I but I didn't believe them. HA!!! I was at a holiday open house over the weekend and a little lady was collecting signatures for none other than GALE THETFORD to run for an At Large City Council seat. You'd think after the spanking' Bob Manning gave Thetford when she ran to retain her Council seat in the last City election she would take the hint.
All I can say is...
"Um.."
Thetford began every single painful and long winded speech she gave while on the Council with "Um." She should use it as her campaign slogan.
Gawd, are Ran$burg and Marcella going to attempt to rise from the dead and defeated too?
Monday, December 11
Friday, December 8
Airlines SUCK. Big time.
I hate travel, I really do. Specifically, I hate air travel. Boarding an airplane rates close to root canal on my to do list. The reason for my absolute disdain of airplanes has little to do with a fear of flying. As I've blogged before, I realize and accept that I'm more likely to die driving in my car, on my way to root canal, than I am on an airplane. Or so I'm told. I'm beginning to have my doubts.
My hatred of air travel is due to the fact that many of my fellow passengers are inconsiderate slobs. These days, spending time on a commercial flight is akin to being trapped in an unvented elevator with a couple of homeless winos for at least three hours.
Polly has been dieting. Polly has been working out. Polly has been Heelying like a mad woman. Polly thinks her arse is looking quite shapely these days and the tape measure agrees. To reward myself, I bought a brand new, grown up, black pin stripe Brooks Brother's suit. I know, sounds stuffy and boring, but trust me. It's not. I like shopping for clothes almost as much as I like air travel. In a rare moment of boredom and weakness I stepped into Brooks Brothers in Chicago. Weak because I FREEZING and simply had to warm myself before continuing my walk to the Metra station.
I'm telling you, this suit called my name. Trying it on was an out of body experience. The garment has magic powers. Once on, cellulite disappears. I'm three inches taller. It says size 10 on the label, but I look like a size 2. Cindy Crawford would be jealous. Other shoppers watch me admire myself in the store's three way mirror. I can feel their envy. The ghosts of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly applaud. I feel so gorgeous in this suit I'd wear it on my wedding day. I have the abilty to cure cancer, clear the national deficit, and bring about world peace in this suit. There is only one like it left. Moreover, The Suit is on SALE. To look and feel like this for $500 is a bargain. Euphoria.
Like an idiot, I wore my new suit on a commercial flight. Anyone else notice that airplanes are exceedingly filthy these days? Do not reach into the seat pocket in front of you. God only knows what you will find. Three week old used tissues filled with ebola. Last time I checked the seat pocket in front of me I found a used needle. I can only pray the passenger who placed it there suffered from diabetes and not AIDS. Look at the floor and seats. They haven't been vacuumed in months. Such foul decay of the interior cabin really makes one wonder what the maintenance standards are for the rest of the plane. If the engine of the aircraft is neglected in this manner we are all going to die.
Polly sat on a wad of gum thoughtfully chewed and left behind by a previous passenger. My gorgeous new suit, ruined. My formerly perky butt now sagging with depression. Mankind denied my profound beauty and amazing intellect brought about by the magic suit. The magic suit super powers do not include the ability to repel the goo that's penetrated the weave of its fabric. The suit has been defiled, victimized. Don't cry for me. Cry for the magic suit.
Next time I will hitch hike. Probably a safer and cleaner mode of transportation.
My hatred of air travel is due to the fact that many of my fellow passengers are inconsiderate slobs. These days, spending time on a commercial flight is akin to being trapped in an unvented elevator with a couple of homeless winos for at least three hours.
Polly has been dieting. Polly has been working out. Polly has been Heelying like a mad woman. Polly thinks her arse is looking quite shapely these days and the tape measure agrees. To reward myself, I bought a brand new, grown up, black pin stripe Brooks Brother's suit. I know, sounds stuffy and boring, but trust me. It's not. I like shopping for clothes almost as much as I like air travel. In a rare moment of boredom and weakness I stepped into Brooks Brothers in Chicago. Weak because I FREEZING and simply had to warm myself before continuing my walk to the Metra station.
I'm telling you, this suit called my name. Trying it on was an out of body experience. The garment has magic powers. Once on, cellulite disappears. I'm three inches taller. It says size 10 on the label, but I look like a size 2. Cindy Crawford would be jealous. Other shoppers watch me admire myself in the store's three way mirror. I can feel their envy. The ghosts of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly applaud. I feel so gorgeous in this suit I'd wear it on my wedding day. I have the abilty to cure cancer, clear the national deficit, and bring about world peace in this suit. There is only one like it left. Moreover, The Suit is on SALE. To look and feel like this for $500 is a bargain. Euphoria.
Like an idiot, I wore my new suit on a commercial flight. Anyone else notice that airplanes are exceedingly filthy these days? Do not reach into the seat pocket in front of you. God only knows what you will find. Three week old used tissues filled with ebola. Last time I checked the seat pocket in front of me I found a used needle. I can only pray the passenger who placed it there suffered from diabetes and not AIDS. Look at the floor and seats. They haven't been vacuumed in months. Such foul decay of the interior cabin really makes one wonder what the maintenance standards are for the rest of the plane. If the engine of the aircraft is neglected in this manner we are all going to die.
Polly sat on a wad of gum thoughtfully chewed and left behind by a previous passenger. My gorgeous new suit, ruined. My formerly perky butt now sagging with depression. Mankind denied my profound beauty and amazing intellect brought about by the magic suit. The magic suit super powers do not include the ability to repel the goo that's penetrated the weave of its fabric. The suit has been defiled, victimized. Don't cry for me. Cry for the magic suit.
Next time I will hitch hike. Probably a safer and cleaner mode of transportation.
Monday, November 27
So Sick It Just Might Work...
The PJ Star is for sale. Today's Word on the Street column hints that local big wigs with deep pockets have been approached with the goal of local ownership. That's the trend these days, or so we're told.
As much as I love Gary Sandberg, I don't see him coming up with the cash to buy the overpriced paper. Gary gets more votes than anybody with a lot less cash than any other candidate, but even with that sort of genius I don't think he'd even want the hassle of owning a paper.
HOWEVER, how about having a BLOGGER OWNED paper? Okay, and blogger owned and reader supported newspaper. Why? Just so we could remind Bailey who he works for before he glibly writes another stupid editorial that Fire Stations are silly and far less important than funding for the arts.
Heh. Heh.
As much as I love Gary Sandberg, I don't see him coming up with the cash to buy the overpriced paper. Gary gets more votes than anybody with a lot less cash than any other candidate, but even with that sort of genius I don't think he'd even want the hassle of owning a paper.
HOWEVER, how about having a BLOGGER OWNED paper? Okay, and blogger owned and reader supported newspaper. Why? Just so we could remind Bailey who he works for before he glibly writes another stupid editorial that Fire Stations are silly and far less important than funding for the arts.
Heh. Heh.
Guns Don't Shoot People in the Testicles...
People shoot themselves in the testicle(s).
Sigh. Why can't more mishaps involving guns be like this one?!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
(AP) A man who was attempting an abduction stuck a gun in his waistband when it fired, shooting him in the left testicle, police in Wichita, Kan., said. He cringed, and the gun fired again, striking him in the left calf. The 23-year-old walked into a hospital. He and two others were accused of trying to kidnap a teen in a dispute over stereo speakers.
Polly's view:
The only tragedy here is that the second bullet hit the left calf instead of the other (right) testicle. Then society would have the added benefit/comfort of knowing this gun toting moron could no longer reproduce.
Seriously, I think a partial, although not perfect, answer to reducing the innocent gun slaughter of U.S. citizens would be to require those applying for a gun license take an I.Q. test. Anyone who doesn't score 100 or above can't have a gun. Yes, the same for driving. I haven't thought this one through yet, but should I become Queen, I'm thinking an ethics test might be in order as well, as well as a gun safety exam. Hell, throw in a mental health test in there too, couldn't hurt.
Yeah, I hate government red tape too, but there is that rare occasion when it serves a good purpose. I, for one, love it when the Health Department shuts down a roach infested restaurant. It's a good day when government seizes a crack house, or condemns and then destroys property that a slum lord couldn't get off his lard ass to maintain. Yes, that doesn't happen much here in Peoria, but I understand it happens in other places, and if true, it's a wonderful thing.
As I've written before, not every person who has or wants a gun is an idiot, but every idiot is attracted to guns. Like some birds are attracted to shiny things. Like moths are attracted to a flame. Like politicians are attracted to spending money they don't have, etc.
Guns, fireworks, and idiots go together like beer, pizza, and hot wings.
Sigh. Why can't more mishaps involving guns be like this one?!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
(AP) A man who was attempting an abduction stuck a gun in his waistband when it fired, shooting him in the left testicle, police in Wichita, Kan., said. He cringed, and the gun fired again, striking him in the left calf. The 23-year-old walked into a hospital. He and two others were accused of trying to kidnap a teen in a dispute over stereo speakers.
Polly's view:
The only tragedy here is that the second bullet hit the left calf instead of the other (right) testicle. Then society would have the added benefit/comfort of knowing this gun toting moron could no longer reproduce.
Seriously, I think a partial, although not perfect, answer to reducing the innocent gun slaughter of U.S. citizens would be to require those applying for a gun license take an I.Q. test. Anyone who doesn't score 100 or above can't have a gun. Yes, the same for driving. I haven't thought this one through yet, but should I become Queen, I'm thinking an ethics test might be in order as well, as well as a gun safety exam. Hell, throw in a mental health test in there too, couldn't hurt.
Yeah, I hate government red tape too, but there is that rare occasion when it serves a good purpose. I, for one, love it when the Health Department shuts down a roach infested restaurant. It's a good day when government seizes a crack house, or condemns and then destroys property that a slum lord couldn't get off his lard ass to maintain. Yes, that doesn't happen much here in Peoria, but I understand it happens in other places, and if true, it's a wonderful thing.
As I've written before, not every person who has or wants a gun is an idiot, but every idiot is attracted to guns. Like some birds are attracted to shiny things. Like moths are attracted to a flame. Like politicians are attracted to spending money they don't have, etc.
Guns, fireworks, and idiots go together like beer, pizza, and hot wings.
Saturday, November 25
A note to Bill Dennis, With Love
Bill Dennis over at the Pundit changed his format again. I give up. Go cross-eyed young man, see if I care! His most recent template change isn't as nearly as annoying as the previous migrane inducing formats, (anyone remember "watermelon") so I'll let it slide. Criticize all you like, but Bill is one Peorian that doesn't fear change. We can learn from him. In the last year Bill has changed jobs, homes, towns, as well as templates. Bill, Lovey, Scarlet and I sent our annual Festivus card with our non tax deductible donation, and it came back! I guess you don't have the P.O. Box anymore? You need to include a snail mail address to your site so pseudo-anonymous bloggers can support our favorite Blog Father.
Wednesday, November 22
HEELY! HEELY! HEELY!
Polly has found the cure for depression, PMS, Dumb Democrats, Dirty Republicans, Erectile Disfunction, PJ Star Editorials, Dork Wad Bosses, Lazy Ass Co-Workers, Terrorism, Locusts, Morbid Obesity, EVERYTHING. It isn't a magic pill. It isn't a frontal lobotomy (did I spell that right? Er, Eyebrows, help me out.) Anyway, every affliction known to mankind -except crappy spelling- SOLVED!!! Everyone, get out your credit cards. Go to Zappo.com and buy yourself a pair of HEELYS. No, you're not too old. Yup. They make em in grown up sizes. If my Christmas bonus doesn't completely suck ass (and it will) I'm gonna buy the entire City Council a pair. FUN! FUN! FUN! Why didn't somebody come up with this sooner?! Cutie Pie UPS driver delivered my pair today. Can I tell you? Fun AND an awesome work out. No, not sex. Get your mind out of the gutter, Bill. HEELYS. My thighs and arse feel slimmer and trimmer already and it's FUN. Scarlet better watch out. If my thighs get any stronger I might accidentally rip her head off some night.
You know who would really enjoy a pair of these? DeWayne Bartels. DeWayne, Buddy, forget scuba diving, and star gazing... Snoozeville! HEELY! HEELY! HEELY! I was suppose to cook the turkey tomorrow, but my kitchen isn't big enough to HEELY in, so I'm rolling on down to Schnucks now to buy a pathetic pre-cooked T-day meal. Let the inlaws partake of the nasty greenbean casserole. BTW, if you dump a can of creamed anything in food, well, that ain't cooking. You want creamed green beans? Try REAL CREAM. Oh, never mind. HEELY! HEELY! HEELY!
I may never blog again, I'm so filled with fun and mirth. Happy HEELY!!!
You know who would really enjoy a pair of these? DeWayne Bartels. DeWayne, Buddy, forget scuba diving, and star gazing... Snoozeville! HEELY! HEELY! HEELY! I was suppose to cook the turkey tomorrow, but my kitchen isn't big enough to HEELY in, so I'm rolling on down to Schnucks now to buy a pathetic pre-cooked T-day meal. Let the inlaws partake of the nasty greenbean casserole. BTW, if you dump a can of creamed anything in food, well, that ain't cooking. You want creamed green beans? Try REAL CREAM. Oh, never mind. HEELY! HEELY! HEELY!
I may never blog again, I'm so filled with fun and mirth. Happy HEELY!!!
Monday, November 13
Another Republican Takes the Hint.... THANK GOD!!!
Oh please, please, please let it be true. Chistmas comes to Peoria early! Today's Word On the Street Column dishes the tasty rumor that John Morris won't be seeking re-election for his At-Large City Council seat. The excuse given for Morris' delightful departure: "family." Yeah, right. Read: A blood relative told John Boy he didn't have a shot in hell of winning, and to please shut the heck up and stop embarrassing the family name.
I suppose I should be sharing in the Republican major depressive episode following last week's elections, but I can't work up the energy. I readily admit the boot kicking was well deserved and it was time to clean house. The only truly lingering wound is having to endure Gov. Chicagovich for the foreseeable future. Then again, really sore losers find ways to indict. Polly recently received a jury duty summons... Oh, wouldn't that be sweet?
We got the best of possible outcomes in the Schocks v. Spears race. Two smart, hardworking men will continue in public service. I like Schock and think he is a good state rep, but I would have been happy for Spears had he won. However, since Spears helped to craft the current City Council with appointment of brother-in-law George Jacobs- I think Bill should stay in the horse shoe and reap the rewards of his brilliant design. Billy, just think of all the stuff you can finally get done once Morris is gone. At a minimum, City Council meetings are guaranteed to be much, much, shorter. I still think Schock should have stepped up for Shadid's seat. Koehler gives me the willies.
Nationally, Rumsfield is out! My guess is that Rove or Cheney will be next. My money is on Cheney. The Iraq War has been botched and anyone with an I.Q. over 50 should have known "Stay the Course" as a strategy - let alone as campaign slogan/booster - was asinine. Look for an elegant exit, i.e., headlines to the effect of, "V.P. Quits After Heart Condition Worsens." Dick doesn't -or shouldn't- have the heart to stay the course either.
I suppose I should be sharing in the Republican major depressive episode following last week's elections, but I can't work up the energy. I readily admit the boot kicking was well deserved and it was time to clean house. The only truly lingering wound is having to endure Gov. Chicagovich for the foreseeable future. Then again, really sore losers find ways to indict. Polly recently received a jury duty summons... Oh, wouldn't that be sweet?
We got the best of possible outcomes in the Schocks v. Spears race. Two smart, hardworking men will continue in public service. I like Schock and think he is a good state rep, but I would have been happy for Spears had he won. However, since Spears helped to craft the current City Council with appointment of brother-in-law George Jacobs- I think Bill should stay in the horse shoe and reap the rewards of his brilliant design. Billy, just think of all the stuff you can finally get done once Morris is gone. At a minimum, City Council meetings are guaranteed to be much, much, shorter. I still think Schock should have stepped up for Shadid's seat. Koehler gives me the willies.
Nationally, Rumsfield is out! My guess is that Rove or Cheney will be next. My money is on Cheney. The Iraq War has been botched and anyone with an I.Q. over 50 should have known "Stay the Course" as a strategy - let alone as campaign slogan/booster - was asinine. Look for an elegant exit, i.e., headlines to the effect of, "V.P. Quits After Heart Condition Worsens." Dick doesn't -or shouldn't- have the heart to stay the course either.
Monday, October 16
A Thank You Note to Aaron Schock and Bill Spears
Okay, the black clouds over my head seem to be lifting and parting. A little. I'm starting to feel some relief from my latest massive depressive episode. Imagine that!!! It didn't require a hospital stay or violence of any kind. Well, there was some yelling. My Significant Other is still trembling under the bed. Babe, I swear, you can come out now. It's safe for the next twenty eight days. Promise.
I have Aaron Schock and Billy Spears to thank. The entertainment that has surrounded their campaigns has been fantastic. Downing a bottle or two of Prozac followed by a chaser of Ativan would not have brought the instant relief that these two have given me. Polly just loves a heated race.
I've kept my opinions to myself on this race because I am torn. I've met and like Bill and Aaron. Both fall into the category of Decent and Productive Politician- quite rare these days. Spears has been a gentle force on the City Council. Everyone seems to like and respect him. When one can say that both Sandberg and Nichting respect you and want to hear what you have to say... Well, that's leadership! I don't think Bill's plan to bring Ceasefire to Peoria is revolutionary. A solid campaign tactic to be sure, but this latest program aimed at ending crime and gun violence doesn't seem to differ from the many other programs that already exist and have failed to combat the problem. Along with every other cynical voter, I ask, "Bill, why now?" You have served as a City Councilman for forever and crime has always plagued Peoria. Now that you are attempting to reach for bigger and better things, well, Springfield anyway, it just dawns on you to bring this progressive program our way?! Er, thanks. I was a bit surprised when Bill opted to chase a State Rep seat shortly after he received the City Council of his dreams. He hand picked his brother-in-law, George (who admittedly is doing a fine job) to fill the open At Large seat after his best buddy, Ardis, was elected mayor. Is it just me, or does Barbara seem to have a teeny weeny little crush on Bill? I know. Me too. Manning seems to have found a solid mentor in Bill as well. Obviously, everyone knows Bill has Ardis' ear. All okay by me. All involved are intelligent, humble, well meaning beings. Clearly Spears is a good leader. Yet every wet Spring we hear about flooding in his District, and he claims to be hard at work to combat it. Yet, he voted for a Budget which neglected to fund the long needed, critical repairs necessary avoid sewage from overflowing into rec rooms of homes in the fourth distict. Aaron, his Fire Station 11 vote is good ammo as well. He claims to be in the "Basic, Essential Services First" camp, but when push comes to shove- he voted to partially shutter the Station. Looking for more? Well, Bill does flip flop a bit. He went back and forth on whether or not to buy the over priced water company. Had he not decided to run for your State Rep seat, I think he would have voted to buy the damn thing.
Aaron, I told you to go for Shadid's seat! Your humbleness prevented you from a sure win. Don't get me wrong, I like Ernie and all. Nice guy. However, jumping into the race after Blair jumped out automatically put Russell way behind. Nonetheless, the latest ad from Bill's camp accusing you of going easy on child murderers is asinine. I wouldn't worry much about it. No one wants to live next to a murderer, regardless of who they killed. That much is obvious. Have you introduced legislation forbidding Uncle Sam from placing a nuclear missile silo next to a pre-school? No? You bum! Legislation in other parts of the land which forbids convicted child molesters from living anywhere near children -not just within a few hundred feet of a school- has been proven not to make the public any safer. It has, however, proven to suck up the man hours and the inflate the cost of police protection. I would wager most child killers, who -don't misunderstand me- are scum through and through, are caretakers (i.e., drunk, high, and stupid boyfriends) who couldn't endure the cries of an infant interrupting their football game/meth induced high, not sickos who are just looking for an opportunity to kill children. Besides, as recent events in Amish Country have proven, where one lives does little to prevent the slaughter of innocent kids. My question is why a convicted child killer could be living next to anyone except the guy in the next prision cell, but that's an entirely different post.
I think Bill's attacks on your School Board service will serve as more potent ammo. I don't hold you accountable for the evil doings of Kay. Moreover, I think you should only be held responsible for the balance sheets you were given. You were one of the first to cry "Foul!" when District 150's finances were revealed to be in a sorry state. And we have you, in large part, to thank for the ouster of Rouster. Moreover, every piece of legislation you introduced last year was passed, and that says a lot for a newly minted State Representative. If Bill chooses to focus on your School Board service, it proves that he can't find anything worthwhile to attack regarding your fine stint as a State Rep. I was especially impressed by your bill giving No Bush Left Behind the fine tuning it so desparately needed. Thanks to you, schools will no longer have to give an eight year old student, one who suffers from severe mental retardation, the same exact test as an eight year old gifted prodigy, and report their scores in the same category- penalizing good schools, teachers, and kids for events and conditions beyond their control or ability to repair and/or improve.
You work hard, as does Bill, and I just want to thank and encourage you both to keep up the fantastic campaign. Aaron, I didn't think that it could get any better than your hard fought campaign again Ricca. Seems like that delicious victory was just yesterday.
Schock and Spears have kept those greedy pharmaceutical companies from getting any more of Polly's anti-depressant dime, and I really appreciate it. I'd vote for both of you if I could, but Polly doesn't live in Chicago.
Keep up the good work!
I have Aaron Schock and Billy Spears to thank. The entertainment that has surrounded their campaigns has been fantastic. Downing a bottle or two of Prozac followed by a chaser of Ativan would not have brought the instant relief that these two have given me. Polly just loves a heated race.
I've kept my opinions to myself on this race because I am torn. I've met and like Bill and Aaron. Both fall into the category of Decent and Productive Politician- quite rare these days. Spears has been a gentle force on the City Council. Everyone seems to like and respect him. When one can say that both Sandberg and Nichting respect you and want to hear what you have to say... Well, that's leadership! I don't think Bill's plan to bring Ceasefire to Peoria is revolutionary. A solid campaign tactic to be sure, but this latest program aimed at ending crime and gun violence doesn't seem to differ from the many other programs that already exist and have failed to combat the problem. Along with every other cynical voter, I ask, "Bill, why now?" You have served as a City Councilman for forever and crime has always plagued Peoria. Now that you are attempting to reach for bigger and better things, well, Springfield anyway, it just dawns on you to bring this progressive program our way?! Er, thanks. I was a bit surprised when Bill opted to chase a State Rep seat shortly after he received the City Council of his dreams. He hand picked his brother-in-law, George (who admittedly is doing a fine job) to fill the open At Large seat after his best buddy, Ardis, was elected mayor. Is it just me, or does Barbara seem to have a teeny weeny little crush on Bill? I know. Me too. Manning seems to have found a solid mentor in Bill as well. Obviously, everyone knows Bill has Ardis' ear. All okay by me. All involved are intelligent, humble, well meaning beings. Clearly Spears is a good leader. Yet every wet Spring we hear about flooding in his District, and he claims to be hard at work to combat it. Yet, he voted for a Budget which neglected to fund the long needed, critical repairs necessary avoid sewage from overflowing into rec rooms of homes in the fourth distict. Aaron, his Fire Station 11 vote is good ammo as well. He claims to be in the "Basic, Essential Services First" camp, but when push comes to shove- he voted to partially shutter the Station. Looking for more? Well, Bill does flip flop a bit. He went back and forth on whether or not to buy the over priced water company. Had he not decided to run for your State Rep seat, I think he would have voted to buy the damn thing.
Aaron, I told you to go for Shadid's seat! Your humbleness prevented you from a sure win. Don't get me wrong, I like Ernie and all. Nice guy. However, jumping into the race after Blair jumped out automatically put Russell way behind. Nonetheless, the latest ad from Bill's camp accusing you of going easy on child murderers is asinine. I wouldn't worry much about it. No one wants to live next to a murderer, regardless of who they killed. That much is obvious. Have you introduced legislation forbidding Uncle Sam from placing a nuclear missile silo next to a pre-school? No? You bum! Legislation in other parts of the land which forbids convicted child molesters from living anywhere near children -not just within a few hundred feet of a school- has been proven not to make the public any safer. It has, however, proven to suck up the man hours and the inflate the cost of police protection. I would wager most child killers, who -don't misunderstand me- are scum through and through, are caretakers (i.e., drunk, high, and stupid boyfriends) who couldn't endure the cries of an infant interrupting their football game/meth induced high, not sickos who are just looking for an opportunity to kill children. Besides, as recent events in Amish Country have proven, where one lives does little to prevent the slaughter of innocent kids. My question is why a convicted child killer could be living next to anyone except the guy in the next prision cell, but that's an entirely different post.
I think Bill's attacks on your School Board service will serve as more potent ammo. I don't hold you accountable for the evil doings of Kay. Moreover, I think you should only be held responsible for the balance sheets you were given. You were one of the first to cry "Foul!" when District 150's finances were revealed to be in a sorry state. And we have you, in large part, to thank for the ouster of Rouster. Moreover, every piece of legislation you introduced last year was passed, and that says a lot for a newly minted State Representative. If Bill chooses to focus on your School Board service, it proves that he can't find anything worthwhile to attack regarding your fine stint as a State Rep. I was especially impressed by your bill giving No Bush Left Behind the fine tuning it so desparately needed. Thanks to you, schools will no longer have to give an eight year old student, one who suffers from severe mental retardation, the same exact test as an eight year old gifted prodigy, and report their scores in the same category- penalizing good schools, teachers, and kids for events and conditions beyond their control or ability to repair and/or improve.
You work hard, as does Bill, and I just want to thank and encourage you both to keep up the fantastic campaign. Aaron, I didn't think that it could get any better than your hard fought campaign again Ricca. Seems like that delicious victory was just yesterday.
Schock and Spears have kept those greedy pharmaceutical companies from getting any more of Polly's anti-depressant dime, and I really appreciate it. I'd vote for both of you if I could, but Polly doesn't live in Chicago.
Keep up the good work!
Friday, October 13
No, Guns Don't Kill People....
... People -without-a-criminal-record-no-history-of-mental-illness-legally-able-to-buy-numerous-weapons-and-ammunition-line-and-tie-up-little-girls-who-lived-in-a-community-devoted-to-peace-and-forgiveness-and-easily-efficiently-quickly-execute-said-little-girls-in-the-head... KILL PEOPLE.
If you aren't safe in an one room school house in Amish country, to hell with everything.
Including this blog.
If you aren't safe in an one room school house in Amish country, to hell with everything.
Including this blog.
Thursday, September 7
Mark Twain Hotel - Can you say CLASSY?!
I don't agree with former Peoria Mayor Bud Grieves that our fair City is in desperate need of a museum, and I thought he was way off his rocker when he told City Council that $220 million was not too much to pay to buy the water company, but I will give him this...
THE MARK TWAIN HOTEL ROCKS!!!
Bud owns and runs a very nice place. Polly is staying here tonight because I had my hardwood floors refinished and while they look beautiful, my house smells like Love Canal. I got a migraine the moment I turned my key in the door lock. I swear, there has got to be plutonium or something equally toxic in the varnish they used.
It was too late at night to annoy friends, and since watching the t.v. ads lately, I was curious about the Twain. Can I tell you?! Very nice. Don't be fooled by the Hotel's exterior. I think the outside of the Hotel is well described as "Grey Poupon Mustard Yellow". My sister, who can be quite crass at times, calls it "Breast Fed Baby Crap Yellow." Worry not, better taste prevailed in the interior. My room is a gentle, muted, relaxing shade of Martha Stewart Green. The rooms are huge, metropolitan in decor, the shower is amazing- it has one of those huge rain showerheads- very sexy. I would wager that the sheets have a 1000 thread count and the bed is incredibly plush and cozy. Swank television with surround sound. Plus, FREE IN ROOM WI-FI!!! No key code needed. Two desks, nice size, and lots of cubbies so you don't have to trip over luggage. The price, $132 a night, includes four coupons for free cocktails, and breakfast in the morning. Bud didn't skimp on the in-room coffee either. Seattle's Best. There are even heavy white robes with the Mark Twain logos!
Mark Twain is pricey for Peoria, but better than any other hotel in the area I've seen, including the Courtyard Marriott. It blows the Pere out the water. The Pere is dingy and smells moldy in my opinion. My room at Mark Twain has an amazing view of the bridge. If anyone is looking to impress out of town clients or the in laws, this is the place. In fact, the Mark Twain is worthy of a wedding anniversary or prom night celebration. I have easy spent two times as much at crappier hotels in Chicago. The Mark Twain has the Downtown Chicago Sheraton beaten by a long shot.
My only gripe: Bud, Honey, you should have invested in better windows. The windows here suck! Saran Wrap would provide better noise reduction. Every siren, every moron motorist blasting rap sound as if they are in the room, not outside and eight floors below. When airplanes pass overhead, one momentarily fears that the hotel is located on the runway. Not an exaggeration- I can hear the high heels of bar hopping females clicking on the sidewalk. No problem. I plan on blasting the air conditioning (also loud) to muffle the noise.
Nonetheless this is a very nice place, and since Peoria is all but dead by midnight on Thursdays, I'm not too uptight about the cheap windows. I should be able to log six good hours of sleep.
Night night!
THE MARK TWAIN HOTEL ROCKS!!!
Bud owns and runs a very nice place. Polly is staying here tonight because I had my hardwood floors refinished and while they look beautiful, my house smells like Love Canal. I got a migraine the moment I turned my key in the door lock. I swear, there has got to be plutonium or something equally toxic in the varnish they used.
It was too late at night to annoy friends, and since watching the t.v. ads lately, I was curious about the Twain. Can I tell you?! Very nice. Don't be fooled by the Hotel's exterior. I think the outside of the Hotel is well described as "Grey Poupon Mustard Yellow". My sister, who can be quite crass at times, calls it "Breast Fed Baby Crap Yellow." Worry not, better taste prevailed in the interior. My room is a gentle, muted, relaxing shade of Martha Stewart Green. The rooms are huge, metropolitan in decor, the shower is amazing- it has one of those huge rain showerheads- very sexy. I would wager that the sheets have a 1000 thread count and the bed is incredibly plush and cozy. Swank television with surround sound. Plus, FREE IN ROOM WI-FI!!! No key code needed. Two desks, nice size, and lots of cubbies so you don't have to trip over luggage. The price, $132 a night, includes four coupons for free cocktails, and breakfast in the morning. Bud didn't skimp on the in-room coffee either. Seattle's Best. There are even heavy white robes with the Mark Twain logos!
Mark Twain is pricey for Peoria, but better than any other hotel in the area I've seen, including the Courtyard Marriott. It blows the Pere out the water. The Pere is dingy and smells moldy in my opinion. My room at Mark Twain has an amazing view of the bridge. If anyone is looking to impress out of town clients or the in laws, this is the place. In fact, the Mark Twain is worthy of a wedding anniversary or prom night celebration. I have easy spent two times as much at crappier hotels in Chicago. The Mark Twain has the Downtown Chicago Sheraton beaten by a long shot.
My only gripe: Bud, Honey, you should have invested in better windows. The windows here suck! Saran Wrap would provide better noise reduction. Every siren, every moron motorist blasting rap sound as if they are in the room, not outside and eight floors below. When airplanes pass overhead, one momentarily fears that the hotel is located on the runway. Not an exaggeration- I can hear the high heels of bar hopping females clicking on the sidewalk. No problem. I plan on blasting the air conditioning (also loud) to muffle the noise.
Nonetheless this is a very nice place, and since Peoria is all but dead by midnight on Thursdays, I'm not too uptight about the cheap windows. I should be able to log six good hours of sleep.
Night night!
Monday, September 4
I Finally See What All the Fuss is About
Page C6 of today's Journal Star has an article entitled, Ghosts of Glen Oak. It includes pictures of Glen Oak Park in its prime. Glen Oak Park used to host beautiful, elaborate sunken gardens. Boaters frequented the park's lagoon during warm months. Ice skaters took advantage of the lagoon when it froze over in winter. There were amazing structures, including Palm house, which was "an imposing glassdomed conservatory in which visitors could stroll among exotic plants and secret pools beneath its canopy of palms." The article suggests that Glen Oak Park rivaled New York City's Central Park, and certainly could put any Chicago park to shame.
So what the hell happened?
My guess is that it all went the way of the Palm House, "torn down in 1951, considered too expensive to maintain."
The pictures lead one to believe that Glen Oak Park was nothing short of idyllic. I envy the previous generations that were able to enjoy it, while -if you believe the drawings- swathed in their gorgeous long gowns and enormous hats. Hey. It was the Victorian Age. It could have happened.
If I had grown up in Peoria back then, I too would morn the destruction of Glen Oak Park. The sunken gardens have long since been filled in. Skating on a frozen lagoon in winter? Are you kidding?! Can you spell liability? No matter. If I had grown up playing in what was the very grand Glen Oak Park, expanding the zoo in attempt to generate something as crass as revenue would be the same as blasphemy. Allowing huge portions of the park to be overtaken by the school district for some new fangled and ugly institution... God forbid!
The sad truth: We have a war of generations taking place in Peoria. It isn't so much Caterpillar shoving a new museum, huge civic center, and expanded zoo down the taxpayer's throats, it is haute senior citizens demanding that their idea of culture be heeded. (Oddly, those who don't want the former jewel that once was Glen Oak Park to further dissolve mostly belong to the same generation but not, I would wager, the same tax bracket.)
This technically timid older set refuses to accept the sound superiority of mp3 players, the amazing picture quality of plasma television, and they are horrified that today's pampered youth have little desire to endure freezing cold, whipping wind, and pitted ice of a lagoon. The park district provides indoor ice skating all year. Ever hear of Owen's Center? Any Olympic skaters hail from the lagoon? No? Well Owen's claims Matt Savoy as its own, thank you very much.
Younger generation are more pampered, wealthier, and fatter to be sure. However, younger generation work more hours and have less free time than their parents or grandparents. Women aren't home changing diapers, darning socks and canning tomatoes any more. They work at the office at least a solid forty hours, and come home to prepare meals, wash laundry, and change diapers. When today's working couples get a little free time, they want to make the most of it. Dance under the stars at the park accompanied by the muni band? You got to be kidding. Snoozeville. Give me interactive, 3D, surround sound!
On the other hand, after an exhausting day, snuggling in the media room with the spouse, Chinese take-out, the kids, and a newly released DVD from Blockbuster... a little slice of heaven. Adventure? Education? Exploration? That's why God made vacations and Disney World. Families of modest means find ways to afford air travel, hotels, and theme parks. You can thank another new fangled invention for this- the internet. With Expedia.com and a credit card I can book an elaborate trip to the other side of the country or world in just a few minutes. Travel agent? Huh? Is that some James Bond type character from the olden days?
Perhaps the saddest truth is that even if one could wave a wand, sprinkle magic fairy dust, and wish upon a star to successfully return Glen Oak Park to it's previous glory it would still be under utilized. It would still be too expensive to maintain. It still would not generate revenue.
The school is a good idea. Today's parents want the best schools for their children. Yeah, I know. Glen Oak School was perfect for you. You went to school there, you grew up to pay taxes and you haven't robbed a liquor store. Guess what? We've put people on the moon since you were in school. Expectations and standards have changed. For better or worse, it isn't suitable to send kids to unairconditioned schools filled with abestos. I know, you went to the school of Hard Knocks. Good for you. Forgive the young 'uns. They want better for their kids. They learned that from you.
The Zoo expansion, on the other hand is stupid. Months ago some other blogger (C.J?)called Peoria's Zoo "Craptastic." Absolutely dead on. The AFRICA! Expansion isn't going to change that fact. At best, AFRICA! will be a new (though underfunded) interesting wing of an overall crapstatic zoo. How many times does anyone go to a zoo per year, regardless of how fantastic or crapstatic it is? Once? Twice? The best zoos (St. Louis, Brookfield) are interesting and impressive, but they leave visitors more than just a bit guilt ridden. Animals rarely look to be enjoying themselves. I always leave such places conflicted and more than a bit drained. Yeah the elephants were amazing. Can we really fool ourselves that 3/4 of an acre makes life worth living for these huge creatures more than twice a year? I go to a zoo to entertain kids. No kids? I'm not spending any of my precious free time at a smelly zoo. Or boring museum. Got kids? Twice a year -at best- load up the kids in the minivan, complete with DVD screens, and drive the fam damily to Chicago for some "culture." Read: Shopping, American Girl Store, Navy pier, the theme park disguised as a children's museum, ESPN Restaurant, and if the old ball and chain insists and the kids don't whine, Brookfield Zoo.
Don't sneer. Senior citizens don't know how it is. They don't know what it's like to have a son on a travel soccer team and a daughter in a karate tournament on the same day. They don't understand that the world is full of perverts and today's kids must be driven everywhere. Today's kids are not allowed to walk to school or piano lessons and no responsible parent allows kids to hang out at a park without adult supervision. Nine months out the year it is too cold and too dark by the time the average parent arrives home from work to take Junior to the park. Besides, Junior has a playset in his own backyard and an X-Box in the basement. Junior doesn't want to go to the park.
As an adult and a taxpayer, I should get a choice. The vast majority of Peoria's taxpayers don't really care about a new museum, bigger civic center, or expanded zoo. Frankly, and I disagree with them on this one, they don't want new schools. They certainly don't care enough about these things to be willing to pay for them. A children's museum. You betcha. Folks are willing to voluntarily pay to have it built. It doesn't take Harvard MBA to recognize this as a sign that the Children's Museum will likely generate revenue in the future.
It is ironic that the generation who grew up paying cash, lived within or below their means, and frowned upon debt, now insists that Peoria must have things it doesn't desire, let alone can afford. In a letter to the editor a few weeks back a former mayor of Peoria wrote that attracting young professionals to live and work in Peoria was difficult because, in large part, there was no museum. Bullsh*t.
When planning for Peoria's future, today's City leaders need to accept certain truths. For better or worse, today's young educated professionals -the ones that drive the "knowledge economy" Peoria is desperate to cultivate- care about crime, the cost of living and housing, commute times, and quality public schools for their offspring. As far as recreation, entertainment, and culture are concerned, to be honest, an elaborate shopping mall will suffice.
So what the hell happened?
My guess is that it all went the way of the Palm House, "torn down in 1951, considered too expensive to maintain."
The pictures lead one to believe that Glen Oak Park was nothing short of idyllic. I envy the previous generations that were able to enjoy it, while -if you believe the drawings- swathed in their gorgeous long gowns and enormous hats. Hey. It was the Victorian Age. It could have happened.
If I had grown up in Peoria back then, I too would morn the destruction of Glen Oak Park. The sunken gardens have long since been filled in. Skating on a frozen lagoon in winter? Are you kidding?! Can you spell liability? No matter. If I had grown up playing in what was the very grand Glen Oak Park, expanding the zoo in attempt to generate something as crass as revenue would be the same as blasphemy. Allowing huge portions of the park to be overtaken by the school district for some new fangled and ugly institution... God forbid!
The sad truth: We have a war of generations taking place in Peoria. It isn't so much Caterpillar shoving a new museum, huge civic center, and expanded zoo down the taxpayer's throats, it is haute senior citizens demanding that their idea of culture be heeded. (Oddly, those who don't want the former jewel that once was Glen Oak Park to further dissolve mostly belong to the same generation but not, I would wager, the same tax bracket.)
This technically timid older set refuses to accept the sound superiority of mp3 players, the amazing picture quality of plasma television, and they are horrified that today's pampered youth have little desire to endure freezing cold, whipping wind, and pitted ice of a lagoon. The park district provides indoor ice skating all year. Ever hear of Owen's Center? Any Olympic skaters hail from the lagoon? No? Well Owen's claims Matt Savoy as its own, thank you very much.
Younger generation are more pampered, wealthier, and fatter to be sure. However, younger generation work more hours and have less free time than their parents or grandparents. Women aren't home changing diapers, darning socks and canning tomatoes any more. They work at the office at least a solid forty hours, and come home to prepare meals, wash laundry, and change diapers. When today's working couples get a little free time, they want to make the most of it. Dance under the stars at the park accompanied by the muni band? You got to be kidding. Snoozeville. Give me interactive, 3D, surround sound!
On the other hand, after an exhausting day, snuggling in the media room with the spouse, Chinese take-out, the kids, and a newly released DVD from Blockbuster... a little slice of heaven. Adventure? Education? Exploration? That's why God made vacations and Disney World. Families of modest means find ways to afford air travel, hotels, and theme parks. You can thank another new fangled invention for this- the internet. With Expedia.com and a credit card I can book an elaborate trip to the other side of the country or world in just a few minutes. Travel agent? Huh? Is that some James Bond type character from the olden days?
Perhaps the saddest truth is that even if one could wave a wand, sprinkle magic fairy dust, and wish upon a star to successfully return Glen Oak Park to it's previous glory it would still be under utilized. It would still be too expensive to maintain. It still would not generate revenue.
The school is a good idea. Today's parents want the best schools for their children. Yeah, I know. Glen Oak School was perfect for you. You went to school there, you grew up to pay taxes and you haven't robbed a liquor store. Guess what? We've put people on the moon since you were in school. Expectations and standards have changed. For better or worse, it isn't suitable to send kids to unairconditioned schools filled with abestos. I know, you went to the school of Hard Knocks. Good for you. Forgive the young 'uns. They want better for their kids. They learned that from you.
The Zoo expansion, on the other hand is stupid. Months ago some other blogger (C.J?)called Peoria's Zoo "Craptastic." Absolutely dead on. The AFRICA! Expansion isn't going to change that fact. At best, AFRICA! will be a new (though underfunded) interesting wing of an overall crapstatic zoo. How many times does anyone go to a zoo per year, regardless of how fantastic or crapstatic it is? Once? Twice? The best zoos (St. Louis, Brookfield) are interesting and impressive, but they leave visitors more than just a bit guilt ridden. Animals rarely look to be enjoying themselves. I always leave such places conflicted and more than a bit drained. Yeah the elephants were amazing. Can we really fool ourselves that 3/4 of an acre makes life worth living for these huge creatures more than twice a year? I go to a zoo to entertain kids. No kids? I'm not spending any of my precious free time at a smelly zoo. Or boring museum. Got kids? Twice a year -at best- load up the kids in the minivan, complete with DVD screens, and drive the fam damily to Chicago for some "culture." Read: Shopping, American Girl Store, Navy pier, the theme park disguised as a children's museum, ESPN Restaurant, and if the old ball and chain insists and the kids don't whine, Brookfield Zoo.
Don't sneer. Senior citizens don't know how it is. They don't know what it's like to have a son on a travel soccer team and a daughter in a karate tournament on the same day. They don't understand that the world is full of perverts and today's kids must be driven everywhere. Today's kids are not allowed to walk to school or piano lessons and no responsible parent allows kids to hang out at a park without adult supervision. Nine months out the year it is too cold and too dark by the time the average parent arrives home from work to take Junior to the park. Besides, Junior has a playset in his own backyard and an X-Box in the basement. Junior doesn't want to go to the park.
As an adult and a taxpayer, I should get a choice. The vast majority of Peoria's taxpayers don't really care about a new museum, bigger civic center, or expanded zoo. Frankly, and I disagree with them on this one, they don't want new schools. They certainly don't care enough about these things to be willing to pay for them. A children's museum. You betcha. Folks are willing to voluntarily pay to have it built. It doesn't take Harvard MBA to recognize this as a sign that the Children's Museum will likely generate revenue in the future.
It is ironic that the generation who grew up paying cash, lived within or below their means, and frowned upon debt, now insists that Peoria must have things it doesn't desire, let alone can afford. In a letter to the editor a few weeks back a former mayor of Peoria wrote that attracting young professionals to live and work in Peoria was difficult because, in large part, there was no museum. Bullsh*t.
When planning for Peoria's future, today's City leaders need to accept certain truths. For better or worse, today's young educated professionals -the ones that drive the "knowledge economy" Peoria is desperate to cultivate- care about crime, the cost of living and housing, commute times, and quality public schools for their offspring. As far as recreation, entertainment, and culture are concerned, to be honest, an elaborate shopping mall will suffice.
City Outsourcing
Did anyone else see the report last week that Peoria's next budget is over $2 million in the red? Forced by higher government to fund future benefits for employees, Peoria is in trouble come 2007. Might as well put the last nail in the coffin that is Fire Station 11.
One possible solution suggested by Fifth District Councilman Patrick Nichting-outsourcing. No, we most likely won't have to wait for snow plows from India to clear the streets this winter, but look for more private businesses to start taking over what used to be city employee domain.
Private companies are not forced to fund -or even offer- the same benefits local city employees currently enjoy, so they can provide services cheaper than the City can. There are a few departments I would love to see taken over by a private corporation. Namely, code enforcement. The city has apt time to move on slum landlords and homeowners who just don't care that their properties are destroying a neighborhood and inviting crime. I digress.
The outsourcing ploy might work for those city services that depend on braun, but it seems less likely that private enterprise can take over the duties of the City Clerk's Office or the Treasurer's Office for example. Who will be responsible for receiving funds from such revenues as parking tickets, permits, and license requests? Who will keep the minutes of City Council meetings, fill FOA requests, track the budget? Temps from Manpower?
In a capitalist environment, it seems odd that Government would ever pay its employees higher salaries or provide better benefits than private companies. Of course, since City government doesn't provide a profit, it can't work exactly the same way as does private business. Most non-profits pay less and provide far fewer benefits than private businesses. So should the City of Peoria.
Whoever did the original math should be hunted down and shot. Even with a significant tax increase, there is no way the City will be able to provide the benefits it has promised to employees without going broke. Maybe no one saw that health care was going to become so expensive. Maybe the city employees union is too strong. Maybe whoever did the original math on the city employee benefits package was tripping on crack. It really doesn't matter.
I'm not saying that City employees don't work hard. Most of them probably do. I'm not saying they don't deserve healthcare or retirement benefits. They do. Just not better benefits than their bosses (taxpayers) enjoy. Unless you want to give your credit card number to some boiler room operator in India the next time you get a parking ticket downtown, something has got to give.
One possible solution suggested by Fifth District Councilman Patrick Nichting-outsourcing. No, we most likely won't have to wait for snow plows from India to clear the streets this winter, but look for more private businesses to start taking over what used to be city employee domain.
Private companies are not forced to fund -or even offer- the same benefits local city employees currently enjoy, so they can provide services cheaper than the City can. There are a few departments I would love to see taken over by a private corporation. Namely, code enforcement. The city has apt time to move on slum landlords and homeowners who just don't care that their properties are destroying a neighborhood and inviting crime. I digress.
The outsourcing ploy might work for those city services that depend on braun, but it seems less likely that private enterprise can take over the duties of the City Clerk's Office or the Treasurer's Office for example. Who will be responsible for receiving funds from such revenues as parking tickets, permits, and license requests? Who will keep the minutes of City Council meetings, fill FOA requests, track the budget? Temps from Manpower?
In a capitalist environment, it seems odd that Government would ever pay its employees higher salaries or provide better benefits than private companies. Of course, since City government doesn't provide a profit, it can't work exactly the same way as does private business. Most non-profits pay less and provide far fewer benefits than private businesses. So should the City of Peoria.
Whoever did the original math should be hunted down and shot. Even with a significant tax increase, there is no way the City will be able to provide the benefits it has promised to employees without going broke. Maybe no one saw that health care was going to become so expensive. Maybe the city employees union is too strong. Maybe whoever did the original math on the city employee benefits package was tripping on crack. It really doesn't matter.
I'm not saying that City employees don't work hard. Most of them probably do. I'm not saying they don't deserve healthcare or retirement benefits. They do. Just not better benefits than their bosses (taxpayers) enjoy. Unless you want to give your credit card number to some boiler room operator in India the next time you get a parking ticket downtown, something has got to give.
There. Now Quit Yer Bellyachin'
I figured I owed my 12 devoted readers something. Polly promises. You will not find this pic anywhere else on the net. If you do, they stole it from here. I did not realize how difficult it would be to take pictures of one's own foot/leg. I also did not realize how difficult it would be to find a store that sells fishnet stockings in August.
I was told fishnets were a "winter item." Er, they don't seem like they would keep one very warm.
Oh. Then again...
Who Would of Thunk It?
Gasoline prices brought a smile to my face today. A mere $2.74 a gallon. I filled up even though my tank was already half full. Polly typically drives on fumes and prayer. I thought it was nice that gas prices actually fell during a long holiday weekend for a change.
Then it dawned on me.
Greedy oil company bastard scum. Raise gas prices up to well over $3.00 bucks a gallon so the consumer will be delighted to pay a mere $2.74 a gallon. That will end those nasty, time consuming price gouging hearings. Evil geniuses.
Note to self. Buy more Exxon stock when the market opens on Tuesday.
Then it dawned on me.
Greedy oil company bastard scum. Raise gas prices up to well over $3.00 bucks a gallon so the consumer will be delighted to pay a mere $2.74 a gallon. That will end those nasty, time consuming price gouging hearings. Evil geniuses.
Note to self. Buy more Exxon stock when the market opens on Tuesday.
Thursday, August 31
America and the Right to be Stupid
I was listening to NPR in the car Tuesday and one report made me so mad I actually had to pull over, have a talk with myself, and calm down.
Two men in Pakistan. Father and adult son. Both are naturalized U.S. citizens. Both have spent the last four years living in Pakistan. Both are related to a convicted terrorist. Father and son want to come back to America, but find themselves on the "No Fly" list. Which means they will only be allowed to board an airplane headed to the United States after they submit to an interview with the FBI which may or may not include taking a lie detector test.
"No fair!" Father and son whine. "We're American citizens! We should not have to endure such humiliation from our own government. Besides, as Americans, we have the right to be stupid, er, we mean, silent." Being true Americans they file a lawsuit. Said lawsuit has not been dismissed out of hand by a judge, and will likely be heard.
Like there aren't millions of American citizens -who haven't spent the last four years in the Middle East or are related to a convicted terrorist- who also must endure such security screenings? I know a man who jokes that when he wants some action he gets in line at the nearest airport.
Has anyone bothered to inform these Pakistani Americans that "the right to remain silent" is intended to protect those who have been charged with committing a crime? They haven't. Moreover, that they are welcome to keep silent but will simply have to remain in Pakistan?
If this case is actually ever heard in a courtroom, it is ever mounting proof that our country is being run by a very powerful yet pampered, insulated, and naive klan. Not a good combination when attempting to fight a global war on terror. If true, we are so screwed.
Our country has done a lot in an attempt to correct horrid and shameful injustices of the past. Nearly every American first grader has internalized the words, "It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, it only matters who you are on the inside." Our legal system has integrated schools, tried its hand at affirmative action, and generally outted racists for the morons they truly are.
Oddly enough, we now find education and guilt can be a deadly combination. We have concentrated on teaching social justice but have completely neglected teaching street smarts. Perhaps those who run our country from have had no real need for street smarts. They were raised in the safest white bread suburbs. They attended haute schools and colleges where they learned that crime was merely a symptom of society neglecting its own. Huh. I wonder how they processed the criminal convictions of Martha Stewart and Kenneth Lay. Parents probably didn't give them enough hugs. The insulated and privileged did not learn that some people actually choose to be greedy, cruel, and even evil. They admirably learned to respect all religions and accept all nationalities, but did not pick up on the fact that others were being taught to hate and to further their religious agenda by slaughtering innocent people.
Powerful naive intellectuals of this country have had it really good. The world made sense until 9/11. Then, Oh. Crap. The privileged like airplanes. They really enjoy world travel. They are insulated no more. On 9/11 those in first class and corner offices died the same gruesome deaths as those in the cattle car and janitor's closet.
Remarkably, these intellectuals remain painfully slow. How unfortunate that regular folk have to live under the leadership of bright, educated people who can't process the fact that some hate us, want to kill us, simply because we are Americans.
It is a plague. I call it Street Smart Retardation. SSR may be a legitimate addiction, illness, disease, disorder, addiction or whatever. After all, one does not choose raises them. They may have little or no control over the fact that they have been brainwashed out of balance. Have a little sympathy.
It is unfair -but necessary- that blind people not be allowed to drive. It is also unfair -but necessary- that those suffering from SSR not be allowed sit on the bench, make laws, or serve as TSA personnel.
I propose that street smarts be included as a new section on the SATs and graduate school admittance exams. Here is a sample question.
You find yourself walking alone, lost, late at night in an unfamiliar deserted neighborhood. Suddenly you see a very large man coming towards you. You notice that the whites of his eyes are yellow and glassy. He appears not to have bathed for weeks. You notice the handle of a gun sticking out of the waistband of his jeans. This person also happens to be African American. In response:
A. You assume that this guy is dangerous, has hepatitis and a substance abuse problem. You think it is possible that he might rob you or worse. You turn around and run in the opposite direction as fast as you possibly can.
B. You are not sure if this guy is good or bad. Maybe he is just homeless and hungry and intends you no harm. Nonetheless, as he nears you make sure your finger is on the trigger of your mace... just in case.
C. This poor man is one of God's beloved creatures, a member of the human race just like yourself. Maybe he lost his job as a corporate executive at IBM last week in the last round of job cuts. Maybe his job was outsourced to India. Poor thing. He was likely abused and neglected as a little boy. Now the pitiful bloke is downtrodden and homeless. Hey! Maybe he can give you good directions! As he nears closer, you grab your wallet. You want to give him some cash for a hot meal.
Two men in Pakistan. Father and adult son. Both are naturalized U.S. citizens. Both have spent the last four years living in Pakistan. Both are related to a convicted terrorist. Father and son want to come back to America, but find themselves on the "No Fly" list. Which means they will only be allowed to board an airplane headed to the United States after they submit to an interview with the FBI which may or may not include taking a lie detector test.
"No fair!" Father and son whine. "We're American citizens! We should not have to endure such humiliation from our own government. Besides, as Americans, we have the right to be stupid, er, we mean, silent." Being true Americans they file a lawsuit. Said lawsuit has not been dismissed out of hand by a judge, and will likely be heard.
Like there aren't millions of American citizens -who haven't spent the last four years in the Middle East or are related to a convicted terrorist- who also must endure such security screenings? I know a man who jokes that when he wants some action he gets in line at the nearest airport.
Has anyone bothered to inform these Pakistani Americans that "the right to remain silent" is intended to protect those who have been charged with committing a crime? They haven't. Moreover, that they are welcome to keep silent but will simply have to remain in Pakistan?
If this case is actually ever heard in a courtroom, it is ever mounting proof that our country is being run by a very powerful yet pampered, insulated, and naive klan. Not a good combination when attempting to fight a global war on terror. If true, we are so screwed.
Our country has done a lot in an attempt to correct horrid and shameful injustices of the past. Nearly every American first grader has internalized the words, "It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, it only matters who you are on the inside." Our legal system has integrated schools, tried its hand at affirmative action, and generally outted racists for the morons they truly are.
Oddly enough, we now find education and guilt can be a deadly combination. We have concentrated on teaching social justice but have completely neglected teaching street smarts. Perhaps those who run our country from have had no real need for street smarts. They were raised in the safest white bread suburbs. They attended haute schools and colleges where they learned that crime was merely a symptom of society neglecting its own. Huh. I wonder how they processed the criminal convictions of Martha Stewart and Kenneth Lay. Parents probably didn't give them enough hugs. The insulated and privileged did not learn that some people actually choose to be greedy, cruel, and even evil. They admirably learned to respect all religions and accept all nationalities, but did not pick up on the fact that others were being taught to hate and to further their religious agenda by slaughtering innocent people.
Powerful naive intellectuals of this country have had it really good. The world made sense until 9/11. Then, Oh. Crap. The privileged like airplanes. They really enjoy world travel. They are insulated no more. On 9/11 those in first class and corner offices died the same gruesome deaths as those in the cattle car and janitor's closet.
Remarkably, these intellectuals remain painfully slow. How unfortunate that regular folk have to live under the leadership of bright, educated people who can't process the fact that some hate us, want to kill us, simply because we are Americans.
It is a plague. I call it Street Smart Retardation. SSR may be a legitimate addiction, illness, disease, disorder, addiction or whatever. After all, one does not choose raises them. They may have little or no control over the fact that they have been brainwashed out of balance. Have a little sympathy.
It is unfair -but necessary- that blind people not be allowed to drive. It is also unfair -but necessary- that those suffering from SSR not be allowed sit on the bench, make laws, or serve as TSA personnel.
I propose that street smarts be included as a new section on the SATs and graduate school admittance exams. Here is a sample question.
You find yourself walking alone, lost, late at night in an unfamiliar deserted neighborhood. Suddenly you see a very large man coming towards you. You notice that the whites of his eyes are yellow and glassy. He appears not to have bathed for weeks. You notice the handle of a gun sticking out of the waistband of his jeans. This person also happens to be African American. In response:
A. You assume that this guy is dangerous, has hepatitis and a substance abuse problem. You think it is possible that he might rob you or worse. You turn around and run in the opposite direction as fast as you possibly can.
B. You are not sure if this guy is good or bad. Maybe he is just homeless and hungry and intends you no harm. Nonetheless, as he nears you make sure your finger is on the trigger of your mace... just in case.
C. This poor man is one of God's beloved creatures, a member of the human race just like yourself. Maybe he lost his job as a corporate executive at IBM last week in the last round of job cuts. Maybe his job was outsourced to India. Poor thing. He was likely abused and neglected as a little boy. Now the pitiful bloke is downtrodden and homeless. Hey! Maybe he can give you good directions! As he nears closer, you grab your wallet. You want to give him some cash for a hot meal.
Friday, August 25
Lolly's Got It Right
Someone tell me. If it is okay for insurance companies to profile in order to secure profits, why can't airlines profile in order to save lives? A teenage boy pays more for car insurance than a forty something, married soccer mom. Such rates are based on statistics, not personal habits. Well, until you get into an accident or receive a speeding ticket, that is.
Muslim radicals must be laughing at us. They can count on political correctness and pathetic naive policies to assist them in carrying out their terrorism plots against us. I thought assisted suicide was illegal in this country.
I'm not Muslim or from the Middle East. Nonetheless, if (female) airport security wants to do a body cavity check or even a pelvic exam before my next flight, I will endure it. After all, it would be less invasive than being blown to bits over the Atlantic Ocean.
Instead of calling it "The War on Terror" it should be named "The War to Continue and Embrace American Stupidity."
Someone Check. Are Bill's Eyes Permanently Crossed?
Yup. Billy fell off the wagon and has been playing with his thingy again. I don't think Bill understands why it is so hard for his regular readers to cope with his nasty habit of frequently changing his blog format.
Bill, remember the contrived "New Coke" controversy? Imagine if Nestle announced it would begin adding raisins to all Hershey bars. What if the Wall Street Journal started dotting i's with a big bubbly hearts? What if District 150 announced it was going to take over ancient Glen Oak Park, cover it in asphalt, and place a big, ugly, new fangled institution there? Oh, yeah. That's right...
This is Peoria, Dude. We despise change. Now knock it off before it falls off!
Bill, remember the contrived "New Coke" controversy? Imagine if Nestle announced it would begin adding raisins to all Hershey bars. What if the Wall Street Journal started dotting i's with a big bubbly hearts? What if District 150 announced it was going to take over ancient Glen Oak Park, cover it in asphalt, and place a big, ugly, new fangled institution there? Oh, yeah. That's right...
This is Peoria, Dude. We despise change. Now knock it off before it falls off!
Monday, August 14
Lies, Damned Lies, and Blogging
Polly is in a state of flux. Re-evaluating my place in blog world you might say.
There is a lot going on in the world that I would love to blog on. For starters, Thank God the ACLU doesn't have any pull in Britain. How did British authorities ascertain imminent terrorist attacks via air planes? Wide spread intelligence gathering. Keeping in mind the alleged terrorists were targeting international American flights, I think every U.S. citizen owes a big "Thank you and God Save the Queen" to the diligence and common sense of the British government.
Ah... but I digress. What I wanted to write about was the minor controversy swirling about my blog and the numerous pictures I have posted and the false claims as to my identity. I'm not going to justify anything. Dishonesty and fantasy has been repeatedly implemented on PollyPeoria by its author. My attitude has been, "It's just a blog. It's supposed to be fun. I can post anything that I find amusing and represent myself as anything/one that I believe my twelve devoted readers will find amusing." I really didn't think anyone would take an anonymous blog too seriously. There are upscale, upstanding, responsible, professional blogs out there. This just isn't one of them.
Some of the devoted twelve have e-mailed me to disagree. Since I have come to respect a few of them, I'm reconsidering my attitude, my blogging ethics, and whether or not to remain anonymous. I have to remain anonymous due to work and personal relationships that I hold dear. So the real question is whether or not to remain anonymous or remain at all. Well, whether PollyPeoria should remain at all, that is.
I've underestimated how much I've come to enjoy venting by blog. It has been a healthy experience. I have really come to appreciate what I consider to be blogging's biggest perk: My quirky opinions and my tendency to debate endlessly now only annoy those who choose to read PollyPeoria. Those who choose to be annoyed. I no longer (unknowingly) verbally assault people at bars and cocktail parties. My significant other no longer dreads taking me out in public or to social functions. I have been slow to learn that not everyone enjoys heated political discussions, and some even get their feelings hurt when confronted about their views and beliefs. Imagine that!
I've been a bit surprised as to how strongly some folks feel about the false pics and my fantasy identity. I apologize. I never considered myself a journalist and in my -admittedly- odd world, I didn't think I was being unethical. I figured as long as I wasn't downloading anything artsy, copywrited or trying to make people believe I was seriously Scarlet Johansson, morally I was in the clear. I have attempted to protect my identity, true, but I have also tried to create an identity that makes clear who I am not. Every now and then I will get an e-mail that says something to the effect, "Because of your opinions on ________, everyone at work thinks I'm PollyPeoria and is giving me a hard time. I think PollyPeoria is an idiot and I wish you would post the fact that you- whoever you are, Dumbass- is not _____________." I am sympathetic to those falsely accused of being me. I mean Polly. So, occasionally I have posted a fantasy piece with the purpose of building up my alter identity and also makes it clear that Polly could simply not be George Bush, because George Bush would never mud wrestle. Well, maybe he would, but he would get his ass kicked.
Some folks keep things simple. Back and white. They are who they are and they would never dream of misrepresenting themselves on a blog. Nothing wrong with that, admirable even. I insulted a few of these people by not adhering to the same high standards of transparency. For that, alone, I apologize. Not for being transparent, but because I didn't mean to insult anyone. I simply believe(d?) that it was okay to employ falsehoods on something I never meant to have been taken too seriously.
The problem is that I did have quite a few serious posts that I did want taken seriously. I have blogged on some fairly weighty issues, and certainly didn't want my posts on abortion, gay marriage, or the war in Lebanon to be taken as jokes. I didn't think co-mingling the serious with the silly -meant to misrepresent my identity- as a problem. I thought the divisions between serious and silly were obvious. I have been informed that they weren't.
So Polly is pondering. Even know it all Polly can be wrong. Maybe. I guess. Sorta.
There is a lot going on in the world that I would love to blog on. For starters, Thank God the ACLU doesn't have any pull in Britain. How did British authorities ascertain imminent terrorist attacks via air planes? Wide spread intelligence gathering. Keeping in mind the alleged terrorists were targeting international American flights, I think every U.S. citizen owes a big "Thank you and God Save the Queen" to the diligence and common sense of the British government.
Ah... but I digress. What I wanted to write about was the minor controversy swirling about my blog and the numerous pictures I have posted and the false claims as to my identity. I'm not going to justify anything. Dishonesty and fantasy has been repeatedly implemented on PollyPeoria by its author. My attitude has been, "It's just a blog. It's supposed to be fun. I can post anything that I find amusing and represent myself as anything/one that I believe my twelve devoted readers will find amusing." I really didn't think anyone would take an anonymous blog too seriously. There are upscale, upstanding, responsible, professional blogs out there. This just isn't one of them.
Some of the devoted twelve have e-mailed me to disagree. Since I have come to respect a few of them, I'm reconsidering my attitude, my blogging ethics, and whether or not to remain anonymous. I have to remain anonymous due to work and personal relationships that I hold dear. So the real question is whether or not to remain anonymous or remain at all. Well, whether PollyPeoria should remain at all, that is.
I've underestimated how much I've come to enjoy venting by blog. It has been a healthy experience. I have really come to appreciate what I consider to be blogging's biggest perk: My quirky opinions and my tendency to debate endlessly now only annoy those who choose to read PollyPeoria. Those who choose to be annoyed. I no longer (unknowingly) verbally assault people at bars and cocktail parties. My significant other no longer dreads taking me out in public or to social functions. I have been slow to learn that not everyone enjoys heated political discussions, and some even get their feelings hurt when confronted about their views and beliefs. Imagine that!
I've been a bit surprised as to how strongly some folks feel about the false pics and my fantasy identity. I apologize. I never considered myself a journalist and in my -admittedly- odd world, I didn't think I was being unethical. I figured as long as I wasn't downloading anything artsy, copywrited or trying to make people believe I was seriously Scarlet Johansson, morally I was in the clear. I have attempted to protect my identity, true, but I have also tried to create an identity that makes clear who I am not. Every now and then I will get an e-mail that says something to the effect, "Because of your opinions on ________, everyone at work thinks I'm PollyPeoria and is giving me a hard time. I think PollyPeoria is an idiot and I wish you would post the fact that you- whoever you are, Dumbass- is not _____________." I am sympathetic to those falsely accused of being me. I mean Polly. So, occasionally I have posted a fantasy piece with the purpose of building up my alter identity and also makes it clear that Polly could simply not be George Bush, because George Bush would never mud wrestle. Well, maybe he would, but he would get his ass kicked.
Some folks keep things simple. Back and white. They are who they are and they would never dream of misrepresenting themselves on a blog. Nothing wrong with that, admirable even. I insulted a few of these people by not adhering to the same high standards of transparency. For that, alone, I apologize. Not for being transparent, but because I didn't mean to insult anyone. I simply believe(d?) that it was okay to employ falsehoods on something I never meant to have been taken too seriously.
The problem is that I did have quite a few serious posts that I did want taken seriously. I have blogged on some fairly weighty issues, and certainly didn't want my posts on abortion, gay marriage, or the war in Lebanon to be taken as jokes. I didn't think co-mingling the serious with the silly -meant to misrepresent my identity- as a problem. I thought the divisions between serious and silly were obvious. I have been informed that they weren't.
So Polly is pondering. Even know it all Polly can be wrong. Maybe. I guess. Sorta.
Saturday, August 5
Wednesday, August 2
Passion of the Pathetic
I admit it. I'm a Mel Gibson fan. Not huge or anything. In fact, I've never seen Braveheart or even Mad Max. I did see Passion of the Christ and was impressed that such a solid film was directed by a celeb who starred in all those cop action flicks. I don't think I've seen any of those either. As celebs go, I've always put Gibson in the Good Guy column. He comes off as a nice guy. He's been married to the same woman forever, and has something like a gazillion kids. Plus, he is easy on the eyes. Although Mel's years of smoking have caught up with him. Well, his skin anyway. He's got that turkey neck thing going on. As usual, I digress.
Mel is sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry so sorry for anti Semitic comments he made during his DUI arrest last weekend. He now wants Jewish leaders to meet with him to discuss what is required for Mel to "heal." That's all well and good, I guess, if he is sincere and not just trying to retrieve his career out of the crapper.
What gets me is that Gibson seems to regret his words more than his actions. That is, he is more bothered by his claim, "Jews start all the wars in the world" than he regrets getting behind the wheel of car drunker than a skunk, and driving 80 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. zone. Yes, I know Gibson blames the "disease of alcoholism" and I don't doubt that he qualifies as an alcoholic. I just think Mel and the media should be as concerned that Gibson actually committed an act that could have easily gotten innocent people killed. Maybe if I wrote he committed an act that could have gotten innocent Jewish people killed, my point would be better made. I'm not Jewish, and I freely admit that if Mel had said something rude about women or my religion, I would be pissed- but not as pissed as I would be about the drunk driving.
Gibson's words were both hateful and shameful. However, more fuss is being made over his words (by both the media and Mel) than his CRIME. Like it or not, racist speech is constitutionally protected. This is America. You are free to be an ignorant ass if you want to. Driving in a manner that could have plunged a family off Highway One and into the Pacific Ocean deserves a little jail time. Mel is a repeat offender when it comes to driving drunk. I can buy alcoholism is a disease that is difficult to control. However, I don't buy that one has an addiction to driving while drunk. If Mel could string a bunch of anti Semitic remarks as well as drive a speeding car, I think he was capable of using a phone and a credit card and calling for a taxi.
I really hope Mel gets his meeting and healing with Jewish leaders... while behind bars.
Mel is sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry so sorry for anti Semitic comments he made during his DUI arrest last weekend. He now wants Jewish leaders to meet with him to discuss what is required for Mel to "heal." That's all well and good, I guess, if he is sincere and not just trying to retrieve his career out of the crapper.
What gets me is that Gibson seems to regret his words more than his actions. That is, he is more bothered by his claim, "Jews start all the wars in the world" than he regrets getting behind the wheel of car drunker than a skunk, and driving 80 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. zone. Yes, I know Gibson blames the "disease of alcoholism" and I don't doubt that he qualifies as an alcoholic. I just think Mel and the media should be as concerned that Gibson actually committed an act that could have easily gotten innocent people killed. Maybe if I wrote he committed an act that could have gotten innocent Jewish people killed, my point would be better made. I'm not Jewish, and I freely admit that if Mel had said something rude about women or my religion, I would be pissed- but not as pissed as I would be about the drunk driving.
Gibson's words were both hateful and shameful. However, more fuss is being made over his words (by both the media and Mel) than his CRIME. Like it or not, racist speech is constitutionally protected. This is America. You are free to be an ignorant ass if you want to. Driving in a manner that could have plunged a family off Highway One and into the Pacific Ocean deserves a little jail time. Mel is a repeat offender when it comes to driving drunk. I can buy alcoholism is a disease that is difficult to control. However, I don't buy that one has an addiction to driving while drunk. If Mel could string a bunch of anti Semitic remarks as well as drive a speeding car, I think he was capable of using a phone and a credit card and calling for a taxi.
I really hope Mel gets his meeting and healing with Jewish leaders... while behind bars.
Saturday, July 29
Some Girls Have All the Fun...
This pic is for Scott J. Because I failed to check my blog mail in a timely manner, I missed out on a party at his place which included both beer and mud wrestling. Two of my favorite pastimes. This took place during a work/charity event last Spring. I got to wrestle my former supervisor and sink my boss in the dunk tank. Good day. It was supposed to be all fun and games, but I did my damndest to make her eat dirt. We raised A LOT of money that day. I highly recommend this gimmick for any other professional fundraisers out there.
Saturday, July 22
Why Polly Can't be President
Okay, I know I'm heading into troubled water here, but I've had CNN on non stop for days now and I can think of little else than the Israel/Lebanon conflict. Seriously, I really need to turn off the tube, but Polly is painting her entire first floor this weekend and I need the company. At this point I can lip sink Headline News, and have come to the conclusion that we are a nation of freaks, who grow ever more freakier for the chance to see our obese selves on CNN. I'm never eating again. Celery and Diet Coke for life, I tell you.
Anyhoo, I digress. I began squarely on Israel's side. I did. Hezbollah should have never crossed the line and kidnapped the two Israeli soldiers. Stupid decision. But then Israel starts launching attacks left and right, killing innocent civilians and blowing up the infrastructure of a poor country that has been struggling to rebuild after its last civil war. Hezbollah exists within Lebanon, no doubt, but it is NOT Lebanon. The KKK is not America. Everyone involved and not involved agrees that Lebanon's infant government is impotent in ridding the country of Hezbollah. It also seems all are in agreement that Syria and Iran are to blame. Then why in the hell is Israel punishing innocent citizens and demanding the ultimate sacrifice for another's crimes? Don't bother whining to me about 9/11 and Afghanistan. Two victimized soldiers by Hezbollah is not equal to 3,000 murdered by the Taliban. Yes, I know that Hezbollah has caused Israeli fatalities in all of this, but not nearly as many, and only after Israel started firing at will. To me, it looks like Israel was just itching for a reason to bomb their neighbor.
It will end one of two ways. Diplomatically, with a prisoner exchange. Not likely. Or Israel will occupy Lebanon until it believes it has adequately bombed and disarmed Hezbollah (learn from our mistakes guys, not freaking likely) leaving Lebanon once again in tatters, and the rest of the Middle East itching to pay Israel and it best buddy, the U.S., a nice heaping dose of revenge. Oh! Along with two dead, but immensely precious Israeli soliders to boot.
What the hell does Connie Rice mean when she stated, "There is no point and nothing to be gained by a "premature cease fire?" Well, Con, how about the prevention of the extermination of innocent lives? Something you would think Israel -and the educated world- would well understand, let alone practice.
As troops amass to storm into Lebanon, I can only predict that it won't be much longer before the United States puts its big, fat mouth/thumb into this mess resulting making the whole thing worse. To that end, I say we give the country that yells "Uncle" first the entire state of Nevada. Or Nebraska. We don't need it. Surely we can find another place to dump our nation's nuclear waste or house our cattle. I know Nevada and Nebraska aren't the holy real estate that Israel or Lebanon are, but something's gotta give, and I don't see this ages old conflict ending unless someone moves. I know, I know, and I agree - they all deserve a homeland. So, lets give them a chunk of ours. "We" stole from the Indians, now's a chance to make amends by giving stolen property to a deserving war weary people. Israeli and Lebanese both qualify.
Any takers?
Anyhoo, I digress. I began squarely on Israel's side. I did. Hezbollah should have never crossed the line and kidnapped the two Israeli soldiers. Stupid decision. But then Israel starts launching attacks left and right, killing innocent civilians and blowing up the infrastructure of a poor country that has been struggling to rebuild after its last civil war. Hezbollah exists within Lebanon, no doubt, but it is NOT Lebanon. The KKK is not America. Everyone involved and not involved agrees that Lebanon's infant government is impotent in ridding the country of Hezbollah. It also seems all are in agreement that Syria and Iran are to blame. Then why in the hell is Israel punishing innocent citizens and demanding the ultimate sacrifice for another's crimes? Don't bother whining to me about 9/11 and Afghanistan. Two victimized soldiers by Hezbollah is not equal to 3,000 murdered by the Taliban. Yes, I know that Hezbollah has caused Israeli fatalities in all of this, but not nearly as many, and only after Israel started firing at will. To me, it looks like Israel was just itching for a reason to bomb their neighbor.
It will end one of two ways. Diplomatically, with a prisoner exchange. Not likely. Or Israel will occupy Lebanon until it believes it has adequately bombed and disarmed Hezbollah (learn from our mistakes guys, not freaking likely) leaving Lebanon once again in tatters, and the rest of the Middle East itching to pay Israel and it best buddy, the U.S., a nice heaping dose of revenge. Oh! Along with two dead, but immensely precious Israeli soliders to boot.
What the hell does Connie Rice mean when she stated, "There is no point and nothing to be gained by a "premature cease fire?" Well, Con, how about the prevention of the extermination of innocent lives? Something you would think Israel -and the educated world- would well understand, let alone practice.
As troops amass to storm into Lebanon, I can only predict that it won't be much longer before the United States puts its big, fat mouth/thumb into this mess resulting making the whole thing worse. To that end, I say we give the country that yells "Uncle" first the entire state of Nevada. Or Nebraska. We don't need it. Surely we can find another place to dump our nation's nuclear waste or house our cattle. I know Nevada and Nebraska aren't the holy real estate that Israel or Lebanon are, but something's gotta give, and I don't see this ages old conflict ending unless someone moves. I know, I know, and I agree - they all deserve a homeland. So, lets give them a chunk of ours. "We" stole from the Indians, now's a chance to make amends by giving stolen property to a deserving war weary people. Israeli and Lebanese both qualify.
Any takers?
Monday, July 17
But What TYPE of Gay?
Awhile back I watched an Oprah Winfrey show which featured Melissa Etheridge and Dolly Parton as guests. Melissa Etheridge asked Dolly Parton whether or not she believed homosexuals should be allowed to marry. Dolly Parton replied, "Hell, Yes! Equal rights! Why shouldn't you all have to suffer like the rest of us?"
The silly season is upon us, otherwise known as elections. Gay marriage seems to once again to reign as the supreme issue de jour. Petitions have been signed. Voters will be asked to define, constitutionally, what exactly constitutes a marriage. Courts are weighing in on the matter en masse.
To be honest, I am not completely comfortable with gay marriage. However, I can't honestly think of a logical reason to justify preventing it. It is traditional to allow only one man and one woman to marry. So what? The most heinous of society's ills were traditional at one point or another. Slavery, for instance. At one point in this country it was traditional to burn women at the stake if society thought they were witches. Frankly, a lot of traditions annoy the hell out of me. My significant other's family has a "tradition" of letting the women slave away in the kitchen on huge meals during holidays while the menfolk watch football. After the men gorge themselves, they return to worship the television while the women wash the dishes. Sucky tradition. I asked my significant other why his name was printed first on everything. From checks to address labels to junk mail, the guy's name always seems to come first. My significant other justified it by shrugging and saying, "It's tradition babe." Huh. I thought "ladies first" and alphabetical order were also traditional, but the tradition of sexism tends to take priority over both of the aforementioned. Tradition alone as a justification to ban gay marriage doesn't wash.
How about the breakdown of society? How do you figure? Allowing two consenting adults to marry is going to somehow going to threaten civilization? What, two men get married and suddenly people will want marriage to include three or more people or even pets? Not likely. Marriage represents a lifetime commitment to another person. Folks who are into three or more ways don't strike me as the committed type.
It isn't natural. It isn't? Who says? Anyone who has watched rabbits, deer or dogs have likely witnessed homosexuality in species other than humans. I have heard some argue that if homosexuality were, in fact, "natural" or alright with the All Mighty, homosexual intercourse would result in conception. Like there is a shortage of people? Our species is on the verge of extinction is it? If humans are threatened it is because there are too many of us depleting resources. Homosexuality has been with us since ancient times. Perhaps it is nature's or God's way of preventing over population. Don't misunderstand me. I think gays can make good parents. There are plenty of kids out there who have been neglected and abused by heterosexual parents.
With a divorce rate of over fifty percent, it would seem that heterosexuals are the biggest threat to the institution of marriage. It would seem that most heterosexuals have difficulty maintaining and staying committed to a member of the opposite sex.
The full truth is that there is a certain type of gay that I find revolting. It isn't homosexuality in and of itself. Two women or two men in a committed relationship don't threaten or disgust me. However, I have been to Castro Street in San Francisco, seen a gay parade or two in Chicago, and seen a television series or two which all seem to promote a lifestyle that is absolutely perverted.
Think of the "Jack" character on NBC's Will and Grace. Heterosexual or homosexual, if your sexual desires overshadow absolutely everything in your life, you've got problems. That is, if ALL you are is a sexual being, regardless of sexual preference, well, you would fall into my "icky" category as a person. Over sexual beings exist in both worlds. Think of the guy at the bar with his shirt unbuttoned to his navel, the sleaze who has wondering eyes and hands, desperately trying to score with anything female. Icky. I wouldn't want the Jack character or the barfly to be my children's teacher or coaching little league. I don't want to have to rent an apartment to them. They are not normal. I don't trust the judgment of either of them. I don't hate either of them, but I do think they have made sex into something unhealthy and some personality disorder, perversion, or at a minimum- a sexually transmitted disease, likely lies in each.
On the other hand, I have no problem with the "Will" character on Will and Grace. Will represented most of us, I think. He sought a partner to share his life, have children, and grow old with. Most of society shares the same goals. Nothing abnormal there. I'm not a prude, and I'm not saying that sex should be outlawed for those who are not married. I'm not sure I would define sexual intercourse as a "sacred act" even within a marriage. Puhleeze. Is there a married person out there that didn't pursue sex with her or his spouse as a cure for insomnia? Nonetheless, most of us more mature non-prudes, who have lived long enough to have a few regrets, can likely admit- there are few things less satisfying and ultimately more lonely than a one night stand.
It seems to me that the easiest way to try to stamp out the perverted type of homo AND hetero sexual is for society to embrace and promote marriage for both. Society has much to gain from mature adults in committed relationships. Society has much to fear from those who promote sex as just another bodily function, nothing more special than, say, blowing one's nose or going to the bathroom.
The silly season is upon us, otherwise known as elections. Gay marriage seems to once again to reign as the supreme issue de jour. Petitions have been signed. Voters will be asked to define, constitutionally, what exactly constitutes a marriage. Courts are weighing in on the matter en masse.
To be honest, I am not completely comfortable with gay marriage. However, I can't honestly think of a logical reason to justify preventing it. It is traditional to allow only one man and one woman to marry. So what? The most heinous of society's ills were traditional at one point or another. Slavery, for instance. At one point in this country it was traditional to burn women at the stake if society thought they were witches. Frankly, a lot of traditions annoy the hell out of me. My significant other's family has a "tradition" of letting the women slave away in the kitchen on huge meals during holidays while the menfolk watch football. After the men gorge themselves, they return to worship the television while the women wash the dishes. Sucky tradition. I asked my significant other why his name was printed first on everything. From checks to address labels to junk mail, the guy's name always seems to come first. My significant other justified it by shrugging and saying, "It's tradition babe." Huh. I thought "ladies first" and alphabetical order were also traditional, but the tradition of sexism tends to take priority over both of the aforementioned. Tradition alone as a justification to ban gay marriage doesn't wash.
How about the breakdown of society? How do you figure? Allowing two consenting adults to marry is going to somehow going to threaten civilization? What, two men get married and suddenly people will want marriage to include three or more people or even pets? Not likely. Marriage represents a lifetime commitment to another person. Folks who are into three or more ways don't strike me as the committed type.
It isn't natural. It isn't? Who says? Anyone who has watched rabbits, deer or dogs have likely witnessed homosexuality in species other than humans. I have heard some argue that if homosexuality were, in fact, "natural" or alright with the All Mighty, homosexual intercourse would result in conception. Like there is a shortage of people? Our species is on the verge of extinction is it? If humans are threatened it is because there are too many of us depleting resources. Homosexuality has been with us since ancient times. Perhaps it is nature's or God's way of preventing over population. Don't misunderstand me. I think gays can make good parents. There are plenty of kids out there who have been neglected and abused by heterosexual parents.
With a divorce rate of over fifty percent, it would seem that heterosexuals are the biggest threat to the institution of marriage. It would seem that most heterosexuals have difficulty maintaining and staying committed to a member of the opposite sex.
The full truth is that there is a certain type of gay that I find revolting. It isn't homosexuality in and of itself. Two women or two men in a committed relationship don't threaten or disgust me. However, I have been to Castro Street in San Francisco, seen a gay parade or two in Chicago, and seen a television series or two which all seem to promote a lifestyle that is absolutely perverted.
Think of the "Jack" character on NBC's Will and Grace. Heterosexual or homosexual, if your sexual desires overshadow absolutely everything in your life, you've got problems. That is, if ALL you are is a sexual being, regardless of sexual preference, well, you would fall into my "icky" category as a person. Over sexual beings exist in both worlds. Think of the guy at the bar with his shirt unbuttoned to his navel, the sleaze who has wondering eyes and hands, desperately trying to score with anything female. Icky. I wouldn't want the Jack character or the barfly to be my children's teacher or coaching little league. I don't want to have to rent an apartment to them. They are not normal. I don't trust the judgment of either of them. I don't hate either of them, but I do think they have made sex into something unhealthy and some personality disorder, perversion, or at a minimum- a sexually transmitted disease, likely lies in each.
On the other hand, I have no problem with the "Will" character on Will and Grace. Will represented most of us, I think. He sought a partner to share his life, have children, and grow old with. Most of society shares the same goals. Nothing abnormal there. I'm not a prude, and I'm not saying that sex should be outlawed for those who are not married. I'm not sure I would define sexual intercourse as a "sacred act" even within a marriage. Puhleeze. Is there a married person out there that didn't pursue sex with her or his spouse as a cure for insomnia? Nonetheless, most of us more mature non-prudes, who have lived long enough to have a few regrets, can likely admit- there are few things less satisfying and ultimately more lonely than a one night stand.
It seems to me that the easiest way to try to stamp out the perverted type of homo AND hetero sexual is for society to embrace and promote marriage for both. Society has much to gain from mature adults in committed relationships. Society has much to fear from those who promote sex as just another bodily function, nothing more special than, say, blowing one's nose or going to the bathroom.
Monday, July 3
Friday, June 16
Lying Liars and the suckers who give em money
I received an e-mail today that included the following:
"BTW, does it annoy anyone else how many restaurants, mainly the chains (Appleby’s, Chili’s) don’t include their alcoholic drink prices on their menu? I find that terribly insulting. They seem to want to intimidate or embarrass you against asking. And when you do ask how much the top shelf margarita is, the wait person often doesn’t know (or acts like they don’t know) and have to go ask. All part of the strategy to get you to order overpriced drinks."
I don't eat at Applebee's or Chili's or chain restaurants much, so I don't know if this is true. Can anyone else comment on this?
I don't know why exactly I avoid chains. It isn't snobbery or a personal policy. I'm a big fan of Krispy Kreme. Hey! Bill Spears! Any word on when they are going to resume construction on their Peoria store!? I like Lester's too. But watching the donuts being made is neat and yes, fine entertainment.
This drink scheme, if it is real, wouldn't surprise me. I have found that most big chain restaurants tend to be less clean, with longer waits, huge portions of food that really amount to nothing more than a hulking plate of salt and lard. Not that Polly is above a good dose of lard and salt, but I go to Hardee's for that if I'm in the mood for it.
Another scheme I've been subjected to -and would really like to know if anyone else has experienced this- is telemarketers who solicit for charities by saying,
"Ms. Peoria? Hello. I'm Golly Goody from Widows and Orphans of Whale Hunters of Alabama. I want to thank you so much for your generous support of our organization in the past. I see that you gave $40.00 last year during our annual begathon. Can we can count on you for another $40.00 this year?"
Essentially Ms Goody is implying that I've been a good soul in the past, they love me. I've supported them before, so how can I slam the door on them now? Here's the thing. I have never ever given to any of these charities. I know, because I never, ever pledge money over the phone. EVER. These charities are trying to raise money with an out and out bald faced LIE, which makes me wonder if these aren't just boiler room scam artists.
LATELY, IT SEEMS EVERY CHARITY TELEMARKETER SEEMS TO THINK I'VE GIVEN MONEY TO THEM IN THE PAST. Polly is good. Polly is kind. Polly is neither that good, kind, or rich.
Any one else out there experience any of the above? I say we start cracking down!
"BTW, does it annoy anyone else how many restaurants, mainly the chains (Appleby’s, Chili’s) don’t include their alcoholic drink prices on their menu? I find that terribly insulting. They seem to want to intimidate or embarrass you against asking. And when you do ask how much the top shelf margarita is, the wait person often doesn’t know (or acts like they don’t know) and have to go ask. All part of the strategy to get you to order overpriced drinks."
I don't eat at Applebee's or Chili's or chain restaurants much, so I don't know if this is true. Can anyone else comment on this?
I don't know why exactly I avoid chains. It isn't snobbery or a personal policy. I'm a big fan of Krispy Kreme. Hey! Bill Spears! Any word on when they are going to resume construction on their Peoria store!? I like Lester's too. But watching the donuts being made is neat and yes, fine entertainment.
This drink scheme, if it is real, wouldn't surprise me. I have found that most big chain restaurants tend to be less clean, with longer waits, huge portions of food that really amount to nothing more than a hulking plate of salt and lard. Not that Polly is above a good dose of lard and salt, but I go to Hardee's for that if I'm in the mood for it.
Another scheme I've been subjected to -and would really like to know if anyone else has experienced this- is telemarketers who solicit for charities by saying,
"Ms. Peoria? Hello. I'm Golly Goody from Widows and Orphans of Whale Hunters of Alabama. I want to thank you so much for your generous support of our organization in the past. I see that you gave $40.00 last year during our annual begathon. Can we can count on you for another $40.00 this year?"
Essentially Ms Goody is implying that I've been a good soul in the past, they love me. I've supported them before, so how can I slam the door on them now? Here's the thing. I have never ever given to any of these charities. I know, because I never, ever pledge money over the phone. EVER. These charities are trying to raise money with an out and out bald faced LIE, which makes me wonder if these aren't just boiler room scam artists.
LATELY, IT SEEMS EVERY CHARITY TELEMARKETER SEEMS TO THINK I'VE GIVEN MONEY TO THEM IN THE PAST. Polly is good. Polly is kind. Polly is neither that good, kind, or rich.
Any one else out there experience any of the above? I say we start cracking down!
Monday, June 12
Best. Eyecandy. Ever.
Like every intelligent being on the planet, I have serious concerns about the war in Iraq. Or, as, my president calls it, "The War on Terror." I would just really like some confirmation that the majority of Iraqi citizens want us there.
Have no doubt. I adore our troops and they have my undying appreciation and respect. This was just sent to me. Actually, I've received it three times today. Polly loves a man in uniform. Especially this one. (Look closely at the badges under the American flag.)
Sunday, June 11
Copperworks. Yummy goodness.
It was almost too pretty to eat. For a second I forgot I was in Peoria. Tavern on the Green in Central Park, or some haute cafe in Paris, but no, I was at Copperworks located in the stripmall on the corner of Pioneer Parkway and Knoxville. The presentation of my sea bass marinated in miso accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes looked like something that required a structural engineer to create. I hated to mess it up by diving my fork into it, but sometimes beauty and art must be sacrificed for appetite.
Yummy. Yummy. Over twenty four hours ago and I'm still gushing. Copperworks isn't cheap, but not overpriced. I ordered the sea bass, my friend ordered the bacon wrapped beef filet with garlic mashed potatoes. Between us we also consumed the artichoke dip appetizer, a beer, two glasses of wine, and one apple dumpling dessert. Salads were included with the entrees and came with an age balsamic vinaigrette. The bill was $88.00 plus tip. Well spent moola. Can't wait to go again.
They had a live band in the bar area, jazz, very sultry female singer. Good atmosphere. The walnut covered, stuffy country club motif of the former Jim's Steakhouse is gone. No noticeable ruminants remain. The walls are dark navy blue. My only gripe is the furniture, which had a decidedly conference room feel. Black tables, metal legs, and chairs which were comfy enough, but looked like they were better suited for the CAT cafeteria. However, with food so tasty, such a critique is petty.
I'm going back... and soon. They offered a pork and polenta dish I just gotta try. Seven and French Toast have some serious competition.
I might have to rename my blog PiggyPolly.
Yummy. Yummy. Over twenty four hours ago and I'm still gushing. Copperworks isn't cheap, but not overpriced. I ordered the sea bass, my friend ordered the bacon wrapped beef filet with garlic mashed potatoes. Between us we also consumed the artichoke dip appetizer, a beer, two glasses of wine, and one apple dumpling dessert. Salads were included with the entrees and came with an age balsamic vinaigrette. The bill was $88.00 plus tip. Well spent moola. Can't wait to go again.
They had a live band in the bar area, jazz, very sultry female singer. Good atmosphere. The walnut covered, stuffy country club motif of the former Jim's Steakhouse is gone. No noticeable ruminants remain. The walls are dark navy blue. My only gripe is the furniture, which had a decidedly conference room feel. Black tables, metal legs, and chairs which were comfy enough, but looked like they were better suited for the CAT cafeteria. However, with food so tasty, such a critique is petty.
I'm going back... and soon. They offered a pork and polenta dish I just gotta try. Seven and French Toast have some serious competition.
I might have to rename my blog PiggyPolly.
To DeWayne Bartels, With Deep Sympathy
I read in the PJ Star Obituaries this past week that DeWayne Bartels' mother recently passed away. For those of you who don't know him, DeWayne is a reporter for the Peoria Times Observer and an occasional PollyPeoria commenter.
Sometimes I get the Times Observer, sometimes I don't. Apparently I live on the border of what is considered "North Peoria." Although I don't always agree with Bartels, I always find his articles stimulating. I get really cranky when I have to walk a few blocks in order to steal someone else's Observer.
Take care DeWayne. I will be thinking of you and your family during this sad time.
Love,
Polly
Wednesday, May 31
The Nerve!!!
I received a letter from the internet slumlords over at Insight Cable today. Frankly, I expected a check crediting me for the huge chunks of down time I've suffered due to Insight's invisible upgrades. No such luck. Instead, Insight congratulated me on being an Insight sucker/customer for a whole year now. They also informed me that Insight is going to continue my low introductory rate of thirty bucks a month for providing me internet service when and if they feel like it. Next came an e-mail from the dorkwads at Insight letting me know that my service "may" be disrupted June 3rd while they make yet even more invisible upgrades. Yup. Sounds like Polly will once again only be able to blog via smoke signals soon.
Tax supported wi-fi is looking better and better and even slightly justified lately.
BTW, did anyone see Gary Sandberg at the Council meeting a few weeks back when he stated that disrupted internet service was not a serious issue?! Are you kidding me? I guess we know who Sandberg's internet provider isn't.
Tax supported wi-fi is looking better and better and even slightly justified lately.
BTW, did anyone see Gary Sandberg at the Council meeting a few weeks back when he stated that disrupted internet service was not a serious issue?! Are you kidding me? I guess we know who Sandberg's internet provider isn't.
Another Chutzpah Award Nominee....
And Bill is going to hate this one!
Sandra Fritz
Sandra Fritz gathered over 400 signatures to convince City Council to deny Elliot's strip club liquor license. She addressed City Council numerous times on the issue. Fritz also got an advisory referendum on the ballot, asking voters whether or not they felt full nudity should be allowed at "adult entertainment" establishments. Her latest endeavor was to help secure enough signatures pursuing a "marriage protection" measure -also advisory- on the next ballot. Fritz wants the state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
I gotta admit, I hesitated before adding Fritz to the list because I disagree with some of her beliefs. However, it is the Chutzpah Award and adding Sandra Fritz's name to the hat seems justified. She speaks up and she does a lot a work to back up her beliefs and a desire to make Peoria a safer place. Moreover, I don't find Fritz hateful... just a bit out dated perhaps.
I can't resist. Anyone who watches the nightly news ought to have noticed that there are PLENTY of married, heterosexual perverts and predators out there.
Sandra Fritz
Sandra Fritz gathered over 400 signatures to convince City Council to deny Elliot's strip club liquor license. She addressed City Council numerous times on the issue. Fritz also got an advisory referendum on the ballot, asking voters whether or not they felt full nudity should be allowed at "adult entertainment" establishments. Her latest endeavor was to help secure enough signatures pursuing a "marriage protection" measure -also advisory- on the next ballot. Fritz wants the state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
I gotta admit, I hesitated before adding Fritz to the list because I disagree with some of her beliefs. However, it is the Chutzpah Award and adding Sandra Fritz's name to the hat seems justified. She speaks up and she does a lot a work to back up her beliefs and a desire to make Peoria a safer place. Moreover, I don't find Fritz hateful... just a bit out dated perhaps.
I can't resist. Anyone who watches the nightly news ought to have noticed that there are PLENTY of married, heterosexual perverts and predators out there.
Sunday, May 28
More Chutzpah Nominations
Lots of responses in my e-mailbox regarding my request asking for suggestions for the PollyPeoria Chutzpah Award. New additions to the list of nominees are:
Norma Ellington
Rosilee Walker
Patrick McNamara
Lila Manion
Dale Hunziker
There have been several other nominees suggested, but I have decided that anyone who has run for any political office or occupies a political office cannot qualify. It's my award, I can be a hardass if I wanna.
Norma Ellington
Rosilee Walker
Patrick McNamara
Lila Manion
Dale Hunziker
There have been several other nominees suggested, but I have decided that anyone who has run for any political office or occupies a political office cannot qualify. It's my award, I can be a hardass if I wanna.
Thursday, May 25
Introducing the 2006 PollyPeoria Chutzpah Award. And the nominees are....
I've noticed that Peoria has various entities that bestow awards on well deserving individuals. "Forty Under Forty" comes to mind. The YWCA recently honored Peoria City Clerk Mary Haynes for her exemplary service in government. No one deserves it more. How Mary greets every over the top request from media, citizens, and City Council with hard work, effort, and a smile is a miraculous mystery to say the least.
This morning I read that Bruce Brown was given the "Leaguer of the Year" award by the League of Women Voters. I wonder, did he have to dress in drag to accept that one? I like Bruce Brown. Energetic, optimistic, idealistic, and intelligent. A rare combination now days. However, every time I see him I am daunted by one question: "How does Bruce Brown stay SO tan 365 days a year?!" It is hard to imagine a guy like Bruce vain enough to go to a tanning salon or using bronzer, but Peoria is grey nine months of the year and the man spends most of his time cooking and slaving away at his Peoria Heights restaurant, Paparazzi.
Once again, I digress.
Anyhoo, it seems to Polly that the accolades go not only to the well deserving, but also to the well known. Perhaps the two go hand in hand. It seems to me that some credit should be paid to those who stand up and demand better for their neighborhoods. Those average Joans and Joes who attend charrettes, City Council meetings, organize neighborhood clean ups and block parties. The ones who are active in their Neighborhood Associations, plant flowers, and refuse to surrender their homes and streets to thugs who have nothing better to do than terrorize hard working, tax paying property owners.
I don't always agree with these people, but damn, I always admire their chutzpah. These folks aren't politicians, they aren't necessary media savvy, and they don't tend to dress up or practice sound bites for the camera. They just demand to be heard and cry "Foul!" when the rest of us are too tired, busy, shy, or just plain lazy to shoulder our fair share of civic burden.
The following folks come to mind:
Paul Wilkinson
Levetta Ricca
Karen Ratledge
Sara Partridge
Karrie Alms
Mitch Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell
I'm sure that I'm leaving a lot of well deserving people off the list, so I'm taking suggestions. As well as nominees, I would like ideas on a good prize. I'm looking for something meaningful and creative... in lieu of costly. Polly is on a strict budget. Way too much shoe shopping lately. I'm thinking about a golden (spray painted) megaphone.
You can leave a comment with your nominee and or prize suggestion, or e-mail it to pollypeoria@yahoo.com
Saturday, May 20
An Exceedingly Long Post Regarding Washington Gifted (Puke) School.
My neighbor's fourth grade son recently found out that he got into Washington Gifted Middle School. Jordan and his parents have been graciously low key about it. I wouldn't have known had I not noticed that Jordan has taken on the appearance of a true tween as of late, no longer willing to wear the well coordinated and clean attire that his mother previously picked for him. Lately, I would guess that Jordan picks his clothes out of the garbage dumpster located behind Goodwill. Poor hygiene and tattered clothes... key ingredients of a healthy heterosexual American male. Jordan is only ten, and thus a bit ahead of schedule.
Anyhoo, a couple of weeks back I was pulling weeds in my yard and watching Jordan shooting baskets in his driveway. It dawned on me that Jordie was no longer a cute puffy cheek little kid that could be bought off with a slightly burnt chocolate chip cookie. Instead, Jordan has become a sloppy, slouchy, sullen pre-teen. Angst without a cause. Cool without a clue. What fond memories. My mother is still in therapy.
"Hey Jordy!" I say with a smile and the sin of enthusiasm.
"Um, Ms. Polly? Like, nobody calls me that."
"They don't? Not even your mom?"
"Especially not my mom. Jeeze!"
"So, what do you go by these days?"
Ew. Polly made the mistake of trying too hard with a tween. I am screwed. This kid will definitely be throwing reams of toilet paper in my trees sooner rather than later. It was an honest mistake. I really thought the boy was going to tell me he had a street name to accessorize his recently acquired swagger.
The boy tilted his head back, sighs as if the world's problems rested on his shoulders alone, and gave me an eye roll before muttering a disgusted reply. "My name, Ms Polly. I go by my name. You know, Jordan?"
Polly can speak tween. Really, I can. One merely need to pretend that enunciating and projecting one's voice in a polite manner is as irritating and inconvenient as, say, plucking one's nose hairs.
"Yeah. Right. Jordan. Whatever. Middle school next year?"
"Yup."
"Which one?"
"Washington."
Polly is able to stop herself before saying something tragically uncool. You know, something to the effect of a perky "Congratulations!" or worse, "Your parents must be so proud!"
Instead, I opted for, "No surprise there." Perfect. Now the pre-pube has no idea how to respond in a hip manner.
After a brief pause Jordan shrugs and mutters, "Guess."
"Christy going too?" Christy is Jordan's twin sister who recently fell in love with her hair. Every time I see her, Christy has a hair brush in hand, pulling it through her mane. Yesterday I witnessed Christy brushing her hair while dragging a bag of garbage to the curb.
"Nope. Chris wouldn't even take the tests. She says Washington is a dank nerd hole."
"Is it?"
"I dunno. Orientation is tonight."
"Going?"
"I dunno. My dad's plane got delayed in Chicago. Mom has to work."
Polly has deep sympathy for anyone who must travel for a living. Lately, airports have come to resemble corporate cattle ranches. Substitute cattle for exhausted ticket holding business travelers and ranchers for airline employees who couldn't give a rat's ass about the people they are paid to serve and you'll get the picture. Except that I imagine ranchers actually care more about the well being of cows they are about to kill. But I digress...
"I could drop you off if your Dad doesn't get back in time."
"Um. That'd be okay."
Polly's good deed was really just an excuse to give up on exterminating my dandelions, plus I saw a rare opportunity to actually acquire a little knowledge on a topic -Peoria Public Schools- that I blog about rather often.
Say what you will about District 150. Poor schools, poor test scores, under achieving students, dilapidated buildings, etc. The very best middle school in the state is a District 150 school. Right here in little old Piddly Peoria. Washington Gifted Middle School. This fact made me proud until I attended to the orientation.
I imagined that Washington would consist of students that lived throughout the City, including the Southside and East Bluff of every color and socio-economic level. Ha! I saw two black kids in attendance. There were no kids from Loucks or Harrison. One from Whittier. Just about every kid hailed from Kellar, Charter Oak, or Northmoor Edison. It would seem that Washington Gifted could be more aptly named NORTH Peoria Gifted.
I learned that a combination of scores and factors are used to deem a child worthy of acceptance to Washington Gifted. The ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills), Cognitive Abilities Test, as well as the Weschler Intelligence Scale test (an I.Q. test) as well as grades and teacher recommendation are required. I find it odd that one needs to do well on an I.Q. test to get into Washington, but not to get into Harvard University. It would seem District 150 doesn't just want hard working, high achieving performers, but those who are organically intelligent as well. In other words, DNA gets the nod. Puke.
Think I'm over blowing it? Consider this. Principal Joan Wojcikewych opening remarks included the statement, "Children, you should thank your parents for being here and admitted to Washington. Studies have proven time and again that gifted children come from gifted parents." I thought this was a joke, until I noticed that I was the only one in the room chuckling. Why would it be a joke? Ms. Wojcikewych felt the need to inform us that she had birthed and raised five gifted children herself. Puke.
It was an evening of gifted this and gifted that. Gifted. Gifted. Gifted. Got really sick of the word after about five minutes. I imagined that Washington would be the a place where kids who loved school and academics would have a place to shine and pursue their interests. More experiments and projects instead of pop quizzes and tests. Less need for discipline and greater freedom to explore. Forget that.
We were informed that a Washington eighth grader received one point short of a perfect score on the ACT test this year. ACT test? The scores used when applying for college? Why would an eight grader be taking the ACTs?! We heard how well Washington prepares kids for honors high school courses, ACTs, SATs and college. High school? College? Hello! THESE KIDS ARE TEN!!! Let them be kids for Pete's sake!
As for discipline, we were informed that five students were boot kicked out of Washington for poor performance last year. Not even a veiled threat. Gosh, so if your DNA doesn't live up to expectations they remove you from the better stock? THESE KIDS ARE TEN!!! Why would anyone want to put that kind of pressure on fifth graders? Puke. Puke. Puke.
Think I'm misinterpreting? Consider the following handout that was included in the orientation packet. Remember, this handout was given to those who had already been ACCEPTED to Washington Gifted.
HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY A GIFTED CHILD? (Note: The Principal called special attention to this flyer. She wanted us to know that there is a difference between being gifted and "just being bright." Puke.)
The Bright Child...........................................The Gifted Child
Knows the answers.................................................Asks the questions.
Is interested......................................................Is highly curious.
Is attentive.....................................Is mentally and physically involved.
Has good ideas.................................................Has wild, silly ideas.
Works hard..............................................Plays around, yet tests well.
Answers the questions................................Discusses in detail, elaborates.
Is in top group..................................................Is beyond the group.
Listens with interest.............................Shows strong feelings and opinions.
Learns with ease.......................................................Already knows.
Needs 6-8 repetitions for mastery................Needs 1-2 repetitions for mastery.
Understands ideas............................................Constructs abstractions.
Enjoys peers..........................................................Prefers adults.
Grasps the meaning..................................................Draws inferences.
Completes assignments.............................................Initiates projects.
Is receptive..............................................................Is intense.
Copies accurately...............................................Creates a new design.
Enjoys school........................................................Enjoys learning.
Absorbs information..........................................Manipulates information.
Is a technician.......................................................Is an inventor.
Is a good memorizer................................................Is a good guesser.
Enjoys straightforward sequential presentation.............Thrives on complexity.
Is alert.........................................................Is keenly observant.
Is pleased with own learning.................................Is highly self-critical.
If you believe the above and your child is hard working, well adjusted, has good sense of self worth and is a top student... well, your offspring is simply not good enough for Washington Gifted.
On the other hand, if your kid is a genius due to biology, is socially retarded and highly self critical, and is one who "plays around, yet tests well...." Your kid is in the right place.
Puke. Puke. Puke. Biology over hard work? What are these people thinking?! Eugenics? Moreover, in this era of Bush's No Child Left Behind, how is it fair to take the best and the brightest out of schools like Lindberg and Mark Bills and place them in Washington? Doesn't that hurt "regular" schools which must show improvement every year on test scores in order to remain off the watch list?
I was a proud fan of Washington Gifted before I went to the orientation. Now I'm rather horrified. We don't live in a gifted world. Are we doing these kids any favors by having them off by themselves, alone with their "own kind" for four years? If these kids "prefer adults to peers" and spend their days with those who do as well, don't they run the risk of being social outcasts when they reach high school? Using these standards to determine who is and isn't gifted might really be setting these kids up for a lot of pain and disappointment rather than providing an enlightened education.
The orientation packet contained an enrollment form. The very first word on the form in uppercase bold letters "Washington", followed by the words "State" and "Background" were all spelled incorrectly. No. I'm not kidding. Apparently District 150's spellcheck isn't gifted.
Anyhoo, a couple of weeks back I was pulling weeds in my yard and watching Jordan shooting baskets in his driveway. It dawned on me that Jordie was no longer a cute puffy cheek little kid that could be bought off with a slightly burnt chocolate chip cookie. Instead, Jordan has become a sloppy, slouchy, sullen pre-teen. Angst without a cause. Cool without a clue. What fond memories. My mother is still in therapy.
"Hey Jordy!" I say with a smile and the sin of enthusiasm.
"Um, Ms. Polly? Like, nobody calls me that."
"They don't? Not even your mom?"
"Especially not my mom. Jeeze!"
"So, what do you go by these days?"
Ew. Polly made the mistake of trying too hard with a tween. I am screwed. This kid will definitely be throwing reams of toilet paper in my trees sooner rather than later. It was an honest mistake. I really thought the boy was going to tell me he had a street name to accessorize his recently acquired swagger.
The boy tilted his head back, sighs as if the world's problems rested on his shoulders alone, and gave me an eye roll before muttering a disgusted reply. "My name, Ms Polly. I go by my name. You know, Jordan?"
Polly can speak tween. Really, I can. One merely need to pretend that enunciating and projecting one's voice in a polite manner is as irritating and inconvenient as, say, plucking one's nose hairs.
"Yeah. Right. Jordan. Whatever. Middle school next year?"
"Yup."
"Which one?"
"Washington."
Polly is able to stop herself before saying something tragically uncool. You know, something to the effect of a perky "Congratulations!" or worse, "Your parents must be so proud!"
Instead, I opted for, "No surprise there." Perfect. Now the pre-pube has no idea how to respond in a hip manner.
After a brief pause Jordan shrugs and mutters, "Guess."
"Christy going too?" Christy is Jordan's twin sister who recently fell in love with her hair. Every time I see her, Christy has a hair brush in hand, pulling it through her mane. Yesterday I witnessed Christy brushing her hair while dragging a bag of garbage to the curb.
"Nope. Chris wouldn't even take the tests. She says Washington is a dank nerd hole."
"Is it?"
"I dunno. Orientation is tonight."
"Going?"
"I dunno. My dad's plane got delayed in Chicago. Mom has to work."
Polly has deep sympathy for anyone who must travel for a living. Lately, airports have come to resemble corporate cattle ranches. Substitute cattle for exhausted ticket holding business travelers and ranchers for airline employees who couldn't give a rat's ass about the people they are paid to serve and you'll get the picture. Except that I imagine ranchers actually care more about the well being of cows they are about to kill. But I digress...
"I could drop you off if your Dad doesn't get back in time."
"Um. That'd be okay."
Polly's good deed was really just an excuse to give up on exterminating my dandelions, plus I saw a rare opportunity to actually acquire a little knowledge on a topic -Peoria Public Schools- that I blog about rather often.
Say what you will about District 150. Poor schools, poor test scores, under achieving students, dilapidated buildings, etc. The very best middle school in the state is a District 150 school. Right here in little old Piddly Peoria. Washington Gifted Middle School. This fact made me proud until I attended to the orientation.
I imagined that Washington would consist of students that lived throughout the City, including the Southside and East Bluff of every color and socio-economic level. Ha! I saw two black kids in attendance. There were no kids from Loucks or Harrison. One from Whittier. Just about every kid hailed from Kellar, Charter Oak, or Northmoor Edison. It would seem that Washington Gifted could be more aptly named NORTH Peoria Gifted.
I learned that a combination of scores and factors are used to deem a child worthy of acceptance to Washington Gifted. The ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills), Cognitive Abilities Test, as well as the Weschler Intelligence Scale test (an I.Q. test) as well as grades and teacher recommendation are required. I find it odd that one needs to do well on an I.Q. test to get into Washington, but not to get into Harvard University. It would seem District 150 doesn't just want hard working, high achieving performers, but those who are organically intelligent as well. In other words, DNA gets the nod. Puke.
Think I'm over blowing it? Consider this. Principal Joan Wojcikewych opening remarks included the statement, "Children, you should thank your parents for being here and admitted to Washington. Studies have proven time and again that gifted children come from gifted parents." I thought this was a joke, until I noticed that I was the only one in the room chuckling. Why would it be a joke? Ms. Wojcikewych felt the need to inform us that she had birthed and raised five gifted children herself. Puke.
It was an evening of gifted this and gifted that. Gifted. Gifted. Gifted. Got really sick of the word after about five minutes. I imagined that Washington would be the a place where kids who loved school and academics would have a place to shine and pursue their interests. More experiments and projects instead of pop quizzes and tests. Less need for discipline and greater freedom to explore. Forget that.
We were informed that a Washington eighth grader received one point short of a perfect score on the ACT test this year. ACT test? The scores used when applying for college? Why would an eight grader be taking the ACTs?! We heard how well Washington prepares kids for honors high school courses, ACTs, SATs and college. High school? College? Hello! THESE KIDS ARE TEN!!! Let them be kids for Pete's sake!
As for discipline, we were informed that five students were boot kicked out of Washington for poor performance last year. Not even a veiled threat. Gosh, so if your DNA doesn't live up to expectations they remove you from the better stock? THESE KIDS ARE TEN!!! Why would anyone want to put that kind of pressure on fifth graders? Puke. Puke. Puke.
Think I'm misinterpreting? Consider the following handout that was included in the orientation packet. Remember, this handout was given to those who had already been ACCEPTED to Washington Gifted.
HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY A GIFTED CHILD? (Note: The Principal called special attention to this flyer. She wanted us to know that there is a difference between being gifted and "just being bright." Puke.)
The Bright Child...........................................The Gifted Child
Knows the answers.................................................Asks the questions.
Is interested......................................................Is highly curious.
Is attentive.....................................Is mentally and physically involved.
Has good ideas.................................................Has wild, silly ideas.
Works hard..............................................Plays around, yet tests well.
Answers the questions................................Discusses in detail, elaborates.
Is in top group..................................................Is beyond the group.
Listens with interest.............................Shows strong feelings and opinions.
Learns with ease.......................................................Already knows.
Needs 6-8 repetitions for mastery................Needs 1-2 repetitions for mastery.
Understands ideas............................................Constructs abstractions.
Enjoys peers..........................................................Prefers adults.
Grasps the meaning..................................................Draws inferences.
Completes assignments.............................................Initiates projects.
Is receptive..............................................................Is intense.
Copies accurately...............................................Creates a new design.
Enjoys school........................................................Enjoys learning.
Absorbs information..........................................Manipulates information.
Is a technician.......................................................Is an inventor.
Is a good memorizer................................................Is a good guesser.
Enjoys straightforward sequential presentation.............Thrives on complexity.
Is alert.........................................................Is keenly observant.
Is pleased with own learning.................................Is highly self-critical.
If you believe the above and your child is hard working, well adjusted, has good sense of self worth and is a top student... well, your offspring is simply not good enough for Washington Gifted.
On the other hand, if your kid is a genius due to biology, is socially retarded and highly self critical, and is one who "plays around, yet tests well...." Your kid is in the right place.
Puke. Puke. Puke. Biology over hard work? What are these people thinking?! Eugenics? Moreover, in this era of Bush's No Child Left Behind, how is it fair to take the best and the brightest out of schools like Lindberg and Mark Bills and place them in Washington? Doesn't that hurt "regular" schools which must show improvement every year on test scores in order to remain off the watch list?
I was a proud fan of Washington Gifted before I went to the orientation. Now I'm rather horrified. We don't live in a gifted world. Are we doing these kids any favors by having them off by themselves, alone with their "own kind" for four years? If these kids "prefer adults to peers" and spend their days with those who do as well, don't they run the risk of being social outcasts when they reach high school? Using these standards to determine who is and isn't gifted might really be setting these kids up for a lot of pain and disappointment rather than providing an enlightened education.
The orientation packet contained an enrollment form. The very first word on the form in uppercase bold letters "Washington", followed by the words "State" and "Background" were all spelled incorrectly. No. I'm not kidding. Apparently District 150's spellcheck isn't gifted.
Wednesday, May 10
Painful Cramping? Bloating? Stomach Discomfort?
Nah. It isn't gas. It's just Polly's already swollen ego inflating even further. PollyPeoria got a nice write up in the Peoria Times North Observer today. Page 3. I wasn't even edited. I take back all the mean things I've ever written about you DeWayne Bartels!
My poor, poor significant other... I'm going to be SO hard to live with now. Er, as if I wasn't before. Yo! Babe, peel me a grape would cha? Also, I could really use a foot massage. Steak for dinner tonight, right?
Ah, glory and glamour of the wannabe famous/pseudoanonymous. Eat your heart out Vonster.
Kiss My Crown, Peoria!!!
To my thirteen devoted readers: Don't worry- Polly will be deflated and put in her proper place tonight by her beloved family, friends and co-workers. By tomorrow I anticipate I will return to my humble yet, know-it-all self.
My poor, poor significant other... I'm going to be SO hard to live with now. Er, as if I wasn't before. Yo! Babe, peel me a grape would cha? Also, I could really use a foot massage. Steak for dinner tonight, right?
Ah, glory and glamour of the wannabe famous/pseudoanonymous. Eat your heart out Vonster.
Kiss My Crown, Peoria!!!
To my thirteen devoted readers: Don't worry- Polly will be deflated and put in her proper place tonight by her beloved family, friends and co-workers. By tomorrow I anticipate I will return to my humble yet, know-it-all self.
Monday, May 8
Insight Cable Blows.
It blows chunks, in fact.
My broadband was down for two days, because Insight is "upgrading." Now that I can once again receive the internet, I cannot find any discernible changes let alone upgrades. I did receive an urgent e-mail from Insight informing me that my service would be disrupted shorterm for yet even more upgrades in the next few days.
And I thought SBC sucked.
Anyway, Polly is seriously considering moving to the Peoria Airport. I can sleep on the benches. Watch sports on big screen t.v., and my laptop never has a problem receiving their FREE wi-fi. Hey! C.J! I finally found Utopia!
My broadband was down for two days, because Insight is "upgrading." Now that I can once again receive the internet, I cannot find any discernible changes let alone upgrades. I did receive an urgent e-mail from Insight informing me that my service would be disrupted shorterm for yet even more upgrades in the next few days.
And I thought SBC sucked.
Anyway, Polly is seriously considering moving to the Peoria Airport. I can sleep on the benches. Watch sports on big screen t.v., and my laptop never has a problem receiving their FREE wi-fi. Hey! C.J! I finally found Utopia!
Friday, April 28
Upgrade the Airport? Why?!
WEEK TV reports that our main airport guru is fighting for upgrades. You know what I think? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Okay, I know we lost our direct flights to Denver and Orlando, but I still like the Peoria Airport. Free parking! Try finding that at any other airport. I feel safe at PIA, even late at night. The furnishings aren't modern, but they are spotlessly clean. PIA's bathrooms are the cleanest in town. The wi-fi works, works well, and is free. When my broadband is down, I've been known to go to PIA to suck up the free wi-fi. Frankly, what's not to like? The airport is rarely crowded, the staff is friendly. If you arrive with only a few minutes to spare before your flight, they still have time for the post 9/11 body cavity search without bitterness.
I know, I know, it costs quite a bit more to fly in and out of a smaller market like Peoria. When I'm not traveling on my bosses dime, I fly out of Chicago or St. Louis. However, even if they upgrade the airport, that won't change. A new terminal? Lots of huge airports have added palatial terminals for not. Unlike a new school building, a new terminal will not bring more people to Peoria. Airlines can't afford to locate hubs or add flights simply because a particular airport has plush surroundings. They go where the travelers go. They go where the money goes. Ever fly in or out of Chicago's Midway Airport? It is a cess pool. A busy, profitable cess pool.
The Peoria Airport is a blast from the past. A retro experience. I say recover the gate chairs in burnt orange, harvest gold, avocado green, and sea foam green vinyl, add a Starbucks to go along with the wi-fi, and call it a day.
Okay, I know we lost our direct flights to Denver and Orlando, but I still like the Peoria Airport. Free parking! Try finding that at any other airport. I feel safe at PIA, even late at night. The furnishings aren't modern, but they are spotlessly clean. PIA's bathrooms are the cleanest in town. The wi-fi works, works well, and is free. When my broadband is down, I've been known to go to PIA to suck up the free wi-fi. Frankly, what's not to like? The airport is rarely crowded, the staff is friendly. If you arrive with only a few minutes to spare before your flight, they still have time for the post 9/11 body cavity search without bitterness.
I know, I know, it costs quite a bit more to fly in and out of a smaller market like Peoria. When I'm not traveling on my bosses dime, I fly out of Chicago or St. Louis. However, even if they upgrade the airport, that won't change. A new terminal? Lots of huge airports have added palatial terminals for not. Unlike a new school building, a new terminal will not bring more people to Peoria. Airlines can't afford to locate hubs or add flights simply because a particular airport has plush surroundings. They go where the travelers go. They go where the money goes. Ever fly in or out of Chicago's Midway Airport? It is a cess pool. A busy, profitable cess pool.
The Peoria Airport is a blast from the past. A retro experience. I say recover the gate chairs in burnt orange, harvest gold, avocado green, and sea foam green vinyl, add a Starbucks to go along with the wi-fi, and call it a day.
Monday, April 24
This Just In From Councilman Bob Manning...
Okay, it isn't "just" in. It came in awhile back, last Monday, April 17th to be exact. I work for a living -well, kinda- and I don't check my blog e-mail as often as I should. My apologies to the Councilman. Anyhoo, a few posts back I accused Bob of not playing nice by giving snarky e-mails exchanged between himself and School Board members regarding the proposed new Glen Oak Park School to Jen Davis at the Journal Star. I thought it was tacky and went against Mayor Ardis' kinder, gentler, at-least-pretend-to-be-an-adult version of government. Polly stands humbly corrected:
Polly --
As was noted in the Word on the Street column, Jennifer Davis FOIA'd my emails with the School Board members. I did not volunteer them to her. When this whole story originally broke, she asked me if I had spoken with any School Board members about it. I said that I had emailed a couple of them with my concerns, but I did not name the board members. That was the end of it. Big questions remain. Why are School Board members, Peoria Park District trustees, and PHA officials planning in secret? Why do their timelines keep changing? Why have they failed, to this day, to share their comprehensive plans with the public and the City Council? Those who have already built model community schools elsewhere have stated that public dialogue, neighborhood input/support, and community participation were critical to the schools' success. None of this is being done in Peoria. These decisions will affect generations to come and will affect much more than just the East Bluff. I believe that we should get it right the first time around.
Bob Manning
Polly has never been so elegantly put in her place. Got to admit. I rather enjoyed it. What Bob is ever so politely trying to convey is that Polly should remove her head from her arse and read the entire article (not just every fifth word) before posting snide inaccuracies. Point taken. Bad blogger. Bad, bad blogger.
I still favor the idea of a new school. It seems to me that Glen Oak Park would be the perfect place for a community "B thru 8" school. Moreover, I think Glen Oak Park is a yet another beautiful but decaying Peoria landmark. A new school at the proposed location could do a lot for the park as well as the surrounding neighborhood and the East Bluff.
However, I readily admit that the School Board could not have come up with a more idiotic, controversial, dorkwad way of going about selling this idea to the Public.
BTW, isn't Manning cute?
Thursday, April 20
This just in...
THE GRANDVIEW HOTEL IS TO BE DEMOLISHED!!! The new owner of Junction City has closed on the property. Sometime this summer the dump is coming down. They are still debating as what to put up in its place. Anyone wanting to take a swing at the crime ridden cess pool may do so if they are willing to write a check for $500 to charity.
So, it is true. Chase has gone away. Rejoice Peoria. Rejoice.
So, it is true. Chase has gone away. Rejoice Peoria. Rejoice.
Insight Sucks
Sorry for the lack of posts. Could not get on the internet yesterday. All day. Some sort of maintenance issues that were not supposed to interrupt service but did, ALL DAY AND NIGHT. Called Insight and asked for a credit. My ears are still bleeding from the high pitched wails of laughter. Jerk wads.
Monday, April 17
I'm back!
Sorry. It seems I brought San Francisco's gloomy weather back with me. Seriously, were it not for the incredible food at every turn, I would have felt my vacation sucked. We got rained out except for the last day, so I didn't get to do much of the San Francisco touristy stuff, which I admit I enjoy. San Francisco is such a pretty city, and not just because of its ocean view. People take a lot of pride in the appearance of their homes, property, and public parks. From what I witnessed, litter is rare, even in the less affluent neighborhoods. Wish we could import some of that pride and attitude to Peoria.
I ended my news blackout yesterday and I wish I hadn't. Iran is training 40,000 suicide bombers to react if the U.S. is successful in halting its nuke progress?! Welcome to the new Cold War, people.
Today's Word on the Street column echoes a familiar theme. What is with secret meetings and local government? The School Board and Park District stole a page or two from the Ran$burg/Nixon book of politics and quietly decided where the new school should be located without public or, worse, City Council input. Third District Councilman Bob Manning is peeved, and glibly shared private e-mails proving as much with the Journal Star. Cute, but remember paybacks are a bitch, Bob. I seriously doubt publishing those e-mails are going to do anything for the much bragged about new and improved City Council and District 150 School Board relations. Methinks Mayor Ardis needs to sit Manning down and sing a round or two of "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore."
If the public doesn't want the new school to be located in Glen Oak Park in won't happen. If home owners don't want to sell to the District, they won't. Emanate domain, you say? Lawsuits, I say. Plenty of them. Really expensive ones too. Polly's prediction: The School will happen in the proposed space or not at all. The idea of a new school is more controversial than the location. I would be willing to wager that most of the homeowners along that strip of Propsect would be happy to sell for a halfway decent price. Based on 30 million dollar toilet seats, and Government's general tendency to overpay, District 150 will pay more than homeowners could ever get on the open market and they know it. Did anyone else hear East Bluff homeowners jumping up and down, joyfully rejoicing after OSF's grand expansion announcement? Commonsense would lead one to believe that people who live in crummy, high crime neighborhoods would likely leave them if they had the funds to do so.
Concerns about traffic on Prospect are bogus. People don't let their kids walk to school anymore. Check the state police website. There are almost a thousand registered sexual perverts in the East Bluff zip code alone. Even if kids did walk, safety could be addressed by building pedestrian bridges or overpasses. Moreover, the state's best middle school, Washington Gifted, is located on War Memorial, which is far busier and dangerous than piddly Prospect any day.
While munching Dim Sum in China Town, I caught a snippet of the Oprah Show. She did a special on American public schools in crisis. Oprah interviewed an expert who, I thought, made a valid point. Habitat matters. Kids who attend crummy, crumbling schools don't feel valued by society. The message Society sends, and what these kids hear is, "We don't value you. We don't expect you to succeed. We aren't going to waste our time or energy making an investment in your future."
Is there anything more dangerous than low expectations? I keep reading on my and other blogs comments like, "Glen Oak School was good enough for me 'back in the day', why isn't it good enough now?" Well, Pops, Glen Oak School and institutions like it were still nice "back in the day." Back in the day, society cared enough to build and maintain institutions that were good enough for and worthy of you. Times have changes. Codes have changed. Standards have changed. Buildings have decayed. Kids need to learn much, much, much more than readin, 'ritin, 'rithmetic to succeed in the modern world. "Back in the day" a high school education was more than adequate. Today, my plumber uses a computer, and my car mechanic requires more technical knowledge than the biggest science geek alive "back in the day."
I am gulping Pepto by the gallon after writing a check in the five digits to Uncle Sam yesterday. No, I'm not rich. This year the NYSE was kind to me, and, thus, I must be kind Uncle Sam. Nonetheless, I still have a budget. I still work to make ends meet. I hate taxes, mostly because I can't shake the feeling that most of my tax money goes towards government waste and not basic services. Regardless, I would be willing to pay significantly more if we could do right by properly educating today's kids.
After all, do you want an educated accountant or a disgruntled thug picking out your nursing home?
I ended my news blackout yesterday and I wish I hadn't. Iran is training 40,000 suicide bombers to react if the U.S. is successful in halting its nuke progress?! Welcome to the new Cold War, people.
Today's Word on the Street column echoes a familiar theme. What is with secret meetings and local government? The School Board and Park District stole a page or two from the Ran$burg/Nixon book of politics and quietly decided where the new school should be located without public or, worse, City Council input. Third District Councilman Bob Manning is peeved, and glibly shared private e-mails proving as much with the Journal Star. Cute, but remember paybacks are a bitch, Bob. I seriously doubt publishing those e-mails are going to do anything for the much bragged about new and improved City Council and District 150 School Board relations. Methinks Mayor Ardis needs to sit Manning down and sing a round or two of "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore."
If the public doesn't want the new school to be located in Glen Oak Park in won't happen. If home owners don't want to sell to the District, they won't. Emanate domain, you say? Lawsuits, I say. Plenty of them. Really expensive ones too. Polly's prediction: The School will happen in the proposed space or not at all. The idea of a new school is more controversial than the location. I would be willing to wager that most of the homeowners along that strip of Propsect would be happy to sell for a halfway decent price. Based on 30 million dollar toilet seats, and Government's general tendency to overpay, District 150 will pay more than homeowners could ever get on the open market and they know it. Did anyone else hear East Bluff homeowners jumping up and down, joyfully rejoicing after OSF's grand expansion announcement? Commonsense would lead one to believe that people who live in crummy, high crime neighborhoods would likely leave them if they had the funds to do so.
Concerns about traffic on Prospect are bogus. People don't let their kids walk to school anymore. Check the state police website. There are almost a thousand registered sexual perverts in the East Bluff zip code alone. Even if kids did walk, safety could be addressed by building pedestrian bridges or overpasses. Moreover, the state's best middle school, Washington Gifted, is located on War Memorial, which is far busier and dangerous than piddly Prospect any day.
While munching Dim Sum in China Town, I caught a snippet of the Oprah Show. She did a special on American public schools in crisis. Oprah interviewed an expert who, I thought, made a valid point. Habitat matters. Kids who attend crummy, crumbling schools don't feel valued by society. The message Society sends, and what these kids hear is, "We don't value you. We don't expect you to succeed. We aren't going to waste our time or energy making an investment in your future."
Is there anything more dangerous than low expectations? I keep reading on my and other blogs comments like, "Glen Oak School was good enough for me 'back in the day', why isn't it good enough now?" Well, Pops, Glen Oak School and institutions like it were still nice "back in the day." Back in the day, society cared enough to build and maintain institutions that were good enough for and worthy of you. Times have changes. Codes have changed. Standards have changed. Buildings have decayed. Kids need to learn much, much, much more than readin, 'ritin, 'rithmetic to succeed in the modern world. "Back in the day" a high school education was more than adequate. Today, my plumber uses a computer, and my car mechanic requires more technical knowledge than the biggest science geek alive "back in the day."
I am gulping Pepto by the gallon after writing a check in the five digits to Uncle Sam yesterday. No, I'm not rich. This year the NYSE was kind to me, and, thus, I must be kind Uncle Sam. Nonetheless, I still have a budget. I still work to make ends meet. I hate taxes, mostly because I can't shake the feeling that most of my tax money goes towards government waste and not basic services. Regardless, I would be willing to pay significantly more if we could do right by properly educating today's kids.
After all, do you want an educated accountant or a disgruntled thug picking out your nursing home?
Tuesday, April 11
Polly is here:
But if it makes anyone feel better, I left my heart in Peoria. Well, a bit of it anyway. Actually, what really might bring joy, comfort and a hearty "Nah, Nah, Nah Nah!" to my thirteen devoted fans -That's twelve more than Luciano and ten more than Mike Bailey, by the way- is the fact that it is warmer in Peoria than northern California. It's sweatshirt weather here.
I checked the Journal Star on line this morning, it seems that you all have found plenty of trouble without my help. Note to self. No more Downtown bar hopping.
Can I tell you? The food they have in this town is incredible! And the coffee is to die for. It is a blessing that the weather is not swimsuit worthy. After yesterday's numerous meals and chocolate truffles, I don't think I can fit my arse into a swimming suit ever again. Totally worth it.
I will post when I can. Try to be good. And if anyone sees Chase, someone give him a good smack for me, will ya? His comments on the proposed new school are as vile as ever. (I would censor the jerk, but this IS America and you can be wrong/a racist asswipe if you wanna. Then again, it is MY blog...)
Off to eat pasta in North Beach.
Love,
Polly
Friday, April 7
Polly's Reply
Sean,
Thanks for replying. Your answers provide some comfort. However, I take issue with your contention:
"There has been only one decision by the District, and that is where
the school will be located. We feel that is solely our call based on
what we believe is best for the children who will attend the school."
Solely the Board's call? Not likely. Kind of begging to be put in your place on that one, Sean. The sole commandment and most important element of real estate is, of course, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. The location of this proposed school will remain the most controversial element of the entire plan and therefore the Public should have been privy to it before said decision was cast. Polly predicts "the one decision [made] by the District" will be the first one vetoed by the public. Considering the location would require homes to be demolished and that the proposed property trade with the Housing Authority could result in public subsidized housing built on the old Glen Oak School site, it amazes me that the School Board didn't predict public outrage on its location "decision."
I appreciate and admire the District's relatively low debt. However, the District still has seven years until its current debt is paid. It is too early to celebrate by acquiring more debt, which is what a bond represents. Moreover, the District needs to come up with a plan to reign its personnel costs before the Public will embrace any new construction. You could build the public school B-8 equivalent of Harvard, but unless and until The Board solves its "annual spending problem", the best new school will solve nothing. In fact, you will ruin the one thing the District may have going for it- it's comparable low debt. No person, business, or institution with a serious "cash flow problem" would be well advised to solve the situation with yet more debt.
As I see it, The Board has four options:
1. Cut waste and/or expenses, (Think Edison)
2. Re-negotiate contracts/benefits with Unions, (Think strike)
3. Raise taxes, (Think bodyguard)
4. Combination of the above. (Think riots)
I think number four is the most responsible alternative, although it won't be popular. I'd rather chew glass than take your job. If your goal is to make Peoria Public Schools the place where parents want to have their kids get an education LONG TERM, The Board must admit and respond to all of its financial problems/mistakes. Otherwise a new school, regardless of its location, is simply frosting on a manure cake.
God speed,
Polly
Thanks for replying. Your answers provide some comfort. However, I take issue with your contention:
"There has been only one decision by the District, and that is where
the school will be located. We feel that is solely our call based on
what we believe is best for the children who will attend the school."
Solely the Board's call? Not likely. Kind of begging to be put in your place on that one, Sean. The sole commandment and most important element of real estate is, of course, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. The location of this proposed school will remain the most controversial element of the entire plan and therefore the Public should have been privy to it before said decision was cast. Polly predicts "the one decision [made] by the District" will be the first one vetoed by the public. Considering the location would require homes to be demolished and that the proposed property trade with the Housing Authority could result in public subsidized housing built on the old Glen Oak School site, it amazes me that the School Board didn't predict public outrage on its location "decision."
I appreciate and admire the District's relatively low debt. However, the District still has seven years until its current debt is paid. It is too early to celebrate by acquiring more debt, which is what a bond represents. Moreover, the District needs to come up with a plan to reign its personnel costs before the Public will embrace any new construction. You could build the public school B-8 equivalent of Harvard, but unless and until The Board solves its "annual spending problem", the best new school will solve nothing. In fact, you will ruin the one thing the District may have going for it- it's comparable low debt. No person, business, or institution with a serious "cash flow problem" would be well advised to solve the situation with yet more debt.
As I see it, The Board has four options:
1. Cut waste and/or expenses, (Think Edison)
2. Re-negotiate contracts/benefits with Unions, (Think strike)
3. Raise taxes, (Think bodyguard)
4. Combination of the above. (Think riots)
I think number four is the most responsible alternative, although it won't be popular. I'd rather chew glass than take your job. If your goal is to make Peoria Public Schools the place where parents want to have their kids get an education LONG TERM, The Board must admit and respond to all of its financial problems/mistakes. Otherwise a new school, regardless of its location, is simply frosting on a manure cake.
God speed,
Polly
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