SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
January 28, 2021
Sullivan’s Salvos 2/2/21
In this edition:
*Happy Groundhog Day!
*DVIP Souper Bowl
*Small Town Mayors Rock!
*Denny Hastert and Today’s News
*Did You Know?
*Happy Groundhog Day!
Hey, we need to celebrate anything we can, right? By the way – the 1993 movie Groundhog Day really is a classic, isn’t it? OK. Enough small talk. I wish you six less weeks of winter!
*DVIP Souper Bowl
The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) is gearing up for our 24th Annual “Souper Bowl.” The event will be held on Thursday, February 25th, 2021.
This is a community event that raises funds for victims of intimate partner violence, human trafficking, stalking and harassment in eight Southeastern Iowa counties.
The “Souper Bowl” is our largest annual fundraising event and now more than ever those most vulnerable in our community need your help! Since May, DVIP has seen a 28% increase in calls to our hotline and the need is not slowing down. Many are calling for emergency sheltering since they cannot seek refuge with friends and family as they could before COVID-19. With our shelter being at capacity, our advocates have been working tirelessly to find shelter for victims/survivors. DVIP has spent 76% more in sheltering costs this year! Last year, DVIP served 1900 survivors and provided over 25,000 nights of safety.
The event was created by our current Executive Director, Kristie Fortmann-Doser, to challenge the myth that more violence occurs against women around the NFL Super Bowl. Every year, she receives calls from newspaper reporters wanting to do a story on the increase in violence against women due to the popular sporting event. Kristie and DVIP want community members to know that violence against women, men and children happen every day. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will be affected by intimate partner abuse in their lifetime. The Super Bowl does not create violence, abusers do.
We have spent the past 9 months reinventing how to keep you, our volunteers, and staff the safest! While we will miss your smiling faces and helping you find the perfect bowl this year, we know that you will be happy to skip the lines and enjoy your favorite soups in your 24th Annual commemorative soup mug.
We hope you can join us in supporting victims/survivors! For full event details and to learn more about how you can join us virtually this year please visit: https://littlevillagetickets.com/events/109991245/24th-annual-souper-bowl-fundraiser
*Small Town Mayors Rock!
I was thinking recently about the small-town Mayors in Johnson County. They are a remarkable group of people!
With all due respect to the Mayors of our larger cities – all fine people – small town Mayors have VERY difficult jobs! They lack the staff support of their colleagues in larger cities, yet expectations can be just as high. They serve on innumerable committees, and would amaze you with their vast knowledge!
I am not certain why these folks are not held in higher regard. Too many people think “Mayor” and conjure up an image such as the bumbling Mayor Quimby on the Simpsons. I am here to tell you, that is just not the case!
The stories are too numerous to mention. Loose dog? Call the Mayor. Incorrect water bill? Call the Mayor. Noisy neighbors? Call the Mayor. Does not fit neatly into any other category? Call the Mayor!
These folks do phenomenal work for very low pay. The headaches are many, and the appreciation rare. I believe the current group is as good as any we’ve ever had. So, a special shout out to:
Christopher Taylor, Swisher; Louise From, University Heights; Penny Jenn, Oxford; Steve Berner, Tiffin; Steve Stange, Solon; Tim Kemp, Hills; Mickey Coonfare, Shueyville; and JoAnn Havel, Lone Tree. Thank you to every member of this outstanding group!
*Denny Hastert and Today’s News
Does the name Denny Hastert ring a bell? It should. Hastert was a Congressman from Illinois who served from 1987 to 2007. He is the longest serving Republican Speaker of the House in US history, serving in that role from 1999 until 2007.
Hastert is also known for a much more horrible reason: Hastert molested at least four boys as young as 14 years of age during his time as a high school wrestling coach. At a sentencing hearing, Hastert admitted that he had sexually abused boys whom he had coached. Referring to Hastert as a "serial child molester", a federal judge imposed a sentence of 15 months in prison, two years’ supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Hastert was imprisoned in 2016 and was released 13 months later. Hastert became the highest-ranking elected official in U.S. history to have served a prison sentence.
So why am I bringing up Denny Hastert? Two things related to Hastert are news right now.
First, the “Hastert Rule” is still being observed by Republicans, despite being one of the worst things ever to happen to our country. The Hastert Rule says that no legislation may move forward unless it has a majority of the majority. For an example, look at the US Senate the last few years. The GOP has held a 52-48 advantage. There are certain issues that would get the votes of 45 Democrats and 30 Republicans – 75 of our 100 Senators. But that issue, no matter how popular, will never see the light of day. That is the impact of the Hastert Rule. America continues to be hamstrung by Mitch McConnell, who is following the lead of the disgraced Hastert.
Secondly, are you familiar with Qanon? I have written about this before. Estimates vary, but somewhere around 1.5 million Americans believe this stuff. These beliefs include the idea that there is a worldwide group of Satan-worshiping pedophiles who eat children and rule the world. They control politicians, Hollywood, and the media. The only thing stopping them was the election of President Donald Trump.
Again, at least 1.5 million Americans believe this. One half of one percent of the population. In a town the size of Solon, there would be an average of 14 adherents. In Iowa City, about 400 people. And that does not count all the people who do not believe it all, but believe SOME of it.
This is scary, but I have friends who hang out in very different circles from me. (They home school, for example.) These people seem to talk a LOT about child sexual abuse. Especially childhood sex trafficking. I mean, it is a concern for all of us. But they talk about it a LOT. I fear this is because they are exposed to at least some Qanon.
Through my job, I have had access to a lot of information on the topic of childhood sexual abuse and sex trafficking. I have told them about the great work done by former Johnson County Deputy and current State Senator Kevin Kinney. But they don’t seem interested in that. Clearly, they hear a lot about this in their circles. And my guess is that they don’t hear the facts.
This whole thing is interesting in light of Denny Hastert. Here you have an actual case of a very high-ranking political figure who IS a child molester. And while the details are horrific, they are not surprising. Hastert was not involved in some huge international child molestation ring. Like most offenders, he gained access to his victims while serving as a trusted adult – in this case, a wrestling coach.
I don’t understand the attraction to Qanon. And I do not understand the link to child molestation. But we certainly do have real cases that can inform us. Including Republican Speaker of the House Denny Hastert.
*DID YOU KNOW? Groundhog Day has been celebrated in Punxsutawney, PA since 1886.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 5:20 PM
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