Save the Life of My Child, Cried the Desparate Mother

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Saturday January 23, 2010 · 7:07 AM PST

2010/01/23 · 07:07

The refrain from that old Simon & Garfunkle song often plays in my brain when I've thought about politics over the past 8 years, or so. At first, my fears for my son were driven by concerns that our involvement in seemingly endless war might force a draft. My father-in-law was a Marine during World War II and that experience broke him in many ways. It wasn't something I wanted my son to go through, unless it was his choice. Maybe those fears were unrealistic, but they were my fears none-the-less.

As I became confident that Barack Obama would become president, I no longer heard that song in my head but after September 3, 2008 I didn't have to worry about my son being drafted anymore, or even what I would do if he decided to enlist. My son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (what used to be called Juvenile Diabetes). That day, my fears turned to the much more realistic concerns regarding how my young adult son would react to having a crash course in managing his health and navigating the health care system (he was away at school) and how he would be able to obtain insurance once he was no longer my dependent.

More after the jump...

IllinoisMom

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Friday July 28, 2006 · 1:22 PM PDT

2006/07/28 · 13:22

Today I received an email from my Republican congressman, Mark Kirk. My district, the Illinois 10th, voted for John Kerry.

Congressman Kirk wanted to know regarding the immigration laws of the United States, what is my topmost priority?

Stronger enforcement of our borders.

Granting of amnesty to undocumented aliens.

Deportation of illegal aliens already in the United States.

Punishment of employers who willingly hire illegal immigrants.

I didn't like any of the choices so I sent him a letter. If you'd like to read it follow me to the flip side... Read More

Local Marine, Back From Iraq, Says It's Time Military Left

IllinoisMom

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Thursday October 20, 2005 · 3:49 PM PDT

2005/10/20 · 15:49

I subscribe to our weekly paper. I never expect to find much controversial news inside its pages. I mostly read it to get a kick out of the irrelevant letters to the editor and to see my children's names when they do something noteworthy.

My sleepy community has lost two of its sons in Iraq--both Marines who were members of the Glenbrook South High School Class of 1995. Chris Zimney and Brian Kennedy are remembered by the Titans who came after them by a display case in the high school that contains their posthumously awarded purple hearts. My son played the National Anthem at both purple heart ceremonies. Recently another Glenview son came home from Iraq. This one is very much alive and he has something to say. Read More

My Son vs. the Army Band Recruiter

IllinoisMom

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Thursday October 13, 2005 · 11:24 AM PDT

2005/10/13 · 11:24

I have a 17-year-old son. He's a Senior in high school. Yesterday he met with the Army Band recruiter during his first period band class. First a little background on my son.

On September 11, he called and asked me to pick him up after school. Somehow, although the school had sheltered the students from the details of the news of the day, he'd guessed right that I would be home from my job in Chicago's financial district. As he climbed in to the car, after I assured him that all of those near and dear to us in NYC were fine, he told me that when he was old enough he was going to join the army and defend our country against those who attacked us. I sighed and told him I hoped our response would be all over by the time he was old enough to serve.

I hope you'll follow me to the other side... Read More

Conservative Chicago Tribune Endorses Bean!

IllinoisMom

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Monday October 11, 2004 · 6:50 AM PDT

2004/10/11 · 06:50

I scrolled through the diaries this morning and didn't see this mentioned yet. I hope my first diary isn't a repeat.

I don't usually expect to find much to smile about when I read the Tribune's editorials. But this morning there were two editorials that put a grin on my face.

In an editorial headlined Time for Crane to Retire
the conservative Chicago Tribune editors endorse Melissa Bean.

Save the Life of My Child, Cried the Desparate Mother

Congressman Kirk Wanted My Opinion on Immigration

Local Marine, Back From Iraq, Says It's Time Military Left

My Son vs. the Army Band Recruiter

Conservative Chicago Tribune Endorses Bean!