I'll agree with the whoever said either Serra or Zamora would have been better but Serra dropped out early. Zamorra wasn't supported by the voters. I have met Serra several times and liked him but've never met Zamora
Why did Serra drop out?
The only way to get that group out of office is to work arder than them and get elected into the KCD organisation. I don't like the fact that that group was called Progressives.
I don't agree with half of the things "Progressives" are saying. I don't consider "Progressives" as Democrats. They are much more liberal. They are the Extreem Liberals - just like the Neocons are extreem Conservatives the progressives are extreem liberal.
This OUR Country does not need EXTREEMISM on any side. That is why I support DEMOCRATS ONLY. I say no to extreemism from progressives and from neocons.
Fermi Guy JDL is a democrat and to the coward who say's JD is a repuke is a jerk. The LOL { Legion of Laesch} is out in full swing getting out the vote for november. We are moving forward and to the people here at 50 miles out keep working for Denny after all he is doing so much for people. I have wasted enough time here. I have imporant work to do like getting a new congressman elected. We are moving forward some friendly advice to the jackyals here grow up and get over it. We are going to get JD elected and nothing is going to stop us. Denny is on the run and the debate is going to happen in October sometime. JD will take this oppruntiy to show why he is the better man for the job.
Laesch will stutter, stamer, blush and look foolish during his attack on Hastert. I will pay good money to see that debate.
"Legion of Laesch"??! Can somebody say "cult of personality"?
And what the hell is a "jackyal"?
I think some of you need to go back to school and learn how to read and write.
LOL is right! I'm rotflmao at LOL!
What a joke. Bunch of Trekies is more like it. How do you say LOSERS in Klingon?
The news is Laesch tried to get Murtha to come stump for him and Murtha blew him off. Murtha didn't want to look like a loser too.
We all need to stop picking on poor old john. It's not his fault that he was born with the IQ of a slow mouse. It's also not his fault that he can't speak, or think in coherent sentances. He's just a victim of...
Shit, who am I fooling. The guy is going to go down harder than a desperate hooker at a NFL convention.
This is a bunch of crap John is a great man who wants to serve the people the only thing that I see is a bunch of people who are jealous of a great man! I am not jealous but rather in awe of John because of his passion. I am excersing my right to support under my american freedomn. John is a perfect storm of change and we will return to the shining city on the hill.
ITS BACK ss accounablity is back that piece of shit he calls a boat here are the details:Home
DeKalb Sesquicentennial & NIU Homecoming Parade
Submitted by liberty on Tue, 08/29/2006 - 6:20pm. Parade
Start: 10/21/2006 - 8:00am
End: 10/21/2006 - 11:00am
Celebrating Community is this year's Homecoming Theme. Join John on the float
Moron is going to bullrush the NIU campaus and make an ass of himself. What a fuckin dick!!!!
John the Stalker returns!
This just came into my email in-box:
"Driving home from the fair I noticed that Dennis Hastert was having a quite little party out at his black SUV farm"
Is he stalking, or had he just left after taking more orders? Is he a stalker or a plant? Only you can decided.
Joe,
sorry to see the tea-bagging scars at the corner of your mouth. John did leave pleased though.
I must interject in this thread because IMHO all the trash that is being put out here only hurts viable people like John Laesch. If people do not like him that is fine but we only have 60 days to make a change. Denny is on the ropes and we are going to finish him off. The only thing that stands in our way of victory is the truth. Our progressive platform is the truth we are calling for change and when the new people here in the 14th district see the debate between the future and the past. John being the future and Denny being the past. We have the scoop on Denny and we are going to use it. John is the futre and with the will of the people we will victory will be ours. We are going to raise the flag of victory on the historic day in november and when the dust settles Denny will be in jail and John will be in Congress. We will take that hill with the progressive patriots and restore accountablity to Washington.
Were you holding Joe's hand? I bet John liked that!
I am just trying to make a valid point that John is going to win. I really do not care for your personal attacks and weird refernces to my sexuality. Quite frankly why don't you get your mind out of the gutter and clean up your mind. I am an avid supporter of John's and I will not allow people to contiue to attack a bright american like John. This is a waste of my time and would like to just say to all the people here when we win in November and have anew congressman please do not call to be invited to the big bash in Washington our phone lines will be tied up with the press.
Mark,
I would love to discuss this more with you offline. When are you walking with John? We don't have you on our lists.
Please email us at the office. The best link is: mailto:info@john06.com
We look forward to working with you.
Jennifer could we please comment on why JDL would make these kind of remarks against Mr. Lincoln
""Abraham Lincoln, I don’t know if you know this, he didn’t do it (free slaves) for the right reasons- social justice- he just did it because so many white people were out of work" {John Laesch in a campagin address}
Does Mr. Laesch really think that the great emanicipator really do not care about social justice. I would love to discuss with you here in an open and honest debate after all that is all JDL wants.
John Laesch is a liar. He's going to put Hastert in JAIL? Can you say MEGLOMANIAC? Grandiosity is running rampant in here.
I thing LAESCH HAS A Histrionic Personality Disorder. What is that you say?
People with histrionic personality disorder are constant attention seekers. They need to be the center of attention all the time, often interrupting others in order to dominate the conversation. They use grandiose language to discribe everyday events and seek constant praise. They may dress provacatively or exaggerate illnesses in order to gain attention. Histrionics also tend to exaggerate friendships and relationships, believing that everyone loves them. They are often manipulative.
Sounds like someone I know.
We all know and understand that Laesch will be considered lower than the lowest whale shit on the bottom of the ocean when he's elected
She can't talk with a cock in her mouth.
why do you people attack the one man who can stop denny hasert and the rebukes why do you keep telling lies about the one man who is standing up for democracy? why are you attacking a man who fought for his country in time of war and put his own life in danger for your freedomn? why do you attack a man who is the last breath of the democratic party here in kendall. if john loses in november the democratic party here will fold john is our last hope to keep the fire burning of hope.
By Justina Wang
Staff writer
Hastert, MySpace rep push for Internet safety
ST. CHARLES — House Speaker Dennis Hastert urged parents to set up Internet safety rules and take part in their children's cyber lives during a St. Charles North High School community meeting Tuesday.
Calling himself "hardly an expert when it comes to going online," Hastert said he will "never be able to keep up with my kids."
"(But) nothing will have more of an impact than an engaged and alert parent," he said.
Hastert was joined by representatives from several organizations involved with Internet safety issues, including MySpace, the social networking site that has garnered attention recently for the risque material some teens have posted on their Web pages.
Hemanshu Nigam, MySpace chief security officer, said parents and community leaders need to set up rules for the "online world" that parallel the "physical world." Parents who spot inappropriate content on their children's profiles can call MySpace to have the page removed, he added.
"It is the parents who should decide what their teen is doing online and offline," Nigam said.
"Teens are living their lives online, and all of us as parents need to get engaged with that world."
Other panelists at the meeting Tuesday offered tips to the 100 or so parents and community members in attendance and emphasized the risks of online predators.
"The Internet brings us all closer together," said Phil Reitinger, a representative of Microsoft Corp. "And there's some pretty nasty people out there that you don't want to be closer to you."
Detective Richard Wistocki of the Naperville Police Department's Internet Crimes division said he used to pose as a teenager in order to catch online predators.
"I no longer have the luxury to sit at my desk and pretend to be a victim," he said. "I have real victims now."
As more online dangers pop up, he added, parents who once had trouble understanding the activities of their tech-savvy children have started taking an interest. Wistocki said he conducts three-hour parent seminars on Internet safety — with no breaks and no one leaving to use the restroom.
"Parents are so hungry for the knowledge to keep up with their children," he said.
Where does the boy wonder weigh in on this arguement jennifer. does he condone child predators what is the postion of your campagin!!!! Tell the world
"last breath of the democratic party here in kendall" As i mentioned above. A Histrionic Personality Disorder or something similar.
Laesch is a liar and a fraud and he needs to be exposed, that's why.
Jennifer I will contact you and please tell me what it is we need to do to get rid of Hasert!!!
What exactly do you mean by "get rid of"?
Maybe you could have one of the Laesch team infect him with herpes, or something that's floating around your "HQ". I suggest the most likely candidate is... well, pick anyone, one is as infected as the other.
Well Well Well Well Well Well!!!!!!!!!! Where is Mr.Brophy and who is Jennifer Downward? Questions that allot of people would like answered! Riddle Time Kids! What weighs 2000 lbs and is supposed to float and does not?
2 hints { it is purple}
It is stationed in Yorkville!!!!
Jennifer Downard is Laeschs Sleep in Campaign Manager. They live together in sin. The original campaign manager quite after he a called her a cunt.
Her nick name is yoko. She just turned Democrat when she started dating Laesch and found out he was running for office.
Frank Craig still drying out?
Who's my daddy?
Why are we dissing Frank Craig?
He's a huge Laesch Supporter and Laesch loves him. They two of a kind. Full of shit.
Hey Laesch if you are reading this and sure you are hope you get your ass kicked and look forward to seeing you cry on election night. As for frank caraig lets be realistic if he supports jdl fine who cares the only thing any one here wants is jdl ass out of kendall county. hey laesch you suck dick.
Where's the love?
You people are all FUCKING NUTS! I can't believe the bullshit that's being thrown around here. This all started out with HRC publishing lies she (I got it now) in an e-mail. I was at that meeting and nothing like that happened - the real stuff is much less dratmatic I guess.
We have less than 60 days - here's what I suggest- all of you go to Hastert's oiffice in Batavia and line up. You all can take turns letting Hastert give it to you right in the ass - after all - he's been doing that for years now anyway. I gotta believe you guys enjoy that. This thread must have 80% repug assholes commenting on it. I'm always amused and amazed!
HRC, I really wish you would get back to Hastert - that stuff was the best.
The rest of you vile, anon, cowards should crawl into a sewer someplace.
I work for Democrats - I wish you would too.
This Just Inn!!!
Tom Brophy admits his secret affection for Denny Haert. " I suggest we all take turns letting Hastert give it to you right in the ass - after all I volunteer to go first - he's been doing that for years now anyway." {Tom Brophy}
Anon,anon, anon...you should have waited for a few more posts before you tried to make shit up (as in your quoted material). At least there would have been a little distance between your obvious bullshit and the truth...then again, it's clear you anon repug assholes have a problem understanding what "truth" is.
Get a democrat elected in November!
At the meeting of the county veteran commission Tom Brophy openly admitted to several vets that his tax dallars do not need to go and support our vets....
Hey anon...go ahead and write more bullshit. I know that everyone who knows me knows that my greatest passion is for advancing Veteran's issues - you guys have to be repugs - only those guys are stupid enough to write the crap you write.
No Tom, You are the one who is fricking nuts..
Laesch is going down and going down hard, you are doing nothing but chasing windmills...
Face it you backed the wrong horse and on November 8, 2006, you will drool the drool of regret into the pillow of remorse..
Dont' get me wrong, Martin was no Dynamo, but you and your cohorts have driven the party into the ground and you will continue to, until the next 3 years, when you and your cohorts will thankfully be out on your collective fat ass's and it will be a better day in Yorkville at that time
Hey Tom,
You seem to think that:
1) John Laesch would have any sort of a chance in November.
2) John Leasch is a liberal
3) Only republicans don't like John
4) You represent democrats.
5) Those who post anon are somehow inferior to those that don't
The facts are:
1) Denny always has, and always will win as long as he decides to run. No amount of beliving in a tinkerbell canidate (please see the play Peter Pan to really understand that reference) will change that. The best a canidate going up againts The Fat Slob can do is bring his party together and help other canidates succeed. What John has done is the opposite. He has PROUDLY helped tear apart a party and made sure that all limited resources are all for him only.
2)John want's to bring prayer into schools and says that freeing the slaves was for economic reasons. Not exactly liberal statements. Progressive is not Liberal. John may be some sort of undefined "progressive" but he DOES NOT represent liberal values that our country and the local democrats used to stand for.
3) Most people don't like John. I'm a life long, died in the wool liberal democrat and I think that John is a FOOL. He doesn't represent MY values, or those of any of my liberal democrat friends.
4) Just calling yourself a Democrat and running unopposed for committeeman does not make you a leader. To lead you must be followed. In the military people follow because they have to. In non-machine politics people follow because they want to. Being elected was only the first step. Following the wishes of your constituants and then leading is the second. Calling those folks who don't agree 100% with you repukes is childish and NOT the actions of a leader.
With the threats from you on this forum, Jim Fealy in the paper, and past experiences of many posters, some folks have too much to loose by giving their real name. For a free and open society to exist, annonymity in politics, both in the polls and in expression must exist. Or are you against a free political system? I know Jim Feely is, how about you? Do you wish to "Tell them how to vote" as Jim has often said?
This is not a bunch of republican plants, many folks are so shocked by the attitude of "We must support him simply because he's not Denny".
Open your eyes Tom. There's a big world out there and John isn't in it.
Tom you only support issues because it will get you the headlines and attention. Any one who knows you thinks this. Most people really think you are a jerk! I really hope you are trying to be sincere.
Hey Tom,
If you really support vet issues why did you vote to endorse the VAC referendum when the vets asked you not to? Do you really support them, or just use them to make yourself look good?
If anyone would like confirmation of this, just contact the KCDCC and ask for the minutes and a vote total.
Tom,
If you really are the representative of the Veterans, then why did you vote for the party to endorse the VAC refferendum when the vet groups asked you not to?
Was that because you are the rep to the party, or because you want to CLAIM to be some sort of hero.
If anyone would like to confirm his vote, please contact the KCDCC and ask for the "Ayes vs Abstains" vote totals and who voted which way.
First to the anons...you obviously were at that meeting when the group decided to endorse the VAC referendum. If you paid a little closer attention you would have heard that the VAC Chairman didn't want us to endorse this issue because WE ARE DEMOCRATS...he is not and wants nothing to do with Democrats. It's that simple....
To politcal insider....you raise some very valid points. I don't live in a cave - I know that Hastert doesn't campaign in his district because he knows he doesn't have to. That doesn't make it right, nor does it mean I should not support the candidate who was elected to represent the Democratic party agains Hastert. don't forget, Laesch won the election - if Ruben Zamora had won, I would defend and support his just as vigorously as I do Laesch. Perhaps that's the Army guy in me who sometimes blindly follows...I do support my team. As far as him "proudly" tearing apart the Democratic party in Kendall...that's a bit far reaching. What I know to be the truth is this...he went to the old chairman and asked for his help and support to run against Hastert. According to Laesch he was ignored...didn't even get a return phone call and I know for a fact was never acknowledged during any meetings he or his staff attended (at least not until the end...). He (JL) stated he was "proud" of the fact that the Kendall County Democratic Party is moving in a new direction and "proud" of the fact that he was part of that change. Personnally, I don't disagree with that. The party didn't really move anywhere. We just kind of marched in place. I do admit that the party was beginning to grow. I'm just not certain that credit goes to the old chairman or just the fact that new democrats were moving into the area and wanted to be invloved (like my wife and I).
As far a JL bringing prayer into the schools - I'm not aware of that one. Just because he's the son of missionaries doesn't mean he is one himself. I've never heard that one until this blog.
As far as Laesch not representing your values...I certainly know that Hastert doesn't even come close to mine. I know that Hastert is NOT myt voice in Washington. I also believe that Hastert doesn't speak for anyone in his district (except for a select few). I think that John Laesch can represent me much better than Hastert ever could.
You comments regarding leadership are right on target. You are obviously an individual who understands what leadership qualities are required to be a good leader (you would have been a great Sergeant!).
When it comes to the anon postings - I have to disagree. I have no problem with someone posting their opinions - especially differing opinions. That's what causes people to think and learn. What I have a problem with is the anon's who post pure bullshit - pure venom. That is cowardly and has NO HONOR! If the words I choose to adress those folks are considered "threats" - sorry about that. I am not "threating" anyone - just letting those cowards know how I feel about them and their bullshit - PERIOD. They do sound like a bunch of repugs whose only purpose in life is to throw bags of shit agains the "democratic" wall in hopes that something may stick in order to distract us from our main goal of getting democrats elected in November. Look how much time is spent addressing bullshit on these blogs as opposed to addressing the issues. Anybody who openly supports Laesch is leaving themselves open to personal attacks by these repug fucks. Look at the crap being thrown out about Frank Craig and look at how quickly the attacks come when someone posts something positive about Laesch. It truly does amaze me and I will admit that I often post here just to deflect the bullshit away from candidates. I know that as soon as I post something, someone with no life will attack me or "pieces" of what I've written. It really is amusing. The bottom line is this...I have no problem with anon posters - only those who hide behind the anon screen name to make personal attacks on good people or attempt to present bullshit as the truth.
I would like to talk sometime...you have something good to offer - I know
Just like the Repukes - the Dems are trying to silence their contractors. Trying to tell us we can't have an opinion and even more disgusting, we shouldn't voice our opinions. John Laesch is NOT GOOD for our country because he isn't a truth teller.
He showboats around lieing to everyone he meets. I am a straight ticket democrat and I'm NOT voting for Laesch.
Who's trying to silence who - go back and read what was written in the last post. I believe it says "I have no problem with someone posting their opinions - especially differing opinions. That's what causes people to think and learn." So, stop bitchini' and post your opinion.
Wow,
The way things look now it's going to be hard for Mr Laesch to get 20% of the vote in Kendall County. I've only followed this race for its humor, and have been SHOCKED by how bad this canidate is.
It must take a huge pile of faith to still schill for him. And to claim that he will carry any precinct? Wow, I want some of what you are smoking! LOL
I wonder why your local party hasn't pulled the plug on that guy and put their resources behind anyone else. Is he the best person you have running? If so you folks are in serious trouble.
He's not the best person running. There are many others who are better than Laesch. Unfortunately these other potential candidates understand just how weak the democratic party is and how unfaithful they are.
Again, another usually staight ticket puncher here who feels the D. P ignores A LOT of their candidates. They make unpresidented requirements on them in order to fund raise. Madigan will not give any candidates money unless they are on board with his "program". We have candidates in the 6th, the 8th, the 14th - all over this state who are getting 0, zero, nadda, zilch support from the democratic party.
I wouldn't blame JFK, if he was alive, if he decided not to run for dog catcher in this State because he wouldn't get 1 penny from the DP or 1 ounce of support unless he was in madigans pocket or part of the incompetent local dem groups - all of whom walk around with pocket protectors, calculators on thier belts and tape on their glasses - social regects, every one of them.
And, you can take that to the fucking bank.
Once again a refernece has been made to the break down on the local party because chairman birch will not stand up to special intrest. Instead he serves two masters the republican party and the Dick Mell ward machine. With all that clout backing his progressive agenda one would think on paper JDL would be fairing better in this race. One can only hope that someone will have the guts to stand up for the common people in this county. Mr.Birch has sold out the entire party to his friends and the republicans will benefit from this deal.
Jim Birch is in with the "Dick Mell ward machine"? That is interesting. What does that mean exactly? I haven't heard this one.
Hey anon...I really think you must be working for the idiot Lauzen or Hastert. Jim Birch isn't part of the Mell machine...if you really must know, Jim Feeley came out of the Mel ward...you guys really love to make stuff up!
As far as the local dems putting all of their eggs in one basket - that ain't so either. I know that there is a lot of support (that's boots on the ground) going to every candidate. I know that there are going to be newspaper ads, and possibly even radio time for every democratic candidate in Kendall County. It only makes sense that when you walk a precinct, you help every candidate - John Laesch is one of many who gets helped in that way. After all, he is the Democratic candidate for Congress in our County - and like venting said...that ain't a whole lot coming from the democratic machine - locally or nationally. Those knuckleheads think they would be wasting resources on this "purely republican" county. We need to get out and show Madigan (who really pisses me off) and the knuckleheads at the DNC, DCCC, DSCC that we do have something to offer. It disgusts me that they are only willing to help those few that are "sure winners"...it makes it difficule for everyone else to run and finance their own campaigns.
Oh well...let's get to work and get Democrats elected in November!
Jim Birch and Jim Feeley are front men for the Republican controlled county board and the Dick Mell ward machine. No attempt has been made to help the local county board people Mr. Brophy and the help you speak of is only in tongue and cheek. If candiates want to be part of the untied party piece then they have to buy ad's in the hand out and also have to swear Loyality to Jim Birch and Jim Feeley. This sounds like ward hack poltics at it's very best. John Laesch is the only candiate and the rest of the people on the ticket have to have sloppy seconds because the boss decided that these other people are not worthly of their divine support. Sounds like Mr. Feeley and Mr. Birch are co-dicators
It's called Politics Tom
Dont' make no Waves, Dont' back No Losers
You know neither
Any reason why John Crawford is no longer listed on the KCDCC web page?
Did he drop out?
It would be too bad if he did. He looked like a real honest-to-God canidate. A bit of a suprise after some of the other loosers this county has produced.
Just another example of how Kendall County Democrats under the Leadership of Co Bosses Jim Birch and Jim Feeley choose to reward people who put their name out for office. Again a question to Tom Brophy is this the stradegy either you are with us or we are aginst you. It seems kind of like a cult then again they are backing a guy who feels we should throw out seperation of church and state and bring prayer back to the schools. Fine progressive ideals.
According to someone I know on the Laesch campaign, the Kendall County democrats sent a notice to some of the candidates that they would be putting out a paper and if they wanted to pay for an add they could. Then they listed the prices. What the fuck kind of support is that? I'll support you if you pay? NO SUPPORT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
I bet Laesch doesn't have to pay for an ad. In fact I bet the money all of the candidates pay will be donated to laesch only!
WHAT A JOKE. Makes me think being a repuke candidate wouldn't be so bad.
Kendall County Democratic Party divided
Progressive Dems object to committeemen slate; seek new chairman
1/12/2006
Tony Scott
Some changes may soon be coming to the Kendall County Democratic Party, if a group of local Democrats has its way.
Last Friday, the County Officers’ Electoral Board ruled that 11 Democrats vying for elected precinct committeemen positions would not be allowed on the March 21 primary ballot. The board consists of County Clerk Paul Anderson, State’s Attorney Melissa Barnhart and Circuit Court Clerk Becky Morganegg.
The board upheld objections filed by five county residents against the precinct committeeman hopefuls. The reasons for the objections by the residents included arguments that some of the candidates did not live in the precincts they were running for, some had invalid signatures on their candidacy petitions and others did not file the correct papers for candidacy.
One thing all five of the residents have in common is that they are all members of a group called the Progressive Democratic Council of Kendall County.
James Birch, a Yorkville resident and Democratic precinct committeeman, is chairman of the Progressive Democratic Council and has run twice for county board, unsuccessfully. Birch was one of the residents that filed objections to the candidates being placed on the ballot.
After Friday’s hearing, Birch acknowledged that the motive for filing the objections was to remove Montgomery resident Martin Flowers from his long-time position as the county’s Democratic Party chairman. Birch said only elected precinct committeemen can elect a party chairman when the county party meets after the spring primary for its convention.
Birch said 31 precinct committeemen running for seats in the spring primary are members of his organization or are affiliated with his organization. He said only 11 elected committeemen are aligned with Flowers.
“Some of us would like to see a new chairman of the Kendall County Democrats, and this will help make that happen,” Birch said, adding that the move was “to help Marty understand that he’s not going to be the next chairman.”
When contacted Monday about Birch’s comments, Flowers declined to comment, adding that he had to tend to a member of his family who is ill.
“I would have to say that at this time, I don’t have a comment,” he said.
It may be surprising because of Kendall County’s traditionally heavily Republican Party base, but this isn’t the first time the local Democratic Party has seen its share of controversy.
There was actually one point in the early 1990s when the county didn’t have an official Democratic Party.
Following the March 1992 primary election, then-party chairman Steve Halmagyi, citing lack of interest in the local party by state party leaders, quit his position and declared the local party “dead.” Halmagyi said the county’s committeemen were quitting their positions as well, effectively dissolving the Kendall County Democratic Party.
Shortly thereafter, Flowers and his family, all long-time active Democrats, moved to Montgomery and revived the local organization.
Martin Flowers is currently chairman of the party, but other members of his family have also been involved in the local party, and local politics, for over a decade.
His mother, Mary, was a member of the Oswego Public Library District Board and has run for Kendall County Board; his father, William, is actively involved in a local Veterans for Democracy group; his sister, Jennifer, was a two-term Montgomery Village Board member in the 1990s, until her defeat in 2001; and another sister, Elizabeth, is running for Kendall County Board as a Democrat on this spring’s primary ballot.
Objectors, candidates active in Democratic Party
In December 2003, two potential candidates for Democratic committeemen were taken off the primary election ballot after objections to those candidates were upheld. A third resident whose candidacy was contested was allowed to remain on the ballot.
Birch said the residents who filed the most recent objections to the petitions - Montgomery resident Mike Barr, Oswego Township resident James Feeley, Bristol Township resident Lynn Schultz and Oswego resident Michael Dust - are all members of the Progressive Democratic organization. Feeley is also an officer in the official county Democratic Party, Birch said.
Before Friday’s hearing, one candidate, Kristine A. Heiman, filed notarized papers for withdrawal from the spring ballot as a candidate.
The candidates taken off the spring ballot for committeemen include Ruby N. Gregg, Arden Plocher, Diane L. Thomas, Richard W. Kruse, W. Kyle Veeder, Brett Marcus, Carol A. Marko, Beverly S. Wetzel, Charles L. Parker and Jeffrey W. Kehoe.
Gregg is a long-time committeeman and has been active in the county Democratic Party for decades, Parker has run unsuccessfully for county board and Plocher will be a candidate for county board on the spring primary ballot.
During the hearing, Martin Flowers asked if he could represent some of the candidates that were being objected to and were not present at the hearing. Anderson told Flowers he could not, since only either the candidate themselves or their attorney could testify at the hearing.
Kehoe told the board that the objector to his petition, James Feeley, does not live in his political precinct. Feeley claimed that Kehoe did not file the appropriate paperwork to be a candidate. Kehoe claimed that Anderson’s staff told him “everything was in order,” but Anderson said his office has no record of Kehoe as a candidate.
“I don’t believe that statement would be made, because it’s not up to us to make sure you do your job,” Anderson said.
Also, Parker told the board that he believed state law requires an objector to live in the same precinct as the candidate he or she is objecting to. However, after a short break to research the statutes, Anderson told Parker that, by definition, a precinct doesn’t count as a “political subdivision,” and therefore any county resident can legally object to any candidate in the county.
Fair and Honest is how they play the game just look at this article Mr. Laesch states that he is proud of over throwing the kendall county democratic party and lied about Ruben Zamora. More to Come. Stay tuned!!!!!!
Here is how Mr. Brophy really feels in his own words and that of his Progressive council mates!!!
03/28/2006 10:23 AM Alert
Just an FYI...The journalist is Matt DeFour. A new guy who has a weekly opinion column. He takes it evenly to both sides, but his analysis is a good wake up call to our reality today.
We'll be hearing more from Matt who covers our County regularly, so be nice to him.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/opinions/2_1_au28_political_s1.htm
PS...Lots of useful information regarding the States Attorney race.
tdbrophy
Posts:56
03/30/2006 8:57 AM Alert
I can't say I've ever met Mr. DeFour, but I must say that I don't agree with everything he's written here. I happened to be sitting the largest precinct in Oswego Township from 6:00AM until 8:30PM - I never saw Matt in my precinct - I guess we're not very key in the the County.
As for "slating" more candidates this year than before...that's not true either. Ruben Zamora and Charlie Parker were slated in last time around. All of the Democratic Candidates this time CHOSE to run and filed petitions to do so. Nobody has been slated for any position.
Now, as far as the turn out goes - Matt should have checked the numbers from previous PRIMARY elections. I agree, the numbers are dismal, but they are consitent with the primary turn out. Look at the numbers from the last General election. If I remember correctly, Zamora got 38% or more of the vote in my precinct - and he really didn't work hard to get it there. If Jim Birch was the only Democratic candidate running for County Board in District 1 last time, I'm sure he would have been elected instead of spltitting the vote between 2 democratic candidates.
I believe that this year will be a GREAT year for Democrats in Kendall County. I believe that come November the county will see a group of Democrats united behind their candidates and I believe that good ol' Denny should be worried - VERY WORRIED.
Plainfieldrob
Posts:54
03/30/2006 10:38 AM Alert
Great points Tom.
I recenty called Mr. Andersons office for the final election results. I plan to do some analysis as compared to previous elections and present that here.
They said they have until April 4th to file with the state or something like that. So while Kane and other communites around us have their final results posted...we still must wait.
Until then...
here the stroke each other ego's about a job well done for the local candiates. Except--- if you look at the petions for County Board not one progressive helped the local candiates get any signatures. Only now Mr. Brophy feels that we should all get into a group hug because it will benefit John Laesch!!! More to come
Here is the entire disscussion on soap box about the party here in Kendall: Mr. Brophy has 7 entries in this thread . Mr. Aldrich started the thread because there was a story in the beacon news paper that Mr. Birch is quoted as saying he did not want the job. Fair and accountable central committee was the campagin pledge Mr. Feeley and Brophy promised all the new Precinct Committeeman.
Kendall County Politics
by: SAldrich
Tue Feb 21, 2006 at 16:21:38 PM CST
(Bumped this up, since it's getting more 'coversational traffic' in recent days - promoted by SAldrich)
There were a couple interesting reads in the Beacon News today concerning local politics in Kendall County. I know at least a couple folks here are 'locals' in the county, which borders Kane and is part of the 14th.
Would especially appreciate hearing from HRC and other Kendall locals on either or both of these. Of course, all here in the SB-Chi neighborhoods are encouraged to chime in or proffer a perspective as well.
SAldrich :: Kendall County Politics
One story from the new political writer Matt DeFour concerns the dynamics happening within the Kendall Democratic party.
Dems' schism may help party get stronger
YORKVILLE — The Democratic Party has been a bit schizophrenic lately.
The Kendall County Democratic Party is having its own identity crisis as it tries to forge a viable challenge to a Republican-dominated county slate for the first time since the party disbanded in 1992.
That's right. Even before winning its first countywide election, the once-defunct Kendall Democratic Party already has experienced its first schism.
Earlier this month, Party Chairman Martin Flowers announced that he would not be seeking re-election for the top spot in the organization, citing an illness in the family and his other responsibilities as president of the Illinois Young Democrats.
The announcement, however, came on the heels of a political power play by a dissident faction led by one-time county board candidate Jim Birch.
Back in December, a record number of Kendall Democrats filed to run for precinct committeeman (a post that, among other things, allows those elected to vote for party chairman). A whopping 53 petitions were entered, compared with only 41 Republicans, the first time that had happened in recent memory. (More on that in a moment.)
But several of those petitions were cut down last month when Birch and his crew, known as the Progressive Democratic Council of Kendall County, successfully challenged the filings of 11 hopefuls from his own party. Birch admitted that the stricken candidates were supporters of Flowers, and the attrition was intended to saw the legs off of his re-electability.
"Some of us felt frustrated with the current leadership," Birch said. "The three things you can do is shut up and go along with it, quit or try something on your own."
The piece ends on this note, something many Dems should pay attn to and consider, if we ever plan to turn things around or move forward with a genuine progressive agenda, built upon healthy/balanced coalitions and compromise.
Whoever takes the reins from Flowers this spring — and Birch denies he's seeking the position — will have to sweep the remnants of the Kendall Democratic schism off the porch and unify the party. As one county board candidate, 24-year-old Yorkville plumber Arden Plocher, told me:
"We're all democrats, we need to stop fighting," he said. "If any of us are going to win, we need to work together."
The second concerns an LTE about DeFour's recent column on 'Boy Ingmunsen' and his fund raising practices.
How pol raised money
How pol raised money
Matthew DeFour's article regarding the Kendall County state's attorney's race (Feb. 10) was revealing on many levels. The point of the article was to demonstrate the amount of money being raised by both candidates and the source of those funds. However, Mr. DeFour failed to make the obvious conclusion: Boyd Ingemunson has out-raised his opponent by a margin of 2 to 1 in Kendall County.
Hundreds of regular folks from the county participated in his holiday fundraiser where, without fanfare, Ingemunson donated thousands of dollars in toys and gifts to local charity. Recently, Ingemunson hosted a fundraiser in Plano, where a large crowd donated $20 per person to attend. Half the proceeds will be donated to the Plano DARE Program. Ingemunson has used his fundraising events to create a dialogue with the people in Kendall County and to use these events to support local needs. People are connecting with his message and are energized by a candidate with a broader vision and interest in their community.
In addition, Ingemunson enjoys broad regional support. As the article correctly pointed out, Ingemunson has received support from both the Kane and Grundy County state's attorneys.
Mr. DeFour should have asked these elected officials why? It is because these officials understand what Ingemunson understands — that law enforcement is a regional effort and that the explosive regional growth we're facing has regional implications for law enforcement.
Tags: (All Tags)
Kendall County Politics | 98 comments | Time to post comments expired.
"Schism" is personal. (0.00 / 0)
I was very frustrated with the local D's until several years ago when a friend counseled me thusly:
People out here think Denny Hastert walks on water, when in fact, he's pretty much a jerk who learned to become friends with some pretty powerful people. The folks out here are what they are. You are never, ever, never, never, ever going to change an R to a D out here. Kendall has not elected a D to anything in the 20th century. Period. So the worst thing a D can do is start pissing people off. I will never figure out most of the people who live out here. It's very weird.
But I'll say two things about what that low-key sort of approach has done: I do know that there are a hell of a lot more D's (and people grumbling about big local issues) now than there were 10 or 15 years ago, and every person who ever stepped up to my door with a donkey pin on was part of the Flowers organization, the regular party. I have never had one of these many, many so-called "Progressive" types in my neighborhood, and neither have my friends.
If I didn't know it was true, I'd say this whole Jim Birch thing was just crazy talk. What he has done to Kendall County Democrats is shoot them in the face, and repeatedly. It's nothing short of stupid that he started his own party. And that is the way he sees it, apparently; one belonged to Martin Flowers and one belonged to him. Now his is bigger.
What a big man!
In my mind, the Progressive groups should augment the party activities, and role in the public space. His people don't see it that way. This thing was personal, from what I know, and Birch is apparently as stupid as all of this makes him seem. He has come right out more than once and told the press that this was personal.
Another thing I recall, Birch has been all over the political spectrum. He was at the head of some loopy anti-taxation group a number of years back that destroyed the Yorkville school district when they swept into Board positions. So I have to question his motives and his credentials as a so-called "Progressive."
I didn't see in either of the articles that I read that Martin Flowers had a pretty powerful reason for stepping aside. Word on the street is that his mother is quite ill and he is spending much of his time at home with her as one of her caregivers in the household.
I think that's pretty admirable, if it's true. But the Flowers family members appear to be pretty humble. And I also have friends with Madigan connections who say that all of the Flowers family is held in high regard by the Madigans.
I do agree that whoever takes over the party in Kendall is going to have one hell of a mess on their hands. Jim Birch and his phoney "Progressive Council" has seen to that.
As for the "Boy" story (thanks, and keep using the nickname I coined for the tyke), my own writing at 50 Miles Out of the Loop should tell you where I stand on the Ingemunsons and Kendall County politics.
The corruption and lies that go on within the party organization he crafted are the biggest open secrets around. There is money to be found everywhere one day.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Thu Feb 23, 2006 at 23:02:00 PM CST
[ Reply ]
Great response
Appreciate your candid and in-depth response, HRC. Thought perchance this item might be one that would 'draw your attns'
or offer an opportunity to contribute your exps with local Kendall politics.
Hope you didn't mind me 'borrowing' you term for Ingmunsen the Younger, it has a snappy ring (of truth) to it so I took the liberty of working it into the Diary.
The whole Kendall Dems schism(s)intra-group dichotomies don't bode well for the short or middle terms. Will keep an eye on this as it develops in the coming months.
Living close to the county borders of Kane-Kendall it has 'crossover' potentials that will obviously send a few ripples or waves back 'n forth between these two 'camps'
The demographics and base, as noted, has significantly changed. The 'fresh faces and new influx of 'outsiders' (those who're not multi-generational county/small town residents) are the low hanging fruits that need to be sought and harvested.
Same can be said for the populations here in Kane and over in DeKalb counties.
That's where the ground games and elections will be won, lost, or 'surrendered without a fight' this year and for the ones afterwards.
Just a few random thoughts and personal observations in the pre-dawn hours of a midwinter Friday morn.
~Best regards & TGIF~
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
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by: SAldrich @ Fri Feb 24, 2006 at 05:11:27 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Re: "If it's true"
I have personally knowledge of Mrs. Flowers' illness and Martin's preoccupation with her care.
I don't want to say any more out of respect for their privacy. If people really care, and it seems so many do not ("Politics is dirty business"), they might show some human compassion instead of ripping apart a party (not to mention real people) in a unrelenting drive for power.
Various definitions of "progressive" have been discussed on this blog. As a newby Green, I think I know a little about progressives. While some members of Birch's group may be true progressives (some seemed to be when I met them), others are definitely not...take the Feeleys, for example (oh no, not that name again!). Power above all else is not a progressive value. I will admit that sometimes thinking that we (progressives) are right and everyone else is wrong can be a progressive tendancy, but the power-play here is NOT progressive; it's regressive and regrettable.
"I criticize America because I love her. I want her to stand as a moral example to the world." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
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by: peacenoodles @ Mon Feb 27, 2006 at 11:35:34 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Not so personal
As a member of the Progressive Democratic Council of Kendall County I would like to reply to HRC's opinion that the differences between the Kendall County Democrats and the PDCKC is not personal at all.
When I moved into Kendall County several years ago my wife and I went looking for a way to contribute to the Dem's. After extensive searching on the internet the amount of information we found was negligiable. Eventually we came accross the PDCKC.
These people have an interest in the political party and want to do something about it. We were welcomed and were made to feel we could contribute with this group. My wife and I both felt that the Kendall Democrats passive approach to the issues and recruting was just not enough, considering the way things are heading in this country.
Jim and Jean Birch and the Feely's are dedicated people who are working to increase participation in and information on the Democratic party in Kendall County.
If all goes well we will soon be voting for a new Chairman and the majority of the precinct commitee persons will be affiliated with the PDCKC. This is a good thing, the PDCKC wants to improve the Democratic party of Kendall County by providing the tools needed to expand the organization.
This division is not a personal attack on Mr. Flowers by Mr. Birch, It is a combined effort by a group of dedicated people looking to improve the Democratic footprint in Kendall County.
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by: wpfarrer @ Sun Mar 05, 2006 at 11:00:07 AM CST
[ Parent ]
There's always 2 sides to a story
Apparantly HRC and gang only have one side of the stroy in Kendall County. Like wpfarrer, I have only lived in Kendall County for less than 5 years. When my wife and I first moved to the County we wanted to get involved with the "Democratic" organization. We saw an ad in the local paper for a fund raising dinner and contacted Marty Flowers - the Democratic Party Chairman. We soon came to find that your involvement was welcome as long as you had NO original ideas and were in absolute agreement with anything that came out of the Flowers household. We also found that the "Democratic" organization was one of the most EXCLUSIVE (as opposed to INCLUSIVE) organizations I had ever been involved with.
I am personnally glad that Jim Birch and the other devoted Democrats in Kendall County started the Progressive Democratic Council. That is a group which is open to all and accepting of all. That group welcomes discussion about issues and has gotten out in front of candidates as well as issues. They have paid for campaign ads for ALL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES both in print and on the radio.
It appears to me that you have a very one sided view of what's going on in Kendall county. After this next primary election - I can see a PARTY UNITED working together to further the Democratic platform as well as working to get Democratic candidates elected locally. That's something that's never happened here - at least to my limited knowledge.
BTW, I love HRC's take on Haster - that couldn't be more true - too bad you couldn't get the whole story about the Kendall County Democrats.
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by: oswegodem @ Sun Mar 05, 2006 at 12:21:00 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Five Years.
Is some limited knowledge, alright. Did you ever think that maybe you were getting the old sniff test before the Flowers organization embraced you? That would not be out of the ordinary, from my limited perspective. Of more than 25 years in Kendall.
The Flowers Dems had good reason to be leery of new people, because the Ingemunson organization has such long tentacles. There are many who believe Birch, who headed up the T.E.A. Party in Yorkvillle, was an Ingemunson plant who was put out there to spoil the growth of the Democratic organization.
I think you're that oswego4dems guy, and I think you're being short-sighted.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Sun Mar 05, 2006 at 22:41:18 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Open to all?
Mr Brophy,
How can you say the Kendall County Democrats and Mr. Flowers in particular aren't open to all. I was at a meeting just last week where Mr. Flowers and several other Kendall County Democrats argued with you about allowing any person to make nominations for the Kendall County Democratic Central Committee. Since YOU are the main person to have created the guidelines for the county convention (at least I think that was you since you handed it out and took credit for it), I find it hard to believe that you are attacking "Marty" for being uninclusive. Your guidelines clearly stated that ONLY ELECTED precinct committeeman would be able to make nominations. Of course your reasoning was that someone that hadn't voted Democrat shouldn't be able to nominate someone. It would seem that it is the other way around.
Speaking of inclusive, wasn't it Mr. Birch, Mr & Mrs Feeley, Mr. Laesch and others that were involved in knocking candidates for precinct committeeman off the ballot? That doesn't seem very inclusive to me. I read a couple of blog postings about those challanges and I have to admit it seems a little suspicious to me. OF course that is only my opinion. Too bad that "Marty" was to preoccupied to appeal that decision. I don't really think that it was legit.
You seem to be very angry with Mr. Flowers and the others in the household. I would almost venture to say that it was personal. But you have already stated that it isn't. So if it isn't personal with Mr. Flowers and household, why do you continue to attact these people personally?
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by: hopefulin_06 @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 00:10:02 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Thanks.
There's actually three sides, according to my mother.
There's your side, mine, and the truth.
Since I am an uninvolved third party (I really enjoy being a spectator in this spectatorless sport), keep in mind I am not connected in any way to either side of this bitchfest.
If you're Tom Brophy, I think you are connected to this takeover.
I've seen your letters in the papers, and I wouldn't exactly call you impartial.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 12:17:34 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Bullshit.
Birch said quite plainly in two newspaper interviews that the petition challenges were meant to send the message to "Marty" that he wasn't going to be chairman anymore.
Excuse my absence. I've been at farm auctions, observing Denny Hastert's America all weekend (observing, not purchasing anything) in Kendall and DeKalb counties.
If Jim Birch is going to be the next chairman of the Kendall Democrats, you can count on the membership either:
a) folding up its tent, as it attempted in 1992, or
b) being full of goofballs, like the rest of the Jim Birch Society.
The "improvement" should have taken place within the party, as I've been known to bring up in the past. The fact that The Jim Birch Society had to be created is as plain as the nose on Mr. Pfarrer's big face that Jim Birch wanted to circumvent the normal rise to power within the county political apparatus.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Sun Mar 05, 2006 at 21:42:47 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Nice Comment
I really don't consider my wife and I goofballs, as you so eloquently stated. I can't speak for the rest of the organization, but the ones I do know seem to be stable well meaning people. It is unfortunate that you feel the need to post vitriolic rants laced with profanity and personal attacks just because you have a personal problem with the future democratic leadership, whoever that my be.
Instead of complaining about the future leadership, perhaps being a little more magnanimous and finding a way to positivly contribute to the Democratic party of Kendall County would be a better course of action. After all we are all democrats.
As a side note my "Big Face" and its nose are a fine combination of good looks and they go well with my pretty blue eyes.
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by: wpfarrer @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 08:06:24 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Good sense of humor.
For a guy with a big face. Kidding. You take a beating well. Keep coming back.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 11:57:53 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Life is complicated
And a good sense of humor is mandatory.
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by: wpfarrer @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 17:21:58 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Pogo Speaks for Me
"Don't take life so serious...'tain't nowise permanent' ;p
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
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by: SAldrich @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 17:32:20 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Check.
And bingo.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 09:14:34 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Website
Mr Pfarrer,
I would like to congratulate you on your website. I have looked at it and find it pretty impressive. I saw the site before you revamped it and I can't imagine how that website impressed you. It was uninformative, boring and lacking imagination. Agian, nice job on the new website.
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by: hopefulin_06 @ Sun Mar 05, 2006 at 22:46:43 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Thanks
I appreciate your kind words on my web site. Actually it wasn't the old PDCKC web site that got my attention. If I am not mistaken, my wife hooked up with the PDCKC through a website called Meetup.org. Your assesment of the old website pretty much described it. My goals for the new site is to create a core system that will allow us to provide better tools to ALL members of the Democratic party in Kendall County.
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by: wpfarrer @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 07:44:38 AM CST
[ Parent ]
It is an excellent site.
You deserve credit for a job well done, and the Kendall Dem site is pretty weak.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 11:59:53 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Appreciate hearing from the Progressive Side (0.00 / 0)
Thanks for these two most recent posts and from a fresh perspective and new faces. One reason I originally shared this was to solicit dialog nad input from those in Kendall who have been engaged and active.
I've been around long enough to remember when the old Kendall Dem org 'folded the tent, packed their bags and gave up' Was a sore spot and stood out as one reason the 'collar counties' were conceeding.
I find the reactivation, strong showing and engagements to be the best hope for taking back the issues and making headway.
As with the sound leadership under Mark Guethle here in Kane, it's 'boots on the ground, making every race count and not folding' that will return the regions to a truer form of representative governance.
We cannot afford to 'sit quietly, pray for salvation and be good lil tame sheep'. Leadership is somethingeach of us must find within ourself, then help others to find it and grow it together.
The ending quote from Arden Plocher summed it up well for me. GOes back to the time honored quote "if we don't all hang together, we shall all surely hang seperately'.
Best wishes to all the Kendall Dems running and the new faces rebuilding the grassroots.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
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by: SAldrich @ Sun Mar 05, 2006 at 15:02:25 PM CST
[ Reply ]
Numbers
I did a little looking into the number of precinct committeeman Kendall County elected in 2004. Kendall County has over 41% of thier 65 precincts filled with ELECTED precinct committeeman. Between elected and appointed they have over 95% of the precincts filled with a committeeman. I also looked at surrounding counties, and without giving precentages (I don't want to cause a big arguement here) Kendall is at the top or near the top of the list with elected precinct committeeman. I would hardly call that "stagnant".
A lot has been said about the Kendall County Democrats. I decided to speak up because I could no longer 'sit quietly, pray for salvation and be good lil tame sheep'. We are being called "stagnant" because we do not agree with the ways that the "progressives" want to politic in Kendall County. We would prefer to keep our campaigns above board and not go negative. We do not want to BASH our apponents, we would rather DEBATE the ISSUES. At public events such as parades and festivals, we prefer to highlight possitive reasons to be a DEMOCRAT as apposed to carring signs with negative conotations.
I find it ironic that the "stagnant" Kendall County Democrat website was copied until recently by many of the progressive website in the Kendall County. I also find it funny that the logo that we have had for our organization for years (on our letterhead, shirts, website) was hijacked by the "progressives". Here is a hint, changing the color isn't enough. Please could you try to be a little more orginal?
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by: hopefulin_06 @ Sun Mar 05, 2006 at 23:48:03 PM CST
[ Parent ]
accusations (0.00 / 0)
I feel the need to respond to at least some of the accusations about me in this venue. I would have responded sooner, but we were getting ready for a meet the candiate event sponsored by the PDCKC on March 5th.
I'd like to make the following points.
1. The allegation that I am a Dallas Ingemunson plant. That is funny. I was pestered by Marty Flowers during early November 2000 to become active with the local Democratic Party. I was busy with our union GOTV, and didn't become involved until February 2001. At that time, the local party had no checking account and most of the people at the meeting were relatives of the chairman. Ideas were thrown out,like establish a checking account, elect officers, and come up with ideas to grow the party. After a while it was clear that this small group was split on how to grow the party in Kendall County. Some of us broke away in the spring of 2004 to try our hand at growing the party. We helped the DeKalb Democrats secure a booth at the Sandwich Fair and helped to man the booth. We have tried to remain visible and support legitimate Democratic candidates.
2. The T.E.A. Party. I have never been a member of the T.E.A. Party, let alone a leader. You can contact the superintendent of the Yorkville Schools, I'm sure he would remember the T.E.A. Party.
3. Challenging petitions. The chairman set that standard 2 years ago when he challenged 3 people I had recruited for precinct committeemen. He knocked off 2. You can read his
letter to the editor on the subject by checking out the Jan. 1st, 2004 edition of the Kendall County Record, page 5. It may be in the same issue of the Oswego Ledger/Sentinel. An average person would think that any family that held control of the county party for over a decade would be able to keep their people on the ballot, especially when a committeeman only needs 10 valid signatures.
I've said my piece. The control of the Kendall County Democratic Party will be up to the elected precinct committeemen at the April county convention. Everyone else can only offer an opinion. Control has shifted. I for one think that things are only getting better in Kendall County.
jim birch
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by: jim @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 11:35:02 AM CST
[ Reply ]
"up to the committeement," meaning you, right?
You packed the ticket with handpicked committeemen who will vote for you or whoever else you put up. Right? That's old-style.
You should have worked within the party instead of going outside it, only to come back in with your own team of loyal warriors.
That was dirty. And stupid.
Weren't you quoted in one recent article as saying you were more concerned about working on the national ticket? You're all hat, cowboy.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 12:13:41 PM CST
[ Parent ]
4th side1 (0.00 / 0)
It should be noted that Jim Birch stopped coming to central committee meetings (even though he was elected to serve the democrats in his precinct) after he was rebuffed for suggesting that the party slate a republican on the Democratic ticket. He has been vehimantly (pardon the spelling) opposed to Mr Flowers ever since.
It's a shame that due to a family illness the party will have to suffer through 2 years or more of the Jim Birch Society control. They have shown no positive message for Kendall County, but rather want to achieve national results. That's great that they care, however they seem to have forgotten the voters at home. Did they even manage to come up with a single county board canidate?
No.
Do they have any County Wide canidates?
No.
The only person they can get behind is a young kid that is in way over his head to take on the Speaker of the House. Get Real, he doesn't stand a chance. If they were to focus on county issuse they would have some real credibility. But then again, perhaps Ign Sr doesn't want a county wide canidate from the dems?
Either they are republican plants or fools. Either way the county will not be served by them.
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by: The Evil Reverend @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 14:05:12 PM CST
[ Reply ]
Would you perhaps be
Rev. Geri, from the Zamora Campaign, and also serving as his campaing manager?
Just a question for clarity, not of any nefarious or alt. motives or intents.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
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by: SAldrich @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 16:23:54 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Kendall County Progressive Dems
This is my very first visit to this site. As I'm pretty new around here and w/any of the Kendall Dems, I don't know who most of those people (HRC, etc.) are, but it's really funny! As a newer Kendall resident and newer member of the PDCKC, a lot of the history they're all bitching about doesn't mean much to me.
My experience, as noted briefly in my recent Ledger letter to the editor and by William at soapblox, has been as follows:
1. Moved to Kendall County. Found Martin Flower's Dem website, couldn't find much info on how to get involved, get signs, or anything - and this was with the 2004 election coming up! My impression as a new resident with no knowledge of local politics, the Dems aren't doing much here. Not personal, just on observation. Did nothing for a while.
2. In an effort to somehow get involved I hooked up with a local Democracy for America group via meetup.org. Met the PDCKC group through them. They were a nice group of people and the most local for me so I continued attending their meetings and became a member, and am the PDCKC Secretary.
3. I quickly became aware of some limited history - the Kendall Dems were split. Since I became a PDCKC member last year I have never heard anything said about Martin Flowers or his behavior except relating to his preference for appointed PCs over elected PCs, and the group's dissatisfaction w/that and other exlusionary issues. I have not heard any personal comments about Martin Flowers. Any discussion I've heard has been related to political issues, and hasn't been ugly. While the PDCKC certainly wants to make some changes, they seem to be positive ones to me.
4. I really don't understand what all the fuss is about - we wanted to make changes and we did. So what? We didn't do anything differently than Martin Flowers has done regarding eliminating Dem PC candidates, and there was nothing fishy about it - they did not meet the requirements. We want people that we know and feel confident in, AND who will have a vote in the Dem party, in elected PC positions. They can vote against us just as well as for us, but they can vote! As a "newbie" I honestly don't see anything personal happening here & just don't get what the complaint is - some people were unhappy w/the way things were being done and did something about it - w/i the system. I thought that was the Democratic way?
5. If anyone has been ugly and personal it was the posts I just read on soapblox (from people who don't identify themselves), as well as the letter in the Ledger that I responded to. If people really want to work together stop making adolescent comments about people's faces (and William does have a great face!) & things that didn't happen and start talking about what is going on w/the Kendall Dems!
Kelly Pfarrer
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by: kpfarrer @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 16:39:53 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Great Post, & Welcome Aboard, Kelly!
Appreciate you're contributions and observations, aling with your input as a newer Kendall resident. Same goes for the other new faces and contributors from Kendall that have been posting to this Diary or others.
As I've said, I don't live in Kendall or been directly or indirectly involved in these 'issues under discussion'.
I have met, casually or socially, Jim Birch and Arden Plocher a few times at other functions. I happen to like Arden personally, even shared a couple beers once or twice with him in the past two months.
Would agree, discussing the substantive matters, issues and details is far more productive than 'personality harrangues' which detract from the overall Signal:Noise quality nad produce nothing of lasting significance when it's all said 'n done.
Healthy and lively debates are fine, but name calling and sniping from the sidelines (or peanut galleries) don't quite qualify. (IMO)
Just my views and opinions...
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
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by: SAldrich @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 17:10:20 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Arden is a good guy
I like Arden too. It is good to see a young person with the passion to get involved. We could use a few million more like him. I wish I had been as politically motivated at his age.
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by: wpfarrer @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 18:07:23 PM CST
[ Parent ]
This is an interesting comment...
Since you belong to the group that took him off the ballot as a committeeman.
It's also interesting to note that the pcdkpcke.cke.org people have not promoted a single candidate for any race, except for their own organization.
Uh... that's pretty damning.
Maybe the president of the Jim Birch Society can stop in again and tell us what the hell all the "boots on the ground" mean if you have no candidates. Maybe you're just going to stir up more trouble and have people ride in a hayrack at another parade, giving people the finger as the float goes by.
Great image!
Maybe you'll just spend another 10 years "building an organization" while Kendall continues to fill up with Dems. Then you can look back and say "Marty" didn't do it right, but you did.
Dunno.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 09:21:02 AM CST
[ Parent ]
This is an interesting comment...
Like I said before, we felt positive changes needed to be made and did what we could to get our candidates in w/i the system. We didn't hold secret meetings or anything. Since I've been a PDCKC member I haven't seen any of the regular Kendall Dems stop by one of our meetings to check things out or talk.
Since the PC "incident" we've gotten to know Arden a bit and like him. We're working more w/him now than before. Don't see any problem there - seems like a good thing.
Didn't you see our candidate endorsements in the local papers?
Maybe you'll curb the bitterness and check out the CURRENT happenings and work on getting together. It's about more than Marty & Jim. Let's try it.
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by: kpfarrer @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 12:29:53 PM CST
[ Parent ]
I see...
So you were for the candidate before you eliminated his candidacy?
So what happens when Plocher and the rest get killed in the fall?
Do you expect these guys to come over and "stand with you" after the get their asses kicked in the general? I wouldn't.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 14:28:10 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Thanks for the support.
Good evening. I've been informed that my name has been circulating around here on Soapblox, so I thought I'd check it out.
I wanted to set the record straight and say of course, I will stand by my fellow Democrats no matter what the results of the general election this fall. I am disappointed to see that my fellow Democrats have so little faith in those of us running for elected office in Kendall County (although, I would guess that HRC stands for Hastert Re-election Committee).
Arden Joe Plocher
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by: Arden.Joe.Plocher @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 20:35:33 PM CST
[ Parent ]
I see...
Calm down HRC. When I said "we" I meant my husband & I, not PDCKC. Also, please remember that Martin also eliminated Dem PC candidates and you don't seem to have a problem w/that.
Arden seems to be trying to work w/all the Dems & I think that's great. I would like to do the same.
Guess you're not going to try it.
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by: kpfarrer @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:50:50 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Great Post, & Welcome Aboard, Kelly!
Thanks SAldrich, glad to be here. Think it's more important to get stuff on the table for discussion & do it constructively than agree on everything. I'm sure there are fine people on both Kendall Dems sides. Looking forward to more of this site!
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by: kpfarrer @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 12:02:18 PM CST
[ Parent ]
1 point to make
let me start off by saying thank you. i may not agree with you on several points, but i do respect that you have picked up the fight in kendall county. and also you are absolutely right. the kendall progressives have every right to run a slate of pc's to change control of the party. i do think that you may have been mis informed by some of the fine upstanding members of your organization. I would like to point to your statement as an example of the misnomers out there.
" have never heard anything said about Martin Flowers or his behavior except relating to his preference for appointed PCs over elected PCs"
the kendall county democrats have one of the highest levels of elected pc's in the area. that is due to flowers and company growing the party. yes kendall does have appointed pc's as well. i don't think there is a county out here that doesn't have appointed pc's. in fact even the repubs out here don't elect all of thier pc's.
agian, thanks for being a dem in kendall county.
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by: hopefulin_06 @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 20:46:55 PM CST
[ Parent ]
1 point to make
Hi hopefulin_06 - thanks for the reply, point taken. I understand that there may be a place for appointed PCs, just would prefer elected PCs where possible and think more are possible.
All the history being discussed on this site happened before I became involved and it's ancient history to me. I'm looking forward to getting all the Kendall Dems working together and hope that includes some of Martin's people.
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by: kpfarrer @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 12:10:12 PM CST
[ Parent ]
New to the county (3.00 / 1)
I am new to Kendall County, in fact I am so new I was unable to register to vote in this primary election. I decided to take a look at internet site and blogs so that I could get feel for happenings in Kendall County. Since I don't know much about the entire situation I will refrain from jumping to conclusions. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Marty or Jim, but it appears that the split between these two groups runs deep.
I learned early in life that everything that people say may not be true. It is only human nature to slant an issue so that the person telling the story is reflected in the best light. It appears that each side of this split has differing prespectives of the same arguement. I am confused that some of the new comers have such definitive statements to make yet they have not been involved with both sides of the issue. Seems to me that if someone were going to make up thier mind, they would have atleast investigated the entire situation. Maybe that is just my philosophy. I tend to be an over-thinker sometimes.
At any rate. I do appreciate the opportunity to learn a little about the demographics of my new locale.
Repectfully
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by: bill.burnett @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 18:07:23 PM CST
[ Reply ]
Welcome to Kendall County
Mr. Burnett,
While you may be so new you can't register, you can still get involved. The PDCKC is holding a meeting tonight at the Panera Bread in Yorkville at the corner of 34 and 47 at 7:00. It is open to the public and you would be welcomed.
The situation is not as dire as some of the post would indicate. The democratic party in Kendall County will overcome this difference of opinion and we will eventually all unite against the evil Republican Party! j/k
Seriously, If you want to get involved show up and meet these people and you will see that they are not crazed power hungry individuals. They are decent people trying to improve the Democratic Party of Kendall County.
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by: wpfarrer @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 18:16:28 PM CST
[ Parent ]
thanks for the warm welcome
Unfortunately I work odd hours and won't be available tonight. If you let me know when the next meeting is I will definately try and work my schedule around it.
Thanks for the reasurance that Kendall County Democrats will unite. Just out of curiousity does the incoming administration have any ideas how to include and unite the out going administration. Or am I over-thinking again (LOL)
Respectfully
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by: bill.burnett @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 18:23:34 PM CST
[ Parent ]
BTW
Did I mention to you that you have a nice website.
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by: bill.burnett @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 18:28:34 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Meeting
We conduct a regular meeting on the first Monday of every month. Check the event calendar at pdckc.org in case we change locations. Thanks for the compliment on the web site.
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by: wpfarrer @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 18:30:53 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Also
A number of us are looking at ways we can unite the outgoing/incoming administration. I personally would welcome anybody no matter which side they fall into. It's not about Martin or Jim its about the party and what is good for Kendall County. At least that is how I see it.
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by: wpfarrer @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 18:34:05 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Glad to hear
after all Republicans are the target.
Respectfully,
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by: bill.burnett @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 18:40:46 PM CST
[ Parent ]
hell yeah
so nice to hear someone talking about the real target. With all the blogging I almost forget who the 'enemy' is. thanks for reminding us all bill.
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by: hopefulin_06 @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 19:07:34 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Well, now you do.
You were meeting on the same night as the regular organization, which forced people to make a choice. Until Mr. Flowers resigned last month.
Now you meet on the first Monday.
Neat-o.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 09:24:20 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Well, now you do.
HRC, your bitterness and hostility directed at new dems who had nothing to do w/the Kendall Dems ancient history just serves to keep the division alive.
At the PDCKC meeting last night we discussed how to get the Kendall Dems & PDCKC working together, along with the Young Dems.
Will you be on board?
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by: kpfarrer @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 12:13:47 PM CST
[ Parent ]
You're misguided.
The Young Dems are an extension of the Kendall Democratic Party organization. Martin Flowers is the president of the YDI.
Your pdkc;qlwpeiorj;lkam/s.d,mf/.a,sd.org absorption of the Young Democrats of Kendall county and the Democratic Central Committe of Kendall County is a cynical extension of the Jim Birch Society's perceived "power."
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 14:41:12 PM CST
[ Parent ]
The Kendall county Yong Dem Chairman is ARDEN JOE PLOCHER
As I can see people on this blog have been misguided by HRC. Martin Flowers is the Head of the Young Democrats of Illinois, Arden is the chairmain of the Kane and Kendall Young Democrats which are two separate organizations.
I don't like the fact that people are saying that they run me. I am my own person, and I run my own organization. The Kane and Kendall Young Democrats do not belong to the Kendall Democratic Party, nor do they belong to the Kendall Progressives. We will work together with these organizations to acheive the goals of promoting Democratic candidates along with the values shared by all Democrats, but we will not be anyone's puppet.
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by: Arden.Joe.Plocher @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 20:57:02 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Good Call Arden
I think the only one being misguided is HRC.
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by: wpfarrer @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 22:04:00 PM CST
[ Parent ]
The Kendall county Yong Dem Chairman is ARDEN JOE PLOCHER
Hi Arden,
Thanks for clarifying (and for getting young Dems involved). Being newer I really don't know all the history & who exactly is doing what. At this point I don't want to know any more about the history! Let's just move forward.
Let's keep in touch about coordinating Dem functions/events like we discussed. Some fun events w/a variety of music, all of our resources, and some good PR will be a big hit and good for all the Dems.
ttys,
Kelly Pfarrer
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by: kpfarrer @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 13:01:19 PM CST
[ Parent ]
You're misguided.
Again, calm down HRC. I made no reference to who was head of any Young Dems. Doesn't matter to me. I just said that we intend to work with them if they are agreeable.
Your attitude will interfere with future progress.
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by: kpfarrer @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:54:38 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Better Information
You should really get better sources, the meetings have been held on the first Monday of every month for the last year.
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by: wpfarrer @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 21:59:32 PM CST
[ Parent ]
OK thanks
I will do that. I have already bookmarked the website. I am eager to see what I can do to help elect Democrats to office. Especially where the congressional districts are concerned.
The speaker seems very vunerable this time around especially since the Congress approval rating is so low. It also appears that the 14th has a controversial primary going on. Too bad I can't vote in this one. But of course whomever the winner is, Hastert is the target.
Respectfully,
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by: bill.burnett @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 18:35:01 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Welcome Aboard, Bill
Glad to have you in the neighborhood (virtual and geographical); may want to check again with the local election commission.
I 'believe', at least in some location, you can register after the deadline, but will be required to show ID and vote in person at the election commission or board your first time. Could well be different in Kendall Cnty, am not familar with the particular regs and req's there.
Perhaps not, but wnated to toss that out jsut in case. IL election laws have seen some significant changes this year, as ahs been frequently discussed here in a number of Diary threads over the past couple months.
Hope to see you contributing, adding to the conversations and finding this a welcoming and warm place to 'hang your virtual hat' around the political firesides.
Best regards
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
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by: SAldrich @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 21:06:40 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Registered Voter
I am an election judge and my documentation states; If you register during the 27 to 14 days prior to the election you are considered a Grace Period Voter and you will not be able to participate in theis election. If you go to the pdckc.org web site there are links to State of Illinois voting regulations.
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by: wpfarrer @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 07:19:48 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Thanks
I stand corrected, appreciate you providing this. Always best to go with an official authoritative source and check the applicable regs.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
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by: SAldrich @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 10:07:26 AM CST
[ Parent ]
E-mail me
Bill,
My wife and I are hosting a beer tasting fundraising event for John Laesch at our home next week. If you would be interested in attending go to the pdckc.org site and send me an e-mail through the feedback form in the contact us page. I will send you an invitation with the details. That goes for anybody else who would be interested in attending.
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by: wpfarrer @ Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 22:19:30 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Maybe I'll come out...
And reveal myself.
There. That ought to raise attendance.
I'll also check Zamora's website to see if he has an event scheduled somewhere so I can give him equal revelation.
Sorry, Bible critics.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 09:26:40 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Please reveal yourself
Please come out and reveal yourself. It sounds like you have a crush on Arden.
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by: froggyd @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 20:57:45 PM CST
[ Parent ]
You reveal yourself
Maybe you have a crush on Arden.
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by: CollectiveDefense @ Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 23:25:18 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Hastert re-election comittee
HRC,
Why are you trying to tear down the Democratic party out here. It sounds as if you really are a supporter of Denny Hastert.
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by: froggyd @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 21:47:46 PM CST
[ Parent ]
froggyd
you are as silly as your name implies. Read my blog and tell me, honestly, you think I work for that pig.
Read my lips. Denny Hastert will be defeated outside his district, not inside.
When you ask the old people in Kendall who they'll vote for, they'll smile and say Ha-a-a-a-a-astert!
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 06:57:31 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Old people huh?
I am an old person I take offense to that comment.
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by: froggyd @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 17:46:48 PM CST
[ Parent ]
What!!?
How the hell can Hastert be defeated outside his district? Hastert will step down as soon as Republicans start to lose power. Hastert must be defeated within the 14th. And there is a good chance of that happening if Dems would stop fight fighting other Dems. Its fucking ridiculous. Who cares who is more progressive? Or who is a real progressive? To get Hastert out of power and send a message to Bush, all Dems must work together.
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by: CollectiveDefense @ Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 23:28:18 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Now We're On The Right Track!
I couldn't agree more. Hastert is getting nervous - why do you think he's got yard signs out for a primary? Not because he needs the name recognition - he wants people to think he has a presence in Kendall County - something he hasn't had in years. Too bad he spends all of his time in other disctricts trying to get other republicans elected.
You're absolutely correct - NOW IS THE TIME TO GO AFTER HASTERT AND GO HARD! We can only accomplish this TOGETHER. Great Post!
Tom Brophy
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by: oswegodem @ Fri Mar 10, 2006 at 08:40:19 AM CST
[ Parent ]
You can also contact the Zamora campaign
Welcome Bill!
Ruben Zamora is working with some Kendall Democrats who can help you register (legally ; ), if that's an option in Kendall County. You didn't know that politics were so hot when you moved out here, did you? Hope you'll enjoy getting involved.
btw, it's good to see the Kendall Dems (both sides) participating on this blog. Welcome to you as well.
"I criticize America because I love her. I want her to stand as a moral example to the world." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
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by: peacenoodles @ Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 00:08:50 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Welcome Aboard, Arden! (0.00 / 0)
Delighted to have you with us and join the conversations. Nothing like hearing the facts, details and specifics drectly from an informed, original primary source.
A refreshing breath of 'fresh air', IMO.
Look forward to having you here more often, along with any contributions or further comments you may wish to share.
Have a great day and with luck our paths will cross again quite soon...(next beer rounds are on me ;p)
Have a spiffy & dandy fine day ahead y'all
Best regards
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
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by: SAldrich @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 05:04:00 AM CST
[ Reply ]
Here We Go!
Well, let's start out on the right foot - forget this "oswegodem" bullshit - YES, MY NAME IS TOM BROPHY.
Now on to the rest of the story...(I fell like Paul Harvey)
I don't believe it's worthwile to respond to every assinine accusation made by Mr. HRC and Mr. hopefulin_06 - let me just say this...regarding the upcoming Democratic Convention in Kendall County. Yes, it's true that the convention committee decided it would be best to have REGISTERED DEMOCRATS vote for the executive board of the Kendall County Democratic orgainzation. While presenting our convention proposal at Marty's last meeting, that piece was questioned and in a true DEMOCRATIC FASHION, we've changed the procedure. Now anyone who walks in the door can nominate an elected precinct committeemperson for any executive board position. WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT - I guess Mr. hopefulin_06 forgot how that went down at Marty's meeting.
Next - about the PDCKC changing its meeting night to intentionally conflict with Marty's meeting - all I can say to that is BULLSHIT!!!!! Marty is the one who changed his meeting day from the 2nd Thuirsday of the month to the 1st Thursday so he could conficlt with the PDCKC. The PDCKC changed its meeting day to Monday so as NOT TO CONFLICT with the Regualr Dems.
Also, regarding the number of elected PC's in Kendall County. That is really a freekin' joke. Yes it's true that there are many names on a list who have a precinct assigned to that name. I only wish I could meet those folks. I have to wonder how many of those folks even know they have been appointed as a PC. I guess it's all about "appearances" for Marty - substance doesn't count. I guess it's like the Democratic Election Judges he appointed - TOO FREEKIN' BAD 5 OF THEM WERE DEAD! But then again, it's all about the "appearances"
Finally, Mr. HRC - and I do like the Haster re-election committee remark - you seem to know a lot about Kendall County Democratic politics - only I believe that you suffer from a few ailments - 1) You are deaf in one ear and blind in one eye or 2) You have your head burried so far up your ass that you will never see sunshine. It's very clear to me that you only see that which you choose to see and only hear that which you choose to hear. You are more like Marty Flowers than I like. Then again, your spelling and use of the language is far better than Marty's...BTW...I find it interesting that Marty's printing company is called "HRC" - any relation or just a coincidence......hmmmmmmmmmmm...
Let me close with this - something too many Democrats don't do - tell you what I believe in:
1) My name is TOM BROPHY - I'm not ashamed to say that and refuse to act like a little pussy hiding behind an anonymous screen name.
2) My priorities are this: 1st and foremost I will take care of my FAMILY. 2nd - I have nothing but the utmost respect for our VETERANS, military members, and their families. I work with a real veterans group called VETERANS FOR PROGRESS (Oh no - the "P" word again) not some made up group like Veterans for Democracy so Mary could invent a job for his father (must be that appearance thing again!). 3rd - I will work with and for any DEMOCRATIC group there is. I believe that wherever 2 Democrats gather - so shall I. The most important Democrats are the ones in my precinct and county.
3) To end this - if you folks expended half of the time and energy used to work for Democrats and against republicans instead of bashing other Democrats, we would be much better off!
I have too much work to do - I need to get the Democratic voters in my precinct out on March 19th - I need them to vote for JOHN LAESCH, GOV BLAGO, MARK GUETHLE & BETH PENESIS, ....I just want to get them to the polls. They are smart and will do the right thing. I've wasted enough time on this BULLSHIT - perhaps we all should get to work!
Tom Brophy
www.oswego4dems.com
www.vfp-il.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: oswegodem @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 10:49:01 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Here We Go!
Hey Tom,
But how do you really feel? Heh heh. I appreciate your passion & all the work you're doing. It's hard to take anyonomous posts seriously, what a joke. Like you said, let's all get to work.
Kelly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: kpfarrer @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 13:05:37 PM CST
[ Parent ]
heh.
You're right. I'm Marty Flowers.
No, wait. I'm Paul Harvey...
No! I've got it! I'm John McGovern from the Hastert campaign!
That's it!! Oh My GOG! I've been outed by Jim Birch's Left Testicle!
And watch who you're callin' Mr., bub.
~ HRC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: HRC @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 13:37:13 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Head First (4.00 / 1)
I'm jumping in to say that I admire and respect the Pfarrer's and the way you represent the PDCKC and the Democratic Party. We are lucky to have you guys.
As a new PDCKC member myself, I am drawn to an organization full of vitality and life. Most of those I've met, like the lively Tom Brophy, are perfect examples of what I was looking for as a long-time Democrat, but short-term Kendall resident. Motivated and inspired individuals who share my values. I believe there are a lot more like me moving in every day.
Dealing with anonymous posters is a waste of time. But even if we knew how HRC was, I suspect we still would reject the tone of his posts. They are not constructive.
This whole string started with a poorly written piece by a journalist who called us schizophrenic. I will respond to him directly, but in the mean time, we should do all we can to avoid perpetuating these pre-conceived notions.
I'm proud to be a part of the rising Democratic Party in Kendall County. The Democrats are the party of inclusion and I plan to do my part to make this the reality in Kendall County.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: Plainfieldrob @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 13:32:41 PM CST
[ Reply ]
Thanks
Thanks from Kelly and I for the nice words. I also am "Proud to be a Kendall County Democrat!" hmmm catchy, I think I'll go create a banner.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: wpfarrer @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 19:23:15 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Head First
Thank you & I feel the same way about so many of the Kendall Dems I've met.
The PDCKC has made a lot of progress in the last year, and we can do more! I'm sure there are plenty of "regular" Kendall County Dems just like us who are willing to get together and do it.
Kelly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: kpfarrer @ Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 14:06:29 PM CST
[ Parent ]
kendall county poltics (0.00 / 0)
As I have been reading the posts on this subject. I would like to ask a few questions to those who call for party unity and however attack the county chairman for a record by critics as well slowing down. History teaches us lessons so we do not have to use the term hind sight is 20/20. At least two also in order for a party to grow we need new people to come in with their fresh ideas. Talk and communication is needed in order top foster debate between democrats. A new chapter is going to open for the kendall county democratic party. It is going to be up to the new members to choose the leader that will be able to unite the factions. Our laundry should never have been aired on this blog or in the the papers. I do agree with bob from plainfield local democrats are behaving very badly.Following this debate and the attacks on the current adminstration that is politcs. However to bring the family into this discussion is wrong. I do not know Mr. Brophy and if you want to call his open anger excitment people are entilted to his opinion. Mr. Birch and Mr. Flowers had a falling out the work these two men should be respected no matter what side you are on. To speak to the Feeleys [ this is poltics short and simple they had a better year than the Flowers Family. there will be 19 new people joining the central committee the work of the party starts now. The history of the party is imporant because it will teach our new members the lessens that are needed to be learned in order to show you how to win. Here are the facts folks contray to what others will have you think.
1. this party does not belong to Martin Flowers, Tom Brophy, Jim Birch, Jim Feeley, or te regular party or the progressive democrats. This belongs to the people of Kendall County
2. What is the poltical differnce between progressives and party regulars. Not much we both want to see democrats win.
3. To the Kendall County members your voices were fought to be heard at the last central committee meeting.work is being put in place to have a strong unity theme. We need your help if you want to win.
4. Lets get to the big picture We have not won on a county level yet however we have gained on the republicans.
Factors that are to be included in that is the growth how ever if there was no presence then why did people vote.
That is the foundation for the new members to think about.
5. How do we create a party struture to include open and free discussion when we trully do not know each other.
6.People all have good ideas { they are imporant because they are the backbone of our platform however we can not get to that because of all the shouting.}
7. I have attended all the central committmen meetings since the objections. Several of the committmen whom were challenged still show their face because they are that committed to winning.
8. We all have to be proud that for the first time in the history of the county more commitmen were filed. A full slate of county board , 2 congressional candiates, 2 state senate. However there was allot of work that made all this happen. This year we saw the Young Democrats step forward for committmen and for county board. New people who are dedicated to the cause stepped forward. To Quote the chair" it does not matter how we arrived here it matters how we procede from here." Jan Meeting of the Kendall County Central Committee.
9. Asa county we all must begin to look at the future together. To quote John Adams the "wnts of the few should never out weigh the needs of the many." As democrats this is a basic fiber of our party.
10. In order to unite we must embrace and support the people who are runing for office.
Kendall County Democrats are not a joke and this election is imporant. If the 19 new members are that committed to the cause as it is being said then a meeting must be made to talk about unity the way you want to untify not the way Marty or Tom would have you trully think. I am sorry for the long ranting I love my county, I love my party, and I worked to hard and long with the great people fo this Democratic Party to see it pulled apart at its very core. STAND UP AND UNITE DONT TALK ABOUT LETS GET SOME WINS IN NOVEMBER.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: uniongal @ Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 22:11:47 PM CST
[ Reply ]
The high school football player has turned in his helmet
And we are even happier Martin Flowers will step down from Democratic Chair of Kendall County.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: froggyd @ Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 07:16:05 AM CST
[ Parent ]
Goodness! And I have been called nasty? n/t
~ HRC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: HRC @ Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 15:03:50 PM CST
[ Parent ]
reveal yourself
So is Martin your boyfriend or something?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: froggyd @ Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 21:53:31 PM CST
[ Parent ]
I need your support on the 16th (0.00 / 0)
I will be speaking on March 16th at the old Court house in Yorkville the event starts at 7pm and it will be heavily stacked with Republicans. This would be a great time to show them that the Democratic Party is live and well here in Kendall. So if you could all rally together and come support me on my birthday it would be the greatest present you could give me and the Democratic Party.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: Arden.Joe.Plocher @ Sun Mar 12, 2006 at 20:24:11 PM CST
[ Reply ]
You got it
Arden. Get all the Dems out there to support the Progressives.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: CollectiveDefense @ Sun Mar 12, 2006 at 20:27:00 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Ditto for Me
Arden
Will do my best to re-arrange my schedule that night
to be down in Yorkville...rally the troops and show 'em
all we're here, we're staying, and not going away.
Can you provide more details and specifics so I can
bounce out an email to a few local folks in the area?
Not sure how many folks from Kane may wish to drop in
but can't do any hard to let 'em know.
Catch ya in the airwaves
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: SAldrich @ Mon Mar 13, 2006 at 05:15:59 AM CST
[ Parent ]
The old court house
The old court house is on Fox Street in Yorville, across the street from the County Building. The event starts at 7pm. WSPY will be there along with a bunch of other reps from the local media.
People are paying very close attention to my campaign and efforts to help with the community. This is a great opportuntniy to win a spot and make a definite mark for the Democratic Party here in Kendall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: Arden.Joe.Plocher @ Tue Mar 14, 2006 at 19:05:14 PM CST
[ Parent ]
Will bounce out some email
and let local folks up in the Aurora regions know about this.
With luck a few will turnout and participate.
The Kane Dems are marching Sunday in the St Charles St. Patrick's parade, as a group, and with participation from several local campaigns.
Contact me if you'd like more info.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: SAldrich @ Tue Mar 14, 2006 at 22:12:33 PM CST
[ Parent ]
let me know more
ya ill probly go give me a call 630 750 5626
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: Arden.Joe.Plocher @ Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 20:49:41 PM CST
[ Parent ]
I need your support on the 16th
Hi Arden,
Just logged in here today for the first time in a while & saw this post. How did it go on the 16th? Please feel free to submit any info like this for posting on www.pdckc.org. You can submit via "contact us" to admin@pdckc.org.
Kelly Pfarrer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: kpfarrer @ Sun Mar 19, 2006 at 17:02:39 PM CST
[ Parent ]
DEM WALK 06 GO DEM OR GO HOME (0.00 / 0)
COME ONE COME ALL
GO DEM OR GO HOME
DEM WALK 06
APRILL 29 MEET AT PANRA IN YORKVILLE AT 10am
CONTACT ME AT (630)750-5626 TO RSVP OR MORE INFO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: Arden.Joe.Plocher @ Sat Apr 08, 2006 at 11:21:50 AM CDT
[ Reply ]
Might make a better Stand-Alone Diary
Hey Arden,
Good to see ya drop in again, this might make a better Diary
item all by itself, then we could nest the others happening in the immediate/surrounding areas.
There are at least 6 happening within 25 miles last time I checked early this morning in the Kendall/Kane region.
Bound to be a 'handful' happening closer-in to the City realms.
Just a thought for considerations
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. John F. Kennedy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: SAldrich @ Sat Apr 08, 2006 at 12:55:57 PM CDT
[ Parent ]
Froggyd (0.00 / 0)
Dear Sir,
Now that the primary is over and the stones have been thrown and the dust has settled I would like to take issue with your behavior. As a memeber of the progressive democratic council I find your staments to be out of line. I do not know Marty Flowers and do not know all the history. Like Kelly said being new to the county I really could care less about the history between the two factions. I am new to the county made my choice to side with the porgressive faction because I felt very strongly in both John and in the progressive movemnt. I know who you are and really do not care for your tone and I feel that as a memeber in Good Standing of the Progressive council I am going to ask you publicy to refrain from associating your self with our group. You do not speak for John and the group if you wish to attack people on a personal level that is your right however like William and Kelly and the rest of us feel we want a postive image on the party not a negative one so please Jack stop making these comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: uniongal @ Thu Apr 13, 2006 at 21:34:17 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
I can personally
guarantee that FroggyD has only the best interests of the Progressive Democrats. He may be crude, but he is not trying to cause harm. Also, he is not Jack, so you may be thinking of someone else. IMHO.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: CollectiveDefense @ Thu Apr 13, 2006 at 23:27:48 PM CDT
[ Parent ]
I guess? (0.00 / 0)
If we are going to start fresh from the evil Marty Flowers then we have got to be honest. Collective defense sounds like you are real special to Frogyd and really if you want to keep mudsling then I do not agree that they have the best intrest of the new county party. The reality of situation is like Tom Brophy has always told us at the meetings when dealing with people we will kill them with kindness. Besides collective defense are you froggyd boyfriend. IMHOOOOOOOO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: uniongal @ Sat Apr 15, 2006 at 14:23:30 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
Kendall County Dem Convention & Election TONIGHT 4/19 (0.00 / 0)
Wednesday, April 19, 2006, at 7:00 PM at the
Yorkville Congregational Church, 409 Center Parkway, Yorkville.
(Northwest of Rt. 34 & Rt. 47, take Center Parkway north from Rt. 34 or Countryside Parkway west from Rt. 47 to Center Parkway north)
To all interested in Kendall County politics and building the Dem party - This is a great opportunity to show your support and meet the new KC Dem Party officers who will be elected tonight.
Townships will also organize & there are plenty of ways to get involved on the township level.
It would be great to see Dems from all over KC, young & old, new & long time residents, traditional & progressive, and the curious, attend.
Hope to see a great turn out tonight!
Kelly Pfarrer
(nominated for KCDP Secretary)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: kpfarrer @ Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 12:55:34 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
kiendall county democrats (0.00 / 0)
Well you can count me in. I have been very supportive of these efforts and as a long standing democrat in kendall I would like to see if there is going to be a smooth transfer and party unity. The Flowers faction is still a force from what I have been told and since Martin was relected to his committmen post beating a candiate backed by Jim Birch and I also heard Mr. Birch was in the precint the weekend before the primary will there be a place in the new adminstration for Martin and his people. Also will the county board slate have the support of the new adminstration and the PKDC as this is a golden time to pick up a county Board seat. I have admired your posts and find you kelly to be a bright light as the future of the party and as long as you have a strong voice of reason I will support both the progressive and the birch adminstration. It is good we have these blogs I find them useful to help start a strong dialect between the two sides that make up the democratic community. Look forward to working with you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: uniongal @ Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 14:08:29 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
kendall county democrats
Thanks uniongal. I am hoping for a smooth transfer as well and take for granted that there is a place for all Precinct Committeemen. I look forward to putting our energy into work & progress. Hopefully the old, new, young, & all the other local Dem groups can coordinate & work together. I expect disagreement on occasion, but also expect progress in spite of & because of it.
Yes, Jim Birch was out in Martin's precinct, along with me and others from PDCKC, getting signatures for our candidate, Ren (Butch) Bahr. Ren is a very passionate person who I know from PDCKC and fully support. Ren will be an asset to the KCDP in any way he is involved.
Thanks again,
Kelly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: kpfarrer @ Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 16:45:58 PM CDT
[ Parent ]
Kelly please answer my question? (0.00 / 0)
I am glad to hear unity theme. And early this morning I spoke to Martin and know that the message is unity and he is directing his suppoters to support the Ticket in November. One Party and many voices with a untified theme. However my question is will you and the central committee support the county board slate with a flowers on the ticket. I feel from your posts that you will however will the entire progressive side embrace the slate. Thanks for your wonderful posts. union gal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: uniongal @ Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 17:03:14 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
Kelly please answer my question? (0.00 / 0)
I am glad to hear unity theme. And early this morning I spoke to Martin and know that the message is unity and he is directing his suppoters to support the Ticket in November. One Party and many voices with a untified theme. However my question is will you and the central committee support the county board slate with a flowers on the ticket. I feel from your posts that you will however will the entire progressive side embrace the slate. Thanks for your wonderful posts. union gal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: uniongal @ Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 17:42:03 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
Kelly please answer my question?
I am confident that both PDCKC & KCDCC welcome any opportunity to work with local Dems. We just got elected last night and haven't even had our first official meeting yet, but generally speaking, we encourage the candidates to attend our meetings and let us know what they're all about, and hope Elizabeth Flowers and the others do so.
I do not speak for the PDCKC as I am no longer their Secretary, however I know that they will work hard to promote the Democratic Party. Please note that I'm just hear to chat & keep in touch, not to make official statements for either group. We'll put all our news & announcements on the web (www.pdckc.org until the KCDCC website is transferred) & in the papers, and of course meetings are always open to those who have any questions.
Were you at the meeting last night? I was hoping you would introduce yourself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: kpfarrer @ Thu Apr 20, 2006 at 12:20:05 PM CDT
[ Parent ]
The kendall county convention. (0.00 / 0)
Kelly sorry We did not meet I was there and thank you for having me and allowing me to sit in on the convention. I thought the outgoing chairman was very graceful and the award was a nice touch. however I noticed when the old chairman went to shake the hand of the new chairman the new chairman told him that he did not want to shake hands because he did not think that Martin was being sincere and explained to him that this was a personal issue with martin from two years ago. After witnessing this exchange and following several comments in the paper made by the Progressive Democratic Council and by several people on this blog. Was that award sincere from Mr. Feeley or was it a fluff peace for a photo op. Being involved in 2004 I walked away from the party because of this bickering back and forth. I felt slighted and angry at the county chairman because I thought he should have put a stop to this party split. Several of my fellow regluar democrats called for the removeal of Jim Birch and his people because they were working to undermind the chairman to promote their own agenda. Martin never spoke publicy against the chairman and he held the party together in 2004 for a record year for democrats in this county. Even after Jim Birch and Jim Feeley, and Tom Brophy worked to undermine their chairman in the community, papers, and even with in the state party. Now that the facts have all come to light I feel that it is time for this county to ask a few and hold our party leaders accountable for their actions. If the truth is what you tell then why are their so many holes in the story. This progressive council painted a young man and his family through the papers as the worst thing to ever happen to the party. Mr. Brophy gets on this public venue and starts throwing the kitchen sink and you defend him with the words passionate. Jim Birch is the right man and his people are the best. It was the council who wanted to air the dirty laundry across the county was this their way of throwing a public fit. The faction of committemen have been planing the overthrow of the county party since July of 2002 at the county picnic there was talk of starting a district one side to sever ties with the other side of the county and in all this time with all your meetings and all the free exchange of ideas that the people of the progressive council boast in that time did it ever occur to people what kind of struture we would have. The township thing is great however where are the hundreds of people that were to support this party at the convention. where are the fresh ideas and new leadership what is the direction we are going in for two years. you want me to talk to my neibors then give me a reason to go and talk to them. Where is the unity if the new chairman still has a problem with the old oneand yes it is personal I heard Jim say that. Now since statments have been made and their is a public record from the primary I would ask you to please do a search on the Oswego Ledger web site for a October 2004 article about the emegence of a second democratic party. Mr. Birch calls the central committee the other group makes arrangements for himself to be the head of the democratic party and that is what people were saying we are confused here. Well with growth in the county our primary numbers should have been higher instead of lower from two years ago with a larger turnout. As Harry Truman always said the buck stops here and if there is not a win in November from the Democrats here in the county then people are going to start asking why. Also we will not stand by and let the leadership of the county blame the candiates since their was so much promised from the democratic progressive council it is time to step up. Since the new leadership wants to look to the future of the county I happen to live in a new area and yes my neibors are moving in from all over the area some are republican and some are democratic however most of the people wind up in the middle. INDEPDENT so with all this hype and all the talk the Central Committee had better move because their is a perception problem and it was not created by the old chairman it was created by The progressive democratic council of kendall county. After all any press is good press. Good luck to all of our candiates because all of the people who appear on our Ballot in November are good people and deserve better. So I hope the new central committee will answer my challenge.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: uniongal @ Thu Apr 20, 2006 at 16:09:32 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
The kendall county convention
uniongal, I just can't continue to address history I wasn't around for, and it sounds like you're still living it. If Jim & Marty don't get along that's between them and I'm certainly not going to blame it all on Jim. It's not going to stop me from working for the Dem party.
I hope to see you at upcoming meetings because there's lots to do and lots of good people to do it, hope you're going to be one of them.
Kelly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: kpfarrer @ Thu Apr 20, 2006 at 21:41:31 PM CDT
[ Parent ]
Have Changed my mind
Recently I stopped in at the Jhon Lasesch campagin headquaters and wanted to volunteer my time for his campagin. I spoke with a gentlemen named Joe we struck up a nice conversation we discussed issues and where I may be of help in getting Jhon elected. I was getting ready to make a donation when Joe asked what I did for a living I answered that I am with the Operators union and that I am on call from the hall. After I mentioned that I was with the Operators union the conversation seemed to sour. Joe began to explain to me that the Operators where republican supporters and went so far as to ask me why I would be intrested in supporting Jhon after all my hall was telling me to support Dennis Hasert. After the comment two more campagin workers appeared to make it clear that my help was not wanted. They also made some rather choice comments about me under their breathe. Now here I am ready to donate my time, money , and support of friends and family only to be met with a rude campagin staff and snide remarks. I hope that the staff will improve because if I was treated this way by Joe and the staff then I am sure there have been others. Thank you for your attention on this imporant matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: uniongal @ Thu May 11, 2006 at 00:54:58 AM CDT
[ Parent ]
Wow, so you're a GOP infiltrator, then?
/snark.
Honestly, they need to get some grownups on board over there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by: yinn @ Thu May 11, 2006 at 12:37:47 PM CDT
[ Parent ]
Good Idea.
The first thing "grown-ups" might want to do is clarify the sleeping arrangements at the office.
Is it co-ed over there? What's the candidate's home address again?
What a bunch of stooges. Turning away good union hands and money.
~ HRC
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by: HRC @ Fri May 12, 2006 at 17:17:27 PM CDT
[ Parent ]
Kendall County Politics | 98 comments | Time to post comments expired.
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Again just want to be fair and let people draw their own conclusions.
On that note here is a thread taken right off the Progressive Council Web site. A Young Committeeman who backed the council in the primary is one of several people who were misled by the likes of the Ugly eight. Please read for your enjoyment. 55 days and all those boots on the ground righGuerilla_Radio
Posts:1
08/09/2006 7:33 AM Alert
So I just registered, and I need to get this out…
I have been out of the loop for a while, a mix of personal exhaustion and political discouragement. When I first started getting involved with local politics, I was already involved with a lot… several organizations, a huge class load, numerous student organizations, and work full time. But I was eager for more, one of the flaws of young activists. So I took on further responsibilities with the local Dems. At first, my initial reactions to several members of the current administration were OK. Not overly impressed or disappointed. But I have to admit, as I became more aware of circumstances, disappointment won out. Most of that was simply because of all the bad-mouthing. While I wasn’t around when everything went down with Mr. Flowers, I can understand the need for new management. However, it was the coup that first struck me as self-destructive. Allot of non-Democrat folks I have talked to think the Dems fight amongst themselves way too much. My reply is simply that that is the way politics are supposed to be. But, you have to admit, for an outsider (read: potential Democrat), the whole situation with Mr. Flowers doesn’t look good for the local party. I know its not just Mr. Birch’s group or Mr. Flower’s group, everyone is a little guilty in this. Perhaps it would help us out allot more if we took the first steps. Let’s take this forum for example, when the subject of Mr. Flowers comes up, instead of going into details about what happened and why everyone thinks the way they do, why not just say that it was a past disagreement, and leave it at that. If the current administration is as good as everyone says it is, then it will show without hurtful personal words. I know its not just you guys, but I think that since we are the majority, and have control of the local party, we should be the ones who set the example.
And that brings me to the point of my post. The other part of my disappointment with the current administration is a disagreement on tactics. While picnics and canvassing are important, I think there is more we could be doing. I personally don’t agree with supporting any candidate as long as they are a Democrat. I vote for the person I feel is right for the job, not just because there is a “D” behind their name on the ballot. I know it is the local party organization’s job to do that, however. My problem is that I don’t approve of the judgments passed on those who don’t support the candidates but support the party. I believe in the Democrats and their platform, however, I don’t agree with all of their candidates. The Democrats have something going for them that the Republicans don’t, and that is that we really are the party of the people. Shouldn’t we act like it? Getting people elected is important, but so is getting the ideas out, getting out the fact that the Democrats CAN change things for the better. People aren’t going to vote for your candidate because you tell them to, but they will be more likely to vote for one who belongs to a party they constantly see working for people. I’m not talking about on the national level, but on the very personal local level. Let me put out an example…
My neighborhood is pretty small, and just outside of city limits. Recently, there has been talk in the city council to incorporate my neighborhood into the city. Naturally, a lot of people got upset by the fact that they really didn’t have a say in it. It got worse when we found out property taxes would rise to a sickening height, and we would be forced to take sewers and city water (at our expense). My neighborhood is Republican, not even independent. But I haven’t seen the Republicans up in arms to stand up for people, and it’s not like I expected them to. But this is where the Democrats shine. I started working with a few other Democrats in the area to get a petition going around to fight the incorporation. At the moment their really isn’t a township Democratic organization, as their really isn’t enough support or even a place to meet yet (this is all being worked on). But it is all Democrats working on this little job, and people started to notice. My neighbor is a Republican; he takes pride in never missing a primary. He asked me why the Democrats where going out of their way to try and fight the incorporation. I replied that this is what Democrats do. A few days later his wife came over and asked where she could find info on the local Democratic Party. These things are meaningful to people. When you see total strangers going out of their way to support you or your cause, maybe even another total stranger, it puts them in a new perspective. I’m not trying to be preachy, and if I sound like it I apologize, I just feel that building our reputation amongst our neighbors is just as important as getting people elected. Initiating local change should be another priority. But, then again, I might just be an idealistic kid.
I don’t believe in loyalty without cause, and I want to give people a reason to vote Democrat. And now that I have the time to sit and work on this, I want to know what you guys think. There is a lot of intelligence/wisdom/knowledge on this site, and I would appreciate the input. I was planning on starting to do all this on my own, but figured it might be too prudent. I know that folks my age have a tendency to be too idealistic and often thick-headed. Now that I have Mondays off, I can actually start coming to meetings again as well. I hope that the climate is different now than when I disengaged a few months ago.
I think the Dems should be a constant sight, not just telling you who you should vote for, but showing you WHY you should vote for them.
Hoping for a Blue future,
Adrian
kpfarrer
Posts:46
09/01/2006 10:34 AM Alert
Hi Adrian,
I was wondering what became of you. Sorry for the slow response, I've been busy too. Glad you have been busy w/good work. We at KCDCC have tried to move on from the Flowers wars and have been mostly successful, and yes it's not just us, in fact it's barely us. We can always use new perspectives and manpower, so please come to the meetings! PDC is the 1st Mon. & KCD is the 4th Mon., both at Panera in Yorkville. Please also visit www.kendall-democrats.org & click on my email link to send me your updated contact info.
Keep up the good work,
Kelly
Notice how Kelly still manages to bring the old chairman into the fight. Well all is right in the world because Tom Brophy the admitted mouth piece of the Democratic Party and lap dog of Jack Sechrest is still out on the attack.
Deja Vous all over again?
my eyes hurt. but congrats for setting a new record for verbosity.
Ugh, was that really necessary? Damn that was a lot of text!
I had thought it was Jim and Patricia Feeley who had the ties to Mell. I believe they also have a daughter named Bridget.
I remembered the Feeley name because Patricia Feeley (Laesch treasurer) was at the public hearings when Ruben Zamora's petitions were being challenged. You know, the whole time John Laesch was lying about not being involved.
Sure is allot of information and bet Mr. Brophy does not have a response for this
Both Feeleys are constantly bragging about working on the Bloj. campaign and they HATE blagoj. they say he's dirty.
To Bridget....you're correct, the Feeley's worked for the Mell organization when they lived in the city. Doesn't make them bad - they were both very involved in Democratic politics in the city. Jim and Pat both bring a lot of experience in working precincts and raising money - although things here are much different for them. The concepts are good.
To anon...I'm not sure what you're trying to get me to respond to...if it's the extremely long copy and paste job..sorry, I couldn't spend the time to read it all. It looked like stuff I read almost a year ago anyway- old news to me!
It's crunch time - we need to get Democrats elected...
Yes, but "good ole jim" thinks that the way to politic in the 'burbs is the same as in the city:
"So you want your street fixed? Then we had better see canidate X get 80% of the vote out of this pricint. And I will know if you voted."
That just doesn't work and hurts our party enourmously. They (Jim and Pat) want to be BMOC and think that they know better than you, or their chairman (the latter may in fact be true). Jim is walking around thinking he's the cock-of-the-walk since he is the ONLY person bringing in any funds to the KCDCC right now.
If you are so worried about getting dems elected stop selling out your party to the likes of the Jims.
Don't Worry Tom is on the case after all more to be revealed about Mr. Brophy stay tuned!!!!!!
Old timer...I have to disagree. Feeley told me that he knows and understands that business here is not the same as in the city. He knows that there are no jobs or "favors" tied to voting records here. He just works for the Democratic party here - and he and his wife both work very hard. They have done a great job organizing precincts and helping new committeempeople get "smart" in the business of working a precinct. He and Pat are both working very hard to build a Democratic organization here in Kendall County.
Neither of them deserve the incorrect or misleading labels. You are actually giving them more power than they have.
Time to hit the doors and get Democrats elected!
To anon...you think you have something one me....BRING IT ON. I have nothing to hide...
Tom you really do not want this stuff to go public after all you are a pillar of the community. "LETS GET SOME DEMOCRATS ELECTED" we with you sarge!!!!!!!!!
If you got something - BRING IT ON...I'm not going to sit here while you toss out veiled threats...I'm not running for any office, and frankly, I don't give a damn. My friends and family all know me and know who I am.
You and the rest of your young repug buddies should get a life, grow some balls, display some courage, and be accountable for your accusations. Why don't you talk about how the entire repug establishment can't stand Lauzen - or how Lauzen has absolutely NO MEANINGFUL endorsements...why don't you talk about how Hastert hasn't allowed any meaningful VA funding legislation to come to the floor for a vote (could it be because they were the brainstorms of Democratic congressmen?). Why don't you talk about why Colin Powell left the White House cabinet? Ah....so much with so little time....
If you think you know something about me that the rest of the world doesn't...put it out here - or are you just going to begin a whisper campaign against me like you have done with so many Democratic candidates? Again, I have nothing to hide!
Go Get em Tom these guys are bad for poltics..... They should get a life and leave their parents basement and stop watching star trek!!!! {ROTFLAO}I Had a blast meeting John at the sandwhich fair.
Brophy You are a loon, who should be committed
This is a waste of time Brophy does more talking than doing work!!! Any guy who has the time to sit around and blog all day is not doing his job in helping to elect people to office. The guy talks out of his ass so to the good people of his precinct you need to find better choices to represent you on the central committee.
Glad to have you on board anon....how about you and I split up my precinct. You can take Ogden Falls - I'll take Churchill Club....obviously you have the time to help walk the precinct with me...let me know, I'll give you the walk sheets. I also have more literature that needs to go out...this would be the 2nd time for Ogden Falls since the primary...we need to make sure we touch all of the voters at least 3 times before the General election.
I'll be grateful for your help.
Tom you have the right message we need democrats elected. Kendall County is in need of a change. Through your efforts we will have change. Victory is our common goal and success is the future then we all must work together. Victory starts at the top and thankfully we have a strong candiate who is making a differnce. I really do not care about the nonsense here between democrats personally we need change and with your hard work we will see a change.
Tom get your hand out of your pants!!!!!
About the vet legislation.. didn't a certain (not denny) repub steal the Durbin amendment last week? He was mocked for changing the work "will" to "shall".
Or was that something else I saw on CSPAN.
Vet issues are important, but accuracy makes the difference between crackpot and advocate.
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