Opinion

In an overtly reflective piece, Larry explains how small moments in his life have led to big changes in his personal life.

By scrapping New Deal legislation, the government has created problems that can only be fixed by either reform or revolution.

Part three on how Rob sees this whole mess. It’s never easy.

As Rob looks deeper into how we prosecute cases where someone ends up dead, he poses the idea of our having to play both the victim and the perpetrator. It’s not easy.

Emma follows up on the Merci’s Refuge/Mike Huckabee event, and wonders how Champaign-Urbana will do the same.

Honestly, how much do we care about what happens to the people we don't know? Rob will tell you, and it's likely that you already know the answer.

After Larry showed up to find that he was one of four people to sign up for Speed Dating at Boltini, he did what any man might do: he dined at Merry Ann’s, took a deep breath, and dove in head first.

Attempting to understand the hold that money has over us with cultural touchpoints from Osama Bin Laden to Sofia Coppola, and everywhere in between.

As Larry prepares to “speed-date” for the first time, a few reflections and some advice from his nine year old daughter. Yeah… this should be good.

With all of these chants of USA! USA! coming from the streets, Rob is forced to question what is a republican and what is a Republican?

In the aftermath of one of the most devastating tragedies for the cycling community, Anna wonders what it will take for State’s Attourney Julia Rietz to finally start paying more attention.

New writer and local attorney Bob Finch delivers a brief history of the Champaign Co. Board and, with an eye on redistricting, meditates on the failure of local democracy.

Alyssa argues for the importance of fine arts and dance as part of elementary school core curriculum.

What, you expect politicians to stand behind their words?

While Champaign dukes it out for a hotly contested Mayoral race, the Urbana Park District will once again ask its citizens for more tax dollars for another pool at the old Crystal Lake Pool site.

A Puerto Rican vacation includes the titular play on words, and a whole list of things to dislike, but still tremendous beauty.

Gerard earns lopsided victory by simply demonstrating his competence as Mayor Jerry reinforces birther credentials, is generally confused.

Judging a book by its cover is even less helpful in the world of online dating.

An indefensible interpretation on the part of the City Attorney makes the “open, fair, and transparent government” of Mayor Schweighart more of a joke.

Another installment from SCORN.

AT&T’s quest to get your money doesn’t stop at capping. They’re lurking on your porch too.

Laura takes issue with several aspects of the broadband plan laid out in Obama’s State of the Union address.

In one month, if you live in Champaign, you will be able to choose who your mayor is for the first time in twelve years. This is Seth’s reasoning for casting his vote for Don Gerard. He thinks you should listen.

The eternally-in-progress novel takes a tentative step forward, deeper into the city.

Lots of cash flowed from local bank accounts to Rahm Emanuel’s campaign coffers, and we want to know why. Prizes for best and correct answers.

With five weeks to go until the Champaign mayoral election, Jerry Schweighart is ducking debates with Don Gerard at every turn. What gives?

“The dwarf sees farther than the giant, when he has the giant’s shoulder to mount on”~~Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Friend

A report from his old stompin’ grounds jogs Theo’s memory about stories from meth-heads he once knew.

Now that “Snowmageddon” has come and gone, Larry being from Northern Minnesota, has a few words for the media that perpetuated this whole mess into something it wasn’t.

Snowed in? Greg shares his reading list.

With all these laws being passed in the State legislature, Larry can’t help but wonder if all these warnings are immunizing our ability to make judgments.

Eric sees a new class division developing between private sector and public sector workers.

This past December, Seth couldn’t help but notice the dwindling amount of holiday cheer in downtown Champaign. In an interview with city planner Terry Blakeman, we learn just how hard it is to maintain.

Escape may be essential these days, and here are some movies from last year that will do the trick.

We’re back, and Theo kicks off the new year with some items that he wished had stayed in 2010.

Larry suggests a modest proposal for a new bumper sticker, and actions to follow.

Writing a Christmas letter to people you barely know is tough, but an excess of stars, starter sideburns, and asian carp are all in play.

What if we tried to throw a roast (for our third anniversary) and nobody came?

“You really should get a colonoscopy,” and other bits of dubious advice one encounters in everyday life.

Forget the marquee. What matters most about the Virginia Theatre is what happens inside its walls. Seth offers up a few suggestions, and asks for community feedback. Your words are welcome.

After adopting a cat to help him through a rough patch, it just ended up calling more attention to the issues that Theo was struggling with.

A segment from Scorn, a novel-in-progress.

Theo experienced eating pig balls for the first time last weekend in Gifford, and he’s unscarred by all outward appearances.

We asked several community members to share their thoughts, and Marci Dodds, Terence Fitzgerald, and Karen Foster complied.

Put in context, the purported uptick in attacks on whites on campus appears to be a media construct, borne of poor reading comprehension and cherry-picked stats.

Dan recounts his day at Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity.

Despite being seemingly hamstrung by the system, Jerommie Smith is putting up a solid fight to win the vote on Election Day. One issue: he’s a write-in.

Is language an alien disease controlling our lives? Can I say something “makes me sick” without eventually falling victim to a fever?