In Memory of First Amendment Champion Judith Krug
Those of us in Chicago — and across the nation — who share a fierce commitment to protecting freedom of expression lost a great champion this past weekend with the passing of Judith Krug. A librarian by training, Judith became a champion for the First Amendment whether it was confronting efforts to ban books in pubic libraries (including public school libraries), challenging efforts to force libraries to place clumsy, ineffective filters on public computers with internet access or critiquing the intrusive provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, especially as those provisions affected library patrons.
She was a robust advocate, who relished the opportunity to advance her position — a position that always advanced fundamental constitutional principles. We appeared together on a number of panels in recent years discussing the USA PATRIOT Act, and it was easy to get “fired up” when Judith was on you side. She never backed away, never backed down and always argued from a principled perspective that was deeply-held and well-articulated.
More than anything else, Judith reminded us never to be afraid of ideas. She saw clearly that the path to personal development and growth comes through knowledge and information, and that information comes through reading from a wide variety of sources. She loved books, loved reading and she shared that passion with young and old alike.
We are better off in Chicago for having her powerful and effective voice emanate from this City and we will miss her.
Apr 19th, 2009 at 1:07am
BPOE Rochester NH Elks Lodge 1393
I have seen this floating around a lot of blogs and web sites dealing with the Elks and have some concerns I would like to open for debate. Our soldiers and veterans have fought for our rights for years, especially free speech. Apparently the Constitution does not take precedent at the Elks. I have done some research.
BPOE stands for Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and they state “Neither the Grand Lodge nor any Subordinate Lodge shall pass any retroactive law, nor any law in conflict with the Constitution or the Laws of the United States, nor pass any law that will interfere with the political or religious convictions of members of the Order." and “Membership in our order is not intended and never will operate as a forfeiture of the right of free speech accorded to every citizen under the Constitution.”
However, in the oath to be a member your are supposed to state, “I will never apply to the courts for redress in any matter concerning the Order, without first applying to the councils of the Order”
In the Rochester Club there is a case pending where a Home Manager, William Lodes, misused a lot of money from an account by taking this money and loaning it to another friend, a strict violation of fiduciary responsibility. He was given a letter of reprimand and allowed to continue in his position handling the clubs money. This is a misdemeanor or felony depending on the amount of money taken. He was a part of the old boys club clique.
Another member displeased with the fact that a Home Manger, who had already been convicted by the Elks of taking money inappropriately from the club, was allowed to continue in that capacity and he asked the local Police if the club had the right to do this. The local police investigated and apparently said this member had the right and obligation to report the crime.
Now, for exercising his right to free speech and reporting a crime to local law enforcement this Rochester Elks Club is trying to suspend the person who reported the crime. Is this the type of club you would like to belong to? Is this free speech? Should any club, especially a national organization like the BPOE be allowed to disrespect the Constitution. The National office e-mail is grandlodge@elks.org. Telling people what they can and can't say is like the Communist Party. What is Benevolent and Protective about an organization that takes these rights away? It's easy to say you don't have to be a member it's harder to say their Charter should be taken away. I know other Elk members throughout the country who feel their Charter should be taken away from them. What does that say about the National office while they let a local club take freedom of speech away from their members?
Apr 24th, 2009 at 11:13am
My comment is i've been trying for years to get in contact with the aclu and it seem that by writting by faxs by all ways of contracting someone. Is their any other way to reach someone...
My civil rights are still be vailagted,and the people involved are hitting the news in laredo ,tx involed in that drug war,the cheif whos one of the main people just took a two year fed deal for exstortions 95 thousand plus it's in the laredo ,tx times newpaper whinch is also is on line..maybe some will listine now..what you think
Apr 24th, 2009 at 11:14am
email mail address is dunkoviun@gmail.com
Apr 24th, 2009 at 10:59pm
my name isn’t important, but what is important is i am disable war veteran. since i was discharge from the army i been force to fight for my rights with society. i am banned from kingsbourgh community college because i have PTSD. today, PTSD is a dirty word, the school thinks i am going on campus with a gun or something. i take my meds and i go every week to my therperist. what funny is i would never hurt anyone but myself. first, i was fired from my mailroom campus. my supervisor jack love me and i got alone with everyone. however, dean corrado discover my illness and fired me. i was told to come the next day to return the campus key. i announce myself at the gated i waited to be escorted on campus, but campus security surround me and arrested me.(trespassing). i had to go the next day again, and this time i was but in handcuffs and lead to dean corrado office. i made an appoitment for the VA representative K johnson, she told me the campus doesn’t violent people. i never show violent to anybody on campus. it is not my thing. i punish myself by cutting or hurting myself. i had head security call me at home and threaten and telling me i am not allow on public campus. i email back and told f himself, the next thing i know there detective at my home to arrested me.
from a fallen hero that wishes he never made back to unjust world
Post new comment