I would like to bring you forums each month with the talent, clarity, and compelling nature observed in TED talks… MORE
Category Archives: Opinion
WJBC Forum: A downtown hotel can be Bloomington’s spark plug
Is a downtown Bloomington hotel, or hotels going to happen, and can it happen without governmental support?… MORE
ISU Basketball Cancun Challenge with Suzi Davis Travel
Dan Swaney has your chance to win a trip for two on the Cancun Challenge! Listen to Dan from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm for him to play the Cancun basketball sounder. Call in to qualify. … MORE
WJBC Forum: Barbie is a toy
This past weekend, I saw a picture of a Black Barbie doll posted on someone’s Facebook page so I reposted without commentary.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Frustrated by the sales tax increase
I’m frustrated at the City of Bloomington’s recent decision to raise sales tax as part of an effort to close a budget deficit of more than five million dollars, closer to seven million if I recall.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Extraordinary Ordinary People
Last week I attended the Institute for Collaborative Solutions’ award dinner, where they gave awards called “Extraordinary Ordinary Men of the Year.”… MORE
WJBC Forum: Relaxing in New Jersey
I found myself in New Jersey last week, relaxing on my son’s new deck of the home he just purchased.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Party time
It’s that time of year again.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Two minutes is not enough
Two minutes is not enough time to find something positive to say about the situation in which the City finds itself in connection with former police officer Brent VanHoveln.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Baseball, Normal’s 150th, and Clare House
Championship baseball teams these days like the Cardinals and – dare I say it – the Cubs in post-game interviews extoll that their team has a “next man” attitude.… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…