Belleville News Democrat: Opinion http://www.bnd.com/editorial/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Belleville News Democrat en-us Copyright 2009 Belleville News Democrat Opinion 60 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:49:42 CST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys support@Belleville.com Keep Belleville lofts for owners http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/604998.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/604998.html Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:49 CST For years Belleville leaders have been adamant that they want more owner-occupied homes in the city. It's a laudable objective, and this is no time to back down. Roland Burris gets D for diversion http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/603634.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/603634.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:56 CST Roland Burris insisted on Monday that he is the junior senator from Illinois, even though the secretary of the U.S. Senate refused to accept his paperwork. Guest view: Time for Mascoutah to live within means http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/603636.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/603636.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:12 CST By Marshall Swing Caution in the courts http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/603470.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/603470.html Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:02 CST There was felony court, civil court, family court, traffic court, small claims court. Then came drug court, domestic violence court and mental health court. Clamping down on teen drinking http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/602200.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/602200.html Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:26 CST The latest police undercover operation to check for liquor sales to minors showed continued progress, but not perfection, in shutting off this source of alcohol to the under-aged. Commentary: A president forgotten but not gone http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/602651.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/602651.html Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:03 CST WE like our failed presidents to be Shakespearean, or at least large enough to inspire Oscar-worthy performances from magnificent tragedians like Frank Langella. So here, too, George W. Bush has let us down. Even the banality of evil is too grandiose a concept for 43. He is not a memorable villain so much as a sometimes affable second banana whom Josh Brolin and Will Ferrell can nail without breaking a sweat. He’s the reckless Yalie Tom Buchanan, not Gatsby. He is smaller than life. Can air quality fix itself? http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/598887.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/598887.html Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:13 CST We did not meet the old, lower standard for little particles of soot in the air. Don't confuse the names http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/598890.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/598890.html Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:13 CST We live in a community that likes to refer to things by what used to be there. New year dawning: Good riddance to '08 http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/598882.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/598882.html Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:56 CST Last year on New Year's Day we commented on consumer confidence being up slightly despite the housing slump, gas prices, war and political uncertainty. We opined that Americans knew they were up to whatever challenges lay ahead. Blagojevich can't make the Senate appointment http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/597501.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/597501.html Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:36 CST Just when it looked like we could finish out 2008 without any new Rod Blagojevich drama, he announced he is appointing former Attorney General Roland Burris to Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.