Top Schock spokesman resigns

Posted on February 5, 2015

(WJBC file photo)

By Westwood One News

WASHINGTON – The spokesman and senior adviser for U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) has resigned after reports about a series of racially charged comments he made on his Facebook page over the course of several years.

In a statement to the Peoria Journal Star, Schock said he had accepted Benjamin Cole's resignation.

"I am extremely disappointed by the inexcusable and offensive online comments made by a member of my staff," said Schock in the statement. "I would expect better from any member of my team. Upon learning about them I met with Mr. Cole and he offered his resignation which I have accepted."

According to the website Think Progress, Cole's online remarks included this comment about his black neighbors from 2013: "So apparently the closing of the National Zoo has forced the animals to conduct their mating rituals on my street. #gentrifytoday Pt. 1"

He also joked in August 2010 about President Barack Obama, who is Christian, saying, "They should build a mosque on the White House grounds."

Another post read: "The fact remains that white people who live in my building are routinely harassed by black miscreants who blockade the sidewalks and entryways in front of and behind my building."

Think Progress said the offensive posts appeared to have been removed by Wednesday.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…