Rodney Davis was selected on May 19, 2012 to run in the 13th Congressional District election against Democrat David Gill. (WJBC file photo)

TAYLORVILLE – Rodney Davis says it’s been a whirlwind couple of days since Republican Party officials selected him to run in the 13th Congressional District race in November, as the Taylorville man vows to fulfill a commitment to party leaders that he would hit the ground running.

“It means I’ve been going crazy the last 48 hours trying to make sure that I prove that I can,” Davis said.

Davis, an aide to U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R- Collinsville, says he’s working on getting a campaign team together, reaching out to voters and lining up fundraising efforts for his campaign against Democrat David Gill.

GOP leaders chose Davis from among four candidates for the seat to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana.

Davis said even though his experience working for Shimkus has largely been in the district, that experience would make for a smooth transition to Washington.

“I’m not going to be in awe of the process, in awe of the city. I’m going to have a pretty small learning curve when I get out there. I want to be effective from day one,” Davis said.

Davis added that the new 13th Congressional District has much of the Central Illinois territory that is presently in the 19th district that Shimkus serves.

“It can be a competitive district, but it’s a district I am very familiar with,” Davis said. “Mr. Shimkus used to represent many of these counties. My career has taken me into many of these counties where I’ve gotten to know the local leaders and the residents.”

Click here to listen to Todd’s interview with Davis.

Normal Police and McLean County sheriff’s department online blotters are not available.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Bloomington Police

Call Time Location/Block Address Disposition Type

12:00 am 17XX SPRINGFIELD RD Report Theft

12:33 am W MARKET ST / BROWN ST Arrest / Report Traffic Stop

2:16 am 1XX W FRONT ST Arrest / Report Fight

4:24 am 4X DENNIS DR Report Criminal Damage to Property

6:38 am 1XX OAK VALLEY CT Report Stolen Vehicle

8:52 am 2XX E WOOD ST Report Missing Person

9:09 am 5XX BROADWAY Report Civil Dispute

9:20 am 6XX W LOCUST ST Report Criminal Damage to Property

9:23 am 11XX EKSTAM DR Report Criminal Damage to Property

9:55 am 14XX N TOWANDA BARNES RD Report Telephone Threats/Harassment

12:01 pm 9XX FOUR SEASONS RD Report Theft

12:24 pm W MARKET ST / N CENTER ST Accident Report Accident Damage

12:33 pm 32XX KIRKWOOD RD Report Criminal Damage to Vehicle

12:44 pm E EMPIRE ST / KMART EASTLAND XING Accident Report Accident Injuries

2:11 pm 3XX N CLINTON ST Accident Report Accident Damage

3:05 pm JERSEY AVE / TOWANDA AVE Accident Report / Report Accident

4:52 pm 1XXX N DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR Report Missing Person

5:55 pm 23XX 25TH ST Report Disorderly Conduct

6:18 pm 1X BRICKYARD DR Accident Report Accident Damage

7:04 pm 7XX W WALNUT ST Report Check Well-Being

9:40 pm 11XX S MAIN ST Report Criminal Damage to Property

10:00 pm 5XX 5TH ST Report Civil Dispute

10:06 pm 3XX E WOOD ST Report Suspicious Vehicle

10:39 pm 4XX N ALLIN ST Arrest / Report Disorderly Conduct

11:59 pm 7XX E MARKET ST Report Theft

11:59 pm 22XX E WASHINGTON ST Report Battery

Illinois State University

1:12 p.m., University High School (601 W Gregory St.), Criminal damage to government supported property report was taken at University High School. Incident occurred between 11pm on 5/18/12 and 1:12pm on 5/19/12. Administratively closed.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Bloomington Police

Call Time Location/Block Address Disposition Type

12:02 am 1XXX N DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR Report Missing Person

12:18 am N MAIN ST / W MULBERRY ST Report Person Stop

1:16 am 5XX N MAIN ST Report Deceptive Practices/Fraud

2:00 am 5XX N MAIN ST Arrest Person Stop

2:27 am 8XX W WASHINGTON ST Report Disorderly Conduct

2:28 am 6XX N CENTER ST Arrest Person Stop

6:46 am 2XX N ALLIN ST Report Burglary

12:07 pm 22XX E WASHINGTON ST AR / RPT Battery

1:09 pm W CHESTNUT ST / N LEE ST Accident Report Accident Damage

3:59 pm X WILLEDROB RD Report Criminal Damage to Vehicle

4:11 pm N MORRIS AVE / PERRY ST Accident Report Accident Damage

Illinois State University

No cases found.

Students at the University of Birmingham take part in their degree congregations as they graduate. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

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.

Prairie Central has a tremendous amount of scholarships, many originating from local people who passed away but wanted to leave a legacy encouraging youth to pursue medical, educational or agricultural fields.

I was moved by a presenter from a trust this year at Pontiac’s graduation. Odell students, new graduates and those in college, received over $50,000 just this year.

It is always touching when family or friends approach the microphone to describe a scholarship established after someone who died young. The dreams cut short are converted into a way to honor their memory and a gift allowing someone else to pursue their dreams.

Personally I don’t believe parents are obliged to pay for college; too often that is an assumption and may not be valued. I also see student loans as a choice. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were more scholarships for deserving and/or needy students?

A mix of scholarships, financial aid, and a student’s own income seems ideal. If possible, consider the possibility of establishing or contributing to a scholarship for a worthy student who may not otherwise have the opportunity.

One feature, I believe from El Paso Gridley that I love is when the top award students select a favorite teacher to accompany them. Often selected are teachers from the early elementary years. It goes to show the tremendous and long-lasting impact a teacher can have.

Some teachers have a gift of motivating and inspiring their students.

I enjoy seeing the range of recognition. Sure, some students are called to the stage over and over collecting perhaps 10 or 20 awards. That is undeniably success but so is the student who may be there for one award for an art competition or a science award.

My favorites aren’t about achievements, but character, like the student who accepts the disabled student as a peer.  As the high schools wind down, there are many students and families who should indeed be proud as they look back and prepare for the future.

This is Pamela Sweetwood for WJBCs forum.

Listen to the Forum below:

Pamela Sweetwood was an ISU student, like many, who never left town. She works in higher education and has a history with many community non-profits organizations.

The opinions expressed within WJBC’s Forum are solely those of the Forum’s author, and are not necessarily those of WJBC or Townsquare Media.

State Sen. Shane Cultra voted in support of a plan to end free health care for state workers, university employees, lawmakers and judges. (WJBC file photo)

BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Shane Cultra, R-Onarga, says the fact that he’s retiring from the legislature in January didn’t affect his vote to strip free health care for state workers, university employees, lawmakers and judges.

Cultra says it’s something that has to be done.

“It’s a benefit that we really can’t afford it we want to improve our schools, if you want to provide services to those who need it the most. There’s not enough money, you have to start cutting somewhere,” Cultra said.

State Reps. Jason Barickman, Bill Mitchell and a number of other House Republicans voted against the plan last week over concerns about overall health care costs and how the Quinn administration will set premium rates.

Cultra added that he shares those concerns.

“That’s the problem with voting for something like this, if you don’t have all the details about how the program will be administered,” Cultra said.

Cultra was defeated by Barickman in the Senate primary earlier this year.

Cultra opposes cigarette tax

Cultra says Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed cigarette tax increase won’t bring in the $700 million that supporters are estimating.

Cultra predicts many smokers in his eastern Illinois district would run for the border to buy cheaper smokes in Indiana.

“While they are there, they are going to get gas. They are going to get groceries. They are going to spend other money they wouldn’t be spending if they hadn’t gone across to buy the cheaper cigarettes,” Cultra said.

Quinn wants the $1 per-pack increase in the cigarette tax to help plug a $2.7 billion Medicaid shortfall.

Click here to listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Cultra.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric@wjbc.com.

CHICAGO – The anti-NATO demonstration in Chicago on Sunday was peaceful. But when the demonstration ended, so did the peace.

The demonstration was polite, featuring Iraq and Afghanistan veterans taking off their medals and tossing them toward the building where the NATO summit is taking place. The demonstration took place a half-mile east of the McCormick Place convention center.

Those in the crowd cheered, clapped and held up the two-fingered peace sign.

But when the program was over, some in the crowd of thousands wouldn’t leave. A small number of people engaged with police, pushing, shoving and throwing water bottles. That prompted officers, many in helmets and riot gear, to push the crowd to the west, at one point creating a hazard with the crowd being pushed toward a temporary fence with no way out.

The result: 45 arrests, four cops injured, some protesters injured, and it took several hours to disperse the crowd.

Later Sunday, a protest cropped up near the Art Institute of Chicago, where first lady Michelle Obama was hosting a dinner for spouses of NATO leaders.

The cause of their worry? Legislation requiring Illinois schools to discourage bullying.

The Illinois Family Institute claims the measure’s real goal is “to use public education to promote unproven, non-factual beliefs about the nature and morality of homosexuality and `transgenderism’.”

A closer look reveals little in the legislation to justify the institute’s fears. It would not tell local schools what to say about bullying, let alone anything specific about homosexuality. It would not require schools to hold assemblies or teach lessons about tolerance.

What the bill would do is spell out the steps that must be included in schools’ anti-bullying policies. For instance, they would have to let students report bullying anonymously and spell out what steps could be taken with a student who has bullied classmates.

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski gives the traditional Berlin Speech at Humboldt University in June 2011 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

MARSEILLES – Gov. Pat Quinn spent Sunday visiting with the president of Poland.

The meeting took place at the Illinois Army National Guard training center in Marseilles, where Polish troops have trained.

“This particular training center, many, many Polish military have come through and worked with our National Guard. We saw a demonstration of some of the techniques that are used and it’s important that we work together. We’re partners for peace,” the governor said.

That “partnership for peace” dates to 1993, and since then, members of the Illinois National Guard have worked with Polish units in engagements such as Afghanistan.

President Bronoslaw Komorowski awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland to the governor, Maj. Gen. William Enyart, the adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard, and to 13 soldiers. The award is bestowed upon foreigners for “distinguished contribution to international cooperation with Poland.”

The 13 soldiers who were honored:

• Brig. Gen. Johnny Miller of Tamms

• Col. Albert Cox of Newark

• Lt. Col. Drew Duckett of Roodhouse

• Lt. Col. Joseph Schweickert of Peoria

• Maj. Gen. Eric Davis of Mount Pulaski

• Maj. Stanley Manes of Champaign

• Capt. Andrew Adamczyk of Springfield

• Capt. Douglas Coop of Jacksonville

• Master Sgt. Richard Schap of Sycamore

• Master Sgt. Terry Martin of Dunlap

• Master Sgt. David Ray of Millstadt

• Sgt. First Class Ryanzo Perez of Springfield

• Sgt. First Class Michael Markham of Glenarm

The traffic signal at the new Greenwood Avenue and Veterans Parkway intersection is seen Friday, May 18, 2012, in southwest Bloomington. (Photo by Ryan Denham/WJBC)

Five Things You Should Know for Monday, May 21, 2012:

New traffic signal

The Illinois Department of Transportation says it’s aware that the traffic signal at the new Greenwood Avenue and Veterans Parkway intersection isn’t perfectly synchronized with the other lights in the Morris Avenue/Veterans interchange. Crews will be working to improve that this week, but it won’t be perfect until the project moves closer to completion later in the summer, said IDOT resident engineer William Parker. “When the signals are all completed and interconnected at all three intersections, they will work together much more efficiently,” he says.

Parking fees

The new Uptown Station opens in July, and now town of Normal staffers are recommending the city charge for long-term Amtrak parking at $8 a day. The Normal Town Council will tackle the issue Monday night. The deck has spaces for 380 vehicles. City hall visitors can park free for one hour or get parking validated.

Unused prison

Remember in 2009 when the future of the largely unused Thomson Correctional Center in northwestern Illinois became front-page news? Well, nothing much has happened since then. Chris Kaergard from the Peoria Journal-Star revisits the issue, writing that the relocation of terror detainees there has more or less been quietly abandoned, while hopes live on for a “regular” federal prison in Thomson. “We need a letter from the president guaranteeing the Gitmo detainees aren’t coming to Illinois,” U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling, R-Colona, tells Kaergard.

Rare diseases

My favorite story from Sunday’s episode of “60 Minutes” was about a special team at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., that is tasked with identifying (and trying to treat) the rarest of rare diseases. “Something that affects 200,000 people isn’t all that rare to us,” chief Dr. William Gahl told CBS News’ Lara Logan. “I mean, when we’re talking about rare diseases, the disorders were affecting between one and 50 people in the world.”

Campaign spending caps

Illinois is among 22 states and the District of Columbia asking the U.S. Supreme Court to preserve Montana’s state-level regulations on corporate political expenditures. But legal observers say don’t count on the Supreme Court reconsidering its 2010 Citizens United decision, reports The AP.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Pitcher Kyle Lohse of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 20, 2012 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals hope some home cooking will get them feeling better after a 1-4 California road trip.

The Cardinals enter a seven-game homestand on Monday night having lost eight of their last 10 games as the San Diego Padres come to Busch Stadium on Monday.

Jamie Garcia pitches for St. Louis against Clayton Richard. WJBC 1230 AM and 93.7 FM will have the play-by-play at 6:20 p.m.

Paul Morello has Sportstalk before the game at 6:10 p.m. on WJBC 1230 AM, 93.7 FM and here on WJBC.com.

Cubs visit Astros

The Chicago Cubs take a six-game losing streak to Houston to start a series with the Astros. The Cubs’ Matt Garza and Bud Norris are the scheduled starters. WJEZ 98.9 FM will have the action at 6:30 p.m.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric@wjbc.com.

The Constitution Trail crossing over the railroad tracks in Uptown Normal closed late in 2011. The crossing is moving to Linden Street and the trail is being rerouted. (Stephanie Pawlowski/WJBC)

NORMAL – The work to reroute the Constitution Trail across Linden Street and into Uptown Normal starts Monday night when the Town Council considers a $213,400 contract with Stark Excavating for the work.

The new trail will meander across the current city hall parking lot and across the railroad tracks at Linden, behind the businesses on Beaufort Street, and into Uptown between the Station and Children’s Discovery Museum. Uptown Development Director Wayne Aldrich said he’s also talking to the railroad company about getting fencing around the tracks to stop trespassing.

“It’s a big safety concern, and part of that reason we’re doing this whole project is to keep people off of that railroad right-of-way,” Aldrich said. “It is trespassed and it is a huge safety concern for all the agencies involved.”

Aldrich thinks the $213,000 price tag might go up so the town can add temporary fencing along the tracks. The town budgeted for the Constitution Trail relocation, which will include pavement repairs, pavement extension and landscaping to separate the trail from the Parkinson Street parking lot.

The town can’t do many improvements to the Linden Street railroad crossing because that is owned by the railroad and permission is needed from the Illinois Commerce Commission. Aldrich said some of the Constitution Trail will be on the railroad right-of-way.

“We’ll say the trail is ours and we’ll operate the trail as a town facility. I just had a conference call with the railroad and they understand and are trying to work out all of those issues right now,” Aldrich said.

Parking policies

The Town Council will also hear parking policies for the Uptown Station parking deck, the Parkinson Street lot and other surrounding parking facilities. Town staff are recommending the city now charge for long term Amtrak parking at $8 a day.

“They would pay what I consider very minimal fees for parking in the new deck, but I think it’s also a very convenient place to park if you’re an Amtrak patron,” Aldrich said.

The deck has spaces for 380 vehicles. City hall visitors can park free for one hour or get parking validated.

“This policy does not intend that city hall patrons and folks going to city hall to conduct business or have meetings, that they would have a fee,” Aldrich said.

As for parking in the Parkinson Street lot and the current city hall lot, town staff recommend a three-hour time limit and no parking in the lot between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. each day, to prevent long term parking by Illinois State students or Amtrak users.

A 30 day grace period is being proposed, but with high parking enforcement during the day and night after that period ends.

The Town Council meeting starts at 7 p.m.

Stephanie Pawlowski can be reached at Stephanie@wjbc.com.

Airport officials said the pilot noticed the leak shortly after taking off from Raleigh for Chicago around 8:15 a.m. yesterday. The first attempt at an emergency landing was scrapped, but the pilot brought the plane down safely as emergency crews stood by on the second attempt.

Authorities say none of the 138 passengers on the MD-83 jet were injured.

American Airlines was bringing in another plane to take the passengers to Chicago.

Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture Bob Flider supports Gov. Quinn's proposals for reforming Medicaid and the pension system. (Photo by Carrie Muehling/WJBC)

The acting director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture believes his department is part of the budget solution, but he supports Gov. Quinn’s idea that Medicaid and pension reform are the top priorities right now.

Agriculture is the strongest industry in the state of Illinois, with nearly 25 percent of Illinois economy coming from jobs related to agriculture.

Acting Agriculture Director Bob Flider believes if Gov. Quinn’s proposed reforms don’t happen, the agriculture department will experience more cuts, along with education and other important areas.

“The way I need to stand up for agriculture right now is that we need to stop the red ink,” said Flider.

The Department of Agriculture had more than 800 employees at one time, and in the last five years has been reduced from 460 people to less than 400, with a few more personnel cuts likely during the current budget process.

“I’m going to fight for every dollar that we can for this department to meet its mandates.  At the same time, I know we have four egg inspectors, and we need to hire more,” said Flider.  “You can’t keep cutting manpower and jobs and do the job that is mandated.”

He believes the mandates are important and said they are not onerous.  His key message is that he supports fixing the budget problem so agriculture can be supported.

Agriculture is part of the solution

While Flider recognized the dire straits of the state’s financial situation, he pointed out that Gov. Quinn has set a goal to double Illinois exports.  That is something he believes will help to spur the Illinois economy.

“The beauty of that is that if we can export more, that’s money coming in, not only to our country, but also into our state from other places,” said Flider.  “That money helps to fill up the lake, and it’s really part of the economic recovery solution.”

He looked to food processors – one of the largest segments of the state’s economy – and said the more successful they are selling products overseas, the more jobs they create for Illinois.  Flider said the governor has been willing to go anywhere in the world to help the agriculture department in this state increase exports of Illinois products.

Flider hosted members of the Illinois media who cover agriculture for breakfast in Springfield Friday morning.

To hear the interview with Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture Bob Flider, click here:

Carrie Muehling can be reached at carrie@wjbc.com.

(Photo courtesy Normal CornBelters)

NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters will have to wait until July to finish their third game of the season.

Their game with Windy City was suspended by rain and lightning at the Corn Crib on Sunday. It will be resumed at Windy City in July with the CornBelters leading 1-0 in the bottom of the 4th inning.

The delay was 1 hour 56 minutes.

The CornBelters are offering complimentary exchanges of tickets from the May 20 game to any future CornBelters regular season game.

The CornBelters return to action Tuesday night to host Lake Erie.

Gov. Pat Quinn proclaimed the week to honor more than 18,000 first responders in the state and those who support them.

To coincide with the week, the Illinois Department of Public Health has announced that the Grand Ridge Volunteer Fire Department in LaSalle County is the winner of the department’s annual Emergency Medical Services Award.

Illinois officials say that during the massive 2011 blizzard in Illinois volunteers at the department put together multiple rescue teams. Some went out on snowmobiles, plows and trucks to assist people trapped in the snow.

The Illinois Home Care and Hospice Council says proposed budget cuts would lead to greater health care costs. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

SPRINGFIELD – A good way to save money on health care is to stay out of the hospital. The people whose job it is to treat you at home say the Illinois legislature and the governor ought to remember that as they contemplate budget cuts in every area.

Jan Grimes, executive director of the Illinois Home Care and Hospice Council, says cutbacks on the services of nurses, therapists, and other home care providers will backfire and lead to expensive trips to the emergency room or more overnight hospital stays.

“Insurance companies understand and like to support home care,” says Grimes, “but the governor’s office, also, is turning toward something called rebalancing.”

Grimes’ group commissioned a study by the Center for Long-term Care Reform at the Health and Medicine Policy Research Group to back up her group’s argument that a proposed 10 percent budget cut is counterproductive.

Grimes stresses the home care providers are professionals: “These are not people that help you put on your socks; these are the people that keep you out of the hospital or out of the nursing home,” she says.

Pitcher Jordan Birch ended her career with one of the best single-seasons for a pitcher in Illinois State history (B. Corbin/WJBC)

COLUMBIA – The Illinois State Redbirds end the softball season on the final day of the NCAA Regional with a 2-1 loss to Missouri Sunday.

Junior Elizabeth Kay was 2-for-3 at the plate with Illinois State’s only RBI. Senior Caiti Kopp and junior Jhavon Hamilton had two hits for the Redbirds.

Senior pitcher Jordan Birch suffered the loss for ISU, allowing two runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings. She ends her career with one of the best single-seasons for a pitcher in Illinois State history.

ISU officials said Birch’s 37 starts are the most ever by an ISU softball pitcher in a season. Her 25 wins, 13 shutouts and 29 complete games tie her for second on the single-season list.

Birch ranks second on the Redbirds’ all time list with 341 strikeouts and third with 67 wins and 22 career shutouts.

A Country Financial survey shows one in five Americans' monthly spending exceeds their income. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

BLOOMINGTON – More people are spending more money than are willing to admit it.

There’s a perception gap in the latest Country Financial security survey. It shows 21 percent of Americans surveyed are outspending their income each month, even though only 9 percent said their lifestyle is more than they can afford.

Country Financial’s Vice President of Marketing, Mike Fisher, said the so-called perception gap is due to the fact that barely half of Americans (51 percent) use a household budget system.

“Our studies show that those who budget are more likely to meet their savings goals than those who don’t. They have a little bit more discipline about how they handle their finances,” Fisher said.

Fisher said parents seem to be more likely to set a household budget than couples without children, but only a small percentage of both groups (18 percent with children and 12 percent without children) were able to meet their financial goals.

“There’s planning and then there’s life,” Fisher said.

The survey showed 52 percent are spending beyond their income at least a few months of the year. Thirty-six percent of those respondents dip into savings to meet financial obligations, while 22 percent use credit cards and just 14 percent are adjusting their monthly spending.

The entire survey can be found at www.countryfinancialsecurityindex.com.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric@wjbc.com.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (L) and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R) appeared on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday. (Photo courtesy NBC/Meet the Press)

U.S Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on NBC”s “Meet the Press” President Obama is seeking to balance spending cuts with programs aimed at job creation in his budget plan.

“I think you have to do some cuts in spending, that’s part of it for sure,” Durbin said. “But the President says and I agree, ‘Don’t eliminate the basic things that middle-income Americans need to succeed.”

Durbin, the Senate Majority Whip, said House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and other lawmakers should also back the bi-partisan Simpson-Bowles deficit-reduction plan.

Rep. Ryan, R-Wis., said not making changes to America’s entitlement programs could lead to European-like austerity measures.

Ryan said on “Meet the Press” that Obama’s proposed budget won’t help improve the economy because it would raise the amount of government borrowing.

Ryan said healthcare entitlements like Medicare and Medicaid need to be modified because they’re adding to the government’s debt burden.

Eric Stock contributed to this story.

The village’s Superintendent of Public Works, Max Porter, says the village’s water tower had run dry.

The boil order is expected to remain in effect for about 24 hours.

Copies of the Left Behind: Eternal Forces video game. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

From Y2K to 2012, fears of a coming catastrophe have been present in American culture.

The popular Christian book series “Left Behind” has sold in the millions, blockbuster films such as “Armageddon” present various disaster scenarios, and self-proclaimed “preppers” are filling their bunkers for potential catastrophe.

Mathew Barrett Gross tells Steve Fast that the American tradition of apocalyptic thinking might be a bit of self-fulfilling prophecy, causing us to ignore real problems.

Gross is a media strategist who ran the groundbreaking internet communication for the Howard Dean campaign in 2004.

Listen to the interview below: