Letters to the Editor

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Let's try new way to teach mathematics

Mathematics has been around for ages. However, as a nation we still struggle with low math scores. Math is the lowest scoring class across the United States.

Society has done many things to try to correct this situation. I strongly feel the answer is simple. We need to incorporate math history in math classes. My favorite subject growing up as a child was history. The themes throughout the history classes all the way up to college have been a major influence on me and make me strive for excellence.

Danville is driving its citizens away

I encourage Danville citizens to read the fine print on the city's new gasoline tax.

The city is leading everyone to believe that the 4-cents-per-gallon hike will be used for road improvements. The city is down playing the fact that $150,000 of gas tax revenues will be set aside for infrastructure improvements with the priority being economic development. In other words, taxes are being raised for the expansion of Courtesy Ford on West Main.

Life and taxes sometimes aren't fair

I read the May 11 letter to the editor about how Joseph Houska of White Heath feels that the 1 percent sales tax that has the possibility of being voted on by Champaign County residents in November is going to be unfair to him and others who live in small towns. They do not get to see any benefit to their school districts because of not being able to shop in their own small towns.

Yes, Mr. Houska, I agree that it is not right that the state is not living up to its responsibility of being the primary funding source for all students in Illinois but there isn't much we can do about that other than vote for state representatives who share your feelings and concerns.

Time for Americans to act on oil prices

Last week I watched the price of gasoline go from $3.49 a gallon in the morning on my way to work to $3.79 a gallon in the afternoon on my way home – an 8 percent increase in less than 10 hours. As a concerned consumer I would be interested in knowing what prompted this abrupt change. I heard no outcries, no protests. The act did not merit a mention in any of the news media I am exposed to.

Have we become so callous, so accustomed to such occurrences that we are numb to their effects? It's as if we've been slapped so many times our spirits are conditioned to have us just sit there and take it. This touches everyone and everything, from the poorest welfare recipient to the richest landowner.

Charge the rich more for gasoline

There has to be a way to charge the greedy people who want their vehicles to be big and flashy so we all know they have money more for gasoline.

Since they are so rich, why don't we have a higher price for the gluttons who drive around in Hummers and huge sport utility vehicles with only themselves inside? Let's charge them $8 a gallon so those who conserve can go back down to regular prices.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Nuclear power is unacceptable option

No way is currently known for disposing of high-level radioactive wastes safely. Until a way is found, the Public Utilities Act forbids construction of any new nuclear power plant in Illinois. Unbelievably, a move is under way in the Legislature to repeal that moratorium, and the move apparently is being fast-tracked as a minor "technical change" to the law.

It is perhaps fitting that April Fool's Day was chosen to introduce the measure. Only a fool would advocate allowing increased production of hazardous nuclear waste when we have no safe place to put what we already have. Nuclear waste is perhaps the most dangerous stuff that exists in the world, and current storage methods render it (and us) vulnerable to accident, incompetence, natural disaster and terrorist attack.

Gas stations are gouging customers

Price gouging. Yes, it its happening here. One day last week gas was $3.42 a gallon. The next day it was $3.79 a gallon.

What is wrong with this picture?

Hate speech often issue of perspective

Regarding the UPTV controversy, I thought the issue of freedom of speech had been settled during the Enlightenment. If you aren't willing to protect the speech of those with whom you most disagree, then you don't support freedom of speech.

We might compare the consequences of hate speech on UPTV with those of Colin Powell's speech before the United Nations in February 2003. If lies contained in propaganda that have genocidal consequences are not defined as hate speech, then hate speech isn't the problem. There's also a credibility problem with a definition of anti-Semitism that is applied to both Rev. Pike and Jimmy Carter.

Call waterway a river, not a ditch

Champaign County's serene fields of corn, soybeans and wheat may not be very attractive to newcomers in the area but I, a native of Champaign County, always appreciated the prairie landscape as it changed through the seasons. However, I did not discover the real beauty that lies along our rivers and streams until 1958 when our family moved into a house near the Salt Fork. For over 30 years we've explored it and other streams that feed into the Wabash River. To our family the streams are a kind of "wilderness," a place to experience the beauty of the flora and fauna that does not venture into the cropland on either side of the stream banks.

The use of the word "ditch" that's been added to road signs sends the wrong message to the community. Words have tremendous power to create pictures in the mind's eye, and ditch creates an unpleasant picture. To ditch someone or something is to throw it away or dump it.

Save Assembly Hall, and build new arena

The debate regarding the Assembly Hall's future has begun, is being studied by the athletic department and by outside consulting firms.

First, it must be saved. It is an architecturally significant structure and truly a local landmark. It is in good condition and should not be demolished.

Comprehensive sex education is superior

Recently in The News-Gazette there have been many letters concerning whether sex education should be taught in schools. Some people believe that abstinence is the only type of sex education that should be covered in school. However, other people believe and studies have shown that comprehensive sex education is the most beneficial to students who are sexually active. I believe comprehensive sex education informs people about sex and provides them with knowledge that can help them create a safer and healthier future.

Comprehensive sex education teaches students about diseases, abortion, pregnancy, contraceptives, relationships and other related issues to help prepare students for their adult lives. This type of education also can reduce the negative outcomes from unsafe sexual encounters. Abstinence-only education, on the other hand, tells young people to abstain from sex until marriage but does not inform sexually active teens about the dangers inherent in premature sexual relationships.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Moment of silence should be maintained

I am a native of Champaign-Urbana. My children and I have been students in the public school system. My concerns are that there is so much violence in our schools, from shootings to molestations. I am aware that mandatory prayer at public schools was prohibited by the Supreme Court in 1962.

A moment of silence is now practiced after the Pledge of Allegiance every morning.

Creative solution needed for home

The Champaign County Board has allowed politics to get in the way of thinking and acting like business managers. County residents voted to build a new nursing home. But elected officials seem to be saying that the public might want this new building, but we don't like the way it's working. That kind of thinking will not get the board members re-elected.

Too many board members don't know what is going on, and they are second-guessing the building's administrator. Have all the board members spent time in the building observing? Or do they listen to those few who have addressed an overly-large advisory committee about what their perception is.

News media biased for Hillary Clinton

The news media across this country are biased and very seldom criticize Hillary Clinton's misdeeds or faults. Clinton lied about being in a dangerous and serious area where she claimed she and members of her traveling party came under live gunfire.

When Clinton was confronted in her lie, she changed her story and says she misspoke. How can she be so confused that she fails to remember being in a shooting zone? How can we afford a president who's that confused?

Police made arrest an issue of race

I followed the story of Brian Chesley and went to the trial.

According to the testimony of Officer Andre Davis, the Champaign Police Department was conducting stops strictly for the purpose of collecting identifications, checking for outstanding warrants and putting the person's personal information into the database for future use.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Theft of Chief decoration painful

My favorite time of the year is anytime Fighting Illini basketball or football games are being played. A big part of that has also included seeing the Chief and watching the half-time performances.

This past Christmas I received one of the best presents ever. My best friend had a slab of pink granite sandblasted with the Chief's head outlined and filled in with black. It is beautiful, and I have been proudly displaying it in my front yard.

Rep. Bill Black has served district well

I am writing regarding the May 1 letter "Black should have stayed retired" by Elmer Olson.

The argument that Black is in the minority party, Republican, and the district would be better served by the majority party, Democrat, is false. First, the majority party doesn't have a great record to many in this district, and for good reason. Further, Black has served this area well and the minority party is just as important as the majority party. Otherwise, we would have a one-party system.

Here are some more things state can ban

I wanted to thank Gov. Blagojevich and the state Legislature for their great concern for my health. The smoking ban was a stroke of genius.

My problem is that it didn't go nearly far enough. Since the main concern was second-hand smoke, they missed a great chance to solve all the problems with second-hand smoke.

Why not get Urbana out of TV business?

The recent controversy between the city of Urbana, Timothy A. Brumleve (who submits anti-Semitic materials for broadcasting on its public access TV) and those who object to the materials is instructive.

No reasonable person would defend the content of the Brumleve tapes. Their crazy conspiracy theories and hateful messages remind me of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's close associate.

Change not coming to Washington, D.C.

On the distinction between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, I will let others pass judgment. It seems to me that both are very intelligent and energetic. It may be that either could do something to pull us out of the Bush miasma.

On the other hand, both seem to be extravagant in their claims of what they can do in the White House. Both talk about big changes in Washington, even an overhaul of the whole culture of the place. But they never say how they could do this. It's just a pipe dream on their part.

Nuclear power could cure our energy woes

Illinois does not have an energy shortage, a point made by David Kraft of Chicago in his May 5 letter .

OK, we don't have an energy shortage, we do have an energy crisis. Not because we don't have enough of it, rather it's what we are forced to pay for it.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

'Five-star' care at county nursing home

I was saddened to hear that 27 employees at the Champaign County Nursing Home would be laid off.

I was in that nursing home for 28 days. Everyone there in every department was most courteous and professional, 24 hours a day.

County sales tax unfair to neighbors

So the Champaign County school people think they've found a new source (1 percent sales tax) for upgrading school facilities. Surely the need is not only relevant to Champaign County schools. We've been told often that the state is supposed to be the primary funding source for our schools, but it has not lived up to its responsibility, and is now funding schools at about 30 percent.

You can bet that if the counties assume this shortfall, the state will let them and decrease its contribution.

Horse owners won't risk their investment

Wayne Masters uninformed rant (May 7) about the Kentucky Derby demands a reply.

To say that a 3-year-old Thoroughbred is not ready to race that distance is absurd. Organized racing has been in existence for hundreds of years, and 3-year-olds have been running these distances during that time with a microscopically small percentage of catastrophic breakdowns. Moreover, equine medicine has advanced to the degree that many lives that would once have been lost can now be saved.

Rev. Pike's views should be considered

Ignorance is not bliss. I want to thank The News-Gazette and Rabbi Klein for the recent article about the dispute over programming on Urbana Public Television. The controversy concerns hate laws, anti-Semitism and the subject of the Middle East.

The rabbi is correct about public ignorance when it comes to Zionism and Christianity. Unfortunately, I do not receive the TV programming mentioned in the article, but I looked up "Ted Pike" on the internet (YouTube). Lo and behold, his tape was available for viewing there.

Arts council crucial, needs more support

The contributions of the Danville Area Arts Council to the community highlight the importance of the Illinois Arts Council to the state's continued cultural, economic and educational growth.

Strategic investments by the Illinois Arts Council ensure that people of all ages and from all walks of life have the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts.

Chinese adoptees no threat to U.S.

I was taken aback by Caroline Helregel's May 4 letter. I am the proud mother of two daughters adopted from China, and it never occurred to me they would be viewed as a threat to domestic security and the American way of life. Given there have been only about 68,000 children adopted by American parents since the China program opened in 1992, it wouldn't exactly flood the country with Chinese if every single adoptee marries a Chinese spouse and returns to the U.S.

Furthermore, given the rich and varied contributions made by Chinese-Americans, we could look forward to an influx of energy and ideas from these new immigrants.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Trash cleanup was a community service

I hope everyone joins me in expressing their appreciation to the Randy Brinegar family for their recent clean-up of the massive amount of trash that had accumulated in the field on the corner of West Newell and Shake Rag Road last Saturday.

With all the trash, that area had become an eyesore. Their efforts are most appreciated by those of us who pass by frequently. What a difference their work has made in the look of our community.

Medicine collection response appreciated

Carle RxExpress Pharmacies and Carle Foundation Hospital would like to express their appreciation to the residents of Champaign County for their response to the recent medication collection event. In recognition of Earth Day 2008, Carle Foundation Hospital co-sponsored a drop-off event for unused and expired medications at Carle RxExpress locations throughout Champaign County April 19-26.

With the assistance of the city of Urbana and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, we collected 526 pounds of unused or outdated drugs and 32 pounds of inhalers from more than 400 residents. The city of Champaign and the Prairie Rivers Network endorsed and promoted the event.

March of Dimes gifts can do great things

I would like to express my appreciation to all of the generous people of Danville for their recent donations to The Corner Canvas, a volunteer fund-raising effort that raises money for local charities. The March of Dimes, the beneficiary on this occasion, is all about babies. I have worked with newborns for over 30 years and have seen the great things March of Dimes has done to help decrease the number of premature births.

SHIRLEY SLOOP

Minister a threat to Obama campaign

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was wise to separate himself from his his spiritual adviser, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. But he needs to tell him to shut up.

Wright's remarks that criticism of him is an attack on the black church are false, and they reek of racism on his part, making it look like he's trying to shift the blame. More than that, it goes against Obama's claim that his quest for the Democratic nomination is not about race. Wright's becoming more and more of a liability to Obama, making it harder for him to connect with voters who were already offended enough by Wright's comments to put a dent in his campaign.

Perfect dog was at humane society

We decided we wanted a calm, medium-sized, short-haired, light-colored adult dog that was housebroken. We searched for these specifics for several months, then just dropped by the Champaign County Humane Society to check a possible dog, and the perfect dog was waiting for us there.

The staff was helpful, the cages were clean, the animals were exercised and notes were on their cages indicating who was housebroken so they could be taken out regularly to maintain this good habit. We were provided with a leash and a treat and encouraged to take him out and get to know him.

Friday, May 9, 2008

School musical a whole lot of fun

If we were Simon, Paula or Randy from "American Idol," we would give nothing but praise to the Urbana High School musical, "All Shook Up." The production is fun, fast paced, entertaining and superbly done. The singing is a "10." Kudos to a group who overcame a crisis and has produced a marvelous musical production. The cast, production team, directors, light and sound technicians, set designers, makeup artists, costume personnel and choreographers have all joined together to produce a show worthy of anyone's enjoyment. We would encourage anyone to show their support of the Urbana High School musical "All Shook Up" tonight and Saturday for their last performances.

MR. and MRS. DAVID LEMONS

More parking needed at Morrissey Park

A front page article in The News-Gazette announced the addition of an 8-foot-wide walking path to Morrissey Park. When we first noticed that flags were being put into the ground we were thrilled that perhaps the long-needed parking spaces would be added. After calls had been made to the park district and even bringing up the dangerous parking situation at a neighborhood police meeting years ago, we had finally given up. During soccer and football games there is parking on both sides of Harrington Drive, allowing only one lane of moving traffic around a curve.

Our biggest fear is that a child will run between parked cars, trying to hurry onto the field, and will be hit by a car. Most drivers seem to drive carefully through the narrow opening, but it's difficult to even see when another car is approaching from the opposite direction.

Philo Road sidewalk work doesn't add up

At a recent Urbana City Council meeting, while the council people were discussing the Philo Road business district, a proposal was made, to wit: "Due to the estimated increase in pedestrian traffic on the new 4-foot sidewalks flanking Philo Road, we should tear up the new walks and replace them with 5-foot walks."

I drive on that section of Philo Road four to five times a day and I can see a definite need for 5-foot walks. I usually see 4,000 or 5,000 people on these walks, all of whom are fighting for position. It's a wonder we do not have sidewalk riots.

News media must keep war in forefront

The News-Gazette missed an important press event on April 24 that discussed findings from a new report on Illinois voters' beliefs about the effects of the Iraq war on our economy.

The Iraq and the Recession Report provided sobering news about the war's impact on local funding for important domestic services such as health care and education. The event also included testimonials from area residents who spoke firsthand about the extraordinary danger their sons and daughters face fighting in Iraq, the pain endured by families whose lives are disrupted when military families with young children are asked to deploy to Iraq for second and third terms of duty, and the shocking inadequacy of medical care for returning veterans with physical and psychological disabilities.

County not providing services to citizens

Chrystal Woods from the St. Joseph IGA wrote a letter April 25 complaining that she was not getting help from the sheriff and state's attorney in prosecuting four bad checks.

We shop at that IGA. Woods is a dedicated worker, which is a real strength of this republic. I practice law in St. Joseph. As a business professional, I'm often compassionate with clients who have difficulty paying their bills.

Obama is just same old-style politician

I was very excited when U.S. Sen. Barack Obama came on the scene. I feel very differently now.

His pastor, mentor and inspiration for his book has very racist views and makes very inflammatory remarks. Oh, and I'm already sick of the whole white people not understanding the black church bit. I have been to many black churches and never have I ever witnessed such sermons!

After conviction, mayor should resign

Now that our esteemed mayor has finally admitted to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct in court, I think it is high time that the good citizens of Georgetown have a leader who is honest, well respected and exhibits decent morals.

This embarrassing situation has been hanging over our heads like a dark, disgusting cloud for more than two years now. Every time this story is reported on, there is his picture along with all the sordid details as a reminder to anyone reading the papers that he has been fighting a losing battle. Now we know the truth.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Wright furor detracts from real issues

If our government and economy go belly-up, how will our troops get back home? If the price of oil keeps going up, we the people and our industries will become paralyzed and our airborne military superiority will become impotent.

China, Canada and Mexico have been staring at us and licking their chops for at least 125 years, and Iran is gearing up to use our overseas bases and our allies for target practice. Given all of this, is it really wise to use the remarks of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright as an excuse to incite civil war? Don't we have enough problems already?

Grieving mom thanks people of Rantoul

All too often, those in Rantoul have to read and hear the continual stream of negativity about our community and schools. I want to let people know of the true spirit that lives in Rantoul.

When our son, Devin Fiedler, and his friend, Jacob Head, were involved in a tragic accident on April 23, our community showed what it is made of. We were showered with an unending show of love and support. There was a constant gathering of Devin and Jacob's classmates, friends and family present with us at the hospital; phone calls, food delivered and prayer chains going. While we were devastated and worried about the boys, we were uplifted by this show of love and support.

Foreign adoptions do not pose threat

In her May 4 letter, Caroline Helregel justly criticizes big (U.S.-based) manufacturers that contracted to have items made cheaply in China without monitoring the safety or health impact.

Unfortunately, her letter suggests that what motivated the criticism is an ignorant and racist fear about Chinese immigration into the U.S. Most schools now teach an understanding of U.S. history beyond the long-standard tale of pioneering Northern Europeans as the only legitimate American forefathers. Surely readers recognize that Chinese immigrants contributed significantly to the development of the U.S.

Rev. Wright's rantings a non-story

The treatment Barack Obama has been getting over his pastor lately is discouraging, to say the least, and The News-Gazette is just fanning the flames.

If the Democrats decide they cannot risk nominating a great and decent African-American leader because of inflammatory remarks made by someone else, they will have caved to pressures that have nothing to do with his fitness to be president and they will have handed the presidency back to the Republicans once again.

Care for veterans has been top-notch

Tina Lewis' recent letter lambasting the care that veterans receive at the Veterans' Administration hospital compels me to defend that care.

My father, a World War II veteran, was a patient at the Danville VA, and he always received excellent care. The doctors, nurses, certified nursing assistants and lab technicians were courteous and professional and were more than willing to answer any questions we had. His last days were spent at the VA, and not once did I hear him complain. My family was more than satisfied with his medical treatment.

Cutting gasoline tax not the best solution

U.S. Sens. Clinton and McCain want to suspend the gas tax for the summer. This is exactly the wrong response, allowing gasoline marketers to raise prices by an equal amount, increasing profits without achieving any reduction in consumption.

This tax is maybe $1 per person per day, paid at the pump. Any government assistance with gasoline prices should reward conservation.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Multiple building uses good for public

In response to a recent letter, I want to clarify my comments from a News-Gazette article about the countywide sales tax and a school in Savoy. Our Savoy village board's discussion centered on using a Savoy school as a resource center for programs such as a satellite library, cooperative park districts, and other after-school activities. These are the possibilities about which I have been dreaming for many years. Anytime a school can serve multiple functions to bring communities together, it is an additional benefit worth exploring.

In regard to the proposed countywide tax, before I would support any sales tax, I need to see Unit 4's specific intentions for the increased revenue, especially real property tax relief.

Spirit of the Chief energizing, inspiring

Chief Illiniwek's involuntary exile was grossly unjust for such a grand spirit. His presence was inspiring with no lances, clubs, tomahawks or bows and arrows. The Chief's undeniable dignity and leadership without violence has been a reminder of the Illini Confederacy (see Web site for further details). His grand spirit cannot be destroyed. Hostile and abusive – the Chief? I know that to be false.

What is next? Will the enemies of Chief Illiniwek demand removal of the names of our veterans from the stadium columns, claiming that they glorify war?

Looking forward to new food co-op

I recently learned of a huge boon to our friendly, down-home, Urbana community: we are gaining the Common Ground Food Co-op this August. Moving from near-campus to a storefront on the east side of Lincoln Square Village, this great little business is expanding its space, services, policies and inventory to become a unique resource for downtown Urbana and surrounding areas.

As the longest-running organic grocery in the area, Common Ground Food Co-op is as close as any of us can get to driving to a dozen different farmers to buy food as fresh and as local as it gets and yet far more convenient. From Stan's organic meats (you've probably seen his red truck at the farmer's market) to an overwhelming array of vegetables, fruits and bulk grains, it will be like having a farmer's market all year long.

Scholarships keep students' hopes alive

As a trustee at Parkland College, I want to report that Parkland held its annual scholarship reception April 16 in the gymnasium to honor scholarship recipients and donors.

Bob Plecki of Busey Bank was our donor speaker, and each donor and student in attendance was recognized. In all, the Parkland College Foundation awarded 231 scholarships to 182 students (an 11.5 percent increase from '06-07) during the 2007-08 academic year, totaling $185,651.15 (a 1.5 percent increase from '06-07). Students and district residents often express gratitude for the chance to keep their higher educational dreams alive through the Parkland scholarships they have received.

Rules for parking too much trouble

Apparently the city of Urbana would rather make money from parking tickets than attract business and revenue to the city.

The Lincoln Square Village parking lot has too many ridiculous parking rules. I hope everyone is aware of them. I guess they are supposed to be common knowledge. No head-in parking, two-hour parking limit, don't park over the line – the list goes on

State senators must fear being recalled

It is too bad the obstructionists in the Illinois Senate are unwilling to pass the recall amendment to allow the people to vote on it. They must be afraid of being recalled themselves. If they were doing their job, helping and working for the people instead of themselves, they would not have to worry about it. Also, it is almost obscene that many of those same obstructionists think that they need a $7,000 to $10,000 raise to help them get nothing done again this year, when there are thousands of hard-working people losing their jobs.

HAROLD SCOTT

Greed to blame for race horse's death

Eight Belles, the lone filly in the Kentucky Derby, was euthanized shortly after crossing the finish line. She fell heavily after both ankles shattered. People in the Thoroughbred industry will say simply that it is sad, but such tragedies are to be expected.

They are indeed to be expected. Here's why: the Triple Crown races, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, are for 3-year-olds, still juveniles in horse parlance. They won't be stallions and mares for two more years. Their bones have been x-rayed and duly declared fit for the rigors of the race track. Yet, it should be obvious that too many of them are not ready for the ordeal that is Kentucky Derby. Few casual observers understand the strenuous training that horses must undergo to prepare for these races, especially the Belmont, which is run at a mile and a half. An old man of Thoroughbred knowledge said that a colt (much less a filly, one would suppose) is not ready to run that far on the first Saturday of May. He postulated that the Derby should be for 4-year-olds.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Addiction to oil can be resolved

Americans are addicted to oil and oil products. We can become free of this addiction. Here is how it works.

We admit we are powerless over oil and that lives have become unmanageable.

Limbaugh, his 'rats' threat to Democrats

"Operation Chaos," for those of you who have never heard of it, is the demented brain-child of neoconservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh.

His intentions are – other than to mock the sacred democratic voting process of this country – to have his listeners cross over and register as Democrats in the primaries and vote for Hillary Clinton. The chaos he is hoping for is to prolong the race and let the Democratic Party implode from the stress of the campaign.

Obama still must explain ties to Wright

The odds are with Barack Obama when it comes to the delegate count. But the odds are not good he will be able to explain Rev. Jeremiah Wright in a credible way. Wright has been heard only a few times by the American public. But in those few times he has been consistent. He has characterized the United States as a source of evil in the world, has said our government invented AIDS to kill African-Americans and said he believes 9/11 was richly deserved, given our foreign policy.

Obama's problem was he had two bad choices. The first was to remain loyal to the man who had been his spiritual mentor, the man who had married him and baptized his children. To do this he would have had to admit he found Wright to be the kind of pastor he would choose to have influence and spiritual direction over him and his family. It would have meant being open with the American people about his reasons for supporting a church and a pastor with such over-the-top beliefs. This choice would have shown loyalty and honesty, but would have been politically suicidal.

Reluctant Townie lots of fun to read

As a connoisseur of humor and an avid reader of The News-Gazette, I always enjoy reading The Reluctant Townie. Not all newspapers are lucky enough to have a local humor writer as entertaining as he is. Please keep on harvesting trees to print his column.

ROBERT SWEEDLER

Benefit screening had considerable support

I am grateful to all who helped with or attended the April 27 benefit screening of director Ruby Yang's film, "The Blood of Yingzhou District."

Your kindness and generosity are most genuinely appreciated. I am especially grateful to Greg Boardman, the management and staff of Boardman's Art Theatre. Without their assistance, the event could not have taken place.

One mistake requires just one punishment

I am writing in response to Teri Talach's April 14 letter to say that I could not disagree more.

Yes, these people to whom she referred made a grievous mistake by driving drunk. But they had their day in court and were sentenced according to the Illinois law. They endured their punishment and fulfilled all requirements asked of them.

No pay raises for Illinois officials

Does our great governor really deserve any type of pay raise? No way. Neither do any of our elected officials with their track record of financial mismanagement and pork-barrel spending.

Personally, I'd like to know what perks the members of the state Compensation Review Board, which recommended the pay raises, are getting. Every year it recommends pay raises and not every year do legislators vote them down.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Don't rush back into nuclear power

Exelon's plan for early decommissioning of its Zion nuclear site has renewed the controversy over nuclear waste and power. Rep. JoAnn Osmond's bill to amend the Public Utilities Act (HR2971) by repealing Illinois' moratorium prohibiting new nuclear reactor construction until a permanent disposal solution is first implemented for their dangerous, long-lived high-level radioactive wastes unnecessarily heightens the controversy.

Why the rush to lift the moratorium when:

Voters should decide nursing home's fate

I am upset with members of the Champaign County Board. I guess they have forgotten that we voted for a property tax increase for the county nursing home. Voters should be the only one authorized to decide if it should be sold. And I say no.

On Jan. 31, 2007, both city and state sent letters announcing that day was Marjorie Benjamin Day. My 101-year-old grandmother has been a resident at the county nursing home for over 9 years. She was not born and reared here, but she adopted this community and through her years of volunteering, she was honored. She is just one of more than 200 people who reside there.

There are many reasons to be bitter

The recent kerfuffle caused by U.S. Sen Barack Obama calling country folk bitter about government inaction and clinging to God and guns as a result gave me pause.

He got it right, but didn't go far enough. This resident of Smallville indeed thinks that personal ownership of guns is a great thing. I am bitter, but not about what Obama may think.

Military veterans deserve new GI bill

The late historian Stephen Ambrose called the original GI Bill the greatest piece of legislation ever passed. It helped millions of military veterans get an education and is credited with creating the modern middle class.

Three former presidents, a dozen U.S. senators, three Supreme Court justices and 14 Nobel Prize winners went to school on the GI Bill. Under today's GI Bill, these same leaders would receive only a fraction of the money needed to get the same level of education.

Health district flops on dental services

I am sad to see that the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will no longer allow the Champaign County Christian Health Center to provide free dental services through its clinic. The services I received before were a blessing to me, but then I was abruptly turned away due to administrative decisions made by CUPHD that limit their ability to allow volunteer services.

It was hard enough for me to swallow my pride and ask for free services. But it was even more disheartening to have the chair kicked right out from under me.

State budget cuts bad for our water

Illinois needs to become a leader in the Midwest and embrace policies and practices that reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. A recent report by the U.S. Geological Survey concluded that Illinois is the leading source of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Gulf of Mexico.

This pollution causes the Dead Zone, an area of low oxygen in the ocean, and the death of marine life with resulting blows to the fishing industry. Phosphorus and nitrogen are nutrients found in fertilizers and are great for yards and crop yields, but not so great for oceans, rivers and lakes. Here in Illinois, nitrogen and phosphorus get carried into our waterways by rain, causing nuisance algal blooms and fish kills.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Council members put up with a lot

As a subscriber to The News-Gazette, I enjoy reading all sections of the newspaper, especially the letters to the editor, mainly because it is the views of the citizens, whether biased or not.

For the last seven or eight months I have seen praise given to city councilmen or women, but people seem to write negative things about Alderwoman Heather Stevenson of Urbana. It's unfair for people like Ronna James (April 23 letter) to attack a woman who provides a good service for so little pay. I know James probably never reads the yearly data that is posted in the classified section, but the benefit is $500.

Imports should be made in Mexico

I'm really disappointed with the big manufacturers that have China make junk that fills our landfills. Aren't they proud of their products and our country anymore? Why do they allow the Chinese to turn their items into dangerous, sometimes poisonous, products?

Mexico is so much closer. Their people would be proud to make these products. And the wages they would make there would allow their people to stay in their own country.

'Deeply ashamed' of local church too

In response to the April 22 editorial cartoon, "Deeply Ashamed," I am reminded of the excellent article (among her many) that News-Gazette staff writer Mary Schenk wrote in July 1997 about former Champaign Mayor Robert Dodd who was charged with molesting a 14-year-old school girl over a period of five years. At that time the civil suit was thrown out because it had not been filed within the time allowed by law. During the preparation of the lawsuit Dodd admitted, through his attorney, that he had a sexual relationship with the girl in the mid-1960s.

After three years of court hearings in September 1997, Dodd came immediately to St. Patrick Parish in Urbana. For seven years he advised people in the Right of Christian Indoctrination of Adults about faith. His experience as a priest from 1965 until 1971 made him an expert.

Spirit of the Chief cannot be denied

While waiting in line recently, a gentleman behind me asked if the University of Illinois would ever restore Chief Illiniwek as its symbol. This occurred shortly after the recent student referendum on the issue.

I didn't know him, so I tried to be respectful in case my opinion differed from his. We discussed the issue of political correctness, the margin of the student vote and the usual issues surrounding the Chief controversy.

Local businesses deserve our support

In an uncertain economy, consumers aren't the only ones suffering. East Central Illinois has many quality local businesses that shouldn't be overlooked. Many area retailers have difficulty finding distributors for their products, their transportation services are hurt by fuel costs and restaurants struggle to charge the same prices despite increasing costs.

Whether buying dog food at Animal Outfitters in Savoy or chatting with a familiar server at The Great Impasta, I love the familiar faces.

Nuclear waste issue still unsolved

In response to your whole-hearted endorsement of additional nuclear power plants in Illinois (April 25 editorial) I have but one question: Where do we put the waste? You certainly highlighted some of the positive attributes of nuclear power, but you didn't even gloss over the proverbial 600-pound gorilla. Spent nuclear fuel has nowhere to go but into the backyard of every nuclear power plant in the country. While the Energy Department takes its share from our utility bills to build and operate a waste repository in Nevada, not a single atom of spent fuel has been shipped there. Nor does it look likely that one will be shipped there in the near or distant future.

It would be highly irresponsible of us to pursue any additional nuclear power plants until the back end of the fuel cycle is functional. The gorilla we have is leaving plenty of waste as it is in its corner. Let's not help him out by building more plants.

Incident at Hillel presents opportunity

The April 28 newspaper provided several ideas for a Jewish mind to contemplate.

I commend Amy Wolf for her wonderfully thoughtful letter regarding the incident at Hillel involving participants at a lecture on this most contentious issue, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This resulted in David Green's ban from the Hillel building.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Didn't appreciate 'Textin' with Klee'

I've been reading sports pages for over 65 years and I've never seen anything more trite, demeaning and sophomoric than last Wednesday's piece by Paul Klee on University of Illinois women's tennis coach Michelle Dasso. There is a sports editor listed, but I assume he spent the morning watching reruns of Sports Center and not attending to Klee's banal rant.

MICHAEL CLAFFEY

Many responsible for Boneyard Arts Festival

We would like to offer our sincerest thanks to the board of directors, staff and volunteers at Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County and ReStore for allowing us the use of their facility on the evenings of April 18 and 19. Habitat graciously permitted 40 North 88 West, Champaign County's Arts, Culture & Entertainment council, to hold a two-night event called Late Night spACE at the ReStore as part of our 6th annual Boneyard Arts Festival.

The staff at Habitat truly went above and beyond in collaborating with 40 North as we prepared their facility, their own home, for this special event.

Rules change hurts games in Mahomet

We recently went to watch our granddaughter play softball in the 12- to 14-year-old ponytail league in Mahomet.

Since her age group only has three teams, they just play each other over and over all season long. I believe that the rule is that each game lasts one hour or six innings, whichever comes first. But in order to speed up these games, the Mahomet Recreation Department has changed the rules of softball so each comes to the plate with one ball and one strike.

Using crops for fuel is not cost-efficient

Creating biofuels is like using a cow to plow the ground, plant and harvest the crops. Then you sell the crops for biofuel production. That makes food and grain prices so high that the cow dies of starvation. So you eat the cow, and buy what food you can. Now you have no money and no way to plant crops and you starve, but the people who created the regulations for biofuel can still drive.

The United States needs to understand and make gasoline cheaper but not use our food source to make a fuel that costs more than gas.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Worker safety must be a top priority

Workers Memorial Day on April 28 was a day to honor workers killed on the job and recognize that our safety laws must be stronger and better enforced.

Nationally in 2006, 5,840 workers died and 4.1 million were injured.

Targeting older folks could be a problem

I turned 50 earlier this month. To set me off, a friend of mine showed me the April 4 Reluctant Townie column that bashes and trashes older people.

In his column, Ryan Jackson laments and lambasts medical technology's potential to extend our lifespan to 150 years. He drops into his smarmy street vernacular and makes references to hemorrhoid cream, etc. Who is he to tell me or anyone else what constitutes a good run in life?

Bad decision does not excuse police

What does being a Christian mean when there's social injustice?

With all due respect, when we will stop questioning someone's faith when it is suggested that there is racial injustice? It still exists in Champaign County. The president of the local branch of the NAACP has: 1) gone on ride-along with the police; 2) provided widely distributed information through the national and the local education committee on how youths should interact with the police; 3) offered the police and other officials his insight through the Champaign County Community Relations Committee (which gives statistics on stops by race, gender, etc.).

Nursing home needs public's assistance

The Champaign County Board is analyzing every aspect of the county nursing home to make it a sustainable business. It's not easy, what with the state cutting Medicaid reimbursement rates that negatively impacted our bottom line by $600,000. Nor is it easy with the nationwide nursing shortage, making it very difficult for us to recruit and retain nurses, forcing us to use expensive contract nursing services.

While we're doing this, there are other aspects of the county nursing home people may not know about. One is the nursing home auxiliary, which has over 200 volunteers.

Comprehensive sex ed doesn't work

Recently a Planned Parenthood board member opined that eight years of abstinence education increased venereal disease rates among teen girls. However, she neglected to address the larger role of failed and purportedly comprehensive sex education programs that in the past rarely promoted meaningful relationships or abstinence. This colossal social failure fostered today's mentality condoning casual sex and now costs $1 billion annually, 12 times the sum currently spent on abstinence.

Since inception of funded abstinence programs, Youth Behavior Risk Surveillance data shows sexual activity has declined among teens. The Heritage Foundation's review of 21 abstinence studies found 16 reporting statistically significant positive results, including reduced sexual activity among youths who received abstinence education. See online studies, www.cdc.gov and www.heritage.org.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Change is needed in Illinois House

I'm writing to express my support for Lori DeYoung, who is running on the Democratic ticket for state representative from the 104th District. I believe that Lori is the best candidate for this position as she is committed to working for the people and giving us a voice for education, taxation reform and downstate issues.

Lori is an effective leader who does not point fingers, but rather looks for solutions on issues that are important to her constituents. Lori will go to great lengths to research an issue before making an independent decision, which will protect her constituents and benefit her district.

Black should have stayed retired

I have been following the recent developments in the race for state representative for the 104th District and would like to weigh in from an old man's perspective.

Bill Black's recent decision to come back as a recycled candidate after announcing his retirement last year, while it may seem heroic to some, is in my opinion selfish and arrogant. I have voted in every election for over 50 years and have had a part in making decisions that have affected my livelihood and satisfaction during my retirement. I am worried that the future may not be as secure for my children due to decisions made by people of my generation. It is time to give the decision-making efforts to that younger generation.

Vote for Obama, keep McCain out

We have already had too much of the Bush administration. We do not need "McBush" to keep making the same bumbling mistakes.

John McCain is not interested in getting our troops out of Iraq. McCain wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years and has no plan. He doesn't understand the regions or anything about Iraq.

Urbana council inaction feeds hatred

It was a disappointing evening as the Urbana City Council wrestled with whether to air anti-Semitic programs on its public access channel. The gist of its response was that it could not do anything because it might lead to a lawsuit over limiting free speech and that the way to deal with hate speech is to provide alternative points of view.

I was shocked by the lack of courage and the naivete of the council members. People who would watch a vile, anti-Semitic program and be inspired to commit a hate crime are not those who enjoy the intellectual stimulation of considering multiple viewpoints. We are talking about impressionable and disturbed individuals, who when fed poisonous material about an ethnic group, feel justified acting against that group.

Arrest in park not appropriate

Brian Chesley was, Mike Monson wrote in the News-Gazette a year ago, "arrested for resisting arrest." Brian was leaving Douglass Park when Officer Andre Davis shouted at him to stop. Brian shouted back that he'd been playing basketball and left the park.

Reinforcements arrived not knowing what if any crime had been committed, and things got rough as they detained and handcuffed Chesley.

Teens have plenty of knowledge about sex

I must slightly disagree with a recent letter from Planned Parenthood regarding the need for more sex education in our public schools. As a mother of two, I've heard countless stories from my children. Many of these stories have momentarily curled my toes as I tried to sit and listen while my children told me about what goes on. I've also overheard many a conversation between my children and their friends. I think Planned Parenthood should be focusing more on how many partners teens engage in sex with. They are having sex, for sure.

From what I've seen and heard, our teens have plenty of knowledge about sex.

Congress has wrong spending priorities

Once again, we see our congressional representatives looking for funds to help the poor with Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps.

How about finding it in the pork-barrel spending they vowed last year that they would not authorize? And once again, they could not resist the temptation to waste our money. It's the same with our state Legislature.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Cancel fireworks to conserve gasoline

Because of the cost of gasoline, I don't believe the Fourth of July fireworks should be held. I wonder how many of the people who complain about the cost of gas to drive to work and to other "necessary" places will attend the fireworks?

IRENE BREWE

Letter writers need to show civility

Most of the time I enjoy reading the arguments and counter-arguments that play themselves out in The News-Gazette letters to the editor. It is the first feature I turn to each evening. However, there are times when I believe it is fair to ask for more civility on all sides, both from the right and the left.

Recently a reader took issue with the Rev. Richard Mullen's letter in which he defended Barack Obama's minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. The writer of the second letter referred to Mullen's statements as "elitist and condescending remarks," and then alluded to the reprehensible actions of a minority of Catholic priests in the United States.

Kickapoo cleanup a heartening event

I would like to thank those who coordinated the clean up at Kickapoo State Park and all the willing workers. We had adults, some with hip and knee replacements. And the young people really impressed me.

It was not a pretty day, with rain and cold. I stayed at the shelter to help get things ready for the lunch and the prizes to be distributed after the clean up.

Stream more like a river than a 'ditch'

I am a homeowner in the Saline Branch Drainage District. I believe that the name of the stream into which our surface water drains about a mile from here should be the West Salt Fork.

The other names by which it is commonly called are an insult to the multiple uses for that stream. At the point where it crosses High Cross Road it certainly looks more like a river most of the time, and the numerous trees and other vegetation on and near its banks clearly show its recreational value. Even far upstream, above where it crosses Ford-Harris Road and the trees have been kept out, it presents a welcome break in the landscape. Certainly the owners of the land along it find walking along the grassy banks more interesting and pleasant than going in their fields which are either muddy or dense with crops.

Boost state funding for social services

For the past few years, private and faith-based social service organizations serving Illinois' most vulnerable residents have quietly labored under an increasing financial burden. In recent months, this burden has become a crisis.

Most people don't realize private organizations are the primary mode by which the state delivers mandated services to seniors, children, people with disabilities and others in need. Despite steadily rising costs, most reimbursement rates for these services haven't increased in nearly a decade. To make matters worse, the state is nearly six months behind in paying reimbursements.

VA needs to step up, care for the veterans

My husband served 13 years in the United States Navy. He was medically discharged from the Navy due to a degenerative disc disorder in his lower back. My husband was also treated for a laceration to his right hand while serving on an aircraft carrier, but he received no compensation for his hand because he was told that the cut was a superficial wound.

My husband continues to have problems with his right hand and his back. It has gotten to the point that he does not trust the Veteran's Administration hospitals because of the care that the vets receive there.

Criticism partisan, not based on race

There are those for whom the weaving of words into tapestries of meaning has become a profession – clergymen, journalists and politicians are examples. Sometimes they say outrageous things. Take for example a minister's Sept. 13, 2001, declaration that America was responsible for 9/11.

He said, "Throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. ... I point the finger in their face and say you helped this happen."

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Don't yield even more power to government

As we watch and listen to the three remaining candidates for president, it might be well to compare a republic with a socialistic state.

A republic is a state in which the supreme governing power is held by citizens having the right to vote, and power is exercised by representatives elected by and responsible to the citizens.

Wrong focus for Boneyard coverage

As a volunteer at Boneyard Creek Community Day, I was perplexed to see the spin placed on the event by local media outlets. Boneyard Creek Community Day is the product of the collaborative work of several entities, including the cities of Champaign and Urbana, their respective park districts, Prairie Rivers Network, Robeson's, Inc., the University of Illinois, and Ward & Associates Realtors.

They organize a substantial, communitywide volunteer corps. They prepare mountains of materials that are handed out to volunteers (maps, gloves, bags, buckets, trash pickers), they organize food donations to feed everyone who shows up, they provide high-visibility orange T-shirts to volunteers to help ensure their safety, they publicize the event throughout the community. And they do a good thing for the Boneyard!

Support Acevedo's work for diversity

It is not often that I am overwhelmed simultaneously with joy and sorrow. Yet such mixed feelings were in abundance at the memorial service for Cathy Acevedo, associate dean of students at the University of Illinois, at Foellinger Hall on April 24. A racially and ethnically diverse group of university administrators, staff, faculty, students and community folk came together to share their many fond memories of someone whose practices embodied the Illinois missions to higher education, civic engagement and diversity.

According to colleagues, students and loved ones, she was most notable as an advocate, a voice and a friend to racial minorities, the LGBT communities, women and other groups who are most challenged by inequities. Her mission was to create an inclusive university. She asked others to join her in this quest. I know that many of us were moved not only by the words of Chancellor Richard Herman, Celina Villenueva and others who came forward, but also by the legacy that Cathy Acevedo has left behind for us to continue.

Use stimulus check to help those in need

Thanks to the Economic Stimulus Act, many of us will be receiving "extra" money in the next weeks. As you consider how to spend your check, please keep in mind that rapidly rising fuel and food prices are having a particularly devastating impact on the agencies that serve the most vulnerable members of our community.

For instance, each month the Eastern Illinois Foodbank provides food for more than 33,000 people in East Central Illinois. These are our neighbors – people of all races, the young and the old, people with homes and the homeless, folks who have jobs and those who don't. For every donated dollar the Foodbank receives, it can purchase $10 worth of food. Thus, a donation of just 10 percent of a $600 economic stimulus check (in other words, $60) will enable the Foodbank to buy $600 worth of food. If you can afford to donate your entire check, that will bring an entire semi-truck full of food into our community. That's a lot of food for a lot of hungry people.

Call to protest cuts to Extension budget

One of the best programs going for youth, 4-H, is threatened by Gov. Rod Blagojevich's actions to rescind the already agreed upon University of Illinois Extension 2008 budget.

The Extension office in each county oversees the 4-H program in Illinois. 4-H is not just for rural kids, with many urban youth participating as well. 4-H teaches leadership skills, volunteerism, hobbies, science, crafts, conservation, etc., to youth ages 5-19. In short, 4-H teaches life skills. The 4-H volunteer leaders give up numerous nights and weekends each year to ensure the success of their clubs, but they depend on the local County UI Extension offices for support and over-arching organization.

Parents could stop 'another hot summer'

During the school year we read accounts of programs the schools are implementing to help the disadvantaged students. We also read letters from people who think the schools should be doing more. In his April 23 letter, Terry Townsend calls on the chamber of commerce, the park districts, the police and school representatives to address the employment and recreational shortfalls for the disadvantaged. He seems to imply that it is the responsibility of those groups to "avert another hot summer."

Through all of this rhetoric I see the glaring absence of calling for parental involvement and responsibility. When will they be expected to be active participants? All things, good and bad, start at home.

More guns does not mean greater safety

Knowing that people are prone to be emotional, irrational and unpredictable beings, why would we want to have guns in our hands that are always available to us at whimsical moments?

I have thought about this issue for years, and I cannot justify the fact that for us to be able to defend ourselves, we need to include the right to take a life, thus becoming killers ourselves.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Cats running loose cause big problems

I read in the paper about people being ticketed because their dogs were running loose. I have also heard that there is a similar law for cats. If there is, it is not enforced for cats.

In the last eight years, I have garbage spread over my yard and mother cats seem to think I am running a maternity ward. They have given birth in my garage twice, making it my duty to find homes for the kittens. I have carpet on my porch steps so the cats feel it is a nice warm place to sun bathe.

Call Springfield to fight Extension cuts

On April 4, it was announced that Gov. Rod Blagojevich was going to renege on his $12.8 million allocation for the UI Cooperative Extension Service.

This allocation is for the year that ends June 30. This is money that had already been budgeted and signed into law by the governor. This is also money that has been budgeted by each individual Extension office. Extension offices are partially funded by counties, the UI and the state. The state money is often referred to as the "county board match," or "CBM." The CBM is what is being withheld by the governor.

Shootings common despite a gun ban

Well, 14 people have been killed in 36 separate shootings in Chicago in the past couple of weeks. But since all firearms are required to be registered with the city, I am sure the crimes will be solved in no time.

Chicago has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country. How many people have to die before the Chicago politicians start to pay attention and realize their gun ban is not working? God forbid they let the good guys defend themselves.

Retiring coach was great to work with

My heart swelled with sadness this week as I learned of the end of an era in local high school football.

Tom Shallenberger, head football coach at Mahomet-Seymour high school, had resigned to become the principal at Fisher Junior-Senior high school.

Hillel always has been accommodating

On April 1, David Makovsky spoke at our campus Hillel to address steps he deemed necessary to create a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Makovsky is a journalist and director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at the Washington Institute.

As a Jew who tends to be more aligned politically with Palestinians, the recent letter submitted by David Green outrages me; it misrepresents the audience that evening as well as our local Hillel.

Park fight case was not about race

I have found it interesting to follow the letters to the editor relating to the Brian Chesley case. He is the 18-year-old convicted of resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Aaron Geiger's letter asked, "Why is this a race issue?" Loren Anderson's letter was quite disturbing, stating that Officer Davis had no business bothering Brian Chesley and that he would, if given the chance, have offered a few expletives too.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Danville police officer deserves due process

I must speak out on the alleged incident where a Danville police officer pulled his gun on a citizen.

I am not a personal friend of this officer; however, I am a regular acquaintance. This officer and several others have worked very hard to clean up my neighborhood, the Renaissance district and the area just west of Gilbert Street. Each time I have dealt with him, he has been extremely professional and forthright.

Rich people misused their tax reductions

A new CBS-Times poll reported 81 percent of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track. Constant news of an ill-conceived war, laid-off workers, homeowners facing foreclosure and mounting health care concerns cause one to wonder where the other 19 percent are living.

But the economy wasn't supposed to be headed for a severe downturn. President Bush jawboned our legislators to give his wealthy friends additional tax breaks, promising this would grow the economy.

Put heat on senators for recall vote

Recent polls indicate that 70 percent of the people of Illinois support the right of recall. Reflecting the people's will, the Illinois House approved the recall amendment, HJRCA 28, by a 75-33 vote. However, the amendment is currently sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, who told the Chicago Tribune he considers recall a "stupid" idea.

On April 16, I testified on behalf of the amendment before the Senate Executive Committee. Before the hearing was called to order, I approached Trotter to shake hands. He refused the gesture, saying: "I already took a bath today, and I don't want to get my hands dirty."

Updated equipment would help gridders

It has long been a tradition at Georgetown Ridge Farm High School – on Friday nights from August through October – to go to Ike Burch Field and cheer on the Buffaloes.

We are proud that this fall that we will have two children playing. We might not be experts on football, and we think it's fair to say that our coaches take their fair share of criticism from fans. However, one of the values instilled by all the coaches is that winning football games begins in the weight room.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Friends stepped up after terrible fire

In the aftermath of the downtown fire on March 26, let me say, "Praise the Lord." And kudos to Danville firefighters. Our building and others were right in the path of what looked to be a spreading fire. I saw very courageous firemen who were exhausted and winded from doing their dangerous duty.

The greatest blessing is that no one was injured.

Living facility serves its residents well

I'm writing this to tell you how much I appreciate living at Bowman Estates of Danville. Above everything else, I feel safe.

I was living outside of town with no close neighbors. My husband had died, and I had the responsibility of trying to keep water pipes from freezing in the winter, etc. I have very little income, so I couldn't get the help I needed to live alone.

Thanks to students for volunteer effort

On April 19, I watched a gang of teenagers destroy a car and deface a building. On behalf of the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company, I want to thank them.

The kids were 15 members of the crowd that turned out for the Austin Cloyd Community Volunteer Day organized in part by the Centennial High School Interact Club. This group volunteered to help CUTC reorganize the warehouse where we build our sets. Their destructive activities were at our request. Mostly, the work was loud and dirty.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Park vandalism is hurtful to family

I am writing regarding the vandalism that was done at the Waterfowl Management Area at Middle Fork Forest Preserve. Someone shot a hole in the memorial plaque dedicated to my father-in-law, Don Humphrey. He was the site superintendent for 22 years before he passed after a long battle with cancer. Not only was this an extremely stupid idea, it was a costly, dangerous, and very inconsiderate.

My children, other family members and I go to this spot to remember the man whose life was spent making Middle Fork a safe, family-oriented environment.

Funds spent in Iraq would boost economy

There is a solution or at least a way to start solving two of our most pressing problems – the Iraq occupation and our economic recession. Withdraw our troops now and save $720 million, which is one day's cost of the occupation. Do that for one week and save over $5 billion. It's more than $260 billion for one year.

Taxpayers are paying this bill, which is above and beyond the $515 billion that the Bush administration has proposed for the Pentagon budget for the next fiscal year.

Share a name but not political views

I would like my friends and neighbors and the entire Champaign-Urbana community to know that I, Dr. Timothy Robert Brumleve of Urbana, am not the same person as Timothy A. Brumleve, also of Urbana, whose airing of controversial videos on Urbana public access cable television has recently drawn criticism from the community.

It is unfortunate that in a relatively small community like Champaign-Urbana that two individuals with the same first and last names, with diametrically opposed opinions, might be confused with each other.

Great response from appeal for photos

I want to say a big "thank you" to all the great people who sent pictures by e-mail and CD of Martina McBride and me at her Assembly Hall concert. Thank you for your kindness. I love them all.

ASHLEY DAWSON

Motorists should always be on alert

This is in response to Patrick Mulrooney's April 2 letter about Jackie Collins' letter about the death of her pet.

If I understand Mulrooney's letter, the pet owner was at fault because the dog ran into the street. Whatever happened to drivers being responsible for their automobiles?

Our corrupt election system must change

I am writing with regard to the recent editorial, "Elected officials thoughtless in direct election vote."

The editorial could not be more wrong. As a former teacher of the second U.S. Constitution, I have studied its history and its drafters.

Criminals are safe if they write checks

In my position at St. Joseph IGA, I have been educated in the rights of those who cheat and steal.

An individual came into our store and in a four-day period wrote over $1,000 worth of bad checks on a closed account. When we called local law enforcement, we were told of the legal process, which involved lengthy affidavits for each check, a certified letter to the offender offering time to make payment arrangements and video surveillance. It was extremely time consuming.

Kids, school board members are lot alike

The school board favors a sales tax. And the children favor placing the cookie jar on a lower shelf.

JIM NALLl

UPTV could televise more public meetings

The Urbana Public Television channel may have serious issues with those who would choose to abuse the right of freedom of speech. But it is ultimately a vital part of ensuring participation in the democratic process.

For-profit TV airs offensive material everyday. Where the Urbana Public Television channel fails is not failing to invite a lawsuit by trying to censor but by not insuring that all public meetings are broadcast and during prime time hours.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Should be a way to stop unwanted mail

I am writing for the elderly everywhere who receive solicitations for money.

I am 64 years old. Daily I receive solicitations with address labels, note pads and greeting cards. I'm moving soon and the address labels of which I have hundreds will be no good. I do not use many greeting cards. They pile up and I have a drawer full of note pads. It seems these companies could put this money toward their worthy cause, rather than to ask me $16 of my life savings. It's a nuisance.

Grateful for sign of respect by motorists

My aunt Vera's funeral was April 15. As at least 20 cars drove from the Renner Wikoff Chapel to Grandview Cemetery, dozens of cars pulled over and stopped to let us go by. Whether it is tradition or respect, it was moving to see this happen. Thanks to the drivers in Champaign-Urbana – she certainly deserved your gesture.

PATRICIA LEES

Real solutions needed for global warming

The News-Gazette's most recent coverage of the FutureGen Alliance's proposal to build a new power plant in Mattoon failed to put this project in the context of broad efforts to avert the worst effects of global warming. As farmers face inevitable droughts, our children and grandchildren could be facing a very different future.

Global warming is threatening our way of life in central Illinois, the people of this community are already concerned about it, and we're starting to do something about it.

Letter about Heston unnecessarily harsh

I must reply to the insensitive comments written by J.L. Divilbiss (April 17 letter) about Charlton Heston's funeral, and removing the gun from his cold fingers in his casket. Mr. Heston was long a fighter for civil rights and the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms. A true patriot till the end, I am sure Mr. Heston would defend Divilbiss' right to freedom of speech even though the words about him were cruel.

CANDACE J. SERVISS

Big step toward Larkin's Place

We would like to thank the community members who shared in the Christie Clinic "Run for the Health of It" with us. Thank you to all of the employees, friends and participants who came together to make the run such a success. Our family thanks you. The Larkin's Place committee thanks you and Larkin herself just babbled a "thank you." The Christie Foundation presented a check for $20,000 – all of which was raised from various businesses, citizens, runners and walkers. The weather could not dampen our spirits, and we chose instead to focus on the rays of sunshine that are beaming on us from within our community. The depth of gratitude we feel cannot be expressed enough and we will forever carry the feeling of love, acceptance and helping hands that in one day helped us take a giant step forward on the course to building Larkin's Place.

ANDREW AND AMY

Don't let them take our right to bear arms

Hey, J.L. Divilbiss of Champaign (April 17 letter), haven't you heard that Japan, when asked why it didn't attack America after it bombed and attacked Pearl Harbor, said it knew the American people (civilians) were armed and would fight?

So Americans, male and female, buy a gun. Take lessons to use it. You are going to need one. Don't let the government, or the Divilbisses, take away your right to bear arms.

Bad location to conduct war games

Last Sunday at about 10:45 a.m. I was walking with a friend through the Orchard Downs housing complex when we sighted what appeared to be a naked body on the sledding hill. On closer inspection it was a dummy; we assumed a prank. But then a figure wearing camouflage fatigues and carrying a rifle ran up the hill and crouched behind a tree.

Given the recent violence on university campuses, I called 911 and after some back-and-forth, was told it was "probably a training exercise" – but there was no one else in sight. Farther along we did come upon a group of men in what was apparently a military maneuver, which involved a lot of shouting and pointing rifles around, toward, and directly at the nearby student housing.

Time to challenge Urbana Democrats

We should thank the local Democratic Party leadership for reminding voters of the difference between "Democrat" with a big "D" and "democrat" with a small "d." Appearing suddenly for the first time since citizens started participating in the annual township meetings a couple of years ago, officials closed off the legally proscribed citizen input before it could begin. We can't have the people interfering in their government, one explained.

So regardless of what The News-Gazette says in its editorial, these "advisory" referenda make a big difference to someone, in particular those in positions of authority who depend on public opinion.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Work, play situation must be addressed

This is my 40th anniversary as a community activist. Two days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Champaign Central High School officials, led by Kenneth Stratton, asked me to help calm the school. I requested an assembly for students only. Then I led the entire school to a church on the University of Illinois campus. Donna Sayles and I, both at Central, were awarded the first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. scholarships.

On the 40th anniversary of King's assassination, I believe our problems get more complex each year. There is a leadership crisis in the local African-American community, and most locals are locked out of leadership jobs here. This has resulted in the visible mass exportation of our talent, but there is light in the tunnel.

Help is available for expectant mothers

I am writing to let you know that we are celebrating International Doula Month. Doulas, who offer support to women and families during the childbearing year, celebrate our profession in May.

A few years ago, when childbirth educators asked pregnant women how many of them knew what a doula was, maybe two out of about 25 in the class would raise their hands. Today almost all hands go up. Doulas are fast becoming a mainstay of labor and birth support. Birth doulas provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother during the prenatal period and during and after birth. Postpartum doulas provide support to families during their newborn's first weeks of life.

Provocative acts caused expulsion

David Green's recent description (April 16 letter) of events at Hillel on April 1 is extremely distorted and inaccurate.

David Makovsky, a well-known moderate commentator on Middle Eastern affairs, gave a measured analysis of the ingredients necessary to establish a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He was serious but hopeful for peace.

Places of worship should be welcoming

During the pope's visit, my favorite stop was his visit to young people with disabilities. Someone had the foresight to remember the sometimes forgotten on the pope's busy agenda. It lasted only 20 minutes, and his speech was brief. He said sometimes it is challenging to find a reason for what appears only as a difficulty to be overcome or even pain to be endured. Yet our faith helps us to break open the horizon beyond our own selves in order to see life as God does. He greeted these saints in the making with such attention and love.

Every one of us either has a disability or will have one. Disabilities come in various ways to various people. Everyone has a contribution to make, no matter how small. Tony Melendez, born without arms, after playing a guitar and singing, asks what more we can do who have two arms.

Council member 'butchered' names

I attended the April 14 Urbana City Council meeting where the public spoke its mind and heart on issues of public TV, free speech and anti-Semitic hate speech. The meeting lasted four hours. Thank you to the council that gave so generously of its time and attention. I do believe the meeting needn't have been quite so long were it not for the amazing inability of one alderperson to read and pronounce our names as she called us to the microphone.

Heather Stevenson (who loves to remind us that she is the daughter of U.S. Rep. Timothy Johnson) somehow managed to reliably and consistently butcher, bumble, stammer, blabber and basically batter virtually every name. How she got chosen to do that job at that particular session is beyond me.

Little to Obama but great speeches

In Mark Lehman's April 17 letter he suggests that the American voter is too stupid to handle criticism. He blames our tender egos for the outrage over Barack Obama's comments that small-town voters cling to the First and Second Awmendments (God and guns) out of bitterness.

If Obama had made his comments in a small town he might have earned some respect, but he didn't. He was buttering up his own ultra-liberal constituency at a fund-raiser in San Francisco by telling them how much better they are than their hick cousins out east.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Net-metering good way to cut costs

I would like to remind local residents that April 1 was the deadline for all investor-owned electricity providers in Illinois, such as Ameren, to begin offering net-metering for renewable energy. The change is mandated by a new law I sponsored that took effect this year.

Net-metering allows consumers who generate their own electricity from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and biofuels, to receive credits that will reduce or eliminate their monthly electric utility bill.

Urbana's oligarchs not fooling anyone

Unfortunate obscuring (spin doctoring?) in a recent editorial kept the transparency in government referendum out of the spotlight. A little sunshine displays Laurel Prussing & Co. in an entirely different, negative light.

Another Lennon said, "Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey."

Urbana can adopt tighter cable rules

Prohibiting third-party produced programs from being shown on Urbana public television (UPTV) is not censorship. Only when distinctions are made based on content does freedom of speech become an issue.

Esther Patt and Paul Mueth either do not understand this concept or are under the misapprehension that government is obliged to provide a forum for all. Do they think the government must provide paper and copying for people who wish to disseminate their ideas in a newsletter?

Changes needed on county board

One of the great principles of our republican form of government is to spread power among as many hands as possible. This prevents corruption and increases the representation of the people.

Champaign County does not need its county board consolidated and reduced by one-third of its members. We just need the board members to do the job they were elected to do.

Community means sharing responsibility

Savoy Village Trustee Joan Dykstra obviously wants the voters of Champaign County to approve an increase in the sales tax so it will benefit Savoy. She is quoted as saying that the tax, which might pay for a new school in Savoy, would be "something neat for the village." She also says that "we want a school to come back to Savoy."

I would recommend that the voters of the county, and the members of the Champaign school board, remember that Dykstra's enthusiasm for support from our community didn't work the other way when she was one of the leading voices opposing expansion of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District into Savoy. Then, Dykstra and others in Savoy didn't want to help pay for a service that benefits Savoy as much as it benefits the rest of our community.

Comprehensive sex education needed

Three weeks ago, the Center for Disease Control reported that 25 percent of American teen girls – that's more than three million young women – have a sexually transmitted infection/disease (STD). This is a shocking number, and more evidence that the Bush administration's eight years of federally funded abstinence-only education has been a disastrous failure.

It's time to take action and focus our efforts on real solutions that will help prevent unintended pregnancies and STDs among teenagers. We need education programs in our schools that will help keep teens healthy – by including information about abstinence as well as contraception, healthy communication, responsible decision making and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Parents, not teachers, must raise children

A lot of debate involves whose responsibility it is to prepare children for life and education. Having raised two children of whom I am very proud, I must speak to this issue.

It is the parents' moral and ethical obligation to mold, teach and lead by example when it comes to morals, discipline, religion, integrity and behavior. It is our teachers' responsibility to teach reading, writing and arithmetic.

Loud and louder quite memorable

A recent event at the Hillel Foundation provided a night to remember when David Green, a frequent letter writer to The News-Gazette, threw his usual histrionics and shouted nonstop at a guest speaker, thereby preventing him from answering questions. Members of the audience, normally so politically correct and polite, decided "not to take it anymore." They shouted back, louder than Green, and drowned out his invectives. Unable to be heard, Green decided to leave.

Like I said, it was a night to remember.

Drug discount card saves consumers cash

In November 2007, the Vermilion county board implemented its prescription discount program, which is available at no cost to all residents living within the county.

The program is administered through the National Association of Counties and Caremark. There are no eligibility requirements other than being a resident of Vermilion County. Since the program's implementation, more than 1,200 prescriptions have been filled at a total savings of $14,631.63 for those individuals using the card.

Prussing, her ilk reject democracy

An aspect of the annual township meeting overlooked by Esther Patt in her recent letter is that the meeting can be used to place only three nonbinding referenda on the general election ballot the following fall. This means groups supporting different referenda have to compete for ballot space.

At the recent Cunningham Township meeting, many AWARE members and others tried to make the case that the municipal election process in Urbana needs reform and that the existing single plurality system should be replaced by instant runoff voting (IRV). IRV advocates argue this system encourages more candidates to run for office, produces wider voter participation and is more democratic.

Urbana hotel to face a tough road ahead

One last hurrah for the Historic Lincoln Hotel? I wish Global Hotel Management success, but I am skeptical of the long-term prospects for what was a great hotel. Great hotels are created partly by the facility, but primarily by great people.

Opened in 1924, the hotel had character and was suitable for that less frenetic era. Judge Charles Webber and Gordon Kamerer bought the hotel in 1944. Kamerer, his dress and manner as elegant as the dining service in the Lincoln Room, was the archetype of refined hoteliers. For 20 more years, the Urbana-Lincoln stood at the pinnacle of local lodging. In the early 1950s Urbana added decent motels, including the Urbana-Lincoln's offspring, the Lincoln Lodge, while Champaign had only hotels: the Inman, the Tilden Hall and the Hamilton. After all, visitors had always arrived by rail and bus.

County board must vote on gun issue

More and more people in Illinois, as represented by their county boards, are saying "Enough is enough." We do not want our rights as guaranteed by the Second Amendment denied any longer.

That's because the number of county boards expressing themselves on this issue keeps going up. Since April 4, 2007, the number of county boards expressing themselves on this issue has increased to 76 of the 102 county boards in Illinois. They have told the legislators representing them that they are not represented by Cook County area legislators, and that they resent the constant attempt to impose completely ineffective Chicago/Cook County gun control laws upon them. Enough is enough.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

'Angel' saved day by finding wallet

I wish to express my gratitude to the young woman who found my wallet in the parking lot of Schnucks in Urbana on March 21.

She returned it to the service desk and didn't leave her name. Indeed, she was an angel watching over me that day.

Illinois Democrats make a bigger mess

In the Illinois State Capitol, the notion that change will come in 2008 was just soundly rejected on the floor of the Senate. The state is in its fifth year of Democrat control of the Legislature and governor's office. On their watch, the state is broke and state government is in disarray.

Yet this month Illinois Senate Democrats ignored the budget deficit of their own making and again demonstrated their commitment to borrow, tax and spend.

Editorial on income taxes not convincing

A recent editorial on the April 15 tax deadline posed this question: "How is it exactly that the so-called rich are not paying their fair share?"

Telling us that the top 1 percent of income earners pay 40 percent of all income taxes doesn't really tell us anything. Why not tell us what percentage of all personal income that top 1 percent earns?

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Obama getting lots of really bad raps

Jim Pillar wrote (April 7 letter) that U.S. Sen. Barack Obama continuously gets free passes from the news media. I want to know what free passes. The free pass of constantly using his middle name for fear and hate mongering (because it's fun, to quote Ann Coulter)? The free pass of questioning his patriotism because of his wife's comments and because he doesn't wear a flag lapel (Fox News Oct. 5, 2007, and Feb. 19, 2008; and AP Feb. 23 and 24, 2008)? The free pass of comparing him to Hitler (Fox News Radio)?

Pillar also tried to compare Obama and U.S. Sen. John McCain, saying that if McCain said anything akin to what Obama has that the media would be frothing at the mouth.

Avoiding lawsuits drives decisions

John Bell (March 7 letter) recently described his surprise at not being allowed by his Christie surgeon to have an MRI where he preferred. I appreciate Bell's frustration but also suspect some health-care consumers underestimate the powerful motivators playing upon good doctors to make such judgments.

On the same day, the Medical Economics Web site posted an article titled, "When Patients Cancel Appointments, You're On the Line." It opened with a hypothetical narrative about a patient who cancels his appointment to take a vacation, then sues the doctor for not enforcing regular checkups to control complications of diabetes.

Basketball critic sloppy in his criticism

Michael Loyd Gray (April 12 letter) says News-Gazette writers have misled readers about the caliber of future Illini basketball recruits. Other way around: It's Gray who's being misleading.

Gray gripes that three recruits "only" placed second team or honorable mention on The News-Gazette's All-State Team. He didn't read closely. The all-state team is senior-dominated as always, while most Illini recruits come from younger classes. Out of 15 first-teamers, 13 are seniors, and the only two juniors are both Illini recruits (Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson). Along with one senior (Stan Simpson), the Illini list includes three first-teamers. The rest are juniors (second-team Joseph Bertrand), sophomores (Crandall Head and the only sophomore to make second team, Jereme Richmond), or out-of-staters (Tyler Griffey from Missouri).

Friday, April 18, 2008

Lawsuit reform is key to economic health

With the economy in trouble, medical lawsuit reform in Illinois gets little attention, but the issues are connected. The fact that the state's 2005 reform legislation could be overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court virtually guarantees Illinois will continue to lag behind the nation in job retention and growth.

In a poll of corporate attorneys, who have seats at most site-selection tables for companies seeking new or expanded locations, Harris Interactive found that Illinois ranked 46th among the 50 states in terms of having a legal system that delivers justice. When those committees sit down to discuss possibilities, the civil litigation climate is surely a central issue in any discussion of the question, "Does the site make economic sense?"

Visually impaired have special needs

Some of us have low vision. We don't see well even with the prescription glasses we wear. We might not be able to read this newspaper without the aid of a lighted magnifier or special adaptive computer screen. Magazines are completely unreadable, with glossy paper and fancy graphics in yellow or red inks. Thank goodness for talking books programs.

We can't recognize your blurry face across the street or see you waving or signaling from your car.

Illinois must fund legal aid for poor

I testified at Speaker Madigan's budget hearing in Champaign about the urgent need to increase state funding for legal aid to help meet the civil legal needs of low-income families.

Access to legal aid helps build stronger and more stable families and communities. For families who have lost their homes as a result of mortgage fraud; victims of domestic violence; and disabled individuals struggling to obtain needed benefits – legal aid is a lifeline.

Like Chinese, U.S. manipulates media

The current situation with China and Tibet gives us an opportunity to see how a government can manipulate its population by controlling the media coverage and vigorously discrediting dissenting voices as liars and enemies of the state.

When we see reports of governments restricting access to hot zones to only reporters who are escorted by the military our instincts suggest the reports may be tainted. We have embedded reporters for their safety. When there is an absence of reporters to an area such as Tibet or Fallujah we worry about the safety of civilians and recognize the opportunity for a government to act in an abusive manner. Any "alleged" civilian atrocities are usually denied and citizens are left waiting for the reality to be pieced together after the fact. Governments usually vigorously attack any evidence exposing civilian atrocities as false propaganda by the enemy.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Waiting for tolerance from Muslim states

The real threat facing Western civilization is the onslaught of Islam. Rogue groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaida, Islamic jihad, etc., clamor for war and the destruction of America, Israel and other Western countries. Maybe the West should listen; words mean something, you know. Perhaps a good place to start a clean up would be Gaza. If this rat hole for Western aid and Islamic terrorists was to suffer the same fate as Dresden, Germany, in World War II, the survivors would be more concerned about their next drink than screaming "death to the West." This may sound extreme, but through the centuries, living under the boot heel of Islam has cost millions their lives.

Look at Lebanon, a once thriving, largely Christian country that is descending into an Islamic cesspool. Any political voice there who does not support the Islamic way is soon blown to bits.

Did Charlton Heston leave as promised?

If we assume that Charlton Heston had an open casket funeral then we also have to assume that the undertaker was able to pry the gun from his dead, cold fingers.

J.L. DIVILBISS

Voters are too stupid to handle hard truths

The current fire storm over comments by Barack Obama regarding bitterness among small-town voters over government's ineffectiveness in addressing their problems fascinates me. It also confirms in my mind the fundamental stupidity of American voters.

We've all observed how political candidates engage in sickly, obsequious praise of their voting constituency. The recent backlash in response to Obama's comments demonstrates that such ingratiating behavior is obligatory for any serious candidate for political office. The American voting public wants to hear praise from their political candidates. They want to hear the candidates tell them how patriotic they are; how politically savvy they are; what good Christians they are; etc.

Anti-Semitic shows more than obnoxious

Obnoxious! So Urbana City Attorney Ronald O'Neal views the filthy, slanderous, anti-Semitic programs broadcast on UPTV as obnoxious. I wonder if that's how a large number of Germany's citizens viewed Hitler's rantings as he began to acquire a following and assume power in the 1930s. When people are continually and intentionally lied about to portray them as less than human it becomes much easier for others to rationalize limiting their freedom as well as permitting their torture and/or killing. Take a look at the methods used today by Islamic terrorists in order to procure their "homicide bombers." Think it can't happen here? Read history. Think again.

KATHLEEN JENNINGS

Hard to understand support for Wright

I take issue with the Rev. Richard Mullen's remarks published in his April 13 letter in which he defended the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's blatantly inflammatory and racist remarks and further indicated that this man had done more good in the world than his detractors. It is impossible to understand how one could reach that conclusion after viewing tapes of the Wright sermons in which he claimed among other things that the government had injected HIV virus into the black population. Under Wright's leadership his church has awarded well-known racist and anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan special recognition (Trumpeteer award Nov. 2, 2007) as well as published anti-Jewish remarks by Hamas in its church bulletin (policy statement of Hamas goals by Mousa Abu Marzook, the deputy of the political bureau of Hamas) on July 22, 2007.

These elitist and condescending remarks by Mullen may explain why the church is having difficulty with declining membership and number of vocations. Maybe Mullen would be better served by dealing with the compelling issues facing his church such as abusive priests, and less time supporting racist hate-mongering speech by the likes of Jeremiah Wright.

Local gas stations gouging visitors

Here's an interesting observation from this past weekend.

It was Dad's Day weekend at Western Illinois University in Macomb. Price of gas in Macomb: $3.28 per gallon.

War in Iraq more than just a mistake

On the cover of a recent edition, two young men, maybe brothers, running, each holding a limp bleeding child in his arms. Horror and resignation fill their faces.

Had this scene been in Urbana or Omaha, New Orleans or New York, we would have expressed outrage. But we don't even bother to record the names of these victims.

We will all bloom in warmer weather

Spring is poised to spring, you hope. The flowers, like you, are emerging from the darkness. As you emerge ask yourself this question, "What kind of flower are you?" Do you like sun or shade? Do you need space or close companions? Do you reside in a swamp or a desert?

I'm a part sun, part shade flower – maybe a South African bird of paradise (genus Strelitzia). My skin is naturally dark olive being of southern Italian and Puerto Rican ancestry. People who are birds of paradise need more sunlight to survive than people who are azaleas (genus Rhododendron). If you conclude yourself an azalea, then you need only indirect sunlight to survive. This, however, is a very small percentage of the population as azaleas always burn and never tan when exposed to summer sun.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

No patience for Tate, Turpin or Weber

As tools become dated or worn it becomes necessary to update them with new or modern gear. This would hold true for sports reporters.

I believe we are seeing outdated and pointed views from Loren Tate and Jim Turpin and it would seem time for them to move on. They have become sour and argumentative in their approach to persons who do not agree with their viewpoint. Each hold opinions that are based on blind loyalty to a fault.

Not all viewpoints welcome at Hillel

On April 1, David Makovsky, a Zionist think tanker, gave a half-hour public talk at Campus Hillel, which consisted of twisted invective against Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims, and self-promoting insider politics.

He then entertained four noncontroversial questions and decided to end after an hour and fifteen minutes of a planned two-hour event. There was no moderator.

Sad to see outcome for 'a good kid'

Brian Chesley was my student as a kindergartener at King School in Urbana. What an affectionate and sweet little boy. Through the years I have enjoyed watching him grow up. His is a loving and responsible family and he has followed that example. Often we have a chance to visit when he comes to King to pick up his little cousins. He is open, friendly and warm-hearted. Looking into his kind eyes always brings me joy.

Somehow recently, a nightmare occurred with his arrest in Douglass Park. I was not there. I cannot know what happened. That he would be walking young kids home from a wholesome park district activity sounds just like him. But the ensuing events are unthinkable. Did the police officer think he was someone else? Who knows? The horror came tumbling down.

A frugal life might even be a better life

Recession has dominated business and national news for the past months. Recently, The News-Gazette exemplified its local impact, reminding us that living in a college community doesn't exempt us from financial woes.

Personally, I find no pleasure watching my hard-earned retirement savings erode daily. But, perhaps I am naive in believing that adversity has its bright side. We can all boycott the consumer mentality by using the failing economy as an opportunity to become resourceful and more frugal.

Groups will unite to challenge Democrats

The April 8 Cunningham Township annual meeting was the day and event when local Democratic Party operatives tried to kill democracy.

Democratic Mayor Laurel Prussing was quoted as saying Tuesday was the night they (the Democrats) took back the township. That is, the local Democratic Party faithful took over the township meeting from the township residents.

Just what are local Democrats afraid of?

At the April 8 annual township meetings, several advisory referendum proposals brought forth by local citizens were rejected. Leading figures and elected officials of the Champaign County Democratic Party showed up en masse to defeat the proposals.

Their stance reveals how partisan politics can harm noble local causes. It is disappointing because they stopped the proposals from getting on the meeting agendas, which would have given people the chance to address their merits before voting on their inclusion in the November ballot. Since they were advisory referenda, we are left wondering why it is wrong and dangerous to allow citizens to express their views on important issues like the ownership of the water system and the adoption of a more democratic election system, instant runoff voting.