Is Government A Threat?

Fifty-three percent of Americans believe the government is a threat, and 43 percent do not, according to a Pew Research Center poll. Three-in-ten Americans believe government constitutes a major threat. In a poll conducted October 2003, only 45 percent saw government as a threat to their freedoms. Fifty-four percent do not.

 

I’m not necessarily one to take public opinion as sacred (majorities of Americans support all kinds of horrible things), but it’s hard to blame the 53% of Americans who think the government is a threat to their liberties. The sectors of the economy in which the government is most involved are also the most dysfunctional (e.g., healthcare, banking, etc.). We live in an age where there is a bipartisan consensus that the government can secretly spy on Americans communications without a warrant from a traditional court; political activists are infiltrated with government agents; the President can wage secret wars with robots and can even kill US citizens without a shred of due process; American citizens may be subject to indefinite detention on the say-so of the Executive branch alone; and so on.

Granted, 70% of those who think the government jeopardizes liberties are Republicans, so many respondents are thinking about Obama taking away their gun rights and their Christianity. But 45% are not gun owners and 55% of independents are in the camp that believe the government is a threat to their liberties. And with the level of encroachment into people’s lives and liberties these days, it shouldn’t be surprising.

Words Of Wisdom

"Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself"
--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, 1825

Crystal Lake Park District Still Seeking Miss Crystal Lake Candidates

Miss Crystal Lake Pageant Offers $1000 Scholarship Opportunity for Crystal Lake Girls Ages 16-21

There is still time to register for the 2013 Miss Crystal Lake Pageant. The Annual Miss Crystal Lake/Little Miss Crystal Lake Pageant will be presented Friday, March 22 at 6:30 pm (location to be announced).

The pageant organizers, the Crystal Lake Park District and the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, are seeking local girls, ages 16-21, to participate as contestants.  Miss Crystal Lake receives a $1000 cash award to be used to further her education.  Additional scholarship awards may be available for runner-up contestants.  The winner of the Miss Crystal Lake Pageant competes in the Miss McHenry County Pageant, and if she wins, advances to the Miss Illinois County Pageant. 

Girls will receive a full schedule at the Mandatory Parent and Contestant meeting on Tuesday, February 5, at 7 pm at the Administration Building, located at One East Crystal Lake Avenue.  On Wednesday, February 6, all contestants will begin preparing for the pageant by attending workshops on personal development, community knowledge and communication.  The regular meeting night is Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm, but may vary certain weeks.  

Participants will be expected to attend many community functions as well as perform community service.  The months of preparation will culminate in the pageant on Friday, March 22, where participants will compete in the categories of formal wear, business attire, question/answer session and the awarding of the crown and scholarship.

Registration forms are available online at www.crystallakeparks.org or at the Administrative Office located at One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake.  The registration fee for the program is $64.  Crystal Lake Park District residents may register and pay the $49 resident discount fee.  Registration deadline is February 4. For more information, please call Connie Cooke at (815) 459-0680 ext. 213

Government Is Here To Help You

Morningland Dairy destroyed by feds, $250,000 inventory stolen by government thugs during armed raid
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038919_Morningland_Dairy_government_raid_raw_milk.html#ixzz2JejHIC7Q

(NaturalNews) There is a reason why America's founding fathers were willing to shed their own blood to gain independence from the crushing authoritarianism of the Crown of England. Nearly three years after first becoming a target for destruction by state and federal government agencies, Morningland Dairy of Mountain View, Missouri, has officially and forcibly been driven out of business by a rogue police state that recently confiscated, at gunpoint, most of the farm's inventory of perfectly safe, raw cheese, which was valued at roughly $250,000.

Morningland first found itself entangled in a government-initiated war against raw food back in 2005 when undercover agents targeted Rawesome Foods, a Venice, California-based private food buying club, for the "crime" of selling wholesome food to health-conscious club members. Five years later, in 2010, armed officials from local, state, federal, and even foreign government agencies came and raided the club at gunpoint, stealing thousands of dollars' worth of farm-fresh food products, including raw milk cheese products made by Morningland.

Government agents deliberately compromised integrity of Morningland cheese to claim that it was tainted

Not surprisingly, the government thugs responsible for stealing food from Rawesome failed to follow their own confiscation protocols when they hauled off the cheese and other refrigerated goods in room-temperature crates rather than iced coolers, possibly subjecting these products to spoilage and contamination. And instead of immediately testing the allegedly tainted products, officials took their sweet time and waited an entire week before eventually claiming that the products, including Morningland's cheese, were tainted with harmful bacteria

Not long after, officials from the Missouri Milk Board (MMB) suddenly started harassing Morningland, and jointly with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered the farm to destroy 50,000 pounds of perfectly safe, raw, artisan cheese worth more than $250,000. Besides representing the farm's entire inventory, not a single pound of this 50,000 pounds had ever tested positive for bacterial contamination. In fact, neither the MMB nor the FDA had ever tested any of the cheese for safety prior to ordering its destruction.

Missouri Milk Board refuses to allow Morningland to conduct real safety tests on cheese

When Morningland's owners tried to reason with the officials, explaining to them that the cheese samples collected in California were not properly stored or tested during the raid, their petitions fell on deaf ears. Morningland even offered to conduct its own independent tests on cheese samples from every production batch in its inventory to prove their safety, but the MMB and the FDA ultimately refused. Now, nearly three years later, the MMB, with the help of numerous government lackeys, has forcibly removed most of Morningland's entire inventory of cheese, effectively putting the farm out of business.

On January 25, 2013, representatives from the MMB, as well as sheriff's deputies from the Howell County Sheriff's Department, came and seized more than 36 tons of perfectly good raw cheese from Morningland, enforcing the unjustified tyranny perpetrated by their superiors against a family farm that did absolutely nothing wrong. In other words, Morningland has now been officially put out of business by the same type of rogue government authoritarianism that our nation's founding fathers shed their blood to escape.

Not only did the MMB and the FDA refuse to allow Morningland to have any legitimate safety tests conducted on its cheese, but they also obtained illegitimate court orders to have the cheese seized without admissible warrants, for the sole purpose of destroying the farm. There is no other explanation as to why a farm producing a wholesome, clean food product was targeted, persecuted, and ultimately eliminated for absolutely no reason.

Friends, family, and other supporters of Morningland were actually onsite to capture video footage of the MMB's minions and sheriff's deputies hauling off the cheese the day of the confiscation. You can view this indicting footage at the following link: http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=42526

While the MMB was directly responsible for actually seizing the cheese, the Howell County Sheriff's Department made sure the illegal seizure took place without any "physical" altercations -- well, other than when Howell County Sheriff's Lieutenant Al Jones physical swiped a video camera out of the hand of Michael Evans' cameraman as they were capturing the incident for America's Voice Now. The entire matter is truly disturbing, and clearly illustrates the rapid decline of America into complete totalitarianism and government dictatorship.

Be sure to watch the video footage of the January 25 raid here:

http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=42526

You can also listen to a powerful interview between Michael Evans and Joe and Denise Dixon, owners of Morningland Dairy, that took place just a few days after the recent raid here:
http://youtu.be/KUoyB3b5phQ

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038919_Morningland_Dairy_government_raid_raw_milk.html#ixzz2JekbpTza

Words Of Wisdom

"Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, 1825

February 1st Is National Wear Red for Women Day

"Make it your mission to fight heart disease” 

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) joins the American Heart Association (AHA) on Friday, February 1st, in its nationwide campaign “Go Red for Women” to encourage awareness and support of women and heart disease. “Go Red” challenges women to know their risks for heart disease and to take action. Anyone can participate by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, scarf, tie or Red Dress pin.    

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states about 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year – that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.  High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of Americans (49%) have at least one of these three risk factors.  Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including diabetes, overweight and obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.

MCDH has scheduled cholesterol screenings in February. Appointments can be made for the following dates/locations –

Sat. 2/9, 9a-11:30a; Woodstock Public Library, 414 West Judd St (815-334-4536)

Fri. 2/15, 9:30a-11:30a; Higgins-Diggins Library, 900 E McKinley St, Harvard (815-943-4671)

Sat. 2/23, 8a-11a; MCDH, 100 N Virginia Street, Crystal Lake (815-334-4536)

The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure and cardiovascular education.  The cost is $35.

Show your commitment to improving health and saving lives. Wear Red on February 1st. For more information, visit the American Heart Association’s website at www.goredforwomen.org. 
 

Words Of Wisdom

Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him?  Let history answer this question.”

Thomas Jefferson, First inaugural  Address, 1801

Crystal Lake Library Closed Friday Morning

The Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed from 9:00 am until noon, Friday, February 1, 2013 for Staff Training.  The Library will open to the public at 12:00 noon.

Words Of Wisdom

"But the safety of the people of America against dangers from foreign force depends not only on their forbearing to give just causes of war to other nations, but also on their placing and continuing themselves in such a situation as not to invite hostility or insult; for it need not be observed that there are pretended as well as just causes of war."

 --John Jay, Federalist No. 4

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 –

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Staff Plat Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Committee is to review the Hennings East Subdivision with a partial vacation.

2:00 p.m. – McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals –

Hearing is taking place in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Master One Transportation, Inc. Dorr Township is seeking a conditional use on A1C-A1CV property to allow the storage of commercial vehicles and equipment, and recreational vehicles. This is to allow the operation of a business for the outdoor storage of commercial vehicles and equipment as well as allow light repairs of equipment used onsite and on contract carriers.

"I Have A Dream" -- 50 Years Later"

Listen to unique perspectives of two historical events featuring a multimedia presentation by Barry Bradford, presidential award-winning civil rights activist, who will present “I Have A Dream – 50 Years Later” at 12:30-2 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6 in the Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College.

Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have a Dream” is one of the most famous ever given by an American. The speech was delivered on Aug. 28, 1963 and it stirred, inspired and challenged a nation. Bradford, an award-winning storyteller, historian and author, will delve beyond the famous catchphrase to answer the questions: What did King really say and why did he say it? Bradford will take the audience deep into the events culminating in one of America’s most dramatic moments.

Another presentation by Bradford, “Watergate at 40,” will take place from 12:30-2 p.m. and from 7-8:30 p.m. on April 11 at the College. Bradford will shed new light on the people and defendants of Watergate, the 1973 series of events that culminated in the resignation of both the United States president and vice president.

The lectures are free and open to the public. The College is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. The lecture series is sponsored by the MCC’s Student Life and Multicultural Programs. Groups are welcome to make reservations. For more information, email conferencecenter@mchenry.edu or contact Amy Carzoli at (815) 455-8764 or Kristine Emrich at (815) 479-7570.

Flu Shots Recommended By Health Department

With flu-related hospitalizations and deaths on the rise across the Country, McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) urges anyone six months and older to get a flu shot to protect themselves against influenza. 

The latest update (January 25) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates increased hospitalizations and deaths for those aged 65 and older.  It’s especially important that older adults and other high risk persons (e.g. pregnant women, young children, those with chronic illnesses) get vaccinated and seek treatment quickly if they develop symptoms including cough, fever, sore throat, and body aches, regardless of their vaccination status.

Flu can make anyone, including the healthiest, seriously ill.  Contact your physician to discuss antiviral treatments which can make symptoms milder and can avert serious outcomes.  CDC recommends high risk individuals begin taking antivirals within two days of becoming ill. Given the severe impact the 2012-2013 influenza season is having on people aged 65 and older in the United States, DC is conducting targeted outreach to health care providers caring for seniors. 

It’s not too late to get vaccinated.  People may need to call more than one provider to locate vaccine. The flu vaccine finder at http://flushot.healthmap.org may be helpful. The flu season typically runs through May with flu activity peaking this month and into February.  To date, MCDH reports 15 intensive care unit (ICU) cases of individuals hospitalized with influenza, with 60% of cases in residents over 65 years of age.  The Illinois Department of Public Health shows widespread flu activity with 534 ICU cases and 58 deaths as of January 19.

Once vaccinated, it takes 2 weeks for antibodies to develop to provide protection. MCDH recommends practicing the 3 C’s – clean your hands, cover your cough and contain your germs by staying home when sick.  For more flu information, visit http://www.mcdh.info.

Representative Wheeler Promotes Consumer Protection Legislation

With the 98th General Assembly about to swing into full gear, State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) is looking towards consumer protection with her first ever piece of legislation aimed at credit card user fees. 

“There are certainly signs that the economy is moving again; however, families are still weary of fee increases,” Wheeler stated.  “Even small savings can go a long way, and now is not the time to begin burdening families with increased fees, regardless of their size.”

The measure, HB 977, seeks to make it unlawful for merchants to impose a surcharge on a consumer who elects to pay with a credit card.  In July, an antitrust settlement between the major credit companies, Visa and MasterCard, and merchants will now allow retailers to charge a higher price for consumers who choose the “credit” option as opposed to the “debit” option when making purchases beginning on January 27 of this year.  Prior to the settlement, merchants were only allowed to offer discounts to non-credit card purchases, not to charge a higher price to those paying with credit.

This bill marks the first piece of legislation introduced by Rep. Wheeler and is already receiving support from many of her constituents.

Area business owner Pete Kalantzis, owner of Marzano’s Wood Fired Italian Restaurant in McHenry, has already vowed not to charge customers.  “Me personally, I will not charge my customers,” Kalantzis stated.  “Credit cards are a part of our cost of doing business.  We are providing a service and we shouldn’t be penalizing our customers for using credit cards.”

“This is exactly why Rep. Wheeler will be an asset to the people of McHenry County,” said Ed Donahue of the Law Office of Donahue and Walsh.  “This is a common sense approach to an issue that affects everyone.  I am the owner of a small business and credit card surcharges have always been a cost of doing business.  I am also a consumer and this is a bill that protects the consumer.” 

Words Of Wisdom

"Foreign influence is truly the Grecian horse to a republic. We cannot be too careful to exclude its influence."

 --Alexander Hamilton, Pacificus, No. 6, 1793

Loyola University Seeking To be Carbon-Neutral

WHAT:          Great Lakes Beaming Bioneers Series
WHERE:       Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County Collegr

WHEN:          Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.

Description: The second lecture of a four-part free series will feature Nancy Tuchman, director of the Institute of Urban Environmental Sustainability (IUES) at Loyola University, Chicago. She will present “Engaging In Transformation.”

Tuchman will talk about how Loyola University is seeking to be a carbon-neutral institution, which engages all stakeholders in the process of sustainable decision-making considering the social, economic and environmental impacts through a transformative educational experience.

In addition, Bill McKibbon of 350.org will present “The Climate Fight Gets Hotter” on the Bioneers DVD this evening.

The series continues with other featured speakers on Feb. 5 and 12.

Annual Defenders Used Book Sale Begins January 31

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County are holding their annual winter Used Book Sale, in conjunction with Groundhog Days.

The location is downstairs at the Woodstock Square Mall building, 110 S. Johnson Street, lower level, on the Woodstock Square. The event is taking place  from Thursday, January 31 through Saturday, February 2. Hours are 11am-4pm each day, with evening hours on Thursday until 7pm.

Most books will be $2 for hardcovers, $1 for paperbacks on Thursday, $1 for hardcovers, 50¢ for paperbacks on Friday. On Saturday, all books will be $5 per paper grocery bag, $3 per plastic grocery bag.

Books have been donated by the public as well as several libraries. There is an amazing variety of books – everything from kids’ books to popular fiction, science to biography, and everything in between. Lots and lots of history this time!

Donations of re-sellable books are accepted year round at the Defenders’ office or their “Green Spot” used book store, also located in the Woodstock Square Mall building on the main floor.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment.

The group provides community residents with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.

It's Beginning To Look Like Spring

Crystal Lake Park District youth sports affiliates groups, Crystal Lake Little League Baseball (formerly American and Continental Little League), Crystal Lake Baseball (formerly National Little League), Crystal Lake Girls Softball, Babe Ruth Baseball and Raiders Football have announced their Summer Youth League early registration dates.

 Early registration will be held on Saturday, February 2 and Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 9:00 am-12 Noon at Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St, Crystal Lake.

Those registering to play will be asked to complete or provide the following information:

• Birth Certificate (new players only)
• Completed emergency card and signed medical waiver
• Pay any league fees

For more information contact the leagues directly

Crystal Lake Little League Baseball (formerly American & Continental Little League)

www.crystallakelittleleaguebaseball.com

Crystal Lake Baseball (formerly National Little League)

www.clbaseball.com

Crystal Lake Girls Softball

www.clgsl.com

Babe Ruth Baseball

www.clbr.org

Raiders Football

Government At Work

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 –

7:00 a. m. – McHenry County Mental Health Board Search Committee–

Meeting in the Mental Health Board Main Conference Room, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.

The Committee, meeting in executive session, will be conferring by telephone with the Myers Group Search Firm to discuss identities and qualifications of potential Executive Director candidates.

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Natural and Environmental Resources Committee –

Meeting in the McHenry County Board Conference Room, County administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Committee is expected to consider adopting a Water Resources Action Status Report

Also to be considered is a proposal for the comprehensive revision of the Stormwater Management Ordinance

Applications for the Five Star/Urban Waters Grant Program are also to be considered.

Words Of Wisdom

"Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, 1825

Government At Work

MONDAY, JANUARY 28 –

7:00 a.m. – McHenry County Mental Health Board –

Meeting in the main conference room of the Mental Health Board facility, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.

The Board is expected to approve minutes of a January 10 Search Committee meeting before entering into Executive Session regarding personnel. This will include a teleconference discussion with the Meyers Group Search Firm, to discuss identities and qualifications of potential executive director candidates.

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Management Services Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Three individuals are to be interviewed for the Ethics Commission.

The Committee is to discuss mobile applications and County Social Media Guidelines.

The Committee is to consider guideline for guest writer for the County newsletter.

Old Business for the Committee includes:

Next Steps in Consideration of a Countywide Elected Chair

Review/Amendment of County Board Rules

Other reports for the Committee include:

Fourth Quarter 2012 Workers’ Compensation Report

Administrators Report

Council of Governments Report

8:30 a.m. –McHenry County Board Natural and Environmental Resources Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Several items are being presented to the Committee for consideration including: Water Resources Action Plan Adoption Status Report

Proposal for the Comprehensive Revision of the Stormwater Management Ordinance

Applications for the Five Star/Urban Waters Grant Program.

7:00 p.m. – High School District 155 Board –

Meeting in the Center For Education, One South Virginia Road, Crystal Lake.

The Board will be meeting in executive session concerning Employee Performance Update.

7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Board of Health –

Meeting in the McHenry County Department of Health, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock.

Following various reports to the Board regarding financial matters and from various divisions in the Department, the Board will consider a number of contracts and agreements for services.

Words Of Wisdom

"[T]he crisis is arrived when we must assert our rights, or submit to every imposition, that can be heaped upon us, till custom and use shall make us as tame and abject slaves."

--George Washington (1774)