Posting Date: November 20, 2009
Mayor Daley right on Michael Scott tragedy
Everyone was surprised when they learned that Michael Scott, who has had a long successful history working with every mayor since Jane Byrne, was found dead near the Chicago river.
But even more shocking was the apparent rush to judgment by the Cook County Medical Examiner Nancy Lynne Jones, the same day, declared that the death was a “suicide.”
It is hard to accept not just for those who knew Scott, who was the president of the Chicago Board of Education, but also for the public which is skeptical whenever any death is rushed to conclusion through the system.
Mayor Daley spoke for everyone when he said that although he respects Jones’ opinion as chief medical examiner, the final decision on the cause of death should be made by the professionals in the Chicago Police Department who carefully examining evidence at the scene of the crime can offer a more certain conclusion.
Daley was quoted as saying, “Enough with the medical examiner. Let’s stop this. “Fifteen minutes of fame – they gave it to you. The Chicago Police Department has responsibility to check everything. I’m sorry. They don’t rush to conclusions. They cannot do that. They have to look at everything.”
Deep down, I refuse to believe a man with such a stellar career could have committed suicide. And I was, like many others, angry that someone would so capriciously write off the incident as a suicide simply based on circumstances.
Although Jones is a professional, her opinion is important but not the final say in a gun-related death in a city where gun deaths are common and all too frequent. Her comments should be a part of the overall investigation but not be the final word, especially when it comes to a public figure like Michael Scott.
But Jones comes from the most scandal-plagued government in our state. Cook County is besieged with controversy, poor leadership and waste and Jones’ remarks cannot escape that environment as a cheap attempt at publicity.
The rush to judgment on suicide also provoke a flurry of rumors and innuendos about Scott’s financial dealings, his plans to develop a parcel of land near the proposed 2016 Chicago Olympics, which the city lost. It’s all disrespectful but fed by the uncertainty caused when one government official shortcuts due process to permit a full explanation about the circumstances involving a tragedy of this magnitude.
Scott and his family deserve to grieve and they deserve some answers, with the knowledge that those answers come from a comprehensive investigation. And the public has a right to know that a man who dedicated his life to serving not only the city and the Chicago public schools and other agencies, as well as the public at large, is treated with the utmost respect.
Although not everyone will ever believe that Scott took his own life in a suicide, it will be easier to accept if the conclusion comes from a professionally conducted, full investigation into all aspects of the tragedy rather than from a very unprofessional rush to judgment from a possibly well-intentioned but rash medical examiner.
(Ray Hanania is an award winning political analyst and media consultant and who served in the U.S. Air Force and is recognized with a Vietnam Era Service Ribbon among others. He is a member of the American Arab Veterans Group called APAAM Association of Patriotic American Arabs in Military, www.APAAM.org)
http://www.RadioChicagoland.com
WJJG Radio 1530 AM/Monday thru Friday 8-9:30 am/Studio Line: 708-493-1530
http://www.OrlandParker.com
http://www.SuburbanChicagoland.com
http://www.TheMediaOasis.com
Alternate email: rghanania@gmail.com
WJJG Radio 1530 AM/Monday thru Friday 8-9:30 am/Studio Line: 708-493-1530
http://www.OrlandParker.com
http://www.SuburbanChicagoland.com
http://www.TheMediaOasis.com
Alternate email: rghanania@gmail.com
Join our FaceBook network; sign up for our eNewsletter at RadioChicagoland.com
Post your comments on this column or any other topic at ChicagolandTalk.
Serving readers in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, Mokena, Palos Park, Palos Hills, Palos Heights, Oak Lawn, Burbank, Bridgeview.
