I KNEW there had to be a reason.

Of course, it's STUPID. I asked people to e-mail me if they knew why the editorialists at Peoria Journal Star despise the Fire Department SO much. I asked why these fine journalists continue to advocate Fire Department budget cuts when every consultant the City hired stated fire protection is not up to snuff in the older areas of town.

TWENTY TWO (a new daily record) e-mails later, I know. Many of the e-mails were from elected officials, including more than a few on the City Council. Interestingly enough, the reason does not vary - AT ALL.

The abbreviated version: Years ago, Associate Editor Shelley Epstein got his "clock cleaned" by a Fire Chief. Apparently, Epstein has had a chip on his shoulder ever since.

Hey! Shell! GROW THE FUCK UP!!! (Polly doesn't like profanity, but at times it is necessary.) Has 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina taught you nothing about how dependent we mere mortals are on emergency service personnel when the chips are down? I know you. I know your physique. You are more screwed than most of us should fleeing become necessary. Moreover, if you do need to flee, there is a very good chance your rotund ass could suffer a heart attack and you might be happy to have your friendly firefighter (who will be there, on average, three minutes sooner than AMT) be able to do more than pat your head and give you last rights.

Put down the male ego, pick up a pen, and use your brain to support those who will support you, whether they want to or not.

Another eye opener from Merle!

Those of you who don't take the time to read Merle Widmer's posts on Peoria Watch really should reconsider. His entries are longer than most bloggers, but he carefully considers each topic and all are well written. Today, Widmer has an interesting post regarding our lacking public schools. Golly, it might not all be the fault of the institution! Culture, parents and even students might need to share the blame and shoulder a bit of the responsibility. Wow!

Thanks Merle, for having the guts to write the truth... even if it hurts.

Why, Oh, Why does the Journal Star hate the Fire Department so damn much?

There must be a reason. Count on it to be stupid. Another year, another City budget under review, and yet another editorial from the brainiacs at the Journal Star stating there is no need to reopen Fire Station 11. This despite the fact every overpaid consultant the City has hired states that Peoria's older neighborhoods are underserved and at risk for lack of a better staffed and equipped Fire Department.

Flower baskets on Main Street? The editors say we NEED them! They improve the quality of life for every Peorian and are vital to the renaissance *snicker* underway in the Med Tech District. The $100,000 municipal band? A must! I went to a Muni Band concert last summer. Including myself there were seven people in attendance. Two of them old men who were - I swear - asleep.

You know what I think? Editor Mike Bailey or Editor Shelley Epstein has a personal vendetta against the Fire Department. There is a story here, and I need someone out there to tell me what it is. Did Firefighter's Union President Tony Ardis refuse to climb a tree to save Mike Bailey's cat? Did Shelley Epstein forget to chew before swallowing and had to have the Hemlich Maneuver applied by a snickering firefighter? Did some buff firefighter make a pass at some journalist's wife? Did said wife take him up on the offer?

Someone please e-mail me at polly@mailgenius.com and give me the scoop. Peoria is a small town and I'm sure just about everyone but moi knows. If the editorialists are going to continue advocating the endangering lives of citizens and firefighters by broadcasting their perverse desire to keep cutting the Fire Department budget, I think we all deserve full disclosure as to why. Why? Why? Why?!

Oh! There's a reason the governor's name sounds like a disease.

From this morning's Journal Star:

Chicago- Unable to get lawmakers to support a ban on junk food in schools, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is asking the Illinois State Board of Education to use its authority to bar the sale of soda and other unhealthy foods at elementary and middle schools.

"I believe that if we successfully implement a ban on junk food at elementary and middle schools, it will help build the case for a ban in high schools," the governor wrote to board members Monday.

Blagojevich and House Republican Leader Tom Cross proposed a junk food ban nearly two years ago. They argued it would help reduce childhood obesity, but the measure failed.

At the time, some school officials and lawmakers said they were concerned about schools losing the extra money they get from vending machines.

This year; Blagojevich wrote that he is sensitive to such concerns but believes the costs associated with selling junk food in schools outweigh the benefits.

Gee, Rod, perhaps if you'd get off your lazy ass and lead, we wouldn't have to allow our kids to be poisoned with lard in order to fund their educations. Under Blago's reign the Capital fund for schools has been tied up and un-used. Gov. Chicagovich wants it all for Chicago schools, while politicians in other areas of the State think all children living in Illinois deserve a decent education.

Okay, NOW it's serious!!!

From the front page of this morning's Wall Street Journal:

"Standard hypodermic needles are increasingly unable to penetrate fat and reach the buttock muscle due to rising obesity, Irish researchers said."

Yup. That does it. I'm putting down the donut, I'm going to the gym.

Anyone want to rollerboogie?

Decided to opt for some good, clean, family fun last night. No, I did not do the laundry. Significant Other and I took nieces and friends to Peoria Palace to roller skate. What a place!

I was terrified I would maim myself, as I had not skated in eons. It was a relief to discover that much like riding a bike, once one learns, one doesn't lose the skill. Admittedly, I did not attempt the twirls and crossovers of my beloved youth, but I was able to keep my balance without clinging to the wall for dear life, I maneuvered decently and didn't fall once. The kids weren't afraid to fall. In fact, the little beasts fell on purpose. Oh to be a child, close to the ground, apparently made from rubber, not likely to break a hip.

Peoria Palace has inline skates, roller blades and the old school kind. I opted for the inline. I don't think inline skates are the same as rollerblades -which is what I meant to get- I was handed the type boys play hockey with. I had to trade them in three times to get the right size - (probably because inlines only come in male sizes?) Anyhoo, I was able to make it work, and I was thrilled with the ankle support. I know, I am such an old lady.

Peoria Palace is apparently run by a religious family. The Ten Commandments are posted on the wall as you enter. Also, there is a sign warning parents not to abandon their children, and if they fail to pick their offspring up within thirty minutes of a skate session ending, the police will be called. Rules are posted stating that no rude or dangerous behavior will be tolerated. Good for them. Peoria Palace was spotlessly clean. You could eat off the floors. The facilities seem new. The staff is friendly. A family of four can skate for about $20.00.

The music was modern, which is what I expected. They played Pop, Top Forty, Hip Hop, and some R & B. A little young for me, but the kids loved it. My only complaint was the volume. Loud. Very loud. You had to shout at the top of your lungs for the person standing next to you to hear. Even though the kids probably like this aspect, I don't think it is good for young ears. Now that I think about it, even the kids were annoyed with the volume. We did not attend the "Family Skate" but the "Open Skate" session instead. I hope during the "Family Skate" the owners are more sensitive to little ears - as well as what's left of my old geezer hearing. Seriously, my ears are still ringing/bleeding.

Scarlett has a headache after the big party at the sorority house last night.

Being a good, kind, sympathetic big sister, I snapped this photo before getting the aspirin and giving her a neck massage....

Jennifer and Molly need eye candy.

Well, they do if they are going to keep up the current "tee hee hee" tone used for the Word on the Street column. I agree with The Peoria Pundit. Everything reported in today's column is really old news. We already knew who got votes for to fill the At-Large seat gifted Jacob months and months ago. In fact, I think it was Molly and Jen who "broke" that news originally. Pat Sullivan not stepping up to run for his old buddy's state senate seat is old news too (ahem). What disturbs me more than the regurgitation of well known facts is the tone of the article. It is as flip as anything Liz Smith writes or a hormonal girl in Junior High writes in a note passed during Algebra class. Nothing wrong with it, but I think the duo (BTW, it takes two fine journalists to come up with these nuggets of old news?) should join the rest of us unpaid dorks/gossip hounds in blogosphere if they plan to keep it up. Moreover, gossip should always include eye candy. Always.

It is so hard to get out of bed on a cold Sunday morning.

Even Mrs. Witherspoon agrees.

Because sometimes I can be both mean and petty.

I need to know, once and for all, who does Dave Ran$burg most look like? Until recently, I've always thought Willy Nilly was dead on with Porky Pig. Last summer commenter Snazzybird brought to my attention that Humpty Dumpty and Dave could have been separated at birth. Anyway, I think Ran$burg may attempt to re-enter Peoria's political scene at some point, and I want to get an early start on all the sick humor. Hey, there's nothing quite like getting the Holidays started off right. I'm taking a poll. Please vote. Who does Ran$burg look like more?

This guy...
Or... this guy?



Update: I woefully forgot to add this guy:

Former Mayor Dave has been referred to as the Pillsbury Dough Boy for quite sometime. Whereas I can see the resemblance in body type and skin color, the Dough Boy is just too happy to be Dave. I mean, has anyone ever witnessed Ran$burg laugh, let alone giggle like a little girl? But I have been wrong before (more than once even) so I am adding Dough Boy to the ballot for your consideration. Your vote counts! Vote early and often.

You wanna know what Victoria's big secret is?

The "secret" is that Victoria is a hussy, obviously. Browsing through the Victoria Secret Catalogue this evening, I asked my significant other, "Do you like this gown?" Significant Other really didn't care much about the gown, but asked if I could just stand in the same pose for awhile. Huh. Not quite sure what this comment reveals about my significant other, but I think it might be important.

BTW...Why does this woman look so cranky? I don't think her face conveys a seductive look. I think it's more a, "this friggin garment itches like crazy and these four inch heels are killing me, so could you take the damn picture already?!" I know, I know, what heterosexual male is looking at her face? Blah. Blah. Blah. I've purchased stuff from VS a time or two. It always falls apart the third time through the washing machine.

Yes, Gentlemen, lingerie must be washed occasionally.

Look Mom! I'm a Flappy Bird!!!

Just in time for Thanksgiving!

I better find some neked pics of Russ and Scarlett if I'm going to retain my new blog rank. Sigh. Work. Work. Work!

Hopefully, this will suffice for now:

Aaahhhh. Peace returns.

BTW, Why are Peoria's sunsets so much more colorful in the winter?

Psychopath in-law left early this morning. All that is left to do is to sprinkle holy water and incense throughout the house, burn the sheets in the guest bedroom, take a hot bubble bath, and then I will declare myself healed from the latest invasion from the judgmental stress jockey I am related to by marriage. Well, all the aforementioned remedies plus a bottle of wine. And a box of chocolate. And half a bottle of Xanex... yeah, that ought to do it.

Might even need to make time to watch the director's cut of Gladiator. Russ knows how to make it all better.
Thank God.

I'm starting to see the attraction...

I stayed up really, really late last night and watched "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days" on the USA network. Pretty funny. I don't know if I'd give it such high praise if I'd paid good money to see it in a theatre, but after a day of cooking, washing dishes, and enduring petty comments and stupid advice from a psychopath in law, "How to Lose a Guy" was the perfect brain candy.

Thank God for cable. I would have killed said in law in their sleep last night if I didn't have the very handsome Matthew to view.

Bill, would you mind drying my back?

I don't give a rat's ass if it's safe for work or not

Scarlett wants Bill Dennis to know...

"I wax early and often, Honey."

For those of you expecting family this holiday...

Remember it could be worse. You could be related to these people.


The holidays are a reminder that we leave home and become independent, free thinking, capable adults for a good reason. The holidays also serve to keep us humble. How great can you be if you share DNA with a guy who undoes his pants at the dinner table in order to make more room for seconds? If you're snickering because you don't share DNA with such people, smack yourself. You willingly married into this family of freaks.

Ladies, don't be control freaks. You want people to have a good time right? Let the guys watch football. No one wants to play charades. Everyone hates charades, and they roll their eyes at you when your back is turned. Turn off the tube for dinner and then let folks do what they want. Better memories are made when folks are happy. Keep the prayer short, and for the love of God, don't make us go around the table and share what we are thankful for. (Real answer: At some point this torture will be over and we can go home.)

Guys, when dinner is served, get your ass to the table. Don't wait until half time or the moment suits you. People worked while you sat around and scratched yourself all so that you could stuff your face. Here's a thought... since the ladies have been working all day, how about the men do the dishes for a change? Fair is fair.

Guests, unless asked, don't give advice. The dining room was painted green because your host/hostess likes green. Please don't go on and on about how lovely a pale yellow would look in a home where someone else pays the mortgage. Your host/hostess knows that you believe a stuffed turkey stays moist, but your hostess believes said stuffing had her stopping to puke at every rest stop on the journey home last year. This year, it's her house, and she's gonna do it HER way. Let go, make yourself useful, and offer to peel the potatoes. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT offer to dust using a comment like, "Clearly you have been too busy for thorough housekeeping, Dear." Your hostess also does not want to entertain your views on disciplining her children, thank you, you old bitty/hag.

Kids, don't gripe about having to sit at the kiddie table. I finally got a seat at the grownup table last year -at forty something- when someone died. It isn't all it's cracked up to be, trust me. Everyone notices when you don't eat Aunt Suzie nasty candied yams. The only thing that makes the grownup table tolerable is the wine.

Speaking of wine, liquor is to flow freely during the holidays. You should definitely bring a bottle. Or two. Skip the flowers and bring three. Jesus turned water into wine for a reason. To prevent us mere mortals from taking our kin too seriously and strangling a relation in lieu of the bird. My holiday commandment is to keep a sense humor by always having a glass of liquor in hand. Burnt bird, a little broken china, an over flowing toilet... all humorous when combined with the proper amount of liquor.

God speed, and remember, if they behave in a particularly evil manner, lace their pumpkin pie with a few drops of raw turkey juice. Works like a charm. Trust me. Heh. Heh.

Ring. Ring. Clue phone. Randy Ray, it's for you!

Might want to answer that, Randy.

I'm told by one of the few who attended the last Grandview Hotel court hearing that Judge Barra told City Attorney, Randy Ray, something to the effect of, "If the injured party would like to file the proper motion regarding the closure, The Court's findings on the matter would be expedient."

To which Randy Ray replied, "We will file the Motion tomorrow, Judge."

That was last Thursday, November 16th. This morning I read in the Journal Star that the City plans to file the proper papers TODAY, Wednesday, 23rd.

Apparently Mr. Ray has a problem reading between the lines. IMHO, the Judge basically told Ray, "I don't appreciate my closure order being ignored. Kindly get off your lard ass and file the necessary paperwork so I can enforce my earlier order." As always, greater legal minds might disagree with Polly.

We will see if the Journal Star has better luck, via public embarrassment, getting the heavy hitters at the City's Legal Department to do their job. Huh. They are -in theory- going to file today, a day before Thanksgiving. Courts are closed tomorrow. Most likely, the soonest anything could happen regarding the Hotel is Monday or Tuesday. The timing, as always, is a bit fishy. Whose side is the City on, exactly?

Chase, you may have that olive branch you were looking for.

Breaking news from Kelleher's.

My source at Kelleher's tells me that Pat Sullivan has decided "absolutely and positively" NOT to run as the Republican candidate for retiring George Shadid's State Senate seat. My guess - Sullivan doesn't want to anger his good friend Shadid, who has already endorsed the socially liberal leftist Koehler. Thing is, Georgie, no way is Koehler gonna win. Patrick, it's politics, someone from our side has to run. George will get over it.

Schock is now our best hope to claim this seat.

Willy is Picking on La Hood again.

I believe the sun will rise tomorrow. I believe Hillary Clinton will run for President in 2008, and I believe Willy Nilly will never, ever cut LaHood some slack. LaHood's son wants the U.S. Attorney job in town. Yup, someone else is also up for the job. However, what Willy fails to reveal is that the young LaHood is far more qualified than the competition.
From yesterday's Journal Star Word on the Street Column:

And it certainly can't be overlooked that Darin LaHood has an impressive resume that spans from Cook to Tazewell counties in Illinois to his current job in Las Vegas, where he is the lead terrorism prosecutor for the U.S. attorney's office.

"I think this would be a different scenario if I was applying right out of law school or had only one or two years experience in Tazewell County," Darin LaHood said.

On paper, in fact, he looks more qualified than Winkel, 49, who works at a private law firm in Champaign, but has no experience as a prosecutor.

A politician's kid not only stays out of trouble and rehab, but actually makes something out himself and wants to follow in his father's footsteps as a public servant. LaHood could make a lot more money at a law firm (and will if not selected for the post) and Willy is still whining.

Ray LaHood isn't my favorite Republican, but please, give me a break! The Democrats have the biggest claim on nepotism - (lets start with Madigan, why don't we?) and Willy knows it. In fact, LaHood Jr. is more qualified than Lisa Madigan for the job she was gifted by her Daddy... you know the one, Illinois Attorney General. Let us have a look at her "qualifications" again:

Although Lisa Madigan won the Democratic primary for Illinois Attorney General in March, largely through the efforts of her powerful father, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, her reputation as one of the least-qualified candidates for the state’s top legal post was thoroughly established, and will be difficult to eradicate. She carries a lot of negative baggage into the election.

Madigan, age 35, who has been a lawyer for just eight years, and an Illinois state senator for four years, readily admits to being a novice when it comes to the practice of law. She has never tried a case on her own. If she were running for judge, she would be rated unqualified by the bar associations, who require a minimum of 10 years’ practice before going on the bench.

I love you Willy, but please, remember the rule about those who live in glass Democrat houses.

Yeah, she's pretty...

but Reese Witherspoon is also a great actress.


For the love of God don't let that strap fall, Reese! I don't think Bill's heart can take it!!!

Walk The Line.

*Sigh*. Polly just loves a man in black. Especially when it's this guy:


Instead of getting out of town, I escaped by going to see the movie Walk The Line last night. The show was excellent, but not quite as good as last year's Ray. Johnny Cash had quite a life, but his life mirrors just about every other musician from that time period and this one. You know the story - grew up dirt poor, at the hand of a cruel/distant parent, suffered a huge childhood trauma, fought for fame, found it, discovered drugs, struggled for sobriety, and so on and so forth.

It was interesting to learn that most of the musical stars of that period not only knew each other, but toured together, and shared a lot of the same problems. Rock started as Country. As a musician it seemed you were either Big Band, Gospel, or a rebel. Rebels Elvis Presley (who introduced Johnny Cash to drugs), Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, June Carter, and Orbison -to name a few- all toured and hung out together.

Reese Witherspoon is a smart actress. She played a very believable June Carter Cash. I forgot Reese's ditzy earlier performances in Legally Blonde and Sweet Home Alabama. The movie covered Carter's life as much as Johnny Cash's. It was fascinating to learn how critical she was to Cash's success. Not only did she supervise Johnny's rehab, but June Carter was the songwriter for Cash's famed "Burning Ring of Fire" hit. The love story between Carter and Cash was gritty and touching.

Actor Joaquin Phoenix (brother of the late River Phoenix) was incredible as Johnny Cash. I never thought I would be able to take him seriously as Cash simply because -IMHO- he looks nothing like him. (Of course, I still think of Phoenix as Russell Crowe's enemy in Gladiator.) Johnny Cash must have come back from the dead and taken possession of Phoenix's body. The movie included a scene where Cash (Phoenix) sang to inmates while recording a live album at Folsom Prison. The scene was so convincing I thought I was there and even a little afraid for my safety.

Walk the Line spent too much time on Cash's drug abuse and completely neglected his rift with Country Music Radio/Television and Nashville in his later years. In the eighties, Nashville went "Pop" and signed only those artists who looked at least as sexy as they sounded. Think Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Timothy McGraw, Garth Brooks, etc. Cash was no longer played on country radio which led his record label to drop him. Nashville's cruelty prompted Cash to post the following now legendary billboard in Nashville:

Oddly, it was MTV who reinvigorated Cash's career. Cash made a video to the song "Delia's Gone" about a man who kills his love. CMT found the video too dark and refused to air it. MTV picked up the Delia's Gone video and ran with it, leading a new generation of fans to both discover and embrace Johnny Cash. Cash spent his late career singing versions of songs first recorded by younger artists, including U2's One and Nine Inch Nail's Hurt. Cash's last video, Hurt, is considered by many -including moi- as one of the best videos of all time. The Hurt video is also credited with waking up Nashville to the fact they had sorely neglected one of their own. If you have never watched the Hurt Video you really should. The word "powerful" doesn't come close to describing it. Unfortunately, Walk the Line ended well before this period of Cash's life. It is the later half of his life and his rebound that makes Johnny Cash's story unique.

Nonetheless, for the acting performances alone, Walk the Line is worth seeing. The movie made me long for the days when male recording artists were strong men, complete with deep voices and songs that revealed the darker side of ourselves. Unlike many of today's over sensitive, whiny, whimpy boy artists who are filled with to the brim with free floating anxiety, singing songs that have meaningless angst as the prime ingredient.

Polly Needs A Vacation.

Enjoy the eye candy. I gotta get out of town before the in-law arrives for Thanksgiving.

God Speed.

All is fair in love and war...

IMHO, eye candy is just fine as long as it goes both ways. Ever notice, guys never complain when their one of their gender is viewed as "just a piece of meat." This guy is People Magazine's Sexist Man Alive 2005. I don't think it is for his acting ability.

A cheesy trick because I'm too lazy to post...

Somehow, Catherine and I think you won't mind.

Hey Bill, do you ever get tired of blondes?

A little TGIF eye candy for Bill Dennis

You've earned it.

Phew! Russell is free!

Last June, Russell Crowe had himself a little hissy fit at a NYC hotel. Apparently the phone wasn't working, Russ felt neglected, and threw the phone at the desk clerk, hitting him in the face.

Today Russell, The Bratiator, faced a Judge who could have sentenced him to seven years in prison. As is the standard for celebs in our country, Russell got a slap on the wrist, a little fine, probation, and a mild scolding.

Hey, I like his looks and his acting. I never said he was the most mature among us.

Cased Closed? Never!

WEEK TV reported at 5:00 that the City and the theoretical old/new (maybe) owner of the Grandview Hotel, Kris Jain, went to Court today to see if the Judge's earlier order to close the Hotel for 30 days (60 days suspended) was followed.

It wasn't. If you require a refresher in this bizarre drama, be reminded that Chase Ingersoll claims he purchased the hotel one day after the Judge issued his ruling to close the problematic, crime ridden property.

In order to give legitimate residents time to find new living quarters, the Judge order the Hotel closed by November 11th. The 11th came and went. The City did nothing. In all fairness, it was Veterans Day, Courts were closed. Monday rolls around. Nothing. More guests register at the Hotel. Life and business goes on as usual. The City seems not to mind. Same with Tuesday and Wednesday. Ah, but TODAY the hot shot legal team goes to Court, but only because the Judge scheduled this date, a status review, at the same time he issued his original order to close the place down. Nice of you guys to make it.

Now, those of you who didn't go to law school (or fail to watch Boston Legal) may not be familiar with a handy motion known as "Rule to Show Cause." Any attorney who occasionally stayed awake during Civil Procedure class should be familiar with it. When a Judge's order is not followed, the injured party (The City) can waltz into Court and demand to know why the delinquent party (The Hotel) has not come into compliance. Rarely, a Judge's order is not obeyed for a good reason. If the Hotel was the only structure left standing after a major earthquake, for instance. Otherwise, the offending Party is typically held in contempt and the Judge can order the Sheriff will to put people and their possessions to the curb before locking the doors and wrapping the building in barbed wire to enforce the Order. (Greater legal minds might disagree with Polly. Some would say a new owner would be enough for the Judge to re-think his original order.) Oddly, the Judge can't do anything to remedy the situation until the City files a Rule to Show Cause Motion. The Judge might know his order is being ignored, but until the injured party files a motion, his hands are tied. (Quirky, eh?) Today the Judge ordered the Hotel be closed for the full 90 days instead of just 30. Judges don't like to be ignored. So will the Hotel close? Nope. Why? BECAUSE CITY ATTORNEYS STILL HAVE NOT FILED A RULE TO SHOW CAUSE MOTION.

Randy Ray should have filed one Monday, at the latest. That he didn't have one ready to go at today's proceedings is pathetic to say the least. Clearly this case is not a priority for the City. Uh, does anyone know of one that is?

Kris Jain, the former/new (maybe) hotel owner believes the sale between he and Ingersoll is void. According to WEEK, Chase hasn't made a mortgage payment. Apparently Jain is one guest who won't be living at the Grandview Hotel any more. The Judge tossed Jain's temporary restraining order, which previously kept Ingersoll from evicting him from the property. The Judge did this because he can't uphold a Temporary Restraining Order (which would essentially uphold Jain's room lease), on a property that he has CLOSED.

If all of this is too boring for you, just remember, there is sex and drugs involved. Ingersoll alleges Jain demanded sex in lieu of rent money from some guests. Ingersoll also says that Jain illegally taped some of those sex acts. Employees at the Hotel have said that Jain was very aware of the drug activity on the property, he simply demanded a cut of the profits.

Anyone care to place a wager when and/or if Randy Ray will ever file a Motion to Show Cause? It has probably dawned on the neighborhood by now that The City of Peoria V. Jain/Ingersoll/Grandview Hotel could be litigated for years and years. A sound strategy considering the pathetic performance of the City's legal team.

P.S. Chase, how about the following for a new name?

Just a suggestion.

You'll get no argument from Russell.

"Damn. It IS cold in Peoria."

G.O.P. = Geezer's Old Party

What the Republicans need is a big honking dose of vitality. The party is tired. Clinging to tax cuts doesn't cut it anymore. The old and wealthy might still want to wallow in tax relief, but recent polls show that taxes are not the primary issue for most Americans. In the aftermath of Katrina it became painfully obvious that the nation's infrastructure has been neglected. Americans don't want tax cuts as much as they want their tax money well spent.

As baby boomers retire and Gen X takes over, the GOP needs to be courting the issues that matter to younger voters. Classically liberal domains such as the environment and education need a Republican invasion. While thirty and forty something Republicans still very much value making a buck, they are also now raising their children after growing up with words like PCBs, half-life, and toxic waste in their vocabulary. Many have watched their parents or older relatives battle cancer and wonder if the smog blanketing most American cities and towns might be to blame. Today's parents are also stuck putting their kids into public schools overwhelmed and underfunded by Bush's No Child Left Behind policies.

If America wasn't somewhat homophobic, the victor of the last presidential election would not have been Bush. It was the states with gay marriage props and amendments on the ballots that got the GOP and moderates to the polling place. Lesson learned: It is hard to motivate moderates, but it is possible. The morals of the Republican party may be more in line with the average citizen than previously thought, but the agenda overall is out of touch.

Why is it that on most college campuses the Young Democrats rule? When I was in college, most Dems seemed liberal, but also angry and bitter. I never could figure out what the draw was to joining their group. One could work to help the poor and abused without being beaten over the head by cranky environmentalists trying to save the Spotted Owl. Republicans were having a better time and had more drinking money.

The stereotypical -and don't most stereotypes have at least a kernel of truth to them?- Republican, a late fifty something wealthy white male who clawed his way to the top of the corporate latter and expects government to further reward him (and his Fortune 500 employer) with tax cuts is no longer relevant.

During the Carter era when unemployment percentages were in the double digits, inflation was out of control, and the energy crisis was in full swing the Republican agenda made sense. It doesn't anymore. Bush seems to want to follow the same agenda as Reagan. As if there wasn't a single problem that tax cuts and a kick ass military couldn't fix.

Put down the fiber wafers and wake up! Allowing me to keep several hundred or a even a thousand bucks of my own money is not going to make a big enough difference in my life to buy you my loyalty come election time.

Prego Man likes Bridgette....

Per your request Prego. What has this gal been doing lately? Not many pics of her on the web...

Hello Kitty!

A little something for everyone....

Double my pleasure? Huh.
Thanks. I will.

All right, who signed off on this weather?!

It's the Mid-West. It is November. It should be expected. Why is it that every year I get caught off guard as to how quickly the weather can turn crappy around here?! Suddenly -within a day- it is long underwear season for the love of God.

I Took the dog for a walk. Frenchy is not pleased with me. It was too cold and windy for the dog to even pee. French opted to wait until we were home so he could use the kitchen floor, the little &%#@!.

On a positive note, the price of gas will fall even more dramatically in the next few hours. Based solely on the fact that I filled up today.

"Pending" My Ass.

You would think Mr. Lewis would take note of the already numerous empty storefronts on Prospect Road before building the brand new large and empty "Heritage Square" strip mall in Peoria Heights.

The development has been complete since late summer. The shopping center's sign has a slew of "Pending" notices but in reality, only Heritage Bank has signed on as a tenant (leaving yet one more vacant building in The Heights).

In today's PJ Star article, Developer Lewis says that he is just lacking an anchor. As soon as one signs on, more businesses are sure to hop on board. Uh-huh. Kind of like saying, "The minute I win the lottery, I will pay that money I owe you."

Hopefully the developers of the Heights' other new strip mall (or as Bob Manning likes to call it, Community Center) now underway on the corner of Prospect and War Memorial will take note of the brand new, beautiful and vacant Heritage Square located just a few blocks North.

I know. Fat chance.

It is so hard to get out of bed on cold mornings.

Don't you think so too, Bill?

Very few real men could pull off this outfit...

Russ can. Can you?

A few harsh words for one of my favorite people...

The City Council meeting ran almost until 10:00 p.m. last night. No where near a record. However, it would have been done at about 8:30 if Gale, er, I mean, Gary would just SHUT UP!!!

I love and respect you Councilman Sandberg, but seriously, if you don't have anything new to say... STOP TALKING!!!

We heard you the first time. We just don't agree. No need to repeat yourself.

Think of it this way, the sooner Council finishes up, the sooner we can all go drink beer.

Love,

Polly

To Willy Nilly...

Who writes he likes his women well trimmed.
Who knew?

Willy is back!

Willy Nilly has graced us with a new post. We've done without for almost a month. Too bad this one is pretty weak. Come on Willy, you know you can do better! Aaron Schock has been gifted a seat on the steel board for heaven's sake.

ERIC J. NAVE: What a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man.

No way this guy is single. Mr. Nave witnesses a purse snatching, comes to the aid of the victim, chases down the selfish P.O.S. thug, and gets both the purse and the money back.

I wonder... does he look just a little like Russell Crowe? Not that it matters. At all.

If I want to be taken seriously...

I've been told I shouldn't be posting so much eye candy.



Huh? Really? Gentlemen, you wouldn't take Scarlett seriously?!