We welcome letters, but please include your full
name, address, and daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel,
length, and clarity. Send letters to Letters, Illinois
Times, P.O. Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705;
fax 217-753-3958; e-mail editor@illinoistimes.com.
HELP A GOAT, SKIP THE FAIR Was it really necessary to mention the addition of
meat goats to the livestock auction at the Illinois State Fair [Job Conger,
“Pick of the season,” June 1]? I find it repulsive that people
think it’s OK to buy and sell these animals for eating. I hope all
concerned with animal rights will show their support by not patronizing
this year’s events. Lisa A. McBrien Springfield
THAT’S NOT THE ’HOOD I KNOW LaDonna McClanahan doesn’t know what she is
talking about when she says the neighborhood across from Pillsbury is in
deplorable condition [“Letters,” May 25]. First of all, it was
Pillsbury Mill, not “factory.” Sangamo was a factory. My wife and I lived right across from
the mill for more than 20 years. And the street she was talking about as
being in bad shape was known as North Park, which takes in the 900 to 1100
block. All the homes in the 1000 block are clean and in good shape. If Ms.
McClanahan wants to see a good home, look at 1011 N. 15th. Danny Faulkner Springfield
THE LAKE IS VERY BEAUTIFUL I enjoyed the article “Battered but
beautiful” [Jeanne Townsend Handy, May 18]. I grew up on Lake DePue
— and still have plenty of family there. My parents’ home is
right across the street from Lake DePue. The lake still is very beautiful!
The last weekend in July, APBA Championship boat races are held on the
lake. This weekend is a longstanding tradition, and the boaters keep
returning and praising [the event] year after year. Thank you for the
article. Cheryl Davis Springfield
WHERE’S THE CITY WEATHER REPORT? I mostly get my weather forecast from WICS-TV (Channel
20). The rain on May 31 reminded me of an area where they fall down. They
have these folks in small towns who report on rainfall. When it comes to
their big audience, they have the info at Abe’s airport. I do not
know anyone who cares what the weather is at the airport. On May 31 the
airport had less than an inch, but the city had 3 inches or more. They were
stuck saying that it must have been “3 or 4 inches.” I
appreciate them immensely but would like a city report. Is this too much to
ask? Patrick Johnopolos Springfield
PROTECTING CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES By giving the government access to where and when we
make our phone calls, the press virtually loses any chance of protecting
confidential sources of information. That is a very strong step toward a
police state. Who cares who I call? Bush can track me all day, for all I
care. In fact, I wish he could hear my phone calls. They would say he has
recklessly spent American and Iraqi lives and has robbed us of our dignity
and future. But we should care that a news reporter’s every call to a
source can be tracked. See what sitting still has gotten us so far? Anne Logue Springfield CORRECTION Dan Cronin is a Republican member of the state Senate.
His party affiliation was incorrect in a recent commentary [“A first
step,” May 25]. Illinois Times regrets the error.
This article appears in Jun 1-7, 2006.
