Opinion

Pygmalion 2008 is in full swing, with reports of collapsing stages and assorted other excitement coming in regularly from the Krannert Arts District. This year’s festival boasts arguably the best lineup of the four years …

From Richard Oppel’s Jr.’s column on August 22, 2008: “Although the “surge” is often described as the turning point that led to lower violence, a number of American officers contend the Awakening that began well …

Oh My! I did not see you there Noble Reader. Pardon me. Let me see. I am truly quite apologetic for my lack of preparation. I was just preparing my tax return (best to get …

Our local gas stations are a hub for our community’s addiction activity. It is there that a vast number of us feed our cravings for nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, gambling and, of course, our nation’s biggest …

With George W. Bush leaving office, and his approval rating now primarily made up of family and friends, we may soon be forced to return to the drudgery of fact-based reality. Without Bush around, our …

Last week, the UPS guy delivered a package for Anthony again. Anthony lives on the next street over. This is the fourth time this year. After I spent an hour searching for a phone number …

As energy prices continue to put the screw down on America, its politicians continue to fling about questionable statements concerning energy policy and push even more dubious legislation. Where does Rep. Tim Johnson stand? Johnson …

The jury is out right now on just how well the Zooker and his Illinois football squad will respond to the pressures of a pre-season ranking or repeating a Rose Bowl bid. In the first …

Champaign-Urbana is a place of many exciting events and affairs. Most of these notable happenings are reported on by the local fourth estate. However, to my great surprise, one of the most sensational and important …

Standing on the quad of Macalester College (in St. Paul, Minnesota) at 9 a.m. this past Labor Day, soaking a bandana with apple cider vinegar, I had no concept of the day that was before …

The people who identify themselves as conservative Christians are a mixed bunch. There are, on one end of the spectrum, the ultra-conservative fundamentalists and, on the other end, the more moderate conservative evangelicals. This wide …

Commandments, like best movies and most wanted fugitives, come in batches of ten. Deadly Sins, like wonders of the world and highly effective habits, come in batches of seven. This makes sins and commandments somewhat …

Who is Timothy V. Johnson? He represents you in Congress. Although just one voice among 435, the man has leverage in deciding where your tax money goes, how (and if) the environment is protected, what …

What’s left to say about Sarah Palin? Just some observations about her attackers. I cannot believe the outpouring of hatred towards her I noticed during the days after she was introduced. Every intelligent woman in …

Thanks to an enterprising hacker, Greek life was thrust into the local discussion even more than normal during rush season this past week, as the following phony email was distributed to all University of Illinois …

Her timing was good. She was funny. She spoke directly. It was a good speech. If you missed it, here’s the transcript. So rather than deconstructing her delivery, we can focus on the content. I’ll …

Make haste, Valiant Readers! Ready your armour and swords. Join me in my battle against the greatest foe currently facing mankind. A foe capable of making chartered accounts shit their pants right in front of …

In Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith there is a scene at the end of the movie where Anakin and Obi-Wan are fighting each other. Anakin says, “If you’re not with me, …

Wow, I thought the choice of Joe Biden was dull. Now I understand the strategically brilliant aspect of choosing Joe Biden: It’s dull. As a follow up, John McCain stunned us with a choice who’s …

John McCain’s pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for Vice President depresses me. I’m not depressed because Republicans now think the election is over, since it was a brilliant and game-changing pick. And it isn’t …

What is your favorite state park? It might be closing. Kickapoo State Park located in nearby Oakwood will close Nov. 1 due to state-wide budget cuts that will also shut down several other state parks …

Chester Frazier will get more minutes than anybody this year. That news may seem about as thrilling as the selection of Joe Biden to be Vice President. Chet’s playing time is necessary for the same …

Like most of the students on campus, I moved into my new apartment this past weekend. I had all the excitement of starting a new school year and moving into a new place. Everything was …

All right, kids. First and foremost, congratulations are in order. You have successfully navigated your relative high school’s snares of comfort, survived a mild summer, and now find yourself someplace you might consider “nowhere.” After …

When I moved to Champaign back in 1994, I went to a U-Haul in order to reserve and rent a truck so that I could transport my belongings which, at that point in my life, …

I was running down the street earlier this week, just taking in my surroundings, when I noticed a young girl walking in my direction, about five blocks away. As I got closer to her, I …

I was introduced to the news of Barack Obama’s vice presidential pick by reading a Yahoo! news headline after waking up on Saturday. It said something like “Obama Picks Ultimate Washington Insider.” A Google search …

Ed Note: With school back in session, Ellyn Newell brings Smile Politely her top ten reasons why college students really need to get in shape and how. 1. Pokey Sticks:> They may be delicious, especially …

Well, there’s a new unexpected art project in town — shrouded in secrecy with only a website and manifesto to reveal itself. The collective is called The Fireswallow Project and they “are for art.” They …

In Champaign-Urbana, we have myriad options when it comes to gatherings. From annual parties like Taste of Champaign and the County Fair, to bi-annual throwdowns like Wall2Wall Guitar Festival, to art festivals like Boneyard and …

Happy Reunion, Devoted Readers. Despite challenges to my honor and name, I have returned and persist as your devoted Campus Wit. After a summer filled with tarry and talk, another school year looms. Books are …

As far as we know, Urbana’s Planning Commission doesn’t get its pockets lined with cash. Unscrupulous developers don’t buy votes here. Maybe in Champaign, but not Urbana. Thursday night, the Urbana Commission will consider a …

We’re in trouble. Our country is falling behind in science and it’s time to take some immediate and drastic action before the U.S. becomes the global classroom equivalent of Home Economics. Perhaps the problem is …

The Olympics are already more than halfway over. As usual, they have provided valuable life lessons for athletes and viewers alike. A small sample includes: Sports are more interesting and broadcast-worthy when Americans are good …

This week, Ask Politely is a special commentary by our resident film critic, Chuck Koplinski. The rest of the piece can be found by clicking “Continue Reading” below. Please join in the discussion. This is …

I’ve been told that I have an “addictive personality” because if there is even a remote possibility of getting addicted to something, then I will do it. My latest addiction is Facebook. I have been …

I am a member of Coop America, which is one of those liberal, save the planet, use your economic power to buy green and socially conscious stuff organizations. Being a member means that I pay …

When Merchandising Tool, Viacom (MTV) first arrived on cable, their programming consisted of almost nothing except promotional videos for popular music. As they began to hone their marketing skills, MTV culled and grouped videos they …

Welcome to Champaign-Urbana, which was tenth in the Top Green Cities list 2007, by Country Home magazine, in conjunction with Sperling’s BestPlaces — although in 2008 we have moved down to #56. (And I cannot …

As the site of the main campus of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana certainly qualifies as a college town in a fairly pure sense. There’s certainly not many other geographical reasons for our fair cities …

Here’s a half-baked thought: Perhaps Michael Scott is a contemporary stereotype of a white person. Michael Scott is the ultimate nightmare boss, played by Steve Carell on The Office. But he’s not the mean kind …

Census statistics show that Champaign-Urbana has more bicyclists than the average American town. Urbana ranks third in Illinois (and first in towns of over 1,000 people) with 4.61 percent of the population commuting by bicycle. …

Yesterday, the summer edition of the Daily Illini read, “Where’s the party at? Princeton Review ranks Illinois No. 16 party school.” Does anyone know what’s wrong with this front page? That’s right English 101 students: …

There are only a handful of places in Champaign-Urbana that house the homeless. There’s the Times Center on East Washington Street, the Salvation Army’s Stepping Stone shelter on North Market, the Women’s Emergency Shelter on …

I may have grown up in suburbia, but I’m not completely ignorant about farm life. After all, some years I spend an entire afternoon at a county fair. As a child I played some wicked …

I’m in Singapore; here for a conceptual art conference called ISEA: International Symposium for Electronic Art. I’m presenting a paper that The Husband and I co-wrote, about Buddhism, Augmented Reality and Social Networks. It’s actually …

Champaign City Council is at work trying to create more affordable housing around the downtown area, specifically north of Washington Street for those who work at and patronize the businesses in the area. Currently the …