Fair warning: This column could get sloppy. Normally I try to plug this space with something newsy, something issue-oriented, some kind of meaty food for thought. But signs suggest that today, for a limited time only, I can take a break from controversial current events and simply say something nice for a change. First sign: […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
common sense 11-25-04
One of the most despicable aspects of this year’s presidential campaign was the deliberate, determined effort by the Republican Party to keep people from voting. I don’t just mean the notorious efforts in Florida by First Brother Jeb Bush to purge the voter rolls of thousands of eligible African-Americans; I’m also talking about tactics used […]
Posted inOpinion
commentary 11-25-04
A recent study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has shown that since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, an estimated 100,000 more civilians have died in that country than would have died if the invasion had not taken place. Most of these deaths have been the result of violence, most […]
Posted inOpinion
Soar, losers
As the death toll rises in Iraq, thoughts turn to the next strategy for stopping this war. The easiest way would have been to elect John Kerry, but that didn’t work. It might not have worked even if he had won the election — he only promised to be a better warmaker — but it […]
Posted inOpinion
letters 11-18-04
Letters policy We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity. Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois 62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com TAX REFORM INSTEAD OF GAMBLING Expanding casino gambling to raise money to […]
Posted inOpinion
common sense 11-18-04
I’ve been chastised by Wal-Mart! Imagine my distress. The largest corporation in the world apparently was stung by one of my recent commentaries [see Hightower, “Wal-Mart milks taxpayers,” Oct. 21]. I had pointed out that Wal-Mart, which touts itself as a model of “free-market” success, actually has built its market muscle by squeezing more than […]
Posted inOpinion
The fall guy
It’s understandable if Republicans feel a little panicky right now. Their party’s U.S. Senate candidate, Alan Keyes, was wiped out in the biggest Senate landslide in Illinois history. And they were stunned when longtime congressman Phil Crane, of the 8th Congressional District,lost his seat to a Democrat. These two striking events have some Republicans calling […]
Posted inOpinion
common sense 11-11-04
The U.S. Air Force is in rapture over its new baby, the F/A-22 Raptor. Taxpayers, however, can be forgiven for being less than enraptured by the recent birth of this fighter jet. It’s the most expensive warplane in history, it’s not needed, and there are serious doubts about whether it’ll even work. Conceived 23 years […]
Posted inOpinion
Democracy decorated or plain
Mila Dvoretskaya-Lemme went to the polls on Election Day and came away underwhelmed by the choices. Never mind the candidates; there were no crullers, no crumpets, no soda pop, and no lemonade. Mila comes from Kazakhstan, where democracy is wrapped in a colorful ritual that includes flowers, music, kids, and bake sales. The festivities lure […]
Posted inOpinion
letters 11-11-04
Letters policy We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity. Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois 62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com WHY I DON’T SHOP AT WAL-MART I read Jeff Davis’ letter about […]
Posted inOpinion
letters 11-4-04
Letters policy We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity. Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois 62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com NOBODY FORCED TO SHOP AT WAL-MART Move over, Halliburton — another bad […]
Posted inOpinion
The difference between homelessness and the homeless
It didn’t take long in the homeless shelter for me to realize I am among exceptionally gifted people. Funny. Smart. Kind. Troubled, too. But many seem no more troubled than a lot of other people I know. I went in thinking this would be a good place to learn and cameout thinking it would be […]
