A person with an irrational belief system is insane, A small group with an irrational belief system is a cult. A group of thousands with an irrational belief system is a sect. A group of millions with an irrational belief system is a religion. Clearly the Chicago City Council can only receive solace and wisdom from the last.
EZ, thank you for putting a broader perspective on the statistics showing police shooting are "far less the result of the racism of individual police officers than of historical, systemic racism."
Thankfully, there are far fewer, if any, examples of systemically racist laws or policies in Government or publicly traded entities in today's world. I hope that trend continues to spread to private entities and to individuals of all races.
Regarding reserved teacher parking: When I worked in Evanston (school librarian) there was often no parking available, and towing signs up, due to snow or other restrictions. The school did not reserve spaces for teachers. It often took a long time to finally find somewhere to park, and then we had to walk a distance to get to school on time. Moving to another suburban school was bliss---they had a teacher/visitor parking lot!
EZ, could you explain what you mean by "community disinvestment". The term is commonly used by Lightfoot and Johnson as an excuse for crime and other problems in Chicago that city government should correct, but it is never specifically defined. I understand the terrible history of red-lining and Jim Crow, but in the last forty years, other than closing or consolidating schools in some neighborhoods due to low enrollment, what has the city government done to "disinvest" in these troubled neighborhoods? Close parks, shut down transit stops, leave streets unimproved? What public infrastructure, or youth programs does the city provide on the north side that they do not on the south side? Are you talking about the businesses and large employers that have left these neighborhoods? Is that something that can be blamed on the city government? When neighborhoods are on the upswing and private businesses and new housing move in I hear complaints of the evils of "gentrification". I have only lived here for the last twelve years so please educate me.
“I don’t know that they’re insincere. And I don’t know what a neutral, functional definition of “religion” is if not an attitude or belief about the supernatural. I don’t particularly want government in the position of taking sides about what a valid or respectable belief is about God or gods or a lack thereof.” -- Zorn
It might be that invoking the presence of the biblical “evil one” with a “Hail Satan” at the start of the Chicago City Council meetings is problematic; and -- recognizing the devil and asserting the spiritual reality -- may seem offensive to some Christians and many other people of various secular views and/or faiths because it is the equivalent of welcoming a/their spiritual nemesis into the assembly:
“Your adversary, the devil (Satan), prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8)” … “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10)” … and … “You (religious hypocrites) are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).”
So, if the Chicago City Counsel takes a neutral position on this, what is its moral and/or ethical position? After all, we know the biblical characterization of Satan is as an evil being causing universal havoc in the world: Is this a good or evil – if symbolic and/or real -- influence to invoke for Chicago?
I agree with Eric that Chicago is best to steer clear (1st Amendment) of imposing religious interpretations onto the public; but isn’t that equally true of any ideology that can be considered “religious” … like atheism, satanism, or Christianity for example? And, aren’t many moral/ethical/legal positions in Chicago tied into these more traditional definitions, like the secular outlawing of murder and thievery?
But then again, on its face, maybe the evil Satan already feels quite cozy, welcome, and comfortable in Chicago and at the Chicago City Council meetings; … and there is no real change needed or offense indicated when invoking Satan in this obfuscating matter to be concerned about at all.
A person with an irrational belief system is insane, A small group with an irrational belief system is a cult. A group of thousands with an irrational belief system is a sect. A group of millions with an irrational belief system is a religion. Clearly the Chicago City Council can only receive solace and wisdom from the last.
Jesus on a repair truck looks like a South Park Canadian.
For me, this tweet needs explanation: "Veggies see you reach for pudding".
EZ, thank you for putting a broader perspective on the statistics showing police shooting are "far less the result of the racism of individual police officers than of historical, systemic racism."
Thankfully, there are far fewer, if any, examples of systemically racist laws or policies in Government or publicly traded entities in today's world. I hope that trend continues to spread to private entities and to individuals of all races.
Regarding reserved teacher parking: When I worked in Evanston (school librarian) there was often no parking available, and towing signs up, due to snow or other restrictions. The school did not reserve spaces for teachers. It often took a long time to finally find somewhere to park, and then we had to walk a distance to get to school on time. Moving to another suburban school was bliss---they had a teacher/visitor parking lot!
EZ, could you explain what you mean by "community disinvestment". The term is commonly used by Lightfoot and Johnson as an excuse for crime and other problems in Chicago that city government should correct, but it is never specifically defined. I understand the terrible history of red-lining and Jim Crow, but in the last forty years, other than closing or consolidating schools in some neighborhoods due to low enrollment, what has the city government done to "disinvest" in these troubled neighborhoods? Close parks, shut down transit stops, leave streets unimproved? What public infrastructure, or youth programs does the city provide on the north side that they do not on the south side? Are you talking about the businesses and large employers that have left these neighborhoods? Is that something that can be blamed on the city government? When neighborhoods are on the upswing and private businesses and new housing move in I hear complaints of the evils of "gentrification". I have only lived here for the last twelve years so please educate me.
Not sure you read Marge C.’s comment correctly.
“I don’t know that they’re insincere. And I don’t know what a neutral, functional definition of “religion” is if not an attitude or belief about the supernatural. I don’t particularly want government in the position of taking sides about what a valid or respectable belief is about God or gods or a lack thereof.” -- Zorn
It might be that invoking the presence of the biblical “evil one” with a “Hail Satan” at the start of the Chicago City Council meetings is problematic; and -- recognizing the devil and asserting the spiritual reality -- may seem offensive to some Christians and many other people of various secular views and/or faiths because it is the equivalent of welcoming a/their spiritual nemesis into the assembly:
“Your adversary, the devil (Satan), prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8)” … “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10)” … and … “You (religious hypocrites) are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).”
So, if the Chicago City Counsel takes a neutral position on this, what is its moral and/or ethical position? After all, we know the biblical characterization of Satan is as an evil being causing universal havoc in the world: Is this a good or evil – if symbolic and/or real -- influence to invoke for Chicago?
I agree with Eric that Chicago is best to steer clear (1st Amendment) of imposing religious interpretations onto the public; but isn’t that equally true of any ideology that can be considered “religious” … like atheism, satanism, or Christianity for example? And, aren’t many moral/ethical/legal positions in Chicago tied into these more traditional definitions, like the secular outlawing of murder and thievery?
But then again, on its face, maybe the evil Satan already feels quite cozy, welcome, and comfortable in Chicago and at the Chicago City Council meetings; … and there is no real change needed or offense indicated when invoking Satan in this obfuscating matter to be concerned about at all.