Saturday stuff

This, that and assorted other stuff:

-- A lot of people have a lot of opinions about what the Champaign Council's going to do about filling Council Member Kathy Ennan's vacant seat. Problem is, with 15 candidates, that's a lot of information to sort through. And a lot of politics to play. Talking to someone fairly close to the process, it appears no one, not even council members, know for sure what's gonna happen yet. All that's for sure is that Patricia Avery, who may have had the inside track a week ago, shot herself in the foot (of both feet) this week when she appeared before the council. It would appear at this point that there still are maybe 10 equally viable candidates. And about 75 viable opinions.

-- Even despite the antics this week, I'm not all that convinced Avery's decision to drop out (maybe) of the County Board race was a smart move. Her move hurts her party, it hurts her and could jeopardize the Democratic majority on the County Board. Is she sure that's what she wants to do? Why?

-- Not sure what to make of the rumors floating around that Catherine Hogue may drop out of the County Board race due to heath issues. The health issues are real. Not sure the rumors are, though. I speculate that it's more speculation than fact. But I could be wrong.

-- I don't care where you stand on the political spectrum, this latest terrorist threat is just plain frightening. Especially since I have a couple of flights (not international, thank heavens) coming up next week. No carry-on bags for me. Probably no blissful in-flight naps, either.

-- Haven't heard of a single restaurant closing in Urbana since the smoking ban went into effect Aug. 1. Have heard of a couple restaurants seeing a few new non-smoking faces, however. Guess the business apocalypse is gonna take a little more time, huh?

-- Been seeing more and more stuff about the Illini football team and the Bears both getting ready for their seasons. Far as I'm concerned, it's just too darned early for football. Heck, the Cubs haven't even been mathmatically eliminated yet. (They're close, through).

-- American's youth is still dying in Iraq. And Sunnis are still shooting Shiites who are still shooting Kurds who are shooting Sunnis who are killing Kurds who are killing Shiites who are ..... ain't democracy grand?

And so it goes.