Category: Illinois

Blagojevich and other politicians waste Illinois’ taxpayers money

May 29th, 2007 · · Illinois, Legislation 7 comments - Tags: , , ,

The Quad-Cities Online news site printed an article about another wasteful spending of money by Illinois’ governor Blagojevich and company. He scraped money from any government service or department that hadn’t used up their budget yet in this frivolous defense.

This time around, he was blowing money to defend a law that was blatantly un-Constitutional. Similar legislation had been found to violate free speech in other states, but he would just not give up.

Not only did the initial case fail, but so did appeal.

What made this twit think that his law would be special and be allowed to stand? Perhaps it is the God-like mentality that he seems to emanate in everything he does in office. From trying to bring in drugs from other countries to trying to ban any form of weapon, the man is out to make the world in his image.

I pray we do not elect another twit like this in the coming gubernatorial election. Perhaps we can get someone fiscally responsible and less drunk with power.

Hate Crimes – Real or just hype?

May 25th, 2007 · · Illinois, Legislation One comment - Tags: , , , , ,

I am torn on legislation recognizing “hate crimes“. There are crimes, and not crimes. How can you define “hate crimes”?

If someone gets into a fight at a bar with someone else, it is disturbing the peace, assault, and so forth. Now, if the person you got into the fight with was homosexual, not white, or any other niche, you have committed a “hate crime“.

That example shows to me that the idea of “hate crime” is stupid. Just because something happens that is a crime and the victim or other party is calling themselves homosexual or african-american, you can be charged with a felony under these laws and face much harsher penalties than if they were white. Isn’t that reverse-racism (or sexism)?

The other side of the coin is when your local KKK chapter destroys a home because there are non-white people living in the house. In this case, the idiots did commit a crime that was directed at people simply due to their race. Those idiot criminals should be locked down and penalized to the maximum extent of the law. However, are special laws needed for that? Shouldn’t we just increase the penalties for whatever crime they committed and allow the judiciary the ability to use their sense to apply sentences as they should be?

Like I said, I’m torn. Racists and hate-filled people need to be dealt with harshly, but do we really need special laws to accomplish that end?

9 out of 10 Rights, Not So Bad, Is It?

May 24th, 2007 · · Illinois No comments - Tags: , ,

Looks like things are continuing down that slippery slope in IL. This all started with the issuance of the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card back in the early ’70’s (or maybe late ’60’s). It seems that the Senate passed it’s latest anti-gun bill last week which essentially banned the manufacture, delivery, sale, purchase, or possession or cause to be manufactured, delivered, sold, purchased, or possessed a large capacity ammunition feeding device (i.e. more than 10 rounds).

The IL House passed their version out of Committee yesterday and will be voting soon, maybe as early as Friday, May 25. It’s going to be a close vote so please call your representative TODAY. If the House passes the bill, you just know that the IL gov will sign it.

I guess in my home state (it’s where I was born/raised), people get to enjoy only Amendments 1, and 3-10, in the Bill of Rights. Seems like they have a problem with the 2nd Amendment in the Land of Lincoln. So why haven’t the ISRA, NRA, GOA, RKBA, etc come together to repeal the unconstitutional and illegal (in my opinion) FOID card after 30+ years? It’s only going to get worse in IL as long as the Dems (and Mayor Daley) are in control. Only 2 states have a total ban on concealed carry for it’s citizens, Wisconsin, and yep you guessed it, Illinois. Something’s just not right back home (I live in GA at the moment).

Dave

Boy, a company keeps a lot of junk in 12 years

May 23rd, 2007 · · Illinois, Mount Vernon 4 comments - Tags:

We just finished shredding 10,000 pounds of paper. If it was paper or plastic (discs) it was shredded. Apparently this company has collected a lot of stuff in its 12 year life.

Now, there is nothing to clear out but the cubicles, desks, and office supplies. Those will all be sold “bulk” to the highest bidder. There are a few gems in the mix, but most of it is just standard junk like staplers, 3-hole punch, etc.

All of us agree it was pretty tiring. Especially in the heat with no A/C. Oh well, it is over and we had fun destroying. Ever notice how destruction is more fun than building?

Some thoughts

January 5th, 2007 · · Illinois, Mount Vernon One comment - Tags: , , , ,

I took a personal day at work on Wednesday. No real reason other than to take a day off and relax after the holidays. I had a haircut late in the afternoon, but I could’ve just taken an hour for that, so mostly to relax.

After I got Erich to school and Amaya off to pre-K, I drove around looking at the city a little. I tried to remain objective and look at the parts of the city to see how things looked. Frankly, I was saddened.

While I will admit that there have been improvements to streets and some sidewalks, I did see a few issues. The southeast area of town is severely lacking in well-maintained roads and sidewalks. This may sound petty, but why are the streets in the north and northwest parts of town maintained so much better? Perhaps it is because these streets are less traveled? If that is the case, why doesn’t the city invest more money to maintain those roads at a higher level?

Another item that I found odd was the new landscaping rock and signs posted near the interstate in front of Hardee’s and again at the railroad tracks in front of Ford Square. Did we not have some other way to use funds than to buy and mount the sign, buy the rock, and pay to have it all assembled? I am sure that there could have been better uses of the money. Perhaps grading Optimist Park so that it does not flood all the time, or better yet adding some equipment to it? How about expanding the skate park? I don’t skate, but it is still semi-popular, involves physical activity and balance, and promotes exercise. Perhaps we could add a few bike ramps?

Maybe if there was more to do in the city, our children wouldn’t be so inclined to sit inside and watch television or play video games. I do realize that there are activities for kids, from school to the YMCA. However, what if the child wants to attempt BMX tricks? How about roller-blading?

The population of Mount Vernon is currently tilted to the over forty ages (according to census statistics). How long before their children go to college, graduate, and find jobs elsewhere because there is nothing here? Unless we plan to become a retirement city, there needs to be development of jobs above the minimum-wage level. How can we maintain an income base with only retired persons in a community? I’m not saying it cannot be done, but I don’t see anyone planning how to do it.

EDIT: The rock and signs I referred to here were provided by a grant the governor’s wife started. It is still stupid in my opinion that we can get monies for rocks and signs but not other improvements.