The Abner Mikva Function vs. the Unknowns

THESIS:

Today I zero in on what I call the Abner Mikva Function. This makes a distinction between the particular individual known as Abner Mikva and the archetype which that old lion of liberalism represents.

Background:

I saw a photo in the June 11, 2009 issue of the Chicago Tribune, bearing this caption:

"Abner Mikva's integrity is unquestioned."

Whenever I read descriptions like this, I feel like I'm being challenged. So today, I will question Mikva's integrity, though not just to set the record straight. I have a larger reason with which I'll conclude this blog.

I've heard the name Abner Mikva before, since he's a favorite son of my home state of Illinois. So out of curiosity, I read the editorial accompanying his photo. Title of editorial: "U. of I. won't come clean."

With these words, this editorial started me thinking about the larger concept of the Abner Mikva Function, which I'll define in a bit.

QUOTE:

Mikva will chair a blue-ribbon panel exploring the shadow admissions process at the [University of Illinois] revealed in the Tribune series "Clout Goes to College." The Tribune reported that hundreds of well-connected applicants got preferential treatment because of interference from university trustees, lawmakers and other state officials.

:UNQUOTE.

Why I question Mikva's integrity

I started feeling uneasy when I saw the caption under Mikva's photo repeated in the text of the editorial itself: "His integrity is unquestioned." [Side note: Maybe we should start by questioning the integrity/motives of those who claim that certain others have unquestioned integrity.]

Then it hit me. I remember having seen Mikva's name on a motion before the Illinois Supreme Court back in December. His name was among 8 or 9 others (including Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's), listed on a motion attempting to unseat then-Governor Rod Blagojevich. Apparently Madigan and Mikva didn't think the Illinois legislature was moving fast enough to impeach the governor. So they decided to initiate this frivolous lawsuit - one completely without merit - to move things along more quickly.

Mikva says so himself:

QUOTE [article by Mary Wisniewski in Chicago Sun Times, 12/13/08]:

Madigan is being advised by Abner Mikva, White House counsel under President Bill Clinton and a confidant of President-elect Barack Obama. Mikva said Friday he thinks the appeal to the [Illinois] Supreme Court is the "least invasive way" to solve the problem. "It does not try to take over the legislative function," Mikva said. "It invites the Legislature to proceed as rapidly as they can."

:UNQUOTE.

So there it is: Mikva thinks it's proper to file a frivolous lawsuit in order to "invite" the Legislature to move quickly against a sitting governor. And the reason is obvious: The longer the scandal-tainted governor remained in office, the greater the potential damage to President Obammer*. And this is something Mikva wished to avoid, especially after having said:

"If Clinton was our first black president, then Barack Obama is our first Jewish president." [Note: For the record, Mikva is Jewish. But of course this is irrelevant.]

Mikva undoubtedly, in his heart of hearts (and considering the fact he was a federal judge for 15 years), knew that the Illinois Supreme Court would see through the flimsy arguments he himself had helped draft. In fact, the Illinois high court rejected this lawsuit without comment. That's code for, "this suit is so substantially without merit, it is beneath the dignity of the court to issue any kind of written opinion in response to any of the arguments in the suit itself."

So what exactly did Mikva do wrong?

What did he do wrong? He lent his name to a dishonest enterprise.

He should have responded: "It is a waste of the taxpayers' money for Madigan and her lawyers to be paid to research and prepare a brief for this lawsuit. Their time and talents should be spent pursuing actions which would benefit the state of Illinois's citizens, rather than further the political ambitions of Lisa Madigan. I, for one, refuse to participate in such an unscrupulous venture."

But Mikva didn't say any of that. Instead, he more than participated - he helped lead this doomed lawsuit against Blagojevich, which undoubtedly helped accelerate the governor's impeachment process. Mikva didn't care that he was abusing the court for political purposes. Oh well, stuff happens!

Attorney General Lisa Madigan wants to be the next governor of Illinois, so she had no problem filing a flimsy lawsuit. Even she must have known it would fail, but not before garnering the attention of the press. Press that's all too ready to popularize a grandstanding politician. [Lapdog press. Good press. Roll over and play dead, press.]

But why did Mikva imprint his name on such a shabby effort? Mikva may have been many things in his life, but one thing stands out in my mind: He was an Illinois politician, and they are famously used to dealing in favors and influence peddling. Even though seen as an anti-machine, anti Mayor Daley Democrat, I'm sure he's had his moments of (shall we say) compromise. As a lifelong resident of Illinois, I can make the following unequivocal claim:

"It is impossible to be a veteran Illinois politician without giving up one's integrity." [Too bad, Abner, but you invited this on yourself.]

In fact, if anyone dares to claim that any of our two-party system politicians has unquestionable integrity, I submit that person isn't looking very carefully.

What difference does it make?

Why should I care if an 83-year-old liberal lion sells out - even a little bit? I care because there's more than just one old man at stake. Every state - every political community - has its own version of Abner Mikva (which I collectively refer to as The Abner Mikva Function): An unimpeachable pillar of the community who is trotted out whenever a blue ribbon panel is created. People are reassured by such men, though I say, "Reject them all if they wear a party label."

When the time comes when the new politics starts to gain traction, I dare say we'll be seeing an occasional Abner Mikva come out of the woodwork. They will roll up their sleeves, extend their hands to shake yours, and say, "Let me help you." But I beg you to reject that self-serving, sabotaging hand.

The problem with the Abner Mikvas of the world: They are too much a part of the old politics, men who never objected to occasionally lowering their ethical standards when the greater good demanded it. [Read: the greater good of their party or of their political allies or of Israel or of ... I could go on and on.] These men were molded by the old politics and have it so ingrained in them, they cannot even see how deeply it possesses them.

It does not allow them to envision an alternate universe.

Of course, the alternate universe I'm talking about will be a direct result of the alternative politics I've been blogging about for the past (nearly) three years. Characterized by:

• Throwing all Dem/Pubs out of office and replacing them with Independents - preferably those with self-imposed term limits.

• Reigning in our politicians by means of voters demanding that any office-seeker run under the terms of a legally-enforceable contract. I did this when I ran against McCain and Obammer* in '08. Link to my contract: http://bpa-cinc.gaia.com/blog/2008/9/the_electoral_contract_of_steven_searle_for_us_president

• Replacing the US Constitution, which is beyond mere amendability, with a new Law of the Land based on Cross-Sectional Representation. Link: http://bpa-cinc.gaia.com/blog/2006/11/replace_the_u_s_constitution

• A system of justice which is available to all, and not just to those who can afford it.

• Unprecedented transparency and a more level playing field. How can we have a genuine democracy with such a high level of governmental and corporate secrecy? How can we dare to pretend that we have "equal treatment under the law" when our government follows the marching orders of special interests?

The Abner Mikva Function vs. the Unknowns

The biggest problem in moving Non-Partisan Politics forward:

People crave familiarity, but the New Politics will have to be birthed by Davids who are completely unknown. These patient and persistent movers and shakers will not be leading scholars, lawyers (please), philanthropists, elected officials, or the other types of people who populate Blue Ribbon panels. Nor will they be famous. They will come from the ranks of ordinary Americans - the kind of people who read my blog and after a long internal struggle say:

"Why not? We've got to do something. How can I help?"

My answer to that question: Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

Our task is difficult but not impossible. Look at it this way:

Blacque Obammer* and Abner Mikva both came from nowhere, but due to the magic that is the state of Illinois, "somehow" they managed to gain prominence. I'm from the state of Illinois, so I'd like to stand as living proof that more than Black Magic is possible here.

Steven Searle (was) a candidate for U.S. President in 2008:

"The kind of supporters I'm looking for know what is meant by, Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. To the meek I say, When are you going to start to claim your inheritance?" - Steve.

Founder of The Best Party Available

Contact me: bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

* The following essay explains why I refer to him as "Blacque Obammer": http://bpa-cinc.gaia.com/blog/2008/12/why_blacque_obammer

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