Better than Chicago Tonight's Friday night show: Berkowitz w/State Rep. Mendoza on Burris, Taxes, School Vouchers and Obama; Cable and Streaming
Jeff Berkowitz: The whole truth is a part of that. Did [Roland Burris] tell the whole truth?
State Rep. Susana Mendoza(D-Chicago): Absolutely not. And it was a blatant lie of omission.
Jeff Berkowitz: What did he leave out?
State Rep. Mendoza: Well, [Roland Burris] left out all the conversations that he had with the five individuals that he spoke with from the Governor’s team, as well as his agreement to go ahead and try to raise some money for the Governor on a fundraiser and he cleared that up with a later affidavit- actually not even in the affidavit, but later—that was like story No. 4, I think, that he did speak with —
***********************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: …So, maybe its beyond Obama’s control?
State Rep. Mendoza: Rod Blagojevich would not—if Jesus came off the cross and asked him to resign, he wouldn’t have done it…it’s about doing right and wrong and people who are committed to not doing the right thing, they don’t care who is asking them to do the right thing, it’s beyond that, there’s no shame involved at this point.
*****************************************************************************
This week’s Chicago metro suburban edition of Public Affairs features State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) [See below for the Chicago metro suburban, City of Chicago, Aurora and Rockford airing schedules for the show with Rep. Mendoza].
**********************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) can be watched on your computer.
******************************************
Topics discussed on the show with Rep. Mendoza include the following: Did Senator Burris lie under oath? Was he forthright in his testimony before the Illinois legislature earlier this year? Should there have been a Special Election to replace Senator Barack Obamaa? Should there still be a special election to fill the U. S.Senate seat currently held by Senator Burris? Will Burris run for re-election? Will Senator Burris face competition in the Democratic Primary from Treasurer Giannoulias? Cong. Schakowsky? Bill Daley? Others? who would Rep. Mendoza support? Would AG Madigan make a good candidate for Governor?
Addiitional topics discusssed witth Rep. Mendoza include whether she thinks school vouchers and more charter schools should be offered to parents in Chicago? What does Rep. Mendoza think about Senator Obama's 2002 views on school vouchers and what they have been recently? What would Rep. Mendoza say to President Obama about his current opposition to school vouchers? What is the impact of teachers' unions on the introduction of school vouchers in Illinois? Should Hispanic leaders promote school vouchers for their constituents? for Illinois citizens, in general? Are non-performing schools disproportionally located in minority areas? If so, is that a rationale for school vouchers to be piloted in those areas?
Would an increase in state income and motor fuel taxes in Illinois have a deleterious impact on Illinois employment?
If the IL 4th CD seat were to become open soon, would Rep. Mendoza make that run?
******************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: As the [oath] goes, tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago): That’s correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: The whole truth is a part of that. Did [Roland Burris] tell the whole truth?
State Rep. Mendoza: Absolutely not. And it was a blatant lie of omission.
Jeff Berkowitz: What did he leave out?
State Rep. Mendoza: Well, [Roland Burris] left out all the conversations that he had with the five individuals that he spoke with from the Governor’s team, as well as his agreement to go ahead and try to raise some money for the Governor on a fundraiser and he cleared that up with a later affidavit- actually not even in the affidavit, but later—that was like story No. 4, I think, that he did speak with —
Jeff Berkowitz: The fund raising stuff seeped out in [a Burris public speech in] Peoria, right?
State Rep. Mendoza: The fundraising stuff with Rob Blagojevich [brother of Rod Blagojevich] came after the affidavit.
Jeff Berkowitz: The fundraising discussion didn’t come in the affidavit—
State Rep. Mendoza: Right. Exactly. So, this story continues to change and that’s unacceptable. I mean it may not be perjury; I’m not saying that it’s not. I’m not saying that it is- yet. I think you need three categoricals to determine perjury. I think he clearly qualifies for two of those…on the second follow-up question with Rep. Tracy where she reiterated that” the previous people you had been asked about, was there anyone besides Lon Monk that you spoke to,” and [Burris] said, “I do not recall.”
Jeff Berkowitz: He doesn’t recall.
State Rep. Mendoza: I can’t imagine that [Burris] does not recall.
Jeff Berkowitz: And, later on he recalled a few.
State Rep. Mendoza: Yes.
Jeff Berkowitz: He recalled Robert Blagojevich, the brother of Rob Blagojevich.
State Rep. Mendoza: I think he chose not to tell us [in his testimony before the Illinois Legislature] and I think that that’s a lie and I think that that should be investigated—so I stand with that statement.
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State Rep. Mendoza: …He is a former Attorney General of the State of Illihnois. If anyone should know what it means to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth- and let’s reiterate this—under oath, under oath—it’s him. So, he should be held to a higher standard.
*********************************************************************
State Rep. Mendoza: …making this into a race issue is not productive in any way, shape or form…
Jeff Berkowitz: So, it is not about race?
State Rep. Mendoza: No, absolutely not.
Jeff Berkowitz: It’s about public corruption. And, about lying?
State Rep. Mendoza: It’s about doing right and doing wrong. And, going after the people who do wrong.
*************************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Would Burris say no to Barack Obama [if Obama asked him to resign]?
State Rep. Mendoza: I believe Burris has said no to everybody.
Jeff Berkowitz: To the President of the U. S., would [Burris] say no?
State Rep. Mendoza: I believe he would say no…
Jeff Berkowitz: …So, maybe its beyond Obama’s control?
State Rep. Mendoza: Rod Blagojevich would not—if Jesus came off the cross and asked him to resign, he wouldn’t have done it…it’s about doing right and wrong and people who are committed to not doing the right thing, they don’t care who is asking them to do the right thing, it’s beyond that, there’s no shame involved at this point.
*****************************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Would you support an income tax increase in Illinois?
State Rep. Mendoza: I would look at supporting an income tax increase. Maybe something that is more on the progressive side.
****************************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Would you support an increase in the motor fuel tax?
State Rep. Mendoza: I think I would consider supporting an increase in the motor fuel tax…I hate raising taxes but we have to be realistic…
*******************************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) was taped on March 8, 2009.
**************************************
Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule:
The show featuring State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) is airing this week in the North and Northwest Chicago Metro suburbs in its regular slot:
Tonight (Tuesday) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette
and Tonight (Tuesday) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.
and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
*************************************************************
Chicago and Aurora:
The "Public Affairs," show featuring State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night, March 30, 2009, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21(CANTV, aka Chicago Access Network TV) and that same night on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-10. The Aurora station, ACTV-10, aka Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
*************************************************
Rockford:
The "Public Affairs," show featuring State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) , will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) a week from this coming Thursday night, April 2 at 8:00 pm on Cable Ch. 17. The surrounding areas reached by Ch. 17 include Byron, Cedarville, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Mount Morris, New Milford, Portions of Ogle County, Oregon, Polo, Stillman Valley, Winnebago, Portions of Boone County and Poplar Grove.
*******************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. *************************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area, Aurora and Rockford on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
*******************************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with State Senator Susan Garrett(D-Lake Forest) about hot topics in Illinois state government, a show with IL 5th CD Dem nominee--Cook County Cmsr. Mike Quigley (who is now extremely likely to win the
April general election to decide who replaces Cong. Rahm Emanuel), the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows. And, see here for very recent postings on our Youtube page.
**********************************************************************
**************************************************
State Rep. Susana Mendoza(D-Chicago): Absolutely not. And it was a blatant lie of omission.
Jeff Berkowitz: What did he leave out?
State Rep. Mendoza: Well, [Roland Burris] left out all the conversations that he had with the five individuals that he spoke with from the Governor’s team, as well as his agreement to go ahead and try to raise some money for the Governor on a fundraiser and he cleared that up with a later affidavit- actually not even in the affidavit, but later—that was like story No. 4, I think, that he did speak with —
***********************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: …So, maybe its beyond Obama’s control?
State Rep. Mendoza: Rod Blagojevich would not—if Jesus came off the cross and asked him to resign, he wouldn’t have done it…it’s about doing right and wrong and people who are committed to not doing the right thing, they don’t care who is asking them to do the right thing, it’s beyond that, there’s no shame involved at this point.
*****************************************************************************
This week’s Chicago metro suburban edition of Public Affairs features State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) [See below for the Chicago metro suburban, City of Chicago, Aurora and Rockford airing schedules for the show with Rep. Mendoza].
**********************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) can be watched on your computer.
******************************************
Topics discussed on the show with Rep. Mendoza include the following: Did Senator Burris lie under oath? Was he forthright in his testimony before the Illinois legislature earlier this year? Should there have been a Special Election to replace Senator Barack Obamaa? Should there still be a special election to fill the U. S.Senate seat currently held by Senator Burris? Will Burris run for re-election? Will Senator Burris face competition in the Democratic Primary from Treasurer Giannoulias? Cong. Schakowsky? Bill Daley? Others? who would Rep. Mendoza support? Would AG Madigan make a good candidate for Governor?
Addiitional topics discusssed witth Rep. Mendoza include whether she thinks school vouchers and more charter schools should be offered to parents in Chicago? What does Rep. Mendoza think about Senator Obama's 2002 views on school vouchers and what they have been recently? What would Rep. Mendoza say to President Obama about his current opposition to school vouchers? What is the impact of teachers' unions on the introduction of school vouchers in Illinois? Should Hispanic leaders promote school vouchers for their constituents? for Illinois citizens, in general? Are non-performing schools disproportionally located in minority areas? If so, is that a rationale for school vouchers to be piloted in those areas?
Would an increase in state income and motor fuel taxes in Illinois have a deleterious impact on Illinois employment?
If the IL 4th CD seat were to become open soon, would Rep. Mendoza make that run?
******************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: As the [oath] goes, tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago): That’s correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: The whole truth is a part of that. Did [Roland Burris] tell the whole truth?
State Rep. Mendoza: Absolutely not. And it was a blatant lie of omission.
Jeff Berkowitz: What did he leave out?
State Rep. Mendoza: Well, [Roland Burris] left out all the conversations that he had with the five individuals that he spoke with from the Governor’s team, as well as his agreement to go ahead and try to raise some money for the Governor on a fundraiser and he cleared that up with a later affidavit- actually not even in the affidavit, but later—that was like story No. 4, I think, that he did speak with —
Jeff Berkowitz: The fund raising stuff seeped out in [a Burris public speech in] Peoria, right?
State Rep. Mendoza: The fundraising stuff with Rob Blagojevich [brother of Rod Blagojevich] came after the affidavit.
Jeff Berkowitz: The fundraising discussion didn’t come in the affidavit—
State Rep. Mendoza: Right. Exactly. So, this story continues to change and that’s unacceptable. I mean it may not be perjury; I’m not saying that it’s not. I’m not saying that it is- yet. I think you need three categoricals to determine perjury. I think he clearly qualifies for two of those…on the second follow-up question with Rep. Tracy where she reiterated that” the previous people you had been asked about, was there anyone besides Lon Monk that you spoke to,” and [Burris] said, “I do not recall.”
Jeff Berkowitz: He doesn’t recall.
State Rep. Mendoza: I can’t imagine that [Burris] does not recall.
Jeff Berkowitz: And, later on he recalled a few.
State Rep. Mendoza: Yes.
Jeff Berkowitz: He recalled Robert Blagojevich, the brother of Rob Blagojevich.
State Rep. Mendoza: I think he chose not to tell us [in his testimony before the Illinois Legislature] and I think that that’s a lie and I think that that should be investigated—so I stand with that statement.
***********************************************************************
State Rep. Mendoza: …He is a former Attorney General of the State of Illihnois. If anyone should know what it means to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth- and let’s reiterate this—under oath, under oath—it’s him. So, he should be held to a higher standard.
*********************************************************************
State Rep. Mendoza: …making this into a race issue is not productive in any way, shape or form…
Jeff Berkowitz: So, it is not about race?
State Rep. Mendoza: No, absolutely not.
Jeff Berkowitz: It’s about public corruption. And, about lying?
State Rep. Mendoza: It’s about doing right and doing wrong. And, going after the people who do wrong.
*************************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Would Burris say no to Barack Obama [if Obama asked him to resign]?
State Rep. Mendoza: I believe Burris has said no to everybody.
Jeff Berkowitz: To the President of the U. S., would [Burris] say no?
State Rep. Mendoza: I believe he would say no…
Jeff Berkowitz: …So, maybe its beyond Obama’s control?
State Rep. Mendoza: Rod Blagojevich would not—if Jesus came off the cross and asked him to resign, he wouldn’t have done it…it’s about doing right and wrong and people who are committed to not doing the right thing, they don’t care who is asking them to do the right thing, it’s beyond that, there’s no shame involved at this point.
*****************************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Would you support an income tax increase in Illinois?
State Rep. Mendoza: I would look at supporting an income tax increase. Maybe something that is more on the progressive side.
****************************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Would you support an increase in the motor fuel tax?
State Rep. Mendoza: I think I would consider supporting an increase in the motor fuel tax…I hate raising taxes but we have to be realistic…
*******************************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) was taped on March 8, 2009.
**************************************
Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule:
The show featuring State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) is airing this week in the North and Northwest Chicago Metro suburbs in its regular slot:
Tonight (Tuesday) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette
and Tonight (Tuesday) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.
and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
*************************************************************
Chicago and Aurora:
The "Public Affairs," show featuring State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night, March 30, 2009, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21(CANTV, aka Chicago Access Network TV) and that same night on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-10. The Aurora station, ACTV-10, aka Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
*************************************************
Rockford:
The "Public Affairs," show featuring State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) , will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) a week from this coming Thursday night, April 2 at 8:00 pm on Cable Ch. 17. The surrounding areas reached by Ch. 17 include Byron, Cedarville, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Mount Morris, New Milford, Portions of Ogle County, Oregon, Polo, Stillman Valley, Winnebago, Portions of Boone County and Poplar Grove.
*******************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. *************************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area, Aurora and Rockford on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
*******************************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with State Senator Susan Garrett(D-Lake Forest) about hot topics in Illinois state government, a show with IL 5th CD Dem nominee--Cook County Cmsr. Mike Quigley (who is now extremely likely to win the
April general election to decide who replaces Cong. Rahm Emanuel), the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows. And, see here for very recent postings on our Youtube page.
**********************************************************************
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