Today’s news links
All links via the Peoria Journal Star, unless otherwise noted:
- Phil Luciano has turned in his first “first-person” column since the incident at the Owl’s Nest, in which he is accused of striking a woman. The column os not about that incident. I am not going to bust his chops about the lack of comment about that incident. It’s entirely up to him, and he might be operating under advice from a lawyer.
- Another day, another former Manual High School basketball star arrested on drug-related charges.
- West Bluffers are feeding the hungry.
- Dave Haney at the PJS has a roundup of financial decisions pending at School District 150.
- WEEK: The state is putting the lean on District 150 summer school.
- WMBD31: I saw this report on child care assistance programs cuts. One mother wondered how she can be expected to have a job and still get her kids off to school. Ummm … the same way every other working mom and dad does, I suspect.
- The Chicago Tribune asked employers about their policies for employees using social networks like Twitter.
- The Los Angeles Times says that an actress in the porn industry has tested positive for HIV for the first time since 2004? Really, that long? Five dollars says there are far more than they officially know about.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Billy,
Regarding the childcare assistance, I think it’s a valid expenditure, that in the end, ends up saving taxpayers money.
One example, let’s say you have a single parent working 8:00-4:00. Most schools are not in attendance that whole time. Beforecare, aftercare and daycare programs allow that parent to keep his/her job, working his/her way up a career ladder and becoming independent. Without these subsidized programs many may find working full time impossible, resulting in more people on the welfare rolls. People that would not be gaining experience in the workplace, reducing their upward mobility. Furthermore, that parent holding a job (with a little assistance) is being a great example for the child/children in the family. Success begets success.
Jennifer
Another former Manual High School basketball star arrested on drug-related charges.
“The War on Drugs”…. what an obvious waste of time and $.
Duane: 100 percent agreement there.
Duane & Billy — Meaning… what? That we should legalize drugs? If so, do you mean just recreational drugs, or should prescription drugs be freed up, too? I mean, if we’re going to legalize them, let’s go all the way, right? Kick those pharmacists out on their white coattails and let’s all self-medicate!
Of course, that might affect health care costs…. But, hey, we’ll be able to afford it because we’re not fighting the war on drugs, right?
I don’t think any drugs should be illegal. Prohibition doesn’t work, and leads to more violent crime, incarcerations, and wasted tax dollars. It’s about educated/conscious decision making. Pharmaceutical companies compose these new synthetic drugs, market them, and send them out with a set of instructions and guidelines. Some are effective, and may have a few minor side effects, where others just turn out to be bad news. Same thing applies the drugs in the illegal category. Some have hundreds or even thousands of years of use, and can be used responsibly and have benefits, where others obviously destroy the body and mind. Either way, educate people and let them do what they want with their body. For the people that make the destructive choices, have a system to help them, not lock them up.
… and we all know the cannabis vs. alcohol and cigarette comparison.