The best political party in America is not the Dems nor the Repubs. By far, the best political party is a real party named “Fighting Bob Fest.” It’s a daylong, outdoor political festival run by a coalition of Wisconsin progressives who believe in “putting the party back in politics.” Held in Madison every September, Bob […]
Editor’s Note
Posted inOpinion
Editor’s note 1/12/17
Barack Obama, a victim of term limits in his present job, appropriately returned to his home state to give his farewell address. Sounding like one whose work is done, he encouraged the rest of us to roll up our sleeves to keep hope alive. The guy is 55 years old. Democrats are looking for a […]
Posted inOpinion
Right-wingers, Red Pope and Jesus
‘Tis the season for family, friends, eggnog, chipmunks singing Christmas carols – and all-out, no-mercy, blow-’em-all-to-hell war. Not war like in Afghanistan. No, no – this is the far right’s God-awful “War on Christmas.” In this season of Peace on Earth, a delusional faction of rightists has cooked up a hokey “cultural crisis” to rally […]
Posted inOpinion
Editor’s note 1/5/17
In anticipation of the new administration taking office Jan. 20, many Americans are asking themselves what they can do to make these perilous times better. The Dominican Sisters of Springfield suggest joining them in an effort to promote civil discourse. The sisters earlier explained that their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are “a prophetic […]
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What is the ‘Trump Fix’?
In Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, it was his frequent, unbridled slaps at Wall Street elites and arrogant, job-busting corporate executives that gave him the “populistic” patina he needed to win. But wait a minute: Who are those guys escorting The Donald into the Oval Office? Oh, my God, they’re Wall Street elites and arrogant corporate […]
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Why in the world would Trump tap Perry to be energy secretary?
Perk up, people – for I bring you tidings of great joy: Gov. “Oops” is back! Yes, Rick Perry, the former Texas governor who specialized in putting the “goober” in gubernatorial, is being brought back from well-earned obscurity in rural Texas to join the menagerie of characters in “The Donald Show.” Who can forget Perry’s […]
Posted inOpinion
Editor’s note 12/22/16
We received this message in a holiday greeting card from a friend and decided to pass it along to readers. Following this instruction could lead to peace in Springfield, goodwill to the poor and universities – Fletcher Farrar, editor and publisher Happy HolidaysGet Serious about the Budget RejectAnti-UnionNonsense.Exorcize theRight-wing demons.
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Augustus Trumpus
All hail Augustus Trumpus! All hail the American Putin, whom none can criticize! All hail the Great All Knowing One, who reveals “realities” that are not there and finds “facts” that mere mortals cannot detect. Once again, The Amazing Donald has demonstrated his phantasmagoric power of perception, having a new outcome in November’s election that […]
Posted inOpinion
Editor’s note 12/15/16
While Gov. Bruce Rauner was busy this week working on his 2018 campaign for reelection, the education advocacy group Advance Illinois was doing work that needs to be done. Releasing its biennial report on the sorry state of education in Illinois, the group showed that low-income students are falling further behind their wealthier peers. Just […]
Posted inOpinion
The new founder
This past January, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the multimillionaire protege of the Koch brothers’ plutocratic kingdom and American Legislative Exchange Council darling, revealed to a startled nation that he has penned not one but nine new amendments to the Constitution of the USA. Forget the Bill of Rights, Abbott is proposing a Bill of Sale, […]
Posted inOpinion
Editor’s note 12/8/16
Watching Gov. Bruce Rauner flailing about trying to save face while Democrat leaders refuse to play Turnaround call to mind Chicagoan Finley Peter Dunne’s 1895 quote, “Politics ain’t bean-bag.” Politics is a complex and sophisticated game, in other words, and those who aren’t good at it can do a lot of harm. Contrary to all […]
Posted inOpinion
Bing bing, bong bong, bing bing
What an election year. I feel like I’ve been transported through a cosmic squirrel hole and into a baffling political universe where facts are fiction, bizarre is normal and corruption is a virtue. Since I can’t yet conjure up the deep meanings (or lack thereof) in this year’s national vote, I’ll offer instead a reflection […]
