For Whom the Bells Toll

You may hear church bells tolling on Friday, January 22nd. That day marks the 37th anniversary of Roe vs Wade, which legalized abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy. The bells will toll 50 times, once for every MILLION unborn babies. This number is simply an estimate, since we will never know exactly how many babies have been killed by abortion.

This day should be a sad reminder of the barbaric devastation wrought “legally” in our “civilized” society. What will future generations think of this genocide? What “freedom of choice” was given to these human beings? There are other options.

For more information on these options contact The Pregnancy Center in Clinton, IA  .

Mary Stebbins

Savanna, IL

Port Authority Questions

I have some thoughts on this Port Authority . . .

#1 If this is such a great economic growth tool, then why did Sen. Jacobs from the Rock Island District and Rep. Mitchell from Whiteside County not fight to keep their districts in the Port Authority District?

#2 Why was this kept such a secret? Most people I have talked to don’t have a clue what a Port Authority is. If it’s so great, why wasn’t it all over the news? If you ask someone about the prison, most people know about that. It was highly publicized.

#3 Why rush into something very few people know about? Why not let Jo Daviess County enter into this by themselves? If it’s such a good thing, according to the bill, Carroll County has the option to annex in.

I think we should wait and see.

Thank you,

Doris M. Bork

Mt. Carroll, IL

Response To ‘Prejudice is Poison’

I am amazed by Mr. Wemstrom’s letter (Jan. 6, 2010). I agree that prejudice is a poison, however, he misses a huge target! The West’s animosity and hate toward Muslims is really the Muslim’s animosity toward the West, their “Great Satan.” They have targeted the western world for extinction. (We are talking about Muslim leaders here, as it is usually the politicians who set a nation’s course and not the populace).

The Swiss’ outlawing of minarets, complaints about a French mosque in marseilles, talk about outlawing mosques in Italy, and Gitmo “prisoners” (otherwise known as terrorists and military combatants) are what he touts as signs of the West’s prejudice against Muslims. He doesn’t mention (maybe he doesn’t see?) the role that Muslims have chosen to pursue in the governments of England, France and elsewhere to try and destroy the existing order of western civilization and replace it with Sharia law. We even have numerous examples in America. In Texas, an Islamic father (who was welcomed into America with his religion) shot his 2 daughters because they wanted to dress like Americans. We in the West value life just because it IS life and our laws reflect this belief, but this father took both of his daughter’s lives in an “honor killing” and was never charged with a crime because it was done in the name of Islam.

Mr. Wemstrom ignores what the people of Iran and Iraq have suffered. Their own governments murdered more civilians than have been killed in all of the wars over there in which we have been involved. In Afghanistan, American soldiers have not targeted political figures, voters, women and children, but many of these have been killed in suicide bombings by MUSLIM terrorists. How are these combatants defending their country when they indiscriminately kill their own population when they disagree with them? It would make some kind of sense if they at least consistently attacked military targets instead of voting lines and shopping centers.

Imported Islamic terrorists don’t belong in ANY country. They want a world order that disappeared centuries ago when Islam ruled most of the known world with an iron fist and by a bloody sword.

Mr. Wemsrom refuses to see evil in this world. Yes, let us learn from history. We have an eerily similar situation to that just before World War II. Study the politics around Germany at the beginning of WWII. Learn of how Hitler made treaties and promised Europe peace and that he would be “nice.” The US believed him, started cutting back the military budget, and plans were made to spend the money on social programs instead. While the US government was still voting on the plans, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia! (which he promised NOT to) So much for his signed treaties! How many promises and treaties did Hitler break? He wanted world-wide control and he wanted to be rid of the Jews whom he regarded as less than human. He revered the Mullah of Jerusalem whose Muslim beliefs coincided with his own. The Mullah even helped Hitler form two military units of “faithful” Muslims from the mideast who would be put in charge of Hitler’s “final solution” for the Jews. That is true, recorded history.

Prejudice is a poison that threatens the very existence of Christians and Jews and our western civilization. Islam and a Judeo-Christian based western civilization cannot coexist, primarily due to the Islamic mandate that EVERYONE MUST accept Allah as the one and only god - by choice or force. They will continue fighting until there is no one left who disagrees. This is a long, long war that has been going on for thousands of years and it will still be going long after we’re off the scene, but wishfully ignoring evil won’t help. And yes, people DO choose to do and be evil for certain ends of their own.

I was taught right from wrong and good from evil when I was young. I’m not prejudiced against people because we all belong to the same race - the human race (we all came from one man and one woman, so there can be only one race). I think I am intelligent enough to know that when I am threatened I had better take some precautions. Two percent of people in the US are “prejudiced” against Jews and 57 percent against Christians. Why? Is it because they have established colleges that now hate God? Maybe because of their medical accomplishments? Or could it be because they have sent tons and tons of food to the poorest people in Myanmar, Afghanistan, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, etc., etc.? Is it the wells and water filtration equipment for clean water? The seed and livestock for farmers? Maybe it is because every year the “West” performs surgery on children from these and other countries that have heart problems or cleft palates. Is it because of the teams of dentist and doctor volunteers who staff clinics and provide life-saving equipment and services on foreign soil? Maybe it is because they donate ambulances, support orphanages, adopt orphans, set up homeless shelters and feed the indigent. The list could go on for pages.

Is this why Hamas and Hezbollah take our gifts of ambulances and turn them into truck bombs or transports for jihad weapons and warriors?

Maybe they just hate us Americans for being a giving and compassionate people who reach out to all ethnic groups and all religions freely. In return for the kindness shown by Americans, we are vilified. Our Christian and Jewish houses of worship are desecrated or destroyed. In Muslim countries Jews and Christians are pulled from their homes and beaten to death or thrown in prison with no trial and no reason given. The leaders are imprisoned and tortured - most die in prison and are never released.

When was the last time you saw a Christian or Jew blow up or burn down a mosque? How many mosques have been desecrated in the last year? Five years? Ten years? How many Muslim bodies have been dug out of their graves and thrown in the trash like they are doing to Jewish people in Hamas-occupied areas of Israel? How many Muslims captured by our troops have been beheaded on national TV? How many parties have you attended to celebrate the killing of Al Qaeda terrorists? (information sources- Palestine Media Watch: www.stopshariah now.org - and Open Doors: www.opendoorsusa.org - and Stop Sharia Now: www.stopshariahnow.org)

Put on your glasses! Open your eyes and ears and put your mind to understanding the real world. There is good in this world, but there is also evil. Recognizing the difference is crucial to the survival of this country and of the good it does. There is certainly evil here as well, but the good people here can at least do something other than complain and rant about it without being thrown in prison or shot in the street. If we turn a blind eye to the evil that is radical Islam, then that evil will win. Sharia law will allow NO competition. If Sharia is implemented, then western civilization has ended. Each of us must choose whether we want our freedom and the ability to help around the world, or tyranny and brutal dictatorship.

Love is a choice and life is a choice - so LIVE it and don’t spout nonsense.

D. J. Miner

Mt. Carroll, IL

Looking a ‘Gift Horse’ in the Mouth

Mr. Stebbins,

This is in reference to your comments in the Carroll County Review dated 1-13-10:

Could you please tell me how you truly feel about my husband, Kurt Dreger? As you put it, a “local citizen” who, by the way, is also a business owner and a county board member. Instead of grabbing from the air why the kids of Savanna, Thomson, Mt. Carroll and surrounding areas can’t have a skateboard park. let’s be truthful and say you really don’t want one.

This project is still in limbo because of you and your committee, not due to funding or research. I sat in a few city council meetings and every meeting all I heard was “This is Tabled until ….”

At one Savanna City council meeting we had a nice presentation laid out for the council members. At that time the issue was location, not money. We invited American Ramp Company to another meeting to answer questions, a company who has given Savanna a 15% discount off the equipment with free delivery and installation, to answer any and all questions. All I got from that was a discussion about a comparison of a company that the Council was looking at which, by the way, was a company that American Ramp pointed out had many lawsuits. Where was the research on that?

In the article you said my husband Kurt, “Spearheaded” the skateboard project. The definition of spearheaded is one who, or that which leads, influences, or directs an action, etc, especially a military force leading an attack on enemy positions. I can tell you that is not Kurt. He took a childhood experience and memories from living in Virginia until he moved to Savanna his junior year of High School; and taking our son and a car load of kids to Clinton, Iowa almost every Saturday to their skateboard park, listening to the kids saying ‘wish we had a skateboard park in Savanna.’

He presented the idea 3 ½ years ago to Mayor Lease who took the time to listen and go to the site. A lot of research was done and did not cost the City anything. The kids got over 1500 signatures petitioning for the skateboard park. They had a can at a local business where they raised $600, and a local businessman donated $500, so how could you say the city was not involved?

With the help of a lot of people, phone calls, research, and Senator Mike Jacobs, Savanna was presented a check for $70,000. That means there is $71,100 - plenty of money to complete this project - money that you have had since Oct. 2009: $57,000 equipment, $7000 cement cap, $7000 for a fence, a donated rock water fountain, donated land from the Railroad for a 25 year lease for $1.00 per year with the City of Savanna, which is on going at the present time,

I want to mention the kids worked hard to clear the brush, mowed grass, etc., at the site. They all have a VISION.

There were two demo’s at the Pamida parking lot. Over 40 kids showed up and had a great time, and did not cost them anything. It was free. We need things in this town for the kids. How can you take that away from them by your comment, “The City may return the grant”?? That doesn’t even make sense!

LueAnn Dreger

Savanna, IL

‘Gift Horse’ Number Two

Mr. Stebbins,

I was not only disappointed but embarrassed to hear a Mayor of Savanna talk like you did in the January 13th issue of the newspaper.

First, how do you expect to get any cooperation from any State or Federal representatives to help with Savanna projects in the future, after making the remarks like you did, Any Mayor that would speak like that should be ashamed.

Do you not think anything to help improve Savanna will entail some work! What did you think being Mayor of a town would be other than work?

Talk to some Real Estate Agents in Savanna, I know of three houses myself that have been sold lately. With an article like this, why would people be encouraged to move to Savanna?

Not sure how your business was during the Holidays, evidently not good. People I know and any news reports had people shopping and doing better this year than last, even with the economy.

Also, Kurt is not only a citizen but a Carroll County Board Member, a Business owner, and interested in improving Savanna for families. You are denying the kids of Savanna a skateboard park because of a personal vendetta. The park was researched before the Grant and plenty of money unless you spent it for things not necessary to do. The Cement Company and Skateboard Company are the best ones to tell how strong the concrete needs to be. That does not entail an engineering study.

Jack & MaryEllen Dreger

Savanna

Embrace the Future

Consumer spending for December was down and personal savings rates continue to climb. According to economists, these are indicators that American consumers have not yet recovered their confidence in the economy and are hesitant to spend money. Hurray! I hope that consumers continue to be frugal and cautious shoppers. I don’t think most of us want to return to the days of juggling credit cards, following the mantra “shop till you drop”, and most of us no longer believe in the slogan ”the one who dies with the most toys wins”. I don’t think most of us want to go back to trying to buy the biggest house or the fanciest car. I think many of us have realized that super sizing our meals and wardrobes only made the corporations rich and after awhile failed to satisfy our desires or even meet our needs.

Now we can continue to shop wisely and help build a different economy, one that works for us more than it benefits big business. And we can do it piecemeal, piece by piece, or we can spend some time thinking about what we would like the world to look like in twenty years. We know that we don’t want more debt, continued job insecurities and an ever-increasing cost of living driven by energy costs that we can’t sustain. In the back of our minds somewhere is the realization that we must do something about climate change and global warming.

We could attack the problems of our economy reactively, one by one, head on, but I think it makes more sense to try to try and create a shared vision of what we want the world, especially northwest Illinois, to look like in the future. We could argue about widening Highway 20 vs. the Galena to Chicago Rail Road and widening Highway 30 vs. high speed rail from the Quad Cities to Chicago. We could argue that we can afford both or that we can’t afford either or that we can only afford one or the other and then argue about the choices. We can work to pass municipal leaf burning bans and county wide bans on burn barrels and loose sight of the bigger picture. We could gently chastise the guy down the road who is building a new house with a dark colored roof, two by four construction, minimum insulation and big windows. We could have these discussions and we often do without framing the issues in a bigger context. Or instead, we can create a picture of what we want Carroll County to look like in the future and then use that vision to help us make our choices.

I think we can make a few assumptions. First, most people are more interested in the quality of life than their standard of living and now we know that one does not automatically mean the other. Second, everyone knows, except for a few ostriches, that peak oil, resource depletion and climate change are verifiable phenomena. And third, we want to create change which will help us as much as possible without being too disruptive and painful.

We know the place to start is energy. We all know that we need green energy and we need it to be affordable. More importantly, we know that conservation and energy efficiencies are at least as important as finding new sources of renewable energy. We also know that we can’t come up with a plan and implement it without a cooperative effort of government, at all levels, (even at the county level), the utility alliances, the private sector and individuals. We already sense that we are going to have to put aside our own self interests and work to achieve agreed-on goals.

Somehow we have to juggle the daily decisions and the bigger picture, the mundane and the sophisticated. For example, driving a plug-in auto might not be a good idea if the power source is a coal plant. Driving a plug-in might not be a good idea if it’s a five passenger vehicle. We might not want to burn gas in our vehicles if we want to conserve oil for more important plastic applications. We might ultimately decide that it makes more sense to drive a two seat, smart car, a few miles a day and move closer to work. The ramifications of that one decision are going to be monumental in a family’s lives.

The changes that GM is going to have to embrace are monumental. In the same vein, many commentators have suggested that over time the cities and metro areas will become denser as a result of just such decisions, but that even in rural areas (like Carroll County) folks will move and even retire and move to our lovely historic towns for the same reasons. The flip side is that living in country towns has distinct advantages and pleasures that currently we sometimes overlook.

I think the choices (to echo Al Gore) are ours to make. We should move forward building a green sustainable economy based on collective decision making processes, eschew the fear mongering that is already present and embrace the future.

Chuck Wemstrom

Mt. Carroll, IL

Abortionist Admits It’s Brutal, Violent

After 37 years of abortion-on-demand and over 60 million dead babies, a professional abortionist has finally admitted what pro-lifers have been saying all along, challenging the pro-abortion movement’s refusal to recognize “the violence and gruesomeness of abortion,” that it “contradicts an enormous part of the experience of abortion practitioners, who see directly the destruction of human life.”

Last October, in the Journal “Reproductive Health Matters,” Lisa Harris, a Michigan-based abortion “practitioner,” described her experience of killing an 18-week-old baby while she herself was 18-weeks pregnant as “brutally visceral,” but her article gained its greatest attention at the blog “Abortioneers,” under the title “Second Trimester Abortion Provision: Breaking the Silence and Changing the Discourse.”

“There was a leg and foot in my forceps and a thump, thump in my abdomen,” she wrote.  “Instantly, tears were streaming from my eyes.”

Abortion is different from other surgical procedures she admitted, calling it “violent.”    

“Even when the fetus has no legal status, its moral status is reasonably the subject of much disagreement.  It is disingenuous to argue that removing a fetus from a uterus is no different from removing a fibroid,” she said.

“Of course, acknowledging the violence of abortion risks admitting that the stereotypes that anti-abortion forces hold of us are true - that we are butchers.”

Thomas Peters of the American Papist blog said her post “reveals the sort of extreme cognitive dissonance that is necessary for someone to perform abortions . . . It’s impossible for her to avoid her own humanity - and the humanity of the young human person she is destroying.”

“If anything we’ve ever read has convinced us we need to pray for an end to abortion, for the conversion of those who perform them, and work with greater self-conviction in the knowledge that our cause is just and desperately-needed in this world . . . this was it,” he concludes.

Richard O’Connor

Pearl City. IL

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative 89th District

Certainly the news of the week at the Illinois Capital was Governor Quinn’s State of the State address on Wednesday, January 13th.

At a time when our state is experiencing its worst financial crisis ever, anticipation was high as the Governor stepped to the podium in the House of Representatives. Our chamber is the largest so protocol dictates that our Senators, along with other state elected officials pack in with us for the address. The Governor spoke for an hour and twenty minutes without a teleprompter or a written speech, glancing down only occasionally at his notes for correct pronunciation of the name of someone he wanted to acknowledge. Say what you will, that’s impressive.

Many will say the Governor’s address was little more than a campaign speech, but I see it a little differently. First and foremost, the Governor’s honesty and integrity are refreshing. Fault him politically as much as you wish, but there’s no question that he is a man who truly loves the “Land of Lincoln.” I have personally seen him demonstrate his sincerity time and time again over the past year. There is little doubt he truly wants to fix our problems.

The Governor spoke of reopening our state parks that had been closed by our former Governor (his name started with a “B”, but I’m trying hard to forget). Governor Quinn was successful in working with the General Assembly to pass a capital plan to rebuild roads, bridges and schools and to create jobs, the first comprehensive statewide capital plan in ten years. However, he failed to mention that the plan has yet to be funded, which is necessary before we can actually put people to work.

He addressed the need to help the poor and quoted a scripture passage that says “when you save one life, you save the whole world.” I’m not sure where that is in scripture, but I readily admit that I’m no Biblical Scholar.

The Governor addressed Thomson Prison and spoke of General David Petraeus telling President Obama that Gitmo must be closed, which made his decision to move forward on the sale of Thomson to the Federal Government much easier.

The Governor talked about Illinois’ rail system and specifically noted that a Chicago to Rockford and beyond line is a priority.

He went on to commend our own State Representative Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville), a sitting school superintendent, and Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling) for their excellent work on education reform, including “Race to the Top”, an Obama administration initiative which could create more than $400 million for Illinois’ education system. He also addressed our MAP program, college financial aid for Illinois Scholars, but again failed to mention that we have yet to fund the program.

Finally, he mentioned our severe budget crisis, noting that he has cut more than $2 billion since taking office. He did not address what I believe we were all waiting for - our $6 billion in unpaid bills owed to state providers. Many of these payments are more than 180 days in arrears.

The Governor commended the young men and women who graduate from high school and go on to serve in the military (kudos from me as well). I know personally that he has never missed a funeral for any of the 272 Illinoisans who have given their last full measure for their country in recent years. That will always speak volumes to me.

Of course, much more was said; these are simply some of the highlights. I was hoping for more from the Governor’s State of the State address. The Governor knows I will sit down with him anytime to work toward solutions to the issues important to Northwest Illinois and the state. All in all, it wasn’t bad for a guy speaking from a few handwritten notes.

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at or e-mail us at . You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.