My nephew Noah’s car was T-boned by a UPS semi earlier this month. Noah was banged up, but Dad suffered some broken ribs. They ran a bunch of tests on him in the ER, and they kept him overnight for observation, and then a second night. He was a bit grumpy. This accident happened at about 4:30 p.m. on September. 2nd, and I didn’t find out till about 9:15 p.m.

Naturally, I was pretty upset. But then I visited him in the hospital. All seemed to be well, and I went to work the next day.

The accident happened at the intersection of Camp Street and U.S. Route 24 in East Peoria. They were leaving the Chinese buffet restaurant there.

The front end of Noah’s car was pretty much destroyed. This will play havoc with Noah and wife Haley’s plans to skip town and move to Texas, I’m afraid.

Of course this happened with Mom visiting her sister in Sandy, Utah.

But as far as the local media is concerned, this accident never happened. There’s nothing in the Journal Star about it. It happened in the early evening on a Saturday. I mean, it’s understandable that there was nothing in Sunday’s paper. Staffing levels are so low, it’s understandable no one would be able to get the story in time for deadline for Sunday’s paper.

But nothing in Monday’s paper? And certainly not Tuesday’s, which pretty much sealed the deal. They had more than 24 hours to make a routine call to authorities in East Peoria. Of course, it might be the Journal Star’s policy to not report on traffic accidents with injuries when the offending vehicle is a major employer, but I kinda doubt it.

Anti-labor, anti-health care, job exporting Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman wants you to vote for Dave Koehler for Congress. Seriously

Well THIS is a fine how-do-you-do. Doug Oberhelman, the CEO of Caterpillar, is backing Dave Koehler for Congress. You know, THAT Doug Oberhelman. The one who has been threatening to leave Illinois if the tax rate isn’t lowered. The one whose been slashing benefits to retirees. The Doug Oberhelman who stands against everything that Democrat Dave Koehler is supposed to believe in.

Oberhelman made some news several months back by subtly threatening to move jobs out of state. Seems he was upset at a tax hike that Gov. Pat Quinn pushed through, and one that Koehler voted for. He’s mostly given money to GOP candidates, and famously hosted a fundraiser for U.S. Congressman Aaron Schock (R-18th District).

But Oberhalman claims to be wonderful friends with Koehler. Old friends in fact.

Well, isn’t that nice?

Here’s MY question for State Sen. Koehler: Why the HELL is Doug Oberhelman supporting Dave Koehler in any way, shape or form? Even if Oberhelman supports Koehler for some bizarre reason, Koehler should not be taking the money from Oberhelman, who wants to tear down health care and transport jobs elsewhere.

And why would any member of UAW 974 vote for Koehler, considering Oberhelman thinks he’s the best candidate? People like Oberhelman want something in return for their contributions.

It boggles the mind. I like Dave — really I do — but embracing Oberhelman in this way seems to be moving backward.