Stuck in the Past
Ald. Stone is old. But he looks a lot older than he is. If you've seen Stone's recent "mailer," and I use that word loosely, since it was dropped by our house on Shabbat, or yesterday's appearance on channel 7, you've seen how bad Stone looks. He is so drawn, so poor looking that his false teeth stand out prominently.
Perhaps it is not only his health that is in doubt. His campaign seems to be based upon his accomplishments in the 1970s. Unlike Mayor Daley, who has lots of goals and things he wants to accomplish, Stone only voices interest in living longer. The 50th Ward? That may get his attention when he's awake. Longevity seems to require more naps. But Stone has a great scam going: he gets paid to nap! He even fenaggled a pay increase for napping. What a guy!
Stone says he's busier than ever. Busy doing nothing, it seems. All around the city, you see things getting better. Not in the 50th. The trash on the main streets is so obvious that even the most jaded person will notice. And you have to wonder how many city employees in the 50th take their cue from Berny and sleep on the job.
I wonder if he'll give them a pay raise for napping.
But Berny Stone isn't the only person who seems stuck in the past. Many of his supporters dwell there, too. This blog has become the focus of some of the most hateful, spitful Stone supporters. Their vitriol is not only extreme, it can have no other purpose than to intimidate. Speaking truth to power requires a vapid response, to Stone's way of thinking. Like Saddam, if you don't like him, then you are at least supposed to fear him.
But what can Stone and his supporters do? Humiliate us? Threaten us AGAIN?
Quite frankly, if you saw all the attempted postings I see you'd wonder why anyone wants to live here. One commenter even questioned that. I realize that most of the Stone commenters here are probably on his payroll (probably blogging from city equipment, as well), so they have much at stake. Ald. Stone is their meal ticket. If Stone is not re-elected, what will they do?
But that's not the point. The point is that my generation no longer harkens back to the World War Two era. Genocide and ethnic cleansing are repugnant, no matter who it effects. More to the point, Stone is so old and so tied to the non-Jewish establishment that he fails to notice when our community is under real threat. We can expect more neglect as he gets older.
This is not a man who takes care of his own. Berny Stone is someone who looks after himself. Period. If there were real anti-Semites in the area, Berny Stone will be the last to notice.
Until they come for him.
Stone's eagerness to play the anti-Semite card only tells us that he feels threatened. The problem is that he's cried wolf so often, and always around this time of the election cycle. I'm immune. The only anti-Semite out there is the one Ald. Stone has conjured up so that he can get his pay raise. The wolf may be at Stone's door, but it's the wolf of voter discontent, not the spector of anti-Semitism.
Berny Stone just can't tell the difference. Can you?
Labels: 50th Ward, Alderman, Berny Stone, Chicago, corruption, Election
18 Comments:
50th: Bernard Stone, who turns 80 this year, says he is determined to serve another term, maybe two -- and not install his daughter in the grand style Chicago knows all too well. But his aloof old-school politics no longer serve his evolving ward. With a notable rise
in Asian Americans, people of color make up nearly half of its residents. The time is right for Naisy Dolar to become the first Asian-American alderman -- and, at 34, the Council's youngest member. She's energetic, has deep roots in the Devon Avenue area and as a former human relations liaison with the city, is experienced at building coalitions. Architect Greg Brewer, whose strong suit is development, is an impressive candidate. Technology consultant Salman Aftab is shadowed by a series of criminal arrests.
Naisy Dolar is endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times! It's time for Naisy Dolar to replace Stone.
I like this post - it's much more uniting. I found the last post to be devisive.
I found another post I also liked on a new 50th Ward blog:
five-ohblog.blogspot.com
> Stone ... fails to notice when our community is under real threat.
Do you feel our community is under threat?
What is the nature of the threat as you see it?
thanks
First as one of the Stone Bloggers who just ot done with another 10 days at work for the tax payers,9 get paid foe 8) I dont sleep on the Job, In fact I loose sleep working long hours.( JS do you actually work for a living?)
Second Why is it intimidation when A person want to blog for Stone and it is freedom of expression when some blogs for someone else.
Its not stone who is calling my house 2 or 3 times a day with recod calls full of half truth and lies from unions( SEIU for instance) whos former city member were layed off because they cant come to work on a regular Basis)
Now thats intimidation.
It is freedom of expression or speech either way. It's not the anti-Stone bloggers who want to silence freedom of speech, but other Stone bloggers, who wish to silence those who oppose Ald. Stone, it seems.
I applaud you, if you are freely blogging for Stone. That's exactly why I set up this blog, to allow everyone a chance to speak their mind.
I like living in the 50th, it's diversity is interesting to me. I moved here as an adult so what I have heard is that Stone WAS good for the 50th, many years ago. If the alderspawn didn't live in my neighborhood, I still wouldn't vote Stone this year. He needs to retire.I know a few people that are "older and wiser" and their knowledge can be gleaned by the younger folk. Refusing to retire is just proving a fear...fear of admitting one has gotten older. Better to fear it than to prove it and take the ward down too. Hop that plane to Arizona Zadie, we'll visit soon.....
So now both the Tribune and Sun-Times have endorsed Naisy Dolar!
WOW
There are plenty of ignorant postings here. Not many people stick to the issues and most people don’t even know what they’re talking about as far as the ward services, bike path, improvements ETC. From my past experience I get better service calling the ward office than calling 311. I see people calling Stone old he may be old but Wise and Experienced. Do these three candidates opposing Stone even know what their doing?? As Stone once said they haven’t even gotten their feet wet!! Change may be good but none of the 3 candidates could fill Stones shoes. You want change go to the ward office to voice your opinion. Who knows you may have good ideas, or get your questions answered. I am ashamed to live in this ward for 50+ years and see so such hatred. May the Wise man win!!
I'm feeling really uncomfortable with some of the rhetoric and ageism directed against Stone. Why not focus on the strengths of your candidate?
I used to attend a lot of zoning and building meetings and Stone was there and active. Too much has been made of his catnap.
I'm voting for Brewer because I do not what to vote in Stone's daughter and I was disgusted by the aldermanic payraise that Stone sponsored--but I don't think all this negativity is in order or justified.
Dear WOW,
It is nice that you live in the clean part of the ward. You must live in the Jewish quarter.
The rest of us suffer from severe neglect. Call 311? They will tell you that there's nothing they can do in the 50th Ward. Call Ilana? She'll either laugh at you or berate you. It must depend on her "mood."
I shouldn't have to be Jewish or live in the Jewish area to get the services I pay for. But you sure are lucky!
to 11:19 WOW, you keep cutting&pasting the same thoughtless posting.
>I see people calling Stone old he may be old but Wise and Experienced. Do these three candidates opposing Stone even know what their doing?? As Stone once said they haven’t even gotten their feet wet!! <
Did Stone know what he was doing when he started out as alderman back in the 70s? How did Stone get his feet wet? Does Stone get things done for you because you are his SPECIAL friend or because you have simply requested a city service that is owed to you as a taxpaying 50th ward resident?
p.s I don't like his swearing. There was a time when people accepted the N word for blacks and the K word for Jewish people...vulgar labels, but that time is long gone, as I hope Stone will be.
To "dear WOW": I live in the Jewish quarter and believe me there is some trash up here, one particular piece that may soon be cleaned up. We get street cleaning at least 4 times per year and our streets are plowed after it snows. What about your area? Most of the people I have found to be really decent neighbors, and they are fairly mixed with regard to ethnicity.
I do NOT live in the Jewish part of the ward and I do get service when I have asked for it. Some requests are out of the Aldermans hands as other departments have a schedule to keep as well. Priority items come first and to clarify that the water Dept for example, emergency pipe burst is a priority.The next thing is if its on a main street would be done before a residential street. Some people dont understand this.They claim the Alderman is not working for them. I have asked for service from the Aldermans office and got it quicker than 311 as well. I have not even been it the office of Stone yet.
TO Dear WOW
I do live in the Jewish part of the ward, and the ward should NOT be labeled as the people here are doing.Dividing Religions / Ethnic groups etc. Shame on you. Besides the point I had a water main break and it took the Water Dept a week to come to repair.Yes its done but when calling the Ward office I was told a request was sent upon receiving the complaint and they dont control the Water Dept scheduling. I asked for a number to the water dept and was told by them we have alot of watert main breaks due to the weather and mine will be done soon , also gave me the date the request came in. Sorry I have to disagree with the people posting NO SERVICE> We cannot hold the Alderman responsible for other departments.
JS,
I would like to learn more about the threat you perceive to our community.
thanks
>TO Dear WOW
I do live in the Jewish part of the ward, and the ward should NOT be labeled as the people here are doing.Dividing Religions / Ethnic groups etc. Shame on you.<
Shame on you!
You just labeled! Besides, one instance is different than multiple repeat offenses over the course of many years. You are free to vote, so am I. Why don't you pop in for a visit if you haven't been to the office of Stone yet?
I labeled to let you ignorant people know which part of the ward you refer to for 1 the second is I cannot complain about the services we receive. So many people blame our Alderman for services in which he has no control over. I see that’s what all the other candidates do without knowing the facts. I saw one person complain about speed bumps not being installed, again this is Streets of San not the Alderman, and a petition has to be signed with the majority on the block requesting them.. Our trees get trimmed upon request, again not in the control of the Alderman, as I see Naisy complained about on Touhy Ave stores. Is Naisy going to trim the trees herself if they are not done?? That I got to see. Are the other candidates going to pick up the trash when Streets and San are behind?? All the people blasting the Alderman have no clue what their up against. Believe me they wont make a change.
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