Saturday Soapbox

The fox finally learns something

It's hard not to think of the fox and the henhouse now that a new Cook County agency has begun working. Its charge: oversee public health spending and protect against waste. Among its first acts: approving a budget that, in clear violation of freedom of information law, no one is allowed to see. Apparently unaware of whose money they're proposing to spend, board members didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with this until the Daily Herald informed them the state attorney general would be interested. They promise to release the information soon. Not a very encouraging start for a board whose charge is to make the county more accountable to the public.

Penny for your thoughts

In 2007 it cost 1.7 cents to make a penny. Now that the U.S. Mint has four designs to honor Abe Lincoln's 200th birthday next February, the call has risen again to get rid of the coin that costs more to make than it's worth. That's true after one use, but Honest Abe might tell them to do the math for a penny that changes hands a million times.

Nature's dazzling display

As summer fades into autumn, it's a time to enjoy the crisp air and the fall foliage. And we really don't need to plan a trip to New England or even Wisconsin to do this. Just take a refreshing bike ride or a slow walk in one of the many nature centers and forest preserves peppered throughout our bustling suburbs.

Banking on buying

Wheaton city officials are raising the sales tax to balance the budget - banking on consumers to keep buying at a time of economic uncertainty. Isn't this similar to the same misguided thinking that led to a national credit crisis?

Celebrate history, but don't finance it

Now that Wheaton has raised taxes, they're taking a closer look at the budget, we find it interesting that the Center for History's $225,000 in funding is on the block as the city marks its sesquicentennial with "Celebrate Wheaton: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."

Root for your team (softly)

Keep in mind that excessive cheering for one baseball team can be misconstrued as taunting by fans of a rival team. In other words, if you're watching the game at work, keep in mind that the players can't hear you.

Gastric fright fest

Six Flags Great America is set to kick off its annual Fright Fest at the Gurnee theme park, and thousands will use the event to get in the Halloween spirit. Some will even continue the recent tradition of ... eating bugs. Yuck. Super worms, grasshoppers and who knows what else. All to jump to the front of the line for a ride? No thanks. We'll stick to candy.

What race is she talking about?

We're used to politicians misrepresenting the facts, but this one cuts close to home. Republican Anita Forte-Scott of Schaumburg is making language from a three-year-old library board editorial appear to be an endorsement from us in her race against incumbent State Rep. Paul Froehlich. Don't let your zeal overwhelm your honesty, Anita!

Guaranteed ratings:

If networks want big audiences for debates, they should match Keith Olbermann against Sean Hannity or Chris Matthews against Rush Limbaugh? Better yet, let Tina Fey debate Sarah Palin.