Ramblings

I see where Marquette University, whose nickname was “Warriors” felt in order to be “politically correct”, they needed to stop using this “insulting” nickname and went to a politically correct name of “Golden Eagles”. Then they found out that the eagle race was insulted so they went looking again for a new name. I feel sorry for you Marquette graduates that you now have such weak administrators. At least I graduated from a college whose nickname was and still is the “Leathernecks”. Don’t believe the Marines will ever object. By the way, I never learned what new nickname was picked, was it the “Fleecy Clouds”? Someone clue me in.

Steve Forbes said “the best way to promote development, by the way, is to cut taxes and antigrowth regulations as well as to improve local schools”. Mr. Forbes, of Forbes Magazine makes the solution to our problems so simple. Smart man; I think he would have made a better president than some we’ve had in the last 13 years.

“Hollywood studios escalate whatever they can, making mainstream films bigger, louder, broader and. if the shoe fits, meaner, though seldom better. In fairness, Hollywood didn’t create the violence that numbs our sensibilities these days; its movies only amplify what the culture provides. All the same, it’s fairly stunning to see the changes that three decades have wrought in the level of mayhem-and racial anger-that’s supposed to be funny on the screen”.

I personally believe the “hippie generation” had at least part of it right and I think the far right and the fundamentalists have it partially wrong. Read into that statement whatever you wish.

“Worst of all Mr. Bush has been dishonest with the American public in his exhortations about spreading democracy. There was blood in the streets of Uzbekistan last month but instead of issuing a condemnation, Mr. Bush sent in the Red Cross. The U.S. is careful not to offend the local dictator, who is considered an important ally in the war on terror. Mr. Bush has been trapped by his vague concept of this war. If Saddam had to be toppled because he murdered his own people, how can another leader who does the same thing be an ally”?? I clipped these remarks from an article in the WSJ quoting a member of the opposite party. (And, of course, there are the Saudis). Elected officials lie to us? And you say some elected officials who tell “subtle falsehoods are “born again Christians? Good grief, what next? But then, small wonder, if college professors at even Bradley are teaching their students that there are no truths.

A study claims that “The vast majority of the fines and restitution ordered in five, high profile, white-collar criminal cases, remain uncollected. Uncollected criminal fines and restitution had nearly doubled from 13 billion to 25 billion. There were minimal, if any, apparent negative consequences, for not paying these debts. The offenders lifestyles were considered “at a minimum, comfortable,” but they face no criminal prosecution for failing to make these required payments”. Here again, I get that “warm, fuzzy” feeling about our bureaucracies. I suspect that some, who have been victimized by governmental injustices and were prosecuted for much lesser misdeeds, feel a quite different reaction.

And then there is “letter to the editor” written by a man criticizing newly elected Councilman Bob Manning for not quickly answering his question; he wondered if a house on his street was section 8 and if the PHA could assist him with his problems. I’ll give this mis-guided soul some help. The phone number of the PHA who handles Section 8 matters is 676-8736. Ask for Roger Johns. Hey, guy, no thanks necessary and Roger will be glad to hear from you.

And to the poor soul who wrote a “letter to the editor” to complain she and her mother have to drink our “musty” water. She, her mother and no one else we no have ever recalled this musty taste, she says. Why just goes to show you that our privately owned water company has probably already been attacked by those foreigners. No, if the city buys the water company and we get rid of those foreigners, the water will still taste the same, local experience won’t help, but you may pay a little more for it. I suggest this person complain about all the sewage and crap that is dumped in our river and ask the city to do something about it, maybe the water would taste a little better. Or maybe just go live in Eureka or Roanoke. Great tasting water right out of deep wells, no musty tasting Illinois River water there! Once you get there, you may find I was lying about the great taste! Oh well, I guess if you drink anything, you get used to it. Some people even like scotch.

I’ll close with a rumor I hear; rumors are a “dime a dozen”, that a recently terminated high ranking public school official is still serving on the Board of Peoria Next and Methodist Hospital. Interesting!!