PeoriaStory

Anti-war rally attracts many, not LaHood

PEORIA -- The Aug. 28 anti-war rally at the Peoria Public Library's downtown branch attracted over 158 people, but not 18th District Cong. Ray LaHood. He has refused to meet with the leaders of Iraq summer, part of a national effort focused on members of Congress who might be persuaded to drop support for the war.

Here are some photos of the event, submitted to PeoriaStory by Iraq Summer organizer Tracy Turner:

In an e-mail, Turner wrote: "There were over 158 people at the "Take a Stand" meeting. LaHood of course didn't show up.

"But we delivered a stack of the Statements of Conscience that we had everyone sign at the library Tuesday evening along with some that had been gathered over the course of the summer and placed on about 12 poster boards. We also included some photos of the event.

"I went to LaHood's office with Louis Cruz a young guy who I just met Tuesday (downtown). Cruz is doing ongoing actions from Monday-Friday, during the "Brown Bag" lunch from 11:30-1:00pm at Adams and Main by the Courthouse. He would welcome people to support him in this effort.

"Friday he gathered over a dozen "Statements of Conscience," one from a father who's son came back safely from Iraq but tragically went on to commit suicide. It is proving to be a good spot for passing out "Support the Troops END THE WAR" yard signs.

"Louis works nights so he's dedicated himself to do this during the day. He's asking people to joining him in doing protest right there on the corner from 11:30-1:00 pm Monday-Friday."

So LaHood got the petitions, but will he shift his stance?

He's not running for reelection. Candidates for his position in both parties can be quizzed on their stances on the war, and voters can react accordingly. That's the petition that really matters in today's politics!

--Elaine Hopkins

IN ADDITION: Dave Weiman, Peoria coordinator of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, spoke at the rally and released a copy of his moving speech to PeoriaStory.com Here it is:

"The Network of Spiritual Progressives – NSP - is a national interfaith organization headquartered in Berkley, California with local chapters throughout the country.

"The NSP Peoria Chapter is joining with Americans Against Escalation in Iraq to empress upon Congressman LaHood that he needs to be aware that we believe the majority of the citizens in his district, like the majority of the citizens in our nation, are against the reckless and endless war chosen by and executed by President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

"he Network of Spiritual Progressives join with Americans Against Escalation in Iraq in asking Congressman LaHood to stand up and seek ways to not only end this terrible war, but to strive toward world peace. The many leaders of faith traditions who are members of NSP believe the majority of the citizens of America, are not just anti-war, but also yearn for a caring and lasting peace.

"Congressman LaHood, with his announced retirement, has the opportunity to shed the ‘cloak of control’ that has been thrown over his votes in the US House of Representatives by the Bush/Cheney administration. He now can consider what are the best votes for the country, and not the votes needed by an inflexible and irrational leader of his political party.

"He can now take a stand that the deaths of more than 3,700 of our children, our wives and husbands, our sisters and brothers, our aunts and uncles, our nieces and nephews, our cousins and friends is too much grief for us to bear any longer.

"He can now spend the remaining months he is in Congress working to return our loved ones from this senseless war and stopping the insane cycle of sending more of them into a quagmire of death and destruction.

"He can now become a champion of an effort to return our nation to the higher values for which the rest of world once gave us deep respect and honor. Values that should lead us to repair the damage we have done to innocent people, damage that spawns a hatred of us, damage that will lead to further violence.

"He can call for an end to the flawed policy of “Democracy by Domination” which has produced thousands of terrorists, most of them seeking revenge for the killing of more than 600,000 of their families and friends and for the destruction of their homes and made us and many other nations less safe and more insecure.

"We are asking Congressman LaHood to join with NSP to initiate a “National Security Strategy of Generosity and Care.”This “Strategy of Generosity” is part of a comprehensive NSP program to provide more security for us and others by drying up the cesspools of poverty and illiteracy that breeds terrorists; whether it be in the slums of Baghdad or Los Angeles, or the impoverished rural areas that exist all over our planet.

"Our strategy doesn’t ask “What will advance US interests over others?” but rather “What will best meet the needs of all the people of the world?” That principle includes solving our own nation’s entrenched poverty and the unequal educational opportunities for our children, for repairing our collapsing infrastructure and our cities destroyed by natural disasters, and for reversing the harm we have done to the environment.

"It calls for a Global Marshall Plan devoting funds over the next twenty years to work with Non-Governmental Organizations throughout the world to support a caring and ethical initiative that will create an awareness that our planet really is an interdependent web of all living things, and the realization of what happens there -- affects us here.

"Congressman LaHood, please don’t waste this opportunity to join with your fellow citizens to begin finding better ways to live with each other – in our District, in our State, in our Nation, in our World."

Exhibit exploits animals

PEORIA -- A traveling exhibit of big cats is back at the Shoppes on Grand Prairie shopping center, begging for money to "feed the tigers," charging people to have their photos taken near the cats, and selling trinkets.

A Peoria ordinance forbids spectators from touching the animals.

The same exhibit, Great Cat Adventures, appeared last year at the shopping center.

When the exhibit opened, the Peoria Humane Society sent a letter to the shopping center opposing it. The letter stated the display "teaches our children that it is acceptable to exploit wild animals for personal gain and that meeting (their) needs is secondary to profiting from them."

Mall officials apparently ignored the letter and allowed the exhibit to return. The space was free, an animal handler said last year.

On the morning of Aug. 28, spectators were mostly bored moms pushing strollers, desperately seeking to entertain their pre-schoolers.

The big cats of various ages and breeds lay panting in the heat.

They're scheduled to stay through Sept. 3.

Animal advocates criticize the breeding of big cats which quickly grow too large to be handled easily, and may end up on ranches where hunters can shoot them.

A spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said last year that the breeding of these animals is irrelevant.

"As long as someone exploits them, someone will produce them," she said.

In a brochure, Big Cat Adventures lists a headquarters in Haltom City, Texas, near Fort Worth where 65 big cats live. But last year, a humane society official in North Texas had never heard of the place.

A handler said a refuge is opening soon in Oklahoma.

Charges dropped, court confusion

PEORIA -- Anti-war protester Razia Ahmed lined up at the 9 a.m. Peoria County Courthouse misdemeanor "cattle call" on Aug. 28, only to learn that her name was not on the docket and the charges against her had been dropped.

Of course, no one bothered to tell her in advance.

And criminal justice system officials wonder why they're not trusted. They can't even operate an efficient court system. But they can turn out eight police cars to arrest a non-violent protester while murders in Peoria go unsolved!

She tried to learn from the Peoria County Circuit Clerk's office why the charges were dropped, but that office didn't know. She learned that $90 of the $118 bail she was required to post to get out of jail will be refunded.

Apparently the court system keeps the rest, even if the charges are dropped. That's a nice money-making gig for the system.

If she had stayed around long enough to talk to a judge, he might have ordered a full refund, but that would have meant waiting all morning until the hoards of people filling the hallway and courtroom had seen the judge. She left.

"I'm happy, I'm relieved. I didn't want to have to come back," she said.

For background on Ahmed's case, see the story below, and follow the links or click on the Law category.

Several of Ahmed's friends came with her to offer support. Some then went to the federal courthouse, where an anti-war vigil is taking place, to end with a 7 p.m. rally at the Peoria Public Library's downtown branch.

--Elaine Hopkins

Razia's case Aug. 28

PEORIA -- The Peoria activist arrested on July 30 at the Peoria Civic Center while protesting government torture and other issues goes to court on Aug. 28.

Razia Ahmed is scheduled to face the judge at 9 a.m. in Room 321 of the Peoria County Courthouse.

That's a "cattle call" time where dozens of people are usually scheduled, so she may be left to wait around for quite a while.

In an e-mail she wrote: "I don't know what is going to happen and I don't have an attorney. I did talk to Jay Janssen though. His office handles accident/injury cases, I was hoping he could recommend some one. He didn't think I needed an attorney.

"His advice was simply to tell the judge what happened. So, that is what I am hoping to do.

"I am not afraid to face any one alone about what I did, but it would be nice to have some support in the court. I believe it also speaks well for the community. Those of you who can come are most welcome."

How sad that a Peoria activist does not have a pro-bono lawyer to represent her!

Activists arrested recently in Chicago for unfurling an anti-war banner on a freeway bridge quickly found volunteer lawyers to help them.

Razia was arrested in a building owned by the public. She was totally non-violent and non-confrontational.

Read her full story under the "law" category or click here.

--Elaine Hopkins

Lovely performance

CHICAGO -- A performance at the Harris Theater at Chicago's Millenium Park, which opened on Friday, Aug. 24 and plays again on Aug. 25 and 26, shows how dance can be blended effectively with classical music and modern art.

It's worth a trip to Chicago to see these art forms together, and also experience the terrific Harris theater, much superior to the Peoria Civic Center.

The performance, sponsored by the Ravinia festival, features three compositions by Mozart, as played by Chicago's Music of the Baroque, with dancers from the Mark Morris Dance Group. Effective lighting and a backdrop of simple modern art complement the dancers and music.

The steep pitch of the theater makes every seat a good seat, and the acoustics are -- well -- perfect.

Closed containers of coffee and water can be carried into the auditorium, adding to the formal/informal atmosphere.

The dancers whirl to Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 11 in F Major; Sonata in D Major for Two Pianos; and Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat Major.

This world-class performance is only three hours away from Peoria -- and well worth the time and money.

It's also a fine example of a simple but effective performance that Peoria arts groups could emulate, if they had the imagination and cooperated.

Chicago is beautiful this time of year with lush planters along the downtown streets. The downside: way too many beggars.

--Elaine Hopkins

Sept. 1, 2007: Esther Cohen of Peoria comments: "I was thrilled to read your story about the Harris Theatre in Millennium Park. Joan Harris was a classmate of mine at Smith and my first friend in Illinois. We have stayed very close friends and you have never met a more decent advocate for the Arts; for education (including music) for the underprivileged; and this theatre was so hard to get off-the-ground she deserves accolades of endless praise for persevering. That stupid mayor was not helpful; and if her marvelous and so brilliant husband Irving (also a billionaire) had not financed it, other detractors would have stopped it. She should write a book on the struggle. . . . .
I am making a copy of your letter to send to her! Thank you for such a grand article!"

Tracy Turner and Iraq Summer

PEORIA -- After experiencing Cindy Sheehan's anti-Iraq war camp at Crawford, Texas, Tracy Turner, 50, of Palm Springs, Calif., arrived in Peoria on June 20 to organize against the Iraq war and persuade Cong. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, to stop supporting the war. He's one of three Iraq Summer organizers working in Illinois.

Soon after, LaHood announced that he won't seek another term in Congress.

A coincidence?

Probably, Turner said, shrugging. "If I had any small part, it's rewarding."

Turner, an early retiree who got a telephone company buyout, said he was never an activist of any kind until he encountered Sheehan two years ago.

"I waited for someone else to do it," he said of getting involved in the anti-war movement. Then he decided to step forward. "I became the defacto organizer in Palm Springs for the Iraq war issue."

Since arriving in Peoria, Turner has help set up an anti-war rally which attracted about 50 people, and helped local peace activists with leafleting, vigils and demonstrations. He's also tried to persuade LaHood to meet with the anti-war activists.

So far, LaHood has ducked them. LaHood's aide, Tim Butler, implied that Turner is an outside agitator.

Turner said Butler greeted him with "Welcome from California," though Turner had not mentioned where he was from.

Turner's next big project is an Aug. 28 rally at the Peoria Public Library, where LaHood has been invited to speak. (For details, see below.)

Will LaHood attend? Butler has not yet returned a message seeking comment.

Some of the anti-war activists followed LaHood to an event, and one, the mother of an Iraq war soldier tried to speak to him. LaHood wouldn't talk on camera.

The encounter is posted on YouTube, where LaHood's retirement speech is also posted.

Turner plans to stay in Peoria through Labor Day, and the project may be extended for another month or so, he said.

--Elaine Hopkins

Cat as canary -- yikes!

PEORIA -- Here's a troubling new study that should give us all pause (paws?).

From the news release: "A mysterious epidemic of thyroid disease among pet cats in the United States may be linked to exposure to dust shed from flame retardants in household carpeting, furniture, fabrics and pet food."

The scientific study is reported in the Aug. 15 online issue of Environmental Science & Technology, a semi-monthly journal from the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

Not exactly tree or animal huggers.

The news release continues: "Janice A. Dye, DVM, Ph.D., at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and colleagues from there as well as Indiana University and the University of Georgia, report evidence linking the disease to exposure to environmental contaminants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which the researchers found to be elevated in blood samples of hyperthyroid cats. Their findings were based on analysis of blood samples from 23 pet cats, 11 of which had the disease, termed feline hyperthyroidism (FH). PBDE levels in the hyperthyroid cats were three times as high as those in younger, non-hyperthyroid cats.

"Concerns about the possible health effects of PDBEs arose in the late 1990s, and studies have reported that PDBEs cause liver and nerve toxicity in animals. FH is one of the most common and deadly diseases in older cats, and indoor pets are thought to be most at-risk. For starters, cats ingest large amounts of PBDE-laden house dust that the researchers believe comes from consumer household products.

"Dye, a toxicologist, began by hypothesizing that prolonged contact with certain polyurethane foams and components of carpet padding, furniture and mattresses would pose the greatest hazard for developing FH. In addition, the researchers suspected that diet might be another risk factor for developing FH. To see if a link existed, they analyzed PBDE content in several cat food brands.

"Their analysis found that PBDE content of canned fish/seafood flavors, such as salmon and whitefish, was higher than dry or non-seafood canned items. Based on the analysis, they estimate that diets based on canned food could have PBDE levels 12 times as high as dry-food diets. The researchers indicate that pet cats might be receiving as much as 100 times greater dietary PBDE exposure than American adults.

"With their meticulous grooming behavior, cats may ingest large amounts of dust that collect on their fur. 'Our results showed that cats are being consistently exposed to PBDEs,' Dye said. 'Because they are endocrine-disrupting agents, cats may well be at increased risk for developing thyroid effects.'

"The danger of contracting feline hyperthyroidism might be greater in America, where people have the highest reported PBDE levels worldwide, the study said.

"Also, by the late 1990s, North America accounted for almost half of the global demand for PBDEs from commercial materials like furniture or upholstery, the report added.

"The epidemic of hyperthyroidism in cats began almost 30 years ago, at the same time when PBDEs were introduced into household materials as a fire-prevention measure.

"Although the disease was first discovered in the U.S., it has since been diagnosed in Canada, Australia, Japan and many parts of Europe. Hyperthyroid disorders have also increased in humans—former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush have the disorder, and even Millie, their Springer Spaniel, had contracted it.

"Symptoms of the syndrome in cats include weight loss, an increase in appetite, hair loss and irritability. Cats and humans are the only mammals with high incidences of hyperthyroidism, Dye said. The study concludes that hyperthyroid cats could serve as modern-day versions of the canaries in the cage that alerted coal miners to poisonous gas.

'While the link between hyperthyroidism in cats and their elevated PBDE levels requires additional confirmation, it is clear that house cats may be able to serve as sentinels for indoor exposure to PBDEs for humans who share their houses,' said Linda S. Birnbaum, Ph.D., a co-author of the study. No link between human hyperthyrodism and PBDE exposure has been established, Birnbaum noted, adding that some ongoing studies do suggest such a connection. Although several states have banned use of certain PBDEs in commercial products, there are no regulations limiting PBDE content in foods, according to Birnbaum."

This is a shocker!

--Elaine Hopkins

Pet ordinance bad idea

PEORIA -- The city and county of Peoria and the animal shelter, PAWS, have proposed an amendment that would allow the shelter to impound pets not vaccinated or registered. The County has sent it back to committee, and the Peoria Council will address it August 28.

Doris Muller, an animal advocate with Peoria Area Voices for Animals, sent the following e-mail to the Peoria City Council:

"RE: Proposed amendment to Pet Law

"I support strong animal laws that protect society from dangerous animals. Likewise, I support strong laws that protect animals from dangerous or abusive people.

"The current proposed amendment to the pet laws is not fashioned to do either. Rather it will tend to punish many animals for the sins of their irresponsible owners.

"I greatly sympathize with PAWS staff whose heart-wrenching work is to clean up the results of the criminal-minded animal abusers, the back yard breeders, the generally irresponsible pet owners, and the chronic law breakers.

"I'm sure PAWS Director Lauren Malmberg and others do a lot of soul-searching and research while trying to create laws to get the public to be more law abiding. Unfortunately, these types will always be with us. So creating laws that victimize the innocent, the defenseless, and in many cases traumatize young owners and create greater hardships for the underprivileged is a bad idea because the law scoffers just get more animals while the animals and the tax payers foot the bill.

"This type of law reminds me of the recent slaughter of over 50,000 dogs in a province in China in order to control rabies after several cases were reported. Certainly we do not want to be identified in this manner.

"While the current Peoria proposed amendment is not as brutal as the China remedy, it has the potential to greatly increase the need to kill more innocent animals that, for various reasons, will not be reclaimed.

"There is no easy answer to this out of control problem, but I would like to see repeat offenders barred from pet ownership, and to have it posted in the newspaper like any other violation of law.

"Please don't victimize the defenseless and the innocent. Please reject this proposed amendment.

"Thank you for considering my concerns."

Muller's letter suggests many interesting issues:

1. The lack of a no-kill policy in central Illinois, which if it were adopted would bring in private grant funding for other services.

2. The continued victimization of the poor by fines that keep poor and now seizing their pets, which may be the only comfort they (and their children) have in a harsh world.

3. The need for expanded not-for-profit spay/neuter, vaccination and medical care programs for pets with low income owners.

--Elaine Hopkins

Pollution kills, report says

PEORIA -- Pollution kills, both throughout the world, a major new study reports, and presumably in central Illinois where over 22,400 tons of pollutants are released yearly into the air, water and land.

The new report attributes about 40 percent of deaths worldwide to pollution, which along with a rapid growth in world population, has spurred the increase in human diseases worldwide.

A news release on the new report states: "David Pimentel, Cornell professor of ecology and agricultural sciences, and a team of Cornell graduate students examined data from more than 120 published papers on the effects of population growth, malnutrition and various kinds of environmental degradation on human diseases."

Their report is published in the online version of the journal Human Ecology and is to be published in the December print issue.

"We have serious environmental resource problems of water, land and energy, and these are now coming to bear on food production, malnutrition and the incidence of diseases," Pimentel stated in the release.

"Of the world population of about 6.5 billion, 57 percent is malnourished, compared with 20 percent of a world population of 2.5 billion in 1950, said Pimentel. Malnutrition is not only the direct cause of 6 million children's deaths each year but also makes millions of people much more susceptible to such killers as acute respiratory infections, malaria and a host of other life-threatening diseases, according to the research."

Among the study's other main points, according to the release:

"• Nearly half the world's people are crowded into urban areas, often without adequate sanitation, and are exposed to epidemics of such diseases as measles and flu.

"• With 1.2 billion people lacking clean water, waterborne infections account for 80 percent of all infectious diseases. Increased water pollution creates breeding grounds for malaria-carrying mosquitoes, killing 1.2 million to 2.7 million people a year, and air pollution kills about 3 million people a year. Unsanitary living conditions account for more than 5 million deaths each year, of which more than half are children.

"• Air pollution from smoke and various chemicals kills 3 million people a year. In the United States alone about 3 million tons of toxic chemicals are released into the environment -- contributing to cancer, birth defects, immune system defects and many other serious health problems.

"• Soil is contaminated by many chemicals and pathogens, which are passed on to humans through direct contact or via food and water. Increased soil erosion worldwide not only results in more soil being blown but spreading of disease microbes and various toxins.

"At the same time, more microbes are becoming increasingly drug-resistant. And global warming, together with changes in biological diversity, influence parasite evolution and the ability of exotic species to invade new areas. As a result, such diseases as tuberculosis and influenza are re-emerging as major threats, while new threats -- including West Nile virus and Lyme disease -- have developed."

In central Illinois, Peoria is the source of over 75 percent of the pollutants. More than 80 percent goes into landfills. But in 2004, 789 tons went into the water, mostly the Illinois River.

Ethanol producer Aventine Renewable Enery in Pekin dumped 734 tons of nitrate compounds and 1,977 pounds of ammonia into the river.

It also emitted 237 tons of pollutants into the air, as anyone driving by that plant can see and smell.

The figures are from the US EPA's Toxic Release Inventory for 2004.

The water figures don't take into account compounds in sewage that are not measured, such as pharmaceutical drugs and bacteria and other nasties from the combined sewer overflow pipes in Peoria that drain into the river when heavy rainfall occurs. The city is now studying what to do about that problem, with solutions expected to cost millions.

Airbourn pollutants in central Illinois include lead, mercury and even traces of PCBs, said to cause cancer.

These substances come from the coal-fired power plants in the region.

Coming tomorrow: a new report on how household chemicals are affecting cats, the new canaries in our households.

--Elaine Hopkins

Anti-war actions

PEORIA -- An around-the-clock vigil outside the Peoria office of Cong. Ray LaHood (R-Peoria) beginning at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26 will kick off three days of activism against the Iraq war.

The events are part of "Iraq Summer" events in Peoria.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is scheduled to lead the three day vigil at LaHood's office, 100 NE Monroe, beginning on the day the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote, was finally ratified in 1920.

On Tuesday August 28, at 7pm, a "Take a Stand" town hall meeting will take place in the auditorium of the Peoria Main Library across the street at 107 N. E. Monroe.

Other on-going activities include:
1. Vigils every Saturday from noon - 1 p.m. at University and Main in Peoria, and 6th and Monroe in Springfield.
2. A rally in Bloomington each month on the 19th, from 6-6:30 p.m. at the post office on Towanda Avenue. The Iraq war started on March 19.
3. Peace vigils from 5:30 - 6 p.m. every Thursday in Galesburg, on the northeast corner of Losey and Henderson.

Do these events make a difference? Only time will tell, but they can't hurt and might help raise consciousness among people who have not been paying attention.