John Curry responds to post on Jill Zimon's blog, 'Writes Like She Talks'

Click here to view the original post and subsequent responses.

From John Curry, October 1, 2007

Jill,

I appreciate Josh Mandel’s service to our country and detest terrorism as much as my fellow Buckeyes. I must add that I also detest (with equal compassion) a bill that (as written) does not require banks, investment houses, and every Ohio citizen to equally share in the sacrifice of divestiture. My retirement system’s (STRS Ohio) chief investments officer, Stephen Mitchell, estimates that a Mandel enforced divestment will cost our system between 70 and 100 million dollars to implement. This money is direly needed for a system who charges a retiree and spouse more than $600 monthly healthcare premiums while some retirees are making the choice between food or medicine.

If this divestment is to remain fair to ALL Ohioans then it must equally affect ALL Ohioans…not just the stakeholders of Ohio’s public pension systems and then..just those who have monies in the defined benefits retirements of these systems. Why doesn’t Josh’s bill apply to all Ohioans and Ohio businesses enterprises?

Also, Why does Israel not have mandatory divestment with companies doing business with Iran despite Israel’s former Prime Minister’s appearances in the U.S. to pressure divestment by U.S. public retirement systems and no other U.S. public entities? Why doesn’t Benjamin practice what he preaches on the home front?

John Curry