Format fails to test their best

October 9, 2008

Nine thoughts on Tuesday night's debate.

Recent columns

• As campaigns turn up heat, we must seek light

  October 7, 2008

  Conservative columnist and author Peggy Noonan expressed a quaint, high-minded concern Sunday during her appearance on NBC's " Meet the Press."

• Ballot question's wording speaks for itself

  September 30, 2008

  As you may know, there will be a referendum question on the November ballot asking if we should hold a convention to overhaul the Illinois Constitution of 1970.

• In ethics bill, Hynes' team spirit shines

  September 25, 2008

  Dan Hynes' one-word reaction to the success of an ethics bill this week in Springfield was fitting.

• College a rite of passage for parents too

  September 23, 2008

  The last march, the one we'd been hoping for yet dreading since 1989, was a ritual procession about a third of a mile through campus on a gorgeous autumn afternoon.

• Obama's foes fire same old cheap shot

  September 9, 2008

  "[ Barack Obama] ran for the state legislature and he got elected, and nearly 130 times he couldn't make a decision. He couldn't figure out whether to vote yes or no. It was too tough. He voted . . . 'present.' . . . For president of the United States, it's not good enough to be present. You have to make a decision."

• Equal time rules at this book club

  September 4, 2008

  Welcome, readers, to the second installment of the Tribune columnists' political book club.

• New goal: Just don't 'd'oh!' it

  September 2, 2008

  Our kids' orthodontist called Friday afternoon and broke what was, even for me, a pathetically short streak of days without a d'oh!

• No confusing McCain's position on abortion

  August 28, 2008

  Moments don't get more illustrative than this:

• Meeks' plan flawed, but picture perfect

  August 26, 2008

  There are several things wrong with Democratic state Sen. James Meeks' big plan for next Tuesday.

• Obama's rejection of 2003 abortion bill comes to forefront

  August 21, 2008

  The events of Wednesday, March 12, 2003, in Springfield are suddenly looming large in the U.S. presidential race.

• Meeks' fury over schools ignited in past

  August 7, 2008

  To better understand the determined fury of State Sen. James Meeks—his fiery rhetoric on education funding and proposals to spark city-suburban confrontations—we must look back to spring 2006, when Meeks himself got a schooling he can't forget.

• Forget doom! A quick fix to budget exists

  August 5, 2008

  Q: So is that "doomsday" for addiction-services providers you wrote about last Tuesday over yet?

• Spotlight's glare bares missteps too

  July 31, 2008

  Did you hear that John McCain all but called Barack Obama a socialist in an interview recently, right about the same time he was quoted as all but calling him a traitor?

• 'Doomsday' battle goes to the brink

  July 29, 2008

  Like many residents of Illinois, I've developed a reflexive response to lawmakers' threats of "doomsday."

• Hard to find good reason to buy back guns

  July 24, 2008

  Here are six reasons I'm wary of gun buybacks, such as the one scheduled for Saturday in Chicago in which those who turn in firearms at any of 25 locations get a $100 prepaid credit card per gun, no questions asked.

• Atheist aims new weapon in his crusade

  July 22, 2008

  The Old Rob Sherman got on the phone with reporters 21/2 years ago and raised a ruckus when Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced plans to commit $1 million in state funds to rebuilding the fire-ravaged Pilgrim Baptist Church.

• Ethics reform kind of slow— like governor

  July 17, 2008

  Q: Has Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed that ethics-reform bill yet?

• John B. Anderson endorses Obama

  January 7, 2008

  Former Illinois Republican congressman and independent presidential candidate John B. Anderson endorsed Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday.

• It takes more than cell 'ping' to track phone

  December 15, 2007

  According to authorities, Reginald Potts Jr. left a trail of electronic breadcrumbs on Sept. 18 as he drove Nailah Franklin down to Calumet City, where her hidden, naked and decomposing body was found more than a week later.

• Put a parody to melody for good of charity

  November 22, 2007

  With still more than a week until the entry deadline in our politically themed seasonal-song parody contest, Mary Schmich and I have already received many clever lines and verses.

• The first Nowell complaint led to merry laughter

  December 14, 2006

  Some days my work brings such joy to the world!

• Kids at heart like Studs give voice to season

  December 12, 2006

  Studs Terkel's appearance on stage Saturday night at "Songs of Good Cheer" prompts me to suggest a revision to the lyrics of "The Christmas Song."

• Deportation standoff not helping cause

  August 17, 2006

  Since the standoff on West Division Street is almost sure to end badly--with screams, shouts and tears broadcast worldwide--officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE, ought to just get it over with, move in and arrest Elvira Arellano.

• The final word on cop torture lacks outrage

  July 20, 2006

  Dude, where's my adjectives?

• Sorich defense ends with style, not substance

  June 27, 2006

  There's an old saying among trial lawyers that if you don't have the facts on your side, argue the law; and if you don't have the law on your side, argue the facts.

• Ryan verdict should be death knell for perks

  April 20, 2006

  In his remarks just after Monday's guilty verdict against former Gov. George Ryan, prosecutor Patrick Collins delivered a stern warning to politicians.

• Verdict also in for Ryan trial cynics: You lose

  April 18, 2006

  Monday was a bad day for us cynics.

• Jury's verdict won't be end of Ryan trial

  April 11, 2006

  What are we talking here? Possible probation? A few months? A few years? More?

• Ryan guilty? Let us count the top 3 ways

  March 14, 2006

  Here are the top three reasons why former Gov. George Ryan will be convicted on at least some of the 18 counts against him now being considered by a federal jury.

• A front-row view of state's biggest drama

  March 7, 2006

  You should see the Ryan trial as it reaches its climax this week.

• We interrupt this trial to laud the defendant

  February 16, 2006

  If I were just slightly less of a gentleman, I would have spit out my coffee in a great geyser the other morning upon reading the news that the doorman at George Ryan's Chicago condominium building had testified as a character witness at the former governor's federal corruption trial.

• 1st impressions of architecture not set in stone

  July 28, 2005

  The cautious person scratches his chin, nods and says nothing for a moment.

• Hull's biggest mistake isn't in divorce file

  February 28, 2004

  What's interesting about Blair Hull's divorce file is what's not in it.

• Debate gets silent treatment from Democrats

  February 7, 2004

  It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the great debate set for a week from Sunday in Highland Park began to crumble.

• Human touch can only go so far for Pappas

  January 24, 2004

  `What's doin'?" asks Maria Pappas.