Countdown to Rahmageddon: The "Donate" Button Is a Bit Much
By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 23, 2010 3:00PM
Politicians using a tragedy as an opportunity to reinforce their at-home credentials — "we are in this together" — is as American as apple pie and cheating on your taxes. In Chicago, it's as natural as choosing which baseball team to root for. Still, an e-mail blast from Rahm Emanuel's camp expressing solidarity with the tragic loss of two firefighters on the South Side yesterday struck the wrong note with some of us here in the Chicagoist offices.
It wasn't the tone of the e-mail. That struck the proper notes of reverence and respect for the Fire Department and the families of Edward Stringer and Corey Ankum. It wasn't that the release was likely written by someone on Emanuel's communications team, with his signing off on it.
It was the "donate" button at the bottom of the e-mail. It seemed a bit gauche after the sentiment of the e-mail. The Emanuel campaign apparently recognized the faux pas, as well. Click the donate button on the e-mail now and you get a quick mea culpa page announcing that they aren't taking donations.
Here is the text of the e-mail in full:
"Dear Friend,
"Today is a tragic day in Chicago, and a reminder that thousands of men and
women put their lives on the line each day to protect the rest of us.
"Early this morning, over a hundred firefighters responded to a three alarm
fire and 'mayday' calls at a commercial building in the South Shore.
"Our city lost two firefighters who responded to this call.
"Amy and my thoughts and prayers are with their families today. We are also
wishing a speedy recovery to the 17 other firefighters who were injured
today trying to contain the fire and rescue their colleagues.
"As we celebrate this holiday season, we must remember how fortunate we are
that we have brave men and women working out there every day to protect our
homes, our communities, and our families.
"We are eternally grateful for their courageous work, and we will never
forget them.
"Sincerely,
"Rahm"