Rep. Lou Lang has resigned from the Governor’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes just one day after he was appointed.
Howard Kaplan has also resigned. He is the immediate past chairman of the commission.
More later.
UPDATE: From Lang’s resignation letter:
I had hoped to use my appointment to overcome the dispute over individuals. Unfortunately, my own appointment is now suddenly drawing unnecessary controversy which risks further undermining the Commission’s larger purpose.
Since the individual commissioners are not more important than the principles and purpose the Commission was designed to serve, I regrettably submit my resignation to free the Commission from any further distraction in its important work, including standing up aggressivley against hate speech from any source.
Kaplan’s letter is supposedly on the way. More later.
UPDATE 2: Governor’s office response to Lang’s resignation:
We accept his resignation and feel the board can and must continue to do its work because its mission of promoting understanding is important.
UPDATE 3: Howard Kaplan’s resignation letter:
Though I am currently out of the country, I have been able to follow recent developments back home. As the first and immediate past Chairperson of the Governor’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (”Commission”) and as the current Chairperson of the Cook County Hate Crimes Prosecution Council, it is with particularly deep regret that I write to you to tender my resignation from the Commission.
The Commission has been tasked with the laudable goals of promoting understanding, fighting intolerance and bridging divides. I fear it is painfully obvious that the Commission as currently constituted is not serving those goals. I cannot serve on a commission that, by implication, accepts divisive and bigoted standards.
I thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of the State of Illinois.
UPDATE 4: I’m told that ABC7 is doing a lengthy live report on this right now.
UPDATE 5: AP now has a story. Nothing much new there, but thought I’d give you the link.
UPDATE 6: Father Pfleger lays the smack-down:
The Rev. Michael Pfleger, the white pastor of a mostly black Chicago church and a friend of Muhammad’s, said Blagojevich would generate enormous anger if he removed Muhammad from the commission.
“If you are not willing to stand up in difficult times, don’t pretend to be a supporter of black issues, of the black community,” Pfleger said. “Now is a test for him.”
- Newshound - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 4:29 pm:
Blago needs to stop this now. Well, really last week. But since it’s too late for that, NOW.
- Bubs - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 4:51 pm:
Told ya Lou Lang wasn’t gong to solve anything.
Now Blago looks dumb and weak, when before it was just dumb.
This has already done political damage, and is nowhere near over. It has potential for LOTS MORE damage, as somebody is gonna have to walk away mad.
He is hemmorraging, but does not appear to have satisfactory options. NOT GOOD in a re-election year.
- oldweaver - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:00 pm:
This is really all the Gov’s fault, and specifically his staff’s. None of it would have been public (and therefore a chance of solution was still possible) if his staff hadn’t told Muhammad of the complaints about her and she hadn’t then started talking publicly about this. It has been one terrible, not funny -at - all comedy of errors from the inner circle of the Governor’s brain trust. I betta’ that had he simply said (anytime between August and last week)that the Commission won’t meet again until his next term begins and then a new group would have been appointed, none of this would have played out this way. As it is, he’s getting what he deserves for his sloppiness and our communities, as a result, are enduring another ugly, dangerous Black-Jewish/ Black-gay conflict. Thanks Blago.
- Common Sense in Illinois - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:10 pm:
Does this make Muhammad Chair?
- Snodgrass - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:11 pm:
Blago is making this a blacks vs. jews issue. As Rich pointed out, it was a mostly irrelevant commission. Now, it is full on crisis.
Entertaining as all hell!!!!!!
- Cassandra - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:15 pm:
I wonder why Blago’s minions at the guv’s office (well paid minions, I’m sure) didn’t google Louis Farrakhan. There’s enough in the Wikipedia bio to give even the tinniest socio-political ear
pause…or at least reason to do a little more research.
- stoney - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:25 pm:
I’ve seen how inept this administration is from the inside. I’m never surprised when something blows up in their face. There are a lot of screw ups that happen on an almost daily basis in many departments in Blagojevich’s domain that can be traced to his appointed (politcal) staff. The only surprise for me is that more of them aren’t out in the open for all to see.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:33 pm:
Where is the gay community? All we have heard from so far is an apologist for the Gov. Are gay rights groups just leaving it to the Jewish community to fight having a spokesperson for a bigot remain on a hate crimes commission?
- Establishment Republican - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:38 pm:
Earlier today, the Republican Jewish Coalition and its Chicago Chapter President, Dr. Michael Menis sent out another press release criticizing the Governor on this and expressing disappointment that Lang would agree to fill a vacancy.
Something obviously had an effect on Lang.
This story is just snowballing more and more by the day and Blagojevich just did not have enough political sense to do what Bill Clinton did to Lani Gaunier and cut all this off.
Somebody needs to make a television ad featuring the Farrakhan Savior’s Day speech as soon as possible and highlight Blagojevich’s role in this whole saga.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:43 pm:
Hi Anon..5:33 Rep. McKeon spoke pretty well at the press conference as a gay man and as a human being. He called on her to be removed.
These events are unfolding so quickly it is easy for earlier statements to get lost. McKeon’s remarks, and unfortunately the true hateful depth of Farakkan’s remarks.
I saw ABC news say that Frakkan was “critical” of jews. Critical? He said the Congress is controlled by the synagouge of Satan and that it is good to hate.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:49 pm:
To: grand old,
That was a delete worthy remark.
- Jimmy P. - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 6:04 pm:
ABC-7`s Andy Shaw reported at 5PM that there could be another resignation coming later today and it would be a representative of the gay and lesbian community. This story is snowballing and somebody in authority needs to act. Is there anybody home in Ravenswood Manor?
- Anon - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 6:21 pm:
Wouldn’t it be a pretty sight to see if all of the people on this commission resign except Muhammad?
- Anon 1 Million - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 6:27 pm:
I can not see the posted comments. THANKS!!!!
- Anon 1 Million - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 6:29 pm:
Fixed. THANKS!!!!
- Trucker Buddy - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 8:05 pm:
I’ll volunteer. I have the much needed experience, I have been hated by the Gov ever since he took office!! Even though Elvis was a trucker!!!
- Anon 1 Million - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 8:06 pm:
Interesting…Lou could have cashed out big time! If he stayed on the Commission, and did Blago’s dirty work he could have secured a big time appointment, cashed-out and retired at the appropriate time. Either the pressure from his constituency was too great, or he saw the light. Whatever the reason, he’s got my praise!! Good Move Lou. Wonder what MJM and Emil think. Run hard and run fast JBT, the race is in your pocket!!!!!!
- MJW Minion - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 8:20 pm:
It is absolutely incredible how inept the Governor’s people are. The sad thing is there were plenty of ex House and Senate Dem staffers that were available to be hired by this administration, people with experience in Springfield, that were not considered and not hired. The Governor chose to bring in people either from D.C. or the City of Chicago. While that experience is good, Illinois experience would have served Blago much better. The few successful political hires have been ex-staffers. To say there was a “lack of Democratic political talent” is just plain wrong (the excuse given for why so many were brought in with no state govt. experience). Now they are paying the price.
I am glad I did not cast an early ballot. I may just vote for Eisendrath, even though I have always thought of the guy as plain weird. I can’t vote for Blago. Neither the original appointment of the NOI woman nor the backlash from the Jewish community bothers me that much.
What does concern me greatly are the amateurs Blago has on staff. Also, Blago’s lack of decisiveness is very troubling. No one on HDems staff ever thought the guy would be elected statewide. US House, maybe. He was thought of as childish then and many things he has done since taking office have reinforced that notion.
Maybe I will write in Dick Mell for Governor!
- Remember Steve Coakley - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 8:30 pm:
I have seen Cheryl Jackson the Governors PR person on a cable TV show caller Munir & Friends a few times, last month she was on promoting an event with the Gov and Twista the Rap Star from Chicago, The show was a Blago lovefest.
- Papa Legba - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 8:53 pm:
Yo Gov! I guess the “I didn’t know” excuse only works for comedy shows.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:23 pm:
“The sad thing is there were plenty of ex House and Senate Dem staffers that were available to be hired by this administration, people with experience in Springfield, that were not considered and not hired. The Governor chose to bring in people either from D.C. or the City of Chicago.”
- Sorry they didn’t hire you and your pals. You sound more than qualified than any of the others, based on your post alone.
- From D.C.? You mean, like people who worked with him in his last job!? Heavens no!
- And last time I checked, Chicago was still in Illinois. It still makes up the largest chunk of the state. And the percentage of people from Chicago on the gov’s staff seems to be pretty small - especially compared to the population distribution in the state.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:32 pm:
Meow
- marcus - Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 11:37 pm:
So help me out here: Ms. Muhammad is being villified for being on the “Hate Crimes Panel” because? What again? Can you explain to me again why? I think I missed it. Was there some quote or something that SHE engaged in? Or was it an example of a black person deciding to, well, make their own decision as to whom they will listen to? There are lots of smart people here, help me with my ignorance….
- say WhAT? - Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 12:09 am:
Coakley, you wouldn’t believe how much state money they blew on that Twista event. Live TV cameras, satellite trucks, I was at the main venue for it, and I hope the remote locations watching the TV feeds of the show had better attendance… There were barely 80 people where I was. They tried to jam us all together to make us look like a bigger crowd.
- Mountain, I meant Mountain - Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 12:11 am:
If Muhammad will not meet with the moron, perhaps the moron will come to Muhammad?
- bored now - Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 5:54 am:
marcus, i’ll try to be helpful. ms muhammad is being criticized because, well, she represents a hate group. perhaps you believe that she would be on the panel if she wasn’t a representative of the nation of islam, but you would probably be in a minority.
perhaps you should consider the quandry: should a representative of a “hate group” be a member of a panel that is supposed to monitor hate groups? see the problem?
- DOWNSTATE - Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 6:46 am:
WOW this is starting to make me dizzy.Talk about a nice shot for all the other canidates if they can’t capiltize on this they had better get out of the race.Nothing like a self destruct.
- ZC - Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 10:16 am:
This is a mess, but it’s a long time before Election Day.
On the other hand, that’s plenty of time in which Rod can do something ELSE stupid … sigh.
- Jacko - Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 10:30 am:
I think the solution will be easy. Eventually they will put people on the commission who do not have a problem with the Nation of Islam. They will simply hire more people like Ms. Muhammad, then no one will need to resign.
Then the mainstream media will ignore it, and the problem will go away.
Watch and see.
- leigh - Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 10:58 am:
If I were the powers that be, I would dissolve the commision and then start a newly named commission that doesn’t include representatives from hate groups. Why in the world would any black or white leader defend the Nation of Islam, knowing that they preach intolerance. It is not even up for debate, do these people listen to what Farrakahn says?
- MJW Minion - Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 2:51 pm:
Anon 9:23pm–although it was disappointing at first not being hired by the administration, I am glad it worked out the way it did. I prefer working for adults and people who actually know how to govern. After the record breaking, ridiculous 2004 special session, I was thanking my lucky stars I did not work for the administration. My introduction to the guy from New York-the Deputy Gov, I forget his name (probably that subconcious theory where your mind blocks out unpleasant experiences) and his stunning ignorance of Illinois made me steer clear of this administration even more. People hired that had worked for the City of Chicago assumed the Legislature was like the Chicago City Council. Dumb. The DC people thought governing was issuing press releases. While press releases are good for coverage, they usually work better if you have solid policy ideas behind them. They didn’t. Instead of working with others, they alienated them with more negative press. Real smart.
- Save a Horse Ride a Harley - Sunday, Mar 5, 06 @ 8:15 am:
Interesting to see the new tape from AL Qaida #2 man has some of the same verbage used by Ms. Muhammad’s boss. Rod and his people are now associated with Al Qaida. His hair covers his skull that obviously lacks any brain. THIS IS NOT PLAYING WELL DOWN DOWNSTATE! He needs some of those votes to win the general, Chicago cannot carry him to his intended destiny as VP for Billary alone. Between the gun bill and Mr. Louis F the southern people of the state are going to rise up and put this joker out of office and hopefully in jail someday soon. Take this to the bank, the IDOT mess is getting ready to explode. US attorney and the big Indians are getting close. Stay tuned.
- 47th Ward Pundit - Sunday, Mar 5, 06 @ 11:50 am:
Ran into Rep. Larry McKeon this morning. Asked him is he was going to resign from the commission. He said “There is nothing to resign from. This commission has ceased to have any relevance.”
- Bubs - Sunday, Mar 5, 06 @ 5:39 pm:
In the snowy evening air tonight, I detect the delicious scent of a Democratic fiasco.