The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
Memorial Day 2021
Among the things stolen last year by the pandemic were observances memorializing our war dead. Those ceremonies are back this year with an added tone of reverence.
And remember the reason
We all love the patriotic parades, barbecues and that extra day off, but Memorial Day is more than pomp and picnics. This weekend, we should all take time to remember the men and women who lost their lives fighting for our country and the families they left behind. On Monday, above all else, recall their heroism and their sacrifice.
This week's Clippable Quote
"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucius
'Trash' is right
Last week, state House and Senate Democrats released redistricting proposals after business hours on a Friday night. That's known as "throwing it out with the trash" - scheduling an unpopular announcement to ensure it won't get scrutiny for days. And yet, they assure us their motives are honorable. Disgusting is more like it.
By the way ...
For a decade, Democrats blocked every effort to let voters decide whether to change how the constitution manages redistricting. In a matter of hours this week, they slipped through a measure calling for a vote on constitutional protections for unions. Why do voters get a say on one issue and not the other? Again, see their definition of honorable.
Suddenly, big news no more
Cook County Health is closing vaccination locations in Tinley Park, South Holland and River Grove and consolidating them with three others including Des Plaines. Didn't they just open these sites with much ballyhoo, leading us to rush the news to our website, your phones and our newspaper? They sure worked well; now they're old news.
You turn incorrectly
Kind of startling seeing U-turns on red left-turn arrows, but it seems to be a thing lately. We saw a near collision recently when a car legally making a right turn on red was almost hit by one of those illegal U-turns. No turn at all is allowed against a red arrow. They say any U-turn is inherently dangerous. Please at least wait for green.
You don't need to be best to be happy
If you are 50 or older, a golfer not named Phil Mickelson and reading this, you know you have no chance to win the U.S. Open next month in San Diego. The next time you tee it up, be grateful for the sunshine, the landscaping and the companionship. You're already a winner.
A breath of fresh air
With all the talk of what's wrong with baseball, Javy Baez reminded us of what makes the game so much fun with one weird play Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. For a few brief hours, social media was united in marveling at Baez's improvisation on the base paths. With both the Sox and the Cubs in first place, this could be an exciting summer.
But really ...
A Major League first baseman didn't know he could just step on the bag to end the inning?
Thanks and best wishes, JJ
JJ Bullock is completing his reporting internship with us Monday. We've enjoyed working with him, and we know our readers have appreciated his reports from Springfield. He's going to have a great career in journalism and we wish him all the best.