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.