Untitled Document We have a co-worker with boundless energy and a short attention span. You know the type — a little manic, a lot excitable, mostly fun. One of our resident wags came up with the affectionate nickname “Tigger” for this colleague. Because, of course, we’re all adults working in a pressure cooker of a […]
Roland Klose
Posted inArts & Culture
The Great Communicator
Abraham Lincoln said goodbye to Springfield in a succinct, emotion-filled speech on Feb. 11, 1861. “To this place, and the kindness of these people,” Lincoln said, “I owe every thing.” Residents of the capital city should know the Farewell Address: It’s been republished frequently, and the full text is on display at the presidential museum. […]
Posted inOpinion
Systemic failure
I never was a police reporter, but I did write about police matters, especially during my time in Memphis, covering city government. I reported on demands for civilian review, allegations of racism in hiring and promotions, contract disputes about pay and benefits, and corruption. Tennessee, at least at that time, had a fairly high regard […]
Posted inNews
The alternative
A judge on Wednesday quashed a subpoena that would have compelled Illinois Times reporter Dusty Rhodes to surrender a summary of the Illinois State Police investigation of two Springfield police detectives. Circuit Court Judge Leo Zappa instead directed the city of Springfield to provide a copy of the same document, as well as a resignation […]
Posted inOpinion
Tripping on the road
In a few weeks, I’ll be one of you — and I’m worried. Since the fall of 2003, when I took this job, I’ve been commuting between St. Louis and Springfield. It was supposed to be a temporary thing, this living in two places — weekdays in the Land of Lincoln, weekends in the Show-Me […]
Posted inOpinion
Rise up
Last time I filled this space, it was in the edition of Illinois Times that appeared just before Christmas and Hanukkah. In that commentary I suggested that Congress should impeach President George W. Bush. I was angry that the president directed the National Security Agency to spy on U.S. citizens. That action fit a pattern of […]
Posted inOpinion
Rise up
Last time I filled this space, it was in the edition of Illinois Times that appeared just before Christmas and Hanukkah. In that commentary I suggested that Congress should impeach President George W. Bush. I was angry that the president directed the National Security Agency to spy on U.S. citizens. That action fit a pattern of […]
Posted inOpinion
For peace on earth
If you’re old enough, news that President George W. Bush authorized the National Security Agency, apparently without legal authority, to monitor the private communications of American citizens must seem awfully familiar. This sort of monitoring has been pursued before, when technology was less sophisticated and less intrusive, becoming especially notorious during the administrations of Lyndon […]
Posted inOpinion
Killing our enemies
Like most people, I reacted with revulsion, not shock, to evangelist Pat Robertson’s suggestion that we assassinate Venezuela’s president. Robertson, after all, has a record of saying things that thoughtful folks wouldn’t. That’s why he’s largely ignored — most media organizations tune out the rants of TV preachers and most talk-show hosts. In this case, […]
Posted inOpinion
Sticks and stones
Catching up on some light reading, I tripped over a piece about our presidential museum in the Weekly Standard, Rupert Murdoch’s answer to political magazines such as The Nation and the New Republic. Andrew Ferguson, a senior editor at the magazine, gauged reaction to the museum, focusing on Springfield’s response to Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair […]
Posted inNews
Summer Guide 2005
Welcome to the 22nd edition of the Illinois Times Summer Guide, highlighting hundreds of events and activities in Springfield and around the region. Our summer calendar lists hardy perennials, including area county fairs, outdoor theatrical performances, municipal-band concerts, art fairs, tractor pulls, cheese-eating competitions, lawn-mower racing, and cow-chip-throwing contests. We cast a pretty wide net, from […]
Posted inNews
This year
Whew, what a year. This year, Illinois sent a rock star named Barack to the U.S. Senate. The nation gave steady-as-a-rock (and twice-as-smart) George W. another four years in the White House. And a leading British tabloid wondered on its front page: How could 59 million Americans “be so dumb”? We’re still not sure. Perhaps […]
