Peoria Pundit

A little bird left a note in my mail box telling me a Barbara Van Auken fundraiser will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at Agatucci’s. The price for admission is “whatever they care to donate.” Children are welcome. For those readers who don’t know, Agatucci’s is located at 2607 N. University.

Thanks to Commenter Sharon Crews for leaving this little nugget on PeoriaRocks! With election day mere weeks away, here is a great opportunity to meet Joan Krupa, the Republican candidate for state representative.

Friends for Joan Krupa are extending an invitation to meet Joan Krupa on Wednesday, October 8, at Sky Harbor (1321 N. Park Rd., West Peoria) from 5-7 p.m.
Complimentary appetizers, coffee, and iced tea. Cash bar.
Please RSVP to 691-1900.

Hosts are:
Wendy Bowles
Sharon Crews
Sharon Kennedy
Sharon McBride
Jan Powers
Todd & Laurie Baker
Gary & Sandy Dutro
John & Diane Powell
Michael & Diana Swearingen

As noted in IlliniPundit and Capitol Fax Blog, the McCain campaign web site is posting talking points and is asking supporters to get the word out. Many are taking this as instructions to copy and paste the talking points into blogs, either as posts or comments.

This is nothing new, albeit a but more blunt than how it’s usually done. Rush Limbaugh has spent years teaching his listeners how to use humor and ridicule to result arguments from the left (a task that is sometimes not all that hard). Democrats do the same.

Both IP and CapFax are on a suggested list of blogs to target. Both ask readers to not do that, with Mr. Miller going as far as to threaten banning.

I’m half-tempted to issue the same warning. This sort of fake grass-roots stuff drives me nuts. I didn’t hesitate to toss letters to the editor that appeared in other publications.

But I have an endless supply of space on this blog, while empty space on an editorial page is limited. I’m not likely to delete as much as I am to ridicule.

So be warned.

(Press release)

Darin LaHood Continues Sweep of Police Endorsements:
Correctional Officers Vote Unanimous Support

Peoria IL – Citing his experience as an “aggressive prosecutor and keen understanding of Peoria County,” the Peoria County Correctional Officer’s FOP Union voted unanimously to endorse Darin LaHood for Peoria County State’s Attorney.

LaHood has pitched a shutout among law enforcement union endorsements—gaining all five endorsements that have been made thus far.

“Darin LaHood’s experience as an aggressive prosecutor and his keen understanding of Peoria County indicate that he can provide the new leadership that law enforcement sorely needs,” said Daniel Basfield, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Local 157-3, representing the Peoria County Correctional Officers. Citing the State’s Attorney’s direct impact on the safety of correctional officers, Basfield added, “With LaHood, we can ensure that incarcerated individuals will respect correctional officers and make for a safer workplace.”

Basfield continued, “Our officers believe it is time for a change in the State’s Attorney’s office because the current State’s Attorney has not tried cases for correctional officers as diligently as they should be tried thereby putting the officers in harm’s way. The present State’s Attorney’s support of our Department has dwindled over the years by not prosecuting violent crimes committed against our officers.”

LaHood said the collective voice of the correctional officers, along with the overwhelming support of other law enforcement in Peoria County speaks volumes. “These are the individuals who are on the front lines here in Peoria. They interact daily with murderers, rapists and other violent criminals. If they receive no support from the State’s Attorney, something is terribly wrong. I wholeheartedly respect what these people put on the line on a daily basis and know they go the extra mile to protect all of our families. As State’s Attorney, I intend to go the extra mile to give them the assurance and support that they desperately need.”

The Correctional Officers endorsement follows prior endorsements from the Peoria Police Department, the Peoria County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Bartonville Police Department and the Chillicothe Police Department.