BY BILL FEIPEL Originalism became a household word with the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in October 2020. Originalism: it sounds reliable, stable, comforting. Ms. Barrett identifies its guiding principles as ”First, the meaning of the…
Editorial Page
Editorial | Climate racism, food insecurity, election falsehoods, anti-vaxxers
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
We now live in the era of “alternative facts,” a term coined by Trump supporter Kellyanne Conway to try to justify lies. Predictably, “alternative facts” invariably favor wealthy, secure, privileged people who fail to recognize the limits of their own…
Disinformation, Gannett and PJS
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
The Journal Star has clearly deteriorated under GateHouse and now Gannett ownership, but a new low was reached Sunday Nov. 15 with a column on page B1 about Gov. JB Pritzker’s order restricting indoor dining in restaurants and bars. The…
Letter to the Editor | Origins of Originalism, Part 1
by contributor • • 0 Comments
BY BILL FEIPEL Advocates of “Originalism,” some of whom have recently made it on to the Supreme Court, tell us the Constitution must be interpreted based on the “original understanding” of its creators “at the time it was adopted” ––…
Editorial | More newsroom cuts at Journal Star
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
Poynter Institute for Media Studies has reported on yet another round of staff reductions in Gannett newsrooms and other departments nationwide. Gannett recently purchased the Peoria Journal Star. The paper currently has less than 10 percent of the newsroom employees…
OpEd | Who has the essential qualities for presidential leadership – Biden or Trump?
by Community Word Staff • • 0 Comments
BY FRANK H. MACKAMAN The most frequently asked question during these quadrennial presidential election marathons has to be “Who will win?” But that is the wrong question. With troubles deepening here and abroad, the question should be: “Who will govern…
Letter to the Editor | Demand proper disposal of toxic coal ash
by Community Word Staff • • 0 Comments
As a grandfather, I am concerned about the poisonous remains of the coal that has been burned in the coal-fired power plants of Illinois. It worries me that these toxic residuals are left next to rivers and aquifers that provide…
Letter to the Editor | Vote NO for Kilbride
by contributor • • 0 Comments
More than in any other election in recent history, voters this fall will elect leaders whose decisions and actions will directly affect our lives. One may not realize the importance of another significant measure on our Nov. 3 ballot. Illinois…
Letter to the Editor | Vote YES for Kilbride
by contributor • • 0 Comments
Please vote yes to retain Tom Kilbride as Illinois Supreme Court justice. Kilbride has a long, distinguished history of service on the court, protecting ordinary Illinois citizens. Kilbride has been endorsed by both Democrats and Republicans, even though big-donor Republicans…
OpEd | Economic history of the graduated income tax; YES, it’s fair!
by contributor • • 0 Comments
BY BILL FEIPEL Omaha, Nebraska was hot that July in 1892. But not as hot as the tempers of the farmers who descended upon it to form their own Populist Party. The Farmers Alliances of the south and west joined…