VOTE TODAY IN CHICAGO!
March 20th, 2012 by Shorty
Today is election day in Chicago and you need to go and exercise your right to vote. Remember, your vote is your voice. If you don’t take time to do so, you have no right to complain.
Image: congressheightsontherise
9 Reasons Why Politicians Should Blog
March 19th, 2012 by Shorty
As a politician, your life is not your own. It belongs to everyone you serve – especially your constituents. As a public figure, communication is essential. Blogs allow you to do that and more. Keep reading to find out why you should blog as a politician.
1. Share information and answer questions quickly
A blog will allow you to share information; report new developments with your constituents; and answer questions quickly. This is also an opportunity to respond to people’s questions and concerns, which will help build your credibility and relationships.
2. Create own media coverage
As a politician you are always the target of opponents and the media. They will attempt to make you look bad and unqualified through lies, misinformation and sound bites. Both will point out everything they think you did wrong during your term. A blog is your opportunity to respond with accurate information and defend yourself.
3. Conversations with constituents
This is by far one of the biggest benefits of a blog. Because technology has overtaken the personal and professional lives of individuals, people who may never come into your office or call you may reach out to you on your blog blog. Be sure to respond if only to acknowledge receipt of the message. This may turn skeptics into supporters, lead to ongoing discussions or solve short-term issues.
4. Share platform
This is the best place to let people know your position on issues and why you feel the way you do. This will draw supporters and critics, but at least people know where you stand.
5. Get young people interested in politics
I only have three words: Learn from Obama. President Barack Obama reached out to young voters using social media tools including blogs. Because he spoke to them directly and honestly, he gained the support of many.
6. Find out what’s going on in the community
This is pretty much free market research because people will tell you what they like and don’t like. They will also let you know what’s going on in your service areas by their praise and complaints. All you have to do is read and respond accordingly.
7. Promote events
Politicians are always holding events. Post them all on your blog. The information may be found by people you don’t serve directly but may be interested in supporting you.
8. Reach national audiences
Because blogs are worldwide, you just never know who’s reading your site. Your blog will more likely be read if it’s found on the first page of Google, Yahoo and other search engines.
9. Raise funds
This is the ultimate goal but you have to build relationships through those conversations on your blog. It will be easier to ask for and receive financial support.
Above are reasons why you should blog as a politician. If done correctly, your communication will help you build long-term relationships, gain new supporters – locally and globally, and get you the funds you need to keep growing. Contact us to get your blog started today!
Image: theblogofrecord
Check out Shorty’s Blogging Q & A Session at Beverly Library – Saturday, March 17, 2012
March 16th, 2012 by Shorty
Do you want to know the difference between a website & a blog?
Would you like to know how a blog can help benefit your community?
If so, check out my Blogging Q & A Session from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Beverly Library located at 1962 West 95th Street.
See you there!!
About Marcie:
Marcie Hill is a gifted writer, blogger and live blogger. She turned her loves into The Write Design Company, an organization that provides corporate writing and blogging training and services to organizations of all sizes. She has been blogging for four years and owns and manages three blogs. She has authored two eBooks: The ABCs of Blogging: Blogging Basics from A to Z and The ABCs of Live Blogging: Quick Tips for Live Blogging Success. The ABCs of Live Blogging is the first book ever published on the topic. Additionally, her works can be found on ProBlogger, Basic Blog Tips and BlogWorld.
7th Graders Can Now Apply for The Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Application
March 15th, 2012 by Shorty
The Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program (JKC YS) is a highly competitive national scholarship program that is open for academically talented 7th graders. If awarded, the scholar will be given academic and financial support through high school and college.
Application is available Now. The deadline to return application is April 16, 2012 and there are No Extensions.
A ) For 4 years of high school students could get computers, software, online classes, music/art support, summer programs, etc.
- Students will have an individual advisor to help plan and prepare them for a top tier university
B ) For 4 years of college–student is supported as long as they maintain grades
C ) Eligibility
- Only 7th graders can apply, one time opportunity.
- Since 6th grade students have to have A’s and B’s in core subjects
- Family Adjusted Gross Income below 80,000
- Parents or Guardians do not have a graduate or professional degree
Families can obtain a paper application and get more information from http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/jkc/. If you have questions about the scholarship, feel free to contact Tammie Stewart, Manager Community Outreach/Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program at 847-491-7127 or tammie-stewart@northwestern.edu and to pass this information along to others.
Image: wmitchell.edu
Exclusive: Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. on Jobs, President Obama’s Healthcare Plan and Former Governor Rod Blagojevich
March 14th, 2012 by Shorty
Marcie Hill & Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Note: This article is not an endorsement of any political candidates. I am sharing contents of an interview between Rev. January (Rev. J) from Vernon Park Church of God and Jesse Jackson, Jr., Congressman, Second Congressional District. Also, please note that this is longer than the other posts on my site.
Reverend Jerald January & Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Rev. J asked Congressman Jackson three questions about very specific topics:
- Job creation and economic development
- President Obama’s Health Care Plan
- Congressman’s relationship with former Governor Rod Blagojevich
Here’s what Congressman Jackson had to say….
On Job Creation and Economic Development
“The region is segregated economically. On the north side, there are 3 jobs for every 1 person. On the south side and south suburbs, there are 3 people to 1 job.” In the past, the south side was a manufacturing-based economy; what’s lacking now are service-based jobs. “That’s what’s making downtown Chicago work. That’s what makes North Michigan Avenue and North State Street different from South Michigan Avenue and South State Street – the hotels, cabs and economic development. The key to service-based economy is O’Hare Airport, Midway, McCormick Place and Navy Pier.”
“On the south side, the service-based economy stops at The Museum of Science and Industry. If we are able to extend the service-based economy, like having Pullman on 130th Street declared a national park service site or like building an airport in the south region, we begin to turn our economy around because we extend the service-based economy beyond where the old manufacturing-based economy used to be.”
On Jobs for Youth
“Often times, politicians talk about summer jobs, but the fact of the matter is, our parents need jobs, our grandparents needs jobs. Increasingly in our homes, there’s not just one breadwinner. Both husband and wife have to earn a living in order for families to make ends meet.
On the New Airport
“It is now, for the first time in 17 years in the heart of the Second Congressional District. I’ve been arguing for building a new airport, but it was outside of the district. With redistricting, it is a solely whole subset of the Second Congressional District. I convinced Governor George Ryan to begin buying land. I convinced Governor Rod Blagovich to keep buying land. I’ve convinced Governor Quinn to keep assembling the inaugural footprint, and now we are heading to condemnation proceedings on the final 3 parcels in order to build the airport. And we have toggled together 21 home-ruled governments in the Second Congressional District that have a check from a Canadian Company that’s willing to build a $700 million facility on that land and put 15,000 people to work.” Apparently, the government of Canada supports this project which will be delivered on time.
This airport will give our community “access to 15,000 jobs and over time that new airport will create 350,000 jobs for the south side of Chicago and south suburbs. And the economic impact will be just like O’Hare has done for the Kennedy [expressway] and the Edens [expressway] and all the communities between Chicago and O’Hare but also between O’Hare and beyond. The same can be said of the Southland Airport. In South Cook County, Will County and Cook County – it’s [the airport] regional impact will be unprecedented. There is no public works program that will provide more jobs than this project.
On President’s Obama Healthcare Plan
“First and foremost, the President recognizes that healthcare costs are spiraling out of control, and unless we rein them in, the long-term cost to the deficit, to the debt and to the nation, more specifically, are devastating. And so we have to reform healthcare. The American Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, some people choose to call it, is an effort to do just that. It seeks to provide insurance for millions of Americans who have been uncovered. It seeks to provide a mandate for every American who want healthcare to do their part in helping reform costs. It seeks to rein in doctors and excessive insurance agencies…I’m confident that we’re moving closer and closer to Medicare for all. We’re moving closer and closer to a single pare system where every American has healthcare. But the necessary first step in that is the President’s healthcare initiative, which I support.”
On Former Governor Rod Blagojevich
“I offered him nothing and he offered me nothing. I’ve served in the Congress of the United States for nearly 17 years and I met a young, upbeat, vibrant African American male who wanted to be United States Senator. He came and met with me, and encouraged me to consider running for the U.S. Senate. And I said, ‘No, I can’t. I’ve got a lot of work to do in the Second Congressional District,’ and I deferred.” Congressman Jackson and the late Senator Paul Simon served as national co-chairs of Barack Obama’s senate campaign. Jackson also co-chaired President Obama’s presidential campaign.
After the President’s victory, “Names were being bantered about and thrown out as possible candidates [for the senate’s seat]. Of course, I threw my name out there. I deferred.”
“But nothing will ever change the basic facts of this particular case, that I offered him nothing. On the stand they said I offered him nothing. When I took the stand, I was not impeached by the prosecution or by the defense in terms of my credibility. I’m innocent, at least I should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. But for 3 years, having not been convicted of a crime; having never been before a grand jury; having never been charged with a crime, the presumption of innocence has never been afforded me by the mainstream media.”
“They think ‘there must be something there’ or ‘there must be something we don’t know.’ Well, there is nothing there. And 3 years later, we continue to keep hope alive for the people of the Second Congressional District. If that’s my lot in life, so be it.”
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These are Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s words on job creation and economic development; on President Obama’s Healthcare Plan; and on his relationship with Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Happy 175th Birthday Chicago!
March 4th, 2012 by ShortyChicago became an official part of Illinois on March 4, 1837. It is by far the greatest city in the United States today. Take time to celebrate today!
Have You Been Unemployed for Longer Than a Month?
February 29th, 2012 by Shorty
If you have, International TV station, Swiss TV, from Switzerland, wants to speak with you. They will be coming to Chicago the second week of March working on a story about the economy. Specifically, they want to interview a person who is trying to find a job and has been unemployed for a while. If this is you, contact Vicky Baftiri at vbaftiri@hotmail.com.
Please call me so I can give you more details. 312-505-7770
Were You a Soul Train Dancer?
February 8th, 2012 by ShortyAs we continue to mourn the loss of legendary Don Cornelius, the genius behind Soul Train, what better way to honor him than to hear from the people who were blessed to work with him?
If you were a Soul Train Dancer from any era, please share your memories, images and videos. We would love to hear from you!
Shorty’s note: As you can see, the outfits got a little smaller over the years, but nothing beats good music and watching people have a great time. Well, except being one of those people having a great time.
Images: chicagoist, exxtrafoxxmusic, flickr
Did You Know Black History Month Started in Chicago?
February 1st, 2012 by Shorty
Carter G. Woodson - The Father of Black History
Black History Month actually started as Negro History Week in 1926, but it has roots in Chicago beginning in 1915.
One of my historical heroes, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, started Negro History Week to celebrate the post-slavery accomplishments of the race. He was the first person to acknowledge and record black people’s progress in politics, education, economics and other aspects of society since 1865. He conducted studies and recorded them in the Negro History Journal. People started to acknowledge his findings, and the study of Negro history grew. In fact, it was actually taught in schools around the country. In 1976, exactly 50 years after the initial celebration of Negro History, Black History Month was created. Of course, this is a condensed version of the story. But I wanted to recognize Chicago’s role in this historical event.
People always ask why Black History Month is celebrated during the shortest month of the year. Because Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln- two people Dr. Woodson admired – were born and celebrated during this month.
I also want to encourage people to join in the celebrations around the city during the month, but also keep it alive throughout the year. I know that DuSable Museum of African American History, Museum of Science and Industry and the Chicago Public Library have events lined up. Where are other events taking place?
Lastly, I am reading The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson this month. Feel free to join me.
How are you going to observe Black History Month? What are you going to do to make sure young people know about the contributions of African Americans past and present?