IL Governor Donates $1 Million to Rebuild Historic Church

[AngryAmish]

<http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/2045.php>

"Members of a Chicago congregation offered up prayers, gospel music and cash as the fundraising effort began Monday night to rebuild the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church after last week's devastating fire.

Governor Rod Blagojevich helped fill the collection basket with a state check for $1 million dollars during the service at Saint John Missionary Baptist Church at 115th and Indiana. "

snip
"The state contribution would come from a special contingency fund in the governor's office and does not require legislative approval, Blagojevich told reporters. The money can only be used to rebuild the school and administrative building attached to the Pilgrim Baptist Church but not the church itself, to avoid constitutional separation of church and state questions.

"This is an investment that's going to go along way towards helping a lot of people and I don't see anything wrong with it," the governor said. "Those who want to criticize it whatever their motivations are they are free to do it. "This investment is much bigger than just rebuilding a church," he added."

I think this is wrong and probably unconstitutional. (Blago is a dem but I hate the guy. Let me get my biases against the guy out in the open.)

Why is this wrong? 1. The legislature holds the power of the purse. The gov. cannot just hand out money as he personally deems fit.
2. The money is going to a church. I would have a problem with any state grant to a private institution but this is a religious organization. Would it be ok for the government giving money to build a church for Rev. Fred Phelps?
3. Blagojevich is a knob (not really a reason but he is a knob.)

[blm]

1. Obviously the state charter is written so that he DOES have the discretion

to use these certain funds and is not obligated to the legislature on this, whether you think it is wrong or not. If you think it's wrong, then campaign against the rule and get it removed.

It is interesting, though, and I do wonder how this fund has been used in the past. I think this particular type of use is appropriate.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. panda-blog

He is getting desperate. He has cajoled, begged, stolen or bribed $20 mill in his election war chest, he maintains delusions of a presidency in his future, and he has support of less than 40% of DEMOCRATS in the state.

Even George Ryan (R) , now on trial for corruption had 42% of democrats supporting him, especially after his death penalty decision.

Even though his competitor is totally underfunded, I have heard that the volunteers calling and offering time and effort are really pushing Eisendrath's campaign forward.
Bloggo has been a bad governor and his popularity shows it. This is nothing more than an effort to buy off a voting bloc.

[AngryAmish]

3. What is panda-blog?

do tell

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. pandering creep + bloggojavich + panda-blog.

Bloggo is in serious trouble in Illinois, and threatens other democrats in this state.
Unfortunately, his ego is larger than Saturn's moons, and just about as earthboung. The only real accomplishment was to not have a tax increase over the last budget talks, but even that was the work of the house and state senate.

[AngryAmish]

6. I love it

(the panda-blog thing, not bringing down the rest of the ticket. Repubs in IL are dead for a long time. Whoever we run will win.)

[KharmaTrain]

4. Landmark & Votes

This building was a national historical landmark...church or no church. This building wasn't just a church, but a rallying point for a neighborhood (Bronzeville) that has come back a long way in recent years. This isn't money going to a church, it's money going to a community...one that votes 98% Democratic in that district...and is a small investment for all that neighborhood, its people and its votes mean to Blago and the Democratic party. In addition, this is truly a landmark. I passed by the church just two weeks ago (damn I wish I had taken pictures)...this building was a last vestigate to a golden age of that area...starting as a Synagogue (the Jewish writing on the building survived the fire) and has been a centerpoint of life in that area for over 115 years. Rebuilding is a sign of rebirth of that area.

I've got plenty of bitches with Blago, but this isn't one of them. It's not only a very popular move here, but one that shows a special concern and appreciation of a neighborhood, a people and a group that tends to be taken for granted by Democrats...blacks.

Peace...

[AngryAmish]

7. So if Holy Name Cathedral burned down ...

you support rebuilding the connected buildings with state money?

[KharmaTrain]

8. Yes

If that structure serves the community in ways other than religious...as a school, community center, social hall, etc. it's serving a very important purpose and should be rebuilt. Something to be said of community pride and spirit and that is what this is about. Pilgrim Baptist offered a lot of services in that community the city, state and other agencies either couldn't or wouldn't provide to blacks for decades.