SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
January 10, 2014
Sullivan’s
Salvos 1/14/14
In this edition:
*MLK Day
*Iowa Caucuses
*JECC
*Did You Know?
*MLK Day
The
federal holiday honoring the birthday of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther
King, Junior is Monday, January 20, 2014.
The
Consultation of Religious Communities (CRC) Interfaith Service is Sunday,
January 19 at 7pm at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
My
family and I attend the Interfaith Service every year. It SHOULD be packed. It
is not. What’s more, you rarely ever see elected/appointed officials at the
event. I wonder what kind of impact it would have to see the Superintendent of
Schools or Chief of Police at the event?
The
University of Iowa is once again sponsoring several events in honor of MLK.
Also known as Human Rights Week, here is the list of events:
UNITY MARCH
Monday, January 20, 3:30
P.M. at the East steps of Old Capitol Museum.
TIME TO REMEMBER DR.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Monday, January 20, 4 P.M.
at the Senate Chambers of Old Capitol Museum.
BRINGING THE VISION HOME:
CELEBRATING IOWA WOMEN OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Thursday, January 23, 6
P.M. – 7:30 P.M. at the Black Box Theater in the Iowa Memorial Union.
Please join us as we
celebrate the legacy of Iowa women who contributed to the civil rights
movement. Opening remarks by Dr. Georgina Dodge, Chief Diversity Officer and
Associate Vice-President, a special spoken word performance by Wisdom Beyond
Words and a multi-media tribute to Iowa women civil rights activists. A
reception with light refreshments will follow.
It
makes me proud to see my alma mater recognize the man and recognize the need
for the holiday. Unfortunately, the UI is virtually alone in our community when
it comes to recognizing this day.
We often hear about Christians who feel that Christmas has
lost its meaning, union members who feel that way about Labor Day, and Veterans
who feel the same about Veteran’s Day. I fear that this could be happening to
MLK Day as well.
America
has come a long way since the 60s, and overt racism is now typically (but
certainly not always) frowned upon. We still have a long way to go, however.
MLK’s work – our work – on racial issues is far from done.
We
need more discussion on race. But it is even more important that we remember
that King was a radical in many ways. America grudgingly accepted racial
reforms because they were less dangerous to the status quo than the other
issues King championed. King took seriously the Biblical teachings that the
love of money is a sin, and that rich men will not be welcomed into Heaven. He
proposed seismic changes to the political and social structures that exist in
America. In addition, King was adamantly anti-war.
To the status quo, he was the most dangerous man in the world.
They were happy to grant him concessions on Jim Crow if they could maintain
their financial and military might. The fact that he kept pushing on the
Biblical teachings regarding greed meant he was destined to die. He was too big
a threat.
Take
some time this week to read some of the great books that are out there on Dr.
King. More importantly, take some time to read the things he wrote himself. And
Happy MLK Day!
*Iowa Caucuses
Most
people do not realize this, but the Iowa Caucuses are NOT an every 4-year
event. Yes, Iowa’s Democrats and Republicans meet every 4 years to help select
Presidential nominees. But the Iowa Caucuses actually occur EVERY year.
This
year is no different. People from every precinct in Johnson County will have
the opportunity to Caucus with their neighbors on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.
Caucus
locations vary by precinct and party; check the Johnson County Auditor’s site:
(http://www.johnson-county.com/dept_auditor.aspx?id=14567)
for specific details on your location.
Democracy
is not a spectator sport! Please join us!
*JECC
You
probably recall all the controversy over the Joint Emergency Communications
Center (JECC). I have been perhaps THE loudest critic of the decisions that
were made when JECC was formed.
While
I still adamantly believe that JECC was created incorrectly and inefficiently,
I want to give credit where credit is due. The JECC is operating quite smoothly
and efficiently right now under the leadership of Director Tom Jones.
We
all recall why JECC happened in the first place. The League of Women Voters had
been advocating something similar for years. Then 9/11/01 occurred, and we all
witnessed what a lack of interoperability meant. Lives were lost because
emergency personnel could not communicate. We knew that we were lacking here,
and we knew we could provide better services to the people of Johnson County.
I
am really chagrined that developing the JECC took so much fighting. I probably
lost a friend in the process. That said, I would fight the same fights all over
again if I needed to – good government is always worth fighting for.
Though I have been JECC’s biggest critic, I never questioned the
need for joint dispatch. It is good to see that League of Women Voters’ vision
finally paying dividends. It is also really good to see the JECC operating
well. Congrats and thanks to Tom Jones and the staff at the JECC – you have
done fine work!
*DID YOU KNOW?
The Iowa Caucuses became the first nominating event in the nation in
1972, but really gained notoriety in 1976 when the process catapulted previously-unknown
candidate Jimmy Carter to the Democratic Party nomination.
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
"Sullivan’s
Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a
brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
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come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the
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As always,
feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to
serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 2:36 PM
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