– Bumper sticker of the week: Who would Jesus bomb next?

– Quotes of the week: "Do not regret growing older. It’s a privilege denied to many." Unknown

"If you are still being hurt by an event that happened to you when you were young, it’s the thought that is hurting you now." James Hillman

– Careless mistakes you just don’t want to make:

• Never play Russian roulette with a loaded gun.

• Don’t take your eyes off the Illinois Power tree trimmers unless your aim is to have half-trees.

• Before boarding an airplane, don’t mention that you have recently converted to Islam.

• When walking down the street, keep an eye open for uncovered manholes.

• Never underestimate the power of a short skirt.

• Never call a cop a candy striper.

• Never call a candy striper a cop.

• Never contemplate suicide when homicide will accomplish the same purpose.

• Never follow anyone who claims to know "the truth."

• Don’t bend over in front of a lawyer.

– Seeking serenity:

• The harder you look, the less likely you’ll be able to find it.

• Serenity has nothing to do with those around you, or for that matter, where you’re at, be it a mountain cabin or a busy street corner.

• Quieting your thoughts is the first step towards the possibility of finding it.

• Serenity can’t be found at the bottom of a bottle, or in the thrill of the pill.

• You have to let go of anger, resentments, regrets, revenge. If you were fishing and caught a snake, would you put it on the stringer? Some things have to be let go.

• As big a shock as this might be, the world will go on without you. Accepting this moves you a giant step forward in finding serenity.

– Non-profit organizations under scrutiny: The term "non-profit" has become false advertising. Today, most non-profit organizations, for the most part, want to make a profit. Most hide the profit through unusually high salaries for the CEOs and management, or launder the money thru dummy companies that are allowed to make a profit. They continue to pay no taxes, which is no different than for-profit companies laundering money through Bermuda. They claim they have to make a profit to stay in business. I claim that’s bull. If you’re a charitable organization, try begging, like you’re making your clients do.

–Mayor of Galesburg worried about what prospective businesses will think about Galesburg and Knox County suing Maytag over owed taxpayer dollars: It’s been painful watching the mayor’s transformation from questioner to placating good-old-boy. The first question I would have for him is, Scare off who? My second question would be, Don’t you think that businesses should have at least some accountability to the taxpayer while they freely, and with few questions asked, are given our tax dollars to do with as they please? e.g. Regency Hotel. As the council and mayor continue the story line of "giving it all away," the recipients of our generosity continue their story line of "screwing us up one side and down the other." It’s amazing how none of our leaders seem to notice this. And what’s worse, they continue to defend it. The whole outfit, from GREDA to the Chamber to the council to the mayor, need to be sent with Maytag to Mexico. Hopefully, they’d have a lot more luck talking businesses into relocating there, although I’m not sure they would be any more successful. Everyone would probably start going to China.