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Feb
13
Open: Fingerhut tells supporters he’s out
Filed Under Politics | 4 Comments
I’ve not hidden it before. I like the guy.
What concerns me most, as I reflect on today and Fingerhut’s withdrawal from the governor’s race, is the politics of the politics around the politics. Why the hell did I study political theory and major in government and sociology, when it seems like it all boils down to power plays? I must have missed that class.
Oh – here’s the Open link.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:25 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 4 Comments
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Feb
13
Says he’s out of governor’s race in part due to lack of funds. About three sentences, maybe only two, in the report.
Getting the dish while doing dishes. It’s a life. For some, anyway.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:08 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 1 Comment
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Feb
13
To keep up on the effort to eliminate Intelligent Design and creationism from the Ohio science academic content standards, visit here, here and here on The Atheist Mama. She wants to go to the Board of Education meeting tomorrow – let her know your opinion on whether she should go even if she needs to take her kids with her.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:47 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 2 Comments
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Feb
13
Chris Redfern Calls a Blogger
Filed Under Politics | 18 Comments
While I was outside my house, which, incidentally, is hovering at 58 degrees because of work being done on our furnace, ODP Chairman Chris Redfern called and left a message. I returned his call and we spoke for about 15 -20 minutes.
Here’s what I want to say about the conversation:
1. Redfern said that, “invitations were extended to Eric Fingerhut for after sundown [on Saturday] and I know this because I gave permission to my staff to offer this and I heard the staffers say it…Every effort was given to Eric, if he wanted, to take the opportunity to devote [Saturday] to his religious customs, including after sundown.”
Redfern spoke for several minutes about the importance to him that Fingerhut be afforded opportunities that respected Fingerhut’s religious observances. He mentioned other examples that he felt demonstrate his efforts to fully accommodate candidates when it comes to religious and other scheduling needs. For example, I asked why the interviews couldn’t be scheduled on a weekday. He stated that the work schedules of the interviewers and interviewees wouldn’t allow for it, given the numbers and diversity of scheduling demands.
2. Although Redfern did not accuse me of it, I concluded, and re-stated to him that I sensed that perhaps he was concerned that my original letter impugns him and that that was not my intention – to impugn him. The reason I came to believe that he felt this way is because he expressed his wish that I’d called him before I’d written the letter.
As I told Redfern, it never occurred to me to call him before writing the letter (even though I called Fingerhut’s campaign manager before I wrote the letter) because, right or wrong, I would never have thought that, given my “I’m just a voter” feeling – even though I’m taking this reportage very seriously – I really thought that a letter to him was more in line with what would be appropriate from someone such as myself.
I promised to take him up on this suggestion to call should there ever be another occasion which shocks me in the same way. After all, I am not and was not into asking these questions and following up this situation for the fun of it.
And so, I’m still aflutter at this point – hours later – because of the triangulation I see happening in this situation:
Fingerhut’s campaign says that a person speaking for the ODP said that “it is impossible” for the interview to be re-scheduled in a way that would satisfy Fingerhut.
Chris Redfern says that no one from the ODP has said that and that the ODP representatives were ordered to and carried out that order to offer Fingerhut accommodations which, the ODP believed, had been adequate in the past.
I’m thrilled to get responses to my reaction to hearing about the scenario, but shouldn’t these two camps be talking to one another? Is it reasonable to think that I should have written that in my email to Redfern, and perhaps to Fingerhut’s campaign as well? I mean, that just sounds kooky to me, but things are getting kookier all the time these days. (Think Noe and 175 years, think Tim Ryan asking Hackett to run then not to run, think Cheney shooting his hunting pal.)
Shouldn’t these two camps be talking in the name of helping the Ohio Democratic voters?
And finally, why do I feel like either you are a supreme insider or you are better off staying out 100%, because knowing even a little bit leads you into situations where, not knowing all of it, you end up blundering through?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:16 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 18 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
13
Open: Fingerhut tells supporters he’s out
Filed Under Politics | 4 Comments
I’ve not hidden it before. I like the guy.
What concerns me most, as I reflect on today and Fingerhut’s withdrawal from the governor’s race, is the politics of the politics around the politics. Why the hell did I study political theory and major in government and sociology, when it seems like it all boils down to power plays? I must have missed that class.
Oh – here’s the Open link.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:25 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 4 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
13
Says he’s out of governor’s race in part due to lack of funds. About three sentences, maybe only two, in the report.
Getting the dish while doing dishes. It’s a life. For some, anyway.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:08 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 1 Comment
Print This Post
Feb
13
To keep up on the effort to eliminate Intelligent Design and creationism from the Ohio science academic content standards, visit here, here and here on The Atheist Mama. She wants to go to the Board of Education meeting tomorrow – let her know your opinion on whether she should go even if she needs to take her kids with her.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 6:47 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 2 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
13
Plain Dealer Open says Fingerhut dropping out
Filed Under Politics | 3 Comments
Just read it here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:56 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 3 Comments
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Feb
13
ODP clarification on scheduling of Eric Fingerhut endorsement screening meeting
Filed Under Politics | 2 Comments
Second email from ODP Communications Director, Brian Rothenberg, in response to my email which I included at the end of this post:
We offered as we have with other candidates to accomodate on the Jewish Sabbath. I myself am sensitive to this as I am Jewish. Lee Fisher and Marc Dann are also being offered accomodation.
Sen. Fingerhut spoke at 3-4 p.m. two Saturday’s ago to the DFA/Blue 88 Conference. The posted tape that day has him stating online that he left Cleveland at 1:30 p.m. that Saturday to drive down with his son.
We have offered to accomodate him in a late afternoon session again this time just as he took too Saturday’s prior. I am not aware in my upbringing of an exception for different events — you are either conservative or orthodox and strictly observe or you are flexible in your observance. It is highly doubtful you change such a belief pattern in a span of two weeks!
As for what I wrote, it seems explanatory to me. The By-laws require the Executive Committee to have a pre-primary endorsement meeting to consider a request for such a meeting by a candidate. We are complying. The screening committee can recommend endorsement or non-endorsement. The executive committee can accept or not-accept those recommendations or make its own recommendations.
Brian
Brian P. Rothenberg
Communication Director
Ohio Democratic Party
614-221-6563
Cell 614-207-3237
Brian@ohiodems.org
My response:
Dear Mr. Rothenberg,
Thank you for this most recent email.
I would agree about there not being an exception as to different events, though of course I don’t speak for Mr. Fingerhut.
I’m still not clear as to how your recitation of the by-laws applies to the situation at hand, but I would urge that, in the interest of having Ohio’s Democrats understand precisely what is unfolding, the ODP will make the situation known, with precision, accuracy and fairness to all sides.
Thank you.
Jill Miller Zimon, JD, MSSA
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:47 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 2 Comments
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Feb
13
For Ohio voters to consider re: the endorsement process (translation request already made)
Filed Under Politics | 4 Comments
I received the email below in response to my email to Chairman Redfern. My re-printing of this email is in no way intended to be inflammatory. I’m hopeful that blog readers are able to help me understand what precisely Mr. Rothenberg has told me vis a vis the situation with Eric Fingerhut (I’ve emailed Mr. Rothenberg to ask, as well; see below).
Jill,
Chris was out of the office in Toledo this morning responding to the Noe indictments.
There are a few things you should know in response to your email:
1) By-Laws of ODP require the Chair to schedule an Executive Meeting over pre-primary endorsements if a request is made by candidates. We received our first request from Richard Cordray some weeks ago and have since received others.
2) The meeting the 18th is a screening committee. The Committee can make decisions to endorse or not to endorse and recommend certain candidates.
3) The full Executive Committee can take the recommendations of the screening committee or make their own decisions on the day they meet. Only the Executive Committee can endorse on behalf of the full Ohio Democratic Party.
As you can see, there are certain rules and requirements we must follow. In the end, it is a decision of the Executive Committee.
Brian Rothenberg
Communication Director
I actually couldn’t see, so I’ve responded to Mr. Rothenberg with a request to please re-state the information in lay terms:
Dear Mr. Rothenberg,
I appreciate you taking the time to send me this response. However, I have to tell you, I have almost no idea what it means.
Could you please tell me in layterms that an Ohio voter could understand? What does the information you’ve sent me mean in regard to Eric Fingerhut’s request to have an accommodation for the Jewish Sabbath?
Thanks very much. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Jill Miller Zimon, JD, MSSA
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:25 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 4 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
13
Open: Fingerhut tells supporters he’s out
Filed Under Politics | Comments Off
I’ve not hidden it before. I like the guy.
What concerns me most, as I reflect on today and Fingerhut’s withdrawal from the governor’s race, is the politics of the politics around the politics. Why the hell did I study political theory and major in government and sociology, when it seems like it all boils down to power plays? I must have missed that class.
Oh – here’s the Open link.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:25 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | Comments Off
Print This Post
Feb
13
Chris Redfern Calls a Blogger
Filed Under Politics | 18 Comments
While I was outside my house, which, incidentally, is hovering at 58 degrees because of work being done on our furnace, ODP Chairman Chris Redfern called and left a message. I returned his call and we spoke for about 15 -20 minutes.
Here’s what I want to say about the conversation:
1. Redfern said that, “invitations were extended to Eric Fingerhut for after sundown [on Saturday] and I know this because I gave permission to my staff to offer this and I heard the staffers say it…Every effort was given to Eric, if he wanted, to take the opportunity to devote [Saturday] to his religious customs, including after sundown.”
Redfern spoke for several minutes about the importance to him that Fingerhut be afforded opportunities that respected Fingerhut’s religious observances. He mentioned other examples that he felt demonstrate his efforts to fully accommodate candidates when it comes to religious and other scheduling needs. For example, I asked why the interviews couldn’t be scheduled on a weekday. He stated that the work schedules of the interviewers and interviewees wouldn’t allow for it, given the numbers and diversity of scheduling demands.
2. Although Redfern did not accuse me of it, I concluded, and re-stated to him that I sensed that perhaps he was concerned that my original letter impugns him and that that was not my intention – to impugn him. The reason I came to believe that he felt this way is because he expressed his wish that I’d called him before I’d written the letter.
As I told Redfern, it never occurred to me to call him before writing the letter (even though I called Fingerhut’s campaign manager before I wrote the letter) because, right or wrong, I would never have thought that, given my “I’m just a voter” feeling – even though I’m taking this reportage very seriously – I really thought that a letter to him was more in line with what would be appropriate from someone such as myself.
I promised to take him up on this suggestion to call should there ever be another occasion which shocks me in the same way. After all, I am not and was not into asking these questions and following up this situation for the fun of it.
And so, I’m still aflutter at this point – hours later – because of the triangulation I see happening in this situation:
Fingerhut’s campaign says that a person speaking for the ODP said that “it is impossible” for the interview to be re-scheduled in a way that would satisfy Fingerhut.
Chris Redfern says that no one from the ODP has said that and that the ODP representatives were ordered to and carried out that order to offer Fingerhut accommodations which, the ODP believed, had been adequate in the past.
I’m thrilled to get responses to my reaction to hearing about the scenario, but shouldn’t these two camps be talking to one another? Is it reasonable to think that I should have written that in my email to Redfern, and perhaps to Fingerhut’s campaign as well? I mean, that just sounds kooky to me, but things are getting kookier all the time these days. (Think Noe and 175 years, think Tim Ryan asking Hackett to run then not to run, think Cheney shooting his hunting pal.)
Shouldn’t these two camps be talking in the name of helping the Ohio Democratic voters?
And finally, why do I feel like either you are a supreme insider or you are better off staying out 100%, because knowing even a little bit leads you into situations where, not knowing all of it, you end up blundering through?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:16 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 18 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
13
WKSU 6pm news says Fingerhut out
Filed Under Politics | Comments Off
Says he’s out of governor’s race in part due to lack of funds. About three sentences, maybe only two, in the report.
Getting the dish while doing dishes. It’s a life. For some, anyway.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:08 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | Comments Off
Print This Post
Feb
13
Dear Chairman Redfern,
I hope this email finds you well. Perhaps you remember, without me reminding you, that we met in your office on Wednesday morning, January 25th. Todd Rensi arranged the meeting because I’m unable to attend your Meet the Bloggers session this Thursday. Again, I appreciate the unnecessary accommodation, especially as someone you’d never met and is really just an engaged Ohio citizen.
I’m writing you now because this morning, I read the paragraph below on the blog, Brewed Fresh Daily.
The Ohio Democratic Party is indeed going to endorse in the primary. Candidate interviews will be held this Saturday, Feb. 18. One of the main candidates for governor is a conservative Jew, Eric Fingerhut. Saturday is the Sabbath for conservative Jews. Eric asked for another date. ODP kindly asked Eric to submit his endorsement interview on videotape. Eric declined.
A short time ago, I spoke with Anthony Fossaceca in Eric Fingerhut’s office and he confirmed the truth of that information.
As a Jew who observes her religion in accordance with the tenets of Conservative Judaism, and a citizen who has gone so far as to have her own town repeal a blue law because of its oppressive nature on Jews observing the Sabbath, I’m in shock.
In addition, as a person who sat in your office and discussed the endorsement process, I’m also puzzled. You told me that the ODP receives letters from the candidates in which they request endorsements from the ODP. The ODP then must interview all the candidates and provide an endorsement.
Given Mr. Strickland’s clergy status and Mr. Fisher’s Jewish faith, I’m unable to imagine how, as I’ve been told by Anthony Fossececa (with whom I verified the information in the paragraph from BFD), it is that an ODP representative would say to Mr. Fingerhut that “it is impossible” to accommodate him.
I am requesting that you publicly explain how the ODP could fail to better accommodate a well-respected, well-liked, earnest, sincere, gentlemanly, dedicated Ohio public servant such as Eric Fingerhut. How would Mr. Strickland or Mr. Fisher feel if their religious tenets were deemed “impossible” to accommodate?
I’m appalled, saddened and disgusted. Such refusal to accommodate makes me feel that the ODP believes that Jews will vote for any Democrat, that they will not desert the party and that the ODP doesn’t care if Mr. Fingerhut must be sacrificed in order to get the governorship.
Although my tone and words barely reflect the anger I feel at learning this information, please be assured, I’m irate and I suspect more than a few Northeast Ohio Jews will feel similarly. In fact, this situation reminds me of an incident with my alma mater, Georgetown University.
Shortly after I graduated, there was a reunion. It was scheduled over a Jewish high holy day, in the fall. I knew one of the coordinators and called him. He was empathetic but said, Jill, the percentage of alumni who return isn’t that high, and the percentage of that percentage that is Jewish is even smaller. It’s just not enough for us to care.
Thank you for making me remember how low on the totem pole Jewish voters are, and how small that individual trivialized the school’s Jewish alumni, that whatever percentage I belonged to, it wasn’t large enough for anyone to care.
Perhaps this is all part of some other charade that, as a naive but engaged voter, I’ve yet to recognize. It is those kinds of slams against a genuine citizen’s genuine belief in the system that causes them to lose faith and stop voting. Is that really what you desire in the end?
Thank you for your time. I look forward to your response.
Very truly yours,
Jill Miller Zimon, JD, MSSA
By Jill Miller Zimon at 3:55 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 9 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
13
Atheist Mama dishing on Ohioans feelings about science education
Filed Under Politics | Comments Off
To keep up on the effort to eliminate Intelligent Design and creationism from the Ohio science academic content standards, visit here, here and here on The Atheist Mama. She wants to go to the Board of Education meeting tomorrow – let her know your opinion on whether she should go even if she needs to take her kids with her.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 3:47 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | Comments Off
Print This Post
Feb
13
Plain Dealer Open says Fingerhut dropping out
Filed Under Politics | 3 Comments
Just read it here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:56 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 3 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
13
ODP clarification on scheduling of Eric Fingerhut endorsement screening meeting
Filed Under Politics | 2 Comments
Second email from ODP Communications Director, Brian Rothenberg, in response to my email which I included at the end of this post:
We offered as we have with other candidates to accomodate on the Jewish Sabbath. I myself am sensitive to this as I am Jewish. Lee Fisher and Marc Dann are also being offered accomodation.
Sen. Fingerhut spoke at 3-4 p.m. two Saturday’s ago to the DFA/Blue 88 Conference. The posted tape that day has him stating online that he left Cleveland at 1:30 p.m. that Saturday to drive down with his son.
We have offered to accomodate him in a late afternoon session again this time just as he took too Saturday’s prior. I am not aware in my upbringing of an exception for different events — you are either conservative or orthodox and strictly observe or you are flexible in your observance. It is highly doubtful you change such a belief pattern in a span of two weeks!
As for what I wrote, it seems explanatory to me. The By-laws require the Executive Committee to have a pre-primary endorsement meeting to consider a request for such a meeting by a candidate. We are complying. The screening committee can recommend endorsement or non-endorsement. The executive committee can accept or not-accept those recommendations or make its own recommendations.
Brian
Brian P. Rothenberg
Communication Director
Ohio Democratic Party
614-221-6563
Cell 614-207-3237
Brian@ohiodems.org
My response:
Dear Mr. Rothenberg,
Thank you for this most recent email.
I would agree about there not being an exception as to different events, though of course I don’t speak for Mr. Fingerhut.
I’m still not clear as to how your recitation of the by-laws applies to the situation at hand, but I would urge that, in the interest of having Ohio’s Democrats understand precisely what is unfolding, the ODP will make the situation known, with precision, accuracy and fairness to all sides.
Thank you.
Jill Miller Zimon, JD, MSSA
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:47 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 2 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
13
For Ohio voters to consider re: the endorsement process (translation request already made)
Filed Under Politics | 4 Comments
I received the email below in response to my email to Chairman Redfern. My re-printing of this email is in no way intended to be inflammatory. I’m hopeful that blog readers are able to help me understand what precisely Mr. Rothenberg has told me vis a vis the situation with Eric Fingerhut (I’ve emailed Mr. Rothenberg to ask, as well; see below).
Jill,
Chris was out of the office in Toledo this morning responding to the Noe indictments.
There are a few things you should know in response to your email:
1) By-Laws of ODP require the Chair to schedule an Executive Meeting over pre-primary endorsements if a request is made by candidates. We received our first request from Richard Cordray some weeks ago and have since received others.
2) The meeting the 18th is a screening committee. The Committee can make decisions to endorse or not to endorse and recommend certain candidates.
3) The full Executive Committee can take the recommendations of the screening committee or make their own decisions on the day they meet. Only the Executive Committee can endorse on behalf of the full Ohio Democratic Party.
As you can see, there are certain rules and requirements we must follow. In the end, it is a decision of the Executive Committee.
Brian Rothenberg
Communication Director
I actually couldn’t see, so I’ve responded to Mr. Rothenberg with a request to please re-state the information in lay terms:
Dear Mr. Rothenberg,
I appreciate you taking the time to send me this response. However, I have to tell you, I have almost no idea what it means.
Could you please tell me in layterms that an Ohio voter could understand? What does the information you’ve sent me mean in regard to Eric Fingerhut’s request to have an accommodation for the Jewish Sabbath?
Thanks very much. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Jill Miller Zimon, JD, MSSA
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:25 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 4 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
13
While I was outside my house, which, incidentally, is hovering at 58 degrees because of work being done on our furnace, ODP Chairman Chris Redfern called and left a message. I returned his call and we spoke for about 15 -20 minutes.
Here’s what I want to say about the conversation:
1. Redfern said that, “invitations were extended to Eric Fingerhut for after sundown [on Saturday] and I know this because I gave permission to my staff to offer this and I heard the staffers say it…Every effort was given to Eric, if he wanted, to take the opportunity to devote [Saturday] to his religious customs, including after sundown.”
Redfern spoke for several minutes about the importance to him that Fingerhut be afforded opportunities that respected Fingerhut’s religious observances. He mentioned other examples that he felt demonstrate his efforts to fully accommodate candidates when it comes to religious and other scheduling needs. For example, I asked why the interviews couldn’t be scheduled on a weekday. He stated that the work schedules of the interviewers and interviewees wouldn’t allow for it, given the numbers and diversity of scheduling demands.
2. Although Redfern did not accuse me of it, I concluded, and re-stated to him that I sensed that perhaps he was concerned that my original letter impugns him and that that was not my intention – to impugn him. The reason I came to believe that he felt this way is because he expressed his wish that I’d called him before I’d written the letter.
As I told Redfern, it never occurred to me to call him before writing the letter (even though I called Fingerhut’s campaign manager before I wrote the letter) because, right or wrong, I would never have thought that, given my “I’m just a voter” feeling – even though I’m taking this reportage very seriously – I really thought that a letter to him was more in line with what would be appropriate from someone such as myself.
I promised to take him up on this suggestion to call should there ever be another occasion which shocks me in the same way. After all, I am not and was not into asking these questions and following up this situation for the fun of it.
And so, I’m still aflutter at this point – hours later – because of the triangulation I see happening in this situation:
Fingerhut’s campaign says that a person speaking for the ODP said that “it is impossible” for the interview to be re-scheduled in a way that would satisfy Fingerhut.
Chris Redfern says that no one from the ODP has said that and that the ODP representatives were ordered to and carried out that order to offer Fingerhut accommodations which, the ODP believed, had been adequate in the past.
I’m thrilled to get responses to my reaction to hearing about the scenario, but shouldn’t these two camps be talking to one another? Is it reasonable to think that I should have written that in my email to Redfern, and perhaps to Fingerhut’s campaign as well? I mean, that just sounds kooky to me, but things are getting kookier all the time these days. (Think Noe and 175 years, think Tim Ryan asking Hackett to run then not to run, think Cheney shooting his hunting pal.)
Shouldn’t these two camps be talking in the name of helping the Ohio Democratic voters?
And finally, why do I feel like either you are a supreme insider or you are better off staying out 100%, because knowing even a little bit leads you into situations where, not knowing all of it, you end up blundering through?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:16 pm February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 1 Comment
Print This Post
Feb
13
Dear Chairman Redfern,
I hope this email finds you well. Perhaps you remember, without me reminding you, that we met in your office on Wednesday morning, January 25th. Todd Rensi arranged the meeting because I’m unable to attend your Meet the Bloggers session this Thursday. Again, I appreciate the unnecessary accommodation, especially as someone you’d never met and is really just an engaged Ohio citizen.
I’m writing you now because this morning, I read the paragraph below on the blog, Brewed Fresh Daily.
The Ohio Democratic Party is indeed going to endorse in the primary. Candidate interviews will be held this Saturday, Feb. 18. One of the main candidates for governor is a conservative Jew, Eric Fingerhut. Saturday is the Sabbath for conservative Jews. Eric asked for another date. ODP kindly asked Eric to submit his endorsement interview on videotape. Eric declined.
A short time ago, I spoke with Anthony Fossaceca in Eric Fingerhut’s office and he confirmed the truth of that information.
As a Jew who observes her religion in accordance with the tenets of Conservative Judaism, and a citizen who has gone so far as to have her own town repeal a blue law because of its oppressive nature on Jews observing the Sabbath, I’m in shock.
In addition, as a person who sat in your office and discussed the endorsement process, I’m also puzzled. You told me that the ODP receives letters from the candidates in which they request endorsements from the ODP. The ODP then must interview all the candidates and provide an endorsement.
Given Mr. Strickland’s clergy status and Mr. Fisher’s Jewish faith, I’m unable to imagine how, as I’ve been told by Anthony Fossececa (with whom I verified the information in the paragraph from BFD), it is that an ODP representative would say to Mr. Fingerhut that “it is impossible” to accommodate him.
I am requesting that you publicly explain how the ODP could fail to better accommodate a well-respected, well-liked, earnest, sincere, gentlemanly, dedicated Ohio public servant such as Eric Fingerhut. How would Mr. Strickland or Mr. Fisher feel if their religious tenets were deemed “impossible” to accommodate?
I’m appalled, saddened and disgusted. Such refusal to accommodate makes me feel that the ODP believes that Jews will vote for any Democrat, that they will not desert the party and that the ODP doesn’t care if Mr. Fingerhut must be sacrificed in order to get the governorship.
Although my tone and words barely reflect the anger I feel at learning this information, please be assured, I’m irate and I suspect more than a few Northeast Ohio Jews will feel similarly. In fact, this situation reminds me of an incident with my alma mater, Georgetown University.
Shortly after I graduated, there was a reunion. It was scheduled over a Jewish high holy day, in the fall. I knew one of the coordinators and called him. He was empathetic but said, Jill, the percentage of alumni who return isn’t that high, and the percentage of that percentage that is Jewish is even smaller. It’s just not enough for us to care.
Thank you for making me remember how low on the totem pole Jewish voters are, and how small that individual trivialized the school’s Jewish alumni, that whatever percentage I belonged to, it wasn’t large enough for anyone to care.
Perhaps this is all part of some other charade that, as a naive but engaged voter, I’ve yet to recognize. It is those kinds of slams against a genuine citizen’s genuine belief in the system that causes them to lose faith and stop voting. Is that really what you desire in the end?
Thank you for your time. I look forward to your response.
Very truly yours,
Jill Miller Zimon, JD, MSSA
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:55 am February 13th, 2006 in Politics | 9 Comments
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