Did Blago throw the Jews under the Bus? On TV and video-streaming
Jeff Berkowitz: And then, along pops up Sister [Claudette Marie Johnson] Muhammad.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the problem with Sister Muhammad?
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Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the hateful speech?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: The hateful speech that Reverend Farrakhan talked about [engaged in].
Jeff Berkowitz: What is it?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That Jews were the cause of all the “filth” in Hollywood and that Satan, we caused George Bush to-
Jeff Berkowitz: “Hollywood Jews promoting lesbianism and homosexuality and other filth.” Were those the words?
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Sen. Ira Silverstein: Islam. So, my question to her was whether or not, “you would believe in those views, whether you adopt those views or you don’t," because you’re sitting on a Hate Crimes Commission, which, the intent is to get rid of hate.
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Jeff Berkowitz: She’s [Sen. Carol Ronen(D-Chicago)] somebody who you think might find this kind of language distasteful?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I hope so. I hope so. I don’t know.
Jeff Berkowitz: Have you spoken to her?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: We have spoken on numerous occasions about this, but we--
Jeff Berkowitz: Why wasn’t she standing up with you [at the Press Conference]?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea. I invited every member of the--
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Jeff Berkowitz: But, Representative Julie Hamos [D-Evanston] did not show up?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, let me. I invited every member of the Jewish caucus to be at that press conference. So--
Jeff Berkowitz: And, a lot didn’t show up.
Sen. Silverstein: A lot.
Jeff Berkowitz: These are people who are afraid of retribution from the Governor? Is that it, if they are Democrats?
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Jeff Berkowitz: But, on this, is he [Gov. Rod Blagojevich] looking at it [and saying], hey, there is an election coming up, “I may need an intense turn-out, not necessarily for the Primary, but for the General, of the African-American vote,” that is the strongest portion of his base, “I am going to give them [the African-Americans] this [Sister Muhammad] and if the Jews don’t like it, under the bus they go.”
Sen. Ira Silverstein: You’ll have to ask Governor Blagojevich, I don’t know.
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From "Public Affairs," taped Live to Tape on March 12, 2006.
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Tonight, the City of Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features State Senator Ira Silverstein, airing at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21; through-out the City of Chicago; And, the program can be watched on your computer, any time. [See here].
For more about tonight's show's topics with Sen. Silverstein see here.
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Jeff Berkowitz: [Senator Silverstein (D-Chicago)] is in the news in part because of an issue that’s come up regarding the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, a commission that was set up, initially, by Governor George Ryan.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That’s correct. After an incident in my district, we had the shooting with Benjamin Smith-
Jeff Berkowitz: Is that right? That was partly the motivation for the Commission.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That was the motivation. Representative [Larry] McKeon [D-Chicago] asked Gov. Ryan to set up a commission
Jeff Berkowitz: Okay, and then it was a sleepy commission, not too much about the appointments, and it didn’t do a lot in the first few years, if anything, of Rod Blagojevich’s tenure. Would that be accurate?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That’s correct. They did some work in the Ryan administration, but not much in the Blagojevich administration, until recently.
Jeff Berkowitz: And then, along pops up Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the problem with Sister Muhammad?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: There’s nothing wrong with Sister Muhammad. My concern was that there was a speech that Reverend Farrakhan [of the Nation of Islam] gave a couple weeks ago, where she invited members of the Commission to come. From that speech, there were some very anti-Semitic remarks, anti-gay remarks. And, I just asked the Governor and Ms. Muhammad to renounce those remarks—or whether she-
Jeff Berkowitz: Her position would be?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Whether she agrees, or disagrees.
Jeff Berkowitz: No, but she is the Minister of Protocol for-
Sen. Ira Silverstein: For Reverend Farrakhan.
Jeff Berkowitz: In the Nation of?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Islam. So, my question to her was whether or not, “you would believe in those views, whether you adopt those views or you don’t," because you’re sitting on a Hate Crimes Commission, which, the intent is to get rid of hate. To promote good will. And, that is something that is going on today. You know, this is about hateful speech. It’s not about being black. It’s not about being white. It’s not any type of religion or ethnicity.
Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the hateful speech?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: The hateful speech that Reverend Farrakhan talked about.
Jeff Berkowitz: What is it?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That Jews were the cause of all the “filth” in Hollywood and that Satan, we caused George Bush to-
Jeff Berkowitz: “Hollywood Jews promoting lesbianism and homosexuality and other filth.” Were those the words?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Those were very powerful words.
Jeff Berkowitz: Spoken on the Savior’s Day, February 26th, 2006…
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That’s right.
Jeff Berkowitz: Minister Louis Farrakhan made those statements. Those are not unusual statements for him to make, is that right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, he’s made other anti-Semitic, anti-gay comments in the past.
Jeff Berkowitz: “Zionists,” he said, “manipulated President Bush into the war, along with conservatives.” He did leave out the “international Jewish banking conspiracy.” He hasn’t gone back to that, right.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, I haven’t heard him say that.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, other than that, it is your typical, what would we say? garden variety anti-Semitism?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Unfortunately, yes. And, um-
Jeff Berkowitz: I don’t mean to minimize it-
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, it is just straight anti-Semitism, right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Yes. And, my concern was, I wanted Sister Muhammad to renounce those remarks. I don’t mind her sitting on the Commission, but, if she believes in those remarks, it’s a big issue for that Commission. And, because of that, five Commission members, Jewish members, have resigned. I believe the Commission is really in disarray. I don’t know what the outcome is going to be. I’ve been outspoken on this issue, because I’m very passionate about this. I’m trying to let people know that we shouldn’t have people on that commission if they hold those views.
Jeff Berkowitz: And, those views are not just the anti-Semitism. It’s anti-gay, right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Anti-gay. You want to combat hate. It’s been in the press for the past couple weeks. I don’t know what the outcome is going to be by the time we air, but it’s back in the Governor’s hands, so to speak.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, five Jewish members of the Commission resigned? Nobody else resigned?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: Sister Marie Muhammad said what, in response to your suggestion that she renounce these things?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: She’s not going to renounce those remarks-
Jeff Berkowitz: She did affirm that she respected people who followed the “true tenets” of Judaism. Was that the way she put it?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Yes, and I think she said she prayed in a Jewish synagogue. The Governor himself has renounced any remarks that Farrakhan had said, which I appreciate. We haven’t gone to the next step. And, I don’t think he’s going to ask her to renounce those remarks. We’re-
Jeff Berkowitz: And, we should say, that’s the typical language that Louis Farrakhan uses when he says he’s not discriminating [against Jews], because he says he favors the “true tenets of Judaism,” or he finds those okay. And, what he is saying is that the kinds of things he’s complaining about-- he’s says that Jews aren’t following their “true tenets.” Am I getting that right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Possibly, but I don’t want to get into a religious argument. The point of the matter is, something has to be done. Having five members step down, I think that’s a big statement. And, I was waiting for the administration to show some more leadership. They may. I don’t know.
Jeff Berkowitz: Well, what about, before we get to the [Blagojevich] administration, standing up there with you when you held this press conference, were?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: We were with Senator Peter Roskam, from-
Jeff Berkowitz: A Republican from Wheaton [who is running in the 8th CD against Democrat Major Tammy Duckworth to replace Cong. Hyde [R-Addison], who is stepping down after 32 years]
Sen. Ira Silverstein: A Republican from Wheaton. Myself, Representative McKeon [D-Chicago], Representative Lang [D-Skokie], Senator Schoenberg [D-Evanston], Representative Feigenholtz [D-Chicago], Lonnie Nasatir [Regional director of ADL’s Greater Chicago/Upper Midwest Region] , Representative Sid Mathias [R-Buffalo Grove]. And, we came together on a Wednesday afternoon for what I would say was a very intense press conference, to ask the Governor to do something.
Jeff Berkowitz: To do something. But, you did not, as a group, or as individuals, even ask the Governor to remove, or ask for the resignation of Sister Muhammad, did you?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, I don’t think we’re at that point yet. We want to know where she stands.
Jeff Berkowitz: Well, did you say she should step down, or you should ask for a resignation if she won’t affirm those beliefs that you have in the Commission?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That’s correct. If she won’t affirm those, then she should step down. And, we were hoping—we were told that something would be coming from the Governor’s office, so we were waiting to see what the Governor is going to do. We did our piece and after we were done, the African American members of the Senate got up after us and said their piece, and that’s where we stood.
Jeff Berkowitz: Okay. And, joining you would be Senator Carol Ronen?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: At the press conference?
Jeff Berkowitz: At the press conference.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, she was not there.
Jeff Berkowitz: She was not. She’s Jewish?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: She’s somebody who you think might find this kind of language distasteful?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I hope so. I hope so. I don’t know.
Jeff Berkowitz: Have you spoken to her?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: We spoken on numerous occasions about this, but we--
Jeff Berkowitz: Why wasn’t she standing up with you?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea. I invited every member of the--
Jeff Berkowitz: You think it’s her closeness with the Governor politically that prevented her from speaking out on this issue?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: You’d have to ask her.
Jeff Berkowitz: We have. I’ve sought [her comments]. We have not gotten any comments from her.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea, but every member of the
Jeff Berkowitz: Representative Hamos [D-Evanston]? She would be somebody who found this language offensive?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I don’t know, but I invited every member of the-
Jeff Berkowitz: But, Representative Hamos did not show up?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, let me. I invited every member of the Jewish caucus to be at that press conference. So--
Jeff Berkowitz: And, a lot didn’t show up.
Sen. Silverstein: A lot.
Jeff Berkowitz: These are people who are afraid of retribution from the Governor? Is that it, if they are Democrats?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea. You’d have to ask them. I can’t speak for them.
Jeff Berkowitz: And, standing up right after you at a press conference were a number of members of the, would you say African-American Senate caucus, black caucus.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Yes, Senator Meeks [D-Calumet City], Rev. Meeks. Senator Trotter [D-Chicago]. Sen. Lightford [D-Chicago]. Sen. Raoul [D-Chicago]. And, you know, it was a very intense press conference.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, a rift between the Jewish Democrats and the black Democrats.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I wouldn’t call it a rift. Like I said, this is not about black and white. I will tell you, I get along very well with all the African American members in the Senate. After the press conference, we all sat down afterwards on the [Senate] floor and said, look they said what they said, we said what I said and that was it. There has been no discussion about this on the floor of the Senate anymore. We’ve kept it in such a professional way where I made my point, they made their point and that was it. For the last week, the press has kind of kept this going.
Jeff Berkowitz: The press? Well, it’s an issue.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: It’s an issue.
Jeff Berkowitz: Are your constituents concerned about it? You have a significant number of Jewish constituents?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: My constituents—it’s a very big issue in my district because I have a diverse district. Sixty languages are spoken in my district. But, it’s a district that not only covers Jewish constituents. I have a lot of Asian-Americans that are concerned. So, it’s something we have to grapple with once in--
Jeff Berkowitz: Is there a more general issue here? Is it the case that it’s become acceptable over time for certain blacks, well, for blacks who choose to, to make anti-Semitic statements? And, we look the other way. If somebody else were to do it, we—not we, but people in general, would take offense. Has the standard--
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I don’t think it’s acceptable-
Jeff Berkowitz: Well, you don’t, but--
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I will tell you. In all my years in the Senate, I’ve never had any anti-Semitic remarks made to me. Everyone respects me, my views and my religion--
Jeff Berkowitz: That’s in the Senate. But, isn’t the point of this Commission to try to stop the spread elsewhere [of racial, gender, sexual orientation discrimination?]. Isn’t that right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct. Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, if you put someone on the Commission who’s a member of a religion-- the Nation of Islam who has as its top minister somebody who is openly anti-Semitic or espouses comments that Sister Muhammad might say were “perceived” as anti-Semitic, but [about which] you and most of your colleagues would say is blatant anti-Semitism. If you have that being spoken, espoused by a leader of a religion of someone who sits on that Commission, isn’t it sort of contradictory?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: It may be. But, I think the problem we have here is that the Governor’s staff didn’t do their homework.
Jeff Berkowitz: In appointing Sister Muhammad?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Yes, and in seeing what she believes in and what her views are. He’s already admitted to the fact, the Governor, that he wasn’t told.
Jeff Berkowitz: Is that a more general issue, as a slight digression. What kind of a Governor do we have when he doesn’t know who is being appointed, when he signs the paper saying, “I’m appointing you.”
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Well, unless he has got poor staff.
Jeff Berkowitz: But shouldn’t he even know, even with poor staff? Isn’t the Governor supposed to say, “Tell me about this person, if I don’t know.”
Sen. Ira Silverstein: He should have known. But, I’m not going to speak for him or his staff.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, it’s not the only case. He signed a proclamation for the Coalition in honor of the remembrance of Elijah Muhammad. February 12th. That’s a day in honor of that, 2006. This is a group that apparently espouses their opposition to mixed-race marriages, blacks should not be taxed, black children should be taught by “their own,” as they say, their own teachers who are black. Basically a separatist group that would like a separate portion of the United States [for blacks]. We are going to proclaim-- the State of Illinois gives this guy this honor, Munir Muhammad, who sits on the Human Rights Commission? He’s the head of this [separatist group being honored]. [He gets] Forty thousand dollars a year [from the State of Illinois] for doing that [sitting on Human Rights Commission]. And, you’re saying Blagojevich doesn’t know about any of this?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea. That just broke last week. I mean, you have got to realize, understand, according to a newspaper article. Governor Ryan was also issuing those same proclamations.
Jeff Berkowitz: That doesn’t make it right. Governor Ryan is on trial for RICO charges. We don’t want to hold up Gov. George Ryan as an example of virtue.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Those are questions you’ve got to ask Governor Blagojevich. I was not party to that. When I read that in the paper this week, I had no knowledge of that—other than reading it in the paper.
Jeff Berkowitz: All right, so the short question is, has Governor Rod Blagojevich thrown the Jews under the bus?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No. I think he’s done a lot of good for-
Jeff Berkowitz: He did that to his… Father-in-law, Ald. Mell, he threw him under the bus. Now, it’s the Jews under the bus.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I don’t think we have been thrown under the bus. I think he has done a lot of good for the Jewish community.
Jeff Berkowitz: This isn’t good for the Jewish community, is it?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, but I think, over-all, he has been a good Governor for the Jewish community.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, on this, is he looking at it [and saying], hey, there is an election coming up, “I may need an intense turn-out, not necessarily for the Primary, but for the General, of the African-American vote,” that is the strongest portion of his base, “I am going to give them [the African-Americans] this and if the Jews don’t like it, under the bus they go.”
Sen. Ira Silverstein: You’ll have to ask Governor Blagojevich, I don’t know.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, in your view, you are a leader of the—
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I don’t think he has thrown us under the bus. I don’t think he has ever done that to us. I have had a good relationship with the Governor. I think on this issue, we have a different opinion. And, whether he is making a political statement…we will find that out later in the election. But, I don’t think he has done anything harmful. I don’t agree with him, that’s my main problem.
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From "Public Affairs," airing tonight through-out the City of Chicago at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, and taped Live to Tape on March 12, 2006.
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Senator Silverstrein [D- Chicago]debates and discusses with Show Host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz more than a dozen state legislative and public policy issues.
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Transcript draft prepared by Amy Allen, who also does research for “Public Affairs,” and has her own political blog [See here].
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the problem with Sister Muhammad?
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Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the hateful speech?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: The hateful speech that Reverend Farrakhan talked about [engaged in].
Jeff Berkowitz: What is it?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That Jews were the cause of all the “filth” in Hollywood and that Satan, we caused George Bush to-
Jeff Berkowitz: “Hollywood Jews promoting lesbianism and homosexuality and other filth.” Were those the words?
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Sen. Ira Silverstein: Islam. So, my question to her was whether or not, “you would believe in those views, whether you adopt those views or you don’t," because you’re sitting on a Hate Crimes Commission, which, the intent is to get rid of hate.
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Jeff Berkowitz: She’s [Sen. Carol Ronen(D-Chicago)] somebody who you think might find this kind of language distasteful?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I hope so. I hope so. I don’t know.
Jeff Berkowitz: Have you spoken to her?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: We have spoken on numerous occasions about this, but we--
Jeff Berkowitz: Why wasn’t she standing up with you [at the Press Conference]?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea. I invited every member of the--
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Jeff Berkowitz: But, Representative Julie Hamos [D-Evanston] did not show up?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, let me. I invited every member of the Jewish caucus to be at that press conference. So--
Jeff Berkowitz: And, a lot didn’t show up.
Sen. Silverstein: A lot.
Jeff Berkowitz: These are people who are afraid of retribution from the Governor? Is that it, if they are Democrats?
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Jeff Berkowitz: But, on this, is he [Gov. Rod Blagojevich] looking at it [and saying], hey, there is an election coming up, “I may need an intense turn-out, not necessarily for the Primary, but for the General, of the African-American vote,” that is the strongest portion of his base, “I am going to give them [the African-Americans] this [Sister Muhammad] and if the Jews don’t like it, under the bus they go.”
Sen. Ira Silverstein: You’ll have to ask Governor Blagojevich, I don’t know.
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From "Public Affairs," taped Live to Tape on March 12, 2006.
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Tonight, the City of Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features State Senator Ira Silverstein, airing at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21; through-out the City of Chicago; And, the program can be watched on your computer, any time. [See here].
For more about tonight's show's topics with Sen. Silverstein see here.
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Jeff Berkowitz: [Senator Silverstein (D-Chicago)] is in the news in part because of an issue that’s come up regarding the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, a commission that was set up, initially, by Governor George Ryan.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That’s correct. After an incident in my district, we had the shooting with Benjamin Smith-
Jeff Berkowitz: Is that right? That was partly the motivation for the Commission.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That was the motivation. Representative [Larry] McKeon [D-Chicago] asked Gov. Ryan to set up a commission
Jeff Berkowitz: Okay, and then it was a sleepy commission, not too much about the appointments, and it didn’t do a lot in the first few years, if anything, of Rod Blagojevich’s tenure. Would that be accurate?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That’s correct. They did some work in the Ryan administration, but not much in the Blagojevich administration, until recently.
Jeff Berkowitz: And then, along pops up Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the problem with Sister Muhammad?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: There’s nothing wrong with Sister Muhammad. My concern was that there was a speech that Reverend Farrakhan [of the Nation of Islam] gave a couple weeks ago, where she invited members of the Commission to come. From that speech, there were some very anti-Semitic remarks, anti-gay remarks. And, I just asked the Governor and Ms. Muhammad to renounce those remarks—or whether she-
Jeff Berkowitz: Her position would be?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Whether she agrees, or disagrees.
Jeff Berkowitz: No, but she is the Minister of Protocol for-
Sen. Ira Silverstein: For Reverend Farrakhan.
Jeff Berkowitz: In the Nation of?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Islam. So, my question to her was whether or not, “you would believe in those views, whether you adopt those views or you don’t," because you’re sitting on a Hate Crimes Commission, which, the intent is to get rid of hate. To promote good will. And, that is something that is going on today. You know, this is about hateful speech. It’s not about being black. It’s not about being white. It’s not any type of religion or ethnicity.
Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the hateful speech?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: The hateful speech that Reverend Farrakhan talked about.
Jeff Berkowitz: What is it?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That Jews were the cause of all the “filth” in Hollywood and that Satan, we caused George Bush to-
Jeff Berkowitz: “Hollywood Jews promoting lesbianism and homosexuality and other filth.” Were those the words?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Those were very powerful words.
Jeff Berkowitz: Spoken on the Savior’s Day, February 26th, 2006…
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That’s right.
Jeff Berkowitz: Minister Louis Farrakhan made those statements. Those are not unusual statements for him to make, is that right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, he’s made other anti-Semitic, anti-gay comments in the past.
Jeff Berkowitz: “Zionists,” he said, “manipulated President Bush into the war, along with conservatives.” He did leave out the “international Jewish banking conspiracy.” He hasn’t gone back to that, right.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, I haven’t heard him say that.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, other than that, it is your typical, what would we say? garden variety anti-Semitism?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Unfortunately, yes. And, um-
Jeff Berkowitz: I don’t mean to minimize it-
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, it is just straight anti-Semitism, right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Yes. And, my concern was, I wanted Sister Muhammad to renounce those remarks. I don’t mind her sitting on the Commission, but, if she believes in those remarks, it’s a big issue for that Commission. And, because of that, five Commission members, Jewish members, have resigned. I believe the Commission is really in disarray. I don’t know what the outcome is going to be. I’ve been outspoken on this issue, because I’m very passionate about this. I’m trying to let people know that we shouldn’t have people on that commission if they hold those views.
Jeff Berkowitz: And, those views are not just the anti-Semitism. It’s anti-gay, right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Anti-gay. You want to combat hate. It’s been in the press for the past couple weeks. I don’t know what the outcome is going to be by the time we air, but it’s back in the Governor’s hands, so to speak.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, five Jewish members of the Commission resigned? Nobody else resigned?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: Sister Marie Muhammad said what, in response to your suggestion that she renounce these things?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: She’s not going to renounce those remarks-
Jeff Berkowitz: She did affirm that she respected people who followed the “true tenets” of Judaism. Was that the way she put it?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Yes, and I think she said she prayed in a Jewish synagogue. The Governor himself has renounced any remarks that Farrakhan had said, which I appreciate. We haven’t gone to the next step. And, I don’t think he’s going to ask her to renounce those remarks. We’re-
Jeff Berkowitz: And, we should say, that’s the typical language that Louis Farrakhan uses when he says he’s not discriminating [against Jews], because he says he favors the “true tenets of Judaism,” or he finds those okay. And, what he is saying is that the kinds of things he’s complaining about-- he’s says that Jews aren’t following their “true tenets.” Am I getting that right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Possibly, but I don’t want to get into a religious argument. The point of the matter is, something has to be done. Having five members step down, I think that’s a big statement. And, I was waiting for the administration to show some more leadership. They may. I don’t know.
Jeff Berkowitz: Well, what about, before we get to the [Blagojevich] administration, standing up there with you when you held this press conference, were?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: We were with Senator Peter Roskam, from-
Jeff Berkowitz: A Republican from Wheaton [who is running in the 8th CD against Democrat Major Tammy Duckworth to replace Cong. Hyde [R-Addison], who is stepping down after 32 years]
Sen. Ira Silverstein: A Republican from Wheaton. Myself, Representative McKeon [D-Chicago], Representative Lang [D-Skokie], Senator Schoenberg [D-Evanston], Representative Feigenholtz [D-Chicago], Lonnie Nasatir [Regional director of ADL’s Greater Chicago/Upper Midwest Region] , Representative Sid Mathias [R-Buffalo Grove]. And, we came together on a Wednesday afternoon for what I would say was a very intense press conference, to ask the Governor to do something.
Jeff Berkowitz: To do something. But, you did not, as a group, or as individuals, even ask the Governor to remove, or ask for the resignation of Sister Muhammad, did you?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, I don’t think we’re at that point yet. We want to know where she stands.
Jeff Berkowitz: Well, did you say she should step down, or you should ask for a resignation if she won’t affirm those beliefs that you have in the Commission?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: That’s correct. If she won’t affirm those, then she should step down. And, we were hoping—we were told that something would be coming from the Governor’s office, so we were waiting to see what the Governor is going to do. We did our piece and after we were done, the African American members of the Senate got up after us and said their piece, and that’s where we stood.
Jeff Berkowitz: Okay. And, joining you would be Senator Carol Ronen?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: At the press conference?
Jeff Berkowitz: At the press conference.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, she was not there.
Jeff Berkowitz: She was not. She’s Jewish?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: She’s somebody who you think might find this kind of language distasteful?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I hope so. I hope so. I don’t know.
Jeff Berkowitz: Have you spoken to her?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: We spoken on numerous occasions about this, but we--
Jeff Berkowitz: Why wasn’t she standing up with you?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea. I invited every member of the--
Jeff Berkowitz: You think it’s her closeness with the Governor politically that prevented her from speaking out on this issue?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: You’d have to ask her.
Jeff Berkowitz: We have. I’ve sought [her comments]. We have not gotten any comments from her.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea, but every member of the
Jeff Berkowitz: Representative Hamos [D-Evanston]? She would be somebody who found this language offensive?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I don’t know, but I invited every member of the-
Jeff Berkowitz: But, Representative Hamos did not show up?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, let me. I invited every member of the Jewish caucus to be at that press conference. So--
Jeff Berkowitz: And, a lot didn’t show up.
Sen. Silverstein: A lot.
Jeff Berkowitz: These are people who are afraid of retribution from the Governor? Is that it, if they are Democrats?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea. You’d have to ask them. I can’t speak for them.
Jeff Berkowitz: And, standing up right after you at a press conference were a number of members of the, would you say African-American Senate caucus, black caucus.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Yes, Senator Meeks [D-Calumet City], Rev. Meeks. Senator Trotter [D-Chicago]. Sen. Lightford [D-Chicago]. Sen. Raoul [D-Chicago]. And, you know, it was a very intense press conference.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, a rift between the Jewish Democrats and the black Democrats.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I wouldn’t call it a rift. Like I said, this is not about black and white. I will tell you, I get along very well with all the African American members in the Senate. After the press conference, we all sat down afterwards on the [Senate] floor and said, look they said what they said, we said what I said and that was it. There has been no discussion about this on the floor of the Senate anymore. We’ve kept it in such a professional way where I made my point, they made their point and that was it. For the last week, the press has kind of kept this going.
Jeff Berkowitz: The press? Well, it’s an issue.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: It’s an issue.
Jeff Berkowitz: Are your constituents concerned about it? You have a significant number of Jewish constituents?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: My constituents—it’s a very big issue in my district because I have a diverse district. Sixty languages are spoken in my district. But, it’s a district that not only covers Jewish constituents. I have a lot of Asian-Americans that are concerned. So, it’s something we have to grapple with once in--
Jeff Berkowitz: Is there a more general issue here? Is it the case that it’s become acceptable over time for certain blacks, well, for blacks who choose to, to make anti-Semitic statements? And, we look the other way. If somebody else were to do it, we—not we, but people in general, would take offense. Has the standard--
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I don’t think it’s acceptable-
Jeff Berkowitz: Well, you don’t, but--
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I will tell you. In all my years in the Senate, I’ve never had any anti-Semitic remarks made to me. Everyone respects me, my views and my religion--
Jeff Berkowitz: That’s in the Senate. But, isn’t the point of this Commission to try to stop the spread elsewhere [of racial, gender, sexual orientation discrimination?]. Isn’t that right?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Correct. Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, if you put someone on the Commission who’s a member of a religion-- the Nation of Islam who has as its top minister somebody who is openly anti-Semitic or espouses comments that Sister Muhammad might say were “perceived” as anti-Semitic, but [about which] you and most of your colleagues would say is blatant anti-Semitism. If you have that being spoken, espoused by a leader of a religion of someone who sits on that Commission, isn’t it sort of contradictory?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: It may be. But, I think the problem we have here is that the Governor’s staff didn’t do their homework.
Jeff Berkowitz: In appointing Sister Muhammad?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Yes, and in seeing what she believes in and what her views are. He’s already admitted to the fact, the Governor, that he wasn’t told.
Jeff Berkowitz: Is that a more general issue, as a slight digression. What kind of a Governor do we have when he doesn’t know who is being appointed, when he signs the paper saying, “I’m appointing you.”
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Well, unless he has got poor staff.
Jeff Berkowitz: But shouldn’t he even know, even with poor staff? Isn’t the Governor supposed to say, “Tell me about this person, if I don’t know.”
Sen. Ira Silverstein: He should have known. But, I’m not going to speak for him or his staff.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, it’s not the only case. He signed a proclamation for the Coalition in honor of the remembrance of Elijah Muhammad. February 12th. That’s a day in honor of that, 2006. This is a group that apparently espouses their opposition to mixed-race marriages, blacks should not be taxed, black children should be taught by “their own,” as they say, their own teachers who are black. Basically a separatist group that would like a separate portion of the United States [for blacks]. We are going to proclaim-- the State of Illinois gives this guy this honor, Munir Muhammad, who sits on the Human Rights Commission? He’s the head of this [separatist group being honored]. [He gets] Forty thousand dollars a year [from the State of Illinois] for doing that [sitting on Human Rights Commission]. And, you’re saying Blagojevich doesn’t know about any of this?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I have no idea. That just broke last week. I mean, you have got to realize, understand, according to a newspaper article. Governor Ryan was also issuing those same proclamations.
Jeff Berkowitz: That doesn’t make it right. Governor Ryan is on trial for RICO charges. We don’t want to hold up Gov. George Ryan as an example of virtue.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: Those are questions you’ve got to ask Governor Blagojevich. I was not party to that. When I read that in the paper this week, I had no knowledge of that—other than reading it in the paper.
Jeff Berkowitz: All right, so the short question is, has Governor Rod Blagojevich thrown the Jews under the bus?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No. I think he’s done a lot of good for-
Jeff Berkowitz: He did that to his… Father-in-law, Ald. Mell, he threw him under the bus. Now, it’s the Jews under the bus.
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I don’t think we have been thrown under the bus. I think he has done a lot of good for the Jewish community.
Jeff Berkowitz: This isn’t good for the Jewish community, is it?
Sen. Ira Silverstein: No, but I think, over-all, he has been a good Governor for the Jewish community.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, on this, is he looking at it [and saying], hey, there is an election coming up, “I may need an intense turn-out, not necessarily for the Primary, but for the General, of the African-American vote,” that is the strongest portion of his base, “I am going to give them [the African-Americans] this and if the Jews don’t like it, under the bus they go.”
Sen. Ira Silverstein: You’ll have to ask Governor Blagojevich, I don’t know.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, in your view, you are a leader of the—
Sen. Ira Silverstein: I don’t think he has thrown us under the bus. I don’t think he has ever done that to us. I have had a good relationship with the Governor. I think on this issue, we have a different opinion. And, whether he is making a political statement…we will find that out later in the election. But, I don’t think he has done anything harmful. I don’t agree with him, that’s my main problem.
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From "Public Affairs," airing tonight through-out the City of Chicago at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, and taped Live to Tape on March 12, 2006.
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Senator Silverstrein [D- Chicago]debates and discusses with Show Host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz more than a dozen state legislative and public policy issues.
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Transcript draft prepared by Amy Allen, who also does research for “Public Affairs,” and has her own political blog [See here].
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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