Opinion
Caribel Washington, a prominent Twin City civil rights leader, was a historian and volunteer. (Photo courtesy of the McLean County Museum of History) WJBC Forum: The quietly great Caribel Washington
Yesterday
I think it was Harry Truman who said the only books he ever read were biographies.
That’s a fact I read somewhere that stuck with me, because it says something about what’s important – most important – about where we’ve been and ultimately who we are. On June 14th, the McLean County Museum of History will honor their first three “History Makers” – people whose “contributions have transformed the community in a meaningful way.”
Students at the University of Birmingham take part in their degree congregations as they graduate. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) WJBC Forum: The range of recognition
I’m not usually in the high school environment but attending award recognition events is a treat, a snapshot of that life.
I have been to many in the area and they vary considerably – as to who is recognized, what awards are included, and what support, physically and financially, there is for students. Some focus on the students recognized only without others present, others are entire town affairs. The differences are rather curious. Academics, sports, or plans after high school can dominate.
Same-sex couple Frank Capley (R) and Joe Alfano (L) embrace during a demonstration. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) WJBC Forum: Campaign smoke screens
5 days ago
Well it was bound to happen.
With serious issues such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Iran putting the middle East in a state of pending political earthquakes or war, the crisis in Europe with Greece going into default and the Euro in danger of becoming worthless, the national debt, cost of health care, economy, jobless rates, immigration problems, and a dozen or so other major items needing attention ,we are now asked to take sides pro or con on same sex marriage.
A pedestrian is seen reflected in the window of the Nasdaq studios as the Facebook logo is displayed on Thursday, May 17, 2012, in New York City. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) 
General view of atmosphere as thousands visited Chicago Union Station for the fifth annual National Train Day, presented by Amtrak at Union Station on May 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Amtrak) Train Days shows Amtrak’s popularity
6 days ago
Last Saturday I took Amtrak to Chicago.
It was “National Train Day” at Union Station. I was working a display for the Illinois Labor History Society and Illinois’ Pullman State Historic Site. We were commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters getting their first contract, an epic story worth comment on another day.
BloNo the Clown is in Chicago this week taking in the NATO Summit. (Photo by David Hardenberg/Getty Images) Blo-No the Clown reports from Chicago NATO summit
1 week ago
Anti-war activists. Immigrant-rights advocates. And now, clowns?
A group of clowns has put out a notice saying they plan to protest the NATO summit that starts in Chicago on Sunday. The group calls itself ClownBloq, and members say they'll be on the streets in Chicago this week in clown gear and armed with pies.
The group says its mission is "to provide hilarity in the face of a humorless police state and to provide a fool's critique of organized and militarized repression of the people, their voices and their best interests."
A pair of dogs being walked by their owner. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) WJBC Forum: Walkin’ the dog
1 week ago
I have a dog that requires a walk 4 to 5 times a day.
It’s usually a pleasant walk, meeting neighbors as we toddle along. I waive at those that pass in cars and usually get a nice waive back. There are different kinds of dog walkers and different kinds of walking dogs. Many dogs must get their noses right into the grass, probably attracted by some smell.
Then there are the ones who walk or trot stiffly beside their owner as they jog or run. Some people just follow their pet wherever they want to go at whatever speed they want. Some just beg their puppy to come and wind up picking them up in their arms and carry them home.
An empty class room is pictured at a primary school. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images) WJBC Forum: Closing the Achievement Gap
2 weeks ago
The NAACP and the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois recognize the value of a quality education and understand that some students need to attend summer but cannot afford the tuition.
The NAACP and the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois wanted to contribute to closing the achievement gap by providing summer school scholarship to students and families who needed it the most.
The NAACP and The 100 Black Men of Central Illinois are projecting that we will be able to provide 60 summer school scholarships to free and reduced lunch program participates that have been identified by District 87.
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney attends commencement ceremonies as the scheduled commencement speaker at Arthur L. Williams Stadium on the campus of Liberty University on Saturday, May 12, 2012, in Lynchburg, Va. (Photo by Jared Soares/Getty Images) Bradley: Republican shift on same-sex marriage?
2 weeks ago
A few days ago, Jan R. Van Lohuizen, a pollster for President George W. Bush in 2004, issued a memo titled "Same-Sex Marriage."
The memo was directed to Republican campaign operatives working on a variety of races for the 2012 election. The memo suggests in part that Republican campaign workers should acknowledge that public opinion is shifting ever increasingly in support of same-sex marriage.
The McLean County Missfit All-Stars (Photo courtesy of mcleancountymissfits.org) Missfits roll on to help Relay for Life
2 weeks ago
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