It can be done
Some of the moves made by Mundelein High School District 120 to save money -- trimming programs, letting class sizes rise -- were difficult to make. But the payoff is the district's third consecutive balanced budget, and for that district authorities are commended.
Justifiable roundup
This week's federal roundup for deportation of 58 immigrants previously convicted of various gang activities has stirred some anxiety in the immigrant community. While that's understandable to an extent, it's tough to argue that those here illegally, as 37 of these people are, shouldn't be sent packing after they've also committed gang crimes that jeopardize public safety.
Age of enlightenment?
Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs says he panicked after crashing his high, high-end car into a light pole at 3 in the morning and left the scene to "avoid a scene." Then he told police a wild tale about his car being stolen, before calling them back to tell them the truth. Why? Because his lie nearly instantly sounded "ridiculous," even to him. He says he's learned from his mistakes. And that he loves everybody. He sounds just like a teen-ager, caught doing something wrong and trying to wriggle his way out of trouble. Problem is, he's 26, not 16.
While we're at it
Maybe, after the Briggs fiasco and earlier Tank Johnson debacle, it wouldn't be a bad idea for somebody (Lovie?) to just take the car keys away from all the Bears until the season is over.
Rights of the accused
We don't know what's on the videotape; we haven't seen it. But the defense attorney for a suburban woman accused of killing her friend and business partner says the reason a judge tossed out her client's videotaped confession is because the tape shows police continuing to question the accused even after she asked for an attorney. If that's true -- again, we've not seen the tape -- then that's precisely the kind of safeguard legislators had in mind when they voted to require that all interrogations of murder suspects be taped.
Not fast enough, apparently
ComEd had about 700 crews, some trucked in from as far as Texas, working tirelessly round the clock to restore power after last week's storm. Not good enough for a couple of North suburban residents who filed a class-action suit, charging that ComEd failed to adequately warn customers before the storm that it might have trouble turning the lights back on right away afterward. Could ComEd have been better prepared and moved any quicker after the storm? Maybe; probably…no effort of this sort is perfect. Should residents expect instantly restored electricity after the most destructive storm in recent memory? Hardly.
Mandatory silence not necessary
He'll draw flak for this, but Gov. Rod Blagojevich correctly vetoed a bill that would have compelled public school students to observe moments of silence to begin each day. Prayer and silent meditation are profoundly meaningful parts of many students' lives, but nothing prevents a student from engaging in silent prayer anytime he or she chooses. To schedule a period of silence for all students disregards the personal views and preferences of a heterogeneous student population.
At this point, who would even notice?
Plagiarism is a serious professional offense, and if Southern Illinois University President and erstwhile governor candidate Glenn Poshard did plagiarize part of his doctoral dissertation, then that would reflect badly on him. It's astonishing, though, that someone had the time, energy or interest to even delve into Poshard's 23-year-old dissertation to make the allegations.