Letters to the Editor

FOREIGN FILM SERIESThank you for the great coverage of Molly Schlich’s foreign film series [see “Reel foreign,” Jan. 14]. I was delighted by all the pages given to the series. There has never been better publicity. The series is so fortunate to have your support. Molly works very hard to put together an interesting program of […]

FLAWED LAWRe: the texting ban [see “Texting ban more bark than bite” Jan. 7], they will need to ban eating, smoking, hygiene (makeup, shaving etc.) or any other distraction that can cause an accident when performed while driving. I am sure this will be enforced as much as the smoking ban from a few years […]

DRINK AND DRIVE-UP If you people think Sam Cahnman is an embarrassment, what about the fact that Springfield is the only major city in Illinois that still allows drive-up liquor window sales? How embarrassing is it to know that of the ten largest cities in Illinois Springfield is the only major city that still allows […]

PROTECTING ANIMALSKudos to Illinois for being ranked as the state with the strongest laws against cruelty to animals by the Animal Legal Defense Fund.     Treating cruelty to animals seriously doesn’t only protect animals — it makes the entire community safer. Animal abusers are cowards who take their issues out on “easy victims” which often […]

FOOD, INC.After seeing Food, Inc. I am recommending it to all of my friends. I am feeling extra appreciative of my voice and purchasing power to affect change in our area. I am appalled that our government has allowed such serious concerns to be raised with the system set up to regulate the safety of […]

VIDEO POKER BAN Construction jobs are not at risk if communities ban video poker machines. Video gambling will neither bring nor reduce road and construction projects for any community. The state found a way to pay for the capital projects. A bill approved during the veto session allows Illinois to proceed with the sale of bonds for […]

SMOKE FOR HEALTHPlease contact your state lawmakers and urge them to support the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, Senate Bill 1381 and House Bill 2514. The recent calling for a review of cannabis as a “schedule one drug” by the American Medical Association is one more reason why lawmakers need to protect […]

GOODBYE, BOB Regarding “Bob Waldmire’s farewell tour” [by Bill Crook, Nov. 26]: A wonderful article about an interesting man. I had the pleasure of running into Bob at his final art show. Bob was his usual generous self and I thanked him for being him. His artwork is a must-have for a true fan of Route 66. He has […]

LET WOMEN DECIDEWhen Planned Parenthood attended the very first health care reform discussion at the White House in March, President Obama made it clear that, under health reform, Americans will not lose the benefits they currently have. Unfortunately, hours before the U.S. House of Representatives was set to vote on the health care reform bill […]

TERRORIST PRISONS Recently, Congressman Phil Hare announced that he supports the moving of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the Thomson Correctional Facility, on the basis that it will create thousands of jobs [See “Employee union blasts plans to sell Thomson prison”] While his logic is pretty simple, I don’t believe that just one terrorist prison is […]

HOMELESSNESS HAPPENSI was homeless because I lost my job and, ultimately, my apartment because I couldn’t pay my rent. I spent the past seven months living with my parents off and on, sleeping in my car, and staying with friends while looking for work. It’s been tough. I have a great deal of empathy towards […]

NOT KICK’N F5Hats off to our friends in F5, Best of Springfield 2009’s Best Cover Band, for this great recognition! No doubt the F5 gang knows how to entertain! What everyone commenting and reading these comments [see “Best of Springfield 2009,” online comment thread, Oct. 29] needs to keep in mind is that the IT’s […]