Saturday Soapbox
Daily Herald Editorial Board
Keeping it transparent:
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is calling this year's process of redrawing political districts “more open than ever.” While we're seeing signs of that, with a hearing schedule that now includes several suburban sites, that openness must continue beyond the hearings.
This isn't rocket science:
You'd think Major League Baseball schedule makers could figure a way to have warm-weather teams like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Arizona, Houston and Atlanta open at home, so that cold-weather teams like the Cubs, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado, New York, Kansas City and St. Louis wouldn't have to.
This is rocket science:
If you're going to make fireworks at home (and we strongly discourage that), please make sure that you post a video of yourself doing so on the Internet, as a 14-year-old Huntley boy did recently. That way, when someone alerts the police to your behavior, they and the bomb squad can swoop in and safely dispose of your science project.
Moving toward tolerance:
Sen. Dick Durbin this week conducted the first hearing before a Judiciary panel on intolerance toward Muslims. While some may argue that other faiths also face persecution in America, it's tough to deny that open discussion about bigotry is a positive step toward understanding.
Tolerance close to home:
The Rev. Corey Brost, religion department chairman at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, is working to bring suburban teens and adults of Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths together through their shared lineage in Abraham. We commend him for his new project, called the Children of Abraham Coalition.
Patience, sports fans:
As fans, the return of the baseball season should remind us to be patient. The White Sox won't always score double-digit runs, the Cubs won't always give up a grand slam. As the Blackhawks and Bulls are proving, our teams can surprise us just when we thought we had them figured out.
A proud tradition:
While the men's NCAA Final Four grabs the attention, the suburbs have a tradition of excellence on the women's side. Remember Tamika Catchings (Stevenson) and Candace Parker (Naperville Central) in the Final Four? Add Sarah Boothe (Warren), Toni Kokenis (Hinsdale C.) and Michala Johnson (Montini) to the list.
A race for charity:
A tip of the cap to the Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox for joining forces to create a 10K charity race on Sunday from the United Center to U.S. Cellular Field. The Cubs have their own event planned as well. What a nice way to welcome in spring and pull together as a community.
Patience pays off:
When the Masters tees up next week from Augusta, Ga., plenty of us from the suburbs will be pulling for Kevin Streelman of Winfield. He's worked hard and had success in his first few years on the PGA Tour, and now he's earned a trip to the famed course. That's as beautiful as Magnolia Lane.