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Both Obama and Romney are reckless on Iran
The Romney campaign created a stir recently when a key foreign-policy adviser, Dan Senor, seemed to up the ante by saying, “If Israel has to take action on its own, in order to stop Iran from developing that [nuclear weapons] capability, the governor would respect that decision.

Bus-age wonders
While I was coming of age in central Illinois in the 1960s, the motor vehicle that figured daily in my life was not a car – I didn’t have one – but the bus. I rode buses to school, I rode buses to visit friends away at college, I rode buses to and from an out-of-town summer job.

Editor’s note
How about a referendum on what issues the city council should focus their attention on? Tanning beds and a residency requirement? Maybe next they’ll try to figure out singlepayer health insurance.

The people’s choice! Only, not really.
Ted Cruz is America’s latest tea party darling, having just pulled off a political contortion in Texas that few would have thought humanly possible: He got to the right of Gov. Rick Perry! The “Oops” governor is himself a former tea party darling who’s such a far-out know-nothing that he’s renowned for putting the goober in gubernatorial.

LETTERS
CHICK-BASHING You have shown your liberal bias by publishing Chris Britt’s newest cartoon bashing Chick-fil-A. The company doesn’t preach hate, or intolerance in any fashion. The media asked a leading question to the CEO about his personal beliefs, knowing the answer ahead of time.

The campaign against Mike Madigan
The Illinois Republican Party has relentlessly bashed House Speaker Michael Madigan almost every day via press release during the past few months.

Keeping track
“We need some checks and balances,” says Boyster, a North Springfield Democrat who was elected to the county board in 2010, ousting a Republican incumbent who, like Palazzolo, had held elective office since 2002. “I wasn’t supposed to win my race in 2010.

THE POWER OF THE PRESS
Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries has not bought out Walgreens, or Family Video for that matter. Goodwill president and CEO Sharon Durbin does not have a penthouse office at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was not donated to the charity for a tax deduction.

SPARC IS HOT
Sparc would like to hear from anyone with spare ceiling fans that are going unused. They also take cash. Sparc being a nonprofit organization recognized as such by the Internal Revenue Service, all contributions are tax deductible, which might come in handy when tax returns are due next year and you need a little extra to help with the heating bill.

My visit with a centenarian
Marie said her husband “deserted” her after 12 years of marriage. They had two children and another who died at 10 months from what she termed “dropsy.” One son lives in Decatur. She has four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, all 11 girls. Her twin brother died at 91.

From sea to shining sea
James Willing, a Michigan state trooper who has launched an investigation of his own, confirmed the federal probe, saying that he has heard from citizens and law enforcement authorities in Wisconsin, California, Arkansas and Ohio who say that THR has written scores of bad checks, both to consumers who sold valuables and employees who are owed wages.

One last spin
Bliefnick has been manager of the fair for eight years, making her the longest-serving manager in the fair’s history, as well as the first female to hold that position. An amiable, energetic woman with an air of confidence, Bliefnick enjoys walking through the livestock barns, watching new generations carry on the traditions of the fair.

All in the family
The Illinois State Fair is all about traditions stretching back to the fair’s beginnings in 1853. For Brian and Alec Myers, a father and son from Taylorville, the tradition of raising cattle doesn’t go back quite that far, but it’s still an important part of their lives.

Secrets uncovered by 1950s drought
It’s hard to think of anything good about droughts, but they have turned up some interesting finds. On Aug. 6, the Illinois State Museum announced a new acquisition that resulted from the current dry spell – a local family gave the museum some bones they found on the Sangamon River.

State Fair honey ice cream
Honey ice cream has been served at the Illinois State Fair since 1958, according to Rita Taylor of Pleasant Plains, who joined the Lincoln Land Beekeepers Association that same year. It was started by Carl Killion, founder of the Illinois State Beekeepers Association and state chief inspector of honey operations.

Hope, an honest look at love and intimacy
Kay and Arnold (Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones) have just celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. While they appear to their children and neighbors to be content, there’s trouble brewing behind the walls of their placid suburban home. Like most longtime marrieds, they’ve unknowingly slipped into a routine that has taken over their lives.

More fair fun
I’ve always liked the laid back atmosphere of the Twilight Ballroom wherever the venue was located. It’s just a completely different vibe than the rocking beer tents and it’s nice to have an option. On Saturday at 7, The Kevin Lucas Orchestra plays the Twilight stage (they also played on Aug.

PUB CRAWL
Cd’s Karaoke & DJ Services W/Tom.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Don Smith Band
The Illinois State Fair has many long-running traditions and in the music department none is more incredible than the run of the Don Smith Band. This year marks 32 straight years of performances on the grounds, far outlasting any other musical act in longevity.

THE CALENDAR
309-657-1599. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St..

THEATER | Literary drama
Kevin Purcell directs and stars, along side local acting sensation Aasne Vigesaa, in Prairie Voices,.

MUSIC | Power foursomes
Platinum-selling Vancouver four-man rock band Theory of a Deadman and Las Vegas quartet Adelitas Way open for rock giants Creed, Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand.

THE ARTS | Transcendent talent
The Imagine Foundation in Jacksonville lives up to its motto, “Reaching out through the arts,” as it presents a night of other-worldly fun Aug. 17. Catered to adults 18 years and older, the soiree is called Dark Gypsy Jubilee.