Saturday Soapbox: Lake County
Loud and clear
When a Lake County jury convicted a Fox River Grove teen of falsely making a terrorist threat this week, it should have sent a resounding message worth posting on every Internet web site. It's the serious stance police, courts, school officials are taking about prank threats on the Web. In this case, 17-year-old Jeremie Dalin, a former Barrington High School student, posed as a Stevenson High School student while posting a threat against the Lincolnshire school on a Web site. His posting was on the Internet for less than 10 minutes, but police and the FBI identified him within a day. Dalin claims he didn't know a Stevenson High was near his home, and he was just trying to stand out on a Web site that features discussion of violence, rape, inflicting injury and racial slurs that are viewed as humorous. What he got was a felony conviction, which could result in jail or probation, that will follow him for the rest of his life. His case should be proof such pranks are no laughing matter.
Ringing endorsement
Gurnee-based Warren Township High School District 121 officials this week put some teeth into their rules on cell phones. Starting next year, the policy -- which bans cell phone use anywhere on school property, and on school buses to and from school -- will be stressed by teachers and staff members, and students will be reminded by posters about cell phone etiquette. Students who ignore the policy will face detention and suspension, and their phones will be taken away. Officials didn't go so far as to require phones be kept in lockers, however, and that's a good thing. Yes, students should keep their phones off and out of sight in school. There's plenty of time to text and chat after the last bell rings. But cell phones aren't just for socializing. They're also for safety, and students must be able to call for help if, God forbid, there's some kind of emergency. District 121's policy strikes the perfect balance.
Waiting room Web
Here's a thought for all the doctors' offices, car repair shops and other places where people have to sit and wait: Invest in wireless Internet access for customers. With many people carrying laptop computers, it would be nice if, when stuck waiting through an oil change or for your turn to see the doc, you could surf the Web or connect to your workplace server. Beats reading old copies of Parenting or Golf Digest.
Time to sandbag excess growth
A wary river watch has become an all too familiar refrain for northern Illinois residents the past year. And, yes, you have to accept a certain risk in exchange for the joy of living near the water. But it's become increasingly clear that our massive growth -- covering what once was open land that absorbed excess water -- is a key factor when the whims of Mother Nature overload our waterways. Shouldn't we limit that growth along the watershed … unless we want sandbagging to be a way of life?
For the fathers
On the eve of Father's Day, we thought we'd share this quote from Margaret Truman, daughter of President Harry Truman, courtesy of About.com: "It's only when you grow up, and step back from him, or leave him for your own career and your own home - it's only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it. Pride reinforces love." We hope it's a great Father's Day for all the dads. Enjoy the time with your family. You are all lucky to have each other on Father's Day, and every day.