Don't Shoot conceal and carry

I will personally be taking every young man in my family (all of whom are "law abiding") to get a FOID card and I will be purchasing them the gun of their choice. You can read the website of the local newspaper on any given day and see comments from people who are filled with hate and want guns so they can "protect themselves, their families and their property

When crap like this starts happening (see article below), I want my people to be ready to "protect themselves, their families and their property."

It's a Matter of Time before this happens in Peoria, Illinois

Local gun advocates celebrate concealed carry victory
Tuesday a federal appeals court struck down a ban on carrying concealed weapons in Illinois. Illinois is the last state where carrying weapons is entirely illegal.

The ruling is a victory for gun rights advocates such as Peoria mayor Jim Ardis, who argues that the prohibition against concealed weapons violates rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Ardis:

"We deserve our 2nd Amendment right to carry as law-abiding citizens of the United States. I am confident that this ruling will permit us to continue our crime prevention efforts in Peoria with additional support from our citizens who want to carry to protect themselves, their families and their property."

In 2009, Ardis proposed that Peoria serve as a pilot city for a concealed carry law, saying it could answer whether gun ownership prevents crime.

Police Chief Steve Settingsgaard said he has been a long-time supporter of Ardis' pilot program, so long as the law is written correctly.

"Assuming the court ruling stands, the important thing now will be to ensure that the law is written so that concealed carry can be implemented safely and that the infrastructure can be built to provide any necessary training, testing, or other certifications," he wrote in an email response.

State lawmakers have 180 days to write a new law that legalizes concealed carry. Tazewell State's Attorney Stewart Umholtz said he doesn't want to comment on the issue until the document has been reviewed.

"I think it is important that people focus on both the fact that there is a right, and with every right there are awesome responsibilities for exercising those rights," he said. "I think too much of the discussion focuses on rights and not responsibilities."

But John Meek, owner of Midwest Firearms in East Peoria, said the right to bear arms is both constitutional and a personal necessity for him, as gun stores are normally targeted for theft. He and the other store employee both carry a Glock pistol for protection, he said.

"We have a right to protect ourselves as citizens, and it is highly unconstitutional to prevent," he said. "I am totally in favor of law-abiding citizens that want to carry guns." Source

You sir, are a Sexist Pig!

Imagine looking for a job in this economy and being lucky enough to finally get an interview. In an effort to prepare for the interview, you Google the name of the people you will be meeting with.

How would you feel if the person who would be your supervisor (if you got the job); the person you must impress, had a Facebook page that listed the Facebook page below, as one of their likes?

WARNING THIS PAGE IS THOROUGHLY DISGUSTING NSFW OR ANY PLACE ELSE.

Let’s Expose These Hoes (LETH) ... Here's how it works: if you have naked or sexy photos of women, send them to the LETH website and they’ll put them on blast for you. Because, you know, these women are “hoes,” and they need to be “exposed,” get it? It appears that most of the women on LETH took these photos of themselves and sent them to someone they probably trusted.

Women should know better, but they seem to continue to make the mistake of trusting someone to keep her photos private. However, being stupid or naive doesn't mean a person deserves to have her life destroyed; nor does it make her a “hoe.”

The respect shown for women on these sort of pages is non-existent. The people accessing and “liking” the page, are in all likelihood doing it because they want to see the pictures AND they have a very low opinion of women.

Any person who is STOOPID enough to "like" this page, is a Sexist Pig and shouldn't be allowed to make hiring or firing decisions. Personally, I wouldn't care to work for any company that would have a manager who would subscribe to something like this. Interview cancelled.

I even saw that a local pastor "liked" the page. You can best believe, you won't see me or mine at that "church."

Happy National Fried Chicken Day!

What a coincidence, it also falls on what we at our house call, Fried Chicken Friday. Although I'm a Mommy whose always looking for a good meal deal, I think I'ma pass on that KFC coupon and do my own thing at the house...

*KFC Coupon is not real

Send the entire BOE to Washington

Perhaps the timing of that trip to Washington DC is worth it.

How's this for pressure... the only way the trip to DC by the two BOE members will be worth it, is if they can prove instrumental in securing for Illinois (and Peoria) a win in the Race to the Top competition. This, of course, would require networking their arses off and making a heck of a impression on the powers that be during the week on June 12 - 17.

Illinois Races to the Top
Illinois has been named a finalist in a Department of Education nationwide competition.

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin said Illinois is among nine finalists in the Race to the Top competition, which encourages bold education innovation and reform.

"Maintaining the status quo in our schools is simply not acceptable," said Durbin. "We need to elevate the quality of our schools, improve instruction and boost college graduation rates. We owe it to our children to give them stronger skills to compete in the global economy."

In addition to Illinois, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and South Carolina all are eligible to compete for the $200 million prize.

As a part of the application process, Illinois was asked to document past successes in education reform as well as outline plans of continuing improvements for school districts.

Durbin says Illinois is eligible to receive up to $50 million in funding through the Race to the Top education reform competition. Source

The farce that is the 2010 All-America City Awards

Wanna hear something funny? The community of Canton, Illinois was named as a finalist for the National Civic League's ("NCL") 2010 All-America City Awards.

Apparently Canton was selected for addressing such issues as diversifying the labor force and funding services during the recession. Huh, diversifying what, who, Canton, Illinois? Does this mean it's time for black folks to run out and look at purchasing a home in Canton?

Not so fast... this is clearly one of those awards your application fee can buy...

Is Canton not the City where Police Chief Dan Taylor, has been accused of using racial slurs about blacks and a black child and then retaliating against former patrolman Rusty Graham (the white officer who confronted him); the City where a complaint was filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and ruled to have merit?

Who is the National Civic League (NCL)?
...the National Civic League works directly with communities though the Community Services Program. This program provides professional technical assistance to communities that need help in bringing diverse constituencies together to solve common problems. NCL facilitators help bridge the sometimes serious gap between elected and appointed local government officials and community leaders through an array of services including conflict resolution, strategic planning, program implementation, performance measurement, charter reform, and diversity training.

One of the benefits of membership in NCL is the privilege to enter your town, city or county in NCL’s All-America City Award competition.

Sounds like the Who's Who award program huh? We all know what's required to "win" one of those.

The NCL has a list of projects on their Community Services Project page, but Canton, Illinois is not listed as a community they are working with.

So, has Canton overcome the racial conflict that was brewing so heavily just this past January? Are they truly an all inclusive "All America City" within a matter of months? If so, Peoria needs to hook up with this National Civic League and let them work their magic over here.

Articles about Canton the finalist for All America City:

Citizens Against Racism threaten pickets in letter to potential councilman; and Picketers rally in response to alleged racist comments; and Canton group to meet, address alleged racial slurs

Would you make a homewrecka pay?

I don't read Star Magazine, however, in November they reported that Fantasia Barrino was dating a married man. Antwaun Cook, a 30-year-old father of two, allegedly left his teacher wife and their 4 and 1 year-old sons and moved into Fantasia's $1.3 million mansion in North Carolina. A friend of Fantasia's said: "I'm not going to deny that the word ‘home wrecker' is floating around."

The black blogs have been all over this story (especially after Fantasia got dude's named tatted on her chest). Well, today reports are that Ms. Barrino is being sued for alienation of affection.

Womp...womp...womp.

Love that. You want my husband Fantasia

pay me you can have him.

How pimp is that?

Although I am familiar with alienation of affection, it totally slipped my mind that it is a law in ILLINOIS. "Alienation of affection" suits can arise when an "outsider" interferes in a marriage. The suits are allowed in seven states: Hawaii, ILLINOIS, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.

So, this Valentine's Day when your girl is sitting around crying because she thinks her man is cheating on her and he is "supposedly still at the office". Tell her to get her ducks in a row and take that clown and his floosie for all they may or may not be worth. Especially if she is some corporate wench, with a high paying job, who is taking advantage of all of your man's attention at work and moving in on your time at home. Sue her, you'll see how much she really wants him.

Do I sound bitter? I'm just saying...

Beware cheaters: Your lover's spouse can sue you

How much is a bus ticket to Elgin, Illinois?

I find the article on homelessness in today's pjstar disturbing for many reasons. The main reason I find it so unnerving, is the information on a person called Spike:

"He was kicked out of his house and kicked out of the Marine Corps.

Now Nick, an 18-year-old man from Elgin, is homeless and jobless in Peoria.

[...]

Nick, who called himself "Spike" because of his many ear piercings, said he had even resorted to street fighting to survive.

"What I'd do is go to the gangs in my area and say, 'Hey, you give me $100 and I'll take out just about anybody,'" ... "

I am left wondering the following: What exactly does Spike mean by "take out"? Did any gang ever hire Spike for "take out"? Did Spike ever "take out" "anybody"? Could this admission alone land Spike a bed and three squares out at the County?

Hopefully, Spike will find a job and a home before he gets so hungry he decides to "take out" somebody for profit. Better yet, maybe Spike will find his way back to Elgin.

MST Charter School Advisory Committee Meeting

AGENDA

MST Charter School Advisory Committee

April 24, 2009 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Administration Building,

Superintendent's Conference Room
April 24, 2009 3:00 – 4:30 PM

I. Welcome
II. Report from Committees
A. Steering Committee
1. Role
2. Formation of Committees
3. Support from INCS
B. Communication Committee
1. Bus Trips
2. IMSA Presentation
3. Partnerships for Website and Communication Plan
4. Legislative Support
C. Focus Committee
1. Vision
2. Guiding Principals
3. RFP Process
III. Next Steps

(from psd150.org/calendar)

School Desegregation in Peoria, Illinois

A Staff Report of the United States Commission on Civil Rights, June 1977.

In 1966 when initial planning for desegregation began, minority students were concentrated in 9 of Peoria's 39 schools. Twenty of the city's schools had white enrollments of more than 98 percent, indicating the most minimal percentage of minority students in more than half the city's schools. Four schools were totally white.

The Board fully realized that the Peoria Public Schools must be integrated promptly to insure quality education and equality of educational opportunities for all children.

The plan was quickly put into effect to coincide with the fall 1968 opening of Peoria’s schools. A few incidents of limited physical violence occurred but the Peoria Journal Star, in its account of the desegregation process noted, "There were no major incidents. Busing, at least on a limited basis and as long as it did not involve advantaged whites, seemed to work well in Peoria.

In some respects, the Peoria schools during the 1970s began to look more segregated than even prior to the initiation of desegregation. In 1966 Peoria's minority students were concentrated in nine schools; eight of these schools failed to meet State guidelines because they had an over population of minority students. By the 1975-76 school year, the district had a total of nine schools which had an overpopulation of minority students by State standards.

[...]

On January 8, 1976, the Illinois Office of Education announced that Peoria District 150 was not in compliance with State desegregation guidelines. The State found 20 Peoria schools not in compliance and ordered the district to submit detailed desegregation plans. The order noted that failure to do so could result in a loss of funding and further legal action by the State. A new plan from the district has now been received by the State and is currently under review.

Superintendent Harry Whitaker agreed that Peoria's schools should be within the State guidelines, but has also argued that the district should not be made to bus white students to predominantly black schools to achieve this end:

"We believe in integration. There's no question about that," Mr. Whitaker stated, "but we don't believe in integration to the point that we have to move youngsters back and forth. We think that that is going to be detrimental....My goal is not to re-segregate District 150, but, hopefully, to maintain the community as it is now."

Read the entire report here.

Again, not all young black children are thugs

Over at Peoria Story, Elaine Hopkins has an entry about children being discriminated against at March Madness and as a result, black leaders are up in arms. I know I’m not alone in feeling really bad for the teens who were turned away. After all, it’s not their fault if gangs run Peoria.

The NAACP and other black leaders are right, this is an injustice… (here comes the but), But didn’t reasonable people know that if children in Peoria were allowed to continue to run rampant and terrorize the community, that eventually people would begin to look at all youngsters who fit a certain criterion as thugs and trouble makers? Stereotyping? Of course, but any reasonable adult who has seen Crime View Community knows that if you live and/or do business in a certain part of Peoria, you have to make judgment calls about your safety. These days, even a simple, white t-shirt could be a sign of a gangbanger.

Don Jackson, NAACP President believes that “Black children were singled out in ...” I agree with Mr. Jackson, I don’t doubt that they were singled out. Although it‘s unfortunate that it happened and it is hurtful to the children, is this really the fight the NAACP needs to have at this time?

I think we can all agree, that the behavior displayed by the young people who are terrorizing this community is a symptom of a greater problem. The NAACP and black leaders need to address the root cause of why so many young black folks in this town feel like nobody gives a damn about them, therefore, they don’t give a damn about nobody. It's a vicious cycle and we have to break it.

In the meantime, our children, law abiding citizens, are being turned away at the door of the Civic Center and make no bones about it – it’s WRONG. However, (... and I'm totally playing the devil's advocate on this) is it really discrimination when reasonable folks would consider taking similar precautions because of the crime in Peoria and the subsequent information on Crime View Community? I mean, come on, businesses are locking the door and making people ring the doorbell before getting in.

The black population of Peoria, Illinois is upwards of 25,000. The vast majority of the crime is in the black community. The majority of the crimes are being committed by black youth. The majority of us live in the neighborhoods where people are getting shot everyday. Black children live in a town where when they are shot dead, the police just can’t seem to solve the crime, but they will put up a map to warn citizens of the areas to avoid.

People can’t go to a street carnival without possibly getting beat-up, cussed out or shot at. Women and elderly are getting mugged regularly. There are complaints of discrimination in city services. The schools are failing our children and there are reports of lunch rooms being terorrized by thugs. What I and other law abiding citizens of Peoria want to know is can the NAACP and black leaders please, please, please talk to somebody about these issues?

March Madness and the Peoria Riverfront

Over the lunch hour I was watching that little cutie Marcus Bailey over on WMBD 31, tell the weather. Marcus reports that “we are still watching the Illinois River rise as we head into the weekend. The river will crest at 28 feet Saturday, which would make it the 4th highest crest on record, and the highest we have seen since 1985!” I imagine the local powers that be hated to hear that weather report.

The Riverfront is flooded out and will continue to be flooded through next week. Therefore, restaurants are a major hassle to get to. If you were in Peoria to participate in the “madness” that is March Madness, would you park blocks away from the restaurant you want to go to, and then walk across a rickety, lil bridge just to get some eats? No, you are going to pile your family in your SUV and high tale it across the very accessible bridge to the restaurant mecca that is East Peoria.

The Community Word reports that Kelleher’s is still open. This is good for Kelleher’s, as St. Patty’s day is quickly approaching. However, most people are going to be looking for a more family friendly type of fare.

Sure some folks will head up Main Street to Avanti’s, some may even shoot out to the restaurants by Northwoods Mall. But more than likely, most of them will be spending the bulk of their March Madness dollars in East Peoria. To bad for Peoria.

People are always talking about the things the City has done wrong - look at how spot on they were when they named Water Street.

24 armed robberies since the end of December!

click image to get a better view

UPDATE 2 Thursday, February 12: Robbery at Spottted Cow
Police still are investigating the armed robbery of a local restaurant. At about 8:40 p.m. Monday, two men armed with guns robbed the Spotted Cow at 718 W. Glen Ave. and escaped on foot with an undetermined amount of cash. A description of the robbers was not available from police Monday night. No one in the restaurant was injured. Police have not made any arrests.

_____________________________

Journal Star
Posted Feb 11, 2009 @ 09:20 AM

Two armed gunmen rob Central Peoria gas station

For the second time in about as many weeks, masked gunmen robbed a Central Peoria gas station. About 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, two males entered Circle K, 2416 N. University St., and demanded money from the clerk.

One of the males, armed with two guns, ordered a lone customer to lie face down on the floor while he yanked the victim's wallet out of his pocket, reports stated. The other robber, also armed, turned his attention on the clerk, stealing an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register.

Witnesses reported seeing the men run south on University toward MacQueen Avenue after the robbery.

On Jan. 26, three men robbed the same gas station, pilfering cigarettes and taking money from the safe.

That crime, like Tuesday's, remains unsolved and comes on the heels of more than two dozen similar robberies plaguing the city since the end of December.

____________________________

WHAT two dozen (24) robberies since the "end of December". This is February 11th, so that means that there are armed robberies occurring in Peoria at the rate of 1 (one) every other day. Therefore, this last robbery, which happened on Tuesday afternoon (yesterday), means we are due for another armed robbery either this evening (Wednesday) or by end of day Thursday.

Damn, Peoria this is messed up! No wonder PJStar.com has disabled comments. Just in case you missed the info in the PJStar about the other robberies that have retailers so concerned, go here.

_________________________

UPDATE 1: Crime maps are being updated as you read this by the blogger at A Dark Quiet Room, if you would like a copy of his map, you can get one by contacting him. However, I will post it as soon as he sends me a copy.

Additionally, Reverend Harvey Burnett, who was Mario McGee's godfather has the following CALL TO ACTION on his blog:

Please join me at 6:30 PM Thursday evening at Higher Dimensions Worship Ctr. at 2610 W. Nebraska Peoria, IL. (Pastor Bob Randle).

Please pass this urgent request on to associates and other pastors who may also be interested in taking strong action against this (these) community terrorist group(s). Thank you and God bless you greatly.

Pastor Harvey BurnettPeoria Assn. Of Pastors For Community & Spiritual Renewal Peoria, IL. 61615 (309)688.6599ofc. (309)648.8659cell

_________________________________

Check out Pastor Burnett's entry on his past and current efforts to help fight crime here in Peoria on the blog for the Peoria Association of Pastors for Community and Spiritual Renewal.

Barack Obama resigns Illinois Senate Seat

effective Sunday, November 16, 2008

Via Reuters:

“It has been one of the highest honors and privileges of my life to have served the people of Illinois in the United States Senate. In a state that represents the crossroads of a nation, I have met so many men and women who’ve taken different journeys, but hold common hopes for their children’s future. It is these Illinois families and their stories that will stay with me as I leave the United States Senate and begin the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as our nation’s next President,” said President-elect Barack Obama.

As promised, President Elect Obama has started his weekly video addresses. You can check out the first address and all things Obama at Change.gov the website for the Office of the President Elect.