Archive for March, 2008
March 31st, 2008
It’s Spring and the Winnebago County part of the world is waking up after sleeping through a beautiful Winter. I like this part of the year because one of the many reasons for liking this area has become available….. the beautiful city and county golf courses. While I’m an avid golfer I am also one of the worst golfers you’ll ever want to meet. However, my lack of skill does not diminish my enjoyment of the game. If you’re a golfer you’ll understand what I’m saying. If you’re not, you’re missing out on one of the most beautiful and most frustrating uses of your recreational time than you can ever imagine. Spring is here, the golf courses are open, what better reason is there for loving this area? Enjoy!!!
March 30th, 2008
Few weeks ago there was an article about getting rid off the electoral college. I have been thinking that in a way could be a good idea because the popular vote will be the one counting and we won’t have two winners at the time. It is very disappointing that even people voted and popular vote elected People would be empowered and would be more diligent about who they vote for or at least to have the motivation to go out and vote. Those lobbyists would need to find another job because the popular vote is the one now electing those who represent the interest of the people and are working for the people.
Cristina Gloria
March 29th, 2008
Do you like to read bumper stickers? I enjoy Doug Goodman’s outdoor related bumper stickers in his column and it’s fun to read what is on other cars. Here are the three that are on our car:
“20 January 2009 The end of an error”
“If you’re not outraged you’re not paying attention”
“Bill of Rights - Constitution….Canceled until further notice”
Hope you enjoy ‘em.
March 28th, 2008
Although I never knew Jeff before our panel had it’s first meeting, I came to respect his passion for his political beliefs. As anyone who has read this blog knows, Jeff and I had some spirited debates that were just that, debates. We spoke to the issues, each of us projecting our own beliefs. But our debates were never demeaning nor were they personal. I will miss those opportunities we would have had to debate the issues as they unfold in this presidential campaign. But this is not about politics. It’s about Jeff’s passion for his country. His ability to clearly present his views and never wavering in his defense of them. In the short time I knew Jeff, I came to realize that this community, this state, this country needs more people like Jeff.
To Jeff’s family and friends, my condolenses.
March 26th, 2008
At some point in time we’re going to have to show the Chinese that we are still a soverign country and stop playing the stooge to them. We could start by telling them we’re going to join with France and possibly others that we will not condone their treatment of the Tibetans. I suspect that we will never do that because of our dismal human rights record of the past seven years. A few things come to mind such as the secret prisons run by the CIA in Eastern Europe and the refusal of our President to aknowledge that waterboarding is torture.
In addition, the old addage that you never want to anger your banker holds true here. Our deficit spending has been largely underwritten by our friends the Communist Chinese, Japan Mexico and U.A. E. So, I guess we’ll just stand by and look the other way on what the Chinese are doing in Tibet. We’re in no position morally or financially to take them on.
March 24th, 2008
I love living in Ogle County. (I’ve lived here 47 of my 54 years). There are awesome state parks and forests with some of the best hiking trails in the midwest, the small communities reflect life as it was when we baby boomers were growing up, and we’re close enough to Chicago and Rockford that we can enjoy more urban style shopping and entertainment without too much problem. One thing though, for those of us who identify with democrats or other liberal leaning political thinking…it’s a very REPUBLICAN county. All county officers are republican. Don’t get me wrong…I’ve had the chance to meet many of the officials and they are very good people and do a great job. However….when it comes to primary election time we have no choices on the democratic side.  Now… it is the democrat’s fault that they haven’t fielded candidates, however, that doesn’t diminish the fact that the primary becomes the general election and if we choose to not draw a republican ballot we have no say in who is going to serve in county offices. I’m an election judge (I recommend this very worthwhile activity) and I hear complaints about this frequently at primary elections. I tell voters…contact your state representative and complain.  Well, apparently those in charge at the state general assembly aren’t really too interested in what we voters (who pay their salaries) have to say since recent legislation rejected any possibility of cross over voting in primary elections. I’d say as local candidates ask for your vote this fall, ask how they feel about creating open primaries in Illinois.
March 23rd, 2008
As I sat in church this Easter morning I heard requests for prayers for the families of those killed and injured in Iraq this past week.  My train of thoughts went on to this stupid war in which we’re engaged. Can you believe in the year of 2008 we are still trying to resolve differences by killing each other? Have we learned anything from history? As children we were taught to not fight in the schoolyard…that lesson sure didn’t stick with our leaders. We need to move beyond talking about the war in polite and respectful language and call it what it really is…Freakin’ Stupid and Insane.
March 21st, 2008
I place the environment at or near the top of my election year concerns. I really don’t believe we get second chances with caring for our air, water and land.  All too often politicians (democrat and republican) pay lip service to environmental concerns but that usually translates into “this or that standard by the year 2020 or beyond”. Our society is too complacent with the status quo so we don’t demand immediate changes. I really find it hard to believe that a country that has the technological advances we have hasn’t developed reasonable and economically feasible alternative fuels.   Our culture seems way too interested in bigger, faster, newer rather than greener, renewable or safer.  The Bush administrations actions to repeal legislation preventing snowmobiling in Yellowstone pretty much sums up their position on the environment. The more John McCain cozies up to Bush the more I’m convinced that a McCain administration would be more of the same environmental policies.
March 19th, 2008
I think I may have discovered how to be a good political candidate and I have those qualifications…
1. I do not have any wealthy friends who try to buy influence.
2. I have never had an affair nor have I ever been with a prostitute (I’ve been very happily married for 31 years).
3. The pastor of my church hasn’t made any outragious comments (but she does inspire and makes us think).
Jon Murray
March 17th, 2008
A short preface to my comments: I am not a military expert. I did not serve in the armed forces (however I am appreciative of those who have served in the military including my father, father-in-law and uncles whose service was in WWII as well as friends, acquaintances and colleagues who are or have been in wars and conflicts from WWII through Iraq). I, also, appreciate the extraordinary courage and dedication of American servicemen and women who are and have been in Iraq…. With all that in mind..
Remember the enjoyable fantasy movie from the late ’80s..”The Never Ending Story”? Well somehow we’ve created a never ending story of horrific proportions. Our president has led us into a complex situation in a simple minded fashion. He must not of had a clue about the vacuum he was going to create when our country toppled Saddam Hussein. There was no vision of the scenarios that have been created. I have the sense that that when we went to Iraq he thought we would be welcomed like the troops that liberated Europe at the end of WWII.  He ignored the advice and counsel of experts and allies. We continue to lose lives (American and Iraqi). We’re spending obscene amounts of money. There is a never ending supply of suicide bombers to combat our forces. It’s hard to tell what progress has occurred other than the recent reduction of violence with the increase of American forces. Along the way our president has made ridiculous statements… (remember “Mission Accomplished”?) and under his leadership we’ve seen staged demonstrations such as the tearing down of the Saddam Hussein statue.
I know there are no simple answers to this situation. I do believe we need to conclude our Iraq involvement in an expedient fashion. John McCain says we’ll be there for the next 100 years. I do not believe creating a Never Ending Story is the the answer to the fiasco of the Iraq conflict. This conflict is not going away before the election in November. I hope the American people will choose a leader who has a plan and a course of action to end it soon after the election
Jon MurrayÂ
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