Just Schocking!!

I usually don't get around to reading the paper until the evening. Yes, I know, it's old news by then. But it's the relaxing thing to do after dinner while watching yet another rerun of Seinfeld. RLO Today has always been a blog without any political comments... until now.

On the front page of today's paper featured a story stating that US Representative candidate Aaron Schock is now claiming that his position of selling nuclear weaponry to Taiwan "was in jest." What dope is this kid smoking? First he makes this reckless position. Then he retracts it. Now he says it was a joke. If I remember correctly, didn't he present this position when he announced his candidacy a couple of months ago? If this was really a joke at that time, you would think he would say "Just kidding," or something to that effect and then explain his real position. But he didn't. And with his candidacy announcement, you would think there would be a lot of people watching.

Since I don't live in Peoria or in the 92nd District, I've never had to vote for or against him. But I've had a brief encounter with the "boy wonder" in the past. As a member of the Peoria Jaycees, I volunteered to co-chair the Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in 2004. It was my last year until I aged out and wanted to chair one last project. The DSA Banquet is like a 40 under 40 awards program. Of the categories awarded is in government.

Aaron Schock was nominated and selected for the Good Government Award. In coordinating with his nominator for dinner arrangements at the event, she stated that Schock could not attend do to a conflicting event. I said that was no problem as we've had these problems from time to time in the past. I asked if he could have a family member, friend or co-worker accept the award for him. I was told that there was no one available to do this on that evening. "Not one person can accept this for him?" I asked. "No" was the answer I was given. I was actually dumbfounded.

I then said, "You mean to tell me that out of all the people he knows, with all his connections and popularity, there is not one person who can attend the dinner and accept an award he is winning?" Schock's nominator said, "Tell me about it." I could sense some disgust about him the way she said it.

We held the event and all went well. I think we basically told the audience that Aaron Schock won the Charles C. Schlink Good Government Award but was unable to accept it or make arrangements for someone to accept in his behalf. Basically, we told them the truth. Shortly after, I get a call asking if we can present the award at the District 150 School Board meeting. Wanting to keep the Peoria Jaycees in a good light and positive image, I agree.

My co-chair and I presented the award to Schock and he was very sincere and thankful. He seemed very honored and appreciative to win the award. We then went our separate ways. Now fast forward to 2007. Aaron Schock refuses to go to any debate if any his opponents will be video taping the session. He claims he's afraid that his opponents might use something he says out of context. I begin to think that may have been why he did not want to go to the DSA Banquet that February evening in 2004. Someone might have been video taping him. Instead, he was seen by several as a no show. If you're going to be a public figure, you have to get use to people using recording equipment on you.

If our boy wonder keeps up all this odd behavior, the real joke will be him. And I'm speaking from experience!