southtownstar.suntimes.com

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:54:00 -0500

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Our View: Different kind of ‘fog of war’

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:52:26 -0500

This is the month dedicated to remembering the wars America has fought and honoring those who paid with their lives in defense of their country. We value our debt to them. But as this new century of permanent war rolls toward the middle of its second decade, are we learning to forget war, or at least overlook it, all the while we fight it? We have set up an unwinnable debate in the national soul. Few argue about Afghanistan, the one that never goes away. Few question its cost, even as we continue to pay it. We don’t want to …

Forum: Honor our veterans this weekend

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:52:14 -0500

Memorial Day is the time to remember all veterans, living and dead, and to show them how much you appreciate the sacrifices they have made so we can have the freedom we share. Millions of men and women have given their time away from their families, have suffered life-changing wounds and have made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for their country and their fellow Americans. It only will take a short time to attend a ceremony this weekend to honor our veterans. Forget the shopping, cookouts and fun and games until after you pay your respects. It’s especially …

Speak Out for May 26, 2013

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:18:00 -0500

Presidents cannot change the price of gasoline. There is nothing that they can do about it so yelling at President Obama is not going to change what is happening.

How to honor our flag

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:08:00 -0500

The flag of the United States of America is the ultimate symbol that we as citizens of this great country offer our pledge of allegiance to as we salute or cross our hearts. It is with pride that we, as citizens, often wish to pay tribute to our country and especially to recognize and honor all those who serve and have served in various branches of the Armed Forces for the protection of freedom and the way in which we live. One way that we do this is by displaying the American flag. This begs the question of just how …

Our View: Enabling most 17-year-olds to cast ballots

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:10:22 -0500

The idea that 17-year-olds should be able to vote in Illinois primary elections if they turn 18 before the next general election sprang from a most appropriate source. Andrew Conneen’s government class at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire suggested the idea to state Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan). Conneen’s students fit that profile. Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign the bill soon and make Illinois the 20th state with such a law. The Center for Voting and Democracy, a proponent of the idea, suggests that low voting rates among 18-year-olds could be drastically improved if they join the process at …

Forum: Democratic double standard

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:10:14 -0500

Seeing President Barack Obama and four former presidents at the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Texas reminded me of the media and Democrats harping at Bush because he hadn’t vetoed any legislation during his presidency. Query: How many pieces of legislation has Obama vetoed? Hello, media and Democrats. Dennis M. Dohm Oak Lawn Illiana Expressway not needed The bureaucrats of the transportation departments in Illinois and Indiana would have us believe the Illiana Expressway is necessary, as they contrived it. It’s not. Why would truckers going north on interstates 55 or 65 want to switch south …

Speak Out for May 24, 2013

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:13:56 -0500

Where is the accounting for the lottery money? Isn’t it supposed to help education? Where is all this money going and coming from? Does it come from balls dropping, scratch-off tickets or what?

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:36:01 -0500

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Thu, 23 May 2013 00:33:47 -0500

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Our View: Approve same-sex marriage in Illinois

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:01:25 -0500

The General Assembly’s plate is full of major issues as it heads toward the May 31 end of the spring session — pension reform, concealed carry of guns, gambling expansion and same-sex marriage. All are controversial, but the one that should be easiest to approve is the last in that list. Having passed the Senate on Valentine’s Day and enveloped in a growing sense of public support, if not inevitability, the same-sex marriage bill should be approved by the House. Civil unions have been legal in Illinois for two years — granting state rights, benefits and protections to same-sex couples …

Forum: Oppose change in refinery assessment

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:01:25 -0500

We would like to inform the taxpayers of Lockport Township High School District 205 and Will County School District 92 of a potential change in Illinois law regarding oil refinery tax assessment that would have severe financial ramifications for the taxpayers and students of the districts. The two districts are among the many taxing bodies that receive tax dollars from the Citgo Refinery in Lemont. If passed, Senate Bill 2345 would provide tax breaks to oil companies on the backs of property owners. SB 2345 continues Illinois’ practice of underfunding education. Gov. Pat Quinn has announced his intent to further …

Speak Out for May 23, 2013

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:38:00 -0500

It’s nice to see traditions continue such as Homewood-Flossmoor Park District hosting the 10th annual Homewood Railroad Heritage Day. It sounded like a great day for model train buffs.

Our View: New mayor must quit school board

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:42:51 -0500

Sharon Rybak, a lifelong resident of Midlothian, was elected mayor April 9 in an upset and pledged to make village government more accessible and transparent. She said she intended to “make a difference” and hoped residents would “give me a chance.” We’re willing to give Rybak a chance — to overcome her initial blunder and resign her seat on the Bremen Community High School District 228 Board. Rybak has said she plans to stay on the board, preserving her trifecta of public posts in the Midlothian area. She’s also the finance director for the Midlothian Park District. That’s an irresponsible …

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:42:43 -0500

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Forum: Backs Cullerton’s pension bill

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:42:43 -0500

If we are to have an honest dialogue about Senate Bill 2404, the pension reform legislation sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and supported by the unions representing a half-million workers and retirees affected by the bill, we need to work with facts, not misrepresentations. We find ourselves in this pension crisis because our political leaders failed to make the state’s required contributions year after year to its pension funds, even as employees faithfully made theirs. SB 2404 contains the most ironclad guarantee anyone has been able to devise to compel politicians to pay. Pension reform in Illinois is …