The reason Marianne Gingrich’s account of her ex-husband’s wanton behavior bounced off him like a quarter on an Army cot is that it's hard for a woman to win much sympathy when she helped a man cheat.
TO PONDER
Germantown Hills resident Becky Reeser has created a Haitian charitable organization called “Life’s Path” out of nothing.
The worst part about the decades-long stalemate in Congress over immigration reform is that the big-issue politics keep practical problems from being solved.
THE FACTS
• GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan said that $5 a gallon gas is a very real possibility in some portions of the country in 2012. Early indications, DeHaan said, show this year may see the highest ever recorded prices at the pump, if conflict arises in Iran over several key issues.
The recommendation last week from the National Transportation Safety Board that states should ban the use of all cellphones, including hands-free models, while driving came about 10 years too late. Maybe 20 years.
THE FACTS
• If bills were sent to each Illinois household to cover the state’s debt the amount would be for $40,000.
• Illinois’ debt amounts to $44.7 billion.
• The debt in 2002 amounted to $12 billion.
• Illinois’ unpaid bills amount to $7.4 billion.
• Illinois’ unfunded pension and retiree health care liabilities amount to $140 billion.
The following is a reprint of a front-page editorial from the Dec. 7, 1941, “War Extra” edition of the Fall River Herald News:
“America, We Love You”
War with Japan, that terrible prospect which three generations of Americans have discussed, is here.
THE ISSUE: Is Congress looking out for children or contributors with the pizza as vegetable situation?
WHAT WE THINK: It seems when Congress has to balance the best interests of the people against their own interests (which means their contributor’s best interests) the people can expect to lose almost every time.
Illinois is going to seek a waiver from No Child Left Behind.
THE ISSUE: Penn State University has captured headlines across the country for its childhood sexual abuse scandal.
WHAT WE THINK: Everyone should learn from this scandal about the dangers of childhood sexual abuse and how to help victims.
THE ISSUE: Tomorrow is National Parent Involvement Day.
WHAT WE THINK: Parental involvement is more important than ever because as the state cuts education funding or holds it until the last possible second school administrators are forced to pressure teachers to do even more with less.
THE ISSUE: Veterans Day is Friday.
WHAT WE THINK: Time is running out for many veterans, especially World War II veterans. They should not leave this world without knowing their service, their sacrifice, their bravery and their devotion were appreciated.
THE ISSUE: Last Monday was Food Day.
WHAT WE THINK: We live in the most prosperous nation on Earth. Yet, many of our citizens go hungry. Our children are growing obese. Diabetes is on the rise. Food is an issue.
Topic today: Drug-testing for welfare
The dimensions of the economic cataclysm that followed the implosion of the financial industry in 2008 have been seen in lost jobs, foreclosed homes and bankrupt businesses.
THE ISSUE: The problem of Driving Under the Influence receives a lot of press and law enforcement attention yet the problem still persists.
WHAT WE THINK: In a free country where drinking is legal this kind of problem is going to exist. It is not a law enforcement problem. It is a personal responsibility problem.
THE ISSUE: National Newspaper Week celebrates the importance of newspapers for our society.
WHAT WE THINK: Despite changing times and technology, newspapers remain as important and relevant as ever.
Opposing Viewpoints: Is No Child Left Behind really serving our schools?
School Report Cards come out soon. No Child Left Behind will have an impact on what they say.
THE ISSUE: Gov. Quinn has proposed laying off workers and closing seven state facilities to balance the state’s budget.
WHAT WE THINK: The state should look at other options besides hurting the most vulnerable citizens.
THE ISSUE: This year Grandparents Day was surely overlooked by many considering it fell on 9/11.
WHAT WE THINK: The value of grandparents to the family and society is great. Grandparents deserve special recognition for the valuable role they play.
