September 21, 2004
Get out the Vote - REGISTER
Woody Allen has famously said that 90 percent of success is showing up. That’s true of democracy too. Some would argue that the other 10 is making sure you’re registered beforehand.
It’s easy to be cynical about politics and to believe that one vote barely matters. But consider these facts:
John F. Kennedy’s 1960 victory over Richard Nixon—a victory that ultimately led to sweeping changes in civil rights laws, the first great wave of space exploration, and the creation of Medicare—was decided by just 100,000 votes nationwide.
In 1994, the year Republicans won both houses of Congress, the redistribution of about 10,000 votes nationally would have kept Congress in Democratic hands.
Connecticut Democrat Sam Gejdenson, won reelection by twenty-one votes in 1994. “All you need is one,” he remarked; “the rest are for your ego.”
The democratic political process isn’t perfect. Winston Churchill once said it’s the worst system for governance “except for every other system that has ever been tried.” Often, you may find no candidate who completely reflects your views. But as voter participation has declined—from nearly two-thirds of eligible voters in 1960 to less than half in many national elections today—strong and decidedly undemocratic forces have stepped in to fill the void.
In a democracy, the future isn’t something that just happens; it’s something we shape for ourselves, together.
Special-interest lobbyists get the government they pay for only when we stay home from the polls—only when we abdicate the electoral power that is mightier than any soft-money check, more decisive than any million-dollar ad blitz or corporate misinformation campaign.
Relevant Links:
- State of Illinois Registration Info
- Your Vote Matters.org
- Declare Yourself - hip looking nonpartisan Youth Outreach group
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01:45 PM
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September 20, 2004
Great Photo Site of Chicago
Chicago Uncommon Photographs
these pictures are by Dawn Mikulich and there are tons of great shots and very well organized.
Posted by mark at
03:09 PM
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September 19, 2004
New Site for Delivery and Dining Menus
There is a new way to find out who delivers to your door and they have coupons and menus too. They don't take the online orders, but that is ok.
It really caught my eye because of the innovative use of mapping technology where you get to click on the map where YOU are, and the system tells you which places will deliver to you.
keeps the disappointment factor a lot lower so you don't get excited about a certain place only to find they dont deliver to your area.
GrubHub - Chicago Food Delivery Guide
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10:49 AM
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September 16, 2004
CTA tattler
Kjo, or Kevin? brings us another CTA diary... CTA tattler
Posted by mark at
06:26 PM
thisisgrand.org
Jonathan Messinger brings us stories from the CTA... This is Grand
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06:19 PM
September 11, 2004
ChicagoFilm.com- New Magazine
ChicagoFilm.com
...is a new online magazine and e-mail newsletter aimed at actively promoting Chicago’s vibrant film culture.
ChicagoFilm.com focuses on Chicago’s creators and producers, the events they’re attending, and the films they’re excited about.
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01:26 PM
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September 09, 2004
Avoid Dining Violations
Food Establishment Inspection Data Search
this is a great little search engine that tells you about recent health inspections. We gotta figure out how to link this up!
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05:21 PM
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September 08, 2004
Smoke-Free Restaurants List -- by city health dept.
Smoke-Free Restaurants
The Chicago Smoke-Free Restaurant Recognition Program is raising public awareness to the hazards of second-hand smoke to create a healthier, smoke-free environment for all restaurant patrons and to highlight Chicago restaurants that have voluntarily adopted a 100% smoke-free policy.
Restaurants are acknowledged with:
a certificate – suitable for framing – from the Governor of Illinois,
a sticker to announce that they are smoke-free,
a congratulatory letter from the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, and
a listing on both the Illinois and Chicago Department of Public Health web sites.
Restaurants must be:
within the 606 Zip codes,
100% smoke-free, and
eat-in.
For more information call 312-746-9367 or send email to: smokefree@cdph.org
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05:19 PM
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